| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07661682B2 |
Recreational and sporting device for movement over ground
The present invention relates to a recreational and sporting device (10) comprising a foot support (12) that is mounted on a first wheel (26) such that the foot support is located below the axis of rotation of a first wheel (26). The foot cradle (12) is hingedly attached to a leg support (18) which is adapted to be attached to a user's leg. The device (10) may further include a second wheel (56) used for stabilization and to assist in steering. The device (10) provides a recreational and sporting apparatus that is more manoeuvrable and can be used on uneven terrain where conventional skates, such as in-line skates, cannot be used. |
| US07661680B2 |
Ferrofluid magnetic seal
A ferrofluid based magnetic seal, comprising at least one gasket, the at least one gasket comprising a flexible, closed cell material, such as, without limitation, neoprene, polyvinylchloride, or plastic, and a ferrofluid core; a first housing, wherein a first face of the first housing is designed to receive at least a portion of the gasket; a second housing, wherein a first face of the second housing is designed to receive at least a portion of at least one magnet; and wherein the at least one magnet is positioned such that when the first housing and the second housing are in close proximity, the at least one magnet is positioned substantially along the length of the at least one gasket. |
| US07661676B2 |
Card shuffler with reading capability integrated into multiplayer automated gaming table
A gaming system simulates events in a casino table card wagering game where there has traditionally been a dealer, whether or not the dealer is an active player in the game. Two distinct video areas are preferably provided, one providing video images of a virtual dealer, and the second video display providing a simulation of a table top for player cards, and optionally also dealer cards. The players have individual play areas with player input, and these play areas have individual processing intelligence that communicates directly with at least one processor. Delivery order of cards is determined by actual shuffling or randomization of a physical deck of cards, reading the cards, then creating an electronic file of the order of the shuffled or randomized cards, then using an order of cards contained in the electronic file to deliver virtual cards to players, dealer and flop as needed. |
| US07661671B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and sheet stacking method
In a sheet stacking apparatus, a pair of side members includes a pair of lower side members which is provided with an approximately same distance therebetween as a width of a planographic printing plate and limits a movement in the planographic printing plate width direction; and a pair of upper side members which are provided above the pair of lower side members, each of which is provided with a movable section movable in the planographic printing plate width direction, and on which tapered surfaces are formed facing each other in a generally V shape. The distance between the pair of upper side members is controlled by driving the movable sections of the pair of upper side members so as to prevent quality degradation caused by a thrown-in sheet scratching a stacked sheet. |
| US07661669B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system
A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a sheet stacking unit, an aligning unit, a moving member, a discharging member, and a discharging motor. The discharging motor drives the discharging member for discharging a pile of sheets in an operation pattern that is selected, depending on a predetermined condition, from among a plurality of operation patterns. |
| US07661667B2 |
Conveyor belt, sheet feeding device, and image forming apparatus including the sheet feeding device
A sheet feeding device includes a conveyor belt having a first row of a plurality of convex portions intermittently arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the conveyor belt in a sheet conveying direction. The sheet feeding device further includes a plurality of rollers around which the conveyor belt is spanned such that a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction is parallel to an axial direction of each of the rollers. The rollers include concave portions on outer circumferential surfaces thereof, in which the convex portions of the first row of the conveyor belt are engaged. The concave portion of at least one roller of the plurality of rollers has a width different from a width of each of the plurality of rollers other than the at least one roller. |
| US07661666B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method
A sheet processing apparatus having a sheet post-processing unit for performing a post process such as aligning or binding sheets. The sheet processing apparatus is composed of a tray for supporting a sheet bundle, an auxiliary conveying unit including a first arm for hooking an end of the sheet bundle on the tray for moving the first arm, thereby conveying the sheet bundle to a predetermined position on the tray, and returning the first arm from the predetermined position to a home position, and a main conveying unit having a second arm for taking over the sheet bundle from the first arm at the predetermined position on the tray and hooking an end of the sheet bundle for moving the second arm, conveying the sheet bundle taken over, and discharging it from the tray. |
| US07661665B2 |
Apparatus for trimming print products
An apparatus for processing printed products conveyed along a conveying path includes an adjustable positioning device presenting an adjustable guide curve arranged to adjust a position of the printed products along the conveying path. |
| US07661663B2 |
Vibration damper having a buffer spring
A vibration damper is disclosed which includes a damper tube filled with a damping medium; a piston rod which can move in an oscillating and reciprocal manner in the damper tube and one end of which protrudes into the damper tube and which comprises at this end a piston rod extension and a shoulder. A piston divides the interior of the damper tube into a working chamber remote from the piston rod and a piston rod-side working chamber and which is disposed coaxially with respect to the piston rod extension and comprises restrictor openings and at least one spring washer covering these restrictor openings in each working chamber. A buffer spring is disposed in the piston rod-sideworking chamber. |
| US07661662B2 |
Wastewater evaporation system
The water evaporation apparatus functions to increase the concentration strength of a contaminant solution in wastewater, for more economical disposal. A blower conveys an air stream along an air-conduit, over a nozzle or atomizer. The atomizer converts the incoming dilutely-contaminated water into fine droplets, and injects and distributes the droplets into the airstream. An air-heater is located upstream of the atomizer, and heats the airstream to a temperature of 110° C. at the atomizer. A droplet-collector receives the airstream, and the droplets, and mechanically extracts the liquid droplets from the airstream. The airstream leaves the droplet-collector at 65° C. in a saturated condition. The droplets coalesce, and become the final-water, comprising the strongly concentrated contaminant solution. An exhaust-conduit conveys air that has passed through the droplet-collector to the air-outlet. A heat-exchanger transfers heat from the exhaust airstream into the intake airstream, to supplement the air-heater. |
| US07661659B2 |
Swing-type submersible floating aerator
A swing-type submersible floating aerator, including a gas-ring compressor, a base, a pipe, a support tube, a swing device and a driving device, wherein the base is disposed between the gas-ring compressor and the support tube, the base is disposed at the center of the swing device, and the driving device drives the swing device to rotate. The swing-type submersible floating aerator is capable of rotating 360 degrees in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, and push-flow and aeration can be performed in any direction. |
| US07661645B2 |
Fixture for display unit for allowing displayed image to be seen with ease even upon vibrating
A rack has a first shelf and a second shelf disposed upwardly of said first shelf, and a display unit is placed on the first shelf and disposed between the first shelf and the second shelf. The display unit is fixed to the second shelf by a display unit fixture. The display unit fixture has a display unit fixing member fixed to said display unit, i.e., a first fixing member, and a second fixing member having a magnet which can be attracted to a lower surface of the second shelf. The second fixing member can removably be fixed selectively to a desired position on the lower surface of said second shelf. The first fixing member and said second fixing member are connected by shafts to respective opposite ends of a connector for rotation about the shafts and are also rotatable with respect to the connector within a plane or planes perpendicular to the display screen of the display unit and a horizontal plane. |
| US07661644B1 |
Carry bag with edge swing
An edge swing, adapted for hanging a carry bag below a table, includes a retention body for being rested on a top surface of the table, and an supporting arm having a pivot end rotatably coupling with the retention body and a hooking end downwardly extended from the retention body, wherein the supporting arm is adapted to fold between a storage position and a hanging position. At the storage position, the supporting arm is folded to encircle the peripheral edge of the retention body, so as to minimize an overall size of edge swing and to use as a decoration. At the hanging position, the supporting arm is extended at a position that the hooking end of the supporting arm is downwardly extended below a bottom surface of the table for hanging the carrying bag underneath the table. |
| US07661643B2 |
Swivel mount system for a monitor
A mount system supports a monitor against a supporting surface such as a wall. The mount system allows the monitor to swing open adjacent to one of its edge and extends the monitor away from the wall so that the edge of the monitor does not hit the wall. A motor or a linear actuator may be used to move the monitor through a motorized action. |
| US07661639B2 |
Apparatus for displaying ornamental objects
An apparatus for displaying an object on a structure is provided. Generally, the apparatus contains a holding portion that is fabricated so as to allow the apparatus to hold to the structure. The apparatus also contains a hook that is capable of allowing the object to be set thereon, and a central loop that is capable of allowing a second object to be situated therein. |
| US07661634B2 |
Keyed channel strut mounted connector device
A keyed channel strut mounted connector device includes channel engagement structure connected to attachment structure. The channel engagement structure includes a key for engaging the channel, and an octagonal neck connecting the key to a boss surmounting the attachment structure. The neck includes clearance facets permitting the key to pass into the longitudinal channel, and relief facets defining support shoulders on the key for supporting the key on the inwardly turned sidewalls of a channel strut. Two pairs of opposed support shoulders permit installation of the device for supporting a run of cables or pipes parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strut, or rotation of the device 90° for supporting the cables or pipes transverse to the strut. By rotating the device 180° in either direction, the head and tail ends of the attachment structure can be reversed without changing the parallel or transverse orientation of the attachment structure. |
| US07661633B2 |
Clamp for long component
A clamp 1 comprises a band 3, a buckle 5 having a support surface 18 against which a long component wound by the band is held, and a clip 6 extending from the buckle 5 and secured to, e.g., a body panel. The buckle 5 comprises a pawl 15 for engaging ratchet teeth 17 on the band, a first guide 25 and a second guide 26 forming an insertion passage 19 for guiding the band 3 and restraining the band 3 inside the insertion passage 19. The second guide 26 is formed in a shape by which the rear portion 30 of the insertion passage 19 including the outlet is parallel to the support surface 18, and the first guide 25 is formed in a shape by which the front portion 31 of the insertion passage 19 including the inlet is connected to the rear portion 30 at an acute angle of inclination 29 with respect to the rear portion 30. |
| US07661628B2 |
Catalyzed decomposing structural payload foam and method of using same
A high energy, e.g., ultraviolet (UV), catalyzed decomposing foam encapsulating a payload to be boosted in space provides an ultra-light weight, adaptable means to facilitate survival of much lighter, smaller satellites and space hardware under boost environment. The decomposable foam is to contain multiple satellites within a booster payload in lieu of the traditionally heavy and complex structural framework. The catalyzed decomposing foam significantly lowers the weight and structure of all space hardware. This packaging system is especially beneficial where several or even hundreds of satellites are required for a constellation system, thereby significantly benefiting all technologies applied in space, ranging from the telecommunication industry to DOD applications. In addition to weight and cost savings, advantages of this foam are many in that it is adaptable to any payload shape as it may be injected, sprayed, formed, molded, easily cut or manufactured to support any geometry required. |
| US07661627B2 |
Method of controlling the attitude of satellites, particularly agile satellites with a reduced number of gyrodynes
A method of controlling the attitude of a satellite (1) including two gyrodynes (3,4) and a third main actuator (2) which delivers torques at least along the Z axis. The method includes: fixing the gimbal axes, A1 and A2, of the gyrodynes (3, 4) parallel to Z; setting a non-zero bias (α) between the angular momentum vectors (Formula I) of the gyrodynes; using the measurements provided by the sensors on board the satellite to estimate the kinematic and dynamic variables necessary in order to control the attitude of the satellite (1); calculating set variables in order to the objectives assigned to the satellite (1) attitude control system; and using the deviations between the estimated variables and the set variables to calculate control orders and to send same to the main actuators (2, 3, 4). |
| US07661626B2 |
Window assembly retaining system
A window assembly and method for its installation is provided. The window assembly may include multiple transparent panels covering an opening of an aircraft fuselage. One or more retainer members and a flexible clip member may be utilized to secure the window assembly over the opening of the fuselage. |
| US07661623B2 |
Cable storage device
The present invention is an improved cable/cord storage device. The cable management device includes first and second expanded regions, a medial region, and at least one channel with a resealable slit. The first and second expanded regions are respectively wider than the medial region. The at least one channel includes an opening on the first region, an opening on the medial region, and an internal cavity therebetween. The internal cavity may be intentionally exposed via a resealable slit to allow a cable to be routed through the internal cavity between the openings. Upon release, slit automatically reseals, thereby reliably supporting the cable. A second embodiment includes two such channels, one in each expanded region. An improved embodiment features transition zones at the origin and terminus of each channel, a rounded edge to each slit, and transitioning curvature of the medial region. |
| US07661621B2 |
Thread tensioner
The invention relates to a thread tensioner comprising tensioning elements that define a thread tensioning zone. In said tensioner, the first tensioning element rests on a stop and the second tensioning element can be pressed against the first tensioning element by means of an adjustable magnet contact force produced by a magnet armature and a repelling magnet actuator. The stop is located on the opposite side of the thread tensioning zone from the first tensioning element. The first tensioning element is stressed by a spring force in the direction of the second tensioning element against the stop. Said spring force is greater in the thread tensioning zone than the respectively adjusted maximum magnetic contact force. The mass of the first tensioning element is smaller than the mass of the magnet armature. |
| US07661620B2 |
Personal accessory carrying device
The present invention is directed toward a carrying device enabling hands-free transporting of a personal data assistant, cellular telephone, pager, MP3 Player, media player, hand held game, hand held GPS device or any other personal accessory or hand held device that may be attached to the body of a user. The device enables a detachment of the handheld device from a housing while maintaining a secured link of the hand held device to the user's body with and automatic facilitated comfortable adjustment of a secure link of the hand held device, thereby providing hand-free carrying and an elimination of risk of loss from accidental misplacement. |
| US07661616B2 |
Chopper and method of chopping unwound items
A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths is disclosed. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll that uses novel dummy blade slot fillers between each pair of chopping blades on the blade roll to eliminate or substantially reduce vibration normally encountered when making longer chopped lengths of chopped product. |
| US07661614B2 |
Shredder throat safety system
The present invention relates to a shredder that includes a housing having a movable part that forms at least a part of an opening for the insertion of articles to be fed into the shredder. A detector detects motion of the movable part, and in response, a controller performs a predetermined operation, including, for example, stopping cutting elements of the shredder mechanism. |
| US07661608B2 |
Jet regulator
The present invention relates to a jet regulator (1) having a jet fractionating device inside a mounting housing (6). The jet regulator (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the mounting housing (6) is divided into at least two housing parts (7, 8), and that the housing parts (7, 8) can be connected to one another, and that a housing part (7) at the flow inlet side is connected fixedly and non-releasably with the jet fractionating device (2). The jet regulator (1) according to the present invention is distinguished by a high degree of shape stability and by manufacturing costs that are nonetheless low, even for small housing diameters (see FIG. 1). |
| US07661607B1 |
Showerhead controller assembly
A showerhead in which the basic assembly attaches to a water supply pipe that controls and directs the mixing of solutes of various kinds, such as shampoo, moisturizers, liquid soaps or perfumed water and water itself. These are mixed and dispensed with incoming water that passes into, through and out off the controller assembly. These have a solute containing reservoir or reservoirs with different solutes that easily attach or detach for refilling. When adjusted to go to the showerhead or alternately to the bathtub for both showering and bathing, different amounts of solutes may be added to a reservoir to obtain the amounts most desirable. With such a system the water-solute mixture is able to cover the entire body. By selecting mixtures or adding more or less solutes to the reservoir, the skin is treated in such a way that it becomes softer and not itchy. |
| US07661606B2 |
Automated spray gun fitted with a spray system mounted on a feed foundation
An automated spraygun includes a spray/atomization body mounted on a feed foundation. The spraygun includes tensile locking elements between the spray body and the foundation. |
| US07661605B2 |
Fixing structure for a vertical tap
A fixing structure for a vertical tap includes a vertical tap, a mounting member, a fitting member, a fixing ring, and a decorative loop. The mounting member secured in the ground includes a receiving chamber arranged on the top thereof and has two retaining tabs aft ached on the upper end thereof. The upper end of the fitting member screws with the lower end of the vertical tap. The fitting member includes two opposite fastening projections disposed on the outer periphery at the lower end thereof and extending outwardly therefrom. The fixing ring is fitted onto the external rim of the vertical tap, is then secured in a wooden floor by using a number of wood screws, and is further engaged with the internal rim of the vertical tap by way of a bolt. The decorative loop covers the fixing ring, thereby supporting and securing the vertical tap easily. |
| US07661601B2 |
Object, image data, image data transmission method, card, game mat, card game system, image analysis device, and image analysis method
There is provided a two-dimensional code capable of performing accurate recognition. The two-dimensional code includes: a code data portion (102) where a plurality of square cells (106) are two-dimensionally arranged to constitute code data; and a plurality of corner cells (104) arranged so as to surround the code data portion (102). The corner cells (104) are configured with a greater area than the square cells (106). When the two-dimensional code is imaged by an imaging device, the corner cells (104) can be recognized in a large scale, thereby improving the two-dimensional code read accuracy. |
| US07661595B2 |
Digital image capturing and processing system employing a plurality of area-type illuminating and imaging stations projecting a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging zones into a 3D imaging volume, and controlling operations therewithin using
An automatic digital image capturing and processing system for use in point of sale (POS) environments. The system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging stations disposed in the system housing, for projecting a plurality of coextensive area-type illumination and imaging zones through the imaging window and into the 3D imaging volume, for capturing a series of area-type digital images of an object intersecting therewith during system operation. An object motion detection subsystem automatically detects the motion of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generates velocity data in response to the detection of the objects moving through the 3D imaging volume during system operation, while a control subsystem, responsive to the velocity data, generates control data for controlling at least one exposure control parameter associated with the operation of the area-type imaging arrays within the coextensive area-type illumination and imaging stations, and also controlling and/or coordinating other operations of the subsystems during system operation. |
| US07661593B2 |
Moving coil actuator with expandable range of motion
A moving coil actuator contains a magnet assembly that is movable to shift the range of motion of the coil. The magnet assembly moves between two or more positions along a path of travel that is parallel to the path of travel of the reciprocating motion of the coil. With this feature, the width of an area scanned by a scanning head affixed to the coil can be increased by multiples allowing a simple moving coil actuator to be used for any scanning width. |
| US07661592B1 |
Interactive system including interactive apparatus and game
An interactive apparatus that is used in a game. The interactive apparatus is in the form of a stylus and contain a stylus housing and a processor coupled to the stylus housing and a memory unit comprising computer code for playing a game involving a plurality of printed cards and an audio output device and an optical emitter and an optical detector and wherein the audio output device, the memory unit, the optical emitter, and the optical detector are operatively coupled to the processor. The apparatus may scan the cards to enhance an interactive game play. |
| US07661591B2 |
RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags
A method and system for providing point-of-sale and point-of-delivery and/or distribution of products in a restricted access unit near the customer. The method and system utilize products equipped with radio frequency tags and reduce the effects of energy sharing, shadowing, and nulls. In one embodiment, a plurality of RF tagged products are placed within a refrigerator, cabinet, or other micro-warehouse that has a door or opening that can detect access to the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, one or more antennas are positioned within the door. Each antenna may have a transmission line of sight and be configured to emit a signal at predefined frequencies. Each antenna generates an electromagnetic field within the micro-warehouse. In one embodiment, the products are positioned in one or more bins, compartments, or similar devices located within the micro-warehouse such that at least two of the plurality of products are spaced a distance from each other to reduce energy sharing. The electromagnetic field is moved or altered within the micro-warehouse through the use of reflectors, devices that move the antennas, or other mechanisms. |
| US07661585B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing transaction history information, account history information, and/or charge-back information
A computer-implemented method, including receiving information regarding a transaction involving an individual and involving an account, wherein the information regarding the transaction is received by a receiver prior to a processing, a completion, a consummation, or a cancellation, of the transaction, processing the information regarding the transact on with a processing device, generating a report or a message in response to the processing of the information regarding the transaction, wherein the report or the message contains information regarding a charge-back regarding a previous transaction involving the individual or involving the account, and transmitting the report or the message to a communication device associated with a merchant, vendor, or provider of a good, product, or service. |
| US07661584B1 |
Enclosure for automated banking machine
Method of assembling components of an automatic banking machine or ATM. The ATM includes a top housing cover having a forward region and an upper fascia having a rearwardly extending portion that selectively overlays the forward region. The ATM includes a lower fascia having first and second side extensions that selectively overlay first and second forward regions of a safe or secure enclosure. The ATM may include a pivotal processor case for ease of installation and/or servicing of banking components. The safe housing may include dual openings for use in either a front-load or rear-load ATM. Banking machine components such as displays, card readers, receipt printers, and keypads may be installed or serviced by extending a rollout mounting tray or by rearwardly sliding the top housing. |
| US07661579B2 |
Packaging container, and method and apparatus for making same
A new and improved packaging container, and a method and apparatus for fabricating the same, comprises a laminated structure comprising a plurality of plies formed from suitable paper or similar materials. The plurality of plies, having a predetermined width dimension, are bonded together in a substantially flattened state by glue which is applied in predetermined, axially extending, laterally staggered patterns. Subsequently, the substantially flat, laminated structure is longitudinally scored or embossed at predetermined lateral or transverse positions so as to effectively predispose, and thereby facilitate, for example, the upward folding of oppositely disposed side members of the laminated structure with respect to a central member of the laminated structure whereby the resulting packaging container not only has a desirable substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, but in addition, has optimized flexural beam strength characteristics within its corner regions due to the fact that the oppositely disposed corner regions preferably comprise the same number of multiple plies as the side wall and bottom wall members of the packaging container. |
| US07661576B2 |
Wire bonding method
A wire bonding method that connects a first bonding point and a second bonding point by a wire, the method including a step that press-bonds a ball formed on a tip end of a wire to a first bonding point, thus forming a press-bonded ball; a step that slightly raises a capillary, moves the capillary toward a second bonding point and then lowers the capillary by an amount that is smaller than an amount in which the capillary was raised, and a step that raises the capillary to allow the wire to be paid out of the capillary and moves the capillary toward a second bonding point, thus connecting the wire to the second bonding point. |
| US07661574B1 |
Orbital tube welding clamping fixture support
A clamping means support for use with orbital tube welding that resists the outward flexure of abutting tubes is provided. The invention generally is comprised of a left clasp and a right clasp, being congruent. The right clasp is generally square cornered J-shaped, having a mounting leg, and an engaging leg, an engagement notch formed between the long leg and the short leg. The right clasp is fastened upright, at the mounting leg, to a right top side of a clamping means. The left clasp is fastened invertible, at the mounting leg, to a left top side of a clamping means. Wherein, in the closed position, the engagement leg of the right clasp interlocks within the engagement notch of the left clasp, effectively preventing outward movement of the right top side and the left top side of the clamping means, relative one to the other. |
| US07661573B2 |
Heating apparatus
The heating apparatus allows an outlet of a heating nozzle to get opposed to an electronic component during detachment of the electronic component from a printed wiring board. Hot air blown out of the outlet of the heating nozzle is utilized to heat the electronic component. Electrically-conductive terminals thus melt between the electronic component and the printed wiring board. An air discharge nozzle is located in the vicinity of the heating nozzle. The air discharge nozzle serve to generate airflow at a location distanced from the heating nozzle. The airflow serves to suppress rise in the temperature in the vicinity of the electronic component. Other electronic component in the vicinity of the electronic component is reliably prevented from rise in temperature. The other electronic component is thus prevented from destruction. |
| US07661572B2 |
Friction stir welding using a superabrasive tool
A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool. |
| US07661571B2 |
Desktop stapler
A desktop stapler has a base member including a restricting unit; a magazine including a plunger disposed on the head thereof; two linkage devices; a press member; and a guide member. Each linkage device includes a first hole, a third hole, a second hole formed on a bend between the first and third holes, and a pivot hole. Each pivot hole connects with the base member via the restricting unit. The press member includes a press portion defined on the bottom of an end thereof, a grip portion defined on another end thereof and connecting to the plunger of the magazine, and two pivot holes formed on two sidewalls thereof and connected to the third holes of the linkage devices respectively via a coupler unit. The guide member includes a first end inserted via a coupler unit, a second end defining a press end, and two second pivot holes formed on two sidewalls thereof and opposite to each other. |
| US07661568B2 |
In-can fuel cell metering valve
A combined fuel cell and combustion tool including a combustion tool configured for receiving a fuel cell; the fuel cell having a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure; a main valve stem having an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to the open end and reciprocating relative to the housing at least between a closed position wherein the stem is relatively extended, and an open position wherein the stem is relatively retracted; a fuel metering valve located within the housing, associated with the main valve stem, including a fuel metering chamber defined in part by a metering chamber seal and configured so that when the stem is in the open position, only a measured amount of fuel is dispensed through the outlet, the stem having a radially variable exterior contour periodically sealingly engaging the seal such that in the closed position a non-sealing relationship is defined between the stem and the seal, and in the open position a sealing relationship is defined between the stem and the seal; and the housing includes a separate fuel container, and the fuel metering valve includes a valve body that has a second end opposite the fuel metering chamber and located within the container, wherein the flow of fluid out the outlet of the fuel cell is solely from the separate fuel container. |
| US07661567B2 |
Stick-on security ring for a hand held device
A button provides an adhesive flat bottom surface for attachment to a cell phone or similar hand held device. A leash extends from the button and terminates with a finger ring. When the device is held in a hand with one finger secured in the ring, the device is secured in the hand so that it is less likely to fall. The ring may be an extension of the leash, both a part of an elastic cord loop where the leash is secured within the button and the ring extends away from the button. The leash may be retractable. |
| US07661565B2 |
Pressure activated self opening container and seal
A multi layered frangible seal is bonded over the pour spout opening of flexible plastic bottles containing pourable products such as motor oil. The seal provides a leak proof closure that is strong enough to remain intact when the filled uncapped container is held in an inverted position, and at the same weak enough to break open and dispense the contents into a fill opening when a consumer squeezes the inverted container. The seal is constructed from a first layer of leak proof frangible sheet material that is bonded to a second layer of strengthening sheet material. The strengthening layer contains a cut out void configuration that forms a breaking pattern which forces the seal to break open only in the weaker single frangible layered configuration of the cut out void forming the breaking pattern when the container is squeezed. |
| US07661563B2 |
Device for packaging and dispensing a product
A device for packaging and dispensing a product such as a cosmetic product. A preferred example of the device includes a container forming a holder for the product, and a dispensing element surmounting the container. A dip tube is provided for supplying product to the dispensing element, with the dip tube being connected to the dispensing element by a first end. In addition, a body is able to slide along the dip tube. Further, the dip tube includes, at a distance from its first end, an element forming a stop piece for the body in such a way as to limit the movement of the body along the dip tube. |
| US07661558B2 |
Sachet including at least two sealed compartments
A sachet may include at least two sealed compartments. The sachet may include first and second opposite main walls, a partition separating an inside of the sachet into two compartments, and first and second foldable side walls situated on respective sides of the partition. |
| US07661556B2 |
Tapping device and container therefor, and method for the manufacture thereof
A tapping device (1) for beverage, including a cooling device and a tapping rod (8) with a tapping cock (14), the tapping rod including a first (50) and a second (52) channel, which channels are in fluid communication with each other adjacent the tapping cock (14), while at least during use a tapping line (48) extends through the second channel, which tapping line is coupled at one end with a container (6) for beverage and at the other end can cooperate with the tapping cock. |
| US07661553B2 |
Apparatus for serially dispensing folder sheet products
A dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of folded sheet products, includes: an open-ended body, a front panel provided with a dispensing opening, a rear panel, and a transverse panel located between the front and rear panels. The dispenser further includes a support member for receiving the stack of the folded sheet products and at least one locking mechanism located between the support member and at least one longitudinal wall of the open-ended body. |
| US07661552B2 |
Interfolded dispensing panel
By interfolding or interleaving at least a portion of the dispensing panel of a dispenser with the first sheet in a stack of sheet material such that a leading edge of the first sheet is exposed, it is no longer necessary to reach into the dispenser to dispense the first sheet. To dispense the first sheet, the optional removable panel is torn from the dispenser, and then the already exposed leading edge of the first sheet protruding from the dispensing panel is grasped and pulled to withdraw the first sheet from the dispenser. |
| US07661549B2 |
Mutually engagable twin personal care bottles
A pair of containers, provide complimentary outer surface contours so as to be mutually engagable in intimate nesting contact. Each of the containers provides an outwardly extending embossment and an inwardly extending groove. The embossment of each of containers is positioned and sized for frictional engagement with the groove on the other of the pair of containers for mutual securement of the containers when the containers are nested, thereby enabling the containers to be engaged and handled as a unit while dispensing different materials. |
| US07661547B2 |
Closure cap for a container
The present invention relates to a closure cap for a container, with a hinge and a lid which is intended to be tightened to the rim of a container body, and with a closure element which is movable to a temper-evident position. The closure element 34 is attached to the closure cap 14 and movable to an intermediate position in which the closure cap 14 seals against the rim 18 of the container body 12. Additionally, the closure element 34 is movable from the intermediate position to the temper-evident position in a single stroke. |
| US07661540B2 |
Method of forming spaced pleated filter material and product of same
A unified pleated filter arrangement including a unified method and product wherein successive pleat flanks are spaced by communicably facing increments of spacing material with the pleat flanks being a selectively spaced and uniformly level geometric configuration. |
| US07661535B2 |
Multi-functional storage apparatus
A multi-functional storage apparatus for selectively supporting a capturing device includes a main casing having a receiving cavity and a supporting arrangement. The supporting arrangement is provided on the main casing to operate the main casing between a normal storing mode and an capturing mode, wherein in the normal storing mode, the supporting arrangement is arranged to rest on the main casing so as to allow the main casing to function as a portable carrying device through storing objects within the receiving cavity, wherein in the capturing mode, the supporting arrangement is selectively extended from the main casing to detachably attach to the image capturing device, in such a manner that the image capturing device is securely and suspendedly supported by the main casing as a supporting base for stably capturing image in a predetermined direction. |
| US07661531B2 |
Bend and peel packaging having controllable delamination
A bend and peel child resistant and senior friendly tamper evident package comprising a blister sheet having blister pockets projecting from a front side thereof, a rupturable foil layer being adhered to the blister layer and reinforcing the paperboard material adhered to the foil layer, the paperboard layer having a tear strip formed therein, the tear strip being defined by a cut into the paperboard layer from the side thereof adhered to the foil layer, the cut extending only a certain percentage of the total thickness of the paperboard such that a controlled delamination of the paperboard layer occurs when the tear strip is removed. This provides a precise reinforcement of the foil layer. |
| US07661530B1 |
Pill organizer containing disposable receptacles
A pill organizer assembly and the associated method of organizing and isolating multiple doses of pharmaceuticals using a pill organizer. The pill organizer includes a holding case. A plurality of partition walls extend between the side walls in the holding case. The partition walls define a plurality of compartments. A lid is provided that is selectively positionable into a closed position on the holding case. A plurality of removable receptacles are provided. A removable receptacle is disposed within each of the plurality of compartments. The lid creates a seal against each of the removable receptacles when the removable receptacles are within the plurality of compartments and the lid is in its closed position. The seal created by the lid isolates the contents of the removable receptacles until they are removed from the holding case. |
| US07661528B2 |
Stackable twist-top container system
Food containers formed of sheet plastic are latchably stackable on one another. Each container has base (14) and lid (16) elements, with one of them having an outer rim part with a pair of long handle sections (80, 82) that can be pivoted up to form a handle assembly for carrying the container. The sections that form handles are formed in the lid element (16) rather than in the base element (14), so a person does not have to contend with long bouncing sections if the person eats a meal out of the base. One of the elements has vertically undercut grooves (50) and the other element has horizontal projections (52) that slide into and along the grooves. The grooved element has vertical passages (120) along which the projections can move vertically until they can slide into and along the grooves. |
| US07661526B2 |
Toolbox with pivoted cover
A toolbox includes a shell, a holder and a cover. The shell includes two grooves defined therein and two inclined faces formed thereon near the grooves. The holder is disposed in the shell and formed with a plurality of holes for receiving bits. The cover includes two lugs extended from a side thereof and two blocks each formed on a related one of the lugs and formed with an inclined face. The blocks are movably disposed in the grooves so that the cover can be moved relative to the shell. When the cover is moved away from the shell, the cover can be pivoted relative to the shell so that the inclined faces of the blocks are located against the inclined faces of the shell, thus limiting the pivoting of the cover relative to the shell. |
| US07661524B2 |
Side-flexing conveyor belt
An endless side-flexing conveyor is described comprising a conveyor belt made from a number of rows of hinged interconnected belt links, where each row comprises at least one link, where each link has a front end, a back end, a top surface, a bottom surface and two sides, where hinge parts separated by apertures are arranged along the front end and the back end such that front hinge parts on the front end will fit inside apertures on the back end of an adjacent belt link, and where the front end and back end are substantially parallel to a first axis parallel to the width direction of the link, wherein the hinge parts of each link are defined by a top and bottom which are substantially flush with the top and bottom surfaces respectively, and two side surfaces and a free front surface, and that the front hinge parts on one end of each link are provided with a protrusion on each side surface, where the protrusions fit inside elongated apertures provided in the side surfaces of the rear hinge parts on the opposite end of the link; and further that the protrusions on more than one of the front hinge parts arranged centrally on the link are arranged on an axis parallel to the first axis, and that at least the protrusions on one or more of the outermost front hinge parts on one side of each link are arranged parallel to an axis angled +x° in relation to the first axis and that one or more protrusions on the opposite side of each link are arranged parallel to an axis angled −x° in relation to the first axis. |
| US07661519B2 |
Roller device for a conveyer
A roller device mountable rotatably on a spindle includes a roller body having a tubular wall with two opposite open-end portions. Each open-end portion is provided with a retaining member formed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular wall. Two covers are inserted respectively into the open-end portions of the tubular wall, and are adapted to be sleeved rotatably around the spindle. Each cover has an annular end wall transverse to the corresponding open-end portion, a surrounding wall extending inwardly and axially from an outer periphery of the end wall and abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the tubular wall, and an engaging member formed on an outer peripheral surface of the surrounding wall and interlocking the retaining member. The retaining and engaging members have recess-and-protrusion interlocking surfaces. |
| US07661509B2 |
Devices for regulating pressure and flow pulses
Devices are provided for regulating the pressure pulses and flow pulses that are emitted in the exhausts of apparatus and equipment such as internal combustion engines, compressors and poppet valves. The pressure pulses are reflected from a reflecting member to their source as expansion waves that create a reduced pressure zone that allows subsequently emitted flow pulses to be more easily emitted, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the apparatus and equipment. Flow pulses that contain exhaust products such as the products of combustion from an internal combustion engine are regulated so that the exhaust flow they generate is not unduly restricted within the device and an undesirable back pressure that resists the emission of flow pulses from their source created. In regulating the pressure and flow pulses, the devices attenuate the noise generated by the pressure and flow pulses. |
| US07661508B1 |
Lightweight speaker enclosure
A speaker enclosure having a substantially seamless rigid outer skin, a middle sound absorbing layer, and a substantially seamless inner skin results in a lightweight speaker having sound absorbing characteristics. The speaker enclosure is comprised of two basic parts, a box section and a baffle section where each of these sections include a rigid outer skin, the middle sound absorbing layer and a seamless inner skin and are made according to the same method. The outer skin is formed from a layer of sheet molding compound, the middle sound absorbing layer includes pieces of honeycomb material, and the inner skin is formed from a layer of sheet molding compound. The layers of material are placed into a mold and then cured through vacuum bagging and heating thereby producing a strong, lightweight speaker enclosure made of materials which attenuate the transmission and retransmission of errant sound waves in the enclosure thereby reducing distortion of the sound signal produced by the speaker. |
| US07661507B2 |
Control method for a reaction force device in a power steering device
In a control method for a motor 10 for generating a reaction force when a driver operates a steering wheel, as a behavior of a vehicle increases, a larger reaction force to the behavior is generated. When an anti-lock brake system is operated, the reaction force to the behavior is corrected so as to be large. |
| US07661506B2 |
Motor-driven steering apparatus
In a motor-driven steering apparatus in which a handle stay provided with a steering handle is fixed to a steering shaft, and a motor-driven steering assist unit is interposed between the steering shaft and a tire wheel side steering member, and a taper coupling portion provided in the handle stay is coupled and fixed to a taper support portion provided in the steering shaft. |
| US07661504B2 |
Vehicle seatbelt apparatus
Seatbelt apparatus includes a control device connected with a vehicle-mounted battery for controlling an operational state of a seatbelt on the basis of an opened/closed state of a buckle switch and electric power supplied by the battery. The control device has a first operation mode for operating with low-level electric power, and a second operation mode for operating with higher-level electric power. In the second operation mode, the control device is kept in a state capable of detecting the opened/closed state of the buckle switch. The apparatus also includes a storage section for storing a current state value of the buckle switch when the control device shifts from the second operation mode to the first operation mode. |
| US07661502B2 |
Parking brake system
A parking brake operating lever is arranged to allow a rider to operate the operating lever without leaning forward to a large extent, while securely avoiding an inadvertent operation. An operating mechanism for a parking brake is provided to a position, covered with a front cowl, of a right-side main pipe, below a tank cover. The operating lever is positioned to be partly exposed from a lower end portion of the side surface of the front cowl. Since the operating lever is positioned in a vicinity of the front end portion of a seat, the operating lever is easy to operate. Concurrently, since the most part of the operating lever is covered with the front cowl, an inadvertent operation is avoided. |
| US07661498B2 |
Fluid cushion conveyance system
A fluid-cushion supporting arrangement for horizontal conveyance comprises a supporting platform having a center and a distal portion; a flexible angular sealing element arranged under the platform in the region of the distal portion and forming a sealing piston. The sealing piston has a substantially horizontal leg which extends toward the center and forms together with the supporting platform a fluid chamber, and a substantially vertical leg which forms together with the supporting platform a control pressure chamber. The vertical leg is vertically and adjustably inserted in the control pressure chamber. An inlet valve is provided for supplying fluid into the fluid chamber. A pressure-regulating arrangement in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and the control pressure chamber regulates the fluid pressure. The vertical leg comprises a plurality of reinforcement elements including at least one metallic strip. |
| US07661497B2 |
Upper swing body with minimized rear protrusion in excavator
An upper swing body of an excavator is disclosed wherein a rear protrusion is minimized to reduce an operating radius and a cooling performance is improved even in a narrow engine room. An upper swing body of an excavator according to the present invention comprises a main frame (12) forming a base of the upper swing body; a support (16) including a pair of vertical frames (17, 18) disposed upwardly from an upper surface of a rear portion of the main frame (12) and laterally spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, and a horizontal frame (19) for connecting upper ends of the pair of vertical frames (17, 18) to each other; a cab (80) having a front lower portion supported by the main frame (12), and a rear lower portion supported by the support (16); and an engine (10) disposed in a space formed below the horizontal frame (19) of the support (16). |
| US07661486B2 |
Power tool with battery pack ejector
A power tool has a mechanism for ejecting a battery pack which includes a receiving frame which defines a cavity to receive a battery pack. A receiving member is adjacent the cavity. The receiving member meshes with a member on the battery pack to hold the battery pack in the cavity. A biasing member is in the cavity adjacent the receiving member. The biasing member ejects the battery pack from the ejecting mechanism. A member retains the biasing member in the cavity. The member guides a portion of the battery pack meshing with the receiving member into contact with the biasing member such that when the battery pack is locked onto the frame, the biasing member is in a compressed condition and when the battery pack is an unlocked position, the biasing member ejects the battery pack from the frame. |
| US07661483B2 |
Metal oxide nanoparticles for smoke clearing and fire suppression
Methods of reducing smoke levels in smoke-affected areas, reducing the level of toxic compounds produced by fires, fire suppression, and increasing flame retardancy. In particular, methods according to the present invention comprise dispersing nanocrystalline particles in the areas affected by smoke for sorption of smoke particulates and toxic compounds produced from a fire. The nanocrystalline particles are also effective for use in methods of fire suppression and flame retardancy. |
| US07661480B2 |
Method for hydraulic rupturing of downhole glass disc
A method for rupturing a glass disc in a well completion tool located downhole in a section of production tubing includes providing a wellhead isolation tool, or tree saver, to isolate the wellhead Christmas tree, adding a pressurized fluid to the tubing/casing annulus and pumping a disc rupturing fluid into the production tubing via the tree saver until the disc is ruptured. Following rupture, the pump can be rapidly stopped, or slowed, and started to create a water hammer effect that removes any glass shards remaining in the disc holder. |
| US07661477B2 |
System and method for unsticking a tool stuck in a wellbore
An unsticking assembly for releasing a tool that is stuck in a wellbore including a first anchor actuatable between an engaging position wherein the first anchor engages a wall of the wellbore and a retracted position wherein the first anchor does not engage the wall; a second anchor actuatable between an engaging position wherein the second anchor engages a wall of the wellbore and a retracted position wherein the second anchor does not engage the wall; and a control module in connection with the first and second anchor to selectively actuate each anchor between the engaged and retracted positions. The assembly is adapted for positioning in the wellbore and in connection with the tool when the tool is stuck in the wellbore. The assembly may be a stand-alone assembly that is connectable to the tool after the tool is stuck in the wellbore. The assembly may include the wellbore tool as an interconnected element. |
| US07661476B2 |
Gravel packing methods
A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons is described. The method includes drilling a wellbore using a drilling fluid, conditioning the drilling fluid, running a production string in the wellbore and gravel packing an interval of the wellbore with a carrier fluid. The production string includes a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end, the load sleeve assembly having at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit disposed therethrough. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. The joint assembly also includes a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection. |
| US07661473B2 |
Expansion enhancement device
Nested articulated split rings move relatively to each other to enlarge their outer dimension for a grip on a surrounding tubular or the wellbore. The rings can be articulated to enlarge their outside dimension with relative movement that can be initiated by dimensional expansion from within the tubular or manipulation of the tubular that creates the desired relative movement. The relative movement can be locked in after it is made to secure the grip. Different shape profiles that magnify the radial outer dimension in excess of the percentage dimensional change in the underlying tubular are contemplated. |
| US07661469B1 |
Synchronized thermal management method
A method of cooling a plurality of devices operated in parallel and heated by relatively long duration pulses using a single coolant flow channel to the devices in series that transports the heat from the several devices in a contiguous series of heat pulses to the heat exchanger. |
| US07661467B1 |
Methods to control heat transfer in fluids containing drag-reducing additives
A drag reducing fluid pumped (22) through a heat exchanger (12). |
| US07661465B2 |
Integrated cooling system with multiple condensing passages for cooling electronic components
A cooling system for removing heat from a heat generating component, includes a base (100) and a heat sink (200) mounted on the base. The base includes a lower portion and a higher portion surrounding the lower portion. The lower portion and the higher portion cooperatively define a space (18) receiving working fluid therein. The heat sink defines an evaporating passage (252) and two condensing passages (254) located at two opposite sides of the evaporating passage. These passages are in fluid communication with the space. Cooperatively the space and the passages define a loop for circulating the working fluid therein. The working fluid has a phase change for dissipating heat generated by a heat-generating electronic component. A wick structure (400) is received in the space. |
| US07661463B2 |
Cooling device incorporating boiling chamber
A cooling device includes a boiling chamber containing working fluid therein. The chamber includes a bottom wall for contacting with a heat generating component and a cover hermetically connected with the bottom wall. The cover includes a top wall and a bulge formed at a periphery thereof. The bulge includes a pair of spaced side walls, one of the side walls connecting with the top wall and the other of the side walls connecting with the bottom wall. A buffering region is formed between the side walls, which is capable of absorbing agitation wave generated by boiling fluid to thereby allow the boiling fluid to be capabling of continuously and stably contacting with and exchanging heat from the top wall of the boiling chamber when the fluid boils. A heat sink is arranged on the cover of the boiling chamber for transferring heat from the boiling chamber to environment. |
| US07661460B1 |
Heat exchangers for fluid media
A compact heat exchanger for interchanging thermal energy between at least two fluids, one of which fluids may be a refrigerant in hot or cold form or in a liquid/vapor phase, and another of which fluids is a thermal transfer fluid. The heat exchanger may incorporate an internal heating element. The thermal transfer fluid is transported between two concentric metal tubes, while the refrigerant moves along a tubing helically wrapped about or between the tubes and is in thermal contact therewith. |
| US07661459B2 |
Mobile serving cart and system incorporating same
A mobile cart for serving food and/or beverages is described. According to various implementations, the cart is equipped with a removable mission module. The mission module includes equipment that is used by the cart to perform its designated mission, such as an oven (for a hot food service mission module), a cooling unit (for a cold food service mission module), a beverage dispenser (for a beverage service mission module), a point of sale terminal (for duty-free service mission module), appropriate branding (for a franchising mission), or a custom equipment (for a customized mission). The mission module also includes a processor and a memory. The mission module is removable, and may be one of several mission modules available to the cart. Thus, for each type of mission, there may be a different mission module. This enables the cart to be quickly and easily “customized” for each mission by replacing an unneeded module with a required one. |
| US07661454B2 |
Adhesive tape joining apparatus
An apparatus of this invention includes: a workpiece holding mechanism that holds a ring frame and a wafer; a tape supplying device that supplies a continuous dicing tape or a continuous carrier tape to which a precut dicing tape is joined, to a joining position; a joining unit that joins the continuous dicing tape or the precut dicing tape separated from the carrier tape, to the ring frame and the semiconductor wafer; a tape cutting mechanism that cuts the dicing tape joined to the ring frame along a contour of the ring frame; and a residual tape collecting section that takes up and collects a residual tape after the cutting. |
| US07661441B2 |
Multi-line fluid conduit modules
A modular manifold component for hydronic circulation systems includes a control conduit section adapted and constructed to receive any of a plurality of selectively actuatable fluid control mechanisms. The control conduit section has an inlet and an outlet. A return conduit section is secured to the control conduit section in fluid communication with the inlet of the control conduit section. A supply conduit section is secured to the control conduit section in fluid communication with the inlet of the control conduit section. |
| US07661440B2 |
Device for selectively regulating the flow rate of a fluid
A device for regulating the flow rate of a fluid includes a housing containing a plurality of flow conduits fluidly connecting an inlet and an outlets each of the flow conduits comprising a flow control tube and a resiliently compressive occlusion tube, wherein the flow control tubes are of substantially equal internal diameter. Each of the flow control tubes has a length associated with a different flow rate. A resilient flow-blocking element is operatively associated with each of the occlusion tubes and is movable into a flow-blocking compression against its associated occlusion tube. An actuation mechanism in the housing is operable (a) to selectively engage and move one or more of the flow-blocking elements into the flow-blocking compression against its associated occlusion tube, and (b) to selectively be disengaged from any of the flow-blocking elements. |
| US07661435B2 |
Pump connector for Presta valve
Pump connector for Presta valve is disclosed in which one end of a pump connector valve seal is formed with a hollow chamber, and is disposed inside a space of a cap having a channel. The hollow chamber is assembled with a valve seal insert which includes a through hole. The second end of the through hole is formed with an inner edge corresponding to the shape of the shoulder section of the Presta valve. An end cap is assembled with the cap for preventing the pump connector valve seal from separating from the cap. Accordingly, the Presta valve can be screwed together with a first internal thread of the cap, and at the same time the shoulder section of the Presta valve is tightly fitted to the inner edge of the valve seal insert for direct inflation. |
| US07661434B2 |
Hair-on-hair extension system
The hair-on-hair extension system has hair extensions that include a generally continuous span of natural and/or synthetic attachment hair strands extending from the weft base or edge of the attachment. The attachment hair strands are braided or intertwined directly into braids formed in the native hair of the wearer as those braids are being formed, without the need for additional attachment apparatus. The weft base may include a relatively narrow, linear weft edge having the hair extension and attachment strands extending in the opposite or same direction therefrom, or may include a two-dimensional crown sheet having the hair extension strands extending from a series of wefts from one surface of the sheet and the hair attachment strands extending from the opposite surface. The hair extension may include a separator sheet between the hair extension and hair attachment strands to facilitate manipulation of the hair attachment strands during installation. |
| US07661432B2 |
Cigarette filter containing activated carbon impregnated with sesamol
A cigarette filter is characterized in that sesame lignan (which is at least one selected from the group consisting of sesamin, sesamol, sesaminol, sesamolinol, sesamolin and pinoredinol) is added to the filter. |
| US07661429B2 |
Plunger
A plunger intended for an inserter for an intrauterine device with a T-body, which plunger has a first end and a second end. The plunger's length in its longitudinal direction is substantially larger than the diameter of the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The plunger's cross-section is substantially circular. An opening (17) has been arranged in the plunger's longitudinal direction so that the opening's longitudinal axis is substantially the same as the plunger's longitudinal axis. The opening at the first end of the plunger is arranged to expand in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis to form a tip portion, so that the tip portion has at least one surface (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), which along at least a portion of the tip portion's length turns at least 35° in relation to a first plane in parallel with the longitudinal axis and at least 35° in relation to a plane at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis. |
| US07661427B2 |
Proportional pressure assist ventilation controlled by a diaphragm electromyographic signal
A closed loop system uses (a) the intensity of the diaphragm electromyogram (EMG) for a given inspiratory volume; (b) the inspiratory volume for a given EMG intensity; or (c) a combination of (a) and (b); in view of controlling the level of gas flow, gas volume or gas pressure delivered by a mechanical (lung) ventilator. The closed loop ventilator system enables for automatic or manual adjustment of the level of inspiratory support in proportion to changes in the neuro-ventilatory efficiency such that the neural drive remains stable at a desired target level. An alarm can also be used to detect changes in neuroventilatory efficiency in view of performing manual adjustments. |
| US07661421B1 |
Wok support ring and devices for imparting a rocking motion to a wok
A wok support ring supports the weight of a wok and food items to be cooked in the wok and imparts a rocking motion to the wok as it is moved in a back and forth motion by the worker. A wok rocking device includes the use of a wok support base which moves in a rocking motion via cam tracks with roller followers. When the worker pulls the wok in a back and forth motion, the rollers follow the cam track to cause the wok to rise rapidly and then rock forward near the end of the stroke. A wok rocking device also can utilize movable linkages attached to a wok support base in order to create the rocking motion needed to mix and fold the food items within the wok. |
| US07661420B2 |
Portable heat transfer apparatus
A portable heat transfer apparatus comprises a mixture forming/supply device for producing a mixture of fuel gas and air, a heating unit including a heat collection casing, and a burner installed in the casing and formed with a combustion chamber having a flat surface. The burner includes a large number of holes formed on an upstream side thereof to extend up to the flat surface to allow the mixture injected into the chamber therethrough to combust in the chamber, and a porous solid radiant-heat conversion component to partly convert heat energy of exhaust gas from the combustion in the chamber into radiant heat energy. The conversion component defines at least a surface region of the chamber located opposite to a flame front produced close to the flat surface. The apparatus includes a heat-driven pump joined to the casing and receiving heat generated by the combustion, through the heat collection casing. |
| US07661418B2 |
Crossbow grip guard
A crossbow having a crossbow grip guard that has a member that extends outwardly in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow barrel or stock, and wherein the member extends for a length in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow barrel or stock. |
| US07661417B2 |
Air pressure boost assist
Disclosed is an electronic module designed to use the locomotive engine's speed sensors to detect such changes in engine speed (rpm), as required by the locomotive operator moving the throttle notch handle. Once a speed change is detected, the module commands an air valve on each of the locomotive's main air reservoir tanks, (designed to handle the normal operating main reservoir air pressure), to open and allow them to discharge into the engine's intake manifolds located on both sides of the diesel engine. |
| US07661414B2 |
Internal combustion engine system
An internal combustion engine system includes a fuel tank containing ethanol, a fuel tank containing at least one of gasoline and GTL naphtha, a reforming device for reforming ethanol to obtain diethyl ether, a heat exchange device for heating a heating medium, an ethanol heater for heating ethanol, and a fuel supply controlling device for controlling a mixture ratio of the fuel. The internal combustion engine system further includes an intake air heater for heating intake air with the heating medium. The internal combustion engine system includes an adiabatic storage container for storing the heating medium during a halt of an internal combustion engine. A flow controlling device is provided for supplying the heating medium to the adiabatic storage container only when a temperature detected by a thermal detector is higher than a temperature detected by a thermal detector during an operation of the internal combustion engine. |
| US07661413B2 |
Fuel supply pump and tappet structure body
Disclosed is a fuel supply pump including a tappet structure body having a roller that contacts a cam and a tappet body disposed with a roller housing portion in which the roller is housed, with a pressure adjusting member for dispersing load force being interposed between the tappet body and a plunger. The pressure adjusting member includes a concave portion in a center portion of a surface that faces the tappet body and contacts the tappet body at the peripheral portion of the concave portion. |
| US07661412B2 |
Method of controlling the start-up of an internal combustion engine
A method of controlling the startup of an engine using a sensor having a reference index, commanding the rotation of the crankshaft, detecting the rotation of the crankshaft, selecting a group of cylinders for which the reference index is detected less than a half-turn of the crankshaft before the piston reaches the top dead center, before the inlet valves of the selected group of cylinders closes, commanding the injectors of the selected group of cylinders, detecting the reference index, and commanding the ignition element. |
| US07661409B2 |
Operating method and device for a gas-operated internal combustion engine
The invention relates to an operating method and to a device for a gas-driven internal combustion engine. According to the invention, the pressure in a gas injection system is adapted to the operational state of the internal combustion engine. A higher pressure is adjusted in the gas injection system during a higher charge of the internal combustion engine. Said higher pressure enables a higher volume flow through the gas injection valves associated with the gas injection system. The power produced by the internal combustion engine can be optimized. A lower pressure in the gas injection system is adjusted in the event of a lower charge or if the internal combustion engine is switched off. The lower pressure emits lower pollutant emissions which are produced by the internal combustion engine. The invention is characterized by a bi-directional interface between a control device and a pressure reducer or pressure controller. |
| US07661400B2 |
Switchable cam follower
A switchable finger lever (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, including an outer lever (3) and an inner lever (4) that extends between the arms thereof. One end of the outer lever (3) is provided with a contact area (6) for a head of a resting element on the bottom side (5) thereof. A smooth-faced longitudinal recess (7) for a coupling means (8) extends above the contact area (6). Some sections of the coupling means (8) can be engaged with the driving area (9) located on a face (10) of the inner lever (4) when the levers (3, 4) are coupled. The coupling means (8) is provided as a circular cylinder which is freely rotatable in the longitudinal recess (7) that is provided as a bore. The driving area (9) is provided on the inner lever (4) so as to be complementary to the outer envelope (14) of the coupling means (8). Durability in the coupling zone is improved as a result of the fact that the coupling means (8) is freely rotatable. |
| US07661398B2 |
Control device and control method of internal combustion engine
An ECU executes a program including steps of estimating an oil temperature based on a water temperature sensed by a water temperature sensor, setting NE(1) to a lower limit value of an engine revolution speed NE when the oil temperature is equal to or higher than a threshold THO(0), setting NE(2) (NE(2) |
| US07661395B2 |
Stroke-variable engine
In a stroke-variable engine, the position of a center of gravity of a subsidiary connecting rod is determined so that a distance between the position of the center of gravity of the subsidiary connecting rod and an axis of a crankpin is smaller than a distance between a point of connection of a main connecting rod to the subsidiary connecting rod and the position of the center of gravity as well as a distance between a point of connection of a control rod to the subsidiary connecting rod and the position of the center of gravity. Thus, 0.5-order vibration generated in the subsidiary connecting rod is lowered, engine vibration is suppressed, and noise generated with the vibration is suppressed. |
| US07661392B2 |
Containment systems and components for animal husbandry: nested cage bases
Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems. |
| US07661389B2 |
Aquaculture cage with variable buoyancy spars
A buoyancy control system for a fish cage used in fish farming. The buoyancy system comprises spars having first and second sections separated by a bulkhead. The first section is filled with air and hermetically sealed from the second section and from the surrounding environment. The second section is sealable and may be filled with air or water to adjust the buoyancy of the spar. A fish cage having the buoyancy control system can be raised or lowered in accordance to the amount of air and water in the second sections of the spars. A segmented anchor can connected at each spar. |
| US07661388B2 |
Plasma reactor for the treatment of large size substrates
A radiofrequency plasma reactor (1) for the treatment of substantially large sized substrates is disclosed, comprising between the electrodes (3, 5) of the plasma reactor a solid or gaseous dielectric layer (11) having a non planar-shaped surface-profile, said profile being defined for compensating a process non uniformity in the reactor or generating a given distribution profile. |
| US07661384B2 |
Closure cap for a container having time-date indicators
A closure cap for a product container such as a prescription medicine vial, that has a number time and date dials for reminding a user when to take the next dose. The cap's time and date dials are rotatable together or individually with the use of uniquely shaped turning tabs. The dials allow for a user to set the reminder to indicate any hour of the day, any day of the week, and any date of the month. The cap may also have a next and last dose setting. The cap may also have a locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent changes to the set time. |
| US07661382B2 |
Reversible seat for a boat
A reversible seat for a boat or other vehicle includes a base, a seat bottom, and a seat back. The seat bottom, which has a first surface and a second, opposite surface, is pivotally connected to the base such that the seat bottom is capable of rotating at least approximately 180 degrees about the base. The seat back is pivotally connected to the seat bottom on a side of the seat bottom opposite from where the seat bottom is pivotally connected to the base. In a first seat position, the first surface of the seat bottom faces substantially upward and the second surface of the seat bottom faces substantially downward. In a second seat position, the second surface of the seat bottom faces substantially upward and the first surface of the seat bottom faces substantially downward. In each of the first and second seat positions, the seat back extends upward at a predetermined angle relative to the seat bottom. |
| US07661378B2 |
Wastewater ballast system and method
The invention discloses a wastewater ballast method that includes the steps of collecting wastewater, treating the collected wastewater, storing the treated wastewater, and discharging the treated wastewater during ballast operations. |
| US07661376B2 |
System for producing energy at a pulp mill
A spent liquor recovery boiler system including a boiler having a water/steam circulation system with superheaters and a furnace for recovering energy and chemicals from spent liquor combusted therein, the walls of the boiler are formed of a plurality of water-cooled tubes connected to the water/steam circulation system. The system is provided with at least one cavity having walls formed of water-cooled tubes connected to the water/steam circulation system, means for combusting a fuel and at least one outlet for discharging combustion gases to the boiler, the interior of the at least one cavity being provided with heat exchanger means for final superheating of the steam generated in the boiler, said heat exchanger means being connected to the superheaters of the boiler. |
| US07661374B2 |
Expandable table assembly
An expandable table assembly having a table top, a base, a plurality of legs supporting the base, and a plurality of releasably attachable expansion members that can be used to expand the table surface beyond the surface area of the unexpanded table top. The table top is repositionable from a first use position to a second use position by lifting the table top above the base, rotating the table top 90 degrees relative to the base in a substantially horizontal plane, and then lowering the table top back onto the base. The expansion members are attachable to the base only when the table top is in the second use position and, when attached, become part of the total surface area of the table. |
| US07661372B2 |
Mason's adjustable chimney-platform arrangement
An adjustable, articulable platform, changeable to and from a “U” shape to an “H” shape, is attachable to the distal end of an articulable support arm of a transport vehicle. The platform is arranged to adjustably surround an elevated chimney on at least three sides thereof. The platform comprises: a lower anchor plate centrally disposed within an elongated lower support frame; a rear anchor plate connected perpendicularly to the lower anchor plate, the rear anchor plate centrally and connectively disposed within an elongated rear wall frame, comprising bridging portions of the platform. A right sidewall frame and a left sidewall frame is connected to respective end portions of the elongated rear wall frame. A right slidable sidewall is slidably disposed within the right sidewall frame, and a left slidable sidewall is slidably disposed within the left sidewall frame, to permit forward and rearward adjustability to side rail and floor portions thereof around an elevated structure for supporting personnel and equipment therefor. Those side rail and floor panel portions are also adjustable transversely to squeeze closed together or slightly further apart according to the width of any chimney or the like. Such sideways adjustment is accomplished by supportive engagement of the mid portion of the rear wall frame and floor panel of its adjacent wall and floor panels. |
| US07661371B2 |
Manway sealing system
An improved safety collar (10) for a manway system (24) provides a tapered component for guiding the collar into an aperture of a manway lid (28), thus preventing the collar from snagging an edge of the aperture and holding the lid in an open position. The safety collar is defined by an annular wall with a smooth outer surface (12) and a threaded inner surface (14). A chamfered rim (16) of the collar presents an annular sloping surface (18) generally sloping inwardly and upwardly from the outer surface to the inner surface. When the collar is threaded onto a bolt (66) of the bolt assembly, the chamfered rim (16) of the collar guides the collar into an aperture (58) of the manway lid, such as when the lid is lowered into position against a base (26) of the manway system. |
| US07661363B2 |
Impact fuse
An impact fuse includes a body containing a piezoelectric generator positioned on a bracket integral with the body. The piezoelectric generator serving as an anvil. The fuse includes a piston intended to mechanically contact the generator upon impact. The piston receives the impact forces transmitted by a cap. The fuse being characterized in that the piston is slidably fitted within the body and in that it includes plastically deformable means that are interposed between the cap and the body. The means are deformed by cap movement upon impact with a target via piston movement. The plastically deformable means is configured to be deformed in a manner that causes the piston to more gradually exert force on the piezoelectric generator. |
| US07661359B2 |
Printing machine comprising a former
A printing machine includes a printing cylinder that is fitted with plates for printing the width of N pages. A web of material is printed and is then cut longitudinally, by an elongate cutting device, into printed webs. The number N of pages is a whole number that is divisible by three and the total width of N pages is less than the width of the printing cylinder. A width of N+1 pages is greater than the width of the printing cylinder. The elongate cutting device can be arranged, on one boundary, between a Kth and a Kth+1 page, wherein k is one third or two thirds of N. At least one of the resulting partial webs is guided through a former. The former is oriented so that the direction of travel of the web entering the former is transverse to the direction of web travel in the elongated cutting device. The former has a width that is equal to, or greater than two thirds of the width of the printing cylinder, but is less than the entire width of the printing cylinder. |
| US07661357B2 |
Stencil printing machine with a plurality of drum units and method of controlling the same
A controller reads out image data of an area frame that a user has drawn on an original and accurately extracts the area frame by removing noise from the read-out image data to divide image data of an area outside the area frame and image data of an area inside the area frame into separate stencils, according to a separation program. It is therefore possible to execute a separation process desired by the user without increasing costs and man-hours and with easy operations not making the user feel troublesome. |
| US07661356B2 |
Food-cutting device
A food-cutting device includes an upper metal base and a lower metal base respectively formed with recessed areas and shaped mold cavities with a predetermined cavity depth having raised rims outwardly projecting from the recessed areas and having inclined and closed peripheral patterns formed on inner surfaces. Cutters having a height greater than that of the raised rim are provided around the shaped mold cavities of the upper metal base. Moreover, press members respectively have one ends connected to each side of the upper metal base and the other ends connected to each side portion of a handle pivotally connected to a rear sick of the upper metal base. When the upper and lower metal bases are in a closed state to heat foodstuff, the foodstuff is pressed into a predetermined configuration, and a filling is encapsulated within the foodstuff followed by cutting the foodstuff by the cutters. |
| US07661352B2 |
Method and system for in-cup dispensing, mixing and foaming hot and cold beverages from liquid concentrates
Liquid food dispensing device (1) for dispensing hot or cold beverages or other liquid foods without using any mixing or whipping chambers comprising at least one liquid component source (30, 31) and a diluent source (18), a delivery device and at least one diluent nozzle and one food component nozzle wherein the delivery device and diluent and food component nozzles are configured for ejecting at least one stream (6a, 6b) of diluent at a predetermined spatial configuration inside a container (10) and within a velocity range effective to create turbulence and mix the food component so to produce the food product such as the hot or cold beverage. |
| US07661351B2 |
Hydrostatic axial piston machine and use of said machine
The invention relates to a hydrostatic axial piston machine having a cylinder block which can be rotated about a first axis, the cylinder block being provided with a plurality of cylinder bores which extend in the axial direction and which are arranged on a partial circle which is concentric in relation to the first axis, in addition to a plane which can be rotated about a second axis, whereon a number of pistons associated with the bores, can be articulated in a pivotable manner on a second partial circle which is concentric in relation to the second axis and form a ring. Also provided is a device for synchronizing the rotation of the cylinder block about the first axis and the drive shaft about the second axis. The cylinder block and the drive shaft can be adjusted in a continuous manner using both axes, between a first position, wherein both axes are parallel, and a second position, wherein both axes together form a maximum pivoting angle which is different from zero. |
| US07661350B2 |
Module structure for electrical armour plating
The invention relates to the field of the protection of structures such as terrestrial buildings, vehicles or else ships, against attacks operated by means of hollow charges. It applies in particular to the protection of armoured vehicles.The subject of the invention is a module for embodying a lightweight and mobile reactive armour comprising at least one electrically conducting external wall and one electrically conducting internal wall and forming two electrodes between which is applied a very high voltage, the said walls defining an inter-electrode space, as well as an electrically conducting internal tridimensional mechanical structure, of low density, in electrical contact with the internal wall.The module according to the invention is intended to be placed between the object to be protected and the hollow charge, the internal tridimensional mechanical structure being positioned between the electrodes and the object to be protected.The module according to the invention makes it possible to increase the effectiveness the destruction of the jet by lengthening the destruction by fusion and vaporization during the traversal of the internal tridimensional mechanical structure. |
| US07661346B1 |
Guide assembly for power tools and associated method
A guide assembly for power tools includes a rectilinear guide and a rotary guide slidably attached to the rectilinear guide with a post with axially opposed top and bottom ends respectively. The rotary guide further includes a knob provided with a rod with a first end directly attached to a bottom surface of the knob. The assembly further includes a mechanism for slidably attaching the rotary guide to the rectilinear guide and a mechanism for removably securing the rectilinear guide to a support surface. The removable securing mechanism further includes an opening formed in each of the end caps and located in a central region thereof. |
| US07661344B2 |
Method and apparatus for die cutting a web
A method and apparatus for producing shaped articles from a web material is disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a rotary cutting roller, preferably including indicia on an end surface, and an anvil roller operating in cooperating rotational movement with the rotary cutting roller. The apparatus die cuts web material into predetermined shapes. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor for detecting rotational movement of the rotary cutting die by way of the indicia on the end surface of the rotary cutting roller. The information from the at least one sensor and an encoder is processed and translated to drive means to thereby corrects variation in web alignment relative to the rotary cutting roller. The adjustment of the rotary cutting roller of the present invention allows the rotary cutting roller to cut within a high degree of accuracy and precision. |
| US07661343B2 |
Brake mechanism for power equipment
Brake pawls for use in safety systems for power equipment are disclosed. The brake pawls include an energy-absorbing region. The energy absorbing regions may include a deformable or collapsible region made from apertures in the brake pawl or from collapsible members or from materials of differing hardnesses, strengths, or structures. |
| US07661334B2 |
Locking device
A locking device (10) includes an adjustable bracket (7) provided with a recess (16), a stationary contour (9) with a contact surface (12), a pin (8), which is arranged movably in the recess (16) and on which an axial spring force generated by a compression spring (21) acts. A pin head (14) projects from the recess (16) of the bracket (7) and has a contact pair with the contact surface (12). At least one centering device (18) is provided between the pin (8) and the bracket (7). The locking device has a centering device (18), which has an elastically deformable ring (19). The ring (19) is arranged between the pin (8) and the bracket (7) within the recess (16) and is displaceably arranged within the recess (16). The ring (19) has a surface (22) with a cross section tapering against the direction of the force of the compression spring (21). The surface is in contact with a complementary surface (23) at the pin (8). |
| US07661330B2 |
Starter for cranking internal combustion engine
A rotational torque of an electric motor of a starter is transmitted to an output shaft having a pinion gear engaging with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine via a one-way clutch. A tube forming a clutch-inner and the output shaft are spline-coupled to allow the output shaft to reciprocally move in the axial direction while transmitting the rotational torque of the tube to the output shaft. The output shaft is slidably supported by a supporting portion formed at a front end of the tube. To establish air communication between an inside space of the tube and an outside space, an air passage is formed either in the supporting portion or on the output shaft. Pressure changes in the inner space due to reciprocal movement of the output shaft are suppressed by air communication through the air passage, and lubricant in the tube is well retained therein. |
| US07661329B2 |
Pawl drive for coupling torque between two rotatable elements
A method and apparatus for transferring torque from one rotatable element to another rotatable element using at least one pawl. The apparatus comprises a first rotatable element having at least one recess, a second rotatable element and at least one pawl coupled from the second rotatable element to the at least one recess. The method comprises coupling a first rotatable element, wherein the first rotatable element comprises at least one pawl to a second rotatable element, wherein the second rotatable element comprises at least one recess; rotating the first rotatable element; engaging the first rotatable element with the second rotatable element by adapting the at least one pawl to couple with the at least one recess; and transferring torque from the first rotatable element to the second rotatable element. |
| US07661328B2 |
Probe holder system, method for fixing a probe holder system and method for adjusting a probe
A probe holder system for fixing a probe to a housing wall, wherein it is possible to provide a simple structure and position the probe as accurately and easily as possible in relation to a measuring object. According to the invention, a housing bushing provided with an inner thread and a carrier rod for the probe, which can be screwed into the threaded bushing, are provided. The threaded bushing can be placed in a reference position in an associated recess of the housing wall and can be arrested by means of a locking element. |
| US07661327B2 |
Method and system for dynamic sensing, presentation and control of combustion boiler conditions
A method for recording changing boiler conditions over time in three spatial dimensions including: sensing the boiler conditions in real time using sensors which traverse the combustion chamber and gas path generating data from a plurality of positions in one or more supervisory spaces of interest within the boiler system; transmitting the generated data to a computer system; presenting data containing sensor position information and which optionally contains temperature, chemical species information, and other combustor condition information for delivery to a boiler management system to enable said boiler management system to make real time operational adjustments. |
| US07661323B2 |
Method for determining working point of a magneto-inductive flow measuring device
A method for determining the working point of a magneto-inductive flow measuring device for detecting volume- or mass-flow of a medium flowing through a pipeline or measuring tube, wherein an alternating magnetic field produced by a coil arrangement is caused to pass through the pipeline or measuring tube, wherein a sensor-specific rise time (tr) from reversal of the magnetic field up to reaching of an at least approximately constant magnetic field, as dependent on the particular magneto-inductive flow measuring device, is ascertained and stored, wherein a minimum measuring time (tM) for providing a measured value of flow at the at least approximately constant magnetic field is determined, and wherein an optimized measuring period (Topt) is determined as the sum of the sensor-specific rise time (tr) and the minimum measuring time (tM) and made available for operation of the flow measuring device. |
| US07661320B2 |
Deformation sensor bearing comprising at least three strain gauges
The invention relates to a bearing comprising at least one system for determining the amplitude A of the pseudo-sinusoidal deformations of an area of the fixed race that are induced during rotation, the said system comprising at least three strain gauges (7), a device for measuring three signals Vi depending respectively on the temporal variations of the signal emitted by each gauge (8), the said device being able to form two signals SIN and COS respectively of like angle and like amplitude, and a device for calculating the amplitude A of the deformations of the area (7) as a function of time, the said device being designed to calculate the expression SIN2+COS2 so as to deduce the amplitude A therefrom. |
| US07661319B2 |
Micromachined artificial haircell
A micromachined artificial sensor comprises a support coupled to and movable with respect to a substrate. A polymer, high-aspect ratio cilia-like structure is disposed on and extends out-of-plane from the support. A strain detector is disposed with respect to the support to detect movement of the support. |
| US07661317B2 |
High pressure transducer having an H shaped cross-section
A high pressure transducer has an H shaped cross-section with a center arm of the H having a top and bottom surface with the top surface of the H accommodating four strain gauges. Two strain gauges are located at the center of the top portion of the center arm of the H and are positive strain gauges, while two strain gauges are located near the periphery of the center arm of the gauge. The bottom surface of the center arm of the gauge has an active area of a smaller diameter than the circular diameter of the center arm portion of the transducer. The smaller active area is surrounded by a thicker stepped area which surrounds an active area on the pressure side of the H shaped member. The surrounding stepped area enables one to position the two negative strain gauges on the opposite surface of the center arm and near the periphery to thereby cause the negative gauges to respond to a negative stresses and therefore to enable one to provide a full Wheatstone bridge which includes the two positive strain gauges located at the center of the center arm of the H and the two negative peripheral gauges. |
| US07661316B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing and controlling fan speed
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines fan speeds for a set of fans in a computer system. During operation, the system receives time-series data collected by a vibration transducer associated with the computer system, wherein the vibration transducer is configured to record mechanical vibrations from the set of fans. Next, the system performs a spectral analysis on the time-series data to obtain frequency peaks associated with fan speeds for individual fans in the set of fans. The system then identifies fan speeds for the individual fans in the set of fans from the frequency peaks. |
| US07661315B2 |
Method and apparatus for ultrasonic scanning of a fabrication wafer
A method and apparatus for ultrasonic scanning of a wafer assembly is disclosed. The wafer assembly is held in a wafer chuck and rotated. A transducer generates ultrasound in the wafer assembly and the ultrasound emitted from the wafer assembly is sensed. A controller adjusts the relative positions of the wafer and the transducer and controls the transducer to generate ultrasound at a number of scan points. |
| US07661313B2 |
Acceleration strain transducer
An accelerometer is provided including a strain sensor with a substantially linear configuration. The strain sensor is mounted on a transducer such that the strain sensor extends laterally across the transducer. The transducer has a base and a plurality of flaps joined at a first end to the base and supporting the strain sensor at a second end. The flaps translate acceleration in a predefined direction to strain in the strain sensor. Further embodiments have flaps defining an interrupted surface with greater height at the center and flaps that have features for enhancing the strain caused by acceleration. |
| US07661311B2 |
Moulded part for connection to a rim well of a wheel and rim well which is connected to a moulded part
There is described a shaped object adapted for being connected with a rim at a point located inside the rim well (7), having a contact surface (2) intended to rest on the rim well. It is provided according to the invention that the contact surface (2) intersects each of a set of mutually parallel first planes (3) along a curved curve (5), which is not merely an arc of a circle and whose distance from a second plane (6), that subdivides the contact surface (2) and that extends perpendicularly to the first planes (3) increases with a decreasing growth rate, at least in average, at least on one side of the second plane (6). |
| US07661310B2 |
Portion-taker device including a measuring scoop
The present invention provides a portion-taker device for taking a substance, the device including at least one measuring scoop, which scoop comprises: a frame; and a flap mounted to pivot relative to the frame and co-operating with it to define, in a first position, the bottom of a cavity that it used for taking the substance; the frame being arranged in such a manner as to enable a user to exert thrust on the flap on its side opposite from the cavity so as to reduce the volume thereof until the flap reaches a second position in which the volume of the cavity is substantially zero. |
| US07661309B2 |
Angle and force measurement instrument
A portable handheld device (20) for use by a therapist to measure angles and forces associated with a joint of a patient. The device (20) comprises a housing (22) with a contact pad (26) that is arranged to contact a body part associated with the joint and a hand piece (24) for the therapist to grip. A goniometer is mounted within the housing (22) and is arranged to measure the angular position of the body part when it is in contact with the contact pad (26) and generate representative angle data. A force sensor is coupled to the contact pad (26) and is arranged to measure the force applied by the body part to the contact pad (26) and generate representative force data. A control system is also provided and is arranged to operate the goniometer and force sensor simultaneously to capture measurements of angle data and force data simultaneously. |
| US07661304B2 |
Heated H2 sensor
A method and a sensor for detecting a component, in particular H2, in a gaseous fluid containing multiple components. A measuring chamber, which accommodates a heatable measuring element, is implemented in a sensor. The measuring chamber is heated. |
| US07661301B2 |
Fluid analyser systems
The radiation emitted by the various components in a sample of a fluid wherein the radiation emitted by activated molecules within the sample of the fluid is used to determine the nature of and quantities of materials present in the fluid and a fluid analyser system comprising a receptacle(s) and an analysis apparatus containing a consistent light condition compartment containing temperature detection device(s) into which the receptacle containing the fluid sample may be placed and means are provided for activating the molecules within the sample so that the radiation emitted by the sample may be detected and amplified. |
| US07661299B2 |
Wheel state monitoring system and wheel state detecting apparatus
A tire pressure monitoring system, that includes a plurality of the wheel state detection unit, provided at wheel of a vehicle, and that transmits detected wheel state information. A request signal transmitter transmits a request signal to request transmission of the detected wheel state information. When each wheel state detection unit receives the request signal, it transmits the detected wheel state together with the indication information indicating that the wheel state is detected in response to the transmission request signal. The ECU sets a determination threshold value for triggering an alert regarding tire pressure based on the detected wheel state information transmitted from the plurality of wheel state detection units. |
| US07661295B2 |
Method for coupling a gas chromatography device to an NMR spectrometer and associated apparatus
A method for coupling a gas chromatograph (21) to an NMR spectrometer, wherein the carrier gas present at the outlet of a separating column (23) of the gas chromatograph (21) including a sample contained in the carrier gas is supplied via a heated transfer line (1) to a collecting device (2) for the sample contained in the carrier gas, is characterized in that the carrier gas containing the sample is introduced into a collecting liquid (8) in the collecting device (2), and the sample is collected in the collecting liquid (8), wherein the collecting liquid (8) is suitable as an NMR solvent for the sample. The sample loss of the coupling method is reduced. |
| US07661294B2 |
Non-invasive multi-function sensor system
An integrated multi-function sensor system has a head having a slot to accept a tube of a deformable material and a plurality of sensor elements mounted in the walls of the head slot to confront a tube in the slot, each sensor element being for affecting sensing of a condition relating to a liquid in the tube. An integrated electronic circuit including a microprocessor operates to determine the various conditions of a liquid flowing in the tube sensed by the sensor elements, which conditions include detection of air bubbles and/or particles by ultrasonic sensing elements, detection of an occlusion in the liquid flow by sensing the deformation of the tube wall by a force sensing element, determining the temperature of the liquid by an infrared temperature sensing element, and determining the color of the liquid by optical elements. |
| US07661293B2 |
Ultrasonic system for detecting and quantifying of air bubbles/particles in a flowing liquid
A system using ultrasonic energy for detecting and quantifying air bubbles and/or particles in a liquid flowing in a tube by a non-invasive and non-destructive technique has an ultrasonic sensor having piezoelectric transmitter and receiver elements placed opposing on the outside of the tube wall and energy in the ultrasonic frequency range is transmitted from the transmitter element to the receiver element. The received ultrasonic energy is amplified and detected and preferably split into a steady state (DC) component and a varying or transient (AC) component respectively indicative of the absence and the presence of an air bubble or a particle in the liquid. The two components of the signal are applied to an A/D converter whose output is supplied to a microprocessor which uses the digital data that corresponds to the presence of the varying transient component to indicate the presence of an air bubble and/or a particle and to measure its characteristics. The presence of the steady-state component indicates that the system is operating properly to providing a continuous self check against any system malfunction. |
| US07661291B2 |
Accuracy enhancement of a sensor during an anomalous event
A method for enhancing the accuracy of a sensor is provided. The method includes determining a measure of the output of the sensor, determining whether the measure falls outside of an acceptable range for the output of the sensor, and, when the measure falls outside the acceptable range, modifying the measure of the output such that the measure falls within the acceptable range for the sensor. |
| US07661287B1 |
Auto body decrimping tool assembly
An auto body decrimping tool assembly for decrimping a panel from a vehicle frame. The decrimping tool assembly includes a hollow housing body member with a first aperture at one end and a second aperture. A decrimping head member is pivotally mounted near an end thereof on a drive shaft member rotatably secured in the body member's second aperture. The decrimping head member includes a base portion having a protruding contact section and an opposed, protruding blade section having a concave, helical surface facing the contact section. The blade section includes a tapered edge at a side of the concave, helical surface opposite the base portion. The decrimping head member is mounted to the drive shaft member at the contact section.The decrimping head member is positioned at an edge of a panel crimped to the frame with the contact section on an edge of the crimped panel and the tapered edge of the blade section between the crimped panel and the frame. A power source, positioned at the body member's first aperture and operably connected to the drive shaft member, imparts reciprocal rotary motion to the drive shaft. The drive shaft causes the blade section and tapered edge of the decrimping head member to reciprocally pivot relative to the contact section, thereby incrementally decrimping the panel from the frame as the crimped panel and frame move between the blade section and the contact section of the decrimping head member. |
| US07661286B2 |
Method for producing a cup-shaped object
A method for the production of a cup-shaped article, in particular a blank of a screw cap for glass bottles or the like, from an enameled metal sheet, using two tools in a stepwise manner: 1) the blank is stamped from the metal sheet in a first tool by the relative motion between a cutting bell cooperating with a blank holder and a drawing block, and the blank is drawn around the drawing block, the width of a flange forming between the cutting bell and the blank holder being continuously reduced with a progressive degree of deformation until the flange reaches a defined width (R-r), and 2) the blank is deformed in a second tool such that the radially outwardly directed flange is deflected toward a profiling introduced in a wall of the blank. |
| US07661285B2 |
Drawing machine
A drawing machine includes a plate unit, a clamping device, a transmit member, a driving device and a cam. The transmit member includes a following roller. The driving device includes a main linkage inserted through the plate unit and having first and second ends. The cam includes first and second cam paths, with the first cam path disposed between two sides of the second cam path. When the cam is in a first position, the distances between the first cam path and two sides of the second cam path are different. When the cam is in a second position, the distances between the first cam path and two sides of the second cam path are equal. The following roller drives the main linkage to pivot, with the clamping device driven to clamp a rod or pipe. The plate unit is driven by the second cam path and reciprocates along the cam axially. |
| US07661280B1 |
Locking device
One embodiment of a locking device of the type for motorcycle helmets having a cable (50) which is fastened at one end to the device, and which passes though the face of the helmet and is detachably secured in the locking device to releasably secure the helmet. The active locking element of the lock (44), when in locked position, secures the cable (50) and acts to deny access to the fastener (36) securing the device to the motorcycle handlebars, so as to resist removal of the device from the handlebars. The cable (50) is flexible, has permanently formed spiral convolutions and is partially held in place by the concave shape of the device. The device can be used to secure helmets, jackets or other items, and, in various embodiments, it can be used to lock a vehicle or item to a fixed object to deter theft of the vehicle or item. Other embodiments are described and shown. |
| US07661278B1 |
Lock assembly capable of counting the number of times of unlocking operation
A lock assembly includes a housing, a shackle having a pivotal portion, which is disposed in the housing and axially moveable and pivotable, and a free end insertable into a top hole of the housing, and a latch movably disposed in the housing and engagable with the pivotal portion or the free end of the shackle. A key controlled lock unit is disposed in the housing and has a plug rotatable between an unlocked position where the latch can be disengaged from the shackle by a first arm, and a counter can be started by a second arm, and a locked position where the latch is engaged with the shackle. |
| US07661274B2 |
System and method for capacity control in a multiple compressor chiller system
A capacity control algorithm for a multiple compressor liquid chiller system is provided wherein the speed and number of compressors in operation are controlled in order to obtain a leaving liquid temperature setpoint. In response to an increase in the load in the chiller system, the algorithm determines if a compressor should be started and adjusts the operating speed of all operating compressors when an additional compressor is started. In response to a decrease in the load in the chiller system with multiple compressors operating, the algorithm determines if a compressor should be de-energized and adjusts the operating speed of all remaining operating compressors when a compressor is de-energized. |
| US07661266B2 |
Method for braking a vehicle driven by means of a hydrostatic gearbox and also a hydrostatic drive
The invention relates to a method for braking a vehicle, driven by means of a hydrostatic gearbox (28) and a hydrostatic drive. The hydrostatic gearbox (28) comprises at least one adjustable hydrostatic motor (6,6). The vehicle driven by means of the hydrostatic gearbox (28) may be retarded by an operating brake. On recognition of a certain braking process, the hydraulic motor (6,6) is adjusted to a minimal pivot angle. On recognition of a termination of the certain braking process, the hydraulic motor (6,6) is adjusted to a pivot angle which matches the speed achieved after the braking process. |
| US07661263B2 |
Method of operating an internal combustion engine
A method of operating an internal combustion engine includes operating the engine in a first combustion mode. The method also includes switching operation of the engine to a second combustion mode. The method includes directing an exhaust stream of the engine into contact with a NOx adsorber substantially only during the operation in the second combustion mode. |
| US07661260B2 |
Gas turbine engine assembly and method of assembling same
A method for assembling a gas turbine engine assembly includes coupling a fan assembly to a core gas turbine engine such that the fan assembly is upstream from the core gas turbine engine, coupling a low-pressure turbine downstream from the core gas turbine engine such, wherein the low-pressure turbine includes a disk and a plurality of splines formed in the disk, providing a shaft that includes a first end and a second end that includes a plurality of splines, coupling the shaft first end to the fan assembly, and coupling the shaft second end to the low-pressure turbine such that the shaft splines mesh with the disk splines such that torque is transmitted from the low-pressure turbine to the fan assembly via the shaft during engine operation. |
| US07661259B2 |
Device and method for the manufacture of a roving yarn by means of air spinning processes
The invention relates to a slubbing machine, the use of a twist application means, and a method for the manufacture of a roving yarn (9). The roving yarn (9) is manufactured according to the invention from a fiber assembly (3), which undergoes a true twist application (rotation) by mean of one or more air flows. |
| US07661257B2 |
Grass treatment apparatus
Apparatus for treating grass comprising a grass treatment unit 200 configured to be affixed to a grass treatment machine; a cassette 206, the cassette 206 comprising a grass treatment device 207 configured to rotate in response to a rotation of a drive shaft, the drive shaft being connected to a motor located at the grass treatment machine, the grass treatment unit 200 comprising means 211 to releasably mount the cassette 206 on the grass treatment unit 200, wherein the grass treatment device 207 is selected from a set of grass treatment devices, the set including a vibration drum. |
| US07661256B2 |
Hybrid seam for a draper belt in an agricultural harvester
A draper cutting platform for use in an agricultural harvester includes a platform section having an elongate belt. The belt includes opposite ends, a pair of side edges defining a width of the belt therebetween, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cleats extending crosswise between the side edges. Each cleat has a length which is less than the width of the belt. A seam joins the opposite ends of the belt. The seam includes a splice bar and a pair of lacings. The splice bar has a length which is approximately the same as the cleat length. Each lacing is disposed in an area between a corresponding end of the splice bar and a respective side edge of the belt. |
| US07661255B2 |
Lawn equipment minimal track wheel
A wheel for a piece of lawn equipment specifically designed not to produce tracks in the lawn as the lawn equipment moves over the lawn. The wheel is made of two parallel circular discs spaced apart by a center spacer. The two discs are relatively thin and thereby have minimal contact with the grass blades when rolling over the lawn. The height of the wheel and the diameter of the axle are sufficient so that glass blades on the lawn are not bent downward and extend upward between the two discs. An optional ring structure made of rubber or similar material is attached over the perimeter edge of each disc to provide greater traction and to protect the edge from damage. Located inside the wheel axle is an optional bushing or wheel bearing. |
| US07661252B2 |
Ground surface slide guide of a grass cutter and grass cutter
The present invention relates to a ground surface slide guide having a resin body made of synthetic resin, and a metal hub integrally coupled to the resin body to rotate together. The resin body is composed of a tubular body and a flange extending upward to the outside from the entire periphery of the lower end of the tubular body and covering the lower surface of the rotary blade. A blade retaining ring pressed against the lower surface of the rotary blade is formed on the outer periphery of the hub, and the blade retaining ring is exposed to the upper end surface of the tubular body. The hub is attached to a drive shaft by a fastener, and the rotary blade is clamped between a blade rest and a blade retaining ring. The lower end of the tubular body serves as a ground contact surface. |
| US07661251B1 |
Header float system for use with an agricultural windrower or combine
An agricultural harvester includes a traction unit and a crop harvesting header coupled with the traction unit. The header includes a main frame with a right hand (RH) side and a left hand (LH) side. A RH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the RH side of the main frame, and a RH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the RH gauge wheel and the main frame. A first hydraulic circuit is coupled with the RH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the RH gauge wheel. A LH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the LH side of the main frame, and a LH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the LH gauge wheel and the main frame. A second hydraulic circuit is coupled with the LH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the LH gauge wheel. The second hydraulic circuit is independent from the first hydraulic circuit. A third hydraulic circuit is coupled with a vertical position hydraulic cylinder and configured to operate at a predetermined operating pressure, whereby a portion of the weight of the header is carried by the traction unit. The third hydraulic circuit is independent from each of the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit. |
| US07661242B2 |
Hollow structural component made of plural connected parts
A hollow structural component suitable for an aircraft structure includes an inner framework of intersecting longitudinal and transverse ribs, cover sheets covering the top and bottom of the framework, and end closure sheets covering ends of the framework. The transverse ribs have slots to receive the intersecting longitudinal ribs and vice versa, so the ribs intermesh in a grid pattern. Top and bottom edges of the ribs have protruding connector tabs that are fitted into slots provided in the cover sheets. Additional connector tabs at the ends of the transverse ribs are fitted into slots in the end closure sheets. After the parts are assembled by intermeshing the longitudinal and transverse ribs and fitting the connector tabs of the ribs into the slots of the cover sheets and end closure sheets, the resulting plugged-in joints are permanently mechanically secured, e.g. by welding, brazing, soldering or adhesive bonding. |
| US07661239B2 |
Masonry brick
A dry-stackable masonry brick having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and opposing side surfaces. The brick is provided with a plurality of channels, which extend along the top, bottom and one side of the brick. The channels are configured and arranged so that they are able to receive a projection from one or more adjacent bricks in an interlocking relation. The brick may be positioned on either of the opposing sides in a vertical orientation, with the bottom side up, or even with the rear surface facing forwardly. The front and rear surfaces of the brick may be provided with different surface treatments to increase the number of differently configured walls that may be constructed. Moreover, the front and rear surfaces may be provided with marginal areas that are configured so that they are able to receive and retain filler material. Thus, when a plurality of bricks is assembled together into a structure and filler material is applied to the marginal areas, the structure creates the impression that it has been constructed using conventional masonry techniques and technologies. One or more bricks may be operatively connected to a suitable support or substructure by the use of one or more fastening elements, which are configured to engage a brick via one or more of its channels and/or its projection. |
| US07661238B2 |
Floor panels with edge connectors
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling. |
| US07661234B2 |
Reduced friction fastening clip assembly for use with standing seam roof or wall panel systems
A roof or wall panel system that includes a first panel having a first longitudinal seam a second panel having a second longitudinal seam, and a clip assembly that includes a vertical web or webs having a first exterior side and a second exterior side. The t vertical web or webs and is/are provided between the first and second longitudinal seams. Also included is at least one spacer element that is provided between the first and second longitudinal seams. The at least one spacer element has at least one portion having a thickness that is greater than a distance between the first exterior side and the second exterior side of the vertical web or webs. |
| US07661233B2 |
Insulating glass fastener
A device (1) in glass wall claddings for mounting insulating-glass sheets (12), each glass sheet (12) comprising at least two glass slabs (13, 14), which are joined together by means of a jointing substance (16), said device (1) having a first position, wherein said device (1), upon mounting of said insulating-glass sheet (12), allows the insulating-glass sheet to be placed in the desired position, and a second position, wherein the device (1) grips at least one (13) glass slab of said insulating-glass sheet (12). The device (1) comprises a retainer member (3) and an anchoring member (2). A portion of one part (4) of the anchoring member (2), which part upon mounting of an insulating-glass sheet (12), i.e. as the anchoring member (2) of the device is guided from said first position to said second position, is arranged to penetrate into said jointing substance (16) of an insulating-glass sheet (12) in response to the anchoring member (2) being tilted to said second position. |
| US07661230B2 |
Method for constructing log structure having log members with notches filled with plugs
An improved structure, whereby the log structure is comprised of at least two adjacent walls mated to form a corner, with each wall constructed of logs laid horizontally upon each other, the logs alternating between protruding and nonprotruding logs, such that the ends of the protruding logs of the walls are interleaved, with the ends of the protruding logs of the first wall having notches cut from them to facilitate the mating of the first and second walls, and further comprising plugs to be inserted into the notches upon completion of assembly of the log structure, and a method for constructing same. |
| US07661229B2 |
Electrical conductivity in a suspended ceiling system
A ceiling system including a grid framework having a plurality of grid elements arranged in a substantially horizontal plane. A conductive material is embedded in one of the plurality of grid elements. The grid element in which the conductive material is embedded includes at least one slot such that portions of the conductive material are exposed. A tap is attached to the grid element so that it is in alignment with the slot, and, in turn, with the conductive material. The tap includes a housing, a conductor engaging means and a tap conductor. The conductor engaging means forms a connection with the conductive material embedded in the grid element and the tap conductor. |
| US07661228B1 |
Armored building modules and panels
Panels and their modules, such as for walls and roofs, are disclosed that provide armored shelter for protecting people and equipment from ballistic projectiles and mortar attacks. Each module is made from multiple co-parallel plates arranged in a stack, spaced apart, and held together along their sides by side elements. This is done in such a way that, when assembled side-by-side or end-to-end into panels, adjacent modules overlap one another to prevent straight-through seams yet allow any damaged module to be removed and replaced without moving adjacent modules. Space within a module, between plates and sides, can contain energy absorbing material in a variety of shapes. Plates serve as structural flanges, and side elements comprise structural webs, to permit each module to function as a structural beam. |
| US07661224B1 |
Apparatus for staking trees
A system and apparatus for supporting newly planted trees in which a plurality of stakes are positioned adjacent and around a supported tree. In one aspect of the invention, the individual stakes are rigidly secured together by elements which are vertically movable along the stakes and releasably secured to the stakes at desired vertical positions. In another aspect of the invention, flexible tie members interconnect the tree trunk with the stake. The connection between the tie member and its associated stake is such that the connection may be releasably locked to the stake at different vertical positions along the stake. |
| US07661223B2 |
Portable security device for fishing rods and reels
A device is provided for securing against crime-of-opportunity theft at least one fishing rod and reel to be stored or transported in an outdoor, unsecured area or on an open, unsecured portion of a vehicle, such as an open bed of a pick-up truck, trailer, or boat. The device includes: (a) a flexible webbing material, wherein the flexible webbing material has a generally bag-like shape with an open end; (b) a first cable and first lock operatively connected for closing and locking the open end of the flexible webbing material around a forward portion of a fishing rod protruding through the open end when at least the rear portion thereof is positioned inside the flexible webbing material, and (c) a second cable and second lock operatively connected for attaching and locking the flexible webbing material to a fixed structure in the open area or on the vehicle; wherein each of the flexible webbing material, the first cable for closing, and the second cable for attaching is resistant to cutting with a hand-held knife. |
| US07661222B1 |
Fish holding apparatus and method of using same
Fish holding apparatuses and methods of using the same are disclosed. Embodiments of a fish holding apparatus include: a first plate; a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate rotatable relative to the first plate about a horizontal rotation axis proximate and substantially parallel to a bottom edge of the first plate; a biasing member configured to bias the fish holding apparatus toward a closed position; and a holding mechanism configured to maintain the fish holding apparatus in an open position. Other embodiments of a fish holding apparatus (a “caliper”) configured to hold open the mouth of a fish include an elongated wire including: two ends having prongs; two arms; and a spring loop configured to provide a spring force. |
| US07661216B1 |
Illuminated picture frame
An illuminated picture frame or similar display device wherein direct illumination of a painting or other object is provided by light emitting diodes (LED's) mounted within the picture frame assembly, the LED's having defined light projection zones with an angle of less than 180 degrees, the frame further having a support assembly to receive the painting. The LED's are mounted in electrical communication in strips or strands facing to the rear of the frame member, with the mounting being at an angle determined by the LED defined light projection zone such that all emitted light is directed rearward or at most parallel to the plane of the painting, such that no direct light emitted by the LED's passes out of the framed area. |
| US07661214B2 |
Retail display article and system
A retail display article based upon an original photograph of a subject including at least one item of clothing and having visible portions of skin. The display article includes a back panel and a display photograph. The back panel defines a flat surface. The display photograph depicts an edited version of the original photograph such that the visible portions of skin depicted in the display photograph is configured to imitate a general appearance of a mannequin. The display photograph is disposed on the flat surface of the back panel. The display photograph and the back panel are collectively cut about the perimeter of the subject. Retail display systems and methods of construction provide additional advantages. |
| US07661212B2 |
Appliance for ironing or steaming linen, comprising a container for additive
The invention relates to an appliance for ironing or steaming linen, comprising a device which is used spread an additive over the linen and a container for said additive (20). The invention is characterized in that the additive container (20) comprises a substrate (22) bearing microcapsules and in that said microcapsules are carried progressively by a flow of fluid discharged by the device in order to spread the additive over the linen, said flow conveying the microcapsules outside of the appliance. |
| US07661211B2 |
Method and apparatus for raising a snow plow
A snowplow assembly includes an adjustment mechanism for use in adjusting the position of a snowplow frame member on a lift frame member into at least two positions: (1) a first position where the snowplow frame member is on the bottom portion of the lift frame member, the snowplow is positioned to plow snow, and the snowplow operation axis is substantially parallel to a ground surface; and, (2) a second position where the snowplow frame member is on the top portion of the lift frame member and the snowplow operation axis is at an angle A1 that is between 10° and 90° with respect to the ground surface. |
| US07661209B2 |
Foundation construction device for producing trenches in the soil
The invention relates to a foundation construction device for producing trenches in the soil comprising a frame, at least one soil-removing device arranged on the frame and a control device for controlling the foundation construction device in the trench, wherein the control device has at least one control body which can be adjusted between an inoperative position and a projecting control position in order to rest on a wall of the trench. Provision is made for the control body to be adjusted into a first projecting control position on a first side of the frame or into a second projecting control position on a second side of the frame that lies opposite the first side of the frame. |
| US07661205B2 |
Automated tightening shoe
An automated tightening shoe with crisscrossed laces and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces to tighten the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be removed from the wearer's foot. |
| US07661194B1 |
Rolling plate assembly attachment for portable power cutting tools
The present invention is an attachable rolling plate assembly which can be attached as a single unit to a portable cutting tool to facilitate the safe rolling movement of the portable cutting tool on the workpiece. The invention comprises a front wheel housing portion, a back wheel housing portion, and two or three metal rods which interconnect the two housings. The housings removably retain a pair of spaced apart wheels and means to retain a cutting tool on the housings so that the cutting tool can be rolled on the workpiece during operation of the tool while the cutting blade portion of the tool extends between a pair of adjacent interconnecting rod members. The front and rear wheel housing assembly receives the cutting blade in between its pins or axles, so that the entire width of the saw plate is supported by the wheels during cutting. |
| US07661186B2 |
Fabrication method of radio frequency identification antenna coil
A fabrication method of a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna coil is provided. First, a substrate is processed by a surface modified procedure, to form a self-assembly membranes (SAMs) on a surface of the substrate. A catalyst is sprayed on the SAMs of the substrate according to patterning. After that, the first electroless plating procedure is first carried out for the substrate to generate a magnetic metal layer corresponding to the wiring pattern on the catalyst, and the second electroless plating procedure is then carried out for the substrate to generate the metal layer on the magnetic metal layer. |
| US07661184B2 |
Load applying tool
A method and apparatus for setting a desired load applied to a device such as a valve. A tool is applied to the valve. Force applied to the tool is transmitted to the valve packing. A selected load force is applied to the tool. The packing is secured to set the selected load force applied to the packing. The tool may be removed from the valve. |
| US07661181B1 |
Method and apparatus for assembling furniture components
A method and apparatus for fabricating upholstered furniture articles and components is disclosed. The method employs an assembly line with work stations. A selected beginning part such as a wooden frame or skeleton is transported along the assembly line using a specially configured fixture or jig to hold the frame or skeleton. At selected work stations, the fixture can be rotated or tilted depending upon the work to be performed. A locking arrangement secures the fixture to the track at each work station. |
| US07661178B2 |
Fastener adapter
A fastener adapter and fastener strap combination includes a first strap member having first and second ends, an outer surface and an inner surface with hook material; and a second strap member having first and second opposing surfaces of hook material. The second strap member is attached to the inner surface intermediately between the first and second ends of the first strap member. The first surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a first all-hook opening. The second surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a second all-hook surface. The combination also includes a continuous fastener strap having first and second end portions, the first end portion frictionally attached to the first all-hook opening and the second end portion frictionally attached to the second all-hook surface. |
| US07661174B2 |
Hair brush for hot curling
A hairbrush for hot curling. A brush body constituting a hairbrush is formed to have a substantially quadrangular sectional shape with rounded corners to thereby shorten a hair drying time and improve hair curling efficiency. A slippage prevention part is formed on the outer surface of each steel wire constituting a core element to increase frictional force between bristles and the steel wire, maintain the firmly fastened state of the bristles for an extended period of time and lengthen the lifetime of the hairbrush. A rounded part is formed on each end of each bristle through grinding to prevent damage to the skin of the head, ensure smooth combing of hair and increase the value of the hairbrush. |
| US07661166B1 |
Adjustable firmness mattress assembly
An adjustable firmness mattress assembly is disclosed which comprises a duvet, a first section of foam material having a top surface and a bottom surface with the surfaces capable of supporting a user, a second section of foam material having a top surface and a bottom surface with the surfaces capable of supporting a user, and a cover for enclosing the first and second sections with the cover having a top surface and the duvet adapted for being positioned on the top surface of the cover. |
| US07661162B2 |
Surgical head clamp
A surgical head clamp is provided including an essentially U-shaped retaining clip (1) with two holder arms (3, 4), running towards the same side in the plane thereof at the ends of a connecting bar (2). The arm ends (5, 6) of the holder arms have mandrel holders (11) mounted adjustably in bearings that are coaxial to one another. The mandrel holders may be provided with one or more said holding mandrels (12), whereby a first mandrel holder is pivotably fastened at a bearing part (15) of the one arm end (6), which bearing part is adjustable around a common bearing shaft (9), and a second mandrel holder (11) can be adjusted by means of a threaded spindle (10) in a bearing bore (7) of the other said arm end (5). The second mandrel holder (11) includes a guide shank (50) that is provided with a socket bore (54) on the front side, which is mounted coaxially to the bearing shaft (9) in a spring-mounted manner in a axial bore (61) of the threaded spindle (10). The threaded spindle (10) is provided with an external thread and is adjustably mounted in a smooth cylindrical bearing bore (7) of the other arm end (3). The external thread is embodied as a ball thread (23), which has an arcuate-segment profile, with which two balls (24, 25) mesh as contact elements. The balls are arranged in a diametrically opposed, axially fixed manner in the wall (28) of the bearing bore (7) and are held in contact with the ball thread (23) by an adjustable locking lever (35) in the locked position thereof, and which can be brought out of contact with the threaded spindle (10) in another position in order to make the threaded spindle (10) freely displaceable in its said bearing bore (7). |
| US07661150B2 |
Grasping glove and method of finger restraining therapy
A grasping glove for fine motor skills therapy of a hand of a user. The grasping glove includes a main covering having a palm side and a back side. The grasping glove includes a little finger covering extending from said main covering. The grasping glove includes a ring finger covering extending from said main covering. The grasping glove includes a palm side to finger covering attachment between said little finger and said palm side of said main covering. The grasping glove includes a palm side to finger covering attachment between said ring finger and said palm side of said main covering. A method of treating deficiencies in finger fine motor skills of hand of a person by restraining a little finger of the hand toward a palm side of the hand and restraining a ring finger of the hand toward the palm side of the hand. |
| US07665147B2 |
Authentication of HTTP applications
An apparatus such as an HTTP proxy server compares information of a request by HTTP client logic with a known pattern of information for the client logic. When the information of the request matches the known pattern, the HTTP proxy server causes content and/or software to be communicated to the client in response to the request. Depending upon the results of the comparison, the HTTP proxy may also validate or invalidate the request before communicating it to the server. |
| US07665143B2 |
Creating secure process objects
A secure process may be created which does not allow code to be injected into it, does not allow modification of its memory or inspection of its memory. The resources protected in a secure process include all the internal state and threads running in the secure process. Once a secure process is created, the secure process is protected from access by non-secure processes. Process creation occurs atomically in kernel mode. Creating the infrastructure of a process in kernel mode enables security features to be applied that are difficult or impossible to apply in user mode. By moving setup actions previously occurring in user mode such as creating the initial thread, allocating the stack, initialization of the parameter block, environment block and context record into kernel mode, the need of the caller for full access fights to the created process is removed. |
| US07665142B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus can easily handle various kinds of documents including a special document and a normal document without problems of counterfeit by copy. The image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus have a circuit for processing image data. A signal generating circuit generates a signal to prevent an image formation of a specified document. The signal generating circuit is detachably attached to the circuit for processing image data. |
| US07665141B2 |
Origin and custody of copies from a stored electronic record verified page by page
A method of authenticating a copy of a multi-page document, which includes digitizing a said multi-page document to generate one or more digitized files that together comprise a digitized transcript. A mark that is unique to the preparer of the document, such as a signature, is prepared and digitized. The preparer of the document is allowed to deposit the digitized transcript on an online repository. The operator of the online repository immediately establishes a verification process for the deposited digitized transcript. This verification process includes associating the digitized preparer mark with the deposited digitized transcript, and freezing the transcript, by encrypting it and deriving a checksum. The verification process also include associating a repository mark with the transcript. The operator of the online repository defines, under the direction of at least the preparer of the document, security rights to limit or otherwise control access to the deposited digitized transcript. The digitized preparer mark and the digitized repository mark are allowed to appear on substantially all copies of the pages of the document only if the pages have not been altered. If carrying out the verification process verifies that the deposited digitized transcript has not been changed since the verification process was established the marks are displayed with the unaltered page. This display whether the pages are displayed on a monitor or printed in paper form. Each page with this display is thus authenticated as to origin and custody apart from the other pages or the transcript as a whole. |
| US07665138B2 |
Detecting method and architecture thereof for malicious codes
A detecting method and architecture thereof for malicious codes is provided, which is applicable to a computer system having at least a host. Each host executes at least a process. The method is implemented with a system call interposition module and an analysis module for malicious codes. The system call module intercepts all system calls of process calls and all related arguments of the system calls. The analysis module for malicious codes analyzes the input data of pre-determined system calls, and executes the suspicious malicious codes. Once the same behaviors between the analysis module and the suspicious malicious codes are found, a system-intrusion warning is immediately triggered. The method is not required to maintain huge signature databases, and can detect unknown attack-skills in a manner of high correct rate and low incorrect ruling. |
| US07665136B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting hidden network communication channels of rootkit tools
Methods and apparatuses for detecting hidden network channels of rootkit tools are described. In one embodiment, critical endpoint events detected at an endpoint computer system are selectively logged to an endpoint database. Also, critical network events associated with the endpoint computer system and detected on a network are selectively logged to a gateway database. Periodically some or all of the entries in the endpoint database are compared to entries in the gateway database. Entries detected at the network but not detected at the endpoint computer system are presumed indicative of hidden network channels of rootkit tools. |
| US07665133B2 |
System and method for monitoring processing in a document processing peripheral
This invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the processes of a document processing peripheral, including unauthorized access thereof. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the processes of a document processing peripheral, detecting any unauthorized processes, operations, or usage levels of the document processing peripheral, and then generating a notification of such unauthorized process. |
| US07665132B2 |
Remote access VPN mediation method and mediation device
A mediating apparatus is provided on an IP network, and stores an access control list (ACL) retained in a VPN gateway unit. The mediating apparatus: receives a retrieval request from a VPN client unit; acquires a private IP address of a communication unit by reference to ACL; searches DNS to acquire therefrom an IP address of the VPN gateway unit; generates a common key that is used for authentication between the VPN client unit and the VPN gateway unit and for encrypted communication therebetween; sends the IP address of the VPN gateway unit, the private IP address of the communication unit, and the common key to the VPN client unit; and sends the IP address of the VPN client unit and the common key to the VPN gateway unit. |
| US07665130B2 |
System and method for double-capture/double-redirect to a different location
A system and method of providing network access comprising a processor, a first network interface coupled to the processor, a second network interface coupled to the processor, a storage media accessible by the processor and a set of computer instructions stored on the storage media, executable by the processor, where the computer instructions can be executable to receive a network communication over the first network interface from a user using a user device and determine if the network communication is associated with an authenticated user. If the network communication is not associated with an authenticated user, is not destined for a server in a walled garden, and a pre-authentication interface is specified, the computer instructions can be executable to direct the user to the pre-authentication interface. The computer instructions can be further executable to direct the user to an authentication interface when the network communication is not associated with an authenticated user, is not destined for a server in the walled garden, and a pre-authentication interface is not specified. |
| US07665126B2 |
Mesh networks with exclusion capability
In an exemplary method implementation, a method includes: designating a neighborhood administrator; receiving notification of a delinquent router from the designated neighborhood administrator; and excluding the delinquent router responsive to the notification. In an exemplary mesh router implementation, a mesh router is capable of establishing a wireless mesh network with other mesh routers, the mesh router is further capable of designating a neighborhood administrator mesh router; and the mesh router is adapted to exclude another mesh router that is associated with a particular certificate when the particular certificate has been identified as delinquent by the designated neighborhood administrator. mesh router. |
| US07665125B2 |
System and method for distribution of security policies for mobile devices
In a particular embodiment, a wireless security system is disclosed. The wireless security system includes a client module deployed on a wireless device, a network module, and a server module. The client module is adapted to authenticate a wireless device while the wireless device is operating independently from the network module and the server module.In another embodiment, a method of distributing security policy information from a server to a mobile computing device is disclosed. The method includes authentication of a connection between the server and a gatekeeper, sending a policy package to the gatekeeper, initiating data synchronization between the mobile computing device and the gatekeeper, authenticating the mobile computing device, and sending the policy package from the gatekeeper to the mobile computing device. |
| US07665123B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting hidden rootkits
In one embodiment an IO request packet (IRP) attempting to access a computer disk is evaluated to determine if the request identifies an area of a computer disk to be accessed that is marked as bad in a file system. When the request identifies an area of the computer disk to be accessed that is marked as bad in a file system, the request is assumed to be indicative of a rootkit. In another embodiment an IO request packet is evaluated to determine if the request identifies an area of the computer disk to be accessed that was not identified in requests detected in the file system level of the kernel. When the stalled request identifies an area of the computer disk to be accessed not detected in requests detected in the file system level of the kernel, the request is assumed to be indicative of a rootkit. |
| US07665122B2 |
Authentication apparatus, method and program
An authentication apparatus for solving problems involving convenience and security is disclosed. The authentication apparatus according to the present invention is an authentication apparatus having a plurality of authentication mechanisms, the apparatus determining (S23) whether authentication information that has been input by a card reader for inputting authentication information of an object of authentication is that of a user who is capable of changing over the plurality of authentication mechanisms, displaying (S24) a list of the plurality of authentication mechanisms if it is determined that the user is capable of making the changeover, and registering (S26) the authentication mechanism, which has been selected in the display list, as the effective authentication mechanism. |
| US07665120B2 |
Visual summary of a web service policy document
Example embodiments provide for a rule-based wizard type tool for generating secure policy documents. Wizard pages present a user with general Web Service security options or questions at a user interface, which abstracts the user from any specific code, e.g., XML code, used for creating a Web Service policy document. Based on user input selecting general criteria, security rules are accessed and evaluated for automatically making choices on behalf of the user for creating a secure policy document. Other embodiments also provide for presenting the user with an easily understandable visual representation of selected criteria of a policy document in, e.g., a tree like structure that shows relationships between various elements of the criteria. |
| US07665116B2 |
Network architecture for real time delivery of video over lossy networks from remote locations
A method for content delivery comprising transmitting content via a first network to a content aggregation point and transmitting the content from the content aggregation point via a second network to a receiver at the request of the receiver. A system for content delivery comprising a content provider, a content aggregation point operatively coupled to the content provider via a first network wherein the content aggregation point receives content from the content provider, and a receiver operatively coupled to the content aggregation point via a second network wherein the receiver is configured to request content from the content aggregation point. Also disclosed are methods for improving the network functionality through in-band measurement of network statistics, multi-constraint based QoS routing, and back up path determination. |
| US07665107B2 |
Viral advertising for interactive services
The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates propagating selected advertisements among users of interactive services. Interactive service users can be targeted for specific types of advertisements for particular products or services. When a user selects at least one advertisement for more detailed viewing, the advertisement can be distributed to or shared with one or more other users. These other users may be part of the original user's social network. Thus user-selected advertisements can be shared among users who are familiar with each other's current or future interests. In some cases, user-selected advertisements can replace system-selected advertisements. As a result, advertisers can benefit from increased exposure of and interest in their advertisements. |
| US07665102B2 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording method and test record reproduction method
A heat-assisted magnetic recording method is provided for implementing information recording on a recording magnetic film of a magnetic recording medium rotated around a rotation center. The method includes the steps of: illuminating a recording region in the magnetic film with a laser beam for locally heating the recording region; and applying a recording magnetic field to the heated recording region. The power of the laser beam illuminating the recording region is selected in accordance with the distance between the rotation center and the recording region. |
| US07665100B2 |
Disk drive
There is provided a disk drive including first and second sliding members (69, 71) made to slide in synchronization with each other, a sliding-member movement driving mechanism (70) to move the first sliding member (69) and have the second sliding member (71) slide in synchronization with the sliding of the first sliding member (69), and a shock absorbing mechanism (83) interposed between the first and second sliding members (69, 71). The shock absorbing mechanism (83) includes a shock absorbing member (84) to absorb a difference in movement between the first and second sliding members (69, 71), caused by an external force to the optical disk brought into or to outside a housing (3) through a disk slot (21) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the optical disk (2) is loaded or ejected when the first sliding member (69) is moved by the sliding-member movement driving mechanism (70). |
| US07665096B2 |
DDS-assisted CORBA discovery
A computer network environment that supports both Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) and Data Distribution Service (DDS) can employ the techniques described herein. The techniques relate to CORBA discovery, which enables clients to learn the location of a function or service maintained by a server in the computing environment. The CORBA discovery methodology described herein utilizes a DDS infrastructure to communicate data objects from the server to the clients such that each of the subscribing clients can create a proxy for communication with the server. Once the CORBA discovery procedure is complete, subscribing clients can call the desired server function using their respective proxies. |
| US07665094B2 |
Systems and methods for mobile communication
A mobile communication system uses a runtime environment program which can communicate with a server. Applications are used with their own corresponding application data store. The application data store is persistent even when the applications are not running. The runtime environment program can obtain data from the server to update the application data store. The application can use the application data store. Messages can be cached at the mobile device and the server to allow for possible downtimes in the communication in the mobile unit and the server. |
| US07665091B2 |
Cross-process common system resource data sharing
A system and method is provided for sharing constrained resources between two or more processes running within a common operating environment. The system is implemented by establishing a communications interface to each process sharing the resource data. The method obtains the resource data to be shared from one or more resource sources. In communication with the processes, the communications interface receives resource data requests and processes the requests with the resource data. Finally, the method communicates the processed resource data request, via the communications link, to the requesting process. |
| US07665087B1 |
Memory efficient classloading to reduce the number of class copies
A system and method are disclosed for decreasing the number of duplicate library copies loaded into memory without endangering the security of applications in a runtime environment. In a preferred embodiment, applications in the runtime environment may be provided with a delegation classloader that identifies any libraries referenced by the delegation classloader's respective application. The delegation classloaders then delegate the task of providing the referenced libraries to a distinct software component. In a preferred embodiment, the distinct software component may be another delegation classloader or other loader adapted to look at a single library or a small set of libraries. These “atomic” classloaders can be freely shared by multiple applications since they do not expose any application's internals. Each atomic classloader preferably loads one copy of its associated library or libraries into memory. This single instance of shared library code is made available to multiple applications without requiring explicit cooperation between applications or endangering their security. |
| US07665085B2 |
Flexible deployment of software applications
A system and method for deploying software is disclosed. In one embodiment, information regarding software components and their interactions, deliverables and deployment descriptors, hardware topology, layer information, and database information are all captured in a model. The model in then used to install the software on a particular machine. In another embodiment, an organizational structure is used to create an access map, and access rights to the installed software are generated and enforced. |
| US07665084B2 |
Uninstall system
In order to enable an user to uninstall multiple device drivers that are required by a single multifunction device all at once, an uninstall system creates during installation an installer registry for the multifunction device that is different from a system registry. Data specifying the multiple related device drivers, such as a scanner driver, printer driver, and fax driver, is stored in association with each other in this installer registry, enabling the multiple device drivers to be easily identified and uninstalled together. Further, by displaying a list dialog box, the user can indicate specific device(s) for which the multiple device drivers are to be uninstalled. |
| US07665079B1 |
Program execution method using an optimizing just-in-time compiler
It is one object of the present invention to provide a program execution method for performing greater optimization. A program execution apparatus according to the present invention performs a transfer from an interpreter process to a compiled code process in the course of the execution of a method. At this time, if no problem occurs when a transfer point is moved to the top of a loop, the transfer point for code is so moved. And when a transfer point is located inside a loop, a point that post-dominates the top of the loop and the transfer point is copied to a position immediately preceding the loop. Then, information for generating recalculation code is provided for the transfer point, and a recalculation is performed. |
| US07665074B2 |
Mechanism for converting text output into objects
The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed at converting text into objects based on a template that describes the format of the text, where the format of the text is not in a standardized format. The objects then being available for further processing. The conversion mechanism converts the text into a dead object. The template comprises an object header indicator and a corresponding object header pattern. A new object is created based on the object header pattern identified within the text. In addition, the template comprises one or more field indicators each having a corresponding field pattern. The field pattern may be in a format of a regular expression. A field type and associated value are created from a string associated with the field pattern. |
| US07665073B2 |
Compile time meta-object protocol systems and methods
The subject invention pertains to a compilation system and meta-object protocol to facilitate interaction with objects of various types including but not limited to XML documents. More specifically, a delineator or dot operator can be extended to hide idiosyncratic details of interacting with objects. Code details can be generated by a compiler behind the scenes. This enables a programmer to achieve the same results while writing much simpler and intuitive code. |
| US07665072B2 |
Generating test cases for software with complex preconditions
Techniques and tools for generating test cases for methods or programs with input preconditions are described. For example, after finding feasible control flow paths for a tested method along with each path's associated input conditions, a new program is created which tests these conditions along with the precondition. By analyzing this new program's control flow graph, a class of test cases is found while avoiding inefficiencies created by doing complete searches of paths through the combined control flow graph of the precondition and the method. Additional efficiencies are introduced by partitioning a control flow graph for the precondition into branched and straight sections. |
| US07665071B1 |
Management object model for performing management of a computer system
A management system is provided for the generation of a management object model for performing management of a computer system. The object model includes a structured hierarchy of objects representing components of a computer system. The management system can include component modules operable to define mappings from instrumentation of the components to objects representing those components and configuration modules operable to configure associations between the component modules for the generation of the management object model. |
| US07665068B2 |
Methods and systems for testing software applications
Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, software products and/or data structures for testing software programs. One exemplary set of embodiments provides a method for testing a software program. The method can be used in an object-oriented environment, and the software application can comprise a plurality of components. |
| US07665067B2 |
Method and system for automatically creating tests
A system and method for generalized scenarios, for automatically generating tests. The tests are generated from some underlying structure, such as one or more scenarios. The scenarios preferably include a plurality of constraints for generating a test program for generating input values to the test generation process. The scenarios provide a more generalized method for generating tests. |
| US07665066B2 |
Method for determining and recording system information and function in distributed parallel component based software systems
A universal test or monitoring of distributed, parallel component based software systems can be achieved, which minimally affects the system for monitoring, automatically provides the correct system components with inspection instruments, a semantic connection of communication reports between each transmitter and receiver and a logical event sequence without synchronized clock time for the individual components of the distributed system in the form of an evaluation model and can find application on any form of evaluation tool. |
| US07665065B2 |
Software termination method
A software system terminates software modules in the reverse order of startup defined in a bundle start order list. Additionally, the software modules can be terminated in the order obtained by representing a static or dynamic reference relationship among the software modules as a tree structure and by searching the tree structure on a depth-first basis. |
| US07665062B1 |
System and methodology for design-time dynamic class type construction
A system and methodology for design-time dynamic class type construction is described. In one embodiment, for example, in a form-based development system, a method is described for dynamically constructing a form under an object framework during development of an application by a user, the method comprises steps of: providing an ancestor class under an object framework, the ancestor class for representing a form in the development system; in response to user input, creating a descendant class inheriting from the ancestor class for representing a particular form to be included in the application; generating instructions for creating methods of the descendant class under the object framework; creating a type delegator for the descendant class, thereby enabling the descendant class to track changes made to the particular form during development of the application; creating an instance of the descendant class; and constructing the particular form in the development system based on the instance of the descendant class. |
| US07665058B2 |
Customizable development and demonstration platform for structured ASICs
The present invention is directed to a customizable development and demonstration platform for structured ASICs. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the present platform may include a structured ASIC which is built on a slice and which may be flexible enough for a number of possible application developments. This flexibility may be achieved by incorporating a programmable processor in the structured ASIC and by defining interfaces and the use of an external FPGA in the present platform. The structured ASIC may include a complete ARM processor subsystem and a plurality of high speed SERDES ports. The processor subsystem may include a bus interface to the external FPGA, allowing custom gate development and test in the FPGA, prior to incorporating it into the customer product. Through the SERDES ports, the test block may be used to show the electrical characteristics of the SERDES IP. In addition, some SERDES ports may be driven from a link layer realized in the FPGA. This may allow the same chip and board to implement SATA (serial advanced technology attachment), GigE, XAUI, XGXS, Fiber Channel, and the like by changing the programming of the FPGA on the board. |
| US07665057B2 |
Method for calculating optimal length of trace between adjoining bends and computer accessible storage media
A method for calculating optimal length of trace between adjoining bends is disclosed. First, a rising time Tr of signal of a trace is defined, and a unit transmitting delay TD of the trace and a transmitting delay Td3 of bend in the trace are calculated. A transmitting delay Td2 of a trace segment between the adjoining bends in the trace is calculated with Tr and Td3. Finally, an equation L2=Td2/TD is calculated for obtaining the optimal length L2 of the trace between a first bend and a second bend. |
| US07665055B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus design method in which dummy line is placed in close proximity to signal line
A design method places a dummy line in floating state in a line layer of a semiconductor apparatus by using a computer. The method includes a first step of reading layout data and placing a dummy line with a longitudinal side lying in parallel with a signal line in an area where a pattern density of the signal line in a prescribed area is equal to or lower than a density lower limit, and a second step of dividing a dummy line placed in an area where a distance from the signal line is equal to or shorter than a dummy dividing distance. |
| US07665049B2 |
Method for identifying semiconductor integrated circuit device, method for manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuit device, semiconductor integrated circuit device and semiconductor chip
In the manufacturing process of a semiconductor integrated circuit device, a plurality of identification elements having the same arrangement are formed and the relation of magnitude in a physical amount corresponding to variations in the process of the plurality of identification elements is employed as identification information unique to the semiconductor integrated circuit device. |
| US07665047B2 |
Method for performing post-synthesis circuit optimization
Two methods for post-synthesis circuit optimization are disclosed. In both methods, the underlying variability in process parameters is captured through a robust linear program. The robust linear program is then reformulated as a second order conic program that possesses special structural properties to allow for a computationally efficient solution by using interior point optimization methods. The first method treats gate delays as uncertain quantities and obtains the optimal sizes for gates in a circuit under a probabilistically specified circuit timing target. The second method optimizes total circuit power by using a combination of dual threshold voltage assignment and gate sizing. Both circuit power and timing are treated probabilistically. |
| US07665043B2 |
Menu navigation and operation feature for a handheld computer
A handheld computer is provided having a housing, a display and a processor. The processor is configured to detect an input corresponding to a menu request, to active a first menu on the display in response to the menu request, process navigation input that causes a menu bar of the active menu to become selectable, and to process selection input for selecting the menu bar when it is selectable. The processor is configured to cancel activation of the menu in response to the menu bar being selected. |
| US07665041B2 |
Architecture for controlling a computer using hand gestures
Architecture for implementing a perceptual user interface. The architecture comprises alternative modalities for controlling computer application programs and manipulating on-screen objects through hand gestures or a combination of hand gestures and verbal commands. The perceptual user interface system includes a tracking component that detects object characteristics of at least one of a plurality of objects within a scene, and tracks the respective object. Detection of object characteristics is based at least in part upon image comparison of a plurality of images relative to a course mapping of the images. A seeding component iteratively seeds the tracking component with object hypotheses based upon the presence of the object characteristics and the image comparison. A filtering component selectively removes the tracked object from the object hypotheses and/or at least one object hypothesis from the set of object hypotheses based upon predetermined removal criteria. |
| US07665040B2 |
Information processing apparatus utilizing real image data
An information processing apparatus has a first section for specifying a selection range with respect to a real image displayed on a display screen, a second section for acquiring image data corresponding to the real image in the specified selection range, a third section for obtaining a spot specified by user based on an input item when the user inputs a specific item such as name and location by which the spot such as a facility can be determined, and a fourth section means for obtaining a display position of a real image of the obtained spot. Based on the obtained position, an area containing the real image of the spot specified by the user is specified as the selection range. |
| US07665038B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a display of a data process system
Method and apparatus for controlling a display of a data processing system. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of controlling a display of a data processing system includes: displaying a first list as a scrollable view of items in a first mode; receiving an input to switch from the first mode to a second mode; and displaying, in the second mode, a representation of a command which when activated causes a display of a second list of the items. The first list is displayed within a window and the representation is displayed within the window. According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of controlling a display of a data processing system includes: displaying, in a first mode, a slider control having a slider which can be positioned in one of a plurality of positions to select a corresponding one of a plurality of parameters; receiving an input to switch from the first mode to a second mode; and displaying, in the second mode, a representation of a command which when activated causes a display of a list of items corresponding to at least a subset of the plurality of parameters. |
| US07665037B2 |
Method of learning character segments from received text, and associated handheld electronic device
An improved method of learning character segments from received text enables facilitated text input on an improved handheld electronic device. In receiving text on the handheld electronic device, the characters of the text are converted into the inputs with which the characters correspond. Then, segments and other objects are analyzed to generate a proposed character interpretation of the series of inputs. Responsive to detecting that at least a portion of the character interpretation differs from a corresponding portion of the received text, a character learning string comprising the differing characters of the received text are stored as a candidate. |
| US07665036B1 |
System and method for presenting multiple sets of z-space information in a user interface display
A system and method are disclosed for displaying multiple sets of items on a single page comprising rendering a selection graphic for each set of the multiple sets of items, wherein the rendered selection graphics are arranged adjacent to one another, in response to choosing one of the selection graphics, moving one or more of the adjacent selection graphics away from the chosen one to create a space between the chosen one and the moved one or more of the adjacent selection graphics, and inserting the set of items associated with the chosen one of the selection graphics in the space. |
| US07665035B2 |
Content selection apparatus, system, and method
A media presentation apparatus includes a user preference storage module to store a user preference associated with a user activity and a content selection, coupled to a content selection module to select a content offering based on the user preference. A system includes a media presentation apparatus coupled to a preference manipulation apparatus. A method of processing user preferences includes storing a user preference associated with a user activity and a content selection, and selecting a content offering based on the user preference. The content offering can be selected from a plurality of offerings, based on a combination of user preferences. |
| US07665034B2 |
Accelerated scrolling
A system and method for accelerating scrolling of a display is disclosed. When a wheel of a wheeled pointing device is actuated by a user at a first rotational rate, the display in a window scrolls up or down one line at a time. When the wheel is rotated at a second rotational rate, the display in the window scrolls up or down multiple lines at a time. In additional embodiments, the scrolling technique shifts from one line at a time/multiple lines at a time to a page or pages at a time when the wheel is rotated for at a rotational rate for a minimum period of time. |
| US07665031B2 |
Method and system of taskbar button interfaces
The present invention provides a system or method for displaying rich presentation taskbar buttons for a corresponding application. In one example, the rich presentation taskbar button may receive content from an application through a programming interface. The present invention further relates to a system and method for displaying a rich presentation taskbar button and for displaying and/or dismissing a thumbnail of an application window associated with the rich presentation taskbar button. The present invention may further include a system and method of pinning the thumbnail on a display or dismissing a thumbnail. The present invention also relates to a system and method for displaying multiple taskbar buttons in a taskbar including controlling the size of individual taskbar buttons, consolidating taskbar buttons and placing taskbar buttons into an overflow based on the type of taskbar button in the taskbar. |
| US07665030B2 |
Tabstrip user interface element for formulating boolean statements
A user interface element for manipulating Boolean expressions includes at least one tab panel element operable to define a term of a Boolean expression with each term including one or more condition statements, and an add tab element operable to add an additional tab panel element. The defined terms of each of the tab panel elements are combined to form the Boolean expression. |
| US07665028B2 |
Rich drag drop user interface
In an electronic file system, preview information is provided to the user during a drag operation of a selected object onto a target object. The information indicates what type(s) of action is to be taken should the selected object be dropped onto the target object. The action(s) to be taken may depend upon the type of the selected object and/or the type of the target object. For example, where the selected object is an item and the target object is a persisted auto-list, the action may include adding, removing, or modifying one or more properties of the selected object to conform to one or more criteria defined by the persisted auto-list. Also, numerical feedback may be provided to the user where multiple objects are selected. For example, where seven objects are selected, the textual number “7” may appear next to the cursor. |
| US07665024B1 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling a user interface based on the emotional state of a user
Methods and apparatus for modifying a user interface as a function of the detected emotional state of a system user are described. In one embodiment, stress analysis is performed on received speech to generate an emotional state indicator value, e.g., a stress level indicator value. The stress level indicator value is compared to one or more thresholds. If a first threshold is exceeded the user interface is modified, e.g., the presentation rate of speech is slowed. If a second threshold is not exceeded, another modification to the user interface is made, e.g., the speech presentation rate is accelerated. If the stress level indicator value is between first and second thresholds, user interface operation continues unchanged. The user interface modification techniques of the present invention may be used in combination with known knowledge or expertise based user interface adaptation features. |
| US07665022B1 |
Media management interfacing with refined data structures
Method and apparatus, including a computer program product, implementing techniques for displaying visible representations of project objects associated with a media project, the project objects having characteristics; and in response to a user action that identifies at least one of the characteristics, altering the visible representation of at least one of the project objects based on the identified characteristic. |
| US07665014B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating forms using form types
A method, computer readable medium and system are provided which generate model driven forms that represent data models. Using the method, to generate a form that represents a data model, such as a business model, a selection is made to identify which of a plurality of different logical form types is to be used to generate the form to represent the data model. Then, a logical form is generated at run-time using the data model and the selected logical form type. |
| US07665008B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing a low density parity check code in a wireless system
A low density parity check (LDPC) code is used within a wireless apparatus to perform forward error correction (FEC) coding. In at least embodiment of the invention, a (2000, 1600) bit-length LDPC code is used. |
| US07664999B2 |
Real time testing using on die termination (ODT) circuit
A system and method to operate an electronic device, such as a memory chip, in a test mode using the device's built-in ODT (on die termination) circuit is disclosed. One or more test mode related signals, which include on-die signals and other relevant information, may be transferred from the integrated circuit of the electronic device to an external processor using the device's ODT circuit instead of the output data signal driver circuit. Therefore, no capacitive loading of output drivers occurs during test mode operations. Thus the speed of the output data path (i.e., the circuit path propagating non-test mode related signals from the electronic device to other external units in the system) is not affected by test mode operations, allowing a system designer to increase the speed of the data output path as much as desired. Further, deterioration in the quality of signals output from the output drivers is also avoided. Also, the use of a minimal number of logic gates along with the existing ODT circuits to perform transmission of test mode related signals substantially maximizes chip real estate utilization without waste. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims. |
| US07664996B2 |
Diagnostic operations associated with wireless modem
A visible diagnostic component for an electronic device having a form factor is described. The electronic component comprises a hardware interface component and a processor. The hardware interface component is configured to physically interface with a computer hardware interface associated with a computing device having an operating system. The processor is configured to perform a first operation that tests the communications with a device driver that is related to the electronic device. The first operation generates a first signal that indicates the result of the first operation. The second operation performed by the processor tests the communications between the wireless device and the operating system of the computing device. The second operation is configured to generate a second signal that indicates the result of the second operation. |
| US07664988B2 |
Gaming apparatus having memory fault detection
An information processing device and associated methodology are provided for inspecting a program fault. A first memory stores a boot program executed when the information processing device is initiated for operation. A second memory device is provided for storing an application program. A control device executes a fault inspection program to inspect whether or not a fault has occurred in the second memory device. The fault inspection program is stored in the first memory device and is initiated upon initialization of the information processing device. |
| US07664986B2 |
System and method for determining fault isolation in an enterprise computing system
A system and method for determining fault isolation in an enterprise computing system is disclosed. A method includes automatically troubleshooting errors in an enterprise computing system that receives at an analyzer engine a status notification from a first component. In response to receiving the status notification, the method automatically selects a first analyzer policy file from a set of analyzer policy files based on the status notification received at the analyzer engine, wherein the analyzer policy file contains troubleshooting logic for determining root causes for errors. The method automatically attempts to communicate with a second component based on the troubleshooting logic within the first analyzer policy file. The method automatically determines a root cause for the status notification based on the troubleshooting logic in the selected analyzer policy file and based on information obtained in connection with the attempt to communicate with the second component. |
| US07664981B2 |
Method of restoring source data of hard disk drive and method of reading system information thereof
A method of restoring source data if the source data written in a system region of a hard disk drive and mirror data, which is a copy of the source data, are both damaged, in which the source data is read on a sector basis and error-free sectors and error-generated sectors are determined. The mirror data is read on a sector basis in such a way that sectors corresponding to the error-generated sectors are read. Source data is restored by merging source data read from the error-free sectors and mirror data read from the sectors corresponding to the error-generated sectors. |
| US07664979B2 |
Method for adjusting monitor clock phase that selects scaler threshold voltage corresponding to period having reference number of pulses
An exemplary method for adjusting clock phase of a monitor includes: setting a reference threshold voltage, when an input voltage of image signals is greater than the reference threshold voltage, a scaler begins to receive clock phases generated by a Phase Locked Loop; dividing the clock phase into a plurality of equal periods, recording a corresponding input voltage at each point dividing two adjacent period, and setting the corresponding input voltage as a threshold voltage of the next period; recording a quantity of the clock pulses in each period; evaluating whether a period of the clock phase is a regular period according to whether the quantity of clock pulse in the period is equal to a reference quantity or not, while the input voltage is generating retardation; and selecting the input voltage of the image signals corresponding to a regular period as a threshold voltage of the scaler. |
| US07664975B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling power of monitor
An apparatus and method for controlling the power of a monitor where the monitor can be automatically powered on and off according to the state of power of a PC. The apparatus includes a computer outputting a predetermined signal indicating whether the computer is powered on or off; and a monitor receiving the predetermined signal and powering on and off according to the predetermined signal. |
| US07664974B2 |
Storage control device and control method therefor
A storage control device comprises: a first I/O control unit for controlling read/write of data from/to one or more HDDs (Hard Disk Drives); a second I/O control unit whose current consumption is approximately equal to that of the first I/O control unit; two or more first power supply devices supplying electric power to the first I/O control unit; two or more second power supply devices supplying electric power to the second I/O control unit; and at least three circuit breakers receiving electric power supplied from outside and supplying the electric power to the first and second power supply devices while interrupting the supply of the electric power when current exceeding a preset level passes. Each of the first/second power supply devices includes a current balancing circuit for equalizing output currents of the first/second power supply devices. |
| US07664972B2 |
System and method for controlling power delivered to a powered device based on cable characteristics
A system and method for discovering a cable type and resistance for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications. Cabling power loss in PoE applications is related to the resistance of the cable itself. A PHY can be designed to measure electrical characteristics (e.g., insertion loss, cross talk, length, etc.) of the Ethernet cable to enable determination of the cable resistance. The determined resistance can be used in powering decisions and in adjusting power budgets allocated to power source equipment ports. |
| US07664970B2 |
Method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory. |
| US07664965B2 |
Method and system for bootstrapping a trusted server having redundant trusted platform modules
Multiple trusted platform modules within a data processing system are used in a redundant manner that provides a reliable mechanism for securely storing secret data at rest that is used to bootstrap a system trusted platform module. A hypervisor requests each trusted platform module to encrypt a copy of the secret data, thereby generating multiple versions of encrypted secret data values, which are then stored within a non-volatile memory within the trusted platform. At some later point in time, the encrypted secret data values are retrieved, decrypted by the trusted platform module that performed the previous encryption, and then compared to each other. If any of the decrypted values do not match a quorum of values from the comparison operation, then a corresponding trusted platform module for a non-matching decrypted value is designated as defective because it has not been able to correctly decrypt a value that it previously encrypted. |
| US07664963B2 |
Data collectors in connection-based intrusion detection
A system for detecting network intrusions and other conditions in a network is described. The system includes a plurality of collector devices that are disposed to collect data and statistical information on packets that are sent between nodes on a network. An aggregator device is disposed to receive data and statistical information from the plurality of collector devices. The aggregator device produces a connection table that maps each node on the network to a record that stores information about traffic to or from the node. The aggregator runs processes that determine network events from aggregating of anomalies into network events. |
| US07664956B2 |
Method and system for real-time control of document printing
A method for secure printing is presented. A document management system (DMS) is provided within a server computer for storing, displaying and printing a plurality of documents. At least a portion of the documents require authentication information for displaying and printing. A web-based capture protection system is provided that prevents proprietary content displayed on a display device from being screen-captured. The web-based capture protection system is combined with the DMS to augment the DMS with capture protection of displayed documents, including intercepting retrieval requests from a client computer to display documents from the DMS. |
| US07664954B2 |
Providing apparatus, providing method, communication device, communication method, and program
A providing apparatus that provides information required for a secure communication to first and second devices includes a receiving unit for receiving candidates for parameters used for the secure communication from the first and second devices; a generating unit for generating the information required for the secure communication based on the candidates for the parameters received from the first and second devices; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the information required for the secure communication, generated by the generating unit, to the first and second devices. |
| US07664951B2 |
Transmitting apparatus for providing information by effective use of bands
A transmitting apparatus adapted to effectively use the band for transferring programs of television broadcasting. A program of a first channel transmitted from the transmitting side can be viewed in real time on the receiving side. A program of a second channel is transmitted to the receiving side in advance in a time zone of lower audience rate than other time zones and stored in a storage device of the receiving side. Each program to be stored is encrypted. When a provision time of a program comes, the data such as a key are transmitted from the transmitting side to the receiving side along with the program data of the first channel. The receiving side extracts the data such as a key and, by use of the extracted data, provides the program stored in the storage device to viewers. |
| US07664949B2 |
Certifying and grouping distributed objects
Disclosed herein is a technique for certifying distributable objects. The technique involves creating a certification for each distributable object to indicate properties of the object. Using certifications such as this, it is possible to accept objects having certain properties only from specified entities. |
| US07664946B2 |
System and method of guaranteed anonymity of cable television viewership behavior
A system and method for permitting viewership behavior on a cable television system, or satellite system, to be analyzed while guaranteeing the anonymity of the individual viewers. Using this system and method, the content of the message initiated by a consumer device, that is configured to receive television programming content, cannot be known by the cable operator even though the cable operator can identify the source of the message; alternatively, the entity that analyzes viewership behavior cannot know the source of the message but can know the content of the message. |
| US07664944B2 |
Booting from a compressed image
Accessing files within a compressed image to boot from the compressed image. In one embodiment, the compressed image includes a boot environment and a software image combined to reduce file redundancy. The invention boots into the boot environment within the compressed image to install the software image on a computer. |
| US07664942B1 |
Recovering a subordinate strand from a branch misprediction using state information from a primary strand
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes program code in a processor. The system starts by executing the program code in a normal mode using a primary strand while concurrently executing the program code ahead of the primary strand using a subordinate strand in a scout mode. Upon resolving a branch using the subordinate strand, the system records a resolution for the branch in a speculative branch resolution table. Upon subsequently encountering the branch using the primary strand, the system uses the recorded resolution from the speculative branch resolution table to predict a resolution for the branch for the primary strand. Upon determining that the resolution of the branch was mispredicted for the primary strand, the system determines that the subordinate strand mispredicted the branch. The system then recovers the subordinate strand to the branch and restarts the subordinate strand executing the program code. |
| US07664934B2 |
Data processor decoding instruction formats using operand data
A data processor according to the present invention executes instructions described in first and second instruction formats. The first instruction format defines a register-addressing field of a predetermined size, while the second instruction format defines a register-addressing field of a size larger than that of the register-addressing field defined by the first instruction format. The data processor includes: instruction-type identifier, responsive to an instruction, for identifying the received instruction as being described in the first or second instruction format by the instruction itself; a first register file including a plurality of registers; and a second register file also including a plurality of registers, the number of the registers included in the second register file being larger than that of the registers included in the first register file. If the instruction-type identifier has identified the received instruction as being described in the first instruction format, the data processor executes the instruction using data held in the first register file. On the other hand, if the instruction-type identifier has identified the received instruction as being described in the second instruction format, the data processor executes the instruction using data held in the second register file. |
| US07664931B2 |
Scalable and configurable multimedia system for a vehicle
A scalable and fully configurable computing architecture for a mobile multimedia architecture used in a vehicle includes a head unit having a processor, a field programmable gate array and a memory. The processor and the memory are configured to communicate over a first bus that is a dedicated memory bus, and the processor and the field programmable gate array are configured to communicate over a separate second bus. The field programmable gate array is configured to be loaded from memory with part of a multimedia vehicle-related application-specific functionality that is executable by the field programmable gate array, and the processor is cooperatively operable with the field programmable gate array to execute another portion of the multimedia vehicle-related application-specific functionality. The multimedia vehicle-related application-specific functionality in the field programmable gate array may be changed with software and downloaded to the field programmable gate array in the field. In addition, due to the first and second busses being recognized industry standard busses, any of the processor, the field programmable gate array and the memory are fully scaleable and configurable. |
| US07664928B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing user-defined interfaces for a configurable processor
A technique that improves both processor performance and associated data bandwidth through user-defined interfaces that can be added to a configurable and extensible microprocessor core. These interfaces can be used to communicate status or control information and to achieve synchronization between the processor and any external device including other processors. These interfaces can also be used to achieve data transfer at the rate of one data element per interface in every clock cycle. This technique makes it possible to design multiprocessor SOC systems with high-speed data transfer between processors without using the memory subsystem. Such a system and design methodology offers a complete shift from the standard bus-based architecture and allows designers to treat processors more like true computational units, so that designers can more effectively utilize programmable solutions rather than design dedicated hardware. This can have dramatic effects not only in the performance and bandwidth achieved by designs, but also in the time to market and reuse of such designs. |
| US07664918B2 |
Handling fetch requests that return out-of-order at an instruction fetch unit
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that handles instruction fetch requests that return out-of-order at an IFU of a processor. During operation, the system sends a request to obtain a cache line to an instruction cache, wherein the request can be serviced and the cache line can be sent to a fetch buffer before a preceding cache line for a preceding request has returned from the instruction cache. In response to the request, the system receives the cache line from the instruction cache. Next, the system determines whether the cache line was returned out-of-order with respect to the preceding cache line. If so, the system performs an action to handle the out-of-order return. |
| US07664917B2 |
Device and method for caching control, and computer product
A caching control device that controls caching of data stored in a storage device, includes a storing unit that stores information concerning memory allocated to the storage device as its cache memory, where the storing unit is installed in a first computer connected to a second computer via a network, and the second computer manages reading and writing of data to the storage device; and a controller that controls the caching of the data that uses a memory installed in the first computer as cache memory, based on the information stored in the storing unit. |
| US07664914B2 |
Hierarchical control apparatus of hierarchical storage system and method for maintaining and managing duplexed media
A control unit of a hierarchical control apparatus holds information in which one of duplexed library apparatuses is set as a master and the other is set as a slave for each medium in each of the duplexed library apparatuses, and statistical information about each of the library apparatuses. The control unit includes an automatic redundant copy unit detecting that a statistical information of a medium reaches a predetermined amount, replacing the medium with a free medium, and copying data to the free medium, a master/slave setting unit setting the medium to which the data is copied and the other medium as a master or a slave such that a load is even between the duplexed library apparatuses according to the statistical information, and a unit copying and reading the requested data to the disk array apparatus by prioritizing one of the duplexed library apparatuses including the medium set as a master when there is no requested data in the disk array apparatus. |
| US07664910B2 |
Data management method and apparatus, hierarchical storage apparatus and computer-readable storage medium
A data management method is adapted to a hierarchical virtual storage system which virtually uses a library apparatus having a plurality of recording media as a portion of a hard disk apparatus. The data management method manages loading of the recording media to the library apparatus and unloading of the recording media from the library apparatus in a database in units of a set that is formed by a plurality of recording media, and forms a logical volume, which is a recording unit of a data file with respect to the library apparatus, by one or a plurality of recording media, and manages the logical volume in the database in correspondence with the set. |
| US07664909B2 |
Method and apparatus for a shared I/O serial ATA controller
An apparatus and method is provided for allowing one or more processing complexes to share a disk controller, particularly a serial ATA (SATA) controller. Each processing complex utilizes its own load-store domain to couple to the shared SATA controller, either directly, or indirectly through a shared I/O switch. Ultimately, requests from the processing complexes are presented to the switch with operating system domain header (OSD header) information so that the shared SATA controller can determine which request came from which processing complex, and allocate resources accordingly. Upstream responses from the shared SATA controller include the OSD header so that the shared I/O switch can accurately route the responses to their respective processing complexes. The shared SATA controller includes OSD ID logic to determine the source/result of packets, one or more task files to support multiple processing complexes, and one or more DMA engines to improve performance for requests from multiple processing complexes. |
| US07664908B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and operating method of the same
A semiconductor memory device adapted to burst transmission is provided for improving flexibility of data write operation. The semiconductor memory device is composed of a memory array, a set of write registers, and an input buffer designed to sequentially receive a series of write data during a burst cycle, and to write the write data into the associated write registers. The device also includes a write release register containing a set of write release flags associated with the write registers, respectively, and a write release register controller asserting the associated write release flags in response to the write data being written into the associated write registers. The device also contains a write amplifier designed to concurrently write the write data contained in the write registers associated with the asserted write release flags, selectively, when the burst cycle is aborted in response to a control signal. |
| US07664901B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for arbitrating access to a shared resource
A data processing apparatus and method are providing for arbitrating access to a shared resource. The data processing apparatus has a plurality of logic elements sharing access to the shared resource, and arbitration circuitry which is responsive to requests by one or more of the logic elements for access to the shared resource to perform a priority determination operation to select one of the requests as a winning request. The arbitration circuitry applies an arbitration policy to associate priorities with each logic element, the arbitration policy comprising multiple priority groups, each priority group having a different priority and containing at least one of the logic elements. Within each priority group, the arbitration circuitry applies a priority ordering operation to attribute relative priorities to the logic elements within that priority group. Responsive to a predetermined event, the arbitration circuitry re-applies the priority ordering operation within at least one priority group prior to a subsequent performance of the priority determination operation. Such an approach has been found to provide a particularly flexible mechanism for performing arbitration, allowing a wide variety of different arbitration schemes to be implemented using the same arbitration hardware. |
| US07664899B2 |
Communication system, communication apparatus, control method therefor, and computer program
In a communication system, one of a plurality of communication apparatuses that acts as a host controls data transmission and the other communication apparatuses that act as devices perform data transmission under control of the host over a predetermined communication interface. The communication apparatuses have both host and device roles, and are configured to exchange the host and device roles by using a predetermined communication protocol are connected to the predetermined communication interface. A first apparatus acts as a host and a second apparatus as a device. The second apparatus transmits information concerning the second apparatus to the first apparatus. The first apparatus compares the transmitted information with information concerning the first apparatus to determine whether or not to switch the host and device roles according to a predetermined criterion. In response to an affirmative determination, the host and device roles are switched by using the predetermined communication protocol. |
| US07664895B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic instrument
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip stacked on the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip includes a high-speed serial I/F circuit which transfers serial data between the high-speed serial I/F circuit and an external device through a serial bus, and transfers parallel data between the high-speed serial I/F circuit and an internal circuit included in the first semiconductor chip. A physical layer circuit of the high-speed serial I/F circuit is disposed on a first side of the second semiconductor chip which is the short side, and a logic circuit is disposed on a third side opposite to the first side. |
| US07664893B2 |
Media drive control system and method
Media drive control system and method. The media drive control system comprises a player console, a user operation filter, and a plurality of playback management devices. The player console provides an instant user operation (UOP) according to a received user command. The user operation filter comprises a queue and a management device. The queue receives and stores a plurality of UOPs, and outputs stored UOPs as control instructions on a first-in-first-out basis. The management device determines whether the queue is full. If the queue is full, the management device discards at least one of the stored UOPs prior to storing the instant UOP in the queue. Each playback management device receives control instructions for controlling corresponding playback devices. |
| US07664890B2 |
System control device
A system control device comprises a system LSI section having a plurality of functional blocks, a system control microcomputer section for controlling the control register of each of the functional blocks, an address decoding section for decoding an access address to a predetermined byte in a control register which the system control microcomputer section attempts to access, and issuing an access control signal to the whole of a single control register including the predetermined byte, an access control section for changing the access control signal to the whole of the single control register to an access control signal to the predetermined bytes of the plurality of control registers included in the system LSI section, with respect to access to an address to the predetermined byte, and an access mode control register for indicating whether or not the changing by the access control section is to be performed. |
| US07664885B2 |
Communication system with automatic configuration of the communication interface
The present invention provides a communication system comprising a Master unit (1) and at least one Client unit (3), means to automatically establish a wireless bi-directional connection between said Client unit and said Master unit when they are close together; and means to automatically configure a communication interface (5) between said Master unit and said Client unit after connection is established. The invention thus enables systems with different protocols to find and communicate via said configured communication interface (5). |
| US07664882B2 |
System and method for accessing multimedia content
Systems and methods described herein provide access to multimedia content of varying types from a variety of sources using a uniform resource locator (URL). |
| US07664880B2 |
Lightweight address for widely-distributed ADHOC multicast groups
Delivery of a message over a communications network from a sender based on a single delivery address. The single delivery address is generated as one unit for the message. The single delivery address has a collection of recipient addresses including one or more recipient addresses each identifying at least one recipient of the message. Each of the one or more recipient addresses includes a user level information and a domain level information. The generated single delivery address with the collection of recipient addresses is included in the message. A copy of the message is provided to the identified recipient(s) as a function of the domain level information of the one or more recipient addresses. The message is transmitted over the communications network to the identified recipient(s) recipient based on the collection of recipient addresses. |
| US07664873B1 |
Generating path-centric traffic information for analysis using an association of packet-centric information to path-centric information
Samples from an addressed data forwarding devices, such as a router, are associated with path-centric information. Information from the samples is used to update corresponding path-centric traffic information, such as flow information for example. The aggregated path-centric traffic information can then be used by traffic analysis operations. |
| US07664872B2 |
Media transfer protocol
A computer device selected as a media server is connected to a consumer electronic (CE) device over multiple media transfer channels. The multiple media transfer channels together with an improved media transfer protocol allow for efficient, real-time transfer of different types of digital media, in various combinations, for playing on the CE device. Each type of media is transferred over its own dedicated channel according to its individual data rate. The improved media transfer protocol allows the data to be transmitted in either an asynchronous mode or a synchronous stream or timestamp mode depending on whether synchronization is desired. A dedicated control channel allows for the transfer of control information from the CE device to the media server as well as for resynchronizing media position of the server upon a change in play mode of the corresponding media. |
| US07664866B2 |
Sub-tree access control in network architectures
A logical network directory database compliant with the X.500 standard for a directory data system is disclosed. The network directory database provides a source of subscriber and service data accessible by various control and management processes that require subscriber information. The network directory database may be extensible across various communications service providers and IT domain. Further, the disclosed network directory database may be applied to new and existing services, such as, IP Multimedia Subsystem, Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) and other IP services. |
| US07664856B2 |
Dynamically balancing user experiences in a multi-user computing system
A media experience policy engine includes three components: an information manager, a policy evaluator, and an enforcement module. The information manager collects information regarding the current state of a media delivery system, such as, for example, usage of a CPU, memory, hard disk, (I/O) interface, and a network. This collected data is then verified by the policy evaluator to see if resource contention is, or is close to, occurring. If so, existing or potential conflicts are dealt with by the enforcement module, which applies corrections, such as, for example, limiting the access of later chronologic users, or degrading the user experience of all users, in accordance with a desired policy in order to vitiate the resource contention and maintain a user experience consistent with the desired policy. |
| US07664850B2 |
System for measuring communication quality and method thereof
A system for measuring a communication quality and a method thereof are disclosed. The system includes: a first communication quality measuring unit for requesting a second communication quality measuring unit to transmit a test traffic, measuring a communication quality from the test traffic received from the second communication quality measuring unit as a response of the request, and controlling a generation frequency and an amount of test traffic for a next communication quality measuring stage by analyzing the measured communication quality; and the second communication quality measuring unit for generating a test traffic by controlling a generation frequency and an amount of the test traffic according to a request of the first communication quality measuring unit. |
| US07664848B2 |
System and method for monitoring networked devices employing RSS functionality
A system and method are provided for monitoring networked devices using RSS. Status information from the one or more networked devices may be collected by an RSS aggregator. The status information may be assembled into one or more RSS feeds, enabling a user such as an administrator to monitor the status of the network from any network accessible location. |
| US07664845B2 |
System and method for network vulnerability detection and reporting
A system and method provide comprehensive and highly automated testing of vulnerabilities to intrusion on a target network, including identification of operating system, identification of target network topology and target computers, identification of open target ports, assessment of vulnerabilities on target ports, active assessment of vulnerabilities based on information acquired from target computers, quantitative assessment of target network security and vulnerability, and hierarchical graphical representation of the target network, target computers, and vulnerabilities in a test report. The system and method employ minimally obtrusive techniques to avoid interference with or damage to the target network during or after testing. |
| US07664839B1 |
Automatic device classification service on storage area network
A method, system, computer system, and computer-readable medium to classify a storage device on a SAN prior to allocating the storage device for data storage. A device accessible via a storage area network is detected, and access to the device by a node on the storage area network is established. The device is accessed by a recognizer to determine the type of the device and information about contents of the device. The type of the device can be checked for compatibility with a requester sending a request for a storage device. By checking the compatibility between storage devices and nodes before allocation, spending resources to allocate incompatible storage is avoided and costs of storage management are reduced. Classification information about devices and nodes can be stored in a persistent data store that can be accessed by nodes connected to the SAN. |
| US07664837B2 |
Data transmitting system using multicast addresses for networked resources
There is provided a data transmitting system for transmitting data to be processed through a TCP/IP-based network. The data transmitting system includes a first device having an identification information obtaining system that transmits first data through the network using a first multicast address, and a data transmitting system that transmits the data to be processed through the network using a second multicast address. The data transmitting system further includes a second device having an identification information transmitting system that transmits second data containing the identification information of the second device through the network using a third multicast address, and a data receiving system that receives the data to be processed. |
| US07664834B2 |
Distributed operating system management
A system and method are provided for a distributed operating system manager. In one example, the method includes retrieving an internet protocol address of a boot server connected to a client computer via a network; determining whether the boot server is available via the network; transferring to the boot server a description of an operating system on the client computer; validating hardware credentials of the client computer; and determining whether to perform a remote boot process. |
| US07664833B2 |
System and method for managing multiple connections to a server
A method for managing connections between at least one client and at least one data server, said method comprises: (a) providing an intermediary connection apparatus comprising connections to a plurality of clients over a WAN or a LAN environment, said apparatus comprising memory buffers and at least one connection to each of said at least one data server(s) being continuously open; (b) establishing a client network connection between said apparatus and one of said clients via a network; (c) receiving a client request to receive a response from a data server over said client network connection; (d) forwarding to the data server either a request or a partial request; (e) limiting the size of the response or partial response that the server is allowed to provide at a given time to said apparatus in response to said client request; and (f) buffering data encoding requests and responses in said apparatus according to data traffic load over the connection to said server and to said client, respectively. |
| US07664832B1 |
RF data channel API for mobile station client applications
A method of optimizing data transmissions to a wireless device is provided. In particular, a client application may discover the data rate of the wireless connection, and provide that information to a media server. The media server may then provide content to the application over the wireless connection, where the level of media detail provided is best suited for transmission at the available data rate. |
| US07664827B2 |
Server, information providing method and recording medium for distributing a terminal with information containing menu and link arranged on image
A server for distributing information provided by an information provider as an information element group consisting of one or more information elements connected, to a user terminal. The server includes means for creating a hierarchical structure between the information elements via an image, means for receiving an access to an image related to the first information element, means for searching a second information element constituting a hierarchical structure with the first information element via the image, and means for arranging the second information element on the image and distributing it to the user terminal. |
| US07664824B2 |
System for transmission/reception of e-mail with attached files
A mail gateway generates an identifier for each attached file included in the e-mail addressed to a user and held in a mail server, and notifies a mail terminal belonging to the user of a list of generated IDs. When the user selects attached files that the user wants to attach to the e-mail from the list of IDs that is notified from the mail gateway, the mail gateway constructs e-mail including the selected attached files and the mail server transmits the constructed e-mail to addresses of the receivers of the e-mail. |
| US07664819B2 |
Incremental anti-spam lookup and update service
The present invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates incrementally updating spam filters in near real time or real time. Incremental updates can be generated in part by difference learning. Difference learning involves training a new spam filter based on new data and then looking for the differences between the new spam filter and the existing spam filter. Differences can be determined at least in part by comparing the absolute values of parameter changes (weight changes of a feature between the two filters). Other factors such as frequency of parameters can be employed as well. In addition, available updates with respect to particular features or messages can be looked up using one or more lookup tables or databases. When incremental and/or feature-specific updates are available, they can be downloaded such as by a client for example. Incremental updates can be automatically provided or can be provided by request according to client or server preferences. |
| US07664813B2 |
Dynamic data presentation
Dynamic data presentation is described. In an embodiment, drawing instructions are captured as a template at a content provider, and the drawing instructions template is communicated to the computing-based client device that processes the drawing instructions to render a presentation layout in which the dynamic data can be displayed. In another embodiment, content is received at a computing-based client device where the content includes dynamic data and templates that each defines the presentation for a different dynamic data type. The client device determines the type of the dynamic data and selects a template to bind and present the dynamic data for display where the template is selected based on the determined type of the dynamic data. The dynamic data is then rendered for display based on the selected template at the computing-based client device. Subsequent updates to the dynamic data do not require re-downloading the presentation layout of the template. |
| US07664808B2 |
Efficient real-time computation of FIR filter coefficients
Systems and methods for determining coefficients of an Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter are disclosed. The FIR filter coefficients are computed by determining a sine of an input value and an inverse of the input value. The sine of the input signal and the inverse of the input signal are multiplied together to form a sinc value of the input value. The sinc value is employed to determine the coefficient. The system and method can be repeated to compute any number of FIR filter coefficients in real-time. The sine of the input signal is computed utilizing a memory lookup table. The memory lookup table includes pairs of uniformly distributed values for the sine and cosine functions in the range of 0 to π. The inverse of the input value is computed using an inverse memory lookup table, a most significant digit and a remainder. The coefficient is then computed from a product of the sine of the input signal and the inverse of the input signal. Thus, the coefficient is computable in real-time without the use of previously computed and stored coefficients. |
| US07664804B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for exposing workbook ranges as data sources
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for exposing and utilizing workbook ranges as server data sources. The system includes a client computer capable of executing a spreadsheet application program for creating a workbook including a range that includes data objects. The workbook may be published to a server computer where the specified data objects are exposed as server data sources. The server computer allows client applications to discover and connect to the data objects contained within the workbook as server data sources. |
| US07664803B2 |
Information search apparatus and method, and computer readable memory
A search request input processing unit holds an input query word in a query word holding unit. An associative word unfolding processing unit acquires associative words in association with the query word held in the query word holding unit with reference to an associative word dictionary. An image content search processing unit using associative words makes a keyword search of image information on the basis of the obtained associative words and the query word. A sensory pattern unfolding processing unit obtains the query word and sensory patterns corresponding to associative words of the query word, and searches image information using feature amounts of the obtained sensory patterns. A search result integration processing unit integrates the search results obtained by the image content word search processing unit and sensory pattern search processing unit. |
| US07664801B2 |
Interactive remote wireless system and method to assist in real estate transactions, and the like
A system and apparatus to provide remote interactive access to multiple databases and, specifically, related to a system and apparatus to provide remote interactive access to real estate information related databases using a portable, voice interactive computing device with GPS capabilities and “smart” computer features. The system combines access to search engines configured to retrieve real estate listings, publicly available statistics about a specific geographic area, and retrieval of stored forms specific to completing an offer for real estate. The device can have several components in various combinations including a touch sensitive screen, a keyboard, a processor, GPS circuitry, a microphone, an audio device, wireless circuitry, cellular circuitry, a data jack, a wireless remote, and a camera. Software utilizing those components maximizes efficiency for a real estate agent in the field. |
| US07664800B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing resource on java environment
Provided are an apparatus for managing resources in a Java environment and a method of managing the same, in which in confirming finalized states of a plurality of reference objects and finalizable objects classified according to accessibility from a program to be currently executed, an order confirming whether the respective objects are finalized is changed. The apparatus includes an accessibility confirming unit confirming whether an object to which a memory resource is allocated is accessible through a route set, an access path confirming unit confirming access paths to the object according to the confirmed result by the accessibility confirming unit, a control unit determining an order of the access paths, and a resource releasing unit releasing the memory resource allocated to the object according to the order of the access paths. |
| US07664799B2 |
In-memory space management for database systems
A framework for in-memory space management for content management database systems is provided. A per-instance in-memory dispenser is partitioned. An incoming transaction takes a latch on a partition and obtains sufficient block usage to perform and complete the transaction. Generating redo information is decoupled from transaction level processing and, instead, is performed when block requests are loaded into the in-memory dispenser or synced therefrom to a per-instance on-disk structure. |
| US07664797B1 |
Method and apparatus for using statistical process control within a storage management system
A method and apparatus for using a statistical process control to establish alarm criteria for backup processes in a storage management system. The method and apparatus accumulates sample parameters for a plurality of backup runs to build a statistical model of the backup process. The parameters collected from subsequent backup runs are compared to the norms within the model to determine whether the current backup fulfills those norms or is outside of those norms. If the current backup parameters are outside the norms, an alarm is triggered to indicate an abnormal situation. |
| US07664795B2 |
Apparatus and method for database migration
Systems and methods consistent with concepts of the present embodiment of the inventive concept provide mechanisms for database migration from one database (source database platform) platform to another (target database platform). The target and source databases can be any relational databases including, without limitation, Oracle, SQL Server (Microsoft), DB2 UDB (IBM), Sybase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The inventive methodology will work well for migration of any relational database that implements SQL language from one platform to another. A feature of the invention is the provision of a virtual engine enabling the running of an original application on a migrated database. |
| US07664794B2 |
Content-based storage management
A system and method for data management according to the content of the data. The present invention enables data to be stored in one of a plurality of different storage options according to at least one characteristic of the data, in which the at least one characteristic is related to the content of the data. The present invention comprises a rule-based storage management mechanism for the processes of archiving and/or retrieving data. It should be noted that at least one storage option according to the present invention is optionally deletion and/or destruction of the data, such that the data may optionally be removed from storage media or may optionally not be stored initially on the storage media. Optionally and more preferably, the data is stored for a time interval according to the at least one characteristic of the data. Most preferably, the data is moved to a different type of storage option after an event occurs, for example the time interval has elapsed. |
| US07664791B1 |
Concurrent creation of persistent point-in-time images of multiple independent file systems
A storage server maintains multiple file systems in a storage subsystem. A read-only, persistent, point-in-time image of all of the file systems is generated in one atomic operation. |
| US07664788B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing cached files
Described is a system and method that synchronizes cached files and directories with a server's files and directories via a layered architecture, by collapsing state information into an index into a fixed set of known states, and looking up the action that synchronizes that state. The actions are then taken to synchronize the content. Any of fifty possible synchronization states are thus handled. A synchronization controller requests a subsystem to evaluate a local cache and remote file system to generate state flags for each item considered for synchronization. The synchronization controller processes the state information to identify a selected table from among a plurality of tables that contain the fifty values, and uses other flags to compute an index into the table. The selected table contains values that index into an action table containing actions that specify an operation set that is requested to synchronize the particular state scenario. |
| US07664781B2 |
File operations with persistent file locking techniques
File systems which provide several different and improved locking capabilities. An application on a client workstation communicates through a client driver to a server which interfaces with a metadata database, which contains locking information about the files. Applications perform as normal. The client driver provides lock and unlock requests to the server when a write lock or a read with intent to write lock is required. If only a read lock is considered appropriate, the client driver does not provide a lock request. The server transparently performs read operations and read locking using the metadata database without specific requests from the client driver. When a read with intent to write or write lock is required, the lock ownership is placed with a given expiration time. When the time expires the lock is not automatically released but remains with the particular requesting client driver until another client driver requests it. |
| US07664780B1 |
Process data development and analysis system and method
A process data development and analysis system and method is disclosed. In an example embodiment, the system and method are implemented as a web-based tool that supports varied activities for defining and managing all aspects of production line processes used in a manufacturing environment. Software modules provide features and functionality for process and unit management as well as administration and report generation. Manufacturing processes comprise a plurality of units of operation, and a unit of operation comprises one or more working point details (i.e., tasks). Times are associated with each unit of operation so that the manufacturer may understand and analyze the amount of time required to complete the processes and manufacture the product. The process and unit data may be used to create operation standards for use by associates working on the production line. Report generation features allow a user to produce a variety of reports associated with the processes and units of operation. |
| US07664778B2 |
SQL tuning sets
A method and system for storing one or more database query language statements and performance information for each query language statement as a persistent database object. In one or more embodiments, the method and system stores the resource intensive statements and the performance information for each resource intensive statement as a second persistent database object. |
| US07664777B2 |
Mapping of an RDBMS schema onto a multidimensional data model
A Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) having any arbitrary structure is translated into a multi-dimensional data model suitable for performing OLAP operations upon. If a relational table defining the relational model includes any tables with cardinality of 1,1 or 0,1, the tables are merged into a single table. If the relational table is not normalized, then normalization is performed and a relationship between the original table and the normalized table is created. If the relational table is normalized, but not by dependence between columns, such as in the dimension table in a snowflake schema, the normalization process is performed using the foreign key in order to generate the normalized table. Once the normalized table is generated, OLAP measures are derived from the normalized relational table by an automated method. In addition, OLAP dimensions are derived from the normalized relational table and the results of the OLAP measures derivation by an automated method according to the present invention. According to an aspect, it is possible to associate a member of a dimension to another member of the same or another dimension. According to another aspect, it is possible to create a new dimension of analysis, the members of which are all the different values that a scalar expression can take on. According to yet another aspect, it is possible to access the various instances of a Reporting Object as members in an OLAP dimension. According to the yet another aspect, it is possible to apply opaque filters or a combination of them to the data that underlies analysis. |
| US07664772B2 |
Method and system for record association management
Embodiments of the present invention relate to forming a network of associations among records of a computer database. The records may relate to logistical operations, and the associations may reflect a status of the logistical operations. According to embodiments, values representing quantities of goods bought, sold and transferred pursuant to the logistical operations may be assigned to the associations to indicate initial conditions and changes in the status of the logistical operations as they go forward. |
| US07664769B1 |
Automation system with automation objects with a directory structure and method for the management of automations objects in a directory structure
An automation system includes at least one automation object, with a directory for storing object names of the at least one automation object. An object name is assigned a directory entry which includes first information data as a reference to the automation object; second information data as a description of technological functionality; and third information data as a description of interfaces of the automation object. This results in immediate and permanent access to currently created (partial) solutions, so that parallel and/or distributed working on automation objects is possible. |
| US07664758B1 |
Integrated database system and method for accessing a plurality of databases
An integrated database system comprises a plurality of database systems connected to one another through a network, each of the plurality of database systems managing its own stored data independently of the other database systems and accessing the stored data in accordance with an access request, and an integrated database unit connected to the network. The integrated database unit includes a directory database which stores a correspondence between each of the data stored in the plurality of database systems and a database system in which each of the data is stored, a directory control unit which acquires, by using the directory database, directory information corresponding to target data of the accepted access request, a database identifying unit which identifies a database system, and a database control unit which issues, on the basis of the acquired directory information, an access request to the database system having the target data of the accepted access request. The database system includes a database server unit which accesses a database in accordance with the access request issued by the integrated database unit. |
| US07664753B2 |
Standing order database search system and method for internet and intranet application
An internet and/or intranet based database search system and method for conducting searches of highly confidential records such as individual patient medical records and to automate the process of securing required approvals to make such records available to a properly authorized and authenticated requesting party. The system's central premise is that the patient has a fundamental right to the confidentiality of their personal medical records and should control that right through specific, informed consent each time that a party requests to receive them. It reinforces the widely held conception of privacy in general as well as of the sanctity of the doctor/patient relationship by granting the doctor the right, subject to the patient's express permission, to initiate a search request. At the same time, it provides an expedited and cost-efficient means for transfer of such records as demanded by many healthcare reform proposals and gives the repositories where these records are held the right to stipulate the specific terms and conditions that must be fulfilled before they will release litigation alleging breaches of patient confidentiality. And it carries out all of documents entrusted to their care, thereby substantially reducing the risk of these legitimate interests in a way that is fast, simple to use and easy to audit. The system optionally includes a billing mechanism to pay for any added cost associated with providing this additional protection; and in its preferred embodiment, is applicable to both digital as well as non-digital records. |
| US07664750B2 |
Distributed system for interactive collaboration
A distributed system for interactive collaboration can facilitate synchronous and asynchronous communications, take advantage of electronic scheduling tools, support a facilitator paradigm, and store meeting communications for later retrieval. The system can create a collaborative environment for members of a team in communication with a computer network. An interactive forum can be provided in the collaborative environment in a manner offering varying degrees of structure for collecting information from the members of the team. The information can then be used to arrive at a collaboratively derived decision. |
| US07664744B2 |
Query categorizer
In response to a user's submission of a set of query terms through an Internet search engine's user interface, the Internet search engine automatically ranks multiple verticals based on the estimated probabilities that those verticals will contain relevant content. After the verticals have been ranked, a set of the highest-ranked verticals is selected. Search results from each of the verticals in the selected set are presented to the user. Thus, the user may obtain a sample from verticals that are the most likely to contain relevant content. The search engine may rank a set of verticals based on historical search result selection data for similar sets of query terms. The historical search result selection data for a set of query terms indicates, for each vertical, the number of times that any user selected a search result from that vertical after conducting a search based on that set of query terms. |
| US07664735B2 |
Method and system for ranking documents of a search result to improve diversity and information richness
A method and system for ranking documents of search results based on information richness and diversity of topics. A ranking system determines the information richness of each document within a search result. The ranking system groups documents of a search result based on their relatedness, meaning that they are directed to similar topics. The ranking system ranks the documents to ensure that the highest ranking documents may include at least one document covering each topic, that is, one document from each of the groups. The ranking system selects the document from each group that has the highest information richness of the documents within the group. When the documents are presented to a user in rank order, the user will likely find on the first page of the search result documents that cover a variety of topics, rather than just a single popular topic. |
| US07664731B2 |
Method and system for storing and retrieving data using hash-accessed multiple data stores
A method and system for storing and retrieving data using hash-accessed multiple data stores, provides data protection while requiring low computational overhead and further provides storage and retrieval access based on only a single piece of access information, which is generally public. The algorithms provide high security against data-mining and other examination of the data stores. The access information is hashed and is split into offset fields used as indices into a plurality of data stores, generating a quasi-random relationship between the access information and the location of portions of a stored data element. Further protection may be provided by striping the data across the data stores in conformity with a striping order selected by a field of the hashed access information. |
| US07664727B2 |
Method of constructing preferred views of hierarchical data
Disclosed is a method of constructing at least one data structure from at least one data source. A representation is constructed of the data source and at least one previous view of the data source. From the representations, at least one compulsory entity (eg. “branch”) is then identified. This may generally be performed by a user selection. The method then constructs the data structure comprising the compulsory entity and one or more context entities, where the context entities are obtained from the representation and context data obtained from the previous view. Typically the data source is hierarchical and the data structure is hierarchical. |
| US07664720B1 |
Method and product of manufacture for the recommendation of optimizers in a graphical user interface for mathematical solvers
In one embodiment, a method of providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for a plurality of optimization solvers is provided. The method includes providing the GUI for the plurality of optimization solvers, the GUI including a control to select a solver from the plurality of solvers; receiving a selection of a first solver from the plurality of optimization solvers; and displaying in the GUI contents tailored to the first solver, the GUI contents including an objective function, wherein the objective function is in an expression in an array-based language. |
| US07664719B2 |
Interaction method with an expert system that utilizes stutter peak rule
Methods of analyzing data are provided. An expert system receives input from at least a first source. Data is imported and analyzed by an expert system, wherein the expert system makes at least one first decision, which characterizes the data based on a rule base. The at least one first decision is displayable and modifiable by a first input from a first source. In response to the first input from the first source, the rule base may be re-applied to make at least one second decision, wherein the at least one second decision is different from the at least one first decision, or the at least one first decision may be accepted. The at least one first decision or the at least one second decision is then displayable and modifiable in response to a first input from a second source. In response to the first input from the second source, the rule base is either re-applied to make at least one third decision, wherein the third decision is different from the second decision, or either the first or second decisions are accepted. |
| US07664718B2 |
Method and system for seed based clustering of categorical data using hierarchies
A computerized method of representing a dataset with a taxonomy includes augmenting a dataset containing a plurality of records with a plurality of predetermined exemplars; representing the plurality of records and predetermined exemplars within the augmented dataset as a plurality of clusters in an initial taxonomy layer; generating a truncated hierarchy of cluster sets based on clusters within the initial taxonomy layer, wherein clusters within the truncated hierarchy contain no more than a predetermined number of exemplars; and labeling clusters within the truncated hierarchy. |
| US07664717B2 |
Method and apparatus for building skills in accurate text comprehension and use of comprehension strategies
System and method for developing cognitive skills in a student, utilizing a computing device to present stimuli and to record responses. A stimulus may be graphically presented to the student via the computing device, and the student may be required to respond to the stimulus. A determination may then be made as to the correctness of the student's response. The graphically presenting, requiring, and determining may be performed for each of a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, the graphically presenting, requiring, determining, and performing may be performed in an iterative manner to improve the cognitive skills of the student. Various exercises directed to different cognitive skills and learning approaches may utilize this basic framework, and may be performed in an iterative manner to build cognitive skills in the student. |
| US07664715B2 |
Apparatus and method for compressing data, apparatus and method for analyzing data, and data management system
There are provided an apparatus and a method for compressing data, an apparatus and a method for analyzing data and a data management system, which are capable of compressing huge data and accurately reproducing the characteristics of the original data from the compressed data.The data compressing apparatus includes detection means for detecting a multiplicity of data sets, each including n parameter values that vary according to an operation of an object, where n is a natural number; and data compressing means for compressing the data sets by inputting the data sets into an n-dimensional space, arranging neurons smaller in number than the data sets in the n-dimensional space, carrying out unsupervised learning for a neural network on the neurons, and converting the data sets into a neuron model parameter characterizing a neuron model obtained by the unsupervised learning. |
| US07664713B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing fast kernel learning on sparse data
A method and apparatus based on transposition to speed up learning computations on sparse data are disclosed. For example, the method receives an support vector comprising at least one feature represented by one non-zero entry. The method then identifies at least one column within a matrix with non-zero entries, wherein the at least one column is identified in accordance with the at least one feature of the support vector. The method then performs kernel computations using successive list merging on the at least one identified column of the matrix and the support vector to derive a result vector, wherein the result vector is used in a data learning function. |
| US07664711B2 |
Apparatus, methods and computer programs for metering and accounting for services accessed over a network
Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated, enabling accounting which takes account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services, on a per-request basis or on an aggregated basis for each customer-provider pair over a given billing period. |
| US07664710B2 |
Remote authentication of two dimensional barcoded indicia
An indicia authentication system includes a franking device for embedding identification and encrypted authentication data into indicia and applying the indicia to an article, and a computing device for utilizing the identification data to retrieve a key for deciphering the encrypted authentication data, where the computing device is adapted to utilize the deciphered authentication data to determine the validity of the indicia. |
| US07664704B2 |
Clearing receivables with improved search
A system and method match payments with invoices. A payment is received from a business partner. Multiple fields of an invoice database are concatenated to form a single string per record, and a search for an invoice corresponding to the payment is performed. The search may be a fuzzy search based on a search string created from information associated with the payment. |
| US07664700B1 |
System for and method of individual annuity payout administration
A system for and method of administering payouts under an individual annuity contract is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a computer system is provided which includes a memory for storing individual annuity contract data relating to a individual annuity contract which provides the contract owner with the option to withdraw principal from the annuity during the payout phase, and a processor programmed to process and issue principal payouts as selected by the annuitant. |
| US07664696B2 |
Data processing system for complex pricing and transactional analysis
The present invention provides methods and systems for defining financial transaction components; defining mapping rules for taking individual financial transactions and breaking them down into their components, such as production services, billing services and settlement services. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, creates a transaction instance corresponding to a financial transaction, creates a production service instance linked to the transaction instance by a first relation instance, and creates a billing service instance linked to the production service instance by a second relation instance. The data processing system, may also create other production service instances linked to the transaction instance using other relation instances, as well as, other billing service instances linked to the production service instances. |
| US07664692B2 |
Method and system for creating and trading derivative investment instruments based on an index of investment management companies
A method and system for creating a stock index for a group of investment management companies is disclosed. The method may include obtaining first trade information for each security representative of the group of investment management companies during a first time period, aggregating the first trade information for a predetermined time period, storing the aggregated first trade information, calculating from the aggregated first trade information an index for the group of investment management companies, determining a standardized measure of the index based on the aggregated first trade information obtained in the first time period, and periodically recalculating the index based on second trade information for each security representative of the group of investment management companies during a second time period. |
| US07664691B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating financial monitoring by guardians
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that enables a guardian to monitor a financial account on behalf of an account owner, such as a senior citizen. During operation, the system receives a request from the guardian to access the financial account. In response to this request, the system determines whether the guardian is authorized to access the financial account. If so, the system provides the guardian with read-only access to the financial account, whereby the guardian can monitor activity in the financial account, but cannot perform operations that modify the financial account. |
| US07664690B2 |
Insurance claim management
A technique for evaluating insurance claim management may determine a target value for average loss costs per claim in a given planning period based on a regression analysis of average loss costs per claim in a predetermined base period. In addition, a performance indicator indicative of the performance of insurance claim management may be determined based on a difference between the determined target value and actually achieved average loss costs per claim in said planning period. Related apparatuses, systems, articles of manufacture are also described. |
| US07664686B2 |
Systems and media for managing electronic asset tags for asset devices
Systems, methods, and media for managing electronic asset tags for asset devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a system having one or more asset devices in communication with a network where each asset device has an electronic asset tag, where the electronic asset tag has contents including an asset number associated with the asset device having the electronic asset tag. The system may also include an asset tag manager in communication with the network to access the contents of the electronic asset tags of the one or more asset devices. In a further embodiment, the asset tag manager may be adapted to modify the contents of the electronic asset tags of the one or more asset devices. In another further embodiment, the asset tag manager may be adapted to reload to an asset device the contents of the electronic asset tag of the asset device. |
| US07664681B1 |
Method and devices for sales of gift cards and folder greeting cards
The present invention is method of cooperative selling by way of displays of gift cards of multiple offering entities by adjacent to said displays other items which complement or enhance the gift giving impression upon a potential buyer of one or more gift cards. |
| US07664676B2 |
Roaming for mobile e-commerce
A method is disclosed by which a user of a roaming mobile station can procure services and goods from a content provider at a visiting site. The content provider establishes contact with a mobile e-commerce server, the visited MeC server. The visited MeC server directs the request to the users home MeC server. The home MeC server performs the authentication of the user. In this way security relevant information is not revealed to the visited MeC server. |
| US07664674B2 |
Supply chain and inventory risk management system
A system and method for supply chain and inventory risk management that supplies inventory from a manufacturer to a plurality of customers. An owner entity of the system is transferred a plurality of customer agreements which describe requirements for the distribution of the inventory to the customers in agreed-upon amounts in exchange for agreed-upon payments. Transfer of the customer agreements allows an electronic system of the owner entity to forecast and place orders purchasing from the manufacturer the amount of inventory that will be needed by the customers. Further, the transfer of the agreements increases the certainty that inventory purchased by the owner will be sold to the customer. The electronic owner system may also commission the services of a logistics agent that is capable of providing shipping and handling services customized to high-risk inventory, such as electronic components, increasing the owner's profit on the sale of the inventory. |
| US07664668B2 |
Lead management in multi-tiered sales organizations
Techniques are described that provide automated sales-related assistance to sales organizations, such as for multi-tiered sales organizations that are clients of a multi-tenanted network-accessible server hosting a sales lead management service. The automated assistance may include assisting first-tier sales development representatives to qualify leads as sufficiently developed to allow a second-tier sales representatives to efficiently develop sales from them, and by further assisting the second-tier sales representatives to provide meaningful feedback that addresses problems in the lead qualifying process, such as by notifying a sales development representative of the reasons that one of their qualified sales lead was rejected by a sales representative and prompting resolution by that sales development representative. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US07664667B1 |
Method, system, and program product for on-line service call scheduling
A computing environment or system is disclosed for use by a homeowner for real-time, on-line scheduling of a visit by technician or repairman to diagnose and, if authorized by the user, repair a home appliance such as a refrigerator or washing machine. The system is desirably accessible over the Internet by a customer using a Web browser wherein an interactive screen prompts the user and suggests product information and a nature of the problem. The system desirably obtains and provides to the user a schedule of available appointments for a manufacturer's factory service based on the product and customer information and location of the product. Where factory service is not available in the locality of the user, the system obtains and provides one or more local manufacturer authorized service providers. After selection of a service provider by the user, available appointments are provided. The user selects and confirms one of the appointments. Thereafter, the service provider is notified, for example, automatically by e-mail or facsimile, by the system and is requested to confirm the appointment with the user. |
| US07664665B2 |
System and method for distribution management
A system for distribution management includes a database server (1) interconnecting with a database (12) for storing a sales list (120) and a check list (122), an application server (2), a web server (3), and a weighbridge (8) for obtaining weights of vehicles. The application server includes a sales data maintaining module (22), a checking module (26), and a detecting module (28). A method for distribution management includes the steps of: generating a sales bill and a sales record in accordance with sales data; verifying whether a presently input weight matches a net weight of merchandise carried by a vehicle, and verifying whether the net weight matches a weight recorded in the sales record; generating a checking record; and monitoring distribution procedures. |
| US07664664B2 |
Methods and systems for portfolio planning
Computer implemented methods provide a unified framework for the creation, evaluation and selection of requests for funding, of proposed projects and of proposed products within an enterprise. Processes enable the systematic gathering of assumptions that form the basis for generating proposals and project or product scenarios based upon changes in the assumptions. The generated scenarios may be evaluated against predefined criteria and predefined strategic objectives for the enterprise. |
| US07664663B2 |
System and method for displaying airline seats
The present invention relates to a system and method for displaying airline seats. The system or method transmits data to an application running on a general purpose computer, the data including information descriptive of available individual seats on one or more airplanes, the data processed by the application to generate a graphical user interface on the general purpose computer that comprises an interactive seating map representing individual seats on the one or more airplanes, the data processed by the application to generate an additional display of information about one or more of the individual seats in response to a user interaction with the graphical user interface, the interaction being triggered when placing a mouse over a portion of the graphical user interface. |
| US07664660B2 |
System for communication of health care data
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. |
| US07664659B2 |
Displaying clinical predicted length of stay of patients for workload balancing in a healthcare environment
A computerized system method for displaying a predicted length of stay and actual length of stay in an inpatient healthcare facility for a patient is provided. A predicted length of stay and an actual length of inpatient stay in a healthcare facility for a patient are accessed. The predicted length of stay and the actual length of inpatient stay for the patient are displayed concurrently. |
| US07664657B1 |
Healthcare communications and documentation system
A communications and documentation system is disclosed that improves staff communication, education, and/or documentation. This system is interactive and integrates speech recognition, telephony, wireless, and/or database technologies, and innovative algorithms in a novel way that allows for assigning staff, scheduling staff activities, and data collection and reporting. The system also incorporates features that promote ease of use by persons who are not skilled at using technology. |
| US07664654B2 |
Methods of treating subterranean formations using well characteristics
An embodiment includes a method of treating a subterranean formation that comprises obtaining one or more well characteristics for a well servicing treatment, determining a price of the well servicing treatment based on the one or more well characteristics, and performing the well servicing treatment in the subterranean formation. Another embodiment includes a method of treating a subterranean formation that comprises obtaining one or more well characteristics for a cementing operation, determining a price of the cementing operation based on the one or more well characteristics, and performing the cementing operation in the subterranean formation. |
| US07664649B2 |
Control apparatus, method and computer readable memory medium for enabling a user to communicate by speech with a processor-controlled apparatus
A control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate by speech with a processor-controlled apparatus, 1) controls a display of text data which includes a speech link that can be activated by a spoken command, 2) determines the location of a cursor displayed on a display from gaze input information, 3) changes a shape of the cursor when the cursor is located over the speech link, and 4) outputs a prompt identifying speech commands that can be used to activate the speech link when the cursor is displayed on the display in a changed state for a predetermined time located over the speech link. |
| US07664646B1 |
Voice activity detection and silence suppression in a packet network
The present invention is a system and method that improves upon voice activity detection by packetizing actual noise signals, typically background noise. In accordance with the present invention an access network receives an input voice signal (including noise) and converts the input voice signal into a packetized voice signal. The packetized voice signal is transmitted via a network to an egress network. The egress network receives the packetized voice signal, converts the packetized voice signal into an output voice signal, and outputs the output voice signal. The egress network also extracts and stores noise packets from the received packetized voice signal and converts the packetized noise signal into an output noise signal. When the access network ceases to receive the input voice signal while the call is still ongoing, the access network instructs the egress network to continually output the output noise signal. |
| US07664644B1 |
Multitask learning for spoken language understanding
A system, method and computer-readable medium provide a multitask learning method for intent or call-type classification in a spoken language understanding system. Multitask learning aims at training tasks in parallel while using a shared representation. A computing device automatically re-uses the existing labeled data from various applications, which are similar but may have different call-types, intents or intent distributions to improve the performance. An automated intent mapping algorithm operates across applications. In one aspect, active learning is employed to selectively sample the data to be re-used. |
| US07664638B2 |
Tracking time using portable recorders and speech recognition
In general, the present invention converts speech, preferably recorded on a portable recorder, to text, analyzes the text, and determines voice commands and times when the voice commands occurred. Task names are associated with voice commands and time segments. These time segments and tasks may be packaged as time increments and stored (e.g., in a file or database) for further processing. Preferably, phrase grammar rules are used when analyzing the text, as this helps to determine voice commands. Using phrase grammar rules also allows the text to contain a variety of topics, only some of which are pertinent to tracking time. |
| US07664634B2 |
System and method for voice user interface navigation
A Voice User Interface (VUI) or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system utilizes three levels of navigation (e.g. Main Menu, Services, and Helper Commands) in presenting information units arranged in sets. The units are “spoken” by a system in a group to a human user and the group of information at each level is preceded by a tone that is unique to the level. When navigating the levels, the tones of the levels are in a musical progression, e.g. the three-note blues progression I, IV, V, for preceding the groups of information, respectively. The musical progression returns to the tonic of the musical key when the navigation returns to the level one of the first group of information. |
| US07664629B2 |
Second language writing advisor
A writing advisor program (20) receives a proposed text in an author's second language (L2) and determines at least one candidate replacement word for a selected word based on a determined language model (p(c)) and a determined corruption model (p(r|c)). The determined language model reflects correct usage of the text in the second language, independent of the native or first language (L1) of the author, based on (L2) corpora. The determined corruption model is based on some a priori knowledge about probable corruption paths leading the author to realize some inadequate expression in the second language instead of the correct, intended expression. Different types of corruption paths may be used that include bidirectional translations, false-friends, synonyms, common semantic features, second language internal cognates, preposition alternatives, and first language inserts. |
| US07664626B1 |
Ambiguous-state support in virtual machine emulators
A method and apparatus for ambiguous-state support in virtual machine emulators executes a suspect application in a core emulation model for all versions, variations, or generations of a given computer system component and then branches at the point where ambiguous behavior is detected, i.e., at the occurrence/request/trigger of a version variable behavior by the suspect application. The state of the emulation up to the version variable behavior branch point is then copied, and each variable behavior branch is further emulated using variable specific emulation models and only from the point of ambiguity, i.e., from the point of variable behavior, forward. |
| US07664622B2 |
Using interval techniques to solve a parametric multi-objective optimization problem
A system that solves a parametric multi-objective optimization problem in a combined design space and parameter space using interval techniques is described. The design space contains design-space variables fixed for a selected design; the parameter space contains variable parameters for the selected design. Multiple-objective functions are specified for optimization. The system initializes a design-variable box spanning the design space and performs interval optimization process on the parameter space by subdividing the design-variable box into design-variable sub-boxes, and iteratively: (1) determining parametric Pareto fronts for a design-variable sub-box using an interval optimization technique; (2) comparing parametric Pareto fronts associated with a set of design-variable sub-boxes and determining the parametric Pareto fronts certainly dominated by other parametric Pareto fronts; (3) eliminating the design-variable sub-boxes associated with the certainly dominated Pareto fronts; and (4) subdividing remaining design-variable sub-boxes. An optimized solution is produced from the remaining design-variable sub-boxes and the associated parametric Pareto fronts. |
| US07664621B2 |
System and method for mapping system transfer functions
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for mapping system transfer functions. Accordingly, some operations may include receiving a first intermediate signal that is at least partially based upon a first reference signal. A second intermediate signal is received that is at least partially based upon a second reference signal. An output signal is generated that is based upon the difference between the first intermediate signal and the second intermediate signal. A first anticipated differential change in the output signal is determined, the first anticipated differential change to occur based upon a transition in the first reference signal. A second anticipated differential change in the output signal is determined, the second anticipated differential change to occur based upon a transition in the second reference signal. Numerous other operations are also within the scope of the present disclosure. |
| US07664617B2 |
Monitoring and reporting normalized device system performance
Apparatus and computer program products are provided to monitor and report performance data of a device such as a data storage drive. A plurality of quantitative values are obtained from feedback and measurement mechanisms in a data storage device of a first model during operation of the storage device. The plurality of quantitative values are normalized. Then, one or more qualitative values are generated from one or more normalized quantitative values and evaluated against corresponding baseline performance values established for the first model. |
| US07664615B2 |
Method for determining a critical reduction in shaft speed in a work machine
A method for determining a critical reduction in shaft speed in a work machine having at least one monitored shaft driven by a crankshaft of an engine includes determining an actual rotational speed of the crankshaft; determining an actual rotational speed of a first monitored shaft; determining a filtered rotational speed of the first monitored shaft based on an algorithm that utilizes the actual rotational speed of the first monitored shaft, the actual rotational speed of the crankshaft, and a reference rotational speed of the crankshaft; comparing the filtered rotational speed to the actual rotational speed of the first monitored shaft; determining whether the actual rotational speed of the first monitored shaft deviates from the filtered rotational speed by a predetermined amount; and activating an alarm if the actual rotational speed of the first monitored shaft deviates from the filtered rotational speed by the predetermined amount. |
| US07664612B2 |
Signal processing system and method
First and second complementary voltage signals are operatively coupled across a series circuit comprising first and second sense resistors and a circuit element therebetween. An output signal responsive to the self-impedance of the circuit element is generated responsive at least one of a voltage across the first sense resistor and a voltage across the second sense resistor, and at least one of the first and second complementary voltage signals is controlled responsive to the output signal so as to provide for attenuating at least one noise signal having a frequency that is substantially different from a frequency of the first and second complementary voltage signals. |
| US07664607B2 |
Pre-calibrated gas sensor
A pre-calibrated gas sensor is disclosed. The gas sensor includes a cathode and an anode for outputting a current signal responsive to a sensed oxygen concentration and a signal processing module in communication with the cathode and the anode and configured to receive the current signal and to output a pre-calibrated signal representative of the sensed gas concentration based on a value of the received current signal. |
| US07664606B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring biological information, and computer program product
A biological-information monitoring apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects pulse intervals of a target person. Moreover, a first calculating unit calculates an average pulse interval that is an average of the pulse intervals within a first period. The first period is decided based on a target pulse interval. Finally, a second calculating unit calculates a parasympathetic nervous index based on a difference between the average pulse interval and the target pulse interval. |
| US07664604B1 |
Breast cancer risk analysis and computer-aided diagnosis
The present invention is a method of determining breast cancer risk including the steps of establishing a risk probably value associated with a patient, the risk probability value calculated from an array of risk factors associated with breast cancer, applying a computer algorithm adapted to find abnormalities in the patient's mammogram, and increasing the tolerance level for false positive results in the computer algorithm responsive to a higher probability value associated with the patient and decreasing the tolerance level for false positive results in the computer algorithm responsive to a lower probability value associated with the patient. |
| US07664597B2 |
Address input method and apparatus for navigation system
A method and apparatus for use with a navigation system allows a user to easily and quickly input an address of a destination with use of a specially made database even when spelling of the address is not certain to the user. The navigation system is designed to help the user in entering a desired street name accurately and efficiently by checking candidate cities when a first character of street name is specified. Since the user accurately knows at least the first character of the intended street name, the candidate street names will be narrowed down by selecting the city. The user may further input second character and further characters upon which the navigation system incrementally retrieves candidate street names with use of the comprehensive alphabetical usage file. |
| US07664590B2 |
System for detecting ignition failure in a gas turbine engine
A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into a combustor, detecting a failure of ignition of the fuel, and preventing ignition until the introduced fuel is substantially removed from the gas turbine engine. |
| US07664589B2 |
Apparatus and method for following a preceding vehicle
An apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle to follow a preceding vehicle. A stop-holding device maintains a stopped state automatically when the vehicle is stopped, and the stop-holding device is in an enabled state or a disabled state. A control state for following the preceding vehicle is changed, at least in part, according to a set state of the stop-holding device. |
| US07664588B2 |
Engine overrate detection method and apparatus
A method is provided for determining variance of actual engine torque from reported engine torque, including configuring a controller with an algorithm to calculate the ratios of current and maximum engine torque to reported torque upon the initiation of high-throttle 1-2 shift, high-throttle 2-3 shift, high-throttle torque converter lockup, and at maximum Engine Rating Torque Function for each high-throttle torque converter drive cycle. An apparatus is also provided for detecting engine torque variance in a vehicle having an engine, a throttle, and a torque converter, the apparatus comprising a controller with memory and an algorithm for calculating the maximum and current engine torque variance upon the occurrence a predetermined throttle condition, and storing the values in accessible memory, wherein the controller is configured to initiate the algorithm upon the occurrence of one of the throttle conditions, and wherein the throttle and torque converter each communicate speed signals to the controller. |
| US07664580B2 |
Method for operating drive train side components of a motor vehicle
A method for operating power train side components of a motor vehicle. Using a control device of a motor, at least one motor parameter is issued and delivered via a databus to at least one control device of one other power drive side component working independently of the motor control device in order to operate all or each one of the power drive side components dependent. in a first inventive aspect, a behavior of the respective other power drive side components that adjusts itself according to the motor torque actually made available by the motor is evaluated. In second inventive aspect, the motor torque issued by the motor control device is compared with a torque stored according to motor operation parameters in the control device working independently of the motor control device. |
| US07664579B2 |
Test interface for diagnosing communication faults in automobiles
A diagnostic test interface circuit and method for using the same are disclosed. The circuit isolates communication links at a junction box having one pin for each of the communication links. The circuit includes a bus, a plurality of switches, and a plurality of connection leads. The switches each have a first terminal connected to the bus. Each connection lead includes a first end having a connector that connects to one of the pins and a second end that connects to a corresponding one of the switches such that the switch connects the connection lead to the bus when the switch is closed. The circuit can be used to diagnose a fault in a vehicle having a plurality of modules that communicate over a star-configured network. |
| US07664577B2 |
Control apparatus capable of economically and reliably controlling electric generator
According to the present invention, a control apparatus for an electric generator includes a power generation cost determiner determining a power generation cost of the generator, a threshold determiner determining a threshold of power generation cost as a function of a state of charge of an electric energy storage device, a comparator comparing the power generation cost of the generator with the threshold, and a controller. When the power generation cost of the generator is lower than the threshold, the controller controls the generator to generate an increased amount of electric power, so as to both charge the electric energy storage device and feed an electrical load. Otherwise, when the power generation cost of the generator is higher than the threshold, the controller controls the generator to generate a decreased amount of electric power, so as to allow the electric energy storage device to discharge to feed the electrical load. |
| US07664576B2 |
Apparatus and method for assembling tire and wheel based on rigidity and radial runout of wheel
Based upon rigidity classifications of wheels and radial runout classifications of the wheels, the lower the rigidity classification or the lower the radial runout classification, the more likely a methodology (heavy point-light point alignment) is selected in which a light point of static imbalance of the tire and a heavy point of static imbalance of the wheel are aligned with each other, than another methodology (radial force variation alignment) in which a peak position of a primary component of radial force variation of the tire and a bottom position of a primary component of radial runout of the wheel are aligned with each other, so as to assemble a tire and a wheel together. |
| US07664573B2 |
Integrated building environment data system
A system for gathering date in a space includes a data server, a first wireless module operably connected to the data server, a first plurality of wireless sensor modules, and at least one other wireless sensor module. The first plurality of wireless sensors module are operable to generate sensor data relating to the control and operation of an HVAC system. The first plurality of wireless sensor modules are also operable to communicate the first sensor data to the first wireless module. The at least one other wireless sensor module is operable to generate second sensor data relating to at least one of the group consisting of light fixtures, architectural fixtures and plumbing fixtures, office equipment, and vending machines and furniture. The at least one other wireless sensor module is also operable to communicate the second sensor data to the first wireless module. |
| US07664561B1 |
Task queuing methodology for reducing traffic jam and to control transmission priority in an automatic material handling system
A new Task Queue Methodology (TQM) is provided for reducing traffic jams and for controlling transportation priority in an Automatic Material Handling System (AMHS). A Stocker Resource Q, under control of TQM, maintains records of stockers that are under control of the AMHS and the availability thereof. For available stockers, a Task-Q under control of a Queue Manager (TQM) is accessed, extracting therefrom records that match available stocker resources. For the available stocker resources, the tasks that are scheduled against these resources are sorted by priority and by longest wait time, resulting in one selected task. For the in this manner selected task, a Move command is issued by the TQM to the Automatic Material Handling System. |
| US07664559B1 |
Effective deployment of temporal noise shaping (TNS) filters
The MPEG2 Advanced Audio Coder (AAC) standard limits the number of filters used to either one filter for a “short” block or three filters for a “long” block. In cases where the need for additional filters is present but the limit of permissible filters has been reached, the remaining frequency spectra are simply not covered by TNS. Two solutions are proposed to deploy TNS filters in order to get the entire spectrum of the signal into TNS. The first method involves a filter bridging technique and complies with the current AAC standard. The second method involves a filter clustering technique. Although the second method is both more efficient and accurate in capturing the temporal structure of the time signal, it is not AAC standard compliant. Thus, a new syntax for packing filter information derived using the second method for transmission to a receiver is also outlined. |
| US07664557B2 |
Medical apparatus and method
To facilitate an intuitive operation of an adjustable device of a medical apparatus, a system for the automatic setting of an operating configuration of the portable control module controlling the adjustable device is provided. Different operating configurations regarding the directional control of the movement of the movable device differ are based on the relative spatial position of the adjustable device with respect to the control module. The system includes at least one signal sender unit for sending a signal. The signal sender unit may be arranged on the control module. The system further includes at least two signal converter units for converting and retransmitting or for converting and reflecting the signal. The signal converter units may be arranged on different positions on the device. A signal receiver unit is used for receiving the converted signal, and the receiver unit may be arranged on the control module. |
| US07664551B2 |
Treatment of the autonomic nervous system
Systems and methods are provided for modulating the autonomic nervous system by the electrical stimulation of the neuro-muscular system of a patient, and include an implantable electrical system for gastrointestinal stimulation which incorporates a heart rate sensor to indicate the neurovegetative patient condition, to initiate and terminate stimulation at specific locations, and an algorithm to automatically control electrical stimulation frequency, interval, amplitude, or a combination of such parameters for adaptive treatment of obesity, anorexia, other eating disorders, diseases related with the so called “metabolic syndrome” (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes type 2, GERD, systemic hypertension, early arterovascular degeneration, early senility, and the like), and disorders related to a pathologic imbalance of the autonomic nervous system. |
| US07664550B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting left ventricular lead displacement based upon EGM change
Displacement or migration of a left ventricular lead located within the coronary sinus or coronary veins of the heart is detected by comparing an electrogram (EGM) waveform pattern from the lead with a stored baseline EGM waveform pattern. Based upon the extent of lead migration, if any, a lead displacement may produce an annunciating response. The patient may be alerted, an electrical stimulus applied through the lead may be adjusted to compensate for lead migration, or an alternative electrode on the lead may be used for EGM sensing and pacing. |
| US07664547B2 |
Active implantable medical device with biventricular pacing and automatic optimization of pacing configuration
An active implantable medical device with biventricular pacing and automatic optimization of pacing configuration. The device collects and analyzes an endocardial acceleration signal (EA), and searches for an optimal pacing configuration based upon a performance index derived from at least one value relating to one and/or the other of the two endocardial acceleration peaks (PEA I, PEA II) over a given heart cycle. Optimization search operates through a scanning of a parameter, e.g., atrio-ventricular delay, and calculation of the surface area underneath the characteristic of the peak amplitude as a function of the scanned parameter (atrioventricular delay). |
| US07664546B2 |
Posture detection system and method
A posture detection system includes an implantable device and a patient-external respiratory therapy device coupled via a communications channel. At least one of the implantable device and the patient-external respiratory therapy devices includes a posture detector. Posture information is transferred between the implantable device and the patient-external respiratory therapy device. The posture information may be used in connection with sleep detection or to modify therapy delivered by the implantable cardiac device and/or the patient-external respiratory therapy device. |
| US07664545B2 |
Electrode assembly for constant-current electroporation and use
The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a non-symmetrically arranged plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes. The applied constant-current electrical pulse facilitates the introduction of the macromolecule into the cell between the plurality of electrodes. Cell death due to overheating of cells is minimized by limiting the power dissipation in the tissue by virtue of constant-current pulses. |
| US07664542B2 |
Registering intra-operative image data sets with pre-operative 3D image data sets on the basis of optical surface extraction
The invention relates to a method for registering intra-operative image data set with pre-operative 3D image data set, including: spatially calibrating an optical 3D sensor system with an intra-operative imaging modality, intra-operatively detecting the surface of an examination area of interest with the 3D sensor system to produce an intra-operative surface mask, intra-operatively recording the area of interest for examination with the intra-operative modality at least partly containing the intra-operative surface mask to obtain an intra-operative image data set, computing the same surface from the pre-operative 3D image data set containing the detected surface to obtain a pre-operative surface mask, registering the intra-operative and pre-operative surface mask with each other, determining a mapping specification between pre-operative 3D image data set and intra-operative image data set based on the calibration and the registration, and overlaying the intra-operative image data set with the pre-operative 3D data set based on the mapping specification. |
| US07664541B2 |
Multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction method for water-fat separation
In a multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction method for water-fat separation, one in-phase image and two opposed-phase images are acquired with multiple reception coils in respective channels. The sensitivity distribution of the coils of the respective channels is calculated. The images of respective channels are merged dependent on the sensitivity distribution. A phase difference between the two opposed-phase images is calculated. At lease one characteristic region of the in-phase image is detected, which is used as a criterion for phase correction. The phases of the opposed-phase images are corrected and images of water and fat are calculated. The method provides stable and reliable imaging, has a short reconstruction time and also solves the problem that images of water and fat may be exchanged. |
| US07664539B2 |
Foldable portable terminal
A foldable portable terminal of the present invention includes a body cabinet 1 provided with a microphone 14 and a cover cabinet 2 provided with first and second speakers 41, 42, openably/closably coupled to each other. Any one or both of the cabinets are provided with closing means for closing a sound emitting hole 22a of the first speaker in a closed state of the both cabinets. Alternatively, a partition wall for partitioning the first speaker and the second speaker is formed inside the cover cabinet. Alternatively, the body cabinet has an inner surface provided with a transmission unit 6 incorporating a microphone 63 and being rotatable between a first rotational posture where the unit faces the inner surface side of the body cabinet and a second rotational posture where the unit faces a direction deviating from the cover cabinet in a closed position. |
| US07664535B2 |
Control method for high-frequency radio equipment and high-frequency radio system
A control method for a high-frequency radio equipment and a high-frequency radio equipment system in spread spectrum radio data communication are provided which are interference-tolerant and can maintain transmission quality with improved receiving sensitivity.A high-frequency radio equipment system provided with, in a base station, an antenna part comprised by a plurality of antennas, a radio part for amplifying a received signal, band-limiting and down-converting it to an intermediate frequency, a signal processing part for carrier-demodulating the signal inputted from the radio part, demodulating the signal which was despread-spectrum processed and synchronized and decoding the received data, an antenna control part for determining a code error rate for the received data inputted from the signal processing part, forming an appropriate antenna pattern based on the error rate and outputting a signal for controlling an antenna switching part according to the information of the antenna pattern. |
| US07664534B1 |
Communications system and method using remote antennas
In a communications system, one or more remote antenna systems communicate with one another and with associated base stations using a millimeter band microwave link, such as an E-band communications link. The remote antennas may be daisy-chained together to communicate with a plurality of base stations located at a base station hotel. Remote antennas may be positioned in cells having different peak traffic times to enable load balancing between base stations that share a common backhaul communications link with a mobile switching center. |
| US07664533B2 |
Method and apparatus for a multi-beam antenna system
An antenna array in a radio node includes multiple antenna elements for transmitting a wider beam covering a majority of a sector cell that includes a common signal and a narrower beam covering only a part of the sector cell that includes a mobile user-specific signal. Transmitting circuitry is coupled to the antenna array, and processing circuitry is coupled to the transmitting circuitry. The processing circuitry ensures the user-specific signal and the common signal in a mixed beam embodiment are in-phase and time-aligned at the antenna array. In a steered beam embodiment, the processing circuitry ensures the user-specific signal and the common signal are time-aligned and have a controlled phase difference when received at mobile stations in the sector cell. In both embodiments, distortions in the common signal and the user-specific signal associated with their conversion from baseband frequency to radio frequency are also compensated. And in the steered beam embodiment, beam forming weights are used not only to radiate a narrower beam to the desired mobile user but also to direct a wider common signal beam to reach all mobile users in the cell. |
| US07664532B2 |
Radio transmission scheduling according to multiradio control in a radio modem
A system for managing the simultaneous operation of a plurality of radio modems in a single wireless communication device (WCD). The multiradio control may be integrated into the WCD as a subsystem responsible for scheduling wireless communications by temporarily enabling or disabling the plurality of radio modems within the device. The multiradio control system may comprise a multiradio controller (MRC) and a plurality dedicated radio interfaces. The radio interfaces are dedicated to quickly conveying delay sensitive information to and from the radio modems. The modems may further include control features that take information from the MRC as an input in determining the priority of messages to be sent out to a receiving device. |
| US07664531B2 |
Communication method
An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of communication and exchanging images with a different information processing apparatus, and comprises a storage unit for storing a display pattern dictionary including one or a plurality of finger character images, each finger character image corresponding to a character and/or a numeral and representing a finger character, an operation unit for inputting a character and/or a numeral, an image selecting unit for selecting, from the display pattern dictionary, a finger character image corresponding to the character and/or numeral input by the operation unit, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the selected finger character image to the different information processing apparatus. |
| US07664528B2 |
Method and system for mobile receiver antenna architecture for European band cellular and broadcasting services
A method for an antenna architecture that handles European band cellular and broadcast channels may be provided. The method may comprise receiving at a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) integrated within a mobile terminal, RF signals in a first cellular frequency band of a first cellular network via an antenna. The antenna may be coupled to a second RFIC integrated within the mobile terminal capable of handling RF signals in one or more other cellular frequency bands of at least a second cellular network. A third RFIC integrated within the mobile terminal coupled to the antenna may be capable of handling the received RE signals in a UHF broadcast band. |
| US07664522B2 |
Adjusting a transmit power of a subscriber device of a communication network by a transmit/receive means
A device for adjusting a transmit power spectrum of a subscriber device of a communication network, having a means for receiving an attenuation measure for an attenuation, which a signal experiences on its way from a transmit/receive means to the subscriber device of the communication network connected to the transmit/receive means, from the subscriber device, a means for determining a modified attenuation measure and shaping coefficients for a frequency-dependent shaping of the transmit power spectrum based on the attenuation measure determined by and received from the subscriber device, and a means for transferring the modified attenuation measure and the shaping coefficients to the subscriber device. |
| US07664520B2 |
Low current direct conversion transmitter architecture
Disclosed is a method to operate a RF transmitter, and an RF transmitter constructed to operate in accordance with the method. The method includes determining a transmitter output power and varying a level of a signal at a transmitter phase modulator according to the transmitter output power so as to increase the level of the signal as the transmitter output power increases and to decrease the level of the signal as the transmitter output power decreases. In the preferred embodiment the method further includes adjusting the current consumption of a plurality of components of an RF transmitter chain in accordance with at least one of the level of the signal and the gain of the stage. |
| US07664515B2 |
Advanced user interface operations in a dual-mode wireless device
A system and method are provided for mobile stations for enhancing the ease of use of a mobile station. Through the system and method, a user may more easily view the phone number of a caller identification card. The user may be alerted when the user tries to send messages while out of GPRS coverage, or the mobile station may recognize extension numbers in address book user interface applications to assist with a dialing operation. |
| US07664512B2 |
Datalink throughput reduction via energy detection
A geolocation system (10) includes an emitter (12), a plurality of collection nodes (14,16,18), and a control station (20). Each collection node includes a receiver (24) that is operable to receive signals transmitted from the emitter (12), generate a reduced data stream that includes only signal data, and communicate the reduced data stream to the control station (20) along with navigation data. The receiver (24) identifies signal data by detecting an energy level of the raw collection data. More specifically, the receiver (24) determines a bandwidth and a signal-to-noise ratio of each portion of the collection data, and identifies each portion as including signal data if both the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio exceed predetermined threshold amounts. The receiver (24) includes a digital signal processing component (36) for performing calculations used by the receiver (24) to determine the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio. |
| US07664510B1 |
Location-based forwarding of a communication
The invention provides a method and a system for forwarding a telephone call. The inventive method includes receiving a telephone call from a calling party line to a called party line, determining a location of the called party, determining a proximity of the location of the called party to one or more subscriber locations, and directing the telephone call to the one or more subscriber locations based on the determined proximity. The subscriber locations may be predefined by the called party. The location of the called party may be determined using a global position system and/or a radio frequency signal, for example. |
| US07664508B2 |
Communication system with a request by a single node made over one of two separate timeslots
A communication system is provided for communication between network nodes and a communication controller. In the network, a request signal is transmitted from a node to the communication controller in one of two separate timeslots to enable transmission of a signal from the individual node. A first one of the reservation timeslots provides for random access requests that can be made by multiple ones of the nodes. A second one of the timeslots is assigned exclusively to the one node. The first random access request timeslot can be used to carry requests for assignment of an exclusive node, while the second exclusively assigned reservation request timeslot can be provided to carry requests to transmit packets containing alphanumeric data. |
| US07664506B2 |
Arrangement and method for capacity management in communication system
A communication system includes a plurality of channels, a first service that utilizes at least a first channel for transmission, and a second service that utilizes at least a second channel for transmission. Operating means are provided for operating the first service in connection with the second service, so that the first service can utilize the second channel. Adjusting means are provided for adjusting the utilization of the second channel by the second service at least during the connected operation of the first and the second service. The utilization of a channel whose capacity is essentially dynamically adjustable is facilitated by a service that, according to the pre-defined protocols, is directed to use a channel whose capacity is more statically adjustable. |
| US07664503B2 |
Method for multimedia broadcast/multicast service signaling bearer connection on Iu interface
A method of signaling bearer connection on Iu interface for MBMS service, includes the following steps: (a) RNC receives a MBMS Notification message for a certain MBMS service from SGSN; (b) RNC constructs a MBMS Service Request message according to the contents of the notification; (c) RNC sends a SCCP Connection Request message to SGSN, requests to establish a SCCP signaling connection, and then waits for a reply; (d) RNC receives a SCCP Connection Confirmation message from SGSN. This invention solves the problem of signaling connection on Iu interface after MBMS service is introduced into the existing mobile communication system. The connection mode provided in this invention can reasonably utilize network resources, effectively reduce signaling congestion on Iu interface and reduce modifications to the existing Iu interface message. |
| US07664500B2 |
Network service control method and agent dispatching method used therein
A network service control method detects whether a mobile node communicating with a corresponding node is trending to a second local area network from a first local area network and forks and transmits a user agent and a server agent to a proxy when the mobile node is trending to the second local area network. After that, the user agent registers onto the proxy according to a result obtained by the handshaking. Finally, when the mobile node moves into the second local area network, the mobile node communicates with the user agent for obtaining a connection tunnel reserved by the user agent to communicate with the corresponding node. |
| US07664499B2 |
Method for categorization of multiple providers in a wireless communication service environment
A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. The category of service provider may be identified and displayed on the communication device. |
| US07664492B1 |
Network engineering in a wireless network
A and collects provides various types of information therefrom, including E911 location information, Hand Off (HO) information, and Power information, as well as other Measurements and System Parameters. This information is analyzed by a Data Collection and Filtering system and the results of this analysis are provided to a Network Control system to dynamically control the operation of the wireless network. The various optimizations that can be achieved include: (1) dynamically allocating radio frequency (RF) signal power in the wireless network, (2) setting dynamic dedicated handoff (HO) thresholds for individual mobile transceivers; and (3) intelligently forming or steering radio frequency (RF) signal beams. Moreover, the collected and analyzed information can be used to identify and resolve problems in the wireless network, especially when the identified problems are correlating with E911 location information. |
| US07664488B2 |
Location blocking service from a web advertiser
Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. However, in the case of the mobile subscriber requesting emergency help, the service promoter may not block identity and/or location information. Instead, the service promoter may send all such information to the emergency service provider (e.g., the police or a hospital). |
| US07664486B2 |
Server, mobile terminal, and service method
The server which provides at least one of an image and additional information of the image via a network to a mobile terminal of an access source when access is received from the mobile terminal via the network using access information recorded together with the image on a prescribed print medium, the server comprises: an encrypting device which encrypts identification information corresponding to the image; an access information generating device which generates the access information containing a plain text URL required for access to the server and the encrypted identification information; a print instruction information creating device which creates instruction information that the access information is recorded together with the image onto a print medium by a prescribed printer; a receiving device which receives the encrypted identification information contained in the access information from the mobile terminal when the access information recorded on the print medium is inputted to the mobile terminal; a decrypting device which decrypts the encrypted identification information that is received; and a transmitting device which transmits at least one of the image and the additional information of the image that correspond to the decrypted identification information to the mobile terminal. |
| US07664484B2 |
Pooling groups of wireless communication users
Systems and methods for pooling a plurality of telecommunication users into groups is disclosed. One method includes ranking the telecommunication users in an order based on a usage parameter. The usage parameter, for example, may be the average service usage time per billing period. Once ranked, the telecommunication users are pooled into at least two groups, each group comprising at least one telecommunication user within a range of ranks. The method may further include calculating estimated costs for the users to use cost-effective rate plans selected from a group of available rate plans and re-pooling the users into other possible combinations to determine the most cost-effective pooling combination and respective rate plans. |
| US07664480B2 |
Method of connecting to network in broadband wireless access system
The primitives between an upper management layer and the MAC layer within a mobile station and a base station are defined in order to specify and clarify the operations within the protocol stack layers in a broadband wireless access system to allow a mobile station to perform a method of connecting to the network. Media Independent Handover (MIH) procedures can be achieved because the NCMS and MIH layer can communicate through use of these primitives. |
| US07664477B2 |
Communications system using a low cost oscillator and related method thereof
A communications system includes a first oscillator for producing a first clock signal; a second oscillator for producing a second clock signal; and a secondary circuit coupled to the first oscillator and the second oscillator for determining a second oscillation frequency corresponding to a frequency of the second clock signal; the second oscillation signal being determined according to the first clock signal, the second clock signal, and a first oscillation frequency corresponding to a frequency of the first clock signal. |
| US07664476B2 |
Human body communication system and communication device
Disclosed herein is a human body communication system for communicating data via an electric field formed by intervention of a human body, the human body communication system including: a transmitter for generating the electric field by transmitting a potential difference signal corresponding to transmission data from a transmitting electrode; and a receiver for receiving the data by reading the potential difference signal in the electric field by a receiving electrode; wherein the transmitter and the receiver use the potential difference signal in a frequency band such that a quasi-electrostatic field formed within the human body is dominant over a radiation field formed outside the human body when the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode are each disposed in very close vicinity to the human body. |
| US07664471B2 |
Wireless transceiver and method for producing the same
A wireless transceiver includes a mechanical key, a resin case having a hollow space that accepts the mechanical key and a reinforcement for reinforcing the resin case. The hollow space in the resin case is defined by a combination of a thin wall and a thick wall, and the resin case has the reinforcements made from a thin metal plate in the hollow space at two positions spaced by a predetermined length along a longitudinal direction of the mechanical key being accepted therein. Each of the reinforcements bridges the thin wall and the thick wall that is adjacent to the thin wall. |
| US07664466B2 |
Transmission rate control method, transmission rate control system, and mobile station
A transmission rate control method for controlling a transmission rate of a channel to which the transmission rate control method is applied, include: notifying, at a radio network controller, at a timing of a call setup or the like, a primary allowable transmission rate of the channel to which the transmission rate control method is applied; starting, at a mobile station, after the call setup, transmission at a transmission rate below the primary allowable transmission rate, when data to be transmitted is generated; and controlling, at the mobile station, the transmission rate of the channel to which the transmission rate control method is applied, based on an Relative Grant Channel transmitted from a radio base station. |
| US07664464B2 |
Method for the exchange of data
A method for exchange of data between a mobile communications unit carried by a user and at least one of a first communications unit, a second communications unit and a computer unit positioned at different locations in an environment such as a building. When the first communications unit and the mobile communications unit are spaced at a predetermined distance, a near-field radio connection is generated within this distance. After data exchange between the mobile communications unit and the first communications unit, the data are communicated by the first communications unit to the computer unit. When the second communications unit and the mobile communications unit are spaced from one another at the predetermined distance, a near-field radio connection is generated within this distance. A data exchange takes place between the mobile communications unit and the second communications unit by the near-field radio connection. |
| US07664463B2 |
Portable loss prevention system
A loss prevention system containing a Bluetooth transceiver and a motion detection system monitors the presence of a portable electronic device such as a cell phone in the vicinity and alerts when that device leaves its vicinity. The system transceiver is activated upon detecting a movement and turned off after a check is done in order to conserve battery. |
| US07664457B2 |
Preset recording method through service linking in DMB terminal
A preset recording method through service linking according to movement from a first broadcasting area to a second broadcasting area in a terrestrial DMB terminal is provided. A preset recording for a predetermined broadcast program is checked to see if a current time is equal to a recording start time based on the specified preset recording; if so, extracting service linking information for the predetermined broadcast program; displaying that the DMB terminal has moved from the first broadcasting service area for the preset recording when the extracted service linking information corresponds to hard linking information, and recording a broadcasting program according to the hard linking information; and if they correspond, displaying that the DMB terminal has moved from the first broadcasting service area for the preset recording, and providing a list of broadcasting programs according to the soft linking information to enable a user to reset a preset recording function. |
| US07664454B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a medium transporting mechanism. A first transporting section transports a recording medium on which an image is formed. A second transporting section receives the recording medium from the first transporting section and then further transports the recording medium. The second transporting section has a smaller transporting force than the first transporting section. A controller controls the second transporting section in such a way that the second transporting section transports the recording medium at a higher speed than the first transporting section. |
| US07664453B2 |
Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes: a housing; a cleaning roller provided in the housing and operable to come into contact with a photosensitive drum; a cleaning blade operable to come into contact with a surface of the photosensitive drum at a position lower than a nip position between the cleaning roller and the photosensitive drum; and a toner guide plate disposed below the cleaning roller. The toner guide plate includes: a blade proximity portion in proximity to the cleaning blade; and a toner guide portion extending along an outer surface of the cleaning roller, spaced away from the outer surface of the cleaning roller by a predetermined gap. In the cleaning device, the surface of the photosensitive drum can be polished as required. |
| US07664452B2 |
Fixing device, and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A fixing device includes: a fixing roller; a support roller arranged apart from the fixing roller; an endless fixing belt wound around the fixing roller and the support roller; a pressing roller for applying a pressure force to the fixing roller while the fixing belt being sandwiched between the fixing roller and the pressing roller; a nip extending member arranged on an upstream of the fixing roller and on an inner side of the fixing belt and having a pressing surface for pressing the fixing belt; and a variable mechanism for changing a state of a pressure applied to the fixing belt by the nip extending member. |
| US07664447B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing member of which surface is deformable, a heating unit that heats the fixing member, a pressurizing unit having an endless member and a pressurizing member. The pressurizing member includes an elastic layer and presses the endless member against the fixing member to bring the endless member into pressure contact with the fixing member. The elastic layer has an apparent hardness (ASKER-C) which is larger than that at a point where an apparent hardness starts to change rapidly with respect to a rubber thickness in a load application direction. |
| US07664443B2 |
Image forming apparatus having improved home position sensing structure of transfer belt, and method of disposing home position sensing apparatus of transfer belt for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt having a light penetrating portion formed at one side of an edge portion of the transfer belt, a protection tape adhered to both sides of the edge portion to cover the light penetrating portion, and a guide member attached to one side of the protection tape. A plurality of rotation rollers drive the transfer belt in a caterpillar-type manner and include a guide groove formed at both ends of each rotation roller such that the guide member is inserted therein. A sensing body receives one end of the transfer belt to be positioned therein. A first sensing element and a second sensing element are disposed at both sides of the transfer belt such that a second distance from a transfer surface of the transfer belt to the second sensing element is longer than a first distance from the other surface of the transfer belt to the first sensing element. |
| US07664435B2 |
Development apparatus
There is provided a development apparatus including a plurality of replenishment developer containers which accommodates a replenishment developer containing a toner to be replenished to a plurality of development devices, a plurality of replenishment developer conveyance paths which replenishes the replenishment developer in the plurality of replenishment developer containers to the plurality of development devices, a plurality of conveyance members provided in the plurality of replenishment developer conveyance paths, wherein a length of at least one conveyance path, of the plurality of replenishment developer conveyance paths, is different from that of other conveyance paths, and cohesion degree of a replenishment developer conveyed by the longest conveyance path, of the plurality of replenishment conveyance paths, is lower than cohesion degree of the replenishment developer conveyed by other conveyance paths. |
| US07664432B2 |
Imaging cartridge drive with an external ramp
Provided is an improved drive mechanism for an imaging machine. At least one external ramp is disposed along the outer perimeter of the drive dog whereby a tooth of the imaging machine drive mechanism is centered and directed into the drive dog seat. The leading edge of the drive dog seat contacts the base of the imaging machine drive mechanism thus making full contact between the drive dog seat and the imaging machine drive mechanism tooth. |
| US07664425B2 |
Image forming apparatus having power source circuit board arranged on side portion thereof
A high-voltage circuit board and a main circuit board are arranged on the outer side surface of a left frame, and a conveyance path is provided so as to downwardly incline from a feed position near the uppermost part of the outer peripheral surface of a paper feed roller, toward an image formation position. Thus, the height position of an image forming section within a body casing can be lowered. As a result, the height of a laser printer can be made lower. |
| US07664417B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same
A fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus of the present invention are arranged so that a fixing control section causes a fixing roller to additionally rotate so that the additional rotation corresponds to a driving delay time also after turning OFF an external heating roller heater when shifting from a temperature raising step in which surface temperature of the fixing roller is raised so as to be equal to a preset fixing temperature to a standby mode and when turning OFF the external heating roller heater and stopping the fixing roller. As a result, it is possible to provide a fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which a surface of a fixing roller is free from deterioration or breakage caused by local heating carried out by an external heating roller. |
| US07664409B2 |
Image forming device
A control device executes toner concentration control that controls an operation of a developing device such that a value of detection output detected by a concentration detecting device falls within a predetermined range. Moreover, when controlling drive of a first driving device, which drives at least an image carrier, and drive of a second driving device, which drives at least a fuser device, the control device executes operation control that starts the drive of the first driving device before the drive of the second driving device. |
| US07664408B2 |
Image-forming apparatus, control method thereof, and control program storing medium for image-forming apparatus
An image-forming apparatus in which a replacement part is loaded includes a discrimination unit that discriminates whether or not identification data registered in the loaded replacement part correspond to either inherent data or group data registered in the image-forming apparatus; a determination unit that, when no correspondence is found in the discrimination unit, determines in accordance with a registration condition whether or not a value of the identification data is registered as the group data; and an establishment unit that establishes approval or disapproval of use of the loaded replacement part on the basis of a result of discrimination performed in the discrimination unit or determination performed in the determination unit. |
| US07664406B2 |
Optical line terminal in a wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network
An OLT in a WDM-PON may include a main board and a sub board. The main board may include a master optical transmitting/receiving control/supervising section and the sub board may include a plurality of optical transceivers and a slave optical transmitting/receiving control/supervising section. The master optical transmitting/receiving control/supervising section may produce a data input signal and a data read-control signal for controlling the plurality of optical transceivers of the sub board. The slave optical transmitting/receiving control/supervising section may receive the data input signal and the data read-control signal, and read the data input signal in accordance with the read-control signal. The optical transceivers may be controlled based on the data input signal. |
| US07664405B2 |
Pluggable optical diplexer/triplexer module
The invention is directed to a pluggable module and mounting socket for use in an optical network terminal (ONT). In particular, the mounting socket accepts a pluggable module comprising either a dual-section triplexer card or a single-section diplexer card, thereby allowing a vendor to selectively change the type of PON transport by simply changing the diplexer/triplexer pluggable module to support either diplexer or triplexer applications. The ability to configure the ONT by swapping out the pluggable diplexer/triplexer module eliminates the need for a manufacturer to maintain two different versions of the ONT, i.e., with or without video. |
| US07664404B2 |
Modular system for an optical rear panel bus
The invention relates to a rear panel bus, with a number of plugs which may be plugged into the modules and a fibre optic cable, for guiding light signals, whereby the fibre optic cable has a number of interruptions in the propagation direction of the light signals, into which means, for injection and decoupling of light signals running in the fibre optic cable may be inserted. The interruptions in the fibre optic cable are arranged such that a plug may be allocated to an interruption. The invention further comprises a module which may be plugged into an optical rear panel bus and means for injection and decoupling of light signals running in an optical fibre cable whereby the means for injecting and decoupling are arranged such as to be able to be inserted in interruptions in the fibre optic cable, to decouple light signals from the fibre optic cable and to inject light signals into the fibre optic cable in the propagation direction. |
| US07664402B2 |
Information communication system for use in robot
An information communication system for use in a robot communicates a full-color light flux between a transmitting device and a receiving device separated from each other. The transmitting device receives a sensor signal to generate an optical information signal including a color signal based on a sensor identifying information and a brightness signal based on an output level of the sensor signal, and irradiates a light flux (an optical signal) enabling a user to recognize it through the optical information signal from a color LED. The receiving device is arranged away from the transmitting device, in which an analysis unit generates an identifying signal and an output level of a sensor on the basis of color information and brightness information extracted from an image processor from image data including the optical information signal imaged by an imaging unit. |
| US07664397B2 |
Optical network system
An optical network system enabling confirmation of connection and tracking of wavelength paths at a high speed and a low cost without introducing any special hardware by having a wavelength path monitoring unit in an NMS give temporary change of optical power through a change generating unit to an optical signal S from an optical transmitting/receiving node, by having a change detecting unit confirm that this change of optical power has propagated through an optical transmission line and appeared at each node on the way, and confirming connections and monitoring the wavelength path while confirming the presence of the change. |
| US07664396B2 |
1+1 protection method of services in OBS networks, intersection node apparatus and service protection system
A 1+1 protection method of service in optical burst switching (OBS) networks, an intersection node apparatus, and protection system of service are provided. The method discloses that burst packets bearing service are transferred through two risk-independent routes, and each burst packet corresponds to a control packet. The intersection node receives a first control packet transferred through either route with a sequence number, and then, when it continues to receive the second control packet, which is transferred through the other route with the same sequence number as the first control packet carries within the waiting time of the first control packet, the intersection node selects the burst packet corresponding to the control packet with a smaller quality loss field value of the first and second control packets. The present invention prevents the services from being cut down, and remarkably reduces the packet loss ratio of the service. |
| US07664390B2 |
Camera module package
A camera module package comprises a housing having a lens section mounted therein; a circuit board having a window through which light transmitted through the lens section of the housing passes; an image sensor that is flip-chip bonded to a lower surface of the circuit board; and an impact absorbing member attached to an upper surface of the circuit board, of which the side surface serves as a coupling guide which is coupled to an inner periphery of the housing. |
| US07664387B2 |
Exposure time selection in a transmission apparatus with a camera
A communications apparatus is shown having an imaging device for capturing an image, and a flash for lighting an image to be captured. Also shown is the use of the apparatus. Software for matching a flash performance to other functions of a device is also shown. A radio communications apparatus embodiment is shown that comprises an imaging device including an image sensor and a rolling shutter, and a flash unit. The flash unit is operated at a certain flash frequency, and an exposure time is determined according to the flash frequency so that the image sensor is uniformly exposed by the rolling shutter during the determined exposure time. |
| US07664383B2 |
Multiple frame photography
A device may determine whether a user input for capturing a view is triggered and automatically frame a plurality of images of the view when the user input is determined to be triggered by repeatedly determining a zoom value for an image, optically zooming the view based on the zoom value, and capturing the zoomed view as the image. |
| US07664378B2 |
Fan heater
A fan heater includes a heater body, an electric unit, a plurality of fan assemblies, and a heating element. Each of the fan assemblies is mounted with the adjacent fan assembly to form a fan unit within the receiving cavity, wherein the fan unit is operatively coupled with the electric unit for being driven to rotate by the electric unit. The heating element is mounted within the receiving cavity in a vicinity of the air outlet, and electrically connected with the electric unit for being heated up at an elevated temperature, wherein the fan assemblies are adapted to draw air flowing from an air inlet to an air outlet via the heating element, so as to heat up the air drawn by the fan unit, and deliver the heated air to a predetermined heating zone from the air outlet. |
| US07664376B2 |
Information signal processing apparatus and method, information signal processing system and method, and information signal playback apparatus and method
An information signal processing apparatus includes a data playback unit for playing back data from a recording medium on which featured data is recorded according to the setting of a first parameter series. An information file playback unit plays back the video/audio information files by selecting from the recording medium. A parameter setting unit selects one of the played back information files and sets parameter data corresponding to both the information file and the first or second parameter series. A playback period processing unit determines the playback period of the video/audio data recorded on the recording medium according to the featured data and either an initialization parameter data set in advance in accordance with the first and second parameter series, or the parameter data adjusted by the parameter setting unit. A playback control unit then performs playback control according to the signal from the playback period processing unit. |
| US07664375B2 |
Information signal edition apparatus, information signal edition method, and information edition program
In an information signal editing device, when a user specifies a desired reproduction section or reproduction start position, a management information file recorded in a memory is rewritten into a second management information file which is created on the basis of the specified information, and a second information file is set on the basis of the second management information file. The information signal editing device constructed as described performs arbitrary virtual editing when a DVD-RAM disk is non-rewritable, whereby the user can obtain a desired reproduction signal. |
| US07664369B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the playability of a PAL or NTSC video signal containing color burst modifications
In the known color stripe process for preventing recording of video signals, the color burst present on each line of active video is modified so that any subsequent video tape recording of the video signal shows variations in the color fidelity that appear as undesirable bands or stripes of color error. This color stripe process is improved by a combination of modifying the phase of the color burst on only part of the color burst. Additional improvements were obtained by incorporating techniques of widening the normal color burst envelope towards the trailing edge of horizontal sync and towards the beginning of active video. These techniques are useful in improving the performance of the color stripe process in both the NTSC and PAL color systems. However, additional improvements are described in the PAL system whereby the phase modifications are controlled so as to avoid disturbing the so-called PAL ID pulse. Such avoidance of the PAL ID pulse improves the playability of the color stripe signal in the PAL format. |
| US07664368B2 |
Information recording/play-backing apparatus
It is possible to save power in an HDD/optical disc combination camera. During a normal recording operated by a battery, only the hard disk is operated and operation of the optical drive is stopped. Alternatively, only the optical drive is operated and the operation of the hard disk is stopped. During dubbing, both of the HDD and the optical drive are operated when performing play-back/display during the dubbing and a large current is consumed. Accordingly, the operation is permitted only by external power supply. In the case of dubbing not performing play-back/display, the battery remaining amount is checked and dubbing is permitted only if the amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value. |
| US07664367B2 |
Information processing device
A coder codes an information signal. A rate controller controls a coding rate of the coder in accordance with complexity of the information signal. The rate controller controls a coding amount per unit time in the coding process so that an average value of the coding amount can be approximate to an average rate. The coded data is temporarily memorized in a temporary memory unit and processed by an information processing unit such as a recorder and a transmitter. The information processing unit measures an information processing rate in processing the information. The rate controller adjusts the average rate so that the average rate is lower than the information processing rate measured by the information processing unit, or the rate controller compares a threshold value of a used amount of the temporary memory unit which is previously set and an actually used amount of the temporary memory unit and reduces the average rate when the used amount exceeds the threshold value. Thereby, the rate control can be properly executed while the coding amount in accordance with the complexity of the information signal is allocated. |
| US07664365B2 |
Beam homogenizer, and laser irradiation method, laser irradiation apparatus, and laser annealing method of non-single crystalline semiconductor film using the same
A rectangular beam having the energy density distribution homogenized in its short-side direction is formed in a beam homogenizer wherein two light reflection surfaces are parallel-provided in a beam progression optical waveguide with a predetermined space so as to face each other at surfaces along the beam progression direction and a course change reflection surface for changing the beam progression direction is formed at a surface in the direction intersected with the light reflection surfaces. The beam enters a cylindrical lens array and a cylindrical lens sequentially to homogenize the energy density distribution in its long-side direction. Then, the irradiation laser from the cylindrical lens is projected onto a non-single crystalline semiconductor film to perform annealing. |
| US07664361B2 |
Cable management panel with sliding drawer
An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slideable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A movable take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer. The take-up mechanism includes a U-shaped trough section and cable retention tabs. A control mechanism is provided for controlling movement of the take-up mechanism relative to the drawer. |
| US07664355B2 |
All-optical gates using nonlinear elements-claim set III
An all-optical logic gates comprises a nonlinear element such as an optical resonator configured to receive optical input signals, at least one of which is amplitude-modulated to include data. The nonlinear element is configured in relation to the carrier frequency of the optical input signals to perform a logic operation based on the resonant frequency of the nonlinear element in relation to the carrier frequency. Based on the optical input signals, the nonlinear element generates an optical output signal having a binary logic level. A combining medium can be used to combine the optical input signals for discrimination by the nonlinear element to generate the optical output signal. Various embodiments include all-optical AND, NOT, NAND, NOR, OR, XOR, and XNOR gates and memory latch. |
| US07664354B2 |
System and method for loose tube tight buffer indoor/outdoor optical fiber cable
A fiber cable having at least one fiber optic element, a water swellable powder, disposed on the fiber optic element and a tube surrounding the fiber element and the water swellable powder. The fiber optic element is in a loose non-coupled arrangement with respect to the inside of the tube such that during installation, mechanical installation stresses applied to the cable and the tube are not imparted to the fiber optic element therein. |
| US07664352B1 |
Spot size converter
A spot size converter has a first core, a larger second core, and a clad disposed on a substrate. The first core has a rectilinear cross-sectional shape and is embedded in the clad, except at its ends. One of these ends has a sloping surface along which the thickness of the first core tapers gradually to zero. The second core, which has a refractive index intermediate between the refractive indexes of the first core and clad, sits on the clad and covers the sloping end surface of the first core. Light propagates through the first core, then through the second core into an external optical device, or propagates from an external optical device through the second core into the first core. This arrangement provides a spot size converter having an easily manufacturable structure and no polarization dependency. |
| US07664350B2 |
Compact optics for concentration, aggregation and illumination of light energy
A solar concentrator having a concentrator element for collecting input light, a redirecting component with a plurality of incremental steps for receiving the light and also for redirecting the light, and a waveguide including a plurality of incremental portions enabling collection and concentration of the light onto a receiver. Other systems replace the receiver by a light source so system optics can provide illumination. |
| US07664345B2 |
MEMS device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate
A microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated from an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode. |
| US07664338B2 |
Perspective transformation of two-dimensional images
One aspect of the disclosure is directed to an embedded device. The embedded device comprises an image of interest selecting mechanism and a transformation mechanism. The transformation mechanism applies perspective transformation functions to the image of interest such that the image of interest varies from a greater width at a foreground viewpoint of the image of interest to a lesser width toward a vanishing point of the image of interest and such that the image of interest varies from a greater amount of expansion and lesser amount of compression at the foreground viewpoint of the image of interest to a lesser amount of expansion and a greater amount of compression towards the vanishing point of the image of interest. |
| US07664336B2 |
Video noise reduction
A video clip is processed by selecting a plurality of video frames of the video clip. A plurality of the pixels of the selected video frames are modified to form modified video frames. The modification to each of the plurality of the pixels is based on the intensity of the pixel, a change in the intensity of the pixel from the corresponding pixel in at least one related video frame, and the intensity of the corresponding pixel. A second video clip is formed that comprises the modified video clips. |
| US07664334B2 |
Image encoder, image encoding method, recording medium and computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave
A processor performs layout analysis, and classifies pieces of bitmap data into a character area and a picture area. The processor divides each of the character area and the picture area into a plurality of tiles having a predetermined shape, thereby creating a table including information representing either character attribute or picture attribute in association with each tile number. The processor performs scalar quantization for data of each tile using a quantization coefficient for characters or pictures, based on the created table. The processor encodes the data of each tile using an SNR progressive technique or a resolution progressive technique, and performs post quantization for the data using a quantization parameter for characters or pictures. Then, the processor stores the encoded data into a storage device. |
| US07664329B2 |
Block-based Gaussian mixture model video motion detection
A method for the detection of motion in video data is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method uses a background technique for the motion detection. In another embodiment, a Gaussian Mixture Model is applied to a neighborhood or block of pixels within an image frame, thereby identifying background and foreground in the image based on said blocks. |
| US07664328B2 |
Joint classification and subtype discovery in tumor diagnosis by gene expression profiling
A program storage device is provided readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for classification of biological tissue by gene expression profiling. The method steps include providing a training set of gene expression profiles of known tissue samples, providing a first-layer strong classifier of the known tissue samples by combining weak classifiers using boosting, creating two sample sets based on the first classifier, populating the two sample sets with a next-layer of classifiers based on a previous-layer classifier, organizing the classifiers in a tree data structure, and outputting the tree data structure as a probabilistic boosting tree classifier for tissue sample classification and disease subtype discovery. A multi-class diagnosis problem is transformed to a two-class diagnosis process by finding an optimal feature and dividing the multi-class problem into two-classes. |
| US07664325B2 |
Framework for detecting a structured handwritten object
Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions and apparatuses detect a structured handwritten object is detected in a handwritten document. A primitive structure, which is associated with a set of component objects, is formed. A candidate handwritten object is identified by detecting a corresponding logical structure. A classifier for the candidate handwritten object is determined. Consequently, the candidate handwritten object is validated from the classifier. |
| US07664323B2 |
Scalable hash-based character recognition
The subject invention leverages a scalable character glyph hash table to provide an efficient means to identify print characters where the character glyphs are identical over independent presentation. The hash table allows for quick determinations of glyph meta data as, for example, a pre-filter to traditional OCR techniques. The hash table can be trained for a particular environment, user, language, character set (e.g., alphabet), document type, and/or specific document and the like. This permits substantial flexibility and increases in speed in identifying unknown glyphs. The hash table itself can be composed of single or multiple tables that have a specific optimization purpose. In one instance of the subject invention, traditional OCR techniques can be utilized to update the hash tables as needed based on glyph frequency. This keeps the hash tables from growing by limiting updates that reduce its performance, while adding frequently determined glyphs to increase the pre-filter performance. |
| US07664320B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer product
When image data is determined to be reused, a first image-data processing unit performs a first image processing on the image data, a memory device accumulates the image data on which the first image processing is performed, and a second image-data processing unit performs second image processing on the image data accumulated in the memory device. When the image data is determined not to be reused, the first image-data processing unit performs a first image processing, and the second image-data processing unit performs a second image processing on the image data on which the first image processing is performed. |
| US07664315B2 |
Integrated image processor
An integrated image processor implemented on a substrate is disclosed. An input interface is configured to receive pixel data from two or more images. A pixel handling processor disposed on the substrate is configured to convert the pixel data into depth and intensity pixel data. In some embodiments, a foreground detector processor disposed on the substrate is configured to classify pixels as background or not background. In some embodiments, a projection generator disposed on the substrate is configured to generate a projection in space of the depth and intensity pixel data. |
| US07664314B2 |
Method for the analysis of correspondences in image data sets
Processing of image data relating to moving scenarios, especially for recognizing and tracking objects located therein, requires identifying corresponding pixels or image areas in the individual successive image data sets. Likewise, processing of stereo images requires identifying the data areas which correspond to each other in two images that are recorded substantially at the same time from different angles of vision. According to the novel method of analyzing correspondences in image data sets, the image data sets that are to be compared are transformed using a signature operator such that a signature string is calculated for each pixel and is stored in a signature table allocated to the individual image data sets along with the pixel coordinates in a first step. A correspondence hypothesis is then generated for the signature strings identified in both tables and is stored in a list of hypothesis is then generated for the signature strings identified in both tables and is stored in a list of hypotheses for further processing. The inventive method advantageously makes it possible to analyze correspondences in a very efficient manner regarding the computing time while allowing fast processing of image pairs even when individual objects are presented at very different points in the two data sets. |
| US07664311B2 |
Component mounting board inspecting apparatus
There is provided a component mounting inspecting apparatus which can automatically set a solder bridge inspection region (an inspection point) and output an optimum inspection result of a solder bridge. The component mounting board inspecting apparatus for inspecting a solder bridge of an electronic circuit board, in which a plurality of electrode pads are formed at predetermined spaced intervals and cream solder is applied on the electrode pads, includes a mechanism for automatically determining a distance between adjacent electrode pads and a mechanism for automatically setting a solder bridge inspection point if the distance between the adjacent electrode pads is equal to or shorter than a threshold value. |
| US07664308B2 |
Photomask inspection apparatus comparing optical proximity correction patterns to minimum and maximum limits
A pattern inspection apparatus includes an optical image acquiring unit that acquires optical image data of a target plate formed as a pattern. The pattern inspection apparatus also includes a design image data generating unit that generates first design image data based on a first design pattern serving as a base of pattern formation of the target plate. The pattern inspection apparatus additionally includes a comparing unit that compares the optical image data and the first design image data with each other. Further, information of a second design pattern is input in parallel with information of the first design pattern to the pattern inspection apparatus. In the comparing unit, second design image data generated based on the second design pattern is further input, and the optical image data is compared with the second design image data in place of the first design image data. |
| US07664307B2 |
Photomask manufacturing support system
A drawing data inputting/interpreting section of a data processing device reads in hierarchical structured drawing data from a first memory device and stores interpreted drawing data information extracted as graphic information in a second memory device. A data analysis section reads in the interpreted drawing data information, analyzes information necessary for a drawing step, and stores the same as drawing analysis results in the second memory device. In addition, a data conversion section reads in the interpreted drawing data information, and after a format conversion to inspection data, stores the converted inspection data in the second memory device. Thereby, a drawing data analysis step and an inspecting data conversion step can be carried out in parallel. |
| US07664306B2 |
Visual inspection method and visual inspection apparatus
In a visual inspection method and apparatus, a picture processing unit converts an original picture, obtained by taking a photograph of a BGA illuminated by a ring illuminator from above, by using a camera, and labels a binary picture obtained by this binary conversion. Then, it forms a circumscribing rectangle circumscribing an outer circumference of a labeling picture obtained by the labeling, and inverts a labeling picture within the formed rectangle, and removes a portion of a region formed by the outer circumference and the circumscribing rectangle in a picture obtained by the inversion, and then generates an inspection picture by adding a picture obtained by the removal to the labeling picture, and accordingly judges a pass or rejection of the inspection target sample based on the generated inspection picture. Thus, the inspection can be carried out at a high accuracy irrespectively of a low cost. |
| US07664304B2 |
Systems and methods for assessing documents using analysis of machine-printed writing and pre-printed information
Methods and systems are provided for analyzing and assessing documents using a profile for documents, such as a payment instrument. In one embodiment, the profile may include variable machine-printed writing. In other embodiments, the profile may include pre-printed information. A method may include providing a document to a computer system. In one embodiment, profile representations may be determined for information fields of the document. The determination may use variable machine-printed writing and/or pre-printed information from at least one of the information fields of the documents. In one embodiment, the method may further include comparing machine-printed writing and/or pre-printed information in information fields of the document to at least profile representation from at least one information field of at least one other document. In some embodiments, the method may include assessing fraud in the document using at least one of the comparisons. |
| US07664298B2 |
Methods for the compensation of imaging technique in the processing of radiographic images
The present invention relates to methods and devices for analyzing x-ray images. In particular, devices, methods and algorithms are provided that allow for the accurate and reliable evaluation of bone structure and macro-anatomical parameters from x-ray images. |
| US07664293B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and control method thereof
An image sensing apparatus includes a selector, an image sensing unit, a memory unit, an image combining unit and a recording unit. The selector is used to select a main object. The image sensing unit senses a plurality of images including the main object. The memory unit stores the plurality of images. The image combining unit combines the plurality of images stored in the memory unit to generate a combined image in which the main object appears to be stopped and an object other than the main object appears to be flowing. The recording unit compresses the combined image and records the compressed combined image on a recording medium. |
| US07664290B2 |
Image processor, image processing method, and storage medium storing program for the combining of coded images into print images
An image processor for combining a computer-readable coded image into a print image of a document including a document data main body and at least one associated data piece, has a print image generator that generates a print image of a document including an image of at least a part of the associated data, a coded image generator that generates a coded image to be combined into the print image, and a controller that determines whether or not the generated coded image can be combined into the image portion of the associated data by comparing a size of the generated coded image with a size of an image portion of the associated data, and combines the generated coded image into the image portion of the associated data on the generated print image, if it is determined that combining is possible. |
| US07664286B2 |
Capacitor microphone
A capacitor microphone in which a microphone case is made of a conductive material, has a microphone case connector connecting a cable connector at one end of a microphone cable to an internal circuit of a microphone, and is in electrical connection with the cable connector, and in which a conductive and elastic plate-like member is provided at a bottom of the microphone case connector, and is wedged by the cable connector and the microphone case connector. The cable connector and the microphone case connector being electrically connected via the conductive and elastic plate-like member. |
| US07664284B2 |
Microphone array in housing
An electronic device includes a circuit board, a first microphone module, and a second microphone module. The first microphone module includes a first omnidirectional microphone connected to the circuit board, a first boot also connected to the circuit board, and a first tube extending from the first boot. The second microphone module includes a second omnidirectional microphone connected to the circuit board, a second boot also connected to the circuit board, and a second tube extending from the second boot. The first and second omnidirectional microphones are identical, and the first and second boots are identical. |
| US07664276B2 |
Multipass parametric or graphic EQ fitting
Multiple passes are executed in the setup of an equalizer, and modification of the equalization is performed after each pass of an analysis phase. After an initial pass, the equalization is adjusted, based upon the location of peaks and valleys in the system response. This initial adjustment of equalization may tend to flatten most of the peaks and valleys to produce the desired uniform linear response. Inexact application of equalization corrections may introduce other artifacts into the system response and/or may not sufficiently normalize equalization. A second pass is then performed to measure the system response using the new equalization settings. The new peaks and valleys are measured, and the equalization adjusted to try to flatten response further. A proximity range may be applied to each pass, to reduce the likelihood that adjustment of one equalizer coefficient will create artifacts in the resulting system response. |
| US07664274B1 |
Enhanced acoustic transmission system and method
A system to generate an enhanced acoustic transmission signal includes a carrier signal generator to generate a carrier signal. A data signal generator is provided to receive data and to generate a data signal representing the data. A signal modulator is also provided to modulate the carrier signal with the data signal to form a modulated carrier signal at a carrier frequency. The system includes a masking signal generator to generate a masking signal to mask the modulated carrier signal from being audible by a human ear. An audio input device is provided to receive audio and to generate an audio signal based on the audio, wherein a frequency band surrounding the carrier frequency is removed from the audio signal. A signal adder is also provided to combine the modulated carrier signal, the masking signal, and the audio signal to form the enhanced acoustic transmission signal. |
| US07664272B2 |
Sound image control device and design tool therefor
A sound image control device filters transfer functions H3 and H1 indicating transfer characteristics of a sound from an acoustic transducer (8) to entrances to respective ear canals (1) and (2) as well as filtering transfer functions H4 and H2 from an acoustic transducer (9) to the entrances to the respective ear canals (1) and (2) and generates second transfer functions H6 and H5 indicating transfer characteristics of a sound to the entrances to the respective ear canals (1) and (2) from a target sound source (11) at a location different from the sound sources, the sound image control device being equipped with correction filters (13) and (14) that (i) store characteristic functions E1 and E2 for performing filtering operations on the first transfer functions H1, H2, H3, and H4 and (ii) generate the second transfer functions H5 and H6 from the first transfer functions H1, H2, H3, and H4 using such characteristic functions E1 and E2. |
| US07664270B2 |
3D audio signal processing system using rigid sphere and method thereof
Provided are a three-dimensional audio signal processing system using a rigid sphere and a method thereof. The three-dimensional audio signal processing system of the present research simplifies the shape of a human head into a rigid sphere, acquires three-dimensional audio signals by setting up mikes on the rigid sphere, and applies the acquire three-dimensional audio signals to diverse existing reproduction systems. The system includes a three-dimensional audio signal acquiring unit for acquiring audio signals by using a predetermined number of mikes set up on the rigid sphere; and a three-dimensional audio signal post-processing unit for converting the acquired audio signals to reproduce in diverse reproduction environments such as five-channel, four-channel, headphone, stereo, and stereo dipole reproduction environments. |
| US07664269B2 |
Encrypting message for secure transmission
A system, apparatus, and method are provided for enhancing entropy in a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) using remote sources. According to one embodiment of the present invention, first, the PRNG's internal state is initialized. Local seeding information is then obtained from a local host. For added security, additional seeding information is obtained from one or more remote entropy servers operating independently to each maintain a constantly updated state pool. Finally, the PRNG is stirred based upon the local seeding information, and the additional seeding information. |
| US07664267B2 |
Bit based arithmetic coding using variable size key cipher
An encryption device and method and decryption device and method which implement a bit-based encryption scheme and hardware design. The encryption device includes a random number generator, receiving a main key, determining a working key using at least one random number and outputting a working key, a model, receiving the main key, the working key and plain text to be encoded and generating at least two frequency counts. The encryption device further includes an encoder, which outputs encoded text based on the working key, the plain text and the at least two frequency counts. The encryption device and method and decryption device and method process encrypted text that is based upon a stream structure with an unlimited key length and may be compressed by 50%. The encoded text is changeable with different environments even for the same plain text and the same key. Operations of the hardware design are based on arithmetic additions and shifts, and not multiplications and divisions. As a result, the hardware design is simple and applicable to cryptography and e-commerce. |
| US07664263B2 |
Method for combining transfer functions with predetermined key creation
A method for combining transfer functions with predetermined key creation. In one embodiment, digital information, including a digital sample and format information, is protected by identifying and encoding a portion of the format information. Encoded digital information, including the digital sample and the encoded format information, is generated to protect the original digital information. In another embodiment, a digital signal, including digital samples in a file format having an inherent granularity, is protected by creating a predetermined key. The predetermined key is comprised of a transfer function-based mask set to manipulate data at the inherent granularity of the file format of the underlying digitized samples. |
| US07664261B2 |
Encryption processor
One chip encryption processor is disclosed, in which a password process unit for processing a data encryption and an interface for managing a password needed for an encryption are integrated into one chip. The encryption processor includes an encryption interface for connecting an externally connected apparatus and an internal data process apparatus, a password process unit for encrypting the inputted data, a memory unit for temporarily storing the data. The above elements are integrated into one chip, so that a desired data security, non-error operation and stable user verification are obtained. |
| US07664255B2 |
Hands free aural device holder
Disclosed is a hands-free holder for hands-free use of a device that is designed to be held up to a user's ear. The holder is connectable to the device and includes a sleeve that includes a transparent elastically stretchable material that defines an opening for receiving a portion of the device. The holder further includes a curved member that includes a first end and second end rotatably coupled to a first side of the sleeve and to an opposite side of the sleeve, respectively. The curved member defines an opening for receiving the top of a user's ear and is configured to rest on and behind the user's ear when the top of the user's ear is received in the opening such that the device connected to the holder is supported by the user's ear, thereby allowing hands-free use of the device. |
| US07664253B2 |
Main terminal and a method of operating the same
A main terminal and a method of operating the same. In this method of operating the main terminal, the main terminal is connected to a telephone network so as to communicate with the telephone network, and selectively connects an external terminal to the telephone network. To perform the method, first, if it is requested that the telephone network be disconnected from the external terminal and instead be connected to the main terminal, an internal current to flow into the main terminal is obtained from a loop voltage generated when the external terminal is in connection with the telephone network. Next, the internal current is applied to the main terminal. Thereafter, the telephone network is disconnected from the external terminal and instead connected to the main terminal. While the internal current is flowing in the main terminal, the main terminal maintains the loop voltage generated when the external terminal is in connection with the telephone network. Accordingly, the telephone network can be disconnected from an external terminal and instead be connected to the main terminal without generating an interrupt. Thus, an exchanger included in the telephone network can be prevented from malfunctioning due to the generation of the interrupt. |
| US07664252B1 |
Method and apparatus for sending alerts to internet protocol phones
The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member. |
| US07664250B1 |
System and method for incoming telephone call distribution among inbound links of service platforms
A method for distributing incoming telephone calls among inbound links of a service platform is provided. First information is accumulated regarding routing of the incoming telephone calls during a previous time period to the inbound links of the service platform by a network call processor. Second information including a number of the inbound links of the service platform allocated to the network call processor for a future time period is generated based on the first information. A number of the incoming telephone calls are routed to the inbound links of the service platform during the future time period based on the second information. |
| US07664248B2 |
Call forwarding to voice mail systems based on redirecting number
A method and system is presented to route calls to a voicemail system. The method includes receiving a call from an originating device at a first redirecting device and forwarding the call from the first redirecting device to a second redirecting device. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of the originating device and the first redirecting number of the first redirecting device. The method also includes forwarding the call from the second redirecting device to a destination voice mailbox. The destination voice mailbox is selected based on an evaluation of the first redirecting number and the second redirecting number. |
| US07664241B1 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring blocked calls in a communication network
Method and apparatus for monitoring a communication network is described. In one example, call detail record data generated by network elements in the communication network is parsed to identify occurrence of a plurality of blocked calls over a time period. A plurality of consolidated call detail records for the plurality of blocked calls are respectively generated from the call detail record data. Each of the plurality of consolidated call detail records includes an originating telephone number. The originating telephone number of each of the plurality of consolidated call detail records is then processed to identify unique originating telephone numbers for the plurality of blocked calls. |
| US07664239B2 |
Methods and computer-readable media for managing and configuring options for the real-time notification and disposition of voice services in a cable services network
Methods are provided for managing and configuring voice services the notification and disposition of voice services, such as telephone calls, in a cable television services system. In response to receiving a notification of an incoming voice service in the cable television services system, a voice services banner is generated for displaying options for managing the incoming voice service. Options for managing the incoming voice service are selected from the voice services banner. An on-screen user interface is generated for configuring voice services options on a display device in communication with a set-top box. The user interface receives selections for configuring the voice services options. In response to receiving a selection, a determination is made whether to display a menu for configuring the voice services options based on a subscriber profile. If it is determined that the configuration of voice services is authorized, then the menu is displayed for configuring the voice services options. |
| US07664238B2 |
Method of transmitting one text message to many receivers
A method of transmitting one text message to a plurality of receivers is disclosed. The method includes inputting numbers of the receivers and a text message to be transmitted, determining a type of a transmission speed of the inputted text message, and transmitting the inputted text message of the determined type to numbers of the respective receivers. If the text message transmission succeeds, the method further includes confirming whether any further receivers of the text message exist and, if so, inputting new numbers of the further receivers and re-transmitting the corresponding text message to the new numbers of the further receivers. In inputting the phone numbers of the receivers, the sender can transmit the text message more rapidly and conveniently using the phonebook function and one-touch dial function. |
| US07664235B2 |
Method and apparatus for voice mail notes
A novel method and apparatus for recording an audio note for a voice message stored on a messaging platform are disclosed. |
| US07664233B1 |
Emergency and non-emergency telecommunications notification system
Methods and systems for providing electronic notifications are described. A server is configured to serve an interface, such as a Web page, to a terminal that requests from a user a first set of user contacts to be used to provide notifications to the user by a telephonic notification system in response to a notification process initiated by an organization associated with the user. The interface further requests a first set of priorities corresponding to the first set of user contacts, wherein the notification system will attempt to provide notifications to the first set user contracts in an order based at least in part on the first set of priorities. A database is configured to store the first set of user contacts and the first set of priorities. A voice interface circuit is configured to transmit a voice notification to at least one of the first set of user contacts. |
| US07664230B2 |
X-ray tubes
The present invention is directed to an X-ray tube that has an electron source in the form of a cathode and an anode within a housing. The anode is a thin film anode, so that most of the electrons which do not interact with it to produce X-rays pass directly through it. A retardation electrode is located behind the anode and is held at a potential which is negative with respect to the anode and slightly positive with respect to the cathode. |
| US07664229B2 |
X-ray tube and x-ray source including same
The present invention relates to an X-ray tube, having a structure enabling capturing of a clear magnified transmission image and enabling increase of a magnification factor of the magnified transmission image, and an X-ray source including the X-ray tube. In the X-ray tube, X-rays are generated by making electrons from an electron gun incident onto an X-ray target of an anode, disposed inside an anode housing unit, and the generated X-rays are taken out from an X-ray emission window. In particular, the anode housing unit has a pair of conductive flat portions disposed parallel to a reference plane, orthogonal to an electron incidence surface of the X-ray target, and so as to sandwich the X-ray target. The reference plane contains a first reference line, joining an electron emission exit center of the electron gun and an electron incidence surface center of the X-ray target, and a second reference line, being a straight line intersecting the first reference line on the electron incidence surface of the X-ray target and joining the electron incidence surface center and an X-ray emission window center. |
| US07664224B2 |
X-ray fluorescence visualizing, imaging, or information providing of chemicals, compounds, or biological materials
One aspect can relate to detecting a presence of an at least one chemical, compound, or biological material contained in an at least some matter of an at least a portion of an at least one individual based at least partially on addition of an at least one chemical identifying additive to the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the at least one individual based at least partially on a generation of an at least one induced X-ray fluorescing photon within the at least one chemical identifying additive responsive to a single input energy event in which an at least some input energy is being applied proximal to the at least one chemical, compound, or biological material contained in the at least some matter of the at least the portion of the at least one individual. |
| US07664220B2 |
Visual device, interlocking counter, and image sensor
An interlocked counter including a synchronous counter, a logic gate for judging end-value, a logic gate for amplifying an interlocking signal, at least one latch circuit for the interlocking signal, a logic gate for the interlocking signal, and a logic gate for an enable signal, wherein behavior of the synchronous counter is stopped when a count number arrived at an end value, by that the synchronous counter counts a number of pulses of a clock signal when the synchronous counter inputted an enable signal, the logic gate for judging end-value generates an interlocking signal when the count number outputted by a synchronous counter coincided with the end value, the logic gate for amplifying interlocking signal amplifies the interlocking signal in order to output to an external part, and the logic gate for enable signal generates the enable signal when the interlocking signal is not generated. |
| US07664219B2 |
Flip-flop and shift register
A flip-flop is provided. The flip-flop is used in a shift register in a source driver. The flip-flop is used to receive a first clock signal, an input signal and output an output signal. The output signal is fed back to the flip-flop. The flip-flop includes a flop core for receiving the input signal and output the output signal. When the input signal and the output signal are all disabled, the flop core is disabled to function. When the input signal or the output signal is enabled, the flop core is enabled to function to output the output signal. |
| US07664218B2 |
Shift register and image display apparatus containing the same
A shift register includes a first transistor supplying an output terminal with a clock signal input to a first clock terminal and a second transistor discharging the output terminal. Defining the gate node of the first transistor as a first node, and the gate node of the second transistor as a second node, the shift register includes an inverter circuit in which the first node serves as its input node and a capacitive element serves as a load, and a buffer circuit receiving the output from the inverter circuit and outputting a signal to the second node. |
| US07664216B2 |
Digital frequency locked delay line
A device includes a signal generator having a delay locked circuit for providing a of output signals based on an input signal. The output signals have a fixed signal relationship with each other and with the input signal. The signal generator also includes a selector for selecting an enable signal from a range of signals formed by the output signals. The device further includes a transceiver circuit in which the transceiver circuit uses the enable signal for data processing. |
| US07664215B2 |
Signal alignment based on data signal
Alignment of a receiver clock signal with a transmitter clock signal based upon a received data signal is disclosed. Some embodiments generate, based upon of phase bits and valid phase bits, a phase signal having a voltage level selected from at least three voltage levels. One voltage level corresponds to shifting the receiver clock signal in a first direction. Another voltage level corresponds to shifting the receiver clock signal in a second direction. The other voltage level corresponds to repeating a previous shift of the receiver clock signal. |
| US07664214B2 |
System and method for transferring data among transceivers substantially void of data dependent jitter
A communication system, clock generation circuit, and method are provided for receiving jitter upon data and to generate a clock reference that does not contain the received jitter. The clock reference can be used either by a digital subsystem of a communication system node, or can be transmitted as substantially jitter-free data from that node to a downstream node of the communication system. Instead of recovering the clock reference from the data having jitter, a pattern is regularly defined within the data stream preferably at periodic, timed intervals. The data pattern may be made up of a series of non-transitions which, regardless of any jitter in the data itself, does not impute any jitter onto a phase-locked loop triggered from an edge of the non-transitioning data pattern. Using the edge as a reference point, a jitter-free clocking signal can be derived at the same frequency as a clocking signal which would normally be produced from the jitter-induced data. |
| US07664211B2 |
Automatic gain control with out of band blocking signal compensation
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method of receiving an input signal. The method, in various embodiments, includes detecting a peak of the input signal and detecting an envelope of the input signal. In various embodiments, the peak and envelope are used to identify out-of-band blocking signals and to adjust gain control. The method also includes comparing the peak to a first threshold Tp and comparing the envelope to a second threshold Te. In the method, if the peak is above the first threshold and the envelope is below the second threshold, then ignoring the input signal. If the envelope is above the second threshold, the method includes applying automatic gain control to decode information encoded in the input signal. |
| US07664210B2 |
Non-coherent synchronous direct-conversion receiving apparatus for compensating frequency offset
A non-coherent synchronous direct-conversion receiving apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a RF receiving unit, an I/Q ADC unit, and a digital signal processing unit for analyzing the digital signal received from the I/Q ADC unit to adjust a bandwidth of a variable receiving filtering unit according to the analyzing result, compensating a frequency offset to be correspondent with a symbol transmitting rate by extracting frequency offset information from the digital signal, compensating a frequency offset using the analyzing result, and applying a voltage corresponding to a sum of compensating values to the RF receiving unit. Therefore, the apparatus can compensate a frequency offset regardless of the magnitude of a frequency offset and performs a stable AFC operation through varying the bandwidth of a receiving filter by estimating the frequency offset with only data information, and adjusting a reference frequency twice through an interface signal. |
| US07664209B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating transmission of short messages with hard handoff searches in a wireless communications system
A method and apparatus for coordinating the time at which a mobile station performs searches for alternative systems to which a hard handoff will occur. The mobile station receives a command which instructs the mobile station as to when to tune to alternative frequencies in order to search for indicates of the presence of an alternative system. In another system which includes the present invention, predetermined times are defined with respect to a reference point in time that is common to both the origination base station and a mobile station. The mobile station tunes to alternative frequencies to perform searches only during these predetermined times. In addition, the mobile station coordinates the transmission of reports, which indicate the results of searches for alternative systems such that these reports are only transmitted from the mobile station when the mobile station is tuned to the origination frequency. |
| US07664202B2 |
Transmission device and wireless communication apparatus
In a first mode in which the power level of a transmission output signal (S6) is to be high, an output from the multiplier (2) is input to an amplitude modulation signal amplifier (4), and a radio frequency power amplifier (5) performs amplitude modulation on a radio frequency phase modulated signal (S4) using a nonlinear area with a supply voltage from the amplitude modulation signal amplifier (4). In a second mode in which the power level of a transmission output signal (S6) is to be low, the output from the multiplier (2) is input to a variable gain amplifier (7), and the variable gain amplifier (7) performs amplitude modulation on the radio frequency phase modulated signal (S4). The amplitude modulated signal is output without passing through the radio frequency power amplifier (5). |
| US07664201B2 |
Digital automatic gain control
An automatic gain control system prevents input overload by precisely controlling the input level of a received, digitally modulated signal without variable gain amplification. Limiting amplification in conjunction with a logarithmic detection splits an input signal path in two, providing separate phase and amplitude information for downstream digital signal processing, where the separate phase and amplitude information is processed without variable gain artifacts. The separated phase information may further be divided into I and Q signals. |
| US07664195B2 |
Method to increase the bit rate in a communication system
Disclosed is a method and a device to increase the bit rate in a communications system comprising N transmitters (2N) and M receivers (3M), with M greater than or equal to N. The method comprises the following steps. a) simultaneously sending different messages on several of the N (2N) transmitters, b) simultaneously receiving the superimposition of the messages sent during the step a) on several of the M (3M) receivers or reception sensors, c) estimating the characteristics of the transmission channel for each pair constituted by a transmission sensor and a receiver sensor, d) jointly estimating all or at least the majority of the messages received in taking account of the signals as well as the characteristics of the transmission channel. Application to GSM signals and to systems of unicast transmission and multicast transmission, namely multipoint-to-point and multipoint-to-multipoint transmission. |
| US07664186B2 |
Channel decoding for multicarrier signal transmission by means of DC-offset and carrier-frequency offset-dependent weighting of reliability information
The influence of a DC offset with a carrier-frequency offset at the same time is reduced in that the values of the assumed or determined DC offset and of the assumed or determined carrier-frequency offset are included in the determination of reliability information for one sub-carrier in the multicarrier system, and the reliability information is corrected in this way. A factor M, where M<1, is defined for each sub-carrier on the basis of the values for the DC offset and for the carrier-frequency offset, and the reliability information for the sub-carriers is multiplied by these factors M. |
| US07664183B2 |
Correlation processing among multiple analyzers of video streams at stages of a pipeline architecture
A pipeline architecture for analyzing multiple streams of video is embodied, in part, in a layer of application program interfaces (APIs) to each stage of processing. Buffer queuing is used between some stages, which helps moderate the load on the CPU(s). Through the layer of APIs, innumerable video analysis applications can access and analyze video data flowing through the pipeline, and can annotate portions of the video data (e.g., frames and groups of frames), based on the analysis performed, with information that describes the frame or group. These annotated frames and groups flow through the pipeline to subsequent stages of processing, at which increasingly complex analysis can be performed. At each stage, portions of the video data that are of little or no interest are removed from the video data. Ultimately, “events” are constructed and stored in a database, from which cross-event and historical analysis may be performed and associations with, and among, events may be made. |
| US07664177B2 |
Intra-coded fields for bi-directional frames
An encoder/decoder uses intra-coded B-fields [“BI-fields”]. For example, rather than encoding many of the macroblocks in a field as intra macroblocks at a scene change, an encoder can choose to encode the entire field as intra. Encoding an entire field as a BI-field allows increased coding efficiency through reduced coding overhead at macroblock level, and without intra-frame dependency, the BI-field can still be dropped if appropriate in low-bitrate applications. |
| US07664176B2 |
Method and system for entropy decoding for scalable video bit stream
A method, program product and apparatus for decoding from a scalable bit stream the binarization results of a video sequence by selectively decoding syntax elements and avoiding redundancy in coding. The result is a decrease in the size of the compressed bit stream of an enhancement layer bit stream. It has been demonstrated that the compression efficiency equals that of a single, non-scalable video stream for some video sequences. These features may be achieved by determining whether a skipping flag in the base layer macro block of the video data is set, and decoding a skipping flag from an enhancement layer macro block of the video data, corresponding to the base layer macro block, only if the base layer macro block skipping flag is set. |
| US07664174B2 |
Diagnostic device, system and method for reduced data transmission
A device, system and method may enable the obtaining of in vivo images from within body lumens or cavities, such as images the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the data such as image data is typically transmitted or otherwise sent to a receiving system in compressed or diluted form. The image may be reconstructed and for example displayed to a user. |
| US07664171B2 |
Uplink burst equalizing method in broad wide access system
A method for uplink burst equalization in broad wide access system, using the form of combining pre-training and burst equalization, that is, before transmitting user data, training the equalizer, then starting transmitting user data, in which, the equalizer uses decision user data as reference to track the changed wireless channel; if the change of channel exceeds the tracking region of equalizer, for example, the error rate exceeds threshold 1 but doesn't exceed threshold 2, the burst equalization will be performed; if the channel change exceeds the equalization region of equalizer, for example, the error rate exceeds threshold 2, the training will be performed again. By using the form of combining pre-training and burst equalization, setting different thresholds for handoff, the present invention greatly prolongs the intervals of subsequent pre-training process, thereby reducing the times of pre-training and increasing the effective bandwidth; By introducing burst equalization process, the present invention also decreases the requirement of system on operation occasion (for example, the static channel or the interval of bursts should be short), thereby increasing the application occasions of product. |
| US07664167B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing modem sample rates on a digital audio interface within a direct access arrangement circuit
An apparatus for managing modem sample rates within a direct access arrangement (DAA) circuit is disclosed. The DAA circuit includes a serial audio interface for providing communications between the DAA circuit and a host computer system. The serial audio interface is capable of operating under multiple serial communication interface standards, such as the AC '97 standard and the HD Audio standard. The DAA circuit also includes means for configuring the serial audio interface to transmit and receive modem samples at an audio sample rate higher than a modem sample rate of modem samples and at a predetermined bit size that is wider than a bit size of the modem samples, such that one bit of each of the modem samples is utilized to indicate the validity of each associated modem samples. |
| US07664163B2 |
Receiver
With the objective of enhancing receiving performance of a receiver with respect to pulse signals spread by spread codes, the receiver comprises an RF front-end section which performs amplification, an AD converter section which AD-converts signals outputted from the RF front-end section, a baseband section which inversely spreads the output of the AD converter section and performs signal detection and demodulation thereon, a reception environment measuring section which measures reception environment using the input signals of the baseband section, and a parameter setting section which sets parameters for respective parts on the basis of signals outputted from the reception environment measuring section. The parameter setting section sets the parameters for the respective parts to the optimum according to the environmental condition measured by the reception environment measuring section. |
| US07664162B1 |
High-frequency wireless peripheral device with auto-connection and auto-synchronization
Automatic establishment of a connection between a human interface device and a host transceiver unit. A marriage ID is exchanged in a synchronization step. The marriage ID being used by both the host transceiver and the human interface device to calculate a spread spectrum modulation pattern. In one embodiment the spread spectrum modulation is a frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation. |
| US07664157B2 |
Tunable laser
A tunable laser has a multiple ring resonator comprising a plurality of ring resonators having respective ring-shaped waveguides and respective different optical path lengths, an input/output side optical waveguide coupled to the multiple ring resonator, an optical input/output device such as a laser diode coupled to the input/output side optical waveguide, a reflection side optical waveguide coupled to the multiple ring resonator, an optical reflector coupled to the reflection side optical waveguide for removing light at an unwanted wavelength and reflecting light at a required wavelength, and a wavelength varying mechanism for changing the resonant wavelength of the multiple ring resonator. |
| US07664156B2 |
Wavelength tunable laser
A wavelength tunable laser comprises a multiple ring resonator, an input/output side waveguide coupled to a ring resonator, a reflection side waveguide coupled to a ring resonator, a multiple ring resonator, a PLC substrate where the input/output side waveguide and the reflection side waveguide are formed, a high reflection film set on the reflection side waveguide, a SOA connected to the input/output side waveguide through a anti-reflection film, a film heater which is placed above a ring waveguide for wavelength tuning in the PLC substrate and provides heat to the ring waveguide for wavelength tuning, and a adiabatic groove, which restrain conducting heat provided by the film heater to the PLC substrate except the ring waveguide for wavelength tuning. |
| US07664152B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device has a front surface electrode formed by Au plating, a rear surface electrode formed by Au plating, an anti-adhesive film on the front surface electrode or the rear surface electrode and made of a material that does not react with Au, and a coating film that covers an end face on a light emitting side and an end face opposite the light emitting side. The anti-adhesive films may be located at least at the four corners of the front or rear surface electrode. |