最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US07670288B2 Fluctuating blood glucose notification threshold profiles and methods of use
Embodiments of the present invention provide a new system and methods for monitoring blood glucose concentration. A user of a continuous glucose monitor may program upper and lower blood glucose notification thresholds to fluctuate over time in order to facilitate management of the short-term effects of food consumption, insulin delivery aberrations, physical activity, emotions, and unforeseen circumstances.
US07670287B2 Medical diagnostic instrument
A medical diagnostic instrument includes a housing containing at least one battery and a light source, such as a lamp, for illuminating a medical target. A switch includes a movable member that selectively moves at least one of the battery and the lamp into and out of electrical connection with the other. The instrument is preferably fabricated from a diecast or an extrusion process wherein a thin plastic sleeve member having text and/or graphic materials can be shrink fitted onto an extruded handle.
US07670285B2 Endoscope treatment instrument stopper and treatment instrument stopper section
An endoscope treatment instrument stopper fitted in a channel opening of a treatment instrument insertion channel of an endoscope, includes a first stopper section having a first treatment instrument insertion hole into which a treatment instrument is inserted; a stopper frame having a stopper section fitting portion, fitted in the channel opening, having therein the first treatment instrument insertion hole of the first stopper section to be opposite the channel opening, and provided with a tearing capable of tearing the stopper frame removed from the channel opening; and a second stopper section having a second treatment instrument insertion hole into which the treatment instrument is inserted, removable from the stopper section fitting portion of the stopper frame, and formed so that the second treatment instrument insertion hole is opposite the first stopper section when the second stopper section is fitted in the stopper section fitting portion.
US07670284B2 Medical device with articulating shaft
A medical device (10) includes an articulating shaft (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, or 20f) with a pair of slat assemblies (31, 33). By moving an articulator (37), the slat assemblies (31, 33) are configured to concurrently push while the other pulls in order to bend the articulating shaft (20). The articulating shaft (20) includes a series of pivot members (26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 126e and 226e, or 126f and 226f). The pivot members (26) may include inner links (126e, 126f) and outer links (226e, 226f) . A method for articulating a shaft of a medical device is also provided.
US07670281B2 Instrument support apparatus
An instrument support apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the instrument support apparatus may be for supporting an instrument having a shaft extending along a shaft axis relative to a patient positioned adjacent to an external frame. In some embodiments, the instrument support apparatus may include a base fixedly mountable onto the external frame, a pivot assembly mounted for pivoting relative to the base, an arm assembly extending along a longitudinal axis, and a support assembly configured to support the instrument on the arm assembly.
US07670278B2 Hearing aid system
A direct bone conduction hearing aid system for generating direct bone conduction vibration includes a vibrator that is placed in an implanted vibrator unit and an implanted energy-receiving unit that has an energy-receiving inductive coil. A vibrator supply cable connects the implanted energy-receiving unit to the implanted vibrator unit. A mounting arm connects the implanted vibrator unit with an anchoring fixture that is anchored to the skull bone through the skull bone surface. The implanted vibrator unit is positioned in the mastoid cavity. The mounting arm is positioned laterally to the implanted vibrator unit and the bone fixation portion of the anchoring fixture.
US07670273B2 Apparatus for manufacturing a pouch with a straw hole
An flexible pouch forming apparatus includes a transport means for transporting front and back panel films. A straw hole punch punches a straw hole with predetermined diameter in the front panel film. A seal material transport means unrolls a roll of seal material tape. A temporal hole punch punches a temporal hole in the seal material tape, and a guide means aligns the temporally punched section of seal material tape with the straw hole. A temporal heat sealing device temporally seals a periphery of the temporally punched section of seal tape material to the back side of the front panel film. An alignment station aligns the films to form the pouch body. A final heat seal means applies a final seal over the temporal heat seal at a lower temperature and pressure than the temporal heat seal. A seal means seals the edges, and a finishing station finishes the pouch.
US07670268B1 Exercise methods and apparatus with elliptical foot motion
An exercise apparatus includes a frame configured to rest on a floor surface; left and right cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right drive links having forward ends rotatably coupled to respective cranks, and rearward ends constrained to move in reciprocal fashion relative to the frame; left and right rocker links rotatably mounted on the frame at a common pivot axis; left and right drawbar links rotatably interconnected between respective rocker links and respective drive links; and left and right foot links having forward ends rotatably coupled to respective rocker links, and rearward, foot supporting ends constrained to move in reciprocal fashion relative to respective drawbar links or respective drive links. The resulting linkage assemblies constrain the foot supporting ends to move through elliptical paths, and the paths may be altered by adjusting various components of the linkage assemblies relative to one another and/or the frame.
US07670267B2 Pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer
A pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer having an electric adjusting motor installed at the bottom of a flywheel transmission unit for driving a telescopic tube in displacement. Meanwhile, a w-shaped driven connecting rod and two L-shaped connecting elements are employed to adjust the vertical position of two treadle planks, thereby achieving different exercise paces.
US07670264B2 Integrated body conditioning exercise system
The Integrated Body Conditioning (IBC) exercise system is a method of exercising employing three defining elements: integration of aerobic, resistance, and Range of Motion exercises performed at a properly elevated heart rate with exercise intensity and duration adjusted in view of biofeedback data.
US07670259B2 Automatic braking system
A system for braking a vehicle includes a transmission having a plurality of gear sets for establishing a plurality of forward and reverse gear ratios and an actuator for changing the gear ratios. The system also includes a plurality of sensors for detecting a plurality of vehicle operating parameters and an auxiliary brake for reducing a speed of the vehicle. A controller having a processor configured to receive a plurality of output signals from the plurality of sensors has control logic for activating one of the actuator and the auxiliary brake based on the received output signals. A method for operating the system for braking is also provided. The method includes determining road grade, determining an acceleration of the vehicle, determining an activation status of the primary brake, determining a position of the throttle, determining whether extra braking is and activating the auxiliary brake based on the extra braking determination.
US07670254B2 Method and apparatus to monitor devices of a hydraulic circuit of an electro-mechanical transmission
A method and an apparatus are provided to control operation of an electro-mechanical transmission device selectively operative in one of a plurality of fixed gear modes and two continuously variable modes. The method comprises controlling the flow control devices of the electro-hydraulic control circuit, and monitoring a plurality of pressure monitoring devices in the electro-hydraulic control circuit. A fault is identified in the electro-hydraulic control circuit when a signal output of one of the pressure monitoring devices does not correspond to an expected signal output for the pressure monitoring device after an elapsed time period.
US07670252B2 Method and apparatus for controlling an electro-mechanical transmission during a shift execution
A method and apparatus to control an electro-mechanical transmission during a shift event, including identifying a fault in an off-going clutch, is provided. The method includes deactivating an off-going torque-transfer clutch, monitoring slippage of the off-going torque-transfer clutch, and limiting a change in operation of an electrical machine operatively connected to the transmission until the slippage of the off-going torque-transfer clutch exceeds a threshold. Limiting a change in operation of the electrical machine comprises limiting an output torque of the electrical machine, comprising limiting a time-rate change in the output torque and limiting a magnitude of the output torque. The limit of the change is discontinued when the slippage of the off-going torque-transfer clutch exceeds the threshold.
US07670250B2 Multi-speed transmission
A multi-speed transmission has three planetary gear sets and six torque-transmitting mechanism packaged in various ones of five zones within a transmission cavity. Each planetary gear set has a ring gear member, a sun gear member and a carrier member that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears that intermesh with both the sun gear member and the ring gear member. Certain members are continuously connected for common rotation. Specifically, an interconnecting member continuously interconnects for common rotation the carrier member of the first planetary gear set, the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set. Additionally, the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set is grounded to the transmission casing via a radially-extending structural member.
US07670247B2 8-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices, four fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07670245B2 8-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting mechanisms, two fixed interconnections and one grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07670240B2 Elevator belt assembly with noise reducing groove arrangement
An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The jacket has a plurality of grooves spaced along the length of the belt assembly. In one example, the grooves are separated by varying spacings along the length of the belt. In another example, at least a portion of each groove is aligned at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the belt. Another example includes a combination of the different spacings and the non-perpendicular alignment.
US07670236B2 Club head for iron golf club
An iron club head for an iron golf club, includes: an upper portion of a face member; and a lower portion of the face member, wherein: a maximum height (H) on the face member at which a ball is to be hit is obtained by an equation: H=Rb×(1−sin(loft angle−8)+DP/2×cos(loft angle) where, Rb: ball radius (21.4 mm), and Dp: strike mark diameter (15 mm); the upper portion is arranged upper than the height (H) obtained by the equation as a boundary; and a thickness of the upper portion, excluding a circumferential edge, is formed thinner than a thickness of the lower portion, the thickness of the upper portion being made to be 1±0.2 mm (0.8 to 1.2 mm).
US07670233B2 Golf swing training device method and apparatus
A golf swing training aid adapted to have a first rail and a second rail whereby a carriage system is slidably attached thereto and the pitch of the club is controlled with respect to the position of the carriage assembly in the course of a swing. In one form, the rotation of the club about the shaft (the roll) is controlled in conjunction with the pitch of the club.
US07670232B2 Structure of a golf club head or other ball striking device
Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), have a high moment of inertia about their center, to help prevent twisting and mis-hits, particularly when the ball striking device hits the ball at a somewhat off-center position. The ball striking head of the ball striking device may be structured and/or weighted (optionally with separately attachable weight elements) to have a moment of inertia about a center of the ball striking surface of at least 10,000 g-cm2, and in some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 11,000 g-cm2, or even at least 12,000 g-cm2. In some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 20,000 g-cm2, or even at least 25,000 g-cm2 or at least 28,000 g-cm2.
US07670229B2 Displacement unit and joint shaft including such a displacement unit
A displacement unit and a jointed shaft which includes such a displacement unit. The displacement unit is formed of an external part and of an internal part which can be displaced in an axial direction in the external part, in which the external and internal parts have guide paths provided with balls arranged in the guide paths for the transmission of torque.
US07670227B2 Changeable console face plate
A console includes a face plate that is removably mounted to a console body by at least one clip. The face plate includes a power button for turning on the console. The face plate further includes a DVD slot that provides access to a DVD tray and a DVD ejection button mounted on the console body. The face plate may include additional features as desired. The ability to readily remove the face plate allows users to switch between a first face plate with a first set of graphics to a second face plate having a second set of graphics. Thus, a console is provided with increased user customizability.
US07670225B2 Multi-user method and apparatus for placing game elements on a map based on degree of difficulty
By evaluating a distance starting from a start point to a unit on the map, the strength of an enemy character to be encountered, the degree of difficulty for an object to pass through a gate, etc., a unit score is calculated for each route. This unit score can be taken as an index of the degree of difficulty for the object to arrive at a unit from the start point. By using this unit score, the game elements can be appropriately disposed on the map in accordance with the degree of difficulty.
US07670210B2 Tool for working on a surface
An embodiment of a tool includes a tool body. A base is coupled to the tool body and a pad is coupled to the base. The tool includes a working material coupled to the pad.
US07670209B2 Pad conditioner, pad conditioning method, and polishing apparatus
The present invention provides a pad conditioner for dressing a surface of a polishing pad which is used in a polishing apparatus for polishing works, comprising: a substrate disposed opposite to the polishing pad; a plurality of pellets removably attached to the substrate; and a plurality of linear elastic members which have tip ends and are implanted into the pellets, wherein upon contact of the tip ends of the linear elastic members with the polishing pad, the linear elastic members elastically deform, so that a pressure necessary for conditioning the pad is generated in order to maintain a change in conditioning capability within a predetermined range and have a wide margin for adjusting a height of the conditioner.
US07670207B2 Impeller for feeding blasting shots into a centrifugal wheel
An impeller (2) for feeding blasting shots, which are to be accelerated, into the centrifugal wheel of a blasting installation, the impeller (2) being arranged in the central region of the centrifugal wheel inside a distributing sleeve (1) which has a distributing opening (8) and can be rotated in the direction of rotation of the centrifugal wheel, and the impeller (2) having, in particular platelike, guiding elements which are directed toward the distributing sleeve (1), are intended for guiding the blasting shot to the outside and are arranged on at least one lateral disk (4), and in that in each case at least two adjacent guiding means are designed as limbs (5, 6), interconnected, in particular, integrally, of a profiled piece (3), adjacent limbs (5, 6) of adjacent profiled pieces (3) forming channels (7) through which the blasting shot can be discharged to the outside.
US07670202B2 Foam product
A foam product includes a foam core, a foam buffer and a foam skin. The foam core includes a top surface and a bottom surface and defines at least one recess in an area of the top surface wherein the area is to be imparted during use with respect to other areas of the top surface. The foam buffer is more elastic than the foam core and is securely received in the recess of the foam core. In addition, the foam skin is bonded to and entirely covers a top surface of the foam buffer and the other areas of the foam core.
US07670200B2 Tracked amphibious vehicle and adaptable amphibious pontoon tracking system
An amphibious vehicle operable on dry land, wet land, or marsh land covered by water. In some embodiments, the amphibious vehicle includes a land-based vehicle, such as a car, truck, or all terrain vehicle (ATV), at least two pontoons supporting the land-based vehicle, and a track system disposed around each of the pontoons. Each pontoon has an internal volume configured to provide buoyancy for the land-based vehicle, whether on wet land or in water. The track system is adapted to propel the land-based vehicle. The amphibious vehicle may further include a drive system coupled between the land-based vehicle and the track system and a skid steering system. The drive system is configured to selectably rotate the track system about the pontoons, while the skid steering system is configured to control the direction in which the land-based vehicle is propelled. The amphibious vehicle may also include a suspension system.
US07670199B2 Electric connector
An electric connector includes an insulative body and groups of contacts. The contacts are disposed in spaced relationship inside the body and arranged in at least two rows in a lateral direction of the body. The groups of contacts include a plurality of first contacts; and a plurality of second contacts located in a different row from a row where their associated first contacts exist, the second contacts being arranged next to the first contacts. Out of one of the first contacts and one of the second contacts subject to impedance tuning, one of these two contacts has a width and an area thereof adjusted in accordance with a difference in impedance from impedances between other first and second contacts.
US07670195B2 Detachable light socket and special lighting fixture
This invention that forms the subject matter of this patent is related to a light socket that may be disassembled and repaired in case of any breakdown, or replaced by a new one that may be fixed to the body of a fridge by means of a special socket due to be used in fridges, at polyurethane isolated cabins.
US07670194B1 RJ-45 style communications jacks having mechanisms that prevent an RJ-11 style communications plug from being fully inserted within the jack
RJ-45 style communications jacks include a housing having a plug receiving cavity, a guide protruding from a first surface of the housing into the plug receiving cavity and a stop provided at a second surface of the housing. The guide is configured to contact a plug housing of an RJ-11 communications plug when the RJ-11 communications plug is inserted within the plug receiving cavity so that the guide directs the RJ-11 communications plug toward the second surface where the stop prevents the RJ-11 communications plug from being fully inserted within the plug receiving cavity.
US07670188B2 Electrical card connector with improved spring tab
An electrical card connector includes an insulative housing defining a card receiving space, a plurality of contacts for mating with a first card and a second card wider than the first card, and a spring tab at one side of the card receiving space. The spring tab includes a retaining portion fixed to the insulative housing and a body portion extending from the retaining portion. The body portion includes a bend portion extending from a lateral side of the body portion under a condition that the first card is sidewardly restricted by the bend portion with insertion of the first card into the card receiving space, and body portion is deformable to let the second card overstepping the body portion with insertion of the second card into the card receiving space.
US07670187B2 Stacked card connector
A stacked card connector (100) includes a first electrical card connector (1), a second electrical card connector (2) under the first electrical card connector. The first card connector comprises a first insulating housing (12) received a plurality of first terminals (13), and the first terminals comprises a vertical portion (132). The second card connector (2) includes a second insulating housing (22) received a plurality of second terminals (24), the second terminals comprises a tail portion (242). And the tail portion of the second terminals defines at least one cutout (2420) among the tail portion (242), the distance between two adjacent vertical portions (132) being equal with the distance between two adjacent tail portions (242).
US07670186B2 Electrical card connector assembly
An electrical card connector assembly includes an electrical card connector (100) and a PCB (4) where the electrical card connector is assembled. The electrical card connector includes a metal shield (1), an insulating housing (2) and a terminal module (3) received in the insulating housing. The insulating housing associates with the metal shield to define a card receiving room. The metal shield forms a base (10) and a plurality of sidewalls (11) extending from the base. Each sidewall forms a locking portion (111) thereof. Each locking portion has a vertical portion (1110) and a horizontal portion (1111) extending from a lower end of the vertical portion. At least one of the sidewalls forms an elastic piece (12) extending along a card insertion/ejection direction and the elastic piece forms a declined portion (120). The PCB defines a plurality of cutouts (44) and at least one aperture (47). The elastic piece is locked with the aperture under a guiding force of the declined portion while the horizontal portions of the locking portions pass through the cutouts and then confront the bottom surface of the PCB.
US07670181B2 Connector for first and second joints having different pin quantities, electronic apparatus with connector and combination
A connector and an electronic apparatus and a combination comprising the connector for first and second joints are disclosed. The connector includes a base, a plurality of first pins, and a plurality of second pins. The base has a first and a second connecting surface. The first pins are disposed on the first connecting surface and the quantity of the first pins is the same as the pin quantity of the first joint. In addition, the second pins are disposed on the second connecting surface and the total quantity of the second pins and the first pins is the same as the pin quantity of the second joint. The base may include two convex parts and a concave part. The first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are disposed on surfaces of the two convex parts respectively. The concave part accommodates the two convex parts.
US07670179B2 Connecting element for shielded USOC RJ telecommunication and/or data cables having metal housing
A connecting element (1) for shielded data and/or telecommunications cables (2, 3), with a metal housing (10) and with at least one connector jack (15, 16), where contact means (20, 21) are provided for contacting the metal housing (10) with a plug housing (6, 7), particularly with the plug housing (6, 7) of an RJ-45 plug (4, 5), and where at least one spring tab (20, 21) forming a single piece with the metal housing (10), or with a part (8, 9) of the metal housing, is provided as the contacting means (20, 21).
US07670176B2 Dual connector for an antenna element
Two connection interfaces are combined in a single assembly for high frequency signal propagation of a GPS antenna. At least one connection interface is a constant impedance connector. The connector assembly allows for the application of o-rings and gaskets to be placed circumferentially about the radome to protect against environmental elements, mechanical shock and vibration. The first connection interface has a male plug on a first piece of a dual connector design, and a complementary female plug on a second piece. The second connection interface comprises a plug of any standard industry connector mounted on the second piece opposite the complementary female plug, and is configured to easily mate to a corresponding plug from a cable or other electronic equipment.
US07670174B2 Low profile electrical connector
An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals received in the insulative housing and a pair of retaining members assembled to the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a pair of positioning shoulders at two sides thereof, and each positioning shoulder defines a lower surface and a positioning hole extending there through. Each retaining member defines a main plate covering the lower surface of the positioning shoulder and a though hole corresponding to the positioning hole.
US07670172B2 Modular jack assembly
A modular jack assembly includes first and second contact-holding inserts (10, 20) having first and second groups of interengaging elements (11 and 21, 12 and 22) between opposite bottom surfaces thereof. The first and second groups of interengaging elements are configured to interferentially engage the first contact-holding insert (10) with the second contact-holding insert (20) in respective first and second lateral and horizontal positioning directions (A, B). The second lateral and horizontal positioning direction (B) extends at approximately 90 degrees. from the first lateral and horizontal positioning direction (A). This arrangement will result in a reliable and stable positioning of the first contact-holding insert with respect to the second contact-holding insert.
US07670170B2 Connector assembly having a light pipe assembly
A connector assembly includes a first connector having a housing and a plurality of contacts extending from the housing. The housing and the contacts define a mating interface and the first connector includes a light source. A second connector has a housing and a plurality of contacts defining a mating interface configured to mate with the mating interface of the first connector. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe assembly having a plurality of separate light pipe segments, wherein a first light pipe segment is provided with the first connector and directs light from the light source, and a second light pipe segment is provided with the second connector and receives light from the first light pipe segment to direct light to an external portion of the second connector.
US07670167B2 Socket that engages a pin grid array
An example socket includes a plurality of contacts and a base. The base includes exterior walls and interior walls which extend between the exterior walls to form openings within the base such that each opening in the base includes one of the contacts. At least some interior walls include indentations that are adapted to receive projections on the contacts such that when the projections on the contacts are positioned within indentations in the interior walls, the contacts are secured to the base. Another example socket includes a first group of the interior walls that is oriented in a first direction and a second group of the interior walls oriented in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second groups of interior walls form openings within the base with the first group of interior walls being higher than the second group of interior walls.
US07670161B2 Electrical card connector
An electrical card connector for receiving at least two electrical cards, comprises: an insulating housing; a shielding shell substantially enclosing the insulating housing; a front row of terminals and a rear row of terminals received in the insulating housing; an ejector receiving in one side of the insulating housing for ejecting two cards; wherein the front row of terminals are for connecting with one kind of electrical card and the front and the rear row of terminals together are for connecting with the other kind of electrical card.
US07670158B2 Connector engaging structure
A connector engaging structure includes an electrical connection box including a first connector provided with a connecting terminal, a second connector to be engaged with the first connecter, and provided with a mating terminal to be connected to the connecting terminal, an outer housing which houses a whole of the second connector, and is secured to the electrical connection box, and a rotatable lever which couples the second connector with the outer housing, and relatively moves the second connector to/from the first connector to connect/disconnect the connecting terminal to/from the mating terminal.
US07670155B2 Electrical receptacle for outward facing ground plugs
A multiplex electrical receptacle adapted for receiving at least a pair of power cords, such that the ground prongs of the power cords are directed outward from the center of the multiplex electrical receptacle in a “grounds out” configuration. The electrical receptacle of this invention includes an electrical outlet receptacle having a receptacle body, a conductive mounting strap, a conductive live blade receiving assembly, a conductive neutral blade receiving assembly, and a non-conductive housing.
US07670153B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector including a pair of connector bars and a pair of biting pads. The connecting bars are configured to be located on opposite sides of a plate section of a first member. The connector bars include holes to receive a bolt for clamping the connector bars directly against each other. The pair of biting pads are connected to the connector bars. The biting pads include surfaces which are configured to contact the opposite sides of the plate section and bite onto the opposite sides as the connector bars are clamped against each other.
US07670152B2 Dual interface separable insulated connector with overmolded faraday cage
A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell.
US07670147B1 Capacitance circuit board signal-adjusting device
A capacitance circuit board signal-adjusting device, and more particularly, a signal adjusting device capable of increasing the clarity of a high frequency signal; the signal adjusting device includes a circuit board disposed in a connector, a plurality of transmission circuits disposed on the circuit board, one side of the transmission circuit is a signal input terminal and another side thereof is a signal out terminal; it is characterized in that a copper foil in the middle section of transmission circuit is planned in advance to generate a capacitor naturally by breaking off a slit; the capacitor including two parallel sections arranged distantly side by side, a medium disposed between the two parallel sections and two breaches disposed in two directions opposite to each other at two diagonal ends. Whereby, the capacitor naturally generated in the circuit board plus a resistor connected thereto in parallel can constitute a signal filter; it can reduce components, shorten the manufacturing process, reduce the cost and achieve the good signal adjustment effect while being put into practice.
US07670146B2 Stack structure of semiconductor packages and manufacturing method thereof
A stack structure of the semiconductor packages and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. The packages of the present invention utilize plural stackable plug-receivers, which are similar to connectors, to stack and electrically connect with each other. The stack height of the stacked packages can be effectively reduced by utilizing the protrusion of a plug-receiver of one package to match with the concavity of a plug-receiver of another package at the corresponding position. Meanwhile, utilizing the stackable plug-receiver to replace the conventional soldering method can improve the warpage problem, and so as to promote the product reliability.
US07670144B2 Conductive layer, manufacturing method of the same, and signal transmission substrate
There is provided a method of manufacturing a conductive layer of in a signal transmission substrate. The method includes sewing conductive thread in sheet-like material having an insulating property so as to form one of a plurality of low resistance regions using the conductive thread in a high resistance region formed by the sheet-like material, moving the conductive thread from an end point of a previously sewed low resistance region to a start point of a low resistance region to be sewed subsequently, repeating the sewing and moving steps to form the plurality of low resistance regions in the high resistance region, and forming a plurality of holes in the conductive layer by press working so that an electrical component attached to at least one of the plurality of holes is able to transmit a signal between neighboring ones of the plurality of low resistance regions.
US07670141B2 Oral irrigator
The present invention is an oral irrigator comprising a pump, a discharge nozzle and a pressure control. The pump has a generally constant operating speed and feeds the discharge nozzle. The pressure control is adapted to modify a discharge pressure at the nozzle without a significant change in pump speed. The pressure control modifies a level of fluid flow restriction between the pump and the nozzle. The modification of the level of fluid flow restriction is accomplished by modifying aspects of a fluid flow path extending through the pressure control. The aspects modified include the diameter, length and/or number of direction changes of the fluid flow path.
US07670140B2 Orthodontic hand instrument for detaching brackets from teeth
A hand instrument for detaching orthodontic brackets from a patient's teeth has first jaw, a second jaw and a blade that extends between the first jaw and the second jaw. The blade is received in a channel of a bracket during a debonding procedure, and serves to releasably clamp mesial and distal sections of the bracket to the hand instrument as the sections are detached from the tooth.
US07670132B2 Apparatus for injection molding
An injection molding apparatus includes a first mold half, a second mold half opposite to the first mold half, an eject pin, a component collector and a buffer device. The eject pin penetrates through the first mold half. The component collector is configured for receiving the molding component molded. The buffer device includes a buffer plate, a connection plate and an elastic element. The elastic element includes two elastic arms connected with each other. The two elastic arms form an angle θ in a range 0°<θ<180° in its natural state and partly inserting into the buffer plate and the connection plate respectively. The buffer device is disposed at a same side as the first mold half and the buffer plate is adjacent to the second mold half. The buffer device is configured for buffering the molding component during a knockout process.
US07670131B2 Imprinting jig and imprinting apparatus
The invention provides an imprinting jig for transferring a pattern onto a thermoplastic sheet. The imprinting jig is provided with: a first die having a surface with a pattern; a die holder for supporting the first die; an elastic member placed between the first die and the die holder; and a second die opposing to the first die. The thermoplastic sheet is placed on the surface with the pattern of the first die. The imprinting jig optionally includes an adhesion reducing means between the elastic member and the first die or between the elastic member and the die holder.
US07670130B2 Cement shutter
A shutter assembly having at least one rigid edge and at least one hanger edge is described. The rigid edge provides stability to the shutter assembly and the hanger edge allows the shutter assembly to be mounted to a dwelling. The shutter assembly can be formed in an open mold from a cementitious slurry comprising gypsum cement and water. A reinforcing mat or fiber can be disposed in the mold and saturated with the cementitious slurry. A tool disposed adjacent the mold and including a plurality of rotatable sections can be used to form the rigid edge and the hanger edge.
US07670122B2 Gerotor pump
A gerotor pump includes an outer rotor having a first toothed surface and lobes that extend inwards. An inner rotor is eccentrically aligned relative to the outer rotor and includes a second toothed surface and lobes that extend outwards. Planetary gears are located between the outer rotor and the inner rotor. Each planetary gear has a third toothed surface that intermeshes with the first toothed surface and the second toothed surface.
US07670121B2 Spherical fluid machines
A rotary fluid machine, such as a pump or motor has a housing with a spherical interior in which primary and secondary vanes rotate with the secondary vane reciprocating between open and closed positions with respect to the primary vane. Improvements to this type of fluid machine are defined to improve the rigidity of the internals while removing heat generated by compression as well as providing facile conversion of the machine from a liquid pump to a gas compressor, to provide for multiple flow streams at multiple flow rates in a single machine, multiple flow streams at multiple compression ratios in a single machine, and dual simultaneous function as a motor and a compressor.
US07670119B2 Multistage vacuum pump and a pumping installation including such a pump
The present invention provides a multistage vacuum pump comprising at least a low pressure first stage and at least a high pressure second stage. At least one of the stages has at least one suction inlet for admitting gas to be pumped, and at least one of the stages has at least one delivery outlet that is open to the outside for exhausting pumped gas. The first and second stages communicate with each other in order to pass gas from the first stage to the second stage. The first stage operates at a flow rate that is smaller than that of the second stage. For an oil-seal rotary vane positive-displacement pump, the oil is injected into the stage having the greater flow rate.
US07670116B1 Turbine vane with spar and shell construction
The present invention is a vane for us in a gas turbine engine, in which the vane is made of an exotic, high temperature material that is difficult to machine or cast. The vane includes a shell made from either Molybdenum, Niobium, alloys of Molybdenum or Niobium (Columbium), Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC), or SiC—SiC ceramic matrix composite, and is formed from a wire electric discharge process. The shell is positioned in grooves between the outer and inner shrouds, and includes a central passageway within the spar, and forms a cooling fluid passageway between the spar and the shell. Both the spar and the shell include cooling holes to carry cooling fluid from the central passageway to an outer surface of the vane for cooling. This cooling path eliminates a serpentine pathway, and therefore requires less pressure and less amounts of cooling fluid to cool the vane.
US07670113B1 Turbine airfoil with serpentine trailing edge cooling circuit
A turbine blade for use in a gas turbine engine, the blade having a trailing edge cooling circuit that includes a series of multiple pass serpentine flow cooling passages arranged along the trailing edge region of the blade in series such that the cooling air flowing through a lower serpentine passage will then flow into the serpentine passage located above in order to greatly increase the cooling air flow path through the trailing edge region. The last leg of each serpentine flow passage includes a row of cooling air exit holes to discharge cooling air from the serpentine passage out through the trailing edge of the blade. The rotation of the rotor blade acts to increase the cooling air pressure as the cooling air passes through the series of serpentine passages. Because the cooling air passes through the lower reaches of the rotor blade first, the lower reaches receives the most cooling while the upper reaches receives heated cooling air. Because the upper reaches of the blade require less cooling to maintain the metal temperature within limits, the series serpentine cooling passages of the present invention provides for a higher level of cooling while using minimal amounts of cooling air.
US07670106B2 Bushing for a variable-pitch vane pivot in a turbomachine
A bushing for a variable-pitch vane pivot in a turbomachine, the bushing being for mounting in a recess in a ring of the turbomachine, the recess being of a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the bushing, the bushing comprising a body that is substantially tubular having a longitudinal axis, and at least three branches extending radially outwards relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and axially over the full height of said tubular body, said branches being distributed in substantially equidistant manner around the circumference of the tubular body.
US07670104B2 Fan with laminar flow element in front of the suction hole
A radial fan (1) with a housing (2) and a fan impeller (3) disposed therein, an air inlet (4) and an air outlet (5) is provided, a pressure space (6) being formed between the latter, and in front of the air inlet (4) a laminar element (7) being disposed which, in a bypass (8) formed therein, has a sensor (9) for recording at least one parameter of the medium flowing through the air inlet (4).
US07670100B2 Aligning a stack on a pallet or the like
In a stack of flexible sheets on a substrate having an outer edge, some of the sheets project laterally past one of the edges. The stack is tamped together by a stabilizing element shiftable horizontally toward and away from the one edge of the substrate and a drive that shifts the stabilizing element horizontally toward the stack and substrate for engaging the projecting sheets and pushing same inward on substrate to a position lying on or inward of the outer edge without vertically bending or deflecting the sheets.
US07670098B2 Machine to unload ties off of railroad cars
An attachment used in conjunction with a backhoe or track hoe to convert it into a machine to unload ties off of railroad cars. Two pins on an upper end of the attachment secure it to the distal end of the working arm of the backhoe or track hoe so that a front edge of the attachment point toward the backhoe or track hoe. Upper ends of four c-shaped members attached to an upper plate on the upper end of the attachment. Opposite lower ends of each of the four spaced apart c-shaped members are flattened on upper and lower surfaces into a point. A lower plate is secured to the upper surfaces of the lower ends of the c-shaped members to form the front edge. Support bars secure between adjacent c-shaped members and openings are provided in the c-shaped members to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
US07670095B2 Wafer processing apparatus having dust proof function
The wafer processing apparatus includes a chamber that is pressurized to a pressure that is higher than the pressure of the exterior thereof, an opening portion through which the interior and the exterior of the chamber are in communication with each other, and a door that closes the opening portion. When the opening portion is closed by the door, a portion of the opening remains as an aperture uncovered by the door. In conventional semiconductor wafer processing apparatus, the interior of the apparatus is sealed and pressurized in order to keep a high degree of cleanness in the wafer processing portion, and therefore airflow is generated due to a pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the apparatus. With the above feature of the invention, it is possible to suppress creation of such airflow and prevent dust from entering the wafer processing apparatus to eliminate wafer contamination.
US07670094B2 Method and device for producing a can body and can body
To produce can bodies, a continuous can jacket is disclosed, that is sealed by way of a first joint is produced from a flat metal material. At least one sealing element is mounted on the continuous can jacket by way of an additional joint. At least one of the additional joints is configured as a laser welding seam, which forms an annular continuous sealing seam between the continuous can jacket and the sealing element(s). Before the sealing seam is welded, complementary seam contact surfaces of the can jacket and the sealing element are configured as annular continuous edge regions that flare out of narrow towards the can axis. To weld the sealing seam, the can jacket and the sealing element(s) are pushed together until the edge regions make contact, one of the end faces of the two edge regions lying on the interior of the can body and the other lying on the exterior of the body. This enables the air-free welding of the seam contact surfaces, thus guaranteeing an impermeable welding seam even with the use of extremely thin metal sheets. The material overlap in the vicinity of the sealing seam is minimal.
US07670093B2 Non-prismatic grooved shank fastener
Non-prismatic shank fasteners, such as nails, for wood and similar soft materials have a plurality of longitudinal extending non-congruent sections having different geometries, different configurations, and varying diameters such that the shank has the widest nominal diameter arranged to span a joint between wood members being fastened. The shank has four circumferentially symmetrically disposed grooves and ridges having dimensions within pre-determined ranges such that the ridges have sufficient strength to withstand the forces imposed on the shank being driven into the parent material and to resist loads imposed upon them by the loads to the parent material. The grooves have a sufficiently wide jaw opening to allow elastically compressed parent material to enter the groove and provide support to the shank. The non-prismatic grooved shanks demonstrate significantly greater load handling capability than that possessed by other known types of fasteners.
US07670092B2 Laminated nut with center tension sleeve
A laminated nut having a plurality of conical spring discs for use with a bolt assembly. Each of the discs is formed with a hex shaped outer periphery and a non-round central bore. The discs are assembled on top of each other forming a laminated stack. A threaded tension sleeve is located in the central bore and has a non-round outer periphery shape corresponding to the shape of the central bore of the discs. The tension sleeve has a threaded inner peripheral wall with the threads sized to fit the bolt assembly. The tension sleeve includes an upper flange to engage and hold the upper portion of the laminated stack and a lower flange to support the laminated stack. Application of a torqueing force to the outer, hex shaped periphery of the discs forces them to deflect and contact the threaded tension sleeve applying force along the length of the bolt assembly in a uniform manner to reduce clearance between the bolt threads and the threads on the nut tension sleeve.
US07670084B2 Precasting of fabricated flumes for machining coolant systems
A method and apparatus for constructing machinery flumes couples precast, fabricated sections of flume having a channel lining in a concrete cast. The sections are assembled to seal end to end forming a continuous trough in which assembly work is contained to reduce installer exposure, reduce field installation time and reduce construction costs for flume systems. Preferably, an end of a lining extends beyond the cast sheath for connection with an overlapped portion of an adjacent precast section's lining.
US07670081B2 Method of forming surface seeded particulate
An improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete and method of making the improved surface seeded exposed particulate concrete is disclosed. Small particulate is sprayed over the upper surface of the concrete. The particulate may be sprayed using a material sprayer. The particulate may be uniformly sprayed to distances exceeding twenty feet. The particulate is mixed into a cement paste derived from the concrete mixture using floats. A surface retarder is then applied to cover the concrete surface. Subsequently, any surface film is washed from the surface of the concrete and the concrete is cured. The result is a surface seeded particulate with an exposed surface that is flat and is suitable for high traffic areas. The resultant surface may resemble stone, granite or marble.
US07670079B2 Combination mounting ring
A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.
US07670071B2 Objective holder for camera module
An exemplary objective holder engages with a PCB substrate having an image sensor and several passive components arranged thereon. The passive components surround the image sensor. The objective includes a lens barrel extending from a side of a base, and a plurality of walls extending from an opposite side of the base. The walls enclose a chamber thereamong for receiving the image sensor and define notches therein for receiving the passive components therein. A transparent cover is received in the objective holder between the lens barrel and the chamber. An adhesive is used to connect the objective holder to the PCB substrate. The PCB substrate is rested on the walls. At least one of the notches communicates the chamber to an exterior for outgassing and is sealed by a mass of sealing material after a heating process of the adhesive.
US07670068B2 Actuator, shutter driving device for camera and method of manufacturing actuator
An actuator includes: a coil for excitation; a stator excited with different magnetic poles by energization of the coil; a rotor magnetized with different magnetic poles in a circumferential direction, and rotated by magnetic force generating between the rotor and the stator; and an outputting member rotated in conjunction with the rotor and outputting rotational movement of the rotor to a member. The outputting member fits onto the rotor, and the rotor has at least one of a recess portion and a projection portion at a fitting surface of the rotor. The outputting member is jointed with the rotor so as to have a shape corresponding to the at least one of the recess portion and the projection portion by welding.
US07670061B2 High contact density miniature connector
A miniature high density connector including a thermoplastic insulating body having contact cavities for the insertion, the positioning and the retention of electrical, optical or electro-optical contacts, a back plate having clips for the locking of the contacts into the contact cavities of the insulating body, a receptacle shell constituting an interface element for coupling with a complementary mating connector having a flange for the assembly and the retention of the insulating body and the back plate in the receptacle shell, the back plate being movable and including a projecting dimple located on the side wall, making possible its locking into the receptacle shell.
US07670060B2 Plug connector with an adaptor housing for receiving a plug or socket arrangement
A fiber optic connector arrangement includes a locking device for fastening together a pair of male plug and female socket components, which locking device consists of locking elements mounted solely on a pair of telescopic adapter housings that support the plug and socket components when in the engaged condition. In order to increase the operational life of the connector components, one of the plug and socket components contains a recess for receiving an auxiliary second locking device that extends longitudinally in a normally non-stressed unlocked inoperative condition from the other component.
US07670059B2 Vehicle corner module
A corner module for an automotive vehicle includes a suspension upright, a wheel end, and a CV joint. The wheel end has a housing that is secured to the suspension upright and a hub that is provided with a flange to which a road wheel is attached and also spindle that projects from the flange into the housing. In addition, the wheel end has a tapered roller bearing located between the housing and the hub spindle. The CV joint drives the hub through a coupler ring or an inboard bearing cone that fits around and is engaged with the hub spindle, all through mating splines. The CV joint may have a stub shaft that projects from the bell through the hub spindle to clamp the CV joint and hub spindle together. Torque is transferred to the hub spindle at a large diameter through the bell of the CV joint. When present, the stub shaft serves merely to hold the CV joint and hub spindle together and thus may exist at a small diameter. Because the bearing transfers radial and thrust loads through tapered rollers, it and the wheel end of which it is a part may exist in configurations smaller than their counterparts in traditional wheel ends.
US07670058B2 Cage for antifriction bearings with rollers
A cage for antifriction bearings with rollers, which has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, webs, and pockets, which are adjacent to one another along the periphery and which serve to accommodate rollers. The webs and the lateral edges are formed together as a single piece, and the flanks have a finished profile-milled contour. The finished contour is a negative reproduction of a positive outer cutting contour of one profiling cutter.
US07670052B2 Child proof re-closable bag
The invention provides for a slider for a child proof slider-zipper assembly having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a top edge with a top surface and a top frame comprising: a pair of protrusions at the bottom of the leading edge, a pair of protrusions at the bottom of the trailing edge, and an opening plow protruding from the top surface of the slider, between the leading edge and trailing edge, and having height not more than the height of the slider such that the top surface projects upwards from the top frame.
US07670046B2 Filled hotwire elements and sensors for thermal conductivity detectors
Hotwire element for thermal conductivity detectors, that comprises one or two individual nickel filaments each having resistance of above 200 ohm at 20° C. and an insulation coating of polytetrafluoroethylene with a thickness less than 5 micrometers, that are wound into a uniformly filled spherical or cylindrical body that has at least 33% gas-permeable hollow volume. Relevant hotwire sensor for thermal conductivity detectors, that comprises a wound on a centering holder filled element enveloped by fixed fillers forming a symmetric to it built-in cavity with an inlet and a gas outlet surrounding the centering holder. Radii of the filled elements and their cavities are in proportion, at which minimum electric current is needed for heating the elements to desired temperature.
US07670042B2 Marinating device
A marinating device includes a supporting base having a blocking sidewall, a food marinating container having a guiding rib and a container sidewall physically contacted with the blocking sidewall to block a sideward movement of said food marinating container at a first sideward direction, and an electric driving arrangement. The electric driving arrangement includes a driving unit and a plurality of driving rotors adapted to be driven by the driving unit to rotate. At least two corresponding driving rotors are frictionally and alignedly engaged with the guiding rib to block the sideward movement of the food marinating container at an opposed second sideward direction such that when the food marinating container is driven to rotate via the driving rotors, the food marinating container is securely retained on the supporting base.
US07670040B2 Lightening apparatus
A lightening apparatus includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) module having a plurality of LEDs and a connection terminal for supplying electric power, a diffusing guide for diffusing light emitted from the LEDs, and a cover in which the diffusing guide is installed and to which the LED module is coupled.
US07670034B2 LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a housing having a base, a frame at a top end of the housing and a plurality of stanchions interconnecting the base and the frame. A heat sink is mounted on the frame. An LED module is received in the housing and attached on a bottom surface of the heat sink. A printed circuit board is arranged on the base of the housing, and a reflector is located on the printed circuit board. A transparent envelope is received in the housing and covers windows defined between the stanchions. A light generated by the LED module is reflected by the reflector to transmit outwardly through the envelope to illuminate a surrounding environment.
US07670029B1 LED lamp
An LED safety lamp includes a cover, a heat-conductive plate thermally attached to and mounted on the cover, a heat sink thermally attached to and mounted on the heat-conductive plate, a plurality of LED modules attached to the heat sink, a transparent housing enclosing the heat sink and the LED modules and hermetically secured to the cover. The cover includes a hollow tube, a flameproof connector and a flexible component received in the hollow tube. The flexile component is depressed by the connector to expand thereby to seal the hollow tube and fix the electrical wires extending through the flexible component in position, thereby providing an excellent airproof effectiveness to the LED lamp.
US07670026B1 Night-light rug
An apparatus for providing illumination includes a lower light panel that contains at least one battery and electronic control circuitry therein. A plurality of LEDS are each disposed in a corresponding plurality of recesses in the light panel. A reflective coating is preferably included in each of the recesses. A clear plastic sheet is disposed over an upper surface of the light panel. A rug is disposed over the light panel and is detachably-attached thereto. When a person steps on the rug one or more of a plurality of pressure activated switches are energized which, in turn, activates the circuitry and energizes the LEDS. The LEDS are illuminated for a first predetermined period of time that is selectable. When the first timer elapses the lights and circuitry turn off and the apparatus returns to a quiescent state until the cycle is repeated. The rug is removed from the light panel for cleaning of the rug and the plastic sheet is also removed for servicing of the light panel.
US07670023B1 Flashlight with photovoltaic power source
A flashlight including a photovoltaic power source adapted to convert incident light energy to electrical energy and wherein the flashlight is configured such that the flashlight is induced to orient the photovoltaic power source to face upwards when the flashlight is placed on a generally horizontal surface. The flashlight can include a rechargeable battery pack so as to have a hybrid power supply. Also, a method of powering a flashlight including attaching at least one solar cell to a body of a flashlight, connecting the at least one solar cell to a battery such that electrical output of the solar cell can charge the battery, and connecting a switch and a lamp to the at least one solar cell and the battery such that a user can actuate the switch to connect the battery to the solar cell for charging of the battery or to the lamp for generation of light from the flashlight.
US07670022B2 Lighted floor mat system
A floor mat system that includes a mat having a decoratively shaped first portion that allows light to transmit therethrough and is surrounded by a second portion that does not allow light to transmit therethrough. A light source is positioned beneath at least the first portion of the mat. When activated, the light source shines through the first portion and thereby illuminates and draws attention to the decorative image. The light source is coated in a polycarbonate resin film to protect and strengthen the same against damage as people walk over the mat. A non-transparent coating may be applied to selective regions of the protective film to create the same decorative transparent image therein and to thereby allow light to only be emitted from a particular region of the light source. The mat may be made from a flow-through material, a non-flow-through material with a gripping upper surface and wells; or a combination of flow-through and non-flow-through material. The mat also includes a transformer housing and channels to protect a transformer and electrical wiring from being damaged as people walk over the mat.
US07670021B2 Method and apparatus for thermally effective trim for light fixture
A lighting assembly comprises a light fixture. The light fixture includes a trim formed by a stamping or die casting process. The trim has thermally conductive properties and includes a flange around a perimeter of the trim. The light fixture includes a light source mounted to a central portion of a front surface of the trim, and a heatsink formed by an extrusion or die casting process. The heatsink has thermally conductive properties and is mounted to a back surface of the trim. The light fixture includes an attachment mechanism connected to the light fixture. A recessed can housing mounted to a surface may be provided. The light fixture may be mounted to the recessed can housing by inserting the heatsink into the recessed can housing and engaging the attachment mechanism to an interior portion of the recessed can housing to brace the flange against the surface.
US07670015B2 Optical switch controller and movable body controller
In an optical switch controller, in order that residual vibration at movement control of a movable body such as a tilt mirror can be reduced and controlled with high accuracy, a processing unit outputs a driving signal for controlling the angle of the tilt mirror, the driving signal is D/A converted by a D/A converter and then is changed to a high-voltage signal by a high-voltage amplifier to be supplied to the tilt mirror, the electrostatic capacity of the tilt mirror changes corresponding to angle change of the tilt mirror, a mirror-angle detecting unit detects the electrostatic capacity and feeds back it as a correction value to a processing unit, and the processing unit corrects the driving signal using a correction value obtained when the angle of the tilt mirror is actually changed.
US07670011B2 Projector assembly provided with an auxiliary device
A projector assembly includes a projector casing and an auxiliary device. The projector casing is formed with a mating aperture, and has a first light source for emitting light beams defining an optical path of the projector assembly. The auxiliary device includes a mating part inserted detachably into the mating aperture in the projector casing, a second light source disposed in the mating part for emitting light beams, and a light-beam guiding module disposed in the mating part in front of the second light source so that the light beams emitted from the second light source are guided into the optical path via the light-beam guiding module, thereby enhancing illumination of the optical path of the projector assembly.
US07670010B2 System and method for projector lamp safety interlock
An information handling system projector lamp housing includes a safety interlock to reduce the risk of electrical shock to an end user during lamp insertion and removal. A ballast disposed in the projector interfaces with a low voltage power supply through a ballast power supply circuit and transforms the low voltage into high voltage for use by the lamp. A connector associated with the ballast connects with a connector on the lamp housing to supply the high voltage to the lamp. The safety interlock breaks the ballast power supply circuit if the ballast connectors are exposed, such as during insertion or removal of the lamp. The safety interlock completes the ballast power supply circuit as the lamp housing fully inserts in the projector to allow power supply for illumination of the lamp.
US07670004B2 Dual ZScreen® projection
A system and method for projecting stereoscopic images using a multiple projector arrangement is provided. The design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left and right images and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left and right images. The first projector left image is transmitted by the first projector at substantially a same time as the second projector right image is transmitted by the second projector. Alternately, the design comprises transmitting a first field train from the first projector, the first field train comprising first projector left images alternating with first projector right images, and concurrently transmitting a second field train from the second projector, the second field train comprising second projector left images alternating with second projector right images. A quasi-interlacing technique is also provided.
US07670001B2 Reflectance measurement of macular pigment using multispectral imaging
Methods and apparatus are provided for accurately imaging, assessing and measuring a patient's macular pigment. A multiband filter is employed in combination with a color digital fundus camera to provide a method that operates with a single imaging exposure. The multiband filter has bandpass regions within spectral ranges of the red, green and blue detectors of the CCD array employed within the fundus camera, the bandpass regions being sufficiently sharply defined so as to avoid regions where the CCD detector responses spectrally overlap. This provides three discrete channels of grayscale data corresponding to the bandpass regions of the multiband filter, which can be used to calculate macular pigment topographically. Methods are also disclosed for calculating the optical density of the macular pigment and advantageously displaying the resulting data.
US07670000B2 Eyeglasses of the rimless type with wire branches
The invention relates to eyeglasses of the rimless type comprising a bridge interconnecting the two eyeglass lenses, and two side branches of wire structure connected to respective side zones of the corresponding lenses, each side branch having a main portion together with a distal end extending said main portion and arranged to fasten to the side zone of the lens, said distal end being generally J-shaped. In accordance with the invention, each side branch is fitted with a hinge that is arranged so that the section and the profile of the side branch in its deployed position are generally continuous, thereby enabling it to pass through a through hole in the lens so as to enable said side branch to be put into place merely by being threaded, while in its deployed position, through the lens from its front face.
US07669998B2 Ink set containing at least three black ink compositions
An ink set including at least three black ink compositions different in concentration, wherein the colorant of the black ink composition having the highest concentration is a pigment, the colorant of the black ink composition having the lowest concentration is a dye, and the colorant(s) of the black ink composition(s) for medium gradation having medium concentration between them is a pigment or dye.
US07669991B2 Ink cartridge
An ink cartridge includes a cartridge case enclosing an ink chamber; an ink supply path extending from the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink cartridge; an ink filling path extending from the ink chamber to an area outside of the ink chamber; and a plug member provided in the ink filling path, the plug member sealing the ink filling path. The ink filling path adjoins the area outside of the ink chamber at a location enclosed by the cartridge case.
US07669988B2 Methods and apparatuses for forming an article
Methods and apparatuses are provided for depositing a material on a surface. In accordance with the method a stream of a component material is formed having formed printing and non-printing droplets and satellite droplets of the material. The stream is directed at the surface. A deflecting energy is applied to separate printing droplets from non-printing droplets in the stream, so that only printing droplets travel to the surface. The deflecting energy is adapted to direct non-printing droplets for non-printing drop collection, and to direct at least a portion of the satellite droplets to be controlled in a manner adapted to prevent the material in the satellite droplets from reaching the surface, so that less than all of the material in the satellite droplets reaches the surface. Articles are also provided having limited satellite material.
US07669986B2 Droplet discharging head and droplet discharging device, and discharging control method
A droplet discharging head includes a nozzle supplied with a liquid substance, a meniscus moving section that moves a meniscus of the liquid substance in the nozzle, and a meniscus regulating section that is provided to an inside wall of the nozzle at a predetermined depth from an opening of the nozzle and regulates movement of an edge of the meniscus in the nozzle at the depth.
US07669985B2 Jetstack plate to plate alignment
An apparatus has a first plate having a first array of holes, with a first plate alignment hole having a smaller size than the other holes in the array, a second plate having a second array of holes to be alignable to the first array of holes, a second plate alignment hole having a smaller size than the other holes in the array, and the first plate alignment hole and the second plate alignment hole having different positions. A method of aligning plates provides a first plate having a top and bottom and first array of holes including a first plate alignment hole having a size smaller than the other holes in the first array, places a second plate having a second array of holes on the top of the first plate such that the first array of holes and the second array of holes align, directs light at the bottom of the first plate, locates a profile of the first plate alignment hole in the second array of holes to verify alignment.
US07669984B2 Liquid ejection head, image forming apparatus and liquid supply method for liquid ejection head
The liquid ejection head includes: a head main body which is constructed from a plurality of head units layered together in a layering direction perpendicular to a liquid ejection direction of nozzles, each of the head units having the nozzles, pressure chambers connected with the nozzles and arranged in a one-dimensional configuration, and piezoelectric elements corresponding to the pressure chambers and arranged in a one-dimensional configuration, the head main body having through channels substantially parallel to the layering direction of the head units, the through channels being in connection with the pressure chambers; and first and second liquid accommodating chambers which are arranged on sides of the head main body opposing to each other in the layering direction of the head units, the first and second liquid accommodating chambers being in connection with the through channels.
US07669980B2 Printhead having low energy heater elements
A printhead is provided having a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of heater elements each for heating an ejectable liquid to cause ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from a respective one of the nozzles. Each heater element is configured such that the energy required to be applied thereto to cause ejection of the drop is less than the energy required to heat a volume of the ejectable liquid equal to the volume of the drop to a temperature less than 40 degrees Celsius above ambient temperature.
US07669974B2 Nozzle assembly with lever arm and thermal bend actuator
A nozzle assembly is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle assembly includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet. A nozzle extends from the substrate assembly in register with the ink inlet and defines an opening through which ink can be ejected. A lever arm extends from the nozzle. A thermal bend actuator assembly is mounted to the substrate assembly and engages with the lever arm so that, upon actuation, the lever arm moves and ink within the nozzle is ejected out through the opening.
US07669972B2 Printhead having suspended heater elements
An inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead includes a substrate defining a plurality of ink inlet passages; a plurality of nozzle chambers formed on the substrate, each nozzle chamber being in fluid communication with at least one of the ink inlet passages, and at least one heater element suspended in each nozzle chamber, each heater element, when energized by an electrical signal, forms a gas bubble in ink in the nozzle chamber so that a drop of ink is ejected from the nozzle chamber.
US07669971B2 Inkjet printer with low nozzle to chamber cross-section ratio
Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate defining an ink chamber with an ink ejection port and ink holes for receiving ink from an ink reservoir, and a magnetic actuation device arranged in the chamber and actuatable via an external pulsed magnetic field to eject ink via the ink ejection port. The arrangement also includes a blocking mechanism arranged in the chamber and configured to operatively block movement of the actuation device to prevent ejection of ink from the chamber.
US07669966B2 Liquid droplet discharging apparatus and head with liquid droplet guides
A liquid droplet discharging head includes: a substrate; a pressure chamber connected to the substrate; a penetrating portion formed in the substrate to discharge a liquid droplet; and a plurality of liquid droplet guiding portions formed at the penetrating portion of the substrate to guide the liquid droplet, in which each of the liquid droplet guiding portions extends with a curvature in an discharging direction of the liquid droplet.
US07669957B2 Method of removing flooded ink from a printhead using a rotating roller
A method of removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flooding the face with ink from the printhead, thereby dispersing the particulates into the flooded ink; and (b) transferring the flooded ink, including the particulates, onto a transfer surface moving past the face. Damage to the face is avoided since the transfer surface does not contact the face.
US07669956B2 Temperature regulated inkjet printhead
A printhead IC is provided which has an array of nozzles, drive circuitry for receiving print data and sending drive pulses of electrical energy to the array of nozzles in accordance with the print data, and a temperature sensor connected to the drive circuitry to adjust the drive pulse profile in response to the temperature sensor output. During use, the temperature sensor can be de-activated after a period of use. The drive circuitry sets the duration of the pulse profile to a sub ejection value for any of the nozzles in the row that are not to eject a drop during that firing sequence.
US07669955B2 Inkjet printhead with temperature zones
A printhead IC is provided having an array of nozzles, drive circuitry for receiving print data and sending drive pulses of electrical energy to the array of nozzles in accordance with the print data, and a temperature sensor connected to the drive circuitry to adjust the drive pulse profile in response to the temperature sensor output. During use, the temperature sensor can be de-activated after a period of use. The drive circuitry is programmed with a series of temperature thresholds defining a set of temperature zones, each of the zones having a different pulse profile for the drive pulses sent to the nozzles in the region currently operating in that temperature zone.
US07669952B2 Printhead integrated circuit assembly with compensation controller
This invention relates to a printhead integrated circuit assembly having a substrate, drive circuitry and a controller. The substrate includes a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements formed thereon. The drive circuitry is positioned on the substrate for operatively actuating the respective nozzle arrangements to eject a drop of printing fluid therefrom. The controller is configured to monitor the power required to eject a drop from each nozzle, and to deactivate such nozzle and compensate with another nozzle if a required power level is exceeded.
US07669948B2 Fluid ejector including a drop size symbol, a method of disposing a drop size symbol in a fluid ejector, and an image forming device including a marking fluid ejector with a drop size symbol
A fluid ejector includes a drop size symbol that is based on the fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The drop size symbol is formed by comparing the fluid ejector's drop size to the one or more fixed drop sizes. An image forming device includes a marking fluid ejector that includes a drop size symbol based on the marking fluid ejector's drop size relative to one or more fixed drop sizes. The image forming device forms an image based on the drop size symbol by determining the drop size symbol and then either selecting a marking fluid look-up table based on the drop size symbol, or forming an image correction factor based on the drop size symbol.
US07669947B2 Industrial ink jet print head system
A print mechanism positioned in a housing having a pivotably mounted cover and including a ink flow regulator operatively connected to a print cartridge and provided with a plurality of seals to prevent contamination and damage from unwanted ink flow.
US07669946B2 Ink jet printing system for printing colored images on contact lenses
The present invention provides a method for making colored contact lenses and an apparatus for implementing the method of the invention. The apparatus of the invention comprises a securing means for holding a contact lens or a portion of a mold for making the contact lens, a printer head, wherein the printer head comprises one or more nozzles each of which is capable of jetting droplets of color liquid independent of each other under control of a computer system; a positioning means for precisely positioning the printer head at each of a plurality of predetermined positions, one at a time, on a surface of the contact lens or the mold portion under control of the computer system. The method and apparatus of the invention are useful for producing colored contact lenses having high quality color images thereon.
US07669941B2 Wheel end with load sensing capabilities
A wheel end (A) has a housing (2, 70, 80, 90) and a hub (4) provided with a spindle (32) that projects into the housing, and the hub rotates relative to the housing on an antifriction bearing (6) located between the housing and hub spindle. The housing has a tubular core (12, 72, 82, 92) that encloses the bearing and ring mounts (14, 74, 84, 94) spaced outwardly from the core and also webs (16,76,86,96) that connect the ring mounts to the core. A road wheel (B) is attached to the hub and rotates with the hub relative to the housing. The housing is secured to a suspension upright (C) at its ring mounts. The core deflects relative to the ring mounts, owning to forces and moments transferred through the bearing from the suspension upright to the road wheel and vice versa, and the magnitude of those forces and moments are reflected in signals derived from strain sensor modules (SM) attached to the webs of the housing.
US07669939B2 Buffing ball made of compressible material
A surface finishing ball of compressible material, adapted to be driven on a rotational axis is made from a layered body of compressible material that is formed in multiple disk-like layers that are separated in planes generally perpendicular to the rotational axis. Layers are also slit on circumferentially spaced planes that extend generally radially from an outside surface to define a plurality of foam fingers. A clamping system is used to compress and hold a center portion of the layered body in a direction along the axis of rotation such that the uncompressed outer ends of the fingers define a generally spherical ball.
US07669937B2 Continuous extraction of underground narrow-vein metal-bearing deposits by thermal rock fragmentation
A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.
US07669936B2 Padded covering for a chair
A padded covering for parts of a chair, consisting of a padded material (2) with elastic properties at least within the thickness thereof, and covered with a semi-transparent, perforated mesh fabric, wherein said padded material has a three-dimensional structure that is at least partially visible through said fabric and comprises recesses opening out onto the fabric (3). Said covering is produced via a method comprising the steps of cutting out a suitably-shaped piece capable of covering the specific chair portion; stitching at least two concentric lines at the edges and over the entire periphery of the piece in order to flatten the edge region; cutting out, in a semi-transparent perforated mesh fabric (3), a correspondingly-sized piece; placing said semi-transparent fabric piece on top of the padded piece; and fastening the piece.
US07669932B1 Headrest
A vehicle headrest has a support defining a horizontal pivot axis and a cushion having a front face and pivotal about the axis on the support between a use position with the face upright and a rest position with the face generally horizontal. A latch element is displaceable in a longitudinal direction relative to the cushion between a blocking position operatively engaging the cushion and preventing the cushion from pivoting from the use position into the rest position and an unblocking position permitting such pivoting. A separate safety element engageable with the latch element is displaceable in a transverse direction between a locking position operatively engaging the latch element and preventing movement of the latch element into the unblocking position and a releasing position permitting movement of the latch element into the unblocking position.
US07669927B1 Infant car seat
A rocking and/or vibrating car seat for providing comfort to an infant comprising a base; a first rocker bar parallel to a second rocker bar in the inner compartment of the base extending from the first side to the second side of the base, a motor for driving the movement of the first rocker bar and second rocker bar; a cushioned seat for placing in the base atop the first rocker bar and the second rocker bar; and a vibrating unit disposed in the cushioned seat for vibrating the cushioned seat.
US07669922B2 Reclining seating unit with backrest support frame
A reclining chair includes: a base; a seat; a backrest; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest. The reclining mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and is configured to move the seat and backrest relative to the base between a fully upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to an underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle. One of the links of the reclining mechanism is a backrest support link that moves in concert with the backrest between the upright and reclined positions. The backrest support link includes a first longitudinally disposed panel pivotally interconnected with at least one other link of the reclining mechanism, and further includes a second transversely disposed panel to which the backrest attaches.
US07669921B2 Reclining seating unit with headrest
A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest. In the upright position, a lower edge of the headrest is positioned at a first distance from an upper edge of the body, and in the reclined position, the lower edge of the headrest is positioned a second distance from the upper edge of the body, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The headrest moves generally parallel to the backrest as the chair moves from the upright to the reclined position.
US07669911B1 Tarping system for truck mounted containers
A tarping system for removably covering the open top of a container resting on a platform of a truck frame, or directly on the truck frame, includes a cover support structure extending upwardly from the pivoted platform, a tarping frame displaceably secured to the cover support structure, a covering medium secured to the tarping frame and dimensioned to protectably cover the container open top, a power system extending between the cover support structure and the tarping frame for raising the tarping frame and thereby the covering medium above the container open top to permit the container to be removed from the truck frame.
US07669908B2 Endgate hinge for motor vehicle having dual pivot axes
An assembly for opening and closing a cargo opening of a motor vehicle includes first and second posts located at opposite lateral sides of the cargo opening, the second post being spaced laterally from the first post, an endgate able to open and close the cargo opening, and first, second and third brackets, each bracket secured to one of the posts and the endgate, and defining a lateral axis and an upright axis. The first bracket is secured to the first post. The second bracket is secured to the second post such that the lateral axis of the second bracket is aligned with the lateral axis of the first bracket. The third bracket is secured to the first post at an elevation higher than an elevation of the first bracket such that the upright axis of the third bracket is aligned with the upright axis of the first bracket.
US07669907B2 Seat partitions for a vehicle and methods of use thereof
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for partitioning seats in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a first partition for separating the back row of seats from the front row of seat in a vehicle; and at least one mounting member for securing the partition to the front row seat. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for partitioning a seat from an adjoining seat, and further includes a second partition, attached to the first partition, and at least one mounting member attaching the second partition to the backseat. The present invention also includes methods for separating or partitioning pets, children, groceries, etc. from adjoining seats of a vehicle by using the apparatus described herein. Also embodied are systems, vehicles and kits that include the apparatus.
US07669906B2 Running profile of railway wheel
Wheels for goods wagons with small and large diameters, in addition to wheel sets equipped with wheels of this type for running gear, which are dependent on a highly passive radial positioning when negotiating curves and must remain stable at high speed. The inventive wheel profile is characterized as a result of the relatively large entry radius into the transition area from the running surface to the wheel flange by a low equivalent conicity. This enables a quieter running of the wheel set when the latter is travelling in a straight line. In curves, there is a sufficient rolling circle differential, permitting less wear and tear.
US07669904B1 Lifting sling having a tenacious coating with methods of manufacturing and monitoring the same
The present invention relates to coating of lifting slings with a polyurea elastomer, polyurethane, or hybrid polyurethane-polyurea elastomer. In addition, optionally the coating material can include one or more additives such as a catalyst, stabilizer, pigment, fire retardant, or other additives. In the present invention use of additives can enhance the lifting slings effectiveness and improve the operational condition and or suitability for use of the lifting sling. The present invention also relates to the ability to form a multi-core sling from a plurality of single cores. More specifically, the single cores can be tenaciously bonded together with the coating material to form a multi-core lifting sling. The present invention also relates to embedding a safety core along the length of the lifting sling core. The safety core allows monitoring of certain operational parameters related to the lifting sling by way of an indicator and or electronic system.
US07669900B2 Interface O-ring seal for low permeation flange of a fuel supply unit
A flange structure (10′) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16′) having first and second ends (22, 24) and features (25, 26) defining a channel (28) about a periphery thereof. An elastomer seal (30) is disposed in the channel. A plastic flange (20′) is overmolded on at least a portion of the fuel port between the first and second ends and on at least a portion of the elastomer seal, with the elastomer seal defining a barrier preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
US07669899B2 Pipe testing tool with magnetic clamps
An apparatus for sealing a section of a pipe interior includes a clamp having a magnetic engagement means for axially positioning the clamp within the interior of a pipe and preventing relative axial movement there-between and a sealing plate securable thereto. Movement of the sealing plate against the clamp results in deformation of a resilient sealing member thereby forming a seal between the apparatus and the pipe. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with another oppositely oriented apparatus or other sealing means to form a sealed space within the tube. Pressurization of the sealed space allows for a radial and/or axial force being applied to the sealed section of the pipe.
US07669898B2 Apparatus for detaching and attaching counterweight
A proximal portion of a first link is pivotally supported by a rear end portion of a frame. A second support shaft is provided in a distal portion of the first link. A first cylinder and a second link to which a counterweight is connected are supported by the second support shaft. A second cylinder is connected to the second link. Through pivoting of the second link by the second cylinder, the counterweight is selectively raised and lowered between a mounting position defined on the frame and a separating position above the mounting position. Through pivoting of the first link by the first cylinder, the counterweight moves between the separating position and the ground surface.
US07669897B2 Vehicle passenger restraining apparatus and method for the same
A vehicle passenger restraining apparatus is provided that basically includes a knee angle restraining structure, a shin restraining structure and a groin angle restraining structure. The knee angle restraining structure is configured to restrain a passenger during a frontal collision to attain a posture with a prescribed knee angle as measured between a passenger's thigh and a passenger's shin. The shin restraining structure is configured to restrain the passenger during a frontal collision. The groin angle restraining structure is configured to restrain the passenger during a frontal collision to attain the posture with a prescribed groin angle as measured between the passenger's thigh with respect to a longitudinal axis passing through a rotational center of a passenger's groin joint.
US07669889B1 Air bag chute attachment
An air bag chute directs the deployment of an air bag from an air bag housing mounted on a seat frame through a separable seam sewn between inboard and outboard seat cover panels. An air bag housing is box shaped with a base wall mounted on the seat frame and rear, front, and end walls extending from the base wall and a cover wall. An inboard chute panel and an outboard chute panel each have inner ends attached to the air bag housing and outer ends attached to the inboard and outboard seat cover panels adjacent to the separable seam. The attachment of the inner ends of the inboard and outboard chutes to the air bag housing is provided on the walls of the housing with the inner ends spaced from one another.
US07669887B2 Air bag
A side air bag is disclosed for a motor vehicle, and takes the form of a three-dimensional airbag which is formed from two super-imposed layers of fabric. The super-imposed layers of fabric, when laid flat, have a substantial common area of super-imposition. Infill pieces formed from either at least one gusset forming insert or from a portion or portions of fabric of one or both of the fabric layers which extend beyond the area of super-imposition are provided. The air-bag has an inflatable region towards the upper part of the air-bag and an inflatable region towards the lower part of the air-bag. The two inflatable regions are separated by a part of the air-bag which is constrained when the air-bag is inflated, to have a thickness less than the thickness of either of the said regions.
US07669884B2 Air bag device
An air bag device includes a retainer having an opening, a lid for covering the opening of the retainer, an air bag accommodated in the retainer, at least one hinge member connecting the retainer and the lid, and at least one guide plate having a hook-shaped or J-shaped cross section to define a recess. The hinge member is bent at its mid portion along the recess of the guide plate, and one end portion of the hinge member is fixed to a reverse surface of the lid at one side thereof and the other end portion of the hinge member is fixed to the guide plate and sandwiched between the guide plate and the retainer.
US07669883B2 Air bag bracket/fastener
An airbag installation fastener includes first and second fastener members connected by a hinge member. The first and second fastener members rotate from a fastener open condition to engage each other in a fastener closed position. The fastener closed position provides for an air bag member positioned between the first and second fastener members. The first and second fastener members have an aperture receiving a vehicle connected stud to support both the airbag installation fastener and the air bag member from the stud. An arm extending from the second fastener member rotates with respect to the second fastener member. The arm extends from the second fastener member in the fastener closed condition and both engages the second fastener member and abuts the stud to visually indicate a fastener completed installation condition.
US07669880B2 Strap for snowboard boots or bindings
A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap. The tightening arrangement may be configured with a mechanical advantage whereby the force applied to the tightening element results in a greater force applied to the strap. To take up any excess amount of tightening element after the strap has been tightened, a retraction device, such as a self-winding spool, may be utilized. To separate the strap from the boot or binding, a hook and catch arrangement may be employed.
US07669873B1 Front rotary cutting deck having center step with front viewport
A mower includes a zero turn radius (ZTR) traction unit carrying a front mounted cutting deck. The cutting deck is suspended beneath a carrier frame by a height of cut adjustment system comprising a plurality of pivot links and suspension chains extending between the carrier frame and the cutting deck. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to one of the pivot links can simultaneously lift the chains or permit the chains to lower to change the height of the cutting deck relative to the carrier frame. This same cylinder can also fold the carrier frame and the cutting deck relative to the traction unit about a fold pivot axis when a fold latch is selectively released by the operator. The carrier frame includes a center step for helping the operator mount or dismount the traction unit. The center step has a front viewport for allowing an operator who is seated on the traction unit to view the front edge of the cutting deck.
US07669871B2 Bicycle wheel securing adapter and bicycle fork using the same
A wheel securing adapter is provided in a bicycle fork to attach a skewer of a wheel securing axle thereto. The wheel securing adapter is disposed in an axle mounting opening of the fork. The wheel securing adapter has an internally threaded bore and an external surface configured and arranged to cooperate with the axle mounting opening to prevent at least one of relative axial movement and relative rotational movement of the wheel securing adapter within the axle mounting opening. The fork includes a pair of fork legs having upper ends coupled to the fork stem and lower ends with axle mounting openings. Preferably, a cutout surrounds one of the axle mounting openings on an inner side surface that faces the other fork leg to form the mounting opening for the wheel securing adapter.
US07669867B2 Shackle structure for suspension leaf spring
A pair of left and right shackles operative to support the vehicle-rear-side end portions of a pair of left and right suspension leaf springs. The left and right shackles have structures whereby the rigidity center positions of the leaf-spring-side bushings are offset to further outside areas of the vehicle than the rigidity center positions of the vehicle-body-side bushings, respectively.
US07669866B2 Suspension trailing arm
A suspension trailing arm suspends a vehicle chassis from a beam type axle. The trailing arm includes a chassis mounting feature, an axle mounting feature, and an arm portion intermediate the chassis mounting feature and the axle mounting feature. The arm portion has a generally X-section profile with four limbs.
US07669863B2 Walker with lift-assisting seat assembly
A walker for use by those with limited mobility. The walker includes a seat assembly that assists the user in rising from a seated position or sitting from a standing position. The seat assembly is mounted in a frame and includes at least one gas spring mounted between the seat assembly and the frame that deflects the seat assembly while the user is rising from the seat or dampens the deflection of the seat when the user is sitting. The walker may include other capabilities and attachments, including a braking system and mountings for ancillary equipment.
US07669862B2 Foldable spider wheel for ascending and descending stairs
A collapsible spider wheel assembly on a towing device enables storage of the device into a standard rectangular space. Once collapsed, the collapsible spider assembly is protected within the body of the towing device. Furthermore, actuation of the folding and unfolding may be accomplished through the usual telescoping of the carrying handle of such a device, such as in a suitcase embodiment. While the spider wheels are in the open position, the carrying apparatus may exert a drive force to climb up stairs and braking force to descend stairs. The unit operates as a normal wheeled carrying apparatus while traversing a horizontal surface.
US07669861B2 Stone block transporting crawler-climber
Twinned circular, parallel arrays of spoke-like second-class levers (10, 12) enclosing a centered cargo cradle for towing 2½ ton stone blocks (26) up a stepped structure of stone courses (34) by rotation of the whole.
US07669850B1 Multi-ball roulette
A selection mechanism such as a Roulette wheel determines at least two outcomes for each game. Players are permitted in various embodiments to wager on the various outcomes with betting options such as a second chance wager, an enhanced wager, a combination wager, sequenced or non-sequenced, or the like. After determination of the two outcomes, losing wagers are collected and winning wagers are rewarded according to a predetermined pay table.
US07669848B2 Conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A conveying apparatus for conveying a flexible sheet along a sheet-convey path including a curved portion. The conveying apparatus includes an outer guide which defines an outer portion of the curved portion of the sheet-convey path. The outer guide includes at least one curved plate having a first curved guide surface which contacts and guides the flexible sheet; and a guide base including at least one holding portion which holds the at least one curved plate. The at least one curved plate is formed of a synthetic resin assuring that the first curved guide surface thereof has a first frictional resistance lower than a second frictional resistance of a surface of the guide base.
US07669846B1 Self leveling elevator plate for paper feed tray
Apparatus and method for controlling the slope angle of sheet stock in a feeder/loader for copying/printing where leading edge side of the stock is elevated by elevating one side of the support tray to position the top sheet for nudging into a nip. When the slope angle of the stock reaches a critical value, in one version, a separate elevating mechanism raises the opposite side of the support tray to prevent the slope angle from exceeding the critical value. In another version, the elevating mechanism for the opposite edge is connected to the elevating mechanism for the leading edge of the stack and raises the opposite edge when the sheet stock slope angle reaches a threshold value to prevent potential misfeed.
US07669841B1 Support base for cutting wood planks and the like
A support brace includes a bottom section that has planar top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is seated on a ground surface, and the top surface abuts a bottom surface of a user foot. The bottom section has linear sides wherein one is diagonally offset from adjacent ones. A first wall extends upwardly from the bottom section. A second wall extends upwardly from the bottom section and has a longitudinal length registered perpendicularly to the first wall. The second wall has sloping top surfaces extending upwardly and away from the first wall that define a shoulder against which a wood plank is supported. A third wall abuts the bottom section and is spaced from the second wall for defining a passageway therebetween. The second wall has a lowest elevation defined above a highest elevation of the third wall.
US07669839B2 Vacuum hold down
A vacuum cup is made from rubber to resist damage and providing a vacuum seal without a separate gasket or O-ring. The vacuum cup may be one of several configurations suitable for different CNC machines and includes a rubber body comprising a bottom surface for mounting, a top surface including a vacuum area for holding a work piece, and a raised edge around the perimeter of the top surface for sealing against the work piece. The bottom surface may have any one of a variety of machine interfaces to cooperate with various machines. A vacuum passage connects the bottom surface with the vacuum area and a check valve may reside in the vacuum passage. The rubber body is sufficiently strong to resist flexing due to vacuum or work piece weight and the vacuum area includes work piece supports for contacting a work piece held on the vacuum cup.
US07669838B2 Air handling heat exchanger humidifying apparatus
An air handling heat exchanger humidifying apparatus (1) is provided with a humidifying cell (13) of a self supporting sheet like body with closely spaced air openings therein. Air is moved through the apparatus (1) so it passes through the openings in the humidifying cell (13). A humidifying liquid is deposited onto the body surfaces of the cell between adjacent openings. As the air moves through the openings it collects the humidifying liquid from the surfaces of the cell (13). The humidifying liquid can be cooled. The air then exits the apparatus (1) and can be used for cooling produce or other product. The cell (13) can be an expanded mesh with the openings having a somewhat diamond shape. The cell (13) body can be corrugated to assist in humidifying liquid retention.
US07669837B2 Equipment and process for the production of carbonated water
A process for producing carbonated water having a high concentration, inexpensively and easily, involves using a static mixer having 20 to 100 elements so as to provide a value Re×N of 100,000 to 2,000,000, in with Re represents a Reynolds number, when a mixture of water and carbonic acid gas flow in the static mixer.
US07669836B2 Bracket
A bracket having a main body with attachment structure for fixing the bracket to a first post and fastening means for securing the bracket relative to a second post. The bracket is preferably used for strengthening a post assembly for a fence or trellis system.
US07669832B2 Solenoid actuated valve with a damping device
The invention provides a solenoid actuated valve with a plunger which moves in a sleeve under influence of a magnetic field from the solenoid and further comprising a damping device for reducing noise and wear caused by the plunger when it bounces against a top part located in the sleeve. The damping device comprises a first part which forms the limit of the travel of the plunger and another part which is allowed to move relative to the first part in a dampened movement. To enable application in a vacuum system, the damping device comprises a conduit which allows evacuation of a chamber confined between one end of the sleeve and the damping device. The invention further provides a damper for a solenoid actuated valve.
US07669827B2 String light hanging kit
The present invention features a kit for hanging string lights. The kit comprises a bracket and a mounting tool. In some embodiments, the bracket comprises a first plate having a first edge and a second edge, a second plate extending upwardly and along the first edge of the first plate, a third plate extending upwardly and along the second edge of the first plate, and a hook disposed on a surface of the third plate that extends in a direction away from the second plate. In some embodiments, a mounting tool comprises cup member attached to a pole. The cup member comprises a base member having a first end and a second end, a first arm attached to and extending outwardly from the first end of the base member, a second arm attached to and extending outwardly from the second end of the base member, the first and second arm extending outwardly in the same direction relative to the base member, and a pole attaching to and extending downwardly from the base member.
US07669825B2 Seat sliding apparatus for vehicles
A seat sliding apparatus for vehicles is provided. The seat sliding apparatus includes a track and a guide bracket with legs connected to stepped locking pins to regulate the locked state of the locking pins which engage the track. In one embodiment, the track includes through-holes which are engaged by the locking pins. Accordingly to another aspect of the apparatus, a plastic bushing is provided to prevent horizontal/vertical floating of the locking pins, thereby minimizing the play of the locking pins and prevent floating. The apparatus also may simultaneously prevent a half-locked state of the locking pins.
US07669817B2 Mounting bracket
A reversible mounting bracket for mounting an article such as a loudspeaker is disclosed. The reversible mounting bracket in a first configuration is adapted to mount the article substantially flush to an upright mounting surface and in a second configuration, wherein the mounting bracket is reversed in orientation with respect to the article, the mounting bracket is adapted to mount the article to a mounting member.
US07669808B2 Display module exhibition station
A display module exhibition station includes a housing body, a bottom lid and a movable bracket. The bottom lid has one end pivotally engaged with the housing body to form an openable case. The movable bracket may hold a display module. The movable bracket is pivotally engaged with an inner side of the housing body and may be extended outside the openable case to exhibit the display module or house the display module inside the openable case to facilitate carrying of the exhibition station.
US07669807B2 Mounting clip
A mounting clip for mounting a component on a supporting part having an aperture includes a head section for attaching the component. A shank section is insertable in the aperture. At least two latching fingers are resiliently held apart from the head section on opposite shank section sides which spread outward toward the head section. At free ends the latching fingers have latching surfaces that rest against a supporting part underside when the mounting clip is inserted in the aperture. The shank section has on one side which extends perpendicular to the sides having the latching fingers, a contact surface that is supported on the aperture inner edge, and has on the side opposite the contact surface an elastically resilient rib or tongue that is supported with a preload against the aperture inner edge after the mounting clip is placed in the aperture.
US07669804B2 Spacecraft interface module for enabling versatile space platform logistics support
Systems and methods to deliver crew, cargo and other logistics services to space platforms. In one embodiment, a rendezvous and docking vehicle (RDV) comprises two docking mechanisms coupled to the RDV body. A pressurizable passageway connects the docking mechanisms. In one embodiment, the two docking mechanisms are different. An alternative embodiment comprises docking mechanisms which are the same. Also included is a flight control system. The flight control system may vary between embodiments, being autonomous, automated, or remotely controlled (e.g., remote pilot). One embodiment can also include a docking control system in the RDV. A propulsion system is coupled to the RDV in some embodiments, and the RDV may be augmented by a mated spacecraft's propulsion system in other embodiments. The mated spacecraft's propulsion system may even be under the control of the RDV.
US07669799B2 Reversible shape memory multifunctional structural designs and method of using and making the same
A multifunctional member with a first active member (30), which is adapted to contract if exposed to a temperature above a first transition temperature range. A second active member (40), which is adapted to contract if exposed to a temperature above a second transition temperature range. A core member (20), which is adaptive for deformation. The first and second active members (30, 40) are attached on opposite or different sides of the core member (20). A heat source operatively connected to the first and second active members (30, 40) to expose them to transition temperatures. The first active member (30) contracts while above the first transition temperature range causing the second active member (40) to expand, wherein the second active member (40) is below the second transition temperature range. The second active member (40) contracts while above the second transition temperature range causing the first active member (30) to expand, wherein the first active member (30) is below the first transition temperature range.
US07669797B2 Boarding ramp device for aircraft
A foldable boarding ramp is operatively connected to a door opening provided in a body and is selectively extendable to the ground. The foldable boarding ramp is stored in a folded state inside a fairing covering a connecting portion between the body and a main wing. Thus, a reduction in the space of a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment due to the storage of the folded boarding ramp is prevented. In addition, an increase in air resistance can be suppressed without providing a dedicated fairing for covering the boarding ramp. Further, an interlocking member connects together a door for opening and closing the door opening and the boarding ramp when the door is opened. The boarding ramp may be automatically deployed to improve convenience.
US07669796B2 Hoop stress reduction in a buoyant airship
A system and method for equalizing internal and external pressure on an enclosed vessel moving through a gas or fluid is described, thereby reducing hoop stresses imposed on the vessel by pressure differentials. The vessel is divided into multiple chambers, and the internal pressure of a chamber may be equalized with an external pressure proximate the chamber through the use of a valve or controllable vent.
US07669794B2 Seatbelt retractor with torsion bar
A seatbelt retractor has a spool. An energy absorption mechanism absorbs energy from the spool during seatbelt protraction. The energy absorption mechanism has at least a first portion for a relatively high rate of energy absorption and preferably a second portion for a relatively low rate of energy absorption. The seatbelt retractor has an outer sheath cast, molded, coated or otherwise bonded to and encircling a portion of the external surface of the first portion or the second portion which upon a sufficient exposure to rotational energy breaks the bond between the first portion or the second portion and the outer sheath.
US07669792B1 Temperature control in an indirectly heated recycled asphalt product heater
An improvement is provided for controlling the temperature of recycled asphalt product being processed in an indirectly heated recycled asphalt product heater, and the temperature of component parts of the heater itself, as the recycled asphalt product progresses through the heater and is heated by heat transferred from gases at an elevated temperature passed through the heater. Temperature sensors are placed at strategic locations within the heater and provide temperature information to a central processor arranged to receive information pertaining to temperature from the temperature sensors and to process the information and generate control signals. A controller arrangement controls the temperature of the heated gases entering a heat exchange arrangement within the heater in response to the control signals such that the temperature of the recycled asphalt product and the temperature of component parts of the heater are maintained within a desired predetermined range of temperature.
US07669791B2 Method and device for producing highly active rubber powder from rubber wastes
Highly-active rubber powder is obtained from old tires etc. by 2-stage pulverisation in a special extruder, involving an increase in volume stress to 15-250 MPa at 5-90 MPa/second, pulsating with an amplitude of +/−5-20 MPa and a frequency of 5-600 Hz, and at 90-380° C. (increasing at 50-150° C./sec), followed by a sharp reduction of volume stress at 50-150 MPa/sec. A method for the production of highly-active rubber powder with a specific surface of 0.4-5 m2/g from old tires and scrap vulcanised rubber articles based on various rubbers by 2-stage thermo-mechanical treatment in an extruder. This involves (a) fine pulverisation and (b) sharp reduction of the volume stress. An apparatus for the production of highly-active rubber powder includes a cylindrical housing with feed and discharge connections, a compression zone and pulverisation zone(s), each with a compression screw with grooves decreasing in depth in the machine direction and a rotating coaxial activator with grooves on its outer working surface, the housing, screw and activator being provided with cooling elements. One of the two pulverisation zones (A) is a zone formed by the housing and a multi-thread compression screw in which the inter-thread volume decreases towards the outlet and the inner surface is formed by a conical opening which slopes towards the outlet and by 3-6 meshing grooves of rectangular cross-section. The second pulverisation zone (B) is formed by (a) a rotating activator with a discharge screw rigidly fixed to it and aligned with the compression screw and (b) the surrounding housing.
US07669790B2 Method for processing of pozzolans
Method for processing of pozzolans comprising fly ash such as Class F and/or Class C fly ash used for preparation of mortars and concretes, characterized in, that the pozzolans is subjected to a high energetic mechanical processing by means of grinding in a grinding equipment to a fineness of the final product with a retention on a sieve 30 microns being less than 5%, whereby the pozzolan particles receive mechanical impulses when non-cenosphere in the form of coarse scoria particles are disintegrated and whereby the surface of cenosphere grinded particles is activated.
US07669789B2 Low pressure fuel injector nozzle
A nozzle for a low pressure fuel injection that improves the control and size of the spray angle, as well as enhances the atomization of the fuel delivered to the cylinder for an engine, at relatively low pressures. The nozzle includes a metering plate having inner and outer exit cavities in rings spaced circumferentially about a center exit cavity.
US07669788B2 Fluid injector for treating surface of flat display panel
A fluid injector for treating a surface of a flat display panel includes a case provided with a cavity for receiving fluid; a pair of nozzle guiders coupled to the case and disposed facing each other; a gap-adjusting plate disposed between the nozzle guiders to adjust a gap between the nozzle guiders; and a coupling device for coupling the nozzle guiders to the gap-adjusting plate.
US07669784B2 Agricultural sprayer implement
An agricultural sprayer implement which includes a wheeled main body and a cantilevered boom. The cantilevered boom has a plurality of sections which fold with respect to one another and place significant torsional stress on one or more of the boom sections. The interior boom sections have a cylindrical tube as a lower member and preferably a square tube as an upper member with a plurality of braces extending between them. The cylindrical tube resists the torsional stress which is maximized during folding of the boom. The square tube resists particularly an upward/downward bending moment.
US07669779B2 Rail clip support shoulder
Improved rail clip support shoulders are less expensive than conventional shoulders. The rail seat includes a concrete rail tie; a pair of rail clip support shoulders cast in place in said rail tie each said shoulder having a rail face between its external sides; a pair of shoulder insulators each shaped to lie against the rail face of the rail shoulder; a pair of rail clips each having a base section adapted to seat within the rail clip support shoulder and a toe section adapted to seat on the rail base, the toe section comprising a pair of bifurcated arms extending from said base section and being bent in a curve so that the toes lie adjacent but beyond the base; the arrangement being such that the clamping force exerted by each installed clip is at least 8 kilonewtons and the leading edge of the base section of the rail clip first engages a loading incline on either side of the rail clip ramp, while the line of contact of the trailing edge of base section is on the concrete rail tie and the trailing edge does not contact the rail clip ramp in the support shoulder until at least 40% of the distance to fully install the clamp has been traveled.
US07669778B2 Auto creeper tread
An auto creeper tread has the following features: three or four rows of circular holes disposed in an orderly manner on a skid-proof pad, wherein, the edge of each of the circular holes protrudes outwards; two rows of rectangular holes disposed on two sides of the skid-proof pad; two protruding reinforcing grooves disposed in the middle of the skid-proof pad; a row of small circular holes disposed on each of the two ends of the skid-proof pad; a track connected to the skid-proof pad by rivets; and a tire lock connected to one end of the track with a clamping plate. The auto creeper tread is designed to provide anti-sink and anti-skid solutions for automobiles.
US07669777B2 Slope predictive control and digital PID control for a variable temperature control system
The present invention applies a slope predictive control method to a Variable Temperature Control (VTC) system, measuring the slope of the discharge temperature as a function of flow regulation device position, and using this slope to predict the position of the flow regulation device needed to achieve the desired discharge temperature. The present invention also monitors the response of the VTC over time and utilizes a self-learning algorithm to predict the response time of the system in order to determine when further control adjustments need to be taken.
US07669774B2 Method for producing indicators and processing apparatus and system utilizing the indicators
The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.
US07669773B2 IC card module
To realize compatibility with an SIM card and adaptation to a high-speed memory access in an IC card module having a microcomputer and a memory card controller. An IC card module includes a plurality of first external connecting terminals and a plurality of second external connecting terminals both exposed to one surface of a card substrate, a microcomputer connected to the first external connecting terminals, a memory controller connected to the second external connecting terminals, and a volatile memory connected to the memory controller. The shape of the card substrate and the layout of the first external connecting terminals are based on a standard of plug-in UICC of ETSI TS 102 221 V4.4.0 (2001-10) or have compatibility. The second external connecting terminals are disposed outside the minimum range of the terminal layout based on the standard for the first external connecting terminals. The first and second external connecting terminals respectively include signal terminals electrically separated from one another.
US07669771B2 System and method for embedding a printer and a card swipe in a hand held device
Described is a handheld device for performing a transaction. The device includes a first receiving means for receiving first information via a first input device, the input device being one of an optical reader module, a card swipe module, a touch-sensitive screen, and a key pad. The device further includes a first processing means for processing the first information with a processor and a first generating means for generating a first output via a printer. The device also includes a second receiving means for receiving second information via a second input device, the second input device being one of the optical reader module, the touch-sensitive screen, the card swipe module, and the key pad, a second processing means for processing the second information with the processor and a second generating means for generating a second output via one of the printer and a display module.
US07669769B2 Systems and methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity
Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document.
US07669768B2 Remotely-alterable electronic display label employing an electronic ink layer integrated within a stacked-layer architecture employing an antenna layer and an integrated circuit layer supporting an on-board battery power component, and a programmed processor for determining graphical indicia to be displayed by said electronic ink layer in response to electromagnetic signals received from said antenna
A remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display device employing an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The device includes an integrated circuit layer having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly and an antenna structure. A signal transmitting layer transmits signals from the antenna structure to the remote activator module. A signal receiving layer receives electromagnetic signals from the remote activator module, using the antenna structure. An on-board battery power layer, operably connected to the integrated circuit layer, supplies electrical power the integrated circuit layer, which is responsive to electromagnetic signals received from the remote activator module by the antenna layer and the signal receiving layer. The addressable display assembly is responsive to output signals generated by the programmed processor, to display the determined graphical indicia. The antenna layer, integrated circuit layer, signal transmitting layer, signal receiving layer, on-board battery power layer are arranged and stacked together behind and within the spatial extent of the addressable display assembly so as to form the remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display device having a stacked-layer construction.
US07669759B1 GPS validation for transactions
A location verification provision is implemented to determine the location of a device associated with a user at the time of an attempted transaction. The attempted transaction includes receiving user identification and/or payment information, which is associated with the device in an entry stored in a database. Location information of the device, as well as a time at each location, may also be stored in the database. To verify that the device is located at the location of the transaction, a comparison operation may be performed. If the device is located where the transaction is being processed, the transaction may be completed. Predetermined criteria may be defined to account for possible inaccuracies in location and time calculations.
US07669758B2 Obtaining transaction accounts using identification cards
A system, method, and computer program product are used to obtain a transaction account. The system comprises at least one input device, at least one credit requesting system, at least one transaction account provider, and at least one credit reporting agency. The input device receives an identification card (e.g., driver's license) and possibly additional information from an individual. The data is then used to automatically generate a transaction account application The transaction account provider receives and evaluates the transaction account application. The credit requesting system is coupled to the transaction account provider and the at least one input device. The credit requesting system controls transmission of the transaction account application to the transaction account provider and receives the evaluation result from the transaction account provider.
US07669750B2 Method for forming a preform for a structural assembly
A preform and method for forming a structural assembly are provided. The preform can be formed by friction welding structural members to a base member and subsequently providing a connection material to join the structural members. The resulting preform can be formed with dimensions and a configuration that approximate the dimensions and configuration of the structural assembly. Thus, the structural assembly can be formed by joining multiple members that are generally smaller than the finished assembly.
US07669748B2 Conductive bonding material fill techniques
A system provides solder into cavities in a circuit supporting substrate. The system places a fill head in substantial contact with a circuit supporting substrate. The circuit supporting substrate includes at least one cavity. A linear motion or a rotational motion is provided to at least one of the circuit supporting substrate and the fill head while the fill head is in substantial contact with the circuit supporting substrate. Solder is forced out of the fill head toward the circuit supporting substrate. The solder is provided into the at least one cavity contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head. The system brings a second circuit supporting substrate in close proximity to the circuit supporting substrate, at least one receiving pad on the second circuit supporting substrate substantially contacts the conductive bonding material of the at least one cavity.
US07669743B2 Adjustable infant carrier
An apparatus for carrying an infant upon the hip of an individual is disclosed. The apparatus includes a harness for supporting the infant. The apparatus also includes a far shoulder strap supported by one shoulder of the individual. The far shoulder strap has a front section resting on the chest region of the individual and a back section resting on a back region of the individual. The apparatus also includes a second near shoulder strap supported by the other shoulder of the individual. Each shoulder strap may include a pad for placement upon the shoulder to provide comfort while supporting the weight of the infant. The infant rests upon the hip of the individual. Both shoulders and one hip of the individual support the weight of the infant.
US07669735B1 Toothpaste dispenser
A toothpaste dispenser is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the toothpaste dispenser includes a base, a roller mount arm carried by the base, a motor carried by the roller mount arm and drivingly engaging the base and a pair of rollers carried by the roller mount arm.
US07669732B2 Cup lid dispenser
A cup lid dispenser is characterized by a cylindrical housing for containing a stack of relatively flexible cup lids in vertical orientation with a lip of the bottommost lid supported at points around its circumference on a plurality of shelves within and around a base of the dispenser at a lower end of the housing. The base has a forward opening that exposes just a front portion of the lip of only the bottommost lid of the stack for being gripped by a user. To dispense the bottommost lid, a user grips the exposed lip and pulls the lid downward to flex it away from the overlying stack and forward to move it off of the shelves and release it from the overlying stack of lids for downward movement into an underlying pocket in the base, with continued forward pulling of the lid then moving it through and out of a forward dispense opening from the base. Upon dispense of the bottommost lid, the stack gravitationally moves downward and the lip of the next lid up moves into the support shelves and into position for dispensing.
US07669729B2 Tank for very low temperature liquids
The present invention relates to a tank for holding a cryogenic liquid. According to the present invention, there is provided a light and durable tank which is airtight even at cryogenic temperatures without generating cracks. The tank includes: a pressure-resistant layer having an inner shell and an outer shell; and an airtight resin layer on an inner surface of the inner shell, wherein the inner shell is comprised of a fiber-reinforced resin composite which can withstand temperatures above the melting point of the airtight resin layer, and the outer shell is comprised of another fiber-reinforced resin composite which can be cured at a temperature below the melting point of the airtight resin layer.
US07669726B2 Beverage container and a method of using same
A beverage container (10) is disclosed as including a body (12) with a top end and a cooling device (20) detachably engageable with the body (12), in which the body (12) is adapted to hold a beverage, and the cooling device (20) is adapted to contain a cooling agent, e.g. water and when the cooling device (20) is engaged with the body (12), at least a major portion of the top end of the body (12) is closed and at least part of the cooling device (20) extends into an interior cavity of the body (12), and the cooling device (20) includes a vessel (22) and a top (24) removably engageable with each other. A method of using such a beverage container is also disclosed.
US07669723B2 Tool suspension device
A tool suspension device has a base bracket having a front surface, a rail bracket and multiple clamps. The rail bracket is attached securely to the front surface of the base bracket has a mounting panel, two opposite rails and two opposite channels. The channels are formed respectively in inner surfaces of the rails. The clamps are mounted slidably in pairs on the rails and in the channels and each clamp comprises a fastener to hold the clamps securely in position, the pairs of clamps clamp a tool securely.
US07669720B2 Functional polyarylethers
Membranes comprising functional polyarylether having structural units of formula I are useful for hemodialysis and hemofiltration: wherein X is selected from Br, NR4R5, OOCR6, OR7, NR4CONR5R6, NR4COOR5R6 and combinations thereof; R1, R2 and R3 are independently at each occurrence CH2X, H, halo, cyano, nitro, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R4 and R5 are independently H, a C1-10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; R6 is H, a C2-10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R7 is OCH2CH2(OCH2CH2)nOH or OOCCH2(OCH2CH2)nCH3; Z is a direct bond, O, S, SO, SO2, CO, phenylphospinyl oxide, alkenyl, alkynyl, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; a, b, and c are independently 1 or 2; and m, n and p are independently 0 or 1.
US07669719B2 Membrane structure and method of making
A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of pores; and a second layer disposed on, the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is at least partially filled with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; disposing a second layer on the first layer, and filling at least a portion of the unconnected pores of the second layer with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler. Disposing a second layer includes depositing a metal layer on the first layer; and anodizing the metal layer to convert the metal layer into porous oxide layer.
US07669718B1 Convertible display fixture
A convertible display fixture comprising: a top portion; a front portion coupled to the top portion; at least one side portion coupled to the front portion; a back coupled to the at least one side portion; a bottom portion coupled to the front portion; wherein the top portion, the at least one side portion, the back portion, the bottom portion and the front portion form a shipping container; and wherein the top portion, the at least one side portion, the back portion and the bottom portion collapse towards the front portion to form a display fixture. In alternate embodiments, the convertible display fixture further comprises a collapsible lock box coupled to the front portion and top portion. Other embodiments further comprise at least one skid and at least one wheel coupled to the bottom portion.
US07669712B2 Storage case for receiving data disks
A storage case has a base and a lid parallel to the base. The base has a rigid base plate with a rigid support for a data disk that stores digital information. The base has a fastening zone arranged centrally on the base plate and connected to the base plate by springy radial sections. The fastening zone has a central rigid pressure element and tongues distributed about the pressure element for securing positively the data disk. The tongues have integral snap-on cams projecting past an edge of a central opening of the data disk resting on the support. The radial sections have inner ends connected directly to the pressure element. The tongues are connected by a bending location to the inner ends. The support is arranged directly about the radial sections so as to be proximal to the edge of the central disk opening.
US07669706B2 Tray handling system and process
A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.
US07669705B2 Coin recognition device
The present invention provides a coin recognition device comprising an integrated circuit, a coin receiving member, and a retractable trigger mechanism. The integrated circuit comprises a built-in recognition program and a plurality of pads as signal input ends thereof. The recognition program is configured for discriminating denomination of coins based on signals from the pads. The coin receiving member defines a coin slot for coins to be inserted. The retractable trigger mechanism is associated with the coin slot and is disposed on the coin receiving member. The trigger mechanism comprises a conductive contact part attached thereto. The contact part moves together with movement of the trigger mechanism in response to the insertion of coins. When the contact part moves to corresponding positions in relation to varying diameters of coins, the contact part at each specific position is electrically connected to one respective pad to stimulate a signal.
US07669697B2 Elevator apparatus
In an elevator apparatus, a brake control device has a first brake control portion, a second brake control portion, and a third brake control portion. The first brake control portion operates a hoisting machine brake to stop a ascending/descending body as an emergency measure when an abnormality is detected. The second brake control portion reduces a braking force of the hoisting machine brake when a deceleration of the ascending/descending body becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value during an emergency braking operation of the hoisting machine brake. The third brake control portion monitors a slip speed of a main rope with respect to a drive sheave during emergency braking operation of the hoisting machine brake, and reduces a braking force of the hoisting machine brake when the slip speed of the main rope becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
US07669692B2 Sound diffuser
A sound diffuser includes a front plate defining a plurality of sound exit holes. An outer frustoconical wall extends from the front plate, the outer frustoconical wall decreasing in diameter from the front plate. An inner frustoconical wall extends from the outer frustoconical wall toward the front plate, the inner frustoconical wall decreasing in diameter toward the front plate and defining a sound entry opening spaced apart from the front plate. A plurality of legs are coupled to at least one of the front plate and the outer frustoconical wall, the legs extending away from the front plate to contact a speaker cover. First and second straps operatively extend from the front plate, the first strap having a distal end with a fastener for connection to a speaker case. The second strap also has a distal end with a fastener for connection to the speaker case.
US07669689B2 Electric power steering apparatus
Since a rigid supporting structure for a gear box GB and a rolling type rack supporting device RSD are employed, an electric power steering apparatus having no response delay and having a high transmission efficiency can be realized. Further, a high steering performance required for a long period and a steering assist force that is increasing recently can be efficiently transmitted to wheels. Further, when the wheels collide with a shoulder of a road to receive a counter input, a torque sensor TS detects a torque and an assist steering force against the counter input is outputted to an output shaft OS. Consequently, the torque of the counter input is restrained from being transmitted to a steering shaft SS side. Thus, a kick back and a vibration are advantageously hardly transmitted to a steering wheel SW from the wheels.
US07669688B2 Automobile front portion structure
A front structure for a vehicle comprises a power unit mounted at a front end of the vehicle, a steering gear box provided in front of or behind the power unit in the vehicle, and a suspension member supporting the steering gear box, the steering gear box being situated at a bottom surface of the suspension member so as to move beneath the power unit when the front end of the vehicle is deformed due to a frontal collision.
US07669686B1 Parking locking mechanism for vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle having an improved parking locking mechanism disposed within the housing of a transmission assembly. The parking locking mechanism includes a locking-lever guide disposed eccentrically about the axis of rotation of the shift drum and a locking lever having a body with an opening therein engaging the locking-lever guide. The guide and the opening constructed and arranged to cooperate with each other such that rotation of the shift drum moves the locking lever into locking engagement with one gear of the transmission.
US07669685B2 Pedestrian protecting apparatus for vehicle
A pedestrian protecting apparatus is provided with a pedestrian protecting unit which is mounted at a hood of a vehicle to protect a pedestrian in a collision with the vehicle, a detecting unit for measuring an inclination angle of the obstacle entering a predetermined region at an upper side of the hood, a pedestrian collision determining unit for determining the collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian based on the measured inclination angle of the obstacle, and a control unit. In the case where the measured inclination angle of the obstacle varies with the time elapse so that the obstacle inclines to the side of the hood, the pedestrian collision determining unit determines that there occurs the collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian. Thus, the control unit actuates the pedestrian protecting unit.
US07669680B2 Mounting configuration for a brake control device on a motorcycle, and motorcycle including same
A mounting configuration is provided for mounting an ABS unit on a base model motorcycle which permits a relatively large-sized and heavy ABS unit to be easily mounted on a vehicle body frame. A V-shaped engine is longitudinally mounted on the frame, and a rear wheel is supported on a rear swing arm which is pivotally supported on the frame by a pivot shaft, the rear wheel driven via a drive shaft. An ABS unit is arranged on one side of the vehicle body in a space below and to one side of the pivot shaft so as to avoid interference with the rear swing arm or the like, thus it is possible to easily mount the ABS unit on a base model. Further, by arranging exhaust pipe system parts on another side of the vehicle body, it is possible to obtain a proper lateral balance of the vehicle body.
US07669671B2 Segmented sleeve on a downhole tool string component
In one aspect of the invention a downhole tool string component has a segmented sleeve slideably attached over the exterior of a mandrel which is adapted for connection to an adjacent tool string component. An end of the sleeve is abutted against a shoulder element of the mandrel and an opposite end of the sleeve is axially loaded by a threaded element attached to the mandrel. The sleeve comprises at least one sleeve segment with an engagement end comprising at least one axial anti-rotation assembly adapted to transfer torque to an adjacent sleeve segment, the shoulder element, or the threaded element.
US07669669B2 Tool face sensor method
Exhaust pressure from at least one actuator (34,36) which can tilt joint 6 of a bottom hole assembly 4 can be utilized to determine the direction 26 tiltable joint 6 is pointing (e.g., orientation, angular displacement, and/or inclination and azimuth). In one embodiment, a known exhaust pressure can be correlated to a known orientation and/or angular displacement, and the measured exhaust pressure can be compared to the known exhaust pressure to determine the orientation and/or angular displacement. In another embodiment, the flow rate of fluid exhausted from an actuator (34,36) can be derived from the exhaust pressure. The exhaust flow rate can then be used to calculate the state of actuation, which can allow determination of the angular displacement of the tiltable joint 6. Orientation and/or angular displacement with respect to the bottom hole assembly 4 can be resolved into an inclination and azimuth with respect to a formation 14.
US07669668B2 System, apparatus, and method of conducting measurements of a borehole
A method is provided for conducting measurements of a borehole while drilling the borehole in a geological formation. First, a rotatable drilling assembly is provided that has, at a forward end, a drill bit and a borehole measurement tool connected rearward of the drill bit. The measurement tool includes at least one caliper arm extendible outward from the measurement tool. The method involves drilling the borehole by operating the rotatable drilling assembly. While drilling, the wall of the borehole is contacted with at least one extendable caliper arm of the borehole measurement tool and the extension of the caliper arm contacting the borehole wall is measured, thereby determining a distance between the measurement tool and the borehole wall. During rotation of the drilling assembly, contact is maintained between the caliper arm and the borehole wall and the measuring step is repeated at multiple positions of the drilling assembly.
US07669650B2 Stuffing box for rotating rod
A stuffing box for a rotating rod includes a stationary housing and a tubular rotating inner housing. The stationary outer housing has an upper end, a lower end, an exterior surface and an inner surface defining an interior cavity. The inner housing is positioned within the interior cavity of the outer housing. The inner housing has an upper end, a lower end, an exterior surface and an inner surface defining an interior bore adapted to accommodate a rod. Bearings are disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing to facilitate rotation of the inner housing. An inner seal assembly provides a seal that prevents the migration of fluids between the inner housing and the rod. An outer seal assembly provides a seal that prevents the migration of fluids between the inner housing and the outer housing.
US07669641B2 Method and system for vertical coil condensate disposal
Condensate formed on a vertically oriented multi-poise evaporator coil is directed from a coil slab to a shield configured to attach to a bottom of the coil slab. The condensate is then drained out of the shield and into a condensate pan.
US07669640B2 Casing with external seal and immobilization cover for a passenger heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning installation
A casing houses a heat exchanger in a vehicle HVAC system. The heat exchanger includes air inlet and air outlet faces, rear end and front end faces, and first and second side faces. The side faces are each capped with a radiator tank comprising a front end. Each radiator tank defines an orifice for connection to a heat transfer fluid supply circuit. The casing includes a front end wall defining an opening opposite the front end face of the heat-exchanger. The casing also includes a cover defining at least two passages adapted to suit the orifices of the radiator tanks and fixedly attached to the front end wall. The cover also includes seals for limiting the outlet of air via the opening and/or the passages.
US07669636B1 Glare blocking vehicle attachment
A method of reducing glare from oncoming vehicle headlights is provided comprising providing an attachment for a vehicle having a front windshield, a driver's side and a passenger side, the attachment comprising a slatted blind having a plurality of horizontally-oriented slats extending between a headrail and a bottom rail, a flexible cord ladder connected between the headrail and bottom rail and supporting the slats, and a rotating means for rotation of the slats from opened to closed. Securing the slatted blind with mounting means connected to the headrail to an upper portion of the inside of the vehicle's front windshield on the driver's side such that the attachment has a width less than 30 percent of the horizontal width of the vehicle's front windshield and the passenger side is uncovered. Driving the vehicle on a surface that can have oncoming traffic. Rotating the rotating means to operate the slats such that they are open and allow a driver to see through the slats when there is no oncoming traffic with lit headlights approaching. Rotating the rotating means while driving to operate the slats such that they are closed and prevent a driver from seeing through the slats when there is at least one oncoming vehicle with lit headlights approaching the driver. And repeating the rotating steps while driving to accommodate varying oncoming traffic.
US07669633B2 Magnetic tilt and raise/lower mechanisms for a venetian blind
The present invention discloses a window blind within a multi-pane window. A window blind disposed between first and second panes includes a plurality of slats. Raise/lower and tilt lines are coupled to the slats. A carriage housing is disposed between the panes proximate a side edge thereof. A tilt strip is disposed within the carriage housing and coupled to the tilt lines. An inner carriage disposed within the carriage housing includes an upper portion coupled to the raise/lower lines to actuate raising and lowering the slats, and a lower portion coupled to the tilt strip to actuate tilting the slats. An external carriage is adjacent the exterior surface and aligned with and magnetically coupled to the inner carriage. The external carriage is linearly movable to move the inner carriage. A method of adjusting a window blind within a multi-pane window is also disclosed.
US07669630B2 Hole punch with automatic reinforcement ring placement
Hole punch apparatus which automatically places a reinforcement ring precisely around each punched hole concurrently with the creation of each hole and using the same motion that punches the holes. In a preferred embodiment, the punch shaft has a ring compression disk affixed around it at a location above the punch face. The compression disk has a ring cushion and a stack of reinforcement rings extending along the punch shaft toward the punch face, but spaced therefrom to permit the punch face to puncture a sheet before the lowermost reinforcement ring is then compressed against the sheet in precise axial alignment with the punched hole. The rings each have sufficient adhesive to adhere to the sheet, one and only one ring at each hole, while disengaging from the remaining rings in the stack. A sheet interface unit is installed on the lower surface of a punch bracket enclosure and provides a sheet retainer so that the sheet cannot rise significantly above the bracket base and thus will pull the lowermost reinforcement ring away from the stack as the punch lever is released. When re-supply is needed, a new ring stack is readily installed using a ring stack cassette, which in the preferred embodiment also replaces the sheet interface unit including the sheet retainer.
US07669627B2 Pneumatic sealing ring having an inner tube and expandable liner for a tube-type tire
A tube-type tire to be mounted on the rim of a (e.g., spoke-type) wheel such as that commonly used by a bicycle or a motorcycle, whereby the tube-type tire will operate without a conventional inner tube and as if it were tubeless. The tire includes a main tire section that is seated upon the generally flat shelf of the rim and a pneumatic sealing ring having an inner tube that is seated upon the beadwell of the rim. An air chamber of the inner tube of the sealing ring is inflated to a greater pressure than an air chamber of the main tire section so as to isolate the air chamber of the main tire section from the rim and force the main tire section against the vertical lip of the rim. The sealing ring also has an outer inflatable liner that is located in surrounding engagement with the inner tube to separate the inner tube from the air chamber of the main tire section. The outer liner has one or more O-ring seals projecting outwardly from the side walls thereof and a centering lip projecting downwardly from the side walls. The O-ring seals are moved into sealing engagement with the inside of the main tire section when the air chamber of the inner tube is inflated and the liner is expanded. The centering lips of the liner are seated upon the beadwell of the rim to cause the liner to be automatically centered over the inner tube.
US07669625B2 Asymmetrical pneumatic tire
A pneumatic radial tire has a carcass and a tread. The carcass has at least one carcass reinforcing ply and opposing bead portions. Each bead portion has a bead core and a bead apex radially. The apexes in each bead portion having the same radial height (HA), as measured from a bead base line (B). The tire has a bead reinforcing ply comprising aramid fiber reinforcing cords located in only one bead portion of the tire, with the bead reinforcing ply being adjacent to the carcass reinforcing ply.
US07669624B2 Pneumatic tire with tread having circumferential grooves
A pneumatic tire includes a tread surface on which a plurality of circumferential groove portions is formed. From among circumferential groove portions, a circumferential groove portion situated closest to a shoulder portion side in a tire width direction has a center of a groove-bottom innermost portion at a portion where a groove width in at least a tire circumferential direction is the narrowest, positioned closer to an equatorial surface in the tire width direction than a center of the groove width. An angle between a virtual extension portion of the tread surface and a groove wall on the equatorial surface side is equal to or less than an angle between the virtual extension portion of the tread surface and a groove wall on the shoulder portion side.
US07669623B2 Elastic wheel and method of manufacturing the same
An elastic wheel comprises a rim for mounting a tire, a disk to be fixed to an axle, and a connecting apparatus for connecting elastically between the rim and disk, the apparatus comprising a pair of axially spaced internal flanges each provided on an inner circumference side of the rim and extending circumferentially, an external flange provided on a radially outer portion of the disk, the external flange disposed in a space between the internal flanges with an axial gap on its both sides and extending circumferentially, a pair of rubber dampers each disposed in the axial gap and connecting between the internal and external flanges, wherein each internal flange is provided on its axially inner side with a first groove, the external flange is provided on its both sides with a second groove so as to face each first groove, axial ends of each damper are inserted into the first and second grooves, and a radial gap is provided between the external flange and the inner circumference side of the rim in the space.
US07669622B2 Jointer/planer with internal sawdust collection system
A jointer/planer with an internal sawdust collection system, includes a machine frame having a board inlet end and a board outlet end, a rotating cutter mounted to the frame for rotation in an axis located transverse to a board feed direction, a dust collector hood disposable on the frame in a first position for jointing, and a second position for planning, a dust collecting impeller disposed in an impeller housing on the frame, a conduit having a first end in communication with the hood and a second end in communication with the impeller housing regardless of being in the first position or the second position, and a power source associated with the frame and constructed and arranged for powering the cutter and the impeller.
US07669619B2 Electric pencil sharpener
An electric pencil sharpener includes a frame, a first motor, a first transmission mechanism driven by the first motor, and a continuing feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism includes a roller, a feeding wheel rotatably mounted to the frame and driven by the first transmission mechanism, and a driving assembly. An end of the driving assembly is driven by the first transmission mechanism, and the other end of the driving assembly is connected to the roller. The roller defines a groove in a bottom thereof, for pencils falling through. The feeding wheel defines a plurality of receiving slots each for receiving a pencil. The roller is driven by the driving assembly to swing, when the groove of the roller aligns with one of the receiving slots of the roller. Thus, a pencil falls into the receiving slot.
US07669618B1 Wood processor attachment for skid steer loader
A wood processor attachment for skid steer loader for efficiently cutting and splitting logs. The wood processor attachment for skid steer loader generally includes a pivotally mounted support structure including a receiving end, a working end opposite the receiving end and a loading apparatus. A conveying member, a cutting unit, a ram and a wedge are attached to the support structure. The loading apparatus extends from the receiving end, wherein the loading apparatus transfers a log to the conveying member. The conveying member travels between the receiving end and the working end, wherein the cutting unit, the ram and the wedge are adjacent the working end to selectively cut and split the log. The support structure may be pivotally mounted upon various objects, such as but not limited to a skid steer loader or a tractor.
US07669608B2 Substrate treating method, substrate-processing apparatus, developing method, method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and method of cleaning a developing solution nozzle
There is disclosed a substrate treating method comprising supplying a treating solution onto a substrate, and continuously discharging a first cleaning solution to the substrate from a first discharge region disposed in a nozzle, while moving the nozzle and substrate with respect to each other in one direction, wherein a length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first discharge region is equal to or more than a maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate, the nozzle continuously spouts a first gas to the substrate from a first jet region, and the length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first jet region is equal to or more than the maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate.
US07669606B2 Make up case easy to discharge powder
A make up case for discharging a powder includes an upper body including a cap insert member; a support jaw ring; an upper inside thread member; and a lower inside thread member, a lower body including a perpendicular rod body having a support member and a perpendicular rod wherein the perpendicular rod includes a closing jaw ring and a moving guide groove and the support member includes a plurality of through-holes therein; a reservoir; and an outside thread member, a middle member including an inner hole; an insert coupler; a support plate; and a cone resilient member, a discharge guide including a brush cover; a discharge hole; and a brush, and a cap, wherein the cone resilient member is pressed to open the inner hole in the state where the brush cover touches and pushes the support plate.
US07669604B2 Filtered cigarette incorporating an adsorbent material
A filter element incorporating an adsorbent material is provided. The filter element may comprise a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material spaced apart to form a compartment therebetween. The compartment may be filled with one or more adsorbents or the compartment may be divided into two regions, wherein one compartment region is filled with an adsorbent and the other compartment region is either filled with an ion-exchange resin or remains empty. The section of filter material adjacent to the tobacco rod may include one or more channels therethrough for passaging smoke directly from the tobacco rod into the adsorbent-filled compartment. The mouth end section of filter material may contain a breakable capsule, wherein the breakable capsule is filled with a flavoring agent capable of altering the taste characteristics of mainstream smoke.
US07669603B2 Pharyngeal wall treatment
A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.
US07669600B2 Endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus
A cleaning apparatus including an elongate tubular member utilized by extending into an endotracheal tube. A cleaning assembly provided at a distal end of the elongate tubular member radially expands to engage the interior wall of the endotracheal tube, for cleaning thereof by an irregular configuration on an exterior surface, achieving an effective cleaning engagement. A fluid impervious bladder portion provides an effective seal preventing fluid seepage during cleaning withdrawal. Further, a ventilator coupling connects to the endotracheal tube, a first inlet port couples to a ventilator assembly to supply air to a patient, and a second inlet port receives the elongate tubular member there through into the endotracheal tube. Also, a bypass coupling assembly connects between the channel of the elongate tubular member and the ventilator assembly directing air into the channel of the elongate tubular member and out the distal end upon occlusion of airflow.
US07669592B2 Solar power plant
A collector for solar energy is disclosed having a closed hollow partially spherical container with a window for permitting solar energy to enter the container. The container has a reflective inner surface for retaining the energy. The collecting lens focuses the solar energy. Central tubing is provided and a pump circulates fluid through the tubing to a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the fluid in the tubing to a utilization device.
US07669591B2 Steam generator for cooking apparatus
According to the invention, a steam generator is provided with a housing for forming a steam generating chamber, the housing having a steam outlet port. A heater plate is supported by the housing within the steam generating chamber. A water inlet valve is fluidly connected to the housing for selectively supplying water into the steam generating chamber whereby water is directed to the heater plate for conversion to steam. The heater plate forms a bottom wall of the steam generating chamber and is arranged to have a high point. The water inlet valve is opened and closed in accord with a duty cycle which alternates between two phases: a fill phase duty cycle and a steady state duty cycle.
US07669590B2 Gas cooking surface
A gas cooking surface, including at least one gas burner and a control device for adjusting the heating capacity stages of the burner. The gas burner operates depending on the heating capacity stage adjusted in a continuous mode in which the gas burner is continuously supplied with gas, or in a clocked mode in which the gas burner is supplied with gas in an intermittent manner. In order to allow for a user-friendly handling of the cooking surface, the control device, for adjusting the desired heating capacity stage, is provided with at least one touch contact that switches, without respect of the mode of operation, between the different heating capacity stages when actuated by the user.
US07669578B2 Method of operating an internal combustion engine
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston and a spark plug, comprising during a first mode, bringing the temperature of the combustion chamber to auto-ignition temperature by adjusting engine operating conditions and producing auto-ignition in said combustion chamber without requiring spark from said spark plug; and during a second mode, bringing the temperature of the combustion chamber close to auto-ignition temperature by adjusting engine operating conditions, forming a small cloud of stratified air-fuel mixture near said spark plug, igniting said fuel cloud by a spark form said spark plug, and then causing cylinder pressure to rise, thereby producing auto-ignition at other sites in said combustion chamber wherein said first mode is implemented in a first operating range and said second mode is implemented only in a second operating range where engine speed and load are lower than said first operating range.
US07669574B2 Accessories arrangement structure of internal combustion engine for motorcycle
An accessories arrangement structure for an internal combustion engine for securing a banking angle, increasing a degree of the freedom of the layout, concentrating heavy accessories and an overhanging part of the internal combustion engine, enhancing the maneuverability of the vehicle and reducing the size of the engine. An accessories arrangement structure of an internal combustion engine for a motorcycle includes an oil cooler and an oil filter that are attached together with a balancer in a lower part wherein the front of a crankcase that journals a crankshaft directed in a vehicular width direction, in which the oil cooler and the oil filter are attached to the front in a vehicular traveling direction of the crankcase project with a balancer, the oil cooler and the oil filter being adjacent in a front view of the vehicle and arranged abreast in parallel with a crankshaft.
US07669568B2 Valve timing controller
A valve timing controller has a shaft body as an output rotor, a torque generating system which generates the controlling torque outputted from the shaft body, and a planet carrier as an input rotor connected with the shaft body. A phase adjusting mechanism adjusts the relative rotational phase between a crankshaft and a camshaft according to the control torque inputted into the planet carrier from the shaft body. A bearing rotatably supports the planet carrier. The planet carrier forms a cylindrical input wall press-inserted in an inner circumference of the bearing. The input wall is provided with a fitting recess on its inner surface for engaging with the shaft body, the input wall is provided with a thin-wall portion of which thickness is reduced in a radial direction, and the fitting recess and the thin-wall portion are circumferentially arranged apart from each other.
US07669562B2 Multi-cylinder engine with cylinder pausing function
In a multi-cylinder engine provided with a cylinder pausing function, a hydraulically-operated valve-pausing mechanism is capable of selectively suspending operation of at least one intake or exhaust valve of one or more selected cylinders, depending on engine operating conditions, such that the suspended valve is temporarily held in a closed state. A hydraulic-pressure control device, for controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to the valve-pausing mechanism, is disposed on an engine body so as to minimize an amount of protrusion of the hydraulic-pressure control device from the engine body, while situating the hydraulic-pressure control device near the valve-pausing mechanism. A recess portion is formed on an external surface of a cylinder head or a head cover, and the hydraulic-pressure control device is disposed on the engine such that at least part of the hydraulic-pressure control device is accommodated in the recess portion.
US07669555B2 Self-cleaning pet litter box assembly with reciprocating bars
A self-cleaning pet litter box has a conveyor to incrementally transport clumped litter material and solid pet waste to a waste receptacle. The conveyor has one end configured to extend into a pet litter container of the self-cleaning litter box and an opposite exit end. The conveyor is configured for reciprocating movement to lift the clumped litter material and solid pet waste from below, transport it some distance along the conveyor, place the material down again, return to its original position, and repeat the motion again to incrementally move the material along the conveyor toward the exit end for subsequent disposal.
US07669554B2 Dog drinking device
A dog drinking device has a trapezoidal water container with a top cover. A rotatable round drum made of plastic or stainless steel is rotatably mounted in the water container. A plurality of transverse grooves formed on the round surface of the drum. A top portion the round surface of the drum is exposed through a rectangular access opening of the cover. A long ear dog may drink the water by standing at the narrower front end of the device with its ears falling on the outside of two forward converging sides of the trapezoidal shape water container and licking the water carried to the exposed round surface of the drum by the transverse grooves without water splashing on its face and floor area around the device or to its ears to cause potential ear infection.
US07669551B2 Pet activity system
A pet activity system for releasably joining a plurality of parts. These parts include bases, extenders and attachments wherein each is characterized as having either the male or female portion of at least one snap connector whereby the parts are releasably connectable to one another. As a preferred embodiment, multiple connectors are employed each requiring different forces to disengage those portions of the activity system that they connect from one another.
US07669544B2 Display apparatus
To provide a display apparatus which is intended to improve the miniaturization and illumination efficiency, an indicator 8 is disposed on the rear surface side of a transparent display panel 3. A printed board 5 mounts a movement 7 on the front surface thereof so as not to overlap the movement 7 and the transparent display panel 3 and mounts the indicator 8 on the rear surface thereof. LEDs 6 for the transparent display panel are mounted on the front surface of the printed board 5 so as to oppose to the outer peripheral surface of the transparent display panel 3.
US07669541B2 Configurable multi-function vessel
A configurable, multi-function vessel that comprises first and second pontoon barges and a plurality of interconnecting barges. The first and second pontoon barges have a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard sides thereof. The plurality of interconnecting barges are disposable between the inboard sides of the first and second pontoon barges so that a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides of the interconnecting barges are adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge. A plurality of connectors releasably couple adjacent connection members so that the pontoon barges and the interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel.
US07669537B1 Knife opener for use with an agricultural implement
A knife opener includes a pair of flared blades designed to cut spaced, but paired furrows. The knife opener is particularly well-suited for use in no-till or minimum-till agricultural operations primarily in conjunction with seed and/or fertilizer placement adjacent a soil cut-line generally in the direction of travel. In addition to being angled away from the main body of the knife, one of the blades is angled forward and the other blade is angled rearward. Seed and/or fertilizer dispensing receivers may be associated with each of the blades.
US07669535B2 Boiler gas flow distribution fin apparatus and method
A boiler gas flow distribution fin includes an elongated flow distribution fin protruding from a back wall of a flow distribution channel into a hot gas flow path from a boiler combustion chamber. The flow distribution fin can include a leading segment with a leading ridge, a medial segment with a medial ridge, and a trailing segment with a trailing ridge. A gap between the fin ridges and a set of convective fins in an adjacent flue passageway segment can vary from a larger gap at the leading ridge to a smaller gap at the trailing ridge, transitioning along the medial ridge. The flow distribution fin can aid in directing a hot gas flow from a combustion chamber into the flue passageway segment, resulting in a substantially balanced mass flow rate through each of a series of flue passageway sections.
US07669530B2 UV curing assembly having sheet transfer unit with heat sink vacuum plate
A sheet transfer assembly for use above an ultraviolet curing unit in a flexographic printing press used for printing corrugated sheets includes a vacuum plate with heat sinks. The vacuum plate includes openings for rollers that extend through the vacuum plate to drive printed sheets across the bottom of the transfer assembly. Heat sinks are formed on the top surface of the vacuum plate between rollers to remove heat from the vacuum plate. Heat from the UV curing unit is effectively dissipated from the vacuum plate into the air used to hold printed substrates against the rollers in the transfer assembly.
US07669525B2 Multi-purpose culinary implement
A food preparation apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a main frame having a central opening for receiving a food preparation implement and having opposing ends; and at least one interchangeable food preparation implement designed to be inserted within the central opening and locked onto the main frame during usage and being removable for cleaning and storage during non-use, the food preparation implement is selected from a group consisting of mandolins, graters, cutting devices, potato fry cutters, slicers, corers, peelers, pressing devices, food mashers, food presses and mixtures thereof.
US07669520B2 Fryer
The fryer (1) comprising a rotatable cooking basket (4) and an oil container (3) has air heating means (19) and forced circulation means (13) of the heated air through the basket for at least partially cooking the food product contained in the basket.
US07669519B2 Spray head
A spray head for use with or in combination with a beverage making apparatus. The spray head receives liquid from a liquid dispensing path of the beverage making apparatus and distributes liquid over a beverage making substance retained in close proximity to the spray head. The spray head includes a body portion (14) having a lip (15) extending generally from a periphery of the body portion. A plurality of holes (20) are formed extending through at least the lip portion. A connector (49) is provided for removably attaching the spray head to the beverage making apparatus. The spray head is removable from the beverage making apparatus for facilitating direct contact cleaning of the surfaces of at least the body of the spray head to remove particles and mineral deposits therefrom.
US07669518B2 Espresso coffee machine
Espresso coffee machine comprising a reservoir for the water (20), a pump (21) for delivering the said water to a boiler (24), a hot water supply unit (2, 102, 122, 4, 304), and filter holder means (1, 301, 3, 103) for housing a portion of ground coffee (16), preferably pre-packaged, and provided with coffee delivery means (201; 203), characterized in that the said supply unit (2, 102, 122, 4, 304) and the said filter holder means (1, 301; 3, 103) are coupled together with a seal and the trajectory of the coupling movement lies on a plane substantially perpendicular to the median plane of coupling of the said supply unit (2, 102, 122; 4, 304) and the said filter holder means (1, 301; 3, 103), the facing surfaces of the said supply unit (2, 102, 122; 4, 304) and the said filter holder means (1, 301; 3, 103) coming into contact only at the time of their coupling.
US07669513B2 Multiple weapon system for armored vehicle
Land vehicle weapon system including a base mount coupled with a land vehicle, a weapon mount, a plurality of weapons coupled with the weapon mount, a weapon moving mechanism coupled between the base mount and the weapon mount, a plurality of moving elements coupled with at least one of the base mount, the weapon mount, the weapons, and with the weapon moving mechanism, a sensing mechanism coupled with at least one of the weapon mount, the weapons and the base mount, and at least one user interface coupled with the weapons, the weapon moving mechanism, the moving elements, and with the sensing mechanism, the user interface enabling a user to remotely operate the weapons, the weapon moving mechanism being operable to move the weapons between a plurality of configurations.
US07669506B2 Shingle removal tool
A shingle removing tool includes, among other possible things, a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a base connected to the shaft. A length of the shaft is adjustable. The base includes a blade portion that is configured to separate one or more shingles from a support structure to which the shingles are affixed.
US07669505B2 Pin lock pliers
A hand tool for gripping a workpiece can include a first lever having a first handle and a first jaw and a second lever having a second handle and a second jaw. A locking assembly can include a pivoting lever, a locking pin and a blocking member. The pivoting lever can be pivotally coupled to the second lever. The blocking member can be coupled to the first lever. The pivoting lever can be movable between an unlocked position, wherein the first and second jaw move relative to each other and a locked position, wherein the first and second jaws are fixed relative to each other. In the locked position, the locking pin can be wedged against a contact surface of the blocking member precluding relative motion of the blocking member and the pivoting lever.
US07669503B2 Grip for parking brake operating lever
A grip for a parking-brake operating lever includes a tubular-shaped grip main body which is press-fitted on a lever main body of the operating lever so as to be mounted on an outer circumferential periphery of the lever main body, a grip cover which is mounted on a part of a circumferential periphery of the grip main body, an engaging tab which projects from an inner surface of the grip cover and which is inserted through an insertion hole provided in the grip main body and is held in engagement with an engaging portion provided in the lever main body, such that the engaging tab is movable relative to the engaging portion in a longitudinal direction of the lever main body, and a fitting protrusion and recess which are respectively provided in the inner surface of the grip cover and the outer circumferential surface of the grip main body, and which are held in fitting engagement with each other for positioning the grip cover in a predetermined relative to the grip main body.
US07669491B2 Current tank systems and methods
There is disclosed a current tank system comprising a first current tank adapted to produce a first current in a first direction; a second current tank adapted to rotate to produce a second current in a second direction; a sample adapted to be exposed to the first current and the second current.
US07669490B2 Apparatus and method for testing filters in a clean room
To provide a filter test apparatus that can easily and efficiently test parallel filters in a clean room, a plurality of filters for purifying air supplied into the room are disposed in parallel, and a moving frame oriented along the exit surfaces of a filter group is disposed in the clean room, in which the exit surfaces of the filter group are used as the ceiling surfaces or side surfaces of the room, so as to allow movement in the direction along the exit surfaces of the filter group in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the moving frame. The moving frame is disposed so as to span opposing room walls and in a position near the exit surfaces of the filter group in the room. A filter test device is movably mounted on the moving frame in the longitudinal direction of the moving frame.
US07669486B2 Weighing device
The weight sensing device may include a base, a cover, a first load cell attached to the base and the cover, a second load cell attached to the base and in contact with the cover but not attached, and an analyzing circuit which is connected by electrical wires to the load cells. The base may be a fork, for example, a lift truck fork. When a load is positioned on the load bearing surface of the cover, the load cells flex and cause an electrical signal to be transmitted over the wires to the analyzing circuit.
US07669485B2 System for sensing air velocity without requiring external power supply and a method for operating the same
An air velocity sensing system not requiring external power supply is applied to an air duct system, comprising: (1) a sensor module disposed in the air duct for measuring the air velocity therein and for saving the measured air velocity value; and (2) a control module for wirelessly transmitting a signal to the sensor module, which sends the measured air velocity value back to the control module after receiving the signal from the control module, so as to have the air velocity value displayed on control module. The present invention also provides an air velocity sensing method not requiring external power supply.
US07669483B1 Flowmeter transducer clamping
Tangential forces present at the mating area between a clamp-on transducer and a pipe can be made very small in order to provide a higher quality, more stable acoustic coupling. In some cases this is accomplished by providing a low friction bearing on a surface of a transducer housing. This bearing may be a slippery surface portion, or may involve a rotary bearing mounted on the housing. In other cases, where a steel pipe is used, pairs of permanent magnets coupled by a yoke can provide the desired clamping force directed solely along a radius of the pipe.
US07669479B2 Combined temperature and pressure transducer incorporating connector keyway alignment and an alignment method
A transducer sensor is positioned within a hollow of the body of a housing. The housing has an extending alignment pin, which pin coacts with a corresponding slot or aperture in the wall of a vessel whose pressure or temperature is to be monitored. The transducer body is associated with a connector where the alignment pin is placed and extends from the housing in a fixed relation to the connector. A suitable aperture or slot in the wall of the vessel to be monitored accommodates the extending pin whereby when the transducer is placed in the vessel aperture the connector associated with the transducer is always located in proper position. Positioned on the housing is a sliding nut which can move in a direction parallel to the central axis of the housing and either to the right or left. This sliding nut is rotatably positioned in the housing and coacts with threads formed in the aperture in the wall of the vessel to enable tightening of the transducer housing when placed in the wall and when the alignment pin is positioned within the corresponding slot or aperture. This assures a proper alignment so that an external connector which is not moveable or rotatable can be immediately connected to the transducer connector without further experimentation or adjustment.
US07669477B2 Ultrasonic probe for hollow fuse pin inspection
A self-aligning probe assembly has one or more ultrasonic transducers adapted to transmit an ultrasonic shear wave into the inside surface of the hollow structure such as an aircraft fuse pin and to receive the shear wave emerging from the inside surface of the hollow structure. The nature of the received shear wave indicates the presence of flaws or damage in the inspected part. The probe assembly can be used to inspect fuse pins on aircraft without having to remove the aircraft engines.
US07669472B2 Liquid level detector and liquid processing system provided with the same
A liquid level detector 10 includes a liquid guiding pipe 14 that guides a liquid in a tank to an inside thereof in such a manner that a liquid level of the guided liquid conforms to a liquid level of the liquid in the tank, and a branching liquid guiding pipe 15 for detecting a liquid level, which branches off from the liquid guiding pipe to guide the liquid into an inside thereof in such a manner that a liquid level of the guided liquid conforms to a liquid level of the liquid in the tank. The branching liquid guiding pipe 15 is provided with position sensors 16 (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) for detecting the liquid level of the liquid in the branching liquid guiding pipe 15. On a part where the liquid guiding pipe 14 and the branching liquid guiding pipe 15 are connected to each other, there is disposed a bubble passage prevention member 17 of a porous plate shape, which prevents bubble generated in the liquid from entering the branching liquid guiding pipe 15.
US07669470B2 Mail piece stiffness detector
An apparatus for determining the stiffness of mail pieces includes a bar or similar deflector for contacting a mail piece conveyed past the bar by a conveyor system, and vibrates when in contact with a passing mail piece, either due to the impact of the mail piece or by the action of a device which causes the deflector to vibrate before the mail piece hits it. A sensor measures a parameter indicative of change in the vibrations of the deflector and generates a signal indicative of the measured parameter. A processor, e.g. programmable controller or circuit, receives the signal from the sensor and determines a stiffness value for the mail piece based on decay in vibrations of the deflector caused by contact with the mail piece.
US07669469B2 Method and apparatus for a continuous data recorder for a downhole sample tank
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a pressurized well bore fluid sample collected downhole in an earth boring or well bore. The CDR continuous by measures the temperature and pressure for the down hole sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is also performed on the small amount of sample to provide an on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation a flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is overpressured or supercharged to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample to the CDR.
US07669466B2 Monitoring device attachment to rubber valve stems
Tire sensor packaging capable of being installed on a standard snap-in tire valve stem is provided. The sensor package includes an attachment member capable of being disposed in the flexible bore of a snap-in tire valve stem, and of securely engaging with the inner wall of the flexible bore. The attachment member can be an integral part of the sensor package, or it can be a separate part that acts as an expansion device (e.g., an expansion nut) when engaged with the sensor package. Preferably, the attachment member includes features, such as barbs, to provide more secure engagement with the tire valve stem. Packages according to embodiments of the invention include a package passage (e.g., a channel or a bore) to permit the flow of air past the sensor, so that the tire can be inflated or deflated. Sensors can be attached to the tire valve stem before or after the tire valve stem is installed in the wheel.
US07669465B2 Systems and methods for maintaining air pressure in tires
A system for air injection into tires, comprising a rotary air chamber secured to a hub cap wherein the rotary air chamber is configured to inject air into at least one tire when tire pressure drops below a first adjustable preset value and to release air from the at least one tire when tire pressure rises above a second adjustable preset value, an air shaft extending through the hub cap and into the rotary air chamber, an air line attached to the air shaft, and ball bearings affixed between the air shaft and the hub cap. A bracket can be fastened to the hub cap such that the rotary air chamber is fastened to the bracket. The hub cap and air shaft are fastened to the axle such that an air line extends from inside the axle through the air shaft to the rotary air chamber.
US07669461B2 System and method for utility metering and leak detection
The system and method for detecting water and/or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.
US07669457B2 Apparatus and method of smoke detection
An aspirated smoke detector includes an ambient air flow separation element in combination with a smoke sensing chamber. The flow separation element can be an active or a passive element. Separated ambient, carrying relative small particles can flow into the sensing chamber. Ambient carrying relatively larger particulate matter is excluded from the sensing chamber.
US07669452B2 Titanium stretch forming apparatus and method
A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces.
US07669450B2 Pressure controlled superplastic forming
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a sheet of ductile material by superplastic forming. The gas pressure is varied to control the material flow during the forming process. Accordingly, the gas pressure can be increased or decreased to control the rate of deformation of the workpiece. Accordingly, the method and apparatus contemplates the use of predetermined pressure profiles to reduce the overall forming time.
US07669448B1 Lockseaming process and apparatus for same
An apparatus for forming a thin wall sheet with first and second edge portions into a shell with a predetermined body configuration and a lockseam in which the edge portions are folded over each other. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a means for at least partially wrapping the sheet around the mandrel into the predetermined body configuration, and a number of gathering bars for engaging the sheet to configure the first and second edge portions according to a predetermined design. The apparatus also includes a number of forming bars for forming the first and second edge portions into respective preselected shapes extending above the top side of the mandrel, and a number of lockseaming rollers for folding the first and second edge portions over each other to form the lockseam.
US07669441B2 Finishing needle
The finishing needle is a hand sewing tool used for weaving loose ends of yarn back into a hand-knitted item when finishing a knitting work. The finishing needle is a long needle with two ends that taper to a semi-point at each end. The needle has a single eye that extends through the length of the needle. The eye has a beveled edge that provides for easier threading and to hold the yarn securely. The finishing needle can weave loose ends of yarn into a knitted item when finishing without stopping to turn the needle around, and with no need to re-thread, when weaving in the opposite direction. The finishing needle can more easily make use of shorter lengths of yarn than a conventional needle or hook, and can finish a large knitted item or one with multiple colors much faster than with a conventional needle.
US07669439B2 Gas injection for glass melting furnace to reduce refractory degradation
A glass melting furnace has a gas inlet positioned proximate to a charging section oxy-fuel combustion region to introduce gas into the region and to at least partially displace gas having a partial pressure of alkali vapor from the region, and optionally a gas outlet is adapted to provide an exit for a volume of furnace atmosphere. A method for reducing alkali vapor corrosion of glass furnace refractory structures includes providing a gas inlet proximate to the oxy-fuel combustion region; introducing a volume of gas from the inlet into the region, displacing a volume of gas having a partial pressure of alkali vapor from the region; and, optionally providing a gas outlet adapted to provide an exit for a volume of furnace atmosphere.
US07669437B2 Heat exchanger module
A heat exchanger module includes a condenser for condensing a refrigerant, a modulator, a sub-cooler for cooling liquid refrigerant supplied from the modulator, and a heat exchanger for cooling a fluid different from the refrigerant. The condenser, the sub-cooler and the heat exchanger are arranged in an arrangement direction substantially perpendicular to an air flow direction. Further, the modulator is disposed to extend in the arrangement direction. In the heat exchanger module, the modulator has a dimension that is larger than the sum of a dimension of the condenser and a dimension of the sub-cooler, and is not larger than the sum of the dimension of the condenser, the dimension of the sub-cooler and a dimension of the heat exchanger, in the arrangement direction. Accordingly, a capacity of the modulator can be effectively increased without increasing a largest outer side of the heat exchanger module.
US07669433B2 Multi-air conditioner central control system
Provided is a multi-air conditioner central control system, which shares the physical network and control resources with a multi-air conditioner system so as to control a ventilation system in an integrated manner. The central control system includes a multi-air conditioner system including one or more multi-air conditioners connected to a network for indoor air conditioning, a ventilation system including one or more ventilation devices connected to the network for ventilating indoor air by inhaling and exhausting the indoor air, and a central controller connected with the multi-air conditioner system and the ventilation system for monitoring, in real time, a state of each of the multi-air conditioners and the ventilation devices and controlling an operation thereof.
US07669426B2 Shared switching for multiple loads
Circuits, methods, and systems are directed to controlling the amount and polarity of current to multiple loads with switches, where the loads share switching components. The loads may be thermoelectric elements, which heat or cool based on the state of the switches. The switches may be run in a single mode during a duty cycle, or multiple successive modes during the duty cycle to achieve full control of the loads.
US07669425B2 Closed loop turbine cooling fluid reuse system for a turbine engine
A cooling fluid reuse system for a turbine engine for capturing spent cooling fluids from row one turbine vanes and directing those fluids into a mixing chamber to be mixed with liner cooling fluids and used in a combustor. The cooling fluid reuse system may be formed from a fluid channel extending from the a cooling fluid collection channel in the first row of turbine vanes, through a rotor cooling fluid collection chamber in the rotor assembly, through a cooling fluid manifold, and into the at least one mixing chamber.
US07669424B2 Combustor assembly
A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a casing arrangement defining an aperture and a seal element mounted on the casing arrangement through which a component of the combustor can extend. The seal element comprises a relatively flexible force absorbing portion and a relatively rigid sealing portion. The force absorbing portion is provided between the sealing portion and the casing arrangement. The force absorbing portion is resiliently deformable to absorb force during movement of the casing arrangement. Such resilient deformation restricts transmission of the forces to the sealing portion. The seal element may be configured to carry a seal member.
US07669422B2 Combustor liner and method of fabricating same
A combustor liner includes a liner having an upstream end and a downstream end having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, and a plurality of cooling holes formed in the liner, the cooling holes are arranged along the longitudinal axis into a plurality of circumferentially extending rows that are variably spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
US07669421B2 Combustor of gas turbine with concentric swirler vanes
A gas turbine combustor having an inner tube and a transition pipe connected together is provided. The combustor includes an internal swirler and an external swirler. The internal swirler is composed of a cylindrical inward swirler ring disposed concentrically with respect to a central axis of the inner tube, and a plurality of inward swirler vanes provided on an outer peripheral surface of the inward swirler ring. The external swirler is composed of a cylindrical outward swirler ring disposed on an outer peripheral side of the inward swirler vanes and concentrically with respect to the inward swirler ring, and a plurality of outward swirler vanes provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outward swirler ring. The internal swirler and the external swirler are disposed within the inner tube.
US07669418B2 Heat energy supply system and method, and reconstruction method of the system
A heat energy supply system and method capable of drastically increasing energy efficiency and energy supply efficiency, as well as a reconstruction method of the heat energy supply system. The heat energy supply system comprises a boiler for heating a heat medium and producing steam including water and other vapors, a heat pump including a steam turbine driven by the steam supplied from the boiler and a heat exchanger for heating the heat medium by employing waste heat or heat obtained from environment, thereby producing the steam at a setting temperature, and a steam supply line for supplying the steam discharged from the steam turbine and the steam heated by the heat exchanger to a heat utilization facility.
US07669417B2 Engine after-cooling system
An engine after-cooling system (10) comprises an after-cooler (11) for cooling compressed air which is output from a compressor for combustion by an internal-combustion engine, a heat exchanger (19) for cooling a coolant which is output from the after-cooler (11), a pump (21) for continuously pumping the coolant through the system (10), an outlet air temperature sensor (27) for sensing the temperature of the compressed air after being cooled by the after-cooler (11), a coolant temperature sensor (17) for sensing the temperature of the coolant output from the after-cooler (11), and a controller (26) for controlling the flow-rate of coolant through the system (10) in response to the sensed air and coolant temperatures.
US07669416B2 Circuit for cooling charge air, and method for operating such a circuit
The invention relates to a circuit (NK) for cooling charge air (LL) in a motor vehicle comprising a turbocharger that is provided with a circulating pump (5) for the circuit (NK). Said pump (5) is coupled to a turbine (2) and forms a turbine/pump combination (1) along with the turbine (2).
US07669413B2 Hybrid construction machine
In a hybrid excavator, a hydraulic pump and a generator motor are connected in parallel to an output shaft of an engine and a rotation motor is driven by a battery. The generator motor assists the engine by performing a motor function. Power consumption of each of the hydraulic pump and the rotation motor is detected. The output of the hydraulic pump and the rotation motor is controlled such that the sum of the detected power consumption does not exceed maximum supply power set as the sum of power that can be supplied to the hydraulic pump and the rotation motor.
US07669406B2 Compact, low pressure-drop shock-driven combustor and rocket booster, pulse detonation based supersonic propulsion system employing the same
A supersonic propulsion system is provided. The supersonic propulsion system includes a plurality of systems for efficiently creating cyclic detonations and at least one rocket booster device. Each of the systems include at least a first initiator chamber configured to generate an initial wave, at least one main chamber coupled to the first initiator chamber. The main chamber is configured to generate a main wave and to output products of supersonic combustion. The products are generated within the main chamber. The main chamber is configured to enable the main wave to travel upstream and downstream within the main chamber when the first initiator chamber is located outside the main chamber. The system further includes an initial connection section located between the first initiator chamber and the main chamber that enhances a combustion process via shock focusing and shock reflection.
US07669405B2 Shaped walls for enhancement of deflagration-to-detonation transition
A detonation chamber for a pulse detonation combustor including: a plurality of dimples disposed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the detonation chamber wherein the plurality of dimples enhance a turbulence of a fluid flow through the detonation chamber.
US07669400B2 Rotor reversing mechanism
A rotor reversing mechanism for a baler comprises a ratchet 12 mounted for rotation with the rotor, a pawl 22 carried by a reversing arm 16 for engaging the ratchet 12, a double acting hydraulic cylinder 32 for reciprocating the reversing arm 16 to cause the rotor to rotate in a reverse direction and means for disengaging the pawl 22 from the ratchet when the reversing arm is in a park position. In the invention, a spring 40 is provided for urging the reversing arm 16 towards the park position and the working chambers of the double acting hydraulic cylinder 32 are permanently connected to one another by way of a throttled passage 74.
US07669396B2 Timing crank and cylindrical conveyor for an agricultural harvester
A timing crank for a cylindrical conveyor of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a unitary body in the form of an elongate member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a first aperture having a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second end defines a second aperture having a second longitudinal axis, wherein each of the apertures are joined by a longitudinal slot extending between and being in communication with the first and second apertures.
US07669395B2 Flip up arrangement for a mower deck
An automated system for selecting the cutting height and orientation of a mower deck attached to a power vehicle. An actuator and a system of links and slotted members are configured to operatively couple to a mower deck carriage and a front portion of the mower deck. Operation of the actuator by extending or retracting an actuator length, working in concert with the system of links and members, causes the mower deck to lower or raise in relation to a surface underlying the mower deck. Operation of the actuator further permits the mower deck to be rotated about an axis to and from an operation orientation and a service and or storage orientation. The actuator maintains the position of the mower deck without assistance of additional locking mechanisms or load bearing members. The system is controllable through a single interface convenient to the operator.
US07669390B2 Method for molding and assembling containers with stoppers and filling same
A stopper and container body are molded in the same molding machine. An assembly device, such as a pick and place robot, transfers the stopper from one mold cavity into the opening in the container body located within another mold cavity, or vice versa, to assemble the stopper and container body. Then, the assembled container body and stopper are removed from the molding machine and transported to a needle filling and laser resealing station for filling and laser resealing. A laminar flow source directs a substantially laminar flow of air or sterile gas over the mold surfaces, stoppers and container bodies, and assembly device, to prevent contamination during assembly.
US07669389B2 Two-way postal mailing assembly
Postal mailing assembly capable of being processed by postal processing equipment without causing damage to the article held by the mailer. The mailing assembly includes a pocket holding the article inside the mailer is offset relative to one edge of the assembly by a distance sufficient to prevent damage when the mailer is oriented and processed by postal equipment.
US07669388B2 Process and machine for automated manufacture of gastro-retentive devices
An improved automated process and apparatus for making a gastro-retentive device (10). The method includes the steps of providing a pouch assembly (18) having an ingredient section within a membrane; rotating the membrane to form a folded pouch assembly; inserting the folded pouch assembly into a first capsule section (20 a) to form a pouch/first capsule assembly, and inserting the pouch/first capsule assembly into a second capsule section (20 b). The process can further include the steps of providing a continuous strip (32) of multiple pouch assemblies (18) and cutting a single pouch assembly (18) from the strip (32).Also provided is an apparatus (100) for carrying out the above method which includes three wheels (102, 104, 106) for processing and moving the capsule sections (20a, 20b), a pouch load subassembly (166) for delivering a strip (32) of pouch assemblies (18) to a pouch load tooling mechanism (168), a pouch wrapping subassembly which, after receiving the pouches (18) from the pouch load tooling mechanism (168) wraps the flaps of the pouches which are then, via a pouch insert subassembly 200, inserted into the first capsule section (20a) in one of the wheels (104). The second capsule section (20b) is then combined with the first capsule section (20a) in the wheel (104) to complete the finished gastro-retentive device (10).
US07669386B2 Apparatus and method for filing continuous air filling type air enclosure with air
An apparatus and method for filling a continuous air filling type air enclosure with air comprises moving first an air cylinder film sheet onto a working platform, hot-sealing two outer films of the air cylinder film sheet using a hot sealing device to form an air filling passageway, moving an air filling head into the air filling passageway and then using a clamping apparatus to press the two outer films tightly to attach onto the air filling head to allow air in the air filling head to be filled into the air filling passageway and enter an air cylinder of the air cylinder film sheet via an air inlet of the air cylinder film sheet to cause the air cylinder to be filled with air and expanded.
US07669384B2 Extruded hollow aluminum alloy panel and method for producing the same
An extruded hollow aluminum alloy panel includes a panel body and a guide rail that are integrally formed by extrusion so as to extend in an extrusion direction. The panel body has a plurality of closed spaces defined between plates by ribs in a cross section perpendicular to the extrusion direction. The guide rail has an open space in the cross section.
US07669382B2 Window installation method
A closure assembly and a method of installing the closure assembly are provided. A insertion opening is formed in water resistant barrier covering a rough opening that generally corresponds to a perimeter of the rough opening. A drainage system including a channel assembly is installed on a sill surface of the rough opening. The closure assembly is inserted into the rough opening and temporarily secured to the structure. At least one shim carried on the closure assembly is adjusted to level the closure assembly in the rough opening. A sealing member attached to the closure assembly is engaged with the water resistant barrier. A foam material is delivered into at least a portion of a space between perimeter edge surfaces of the closure assembly and inner surfaces of the rough opening to permanently secure the closure assembly within the rough opening.
US07669377B2 Floor panels with edge connectors
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07669375B2 Structural building block system with enhanced load bearing capability and method comprising same
A building block arrangement comprises a first layer of building blocks and a second layer of building blocks. The first layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the first layer. The second layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the second layer. The space includes communicative horizontal and vertical portions such that that the space at least partially isolates an interior wall portion from an exterior wall portion. The second layer of building blocks is positioned on top of the first layer of building blocks. The second layer of building blocks spans across at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks.
US07669374B2 Beam for a drywall ceiling soffit
A straight rollformed beam made for use in a suspended horizontal drywall ceiling is modified so that it can be used in a drywall ceiling underhang known as a drywall ceiling soffit. The beam is made with repetitive configurations along the length of the beam that are selectively cut, in the field, so that the beam can be bent to, and then fixed at, a desired angle. Drywall panels are secured to a plurality of such beams that form a framework for the soffit.
US07669373B2 Building means
Building means, having a main plate 1, a lower ledge 2 extending outwards of a first face of the plate, a first bolt portion 4 extending outwards of the first face of the plate and a second bolt portion 5 extending outwards of a second face of the plate opposite the first face; the building means being formed such that when it is in use a structural member can be fastened to the first bolt portion 4 while the plate 2 is arranged at least partially behind exterior cladding 8 of a building so that the ledge 2 extends to beyond the cladding 8, and wherein rainwater contacting the first face of the plate can run down the first face and be guided by the ledge 2 to a drain away position in front of the cladding.
US07669369B2 Door threshold water return systems
A door threshold water return system, comprising: a lower sill; an upper sill; a rear wall; and a front wall forming a chamber, wherein at least one baffle is provided projecting into the chamber from the rear wall, a first gap is provided in proximity to the rear wall and between the upper sill and the rear wall, and a second gap is provided in proximity to the lower sill and between the lower sill and the front wall, whereby water introduced into the system through the first gap exits the system through the second gap.
US07669360B2 Fishing system
An improved fishing system that records ambient conditions existing at or around the time a fish is caught. The fishing system includes a lure which records ambient conditions, including time, date, depth, temperature, ambient light, an underwater picture of a hooked fish and water quality. After catching a fish, the recorded data is transmitted from the lure to a handheld control unit. The handheld control unit is also capable of recording location (via GPS), fish weight, water quality, and an out-of-water picture of the fish. The data stored by the handheld control unit is transmitted (via a wireless or wired network) and recorded in an Internet database. The lure can also be controlled to release a hook that becomes irretrievably stuck in an underwater obstruction. The path of the lure in the water can also be controlled.
US07669359B2 Machine gun accessory mount adapter
An adapter for mounting an accessory on a shroud such as is found on an M2 machine gun includes a rigid block embracing the shroud. Blunt-nosed helically threaded plugs penetrate the block and intrude partly into perforations of the shroud. Retaining rings, threaded oppositely to the threaded plugs, prevent the plugs from backing out. A key tool is provided to tighten the plugs and retaining rings. A longitudinally oriented T-rail projects radially from the block. A slide body engages the T-rail and includes a locking mechanism, a lamp assembly, a logically switched power control, a power cable, and a control cable with interchangeable switches.
US07669352B2 Interchangeable component shoe system
A shoe system is provided that comprises a removable upper unit and a sole unit that can be interconnected utilizing respective upper and lower connecting means. The sole unit can include a support panel that can extend substantially continuously about a periphery of the sole unit. A lower portion of the support panel can be connected to an interior area of the sole unit and an upper portion can extend generally upwardly from the lower portion and be disposed circumferentially within the interior of a lower connecting means along the sole periphery. The support panel can be so configured so as to provide structural strength to the shoe system when worn to resist transverse force and reduce tactile friction of the user's foot against the upper and lower connecting means.
US07669344B2 Hysteresis compensation in a coordinate measurement machine
A single-scale, single-drive coordinate measuring machine that compensates for hysteresis error caused by friction at the non-driven end of the bridge. The coordinate measuring machine is calibrated to estimate hysteresis effects at one or more distances from the scale. Measurements of workpieces are adjusted based on the calibration data and the distances of the carriage from the scale at the point of the measurements. The scale and the drive system may be positioned on opposite guideways.
US07669343B2 Adjustable gable end line puller
An improved adjustable gable end line puller is disclosed. A method for using the improved adjustable gable end line puller is also disclosed.
US07669342B1 Level for a geomatics target device
A snap-on support has a body and a pair of spaced-apart arms supported by the body and adapted for snap-fit connection with a geomatics target device. The arms are moveable between an operative position wherein the arms extend outward from the body for securing the support to the geomatics target device and a stowed position wherein the arms are retracted generally adjacent to the body for storage of the support.
US07669338B2 Range finder
Range finder for determining the distance between the user and an object of known height or width, such as a golf flagstick, structure, etc. The range finder is a flat card, having a series of graduated apertures, each aperture being dimensioned to correspond to a particular distance to the flagstick. Range information is provided for each aperture. The user holds the card 24 inches from the eye and sights the flagstick through the apertures. The range information for the aperture whose diameter most closely corresponds to the height of the sighted flagstick is the actual distance between the user and the flagstick. The apertures are graduated in size, to represent range information in specific increments. The size of the increments is selected to facilitate optimal performance and may vary within a series of apertures.
US07669337B2 Safety scalpel
A safety scalpel that incorporates a reusable metal scalpel handle similar in shape and feel to the conventional metal handle preferred by most surgeons, and a disposable blade cartridge that covers the blade before, during and after use, and is easily mounted and released from the scalpel handle. The blade cartridge includes a blade with similar cutting profiles as standard surgical blades, a blade holder that is permanently fixed to the blade, and a blade guard that covers the blade and within which the blade holder is able to slide. The scalpel handle is reusable, while the blade cartridge is disposable. The blade cartridge is attached to and detached from the scalpel handle in a direction generally perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the scalpel handle.
US07669336B2 Rechargeable electric shaver
A rechargeable electric shaver having a partition wall installed inside the main body casing, the partition wall separating a rechargeable battery compartment that accommodates the rechargeable battery and a driving portion compartment that accommodates a motor, and the partition wall having a sealing structure which allows a main body of the motor to protrude into the rechargeable battery compartment and seals the rechargeable battery compartment and driving portion compartment in an airtight manner.
US07669332B2 Method for manufacturing endodontic reamers and files
An endodontic reamer and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer having a cylindrical shaft and a working portion extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft. Forward from the wedge shaped sections is a nose, typically non-cutting nose, that has a diameter of about equal to diameter of the shaft. There are typically two (2) wedge shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. Applicant also provides a novel method for manufacturing an endodontic reamer, which consists of using a two piece mold and placing a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mold together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of the mold parts.
US07669328B1 Method of manufacturing a push rod
A method of manufacturing a push rod from a length of tube having a first end and a second end. The tube is held in a first fixture and a first tool is brought into engagement with the first end while a force is applied to deform the first end into a cone. A disc is thereafter affixed to the cone through a welding process. The tube with the disc attached is moved to a second fixture and a threaded shaft is partially inserted into the tube adjacent the second end. A radial force is applied to the tube that causes the tube to be compressed into engagement with the threaded shaft. The threaded shaft is then rotated causing its translation within the tube to establish a desired length between a face on the disc and a head on the threaded shaft to complete the manufacture of the push rod.
US07669326B2 Workpiece with a recess which is closed from the exterior by means of a solder film and method for closing a recess by means of a solder film
It is known from the prior art that holes in a workpiece are filled completely with a solder powder, which leads especially in the case of large holes to the formation of cracks within the solder due to the large volume filled in once the solder cools off after soldering. The invention provides a method for closing a recess of a workpiece, which allows closing an opening of a recess without the risk of crack formation, by using only a solder film for closing the recess. The solder film has a content of non-melting material and therefore is substantially less prone to form cracks.
US07669324B2 Water stopping method, wire harness processed by the water stopping method and water stopping apparatus
A water stopping apparatus for causing a water stopping material to penetrate exposed core wires of a sheathed wire forming a wire harness includes a pair of dies which can abut against each other in a mutually opposed condition, thereby forming a pressurizing space in which an exposed portion of the core wires of the wire harness can be mounted, a filling portion for filling a water stopping material in the pressurizing space in which the exposed portion of the core wires is mounted, and a pressurizing portion for supplying pressurized gas into the pressurizing space to pressurize the same.
US07669321B1 Methods for verifying correct counter-bore depth and precision on printed circuit boards
A test site is incorporated on a circuit board having a set of test connections passing through a test via on respective test connection layer, the test connection layers including (1) a first layer adjacent to a target layer, and (2) a second layer spaced apart from the target layer with the first layer therebetween. The test via is back-drilled from the direction of the second layer to remove undesired via metallization, breaking the test connections of all the layers through which it passes, and the continuity of the test connections is measured to determine a pattern of broken and non-broken test connections resulting from the back-drilling. The pattern of broken and non-broken test connections is examined to ascertain the actual depth of the back-drilling in relation to the target layer.
US07669320B2 Coreless cavity substrates for chip packaging and their fabrication
A method for fabricating an IC support for supporting a first IC die connected in series with a second IC die; the IC support comprising a stack of alternating layers of copper features and vias in insulating surround, the first IC die being bondable onto the IC support, and the second IC die being bondable within a cavity inside the IC support, wherein the cavity is formed by etching away a copper base and selectively etching away built up copper.
US07669319B2 Method for fabricating a flexible display
A substrate transferring method and a method for fabricating a flexible display by using the same are disclosed. The method for transferring a substrate includes providing a glass substrate with a recess formed thereon, aligning a flexible substrate on the glass substrate, inserting the flexible substrate in the recess of the glass substrate, and transferring the flexible substrate-inserted glass substrate for a process. The flexible substrate is insertedly fixed in the recess of the glass substrate and transferred, or a process is performed thereon, so that the transfer method is simplified and the process stability can be obtained.
US07669316B2 Method for assembling coaxial cable Y-splitter assembly
A coaxial cable splitter including an integral body with a first cable connection, a second cable connection and a third cable connection, each defining an axis. The second cable connection is a crimp sleeve, the first cable connection is a coaxial connector, and the axes are generally parallel to each other. The third cable connection is a coaxial cable connector and the axis is at an angle to the axes of the first and second cable connections. The first and third cable connections each include a center conductor which are electrically linked. The first and third cable connections each include an outer shell positioned about the center conductor which are electrically linked. A method of assembling a coaxial cable splitter with an integral body.
US07669315B2 Apparatus for making a helically wound conductor
Apparatus for making a helically wound conductor includes a pulling mechanism for axially advancing a cable core and a guide mechanism for axially directing one or more secondary strand(s) from a location offset from the cable core toward the cable core at a common approach angle. A mandrel body is disposed at a forward end of the apparatus, the mandrel body having an axial passageway extending from a rearward to the forward end of the mandrel body dimensioned to axially receive the cable core therethrough and a forward radiused end positioned to intercept the secondary strand(s). The secondary strand(s) converge on the mandrel radiused end at a common approach angle, tangentially intersect respective locations of the mandrel radiused end, and follow the radiused end to intersect with the cable core.
US07669308B2 Method of assembling a collet and lock nut assembly
An collet and lock nut assembly includes a collet for receiving a cutting tool shank and a lock nut for creating a gripping force between the collet and the shank. The collet has a nose portion and a body portion separated by an annular groove. The lock nut has a plurality of retention tabs and a corresponding number of clear portions. The collet and lock nut assembly can be easily assembled by inserting at least one retention tab within the groove of the collet, and then applying pressure to the collet such that the remaining retention tabs of the lock nut are received within the groove of the collet to place the assembly in a locked position. The collet and cutting tool shank can be drawn from the tool holder by applying rotational torque to the lock nut. The collet is easily removed from the lock nut by applying pressure in any circumferential, lateral direction against the collet.
US07669305B1 Method for optimizing joint press set for use with a plurality of ball joints
A method and article for designing dual-mode adapters in a joint press kit. A plurality of ball joints for use with the adapters are selected. An adapter design is created by defining a first variable representative of a physical characteristic of the adapter design; defining a second variable representing a quantity of ball joints that are not compatible with the adapter design in a second operational mode; generating data sets including the first and second variables; and utilizing the data sets to determine a value for a characteristic of the adapter.
US07669303B2 Complex comprising a drylaid veil of glass fibres, and a nonwoven fabric of organic fibres
The invention concerns a process for preparing a complex sheet comprising a layer of drylaid glass fibers and a layer of organic fibers, comprising: mechanical needling or fluid entanglement, e.g. hydroentanglement, of a nonwoven fabric of continuous organic fibers and of a veil of non-preconsolidated continuous glass fibers, the said nonwoven fabric of organic fibers and the said veil of glass fibers being juxtaposed and the said needles respectively the fluid, water jets being sent from the same side as the nonwoven fabric of organic fibers, in order to make a sheet; and then application of a binder to the bilayer. The so obtained complex fibrous structure shows a low tendency to delaminate and can be impregnated with asphalt or bitumen, and used in the field of roofing, sealing covering or membranes.
US07669299B2 Guitar strap connector
A connector for securing a guitar to a strap, having a body with an opening and an engagement member slidable within the body. The engagement member has an opening with two portions. The first portion is large enough to receive the anchor post and the second portion is narrow enough to prevent the anchor post from passing through it. The user slides the first portion into alignment with the opening in the body and inserts the anchor post. Then, the user slides the engagement member so that the second portion impedes the release of the anchor post. The body may also have an opening for removal of the engagement member and/or an opening to facilitate sliding of the engagement member. Also there is disclosed a flexible support with one or more connectors and a strap, and a system including connector(s), a strap and a guitar.
US07669298B2 Buckle assembly
A buckle assembly for connecting safety belts according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The buckle assembly includes a buckle body including two side openings; a release button disposed in the buckle body including an engaging portion; two shoulder-strap buckles each having an opening to allow the waist-strap buckles passing through; and two waist-strap buckles each having a prong portion; wherein each of the shoulder-strap buckles is respectively positioned between each of the waist-strap buckles and the buckle body and incapable of departing from the buckle body freely when the prong portion of the waist-strap buckle is received in each of the side openings of the buckle body and engaged with the engaging portion of the release button; and the shoulder-strap buckles are departed from the buckle body together with the waist-strap buckles when the release button is actuated.
US07669297B2 Composite webs and closure systems
Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
US07669294B2 Flex accommodating cable terminations
Cable terminations having features which reduce stress in the transition between the potted region and the freely flexing region of a cable when the cable flexes laterally with respect to the anchor. Several favorable geometries are disclosed. The use of a supplemental buffer material to reduce stress is also disclosed.
US07669293B2 Metal cable tie having a dent in geometric shape
A metal cable tie formed with an elongate metallic strap and a metallic locking head. The elongate metallic strap has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The metallic locking head is secured to the first end of the metallic strap and comprises a strap entry face, a strap exit face, and a floor and a roof near the strap exit face for receiving the second end of the strap in order to form a closed ring structure. Moreover, a longitudinal slit and a metallic roller means are deployed between the strap entry face and the strap exit face of the metallic locking head in order to lockingly engage the metallic strap. A retention means extends from the roof of the metallic locking head to the strap exit face in order to captively hold the metallic roller means. When the strap is lockingly engaged, the metallic roller means captively held in the metallic locking head can move between the retention means near the strap exit face and a fixed position near the strap entry face, wherein the fixed position is the locking position of the roller means formed by a dent in geometric shape located on the first end of the metallic strap.
US07669291B1 Magnetic holder
The invention is a pot holder that will insulate the hand from heat, have adequate friction for holding, and be readily available and usable with one hand. The holder or handgrip of the invention comprises an elastomer sheet such as silicone rubber with a small permanent magnet affixed adjacent one edge. The magnet has sufficient attractive force to support the holder in place against a ferromagnetic surface such as the vertical side of a refrigerator or microwave oven, for example. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a small piece of ferromagnetic material may be affixed to an opposite edge of the sheet to removably attach to the magnet on the opposite edge to thereby form the sheet into a tube that may be used to removably attach to a handle. The sheet may have one or both broad surfaces provided with a texture to enhance friction to provide a non-slip surface. The sheet has sufficient insulating properties to protect a hand from a hot handle. It has sufficient surface friction properties to provide a good grip on a pot or jar.
US07669288B2 Hinge arrangement for a cover element
A hinge arrangement for a cover element in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, for example a hinged cover for a glove compartment or a CD player compartment is disclosed. The cover can be pivoted from a closed position into an open position about a pivot axis. The hinge arrangement includes an arrangement whereby the cover may be displaced (for example, substantially transversely to the pivot path) during the pivoting movement.
US07669283B2 Method and apparatus for deep cleaning rug or carpet
A rug or carpet cleaner includes a housing, a suction generator carried on the housing and agitator carried on the housing. The agitator includes a hollow body, a cleaning projection carried on the hollow body, an air intake aperture provided in the cleaning projection and an outlet in fluid communication with the suction generator.
US07669282B2 Vacuum cleaner
Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner including a suction nozzle; a dust collecting assembly which includes a dust collecting container having a dust collecting space and an opened bottom, an inlet, a filtering device provided in the dust collecting container, and an outlet; and a cleaner body which includes a dust collecting assembly receiving recess for detachably receiving the dust collecting assembly, a polluted air outlet provided at the dust collecting assembly receiving recess and communicating with the inlet of the dust collecting assembly, a clean air inlet provided on an inner wall of the dust collecting assembly receiving recess to face the dust collecting assembly and communicating with the outlet of the dust collecting assembly, and a clean air conduit having a fan provided therein, for exhausting the clean air to the outside of the vacuum cleaner.
US07669281B2 Portable electric vacuum cleaner
A portable electric vacuum cleaner according to the present invention includes a body (23), and a suction nozzle (27) provided unitarily with the body (23) at a front lower portion of the body (23) and projecting forward from the body (23) as having a predetermined length. The suction nozzle (27) is, for example, a tubular member of a fixed shape composed of a resin and tapered toward a distal end thereof. The suction nozzle (27) has a nozzle suction port (271) provided at the distal end thereof. The portable electric vacuum cleaner is generally used with a floor brush (3) attached to the suction nozzle (27). When the floor brush (3) is detached from the body (2), the suction nozzle (27) appears. Thus, the portable electric vacuum cleaner is conveniently used. Further, the suction nozzle (27) is hardly missing.
US07669278B2 Structure of brush mount for cutting table
The invention provides a brush mounting structure of an automatic cutting machine that can allow dismount of any desired brush from a brush mount, can allow sequential rotation of the movable brushes so that the brushes on the brush mounts can be rearranged in parallel, and can allow a clamping force for clamping engagement between the brush and the brush mount to be held against a load applied from a particular direction. In order to prevent undesired disengagement of the projection at the back side of the cut-support-surface brush against a load applied from a particular direction orthogonal to a direction in which the brush is movable over the brush mount, an engaging projection having an engaging surface which is adapted to be hooked more firmly than an engaging surface of a back-row projection and serves as a holding surface is formed in a front low of the brush, while also a holding rib having a holding surface which confronts the engaging surface of the engaging projection of the brush and is adapted to be hooked more firmly than the engaging surface of the engaging rib is formed in the brush mount.
US07669266B2 No shift chambered body pillow
A body pillow includes an outer enclosure, first, second and third chambers disposed within the outer enclosure, the first and second chambers disposed adjacent to one another, and the second and third chambers disposed adjacent to one another, each of the first, second and third chambers adapted to be filled by respective filling material, a first baffle disposed between the first and second chambers, and a second baffle disposed between the second and third chambers, the first and second baffles adapted to prevent filling material within each of the first, second and third chambers from shifting to an adjacent one of the chambers. Beneficially, among other benefits, the body pillow's baffles prevent filling material disposed within each of the chambers from shifting to adjacent chambers, both during normal use of the body pillow and during washing.
US07669265B2 Buckwheat hull pillow
Some embodiments of the present invention generally relate to pillow devices comprising a pair of opposing lobe cushions connected by a cross member comprising a neck supporting cushion. In some embodiments the cushions may define a region for receiving a back portion of a human head in a cradling relation. Furthermore, according to some embodiments the cradle region can optionally be adjustable by the user.
US07669264B1 Patient transport harness and associated method
A harness includes a single and unitary body with a plurality of longitudinal members and a plurality of latitudinal members monolithically formed therewith. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fasteners with opposed ends directly and oppositely mated to the longitudinal members and extending towards a center of the body for being engaged about the patient. Each of such fasteners has male and female members detachably and directly mated along a width of the body and between the longitudinal sides respectively. The apparatus further includes a first plurality of handles monolithically connected to the longitudinal members and extending laterally away therefrom along opposed sides of the body, and a second plurality of handles are monolithically connected to opposed corners of the body and diagonally protruding outwardly therefrom.
US07669263B2 Mattress assembly including adjustable length foot
A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.
US07669260B2 Medical examination table
A medical examination table which is movable between a lowered patient entry/exit position and a raised patient examination position. A scissor-lift assembly is provided to raise and lower the examination table. The examination table includes a drawer having a pivotal front panel which is adapted to support instruments or other items thereon when the drawer is folded to a downward position. The examination table further includes a storage pocket located beneath the backrest. The storage pocket and its contents are concealed when the backrest is lowered and are accessible when the backrest is inclined.
US07669258B2 Patient bed system
In a patient bed system, comprising a patient bed, a support column for supporting the bed and a trolley for transporting the bed, the bed having arranged on it first coupling elements (22) which are intended for selective connection to second or third coupling elements (24, 26) on the support column and on the trolley respectively, locking means (60, 62) being provided on at least one of the coupling elements, in order to lock the first coupling elements (22) alternatively to the second or third coupling elements (24, 26) when the bed is coupled to the support column or to the trolley (16), the locking means have at least one locking element (60, 62) which is arranged adjustably on one of the coupling elements (22, 24, 26) and which, in the engagement position of two coupling elements (22, 24, 26), engages into a clearance (76, 82) of the coupling element adjacent in each case, the coupling elements having formed on them control cams (88), by means of which, during the operation of transferring the bed from the support column onto the trolley, or vice versa, the locking element (60, 62) is shifted positively into the clearance or is shifted out of the latter.
US07669257B2 Bedding assembly
A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one complimentary fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the at least one complementary fastener of the top sheet substantially aligning with the at least one fastener of the fitted sheet.
US07669256B2 Support frame for a bed and locking mechanism therefor
End portions of a pair of crossbar bed frame members are detachably connected by a locking mechanism including an arm attached by the pivot element to one frame member to rotate between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. One frame member has a first projection and the pivot element includes a second projection. A pair of elongated slots in the frame members receive the projections when the frame members are longitudinally oriented and the end portions are overlapping. The end portions have openings therein that are aligned when the end portions overlap. The arm has a portion that is inserted in the aligned openings when in the locked condition and withdrawn from the aligned openings to allow the frame members to be disconnected and separated when in the unlocked condition.
US07669250B2 Article of apparel incorporating an embossed material
An embossed material and an article of apparel incorporating the embossed material are disclosed. The embossed material includes a textured surface that defines a plurality of extended regions and at least one compressed region. The extended regions may have an elongate or elliptical configuration, for example, and the compressed region may extend around each extended region. When incorporated into the article of apparel, the textured surface may face inward to form at least a portion of an interior surface of the article of apparel. Accordingly, the extended regions may be positioned to contact an individual wearing the article of apparel.
US07669249B2 Concealable/deployable reflective band for garments
A band that extends around a garment appendage, such as a sleeve or trouser leg. The band has a concealed position that hides a reflective tape and a deployed position where the reflective tape is visible. The band includes a strip that encircles and is attached to the garment appendage at a distance from the free end of the garment appendage. The reflective tape is bonded to the underside of the strip or to the garment appendage.
US07673347B2 Information control in federated interaction
Techniques are described for protecting information in a convenient and useful way. A user transmits information from a mobile device to an ambient display, so that other users may receive the information from the ambient display. A display controller detects a presence of a potentially unauthorized user relative to the ambient display, and modifies the outputting of the information at the ambient display so as to hide portions of the information that should not be seen by the potentially unauthorized user. The information, including the hidden portion, is nonetheless output, using one of a plurality of output channels of one or more secondary devices, either to the user and/or the other users. In this way, authorized users may continue to receive the information, and, moreover, may input an indication as to whether an extent of the hidden portion is sufficient to provide adequate security with regard to the information.
US07673346B1 Intra-data license for using data
Mechanisms for enforcing permissions on stored data. Prior to storing the data, a data structure containing the data is accessed, and then modified to include a license that represents permission(s) for how the data should be used when the data structure is later accessed. The modified data structure is then stored, after perhaps some optional transformation. When the data structure is later accessed, the license is acquired from the data structure. The license is then used to determine whether or not to honor specific requests to use the data. This determination may be made based on license validation instructions executed from a removable media. Furthermore, the license may be the exclusive determining factor for the license validation instructions in determining whether or not to honor specific requests.
US07673344B1 Mechanism to search information content for preselected data
A method and apparatus for detecting preselected data embedded in information content is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving information content and detecting in the information content a sequence of content fragments that may contain a portion of preselected data. The method further comprises determining whether a sub-set of these content fragments matches any sub-set of the preselected data using an abstract data structure that defines a tabular structure of the preselected data.
US07673342B2 Detecting e-mail propagated malware
An e-mail client serves to detect mass mailing malware by detecting if over a threshold number of addressees from within the address book of that e-mail client are being sent an e-mail or over a predetermined number of substantially identical e-mails are being sent by that e-mail client. A quarantine queue may be provided in which e-mail messages are held for a predetermined period prior to being sent out in order that separate e-mail messages being sent to a large proportion of the address book addressees may be identified and linked together.
US07673341B2 System and method of efficiently identifying and removing active malware from a computer
The present invention provides a system, method, and computer-readable medium for identifying and removing active malware from a computer. Aspects of the present invention are included in a cleaner tool that may be obtained automatically with an update service or may be downloaded manually from a Web site or similar distribution system. The cleaner tool includes a specialized scanning engine that searches a computer for active malware. Since the scanning engine only searches for active malware, the amount of data downloaded and resource requirements of the cleaner tool are less than traditional antivirus software. The scanning engine searches specific locations on a computer, such as data mapped in memory, configuration files, and file metadata for data characteristic of malware. If malware is detected, the cleaner tool removes the malware from the computer.
US07673340B1 System and method for analyzing system user behavior
A system and method for monitoring and analyzing user activity of an interactive system, providing insight and recommendations to improve the interactive system based on the user activity. The present invention analyzes user behavior in the context of the structure of the interactive system as experienced by the user, the analysis of business-critical user tasks, the automated generation of recommendations for improving the interactive system, reports on the interactive system's application logic and data, unique visualizations of user behavior through the use of graphical displays, and secure report viewing and creation. The present invention can be applied to number of interactive systems or a combination thereof.
US07673337B1 System for secure online configuration and communication
A system for online configuration and communication for a supervisory control and data acquisition system comprising an online configurable enterprise server, at least one intelligent electronic device, an online configurable intelligent electronic cryptographic module, and a configurable server interface. Both the online configurable enterprise server and the online configurable intelligent electronic cryptographic module include respective cryptography chips and computer instructions for instructing respective processors to selectively encrypt and decrypt commands, messages, data, and responses, allowing non-encrypted transmissions between the at least one intelligent electronic device and the online configurable intelligent electronic cryptographic module, and selectively encrypted transmission between the intelligent electronic cryptographic module and the online configurable enterprise server.
US07673333B2 Flexible method of security data backup
A method of supporting a substantially secure backup copy of a key-server database, said database comprising security information specific to a plurality of users, absent the need for a duplicate key-server is disclosed. According to the method, each individual's security data is stored within the key-server database and is also stored on a portable data storage device, such as a smart card or a PCMCIA token. If the key-server crashes and the database stored thereon is lost, a duplicate key-server database is reconstructed using the aggregate of the partial database files stored on each individual's portable data storage device. Similarly, when a portable data storage device is lost, it can be rebuilt from the data stored within the key-server.
US07673332B2 Method and system for access authentication
A method and a system for access authentication. A shared services resource includes a second factor authentication module. At least one network resource each include a first factor authentication module. A trusted computing base communicates with the shared services and the at least one network resource through a pipe. An assertion may be obtained on a trusted computing base for accessing at least one network resource. At least one of the at least one network resource may be accessed with the trusted computing base when the assertion has been obtained by the trusted computing base and is valid.
US07673328B1 Network authentication system using individual services providers and an authentication server
A network system includes a plurality of individual Internet service providers each having access points, and a parallel Internet service provider connected to the plurality of individual Internet service providers, the individual Internet service providers and the parallel Internet service provider each include an authentication server. When the access point of a provider receives a connection request from a user who contracts with the parallel service provider, the provider transfers a connection ID and a password to an authentication server of the parallel Internet service provider to perform user authentication. When a result of the authentication is good, the user terminal is connected to the user terminal through the access point.
US07673326B2 System and method utilizing clean groups for security management
A system and method that utilizes clean groups for reducing security management complexity. The system reduces the complexity of managing security technologies by automatically assigning objects such as computers or persons to clean groups which are defined by existing management infrastructure. In an embodiment where members are computers, ongoing automatic efforts ensure that clean groups include only computers that satisfy specified security principles, which allows administrators to treat all computers that are in compliance as a group. Separately, the members of the clean group are required to implement self-governance, which is an ability to detect being compromised and to take steps to remove themselves from the clean group when they are compromised. In addition to attempting to remove itself from the clean group, a compromised computer may take additional steps aimed at minimizing further damage, such as erasing or hiding computer domain credentials, hiding/protecting/disabling cryptographic (e.g. EFS) keys, or logging out a user.
US07673325B2 Configuration of WiFi network parameters
A system and method of configuring network access parameters of a portable computing device is provided. A portable computing device usually includes wireless networking components and may be used with various wireless networks. A configuration server using a device management protocol, such as the OMA-DM protocol, sends network configuration information to a portable computing device. This configuration information includes network parameters such as network identifiers, encryption keys and authentication credentials. The portable computing device then uses the provided parameters to set its configuration information so that it can access a defined wireless network.
US07673324B2 Method and system for tracking an operating performed on an information asset with metadata associated therewith
A system and method are provided for tracking an operation performed on an information asset. The information asset has metadata associated therewith. In use, the metadata is preserved during the at least one operation.
US07673320B2 Information transmission/reception system and method and information processing method and apparatus for automatic detection of data for commercial messages
It is targeted that CMs by e.g., television broadcast be detected automatically, an access site to detailed contents of a specified one of the CMs be acquired automatically, and connection be made automatically to the access site to enable accessing to the detailed information. A broadcasting station 302 sends out airing signals containing CMs. A consumer terminal (303) detects these CMs from the aired signals and connects to an access site information furnishing device (305) based on the airing time and the airing channel of the detected CM to acquire the access site information of the distribution terminal (301) for e.g., an article of commerce owning the detailed information pertinent to the CM. Based on the access site information, the consumer terminal (303) accesses the distribution terminal (301) to acquire the detailed information pertinent to the CM.
US07673317B1 Method and apparatus for generating an interactive radio program
A method and system for the creation of interactive radio programming. A moderator of an interactive radio program uses a moderator client to digitize and transmit a radio program with enhanced content to a moderator server through a wide area network. The moderator server uses the digitized radio program and the enhanced content to generate an interactive radio program for transmission to participants in the interactive radio program. The complete interactive radio program is transmitted to participant clients over the wide area network. An audio portion of the interactive radio program may be transmitted over a conventional radio network as well.
US07673313B2 Parental control system using program content substitution
A broadcasting signal receiving system includes: an obtaining part for obtaining program information of a receiving program; a broadcasting signal receiving part for receiving a broadcasting signal; an image pick-up part for recording an image of a viewer; a certifying part for comparing the image of the face of the viewer recorded by the image pick-up part with the previously registered image of a face of an individual to certify the viewing individual; an image recording and reproducing part for recording and storing preset useful programs; a harmful program condition setting part for setting harmful program conditions; and a viewing limit control part, wherein when a certified result indicates an individual as an object whose viewing is limited and the receiving program corresponds to a set harmful program, the viewing limit control part reproduces and displays on a monitor screen the useful programs.
US07673310B2 Optical disc having a reduced planar thickness
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an optical disc having a reduced planar thickness is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and one or more stacker elements coupled to, or integral with, the central clamping area, the stacker elements configured to increase the thickness of the central clamping area above the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area. In particular embodiments, the optical disc may further include a magnetic stripe disposed upon one surface of the optical disc.
US07673307B2 Managing transactions in a messaging system
A messaging system and method are provided to enable transactional work, done as a result of a recipient processing an asynchronous message, to be involved in the transaction under which message was sent. Involvement may be directly in the senders transaction or indirectly through a separate transaction which can be a subordinate to, a child of, or merged with the transaction under which message was sent. The message is delivered by calling an operation, a definition of which has been registered for the queue. If the message is added to a queue for subsequent delivery to a recipient, details of the transaction under which message was sent are added to the message. As a result the recipient can take appropriate action to ensure that any transactional work, it causes to happen, will be done directly or indirectly under the scope of the transactions under which message was sent.
US07673305B2 System and method of expediting certain jobs in a computer processing system
In one embodiment, jobs requiring short processing time are given preference over jobs requiring long processing time by processing to completion all jobs for the first N seconds of the job. Jobs requiring longer than N seconds to complete are given a lower priority than a newly arriving job can and continue being processed, but are subject to reduction in resources by new jobs as each new job arrives.
US07673304B2 Multithreaded kernel for graphics processing unit
Systems and methods are provided for scheduling the processing of a coprocessor whereby applications can submit tasks to a scheduler, and the scheduler can determine how much processing each application is entitled to as well as an order for processing. In connection with this process, tasks that require processing can be stored in physical memory or in virtual memory that is managed by a memory manager. The invention also provides various techniques of determining whether a particular task is ready for processing. A “run list” may be employed to ensure that the coprocessor does not waste time between tasks or after an interruption. The invention also provides techniques for ensuring the security of a computer system, by not allowing applications to modify portions of memory that are integral to maintaining the proper functioning of system operations.
US07673303B2 Simplified device drivers for hardware devices of a computer system
A computer system uses simplified device drivers for operating hardware devices. A simplified device driver for a hardware device of a given device type, such as a flatbed scanner, works with a system-supplied common driver for that given device type. The common driver and the simplified driver together function like a regular device driver. The simplified device driver implements a small number of entry point functions corresponding to a pre-selected set of operation commands “generic” to hardware devices of that given device type. When an application makes a request for an operation by the device, the request is passed through a device driver interface (DDI) to the common driver. The common driver then calls the entry point functions in the simplified device driver to carry out the requested operation.
US07673299B2 System and method for dynamically verifying the compatibility of a user interface resource
In a computer operating system having a user interface, a resource loader, and a registry resource database, a method for dynamically verifying whether the resource content of a resource module is compatible with the most current version of the operating system. Upon obtaining a request for a resource, the resource loader verifies that the resource modules remain compatible with the operating system prior to loading a resource from an alternate resource module. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the operating system has a multilingual user interface and utilizes resource modules that are language specific.
US07673296B2 Method and system for optional code scheduling
A method of scheduling optional instructions in a compiler targets a processor. The scheduling includes indicating a limit on the additional processor computations that are available for executing an optional code, generating one or more required instructions corresponding to a source code and one or more optional instructions corresponding to the optional code used with the source code and scheduling all of the one or more required instructions with as many of the one or more optional instructions as possible without exceeding the indicated limit on the additional processor computations for executing the optional code.
US07673294B2 Mechanism for pipelining loops with irregular loop control
This invention modifies an irregular software pipelined loop conditioned upon data in a condition register in a compiler scheduled very long instruction word data processor to prevent over-execution upon loop exit. The method replaces a register modifying instruction with an instruction conditional upon the inverse condition register if possible. The method inserts a conditional register move instruction to a previously unused register within the loop if possible without disturbing the schedule. Then a restoring instruction is added after the loop. Alternatively, both these two functions can be performed by a delayed register move instruction. Instruction insertion is into a previously unused instruction slot of an execute packet. These changes can be performed manually or automatically by the compiler.
US07673293B2 Method and apparatus for generating code for scheduling the execution of binary code
Dynamic binary translators enable binaries of a source platform to execute on a target platform without recompilation. This is achieved by runtime (on-the-fly) translation of source machine instructions into equivalent target machine instructions. Typically dynamic binary translators are used for migrating from an older platform to a newer one, implementing complex instruction set architectures, speeding up simulators and in profiling tools. In all these applications, the speed of translation is critical to ensure that the overheads incurred by the translator do not outweigh the advantages of dynamic translation. One such overhead is created by the analysis required when code is translated for execution in a parallel processing environment.
US07673291B2 Automatic database diagnostic monitor architecture
Techniques for self-diagnosing performance problems in a database are provided. The techniques include classifying one or more performance problems in a database system. One or more values for quantifying an impact of the one or more performance problems on the database system are then determined. The quantified values are determined based on the performance of operations in the database system. A performance problem based on the one or more quantified values is then determined. A solution for the performance problem is generated and may be outputted.
US07673289B1 Ignoring output arguments of functions in programming environments
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for ignoring one or more output arguments of a function in a programming environment. Users or programmers may designate one or more output arguments that are not desired by the users. The called function determines which output arguments are designated by the users. The one or more output arguments designated by the users are ignored by the function. The called function may reclaim memory space for the output arguments designated by the users. The called function may also avoid operations for generating values for the output arguments designated by the users. The called function does not need to return values for the output arguments designated by the users.
US07673288B1 Bypassing execution of a software test using a file cache
A method is provided that speeds up software testing using abbreviation of software tests that skips the execution of a portion of the software test. Intermediate results are generated for one or more software tests, with each intermediate result corresponding to a software test, and a respective key is generated from each intermediate result. A determination is made whether the respective key for each intermediate result is stored in a file cache used for storing files under keys. Generation of a final result for the corresponding software test of each intermediate result is bypassed in response to the respective key being present in the file cache. A final result for the corresponding software test of each intermediate result is generated from the intermediate result in response to the respective key not being present in the file cache. The respective key is stored in the file cache in response to generation of each final result.
US07673286B2 Architecture for converting control types in a data bound user interface
A mechanism for converting control types in a user interface (UI) development framework. The framework includes a UI generation component that facilitates the development of the UI in which control types will be employed and bound to data of a data source. In communication with the generation component is a conversion component that facilitates changing the default control choice immediately after creation, or for evaluating the UI, and later choosing to change the UI control choice. The conversion component employs a service to inspect all controls on a particular form in the designer, and advertises a “Change To” or similar smart tag item for that control, if the control supports data binding and conversions. Selection of the control type or control group view creates the UI of the user's choice, and intelligently maps all control properties and data bindings across the conversion.
US07673281B2 Pattern evaluation method and evaluation apparatus and pattern evaluation program
A pattern evaluation method for evaluating a mask pattern includes generating desired wafer pattern data corresponding to the evaluation position of a mask pattern, generating mask pattern contour data based on an image of the mask pattern, and performing a lithography/simulation process based on the mask pattern contour data and generating predicted wafer pattern data when the mask pattern is transferred to a wafer. Further, it includes deriving positional offset between the mask pattern contour data and mask pattern data, correcting a positional error between the desired wafer pattern data and the predicted wafer pattern data based on the positional offset, and comparing the desired wafer pattern data with the predicted wafer pattern data with the positional error corrected.
US07673280B2 Optical proximity correction (OPC) processing method for preventing the occurrence of off-grid
An optical proximity correction (OPC) processing method may include at least one of the following steps: Detecting coordinate values of individual piece patterns constituting a graphic design system (GDS). Merging to the form of a specific pattern, composed of outermost coordinate values, on the basis of the detected coordinate values. Shrinking the merged GDS pattern and forming a GDS pattern having a desired magnifying power. Performing an optical proximity correction (OPC) process on the GDS pattern having the desired magnifying power.
US07673270B1 Method and apparatus for compensating an integrated circuit layout for mechanical stress effects
Method and apparatus for compensating an integrated circuit design for mechanical stress effects. One aspect of the invention relates to designing an integrated circuit. Layout data is obtained that describes layers of the integrated circuit. At least one of the layers is analyzed to detect at least one structure susceptible to damage from mechanical stress. A bias is automatically added to each of the at least one structure to reduce mechanical stress of the at least one structure as fabricated. Augmented layout data is then provided for the integrated circuit.
US07673267B1 Method and apparatus for reducing jitter in an integrated circuit
Methods and circuits to reduce jitter in a design block including partitioning the design block. A circuit design is partitioned into multiple partitioned design blocks performing the same task as the original circuit deign. In one embodiment, a core clock signal is supplied to each of the partitioned design blocks, having a frequency higher than frequency of the reference clock signal. Additionally each of the partitioned design blocks receives a mutually exclusive enable signal, where each of the partitioned design blocks may be activated once at a given time.
US07673264B1 System and method for verifying IP integrity in system-on-chip (SOC) design
An intellectual property (IP) integrity verification system and method operable with respect to integrating an IP design into a user's embedded IC design. In one embodiment, the IP design is partitioned into a plurality of IP modules based on the requirements of the embedded IC design. For each IP module, a corresponding integrity checker module is provided, wherein each integrity checker module has a port-wise correspondence with its corresponding IP module. The embedded IC design is simulated with the integrity checker modules rather than the IP modules for generating a netlist, which may be verified with respect to any interconnectivity errors associated with the IP modules.
US07673262B2 System and method for product yield prediction
A system and method for predicting yield of integrated circuits includes at least one type of characterization vehicle which incorporates at least one feature which is representative of at least one type of feature to be incorporated in the final integrated circuit product. The characterization vehicle is subjected to at least one of the process operations making up the fabrication cycle to be used in fabricating the integrated circuit product in order to produce a yield model. The yield model embodies a layout as defined by the characterization vehicle and preferably includes features which facilitate the gathering of electrical test data and testing of prototype sections at operating speeds. An extraction engine extracts predetermined layout attributes from a proposed product layout. Operating on the yield model, the extraction engine produces yield predictions as a function of layout attributes and broken down by layers or steps in the fabrication process. These yield predictions are then used to determine which areas in the fabrication process require the most improvement.
US07673260B2 Modeling device variations in integrated circuit design
DFM systems are provided that incorporate manufacturing variations in the analysis of integrated circuits by calculating predicted manufacturing variations on the shapes of interconnects and devices of the drawn layout of a circuit design. The shape variation on interconnects is converted to variations in resistor-capacitor (RC) parasitics. The shape variation on devices is converted to variations in device parameters. The variation in device parameters and wire parasitics is converted to changes in timing performance, signal integrity, and power consumption by determining the impact of device parameter and wire parasitic variations on the behavior of each instance of a standard cell. The results from these analyses are integrated back into the design flow as incremental delay files (timing), noise failures and buffer insertion/driver resizing commands (noise), and leakage power hotspots and cell substitution commands (power consumption).
US07673254B2 Apparatus, system and method for context and language specific data entry
An apparatus, system and method that allow for context and language specific data entry via a user interface. A user interface is displayed on a display device, where the user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections. A menu selection is activated. A data entry method is displayed, where the data entry method is context and language specific to the activated menu selection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07673248B2 Combining calendar entries with map views
A method for displaying a calendar event on an electronic map includes steps of: receiving a request to generate a map view of a selected timeline of calendar events, wherein the calendar events are associated with event locations; converting event locations to geographic locations; generating a map view showing the geographic locations of the calendar events and legends representing the calendar events; and displaying the map view with the legends shown in close proximity to the locations of the calendar events. A user can elect to switch between a display of the map view and a display of a view of the selected timeline. A user can also select to create a calendar event on an electronic map by selecting a location associated with the calendar event on the map; receive a graphical user interface display, enter information about the calendar event on the graphical user interface display, and view the electronic map.
US07673246B2 Image information processing apparatus and method, virtual space presentation apparatus, information administration apparatus, and control methods thereof
An image information processing apparatus is provided to generate, from previously held image data, a display image according to a viewpoint designated by a user, and to communicate with a control apparatus which can communicate with plural image information processing apparatuses respectively generating display images and has a controller for controlling viewpoint information shared by the plural image information processing apparatuses on the basis of viewpoint information sent from the image information processing apparatus. This apparatus comprises a transmitter to calculate the viewpoint information based on a user's instruction and transmit it to the controller, a receiver to receive from the controller the viewpoint information for generating the display image, and an image generator to read the image data corresponding to the viewpoint information from the previously held image data for generating the display image, and generate and output the display image to a display.
US07673244B2 Responsive environment sensor systems with delayed activation
Systems and methods for delayed function activation in a responsive environment are described. A responsive environment includes an intermediary system and notification manager to determine when a responsive environment will launch an application triggered by a sensed event. The environment includes sensor components and transparent software components that reside wholly within the environment for providing responsiveness. The environment also includes interactive software components that give users the means to provide input and/or experience output. Since changes to the interaction components may disrupt the user by requiring the user's attention when it is not convenient, the system helps the user manage the responsive environment by using an application/function delay technique. The environment uses an intelligence and notification mechanism to determine what might be useful and primes the apparatus to provide that functionality. However, the user actually initiates the execution of that function.
US07673241B2 User interface for multi-media communication for the visually disabled
A method, user interface module, computer program product, computer system and system that enable a graphical user interface to be used by persons with visual disabilities. The graphical user interface includes a toolbar, which provides features that enable a visually disabled user to navigate and activate the functions provided by buttons or other controls on the communication toolbar. As a user navigates around the user interface, auditory messages are read describing functionality of different features of the graphical user interface. The text can be audibly read by, for example, a screen reader module. By using a hotkey or menu navigation, a user can issue commands that would normally be issued by clicking on the toolbar. Furthermore, the user can type text into text input boxes, select items from combo boxes, enable broadcast messages to be read, and choose to listen to status messages.
US07673239B2 Synthetic audiovisual description scheme, method and system for MPEG-7
A method and system for description of synthetic audiovisual content makes it easier for humans, software components or devices to identify, manage, categorize, search, browse and retrieve such content. For instance, a user may wish to search for specific synthetic audiovisual objects in digital libraries, Internet web sites or broadcast media; such a search is enabled by the invention. Key characteristics of synthetic audiovisual content itself such as the underlying 2d or 3d models and parameters for animation of these models are used to describe it. More precisely, to represent features of synthetic audiovisual content, depending on the description scheme to be used, a number of descriptors are selected and assigned values. The description scheme instantiated with descriptor values is used to generate the description, which is then stored for actual use during query/search. Typically, a user, to search for a needed synthetic audiovisual content initiates a query that is passed on to a search engine that then retrieves the candidate content from one or more databases whose description closely matches the query criteria specified by the user.
US07673236B2 Method of inputting text into a data processing apparatus
There is disclosed a method of inputting text into a data processing apparatus, including the steps of (a) providing a database of words arranged hierarchically into a plurality of levels; (b) displaying at least one window on a visual display unit of said data processing apparatus; (c) showing a plurality of said words in said at least one window; (d) choosing a word or words from said plurality of words shown in said at least one window; and (e) outputting an output in response to choosing of said word(s) in said step (d). There is also disclosed a computer program configured and executable, when installed in a data processing apparatus, to (a) provide in said data processing apparatus a database of words arranged hierarchically into a plurality of levels, (b) display at least one window on a visual display unit of said data processing apparatus, (c) show a plurality of said words in said at least one window, (d) choose a word or words from said plurality of words shown in said at least one window; and (e) output an output in response to choosing of said word(s) in (d) above.
US07673235B2 Method and apparatus for utilizing an object model to manage document parts for use in an electronic document
A method and apparatus are provided for utilizing a document object model to manage document parts for use in an electronic document. The document object model enables a user to retrieve, insert, add, and delete document parts to and from an electronic document using a programmable interface from within a word processing application program. A document part programming interface is exposed in the object model and methods associated with the object model are called which return objects enabling the location and management of document parts in a document parts collection.
US07673230B2 Discoverability and navigation of hyperlinks via tabs
A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document. The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape (i.e., an outline that surrounds the next hyperlink) is drawn around the next hyperlink. A user may also tab to a placeholder for an image in order to make a decision whether the image should be downloaded or not.
US07673224B2 Low power viterbi decoder using a novel register-exchange architecture
An apparatus and method of reducing power dissipation in a register exchange implementation of a Viterbi decoder used in a digital receiver or mass-storage system without degrading the bit error rate of the decoder, by selectively inhibiting data samples in the Viterbi decoder's register memory from being shifted if the data samples have converged to a single value. FIFO memories keep track of what data samples have converged, the order of the samples, and the converged data value, thereby keeping the decoded data in the FIFO synchronized with data continuing to be shifted through the register memory.
US07673222B2 Error-correcting apparatus including multiple error-correcting modules functioning in parallel and related method
An apparatus for error-correcting an input signal to generate an output signal. The apparatus includes an unreliable-location determining module for determining unreliable-locations of the input signal and generating an indication signal accordingly, a first error-correcting module for error-correcting the input signal to generate a first candidate signal, a second error-correcting module coupled to the unreliable-location determining module for error-correcting the input signal with reference to the indication signal to generate a second candidate signal, and a selecting module coupled to the first and second error-correcting modules for selecting one of the first and second candidate signals to be the output signal.
US07673218B2 System for decoding bit stream printed on surface
A system for decoding coded data printed in ink on a surface. The coded data includes an encoded bit stream and associated redundancy data, and a registration structure of clock tracks indicative of a position of the coded data in the direction perpendicular to an alignment direction and two alignment lines for each clock track. The system has a store for storing the coded data and a decoder for determining a codeword format for the coded data, reading the coded data from the store using the determined format, correcting errors in the encoded bit stream, and writing the corrected data to the store. The coded data is read so as to de-interleave the encoded bit stream and redundancy data into codewords. The decoder uses an alignment phase-locked loop (PLL) to determine a position of the alignment lines so as to determine the position of each respective track and update the alignment PLL.
US07673217B2 Method of detecting data transmission errors in a CAN controller, and a CAN controller for carrying out the method
A method of detecting data transmission errors in a CAN controller includes generating at least one check bit that is verifiable for ensuring the consistency of the transmitted data. A CAN controller that ensures continuous error monitoring during data transmission includes an interface unit for exchanging data with a CAN bus, a memory unit for storing received data and data to be transmitted, and an electronic unit for controlling data transmission between the memory unit and the interface unit. The interface unit of the CAN controller has an arrangement for generating check bits for received data and for verifying check bits for data to be transmitted.
US07673211B2 Automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocol having multiple complementary feedback mechanisms
Methods for efficiently controlling the retransmission of data units in a wireless telecommunication system, wherein multiple complementary feedback mechanisms are used to control retransmission. A receiver attempts to decode each received data unit. If a data unit is successfully decoded, the receiver transmits positive feedback to the transmitter; if a data unit is not successfully decoded, the receiver transmits negative feedback to the transmitter. In all cases, the transmitter employs at least first and second feedback mechanisms for transmitting the positive and negative feedback. In an exemplary embodiment, acknowledgement (ACK) and non-acknowledgement (NACK) messages are sent in response to the receipt of each data unit on a first unreliable channel and Status Messages identifying sequence numbers of particular data units are periodically transmitted on a second reliable channel; the receiver preferably removes data units from its transmit window only upon receipt of a Status Message indicating successful decode.
US07673210B2 Methods and apparatus for diagnosing a degree of interference between a plurality of faults in a system under test
A method for diagnosing a degree of interference between a plurality of faults in a system under test, the faults being detected by means of applying a test suite to the system under test, includes: 1) for each of the plurality of faults, and for each of a plurality of test syndromes, where a test syndrome is a pattern of passing and failing tests of the test suite, determining relative frequencies at which particular ones of the faults are coupled with particular ones of the syndromes; and 2) using the relative frequencies at which particular ones of the faults are coupled with particular ones of the syndromes to calculate and display to a user, via a graphical user interface, and for the test suite as a whole, test suite degrees of interference between pairs of the faults. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07673205B2 Semiconductor IC and testing method thereof
According to the present invention, the outputs of the last scanning flip-flop circuits 12 included in scan chains 111 are compiled and compressed in an output compression circuit 112, a sum of the outputs from the scan chains 111 and an expected value written in an expected value storage circuit 113 from the outside are compared with each other in an expected value decision circuit 114, the sum being outputted from the output compression circuit 112, a pass/fail decision result obtained by the comparison can be outputted from an output terminal 116 of the expected value decision circuit 114 to the outside, and the decision result can be stored regardless of the reset of a system.
US07673204B2 Method using non-linear compression to generate a set of test vectors for use in scan testing an integrated circuit
A method is provided that uses non-linear data compression in order to generate a set of test vectors for use in scan testing an integrated circuit. The method includes the steps of initially designing the set of test vectors, and selecting one of multiple available coding schemes for each test vector wherein at least two of the coding schemes selected for encoding are different from one another, and wherein one of the available coding schemes represents non-encoded data. The method further comprises operating a random pattern generator to generate data blocks, each corresponding to one of the test vectors, wherein the data block corresponding to a given test vector is encoded with a bit pattern representing the coding scheme of the given test vector. The corresponding data block also has a bit length that is less than the bit length of the given test vector. Each data block is routed to a plurality of decoders, wherein each decoder is adapted to recognize only one of the coding schemes represented by one of the bit patterns. The decoder recognizing the coding scheme of the data block decodes the bit pattern of the data block and generates the test vectors corresponding to the data block.
US07673203B2 Interconnect delay fault test controller and test apparatus using the same
An interconnect delay fault test controller and a test apparatus using the same wherein an update operation and a capture operation may be carried out in one interval of a system clock or a core clock when carrying out an interconnect delay fault test between an IEEE P1500 wrapped cores in a SoC as well as an interconnect wire on a board based on an IEEE 1149.1, and wherein the interconnect delay fault test using different system clocks or core clocks may be carried out simultaneously in one test cycle corresponding to each system clock or core clock even when multiple system clocks or core clocks exists is disclosed.
US07673202B2 Single event upset test circuit and methodology
A method, involving: inputting an initial data pattern into a scan chain circuit of an integrated circuit device; applying a particle beam to the integrated circuit device, while driving the scan chain circuit with a clock signal, to generate an output data pattern; and generating a single event upset error rate test result based on a comparison between the output data pattern and the initial data pattern.
US07673201B1 Recovering a prior state of a circuit design within a programmable integrated circuit
A method of restoring a selected operational state of a circuit design implemented within a programmable integrated circuit (IC) can include pipelining a clock gating signal that selectively pauses a clock of the circuit design, and storing configuration data specifying an operational state of the circuit design at a first simulation clock cycle in non-configuration memory. At a second simulation clock cycle, the clock of the circuit design can be gated. The stored configuration data can be loaded into configuration memory of the programmable IC, wherein loading the configuration data reconfigures the circuit design and restores the operational state of the circuit design in existence at the first simulation clock cycle. The clock of the circuit design can be advanced a number of clock cycles corresponding to a difference between the second simulation clock cycle and the first simulation clock cycle.
US07673197B2 Polymorphic automatic test systems and methods
An Analog/mixed signal automatic test system includes a software architecture that creates a virtual composite instruments through novel software dynamic allocation of low level resources. These virtual composite instruments provide backwards and forwards compatibility to a variety of automatic test equipment, known or available on the market. The virtual composite instruments are free from the normal constraints imposed by hardware implementations. Creation of the virtual composite instruments allows a single piece of automatic test equipment system to emulate many implementations of automatic test equipment, providing higher utilization, and therefore a lower cost test solution for device manufacturers. The test instruments are preferably object controls and are preferably instantiated and controlled by the test system server. This allows multiple users to control the tester simultaneously across, for example, the Internet.
US07673196B2 Methods and apparatus for communicating with a target circuit
A system and method are disclosed which may include establishing a stored test vector, including a plurality of data bits, within a vector data engine; transmitting the stored test vector to a memory array; performing at least one arithmetic or logical operation upon the stored test vector by a vector data generator within the vector data engine to update the stored test vector; and repeating the steps of transmitting and performing so as to continuously transmit continuously changing stored test vectors to the memory array.
US07673192B2 System and method of uncorrelated code hopping in a communications system
A system and method are used to provide uncorrelated code hopping in a communications system. A multi-bit linear shift register receives data and clocks the data fifteen times. A word assembler receives the shifted data and outputs a fifteen bit word. A mixer mixes the fifteen bit word with an numerical value of active codes to generate a mixed signal. A divider divides the mixed signal to produce a divided signal. A truncator truncates the divided signal to its seven most significant bits to produce a pseudo random hop number. A code matrix shifter circularly shifts the active codes in a code matrix based on the pseudo random hop number to produce a circularly shifted code. A transmitter transmits the circularly shifted code matrix.
US07673191B2 Baselining backend component error rate to determine application performance
Deviation of an expected error rate for a backend server invoked by an application to process a request is used to characterize the backend server health. Performance data generated in response to monitoring application execution is processed to select backend error rate data. The selected data is processed to predict future values of a time series associated with backend error rates. The predicted error rate values are compared to actual error rate values in the time series to determine a deviation from the predicted value. Deviation information for the time series data of error rates is then reported to a user through an interface in a simplified manner.
US07673189B2 Technique for mapping goal violations to anamolies within a system
A computer and method for problem detection and determination for automated system management in a system, wherein the method comprises monitoring system state, workload, and performance parameters of the system; comparing the monitored parameters against normal system performance behavior of the system, wherein the normal system performance behavior is maintained as a mapping of a system state and workload-to-performance parameters; summarizing performance abnormalities at a specified layer in the system as computation and data-processing attributes, wherein the performance abnormalities comprise deviations from the normal system performance behavior; correlating the performance abnormalities across multiple layers in the system using an attribute-based framework; and communicating a root-cause of the performance abnormalities.
US07673188B2 System and method for controlling synchronous functional microprocessor redundancy during test and method for determining results
A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a device under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. In the first mode, the TAP provides test signals to both the gold processor and the DUT while they operate in synchronous functional lockstep. In the second mode, the TAP provides signals to the gold processor. In the third mode, the TAP provides test signals to the DUT. A host computer coupled to the interface control unit executes a software application to cause the TAP to drive test signals and to access test output data from the gold processor and the DUT. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to that accessed from the DUT to determine any differences. The comparison data generated may then be used for further analysis.
US07673187B2 Data processing apparatus and method for reducing trace bandwidth
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for reducing trace bandwidth. The data processing apparatus comprises logic for producing data elements, and trace logic for producing a stream of trace elements representative of at least some of the data elements. The trace logic has trace generation logic for generating trace elements for inclusion in the stream, the trace generation logic including compression logic for performing a compression process on at least some trace elements prior to inclusion in the stream. A storage is also provided in association with the trace logic for providing control information which is dependent on an operating environment of the logic producing the data elements. The trace generation logic is arranged to reference that control information in order to adapt the compression process performed by the compression logic having regard to the operating environment. By such an approach, the efficiency of the compression process can be maintained irrespective of the operating environment of the logic producing the data elements.
US07673185B2 Adaptive SAS PHY configuration
A SAS expander adaptively configures a Serial-Attached-SCSI (SAS) PHY to accommodate varying lengths of a cable coupling the PHY to a remote PHY. The expander (a) configures the SAS PHY with settings of an entry of a table of PHY configuration settings, each entry in the table having different PHY configuration setting values; (b) clears a counter; (c) operates the PHY to communicate with the remote PHY for a monitoring period, after configuring the PHY and clearing the counter; (d) increments the counter when the PHY detects a PHY event during the monitoring period, and otherwise decrements the counter; (e) repeats steps (c) and (d) unless the counter rises above a threshold; and (f) when the counter rises above the threshold, repeats steps (a) through (e), wherein step (a) is performed with the settings of a different entry of the table.
US07673184B2 Flow control methodology for digital retiming devices
A network diagnostic device or component such as a network analyzer or a jammer that is placed in-line between two nodes in a network to perform a flow control operation transparently without the requirement of a separate link layer implementation. The network diagnostic device may include a diagnostic module configured to perform network analyzer operations, a memory a first flow control module a second flow control module. In some embodiments, when performing the flow control operation, various modules and/or components may cause the network diagnostic device to enter a first pass-through mode and to then enter into a first flow control handshaking mode from the first pass-through mode. The various modules and/or components may also cause the network diagnostic device to enter a second pass-through mode from the first flow control handshaking mode and to then enter into a second flow control handshaking mode from the first pass-through mode.
US07673183B2 Identifying temporal ambiguity in an aggregated log stream
A method and system for ordering and aggregating log streams. Log streams for events from different sources are received. If different sources have different recording cycles, or time epochs, that lead to different temporal granularities, then all of the log streams are combined into a single time epoch that is equal to the longest time epoch. Log streams from sources having shorter time epochs continue to retain information about their original time epochs, in order to retain information about the order of the events in those log streams. The log streams are re-ordered, both before and after being integrated into the aggregate log, by acquiring additional data from the different sources, thus permitting the likely cause/effect relationship between events.
US07673180B1 Method and apparatus for dispatching a remote debugging agent in a distributed computing environment
A method for dispatching a remote debugging agent (RDA), involving embedding the RDA in a target program to obtain a remotely debuggable target program, submitting the remotely debuggable target program to a distributed computing environment, wherein the distributed computing environment includes a plurality of nodes, executing the remotely debuggable target program on at least one of the plurality of nodes, establishing a connection between the RDA and a central debugging tool, and debugging the remotely debuggable target program using the central debugging tool.
US07673179B2 Online testing unification system with remote test automation technology
The present invention is directed to an online product validation solution integrating an online testing module configured to assist a user to create test cases and a remote test automation module configured to execute the created test cases on remote test systems. When a user creates a test plan, complete test coverage for the test plan may be ensured and cross-checked with product specifications stored in the knowledge database. Moreover, seamless integration of the online testing module and the remote test automation module may provide a uniform interface for generating both manual and automated test cases. Test case status is reported within the test plan in synchronicity with test case execution.
US07673178B2 Break and optional hold on failure
Break and optional hold preserves a state of a computing environment on which a software program has failed. Being able to examine the status of the environment existing upon the occurrence of the failure, including the condition of various processes and values facilitates resolution of the cause of the failure. Upon occurrence of a failure during the execution of a first software program in a first computing environment, execution of the first software program breaks. A first state of the first computing environment existing upon the breaking in execution of the first software program is then held. A failure notification is generated to signal the failure to a monitoring system. The monitoring system accesses hold information to determine whether the first computing environment should hold its current state and whether one or more other computing environments interacting with the first computing environment should also hold their states.
US07673176B2 Apparatus and method to locate a failed device in a data storage system
A computing device comprising a plurality of devices and a plurality of visual indicators is disclosed. Each of the plurality of visual indicators is interconnected with a power source and is associated with a different one of the plurality of devices. None of the plurality of visual indicators comprises a capacitor.
US07673174B2 Recovering device drivers
A solution to the problem of maintaining application integrity when device drivers fail. This solution employs a new mechanism, the shadow driver, which is an operating system (OS) kernel agent that monitors communication between the OS kernel and the device driver it “shadows.” When a device driver error occurs, the shadow driver acts in place of the failed device driver, intercepting and responding to calls from the OS kernel and the device driver during cleanup, unloading, reloading, and re-initialization of the failed device driver. Applications and the OS kernel are thus isolated from the failure. An initial embodiment was developed for use with the Linux™ OS and was tested with a dozen device drivers. Results demonstrate that shadow drivers successfully mask device driver failures from applications, impose minimal performance overhead, require no changes to existing applications and device drivers, and can be implemented with relatively little code.
US07673171B2 Systems and methods for CPU repair
Systems and methods for repairing a processor are provided. In one embodiment, a method for repairing a processor is provided that includes, for example, the steps of initializing and executing an operating system, determining that a cache element is faulty, and swapping in a spare cache element for said faulty cache element while the operating system is executing.
US07673169B1 Techniques for implementing an adaptive data access error handling policy
Techniques for implementing an adaptive data access error handling policy are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a system comprising a shared storage device communicatively coupled to a network, and a computer cluster communicatively coupled to the network, the computer cluster comprising a plurality of nodes each mounting a shared file system thereon, a first node of the plurality of nodes to send a data access request to the shared storage device, to identify a data access error associated with the data access request, and to determine whether to permit access to the shared file system based on the data access error being a local data access error or a global data access error.
US07673167B2 RAID array data member copy offload in high density packaging
A computer-implemented method replaces a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) array member storage device configured in high density packaging. The high density packaging includes a plurality of field-replaceable units (FRUs). Each FRU has an associated plurality of storage devices. A first spare storage device of a first FRU is captured. The first FRU is dedicated as a plurality of spare storage devices by a RAID controller. A small computer system interface (SCSI) enclosure services (SES) processor (SESP) is initialized to read data from the RAID array member storage device and transfer the data to the first spare storage device. The first spare storage device and the RAID array member storage device are co-resident within a serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) expander local port domain.
US07673166B2 Computation of processor clock frequency ratios
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for computation of processor clock frequency ratios in a multi-processor system. The apparatus includes a computation engine configured to determine a processor clock frequency ratio by reading counter values of a first counter and of a second counter within a frequency ratio computation interval, and configured to determine a value of the second counter at an end of a frequency ratio valid interval where the frequency ratio is applied, wherein the frequency ratio valid interval is subsequent to the frequency ratio computation interval, and wherein the frequency ratio valid interval does not overlap the frequency ratio computation interval.
US07673162B2 Information processing terminal with wake on LAN and power control method thereof
An information processing terminal includes a WOL monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not a particular packet for indicating resumption of operation from a suspended state is received, a resume processing unit for resuming the operation from the suspended state, a factor monitoring unit for recording a factor of the resumption to a memory, a cancel monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not a cancel signal to a communication request received after the resumption is received, and a suspend processing unit for switching the operation to the suspended state when the factor of the resumption is reception of the particular packet as well as the cancel signal is received after the resumption. With this arrangement, power consumption of the information processing terminal can be suppressed.
US07673156B1 Multimedia electronic device
An SCP (System Control Processor) 7 is provided in addition to a CPU 1 responsible for control of circuits in a computer. Upon receiving a Main ON signal (low level) indicative of the CPU 1 being inactive, the SCP 7 responds to a switch operation on a control panel 6 to supply a CD-ROM drive 2 with a command corresponding to the switch operation on said control panel 6 independently of the CPU 1 as well as to feed a high-level CD-POWER-ON signal to a power supply circuit 8 through an OR circuit 9. The power supply circuit 8 selectively supplies the CD-ROM drive 2 and an Audio amplifier 10 with driving power upon receiving the high-level signal.
US07673154B2 Recording medium, recording method, information transmission method, terminal device, and server device
A recording medium including at least a lead-in region, a recording region in which information is recorded, and a lead-out region. In this configuration, medium information including medium identification information and relevant information is recorded in at least any one of the lead-in region, the recording region, and the lead-out region.
US07673146B2 Methods and systems of remote authentication for computer networks
As part of a network node authentication process, a MAC address or other globally unique identifier of an access point through which the network node will access a computer network is transmitted in an EAP or other authentication message to an authentication server to uniquely identify the access point to the authentication server.
US07673143B1 JXTA rendezvous as certificate of authority
A method for securing a communication between a peer node and an intermediary peer node in a peer-to-peer network comprises the peer node generating a secured communication request to the intermediary peer node. The intermediary peer node authenticates the peer node in response to the secured communication request. The intermediary peer node issues a signed certificate of authority upon successful authentication.
US07673137B2 System and method for the managed security control of processes on a computer system
Managing and controlling the execution of software programs with a computing device to protect the computing device from malicious activities. A protector system implements a two-step process to ensure that software programs do not perform malicious activities which may damage the computing device or other computing resources to which the device is coupled. In the first phase, the protector system determines whether a software program has been previously approved and validates that the software program has not been altered. If the software program is validated during the first phase, this will minimize or eliminate security monitoring operations while the software program is executing during the second phase. If the software program cannot be validated, the protector system enters the second phase and detects and observes executing activities at the kernel level of the operating system so that suspicious actions can be anticipated and addressed before they are able to do harm to the computing device.
US07673134B2 Backup restore in a corporate infrastructure
A method and system for remotely storing a user's admin key to gain access to an intranet is presented. The user's admin key and intranet user identification (ID) are encrypted using an enterprise's public key, and together they are concatenated into a single backup admin file, which is stored in the user's client computer. If the user needs his admin file and is unable to access it in a backup client computer, he sends the encrypted backup admin file to a backup server and his unencrypted intranet user ID to an intranet authentication server. The backup server decrypts the user's single backup admin file to obtain the user's admin key and intranet user ID. If the unencrypted intranet user ID in the authentication server matches the decrypted intranet user ID in the backup server, then the backup server sends the backup client computer the decrypted admin key.
US07673131B2 Booting an operating system in discrete stages
A computing device is configured to assemble and boot an operating system in stages. A primary boot image is first obtained that includes enough of the operating system to support basic networking. Once the primary boot image is obtained, either through download or from storage on the device, the primary boot image is booted to start the networking. Once the networking is active, the boot activity for the device is suspended and one or more secondary operating system images are downloaded by the device. These images are chained to the primary boot image thereby creating a single/cohesive operating system. These secondary operating system images are successively booted in “stages” with each successive stage building upon the functionality of the previous stage.
US07673127B2 Method and apparatus for enabling a computer system by loading and executing an updated hardware specific boot routine to modify the operating system
A system and method for utilizing generic computer operating system software for computer hardware systems designed subsequent to the operating system software. The system and method of the present invention employs a separate modular software file called a System Enabler that has all patches, code, data and resources needed to make a particular computer system operational. The System Enabler file is matched to a particular hardware system and may be bundled with that hardware system. During computer system start up the System Enabler file modifies the generic operating system software for optimum operation with the particular computer hardware system.
US07673126B2 Methods and apparatus to self-initialize a processor
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-initialize a processor. An example method disclosed herein detects a processor reset, receives initialization instructions from a core zone, establishes a core zone boundary, executes received initialization instructions, and publishes a data structure, the data structure comprising state information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07673125B2 Resetting multiple cells within a partition of a multiple partition computer system
One embodiment of the invention is a method for resetting a partition of a multiple partition system, wherein the partition comprises a plurality of processors, the method comprising executing, by one processor of the plurality of processors, reset code from firmware, building a list of reset register addresses associated with the plurality of processors, sending an interrupt to the other processors of the plurality of processors, resetting the other processors by writing a reset code to their associated reset registers, and resetting the one processor by writing to its associated reset register.
US07673122B1 Software hint to specify the preferred branch prediction to use for a branch instruction
Software hints embedded in branch instructions direct selection of one of a plurality of branch predictors to use when processing the branch instructions, leading to improved branch prediction (i.e. fewer mis-predictions) over conventional schemes. A software agent assembles branch instructions having associated respective branch predictor control fields compatible with a branch predictor selector and a plurality of branch predictors. Each branch predictor control field is used to perform branch predictor selection, branch predictor control, or both. Branch predictor selection enables selective branch prediction according to an appropriate one of the branch predictors as determined by the software agent by examining context surrounding the branch instruction. Branch predictor control enables control of operation of one or more of the branch predictors. For example, a history-based branch predictor may be instructed to provide branch prediction according to a history-depth specified by the branch predictor control.
US07673120B2 Inter-cluster communication network and heirarchical register files for clustered VLIW processors
A VLIW processor has a hierarchy of functional unit clusters that communicate through explicit control in the instruction stream and store data in register files at each level of the hierarchy. Explicit instructions transfer values between sub-clusters through a cluster level switch network. Transfer instructions issue in dedicated instruction issue slots in parallel with instructions that perform computation in functional units. The switch network can perform permutations on the data being moved. The switch network enables for operands to be broadcast between the sub-clusters, global register file and memory.
US07673116B2 Input/output memory management unit that implements memory attributes based on translation data
In one embodiment, an input/output (I/O) memory management unit (IOMMU) comprises at least one memory and control logic coupled to the memory. The memory is configured to store translation data corresponding to one or more I/O translation tables stored in a memory system of a computer system that includes the IOMMU. The control logic is configured to translate an I/O device-generated memory request using the translation data. The translation data includes a type field indicating one or more attributes of the translation, and the control logic is configured to control the translation responsive to the type field.
US07673115B1 Data operation validation
Described are techniques for processing a data operation. A data operation is received at a data storage system. The data operation requests a modification of data stored in the data storage system. A first address is obtained that represents a starting address of the data operation. A calculation is performed representing a boundary condition of the starting address of the data operation. Based on the calculation, it is determined whether the data operation has a starting address which is properly aligned.
US07673110B2 Control method of device in storage system for virtualization
In a system where a first storage system and a second storage system are connected to a third storage system, when the first storage system virtualizes and provides a device in the third storage system as a device in its own storage system, update data stored in a cache in the first storage system is written into the device of the third storage system to be reflected, attributes of the device are transferred to the second storage system, and the second storage system virtualizes the device of the third storage system as a device of its own storage system.
US07673108B2 Methods and systems for distributed caching in presence of updates and in accordance with holding times
Techniques for cache management including cache replacement are provided. In one aspect, a distributed caching technique of the invention comprises the use of a central cache and one or more local caches. The central cache communicates with the one or more local caches and coordinates updates to the local caches, including cache replacement. The invention also provides techniques for adaptively determining holding times associated with data storage applications such as those involving caches.
US07673107B2 Storage system and storage control device
A virtualization system, including: at least one first port coupled to at least one host system; at least one second port coupled to a plurality of storage systems; wherein the virtualization system is capable to control to perform processes of splitting a relationship between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume; storing first differential information identifying data of a first write request; write data of first write request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume; storing second differential information identifying data of a second write request, the data of the second request being written after the splitting step, receiving a differential copying request; to copy differential data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, or to copy differential data from the second virtual volume to the first virtual volume.
US07673102B2 Method and system for maximum residency replacement of cache memory
Techniques for use in CDMA-based products and services, including replacing cache memory allocation so as to maximize residency of a plurality of set ways following a tag-miss allocation. Herein, steps forming a first-in, first-out (FIFO) replacement listing of victim ways for the cache memory, wherein the depth of the FIFO replacement listing approximately equals the number of ways in the cache set. The method and system place a victim way on the FIFO replacement listing only in the event that a tag-miss results in a tag-miss allocation, the victim way is placed at the tail of the FIFO replacement listing after any previously selected victim way. Use of a victim way on the FIFO replacement listing is prevented in the event of an incomplete prior allocation of the victim way by, for example, stalling a reuse request until such initial allocation of the victim way completes or replaying a reuse request until such initial allocation of the victim way completes.
US07673101B2 Re-assigning cache line ways
An information carrier medium containing software that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to receive information from circuit logic that is adapted to collect the information from caches on different cache levels. Each of the caches comprises a plurality of cache lines, and each cache line is associated with a way. The software also causes the processor to reassign the way of a cache line to a different way.
US07673099B1 Affinity caching
Described are techniques for initializing a cache in connection with storing a received data set. A previously stored data set that is similar to the received data set is identified. A cache is initialized in accordance with the previously stored data set. Processing is performed using the cache to store the received data set.
US07673091B2 Method to hide or reduce access latency of a slow peripheral in a pipelined direct memory access system
A bus bridge between a high speed DMA bus and a lower speed peripheral bus sets a threshold for minimum available buffer space to send a read request dependent upon a frequency ratio and the DMA read latency. Similarly, a threshold for minimum available data for a write request depends on the frequency ratio and the DMA write latency. The bus bridge can store programmable values for the DMA read latency and write latency.
US07673090B2 Hot plug interface control method and apparatus
Hot plug modules comprising processors, memory, and/or I/O hubs may be added to and removed from a running computing device without rebooting the running computing device. The hot plug modules and computing device comprise hot plug interfaces that support hot plug addition and hot plug removal of the hot plug modules.
US07673086B2 Retrieving lock attention data using an attention connection path selected from a group of attention connection paths associated with a host
Provided are techniques for retrieving lock attention data. A group of attention connection paths configured to transmit lock attention interrupts and lock attention data between the host and the control unit are identified. A lock attention interrupt is received from the control unit. In response to receiving the lock attention interrupt, a connection path from the group of attention connection paths is selected and lock attention data is retrieved from the control unit using the selected connection path.
US07673085B2 Multi-channel communication circuit
A multi-channel communication circuit includes a master device, a plurality of slave devices, and a multiplexer (MUX). A transmitting pin and a receiving pin of a serial interface of the master device are respectively connected to a first data input pin and a first data output pin of the MUX. Two control pins of the serial interface of the master device are connected to two selecting pins of the MUX. Four pins of the serial interface of the master device are connected to a power pin of the MUX. Transmitting pins of a serial interface of each slave device are respectively connected to a plurality of second data input pins of the MUX and receiving pins of a serial interface of each slave device are respectively connected to a plurality of second data output pins of the MUX, the master device communicates with one slave device via transmitting a corresponding selecting signal to the two selecting pins of the MUX to select one slave device.
US07673084B2 Bus system and methods of operation using a combined data and synchronization line to communicate between bus master and slaves
A bus system and methods for initialization and communication in a bus system are presented.
US07673080B1 Differential data transfer for flash memory card
A flash memory card includes a differential datapath that enables communications between the flash memory card and a host device to be performed using differential signals. The differential datapath can translate between the differential signals and card-specific signals that control read/write operations to the memory array of the flash memory card. The card-specific signals can be standard MultiMediaCard, Secure-Digital card, Memory Stick, or CompactFlash card signals, among others. A host device that provides differential data transfer capability can include a similar differential datapath. By using differential data transfer rather than conventional clocked data transfer, overall data bandwidth between a flash memory card and a host device can be significantly increased, while simultaneously decreasing power consumption and pin requirements.
US07673079B2 Peripheral accessory specification identification and transmission
In an apparatus to be controlled 20 such as a USB-compatible peripheral device connected to a controlling apparatus such as a personal computer, when a specification change is detected such as a change in the apparatus to be controlled 20 itself and a change in the connection situation of an attached device 30 (S201: YES), identification information corresponding to the changed specification is extracted (S205) and the extracted identification information is set as identification information to be transmitted to the controlling apparatus 10 (S206). The identification information having been set is transmitted to the controlling apparatus 10, and the controlling apparatus 10 controls the apparatus to be controlled 20 having the changed specification, on the basis of the identification information. This controlling apparatus for controlling the apparatus to be controlled on the basis of the identification information for identifying the apparatus to be controlled adjusts easily to the change in the specification of the apparatus to be controlled.
US07673077B2 Multi-protocol iSCSI device discovery for on demand device enumeration
A target discovery manager associated with a target discovery layer is interposed between a host initiator and one or more discovery protocols. The target discovery manager maintains a list of target devices found by each of several target discovery protocols. For each discovered target device listed, the associated discovery protocols that discovered the target device are prioritized and coalesced into a single enumerated target device register. The target device register provides the host initiator with a single list of known target devices produced from multiple discovery protocols with the discovery protocols that independently discovered each device prioritized according to various parameters.
US07673076B2 Concurrent read response acknowledge enhanced direct memory access unit
An enhanced direct memory access (EDMA) operation issues a read command to the source port to request data. The port returns the data along with response information, which contains the channel and valid byte count. The EDMA stores the read data into a write buffer and acknowledges to the source port that the EDMA can accept more data. The read response and data can come from more than one port and belong to different channels. Removing channel prioritizing according to this invention allows the EDMA to store read data in the write buffer and the EDMA then can acknowledge the port read response concurrently across all channels. This improves the EDMA inbound and outbound data flow dramatically.
US07673075B1 Pass-through information transfers in serial communications between a device and a host
A device communicatively coupled to a host in a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) format. The device includes a processor to control operations in the device and a serial interface to control serial communication in accordance with the SATA format with the host. The serial interface during the transmission of primitives in a pass-through phase, inserts pass-through information to the host within or outside of a Frame Information Structure (FIS). If the host is not pass-through enabled, the host ignores the pass-through information. However, if the host is pass-through enabled, the host recognizes the pass-through information.
US07673069B2 Strong routing consistency protocol in structured peer-to-peer overlays
A structured peer-to-peer overlay performs a key-based routing (KBR) that achieves a strong routing consistency guarantee as well as reasonable scalability. The key space of the structured overlay is partitioned into zones, each separately managed by a group membership service that provides total ordering of membership query and change actions. The strongly consistent KBR has two phases: first, a key value is routed to a contact node in its zone via a weakly consistent KBR protocol; and then performing a lookup of the destination node for the key value by the contact node using the group membership service of the zone. By appropriately tuning the zone size, the strongly consistent KBR balances the trade-off between scalability and routing liveness. The KBR can maintain this balance by merging and splitting zones to account for system chum and scale changes.
US07673066B2 File transfer protocol for mobile computer
A method is disclosed for communicating using a device having a Palm OS. SMB is preferentially used to communicate with a node, and if use of SMB is not possible, FTP is used, and if use of FTP is not possible, Bluetooth is used. If FTP or Bluetooth is selected as the protocol, file sharing between the device and node that entails a read or write is executed by temporarily copying a file to an internal Palm OS memory of the device, performing the read or write on the file, and then copying the file back to the node to overwrite a previous version of the file at the node. For non-Palm OS file transfer to the internal memory, the file is wrapped in a Palm OS stream in the internal memory for executing reads or writes. For file transfer to an expansion Palm OS memory card, byte-to-byte copying of the file is executed using the FAT of the expansion memory, with the file being transferred through an internal Palm OS memory of the device.
US07673065B2 Support for sharing computation between aggregations in a data stream management system
A computer is programmed to process a continuous query that is known to perform a new aggregation on one or more stream(s) of data, using one or more other aggregations on the stream(s). The computer creates an operator to execute the continuous query, and schedules the operator for execution in a specific order. In several embodiments, the computer determines the order based on dependency of the new aggregation on other aggregation(s), and on the order of performance of the other aggregation(s). The new aggregation is scheduled for performance after performance of each of the other aggregations. The computer is further programmed to pass results of the other aggregations to the new aggregation, by execution of a predetermined function. Support for use of the other aggregations results within the new aggregation eliminates redundant computation of the other aggregations within the new aggregation. The new aggregation may be user defined or built-in.
US07673062B2 Method and apparatus for assisting with playback of remotely stored media files
A software based system for facilitating streaming of media files to a device over a wide area network (WAN) includes an agent process, an authentication process, a client services process and a client process. The agent process catalogs local media files and advises the authentication process of it's availability on the WAN and the address at which it may be contacted. The client process contacts the client services process to obtain, after authenticating with it, the WAN address of the agent process and contacts the agent process to receive information or meta-data describing the media files available for streaming. The client process obtains information for forming a URI or playlist, that it then passes to a media player to request the stream over the WAN. Alternately, the client process may direct the agent process to pass the URL to another client process on, for example, the same local area network.
US07673059B2 Tracking electronic content
A method of tracking electronic content includes producing a file of electronic content and executable instructions that collect notification information and attempt to transmit the notification information to an address when triggered by an event. The executable instructions deny access to the electronic content until the notification information is transmitted successfully.
US07673055B2 System and method for automatically responding to a received communication
A device and a method of responding to a received interrupt event received by a communication device is provided. The method comprises accessing data associated with a calendar application and/or a location application to determine a current state of availability of a user of the device using data; determining whether a response action is to be sent in response to the event when the device is note available; and sending the response action. The device incorporates modules to perform the method.
US07673053B1 System and method for providing a communications service in distributed computing environment
A broker of the present invention enables distributed applications to communicate with a server in distributed computing environment. The broker receives from a client a request to execute a transaction. The broker receives input parameters including input data. The broker uses a routing service to locate the server. The broker then establishes a communications connection to the server and forwards the input data. The transaction is executed and the broker receives a response from the server. The broker forwards the response to the client. The broker can segment the input data before forwarding the input data to the server. If the response is in multiple segments, the broker can combine the multiple segments into one string before forwarding the response to the client. Further, the broker may receive requests from multiple clients via multiple communications connections. The broker then consolidates the multiple communications connections and establishes one communications connection to the server.
US07673049B2 Network security system
Methods and systems for preventing unacceptable communication requests from being transmitted to a network-accessible service are disclosed. A domain name server for a local network including a network-accessible service returns an address for a network security system remote from the local network in response to a request for the address of the network-accessible service. The network security system processes communication requests directed to the network-accessible service to determine whether the communication request is a network intrusion attempt. If so, the network security system performs a network intrusion prevention technique, such as discarding the communication request, generating an alert or message or storing at least a portion of the communication request. Otherwise, the network security system forwards the communication request to the network-accessible service. A firewall on the local network may discard requests destined for the network-accessible service unless the source address equals a public address of the network security system.
US07673038B2 Method, apparatus and system for maintaining connections between computers using connection-oriented protocols
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for maintaining a connection between a server and a client by receiving a message, determining whether to store one or more elements of the message, storing the one or more elements of the message when the one or more elements of the message are to be stored, transmitting the message, and determining whether the server has failed and when the server has failed, restoring the server to a pre-failure connection state using the one or more stored message elements.
US07673037B2 Cable telephony monitoring system
A method and system for monitoring the statuses of components within a telephony system, especially a cable-based telephony system, and to monitor quality issues within such system. By determining how components with the system are behaving, a network administrator may be able to troubleshoot problems remotely using a known set of problem resolution techniques. Such techniques may be applied stepwise by the administrator or may be automated through computer intervention.
US07673027B2 Method and apparatus for designing multi-tier systems
A system and method for selecting a preferred design for a multi-tiered architecture of components based on a set of established criteria is provided. The system and method receive a model describing different design constructions and a set of performance and availability requirements and produces a design or set of designs that best meet these requirements. The system and method include a model for representing the infrastructure design space for multi-tier systems and their properties appropriate for judging performance and availability properties of services as well as associated cost. The method and system further include a method for searching the design space in an efficient manner.
US07673026B2 Speed sensitive content delivery in a client-server network
The response time from a client on a network is measured and a destination address is selected based on the measured response time. The client requests an address from the network. The network may be a local network or a wide area network such as the Internet. The response time of the client is measured to determine the optimum speed at which the client may operate. The measured response time is communicated to the server, where a destination address is selected based on the requested address and the measured response time. The client may then be connected to the destination address.
US07673023B1 Method and apparatus for service processor updates
A service processor computing arrangement is associated with a cellular multiprocessing cell. The arrangement includes a scan machine coupled to communicate with processing hardware of the cell and a service processor coupled to an external communications interface of the scan machine. The scan machine includes remote scan software that performs at least one of monitoring and configuration of the processing hardware, and a first remote install program that receives update data via the external communications interface and applies the update data to the remote scan software. The service processor includes a server control program that performs at least one of monitoring and configuring the cell via the remote scan machine, and a second remote install program that applies the update data to the scan machine via the first remote install program.
US07673021B2 Automated provisioning of phones in packet voice networks
Approaches for provisioning phones in packet voice networks are disclosed. One approach provides determining that an Internet Protocol (IP) phone has registered in a network; receiving a unique identifier of the IP phone; determining, based on the unique identifier of the IP phone, a user identifier of an individual user associated with the IP phone; generating a configuration for the IP phone based on the user identifier; and providing the configuration to the IP phone. Various approaches for deriving a user identifier based on the unique identifier of the phone are disclosed.
US07673019B2 System and method for determining a quantitative measure of qualitative usability of related Web pages
A system and method for determining a quantitative measure of qualitative usability of related Web pages. Web pages are accepted that each include at least one hyperlink referencing and proximal cues relating to distal content included in another Web page. An information goal identifying a target Web page is specified. An activation network is formed. A directed graph including nodes corresponding to the Web pages and arcs corresponding to the hyperlinks is built. A weight is assigned to each arc to represent a probability of traversal of the corresponding hyperlink based on a relatedness of keywords in the information goal to the proximal cues included in the referenced Web page. A traversal through the activation network to the node corresponding to the target Web page is evaluated as a quantitative measure of usability.
US07673012B2 Virtual file servers with storage device
A system renting out file servers to many companies in a data center has a security problem so that the user cannot perform operation needing manager authorization in the file servers. An OS provides execution administrative area information of an application program designated by process information which can specify the range of an accessible device to operate the server system of the customer in the administrative area information.
US07673009B2 Media delivery in data forwarding storage network
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for media delivery in data forwarding storage network. A method includes, in a network of interconnected computer system nodes, directing unique data items to a computer memory, and continuously forwarding each of the unique data items, independent of each other, from one computer memory to another computer memory in the network of interconnected computer system nodes without storing on any physical storage device in the network.
US07673008B2 Network system and device
A network system includes devices connected to a network each of which is assigned an ordinal rank in the system, in which a device of the highest ordinal rank functions as a master device and devices of the other ordinal ranks function as general devices. In the network system, each device includes: a master device checking unit configured to operate when the device is functioning as a general device to check that a device functioning as the master device exists in the system; an ordinal rank judging unit configured to judge the ordinal rank of the device when no device functioning as the master device exists; and a first control unit configured to control the device to function as the master device when the ordinal rank of the device is judged to be the highest by the ordinal rank judging unit.
US07673007B2 Web services push gateway
A system and method for interfacing Web Services push applications and mobile terminals operable with one of a plurality of different mobile push technologies. A Web Services push gateway includes a Web Services endpoint to terminate Web Services protocols utilized by the Web Services push applications in providing push messages. A plurality of mobile push bearers are each configured to communicate with a different one of the plurality of mobile push technologies. The Web Services push gateway includes a push router coupled to the Web Services endpoint to receive the push messages, and to forward the push messages to an elected one of the mobile push bearers, from where is it ultimately delivered to a recipient mobile terminal employing a mobile push technology corresponding to the elected mobile push bearer.
US07673005B2 Method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium comprising program element for electronic mail communication
A computer-readable storage medium comprising a program element for execution by a processing device to implement an electronic mail processing entity. The program element comprises program code for receiving an indication of an electronic mail message selected by a user, the electronic mail message including a header portion, a body portion, and an attachment. The program element also comprises program code for providing the user with an opportunity to select an option to exclusively transmit the attachment of the electronic mail message. Also provided are an apparatus for processing electronic mail, a method for processing electronic mail, and a graphical user interface for interacting with a user to provide electronic mail communication capability to the user.
US07672998B1 Apparatus and methods for controlling the transmission of messages
The invention provides systems, mechanisms and techniques for controlling transmission of outbound messages, such as e-mail or other types of messages, onto a computer network from an originator computer system. Connection equipment can authenticate and authorize the connection for the computer user and can capture and map originator network address information assigned to the originator computer system. A quota server can then determine if the message count exceeds the message limit for the originator identity associated with the outbound message Embodiments of the invention control message transmission from a sending or origination point prior to the messages being transmitted on the computer network, resources of a computer network are conserved and these embodiments prevent computer users from transmitting large amounts of outbound messages in excess of the message limits.
US07672997B2 Speaker annotation objects in a presentation graphics application
A method, system, and program product for controlling the content displayed during a computer driven presentation of a presentation graphics application. Hidden object presentation properties are assigned to presentation graphics objects during creation of a presentation graphics file, the properties controlling the circumstances under which hidden objects are displayed during a computer driven presentation or screenshow. One type of hidden object presentation property indicates whether an object is viewable on an audience display and presenter display, or only a presenter display, during a multi-display screenshow. Another type of hidden object presentation property, such as hidden object value, determines the audience to which the object is displayed. Hidden object value properties may be hierarchical, individually selectable in any combination, or mutually exclusive. During screenshow setup, one or more display attributes are assigned to each logical display to be used in the screenshow, the display attributes determining the objects viewable thereon.
US07672994B2 Data relay method and information processing method
A data relay and information processing method including storing in a database section identification information for identifying language-dependent data and replacement data corresponding to the language-dependent data in association with each other, receiving server data from the server system, detecting the replacement data from the database section on the basis of the identification information contained in the server data, replacing the language-dependent data as contained in the server data by the replacement data, and transmitting the server data as replaced to a client system. Thus, even in the case where the language used in the server system providing a service on the Internet is different from the language used in the client system, it is possible to recognize the information from the server by the client with reference to the replacement data.
US07672985B2 Automated creation and delivery of database content
A method and apparatus are disclosed which automatically build a database by automatically identifying a term of interest and building a term database with supplemental content from an assigned source for that term. A term can be selected by applying various rules. An advertiser can sponsor the term, for example, by having an advertisement window automatically pop-up on a keyword search. Content windows can be attached to the term, the content window containing information such as definitions, related products or services, sponsorship information, information from content syndicators, translations and reference works. Data objects that represent the contents of the database and templates are syndicated to remote servers running a processing engine. The processing engine uses these data objects to execute linking rules without requiring a connection to the database.
US07672983B2 Method and apparatus for tracking activity of a garbage collector with a plurality of threads that operate concurrently with an application program
The time cost of collecting a region in a Garbage-First garbage collector is adjusted to account for concurrent thread activity. The overhead of a concurrent thread is tracked by dividing elapsed time into relatively short time “windows” and monitoring the system during those windows to determine how long that thread is scheduled to run during those windows. Using measurements of this type for each concurrent thread, the percentage of each elapsed time window dedicated to each concurrent thread is determined. Finally, by summing the percentages of elapsed time dedicated to concurrent thread activity, the cost of collecting a region can be increased by adding the overhead attributable to concurrent activity.
US07672978B2 Handling of content in a data processing device
A method is shown for handling content in a data processing device, the data processing device comprising at least a first application and a data-handling module. The method comprises: synchronizing, in the control of said data-handling module, content of a first external device and at least one file residing in a specific folder of the data processing device, the file being accessible by at least one first application, and the file being generated by means of the first application or the file being directed to the first application, or both.
US07672977B2 Image reproducing apparatus, method of controlling same and control program therefor
A number of images are grouped and recorded in an image database. A main image is displayed in a main display area. Images having both “PORTRAIT” and “BEACH” photographic scenes, which have been assigned to the main image, assigned thereto are found in groups different from the group to which the main image belongs. The images found are displayed in an auxiliary display area as related images.
US07672976B2 Method for the reduction of image content redundancy in large image databases
A method of increasing information content for content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems includes the steps of providing a CBIR database, the database having an index for a plurality of stored digital images using a plurality of feature vectors, the feature vectors corresponding to distinct descriptive characteristics of the images. A visual similarity parameter value is calculated based on a degree of visual similarity between features vectors of an incoming image being considered for entry into the database and feature vectors associated with a most similar of the stored images. Based on said visual similarity parameter value it is determined whether to store or how long to store the feature vectors associated with the incoming image in the database.
US07672975B2 Methods and systems for repairing playlists
Various systems and methods described above permit a user's content experience (e.g. music playing experience) to be monitored and for metadata describing this experience to be collected. This metadata can be dynamically updated as a user experiences media content and then used to impart to the user a personalized experience that is tailored to that specific user. A user's metadata can, in some instances, provided across a wide variety of computing devices on which the user may experience the media content, thus standardizing the user's personalized media experience. In addition, intelligent or “smart” playlists can be provided which, in some instances, can be dynamically and automatically updated to reflect current user experiences, thus providing a highly personalized and enjoyable content experience.
US07672973B2 Patient interface device or component selecting system and method
A patient interface device selection system that includes a database storing a plurality of sets of data. Each set of data in the plurality of sets of data is associated with a unique patient interface device or a component thereof. A patient data collection system, such as a measuring device, acquires a set of patient data that correspond to at least one characteristic of a patient. A processing system compares the acquired patient data with the plurality of sets of data, and determines the patient interface device or the component thereof that is suitable for use by such a patient based on a result of the comparison.
US07672972B1 Digital content licensing method involving application service provider
A predetermined number of assigned units for each of a plurality of individually selectable pieces of digital content are checked when each piece of digital content is executed in a customer computer network or on an application service provider. Execution of a requested digital content is granted when the number of required units to execute the requested digital content is less than or equal to the total number of available units. Any licensed digital content may be executed on the separate application service provider through a communication network. Access is granted for execution of the requested digital content by a license manager based on whether the application service provider required units of the requested digital content are greater than the available units on the requesting customer computer network. Execution of the requested digital content on the application service provider may be immediate if the application service provider is available or execution can be delayed. If the requested digital content cannot be executed immediately, the required units can be locked up and charged to the customer computer network available units or left uncharged.
US07672971B2 Modular architecture for entity normalization
A system and method identifying duplicate objects from a plurality of objects. The system and method groups similar objects into buckets based on a selected grouper, matches objects within the same bucket based on a selected matcher, and identifies the matching objects as duplicate objects.
US07672970B2 Associative search engine
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlating the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user.
US07672968B2 Displaying a tooltip associated with a concurrently displayed database object
Techniques for displaying information associated with a database are disclosed. A database-informer displays information (or additional information) about various database objects displayed for a user. The database-informer may be presented to user as a tool-tip. However, the database-informer can be customized and dynamically constructed based on various variables that are dynamically determined at runtime. As such, the information can be dynamically determined based on variables stored in different tables and provided on-demand when the database-informer is invoked by the user. As a result, database users can be provided with customized and up-to-date information without having to view different tables.
US07672967B2 Method and system for obfuscating data structures by deterministic natural data substitution
A method and system create a data structure from an obfuscated data structure. First, the system operates on a first data structure whose obfuscation is desired, and creates a data string based on a portion of the first data structure. Next, based on the data string, a second data structure is deterministically generated from a third data structure and the second data structure replaces the first data structure.
US07672964B1 Method and system for dynamically initializing a view for a streaming data base system
A method for dynamically initializing a view for a streaming database system. The method includes accessing a stream of events. An initial view is materialized from the stream, wherein the initial view comprises a dynamically defined view of the stream of events from the streaming database system. The method also includes processing a plurality of recent view snapshots from the initial view. A view state derived from each of the recent view snapshots is generated. An updated view is subsequently maintained in accordance with the view state, wherein the updated view incorporates new events of the stream.
US07672960B2 Performing operations on a set of objects in a database system
A method and system for updating data for a set of objects in a database is provided. A request identifies a set of objects using a property of the objects and an operation to be performed thereon. The object request is translated to a relational request such that a column in a table corresponding to the property can be operated upon by a relational data store mechanism.
US07672959B2 Update detecting apparatus
The present invention provides an update detecting apparatus capable of properly extracting an important update. The update detecting apparatus includes a difference extracting unit, a morphological analyzing unit, and an update determining unit. The difference extracting unit extracts the difference between text data included in a server-side file and text data included in a cache file. The morphological analyzing unit divides the difference extracted by the difference extracting unit into words (morphemes) and generates a word group. The update determining unit determines that an update is performed in the server-side file when a word satisfying a predetermined condition is included in the word group generated by the morphological analyzing unit.
US07672953B2 Publishing work activity information key tags associated with shared databases in social networks
Communications, such as emails or other information, in a work setting can be retained in a shared database that operates similar to an Internet social network. As work activities are performed, the content of the work activities can be associated with one or more shared databases based on the individual performing the activities, a common topic or theme associated with the activity and/or a manual entry. As various individuals review information contained in the shared database, notifications relating to who reviewed the content and a time of review can be sent to a contributor of the content to provide for accountability issues.
US07672951B1 Guided navigation system
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.
US07672945B1 Mechanism for creating member private data in a global namespace
A system and techniques are described for creating member private data in a global namespace. According to one aspect, first data that is associated with a key is stored in a repository shared by multiple members. After the first data has been stored, second data that is associated with the key is stored without overwriting the first data. Mapping data is stored. The mapping data maps the key, relative to a first member, to a first data structure that stores the first data. The mapping data also maps the key, relative to a second member, to a second data structure that stores the second data. Based on the mapping data, the first member is allowed to access the first data and not the said second data. Based on the mapping data, the second member is allowed to access the second data and not the first data. The first data and the second data may include key values and subtrees of child keys.
US07672942B2 Method and apparatus for matching non-normalized data values
Enables locating and merging potential data record matches. Enables locating duplicates through the definition of matching strategies. Each strategy may include transformations, matching rules and scoring thresholds to implement fuzzy matches that match closely related data records that are not exact matches. Performing a search allows for narrowing down the records to a desired set on which to apply a given matching strategy. Merging is performed on the potential duplicates thus located to consolidate data and remove duplicates. By narrowing down the records to a closely related set via a search, merging is simplified to work on a small number of closely related records, thus simplifying the process. The total matching score obtained via execution of match strategies may be utilized to determine which potential record(s) to merge for example. May utilize past user input to provide intelligent inputs for rules, tokens, weights, fields, parameters or any other past user input.
US07672941B2 Pattern matching using deterministic finite automata and organization of such automata
A deterministic finite state machine is operated to detect any one of a plurality of digital signatures each corresponding to a succession of characters and each defined by a sequence of states in the state machine. The machine is organized such that for each state after the first in any sequence there are not more than two allowed exit transitions of which one is to a default state. Input characters are examined to determine a transition from a current state of the machine to a next state. When the machine responds to an input character to perform a transition to the default state, the input character is re-examined to determine the next state of the state machine. The reduction in transitions saves considerable space in memory.
US07672939B2 System and method providing automated margin tree analysis and processing of sampled data
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate database processing in accordance with a plurality of various applications. In one aspect, a large database of objects is processed, wherein the objects can be represented as points in a vector space, and two or more objects are deemed ‘close’ if a Euclidean distance between the points is small. This can apply for substantially any type of object, provided a suitable distance measure can be defined. In another aspect, a ‘test’ object having a vector x, is processed to determine if there exists an object y in the database such that the distance between x and y falls below a threshold t. If several objects in the database satisfy this criteria, a list of objects can be returned, together with their corresponding distances. If no objects were to satisfy the criterion, an indication of this condition can also be provided, but in addition, the condition or information relating to the condition can be provided.
US07672937B2 Temporal targeting of advertisements
A system and method utilize temporal targeting of content, such as advertisements. The targeting may be based on time of day, day of year, season or upcoming holidays. In addition, prior search history may be utilized to determine current popularity and/or predict future popularity for a particular concept that may be used for targeting.
US07672928B2 Query forced indexing
A searchable index is created using a query process and an indexing process. The query process cooperates with the indexing process to catalogue items that are located within a specified search scope. Previously indexed items are evaluated to ensure that their indexes are up-to-date. Items that are out-of-date have unreliable indexes that should be updated. Items to be indexed within the specified search scope are grouped in batches for processing. As processing of each batch is completed their respective indexing results become available such that partially indexed search scopes are useable while the indexing process continues. Since indexing results trickle in on an ongoing basis, users are permitted to process and/or view indexing results without waiting for the complete indexing process to be completed.
US07672927B1 Suggesting an alternative to the spelling of a search query
A method and apparatus for generating a list of candidate alternative spellings is provided. Among a plurality of files, a first file, which contains a link that indicates a user-entered spelling, is found. The link links to a second file. A second spelling, which is spelled similarly to, but not exactly the same as, the first spelling, is located within the second file. The second spelling is added to a list of candidate alternative spellings of the first spelling. The second spelling does not need to be contained in any result field (e.g., title, abstract, or URL) that is associated with the second file.
US07672923B1 Grid network management via automatic trend analysis of a service level agreement
A method for managing a GRID network. The method includes performing trend analysis of a job type repeatedly processed by the GRID network to anticipate a future load on the GRID network associated with the job type. The job type is associated with a service level agreement (SLA). At least one internal performance metric of the GRID network is measured to monitor current GRID network status. The future load that is anticipated is compared with the at least one performance metric to predict future satisfaction of the SLA.
US07672918B2 Artificial neuron
Artificial neurons and processing elements for artificial neurons are disclosed. One processing element generates a continuous value signal based on the first plurality of inputs and generates a responsiveness based on a second plurality of inputs. An output value determining portion generates an output signal that is equal to a predetermined value when the responsiveness signal corresponds to a non-responsive and equal to the continuous value signal when the responsiveness signal corresponds to a responsive state. Another processing element produces an output signal having a magnitude equal to zero except during a fixed time after an event when the output signal has a magnitude based on an event time.
US07672913B2 Automated action-selection system and method, and application thereof to training prediction machines and driving the development of self-developing devices
In order to promote efficient learning of relationships inherent in a system or setup S described by system-state and context parameters, the next action to take, affecting the setup, is determined based on the knowledge gain expected to result from this action. Knowledge-gain is assessed “locally” by comparing the value of a knowledge-indicator parameter after the action with the value of this indicator on one or more previous occasions when the system-state/context parameter(s) and action variable(s) had similar values to the current ones. Preferably the “level of knowledge” is assessed based on the accuracy of predictions made by a prediction module. This technique can be applied to train a prediction machine by causing it to participate in the selection of a sequence of actions. This technique can also be applied for managing development of a self-developing device or system, the self-developing device or system performing a sequence of actions selected according to the action-selection technique.
US07672912B2 Classifying knowledge aging in emails using Naïve Bayes Classifier
The Naïve Bayes Classifier predicts the classification of a set of data based on the features of that data and a series of counts reflecting the information obtained from prior data sets, with one count per feature per class. An external boost can be applied to the counts generated by the NBC to account for external information. Such a boost is added to the counts generated by the NBC, and the boosted counts are then used by the NBC. A boost can be applied to some or all of the counts and the boost for each count can be applied independently. Likewise, the counts can be periodically aged by multiplying the counts with an aging factor of between 0 and 1 per period. Aging factors can be applied uniformly across all counts, or can be individually applied, enabling some counts to age more than others.
US07672909B2 Machine learning system and method comprising segregator convergence and recognition components to determine the existence of possible tagging data trends and identify that predetermined convergence criteria have been met or establish criteria for taxonomy purpose then recognize items based on an aggregate of user tagging behavior
Systems and methods that recognize items based on aggregated tagging behavior of users regarding the items. Individual users can establish relationships among tagged items and the system analyzes aggregate of such established relationships, to recognize the item and/or infer additional information regarding the items (e.g., wisdom of crowd such as metadata annotations, relevance ranking, and the like). Subsequently, search engine crawlers can be supplied with such additional information (e.g., extra metadata for reverse link search tables) to facilitate enterprise management and search.
US07672905B2 Apparatus and method for rendering digital content
An apparatus for rendering a digital content having license information defining specifics of permission of a rendering operation includes a license processor that acquires, from the license information of the digital content, a constraint defining conditions for rendering between the digital content and other digital content; an operation execution command generator that generates an operation execution command for rendering the digital content according to the constraint acquired by the license processor; and a content renderer that renders the digital content based on the operation execution command generated by the operation execution command generator.
US07672902B1 System and method for pre-funding interest for early termination of client account having funds in one or more aggregated accounts
A method, program product and system for pre-funding interest in the process of 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: (a) receiving or calculating a pre-funding amount for interest for one or more client accounts; (b) receiving access to or obtaining control over funds for the pre-funding amount; (c) receiving information about a termination of a given client account with funds held in the one or more aggregated accounts prior to an end of an interest period; (d) receiving or calculating an interest payment due to the client account for the client asset balance; and (e) transferring before the end of the interest period an amount from the funds for the pre-funding amount to satisfy the interest payment due for the one or more aggregated accounts.
US07672897B2 Method of community purchasing through the internet
In accordance with the present invention, a method and system of communal purchasing is disclosed. The preferred embodiments describe a community purchase model where a product can be purchased a particular price only if enough buyers are willing to purchase at that price. The preferred embodiments pool together the collective buys for a product to get a better price than if an individual buyer was to purchase the product by himself/herself. Therefore, a fixed “discount” price is used to collect a number of buys, wherein the number of buys is recorded in a specific product record and the transaction to purchase the product is consummated if the number of buys for the product reaches a minimum number of buys. Moreover, further embodiments obtain a pre-payment or a guarantee for payment for the product while collecting buys for the product. In addition, further embodiments set a cutoff date by when the number of buys must reach the number of minimum number of buys or cancel the product purchase if the cutoff date has been reached and the number of buys for the product associated with the product record does not reach the minimum number of buys.
US07672894B2 Automated bidding system for use with online auctions
A computer implemented bidding method for use in bidding on auction items that allows for a desired optimization of bid amounts. The method includes selecting a set of one or more biddable items offered at auction wherein for a biddable item the auction offers a ranking for one or more received bids according to bid amounts, determining the current bids for a set of the biddable items, determining a bid amount for a selected biddable item based on a given utility function to determine a set of rankings for achieving a desired optimized outcome from the bidding, and submitting a set of bid amounts.
US07672893B1 System and method for trading taxable and non-taxable securities
A system for trading Certificates of Deposits, Discount Notes, CMOs, Corporate Bonds, High Yield Bonds, Illiquid Agency Securities, Mortgage Pass-Through Securities, Secondary Zero comprises an updatable offering inventory module and a price discovery module. The system allows users to send Request for Quotes (RFQs) to pre-determined dealers and capture dealer responses thereto. Traders who send RFQs have the ability to accept the best dealer response and execute a trade as an agent or to improve the best dealer response and execute the trade as a principal.
US07672890B2 Signal testing methodology for long-only portfolios
Described are methods and apparatus, including computerized methods and computer program products, for signal testing for a long-only portfolio. The methodology can be used for assessing the efficacy of a strategy for selecting securities in a long-only portfolio, and the strategy can be implemented to construct a revised long-only portfolio. The signal testing methodology can take into account the position and/or return of securities that do not have either a positive or negative attribute as well.
US07672886B2 Systems and methods for managing client accounts
Providing interest to clients' deposited funds without limitation on the number of demand withdrawals from deposit accounts is accomplished by an administration system that keeps all of the records for the clients' deposits and withdrawals, calculates the total of the deposits and withdrawals for all clients, and uses the calculation to determine whether funds are deposited to or withdrawn from one or more deposit accounts in which all clients' deposit funds are kept. Clients can make unlimited withdrawals, such as by check, credit card, debit card, or electronic transfer, through the administrator. By placing the administrator as the holder of the deposit account(s), exemptions to the limitation on earning interest in demand accounts is facilitated; additionally, dispersing the deposit account funds among multiple banks allows the client to obtain FDIC insurance for all of the deposited funds, which may amount to insurance in excess of the statutory maximum allowed (presently $100,000.00).
US07672885B2 Consolidated purchasing system for search term auctions
A consolidated purchasing system for search term auctions is provided. The system typically includes receiving logic, analyzing logic, and purchasing logic. The receiving logic receives orders from customers. The analyzing logic receives and consolidates the plurality of orders, analyzes a dynamic auction for search terms on a search engine, and determines search terms upon which to bid and an amount to bid for the search terms. The determination of the amount to bid on the search terms is in response to a budget and an expected return on the search terms. The purchasing logic receives instructions from the bidding logic and bids on the search terms in the dynamic auction, wherein the cost of a position on a search result list for the search engine changes in response to input from auction participants. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US07672884B2 Method and system for rule-base compliance, certification and risk mitigation
The present invention relates to a system and method for carrying out, facilitating, overseeing and otherwise managing initial and ongoing compliance, certification, risk mitigation and/or loss prevention, as it relates to a rule by analyzing and arranging the rule into a set of algorithms and documents. Information about an entity is input, compared to the rule by way of a set of algorithms, documented, and a report setting forth the compliance requirements and then-current compliance with the rule of the entity is provided. The entity is also provided with any documents required to ensure compliance with the rule.
US07672883B2 System and method for matching an offer with a quote
Described is a system and method that satisfies offers from customers with quotes from suppliers in a way that increases the likelihood of achieving an acceptable match. The system of the present invention is configured to receive from a customer an offer for a product. The system queries in parallel multiple suppliers for rate quotes on the desired product. Each of the suppliers is ranked according to the lowest rate quoted by each supplier. The supplier quoting the lowest rate is selected as the winner of the offer. The system may then evaluate any other rate quotes provided by the winning provider. The system may satisfy the customer's offer with the winning provider at a higher rate (if one was provided) than the winning rate quoted, up to the customer's offer (perhaps adjusted for a reasonable profit). In this way, even though the provider provides low rate quotes to win the offer, the provider may still realize a much higher rate for the goods or services by quoting additional, higher rate quotes as well.
US07672879B1 Interactive activity interface for managing personal data and performing transactions over a data packet network
A software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of multiple categories of aggregated data compiled from a plurality of data sources and accessible through a single interface operated on a data-packet-network is provided. The data sources are available for direct network-access through multiple access points available from within the interface. The software suite comprises, a calendar module having at least one display interface for enabling viewing and manipulation of time and date-sensitive calendar data, a transaction module having at least one display interface for enabling viewing and manipulation of financially oriented account data, a portfolio tracking module having at least one display interface for enabling viewing and manipulation of investment oriented account data, a net-worth reporting module having at least one display interface for displaying a solution-oriented net-worth report compiled from the aggregated data, a bill-payment module having at least one display interface for enabling viewing and initiation of payment action regarding current billing data and an account-alert module having at least one display interface for reporting time and event sensitive account alerts related to changes in account data due to occurring events or pre-configured time parameters.
US07672876B2 System for shopping in a store
A system for shopping in a store is provided that includes a multi-network for communications in a store, a shopping cart that weighs items placed therein and then transmits that weight information through the multi-network, and a wireless end device that may be handheld and/or releasably attached to the shopping cart whereby a shopper uses the wireless end device to send and receive information to the store though the multi-network.
US07672875B2 Presenting an alternative product package offer from a web vendor
The server system, communicatively connected to multiple client systems via a network, facilitates at least one web page for download to the client systems, where the web page offers multiple products for purchase. Responsive to the server system detecting a particular product selection from a particular client system, the server system downloads to the particular client system a first package offer of the client selected product and at least one second product from among at least one vendor selected product at a first price at a first discounted rate for purchase of both the client selected particular product and the at least one second product. In addition, the server system includes a selectable option for replacing the first package offer in the download of the first package offer. Responsive to detecting, at the server system a user selection of the selectable option from the particular client system, the server system creates at least one alternative product package offer for purchase of both the client selected product and at least one third product from among a different set of vendor selected products. The server system downloads the alternative product package offer to the client system for selection for purchase by the user, wherein the user is enabled to select a final product package including the client selected product and at least one third product form the different set of vendor selected products at a total price having a final discounted rate.
US07672873B2 Music purchasing and playing system and method
An online music purchasing system and method is disclosed, in which a radio service operates on a user's computer and is configured for receiving and playing digital radio representations of media content in near real-time in a radio session. A content server is configured for serving the digital radio representations of media content to the radio service, and a radio sequence server is configured for serving a sequential list of currently-playing and previously-played media content of the radio session to the radio service. An account server is configured for receiving a signal indicative of a user's desire to purchase a file of one of a currently-playing or previously-played media content. A download manager is configured for downloading the file to the user's computer according to the signal indicative of the user's desire to purchase the file.
US07672870B2 System and method for monitoring consumer purchasing activity
The present invention provides a system for implementing a purchaser incentive program on a network-wide level. The system associates SKU and UPC data on a network level to provide consumers with a purchasing environment that is both convenient and cost-efficient. The association of SKU and UPC data at a network level also provides consumers with the ability to analyze their own purchase data for a variety of purposes, including analyses relating to the consumer's spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates a network-wide search for an item that a consumer desires to purchase under terms or conditions that are selected by the consumer and are therefore perceived to be optimal by that consumer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates data analysis by a consumer based upon any of several factors, including items purchased, prices for those items, retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and/or the like. The system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the purpose of data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in consumer budgeting for example.
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