| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07669959B2 |
Droplet ejection device
A droplet ejection device includes a droplet ejection head, a conveyance member, a cleaning unit and a coating unit. The droplet ejection head ejects droplets. The conveyance member retains a recording medium and conveys the recording medium to oppose the droplet ejection head. The cleaning unit cleans the conveyance member. The coating unit applies a coating liquid, with a characteristic of repelling the liquid that is ejected from the droplet ejection head, onto the conveyance member. A surface tension γo of the coating liquid, a critical surface tension γb of the conveyance member, and a surface tension γi of the liquid that is ejected from the droplet ejection head satisfy the following equations (1) and (2). γo<γb (1) γo<γi (2) |
| US07669954B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and recording apparatus
The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a recording head which ejects an ejection liquid; a liquid container which accommodates air and the ejection liquid; a recording head connection flow channel which leads from the liquid container to the recording head; a pressure determination device which determines pressure of the ejection liquid accommodated in the liquid container; a first pressure supply device which drives a rotating body to remove or introduce the air from or to the liquid container so as to keep pressure of the air in the liquid container constant; a phase determination device which determines a phase of the rotating body; a second pressure supply device which is disposed in a pulsation suppressing flow channel that connects the liquid container with the recording head connection flow channel and which removes and introduces the ejection liquid from or to the liquid container; and a control device which controls rotation speed of the second pressure supply device in accordance with the phase of the rotating body determined by the phase determination device so as to cancel out variation of the pressure of the ejection liquid caused by the first pressure supply device. |
| US07669950B2 |
Energy control of a nozzle of an inkjet printhead
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current, a shift register comprising a plurality of successive registers, the shift register receives input data in a first register, and shifts the input data to successive registers upon receipt of a shift signal, a transfer register for latching data in one of the registers of the shift register; a control gate for outputting a control pulse in response to data in the transfer register, and a drive transistor for providing an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator upon receipt of the control pulse. Each energy pulse has energy of less than 1 microjoule. |
| US07669943B2 |
Vehicle motion control device
In the roll-over preventing control, a vehicle motion control device 10 causes inner-wheel braking force, according to the absolute value of an actual lateral acceleration Gy, only on the rear wheel at the inner side of the turning direction when the absolute value |Gy| of the actual lateral acceleration is not less than a rear-wheel-side reference value Gyr and not more than a front-wheel-side reference value Gyf thereby causing height lowering force at the vehicle rear-side section of the inner side of the turning direction. In addition, when the absolute value |Gy| of the actual lateral acceleration becomes not less than the front-wheel-side reference value Gyf, the inner-wheel braking force according to the absolute value |Gy| of the actual lateral acceleration is kept to be caused on the rear wheel at the inner side of the turning direction and outer-wheel braking force according to the absolute value |Gy| of the actual lateral acceleration is also caused on the front wheel at the outer side of the turning direction, thereby forcibly generating a yawing moment on the vehicle in the direction opposite to the turning direction. |
| US07669935B2 |
Protective chair
There is provided a chair capable of providing protection to an occupant in the event of an explosion. The chair may provide a protective “cocoon” for an occupant and may intercept projectiles such as debris, fragments and glass shards. The chair may also reduce blast over-pressure acting on an occupant's ears, reduce shock levels acting on an occupant's lungs and provide protection against an occupant being unseated by an explosion. |
| US07669933B2 |
Headrest mechanism
A headrest mechanism includes a headrest stay, a headrest support, an engagement member, a plurality of adjustment portions, and a pullout prevention portion. The height of a headrest may be adjusted by pushing the button portion of the headrest support to disengage the engagement member provided in the headrest support from an adjustment portions provided on the side surface of a headrest stay. The headrest, including the headrest stay, may be removed by turning a lock portion of the headrest support by 90 degrees, pushing the button portion and pulling up the headrest. Thus, the headrest can be removed without using any additional tools. |
| US07669930B2 |
Lockable pressure adjustment seat of a fitness apparatus
A lockable pressure adjustment seat of a fitness apparatus includes a base, a seat back, and an adjustment unit. The base is disposed with a slide track and a locating hole. The seat back is pivotally connected to the base. The seat back includes an extension rod. One end of the extension rod is linked and fixed to the seat back. A through hole is disposed adjacent to the other end of the extension rod. The adjustment unit includes a lever, a pressure bar, and a locking set. The lever penetrates the slide track. The pressure bar includes a push rod and a fixation base. The push rod holds against the lever. The fixation base is secured to the other end of the extension rod. The locking set is fixed to the fixation base, and comprises an elastic member and a locating rod. |
| US07669929B2 |
Motor vehicle seat with seat depth adjustment
An adjustable motor vehicle seat with an underframe (20), a seat carrier (28) carried by the underframe (20), a cushion shell (34), a first longitudinal guide (44) being disposed between the seat carrier (28) and the cushion shell (34), and a first drive being provided for adjusting the cushion shell (34) relative to said seat carrier (28). The seat includes a front transverse beam (65) associated with a front edge (72) of the seat. A second longitudinal guide (64) is interposed between the cushion shell (34) and the transverse beam (65). A second drive is responsible for adjusting the seat carrier (28) relative to the cushion shell (34). |
| US07669926B2 |
Headrest actuator for juvenile vehicle seat
A juvenile seat includes a base having a bottom seat portion, a lower back section coupled to the base and positioned to lie at an angle relative to the bottom seat portion, and a headrest coupled to the lower back section for up and down movement relative to the base and the lower back section. The juvenile seat also includes a height-adjustment mechanism coupled to the headrest for up and down movement with the headrest to adjust the height of the headrest above the bottom seat portion. The height-adjustment mechanism is movable between a locked position to prevent up and down movement of the headrest relative to the lower back section and an unlocked position to permit up and down movement of the headrest relative to the lower back section. |
| US07669924B2 |
Saddle
A saddle with proper deformability is provided. The saddle comprises a base, a pad, and a fastening device adapted to fasten the base and pad together. Therein, the materials of the pad comprise Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Thereby, the saddle of this invention is adapted to deform appropriately according to the buttocks and the crotches of a cyclist and to absorb the vibration that is experienced during the ride, so that the comfort of the saddle is greatly improved. |
| US07669920B1 |
Modular lower body support device
A modular a lower body support device is shown herein. An adjustable frame supports the bodyweight of a user such that the knee of the user rests within a knee frame, the shin of the user rests within a bend frame, and the ankle of the user rests within an ankle frame; a knee pad insert is removably attachable to the frame, and a skid plate insert is removably attachable to the knee pad insert; straps and slots are used to fasten the user to the frame; the user may sit on an integrated seat while kneeling, or may wear the device while ambulatory. |
| US07669919B2 |
Actuating device for actuating a wind deflector device
The present invention provides an actuating device for a wind deflector device in a vehicle, with a roof opening and a roof closure element, wherein the actuating device has at least one actuating cable which can be coupled to a sun-shielding device, wherein the actuating cable can actuate the sun-shielding device when it is coupled to the sun-shielding device, wherein the actuating cable can be moved in a first direction in which the sun-shielding device uncovers the roof opening, wherein the actuating cable can be decoupled from the sun-shielding device in a predetermined position, and wherein, in the state in which it is decoupled from the sun-shielding device, the actuating cable can be moved further in the first direction and, in the process, can adjust the wind deflector device. |
| US07669917B2 |
Bearing structure of a motor vehicle
A bearing structure of a motor vehicle has at least two opposite node elements. Each of the node elements has at least one longitudinal beam segment and one transverse beam connection. A transverse beam joins the transverse beam connections to each other. A profiled transverse beam segment emerges from each transverse beam connection. The transverse beam segments are joined together by a glue connection in an overlap segment, and at least one open beam profile is set thereon to form the transverse beam. |
| US07669916B2 |
Rear part structure of vehicle
A rear door is supported at a rear end of a vehicle by a hinge assembly, which includes a hinge base part and a door hinge part. The hinge base part is provided in a groove formed at a joint between a roof panel and a side panel of a vehicle body, and the door hinge part is attached to the rear door and swingably supported by the hinge base part. The hinge base part includes an anchor portion fixed to a bottom of the groove, a swing motion support portion disposed in a position aligned in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the anchor portion and separate from the anchor portion to support the door hinge part, and a connecting portion extending between the anchor portion and the swing motion support portion to fix the swing motion support portion relative to the anchor portion. |
| US07669914B2 |
Motor vehicle rear door
The rear door is for fitting to a motor vehicle having a rear chassis and a rear insurance impact absorber system suitable for absorbing insurance type impacts so as to prevent plastic deformation of the rear chassis of the vehicle. The door carries the rear impact absorber system of the vehicle. |
| US07669912B2 |
Convertible vehicle
A convertible vehicle is provided with at least two roof elements that are separated from each other at a joint when the roof is in the closed position and arranged one after the other relative to the direction of travel, and in order to open the roof a rear roof element can move at least essentially rearward and downward, and a front roof element can swivel toward the rear roof element. When the roof is open, the C pillars can be swiveled inward in relation to a center section comprising to mediate the swiveling, at least one shaft, which when the roof is closed has at least one component in the direction of travel and one upwardly directed component, and whose rotary movement in the region of the joint between the roof elements can be translated into a swivel movement between them. |
| US07669910B2 |
Acoustic damping section which is disposed between a window panel and the body of a vehicle
A sealing strip configured to be combined between a vehicle bodywork and glazing, and including an acoustic damping mechanism when subjected to action of a vibrational field. The sealing strip works in shear combined with local movements of the glazing in its plane, while the bodywork deforms in the direction of the local normal to the glazing. |
| US07669905B1 |
Rear suspension carrier device and method of use thereof
A carrier device for facilitating the suspended support of a vehicle rear suspension assembly. The device includes a pair of rotatably coupled members having support legs that are adapted to pass at least partially through an existing opening in the vehicle rear suspension assembly. Projections extending from the support legs subsequently engage the vehicle rear suspension assembly structure adjacent the opening, thereby providing support for the vehicle rear suspension assembly once suspended. A suspension element such as a cable or chain is coupled to the device and to a lifting mechanism, overhead conveyor, etc., for suspending the vehicle rear suspension assembly. |
| US07669903B2 |
Ultra low contact area end effector
The present invention comprises a vacuum end effector having workpiece supports that work in conjunction with distorted workpiece surfaces. In one embodiment, each workpiece support has the ability to gimbal and conform the workpiece surface in contact with an outer edge of the support. Each workpiece support preferably provides a knife-like contact edge to minimize the contact area between the support and the workpiece while still providing an effective vacuum area to hold the wafer securely on the support. In another embodiment, each workpiece support is replaceable without having to remove the end effector from the robot assembly. |
| US07669901B2 |
Door safety latch for an air cleaner
A door safety latch for air cleaner is provided. The door safety latch includes a latch arm including a latch projection, with the latch arm configured to pivot with respect to a door of the air cleaner, and a slider that traps a portion of the latch arm. The slider is configured to hold the latch arm in a first, latched position and further configured to pivot the latch arm to a second, unlatched position. The door safety latch further includes a release button that includes a stop shoulder. The release button is biased to a normally extended position with the stop shoulder blocking movement of the slider and the latch arm to the second, unlatched position. |
| US07669895B2 |
Knee-bag and occupant leg protection apparatus
A knee-bag to be inflated in front of an occupant leg includes a first member facing the occupant, a second member facing the first member, and a tether provided in the knee-bag for connecting the first member and the second member. The tether extends in a lateral direction and has end portions in a thickness direction of the knee-bag, and lateral ends in the lateral direction. At least one of the lateral ends has a portion located inwardly in the lateral direction so that air-flow spaces are formed between a left end of the tether and a left side of the knee-bag and between a right end of the tether and a right side of the knee-bag. |
| US07669894B2 |
Airbag arrangement having thrust-neutral outlet cross-sections of the gas generator
An airbag system is disclosed comprising a gas generator and an airbag having at least two inflatable airbag regions. The airbag regions are attached to the gas generator by an interconnecting a T-shaped connecting piece having symmetrically opposed outlet stubs with differently sized outlet cross-sections for inflating the airbag regions. In order to neutralize the thrust of the system in case of accidental fire, several means for controlling the outlet cross-section on at least one of the outlet stubs are disclosed. |
| US07669893B2 |
Gas generator
A method of producing a gas generator includes arranging an igniter in an inner chamber surrounded by a housing of the gas generator. The igniter is supported in a first direction on a part of the gas generator and in the first direction opposite a mounting orifice of the housing. The method includes arranging a sealing element in the mounting orifice to seal the mounting orifice. The sealing element presses over a bearing area deformable in the first direction with a force acting in the first direction against a first bearing area of the igniter and forms a gas-tight joint between the sealing element and the igniter. A side of the sealing element facing the part of the gas generator in the first direction abuts against a side of the part of the gas generator to limit deformation of the bearing area of the sealing element in the first direction. |
| US07669892B2 |
Knee air bag module
One embodiment of the invention relates to an air bag module, in particular for a knee air bag. The air bag module includes an air bag housing, a air bag cushion, a tubular gas generator, a air bag cushion holding device, and a gas guiding device, to which the tubular gas generator is fastened. The gas guiding device is integrally formed with the air bag cushion holding device. |
| US07669890B2 |
Airbag apparatus
An open-looped rim portion which results when an upper part thereof is open is provided on a steering wheel, and airbags of an airbag apparatus are accommodated in a pad portion lying inside of the rim portion. Then, when an impact of a predetermined value or greater is applied to a front end of a vehicle, the individual airbags are deployed by injecting the gas from an inflator. In addition, when an occupant is captured by the first airbag which is so deployed, the second airbag applies a reaction force which is directed to the rear of the vehicle so as to resist a pressure applied to the first airbag by the occupant. |
| US07669878B1 |
Quick release hitch assembly
A quick release assembly for remotely actuating operative disconnection between vehicles includes a lock bolt ejection assembly for remotely ejecting a lock bolt normally maintaining a coupling between the vehicles thereby allowing independent movement of the vehicles. |
| US07669875B2 |
Remotely releasable coupler and hose retrieval mechanism for airbrake system
A remotely releasable brake hose coupler for pressure fluid operated brake systems, such as on a motor truck and semi-trailer unit, and a retrieval mechanism for retrieving flexible hoses connected to the coupler. Pressure air from the truck tractor brake system is conducted through a valve to an actuator for effecting movement of a coupler member to release engagement with a corresponding coupler fitting mounted on a trailer. One or more air brake hoses connected to respective remotely releasable couplers are connected to tensioning mechanisms and to a movable boom mounted on the truck tractor for extending the hoses during a remote release operation and then retracting the hoses and couplers to a stored position when the remotely releasable couplers are disconnected from the trailer fittings. |
| US07669874B2 |
System for the transportation of construction machines, preferably excavators
The invention relates to a system for the transportation of construction machines, preferably excavators, with a front subassembly, which can be used to couple a tractor vehicle, and a rear subassembly. According to the invention, the construction machine itself can be joined into a single transportation unit with the front subassembly and the rear subassembly. |
| US07669869B2 |
Drive apparatus
A drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear driving force to a rotary propulsive force, the apparatus including a pedal assembly for accepting a substantially linear drive force and fixed structure assembly for converting the substantially linear drive force to a rotary propulsive force. |
| US07669868B2 |
Bicycle attachment
An attachment (4, 30, 40) for connecting a first bicycle (1) to at least one second bicycle (2), the bicycles (1, 2) being connected in the direction of motion, and the attachment (4, 30, 40) being rotatably connected to at least one bicycle (1, 2) and extending in a substantially fixed length transversally to the direction of motion, between its respective mounting points (8, 12, 34, 42, 44, 46) on the first bicycle (1) and the second bicycle (2), respectively. |
| US07669865B2 |
Axle suspension for heavy vehicles
The present invention relates to an axle suspension for heavy vehicles, in particular trucks, comprising an axle beam which bears axle parts projecting over at oppositely disposed sides, each axle part preferably bearing a wheel drive; an axle beam bearing which permits upward and downward movements of the axle beam as well as pendular movements of the axle beam around a substantially lying pendular axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the axle parts; a spring device for the resilient support of the upward and downward movements of the axle beam at a vehicle frame; and also a pendular damping device for the damping of the pendular movements of the axle beam. The invention is characterized in that the pendular damping device has a rotary axle which is pivoted to a part connected to the vehicle frame and drives a damping lever rotatably pivoted to the axle beam in a rotary manner on pendular movements of the axle beam, said damping lever acting on at least one damping element fastened to the axle beam. |
| US07669864B2 |
Laterally-leaning four wheeled vehicle
This invention relates to wheeled vehicles and particularly to motorised road vehicles. The wheeled vehicle (10) includes two frames (12) for carrying road wheals (18, 20), the frames (12) being laterally spaced apart. A pair of road wheels (18, 20) are mounted on each frame (12) for supporting that frame (12) on the ground, the wheels (18, 20) of each pair being mounted for rotation about operatively more or less horizontal rotational axes which are spaced apart along the associated frame (12). A motor (36) is connected by a drive train (48, 28, 30, 32) to a rear wheel (20) on each of the wheeled frames (12). The wheeled frames (12) are connected together for synchronous tilting relative to the vertical, so that the camber angles of all the wheels (18, 20) change in response to lateral tilting of the frames (12). |
| US07669860B2 |
Tool retaining or connecting device
A tool retaining device includes a housing having an engaging hole and having a chamber for slidably receiving a tool stem, the tool stem includes a socket opening for receiving a tool member which is also slidably engaged in the engaging hole of the housing, for allowing the tool member to be rotated by either the tool stem or the housing. The tool member may also be moved relative to the housing for changeably coupling tool members or tool bits having different lengths, and may be selectively moved into the housing, for allowing another tool element to be selectively engaged with the engaging hole of the housing when the tool member is moved into the housing. |
| US07669856B2 |
Wagering game involving card ranges
A wagering game wherein a player is dealt a card and the dealer is dealt a card, and a player wins if a player's card and the dealer's card are of equal rank, or if a player is dealt a second card that falls in rank between a player's card and a dealer's card. The player is given an option to exchange his or her initial card. The player is also given an option to double his or her wager before his second card is dealt. A bonus round can also be offered wherein a bonus card is dealt and the player wins a bonus if the bonus card falls between the dealer's card and the player's second card. |
| US07669855B1 |
Multi-hand poker with card transformations
A method of implementing a wagering game. A first hand of cards is dealt on a first row. Cards can be held or discarded by a player. Cards that are held are transformed into a card with a same face value but a different suit and copied into an additional row. Cards not held are replaced in the first row and the additional row. |
| US07669854B1 |
Method of simulating a traditional craps game with barcoded cards and video display
A method of simulating a traditional craps game experience using a specially designed deck of thirty six (36) playing cards to determine play rather than rolling dice. The deck of playing cards includes one card for each possible roll combination of a pair of dice. The deck is shuffled so that the cards are drawn at random to simulate a player rolling dice. The stickman activates the shuffler to draw a card from the shuffled deck. A bar code on the drawn card is read into a computer via a scanner and the computer then provides a visual representation of a dice roll on the monitors provided on either end of the craps table with the visualization showing the dice landing on the roll combination dictated by the drawn card. The display is activated when the shooter rolls the trackball mouse. |
| US07669853B2 |
Card shuffling machine
A card shuffling machine (10) includes a turntable (14) in which a plurality of cards (26) rest in respective trays (24). When the turntable (14) is spun, a tongue-like detent (30) resiliently strikes a circular arrangement of peg-like dividers (28) which progressively slows the turntable (14) to a stopped condition. A pointing device singulates one of the cards (26) which can be lifted from its tray (24) and the indicia thereon announced as a game decision. The indicia on the singulated card (26) can be scanned with a machine-readable code and processed through a digital processor (38) to resolve a variety of games played through respective computerized consoles (44). |
| US07669851B2 |
Playing card viewing device
A card viewing device has a housing having opposed first and second side walls, opposed front and rear walls, a card-accepting entranceway in a lower portion of the front wall, a viewing aperture in an upper portion of the rear wall, and an optical system within the housing for projecting an image of a portion of at least one card received within the device through the entranceway through the viewing window for observation by a user. The device is particularly adapted to allow private viewing of playing cards lying face-down on a playing surface, allowing the user of the device to view the card faces without lifting the cards off the playing surface or otherwise making them viewable by others. |
| US07669843B2 |
Method and apparatus for high capacity stacking and stitching in an image production device
A method and apparatus for high capacity stacking and stitching in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include determining if an image production document is to be stitched, wherein if it is determined that the image production document is to be stitched, sending the image production document along a first paper path to a first stacking tray to be stitched and stacked, and if it is determined that the image production document is not to be stitched, determining if the image production document requires a higher quality registration stacking than the stacking provided at the first stacking tray, wherein if it is determined that the image production document requires a higher quality registration stacking than the stacking provided at the first stacking tray, sending the image production document along a second paper path to a second stacking tray to be stacked in a high quality registration manner, and if the image production document is determined not to require a higher quality registration stacking than the stacking provided at the first stacking tray, sending the image production document along one of the first paper path to the first stacking tray to be stacked and the second paper path to the second stacking tray to be stacked. |
| US07669842B2 |
Sheet rotator
A sheet turning apparatus includes a vacuum source used to capture and hold a sheet onto a rotatable disc that is connected to a servo motor. Actuation of the servo motor causes rotation of the disc which in turn rotates the sheet 90°. |
| US07669840B2 |
Hook clamp unit
A hook unit for use with a clamp in a manufacturing environment. The hook unit includes a base and a sliding member arranged therein. A hook extends through the base and sliding member. The hook and sliding member form a barrier for the clamp. |
| US07669835B2 |
Closure system, method of use, and devices including closure system
A closure system and various exemplary embodiments for devices including the closure system are disclosed. The closure system may include a base, a sideplate configured to rotate with respect to the base, and a retaining mechanism carried by the sideplate and configured to pivot with respect to the sideplate substantially transverse to an axis of rotation of the sideplate. The retaining mechanism may be configured to engage with a engagement protrusion of the base to prevent rotation of the sideplate. A chest roller, a snatch block, an ascender including the closure system and a method of use of the closure system, are additionally disclosed. |
| US07669833B2 |
Crank attachment for a valve
An apparatus for assisting in turning the handle of a spigot. The apparatus comprises a first substantially flat member having a first predetermined shape and made of a predetermined material. The first member has a plurality of apertures disposed therein. There is a second member which has a second predetermined shape and is engageable with the first member adjacent an outer edge thereof, such second member is disposed at substantially a right angle to the first member and a means engageable with the first member and such handle for attaching the first member to such handle of such spigot. |
| US07669831B2 |
Electrically controllable valve
A controllable valve includes an axial working air gap arranged on a side of magnet armature that cooperates with a valve closure member the side facing away from the valve closure member so that upon electric actuation of the actuating drive, the valve closure member is movable by the actuating drive in the direction of the first valve seat surface. |
| US07669830B2 |
Three position shutoff valve
A valve comprises a valve body and a shutoff assembly. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The shutoff assembly includes a poppet and a piston. The poppet is movable between a closed position, a partially open position, and a full open position. The piston is disposed in the valve body adjacent to the poppet, and is moveable between a first position, in which the piston at least inhibits movement of the poppet from the closed position to the full open position, and a second position, in which the piston allows movement of the poppet from the closed position to the full open position. |
| US07669828B2 |
Universal accessory mounting system for golf cars and utility vehicles
An accessory mounting system is for attaching at least first and second accessories to a vehicle. A first bracket is configured to connectably receive the first accessory and a second bracket is configured to connectably receive the second accessory. The second bracket has a configuration substantially different than the first bracket. A mount is coupled with the vehicle and is configured to connectably receive the first bracket to attach the first accessory to the vehicle and to alternatively connectably receive the second bracket to attach the second accessory to the vehicle. The mount preferably includes a base coupled with the vehicle and at least one and preferably two apertures extending into the base, each configured to receive a fastener coupled with the accessory. A slotted opening extends into the base, is spaced below the apertures, and configured to receive a portion of either an accessory or a bracket connected therewith. |
| US07669826B2 |
Seat sliding apparatus for vehicle
A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat, rolling engagement members disposed between the lower rail and the upper rail for making the upper rail to be movable relative to the lower rail in a longitudinal direction thereof, and two retainers arranged between the lower rail and the upper rail along a longitudinal direction thereof and each including a notch. The rolling engagement members are rotatably held at a front end portion and a rear end portion of the retainer. In addition, the lower rail includes a first engagement projection engaging with front end and rear end surfaces of the notch in response to a sliding movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail. |
| US07669824B2 |
Drive for adjusting motor vehicle seats
The invention relates to a drive for adjusting motor vehicle seats comprising a spindle (5) fixed to a first (4) of two rails (3, 4) which are adjustable with respect to each other with the aid of holding devices (60) arranged on the end of the spindle (5). A transmission (9) actuated by a motor (2) is placed on the second rail (3), According to id invention, the holding devices (60) comprise an external bowl-shaped supporting surface (66) in which each end of the spindle (5) is fixedly mounted, respectively. Said solution is more advantageous in comparison with conventional holding devices which are embodied in the form of flexible stamped parts, in particular the inventive holding devices exhibit a high resistance in the case of crash. |
| US07669823B2 |
Swivel seat and suspension apparatus
The present invention is directed to a seat and seat suspension assembly comprising a seat mounted to a seat supporting platform and suspension mechanism, the platform and suspension mechanism being rotationally mounted to a base by a pedestal so that the platform, suspension mechanism and seat may rotate through 360 degrees. The pedestal comprises two swivel housings, the first swivel housing being mounted in fixed position on the base and the second swivel housing being rotationally mounted to the first and supporting the suspension mechanism, platform and seat. A suspension spring and damper are associated with the suspension mechanism to enhance the ride characteristics of the seat, with the damper being positioned inside the pedestal and having one end connected to the first swivel housing and the other end connected to the suspension mechanism. |
| US07669822B2 |
Storage rack assembly
A wall-mounted storage rack assembly facilitates storage of articles such as bicycles, lawn care implements, tools, and the like by providing a pair of independently pivotally movable support arms, which are pivotally supported on an associated mounting bracket. The support arms are independently movable about respective pivot axes arranged in intersecting, angular relationship to each other, whereby in a lowered position of the support arms, they are arranged in a generally V-shaped, diverging orientation, while in a raised position of the support arms, they are positioned more closely together in a relatively compact configuration. By this compact configuration, efficient storage, shipment, and display for retail sales of the storage rack assembly is promoted. |
| US07669821B2 |
Retractable accessory hook for a vehicle
A retractable accessory hook assembly for a vehicle. A housing has a cavity with an opening. A hook is pivotably coupled to the housing and is movable between a stowed position substantially within the cavity and a deployed position at least partially extending from the opening of the cavity. A cover is also pivotably coupled to the housing and is configured to selectably close off at least a portion of the opening of the cavity. The cover is movable from a closed position proximate the housing to an open position away from the housing while the hook is being moved to a stowed or deployed position. The cover is also movable from the open position to the closed position to retain the hook in either the stowed or deployed positions. |
| US07669820B2 |
Supporting device and electronic apparatus using the same
A supporting device for supporting a main component and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The supporting device comprises a holder, a connecting unit and an engaging unit. The holder is placed on a surface. The connecting unit is disposed immovably on the holder. The engaging unit is disposed immovably on the main component and able to be lodged in or separated from the connecting unit, so that the main component is lodged in or separated from the holder. The engaging unit comprises an actuator and a movable lock. The actuator is able to move the movable lock, so that the movable lock is lodged in or separated from the connecting unit. The movable lock comprises a restricting unit for restricting the movement of the actuator. |
| US07669818B2 |
Stay 'n play children's toy restraint
The invention employs a clamp securable to a baby carriage, highchair, stroller, car seat, table or baby carrier, attached to one end of a tether of a length short enough so that the tether cannot accidently wrap around an infant's or child's head, whose opposite end employs a hook-and-loop adhesive strap of a length long enough to allow wrapping around the toy whose falling is to be restrained, or inserted through various openings of the toy to prevent it from falling to the floor or ground. |
| US07669815B2 |
Dual release locking system for a sign supporting stand
A dual release locking system for locking and unlocking the foldable leg members of a sign supporting stand. For deployment, a locking pin can be retracted by the stepping action of a worker's foot or pulled by hand. Consequently, this same pin can be retracted for retrieval by a kicking action of a worker's foot or pulled by hand. |
| US07669814B2 |
Stand with at least three legs
A stand with at least three stand legs (2, 3, 4), which is embodied to fasten a leveling, plumbing, or angular calibration device (5), is provided, with the stand legs (2, 3, 4) being embodied rotational around a common axis (6) at their ends facing each other. Each stand leg (2, 3, 4) is bent by the same angle (α) at a distance from the axis (6), with a freely projecting section (14) of one leg being provided with a threaded bolt (15) freely protruding transversely thereto. |
| US07669810B2 |
Revolving position device
A variable revolving position device capable of facilitating revolving as well as providing a stable support for the display device at the same time. The variable revolving position device comprises a base, a revolving axle and a normal force providing device. The base includes a housing and a bottom, and the revolving axle includes a load bearing end and a friction block, wherein the housing has at least a first friction surface set correspondingly against a second friction surface formed in the upper surface of the friction block. The friction block is disposed in the housing, and is capable of moving along the axis up and down as well as revolving variably. The normal force providing device is disposed between the friction block and the bottom, where the normal force providing device provides a normal force pushing the friction block upwardly along the axis so that the second friction surface contacts the first friction surface. |
| US07669806B2 |
Sway brace fitting
A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive. |
| US07669805B2 |
Device for remotely controlling aircraft control surfaces
A device for remotely controlling the control surfaces of an aircraft, the device comprising: an actuator member pivotable about an axis and entraining a rotary shaft; a stationary finger parallel to the shaft and supported at a radial distance from the shaft; a moving finger secured to the shaft and supported at a radial distance therefrom, both fingers being parallel to the shaft; a first slab supported at a radial distance from the shaft beside the two fingers on one side thereof and suitable for turning about the axis of the shaft; a second slab supported at a radial distance from the shaft beside the two fingers on their side opposite from the first slab, and suitable for turning about the axis of the shaft; a third slab supported at a radial distance from the shaft beside the second slab at an angular distance therefrom and suitable for turning about the axis of the shaft; a first spring between the first and second slabs; and a second spring between the first and third slabs. |
| US07669802B2 |
Space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system
A space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system and method of using same is provided. The space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system includes a satellite having a control system configured to maintain an orbit in outer space around the earth and to deorbit the satellite on a desired trajectory corresponding to an earth based target upon a command, and a projectile object operably connected to the satellite. The projectile object includes a dense mass and a heat shield operably surrounding the mass such that at least a portion of the mass survives reentry into the earth's atmosphere and strikes the earth based target delivering its kinetic energy. |
| US07669801B2 |
Animal-scaring device
A method of scaring birds and animals includes launching a bird-scaring device in a substantially vertical manner and periodically causing the device to circle in the air in substantially opposite directions. |
| US07669793B2 |
Food cutting device
A food cutting device has a bowl, two cutting blades supported in the bowl for rotation relative to each other, and a drive mechanism supported by the bowl for rotating the cutting blades to cut food in the bowl. The cutting blades are rotatable in opposite directions relative to each other to perform a scissors-like cutting action. |
| US07669785B2 |
Integrated engine exhaust systems and methods for drag and thermal stress reduction
Integrated engine exhaust systems and methods for reducing drag and thermal loads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a propulsion system includes an engine installation configured to be mounted on a wing assembly of an aircraft. The engine installation includes an engine, and an exhaust system operatively coupled to the engine. The exhaust system includes at least one nozzle configured to exhaust an exhaust flow from the engine. The nozzle includes a variable portion configured to vary an exit aperture of the nozzle from a first shape to a second shape to change a flowfield shape of at least a portion of the nozzle flowfield proximate the wing assembly, thereby reducing at least one of drag and thermal loading on the wing assembly. In a further embodiment, the exhaust system includes an inner nozzle that exhausts a core exhaust flow, and an outer nozzle that exhausts a secondary exhaust flow, the outer nozzle having the variable portion configured to vary the exit aperture of the outer nozzle. |
| US07669781B2 |
Drinking straw comprising a reinforced section
A drinking straw with a wall having a first and a second end, wherein the drinking straw comprises a reinforced section at its first and/or second end. A method for producing a drinking straw is also provided. |
| US07669780B2 |
Fluid supply nozzle, substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A fluid supply nozzle includes a fluid flow-in section into which a fluid flows in, a reservoir section for storing the fluid, a flow velocity control wall provided between the fluid flow-in section and the reservoir section and including an orifice for making the fluid flow in the reservoir section while reducing a flow velocity, and a discharging section including a slit for discharging the fluid with pressure of the fluid applied to the reservoir section. A substrate processing apparatus is formed so as to include the fluid supply nozzle. Moreover, a substrate processing method includes the step of discharging a fluid in a single-layered, continuous film to supply the fluid onto a substrate. Thus, the substrate is processed. To perform this method, the fluid supply nozzle of the present invention can be used. |
| US07669776B2 |
Thermostatic mixing valve
A thermostatic mixing valve for hot and cold water has two-stage inlet chambers for the hot and cold water flows respectively. The inlet chambers distribute the flows uniformly with respect to porting for admitting the flows to the mixing chamber to reduce asymmetric flow patterns and promote thorough mixing of the flows within the mixing chamber. |
| US07669772B2 |
Method and system using a bitmap for passing contactless payment card transaction variables in standardized data formats
An electronic payment system is configured to process both proximity payment card type and magnetic stripe card type transactions. The magnetic stripe card transaction data is communicated between cards, readers, and transactions authorizing or approving parties in common industry ISO 7811 standard data structures or tracks. The proximity payment card transaction data such a dynamic authentication codes are placed in unused space in the same standard formatted data structures. The availability of unused space varies with card issuer or vendor. An issuer-specific bitmap provides an index to the available space in discretionary data fields in magnetic stripe tracks. The bitmap also is stored in the card's discretionary data field. |
| US07669765B2 |
RFID switching
Various method and apparatus embodiments involving RFID switching are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, includes receiving an excitation signal at a switch associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a disabling material, and changing a state of the RFID tag with the switch based on proximity of the disabling material to the RFID tag. |
| US07669761B2 |
Sales shop system
Conventionally, to acquire specific information of a customer, acquisition of the information is only possible by using information such as a bank account number owned by the customer, and further it is not possible to present information beneficial to the customer unless information owned by the customer is acquired from the customer. More specifically, there is a problem in that much time is necessary for a customer or a system operator to input such information.To solve the above-stated problem, the present invention outputs information associated with a customer by using biometric information including a face image. More specifically, biometric information is acquired from a user of a first terminal unit included in a plurality of terminal units, and information associated with an operation made by the user is identified. Then, when the user is going to use a second terminal unit (or when the second terminal unit executes processing of information on the user based on inputs by a third party, etc.), biometric information is acquired from the user, and information that is identified by an operation made on the first terminal unit is retrieved for output by using the biometric information. |
| US07669757B1 |
Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
Automated transaction machines dispense currency notes and enable the conduct of transactions. In some cases a user is enabled to dispense merchandise from a self-service dispensing machine and is also enabled to selectively receive cash value by charging the amount of such value to a source of monetary source associated with data read from a machine readable article such as a card (80, 82). A user may receive cash value by presenting a printed voucher or other item to a service provider located at a facility (14) at which the service provider exchanges the voucher or other item for cash. Alternatively, cash may be dispensed to the user directly from the self-service dispensing machine. Alternatively the user may pick up merchandise ordered through the machine at a delivery station disposed from the machine. |
| US07669752B2 |
Flux for soldering and circuit board
A flux contains resin having film forming ability, activator, solvent and at least one complex selected from silver complex and copper complex. The flux is used when soldering is performed onto a circuit having electroless nickel plating or further having gold plating on the electroless nickel plating. Allowing a barrier layer of silver or copper to deposit on the surfaces of lands suppresses the diffusion of nickel into the melted solder alloy during soldering, and also prevents phosphorous concentration. This improves the bonding strength of soldering and suppresses the reduction deposition of silver and/or copper to portions other than circuit patterns. |
| US07669749B2 |
Method for squeezing off and sealing a tube
A procedure for squeezing off and sealing a tube, in which the tube is positioned between a sonotrode and an associated anvil, counter electrode, of an ultrasonic device, and the sonotrode is activated and displaced relative to the counter electrode for squeezing off and sealing the tube. In order to enable automatic squeezing off and sealing of a tube without individually entering the data of the tube into an ultrasonic welding device in advance, the invention proposes positioning the tube and fixing it between the sonotrode and the counter electrode, retrieving stored welding parameters on the basis of the characteristic variable and activating the sonotrode and moving the sonotrode and counter electrode in relation towards each other for consolidating and sealing the tube. |
| US07669741B2 |
Method of manufacturing pleated product and fabric for pleated product used for the method
A method of manufacturing a pleated product capable of partially pleating a fabric so that boundaries between pleat portions and non-pleat portions can be conspicuous and a fabric for the pleated product used for the method. In this method, a part of the fabric for the pleated product in which one of warp and weft is formed of easy-to-pleat yarn and the other formed of hard-to-pleat yarn is folded along a folding line tilted relative to the warp and the weft, the fabric is pleated up to the folding line in the passing direction of the warp or the weft, and the fabric is unfolded and washed. Effective pleats are formed only in the passing direction of the easy-to-pleat yarn on a plane on one side of the folded portion and not formed in the passing direction of the hard-to-pleat yarn on a plane on the other side of the folded portion. The pleats in the passing direction of the hard-to-pleat yarn are eliminated by a washing step to form a non-pleat portion, and the pleats formed on the passing direction of the easy-to-pleat yarn form a pleat portion in which the pleat lines are firmly shaped up to the folding line. |
| US07669740B2 |
Beverage vending machine installation
A beverage vending machine installation comprising a cabinet and a trolley unit, the cabinet defining a void in which, in use, the trolley unit can be positioned. The cabinet has an opening and at least one door moveable between open and closed positions. A trolley unit comprises at least one beverage vending machine. The trolley unit is moveable relative to the cabinet between an installed position and an uninstalled position. In the installed position the trolley unit is positioned within the void of the cabinet such that at least one door may be closed to allow operation of the vending machine installation. In the uninstalled position, the trolley unit is removed from the cabinet after opening at least one door to allow access to the trolley unit. |
| US07669739B2 |
Rotary stirring device for treating molten metal
The invention relates to a rotary device for dispersing a gas in a molten metal. The device comprises a hollow shaft at one end of which is attached a rotor. The rotor has a roof and a base which are spaced apart and connected by a plurality of vanes. A compartment is defined between each adjacent pair of vanes and the roof and the base, and each compartment has an inlet and first and second outlets. A flow path is defined through the shaft into the inlets of the compartments and out of the first and second outlets. Each first outlet is disposed radially outwardly of the respective inlet and arranged to disperse gas laterally of the rotor in use, and each second outlet is disposed in the roof of the rotor and arranged to disperse gas upwardly from the rotor in use. |
| US07669738B1 |
Water transfer system for a bottled water dispenser
Apparatus for transferring water to a bottled water dispenser preferably comprises a wand assembly, a cover assembly and a water bottle transport assembly. The wand assembly engages a neck of a non-inverted water bottle and includes a bent, rigid first conduit and a second conduit which preferably surrounds the first conduit. A flow of water from the water bottle passes along the first conduit in response to the introduction of pressurized air via the second conduit from a pressurized air source in the cover assembly. The water bottle transport assembly preferably supports the water bottle at a suitable, non-inverted angle, and includes a rigid frame supporting at least one wheel and a rotatable cradle. The cradle comprises first and second support arms configured to contactingly support the bottle, and rotates with respect to the frame during movement of the transport assembly to place the bottle at the desired non-inverted angle. |
| US07669736B2 |
Resealable packets of liquid
Disclosed is a pocketable container in the form of a resealable polymeric packet designed to hold and disperse multiple doses of a useful fluid. Resealing is achieved by means of a simple yet reliable fold closure technique making possible a cost effective tool for carrying about small quantities of useful liquids, specifically hand sanitizing fluids for control of sickness and infectious disease in a human population. |
| US07669734B2 |
Dosing systems for fluid media
A dosing system to dispense a predetermined quantity of a fluid medium comprises a digital signal processor control having an interface to emit a start signal and a stop signal and an interface to measure a sensor signal. A dispenser is provided that is triggered by the start signal and the stop signal and, in the interval between the two signals, dispenses a specific quantity of fluid, as well as a sensor unit which, triggered by the start signal, continuously measures the flow rate of the fluid fed to the dispenser and emits a sensor signal as a function of this flow rate. The digital signal processor control measures the sensor signal, determines the quantity of fluid dispensed by the dispenser from this signal and sends a stop signal to the dispenser when the quantity of fluid dispensed by the dispenser corresponds to the predetermined quantity of fluid. |
| US07669733B2 |
Cassette device for automatic medicine packaging apparatus
A cassette device for an automatic medicine packaging apparatus includes a cassette main body that contains medicine, a dispensing block that aligns medicine for dispensing according to a prescription and a partitioning member that blocks medicine from discharging from the cassette main body and allows medicine to be discharged only when the partitioning member is controlled to discharge medicine according to the prescription. The partitioning member includes a non-deforming portion and a deforming portion that is connected to the non-deforming portion. The non-deforming portion contacts medicine aligned in the dispensing block. The deforming portion deforms when as external force is applied whereby the non-deforming portion can be displaced. |
| US07669721B2 |
Drying rack assembly for baby bottles
A drying rack assembly for drying baby bottle components features a drying rack and a drip pan which supports the drying rack. The drying rack suitably is porous, with tubular support posts extending upwardly from a support surface thereof, and the drip pan suitably has a draining configuration in which liquid caught by the drip pan drains out of the drip pan and a collecting configuration in which liquid caught by the drip pan remains within the drip pan. The drying rack assembly is suitably configured such that multiple such drying rack assemblies can be stacked on top of each other in a drying rack system. In another configuration, the drying rack is of one-piece construction, with a plurality of support posts and a plurality of longer stacking posts extending from a support surface of the drying rack. The one-piece configuration is designed for stacking of multiple such drying racks. |
| US07669716B2 |
Container assembly for packaging products
A container member including a rigid cup portion defining a chamber. The container member has an opening at one end in communication with the chamber and a flexible suspension member extending over the opening. The suspension member has an inner surface facing the chamber, an opposing outer surface and a cavity extending from the outer surface to the inner surface. The cavity is in communication with the chamber and sized to receive at least a portion of the product to be packaged therethrough. The container assembly includes a retainer having a retaining member removably positioned to extend over the cavity. The retaining member holds the at least a portion of the product in position in the chamber such that the at least a portion of the product does not contact the cup portion. |
| US07669715B2 |
Wastebasket structure
A wastebasket includes an outer container, an inner container housed in the outer container, and a lid positioned on top of the outer container; the outer container has a hollow detaining portion on an outer side thereof for holding a toilet brush and a plunger in position; the outer container has a bearing barrel held in the hollow detaining portion thereof for receiving the toilet brush; the outer container further has a receiving plate held adjacent to the hollow detaining portion in a lower end thereof for supporting the plunger as well as receiving foul water dripping from the plunger. |
| US07669714B1 |
Packaging and dispensing system for sandwich food products
A sealed dispensing apparatus suitable for packaging and dispensing a single service portion of a food product. The food product is contained within an inner container cavity formed by an outer cover and a center member. Draw means are provided for transferring a force from the user to the outer cover, whereby the force peels the outer cover from the center section, thus folding the outer cover over itself as it is removed from the center section. The food product is dispensed when the inner container is opened by removing the outer cover from the center member. An optional outer container seals and holds portions of bread or other sandwich portions while the inner container is located therebetween. Box means holds the combination formed by the inner container and the outer container as well as optional condiments. |
| US07669713B2 |
Three level nestable stacking containers
A three level nestable stacking comprising a base, a pair of opposing sidewalls, a pair of opposing endwalls and at least two bail arms. Each of the opposing sidewalls comprises a plurality of peanut or kidney shaped receptacles, and in an alternative embodiment, a plurality of slot shaped receptacles. The receptacles allow for ease of rotational movement of the bail arms between any of at least three positions. The three positions for the bail arms provide three stacking configuration for a second, upper container, in regard to a first, lower container: a nearly fully nested configuration; a partially nested configuration; and a substantially un-nested configuration. The opposing sidewalls also comprise a sidewall interlock system, as well as a container stacking structure. The bails arms are completely contained within the area of the container, and mate with grooves in the base of the container. |
| US07669711B1 |
Disk pack balancing station
A disk pack balancing station is disclosed for balancing a disk pack assembly, the disk pack assembly comprising a plurality of components including a plurality of disks coupled to a hub of a spindle motor with at least one disk spacer between the disks. The disk pack balancing station comprises a first biasing arm rotated about a pivot to apply a first biasing force to a first component of the disk pack assembly, and a second biasing arm moved linearly to apply a second biasing force to a second component of the disk pack assembly. This configuration enables the disk pack balancing station to balance a number of different disk pack assemblies, including a disk pack comprising an even number of disks and a disk pack including an odd number of disks. |
| US07669707B2 |
Material handling apparatus with integrated part sorter
A material handling apparatus includes a part feeding device such as a bowl feeder with a perimeter track, a second track extending around the perimeter track, a vision inspection system, and an ejector device. The second track has a transparent floor and the vision inspection system includes a controller and at least one camera operably connected to the controller for looking through the transparent floor to identify defective parts. The ejector device is operably connected to the controller for ejecting bad ones of the received parts, the ejector device being located downstream of the cameras. A related method is also provided. The arrangement is very compact, and has a very small foot print, but can operate at speed up to or more than 4000 pieces per minute. |
| US07669703B2 |
Process and device for the reduction of clutch-grabbing oscillations in a motor vehicle drive train
Process for reducing clutch-grabbing oscillations in a motor vehicle drive train having a drive motor, clutch and another drive train, in which process the moment transmitted by the clutch for the control of an actuator that operates an operating member of the clutch when oscillations occur is changed such that oscillations are diminished, where an electric voltage driving the actuator is modulated according to the formula: UM=UMSt*w+UMR*(1−w), whereby, w is a weighting factor which assumes a value between 0 and 1, UMst is a modulation voltage controlled in a defined manner by an actuator model and a required travel modulation and, UMR is a modulation voltage regulated by a control device, which voltage is a magnitude that characterizes an operating state of the clutch on the basis of deviation between a required value and the actual value. |
| US07669699B2 |
Brake caliper
A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper. |
| US07669698B2 |
Method and system for determining position information of an elevator
Elevator system and a method for determining the position information of an elevator car is disclosed. The elevator system includes at least one elevator car, which is fitted to move in an elevator shaft, a control unit for controlling the motions of the elevator car according to calls conveyed to the control unit, and at least one landing call unit fitted in connection with a landing. The landing call unit includes a feature for giving a call and for sending a call to the control unit and a data transfer channel between the landing call unit and the control unit. At least one identifier is fitted in connection with the elevator car. The landing call unit also includes at least one reader fitted to detect the identifier of the elevator car when this is situated in the proximity of the reader. |
| US07669695B2 |
Fire evacuation operation system for group controlled elevators
A fire evacuation operation system for group-controlled elevators that enables a large number of people to evacuate a building in a short time is provided. Safe elevators are provided for evacuation of the building according to the position of the floor on which the fire breaks out. The fire evacuation operation system includes an evacuation operation propriety judging unit that judges whether an evacuation operation is improper or possible, a rescue floor setting unit that sets a rescue floor, and an evacuation operation instruction unit that assists people who are present in the building to evacuate. |
| US07669694B2 |
Muffler for vehicle
A muffler of a vehicle includes a first muffler body so as to form a first chamber, at least a second muffler body including a housing, one end portion opened and the other end portion closed, wherein one of the second muffler bodies is fitted into the other end portion of the first member to form a second chamber and the other second muffler bodies are fitted into each other through the one end portions in series to form third chambers if more than one second muffler bodies are assembled, an inflow pipe to connect the outside with the first, second and/or third chamber by passing the one end portion of the first muffler body, and an outflow pipe to communicate the first, second, and/or third chamber with the outside by passing through the other end portion of the last second muffler body. |
| US07669690B2 |
Steering angle sensor arrangement structure of vehicle intended for rough road use
A removable steering angle sensor for a motor-driven power steering apparatus for use in a vehicle intended for rough road use. The handlebar of the vehicle is disposed on an upper portion of a steering shaft, and a motor-driven power steering apparatus, including a power assist portion as an actuator unit, is disposed in a middle portion of the steering shaft. The steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle is disposed on one end of the steering shaft, or more specifically, on a lower end portion of an output shaft, or a leading end portion of an output shaft. During maintenance, this arrangement provides for easy removal and installation of the steering angle sensor. |
| US07669687B2 |
Muffler mounting structure
A vehicular muffler mounting structure in which a muffler is supported inside wheels by a body frame is provided. The muffler is connected to the body frame through a fastener that is screwed substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of a body. |
| US07669682B2 |
Rear suspension for a two wheeled vehicle
A two-wheeled vehicle, a touring motorcycle, is disclosed. The touring motorcycle may include multiple fuel storage tanks arranged in a split side-by-side configuration. The touring motorcycle may include a rear suspension having a linkage which moves in a direction not parallel with a centerline plane of the motorcycle. The touring motorcycle may include a tip-over structure which prevents unwanted tip-over of the motorcycle. |
| US07669681B2 |
Motorbike
A motorbike whose driving force is enhanced and whose wheels are prevented from slipping is disclosed. The present invention includes a main body; an air suction section provided in the main body; a front rear wheel assembly provided in the front and rear side of the main body; a connection bar and a connection link; a brake mechanism constituted by a brake disc fixed to the rotation shaft of the main body and a caliper which presses portions of the brake disc to apply a braking force; and a controller constituted by an acceleration pedal and a braking pedal which are respectively connected to the engine and the brake mechanism through a flexible cable, the acceleration pedal and the braking pedal being hinge-joined to each other at one end thereof to control driving of the engine and braking of the rear wheel shaft, respectively. |
| US07669678B2 |
Textured all-terrain vehicle fenders
The present disclosure describes an all terrain straddle-type vehicle for carrying a load including a rider. The vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a rear fender, a front fender, and a body panel. The wheels, including front and rear wheels coupled to the frame. The fenders are secured to the frame for covering the wheels. The fenders are formed from a plastic material having a smooth portion and a textured portion thereon. The smooth and textured portions are disposed adjacent to one another and formed integrally on the fender. The textured portion is positioned on the fender in a location of frequent rider or other load contact. The body panel is secured to the frame forward of the rear fender. The body panel includes a textured portion situated in a location of frequent rider contact. A method of manufacturing a fender is also disclosed. |
| US07669676B2 |
Hybrid propulsion system and method for its operation
A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the method, the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery is measured, and a percentage of that measured level is selected. A distance D which the first propulsion system, operating singly, and using that stored energy, can propel the vehicle is determined. A hybrid cruising range, which is greater than the distance D is selected, and a controller controls the operation of the first and second propulsion systems, in accord with a profile, so as to power the vehicle such that when the vehicle has traveled through the hybrid cruising range, the selected percentage of electrical energy is depleted, and when the vehicle has traveled through the first 50% of the hybrid cruising range, over 50% of the selected percentage of electrical energy stored in the battery is depleted. Also disclosed is a controller for implementing the method. |
| US07669675B2 |
Agricultural sprayer
An agricultural sprayer is provided, having a plurality of wheels. By providing six wheels, a narrow overall wheel width may be maintained to allow for use of the sprayer in post-emergent crop spray applications. By providing six wheels, a greater amount of fluid may be provided on the vehicle without increasing soil compaction. By providing low soil compaction and a high fluid capacity, the applicator may be utilized in both pre-emergent and post-emergent situations, and may be utilized on wet or soft ground, where standard applicators may not be utilized. |
| US07669674B2 |
Degradation assembly
In one aspect of the invention, a tool has a working portion with at least one impact tip brazed to a carbide extension. The carbide extension has a cavity formed in a base end and is adapted to interlock with a shank assembly of the cutting element assembly. The shank assembly has a locking mechanism adapted to interlock a first end of the shank assembly within the cavity. The locking mechanism has a radially extending catch formed in the first end of the shank assembly. The shank assembly has an outer surface at a second end of the shank assembly adapted to be press-fitted within a recess of a driving mechanism. The outer surface of the shank assembly has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 110 percent or more than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the driving mechanism. |
| US07669673B1 |
Auger having interchangeable cutting heads and method of using the same
An auger generally comprising a shaft having flighting which is helically wound around the shaft to convey spoil to the surface of the area being excavated. The shaft has a first end and a second end. The shaft first end is adapted to be combined with and rotated by a drilling machine. The shaft second end is adapted to be removably combined with a boring head and one or more drilling elements to bore through the ground. The invention comprises two interchangeable boring heads. A first boring head is adapted to drill through soft ground conditions such as dirt or clay and a second boring head adapted to drill through hard ground conditions such as rock. |
| US07669667B2 |
Aerator with assembled multi-part crankshaft
A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms. A connecting link extending across each drive arm is used to connect each drive arm to the coring head to decrease the coring head depth. |
| US07669666B2 |
Aeration device
A soil aeration device may include a plurality of arcuate blades mounted to an assembly adapted to rotate and translate the blades proximate a ground surface, thereby forming aeration pockets in the soil. In certain embodiments, the arcuate tines penetrate and fracture the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket deposited on the top of the soil. In various embodiments, a planetary gear assembly imparts to the tine a translational and rotational movement which creates a fractured pocket in the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket and deposited on the surface of the soil. In still other embodiments, the arcuate tine may have mounted thereon a coring tube that cuts and removes a plug from the pocket formed in the soil. |
| US07669664B2 |
Apparatus and method for opening and closing lateral boreholes
The present invention relates to a downhole tool (102) for selectively opening and closing a lateral borehole extending from a primary borehole. The tool (102) comprises a body (104) incorporating a wall provided with an opening (116) extending therethrough; a deflector member (106) slidably mounted in the body (104) and having a deflecting surface (126) for deflecting, in use, downhole equipment laterally within the body (104). The deflector member (106) is slidable between an open position, in which the deflecting surface is located adjacent and facing towards said opening so that, in use, downhole equipment laterally deflected by the deflecting surface is directed through said opening, and a closed position, in which the deflecting surface is oriented relative to said opening so as to prevent downhole equipment from being laterally deflected through said opening during use. In either position, equipment may pass into the primary borehole downhole of the primary/lateral junction. The tool (102) also comprises constraining means (138, 140) for restricting movement of the whipstock relative to the body. |
| US07669663B1 |
Resettable actuator for downhole tool
In one embodiment of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprising a through bore running there through formed to accept drilling fluid. At least one mechanical actuation device is also disposed within the through bore. A guide channel is disposed within the through bore and comprises a geometry shaped to conduct the at least one mechanical actuation device. A switch is disposed within the guide channel in an original position and actuatable by the at least one mechanical actuation device to a subsequent position. A resettable mechanism is in contact with the switch wherein the resettable mechanism returns the switch to its original position. A receptacle may also be disposed within the through bore comprising a geometry shaped to accept the at least one mechanical actuation device. |
| US07669662B2 |
Casing feeder
A top drive system for drilling with casing includes a casing feeder and a torque head. In one embodiment, the casing feeder is adapted to position a casing for engagement with the torque head. The casing feeder includes a pair of conveying arms for engagement with the casing. Each conveying arm may be raised or lowered by a cylinder. The conveying arms are equipped with a motor driven roller for engaging and lifting the casing. The casing feeder may also be equipped with a counting apparatus to determine the positioning of the casing in the torque head. |
| US07669660B1 |
Riser disconnect and support mechanism
A riser disconnect and support mechanism for flexible risers and umbilicals on an offshore structure with low under keel clearance. A main body portion includes an inverted and truncated conical or convex section substantially at the center of the main body portion. The main body portion and conical section receive risers therethrough by means of a plurality of conduits through the main body portion and conical section. A plurality of projections extend radially outward from the main body portion. A plurality of arch-shaped riser supports are provided on each projection to support risers and/or umbilical lines and control their bending radii. The projections extend out from the main body portion at a distance that allows the portions of the risers below the main body portion to hang at an angle and bend radius in accordance with the design tolerances of the risers to prevent buckling or damage due to excessive bending while keeping the risers from contacting the sea floor. |
| US07669659B1 |
System for preventing hydrate formation in chemical injection piping for subsea hydrocarbon production
A system for prevention of hydrate formation has a manifold, a production piping communicating with the manifold, a chemical injection line positioned in heat exchange relationship along the production piping, and a fluid delivery system connected to the chemical injection line for passing a heated fluid through at least a portion of the chemical injection line. The chemical injection line has a first portion affixed to a surface of the production piping and a second portion extending outwardly therefrom. The fluid delivery system is in communication with the second portion of the chemical injection line. The chemical injection line extends in a U-shaped pattern or in a spiral pattern around an outer surface of the production piping. |
| US07669658B2 |
High strength polycrystalline ceramic spheres
A method for making hollow spheres of alumina or aluminate comprises: coating polymeric beads with an aqueous solution of an alumoxane, drying the beads so as to form an alumoxane coating on the beads; heating the beads to a first temperature that is sufficient to convert the alumoxane coating to an amorphous alumina or aluminate coating and is not sufficient to decompose the polymeric beads; dissolving the polymeric bead in a solvent; removing the dissolved polymer from the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating; and heating the amorphous alumina or aluminate coating to a second temperature that is sufficient to form a hollow ceramic sphere of desired porosity and strength. The hollow spheres can be used as proppants or can be incorporated in porous membranes. |
| US07669657B2 |
Enhanced shale oil production by in situ heating using hydraulically fractured producing wells
A method for enhanced production of hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method generally includes completing at least one heater well in the organic-rich rock formation, and also completing a production well in the organic-rich rock formation. The method also includes the steps of hydraulically fracturing the organic-rich rock formation from the production well such that one or more artificial fractures are formed, and heating the organic-rich rock formation from the at least one heater well, thereby pyrolyzing at least a portion of the organic-rich rock into hydrocarbon fluids Pyrolyzing the organic-rich rock formation creates thermal fractures in the formation due to thermal stresses created by heating. The thermal fractures intersect the artificial fractures. As an additional step, hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the production well. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation. |
| US07669656B2 |
Method and apparatus for rescaling measurements while drilling in different environments
A method of using a survey system comprising at least one sensor. The method comprises operating the survey system to provide information regarding the orientation of the sensor relative to the Earth at a first resolution level while the sensor is a first distance relative to the Earth's surface and operating the survey system to provide information regarding the orientation of the sensor relative to the Earth at a second resolution level while the sensor is a second distance relative to the Earth's surface. The second distance is larger than the first distance. The second resolution level is higher than the first resolution level. |
| US07669655B2 |
Method of fracturing a subterranean formation at optimized and pre-determined conditions
Prior to a hydraulic fracturing treatment, the estimated fracture length may be estimated with knowledge of certain physical properties of the proppant and transport fluid such as fluid viscosity, proppant size and specific gravity of the transport slurry as well as fracture geometry and the treatment injection rate. The estimated fracture length may be determined by a specific equation. |
| US07669654B2 |
Cup tool with three-part packoff for a high pressure mandrel
A cup tool for use with a high-pressure mandrel of a wellhead isolation tool has a three-part packoff assembly that slides over a cup tool tube from an unset position to a set position. The three-part packoff assembly includes an elastomeric cup, a rigid alignment ring located above the elastomeric cup and an elastomeric packoff element located above the rigid alignment ring. The rigid alignment ring helps ensure that the elastomeric cup remains correctly aligned in a casing or tubing that is not straight, is out of round or is washed, and helps ensure that the elastomeric packoff achieves a high-pressure seal in the set position, even under adverse downhole conditions. |
| US07669653B2 |
System and method for maintaining zonal isolation in a wellbore
The invention concerns a system or a method for maintaining zonal isolation in a wellbore. According to the invention, the system comprises, at a specific location along said wellbore, a sealing element, said sealing element being able to deform both during and after placement and is maintained after placement under compression through a pressurizing fluid or by confinement in a volume. |
| US07669651B1 |
Apparatus and method for maximizing production of petroleum wells
The level of petroleum accumulating from a production zone as it is pumped from a lower elevation in a wellbore is remotely monitored by using the energy of a sucker rod driven pump. One or more sensors are interposed between sections of the sucker rod between the production zone and the pump level. The sensors include trigger mechanisms moving with the sucker rod string within spring loaded and slidable pistons. Over a short span the reciprocating triggers engage deformable sleeve actuators which slide and spring load the pistons. When the triggers pass through the sleeve actuators, they release the piston which impacts against a pressure wave or sonic signal generator. The impacted elements transmit a signal up to the wellhead indicative of the presence or absence of petroleum at that elevation. One or two sensors, and optionally other inputs as well, can be used in adjusting the pumping rate to maximize production. |
| US07669649B2 |
Stripper rubber with integral retracting retention member connection apparatus
A stripper rubber insert comprises a central bore and a plurality of retention member bores substantially perpendicular to the central bore. The retention member bores are angularly spaced apart around a perimeter of the stripper rubber insert. Each one of the retention member bores extends through an exterior insert edge face and an interior insert edge face. Each one of the retention member bores includes a respective retention member securing structure therein. |
| US07669648B2 |
Polymer shock absorber for use with well head lubricator assembly
A shock absorber for use with a lubricator assembly comprises a body made substantially of a polymer material. An end of the body is supportable by a cup. Upon plunger strike, the cup can travel upward in the lubricator assembly and cause the polymer body to deform and dissipate a force of impact caused by the plunger. The body can resiliently compress and expand to substantially an original form. Equalization slots on the body can enable fluid carried to the surface by a plunger to flow from the lubricator assembly. |
| US07669647B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning system for cooling or heating an air, and for feeding the heated or cooled air to predetermined portions is characterized by comprising: a first circulating circuit for circulating a first heating medium; a second circulating circuit for circulating a second heating medium; a control unit for controlling the heat for executing heat exchange between the first heating medium and the second heating medium to flow through either the heat exchanger or the first heat storing device. Moreover, an air temperature is controlled by heat of the second heating medium. |
| US07669646B2 |
Heat exchanger with header and flow guide
A plate heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger block having a plurality of heat exchange passages. On the heat exchanger block, a header is mounted that extends over at least one part of one side of the heat exchanger block and establishes a flow connection between the heat exchange passages. The plate heat exchanger is provided with a fluid connection, which is formed by the header-side end of a pipeline. The fluid connection is essentially perpendicular to the side of the heat exchanger block over which the header extends. Within the pipeline directly in front of the header, there is a flow guide. |
| US07669645B2 |
Heat exchanger
This invention is structured by:forming a core body by turning-up a strip-shaped metal plate in fanfold manner to create a large number of flat flow passages; blocking the individual flow passages at both ends thereof using the respective comb teeth of a pair of comb-state members; and fitting the casing to the core body, while providing inlet/outlet port of the fluid at a side face of the casing. The object of the invention is to establish uniform communication of the fluid in individual flat flow passages. As a means for achieving the object, a pair of header portions are provided at both end portions of the cylindrical casing, the inlet/outlet ports are provided at both edge portions of one side of the casing via a pair of small tank portions, the small tank portion at inlet side of the first fluid has a buffer plate arranged at a position closer to the outlet side of the first fluid between the core body and the inlet/outlet port, thereby allowing the first fluid to bypass the buffer plate in the small tank portion and to enter an end portion of the first flow passage from an edge opposite to the outlet. |
| US07669644B2 |
Heat exchanger, in particular of the condensation type
A heat exchanger comprises a casing, within which there is present a first pipe wound in a spiral, in which a first fluid flows, the casing being designed to receive a second fluid that is in heat-exchange relationship with the first fluid. The heat exchanger further comprises at least one second pipe wound in a spiral, which connects, in parallel to the first pipe, two gaps formed in the casing, the spiralled pipes being arranged in a coaxial way and at a distance from one another, and having different sections of passage. |
| US07669643B2 |
Plate heat exchanger device and a heat exchanger plate
A device, including a heat exchanger plate and a plate package (2) of heat exchanger plates (1) which are provided beside each other to form a plate interspace between adjacent plates. The plate interspaces form, in an alternating order, first passages (3) for a first medium and second passages (4) for a second medium which cools the first medium. Each heat exchanger plate has at least two portholes forming a first inlet port channel and a first outlet port channel (7), which extend through the plate package to a first inlet and a first outlet, respectively, for the first medium to and from the first passages (3). The first outlet forms a gas outlet (31) for discharging a gaseous portion of the first medium and a liquid outlet (32) for discharge of liquid of the first medium. The liquid outlet (32) is separated from the gas outlet (31) to permit separate discharge of the liquid and gaseous portions. |
| US07669638B2 |
Control system, computer program product, device and method
A control system for regulating the flow of liquid metal in a device for casting a metal. A detector measures a process variable. A control unit evaluates data from the detector. At least one process parameter is automatically varied in order to optimize casting conditions. The detector measures a characteristic of the meniscus at at least two points on the meniscus instantaneously throughout the casting process. |
| US07669637B2 |
Impeller for supercharger and method of manufacturing the same
A lost-wax cast impeller for a supercharger having no parting line on a hub surface and a blade surface in each space demarcated by pairs of long blades adjacent to each other and having excellent aerodynamic performance. A method of manufacturing the impeller involves forming a lost form pattern in substantially the same shape as the impeller, forming a mold by eliminating the lost form pattern after the lost form pattern is coated with a refractory, and pouring a molten metal in the mold for casting. In the molding step, lost material is injection-molded in a space demarcated by radially arranging, toward a center shaft, a plurality of slide molds having short blade-shaped bottomed groove parts and space shapes between the pairs of long blades adjacent to each other, and the slide molds are released by moving in the radial direction of the center shaft while rotating. |
| US07669629B2 |
System for fabricating corrugated board
A system for fabricating a corrugated board sheet fabricated includes warp status information obtaining means (6, 6A-6H, 7, 7A, 7B, 8, 8A-8H, 240a, 240b, 241a, 241b) for obtaining warp status information concerning status of the warp of the corrugated board sheet fabricated by a corrugated-board fabrication machine (1); running-state information obtaining means (5, 5A-5H) for obtaining running state information concerning a running state of the corrugated-board fabrication machine (1); control variable calculating means (4, 4A-4H) for calculating a control variable of a particular control factor that affects the warp of the corrugated board sheet and that is one among control factors used to control the corrugated-board fabrication machine (1) based on the warp status information of the corrugated board sheet and the running state information of the corrugated-board fabrication machine (1); and control means (5, 5A-5H) for controlling the particular control factor using the control variable calculated by the control variable calculating means (4, 4A-4H). |
| US07669628B2 |
Method for manufacturing low noise pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire having a noise damper, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for fixing the damper to the tire are disclosed. The inner surface of the tread portion of the vulcanized tire is buffed, and the noise damper is fixed to the buffed inner surface, using a double-sided adhesive tape which has specific characteristics such as adhesive force, tensile strength, thickness, cold-resistant property, heat-resistant property and water-resistant property. |
| US07669620B2 |
Router
A router includes a base for supporting the router on a work piece surface, a motor housing coupled to the base for movement along a first axis relative to the base, a motor supported by the housing and operable to drive a tool element, and a cantilevered shaft rotatable about a second axis and oriented substantially parallel with the first axis and offset from the first axis. The shaft includes a first end supported by the motor housing, a second end, and a threaded portion between the first and second ends. The threaded portion is engaged with the base. Rotation of the shaft about the second axis causes movement of the housing relative to the base along the first axis. |
| US07669617B2 |
Powder filling systems, apparatus and methods
The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle. |
| US07669616B2 |
Apparatus for puncturing a gas filled bottle
Apparatus for puncturing a gas filled bottle uses a spring force upon an inflator tack, which punctures the gas filled bottle, rather than a manual or explosive force. The spring force is retained prior to puncturing the bottle by a retention element disposed in a hole. The retention element is released upon actuation of the apparatus. |
| US07669615B2 |
Fabric layer of a bellows
The subject matter of the invention is a fabric layer of a bellows, e.g., of a connection between two hinge-linked vehicles or of an aircraft passenger bridge, the fabric layer being plastically deformed by a force acting on the fabric. |
| US07669613B2 |
Connecting device for a wall mixer
A connecting device (100) for a wall mixer has a cold water inflow (2) and a hot water inflow (3), a mixer insert (5), a mixer cartridge (7) and an outlet (29). Mixed water is directed to outlet (29) regardless of the rotary position of the outlet. |
| US07669611B2 |
Motorized fluid control valve with safety device
A motorized fluid control valve includes a valve unit having a fluid inlet and outlet provided in a tube for controlling fluid flow, wherein the valve unit is adapted to operate between an opened and closed position. The motorized fluid control valve includes a motor and a driving pin providing a rotational power, a cam including a cam body rotatably mounted in such a manner that the motor is arrange to drive the cam body to rotate to operate the valve unit and to produce a valve signal showing a corresponding position of the valve unit. The motorized fluid control valve includes a valve safety arrangement having two fingers. When the valve unit is stuck, the driving pin will break the two fingers to disengage the cam from the motor, thus stopping any further rotation of the cam and provide a true signal regarding the position of the valve unit. |
| US07669609B2 |
Universal refrigeration valve
A universal valve for refrigeration systems including an investment-cast, stainless-steel valve body, a piston and one of a plurality of an anodized aluminum adapter plates. Each adapter plate configured to be removed and replaced with another to operate the valve to perform a different function. The investment-cast, stainless steel valve body includes an inlet and an outlet which each include a flangeless distal end configured, as cast, with an unmachined, weldable rim for integration without mechanical connections in a leak-free configuration. |
| US07669596B2 |
Aerosolization apparatus with rotating capsule
An aerosolization apparatus comprises a body defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an aerosolization chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The aerosolization chamber is adapted to receive an elongated receptacle, such as a capsule, containing a pharmaceutical formulation. The elongated receptacle rotates end-over-end about an axis substantially orthogonal to an axis passing through the outlet opening when air or gas flows through the body. In another version, the elongated receptacle rotates end-over-end about an axis substantially orthogonal to an inhalation direction. |
| US07669595B1 |
Junction device
A junction device for administering nebulizer treatments directly to a supply of oxygen supplied to a patient mask includes a supply conduit being couplable to an oxygen supply and a patient mask to allow oxygen from the oxygen supply to be supplied to the patient mask. A side conduit is coupled to and is in fluid communication with the supply conduit. An elbow conduit is rotatably coupled to the side conduit opposite the supply conduit. The elbow conduit is couplable to a nebulizer to permit treatments from the nebulizer to flow through the elbow conduit and the side conduit into the oxygen being supplied to the patient mask. A valve assembly is positioned in the elbow conduit between the side conduit and the nebulizer. The valve assembly opens and closes to control the treatments from the nebulizer to flowing into the elbow conduit. |
| US07669593B2 |
Thermally controlled solar reflector facet with heat recovery
A high concentration central receiver system and method provides improved reflectors and a unique heat removal system. The central receiver has a plurality of interconnected reflectors coupled to a tower structure at a predetermined height above ground for reflecting solar radiation. A plurality of concentrators are disposed between the reflectors and the ground such that the concentrators receive reflective solar radiation from the reflectors. The central receiver system further includes a heat removal system for removing heat from the reflectors and an area immediately adjacent the concentrators. Each reflector includes a mirror, a facet, and an adhesive compound. The adhesive compound is disposed between the mirror and the facet such that the mirror is fixed to the facet under a compressive stress. |
| US07669588B2 |
Rotary clip rotation for air gun
A rotary clip rotation mechanism for an air gun, having a nail for engaging with a nail engagement section provided in the rotary clip and causing rotation of a rotary clip, comprises an L-shaped arm, capable of rotating about an arm shaft, with a muzzle side end opening section formed from a curved surface section; an arm elastic section provided at a position contacting the tip of the curved surface section of the L-shaped arm, a nail support arm provided so as to rotate on a gun rear end side of the L-shaped arm by means of a connecting elastic section, and a nail urged in the direction of the tip end by a nail elastic section provided on a tip of the nail support arm. |
| US07669587B2 |
Method of operating an engine with a pressure-wave supercharger
In an internal combustion engine, fresh air is compressed by a pressure-wave supercharger. At least one operating parameter of the pressure-wave supercharger is controlled or regulated as a function of at least one actual operating variable of the internal combustion engine. |
| US07669586B2 |
Vented gear drive assembly for a supercharger
A gear drive assembly for a supercharger is provided. The gear drive assembly has at least one gear member rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a cover member operable to substantially enclose the at least one gear member. A tube member extends though the cover member and is generally aligned along the axis of rotation. The tube member is operable to vent the gear drive assembly. A supercharger assembly incorporating the gear drive assembly is also disclosed. |
| US07669585B2 |
Fuel injection system
A fuel injection system (1) with at least one fuel injector (1a) and a heatable adapter (1b), which is connected to a fuel rail (1c) and to the fuel injector (1a) of the fuel injection system (1); a thermoswitch (2) is provided in the fuel rail (1c), which is connected with an external door contact switch (3) and with the heatable adapter (1b). The thermoswitch (2) includes a thermosensor, so that a reliable cold start is ensured by the fact that, when a previously specified fuel temperature is fallen below, the thermoswitch (2) switches over and causes fuel (8) to be heated. |
| US07669583B2 |
Internal combustion engine control apparatus
An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes an in-cylinder pressure sensor for detecting in-cylinder pressure. A combustion start time and combustion end time, which are parameters serving as control indexes for an internal combustion engine, are determined in accordance with ignition timing. Information about a heat release amount is acquired in accordance with the in-cylinder pressures that are measured at two points by the in-cylinder pressure sensor. The in-cylinder pressure is estimated in accordance with a relationship among the heat release amount information, control index parameters, and in-cylinder pressure. |
| US07669580B2 |
Electronic engine speed control system for grass mowing machine
An electronic engine speed control system for a grass mowing machine powered by an internal combustion engine includes a microcontroller providing an output signal to an engine speed actuator for the engine, a pedal position sensor connected to a foot pedal and providing a voltage input signal to the microcontroller based on the position of the foot pedal, a PTO clutch switch providing a signal input to the microcontroller indicating if a PTO clutch is engaged, and a lever position sensor connected to a hand lever and having a range of positions including an Automatic mode position and a plurality of Manual mode positions. The hand lever position sensor provides a voltage input signal to the microcontroller in the Automatic mode position such that the microcontroller output to the engine speed actuator is related to the voltage inputs from the pedal position sensor and PTO clutch switch, and provides a voltage input signal to the microcontroller in a range of Manual mode positions such that the microcontroller output to the engine speed actuator is related to the voltage input from the lever position sensor. |
| US07669579B2 |
Method for the lambda and torque control of an internal combustion engine and program algorithm
In a method for controlling the air ratio lambda and for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine, e.g. of a diesel engine, a fuel is supplied in at least two injection processes, including a main injection of a main injection quantity and a post-injection of a post-injection quantity, and the main injection quantity is influenced to control the torque and the post-injection quantity is influenced to control the lambda value. A corrective main injection quantity ascertained for the torque control is at least proportionally subtracted from the post-injection quantity. |
| US07669576B2 |
Lubricating apparatus for 4-cycle engine
An oil chamber of an oil pan 6 divided into a main oil chamber that collects oil from a crankcase and an auxiliary oil chamber that is positioned adjacent to the main oil chamber. The main oil chamber is connected with an oil supply pump that supplies oil to lubricated sections of an engine and the auxiliary oil chamber is connected with an oil collecting pump that returns oil to the main oil chamber. |
| US07669572B2 |
Intake manifold regulators for internal combustion engines
An intake manifold assembly includes an intake manifold having an inlet configured to receive an air/fuel mixture from a carburetor, an outlet configured to discharge the air/fuel mixture into a combustion chamber, an interior wall at least partially defining an intake passageway fluidly communicating the inlet and the outlet, and an aperture in the interior wall. The aperture is positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The intake manifold assembly also includes a first regulator received in the aperture and at least partially positioned in the intake passageway to effectively decrease the cross-sectional open area of the intake passageway. The first regulator is selectable from a plurality of regulators configured to each be at least partially positionable in the intake passageway. The first regulator is configured to be removed and replaced by a second regulator from the plurality of regulators without disassembly of the intake manifold from the carburetor. |
| US07669570B2 |
Diesel fuel injection priming system
A fuel injection priming system includes a fuel supply line connected to a fuel supply rail. A plurality of piezoelectric fuel injectors are connected to the fuel supply rail. An injector return fuel line is connected to the fuel injectors and in communication with a fuel supply line via a diverter device to allow high pressure fuel from the fuel supply line to pressurize the injector return fuel line to backfill the injectors during a priming operation. A one-way valve is in communication with the diverter device to manage the pressurized fuel provided to the plurality of fuel injectors during the priming operation and to allow fuel to pass to the fuel tank during normal operation. |
| US07669566B2 |
Hydraulic camshaft phaser with mechanical lock
Hydraulically operated camshaft phasers are described which comprise a drive member and a driven member having a fixed range of angular adjustment and a means for mechanically locking the position of the driven member relative to the drive member when there is insufficient hydraulic pressure to operate the phaser. In the invention, the lock operates in an intermediate position within the range of adjustment, and a hydraulic circuit is provided for biasing the phaser towards the intermediate position for the lock to engage. |
| US07669564B2 |
Variable valve lift internal combustion engine
Provided is a variable valve lift internal combustion engine including a control shaft pivotally supported by a cylinder head via a pivot arm pivotally supported by the cylinder head so as to able to move angularly around a rotational center line extending in parallel with an axial line of the control shaft, a power transmitting member supported by the control shaft, an actuator for causing an angular movement of the control shaft around the rotational center line via the power transmitting member and a control arm having a base end pivotally supported by the control shaft and a free end interposed between a cam lobe of an engine camshaft and a part of a rocker arm. The lift of the engine valve can be varied by angularly moving the control shaft around the rotational center line and moving the base end of the control arm. |
| US07669561B2 |
High-output two-stroke engine in particular for application in model assembly
A two-stroke engine has a piston, mounted to be displaced in a cylinder, connected by means of a connecting rod to a crankshaft mounted to rotate about an axis in a crankcase that defines a crankcase chamber. The crankshaft includes a crankshaft duct that opens into the crankcase chamber which is, depending on the angle of rotation of the crankshaft, connected by way of an inlet opening in the crankshaft to an inlet manifold for an air/fuel mixture. The cylinder includes a transfer port, by way of which, the air/fuel mixture flows from the crankcase chamber past the piston into the working chamber based on the position of the piston in the cylinder. An increase in engine power is achieved by a gas mixing duct, a slot or a deflecting element arranged within the crankcase which improve(s) the filling of the crankcase chamber with the air/fuel mixture. |
| US07669560B2 |
Gas exchange control mechanism for an opposed-piston engine
A gas exchange control mechanism for an opposed-piston engine which opens and closes inlet and outlet slots provided in the cylinder irrespective of the position of the pistons. The opposed pistons are guided completely or partially during stroke in sliding sleeves during operation of the engine. The sleeves may reciprocate mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically in a linear manner. The sliding sleeves are adapted to open and close gas guide channels located in the engine housing. |
| US07669559B2 |
Internal combustion engine
In a reciprocating piston engine employing a variable compression ratio mechanism linked to a reciprocating piston for variably adjusting a geometrical compression ratio by varying at least a piston top dead center position, so that the top dead center position obtained at a low geometrical compression ratio is set to be lower than that at a high geometrical compression ratio, responsively to a controlled variable, a controller is configured to set a target compression ratio to a high value at low engine load operation, and to a relatively low value at high engine load operation. A substantially entire area of a crown of the piston, defining a part of a wall surface of a combustion chamber, is formed of a non-metallic material having a higher heat-insulating and heat-reserving property as compared to a base structural material of each of the combustion chamber and the piston. |
| US07669556B2 |
Pet platform assembly
A pet platform assembly configured to securely mount to a window sill may include a base configured to support the weight of a pet, at least one clamp secured to the base, and a support bracket secured to an underside of the base. The clamp is configured to securely mount the base to an edge of the window sill. The support bracket is configured to brace the base with respect to a wall that supports the window sill. The support bracket may include a cord passage that routes the electrical cord therethrough. |
| US07669553B2 |
Bird feeding system
A bird feeding system may include a platform that is sized and configured to catch at least a portion of the bird feed that may fall from a bird feeder. The platform may include a frame and a catching portion, which may have a permeable construction. The frame may be configured to be moved between a collapsed position for storage and an expanded position for use. Advantageously, the platform may be connected to different types and configurations of bird feeders and/or other structures using attachment members that are adjustable in length. |
| US07669552B2 |
Fluid-filled durable pet bed
An inflatable bed is filled with a fluid, whether it is a gas or a liquid, a desirable, in order to form a comfortable bed. The durable pet bed has at least two layers of bullet resistant fabric therein, with a fluid chamber therein protected on all sides by the bullet resistant fabric layers and capable of receiving a gas, fluid, gel, or liquid to provide comfort and safety for the pet using the bed. |
| US07669549B2 |
Machine for single sided or double sided application of a liquid or viscous coating medium onto the surface of a moving material web, and associated operating method
A machine for single or double sided application of a liquid or viscous coating medium by way of at least one applicator unit onto the surface of a mating material web, especially a paper or cardboard web. A medium collecting device that is allocated to the applicator unit or to a dispensing component of the applicator unit which includes the dispensing openings, is equipped with a receiving and release component which is allocated to the medium collecting device and which is or can be mounted detachably on same. During the start of the application process the component releases the curtain or veil due to a common adjustment with the medium collecting device or of a section component of same relative to the curtain or veil from a rim extending across the moving background or from an edge extending across the moving background. |
| US07669545B2 |
Indicator device with a lighted pointer
An indicator for a vehicle instrument cluster is provided. The indicator includes a dial configured to guide light from a light source to a pointer which further guides the light so that it is visible by a user. |
| US07669543B2 |
Display device for a motor vehicle
A display device for a motor vehicle, e.g., an instrument cluster, includes at least one first display device emitting image-forming light, and at least one illuminated and/or self-luminous electromechanical second display device. The first display device is arranged in a visual field of an observer. The second electromechanical display device is arranged at an angle to the first display device, and a combination element is provided between the first display device and the electromechanical display device, the combination device being transparent to the image-forming light in the first display device and reflective to the image-forming light of the electromechanical second display device. |
| US07669542B2 |
Convertible top for yacht
A retractable convertible top for a pleasure craft, including a canvas type fabric and stowable linkage mechanism, is described. This convertible top may be fully deployed and retracted automatically to provide a quick and efficient means of providing shelter for the open cabin of a pleasure craft while still allowing easy entrance and egress from the cabin when the top is fully deployed. The convertible top may be fully stowable within a small volume storage bin with watertight covers. The stowage bin may be integrated into the craft. The craft's existing hydraulic and control systems may be utilized to automatically deploy and retract the convertible top. |
| US07669540B2 |
Soft goods slitter and feed system for quilting
An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a gear housing, and powered wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting. |
| US07669538B2 |
Air velocity indicator and control device
An air velocity indicator and control device is provided for use with pneumatic distribution systems used in air seeders that pneumatically discharge agricultural product to the ground, seedbed, or furrow. The air velocity indicator and control device includes a tubular housing, extending between an inlet and an outlet, and pivotally housing a deflectable plate that actuates in response to encountering an airflow entrained with agricultural product. A magnitude of deflection of the deflectable plate, corresponding to airflow velocity, can be displayed through an indicator assembly. This enables a user to identify velocity variances and differentials within the air seeder and make corrective adjustments. In some implementations, multiple air velocity indicator and control devices are ganged together with deflectable plates that pivot in unison with each other. The relative angle of fixation of the deflectable plates, upon the pivot pin, can be adjusted to permit airflow tuning as needed. |
| US07669536B2 |
Paired single disc opener unit
An opener unit having a pair of single disc openers mounted upon a parallel linkage which may be mounted onto a tool bar or drawbar is disclosed and claimed. The pair of single opener discs may be used for controlled creation of a pair of furrows to which seed, fertilizer or other soil amendments may be delivered. The opener unit may be mounted in combination with a row clearing or cleaning unit. The opener unit may also be mounted in combination with an auxiliary depth tire or a ski, and or a furrow closing apparatus such as a wheel, a chain or a strap. |
| US07669533B2 |
Connection rail for a rail transport apparatus
The connection guide for a rail transport apparatus is provided with a first direction control guide and a second direction control guide such that when the transport vehicle travels in a forward direction, after the guiding operation of the first direction control guide is released the transport vehicle is guided by the second direction control guide, wherein a forward shift guide abuts a guide roller of the transport vehicle during the shift operation. |
| US07669532B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for projectile fuze setback generator power source and projectiles including same
Projectile fuze setback generator power source apparatuses and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An explosive projectile contains a fuze with a setback generator and associated fuze electronics. Upon initiation of projectile launch, the setback generator produces a voltage for use by the fuze electronics during flight. The setback generator includes a magnet maintained in place within a surrounding coil by a fastener. When a projectile is fired, rapid acceleration thereof causes the fastener to break and the magnet to be displaced longitudinally within the surrounding coil, which decreases the magnetic field and induces a current in the surrounding coil. The induced current produces a voltage that is stored in a capacitor operably coupled to the setback generators which then is used to power the fuze electronics during flight. |
| US07669528B2 |
Silkscreen printer machine and apparatus
A silkscreen printer machine (8) includes: a support structure (48); and at least one printing station (54) secured to the structure (48) and including at least one screen support (68) presenting a reception area adapted to receive a screen texture (70) having a pattern for printing placed thereon. The screen support (68) is carried by at least three support elements (78) secured to the structure (48), the support elements (78) not being in alignment and being positioned on either side of the reception area (69). The invention also provides associated printer apparatus. |
| US07669527B2 |
Moving belt dough press with heated platen
A moving belt conveyor dough press is provided with a pair of vertically opposing platens, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other. A continuous belt is arranged to pass between the pair of platens, and to carry on an upper surface thereof, a supply of dough masses to be pressed by the platens. At least one of the platens is formed of a cast metal material, and an electrical resistance heating element is cast in place within the at least one platen. |
| US07669523B1 |
Multiple upstanding support food cooking rack
A rack for positioning food slabs in a horizontal cooking area such as over a grill includes a rectangular frame which carries a plurality of bent rod food slab supports at a rearward tilt. Each support includes a pair of outer risers having interned lower ends. The outer risers extend over opposite sides of the frame, with the interned ends extending through apertures in the frame sides. Between the outer risers, the rod is bent in a digital waveform and includes forwardly extending lower cradle having upwardly sloped shoulders for engaging the bottom of a food slab. Notches are provided in the upper edge of the frame sides forwardly of each aperture and a notch engaging post extends from the cradle shoulders which are adjacent each outer riser. The ends of the frame are lapped and hinged, so that the frame may be folded along a longitudinal axis for compact storage, with the slab supports nested within the folded frame. |
| US07669522B2 |
Cooking appliances and food holders particularly useful therein
A cooking appliance, includes a pair of cooking plates pivotally mounted to various angular positions, including a vertical position. Each plate is formed, centrally of its lower edge in the vertical position of the two plates, with a ribbed formation defining a drain channel for draining from the plates fluids emanating from the food article during the cooking thereof between the plates. A disposable food holder is provided including a pair of panels of heat-resistant sheet material joined to each other to define a compartment for holding the food article during the cooking thereof, the compartment having a small drain opening aligned with the drain channel of the cooking plates for draining fluids emanating from the food article. |
| US07669521B2 |
Food pressure-cooking device with a cover module
Appliances for cooking food under pressure are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an appliance comprises a vessel and a lid fitted and locked on the vessel in order to form a leaktight cooking enclosure. The appliance further comprises at least one jaw for locking the lid relative to the vessel and a device for driving the at least one jaw between a locking position and an unlocking position. The appliance also includes a module for fitting on and releasably securing to the lid. The module includes at least a device for controlling locking and unlocking of the lid relative to the vessel. Also disclosed are other alternatives applicable to domestic appliances for cooking food under pressure. |
| US07669517B2 |
Appliance and method for preparing a froth from a food liquid
Appliance for preparing a froth from a milk-based liquid which includes a tank for receiving liquid that is to be frothed, and in which liquid a rotatable stirrer is positioned, a stand associated with the tank, and a system for driving the stirrer. The stirrer drive system and the stirrer include magnetic elements allowing the stirrer to be rotationally driven magnetically in the tank. At least one disturbance member is also provided to break or prevent symmetric circulation of the liquid about the median vertical axis of the tank. |
| US07669516B2 |
Cylinder-piston arrangement
A sealing arrangement which is designed for a cylinder-piston arrangement of a reciprocating piston vacuum pump for sealing a gap between a cylinder wall and a piston displaceable in the cylinder, includes at least one L-shaped annular seal having one of its leg secured on the piston for providing a static sealing, and its another free leg adjoining the cylinder wall for providing a dynamic sealing, and an annular guide member arranged on the piston between the piston and the cylinder on a side of the seal remote from a compression chamber of the pump. |
| US07669514B2 |
Device to guarantee the sequence of movement of at least two fluid-actuated displacement units
A device to guarantee the sequence of movement of at least two fluid-actuated displacement units. A primary displacement unit includes a cylinder (Z) with a retractable and extendable piston rod (4). Integrated into the cylinder (Z) is a directional control valve that can be controlled by the piston rod (4). The directional control valve has a closed position and an open position. The directional control valve is switched into the closed position when the piston rod (4) is not fully extended or not approximately fully extended, and into the open position when the piston rod is fully or approximately fully extended, and a compression chamber (1a) of the cylinder (Z) is thereby placed in communication with a compression chamber of the secondary displacement unit (secondary cylinder 2b). |
| US07669512B2 |
Ammunition feed system with an automatic clutch
An automatic clutch is integrated in a weapon system between an ammunition feed system and a cannon. A feeder feeds ammunition into the cannon. The clutch mechanism includes an actuator, a locking pin with an assisting spring or the like, and locking cams. The clutch mechanism allows the drum shaft of the cannon to be disengaged from the gear of the feeder between the cannon and the ammunition supply system and thus from the conveyance mechanism of the feeder. |
| US07669511B2 |
Shaving product
A razor head has blade members with straight front cuffing edges which are mutually parallel and lie in a cutting plane. Imaginary median surfaces of the blade members are continuously curved from the cutting plane, from the cutting edges toward the rear edges. The razor has a handle with a pair of fork arms, the distal ends of which are connected to the head at positions adjacent the respective ends of the head. Each fork arm has a groove allowing pivoting of the distal end about a pivot axis parallel to the head axis but which does not pass through the razor head. Each groove is filled with a resiliently deformable material which is deformed when a pivoting force is applied to the razor head during shaving and which restores the razor head to a normal position when the force is removed. |
| US07669510B2 |
Miter saw having holder fixing mechanism
A miter saw having a holder fixing mechanism for fixing a pivot posture of a holder. The holder supports a support section on which a saw blade section is pivotally movably supported. The holder is laterally pivotally movable about a holder shaft to change angle of a side surface of a circular saw blade relative to an upper surface of a base. The holder fixing mechanism includes a clamp bolt whose axis is directed perpendicular to the holder shaft and in parallel with the side surface of the circular saw blade. By the rotation of the clamp bolt about its axis, a fixing relationship between the holder and the base section is established. |
| US07669507B2 |
Tightening tool
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for appropriately providing not only for normal rotation but for reverse rotation in a tightening tool having a clutch.Representative tightening tool according to the invention comprises a body, a driving motor housed in the body, a driving-side clutch element, an auxiliary clutch element, a driven-side clutch element, a driven shaft and a tool bit. During normal rotation of the driving motor, the driven-side clutch element is caused to move in the axial direction by application of a pressing force of the user to the body to engage with the driving-side clutch element. During reverse rotation of the driving motor, the driving-side clutch element and the auxiliary clutch element are caused to move relatively with respect to each other in the axial direction by rotating torque of the driving-side clutch element and the driving-side clutch element or the auxiliary clutch element engages with the driven-side clutch element. |
| US07669502B2 |
Shift control device for a bicycle transmission
A shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a mounting member adapted to mount the shift control device to a bicycle; a first lever operatively coupled to the mounting member such that the first lever stops at a plurality of positions corresponding to gear positions of the bicycle transmission, wherein the first lever moves in a first plane; and a second lever operatively coupled to the mounting member for movement in a second plane between a rest position and an operating position such that the second lever returns to the rest position after moving to the operating position. In this embodiment, the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane. |
| US07669501B2 |
Contrivance for automatic rope length correction
A device for automatically compensating the length of cables comprises a length-variable receiving element (1, 3, 4) for a section of a pulling means (5), a spring element (2) for applying a tensile force on the received pulling means (5) and a locking element (4), which is rotatable relative to a section of the receiving element (1, 3) about an axis that agrees substantially with the axis of the pulling means, wherein the relative motions of two sections of the receiving device (3, 4) intended to bring about the length variations are coupled to the rotational motion of the locking element (4) by means of mechanical devices (311, 421) with clearance and detent elements (15, 43) substantially block the rotation of the locking element (4) in a direction of rotation. |
| US07669499B2 |
Arrester device for a closing apparatus
The present disclosure relates to an arrester device for closing apparatus, such as doors, comprising a worm gear rotationally fixedly connected to an output shaft serving as a winding shaft and a self-locking worm which is in communication with an input shaft. In accordance with the present disclosure, an auxiliary worm gear is seated on an eccentric region of the output shaft with clearance, with the auxiliary worm gear having an eccentricity of the same amount as the output shaft and being assembled such that the eccentricities are cancelled with respect to the axis of the output shaft, with the auxiliary worm gear being able to follow the movement of the worm gear without load via its toothed region. |
| US07669498B2 |
Self-adjustable and cross-chamber transmission system
A transmission system includes two or more independent chambers, in each of which shafts with gears thereon are provided for rolling in synchronous motion, and a carrier with adjustable gear devices on a bottom thereof. Each of the adjustable gear devices has a base, a movable rack member, vertical springs and horizontal springs. The movable rack member is connected to the base to be moved along a horizontal direction. The vertical springs are provided between the base and the carrier to urge the adjustable gear device along a vertical direction. The movable rack member has a rack portion to be meshed with the gears of the shafts, such that the carrier is moved by the gears to cross the chambers. With the movement of the movable rack member both along the horizontal and the vertical direction, the carrier is transported in a smooth, synchronous, skid-proof, stable and real-time motion during the crossing chamber process. |
| US07669497B2 |
Powertrain with torque converter and axially compact seven speed dual clutch transmission
A powertrain having a torque converter, friction input shifting clutches and shared driving gears has an axially compact design, packages a transmission pump between the torque converter and a clutch hub and achieves seven forward speed ratios utilizing four back-to-back synchronizers. |
| US07669496B2 |
Driving force transmission apparatus and sheet conveyance apparatus
A driving force transmission apparatus has a driving gear; a driven gear; a toothed clutch transferring the driving force from driving gear to driven gear and which includes driving-side and driven-side ratchets that are movable in the axial direction of the clutch; and a compression spring biasing driven-side ratchet toward driving-side ratchet. When the tip end of the pawl of the driven-side ratchet is at the same position as the tip end of the pawl of the driving-side ratchet in the axial direction of the toothed clutch, the compression spring biasing force acts on the driven-side ratchet. And when the driven-side ratchet fully engages the driving-side ratchet, the biasing force does not act on the driven side ratchet. |
| US07669495B2 |
Transmission for vehicles
A transmission for vehicles is provided with a plurality of drive gears, an input shaft connected to the drive shaft of an engine, an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft, a driven gear which meshes with each drive gear and is rotatably disposed on the output shaft, a synchromesh mechanism which has a sleeve movable in the axial direction of the output shaft, is engageable with a side portion of the driven gear, and couples the driven gear to the output shaft, and a parking gear formed integrally with the sleeve of the synchromesh mechanism. The parking gear and the bearing on the shaft end radially overlap each other. With this structure, the transmission is composed with a small number of components and has a reduced width. |
| US07669494B2 |
Gear box with two pinion shafts
A variable-speed gearbox comprises a main transmission (2) arranged in a housing (30) and a downstream range-change transmission (32), the range-change transmission having power distribution on two countershafts (12, 14). On a main shaft (4) of the main transmission (2), a gear wheel (6) is arranged in a radially movable manner which meshes with respective first gear wheels (8, 10) each on one of the countershafts. In the housing of the variable-speed gearbox, a drive output shaft (22) is radially and axially fixed which is connected a gear wheel (20) that meshes in each case with a second gear wheel (16, 18), respectively, on each of the countershafts. The gear wheel on the main shaft that meshes with the first gear wheels on the countershafts is maintained in its axial position relative to the drive output shaft by way of pressure combs (50, 52, 54, 56). |
| US07669493B2 |
Spindle drive and a patient positioning system
A spindle drive and patient positioning system is provided. The spindle drive includes a drive that is operative to drive a spindle nut. An axially transportable spindle is circled by the spindle nut. A catch nut that is not in mutual engagement with the spindle has a predefined distance to the drive. When the spindle nut fails, the spindle is operative to move the catch nut into mutual engagement with the spindle. A switching element is fixed to the catch nut and includes an emergency off switch, which is activated by a switching sensor. |
| US07669492B2 |
Rotation generating apparatus
A rotational movement generating apparatus having a platform supported by a support assembly. The support assembly connects to a central point of the platform in a manner that allows the platform to rotate at the central point. A central axis is defined with the circular rotation of the platform. The platform defines a first radius line extending from the central point to an outer edge of the platform. An arm connects to the platform at a connection point that is spaced apart from the first radius line of the platform. A first portion of the arm ends at an elbow where it connects to a second portion of the arm. The second portion of the arm is positioned to extend in an upward direction over the first radius line at a predetermined angle towards the central axis. A thrust bearing is positioned above the platform in alignment with the central point. The thrust bearing has an outer disk rotatably encircling a thrust cylinder. The second portion of the arm connects to the outer disk. The thrust bearing is positioned so that when the thrust cylinder is pulled with a predetermined force away from the platform along the central axis, the platform rotates. |
| US07669487B2 |
Desorber
A desorber for use with a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer comprises a body portion that has a cavity formed therein, the cavity being arranged to receive a sample collector, the sample collector being preferably carried by a holding device that can be slid in and out of the cavity. The body portion includes an air intake passage in communication with the cavity and at least one heating element arranged to heat air drawn through the air intake passage into the cavity. |
| US07669484B2 |
Device for evaluating drag reduction
A system for screening a drag reduction agent that includes at least one pressure vessel, comprising: at least one container having an outlet; a first tube fluidly connected with the outlet of the at least one container; a second tube fluidly connected with the first tube; a timer; and a collection vessel configured to receive a fluid from the second tube is disclosed. |
| US07669480B2 |
Sensor element, sensor device, object movement control device, object judgment device
A sensor element capable of appropriately detecting an external force operating three-dimensionally is provided. The sensor element includes an elastic member which can be compressed or expanded by an external force received from an object, a resistance element whose electric resistance value rises or falls when deformed by the external force, and a support member arranged inside or on the surface of the elastic member and capable of supporting the resistance element disposed at a predetermined position. The sensor element is applied to an object movement control device and an object judgment device. |
| US07669476B2 |
Sensing a paper roll ultrasonically
A system for sensing paper on a paper roll includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with an outer surface of the paper roll; a transmitter circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the transmitter circuit providing a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer generating an ultrasonic signal in response to the transmit signal; a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the receiver circuit providing a received signal indicative of an ultrasonic return echo from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll; and a processor circuit, in communication with the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit, that determines an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal, the processor providing an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold. |
| US07669475B2 |
System and method for measuring rotational movement about an axis
In one embodiment, a micro-gyro device for measuring rotational movement about an input axis includes a driving element generating a driving signal. A MEMS gyro includes a motor rotor and a motor assembly. The motor rotor receives the driving signal and oscillates about a motor axis at a frequency determined as a function of the driving signal. The motor assembly oscillates around a rate axis, which is orthogonal to the motor axis, as a function of the frequency of the motor rotor oscillation. A capacitance of the motor assembly changes as a function of the oscillation of the motor assembly. Driving element feedback circuitry, including a first band-pass filter, is between the motor rotor and the driving element. The driving element feedback circuitry causes the driving element to generate the driving signal as a function of an amplitude of the motor rotor oscillation for maintaining the amplitude of the motor rotor oscillation within a predetermined range. Output circuitry, including a second band-pass filter, produces an output signal as a function of the changing capacitance of the motor assembly. The first and second band-pass filters have central frequency phase characteristics not exceeding about 0.1°/Hz. |
| US07669473B2 |
Pressure-based aircraft fuel capacity monitoring system and method
Dynamic monitoring of the amount of fuel remaining in an aircraft fuel tank is effected by delivering a constant volume flow of an inert gas into the fuel through the respective open distal ends of a sensor conduit tube and a reference conduit tube, each of which extends from a proximal end exterior of the tank to its respective distal open end located within the fuel tank. The sensor conduit tube distal end is fixed closely proximate the bottom of the tank, and the reference conduit tube distal end is fixed proximate but at a vertical spacing h from the sensor conduit tube distal end. The pressure at which the gas is delivered into the fuel at the constant volumetric rate through each of the sensor and reference conduit tubes is monitored. The pressure difference between the monitored pressure in the sensor conduit tube and the pressure in the free space in the fuel tank above the surface of the remaining fuel is directly proportional to the weight of the fuel lying above the sensor conduit tube distal end. The density of the fuel is proportional to the monitored pressure difference between the sensor and reference conduit tubes, divided by the vertical spacing h. The calculated weight of the fuel, divided by the calculated density of the fuel, is proportional to the volume of the fuel remaining in the tank. |
| US07669463B2 |
Determining the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine
A method of determining the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine 12, more particularly when operated on a test rig, wherein fuel is supplied in a circuit to the internal combustion engine and discharged therefrom and wherein a quantity of fuel is supplied to the circuit 11 via a branch line 22 from a fuel tank 23 and measured in the branch line, wherein temperature-related changes in the volume of the fuel are determined in the circuit 11 and wherein the consumed quantity {dot over (m)}S determined in the branch line 22 is corrected by a corrective quantity {dot over (m)}K corresponding to the temperature-related changes in volume in the circuit. |
| US07669460B1 |
Small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test
An apparatus for conducting a small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test (SSBT), and a related test method that simulates a large scale test of explosive materials while employing small quantities of materials for the characterization. The apparatus includes a small scale shock reactivity test (SSRT) device, and an internal blast test device including a pressure chamber with an accessible interior, a pressure transducer, a multipurpose port provides an electrical connection to the shock reactivity test device, and a small gas port. The SSRT device is housed within the pressure chamber, and gases and materials produced during a small scale shock reactivity test are quasi-statically retained by the pressure chamber. The pressure transducer is in communication with an instrument that can display the pressure detected in the pressure chamber for analysis. |
| US07669458B2 |
Method and apparatus for predicting density of asphalt
A method and apparatus for predicting the quality of compaction of beds of material with a vibratory device as a function of the vibration of the compaction device, the material of the bed, the lift thickness, the temperature, among other process parameters is described in this invention. The vibration of the compacting device during the compaction of the bed is compared with the vibration characteristics of the compacting device on a bed of known properties. The quality of compaction of the bed is then estimated based on the knowledge of the process parameters. The output of the apparatus may be used as a visual input to the operator of the compacting device or stored in an electronic format to depict the progress during the compaction process. |
| US07669456B2 |
Method and device for determining the rest time and/or for drift compensation in a combustion chamber pressure sensor
In a method for determining the reset time in a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and emits a corresponding pressure signal, with the pressure curve in the combustion chamber having at least one high-pressure region the reset time is determined as a function of at least one pressure value detected in the high-pressure phase, so that it is possible, within the sensor, to determine a favorable time at which to reset the drift, based on the pressure range. In the method, information about the auxiliary rotation speed is determined based on the pressure curve of the compression phase and is then used to generate the reset time, the method entails only slight circuitry-related expense and can therefore be implemented even in an ASIC without complex signal processing, and the method functions in almost all known engine operating states. |
| US07669454B2 |
Press brake tool holder incorporating tool-seating mechanism
Press brake tool holders suitable for holding press brake tools for punching and/or otherwise deforming workpieces, such as sheet metal. Provided in some embodiments is a press brake tool holder. Some embodiments provide the tool holder in combination with a press brake tool. Methods of using press brake tool holders are also provided. In certain embodiments, the tool holder has a tool-seating mechanism adapted for moving a tool parallel to a pressing axis of the tool holder. |
| US07669453B2 |
Cartridge for machine tool
A cartridge for a machine tool is provided. The cartridge has a main body, two punch-retention arms, and two die-retention arms. Preferably, the two punch-retention arms are spaced apart and at least generally parallel to each other. Likewise, the two die-retention arms preferably are spaced apart and at least generally parallel to each other. In some cases, the main body is formed of a first metal, and the punch-retention arms and die-retention arms are formed of metal(s) different than the first metal. In one group of embodiments, the invention provides a cartridge having a weight of less than 3 pounds. |
| US07669451B2 |
Sheet metal bending brake
A sheet metal bending brake having a frame with a sheet metal support surface. A clamping jaw is movable relative to the frame support surface to clamp the sheet metal between the clamping jaw and the frame. The clamping jaw has a linear front edge. An elongated bending arm is pivotally mounted to the frame by an elongated flexible strap having spaced apart edges. One edge of the strap is secured to the bending arm while the other edge of the strap is secured to the frame such that the bending arm extends parallel to and closely adjacent the clamping jaw front edge. |
| US07669449B1 |
Low intensity shot peening
A method may be present for sending shot onto a surface. A stream of shot may be directed into an inlet of a nozzle. The stream of shot may be redirected to form a plurality of streams of shot within the nozzle. The plurality of streams of shot may be directed out of a plurality of outputs of the nozzle. |
| US07669446B2 |
Indexer for use with a sheet bending brake
An indexer is used on or in combination with a sheet bending brake to cut or bend a piece of sheet metal at a predetermined location without having to make pre-measurements and marks. The indexer comprises a scale and a rotable shaft having a handle. A first bending arm with a gauge and opposed second and third bending arms are connected to the shaft. Second and third arms each have a stop that positions the sheet metal to make a cut or bend at the predetermined location. An example of a method of using the indexer is also discussed. |
| US07669445B2 |
Spindle and method of orienting a spindle into a dial
In one aspect of the present invention, a lock assembly comprises a dial, a lock device, and a spindle having a spindle base and an elongate spindle shaft extending from the spindle base. The spindle shaft comprises a plurality of spindle segments having four sides and separated by a plurality of spaced apart grooves. Each of the spindle segments includes a chamfered leading edge. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting a lock assembly on a mounting surface comprises positioning a dial on a first side of the mounting surface, positioning a lock device on a second side of the mounting surface, determining a distance between the first and second sides, providing a spindle including a plurality of spindle segments having four sides and separated by a plurality of spaced apart grooves, and cutting the spindle at a selected one of the spaced apart grooves. |
| US07669442B1 |
Cut-resistant gloves containing fiberglass and para-aramid
This invention relates to a cut-resistant knit glove comprising: a) cut-resistant composite yarn having a core comprising at least two core yarns and at least one first wrapping yarn helically wrapped around the core, the core yarns including at least one 50 to 200 denier (56 to 220 dtex) glass fiber filament yarn and at least one 100 to 600 denier (110 to 680 dtex) para-aramid yarn, the first wrapping yarn including at least one 20 to 300 denier (22 to 340 dtex) yarn selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyamide, polyester, and mixtures thereof; b) companion yarn selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyamide, polyester, and mixtures thereof; and c) lining yarn comprising a composite yarn of from 100 to 500 denier (110 to 560 dtex), the composite yarn having an elastomeric yarn core comprising at least one elastomeric yarn and at least one second wrapping yarn helically wrapped around the yarn core, the second wrapping yarn including at least one 20 to 300 denier (22 to 340 dtex) yarn selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyamide, polyester, natural fibers, cellulosic fibers, and mixtures thereof; wherein the cut-resistant composite yarn, the companion yarn, and the lining yarn are co-knit in the glove with the lining yarn plated on the interior of the glove and the cut-resistant composite yarn and companion yarn forming the exterior of the glove. |
| US07669438B2 |
Method and apparatus for anesthetic gas reclamation with compression stage
A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. Prior to a condensation step, a compressor is used to increase the waste anesthetic gas pressure in order to facilitate condensation of anesthetic gas components at higher temperatures and in greater amounts than through condensation at lower pressures. Condensing the anesthetic gas components from the compressed waste anesthetic gas stream is then achieved using conventional condensation systems, which remove anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. A preferred embodiment of the invention may be used with existing high-flow scavenging or reclamation systems but is more preferably used with low-flow scavenging or reclamation systems, which employ intelligent waste anesthetic gas collection units to minimize the ingress of atmospheric gas when no waste anesthetic gas is to be purged from the healthcare facility. |
| US07669436B2 |
Container with cover and closure member
A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. Both the receptacle and the engaging seal member of the lid may be outwardly splayed. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element. |
| US07669428B2 |
Vortex tube refrigeration systems and methods
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, include vortex vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) systems and methods of cooling. |
| US07669427B2 |
Temperature calibration device driving heating/cooling modules in a manner to allow operation over wide temperature range
A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are driven by a power controller that gradually changes the power applied to the Peltier cells from a starting power to a target power. However, during this transition, the power controller holds the power applied to the Peltier cells constant for a period to minimize the stress on the Peltier cells. This period of constant period may last until the temperature of an object reaches a predetermined temperature, or it may have a fixed or variable duration, which may be based on the difference between the starting power and the target power. By changing the power applied to the Peltier cells in this manner, the useful life of the Peltier cells is preserved. |
| US07669420B2 |
Fuel injector having an annular prefilmer
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine has a swirl slot that supplies fuel to a prefilmer. The swirl slot has an upstream lip and a downstream lip that are arranged eccentrically. The slot is thus provided with an area of high static pressure and an area of low static pressure caused by the flowing over the eccentrically arranged lips. |
| US07669412B2 |
Exhaust manifold for internal combustion engine
An exhaust manifold connected to exhaust ports of at least three straightly-arranged cylinders of an internal combustion engine is constructed by a primary exhaust pipe which extends from the foremost cylinder of the cylinders in the rearward direction of the engine along the direction of the straight arrangement of the cylinders and a plurality of secondary exhaust pipes which extend from the other cylinders except for the foremost cylinder to the primary exhaust pipe. The secondary exhaust pipes are collected to the primary exhaust pipe so that downstream end portions of the secondary exhaust pipes are wound into the center axis of the primary exhaust pipe at a plurality of points on the center axis, respectively. |
| US07669409B2 |
Selective oxidation catalyst injection based on temperature
An exhaust treatment system for a combustion source is disclosed. The exhaust treatment system may have a supply of catalyst configured to lower the combustion threshold value of an exhaust constituent, and an injector operable to selectively pass catalyst to the exhaust constituent. The exhaust treatment system may further have a controller in communication with the injector. The controller may be configured to determine a temperature of an exhaust flow, and operate the injector to pass catalyst in response to the combustion threshold value being greater than the determined temperature. |
| US07669407B2 |
Catalytic cleaning of blowby gases
An assembly for cleaning blowby gases has an electric heater and a downstream catalyst positioned in series relationship in a blowby conduit leading from an engine's crankcase to the atmosphere. The heater is controlled by a controller to maintain a selected temperature at the inlet to the catalyst as determined by a temperature sensor. The heating of the blowby gases increases the blowby gas temperature to a level where the catalyst is active to oxidize the constituents of the blowby gas stream. |
| US07669404B2 |
Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement
A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled. |
| US07669403B2 |
Power plant and operating method
A method for operating a power plant (2), which includes at least one compressor (3), at least one turbine (4), and a burner arrangement (5), involves, to enhance the power plant (2), feeding a combustion exhaust gas from a pre-burner (8) of the burner arrangement (5) to an oxygen-removal device (11), which removes gas of the oxygen from the combustion exhaust gas in which it is contained. |
| US07669401B2 |
Method and device for producing a chain
The invention relates to a method and device for producing a chain composed of chain links and of connecting elements. According to the invention, the chain can be produced in an essentially continuous manner whereby largely eliminating the need to make separating cuts and enabling the production of loadable and durable articulated connections of chain links. To this end, the invention provides that: connecting elements each having two holes are used; the connecting elements are inserted in cavities in first tools, and; chain links are produced with contact at least to partial areas of connecting elements. Inside the holes, joint pins are produced that are a part of the chain links. The invention also relates to a method and device for producing a chain, which is composed of chain links and of connecting elements, made of shapeable materials, particularly plastic. |
| US07669397B1 |
Reel mower with tuned mass damper
An autonomous mass damper is positioned proximate to each reel cutting unit in a ganged configuration of such cutting units. One mass damper is preferably mounted or directly carried on each such reel cutting unit. The mass damper is free to move independently of vertical up and down movement of the reel cutting unit as the reel cutting unit travels over the ground. The mass damper is connected to the reel cutting unit by a coupler or by coupling components that allow the mass damper to move in a counter motion to vertical up and down bouncing or bobbing of the reel cutting unit. The counter motion of the mass damper lessens or damps the bouncing or bobbing of the reel cutting unit to provide a more consistent height of cut. |
| US07669392B2 |
Header height control system with flow divider capability
A system and apparatus for controlling height of a header of a work machine such as an agricultural windrowing machine or a harvesting machine, which includes height control cylinders jointly or individually operable for raising or lowering the opposite ends of a header to achieve a desired overall height or angle of tilt in relation to the surface of a field or pasture to be cut, which allow the header to be raised, and lowered to the previously selected cut height, without changing the lengths of the cylinders, so as to be usable in combination with an optional header lift and/or float system, and including a flow divider capability which increases accuracy of height control, having particular utility for more precisely controlling the heights of the ends of the header, especially when subjected to uneven dynamic loading conditions, such as during rapid spin turns and the like. |
| US07669391B2 |
Mowing implement rotary disc cutter bar used together with a crop-lifting arrangement
A mower-conditioner implement is equipped with a rotary disc cutter bar and associated with the cutter bar are a plurality of crop-lifting units that cooperate to define an upright lip that works together with transversely spaced ramp sections, of the respective lifting units, that incline downwardly to the front from transversely spaced locations along the top of the lip for lifting and directing cut crop to the conditioner. In one embodiment, the crop-lifting units are releasably coupled to the cutter bar, and, in a second embodiment, are formed integrally with the cutter bar. |
| US07669379B2 |
Metal truss system
A metal truss system comprising a pair of chord members of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration is joined together by a web formed of a single continuous piece having a wave shape. The apexes of the web are adapted to be received in each chord. The legs of the chords have inwardly recessed portions to form a narrowed throat portion, which provides a stop against which the apex of the web abuts. The resulting positioning of the web apex presents a maximum surface area for welding the web to the chord member. This enables an optimum amount of welding, while minimizing the weakening of the metal being welded. The configuration of the chords and web permits rapid fabrication of the truss. |
| US07669378B2 |
Openinged polygonal rib structure and polygonal rib structure
The present invention relates to a polygonal rib structure having ribs directed orthogonal to one plane and intersecting each other to form polygonal shapes. More particularly, to a shock absorbing polygonal rib structure. In a polygonal rib structure having ribs directed orthogonal to one plane and intersecting each other to form polygonal shapes, a thickened central portion located at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of each side of the polygonal rib is bisected. The opposed parting surfaces formed upon the bisection are spaced from each other to form an opening portion, and each side of the polygonal rib is so shaped that the cross-sectional area of the opening portion is reduced as one goes from the opening end toward the depth. Thus, an opened polygonal rib structure is formed. |
| US07669371B2 |
Modular underfloor distribution system
An underfloor distribution system, includes a first module having a main body; an end closure and a cover. The end closure and the cover are removably mounted to the main body, and the first module is adapted to be removably mounted to a second module. |
| US07669370B2 |
Automobile weather strip
A weather strip includes an attaching base portion, and a hollow seal portion. The attaching base portion has a generally L-shaped cross-section, and includes a bottom wall and an exterior side wall. An elongation/shrinkage prevention portion is formed such that when the attaching base portion is curved in a direction of a width of the exterior side wall, a neutral axis of curvature is disposed at a position slightly offset toward a widthwise distal end of the exterior side wall from that portion of the exterior side wall continuous with the bottom wall. A double adhesive tape is bonded at least to that portion of an interior surface of the exterior side wall extending toward the distal end of the exterior side wall from a region at which a first hollow connecting portion of the hollow seal portion and the exterior side wall are interconnected. |
| US07669368B2 |
Sliding door for motor vehicles and method for the assembly thereof
Sliding door for motor vehicles, having an outer door skin, an inner door skin and a door inside trim, supported on a guide rail on a vehicle body and movable between opened and closed positions. The sliding door includes a cable guide assembly for accommodating and guiding electric cables, which connect first electric elements provided in or on the vehicle body to second electric elements provided on the sliding door, whereby on moving the sliding door, the cable guide assembly is movable in a plane including the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and whereby a guide channel for guiding the cable guide assembly is provided on moving the sliding door. Guide surfaces of the guide channel are formed or integrated at least in sections on the inner door skin, in a door module support and/or on the door inside trim. |
| US07669367B2 |
Support structure for vehicular slide door
A horizontal wall is formed with a notch groove. The notch groove is formed by cutting a tip end of the horizontal wall on the side of the vehicle body substantially along an approaching/separating direction between a vehicle body and a slide door. A connecting unit which turnably connects a plate and a roller holder of a connection assembly to each other is movably inserted into the notch groove. The plate and the horizontal wall of the bracket are fastened to each other in a state where they are superposed on each other. |
| US07669364B2 |
Devices, kits, and methods for providing protection to plants
Plant protection devices, kits, and methods of protecting plants during adverse conditions are provided. The plant protection devices can have a enclosure and/or a precipitation member assembly. The plant protection devices can provide wind protection, mulch retention, and precipitation deflection. |
| US07669362B2 |
Trap for catching woodland, garden and agricultural insect pests and method for trapping and storing woodland, garden and agricultural insect pests
A trap for catching woodland, garden, and agricultural insect pests, consisting of a catching part (37) with an outlet opening, and a container (31) for storing caught pests, has a device for separating the captured pests from water and small debris. The device for separating the captured pests from water and small debris is placed between the outlet opening of the catching part and the container. The device for separating the caught pests from water and small debris has a shape of a funnel (135) having a funnel inlet covered up by a mesh (32) and an funnel outlet (36) situated outside of the container (31) for storing the caught pests. The funnel inlet is placed below the outlet opening of the catching part (37). |
| US07669357B2 |
Rotating and canting vertical fore grip with bipod
Devices, systems and methods of canting firearms such as rifles relative to fore grip having extendable and expanded legs. One version allows for a rocking and canting of the firearm by pivotally attaching an upper portion of the expanded legs. Another version allows for a separate canting member to be clamped to both the upper portion of a vertical fore grip and to the lower mounting rail of the firearm. The canting member has portions that cant (move to the left or to the right) relative to one another. An operator can cant the firearm in a free-state or to fixed positions as desired. |
| US07669355B2 |
Simulated balloon display and method
A simulated balloon display is designed to be attached to a real estate “tent sign” or used in conjunction with any other promotional presentation. A silhouette cluster made of thin translucent colored plastic mimics the appearance of free-floating balloons while avoiding the handling problems and expense involved with helium inflated balloons. |
| US07669353B2 |
Snow plow having hitch tongue connecting member
A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a transition apparatus having a hitch tongue constructed and arranged to be securable to the vehicle; the transition apparatus having a subframe including a plate having apertures; wherein the apertures in the plate can facilitate placement of the subframe at various heights with respect to the mounting apparatus. |
| US07669351B1 |
Sanitary shoe cover dispenser
A dispenser for a sanitary shoe cover holds a stack of shoe covers with their resiliently elastic mouths in a stretched-open condition in a storage zone. Sanitary covers are carried individually from the storage zone stack to a dispensing zone. The individual shoe cover is automatically released from the dispenser in response to downward insertion of the shoe-covered foot into the stretched-open shoe cover, permitting the resiliently elastic mouth to gather into abutment with the shoe-covered foot. The process is automatically repeated to carry another individual cover to the dispensing zone in response to the upward removal of the sanitary-covered, shoe-covered foot from the dispensing zone. |
| US07669350B2 |
Drying method of laundry room machine and dryer therefor
A laundry room machine and a drying method thereof are provided. The laundry room machine may includes a payment device for collecting a payment for operation of the laundry room machine. The laundry room machine performs drying of laundry items for a preset dry time corresponding to a selected drying course. The drying method includes determining a condition of the laundry items by measuring a humidity level, and either sustaining the preset dry time or resetting a hot air supplying time and cooling time based on the determined condition of the laundry items. |
| US07669349B1 |
Method separating volatile components from feed material
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the separation of volatile components from a feed material. |
| US07669345B2 |
Height-adjusting device
An exemplary height-adjusting device (10) includes a base (12), a sliding block (14) and at least one fixing member (18). The base has a sliding slot (122) defined therein and a first sidewall (123), a second sidewall (124), a third sidewall (125), and a fourth sidewall (126) surrounding the sliding slot. At least one fixing hole (1232) defined in the first sidewall. The at least one fixing hole communicates with the sliding slot. The sliding block is slidably received in the sliding slot and partly protruding outwardly from the sliding slot. At least one fixing member cooperates with the at least one fixing hole to selectively fix the sliding block in the base. |
| US07669341B1 |
Adjustable prism stand/pole
In one embodiment is provided an adjustment mechanism wherein the surveying pole moves about a point which is located next to or adjacent the ground surface point at which the pole is being place. In one embodiment the surveying pole moves about a point which located at the ground surface. In one embodiment the surveying pole moves about a point which is located next to the ground surface, but above the ground surface. In one embodiment the surveying pole moves about a point which is located next to the ground surface, but below the ground surface. In one embodiment a tightening means is provided which is concentrically mounted around an axial line passing through the pole. In one embodiment a biasing means is operatively connected to the tightening means. In one embodiment the biasing means is a spring. In one embodiment the biasing means is a conical spring. In various embodiments the biasing means can be a spring chosen from the group consisting of helical, cylindrical, ellipitic, flat-leaf, leaf, rectangular plate, semielliptic, sprial-coiled. In one embodiment is provided at least one viewing window for the stand to be accurately placed. In one embodiment a plurality of windows are provided. In one embodiment four windows are provided which are radially spaced. In one embodiment is provided a pin is provided which can be used to accurately place the stand. In one embodiment the pin is slidingly attached to the stand and biased toward the center of rotation of the surveying pole. |
| US07669340B2 |
Surveying apparatus
A surveying apparatus is provided that includes a telescope block, a support block, and an imaging unit. The telescope block includes a sighting telescope and is rotatably supported about a first axis. The support block rotatably supports the telescope block about the first axis. The imaging unit is provided inside the telescope block. The imaging unit comprises an image-display device and at least one of an image data output device and an image data recording device. |
| US07669339B1 |
Fixture alignment method for antenna array foundations
A method of aligning a fixture for holding an alignment telescope with an antenna array foundation. In one embodiment, the method includes mounting a fixture for holding an alignment telescope proximate to a first location on an edge of an antenna array foundation, projecting a laser beam outwards from the fixture towards a second location on the edge of the antenna array foundation, and aligning the fixture with the edge at the second location using the laser beam. The fixture may be aligned with the edge of the foundation by adjusting the position of the fixture in relation to the foundation so that the laser beam strikes the foundation edge at the second location, thereby producing a visible laser spot on the edge. The procedure may be repeated to align a plurality of spaced-apart foundation edge locations with the fixture. |
| US07669335B2 |
Shaving razors and shaving cartridges
A shaving blade unit includes a housing having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges extending between the front and rear edges. The housing has an aperture located between the front and rear edges. One or more shaving blades are positioned between the front edge and the rear edge and the one or more blades have cutting edges arranged to define a first cutting region. A clip is arranged to retain the one or more shaving blades on the housing. The clip has a leg received by the aperture, the leg having a bent portion defining a curvature to secure the clip to the housing. |
| US07669334B2 |
System and method for forming a blade-section
Disclosed is a system for forming a blade-section including a transporting frame, at least one transporting support removeably associated with the transporting frame, and a blade-section forming structure receptive of the transporting frame and the at least one transporting support. |
| US07669333B2 |
Method for providing attachments between a concrete part to a further part
A method for providing a connection between concrete parts. One of the concrete parts is provided with a number of encased, projecting reinforcing bars. The other concrete part is provided with a series of cavities in which said reinforcing bars are placed and are then fixed to the concrete part in question by being encased. The cavities are produced by encasing a body, which at least on the outside comprises a polysiloxane material, in the concrete. When a tensile force is applied to the body a considerable reduction in its cross section takes place, so that it is possible for the non-sticking body to be removed from the concrete in a simple way, after which the desired cavity remains. |
| US07669331B2 |
Roll and method for the manufacture of such a roll
A calender roll, which was already in use and has a metallic core with engaged textile material sheets, can be worked for a new use. In the surface of the sheets are cut grooves, to which is subsequently applied a layer structure of synthetic resin-impregnated fibrous material forming a certain thickness over each point of the roll. Onto said layer can be applied a functional covering, for example of rubber. |
| US07669329B2 |
Apparatus of fabricating and method of fabricating liquid ejection head, and liquid ejection head
A method of fabricating a liquid ejection head is provided. The method includes preparing a first die including projected streak portions aligned in parallel by a predetermined pitch and gap portions formed between the adjacent projected streak portions. The first die is adapted to form groove-like recess portions by pressing the projected streak portions to a metal plate. The method further includes preparing a second die for supporting the metal plate to which the projected streak portions of the first die are pressed. Each of the projected streak portions includes: an inner wall forming portion for forming an inner wall of the corresponding groove-like recess portion extending in a depth direction of the corresponding groove-like recess portion; a connecting face portion; and an inclined face portion, continuous via the connecting face portion to the inner wall forming portion, for forming a bottom portion of the corresponding groove-like recess portion into a substantially V-like shape. |
| US07669327B2 |
Methods of applying ozone-depleting catalysts to heat exchangers
Methods of applying an ozone-depleting catalytic coating to a heat exchanging device for producing a durable surface with optimal ozone depletion characteristics are provided. An adhesively coated metallic substrate is exposed to a concentration of ozone-depleting catalytic particles, wherein the receptive surface of the coated substrate binds the ozone-depleting catalytic coating. |
| US07669322B2 |
Process for mounting parts to cable
In a process for mounting a plurality of parts to a cable in mounted positions and in mounted attitudes determined respectively for the parts, information for the mounting of each of parts is marked on the cable before mounting of the parts. Thus, the mounting of the parts can be carried out without selection of a worker, leading to an improved general-purpose property. Also, an exclusive jig is not required, resulting in a reduced cost and elimination of need to secure a space for storing the jig. |
| US07669317B2 |
Method for reversing a chip vertically
In a chip reversing method for holding and vertically reversing a chip placed by a bonding nozzle, the chip is held on a chip holding unit disposed in a reversing member and is vertically reversed by turning the reversing member downward on an reversal shaft. After the reversed chip was received by a chip receiving unit, this chip receiving unit is lowered to a retracted position to return the reversing member to an original position. In this state, the chip receiving unit is raised to position the chip at a height level L for a chip transferring action. As a result, the reversing member does not protrude to above the height level for the chip transfer thereby to interfere with another mechanism, so that the chip mounting actions can be made efficient. |
| US07669304B2 |
Method and device for hydroentangling a web made of a fibrous cellulose product, and a web of this type
The invention relates to a process of hydroentangling a fibrous web (N) including of positioning the web on a porous moving support (10) in translatory movement or in rotation about an axis, and of treating at least one side of the web by means of a plurality of streams of water arranged in a row perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web, characterized in that the row includes streams with a first cross-section (14A) and at least streams with a second cross-section (24A) different from the first. The invention also relates to a process including treatment of the web by means of a plurality of streams of water arranged in at least two rows perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web. The rows include streams with a first cross-section (14, 16, 17, 18, 19) and at least streams with a second cross-section (24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 39) different from the first cross-section, at least one row including streams the spacing of which is not constant. This process may be applied to produce webs the state of the surface of which varies. |
| US07669302B2 |
Casket having memorabilia compartment
A casket memorabilia compartment assembly adapted to couple to a casket to provide display and/or storage of pictures memorializing the deceased. The memorabilia compartment assembly comprises a panel mountable to the casket for swinging displacement between an inner hanging position within the casket and an outer hanging without the casket. The panel includes a display side exposed when in the outer hanging position. The display side includes a compartment for the display and/or storage of pictures. The outer surface of the compartment is transparent so as to view the pictures within the compartment. The memorabilia compartment assembly can be incorporated into a big body and/or throw used during viewing of the deceased. |
| US07669301B2 |
Modular tenter frame rail
A modular tenter frame for guiding a pair of chains with pins through a predetermined path to transport an open width tubular knit web through a drying oven and/or a steaming station to a compressive treating station to improve quality of the open width tubular knit web. The frame includes a rail section. The rail section guides an associated chain with the pins through the predetermined path to transport the open width tubular knit web through the drying oven and/or the steaming station to the compressive treating station to improve the quality of the open width tubular knit web. The rail section has a pair of recessed tracks being longitudinal, facing in a same direction, being spaced-apart from each other by a space therebetween defined by a web, and receiving the chains. |
| US07669296B2 |
Slide fastener
The invention provides a slide fastener with a top end stop, wherein a linear fastener element row is sewed on the fastener tape, the top end stop is formed by burying linear fastener elements facing a space portion with synthetic resin, a projecting portion 11 to be in contact with a slider is formed on a side surface of the top end stop for preventing the slider from slipping out, a protrusion protruded upward along the sewing thread is formed on a front surface of the top end stop, a groove is carved in a center longitudinal direction of the protrusion, and the sewing thread is prevented from being deflected and exposed on the front surface of the top end stop by being pressed by a projecting ridge provided in a molding die for forming the groove toward the linear fastener elements. |
| US07669295B2 |
Clip
A clip to be inserted into and fixed to a rectangular hole formed in an attached member includes: a base body portion that engages the rectangular hole on a one side of the attached member; a stem portion that extends from the base body portion to be insertable into the rectangular hole; and a pair of engaging legs that extend from an end portion of the stem portion toward the base body portion in an anchor leg-like manner. Engaging portions are disposed in ends of the engaging legs, respectively, to engage the rectangular hole on the other side of the attached member. Widths of the engaging legs are formed to be gradually enlarged from the end portion of the stem portion toward the base body portion, respectively. |
| US07669290B2 |
Anti-vibratory handle for percussive and other reciprocating tools
Described is an anti-vibratory handle for installation on a reciprocating tool supplied with a pressurized fluid and producing vibrations in the direction of an axis of reciprocation of the tool. The anti-vibratory handle comprises a stationary portion mounted to a body of the tool, a mobile portion comprising a hand-grip member and an articulation between the stationary and mobile portions. This articulation comprises a pivot assembly interconnecting the stationary and mobile portions, the pivot assembly defines a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the tool reciprocation axis, and the hand-grip member of the mobile portion is spaced apart from both the pivot axis and the tool reciprocation axis. The articulation also comprises a resilient vibration-damping assembly interposed between the stationary and mobile portions to avoid transmission of vibrations through the articulation. At least one conduit extends through the mobile portion, the articulation and the stationary portion to supply pressurized fluid to the tool. |
| US07669289B2 |
Dual-axis hinge
A dual-axis hinge includes at least a connecting section, an upper hinge and a lower hinge. The connecting section has two sides orthogonally connected to the upper and lower hinges respectively. The connecting section has a circuit cavity that communicates with circuit outlets of the upper and lower hinges to form a passage for accommodating a transmission circuit. The upper hinge is connected to a first sleeve for joining the top cover of a folding electronic product, and the lower hinge is connected to a second sleeve for joining the body of the folding electronic product. These connections enable the top cover to rotate in at least two different directions. |
| US07669286B2 |
Pivotal hinge
A pivotal hinge has a seat and a shaft, and a first end of the shaft is inserted into the seat. A second end of the shaft is inserted into multiple washers, a first and a second positioning ring, multiple elastic rings and a cushion ring in turn. The first positioning ring can be positioned relative to the second positioning ring and with the friction force of the washers, the excellent position effect can be achieved. Hence, a cover of a laptop computer can be positioned to the chassis of the laptop computer at a desired height. |
| US07669285B2 |
Damping device for furniture hinges
Damping device (30) for hinges (10) for the pivotable articulation of door leaves (12) or door flaps on the carcass of pieces of furniture, in which the hinge has respectively a supporting wall mounting part (18) which can be fixed on the supporting wall (14) and a door leaf mounting part (24) which is pivotably coupled via a linkage mechanism (20; 22) to the supporting wall mounting part and can be fixed on the inner face of the door leaf or flap, and which is preferably constructed as a cup part which is countersunk and engages in a recess in the door leaf or flap and has a laterally projecting fixing flange which bears on the inner face of the door leaf.The damping device (30) has a damper housing which is provided on the door leaf mounting part (24) and which is provided in the cavity thereof with a fluid or gaseous damping medium and a resistance element which is movable relative to the damping medium and is coupled to an actuating element (39) which extends out of the housing. At least during part of the pivoting movement of the mounting parts (18, 24) relative to one another the actuating element is in engaged connection directly or indirectly with the supporting wall mounting part (18) and transmits to the resistance element the relative movement of the mounting parts as they pivot.The damper housing (32) is a separate component which is provided with laterally projecting fixing flanges (38, 46) which can be fixed on the fixing flanges of the door leaf mounting part (24). |
| US07669280B2 |
Steam nozzle attachment for use with steam cleaner
A steam nozzle attachment for a steam cleaner having a substantially rectangular frame with a steam outlet positioned between the front and rear walls of the frame is provided. A plurality of baffles to distribute steam are disposed substantially perpendicular to the steam nozzle between the side walls of the frame. A replaceable fabric pocket that fits snugly over the frame is provided to distribute cleaning steam to the surface to be cleaned. |
| US07669277B2 |
Connector for securing wiper blade to wiper arm and wiper blade assembly
A connector (20) for securing a wiper blade to a wiper arm includes a base member (21) including a forward upper portion (32) and a rearward upper portion (33); a locking member (22) for holding either a U-hook portion (12) or a side pin (11) mounted to the base member (21); and a flexible connecting member (23) connecting the locking member (22) to the base member (21). To attach the connector (20) to the side pin (11), the connector is rotated toward the side pin (11) from the opposite side of the side pin (11) so that the side pin (11) fits into a recess (33A) of the rearward upper portion (33). The side pin (11) also fits into the recesses (47 and 48) of the locking member (22) so that the side pin (11) is held between the base member (21) and the locking member (22). The connector enables the firm securing of the wiper blade to the wiper arm so as to restrict vibrations between the wiper blade and the wiper arm. |
| US07669275B2 |
Clutch device and motor apparatus having the same
In a clutch device, an output shaft supports an input disk rotatably about an axis thereof, and a clutch disk non-rotatably about the axis and movably in an axial direction of the output shaft. An elastic member exerts resistive force on the input disk or the clutch disk when the clutch disk is about to come out of an engagement with the input disk. One of the input disk and the clutch disk has a trailing surface inclined by a predetermined angle from the axis, and the other has a curved control surface to come in a line contact with the trailing surface in a circumferential direction of the output shaft. The trailing surface and the curved control surface generate a component force of a driving force in the axial direction. The other having the curved control surface is higher in hardness than the one having the trailing surface. |
| US07669270B2 |
System and method for wireless communication between an aircraft and a passenger boarding bridge
A method of aligning one end of a passenger boarding bridge with a doorway of an aircraft includes a step of parking the aircraft within a parking space that is defined adjacent to the passenger boarding bridge. An imager disposed aboard the aircraft is used for scanning a target that is located proximate the parking space, the target including machine-readable information that is uniquely associated with the passenger boarding bridge. Data relating to the machine-readable information of the target is extracted from image data and used for encoding a signal for transmission to a controller of the passenger boarding bridge. The controller determines the presence of the extracted data and compares the data to a unique bridge identifier code for that passenger boarding bridge. When a match is determined, then communication with an aircraft within or proximate a parking space adjacent to that passenger boarding bridge is confirmed. |
| US07669267B2 |
Ball balancer control method of washing machine
Disclosed is a method of controlling a ball balancer of a washing machine. The method includes variously setting sensing time corresponding to a plurality of water temperature ranges to detect an unbalanced mass, detecting imbalance of laundry and a laundry volume based on a water temperature, which is measured in real time, and the preset sensing time when an optional dehydration mode starts and performing a dehydration process. |
| US07669261B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting the bed of an operating table
What is shown is an apparatus (10) for adjusting the bed (12) of an operating table, the said bed comprising a plurality of segments (14a to 14f) adjustable in relation to one another, at least some of the adjustable segments (14a to 14f) being connected to actuators (16a to 16f) which can be activated in order to adjust the associated segments (14a to 14f). The apparatus (10) comprises an input device (18) for the input of commands for the adjustment of at least some of the segments (14a to 14f) connected to actuators (16a to 16f). The apparatus (10) can be operated in at least two operating modes which correspond in each case to a specific position of a patient on the bed (12). The input device (18) has means for the input of body-part-related adjustment commands which are associated with the adjustment of the position of a body part or body portion of the patient. The apparatus (10) comprises means (22) for activating the actuators (16a to 16f, which are suitable for activating the actuators (16a to 16f) as a function of the current operating mode and of a body-part-related adjustment command, such that an adjustment of the position of a body part is brought about in accordance with the body-part-related adjustment command. |
| US07669255B2 |
Storable dual action hydraulic lifting device
A storable dual action hydraulic device has a base unit from which floor supports extend, and a series of arms that articulate relative to the base unit to lift and re-orient a lifting device. The base unit houses an on-board power supply and control systems for hydraulic cylinders. A first arm and associated hydraulic cylinder extend from the base, and a second arm and associated hydraulic cylinder extend from the extreme end of the first arm opposite the base unit. At the extreme end of the second arm opposite the first arm, a mechanism is disposed for connecting to a lifting device capable of lifting subjects such as immobile persons. The device is equipped with weight measuring equipment, a retractable handle for maneuvering the device, a hinge member from which the lifting device motorized control for the lifting device and a controller for articulating the arms of the device. |
| US07669254B2 |
Convertible furniture
The convertible furniture includes an elongate central bench section. A subframe is provided having an elongate planar member with load-bearing upright support members supporting arm rests or back rests extending upward at opposite ends of the elongate planar member. The central bench section is disposed atop the upright support members. Two lateral extension sections are pivotally attached to opposite edges of the bench section so that the lateral extension sections independently swing out from the central bench section to define a bed frame. Each of the lateral extension sections includes extendable support legs, which provide stability to the respective lateral extension section when extended to the bed frame configuration. Removable mattresses are provided for each section of the furniture. The mattresses are stored on the subframe and hidden from view when the extension sections are retracted. Placing a mattress on the bench section converts the bench to a chaise. |
| US07669253B2 |
Positioning structure for the male reproductive organ
A positioning structure for the male reproductive organ, and more particularly provides a positioning structure which contributes to the hygiene, health and comfort of the male reproductive organ, and mainly includes a main body, a spacing portion, a holding portion and a positioning portion, wherein the main body further comprises at least one lower retaining portion and a waistband portion. The present invention is able to avoid the pants crotch, and enables upwardly centrally fixing the position of the penis to prevent it from falling down to one side, thereby resolving the problems of ill health, unhygienic state and discomfort of the penis resulting from constant skin contact between the penis and the scrota, while at the same time effectively preventing the problem of compression deformation of the penis when an erection occurs when wearing tight-fitting pants. |
| US07669252B2 |
Stocking
A stocking to be worn on a foot of a person, includes a flattenable hollow tube of stretch material having a first portion with a first open end, a second portion extending from the first portion and having a second open end, and a folded portion folded backward from the second open end of the second portion to surround the second portion and having a circumferentially extending connecting part secured to the second portion along a circumferentially extending securing line, and a circumferentially extending open part movable between a folded position, where the circumferentially extending open part of the folded portion is folded back to surround a corresponding area of the second portion, and an unfolded position, where the circumferentially extending open part of the folded portion is extended forward from the second open end of the second portion away from the second portion. |
| US07673338B1 |
Intelligent electronic cryptographic module
An intelligent electronic cryptographic module comprising a processor in communication with data storage, a cryptography chip for encrypting and decrypting messages and responses, at least one server-side port for receiving and transmitting encrypted and non-encrypted messages and responses between the intelligent electronic cryptographic module and an enterprise server, and at least one non-encrypted port for receiving and transmitting decrypted and non-encrypted messages and responses between the intelligent electronic cryptographic module and at least one intelligent electronic device. The data storage comprises computer instructions for instructing the processor to select a protocol module and telemetry method, authenticate the enterprise server and intelligent electronic cryptographic module, encrypt and decrypt messages and responses using the cryptography chip, and transmit and receive messages and responses. |
| US07673331B2 |
Server certificate issuing system
A server certificate issuing system confirms existence of a Web server for which a certificate is to be issued. The web server includes means for generating an entry screen to input application matters for an issuance of a server certificate, means for generating a key pair a public key and a private key, means for generating a certificate signing request file (CSR) containing the generated public key, and means for generating a verification page indicating intention of requesting the issuance of the certificate. A registration server retrieves the CSR from a received server certificate request and accesses the Web server to read the verification information, and compares the read verification information with the CSR. If the verification information read from the Web server is identical to the CSR, it is determined that the Web server for which the server certificate is to be issued exists. |
| US07673329B2 |
Method and apparatus for encrypted communications to a secure server
Encrypted communications to a secure server. A user at a terminal, communicatively coupled to the secure server by a secure link, can obtain web pages from web sites in a network, in encrypted form, via the secure link. Addresses associated with the web pages are altered to make it appear as if the web pages come from the secure server rather than from the web sites. Spoofing units may be used as alternative access points to the secure server, with the secure server sending the requested web pages directly to the terminal. |
| US07673327B1 |
Aggregation system
Machine, method for use and method for making, and corresponding products produced thereby, as well as data structures, computer-readable media tangibly embodying program instructions, manufactures, and necessary intermediates of the foregoing, each pertaining to digital aspects of a computerized aggregation system. The system can include a user computer system interposed between a segment of a network allowing communication between the user computer system and at least one server system, and other segments allowing communication between the user computer system and a plurality of third party server systems. The one server system enables the user computer system to access the plurality of other servers. The access permits forming an aggregation of information obtained from the third party server systems. |
| US07673322B2 |
System and method for recording a signal using a central point of control
Systems and methods for recording a signal received by a home entertainment system that includes multiple consumer electronics devices interconnected to a central electronics device in a hub and spoke configuration. The configuration allows all signals in the home entertainment system to be accessible by the central electronics device. Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or otherwise respond to any signal. By way of example, any signal can be routed to a recording system, where it can be recorded. The signal is coupled with information from an electronic programming guide that details specific programming. An automatic determination is made as to whether or not there exists enough free space on a recording medium to record a specific program. Upon recording the program on the recording medium, an index is updated on the recording medium from the electronic programming guide information and from the location of the program on the recording medium. By selecting the program from the index, the recorded program can be automatically located on the recording medium. |
| US07673321B2 |
Audio and video transmission and receiving system
A system of distributing video and/or audio information employs digital signal processing to achieve high rates of data compression. The compressed and encoded audio and/or video information is sent over standard telephone, cable or satellite broadcast channels to a receiver specified by a subscriber of the service, preferably in less than real time, for later playback and optional recording on standard audio and/or video tape. |
| US07673319B1 |
Set top terminal for displaying television program menus
A method of displaying menus on a screen of a television using a set-top terminal connected to the television is described. The method receives a video signal including video of a plurality of programs transmitted from a source remote from the television and the set-top terminal, generates a submenu that includes a plurality of selectable program listings, each program listing corresponding to one of the plurality of programs, displays the submenu on the screen during broadcast of the plurality of programs, displays the video of one of the plurality of programs on the screen in response to a user selection of the corresponding program listing, generates an overlay menu that includes selectable options, and displays the overlay menu together with the displayed video of the program on the screen. |
| US07673316B2 |
System and method for enhancing broadcast programs with information on the world wide web
The present invention is directed to a system and method for viewer real-time access complementary information related to a broadcast program including selecting a plurality of topics drawing his or her attention and for accessing additional information related to these topics from the WWW. The system is based on a synchronization of the local times of receivers and transmitters according to a same universal-time. The synchronization uses a universal time such as the Global Positioning System Time, the Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System time or others GPS or GLONASS receivers may be integrated or connected to devices independent or separate from the radio or television receivers. The system includes associated with the transmitted information and can be retrieved, selected and activated during the time intervals for which they have been defined. |
| US07673315B1 |
System and method for providing program criteria representing audio and/or visual programming
A system and method are disclosed for providing program criteria representing a plurality of audio and/or visual programs. A plurality of tokens are stored in a database of one or more computers, each token having an identifier for identifying a predetermined audio and/or visual program. Each token may be a universal program identifier that represents a specific program in a global programming environment (e.g., the token may identify a program across multiple tuning spaces). Alternatively or additionally, a token may be a tuning-space specific program identifier that represents program criteria associated with a specific program for particular tuning space. The server is programmed to provide at least one token to a remote computer based on selection criteria. |
| US07673314B2 |
Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded. |
| US07673312B2 |
Cartridge for a photosensitive recording medium
A light shield plate 12 having outer openings 14 and 15 is fixed to the outside of a cartridge body 11 in which inner openings 18 and 19 for exposing a photosensitive recording medium 4 to the outside are formed. A shutter 13 for opening and closing the inner openings 18 and 19 is incorporated movably between the cartridge body 11 and the light shield plate 12. Closing-side ends 55e and 55f of the shutter 13 and shutter-closing-side edges 18a and 19a of the inner openings 18 and 19 and/or shutter-closing-side edges 14a and 15a of the outer openings 14 and 15 are inclined from each other. |
| US07673311B2 |
Disc cartridge for storage of a disc
A disc cartridge comprises a rotary member (25) that is held on first and second shutters in a disc storage unit in which a disc is stored with a first surface externally exposed from a disc opening and that is engaged with the first and second shutters so that the first and second shutters are opened and closed as the disc rotates within the disk storage unit, wherein the rotary member has a disc receiving portion comprising a contact area (25n) that comes into contact with the periphery of a second surface of the disc and receives the disc when the first and second shutters are closed state and a groove (25p) provided outside the contact area. |
| US07673308B2 |
Virtual OS computing environment
Multiple, semi-independent virtual operating system (OS) environments coexist within a single (OS) such that a change made in one environment does not affect the main OS or any other environment. In this way each virtual OS environment appears to be an independent OS for the applications running within it. The file system and registry information for each environment is independent of the base OS and other environments. Each of the environments can contain a group of installed applications that will run independently of each other. Although the invention is described in terms of a Windows® environment, the approach is applicable to other operating systems through appropriate modification. |
| US07673306B2 |
Extensible kernel-mode audio processing architecture
An extensible kernel-mode audio (e.g., MIDI) processing architecture is implemented using multiple modules that together comprise a module graph. The module graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. In one embodiment, the audio processing architecture is readily extensible. A graph builder can readily change the module graph, adding new modules, removing modules, or altering connections as necessary, all while the graph is running. |
| US07673301B1 |
Methods and systems for updating and recovering firmware within a computing device over a distributed network
Methods and systems are provided for updating and recovering firmware within computers over a distributed network. While a computer is in an operating system independent state, a determination is made as to whether the firmware within the computer is valid. The firmware may be the BIOS for the computer. If it is determined that the current firmware is invalid, a recovery request is sent to a manager computer monitoring for recovery requests. The manager computer sends a new firmware image over the network to the computer. The invalid firmware is then updated with the new firmware image. An instruction to update the firmware of the computer may also be sent from a manager computer to computers monitoring for instructions. When the instruction is received, the computer transitions to an operating system independent recovery state, receives a new firmware image over the network, and updates with the new firmware image. |
| US07673300B2 |
Segmented linker using spatial locality of reference for over-the-air software updates
A segmented linker for generating from an original binary file an upgraded binary file suitable for replacing a copy of the original binary file installed in a target device. The segmented linker receives as inputs a plurality of objects, the original binary file, and a memory map input file associated with a target device. The segmented linker preserves in the upgraded binary file at least some of the spatial locality of reference of code in the original binary file. The segmented linker further receives as an input a linker guideline file that defines the layout of objects having spatial locality of reference in the original binary file. The segmented linker uses the linker guideline file to limit the propagation of cascading address references in the upgraded binary file. |
| US07673287B2 |
Testing usability of a software program
Usability of a software program can be tested by generating a first electronic record of input events that a user executes with at least one input device during a test session. The operations comprise applying the generated first electronic record to a predictive model to generate a prediction for performing the predefined task. Usability of a software program can be tested by registering input events that a user executes with at least one input device during a test session in which the user performs a predefined task of a software program. The operations comprise generating a first electronic record associated with the test session. The first electronic record includes at least one characteristic of the registered input events and a prediction for performing the predefined task. The prediction is generated by applying the registered input events to a predictive model. |
| US07673283B2 |
Method and system for improved modeling language profile
Computer method and system improves implementation of modeling language profiles. The invention method and system enables user definition of an extension and application of the defined extension to a model element. During runtime, a metamodel object is dynamically created for representing the defined extension, and a link is dynamically generated. The link provides a reference between the metamodel object and the model element. |
| US07673282B2 |
Enterprise information unification
An enterprise information unification system including an information modeler for modeling business entities and their properties as an information model, the information model being comprised of business constructs, a data rationalizer for generating mappings from physical data assets to the information model, the physical data assets being comprised of data asset constructs, and a data thesaurus for automating tasks of data management based on the mappings. A method is also described and claimed. |
| US07673277B2 |
Resolution enhancing technology using phase assignment bridges
In one embodiment, a spacing is determined for each edge of a number of features in a photolithographic design. The edges have at least a partially predictable layout. Based on the spacing and the predictable layout, a bridge structure is generated. Each bridge of the bridge structure connects one of the edges to an edge of a neighboring feature. Then, the features and the bridge structure are provided for a phase assignment. The phase assignment assigns features at opposite ends of each bridge in the bridge structure to opposite phases. In another embodiment, a sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) is introduced for an edge of a feature and a bridge is generated from the feature to the SRAF. Then, the feature and the SRAF are assigned to opposite phases based on the relationship defined by the bridge. |
| US07673276B2 |
Method and system for conducting a low-power design exploration
Method and system for conducting low-power design explorations are disclosed. The method includes receiving an RTL netlist of a circuit design, creating one or more power requirement files, wherein each power requirement file comprises power commands corresponding to the RTL netlist, generating one or more low-power RTL netlists using the corresponding one or more power requirement files and the RTL netlist, and conducting low-power design explorations using the one or more low-power RTL netlists. |
| US07673275B2 |
Development system for an integrated circuit having standardized hardware objects
Embodiments of the invention include a system for integrated circuit development. Elements of the development system include hardware and software objects. These objects can be instanced, ordered, parameterized, and connected in a software environment to implement different functions. Once in software, the description defines the topology and the properties of a set of objects and hence the overall function. These objects are hierarchically composed from a set of primitive objects. By using a piece of hardware that can model any primitive object set as pre-established encapsulated hardware objects, the topology and properties define a piece of hardware that can perform the desired, implemented, functions. Using embodiments of the invention, circuit designers can design hardware systems with little or no knowledge of hardware or hardware design, requiring only a high-level software description. |
| US07673274B2 |
Datapipe interpolation device
A system for data processing comprises a host circuit (104) and an integrated circuit (102). The integrated circuit (102) is in communication with the host circuit (104) and the host circuit (104) is external to the integrated circuit (102). The integrated circuit (102) includes a plurality of programmable elements for data processing (300), each programmable element (300) including a host interface (305) for receiving host data and a host control signal from the host, a crosspoint switch (318), and an interpolation module (310). The host data includes a serial stream of input data values. The interpolation module (310) selectively inserts one or more interpolation data values, such as zero, between selected ones of the input data values according to the host control signal, and communicates the input data values and interpolation data values to the crosspoint switch (318). |
| US07673273B2 |
MPGA products based on a prototype FPGA
A smaller mask programmable gate array (MPGA) device derived from a larger field programmable gate array (FPGA), comprising: a layout of transistors and a plurality of interconnect layers substantially identical to a smaller region of the FPGA; and input/output pads matching a subset of the input/output pads of the FPGA; wherein, a design that is mapped to said smaller region of the FPGA device using said subset of input/output pads by a user programmable means can be identically mapped to the MPGA by a hard-wire circuit. Such a gate array further comprises a mask programmable metal-circuit in lieu of a user programmable configuration circuit of the FPGA; and a logic block to input/output pad connection in lieu of a logic block to a register at the boundary of said smaller region to an input/output pad connection of the FPGA. |
| US07673272B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating an area constraint for a module in a programmable logic device
Method and apparatus for generating an area constraint for a module in a programmable logic device (PLD) is described. In an example, first logic resources are selected in a floorplan of the PLD for implementing a first module of a circuit design. A routing resource area constraint is defined that reserves first routing resources associated with the first logic resources and second routing resources associated with second logic resources. The second routing resources are required for use of the first logic resources. A logic resource area constraint is defined that reserves the first logic resources and excludes the second logic resources. The logic resource constraint area for the module may be non-rectangular or include multiple disjoint regions. |
| US07673269B2 |
Automatic trace determination apparatus and method
Automatic trace determination apparatus comprises: means for setting candidate starting route and candidate ending routes that are tangent to an obstacle existing on a straight line connecting between a starting point and an end point of a trace; means for, when a plurality of obstacles exist on the straight line, setting, with respect to each pair of two of the obstacles, straight routes, each of which is tangent only to such two obstacles and does not intersect with any obstacle other than such two obstacles; means for setting tentative routes, each of which includes any one of the candidate starting routes and any one of the candidate ending routes and, when the plurality of obstacles exist, may further include any of candidate intermediate routes selected with respect to each pair of the obstacles; and means for, among the tentative routes, determining the tentative route that has the shortest distance between the starting point and the end point as an optimal trace route. |
| US07673266B2 |
Timing analysis method and apparatus, computer-readable program and computer-readable storage medium
A timing analysis method evaluates a performance of a target circuit that is to be designed, and includes calculating a correlation coefficient r between two arbitrary macro cells that are coupled and form the target circuit based on layout information including an arrangement of macro cells forming the target circuit and correlation information indicating a correlation between two macro cells that are coupled for each of arrangements of macro cell pairs, calculating a distribution function σ of a standard deviation of delay times of the two arbitrary macro cells based on the correlation coefficient σ, and carrying out a statistical timing analysis of the target circuit based on the correlation coefficient r and the distribution function σ of the standard deviation with respect to each of the macro cell pairs forming the target circuit. |
| US07673265B2 |
Simulation apparatus and control method of simulation
A simulation apparatus, including a first simulator assigning an operating cycle number, a second simulator assigning an operating cycle number, and a control portion for synchronously controlling the first simulator and the second simulator, the control portion causing communication between the first simulator and the second simulator so as to control control-information and synchronous-information of the first simulator and the second simulator, the control-information controlling operations of the first simulator and the second simulator, wherein the control portion sets up the operating cycle numbers of the first simulator and the second simulator at a first cycle value when a synchronous condition of the synchronous-information is established, the control portion sets up at least one of the operating cycle numbers of the first simulator and the second simulator at a second cycle value being larger than the first cycle value when the synchronous condition of the synchronous-information is not established. |
| US07673261B2 |
Systematic compliance checking of a process
Methods and systems are presented for generation of a test suite in order to validate compliance of a process with its process specification. The methodology involves a formal description of the process using a flowchart, refinement of the flowchart to include misinterpretations of the process specification, defining compliance coverage models over the flowchart, and automatically generating test case scenarios that cover the models. Internal and external types of misinterpretation are distinguished. A compliance test suite is automatically generated and observations made of the details of the traversal through the flow chart when the tests are executed. |
| US07673252B2 |
Method for protecting a character entered at a graphical interface
The present invention provides a method for protecting a character entered at a graphical interface. The method comprises the steps of: generating a set of images that form a complete image of a keypad having a button-to-character assignment; displaying the graphical keypad using said image set; and, obtaining the character of a selected button using the button-to-character assignment. The inventive method can be repeated with a different button-to-character assignment in each repetition to obtain a sequence of characters. In consequence of the inventive method, the entered character is protected as monitoring software can capture merely unreadable portions of the complete keypad image. In furtherance of this purpose, the present invention also provides a method for generating a set of images from a complete image of a character belonging to a character set. |
| US07673249B2 |
User customization of character sets of menu items
Mechanisms are disclosed that enable a user to customize selection elements of a GUI. For example, menu entries in a GUI can be customized so that the user can specify the font, the language, character sets, color, and other attributes of the text of one menu item (or less than all menu items); to have the ability to selectively activate multimedia options associated with selected menu items (e.g., to play a sound whenever the cursor/pointer passes over a particular menu item); and/or to assign an animation sequence that is unique to selected menu items. The menu item properties are defined by the user, using, for example, a dialog box that allows specification of the attributes. When the application is installed, a default set of menu item properties is defined by the software manufacturer, which can be further customized by the user. |
| US07673245B2 |
Converting user interface panels
Converting a computer user interface panel between different panel types. An automated process is activated that reads field attributes of a first panel in a computer system. A configuration table associated with the first panel is tied to logic that specifies how the panel of the first type interacts with a backend of the computer system. Entries are created in a second configuration table that can be used to display a second panel in the computer system. The second panel comprises at least some of the plurality of fields and belongs to a second type of panels in which a panel of the second type is formed of configuration table entries and is independent of the backend. The automated process converts the field attributes to be compatible with the second type of panels and stores them in the second configuration table for use in displaying the second panel. |
| US07673243B2 |
Apparatus and method for a web browser to select a home page upon activation based on a scheduler or network connection
A method and apparatus for a Web browser to display an alternate home page when a default home page is not presently accessible are provided. The method and apparatus ensures that the default home page is presently accessible before the browser contacts the computer system hosting the home page, when the web browser is first activated. If the default home page is accessible, it is accessed and displayed. If not, an alternate home page is accessed and displayed. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention uses a scheduler (i.e., time and day that the home page may be accessible) to determine whether the home page is presently accessible. In another embodiment, the invention uses IP addresses to determine whether the host computer and the computer used by the user are within the same network. If the two computers are within the same network, then the home page is determined to be presently accessible; otherwise, it is determined to be presently inaccessible. |
| US07673242B1 |
Sliding window packet management systems
Included in the invention are systems and methods of full time recording network traffic to a hierarchical data storage. Also included in the invention are systems and methods of retrieval of recorded network traffic from a hierarchically organized network data repository. Additionally included in the invention are systems and methods of efficiently filtering data in a hierarchically organized network data repository. Systems and methods of displaying recorded network data utilizing the retrieval systems are also included in the invention. Further included in the invention are systems and methods of providing sliding time window selection user interfaces. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims. |
| US07673238B2 |
Portable media device with video acceleration capabilities
Improved techniques for performing accelerated video presentation on a media device are disclosed. The improved techniques enable smooth, uniform accelerated video presentation by displaying key frames from a video file in a periodic fashion. The rate and direction of accelerated video presentation can be controlled. The improved techniques are well suited for use with portable media devices. |
| US07673237B2 |
System and method for computer-created advertisements
The invention relates to a computerized method for a user to create an advertisement by displaying a plurality of advertising formats for selection by a user; displaying a template corresponding to a selected advertising formats; displaying a plurality of product references for selection by the user; displaying on the template a selected product reference to create a proposed advertisement; and creating a preview of the proposed advertisement, all of which may be implemented using the Internet. The invention further relates to a computerized system for creating an advertisement that comprises a template database for storing advertising formats; a product database for storing product references; and a computer to access the databases. Preferably, the user has a network interface such as Internet access that permits access via a remote location, software to permit a user to specify specifications such as quantity, printing information, ship date, paper type, pricing information, and payment information, and may be configured to receive images and text for new products. |
| US07673234B2 |
Knowledge management using text classification
A method and system are provided for determining metadata to be assigned to a document. A document is identified to be published to a collection of documents. A category for publishing the document to the collection is automatically recommended using a text classifier. At least one category for the document may be selected, and the selected category is assigned as metadata for the document. A method and system are also provided for constructing a search for a document in a collection of documents. A search query is entered for a document in a collection of documents. A search category for searching for the document in the collection of documents is automatically recommended using a text classifier. At least one search category for searching for the document is selected. |
| US07673232B2 |
Application migration to languages implementing tag fields
A method of migrating Cartesian coordinate-based views is disclosed. The method includes providing applet-based templates and associating the templates to Cartesian coordinate-based views. Controls of the applet can be modified according to the requirements of the Cartesian coordinate-based view. The views are used as user interfaces. |
| US07673231B2 |
Optimized markup language processing using repeated structures in markup language source
A computer-implemented method of parsing markup-language source data is described. The markup-language source data comprises a plurality of elements. A first portion of the elements is processed by interoperating with a symbol table to determine unique string objects associated with the elements of the first portion of the elements. A structure is recorded associated with the first portion of the elements collectively, including the determined unique string objects in association with the corresponding elements of the first portion. A second portion of the elements is processed, using the structure determined associated with the first portion of the elements, to determine the unique string objects associated with the elements of the second portion, without interoperating with the symbol table. |
| US07673228B2 |
Data-driven actions for network forms
Systems and/or methods are described that enable a data-driven action associated with altering a data instance of a network form without altering and/or having access to the data instance. These systems and/or methods, in one embodiment, render a result of a data-driven action for a network form without transforming the network form's data instance. In another embodiment, the systems and/or methods map a data-driven action to a view-centric logical representation of the electronic form. |
| US07673225B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using structured low density parity check code
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in a communication system using a structured Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code. The transmitter performs structured LDPC coding on input information data using a structured LDPC code, parallel-converts a structured LDPC codeword generated by performing the structured LDPC coding, in units of groups having a predetermined size, and transmits data. The receiver receives a plurality of parallel data streams, serial-converts the received parallel data streams in units of groups having a predetermined size, and performs structured LDPC decoding on the data which was serial-converted group by group, using a structured LDPC code. |
| US07673220B2 |
Flash memory device having single page buffer structure and related programming method
A flash memory device is disclosed that comprises memory cells, a sense node connected to a selected bit line, a sense circuit configured to selectively provide a first voltage to a common node in accordance with a voltage level of the sense node, a first register connected to the sense node and the common node and configured to store data in accordance with a voltage level of the common node, a second register configured to store data in accordance with the voltage level of the sense node, a switch configured to provide a second voltage to the second register, and a discharge circuit configured to selectively discharge the sense node in accordance with the data stored in the second register. |
| US07673219B2 |
Cooperative relay networks using rateless codes
A system and method for communicating information in a wireless cooperative relay network of nodes, the nodes including a source, a set of relays, and a destination. The source broadcasts a code word encoded as a data stream using a rateless code. The relays receive the data stream, decode the data stream to recover the code word, and reencode and transmit the recovered code word as the data stream with the rateless code. The destination receives and decodes the reencoded data streams to recover the code word. |
| US07673206B2 |
Method and system for routing scan chains in an array of processor resources
The present invention provides a method and system for routing a group of scan chains to a group of processor resources in a semiconductor chip. The group of processor resources is arranged in rows or columns. The group of processor resources in each row or column is connected through a plurality of scan chains. The first processor resource in each row or column is connected to input scan-chain pins, and the last processor resource in each row or column is connected to output scan-chain pins. A test-pattern generator, generating test signals, sends the test signals to the group of processor resources by using the group of scan chains within the semiconductor chip. The responses of the processor resources corresponding to the test signals are analyzed to detect and locate any error in the manufacture of the semiconductor chip. |
| US07673199B2 |
Multi-stream interface for parallel test processing
Data can be processed in automatic test equipment by dividing the test sites into groups and processing each group using a corresponding processor in a group of processors. Sections of the test equipment can communicate via a tester bus to a particularly designed multi-stream switch. The multi-stream switch can communicates with a plurality of processors via a plurality of processor busses. Each of the processors can run a separate instance of test software without interfering with software running on any other of the processors. The inventive protocol can be embodied essentially in hardware that can be adapted to an existing infrastructure without requiring substantial modifications of existing hardware or software. |
| US07673198B1 |
Testing system and related testing method for an analog design under test
A testing system includes an integrated circuit having an analog design under test and a processor; an digital-to-analog converter (DAC), coupled to the analog design under test and the processor, for converting a digital testing sequence output of the processor into an analog testing sequence fed into the analog design under test; a analog-to-digital converter (ADC), coupled to the analog design under test and the processor, for converting an analog testing response of the analog design under test into a digital testing response fed into the processor; and an external tester, coupled to the processor of the integrated circuit, for sequentially outputting a program sequence to the processor; wherein the processor executes the program sequence without un-predictable conditional jump to get a testing result of the testing system and then outputs the testing result to the external tester. |
| US07673195B2 |
Circuits and methods for characterizing device variation in electronic memory circuits
A circuit includes a comparator circuit configured such that its output toggles from a first digital logical level to a second digital logical level when its first and second inputs transition between a first state wherein the first input has an applied voltage greater than an applied voltage at the second input and a second state wherein the first input has an applied voltage less than an applied voltage at the second input. A plurality of cells each have at least one series-connected pair of field effect transistors interconnected at an output node intermediate the field effect transistors. Decoding logic is configured to select a given one of the cells for measurement, and selectively interconnect the output node of the given one of the cells to the first input of the comparator circuit. Voltage supply circuitry is configured to (i) apply voltages to the gates of the pair of transistors of the given one of the cells selected for measurement, such that the pair of transistors operate in a linear region, and have a variable voltage difference, Δ, between their gate-to-source voltages, and (ii) vary the Δ until the comparator circuit output toggles from the first digital logical level to the second digital logical level. |
| US07673193B1 |
Processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package and system-in-module devices
An apparatus and method for a processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package (SiP) and system-in-package (SiP) integrated circuit devices. The apparatus includes a processing module, a memory module and a programmable system module. The programmable system module is configured to function as an interface between the memory module and the processing module, or as an interface between the memory module and a testing device. The invention facilitates integration and testing of processor-memory units including functional components having different communication protocols. |
| US07673186B2 |
Apparatus and method for cold sparing in multi-board computer systems
Power supply voltage of a PCI or a similar communication bus interface is separated from one or more other power supply voltages on a backplane, on boards insertable into the backplane, and on the bus interface components of the boards. The power supply of the bus interface (VIO) is provided to cold spare boards inserted into the backplane, while the other voltages are not provided to the cold spare boards. Availability of the VIO on the cold spare boards prevents the VIO clamping diodes on the PCI I/O lines from grounding the PCI bus. Cold spare capability is thus provided to systems with PCI and similar communication buses. |
| US07673182B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining stack traceback data for multiple computing nodes of a massively parallel computer system
A data collector for a massively parallel computer system obtains call-return stack traceback data for multiple nodes by retrieving partial call-return stack traceback data from each node, grouping the nodes in subsets according to the partial traceback data, and obtaining further call-return stack traceback data from a representative node or nodes of each subset. Preferably, the partial data is a respective instruction address from each node, nodes having identical instruction address being grouped together in the same subset. Preferably, a single node of each subset is chosen and full stack traceback data is retrieved from the call-return stack within the chosen node. |
| US07673181B1 |
Detecting race conditions in computer programs
Recording and replaying computer programs includes detecting whether a race condition exists among multiple threads of a multithreaded application program. In an embodiment, detecting race conditions comprises detecting and preventing an operation of a first thread of an application program to read or write a computer memory, wherein the application program executes a plurality of threads; storing an exception point representing a current location in an execution path of the application program; allowing the operation to read or write the memory; creating and storing a record identifying the memory, the first thread, and an index value for a location in the execution path; and determining, based on the record and a plurality of other similar records, whether a race condition exists at the exception point for the first thread and one or more other threads in the plurality of the threads. |
| US07673175B2 |
Computer configuration tracking system able to restore a previous configuration
A system and method for tracking and restoring computer configuration are disclosed. In one aspect, the system and method monitors for a series of changes in watched one or more computer configuration variables. The changes are registered into a series of saved states. The one or more computer configuration variables may be restored to a desired saved state using the registry of saved states. In one aspect, the system and method monitors the changes by intercepting system calls, determining which system calls affect the one or more computer configuration variables, and logging the system calls and the results of the system calls that affect the one or more computer configuration variables. A recovery script may be dynamically generated to restore to a saved state. |
| US07673173B2 |
System and program for transmitting input/output requests from a first controller to a second controller
Provided are a method, system, and program monitoring paths between a first controller and second controller. A determination is made as to whether one path has been unavailable for a predetermined time period in response to detecting that the path is unavailable. Indication is made that the path is in a first failed state if the path has been unavailable for more than the predetermined time period and indication is made that the path is in a second failed state if the path has not been unavailable for the predetermined time period. |
| US07673170B2 |
Personal computer bus protocol with error correction mode
An integrated circuit device has a function block to perform a core function, a bus controller through which the function block is to communicate with another device over an attachment bus, and an error correction module (ECM). The ECM adapts a bus protocol to a failure in the bus, so that the bus protocol remains functional for the function block to communicate with the other IC device via the bus controller, despite the failure. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US07673168B2 |
Network node, switch, and network failure recovery method
A switch includes a reference log storage table for storing a plurality of reference logs for performing normal connection processing between network nodes, a connection candidate log search program for searching for a connection candidate log from among a plurality of reference logs based on a failure log acquired when a connection failure occurs between network nodes; and a re-connection program for re-connecting the network nodes by using the connection candidate log. |
| US07673159B2 |
Device state control method and information processing apparatus
A device state control method for use in an information processing apparatus that has a body, a device connectable to the body, a storage portion which stores information of a state of power supply to the device, the device state control method including: determining whether the information of state of power supply stored in the storage portion is information of power-supply OFF state or not, after instructing to shift the state of the power supply to the device from the power-supply OFF state into a power-supply ON state; and starting the power supply to the device, when the information of power-supply OFF state is stored in the storage portion. |
| US07673158B2 |
Instruction set with thermal opcode for high-performance microprocessor, microprocessor, and method therefor
A method (and system) of managing heat in an electrical circuit, includes using a thermal instruction appended to an instruction to be processed to determine a heat load associated with the instruction. |
| US07673153B1 |
Data processing method, apparatus and system for encrypted data transfer
A data processing apparatus includes an encrypting apparatus for encrypting data in units of an encryption block having a predetermined data length. A processing apparatus is also provided for performing predetermined processing on data in units of a processing block having a data length of a whole multiple of the predetermined length of the encryption block. A controller is also provided for writing the encrypted data in a storage medium so that the data positioned in the same encryption block is also positioned in the same processing block. The controller also reads the data from the storage means in units of the processing block when the data is to be read out. |
| US07673150B2 |
Virus detection system, method and computer program product for handheld computers
A method and system are provided for updating software on a handheld computer in communication with a client computer system operable to connect to a network. Software installed on the handheld computer is identified with the client computer. Moreover, information on the identified software is transmitted from the client computer to a server connected to the network. Further, updated versions of the software installed on the handheld computer are transferred from the server to the client computer based on the identified software that is installed on the handheld computer. Still yet, the software installed on the handheld computer is updated with the updated versions transferred to the client computer. |
| US07673147B2 |
Real-time mitigation of data access insider intrusions
The present invention provides a policy specification framework to enable an enterprise to specify a given insider attack using a holistic view of a given data access, as well as the means to specify and implement one or more intrusion mitigation methods in response to the detection of such an attack. The policy specification provides for the use of “anomaly” and “signature” attributes that capture sophisticated behavioral characteristics of illegitimate data access. When the attack occurs, a previously-defined administrator (or system-defined) mitigation response (e.g., verification, disconnect, de-provision, network re-routing, or the like) is then implemented. |
| US07673145B2 |
Biometric image collation apparatus and collation method therefor
This invention includes an image quality priority level decision processing unit (40) which evaluates the magnitude of an image quality of each of a plurality of first image data formed from biometric images associated with the same target on the basis of a specific index having the relationship of a monotone function with authentication accuracy of biometric authentication, and outputs each of the first image data upon adding a priority level thereto on the basis of the evaluation result, a first image storage (6, 81) unit which stores each of the first image data having a priority level added thereto from the image quality priority level decision processing unit (40), a second image storage unit (8, 61) which stores second image data used for comparison/collation with the first image data, an image collation unit (7) which compares/collates the second image data stored in the second image storage unit (8, 61) with the first image data stored in the first image storage unit (6, 81) and outputs the comparison/collation result, and a control unit (9) which controls each of the units. The control unit (9) causes the image collation unit (7) to compare/collate the second image data stored in the second image storage unit (8, 61) with the first image data stored in the first image storage unit (6, 81) in accordance with the priority levels, and outputs the comparison/collation result from the image collation unit (7). |
| US07673142B2 |
Efficient method for providing secure remote access
A remote user, two-way authentication and password change protocol that also allows parties to optionally establish a session key which can be used to protect subsequent communication. In a preferred embodiment, a challenge token is generated and exchanged which is a one-time value that includes a random value that changes from session to session. The construction and use of the challenge token avoids transmission of the password or even the transmission of a digest of the password itself. Thus the challenge token does not reveal any information about a secret password or a digest of the password. |
| US07673140B2 |
Dedicated encrypted virtual channel in a multi-channel serial communications interface
A data processing system, circuit arrangement, and method to communicate data over a multi-channel serial communications interface (14) using a dedicated encrypted virtual channel from among multiple virtual channels supported by the communications interface (14). Encryption for the dedicated encrypted virtual channel is provided by a hardware encryption circuit (34) that is coupled to the interface, such that encryption may be performed at a relatively low level, and with substantial protection from compromise, particularly along chip boundaries. In one particular application, access control may be provided for a digital data stream using a multi-chip access control scheme that relies on one chip (148) to provide access control over a received digital data stream, with another chip (150) utilized to process the digital data stream once authorized to do so. A secure, multi-channel serial communications interface between the multiple chips re-encrypts a digital data stream that has been decrypted on the access control chip (148) using hardware encryption logic (162) disposed on the access control chip (148), communicates the re-encrypted digital data steam over a dedicated encryption virtual channel supported by the multi-channel serial communications interface, and decrypts the re-encrypted digital data steam using hardware decryption logic (164) disposed on the other chip (150). |
| US07673139B1 |
Protecting administrative privileges
A technique is disclosed for protecting a computer system. In one embodiment, the technique comprises configuring a first account with a first privilege and configuring a second account with a second privilege, wherein the first account is restricted at a configured time. |
| US07673135B2 |
Request authentication token
An authentication mechanism for use in network-based services generates an authentication token. The authentication token is provided to a client device as part of the code comprising a content page. The content page code is received and loaded by a browser application at the client device. When the content page code is received and loaded by the browser application, the authentication token is loaded by the browser as well. Upon receiving subsequent input, the browser application may send a content request to the server. The content request includes the authentication token maintained by the browser application in the content page. A server may validate the authentication token provided in the request using version information and one or more master authentication tokens. |
| US07673133B2 |
Virtual private network between computing network and remote device
A secure connection between a computer network and a remote device is provided by a carrier network between the computer network and the remote device. The secure connection includes data tunnels that operate as virtual private networks between the corporate network and the carrier network and between the remote device and the carrier network. In addition, communication protocols can be used to enable data requests and data transmission over the secure connection, optionally through ports on the computer network that are opened for Web traffic. |
| US07673132B2 |
Multi-tiered boot list
An aggregated server blade system includes a plurality of individual server blades and a management module which can be designated as a bootable device. A boot list maintained and executed in each server blade includes a management module entry in its list of bootable devices. In response to the management module entry being selected or otherwise made active as the bootable device for a particular blade, an alternative bootable-devices list maintained on the management module is referenced and the boot process proceeds according to the alternative list. |
| US07673129B2 |
Secure booting from a memory device
Provided are a method, device, and system for booting from a memory device having an array of blocks of cells. An initial memory map has a mapping of memory addresses to accessible blocks of cells in the memory device that are accessible following a boot sequence. There are secure blocks of cells in addition to the accessible blocks of cells that are not accessible through the memory addresses in the initial memory map. In response to detecting an initialization event, the secure blocks of cells are mapped to a range of memory addresses in the memory map to generate an altered memory map. Code is executed in the secure blocks using the range of memory addresses in the altered memory map. The range of memory addresses mapping to the secure blocks are remapped to map to the accessible blocks to which the range of memory addresses mapped in the initial memory map to restore the initial memory map from the altered memory map. |
| US07673128B2 |
Methods and apparatus to facilitate fast restarts in processor systems
Methods and apparatus to facilitate fast restarts in processor systems are disclosed. An example processor restart method disclosed herein includes recording a log of pre-boot initialization actions, and replaying a portion of the log during subsequent processor restarts to shorten pre-boot initialization time. The example processor restart method disclosed herein may further include creating a log index table for easier referral to portions of the log, storing the log and the log index table in non-volatile memory, using the log index table to reorder the replaying of the log, and reordering the replay of the log to initialize the video graphics adapter earlier in a processor restart sequence. |
| US07673121B2 |
Circuit for monitoring a microprocessor and analysis tool and inputs/outputs thereof
A method for the transmission of digital messages by the output terminals of a monitoring circuit which is integrated into a microprocessor, the digital messages being representative of first specific events which are dependent on the execution of a series of instructions by the microprocessor. The method includes transmitting the following signals to the monitoring circuit by dedicated access points, namely (i) a request signal for the sending of a message that is associated with a specific event from second specific events which are independent of the execution of the series of instructions by the microprocessor and (ii) a signal comprising characteristic data which are associated with the aforementioned specific event; forcing the monitoring circuit to read the request message and, if the resource management conditions are fulfilled, sending an acknowledgement message and storing said characteristic data signal and transmitting a digital message which is representative of the stored characteristic data signal. |
| US07673118B2 |
System and method for vector-parallel multiprocessor communication
This present invention brings to the multiprocessor what vectorization brought to the single processor. It provides similar tools to speed communication that have traditionally been used to speed computation; namely, the capability to program optimal communication algorithms on an architecture that can replicate their performance in terms of wall clock time. In addition to the usual complement of logic and arithmetic units, each processor contains a programmable communication unit that orchestrates traffic between the network and registers that communicate directly with comparable registers in neighboring processors. Communication tasks are performed out of these registers like computational tasks on a vector uniprocessor. The architecture is balanced and the hardware/software combination is scalable to any number of processors. |
| US07673114B2 |
Dynamically improving memory affinity of logical partitions
In a computer system that includes multiple nodes and multiple logical partitions, a dynamic partition manager computes current memory affinity and potential memory affinity at the request of a logical partition to help the logical partition determine whether a reallocation of resources between nodes may improve memory affinity for the logical partition. If so, the logical partition requests reallocation of resources by the dynamic partition manager so memory affinity for the logical partition is improved. |
| US07673113B2 |
Method for dynamic load balancing on partitioned systems
Methods, systems and apparatuses to dynamically balance execution loads on a partitioned system among processor cores or among partitions. |
| US07673112B2 |
Volume management system and method
The system according to the present invention comprises a first storage area for storing a plurality of logical volume data where the attributes on a plurality of logical volumes are recorded respectively, a second storage area for storing allocation destination candidate data where the attributes on an allocation destination candidate selected from one or more allocation destination candidates are recorded, a third storage area for storing one or more history data to indicate a relationship of a logical volume having a certain attribute among the plurality of logical volumes to an allocation destination candidate having a certain attribute among one or more allocation destination candidates, a device refining unit for refining the plurality of logical volume data to one or more logical volume data based on the plurality of logical volume data, allocation destination candidate data, and one or more history data, and a refined result output section for outputting the content of the refined one or more logical volume data. |
| US07673105B2 |
Managing memory pages
A method, and corresponding software and system, is described for paging memory used for one or more sequentially-accessed data structure. The method includes providing a data structure representing an order in which memory pages are to be reused; and maintaining the data structure according to a history of access to a memory page associated with one of the sequentially-accessed data structures. A position of the memory page in the order depends on a transition of sequential access off of the memory page. |
| US07673104B2 |
Information processing apparatus, system controller, local snoop control method, and local snoop control program recorded computer-readable recording medium
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of storage units and a plurality of system controllers sharing communication control on the plurality of storage units. For shortening the processing time needed for a memory access request, each of the plurality of system controllers includes a local snoop control unit for, when receiving the memory access request, retrieving target data on the memory access request from the storage unit, this system controller takes charge of, in parallel with transmission/reception processing on a retrieval instruction in a broadcast transmitting/receiving unit or processing in a global snoop control unit and a memory access control unit for fulfilling the memory access request when the target data is retrieved by the local snoop control unit and a predetermined condition reaches satisfaction. |
| US07673103B2 |
Logging of level-two cache transactions into banks of the level-two cache stores the transactions for diagnostic and debug
A plurality of processor cores on a chip is operated in a normal fashion in a debug and diagnostic mode of operation of the processor. A crossbar switch on the chip couples and decouples the plurality of processors to a plurality of banks in a level-two (L2) cache that is also on the chip. As data is passed from each of the processor cores through the crossbar switch to the L2 cache, the data in cached in a first plurality of banks of the L2 cache. The commands associated with the data and information concerning the status of the data in the level-one cache are logged in another plurality of banks of the L2 cache. This logged information can be readout and used in diagnosis and debugging of L1 and L2 cache problems. |
| US07673100B1 |
Methods and systems for distributed cache tag management
Methods and systems are disclosed that relate to locating cached data corresponding to data in persistent memory within a data storage facility. An exemplary method includes receiving a request for data in persistent memory, applying a function to a persistent memory address of the requested data to determine an address of one of a plurality of cache tag controllers, each of which controls nonduplicative cache tags, and looking up, at the addressed cache tag controller, a cache memory address for data corresponding to the requested data. |
| US07673097B2 |
Recording medium with overlapping segment information thereon and apparatus and methods for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium
A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or optical recording medium including segment information recorded thereon, and apparatus and methods for recording to and reproducing from the recording medium, in order to improve data protection, data management and/or reproduction compatibility. The recording medium may contain at least one segment area which is an area on the disc controlled by a plurality of valid PACs and if the designated segment areas overlap with one another, control information of the respective PACs which control the overlapped area may be applied to control the overlapped area. |
| US07673094B2 |
Memory devices with buffered command address bus
Circuits and methods are provided that alleviate overloading of the command address bus and limit decreases in command address bus bandwidth to allow increased numbers of memory modules to be included in a computer system. A plurality of switches is coupled between the command address bus (which is coupled to the memory controller) and a respective plurality of memory modules. Each switch provides command address bus data only to its respective memory module. Preferably, only one switch does so at a time, limiting the loading seen by the memory controller. |
| US07673089B2 |
Flash drive memory apparatus and method
A memory apparatus includes a non-volatile computer memory, a USB mass storage controller connected to the non-volatile computer memory, the USB mass storage controller including a daisy chain component, a male USB interface connected to the USB mass storage controller, and at least one other interface for a memory device, other than a USB interface, the at least one other interface being connected to the USB mass storage controller. |
| US07673083B2 |
Method and system for controlling video selection and playback in a portable media player
A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to control settings of the portable media player when receiving video from an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player, and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player. |
| US07673082B2 |
Method and system to determine device criticality for hot-plugging in computer configurations
The invention relates to a method for determining device criticality in a computer system comprising the steps of building a component hierarchy graph using computer configuration information; labeling the nodes of component hierarchy graph with redundancy attribute; traversing the component hierarchy graph; and determining whether the device loses an access path by inspecting the redundancy attributes within the component hierarchy graph. Furthermore, one of a plurality of severity levels is assigned to each identified affected resource based on predetermined criteria. The severity levels include a low severity level, a medium severity level, and a high severity level. Each severity level represents degree of impact to the computer system if functionality of the identified affected resource became unavailable. |
| US07673072B2 |
Fast-path apparatus for transmitting data corresponding to a TCP connection
A system for protocol processing in a computer network has an intelligent network interface card (INIC) or communication processing device (CPD) associated with a host computer. The INIC provides a fast-path that avoids protocol processing for most large multi-packet messages, greatly accelerating data communication. The INIC also assists the host for those message packets that are chosen for processing by host software layers. A communication control block for a message is defined that allows DMA controllers of the INIC to move data, free of headers, directly to or from a destination or source in the host. The context is stored in the INIC as a communication control block (CCB) that can be passed back to the host for message processing by the host. The INIC contains specialized hardware circuits that are much faster at their specific tasks than a general purpose CPU. A preferred embodiment includes a trio of pipelined processors with separate processors devoted to transmit, receive and management processing, with full duplex communication for four fast Ethernet nodes. |
| US07673070B1 |
Method of sharing telecommunications node equipment facilities
The present invention generally relates to providing a plurality of logical nodes in a telecommunications node. A plurality of control processors are configured to manage data routing paths for the logical nodes. Each logical node can be associated with a different entity. |
| US07673068B2 |
Method and system for implementing a high availability VLAN
A network node is described herein which ensures that whenever an ingress station (e.g., PC) communicates a special MAC DA packet then that packet's copies are forwarded (via a high availability VLAN) to its port(s) that are associated with remote network node(s) and/or egress server(s) (e.g., firewall(s)) and not forwarded to its port(s) that are associated with data storage server(s) or ingress station(s) (e.g., PCs). The network node also ensures that whenever an ingress station (e.g., PC) communicates a normal MAC DA packet then that packet's copies are forwarded to all of its port(s) that are associated with ingress station(s), remote network node(s), egress server(s) and/or data storage server(s) so that these stations/servers can maintain their connectivity via a default VLAN. |
| US07673060B2 |
Systems and methods for providing reliable multicast messaging in a multi-node graphics system
Embodiments of the present invention are broadly directed to novel systems and methods for providing reliable multicast of data in a multi-node graphics system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a multi-node computer graphics system is provided comprising a master node capable of executing a graphics application and a plurality of render nodes configured to collectively render a graphic image, in response to graphics data communicated from the master node. The embodiment further comprises logic associated with the master node for communicating graphics data to the plurality of render nodes in a multicast packet. Additional logic, associated with the master node, is provided for determining whether a predetermined number of render nodes have acknowledged receipt of the multicast packet. The embodiment further comprises logic associated with the master node for re-transmitting the multicast packet to the plurality of render nodes, if the predetermined number of render nodes have not acknowledged receipt of the multicast packet within a given time. |
| US07673058B1 |
Unsolicited message intercepting communications processor
The spam blocker monitors the SMTP/TCP/IP conversation between a sending message transfer agent MTA—0 and a receiving message transfer agent MTA—1; catches MTA—0's IP address IP—0, MTA—0's declared domain D—0, from-address A—0; to-address A—1, and the body of the message; and uses this source and content information to test for unsolicited messages. It interrupts the conversation when MTA—0 sends a .\r\n end-of-message indicator and uses the various test results to decide if the message is suspected of being unsolicited. If the message is suspected of being unsolicited then it logs the rejected message and sends an error reply to MTA—0 which forces MTA—0 to send a QUIT command before the body of the message is transmitted; else it logs the allowed message and releases the intercepted RCPT command which allows the conversation between MTA—0 and MTA—1 to proceed. |
| US07673056B1 |
Redirection gateway
A redirection gateway is provided that bridges connections between redirection server computers and redirection client computers. The redirection gateway communicates with a redirection gateway client executing on a redirection client computer. In response to receiving a request from the redirection gateway client application, the redirection gateway establishes a connection to a redirection server application. The redirection gateway client application then causes an appropriate redirection client application for connecting to the redirection server application to be executed. The redirection gateway client application also instructs the redirection client application to connect to the redirection gateway. Once a connection between the redirection gateway and the redirection client application has been established, the redirection gateway bridges its connection to the redirection server application with its connection to the redirection client application. |
| US07673054B2 |
Grid manageable application process management scheme
A method includes receiving, from an application process, a document specifying a communication protocol and a communication channel, reading the document, and instantiating the communications channel with the application process using the communication protocol. The method also includes sending communications to the application process using the communication protocol through the communication channel, and receiving communications from the application process using the communication protocol through the communication channel. |
| US07673052B2 |
Policy algorithm for selection of compatible systems for virtual server mobility
A method and system for selecting compatible systems for virtual server mobility. Responsive to determining a current location of a workload partition instance running on a managed server, mandatory compatibility tests specified in a compatibility policy associated with the workload partition instance are executed to compare properties of the managed server with properties of potential target systems. A list of potential target systems is generated that have passed the mandatory compatibility tests specified in a compatibility policy. Optional compatibility tests specified in a compatibility policy associated with the workload partition instance are executed. The potential target systems that have failed any of the optional compatibility tests are removed from the list to form a filtered list, wherein the filtered list comprises a list of potential target systems compatible to support relocation of process collections within the workload partition instance. |
| US07673051B2 |
Resource usage conflict identifier
The exposure and usage of one or more particular physical and logical resources by methods within an isolation boundary may be annotated so as to preempt resource usage conflicts. Further described are tools, contracts, and collaborative processes for at least identifying potential resource usage conflicts. More particularly, the example tools, contracts, and collaborative processes may be used to annotate at least one of exposure and consumption of one or more particular physical and logical resources by methods within an isolation boundary. |
| US07673044B2 |
Information processing system, apparatus and method for processing information, and program
In online shopping or the like via the Internet, a user transmits information indicating a credit card number or the like from a client computer of the user to a server of a mail-order dealer. Before such information is actually transmitted, the client computer displays an object selected depending on the importance level of the information which is going to be transmitted and moves the object from a location close to an information providing agent representative of an agent for the user to a location close to a shop agent representative of an agent for the mail-order dealer. Displaying the object in such a manner makes it possible for the user to recognize that the information is going to be transmitted and recognize the importance level of the information. After completion of moving the object, the client computer actually transmits the information to the server. |
| US07673042B2 |
System and method for comparing service levels to a service level objective
A system and method of producing network conditions on a link between points of a network; changing a condition of the produced network conditions; recording a service level or other metric achieved by a transaction of an application under the change in network conditions; and comparing the recorded service level or metric to a pre-defined service level objective. |
| US07673041B2 |
Method to perform exact string match in the data plane of a network processor
Methods for performing exact search string matches in the data plane of a network processor. The methods employ a two-stage string search mechanism to identify the existence of a search string from a set S in a packet payload. A first pre-processing stage identifies a potential search string match and a second analysis stage determines whether the first stage match corresponds to an exact string match. The first stage is implemented using hash values derived from at least one of search strings in set S or sub-strings of those search strings. In one embodiment, a plurality of Bloom filters are used to perform the first pre-processing stage, while in other embodiments various CAM-based technique are used. Various TCAM-based schemes are disclosed for performing the second analysis stage. The methods enable packet payloads to be searched for search strings at line-rate speeds. |
| US07673036B1 |
Method and system for automated handling of service problems identified by a wireless device customer
A method and system provides for automated handling of a service problem reported by a wireless device customer by first identifying the specific nature of the service problem by comparing certain system condition information to a database of known problems, and then initiating a corrective action responsive to the specific nature of the service problem. One such corrective action involves communicating certain computer instructions to one or more switches or other network components to adjust their settings. |
| US07673035B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing data relating to events on a network
A network management apparatus and method processes network management data received during the monitoring of a network and generates events for presentation in an event list to a user when certain event conditions are detected. Network management data received in relation to an event condition is processed to determine whether it represents a recurring event condition. A recurring event condition is determined if a predetermined number of equivalent events have been generated, and appear in the event list, in an immediately preceding time period. In the described embodiment, if a recurring event condition occurs, a recurring event is generated, and subsequent occurrences of the event condition are not included in the event list presented to the user. |
| US07673033B2 |
Storage unit information control system for user terminal
The invention enables the control of the information in a storage unit in a user terminal, prevents data from leaking to unauthorized users and protects information in the user terminal. A management OS manages the input/output to/from a user work OS in the user terminal, identifies a control-triggering condition set by a management server, controls the information in the storage unit storing the user work OS-related information so that information leakage can be prevented, and it also backs up the user work OS-related information to the storage apparatus using the user work OS input/output information. |
| US07673032B1 |
Determining the geographic location of a network device
Provided are techniques and apparatuses for determining the geographic location of a node on a network. In a representative embodiment, a data packet is received over the network from a second node, the data packet including a network identifier for the second node and a Time-To-Live (TTL) field that has a value, with the value of the TTL field for the data packet indicating a maximum additional number of hops that could have been made by the data packet. A probe packet addressed to the network identifier for the second node is then sent, the probe packet also including a TTL field. The initial value for the TTL field of the probe packet is set based on the value for the TTL field of the data packet. |
| US07673029B2 |
Grid automation bus to integrate management frameworks for dynamic grid management
Methods and apparatus that integrate management frameworks with an enterprise manager in a grid computing environment are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a grid computing system includes a management arrangement and at least a first management framework. The management arrangement includes an integration arrangement that brokers requests. The first management framework sends a first request to the integration arrangement which effectively allows the first management framework to communicate bi-directionally with the management arrangement. |
| US07673020B2 |
System and method for facilitating communication between a computing device and multiple categories of media devices
A method and system are provided for controlling multiple types of media devices. The method and system also facilitate communication between a computing device and one of a plurality of types of media devices. The system includes device retrieval modules controlled by the computing device for retrieving information from a group of device data sets controlled by the media device. The device data sets including a device information data set that includes a set of properties specific the type of media device. The computing device also includes object retrieval tools for retrieving object information from a group of object data sets stored on the media device and control command modules controlling objects on the media device. |
| US07673015B2 |
Information-processing apparatus, information-processing methods, recording mediums, and programs
An information-processing apparatus operated by a user to carry out communications through a network transmits user-disclosure information to an other information-processing apparatus. The user-disclosure information includes a number of other users utilizing the information-processing apparatus. The apparatus also receives user-disclosure information for the other apparatus and controls a process to display the other user-disclosure information. The apparatus produces a determination result indicating that a requested connection to the other information-processing apparatus is authorized or not authorized by the other information-processing apparatus based on a response received from the other information-processing apparatus. The response is based on the transmitted user-disclosure information. The apparatus is also configured to transmit image and voice data to the other information-processing apparatus and receive image and voice data from the other information-processing apparatus in case the determination result indicates that a connection with the other information-processing apparatus is authorized by the other information-processing apparatus. |
| US07673010B2 |
Multi user client terminals operable to support network communications
A network infrastructure operable to support the exchange of communications, such as voice communications, between a first client terminal having a first user identifier and a second (destination) client terminal associated with a second user identifier (handle). This second client terminal may be part of a family of client terminals. The network infrastructure includes a packet-switch network, a shared database and a number of client terminals serviced by one or more service providers. These terminals include a network interface and are identified by their service provider by a network address. The shared database associates user identifiers, metadata and network addresses. This allows a user to access the shared database in order to initiate a call request from the first client terminal to the second client terminal(s). The first client terminal receives the network address or vectoring information on the network address of the destination terminal through the shared database. This shared database may also have metadata used to manage the call. The destination terminal may receive or redirect the call within the family of client terminals based on metadata contained within the shared database or stored locally. |
| US07673006B2 |
Collaborative email with delegable authorities
Writing a collaborative email document with hierarchical authorities including establishing a collaborative email document on an administrator's computer, identifying one or more signatories for the document, identifying one or more collaborators who are authorized to view and edit the document, providing to the collaborators copies of the document for viewing and editing, where the collaborators' copies reside on collaborators' computers, updating the copies of the document on collaborators' computers with revisions from the collaborators, and sending the collaborative email document from the administrator's computer to addressees when the document bears valid digital signatures from all signatories. Typical embodiments also include providing at least one user authority to delegate signature authority, establishing a hierarchy of delegation authority for signatures, establishing at least one authority delegation policy including at least one rule for automated delegation of signature authority among signatories and delegating signature authority from at least one signatory to another. |
| US07673003B2 |
Social network email filtering
A user's address book includes a first group of email addresses. Those email addresses are used to identify address books that include another group of email addresses. Multiple iterations may be used to identify several groups of email addresses, representing a user's social network. When an email message addressed to the user is received, the message is trusted if the sending email address is within the user's social network. Otherwise, the message is flagged as junk mail. Varying trust levels may be applied to messages that are received based on a distance within a social network between the sending email address and the user and/or how often the sending email address appears within the social network. |
| US07673002B1 |
System and method for e-mail message action requests
A system, method and computer accessible medium for e-mail message action requests is disclosed. E-mail clients and servers may associate action requests with outgoing or incoming e-mail messages. Action requests may inform e-mail recipients that the e-mail message requires a particular action. E-mail clients and servers may maintain and/or display counts of the number e-mail messages associated with various action requests. E-mail clients may also display these counts to the user. E-mail clients and servers may change a requested action after receiving an e-mail message associated with an action request. Additionally, e-mail clients may announce the arrival of e-mail messages with attached requested actions to the user and may provide various user notifications indicating the specific requested action. |
| US07673001B1 |
Enterprise management of public instant message communications
Techniques are described that enable enterprise management of public instant message (IM) communications. When a user requests a connection with a public IM service, the connection request is redirected to a gateway server that is associated with a domain specified in the user's user ID. The gateway server acts as a pass through server between the user's IM client application and the public IM service. The gateway server may be configured to log IM communications in which the user participates. The gateway server may also be configured to control whether or not the user is able to participate in point-to-point communications through the user's IM client application. An enterprise routing server may also be implemented in a geo-distributed enterprise to route a redirected public IM connection request to an enterprise IM gateway server based on a geographic location associated with the user. |
| US07673000B2 |
Email service
An email having a header and a message is processed by an email service to store the header in a plurality of attached storage devices that are each in communication with one of a respective plurality of header host computing devices. The email service stores the message in a separate file in a plurality of attached storage devices that are each in communication with one of a respective plurality of message host computing devices. |
| US07672996B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for automatically reconnecting a participant to a conference
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a conference; detect a connection between a participant and the conference; and automatically reconnect the participant with the conference after participant is accidentally disconnected from the conference. |
| US07672993B2 |
Method and apparatus for wirelessly networked distributed resource usage for data gathering
A method and system for gathering, collecting, and supplying geographically distributed data. In one embodiment, geographically distributed data is gathered in a server-commanded mode, such that the user of an electronic device need not participate in the capturing or transmitting of the data. In another embodiment, a server initiates requests the user of an electronic device to input data and the data then transmitted to the server. In another embodiment, a user initiates the capture of data with an electronic device and the electronic device transmits the data to a computer server. In another embodiment, the gathering of geographically distributed data is accomplished by the user of an electronic device instructing his electronic device to automatically collect input data and the data is then transmitted to a computer server. In embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device is a palm-sized computer system. |
| US07672992B1 |
Systems and methods for monitoring a modem in a networked environment
A system for monitoring modem use in a computer system is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium that is part of the computing device or in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium includes instructions for the system to implement a method for monitoring the system for modem use. The method starts a background application on the system. A communication port is monitored for communication data. It is determined whether the communication data is a modem instruction. If the communication data is a modem instruction, a notification is prepared to be sent to an administrative system. The notification is sent to the administrative system. The notification includes identification information. |
| US07672989B2 |
Large number multiplication method and device
A signed multiplication method and a corresponding device for multiplying a first multiplicand with a second multiplicand. The device stores the first multiplicand in a first register as a first vector of at least one respective digit and storing the second multiplicand in a second register as a second vector of at least one respective digit, each digit having a pre-determined number of bits. The method further converts the digits of the first vector and the second vector to corresponding digits of one bit less each than the pre-determined number of bits. A processor effects signed multiplication of the multiplicands. |
| US07672984B2 |
Method and system of managing service reminders using mileage estimates
The present invention provides a method and system for integrating a shop management system with a system for generating and sending service reminders based on the estimated mileage the vehicle. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. |
| US07672980B2 |
System, apparatus and method for reading data
A data read apparatus which, when reading data in a data region sequentially, consults information pieces indicative of positions of information pieces concerning files to identify a position of an information piece concerning a file corresponding to a data piece at a reading position, consults an information piece concerning the file at the identified position to calculate an output position in a temporary memory region to which the data is to be outputted, delivers the data read out of an area in the data region to the output position, decides whether files corresponding to outputted data are all present in the temporary memory region and delivers the files to a backup region in a unit of file when the presence of all files is determined. |
| US07672979B1 |
Backup and restore techniques using inconsistent state indicators
A method for backup and restore using inconsistent state indicators comprises identifying, from among a plurality of data objects to be backed up, one or more data objects that are in an inconsistent state, and storing inconsistent state indicators (such as modified object attributes) associated with the data objects. The method may further include generating a backup aggregate such as a snapshot of the plurality of data objects, where the backup aggregate includes backup versions of the inconsistent data objects. Prior to restoring one or more data objects from the backup aggregation, the method may include using the inconsistent state indicators to identify the backup versions that correspond to the inconsistent data objects, e.g., to exclude backup versions corresponding to inconsistent data objects from a list of full restoration candidates. |
| US07672965B2 |
Finite-state machine augmented for multiple evaluations of text
A process performs multiple evaluations of text simultaneously. There are multiple counters, each with pattern-amount pairs. The pattern-amount pairs are accumulated into a single finite-state machine, with each state having a list of (counter, value) pairs instead of a single value. While the finite-state machine is applied to text, a score for each counter is accumulated by summing values for the counter from value lists of visited states. With one state transition per character, evaluating text using one finite-state machine for multiple counters is more efficient than using separate finite-state machines for counters or patterns. |
| US07672963B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing data within an electronic system by an external system
A method of and apparatus for accessing data within an electronic system by an external system to the electronic system. The method includes formatting a searchable database within the electronic system into a directory tree structure, the directory tree structure includes nodes comprising related data and branches comprising links between the nodes. Each related item of data is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more parameters, wherein the parameters are specific to the node in which the related data is included. The method accesses one or more nodes within the directory tree structure and obtains data from the one or more nodes by utilizing an applications programming interface. The applications programming interface can access the one or more nodes within the directory tree structure using a query string that defines a navigation path through the directory tree structure to access a specific node within the directory tree structure. |
| US07672961B2 |
Database having heterogeneous object types
A method for extracting metadata for plural related objects of different types from a database includes defining a heterogeneous object type as a collection of database objects of different types. Upon a request to fetch a particular heterogeneous object, member objects of the heterogeneous object are fetched from the particular heterogeneous object in a specific order based on the definition of the heterogeneous object's type, such as a valid order for re-creating the particular heterogeneous object. The set of member objects to be fetched can be restricted according to at least one specified filter, which itself may be translated into a second filter according to a type of a member object being fetched. Such translated filters can inherit values from the filter specified in the request for the particular heterogeneous object type, or can have a fixed value of some data type. The extracted metadata can be formatted to recreate the particular heterogeneous object. |
| US07672958B2 |
Method and system to identify records that relate to a pre-defined context in a data set
The present invention provides a method and a system for identifying relevant information in a data set. The method involves the identification of nodes of interest in a tree structure. A node of interest is a node that contains information, which is relevant to a pre-defined context. The method further involves the step of iteratively extracting sub-trees from the tree structure and identifying records in the extracted sub-trees. The sub-tree is a hierarchical structure that shows the relationship of each node of interest with its ancestor nodes in the tree structure. Each record is a group of sub-tree nodes and contains at least one node of interest. |
| US07672955B2 |
Method and system for platform-independent file system interaction
A method and system are disclosed for platform-independent file system interaction that can abstract the system-level idiosyncrasies associated with multi-platform, multi-language, multi-encoding file system interactions. One embodiment of the method of this invention can comprise instantiating a string object via a development environment coded calling process and setting a file name and a file path, having an easily-identifiable format, for the string object with the calling process. The string object can determine the encoding of the file name and the file path and the calling process can forward the string object and an associated file operation to an operating system level file system interface handler. The operating system level file system interface handler can call an operating system naming function to format the string object. The string object naming function can be compiled along with an encoding marker indicating the target operating system for the desired file operation. The file name and the file path can be transcoded, based on the encoding marker value, to the encoding of the target operating system. The transcoded file name and file path can be returned to the development environment (e.g., to a developer's application) by the string object naming function. The operating system level file system interface handler can then execute the file operation. |
| US07672954B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of server systems into groups that are each separately accessible by client applications
A method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of server systems. In one implementation, the method includes configuring the plurality of server systems as a first database having a group name and a group port, and configuring a subset of the plurality of server systems as a second database having a subset name and a subset port. The first database is accessible by a client application via the group name and the group port for storage of data in the first database, and the second database is accessible by a client application via the subset name and the subset group for storage of data in the second database. |
| US07672952B2 |
System and method of semantic correlation of rich content
Content of interest to a user is identified. A first semantic abstract is generated for the content of interest using a state vector representation of the content of interest. The first semantic abstract is compared to a second semantic abstract representing another prospective content. If the first semantic abstract is within a threshold distance of the second semantic abstract, then the prospective content is recommended to the user. |
| US07672950B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting, analyzing, and visualizing related database records as a network
A method and apparatus for selecting and converting database records or sets of related documents into network data and presenting that data in a network visualization system that enables users to select among, and move between various network displays by selecting one or more attributes of the data to be represented as the nodes and links of the network. |
| US07672949B2 |
Connection manager having a common dispatcher for heterogeneous software suites
A connection manager includes a dispatcher that dispatches requests to two or more heterogeneous software suites. The connection manager receives client requests and dispatches the request to either of the software suites coupled by a request/response shared memory to the connection manager. |
| US07672946B2 |
Information processor, database search system and access rights analysis method thereof
An access rights analysis including a query automaton generation unit for generating a query automaton from a path expression in which retrieval conditions for a database. An access control automaton generation unit generates an access control automaton from an access control policy; a schema automaton generation unit generates a schema automaton from a schema; and a logic operation unit performs a logic operation related to each of the generated automatons. By use of the above components, access rights in database retrieval using the path expressions are decided without checking the XML document itself in the XML database and checking by each node. |
| US07672944B1 |
Method and system for multiple column/row data sorting in a display table
A method and system for multiple column/row data sorting includes a process for multiple column/row data sorting whereby a user is provided with a simple and visually intuitive interface for prioritizing the progressive sorting of data displayed in data tables by multiple columns or rows. |
| US07672943B2 |
Calculating a downloading priority for the uniform resource locator in response to the domain density score, the anchor text score, the URL string score, the category need score, and the link proximity score for targeted web crawling
A web crawler system as described herein utilizes a targeted approach to increase the likelihood of downloading web pages of a desired type or category. The system employs a plurality of URL scoring metrics that generate individual scores for outlinked URLs contained in a downloaded web page. For each outlinked URL, the individual scores are combined using an appropriate algorithm or formula to generate an overall score that represents a downloading priority for the outlinked URL. The web crawler application can then download subsequent web pages in an order that is influenced by the downloading priorities. |
| US07672938B2 |
Creating search enabled web pages
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating search enabled Web pages. A search engine crawler requests a Web page. A Web server receives the request and constructs a Web page that includes client-side script configured to obtain a portion of content at a Web browser. The Web server inserts textual (e.g., HTML) hinting data for the client-side script into the Web page. When analyzed at the search engine, the textual hinting data provides similar analysis results to analysis results obtained from analyzing the portion of content that is to be obtained at through execution of the client-side script. Thus, the Web server can provide the search engine with information to sufficiently index the Web page even when the search engine lacks the capability to execute the client-side script. |
| US07672935B2 |
Automatic index creation based on unindexed search evaluation
A method and apparatus for maintaining indices for a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving requests for data from a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) repository. The method further includes evaluating queries performed for the requests and generating an LDAP index based on an evaluated query. |
| US07672933B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
In an information processing apparatus which can encrypt a file and can store the encrypted file at a predetermined location, an input file is separated into a header field and data field, and the separated data field is encrypted and saved in association with information included in the header field. In the meantime, a keyword required to specify the file is extracted from the separated data field, and the extracted keyword is converted into a hash value. The obtained hash value is stored in association with the information included in the header field. Upon storing a file, the contents of the file after storage can be prevented from being easily recognized by a third party. |
| US07672931B2 |
Searching for content using voice search queries
A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for searching for content from a device. The system, method, and computer-readable media are adapted to transmit a voice search query from a device and can in return allow the device to receive corresponding non-voice search result data. Once non-voice search result data is received it can be displayed to the user on a display of the device. |
| US07672929B2 |
Database modification history
A database system including an encoder module and a revision control archive module is disclosed. The encoder module receives signals representing a database access request, generates database access commands, and executes the database access command against a revision control archive module if the database access command causes a change to a data record in the database. |
| US07672925B2 |
Accelerating queries using temporary enumeration representation
A system, method, and computer program product for processing a database query are presented. Steps for identifying a value expression comprising information needed in order to resolve a query, associating enumerated values with the set of distinct values for the value expression, evaluating the query utilizing the enumerated values, and deleting the association are disclosed. |
| US07672920B2 |
Apparatus and method for embedding recurrent neural networks into the nodes of a self-organizing map
A learning system is provided, which includes network storage means for storing a network including a plurality of nodes, each of which holds a dynamics; and learning means for self-organizationally updating the dynamics of the network on the basis of measured time-series data. |
| US07672919B2 |
Determination of graph connectivity metrics using bit-vectors
Determination of a connectivity-metrics for graphs representative of networks of interest. A graph that represents a network of interest is accessed. The graph includes nodes representing points in the network of interest, and edges corresponding to the nodes. Bit-vectors are generated corresponding to the nodes and/or edges, wherein individual bits in the bit-vectors respectively provide a logical indication of connectedness. The connectivity-metric is then determined by applying a logical bit operation to the plurality of bit-vectors. Examples of connectivity metrics include a connected components, shortest paths, betweenness, clustering, and tree-based determinations. |
| US07672915B2 |
Method and system for labelling unlabeled data records in nodes of a self-organizing map for use in training a classifier for data classification in customer relationship management systems
The described embodiments relate to methods and systems for data classification using a self-organizing map. Certain embodiments relate to a method of labeling data for training a classifier, comprising: obtaining data, the data comprising labeled data and unlabeled data; generating a self-organizing map of the data; and a labeling at least some of the unlabeled data based on proximity of the unlabeled data to labeled data within the self-organizing map to generate self-labeled data. The method may include training a classifier based on the labeled and self-labeled data. Other embodiments relate to systems and computer readable media configured to perform, or allow performance of, the method embodiments. |
| US07672914B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating coefficient data, apparatus and method for generating coefficient-seed data, information-signal processing apparatus, program, and medium having recorded the program thereon
A coefficient-data generating apparatus generates coefficient data of an estimating equation used to convert a first information signal including pieces of information data into a second information signal including pieces of information data. The coefficient-data generating apparatus includes a determining unit determining whether a subject point in a second learning signal corresponding to the second information signal is a feature point having a predetermined feature; a data selector selecting pieces of information data at adjacent points of the subject point in the second learning signal, based on a first learning signal corresponding to the first information signal; and a calculator calculating the coefficient data using information data at the subject point in the second learning signal, the subject point being determined as the feature point by the determining unit, and the pieces of information data selected in association with the subject point by the data selector. |
| US07672911B2 |
Graph-based cognitive swarms for object group recognition in a 3N or greater-dimensional solution space
An object recognition system is described that incorporates swarming classifiers. The swarming classifiers comprise a plurality of software agents configured to operate as a cooperative swarm to classify an object group in a domain. Each node N represents an object in the group having K object attributes. Each agent is assigned an initial velocity vector to explore a KN-dimensional solution space for solutions matching the agent's graph. Further, each agent is configured to search the solution space for an optimum solution. The agents keep track of their coordinates in the KN-dimensional solution space that are associated with an observed best solution (pbest) and a global best solution (gbest). The gbest is used to store the best solution among all agents which corresponds to a best graph among all agents. Each velocity vector thereafter changes towards pbest and gbest, allowing the cooperative swarm to classify of the object group. |
| US07672908B2 |
Intent-based information processing and updates in association with a service agent
In various embodiments, a method for processing a request made by a requester is provided. The method may include receiving at least one request from at least one requester, the request being in the form of natural language; analyzing the request with an agent; selecting at least one form based on analyzing the request; permitting a service agent to perform at least one step in association with the request; executing at least one update based on at least one form; and, forwarding information regarding processing of the request to a learning module operatively associated with the agent. |
| US07672907B2 |
Postage meter having a vertical path
In a postage meter including a print module for printing on mail items, a feed tray for feeding in mail items to said print module, and a collection tray for receiving the mail items once they have been franked by the print module, said feed tray is inclined in two directions so that the mail items disposed on said tray are brought by gravity against a retractable jogging flap into the same determined position at which said print module affixes a postal imprint. |
| US07672904B2 |
System and method to facilitate and support electronic communication of ideas
A method and apparatus effectuates bilateral commerce in ideas. An originator and user-driven on-line commercial network system is designed to facilitate idea submission, purchase, and licensing, and is easily adapted to business-to-business transfers of innovation as well as consumer-to-business transfers of innovation. The invention allows originators of ideas to communicate nondisclosing synopses of ideas globally to potential users, for users conveniently to search for relevant ideas and for users potentially to bind an originator to a limited duration license granting user the exclusive right to access and consider confidentially the originator's fully disclosed idea. The invention also allows users to communicate confidentially or nonconfidentially unsolved problems or needs globally to potential originators, for originators conveniently to search for relevant unsolved problems or needs, and for originators to submit and communicate confidentially proposed solutions to the soliciting user. |
| US07672903B2 |
Revocation method and apparatus for secure content
A system and method is provided for revoking a device. A method includes receiving a certificate from the device, the certificate including one or more of fields, at least one of the fields holding a signature, attempting to verify the signature, receiving a revocation list from a source, the revocation list identifying one or more data on the certificate as valid or invalid, the data including at least one of the fields of the certificate; and if one of one or more signatures identified unsuccessfully verified and one or more data is identified as invalid, preventing the transmission of a session key to the device, the session key being required to establish a secure communication channel. |
| US07672901B1 |
System and method for holdback procedure for after-hours transactions
A method, program product and system for managing a group of aggregated accounts, each aggregated account held in a different one of a plurality of deposit institutions, each of the aggregated accounts associated with at least one financial entity and holding funds of a plurality of clients of the at least one financial entity, the method comprising: (a) conducting an allocation process to allocate net deposits of funds to and net withdrawals of funds from the aggregated accounts, the allocation process comprising: (1) determining for each request for a net withdrawal of funds from or a net deposit of funds to at least one of the aggregated accounts whether the request occurred after a cut-off time; (2) receiving or calculating for at least one request that occurred before the cutoff time a holdback amount from the net deposit to or net withdrawal from the one aggregated account relating to funds to be heldback that may be used in covering post cut-off time transactions; (3) holding back the holdback amount of funds for the at least one request that occurred before the cutoff time by requesting withdrawal of an amount of funds from or depositing of an amount of funds to the aggregated account based at least in part on the holdback amount; and (b) initiating a post cut-off time procedure that transfers an amount of funds required to satisfy the request for withdrawal from the holdback amount of funds when it is determined that the request for withdrawal or deposit of funds occurred after the cut-off time. |
| US07672900B2 |
Write input transaction apparatus and method
A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form and enabling signature in image form, storing the image and providing a printed copy of the document including the signature. A write input device for showing the image and enabling the signature includes a transparent interactive digitizing element with writing stylus, a display module positioned beneath the digitizing element and visible therethrough, and optionally a magnetic stripe reader for providing document-related information for the display. The device is embodied in a system which also includes a point of sale terminal, a printer for printing records of transactions processed by the system and a controller operatively coupled to other elements of the system. |
| US07672899B2 |
Hedge transactions using variable order prices
Systems and methods are provided for executing a hedge transaction in connection with the execution of a derivative product order in which the price of the derivative product is defined by one or more variables. The hedge transaction may be executed at an exchange or match engine that is different from the exchange or match engine executing the derivative product order. The execution of derivative product transaction may be contingent on the existence of an appropriate hedge transaction. Alternatively, a best efforts approach may be used to fill the hedge transaction order after executing the derivative product transaction. |
| US07672898B1 |
Regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment to maintain an actual cost for a trading strategy
A system and method for regulating order entry based on an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy are described. According to one example embodiment, a trader may define an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy as a percentage. The trader may also define a variable to associate with the trading strategy. Using a spread trading algorithm, a spread price axis is generated and the trader may place an order for the trading strategy at a desired price, comprising placing an order in one leg market dependent on the market conditions of another leg market. Using the acceptable slop range, the system keep the net cost to the trader within the acceptable slop range, by regulating orders in the leg markets. Defining an acceptable slop range as a percentage allows the trader to monitor and regulate their profits and loss, regardless of the type of spread trading algorithm used or the placement of an order o the spread price axis. |
| US07672896B2 |
System and method for order placement in an electronic trading environment
A system and associated methods are provided for intelligent placement and movement of orders in an electronic trading environment. According to one example method, in addition to submitting a leg order at a calculated price level, additional orders, queue holder orders, are submitted for the leg order at prices either below or above the calculated price level. Based on this configuration, if the conditions change such that it is necessary to re-price the leg order, there will be already an order resting in the exchange order book at the re-calculated price that can be used in the strategy. Upon re-pricing the leg order, one or more additional queue holder orders will be placed in the market. Other tools are provided as well. |
| US07672889B2 |
System and method for providing customizable investment tools
Computer-implemented methods and systems to help investors determine the fair value and ratings of assets (such as equity or debt instruments, etc.), and thereby make better informed investment decisions, through: automatically consolidating selected asset historical performance, forecasting and rating information; automatically computing asset valuations based on default and/or customized valuation parameters; and automatically determining asset under or over valuation. |
| US07672888B2 |
Construction payment management system and method with automated electronic document generation features
A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include generating a budget for a construction project, receiving an invoice amount from at least one participant in the construction project, generating at least one of an automated invoice and an automated sworn statement based on the invoice amount and the budget, generating at least one automated lien waiver based on at least one of the automated invoice and the automated sworn statement, and electronically executing at least one of the automated invoice, the automated sworn statement, and the at least one automated lien waiver to create at least one of a legally-binding invoice, a legally-binding sworn statement, and a legally-binding lien waiver. Another method embodying the invention can include electronically receiving a lien waiver from a participant in a construction project, electronically transmitting payment to the participant in response to receipt of the lien waiver, and releasing the lien waiver in response to the payment. |
| US07672880B2 |
Automated accounting system, method and computer-readable medium for MFP devices
The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated accounting of document reading device usage. The system and method include a configurable accounting agent adapted to automatically generate usage reports of the document generating device and transmit the reports to one or more destinations. |
| US07672874B2 |
Contextual presentation of information about related orders during browsing of an electronic catalog
An electronic catalog system, which may be implemented as a web site or another type of interactive system, presents context-sensitive account information to customers during browsing of an electronic catalog of products. In one embodiment, when a customer accesses a detail page for a particular product, the detail page is supplemented with information, such as status information, about a related order placed by the customer. The related order may be an order for the product represented in the detail page or may be for a related product. Information about related orders may additionally or alternatively be added to other types of pages, such as product category pages and shopping cart pages. In one embodiment, a customer's related order information is maintained in a cache during the customer's browsing session, and the cache is updated in real time to reflect actions performed by the customer. |
| US07672866B2 |
Econometric optimization engine
A preferred set of prices for a plurality of products, generally demand coefficients is provided. Cost data including activity-based costs is also received. A preferred set of prices that will provide a local optimum for the preferred set of prices which maximizes profit is then determined. In one embodiment, a sales model and a cost model are created. A plurality of rules is specified. The preferred set of prices is then determined based on the sales model, the cost model, and the plurality of rules. |
| US07672864B2 |
Generating and displaying level-of-interest values
Attendees or viewers of a presentation provide input marking specific points corresponding to a high level of interest. Received bookmarks are aggregated to generate overall level-of-interest values for various points in the presentation. A graphical depiction of these level-of-interest values is provided; users can navigate using this graphical depiction to find specific parts of the presentation having the highest level of interest or importance. User interface elements provide access to various filtering, display, and configuration options for the graphical depiction. |
| US07672862B1 |
Generating a supply chain plan
Generating a supply chain plan includes accessing data describing a supply chain network having buffers. Each buffer is operable to store items and is associated with a corresponding time variable. The supply chain network is constrained by a constraint. A linear programming problem is generated for the supply chain network. The linear programming problem is approximated by discretizing the time variables of the buffers to yield discretized time variables and by relaxing the constraint to yield a relaxed constraint. An optimized supply chain plan is calculated for the approximated linear programming problem. The optimized supply chain plan describes a quantity of items at each buffer for at least one time value of the corresponding time variable. The optimized supply chain plan is adjusted to satisfy the constraint. |
| US07672855B2 |
Transportation planning with drop trailer arrangements
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with transportation planning in light of drop trailer arrangements are described. One exemplary computer-implemented method embodiment includes receiving orders that describe items to be delivered to facilities as controlled by order requirements. The method may also include accessing a transportation planning model that includes information concerning shipping modes and carriers by which an order can be delivered to a facility. The transportation planning model may also include data concerning drop trailer arrangements between facilities and the carriers. The method may also include selectively consolidating orders into shipments based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer arrangement. The method may also include selectively assigning shipments to loads based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer action. The method may output an actionable plan of loads stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium. |
| US07672854B2 |
Data storage management driven by business objectives
Storage organization of data according to business objectives is provided to manage data storage consumption among data storage consumers. Data is not managed at the file level, but organized, coordinated and enforced at a global level based on business logic. The business objectives typically include customer information, priority information, marketing information, manufacturing information, recorded contract and documentary information or information regarding the revenue generation or potential of data. The logical representation enforces data storage consumers to work according to the definitions in the logical representation. The data storage consumers will have the opportunity to define storage parameters for each of the data defined in the logical representation. The placement and determination of where the data should be stored is accomplished according to these defined storage parameters. Data organization based on business logic provides a higher degree of intelligence to the organization of data storage compared to prior art solutions. |
| US07672846B2 |
Speech recognition system finding self-repair utterance in misrecognized speech without using recognized words
A voice recognition system and a voice processing system in which a self-repair utterance can be inputted and recognized accurately, as in a conversation in which a human user makes a self-repair utterance. A signal processing unit converts speech voice data into a feature, a voice section detecting unit detects voice sections in the speech voice data, and a priority determining unit selects a voice section that includes a self-repair utterance from among the voice sections according to a priority criterion without using any result of recognizing a speech vocabulary sequence. Priority criteria can include a length of the voice section, signal to noise ratio, chronological order of the voice section as well as speech speed. A decoder calculates a matching score with a recognition vocabulary using the feature of the voice section and an acoustic model. |
| US07672842B2 |
Method and system for FFT-based companding for automatic speech recognition
A method and system processes a speech signal. A fast Fourier transform is performed on a speech signal to produce a speech signal having a plurality of frequency bands in a frequency domain. For each frequency bands, filter the speech signal in the frequency domain with a spatial broadband filter, compress the broadband filtered speech signal, filter the compressed speech signal with a spatial narrowband filter; and, expand the narrowband filtered signal to an expanded signal |
| US07672840B2 |
Voice speed control apparatus
A voice speed control apparatus comprising: an utterance/non-utterance judging unit judging whether a processing target segment in inputted a voice signal is an utterance segment or a non-utterance segment; a non-utterance continuation length acquiring unit acquiring a non-utterance continuation length representing a length of the voice signal judged continuously to be the non-utterance; a determining unit determining a reproducing speed of the processing target segment in the voice signal in accordance with the non-utterance continuation length so that the reproducing speed gets higher as the non-utterance continuation length gets larger and so that an increase in reproducing speed is restrained to a greater degree as the non-utterance continuation length becomes smaller; and a changing unit changing the reproducing speed of the voice signal, corresponding to the reproducing speed. |
| US07672838B1 |
Systems and methods for speech recognition using frequency domain linear prediction polynomials to form temporal and spectral envelopes from frequency domain representations of signals
In accordance with the present invention, computer implemented methods and systems are provided for representing and modeling the temporal structure of audio signals. In response to receiving a signal, a time-to-frequency domain transformation on at least a portion of the received signal to generate a frequency domain representation is performed. The time-to-frequency domain transformation converts the signal from a time domain representation to the frequency domain representation. A frequency domain linear prediction (FDLP) is performed on the frequency domain representation to estimate a temporal envelope of the frequency domain representation. Based on the temporal envelope, one or more speech features are generated. |
| US07672837B2 |
Method and device for adaptive bandwidth pitch search in coding wideband signals
A pitch search method and device for digitally encoding a wideband signal, in particular but not exclusively a speech signal, in view of transmitting, or storing, and synthesizing this wideband sound signal. The new method and device which achieve efficient modeling of the harmonic structure of the speech spectrum uses several forms of low pass filters applied to a pitch codevector, the one yielding higher prediction gain (i.e. the lowest pitch prediction error) is selected and the associated pitch codebook parameters are forwarded. |
| US07672836B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating pitch of signal
A pitch estimating method and apparatus in which mixture Gaussian distributions based on candidate pitches having high period estimating values are generated, a mixture Gaussian distribution having a high likelihood is selected and dynamic programming is executed so that the pitch of the speech signal can be accurately estimated. The pitch estimating method comprises computing a normalized autocorrelation function of a windowed signal obtained by multiplying a frame of a speech signal by a window signal and determining candidate pitches from a peak value of the normalized autocorrelation function of the windowed signal, interpolating a period of the determined candidate pitches and a period estimating value representing a length of the period, generating Gaussian distributions for the candidate pitches for each frame for which the interpolated period estimating value is greater than a first threshold value, mixing the Gaussian distributions which are located at a distance less than a second threshold value to generate mixture Gaussian distributions and selecting at least one of the mixture Gaussian distributions that a likelihood exceeding a third threshold value, and executing dynamic programming for the frames to estimate the pitch of each frame, based on the candidate pitches of each of the frames and the selected mixture Gaussian distributions. |
| US07672830B2 |
Apparatus and methods for aligning words in bilingual sentences
Methods are disclosed for performing proper word alignment that satisfy constraints of coverage and transitive closure. Initially, a translation matrix which defines word association measures between source and target words of a corpus of bilingual translations of source and target sentences is computed. Subsequently, in a first method, the association measures in the translation matrix are factorized and orthogonalized to produce cepts for the source and target words, which resulting matrix factors may then be, optionally, multiplied to produce an alignment matrix. In a second method, the association measures in the translation matrix are thresholded, and then closed by transitivity, to produce an alignment matrix, which may then be, optionally, factorized to produce cepts. The resulting cepts or alignment matrices may then be used by any number of natural language applications for identifying words that are properly aligned. |
| US07672829B2 |
Pivot translation method and system
A method and system for translating text from a source language into a target language is described. A source word table and a source structure analysis table corresponding to the source language can be generated based on the text to be translated. A target word table and a target structure analysis table corresponding to the target language can be generated based on the source word table and the source structure analysis table. A translation of the text from the source language into the target language is then generated using the target word table and the target structure analysis table. |
| US07672828B2 |
Memory access to virtual target device
A software development technique is provided using target system virtualization software simulating behaviour of a target system. A target device driver running on a host system issues memory access commands to the target system virtualization software rather than to a memory interface unit of the host system. The memory interface unit may be an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) interface. The target system may be an EGPRS (Enhanced General Packet Radio Service) modem. |
| US07672827B1 |
Method and system for simulation of analog/digital interfaces with analog tri-state ioputs
A system and method for simulating the electrical operation of a mixed analog/digital system includes the capability for analog circuit block inputs to respond to the condition in which digital gate outputs connected to the analog circuit block input are presented in high-impedance or floating signal states, thereby providing for simulation of a wide variety of mixed analog/digital designs in which this condition occurs. In a simulated design, an analog input of one or more analog circuit blocks is transformed into an analog tri-statable input-output referred to as an ioput. The ioput is capable of driving an analog signal when the digital gate outputs connected to the analog block input are presented in a high-impedance Z state; otherwise, the ioput acts as an analog input to the analog circuit block. |
| US07672826B2 |
Methods of modeling physical properties of chemical mixtures and articles of use
Included are methods for modeling at least one physical property of a mixture of at least two chemical species. One or more chemical species of the mixture are approximated or represented by at least one conceptual segment. The conceptual segments are then used to compute at least one physical property of the mixture. An analysis of the computed physical properties forms a model of at least one physical property of the mixture. Also included are computer program products and computer systems for implementing the modeling methods. |
| US07672821B2 |
Computer readable medium having a program using particle method
Finite element methods are unsuitable for a dispersed system. Particle methods suitable for a dispersed system are limited in their particle shapes of only spheres that require many particles to model a complicated shape especially in 3D. Proposed procedures for a particle method are roughly as follows. 1): Judging the existence of the contact between particles as that between mathematically-smooth closed surfaces representing particle shape and size. 2): Assuming an imaginary contact point and an imaginary contact plane the same as when both closed surfaces are reduced with the same scale to touch at one point. 3): Calculating imaginary contact area and imaginary contact stiffness using the above point and plane. Based on these procedures, particle shapes are not limited but smooth. Therefore, a more complicated shaped problem in a dispersed system can be analyzed with a smaller number of particles. Additionally, combined use with finite elements enlarges usability. |
| US07672815B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating a proposed solution to a constraint problem
A method of evaluating constraint functions, the evaluation being based at least in part on a control blade movement criteria. |
| US07672814B1 |
System and method for baseline threshold monitoring
The present invention provides a system for identifying exceptional behavior of a hardware or software component. According to one embodiment, the system comprises an operational metric calculator that is operative to sample a first behavior of an operational metric and a second behavior of the operational metric. The operational metric may be any metric that quantifies the operation of a hardware or software component, as well as combinations thereof. A baseline threshold calculator is operative to calculate a baseline threshold on the basis of the first sampled behavior of the operational metric. The baseline threshold is applied by a baseline threshold analyzer to the second operational metric to generate an alarm when the second sampled behavior of the operational metric deviates from the baseline threshold. |
| US07672811B2 |
System and method for production system performance prediction
Disclosed herein are a system, method and apparatus for reporting, making alerts and predicting fault codes generated by machines in a line. Historical fault code data is received and filtered according to particular criteria to generate filtered fault code data. Classification of the filtered fault code data into physical groups and into logical groups is followed by sorting the groups to produce fault trend data. Processing the fault trend data with a plurality of analyzers generates output including reports, alerts, and predictions of future fault code occurrences. |
| US07672807B2 |
Ultrasonic color imaging characterizing ultra-fine structures and continuously distributed physical conditions
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for ultrasonic color imaging that characterizes ultra-fine structures and distributional physical conditions within the target under inspection. The disclosed complementarily incorporates information arising from a plurality of repeated sound trips forced by repeated reflections of exterior and interior interfaces of target, and expresses the information into an image segment representing the main path that ultrasonic signals traveled within the target. The image produced is substantially more discriminative, descriptive, and position-sensitive to both acoustic interfaces and distributional acoustic characteristics of the target. The invention is especially useful for thin sheet targets most vulnerable to both non-continuous and continuous interior defects. The continuous interior conditions and effects of ultra-thin layered structures, that traditional ultrasonic inspection has been unable to express, are effectively expressed by linking their effects of deforming the waveform of passing ultrasonic signals to color image details. |
| US07672802B2 |
Apparatus and method for calibrating earphones for audiometric testing
A system and method for performing audiometric testing utilizes an independently normalized audiometer and independently calibrated earphones. |
| US07672797B2 |
Flow measurement in partially filled pipes using pulsed peak velocity doppler
The present invention relates to a system and method for measurement of flow velocity using the transmission of a sequence of coherent pulsed ultrasonic signals into the flow, and sampling the received response signal at a predetermined delay time relative to the pulse transmission that does not correspond to the signal transmission time. The sampling may be coherent with a frequency offset from the coherency frequency of the pulses. The received signal samples are then spectrally processed, typically by a Fourier process, to generate a frequency domain data set. A threshold technique is used on the frequency domain data set to determine a peak Doppler shift. Average velocity is then obtained by multiplying the peak Doppler shift by a factor, for example, 0.90. In one embodiment, the transmit pulse and receive samples are interleaved by alternating between transmitting a pulse and, after a delay, sampling the received signal. |
| US07672792B1 |
Methods and systems for classifying mass spectra
Methods and systems are disclosed for classifying mass spectra to discriminate the absence or existence of a condition. The mass spectra may include raw mass spectrum intensity signals or may include intensity signals that have been preprocessed. The method and systems include determining a first or higher order derivative of the signals of the mass spectra, or any linear combination of the signal and a derivative of the signal, to form a mass spectra data set for training a classifier. The mass spectra data set may be provided as input to train a classifier, such as a linear discrimination classifier. The classifier trained with the derivative-based mass spectra data set then classifies mass spectra samples to improve discriminating between the absence or existence of a condition. |
| US07672790B2 |
System and method for stochastic DT-MRI connectivity mapping on the GPU
A graphics processing unit implemented method for fiber tract mapping from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging data includes providing a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance brain image volume, initializing a set of fiber positions in a 3D set of points, fiber displacements, and a posterior distribution for an updated fiber displacement in terms of the initial displacements and diffusion tensors, randomly sampling a set of updated fiber displacements from said posterior distribution, computing a new set of fiber positions from said initial fiber positions and said updated fiber displacements, wherein a fiber path comprises a set of fiber points connected by successive fiber displacements, accumulating connectivity values in each point of said 3D set of points by additive alpha-blending a scaled value if a fiber path has passed through a point and adding zero if not, and rendering said connectivity values. |
| US07672789B2 |
Least-Square Deconvolution (LSD): a method to resolve DNA mixtures
Least Square Deconvolution (LSD) uses quantitative allele peak area derived from a sample containing the DNA of more than one contributor to resolve the best-fit genotype profile of each contributor. The resolution is based on finding the least square fit of the mass ratio coefficients at each locus to come closest to the quantitative allele peak data. Consistent top-ranked mass ratio combinations from each locus can be pooled to form at least one composite DNA profile at a subset of the available loci. The top-ranked DNA profiles can be used to check against the profile of a suspect or be used to search for a matching profile in a DNA database. |
| US07672786B2 |
Non-equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM)—based methods for drug and diagnostic development
The invention discloses a Non-Equilibrium Capillary Electrophoresis of Equilibrium Mixtures (NECEEM) method and NECEEM-based practical applications. The NECEEM method is a homogeneous technique, which, in contrast to heterogeneous methods, does not require affixing molecules to a solid substrate. The method of the invention facilitates 3 practical applications. In the first application, the method allows the finding of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of complex formation. It advantageously allows for revealing two parameters, the equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, and the monomolecular rate constant of complex decay, koff, in a single experiment. In the second practical application, the method of this invention provides an approach for quantitative affinity analysis of target molecules. It advantageously allows for the use of affinity probes with relatively high values of koff. In the third practical application, the method of this invention presents a new and powerful approach to select target-binding molecules (ligands) from complex mixtures. Unique capabilities of the method in its third application include but not limited to: (a) the selection of ligands with pre-determined ranges of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of target-ligand interactions, (b) the selection of ligands present in minute amounts in complex mixtures of biological or synthetic compounds such as combinatorial libraries of oligonucleotides, and (c) the selection of ligands for targets available in very low amounts. In particular, the method of this invention provides a novel approach for the selection of oligonucleotide aptamers. The NECEEM-based method can be used for discovery and characterization of drug candidates and the development of new diagnostic methods. |
| US07672785B2 |
Method and system for evaluating and displaying depth data
A method and apparatus for displaying depth of positional data with tubing analysis data obtained by instruments analyzing tubing sections being withdrawn from a well includes an apparatus for communicably linking an encoder or other positional or depth sensors to the tubing analysis data processor. In addition, sensors capable of detected collars holding pieces of tubing section together can transmit signals to the analysis data processor that a collar has been detected and insert collar location information into the analysis data. Furthermore, information based on the length of the individual pieces of tubing or the data from the encoder or other positional sensor can be analyzed or associated with the analysis data and displayed with the analysis data by overlaying a depth component on a display of the analysis data. |
| US07672784B2 |
Using statistics of a fitting function for data-driven dispersion slowness processing
Dispersive array acoustic data are acquired. A histogram is determined from the semblance-frequency coherence of the data. The low frequency limit of the data is estimated by matching the statistics of the histogram to the statistics of a modeling function. |
| US07672769B2 |
Device for longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle by intervention in the brake system
A device for longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle, including a driver assistance system which outputs a brake request signal to a brake control unit. The driver assistance system is designed to output a brake request signal in the form of a distance signal which specifies the distance to be traveled by the vehicle within which the vehicle is to reach a predefinable target velocity. The brake control unit has a conversion unit for converting the distance signal into a brake operation signal. |
| US07672767B2 |
Method and device for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle
A method for triggering an occupant protection device in a vehicle including the steps: detecting a first measured variable and simultaneously generating a corresponding first signal for indicating a necessity for triggering at least one occupant protection device; detecting an acceleration value in the z direction and simultaneously generating a corresponding second signal; calculating a trigger signal for triggering at least one occupant protection device as a function of the first and second signals, and triggering the at least one occupant protection device as a function of the calculated trigger signal. An appropriate device is also described. |
| US07672765B2 |
Enhanced roll stability indicator for vehicle rollover control
A system and method for providing a vehicle roll stability indicator that dynamically estimates the probability for vehicle rollover. The system determines vehicle kinematics from various vehicle sensors. From these kinematic values, the system estimates a roll angle of the vehicle and a bank angle of the vehicle. The estimated bank angle is used to correct the roll angle. The system determines a roll energy of the vehicle and a roll energy rate of the vehicle from the corrected roll angle. The system also calculates a tire lateral load transfer of the relative forces on the vehicle tires, and the duration that any of the tires have been off of the ground. From the roll energy, the roll energy rate, the tire lateral load transfer and the wheel airborne duration, the system calculates the roll stability indicator. |
| US07672762B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and control method thereof
In an OFF condition of an ECO switch, a stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W1 (step S420). In an ON condition of the ECO switch, the stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W2 (step S430). When an output limit Wout of a battery set according to a battery temperature and a state of charge of the battery is not less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is permitted to stop (step S450). When the output limit Wout is less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is prohibited from stopping (step S460). The value W1 is specified as a value of electric power required for a smooth restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle. The value W2 is specified to be close to a value of minimum electric power required for a restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle and is set to be smaller than the value W1. |
| US07672758B2 |
Method and a device for assisting the piloting of a rotary wing aircraft in the vicinity of a landing or takeoff point
The invention relates to a method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft in the vicinity of a landing or takeoff point, by: determining the locus of entry and/or exit points for a given approach and/or departure altitude that are not safe for reaching the landing and/or takeoff point; and presenting a diagram including said locus on a display device. |
| US07672753B1 |
Optimized library device management
Various embodiments of a system and method for optimizing storage library operations. In one embodiment a method may comprise storing a plurality of efficiency values indicative of relative efficiencies of storage targets in a storage library, and executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. Efficiency values may include, for example, information on a physical layout of the storage library. In one embodiment storage targets may include at least the following classes: a slot class, a portal class, a drive class, a picker class, and a media class. In one embodiment, executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values may comprise selecting one or more storage targets to implement the storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. For example, a drive closest to a given media unit may be selected to read the media unit. |
| US07672752B2 |
Sorting workpieces to be portioned into various end products to optimally meet overall production goals
A method is provided for sorting incoming products (e.g., chicken butterflies) to be portioned into two or more types of end products (e.g., sandwich portions, strips, nuggets, etc.) to meet production goals. The method includes generally four steps. First, information on incoming products is received. Second, for each incoming product, a parameter value (e.g., the weight of an end product to be produced from the incoming product) is calculated for each of the two or more types of end products that may be produced from the incoming product. Third, the calculated parameter values for the incoming products for the two or more types of end products, respectively, are normalized so as to meet the production goals while at the same time achieving optimum parameter values. Fourth, for each incoming product, the end product with the best (e.g., largest) normalized parameter value is selected as the end product to be produced from the incoming product. |
| US07672748B2 |
Automated manufacturing systems and methods
An efficient manufacturing automation system and method is described. The system and method include bays, with each bay having a group of tools. Temporary storage locations are provided. A transport system facilitates movement of materials from the tools. The system and method enable direct transfer of materials from a first tool to a second tool or transfer of materials from a first tool to a temporary storage location when a second tool is unavailable. |
| US07672746B1 |
Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling overtime and time-off for a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a workforce schedule including assignments of workers to shifts; receiving a template describing alterations to shifts; and applying schedulable objects to the workforce schedule in accordance with a workload forecast and schedule constraints. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a user interface and a scheduler. The user interface allows creation of shift alteration templates and associating templates with workers. The scheduler uses the shift alteration templates to modify an existing schedule of assignments of workers to shifts. |
| US07672745B1 |
Manufacturing process analysis and optimization system
Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. The present invention, in one implementation, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating the optimization or improvement of manufacturing processes relative to one or more criteria. In some implementations, the present invention facilitates the optimization of manufacturing processes relative to one or more attributes—such as cycle time, cost, and performance—while still optimizing process output relative to design specifications for a given article characteristic. |
| US07672739B2 |
System for multiresolution analysis assisted reinforcement learning approach to run-by-run control
A new multiresolution analysis (wavelet) assisted reinforcement learning (RL) based control strategy that can effectively deal with both multiscale disturbances in processes and the lack of process models. The application of wavelet aided RL based controller represents a paradigm shift in the control of large scale stochastic dynamic systems of which the control problem is a subset. The control strategy is termed a WRL-RbR controller. The WRL-RbR controller is tested on a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process of wafer fabrication for which process model is available. Results show that the RL controller outperforms EWMA based controllers for low autocorrelation. The new controller also performs quite well for strongly autocorrelated processes for which the EWMA controllers are known to fail. Convergence analysis of the new breed of WRL-RbR controller is presented. Further enhancement of the controller to deal with model free processes and for inputs coming from spatially distributed environments are also addressed. |
| US07672735B2 |
Two-part implantable cardiac lead
Methods of implanting a two-part cardiac lead in a heart are disclosed. The two-part cardiac lead has inner and outer portions and a pin. The inner and outer lead portions are separately advanced to a location of interest within the vasculature of a patient. The pin is attached to a proximal end of the inner lead portion and can provide a connection between the inner and outer lead portions. |
| US07672733B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sensing cardiac activity via neurological stimulation therapy system or medical electrical lead
According to the present invention at least a pair of neurological stimulation electrodes are disposed in, on, about, adjacent and/or within excitable neural tissue of a subject. Cardiac activity of a patient is detected using one or more electrodes adapted for delivery of a neurological stimulation therapy (NST). Following detection of certain types of cardiac activity one or more of the plurality of stimulation electrodes deliver or withhold NST, if desired in synchrony with the cardiac activity or in response to the detected cardiac activity. The NST delivered includes without limitation subcutaneous stimulation, peripheral, TENS and/or vagal nerve stimulation therapy or the like. |
| US07672731B2 |
Implantable device including multiple communication antennas
An implantable device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD) includes at least two radio frequency (RF) antennas and may additionally include an RF communication circuit. The RF antennas are spatially diverse, are disposed adjacent a housing, and are each configured to receive RF signals transmitted to the IMD from a remote RF signal source. The RF communication circuit, if included, is disposed within the housing and is configured to selectively receive the RF signals received by one or more of the spatially diverse RF antennas. |
| US07672729B2 |
Multi-variable feedback control of stimulation for inspiratory facilitation
An exemplary method includes delivering stimulation according to one or more stimulation parameters to cause contraction of the diaphragm, monitoring chest activity related to respiration and, in response to the monitoring, adjusting one or more of the one or more stimulation parameters during contraction of the diaphragm and continuing the delivering. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US07672727B2 |
Neural electrode treatment
An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms. |
| US07672726B2 |
System and method for controlling an implantable medical device subject to magnetic field or radio frequency exposure
A system for controlling an implantable medical device (e.g., a drug delivery device) susceptible to malfunctioning during exposure to a magnetic field and/or Radio Frequency field (e.g., during a magnetic resonance imaging procedure) and a method for operating the same. Exposure of the implantable device to the magnetic field and/or the Radio Frequency field is detected using the sensing device. When the detected magnetic field and/or Radio Frequency field exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold level, an input signal is generated at the microcontroller. In response to the generated input signal, the microcontroller automatically triggers (i) a safety mode enabling a predetermined safety mode operation that alters some operation, without ceasing all operation, of the implantable medical device and/or (ii) after expiration of a predetermined safety mode time interval when the at least one field being detected falls below its corresponding predetermined threshold level or a predetermined period of time elapses, a self testing mode enabling a predetermined self testing operation to verify proper operation of the implantable medical device. Preferably, both the safety and self testing modes are automatically triggered. |
| US07672723B2 |
Implantable medical device for biventricular stimulation
A heart stimulator for biventricular pacing comprises at least one stimulation pulse generator connected or connectable to a right ventricular or atrial stimulation electrode lead and a left ventricular or atrial electrode lead, respectively. The heart stimulator is adapted to generate right chamber stimulation pulses for a right atrium or ventricle and left chamber stimulation pulses for a left ventricle or atrium. A high rate protection unit connected to said stimulation pulse generator is adapted to trigger, upon any right or left chamber stimulation pulse, a protection time window having a predetermined duration in time and comprising an early part immediately followed by a late part. The protection unit is further adapted to only allow atrial or ventricular stimulation pulses in said early part of said protection time window and to suppress any atrial or ventricular stimulation pulse in said late part. |
| US07672721B2 |
System and method of AV interval selection in an implantable medical device
An implantable medical device provides ventricular pacing capabilities and optimizes AV intervals for multiple purposes. In general, intrinsic conduction is promoted by determining when electromechanical systole (EMS) ends and setting an AV interval accordingly. EMS is determined utilizing various data including QT interval, sensor input, and algorithmic calculations. |
| US07672720B2 |
Resuscitation and life support system, method and apparatus
A method of applying electrotherapy to the heart of a patient includes positioning electrodes in communication with the heart of the patient; monitoring the patient's heart to determine if its fibrillating; and providing a first signal with a current generator to the heart through the electrodes in response to an indication that the heart is fibrillating. The first stimulus signal reduces the amount of fibrillation. |
| US07672717B1 |
Method and system for the denoising of large-amplitude artifacts in electrograms using time-frequency transforms
The present invention relates to a method of signal processing of electrograms for use in medical devices, preferably by time-frequency transforms. The present invention additionally relates to a system for receiving and analyzing such signals. The present invention preferably is a method utilizing the time-frequency transforms, such as wavelet transforms, for the purpose of artifact removal from EGs. These transforms decompose a signal in both time and frequency domains, and therefore, are well suited for non-stationary signal analysis. As a result, dissimilar signal features are well localized both in time and frequency, which potentially provides a good separation between the signal of interest and artifacts. This particularly applies to large-amplitude artifacts corrupting EGs. |
| US07672716B1 |
QT-based system and method for detecting and distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure using an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for detecting dilated cardiomyopathy within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. Briefly, values representative of QT duration and QT dispersion are detected within the patient and then the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy is evaluated based on the values of QT duration and QT dispersion. In one particular example, the implanted device calculates an index representative of the extent to which individual QT duration and QT dispersion values deviate from a daily mean. The device then compares the index against a threshold indicative of a substantial likelihood of the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy within the patient. Additional techniques described herein relate to distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy from heart failure within patients that may have one or both conditions. |
| US07672715B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining excitation-physiologic response delays
An implantable medical device system and associated method are provided for measuring an excitation-physiological response delay. The method includes sensing a first signal responsive to electrical activity in a first cardiac chamber, sensing a second signal responsive to a physiologic response to the electrical activity in the first cardiac chamber; and determining an excitation-physiologic response delay in response to the first signal and the second signal. |
| US07672714B2 |
Miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals
A miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals comprises an electrode pair, an amplifier module, a microcontroller, a wireless module, and a battery. The electrode pair collects a pair of physiological signals of a person under test. The amplifier module amplifies the pair of physiological signals. The microcontroller performs an analog-to-digital conversion and a data compression for an amplified physiological signal generated by the amplifier module. The wireless module modulates a digital physiological signal generated by the microcontroller and transmitting the modulated digital physiological signal to a receiver at the far end. The apparatus can be implemented by a structure of multilayered circuit boards. With the progress of semiconductor technology, all the components of the miniature wireless apparatus can be further integrated to one circuit board, or even one chip. |
| US07672710B2 |
Data communication and control for medical imaging systems
A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem. |
| US07672702B2 |
Noninvasive in vivo measuring system and noninvasive in vivo measuring method by correcting influence of Hemoglobin
A noninvasive in vivo measuring system and a noninvasive in vivo measuring method are provided. In the noninvasive in vivo measuring system, a Raman-fluorescence measuring unit measures blood sugar concentration, which is measured using Raman spectra before and after applying a pressure on a finger, and outputs a final blood sugar level by correcting the blood sugar concentration measurement according to a Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration measured by an Hb measuring unit. |
| US07672696B2 |
Periodic ranging in a wireless access system for mobile station in sleep mode
A method of performing a ranging process between a base station and a mobile station in sleep mode in a wireless access system, wherein the base station provides the mobile station with an initial notification of a periodic ranging time that occurs during a sleep time interval and during which the mobile station is to perform the ranging process, the initial notification included in a first message, the first message indicating whether the mobile station should terminate sleep mode to receive downlink data, and wherein the base station provides the mobile station with subsequent notifications of periodic ranging times that occur during the sleep time interval, the subsequent notifications indicated in a second message, the second message transmitted to the mobile station as part of the ranging process such that the mobile station performs a plurality of ranging processes within the sleep time interval. |
| US07672693B2 |
Controlling method, secondary unit and radio terminal equipment
Radio terminal equipment of a communication system, the communication system comprising one or more secondary units coupled to the radio terminal equipment, the radio terminal equipment comprising: means for receiving information on audio characteristics optimising an audio signal of the secondary unit, means for converting the audio characteristics information into a form of an audio control algorithm used in the radio terminal equipment for performing a secondary unit audio control algorithm, means for optimising an audio signal of the secondary unit by using the secondary unit audio control algorithm. |
| US07672688B2 |
Radio communication equipment and method used in said equipment
The present invention relates to a radio communication equipment comprising a first antenna 1, a first RF unit 2 for wireless communication, the first RF unit 2 being connectable to said first antenna 1, wherein a first frequency band is used by said first RF unit 2 for reception of a signal via said first antenna 1 and a second frequency band is used by said first RF unit 2 for transmission of a signal via said first antenna 1, said first and second frequency bands being used alternatively by said first RF unit 2 and a second RF unit 3 for wireless communication, the second RF unit 3 being connectable to said first antenna 1, wherein a third frequency band is used by said second RF unit 3 for reception of a signal and a fourth frequency band 3T is used by said second RF unit 3 for transmission of a signal, said third and fourth frequency bands being used simultaneously by said second RF unit 3. According to the present invention the radio communication equipment 0 further comprises a second antenna 4, wherein said second RF unit 3 is simultaneously connectable to both the first antenna 1 and the second antenna 4 and reception of a signal is performed by said second RF unit 3 via either the first or second antenna 1, 4 and transmission of a signal is performed by said second RF unit via the other antenna 1, 4. |
| US07672686B2 |
Method for adjusting a transmitting power in a wireless communications network
Entities of a wireless communication network adjacent to a given sending entity, i.e. entities of the network from which the sending entity is able to receive messages are identified. Among the adjacent entities, a minimum constellation associated with the sending entity is further identified as the smallest set of entities adjacent to the sending entity and included in a circle centered on the sending entity such that at least three of the entities of the set form a convex polygon circumscribing the sending entity. The transmitting power of the sending entity is then adjusted to a value sufficient for the messages sent by the sending entity to reach all the entities of the minimum constellation associated therewith. |
| US07672684B2 |
Answer modes in push-to-talk mobile communication services
A method of operating a push-to-talk service over a mobile wireless communication network, where a user of a mobile wireless terminal may select an automatic or manual answer mode for incoming session invitations for at least some other users. The method comprises including in the push-to-talk session invitation sent from a calling party to a called party, a manual answer mode request, upon receipt of the session invitation at a push-to-talk server serving the called party, forwarding the invitation including the manual answer mode request to the called party regardless of any auto-answer mode setting for the called party, and receiving the invitation at the called party, and generating a ringing alert at the called party's terminal. |
| US07672682B2 |
Managing page cycle periods of access terminals
In a radio access network, techniques for determining how often an aces terminal in communication with the network is to monitor a channel of the network based on trigger information received from the access terminal that is specific to one or more of the following: a state of the terminal, a state of a premium application, and a user of the terminal. The trigger information includes information about one or more of the following: a power mode of the access terminal, a user profile identification, an activation of a premium application on the terminal, and a terminal of a premium application on the terminal. |
| US07672678B2 |
Location-based communication system
A communication system for limiting communication between communication terminals based, at least in part, upon a separation between communication terminals is disclosed. A first communication channel is coupled with a first communication terminal, where the first communication terminal includes a transmitter. A second communication channel coupled with a second communication terminal, where the second communication terminal includes a receiver. A separation determining function finds a distance between the first and second communication terminals. A distance squelch analyzes the distance to prevent use of a message by the receiver. |
| US07672672B2 |
Methods and techniques for penalty-based channel assignments in a cellular network
A cellular network configuration tool is described that performs frequency assignments for use in a cellular network. The channels are assigned in accordance with input configuration data such as a channel separation matrix, geographic data, and requested channel assignments for each sector included in the cellular network being configured. The configuration is performed in accordance with predetermined constraints and criteria and quality of service input. The tool uses frequency assignment techniques to perform the channel assignments in accordance with varying constraints and criteria. A penalty function is used to determine a figure of merit for a particular set of frequency assignments. |
| US07672671B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling operators with operators with unused bandwidth to acquire users
A first access network [500] has a servicing element [525] for servicing a mobile station 105]. A negotiation element [530] negotiates with a second access network [115] for a right for the second access network [115] to provide wireless service to the mobile station [105]. The negotiation comprises sending an offer of a benefit from the second access network [115] to the first access network [500]. A processor [505] accepts the offer of the benefit from the second access network [115] and transmits a first token [515] to the second access network [115]. |
| US07672667B2 |
Broadcast-centric cellular communication system
A broadcast-centric cellular communication system improves broadcast channel performance by exploiting the benefits of macro-diversity in a cellular communication system having a plurality of base stations that transmit signals within a plurality of associated cells. System-specific control information common to all cells is synchronously and simultaneously broadcast from multiple base stations using a broadcast channel that is identical across the entire system. Cell-specific control information is transmitted individually from each base station. Mobile stations use the broadcast information for initial synchronization to the system, and to obtain most relevant system information. After system synchronization, the mobile stations identify the connected cell through a physical layer characteristic, and perform initial access to the system. |
| US07672664B2 |
Printing a reminder list using mobile device
A system for printing a reminder list on a print medium is disclosed. The system includes a mobile telecommunications device having a printer module to print the reminder list on the print medium and a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium. |
| US07672663B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic session placeholder for message collection user interface
A method and apparatus for representing a conversation of related messages is provided. In a message collection user interface for displaying messages sent and received by a communications device, a dynamic session placeholder is used for a respective conversation of related messages. The message collection user interface is displayed including any dynamic session placeholders in the list of messages. As messages from the conversation are occasioned, the dynamic session placeholder is updated. When the message collection is displayed, it is displayed in accordance with the updated session placeholder. |
| US07672659B2 |
Mixer with feedback
A method and system for increasing the compression point of a receiver by deriving a feedback signal from mixer output signals. The feedback signal prevents the receiver from going into compression on strong out-of-band or blocking signals, while enhancing the receiver gain at the desired frequency. The desired frequency coincides with the local oscillator (LO) signal and is therefore particularly applicable for, but not limited to, homodyne receivers where selectivity can be made quite narrowband. Since the selectivity is coupled to the LO, a tunable receiver may be achieved that enables selectivity over a wide range of input frequencies. |
| US07672656B2 |
Systems and methods to provide wideband magnitude and phase imbalance calibration and compensation in quadrature receivers
Systems and methods for passively calibrating and correcting for I/Q mismatch in a quadrature receiver without the necessity of modifying the analog portion of the receiver by adding calibration signals or correction circuitry are presented. The passive I/Q mismatch calibration system proceeds using normally received incoming transmitted data signals to obtain statistical information on which to base I/Q mismatch compensation factors. The I/Q mismatch compensation factors can be used to adjust the magnitude and phase response in the time domain or the frequency domain, the analog or the digital portion of the receiver. Depending on the embodiment, the passive I/Q mismatch calibration system can calibrate frequency dependent gain or magnitude imbalance, frequency independent magnitude imbalance, frequency dependent phase imbalance, and frequency independent phase imbalance or combinations or these. |
| US07672655B1 |
Frequency-selective and adaptive I/Q mismatch digital compensation
A phase mismatch compensation system includes a first summer that has a first input that communicates with a first phase of a received signal and an output. A second summer has a first input that communicates with a second phase of the received signal and an output, wherein the second phase is offset from the first phase. A first filter selectively filters the output of the first summer. An adaptive control module determines a predicted shift between the first and second phases of the received signal based on an output of the first filter and an actual shift between the first and second phases of the received signal. A correction module communicates with an output of the adaptive control module and the first phase and second phase of the received signal. The correction module outputs a mismatch correction to second inputs of the first and second summers respectively. |
| US07672651B2 |
Tuner circuit
A high frequency signal selected via a pre-filter is inputted to first and second frequency conversion circuits together with a local oscillation signal. The first and second frequency conversion circuits each output a difference frequency component between both input signals. An output signal of the first frequency conversion circuit is inputted to an intermediate frequency filter while an output of the intermediate frequency filter is inputted to an amplifier. An output signal of the first frequency conversion circuit is inputted to an amplifier. The amplifier selects and amplifies any one of an intermediate frequency signal outputted from the intermediate frequency signal and an output signal of the second frequency conversion circuit, and thereafter, output it. |
| US07672650B2 |
Systems and methods of RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including multiple input single output (MISO) amplifier embodiments comprising harmonic control circuitry
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion. |
| US07672639B2 |
Method and system for routing telemetry in a simplex mode
A satellite based communication system in a low-earth-orbit (LEO) has multiple beams and FDM channels within each beam for voice/data communication between user terminals and multiple gateways. The satellite based communication system has two links for duplex communication, i.e., a forward link between the gateway and the user terminals through the satellites and a return link between the user terminals and the gateway through the satellites. Low volume telemetry data from remotely located assets, such as liquid petroleum gas tanks, water tanks, oil storage tanks, rail cars is gathered, processed, and transferred to a customer over an Internet link. A remote telemetry unit with a sensor and a simplex transmitting unit transmits remote telemetry data. A gateway receives data and directs the data to a gateway applique for demodulating and decoding. Resulting messages are sent to the customer via a back office over an Internet connection. |
| US07672636B2 |
Image reader for image-forming device
An image reader including a main body with a document bed for supporting an original document; and a document cover rotatably supported at one edge with respect to the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document bed and an open position for exposing the document bed. The document cover has a main cover body and a document pressing plate formed of a synthetic resin. The pressing plate is supported on the main cover body with vertical clearance (in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the pressing plate) through the engagement of engaging pieces having through-holes. When the document cover is in the closed position, pressing parts press the center part of the pressing plate against the document bed. |
| US07672634B2 |
Addressable fusing for an integrated printing system
A printing system (10) includes at least one marking device (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D). Each of the marking devices is configured for applying images to print media. A primary fusing device (24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) is associated with each of the marking devices for applying a primary fusing treatment to the applied images to form printed media. A portion of the printed media may be only partially fused in the primary fusing treatment. A secondary fusing device (26) receives the printed media from the at least one marking device. The secondary fusing device and/or primary fusing device is addressable. A control system (90) may be operably coupled with the secondary fusing device. The control system evaluates whether the printed media is only partially fused and instructs the secondary fusing device to apply a further fusing treatment to the printed media evaluated as being only partially fused. |
| US07672632B2 |
Fixing apparatus using induction heating system for image forming apparatus
A heat roller of a fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention has a slidable metal belt on an outer side of an elastic roller. The width of the metal belt is made larger than that of the elastic roller. Flanges, each of which regulates a sliding movement of the metal belt by being in contact with an edge of the metal belt, are provided on both sides of a press roller opposite the metal belt. |
| US07672628B2 |
Post-fixing support unit and image forming apparatus using the same
A post-fixing support unit which is disposed between a fixing roller including a heating roller having a heat generator and a pressure roller so disposed opposite to the heating roller as to form a nip portion and a plurality of sheet discharge rollers which are disposed on the downstream side relative to the fixing roller and corrugation rollers disposed respectively between the adjacent two sheet discharge rollers, such that the post-fixing support unit is located on the upstream side relative to the corrugation rollers at the same position as at least the corrugation rollers in the width direction. |
| US07672623B2 |
Electrographic distributed replenishment apparatus and method
A developer station and related method for distributed replenishment of toner as well as powder coatings and related materials. The developer station is divided into a first space adjacent or within a second space, the first space located adjacent a toner supply and the second space including a developer sump. The first space includes a toner-conveying device located in the first space, the toner-conveying device having a tapered body with a first end and a second end. A conveyance housing is located adjacent to and disposed such that the toner conveying device conveys the toner toward the developer sump as it travels from the first end of the toner conveying device to the second end of the toner conveying device, the housing having slots or openings so that the toner is deposited in the developer sump along the length of the conveying device. |
| US07672620B2 |
Developer purification station or structure
This is a magnetic developer purification structure that is used along with other stations positioned in the path of an electrostatic moving belt or drum in an electrostatic marking system. This purification structure may be a separate station or may be part of the development station provided it supplies purified developer to the development station prior to developer contacting the latent image on the drum or belt. The purification structure will agitate the developer mix to form a homogenous mixture of toner and carrier. This mixture is magnetically treated to separate less magnetically attracted contaminants from the remainder of the mixture. The contaminants are removed from the mix and substantially pure developer is then available for contact with the latent image. |
| US07672618B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method using liquid development in which toner density is determined based on patch image density
A CPU 113 executes a control program stored in a memory 116 thereby forming a plurality of patch images with a developing bias increased for each of the patch images; detecting a density of each of the patch images by means of a patch sensor 17; and comparing the image densities to determine whether the image density is saturated or not. Then, an image forming condition in which an image density is substantially saturated is determined and is stored in the memory 116. When a print command signal is inputted from an external device via a main controller 100, a printing operation is performed under the image forming condition stored in the memory 116. |
| US07672616B2 |
Toner usage control between differing image regions
A control part provides a first region in which an image is formed on an image carrier using only a dark-color toner. The control part provides a second region, which is adjacent to the first region, in which an image is formed using a dark-color toner and a light-color toner. The control part provides a third region in which an image is formed using only a light-color toner at the boundary of the first and second regions. The control part controls a latent-image forming unit, a light-color developing unit and a dark-color developing unit so as to form an image in which these regions are provided. The control part may provide a third region in which neither a light-color toner nor a dark-color toner is used at the boundary of the first and second regions. |
| US07672612B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, and image forming apparatus using same
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a substantially cylindrical body rotated by rotation power transmitted via an first end portion from in an image forming apparatus and a photosensitive layer including a latent image forming area formed on an outer circumference of the body. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In the photosensitive layer, when the body is charged with a constant charging ability in the axial direction, dark electric potential at the latent image forming area gradually becomes larger as proceeding in the axial direction of the body, from the first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. |
| US07672610B2 |
Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components
Techniques for attaching a replacement chip to an imaging cartridge are described. An exemplary method of modifying a toner hopper assembly for use in a toner cartridge consists of providing the toner hopper assembly having a generally cylindrical shape and an at least partially non-functioning electronic chip with electrical contacts disposed in an endplate section of the generally cylindrical shape. The method further modifies the toner hopper assembly by affixing a replacement chip to the toner hopper assembly to form a modified toner hopper assembly. The replacement chip includes replacement electrical contacts which allow the replacement chip to communicate with a printer when the modified toner cartridge is installed in the printer. |
| US07672609B2 |
Toner container and toner supply device unit using the same
A toner bottle that is composed of a main body filled with toner and a bottle-side toner discharges port for discharging toner from the main body is adapted to discharge the toner in the main body out of the container whilst the toner bottle is being rotated in the toner bottle's peripheral direction. The toner bottle has a sealing element that seals the bottle-side toner discharge port. This sealing element is formed of a flexible member, and is peeled off the main body of the toner bottle as the toner bottle is rotated so as to open the bottle-side toner discharge port. |
| US07672606B2 |
Method for transfer voltage adjustment and image forming apparatus using the same
A method for transfer voltage adjustment for use in an image forming apparatus includes forming first and second halftone reference patterns, transferring the halftone reference patterns to a transfer element at respective first and second saturated transfer voltages, calculating first and second amounts of adhering toner on the transfer element, and setting up a saturated transfer voltage based on the first and second transfer voltages, the amounts of adhering toner, and a saturated amount of adhering toner obtained from stored data. |
| US07672604B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method using electrostatic transport and hopping
An image forming apparatus having a developing apparatus using a development system in which toner is moved by means of a traveling wave electric field. The image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of developing apparatuses having toner conveyance members which convey toner by means of a phase-shift electric field created by voltages of n phases applied to a plurality of electrodes, to a region opposing an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a voltage application device which applies a voltage having an average potential value between the potential of the image portions of the latent image on the image carrier and the non-image portions of same, to the electrodes of the toner conveyance members of the respective developing apparatuses. |
| US07672601B2 |
Image forming apparatus and output setting method of consumed status of consumable items of the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which uses a consumable item is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a consumed status detecting unit which detects a value of the consumed status of the consumable item, a determining unit which determines whether to output an exchange message of the consumable item by comparing the value of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit with a predetermined value, an exchange message output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the exchange message, and a consumed status output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit. |
| US07672599B2 |
Intra-channel nonlinearity compensation for optical data communications
An arrangement is described for compensating intra-channel nonlinearities in an optical communications system which combines optical dispersion compensation with electronic pre-distortion (EPD). EPD with moderate lookup table size can effectively suppress intra-channel nonlinearities over optical transmission links incorporating optical dispersion compensation. The arrangement can be implemented for a variety of optical communications systems, including 10 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and higher bit rate systems as well as single-channel and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems. |
| US07672597B2 |
Optical transmitter with external modulator, optical transceiver including optical transmitter with external modulator, and methods of driving the same
An optical transmitter with an external modulator includes a light-emitting unit emitting a continuous wave light, a modulation unit modulating the continuous wave light in accordance with an electric signal, a first terminal applying a first positive voltage to a cathode of the light-emitting unit and a cathode of the modulation unit, a second terminal applying a second positive voltage of a constant value to an anode of the light-emitting unit, and a third terminal applying a third positive voltage with the electric signal to an anode of the modulation unit. The second positive voltage is set to a value higher than the first positive voltage, and the third positive voltage is set to a value lower than the first positive voltage. |
| US07672593B2 |
OTDM transmission method and apparatus
An OTDM transmitting method and transmitter realizing an OTDM distortion-free transmission substantially not relying upon dispersion. A time division multiplexed OTDM signal from an OTDM signal transmitter (1) enters an optical Fourier transform unit (2). Optical Fourier transform can be carried out most accurately so long as the optical pulse is a chirp-free Fourier transform limit pulse. The optical Fourier transform unit (2) converts the time waveform of the pulse into a signal on the frequency axis, and an optical inverse Fourier transform unit (2′) converts a spectral shape on the frequency axis into a time waveform (pulse). An optical fiber transmission line (3) is a transmission line having an arbitrary dispersion and a polarization mode dispersion. These dispersions may involve a time variation. An OTDM signal receiver (4) demultiplexes a transmission signal into low-speed optical signals, in a light region, receives optical pulses for respective channels and converts them into electric signals. |