| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07665791B2 |
Seat slide device for vehicle
In a seat sliding device having a lock mechanism disposed within an inner space defined by an upper rail and a lower rail, to tilt a lock lever from the inner space toward the outside of the rails, a torsion bar 40 is used as urging means for urging the lock lever 31 in the lock mechanism 30. When an operation lever 50 is in its inoperative state, the lock lever is urged by torsional force of the torsion bar in its locking direction, claws 32 are fitted into engaging holes 11a and 21a, from the inside of the lower rail 10 and upper rail 20 toward the outside of the rails, to be placed in its locking position. When the operation lever is operated, the lock lever is tilted against the torsional force of the torsion bar, the fitted state with the claws being fitted into the engaging holes of both rails is released, to make the upper rail movable relative to the lower rail. |
| US07665789B2 |
Storage receptacle
A seat for a vehicle includes a cushion, a base and a tab. The base supports the cushion and defines a chamber having an opening. The chamber is configured to provide a storage location for a manual and the opening is configured to accommodate passage of a manual to and from the chamber. The tab is provided adjacent to the opening and is moveable between a first position in which the tab blocks a manual from passing through the opening, and a second position in which the tab allows a manual to pass through the opening. A receptacle facilitates storage of a manual beneath the seat of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a seat, a chamber and a tab. |
| US07665786B2 |
Folding tongs
A foldable tongs unit of the type having two pivotally joined legs has a storage position in which the legs lie in flush abutting relation so that the total thickness of the tongs unit in its storage position is the thickness of the two legs. Three transversely spaced fingers on each leg, when unstressed, reside in the plane of the leg and provide both the pivotal connection and the resilient bias against which the tongs are operated. The thickness of each of the joined non-flexing fingers is increased at the proximal end of the unit (i.e., at the hinge), permitting the pivot axis to be located substantially in the plane of abutment between the two legs in the storage position of the unit. In the actuation position, the ends of the foreshortened flexing fingers abut non-flexing fingers of the opposite leg to provide the desired resilient gripping function. |
| US07665782B2 |
Pick up device with locking mechanism and leverage action trigger
This invention provides hand operated portable devices for grasping and manipulation of objects as well as methods of their use. Embodiments of the devices of the invention comprise two opposing angled jaw members that are operated by a user-controlled trigger through a linkage lever as well as comprise a locking mechanism allowing locking of the jaw members. |
| US07665780B2 |
Pet waste collection kit, device and method
A pet waste collection device includes a container with first and second boxes joined with a hinge, and a handle that may be detachably attached to the collection container. The handle includes a finger portion that is slidable in an opening through a thumb portion of the handle. The handle is oriented such that the first and second boxes become extensions of the users thumb and fingers with action mimicking a grasping action while maintaining the users hand remote from any pet waste being collected. The handle may be reusable, and a plurality of collection containers may be included as part of a kit. |
| US07665779B2 |
Vehicle arresting apparatus
A vehicle has a forward end fashioned with a vehicle arresting device. The vehicle arresting device includes an elongate flexible member carried by opposed first and second supports having first and second outer ends, respectively. The first and second supports are mounted to the vehicle together for movement between stored and deployed positions relative to the forward end of the vehicle. The first and second outer ends of the first and second supports are disposed forwardly of the forward end of the vehicle in spaced apart relation in the deployed position of the first and second supports suspending the elongate flexible member therebetween. |
| US07665778B2 |
Vehicle bumper and method of making same
A vehicle bumper and a method for making a vehicle bumper formed of first and second members. Each of the first and second members are formed of substantially similar first and second U-shaped members positioned such that the respective sidewalls of the first and second U-shaped members are positioned adjacent one another. The bumper including a plurality of apertures therein formed by cutouts extending inward from the peripheral edge of each of the first and second U-shaped members. |
| US07665773B2 |
Self-tightening clamp assemblies for protection against full pipe separation
Improved self-tightening clamp assemblies are designed for application to the adjacent ends of connected pipe sections in spanning relationship to the joint therebetween. The assemblies include a plurality of clamp bodies configured for placement about the adjacent pipe section ends and carrying a plurality of pipe-engaging teeth; a clamping mechanism is operably coupled with the clamp bodies to cause the teeth to grippingly engage the pipe section ends. The teeth are oriented so as to exert an increasing gripping force on the pipe sections ends in the event of relative separation movement between the ends. |
| US07665771B2 |
Flexible header joint
A flexible header joint for a high performance automobile is provided, wherein the first end of the joint receives a header collector and the second end of the joint receives an exhaust pipe. A cylindrical clamp maintains the joint in position to the header collector, the clamp having three spring retainers circumferentially positioned around the clamp. When the automobile is in motion, the clamp allows for the header to twist and rotate relative to the exhaust pipe while still maintaining the seal and thus preventing leakage of exhaust. |
| US07665769B2 |
Pole grip comprising an adjustable hand strap
A pole grip, especially for canes, trekking poles, downhill skiing poles, cross-county skiing poles, and Nordic walking poles. The pole grip includes a grip member and a hand-retaining device in the form of a hand strap or a glove. The hand-retaining device is equipped with a substantially band-shaped element which is provided with an end that is fixed inside the recess in the area of the top wall on the grip member. The pole grip includes a blocking element disposed which releases both the band section that penetrates into the grip member and the band section protruding from the grip member in the direction of the loose end while allowing the useful length to be adjusted when the hand-retaining device is oriented upward, the deflecting element blocks both the band section that penetrates into the grip member and the band section protruding from the grip member towards the loose end when the hand-retaining device is oriented downward, thus making it possible to provide a very reliable and simply designed adjustable hand-retaining device on a pole grip. |
| US07665768B2 |
Multipurpose and evolutive road trailer
The invention concerns a road trailer whose frame consists of profiles having a fin to support the floor and grooves on their upper and lower faces able to retain in rotation bolt heads and the lower edges of sidewalls (10). The side members and cross bars are joined by corner pieces which have a vertical orifice to receive the lower end of a post (9) comprising orthogonal grooves housing the side edges of the sidewalls (10). The corner pieces (30) have two perpendicular arms respectively fitted into the adjacent ends of profiles forming the frame. Mounting of the elements requires little tooling. |
| US07665765B2 |
Air-bag and method of folding the same
An air bag 12 is spread flatly. Along four lines “R” that extend radially outward, the air bag 12 is sandwiched and held by line part forming units. By using a first press pieces 44, a portion between the neighboring lines “R” is pressed toward the gas inlet opening to form a first gathering portion, and form a ear portion 52 along each line “R”. Then, each ear portion 52 is pressed by a second press piece 45 to form a second gathering portion 54 that is like a bellows. When a gas is introduced into the gas inlet opening 26, the second gathering portion 54 is quickly expanded and increase of internal pressure of the air bag can be controlled. In the folding process, there is no need of turning the air bag 12 and thus a production device can be made simple in construction. |
| US07665764B2 |
Gas generator for air bag
The gas generator includes, a housing having a gas discharge port, a first combustion chamber defined by the housing, a first gas generating agent adapted to generate gas to inflate an air bag, the first gas generating agent having a first combustion temperature and disposed in the first combustion chamber, a second gas generating agent adapted to generate gas to inflate the air bag, the second gas generating agent having a second combustion temperature lower than the first combustion temperature and disposed in the first combustion chamber, and a first ignition unit for directly igniting at least one of the first gas generating agent and the second gas generating agent. |
| US07665761B1 |
Inflatable personal restraint systems and associated methods of use and manufacture
Inflatable restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle are disclosed herein. A personal restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes an airbag carried by a web. The web has an end portion operably coupled to the vehicle and is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant. The airbag includes a first inflatable chamber in fluid communication with a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber extends adjacent to a portion of the web when inflated, and the second inflatable chamber extends outwardly from the first inflatable chamber adjacent to a portion of the occupant when inflated. |
| US07665759B2 |
Cover plate for an airbag module
A cover plate for an airbag module, such as a driver side airbag module. The cover plate includes a cover part and at least one wall which extends in a generally perpendicular manner in relation to the cover part. In order to prevent indentation areas from forming on the visible surface of the cover part on the transition points towards the walls and to provide the simple deformation of the airbag cover from the production tool, the wall extends, when seen in the cross-section thereof, at distances which are short in relation to the length of the wall, alternating in different directions. |
| US07665758B2 |
Airbag cover, instrument panel, and airbag apparatus
An airbag cover includes an airbag cover main body extending along a surface that faces a front passenger in a vehicle for covering a passenger airbag, a tear line provided at the airbag cover main body for splitting the airbag cover, and a deployment door provided at the airbag cover main body and defined by the tear line. The deployment door is split and deployed along the tear line by pressure of a deployment and inflation load of the passenger airbag. A low-rigidity region and a high-rigidity region are provided at the deployment door to provide different flexural rigidities. |
| US07665751B2 |
Transverse or oblique link
A transverse or oblique link is provided for a front vehicle axle. The link contains a first and a second link arm, the first link arm has a deformation section situated at a front in the direction of travel and a section situated behind it in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the first link arm is configured in such a manner that, in an accident, it is deformed in an energy-absorbing manner predominantly in its deformation section. In order to force a deformation in the deformation section, the flexural rigidity of the section about a bending axis running in the transverse direction of the vehicle is increased in comparison to the flexural rigidity of the deformation section. Upon contact with a curb, the two sections can be deformed in an energy-absorbing manner. |
| US07665744B1 |
Reverse drive for a motorcycle
A reverse drive for a motorcycle. In one embodiment, the drive includes a flexible frame. A plurality of rollers are mounted to the flexible frame and configured to be positioned substantially horizontally. A motorcycle-interface is attached to the frame. |
| US07665743B2 |
Adjustable strut spacer
An adjustable strut spacer includes two complementary strut spacer disks that engage each other and the vehicle suspension to provide adjustable spacing. Each strut spacer disk is flat on one side and stepped on the other side. The steps of the upper strut spacer engage the steps of the lower strut spacer such that when the strut spacer disks are counter rotated the thickness of the adjustable strut spacer changes. |
| US07665742B2 |
Vehicle hydraulic system
A hydraulic system incorporated into a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of actuators for providing a desired configuration of a vehicle. A valve system is operatively coupled to the plurality of actuators for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid to the plurality of actuators to energize the actuators to produce, responsive to the desired configuration of the vehicle, a first configuration of a plurality of first configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle, or a second configuration of a plurality of second configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle. |
| US07665737B1 |
21 to the river
A method of playing a Blackjack game provides a side-bet against a bust. Should a bust occur the bust card is combined with four subsequently dealt playing cards to define a five-card poker hand. This resulting poker hand is compared to a predetermined hierarchy of poker hands, and payouts are awarded for winning outcomes. |
| US07665735B2 |
Closable-type game board box for strategic word pattern engagement
My child educational board game, “Word Battle”, requires players to approach word learning, sequencing, and construction from a naval/military strategist point of view in that instead of targeting objectives in a mere hit-or-miss situation, where the goal in and of itself is to reach and eliminate occupied coordinates, he/she must locate and actually identify the quality of opponents' pieces (these being letters) before the other competitors capture or eliminate out of play all his/her own word patterns. |
| US07665729B2 |
Sheeting processing apparatus
In a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing for sheets after image formation such as sorting or stapling of the sheets, when the sheets are subjected to processing in a processing tray, after the sheets are discharged to the waiting tray, a paddle operation is started to drop the sheets to the processing tray. When the paddle is in a position where the paddle does not come into contact with the sheets on the processing tray, the rotation of the paddle is stopped once to prevent the paddle from interfering with the sheets. |
| US07665728B2 |
Inverting document feeding device with flap portion
A document feeding device includes a document placing tray, a document ejection tray disposed above the document placing tray, a feeding path, a first reversal path, a second reversal path, and a reversing mechanism. The document ejection tray has a flap portion capable of rocking up and down to provide a first ejection mode and a second ejection mode. The reversing mechanism is configured to temporarily eject part of a document to a space portion between the document placing tray and the document ejection tray. |
| US07665727B2 |
Enclosed carton magazine assembly
A system, method, and process of for packaging liquid product into cartons using an automated packaging system and more specifically methods of enclosing the packaging system and routing conditioned air over the cartons is presented. More specifically, a carton magazine assembly for collecting plastic coated paper carton blanks prior to sanitization, assembly, filling, and sealing includes a magazine cover that can be opened to insert additional carton blanks into the packaging system as necessary. The magazine cover has an integrated air manifold that directs pressurized conditioned air over the carton blanks towards suction ports. The suction ports collect the air with potential contaminants and the filters the air prior to ejecting it away from the vicinity of the packaging system. |
| US07665721B2 |
Device for forming stacks of flat products
A device for forming stacks of flat products comprises a first transportation section for transporting a stream of individual flat products of a first type, a second transportation section for forming an overlapping stream from the flat products of the first type, and a stacking unit for forming individual stacks from the overlapping stream. The device further comprises a feed unit for flat products of a second type, whereby the feed unit introduces the flat products of the second type inline into the stream of individual flat products of the first type. |
| US07665720B2 |
Paper sheet processing apparatus
A paper sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of bundling devices, and a plurality of chute devices which temporarily hold bundles, which are bundled by the bundling devices. A second transfer conveyor, which is slower than a first transfer conveyor, is disposed on a downstream side of the first conveyor. A transmission sensor, which detects abnormality in length of the bundle, is provide along the second conveyor. The distance from a release position of the bundle from the chute device, which is located on a most downstream side, to a terminal end of the first conveyor and the length of the second conveyor are set such that a time until the bundle, which is released from the most downstream chute device, is transferred onto the second conveyor is longer than at least a time until the bundle, which is transferred from the first conveyor, passes through the second conveyor. |
| US07665719B2 |
Food preparation board
The present invention provides a food preparation board with multiple and distinct measurement zones. The food preparation board comprises a work surface that is provided for preparation of a food item thereon, and is sized to receive at least a portion of the food item. A rest surface is located opposite the work surface. A first measurement zone is defined by a first portion of the work surface. The first measurement zone is comprised of a first plurality of measurement indicia corresponding to a first measurement scale. A second measurement zone is defined by a distinct second portion of the work surface, the second measurement zone is comprised of a second plurality of measurement indicia corresponding to a second measurement scale. The second measurement scale is different than the first measurement scale. |
| US07665715B2 |
Microvalve
An improved microvalve is described. The microvalve is formed such that the walls of the microvalve are formed from a gel material. Typically, the microvalve includes open flow paths, often holes, through a gel layer. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the gel closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow. |
| US07665709B2 |
Trolley and rail systems for extension and retraction arrangements
A trolley and rail system for use in relation to an extension and retraction arrangement with a trolley structure retained for axial extension and retraction along a body portion of a rail arrangement comprising first and second rails disposed in substantially parallel spaced orientation. The trolley structure can have a central portion and first and second wing portions with load bearing wheels for rolling along rigid bearing surfaces of the first and second rails. The bearing surfaces and the wheels can have correspondingly contoured profiles. The trolley structure can have a ventrally disposed alcove. Constant force springs can assist in a travel of the trolley structure in relation to the rail arrangement. The trolley structure or a support arm coupled thereto can have threaded mounting holes for retaining a flat panel monitor. |
| US07665707B2 |
Hanger with photo display
The hanger with photo display is a support hook(s) incorporating a display adjunct. The hook is fabricated from a flat sheet of material. The material is capable of a high degree of flexing without breaking. Double-sided tape is employed to mount the sheet on a flat, vertical surface such as a wall or door. The sheet is sized to neatly present a display item. The display item may take the form of a photograph, an advertisement, a message, or the like. The display item can be easily changed without causing the double-sided mounting tape to release. The hook is designed to support a load of pre-determined maximum weight. If the pre-determined weight is exceeded, the hook will bend (without breaking) to release the load. |
| US07665702B2 |
Medical support
A support, which may be a ceiling support, is designed to receive an operation microscope, and particularly may support a medical operation microscope. This support has a support column, movable around a rotation axis, with a first carrier arm and a second carrier arm which, with respect to the first carrier arm, can be moved around a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis. A cable connection is provided for producing a restoring force for the second carrier arm, and couples the second carrier arm to a counterweight for producing a restoring force around the second pivot axis. The counterweight is arranged in the region of the support column, to minimize inertial action accompanying a movement of the support around the rotation axis. A freewheel rotary joint is provided in the cable connection to suppress a feedback to the counterweight of a movement of the second carrier arm around the first pivot axis. |
| US07665700B2 |
Wall mounting bracket with slidable wing
A wall mounting bracket installed includes a body and a slidable wing that slides along the body and mates with the discrete attachment positions along the body. In preferred embodiments the body can have a substantially rectangular perimeter and a substantially rectangular opening or a substantially ovoid perimeter and a substantially ovoid opening. It is also contemplated that the body can a perimeter that is of a different shape than the opening or multiple of openings within one perimeter. The opening area preferably have an area of at least 20 in2 and the body has a perimeter-opening distance of less than 1 inch and at least one entry position with markings. Furthermore, the mating portion-opening distance of bracket is less than 0.9 in. Preferred embodiment includes a commercial product comprising the bracket with a body, the slidable wing in which the wing can be pre-attached to the body or not. |
| US07665699B2 |
Electronic device mounting bracket for a horizontal support
A mounting apparatus includes a horizontally supportable beam and one or more mounting brackets for coupling an electronic device thereto. The beam is supportable from any number of support surfaces. The mounting brackets are provided with a projection to prevent twisting of the bracket during installation on the beam. One or more circular ribs within the bracket accommodate the use of curved beams. The mounting brackets enable positioning of the electronic device longitudinally along the beam at predetermined positions. |
| US07665698B2 |
Articulated support assembly
An articulating support assembly includes a first segment and a second segment. The first and second segments are disposed adjacent to one another. A first mating surface is defined on the first segment and a second mating surface is defined on the second segment. A tensioning assembly is operatively connected to the first and second segments such that the tensioning may be selectively operable to bias the first mating surface and the second mating surface into contact with one another thereby holding the first segment in a predetermined static orientation with respect to the second segment. |
| US07665696B2 |
Stand for display device having a locking member to fix a connecting member to a base
A stand for a display device includes a connecting member having a side connected to the display device, an insertion portion extending downward from the connecting member, a hook step formed on the insertion portion, a supporting member provided with a space in which the insertion portion is inserted, a base for fixing the supporting member, and a locking unit that is selectively aligned with the hook step to place the connecting member in a fixing or separable state in a state where the connecting member is disposed in the space. |
| US07665692B2 |
Baggage bin door and baggage bin
A baggage bin for an aircraft includes a compartment with a lower face substantially plane and a first flap that, in a closing position, is inclined toward the inside of the baggage bin in relation to a plane perpendicular to the lower face of the baggage bin. The first flap is mounted pivoting around a first axis. The bin includes a second flap arranged outside the first flap in relation to the baggage bin and articulated with the first flap. The second flap extends, in the closing position of the baggage bin, from a lower edge of the baggage bin to a ceiling edge. |
| US07665690B2 |
Structural mechanism for unlocking and engaging a controllable surface on a hinged platform (Wing)
A structural mechanism for an aircraft includes a support, a hinged surface, and a hinge assembly joining the hinged surface to the support. An actuation system includes an actuator shaft engaged to the hinges and lying coincident with a hinged-surface hinge axis and extending through the aligned center passageways of the hinges of the hinge assembly. A lock is selectively operable to lock the hinged surface to the support when the actuator shaft engages the lock. An actuator structure is controllably operable to move the actuator shaft longitudinally along the hinge-surface hinge axis between a first shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft engages the lock and the hinges, and a second shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft does not engage the lock but does engage the hinges, and is controllably operable to rotate the actuator shaft about the hinged-surface hinge axis. |
| US07665687B2 |
Clip storage drum provided with a transponder
A drum for storing and dispensing a coiled material wound on the drum, in particular a line of clips, the drum comprising a drum body which has a hub and side walls respectively disposed at the axial end faces of the hub, the side walls extending beyond the outer circumferential surface of the hub in the radial direction, wherein the storage space defined by the inner facing surfaces of the side walls and the hub and extending circumferentially around the hub is used to accommodate the coiled material. The drum body has at least one dielectric region for accommodating at least one transponder on an area of the hub facing away from the storage space for the coiled material. |
| US07665684B2 |
Retracting tether for cell phones, pagers and PDA's
A retractable tether is disclosed which may be used in conjunction with personal communication devices (such as a Cell Phone, Pager or PDA) mounting system for the prevention of loss or damage. The retracting tether may be clipped to a belt, pants or purse next to the location in which the device is being held or stored. The retractable tether allows the device to be easily used while connected to the retracting tether. Should the device be dropped or dislodged from it's clip mount, holster or storage pocket, the retracting tether prevents the device from hitting the ground thereby preventing loss or damage to the device. A separation mechanism is also incorporated to allow the device to be easily removed from the retractable tether. |
| US07665683B2 |
Fishing line guiding mechanism of spinning reel
A bail arm is provided in a spinning reel for guiding a fishing line to a spool and is mounted to a rotor that includes a first rotor arm and a second rotor arm opposed to the first rotor arm. The bail arm includes a first bail support member 40, a fixing shaft 43, a line roller 41, a fixing shaft cover 44, a fixing bolt 46, and an anti-rotation member 47. The first support member 40 is pivotally mounted to the first rotor arm. The fixing shaft 43 is fixed to the first support member 40. The fixing bolt 46 includes a non-circular head portion 46a and fixes the fixings shaft 43 to the first support member 40. The anti-rotation member 47 is detachably mounted to the first support member 40 and makes contact with the outer peripheral surface of the non-circular head portion 46a for preventing rotation of the fixing bolt 46. |
| US07665677B2 |
Granular material grinder and method of use
A granular material grinder and method of use includes a hammer mill for reducing incoming granular material into particulate material, a microgrinder for reducing the particulate matter into microground powder by particulate matter to particulate matter collisions, and a product collector to collect the microground powder portion. The granular material grinder having the feature of being operated in a closed system to facilitate efficient recovery of grain into microground powder and operable in a cooled inert gas to prevent any compound degradation due to temperature or oxygen. |
| US07665676B2 |
Showerhead system with integrated handle
A showerhead system for communicating a fluid supply, the system including a fixed fluid dispensing unit supported at a location, the fixed dispensing unit including a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A removable fluid dispensing unit is releasably secured to a receptacle established within the fixed dispensing, the removable unit further including at least one additional nozzle. The fluid supply is adapted to be in selective communication with either or both the fixed and removable fluid dispensing units, such as through the provision of a fluid diverter element located at an inlet of the fixed unit and from which extends a conduit in separate communication with the removable unit. |
| US07665673B2 |
Method and apparatus for spraying portions of an air-improving substance
A method of spraying an air-improving substance in a room is provided. In particular, persons moving in the room are detected, and a spraying operation is performed while taking into account the detected movement. |
| US07665672B2 |
Antistatic paint cup
A flexible, disposable liner for use in a fluid supply assembly. The disposable liner is made of an antistatic material. In use, the chargeable particles in a coating mixture do not stick to the disposable liner so that uniformity of the coating mixture is maintained while it is dispensed. A method of maintaining the uniformity of a coating mixture during dispensing is also described. |
| US07665670B2 |
Method and apparatus for an integrated distributed MEMS based control system
An integrated distributed control system incorporates a plurality of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) modules formed into a functional network which is in turn integrated into a management network. The functional network is configured to sense a condition such as an operating characteristic of a machine or the temperature within an area and to provide control functions to effect changes in the condition. |
| US07665668B2 |
Cut here to destroy indicator
A data card may comprise a chip and a card body having a first face and a second face. The chip may be mounted in the card body between the first face and the second face at least one of the first face and the second face has a cut indicator. |
| US07665667B2 |
System and method for updating access control mechanisms
Updating the access control of a smart card at multiple points of the smart card life cycle. The system and method for updating the access control mechanisms during the smart card life cycle includes implementing an interface having a method for providing access control and a method for registering an access manager as an active access manager. In response to a request to register an access manager, the system and method executes the method for determining whether registering the access manager may be allowed. |
| US07665664B2 |
Inductive coupling reader comprising means for extracting a power supply voltage
The present invention relates to a method for supplying a power supply voltage (Vccr) to a contactless integrated circuit reader (RD1) that is in a passive operating mode, in the presence of an external alternating magnetic field (FLD2), the reader comprising an antenna circuit (ACT) substantially tuned to a working frequency (F0). According to the present invention, the method comprises the steps of taking off in the antenna circuit (ACT) an alternating voltage (Vcd) induced in the antenna circuit by the external magnetic field (FLD2), and rectifying the induced voltage to supply an auxiliary supply voltage (Vccr). |
| US07665660B2 |
Real-time awards determinations
The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating transactions with real-time awards determinations for a cardholder. Each transaction includes transaction information, where the transaction information includes: cardholder information, merchant information, and a transaction amount. An engine determines if an award should be granted based on award criteria, such that the engine compares the transaction information with each award criterion in order to determine if the award should be granted in real-time with the transaction by the cardholder. |
| US07665657B2 |
Bank transaction method linking accounts via common accounts
The present invention discloses a bank transaction method linking accounts via common accounts, wherein the existing accounts of the account holder and/or newly opened plural accounts link arbitrarily as defined by the account holder for convenient transactions between account holder's primary account and other's secondary accounts without using account numbers of the concerned accounts. To fulfill, the purpose, the present invention enables the account holder to make transactions on a primary account as well on linked secondary accounts in real time; and the said primary and secondary accounts are also offered for independent transaction as ordinary bank accounts. In addition, the classification and management of the said primary and secondary accounts are attainable through the individual account number with specified account code given by the bank to achieve transactions between the said primary and secondary accounts while implementing the conventional banking system. Furthermore, transaction to the external transaction network including payment gateway can be processed without changing the existing data format, both of account holders' and bank's convenience is maximized. |
| US07665655B2 |
Apparatus and method for presenting both faces of a document for processing
An apparatus for presenting each of a first face and a second face of a document to a processing element to facilitate processing of the document thereby. The apparatus includes a first transport subassembly for moving the document along a first document path to present the first face of the document to the processing element. The apparatus also includes a gate adapted to permit movement of the document from the first document path to the second document path. In addition, the apparatus has a second transport subassembly for moving the document in the second document path in a reverse direction until the document engages a downstream side of the gate. The gate directs the document, upon engagement thereof with the downstream side, into the first document path with the second face of the document positioned for presentation to the processing element. |
| US07665649B2 |
Device for assembling groups of eyebrow beautifying needles and method therefor
Provided are device for assembling groups of eyebrow beautifying needles and method therefor. The assembling device comprises a base, a sliding block including two resilient members biased between the base and the sliding block, a central fastener for fastening the sliding block on or above the base, a holding assembly comprising a plurality of clamping posts vertically disposed on the base, and a plurality of holes with the sliding blocks passed through. Groups of eyebrow beautifying needles are adapted to insert into holding heads of the clamping posts with needle tips being flush in the holding heads of the clamping posts, and the needles in each group are fastened together by soldering. Moreover, sleeves of different colors or marks may be put on the needle groups for facilitating identifying the number of needles in each group. |
| US07665646B2 |
Interlocking buttress material retention system
A surgical stapler is provided having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil. Buttress material is releasable affixed to the staple containing cartridge and the anvil. One of the jaws includes a pair of longitudinal projections at a first end of the jaw and configured to frictionally engage corresponding slots in a first end the buttress material. One of the jaws includes a post at a second end of the jaw. The buttress material includes a hole in a second end of the buttress material for receipt of the post. |
| US07665645B2 |
Stapler
An anvil for a stapler comprises plural anvil plates supported by the frame of the stapler. At least one of the anvil plates includes a first surface comprising a portion of the anvil surface and a second surface including a relieved portion in which the stapler's clincher is slidable. |
| US07665644B2 |
Stapler
A stapler has a body including two holes formed on two sidewalls thereof and a first link defined on one sidewall thereof. A magazine is assembly installed in the bottom of the body. A handle assembly includes a handle lever formed on an end thereof and a handle stop defined on another end thereof. A second link and a through hole are between the handle lever and the handle stop. A connector is disposed in the second link and pivotally couples to the two holes, and a first roller is inserted through the through hole and moves rotatably in the first link of the body. A power spring is disposed in the body, and a plunger includes a first hole and a second hole. When the handle lever is pressed downwardly and the handle stop lifts the plunger upwardly, the first roller is driven to move rotatably in the first link of the body to detach the handle stop from the plunger gradually. |
| US07665641B2 |
Device support
A support system for devices having a back plate, and a support arm connected to the back plate, the support arm having a plate section with a device connection, the support arm configured to be jointed from the back plate, the back plate and the support arm in conjunction configured to hold a device in any one of a plurality of positions, wherein the support system is configured to be worn by an individual. |
| US07665640B2 |
Synthetic resin clip and hanger comprising synthetic resin clip
A very safe synthetic resin clip is composed of a pair of synthetic resin clip members, and a hanger includes two synthetic resin clips. Each synthetic resin clip member has at least one bracket bearing portion projecting inwardly from an interior portion on a rear face thereof which is provided with a bearing space therein. A pivot shaft is interposed into the bearing spaces of the clip members in use. If a synthetic resin spring has broken and the respective clip members are subjected to a reaction to the spring breakage, the pair of clip members is held by the pivot shaft, secured in position, without flying apart in pieces. |
| US07665638B2 |
Packaged liquid laundry compositions
A laundry product is provided including a liquid concentrated detergent or fabric softening composition held in a dispensing bottle of a type not featuring a through-apertured gripping handle. The bottle includes a body having an open end terminating in a circular neck, first and second plane traversing a length of the bottle body with each bisecting the neck, the first and second planes being orthogonally oriented to one another, the first plane dividing front and rear major faces of the body into asymmetric first and second areas. A shrink sleeve is fitted over the body from a base of the neck down toward the closed end. A removable cap is fittable over the neck. |
| US07665637B2 |
Self-venting sports type closure
A closure (5) suitable for mounting onto a container (80). A closure comprises a main closure (10) having a top portion (11) that has an aperture (32) therethrough and a skirt (12) depending downwardly from the top portion (11) that is attachable to the container. A sealing rib (16) extends inwardly from the inner surface of the main closure (10) and is adapted to form a seal with the end portion of the container (80). A spout (33) extends upwardly from the top portion (11) and defines a bore that is in fluid communication with the aperture (32) in the top portion (11). A plug (36) having radially outer surface is mounted to the spout (33). The closure further comprises a top cap (50) that is mountable to the spout and is relatively movable between a first position where the plug (36) seals an opening in the top cap (5) and at least a second position where the plug (36) is withdrawn from the opening. On relative movement of the top cap (50) from the first position towards the second position, a sealing member (59) of the top cap (50) rides up over one or more protuberances (40) extending outwardly from the spout so as to at least partially release the seal made by the sealing member (59) with the spout (33). |
| US07665635B2 |
Assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid, a refillable unit and method of dispensing liquid
An assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid may include a receptacle for containing a supply of liquid and a refillable unit arranged to be placed in a separable manner on the receptacle. The refillable unit may include a body and a piston that is movable relative to the body and that co-operates therewith to define a storage chamber of variable volume for containing the liquid. The storage chamber may be put into fluid communication with the receptacle to be filled therefrom when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle. The refillable unit may also include a pump arranged to take liquid from the receptacle when the refillable unit is placed thereon, and to take liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle. The pump may include a pump chamber that is distinct from the storage chamber. |
| US07665634B2 |
Sink organizer
A combination dispenser and implement holder is disclosed. The combination comprises a plurality of containers, each for retaining a liquid. Each container includes a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and a top wall. The top wall of each container preferably includes a dispensing nozzle. Each container is fluidly isolated from each other container by at least one of the side walls so that mixing of the liquids does not occur. A towel rack projects from at least one side wall of at least one container, and preferably a sponge holder projects from the same wall below the towel rack. Drain holes are included in a bottom wall of the sponge holder. In one embodiment of the invention having three containers, the width of the third container is preferably larger than the width of the sponge holder and the towel rack. As such, when viewing the combination from the front, neither the towel rack or the sponge holder are visible. |
| US07665633B2 |
Apparatus and method of dispensing small quantities of particles
An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprises a hopper (20) provided with a sieve (21) at a bottom portion thereof, the hoper defining a powder-containing zone (42) above the sieve which in use contains powder to be dispensed therefrom trough the sieve (21), a support for the hopper, the support holding a portion of the hopper so that the hopper can in use be held above a container into which the dispensed powder is to be received, at least one actuator for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, and a deagglomeration device (58) disposed in the powder-containing zone (42). |
| US07665629B2 |
Resealable perforated label for consumer products
A dispenser for consumer product packaging is disclosed, the dispenser including a removable region of the packaging creating a product opening upon removal, a reinforcement surface overlaying the removable region, a disposable adhesive label for initially opening the package by removal of the removable region of the packaging and reinforcement surface, and a durable enclosure, the durable enclosure bonded to the product packaging and resealable to allow access and preservation of a consumer product such as interleaved tissues in the packaging after initial opening. |
| US07665625B1 |
Container and closure
A molded container and closure latch mechanism include a top portion and bottom portion which are connected by a hinge which biases the top away from the bottom unless the latch mechanism is engaged. The latch mechanism is pivotally connected to the top. It engages a molded contoured segment on the bottom to secure the container in a closed position. Anomalies on the top surface of the latch mechanism provide a convenience to the user in locating pressure points for opening and closing the container. A separator can be used internal to the container to create two separate compartments. In one adaptation the interior surface can include raised protrusions which permit contents such as a soap bar to be raised off from the surface. Other modifications too the interior can be effected to accommodate a wide variety of products. The containers can be provided in a grouping with relative dimensions suitable to store a wide variety of personal effects. |
| US07665624B2 |
Gasket and tank opening-closing device
The gasket is interposed between the seal face and the seal retaining portion of the fuel cap. The gasket has a first lip for pressing against the seal face, a second lip for pressing against the seal retaining portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first lip with the second lip; and is formed with a C-shaped cross section. An assist rib projects from the inside face of the second lip. The assist rib is formed so as to press the distal edge of the first lip towards the seal face. |
| US07665622B2 |
Railroad car coupler centering device
A railroad car coupler centering device including in one embodiment a spreader beam mountable to the striker at one end of a railroad car, a right side centering spring rotatably connected to the spreader beam by a hinge, and a left side centering spring rotatably connected to the spreader beam by a hinge. The first or right side centering spring is moveable to and between a coupler engaged position and a coupler disengaged position. In the coupler engaged position, the right side centering spring is positioned to engage the right side of the coupler and to bias the coupler to a central position. In the coupler disengaged position, the right side centering spring allows the coupler to move from the center position to the right. Similarly, the left side centering spring is moveable to and between a coupler engaged position and a coupler disengaged position. In the coupler engaged position, the left side centering spring is positioned to engage the left side of the coupler and to bias the coupler to the central position. In the coupler disengaged position, the left side centering spring allows the coupler to move from the center position to the left. |
| US07665621B2 |
Self movable crane system with a boom
A self movable boom system is provided. The self movable boom system include: a boom disposed on a plane perpendicular to a building clamp structure; and a moving unit apparatus including a circumferential moving unit which is disposed between the boom and the building clamp structure to move the boom on a plane perpendicular to the building clamp structure, a lifting-up unit of which one end is disposed toward the circumferential moving unit and of which other end is disposed toward the building clamp structure to move the boom along a longitudinal direction of the building clamp structure, and a boom moving unit which moves an object along the longitudinal direction of the building clamp structure and along a longitudinal direction of the boom. |
| US07665617B2 |
Merchandising display assembly
A merchandising display assembly. The assembly includes a mounting portion adjustably coupled to a support surface associated with a first product, and a suspending portion for suspending a second product. The suspending portion coupled to the mounting portion, and the mounting and suspending portions are adapted for at least reducing interference with the visibility of the first product. |
| US07665609B2 |
Air-tightness strengthening air enclosure
An air-tightness strengthening air enclosure comprises two outer films folded together vertically and two inner films disposed between the two outer films, the two inner films are adhered to each other by means of hot sealing and an air filling passageway is formed on one end of the two outer films, the inner film and the single outer film are adhered to each other by means of hot sealing to form buffer rooms at one side of the air filling passageway and next, the two outer films are adhered to each other by means of hot sealing to form air chambers at one end of the air filling passageway, and the air chambers are communicated with the air filling passageway. Whereby, the air filling speed can be faster, and the air in the buffer room presses the two inner films to shield the air filling passageway to prevent the air from being leaked out after the air in the air chamber flows into the buffer room. |
| US07665603B2 |
Storage container with locking device for recorded media
A locking device and method for a storage container provide benefit denial. The locking device includes a base part and a cover part configured to lock to the base part. The cover part is configured to prevent a disk from being removed from a disk-retaining hub when the cover part is locked to the base part, and the base part is configured for easy and secure connection to the storage container. The base part includes a stop for engaging the exterior of the case when inserted into a receptacle in the bottom wall of the container, which precludes the base part from being pulled through the bottom wall of the storage container When the cover part is locked to the base part, the base part cannot be separated from the storage container without causing damage to the media disk. |
| US07665600B1 |
Dental floss envelope package with cutter element
A dental floss package for containing and dispensing a length of floss therefrom, the package including a dispensing envelope formed of thin paper-type material that includes two flat side walls folded over one another in overlapping relation to lie closely adjacent one another, a flap portion joined to one of the side walls and folded over the other side wall, and a cutter element is mounted on the dispensing package. A multi-use supply of dental floss is contained within the dispensing envelope, and has one exposed end thereof passing out through an exit opening in the dispensing envelope. An outer sleeve may be provided over the dispensing envelope, and the floss may be contained in a plastic pouch. |
| US07665597B2 |
Non-contact article rotating apparatus
An non-contact article rotating device is disclosed that rotates articles without impacting or contacting the article other than the bottom of the article. The device is designed to accept a stream of articles with minimum gaps between them, and rotate only those that are programmed to be rotated. The device accepts any combination of rotated and non-rotated articles and can rotate them through angles up to and through 360 degrees. One embodiment of the disclosed device uses only one single-speed drive motor and pneumatic components to operate two conveyor roller sections. While one conveyor roller section maintains a constant speed, the conveyor rollers of the second conveyor roller section are sequentially braked and unbraked to rotate an article that is positioned partially on the first conveyor roller section and partially on the second conveyor roller section. The difference in speeds between the two conveyor sections rotates the article. |
| US07665596B2 |
Apparatus for the outflow of pressed items from a rotary press
Apparatus for the outflow of pressed items from a rotary press, with a first channel section connecting directly to the rotary press, to which at least two channel sections are connected, to which a deflector is attached, which is swivel mounted at an axis almost vertical to the longitudinal extension of the first and/or second channel section and optionally connects the first channel section with one of the other channel sections and a pivot drive for the deflector below or above the channel sections, characterized in that a bearing pin for the deflector is connected in a torque-proof manner with a channel section and the swivel drive is coupled with the deflector via a magnetic coupling eccentric to the bearing pin. |
| US07665594B2 |
Passenger conveyor
Provided is a passenger conveyor including a plurality of steps (2) having step rollers (6 and 7), a step chain (8) circulatingly moving in conjunction with each of the plurality of steps (2), guide rails (13a, 13b, 14a and 14b) provided in an intermediate portion of a truss and guiding the step rollers (6 and 7) of each step (2), and an intermediate driving device (12) provided in the intermediate portion of the truss and configured to transmit a driving force to the step chain (8). A step-attitude changing zone (Z) for changing the attitude of each step (2) on a return path side is provided on the traveling path of the steps (2) on the return path side. |
| US07665591B2 |
Twin-clutch device
To reduce the axial size of a twin-clutch device including first and second clutch actuating mechanisms arranged in parallel along the axes of first and second driven shafts that are coaxial. A first clutch disconnection/connection control mechanism is provided for switching disconnection/connection of the first clutch actuating mechanism. A second clutch disconnection/connection control mechanism is provided for switching disconnection/connection of the second clutch actuating mechanism. A second clutch disconnection/connection control mechanism is arranged between first and second clutch inners so that at least a part of the second clutch disconnection/connection control mechanism is accommodated in at least one of first and second cylinder portions. |
| US07665584B2 |
Disc rotor retaining assembly
An apparatus for coupling a bicycle disc brake rotor to a bicycle wheel hub is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter and a rotor retaining member. The adapter is adapted to be nonrotatably coupled to the bicycle wheel hub and to be nonrotatably coupled to the disc brake rotor. The adapter includes a plurality of axially extending protruding portions adapted to extend through the disc brake rotor to nonrotatably couple the disc brake rotor to the adapter. At least one of the protruding portions has a groove defined therein. A portion of the rotor retaining member is received in the groove in the protruding portion. |
| US07665577B2 |
System for lubricating and monitoring a lubricatable element
A system for lubricating at least one lubricatable element, the system having an injection head for a lubricant that is adapted to be brought into contact with the at least one lubricatable element and a mechanism for evaluating the state of the element. |
| US07665570B2 |
Saddle riding vehicle
A weight balance of a vehicle body is provided in an all terrain vehicle wherein an engine is supported by a vehicle body frame and an electric power steering device having an actuator unit is provided on a steering shaft. An electric motor is provided in the actuator unit, and heavy objects including a battery and a muffler are disposed on an opposite side to the electric motor in a vehicle width direction with respect to a vehicle body centerline extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and on an opposite side to the electric motor in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the engine. To shorten and reduce weight the steering shaft is supported on a vehicle body frame through a radial bearing and ball bearings. Of the plurality of bearings, at least one of the bearings is made self-aligning. |
| US07665569B2 |
Power steering system
A power steering system includes a hydraulic power cylinder having a first and a second hydraulic chambers, for assisting a steering force of a steering mechanism, a first and a second oil passages respectively connected to the first and second hydraulic chambers, a reversible pump discharging operating oil and providing oil pressure to the hydraulic power cylinder through the first and second oil passages, and a motor connected to the reversible pump and rotating the reversible pump in normal and reverse directions. A steering load detection unit detects a steering load of a steering wheel for steering of the steered road wheels, and a motor control unit outputs a control signal to the motor to bring an actual oil pressure generated by the reversible pump closer to a desired oil pressure determined based on the detected steering load. A discharge amount per rotation of the reversible pump is smaller than or equal to 5 cc. |
| US07665565B2 |
Support structure for control pedal of vehicle
Disclosed is a support structure for a vehicle control pedal, which comprises a pedal bracket (3) supporting the control pedal (4) through a first support shaft (S1) inserted through a support hole (303), a swingable lever (7) adapted to, during a vehicle collision, come into interference with a vehicle body member (6) so as to be swingingly moved about a second support shaft (S2) while pushing the first support shaft (S1) downwardly to allow the first support shaft (S1) to drop out of the support hole (303), and a drop-out restriction member (8) engaged by a pin member (20) and coupled to the swingable lever (7) in a relatively unswingable manner, so as to restrict the drop-out of the first support shaft (S1). The support structure is designed such that, according to the swing movement of the swingable lever (7) during the vehicle collision, the restriction on drop-out of the first support shaft (S1) by the drop-out restriction member (8) is removed to allow the first support shaft (S1) to drop out of the support hole (303). The support structure of the present invention can prevent impact energy during a vehicle collision from being input to a leg of a driver through the control pedal while reliably restricting accidental drop-out of the control pedal in a normal condition. |
| US07665564B2 |
Power train for a utility vehicle
A power train for a vehicle includes a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft and is configured such that the input shaft drives the output shaft at a single speed ratio in a first direction and a single speed ratio in a second direction. The output shaft is coupleable with the front and rear vehicle axles to separately drive each axle. Further, a continuously variable transmission is connected with an engine shaft and with the gearbox input shaft such that the engine shaft drives the input shaft within a range of speed ratios from less than 1 to greater than 3. Front and rear differentials are coupled with each axle and with the output shaft and drive the axles at different speed ratios such that a base surface drives the front axle independently of the front differential when at least one rear wheel rolls upon the surface. |
| US07665562B2 |
Drive shaft case for motorcycle and motorcycle
A tubular case into which a drive shaft configured to transmit a driving force from a transmission T of an engine to a rear wheel of a motorcycle is accommodated, the case including a case body which has an opening portion extending in an axial direction of the drive shaft and is configured to accommodate the drive shaft therein through the opening portion, and a cover removably attached to the case body so as to close the opening portion. |
| US07665556B2 |
Heavy vehicle
A heavy vehicle of a mass greater than 500 metric tons, such as a transport vehicle or a “civil engineering” vehicle, fitted with tires of radial structure of a diameter greater than three meters fifty having an axial width greater than 37 inches, and comprising a front axle provided with at least two tires and a rear axle comprising at least four tires and by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. At least two tires on the front axle transmit part of the motive power at least when the vehicle is following a trajectory which is not rectilinear and, at least when the vehicle is following a trajectory which is not rectilinear, the tires of an axle transmitting at least part of the motive power have different speeds of rotation. |
| US07665555B2 |
Coast control system for an industrial vehicle
An apparatus, system and method to control the operability of a motorized vehicle such as an industrial pallet truck. The apparatus includes a coast control system, a steer arm, and an actuation cylinder attached to the steer arm that maintains the steer arm in an operator selectable position where the coast control system is activated. |
| US07665554B1 |
Recharging system for electrically powered vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
An electrically powered motor vehicle includes a system for recharging the on-board batteries, which system includes an air-flow conduit with an entrance at the front of the vehicle, a plurality of electric turbines mounted in tandem within a first portion of the conduit, and an additional electric turbine mounted within a second portion of the conduit, which exits at the underside of the vehicle. The tandem-mounted turbines are disposed for effective rotation, in reaction to air flow, on a generally horizontal axis, and the additional electric turbine is mounted for rotation in reaction to air flow on a second axis, generally transverse to the first axis and disposed proximate the exit end of the conduit. |
| US07665552B2 |
Superhard insert with an interface
In one aspect of the invention, a superhard insert has a carbide substrate bonded to ceramic layer at an interface. The substrate has a generally frusto-conical end at the interface with a tapered portion leading to a flat portion. The central section of the ceramic layer may have a first thickness immediately over the flat portion of the substrate. The peripheral section of the ceramic layer has a second thickness being less than the first thickness covering the tapered portion of the substrate. The ceramic layer may be formed using HPHT technology. |
| US07665550B2 |
Underreamer and method of use
The present invention discloses a collapsible drilling assembly having field-replaceable cutter or stabilizer blades (214) and method of using and installing new stabilizer blades while at a job location. The drilling assembly is deployed upon a distal end of a drillstring, expanded to a gauge size, and used as an underreamer or alternatively a stabilizer. The drilling assembly operates between retracted and extended positions through the increase in pressure of drilling fluid flowing therethrough. |
| US07665547B2 |
Drill bit reservoir with controllable relief pressure
A rotary rock bit includes a lubricant reservoir with a pressure compensation assembly disposed therein. The pressure compensation assembly is adapted to permit selective adjustment of the relief pressure set by the assembly through the selective adjustment of one member in the assembly with respect to another member in the assembly. |
| US07665540B2 |
Multistage solenoid fastening device
A method of driving a fastener into a workpiece with a tool generally includes retracting a trigger into a housing of the tool to execute a driver sequence and establishing a magnetic field in a multistage solenoid. The magnetic field is established in at least one of a first stage and a second stage. The method includes drawing an armature member to an extended condition from a retracted condition with the magnetic field and determining a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage and the second stage. The method also includes directing power between the first stage and the second stage during the driver sequence based on the position of the armature member. |
| US07665539B2 |
Agricultural tillage device
An agricultural implement for clearing and tilling soil to be planted includes a residue-clearing sub-assembly including a first rotatable coulter wheel and at least one toothed wheel mounted for rotation about an axis located rearwardly of the axis of rotation of the first coulter wheel of forward portion of the toothed wheel overlaps a rear portion of the first coulter wheel. A tillage sub-assembly includes second and third coulter wheels that are offset from each other both laterally and fore and aft, and are mounted for rotation about axes of rotation that are located rearwardly of the axes of rotation of the toothed wheels. A depth control device is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation located rearwardly of the axis of rotation of the rearmost of the second and third coulter wheels. A common frame carries the residue-clearing sub-assembly, the tillage sub-assembly, and the depth control device so that all of the axes of rotation are fixed relative to each other. An adjustable linkage is attached to the frame for allowing flotation of the unit on a contour. |
| US07665537B2 |
System and method to seal using a swellable material
The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid. |
| US07665536B2 |
System and method for preventing cross-flow between formations of a well
In general, a system and valve is provided to prevent the cross flow between formations during the shut-in period of a well intersecting at least two formations, with flow from at least one of the formations being controlled by a multi-position valve. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cross-flow prevention valve that automatically closes and then opens during each cycle of the multi-position valve. In another embodiment, the cross-flow prevention valve is activated by the same control line used to activate the multi-position valve. |
| US07665533B2 |
Electronic threading control apparatus and method
A system to control a threading operation includes a first tubular and a second tubular, wherein the first tubular and the second tubular include corresponding thread profiles. The system further includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the second tubular with respect to the first tubular, wherein vertical and rotation movements of the drive assembly are controllable through a drive assembly controller, and wherein the drive assembly controller is configured to operate in a threading mode when the second tubular is threaded with the first tubular. |
| US07665532B2 |
Pipeline
A mono-diameter wellbore casing is formed by radially expanding a first tubular liner off of a mandrel into contact with a second tubular liner. The first and second tubular liners are positioned within the wellbore in an overlapping relationship. The overlapping portions of the tubular liners include thin wall portions with compressible annular members that are expanded into contact with each other. |
| US07665531B2 |
Apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive
A method and apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive which, in one aspect, the apparatus includes a body connectable to said top drive. The body includes at least one gripping element radially displaceable by hydraulic or pneumatic fluid to drivingly engage a tubular to permit a screw connection between said tubular and a further tubular to be tightened to the required torque. |
| US07665530B2 |
Tubular grippers and top drive systems
A tubular gripping system and a top drive drilling system with such a tubular gripping system, in at least some aspects, the gripping system beneath the top drive unit and, in at least some aspects, the gripping system having a body with four spaced-apart grippers movably connected thereto and piston/cylinder devices movably interconnected with each gripper for moving the grippers to clamp the tubular. |
| US07665529B2 |
Lubricator valve with rotational flip-flap arm
An improved lubricator valve arrangement for use within a wellbore to allow the passage of tools, such as perforating guns and the like, into the wellbore while it is live. The inclusion of two, independently controllable flapper-type safety valves within the lubricator valve will permit coordinated testing of fluid pressure both above and below the lubricator valve. The upper flapper valve includes a rotational flip-flap arm arrangement to positively open and close the upper flapper valve. The lower flapper valve is equipped with an integrated poppet-style pressure equalizing valve to allow the lower flapper valve to be opened more easily. The direction of opening of the flapper valves precludes or reduces the risk debris-related problems that might prevent or hinder opening of the flapper valves. |
| US07665528B2 |
Frangible flapper valve with hydraulic impact sleeve and method of breaking
A frangible flapper valve that may be closed to hydraulically isolate a portion of a wellbore tubular. The flapper valve is made of a frangible material adapted to shatter upon impact from an impact sleeve. The sleeve may be used to initially hold open the flapper valve. A latching mechanism may be used to retain the sleeve above its initial position allowing the flapper to close isolating a portion of the tubular. The latching mechanism may engage a piston to retain the sleeve at the second position. A shearable device adapted to shear under a predetermined pressure selectively connects the piston to the tubular. When the pressure within the tubular increases above the predetermined amount the shearable device releases the piston and pushes the sleeve into the closed flapper valve causing the flapper valve to shatter. A second latching mechanism may prevent further movement of the sleeve. |
| US07665527B2 |
Providing a rechargeable hydraulic accumulator in a wellbore
A rechargeable hydraulic accumulator is provided in a wellbore, and a component is actuated by discharging the hydraulic accumulator. The hydraulic accumulator is recharged by increasing pressure in a fluid conduit. |
| US07665521B2 |
Safety cement plug launch system
A system and method for using a pneumatic line to automate the launch a cement plug from a cement head. The pneumatic line is in communication with the valves and retaining devices normally found on a typical cement head. The system ensures that the proper sequence of opening and closing valves in combination with the removal of the retaining device is used to safely launch a cement plug from the cement head. The pressure in the single pneumatic line may be varied to launch multiple cement plugs from a cement head. The system may be used to remotely launch a cement plug from a cement head. A wireless remote may be used to regulate the pressure in the pneumatic line to launch cement plugs from the cement head as desired. |
| US07665514B2 |
Drill stem guide and wrench apparatus
A drill stem centralizer and/or breakout wrench includes a frame with opposed hydraulic cylinder actuators mounted on the frame and engaged in with jaw support members for movement toward and away from each other for centralizing or breakout of drill stem sections. The hydraulic actuators are mounted on trunnions which are supported by bearing caps which may be indexed to change the spacing of the opposed actuators to accommodate a wide range of drill stem diameters or cross-sectional shapes. The jaw support members are provided with laterally spaced guide parts which are moveable in slots in the frame to guide the jaw support members for linear reciprocal movement in response to actuation by the hydraulic actuators. The frame may be mounted for limited rotation on a feed beam to effect drill stem breakout operations. |
| US07665512B2 |
Flat heat exchanger tube
A flat heat exchanger tube formed of a single strip of rolled aluminum, with at least one connection between the two broad sides. The connection is generally parallel to and spaced between the narrow sides and divides the heat exchanger tube into at least two chambers, and includes two legs consisting of bent opposite edges of the aluminum strip, the legs each having a head at adjacent bends along one of the broad sides and feet adjacent the other broad side. The legs lie against each other generally at their head over no more than half of the entire spacing between the two broad sides, with the legs enclosing an angle between them of about 20° to 100° or about 45° to 75°, advantageously 60°. |
| US07665509B2 |
Heat exchange module for electronic components
A heat exchange module (1) is disclosed, which includes an evaporator (20), a condenser (50) and a heat sink (22). The evaporator defines therein a chamber for containing a wick structure (20c) saturated with a working fluid. The wick structure occupies a portion of the chamber. The condenser is disposed adjacent to the evaporator, wherein the working fluid turns into vapor in the evaporator after absorbing heat of a heat-generating component and the vapor turns into condensate at the condenser after releasing the heat. The heat sink is attached to an outer surface of the evaporator and located in alignment with the wick structure contained in the evaporator. |
| US07665506B2 |
Self-repairable shutter device
The invention is relative to a roller shutter device (3) designed to close a window (1) or other opening, the shutter (3) having side edges (4) that are held in guide tracks (5) and which can be disengaged from their guide tracks (5), each of the guide tracks (5) having an access opening (6) in their upper part through which the corresponding edge (4) of the shutter (3), which may have become disengaged, can once again be engaged into the portion of the guide track considered located above this access opening (6) when the shutter (4) is being moved into its open position, control means (9, 10) being foreseen, at least up to a level located below the portion (12) of the abovementioned guide track, on either side of a plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide tracks (5) and passing through the latter, these means allowing the possible sway of the shutter (3) to be controlled at the point where these side edges (3) are engaged into said portion (12) of the guide track through the access opening (6). |
| US07665502B2 |
Architectural covering
A covering for an architectural opening includes a fixed stationary rail at one end of a plurality of slats and a movable rail at the opposite end of the slats with the slats being movable to and from the fixed rail to create extended and retracted positions of the architectural covering. At least one continuous drive cord is arranged in a loop with both its ends attached to the movable rail and at least one fixed cord return guide is provided. A drive spool adapted to be selectively rotatable in opposite directions of rotation and is operatively engaged with the drive cord so that the drive cord can be wrapped around the drive spool to establish driving engagement. An adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the plurality of slats and a drive shaft for rotatably driving the adjusting mechanism in opposite directions with the adjusting mechanism being adapted to rotatably engage the drive spool and wherein a lost-motion drive connection is operatively included between the adjusting mechanism and the drive spool. |
| US07665499B2 |
Laminating apparatus for ceramic green sheet and laminating method for same
In a laminating apparatus for a ceramic green sheet according to the present invention, cutting means and laminating means are positioned on a conveying path of a carrier film conveyed by conveying means. Specifically, cutting of the ceramic green sheet and lamination of sheet pieces are carried out on a single conveying path. Consequently, the reduction of production efficiency is prevented significantly. Furthermore, the position of the cutting means and the position of the laminating means are different. Therefore, even when cut scraps are generated when the ceramic green sheet is cut by the cutting means, the cut scraps are significantly prevented from entering between layers in a green sheet laminated body. |
| US07665497B2 |
Radial tire for airplane with zigzag endless belt and method of manufacturing radial tire for airplane with zigzag endless belt
In a belt layer structured by a plurality of zigzag endless belts which are layered in a tire radial direction and are folded-over at both ends in a tire widthwise direction and are disposed uniformly over an entire region, an angle θ1 of an inner side cord portion and a tire equatorial plane, an angle θ2 of an outer side cord portion and the tire equatorial plane, and an angle θM of an intermediate cord portion and the tire equatorial plane, are θ1>θM>θ2. |
| US07665496B2 |
Pneumatic tire
On a region of a ring-shaped continuous decorative portion 15 formed of tops and bottoms in cross-section, protruding portions 17 higher than the decorative portion 15 and having a predetermined surface area are provided. A joined portion of the decorative portion 15 and each protruding portion 17 or of the protruding portions is set higher than the bottoms of the decorative portion 15, and a rigidity difference between the protruding portions 17 and the decorative portion 15 is resolved, thus restricting an occurrence of a stress concentration. |
| US07665494B2 |
Chute rim device
The present invention relates to devices facilitating the addition of items into containers. In particular, the present invention relates to devices configured to assist in supplying food items into mixing containers. |
| US07665493B2 |
Fuel-dispensing nozzle inhibitor
A nozzle inhibitor is positioned in a filler neck closure assembly to prevent a user from pumping unleaded fuel into a diesel fuel tank. The nozzle inhibitor blocks full insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly yet allows full insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly. |
| US07665492B2 |
Fuel nozzle support funnel
The fuel nozzle support funnel comprises a top conical section and a bottom smaller opening neck section. The top conical section has a top rim configured to seat over the fuel inlet opening of a truck fuel tank with the top conical section extending into the fuel tank. The bottom smaller opening neck section depends into the tank from a bottom smaller opening edge of the top conical section and has an inner sleeve therein made of a frictional material non reactant with diesel fuel. The inner sleeve and surrounding smaller opening neck section are of a diameter sufficient to allow passage therethrough of a fuel nozzle of a fuel pump. The top conical section has a plurality of openings therein through which air can escape during fueling to maintain the pressure within the tank constant. |
| US07665491B2 |
Multi-part waste container apparatus
A multi-part biowaste container configured to provide a low profile design while providing sufficient storage volume to accommodate the amount of blood, tissues, and other biological materials generated during a typical surgical procedure. The multi-part biowaste container includes an anti-splash container, a dual purpose lid container, and a supplemental container. The use of three separate container members increases the total volume and storage capacity of the biowaste containers while minimizing the overall profile or height of the containers. |
| US07665490B1 |
Loader device for a hopper-fed processing machine
A loader device for a hopper-fed processing machine has a top plate pivotally secured to a bottom plate. The plates are attached between the processing equipment throat and the material hopper, or vacuum receiver/reservoir. As the top plate pivots upon the other, ports that extend through the plates control the flow of material from the hopper into the throat of the machine. The pivot design, a purge funnel, and a drain tube are additional features that save time, labor, and make switching of processing material quick and convenient without the use of tools. |
| US07665482B2 |
Float control fluid shut off valve mechanism
A mechanism for opening or closing a shut off valve, the mechanism having a lever mounted on a spindle to which the valve is attached for mounting the valve from a normally open position to a closed position. A trigger mechanism including the lever and a biasing spring which when activated, rotates the lever, spindle and valve. A retainer mechanism ordinarily holds the trigger mechanism in a cocked position corresponding to the open position of the valve. The float, when subjected to water, releases the retainer mechanism permitting the trigger mechanism to close the valve. |
| US07665480B2 |
Defined lead path for high pressure seal
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices for conveying or containing fluids under pressure in which seals are provided with a defined path to vent fluid in the event of a seal failure. |
| US07665474B2 |
Disposable eyebrow dye kit
A disposable eyebrow dye kit includes two separate primary components. The first component is an elongated container consisting of two compartments separated by a thin membrane. One compartment contains a hair developer, for instance hydrogen peroxide and the appropriate colored dye, and the second compartment contains a dye solution, like ammonia. The second component consists of a brush member with brush bristles and a protective cap over the bristles at one end and a connector component at the other end. In use, the brush component is inserted into the container where the protective cap punctures the membrane separating the two compartments. The solution in one compartment is allowed to mix with the solution in the second compartment to form the dye mixture which is to be applied to the eyebrows. The brush component is then withdrawn from the container, causing the cap over the bristles of the brush component to fall to the bottom of the container. The brush component is then used to apply the dye directly to the eyebrows. When the dying operation is complete, the kit may be disposed of. |
| US07665472B2 |
Tobacco cultivar AOB 175 and products therefrom
The present invention relates to a novel tobacco cultivar designated AOB 175, which has low to intermediate nicotine content. The invention provides seeds of the cultivar AOB 175, plants and parts thereof of the cultivar AOB 175, a tissue culture derived from the cultivar AOB 175, hybrids produced from cultivar AOB 175 and lines derived from cultivar AOB 175, as well as genetically modified forms of the foregoing plants and tissue culture. Also provided are methods of producing cultivar AOB 175 plants, cultivar AOB 175 hybrid plants, and tobacco lines derived from cultivar AOB 175. In addition, products produced from the plants of the present invention are provided. |
| US07665468B2 |
Cigarette making machine and method
A cigarette making machine includes a web roll (8) from which a web W having bands previously formed is drawn, and a suction brake (14) arranged between the web roll (8) and a garniture tape (2) of a wrapping section (6). When a band (B) for a cigarette (C) is out of a proper region (CR), the suction brake increases the tension to be applied to the web W to elongate the web to thereby bring the location of each band (b) back to within the proper region. |
| US07665466B2 |
Self-expanding medical occlusion device
A self-expanding medical occlusion device treats a heart defect in a patient and is inserted into the body in minimally invasive fashion using a catheter system, and includes a braiding of thin threads which exhibits a first preliminarily definable shape as the occlusion device is being inserted into the patient's body and a second preliminarily definable shape in the implanted state, whereby the occlusion device is in a collapsed state in the first shape of the braiding and in an expanded state in the second shape of the braiding. The threads of braiding are composed of a shape memory polymer composite such that braiding deforms from a temporary shape to a permanent shape in consequence of an external stimulus, whereby the temporary shape is given in a first profile form of the braiding and the permanent shape is given in a second profile form of the braiding. |
| US07665456B2 |
Barbecue apparatus with swingout shelf
A barbecue apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a grill body comprising at least one cooking chamber and a fire bowl having a topside opening; at least one lid, and the lid being designed to cover the topside opening of the fire bowl during a closed position; at least one mounting assembly attached to the firebowl, and the mounting assembly having at least one aperture; and at least one swing out shelf system, and the system comprises at least one shelf and at least one bracket with opposing ends, a first end being connected to said shelf and a second end comprising at least one shaft extending downwardly therefrom and designed to fit and rotate within the aperture of the mounting assembly whereby the shelf can be swung between a first position for use and a second position for storage, at least a portion of the shelf being situated away from the topside opening of the fire bowl in the first position and the shelf is situated generally above the topside opening of the fire bowl during the second position, and the shelf assembly capable of being in the first use position when the lid is in the closed position. |
| US07665450B2 |
Internal combustion engine having fuel mixing means installed in intake port
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to an internal combustion having improved performance by promoting mixing of fuel and air using a fuel mixing means installed at an intake port to improve the flow property of the mixture introduced into a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, a fuel mixing means is installed at an intake port for use in supplying a mixture of fuel and air into a combustion chamber. The fuel mixing means is provided with a stream-disturbing body having a plurality of vanes for disturbing a stream passing through the intake port. The stream-disturbing body is installed rotatably in the intake port to generate a vortex or turbulence so that fuel and air are mixed uniformly and then supplied into the combustion chamber. |
| US07665442B1 |
Throttle plate for use with internal combustion engine
A throttle plate for use with internal combustion engines comprised of a relatively thin piece of material so that installation of the throttle plate between the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold of a vehicle does not require additional brackets or components to correct throttle cable linkage length or geometry. The throttle plate comprises a plate having apertures to accommodate pre-existing connectors and a perimeter that corresponds to connections between, and the geometry of, the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold. The plate fits between the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold and defines at least one airflow hole corresponding to the airflow path in the carburetor or throttle body. If there are multiple airflow paths between the carburetor or throttle body and intake manifold, then there will be multiple airflow holes. One or more vanes integral with the plate extend radially from the perimeter of each airflow hole toward its center. The plurality of vanes can be a variety of shapes, including helical and inclined, and extend into the airflow hole only to the extent they work in proximity of the throttle valve(s) and do not obstruct operation of the throttle valve in the throttle body. As air flows from the throttle valve(s) through the throttle plate and into the intake manifold, the vanes redirect laminar airflow into turbulent airflow. |
| US07665439B2 |
Single piece rotor
A starter for moving a movable portion of an engine to start the engine includes a gear housing, a gear assembly within the gear housing, an output member at a first end of the gear assembly adapted to operably couple to the movable portion of the engine, a motor housing, and a rotor rotatably mounted within the motor housing. The rotor has a shaft portion and a vane portion that are an integral, unitary piece. The shaft portion has splines for mating with the gear assembly. The splines prevent relative rotational movement between the rotor and the gear assembly and permit relative axial movement. The rotor is formed from aluminum and at least a portion of the rotor includes an anodized coating. |
| US07665432B2 |
Valve actuation system and method of driving two slave pistons with one master piston
Apparatus and methods for hydraulic valve actuation of engine valves are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of slave piston assemblies that impart motion to the engine valves, wherein the motion is operable to open and close the engine valves. A dual diameter master piston assembly may be used to drive the plurality of slave pistons. The dual diameter master piston assembly may be divided into two or more elements with, for example, a spring bias or a button and T-slot assembly to hold the two elements together. |
| US07665425B2 |
Exercise/conditioning bodysuit for animals
A vest surrounds the animal's torso. Slings for supporting the front or rear legs can be attached to the vest. Besides straps with rings, the vest may have monitors for remote monitoring of the animal's vital signs. |
| US07665422B2 |
Electric rotary pet brush
Disclosed is a self cleaning rotary brush with means for accumulating collected hair for disposal. The invention includes a primary cleaning cylinder with a series of tines that are adapted to clean the fur of the animal. The invention further includes a secondary cleaning cylinder with associated tines that are designed to intermesh with the tines of the primary cylinder. A collection tray is located to the rear of the secondary cleaning cylinder. As fur is collected by the primary cylinder, it is removed by the tines of the secondary cylinder. Thereafter, as the secondary tines come into contact with the edge of the collection tray, the fur is deposited within the collection tray for subsequent disposal. |
| US07665421B2 |
Dual animal carrier
A soft-side portable animal carrier has an interior vertical partition wall to form separate compartments for transporting two small pets and each compartment has a releasable opening at the top and an end wall that can be opened completely to allow the animal easy egress. In an alternative configuration, each compartment has an interior partition wall and the carrier has a continuous zipper around its center to permit the compartments to be separated for individual use. |
| US07665417B1 |
Adaptive animal feeder
A drawer-mounted feed bowl shelf to hold an animal's food or water bowl, adapted for mounting on the edges of the sidewalls of a cabinet drawer, or for mounting between the sidewalls of a drawer is disclosed. The first embodiment includes an expandable mount to permit mounting on or in drawers of various widths. The expandable mount include two sections one above the other, the upper one moving laterally relative to the lower section. The second fixed-width embodiment can be either mounted permanently or removably on or fixedly in a cabinet drawer. A gasket that fits over and within the opening for the bowl adds friction to prevent bowl movement when present. This invention permits the feed bowl to be out of sight when not in use. |
| US07665410B2 |
Seed and fertilizer drill and method
A drill for seeds and/or solid fertilizer having a support frame and a plurality of planter row units extending transversally of the direction of travel which are separated in first, second and third groups. A central member supports the first group and is attached to the support frame in a transverse manner so that the units of the first group are in contact with the ground in an operational position. First and second outer members respectively support the second and third groups and are attached respectively to a first and second end of the central member so that the outer members can rest in a first operational position collinear with the central member with the units of the second and third groups in contact with the ground, in a second position parallel to and over the central member, and in a third position perpendicular to and over the central member. |
| US07665401B2 |
Shock tube initiator
A shock tube initiator (STI) for allowing the remote and/or manual initiation of at least one shock tube, typically two shock tubes is disclosed. The STI consists of: a) at least one coupling 8, connected to a shock tube containing a shot shell primer that upon firing initiates burning of the shock tube, b) a cockable mechanical firing mechanism 7 adjacent to the coupling 8 wherein the mechanical firing mechanism 7 is adapted to strike respective firing pins 9 within the couplings, c) a safety mechanism 15 adapted to allow the mechanical firing mechanism 7 to ignite said explosive charge only when the safety mechanism 15 is moved from a safe mode position to an armed position, d) a rotary solenoid valve 24, electrically connected to and energised by a remote controlled operating system, and e) an actuator 10 positioned between and engageable with the rotary electro-mechanical energising means 24 and the firing mechanism 7 and wherein said actuator 10 is adapted to be actuated either by the rotary solenoid valve 24, when energised, or manually manipulated (13) to allow the cockable mechanical firing mechanism 7 when cocked, to ignite said shell primer. |
| US07665400B2 |
Print monitoring system and method
A print monitoring system comprising a printer that generates a printed object that comprises a) a printed area located on a substrate, the printed area having a predetermined width and defining a two-dimensional matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; b) print indicia printed on the substrate within the two-dimensional matrix of said printed area such that at least one row of the plurality of rows contains print indicia that are separated by a maximum width; and c) at least one print validation symbol printed on the substrate in a predetermined first validation print area. The system can also comprise an image capture device configured to read at least the at least one validation symbol and a controller in communication with the image capture device that compares the at least one validation symbol to a predetermined at least one validation symbol and makes quality control decisions based on the comparison. |
| US07665399B2 |
System and method for vacuum generated imprinting
A system to imprint patterns on impressionable materials by generating a pressure differential within an imprinting chamber by creating a substantial vacuum in an imprinting area is provided. This system can be used to create conductive traces in a substrate onto which integrated circuit chips and dies can be mounted to create semiconductor packages. A low pressure line evacuates air from a material receiving area of a vessel creating a pressure differential across pistons in the vessel to thereby causing the pistons to press microtools into impressionable material layers. The low pressure line helps the microtools conform to any thickness variations in the imprinted material and prevents air pockets from developing between the microtool and the imprinted material. |
| US07665397B1 |
Plural-panel armor system
A plural-panel, plural-layer armoring system including (a) an outer layer of elongate, side-by-side adjacent, laterally-interlocking, hardened-material armor panels having long axes substantially paralleling one another, and (b) a contacting, but not bonded-to, inner layer of elongate, side-by-side adjacent, closed-cell foam panels having long axes substantially paralleling one another and disposed at angles relative to the long axes of the armor panels. |
| US07665394B2 |
Ticket dispensing modules and method
The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade which rotates to contact the ticket strip adjacent a perforation line, and presses against the strip to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line at a point which progresses across the strip along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in the dispensing machine. The bar code reader is used in reading information from the tickets to initialize the dispenser control system and in accounting for the sale of tickets, and in the verification of winning tickets being sold. A game is provided in which the concept is that a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold. The mechanism is simplified by using a separator member and transport drive structures which span a plurality of different channels or bins of a multi-channel dispenser. This provides a very compact, simple, secure and low-cost mechanism which is used both in stand-alone ticket vending machines, and in counter-top attended dispensers. |
| US07665392B2 |
Tightening tool
Tightening tools is provided with a pair of clutch members disposed between a motor and a tool bit. The pair of clutch members is provided with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is constructed so as to disengage the pair of clutch members when the torque applied to the tool bit is equal to or above a first predetermined value. The second engaging portion does not engage the pair of clutch members while the first engaging portion engages the pair of clutch members and the second engaging portion engages the pair of clutch members after the first engaging portion disengages the pair of clutch members. The second engaging portion is constructed so as to disengage the pair of clutch members when the torque applied to the tool bit is equal to or above a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value may be different from the first predetermined value. |
| US07665390B2 |
Hammer having shock absorbing handle
A striking tool is disclosed that comprises a generally U-shaped or V-shaped handle constructed of a substantially resilient material and having a head fixed at one end thereof. A second end of the handle has a hand grip or gripping region adapted to be grasped by a human hand. The second end of the U-shaped or V-shaped handle includes a flange, or stop member, to inhibit the handle from slipping out of the grasping hand. The hand grip may include a lip at a lower end thereof, such that a pinky finger of the hand may be comfortably placed on either side of the lip while the hand grasps the hand grip. The resilient material construction of the handle permits a first end of the handle to flex slightly towards and away from the second end of the handle. Accordingly, during use, the striking tool provides a damped recoil and improved striking action, imparting less shock to the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and other parts of the body, as compared to a conventional striking tool. |
| US07665389B2 |
Multitool with wire stripping element
A tool member for a multitool which is configured to strip wire. The tool member has first and second members which in one form are pivotally attached at a common axis on the handle portion of a multitool where the tool member has an extended orientation and can be retracted into the channel region of the tool member. |
| US07665388B2 |
Pedal adjustable device for exercisers
A pedal adjustable device includes a case fixed to an end of a link and a first member and a second member are connected between two sidewalls of the case respectively. The first part includes a polygonal hole and the second part includes a circular hole. The polygonal hole is larger than the circular hole. A support plate has one end pivotably connected to the case and an extension extends from an underside of the other end of the support plate. A pedal is fixed on the support plate. The extension includes an elongate hole and a plurality pairs of protrusions extend from two insides of the elongate hole to define a space between each pair of the protrusion. An operation member includes a polygonal section and a circular rod. The polygonal section is engaged with the polygonal hole and set on one of pairs of the protrusions. |
| US07665387B2 |
Shock absorbing device for brake pedals
A shock absorbing device includes a mounting bracket which is fastened at a first end thereof to the vehicle body and removably mounted at a second end thereof to the vehicle body, an upper pedal arm which is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket using a hinge shaft, and a lower pedal arm which is removably coupled to the upper pedal arm using a locking pin. The shock absorbing device further includes a locking pin removal device which removes the lower pedal arm from the upper pedal arm when a vehicle collision occurs, and a guide device which serves as a guide for movement of the mounting bracket when the vehicle collision occurs and provides a reaction force for the locking pin removal device. |
| US07665383B2 |
Bicycle shift control device
A bicycle shift control device is provided with a stroke length control arrangement that allows the rider to selectively regulate at least one shift operating member between a single gear shifting operation position and a multiple gear shifting operation position. In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle shift control device has a gear shifting mechanism that is operated by a pair shift operating members (levers). The stroke length control arrangement selectively limits movement of the shift operating member in a range of movement between the rest position and an intermediate actuating position by preventing the shift operating member from being moved past the intermediate actuating position to the fully actuating position. |
| US07665380B2 |
Hypoid gear design method
A hypoid gear tooth surface design method, wherein normal lines and helical angles of two tooth surfaces are properly selected so as to position action limit curves (L3Acc) on the outer of the areas (R2t to R2h) where the tooth surfaces are formed, whereby undercut to a gear small end side can be prevented and, by setting the involute helicoids of two tooth surfaces on a pinion side to an equal lead, a pinion top land and a gear top land (z2h=0) can be made generally equal to each other in tooth lengthwise direction, such that sharpening of the top land can be prevented. |
| US07665379B2 |
Gear train element for play-free torque transmission
The invention relates to a gear train element in a gear train arrangement (5, 18), said gear train element (5) being driven on the drive side by a drive motor (1), on whose power take-off shaft (2) the gear train element (5) is mounted. The peripheral surface of the gear train element (5) is provided with a toothed gearing (7), and said element meshes with one or more toothed gearings of additional gear train elements (18). Axially displaceable and adjustable support elements (11, 12; 33, 34, 35, 36) and sleeve-type followers (13, 14; 30, 31) are mounted between the power take-off shaft (2) and a set of springs (8) and also between the set of springs (8) and the gear train element (5). |
| US07665376B2 |
Dual clutch powershift transmission
An automated dual-clutch multi-speed transmission is adapted to transfer power from an engine to the driveline of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline, an input shaft continuously driven by the engine and offset from a position substantially parallel to the output shaft. A countershaft is in constant driving engagement with the output shaft and is offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the input and output shafts. A first clutch is operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a first driven shaft. A second clutch is operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a second driven shaft. First and second gearset clutches are operable to releasably drivingly couple first and second gearsets to the countershaft. |
| US07665367B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring shape of heat treatment jig
A method for measuring the shape of a heating treatment jig to be held by a holding portion of a vertical heat treatment apparatus includes measuring the shape of the heat treatment jig in a state that the position of a supporting portion for supporting the heat treatment jig is set to be the same as the position of the holding portion for the heat treatment jig in the vertical heat treatment apparatus. The heat treatment jig can be used for placing a semiconductor wafer to be subjected to heat treatment. |
| US07665366B2 |
Screw tightening control system and screw tightening control method
The screw tightening control system includes plural screw tightening apparatuses, and a control apparatus that sets a synchronization point after completion of changing tightening torques of the plural screw tightening apparatuses in a current step, and starts changing of the tightening torques of the plural screw tightening apparatuses in a next step, step by step from the synchronization point. The control apparatus causes a timing to start the changing of the tightening torque of at least one of the plural screw tightening apparatuses from the synchronization point to differ from a timing to start the changing of the tightening torque of at least another one of the plural screw tightening apparatuses. The system controls the plural screw tightening apparatuses while synchronizing them so as to avoid the inconveniences in a conventional art by a simple method. |
| US07665359B2 |
Clear hanging measuring cup
A pouring vessel is provided that includes a body having a bottom, a sidewall extending from the bottom, and an opening substantially opposite the bottom, the opening being defined by the sidewall. The pouring vessel also includes a handle connected to the body adjacent the opening. The handle includes a free end distal from the body and a through hole located adjacent the sidewall for receiving an elongated member while hanging from a display. |
| US07665357B2 |
Accretion alarm for field devices
A field device for monitoring and/or determining a process variable of a medium, wherein the process variable preferably is fill level, viscosity or density of the medium. The field device includes: an oscillatable unit; a driving/receiving unit, which excites the oscillatable unit to oscillate, or which receives the oscillations of the oscillatable unit, as the case may be; and a control/evaluation unit, which controls the oscillations of the oscillatable unit, or which evaluates the oscillations of the oscillatable unit, control/evaluation unit produces an accretion alarm, when the oscillation frequency (f) of the oscillations of the oscillatable unit falls below an adjustable limit value (G; GMinimum; GMaximum). The limit value (G; GMinimum; GMaximum) is determinable and/or calculable at least from measured and/or calculated dependencies of the oscillation frequency on process conditions and/or on the process variable to be monitored and/or determined. |
| US07665350B2 |
Surface scanning method
The invention relates to a dynamic-mode surface (12) scanning method in which a cantilever (10) provided with a probe (18) is non-positively coupled to the surface and is made to oscillate in a resonant fashion using positive feedback, wherein the resonant oscillation contains at least one higher harmonic whose frequency represents an integer multiple of the basic resonance frequency of the cantilever which is force-coupled to the surface. According to the invention, the amplitude or the phases of the at least one higher harmonic oscillation is determined as a control variable in order to regulate the distance between the probe (18) and the surface (14). |
| US07665349B2 |
Method and apparatus for rapid automatic engagement of a probe
A method and apparatus of engaging a probe with a sample surface including automatically reducing the spacing between a probe of a probe based instrument and a sample from an initial separation to one in which the probe is positioned for obtaining a sample surface measurement in less than ten seconds without damaging either the probe or the sample. The method includes oscillating the probe, measuring at least one parameter of probe oscillation and then engaging the probe and the sample by generally continuously controlling the reducing step based on the measuring step to reduce the separation from an initial separation to an engage position. In addition to feeding back directly on the tip-sample interaction, a direct communication line is provided between the processor used to generate control signals that govern the engage and a conventional motion controller. In an alternative, a coarse positioning actuator and a fine positioning actuator in which the control of both is coordinated under feedback to place the probe in the engaged position, and wherein the close approach phase of the algorithm is controlled by a dedicated real time controller. |
| US07665342B2 |
Compact universal offset pulling head for fasteners
A universal offset pulling head assembly for exerting an axial pulling force on a fastener allows the same pulling head assembly to be utilized for a variety of different fastener sizes and types by exchanging a front plate assembly, where the front plate assembly may comprise variable nose pieces according to the type of fastener to be installed. Because the front plate assembly is subject to the most severe wear, other components of the pulling head assembly may continue to be utilized and the front plate assembly discarded. The disclosed pulling head assembly utilizes a stationary guiding member which prevents damage which might otherwise occur because of severe bending moments. |
| US07665340B2 |
Method for manufacturing one piece turnbuckle
A method for manufacturing a one piece turnbuckle includes preparing a board of metal; deep drawing the board to form two protrusions and shaping the board into a form which has two opposite ends, with the opposite ends defined by the protrusions; deep drawing the board to reduce its thickness and to form a recess; punching the recess off so as to form a through opening; boring a hole through each of the protrusions; and tapping each hole to form a threaded section. |
| US07665336B2 |
Lock and key system with extra code combinations
A lock and key system with a very large number of code combinations. The lock (200) includes side locking tumblers (206) having pivoting fingers (208) with asymmetric key contacting portions (220r), which engage with a wave-like code pattern (105) formed at the side of the key (100). |
| US07665335B2 |
Handle assembly
A swing handle assembly (10) comprising a lockable handle member (20) which when pivotally swung into co-operable alignment with a frame (30) enables the assembly (10) to be placed in a locked condition, wherein the end of the handle member distal from the pivotally attached end comprises a substantially deformable housing (60) located therebeneath, the housing (60) being adapted to support a lock actuator (44), whereby when the assembly is locked and when a destructive outside force sufficient to cause deformation of the housing (60) the locked condition of the assembly (10) is substantially maintained. |
| US07665333B2 |
Bicycle lock
A bicycle lock in the form of a U-lock includes a U-shaped closure bracket and an elongated lock body. The lock body includes insertion openings for receiving ends of the closure bracket, while the ends of the closure bracket are provided with recesses that are parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lock body. Two locking bolts can be moved for securing the closure bracket in the lock body, the locking bolts forming a part of oppositely moveable locking devices that can be moved by a driver that is rotatable by means of a closing cylinder. By actuating the closing cylinder, the locking devices are drivable in the longitudinal direction of the locking body. Each locking device has two sections into which the locking bolts are inserted. The locking bolts are preferably cylindrical. |
| US07665331B2 |
Method and machine for the production of convex glass sheets
A method and machine for obtaining bent glass sheets. Glass sheets are brought to their softening temperature, then they are caused to travel over a shaping bed of advancing elements for advancing them which are arranged along a path having a circular arc-shaped profile, the sheets progressively assuming their shape on entering the bed and over a first shaping zone, then being hardened by tempering or cooling in a second zone of the bed until they leave, and then the bent glass sheets thus obtained are recovered. The shaping bed is produced with a profile extending in a circular arc of more than 90°, and, on leaving the shaping bed, the hardened glass sheets are moved in a direction opposite that in which they were fed in. |
| US07665330B2 |
Method for manufacturing glass-ceramics
Glass-ceramics includes Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2, have an average crystal grain diameter of a predominant crystal phase of 90 nm or below and have crystal grain diameter distribution of 20 nm or below. The glass-ceramics can be manufactured by heat treating glass comprising Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2 under a temperature within a range from 650° C. to 750° C. and then further heat treating the glass under a temperature within a range from 700° C. to 800° C. for 100-200 hours. |
| US07665326B2 |
Drawer appliance
A modular cabinet for a family of drawer appliances including an insulated liner defining a drawer space, a machine compartment, a wiring harness leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space, a passage leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space and an air passage leading from the machine compartment to the front of the cabinet and a drain leading from the liner space to the machine compartment. The family of drawer appliances can include refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, wine and warming drawers. A drawer can have two compartments and can be maintained at two temperatures. The drawers include an insulated front and a bin and can be slidably carried in the drawer space. The modular cabinet and control can be used for each member of the family of drawer appliances. |
| US07665320B2 |
Damper assembly and methods for a refrigeration device
A refrigerator includes a housing defining a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment, a fan configured to provide airflow through the compartments, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an airflow passage configured to allow cold air to flow from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment, a damper configured to be in an open position under the pressure of airflow flowing through the airflow passage and in a closed position due to a weight of the damper when cold air is flowing through the fresh food compartment. The damper assembly also includes a solenoid element configured to maintain the damper in the closed position regardless of airflow. |
| US07665319B2 |
Fan control device and method
A fan control device receives a target revolution signal to control a rotation speed of a fan. The device includes a temperature measuring module, a revolution modulating module and a driving module. The temperature measuring module generates a temperature value according to an ambient temperature of the fan. The revolution modulating module is electrically connected with the temperature measuring module, receives the temperature value, and generates a control signal according to the temperature value and the target revolution signal. The driving module is electrically connected with the revolution modulating module, and generates a driving signal to drive the fan according to the control signal. In addition, a fan control method, which is applied to the fan control device, is also provided. |
| US07665317B2 |
Method for controlling a refrigeration appliance
A method for controlling the defrost of an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance provided with a compressor and in which a temperature sensor (TP) is used for detecting the temperature inside a cell of the appliance, comprises the steps of estimating the temperature of the evaporator on the basis of the cell temperature (TP) and of a mathematical model of the refrigeration appliance, and controlling the compressor on the basis of the estimated temperature of the evaporator. |
| US07665315B2 |
Proofing a refrigeration system operating state
A method of proofing a refrigeration system operating state includes monitoring a change in operating state of a refrigeration system component, determining an expected operating parameter of the refrigeration system component as a function of the change, and detecting an actual operating parameter of the refrigeration system component after the change. The method also comprises comparing the actual operating parameter to the expected operating parameter of the refrigeration component and detecting a malfunction of the refrigeration system component based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium. |
| US07665311B2 |
Apparatus for heating and cooling at food serving stations
Systems and apparatus for heating or cooling food to an appropriate temperature for service using a standard food service container, such as a chafing dish or food cart. A thermally conductive plate has a plurality of Peltier chips attached thereto to drive a temperature difference. The Peltier chips are in thermally conductive contact with a heat exchanger. A heat transfer liquid circulates through tubing in the heat exchanger and a separate radiator, perpetuating the temperature difference at the plate. The heat exchanger and radiator may be spaced apart by a gap. One or more fans may be placed to encourage airflow through the radiator. A coolant reservoir and pump may be included. |
| US07665310B2 |
Gas turbine engine having a cooling-air nacelle-cowl duct integral with a nacelle cowl
A gas turbine engine includes an engine core extending along a core axis, a cooling-air delivery duct on the engine core, and a removable nacelle cowl overlying the engine core. A cooling-air nacelle-cowl duct delivers cooling air to the cooling-air delivery duct. At least a portion of the length of the cooling-air nacelle-cowl duct is integral with the nacelle cowl and not directly supported on the engine core. |
| US07665302B2 |
Device for supplying fresh air to a turbocharged piston internal combustion engine and method for operating the same
A device and method for supplying fresh air to a turbocharged piston internal combustion engine are described. According to the invention, a fresh gas line section of an intake manifold has an adjustable flap, and inlet and outlet ports. An adjustment device is coupled to the flap for adjusting the flap. A compressed air port having an opening leading into a chamber of the fresh gas line between the flap and the outlet is provided, and a quantity regulating device with a valve to control the compressed air is also provided. An electronic control unit controls the quantity regulating device and the adjustable flap, so that the fully opened position of the flap corresponds to a fully blocked position of the quantity regulating device. |
| US07665297B2 |
Exhaust purifying apparatus for internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has a separate exhaust passage for each one of banks. An exhaust purifying catalyst is provided in each exhaust passage. The mass flow rates G1, G2 of exhaust gas that flow through the exhaust passages are individually estimated. The flow rate of exhaust gas is individually adjusted per each bank by controlling the operation of each one of exhaust gas recirculation valves such that the difference between the estimated mass flow rates G1, G2 is decreased. |
| US07665291B2 |
Method and system for heat recovery from dirty gaseous fuel in gasification power plants
A system and method for recovering heat from dirty gaseous fuel (syngas), wherein the pressure of clean fuel gas is elevated to a pressure higher than that of the dirty syngas and then the pressurized clean fuel gas is fed to a heat recovery unit for heat exchange with the dirty syngas. Consequently, in the event of a leak in the heat recovery unit, the flow is from the clean fuel side to the dirty syngas side, thereby avoiding the possibility of contamination of the clean fuel gas. |
| US07665290B2 |
Twister, method for producing twisted wire, ply, and pneumatic tire
A compact twister and a method for producing a twisted wire that can efficiently produce a short twisted wire that satisfies performance requirements, as well as a ply and a pneumatic tire twisted using the twister or the method for producing a twisted wire, are provided. The twister includes a rotating body for twisting plural filament wires that are fed thereto to form a cord and for applying a feeding force to the cord. The rotating body includes a feeding mechanism within a housing, and the cord is discharged from the rotating body by the feeding mechanism. The twister carries out twisting operation with one of a cord side of a twisting point or a filament wire side of the twisting point being free. Thus, a compact twister, that can form a cord with excellent rotating property and straightness, is accomplished. |
| US07665289B2 |
Synthetic fiber rope
A synthetic fiber rope can be used to the limit of failure by setting a sensitivity of detection of the state of wear of the rope. Strands of the rope have indicator fibers or indicator yarn that have a high probability of losing electrical conductivity and thereby indicate cable wear. The matrix of the strand with indicator fibers or with at least one indicator yarn has a lower resistance to abrasion than the matrix of the other strands without indicator fibers or indicator yarns. |
| US07665286B2 |
Mulch deck attachment baffle system
A mulch deck attachment for reducing grass clippings into particles of mulch which return nutrients back to the soil. The mulch deck attachment of the present invention may be coupled to a lawnmower and may include one or more rotating blades coupled to the mulch deck attachment. A first baffle may be coupled to the mulch deck attachment and may define one or more apertures. The first baffle may also at least be partially disposed within a turning radius defined by the one or more rotating blades. A second baffle may be coupled to the mower deck and may be disposed between the first baffle and the leading edge. One or more third baffles may also be coupled to the mower deck and may be partially disposed around a circumference defined by the one or more rotating blades. A fourth baffle may be coupled to the rear portion of the mulch deck attachment and may be partially disposed about the rotating blade. |
| US07665285B1 |
Work vehicle having conveyance mechanism with blower
A work vehicle includes: a container; a conveyance mechanism configured to convey an object to the container using a force of wind generated by a blower; and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a conveyance state of the conveyed object to the container. The evaluation unit has a drive load detecting function of detecting a drive load of the blower, and a conveyance state determining function of determining whether the conveyance state reached a predetermined conveyance state, based on the detected drive load. |
| US07665284B1 |
Belt drive for lawn mowers
A lawn mower drive arrangement delivers power to a mower deck of a lawn mower vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a prime mover and a drive sheave, at least one mower deck sheave for powering at least one cutting blade and an endless engaging the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The drive sheave is oriented such that its axis of rotation is generally transverse. Guide pulleys engage the tension side and the slack side of the endless belt between the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The guide pulleys are positioned such that the endless belt twists by an acute angle substantially less than 60 degrees between the drive sheave and the guide pulleys. |
| US07665282B2 |
Laminate and method for making horn wraps
A laminate comprising a compressible, cushioning layer and an open layer comprised of a tough, reinforcing woven or non-woven mesh, net, webbing, scrim or sheet material having openings therein and attached to the compressible, air permeable, cushioning layer is particularly useful for producing horn wraps that permit ventilation for the parts of the horns and head in contact with a horn wrap product. Permeable or air ventilating laminates of various materials and configurations are disclosed along with methods of making horn wraps using the laminates. |
| US07665273B2 |
Method for generating a substantially uninterrupted connection of the peripheral wall portions of two adjacent tubular segments
The method for generating a substantially uninterrupted connection of the peripheral wall portions of two adjacent tubular segments each provided with flanges having holes therein, of a tower, in particular for a wind energy turbine, comprises the steps of: arranging a first tubular segment (18) and a second tubular segment (20) with said flanges (26, 28) thereof facing each other and said holes (34, 36) in said flanges (26, 28) aligned with each other; connecting said tubular segments (18, 20) by prefastening screws (38) extending through said aligned holes (34, 36) in said flanges (26, 28); forming into the side (50) of the tubular segments (18, 20) opposite to the flanges (26, 28) a notch (52) of a predetermined width at least at a location of said contacting flanges (26, 28) where a gap (48) having a width greater than a minimum width exists; inserting into said notch (52) at least one insert part (60) having a width substantially equal to the width of said notch (52); and completely fastening said screws (38) connecting said flanges 826, 28) of said tubular segments (18, 20) providing a substantially uninterrupted connection of said peripheral wall portions (22, 24) of said tubular segments (18, 20) through said at least one insert part (60). |
| US07665272B2 |
Floor hole repair method
A floor hole repair fixture has at least one vertical side wall and a bottom wall which together define an inner volume. The fixture is connected to a hole in a floor with one or more fasteners and is filled with a non-shrink grout. A depending rim or flange extending from the at least one side wall helps seat the fixture within the hole. Intumescent material may be coated onto or applied to external fixture surfaces before the fixture is inserted into the hole. Floor covering material is installed over the grout-filled fixture. |
| US07665270B1 |
Lattice structure assembly having members with overlapping end sections connected by connection rods
A lattice structure includes a plurality of members and a plurality of connection rods. The plurality of members may be individually oriented to form the lattice structure. Each of the plurality of members may include at least one of (i) an end section having a sidewall and a platform that define an end gap, or (ii) a mid-section having two sidewalls and a platform that define a mid-gap. Each member of the lattice structure may be connected to at least one other member, so that the lattice structure includes a plurality of connections between individual members in the plurality of members. Furthermore, each of at least some of the plurality of connections is formed by one of (i) an end section of a first member of that connection overlapping an end section of a second member of that connection; or (ii) an end section of the first member of that connection overlapping with a mid-section of the second member of that connection. The connections may further be formed by at least one connection rod that extends (i) lengthwise at least partially into the first member of that connection, and (ii) at least partially into the second member of that connection. This results in the connection rod maintaining the end section of the first member in overlapping the end section or mid-section of the second member. |
| US07665264B1 |
Metal-faced building panels having angled projections in longitudinal edge recesses for mating with locking ramps on flanges of concealed I-shaped connector
Metal faced insulated inserts have interior and exterior surfaces with parallel longitudinal edges between an upper and lower short edge. Each longitudinal edge of each insert has two deep recesses and a central shallow recess. A plurality of generally I-shaped concealed locking beams have a central section and parallel end sections. Each end section has a central region of a thickness less than end regions to form a locking ramp. A pair of similarly configured metal facings for each concealed locking beam with opposed end parts are located within the deep recesses at the longitudinal edges of each insert. Each end part terminates in a V-shaped projection configured to allow the end regions of the concealed edge lockings to compress the V-shaped projections and allow the end regions of the concealed locking beams to mate with the metal facings. |
| US07665260B2 |
Fastening member, siding boards attachment structure using the same and method of attaching siding boards
The present invention provides a fastening member which can fasten siding boards in which a lateral joint portion is arranged in a portion where a vertical member is not arranged with a sufficient strength, can prevent a displacement, and is excellent in a durability. Another object is to provide a siding boards attachment structure using the fastening member. Further another object is to provide a method of attaching siding boards using the fastening member. The fastening member has a long fixing plate portion. The long fixing plate portion is provided with a first fastening portion for engaging upper and lower end portions in the lateral joint portion of the siding boards, a vertical rising portion in a lower side of the first fastening portion, and a second fastening portion for engaging upper and lower end portions of the siding board in the other portions than the lateral joint portion. |
| US07665259B2 |
Built-up rectangular steel column for filling concrete therein having L-shaped members and steel plates with curving projections and convex embossed portions
Disclosed herein is a built-up type box-shaped steel column for filling concrete therein, that can be formed easily and economically in a built-up scheme by using ┐-beams and steel plates, and a method for manufacturing the same that includes bonding a steel plate at the inner surface of a ┐-shapes during a process of making a built-up type box-shaped steel column, thereby having a good resistance against a lateral pressure of concrete filled in the steel column and preventing the bonded portion from being exposed to the outside to provide a better outer appearance. The built-up type box-shaped steel column for filling concrete therein, includes: a ┐-shapes disposed at each of the four corners of a box-shaped steel column to be formed; and a steel plate disposed between the ┐-shapes adjacent to each other for connecting the ┐-shapes with each other. |
| US07665258B2 |
Fastener assembly serving as a product, or combined with other components as a product, allows automatic controlled movements in one direction and prevents movements in the opposite direction when forces are applied
A fastener assembly 10, in respect to forces which are subsequently applied, after the installation thereof, when forces is applied in one direction, this fastener assembly 10 is self adjusting incrementally, as needed in travel or actuation; yet when a force is applied in the opposite direction, this fastener assembly 10 is not self adjusting and there is no travel or actuation. |
| US07665249B2 |
Shielded structure for radiation treatment equipment and method of assembly
A modularized approach for rapidly and cost effectively assembling a structure suitable for housing radiation emitting equipment is disclosed. The modules include reinforced walls to contain radiation shielding fill material. The modules are transported empty and then filled on site with the fill material to form a radiation shielding barrier around radiation emitting equipment. |
| US07665245B2 |
Sealing system positioned within frame for door/window
A combined sealing system for use with a combination of a panel and a frame includes a first sealing system and a second sealing system. The first sealing system is positioned within a first side of the frame, and the second sealing system is positioned within a second side of the frame separate from the first side of the frame. The first and second sealing systems have a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration upon the panel being positioned within the frame. The panel pivots relative to the frame, and the first sealing system is a reciprocal motion sealing system. |
| US07665244B2 |
Plant mover system and method
A system and method for rotating multiple plants through light on a continual basis and feeding plants while they are rotated. This system is able to provide the plants with food and water at levels inputted into its control panel. The water which runs through the system can be re-circulated and used by the plants. The system aerates the water in the re-circulation chamber before it is put back onto the plants. This system also has the capabilities to test the pH and nutrient level of the growing media which can include but is not limited to one or more of the following: spun rock, clay pellets, soil, or any other hydroponic growing media. |
| US07665243B2 |
Somatic embryogenesis and embryo harvesting and method and apparatus for preparing plant embryos for plant production
Described herein are methods and media for facilitating somatic embryogenesis and for collecting, conditioning, and transferring the washed embryos onto a substrate and into an environment suitable for conditioning the embryos for a desired period of time so they become germination-competent for plant production. The described plant embryo cleaning apparatus and method are used for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production. The apparatus and method can use a cleaning fluid source, a fluid-conditioning system, a fluid-delivery structure, a cleaning station, an outlet mechanism, a negative pressure source, and a controller. |
| US07665236B2 |
Clothes iron storage rack
A pressing iron holder for electric clothing irons includes a substantially planar base defining a blunt butt end, a top end, and two side edges, and a flange is fixedly attached substantially perpendicular to the planar base proximal the butt end. Additional features are cord retention protrusions from one of the two side edges for neatly storing the power cord, at least one semi-rigid retaining clip fixedly attached proximal midpoint of each side edge, and a grasping/hanging extension at the top end. |
| US07665235B2 |
Toothed trencher track and elements therefor
An endless chain for cutting and removing spoil from a trench includes a plurality of links pivotally coupled together. A plurality of flight plates are secured to the plurality of links. A pattern of openings extends through each flight plate between the under surface and the outer surface. A plurality of wear plates is positioned over the outer surface of the plurality of flight plates. A plurality of fasteners pass from the under surface of the flight plate through at least some of the pattern of openings in the flight plate and into the wear plate to secure the wear plate to the flight plate. The fasteners securing the wear plates to the flight plates can have outer ends that terminate short of the outer surface of the wear plates in openings in the under surface of the wear plate. Sockets, which include bores receiving cutting elements, can be fixed to the wear plates with a bottom surface of the socket either angled with respect to or flush with the wear plate outer surface. |
| US07665234B2 |
Grader blade with tri-grade insert assembly on the leading edge
A grader blade includes a grader blade body that has a recess in a bottom edge, and a tri-grade insert assembly is received within the recess. The tri-grade insert assembly includes a leading insert, a mediate insert and a trailing insert. The leading insert has an impact wear resistance and fracture wear resistance greater than the mediate insert and the trailing insert. The trailing insert has an abrasion wear resistance and down-pressure wear resistance greater than the leading insert and the mediate insert. The mediate insert has an impact wear resistance and fracture wear resistance greater than the trailing insert and an abrasion wear resistance and down-pressure wear resistance greater than the leading insert. |
| US07665228B2 |
Flow enhancing air duct and grill for laundry dryer
A flow enhancing air grill for a laundry dryer includes a plurality of apertures through which air flows from a rotatable drum to an air duct. The air grill is positioned over the air duct and extends beyond the air duct. In addition, a primary surface of the air grill is positioned in spaced overlying relationship to a front bulkhead surface so as to form a gap between the primary air grill surface and the underlying front bulkhead surface. The air grill may extend arcuately in conformance to the circular shape of an access port of the dryer in which it is positioned, up inclined wall surfaces of the access port. The arrangement reduces airflow obstruction by allowing adequate air flow in the event the portion of the air grill directly overlying the air duct inlet becomes covered by items of the laundry load. |
| US07665218B1 |
Azimuth measuring apparatus and method
An apparatus for measuring the azimuth of a tube having a bore axis includes a centering mandrel having a longitudinal axis; a flexible member for defining a bore axis projection of the bore axis; a tensioner fixed to one end of the flexible member, and a pair of adjusters connected to the tensioner, the adjusters for moving the tensioner along a respective pair of axes that are perpendicular to the bore axis projection, the axes of the adjusters being mutually perpendicular. |
| US07665214B2 |
Rotary electric shaver
A rotary electric shaver including a disc-shaped outer cutter 10, which is mounted in the upper part of a shaver main body housing therein a motor and has ring-shaped tracks 18 on the under (inner) surface thereof, and an inner cutter 12A, which has cutter blades 120 that elastically contact the ring-shaped tracks 18 of the outer cutter 10 from below and is rotated by the motor; and in this shaver, the inner cutter 12A has vibration elements 132 that travel in the ring-shaped tracks 18 and have a smaller spring constant, compared to the cutter blade 120, in the direction same as and opposite from the direction in which the cutter blades travel, and the vibration elements 132 vibrate and produce sound when, during shaving, they strike stoppers 134 provided near the vibration elements 132. |
| US07665213B2 |
Metal stamping process using a wire preform
Metal parts can be economically fabricated by a metal stamping that comprises preforming a piece of wire to have a shape corresponding to the 2-dimensional configuration of a desired product workpiece, flattening the wire to form a metal blank, and subjecting the metal blank to metal stamping to obtain the desired product workpiece. The process can significantly reduce the amount of scrap material and thereby reduce manufacturing costs. |
| US07665212B2 |
Methods for manufacturing endodontic instruments
Endodontic instruments having a desired cutting edge are formed, at least in part, using a cold forming process. The method of forming the endodontic instrument includes providing a blank metal thread or wire and at least one die that has a negative impression of a cutting edge. The die is pressed against the blank with sufficient force in order for the die to form an at least partially formed cutting edge in the blank. Any desired shape can be formed into the blank by selecting a die with the proper corresponding negative impression. Cold forming techniques suitable for forming endodontic instruments include roll forming, flat rolling, radial forming, cold drawing, and similar techniques. The files can be sharpened or otherwise modified before or after cold-forming using techniques such as cutting, grinding, and chemical milling. |
| US07665211B2 |
Method of manufacturing a combustion chamber for a water heater
A method of manufacturing a combustion chamber for use in a water heater is provided. A skirt is formed, and an edge portion of a plate is spot welded to the skirt. The edge portion of the plate is circumferentially welded to the skirt, thereby forming a seal between the plate and the skirt. |
| US07665209B2 |
Method manufacturing wiring substrate
There is provided a wiring substrate for connecting a mounting board on one surface thereof and mounting an integrated circuit chip on the opposite surface to the surface. The wiring substrate has a conductive connecting portion penetrating the substrate for connecting to at least a portion of a wiring layer of the integrated circuit chip, with the portion of a wiring layer formed on the substrate, and an insulating portion formed at a lateral side of the connecting portion for surrounding the connecting portion via a portion of the wiring substrate. |
| US07665207B2 |
Method of making a multi-chip electronic package having laminate carrier
A method of making a multi-chip electronic package which utilizes an organic, laminate chip carrier and a pair of semiconductor chips positioned on an upper surface of the carrier in a stacked orientation. The organic, laminate chip carrier is comprised of a plurality of conductive planes and dielectric layers and couples one or both of the chips to underlying conductors on the bottom surface thereof. The carrier may include a high-speed portion to assure high-frequency connection between the semiconductor chips and may also include an internal capacitor and/or thermally conductive member for enhanced operational capabilities. The first chip, e.g., an ASIC chip, is solder bonded to the carrier while the second chip, e.g., a memory chip, is secured to the first chip's upper surface and coupled to the carrier using a plurality of wirebond connections. |
| US07665203B2 |
Insulator-combining apparatus
An insulator-combining apparatus which can correctly detects whether or not insulators are lined up in a predetermined sequence is provided. The plate-combining apparatus includes a plate-setting jig which includes a frame, holder, combining part and erroneous attaching-preventing part. The holders hold insulating plates and are provided being spaced from each other and supported by the frame capable of approaching and leaving each other. The combining part includes a pair of nipping members which positions the holder therebetween so as to cause the holders to approach each other. The erroneous attaching-preventing part prevents the holders from approaching each other until the insulators combine with each other when an incorrect insulating plate is attached on the holder. |
| US07665201B2 |
Method for manufacturing electronic modules
A method for manufacturing electronic modules from a moulded module strip having a laminate including at least one conductive layer, and one or more dies and or surface mounted devices arranged on an upper surface of the laminate and embedded by a moulding compound, includes the steps of: cutting partway through the laminate reaching at least through the uppermost of the at least one conductive layers and thereby creating a cut of width in the laminate; applying a conductive coating covering the upper surface of the laminate, and further covering all surfaces of the cut, the conductive coating contacting the uppermost conductive layer in the laminate; singulating the moulded module strip into separate electronic modules by cutting all the way through the laminate by creating a second cut in said first cut, the second cut having a width d smaller than the width of the first cut. |
| US07665198B2 |
Method of reducing noise for a modular fuel injector with a harmonic annular damper member
A fuel injector with various embodiments of a annular damper member that reduces noise generated between a valve group subassembly and a power group subassembly during operation of the fuel injector. A mass annular damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed. |
| US07665197B2 |
Work holder device and a machine tool fitted with it
The invention relates to a work holder device designed for holding work for machining by a machine tool and to a machine tool equipped with such a holder device. The work holder device includes a carrier fixture and at least one transferable jig adapted to be attached to the carrier fixture, such transferable jig having a work trap for receiving and holding the work, the at least one transferable jig being able to be inserted on a linear guide arrangement like a drawer into a trap of the transferable jig in an insertion plane and being able to be fixed in the trap in a fixing position. |
| US07665195B1 |
Method and apparatus for ecological burial
The urn of the invention comprises a series of pod-like containers designed to function as cinerary urns (i.e. receptacles for human ashes) comprising a bottom shell and a top cover made of biodegradable materials. The bottom shell having a hollow protrusion for a direct contact with the earth, while the top cover has several holes promoting the germination of the living monument. The urn is meant to be used with new or pre-existing plants producing a living monument in memory of the deceased person whose ashes it contains. |
| US07665189B2 |
Clothes fastening system
A clothes fastening system comprising an attachment member configured for attachment to a wearer's footwear where such attachment member has a first fastener attached thereto. A fastening mechanism is attached to the wearer's clothing where such fastening mechanism has a second fastener attached thereto. The first and second fasteners are detachably attached to each other thus preventing at least a portion of the wearer's clothing from dragging against the ground while the wearer is walking. |
| US07665188B2 |
Apparatus on a carding machine for cotton, synthetic fibres and the like, in which at least one flat bar with a flat clothing is present
In an apparatus on a carding machine for cotton, synthetic fibers and the like, in which at least one flat bar with a flat clothing is present, in which a clothing strip having a flat clothing, preferably wire hooks, arranged in a strip-form support element, is secured to a support body of the flat bar and lies opposite the clothing of a roller, e.g. the cylinder, the spacing between a surface defined by the tips of the flat clothing and the tip circle of the cylinder clothing decreases in the direction of rotation of the cylinder. In order to be able to alter and adapt the angle (offset) in a simple manner in terms of mechanical engineering, the top face, of the clothing strip and the tip surface of the flat clothing are not aligned parallel with one another. |
| US07665185B2 |
Incremental locking hinge assembly
A hinge assembly containing a receiver member having a corrugated inner surface and a locking pin for being pivotally disposed within the receiver portion about an axis. The locking pin and receiver member have complementary corrugated engaging surfaces that allow the hinge to provide support for a cantilevered structure when the pin and receiver are engaged. When the complimentary pin and receiver are disengaged, the pin member can be incrementally rotated so as to allow the cantilevered structure to be positioned in a different position or orientation. |
| US07665182B2 |
Vacuum cleaner and damper installation structure thereof
Provided is a damper installation structure of a vacuum cleaner. The structure includes a damper, and a damper support part concaved into an inner portion of a main body of the vacuum cleaner and having a plurality of support bars. To firmly support the damper, the damper support bars are branched and extended toward an outward direction. |
| US07665172B1 |
Sweeper
A powered floor sweeper comprises a foot assembly with a motor driven primary agitator and a pair of edge agitators coupled to wheels such that manual propulsion of the sweeper rotates the wheels and thereby the edge agitators. The sweeper includes a slip clutch mechanism to protect the primary agitator and the motor in case the agitator become jammed. Additionally, the sweeper comprises a ramp assembly along an agitator opening to help collect dirt and dust at the primary agitator. A dust bin removably mounted in an open top dust bin recess is in communication with the agitator opening and receives the dirt and dust collected at the agitator opening. Furthermore, the sweeper comprises a handle assembly having a detent mechanism that interacts with a pivot cradle in the foot assembly to retain the handle assembly in a generally vertical position. |
| US07665167B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning a knee for surgery or the like
Generally described the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for aligning the lower extremities of a patient with a mechanical axis. More specifically, the present invention provides an exoskeleton or external framework that positions a patient's leg into a desired mechanical axis in preparation for surgery or other medical treatment. |
| US07665163B2 |
T-shaped side rail for bed frame
A bed frame comprising T shaped side rails provide support for a box spring and mattress. A leg assembly is affixed to the bed frame and is affixed to the side rail and to the cross rails for better strength of connection. The use of T-shaped side rails provides more resistance to twisting and bowing and thereby more resistant to damage a leg or other structural component of the bed frame from moving the bed frame across the floor. The use of the T-shape cross section side rails enables the overall bed frame to support more weight with less deflection than the convention L-shaped side rails. There are also headboard and footboard brackets that take advantage of the greater height of the vertical flange of the side rail to have affixation means, such as rivets, that are further spaced apart to provide a more rigid connection between the brackets and the side rails. |
| US07665160B1 |
Method and apparatus for restoring one-piece cultured marble countertop sinks
A permanent restoration of one-piece cultured marble bathroom countertop/sinks including the insertion of a polymeric bowl within the existing sink without the need to remove or replace existing plumbing. The polymeric bowl insert is secured in place over the existing sink with an expandable drain insert. Seals and adaptive deformable strips, attached to the outer surface of the bowl, provide support and insure a snug and watertight fit within an existing cultured marble countertop/sink. |
| US07665159B2 |
Bathtub cushion with elastomeric gel and method of using same
A bathtub cushion and method includes an elastomeric gel with a matrix of intersecting buckling columns defining open ended cells therebetween. The cushion can have a foam mat with at least one recess to receive the elastomeric gel. A scrim can be coupled to the foam mat and can extend across the at least one recess. The scrim has a plurality of holes through the scrim. The elastomeric gel can be attached to the scrim, and can extend across the recess. |
| US07665158B2 |
Hidden air jet with unidirectional flow mechanism and air massage system including at least one of these jets
An air jet of an air massage system used with a bathtub having a wall defining opposite visible and hidden surfaces and defining a number of openings through the bathtub wall. The air jet comprises a hollow body having opposed inlet and outlet ends and a unidirectional flow device disposed therebetween. The outlet end is mounted directly to the hidden surface of the bathtub wall opposite one of the openings. The inlet end is connected to a source of pressurized air. The unidirectional flow device allows pressurized air therethrough only in a direction from the inlet to the outlet end and then through the opening in the bathtub wall, thereby preventing water in the bathtub from conveying through the air jet when the source of pressurized air is not in use. The outlet end comprises a flange provided on a downstream side thereof with recesses for receiving an adhesive for securing the flange to the hidden surface of the bathtub wall. The flange comprises an annular seat disposed around an inner wall of the hollow body and blades extending radially outwardly from the annular seat with the recesses extending between the blades and outwardly of the annular seat. The blades and the annular seat contact the hidden surface. The flange also defines a number of holes between the blades for introducing the adhesive in the recesses from an upstream side of the flange. The air jet is connected to an air distribution piping of the air massage system, for instance using fitting. The air jet further comprises an annular seal sandwiched between the upstream side of the flange and a further flange provided at a downstream end of the fitting. |
| US07665157B2 |
Child's toilet training chair
A child's toilet training chair includes a seat supporting structure and an adjustable seat that can be positioned at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The front section of the seat is pivotally attached to a front portion of the supporting structure and the rear portion of the seat is provided with at least one engagement member that releasably mates with one of a plurality of vertically-spaced receiving elements in the chair back. |
| US07665155B2 |
Rolled edge pocket flap
A closure for use with a pocket for a protective garment is provided. The closure includes a margin, a closure body and an edge. The edge is thicker than the closure body so as to provide better tactile feedback for the wearer. The edge may also include an insert located within the edge. |
| US07665154B2 |
Adjustable headwear with integrated hair band
Adjustable headwear with an integrated flexible cord coupled to the lower crown portion of the headwear. The flexible cord is used to adjust the size of the headwear, and is also used to secure a wearer's hair when the wearer forms their hair into a ponytail. A fastening device clamped to the flexible cord is used to tighten the headwear on the wearer's head. |
| US07665153B2 |
Protective garment equipped with litter
A protective garment for a firefighter or for an emergency rescue worker is equipped with a drag harness and with a litter, which, when not deployed, is stored within a pocket of the garment and wherein the drag harness and the litter, when deployed, facilitate carrying a wearer. A back-covering portion of the protective garment has the pocket, which is located where the back-covering portion covers a lower region of the back of a wearer. The drag harness has two arm loops and a drag grip, which is attached to the arm loops and which extends outwardly through apertures in an upper region of the back-covering portion. The litter has two, flexible, longitudinal members, each of which is attached to one of the arm loops of the drag harness, and multiple, flexible, transverse members, which extend between the longitudinal members, outside the pocket, when the litter is deployed. |
| US07669247B2 |
Content processing apparatus
A content processing apparatus includes an MCU. The MCU determines whether or not an audio file exists in a flash memory when a USB connection operation is detected. If the determination result is affirmative, the audio file recorded on the flash memory is erased, and a USB connection process is executed. That is, the audio file recorded on the flash memory is erased between a time when the USB connection operation is performed and a time when the USB connection is established. |
| US07669246B2 |
System and method for linking user accounts to business entitlement objects
A system comprises a business entitlement object, a primary account associated with a first user, wherein the primary account is linked to the business entitlement object, a secondary user condition defined by the first user, and a first secondary account, wherein a second user links the first secondary account to the business entitlement object according to the secondary user condition. |
| US07669245B2 |
User accessibility to electronic paper
A system and method helps to control “read” and/or “write” access to electronic paper (e-paper). Informational data may be on a restricted portion of e-paper material that is protected by a security methodology accessible to authorized entities. Some embodiments maintain a record of access activity regarding the restricted portion, and a record of access activity regarding use of an item or product or service related to the e-paper informational data. Some implementations include an authorization listing of a person or entity having a particular access privilege or a supervisory privilege to make authorization and data changes. Authorization records may involve an access privilege to receive a status output regarding prior access activity and/or current status. |
| US07669243B2 |
Method and system for detection and neutralization of buffer overflow attacks
A method for detecting a stack buffer overflow attack is provided that includes receiving a memory access request from a processor core of a system, and determining that the memory access request indicates a stack buffer overflow attack. The method may further include preventing completion of the memory access request and/or executing a security violation response. A system is also provided that includes a processor core coupled to a plurality of busses and an execution stack in a random access memory coupled to the plurality of busses. The system further includes a buffer overflow protection (BOP) logic coupled to the plurality of busses to receive memory access requests from the plurality of busses. The BOP logic is operable to detect a buffer overflow attack comprising a memory access request addressing the execution stack initiated by a program executing on the processor core. |
| US07669239B2 |
Secure network system and associated method of use
A network computer system for providing security that includes a monitoring function for the network computer system utilizing compartments that can be logical or separate physical hardware, at least one outside server for an untrusted computer network, e.g., global computer system, at least one proxy server, at least one inside server, wherein the at least one outside server is able to read and write software code to the at least one proxy server and the at least one proxy server is able to read and write software code to the at least one inside server, wherein the monitoring function can read and execute software code from the at least one outside server, the at least one proxy server and the at least one inside server. There is a top/down security function to prevent access to higher compartments. |
| US07669237B2 |
Enterprise-wide security system for computer devices
A system and method for securing data in mobile devices includes a computing node and a plurality of mobile devices. A node security program executed in the computing node interfaces with a device security program executed at a mobile device. The computing node is responsible for managing the security based on a node security profile interpreted by a node security program executed in the computing node. A device discovery method and arrangement also detects and locates various information about the mobile devices based on a scan profile. |
| US07669236B2 |
Determining whether to grant access to a passcode protected system
The security of an entity is protected by using passcodes. A passcode device generates a passcode. In an embodiment, the passcode is generated in response to receipt of user information. The passcode is received by another system, which authenticates the passcode by at least generating a passcode from a passcode generator, and comparing the generated passcode with the received passcode. The passcode is temporary. At a later use a different passcode is generated from a different passcode generator. |
| US07669235B2 |
Secure domain join for computing devices
A technique is provided for acquiring security domain access credentials on a computing device. The security domain access credentials are acquired by storing a persistent identity on the computing device, and deriving data that includes the security domain access credentials from the persistent identity. The derived data is transferred to a security domain to allow the computing device to join the security domain. |
| US07669233B2 |
Methods and systems for secure transmission of identification information over public networks
Methods and systems are provided for generating a party static token to be used in combination with a party dynamic token for identifying a party to a host system. Identification information that identifies the party to the host system is received. Such identification information includes a host dynamic token and a host static token. A false host dynamic token that differs from the host dynamic token is generated. The host dynamic token and the false host dynamic token are encrypted. In addition, information that uniquely identifies the party dynamic token is encrypted. The party static token is produced from a combination of the encrypted host dynamic token, the encrypted false host dynamic token, and the encrypted information that uniquely identifies the party dynamic token. |
| US07669232B2 |
Dynamic authentication in secured wireless networks
Systems and methods for authentication using paired dynamic secrets in secured wireless networks are provided. Each authenticated user is assigned a random secret generated so as to be unique to the user. The secret is associated with a wireless interface belonging to the user, so that no other wireless interface may use the same secret to access the network. The secret may be updated either periodically or at the request of a network administrator, and reauthentication of the wireless network may be required. |
| US07669229B2 |
Network protecting authentication proxy
It is convenient to allow access to a private network, such as a corporate intranet, or outward facing extranet application, from an external network, such as the Internet. Unfortunately, if an internal authentication system is used to control access from the external network, it may be attacked, such as by a malicious party intentionally attempting multiple invalid authentications to ultimately result in an attacked account being locked out. To circumvent this, an authentication front-end, proxy, wrapper, etc. may be employed which checks for lockout conditions prior to attempting to authenticate security credentials with the internal authentication system. |
| US07669225B2 |
Apparatus and method for assuring compliance with distribution and usage policy
A method and apparatus for providing multi-domain control over a digital data item via a first domain security policy assigned to the digital data item at a first domain, the data item being transferred from the first domain to a second domain, the second domain being autonomous from the first domain in respect of security policies. The method comprises assigning the security policy to the digital item within the first domain; transferring the digital items to the second domain together with data defining the first domain security policy; analyzing the first domain security policy within the second domain; and distributing and/or allowing usage of the digital items within the second domain in accordance with analyzed first domain security policy, and/or reporting breaches or attempted breaches of the policy. |
| US07669224B2 |
ONU and method for converting/combining frequency, and apparatus and method for converting/combining frequency in CATV headend system
Provided is an outdoor optical node unit (ONU) and method for converting/combining frequencies, and an apparatus and method for converting/combining frequencies in a cable television headend system. The optical node unit (ONU) includes: a downstream optic-to-electric converting unit for converting a downstream optic signal transferred through an optical cable network from a headend system to a downstream electric signal; a down frequency converting and combining unit for isolating the downstream electric signal to a broadcasting signal transmitted as a coaxial cable usable frequency band (In-Band signal) and a band signal higher than the coaxial cable usable frequency band (Super-Band (SB) signal), isolating each of channel signals in the SB signal, converting the isolated channel signals to downstream signals in a coaxial cable usable frequency band, and combining each of the frequency-converted downstream signals with the In-Band signal to generate a coaxial cable usable frequency band downstream signal; an up/down band isolating unit for outputting each of the coaxial cable usable frequency band downstream signals inputted from the down frequency converting and combining unit to a corresponding coaxial cable, or dividing an upstream signal transferred through a coaxial cable from each of subscriber's sub cells to a cable TV upstream frequency band signal and In-Band upstream channel band signal (IUC band signal) which is other upstream channel in a coaxial cable usable frequency band excepting the cable TV upstream frequency band, and outputting the cable TV upstream frequency band signal and the IUC band signal to an upstream frequency converting and combining unit; an upstream frequency converting and combining unit for converting the upstream signals which are the cable TV upstream frequency band signal and the IUC band signal inputted from the up/down band isolating unit to channels not overlapped in the coaxial cable usable frequency band, combining the converted channel signals to generate a coaxial cable usable frequency band upstream electric signal; an up electric-to-optic converting unit for receiving the optical cable usable frequency band upstream electric signal, converting the optical cable usable frequency band upstream electric signal to an upstream optical signal, and outputting the upstream optical signal to the headend system through an optical cable network; and a local oscillating unit for generating local oscillating signal for frequency-conversion, and providing the generated local oscillating signal to the down frequency converting and combining unit or the up frequency converting and combining unit. |
| US07669222B2 |
Virtual tuner management
Embodiments of virtual tuner management are described. A viewing system, for instance, may include a plurality of client devices that are configured to render content, such as television programs. The viewing system may pool the resources available from the client devices such that each client device is not limited to functionality that is provided locally by the client device. To manage content consumption in the viewing system, virtual tuners may be employed, each of which represent an ability of the viewing system to consume a single stream of content (e.g., a television program) provided by a content provider. |
| US07669220B2 |
Network bandwidth optimization by dynamic channel allocation
A method for increasing channel utilization in a video broadcast system includes receiving, at a head-end, a request for a video program from one of a plurality of subscriber stations. Determining whether the requested video program is associated with a first subset of channels representing broadcasted channels having a first subscriber viewership level greater than a threshold level, a second subset of channels representing broadcasted channels having a second subscriber viewership level less than the threshold level, and a third subset of channels representing on-demand channels having a third subscriber viewership. The first subset of broadcast channels is substantially continuously transmitted. The second subset of broadcast channels is transmitted based upon channel availability and programming assignments. The third subset of on-demand channels are transmitted from the head-end to at least one of the plurality of subscriber stations upon assigning video programming corresponding to the requesting subscriber station. |
| US07669219B2 |
Synchronized media experience
A synchronized media experience is described. A media server identifies a group of two or more remote media entertainment systems through which user-controlled play of media content may be presented. The server generates and transmits one or more synchronization commands to the remote media entertainment systems to synchronize presentation of a particular media content through the two or more remote media entertainment systems. A control command entered by a user of one of the remote media entertainment systems may be communicated to each of the two or more remote media entertainment systems to enable synchronized, user controlled presentation of the particular media content. |
| US07669217B2 |
AV stream reproducing apparatus, decoder switching method, method program, program storage medium, and integrated circuit
A decoder performance management portion manages performance of a plurality of decoders provided in an AV stream reproducing apparatus. A display portion changes, in accordance with an instruction from the user, an output state of an image display frame on a screen of an output portion, and notifies it to a decoder management portion. The decoder management portion controls a decoder switching portion so that decoders used for decoding AV streams acquired by a communication portion (106) and a TV receiving portion are switched as appropriate, based on the notification from the display changing portion. |
| US07669216B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus, broadcast receiving method and broadcast receiving system
According to one embodiment, a broadcast receiving apparatus is equipped with a server function so as to cause a client terminal to recognize the broadcast receiving apparatus as a server on a network and to select a channel for the broadcast receiving apparatus by way of a user operation. The broadcast receiving apparatus incorporate the image of the channel selected by the client terminal in the GUI image generated by the client terminal without transmitting the actual image of the channel on the network. |
| US07669215B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus which creates a predetermined piece of programming, including: a taste information acquiring module which acquires taste information showing user's tastes; a material information acquiring module which acquires a component configuring the piece of programming as material information; a construction information acquiring module which acquires construction information that describes a construction of the piece of programming and includes a motion of the component in the piece of programming; and a creating module which creates the piece of programming based on the taste information, the material information, and the construction information. |
| US07669211B2 |
Device for ejecting a disc form a disc player
A disk-chucking device comprises a pressing member including a circular groove which is provided around a circumference of the clamp member, and a clamping member mounted on a turning plate for clasping the circular groove of the pressing member. The turning plate provides a through hole at the center thereof which allows the pressing member passing through, and a plurality of first notch portions disposed along the circumference of the through hole. The turning plate is slidably connected to a mounting board through the clamping member. The turning plate can rotate with respect to the mounting board to move the pressing member vertically. Thus, the pressing member can be pressed onto and removed from a disk support of the displayer according to the rotation of the turning plate. The present disk-chucking device can chuck the disk securely regardless of the position of the disk player. |
| US07669204B2 |
Autonomic SMT System tuning
Methods, systems, and media are disclosed for autonomic system tuning of simultaneous multithreading (“SMT”). In one embodiment, the method for autonomic tuning of at least one SMT setting for an optimized processing, such as via throughput, latency, and power consumption, of a workload on a computer system includes calling, by a kernel, an SMT scheduler having at least one hook into a genetic library. Further, the method includes obtaining, by the SMT scheduler through the at least one hook, genetic data from the genetic library for the optimized processing of the workload. Further still, the method includes tuning, by the SMT scheduler and based on the obtaining, the at least one SMT setting for at least one cpu of the computer system. |
| US07669203B2 |
Virtual multithreading translation mechanism including retrofit capability
Method, apparatus and system embodiments provide support for multiple SoEMT software threads on multiple SMT logical thread contexts. A thread translation table maintains physical-to-virtual thread translation information in order to provide such information to structures within a processor that utilize virtual thread information. By associating a thread translation table with such structures, a processor that supports simultaneous multithreading (SMT) may be easily retrofitted to support switch-on-event multithreading on the SMT logical processors. |
| US07669201B2 |
System and method for common file installation
The invention provides a method and system for creating a single, common installation file for multiple target device types. In one approach, the method comprises providing a base engine, compiling the engine into an intermediate language code, and just-in-time compiling the intermediate code into executable code. The latter code is executed to gather the appropriate data sets and concatenate the data sets with the engine to form the installation file. The present invention also provides a method and system for utilizing the installation file to retrieve the appropriate data set(s) for the identified target device type, and to install the retrieved data set(s) onto the target device. |
| US07669184B2 |
Introspection support for local and anonymous classes
A technique in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention provides introspection support for anonymous and local classes. As a result of the technique, an enclosing class that defines a generic type variable that is not defined within a local or anonymous class that refers to the generic type variable can be determined. According to one embodiment of the invention, when a compiler determines that a particular class is a local or anonymous class, the compiler emits, into the particular class' binary class file, information that indicates which class encloses the particular class. In response to the invocation of a method (described herein) relative to a reflective proxy that corresponds to an enclosed class, information that identifies an enclosing class that encloses the enclosed class is returned. This is so even if the enclosed class is a local or anonymous class. |
| US07669183B2 |
System and method for manipulating a document object model
A system for manipulating a document object model is provided. The system comprises a collection of document object model behavior elements, and a collection of scripts for performing actions associated with the set of behavior elements. Each behavior element comprises a name following a predetermined naming convention, an event attribute for associating the behavior element to an event, and other attributes for describing features of the behavior element. Each script is associated with a behavior element. |
| US07669182B2 |
Method and system to maintain a hierarchy of instantiated application objects and process a failed process
A method maintains a hierarchy of application objects in a computer system. The method includes automatically detecting an exit of a child application object, the exit resulting from a failed process, the child application object launched by a parent application object. A grandchild application object is automatically terminated after the exit of the child application object, the grandchild application object launched by the child application object. Notwithstanding the exit of the child application object, the computer system, which maintains the hierarchy of application objects, the parent application object, and the grandchild application object, remains active. |
| US07669179B2 |
Facilitation of multi-project management using critical chain methodology
A method on a computer for providing critical chain-based project management across a plurality of projects is disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of plans, each of the plurality of plans corresponding to one of the plurality of projects, wherein a project comprises at least one task. The method further includes generating buffers for each of the plurality of projects and reconciling project resources among the plurality of projects. The method further includes executing the plurality of project plans, including allowing a user to manage the buffers across the plurality of projects. The user is further provided with information associated with buffers for the plurality of projects, so as to evaluate the status of the plurality of projects. Additionally, the user is provided with task prioritization for any task of the plurality of projects, wherein task prioritization is calculated across the plurality of projects. |
| US07669178B2 |
System and method for interacting with computer programming languages at semantic level
The present invention relates to a system and method that models computer programming language concepts in a plurality of objects and enables a computer programmer to interact with multiple programming languages through one code model interface. This allows the computer programmer to identify objects or functionality available in an application without having to know or specify an underlying language that implements that object or functionality. The computer programmer can employ the code model to locate an object that implements a specific functionality and return a code model object that implements that functionality. The computer programmer may then interact with that code model object rather than having to interact with the computer programming language. |
| US07669172B2 |
Pattern creation method, mask manufacturing method and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A pattern creation method, including laying out data of a most extreme end pattern of integrated circuit patterns on a first layer and laying out data of the integrated circuit patterns excluding the most extreme end pattern on a second layer, extracting data of a first most proximate pattern being most proximate to the most extreme end pattern from the second layer and converting the extracted data to a third layer, generating data of a contacting pattern which contacts both the first most proximate pattern and the most extreme end pattern in a fourth layer, generating data of a non-overlapping pattern of the contacting pattern excluding overlapping portions with the most extreme end pattern and the first most proximate pattern in a fifth layer, extracting data of a second most proximate pattern being most proximate to the non-overlapping pattern and converting the extracted data to the first layer. |
| US07669169B2 |
Shape-based geometry engine to perform smoothing and other layout beautification operations
A shape-based layout beautification operation can be performed on an IC layout to correct layout imperfections. A shape is described by edges (and vertices) related according to specified properties. Each shape can be configured to match specific layout imperfection types. Corrective actions can then be associated with the shapes, advantageously enabling efficient formulation and precise application of those corrective actions. Corrective actions can include absolute, adaptive, or replacement-type modifications to the detected layout imperfections. A concurrent processing methodology can be used to minimize processing overhead during layout beautification, and the actions can also be incorporated into a lookup table to further reduce runtime. A layout beautification system can also be connected to a network across which shapes, actions, and IC layout data files can be accessed and retrieved. |
| US07669164B1 |
Hardware and software implementation of an electronic design in a programmable logic device
Implementing an electronic design having software-implemented blocks and hardware-implemented blocks. A specification of the electronic design is created in response to selection of blocks from a library, and at least one of the blocks is available for implementation in a selectable one of a software implementation for an embedded processor on a programmable logic device (PLD) and a hardware implementation on the PLD. A specification of each block in a first subset is obtained from the library and translated into an execution function of the software implementation of the block. Peripheral functions are generated for connections between blocks in the first subset and blocks in a second subset, which are designated for a hardware implementation on the PLD. A program is generated that invokes each peripheral function and each execution function in an order determined from the interconnections between the blocks. |
| US07669161B2 |
Minimizing effects of interconnect variations in integrated circuit designs
Roughly described, method and apparatus for laying out an integrated circuit, in which a subject interconnect has predetermined values for a plurality of variables affecting propagation delay of the subject interconnect. The value of an adjustment one of the variables is adjusted to minimize exposure of the propagation delay of the interconnect to process variations causing variations in the value of a subject fabrication variable, and a revised layout is developed in dependence upon the adjusted value for the adjustment variable. In an embodiment, the adjustment is made in dependence upon a pre-calculated “interconnect optimization database” indicating combinations of values for the plurality of variables which have been pre-determined to minimize exposure of interconnect propagation delay to process variations affecting the subject variable. Different databases, or different entries in the same database, can be provided for minimizing exposure of interconnect propagation delay to process variations affecting each subject variable of interest. |
| US07669158B2 |
Method and system for semiconductor design hierarchy analysis and transformation
A method and apparatus for partitioning of the input design into repeating patterns called template cores for the application of reticle enhancement methods, design verification for manufacturability and design corrections for optical and process effects is accomplished by hierarchy analysis to extract cell overlap information. Also hierarchy analysis is performed to extract hierarchy statistics. Finally template core candidates are identified. This allows to the design to be made amenable for design corrections or other analyses or modifications that are able to leverage the hierarchy of the design since the cell hierarchy could otherwise be very deep or cells could have significant overlap with each other. |
| US07669157B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing incremental compilation using top-down and bottom-up design approaches
A method for designing a system on a target device includes merging a netlist for a first partition of the system generated from a bottom-up design flow with a netlist for a second partition of the system from a top-down design flow to form a combined netlist, and performing fitting on the combined netlist. |
| US07669156B2 |
Method of identifying paths with delays dominated by a particular factor
A method of performing node-based static timing analysis on a digital network and a program storage device for implementing the method, wherein the method comprises partitioning timing delays in the digital network into portions attributable to a factor of interest and portions attributable to other factors; multiplying the timing delays by different weights based on the factor of interest to produce weighted timing delays; and using the multiplied timing delays to determine a relative impact of the factor of interest on the various paths in the digital network. The method further comprises setting arrival times of timing signals at digital network path start points to zero and identifying digital network paths whose timing delays are dominated by a particular factor of interest. The different weights comprise any of a positive weight, a negative weight, and a zero weight. |
| US07669155B2 |
Generic methodology to support chip level integration of IP core instance constraints in integrated circuits
A method and apparatus are provided for generating and using timing constraints templates for IP cores that can be instantiated in an integrated circuit design. The templates include a plurality of timing constraint statements for inputs and outputs of the respective IP core. At least one of the statements includes a configurable variable, wherein the timing constraints template is configurable through the variable for each of a plurality of instances of the IP core in the integrated circuit design. |
| US07669149B2 |
Matching user interface elements to screen reader functions
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing information to a screen reader. A method includes the actions of receiving at a client side information for representing a web page in a browser; setting focus initially on an element of the web page and presenting the web page to a user; and in response to a user command directing the focus to an element of the web page, determining whether the element is present in a functionality map, and if so, looking up the element in the functionality map, then processing the element as indicated by a corresponding entry point in the map, and if not, providing the focus and information related to web page elements associated with the focus to a placeholder control, and providing a screen reader with access to the placeholder control. |
| US07669148B2 |
System and methods for portable device for mixed media system
A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. Furthermore, the MMR system facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a portable video player or a portable audio player, and a paper document for the portable electronic device to provide information. |
| US07669146B2 |
Information organization navigation
Systems and techniques for navigating an organization of information may be used for navigating program functions, file directories, Web-sites, or any other appropriate organization of information. In one implementation, a navigation technique includes generating a one-dimensional navigation structure for an organization of information, the navigation structure comprising a plurality of elements, each element representing a portion of information, and detecting a command indicating selection of one of the elements in the navigation structure. The technique also includes determining whether the selected element has at least one associated element and, if the selected element has at least one associated element, modifying the navigation structure by deleting the non-selected elements from the navigation structure and adding the elements associated with the selected element to the navigation structure. |
| US07669144B2 |
Method and arrangment for a primary actions menu including one menu item for applications on a handheld electronic device
A system and method is disclosed that provides for displaying on the screen of a handheld electronic device, an extended menu or a short menu, which is a subset of the corresponding extended menu. The system and method include an application displayed on a screen. If the application is currently running, and no menu is displayed, the user may initiate an ambiguous request. Various short menus, including those with solely one menu item, are provided with their respective menu items being dependent and adjustable based upon the position of a cursor on the display page, the currently opened application, and/or the previous selections. Further, a selection from the short menu is capable of displaying the extended menu corresponding thereto. |
| US07669141B1 |
Visual interface element transition effect
In an electronic interaction space, transitioning between a first and second screen layout includes determining a difference between the first and second screen layouts, wherein the first and second screen layouts include at least one pod each, and rendering the difference as a dynamic and intermediate screen layout that uses a representation of physical motion to present a gradual change. |
| US07669139B2 |
Pictorial-based user interface management of computer hardware components
An apparatus and program product utilize a displayed pictorial representation that depicts the actual physical configuration of a plurality of hardware components in a physical computer system to facilitate the collective management of the underlying hardware components. Typically, within such a pictorial representation, a selected status is displayed for multiple of such hardware components, thereby permitting hardware components sharing common attributes or characteristics to be identified in an efficient and intuitive manner, as well as to permit collective management operations to be performed on all selected hardware components. In addition, a pictorial representation may be dynamically generated to represent the physical configuration of a plurality of hardware components within a plurality of computers. In connection with such dynamic generation, the plurality of computers may be accessed to identify the plurality of hardware components that are resident in such computers. |
| US07669131B2 |
Image browsing apparatus and image browsing method
An image browsing apparatus has: a display unit for displaying image data; a reproducing unit for reproducing audio data; a detector for detecting a feature of the audio data reproduced by the reproducing unit; and a controller for, when predetermined audio data is reproduced by the reproducing unit, controlling an updating interval of the image data displayed to the display unit on the basis of the feature of the predetermined audio data detected by the detector. |
| US07669128B2 |
Methods of enhancing media content narrative
In a method of enhancing a viewer's experience of a video program, a plurality of selectable alternative video program scenes are provided for a video program being viewed on a display. The selectable alternative program versions are pre-rendered video scenes. A user is prompted to select at least one of the selectable alternative video program scenes for viewing. |
| US07669126B2 |
Playback device, and method of displaying manipulation menu in playback device
A plurality of identification miniature images for to-be-replayed objects is displayed simultaneously on a manipulating-function menu screen with taking one of the to-be-replayed objects corresponding to one of the identification miniature images in a predetermined position as a to-be-replayed object of interest. There are displayed a first group of a plurality of manipulating-function items for the respective to-be-replayed objects and a second group of a plurality of manipulating-function items related to a plurality of to-be-replayed objects. While any one of the manipulating-function items included in the first group is being selected, the identification miniature image corresponding to the to-be-replayed object of interest is displayed for differentiation from the other identification miniature images. |
| US07669122B2 |
Using input of rhyming characters for computer text entry of Chinese characters
As either regular entry or as an assist to the user of existing computer text entry systems, the invention makes possible an alternative method of Chinese character entry by entering a Chinese character assumed by the user to be a rhyme of the character the user desires to enter. Entry methods for such rhyme alternative entry include phonetic and non-phonetic entry of Chinese characters, including keyboard stroke-category input, and handwritten entry using an electronic surface. The invention is not only helpful for entry of difficult Chinese characters but provides an approach to the use of supplementing input methods for most if not all written languages. |
| US07669118B2 |
Method, system and program for providing page with plurality of code portions in browser markup language
Methods, systems and programs are disclosed for providing a page with a plurality of code portions. In accordance with one embodiment, a computer system is provided that includes a browser client and a page-generator server. The page-generator may provide an HTML-page with a plurality of Y-code portions in HTML by using a page description with X-code portions in XML. The generator may read a set of first data items from an interface and read the description that defines a table structure, references to the first data items, a set of second data items, and a presentation direction by which the first and second data items are to be consecutively presented by the browser. Further, the generator may provide the Y-code portions for the page by writing corresponding structure code to the page according to the table structure, by writing data code (a) corresponding to the first data items resolved from the references and (b) corresponding to the second data items, and by writing presentation direction code. Presentation directions may include horizontal and vertical presentation directions. |
| US07669114B2 |
Software architecture and system for performing validated clinical studies of pharmaceutical related products
Software, and a master system with hardware and connections, for validated drug clinical studies includes: creating data collection documents with unique identifiers; having operators complete security identification verification before proceeding; having secured operators fill out and sign specified data collection documents; creating permanent records of the preceding; tracking by unique identifiers in a local system; uploading to a central system; independently reviewing filled out signed data collection documents to accept or require clarifications; keeping permanent read only records of all originally filled out and signed documents; making document clarification requests; reviewing each response; assigning new unique identifier links to each version of every revision; iteratively repeating the above until the documents are clean, and storing and tracking every version of every document in the central system; providing a monitor query and document entry history of all changes to all documents to create a secured audit trail. |
| US07669111B1 |
Electronic text reading environment enhancement method and apparatus
An apparatus, method and article of manufacture of the present invention provide an enhanced user interface for a computer system that maximizes a reader's ability to rapidly comprehend a text. The invention provides simplified, interactive means for assigning values to parameters associated with the display of text, and for displaying the electronic text in accordance with the parameter values selected. The features of the present invention allow a user to optimize reading speed and comprehension depending on the user's personal characteristics, preferences, and abilities, as well as the characteristics of the text. In addition, the present invention provides an improved user interface for performing operations on sections of a text based on an outline of the text. |
| US07669107B2 |
Method and system for increasing parallelism of disk accesses when restoring data in a disk array system
In a disk array environment such as a Redundant Array of Independent Disks-6 (RAID-6) environment, the overall performance overhead associated with exposed mode operations such as resynchronization, rebuild and exposed mode read operations is reduced through increased parallelism. By selecting only subsets of the possible disks required to solve a parity stripe equation for a particular parity stripe, accesses to one or more disks in a disk array may be omitted, thus freeing the omitted disks to perform other disk accesses. In addition, disk accesses associated with different parity stripes may be overlapped such that the retrieval of data necessary for restoring data for one parity stripe is performed concurrently with the storage of restored data for another parity stripe. |
| US07669105B2 |
Generic maximum aposteriori probability decoder for use in software-defined radio systems
A reconfigurable maximum a-posteriori probability (MAP) calculation circuit that reuses the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) hardware to calculate forward state metrics (alpha values), backward state metrics (beta values), and extrinsic information (lambda values) for the trellis associated with the MAP algorithm. The alpha, beta and lambda calculations may be performed by the same ALU hardware for both binary code (i.e., WCDMA mode) and duo-binary code (i.e, WiBro mode). |
| US07669103B2 |
Encoded transmission
Significant improvement in Raptor codes and punctured LDPC codes are obtainable by use of the invention. In both a transmission scheme for Raptor-encoded or LDPC-encoded information, a dynamic adjustment approach is employed. A fraction of a codeword or information frame is transmitted. A feedback signal is sent from the receiver to the transmitter indicating either 1) successful decoding, or 2) failure to decode and/or a feedback signal indicative of a statistical measure of transmission channel quality. If decoding fails, a further portion of the codeword or frame is sent. The intensity and/or size of the fraction is adjusted based on the feedback signal. In one embodiment, a specific range for probabilities employed in the encoding process for Raptor codes provides the ability to increase transmission throughput. Further it has been found that the advantageous Raptor codes are useful in noise conditions where even the improved punctured LDPC codes of the invention begin to degrade. |
| US07669098B2 |
Method and apparatus for limiting power dissipation in test
An embodiment provides a system for testing a circuit. During operation, the system scans-in input values into a first set of flip-flops. The outputs of the first set of flip-flops are coupled with the inputs of a circuit under test, the outputs of the circuit are coupled with the inputs of a set of multiplexers, and the outputs of the set of multiplexers are coupled with the inputs of a second set of flip-flops. Next, the system configures the set of multiplexers using a segment-selection circuit, which causes the outputs of the circuit to be coupled with the inputs of the second set of flip-flops. The system then captures the circuit's output values using the second set of flip-flops. Next, the system scans-out the circuit's output values using the second set of flip-flops. Finally, the system determines whether the chip has a fault using the output values. |
| US07669096B2 |
Methods and apparatus for monitoring internal signals in an integrated circuit
Apparatus and methods are provided for debugging an integrated circuit. Local multiplexer circuits are provided near first and second circuit blocks in the integrated circuit. Each multiplexer circuit includes input nodes, a control node, and an output node. A first input node of the first multiplexer circuit is coupled to an internal node of the first circuit block, a first input node of the second multiplexer circuit is coupled to an internal node of the second circuit block, second input nodes of the first and second multiplexer circuits are coupled to logical 0, and the control signal nodes of the first and second multiplexer circuits are coupled to a control signal. An OR gate is provided that includes an input node coupled to the output node of the first multiplexer circuit, another input node coupled to the output node of the second multiplexer circuit, and an output node. The control signal is used to select the internal nodes of the first or second circuit blocks for monitoring at the output node of the OR gate. |
| US07669094B2 |
Semiconductor device and inspection method of semiconductor device and wireless chip
The invention provides an inspection method of a semiconductor device which receives a test program wirelessly. As an inspection method of the semiconductor device, a test program is transmitted as a communication signal for every test. By transmitting a test program as a communication signal wirelessly in the case of an operation test, test contents are changed as required. As a result, a test program can be easily changed and an inspection circuit or the like is not required. In this manner, manufacturing cost of a wireless chip can be reduced. |
| US07669081B2 |
Systems and methods for scheduling, processing, and monitoring tasks
A computer-implemented method for performing a process is provided. The method comprises: (a) receiving a request to perform a process, the process comprising a plurality of tasks and at least a scheduler rule; (b) receiving a plurality of checkpoints associated with the process, each checkpoint comprising checkpoint state data and at least a respective checkpoint rule governing execution of the process; (c) determining a first task of the plurality of tasks to be scheduled into a priority queue, in accordance with the scheduler rule; (d) determining the first checkpoint of the plurality of checkpoints that is to be the first checkpoint used in processing the first task, in accordance with the scheduler rule; (e) creating the checkpoint state data for the first checkpoint; (f) saving the checkpoint state data for the first checkpoint; (g) processing the first task in accordance with the checkpoint rule associated with the first checkpoint; (h) determining the next task in the plurality of tasks to perform, based on the checkpoint rule associated with the first checkpoint; (i) updating the saved checkpoint data for the first checkpoint with the data and state associated with the first task; and (j) repeating steps (c) through (i) for each subsequent task and checkpoint, in accordance with the respective scheduler and checkpoint rules, until a predetermined condition has been reached. |
| US07669080B2 |
Reducing likelihood of data loss during failovers in high-availability systems
A method, system, and computer program product for reducing likelihood of data loss during performance of failovers in a high-availability system comprising a primary system and a standby system are provided. The method, system, and computer program product provide for defining a halt duration, periodically determining a halt end time, halting data modifications at the primary system responsive to failure of data replication to the standby system, resuming data modifications at the primary system responsive to a last determined halt end time being reached or data replication to the standby system resuming, and responsive to the primary system failing prior to a previously determined halt end time, determining that a failover to the standby system will not result in data loss on the standby system with respect to the primary system. |
| US07669079B2 |
Method and device for switching over in a computer system having at least two execution units
A device and method for switching over in a computer system having at least two execution units are provided, in which switchover units are included which are designed in such a way that they switch between at least two operating modes, a first operating mode corresponding to a comparison mode and a second operating mode corresponding to a performance mode. A programmable interrupt controller is assigned to each execution unit, and a storage element is included, in which information is stored that describes at least parts of a configuration of at least one of these interrupt controllers. |
| US07669074B2 |
Method for fault handling in a co-operative workflow environment
Embodiments herein provide a fault-handling scheme based on forward recovery for cooperative workflow environments. The fault handling scheme relies on the correct placement of transaction scopes and their associated fault and compensation handlers for maintaining correct application semantics, a fault propagation scheme for forwarding faults to a workflow component that has the corresponding fault handler, and a distributed mechanism for collecting data of completed workflow components to facilitate recovering from faults. The fault handling scheme makes use of control flow messages to facilitate compensation of nested transaction scopes (residing in different components). The workflow components are also modified with additional code for aiding with fault propagation and fault recovery. |
| US07669066B2 |
Disk array system having plural disk drives that controls supplying of power to a disk drive having finished a destaging process on a disk drive by disk drive basis
A disk array system including at least one channel control portion, at least one disk control portion, a cache memory, a cache switch, a shared memory, a power unit, and a casing for storing the channel control portion, the disk control portion, the cache memory, the cache switch, the shared memory and the power unit, wherein: each of the channel control portion, the disk control portion, the cache memory, the cache switch and the shared memory includes a control board having a plurality of electronic circuits different in operating voltage, and a voltage converter for converting a single input voltage into voltages for operating the electronic circuits respectively; and the power unit supplies a voltage to the voltage converter provided in each of the channel control portion, the disk control portion, the cache memory, the cache switch and the shared memory. |
| US07669065B2 |
Power-off circuit
A power-off circuit includes a power unit (10), a power management unit (20), an integrated circuit chip (IC chip, 40), a switching apparatus (30), and a clamp circuit (70). The switching apparatus produces and transmits a power-off instruction to the power management unit. The power management unit produces and transmits a power-off notice to the IC chip in accordance with the power-off instruction. And the IC chip feeds back a power-off affirmation in accordance with the power-off notice to the clamp circuit. The clamp circuit receives the power-off affirmation and produces and transmits interrupted power-off signals to the power management unit, till the power management unit completely cuts off power supplied from the power unit to the IC chip. |
| US07669063B2 |
Method of power down control for a display device, and power down controller for implementing the method
A method of power down control (PDC) for a display device is to be implemented by a processor in a power down controller of the display device. The power down controller includes a main system, a main system power source, and a PDC power source. The method includes the steps of: (A) receiving power from the PDC power source, determining if the main system is to be activated, and proceeding to step (B) if affirmative; (B) turning on the main system power source, and activating the main system; (C) determining if operation in a power down mode is intended, and proceeding to step (D) if affirmative; and (D) turning off the main system power source to operate in the power down mode. Further, a state parameter is stored that allows the main system to be restored to the operating state prior to a power interruption. |
| US07669059B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection of hostile software
Methods and apparatuses are presented for detecting hostile software in a computer system involving storing a representation of configuration data associated with an operating system for the computer system obtained at a first time, comparing the stored representation of the configuration data obtained at the first time with a representation of the configuration data associated with the operating system for the computer system obtained at a second time, and if deviation is detected between the stored representation of the configuration data obtained at the first time and the representation of the configuration data obtained at the second time, automatically performing at least one remedial measure in response to the deviation detected. In one embodiment of the invention, the configuration data relates to identification of executable code installed in the computer system. The configuration data may be obtained from a registry key in a registry maintained by the operating system. |
| US07669058B2 |
Secure remote password validation
A method, system and apparatus for secure password validation can include a local authentication process configured for coupling both to local authentication data and to a remote authentication process. The system also can include a comparator disposed in the local authentication process and programmed to detect an extended password string in the local authentication data. Finally, the system can include a remote authentication handler disposed in the local authentication process and programmed to outsource password validation to the remote authentication process responsive to the comparator detecting an extended password string retrieved for a supplied user identifier. Preferably, the remote authentication handler can be a remote procedure call to the remote authentication process. |
| US07669057B2 |
Secure computer password system and method
An enhanced security method is provided for accessing information from a second computer using a password at a first computer. According to such method, a password used for accessing information is inputted to the first computer and stored on the first computer. Thereafter, the stored password is encoded using an encoding algorithm which is system specific to the first computer, and the encoded password is then transmitted to the second computer. The encoded password is used at the second computer to grant or deny access to the requested information, without the second computer having to decode the encoded password to obtain the password stored on the first computer. |
| US07669053B2 |
System and method for using acoustic digital signature generator as oracle
A hand-held sonic token can be used as a pseudorandom oracle for a requesting application, which can generate a challenge that is sent to the token. The user of the token decides whether to allow the token to function as an oracle, and if so, the user causes the token to digitally sign the challenge and send it back to the requesting application, for use of the digitally signed challenge as an encryption key. After encryption the requesting application deletes the signed challenge, with subsequent decryption essentially following the encryption process. |
| US07669050B2 |
Method to enable user mode process to operate in a privileged execution mode
A method to enable a user mode process to operate in a privileged execution mode is disclosed. Applicants' method provides an operating system comprising a privileged execution mode and a non-privileged execution mode, and a plurality of user mode strings operating in the non-privileged execution mode. The computing device receives a request from a first user mode string to operate in the privileged execution mode to perform one or more designated tasks. Applicants' method authorizes the first user mode string to operate in the privileged execution mode, and the first user mode string performs those one or more designated tasks using the privileged execution mode. Applicants' method continues to permit the first user mode string to operate in the privileged execution mode after completion of the one or more designated tasks. |
| US07669049B2 |
System and method for protecting privacy and anonymity of parties of network communications
A system and method is provided for handling network communications between a client and a target server on the Internet to protect the privacy and anonymity of the client.For a session between the client and the target server, a routing control server sets up a routing chain using a plurality of Web servers randomly selected from a pool of participating Web servers as routers for routing messages between the client and the target server. To prevent traffic analysis, an “onion encryption” scheme is applied to the messages as they are forwarded along the routing chain.A payment service cooperating with the routing control server allows a user to pay for the privacy protection service without revealing her real identity. |
| US07669045B2 |
System and method for aggregating shelf IDs in a fibre channel storage loop
A modular fiber channel information handling system includes a storage processor and multiple associated fiber channel data storage enclosures. The storage processor and the fiber channel data storage enclosures are connected by a fiber channel storage loop. The storage processor includes an identification engine operable to assign device addresses to the associated storage devices and an aggregation engine that is able to selectively aggregate the shelf IDs of data storage enclosures that have been selected to be aggregated. |
| US07669043B2 |
Memory parameter initialization based on a temperature acquired at startup
A method of initializing memory parameters of a main storage device at a time of starting an information processing apparatus includes acquiring a temperature at the time of starting the information processing apparatus; and initializing the memory parameters based on the temperature. |
| US07669042B2 |
Pipeline controller for context-based operation reconfigurable instruction set processor
An instruction execution pipeline for use in a data processor. The instruction execution pipeline comprises: 1) an instruction fetch stage; 2) a decode stage; 3) an execution stage; and 4) a write-back stage. The instruction pipeline repetitively executes a loop of instructions by fetching and decoding a first instruction associated with the loop during a first iteration of the loop, storing first decoded instruction information associated with the first instruction during the first iteration of the loop, and using the stored first decoded instruction information during at least a second iteration of the loop without further fetching and decoding of the first instruction during the at least a second iteration of the loop. |
| US07669040B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing a long transaction
A system that executes a long transaction in a system with limited transactional hardware resources. During operation, the system executes the long transaction in a non transactional mode, which does not use transactional hardware resources. The system defers stores generated during the long transaction so that the stores are not committed to the architectural state of a processor until the transaction is successfully completed. If the long transaction successfully completes, the system commits the long transaction, which involves performing multiple hardware transactions to commit the deferred stores to the architectural state of the processor. |
| US07669037B1 |
Method and apparatus for communication between a processor and hardware blocks in a programmable logic device
Method and apparatus for communication between hardware blocks and a processor in a programmable logic device is described. A shared memory is provided along with a memory controller for controlling access to the shared memory. An interface is configured to receive auxiliary instructions from the processor, select the hardware blocks for the requested tasks in response to the auxiliary instructions, notify the hardware blocks of those tasks, and arbitrate access to the memory controller among the hardware blocks. |
| US07669033B2 |
Pretranslating input/output buffers in environments with multiple page sizes
Pretranslating input/output buffers in environments with multiple page sizes that include determining a pretranslation page size for an input/output buffer under an operating system that supports more than one memory page size, identifying pretranslation page frame numbers for the buffer in dependence upon the pretranslation page size, pretranslating the pretranslation page frame numbers to physical page numbers, and storing the physical page numbers in association with the pretranslation page size. Typical embodiments also include accessing the buffer, including translating a virtual memory address in the buffer to a physical memory address in dependence upon the physical page numbers and the pretranslation page size and accessing the physical memory of the buffer at the physical memory address. |
| US07669030B2 |
System and method for finding kernel memory leaks
The invention provides a system and method for tracking memory information associated with dynamically loaded kernel modules with the help of a tracking system. The tracking system defines its own kernel memory allocation functions. Whenever, a dynamic kernel module is loaded/unloaded into/from the kernel space, these newly defined functions are called in response to kernel memory allocation/de-allocation requests from the kernel module. The newly defined functions are responsible for allocating and de-allocating kernel memory, as well as, keeping track of information relating to the kernel memory allocations/de-allocations. The tracked information may be used to identify the source of kernel memory leaks. |
| US07669029B1 |
Load balancing a data storage system
An apparatus and method for automatically load balancing one or more workload groups to a set of available physical resources of a data storage system, and generating a layout planning recommendation of the set of available physical resources that supports the one or more workload groups based on the load balancing. |
| US07669028B2 |
Optimizing data bandwidth across a variable asynchronous clock domain
Embodiments of the present invention optimize data bandwidth across an asynchronous buffer in a system with a variable clock domain. A move signal may be asserted to transfer data associated with a command into the asynchronous buffer. After the data has been moved into the buffer, an acknowledge signal may indicate that the transfer is complete. A launch signal may transfer the data in the asynchronous buffer to memory. Embodiments of the present invention allow the processing of a next command to begin at the earliest possible time while data associated with a previous command is being transferred into and out of the buffer, thereby increasing throughput and improving performance. |
| US07669027B2 |
Memory command delay balancing in a daisy-chained memory topology
A methodology for a daisy-chained memory topology wherein, in addition to the prediction of the timing of receipt of a response from a memory module (DIMM), the memory controller can effectively predict when a command sent by it will be executed by the addressee DIMM. By programming DIMM-specific command delay in the DIMM's command delay unit, the command delay balancing methodology according to the present disclosure “normalizes” or “synchronizes” the execution of the command signal across all DIMMs in the memory channel. With such ability to predict command execution timing, the memory controller can efficiently control power profile of all the DRAM devices (or memory modules) on a daisy-chained memory channel. A separate DIMM-specific response delay unit in the DIMM may also be programmed to provide DIMM-specific delay compensation in the response path, further allowing the memory controller to accurately ascertain the timing of receipt of a response thereat, and, hence, to better manage further processing of the response. |
| US07669024B2 |
Storage system with multiple copy targeting
A storage controller, cooperable with host computer apparatus, and a plurality of controlled storage apparatus, comprises a host write component operable to write a data object to a source data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; a first copy component responsive to a first metadata state and operable to control copying of the data object to a first target data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; a second copy component responsive to a second metadata state and operable to perform one of: controlling copying of the data object to a second target data image at one of the plurality of controlled storage apparatus; and causing the first copy component to perform copying of the second target data image to the first target data image. |
| US07669021B2 |
File system based offline disk management
Logically imaging a memory area or a portion thereof while the memory area is offline. For each partition of a selected volume of the memory area, the logical files are captured along with volume and partition information and stored in an image file to enable logical restoration of the captured image. |
| US07669019B2 |
Apparatus and method of mirroring data between nonvolatile memory and hard disk
This storage apparatus that provides to a host computer a logical device for storing data sent from the host computer includes a nonvolatile memory for storing the data, a disk-shaped memory device for storing the data, and a controller for controlling the nonvolatile memory and the disk-shaped memory device. The controller redundantly configures the logical device with the nonvolatile memory and the disk-shaped memory device. |
| US07669016B2 |
Memory control device and method for controlling the same
The present invention provides a storage control device which enables the time between failures to prolong as much as possible, though it uses HDD's whose mean time between failures is relatively short. The storage control device controls spindle motors in a manner that a spindle motor is rotated regarding the HDD of data which can access from a host computer and a spindle motor is stopped regarding the HDD of data which are clearly judged that a host computer does not access the data. Whether the host computers can access the HDD or not is judged by the fact that whether the memory region (internal logical volume) provided by the HDD is in mapped to the host logical volume or not which is recognized by the host computer and is able to access thereby. |
| US07669002B1 |
System and method for providing an application with memory access methods
A system for providing an application with a plurality of methods for accessing memory of a programmable logic controller includes an application, an interface for establishing communication between the application and a programmable logic controller, and a shared memory area initiated by the application or the programmable logic controller. The shared memory area includes an input memory and an output memory. The application is enabled by the interface to write to the input memory and to read from the output memory. |
| US07669000B2 |
Host bus adapter with multiple hosts
A multi-host host bus adapter (HBA) can be connected to multiple host devices to allow the multiple host devices to communicate on a SAN fabric. More specifically, the multi-host HBA provides an interface for multiple SAN hosts without necessitating an HBA on each host, eliminating the need for an on-board HBA on each SAN host. The multi-host HBA interfaces to memory in each SAN host to which it is connected using PCI-Express (or a similar protocol), and communicates with other devices on the SAN fabric using Fibre Channel ports. The multi-host HBA communicates by receiving a command from a connected host, forwarding the command to a processor in the multi-host HBA, and sending the command to a device on a SAN. When the multi-host HBA receives a response from the device on the SAN, the multi-host HBA associates the response with the process and sends the response to the host. |
| US07668990B2 |
Method of controlling a device to perform an activity-based or an experience-based operation
Activity-based or experienced-based operations are created and defined during an initialization or setup session for one or more system component, with minimum or no user interaction. The system components include legacy and/or non-legacy devices, which are configured and managed within a controlled environment, such as a home or business peer-to-peer or client-server network. During an initialization or setup session, relevant device information and device metadata are collected via a conventional or discovery protocol interface. For a legacy device that is not automatically discoverable, a user adds the legacy device to the controlled environment by inputting the device information. The device information can also be automatically collected from an accessible database. Once the device information has been collected, the system components are configured to support one or more activity-based or experienced-based operations. |
| US07668988B2 |
Data bus inversion detection mechanism
A bus inversion apparatus includes exclusive-OR gates and an inversion detector. The exclusive-OR gates are coupled to an instant data bus and a last data bus. The data buses have a corresponding plurality of bits, where the exclusive-OR gates perform a bitwise comparison of the data buses, and provide an exclusive-OR bus. The states of the exclusive-OR bus indicate whether corresponding bits of the data buses are different. The inversion detector counts the number of the corresponding bits that are different, and indicates that the instant data bus should be inverted. The inversion detector has a plurality of left shift circuits, each configured to perform a logical left shift of input bits as directed by the states of shift bits, where outputs of the each of the plurality of left shift circuits indicate a number of a subgroup of the corresponding bits that are different. |
| US07668985B2 |
Information processing apparatus with upgradeable modular components including processor, system memory, and hard disk drives
An information processing apparatus includes: a plurality of interfaces each of which supports any one of a plurality of types of devices; and a controller which controls devices. The interfaces and the controller are connected so as to link together in series. |
| US07668981B1 |
Storage paths
A method for controlling data traffic within a storage area network can be provided. The method can comprise analyzing data for a path in a storage area network to determine whether the path should be identified as a less preferred path, and controlling data traffic routing to avoid use of a path identified as a less preferred path. In some embodiments, the data can be obtained from a host bus adaptor in the path. In some embodiments, the controlling can comprise throttling traffic over a path identified as a less preferred path. |
| US07668980B2 |
Usage of persistent information unit pacing protocol in fibre channel communications
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a primary storage control unit receives an information unit from a remote host over a fiber channel connection, wherein persistent information unit pacing is implemented over the fiber channel connection. Information is maintained on how many large writes have been received at the primary storage control unit over at least one logical path established over the fiber channel connection between the primary storage control unit and the remote host, wherein a large write is an input/output (I/O) operation for which a number of data information units that are processed exceeds a default value of an information unit pacing credit. The primary storage control unit adjusts an information unit pacing parameter included in a response sent from the primary storage control unit to the remote host, wherein the adjusting is based at least on the information maintained on how many large writes have been received at the primary storage control unit over the at least one logical path. |
| US07668978B1 |
Method and system for storing frames in networks
Method and system for an adapter operationally coupled to a host system and a network is provided. The adapter includes an internal memory that can be configured in a first mode to operate as a dedicated random access memory used by a main processor of the adapter; or configured in a second mode to operate both as a random access memory used by the main processor and also used for storing information received from the network. The method includes enabling the second mode of the internal memory so that the internal memory is configured to operate both as random access memory for the main processor and for storing information received from the network. |
| US07668975B2 |
Communications system for implementation of synchronous, multichannel, galvanically isolated instrumentation devices
An apparatus and method for synchronous communications using a serial data stream employs a housing with a controller and a back plane. The housing accepts one or more modules for interconnection with the back plane. The back plane distributes power to the modules and provides a communication link from the controller to each module. Each communication link includes a data out line, a data in line and a clock line, where each clock line is derived from one clock source. |
| US07668968B1 |
Closed-loop voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) with sender-controlled bandwidth adjustments prior to onset of packet losses
A closed-loop voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) system has a local and a remote VOIP application. Each VOIP application monitors incoming packet arrival times and durations of audio data in the incoming packets to estimate bandwidth. The bandwidth estimates are forwarded to the other VOIP application. The forwarded bandwidth estimates are compared to a sending bandwidth. When the bandwidth estimate is above the sending bandwidth, compression and audio-frame decimation are reduced to improve voice quality. When the bandwidth estimate falls below the sending bandwidth, audio compression and decimation are increased to improve efficiency. Packet size can also be increased. Congestion estimates can also be sent with the audio data, causing packet transmission to pause until congestion ends. Incoming packet latencies are compared to a moving average to determine the congestion estimate, while bandwidth estimates are made by comparing packet audio duration to time between packet arrivals. |
| US07668963B1 |
News architecture for iTV
A method and system for acquiring and transforming existing news content for display on multiple platforms and architectures. In one embodiment, capture templates are created to harvest the news content from disparate content sources on multiple platforms. The news data is extracted from the content sources using the created capture templates and a normalized data stream is generated therefrom. The normalized data stream is provided for display on the different type of platforms and may be cached for later transmission upon request. |
| US07668961B2 |
Unilateral web services interaction contract
The present invention leverages a unilaterally-based interaction contract that enables applications to have a persistent state and ensures an exactly-once execution despite failures between and by communicating entities, permitting disparate software applications to be robustly supported in an environment where little is known about the implementation of the interaction contract. In one instance of the present invention, a web services interaction contract provides a communicating application with duplicate commit request elimination, persistent state transitions, and/or unique persistent reply requests. The present invention permits this interaction contract to be supported by, for example, a persistent application, a workflow, a transaction queue, a database, and a file system to facilitate in providing idempotent executions for requests from a communicating application. |
| US07668958B2 |
Method for discovery and routing using a priori knowledge in the form of application programme within mobile AD-HOC networks
A mobile ad-hoc network device includes application software. The device constructs its routing table, listing reachable devices with the same application software. The routing table knowledge is dynamic, as devices enter and leave the network or their parameters change. |
| US07668948B2 |
Staggered time zones
A method, apparatus, and system for staggering time zones. |
| US07668939B2 |
Routing of resource information in a network
A media server in a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) network includes a resource sharing service to govern the distribution of resource information regarding resources to rendering devices. In one case, the resource sharing service consults a criterion to determine whether an identified network device is authorized to receive resource information. In another case, the resource sharing service consults another criterion to determine whether a specified individual associated with the media server must consent to the transfer of the resource information in order for the transfer to occur. The resource information may include resource metadata that describes high level information regarding resources, as well as resource content. The media server includes various user interface presentations that allow the media server user to specify shared resources and distribution criteria. |
| US07668938B1 |
Method and system for dynamically purposing a computing device
A system and method for purposing a computing device is disclosed. A management controller system is used to copy a system image from a library of system images to a target partition of the computer to be repurposed. The system image may include a configured copy of an operating system and an application program. The system image may also include logic for generating and assigning a unique security identifier to the computer. The invention includes a managed node service for monitoring the status of the computer and for performing some of the necessary steps in purposing the computer. Additionally, the invention includes facilities for loading a default operating system on the computer when the computer is first connected to a network. |
| US07668934B2 |
Port type agnostic proxy support for web services intermediaries
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed in which port type agnostic proxy support for web services intermediaries is typically provided by receiving in a web services intermediary a request for execution of a web services operation, wherein the request includes parametric information from which an endpoint for a target service that supports the operation can be identified; identifying, in dependence upon the parametric data, the endpoint for a target service that supports the operation; creating a target service request for execution of the operation on the target service; and issuing the target service request to the target service. Exemplary embodiments typically also include the return path of request-response processing: receiving in the intermediary a response from the target service; creating in the intermediary, in dependence upon the response from the target service, a response from the intermediary; and returning the response from the intermediary to the requesting client. |
| US07668927B2 |
Deletion in data file forwarding framework
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for deletion in data file forwarding framework. A framework includes a network of interconnected computer system nodes in which data files are continuously forwarded from computer memory to computer memory without storing on any physical storage device in the network, a central server coupled to the network, and a deletion server coupled to the network. |
| US07668925B1 |
Method and apparatus for routing in SAS using logical zones
A method and apparatus are provided for routing in an SAS expander for logical zoning. Common SAS topology defined by the ANSI T10 specification only relates to physical topology with multiple end devices, as well as to expander devices and the broadcast handling mechanisms in such physical topologies. The present invention introduces the concept of virtual topologies that can be non-overlapping or overlapping subsets of the physical topology and the routing mechanism that handles the routing issues with the virtual topologies. |
| US07668923B2 |
Master-slave adapter
A system and method are provided in which communication adapters, which are used for the transfer of message packets from and amongst a plurality of data processing nodes, are provided with internal storage which is used to indicate the status of a particular adapter as a master, as a slave or as a backup up adapter. This information provides the adapters with the ability to be called into service to take over the operations of another adapter in the event of node or adapter failure. |
| US07668918B2 |
Utilizing instant messaging to effectuate structured communication
The present invention uses instant messaging to effectuate structured communication. A structured communication component is used in conjunction with an instant messaging component to allow an instant messaging user to quickly formulate a structured communication for transmission to one or more recipients. The recipients are presented with the structured communications such that they provide a structured response that is transmitted back to the sender. The responses from the various recipients can then be reviewed, such as in a desired report format, by the sender. |
| US07668913B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating a web site with dynamic content data from an external source integrated therein
A technique for generating a web site in accordance with received data entry by: determining at least one characteristic of at least one web site dimension of the web site based on the data entry; generating a multi-dimensional description of the web site based on the determined characteristics; retrieving web site data according to the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site; and generating the web site based upon the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site and the retrieved web site data. The web site data includes dynamic content data from an external data source, and the data entry may include a designation of such an external data source. |
| US07668911B2 |
Presence server, session control server, and packet relay system
The object of the invention is to make communication between users smoother utilizing terminal type information. To achieve the object, a terminal type is specified based upon information in login and information acquired by adding the information to presence information is notified. Besides, terminals of the same type are connected by an SIP server. The selection of the communication means of voice communications and a character chat when communication is started and the specification of a calling terminal at a partner terminal are enabled by adding terminal information to presence information and grasping mutual owned terminals. Detailed status can be grasped based upon presence information of the same name by grasping presence information and terminal information. Further, in the case of a terminal not provided with a presence function, an SIP server also identifies terminal type information by deputy and can also specify a calling terminal. |
| US07668909B2 |
Bulletin board management system and computer program
A site for communication and information sharing among members is provided by a bulletin board management system utilizing a computer network. When a change is made to contents of bulletin information, the system determines members who have already read the bulletin information before the change based on a result of monitoring. The system automatically sends an electronic mail urging these members to check the change in contents of the bulletin information and changes the status of these members from “already read” to “required to check the change.” Thus, the electronic mail urging members to check the change in contents is sent only to members who need to check, so failure of information transmission is prevented and information can be communicated to all members securely. |
| US07668908B2 |
System and method for generalized and distributed scalable eventing system
Event messages are received from a first source, each has a subscription based-sequence number and a time stamp. The order of events within the first event source are determined on the basis of the subscription based-sequence number. Additional event messages are received from a second source each having a subscription based-sequence number and a time stamp. The events from the second event source are ordered with respect to the first event source on the basis of the time stamp within each of the at least two event messages from the first event source and the another at least two event messages from the second event source. |
| US07668907B1 |
Method and system for selectively viewing participants of a multimedia network conference
In a network multimedia conference, a bridge service that functions as a proxy for a client to join the conference dynamically selects a video stream from multiple video streams originating from the other participants of the conference and sends the selected video stream to the client for viewing. The bridge service monitors conferencing events of each participant and updates conferencing activity state variables of the participant, such as whether the participant is being shown to the client, whether the participant is talking, how long the participant has been shown or not shown, etc. Periodically, a weight assigned to each of the participants is computed based on the state variables, and the video stream of the participant with the highest weight is then selected for viewing by the client. |
| US07668906B2 |
Wire protocol for a media server system
A wire protocol provides message formats for creating multiple network connections between a media server and a client. These multiple network connections may include a control link connection for passing control information and a data funnel connection for passing data of multiple media. The data funnel connection may be a multipoint-to-point connection that connects multiple data servers with the client. The protocol facilitates multiple requests being concurrently outstanding and asynchronous processing of requests. The protocol is designed to exist on top of a transport protocol layer. |
| US07668905B2 |
Method, system and computer program for providing web pages based on client state
The invention proposes a solution allowing a web application to generate a response page based on local information of a client. For this purpose, a front-end servlet (receiving a request from the browser of the client) verifies (318, 360) whether the local information is available on the server. If not, a wait page with a command for uploading the local information is generated and sent (321) to the client, so as to cause the client to transmit (327-342) the local information to a back-end servlet of the server. The wait page self-refreshes (348-357) after a predefined delay; in response thereto, the same front-end servlet verifies whether the local information is ready to use. If the uploading is still in progress, a wait page without the upload command (which self-refreshes after the same delay) is generated and sent (363) again. Once the uploading has been completed, the front-end servlet can generate and send (366-372) the desired response page based on the up-to-date local information of the client. |
| US07668903B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically delivering service profiles to clients
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates dynamic delivery of service profiles to a client. During operation, the system performs a discovery operation to allow the client to discover new services on a network. If a new service is discovered for which the client does not possess a service profile, the client to obtains the service profile from the new service and subsequently installs it, thereby enabling the client to interact with the new service. |
| US07668900B2 |
System and method for scheduling an event over a network
A method for scheduling an event over a network in a calendar of an invitee includes creating a schedule request that includes at least a set of details of the event and an identifier if the event creator. The schedule request is sent to a server in communication with the network. The server has access to the calendar of the invitee and a calendar for the event creator. Upon receipt of the schedule request, an event record is created at the server that includes at least the set of details for the event and a link to the invitee's calendar. The event is also added to the calendar of the invitee. The schedule request may be created using a link associated with the event. |
| US07668898B2 |
Calculating circuit and method for computing an N-th root and a reciprocal of a number
A calculating circuit and a method for generating an output signal representing an output number approximating an N-th root and/or a reciprocal of an input number represented by an input signal are described. The calculating circuit includes a subtractor circuit, an integrator circuit, and a multiplier circuit. The subtractor circuit responsive to a first signal and a feedback signal and configured for generating an error signal representing a difference between the first signal and the feedback signal. The integrator circuit responsive to the error signal and configured for computing the output signal. The multiplier circuit responsive to the output signal and configured for generating a feedback signal. The method for generating the output signal includes the following iterative steps: (i) generating an error signal at a j-th iteration, (ii) integrating the error signal for obtaining the output signal, (iii) generating the feedback signal and (iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii) as required to obtain the N-th root and reciprocal with a required accuracy. |
| US07668896B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for performing floating point multiplication
The first and second n-bit significands are multiplied producing a pair of 2n-bit vectors, and half adder logic produces a corresponding plurality of carry and sum bits. A product exponent is checked for correspondence with a predetermined exponent value. A sum operation generates a first result equivalent to the addition of the pair of 2n-bit vectors. First adder logic uses corresponding m carry and sum bits, the least significant of them carry bits being replaced with the increment value prior to the first adder logic performing the first sum operation. Second adder logic performs a second sum operation and uses the corresponding m−1 carry and sum bits replacing the least significant m−1 carry bits with the rounding increment value prior to the second adder logic second sum operation. The n-bit result is derived from either the first rounded result, the second rounded result or a predetermined result value. |
| US07668895B2 |
Galois field computation
A method and device for computing the multiplicative inverse of element x in Galois field GF(p2m) is proposed. In particular, when p is a prime number and m is an integer, the inverse may be constructed based on the observation that xpm+1 is en element in sub-field GF(pm) and the inverse of xpm+1 can be carried out in the sub-field. The inverse of X may be obtained by multiplying x−1=(xpm+1)−1 by xpm. |
| US07668894B2 |
Computation of power functions using polynomial approximations
A power function is approximated over an applicable data interval with polynomials determined by means of a Chebyshev minimax approximation technique. In some cases, multiple polynomials may be used to approximate the function over respective ranges of the desirable interval, in a piecewise manner. The appropriate polynomial that approximates the power function over the range of interest is derived and stored. When the power function is to be applied to a particular data value, the data value is first evaluated to determine where it lies within the applicable interval. The constants for the polynomial associated with that range of the interval are then retrieved and used to calculate the power of that data value. |
| US07668893B2 |
Data generator having linear feedback shift registers for generating data pattern in forward and reverse orders
Some embodiments of the invention includes a data generator. The data generator includes a data generating circuit having a combination of linear feedback shift registers and shift registers for generating a pseudo-random data pattern in a first order. The data generator also includes a recovery circuit for allowing the data generating circuit to generate the pseudo-random data pattern in a second order. The second order is a reverse of the first order. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07668889B2 |
Method and system to combine keyword and natural language search results
A search query is received from a single input field of a user interface. A keyword search is performed based on the search query to generate keyword search results. A natural language search is performed of a frequently-asked question (FAQ) database based on the search query to generate FAQ search results. The keyword search results and the FAQ search results are combined in a display page. |
| US07668886B2 |
Resume storage and retrieval system
A method of and apparatus for storage and retrieval of resumé images in a manner which preserves the appearance, organization, and information content of the original document. In addition, summaries or “outlines” of resumé images, broken down into multiple fields, are stored, and can be searched field by field. A user interface is provided which is based on a familiar paper-based method already in common use, thus reducing the training required to effectively use the system. |
| US07668883B2 |
System for secure erasing of files
The present invention is directed to a system and method for the secure and correct deletion of data files from a data storage that bypasses the file system of an operating system. A secure erase service receives a secure erase request from a system interceptor component, which has intercepted a system call from an application. The system call interceptor component communicates with the secure erase service via an interprocess communication module. The secure erase service receives the secure erase request from the interprocess communication module and communicates the secure erase request to a secure erase library. Using the file information contained in the secure erase request, the secure erase library queries the file system of the data storage device to determine the location of data blocks containing the to be deleted data. Once, the location of the data blocks has been determined, the secure erase library then instructs the device driver, via a virtual file system, to overwrite the data blocks storing the electronic file a predetermined number of times. |
| US07668878B2 |
Replicating data between heterogeneous data systems
A method and apparatus for replicating data between heterogeneous databases is provided. Data is replicated between two heterogeneous databases with the use of a volatile storage queue, enabling the rapid replication of data across databases provided by different vendors or operating on different platforms. According to one embodiment, an in-memory queue is used to queue change operations to be performed on a target data repository. The change operations may be operations that were applied to a source data repository. An apply process retrieves the change operations from in-memory queue and commits the change operations to persistent storage. When the change operations have been committed, the apply process notifies the source platform that the particular change operation has been stored. |
| US07668867B2 |
Array-based discovery of media items
A media discovery module (MDM) is described that facilitates a user's access to desired media items. The MDM presents a series of arrays of media items to the user. The user's selection within any array governs the composition of media items that are presented in a subsequent array. Different linking criteria can define the relationship among arrays. In one case, the MDM uses a time-based linking criterion, allowing a user to examine a media item at increasing levels of temporal granularity. In another case, the MDM uses a subject matter-based criterion, allowing a user to examine one or more media items at increasing levels of detail with respect to a subject matter index. The MDM can employ various tools to establish the relationship among media items, including image analysis tools, audio analysis tools, metadata analysis tools, and so on. |
| US07668862B2 |
System and method for controlling the use of a method in an object-oriented computing environment
A system and method for controlling the use by caller objects to a restricted method of a resource object in an object-oriented computing environment are provided in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The method is based on associating an access-token with a caller object which is to be allowed to access the restricted method and sharing this access-token with the resource object. When subsequent calls to the restricted method are made by a caller object, access is made contingent on the caller object providing the access-token as part of the call procedure. Where no access-token is provided, or an invalid access-token is provided, access to the method is denied or restricted. The method provides protection against innocently made wrong calls to a restricted method by a caller object, for example due to coding errors. The method also provides protection against maliciously made calls to a restricted method by caller objects that should not have access to it. |
| US07668859B2 |
Method and system for enhanced web searching
A system for user-directed acquisition over a wide area network includes a client computer, a database having information data relating to user-entered text of HTML pages, and a server computer having a program software stored on the storage device to receive a user-entered word data in a first language from the client, to receive a user-entered geographic search area data from said client, and wherein the program software is associated with software for generating a translation language pair data and for translating the word data in accordance with the language corresponding to the user entered geographic search area data, software for accessing said information data as a function of the translated word data, and software for transmitting the accessed information data to the client-computer. A method is also provided. |
| US07668858B2 |
Drag and drop technique for building queries
A method, system and computer program product for building a search query in a data processing system having a graphical user interface is provided. Responsive to user input, a graphical component representing a first system object is dropped onto a graphical component representing a query function. A set of attributes of the first system object is presented. Responsive to user selection, a search query is created from the selected set of attributes. |
| US07668855B2 |
Method and apparatus for definition, referencing and navigation across multiple perspectives of an organization
The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating and subsequently using a series of graphical perspectives of an organization. Each of the perspectives includes a series of defined elements which are identified as being part of the perspective. Each element is analyzed in each of the perspectives and those which are common to more than one perspective are identified as are those elements which are interconnected and hence refer to each other. A graphical display panel is generated for each perspective which identifies in a dynamic manner those elements which are so connected and said panel can be used a navigational tool in conjunction with a graphical user interface. |
| US07668853B2 |
Information storage and retrieval
An information retrieval system in which a set of distinct information items map to respective nodes in an array of nodes by mutual similarity of the information items, so that similar information items map to nodes at similar positions in the array of nodes; the system comprising: a user control for defining a search criterion for selecting information items; a detector for detecting those positions within the array of nodes corresponding to the selected information items; a graphical user interface for displaying a two-dimensional display array of display points representing those positions within the array of nodes corresponding to the selected information items; and a processor responsive to the selected information items, for providing a representation which is generally representative of the information content of the selected information items. |
| US07668852B2 |
Method for creating sketches of sets to permit comparison
Provided is a method for creating sketches of sets to permit comparing set members selected from a universe. The method includes selecting a size for the sketch and providing a randomizer. In addition, a set is provided as a subset of the universe. The set is processed with the randomizer to provide a new vector. The new vector is normalized to provide a value. Dividing each element of the new vector by the determined value results in the sketch. |
| US07668851B2 |
Lockless hash table lookups while performing key update on hash table element
A system, method and computer program product for moving a shared list element from a first list location to a second list location includes making the list element appear simultaneously in the first list and the second list under a first key associated with the first list, changing the first key associated with the first list to a second key associated with the second list, and making the list element appear only in the second list under the second key associated with the second list. |
| US07668850B1 |
Rule based navigation
A navigation system is used in combination with a data retrieval system to more effectively locate the correct answers or information in search content. The navigation system provides taxonomies that identify different information categories and sub-categories (facets). Classifiers automatically classify the search content by identifying the content corresponding with associated facets. The facets, in conjunction with the associated classifiers, provide robust classification and correlation between both structured and unstructured content. Rules can be used in conjunction with the facets and classifiers to automatically control different navigation operations. The navigation system can also leverage ontologies to dynamically create taxonomies and provides unique facet expansion and intra-document classification operations. |
| US07668847B2 |
Semi-structured data storage schema selection
In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a method and associated apparatus that allows a user to obtain a semi-structured data input and a workload input. An improved semi-structured data storage schema is selected for a relational schema in response to the semi-structured data input and the workload input. The semi-structured data is segmented based on the selected improved semi-structured data storage schema. In one aspect, the semi-structured data is XML data. |
| US07668846B1 |
Data reconstruction from shared update log
Updates to a plurality of data sets may be recorded in a shared update log. Whenever a server responsible for the plurality of data sets fails, other servers may reconstruct the data sets using the shared update log and redundant copies of the data sets. As part of the reconstruction process, the other servers reorganize (e.g., by sorting) the update records of sub-logs of the update log to group update records corresponding to the same data set together. The updates are applied to the redundant copies of the data set snapshots to reconstruct the data set. |
| US07668845B1 |
C-tree for multi-attribute indexing
An abstract indexing structure called a C-tree that it is an access method that exploits search space “containment” is described. The C-tree structure includes objects spaces that overlap, but search spaces that are disjoint. Every part of the search space is indexed by some node. Moreover, every object has a unique location in the index, despite the object space overlap. The C-tree is a tree of pages, typically disk based, like a B-tree, but it handles a greater variety of data, e.g., spatial data, temporal data, etc. In particular, it can handle the indexing of objects that have extents, not merely point data, and hence objects that can overlap. These objects can be indexed without remapping them to a higher dimensional point space. At least one particular aspect of the invention is premised on a notion of an object being contained in some kind of search space. |
| US07668840B2 |
System and method for configuring a parallel-processing database system
A system and method for configuring a plurality of processing nodes into a parallel-processing database system are described herein. Each of a plurality of processing nodes connected by a network receive software and one or more configuration files related to the intended function of the processing node. The software may include homogeneous agent software, one or more library dynamic-link libraries (DLL), and the like. The configuration file is used to configure the homogeneous agent to operate as the intended node in a global-results processing matrix, a general-purpose query processing matrix, or a index-base query processing matrix. Another node or nodes may be configured to convert query-based programming code to intermediary source code in a common programming language and then compile the intermediary source code into a dynamic link library (DLL) or other type of executable. The DLL is then distributed among the processing nodes of the processing matrix, whereupon various subsets of the processing nodes execute related portions of the DLL substantially in parallel to generate query results. |
| US07668826B2 |
Predicting apparatus, predicting method, and computer product
A structuring unit generates a combination pattern of the attribute values by combining an attribute value of the assessment target data with an attribute value indicating a unspecified value. A reconstructing unit searches data matching the combination pattern from the accumulation data, and generates subset data. An index setting unit sets an index indicating significance of relationship between the generated subset data with assessment data. An assessing unit selects subset data that becomes a basis of assessment, based on the set index, and performs an assessment on a prediction result based on the selected subset data. |
| US07668825B2 |
Search system and method
A search system and method are provided that uses taxonomies, entities, facets, and ontologies to provide a user with a more comprehensive set of search results in response to a query. The search system has an indexing engine that performs one or more indexing steps that permit the search engine to return a comprehensive set of search results. For example, the indexing engine may index a document according to a set of synsets so that the search engine may use the synsets, during retrieval of results to a query, to return a more comprehensive set of search results. |
| US07668820B2 |
Method for linking de-identified patients using encrypted and unencrypted demographic and healthcare information from multiple data sources
A longitudinal database of de-identified patient healthcare transaction data records linked by longitudinal linking tags (IDs) is provided. A new healthcare transaction data record, which may include alphanumeric identification code attributes, third party attributes and/or demographic attributes, is assigned an linking ID associated with a previous healthcare transaction data record based upon successful comparison of either a designated set of identification code attributes or a designated set of demographic attributes. The longitudinal data base is assembled by a matching process in which a new data record is compared level by level with previous healthcare transaction data records through a hierarchy of a first series of matching levels each defined by a designated set of alphanumeric identification code attributes and a second series of matching levels each defined by a designated set of attributes including demographic attributes and then assigned the ID associated with a successfully matched reference data record. |
| US07668816B2 |
Dynamically updated quick searches and strategies
In response to characters entered within a Find dialog box, a minifind window is dynamically updated to provide corresponding search strategies and quick matches from content search data that are being searched. The search strategies and quick matches that are listed are dynamically updated as the user inputs additional characters in the Find dialog box. At any time, the user can initiate a full text search to populate a search results pane, based upon the characters input, by selecting a Go control or pressing the Enter key. Alternatively, the user can select one of the quick matches or search strategies, to populate the search results pane with corresponding items obtained from the content search data, which are most likely to relate to the information desired by the user. This approach is applicable to finding information in almost any data accessed locally, or over a network. |
| US07668812B1 |
Filtering search results using annotations
A search engine system accepts queries that include query terms and labels applicable to certain documents. A domain filter is constructed that is used to filter search results to certain domains, where the domains are determined based on the labels included in the query. The filtered search results are processed to ensure that certain portions of the results are from domains included in the filter. The results are further processed to include the query labels with certain ones of the results. |
| US07668811B2 |
Updating prices of search results during a search for a travel related item
A method and apparatus are provided for a dynamic information connection engine. User actions are detected on at least one client system. In response, a determination is made whether the user is searching for supported information. When the user is searching for supported information, information is extracted electronically from third party web sites, direct supplier connections, and intermediate databases. Potential information suppliers are automatically selected in response to the detected user search. Queries are formulated from the user search and transferred to each selected supplier over a network coupling. The queries include a request for information. Responses are received from the suppliers, and the responses are used to generate a result list for the user. The result list includes information and query status information. Further, an electronic link may be provided to a web site of each supplier from which the information was derived. |
| US07668806B2 |
Processing queries against one or more markup language sources
Techniques are provided for processing a query, including receiving the query, where the query specifies certain operations to be performed, including (a) a first set of one or more operations that are to be performed on a markup language data source and (b) a second set of one or more operations that are to be performed on a second data source. Then it is determined that a first server that manages the markup language data source is capable of performing the first set of operations. A request is sent to the first server to perform the first set of operations. A response is received, where the response contains results of performing the first set of operations on the markup language data source. Finally, results are generated for the query based at least in part on the results of performing the first set of operations. |
| US07668804B1 |
Recommending statistical views using cost/benefit metrics
A workload to be handled by a database system can be identified. The workload can include at least one query that the database system is to handle. A set of at least one candidate statistical views (statviews) to be utilized when optimizing the workload can be enumerated. A benefit value and a cost value of the each of the enumerated candidate statistical views relative to the entire workload can be computed. The cost value can reflect a cost of constructing and collecting statistics on the associated statistical view. A set of the candidate views most beneficial for handling the workload can be determined based upon the computed benefit values and computed cost values. A generalization phase that augments the candidate view set with higher value candidate views for consideration during the recommendation phase. The optimum subset of views from the determined set of candidate views can be recommended, which can cause them to be constructed and utilized by a database optimizer. |
| US07668803B2 |
Data query cost estimation
A method for estimating a runtime of a query of a data repository may abstract, extract, or otherwise generate one or more parameters of the query. Thereafter, the abstracted parameters may be associated with one or more statistical query records. From these statistical query records, a query runtime may be estimated. Related apparatuses, computer program products, and computer systems are also described. |
| US07668801B1 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing queries under parametric aggregation constraints
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing queries. The present invention discloses an efficient method for providing answers to queries under parametric aggregation constraints. |
| US07668800B2 |
Database query generation for project task management system for managing project schedules over a network
A client-server based project schedule management system comprises multiple editors accessible through a web browser to perform various scheduling tasks by members of a project. Client-executable code is generated by the server for the client, which is passed to the client along with schedule-related information for populating the respective editors. The client executes the server-generated code to display the respective editor with pertinent information populated therein, and to manage and maintain any new or updated information in response to user interactions with the editor. Rows of tasks are represented by corresponding objects, where editor elements are object attributes which are directly accessible by the respective objects. Database queries are generated by the server based on constant strings containing placeholders which are replaced with information used by the query. |
| US07668798B2 |
System and method for accessing data in disparate information sources
The present invention relates to a system (10) for generating and maintaining virtual and physical metadata layers in a MetaBase metadata repository (110b) in order to simplify and optimize the retrieval of data from a plurality of disparate information sources (130a-130c). The system stores in a physical metadata layer of a MetaBase metadata repository a plurality of physical metadata elements, wherein each one of the physical metadata elements corresponds to the metadata elements in the plurality of information sources. Logical metadata elements are stored in the virtual metadata layer and are linked to the physical metadata elements in order to maintain the relationships therebetween. By maintaining the relationships between the physical metadata elements, users can initiate a data query request for data corresponding to a logical metadata element, and the system is configurated to retrieve the desired data from the relevant information sources, even in the event that relevant information sources maintain the data in fields having different data field names, that the information sources employ incompatible data formats, and that the relevant information sources employ different query languages. |
| US07668797B2 |
Active semiotic system for image and video understanding by robots and unmanned vehicles, methods and apparatus
An active semiotic system creates implicit symbols and their alphabets from features, structural combination of features, objects and patters, creates models with explicit structures that are labeled with the implicit symbols, and derive other models in the same format via diagrammatic- and graph transformations. The active semiotic system treats vision as a part of a larger system that converts visual information into special knowledge structures that drive a vision process, resolve ambiguity and uncertainty via feedback projections, and provide image understanding that is an interpretation of visual information in terms of corresponding knowledge models. Mechanisms of image understanding, including mid- and high-level vision, are presented as methods and algorithms of the active semiotic system, where they are special kinds of diagrammatic and graph transformations. Derived structures, and not a primary view, are the subject for recognition, and such recognition is not affected by local changes and appearances of the object from a set of similar views, thereby allowing a robot or unmanned vehicle to interpret images and video similar to human beings for better situation awareness and intelligent tactical behavior in real world situations. |
| US07668792B2 |
Portable terminal device with a display and focused-state determination means
A portable terminal device or cellular phone includes a target setting section, a display unit, a focused-state determination section, and a recognition section. The photography-target setting section sets normal photography mode for photographing an image, and OCR mode for photographing a character or bar code. The display unit displays a photographed image, and positioning of an image as a photography target. The focused-state determination section is activated, and determines a focused state of a character or bar code photographed in the OCR mode. The recognition section recognizes the photographed character or bar code, the result of which is displayed by the display unit. Press of a confirmation button initiates a process to communicate with a communications target corresponding to the recognized result. A linking section may link recognition results to form a continuous string. |
| US07668789B1 |
Comparing distributions of cases over groups of categories
A first distribution of cases over a first group of categories is received. A categorizer trained using a search-and-confirm technique classifies the cases into a second group of categories. A second distribution of the cases over the second group of categories is generated using results of the classifying. The first and second distributions are compared to identify differences between the first and second distributions. |
| US07668784B2 |
Printing of postal indicia and detection thereof
The invention provides a method of detection of an imprint of a postal indicium at a location on a mail piece. The method involves utilizing a sensor to scan along a band on the mail piece to detect a sequence of transitions between light and dark reflectance areas within a band extending across the said location. AN indication of the presence of the imprint of the postal indication is generated in response to detection of a transition succeeding a predetermined number of initial transitions at a start of the sequence of transitions.The invention also provides apparatus for imprinting postal indicia on mail pieces. The apparatus comprises a printer operable to print a postal indicium in a required location on the mail piece. A first sensor is provided that is responsive to reflectance transitions between light and dark along a band of the mail piece extending across the said location. The first sensor generates a sequence of first signals corresponding respectively to reflectance transitions along the said band. The apparatus further includes means operative in response to a first signal occurring after a predetermined number of said first signals at a start of said sequence to generate a second signal which is indicative of a postal indicium imprint on the mail piece. |
| US07668779B2 |
Method and system for tracking and verifying repair estimates, invoices, and billing exceptions
A method and system for tracking and verifying estimates, invoices, and billing exceptions for charges billed to a customer by a vendor is disclosed. The vendor submits an estimate via a billing verification system. The system generates an estimate record and facilitates customer review of the estimate. The system also receives an invoice for the completed repair from the vendor and generates an invoice record. Based on the estimate record and the invoice record, the system can perform an audit to compare the invoice to the estimate. The system also enables the customer to review the invoice via the billing verification system to identify billing exceptions associated with any disputed charges. A billing exception record is generated in the billing verification system for each of the billing exceptions. The vendor is then notified of the billing exceptions. The vendor reviews and responds to the billing exception records via the billing verification system. A billing exception response record is generated for each vendor response. The customer is then notified of the reviewed billing exception response records. |
| US07668772B1 |
Systems and methods for money fund banking with flexible interest allocation
This invention provides system and methods for managing accounts of clients at customer financial entities so that deposits of up to $100,000 or greater are insured, so that interest income earned on a portion of all of the account balances may be flexibly allocated according to customer instructions, and so that withdrawals are not limited. These objects are satisfied by holding client funds at interest-earning money market deposit accounts at one or more banks or savings institutions. More particularly, this invention provides methods for receiving client transaction information, determining a net transfer of funds into or out of each client account from transaction information, causing transfer of funds from the insured, interest-bearing deposit accounts to match the net transfer of funds into or out of each client account, and allocating interest earned by the deposit accounts to clients according to customer instructions. This invention also provides systems and software products implementing these methods. |
| US07668771B1 |
System and method for allocation to obtain zero activity in a selected aggregated account
A method, program product and system for managing a group of aggregated accounts, each aggregated account held in a different one of a plurality of deposit institutions, each of the aggregated accounts associated with at least one financial entity and holding funds of a plurality of clients of the at least one financial entity, each of the clients having a client asset balance in a respective client account associated with the at least one financial entity, the method comprising: (1) allocating fund deposits to and fund withdrawals from the aggregated accounts, the step of allocating comprising: (a) calculating an aggregated transaction amount based on a total net transaction from among the plurality of the client accounts during a period of time; (b) selecting at least one aggregated account from among the group of aggregated accounts in the different deposit institutions to which to deposit or to withdraw funds based, at least in part, so as to avoid withdrawing funds from or depositing funds to at least a different one of the aggregated accounts in the group; and (2) withdrawing funds from or depositing funds to the at least one of the aggregated accounts based on the allocation. |
| US07668754B1 |
Architecture for secure reverse mobile commerce
A secure m-commerce system and device. A consumer m-commerce device receives product data via a number of data input techniques. The product data is uploaded to a remote personal agent that requests bids from commercial partners to transact the list. When a bid is selected, the consumer transacts remotely to complete the purchase thereof. The system tracks geographically the device such that the consumer is alerted to a partner location, and may stop by the location for further information. The device may also output a store map to the consumer that locates all products on the shopping list. |
| US07668752B2 |
System and method for the distribution of software products
A system and method for selling software products over a network. The system includes a server computer with access to software products. The system is configured to allow a user to purchase a subscription for the periodic acquisition of selected software products. In one embodiment, as part of the subscription, the user pays an amount during selected billing intervals. In return, the system issues to the user a number of credits for downloading at no additional charge at least one of the software products during a credit interval, which may be equal in length to the billing interval. In one embodiment, the system debits a number of credits in response to fulfilling a user's purchase request. The system may be also configured to deduct credits that are not used within selected credit intervals. |
| US07668750B2 |
Securing RF transactions using a transactions counter
A system and method for securing a Radio Frequency (RF) transaction using a RF identification device (RFID) transaction device is provided. The RFID transaction device includes a transactions counter for tallying the number of transactions attempted or completed with the RFID transactions device. The counter may be incremented by any predetermined amount, which may be predefined for a particular transaction device counter. The counter value is provided to an account issuer for use in determining if the counter value has exceeded a predetermined value correlative to the maximum number of transactions which may be completed using a transaction device. |
| US07668739B2 |
Method and system for selecting items to replace insured items
A web-based method for identifying items to replace insured items includes receiving item specification information from at least one of a user, a manufacturer, a distributor, a system administrator, and an authorizing agent, and utilizing a server to compare the received specification information with pre-stored information. The method also includes selecting at least one item which matches the received specification information and downloading information to the user related to the item. |
| US07668735B2 |
Compensated electronic consults
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing health care information to health care providers and for obtaining information pertaining to the practice of a health care provider by providing incentives for provision of such information. |
| US07668734B2 |
Internet medical information system (IMED)
A system for creating, maintaining and selectively accessing medical histories. The system allows a patient and other selected parties to build a medical history, but importantly places the authority to grant access to the medical history solely in the hands of the patient. When the patient's medical history file is created, the patient also pre-authorizes selected parties, including government agencies such as FEMA to have access to at least part of the patient's history. Each selected party is associated with an access module that dictates the level of access the party has to the medical history. Primary care physicians are associated with a full access module, which allows full access to the patient's medical history. Dentists and pharmacies are associated with a limited access module, which limits the party's access to only pertinent portions of the patient's medical history. The present system also includes a fingerprint scanner and/or retina scanner that can be used to identify unconscious patients and patients without an I.D. card. |
| US07668733B2 |
Providing adaptive medical triage
A method of adaptively operating a medical triage system includes triaging a plurality of persons using a set of triage questions to select particular dispositions from a plurality of triage disposition. Triage-related data is acquired as a result of the triaging of the plurality of persons. The triage-related data is analyzed and the set of triage questions or the dispositions are modified based on the analysis of the triage-related data. |
| US07668731B2 |
Medication delivery system
A medication delivery system (20) having features of the present invention comprises a medical container (26) holding a prescribed medication (27) to be delivered to a patient, a tag 24 adapted to be worn by the patient, a handheld computing device (22), and an electronic medication delivery device (30). Data on the medication (27) is contained in a first label (28) on the medication container (27). The first label (28) also contains the instruction on how the medication is delivered to the patient, including the appropriate settings for an electronic medication delivery device for delivering the medication to the patient. Patient data is contained in a second label (29) on the tag (24) worn by the patient. The medication data, medication delivery instruction, and patient data are provided in machine readable formats. The handheld computing device (22) reads the medication data and the medication delivery instruction on the medication container (26) and the patient data on the patient tag (24). The handheld computing device (22) stores the information obtained and performs a matching check to confirm that the medication data matches with the patient data. Upon a confirmed match, it transmits the medication delivery instruction to the electronic medication delivery device (30), which downloads the instruction, programs the delivery device 30, and prompts an operator to begin delivering the medication (27) to the patient according to the downloaded instruction. |
| US07668723B2 |
Scalable lossless audio codec and authoring tool
An audio codec losslessly encodes audio data into a sequence of analysis windows in a scalable bitstream. This is suitably done by separating the audio data into MSB and LSB portions and encoding each with a different lossless algorithm. An authoring tool compares the buffered payload to an allowed payload for each window and selectively scales the losslessly encoded audio data, suitably the LSB portion, in the non-conforming windows to reduce the encoded payload, hence buffered payload. This approach satisfies the media bit rate and buffer capacity constraints without having to filter the original audio data, reencode or otherwise disrupt the lossless bitstream. |
| US07668722B2 |
Multi parametrisation based multi-channel reconstruction
A multi-channel synthesizer for generating at least three output channels using an input signal having at least one base channel, the base channel being derived from the original multi-channel signal, the input signal further including at least two different up-mixing parameters, and an up-mixer mode indication indicating, in a first state that a first up-mixing rule is to be performed, and, indicating, in a second state, that a different second up-mixing rule is to be performed, uses an up-mixer for up-mixing the at least one base channel using the at least two different up-mixing parameters based on the first or the second up-mixing rule in response to the up-mixer mode indication so that the at least three output channels are obtained. |
| US07668717B2 |
Speech synthesis method, speech synthesis system, and speech synthesis program
A speech synthesis system stores a group of speech units in a memory, selects a plurality of speech units from the group based on prosodic information of target speech, the speech units selected corresponding to each of segments which are obtained by segmenting a phoneme string of the target speech and minimizing distortion of synthetic speech generated from the speech units selected to the target speech, generates a new speech unit corresponding to the each of the segments, by fusing the speech units selected, to obtain a plurality of new speech units corresponding to the segments respectively, and generates synthetic speech by concatenating the new speech units. |
| US07668716B2 |
Incorporation of external knowledge in multimodal dialog systems
A device improves speech recognition accuracy by utilizing an external knowledge source. The device receives a speech recognition result from an automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine, the speech recognition result including a plurality of ordered interpretations, wherein each of the ordered interpretations includes a plurality of information items. The device analyzes and filters the plurality of interpretations using an external knowledge source to create a filtered plurality of ordered interpretations. The device stores the filtered plurality of ordered interpretations to a memory. The device transmits the filtered plurality of ordered interpretations to a dialog manager module to create a textual output. Alternatively, the dialog manager module retrieves the filtered plurality of ordered interpretations from a memory. |
| US07668714B1 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically providing comfort noise
A method and apparatus for dynamically enabling the activation and deactivation of comfort noise over a VoIP media path or channel are disclosed. The present method detects all sound levels in the media path and only activates the comfort noise in the absence of sound and when the background noise level or the telephone line noise level is low rather than only in the absence of speech. |
| US07668710B2 |
Determining voice recognition accuracy in a voice recognition system
Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining voice recognition accuracy of a voice recognition system are provided. In one embodiment, voice recognition information produced by a voice recognition system in response to recognizing a user utterance is analyzed. The voice recognition information comprises a recognized voice command associated with the user utterance and a reference to an audio file that includes the user utterance. Based on the analysis, a recognition error may be identified and the source of the error determined. A solution is then automatically implemented to eliminate the source of the error. As part of the analysis, the user utterance may be transcribed to create a transcribed utterance, if the recognized voice command does not match the user utterance. The transcribed utterance may then be compared to the recognized voice command to identify an error. |
| US07668706B2 |
Method for stimulating the driving behavior of vehicles
The invention relates to a method for simulating the driving behavior of vehicles on a test stand in which the engine of the vehicle is coupled on the test stand to an electronically controllable braking apparatus and a first simulation model calculates simulation values of variables which are representative of the driving state of the vehicle in that the reaction of the vehicle to the behavior of the engine and the values of the variables as determined immediately prior thereto are calculated, with at least one evaluation variable w being calculated on the basis of the values measured on the test stand for measurable variables and engine torque M and the values calculated therefrom with the simulation model for non-measurable variables. An improved simulation is achieved in such a way that in a further simulation model higher-frequency changes are calculated from variables which are measurable per se and are considered in the calculation of the evaluation variable by superimposing with the actual measured values or that in the simulation model higher-frequency changes are calculated from variables which are measurable per se and are considered in the calculation of the evaluation variable w by superimposing with the actual measured values. |
| US07668705B2 |
Method for computing turbulent flow using a near-wall eddy-viscosity formulation
A technique that improves large-eddy simulation consists in replacing the instantaneous sub-grid scale eddy-viscosity (such as the dynamic Smagorinsky model eddy-viscosity) in the near-wall region with an eddy-viscosity computed from Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes eddy-viscosity and corrected dynamically using the resolved turbulent stress. The near-wall eddy-viscosity formulation is applied either with a wall stress model on coarse grids that do not resolve the wall or with wall-resolved grids coarsened in the wall-parallel directions. Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes eddy-viscosity is computed either from a look-up table or from a simultaneous solution of a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence model. |
| US07668704B2 |
Apparatus and method for compressor and turbine performance simulation
A method and an apparatus for simulating the operation of a pressured air source or sink such as a compressor or a turbine for a vehicle internal combustion engine calculates momentum sources at interfaces in the compressor or the turbine. A model stores steady state values of mass flux and enthalpy change related to rotational speed, inlet pressure and temperature and outlet pressure. The simulation can be an input to an engine control module for controlling the operation of the vehicle engine connected with the compressor or turbine. |
| US07668703B1 |
Determining required capacity for a resource
One or more workloads are simulated on a resource, where each of the one or more workloads represents at least one application configured to run on the resource. A required capacity of the one or more workloads is determined based on the simulation. |
| US07668701B2 |
Process for optimizing the structural design of a stiffened composite material panel
The present invention relates to a computer-aided process for carrying out the structural design of a stiffened panel (9) made of a composite material, optimizing a target variable, comprising a first preparation phase (21) in which a Simulation Model (25) of the stiffened panel (9) with all the relevant information for the structural analysis thereof is obtained from a General Finite Element Model (23) and the modifiable variables and the restrictions (27) are defined, and a second simulation phase (51) in which the design variables are iteratively modified for the purpose of optimizing the target variable, taking into account in each iteration the load distribution changes resulting from the previous iteration, and verifying that the restrictive conditions and the safety margins associated to the pre-established failure modes are met using for that purpose simulation expert modules (55) of families of failure modes. |
| US07668699B2 |
Optimized stochastic resonance method for signal detection and image processing
Apparatus and method for improving the detection of signals obscured by noise using stochastic resonance noise. The method determines the stochastic resonance noise probability density function in non-linear processing applications that is added to the observed data for optimal detection with no increase in probability of false alarm. The present invention has radar, sonar, signal processing (audio, image and video), communications, geophysical, environmental, and biomedical applications. |
| US07668694B2 |
Determination and control of wellbore fluid level, output flow, and desired pump operating speed, using a control system for a centrifugal pump disposed within the wellbore
A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump. |
| US07668693B2 |
Method for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty, and a device and system thereof
A method for evaluating uncertainty associated with the value of a measurand derived from measurements of a device under test is disclosed. A mathematical model is provided wherein the measurand is expressed as a function of (i) at least one physically observable quantity, and (ii) the reference value of the physically observable quantity in a reference device. The reference value of the reference device and the value of the measurand of the device under test are measured. The value of the at least one physically observable quantity is also measured. At least one uncertainty value is determined as a function of the physically observable, wherein the mathematical model takes into account the at least one source of uncertainty and the reference value of the reference device. |
| US07668687B2 |
Systems and methods for compensating pressure sensor errors
A pressure sensor compensation system for a control system of an engine includes N engine-off pressure measuring modules. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate differences between pressure values of a corresponding one of N pressure sensors and others of the N pressure sensors when the engine is off. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate N corresponding pressure correction values based on the differences, where N is an integer greater than one. N pressure compensating modules generate N corrected pressure values when the engine is on based on N uncorrected pressure values from the N pressure sensors and the N pressure correction values. |
| US07668686B2 |
External temperature display control algorithm
A method of controlling an initial external temperature display in a vehicle may include comparing an ignition-off time with a first threshold and displaying a current reading from an outside ambient temperature sensor when the ignition-off time equals or exceeds the first threshold. The method further includes comparing at least one secondary condition with at least one secondary parameter when the ignition-off time falls below the first threshold and selecting and displaying a reading based on the comparison of the at least one secondary condition with the at least one secondary parameter. This comparison can include comparing a previous ignition-on time with a second threshold and comparing a sum of the ignition-off time and a stored amount with a third threshold when the previous ignition-on time equals or falls below the second threshold. Alternatively, this comparison can include comparing an engine water temperature with a temperature threshold. |
| US07668685B2 |
Electrical connector and process for decentralized storage of the parameters of a sensor
An electrical connector for connection to a sensor has an integrated microcontroller, with a plug-and-socket connection for connection to an interface of the sensor and with an electronic circuit. With the connector, the data of a sensor, especially the parameter data, can be mirrored outside the sensor in a simple and economical manner so that the data are available at any time and as much as possible on site. The electronic circuit has a memory for storage of data, especially parameter data and characteristic data of the sensor, and a microcontroller, the microcontroller operating the interface of the sensor, and depending on the characteristic data of the sensor, either reading data, especially parameter data, out of the sensor via the interface and storing it in the memory, or reading data stored in the memory, especially parameter data, out of the memory and transmitting them via the interface into the sensor. |
| US07668683B2 |
Numerical test data reporting in an image file and subsequent analysis
The present disclosure is directed to numerical test data reporting using an image file and subsequent analysis of the test data. A method for capturing and analyzing test data in accordance with an embodiment includes: capturing multi-bit integer values of test data; writing each multi-bit integer value to a multi-bit vertical field in an image file; extracting the multi-bit integer values from the multi-bit vertical fields in the image file; and analyzing the extracted multi-bit integer values. |
| US07668679B2 |
Individual data line strobe-offset control in memory systems
Systems and methods for strobe signal timing calibration and control in strobe-based memory systems are provided below. These strobe-offset control systems and methods receive a strobe signal from a memory device and in turn automatically generate separate per-bit strobe signals for use in receiving data on each data line of a memory system. The systems/methods generate the optimal per-bit strobe signals by automatically calibrating per-bit offset timing between data signals of individual data bits and corresponding strobe signals. The strobe-offset control system effectively removes the detected phase difference between the data signal and the strobe signal. |
| US07668676B2 |
Method for calibration, controlled by means of measurement technology, of at least one device unit of a device system, particularly a standard light device in color management workflow
A method for calibration is controlled using measurement technology of at least one device unit of a device system which includes a monitor for image processing and a standard light device. The monitor is calibrated, and the luminance is measured at the calibrated monitor and at a standard light device. The actual value of the luminance at the standard light device is compared with the value for the luminance of the monitor. If there is a difference, the standard light device receives a control signal to change the brightness or the contrast. This regulation is continued until no difference exists between the measured actual value at the standard light device and the reference value stored in the memory of the evaluation unit. |
| US07668674B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for providing pulses to a motion device
At least one exemplary embodiment of to present invention includes a method comprising obtaining a first frequency and a second frequency. The method also comprises creating a table of values comprising a plurality of target frequencies intermediate to the first and second frequencies, the table of values also comprising a pulse width, a pulse count, and a differential pulse width corresponding to each of the target frequencies from the plurality of target frequencies. The method further comprises outputting at least a portion of the values to a motion device. |
| US07668669B2 |
Method for estimating magnitude of back-and-forth-direction force exerted on tire
A method for estimating the magnitude of a back-and-forth-direction force exerted on a tire comprises: using a plurality of strain sensors fixed to a tire sidewall capable of outputting data on the magnitude of a strain occurred at the position of the strain sensor; reading the output data from the strain sensors when come to fixed measuring positions predetermined around the tire rotational axis; in relation to each of the strain sensors at the respective measuring positions, calculating the back-and-forth-direction force as an intermediate result by the use of the data read from the strain sensor and a relational expression, whereby the intermediate results are obtained from the respective strain sensors; and computing a mean value of only the valid intermediate result(s) so as to output it as the estimated magnitude of the force. |
| US07668668B2 |
Stress component measurement method
A method of measuring a stress component in a short period of time in a nondestructive manner and a stress component measurement device that includes a stress component comparison section that compares a Raman spectrum L obtained in a predetermined area W1 of a reference specimen W to which a given stress component is applied with the stress component, a correlation data production section that produces correlation data indicating a correlation between the Raman spectrum L and the stress component by the use of a multivariate analysis method based on the comparison results conducted by the stress component comparison section. The comparison is conducted multiple times on different predetermined areas W1. A correlation data storage section stores the correlation data, and a stress component calculation section calculates a stress component applied to a measurement area W1′ of a measurement specimen W′ whose composition is the same as that of the reference specimen W based on the Raman spectrum L obtained from the measurement area W1′ and the correlation data. |
| US07668667B2 |
Miniature stimulating and sensing system
An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material. |
| US07668665B2 |
Methods of networking interrogation devices for structural conditions
Methods of operating an interrogation system that has a plurality of patches attached to a host structure. Each patch is capable of generating a diagnostic wave and/or developing a sensor signal in response to the diagnostic wave. In each method, a Euclidean undirected graph is generated by forming a plurality of paths; wherein each path connects two of the patches and the length of the path is shorter than a preset limit. Then, a directed graph or network is generated by assigning a propagation direction of the diagnostic wave to each path. Structural condition index (SCI) values are measured by use of the directed graph and, based on the SCI values, the host structure is scanned for anomalies. The directed graph is reconfigured to determine the shape and location of the anomalies. |
| US07668661B2 |
Liver disease-related methods and systems
The invention provides diagnostic methods, kits, and systems, and related computer-readable media, which use multiple blood marker values, including serum and plasma marker values, to aid in the diagnosis of the status or progress of a liver disease in a patient.The invention also provides methods and systems, and related computer-readable media, that use blood marker values, including serum and plasma marker values: (1) to screen for active ingredients useful in the treatment of a liver disease; (2) to aid in the selection of treatment regimens for patients that are predisposed to, or suffer from, liver disease; and (3) to aid in the design of clinical programs useful in monitoring the status or progress of liver disease in one or more patients. |
| US07668657B2 |
Seismic measuring system including GPS receivers
A system for determining positions of fixed-position GPS receives that have restricted views of the sky includes a data recording and control center, and one or more base GPS receivers with associated antennas with a substantially unrestricted views of the sky. The system batch processes range information provided by the fixed-position GPS receivers over an extended period of time; determining which of the range data from the fixed-position receivers are valid, and using the valid range data to determine position. In this way, the precise positions of the respective fixed-position slave GPS receivers can be calculated, even if the fixed-position GPS receivers are able to observe and collect data from sets of two or more satellites for only three or four relatively short time intervals at various sky positions during the extended period. |
| US07668656B2 |
Method for digital transmission and display of weather imagery
A method for creating minimal data representing a source image is presented. The source image is divided into a grid of cells. A color is selected for each cell corner based on sampling an area defined by the cell corner. An indication of the selected color is stored in an array dependent on the co-ordinates of the cell corner in the source image. |
| US07668653B2 |
System and method for selectively filtering and providing event program information
Systems and methods are provided for communicating filtered event program information and broadcasting user searchable event program information to vehicles. For example, there is provided a system for broadcasting event program information to at least one vehicle that is filtered according to the vehicle's current location. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more antennas, a broadcast receiver unit having a data filter, and a navigational device that displays event program information by venue within a set distance from the vehicle's current location. The display further comprises multi-leveled sub-menus that provide a user with a variety of movie related information such as screening times, cast listings, movie reviews, movie trailers, etc. The system further comprises a memory buffer unit in the receiver unit that stores the vehicle's last reported location data and cross-referenced databases of movie program information periodically updated so as to minimize bandwidth requirements of the system. |
| US07668651B2 |
Reverse geocoding system using combined street segment and point datasets
A reverse geocoding system and method processes a point level dataset and a street segment dataset to determine an address for a particular latitude and longitude of an input point entered into the system. A determination is made if the point level dataset contains a point level data address match to the entered latitude and longitude data within the closest street segment and without crossing the street segment. Any such point level data address match is output. When no such point level data address match is made, the system computes an interpolated address from a range of addresses of the closest street segment in the street segment dataset based on the entered latitude and longitude of the input point in relation to said range of addresses for the closest street segment. The interpolated address from the closest street segment in the street segment dataset is output. The street segment dataset may also contain unranged street segments without ranges of addresses. |
| US07668643B2 |
Method and system for automatically inspecting and registering automotive exhaust emission data
An exhaust emission data processing system for inspecting automatically exhaust emission of the vehicle and wirelessly transmitting exhaust emission inspection data to a remote server is provided. The system includes an exhaust emission processing module, a wireless connection module, and a remote server. The exhaust emission processing module receives OBD data indicating the exhaust emission inspection data from an OBD system embedded in the vehicle via an OBD connector. The exhaust emission processing module creates an exhaust emission inspection package with the vehicle identification and the exhaust emission inspection data. The exhaust emission processing module transmits the package to the remote server for further diagnosis through the wireless connection module. The remote server sends the diagnosis reports back to the vehicle through the wireless connection module. |
| US07668641B1 |
Method for control of a tank ventilation
There is described a method for determination of an application time for a tank ventilation on an internal combustion engine. An excessive enrichment of the air/fuel mixture can be avoided by means of a timely application of injection correction as result of the tank ventilation. According to said method, a threshold value comparison is carried out for a modified lambda control deviation, made up of the lambda control deviation and a pseudo lambda control deviation, whereby the pseudo lambda control deviation depends on the deviation of the lambda values from a given lambda set value. |
| US07668635B2 |
Front wheel steering control device
A front wheel steering control device improves the handling and stability of a vehicle with respect to the steering wheel angles. The front wheel steering control device includes an input device for obtaining the steering wheel angle and the vehicle velocity, a first computing device for computing a yaw-rate for the vehicle which maintains the vehicle gravity center point sideslip angle at zero based on the steering wheel angle and the vehicle velocity that are obtained by the input device, a second computing device for computing a target front wheel actual steering angle for realizing the yaw-rate calculated by the first computing device, a control device for performing a steering control of the vehicle based on the target front wheel actual steering angle calculated by the second computing device. The ideal determination of the vehicle steering gear ratio and the derivative steering gain are relatively easy. |
| US07668633B2 |
Electronic control system for a vehicle and method for determining at least one driver-independent intervention in a vehicle system
In a method for determining at least one, preferably however several driver-independent interventions in a vehicle system, a risk calculator is used, whose input is supplied with predetermined vehicle data, ambience data, current vehicle and driver data, occupant data or data of persons outside the vehicle, or similar data. The risk calculator issues an evaluation of the risk situation of the vehicle and its occupants or the persons outside the vehicle based on said data and, in accordance with the evaluation and optional additional criteria or weightings, outputs driving signals controlling actuators that modify or trigger the driving behavior of the vehicle and/or the occupant protection system and/or protection means for other traffic participants (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) in such a way that maximum protection is obtained for the persons and the vehicle according to a priority control. |
| US07668630B2 |
Regulating strategy for electromechanically power-branching hybrid drives
A method for regulating an electromechanically power-splitting hybrid drive system of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine and two electric motors that are coupled by way of a transmission, as well as an electromechanically power-splitting hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle. It is proposed that, based on coupling conditions of the transmission, respective target rotation speeds and target torques be calculated for the internal combustion engine and the two electric motors; that the respective target rotation speeds be compared with corresponding actual rotation speeds of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors; and that in the case of a system deviation between one of the actual rotation speeds and the corresponding target rotation speed, one or more additional torques be calculated on the basis of the system deviation and be taken into account, in addition to the target torque or torques calculated by the control system, in controlling the torque of the internal combustion engine and of the two electric motors. |
| US07668628B1 |
Detecting and alerting before an aircraft leaves an approved or safe region of operation
Methods and systems are provided which warn a pilot or flight crew to prevent navigation of an aircraft into an unapproved region of operation. A boundary of an approved region of operation for the aircraft is identified. A position of the aircraft relative to the boundary of the approved region of operation is determined. Then, a warning is generated if the determined position of the aircraft relative to the boundary of the approved region of operation satisfies a predetermined criteria. |
| US07668627B2 |
Mechanical flight control auxiliary power assist system
A mechanical flight control system for a rotary-wing aircraft is disclosed. The flight control system comprises an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and a booster means for connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion. The booster means may comprise dual concentric valve actuators and/or a variety of system load limiting features. |
| US07668623B2 |
Steam temperature control using integrated function block
The disclosure is directed to a saturated water spraying system configured to rapidly respond to rapid load changes by implementing a single integrated DCS control block. The integrate DCS control block may include a plurality of process control routines that are necessary to control the operation of the spraying system. For example, upstream and downstream PID control routines may determine and output control variables, and other control routines may be provided as necessary to handle disturbances within a boiler affecting the outlet and spray steam temperatures, and to ensure that the steam temperatures do not fall into the saturation region during operation of the boiler. Because the routines are part of the same control block, the common storage for the control block may be accessed by each of the routines without the necessity of establishing additional communication links for transferring the information as is required when using cascaded function blocks. |
| US07668622B2 |
Efficient blending based on blending component availablity for a partial blend duration
An aspect of the present invention takes advantage of the information of expected time of availability of an unavailable component to meet a desired criteria (e.g., minimize the aggregate cost of components). An intermediate product properties combination, which can be attained from an initial heel volume by mixing the available components, may be determined. The combination further permits the target product properties also to be attained from the intermediate product properties combination, while meeting various constraints and desired criteria. The flow controls of the individual components are accordingly controlled to blend the components and produce the desired product. Such features may be useful in environments such as oil refineries. |
| US07668621B2 |
Robotic guarded motion system and method
A robot platform includes perceptors, locomotors, and a system controller. The system controller executes instructions for repeating, on each iteration through an event timing loop, the acts of defining an event horizon, detecting a range to obstacles around the robot, and testing for an event horizon intrusion. Defining the event horizon includes determining a distance from the robot that is proportional to a current velocity of the robot and testing for the event horizon intrusion includes determining if any range to the obstacles is within the event horizon. Finally, on each iteration through the event timing loop, the method includes reducing the current velocity of the robot in proportion to a loop period of the event timing loop if the event horizon intrusion occurs. |
| US07668618B2 |
Automated prescription filling system/method with automated labeling and packaging system/method and automated order consolidation system/method
Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package. |
| US07668616B2 |
Method of rapid hole transfer to replacement parts
A method of replacing an existing part or parts on a structure such as an aircraft. The structure is inducted for modification. An existing part is removed and a new part is temporarily installed. Hole locations are digitally transferred to the new part, e.g., photographically captured in a three-dimensional coordinate measurement system, converted to targets printable in a laser projection system. Targets are laser projected or printed on the replacement part. Holes are drilled at each printed target. The holes drilled at printed targets match hole locations on the existing part. Then, the new/replacement part is permanently attached to the structure. |
| US07668615B2 |
Method and apparatus for randomizing dispatch order for single wafer processing
A method for dispatching wafers for processing in a tool includes identifying a queue of wafers available to be processed in the tool. One of the wafers is randomly selected based at least in part on a length of time each wafer has been in the queue. The selected wafer is dispatched for processing in the tool. |
| US07668609B2 |
Digital audio data receiver without synchronized clock generator
A method and apparatus for receiving digital audio data which does not require the recovery of a clock from the data. Instead, the digital audio data is sampled at a rate greater than a clock rate of the digital audio data. Appropriate transitions in the digital audio data are detected to allow reconstruction of digital values represented by the digital audio data. |
| US07668608B2 |
Graphical programming language object editing and reporting tool
A method and system of editing a graphical programming language object for designing a process control entity within an off-line database. The method and system enables a user to select one or more programming language object fragments from a library of programming language object fragments, and displays the selected programming language object fragments within a graphical programming language object interface display. The programming language object fragments are programming logic routines for a process control entity, such as steps, transitions and actions. Using the selected programming language object fragments, the user is enabled to configure a graphical programming language object for a process control entity within a graphical programming language object interface display. The graphical programming language object is stored as a configuration file in a format used by the off-line database, and is mapped to a format different from that used by the off-line database for generating reporting documentation and sharing the configuration file with a configuration database. |
| US07668607B1 |
Accurately setting parameters inside integrated circuits using inaccurate external components
The control precision of one or more parameters of an integrated circuit (IC), for example the output voltage of a voltage regulator comprised in the IC, may be improved even when using inaccurate components external to the IC. Control of the output voltage, or any parameter, using components external to the IC may include coupling a resistor to the IC and measuring the actual resistance value of the resistor, and based on the measured value, selecting a nominal resistance value from a set of resistance values previously specified by the user. The output voltage, or parameter, may be generated according to the nominal resistance value instead of the actual resistance value, thereby reducing the error that may be incurred due the actual resistance value of the resistor not matching the expected nominal value of the resistor. The difference between each adjacent resistance value in the set of resistance values may be selected to be greater than the greatest measurement error that may be incurred during measuring the actual resistance value. |
| US07668603B2 |
Medical composition employing nanostructures
A composition of microscopic devices utilizable in a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Each microscopic device includes a nanostructure provided with a ligand for effectively coupling the nanostructure to a predetermined chemical or molecular site. A medical method in part comprises inserting the medical devices into a patient, attaching the nanostructures via the respective ligands to instances of a predetermined type of target structure inside the patient, and thereafter activating the nanostructures to perform a preselected medical diagnostic or therapeutic function. |
| US07668602B2 |
Minimal-heart-rate reduction parasympathetic stimulation
A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a carotid sinus of the subject, a vena cava vein of the subject, and an internal jugular vein of the subject. The method also includes configuring the current so as to treat a condition of the subject selected from the list consisting of: an autoimmune disease, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, myelitis, immune-mediated neuropathy, myositis, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, Guillain Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, inflammation of the nervous system, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Sjogren syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, glomerulonephritis, thyroid autoimmune disease, sepsis, meningitis, a bacterial infection, a viral infection, a fungal infection, sarcoidosis, hepatitis, and portal vein hypertension. |
| US07668601B2 |
Implantable medical lead with multiple electrode configurations
Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities. |
| US07668596B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for implantable medical device telemetry power management
An implantable medical device includes a radio-frequency (RF) telemetry circuit connected to an energy source through a power connection module to obtain power when a user initiates an RF telemetry session. After the session is completed, the power connection module shuts off the at least one portion of the RF telemetry circuit. Power-on examples include a wireless telemetry activation signal received by a low power radio receiver in the implantable device, a physical motion detected by an activity sensor therein, an activation of an inductive telemetry circuit therein, a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detector therein, and/or a telemetry activation signal detected by a sensing circuit included therein. Power-off examples include a wireless termination signal received by the implantable device, a delay timeout after the session, and/or a signal received by an inductive telemetry circuit in the implantable device. |
| US07668594B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering chronic and post-ischemia cardiac therapies
An implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) device delivers a chronic therapy while detecting an ischemic state. When the ischemic state indicates the occurrence of an ischemic event, the implantable CRM device delivers a post-ischemia therapy. The post-ischemia therapy and the chronic therapy are adjusted using feedback control with the ischemic state and parameters indicative of the effectiveness of the post-ischemic therapy and the effectiveness of the chronic therapy as inputs. |
| US07668593B1 |
System and method to accelerate individualized gain adjustment in implantable medical device systems
A system and method for increasing the speed of individualizing amplifier gain optimization in implantable medical devices. A variable amplifier gain is initially set at a relatively high level such that the amplifier experiences at least intervals of saturation. A saturation indicator is determined which is indicative of the relative degree of saturation. The gain is then adjusted as a function of the saturation indicator. Relative larger degrees of saturation result in more aggressive gain adjustment. This increases the speed of adjustment with reduced likelihood of loss of sensing. In one implementation, one or more discrete amplifier gain adjustment steps are made in a single adjustment to effectively skip over intermediate adjustments. In another implementation, an estimate is made of a signal peak during a saturating interval. The gain is adjusted directly based on the estimated peak with appropriate sensing safety margins. The method can be implemented with a system including a programmer in communication with an implantable device. |
| US07668590B1 |
Methods and devices for determining exercise diagnostic parameters
A device, such as an implantable cardiac device, and methods for determining exercise diagnostic parameters of a patient are disclosed. Specifically, a maximum observed heart rate of a patient during exercise can be identified when an activity level and a heart rate measurement of the patient exceed predetermined thresholds. Included are methods for filtering out premature heartbeats or noise from the maximum heart rate determination. Methods of determining other exercise parameters, such as workload are also disclosed. The device includes hardware and/or software for performing the described methods. |
| US07668588B2 |
Dual-mode physiologic monitoring systems and methods
In some embodiments, a wearable physiologic monitor comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) including signal conditioning circuitry, a real-time clock, digital control logic, and mode-selection logic for setting an operating mode of the ASIC to a stand-alone mode or a peripheral mode. In the stand-alone mode, the digital control logic periodically stores data packets including multiple sensor data types in a digital memory such as a removable flash memory card. In the peripheral mode, the data packets are transmitted to a microcontroller for processing. The monitor includes sensors such as electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, accelerometers, and a temperature sensor, some of which may be integrated on the ASIC. The same basic chip design may be used in the stand-alone mode in disposable patches, and in the peripheral mode in bedside devices. The operating mode may be chosen at monitor manufacture, by connecting input pins to mode-selection logic levels. |
| US07668586B2 |
In vivo multiphoton diagnostic detection and imaging of a neurodegenerative disease
The present invention is directed to a method of detecting a neurodegenerative disease in a mammal by activating brain tissue of the mammal by application of radiation under conditions effective to promote a simultaneous multiphoton excitation of the brain tissue and to emit a fluorescence characteristic. The fluorescence characteristic is then compared to a standard fluorescence emitted by exciting healthy brain tissue of the mammal under the same conditions used to carry out the activating step. Brain tissue where the fluorescence characteristic differs from the standard fluorescence is identified as potentially having a neurodegenerative disease. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of producing an image of brain tissue from a mammal by activating brain tissue of a mammal with radiation applied under conditions effective to promote a simultaneous multiphoton excitation of the brain tissue and to produce fluorescence. The fluorescence is then collected to produce an image of the brain tissue. |
| US07668585B2 |
Respiration monitor for computed tomography
A medical diagnostic imaging system (10) includes a diagnostic imaging scanner (12) that acquires imaging data of a medical imaging patient. A reconstruction processor (46) reconstructs at least a portion of the acquired imaging data into an image representation. A pair of electrodes (30, 32) contact a thoracic region of the patient. An electrical meter (34) measures electrical resistance R(t) or another time-varying electrical parameter (70) across the electrode pair (30, 32) during the acquiring of imaging data. A respiration monitor (36) extracts a time-varying respiration characteristic (90, 98, 110, 120) from the measured time-varying electrical parameter (70) to indicate respiratory cycle phase. |
| US07668580B2 |
Electrode for living body and device for detecting living signal
A biosignal measurement device includes an electrode and a signal processing member. The electrode includes an insulation sheet having a hole, a device contact portion provided on the top surface of the insulation sheet and a body contact portion provided on the bottom surface of the insulation sheet, the device contact portion and the body contact portion electrically connected to each other via the hole. The signal processing member includes an externally exposed terminal to make surface contact with the device contact portion, an analog signal processing unit, an A/D signal converter and a digital signal processing unit. Also, the device contact portion and the body contact portion are formed of a material which is both conductive and adhesive. Accordingly, the signal processing member may be directly attached. Noise may be reduced. Also, a biosignal may be accurately measured. |
| US07668579B2 |
System and method for the detection of physiologic response to stimulation
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting a response of a patient to an external stimulus. An exemplary method comprises the acts of generating at least one time series of at least one physiologic parameter, detecting the external stimulus, detecting at least one response associated with the stimulus, the response comprising at least one of a pattern and a value, and outputting an indication of the response. |
| US07668576B2 |
Incorporating a portable digital music player into a vehicle audio system
A carriage receives and secures a portable digital music player in a vehicle audio system. The carriage is mechanically engagable with a dock of the vehicle audio system. Access and control over a portable digital music player received and secured by the vehicle audio system may be provided. |
| US07668568B2 |
Data input and output device, data input and output method, data transfer method, and computer program product
A data management device body is provided with a connector to be inserted into a slot for miniSD of a mobile phone terminal. Besides, the data management device body includes a virtual memory management portion that simulates a storage area for miniSD in a hard disk drive having a capacity larger than that of the miniSD, a data write processing portion for writing data sent from the mobile phone terminal via the connector into a virtual memory that is a simulated storage area, and a data read processing portion for sending the data stored in the virtual memory to the mobile phone terminal via the connector. |
| US07668565B2 |
Multiradio priority control based on modem buffer load
A system for controlling communications in a multiradio wireless communication device (WCD) by monitoring a backlog of messages waiting to be wirelessly transmitted through one or more radio modems as compared to a predetermined threshold. If the amount of pending messages meets and/or exceeds the predetermined threshold then a potentially problematic situation may exist, and actions may be taken to alleviate the large message backlog. Actions may include, for example, temporarily reallocating communication time for one or all of the radio modems. This time may be reallocated to radio modems experiencing potential message queue overflows in order to reduced the backlog of messages and avoid a potential communication failure. |
| US07668564B2 |
Slow uplink power control
Embodiments of the invention provide embodiments of the invention provide and method, network entity and user equipment for slow uplink power control of user equipment in a wireless communication system by responding to a long term control metric that is derived from an uplink channel metric over a plurality of transmission instances and a set of performance criteria. A method for slow uplink power control in accordance with and embodiment of the invention measures at least one uplink channel metric for user equipment and then determines an appropriate transmit power for the user equipment by using a control metric derived from the uplink channel metric corresponding to a plurality of transmission instances for the user equipment. |
| US07668561B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling reverse link interference among access terminals in wireless communications
In a wireless communication system, an apparatus and a method are provided for controlling reverse link interference among access terminals that are power controlled by a sector of a base station. In an embodiment, the maximum effective noise power spectral density is used as a parameter for controlling the level of reverse link loading, by setting a reverse activity bit (RAB) to signal the access terminals to reduce their data rates in order to minimize interference between the access terminals if the maximum effective noise power spectral density is above a predetermined threshold. |
| US07668560B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing network isolated devices
A first communication device without direct network access sends a message to a second communication device connected to a remote network by relaying the message through one or more mobile communication devices. In one embodiment, a mobile communication device comprises a wireless communication circuit configured to establish a temporary wireless communication connection with the network isolated device and to receive data transferred via the temporary wireless communication connection. Further, the wireless communication circuit is configured to terminate the temporary wireless communication connection, to establish a subsequent communication connection with a communication device and to transfer the data to the communication device via the subsequent communication connection. According to some embodiments, a user of the device is offered an incentive to enable the device to transfer the data. |
| US07668559B2 |
Smart call delivery with GIS integration
A method of delivering a call to a called party's device. The method includes receiving a call directed to a wireline device and validating that a telephone number of the wireline device is associated with a telephone number of a wireless device. The method also includes transmitting a message to the wireless device, delivering the call to the wireline device when a return message is not received from the wireless device, and determining a location of the wireless device when a return message is received from the wireless device. The method further includes comparing the location of the wireless device with a location of the wireline device, delivering the call to the wireless device when the location of the wireless device is not within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device, and delivering the call to the wireline device when the location of the wireless device is within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device. |
| US07668558B2 |
Network controller messaging for paging in an unlicensed wireless communication system
An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service. |
| US07668554B2 |
Network system for aided GPS broadcast positioning
A network approach for aided GPS broadcast positioning where A-GPS data is made available in the network and broadcast via cell broadcast servers to wireless devices in order to reduce the time required to determine the position of a wireless device. |
| US07668553B2 |
Mobile communication system and method for capturing information of other mobile communication terminals
Disclosed is a mobile communication system and a method for capturing information of other mobile communication terminals, that can identify criminal who harmed a user of mobile communication terminal based on information of the criminal's mobile communication terminal by capturing information of other mobile communication terminals, located within a certain distance from the user's mobile communication terminal when the crime happened, according to the user's instructions in an emergency situation.There is provided a mobile communication system for capturing information of other mobile communication terminals, comprising: a first mobile communication terminal for transmitting capture signal, location information and identification information; the second mobile communication terminals for transmitting location information and identification information of the second mobile communication terminals; and a base station for transmitting the GPS means driving signal to the second mobile communication terminals and capturing information of the second mobile communication terminals. |
| US07668552B2 |
Method and system for applying wireless geolocation technology
A system and method for determining the positioning of mobile-appliance location determining sensors in a mobile-appliance communications network by estimating the positioning accuracy of the sensors. |
| US07668550B2 |
Communication system and alignment method of transcoder
When a terminal is moved to an area covered by a different switching node RNC of a radio access network, degradation of speech quality is prevented by returning a transcoder insertion connection to a transcoder-free-operation connection. When the terminal is moved and the switching node RNC of the radio access network is changed, a relocation is performed by inserting the transcoder, re-confirmation of parameter information of a bandwidth-compression coding system is requested for a local side switching node RNC and a remote side switching node RNC and, when the transcoder can be bypassed according to the confirmation, the transcoder is removed to return to the transcoder-free-operation connection mode. |
| US07668549B2 |
Method and system for handling soft handoff in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method and a system for handling one or more soft handoff (SHO) requests from one or more mobile stations in a wireless communication system. The method comprises determining a set of parameters corresponding to each SHO request corresponding to each mobile station. The method further comprises processing each SHO request corresponding to each mobile station based on the set of parameters corresponding to each SHO request. |
| US07668548B2 |
Method of efficiently reselecting cell in mobile station using GPS
A cell reselection function in a mobile station (MS) through an adjacent cell search is provided. The MS in an idle state obtains its own moving speed and current location using Global Positioning System (GPS) location information, calculates a predicted moving location, and stores the predicted moving location. Thereafter, when measurement values of adjacent cells are similar, or when the adjacent cells are located in different location areas (LAs), the MS can efficiently search for the best cell from among the adjacent cells based on the location information and select the best cell as a new serving cell. |
| US07668547B2 |
Method of reselecting a cell by a mobile terminal in idle mode in a cellular telecommunication network
A method of reselecting a cell by a mobile terminal in idle mode in a cellular telecommunication network in which the network sends to the terminal a list containing information with regard to the UMTS cells to be identified, and in which the mobile terminal periodically performs a series of procedures of identifying the cells and a series of intersystem measurements on the identified cells. Between two successive procedures of identification, the mobile terminal performs a series of procedures of measurement whose duration is fixed so that the total duration for performing a procedure of identification and the subsequent series of procedures of measurement is less than 25 seconds. |
| US07668539B2 |
Method and system for enhanced management of missed phone calls
The present invention is a method of managing missed calls providing a calling party, who initiates a call that is not pick-up by a called party (i.e., intended recipient), the autonomy to retain or delete telephone number of calling party in phone registered on the called party phone as caller identification (ID) through a mobile service provider (MSP) of a telecommunications network. The method may be implemented as part of a telecommunication system or as part of a computer program. Also, provided is a method and system for calling party to create annotation in a mobile service provider system parenthetical information for called party to retrieve or to alert called party. |
| US07668538B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating the acquisition of content
The present invention provides systems and methods for acquiring ring content (e.g., a ring tone or a ring view) for a mobile phone. |
| US07668534B2 |
Method and system for transportation of derived call records to a central repository
A method of monitoring, and a system to perform the method of monitoring, a mobile network, the method including receiving a data stream from one or more monitoring points of the mobile network and generating a detail record of an information transaction in the mobile network, storing the generated detail record in a data record storage unit immediately upon completion of the information transaction, and notifying a user that the detail record is available to be viewed. |
| US07668533B2 |
Connection authentication in wireless communication network system
In a wireless communication network system of the invention, in response to a request for connection authentication sent from each of multiple wireless communication terminals to a base station to establish a communication link, a link management module receives authentication information of each wireless communication terminal, which is generated corresponding to a piece of identification information allocated by an identification information management module and registered in the wireless communication terminal, from the wireless communication terminal via a wireless network. The link management module compares the authentication information received from the wireless communication terminal with multiple possible options of authentication information generated corresponding to multiple different pieces of identification information allocated by the identification information management module, and authenticates the wireless communication terminal that has sent the authentication information matching with one of the multiple possible options of authentication information. The identification information management module manages a mapping of each specific piece of identification information, which corresponds to a specific option of authentication information matching with the authentication information of the authenticated wireless communication terminal, to the authenticated wireless communication terminal.This arrangement of the invention assures simple, convenient, and safe authentication of multiple wireless communication terminals, while unequivocally identifying a process utilized by each user and the user's wireless communication terminal. |
| US07668529B2 |
Audio systems and methods
An audio system may comprise a transceiver configured to receive, detect, and transmit audio signals on a first channel frequency and to receive and detect audio signals on at least one additional channel frequency. The at least one additional channel frequency may include a second channel frequency. The system may include a controller configured to output a first audio cue while outputting audio signals received from the at least one additional channel frequency, to output a second audio cue at a time when the controller begins outputting an audio signal received from the first channel frequency, and to output a third audio cue at a time when the controller begins outputting an audio signal received from the second channel frequency. The first, second, and third audio cues may be different from one another. |
| US07668520B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus and display control method
By calculating a channel selection frequency on the basis of a channel selection time list in a memory, a control section automatically judges a zapping operation by a user, and performs display of a program list in which all programs being broadcasted are listed. |
| US07668515B2 |
Portable telephone for conveying real time walkie-talkie streaming audio-video
A communications device having a display and an integral camera and being provided with a walkie-talkie mode for conveying real time streaming audio-video to one or more receiving devices. |
| US07668513B2 |
Platform for enterprise wireless network management applications
A framework for wireless network management applications in an enterprise environment using existing general purpose computing devices is presented. At least one of the devices is configured with a wireless adapter and is used as an AirMonitor to monitor one or more wireless networks. Other devices are configured as LandMonitors to monitor traffic on a wired network in the enterprise environment. At least one inference engine uses the LandMonitors and AirMonitors by assigning them monitoring tasks. Data from the monitoring tasks are stored in a database. Analysis of the data that is computationally intensive is generally performed by the inference engines. Wireless network management applications use the framework by installing and running application-specific components (e.g., filters) on the AirMonitors, LandMonitors, and/or inference engines. |
| US07668511B2 |
Network communication system with nodes transmitting randomly generated information (RGI) and controllers transmitting a copy of the RGI for identification purposes
A network communication system is provided for communication between network nodes, including individual nodes and a communication controller. In the network, signals are transmitted from the communication controller to identify a slot of a frame in which individual nodes may transmit a request to transmit data. When a first individual node has data to transmit, the first node transmits a request signal to the controller in its identified slot, the request including randomly generated information (RGI) for identification of the node. In response to the request signal, the controller transmits a grant signal along with the RGI back to the first node to allow the first node to identify the grant. |
| US07668510B2 |
Transmitting/receiving apparatus and transmitting/receiving method
A transmitting/receiving apparatus wherein a decision of performing SDM communication accompanied by a directivity control is correctly performed to improve the transmission efficiency. In the apparatus, a channel estimating part (205) performs channel estimation by use of known symbols included in a received signal. A channel variation deciding part (206) determines a correlation value between a channel estimation result of an immediately preceding process and that of a current process to determines the magnitude of a channel variation, and the determines, based on the magnitude of the channel variation, whether to perform SDM communication accompanied by a directivity control of perform SDM communication not accompanied by the directivity control. When a radio receiving part (107) receives a transmitting weight, a switching part (108) outputs the received transmitting weight to multipliers (103-1 to 103-n). When the receiving part (107) receives a signal an instruction of performing SDM communication not accompanied by the directivity control, the switching part (108) outputs, as the transmitting weight, “1” indicative of performing no directivity control, to the multipliers (103-1 to 103-n). |
| US07668509B2 |
Frequency selective leveling loop for multi-signal phased array transmitters
A frequency selective leveling loop that performs phase and amplitude control of multiple signals within a phased array structure is disclosed. The leveling loop sensor components are embedded into the array structure. The frequency selective leveling loop can be used with multiple signal amplifiers, and a conventional phase array jamming system can be used to radiate multiple signals simultaneously. The conversion of phase information to baseband eliminates the need for phase matched cables. The frequency selective leveling that is enabled is tolerant of multiple signals and provides the individual signal phase and amplitude feedback by utilizing analytic sampling. |
| US07668505B2 |
Radio having a MEMS preselect filter
The present invention provides systems and methods for pre-filter in a VHF receiver using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filters. The system includes an antenna, and first and second Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filters. The first MEMS filter filters a signal received by the antenna based on a first pre-defined bandwidth, and the second MEMS filter filters the signal filtered by the first MEMS filter based on a second bandwidth. The system also includes an analog to digital converter that converts the signal filtered by the second MEMS filter into a digital signal, a down converter that down converts the digital signal produced by the A to D converter, and a digital signal processor that processes the down converted digital signal produced by the down converter. The first and second MEMS filters or the down converter are adjustable based on a received tuning signal. |
| US07668502B2 |
Adjustable paper cassette
An adjustable paper cassette is provided that may be expanded and contracted by sliding movable frames relative to a base frame and then coupling fixing protrusions to desired fixing holes. Therefore, paper sheets having various sizes may be loaded in the paper cassette, and the size of an image forming apparatus with the paper cassette and the packing size of the image forming apparatus may be reduced without limitation on the size of the paper cassette. |
| US07668498B2 |
Fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus according to the present invention ensures a nip width larger than a certain value by a heating roller which has a thin film metal conductive layer, and a foamed rubber layer which is bonded to the end part of the metal conductive layer, formed with a gap in a center part, and not bonded to the metal conductive layer. |
| US07668493B2 |
Flexible media travel adjusting means and an image forming device including the same
An image forming device includes one or more flexible fingers to simulate a narrow gap baffle and provide a baffle-like support for different document media. These flexible fingers help guide the documents from one subsystem to another, for instance, entering into the decurler nip on the host image forming device decurler assembly. These flexible fingers act as two baffles. For heavy weight documents, the flexible fingers deflect and move out of the way. For medium to light weight documents, the flexible fingers control the document position during its trajectory. |
| US07668492B2 |
Image forming apparatus featuring a rotatable image carrying belt and a belt rotation control unit for minimizing curling of the belt
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrying belt which rotates so as to carry an image; a first roller supporting the image carrying belt; a second roller contacting a face opposite to a face of the image carrying belt contacting the first roller, and supporting the image carrying belt; and a control unit which controls rotation of the image carrying belt such that a portion of the image carrying belt, supported by the first roller in a period that the image carrying belt is stopped before image formation, is supported by the second roller in a period that the image carrying belt is stopped after the image formation. |
| US07668479B2 |
Image forming apparatus having intermediate transfer member
An image forming apparatus includes: a primary transfer section which executes a first transfer by superimposing respective color toner images formed on a plurality of photoreceptors onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer section including a transfer roller, which concurrently transfers a plurality of toner images superimposed and formed on the intermediate transfer member onto a sheet conveyed from a sheet feed tray, which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member, and a high voltage power source which applies voltage to the transfer roller; and a controller which judges whether there is residual toner, which is a toner image formed onto the intermediate transfer member but not transferred onto the sheet when a sheet sensor detects the sheet exhaustion, and executes a cleaning mode in which the transfer roller is cleaned when there is the residual toner. |
| US07668474B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is supplied which is able to eliminate redundant item in checking and adjusting print quality before executing print process and only perform item check being really necessary so as to reduce waiting time of user. In the image forming apparatus, a non-operation time calculating section 14 sets an end of last print process as a start point and calculates a non-operation time; a print controlling section 15 controls an adjustment of print quality on the basis of an acquirement of the print quality corresponding to quality item previously set and an acquirement result of the print quality, according to a length of the non-operation time. |
| US07668472B2 |
Methods for moderating variations in writing parameters in liquid toner printing
A method of maintaining at least one writing parameter within a range during printing in a liquid toner printing system, comprising: setting an acceptable range for the at least one writing parameter; and, determining if the at least one writing parameter is within the range; wherein if the at least one writing parameter is not within the range, the method further comprises calculating a target conductivity for liquid toner used in the printer, corresponding to a value within the writing parameter range and moving the liquid toner conductivity towards the target conductivity. |
| US07668471B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member; a developing device configured to develop a latent image on the image bearing member with a two-component developer; a development potential forming device configured to form a development potential; a toner replenishing device configured to supply the toner to the developing device; a toner concentration detecting device configured to detect and output the concentration of the toner in the developer; a toner concentration controlling device configured to compare the toner concentration output with a toner concentration target to control the toner concentration; an information detecting device configured to obtain information to determine the replacement amount of the toner in the developing device in a predetermined period of time; and a development potential correcting device configured to adjust the development potential on the basis of the information obtained by the information detecting device. |
| US07668469B2 |
Optical receiver applicable to multiple transmission speed
The present invention provides an optical receiver that enables to vary the sensitivity depending on the transmission speed. The optical receiver provides a photodiode to generate the photocurrent, the pre-amplifier to convert the photocurrent to the voltage signal, the lead pin to supply the bias voltage to the photodiode, and the control block to generate the switching signal for varying the current-to-voltage conversion efficiency and the frequency bandwidth of the pre-amplifier based on the control signal. The control signal is commonly provided from the lead pin through which the bias voltage is applied. The control block interprets the signal applied to the lead pin and generates the switching signal. |
| US07668467B2 |
Demodulation circuit, IC, and communication device
The demodulation circuit of the present invention is a demodulation circuit, connected with a plurality of light-receiving sections each for receiving an optical signal and converting the signal into a binary pulse signal, operable to select and demodulate a pulse signal out of pulse signals that are supplied from the light-receiving sections, respectively, the demodulation circuit including: a judgment and selection section for detecting timing with which High level and Low level of each of the pulse signals are switched and for selecting at least one pulse signal based on the timing; and a demodulation section for demodulating the pulse signal selected by the judgment and selection section. Consequently, the demodulation circuit easily selects and demodulates a signal whose jitter component is small out of a plurality of supplied signals. |
| US07668466B2 |
Free space demodulator for demodulating a signal
A demodulator comprises an input splitter, optical device sets, and couplers. The input splitter splits an input signal comprising symbols to yield a number of signals. A first optical device set directs a signal of along a first path. A second optical device set directs another signal along a second path to yield a delayed signal. At least a portion of the second path is in free space. A path length difference between the first path and the second path introduces a symbol delay between the first signal and the second signal. A coupler receives a portion of the signal and a portion of the delayed signal to generate interference, where the interference indicates a phase shift between a phase corresponding to a symbol and a successive phase corresponding to a successive symbol. |
| US07668464B2 |
Control of peaking of laser driver current to improve eye quality
An optical transceiver module having digital control of laser current peaking is disclosed. The optical transceiver module comprises a controller and integrated post-amplifier/laser driver, which are included on a printed circuit board disposed in the module. Transmitting and receiving optical sub-assemblies are also disposed in the module. A digital signal interface interconnects the controller with the integrated post-amplifier/laser driver. Digital control signals produced by the controller are transmitted via the digital signal interface to the integrated post-amplifier/laser driver, where they are converted to analog control signals. The analog control signals are forwarded to control components responsible for governing the electrical current supplied to the laser of the transmitting optical sub-assembly. The laser current is intermittently peaked by the control signal in order to hasten the transition from light to no-light emission, thereby improving laser response and performance. |
| US07668463B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating and transmitting WDM MWOF signals
The present invention includes method and apparatus for converting optical signals to MWOF signals for transmission to wireless data, audio and/or video terminals in the W-band. Advantageously, there is no need to maintain expensive and complex remote stations because a centralized station performs all the complex processing. |
| US07668462B2 |
Optical wireless communication device
An optical wireless communication device mounted in electronic equipment includes: a light-receiving element for receiving an optical communication signal; and a control unit that monitors a received light output of the light-receiving element. When the control unit determines that the received light output represents the optical communication signal, it selects and executes communication mode for the optical communication signal. When the control unit determines that the received light output does not represent the optical communication signal, it selects and executes charge mode in which the received light output is used as a charge power. |
| US07668461B2 |
Method for optimizing the optical power in an optical network and an optical network
The invention relates to a method for optimizing the optical power in an optical network that has a plurality of network nodes each having a transmitter and a receiver. The method comprising generating an optical signal at a first network node, receiving the optical signal at a second network node, detecting the optical power of the optical signal at the second network node, determining whether the optical power detected is outside a defined range, and in this case, generating, for the first network node, a control signal for increasing or decreasing the optical power, sending the control signal to the first network node, and increasing or decreasing the optical power of the optical signal emitted at the first network node. The invention further relates to an optical network having network nodes which are operable to implement this method. |
| US07668458B2 |
Protection device for photographic apparatus
A protective device for photographic apparatus comprises an umbrella with a shaft which slides in a ball joint having a compressible o-ring that fits inside a groove within the ball joint. The ball joint is held in place with compression screws joining two halves of a collar system which are adjusted to provide the desired frictional setting to maintain the umbrella in the desired position. A slide bar with an attachment bolt at one end and a stop at the other is used to attach the present invention to the base of a camera or video device and provides the slide wherein the collar system is moved to a desired position. The collar system includes grooves whereby the shaft of the umbrella may be rotated to lie flat against the collar system to facilitate storage and tilting of the photographic apparatus. The umbrella collapses pulling the protective canopy down along shaft for easy storage. |
| US07668455B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, reproducing apparatus, reproducing method and program
An image capturing apparatus or reproducing apparatus which allows a user to easily obtain a desirable sound and image is provided. The image capturing apparatus or reproducing apparatus includes: an image capturing section for capturing an image of a subject; a recording section for recording a sound surrounding the image capturing section; a threshold sound volume storage section for storing a specified threshold sound volume; a sound extraction section for extracting the sound within a part of period including the sound having the volume larger than the threshold sound volume stored in the threshold sound volume storage section among the sound recorded by the recording section; a data storage section for associating each of a plurality of images captured by the image capturing section with each of a plurality of sounds extracted by the sound extraction section in the order of capturing and recording, and for storing the same; and a data output section for synchronizing the captured image with the sound which are associated and stored in the data storage section and outputting the same. |
| US07668453B2 |
Image taking apparatus including a light quantity control device that controls transmitted volume of the subject light
The image taking apparatus of the invention includes a light quantity control device that is arranged on the optical axis of subject light and controls transmitted volume of the subject light. The light quantity control device includes a light quantity control layer and a pair of light-transmissive electrodes. The light quantity control layer expands and contracts in accordance with an electric field generated therein and thereby changes the transmitted volume of the subject light. The electrodes are disposed so as to sandwich the light quantity control layer and generate an electric field in the light quantity control layer, in response to application of voltage, thereby causing the light quantity control layer to expand and contract. |
| US07668449B2 |
Barrel of variable focal length lens
A barrel for an electrically-controllable variable focal length lens in a button-battery type housing includes a hollow isolating cylindrical tube with an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the lens housing, with one or bumps extending radially towards the inside of the tube and forming bearing surfaces for the lens periphery in a same radial plane. First metallizations extend on at least one of the bearing surfaces and therefrom into first channels formed in the internal wall of the tube towards at least one end of the tube, and second metallizations, each of which forms a contact area on the internal surface of the tube to bear against the lateral surface of the lens and extends towards at least one end of the cylinder. |
| US07668447B2 |
Image stabilization apparatus and optical apparatus
An image stabilization apparatus is disclosed which maintains image stabilization performance in ordinary use, enables improvement in the behavior of the image in panning, and allow image shake correction operation to be started immediately after the completion of the panning. The apparatus includes a shake sensor, a shake correcting part, a correction value calculator which calculates a first correction value based on an output from the shake sensor, an extractor which extracts a DC component from the output of the shake sensor, and a subtraction amount calculator which calculates a subtraction amount in accordance with the DC component and the first correction value. The apparatus further includes a subtracter which subtracts the subtraction amount from the first correction value to calculate a second correction value, and a controller which controls drive of the shake correcting part based on the second correction value. |
| US07668444B2 |
Pipe heater encircled conduit device
The present invention relates to a pipe heater encircled conduit device (1), in which a heating element (111) wrapped with a filament (112) having high resistance is provided and a hollow quartz inner tube (113) is inserted at the outside of said heating element (113) to form a pipe heater (11), both ends of the heating element (111) being connected with an electrode pin (114) respectively. A hollow quartz outer tube (123) is inserted at the outside of the pipe heater (11), which has an inlet (121) and an outlet (122) on the tube wall. A heat transfer space (A) is thus formed between the inner quartz tube (113) and the outer quartz tube (123), and insulation members (124) are combined with the respective opening end of both tubes. By the arrangement of the inner and outer quartz tubes. (113), (123), the heat energy generated by the pipe heater (11) formed by the heating element (111) and the hollow inner quartz tube (113) can be transferred to the medium which is introduced from the inlet (121) and exhausted from the outlet (122). Thus, the medium can be heated by the heat energy generated by the heating element (111) itself by both actions of heat conduction and heat radiation. |
| US07668437B1 |
Recording apparatus, recording method, and record medium
A recording apparatus for recording video data to a rewritable optical disc is disclosed, that comprises an encoding means for encoding video data corresponding to a compression-encoding process, a converting means for converting the data structure of the encoded video data received from the encoding means into a file structure that allows a moving picture to be synchronously reproduced by computer software without need to use specially dedicated hardware, and a recording means for recording data having the file structure to an optical disc, wherein the file structure has a first data unit and a second data unit, the second data unit being a set of the first data units, and wherein a plurality of the second data units is matched with a successive record length of which data is written to the optical disc. |
| US07668429B2 |
Light-diffusive methacrylic resin light guide and surface light source device comprising the same
This invention provides a methyl methacrylate resin light guide for use in a surface light source device. The methyl methacrylate resin light guide can reduce the occurrence of dark lines and can improve the screen image quality of a surface light source device. The light guide characterized by including a methyl methacrylate resin and fine particles. Herein, not less than 0.01 parts by mass and not more than 0.5 parts by mass of the fine particles are dispersed in 100 parts by mass of the methyl methacrylate resin. In addition, the absolute value of a difference in refractive index between the fine resin particles and the methyl methacrylate resin is not less than 0.001 and not more than 0.02, the fine resin particles have an average particle size of not less than 1 μm and not more than 10 μm. |
| US07668427B2 |
Fiber optic cables and assemblies and the performance thereof
A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber such as a microstructured bend performance optical fiber disposed within a protective covering. The protective covering is highly flexible and the fiber optic cable has extremely low delta attenuation when aggressively bent compared with the conventional fiber optic cable designs. By way of example, the delta attenuation of one fiber optic cable design is about 0.33 dB or less when wrapped 3 turns about a 7.5 millimeter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers. Other variations of the present invention include a connector attached to the fiber optic cable. |
| US07668416B2 |
Single mode photonic circuit architecture and a new optical splitter design based on parallel waveguide mode conversion
The new single mode circuit (SMC) architecture is invented for photonic integrated circuits (PIC). This architecture allows using multimode waveguides or structures to construct a single mode operated PIC. The multimode sections used in such SMC based PIC possess strong lateral confinement so that the PIC can have high circuit density and high optical performance at the same time. A parallel mode converter structure is also invented here. Based on this parallel mode converter, a low loss optical splitter can be constructed for high index contrast waveguide system. |
| US07668414B2 |
System and method for the fabrication of an electro-optical module
A system and method for fabricating an electro-optical hybrid module (100). The electro-optical hybrid module (100) may comprise an electro-optical component, an electronic component (110), a planar light wave circuit (PLC) embedded with at least an optical waveguide (120). The electro-optical component may transmit or receive energy through a micro-folding mirror (160) while the electronic component may amplify and transfer an electric signal to the electro-optical component. The planar light wave circuit may typically provide an opto-electronic signal communication path via the plurality of optical waveguides that may be embedded in the planar light wave circuit. |
| US07668411B2 |
Distributed vibration sensing system using multimode fiber
An optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) system is configured to detect Rayleigh backscatter reflected from a multimode sensing optical fiber. The system includes a single spatial mode filtering system to select a single speckle of the Rayleigh backscatter produced in response to an optical pulse launched into the multimode fiber. The detected single speckle may be used for distributed disturbance (vibration) detection. |
| US07668410B2 |
Production method for polarization inversion unit
It is provided a novel method of producing polarization inversion parts by electric field polling process wherein the polarization inversion part extends to a deeper point from the surface of a substrate. The polarization inversion part is produced by electric field polling process using a comb electrode having a plurality of electrode portions 5 and a feeding portion 1. Each electrode portion 5 has a base portion 6 extending from the feeding portion 1 and a plurality of conductive portions 5a, 5b and 5c separated from the base portions 6, and the conductive portions have an average length “d” of 4 μm or longer and 9 μm or shorter. Alternatively, each electrode portion 5 has a base portion 6 extending from the feeding portion 1 and a plurality of conductive portions 5a, 5b and 5c separated from the base portion 6, and the conductive portion 5b at the tip end of the electrode portion has a length “db” smaller than the length “da” of the conductive portion 5b nearest to the base portion. |
| US07668409B2 |
Optical communication device and optical device
An optical communication device includes a substrate which has electro-optical effect; a first optical modulator which has a pair of waveguides formed in the substrate; a second optical modulator which has a pair of waveguides formed in the substrate; a waveguide coupler which is provided in an output of the first optical modulator, the waveguide coupler being able to couple and branch light propagating through the pair of waveguides of the first optical modulator; and a delay connecting section which gives differential delay to the output branched by the waveguide coupler and inputs the output to the pair of waveguide of the second optical modulator. As a result, the optical communication device and optical device in which insertion loss is reduced compared with the conventional optical modulator can be provided. |
| US07668408B2 |
Support apparatus for optical characteristic measurement, and program product used for same
A support apparatus for optical characteristic measurement includes a measurement data inputter configured to input measurement data obtained by an optical characteristic measuring instrument, an image inputter configured to input an image of a measurement object, a measurement table in which the measurement data and the image of the measurement object corresponding to the measurement data are recorded, and a measurement data manager configured to record the measurement data inputted by the measurement data inputter in the measurement table so as to be associated with the image of the measurement object every time an optical characteristic of the measurement object is measured. |
| US07668407B1 |
Contextual resolution of character assignments
A character on which character recognition is being performed resides in one or more character strings, at least one of which excludes a subset of characters from a character set. In selecting character assignments for the character, one or more of multiple proposed character assignments for the character are eliminated as being a character in a subset of excluded characters. |
| US07668406B2 |
Digital image acquisition system capable of compensating for changes in relative object velocity
An imaging device comprising a plurality of linear imaging arrays and image formation optics that provide field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear image arrays. At least one illumination module produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear imaging arrays. Image processing circuitry performs image-based velocity estimation operations, which analyzes pixel data values of a plurality of composite 2-D images each derived from sequential image capture operations of a corresponding one linear imaging array to derive velocity data that represents an estimated velocity of the imaging device with respect to at least one target object disposed in the fields of view. Preferably, the image processing circuitry also produces a first image of portions of the target object(s), the first image having substantially constant aspect ratio, utilizing image transformation operations (or camera control operations) that are based upon the velocity data, to thereby compensate for aspect ratio distortions that would otherwise result from variations in velocity of the imaging device with respect to the target object(s). In addition, the image processing circuitry preferably carries out image-based horizontal jitter estimation and compensation operations, which estimate the horizontal jitter of the imaging device relative to the target object(s) over the image capture operations from which the first image is derived and transform the first image utilizing shift operations that are based upon such estimated horizontal jitter to produce a second image of portions of the target object(s) which compensates for horizontal jitter distortion that would otherwise result therefrom. The first image or second image (or image derived from sharpening the first or second images) is preferably subject to image-based bar code detection operations and/or OCR operations, or output for display to a display device. |
| US07668404B2 |
Method and system of deskewing an image using monochrome conversion to separate foreground from background
A method and system of deskewing an image. The method and system includes capturing a first image, forming a number of regions within the first image, generating a bounding rectangles for each region, calculating an area for each bounding rectangle, rotating each region by an angle within a predefined range, finding the angle that minimizes the area of each bounding rectangle, and rotating each region by the angle found. |
| US07668403B2 |
Frame grabber
A method for producing images is provided. The method involves acquiring images, acquiring data corresponding to the location of the acquired images, and transferring the images and data to a frame grabber. The method also involves combining the images and data within the frame grabber to provide a plurality of imagery products. |
| US07668401B2 |
Form changing device, object action encoding device, and object action decoding device
A shape deformation encoding device includes: a calculation unit for calculating a difference data between a pre-deformation shape data which represents a shape of an object before shape change and a post-deformation shape data which represents a shape of the object after shape change; and a determination unit for determining an action area on which the shape change of the object is arisen and an external force which is acted to the action area for the shape change, based on the pre-deformation shape data and the difference data. The action area includes a plurality of small areas, each of the plurality of small areas includes a plurality of control points, and the external force is calculated as an external force required to deform the plurality of small areas from before to after the shape change independently based on the physical model structure of each of the plurality of small areas. The physical model structure in which the plurality of control points are connected together with springs and dampers are used as a physical model structure. |
| US07668397B2 |
Apparatus and method for objective assessment of DCT-coded video quality with or without an original video sequence
A new approach to objective quality assessment of DCT-coded video sequences, with or without a reference is proposed. The system is comprised of a proprietary segmentation algorithm, a feature extraction process and a nonlinear feed-forward-type neural network for feature analysis. The methods mimic function of the human visual system (HVS): A neural network training algorithm is used for determining the optimal network weights and biases for both system modes of operation. The proposed method allows for assessment of DCT-coded video sequences without the original source being available (pseudo-reference mode). The pseudo-reference mode is also comprised of a proprietary DCT-coded video (MPEG) noise reducer (MNR), co-pending patent application No. 60/592,143. |
| US07668393B2 |
Signal processing device, method, and program
An apparatus and method which takes into consideration the real world where data was acquired, and enables obtaining of processing results which are more accurate and more precise as to phenomena in the real world. A data continuity detecting unit detects the continuity of data of second signals, having second dimensions that are fewer than first dimensions had by first signals which are real world signals and are projected whereby a part of the continuity of the real world signals is lost, wherein the continuity to be detected corresponds to the continuity of the real world signals that has been lost. An actual world estimating unit estimates a real world image by estimating the continuity of the real world image that has been lost, based on the continuity of the data detected by the data continuity detecting unit. |
| US07668391B2 |
Image signal processor and image signal processing method
The disclosed is to provide an image signal processor and its method in which the enhancement of resolution and the effective reduction of noise are compatible. The image signal processor is provided with an edge character detector that detects a character of an edge of an object, an image signal frequency zone limiter that executes a noise removing process, an image signal frequency zone enhancer that executes a resolution enhancing process and a gain controller that changes each intensity of the image signal frequency zone limiter and the image signal frequency zone enhancer according to an output result of the edge character detector. |
| US07668390B2 |
Systems and methods for image enhancement in multiple dimensions
A multi-dimensional data enhancement system uses large kernel filtering, decimation, and interpolation, in multi-dimensions to enhance the multi-dimensional data in real-time. The multi-dimensional data enhancement system is capable of performing large kernel processing in real-time because the required processing overhead is significantly reduced. The reduction in processing overhead is achieved through the use of low pass filtering and decimation that reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed in order to generate an unsharp mask comprising low spatial frequencies that can be used to process the data in a more natural way. |
| US07668384B2 |
Recording medium having recorded thereon coded information using plus and/or minus rounding of images
A recording medium having recorded thereon information related to coded data of an image sequence; wherein the information related to coded data of an image sequence is a set of coded frame information of a plurality of frames of an image sequence; wherein the coded frame information includes: information related to a difference image between an image of a current frame and a prediction image of the current frame, the prediction image being synthesized by performing motion compensation, information related to motion vectors estimated in performing the motion compensation, and rounding method information specifying either a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method for interpolating intensity values of pixels in performing the motion compensation when the input image is coded as a P frame, wherein no rounding method information is included in the coded frame information when the input image is coded as an I frame. |