| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08967202B2 |
Plug device for gas turbine engine shaft
A device for plugging an axially-aligned bore in a shaft of a gas turbine engine comprises a plug. A sealing body of the plug is sealingly received in a bore of the shaft. Legs project from the sealing body and are displaceable between a normally contracted position in which the legs are radially inward relative to a periphery of the bore, and a deployed position in which the legs project radially outward and engage with shaft projections within the bore of the shaft. A wedge is operatively engaged to the plug for movement of the wedge relative to the plug. The wedge comprises a portion in operative contact with the legs of the plug unit to displace the legs between positions as a response to movement of the wedge. A gas turbine engine and a method for plugging a shaft are provided. |
| US08967201B2 |
Pilot regulator
A pilot regulator system includes a housing having a fluid inflow port, a ball valve to regulate fluid flow among two fluid outflow ports, two regulator outputs each associated with one of said two fluid outflow ports, and a regulator selection aperture. An extension portion, generally horizontal to the regulator outputs, is connected to the regulator selection aperture, and includes an open end for access to a selection member that can be moved between two positions to select fluid flow to one of two regulator outputs. The extension portion also has a groove and the selection member has an extension extending through the groove so as to be movable by either the extension or the selection member itself. The extension portion has an expansive cross-sectional element to guide a remote vehicle to the selection member for movement thereof. |
| US08967197B1 |
Remote actuator device for valve control knob on a tank
A remote actuator device for a valve control knob on a tank (e.g., storage tank) is disclosed. |
| US08967193B2 |
Device for ventilating and aerating a fuel tank
A device for ventilating and aerating a fuel tank includes a tank shut-off valve and two tank pressure control valves. One of the tank pressure control valves opens in response to an overpressure in the fuel tank and the other one of the tank pressure control valves closes in response to a negative pressure in the fuel tank. A valve unit which is formed from one or multiple of the valves is mountable vertically or horizontally and has a fuel connection which communicates with the fuel tank and a filter connection which communicates with an activated carbon filter. The two connections are generally oriented parallel and point downwards in vertical mounting position of the valve unit and in sideward direction(s) in horizontal mounting position of the valve unit and are arranged at or near the bottom side of the valve unit. |
| US08967189B2 |
Hollow valve plate
The hollow valve plate 1 of a piston compressor for liquid-cooled reed valves comprises a single half-shell 3 with cooling channels 4 which are open on the cylinder side, which said half-shell is covered by a reed plate 2 which is preferably welded or glued at least along the cooling channels 4 and has in the area of the suction openings 5 in each case one suction reed 6 which is machined out and is integrally connected on one side. Production and assembly are thereby simplified and the clearance is reduced. |
| US08967187B2 |
Control valve pressure bleed inspection port
A valve with an integral bleed passage includes a valve body including a threaded bore, a bonnet having a first threaded portion arranged to be securable to the bore of the valve body and having a second portion disposed outside the valve body, and a cavity defined between the valve body and the first portion of the threaded bonnet. A bleed passage is formed in the bonnet and includes an entrance aperture formed in the first portion of the bonnet and in flow communication with the cavity, the passage including an exit aperture formed in the second portion of the bonnet, and a main portion providing flow communication between the entrance aperture and the exit aperture. The cavity and the entrance aperture are positioned to expose the passage to an interior portion of the valve prior to removal of the bonnet from engagement with the valve body. |
| US08967186B2 |
Fluid spill containment, location, and real time notification device and system
Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline having a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device comprises a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow. The fluid barrier is located in the interstitial space and extending between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. A spilled fluid sensor is located in the interstitial space to detect spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit. A network monitor that interfaces for communicating with an operator's data collection, analysis and reporting systems. A sensor network is connected to the fluid sensor for communicating spilled fluid sensor and location data from the sensor to the network monitor so as to alert the operator to the location of the spilled fluid in real time. |
| US08967185B2 |
Joint cover with manifold for duct leak detection system
A leak detector for an insulated duct carrying pressurized hot air comprises a cover secured over a circumferential cut in the insulation of the duct, or over a joint connecting duct sections, thereby creating a reservoir of hot air which has leaked from the duct or joint, a manifold block defining a conduit therein in communication with the hot air reservoir and a cap for securing heat sensitive wires to manifold at the end of the conduit such that the hot air from the hot air reservoir impinges directly on the heat sensitive wires. The leak detector includes flow control mechanisms in the body of the manifold block, to prevent false alarms arising from nominal leakage resulting from ordinary operation of the duct system. |
| US08967176B2 |
Fume blocking drain cap
A fume blocking drain cap could include a drain cap body having a top side and an underside defining at least one aperture extending therethrough and a dissolvable membrane attached to the underside of the drain cap body. The dissolvable membrane is arranged over the at least one aperture sealing the aperture from the underside of the drain cap body. A retainer ring may be provided that abuts the bottom surface of the dissolvable membrane to retain the dissolvable membrane against the underside of the drain cap body. The cap could also include a collar having an outside surface and inside surface. The collar is attached to and depends from the underside of the drain cap body and surrounds the dissolvable membrane. |
| US08967174B1 |
Articulated conduit systems and uses thereof for fuel gas transfer between a tug and barge
According to some aspects, a tug and barge arrangement is provided that is configured with an articulated conduit system for transferring a fuel gas (e.g., natural gas) between the tug and barge. In some embodiments, an articulated conduit system is provided that comprises a plurality of conduits fluidically interconnected by rotatable joints configured to permit positional alterations of the fluid conduits that result from differential movement between a tug and barge, such as relative vertical displacement between the tug and barge and/or relative rotation between the tug and barge about a forward-aft axis of the tug. |
| US08967171B2 |
Baby carriage with dual canopy mechanisms
A baby carriage includes a frame, a first canopy mechanism and a second canopy mechanism. The frame includes a first side tube, a second side tube, and a central tube located between the first side tube and the second side tube. The first canopy mechanism includes a first canopy, a first side socket connected on the first side tube, and a first central socket connected on the central tube, wherein opposite ends of the first canopy are connected to the first side socket and the first central socket respectively. The second canopy mechanism includes a second canopy, a second side socket connected on the second side tube, and a second central socket connected on the central tube, wherein opposite ends of the second canopy are connected to the second side socket and the second central socket respectively. |
| US08967163B2 |
Teeth cleaning device
A teeth cleaning device with a core pump area that provides positive pressure to push out water jetting streams and negative pressure to retract the floss attached to a piston, while the power input has enhanced torque due to the bevel gear structure; an optional spring may be placed inside the piston assembly to add to the reciprocating power, and thus creating more effective water jetting and floss oscillating motions for better teeth cleaning. |
| US08967160B2 |
Removable hair clip for hair iron
A removable hair clip for a hair iron, which is used to hold the hair on a heating barrel of the hair iron when setting the hair and is configured to form a removable structure suitable for removably installing the hair clip on the heating barrel, so a user can use the hair iron with or without the hair clip, thereby avoiding an unnecessary interference of the hair clip with the hair. The removable hair clip that is installed on the heating barrel so as to be resiliently rotated relative to the barrel includes: a cylindrical holder having an opening removably installed around the heating barrel and rotatably installing the hair clip on the heating barrel; and a locking unit provided on the holder so as to removably install the holder on the heating barrel, thereby controlling a removable installation of the hair clip on the heating barrel. |
| US08967159B1 |
Hair styling iron
A hair styling iron. There is: a joint; a power module; an on/off switch and a temperature adjustment switch disposed on the joint and coupled to the power module. A first arm is coupled to the joint, including: a first handle extending from the joint; and a first heating iron extending in an arc from the joint. A second arm is coupled to the joint, including: a second handle with a plurality of finger grooves extending from the joint below the first handle; and a second heating iron with a heat indicator extending in an arc from the joint. A temperature sensor activates a light when said sensor detects heat above a threshold temperature. The temperature switch permits selectable temperature settings of the heating irons up to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The heating irons each include an interior, arcuate, heating plate that is matched to each other. |
| US08967153B2 |
Glass cigarette
A glass cigarette with an elongate hollow tubular borosilicate glass member. The glass member has a first open ended cylindrical smoking material retaining portion, a second cylindrical smoke cooling passage portion and a third tapered tubular mouthpiece portion. A restrictor portion joins the first portion to the second portion. The third tapered portion is contiguous with and fixed to the second portion. The mouthpiece is open ended at the tapered end. A preferred embodiment includes the overall length of the glass cigarette is approximately 106 mm. |
| US08967152B1 |
Cigarette filter tip
A cigarette filter tip that includes a turbo fan activated by the breath, which turbo fan homogenizes and evenly distributes smoke to pass through a first filter and subsequently a second filter before being inhaled into the body. |
| US08967146B2 |
Respiratory mask having gas washout vent and method for making the mask
A washout vent for a mask for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to an airway of a mammal. The washout vent includes a vent orifice adapted for gas washout. The orifice includes one or more features that contribute to noise reduction, such as a channel with converging walls towards atmosphere, and/or a channel having one or more walls provided with surface treatment and/or contouring, such as roughening and/or scalloped portions. |
| US08967136B2 |
Solar collector system
A solar energy collecting system comprises a manifold defining a closed fluid passage between a condensation point and a heating point. The manifold includes a plurality of heat exchange members configured to be in heat exchange relationship with the fluid passage at the heating point, and a heat sink at the condensation point. A plurality of solar energy collector members extend from and operably connect to the heat exchange members of the manifold. The solar energy collector members collect solar energy and transform it into heat energy. Heat energy is transferred from the solar energy collector members to the heat exchange members and to a fluid in the passage in the manifold at the heating point so as to heat the fluid into a vapor. The fluid is circulated in heat exchange relationship to the condensation point where heat energy is transferred to the heat sink so as to cool the fluid to a liquid. The fluid repeatedly cycles between a vaporized state at the heat exchange members and a liquefied state at the condensation point. |
| US08967135B2 |
Solar heater system for domestics waters
A solar heater with a primary circuit course in a panel for heating two separate inter connected storage reservoirs. |
| US08967128B2 |
Multiple layer bypass hydrocarbon trap
An air induction system for an engine includes an air filter box configured to receive an air filter that separates the air filter box into an atmosphere side and a filtered air side, a clean-air duct coupled downstream from the air filter box and upstream of the engine relative to a direction of air flow during engine operation, a flow-through hydrocarbon trap positioned within the clean-air duct, and a bypass hydrocarbon trap secured within the air filter box on the filtered air side, the hydrocarbon trap having a plurality of generally flat or coiled layers of hydrocarbon adsorbing material sandwiched together and secured one to another. Mechanical fasteners such as grommets may extend through the plurality of layers to secure the layers together. The fasteners may be secured to ribs extending along an upper surface of the air filter box or an interior surface of the clean-air duct. |
| US08967126B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation cooler for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas recirculation cooler for an internal combustion engine is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an external casing with an inlet and an outlet for an exhaust gas flow. A first tube bundle and a second tube bundle, each with an inlet and an outlet for a coolant, are located inside the external casing so that the exhaust gas flow flows through the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle in series. A bypass passage conveys the exhaust gas flow from downstream the first tube bundle to the outlet of the external casing bypassing the second tube bundle. The bypass passage is located inside the external casing between the first tube bundle and the second tube bundle. |
| US08967124B2 |
Inductive heated injector using voltage transformer technology
A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. A first coil receives a first signal from a driver to generate a first magnetic field that moves an armature between an open and closed position. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The alternating current signal produces a time varying second magnetic field that induces heating of a magnetically active component with the fuel flow that in turn heats the fuel. |
| US08967123B2 |
Shut-off valve fault diagnosis device and fuel supply system
Provided is a shut-off valve fault diagnosis device that performs fault diagnosis of a first shut-off valve that is disposed immediately after a gaseous fuel tank and a second shut-off valve that is disposed immediately before a regulator in a gaseous fuel supply system. The shut-off valve fault diagnosis device includes a diagnosis processing unit that performs a valve-shutting control of the first shut-off valve, performs a valve-shutting control of the second shut-off valve after a predetermined time has passed since the valve-shutting control of the first shut-off valve, and performs fault diagnosis of the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve based on a variation tendency in a fuel pressure between the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve after performing the valve-shutting control of the second shut-off valve. |
| US08967121B2 |
Internal combustion engine control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine control apparatus
In a control of an internal combustion engine control apparatus, the control apparatus includes: a fuel tank that stores a fuel; a vaporized fuel tank that is connected to an intermediate portion of an intake passageway of an internal combustion engine and that stores a vaporized fuel that is formed by vaporization of the fuel; an in-tank fuel supply device that supplies the fuel from the fuel tank into the vaporized fuel tank; and a normally-closed vaporized fuel supply valve that opens and closes a connecting portion between the vaporized fuel tank and the intake passageway. The control apparatus estimates air/fuel ratio in the vaporized fuel tank, and produces the vaporized fuel in the vaporized fuel tank by driving the in-tank fuel supply device, with the vaporized fuel supply valve closed, until the estimated air/fuel ratio becomes substantially zero, during operation of the engine. At the time of starting the engine, the control apparatus supplies the vaporized fuel stored in the vaporized fuel tank into the intake passageway by opening the vaporized fuel supply valve. |
| US08967117B2 |
Throttle control assembly with integrated safety switch
A throttle control assembly includes a cable lever, a switch assembly, a throttle control device, and a switch engagement surface. The cable lever is adapted for coupling to a throttle cable and is configured, upon receipt of a drive torque, to rotate. The switch assembly is coupled to the cable lever and includes a switch that is movable between a first position and a second position. The throttle control device has the switch engagement surface formed on a portion of its inner surface. The switch engagement surface is configured, upon rotation of the throttle control device, to selectively move the switch between the first position and the second position and selectively rotate the switch assembly to thereby supply the drive torque to the cable lever. |
| US08967115B2 |
Francis cycle backwards injected engine
Fuel is injected into and through the exhaust port and into the cylinder of the piston engine during the time when the flow is reversed from the normally expected flow. The engine is able to operate with some or all of its fuel injected backwards of conventional expectations. In another embodiment the fuel is injected with solid stream injector sprays directed against exhaust valves and ports and deflected into the piston cylinder against the flow of normally aspirated or supercharged engines. This invention can apply to gasoline or diesel cycles and four and two stroke type cycles of engine. |
| US08967113B2 |
Vacuum pump mounting structure
There is provided a vacuum pump mounting structure. A vacuum pump is connected to an axial end portion of a first cam shaft of an engine and is configured to be driven by the first cam shaft. The first cam shaft is disposed in a cylinder head. A cam housing rotatably supports the first cam shaft on the cylinder head. A cam housing-side boss portion and a cylinder head-side boss portion are formed in the cam housing. An engine-upper side of a body portion of the vacuum pump is fixed to the cam housing-side boss portion. An engine-lower side of the body portion of the vacuum pump is fixed to the cylinder head-side boss portion. |
| US08967111B1 |
Oil collection and forced lubrication structure of a model engine crankshaft
An oil collection and forced lubrication structure of a model engine has an oil-collecting groove provided at a circumferential wall of a passageway of a crankshaft body. The oil-collecting groove is disposed with a lubrication hole extending to pass through a projecting shaft of the crankshaft body. Thus, when oil gas gets into the passageway of the crankshaft body, the oil gas will be cast by the centrifugal force produced by rotation of the crankshaft body and attached on the circumferential wall of the passageway to be collected and pre-stored in the oil-collecting groove. Then, the oil gas will be cast to the outer circumference of the projecting shaft via the lubrication hole to produce forced lubrication effect between the projecting shaft and a piston rod, thus enhancing lubrication effect, enabling the crankshaft to rotate smoothly and elevating engine efficiency. |
| US08967108B2 |
Electric machine comprising electric terminals, plug and plug-in connection
Described is an electric machine (1) in a vehicle, in particular a starter or a starting device for starting an internal combustion engine, comprising at first electric terminal (2) and at least one second electric terminal (3). In order to make it easier and less expensive to design and assemble the electric machine in a vehicle, the at least two electric terminals (2, 3) are arranged such that an electric connection to the at least two terminals (2, 3) can be established by means of a connecting device that forms a unit and has at least two electric power cables. |
| US08967104B2 |
Camshaft adjuster
A camshaft adjuster for adjusting the phase position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft, in particular a hydraulic camshaft adjuster. A camshaft bearing area provided in the camshaft adjuster is designed as a roller bearing. |
| US08967093B2 |
Piston cooling system
A piston cooling system includes: a nozzle pipe portion which communicates with an oil passage which is provided in an internal combustion engine and which extends towards an interior of a cylinder bore; and a flow path forming member which is fixed to a distal end portion of the nozzle pipe portion and in which a plurality of oil jetting paths are formed, wherein: the distal end portion comprises an expanded pipe portion where the nozzle pipe portion is expanded and the flow path forming member is fittingly inserted into the expanded pipe portion; the flow path forming member has a distal end face which is exposed to an exterior portion at a distal end side of the expanded pipe portion; and the flow path forming member is locked in the expanded pipe portion by deforming a distal end edge of the expanded pipe portion. |
| US08967091B2 |
Thermostat housing which provides optimized coolant flow
A thermostat housing is disclosed. The thermostat housing comprises a housing member. The housing member includes an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough. The thermostat housing also includes least two thermostats within the housing member. The at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures. One of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range. A single loop of coolant is being controlled within the housing member. |
| US08967085B2 |
Electronic pet gate
An electronic pet gate. The electronic pet gate includes a gate transmitter generating a barrier field and a gate receiver generating a deterrent stimulus in the presence of the barrier field. The gate transmitter includes a loop antenna in a low profile elongated sill and a barrier signal generator. The loop antenna transmits the barrier signal and has an elongated geometric shape configured to shape the radiated electromagnetic field into a truncated ellipsoid. The truncated ellipsoidal barrier field has significant field strength along the length of the low profile sill and minimal field strength along the sides of the low profile sill. The low profile sill is designed to securely rest on the floor to block access to an area restricted to a pet without being a substantial physical impediment or hazard to people passing over low profile sill. |
| US08967082B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and gas supply device for plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus 31 includes a processing chamber 32; a gas supply unit 33 for supplying a plasma processing gas into a processing chamber 32; a mounting table 34 configured to hold the target substrate W thereon; a plasma generating device 39 configured to generate plasma within the processing chamber 32; and a gas supply device 61. The gas supply device 61 includes a head unit 62 configured to move between a first position above the mounting table 34 and a second position different from the first position and to supply a gas, and the head unit 62 is configured to supply a film forming gas to a small-volume region formed between the mounting table 34 and the head unit 62 when the head unit 62 is positioned at the first position and to adsorb the film forming gas on the target substrate W. |
| US08967080B2 |
Top plate of microwave plasma processing apparatus, plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
A plasma generation chamber of a plasma processing apparatus is closed by a top plate 3. The top plate 3 has recesses 3A on its surface facing the plasma generation chamber and a central recess 3B on an opposite surface. The top plate 3 is coupled to an antenna thereon. If a microwave is supplied to the antenna, the microwave is radiated through slots of the antenna. The microwave is propagated through the top plate 3 such that the microwave has a plane of polarization and the microwave forms a circularly polarized wave as a whole. Here, resonance absorption of the microwave occurs at a side surface of recesses 3A and the microwave is propagated within the recesses 3A in a single mode. Strong plasma can be generated within each of the recesses 3A, so that a stable plasma mode can be generated in the top plate 3. |
| US08967076B2 |
Hydrothermal synthesis of active materials and in situ spraying deposition for lithium ion battery
A method and apparatus for forming an electrochemical layer of a lithium ion battery is provided. A precursor mixture in a carrying medium is activated in a reactor chamber by application of energy to synthesize active materials. The activated precursor mixture is then spray deposited on a substrate. A binder and conductive materials may be blended, or sprayed separately, with the nano- or micro-crystals as they deposit on the surface to enhance adhesion and conductivity. |
| US08967070B2 |
Pivotal trim tab hull
A boat hull configured to create a desired wake shape through a combination of two distinct hull types that interact with the water flow at specified moments. Controlled shaping of the wake shape is achieved through redirection of water flowing across the transom of the main hull, onto a secondary transom of a secondary “diffuser” suction hull that creates a negative pressure that sucks the aft portion of the boat hull into the water, thereby immersing the secondary transom into the water where it can effectively interact with the water and “carve” the desired wake shape desirable for wake surfing. |
| US08967067B2 |
System for launching and recovering underwater vehicles, notably towed underwater vehicles
A system for automatically launching and recovering marine or underwater vehicles from a carrier ship which remains under way to limit pitching and rolling movements. The system includes an inclinable articulated ramp including a bottom and edges, and hauling means for controlling sliding of the vehicle along the ramp during launch and for hoisting the vehicle up along the ramp during recovery. The ramp has a free end which varies between an immersed position in water and an emerged position in a horizontal position. The system includes buoyancy means allowing the free end of the ramp to float at the surface or near the surface of the water when lowered. The bottom of the articulated ramp also has an external face that is configured to form streamlining ensuring fluidity of the end of the ramp with the water and limiting vertical dynamic movements caused by waves. |
| US08967065B2 |
Bailer
A bailer for a watercraft which is open on two sides, i.e., the rear and one adjoining side, enabling more efficient drainage of water from a watercraft. An adjustable bailer is provided which may include a handle with indexed positions which allows the user to easily adjust how far the bailer is open to suit conditions. The handle can be operated by either the hand or foot. The indexing function enables a user to judge how far the bailer is open or closed. |
| US08967064B2 |
Watercraft
A watercraft, including; a mid section (2) and two side sections (3,4), whereby the mid section (2) has a seat (5) for a passenger and whereby the watercraft (1) has a steering mechanism. The watercraft (1) includes a front part (2) and a rear part, relative to a direction of travel of the watercraft (7), that are coupled together by means of a hinged coupling (8). The front part (2) of the watercraft (1) includes the mid section (2) of the watercraft (1), and the rear part (7) of the watercraft (1) includes the two side sections (3,4). The hinged coupling (8) forms part of the steering mechanism, such that as a result of a rotation of the front part (2) with respect to the rear part (7) of the watercraft (1) around the hinged coupling (8), the direction of travel of the watercraft (1) is changed. |
| US08967063B2 |
Sailing monohull tri-foiler
A tri-foil sailboat and powerboat are described having retractable hydrofoils with independently adjustable angles of attack allowing the hull to be fully lifted from the water and the sailboat to travel at more than twice the wind speed. |
| US08967062B1 |
Systems and methods for creating quilt blocks
Systems and methods for creating quilt blocks are provided. In one embodiment, a method for creating a quilt block with a computerized embroidery machine includes sewing placement stitching on a backing according to a placement stitching pattern provided by instructions for at least partially creating a quilt block comprised of one or more pieces, providing directions for placing one or more pieces of the quilt block on a corresponding portion of the placement stitching on the backing, and sewing the one or more pieces to the backing in accordance with the instructions. |
| US08967061B2 |
Method and apparatus for thread-stitching of book blocks, and a book production line equipped with such an apparatus
An apparatus for thread-stitching a book block includes a thread tensioning device configured to store and tension a binding thread. A single actuator, including a servo drive, drives the thread tensioning device. The method includes storing a length of binding thread; in a separate step, tensioning the binding thread; and thread-stitching the book block. |
| US08967055B1 |
Collapsible pallet
A collapsible pallet provides for easy storing and shipping, the collapsible pallet comprising a bottom plate mechanically coupled to a pair of side plates with a pair of offset hinges. The side plates are further mechanically coupled to a pair of upper plates by a pair of upper piano hinges. The upper plates are further mechanically coupled to a pair of inner support plates by a pair of inner support piano hinges. A pair of stopper strips that are mechanically coupled to the bottom plate restricts the movement of the inner support plates. In this manner, a user can rotate the side plates and inner support plates parallel to the upper plates and the lower plate causing a collapsed configuration that provides for easy storage and shipping. |
| US08967049B2 |
Solid lined fabric and a method for making
An apparatus being a lined fabric material is disclosed. One embodiment of the lined fabric is used as an augmentation sleeve for use with a non lethal, explosive device and includes a lined material having a liner material in between a first fabric and a second fabric, where at least said first fabric is likely to rupture when an explosive force being substantially applied to a liner material in said lined fabric. A liner material is a material that reduces the likelihood of injury when expelled from the lined fabric and contacts a person. The fabric material has some properties of flexible light weight material properties and also has the properties of substantially rigid materials. |
| US08967047B2 |
Igniter base for pyrotechnic devices
Igniter base for a pyrotechnic initiator has a glass base together with fused-in contact pins that function as a pole carrier and thus fixes the contact pins in secure correlation to one another. The end side of the glass base and the contact pins form a level plane, so that an ignition bridge resting flush on the glass base can be attached to the poles. The contact pins project beyond the glass base on the opposite side and a part of the glass base and a part of the contact pins projecting beyond the glass base are equipped with a plastic jacketing. |
| US08967045B2 |
Method and device for controlling the register settings of a printing press
A method for controlling register settings of a printing press, includes rotating imaging cylinders of a first print unit and a second print unit, located downstream of the first print unit in a movement direction of a print medium, at a rotational speed to print an image on the print medium. The method includes of changing a length of the print image to a pre-determined length. The method further includes changing a register setting of the imaging cylinder of the second print unit based on the predetermined change in length of the print image to avoid misalignment of the print image printed by the first and the second print units on the print medium. Changing the register setting is dependent on a length of a section of the print medium between the first and the second print units. A device for controlling register settings of a printing press is also disclosed. |
| US08967040B2 |
Methods and apparatus for compacting trash
Methods and apparatus for compacting trash are disclosed. A disclosed example trash compacting system includes a trash receptacle, a collection bin, a compaction bin proximal to the collection bin, having a receiving opening to receive trash via the trash receptacle, and having an ejection opening through which compacted trash is ejected into the collection bin, and a compactor mechanism operatively coupled with the compaction bin to compact the trash within the compaction bin. |
| US08967038B2 |
Cartridge for use in coffee maker
A brewing cartridge containing a filter containing brewing material and configured to reside generally horizontally in a coffee maker. The filter has a top rim sandwiched between a coffee holder cover and a coffee holder base, and the cartridge may be disassembled after use to recycle and/or reuse components thereof, the rim facilitating removing the filter and brewing material from the used cartridge. The coffee maker includes a reservoir, a pump, a heater, and a nozzle for injecting heated water into the cartridge. The cartridge receives the heated water through the coffee holder cover and releases brewed liquid through a passage on a side of the cartridge. The cover may be a plastic cover or a foil cover, and the filter may be provided to a consumer as an empty filter for filling by the consumer, or as a pre-packed filter containing brewing material. |
| US08967035B2 |
Sensor coupler for piston-cylinder assembly
A sensor coupler adapted to operatively connect a sensor to a piston-cylinder assembly. The sensor coupler includes a first end member and a second end member. The first end member is disposed on a port of the piston-cylinder assembly, in communication with the sensor, and the second end member is disposed in a cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder assembly. Further, one or more cables are extending between the first end member and the second end member. The one or more cables are configured to transmit signals indicative of a position of a piston in the piston-cylinder assembly to the sensor. The sensor coupler further includes a biasing member to connect the first end member and the second end member. |
| US08967034B2 |
Apparatus driven by compressed air and equipped with dual piston function for use in body construction in the automotive industry
The invention relates to an energy-efficient apparatus driven by compressed air and equipped with a dual piston function for tensioning, or clamping, or centering, or punching, or welding, or clinching, for use in body construction in the automotive industry. The apparatus is driven by a pressurized fluid, in particular by compressed air. It is shown how a significant amount of operating costs can be saved while, at the same time, conserving the environment and consuming a low amount of pressurized fluid, in particular compressed air. In addition, the pivoting angle of a toggle joint assembly and thus of an apparatus connected thereto, for example, a tensioning arm of a toggle tensioning apparatus, can be continuously adjusted in both directions while, at the same time, adjusting a sampling device using sensors, for example, microswitches, or inductive switches, or pneumatic switches, or limit switches. |
| US08967033B1 |
Concentric cylinder gas-operated automatic firearm
A fixed-barrel, gas-operated firearm having its barrel concentrically mounted within a pressure tube enclosing substantially all of the moving parts of the firearm's action. A gas cup reciprocates under the influence of propellant gas pressure when the firearm is fired, driving slide members that link the pressure cup to the firearm's bolt rearward within the pressure tube, unlocking the breech, rotating and retracting the bolt, discharging the spent cartridge casing and then advancing the bolt to chamber a new cartridge. |
| US08967032B2 |
Smart-store emulation unit
A smart-store emulation unit is provided for use on-board a weapon platform in place of the physical presence of a smart-store. The emulation unit may be used for operator training on or testing of the smart-store on-board an operational weapon platform such as an aircraft, tank or ship. |
| US08967031B2 |
Weapon hand shield
A hand shield assembly for a weapon includes: a flexible first hand shield made of penetration-resistant material, the first hand shield having opposed front and rear faces, and spaced-apart side edges connecting spaced-apart top and bottom edges, wherein a mounting point is defined near the top edge; and a mount attached to the mounting point and configured to attach the hand shield assembly to a weapon such that the first hand shield may hang vertically from the mount. |
| US08967030B2 |
Attachment device with pyrotechnic bolt
According to the invention, the device (1) comprises a bolt (6) including a locking member (9) which is mounted such that it can slide with respect to a first component (2) and can adopt a locked position in which the locking member (9) retains the second component (3) and an unlocked position in which the locking member (9) releases the second component (2), the transition from the locked position to the unlocked position taking place under the action of pyrotechnic means (5). In addition, a branch (4) that is at least partially deformable under the action of the pyrotechnic means (5) is arranged with respect to the bolt (6) in such a way that the transition from the locked position to the unlocked position takes place by means of the deformation of said branch (4). |
| US08967029B1 |
Toxic mosquito aerial release system
A device for the aerial release of mosquitoes includes an unmanned aerial vehicle operable by remote control. It carries a container holding a central processing unit and a mosquito breeding bin, which is a self-contained volume housing mosquitoes and a mosquito food having a toxin suitable to be transmitted by mosquito bite after the mosquito consumes the mosquito food. A release tube is connected to the mosquito breeding bin and sized to release mosquitoes from the mosquito breeding bin. A valve is connected to the release tube and is operable by remote control so that when opened, the mosquitoes have an open pathway out of the container through the release tube. |
| US08967024B2 |
Device to collect and segregate tissue samples sectioned on a microtome
Apparatuses and methods for handling a portion of a tissue sample when sectioned by a microtome. The apparatuses include a container, a tissue sample holder in the container, and one or more outlets configured to allow flow of a fluid from the container. The flow through the outlet causes a portion of the tissue sample sectioned by a microtome to move into the outlet. The methods include sectioning one or more portions of a tissue sample, and flowing a fluid past the tissue sample to cause the one or more portions of the tissue sample to move away from the tissue sample and toward at least one fluid outlet. |
| US08967022B2 |
Drive mechanism
A drive mechanism (20) including a first shaft (324) having a first fixed gear (328) and a second shaft (322) having second fixed gear (330) that engages the first fixed gear to cause the first shaft to rotate in an opposite direction than the second shaft. A first linkage (368) connecting the first shaft and the third shaft and includes a first one-way gear (336). A second linkage (366) connecting the second shaft and the third shaft and includes a second one-way gear (338). The third shaft outputs a unidirectional rotational motion. |
| US08967017B2 |
Steering device
A steering device includes a housing constituted by an enclosing main body section, a separation section formed on two sides of on the lower side of the enclosing main body section along the axial direction thereof, and clamping sections formed respectively on two sides of the enclosing main body section so as to face each other in the lateral direction of the separation section; a fixed bracket having fixed side sections that clamp the housing at two sides in the lateral direction; a clamp that clamps the two clamping sections of the housing and the two fixed side sections of the fixed bracket; an outer pipe having at the axially front side thereof a slit formed in the axial direction; and an inner pipe inserted into the inner circumferential side of the outer pipe. |
| US08967012B2 |
Double involute pinion-face gear drive system
A double involute pinion-face gear drive provides transmission of torque and speed, or direction of movement modification between non-intersecting shafts at right angles to one another. A double involute cylindrical pinion on one axis, engages a rotatable disk-shaped gear on the second axis. The teeth of the pinion are curved in an abridged, normal or extended involute shape. Likewise, the teeth of the face gear are curved in abridged, normal or extended involute shape in the lengthwise direction of the teeth. These gear drives can be simultaneously bi-rotational and bi-directional and allow a relatively wide range of speed ratios, as low as 1:1 and as high as 7.5:1. |
| US08967010B2 |
System and method for providing a selectable multiple output motor
An actuation mechanism including a motor having a first motor output gear and a second motor output gear is provided, the motor defining a common axis of rotation for the first and second motor output gears. The actuation mechanism also includes a pair of gearboxes positioned on opposed ends of the motor. The actuation mechanism further includes a first arm adapted to mechanically cooperate with the first gearbox and a second arm adapted to mechanically cooperate with the second gearbox. The rotor of the motor slides along the common axis of rotation. The rotor is configured to be axially movable between a first position where the rotor engages the first gearbox to rotatably actuate the first arm and a second position where the rotor engages the second gearbox to rotatably actuate the second arm. |
| US08967009B2 |
Six, seven, and eight speed layshaft automatic transmission
A transmission includes a housing, an input member connectable to an engine output member, and a launch clutch assembly connected to the input member. A first and a second countershaft are rotatably supported within the transmission housing. A plurality of co-planar gear sets are connected to the input member and the first and second countershafts. A plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms are provided for coupling various components of the co-planar gear sets to the input member and countershafts. The selective engagement of the launch clutch assembly and the torque transmitting mechanisms establishes at least one of six forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. |
| US08967005B2 |
Engagement chain type device for forward and backward movement operation
Provided is an interlocking chain forward and backward actuating device type device, the device being configured so that the space within the device is effectively utilized and that a device configuration most suitable for driving interlocking chains is selected to enable the interlocking chains to be smoothly driven. An interlocking chain type forward and backward actuating device (100) is configured in such a manner that a pair of flat face-shaped chain support faces (132AS, 132AS) which sandwich and support a rigid chain portion (110G) from both sides thereof each form a portion of each of the guide groove faces (132, 132) of chain guide grooves (131, 131) while being continuously connected to each of a pair of curved guide faces (132BS, 132BS) which respectively guide disengaged portions (110H, 110H) of a pair of interlocking chains (110, 110), the disengaged portions (110H, 110H) having been disengaged from each other. |
| US08966995B2 |
Flow meter
Disclosed aspects relate to a flow meter comprising a flow target arranged to be disposed in a fluid flow path in a conduit; a beam coupled to the flow target and arranged to extend outside of the conduit; a sensor having a moveable sensor part coupled to the beam at a position which in use is outside of the conduit, and a static sensor part, wherein displacement of the moveable sensor part with respect to the static sensor part generates a signal. In use, fluid flow acting on the flow target causes displacement of the moveable sensor part, thereby generating a signal which is representative of the fluid flow rate. |
| US08966989B2 |
Capacitive ceramic pressure measuring cell and pressure sensor with such a pressure measuring cell
A capacitive pressure measuring cell, including a ceramic platform and a ceramic measuring membrane, which are connected pressure tightly along a joint to form a reference pressure chamber between them. The measuring membrane has a first electrode facing the platform, and the platform has at least a second electrode facing the measuring membrane. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes depends on the difference between a pressure externally acting on the measuring membrane and a pressure reigning in the reference pressure chamber, wherein the joint has a thickness d, which defines an equilibrium distance between the measuring membrane and the front side of the platform. On the front side of the platform, a support layer is arranged, which comprises an inorganic insulator, wherein the support layer has a thickness of at least 0.2, and wherein the second electrode is arranged on the support layer. |
| US08966987B2 |
Road simulation test stand
The disclosed embodiments include a test stand (100) for the simulation of forces and moments introduced into a motor vehicle or into parts of a motor vehicle during driving operation. In order to allow a simulation of road journeys which is as realistic as possible, it being possible at the same time to dispense with vehicle-specific excitation or activation signals, there is provision, according to the invention, whereby the test stand (100) has at least one wheel contact plate (2) for receiving a vehicle wheel (1) and at least one first actuator (3a, 3b) connected at one side to the foundation (101) of the test stand (100) and at the other side to the wheel contact plate (2), for moving the wheel contact plate (2) along a first axis (L1), preferably along the vertical axis, relative to the foundation (101) of the test stand (100). |
| US08966983B2 |
Method and device for the detection of recording media
The invention relates to a method and a device for the contactless detection of laminated, flat objects, particularly sheet-like recording media. There is a galvanic separation and mechanical decoupling between the transmitter and receiver to improve detection. These measures can be further improved with correction characteristic methods. |
| US08966980B2 |
External force detecting device and external force detecting sensor
A device is provided for a detecting external force applied to piezoelectric piece. A crystal piece is cantilever-supported in a container. Excitation electrodes are formed on an upper face and lower face, respectively. A movable electrode, connected via a lead-out electrode to the excitation electrode, is formed on the lower face side at a front end of the crystal piece. A fixed electrode is provided on a bottom portion of the container to face this movable electrode. The excitation electrode on the upper face side and the fixed electrode are connected to an oscillation circuit. When the crystal piece bends in response to an applied external force, capacitance between the movable electrode and fixed electrode, changes. This capacitance change results in a corresponding change in oscillation frequency of the crystal piece. |
| US08966978B2 |
Sensor arrangement for determining an angle of rotation
A sensor arrangement for determining an angle of rotation of at least one shaft when rotated around its axis of rotation, which arrangement has at least one acceleration sensor which is arranged on the at least one shaft. The invention also relates to a method for determining an angle of rotation of at least one shaft when rotated around its axis of rotation, the angle of rotation being determined by at least one acceleration sensor which is arranged on the at least one shaft. |
| US08966974B2 |
Pivoted float liquid level sensor having a magnetically actuated switch
A liquid level sensor for use with a container, including a housing with a body defining an interior volume, a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing, and a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A pivot assembly includes a magnet and couples the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position, and a shunt is disposed within the first end of the float body. The shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux of the magnet such that the switch is in the open position. |
| US08966973B1 |
Low cost capacitive liquid level sensor
A capacitive liquid level sensor material, which includes a first thin, flexible, elongated insulating substrate of indeterminate length having a continuous sensing capacitor printed thereon. The sensing capacitor has a repeating interdigitated capacitive pattern formed by two separate electrodes printed on the substrate. There is a second thin, flexible, elongated insulating substrate of indeterminate length joined to the first substrate to electrically isolate the sensing capacitor, and the electrodes coplanar. The second substrate has a graphic ink pattern printed thereon. The joined first and second substrates are arranged to be wound up into a roll of at least several turns. The sensor material is then cut to length and terminated with a crimp type connector to produce a sensor of the desired length. |
| US08966970B2 |
Flow sensor assembly having a hybrid sensor response
A flow sensor system including a flow sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly may be configured to allow fluid flow through a flow conduit. A flow disrupter may be disposed in the flow conduit to impart disturbances to the fluid flow. A by-pass channel may be in fluid connection with the flow conduit and may be arranged to have a geometrical relationship relative to the flow conduit and the flow disrupter to affect flow characteristics in the bypass channel. One or more sensors may be disposed in the by-pass channel to generate a signal responsive to the flow characteristics in the bypass channel. In a first flow regime, the flow characteristics in the bypass channel may effect an amplitude response of the sensor, and in a second flow regime, the flow characteristics may effect a temporal response of the sensor. |
| US08966969B2 |
Automated analysis of pressurized reservoir fluids
Processing a reservoir fluid sample includes separating the reservoir fluid sample into a vapor phase stream and a liquid phase stream, assessing a composition of the vapor phase stream, sampling a property of the liquid phase steam, and assessing a volume of a components of the liquid phase stream based at least in part on the sampled property of the liquid phase stream. A system for processing a reservoir fluid sample includes a volumetric receptacle adapted to accept the reservoir fluid sample, a phase separator configured to receive the reservoir fluid sample from the volumetric receptacle and to separate the reservoir fluid sample into a vapor phase stream and a liquid phase stream, a gas chromatograph arranged to receive the vapor phase stream from the phase separator, and a liquid flow meter configured to detect an interface including at least one component of the liquid phase stream. |
| US08966967B2 |
System and method for determining a health of a bearing of a connecting rod
A system for determining a health of a bearing associated with a connecting rod is provided. The system includes a sensor associated with the connecting rod and remotely disposed relative to the bearing of the connecting rod. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the bearing. The system includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the temperature of the bearing. The controller further determines a health of the bearing as a function of the signal of the temperature of the bearing. |
| US08966964B2 |
Method and device for detecting the pinching of a coupling hose between a tank and a gasoline vapor filter
A method for detecting pinching of a coupling hose between a tank and a gasoline vapor filter for a vehicle internal combustion engine, with the vapor filter being connected to the engine via a duct including a controllable bleed valve, includes at least one sequence of a step consisting in opening a bleed valve; a step consisting in acquiring a series of measurements of richness of a mixture entering the internal combustion engine over a period greater than a predetermined value, representative of a bleed period of the gasoline vapor filter; and a step consisting in comparing successive measured values and determining if a variation in richness from one measurement to the next remains below a pre-determined threshold for a group of measurements spread over a period greater than a pre-determined value. |
| US08966961B2 |
Moment measuring device containing a gravity-center-neutral eccentric
A gravity center neutral eccentric is provided. The gravity-center-neutral eccentric includes an axis of rotation and an eccentric region, wherein the center of mass of the eccentric lies on the axis of rotation. In another embodiment, a center of mass of the eccentric region also lies on the axis of rotation. A measurement device including a gravity center neutral eccentric is also provided. |
| US08966959B2 |
Filter inspection method and filter inspection apparatus
There is disclosed a filter inspection method which is excellent in sensitivity to detect defects of a filter and in operation efficiency. The filter inspection method includes a humidifying step of exposing a porous filter to moisture-containing air; and a detecting step of introducing water particles into the filter in a wet state through the humidifying step, to detect the water particles which pass through and flow out of the filter, thereby detecting defects of the filter. |
| US08966958B2 |
Particle classifier
A new installment classifies particles by their aerodynamic size This installment produces a truly monodisperse aerosol, and can produce very narrow distributions over a wide range of sizes Particles suspended in a fluid are classified by supplying particles into suspension in a carrier flow of a fluid and providing an acceleration to the flow at an angle to the velocity of the flow to cause the particles to follow trajectories determined by the acceleration and drag on the particles caused by the fluid The particles are then classified according to their trajectories The installment has a flow channel and a source of particles to supply particles into suspension in a carrier fluid in the flow channel A drive is connected to the flow channel at an angle to the flow of fluid through the carrier flow channel, and a classification system classifies the suspended particles according to their trajectories. |
| US08966957B2 |
Flow control devices and their use with explosive carrier gases
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices, systems and methods that are configured to control flow of an explosive carrier gas in a sampling system. In some examples, a flow control device configured to provide release of explosive carrier gas in less than an explosive amount to void space in the sampling system is described. Systems and methods using the flow control device are also disclosed. |
| US08966951B2 |
Spraying method and device for a rolling plant
A spraying method and device for a plant for rolling a strip, the plant having at least one rolling stand. The device includes: a pair of working rolls between which the strip runs; a plane perpendicular to the running direction of the strip; at least one pair of supporting rolls for the working rolls; two pairs of bearing rolls, each of the pairs having the rolls thereof substantially symmetrically arranged on either side of the working rolls in a plane substantially parallel to the strip so as to transfer, to the working rolls, a force for maintaining the working rolls in a predetermined position relative to the supporting roll; a support for the bearing rolls in the form of two rows including a plurality of bearing rollers mounted side by side; one or more nozzle systems for spraying at least a portion of the strip and at least a portion of the rolls. At least one of the nozzle systems is capable of directly spraying at least a portion of the working rolls on either side of the plane that is perpendicular to the running direction of the strip. |
| US08966948B2 |
Electrical steering column lock
An electrical steering column lock includes a locking guide that advances and retreats with respect to a lock ring by a driving part, and a lock bar that advances and retreats toward and from the locking guide within a predetermined distance in the same direction as that of the locking guide. The lock bar has a leading end disposed toward the lock ring, and is elastically biased toward the locking guide in a lock ring direction. One side of the locking guide is provided with a protrusion. A slider that advances toward the locking guide or retreats from the locking guide is positioned facing the protrusion, and the slider is provided with a grooved part into which the protrusion is inserted. |
| US08966943B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus with a rotatable water supply part
A laundry treating apparatus (100) includes a cabinet (10) comprising accommodating space (12) receiving laundry (1), a hot air supply device (22) supplying hot air to the accommodating space (12), a steam generating device (30) supplying steam to the accommodating space (12), a water supply part (60) rotatably provided in a predetermined portion of the cabinet (10), the water supply part (60) receiving water supplied to the steam generating device (30), and a water supply unit (80) allowing water to be supplied to the steam generating device (30) from the water supply part (60) as the water supply part is rotated. |
| US08966935B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger is described and which includes a heat exchanger portion defining a multiplicity of internal passageways, and wherein at least one of the passageways is defined in part by a wicking structure; a refrigerant distributor coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the defined passageways of the heat exchanger portion; and a source of ammonia refrigerant which is supplied to the internal passageways of the heat exchanger portion, and wherein substantial equal amounts of liquid refrigerant are supplied to each of the passageways defined by the heat exchanger portion. |
| US08966933B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus
A refrigeration apparatus includes a multistage compression mechanism, switching mechanisms, intercoolers, oil separators, and a control unit. The multistage compression mechanism has one high-stage-side compression mechanism and a plurality of low-stage-side compression mechanisms connected in series. The switching mechanisms are connected to blow-out pipes of the low-stage-side compression mechanisms. The switching mechanisms switch between cooling and heating operation cycles. The intercoolers cool refrigerant blown out from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms during the cooling cycle. The oil separators are disposed between the switching mechanisms and the intercoolers. The oil separators separate lubricating oil from refrigerant blown out from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms during the cooling cycle. The control unit controls the multi-stage compression mechanism and the switching mechanisms. Refrigerant from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms passes through the oil separators and intercoolers during the cooling cycle, not during the heating cycle. |
| US08966932B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator having an ice thermal storage device. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a storage compartment defined in the cabinet, and an ice thermal storage device placed in the storage compartment. The ice thermal storage device includes a case including at least one heat transfer plate, and an ice thermal storage pack received in the case and arranged to come into contact with the at least one heat transfer plate. |
| US08966931B2 |
Refrigerator and icemaker with lever assembly
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an icemaker case on a door; an icemaker door on the icemaker case, the icemaker door being rotatable; a holding part on the icemaker case; and a lever assembly. The lever assembly is coupled to the icemaker door to be rotatable in order to engage or disengage with the holding part. |
| US08966929B2 |
Cooled air recirculation in a refrigerator
A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is configured to cool air that flows past. A first plenum includes a first air outlet, a second air outlet and a first air inlet disposed between the first and second air outlets. The first air inlet is configured to receive air into the first plenum from the first interior volume. The first plenum is configured to flow the air received in the first air inlet over the first evaporator to cool the air. The first and second air outlets are configured to flow the cool air from the first plenum into the first interior volume. |
| US08966927B2 |
Output unit of a refrigeration device, refrigeration device and method for installing a refrigeration device
An output unit of a refrigeration device having a niche with a rear wall, which is provided with a cover, and a method of installing the output unit. The cover includes a dish-shaped section, which is curved inward into the niche and bounded by opposite edge sections, which are connected with a niche frame. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the edge sections at front supporting surfaces of the niche frame are held in contact in an installation end position, wherein the dish-shaped section is pulled by fastening means against the rear wall of the niche. By these means, it is ensured that the narrowest or most uniform gap possible between the cover and the place of installation is guaranteed and, in addition, fastening means are not visible to the user. |
| US08966926B2 |
Refrigerator with easy access drawer
A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment. |
| US08966920B2 |
Refrigeration system
A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor and an expander which expands a refrigerant and generates power, for performing a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration system includes a compressor control section and an expander control section which, when an operation stop signal is output during operation, reduces a rotational speed of the compressor and increases a rotational speed of the expander to increase the ratio of the rotational speed of the expander to the rotational speed of the compressor. |
| US08966918B2 |
Construction machine and control method for cooling fan
A wheel loader is provided with a cab, an air conditioning unit, a cooling fan which has a condenser and a compressor, an air conditioning switch which receives the operation or non-operation of the compressor, a temperature setting portion which sets a set temperature inside the cab, a room temperature sensor which detects a room temperature inside the cab, and a controller. In a case where the air conditioning switch is operated and the room temperature is higher than a set temperature, the controller maintains the rotation amount of the cooling fan at a limited rotation amount or more. |
| US08966915B2 |
Air-conditioning apparatus utilizing compressor preheating
An air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor air temperature sensor detecting an outdoor temperature; a compressor temperature sensor detecting a temperature of an outer wall of a compressor; a liquid-level and concentration detection sensor detecting a liquid surface level in the compressor and a concentration of a lubricant oil in a liquid in the compressor; an electric heater heating the compressor; and a controller that carries out preheating to the compressor by driving the electric heater when a detection value of the outdoor air temperature sensor is higher than or equal to a detection value of the compressor temperature sensor and, further, when the liquid surface level detected by the liquid-level and concentration detection sensor is higher than or equal to a predetermined level and the concentration of the lubricant oil in the liquid is lower than a preset minimum required concentration. |
| US08966914B2 |
System and method for storing thermal energy as auxiliary power in a vehicle
A system is provided for capturing energy from heat expelled in an exhaust of an engine of a motor vehicle and storing the captured energy. The system comprises a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, and an absorber. The generator captures heat from the exhaust of the engine and may be configured for circulating a first solution having a solute that is vaporizable by heat captured by the generator. The condenser may be coupled to the generator for receiving vaporized solute and condensing the vaporized solute to a liquid. The evaporator may be coupled to the condenser and have an orifice between the condenser and the evaporator. The evaporator may have a first fluid passage for circulating the solute and a second fluid passage for circulating a second solution. The first and second fluid passages may be configured such that solute running through the first fluid passage is vaporizable by heat absorbed from the second solution running through the second fluid passage, thereby cooling the second solution. The absorber may be coupled to the evaporator and the generator. The absorber may be configured to return the solute to solution by mixing the solute with a solvent of the first solution supplied by the generator, and for returning the first solution to the generator to complete a cycle of the system. |
| US08966911B2 |
Turbofan engine with HP and LP power off-takes
A turbofan gas turbine engine is provided having a unique power off-take shaft and gear system. Other gas turbine engine types are also contemplated herein. Two power off-takes are provided, one each for the low pressure spool and high pressure spool. The power off-takes extend across a core flow path of the turbofan engine between the low and high pressure shafts to a fan frame of the turbofan. A drive gear is provided near the front end of the high pressure shaft, and another drive gear is provided on the low pressure shaft near the drive gear for the high pressure shaft. Both gears are located in a sump of the gas turbine engine. The power off-take shafts are coupled to the drive gears. Two power devices are coupled to the power off-take shafts and are located in the fan frame. The power devices can be electric generators or motors. |
| US08966907B2 |
Turbine combustor system having aerodynamic feed cap
Present embodiments are directed toward reducing low flow or no flow situations in a head end of a turbine combustor. Embodiments include a system having a turbine combustor. The turbine combustor includes a fuel nozzle having an inner shell and an outer shell, and a feed cap disposed about the fuel nozzle and having an outer wall and a back plate. The back plate joins respective upstream ends of the outer shell of the fuel nozzle and the outer wall of the feed cap. The turbine combustor is configured to flow a first pressurized air via an air path extending along the outer wall of the feed cap, the back plate of the feed cap, and into the fuel nozzle. |
| US08966904B2 |
Architecture for feeding fuel to a power plant for driving a rotary wing of a rotorcraft
An architecture for feeding fuel to a power plant (1) of a rotorcraft, which power plant comprises a plurality of engines (2, 3) individually fed with fuel by respective assemblies (4, 5). Each assembly (4, 5) comprises a fuel feed circuit (9, 10) for feeding a safe tank (6, 7) from a fuel tank (8) that is common to the assemblies (4, 5). Together the feed circuits (9, 10) form a circuit for forced both-way transfer of fuel from either one of the assemblies to the other via the common tank (8) and an intercommunication (21) interposed between the safe tanks (6, 7), which safe tanks are fitted with respective spillage devices (17, 18, 19, 20) for transferring excess fuel to the common tank (8). |
| US08966903B2 |
Combustor resonator with non-uniform resonator passages
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a combustor resonator having a non-uniform annulus between a combustor assembly and a resonator shell. The combustor resonator may further include resonator necks or passages having non-uniform lengths and geometries. |
| US08966901B2 |
Heat engine and heat to electricity systems and methods for working fluid fill system
Embodiments provide a heat engine system containing working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) within high and low pressure sides of a working fluid circuit and a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source to the working fluid. The heat engine system further contains an expander for converting a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a shaft coupled to the expander and configured to drive a device (e.g., generator or pump) with the mechanical energy, a recuperator for transferring thermal energy between the high and low pressure sides, and a cooler for removing thermal energy from the working fluid in the low pressure side. The heat engine system also contains a pump for circulating the working fluid, a mass management system (MMS) fluidly connected to the working fluid circuit, and a supply tank fluidly connected to the MMS by a supply line. |
| US08966895B2 |
Turbocharger cartridge, bypass, and engine cylinder head assembly
A turbocharger assembly includes a center housing rotating assembly, which comprises a center housing, bearings housed in the center housing, a shaft rotatably supported in the bearings, and compressor and turbine wheels affixed to opposite ends of the shaft; an engine cylinder head and a housing member formed together as a one-piece integral structure, wherein the housing member defines a compressor volute that receives compressed air from the compressor wheel, a turbine volute for receiving exhaust gas from the engine, a turbine nozzle for directing exhaust gas from the turbine volute into the turbine wheel, and a turbine contour; a compressor contour plug that defines an axial inlet for the compressor and a compressor contour; and a wastegate unit operable for allowing exhaust gas to bypass the turbine wheel when the wastegate unit is open and preventing exhaust gas from bypassing the turbine wheel when the wastegate unit is closed. |
| US08966891B2 |
Meterless hydraulic system having pump protection
A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have an over-center, variable-displacement pump, an actuator, and first and second passages that create a closed-loop circuit. The hydraulic system may also have first and second check valves disposed in the first and second passages, respectively, to allow flow only from the pump to the actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a first bypass line connecting the first passage at a location between the actuator and the first check valve to the first passage at a location between the first check valve and the pump, and a second bypass line connecting the second passage at a location between the actuator and the second check valve to the second passage at a location between the second check valve and the pump. The hydraulic system may additionally have a valve configured to control flow through the first and second bypass lines. |
| US08966884B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment device and motor vehicle having the device
An exhaust gas treatment device includes an exhaust gas treatment component for conducting a flow in a flow direction from an inflow side to an outflow side. A metering device for metering reducing agent into the exhaust gas treatment device is disposed downstream of the outflow side in the flow direction. The metering device has a metering direction which runs at least partially counter to the flow direction. The outflow side of the exhaust-gas treatment component is spanned at least partially by a porous layer and there is a spacing between the metering device and the exhaust-gas treatment component selected in such a way that injected reducing agent reaches the porous layer. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided. |
| US08966882B2 |
Differential pressure-based enablement of a particulate filter diagnostic
A vehicle includes an engine, an exhaust system having a particulate filter which removes soot from the exhaust stream, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor measures instantaneous differential pressure across the filter. The controller executes a method to selectively enable or disable execution of an efficiency diagnostic of the filter as a function of a learned differential pressure offset value. The controller may also compare the differential pressure to a calibrated threshold and execute a control action when the differential pressure falls within an allowable range of the threshold. This may include applying the differential pressure offset value and enabling execution of the diagnostic using measurements from the zeroed sensor. Another control action may be executed when the measured differential pressure is not within the allowable range of the threshold, including disabling the execution of the diagnostic and setting a diagnostic code indicating that the sensor may be faulty. |
| US08966877B2 |
Gas turbine combustor with variable airflow
An annular combustor and a method for operating a gas turbine engine over a power demand range facilitate combustion in a lean direct ignition (LDI) mode over an extended range of operating fuel air ratios. The flow primary combustion air admitted into the primary combustion zone is varied in response to power demand from a maximum air flow rate of high power demand to a minimum flow air rate of low power demand, while the flow of dilution air into a quench zone downstream of the primary combustion zone is increased from a minimum air flow rate at high power demand to a maximum air flow rate at low power demand. |
| US08966876B2 |
Controllable speed windmill operation of a gas turbine engine through low spool power extraction
A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section including a fan, a geared architecture, a spool which drives the fan through the geared architecture, and at least one component geared to the spool and being operable to control a speed of the spool during a “windmilling” condition. A method of gas turbine engine operations during a “windmilling” condition is also disclosed. |
| US08966875B2 |
Constant speed transmission for gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a constant speed transmission driven by a spool. The constant speed transmission drives a first pump and a second pump. In a further non-limiting example, the first pump is driven by a first drive shaft which is driven by the constant speed transmission and the second pump is driven by a second drive shaft which is driven by the first shaft through a gearbox to provide a constant speed ratio between the first shaft and the second shaft. |
| US08966874B2 |
Shackle assembly with locking pin
A shackle assembly with a unitary body has a closed geometry with a primary opening therethrough. A first side member has a first side aperture extending transversely therethrough with a first inside surface. A second side member is spaced apart from the first side member and has a second side aperture extending transversely at least partially through the second side member. End portions extend between and connect the first side member and the second side member. The second side aperture is opposite the first side aperture and axially aligned with the first side aperture. A pin has a head portion positioned at least partially within the first side aperture and a tip portion positioned at least partially within the second side aperture. A pin body extending between the head portion and the tip portion along a central longitudinal axis and is sized to pass through the first side aperture. |
| US08966867B2 |
Implant package
A packaging assembly includes a substantially rigid base having a cavity dimensioned to receive a medical implant, a sleeve positioned in the cavity of the substantially rigid base and defining an opening dimensioned to receive the medical implant, and a skin pack lid sealed over the substantially rigid base to enclose and secure the sleeve within the cavity of the substantially rigid base. The sleeve has a shape substantially similar to a shape of the medical implant and substantially envelopes the medical implant when the medical implant is positioned in the opening of the sleeve. The skin pack lid has a geometry that substantially conforms to the shape of the sleeve. |
| US08966865B2 |
Can end and related method
A can end and a tab configured to couple to the can end and a related method are provided. The can end is continuous. The tab is configured to couple to the can end with a post, which couples the tab to the can end without passing through the can end. |
| US08966862B2 |
Large scale concrete girder using UHPC member as form and structural element and its manufacturing method
A concrete girder includes a pair of ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) side form members, each having a lower flange and a web perpendicular thereto, extending in the longitudinal direction and being prepared with UHPC by using a precast, the pair of UHPC side form members being disposed in parallel so that lateral side surfaces of the lower flanges are successively positioned; and concrete placed in a space between the pair of UHPC side form members so that the placed concrete is integrated with the pair of UHPC side form members to form both traverse side surfaces thereof and the lower flange forms a lower flange thereof. |
| US08966860B2 |
Wall lifting, transport and positioning device with roller pins
A wall lifting, transport and positioning device for use with a wall section upon a worksite surface. The wall section has a top plate with a lower top plate side and a bottom plate with a lower bottom plate side. The device includes a wheeled hand cart housing, a support frame, a pair of roller pins, and a lifting actuator. Each of the roller pins including an outer cylindrical element configured to rotate relative to the support frame with the top plate being positioned in contact with the outer cylindrical element for translation of the wall section in a direction along the top plate. The lifting actuator is sized and configured to translate the roller pins upward relative to the wheeled hand cart housing with the outer cylindrical elements being positionable in contact with the lower top plate side. A method of positioning a wall section is also provided. |
| US08966856B2 |
Structural reinforcement
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for reinforcing adjacent parallel spaced apart wooden structural members wherein each of the structural members has opposed first and second edges. The apparatus comprises a rigid member being sized to extend between the first edge of a first structural member and the second edge of an adjacent second structural member. The apparatus further comprising first and second sockets connected to first and second ends of the rigid member each sized to receive and edge of one of the structural members therein. The method comprises engaging the first socket around the first edge of the first structural member and locating a second structural member with the second edge of the second structural member within a second socket. The method may also comprise rotating the rigid member between the first and second structural members until the first and second sockets are engaged around diagonally opposed edges the structural members. |
| US08966852B2 |
Floor panel
Floor panel, with a horizontally and vertically active locking system allowing that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at said sides by providing one of these floor panels, by means of a downward movement, in the other floor panel; wherein the vertically active locking system comprises a locking element in the form of an insert; wherein this locking element comprises at least a pivotable lock-up body; characterized in that the pivotable lock-up body comprises a support portion which is rotatable against a support surface pertaining to the floor panel concerned, and more particularly in a seat. |
| US08966850B2 |
Roofing products, photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them
The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements joined to a roofing substrate. In one aspect, the invention provides a roofing product including: a bituminous roofing substrate having a top surface; and roofing granules embedded in the top surface of the roofing substrate, wherein in at least one over-pressed zone of the roofing product, the roofing granules are embedded so that (a) the over-pressed zone exhibits a 0.20 gram loss or less in a rub test as described in ASTM D-4977; or (b) in the over-pressed zone the average granule embed volume fraction is at least 0.5; or (c) in the over-pressed zone, the average distance between the top of the roofing granules and the top surface of the bituminous roofing substrate is 1.0 mm or less. |
| US08966847B2 |
Floor mat system and divider for use therewith
A flooring system and a divider for use therewith which transitions between a first and second flooring surface. The divider includes first and second members that snap-fittingly engage each other. A protrusion with a curved terminal end extends from the first member is received in a recess in the second member. The protrusion enables the first member to pivot relative to the second member. A second protrusion extends outwardly from the first member and into a second recess in the second member. A pair of arms extends outwardly in opposite directions from a central base region on the first member and beyond the sides of the second member. In one embodiment, the arms are of the same length and are disposed generally at right angles to the protrusions. In another embodiment a leg extends downwardly from a longer one of the arms to provide extra support to that arm. |
| US08966844B2 |
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). |
| US08966828B1 |
Shed with rails
A shed with a wall assembly movable along a path defined by a pair of floor rail assemblies cooperatively aligned with a deployable outer rail assembly to provide access to the items stored in the shed. A pair of wheel assemblies is interiorly mounted to the side walls of the wall assembly to support the latter. A handle is provided to pull shed housing. Legs mounted to the underside of a floor assembly keep the latter at a spaced apart relationship with respect to a supporting surface. |
| US08966826B2 |
Handle base attachment structure
The door handle device of a vehicle is provided with: a handle base disposed along the rear surface of a door panel; and an operation handle that is coupled to the handle base. The handle base has hook-shaped pressing portions that ride on a protruding portion provided to the oppossed side edges along the sliding direction of a mounting opening provided to the door panel accompanying a sliding operation along the door panel; a panel-abutting portion that sandwiches the door panel in cooperation with the hook-shaped pressing portions; and an elastic locking piece that restricts the rearwards motion of the handle base by resilient locking to the center of a rear end edge of the mounting opening, and restricts removal of the hook-shaped pressing portions from the protruding portion. |
| US08966823B1 |
Press-in sill extender for thresholds
A threshold with a sill deck, a removable sill extender and a seal. The sill extender slides into a press-fit engagement with the sill deck such that the seal provides a press-fit connection between the sill deck and the sill extender. |
| US08966814B2 |
Cast pellets for planting seeds
A multi-plant product and a method of producing a container of plants are described. Cast pellets containing plant seeds selected for their seed germination timing are planted in a container with a vegetative cutting. The cutting can be selected for having root initiation timing synchronized with the seed germination timing of the plant seeds in the cast pellet. The seed germination timing of the plant seeds can be modified by selecting the volume of the cast pellet. |
| US08966813B2 |
Seed testing apparatus for accelerated aging
To provide an accelerated aging seed testing kit system, a single sheet of plastic or other suitable formable sheet material is pressed into the shape of a compartment base having recesses for mounting a seed holder. A seed holder that includes a seed support and a seed support holder is formed. The seed support holder is formed of a single sheet of plastic having radially extending tabs that fit into the recesses of the container to support the seed support above the bottom of the test kit. A bypass channel for addition of an aqueous solution used in the prescribed test condition is provided in the seed holder. A lid is formed out of one piece of plastic having a bendable tab to serve as a port and the openings and connecting points of the lid and seed holder are positioned so they can only fit together in one orientation having the port above the bypass channel. |
| US08966812B2 |
Trap for bed bugs and the like
A climb-up pitfall trap for attracting and capturing bed bugs and the like comprises a rough exterior surface, a precipice, a smooth interior surface and sensory lures. The sensory lures include heat, carbon dioxide and/or a lure composition. The lure composition comprises a combination of (a) L-lactic acid, and (b) a fatty acid from the group consisting of (1) propionic acid, (2) butyric acid, and (3) valeric acid. The lure composition may also comprise (c) octenol. A method for attracting and capturing bed bugs and the like uses the climb-up pitfall trap in a bed bug infested environment. |
| US08966803B2 |
Firearm safety
A safety apparatus for a firearm including a release/locking device, which can be changed to a first state, which allows a shot to be fired, and to a second state, which prevents a shot from being fired. The safety apparatus also including a state changing device, which allows the release/locking blocking device to be changed from the first state to the second state or vice versa. |
| US08966797B2 |
Firearm safety system
A firearm safety system and method is described herein. The system may include a tracking system, a smart firearm and/or a smart magazine, and a smart tracking unit. The tracking system is in communication with satellites that monitor specific locations, a smart firearm and a portable electronic device. The tracking system includes an internal geographical database of specific monitored locations. The smart firearm includes a microprocessor and a receiver. The motor operates in response to a signal received, which may indicate that the firearm is approaching a no gun safety zone, whereby the signal causes the microprocessor to operate the automatic safety lock to prevent the apparatus from operating. The receiver monitors signals and receives location data from the satellites. The method of operating a smart firearm includes receiving a signal at the at least one receiver and responding to the signal by locking the automatic safety lock. |
| US08966791B2 |
Staggered edge excavator buckets
A staggered edge bucket excavation tool has a body formed by side-leading edge plates, a back sheet, and a plate with a front leading edge spanning a region of the bucket between edge plates. The tool defines a volume for receiving material excavated from a hard packed substrate. Two or more teeth may be mounted along the front leading edge, with each tooth defining a forward surface non-aligned with forward surfaces of all other teeth, thereby disposed for individual, sequential initial engagement with the substrate during excavation. The teeth define a flat plane generally parallel to the planar plate. Each tooth defines an excavation angle between a surface of the tooth and the axis of rotation, and the excavation angle of each tooth being different from excavation angles of all other teeth. In implements, the front leading edge defines multiple edge portions or defines a single multiple edge portion. |
| US08966790B2 |
Device for digging a trench
An excavator (1) includes a frame (2) provided with suspension elements (3) for connecting to a mobile carrier, such as a tracked vehicle, as well as cutting members (8) supported on the frame (2) for digging a trench in the ground. The cutting members (8) have at least two endless series (9, 10) of cutting elements; at the same time, the cutting elements (9, 10) define a front side (11) to be turned towards a digging front and a return side (12) turned away from the digging front. Lateral guides (14) are provided on either side of the cutting members (8) for supporting the side walls of the trench. |
| US08966786B2 |
Flip-flop
A flip-flop includes a sole and a strap unit. The strap unit includes a thong portion, and first and second strap portions, and is made by the steps of: providing superposed first and second layers of warp threads; inserting a first weft thread through sheds formed in the first layer of warp threads so as to weave the first strap portion; inserting a second weft thread through sheds formed in the second layer of warp threads so as to weave the second strap portion; and inserting the first and second weft threads through sheds which are cooperatively formed by the superposed first and second layers of warp threads so as to weave the thong portion. |
| US08966784B2 |
Fragrance dispenser system for use in a dryer
A fragrance dispenser system for use in a dryer includes a scented composition that is located in a dispenser device having perforations in the wall. The scented composition has a water-soluble, particulate carrier and a scented substance. |
| US08966780B2 |
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer includes a housing, which has an enclosable drying chamber, a heater mounted in the enclosable drying chamber, a gate for closing/opening the enclosable drying chamber and a tumbler rotatably mounted in the drying chamber, an intake pipeline equipped with an intake control valve for guiding outside air into the drying chamber, an exhaust pipeline equipped with an exhaust control valve for guiding air out of the drying chamber to the atmosphere, an air-suction pipeline equipped with a pipeline control valve and having a pump installed therein for pumping air out of the drying chamber to the atmosphere. |
| US08966779B2 |
Ambidextrous vernier caliper
An ambidextrous vernier caliper includes a main ruler and a vernier having a slide channel in which the main ruler is inserted. As each of the front and back sides of the main ruler has a graduated layer, and each of the front and back sides of the vernier has a scaled layer, the vernier caliper is convenient to use by left-handed as well as right-handed people. |
| US08966778B2 |
Tape measure recording device
A removable reusable attachment tool having at least one magnetic component; an adhesive coating at least one surface of said at least one magnetic component, and a reusable writing component having a first surface securely affixed to said at least one surface of said at least one magnetic component by using said adhesive coating and a writing surface. |
| US08966774B2 |
Apparatus for marking section for geological survey
Provided are embodiments of a section marking apparatus and method for dividing a geological survey site into one or more sections. In some embodiments, the section marking apparatus includes a case part, a fixing shaft part, a section marking part, and a driving pin part. The fixing shaft part is accommodated in the case part. The section marking part is coupled to the fixing shaft part, received in the case part, and has a marker string configured to be extracted to the outside of the case part. The driving pin part is coupled to the fixing shaft part and configured to be driven into a ground surface to secure the section marking apparatus to the ground surface. Accordingly, the section marking apparatus can be used to divide a site when the ground is flat or when the ground is uneven and/or has a slope. |
| US08966771B2 |
Out of front knife with assisted opening mechanism
An out of front knife with an assisted opening mechanism has a handle, a blade mounted in the handle, a thumb stud that drives the blade, and an extending assembly that assists with extending the blade out of the handle. With two sliders and two springs of the extending assembly, only when the blade is intentionally pushed to move a preset distance and overcome a preset resistance, one of the springs pulls and assists the blade of the out of front knife to extend out of the handle. Therefore, the out of front knife with the assisted opening mechanism is used safely. |
| US08966770B2 |
Cutting apparatus
A cutting apparatus includes a handle frame, a cutting blade, and a blade rotation arrangement. The cutting blade has a first blade portion and a second blade portion. The blade rotation arrangement includes a pivot, a securing frame and an actuation member. The cutting blade is arranged to rotate between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the first blade portion is extended out of the receiving cavity while the second blade portion is received in the receiving cavity, wherein in the second position, the second blade portion is extended out of the receiving cavity while the first blade portion is received in the receiving cavity. The securing frame is mounted in the receiving cavity for reinforcing the cutting blade when the cutting blade move between and at the first position and the second position. |
| US08966768B2 |
Ball bearing assembly for folding knife or tool
Disclosed herein is a folding tool having a handle, a tool element and a ball bearing assembly. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle of the folding tool includes a first, second side panel and a first, second side panel liner wherein the ball bearing assembly is positioned between the first side panel liner and the second side panel liner. The ball bearing assembly includes a first bearing race and a second bearing race each race having a ball housing. A plurality of balls reside partially within each ball housing and are positioned to contact an adjacent side surface of the tang of the tool element thereby allowing the plurality of balls to roll along opposing sides of the tang as the tool element is pivoted from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments, the tool element is a knife blade. |
| US08966767B2 |
Manufacturing method of a drawn cup needle roller bearing having seal ring
A method of manufacturing a drawn cup needle roller bearing having a seal ring, including forming the seal ring by a press working by: punching a metal plate to form an annular first intermediate material; subjecting the first intermediate material to burring working such that a portion close to an inner diameter of the first intermediate material is bent in an axial direction at a right angle to form an annular second intermediate material having an L-shaped cross section, the second intermediate material comprising a cylindrical portion and an outward flange portion which is bent radially outward from an axial end portion of the cylindrical portion; removing the outward flange portion to form a cylindrical third intermediate; and subjecting the third intermediate material to cold rolling working to regulate an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a cross sectional shape of the third intermediate material. |
| US08966764B2 |
Method of fabricating a roll-over protection structure
A roll-over protective structure for a frame structure of a cab assembly including an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube at a pre-determined location to define a composite tube. The composite tube has an upright support with an end portion, and a transverse support connecting the upright support to define a curved corner. Further, the composite tube may have a U-shaped configuration. The composite tube may be further shaped through a hydroforming process to achieve a desired cross-section at the pre-determined location. For example, the curved corner may have a first cross-section, and the end portion may have a second cross-section. |
| US08966763B1 |
Tooling system for processing workpieces
A method and apparatus for manufacturing an object. A plurality of elements may be positioned to substantially conform to a surface on a first side of a workpiece. The plurality of elements may be heated, while the plurality of elements is substantially conformed to the surface on the first side of the workpiece. A material may be deposited on the workpiece while heating the plurality of elements. |
| US08966759B1 |
Method of making a fluid cooled assembly
A method of making a fluid cooled assembly that incorporates a base that forms a partial enclosure defining an interior void space and having a top wall that has a top surface and that defines at least one opening through the top wall to the void space, the base further defining fluid entrance and exit ports into the void space, the top wall being made of material that can be friction stir welded. A lid having a size and shape substantially conformal to the opening, having a top surface and a bottom surface that defines a set of downwardly extending pins, and that is formed of a material that can be friction stir welded to the base is placed into the opening so that the lid top surface is flush with the top surface of the base top wall and friction welding the lid to the base. |
| US08966758B1 |
System and method of producing scalable heat-sink assembly
A system for producing heat-sink assemblies in which a series of extruded members possess mating faces, each face having an alternating series of troughs and bulbous-shaped ridges which are formed from the sides of the troughs. Mating ridges of one face of each extruded member are dipped with a thermally conductive compound prior to press-fitting and at least some of the ridges and troughs possess a groove that when mated to an opposing region of an adjacent extruded member produces a reservoir that serves as a feeder source for thermally conductive compound. Once the extruded members are press fitted, portions of the bulbous-shaped ridges on one face are forced past portions of the bulbous-shaped ridges of the opposing face and into the troughs. Deformation of the bulbous-shaped ridges is uniformly expansive so as to reduce shearing relative to the surfaces of the troughs, and the formed reservoirs are further compressed and feed thermal compound into the interstices between mating members. |
| US08966757B2 |
Plastic heat exchanger and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a plastic heat exchanger in which, when a heat exchanger tube of the plastic heat exchanger is coupled to a header, the heat exchanger tube and a junction portion of the header are melted and pressed simultaneously through a heat fusion jig including a fusion portion and a fusion valley so as to secure reliability against leakage of refrigerant, and a method of manufacturing the same, by which the plastic heat exchanger can be mass-produced at low fabricating cost through simple processes. The present invention provides a method of fabricating a plastic heat exchanger, comprising a step of melting and pressing a plastic heat exchanger tube and a junction of a header by using a heat fusion jig, and a plastic heat exchanger fabricated by the method, thereby securing reliability against leakage of refrigerant, having heat exchange performance more excellent than or equal to a metallic heat exchanger and also mass-producing the plastic heat exchanger at low fabricating cost through simple processes. |
| US08966754B2 |
Methods for reducing stress on composite structures
Methods for reducing stress on composite structures involving providing a primary composite structure having a circumference, providing at least one mounting flange operably connected to the primary composite structure about the circumference to form a joint, and providing a secondary structure operably connected to the primary composite structure at the mounting flange such that when stresses on the primary composite structure exceed a maximum capacity level delamination or separation of the mounting flange from the primary structure occurs at the joint, and the secondary structure remains operably connected to the mounting flange. |
| US08966747B2 |
Method of forming an electrical contact
A method of encapsulating a panel of electronic components such as power converters reduces wasted printed circuit board area. The panel, which may include a plurality of components, may be cut into one or more individual pieces after encapsulation with the mold forming part of the finished product, e.g. providing heat sink fins or a surface mount solderable surface. Interconnection features provided along boundaries of individual circuits are exposed during the singulation process providing electrical connections to the components without wasting valuable PCB surface area. The molds may include various internal features such as registration features accurately locating the circuit board within the mold cavity, interlocking contours for structural integrity of the singulated module, contours to match component shapes and sizes enhancing heat removal from internal components and reducing the required volume of encapsulant, clearance channels providing safety agency spacing and setbacks for the interconnects. Wide cuts may be made in the molds after encapsulation reducing thermal stresses and reducing the thickness of material to be cut during subsequent singulation. External mold features can include various fin configurations for heat sinks, flat surfaces for surface mounting or soldering, etc. Blank mold panels may be machined to provide some or all of the above features in an on-demand manufacturing system. Connection adapters may be provided to use the modules in vertical or horizontal mounting positions in connector, through-hole, surface-mount solder variations. The interconnects may be plated to provide a connectorized module that may be inserted into a mating connector. |
| US08966744B2 |
Method for manufacturing vehicles
A method of manufacturing vehicles, comprising at least the steps of: providing a first shaped panel made of plastic material; providing a second shaped panel; coupling the first shaped panel to the second shaped panel so as to define a structural element of the vehicle, in which a hollow space is confined between the first shaped panel and the second shaped panel; before or during coupling, arranging conductive tracks in the hollow space, which conductive tracks define at least part of an electric equipment of the vehicle; filling the hollow space with polyurethane. |
| US08966742B2 |
Method of producing a stator winding for an electrical machine
A method of producing a stator winding for a stator of an electrical machine includes positioning a phase winding segment of the stator winding in a same plane in a serpentine manner in a first direction (X) and in a shape of a wave in a second direction (Y) transverse to the first direction. The method includes bending regions (A, B, C) of the phase winding segment toward one another along a folding line to form a lap winding including positioning regions (C) parallel to each other connected by regions (B) where the regions (B) cross the at least one folding line (108). The phase winding is formed with a continuous wire. |
| US08966738B2 |
Screw assembly with linking member for torque transfer
A screw assembly for operatively connecting a first component to a second component is provided such that the first and the second components are separated by a clearance when operatively connected by the assembly. The assembly includes a screw member defining a screw opening and a linking member defining a link opening. A fastener is configured to transfer a driving torque to the linking member when the fastener is rotatably driven into the link opening. A threaded portion of the fastener is configured to engage with the link opening. The linking member is configured to transfer the driving torque to the screw member, thereby moving the screw member until a second screw end of the screw member contacts a mounting face of the second component. The fastener may be configured to pass through the linking member and enter a second cavity in the second component. |
| US08966737B2 |
Method and arrangement in arranging an aluminium ferrule to a high strength eye of a steel wire
Method and arrangement in arranging an aluminium ferrule (2) to an eye (5) of a high strength steel wire rope (6) for fixation purposes, the ferrule (2) is pressed to securely fix said eye (5) and supposed to keep its diameter within a certain standard limit up to a minimum breaking load, dependant on the dimension of said wire rope (6). A ring (1) made from steel having an internally congruent shape but a smaller cross section than that of the ferrule (2) is arranged most close to said eye (5) before said ferrule (2) are together with the steel ring (1) is pressed in a conventional ferrule pressing tool to obtain a eye that is more stable with regard to its dimensions within said standard limit values. |
| US08966731B2 |
Method for manufacturing a switching element
A method for manufacturing a switching element which has enough resistance to repeat switching operations and which can be miniaturized and have low power consumption, and a display device including the switching element are provided. The switching element includes a first electrode to which a constant potential is applied, a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, and a third electrode over the first electrode with a spacer layer formed of a piezoelectric material interposed therebetween and provided across the second electrode such that there is a gap between the second electrode and the third electrode. A potential which is different from or approximately the same as a potential of the first electrode is applied to the third electrode to expand and contract the spacer layer, so that a contact state or a noncontact state between the second electrode and the third electrode can be selected. |
| US08966730B1 |
Method of manufacturing a sensor network incorporating stretchable silicon
A method of manufacturing a sensor network is described which includes stretching a silicon substrate over a desired area, and generating a plurality of nodes fabricated on the stretchable silicon substrate. The nodes include at least one of an energy harvesting and storage element, a communication device, a sensing device, and a processor. The nodes are interconnected via interconnecting conductors formed in the substrate. |
| US08966727B1 |
Contaminated human remains pouch
A contaminated human remains pouch includes a sheet of material that is resistant to chemical and biological agents having a substantially rectangular shape having a first long side, a second long side, a first short side and second short side. Complimentary securing elements are fixed along an edge of the first long side and along an edge of the second long side. A folded portion in each corner of the material forms a first seam between adjacent portions of the first short side and a second seam between adjacent portions of the second short side. The complimentary securing elements on the edge of the first long side and the edge of the second long side define an opening when the folder portion in each corner is folded over, and the complimentary securing elements are configured to be mated together to substantially seal the contaminated human remains pouch from cross-contamination. |
| US08966723B2 |
Adjustment and fixation system of protection vests
An adjustment and fixation system can be adopted, for example, for use with a protection vest for two-wheeled vehicle drivers. The system can include: at least a set of a teethed strap (1); a plug-in device (2) of the strap; the strap (1) being composed by several teeth (4) with a quadratic form; a step in quadratic form belonging to the plug-in device (2), that due to its indenture (3), works as a lever, enabling together with the teeth (4), the blocking and/or fixing of the strap movement, enabling the protector's correct fitting. During use, it is only necessary to press the extremity (10) of the device. The system can be configured to enable a more suitable adjustment and fixation for protection vests, so that the same can be adjusted while the driver is in movement. |
| US08966722B2 |
Tassel protector and method
The present invention relates to an apparatus and of a method of preserving and protecting tassels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tassel protector accommodating at least one tassel, particularly when undergoing high wear operations, such as, but not limited to, machine laundry. The invention is concerned with an apparatus to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the tassel by placing and holding a plurality of component strands of decorative tassels into their original conditions during high wear operations. |
| US08966721B2 |
Adhering fastening strip with grip area
One aspect provides a fastening strip, including: a central portion comprised of a flexible material and having a first side and a second side, the first side including a first complementary material and the second side including a second complementary material, complementary to the complementary material of the first side; and a grip area disposed on at least the first side of the central portion; wherein the grip area extends substantially an entire length of fastening strip and includes a grip material. Other aspects are described. |
| US08966720B2 |
Slider for slide fastener
A slider of the invention has a slider body and a tab, and first and second tab attachment posts of the slider body rotatably retain an attachment shaft portion of the tab. Further, a cover body covering at least the first and second tab attachment posts is fixed to an upper blade of the slider body. In accordance with this, since the slider has a good touch feeling and an improved outer appearance, it is possible to construct a slide fastener which is excellent in quality. Further, in the case that the slider has a stop mechanism, the stop mechanism can be protected by the cover body, and it is accordingly possible to prevent a trouble in the stop mechanism. |
| US08966715B1 |
Synchronous rotation mechanism for dual-shaft hinge
A synchronous rotation mechanism for a dual-shaft hinge includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first positioning plate, a second positioning plate, a first lead screw, a second lead screw and a guiding member. The first shaft and the second shaft extend through the first positioning plate and the second positioning plate. The first lead screw and the second lead screw are disposed on the first shaft and the second shaft respectively. A supporting shaft is disposed between the first lead screw and the second lead screw. The guiding member is supported by the supporting shaft and engages screw grooves formed on the first and second lead screws, whereby the first and the second shafts rotate synchronously. |
| US08966714B2 |
Hinge having an embedded safety switch
A safety hinge, apt to constrain a door moving with respect to a fixed frame, of the type consisting of two main wing-shaped constituent members displaying a mutual-engagement area consisting of loops interconnected by a small shaft, with a first one of the wings a switch body being associated, which has a lateral opening in correspondence of an appendix thereof, arranged on the extension of the mutual-engagement area, through the opening peg for the actuation of the switch projecting. Within the appendix a bush is arranged, constrained to the by a second one of the wings, the bush displaying along an annular external crown thereof a groove for the housing of the peg in the closing position of the moving door on the fixed frame, that is in the opening position of the switch. |
| US08966713B1 |
Adjustable self-closing fence hinge
An adjustable hinge includes a hinge housing rotatably mounted relative to a body, a spring located within the hinge housing, and a spring adjustment system. The spring adjustment system includes a pin having a head including a plurality of projections about a circumference of the head and an opposite end of the pin spaced from the head. |
| US08966712B1 |
Door operator
A door operator includes an installation box, an operating mechanism, a pneumatic apparatus and a moveable sleeve. The installation box has a housing and a lid. The housing has an assembling space and an opening communicating with the assembling space; the lid is mounted in the opening and covers the assembling space. The operating mechanism is rotatably mounted in the installation box and has a gear. The pneumatic apparatus is installed in the assembling space and has a cylinder and a piston rod. The moveable sleeve is movably mounted on the cylinder and connected with the piston rod and engaged with the gear of the operating mechanism. Because a rotation axis of the gear and a central axis of the moveable sleeve are perpendicular to each other, the volume of the installation box can be reduced. |
| US08966706B2 |
Wiper device
A windshield wiper device having a frame; a first lever, provided in a pair, each being hinge-coupled to either end of the frame and including an inside arm extending toward a hinge and an outside arm extending away from the hinge. A pair of second levers, are provided, each being hinge-coupled to an end portion of the outside arm of the first lever. A contact member, forms a blade in close contact with the windshield to wipe out the foreign substances and is supported by an end portion of the inside arm of the first lever and both end portions of the second lever; and a cover member. The cover member covers the frame, the first lever and the second lever. |
| US08966701B2 |
Sole wipe
Disclosed herein is a sole wipe configured to dispose one or more removable cleaning pads about the inside of a calf or lower leg of a user. The sole wipe may comprise a single or a plurality of removable cleaning pads. A plurality of cleaning pads may be disposed in a stacked configuration. The sole wipe also comprises a securing device configured and disposed to releasably secure each removable cleaning pad about the inside of a calf or lower leg of the user. The sole wipe may also be configured to dispose one or more cleaning pads about an ankle brace. The sole wipe may also comprise a base configured to be secured about the inside of a calf or lower leg of a user with the securing device and dispose the one or more cleaning pads therewith. |
| US08966700B1 |
Simplified apparatus to remove a disposable sponge from a hand operated squeeze sponge mop without having to touch the sponge
A hand operated squeeze sponge mop with a disposable sponge assembly where the sponge has a pair of spaced apart posts. Each post has a multiplicity of vertically ascending transverse notches on opposite sides of each post. A pair of spaced apart retention members is located on the main body, each retention member respectively having an aligned opening to receive a respective post and a pair of teeth to be received in a respective transverse notch of a post. Each tooth is formed as part of a tooth section having a transverse tooth and an upper squeeze handle. Each tooth section further includes an exterior flared section which functions as a spring. The spring force of the flared sections of a respective member forces a respective tooth into engagement with a transverse notch on a post. |
| US08966699B2 |
Floor washing-drying machine with automatically orienting scraping device
A floor washing-drying machine including a scraping device that is capable of automatic orientation. The scraping device follows changes of direction of the machine by a simple and effective orienting mechanism so as to wipe all the surface washed by a washing mechanism, without leaving any wet portions on the surface. An idle mode mechanism is achieved by a bushing to which the scraping device is connected. The bushing is mounted in an idle and axially slidable mode on the brush rotation shaft. |
| US08966692B2 |
Bridge composite structural panel
A composite structural panel is provided. The panel comprises a top reinforced fiber layer, a top infusion medium layer, a core, a bottom infusion medium layer, and a bottom reinforced fiber layer. The composite structural panel is infused with a potting material, preferably an epoxy resin, that extends throughout the composite structural panel to provide composite action. The wood core comprises wood beam elements aligned in the longitudinal direction relative to the steel beams or girders of a supporting frame. Mechanical and chemical means are utilized to connect the composite structural panel to the supporting frame. |
| US08966691B2 |
Folding interchangeable implement apparatus
A compact, folding tool permitting the exchange of implement sets, including one or more quick release mechanisms that are easily removed from a handle to release interchangeable implements; the tool further accommodating implement sets including different types and quantities of implements which are inhibited from rotating by an adjustable clamping force produced by the quick release mechanisms and optionally including over travel stops to obstruct implement rotation, or may rely solely on the clamping force provided by the quick release mechanisms to stabilize implements for use. |
| US08966689B2 |
Multi-zone fluid chamber and mattress system
A support surface assembly comprises a support surface and a multi-zone chamber comprising two or more inflatable bladders forming the support surface. In an example, first and second bladders of the multi-zone chamber are arranged in a head to toe configuration and are substantially free to move with respect to one another. In another example, a flexible joint is included between first and second bladders, the flexible joint including one or more releasable fasteners. In another example, a fluid communication conduit between first and second bladders couples the first and second bladders in a series fluid communication. In another example, the bladders form an array of bladders arranged in series from a head to a foot of the support surface, wherein each of the bladders has substantially the same dimensions. |
| US08966686B2 |
Couch top pitch and roll motion by linear wedge kinematic and universal pivot
A couch top includes a top, a base, a universal joint coupling the top and the base, and actuators mounted on the base to pitch and roll the top. Feedback devices may be fitted on the rotating ends of the universal joint to provide feedback for a control loop. Each actuator has an actuated end that translates vertically to lift or lower the top. The vertical movement may be derived from a carriage riding in place on a translating inclined plane. When the actuated ends move in the same direction, they pitch the top. When the actuated ends move in the opposite directions, they roll the top. Feedback devices may be fitted on motors in the actuators to provide feedback for the control loop. |
| US08966683B2 |
Devices and implements for deterring monsters, specters, demons, and the like
Devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface, which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided which is capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed. |
| US08966682B1 |
Guard frame tension lock for bed rail
A horizontally expandable bed rail having a guard rail frame that confronts a first side of a bed to prevent a child from falling out of the bed. The guard rail frame includes a pair of vertical support members interconnected by upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members that slide horizontally in and out such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a first distance and a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance. |
| US08966678B2 |
Lift apparatus
A lift apparatus used for lifting and moving a person or object. The apparatus has a frame, wheels, a lift mechanism, a lift rod, an overhead support arm movable to a laterally extended position on a selected side of the apparatus, a rotatable head, a collar that is vertically movable along the head, an outrigger support with a bar pivotably affixed to the base frame and rotatable to the selected side of the apparatus, and an locking mechanism for retaining the bar on the side of the apparatus. A hanger on the overhead arm supports a load. A control system controls the lift mechanism. When the bar extends onto the selected side of the apparatus and the collar is in a predetermined vertical position along the head, the control system activates the lift mechanism and the overhead support arm is rotatable only to the selected side of the lift apparatus. |
| US08966674B2 |
Dispensing device for toilet bowl
Cageless toilet dispensing devices for use in conjunction with a sanitary appliance particularly a toilet, and methods for their use. |
| US08966671B2 |
Sporting helmet with outer pads
A sports helmet includes recessed insert surfaces on its exterior to accommodate shock absorbing inserts disposed therein. The helmet may include, for example, five recessed insert surfaces, a front recessed surface, a top recessed surface, a rear recessed surface, and two side recessed surfaces. The inserts may be disposed into the recessed surfaces to create a substantially uniform outer helmet shape. A uniform finish may cover the exterior of the helmet. The shock absorbing inserts, when used on a person receiving a force to the helmet's insert, will absorb at least a portion of the force, limiting the force's impact on the wearer's brain. The helmet may, for example, help prevent concussions and other brain injuries in sport participants. |
| US08966664B2 |
Gripping aid
A wearable aid for gripping an item by hand includes a main body shaped to be worn by a user, a strap connected to a first location of the main body and a releasable retaining means at a second location of the main body that is away from the first location. When a user wearing the aid has engaged an item to be gripped, part of the strap can be passed over at least part of one or more fingers of the user's hand and secured to the releasable retaining means in a manner that aids the user in gripping the item. |
| US08966662B2 |
Apparatus for a sleep mask
An apparatus comprises a gauze layer comprising a gauze material, a first area, a gauze first side and a gauze second side. The gauze first side is configured to at least contact and cover a user's eyelid area where the gauze material mitigates irritation of the user's skin. A paper layer comprises a paper material, a paper first side and a paper second side. The paper first side comprises an adhesive area being configured to extend beyond the first area for removably joining to the user's skin. A tape layer comprises an opaque flexible material, a third area, a tape first side and a tape second side. The tape first side comprises an adhesive. The third area is at least as large as the first area. The gauze layer, the paper layer and the tape layer are combined to form a sleep mask. |
| US08973160B2 |
Electronic media distribution systems
A system and method for sharing electronic content. A sending user can specify one or more criteria that a recipient memory device must have to store the content. The sending user can also specify a digital rights management control that can be associated with the content. The content can be transferred to the recipient if the recipient memory device has the specified properties. Software at the recipient can ensure that the content is handled in accordance with the digital rights management controls specified by the sender. |
| US08973157B2 |
Privileged access to managed content
Privileged access to managed content is disclosed. In some embodiments, a privileged portion of application code manages user access to managed content at a level of access greater than the user would otherwise be afforded. The privileged code moves a content management session up or down in levels of access as required to allow a user to perform through the application one or more specific actions it is desired to permit the user to do in a particular context (e.g., at a particular time in the lifecycle of an item of content and/or a particular point in a business process or work flow), including to permit the user to perform an action it is not desired to let the user perform in other contexts, such as write a particular value to a content item it is not desired to allow the user to write to otherwise. |
| US08973153B2 |
Creating audio-based annotations for audiobooks
A computer implemented method, a data processing system, and a computer program publish an audio annotation of a media signal. A media player plays a media signal. The media player then records an audio annotation to the media signal. Responsive to recording the audio annotation to the media signal, the media player records an identifier to be associated with the media signal. The audio annotation is then published to a social networking host. |
| US08973151B2 |
Portable security device and methods for secure communication
Disclosed a portable personal security device and methods for secure communication. In one example, the personal security device may wirelessly connect to a user device and collect information about the user device. The personal security device may then assess security characteristics of the user device based on the collected information. When the user device is determined to be unsecure, the personal security devices may instruct the user to use a secure internet application of the personal security device instead of an unsecure internet application of the user device. In addition, the personal security device may instruct the user to use a secure data input device of the personal security device instead of an unsecure data input device of the user device. The personal security device then receives via the secure data input device a user input data for the secure internet application, and transmit it to the user device. |
| US08973148B2 |
System and method of secure garbage collection on a mobile device
A method and system for performing garbage collection involving sensitive information on a mobile device. Secure information is received at a mobile device over a wireless network. The sensitive information is extracted from the secure information. A software program operating on the mobile device uses an object to access the sensitive information. Secure garbage collection is performed upon the object after the object becomes unreachable. |
| US08973145B2 |
Antivirus computing system
An antivirus computing system includes: a storage device having an operating partition that has stored therein a to-be-scanned file, and a hidden partition that has stored therein a virus code; and an antivirus device operatively associated with the storage device, and configured to perform a virus scan on the to-be-scanned file in the operating partition based on the virus code in the hidden partition. |
| US08973136B2 |
System and method for protecting computer systems from malware attacks
The malware protection system provides a virtual logon session which runs in the background invisible to the user. The virtual logon session is created on a computer system with the help of the operating system using a separate/partitioned kernel resources such as a desktop, that provides a limited access environment under the context of a logged-on user. The system is configured to run applications inside virtual logon sessions under the logged-on user's credentials with limited access. The system also includes an interceptor module that launches the web browser or web application inside the virtual logon session. The interceptor module intercepts every URL passing through the web browser or web application being run in the virtual logon session. The module checks if the primary web URL is infected by malware and adds the malicious URL to a malicious URL database and a non-malicious URL to a non-malicious URL database. |
| US08973133B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting abnormal behavior of networked devices
A computer-implemented method for detecting abnormal behavior of networked devices may include identifying a purpose-built device expected to have a predictable pattern of behavior on a network, determining a baseline pattern of behavior of the purpose-built device, monitoring the network to detect a behavior of the purpose-built device and comparing the behavior to the baseline pattern of behavior of the purpose-built device in order to determine that the behavior may be an abnormal behavior. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08973124B2 |
Systems and methods for secure operation of an industrial controller
A system includes an industrial controller having a memory and a processor configured to operate the industrial controller in an open mode, wherein the open mode is configured to enable the industrial controller to receive instructions via unauthenticated network connection or a local connection. The processor of the industrial controller is further configured to operate the industrial controller in a secure mode, wherein the secure mode is configured to enable the industrial controller to receive instructions only via an authenticated network connection. |
| US08973113B1 |
Systems and methods for automatically resetting a password
A method for automatically resetting a password is described. A failed login attempt in a system is identified. A failed login condition is determined to be satisfied. A user is prompted about resetting a password if the failed login condition is satisfied. A new password is generated based on user input. The new password is sent to the user via voicemail or email. |
| US08973109B2 |
Dual code authentication system
A verification method and system are disclosed that verify a user. The user is provided a verification code via, for example, a website, to be communicated to a provided electronic contact via a secondary mode of communication, such as through an SMS-enabled device. If the correct verification code is communicated by the user, the user receives a return message (e.g., a return SMS message) containing a second verification code, which the user submits to a website or on-line form or to another verification system for authentication. |
| US08973106B2 |
Computer implemented methods and apparatus for providing permissions to users in an on-demand service environment
Disclosed are methods, devices, and computer readable storage media for providing permissions to users in an on-demand service environment. A server receives criteria indicating characteristics of users and/or permission sets. Selected permission sets can be assigned to identified users. Data indicating the assignment of the permission sets can also be stored. |
| US08973104B2 |
Method and system for providing limited usage of an electronic device
An electronic device (100) includes a control circuit (208) and one or more modules (210) operable with the control circuit. An application usage module (211) is operable with the control circuit to define one or more applications (104,105,106,107), operable with the control circuit and otherwise available for use by a user (101) when the electronic device is in an unlocked state, that are precluded from use by an authorized person when the electronic device is operably connected to a predefined peripheral accessory (300) when unlocked. |
| US08973101B1 |
Method and apparatus for authenticating information received at an airport surface wireless node
A method and apparatus for authenticating a signal received at a wireless node. The signal is received at the wireless node. The wireless node is one of a plurality of wireless nodes in a communications network. A set of parameters is identified for the signal. A distance between the wireless node and a source of the signal is identified using a location of the wireless node and the set of parameters for the signal. A determination as to whether the source of the signal is an authorized source is made using the distance identified. |
| US08973098B2 |
System and method for virtualized resource configuration
A system and method for configuring client access to a network includes at a first port, accessing a first server on a first local area network associated with the first port. An authorized local area network other than the first local area network is determined to which an authorized connection can be properly made based on information in a client request. The first port is assigned to the authorized local area network. Communications are handled with a new client configuration in the authorized local area network. |
| US08973092B2 |
Method for adapting security policies of an information system infrastructure
The present invention refers to a method for adapting security policies of an information system infrastructure as a function of attacks on the system by storing potential attacks, their associated risks and curative security policies in a data repository, monitoring entering contents representing data streams of the information system, detecting at least one attack in the information system, assessing a success probability parameter of the at least one detected attack and its associated cost impact parameter, assessing an activation impact parameter of at least one curative security policy in response to the at least one detected attack and its associated cost impact parameter, deciding to activate or deactivate a curative security policy based on the success probability parameter of a detected attack, the activation impact parameter of associated curative security policies and the cost impact parameters of both an attack and associated curative security policies. |
| US08973090B1 |
Systems and methods for protecting platform-as-a-service platforms
A computer-implemented method for protecting platform-as-a-service platforms may include 1) identifying a platform-as-a-service platform that is configured to allow installations of third-party application packages, 2) intercepting a third-party application package in transit to the platform-as-a-service platform for installation, 3) extracting metadata from the third-party application package, and 4) applying a compliance policy to the third-party application package to determine whether to allow an installation of the third-party application package on the platform-as-a-service platform based on the metadata. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08973088B1 |
Policy enforcement using host information profile
Embodiments of the present application relate to a method for policy enforcement, a system for policy enforcement, and a computer program product for policy enforcement. A method for policy enforcement is provided. The method includes receiving a host information profile report from a client device, and enforcing a security policy for network access based on the host information profile report. The host information profile report includes device profile information associated with the client device. |
| US08973087B2 |
Method and system for authorizing user interfaces
A method to generate a role-based user interface to be presented to a user includes processing a security-relevant portion of user interface code associated with an application, determining a permission by processing application role information pertaining to the user and security policy information, wherein the security policy information is distinct from the user interface code, and associated with the security-relevant portion of the user interface code and with permissions relating to the application, and generating the role-based user interface associated with the application to selectively include a user interface element based upon the determined permission. |
| US08973082B2 |
Interactive program system
An interactive program system includes a device that receives program data and Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) data associated with an interactive application; identifies the EBIF data; converts the EBIF data to a data format compatible with a user device; generates an EBIF notification based on the EBIF data; transmits the EBIF notification to the user device; and transmits the converted EBIF data to a network device. The user device communicates with the network device based on the EBIF notification and displays the converted EBIF data. The user device transmits input data to the network device and the network device provides interaction data to the device. |
| US08973080B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating plurality of applications, and method and apparatus for processing application suitable for broadcasting receiving apparatus
A method and apparatus for processing and selecting an application easily processed by a broadcasting receiving apparatus among the plurality of applications and executing the selected application are provided. The application processing method includes: analyzing information on each of a plurality of applications providing a common broadcasting service; selecting an application suitable for a broadcasting receiving apparatus among the plurality of applications based on the analysis; and executing the selected application. When a plurality of applications is transmitted to a broadcasting receiving apparatus, the broadcasting receiving apparatus can select an easily executable application. |
| US08973078B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program
A system and method for establishing communication between an information processing apparatus and a communication device which are capable of communicating with each other in a plurality of communication modes. The method includes receiving at least one request from the communication device at the information processing apparatus, and transmitting at least one response to the at least one request, the at least one response being transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the communication device when the information processing apparatus is in a first communication mode, and not transmitting at least one response when the information processing apparatus is in a second communication mode. |
| US08973072B2 |
System and method for programmatic link generation with media delivery
a media file is electronically communicated by programmatically generating a link for an electronic communication, where the link identifies a media file that is stored on a given terminal of a user. Selection of the link at a remote terminal is detected, indicating that a recipient of the electronic communication has selected to view the media file. In response to the link in the message being selected from the remote terminal, streaming data from the media file to the recipient. An embodiment such as described may be performed from a user terminal or system, correspond to, for example, where the media file was recorded, created and/or stored. |
| US08973070B2 |
Channel change latency reduction
A wireless communication system is enhanced to allow for low-latency channel surfing and to enable a user to quickly see the content carried over a selected channel while searching channels for desired content. The techniques for reducing the channel change latency may be implemented in a transmitter, receiver, or in a combination of transmitter and receiver. The wireless communication system is optionally a DVB-H communication system. The transmitter may generate and transmit one or more auxiliary channels, where each auxiliary channel contains reduced resolution content corresponding to one or more channels. The receiver may process the one or more auxiliary channels to present the reduced resolution content while processing the full resolution channel for display. The receiver caches portions of content from one or more non-selected channels and presents the cached content when the channel is selected while concurrently searching and processing the full resolution channel content. |
| US08973067B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing network resources used by multimedia streams in a virtual pipe
Some embodiments are directed to a method performed by a pipe control node for managing network resources that are used to transport network traffic. The method includes allocating network resources to a virtual pipe for transporting a plurality of multimedia streams through the network. Utilization of the network resources by the plurality of multimedia streams transported through the virtual pipe is monitored relative to the network resources allocated to the virtual pipe. The network resources that are used by the plurality of multimedia streams transported through the virtual pipe are managed in response to the monitored utilization. Some other embodiments are directed to a corresponding pipe control node that manages network resources which are used to transport network traffic. |
| US08973060B2 |
Terminal for repeating through MBS communication network and method of repeating using the same
There is provided a method where a terminal amplifies an MBS signal that the terminal receives using a terminal in an MBS service, transmits the amplified signal to another terminal and controls it in order to overcome the fact it is not possible to provide high quality contents over a broad area due to interference signals between MBS zones, a terminal is used as a repeater at MBS transmission time only, and an output of a repeating signal of the terminal is controlled so that an excessive interference signal for another MBS area is not generated when the terminal operates as a repeater. |
| US08973059B2 |
Method for protecting satellite reception from strong terrestrial signals
The present invention concerns an apparatus for protecting a satellite reception system from strong terrestrial signals. A high Q tunable trap is used to help reject strong ATSC signals or other signals that may be present on the input coaxial cable of a satellite receiver that operates in a single-wire multi-switch (SWM) environment. |
| US08973057B2 |
Method and equipment for providing unicast preparation for IPTV
A method for providing switching of a media session transmitted from a content server to a user equipment from a multicast to a unicast bearer. A preparation trigger recognised by the user equipment triggers a preparation phase wherein an application server prepares for an upcoming switch by re-configuring the media session and by providing the re-configuration data to the user equipment. Subsequent to the preparation phase, a second trigger triggers a release phase, wherein the multicast bearer is released, and the media session is resumed by the unicast bearer. |
| US08973043B2 |
Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories. |
| US08973042B2 |
Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories. |
| US08973038B2 |
Missed content access guide
Arrangements for providing available playback options for missed portions of broadcast content may be presented. A request to present an electronic programming guide that comprises indications of a plurality of television programs currently being broadcast may be received. A missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may have already been broadcast. For each television program of the plurality of television programs, a plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may be retrievable may be analyzed. A first source from the plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of a television program is retrievable may be identified. The electronic programming guide may be configured and output to comprise an indication of availability of the missed portion of the television program. |
| US08973037B2 |
Intuitive image-based program guide for controlling display device such as a television
A control device such as a tablet computer presents a scrollable image-based program guide (IBPG) on a display that a user can swipe to cause the device to command a display device to present an audio video (AV) program represented by the image. The IBPG is a subset of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a TV signal provider. Social networking information (SNI) related to a video program is presented on or adjacent an image in the IBPG representing the program. |
| US08973035B2 |
Signal transmission management system
The present invention relates to transmission of signals to a plurality of subscriber receivers, where each signal represents a type of information which belongs to a particular contents category. A central management server receives administrative instructions pertaining to the transmission of the signals. In response to the administrative instructions, the central management server organizes and synchronizes signals originating from one or more signal sources before these signals are transmitted to the subscriber receivers. At least one client computer each has an interface towards the central management server. Thus, the client computer(s) may produce administrative instructions for organizing a sub-set of the signals to be transmitted via the central management server. |
| US08973026B2 |
Decoding media content at a wireless receiver
A wireless receiver, in the form of a mobile telephone, includes a DAB receiver and a GSM/GPRS transceiver which enables bi-directional point-to-point data communications via a service provider. The DAB receiver is arranged to receive media data from an over-the-air broadcast channel, the media data primarily representing television and radio streams. In order that the streams can be decoded and decrypted by media playing software on the wireless receiver, a provisioning operation is employed to provide NSC header files and DRM licenses to users in response to them making content requests. The header files and licenses are sent over a separate data channel and in advance of the broadcast content. |
| US08973022B2 |
Method and system for using coherence of biological responses as a measure of performance of a media
Various embodiments of the present disclosure create a novel system for rating an event in a media based on the strength of the emotions viewers feel towards the event. The viewer's responses to the media can be measured and calculated via physiological sensors. The metric for rating the strength of the media is created based on the mathematical coherence of change (up or down) of all pertinent physiological responses across multiple viewers. Such rating offers an objective ability to compare the strengths of events of the media, as there is a strong correlation between high coherence of physiological responses (all viewers feel the same thing at the same time) and strong ratings of emotionality, engagement, likeability, success in the marketplace/on screen. |
| US08973021B1 |
Method and system of facilitating Java communication
A method for use in facilitating Java communications is disclosed. A Java applet is caused to open a socket on a port number. A JSP having the port number is invoked. A hidden applet is generated, the hidden applet establishing a communication connection between the JSP and the Java applet by opening a socket connection on the same port number. |
| US08973019B1 |
Method and system for emulation of super speed devices in virtual machines
A method and system for emulation of super speed external devices in a virtual machine (VM), including checking the ability of the VM Guest OS to support the super speed external device. If the super speed device is not supported by the Guest OS, device metadata is substituted by the metadata of the devices supported by the Guest OS. The method replaces the metadata of a new external device by the metadata of an older or different (supported) device. A VM acquires a descriptor of the external device configuration and “patches” the device by replacing device version data from a new device version to an older (or different) device. |
| US08973017B2 |
Productivity application management
A method for managing third-tier productivity applications, as part of remote application deployment, consists of using a controlling program, called an AppController, to initiate the application launch which then allows otherwise incompatible programs to control and/or enhance the functionality of the productivity application by accepting commands transmitted using standard network communications protocols. |
| US08973010B2 |
Scheduling image recognition tasks based on task dependency and phase
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to techniques for providing an environment for the efficient execution of recognition tasks. A novel environment is provided which automatically and efficiently executes a recognition program on as many computer processors as available. This program, deconstructed into separate tasks, may be executed by constructing a dependency network from known inputs and outputs of the tasks, applying project planning methods for scheduling these tasks into multiple processing threads, and dynamically assigning tasks within these threads to processors. Therefore, an efficient schedule of tasks to complete a recognition program can be created and executed automatically, for any type of recognition problem. The system will not only allow for the ability to leverage multiple processors for efficiently generating variable and customizable automatically created schedules, but will also still maintain the flexibility to use serial programming in recognition algorithms for individual objects, properties, or features. |
| US08973009B2 |
Allocation and control unit for controlling parallel execution of threads on auxiliary processing units
An allocation and control unit for allocating execution threads for a task to a plurality of auxiliary processing units and for controlling the parallel execution of said execution threads by said auxiliary processing units, the task being executed in a sequential manner by a main processing unit. The allocation and control unit includes means for managing auxiliary logical processing units, means for managing auxiliary physical processing units each corresponding to an auxiliary processing unit, and means for managing the auxiliary processing units. The means for managing the auxiliary processing units include means for allocating an auxiliary logical processing unit to an execution thread to be executed, and means for managing the correspondence between the auxiliary logical processing units and the auxiliary physical processing units. The auxiliary processing units execute in parallel the execution threads for the task by way of the auxiliary logical processing units, which are allocated as late as possible and freed as early as possible. |
| US08973005B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording medium and information processing system
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a receiver configured to receive a request to perform processing related to a task, from a first information processing apparatus which functions as a client on a network; a scheduler configured to, when a rank of a priority of the scheduler of the information processing apparatus among information processing apparatuses on the network is a first predetermined rank or higher, assign the task to one or a plurality of second information processing apparatuses which function as nodes on the network; and a transmitter configured to transmit a request to execute processing related to the task assigned to the one or the plurality of second information processing apparatuses. |
| US08973004B2 |
Transactional locking with read-write locks in transactional memory systems
A system and method for transactional memory using read-write locks is disclosed. Each of a plurality of shared memory areas is associated with a respective read-write lock, which includes a read-lock portion indicating whether any thread has a read-lock for read-only access to the memory area and a write-lock portion indicating whether any thread has a write-lock for write access to the memory area. A thread executing a group of memory access operations as an atomic transaction acquires the proper read or write permissions before performing a memory operation. To perform a read access, the thread attempts to obtain the corresponding read-lock and succeeds if no other thread holds a write-lock for the memory area. To perform a write-access, the thread attempts to obtain the corresponding write-lock and succeeds if no other thread holds a write-lock or read-lock for the memory area. |
| US08973001B2 |
Processing transaction requests using a load balancing utility and multiple operating parameters
Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for balancing the number of transaction requests with the number of applications running and processing information for those transaction requests are presented. According to one or more aspects, a message queue receives one or more messages, each including a transaction request, from a computing device. The message queue sends a trigger message to a trigger queue. The load balancing utility monitors the number of messages in the message queue and determines a number of transaction requests to process and starts a number of additional applications to process the additional transaction requests. The applications process the transaction requests and send a response for each of the transaction requests to the message queue. The message queue sends the response back to the computing device. |
| US08972996B2 |
Information processing apparatus, computer-readable medium storing information processing program, and information processing method
A processing function determination section included in an information processing apparatus determines a differential processing function which is a processing function that is realized by a first program and that is not realized by a second program. A control information determination section reads out relation information which associates a plurality of processing functions with one or more pieces of control information related to each of the plurality of processing functions from a storage section and determines a piece of control information related to the differential processing function on the basis of the relation information. |
| US08972995B2 |
Apparatus and methods to concurrently perform per-thread as well as per-tag memory access scheduling within a thread and across two or more threads
A method, apparatus, and system in which an integrated circuit comprises an initiator Intellectual Property (IP) core, a target IP core, an interconnect, and a tag and thread logic. The target IP core may include a memory coupled to the initiator IP core. Additionally, the interconnect can allow the integrated circuit to communicate transactions between one or more initiator Intellectual Property (IP) cores and one or more target IP cores coupled to the interconnect. A tag and thread logic can be configured to concurrently perform per-thread and per-tag memory access scheduling within a thread and across multiple threads such that the tag and thread logic manages tags and threads to allow for per-tag and per-thread scheduling of memory accesses requests from the initiator IP core out of order from an initial issue order of the memory accesses requests from the initiator IP core. |
| US08972994B2 |
Method and apparatus to bypass object lock by speculative execution of generated bypass code shell based on bypass failure threshold in managed runtime environment
Example methods and apparatus to manage object locks are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving an object lock request from a processor, the lock request associated with object lock code to lock an object, and generating object lock-bypass code based on a type of the processor, the object lock-bypass code to execute in a managed runtime in response to receiving the object lock request. The example method also includes identifying a type of instruction set architecture (ISA) associated with the processor, invoking a checkpoint instruction for the processor based on the identified ISA, suspending the object lock code from executing and executing target code when the object is uncontended, and allowing the object lock code to execute when the object is contended. |
| US08972988B2 |
Remote virtual machine migration port management device and system
A live migration process between different locations is realized without migrating data stored in a storage area to another location. A network device, which is included in each of locations, for coupling to another one of the locations, the network device stores a program for realizing an access processing module for managing accesses, and coupling management information for managing a coupling relationship between the plurality of virtual machines and the plurality of storage areas, and wherein the access processing module is configured to: receive a notification to start a live migration process, refer to the coupling management information to identify a port for accessing a storage area allocated to a virtual machine; acquire an address of a transfer destination device to which an access request is transferred; generate conversion information; and control the access request based on the conversion information. |
| US08972984B2 |
Methods and systems for virtualizing audio hardware for one or more virtual machines
The present disclosure is directed towards methods and systems for virtualizing audio hardware for one or more virtual machines. A control virtual machine (VM) may translate a first stream of audio functions calls from a first VM hosted by a hypervisor. The translated first stream of audio function calls may be destined for a sound card of the computing device executing the hypervisor. The control VM may detect a second stream of audio functions calls from a second VM hosted by the hypervisor. The control VM may translate the second stream of audio functions calls from the second VM. The control VM may further merge the translated first stream of audio function calls and the translated second stream of the audio function calls in response to the detected second stream. The control VM may transmit the merged stream of audio function calls to the sound card. |
| US08972982B2 |
Geophysical virtual machine policy allocation using a GPS, atomic clock source or regional peering host
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for virtual machine allocation is disclosed. The method includes: responsive to receiving a request to execute a virtual machine, determining a geophysical location of a host for the virtual machine; determining a geophysical policy for the virtual machine; determining whether the geophysical policy for the virtual machine corresponds to the geophysical location of the host for the virtual machine; and responsive to determining that the geophysical policy for the virtual machine corresponds to the geophysical location of the host, executing the virtual machine. |
| US08972979B2 |
Configuration of virtual appliances
Embodiments of the invention relate to post-install configuration of virtual appliances in a virtual machine. A packaging and distribution format is provided with two tools to support the configuration of the virtual machine. The first tool is employed to support configuration of the virtual machine, and employs an activation script during a boot operation. The second tool is employed by a call from the first tool. The second tool configures a virtual application in communication with the virtual machine with use of a configuration script. The configuration script is separate from the activation script and disassociated from an image binary of the virtual machine. The disassociation of the configuration script from the activation script supports changes to the configuration script without affecting the image binary. |
| US08972964B2 |
Dynamic firmware updating system for use in translated computing environments
Systems and methods for updating firmware executing on a computing system are disclosed. One method includes building an initial stack for use by an updated firmware module, and quiescing I/O operations occurring on the computing system. The method also includes halting all but a remaining firmware module from among one or more firmware modules to be updated and that are executing on the computing system, and, with the remaining firmware module executing on the computing system, indicating to perform a firmware update. The method further includes halting execution of a partition including the remaining firmware module. The method also includes updating the remaining firmware module executing on the computing system with the updated firmware module, and initiating execution of the updated firmware module using the initial stack. |
| US08972962B2 |
Infrastructure service architecture for applications
A mechanism is disclosed for operating local version-independent service program code for infrastructure services, wherein the mechanism is automatically and optionally linked to a central, remote service infrastructure, and wherein both an online and an offline processing mode is included and automatically supported, and wherein the mechanism is embedded in a generic runtime environment. In at least one embodiment, it contains service program code implemented in the runtime environment for calling by way of the application program code with standardized interfaces, wherein the service program code is intended for the provision of functionalities for predetermined services that an application program code can use. |
| US08972960B2 |
Optimization of an application to reduce local memory usage
Optimizing an application to reduce local memory usage. At least one executable class file of the application can be instrumented with analysis code, the executable class file including bytecode. The class file can be executed on a virtual machine, wherein during execution the analysis code generates data related to the application's use of local memory. The data related to the application's use of the local memory can be analyzed to generate a memory profile analysis. Based on the memory profile analysis, at least one portion of the bytecode can be automatically revised to reduce an amount of the local memory used by the application. |
| US08972958B1 |
Multistage development workflow for generating a custom instruction set reconfigurable processor
Systems and systems which implement workflows for providing reconfigurable processor core algorithms operable with associated capabilities using description files, thereby facilitating the development and generation of instruction sets for use with reconfigurable processors, are shown. Embodiments implement a multistage workflow in which program code is parsed into custom instructions and corresponding capability descriptions for generating reconfigurable processor loadable instruction sets. The multistage workflow of embodiments includes a hybrid threading complier operable to compile input program code into custom instructions using a hardware timing agnostic approach. A timing manager of the multistage workflow of embodiments utilizes capabilities information provided in association with the custom instructions generated by the hybrid threading complier to impose hardware timing on the custom instructions. A framework generator and hardware description language complier are also included in the multistage workflow of embodiments. |
| US08972946B2 |
Interactive semi-automatic test case maintenance
Embodiments of the invention relate to test case maintenance for user interfaces. In one embodiment, user source and test cases are linked for test case maintenance. A link is determined to have been created between a user interface and at least one test script. The test script includes a set of test instructions. The user interface includes a set of user interface elements. Each test instruction is run against the user interface. Mapping information for each test instruction is generated. A change is determined to have occurred in at least one of the user interface and the test script. In response to a change having occurred to the user interface, at least one test instruction affected by the change is identified. In response to a change having occurred to the test script, at least one user interface element affected by the change to the test script is identified. |
| US08972940B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying software performance influencers
Described are a system and method for identifying variables which impact performance of software under development. Data is collected that is related to performance characteristics of the software under development. Performance change gradients are determined between previous builds of the software under development. A set of performance change factors are generated from the collected data that corresponds to each performance change gradient. Performance characteristic data corresponding to a current build of the software under development are compared to the performance change gradients. At least one fault component from the set of performance change factors that influences performance of the current build is output in response to the comparison between the performance characteristic data corresponding to the current build and the plurality of performance change gradients. |
| US08972938B2 |
Determining functional design/requirements coverage of a computer code
A method that includes: running a set of functional tests over a computer code; determining, for each code element of the computer code, which functional test covered it, to yield a tests-elements coverage map; associating portions of the computer code with corresponding design portions or requirements derived from a design document or a requirements document respectively, associated with the computer code, to yield a design/requirements-code tracing map; deriving, from the tests-code coverage map and the design/requirements-code tracing map, a design/requirements-tests coverage map, exhibiting coverage of the computer code by the functional tests, in terms of the design or the requirements, wherein at least one of the running, the determining, the associating, and the deriving is executed by at least one processor. |
| US08972934B2 |
Support for temporally asynchronous interface extensions
A data object can be received at a first time at a first inbound interface of a first software component from a second software component. The first inbound interface can be configured to map a first feature of the data object to at least one first internal data structure of the first software component but not configured to map a second data feature of the data object to any corresponding internal data structure of the first software component. Characteristic information of the second data feature can be stored in a generic data container added to the internal data structure. The characteristic information can include a value of the second data feature and metadata describing an identifier of the second data feature. A reconstructed data object can be formed at a second time subsequent to the first time. Related methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. |
| US08972928B2 |
System and method for generating application code
A system includes a requirements unit, an implementation unit, and a testing unit. The requirements unit generates application requirements from inputted requirements and parameters and output them in accordance with a system communication protocol. The implementation unit generates application code based on the application requirements, the parameters, and feedback and outputs the application code in accordance with the system communication protocol. The testing unit tests the application code based on the application requirements and the parameters to produce the feedback. |
| US08972927B2 |
Method and system for providing modeled components
A system for providing modeled components is described. An example system comprises a request detector, an entity component, a style component, and a property module. The request detector may be configured to receive requests to create modeled components. The entity builder may be configured to create entities associated with models. The styles designer may be configured to create style components. A style component defines a user interface to be applied to a property of an entity in a modeled component. The property module may be configured to associate a style component with one or more properties of one or more entities. |
| US08972926B2 |
Peer-to-peer sharing in integrated development environment
The illustrative embodiments herein provide a computer implemented method for verifying code within an integrated development environment. A first data processing system identifies a code dependency within a first artifact located thereon. The code dependency depends on the second artifact located at the separate node of peer-to-peer network. Responsive to identifying the dependency within the first artifact, the first data processing system identifies a second data processing system within a peer-to-peer network that contains the second artifact. The first data processing system requests permission from the second data processing system to access the second artifact. Responsive to receiving permission to access the second artifact, the first data processing system accesses the second artifact on the second data processing system. The first data processing system then verifies a compatibility of the second artifact with the code dependency within the first artifact. |
| US08972917B1 |
System and method for generating a field effect transistor corner model
Disclosed are a system, method and computer program product for generating a field effect transistor (FET) corner model for a performance target (e.g., delay) that accurately preserves partial correlations among involved statistical model parameters (e.g., channel lengths, threshold voltages, overlap capacitance, etc.) of different types of field effect transistors within an integrated circuit. To accomplish this, an initial simulation run is performed to determine a nominal performance value with all statistical model parameters set at their nominal values. Then, multiple additional simulation runs are performed to determine corner performance values. In each successive additional simulation run, statistical model parameters of the different types of field effect transistors are offset from their nominal model parameters values in correlated ways. Then, based on performance differences between each of the corner performance values and the nominal performance value, a standard deviation for the performance target is determined. |
| US08972916B1 |
Method and system for checking the inter-chip connectivity of a three-dimensional integrated circuit
A method for checking the inter-chip connectivity of a three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) generally comprises receiving a design file for each of a plurality of chips of the 3D IC and generating a plurality of inter-layer ports to be shared between at least two of the of chips based on the design files for each of the chips. A layout without the share ports for each of the chips based on the design files for each of the chips is generated and a layout versus schematic (LVS) check is conducted for each of the generated layouts by using the identified inter-layer ports. |
| US08972909B1 |
OPC method with higher degree of freedom
The present disclosure relates to a method of performing an optical proximity correction (OPC) procedure that provides for a high degree of freedom by using an approximation design layer. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated chip (IC) design having an original design layer with one or more original design shapes. An approximation design layer, which is different from the original design layer, is generated from the original design layer. The approximation design layer is a design layer that has been adjusted to remove features that may cause optical proximity correction (OPC) problems. An optical proximity correction (OPC) procedure is then performed on the approximation design layer. By performing the OPC procedure on the approximation design layer rather than on the original design layer, characteristics of the OPC procedure can be improved. |
| US08972906B1 |
System and method for controlling a screen saver
A system and method for coordinating screen saver initiation and functionality. The system comprises at least one client station, each of the at least one client station having a screen saver module associated therewith; and a central control station in communication with each of the at least one client station over a network, the central control station having a screen saver control module for controlling each of the screen saver modules associated with the at least one client station. |
| US08972905B2 |
Explicit character filtering of ambiguous text entry
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for explicit filtering in ambiguous text entry. The invention provides embodiments including various explicit text entry methodologies, such as 2-key and long pressing. The invention also provides means for matching words in a database using build around methodology, stem locking methodology, word completion methodology, and n-gram searches. |
| US08972904B2 |
Portable multifunction device, method, and graphical user interface for conference calling
In some embodiments, a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display performs a method that includes: displaying a phone call user interface on the touch screen display, wherein the phone call user interface includes: a first informational item associated with an active phone call between a user of the device and a first party, a second informational item associated with a suspended phone call between the user and a second party, and a merge call icon; upon detecting a user selection of the merge call icon, merging the active phone call and the suspended phone call into a conference call between the user, the first party, and the second party, and replacing the phone call user interface with a conference call user interface. The conference call user interface includes: a third informational item associated with the conference call, and a conference call management icon. |
| US08972902B2 |
Compound gesture recognition
One embodiment of the invention includes a method for executing and interpreting gesture inputs in a gesture recognition interface system. The method includes detecting and translating a first sub-gesture into a first device input that defines a given reference associated with a portion of displayed visual content. The method also includes detecting and translating a second sub-gesture into a second device input that defines an execution command for the portion of the displayed visual content to which the given reference refers. |
| US08972900B2 |
Client-side generation and filtering of hierarchy information
A computer-implemented method for displaying a filterable hierarchy includes: receiving, in an application, a user input that requests at least part of a hierarchy to be displayed; generating a request based on the user input, and forwarding the request to a server for performing a query on non-hierarchical information in a database; receiving, in the application, a response by the server to the request; identifying, in the response, at least one selectable node in the hierarchy and at least one non-selectable visible node in the hierarchy; and presenting, using the application, a view in which the selectable node and the non-selectable visible node are structured according to the hierarchy. |
| US08972899B2 |
Systems and methods for visualization of data analysis
Exemplary systems and methods for visualization of data analysis are provided. In various embodiments, a method comprises accessing a database, analyzing the database to identify clusters of data, generating an interactive visualization comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges wherein a first node of the plurality of nodes represents a cluster and an edge of the plurality of edges represents an intersection of nodes of the plurality of nodes, selecting and dragging the first node in response to a user action, and reorienting the interactive visualization in response to the user action of selecting and dragging the first node. |
| US08972898B2 |
Techniques for representing and navigating information in three dimensions
Techniques for representing and navigating information in three dimensions are provided. Information content is rendered to at least one side of a three-dimensional representation of a graphical shape. Summary information is link to the information from a top of the shape. The information also links to background information housed on a bottom of the shape. Links can be activated and the shape can be rotated in any direction to navigate the information, the summary information, and the background information within the shape. |
| US08972896B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having activation control program stored therein and activation control apparatus
A system is disclosed including a first display control section 218 for selectively displaying, in a first display area, a second predetermined number of first objects among first objects, corresponding to a first predetermined number of game programs, for which an order is set, a second display control section for displaying a position designation image at a position corresponding to a position, of subject software, in an order set for the first predetermined number of pieces of software; a display change section for designating a first object to be displayed in the first display area, based on an operation input received by using the position designation image; and an activation execution section for activating software corresponding to one first object which is selected from among the second predetermined number of first objects displayed in the first display area, based on the operation input. |
| US08972895B2 |
Actively and passively customizable navigation bars
A web site user interface for an e-commerce retail company allows a user to easily browse or purchase products or services offered by the company. The web site user interface can include a dual horizontal navigation bar including a main navigation bar and subordinate navigation bar. The subordinate navigation bar can be actively and passively customized. Further, the subordinate navigation bar can include product shipment information in a user specific notification pane. The web site user interface can also include a drop-down logo from the dual parent navigation bar where the web page continues to include the drop-down logo as the user scrolls down to focus on web page content. Alternatively, the web site user interface can include a main navigation bar and secondary navigation bar where the main navigation bar includes fewer subcategories of products than the secondary navigation bar. |
| US08972887B2 |
Mobile electronic device
A device and methods for controlling a display for a mobile terminal device are presented. A first input to a first display module is detected, and a second input to the second display module is detected. The first input is for moving an image displayed on the first display module. The image is moved to a second location of the second input to the second display module, if the second input is detected after the first input when the image is displayed on the first display module. |
| US08972885B2 |
Networked contact center user interface
This document discusses, among other things, a system and methods for a networked contact center user interface. In an example embodiment, a user interface associated with a networked contact center includes a frame to present information in a selectable format. Based on a selection associated with the information, the frame is to present further information in an un-selectable format. |
| US08972882B2 |
User interfaces and systems for oral hygiene
Computer interfaces are provided for exploring dental anatomy, for accessing information related to dental conditions, for learning oral hygiene and for cataloguing events. Some of the learning interfaces provide interactive elements for practicing the flossing and brushing of teeth. |
| US08972876B2 |
Customer relationship management system and method
A software-based customer relationship management system and method. |
| US08972875B2 |
Relevance bar for content listings
A client computer receives a set of search results ordered based on scheduled time of broadcast associated with respective listings of content. The listings of content include data representing time-bounded events. The client computer displays or otherwise presents a set of objects along an axis of a display bar, the objects corresponding to subsets of the search results. For example, the axis is associated with a unit of time or a unit of relevance. |
| US08972872B2 |
Building computing applications based upon metadata
Associating a semantic service description (SSD) with a service, wherein the SSD comprises a semantic description of the service, including a semantic description of a parameter of the service, according to a computer interpretable language, and, as a service grounding, a mapping between the computer interpretable language expressing the SSD and an interface, including an interface parameter, of the service. A dynamic composition of a task based upon a user selection of a plurality of known services is supported and a dynamic association of the task with a user interface of an application is supported, based upon associating the task with the user selection of a UI object, a UI display screen, and a UI event for the application. |
| US08972866B2 |
Outbound hunt groups
A system may include a communications device configured to select a contact from an address book, the contact including information descriptive of a user and including at least one address of the user. The communications device may be further configured to associate an outbound hunt group with the contact, the outbound hunt group configured to provide a list of addresses to be called in sequence to locate the user. |
| US08972864B2 |
Website list navigation
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to facilitating navigation through a predefined list of websites, such as a list of favorite websites. One embodiment provides a method of operating a web browser. The method comprises receiving a user input corresponding to a web address list navigation command, and sending to the display device a representation of a navigational overlay that illustrates a change of a current location within a predefined list of web addresses responsive to the user input. The method further comprises, after sending the representation of the navigational overlay, ceasing sending of the representation of the navigational overlay to the display device, and sending to the display device a representation of website content obtained from a web address at the current location within the predefined list of web addresses. |
| US08972863B2 |
Standard schema and user interface for website maps
Various embodiments provide a standardized schema that can be used by site developers to define a site map and its associated hierarchy. In at least some embodiments, a corresponding user interface can be created within an application such as, for example, a Web browser, to allow the user to specify locations at which they wish to see the site map. |
| US08972862B2 |
Method and system for providing remote digital media ingest with centralized editorial control
An approach provides for remote digital media ingest with centralized editorial. A remote ingest process is initiated over a data network to create a media file from a feed (such as a live broadcast feed). The media file is stored at a central repository. A device is configured to edit the media file by using a proxy file of the media file, wherein the proxy file represents a reduced file size of the media file. |
| US08972859B2 |
Embedded learning management system
The present invention provides a learning management system that is embedded in an application, operating system, or multiple applications. The learning management system is adapted to identify whether training courses would be desirable for a user, based on usage of one or more applications, installment of one or more applications, or occurrence of one or more key words within an application. |
| US08972858B2 |
Configuration interface for a programmable multimedia controller
In one embodiment, a user selects a primary component of a multimedia system to be configured in a configuration user interface of a mobile device. The configuration user interface of the mobile device displays a photo-realistic depiction of a back panel of the primary component. The photo-realistic depiction of a back panel includes photo-realistic depictions of connection ports located thereon. The user selects another component to be connected to the primary component. One or more classes of potential connections are determined between the another component and the primary component, and for each class of potential connection, the configuration user interface on the mobile device graphically guides the user to select a particular connection port on the photo-realistic depiction of the back panel of the primary component for the class of potential connection. Based on selections of particular connection ports from the user, a set of configuration data is generated. |
| US08972853B2 |
Rendering digital report elements using a layout optimization tool
Various embodiments of systems and methods for automatically generating a layout plan are described herein. The method involves invoking original layout information for digital report elements rendered on an original layout region. The optimized layout plan for rendering the digital report elements on a target layout region is generated by: classifying the digital report elements into multiple arrays of digital report elements, deriving origin values for the digital report elements as a quotient of original dimensions of the digital report elements in the corresponding array, determining dimension quotient for the digital report elements based on the derived origin values for the digital report elements in the corresponding array, and determining target layout values as a function of the derived origin values and dimension quotient. The digital report elements are rendered on the target layout region based on the optimized layout plan defined by the target layout values. |
| US08972848B2 |
Document renewal and translation
Methods, systems and program products for renewing documents relating to an agreement between two entities. Content from an existing document is extracted, the existing document having been created from component documents. A selection of one or more updated component documents is received. An updated document is then generated based on the extracted content from the received document and the received selection of one or more updated component documents, wherein the updated document defines a revised agreement between the two entities. |
| US08972843B2 |
Sending a subset of component documents of a modular document to an electronic device
To communicate a modular document from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, the first electronic device determines which one or more component documents of the modular document are already available at the second electronic device. The modular document is composed of plural component documents. The first electronic device sends to the second electronic device a subset of the plural component documents of the modular document, where the subset of the plural component documents is other than the one or more component documents already available at the second electronic device. |
| US08972833B1 |
Encoding and decoding of information using a block code matrix
An embodiment of an apparatus for encoding. For this embodiment of the apparatus, an encoder block is coupled to receive input data. The encoder block has an R-matrix block. The R-matrix block is configured to: exclusively OR combinations of subsets of data bits of the input data to generate (n−1) parity bits for n a positive integer greater than zero; and exclusively OR a combination of all of the data bits and all the (n−1) parity bits to generate an (n) parity bit 9-to-7. |
| US08972824B1 |
Systems and methods for transparently varying error correction code strength in a flash drive
Apparatus and methods provide relatively low uncorrectable bit error rates, low write amplification, long life, fast and efficient retrieval, and efficient storage density such that a solid-state drive (SSD) can be implemented using relatively inexpensive MLC Flash for an enterprise storage application. |
| US08972820B2 |
Wireless access point mapping
Techniques for wireless access point mapping are described. In at least some embodiments, various characteristics of a wireless access point are detected. Examples of such characteristics include signal strength for wireless signal transmitted by the wireless access point, identifying information for the wireless access point, data error rates for data transmitted by the wireless access point, and so forth. Characteristics of a wireless access point can be detected at multiple different geographic locations to enable a reception range mapping to be generated for the wireless access point, e.g., for an area in which signal reception for the wireless access point is qualitatively acceptable. |
| US08972818B2 |
Algorithm for optimal usage of external memory tuning sequence
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for optimally tuning a memory card in a host device are provided. The apparatus determines at least one tuning parameter associated with the memory card, initiates a reading operation with the memory card, and sends a tuning command to the memory card based on the at least one tuning parameter. The at least one tuning parameter includes a temperature of the memory card, a time elapsed since a last tuning sequence was performed, a number of data blocks sent from the memory card to the host device, and/or a number of transactions between the memory card and the host device. The apparatus also reads data from the memory card, detects a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error associated with the read data, and sends the tuning command to the memory card upon detecting the CRC error. |
| US08972817B2 |
Two low complexity decoding algorithms for LDPC codes
In the present invention, two improved variants of the reliability-based iterative majority-logic decoding algorithm for regular low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are presented. The new algorithms are obtained by introducing a different reliability measure for each check-sum of the parity-check matrix, and taking it into account in the computation of the extrinsic information that is used to update the reliability measure of each received bit in each iteration. In contrast to the first algorithm, the second algorithm includes check reliability that changes at each iteration. For the tested random and structured LDPC codes, both algorithms, while requiring very little additional computational complexities, achieve a considerable error performance gain over the standard one. More importantly, for short and medium block length LDPC codes of relatively large column weight, both algorithms outperform or perform just as well as the iterative decoding based on belief propagation (IDBP) with less decoding complexity. |
| US08972816B2 |
Servo grey code error correction
The disclosure is related to systems and methods for servo Gray code error detection and correction. A device may include a circuit configured to 1) selectively implement a quality-based error correction system to determine an error in the servo Gray code and correct the error; 2) selectively implement a trajectory-based error correction system to determine an error in the servo Gray code and correct the error; or 3) implement any combination of a quality-based error correction system and a trajectory-based error correction system to determine an error in the servo Gray code and correct the error. |
| US08972815B1 |
Recovery of media datagrams
Approaches for recovery of media datagrams are disclosed. Media datagrams, row forward error correction (FEC) datagrams, and column FEC datagrams are received. The media datagrams are logically arranged in rows and columns, each row and column having a corresponding FEC datagram. First, second, and third bitmaps are constructed to respectively indicate availability of media datagrams, row FEC datagrams, and column FEC datagrams. A recoverable media datagram is located in the plurality of media datagrams and is recovered. In response to recovering a datagram using a row FEC datagram, the column having the datagram is checked using the bitmaps to determine if another datagram in the column is recoverable. In response to recovering a datagram using a column FEC datagram, the row having the recovered media datagram is checked to determine if another datagram in the row is recoverable. |
| US08972813B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback in wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) feedback in a wireless communication system are provided. A method for the ARQ feedback at a receiving end includes when receiving an ARQ block from the transmitting end, checking for error in the ARQ block, when the ARQ block has no error, initializing and driving a timer used for determining whether to perform the ARQ feedback according to reception of a next ARQ block, when receiving the next ARQ block without error before the timer expires, initializing and driving the timer, and when the timer expires, performing the ARQ feedback in relation to at least one ARQ block received without error. |
| US08972811B2 |
Panel driving circuit that generates panel test pattern and panel test method thereof
A panel driving circuit that produces a panel test pattern and a method of testing a panel are provided. The driving circuit includes a pattern generation unit and a selection unit. The pattern generation unit responds to a system clock and produces pattern test data and pattern test signals. The selection unit responds to a test signal and selects and outputs either (a) the pattern test data and the pattern test signals that are outputted from the pattern generation unit, or (b) the pattern test data and pattern test signals that are directly applied from the outside. The driving circuit and the method of the panel test generates the panel test data, the horizontal synchronizing signal, the vertical synchronizing signal, and the data activating signal within the driving circuit using a system clock so that the testing of the panel can be carried out without using a separate test device. |
| US08972809B2 |
Test messaging and control circuitry coupled to power pad
The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for using a device's power and ground terminals as a test and/or debug interface for the device. According to the present disclosure, messages are modulated over DC voltages applied to the power terminals of a device to input test/debug messages to the device and output test/debug messages from the device. The present disclosure advantageously allows a device to be tested and/or debugged without the device having any shared or dedicated test or debug interface terminals. |
| US08972807B2 |
Integrated circuits capable of generating test mode control signals for scan tests
Various embodiments of methods and integrated circuits capable of generating a test mode control signal for a scan test through a scan chain (such as in an integrated circuit) are provided. The integrated circuit includes a test pattern detection block, a counter circuit, and a control circuit. The test pattern detection block is configured to receive a detection pattern and to detect a first pattern corresponding to a shift phase and a second pattern corresponding to a capture phase of a test pattern based on the detection pattern and to generate a trigger signal based upon the detection of the patterns. The control circuit generates and controls the test mode control signal based on the count states. The counter circuit is configured to generate one or more count states corresponding to one of the shift phase, the capture phase and the clock signal based on the detected pattern. |
| US08972806B2 |
Self-test design for serializer / deserializer testing
Providing for testing of digital sequencing components of an integrated chip is described herein. By way of example, self-test procedures are provided for unidirectional integrated chips that have different sequence generation (e.g., transmission) and sequence monitoring (e.g., receiving) frequencies. A test logic component(s) can be added to an integrated chip to match the sequence generation frequency to the sequence monitoring frequency. This can facilitate self-testing of unidirectional sequence generating components, by modifying a generated sequence at a first datarate to be receivable at a second datarate, and directing the modified sequence to sequence monitoring components of the integrated chip configured to operate at the second datarate. |
| US08972803B2 |
Run-time default detection in a component associated with an application programming interface platform
Methods and apparatuses for fault detection in a component associated with an application programming interface platform are provided. In an embodiment, the component is determined to have been invoked to process a transaction. A forward progress counter is monitored to determine whether the component is processing the transaction, wherein the forward progress counter increments at determined intervals when the component is processing the transaction. A test transaction is executed for the component when a determination is made that the forward progress counter has not incremented for a threshold fault period. A fault alarm indicator is generated based on the determination that the forward progress counter has not incremented for the threshold fault period. |
| US08972799B1 |
Variable drive diagnostics
The relative health of data storage drives may be determined based, at least in some aspects, on data access information and/or other drive operation information. In some examples, upon receiving the operation information from a computing device, a health level of a drive may be determined. The health level determination may be based at least in part on operating information received from a client entity. Additionally, a storage space allocation instruction or operation may be determined for execution. The allocation instruction or operation determined to be performed may be based at least in part on the determined health level. |
| US08972797B2 |
System and method for application debugging
A system includes a client system comprising a memory and a processor configured to execute a debugging tool. The debugging tool is communicatively coupled to an OPC Unified Architecture (UA) server. Furthermore, the debugging tool is configured to monitor and control, from the client system, debugging of an application executing on the OPC UA server. |
| US08972794B2 |
Method and apparatus for diagnostic recording using transactional memory
A method (500) or a diagnostic recording device (400) having transactional memory and a processor coupled to the transactional memory can store (502) contents of a transaction log (40) of the transactional memory, detect (504) an exception event, and replay (506) last instructions that led up to the exception event using a debugger tool (80). The transactional memory can be hardware or software based transactional memory. The processor can also store the transaction log by storing the contents of the transaction log in a core file (302) which can include a stack (60), a register dump (70), a memory dump (75), and the transactional log. The debugger tool can be used to load up the core file, an executable file (95), and a library (90) to enable the diagnostic recording device to retrace transactions occurring at the diagnostic recording device up to the exception event. |
| US08972793B2 |
Apparatus and method for analyzing error generation in mobile terminal
An apparatus and a method for determining error generation in a mobile terminal are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and a method for analyzing and reporting an error of a device driver in real-time without a separate debugging apparatus in a mobile terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a dumper and an analyzer. When an error-generating device exists, the dumper retrieves error information used for analyzing an error generating cause from a register range of the error-generating device, and receives dumped information corresponding to the retrieving of the error information. The analyzer analyzes the dumped information to determine the error generating cause. |
| US08972792B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and systems for electronic device recovery
Methods, apparatus, and systems for electronic device recovery are disclosed. An example method includes determining that a software request received from a computing device includes an indication of a repair mode of an electronic device, determining a characteristic of the electronic device, determining software to be provided to the electronic device based on the characteristic, and in response to determining that the software request includes the indication of the repair mode, transmitting location information for the software to the computing device. |
| US08972791B2 |
Managing code-tracing data
A method of managing code-tracing data in a target program is described. The method comprises the steps of: identifying when an exception occurs in the target program; accessing a stack trace of a call stack to identify a module in the target program that threw the exception; and activating code-tracing at a high detail level in that module. |
| US08972789B2 |
Diagnostic systems for distributed network
A diagnostic system provides identification of symptoms in a distributed network and an engine for providing recommended rectification of error sources that correspond to the symptoms. The distributed network may be accessed for current statistics. Symptoms may be identified that correspond to the current statistics. A recommended course of action for the distributed network may be provided based on a predetermined list of courses of actions that correspond to rectifying the performance in the error sources. |
| US08972787B2 |
Dynamic collection of instrumentation data
A flexible system for collecting and reporting instrumentation metrics relating to performance of a software product. Computing devices that execute the software product receive a manifest that specifies the manner in which instrumentation metrics are collected and reported, including what instrumentation metrics are collected. Based on the manifest, an instrumentation metrics client associated with a software product may retrieve instrumentation data from a software product or other sources. The metrics client may then generate one or more instrumentation metrics, based on the instrumentation data, in accordance with instructions in the manifest. The metrics client may then take one or more actions based on the instrumentation metrics and the manifest, such as reporting the information to an instrumentation metrics server for aggregation and analysis by the metrics server or performing escalation actions that can modify the metrics collected and reported. |
| US08972786B2 |
Starting a field device
During starting of a field device for pressure measurement, flow measurement and/or fill level measurement, which field device including a memory that includes a boot memory region in which a boot function is stored, and an operating memory region in which an operating function is stored, the following steps are carried out: carrying out the boot function; determining whether a memory check of the operating memory region is to be carried out; carrying out a memory check of the operating memory region when it has been determined that a memory check is to be carried out; and carrying out the operating function. |
| US08972783B2 |
Systems and methods for fast detection and diagnosis of system outages
Methods and arrangements for detecting and diagnosing system outages. A system outage is ascertained and aberrant user activities are categorized, as possible contributors to the system outage, based on system impact. User activities and system impact are learned, and user activities and system impact are compared against predetermined rules. A system outage alert is generated, and a user activity responsible for the system outage is displayed. |
| US08972782B2 |
Exposed-pipeline processing element with rollback
An aspect includes providing rollback support in an exposed-pipeline processing element. A method for providing rollback support in an exposed-pipeline processing element includes detecting, by rollback support logic, an error associated with execution of an instruction in the exposed-pipeline processing element. The rollback support logic determines whether the exposed-pipeline processing element supports replay of the instruction for a predetermined number of cycles. Based on determining that the exposed-pipeline processing element supports replay of the instruction, a rollback action is performed in the exposed-pipeline processing element to attempt recovery from the error. |
| US08972769B2 |
Data processing apparatus and control method for controlling clock frequency based on calculated frequency-to-response-time ratios
A data processing apparatus includes: a plurality of processing units adapted to process data according to input operation clocks; and a control unit adapted to measure response times of the plurality of processing units when the operation clocks of a common frequency are supplied to the plurality of processing units, and to control a frequency of the operation clocks to be supplied to at least one of the plurality of processing units so that a plurality of measured response times become closer to each other. |
| US08972768B2 |
Apparatus and method for scaling dynamic bus clock
An apparatus and a method for scaling a dynamic bus clock are provided. The apparatus for scaling the dynamic bus clock includes at least one master module, at least one slave module, a bus for delivering data transmitted and received by the at least one master module and the at least one slave module, a bus frequency controller for determining a bus clock frequency by considering activity information of the at least one master module, and a clock generator for generating the frequency as determined by the bus frequency controller and providing the generated frequency to the at least one master module, the at least one slave module, and the bus. |
| US08972765B1 |
Electrical energy management method and apparatus for multiple distribution buses and batteries
The present disclosure is directed to a system including a power source connected to at least two electrical buses, and a battery connected to each one of the electrical buses. Each battery is charged by the power source and is connected to a load via one of the electrical buses. A battery error signal generator generates a battery error signal for each battery by finding a difference between a sensed battery voltage and a reference voltage. A reference control signal generator generates a reference control signal for each battery based on the battery error signals for each battery. A power sensor produces a sensed power signal between the power source and each battery connected to each of the two electrical buses. The reference control signal and the sensed power signal for each battery controls a power output value from the power source to each battery. |
| US08972764B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium
A novel information processing apparatus maintains file system information in a secondary storage device during power saving mode. The information processing apparatus keeps storing file information and mounting information in the secondary storage device without releasing it in shutdown process 303 when it transitions to power saving mode, and uses the saved file information 401 and mounting information 402 in reinitializing process 304 when it returns from power saving mode. User program 201 does not need to execute file initializing process. Also, since mounting information 402 is kept, the information processing apparatus can access the file system in the secondary storage device immediately if the power of the secondary storage device is on and the secondary storage device is available. |
| US08972759B2 |
Adaptive thermal management in a portable computing device including monitoring a temperature signal and holding a performance level during a penalty period
Various embodiments of methods and systems for adaptive thermal management techniques implemented in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. Notably, in many PCDs, temperature thresholds associated with various components in the PCD such as, but not limited to, die junction temperatures, package on package (“PoP”) memory temperatures and the “touch temperature” of the external surfaces of the device itself limits the extent to which the performance capabilities of the PCD can be exploited. It is an advantage of the various embodiments of methods and systems for adaptive thermal management that, when a temperature threshold is violated, the performance of the PCD is sacrificed only as much and for as long as necessary to clear the violation before authorizing the thermally aggressive processing component(s) to return to a maximum operating power. |
| US08972756B2 |
System and method for computer power control
Provided herein is a computer implemented system for managing power supply for an electronic device. The system includes computer a learning component that is trained and constructs models according to usage patterns of the electronic device, a component providing a first phase of model building relating to usage of the electronic device; and a forecasting component that employs the learning component and models to generate predictions relating to usage of the electronic device. |
| US08972753B2 |
Determining suitability for disconnection from power outlet of a power distribution unit based on status of power supplies of a hardware device
A programmable logic circuit assigns a value to an outlet of a power distribution unit (PDU) that comprises a power source at an input of the PDU and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) associated with the outlet. The programmable logic circuit sends the value to a program on a hardware device that comprises one or more power supplies. The programmable logic circuit receives information from the program. Subsequently, an illumination state of the LED is modified based on the information. |
| US08972748B2 |
System and method for multi-tasking of a medical imaging system
A medical imaging system capable of acquiring medical imaging data of a patient includes a console coupled to the system, the console comprising a computer programmed to enable a first user to perform a first task on the system via the console, and enable a second user to perform a second task simultaneously with the first task via a remote device. |
| US08972746B2 |
Technique for supporting multiple secure enclaves
A technique to enable secure application and data integrity within a computer system. In one embodiment, one or more secure enclaves are established in which an application and data may be stored and executed. |
| US08972745B2 |
Secure data handling in a computer system
A computer system includes a first storage area accessible by an operating system and a second storage area accessible by authorized functions only. According to some embodiments of the invention at least one protected storage area is implemented into the second storage area, wherein the operating system installs at least one secret key and/or at least one customized processing function into regions of the at least one protected storage area, wherein the operating system transfers data and/or parameters to process into regions of the at least one protected storage area, wherein the operating system selects one of the customized processing functions to execute, wherein the selected customized processing function is executed and accesses storage regions of the at least one protected storage area to process the data and/or parameters, and wherein resulting process data is read from the at least one protected storage area. |
| US08972743B2 |
Computer security system and method
A computer security system comprises a secure platform adapted to receive sensitive data from an agent. The secure platform is also adapted to cooperate with a trusted platform module (TPM) to encrypt the sensitive data via a TPM storage key associated with the agent. |
| US08972742B2 |
System for secure image recognition
Disclosed embodiments include methods, apparatuses, and systems for secured image processing, image recognition, biometric recognition, and face recognition in untrusted environments. The disclosure includes a system for secure image recognition that comprises a secure biometric recognition system configured to work directly with encrypted signals, and the secure biometric recognition system comprises an input quantization system and a homomorphic encryption system configured for noninteractive biometric recognition. |
| US08972740B2 |
Systems and methods for securing extranet transactions
The systems and methods described herein relate to secure extranets which utilize certificate authentication to mediate access, transactions, and user tracking. Such extranets may be employed to provide an interface accessible over a network, such as the Internet, capable of authenticating and recording transactions for business, medical, or other purposes. |
| US08972739B1 |
Methods and systems for secure pass-set entry in an I/O device
Systems and methods for securely entering pass-sets in input/output (I/O) devices. An exemplary I/O device includes an authentication application, an output interface and a user-controls interface. The authentication application is configured to generate aural, visual, audiovisual or tactile messages containing one or more pass-set entry menus, in response to a request to access a pass-set protected resource by a user of the I/O device. The output interface is configured to securely present the generated messages for the user. For example, the headphone of a headset can securely present an aural message to a wearer. The user-controls interface is configured to assist the user in making a selection from the menus or choices presented to the user. For example, a variety of controls, switches and buttons on a headset can facilitate user input. The user selection is then assembled into a user entered pass-set for authenticating the user's identity by an authenticator. |
| US08972736B2 |
Fully authenticated content transmission from a provider to a recipient device via an intermediary device
A method, system, and computer readable medium containing programming for handling fully authenticated transmission of video or other data (content) from a provider to a recipient device via an intermediary device. An inner envelope containing the content and/or security features is prepared and digitally signed using a private cryptographic key. The signed inner envelope is then included in a second, outer envelope which may also include some or all of the content. The outer envelope is also digitally signed, thereby forming a data package which may be sent from the provider to the intermediary device. If the signature of the outer envelope is authenticated at the intermediary device, then the inner envelope is sent to the recipient device which then uses the inner signature to verify its authenticity. Authenticated content may then be presented or otherwise used at the recipient device. |
| US08972735B2 |
Methods and apparatus to certify digital signatures
Methods and apparatus to certify digital signatures are disclosed. An example method includes retrieving, from a first database, a first geographical location associated with an identification number associated with a network device and identified in a request to certify a digital signature, comparing the first geographical location associated with the identification number to a second geographical location to verify the second geographical location, determining that the first geographical location matches the second geographical location, and certifying the digital signature to indicate an authenticity of the digital signature based on the verification of the second geographical location and a comparison of (a) biometric information associated with a user associated with the request and (b) stored biometric information. |
| US08972734B2 |
Symmetric dynamic authentication and key exchange system and method thereof
A symmetric dynamic authentication and key exchange system and a method thereof are provided. A client and a server obtain initial authentication information at the same time, the client generates first one-time temporary authentication information, a conference key and a standby identity identifier according to the initial authentication information, and transmits them to the server, and the server performs a dynamic authentication program. The server compares the initial authentication information of the client with the conference key to confirm an identity of the client, and then updates the initial authentication information of the server according to the first one-time temporary authentication information, and the server is enabled to have the first one-time temporary authentication information the same as that of the client, and then to generate second one-time temporary authentication information including the standby identity identifier according to the first one-time temporary authentication information and the initial authentication information. |
| US08972732B2 |
Offline data access using trusted hardware
A cryptographically-secure component provides access-undeniability and verifiable revocation for clients with respect to downloaded content items from a server. A cryptographically-secure component is implemented in a client. When the client wants to purchase and download a content item from the server, the server requests an encryption key from the client. The client generates an encryption key that is bound to a state of the client that is associated with decrypting the content item. The server encrypts the content item using the encryption key and sends the encrypted content item to the client. Because the encryption key used to encrypt the content item is bound to the state associated with the client decrypting the content item, if the client desires to view the content item the client may first advance its state to the bound state to retrieve the decryption key. |
| US08972729B2 |
Secure information delivery
A first network device is configured to receive a request for content from a user device, determine that the user device is not authenticated, and send information to the user device that the user device requires authentication. The first network device is configured further to receive a notification that the user device is authorized to receive content from multiple content providers. The first network device is configured further to generate a secret key and authenticate the user device by using the secret key. The first network device is further configured to send the content to the user device. |
| US08972728B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing subscriber identity module-based data encryption and remote management of portable storage devices
Portable storage devices and methods for remotely managing such portable storage devices are disclosed. For example, a method receives a request from an endpoint device to send a command to a portable storage device. The method then authenticates the endpoint device that has sent the request. The method then transmits the command wirelessly to the portable storage device. Similarly, a portable storage device includes a processor and a computer-readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer-readable medium to store instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations that include: wirelessly receiving a command related to an access of a memory of the portable storage device, verifying an authenticity of the command and executing the command when the authenticity of the command is verified. |
| US08972726B1 |
System and method for digital rights management using a secure end-to-end protocol with embedded encryption keys
Various embodiments of a system and method for digital rights management using a secure end-to-end protocol with embedded encryption keys are described. A DRM framework may implement a secure end-to-end protocol configured to protect messages sent between trusted endpoints by encrypting and decrypting the messages within software applications executing on each trusted endpoint. An encryption key embedded within a binary representation of a DRM client may be used by the DRM client to encrypt and decrypt messages sent over the secure protocol. The DRM client may request authentication using the secure protocol and receive an authentication token used by the DRM client to acquire a license to view protected content. The encryption key may be chosen from a pool of encryption keys and embedded in the DRM client during the software build process for the DRM client. The secure protocol may be designed according to Representational State Transfer guidelines. |
| US08972724B2 |
Digital content management system, digital watermark embedding device, digital watermark detection device, program, and digital content management method
A digital content management system (1) includes a digital watermark embedding device (100) which generates a file having a file name used as a digital watermark, and embeds it into a digital content to be managed; a digital watermark information storage device (140) which stores, as digital watermark information, the file name used as the digital watermark embedded in the digital content by the digital watermark embedding device (100), while correlating it with identification information of the digital content having the digital watermark embedded therein; and a digital watermark detection device (150) which detects the file name used as the digital watermark, stored in the digital watermark information storage device (140), from the digital content to be verified, referring to the digital watermark information stored in the digital watermark information storage device (140). |
| US08972722B2 |
Controlling a current access mode of a computing device based on a state of an attachment mechanism
A computing device can receive an indication of a change in the proximity state of a first structure of an attachment mechanism and a second structure of the attachment mechanism. Responsive to receiving the indication, the computing device can be operable to change, based at least in part on the indication, a current access mode provided by the computing device. In some examples, both the computing device and the attachment mechanism may be part of a wearable computing device. In other examples, the computing device may be or be part of a physically separate device from the attachment mechanism. |
| US08972721B2 |
System and method for remote device registration
A system and method for remote device registration, to monitor and meter the injection of keying or other confidential information onto a device, is provided. A producer who utilizes one or more separate manufacturers, operates a remote module that communicates over forward and backward channels with a local module at the manufacturer. Encrypted data transmissions are sent by producer to the manufacturer and are decrypted to obtain sensitive data used in the devices. As data transmissions are decrypted, credits from a credit pool are depleted and can be replenished by the producer through credit instructions. As distribution images are decrypted, usage records are created and eventually concatenated, and sent as usage reports back to the producer, to enable the producer to monitor and meter production at the manufacturer. |
| US08972720B2 |
Information processing device and information processing method, and program
An information processing system including a medium where a content to be played is stored; and a playing apparatus for playing contents stored in the medium; with the playing apparatus being configured to discriminate the content type of a content selected as an object to be played, to selectively obtain a device certificate correlated with the discriminated content type from a storage unit, and to transmit the selectively obtained device certificate to the medium; with the device certificate being a device certificate for content types in which content type information where the device certificate is available is recorded; and with the medium determining whether or not an encryption key with reading being requested from the playing apparatus is an encryption key for decrypting an encrypted content matching an available content type recorded in the device certificate, and permitting readout of the encryption key only in the case of matching. |
| US08972719B2 |
Passcode restoration
A system method that includes providing a passcode to a user based on presentation of both a recovery key and an active token is described herein. |
| US08972718B2 |
System and method for providing load balanced secure media content and data delivery in a distributed computing environment
A system and method for providing load balanced secure media content and data delivery (10) in a distributed computing environment is disclosed. Media content is segmented and encrypted into a set of individual encrypted segments on a centralized control center (15). Each individual encrypted segment has the same fixed size. The complete set of individual encrypted segments is staged to a plurality of intermediate control nodes (17, 19). Individual encrypted segments are mirrored from the staged complete set to a plurality of intermediate servers (21a-b, 23a-b). Requests are received from clients (11) for the media content at the centralized control center. Each individual encrypted segment in the set is received from one of an intermediate control node and an intermediate server optimally sited from the requesting client. The individual encrypted segments are reassembled into the media content for media playback. |
| US08972716B2 |
Wireless internet access module, communication method for host and wireless internet access module, and data card
A communication method for a host and a wireless Internet access module, and a data card, are provided so that the host implements wireless Internet access with the wireless Internet access module of a secure digital interface. The method includes simulating each port on a wireless Internet access processing function unit in a wireless Internet access module into a secure digital card partition and reporting the secure digital card partition to a host side; receiving downlink interaction information from the host side encapsulated in a secure digital card interface format, decapsulating the downlink interaction information, and delivering the decapsulated downlink interaction information to a corresponding port; and receiving uplink interaction information reported to the host side from each port, encapsulating the received uplink interaction information in the secure digital card interface format. |
| US08972714B2 |
System and method for providing a single use imaging device for medical applications
A system and methods for providing and reclaiming a single use imaging device for sterile environments is disclosed and described. The system may include a single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may have a single imaging sensor, either CCD or CMOS, encased in a housing. |
| US08972710B2 |
Network storage target boot and network connectivity through a common network device
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to booting to a network storage target. In general, in one implementation, a bus-to-network device driver is loaded during a machine boot, where the bus-to-network device driver is capable of sending machine bus commands over a network, providing access to the network for a network device driver, and distinguishing between received responses to the machine bus commands and other network traffic corresponding to the network device driver. Loading of the bus-to-network device driver can occur in response to an operating system load of bus drivers. For example, the bus-to-network device driver can be an iSCSI driver, and the operating system load of bus drivers can be the operating system load of SCSI drivers. |
| US08972708B2 |
Plurality of interface files usable for access to BIOS
A system may comprise a processor (12) and first storage device (18) coupled to the processor. The first storage device contains a basic input/output system (BIOS) (24) executable by the processor. The system may also comprise a second storage device (18) coupled to the processor. The second storage device may contain a management interface (32) usable by an operating system to access the BIOS. A plurality of interface foes (28) may also be provided, each interface file being usable by the management interface to access the BIOS and each interface file defining one or methods for use by the interface or BIOS. While executing the BIOS, the processor determines a configuration of the system and, based on the determined configuration, selects a particular interface file for use during run-time. |
| US08972706B2 |
Performance in predicting branches
A data processing system and computer program product for processing instructions. The instructions are processed by a processor unit while using a first table in a plurality of tables to predict a set of instructions needed by the processor unit after processing of a conditional instruction. An identification is formed that a rate of success in correctly predicting the set of instructions when using the first table is less than a threshold number. A sequence of the instructions being processed by the processor unit is searched for an instruction that matches a marker in a set of markers for identifying when to use the plurality of tables. An identification that the instruction that matches the marker is formed. A second table from the plurality of tables referenced by the marker is identified. The second table is used in place of the first table. |
| US08972703B2 |
Multithreaded processor architecture with operational latency hiding
A method and processor architecture for achieving a high level of concurrency and latency hiding in an “infinite-thread processor architecture” with a limited number of hardware threads is disclosed. A preferred embodiment defines “fork” and “join” instructions for spawning new context-switched threads. Context switching is used to hide the latency of both memory-access operations (i.e., loads and stores) and arithmetic/logical operations. When an operation executing in a thread incurs a latency having the potential to delay the instruction pipeline, the latency is hidden by performing a context switch to a different thread. When the result of the operation becomes available, a context switch back to that thread is performed to allow the thread to continue. |
| US08972701B2 |
Setting zero bits in architectural register for storing destination operand of smaller size based on corresponding zero flag attached to renamed physical register
A data processing system is provided in which destination operands to be stored within architectural registers are constrained to have zero values added as prefixes in order that the architectural register value has a fixed bit width irrespective of the bit width of the destination operand being written thereto. Instead of adding these zero values everywhere in the data path, they are instead represented by zero flags in at least the physical registers utilized for register renaming operations and in the result queue prior to results being written to the architectural register file. This saves circuitry resources and reduces energy consumption. |
| US08972700B2 |
Microprocessor systems and methods for latency tolerance execution
An instruction unit provides instructions for execution by a processor. A decode unit decodes instructions received from the instruction unit. Queues are coupled to receive instructions from the decode unit. Each instruction in a same queue is executed in order by a corresponding execution unit. An arbiter is coupled to each queue and to the execution unit that executes instructions of a first instruction type. The arbiter selects a next instruction of the first instruction type from a bottom entry of the queue for execution by the first execution unit. |
| US08972699B2 |
Multicore interface with dynamic task management capability and task loading and offloading method thereof
A multicore interface with dynamic task management capability and a task loading and offloading method thereof are provided. The method disposes a communication interface between a micro processor unit (MPU) and a digital signal processor (DSP) and dynamically manages tasks assigned by the MPU to the DSP. First, an idle processing unit of the DSP is searched, and then one of a plurality of threads of the task is assigned to the processing unit. Finally, the processing unit is activated to execute the thread. Accordingly, the communication efficiency of the multicore processor can be effectively increased while the hardware cost can be saved. |
| US08972698B2 |
Vector conflict instructions
A processing core implemented on a semiconductor chip is described having first execution unit logic circuitry that includes first comparison circuitry to compare each element in a first input vector against every element of a second input vector. The processing core also has second execution logic circuitry that includes second comparison circuitry to compare a first input value against every data element of an input vector. |
| US08972686B2 |
Memory system having a plurality of types of memory chips and a memory controller for controlling the memory chips
A memory controller converts controller output signals output from a controller into memory input signals according to the operation specifications of memory chips to operate, and outputs the resultant to the memory chips through a common bus. The memory controller also receives memory output signals output from the memory chips through the common bus, and converts the received signals into controller input signals receivable to the controller. This allows the single memory controller to access the plurality of types of memory chips. As a result, the memory controller can be reduced in chip size, lowering the cost of the memory system. |
| US08972682B2 |
Lock-free object recycling
Methods, program products, and systems for lock-free object recycling are described. In some implementations, a system can provide a type-neutral wrapper for a first data object. Upon receiving an indicator that the first data object is no longer used, the system can store the first data object and the type-neutral wrapper in a lock-free data structure. Upon receiving a request to create a second data object, the system can fetch the type-neutral wrapper and the first data object from the lock-free data structure without using a lock. The system can then return the first data object as a response to the request. |
| US08972680B2 |
Data staging area
An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented process for managing a staging area creates the staging area for identified candidate cold objects, moves the identified candidate objects into the staging area, tracks application access to memory comprising the staging area and determines whether frequency of use information for a specific object exceeds a predetermined threshold. Responsive to a determination that the frequency of use information for the specific object exceeds a predetermined threshold, move the specific object into a regular area and determine whether a current time exceeds a predetermined threshold. Responsive to a determination that the current time exceeds a predetermined threshold, the computer-implemented process moves remaining objects from the staging area to a cold area. |
| US08972673B2 |
Power management of memory circuits by virtual memory simulation
An apparatus and method are provided for communicating with a plurality of physical memory circuits. In use, at least one virtual memory circuit is simulated where at least one aspect (e.g. power-related aspect, etc.) of such virtual memory circuit(s) is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the physical memory circuits. Further, in various embodiments, such simulation may be carried out by a system (or component thereof), an interface circuit, etc. |
| US08972672B1 |
Method for cleaning a delta storage system
A computer-implemented method and system for performing garbage collection in a delta compressed data storage system selects a file recipe to traverse to identify live data chunks and selects a chunk identifier from the file recipe. The chunk identifier is added to a set of live data chunks. Delta references in the file metadata corresponding to the chunk identifier are added to the set of live data chunks. Data chunks in a data storage system not identified by the set of live data chunks are then discarded. |
| US08972671B2 |
Method and apparatus for cache transactions in a data processing system
A plurality of new snoop transaction types are described. Some include address information in the requests, and others include cache entry information in the requests. Some responses include tag address information, and some do not. Some provide tag address content on the data bus lines during the data portion of the transaction. These new snoop transaction types are very helpful during debug of a data processing system. |
| US08972670B2 |
Use of test protection instruction in computing environments that support pageable guests
Management of storage used by pageable guests of a computing environment is facilitated. A query instruction is provided that details information regarding the storage location indicated in the query. It specifies whether the storage location, if protected, is protected by host-level protection or guest-level protection. |
| US08972666B2 |
Mitigating conflicts for shared cache lines
A computer program product for mitigating conflicts for shared cache lines between an owning core currently owning a cache line and a requestor core. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes determining whether the owning core is operating in a transactional or non-transactional mode and setting a hardware-based reject threshold at a first or second value with the owning core determined to be operating in the transactional or non-transactional mode, respectively. The method further includes taking first or second actions to encourage cache line sharing between the owning core and the requestor core in response to a number of rejections of requests by the requestor core reaching the reject threshold set at the first or second value, respectively. |
| US08972665B2 |
Cache set selective power up
Embodiments of the disclosure include selectively powering up a cache set of a multi-set associative cache by receiving an instruction fetch address and determining that the instruction fetch address corresponds to one of a plurality of entries of a content addressable memory. Based on determining that the instruction fetch address corresponds to one of a plurality of entries of a content addressable memory a cache set of the multi-set associative cache that contains a cache line referenced by the instruction fetch address is identified and only powering up a subset of cache. Based on the identified cache set not being powered up, selectively powering up the identified cache set of the multi-set associative cache and transmitting one or more instructions stored in the cache line referenced by the instruction fetch address to a processor. |
| US08972664B2 |
Multilevel cache hierarchy for finding a cache line on a remote node
Embodiments relate to accessing a cache line on a multi-level cache system having a system memory. Based on a request for exclusive ownership of a specific cache line at the local node, requests are concurrently sent to the system memory and remote nodes of the plurality of nodes for the specific cache line by the local node. The specific cache line is found in a specific remote node. The specific remote node is one of the remote nodes. The specific cache line is removed from the specific remote node for exclusive ownership by another node. Based on the specified node having the specified cache line in ghost state, any subsequent fetch request is initiated for the specific cache line from the specific node encounters the ghost state. When the ghost state is encountered, the subsequent fetch request is directed only to nodes of the plurality of nodes. |
| US08972663B2 |
Broadcast cache coherence on partially-ordered network
A method for cache coherence, including: broadcasting, by a requester cache (RC) over a partially-ordered request network (RN), a peer-to-peer (P2P) request for a cacheline to a plurality of slave caches; receiving, by the RC and over the RN while the P2P request is pending, a forwarded request for the cacheline from a gateway; receiving, by the RC and after receiving the forwarded request, a plurality of responses to the P2P request from the plurality of slave caches; setting an intra-processor state of the cacheline in the RC, wherein the intra-processor state also specifies an inter-processor state of the cacheline; and issuing, by the RC, a response to the forwarded request after setting the intra-processor state and after the P2P request is complete; and modifying, by the RC, the intra-processor state in response to issuing the response to the forwarded request. |
| US08972662B2 |
Dynamically adjusted threshold for population of secondary cache
The population of data to be inserted into secondary data storage cache is controlled by determining a heat metric of candidate data; adjusting a heat metric threshold; rejecting candidate data provided to the secondary data storage cache whose heat metric is less than the threshold; and admitting candidate data whose heat metric is equal to or greater than the heat metric threshold. The adjustment of the heat metric threshold is determined by comparing a reference metric related to hits of data most recently inserted into the secondary data storage cache, to a reference metric related to hits of data most recently evicted from the secondary data storage cache; if the most recently inserted reference metric is greater than the most recently evicted reference metric, decrementing the threshold; and if the most recently inserted reference metric is less than the most recently evicted reference metric, incrementing the threshold. |
| US08972659B2 |
Memory control device, memory device, memory control method, and program
There is provided a memory control device including a device driver that executes writing or reading of data to/from a main storage unit and temporary writing or reading of data to/from a cache unit including a plurality of cache blocks, and a control unit that issues an instruction for writing or reading of data of a file system to/from the main storage unit or the cache unit to the device driver. The control unit may notify priority information about a priority for data storage into a logical block to which the cache block is associated to the device driver. |
| US08972655B2 |
Initialization of a storage device
A storage device including a first storage unit including a first media of a first type, a second storage unit including a second media of a second type, and a controller. The controller initializes the storage device for a host by receiving an initialization query from the host, identifying, to the host, that the storage device comprises the second storage unit but not the first storage unit, receiving an indication from the host indicating that the host is compatible with the first storage unit, and identifying, to the host, that the storage device comprises the first storage unit and the second storage unit. The host initializes the storage device by initializing the second storage unit, transmitting the indication to the controller indicating that the host is compatible with the first storage unit, receiving the identification of the first storage unit from the controller, and initializing the first storage unit. |
| US08972654B2 |
Tape storage device and writing method therefor
A mechanism is provided for tape writing of small transactions. A first file is written as a plurality of fixed-length data sets (DS), the DS number of the final DS in the plurality of DS is stored in memory as #N(DS#N) and the WP number as #M(WP#M), and the final first file and the second file in the DS following the final DS(DS#N, WP#M) containing the first file are packed and written in sequential DS units, and are stored as DS#N, DS#N+1, etc, and WP#M+1 in sequential order in DS containing the second file. The remaining first, second, or third file is packed and DS#N with WP#M is overwritten as DS#N with WP#M+2, and the remaining #N in the DS numbers of the second file and the third file in the subsequent DS are written as DS#N+1, N+2, etc. with WP#M+2, and the DS#N, #N+1, #N+2, etc. with WP+M+2 are stored. |
| US08972640B2 |
Controlling a physical link of a first protocol using an extended capability structure of a second protocol
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a first field of a first link capabilities register of a first device having a protocol stack including a transaction layer and a link layer according to a first communication protocol and a physical layer of the protocol stack having a physical unit of a second communication protocol, using the first field as a pointer value to a location in a second link capabilities register of the first device, and using information from the location in the second link capabilities register to perform a configuration operation for a physical link coupled to the device. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08972634B2 |
Storage system and data transfer method
A storage system includes: a storage device configured to copy data to another storage device, the storage device includes: a first storage region configured to store the data; a first receiving unit configured to receive a first instruction from a higher level device; a transferring unit configured to transfer the instruction from the higher level device to the another storage device; and a first storage region releasing unit configured to release the first storage region, wherein, when the first instruction is a releasing instruction instructing to release the first storage region, the transferring unit transfers the releasing instruction to the another storage device before releasing of the first storage region is completed by the first storage region releasing unit. |
| US08972632B2 |
Asymmetric chip-to-chip interconnect
Methods and apparatus to transfer data between a first device and a second device, is disclosed. An apparatus according to various embodiments may comprise a first device and a second device. The first device may comprise at least one first non-differential transmitter coupled to a first channel, at least one second non-differential transmitter coupled to a second channel, and at least one differential receiver to receive a data bit and its complement on the first and second channels in parallel. The second device may comprise at least one first non-differential receiver coupled to the first channel, at least one second non-differential receiver coupled to the second channel, and at least one differential transmitter to transmit a data bit and its complement on the first and second channels in parallel. |
| US08972631B2 |
Data access formatter
The defined architecture allows for format-efficient data storage on bit-patterned media, while allowing for typical variations in the drive, such as reader to writer gap variations. The defined BPM architecture relaxes some timing requirements on real-time signaling from the formatter to the channel, while enabling bit-accurate alignment between data accesses and the media. |
| US08972627B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for managing operations for data storage media
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing operations for data storage media. An adjustment module interrupts or otherwise adjusts execution of an executing operation on the data storage media. A schedule module executes a pending operation on the data storage media in response to adjusting execution of the executing operation. The pending operation comprises a higher execution priority than the executing operation. The schedule module finishes execution of the executing operation in response to completing execution of the pending operation. |
| US08972623B2 |
Efficient complex network traffic management in a non-uniform memory system
A network appliance includes a first processor, a second processor, a first storage device, and a second storage device. A first status information is stored in the first storage device. The first processor is coupled to the first storage device. A queue of data is stored in the second storage device. The first status information indicates if traffic data stored in the queue of data is permitted to be transmitted. The second processor is coupled to the second storage device. The first processor communicates with the second processor. The traffic data includes packet information. The first storage device is a high speed memory only accessible to the first processor. The second storage device is a high capacity memory accessible to multiple processors. The first status information is a permitted bit that indicates if the traffic data within the queue of data is permitted to be transmitted. |
| US08972620B2 |
Methods and systems to simplify population of modular components in an information handling system
Systems and methods to simplify population of modular components in an information handling system are disclosed. A method of populating modular components in an information handling system comprises a first step of initializing a populating sequence. A first socket corresponding to a first modular component is then identified. The first socket is flagged if it does not contain the first modular component. The first modular component is then installed in the first socket which is flagged. |
| US08972618B2 |
Staged discovery in a data storage fabric
A method of performing discovery in a data storage fabric is disclosed. Performing discovery includes performing a first stage of discovery on expanders in the data storage fabric prior to broadcasting a discovery command to initiators on the data storage fabric. After the first stage has completed, providing the discovery command to the initiators to perform a second stage of discovery. |
| US08972617B2 |
Multi-configuration computer
A method for configuring computer operational parameters comprising detecting with at least one processor at least one peripheral device in communication with the at least one processor; receiving, with the at least one processor from at least one of a plurality of communication ports constructed and arranged to interface with the at least one peripheral device, data about the at least one peripheral device, the data comprising at least one location of the at least one peripheral device; identifying with the at least one processor at least one profile associated with the peripheral device data; and adjusting at least one operational parameter based on the at least one profile. |
| US08972594B2 |
Media mix wiring protocol for media control
Protocol architecture for wiring media streams and specifying mixing behavior in a multipoint control unit. The protocol provides the capability to expose the core mixing algorithms to modification for mixing media without dealing with the functionality of the mixer itself (e.g., ports and IP specifics). The protocol facilitates the wiring of input media streams to output media streams by changing the mixing behavior via changes to the mixing algorithms using the protocol. The protocol operates based on a schema that includes controls related to route, wire, and filter for the mixer input and mixer output. |
| US08972591B2 |
Method for downloading software
A method for downloading software from a host device to an electronic device through a communication line, which, even when the download is interrupted, can simplify the procedure to restart the download while maintaining security. In the method, a certificate of authenticity data, which the card reader has obtained from the HOST computer, is stored in the non volatile memory. The download of the software from the HOST computer to the card reader is executed. The verification of authenticity data is obtained by calculation with respect to the downloaded software. This verification of authenticity data is then compared with the certificate of authenticity data obtained from the HOST computer, and the downloaded software is run when the certificate of authenticity data matches the verification of authenticity data. |
| US08972590B2 |
Highly accurate security and filtering software
A security software comprises administrative module for configuring access levels and creating types of accounts and application server for domain filtering by checking against friendly and unfriendly inbound, outbound and exception lists. Hard filtering either approves, terminates requests or re-routes request without the user's knowledge. Soft filtering passes disapproved requests and sends an e-mail alert to authorized recipients. Content filtering includes checking a content of a requested document against a friendly, unfriendly list and exception list. Hard filtering passes or rejects the requested document. Soft filtering passes the requested document or rejects or approves by highlighting its content. Options include e-mail filtering that checks subject, sender's address and domain against an unfriendly, friendly and exception list. e-mail alert for hard filtering, inbound privacy shield, a pop up blocker, the application server acts as proxy server with proxy chaining capabilities and an encryption function can encrypt part of e-mail message. |
| US08972587B1 |
Arbitration server for determining remediation measures in response to an error message from a content provider
A system and media are provided for applying a policy associated with a content provider to handle an error message received from the content provider in response to a request from a user device. An error reply from the content provider in response to the request from the user device is received at a gateway, A reply to the user device is generated based on the error reply. The reply to the user device includes an indication of one or more user-agent measures for the user device to take. The user-agent measures are selected from: (A) updating a durable resource identifier to point to a new location for a resource, (B) updating a service identifier to point to a new provider of the service, (C) modifying an existing caching policy for the content provider, and (D) retrying the request at a specified future time. |
| US08972586B2 |
Bypassing or redirecting a communication based on the failure of an inserted application
The system and method allow enhanced capabilities for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) dialogs (communication sessions) between SIP devices. The SIP dialogs have applications that are inserted into the SIP dialog such as a Back-to-Back User Agent (B2BUA) or a proxy application. After the initial dialog is established and these applications fail or become unavailable, the system and method allow the applications to be bypassed or have the SIP dialog redirected to an alternative application. This provides a better user experience because the SIP dialog (e.g., a SIP telephone call) will not be dropped if the application fails mid-dialog. |
| US08972574B2 |
Curating communications
A computer-implemented method includes notifying a first person that a significant event is going to occur with respect to a second person; receiving from the first person, the second person, or another person a communication that relates to the significant event and to the first person and that has been curated at least in part from information that has been accumulated automatically from online resources; and sending the curated communication to the communication target. |
| US08972572B2 |
Intelligent mobility application profiling tool
Analyzing mobile device applications within a wireless data network and other related aspects are presented herein. More particularly, described herein is a novel Intelligent Mobility Application Profiling Tool (iMAP) and/or other mechanisms, systems and methods for profiling and benchmarking applications associated with mobile devices in a wireless data network. Various systems and methods described herein expose cross-layer interaction associated with a network device in order to profile an application on the network device with respect to energy efficiency, performance, and functionality. As described herein, radio resource control (RRC) analysis can be performed to infer RRC states associated with a given application, identify tail time, etc. Further, analyzers are employed for various layers, including transmission control protocol (TCP) and/or hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), as well as to analyze communication bursts associated with a given application. Analysis results are subsequently utilized to deliver application profiling results to a user. |
| US08972570B1 |
Implicit geolocation of social networking users
In one embodiment, one or more computing systems receive a request for a location prediction for a user from a service. The computing systems access one or more real-time location signals and one or more aggregated location signals, generate one or more location predictions from the one or more real-time location signals and the one or more aggregated location signals, and calculate a single location prediction for the user from the one or more location predictions. The computing systems then transmit, in response to the request, the single location prediction for the user to the requesting service. |
| US08972567B2 |
Selectively triggering execution of services in a computing environment
Rule-based triggering of execution of services is provided. An advisor program identifies an application attribute(s) about which data is to be obtained, based on the presence of the application attribute(s) in one or more logical expressions of one or more rules. The one or more rules are developed and managed separate from the program code of the application and use at least one identifier employed by the application in identifying application attributes. Data about the application attribute(s), for instance user behavior with respect to the application attribute(s), is obtained, and the logical expression(s) of the rule(s) are evaluated based on the obtained data to determine whether to trigger execution of one or more services specified in the rule(s). |
| US08972561B1 |
Methods and apparatus for obtaining network information using file transfer
An apparatus and method for transferring information in bulk between network devices employing File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”) are disclosed. During a network discovery process, an Element Management System (“EMS”) initiates a file generation command formatted with Simple Network Management Protocol (“SNMP”) to one or more network element (“NE”). After obtaining configuration information from one or more network devices, an NE, in one embodiment, establishes a file containing the configuration information and subsequently stores the file in a storage location. The file formatted in SNMP format is forwarded to EMS suing FTP/SFTP (secure file transfer protocol)/TFTP (trivial file transport protocol). |
| US08972558B1 |
Lightweight polling technique
At a network layer of a physical server, during a time when updated information about a topic is unavailable, a first polling request for information about the topic is obtained from a client. The first polling request is directed to a particular port. The first polling request is responded to with a connection refused message, from the network layer of the physical server. In response to updated information about the topic becoming available, a topic server is launched on the physical server and the particular port is opened. A second polling request for information about the topic, directed to the particular port, is obtained from the client. The second polling request is responded to, from the topic server on the physical server, with a message to the client including the updated information about the topic. |
| US08972552B2 |
Management apparatus, communication apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, method, and communication system
A management apparatus characterized by comprising: management means for managing a connection parameter associated with a second network which is newly formed by a communication apparatus connected to a first network and is different from the first network; and notification means for, upon receiving a request from another communication apparatus connected to the first network, notifying the request source communication apparatus of the connection parameter associated with the second network, which is managed by the management means. |
| US08972545B2 |
System and method for information handling system image network communication
A system and method for information handling system manufacture analyzes an image to determine a traits definition that identifies the operating system, applications and unique information of the image, such as in a XML file. The image traits definition may be communicated to a manufacture site over a network and used to re-create the image for copying to a manufactured information handling system. Communication of the image traits definition consumes less network and storage resources than communication of the image, thus reducing the time and expense of image transfers to manufacture information handling systems. |
| US08972543B1 |
Managing clients utilizing reverse transactions
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for managing a plurality of clients. A controller may be programmed to receive a first request message from a first client. The request message may be formatted as a request according to a transport layer protocol and may comprise information describing the first client. The controller may also select a command to be executed by the first client and send a response message to the first client, where the response message is formatted according to the transport layer protocol as a response. The response message may comprise information describing the command to be executed by the first client. The controller may additionally receive a second request message from the first client. The second request message may comprise information describing a result of the command indicated by the response message. |
| US08972542B2 |
Extending a DHCP relay to backup a DHCP server
Techniques are described for providing a backup DHCP server using a DHCP relay agent. Embodiments retrieve DHCP server configuration information specifying a configuration of one or more DHCP servers. Additionally, embodiments monitor, at a DHCP relay agent, DHCP lease traffic between the one or more DHCP servers and one or more DHCP clients passing through the DHCP relay agent. Upon determining that the one or more DHCP servers have failed, DHCP server services are provided at the DHCP relay agent, based on the received DHCP server configuration information and the monitored DHCP lease traffic. |
| US08972540B2 |
Incenting divulgence of information for binding identifiers across information domains while maintaining confidentiality
Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity. |
| US08972537B2 |
Prioritizing local and network traffic
According to some aspects as described herein, a user may purchase or otherwise be provided with an accelerated service for selected software applications, devices, and/or ports to experience a high level of communication. The accelerated service may be created, for example, by using a dedicated network data flow such that the user's customer premise equipment (CPE) network access device may put priority traffic in a different upstream data flow than the commonly shared flow, which may involve tagging the traffic upstream to the network with a priority indicator such as a flow identifier. Based on similar factors, the user may also control local priority of data received downstream from the network for distribution to one or more local devices. |
| US08972535B2 |
Automatic configuration of computers in a network
A system for automatic configuration of computers on a network is disclosed. In a first aspect a storage area network is disclosed. The network comprises at least one controller; and a plurality of clients coupled to the at least one controller. The network includes a storage device coupled to the at least one controller and the plurality of clients. The controller upon attachment to the network registers itself and notifies the plurality of clients. The plurality of clients then interrogates the controller. Each of the plurality of clients updates its configuration based upon the interrogation.In a second aspect, a method for configuration of computers in a network is disclosed. The method comprises registering at least one controller upon attachment to the network and notifying a plurality of clients by the at least one controller. The method includes interrogating the at least one controller by each of the plurality of clients. The plurality of clients are updated based upon the interrogation. |
| US08972530B2 |
Method of data collection among participating content providers in a distributed network
A content delivery network (CDN) service provider extends a content delivery network to gather information on atomically identifiable web clients (called “user agents”) as such computer-implemented entities interact with the CDN across different domains being managed by the CDN service provider. The data system tracks user agents, preferably via cookies, although one or more passive techniques may be used. A user agent may be a cookie-able device having a cookie store. As the user agent navigates across sites, a CDN-specific unique identifier used by the system to correlate user agents is generated. Preferably, the unique identifier is stored as an encrypted cookie. The unique identifier represents one user agent (and, thus, one cookie-able device's store). The system tracks user agent behavior on and across customer sites that are served by the CDN, and these behaviors are classified into identifiable “segments” that may be used to create a profile. |
| US08972526B2 |
HTTP parallel processing router
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for providing product information to an individual, the method comprising receiving, at a router, a single request for information, the request associated with at least one product, transmitting, by the router, the single request for information to each one of a plurality of store servers, receiving, by the router from the plurality of store servers, a plurality of responses, each one of the plurality of responses including information associated with the at least one product, compiling the plurality of responses into a single request, and transmitting the single request to the individual. |
| US08972522B2 |
Information distribution system, information distribution apparatus, information communication terminal, and information distribution method
According to one embodiment, an information distribution apparatus stores a characteristic information extracted arbitrary time-series data and relevant information in association of an information providing site on a communication line with each other, fetches characteristic information presented with a request for distribution through the line from a terminal, collates the fetched characteristic information with each characteristic information item of the stored associated information, determines the closest characteristic information, fetches relevant information associated with the characteristic information, and distributes the fetched relevant information to the terminal through the line. |
| US08972520B2 |
Systems and methods providing mapping definition information for business data
According to some embodiments, mapping definition information may be transmitted from a business process engine to a business process client. Subsequent to said transmitting, it may be arranged for the business process client to receive business data formatted in accordance with the mapping definition information. The business data may, for example, include a series of values, and the mapping definition information may be used by the business process client to map the series of values to a plurality of data fields. |
| US08972510B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting unauthorized bulk forwarding of sensitive data over a network
Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting unauthorized bulk forwarding of sensitive data over a network. A bulk forwarding of email from a first network environment is automatically detected by determining an arrival rate for internal emails received from within the first network environment into one or more user accounts; determining a sending rate for external emails sent from the one or more user accounts to a second network environment; and detecting the bulk forwarding of email from a given user account by comparing the arrival rate for internal emails and the sending rate for external emails. The bulk forwarding of email from a given user account can be detected by determining whether statistical models of the arrival rate for internal emails and of the sending rate for external emails are correlated in time. |
| US08972508B1 |
Methods and systems for managing email configuration
A computer-implemented method for managing email configuration may include receiving a first email message from a first device, identifying device-type information in the first email message, identifying a second email message addressed to the first email address, and using the device-type information to select email-configuration information for the second email. The method may further include reformatting a body of the second email based on the email-configuration information, removing an attachment to the second email in response to the email-configuration information, providing a user with the email-configuration information for the second email message, and associating the device-type information with the first email address. A computer-implemented method for including email-configuration information in an email may involve identifying a first email message from a first user, including email-configuration information in the first email message, and sending the first email message to a first recipient. Corresponding systems are also disclosed. |
| US08972504B2 |
Forwarding un-responded to instant messages to electronic mail
A method of forwarding an instant message to electronic mail can begin with determining availability of an instant messaging client for a recipient. The method can continue with sending the instant message to the instant messaging client for the recipient. The method can include not receiving a reply to the instant message within a pre-defined period of time. The method can further include sending an electronic mail message including the instant message to the recipient upon reaching the pre-defined period of time. |
| US08972498B2 |
Mobile-based realtime location-sensitive social event engine
Performing an on-line recommendation includes: analyzing real-time data from various sources; determining, from the analysis, events in which a user may be interested; extracting the determined events; storing the extracted events in a data store; and performing a recommendation function. The recommendation function includes: ranking the extracted events to determine the events in which the user is most likely to be interested; and performing location-based filtering, retaining those extracted events that are within a geo-location range proximate to the user, thus generating optimal events. |
| US08972495B1 |
Method and apparatus for communication and collaborative information management
A communication system includes a communication server configured to receive a request to generate a communication and receive a request to associate the communication with one or more classifications from a plurality of classifications. The system further includes a store coupled to the communication server and configured to store the communications and/or store the classification received in the association request. The classifications are associated with a request for information from a recipient of the communication. The classifications are associated with a request for information from a recipient of the communication, a request for sharing information with the recipient of the communication, and a request for action from the recipient of the communication. |
| US08972493B2 |
Cloud delivery with reusable resource indicator
Aspects of the present invention include using a single network identifier for delivering multiple versions of a content object. In some embodiments, a plurality of versions of the content object are created and associated with the single network identifier. When an edge server in a CDN receives a request for the content object, the edge server queries a policy server for a preferred version of the content object to deliver to an end user. |
| US08972487B2 |
Automated framework for testing enterprise services consumer technologies
Various embodiments of systems and methods for automated test framework for testing enterprise services consumer technologies are described. According to one aspect, an enterprise service client is generated based on the WSDL document of an enterprise service. The generation of the client includes generation of source code files and other client artifacts. The client artifacts are compiled and the client is configured to connect to the server system hosting the enterprise service. Real test data is loaded into a non-persistent memory and executed against the server system of the enterprise system. If no exception occurs, the test call is assumed successful. If the test calls to this enterprise service are successful, the service is marked as compatible with the different clients that performed the test calls. |
| US08972485B1 |
Distributing execution of applications between a local client system and a remote virtual environment
According to one embodiment, a system comprises a computing device including at least one processor. The system detects a request to execute an application within an environment provided by the computing device. A desired environment is determined for execution of the requested application, wherein execution of applications is distributed between a local environment and one or more remote virtual environments. The local environment and one or more remote virtual environments are provided by a plurality of computing devices. The system intercepts the detected request and directs the request to a computing device among the plurality of computing devices that provides the desired environment in order to execute the requested application within the desired environment. These embodiments may further include a method and computer-readable media encoded with software for distributing execution of applications in substantially the same manner described above. |
| US08972477B1 |
Offline browsing session management
A remote browsing process is directed to the generation and management of a remote browse session at a network computing provider. A client computing device requests a remote browse session instance at a network computing provider. The browse session instance may correspond to one or more requested network resources. The network computing provider instantiates the browse session instance and retrieves the requested content. The network computing provider processes the requested content and provides a processed representation of the requested content to the client computing device. The network computing provider further provides an offline content representation to an offline browse storage component for storage. The client computing device may display the representation of the requested content and may send user interaction data based on user interactions. |
| US08972463B2 |
Method and apparatus for functional integration of metadata
A computer implemented method for functional integration of metadata for a plurality of databases, includes: creating a single set of classes and instances for the classes for metadata of at least one relational data schema and at least one non-relational data schema for the plurality of databases; defining semantic relationships between the instances based on the structural information in the relational data schema and the non-relational data schema for the plurality of databases; associating the semantic relationships with a property class; creating a single set of triples for the semantic relationships between the instances; storing the single set of triples in a file; and using the set of triples stored in the file to navigate between the plurality of databases to formulate a response to a query. |
| US08972461B2 |
Dynamic content assembly on edge-of network servers in a content delivery network
Content is dynamically assembled at the edge of the Internet, preferably on content delivery network (CDN) edge servers. A content provider leverages an “edge side include” (ESI) markup language that is used to define Web page fragments for dynamic assembly at the edge. Dynamic assembly improves site performance by caching objects that comprise dynamically-generated pages at the edge of the Internet, close to the end user. Instead of being assembled by an application/web server in a centralized data center, the application/web server sends a page template and content fragments to a CDN edge server where the page is assembled. Each content fragment can have its own cacheability profile to manage the “freshness” of the content. Once a user requests a page, the edge server examines its cache for the included fragments and assembles the page on-the-fly. |
| US08972460B2 |
Data model optimization using multi-level entity dependencies
A method, system, and computer program product for of database schema management. The computer implemented method for data model optimization using multilevel entity dependency analytics commences by accessing a multilevel schema data structure, determining the relationship lineages present in the multilevel schema data structure and generating a dependency table using the relationship lineage. Then, using the dependency table the computer implemented method performs at least one of, a high impact analysis, a referential integrity analysis, or a conformance analysis. In some embodiments the results of the analysis are reported to a user and in some embodiments the results of the analysis applied to the multilevel schema data structure. |
| US08972458B2 |
Systems and methods for comments aggregation and carryover in word pages
A computer-implemented method for managing comment data generated when interacting with a page module is disclosed. At least one comment data being expressed by a user when interacting with the page module is detected and analyzed identify a context for the comment data. If the comment data is identified to be associate with a context, tagging the comment data with a context association, and if the comment data is not associated with a context then maintaining the comment data associated only with the page module. The comment data is then populated in the other page modules that were identified to have a context association with the comment data. The populating enables display presentation of the comment data made at the page module at the one or more page modules having the context association. |
| US08972450B2 |
Multi-stage parallel multi-character string matching device
A multi-stage parallel multi-character string matching device, including: a rule circuit having multiple rule units, each of the multiple rule units embodying a transition rule based on an AC-trie; a state circuit coupled with the rule circuit for determining multiple next-state data; and an output circuit coupled with the rule circuit for determining multiple matching output data. |
| US08972449B2 |
Preventing conflicts of interests between two or more groups
To prevent conflicts of interest, an information management system is used to make sure two or more groups are kept apart so that information does not circulate freely between these groups. The system has policies to implement an “ethical wall” to separate users or groups of users. The user or groups of user may be organized in any arbitrary way, and may be in the same organization or different organizations. The two groups (or two or more users) will not be able to access information belonging to the other, and users in one group may not be able to pass information to the other group. The system may manage access to documents, e-mail, files, and other forms of information. |
| US08972443B2 |
Distributed platform for network analysis
The present disclosure describes an apparatus and methods for performing data analysis, in particular network analysis. Specifically it provides a framework and user interface whereby raw data may be imported into a data model with entities, attributes, and relationships between the entities and multiple data analysis algorithms may be pipelined into a larger data analysis model and applied to the data model. Offline and online data visualization and data exploration techniques, may be applied to the results of the data analysis enabling real-time and near real-time interactive online analysis. Extensibility models and market transaction models are also provided. |
| US08972442B2 |
System and method for crowdsourced template based search
A system and method for searching information based on crowd-sourced templates comprising a user input subsystem for entering one or more search terms, a database for storing a plurality of crowd-sourced templates, wherein each template is a representation of a data collection process from a plurality of sources. Subsequent search entries with tags results in display of stored templates in descending order of rank. Templates may be ranked using crowd voting or their social relevancy. Templates may be viewed, edited, and stored on the database by other users through social network sites. |
| US08972435B2 |
Automatic generation of semantically similar queries
Query suggestions are generated based on a Breadth-First-Search having a configurable decaying radius. A computer system receives an initial set of semantically similar queries. The computer system expands the set to include related terms. The set of related terms is included in the initial set. The expansion process is repeated for each query or related term in the set. The radius may be reduced for each subsequent related term added to the query. The process may stop when the radius reaches a specified threshold, e.g., a predetermined number of queries or terms for the set is reached. The set includes the related terms and search queries. The set may be used for, among other things, suggesting related terms to a researcher, improving search engine performance, or selecting appropriate advertisements. |
| US08972430B2 |
Record protection system for networked databases
A record protection system for a networked database is provided. The system includes a client, a host processor accessible by the client via a telecommunications network, a database accessible by the host processor and containing at least one data record, software executing on the host processor for receiving data from the client for one or more fields of the data record, software executing on the processor for receiving data from a source, software executing on the host processor for comparing the data received from the client to the data received from the source, and software executing on the host processor to prevent editing of the data record by the client if the at least a portion of the data received from the client matches the data received from the source. |
| US08972424B2 |
Subjective linguistic analysis
A system and related method for the electronic processing of text onto a two-dimensional coordinate system to analyze the attitudinal mindset associated with the text. The system and related method may also be employed to generate text based on a desired attitudinal mindset to impart. The system includes a computer system embodying functions that enable a user to analyze the text. The system includes one or more functions to parse attitudinal words and objective words and associate two-dimensional coordinates with the subjective words. The system further includes one or more functions for mapping the associated two-dimensional coordinates to show the geographic locations of each attitudinal word of the text in relation to each other attitudinal word of the text. The system decomposes attitudinal words into attitudinal equivalence and reference category and enables the generation of a report of the mindset associated with the analyzed text. |
| US08972423B2 |
Opaque mechanism for web service interoperability
A system, method, and computer program for parsing a schema across a system to support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network, comprising the steps of communicating a plurality of data in a data defining mark-up language file by a transport protocol stack; parsing said data defining mark-up language to determine at least one opaque schema element; and translating said at least one opaque schema element to a mark-up language string element and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions. |
| US08972422B2 |
Management of log data in a networked system
A method for managing log messages in a system includes identifying a log message having a data value, filtering a first data value from a historical log record for a first interval, predicting whether any particular system events should occur when the first data value is filtered from a received log record and identifying the corresponding system events, initiating a second interval while filtering the first data value from a received log record, determining whether any non-predicted system events have occurred, and removing the filter for the first data value responsive to determining that a non-predicted system event has occurred. |
| US08972418B2 |
Dynamic generation of relevant items
Various embodiments dynamically generate relevant items for a user based on a user's location and an item's popularity. In at least some embodiments, a probability component generates a ranked list of items that are relevant to users at a particular location using probability data associated with the list of items and the particular location. The probability data is based on user selections of items in the list of items. |
| US08972414B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying similar people via a business networking service
Techniques for identifying and presenting member profiles similar to a source member profile are described. With some embodiments, a general recommendation engine is used to extract features from member profiles, and then store the extracted features, including any computed, derived or retrieved profile features, in an enhanced member profile. In real-time, the general recommendation engine processes client requests to identify member profiles similar to a source member profile by comparing select profile features stored in the enhanced member profile with corresponding profile features of the source member profile, where the comparison results in several similarity sub-scores that are then combined in accordance with directives set forth in a configuration file. Finally, the member profiles with the highest similarity scores corresponding with the user-selected member profile are selected, and in some instances, presented to a user. |
| US08972412B1 |
Predicting improvement in website search engine rankings based upon website linking relationships
Methods of the present inventions allow for predicting website search engine rankings. An example method may comprise calculating a link match score indicating whether a search engine ranking for a first website having a first IP address would improve if the first website entered a linking relationship with a second website having a second IP address, wherein the link match score is a function of whether the first IP address is similar to the second IP address. |
| US08972405B1 |
Storage resource management information modeling in a cloud processing environment
A system is provided for managing data sets in a cloud processing and/or federated environment. In an embodiment, the system described herein may be used in connection with cloud processing of big data sets. The term “big data,” as used herein, may be generally defined to describe data sets so large and complex that they become difficult to work with using on-hand database management tools. The system described herein enables the persistent storage of semantic technology statements for big data sets for processing in a cloud processing and/or federated environment. |
| US08972403B2 |
Method of and apparatus for organizing data records in a relational database
Embodiments of the invention relate to organizing data records in a relational database. An aspect of the invention includes creating index items for a plurality of data records. Each index item includes a counter and the creating results in a plurality of counters. The numerical values of counters in corresponding index items are updated for data records in the plurality of data records that are subjected to random access. The plurality of data records are reorganized based upon the numerical values of the plurality of counters. |
| US08972398B1 |
Integrating online search results and social networks
A method includes receiving a search query from a client system associated with a first user, and obtaining one or more candidate identifiers associated with the first user. The method also includes identifying a social network set of search results matching the search query and social network criteria for the first user. The social network criteria is satisfied for a respective search result when the respective search result is authored or annotated by one or more author identifiers, and at least one author identifier of the one or more author identifiers is associated with at least one candidate identifier of the one or more candidate identifiers associated with the first user. The method also includes providing to the client system a list of search results including at least a subset of the social network set of search results. |
| US08972395B1 |
Systems and methods for enabling an electronic graphical search space of a database
A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling Internet users to interact with a graphical search interface by: generating a multi-dimensional search space having a plurality of vertices, based on the initial and related search parameters, wherein each vertex is populated with and represents one of the initial or related search parameters; generating a matrix of hyperlinks within the multi-dimensional search space, each hyperlink having coordinates within the search space defining a relevance of the hyperlink to each of the initial and related search parameters; displaying a graphical interface projecting the multi-dimensional search space, along with user elements by which the user may adjust a relative weight of one or more of the initial and related search parameters by interacting with one or more of the hyperlinks; and displaying a plurality of search results automatically updated in real time based on the user-adjusted weights of the initial and related search parameters. |
| US08972394B1 |
Generating a related set of documents for an initial set of documents
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for identifying one or more second documents related to one or more first documents. Strength of relationship scores between candidate documents in a group of candidate documents and each first document are determined by aggregating user selection data for users, the user selection data indicating, for each user, whether the user viewed the candidate document during a window of time after the first document is presented to the user on a search results web page in response to a query. An aggregate strength of relationship score is calculated for each candidate document from the strength of relationship scores for the candidate document. Second documents are selected from the candidate documents according to the aggregate strength of relationship scores for the candidate documents. |
| US08972388B1 |
Demotion of already observed search query completions
Methods, systems, and apparatus are described that include receiving a sequence of one or more characters representing a first partial query entered into a search field on a computing device. A first list of query completions for the first partial query is provided for display on the computing device. One or more additional characters are then entered into the search field, where the sequence of characters and the additional characters cumulatively represent a second partial query. A second list of query completions are then obtained for the second partial query, and one or more query completions appearing in the first and the second lists are identified. Demotion scores for the identified query completions are then calculated which are used to demote the identified query completions to a lesser position within the second list, thereby forming a refined second list for display on the computing device. |
| US08972383B2 |
Method of providing an interactive entertainment system
This invention relates generally to an interactive entertainment system that provides at least two discrete, independent stories that are interactively intertwined through a variety of online or other interactive media whereby the user of the interactive entertainment system can participate by commenting, by contributing materials (in visual, photographic, video, audio, tactile or other sensory and cognitive formats), by responding to quizzes and polls, and by otherwise interacting with other users of the interactive entertainment system, or with characters in any story, as if the latter were real persons. |
| US08972373B2 |
Customization of the appearance of a user interface
A querying system in a computer apparatus may be customized by connection of a removable storage medium device to a storage medium interface of the computer apparatus. The computer apparatus detects whether, in the storage medium thereof, there is stored customisation data that indicates a change to the query engine data identifying locations where query messages are sent. If so, the query engine data in the computer apparatus is changed accordingly. |
| US08972370B2 |
Repetitive fusion search method for search system
Provided in the present invention is a repetitive fusion search method for a search system, in which: a search interface 20 displays parameter numerical value setting fields 25 for setting a numerical value for each of multiple instinct based feature parameters in order to input instinct based rating information, and a text input field 24 and a keyword selection field 26 for inputting keywords; and a search engine 13 searches, in response to search inputs input by a searcher using the search interface, a search target database 11 based on the keywords and extracts relevant targets, determines priority for the relevant targets based on the instinct based rating information, and transmits the relevant targets to the search interface 20. |
| US08972369B2 |
Providing a common virtual item repository in a virtual space
Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository. |
| US08972362B2 |
Automated separation of corporate and private data for backup and archiving
A computing device categorizes data items as a corporate data items when a first criterion is satisfied and as personal data items when a second criterion is satisfied. The computing device provides identified corporate data items to a first backup system that stores the corporate data items to a corporate data store. The computing device further provides identified personal data items to a second backup system that stores the personal data items to a personal data store. |
| US08972355B1 |
Systems and methods for archiving related items
A computer-implemented method for archiving related items may include: 1) identifying a data element on a computing device, 2) identifying at least one additional data element on the computing device that is related to the data element, the data element and the additional related data element collectively representing a group of related data elements, 3) determining, by applying an archiving policy to the group of related data elements, that the entire group of related data elements is eligible for archiving, and then 4) archiving the group of related data elements. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08972353B1 |
System and method of enhanced backup and recovery configuration
This disclosure relates to a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for backing up data. In some embodiments, this includes a backup server locating one or more instances of data associated with a list of identifiers, wherein each instance of data comprises one or more target volumes and associated journal volume; the enablement of replication; and replication. |
| US08972350B2 |
Preserving a state using snapshots with selective tuple versioning
Selective tuple versioning is used on a file system providing file system snapshots using selective tuple versioning for maintaining the state of the file system. The selective tuple versioning works by adding a snapshot table to associate with a file system table by storing a timestamp and a snapshot identification (ID) relating to a snapshot created for preserving past nodes in the file system. |
| US08972349B2 |
Continuous integration of business intelligence software
Methods for automatically testing a business intelligence artifact include authoring a business intelligence artifact selected from the group consisting of a report specification, an analysis cube, and a metadata model; creating an assertion to verify the proper functioning of the business intelligence artifact; and testing, with an automated agent interfaced with the business intelligence system, the business intelligence artifact to verify its proper functioning by determining whether the conditions of the assertion are satisfied upon execution of the business intelligence artifact in the business intelligence system. |
| US08972348B2 |
Method and system for supporting off-line mode of operation and synchronization
Systems and methods for synchronizing multiple copies of data in a network environment that includes servers and clients so that incremental changes made to one copy of the data can be identified, transferred, and incorporated into all other copies of the data. The synchronization can be accomplished regardless of whether modifications to the data have been made by a client while the client is in an on-line or off-line mode of operation. The clients cache data locally as data are modified and downloaded. The caching enables the clients to access the data and allows the synchronization to be performed without transmitting a particular version more than once between a client and a server. Such elimination of redundant data transmission results in an efficient use of time and network bandwidth. |
| US08972344B2 |
Sequence engine
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a data replicator comprising a system exit configured to capture data received at a source, a configuration control system configured to receive captured data from the system exit and modify the captured data to include sequence information, a message broker configured to receive the modified data from the configuration control system and to convert the modified data to a format of a destination, and a sequence engine configured to receive the converted and modified data from the message broker in a first sequence, to re-sequence, based on the sequence information, the converted and modified data in the first sequence into a second sequence, where the second sequence corresponds to the chronological order in which the data was captured by the system exit, and to forward the converted and modified data to the destination database in the second sequence. |
| US08972343B2 |
Storage system
A system includes: a copy processing system configured to copy a copy source file system that includes storage data and key data referring to the storage data and being unique depending on the data, from a copy source storage system storing the copy source file system into a copy destination storage system, thereby forming a copy destination file system; and an update data specifying means configured to compare the key data within the copy source file system with the key data within the copy destination file system and specify, as update data, the storage data within the copy source file system referred to by the key data within the copy source file system, the storage data not existing in the copy destination file system. The copy processing system is configured to copy the update data stored within the copy source file system into the copy destination file system. |
| US08972342B2 |
Metadata editing control
A metadata management architecture. The architecture includes a property component that lists one or more properties related to a file, and a viewing component that present files having one or more of the related properties. A synchronization component provides immediate synchronization between property editing fields of the property component and a view in the property-based browser component, providing both instantaneous feedback on property changes and an ability to manipulate properties graphically. Thus, a change in the property pane is immediately reflected in the view component, and a change in the view component is immediately reflected in the property pane. |
| US08972339B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for analogy detection among entities using reciprocal similarity measures
Analogies among entities may be detected by obtaining associative counts among the entities and computing similarity measures among given entities and other entities, using the associative counts. First and second entities are then identified as being analogies if the first entity has a strongest similarity measure with respect to the second entity and the second entity also has a strongest similarity measure with respect to the first entity. The similarity measures may be calculated using a normalized entropy inverted among a given entity and other entities. |
| US08972336B2 |
System and method for mapping source columns to target columns
A system and method for mapping columns from a source file to a target file. The header for each source column is evaluated heuristically to see if the header matches a predefined entity. The contents of a group of cells in the source column are evaluated probabilistically to determine a probability that the cell contents correspond to at least one of the predefined entities. A score is assigned to the likelihood that the column corresponds to one or more predefined entities. If the score meets a threshold, then the correspondence between the source column and one or more predefined entities is mapped. If the score fails to meets the threshold, then the correspondence between the source column and one or more undefined entities is mapped. Finally, each source column is transformed into a target column in accord with the map. |
| US08972335B2 |
Method and system for extracting information from electronic data sources
A system and method of extracting information from electronic data sources that includes generating a list of file names containing the information to be extracted. Each file name in the list is read into memory, the file that corresponds to the file name is read into memory, and the information is extracted from the file by executing a series of programming instructions. The information is saved to an extracted file, and one or more file names in the list is identified to correspond to an extracted file. |
| US08972329B2 |
Systems and methods for ranking nodes of a graph using random parameters
A ranking approach is used to determine rank-based relationships. In connection with various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for ranking nodes of a graph. A vector is provided as a function of a set of random parameters, and a probability matrix function is used, relative to nodes of the graph, to assess the statistics of the vector that solves a probability-based system. Certain embodiments are directed to determining a page rank for a web-based search. |
| US08972326B2 |
System and method for global load balancing of requests for content based on membership status of a user with one or more subscription services
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for directing a user request for content over a network to a given content server on the basis of one or more rules. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a request for content form a user, the request for content including a profile of the user identifying one or more characteristics associated with the user. One or more rules are retrieved for identifying a content server to which a request for content is to be delivered, the one or more rules including at least one of business rules, network rules, and user profile rules. The one or more retrieved rules are applied to the request for content to identify a content server to which the request for content is to be delivered and the request for content is delivered to the identified content server. |
| US08972324B2 |
Systems and methods for artificial intelligence script modification
Systems and methods for modifying content for interactive synthetic characters are provided. In some embodiments, a traversable script for an interactive synthetic character may be modified based on analytics relating to the use of the interactive synthetic character (e.g. words spoken by the user, language spoken, user demographics, length of interactions, visually detected objects, current environmental conditions, or location). The traversable script may include conversation rules that include actions to be performed by the interactive synthetic character. The actions can include, for example, producing audible or textual speech, performing animations, playing sound effects, retrieving data from data sources, and the like. The traversable script can be modified, customized, or improved based on the feedback from the use of the character by a plurality of users. The modifications may happen automatically or be reviewed by a content creator using a graphical user interface. |
| US08972323B2 |
String prediction
In a mobile device, the text entered by users is analyzed to determine a set of responses commonly entered by users into text applications such as SMS applications in response to received messages. This set of responses is used to provide suggested responses to a user for a currently received message in a soft input panel based on the text of the currently received message. The suggested responses are provided before any characters are provided by the user. After the user provides one or more characters, the suggested responses in the soft input panel are updated. The number of suggested responses displayed to the user in the soft input panel is limited to a total confidence value to reduce user distraction and to allow for easier selection. An undo feature for inadvertent selections of suggested responses is also provided. |
| US08972321B2 |
Fact checking using and aiding probabilistic question answering
A system, a method and a computer program product for verifying a statement are provided. The system is configured to receive a statement. The system is configured to decompose the received statement into one or more sets of question and answer pairs. The system is configured to determine a confidence value of each answer in the one or more question and answer pair sets. The system is configured to combine the determined confidence values. The combined confidence values represent a probability that the received statement is evaluated as true. |
| US08972318B2 |
Predicting user behavior using feedback on previously run predictive searches
Systems, methods, and devices use search terms, current state information, historical data, and expected location hints to predict where a user may be when a search may be relevant. In an embodiment, search terms entered on a first user computing device may be combined with location information resident on a second user computing device to determine where a user is likely to be and what results are likely to be relevant to a user in the future. In a further embodiment, relevant search terms indicative of time, such as “tomorrow” or “tonight,” and/or user-related information may also be used to return predictive search results. In a further embodiment, user-related information from other users may also be used to return predictive search results. |
| US08972316B2 |
Extensible adaptive classification framework
An extensible adaptive classification framework and method can include multiple feature detection modules, and a platform for integrating the multiple feature detection modules utilizing a plurality of AHaH nodes as adaptive classifiers over a feature space of multiple and extensible feature factory modules, thereby configuring the platform as an extensible and continuously adaptive pattern recognition platform. |
| US08972313B2 |
Apparatus and method for learning emotion of robot
An apparatus for the learning emotion of a robot includes an internal state calculation unit for detecting external environment information and calculating an internal state vector value for one point of an internal state coordinate system; an emotion decision processing unit for generating an emotion value within each emotion value group, indicated by the coordinates of the internal state input value of the robot on the coordinate system, as an emotion of the robot; a behavior generation unit for deciding the behavior of the robot based on the decided motion value and making an emotional expression; and an emotion learning unit for generating feedback information on the emotion value, corresponding to one point of the coordinate system, based on the decided emotion value and information on the type of emotion from a user input unit and changing an emotion probability distribution of the coordinate system using the feedback information. |
| US08972310B2 |
Method for identifying structural deformation
A method and apparatus for identifying deformation of a structure. Training deformation data is identified for each training case in a plurality of training cases. Training strain data is identified for each training case in the plurality of training cases. The training deformation data and the training strain data are configured for use by a heuristic model to increase an accuracy of output data generated by the heuristic model. A group of parameters for the heuristic model is adjusted using the training deformation data and the training strain data for the each training case in the plurality of training cases such that the heuristic model is trained to generate estimated deformation data for the structure based on input strain data. The estimated deformation data has a desired level of accuracy. |
| US08972308B2 |
Combining multivariate time-series prediction with motif discovery
Multivariate time-series prediction is combined with motif discovery. Multivariate time-series prediction is performed on measured (past) data points to generate or determine predicted data points. One or more motifs are discovered or determined within the combined measured data points and the predicted data points. The motifs within the measured data points are associated with the motifs within the predicted data points to permit inferences of the motifs within the measured data points to be applied to the motifs within the predicted data points. The measured data points, the predicted data points, and the motifs are displayed. User interaction with this display of the measured data points, the predicted data points, and the motifs is permitted. |
| US08972305B2 |
System identification, estimation, and prediction of advertising-related data
In accordance with the invention, a system, method, and apparatus for analyzing advertisement-related data are presented, which may include receiving data related to an aspect of an advertisement and modeling the aspect of the advertisement with a mathematical model. The mathematical model may include a control-signal-related component, a control-signal-independent component, and an error component. Each component may be updated based on at least one of a control signal, the received data, and a previous state of at least one of the components. An updated model may be created base on the updated components. The system, method, and apparatus may also include predicting the aspect of the advertisement using the updated model. Exemplary aspects of and data related to the advertisement may include one or more of the following: a number of impressions, “clicks,” or “conversions” and/or the impression-to-conversion, impression-to-click, or click-to-conversion ratios. |
| US08972293B2 |
Surcharge auditing
Apparatus and methods for auditing a transaction record are provided. The transaction record may correspond to a credit card transaction. The auditing may include identifying a surcharge violation. The surcharge violation may be an unlawful surcharge. The auditing may identify patterns of double surcharging. Transaction-level auditing may include ensuring that a surcharge is returned upon a product return. A mobile wallet application may allow consumers to access and/or report merchant surcharge compliance activity. Functionality may include surcharge receipt scanning for use in crosschecking authenticity of a consumer report. Additional crosscheck functionality provided by geographic location support. Embodiments may include a registry for merchants that certify their surcharge calculations. |
| US08972292B2 |
Financial transaction annotations
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for annotating financial transactions. For example, one embodiment of the invention provides a financial institution's computer apparatus having a memory communicably coupled to a processor. In one embodiment, the memory device includes information regarding a plurality of bank accounts stored therein, and the processing device is configured to receive an indication of a transaction involving a first bank account stored in the memory device, send a request for ancillary information about the transaction to a party associated with the first bank account, receive ancillary information, such as a photograph of a product purchased in the transaction, from the party associated with the first bank account, and associate, in the memory device, the received ancillary information with the transaction. |
| US08972290B2 |
Rental inventory management
Managing rental items using hierarchical storage locations without putting away returned items. One method comprises receiving units of a rental item at a processing facility. Each of two or more local storage locations is associated with a different successively longer time period of subsequent processing for that storage location. The rental item is associated with a net average shipping quantity and a buffer inventory quantity for each time period. An excess number of the units is determined as the rental item units that are not needed for current orders. A first quantity of the excess units is placed in a first local storage location. The first quantity is based on the net average shipping quantity for the first location; in a second location, a second quantity of the excess units is placed. The second quantity is based on the buffer inventory quantity for the second location and a growth factor. |
| US08972285B2 |
System and method for determining inventory locations
A system and method for determining a specific location in a brick and mortar retail store from which an item purchased by a customer in the store was likely obtained, so as to enable maintenance of inventory at the location level within the store is provided. The system includes a central database in which information regarding product inventory for a brick and mortar store location is maintained, a point of sale client capable of obtaining a product identifier from items being purchased by a customer, and a product location mechanism that utilizes the product identifier obtained by the point of sale client for the items being purchased by the customer, and other information from the point of sale client and/or from within the database to determine the most likely location from which an item was obtained by the customer and decrement the inventory unit amount stored in the database for the location by the number of such items purchased. |
| US08972283B2 |
Wearable mobile scanner system with mobile tablet having a mobile POS and enterprise resource planning application for POS customer order fulfillment and in store inventory management for retail establishment
A wearable mobile scanner system processes a retail store purchase in a convenient, time efficient and reliable manner. The wearable mobile scanner system includes a forearm portion and a hand portion. The forearm portion comprises a main body member and at least one strap member and is adapted to secure the forearm portion upon a user's forearm. The hand portion comprises a central forehand member, a palm member, and a forefinger aperture, wherein the hand portion is aligned with the forearm portion and wherein the hand portion is adapted to receive a hand of the user. A trigger member is located on the forefinger aperture in communication with a USB scanner input device mounted on the central forehand member of the hand portion. A system integrated therein enables store level real-time inventory management and a fully functioning mobile POS for selling merchandise throughout the store and beyond its walls. |
| US08972275B2 |
Optimization of social media engagement
Methods for optimizing social media are disclosed. Such methods may include identifying at least one keyword utilized for at least one webpage, identifying social media correspondence referencing the at least one keyword, analyzing content collected from the social media to determine a frequency of references to the at least one keyword and generating at least one report including information based on the analysis. The report may include recommendations for optimizing social media by, for example, purchasing paid posts or links on a social media website. Systems for performing the methods are also disclosed. |
| US08972274B2 |
Notice and non-response tracking
Tracking and management data for distribution of informational, legal, or contractual notices and tracking associated response, or non-response, is disclosed. The system generates and links tracking data for both the distribution and the response, generates indicators that include the tracking data, and encodes the indicators so that the indicators are detectable as they traverse various events and locations throughout the lifecycle. A detailed audit trail of each event in the distribution and response lifecycle is constructed using data matching methods and various statistics regarding the lifecycle, such that the response habits of notice recipients are formulated. |
| US08972271B2 |
System and method for enabling custom portfolio definition in an IP marketplace
A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. |
| US08972270B2 |
Method and an apparatus for processing an audio signal
A method for processing an audio signal is disclosed. The method for processing an audio signal includes frequency-transforming an audio signal to generate a frequency-spectrum, deciding a weighting per band corresponding to energy per band using the frequency spectrum, receiving a masking threshold based on a psychoacoustic model, applying the weighting to the masking threshold to generate a modified masking threshold, and quantizing the audio signal using the modified masking threshold. |
| US08972269B2 |
Methods and systems for interfaces allowing limited edits to transcripts
A transcript interface for displaying a plurality of words of a transcript in a text editor can be provided and configured to receive a command to edit the transcript. Limited edits to data corresponding to the transcript can be made in response to commands received via the user interface module. For example, edits may be limited to selection of a single word in the text editor for editing via a given command. The edit may affect an adjacent word in some instances, such as when two adjacent words are merged. In some embodiments, data corresponding to the selected word of the transcript is changed to reflect the edit without changing data defining the relative timing of those words of the transcript that are not adjacent to the selected word. |
| US08972268B2 |
Enhanced speech-to-speech translation system and methods for adding a new word
A speech translation system and methods for cross-lingual communication that enable users to improve and modify content and usage of the system and easily abort or reset translation. The system includes a speech recognition module configured for accepting an utterance and adding a new word, a machine translation module, an interface configured to communicate the utterance and proposed translation, a correction module and an abort action unit that removes any hypotheses or partial hypotheses and terminates translation. The system also includes modules for storing favorites, changing language mode, automatically identifying language, providing language drills, viewing third party information relevant to conversation, among other things. |
| US08972266B2 |
User intent analysis extent of speaker intent analysis system
A speaker intent analysis system and method for validating the truthfulness and intent of a plurality of participants' responses to questions. A computer stores, retrieves, and transmits a series of questions to be answered audibly by participants. The participants' answers are received by a data processor. The data processor analyzes and records the participants' speech parameters for determining the likelihood of dishonesty. In addition to analyzing participants' speech parameters for distinguishing stress or other abnormality, the processor may be equipped with voice recognition software to screen responses that while not dishonest, are indicative of possible malfeasance on the part of the participants. Once the responses are analyzed, the processor produces an output that is indicative of the participant's credibility. The output may be sent to proper parties and/or devices such as a web page, computer, e-mail, PDA, pager, database, report, etc. for appropriate action. |
| US08972264B2 |
Method and apparatus for utterance verification
A method and apparatus for utterance verification are provided for verifying a recognized vocabulary output from speech recognition. The apparatus for utterance verification includes a reference score accumulator, a verification score generator and a decision device. A log-likelihood score obtained from speech recognition is processed by taking a logarithm of the value of the probability of one of feature vectors of an input speech conditioned on one of states of each model vocabulary. A verification score is generated based on the processed result. The verification score is compared with a predetermined threshold value so as to reject or accept the recognized vocabulary. |
| US08972258B2 |
Sparse maximum a posteriori (map) adaption
Techniques disclosed herein include using a Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) adaptation process that imposes sparseness constraints to generate acoustic parameter adaptation data for specific users based on a relatively small set of training data. The resulting acoustic parameter adaptation data identifies changes for a relatively small fraction of acoustic parameters from a baseline acoustic speech model instead of changes to all acoustic parameters. This results in user-specific acoustic parameter adaptation data that is several orders of magnitude smaller than storage amounts otherwise required for a complete acoustic model. This provides customized acoustic speech models that increase recognition accuracy at a fraction of expected data storage requirements. |
| US08972255B2 |
Method and device for classifying background noise contained in an audio signal
Embodiments of methods and devices for classifying background noise contained in an audio signal are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a module for extracting from the audio signal a background noise signal, termed the noise signal. Also included is a second that calculates a first parameter, termed the temporal indicator. The temporal indicator relates to the temporal evolution of the noise signal. The second module also calculates a second parameter, termed the frequency indicator. The frequency indicator relates to the frequency spectrum of the noise signal. Finally, the device includes a third module that classifies the background noise by selecting, as a function of the calculated values of the temporal indicator and of the frequency indicator, a class of background noise from among a predefined set of classes of background noise. |
| US08972253B2 |
Deep belief network for large vocabulary continuous speech recognition
A method is disclosed herein that includes an act of causing a processor to receive a sample, wherein the sample is one of spoken utterance, an online handwriting sample, or a moving image sample. The method also comprises the act of causing the processor to decode the sample based at least in part upon an output of a combination of a deep structure and a context-dependent Hidden Markov Model (HMM), wherein the deep structure is configured to output a posterior probability of a context-dependent unit. The deep structure is a Deep Belief Network consisting of many layers of nonlinear units with connecting weights between layers trained by a pretraining step followed by a fine-tuning step. |
| US08972251B2 |
Generating a masking signal on an electronic device
An electronic device for generating a masking signal is described. The electronic device includes a plurality of microphones and a speaker. The electronic device also includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device obtains a plurality of audio signals from the plurality of microphones. The electronic device also obtains an ambience signal based on the plurality of audio signals. The electronic device further determines an ambience feature based on the ambience signal. Additionally, the electronic device obtains a voice signal based on the plurality of audio signals. The electronic device also determines a voice feature based on the voice signal. The electronic device additionally generates a masking signal based on the voice feature and the ambience feature. The electronic device further outputs the masking signal using the speaker. |
| US08972250B2 |
Enhancement of multichannel audio
The invention relates to audio signal processing. More specifically, the invention relates to enhancing multichannel audio, such as television audio, by applying a gain to the audio that has been smoothed between portions of the audio. The invention relates to methods, apparatus for performing such methods, and to software stored on a computer-readable medium for causing a computer to perform such methods. |
| US08972249B2 |
Decoding apparatus and method, encoding apparatus and method, and program
The present invention relates to a decoding apparatus, a decoding method, an encoding apparatus, an encoding method, and programs that can shorten the delay time caused by the band extension at the time of decoding, and restrain increases in resources on the decoding side.A higher frequency component generating unit (73) generates a pseudo higher frequency spectrum by using a lower frequency spectrum (SP-L) and a higher frequency envelope (ENV-H). A phase randomizing unit (74) randomizes the phase of the pseudo higher frequency spectrum, based on a random flag (RND). An inverse MDCT unit (75) denormalizes the lower frequency spectrum (SP-L) by using a lower frequency envelope (ENV-L), and combines the pseudo higher frequency spectrum supplied from the phase randomizing unit (74) with the denormalized lower frequency spectrum (SP-L). The combination result is used as the spectrum of the entire band. The present invention can be applied to a decoding apparatus that performs band extension decoding, for example. |
| US08972247B2 |
Selection of speech encoding scheme in wireless communication terminals
A method for communication includes receiving modulated signals, which convey encoded speech. A measure of information entropy associated with the received signals is estimated. A speech encoding scheme is selected responsively to the estimated measure of the information entropy. A request to encode subsequent speech using the selected speech encoding scheme is sent to a transmitter. |
| US08972246B2 |
Method of embedding digital information into audio signal machine-readable storage medium and communication terminal
A method for embedding digital information into an audio signal, is provided. The method includes dividing the digital information into low-priority data and high-priority data; dividing the audio signal into first and second signal parts; embedding at least one echo signal into the first signal part; embedding a communication signal modulated with low-priority data, which has a spectrum according to psychoacoustic analysis of the second signal part, into the second signal part; and combining the embedded first and second signal parts. |
| US08972245B2 |
Text prediction using environment hints
Provided are techniques for text prediction using environment hints. A list of words is received, wherein each word in the list of words has an associated weight. For at least one word in the list of words, an environment weight is obtained from an environment dictionary. The associated weight of the at least one word is updated using the obtained environment weight. The words in the list of words are ordered based on the updated, associated weight of each of the words. |
| US08972238B2 |
Mobile electronic device and associated method enabling transliteration of a text input
An improved mobile electronic device enables the inputting of text in one alphabet, Traditional Chinese in the present example, by transliteration of inputs in another alphabet, BoPoMoFo in the present example. Since some of the inputs can be ambiguous, transliteration of an ambiguous input is delayed until a detection of a finalization event, thus avoiding the outputting of unnecessary transliteration results, and thus advantageously avoiding a distraction to the user. |
| US08972235B2 |
Methods and systems for subterranean bore hole fracture simulation
Apparatus and methods for simulation of bore hole fractures are disclosed. A device for simulating a fracture in a subterranean formation comprises a housing, an inlet for directing a sample fluid to the housing, and a first disk and a second disk positioned within the housing. The second disk is movable relative to the first disk to form an adjustable gap between the first disk and the second disk and the sample fluid flows through the adjustable gap. A common collector receives at least a portion of the sample fluid that flows through at least one of the first disk and the second disk. |
| US08972233B2 |
Retrodicting source-rock quality and paleoenvironmental conditions
A method for retrodicting source-rock quality and/or paleoenvironmental conditions are disclosed. A first set of system variables associated with source-rock quality is selected (705). A second set of system variables directly or indirectly causally related to the first set of variables is also selected (710). Data for variables selected to be known quantities are estimated or obtained (720). A network with nodes including both sets of variables is formed (715). The network has directional links connecting interdependent nodes (715). The directional links preferably honor known causality relations. A Bayesian network algorithm is used with the data to solve the network for the unknown variables and their associated uncertainties (725). The variables selected to be unknowns can be input nodes (paleoenvironmental conditions), intermediate nodes, output nodes (source rock quality), or any combination thereof. |
| US08972232B2 |
System and method for modeling a subterranean reservoir
A computer-implemented reservoir prediction system, method, and software are provided for updating simulation models of a subterranean reservoir. An ensemble of reservoir models representing a subterranean reservoir having non-Gaussian characteristics is provided, along with reservoir data from the subterranean reservoir used to condition the ensemble of reservoir models. For each of the reservoir models in the ensemble of reservoir models, a constrained optimization with equality constraints and inequality constraints are solved using a constrained Kernel Ensemble Kalman Filter to obtain a constrained optimal solution. The constrained optimal solutions are assembled to update the ensemble of reservoir models. The updated ensemble of reservoir models are consistent with the reservoir data provided from the subterranean reservoir and the non-Gaussian characteristics of the subterranean reservoir are preserved. |
| US08972228B2 |
Assessing intra-cardiac activation patterns
Techniques for evaluating cardiac electrical dyssynchrony are described. In some examples, an activation time is determined for each of a plurality of torso-surface potential signals. The dispersion or sequence of these activation times may be analyzed or presented to provide variety of indications of the electrical dyssynchrony of the heart of the patient. In some examples, the locations of the electrodes of the set of electrodes, and thus the locations at which the torso-surface potential signals were sensed, may be projected on the surface of a model torso that includes a model heart. The inverse problem of electrocardiography may be solved to determine electrical activation times for regions of the model heart based on the torso-surface potential signals sensed from the patient. |
| US08972226B2 |
Method for analyzing growth of void of resin in a porous material
The present invention provides a method for analyzing growth of void of resin in a porous material which comprising the steps of inputting data of the shape of a porous material filled with a resin material, and dividing the shape of the porous material into three-dimensional solid elements; inputting physical properties of the porous material, and boundary conditions including a pressure that is applied to the porous material; obtaining a resin-density distribution in the porous material through fluid analysis using a database obtained by experimentally measuring in advance a temporal change in a volume of gas generated from the resin material and porous material during heating, changes in a compressive force and compressive displacement respectively occurring when the porous material impregnated with the resin is compressed, and a change in a flow resistance of the resin; and comprehensively grasping production, growth, and distribution of voids deriving from gas generation. |
| US08972224B2 |
Computer systems for data manipulation and related methods
A computer system for data management arranged to provide at least four components: a generator component, a solver component, a simulation component and a visualization component, wherein the simulation component is arranged to simulate stochastic processes and output simulation data of the simulated process to the generator component; the generator component is arranged to process a model input thereto and to generate a Dynamic Stochastic Program (DSP) therefrom and also to process the simulation data received from the simulation component and output the DSP together with the processed simulation data to the solver component; the solver component being arranged to receive the DSP and the processed simulation data and to process the DSP together with the simulation data; and the visualization component being arranged to allow the data being processed by the solver to be visualized. |
| US08972222B2 |
System for identifying cause of abnormality, method of identifying cause of abnormality, and program for identifying cause of abnormality
A system includes a measured value storing device in which a product measured value acquired periodically and a manufacturing condition measured value are stored, a product threshold value setting device that sets a product threshold value for determining whether a product is normal or not, an abnormality accumulating device that acquires a product abnormality cumulative frequency where the product abnormality measured value exceeds the product threshold value, a product threshold value changing device that changes the product threshold value, a condition threshold value setting device that sets a condition threshold value to be compared with a manufacturing condition measured value, a condition abnormality accumulating device that acquires a condition cumulative frequency, a condition threshold value changing device that changes a condition threshold value, and a cause identifying device that identifies a cause of abnormality based on the distribution of the product abnormality cumulative frequency and a manufacturing condition cumulative frequency. |
| US08972218B2 |
Systems and methods for evaluating environmental aspects of shipping systems
According to various embodiments, package evaluation systems and methods are provided for evaluating the sustainability of packaging used in the shipment of goods. In particular, the package evaluation systems and methods are configured for performing package evaluations and managing and providing access to data resulting from package evaluations. The package evaluations are designed to assess, among other things, the ability of sample packages to prevent damage to their contents, the volumetric efficiency of sample packages, and the sustainability of the materials used to construct sample packages. In addition, the systems and methods are further configured for assigning a certification to an entity associated with the evaluated packages based on the results of the evaluation. |
| US08972215B2 |
Method and system for determining parameters of sinusoidal signals
At least one parameter of a signal is determined, wherein the signal is a sinusoidal signal including noise, wherein the parameter includes at least one of a frequency of the signal, and an angle of a phase of the signal. The frequency of the signal is determined iteratively based on a linear relationship among the frequency of the signal, samples of the noise, and samples of the signal using a statistical correlation among the samples of the noise. During a current iteration the statistical correlation is updated based on the frequency of the signal determined during a previous iteration, and the samples of the signal are updated with values of the signal during a current period of time. |
| US08972213B2 |
Pattern recognition approach to battery diagnosis and prognosis
A method is provided for determining a state-of-health of a battery in a vehicle-during an engine cranking phase. An engine cranking phase is initiated. Characteristic data is recorded that includes battery voltage data and engine cranking speed data during the engine cranking phase. The characteristic data is provided to a pre-processing unit. The pre-processing unit normalizes the characteristic data for processing within a classifier. The normalized data is input o the classifier for determining the vehicle battery state-of-health. The classifier has a trained state-of-health decision boundary resulting from a plurality of trials in which predetermined characterization data is collected with known classes. The battery state-of-health is classified based on the trained state-of-health decision boundary. |
| US08972212B2 |
Instrument and method for measuring the loss factor of an electrical apparatus
An instrument (1) for measuring the loss factor of an electrical apparatus (2) having an axially extending elongate geometry, in particular a medium voltage cable, comprises: at least a first and a second sensor (3A, 3B) connectable to the apparatus (2) in a first and a second measuring section (4A, 4B) axially spaced along the apparatus (2) by a predetermined quantity, respectively, and designed to measure respective values of the magnetic field generated outside the apparatus (2) by a load current flowing axially through the apparatus; a processing unit (5) designed to receive the magnetic field values measured by the sensors (3A, 3B) and programmed to derive from them a load loss value as a function of the difference between the measured magnetic field values. |
| US08972211B2 |
System for monitoring electrical power usage of a structure and method of same
A system for monitoring usage of electrical power by a structure can include: (a) a current sensor unit configured to be coupled to a portion of a surface of a panel, the current sensor unit having: (a) at least one magnetic field sensor configured to detect a magnetic field generated by one or more main electrical power lines; and (b) a processing unit configured to run on a processor. The current sensor unit can be configured to produce an output signal based on the magnetic field detected by the at least one magnetic field sensor. The processing unit further can be configured to receive the output signal from the current sensor unit and process the output signal to determine one or more parameters related to the usage of the electrical power by the first load in the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08972209B2 |
Method and arrangement for detecting an internal failure in H-bridge connected capacitor bank
A method for detecting an internal failure in a capacitor bank connected in one phase or more phases respectively to a power system. The capacitor bank includes a plurality of capacitor units. Each of the capacitor units includes a plurality of capacitor elements connected in parallel and/or series. The capacitor units are further divided into two strings and a current transformer is arranged in the midpoints of the two strings so that the capacitor units are further divided into four quadrants and the internal failure(s) may occur in one or more capacitor elements or units and involves one or more capacitor quadrants. The method includes initiating an alarm and/or a trip signal when the determined total number of internal elements failures exceeds a first or a second threshold value. |
| US08972206B2 |
Phased array scanning into a curvature
A system for use in determining a location of a defect in an object is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic phased array configured to provide a sector scan of the object, a display, and a processor. The processor is programmed to provide a volume-corrected view of a sector of an ultrasonic inspection of the object on the display, wherein the object has a first surface defined by a first radius and a second surface defined by a second radius that is shorter than the first radius, receive gate parameters of a gate used to measure a location of a reflection of a beam emitted from the ultrasonic phased array, wherein the reflection is indicative of a defect on the first surface or the second surface, and calculate a location of the defect using the gate. |
| US08972201B2 |
Compression of genomic data file
Systems and methods for compression of a genomic data file are described herein. In one embodiment, genomic sequences, sequence headers, and quality sequences associated with a plurality of data streams provided in a genomic data file are identified. Each of the genomic sequences includes at least one of primary characters and secondary characters. Further, the secondary characters from each of the genomic sequences may be removed to obtain an intermediate genomic sequence file and a quality score corresponding to the secondary character may be modified in quality sequences to obtain an intermediate quality sequence file. Based on the intermediate genomic sequence file and the intermediate quality sequence file, a modified genomic sequence file and a modified quality sequence file, respectively are generated. A compressed genomic data file is obtained using at least the modified genomic sequence and the modified quality sequence. |
| US08972200B2 |
Compression of genomic data
The present subject matter discloses a system and a method for compression of genomic data. In one embodiment, the method for compression of genomic data includes obtaining modified genomic data from genomic data based at least in part on intermediary data identified from the genomic data. In one implementation, the modified genomic data includes a plurality of primary characters. The genomic data may then be modified to generate one or more most-frequent character files based at least on a most-frequent character and a second most-frequent character from among the plurality of primary characters. Further, based at least on the one or more most-frequent character files and the modified genomic data, a least-frequent characters file may be created from the modified genomic data. |
| US08972197B2 |
Method and system for analyzing breathing of a user
Methods, systems and apparatus for analyzing breathing of a user are disclosed. One method includes sensing motion of a first portion of the user, sensing motion of a second portion of the user, and generating a summed signal by inversely summing the sensed motion of the first portion of the user with the sensed motion of the second portion of the user. A breathing rate of the user is estimated based on the summed signal. Additionally, a breathing pattern of the user can be identified. |
| US08972196B2 |
Algorithms for calibrating an analyte sensor
Disclosed are embodiments that relate to algorithms and methods for calibrating an analyte sensor, and more particularly, to algorithms for calibrating an optical glucose sensor comprising an equilibrium fluorescent chemical indicator system. In particular, a method of detecting an analyte concentration is disclosed where a modified Michaelis-Menten equation comprising Michaelis-Menten parameters is used to characterize the signal generated by the analyte sensor. |
| US08972195B2 |
Extracting geologic information from multiple offset stacks and/or angle stacks
Geologic information may be extracted from multiple offset stacks and/or angle stacks. Offset stacks and/or angle stacks may be received that represent energy that has propagated through a geologic volume of interest from energy sources to energy receivers. Attribute volumes associated with individual source-receiver offsets and/or source-receiver angles may be determined based on corresponding offset stacks and/or angle stacks. For individual offset stacks or angle stacks, corresponding sets of geologic features represented in the attribute volumes may be identified. The sets of geologic features corresponding to the different offset stacks and/or angle stacks to may be compared to determine discrepancies and/or similarities between the sets of geologic features corresponding to the different offset stacks and/or angle stacks. Stratigraphic interpretations, stratigraphic predictions, and/or other interpretations and/or predictions may be determined based on causes of the discrepancies and/or similarities. |
| US08972192B2 |
Estimation of actual conditions of a roadway segment by weighting roadway condition data with the quality of the roadway condition data
Actual conditions of a roadway segment are estimated by providing roadway condition data to a processor for the roadway segment from a plurality of different types of sources of the roadway condition data, assigning a quality to each of the plurality of different types of sources of the roadway condition data, and estimating in the processor the actual conditions of the roadway segment by using the roadway condition data and the quality of each of the plurality of different types of sources of the roadway data. The quality determines weightings given to each of the plurality of different types of sources. |
| US08972189B2 |
Social mobile shopping system
Methods and system are provided for enhancing consumer shopping. The methods and systems allow consumers to more readily purchase products of interest to them. The consumers' ability to shop effectively and efficiently is enhanced while a payment provider, such as PayPal, Inc., and/or an online seller, such as eBay, is given a mechanism for recruiting new users. For example, a user's online searches and/or stored shopping list can be used to determine which products the user is interested in purchasing and the availability of at least some of these products can be provided to the user, along with directions to the nearest POS brick-and-mortar stores where the products can be purchased. |
| US08972185B1 |
Constructing a transit transfer network from transit data
A computer-implemented method of constructing a transit transfer network from transit data comprises processing transit data to define a plurality of transfer endpoints; determining a set of acceptable transfer durations for each of a plurality of transfers associated with the transfer endpoints; determining one or more groups of endpoints to be merged, each group comprising two or more endpoints, wherein transfers associated with the endpoints in each said group have one or more common acceptable transfer durations; and merging the endpoints in each group to form one or more merged endpoints. |
| US08972184B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining orbit of geostationary satellite
An apparatus and method for determining an orbit of a geostationary satellite is provided. The orbit of the geostationary satellite may be determined using at least one pseudo-range of the geostationary satellite calculated based on an orbit and a position of at least one global positioning system (GPS) satellite, position information of the geostationary satellite, and an angle between the geostationary satellite and each GPS satellite. |
| US08972183B2 |
Map display apparatus
A map display apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus acquires present position information indicating a present position, and determines a route from the present position to a destination. The apparatus displays a map on a display screen based on map information acquired from a storage medium storing the map information, and displays the route in a form of a line on the map while switching a manner of displaying the route between multiple display modes including a first display mode and a second display mode. In the first display mode, the route is displayed to have a first transparency and a first width. In the second display mode, the route is displayed to have a second transparency more transparent than the first transparency and a second width larger than the first width. |
| US08972179B2 |
Method and apparatus to analyze GPS data to determine if a vehicle has adhered to a predetermined route
System and method for analyzing position data from a vehicle equipped with a geographical position system to determine if the vehicle has adhered to a predetermined schedule, where the vehicle is scheduled to arrive at each one of a plurality of predetermined locations during a corresponding predetermined time window, the position data identifying a specific geographical location of the vehicle at a specific point in time. Position data from the vehicle is collected as the vehicle travels to the plurality of different locations, the position data identifying a specific geographical location of the vehicle at a specific point in time. Then the position data is analyzed to determine whether the vehicle was at each predetermined location during the corresponding predetermined time window. An exception report is automatically generated for each instance that the vehicle was not at one of the plurality of predetermined locations during the corresponding time window. |
| US08972174B2 |
Method for providing navigation information, machine-readable storage medium, mobile terminal, and server
A method for providing navigation information, a machine-readable storage medium, a mobile terminal and a server are provided. The method includes generating a preview image captured by a camera and location information of the mobile terminal; transmitting the preview image and location information to a server, receiving, from the server, route guide information generated based on the preview image and the location information, and displaying the route guide information to a user. |
| US08972160B2 |
Navigation device, navigation method, and navigation program
A navigation device apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a fuel consumption determination unit that determines a fuel consumption during a travel of a vehicle. Also included is a fuel consumption information storage unit that stores point information identifying a departing point and a destination in the travel of the vehicle and fuel consumption information identifying the fuel consumption during a previous travel A display unit is included that acquires previous fuel consumption information identifying the fuel consumption during the previous travel corresponding to the departing point and the destination during a current travel of the vehicle, and controls the display of the fuel consumption during the previous travel based on the acquired previous fuel consumption information and the fuel consumption during the current travel determined by the fuel consumption determination unit. |
| US08972156B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An engine includes an intake variable valve mechanism and an exhaust variable valve mechanism. An ECU causes all intake valves in all cylinders to stop in a closed state by means of intake variable valve mechanism when performing a fuel-cut operation, including when the engine is stopped. The ECU causes at least one exhaust valve in all cylinders to stop in an open state by means of exhaust variable valve mechanism. When executing a fuel-cut operation, needless compression can be avoided by stopping the exhaust valves in an open state, while protecting a catalyst from deterioration caused by contact with intake air by stopping the intake valves in a closed state. The amount of oil consumption of the engine, and electric power consumption, vibrations and a tendency for spontaneous ignition to occur at cranking time can be improved. |
| US08972155B2 |
Device and method for controlling start of compression self-ignition engine
A start control device includes a compression self-ignition engine, fuel injection valve, piston stop position detector, starter motor, and controller for stopping the engine when an automatic stop condition is satisfied, and thereafter, when a restart condition is satisfied and a compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder piston stop position is within a stop position range on a bottom dead center side, restarting the engine by injecting fuel into the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder while applying torque to the engine. In restarting the engine, when the restart condition is not based on driver request, when the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder piston stop position is within the stop position range, the controller restarts the engine, injecting fuel into an intake-stroke-in-stop cylinder on an intake stroke, when the cylinder reaches the compression stroke. When the restart condition is based on driver request, the controller restarts the engine, injecting fuel into the compression-stroke-in-stop cylinder. |
| US08972154B2 |
Engine stop determination device and engine stop determination method
A cooling system for an engine in the present invention includes a first coolant route for circulating coolant between a water jacket of an engine main body and a heater core, a second coolant route for circulating the coolant between a waste heat recovery unit and the heater core, a first water-temperature sensor provided on the first coolant route, and a second water-temperature sensor provided on the second coolant route. An engine control unit makes an engine stop determination based on the coolant temperatures detected by the first water-temperature sensor and the second water-temperature sensor and, in making the engine stop determination, selectively uses the coolant temperatures detected by the first water-temperature sensor and the second water-temperature sensor in dependence on whether a heater unit including the heater core is in an operation state or in an out-of-operation state. |
| US08972150B2 |
Selective cylinder disablement control systems and methods
An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a mode control module and an actuator control module. The mode control module selectively initiates an engine startup event when an engine startup command is generated. The actuator control module cranks an engine during the engine startup event, provides fuel to a first cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked, and selectively disables fuel to a second cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked. The second cylinder is after the first cylinder in a firing order. |
| US08972148B2 |
Vehicle, method and device for controlling engine
A vehicle provided with a motor generator as a driving source includes a battery to supply electric power to the motor generator, an engine, and an ECU to control the vehicle in one of a CS mode and a CD mode in which opportunity for operation of the engine is limited compared to in the CS mode. The ECU controls the engine in accordance with a condition different from a condition used to control the engine in the CS mode, if the engine is started at least due to decrease in a state of charge of the battery while the vehicle is controlled in the CD mode. |
| US08972144B2 |
Method for controlling an antislip-regulated friction brake system of a rail vehicle
A method for controlling an antislip-regulated friction brake system of a rail vehicle or rail vehicle train having a number of braked axles which subjects at least two selected axles to a braking pressure exceeding the braking pressure required for braking; measures at least one variable representing the maximum transmittable frictional force in each case between the wheels of the selected axles and the rail; prepares a list associating the selected axles with the respectively transmittable brake friction force; identifies at least one brake-slipping axle from the selected axles in which a brake slip exceeding a predetermined extent occurs; calculates lost braking work; identifies from the list at least one axle in which brake-slipping does not occur or occurs to a permissible extent; and applies the brakes on at least one axle. |
| US08972143B2 |
Data communication system and method for communicating data in a vehicle
A data communication system for a vehicle includes an interface gateway device that is configured to be communicatively coupled with a data acquisition module and a client module. The interface gateway device is further configured to receive a value of a data parameter related to operation of the vehicle from the data acquisition module and to communicate the value to the client module for performing a function for the vehicle. The interface gateway device also is configured to determine when either of the data acquisition module or the client module is communicatively coupled with the interface gateway device and to implement respective communication configurations associated with the data acquisition module or the client module to receive the value of the data parameter from the data acquisition module or communicate the value of the data parameter to the client module. |
| US08972138B2 |
Method and module for controlling a vehicle's speed
A method for controlling a vehicle's speed by adopting a desired speed vset for the vehicle; determining a horizon for the intended itinerary made up of route segments, effecting the following during each of a number of simulation cycles (s) each comprising a number N of simulation steps conducted at a predetermined frequency f: first predicting the vehicle's speed vpred—cc along the horizon with conventional cruise control when vset is presented as reference speed, comparing the predicted vehicle speed vpred—cc in a range vmin to vmax, making a second prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—Tnew along the horizon based on the vehicle's engine torque T; determining a reference value for how the vehicle's speed is to be influenced on the basis of at least one of the comparisons and the predicted vehicle speed vpred—Tnew; controlling the vehicle by the reference value. A module for the foregoing controls a vehicle's speed. |
| US08972136B2 |
Control method and control apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle
Discloses is a method of controlling a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a torque distribution device capable of changing a torque distribution amount for secondary driven wheels according to an input current to be applied thereto. This method comprises the steps of: applying, to the torque distribution device, a current value corresponding to a target torque distribution amount; and, performing a current changing control for increasing and reducing the input current to the torque distribution device. The step of performing a current changing control includes causing the input current to the torque distribution device to be temporarily increased to a value greater than the current value corresponding to the target torque distribution amount, and then returned to the current value corresponding to the target torque distribution amount, and repeating the temporary increasing of the input current at least at intervals of a predetermined time. |
| US08972135B2 |
Vehicle control device
A control device of an FR hybrid vehicle is provided with: a drive source that contains at least an engine (Eng); and a second brake (B2) that is fastened when a D range is selected. In the range of starting of fastening control of the second brake (B2), when the parameters (rate of input rotational frequency change and amount of motor torque change) that change along with the rotational fluctuation of the engine (Eng) become at least a predetermined threshold, it is judged that the second brake (B2) has started fastening. When in a state wherein the rotational fluctuations of the engine (Eng) can be determined to be large, the absolute value of the predetermined threshold is set to a value that is larger than when in a state wherein the rotational fluctuations of the engine (Eng) can be determined to be small. |
| US08972134B2 |
Method of searching for touch point of clutch
A method of searching for the touch point of a clutch includes a gear release determination step of determining whether the gear of a non-drive shaft has been released after a change of speed, a clutch operation step of, if the gear has been released, engaging a clutch connected to the non-drive shaft up to a current touch point, and a learning step of determining and learning the propriety of the current touch point depending on changes in the speed of the non-drive shaft after the clutch operation step. |
| US08972132B2 |
Method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle
A method of controlling a transmission includes detecting an occurrence of a downshift in the transmission from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. A determination is made whether the vehicle is operating within a freeway speed range, and whether an accelerator pedal is depressed at least a minimum percentage of a fully depressed position. When the downshift from the high gear ratio to the low gear ratio is detected, the vehicle is operating within the freeway speed range, and the accelerator pedal is depressed at least the minimum percentage of the fully depressed position, a countdown timer is started to count down from a pre-defined time to zero. An upshift of the transmission from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio is restricted while the countdown timer defines a time that is greater than zero. |
| US08972131B2 |
Control system and method for transmission clutch control
A control system for a transmission includes an actuator module, a timer module, and a pulse module. The actuator module engages N hydraulic clutches and disengages M hydraulic clutches to operate the transmission in a gear ratio, wherein N and M are integers greater than zero. The timer module determines a first period starting when the transmission begins operating in the gear ratio. The pulse module selectively supplies a pressure pulse to P of the M hydraulic clutches based on the first period, wherein P is an integer greater than zero. A method for controlling a transmission is also provided. |
| US08972128B2 |
Transmission with creep control intervention functionality
A vehicle includes a brake pedal, engine, transmission, and controller. The transmission includes an input member and an input clutch responsive to position control signals. The controller has multiple control modules, each outputting a corresponding torque command. One module is a creep control module which outputs a calibrated creep torque. Intervention logic independently monitors the torque commands during a creep maneuver, with control actions executed when predetermined conditions are present. The torque command from the creep controller determines the position control signals of the input clutch during the creep maneuver, and creep torque is set to zero whenever the brake pedal is sufficiently applied. A transmission assembly includes the input member, input clutch, and controller. A method includes outputting torque commands from each control module, including the creep torque, monitoring the torque commands during the creep maneuver, and executing the control actions when the predetermined conditions are present. |
| US08972126B2 |
Method and system for control of a gearbox
A method for control of a vehicle gearbox which is automatically controlled by a control system. The control system's choice of transmission ratio is influenceable by the vehicle's driver. The control system chooses an initial transmission ratio for moving off stationary. The method includes determining a first initial transmission ratio by using the control system, and determining a second initial transmission ratio indicated by the vehicle driver. The gearbox is set to the second initial transmission ratio indicated by the driver when the second ratio is higher than the first initial transmission ratio determined by the control system. |
| US08972124B2 |
Work vehicle
A work vehicle includes an engine, an idling stop execution portion, a determination portion, a counting portion, and an idling stop time period adjustment portion. The engine can rotate in a first idling state and a second idling state in which the engine rotates at the number of rotations higher than a prescribed number of rotations. The idling stop execution portion performs an idling stop operation for stopping the engine. The determination portion determines whether or not stop has been made from the second idling state. The counting portion counts the number of times of stop of the engine from the second idling state. An idling stop time period adjustment portion makes a prescribed time period of the second idling state longer than a current time period, when the number of times of stop of the engine is equal to or greater than the prescribed number of times. |
| US08972118B2 |
Method of controlling an internal combustion engine and a control unit for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method of and a control unit arranged for controlling an internal combustion engine connected to a torque converter arranged to operate in a torque converter mode or a lock up mode are provided. The method includes determining whether the torque converter mode or the lock up mode is presently in operation and selecting to control an engine speed (N) in dependence of an operator input when the torque converter mode is present, and selecting to control an engine output power and/or engine output torque in dependence of operator input to the accelerator unit when the lock up mode is present. |
| US08972117B2 |
Vehicular light distribution control system and vehicular light distribution control method
A vehicular light distribution control system (100) controls a light distribution of headlights (3). The control system includes the following parts. The vehicle detecting part (10) detects an anterior vehicle driving in front of an occupants vehicle. The unirradiated region setting part (12) sets a region where the anterior vehicle detected by the vehicle detecting part (10) exists as an unirradiated region. The vehicle motion estimating part (13) estimates an ensuing motion of the anterior vehicle detected by the vehicle detecting part (10). The unirradiated region adjusting part (14) adjusts a size of the unirradiated region set by the unirradiated region setting part (12) depending on an estimated result 15 of the vehicle motion estimating part (13). |
| US08972113B2 |
Electric power steering system
Provided is an electric power steering system that prevents the oscillation of the steering wheel at each steering stroke end. If the steering stroke end flag Fse is 1 or if the determination result is Yes in step S8, the EPS-ECU (21) determines if the right steering flag (Fdrc) is 1 in step S10. If the determination result is Yes, it is then determined if the steering torque difference base value (Dtsb) is positive in step S11. If the determination result of step S11 is Yes, the EPS-ECU (21) uses the steering torque difference base value (Dtsb) as the steering torque difference (Dts) in step S12. If the determination result is No, the steering torque difference (Dts) is given by a value 0 in step S13, and the control process is concluded. |
| US08972112B2 |
Algorithm for estimation of tie-rod loads
A steering control method is provided. The method includes determining a dynamic load on a steering system based on a dynamic model; and controlling the steering system based on the dynamic load. |
| US08972109B2 |
Rotatable driver interface for trailer backup assist
A trailer backup steering input apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position. |
| US08972106B2 |
Systems and methods for scheduling driver interface tasks based on driver workload
A vehicle's dynamic handling state, driver inputs to the vehicle, driver physiological condition, etc. may be examined to determine one or more measures of driver workload. Driver interface tasks may then be delayed and/or prevented from executing based on the driver workload so as to not increase the driver workload. Alternatively, driver interface tasks may be schedule for execution based on the driver workload and caused to execute according to the schedule, for example, to minimize the impact the executing driver interface tasks have on driver workload. |
| US08972105B2 |
Tire pressure monitoring
A method, program and system to establish tire monitoring of an auxiliary vehicle (2) from a main vehicle (1) is described. The main vehicle (1) detects tire monitor identities of tire monitors (6) of the auxiliary vehicle (2) by the main vehicle. The main vehicle (1) determines whether the auxiliary vehicle tire monitor identities are associated with an identified auxiliary vehicle. If the auxiliary vehicle tire monitor identities are associated with an identified auxiliary vehicle, tire monitoring for the auxiliary vehicle (2) is established on the basis of monitoring values stored for the identified auxiliary vehicle. |
| US08972104B2 |
Electrical control unit for a vehicle actuation system
An electrical control unit, or ECU, for a vehicle actuation system is described. The electrical control unit determines a current consumption of a current controlled actuator and comprises an input to receive an input signal from the current controlled actuator, an adder to add a bias signal to the input signal, an amplifier to generate an amplified signal by amplifying the signal output by the adder, a subtractor to subtract a signal representative of the bias signal from the amplified signal, and a determining unit to determine the current consumption from the signal output by the subtractor. |
| US08972103B2 |
Method of building and using local map of vehicle drive path
An automotive vehicle mapping system is disclosed. The mapping system includes an on-vehicle electronic storage device, a GPS receiver, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to receive GPS data from the GPS receiver indicative of a current location of the vehicle. The electronic controller is also configured to store the GPS data on the electronic storage device if the location of the vehicle is outside of a location envelope. |