| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07691179B2 |
Inducing air
A mechanism configured to interact with air, which has been sucked through a device that imparts turbulence to the air, causes a redistribution of components (e.g., oxygen and nitrogen) in the air so that when the air arrives at a location where the oxygen is to be consumed there is an enriched supply of oxygen available. The effects of a first stage of turbulence of the induced air is reduced, resulting in a higher density supply to the atomization point and to the combustion chamber, in the case of an internal combustion engine. |
| US07691176B2 |
Method for manufacturing metal nanorods and uses thereof
A method for manufacturing metal nanorods includes: a step of adding a reducing agent to a metallic salt solution; a step of radiating light into the metallic salt solution containing the reducing agent; and a step of leaving the light-radiated metallic salt solution containing the reducing agent stationary in a dark place so as to grow metal nanorods. Metal nanorods can be also grown by forming a mixed solution by fractionating the above light-radiated metallic salt solution and mixing the fractionated metallic salt solution into a non-radiated metallic salt solution containing the reducing agent, or mixing a non-radiated metallic salt solution and the reducing agent into the above light-radiated metallic salt solution; and leaving the mixed solution stationary in a dark place so as to grow metal nanorods. |
| US07691174B2 |
Feedstock composition and method of using same for powder metallurgy forming a reactive metals
A feedstock composition and a method of forming metal articles using powder metallurgy techniques comprise mixing metal powders and a novel aromatic binder system. The composition of the novel feedstock comprises an aromatic binder system and a metal powder. The aromatic binder system comprises an aromatic species and can further comprise lubricants, surfactants, and polymers as additives. The metal powder comprises elemental metals, metal compounds, and metal alloys, particularly for highly-reactive metals. The method of forming metal articles comprises the steps of providing and mixing the metal powder and the aromatic binder system to produce a novel feedstock. The method further comprises processing the novel feedstock into a metal article using a powder metallurgy forming technique. Metal articles formed using the present invention have an increase in carbon and oxygen contents each less than or equal to 0.2 wt % relative to the metal powder used to fabricate the article. |
| US07691173B2 |
Consolidated hard materials, earth-boring rotary drill bits including such hard materials, and methods of forming such hard materials
The present invention includes consolidated hard materials, methods for producing them, and industrial drilling and cutting applications for them. A consolidated hard material may be produced using hard particles such as B4C or carbides or borides of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta, Zr, and Cr in combination with an iron-based, nickel-based, nickel and iron-based, iron and cobalt-based, aluminum-based, copper-based, magnesium-based, or titanium-based alloy for the binder material. Commercially pure elements such as aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, iron, or nickel may also be used for the binder material. The mixture of the hard particles and the binder material may be consolidated at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the binder material using a technique such as rapid omnidirectional compaction (ROC), the CERACON® process, or hot isostatic pressing (HIP). After sintering, the consolidated hard material may be treated to alter its material properties. |
| US07691172B2 |
Metallic powder for powder metallurgy whose main component is iron and iron-based sintered body
Provided is iron-based metal powder for powder metallurgy including a metallic soap containing at least one or more types selected from a group of Ag, Au, Bi, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, Sn, Te and W having a higher standard oxidization potential than iron, and an iron sintered body having a rust prevention function, wherein at least one or more types of metallic soap selected from a group of Ag, Au, Bi, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, Sn, Te and W having a higher standard oxidization potential than iron is added to iron-based metal powder for powder metallurgy, and sintering is performed thereto. As a result, obtained is mixed powder for powder metallurgy capable of improving the rust prevention effect easily without having to hardly change the conventional processes. |
| US07691171B2 |
Process for the manufacture of bio-release iron-manganese fertilizer
This invention provides a process for the preparation of water insoluble, bio-release iron-manganese fertilizer which comprises, heating phosphoric acid with a mixture of (i) source of iron oxide such as goethite and hematite, (ii) pyrolusite and (iii) one or more basic compound(s) selected from oxide(s) or carbonate(s) of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, (b) neutralisation followed by drying and pulverisation. |
| US07691169B2 |
Partially chelated carboxylate nutrients and methods for their production and use
Soil dispersible and water dispersible granular nutrients for use in fertilizers include granules having a crystallized saccharide and acid binder with carboxylates (sucrates) of a nutrient embedded therein and a method of preparing the nutrient containing granules is provided. A reducible nutrient compound and citric acid is converted to a nutrient carboxylate (sucrate) and chelate by reacting the reducible nutrient and citric acid with a sprayed stream of a stoichiometric excess of reducing saccharides (sugar cane molasses) containing at least 76% by weight solids and glacial acetic acid at a temperature of 160° to 175° F. |
| US07691164B2 |
Suction device
A suction device for a cyclone filter of a hand-guided work apparatus includes a blower which is located in a housing and a starting unit with a cable drum which is rotatably mounted about an axis, wherein ambient air sucked in with dirt particles is divided by the cyclone filter into a first air stream which is largely freed from dirt particles and into a second air stream loaded with dirt particles. The housing has an inlet and an outlet for the second air stream, which has a simple configuration and a good suction performance for air laden with dirt particles. The blower is mounted rotatably about an axis which is arranged coaxially to the cable drum axis and the housing is designed with a channel which is connected to the inlet and opens in the region of the cable drum axis. |
| US07691155B2 |
Composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising at least one oxidation dye, at least one associative polymer, and at least one aminosilicone
Disclosed herein is a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibers, for example of human keratin fibers, such as the hair, containing, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, a) at least one oxidation dye, b) at least one associative polymer, and c) at least one aminosilicone, wherein the at least one aminosilicone/at least one associative polymer weight ratio is greater than or equal to 1. |
| US07691152B2 |
Method for treating morbid obesity
A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach. |
| US07691150B2 |
Modular plate and keel provisionals
A provisional prosthetic system and the surgical methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the provisional prosthetic system includes a keel and a plate configured to be secured to the keel. The keel may further include a body and at least one fin extending outwardly therefrom. The fin functions to prevent rotation of the keel once it is implanted within a bone. In one embodiment, the plate includes a captured screw having a flanged head and external threads. The captured screw is retained by the plate and configured to secure the plate to the keel. In this embodiment, the captured screw extends through an aperture in the plate. Further, the captured screw may be retained by the plate due to the interaction of the flange head and external threads of the captured screw with the top and bottom surfaces of the plate, respectively. |
| US07691144B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus
Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools. |
| US07691143B2 |
Annuloplasty ring holder
An annuloplasty ring holder including a head having an upper surface and an annuloplasty ring receiving surface facing opposite the upper surface. The annuloplasty ring holder also includes means for attaching an annuloplasty ring to the annuloplasty ring receiving surface. The means for attaching an annuloplasty ring to the annuloplasty ring receiving surface may include one or more suture guides operatively associated with the head and configured to position one or more sutures to removably associate an annuloplasty ring with the annuloplasty ring receiving surface. The head may include a central hub and more than one spoke radiating out from the central hub. If the head is thus configured, each spoke will include a portion of the annuloplasty ring receiving surface. |
| US07691139B2 |
Unidirectional delivery system
A tubular prosthesis delivery system has an inner tubular member having a distal end including a prosthesis-carrying portion and a proximal end intended to remain outside the patient. An outer tubular member has a distal end spaced from the prosthesis-carrying portion of the inner member. A coupling member couples the inner and outer tubular members to each other in fixed relationship generally at a location intended to remain outside the patient. An intermediate tubular member located between the inner and outer tubular members has a distal end adapted to cover the tubular prosthesis and a proximal end that projects proximally beyond the proximal ends of both the inner and outer tubular members. The proximally projecting end of the intermediate tubular member is longitudinally movable with respect to the coupled inner and outer tubular members by a distance sufficient to retract the intermediate tubular member distal end from any position covering the prosthesis carried by the inner member. |
| US07691135B2 |
Single puncture bifurcation graft deployment system
The present invention relates to the endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms at the aortic and iliac bifurcation. In particular, a deployment system and graft are disclosed for deploying the bifurcated graft within both iliac branches, as well as the aortic trunk, from a single vascular access. |
| US07691133B2 |
Systems and methods for bone fixation
Systems and methods for bone fixation are disclosed. A fixation system can have a planar fixation device and a laterally-fixed fixation apparatus. The planar fixation device can have a planar surface and at least one opening having side walls defining an at least generally cylindrical shape. The laterally-fixed fixation apparatus can have an at least generally cylindrical shaped head portion having outer wall sections at least partially surrounding a central hollow area. The head portion can have an inner bottom surface. An expander hub is provided in the fixation apparatus for positioning at least partially within the central hollow area of the head portion and can be seated at least partially on the inner bottom surface of the head portion. The expander hub is rotatable to force the outer wall sections of the head portion outwardly for engaging and locking the fixation apparatus in place in the opening. The fixation apparatus is further adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the fixation apparatus without lateral toggle movement relative to the planar surface of the planar fixation device. In other aspects, systems for fixating an orthopedic guide and systems and methods for compressing bone portions are also provided. |
| US07691132B2 |
Spinal stabilization systems and methods
A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. |
| US07691128B2 |
PFO closure devices and related methods of use
Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together. If the device is left within the PFO track, the device is flattened from an expanded configuration to a flattened configuration, and the walls of the PFO track, adhering to the outer surface of the device, are pulled toward each other as the device flattens. The device may also include interior structure to hold the device in a flattened configuration. |
| US07691121B2 |
Embolectomy catheters and methods for treating stroke and other small vessel thromboembolic disorders
Embolectomy catheters, rapid exchange microcatheters, systems and methods for removing clots or other obstructive matter (e.g., thrombus, thromboemboli, embolic fragments of atherosclerotic plaque, foreign objects, etc.) from blood vessels. This invention is particularly useable for percutaneous removal of thromboemboli or other obstructive matter from small blood vessels of the brain, during an evolving stroke or period of cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters of this invention are advanceable with or over a guidewire which has been pre-inserted through or around the clot. Also, in some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters include clot removal devices which are deployable from the catheter after the catheter has been advanced at least partially through the clot. The clot removal device may included a deployable wire nest that is designed to prevent a blood clot from passing therethrough. The delivery catheter may include telescoping inner and outer tubes, with the clot removal device being radially constrained by the outer tube. Retraction of the outer tube removes the constraint on the clot removal device and permits it to expand to its deployed configuration. An infusion guidewire is particularly useful in conjunction with the embolectomy catheter, and permits infusion of medicaments or visualization fluids distal to the clot. |
| US07691119B2 |
Balloon catheter with non-deployable stent
An angioplasty balloon including a non-deployable stent to prevent or reduce the potential for slippage of the inflated balloon with respect to the vessel wall being treated. The balloon includes a non-deployable stent that is adapted to be secured to the balloon or angioplasty balloon catheter. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least three radially-spaced struts, each strut connecting the proximal end to the distal end and having one or more bends that allow expansion of the strut to accommodate the inflation of the balloon. The stent is made of a material so that the stent collapses upon deflation or the balloon. |
| US07691118B2 |
Resheathing tool
The resheathing tool includes a flexible tubular body with a wall, an inner bore, and an aperture formed in the wall. The tool can be used to facilitate the unsheathing of the vasoocclusive device from the reloadable slotted introducer sheath by threading a proximal portion of the sheath out the aperture of the tool while sliding the vasoocclusive device distally through the sheath. The tool facilitates resheathing of the vasoocclusive device by introducing the vasoocclusive device through the slot of a reloadable slotted introducer sheath into the sheath by threading the reloadable slotted introducer sheath through the aperture and into the inner bore of the tool while threading the vasoocclusive device through the inner bore of the tool. At the same time, the resheathing tool prevents the elongated vasoocclusive device from moving out of the reloadable slotted introducer sheath through the slot. |
| US07691117B2 |
Lancing device
A lancing device comprising a movable parallelogram-shaped rack. The rack rotates a linearly fixed pinion which drives a slider-crank system. The slider-crank system in turn drives a lance holder. The parallelogram-shaped rack defines one or more predetermined paths along which the pinion moves. The lance holder is prevented from being extended beyond a predetermined depth when the pinion reaches a predetermined position along the one or more predetermined paths. The pinion is mechanically stopped from further progress by intersecting two legs of the parallelogram-shaped rack. Teeth of the rack may be modified to reduce the change the pinion may jam in the rack. |
| US07691114B1 |
Device for protecting nerves after surgical procedure
The technical field of the invention is the manufacture of surgical equipment implantable in the human body. The invention concerns a device for protecting nerves (2) and/or tendons (3) located in a canal zone (13) of the human body, normally closed by a ligament (1) and which is opened during a surgical procedure. The invention is characterized in that the device includes at least a plate (10) whereof the dimensions enable its insertion between the edges of the ligament, and in particular whereof the length is compatible with the distance separating the edges (11) of the ligament (1) after the cut performed during the surgical procedure, and whereof one face (102) includes a sliding surface and the other face (101) a adhering surface, the plate (10) is preferably convex with two curvilinear sides parallel in the direction transverse to the sides corresponding to the cut edges (11) of the ligament (1). |
| US07691113B2 |
Screw tip control for anastomotic ring applier
A surgical instrument for applying an anastomotic ring device comprises a handle connected to an anastomotic ring deployment mechanism by a shaft. The shaft has at least one torsion member that is capable of communicating a torsional actuating force from the handle to the ring deployment mechanism. The ring deployment mechanism is configured to actuate in response to torsional actuating force communicated from the torsion member. A threaded shaft or rod may be positioned in the ring deployment mechanism to effect actuation of the ring deployment mechanism in response to torsion. |
| US07691111B2 |
Atraumatic medical retrieval device
Baskets with atraumatic distal tips allow the capture of material from difficult-to-reach areas of the body, while reducing the risk of tissue damage. |
| US07691104B2 |
Endoscopic treatment tool
An endoscopic treatment tool is provided which includes: a grasping portion that has a first shoulder portion and second shoulder portion; a current-carrying portion that protrudes out from a distal end of each of the first and second shoulder portions; a pivot portion that is disposed in the distal end of the first shoulder portion so as to protrude in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the first shoulder portion, the distal end of the pivot portion being provided with an insulating portion; a wire that is connected to the grasping portion; a sheath which has a tubular shape, and into which the wire and grasping portion are inserted; a main body to which the sheath is fixed; and a sliding portion which is disposed to move in the longitudinal direction of the main body in a sliding manner, and to which the wire is connected. |
| US07691103B2 |
Devices for use in transluminal and endoluminal surgery
The present invention is a device and method of using a variety of laparoscopic or NOTES surgical tools at a confined or inaccessible space, e.g., an intra-abdominal surgical and NOTES tool inserted through a single incision through the skin or hollow viscus. Generally, the laparoscopic or NOTES surgical devices include a device body having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a positioning mechanism and the second side includes one or more of a variety of laparoscopic or NOTES tools. |
| US07691097B2 |
Foot switch and output system having foot switch
The foot switch includes a pedal, an output command signal generating section generating, when the pedal is operated, an output command signal commanding an apparatus main body having a function of producing active output to produce active output, a communication section performing communication with the apparatus main body, a transmit power adjusting section adjusting transmit power of the output command signal in the communication section, and a storage battery supplying electric power to the output command signal generating section, the communication section and the transmit power adjusting section. The transmit power adjusting section adjusts the transmit power on the basis of a signal indicative of receiving-condition of the output command signal in the apparatus main body, the signal transmitted from the apparatus main body and received by the communication section. |
| US07691096B2 |
Angled medical connector with height compensator
A medical connector for connecting medical tubing to a catheter includes a connector body and a height compensating foot. The connector body has a catheter leg adapted to connect to the catheter, a medical tubing leg adapted to connect to the medical tubing, and an angular bend intermediate the legs. The height compensating foot is attached to the catheter leg and extends outwardly therefrom at an angle to prevent the connector from rocking and tubing from overhanging a patient's knuckles when connected to the catheter inserted in a patient. |
| US07691094B2 |
Sinus delivery of sustained release therapeutics
The invention provides biodegradable implants for treating sinusitis. The biodegradable implants have a size, shape, density, viscosity, and/or mucoadhesiveness that prevents them from being substantially cleared by the mucociliary lining of the sinuses during the intended treatment period. The biodegradable implants include a sustained release therapeutic, e.g., an antibiotic, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or both. The biodegradable implants may take various forms, such as rods, pellets, beads, strips, or microparticles, and may be delivered into a sinus in various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. |
| US07691091B1 |
Cover for a urine drainage bag
A urine drainage bag cover covers and hides the contents of a urine drainage bag, but is easily manipulated, so that the fluid level in the urine drainage bag may be easily ascertained by attendants. |
| US07691086B2 |
Catheter for introduction of medications to the tissues of a heart or other organ
This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a positionable, direct-injection catheters that can access a specific region of the heart or other organ. The catheter is provided with one or two needle shafts, which may be located within respective sheaths that extend axially along the interior of the lumen of a main catheter shaft. Each needle shaft carries, at a distal end thereof a penetrable element or “needle” that is normally retracted within the distal tip of the main shaft during travel to the target organ, but is subsequently deployed by action of a handle-mounted trigger mechanism to extend the needles into the organ's wall. Each extended needle is curved to relative to the shaft's axis to enter the organ wall in a flattened trajectory that both reduces the chance of puncture through the wall and anchors the needles into the wall during injection (for reduced chance of pullout under pressure). A plurality of apertures which provide for more complete agent delivery rapidly, while maintaining a low delivery velocity to effect treatment delivery in as short a period of time as possible without the problems caused by high velocity delivery. The needles are typically arranged to exit the tip at contralateral orientations relative to each other. |
| US07691085B2 |
Syringe interfaces and adapters for use with medical injectors
A syringe interface includes a top opening into which a syringe can be loaded, a first retaining member positioned on one side of the opening and a second retaining member positioned on a second side of the opening. The first retaining member and the second retaining member abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange on the syringe generally symmetrically. The syringe interface further includes a cradle, at least one engagement member to abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange, and a carriage slidably disposed within the cradle. The carriage includes a connector to form a releasable connection with a plunger or plunger extension of the syringe and a drive member of the injector. The connector includes a plurality of flexing capture members that flex radially outward to connect to a flange on the rear of the plunger or plunger extension of the syringe when the carriage is moved forward within the syringe interface. The syringe interface may further include a connector on a rear portion thereof to connect to the injector. |
| US07691084B2 |
Therapeutic device and system
Therapeutic devices that provide support or pressure to tissue. Devices contain a material that is capable of being contracted from its relaxed state to an evacuated state. The material applies pressure to the tissue of a patient when the material is in its relaxed state. Reduction of pressure by application of a vacuum results in a contracted state of the device, so that the device can be applied or delivered to a patient. Release of vacuum results in a return to the relaxed state, thus providing a maximum desirable pressure to tissue and avoiding the possibility of over-pressure which can result in tissue damage or necrosis. |
| US07691083B2 |
Fluid collection device with captured retractable needle
A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained. |
| US07691080B2 |
Dual modulus balloon for interventional procedures
A device for interventional surgical or medical procedures is presented. The device is generally in the form of a balloon and is used to position itself or other working elements up against or through lumen walls in the body. The balloon is comprised of at least two materials of different elastic modulus, which allows for a flexible but relatively non-distensible, unfolding component of the balloon as well as an elastomeric, inflatable component of the balloon. The elastomeric component is fixedly attached to the flexible but relatively non-distensible component and together they form a pressure vessel that can be inflated within the lumens of the body. |
| US07691079B2 |
Device for tamponade of body cavities and mechanical anchoring of a catheter
A device for tamponade of body cavities and for mechanical anchoring of a catheter, the device including a flexible tube segment (2) having an inner wall (4) and an outer wall (6) that surround an interior space (8), wherein the tube segment (2) is inflatable, and is configured without through-passing support bodies so that a displacement of tube wall material between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (6) of the tube segment (2) is possible by inflation of the tube segment, wherein the tube segment is provided with two ends (7,9), which are fastened to a same closing element (10), configured so that a torus geometry is striven for as the inflatable tube segment (2) is inflated and the closing element (10) is a pipe nipple and the two ends (7,9) of the tube segment (2) are joined together fluid-tightly. |
| US07691073B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for stimulating otolith organs by linear acceleration
A base section supports a revolution section. The revolution section supports a tilting section. The tilting section supports a seat section. The seat section includes a seat, a seat back and a step. The seat back has a restraining section. The restraining section includes an occipital region retainer and a temple retainer. Subject is seated with its occipital region and temples restrained by the restraining section. The head of subject is tilted on one side down from a head's horizontal plane in the Reid stereotaxic coordinate system to place one of left and right othlith organs within the head's horizontal plane. In this tilted position, different liner acceleration stimuli are applied to left and right otolith organs, respectively, for independent function tests of the left and right otolith organs. |
| US07691070B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring the presence of secretions in the respiratory system of a patient
An apparatus for monitoring the presence of secretions in an artificial respiratory system comprises at least one sensing element (20) to detect waves generated by said secretions and output a main signal (50), representative of at least one main parameter characteristic of the waves; a first processing block (30) connected downstream of said first sensing element (20), is set to input the main signal (50) and to generate a corresponding main output alarm signal (51), in the case in which the main parameter has a greater value than a predetermined threshold value. |
| US07691059B2 |
System and method for delivering medical examination, treatment and assistance over a network
A method for providing a covering physician service includes informing a patient of a practicing physician of the availability of the plurality of patient terminals and referring the patient to one of the patient terminals upon the agreement of the patient. A call from the patient at the patient terminal is received at a call center. The call center enables any of a first plurality of physician (or other health care practitioner) terminals to be in audio-visual communication over the network with any of a second plurality of patient terminals. The call is routed to an available physician or other health care practitioner at one of the health care practitioner terminals so that the available physician may carry on a two-way conversation with the patient and visually observe the patient. The available physician or health care practitioner is permitted to make an assessment of the patient and to treat the patient. |
| US07691056B2 |
Endoscope apparatus
An endoscope apparatus including: an elongated insertion section; an adaptor, which has an illuminating section including optical elements, and an observation optical system, that are attached to and removed from a tip of the insertion section; a sensor provided in the adaptor; and electrical contacts for the illumination section, and electrical contacts for the sensor, provided in the adaptor and the tip of the insertion section. |
| US07691054B2 |
Endoscope system, treatment instrument cartridge, and storage case
An endoscope system comprises an endoscope, a treatment instrument cartridge, an advancing and retracting device, a controlling device, and an operation instructing device. The endoscope includes a treatment instrument channel in an inserting portion. The treatment instrument cartridge includes a treatment instrument and a storage case. The treatment instrument includes a treatment instrument inserting portion having an elasticity which is inserted through the treatment instrument channel, a treatment section at the tip end thereof, and an operating portion at the base end thereof. The storage case includes an inserting portion storing section into which the treatment instrument inserting portion is wound, an extension port from which the tip end of the wound treatment instrument inserting portion is extended, and a holding section for holding the base end of the treatment instrument inserting portion or the operating portion. The advancing and retracting device has a driving power source and is provided between the treatment instrument inserting channel and the extension port. The controlling device is electrically connected to the driving power source and controls an operation of the driving power source. An operation instructing device issues an instruction on an operation of the driving power source to the controlling device. |
| US07691051B2 |
Attenuation device for treating glaucoma
Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media. |
| US07691046B2 |
Nondestructive fluid transfer device
Fluid transfer device configured as a vacuum pump particularly suited for nondestructive transfer of fluids, including blood and blood constituents. Fluid transfer device used for assisting in the pumping of blood through a patient's heart for reducing the load on the heart, reducing forces and blood pressure on the inner walls of the heart is reduced. Examples are aortic assist device, a ventricular assist device, or artificial heart. Industrial applications include the pumping of fluids, including destructible fluids such as foodstuff with or without food constituents of various sizes within the foodstuff. Food and other fluids may be stored until they are dispensed. By use of a vacuum, the device is operated at no more than atmospheric pressure. A pre-charged pressure tank may be used, such as where fluid pressure of the pumped fluid, including backpressure of body fluids, where pressure greater than atmospheric is required to expel pumped fluid. |
| US07691045B2 |
Technology for continuous folding of sheet materials
A machine and method for the continuous folding of sheet material into difference three-dimensional patterns is featured. The innovative machine and method folds sheet material by force converging the sheet to a final stage that imparts a final fold or pattern. Unique programming allows for the change of convergence sequencing and change of materials. |
| US07691044B2 |
Creasing-folding machine for producing paper and bookbinding articles
A creasing-folding machine, for producing paper and bookbinding articles, has a feed unit, for feeding sheets along a feed path, a creasing unit, and a folding unit in series with one another; the creasing unit has at least one creasing roller positioned with its axis perpendicular to the feed path and having, on its lateral surface, a creasing blade extending crosswise to the feed path, and a pressure roller which cooperates with an opposite face of each sheet to the creasing roller; the creasing unit is interposed between the feed unit and the folding unit to perform transverse creasing operations upstream from the folding unit. |
| US07691038B2 |
Convertible gym training device and corresponding weight-training bench
The invention concerns a convertible gym training device intended to be removably connected to a weight-training device that permits training of lower and upper body limbs.According to the invention, such a convertible gym training device in particular comprises: an essentially quadrangular frame (1014); an arm actuator (107) rotatably connected to the said frame (1014); resilient return means (40) opposing a force against the rotation of the said arm actuator (107) relatively to the said frame (1014); mechanical link means (400) connecting the said arm actuator (107) with the said resilient return means (40), said mechanical link means (400) being designed to oppose a variable back moving force against the said arm actuator (107), all along its rotation travel, said back moving force being variable according to a predetermined load curve. |
| US07691036B1 |
Support for a fitness ball and method of use
A support for holding a fitness ball includes a centrally located vibration assembly. The vibration assembly includes a vibrating plate upon which the fitness ball resides. In an embodiment of the invention the support has arms which receive the fitness ball. Each of the arms has a vibrating member. |
| US07691035B2 |
Adjustable elliptical exercise machine
An elliptical exercise machine includes a frame pivotally attached to a base, a pivotal coupling device pivotally coupling the base and the frame together, a retractable device having an outer tube pivotally coupled to the base, and an inner shaft slidably engaged in the outer tube and pivotally coupled to the pivotal coupling device for allowing the inner shaft to be moved into the outer tube or to be moved out of the outer tube when the frame is pivoted to the base, and a latching device for latching the inner shaft to the outer tube at any selected position and for allowing the elliptical exercise machine to be easily adjusted to different moving strokes and to be easily operated by the user. |
| US07691030B2 |
Shock-absorbing device for an exercycle dynamo
A shock-absorbing device for an exercycle dynamo comprises a bracket and a dynamo. The dynamo generates electricity for the exercycle, and the bracket is connected to the dynamo and the exercycle by plural elastic members, which can provide different shock-absorbing and buffering effects on different positions of the bracket. By such arrangements, better shock-absorbing and buffering effect can be provided to the dynamo. |
| US07691025B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A multi-speed transmission has three planetary gear sets and six torque-transmitting mechanism packaged in various ones of five zones within a transmission cavity. Each planetary gear set has a ring gear member, a sun gear member and a carrier member that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears that intermesh with both the sun gear member and the ring gear member. Certain members are continuously connected for common rotation. Specifically, an interconnecting member continuously interconnects for common rotation the carrier member of the first planetary gear set, the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set. Additionally, the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set is grounded to the transmission casing via a radially-extending structural member. |
| US07691024B2 |
10-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and four fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. |
| US07691011B1 |
Durable golf tee
A durable golf tee having one piece body formed of a high modulus thermoplastic, preferably ultra high molecular weigh polyethylene (UHMWPE). The head of the tee includes a grooved area providing an area for material deformation at club head impact such that the area supporting the golf ball retains shape and structural integrity, and barbs are provided on the tee shank for resisting ground separation upon impact. |
| US07691010B2 |
Golf ball
A golf ball 2 has a core, a mid layer and a cover. This mid layer comprises 10 parts by weight or greater and 70 parts by weight or less of a thermoplastic elastomer containing a styrene block having a material hardness of less than 10, and 30 parts by weight or greater and 90 parts by weight or less of an ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer based ionomer resin having a material hardness of 50 or greater and 70 or less. Hardness of this mid layer is less than 40, and the thickness is equal to or less than 1.2 mm. This golf ball 2 has seven kinds of dimples (A to G), each having a different diameter. When all the dimples are arranged in decreasing order of the diameter Di, ratio (Dx/Dn) of the mean diameter Dx of the dimples ranking in the top 10% to the mean diameter Dn of the dimples ranking in the bottom 10% is equal to or greater than 1.30. Standard deviation η of diameters of all the dimples is equal to or less than 0.52. |
| US07691007B2 |
Golf club head
This invention provides a plurality of grooves formed on a face of the golf club head. Each of a pair of side surfaces of each of the grooves has a first surface leading to the face and a second surface leading to the first surface in the depth direction of the groove. A first angle between the first surfaces of each of said pair of the side surfaces is larger than a second angle between the second surfaces of each of the said pair of the side surfaces. Edges of the groove are rounded. A width W (mm) of the groove measured including the rounded edges, a width Ws (mm) between the grooves adjacent one another, a width Wr (mm) of the groove measured based on the 30 degrees measurement rule and a cross section area S (mm2) of the groove satisfy the following expressions; W/Ws×100≧40(%), S/(Ws×0.5)×100≧70(%). |
| US07690999B2 |
Shaft coupling
A shaft coupling includes plates fitted on ends of input and output shafts, respectively. A plurality of guide grooves are formed in the opposed surfaces of the plates, respectively, so that each of the grooves extends perpendicular to the corresponding groove formed in the other plate. A steel ball is disposed between each pair of guide grooves of the plates at a portion where the pair of grooves cross each other. When the steel balls are pushed by the driving plate, they push the driven plate while rolling in the guide grooves, with their movements restricted by a retainer in the radial direction of the plates. Thus, large power can be smoothly transmitted between the rotary members with less frictional resistance. The offset amount can be changed easily. Between the plates, there are only the steel balls and the retainer. |
| US07690998B2 |
Gaming machine
A gaming machine includes: an information reading unit that reads object information from a reading object provided with a storage medium in which the object information is stored, the reading object being mountable on the gaming machine; a game processing unit that performs game processing to provide to a player a game in a plurality of game states including a base game state and a bonus game state in which a grater advantage is provided to the player than in the base game state; and a display unit that displays an effect related to the game, wherein the game processing unit controls a frequency of occurrence of the effect to be displayed on the display unit during the game based on the object information read from the reading object by the information reading unit. |
| US07690992B2 |
Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game
When an action content command and an action target character is received, a control section and a graphics processor identify action executing standby time in accordance with a predetermined time identifying rule. The control section and the graphics processor then identify an action executable range in which a player character can execute the received action content in accordance with a predetermined range identifying rule, and determines whether or not an action target character that is a target of the received action content exists within the identified action executable range. The control section and the graphic processor execute the received action content against the action target character in the case where it is determined that the action target character exists within the action executable range when action executing standby time is clocked. |
| US07690991B2 |
Betting exchange system
A betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests backing a given outcome, each backing bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will occur. The betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests laying the given outcome, each laying bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will not occur. The betting exchange system aggregating backing bet requests specifying the same price, aggregating laying bet requests specifying the same price, automatically matching a received backing bet request with individual or aggregated laying bet requests to complete a betting transaction, and automatically matching a received laying bet request with individual or aggregated backing bet requests to complete a betting transaction. |
| US07690989B2 |
System and method for awarding prizes in a local edition of an online game
According to some embodiments of the present invention a system and method are provided that allow a player of a game to receive at least one prize. The method may include receiving information about at least one merchant, enabling play of a game by a player, determining merchant information to communicate to the player, and providing at least one prize to the player. In some embodiments, the prizes made available to a player (e.g., for selection) may be based on the location of the player, a merchant, or both. |
| US07690984B2 |
Feature game with random population feature
A gaming machine arranged to display a symbol in each element of a matrix of elements; each column of elements of said matrix of elements comprising a portion of a simulated rotatable reel and wherein at an occurrence of a trigger event at end of play of a main game; (a) said main game is completed and any prize is awarded, (b) at least one feature game may be awarded wherein each said rotatable reel is caused to be spun and brought to rest to display elements of said matrix in a first stage; said first stage displaying symbols in elements of at least one said column and uniform imagery in elements of each remaining said column; said feature game then progressing to a further stage wherein elements with said uniform imagery are populated by symbols of said elements of said at least one column. |
| US07690983B2 |
Gaming device having an indicator operable to indicate primary game outcomes and associated bonus game opportunities
A method of playing a primary game on a gaming machine is performed by placing a wager on an underlying wagering primary game and playing the underlying wagering primary game according to the rules of the underlying primary game. When a predetermined event occurs in the underlying primary game, the player enters at least one secondary game. The secondary game may have at least one event where a) an animated event proceeds to a conclusion and an original bonus that increments or decrements with the proceeding of that animated event, and b) using a sequential set of displays to determine a number of spins to be used in a secondary game and to determine a multiplication factor to be used in spins to be used in the secondary game. |
| US07690980B2 |
Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of occurrences
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication. |
| US07690978B2 |
Gaming device having a wheel with multiple indicators
A wagering game including a wheel and multiple section indicators. The wheel includes a plurality of sections having awards associated with each of the sections. The section indicators associated with the wheel simultaneously indicate sections on the wheel. The awards associated with the sections indicated by the activated section indicators are summed and provided to a player. The number of activated section indicators is predetermined, randomly determined, determined by the player's wager in the primary or base game, determined in a primary game or determined by a sub-game or a set. |
| US07690977B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing multiple players multiple bonus awards
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device. |
| US07690972B2 |
Method for making a steamship of pork cut and the resultant product
The present invention is a method for cutting a pork leg to create a meat cut which includes an exposed bone feature and a squared face. The method for making the exposed bone feature involves trimming shank meat bare from a fibula bone and removing a tibia bone above a knee cap joint leaving a stifle joint intact. The method for making the squared face involves removing light and dark butt trim and a rump point to form a generally flat surface. When oriented downward, the flat surface aligns with any flat support surface and holds the meat cut in a standing position. The standing position directs the exposed bone feature generally upward in a unique and attractive presentation. Additionally, the present invention relates to the resultant product formed by the same method where the meat cut allows for improved roasting, braising, slow-cooking, and carving of a ham roast. |
| US07690967B2 |
Mounting structure for measuring device and grinding machine with the structure
In a grinding machine, a bed 10 has secured thereon a work head 11 which rotatably supports a work spindle 12 for supporting a workpiece W and mounts thereon a slide base 15 reciprocatively movable in a Z-direction parallel to the axis of the work spindle, and a wheel head 16 carrying a rotating grinding wheel 17 is reciprocatively movable on the slide base in an X-direction intersecting with the Z-direction. A measuring device 25 for measuring the dimension of the workpiece ground with the grinding wheel is mounted on an extreme end of a support arm 21 secured to the slide base to extend in the X-direction, through an actuator device 23 which is operable for moving the measuring device between a measuring position for engagement with the workpiece and a parked position for disengagement therefrom. The support arm passes over the workpiece, or passes through a space between the bed and the workpiece, or passes through the inside of the bed. |
| US07690961B2 |
Plasma display panel and process for producing the plasma display panel
A fluorine-containing precoating is formed to cover a phosphor particle by, for example, a physical vapor deposition of a fluoride. Then, a fluorine-containing coating covering the phosphor particle is formed by supplying fluorine into the precoating. This obtained phosphor particle with the coating is applied in the form of a paste to a substrate on each electrode between two adjacent ribs to form a phosphor layer including phosphor particles between the ribs on the substrate. The substrate is positioned with respect to another substrate having electrodes thereon to form discharge spaces between the substrates. The discharge spaces are filled with a discharge gas to produce a plasma display panel. |
| US07690957B2 |
Amphibious vehicle which has elements for forming a floating bridge
An amphibious vehicle which has elements, such as caissons, floats, and ramps, arranged on a self-propelled rolling base, oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rolling base, when the vehicle is in a folded configuration for movement on land, and which are deployed to form a track or bridge portion oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rolling base, when the vehicle, alone or with another vehicle of the same design, is used to form a floating bridge or ferry. The vehicle has a deployment device for deploying elements by pivoting of four groups of the elements around four vertical shafts spaced from one another, according to at least three different configurations, each group of elements including at least one caisson. |
| US07690954B2 |
Connector terminal having electrical wire and connector receiving the same
The present invention is to provide a connector terminal, which is crimp connected with an aluminum or aluminum alloy conductor having a large diameter, to be inserted into a terminal receiving chamber of a conventional connector housing designed for a copper conductor with less change of electrical characteristic and less modification. The connector terminal having the conductor of the present invention is widely adapted to a vehicle. The connector terminal crimping the electrical wire has a link portion longer than a link portion of a standard connector terminal so that an electrical wire crimp portion projects outwardly from a rearward face when the connector terminal is received in the connector housing. An insulation crimp portion is positioned spaced apart from the rearward face of the connector housing to prevent physical interference with the connector housing. |
| US07690952B2 |
Connecting module
A connecting module (1) having a insulating-material housing (2), at least one conductor connecting terminal (7) which is fitted into the insulating-material housing (2) and is accessible via an associated conductor insertion opening in the insulating-material housing (2) in order to hold an electrical conductor, and having at least one busbar bar (3), which is electrically connected to one or more associated conductor connecting terminals (7), is in the form of a round bar and is laid in associated channels (4) in the insulating-material housing (2) is described. At least one busbar bar (3) is angled and has a first connecting section (5, 9) which contains a free end and extends at an angle to a direction section (8) which extends to the connecting section (5, 9). The connecting section (5, 9) is inserted into a connecting opening (6) in the associated conductor connecting terminal (7) such that the extent direction is located essentially transversely with respect to the extent direction of the connecting opening (6) and parallel to the perpendicular to the plane which is covered by the connecting opening (6), and the direction section (8) is aligned in a desired extent direction in an associated channel (4) by suitable rotational alignment of the connecting section (5, 9) about its axis. |
| US07690951B2 |
Ballast mounted connector receptacle
A connector, method of connecting, and connector assembly preventing potting from disrupting the physical and electrical connection of a mated electrical connector assembly that can be connected and/or disconnected without cutting wires and with a single hand. |
| US07690949B2 |
Modular outlet
In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet comprising of a base module and interface module. The base module connects to the wiring and attached to a wall. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet will provide the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module. |
| US07690948B2 |
Electrical connector with metal shell having convex hull extending from the surface of the front portion thereof
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) arranged in the insulating housing, a pair of locking pieces (4) received in the insulative housing and a metal shell (3) receiving the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a base portion (11) and a tongue portion (12) extending from the base portion. The metal shell includes a main shell (31) and a sub shell (32) an ached to the main shell. The main shell has a front shroud portion (311) surrounding the tongue portion of the insulative housing and a rear portion (312) supporting the base portion. The front shroud portion forms at least one embossed portion (313) thereon. The sub shell is attached to the rear portion of the main shell and has a curve portion (321) abutting against a rear end of the front shroud portion to enclose the base portion of the insulative housing. The main shell and the sub shell each have curve arms (3102, 3202) abutting against the rear ends of the locking pieces. |
| US07690947B2 |
Electrical connector with improved grounding structure
An electrical connector (100) for mating with a corresponding plug (200) includes a dielectric housing (1) defining two contact areas (15) along an up to down direction. An outer shield (3) encloses the dielectric housing. A plurality of contacts (2) are retained in the contact areas. An inner shield (4) are mounted between two contact areas and comprises a pair of spring arms (42) extending into the contact area to lock with the plug and a resilient strip (43) extending into the contact areas to abutting against an outer side of the plug. |
| US07690944B2 |
Connector assembly, receptacle type connector, and interface apparatus
A connector assembly, for electrically connecting electrical cables 7 to a test head 4, comprises a plurality of types of cable side connectors 8 respectively attached to one end of the electrical cable 7; and a intermediate connector 6 to which the plurality of types of cable side connectors 8 are connected in a detachable manner, and the intermediate connector 6 having a first engagement part 501 having a shape with which all types of cable side connectors 8 can be engaged and an output terminal 602 able to be engaged with a test head side connector 41 electrically connected to a pin electronics board of the test head 4. |
| US07690942B2 |
Illuminated power receptacle
The present invention relates to the field of enhanced electrical power receptacles and associated plugs. Specifically it relates to power receptacles that are easy to identify and use. It achieves these features with a receptacle that has the individual prong-holes identified and differentiated with light source or markings in a scheme that allows the user to quickly locate and identify the proper prong-holes. The associated plug can be labeled with markings for orientation. The receptacle lighting or pattern scheme will help the user easily locate the receptacle and orient the associated plug for accurate and rapid insertion. |
| US07690939B2 |
Electronic module with easily operated latch mechanism
An electronic module (100) includes an elongated housing (10) having a front portion and a rear portion, with a pair of spaced guide members (123) integrated with a peripheral portion of the rear portion; a latch mechanism (60) assembled to the housing, said latch mechanism including a slider member (61) disposed between and supported by the pair of guide members, a bail member (62) pivotally engaging with the rear portion of the housing and further linking with the slider member; and rocking the bail actuating the slider moving along a front-to-back direction for detaching the electronic module from a receptacle module. |
| US07690937B2 |
Electrical power contacts and connectors comprising same
Electrical connectors and contacts for transmitting power are provided. One power contact embodiment includes a first plate that defines a first non-deflecting beam and a first deflectable beam, and a second plate that defines a second non-deflecting beam and a second deflectable beam. The first and second plates are positioned beside one another to form the power contact. |
| US07690927B1 |
Processor scaling across multiple computer blades
A scalability card for use with a plurality of computer blades. The computer blades are releasably securable in a parallel configuration, wherein each blade includes a circuit board and a processor operatively coupled to the circuit board. Each processor is in electronic communication with a scalability connector on a floating plate that is loosely secured to the computer blade. Furthermore, each scalability connector is preferably disposed in a common plane extending perpendicular to the plurality of parallel computer blades. The scalability card includes a plurality of electronically interconnected scalability connectors arranged for rough alignment with the scalability connectors of each computer blade. In addition, the scalability card preferably includes at least one alignment feature for engaging each floating plate and, therefore, providing fine alignment of the scalability connector on each floating plate to one of the scalability connectors of the scalability card. |
| US07690926B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with stiffener
An electrical connector assembly comprises a stiffener including a base with a first portion and a second portion, insulative housing, a load plate and a lever. An embossed portion is formed on the base and has substantial distance to a first end of the first portion. An insulative housing is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. A load plate is pivotally mounted on the second portion of the stiffener. A lever is pivotally assembled to the first portion of the stiffener to lock the load plate and includes a retaining portion adjacent to the embossed portion to abut against the lever when it is rotated. |
| US07690920B2 |
High strength substructure reinforcement for crowns and bridges
A reinforcement for a dental restoration substructure is provided. The reinforcement is a generally annular structure that protrudes from the body of the substructure generally near an occlusal portion of the restoration. The annular structure provides a support for veneering porcelain at the location of the greatest thickness of the porcelain and at the location where occlusal stress is applied, and fractures of veneering porcelain are commonly experienced. |
| US07690917B2 |
Bracket alignment device
A method includes obtaining an electronic model image representing teeth of a patient; determining a desired bracket arrangement for one or more brackets on the teeth; designing an electronic model image of an alignment device based in part on the desired bracket arrangement; and fabricating the alignment device based on the electronic model image of the alignment device. The desired bracket arrangement includes a surface location, a tip orientation, and a torque orientation of each bracket. The alignment device defines at least one slot through which a bracket can be placed at a surface location and an orientation indicator to indicate a desired tip orientation and a desired torque orientation of each bracket. |
| US07690916B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating a gas-powered cooking and frying device
A method and an apparatus for operating a gas-powered cooking device including an actuator for moving a closure disposed in the gas feed conduit of a burner to an open state and of igniting gas emitted from the burner by an ignition electrode to form a burner flame, the ignition electrode being connected to an ignition voltage for a predetermined first interval of time, a sensor thermo-conductively connected to the burner flame for generating a sensor voltage for maintaining the closure means in its open state if the sensor voltage attains a predetermined level and of initiating subsequent ignitions after a predetermined interval of time where the predetermined level is not attained within a predetermined further interval of time. |
| US07690913B2 |
Embossing apparatus and method
An apparatus is provided that forms embossed portions on a workpiece. The apparatus includes a melting chamber filled with melt, such as ceramic, nozzles provided at a lower portion of the melting chamber, and presses provided adjacent to each of the injection nozzles. The injection nozzles drop the melt on the workpiece and the presses press the dropped melt into a predetermined shape of the embossed portions in a state where the dropped melt is being solidified after being dropped on the workpiece. |
| US07690911B2 |
Automated controlled atmospheric pressurized resin infusion apparatus and system
An apparatus comprising a vacuum source line, a pressurized fluid source line and an inlet circuit communicative with the vacuum source line and operatively connectable to an inlet container. The apparatus further comprises an outlet circuit communicative with the vacuum source line and operatively connectable to an outlet line. The apparatus also comprises an outer cover circuit communicative with the vacuum source line and operatively connectable to the outer cover. Further, the apparatus comprises an inlet restrictor fluid circuit in communicative with the fluid source line and adapted to control flow between the inlet vacuum container and interior. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a controller operatively connected to the inlet vacuum circuit, the outlet vacuum circuit, the outer cover vacuum circuit and the inlet restrictor fluid circuit for controlling operation of the inlet vacuum circuit, the outlet vacuum circuit, the outer cover vacuum circuit and the inlet restrictor fluid circuit, respectively. |
| US07690910B2 |
Mold for imprint, process for producing minute structure using the mold, and process for producing the mold
A mold for imprint capable of forming a reduced seam or seamless pattern, on a surface of a substrate, having larger area than that of the mold includes a first pattern area comprising a plurality of first recesses; and a second pattern area, comprising a plurality of second recesses, for being used as an alignment mark. The first pattern area and the second pattern area have an equal height at their outermost surfaces. The first recesses and the second recesses have different depths. The first pattern area and the second pattern area have an equal cyclic interval. |
| US07690909B2 |
Rapid prototyping and manufacturing system and method
A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat. |
| US07690908B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming high strength products
A system and method are presented in which a flow of plastic is extruded to obtain nano-sized features by forming multiple laminated flow streams, flowing in parallel through the system. Each of the parallel laminated flow streams are subjected to repeated steps in which the flows are divided, and overlapped to amplify the number of laminations. The parallel amplified laminated flows are rejoined to form a cumulated laminated output with nano-sized features. |
| US07690907B2 |
Multi-film junction structure
A multi-film junction structure includes an upper mold having a downwardly extending protrusion formed at a lower surface thereof to allow a recess to be defined in resin that is injected therearound. A first film is attached to a part of the lower surface of the upper mold and a side surface and lower surface of the protrusion, the first film having an extension extended from the lower surface of the protrusion by a predetermined length. A second film is attached to a remaining lower surface of the upper mold and an opposite side surface of the protrusion, the second film having a coupling portion located inside the extension of the first film, wherein the extension is bent upwardly. Additionally, a lower mold is provided having a recess facing the protrusion of the upper mold while being spaced apart from the protrusion, the lower mold defining an injection molding space together with the upper mold for allowing resin to be introduced and injection molded in the space. |
| US07690903B2 |
Forming head and process for the production of a non-woven fabric
The invention concerns a forming head for an apparatus for the production of a non-woven fabric by depositing fibers on a conveyor belt, comprising a fiber feeder which opens into a fiber processing chamber and which has a lower deposit opening for the delivery of fibers, wherein arranged in the fiber processing chamber are interengaging needle rollers with longitudinal axes oriented in mutually parallel relationship, which can rotate about their respective longitudinal axis, and the interengaging needle rollers enclose an inner chamber and are arranged with respect to the fiber feeder and the deposit opening in such a way that fibers fed to the forming head in operation enter the inner chamber by passing through between interengaging needle rollers and leave the inner chamber also by passing through between interengaging needle rollers. |
| US07690902B2 |
Nonwoven web forming apparatus
Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another. |
| US07690900B2 |
Wave energy accumulator
A fluid pressurization unit compresses a fluid in response to natural wave action on a body of water such as an ocean. The unit comprises a floating component and a piston assembly. The floating component has sufficient buoyancy to float on water waves and has a compression chamber with an inlet valve biased to receive a fluid at an intake pressure. The piston assembly is slidable within the compression chamber and has a piston shaft and a hollow piston head attached to the piston shaft, which defines a piston reservoir therein with an inlet valve in communication with the compression chamber and biased to receive the fluid at an output pressure, and an outlet for discharging fluid pressurized to at least the output pressure from the pressurization unit. The piston assembly is fixable in place relative to the floating component such that relative movement between the floating component and piston assembly compresses fluid from the intake pressure to at least the output pressure. |
| US07690894B1 |
Ceramic core assembly for serpentine flow circuit in a turbine blade
A turbine blade for use in a gas turbine engine having an internal serpentine flow cooling circuit with pin fins and trip strips to promote heat transfer for obtaining a thermally balanced blade sectional temperature distribution. The turbine blade is cooled by a 7-pass serpentine flow cooling circuit that extends from the leading edge and along the pressure side wall of the airfoil, into the trailing edge and then flows along the suction side wall ending just downstream from the leading edge where the 7-pass serpentine flow circuit started. Leading edge film cooling holes are supplied from the first leg of the serpentine while a row of trailing edge exit holes is supplied from the third leg which extends across both walls of the airfoil in the trailing edge. |
| US07690891B2 |
Resting element for a compressor or turbine
Resting element (10) for a compressor or turbine comprising a first cantilever resting portion (20) and a second fixing portion (30) to a case of the compressor or turbine by means of a series of screws (60), the second fixing portion (30) comprises a third end portion (32) externally axial symmetrical and also a fourth counter-portion (36) situated between the third portion (32) and the first resting portion (20) to prevent the disengagement of a hauling rope. |
| US07690887B2 |
Turbo compressor
A first centrifugal impeller and a second centrifugal impeller are arranged in such an orientation that back sides of the first centrifugal impeller and the second centrifugal impeller face to each other. Bearings are cylindrical roller bearings and a thrust bearing. The cylindrical roller bearings are arranged at two axially spaced supporting positions respectively, and support a radial load applied to the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing supports a thrust load applied to the rotating shaft. |
| US07690886B2 |
Pump and liquid supply apparatus having the pump
To provide a pump comprising an impeller which sucks and discharges liquid, a motor unit which drives the impeller, a parting plate which is disposed between the impeller and the motor unit and which partitions the impeller and the motor unit, a case formed with a pump chamber in which the impeller is accommodated, a suction port which is connected to the case and which sucks liquid and a discharge port which discharges liquid, wherein the case is provided with a discharge passage which discharges liquid introduced into the pump chamber from the suction port, the discharge passage has a predetermined diameter, the discharge passage is provided along an outer periphery of the pump chamber at a location at a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the pump chamber, the pump further comprises at least one reflow passage which brings the discharge passage and the pump chamber into communication with each other and through which liquid flowing through the discharge passage flows back to the pump chamber. |
| US07690883B2 |
Pivoting basket stacker for deep-drawn articles
A device for stacking articles which are molded and stamped in a multi-impression molding and stamping tool includes a transfer device having a single gripper plate made of lightweight construction for accepting all articles ejected from one work cycle of the molding and stamping tool. A stacking station having two stacking baskets arranged on respective arms is arranged so that the baskets are pivotable about a first axis for moving a first basket of the two baskets to a transfer position and a second basket of the two baskets to an ejection position, the transfer device transferring the articles to the transfer position of the stacking station. An ejector unit and conveyor belt are arranged proximate the ejection position, each of the first and second baskets being pivotable about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, at the ejection position to a pivoted position. The ejector unit pushes a row of article stacks onto the conveyor at the pivoted position, the each of the first and second baskets being movable in steps to align successive rows of articles stacks with the ejector unit, and the ejector unit being movable transversely to the movement of the each of the first and second baskets. |
| US07690881B2 |
Substrate-processing apparatus with buffer mechanism and substrate-transferring apparatus
A substrate transfer apparatus for loading and unloading substrates in a reaction chamber, includes: an arm having a distal end which is laterally movable in a straight line direction; and end-effectors for loading and unloading substrates in a reaction chamber, which include a lower end-effector and an upper end-effector. One of the lower end-effector or the upper end-effector is movably coupled to the arm at a distal end of the arm, and the other end-effector is fixed to the movably coupled end-effector. The fixed end-effector is fixed to the movably coupled end-effector. |
| US07690880B2 |
Locking device for hydraulic attachment interface
An interface between a hydraulic power system and an hydraulically actuated engagement member includes a first portion that is pivotally coupled to a second portion, and has an inlet capable of being coupled to the power system. The second portion is fixedly attached to an attachment bracket capable of interfacing with an attachment. The first portion has a path to provide oil to the second portion, which in turn provides oil from the first portion to the attachment bracket. The attachment bracket includes a housing that accepts an engagement member capable of being hydraulically actuated to secure or release the attachment with respect to the power machine. |
| US07690874B2 |
Rotary tapered tool holder with adapter sleeve
A rotary tapered tool holder includes a body and an adapter sleeve disposed about a portion of the body. The body and the adapter sleeve have front and rear contact surfaces with different taper angles. The front contact surfaces are optimized for an interference fit and the rear contact surfaces provide an axial stop and support band when the tool holder is assembled into a clamping receptacle. Face contact is achieved between a flange contact surface of the body and a face contact surface of the clamping receptacle. |
| US07690871B2 |
Locking chuck
A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a housing and a rotatable drive shaft extending therefrom is provided. The chuck includes a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section and a tail section. Each of a plurality of jaws is slidably positioned in one of a plurality of angularly disposed passageways in the body. Each jaw has a jaw face formed on one side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof. A nut is rotatably mounted on the body in engagement with the jaw threads so that rotation of the nut moves the jaws axially within the passageways. A locking member, in a first axial position, is rotatable with respect to the driver housing. In a second axial position, it operatively engages the housing and the nut so that the locking member is rotationally held to the housing and the nut so that the nut is rotationally held to the housing. The locking member is axially reciprocal between the first axial position and the second axial position. |
| US07690869B2 |
Non-contact transport apparatus
An inner member having a supply port is installed at the inside of a housing, wherein the housing and the inner member are connected together by connecting bolts. Air is supplied to the supply port of the inner member and is directed and introduced through communication passages into an annular passage. Thereafter, the air is directed outwardly from a plurality of lead-out holes, which communicate with the annular passage, in a swirling direction with respect to an annular recess facing the workpiece. In addition, by having the air flow along the annular recess, which is formed with a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross section, the workpiece is maintained in a non-contact state with respect to a holding surface of the inner member. |
| US07690864B2 |
Hydraulic riding trowel with automatic load sensing system
A high performance, multiple rotor, hydraulically driven riding trowel for finishing concrete includes a rigid trowel frame with two or more downwardly-projecting, bladed rotor assemblies that frictionally engage the concrete surface. The rotor assemblies are tilted with double acting hydraulic cylinders to effectuate steering and control. Double acting hydraulic cylinders also control blade pitch. Hydraulic pressure to the rotors is monitored and controlled by an unloader valve system that monitors drive pump pressure with a shuttle valve to derive an unloader pilot signal. A sequence valve responds to the unloader pilot signal to control a pressure valve that bypasses the normal foot control valve in an overpressure situation. The pressure control head signal normally applied to the hydraulic drive motor control heads is modified with a feedback signal to automatically control the associated pump swash plates. |
| US07690862B2 |
Quick connect transit boarding platform panel
The present invention relates to a transit boarding platform panel for use along an edge of a transit platform adjacent a track. The panel comprises a molded base portion formed from a reinforced composite polymer, and having a top deck and bottom plate, a first side intended to be adjacent a track at an edge of the transit platform, a second side opposite said first side and intended to be adjacent the transit platform, a first end and a second end, and between the top deck and bottom plate a series of internal support members. The top deck has a detectable warning surface consisting of raised truncated domes detectable by the visually impaired in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities. The first and second ends are provided with means to interconnect adjacent panels and to secure the panels to the platform. In a preferred embodiment the means to interconnect adjacent panels and to secure the panels to the platform includes a groove provided on the first end of each panel, said groove sized and shaped to accept a corresponding sized and shaped tongue provided on the second end of an adjacent panel. There is also provided an improved method of installing a transit platform with a series of transit boarding platform panels along an edge of said transit platform adjacent a track. |
| US07690861B1 |
Temporary slurry markers
Disclosed is a temporary pavement marker for pavement surface treatment of existing pavement. The temporary pavement marker may include a base configured to be placed against the existing pavement. An upright section may be connected to the base. The upright section may include a bridge connected between a first upright and a second upright to form a treatment passageway. The bridge, the first upright, the second upright, and the base may be positioned around the treatment passageway. |
| US07690860B1 |
Traffic control device
A traffic control device includes a base having a post aperture, a post adjustably and removably coupled to the base through the post aperture and a pavement marker. The pavement marker is affixed to a surface. The base may include a recess for receiving the pavement marker, such that a bottom side of the base rests on the surface with the pavement marker retained within the base. The post aperture extends from a top surface of the base to the recess of the base. The post includes one of a magnet and a metal plate coupled to an end of the post. The pavement marker includes one of a magnet and a metal plate, wherein the pavement marker comprises a magnet if the post comprises a metal plate and the pavement marker comprises a metal plate if the post comprises a magnet. |
| US07690856B2 |
Connection device
A connection device for connecting objects. The connection device includes a first elongated element with a first groove and a locking portion, a second elongated element with a second groove and a through hole, a spring member and a pin connected to the spring member, and an actuating member adapted for actuating the spring member and moving the pin. |
| US07690852B2 |
Imaging apparatus and interchangeable lens
There is provided an imaging apparatus on which an interchangeable lens is detachably mounted, which includes a mount unit to which the interchangeable lens is attached. In the imaging apparatus, the mount unit is provided with, on its periphery, a colored area having a specific color along an outer edge of said mount unit, and with respect to a specific interchangeable lens, which meets a predetermined requirement on adaptability to said imaging apparatus, among interchangeable lenses, a mount unit, which is connected to the mount unit of the imaging apparatus, of the specific interchangeable lens is provided with, on its periphery, a colored area having the same color as the specific color along an outer edge of the mount unit of the specific interchangeable lens. |
| US07690848B2 |
Optical fiber plug connector
The invention relates to an optical fiber plug connector, comprising at least one pair of plug connectors and a coupling, whereby each plug connector comprises a ferrule, each two ferrules of a pair of plug connectors are detachably guided and aligned together within a guide sleeve and the coupling has a housing, for each of the plug connectors. According to the invention, a compact space-saving optical fiber plug connector made from few components may be achieved, whereby the coupling is made from only one component. |
| US07690844B2 |
Method and system for guidance system positioner
Apparatus and methods for incrementally positioning at least one adjustable axis of a guidance system where the guidance system may be an image based guidance system. |
| US07690843B2 |
Failsafe mechanism for preventing an integrated circuit from overheating
Techniques for preventing an integrated circuit (IC) from overheating are described herein. According to one embodiment, an exemplary process includes detecting whether a temperature of an integrated circuit (IC) exceeds a threshold independent of an operating state of the IC, and removing at least a portion of a power from the IC if the temperature of the IC exceeds the threshold. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US07690842B2 |
Composite material including nanocrystals and methods of making
Temperature-sensing compositions can include an inorganic material, such as a semiconductor nanocrystal. The nanocrystal can be a dependable and accurate indicator of temperature. The intensity of emission of the nanocrystal varies with temperature and can be highly sensitive to surface temperature. The nanocrystals can be processed with a binder to form a matrix, which can be varied by altering the chemical nature of the surface of the nanocrystal. A nanocrystal with a compatibilizing outer layer can be incorporated into a coating formulation and retain its temperature sensitive emissive properties. |
| US07690838B2 |
Thermal properties measurement apparatus
A thermal property measurement apparatus capable of directly measuring thermal conductivity distribution in a ROI within a target only by measuring the temperature distribution that already exists in the ROI without generating other temperature fields artificially. The thermal property measurement apparatus includes a temperature detector for measuring temperatures at plural positions in the ROI, a distance controller for controlling a distance between the temperature detector and the target, a scanner for changing a relative position therebetween, a stage for putting the object thereon, a recorder for recording measured temperature data, position data and time data, a determination unit for determining whether at least one of thermal conductive phenomena and convection phenomena is dealt with or not, a processor for calculating thermal conductivity distribution in the ROI from the recorded data and temporal changeable references of the thermal conductivity in the ROI, and a controller. |
| US07690835B2 |
Mixer with pivotable bowl
A mixer system including a bowl for receiving a material to be mixed, a mixer body having a rotatable output component, and a hinge. The bowl is pivotable about the hinge relative to the mixer body such that the bowl can be pivoted between a loading/unloading position and a closed position relative the mixer body. The mixer may include a magnetic bowl detector and the bowl may include a magnet thereon. |
| US07690831B2 |
Surface light source device
A surface light source device includes two or more point light sources that are arranged linearly, a light guide plate having an incident surface on which light emitted from each of the point light sources shines, for outputting input light from a front surface thereof, and light diffusing means provided on a back surface of the light guide plate, for diffusing light. The incident surface of the light guide plate is inclined toward a back side. |
| US07690828B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device comprising an LED (14) mounted on a rear of a PCB (12), and a light pipe (16) to direct light from the LED through an aperture (18) in the PCB to illuminate a legend (10) on the front of the PCB, the light pipe diffusing the light so as to prevent uneven illumination of the legend. |
| US07690824B2 |
Mirror assembly for vehicle
An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a front surface, a rear surface and a reflector. A display element is disposed to the rear of the rear surface and is operable to emit light when actuated, the emitted light passing through the mirror reflective element to be viewable to a driver of the vehicle. A garage door opener device is included in the rearview mirror assembly, which includes at least one user actuatable input device associated with operation of the garage door opener device. Actuation of at least one user actuatable input device causes the display element to provide a visual indication to the driver viewing the front surface, when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle, of at least one of (i) operation of the garage door opener device and (ii) coding the garage door opener device. |
| US07690822B2 |
Swivel joint for lighting fixture
A lighting fixture swivel joint for pivoting an upper conduit having a fixture head disposed at an upper end thereof downward with respect to a lower conduit generally includes an upper swivel joint member and a lower swivel joint member rotatably coupled to the upper swivel joint member about a plane of rotation. The upper swivel joint member includes an upper conduit receptacle defined by a longitudinal axis and being adapted to receive a lower end of the upper conduit, whereby the upper conduit is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. The plane of rotation is disposed at an angle of between zero degrees (0°) and thirty degrees (30°) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the upper conduit receptacle of the upper swivel joint member. |
| US07690820B2 |
Optical sheet and display device including the same
An optical sheet includes a substrate having rear and front surfaces, a micro-lens-array on the front surface of the substrate, the micro-lens-array including a plurality of micro-lenses, a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other on the rear surface of the substrate, and an intercepting reflector layer on the protrusions. |
| US07690817B2 |
Illumination device with semiconductor light-emitting elements
An illumination device includes a base board, an insulator, a conductor, a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements and a light-transmissive sealing member. The base board includes a surface and projection portions. The projection portion is formed to become gradually thicker from its end toward the surface of the base board. The insulator is formed on the surface. The conductor is formed on the insulator. The semiconductor light-emitting elements are mounted on the projection portions. The semiconductor light-emitting elements are electrically connected to the conductor via connection members. The sealing member covers the insulator, the projection portions, the semiconductor light-emitting elements and the connection members. |
| US07690816B2 |
LED lighting system
A fountain lighting system including a light engine head containing an LED light engine and a control housing containing control gear electronics includes a fixture support providing thermal separation between the light engine head and the control housing. The fixture support includes a lid with a bar extending from the edge thereof. The lid closes the control housing while the bar mounts the light engine head. An anchoring mount is also on the bar. The lid includes receptacles for receiving power, control and light engine cables with wicking barriers separating the various components provided in the lid itself. Temperature sensors in the light engine head and in the control housing send data communication to the control gear electronics to limit power to avoid thermal loading. The control gear electronics modulates the power to prevent apparent cycling. A pool lighting system provides similar features in a niche. A gap open to the niche thermally separates the light engine head from the control housing. |
| US07690815B2 |
Portable lighting device
The present invention relates to a portable lighting device comprising a body, a light source coupled to the body and configured to emit a beam of light along a central axis, a head assembly rotatably coupled to the body, and a filter assembly rotatably coupled to the body. The filter assembly has a rotational axis and a plurality of filters offset from the central axis. Rotation of the head assembly rotates the filter assembly to align different filters of the plurality of filters along the central axis on an output side of the light source. |
| US07690812B2 |
Apparatus and methods for conformable diffuse reflectors for solid state lighting devices
Provided are solid state lighting devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state lighting tile according to some embodiments of the invention includes a substrate, a solid state lighting element mounted on a surface of the substrate, and a reflector sheet on the surface of the substrate. A method of forming a solid state lighting device according to some embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate of a solid state lighting tile, mounting a solid state lighting element on a surface of the substrate, and attaching a reflector sheet to the surface of the substrate. |
| US07690811B2 |
System for improved backlight illumination uniformity
An illumination system includes a backlight housing, a plurality of light valves coupled to the backlight housing, and a plurality of light sources arranged in the backlight housing and optically coupled to the light valves. The illumination system may further include a light-scattering substrate optically coupled between the plurality of light sources and the light valves, and a plurality of light modulating dots patterned on the substrate to modulate transmitted intensity of light from the plurality of light sources to achieve increased luminance uniformity by decreasing banding caused by the separated light sources. The light modulating dots may include comprise reflective dots, transmissive dots, absorptive dots, or a combination thereof. |
| US07690809B2 |
LED lighting device inlaid on a ceiling
The present invention provides an LED lighting device inlaid on a ceiling. The ceiling is divided into a plurality of lattice by a matrix of metal strip, plastic strip or wood strip, a matrix of LED are installed on the lattice; an AC power is inputted through a power line to an AC/DC converter for being converted into a DC power, and then the DC power passes through a current stabilizer, a resistor, a connector for being inputted to two ends of each row of the LEDs; LEDs of each row are serially connected.Another embodiment of the present invention is to divide a ceiling into a plurality of lattice by a matrix of metal strip, plastic strip or wood strip, a plurality of vacated frame are formed on the lattice for being inlaid with a plurality of LED module respectively; a connector and a matrix of LED are installed on the LED module; a plate is installed on the upper edge and lower edge of the vacated frame; a power line, an AC/DC converter, a current stabilizer and a resistor are installed on the plate; an AC power is inputted through the power line to the AC/DC converter for being converted into a DC power, and then the DC power passes through the current stabilizer, the resistor, the connector for being inputted to two ends of each row of the LEDs; LEDs of each row are serially connected. |
| US07690808B2 |
Prefabricated light reflecting system mounted to ceiling of elevator cage
Disclosed herein is a prefabricated light reflecting system having standardized reflectors to be mounted to corners of the ceiling of an elevator cage. Here, a required number of reflectors are successively connectable to correspond to the size of the elevator cage. The light reflecting system includes a corner reflector, a bulb mounting plate, and an end reflector. If necessary, one or more intermediate reflectors may be added. |
| US07690806B2 |
Illuminating headlamp providing substantially uniform illumination
An illuminating headlamp consisting of a headband and at least one optical device providing illumination at a known distance from said optical device attached to said headband. Each optical device consists of a housing having an open first end and an open second end. There is a light emitting device attached to a mounting which is attached to the second end causing said light emitting device to be orientated at a known angle to an axis of said housing. At least one optically transparent lens is incorporated into said first end, and a means for adjusting said optically transparent lens in order to cause a focal point of the lens to be positioned behind said light emitting device, wherein a zone of substantially uniform illumination is projected at said known distance. |
| US07690805B2 |
Lighting device, and liquid crystal display device using same
There is provided a lighting device that lights a liquid crystal panel, including a substrate (51) on which red, green and blue light separating plates (52R, 52G, 52B) are alternately disposed with a pitch of w in array. Red LEDs (53R) are disposed one at every other center between the green and blue light separating plates (52G, 52B), green LEDs 53G are disposed one at every other center between the blue and red light separating plates (52B, 52R), and blue LEDs (53B) are disposed one at every other center between the red and green light separating plates (52R, 52G). |
| US07690804B2 |
Backlight unit of liquid crystal display
A backlight unit is presented that contains lamp support structures uniquely fitted to facilitate installation of lamps in a particular orientation. The backlight unit has tube light-emitting lamps, each of which is fitted to an asymmetric lamp holder. Lamp supports fixedly engage the asymmetric lamp holders fitted to the tube type light-emitting lamps. At least one of the lamp holders has an asymmetric hole. An outer case includes the supports to fix and support each lamp. At least one lamp has a treated surface that includes an optical sheet having a light transmittance lower than 100%. |
| US07690803B2 |
Light emitting sheet module
A light emitting sheet module includes a light guiding sheet to cover a plurality of key switches, at least one LED disposed on at least one end portion of the light guiding sheet, and a circuit board disposed on the one end portion of the light guiding sheet on which the LED is disposed. When the light emitting sheet module is, mounted on a switch board, it is capable of adaptation to key switches in a wide variety of forms and to illuminate the key switches with light emission of high brightness. |
| US07690801B2 |
Lighting apparatus
Lighting apparatus for an image-gathering device, includes a light frame supporting a plurality of light emitting diode lamps configured to emit light at a tungsten balanced color temperature, and a support member that defines a filter tray aperture to accommodate a filter tray. The light frame defines a circular aperture to enable the light frame to be located around the barrel of a camera lens, and the filter tray aperture is visible within said circular aperture of said light frame. A manually adjustable filter clamp is provided for holding a filter tray in place once located with respect to the filter tray aperture. Lighting apparatus arranged to accommodate a plurality of filter trays. |
| US07690800B2 |
Mirror angle controller
A mirror angle controller is provided which includes a pivot plate (H) which is attached to a reverse side of a mirror (M), and an actuator (A) which holds the pivot plate (H), in which the actuator (A) includes a housing (A1), a rod (A3) which pushes and pulls the pivot plate (H), and a motor which provides driving force to the rod (A3), in which, a ringed holder (121) which is placed to surround the rod (A3) is formed in the housing (A1), and in which the pivot plate (H) includes a ringed sliding part (H31) which is contact with and arbitrarily slides on the holder (121), and an engaging part which is engaged with an end of the rod (A3) so as to securely hold the mirror (M). |
| US07690795B2 |
Projector/camera system
A projector/camera system includes a projector, configured to project a sequenced image to a projection location, and a camera, located at the projection location and oriented to take an image of a region including the projector. The camera is configured to capture a sequenced image that is synchronized and out of phase with the sequenced image of the projector, thereby to minimize light interference from the projector. |
| US07690792B2 |
Projector and method of controlling ultrasonic speaker in projector
A projector having an ultrasonic speaker including an ultrasonic transducer for emitting an ultrasonic wave signal to a screen; a distance measuring device for measuring a distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the screen; and an ultrasonic frequency control device for controlling a frequency of the ultrasonic wave signal based on a measured result of the distance measuring device and a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer, so that the ultrasonic wave signal has a predetermined sound pressure at or in a vicinity of the screen. The projector may include a storage device for storing a propagation loss characteristic in air of the ultrasonic wave signal emitted from the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic frequency control device controls the frequency of the ultrasonic wave signal by referring to the propagation loss characteristic of the ultrasonic wave signal stored in the storage device. |
| US07690790B2 |
Vision test pattern indicator
A vision test pattern indicator is provided with a color display for displaying optotypes used for binocular vision tests which are conducted with a red filter set in front of an eye of an examinee and a green filter set in front of the other eye, and an arithmetic control part which controls the color display as a first optotype figure is displayed in a green color, a second optotype figure is displayed in a red color, a third optotype figure for fusion stimulus is displayed in a color excluding red and green components and a background of the optotypes is displayed in a white color. |
| US07690788B2 |
Driving circuit of electromechanical transducer device and retina scanning display device having the same
The present invention provides a drive circuit for driving a capacitive electromechanical transducer device. The capacitive electromechanical transducer device is constituted of two electromechanical transducer parts consisting of a first capacitive electromechanical transducer part and a second capacitive electromechanical transducer part and is operated in response to two-phase sinusoidal signals having mutually opposite phases. The drive circuit includes an inductor which resonates with the first electromechanical transducer part and the second electromechanical transducer part, and a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit is set substantially equal to an operation frequency of the electromechanical transducer device. |
| US07690786B2 |
Device for changing bridges, side arms and browbars of rimless spectacles and for changing bridges and side arms of metallic and plastic spectacle frames
In exchangeable spectacle frames, in which the side arms and bridge are fastened to the lenses or central part of the spectacle frame by a support element, the support element is a rod-shaped, rail-shaped or plate-shaped metal part with a metallic threaded pin and an additional metallic positioning pin or threaded pin. The metallic or plastic end of the side arm on the side of the lens, or the connecting element between the support element and metallic or plastic side arm, is shaped with recesses which are adapted to the form of the support element, have the same length as the metallic part and engage the metallic part. The recesses in the side arm form at least two catches on the lateral, inner plastic interfaces which interact with the threaded pin and positioning pin. Alternatively, the side arms or bridges are made of an elastic material with a slit-shaped recess, in which recesses are located for form-fittingly receiving the pins of the support element and locking them after their insertion. |
| US07690785B2 |
Pager with built-in printer
A digital pager has a built-in printer to enable the printing of a text message and/or a graphic image upon a page as the pager housing traverses the page. The pager can be maintained compact and lightweight as no paper storage or paper feed mechanism need be provided. |
| US07690783B2 |
Ink for inkjet printing, lithographic printing plate using it and method for making such plate
The present invention provides an ink for use in inkjet printing which can be cured by irradiation of radiant ray, characterized in that said ink for use in inkjet printing contains at least a colorant, a polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, further including a compound capable of forming a complex with a metal, as well as a method for making a lithographic printing plate that doesn't need a development process using said ink, and such plate can solve the foregoing problem. The ink of the present invention for use in inkjet printing has an excellent adhesion between the ink cured by irradiation of radiant ray and a printing medium, as well as a lithographic printing plate using it and a method for making such plate. |
| US07690781B2 |
Ink jet printer using UV ink
A UVLED (62) or a UVLED array unit (64) is employed in the UV-ray emitting body of a UV-ray irradiating means (60) for curing a UV-ink drop, shot at the surface of print media (50) mounted on a platen (20) from the ink jet head (30) of an ink jet, by irradiating it with UV-rays. Power consumption of the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is suppressed greatly, the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is reduced in size and weight or simplified, waiting time of the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is eliminated when the UV-ray emitting body is lighting, or generation of ozone is prevented when the UV-ray emitting body is lighting. |
| US07690772B2 |
Ink jet printer with high capacity tank and associated ink refilling system
The ink jet printer comprises a printhead (22) movable in front of a printing medium (30) and provided with an ink cartridge (25) integral with it; the cartridge is filled with ink from a main, high capacity tank (35), which is connected at intervals to the cartridge (25) by means of a capillary element. During each connection, the capillary element (101) is brought into contact with the sponge (41) inside the cartridge, while a peristaltic pump (134) mounted integral upon the main tank provides a pressure suitable for generating a sufficient flow of ink to refill the cartridge (25) in a short time frame. To perform the refilling, the cartridge is brought at the end of its stroke into a service station (5) mounted on the body of the main tank (35), which is moved against the cartridge by means of a motor-driven linkage, controlled by a refilling management program, in response to the signals of a cartridge ink level sensor. |
| US07690771B2 |
Liquid ejection head, liquid ejection apparatus, and manufacturing method of liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head includes a channel unit with a channel substrate provided with a channel section having pressure chamber cavity rows formed by arranging a plurality of pressure chamber cavities in rows. The liquid ejection head also includes a nozzle substrate provided with a plurality of nozzle orifices formed so as to correspond to the pressure chambers. A sealing plate of the liquid ejection head seals an opening of the channel section of the channel substrate, in which the nozzle substrate is joined, with one surface of the channel substrate. The sealing plate is joined with the opposite surface of the channel substrate so that the channel unit has a series of liquid channels from a common liquid chamber to the nozzle orifices. The liquid ejection head has a head case to which the channel unit is fixed. |
| US07690770B2 |
Sheet-member stacked structure, lead frame, lead-frame stacked structure, sheet-member stacked and adhered structure, and ink jet printer head
A sheet-member stacked structure produced by a method including one or more of the following steps: stacking lead frames on each other, and stacking sheet members of one lead frame on sheet members of another or other lead frame or frames, each lead frame including a frame portion, the sheet members, and bridge portions which connect sides of the sheet members; to an inner peripheral portion of the frame portion and one of its adjacent sheet member, or to respective one sides of its two adjacent sheet members; stacking sheet members on each other via an adhesive; and stacking sheet members on each other, the sheet members including a liquid-chamber sheet member formed of a rolled metal sheet and having liquid chambers arranged, separately from each other, in a direction perpendicular to a direction of rolling of the metal sheet. |
| US07690761B2 |
Inkjet printhead assembly with printhead segment cradle member
An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink supply body. The body defines a plurality of ink supply channels. An elongate cradle defines a plurality of rows of apertures and can be fast with the body so that ink within the ink supply channels can pass through respective rows. A plurality of printhead segments each includes a carrier. Each carrier defines a plurality of rows of ink supply passages arranged so that the ink supply passages can be placed in alignment with respective apertures when the carrier is cradled within the cradle. Each printhead segment further includes an elongate ink ejection printhead mounted to the carrier in fluid communication with the ink supply passages. |
| US07690756B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus and cap
An ink-jet head includes nozzles which are configured to discharge ink droplets, an ink discharge surface which has ink discharge apertures of the nozzles formed therethrough, and a cap configured to cover the ink discharge surface. The cap includes a base member which opposes the ink discharge surface. The base member has a recess formed therein, and the recess has a communication hole formed therethrough. The cap also may include a damper film which is connected to the base member at an outer periphery of the recess and covers the recess, and a lip which is formed along an outer periphery of the base member and is configured to selectively contact the ink discharge surface. Moreover, the ink-jet head may include a cap holder which is connected to the cap and is configured to selectively apply a force to the cap toward the ink discharge surface. |
| US07690755B2 |
Image-forming apparatus having purge/wiping mechanism
An image-forming apparatus having an inkjet type printer is configured to prevent ink from being wastefully consumed through a purge processing. Before next purge processing is executed, test printing is carried out. The user looks at the result of the test printing and inputs instruction indicating whether or not the next purge processing is to be executed. If the inputted instruction indicates that immediate purge processing is unnecessary, execution of the purge processing is prolonged. In this manner, a purge processing is not automatically executed but executed only when the test printing indicates that an ejection condition of ink is no good. |
| US07690754B2 |
Inkjet printer head and inkjet printer
An inkjet printer head including: (a) a front head unit having (a-i) an outside surface which is to be opposed to a print media, (a-ii) an inside surface opposite to the outside surface, (a-iii) a plurality of nozzles opening in the outside surface and arranged in row, and (a-iv) an ink inlet opening in the inside surface; (b) an ink-channel defining unit supplying an ink into the front head unit through the ink inlet; (c) a head holder holding the front head unit; and (d) a reinforcement member fixed to the inside surface of the front head unit. The front head unit and the head holder are fixed to each other, with the reinforcement member being interposed therebetween. The ink-channel defining unit is fixed to one of opposite side surfaces of the reinforcement member that is remote from the front head unit. Also disclosed is an inkjet printer including the above-described inkjet printer head, a carriage, a heat dissipater and a bubble discharger, wherein the heat dissipater, bubble discharger and front head unit are mounted on the carriage, and are arranged in a direction of movement of the carriage. |
| US07690749B2 |
Method for evaluating bleeding, and image recording method and apparatus
The method for evaluating bleeding into a recording medium of ink discharged onto the recording medium, the method comprises the steps of: outputting a bleeding evaluation print including a plurality of bleeding evaluation patches created by recording lines of a prescribed length of ink colors, at a prescribed width, and varying at least one of a recording speed at which recording data is recorded onto the recording medium, a volume of ink discharged, and a fixing energy which fixes the discharged ink onto the recording medium, as a parameter, between a plurality of different levels; measuring density of each of the bleeding evaluation patches in the outputted bleeding evaluation print; and evaluating the bleeding of the ink into the recording medium according to a density measurement result on the bleeding evaluation patches. |
| US07690746B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting print head defects in printing clear ink
A method for detecting a defect in an inkjet print head for printing a substantially clear ink includes including an ultraviolet or infrared sensitive material in the substantially clear ink, marking a test image on a substrate by jetting the substantially clear ink through one or more jets of the inkjet print head to be evaluated, exposing the test image to activating radiation having a wavelength to which the included ultraviolet or infrared sensitive material responds. During or following the exposing, the test image is evaluated with an image sensor, and whether the inkjet print head or any one of the one or more jets thereof being evaluated is defective is then determined based on the evaluation. A system for the method is also set forth. |
| US07690743B2 |
Nozzle drive control device and method
A nozzle drive control device and method includes applying a drive voltage to a nozzle, sensing a size or speed of an ink droplet ejected by the applied drive voltage, determining whether the sensed result is included within a predetermined range, and calculating the drive voltage to eject an ink droplet when the sensed size or ejecting speed of the ejected ink droplet is not included within the predetermined range. |
| US07690740B2 |
Pull-out guide system for drawers
Pull-out guide system for drawers, having a basic-structure rail, a drawer rail and, if appropriate, having a center rail arranged between these two rails. The load of the drawer is transmitted by way of a first rolling-contact body and at least one second rolling-contact body, and the first rolling-contact body has a smaller diameter than the at least one second rolling-contact body. The drawer rail is designed such that, when the drawer is in the closed state, the first rolling-contact body is subjected to loading by the drawer rail and, when the drawer is opened, the first rolling-contact body is relieved of the loading of the drawer rail. |
| US07690737B2 |
Method of controlling an automotive vehicle having a trailer
A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle and trailer includes determining the presence of a trailer and applying brake-steer to the vehicle in response to the trailer to reduce the turning radius of the vehicle and the trailer. |
| US07690731B2 |
Highchairs
A collapsible highchair for an infant has a seat (3), a back-rest (4) and a front leg-support (5) that are provided in one by an elongate, contoured moulding (1). Rear leg-support is by tubular legs (2) which are pivoted to the one-piece moulding (1) under the seat (3) and which are held in rearward extension in the erect condition of the highchair by a pivoted tubular frame (10) which snaps into a socket (11) under the seat (3). Release of the frame (10) from the socket (11) allows the legs (2) to fold onto the underside of the front leg-support (5) for collapse of the chair. A tube (14) attached at each end under the seat (3) extends up either side of the seat (3) to form arm-rests (15), and a backwardly/forwardly slidable tray (18) is attached by releasable mounts (20) to the arm-rests (15). |
| US07690730B2 |
Seat support structure
A seat support structure for facilitating assembly of a frame support member. The seat support structure includes a seat support portion mounted on a seat rail of a vehicle, the seat support portion having an opening portion; a mount rubber having an engaging groove portion on an outer peripheral portion thereof, an insertion portion arranged closer to a distal end side than the engaging groove portion, and a through hole penetrating through the mount rubber. Upon mounting the seat, the insertion portion of the mount rubber is inserted into the opening portion of the seat support portion, the portion of the seat to be supported is inserted into the through hole, and the mount rubber is moved in the radial direction in an inside of the opening portion, and a portion of a groove wall of the engaging groove portion is brought into pressure contact with the opening portion. |
| US07690724B2 |
Message chair
A massage chair including an electric reclining mechanism for moving a backrest into different sloping positions, a holding mechanism for holding at least one forearm of a user to fix to the base side, and a controller that controls operations of these mechanisms. The controller allows the holding mechanism to hold the at least one forearm and allows the electric reclining mechanism to move the backrest into at least one sloping position before moving the backrest into a final position. An inclination of the at least one sloping position from a sloping position of the different sloping positions when the at least one forearm is held by the holding mechanism is smaller than an inclination of the end position from a sloping position of the different sloping positions when the at least one forearm is held by the holding mechanism. |
| US07690721B2 |
Junction structure for connecting two profiles in a vehicle support frame
The invention relates to a junction structure for connecting two profiles(1, 2), especially in a vehicle support frame. The first profile (1) has at least two planar, parallel sides and the second profile (2) comprises two parallel, opposite girders (3, 4) and at least one strip (5, 6) connecting the girders (3, 4). The girders (3, 4), with their lateral ends, project relative to the strip (5, 6), the projections forming paired, parallel flanges (31, 41, 32, 42). The junction structure is characterized in that the first profile (1) at the location of connection, is provided with a recess (7) into which the second profile (2) is inserted on the front side in such a manner that the parallel sides of the opposite ends (8, 9) of the first profile limiting the recess (7) rest in a form fit against the insides (31a, 41a, 32a, 42a) of the opposite flanges (31, 41, 32, 42) of the second profile (2) and are connected thereto. |
| US07690717B2 |
Retractable roof and vehicle fitted with said device
A retractable roof for a vehicle, including a roof panel configured to be displaced by a guide from a closed position in the passenger area of the vehicle to a retracted position in a rear area of the vehicle. The roof also includes a rear cover structure including a rear shelf. The rear shelf can be automatically controlled between a rest position and an open position. |
| US07690715B2 |
Open-close portion structure of vehicle body
An open-close portion structure of a vehicle body includes: an open-close member which opens and closes an opening of the vehicle body; a first hinge member provided on the vehicle body; a second hinge member provided on the open-close member, being pivoted with the first hinge member; and a stretchable stay provided between the vehicle body and the open-close member and biasing the open-close member to open, wherein an end of the stretchable stay is coupled to the second hinge member. |
| US07690714B2 |
Lightning protected golf cart
A golf cart altered such that the occupants are protected against the effect of lightning strikes comprises an electrically conductive grid (23 & 23a) on the roof, preferably star shaped, connected electrically to electrically conductive down-conductors, preferably at least 6 in number, four of which may be the roof supports (16 & 24) and the other two (18) moveable to allow ease of access to the golf cart and each to be connected to a plurality of flexible electrically conductive members (26) so as to touch the ground, preferably via a metal chassis. The movable electrically conductive members are connected to at least one of the roof or the base construction by a bearing. The invention defines a protective electrically conductive cage enclosing the golf cart and surrounding its occupants with improved rigidity, safety and practicality. |
| US07690709B2 |
Rear door for fitting to a motor vehicle, and a set of two rear doors
The invention relates to a rear door for a motor vehicle, the door including hinges (16, 16′) embodying an axis (Y) for pivoting the door on the vehicle between a closed position and an open position. The door includes a motor (17) for generating a driving torque about the pivot axis of the door. |
| US07690708B2 |
Front to rear console mikiri overlap
A vehicle console center console assembly including a first portion secured to an instrument panel and incorporating a gear shifter and a second portion supported upon a vehicle floor and establishing a mating profile along each of first and second sides with the first portion. Upper located and angled mating shoulders established between the portions limit the effect of sagging of the first portion, via support provided from the second portion. The appearance of gaps in the mating profiles is further limited by overlapping the edges of the second portion to those of the first portion. The second portion further includes inwardly configured support tabs proximate its side edges and which establish channels therebetween for seating the trailing edges of the first portion and permitting a limited degree of non-evident misalignment between the portions. |
| US07690707B2 |
Hoisting frame and method for its use
A hoisting frame that can be connected at an upper side to hoisting cables and have a device on an underside for picking up a secondary hoisting frame. The hoisting frame may be adjustable between a retracted position, in which its transverse dimension is equal to that of the secondary hoisting frame, and an extended position. Pick-ups are adapted to pick up a single secondary hoisting frame in the retracted position and to pick up two mutually adjacent secondary hoisting frames in the extended position. A method for transferring containers may include picking up one load at a first location when the hoisting frame is retracted, or two loads when the hoisting frame is extended, lifting, displacing to a second location and then lowering the hoisting frame with the picked-up load(s), uncoupling the load(s) from the hoisting frame, lifting the hoisting frame, moving the hoisting frame from one to another position. A secondary hoisting frame may be coupled or uncoupled and the steps repeated. |
| US07690706B2 |
Gripper device
An apparatus for transporting objects may include a plurality of grippers having a first spacing at a first position and second spacing at a second position. A drive mechanism may be provided is for selectively displacing the grippers from the first position to the second position to adjust the spacing between the grippers. |
| US07690700B2 |
Door latch device for a domestic appliance, in particular for a dish washer
A door latch device for a domestic electrical appliance, in particular for a dishwasher, has a frame (10) provided or to be provided on a first component of the domestic appliance, a latching unit (28) arranged so it can be displaced relative to the frame between an open position and a latched position for engagement with a closure system of a second component of the domestic appliance that can be moved relative to the first appliance component and is to be locked with respect thereto, and a latching spring assembly that pre-tensions the latching unit and which in the open position of the latching unit forces the unit into engagement with a blocking surface (24) that blocks relaxation of the latching spring assembly. According to one aspect of the invention a control member (52) that is separate from the latching unit and arranged so it can be moved relative thereto is provided, comprising an application system (64) for an actuating portion of the second appliance component and comprising an impact system for a block-cancelling effect on the latching unit. According to a further aspect the latching unit is formed by a one-piece latching body on which, in addition to a latching system (38) for engagement with the closure system of the second appliance component and a blocking system (50) for engagement with the blocking surface (24), supporting surfaces for the latching spring assembly are also arranged. |
| US07690692B2 |
Electrostatic discharge solution for angled fuel port of a fuel pump
Fuel port structure (10) of a fuel pump (20) includes a fuel port (12) having a periphery (14), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (16), and a free end (18). An electrically conductive grounding structure (22) has a first portion (24) disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion (26) extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube (28) is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion (30) in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage. |
| US07690690B1 |
Display medium having a bibliographic reference corresponding to date
A daily display is associated with a text display, the daily display comprising a specific Gregorian calendar date, the text display comprising an abbreviated name of a text reference work wherein the text display is associated with the specific Gregorian calendar date to constitute a complete bibliographic citation. |
| US07690683B2 |
Airbag with automatic vent closer
Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for automatically closing a vent opening in response to inflation of an airbag cushion. In some embodiments, primary and secondary tethers are provided, both of which are coupled to an airbag cushion. The primary tether may be used to restrain the inflation size of the airbag cushion during a partial deployment. A tether cutter may also be provided to cut the primary tether upon detecting a condition that would warrant full deployment of the airbag cushion. The secondary tether may be configured to at least partially close one or more vent openings in response to the airbag cushion being inflated to a fully-inflated configuration after the primary tether has been cut. |
| US07690679B2 |
Passenger-protecting system for automotive vehicle
A passenger-protecting system includes a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in an inner space of a door and a side airbag installed in the door. The pressure in the inner space increases when a side collision occurs. When the pressure in the inner space of the door exceeds a predetermined threshold level, the side airbag is inflated to protect a passenger from a side collision. There are certain situations where the operation of the side airbag is not necessary even if the pressure in the inner space of the door exceeds the threshold level. Such situations include: when the door is abruptly closed and a front airbag is inflated to protect a passenger from a frontal collision. According to the present invention, unnecessary operations of the side airbag are effectively avoided. |
| US07690676B2 |
Vehicle pillar trim panel assembly
A trim panel attachable to a structural pillar of an automotive vehicle for covering an expandable side-curtain air bag. The trim panel can also be part of a vehicular pillar structure or a vehicle subassembly. The trim panel is composed of a unitary molded body having first and second body portions connected to each other. The first body portion is formed of a first material and the second body portion is formed of a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first material. The second body portion is configured as a deflectable flap movable between a first position in overlying relationship with the side-curtain airbag in a non-deployed state and a second deflected position upon deployment of the side-curtain airbag. |
| US07690675B2 |
Body receptacle for a wheeled frame
A body receptacle for a wheeled frame allows for the transport of babies in a bicycle trailer. The body receptacle has a flexible mat that is brought into the intended transport form with the help of tensioning devices. |
| US07690674B2 |
Snow riding implement
A ski in accordance with the invention increases in width from a tip or shovel portion to a mid-portion. The mid-portion includes at least a slight sidecut. The ski then decreases in width from the mid-portion to a tail portion. The ski also includes an undersurface with a substantial portion being rockered. A substantial portion of the mid-portion of the ski is not rockered. |
| US07690673B1 |
Self-latching ball clamp coupler
A ball hitch coupler permits self-latching with a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler has a housing with a generally downwardly facing open socket for receiving a ball hitch. A ball clamp member within the open socket is attached to an adjustment lever by a clamp rod that extends through a top surface of the housing. A camming surface provided on the lever causes the clamp rod to pull the ball clamp member upwardly and outwardly from the socket as the lever is pivoted to an open position. When the lever is in a neutral ready position, a ball hitch may be inserted into the socket and will automatically be coupled with the ball hitch coupler without further adjustment. |
| US07690672B2 |
Adjustable towing hitch assembly
Receivers are attached to motor vehicles to tow a variety of objects such as trailers. Due to the variety of makes and models of motor vehicles, several different sized receivers are required to fit most motor vehicles. The present receiver, however, provides adjustability in at least three directions. This adjustability means that one receiver can fit many different makes and models of vehicles. |
| US07690671B1 |
Trailer hitch with alignment mechanism
An alignment mechanism for aligning the ball with the socket of trailer hitch comprised of a ball portion attached to a towing vehicle and a socket portion attached to a trailer. The alignment mechanism has an alignment body that is cylindrical-shaped having an outer wall, an upper face, a lower face, and a circular opening passing through the center of the body. The circular opening has a diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the socket. The upper face has a U-shaped slot and a wedge-shaped slot, the slots being adapted to receive the outer end of the socket portion. The lower face has a truncated conical surface extending upwardly and inwardly between the outer wall of the alignment body and the circular opening. A stop member extends downwardly from the truncated conical surface. |
| US07690670B1 |
Trailer hitch alignment aid
The invention is a trailer tongue alignment accessory that attaches to the tongue of the trailer. The invention includes a mounting assembly, three lighted posts, and position sensing means. The position sensing means comprises a laser projector that is attached to the mounting assembly, and a reflector that is attached to the trailer hitch. |
| US07690669B2 |
Adapter for a quick-connect tractor hitch
An adapter to facilitate attaching non-standard implements to a tractor equipped with a proprietary quick-connect hitch system. An elongated horizontal member, equipped with cylindrical end regions adapted for securing in hook regions of a quick-connect hitch system, carries a ball hitch or other similar universal hitch attachment mechanism. The novel adapter, therefore, allows attachment of implements having a ball hitch, a universal pin type hitch or other non-standard attachment mechanism to tractors equipped with quick-connect hitch systems. The novel adapter is rotatable around its major axis to allow two diverse hitches to be accommodated. For example, a ball-type hitch as well as another type connection my be selected by rotating the adapter 180° around its major axis. |
| US07690665B2 |
Rear bicycle frame structure
A rear bicycle frame structure which has different rear triangles that make up a common tubular structure that forms part of the front frame, an upper tie bolt and a lower tie bolt. The upper tie bolt and the lower tie bolt are joined by a fourth side forming four-sided piece. A rear axle is placed on the fourth side of each four-sided piece formed. |
| US07690663B2 |
Vehicle suspension with linked air bags
An air suspension system for a load carrying vehicle has multiple air bags associated with selected vehicle wheels to at least assist supporting the load and to control relative movement between the respective wheel and a supporting frame structure of the vehicle. A high flow-rate air tube connected to at least one air bag receives air from the connected air bag when air pressure in the air bag increases above that in the air tube. Air flows from the high flow rate air tube to a connected air bag when the air pressure in the air tube is above that of the air bag. The flow rate of air from the air tube to the air bag is controlled by the structure of the fittings between the respective air bags and the high flow-rate air tubes. A height valve maintains a predetermined pressure in the air bags when the vehicle is at rest. |
| US07690655B2 |
Hold 'em poker with multiple opponents hands
The player is dealt two hole cards. Each opponent is dealt two hole cards. The player has the option to raise or check. If the player raises, all opponents must raise. If the player checks, all opponents must check. Then three community cards are dealt. If the player raises or checks, all opponents must raise or check likewise. Then the final two community cards are dealt. If the player raises or checks, all opponents must raise or check likewise. All of the opponents hole cards are exposed. Whoever has the highest five card poker hand by category wins the pot. If two or more of the opponents and the player have the same highest five card poker hand by category, the hand is a tie and the pot carries over to the next round of play. |
| US07690653B2 |
Foosball table
The present invention generally relates to a game device. In one aspect, a foosball game apparatus is provided. The foosball game apparatus includes a game body having a playing field, an endwall adjacent each end of the playing field, and a sidewall adjacent each side of the playing field. The foosball apparatus further includes an electronic digital display formed in each end wall for indicating a time period and a score. In another aspect, a method of playing a timed foosball game is provided. |
| US07690647B2 |
Stack holding device to prevent push-out
A mechanical device to stabilize the stack height position of a compiler output tray and compress the sets in the tray is provided. The small mechanical device may be mounted in the back wall of the stacker tray near the top limit. The mechanical device includes a gravity-activated arm that moves out of the way when a set is ejected and, then, when the stacker tray lowers, the arm returns to the extended position. The tray rises again to the compiling position for the next set, pushing the arm upwards and compressing the set against the rubber contact member. The compression reduces the stack height, increases tray capacity and prevents each new set from pushing out the top of the stack. |
| US07690646B2 |
Sheet storing device, post-processing apparatus equipped with the device and image forming system equipped with the apparatus
A sheet storing device having a conveyance device that converts the conveyance direction while holding the sheet and a storing section that has the first support member supporting the surface of the sheet substantially vertically, the second support member supporting the edge of the sheet and a pressing member pressing the sheet against the first support member, a post-processing apparatus equipped with the sheet storing device and an image forming system equipped with the aforesaid items. |
| US07690643B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
There is provided an apparatus provided with a tray which goes up and down with sheet stack being supported, a pickup roller which feeds the sheet on the tray a first detecting sensor which detects a object placed on the tray other than the sheets to be fed by the pickup roller, as the tray goes up. |
| US07690641B2 |
Gateless diverter—'S' shaped paper path
In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a system transports paper to prevent stubbing within a printing machine. The paper path facilitates transport of one or more sheets of paper from the first end to the second end, each sheet of paper has a leading edge. A first entry point is located between the first end and the second end that allows one or more sheets to enter the paper path in succession. A first nip is adjacent to the first entry point to direct the leading edge of the one or more sheets away from the first entry point. A second entry point is located a distance from the first entry point that allows one or more sheets to enter the paper path. A second nip is adjacent to the second entry point to direct the leading edge of the one or more sheets away from the second entry point. A gateless diverter directs the one or more sheets of paper through the paper path which includes a convex section that is adjacent to a concave section to divert the leading edge of each of the one or more sheets away from the first entry point and the second entry point. The one or more sheets of paper are advanced to the convex section via the first nip in advance to the concave section to the second nip. |
| US07690632B2 |
Sheet bending apparatus and sheet postprocessing apparatus
A sheet bending apparatus and a sheet postprocessing apparatus are provided for improved alignment of recording sheets during center-folding. A center-folding unit mounted in a sheet postprocessing apparatus performs a center-folding processing to a stack of recording sheets aligned on their sides and placed in a sheet holding member. Side aligning is performed near a central portion in a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet holding member. The center-folding unit includes: two upper end aligning members positioned upstream in the sheet conveyance direction on the sheet holding member and movable equally in opposite width directions of the sheet holding member; and a pair of lower side end aligning members positioned on downstream in the sheet conveyance direction on the sheet holding member and are movable equally in opposite width directions of the sheet holding member and independently from the upper end aligning members. |
| US07690630B2 |
Long travel, high force combination spring
A long travel, varying spring rate combination spring includes two differing rate springs connected end-to-end in such a way that the lower rate spring is compressed until positive engagement of a plunger with an intermediate flange member occurs with the higher rate spring thereafter compressed. Each spring may be assembled separately and connected together with a coupling to create a combination spring, allowing various springs to be combined to meet the requirements of a particular application. |
| US07690624B2 |
Valve drive device
A valve drive device which can prevent a locknut fixing a stem nut to a drive sleeve from getting loosened. The valve drive device comprises: the stem nut for screwing a valve stem thereinto; the drive sleeve engaging with a male spline formed on a peripheral outer surface of said stem nut, said drive sleeve including a worm gear on a peripheral outer surface thereof; a worm in meshing engagement with said worm gear; and a housing that supports said drive sleeve by bearings. The valve drive device further comprises: a stem nut fastening member having a first male screw that engages with a female screw provided on a peripheral inner surface of said drive sleeve; and a locknut that engages with a second male screw provided on a reduced diameter portion of said stem nut fastening member, said second male screw having a reverse screw thread relative to said first male screw, so that no slack may arise between said stem nut fastening member and said drive sleeve. |
| US07690622B2 |
Diaphragm-type electromagnetic valve with closing-force strengthening mechanism
An auxiliary valve member, an auxiliary pilot pressure chamber for applying a pilot fluid pressure to the auxiliary valve body, and a transmitting rod for transmitting operating force of the auxiliary valve body to a main diaphragm are provided other than the main diaphragm which is in contact with or separating from a main valve seat by operating by means of application of the pilot fluid pressure in a diaphragm valve portion, as a mechanism for strengthening valve-closing force of the main diaphragm, so as for the main diaphragm not to be separated from the valve seat even when the fluid pressure from a load is applied to the main diaphragm as adverse pressure. |
| US07690613B2 |
Transformer base for lighting poles
A breakaway transformer base for a lighting pole includes four upstanding corner members (preferably formed of aluminum castings), and four side sheets. Each side sheet is attached to two of the corner members, e.g., by welds or fasteners, thereby interconnecting the corner members. Each corner member forms bolt holes for enabling the base to be bolted to a lighting standard and to an anchored foundation. |
| US07690612B1 |
One-piece slip-on accessory hangers
A one-piece slip-on accessory hanger includes an engaging and support portion, an extension portion, and an end portion, all of which are formed of a single length of an elongated rod member. The accessory hanger is formed by including a plurality of spaced bends, with each bend formed at a predetermined bend location, with a predetermined bend angle, and in a predetermined bend direction. The accessory hanger is specifically structured for being slipped over and securely engaging an upper portion of a support structure such as a PVC fence, without the need for any fastening devices. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims. |
| US07690604B2 |
Rudder pedal assembly including non-parallel slide rails
A rudder pedal assembly exhibits sufficient ergonomic feel for a pilot, and is relatively small in overall size. The rudder pedal assembly includes a plurality of rails disposed non-parallel to each other within a common plane, and a rudder pedal. The rudder pedal is movably coupled to the plurality of rails and is configured to receive an input force in at least a first direction and a second direction. The rudder pedal is further configured, in response to the input force, to move along a path constrained by the plurality of rails in at least the first direction and the second direction, respectively, and within the common plane. |
| US07690602B2 |
Satellite active motion damping
Methods and apparatus are provided for active motion damping of a spacecraft whose attitude control system (SACS) has experienced a partial failure. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises, an attitude control processor (ACP), a motion damping controller (MDC) coupled to the ACP, a control moment gyro (CMG) comprising a gimbal loop controller (GLC) coupled to the MDC and a gimbal motor with input coupled to the GLC and gyroscopic torque output coupled to the satellite. Normally, a gimbal rate command (GRC) from the ACP passes to the GLC for execution to rotate the CMG gimbal and the coupled satellite. If the ACP output becomes invalid, the MDC assumes control and can modify CMG operation in several ways to safely decelerate a moving satellite without hazardous mechanical stress. Following such active motion damping, the CMG remains quiescent until a RESET is received whereby further valid GRCs are then executable. |
| US07690599B2 |
Method of illumination for in-flight refueling
An illuminating system, device, and method are provided to illuminate an in-flight refueling operation involving a first aircraft, serving as a tanker aircraft and carrying the illuminating system of the present invention, and a second aircraft, entering an in-flight refueling position relative to the first aircraft. The system, device, and method of the present invention provide eye-safe, covert illumination suitable for illuminating the in-flight refueling position such that the second aircraft is illuminated upon entering the in-flight refueling position. |
| US07690595B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for throat corner scoop offtake for mixed compression inlets on aircraft engines
A system, method, and apparatus for throat corner scoop offtake for mixed compression inlets for high speed aircraft engine applications is disclosed. The throat corner scoops are small air intakes located inside the large mixed compression inlet. They are positioned in a region otherwise prone to generate low pressure airflow. The throat corner scoops capture and remove the low pressure airflow from the bulk stream that is passed on to the engine. This location also provides inlet stability enhancement, and the airflow is used on the auxiliary systems. |
| US07690592B2 |
Interlock system
The invention provides an interlock system whereby operation of a domestic appliance such as a food processor containing an electric motor capable of driving a bladed or similar processing tool at relatively high speed is inhibited unless a vessel having a first or a second base configuration is securely mounted to the appliance so as to contain the tool; the vessel having a lid or cover intended to be in place for safe operation when the processing tool is driven by the motor. A vessel-supporting surface of the appliance carries several up-standing latches, each of which is formed with features capable of co-operating with vessels having either of the base configurations to temporarily latch either type of vessel operationally to the appliance. At least one of the latches is formed with first and second apertures allowing operational access for respective interlock actuators responsive to the lid or cover of a vessel being in place as intended, to an interlock switch whereby electrical current is permitted to flow to the motor only when a vessel having one or other of the different base configurations is latched to the appliance and the vessel is safely closed by its lid or cover. |
| US07690591B2 |
Roller mill
The invention relates to a roller mill, particularly intended for dressing ores.To reduce the energy demand for comminution and classifying a grinding product, a classifying device is positioned below the grinding area and to it is supplied the comminuted ground material under gravity action, as well as classifying air from an annular chamber in the lower region of the grinding bowl and which has at least one fine material outlet and coarse material outlet. |
| US07690585B1 |
Volcano food fountain
A volcano food fountain is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the volcano food fountain includes a fountain base having a bowl, a simulated volcano carried by the fountain base in the bowl, a pump provided in the simulated volcano and communicating with the bowl, a volcano opening provided in the simulated volcano and communicating with the pump and a tray carried by the fountain base. |
| US07690579B2 |
Answer to reset (ATR) pushing
A wireless-enabled smart card reader receives an Answer to Reset (ATR) from a smart card and transmits the ATR using a wireless communication link to a computing device without waiting for an ATR request from the computing device. The computing device may cache the ATR and use it for subsequent communication sessions with the smart card. |
| US07690577B2 |
Registering a biometric for radio frequency transactions
A method for registering biometric information for use in a transponder-reader system is disclosed. The method includes steps of detecting, verifying and storing a proffered biometric sample. During detecting, a sensor detects a proffered biometric to obtain a biometric sample. During the verifying step, the biometric sample is compared with other stored samples and/or other information. During the storing step, the biometric sample is stored on a database, for use by the transponder-reader system in authorizing transactions. |
| US07690576B2 |
Handheld mobile communication device with moveable display/cover member
Handheld mobile communication devices according to the disclosure have a closed position, in which the display member of the device covers at least a portion of the keys of on the keypad member of the device, and an open position, in which the keys are accessible and the device is operated. When the display member is in the open position, it forms an ergonomically desirable angle (e.g., on the order of about 155°) relative to the keypad member. However, unlike clamshell-type cellular phones, the display member does not simply flip open about a conventional pivot joint. Rather, it moves from the closed position, where it is parallel and adjacent to the keypad member, to the open, angled position through a sliding/sweeping motion; through an eccentric, “up-and-over” rotational motion; or through a combination sliding/“up-and-over” motion. |
| US07690568B2 |
Tag reading apparatus
There are provided a barcode reader for reading an article code in a barcode form from an article tag, and an RFID tag reader for reading a shelf code from a shelf tag in a non-contact wireless manner. The article code read by the barcode reader is stored in an article code memory, and the shelf code read by the RFID tag reader is stored in a shelf code memory. There are also provided an information processing unit, a control unit and a transmission unit. The information processing unit is controlled by the control unit to process the article code and the shelf code as one set of information for article management. Then, the transmission unit transmits the processed information to a personal computer. |
| US07690564B2 |
Automatic classification of credit card customers
According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computer-based method and a computer program product for automatically sorting customers who make purchases from merchants using a credit card. The computer-based method includes the following steps. An adjusted index is calculated for a customer based on an amount of money the customer spent across merchants during a time period. The adjusted index is compared to a cut-off value. The customer is classified based on the comparison of the adjusted index to the cut-off value. In an embodiment, the method also includes re-classifying the customer based on at least one of (i) information about the merchants, or (ii) a number of transactions in a predetermined industry. |
| US07690561B1 |
Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
A card actuated automated banking machine system and method accepts checks and dispenses cash to users. The banking machine is operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash is dispensed to the user from the banking machine in exchange for the deposited check. |
| US07690560B2 |
Compact protocol and solution for substantially offline messaging between portable consumer device and base device
A method for providing messaging between a portable device and base device is provided. The method includes communicating one or more message codes maintained in the portable device to the base device. The base device then composes a message for a user of the portable device using a dictionary of message codes. The message codes have corresponding message values, which are used to generate the message for the one or more message codes. The generated message is then provided to the user. |
| US07690557B2 |
System and method for displaying received data using separate device
A method and apparatus for displaying received data using a separate device that makes a user's receiving terminal, that has received only a unique code of data, transmit the unique code to a separate display device connected to the Internet, and which makes the display device access a server, in which the data is stored, and display the data corresponding to the unique code. The apparatus displays received data using a code generation unit for generating a first unique code that matches metadata received from a data server that stores the data and the metadata, a first communication unit for transmitting the first unique code to a receiving terminal, and a second communication unit for receiving a second unique code from a display device and transmitting the stored metadata that matches the first unique code to the display device if the first unique code corresponds to the second unique code. |
| US07690553B2 |
Methods and systems for mitigating residual tensile stresses
Residual tensile stresses can be mitigated through methods and systems provided by the present invention. Such a method can include securing a metal member (10) to a substrate and at least partially surrounding a portion of the metal member (10) with a cooling fluid (18). As a result, the cooled portion of the metal member (10) contracts a predetermined amount. Once cooled, the metal member may be fixed, preferably welded, to another metal member in a constrained relationship. As the portion of the metal member is returned to its original temperature, expansion of the metal member acts to mitigate residual tensile stresses in the metal assembly. Tensile stress in restrained members, cambering, and structural deformation can be readily controlled in an assembled structure. |
| US07690545B2 |
Hand-operated stapler
A hand-operated stapler comprises an arm, a sliding belt and a blocking member, wherein the arm comprises a front end which acts as an effort, a rear end which acts as a fulcrum, and a load portion in between the front end and the rear end of the arm; and the rear end of the blocking member is connected to a front end of the sliding belt. At a non-stapling default position a front end of the blocking member is biased to be disposed above the stopper and blocks the upper clincher member from engaging with the lower clincher member. At a stapling position the rear end of the sliding belt is pulled upward, thereby pulling the blocking member rearward and away from the stopper and thus allowing the upper clincher member to engage with the lower clincher member. |
| US07690543B1 |
Tennis ball holder
A housing assembly is formed of a front sheet overlying a rear sheet with a curved periphery for the majority of the lower and upper extents of the housing assembly forming a passageway. A waist band with a clasp is secured by stitching to the upper edge of the housing assembly. |
| US07690539B1 |
Viscous material dispense system
A viscous material dispense system including a dispense valve having an outlet, a mix tube secured at an upper end thereof to the outlet of the dispense valve, a mixer shroud positioned telescopically over the mix tube and including a conical lower end, and an air shroud fitted telescopically over the lower end of the mixer shroud and defining a conical surface positioned in confronting relation to the conical tip portion of the mixer shroud. The air shroud and the lower end of the mixer shroud coact to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending flutes extending downwardly between the outer surface of the mixer shroud and the inner surface of the air shroud and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending flutes defined between the conical tip portion of the mixer shroud and the conical surface of the air shroud. Each radial flute communicates with a respective axial flute so that air enters proximate the upper end of the air shroud, moves downwardly between the air shroud and the mixer shroud as a series of axially spaced air streams, and thereafter moves radially inwardly between the lower end of the mixer shroud and the air shroud as a plurality of radially inwardly moving air streams which impinge upon a material bead exiting from the lower end of the mix tube to impart a swirling movement to the bead. |
| US07690533B2 |
Lighted product dispenser
A container for dispensing liquids or gels, where the container includes a light module, a sound module, or both. When the contents of the container are dispensed by the user, light is automatically dispersed inside the container and into the contents to provide a desired visual effect for attraction of consumers to the product. |
| US07690530B2 |
Dispenser for viscous material
A dispenser for viscous material packaged in a collapsible sleeve includes a chamber for receiving the packaged material and a piston rod and piston assembly for compressing the collapsible sleeve to dispense the viscous material through a dispensing orifice in a closure removably retained on the forward end of the chamber. The piston assembly includes a movement-limiting member having a distal surface that extends forward of a piston for limiting movement of the piston rod and piston by engaging the peripheral surface of the closure. The movement-limiting member also has an outer peripheral surface that is positioned inwardly of an inner surface of the chamber to provide an annular compartment for receiving portions of the collapsible sleeve therein when the viscous material in the sleeve has been dispensed. |
| US07690527B2 |
Shaped sealing gasket
The invention described herein is a shaped seal or gasket for use with a screw cap as commonly used in chemical barrels. The shaped gasket has a profile that includes a winged portion for contacting a sealing surface. The winged portion of the gasket defines a concave surface. The gasket has a second surface, or zone of contact, for contacting against a second surface, such as the underside of a screw cap. The winged portion of the gasket profile is wider than the zone of contact. The gasket profile can take on many different configurations, as shown in the drawings. |
| US07690525B2 |
Screw cap
The screw cap of plastic for closing a filling and/or removal opening of a container for the transport and storage of liquids is equipped with a plug, in which a venting and aerating device is integrated. The screw cap has a sealing cap; and a protective cover, which completely covers the screw cap and protects the screw cap against contamination. |
| US07690522B2 |
Extendable cargo system and method therefore
A cargo bin formed of a medial cargo module having opposing open ends formed to securely engage an extension member to extend the length of the bin, or an end wall, for use when a non-extended bin is required. A unique engagement mechanism is provided for securely affixing the extension member or end wall to the medial cargo module, wherein there is provided a cradle formed to receive an engagement rod, the engagement mechanism formed to securely guide the components together so as to align engagement apertures associated with the side edges of the units, which engagement apertures, when aligned, are secured via retention pins or the like. |
| US07690517B2 |
Washing accessories for supporting an article
A washing accessory is provided for supporting an article. The washing accessory includes a basket and can include an article positioning device adapted to be at least partially located within the reception area of the basket. If provided, the article positioning device comprises a first positioning element adapted to be removably attached with respect to the basket. The washing accessory can also comprise an optional cantilever support structure for supporting the washing accessory relative to a dishwasher rack. |
| US07690516B1 |
Vehicle rack
A rack for storing a wheeled vehicle include a base, a raised portion and a finger. The rack also includes a socket into which a wheel of the vehicle may be inserted. The rack may be mounted to either a vertical or a horizontal surface. |
| US07690513B1 |
Gravel log washer with groups of offset paddles wherein paddles within each group are further offset
A log washer apparatus having two longitudinal shafts. The shaft includes paddles arranged into groups. Some of the groups are aligned about the circumference of the shaft such that each of the paddles in the group extend outward from the shaft at the same circumferential location about the shaft. Some of the groups are offset such that paddles within the offset groups are offset with respect to the adjacent paddles so as to increase fluid flow in the log washer. |
| US07690512B1 |
System and method for processing shredded vegetables
In a system to separate shredded vegetable pieces, a slicer cuts a vegetable having leaves and a core into pieces to form a mixture of leaf and core pieces. The mixture then passes through a sorting mechanism that separates the core pieces from the mixture. |
| US07690510B2 |
Child-proof carton package
A childproof package consists of a rectangular folding box of cardboard with at least one strip-like blister pack inside, which can be pulled out from one of the short, narrow sides of the folding box. The folding box is designed to be reclosed in such a way as to be childproof again, and the folding box and the blister pack have cooperating means, which are designed so that the blister pack cannot be pulled completely out of the folding box. |
| US07690507B2 |
Package for containers
A package is formed from a carton and containers extending through a bottom panel of the carton. Engaged upper and lower strut pairs and brace apertures in the carton sidewalls provide support for the containers accommodated within the carton. |
| US07690505B2 |
Wheel hub shipping retainer system
A packaging system for protecting a wheel hub containing inboard and outboard bearings separated by a spacer. The packaging system comprises a shipping retainer having inboard and outboard elements that are reversibly locked together within the axial bore of the wheel hub to seal the ends of the axial bore and maintain the alignment of the bearings and spacer. The packaging system further includes a stackable shipping tray having first and second sides, the first side adapted to receive the inboard end of a wheel hub with the shipping retainer installed and the second side adapted to receive the outboard end of a wheel hub. The shipping tray cooperates with the shipping retainer to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the shipping retainer. |
| US07690502B2 |
Carrier and method
The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure with two foldable receptacles extending outwardly from the vertical support panel structure. The outside wall of each receptacle is extended upwardly and bent over to cover the receptacle, and the top portions of those walls are joined together to form a carrying handle structure, either with or without the upper portion of the vertical support panel structure. The potions of the outside walls forming the covers can have openings to receive the necks of bottles such as wine and beer bottles to give added lateral support for the bottles. |
| US07690498B2 |
Method for transferring a product in a packaging machine and transfer device for carrying out said method
In a device for relocating a product, in particular a blister, in a packaging machine and with an associated method, the product is received at a supply location and deposited at a deposition location. The relocating device has a first pivotable relocating arm and a second pivotable relocating arm which each have a holding mechanism for the product. The relocating arms can be adjusted along different trajectories between a transfer position at the common supply location and a deposition position at the common deposition location, and pass each other during their adjustment motion. |
| US07690492B2 |
Apparatus for directing fluid along a flow path in a motor vehicle transmission
A component surrounding an axis for directing fluid along a flow path in a transmission for a motor vehicle. The component includes a first wall having a thickness formed with an inner surface facing the axis, and a hole spaced about the axis and extending through the thickness of the wall, and a channel formed in the wall, communicating with the hole and the inner surface, including a base having a length that extends angularly about the axis, and having a depth that increases along the length as distance from the hole decreases. |
| US07690490B2 |
Friction clutch and actuator thereof
The invention relates to a friction clutch consisting of primary and secondary disks and a pressure plate. The clutch also includes an actuator with two coaxial rings that can be rotated independent of one another. The rings compress the disks during relative rotation. In order to provide an actuator which operates accurately and with zero loss, an electric motor having at least one drive wheel is provided for the relative rotation of both rings. The drive wheel is drivingly connected to the two rings by a traction means. Two chains of the traction means lead from the drive wheel to the rotatable rings, wherein the ends of the chains are fixed to their corresponding ring, and the two rings have different diameters. |
| US07690489B2 |
Clutch including damper springs
A clutch for effectively prevents a clutch outer from tilting at the time when torque is varied. The clutch includes damper springs for transmitting, to a clutch outer, torque inputted to a driven gear, and a thrust washer for regulating positional change of a position of the clutch outer with respect to the driven gear in a direction of the shaft axis. The thrust washer is disposed between the driven gear and the clutch outer in an axial direction. The thrust washer is disposed only outward of the damper springs in a radial direction. |
| US07690485B2 |
Power cord cooling apparatus for a vacuum cleaner
A power cord cooling apparatus disposed in a cord reel chamber formed inside a main body of the vacuum cleaner to cool a power cord wound around a cord reel, wherein the power cord cooling apparatus allows outside air to enter the cord reel chamber, to contact the power cord wound around the cord reel, and to be discharged outside the cord reel chamber via a center space in the cord reel. |
| US07690478B2 |
Continuously variable tuned resonator
A resonator for a vehicle air intake system is disclosed, wherein the resonator is variable tuned to militate against the emission of sound waves caused by the engine and other sources at a wide range of engine speeds. |
| US07690476B2 |
Clearance adjusting decelerator and electric power steering apparatus having the same
Disclosed is a clearance adjusting decelerator and an electric power steering apparatus having the same. |
| US07690471B2 |
Hydraulic-drive work vehicle
A hydraulic-drive work vehicle includes a plurality of variable capacity hydraulic motors which are rotated by receiving pressure oil from a variable capacity hydraulic pump. Wheels provided at two or more axles are rotated due to torques of the hydraulic motors. The work vehicle is provided with a traveling stabilizer, the traveling stabilizer including a traveling-state detector for detecting a traveling state of the vehicle, and a controller which receives a signal from the detector and varies a capacity of at least particular one of the plurality of hydraulic motors according to the traveling state of the vehicle. |
| US07690469B2 |
Central differential for a working vehicle
Presented herein are four-wheel drive systems incorporating a bi-directional overrunning clutch design to control the torque transmission between front and rear transaxles. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a four-wheel drive system comprising a front transaxle, a rear transaxle, a transmission receiving drive power from a prime mover, and a bi-directional overrunning clutch drivingly coupled to an output shaft of the transmission and selectively coupled to the front and rear transaxle. |
| US07690464B2 |
Battery package mount bracket
A battery package mount bracket. An illustrative embodiment of the battery package mount bracket includes a body mounted bracket having a pair of spaced-apart bracket attachment flanges and an HEV mounted bracket detachably carried by the body mounted bracket. An HEV battery package is attached to the HEV mounted bracket. The HEV mounted bracket includes a main bracket plate and a transverse flange and a side flange extending from the main bracket plate in generally perpendicular relationship with respect to each other. |
| US07690463B2 |
Straddle-type vehicle
A straddle-type vehicle that adequately and smoothly sucks air into an air cleaner arranged between a front wheel and a leg shield while inhibiting foreign matter from being drawn thereinto. An intake port of the air cleaner is opened rearwardly. The leg shield is formed with a recess that surrounds the air cleaner. The recess includes a round portion along a direction in which the intake 61a is opened. |
| US07690462B2 |
Off-road vehicle with air intake system
An off-road vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of wheels. An engine powers the wheels. An air intake system supplies air to the engine. The air intake system has an air inlet through which ambient air enters the intake system. The air inlet is positioned higher than the wheels. An air intake duct extends rearward to the engine from the air inlet. At least a portion of the air intake duct is positioned lower than the tops of the wheels. |
| US07690461B2 |
All terrain vehicle
An all terrain vehicle is constructed to prevent rainwater or the like from entering an inner portion of an air cleaner without complicating the structure of the vehicle or making the assembly work difficult, while improving the external appearance of the vehicle. An air cleaner is provided below a seat, and the air cleaner is positioned between left and right rail main bodies when viewed from above. Left, right, bottom and rear surfaces of the air cleaner are covered with an undercover, which is separate from the air cleaner. |
| US07690454B2 |
Hybrid drive, in particular, for a motor vehicle
A hybrid drive, in particular, for a motor vehicle, includes: an internal combustion engine and a transmission disposed on the output side of the internal combustion engine, which transmission is drivable by the internal combustion engine; and an electric motor associated with the transmission having an electrically driven rotor through which the transmission is additionally drivable. The transmission includes an input shaft that is driven by the internal combustion engine and runs in the longitudinal direction of the transmission, an output shaft to drive a machine disposed on the output side of the transmission, or drive wheels in the case of a vehicle, and a plurality of manually or automatically shiftable gear stages to set the various gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft. The electric motor at its longitudinal axis and/or rotational axis of its rotor is attached to the output shaft in parallel or essentially parallel fashion laterally externally to the transmission. |
| US07690452B2 |
Vehicle control by pitch modulation
A method for fore-aft stabilization of a vehicle for motion in a specified direction over an underlying surface. The vehicle has at least one forward wheel and at least one aft wheel, and the forward wheel is characterized by a force normal to the instantaneous direction of motion of the vehicle. A motor actuator drives each aft wheel, and a controller governs the motor actuator or motor actuators in such a manner as to dynamically stabilize the vehicle, according to a uniform control law, when the forward wheel is in contact with the underlying surface or not. A torque is applied to the aft wheel on the basis of vehicle pitch or the force on the forward wheel normal to the direction of motion. Additionally, a periodic rotational modulation may be applied to the aft wheel, and a stabilizing torque provided based on a detected response, either of vehicle pitch or of normal force on the front wheel. Left and right motor actuators may independently control left and right aft wheels to continue turns as governed by user steering, whether or not forward wheels are in contact with the ground. |
| US07690448B2 |
Car
A car includes a car body having a bottom portion, a wheel that is rotatable, and a supporting member for supporting the wheel, the supporting member being provided to the bottom portion. At least eight pairs of the wheel and the supporting member are provided. The supporting member has a first supporting portion for supporting the wheel rotatably, a second supporting portion for supporting the first supporting portion so that a direction of the wheel supported by the first supporting portion can be changed, and a turning portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis with its axial direction along a direction orthogonal to the bottom portion, the turning portion being provided to the bottom portion. The turning portion supports the second supporting portion so that a distance between the wheel and the bottom portion can be changed, and a position of the wheel can be moved by a rotation of the turning portion in a state that the distance is maintained. |
| US07690446B2 |
Single cone rock bit having inserts adapted to maintain hole gage during drilling
A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface. |
| US07690445B2 |
Oil contaminated substrate treatment method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for treating for disposal oil contaminated substrates, such as drill cuttings from drilling with an oil-based mud, by steam distillation. If necessary, the contaminated substrate 10 can be pretreated with an emulsion breaker 14. The contaminated substrate 10 can be treated with steam 16 in a first mixing still 12. The substrate can be optionally treated with a second steam source 20 in a second mixing still 18. The steam provides heat to vaporize the oil, moisture to treat the substrate and water to the reaction mixture. Recoverable constituents in the vapor can be condensed in a vapor collection system 24. The treated substrate 22 is essentially free of oil and can have a controlled water content. The process exhibits low energy consumption, rapid treatment, compact equipment and a high degree of process control. |
| US07690443B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for casing hole formation in radial drilling operations
The present application is directed to an apparatus for forming one or more holes in a wellbore casing, the apparatus comprising a deflector assembly and a drive assembly to drive said deflector assembly, wherein the deflector assembly may be optionally assembled at a surface of the wellbore prior to casing hole formation, and to methods employing the apparatus. |
| US07690439B2 |
Automatic latch for three point hitch quick coupler and PTO connection module
An automatically actuating apparatus for engaging an implement to an ASAE S278.6 three-point hitch quick coupler utilizing a pivoting motion about an upper hitch point and an automatic latching mechanism to engage and retain lower hitch pins that simplifies connection of an implement. The mechanism also includes a mechanism for automatically engaging the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement as the implement is engaged with the hitch. |
| US07690437B2 |
Methods and apparatus for well construction
A method of constructing a well comprising a borehole drilled through underground formations, comprises: positioning at least one device on the outside of the tubular string (e.g. a drill string or casing string), the device being operable to move between first and second configurations; positioning a tubular string in the borehole with the device positioned in the annular space between the tubular string and the borehole wall in its first configuration so as to interact with the tubular string and the borehole while allowing borehole fluid to flow along the annular space and around the device; and operating the device so as to move it from its first configuration to expand into its second configuration in which it substantially fills at least part of the annular space so as to inhibit flow of fluids along the borehole in the space. Apparatus comprises: a string of tubular members; at least one device positioned on the outside of the string, the device being operable to expand between: (i) a first configuration in which, when the tubular string is positioned in the borehole with the device located in the annular space between the tubular string and the borehole wall, interacts with the tubular string and the borehole while allowing borehole fluid to flow along the annular space and around the device; and (ii) a second configuration in which it substantially fills at least part of the annular space so as to prevent flow of fluids along the borehole in the space. |
| US07690436B2 |
Pressure isolation plug for horizontal wellbore and associated methods
A wellbore pressure isolation apparatus is deployed in a wellbore and has a sealing element that can be activated to seal against an interior surface of a surrounding tubular. Once set, a ball valve in the apparatus restricts upward fluid communication through the apparatus, and another ball valve in the apparatus can restrict downward fluid communication through the apparatus. These ball valve can have disintegratable balls intended to disintegrate in wellbore conditions after different periods of time. To facilitate deployment of the apparatus in a horizontal section of the well bore, the apparatus has a plurality of rollers positioned on a distal end. In addition, the apparatus has a ring disposed about the body between the distal body portion and an adjacent body portion. The ring has an outside diameter at least greater than that of the adjacent body portion to facilitate pumping of the apparatus in the wellbore. |
| US07690435B2 |
Wellhead hold-down apparatus and method
An apparatus (100) and method for removably mounting a lubricator assembly (106) to a component of the wellhead stack. The component of the wellhead stack is an annular blowout preventer (BOP) (50). Tool and communication conduit lubrication and access to the wellbore without requiring activation of the packing element of the BOP (50). |
| US07690434B2 |
Offshore vessel mooring and riser inboarding system
There is disclosed an offshore vessel mooring and riser inboarding system (12) for a vessel (10) such as an FPSO or FSO. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first mooring element (16) adapted to be located in an offshore environment (18); a riser (20) adapted to be coupled to the first mooring element; a connector assembly (22) 11 adapted to be mounted on the vessel, the connector assembly comprising a second mooring element (28); and a transfer line (32) adapted to be coupled to the riser; wherein the first and second mooring elements are adapted to be connected to facilitate coupling of the riser and the transfer line; and wherein the connector assembly is adapted to permit relative rotation between the vessel and the first mooring element about three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation. This facilitates weathervaning of the vessel relative to the first mooring element, as well as pitch, roll, heave and surge, under applied wind, wave and/or tidal forces. |
| US07690432B2 |
Apparatus and methods for utilizing a downhole deployment valve
Methods and apparatus for utilizing a downhole deployment valve (DDV) to isolate a pressure in a portion of a bore are disclosed. The DDV system can include fail safe features such as selectively extendable attenuation members for decreasing a falling object's impact, a normally open back-up valve member for actuation upon failure of a primary valve member, or a locking member to lock a valve member closed and enable disposal of a shock attenuating material on the valve member. Actuation of the DDV system can be electrically operated and can be self contained to operate automatically downhole without requiring control lines to the surface. Additionally, the actuation of the DDV can be based on a pressure supplied to an annulus. |
| US07690431B2 |
Methods for controlling migration of particulates in a subterranean formation
Methods comprising: providing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore wherein the well bore comprises perforated casing that comprises a plurality of perforations, providing an acidic treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and an acid composition, placing the acidic treatment fluid in the well bore in a manner that allows the acidic treatment fluid to reduce debris present in the perforations, providing a consolidating agent, and placing the consolidating agent in a near well bore region. |
| US07690430B1 |
Well casing extraction accessories and method
A tool for extracting well pipe casings resembles an enlarged pipe-thread tap. The tool is designed to be suspended under and driven by the traveling rotary table and hydraulic vertical drive system of a conventional drilling rig. By this means, well pipe casings are withdrawn from wells by engaging the tops of such well pipe casings, and unlike the prior art, which grapples well pipe casings at their very bottom, and at the end of a cable. Unlike withdrawing casing by a cable pull, wherein cables stretch and unstuck casings might launch like projectiles, the extractor tool manages to withdraw well pipe casing in a recoilless manner, which is more controlled, and safer. |
| US07690429B2 |
Methods of using a swelling agent in a wellbore
In an embodiment, a sealant composition comprising a swelling agent is displaced into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation to maintain isolation of the formation. The sealant composition may be displaced into a permeable zone through which fluid can undesirably migrate. In another embodiment, the sealant composition comprising the swelling agent is displaced into the wellbore to reduce a loss of a fluid to the formation during circulation of the fluid in the wellbore. The fluid may be, for example, a drilling fluid, a secondary sealant composition, a fracturing fluid, or combinations thereof. The sealant composition may be displaced into a flow pathway through which fluid can undesirably migrate into the formation. In both embodiments, the swelling agent contacts water such that it swells and thereby reduces fluid flow through the permeable zone/flow pathway. The swelling agent may comprise a crosslinked co-polymer. |
| US07690426B2 |
Method of repairing failed gravel packs
The invention is directed to controlling sand production in an oil and/or gas well. A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to repairing a downhole screen by pumping neutrally buoyant resin coated material into a damaged portion of a gravel pack screen and also into any void behind the damaged portion of the screen. The neutrally buoyant resin provides for the repair of a portion of the screen even if the damaged portion is located on the uphole side of a deviated well. Any excess resin coated material may subsequently be removed from the central passageway of the screen and then circulated to the surface because the resin coated material is neutrally buoyant. Neutrally buoyant resin may be pumped into a well that does not have a sand control system. The porous neutrally buoyant resin allows production of hydrocarbons, but prevents production of sand into the well. |
| US07690424B2 |
Well bore anchors
A formation engaging member for use in an open hole anchor (10) is described. The formation engaging member has at least one first open hole surface engaging element (20) for penetrating a surface of an open hole, and at least one second open hole surface engaging element (22) for fractionally interacting with a surface of the open hole to form an interference engagement. A method of anchoring to a formation surface of an open hole and an anchor are also described. |
| US07690422B2 |
Drill-string connector
A connector (10) which provides a fluid tight connection between a fluid supply and a drill-string (4), the connector (10) comprising a piston-rod (20) and a cylinder (15), the piston-rod (20) having a seal at or towards its free end which is adapted to sealingly engage the drill-string (4) when the piston-rod (20) is at least partially extended from the cylinder (15). |
| US07690419B2 |
Porous media cold plate
A heat exchanger for cooling a heat generating device including a base having a recess with a base coolant inlet opening and a base coolant outlet opening. A porous core is positioned within the recess of the base, and has a core coolant inlet opening and a core coolant outlet opening that are arranged in corresponding relation with base coolant inlet opening and a base coolant outlet opening so as to be in fluid communication. A porous gasket is pinched between the porous core and the base. |
| US07690417B2 |
Thin cast strip with controlled manganese and low oxygen levels and method for making same
A method for making a thin cast strip with reduced meniscus marks includes assembling a pair of casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween, preparing molten steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.01 to 0.3% by weight, a manganese content between 0.1 and 0.8% by weight, a silicon content between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight, a calcium content between 0.0008 and 0.004% by weight, an aluminum content between 2 and 500 ppm by weight, having a free oxygen content below about 50 ppm at 1600° C., forming a casting pool of the molten steel supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip, and counter-rotating the casting rolls cause thin strip to be casted downwardly from the nip. |
| US07690415B2 |
Lifting control apparatus for window covering
A window covering lifting control apparatus includes a holding unit, a locating set and a pushbutton. The holding unit has a first spacer and a second spacer formed thereon that are spaced from each other. The spacers have two slots inclining downwards. The first spacer has a strut on one side to be coupled with a spring on an outer side. The locating set includes two gears, two locating rods, two locating heads and a spring assembly to hold the two gears between the spacers. The pushbutton is movably coupled on the strut of the holding unit to control movement of the two gears in the slots. The window lifting control apparatus can be installed in a lower elongated member to control retraction upward or extension downward of the window covering. The two gears of the locating set can engage with and latch a lift cord assembly to provide improved locating effect. |
| US07690403B2 |
Automatic liquid dispenser and automatic liquid dispensing method
An automatic liquid dispenser and automatic liquid dispensing method are disclosed capable of transmitting ultrasonic to an upper surface of a receptacle, and receiving the ultrasonic reflected from the upper surface of the receptacle to detect a receptacle height, whereby the receptacle height may be freely detected regardless of shape, material and surface state of the receptacle, and regardless of a position where the receptacle is placed. |
| US07690400B2 |
Noise reducing fluid passageways for fluid control devices
Trim disk assemblies for use in fluid flow control devices include a first disk and a second disk. An elongated void is formed in a surface of each of the first disk and the second disk. The second disk is aligned with the first disk to provide fluid communication between the void of the first disk and the void of the second disk, the void of the first disk being offset or staggered from the void of the second disk. The void of the first disk and the void of the second disk at least partially define a fluid passageway having a cross-sectional area characterized by increases and decreases in cross-sectional area, which define an expansion/contraction mechanism of the fluid passageway. |
| US07690399B2 |
High flow nozzle system for flow control in bladder surge tanks
A surge tank is sized to retain a volume of fluid. A fluid inlet/outlet port is attached to the tank, and an elastomeric bladder is disposed within the tank and separates the fluid from a volume of gas. A nozzle system is disposed within the tank and has a nozzle member comprising a first plurality of axially elongate perforations, and a second plurality of perforations. The nozzle member can extend a partial or complete distance with tank. The tank body includes a throat that extends outwardly from a portion of the tank adjacent the port, and a portion of the nozzle member comprising the first plurality of perforations is disposed within the throat. An annular space exists adjacent the nozzle member in the neck to facilitate the flow of solid constituent within the fluid from the tank and into the nozzle member. |
| US07690397B2 |
Digital rotary control valve
A valve includes a body having an interior and defining at least one inlet passageway and discharge passageway. The valve also includes a flow diverter disposed within the body between the inlet and discharge passageways to receive a fluid from the inlet passageway in an inlet direction. The diverter is adapted to discharge the fluid to at least one discharge passageway in a direction that differs from the inlet direction. The diverter is rotatable to vary the discharge direction. According to one embodiment, the discharge direction is substantially perpendicular to the inlet direction. |
| US07690395B2 |
Multi-mode hands free automatic faucet
A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle. |
| US07690393B2 |
Irrigation system external water supply shutoff
The present subject matter relates to controlling water sources external to a structure and more particularly to an external water shutoff. One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus having an electrically operable valve placed on a water supply line internal to a structure between a location where the water supply line enters the structure and a location where the water supply line exits the structure, an auto-drain valve, and means for controlling the electrically operable valve, wherein the means for controlling is external to the structure, further wherein the means for controlling the electrically operable valve is communicatively connected to the electrically operable valve external to the structure. |
| US07690392B1 |
Cartridge and valve device for mixing effluent with liquid or solid using venturi
A mixing body for diverting a portion of a liquid, e.g., water flow, into a cartridge of fertilizers, fungicides, hormones, pesticides or the like to form effluent. The effluent is reintroduced to the water flow and goes to a downstream sprinkler or application system. The cartridge, which may contain liquid concentrate, is inserted into the mixing body, which has inlet and outlet one way valves that puncture a sealing layer of the cartridge. The diluted effluent exits through the outlet one way valve and is thus delivered to the irrigation system. The amount of effluent can be regulated by a needle valve that controls the amount of effluent exiting the manifold. The mixing body has a locking system to securely hold the cartridge in place. There is also a plate to protect a user from the sharp inlet and outlet valves when the cartridge is removed. |
| US07690387B2 |
Synthesis and incorporation of high-temperature ammonia-release agents in lit-end cigarettes
A tobacco smoking mixture and/or a cigarette wrapper with high-temperature ammonia-release agents therein are provided, wherein the high-temperature ammonia-release agents are present in an amount effective to reduce the cytotoxicity of gas phase or particulate matter formed during smoking of the cigarette. The high-temperature ammonia-release agents are capable of reducing the cyotoxicity of gas phase or particulate matter by evolving ammonia at temperatures greater than about 200° C., wherein the ammonia can interact with the particulate matter. Additionally, the high-temperature ammonia-release agents can be formed by heating an aqueous mixture of an iron precursor compound, an ammonia source compound and an acid. |
| US07690386B2 |
Intermediate wrapper and method of making
A tobacco product is formed by perforated cigar or shell, the shell comprising a sheet of material with an intermediate sheet, the sheet comprising tobacco leaves and/or homogenized tobacco paper. The cigar or shell is packaged for shipment to an end user or consumer. The cigar or shell remains in the rolled, shaped tube form inside the package. After the cigar or shell is removed from the package, a consumer can fill the cigar or shell with crushed tobacco leaves or other tobacco filler material of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product. A liquid can be added to the cigar or shell to moisturize same. The liquid can include flavoring. |
| US07690385B2 |
Opposed seam electrically heated cigarette smoking system
An electrically heated cigarette smoking system includes a cigarette that is formed with a tobacco rod portion, a filter tube portion, a tobacco mat layer wrapped around the tobacco rod portion and the filter tube portion with opposite ends of the tobacco mat layer abutting along a seam parallel to the central axis of the cigarette and cigarette paper wrapped around the tobacco mat layer and bonded to itself along an overlapped seam that is offset from the seam of the tobacco mat layer. The method of manufacturing the cigarette includes wrapping the tobacco mat layer and the cigarette paper around the tobacco rod portion and the filter tube portion on a single, high-speed machine. |
| US07690382B2 |
System and method for salivary stones removal and joint arthroscopy
A method and probe device are presented, suitable for use in joint arthroscopy. A beam of pulsed laser radiation of a wavelength range of about 2700-3000 nm and a predetermined frequency of pulses is produced, directed to a joint region inside a fluid medium and maintained substantially focused on a treatment target within the joint region during a predetermined time period. By this, a tissue within the treatment target is effected by the laser radiation. |
| US07690381B2 |
Intervertebral prosthetic disc and method for installing using a guidewire
The present invention includes an intervertebral prosthetic disc, a method for installing a plate into an intervertebral space, and a method for installing a prosthetic disc into an intervertebral space. The intervertebral prosthetic disc can include a superior endplate and an inferior endplate, wherein at least one of the superior endplate and the inferior endplate is adapted to receive a guidewire. In the methods for installing a plate into an intervertebral space and for installing a prosthetic disc into an intervertebral space, a guidewire is used to facilitate installing plates onto vertebral bone endplates. |
| US07690379B2 |
Pressure indicator for positive pressure protection masks
A pressure indicator for positive pressure protection masks, including powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) that monitors and determines relative air pressure between the internal space of a protection mask and the ambient environment to alert users of negative or threshold level air pressure, and in turn, to ensure safe operation of the protection masks. The pressure indicator, which is incorporated in the mask, alerts users when the air pressure in the mask reaches a critical level by transmitting optical signals, auditory signals, vibrational signals or a combination thereof that are detectable by the user. The optical signals are projected into the user's line of vision either directly or through a head-up display. The pressure indicator may cause the signal to indicate a safe and danger mode, or may cause the signal to indicate only during a danger mode. |
| US07690377B2 |
High temperature solar receiver
The invention provides receivers which can be used to heat a working fluid to high temperature. In preferred embodiments, concentrated solar radiation is received and converted to heat at varying depths in the receiver such that multiple layers of surface are used to heat the working fluid. In addition, the depth-loading configuration helps to trap received heat to reduce radiant thermal loss. |
| US07690373B2 |
Paintball gun with readily-removable pneumatic assembly
A paintball gun having a quick-removal assembly for readily removing a pneumatic assembly from a chamber of the paintball gun body preferably includes a lift cap hingedly connected to an end of the pneumatic mechanism. A lift pin is preferably connected to the lift cap and removably engaged within a pin receptacle of the paintball gun body. Lifting of the lift cap preferably withdraws the lift pin from the pin receptacle and enables the pneumatic assembly to be removed from the paintball gun. A self-venting mechanism can also be provided to safely release compressed gas stored in the pneumatic assembly from the paintball gun during removal of the pneumatic assembly. A latching mechanism can latch the lift cap in a forward and closed position until a user desires to remove the assembly from the paintball gun. Slots can be arranged in the lift cap to permit rearward movement of the lift cap and to cause the lift cap to move away from a body of the paintball gun to allow rotational movement of the lift cap about a hinged axis. |
| US07690372B2 |
Eccentric elements for a compound archery bow
A pulley arrangement for a compound archery bow (100) that combines the forgiveness and symmetry of a “dual cam” system with the positive draw stop (hard wall), enforced synchronization (or built-in timing) between opposite pulley assemblies, and high let-off associated with “single cam” systems. The pulley rigging (112) includes only a single cable reference anchor to a limb (104, 106). Certain pulleys (108, 110) include rotating module portions (183, 214) effective to change the wrapped lengths of power and control cables (270, 272) to change draw length (LD) while the bow (100) is strung, and at a brace condition with the drawstring (116) under full tension, and without changing the timing of the pulley members (108, 110), or changing the lengths of rigging members (112). Certain embodiments include a resilient element (196) in a positive draw stop (194) to reduce noise as the draw stop (194) engages a rigging element (270). A resilient element (206) adapted to reduce drawstring vibration may further be included, in one or more pulleys, and arranged to contact the drawstring (116) as the pulleys (108, 100) over-rotate. A preferred mounting arrangement employs a flanged bearing assembly (200) to resist bearing walk relative to the pulley on which the bearing assembly (200) is installed. Certain preferred embodiments of pulleys (108, 110) include a spiral cam shape at a let-off portion of the string cams (150, 210). |
| US07690369B2 |
Fuel pressure controlling device of engine
A fuel pressure controlling device for an engine is provided including a fuel injection device, an ignition device, a catalyst for removing pollutants from engine exhaust. A controller selects a combustion mode from at least a homogeneous combustion mode fuel is injected the intake stroke and the fuel is ignited before compression top dead center. The fuel injection device injects the fuel based on a target fuel pressure according to the selected combustion mode. The controller detects whether or not a request is present for raising the temperature of the catalyst. In the homogenous combustion mode, when a request is present, the target fuel pressure is set to a first target fuel pressure, and when a request is not present, the target fuel pressure is set to a second target fuel pressure, the second target fuel pressure being lower than the first target fuel pressure. |
| US07690367B2 |
Internal combustion engine and vehicle having the internal combustion engine
An engine (internal combustion engine), in accordance with an embodiment, includes: a cylinder head disposed above a crankcase; a cylinder head cover attached to cover an upper side of the cylinder head; and an ignition plug provided with a plug part inserted into the cylinder head and a plug cap disposed outside the cylinder head cover. The cylinder head cover includes a gas passage formed in such a U-shape as to surround the plug cap of the ignition plug as viewed from an insertion side of the ignition plug, the gas passage allowing fuel gas (blow-by gas) containing oil to flow in from the crankcase. |
| US07690354B2 |
System and method for improving operation of a fuel injector at lower temperatures
A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions. |
| US07690353B2 |
Synchronizing common rail pumping events with engine operation
Noise and vibrations associated with a common rail fuel system drive linkage are reduced by synchronizing a high pressure common rail supply pump with engine operation. This may be accomplished by selecting a linkage associated with a desired ratio of engine speed to pump speed along with selecting a number of pump plungers and cam lobes that results in synchronizing action of the pump with engine combustion events. In particular, a pattern of pumping events per engine cycle repeats during each engine cycle. In a more sophisticated version, the pattern of pumping events per engine cycle includes a sub-pattern of pumping events that repeats an integer number of times each engine cycle, where the integer number equals the number of engine cylinders. |
| US07690351B2 |
Throttle valve control device
To reduce cost and size of a throttle valve control device, one end 3a of a throttle valve shaft 3 fixedly has a throttle valve lever 5 energized in valve opening direction by a throttle valve lever open spring 8, and rotatably has a drive gear 6 connected to a motor gear 9, a limp opening control lever 15 is fixed at another end 13b of a drum shaft 13 axially supported by a first cover 12, an accelerator drum 14 energized in valve closing direction by a drum close spring 16 is fixed at one end 12a, a first opening directional end face 5a of the throttle valve lever 5 is provided facing a limp opening control end face 15b, and a second opening directional end face 5b of the throttle valve lever 5 is provided facing a drive pin 6a of the drive gear 6. |
| US07690350B2 |
Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine with variable valve lift and motor vehicle equipped therewith
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine with variable valve lift has the following steps: Determining the pressure in the intake manifold; predetermining the pressure in the intake manifold following a changeover of the valve lift; determining a selection criterion for a valve lift to be set; and setting that valve lift at which the higher pressure is reached in the intake manifold, unless the selection criterion requires the use of the valve lift at which the lower pressure is reached in the intake manifold. |
| US07690344B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting stop-and-go engine functionality
A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable. |
| US07690336B2 |
Adaptive miller cycle engine
A Miller cycle combustion engine capable of operating on multiple fuel types, and a method of operating the engine, is provided. The engine includes a fuel type determiner to determine the fuel type, and a compression adjustor to adjust the compression of a first cylinder of the engine to match the requirement of the determined fuel type. The compression adjustor is a variable valve timing system that provides a maximum compression when a fuel type requiring maximum compression is determined, and that advances or retards the opening of the intake valve to provide lower compression when a fuel type requiring lower compression is determined. |
| US07690333B2 |
System and method for the co-generation of fuel having a closed-loop energy cycle
A system is provided that draws heat from an open-loop engine cycle into a closed-loop working fluid circulatory system that utilizes computer-aided feedback mechanisms. The closed-loop working fluid draws engine heat from multiple sources: exhaust stack gases, the engine block, the engine transmission, and the engine headers and exhaust manifold near the valves. Heat exchangers are arranged in an ascending pattern according to the temperature of the heat at each heat generating location of the open-loop engine cycle. A wankel or similar type engine receives the heated working fluid and rotates a shaft connected to a generator to generate electricity. An electrolysis unit is powered by the generated electricity and separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. A reformation unit receives fuel such as diesel and the generated hydrogen to reform the fuel prior to injection into the engine for combustion. Oxygen from hydrolysis is combined with ambient air to increase combustion efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. |
| US07690330B2 |
Aquaculture raceway with waste removal section
Waste removal from raceways for raising aquatic animals is improved by providing a waste removal section at the downstream end of the raceways whereby the waste removal section is separated from the rest of the raceway by a vertical or near vertical screen. The mesh size of the screen is sufficient for the waste to pass through but not allow the aquatic animals to pass through. The natural flow of water through the raceway carries the waste material downstream within the raceway. A perforated pipe in the bottom of the waste removal section provides the outlet for the waste removal. A waste control valve connected to the perforated pipe controls the flow of the waste out of the waste removal section. Optional freeze protection for the waste control valve is provided. |
| US07690328B2 |
Milk conveyer device
The invention relates to a milk conveyer device (100) for an animal. The milk conveyer device is to be implemented in a milking arrangement which comprises a milk storage reservoir (101) coupled to a milking attachment for attaching to an animal to be milked through a main milk conduit (103, 105). A sample element (109, 111) extracts milk, which is collected in a sample reservoir (115, 117). The sample reservoir (115,117) is connected to an analysis element (129) through an analysis conduit (123, 125). During the flow of the milk from the sample reservoir to the analysis element (129), the milk itself provides a cleaning effect. The flow is initially at a high flow rate and later at a reduced flow rate. A plurality of analysis conduits (123, 125) are connected to the analysis element (129), which comprises a selector unit (127), which couples milk from one of the analysis conduits (123, 125) to the analysis element (129). The device provides a self-cleaning effect and a low carry-over of milk between two successive milking operations, i.e. between the milk of two different animals. |
| US07690322B2 |
Pole/finger flag assembly
A flag capable of being unfurled or crested in the wind by use of a finger or flagpole comprising: first means for attaching the flag to a finger on a hand, and adjoining second means attached to the first means for attaching the flag to a flagpole; wherein the first means for attaching the flag to a finger comprises panels that sandwich an end section of the flag comprising a tubular member integrally attached to the panels, the tubular member having an inside diameter in an unstretched mode less than the outside diameter of a finger; and the adjoining tubular second means comprises a member for attaching the flag to a flagpole, the adjoining tubular member having an inside diameter in an unstretched mode less than the outside diameter of the flagpole. |
| US07690319B2 |
Anchoring system and method
An apparatus for docking and/or mooring vehicles, particularly water craft and for restraining loads in truck beds or trailers. The apparatus utilizes ropes or cables in housing unit that provides for the extension and retraction of the rope or cables preferably without the need of electrical or manual cranks. The housings are adaptable to be mounted on the vehicle or at an attachment or docking location and are biased to retract but may contain stops or cleats for manually tying off and thus stopping the extension or retraction of the rope or cable. The housings may be further adapted to be flush mounted in relation to surrounding surfaces. |
| US07690317B2 |
Computer workstation with moveable monitor support
A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided. |
| US07690313B2 |
Cableway system with a safety device
A chairlift has chairs for conveying persons. The chairs may be detachably fastened to a haulage and conveying cable. A closing bar can be moved from a closed position into an open position and is mechanically connected by way of a Bowden cable or the like to a lever which interacts with rails that are arranged at the entry and exit of a station of the cableway system. In order to check whether the closing bar is completely opened or closed, a sensor for detecting the position of the actuating device is arranged in the region of the end of the rails as viewed in the conveying direction of the cable. |
| US07690312B2 |
Tungsten-iron projectile
A projectile, including a compacted and sintered mixture of a plurality of tungsten particles and a plurality of iron particles. At least a portion of the plurality of iron particles are bonded together, and no intermetallic compounds or alloys of the tungsten particles and iron particles are formed during the compaction and sintering processes. The final density of the projectile is from about 8.1 grams per cubic centimeter to about 12.1 grams per cubic centimeter, and no substantial densification occurs during sintering. A method of producing such a projectile is also disclosed. |
| US07690306B1 |
Use of barite in perforating devices
Disclosed are barite compositions. The barite compositions may be utilized for manufacturing perforator devices, including casing and liner components. |
| US07690301B2 |
Ink composition, inkjet recording method, printed material, production method of a planographic printing plate and planographic printing plate
An ink composition including a cationically polymerizable compound (a), a compound (b) that generates acid by irradiation with a radiation ray, and a basic compound (c) that becomes less basic by irradiation with a radiation ray. Also, an inkjet recording method and a printed material using the ink composition, as well as a planographic printing plate obtained by using the ink composition and a method of producing the planographic printing plate are disclosed. |
| US07690297B1 |
Baler tie feed apparatus
A baler tie feed apparatus is provided having a compaction chamber, a platen and a door, wherein aligned channels are defined within the top and bottom of the compaction chamber, the platen and the door so as to define a plurality of continuous open channels surrounding a bale of compacted material having horizontal top and bottom portions and vertical front and rear portions. A tie feed apparatus is provided which comprises a plurality of elongate tie engaging members, each of which engages tying media inserted through the top and rear portions of the channels and is advanced to thread the tying media through the bottom portion of the channels. |
| US07690296B2 |
Waste baling method and apparatus
A method and associated apparatus designed to effectively twist and cut baling wire during the baling process. The apparatus includes a twister assembly that has a plurality of gear-driven twister heads. During the baling process the twister assembly extends from a slide housing so that the twister heads engage and twist adjacent strands of baling wire. The twister assembly then retracts back into the slide housing so that the twisted portion of the baling wire is cut by a cutting assembly attached to the slide housing. |
| US07690295B2 |
Method for producing wash-free rice and apparatus therefor
The present invention provides a method for producing wash-free rice which does not require washing before cooking. The method comprises the following steps: preparing polished rice from brown rice polished by a built-in rice polishing machine and sifted by a built-in sifting machine and/or polished rice from outside sources; preparing rice polishing bran (parched bran) used as an abrasive; preparing a mixture consisting of the polished rice and the abrasive in a desired ratio; stirring the mixture in a tank by revolving stirring blades such that the polished rice and the abrasive are mutually rubbed in order to strip sticking bran including skin bran and foreign debris from the surfaces of the rice grains; sifting the stirred mixture in order to separate bran from the rice; separating residual sticking bran and foreign debris from rice grains in order to obtain finished wash-free rice; and recovering the separated bran for recycling as the abrasive. |
| US07690293B2 |
Coupling system for use with fluid displacement apparatus
A magnetic coupling system may be used in a fluid displacement apparatus to magnetically couple a drive shaft to a piston. The magnetic coupling system may include first and second magnetic couplers at the ends of the drive shaft and piston, respectively. The second magnetic coupler is configured to magnetically engage the first magnetic coupler and configured to mechanically engage the first magnetic coupler if the couplers disengage magnetically. |
| US07690289B2 |
Missile launcher
A missile launcher including a forward support for supporting a forward portion of a missile, and an aft support for supporting an aft portion of the missile where the forward support is arranged to swing clear of the aft portion of the missile during the initial period of its launching run where the forward support comprises a roll member being in the shape of a segment of a circle and pivoted at the circle center, wherein the perimeter of the roll member is arranged to make frictional contact to the missile fuselage in order to confer mechanical energy to the roll member to make the member to swing clear of the aft portion of the missile during the initial period of the missile's launching run. |
| US07690284B2 |
Safe lancet disposer
The object of this invention is to provide a safe lancet disposer which prevents a lancet, having been used for blood collection, from being reused, thus preventing secondary infection and cross infection. The safe lancet disposer (100) of the present invention includes a cutting unit (110) which cuts an end of a needle of a lancet, a receiving unit (140) which is disposed under the cutting unit (110) to receive therein the cut end of the needle, and an operating unit (170) which is rotatably mounted to the receiving unit (140) and operates the cutting unit (110). The cutting unit (110) has an insertion plate (112), a support plate (118) and a cutting plate (128). The receiving unit (140) has a receiving housing (142) and a receiving container (160). The operating unit (170) has an operating lever (172). |
| US07690274B2 |
Pipette with a tip removing mechanism
The invention relates to a pipette, comprising a tip remover element which, upon moving it against a tip, disengages the tip. The remover element is operated with a mechanism, comprising a rotatable ramp member which is provided with a circle-forming ramp surface, including one or more segments within which the ramp surface has a high point and a low point, whereby the ramp surface, upon rotating through a single segment, forces the remover element first to move against the tip and then allows it to return. |
| US07690269B2 |
Coriolis flow meter having bearings for mounting the measuring tube in the region of the oscillation nodes
There is described a mass flow meter which operates on the Coriolis principle. A measuring tube is mounted in a chamber, which is provided with at least two openings for directing the medium to and from the respective end of the measuring tube. The mounting of the measuring tube is arranged between the two tube ends at an axial distance from them. It is preferably at an oscillation node of the first bending mode. The mounting arranged at an axial distance from the tube ends has the advantage that thermal expansions have virtually no influence on the internal mechanical stress conditions of the measuring tube, and consequently scarcely influence the measurement result. The mass flow meter can be used with particular advantage for gaseous media. |
| US07690268B2 |
Method and device for the continuous gravimetric metering of flowing materials for burner systems
A method for the continuous gravimetric metering of flowing materials for burner systems, in which the instantaneous mass flow is determined and metering occurs by means of a metering unit can be achieved by means of determination of the type of flowing material. The instantaneous heat output for the flowing material is determined from the type of flowing material and the heat capacity thereof and the mass flow determination. The output from the metering device is regulated to match the set feed rate, depending on the instantaneous heat output. In addition, a device for the continuous gravimetric metering of flowing materials for burner systems comprises a metering unit by means of which the flowing material can be metered. Also provided is a material recognition system for determining the type of the flowing material, an arithmetic unit for determining the instantaneous heat output of the flowing material and a metering controller by means of which the output from the metering unit is regulated to match the set feed rate, depending on the instantaneous heat output. |
| US07690265B2 |
Constant moment testing device for elongated members
A testing device applies a load controlled bending moment which is constant along a length of an elongated member. The testing device also includes a drive system which rotates the elongated member while the bending load is applied to rapidly find defects which may only appear at a particular rotational position to determine whether the bending stiffness is uniform about the entire diameter of the elongated member. |
| US07690264B2 |
Method and apparatus for applying bending load to an axle of an aircraft landing gear
Apparatus for applying bending load to an axle of an aircraft landing gear. The apparatus comprises a dummy wheel having a dummy wheel bearing; and a load tool having a convex outer surface which is configured to engage the dummy wheel when in use so as to bend the axle via the dummy wheel bearing. The dummy wheel is shaped to enable it to roll over the convex outer surface of the load tool as the axle bends. The load tool has a load tool bearing which permits the load tool to move as it bends the axle. One or more sensors are provided to sense the load applied to the axle; and one or more sensors are provided to sense the response of the axle to the applied load. |
| US07690262B2 |
Pressure sensor device including temperature sensor contained in common housing
A pressure sensor device includes a temperature sensor mounted on a common housing composed of a resin head and a resin pipe both hermetically connected to each other. The pressure sensor device is mounted on, for example, on an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine to measure an amount of air supplied to the engine based on detected pressure and temperature of the air. A pressure sensor is mounted on the resin head, and a temperature sensor element is supported in the resin pipe. A lead wire of the temperature sensor element such as a thermistor is electrically connected to a conductor bar embedded in the resin pipe. The temperature sensor is directly exposed to the air in the intake manifold, and a size of the temperature sensor and the lead wire is made small to make a response speed of the temperature sensor element high. |
| US07690258B2 |
Buried pipe examining method
An impact elastic wave test is conducted to measure propagating waves in a pipe to be examined, a frequency spectrum of the propagating waves is analyzed, and at least a spectral area value in a first frequency region and a spectral area value in a second frequency region of the frequency spectrum are evaluated, thereby determining a type of a deteriorated state of the buried pipe. A correlation relationship between a parameter obtained from a force-deformation relationship indicating a relationship between a force externally input to a sample pipe and a deformation of the sample pipe due to the force, and impact elastic wave test data obtained by conducting an impact elastic wave test with respect to the sample pipe is previously obtained, an impact elastic wave test is conducted with respect to a pipe to be examined to collect impact elastic wave measurement data of the pipe to be examined, and the actually measured impact elastic wave measurement data is evaluated based on the correlation relationship, thereby quantitatively determining a degree of deterioration of the pipe to be examined. |
| US07690257B2 |
Method and device for checking a welding seam present at one of the interior surfaces of a reactor pressure vessel
In a method and a device for testing a weld seam (8), located on the inner surface of a reactor pressure vessel (2), by which the outer circumference of an instrumentation nozzle (4) leading into the interior of this reactor pressure vessel (2) is welded onto the reactor pressure vessel (2), an ultrasound test probe (20) with a linear ultrasound transducer array (30) is inserted into the instrumentation nozzle (4), which ultrasound transducer array (30) is parallel to the central axis (12) of the instrumentation nozzle (4) in terms of its longitudinal direction, and is used to couple a transmitted ultrasound signal (S) into the instrumentation nozzle (4) in the region of the weld seam (8) and to receive a reflected ultrasound signal (R). |
| US07690256B2 |
Sensing device
To provide a Colpitts oscillation circuit formed with a quartz resonator and a transistor amplifier circuit, which can secure sufficient negative resistance, obtain stable oscillation, negate the need for an amplitude control circuit, and realize stabilization against temperature variations. In order to solve the problem, a structure in which the impedance of a tuning circuit provided in a collector of the transistor exhibits inductivity at the oscillation frequency is provided. The impedance ratio at the oscillation frequency of a capacitor C2 connected between a base and an emitter to a capacitor C3 connected between the emitter and a ground, of the transistor is set at 3 to 1 or more. Furthermore, the impedance of capacity C2 connected between the base and the emitter at the oscillation frequency is set at 300 Ω or more. A bias resistance R1 connected between the collector and the base of the transistor is set at 3 kΩ or less. A temperature compensation diode D1 is inserted in series between the base and the ground (GND) between the transistor. |
| US07690255B2 |
Three-axis inertial sensor and method of forming
A three-axis inertial sensor and a process for its fabrication using an silicon-on-oxide (SOI) wafer as a starting material. The SOI wafer has a first conductive layer separated from a second conductive layer by an insulative buried oxide (BOX) layer. The SOI wafer is fabricated to partially define in its first conductive layer at least portions of proof masses for z, x, and y-axis sensing devices of the sensor. After a conductive deposited layer is deposited and patterned to form a suspension spring for the proof mass of the z-axis sensing device, the SOI wafer is bonded to a substrate that preferably carries interface circuitry for the z, x, and y-axis devices, with the SOI wafer being oriented so that its first conductive layer faces the substrate. Portions of the BOX layer are then etched to fully release the proof masses. |
| US07690254B2 |
Sensor with position-independent drive electrodes in multi-layer silicon on insulator substrate
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) includes a housing defining an enclosed cavity, stator tines extending from the housing into the cavity, a MEMS device located within the cavity, the MEMS device including a proof mass and rotor tines extending from the proof mass, each rotor tine being positioned at a capacitive distance from a corresponding stator tine. The rotor tines include a first section extending a first distance from an insulating layer of the rotor tines and a second section extending a second distance from the insulating layer in an opposite direction from the first section. The stator tines include a first section extending a first distance from an insulating layer of the stator tines and a second section extending a second distance from the insulating layer in an opposite direction from the first section, the stator tine first distance being greater than the rotor tine first distance. |
| US07690251B2 |
Marine reversing gear assembly
The present invention provides a marine reversing gear assembly, wherein a manual directional control valve 7a and an electromagnetic directional control valve 7b for a forward/reverse directional control valve 7 for hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 have a common structure of an oil line joint surface for the hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 for friction discs of a forward clutch 2f and a reverse clutch 2a, and the forward/reverse directional control valve 7 for the hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 can be changed to either the manual directional control valve 7a or the electromagnetic directional control valve 7b by exchanging spools 7c or 7e of the manual directional control valve 7a or the electromagnetic directional control valve 7b. Therefore, the operational manner of the forward/reverse directional control valve for the hydraulic oil supply line of a marine reversing gear assembly can be changed quite easily between the manual directional control valve and the electromagnetic directional control valve. |
| US07690248B2 |
Measurement of paper stack topography
This is a probe that can be used to measure any curl on a stack of sheets in a sheet stacking tray. In printing systems including electrophotographic systems, sheets tend to curl on edge portions. This curl can adversely affect the final copy and copies fed to finishing stations.This probe lightly contacts the upper stack surface and detects sheet curl especially on the edge portions of the stack. The probe measures deviations of the surface as compared to a starting point defined on the terminal edge of the stack. The information provided by the probe is then fed to a user or controlled for transmission to a correcting apparatus. |
| US07690247B1 |
Autonomous biobuoy for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere and method of assembling the biobuoy
Autonomous biobuoy for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere and method of assembling the biobuoy. An autonomous biobuoy is provided for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere, comprising a detector assembly for detecting the characteristic of the marine biosphere, the detector assembly capable of generating a detector assembly output signal responsive to the characteristic detected thereby and a transmitter coupled to said detector assembly for broadcasting the detector assembly output signal. |
| US07690234B2 |
Tip tool guide apparatus and method for bringing in tip tool guide apparatus
A tip tool guide apparatus is brought into a water chamber of a steam generator of nuclear power equipment, and guides a tip tool, such as a shot peening head, along a necessary region. For this purpose, a tip tool guide apparatus 1000 is composed of a swivel support portion 100, a slide table 200, and a manipulator 300. The swivel support portion 100 is self-supported and fixed within the water chamber, and turns the slide table 200 connected thereto. The slide table 200 connects the manipulator 300, and moves the manipulator 300 slidingly in a fore-and-aft direction. The manipulator 300 grasps the tip tool at its leading end. For bringing into the water chamber, the swivel support portion 100, the slide table 200, and the manipulator 300 are separated from each other, brought in individually, and assembled within the water chamber to constitute the tip tool guide apparatus 1000. |
| US07690232B2 |
Locking device with a locking cylinder and a key
A locking device having a locking cylinder and a key. The locking cylinder includes a cylinder core with tumblers in a cylinder core, which is rotatably mounted in a cylinder housing. Standard coding for the key is produced by a step with longitudinal profiling on at least one flat side of the edge profile of the key, said step being associated with a counter step on the tumbler. In addition to the standard coding produced by step and counter step, the key has at least one set of beveled edge coding in a corner section of the edge profile. The beveled edged coding consists of recesses in the form of beveled cuts in the corresponding corner sections of the edge profile, relative to which are provided counter touching points in the corresponding tumbler. In a section of the key shaft, either the standard coding or beveled edge coding can optionally be used, thereby considerably increasing the diversity of the locking device while retaining the space-saving design. |
| US07690230B2 |
Housing for electronic lock
A housing assembly adapted to fit into a mortised recess in a door is provided for accommodating components of an electronic lock mechanism. The housing assembly comprises a housing including opposed major side walls at least partially defining an opening into the housing. A circuit board comprising electronic circuitry for operating the lock mechanism is disposed in the housing. A bracket for holding batteries is adapted to be disposed in the opening in the housing. The bracket is accessible when the housing is in the mortised recess of the door such that the bracket is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. In the first position the bracket is in the housing and in the second position the bracket is at least partially outside of the housing such that batteries may be inserted into or removed from the bracket. |
| US07690227B2 |
Drum type washer
A drum type washer is provided in which replacement of a washing ball provided in a drum lift device may be simplified, and in which a volume of the drum may be increased. The washer may include a tub, a drum rotatably provided within the tub, and a lift provided within the drum. The lift may include a base detachably coupled to an inner surface of the drum and a cover detachably coupled to the base. An exposing hole may be formed in a surface of the cover to expose a portion of the washing ball positioned between the cover and the base. A width of the cover may be gradually decreased from a rear end portion to a front end portion thereof so as to minimize a size of the lift and increase an interior volume of the drum. |
| US07690226B2 |
Washing machine and method for manufacturing door thereof
A washing machine and a method of manufacturing a door thereof are provided. The washing machine may include a door rotatably coupled to a cabinet, and a door ring positioned on the cabinet at an external circumference of the door to reinforce a rigidity of the cabinet and to improve an external appearance of the washing machine. |
| US07690219B2 |
Vapor compression refrigerating systems and modules which comprise a heat exchanger disposed within a gas-liquid separator
A module, such as a module configured to be used in a refrigeration system, includes a gas-liquid separator which is configured to receive a first refrigerant, to separate the first refrigerant into a gas portion of the first refrigerant and a liquid portion of the first refrigerant, and to transmit the gas portion of the first refrigerant. The module also includes a heat exchanger which is configured to receive a second refrigerant and to exchange heat between the second refrigerant and the gas portion of the first refrigerant and/or the liquid portion of the first refrigerant. Moreover, the heat exchanger is disposed within the gas-liquid separator. |
| US07690216B2 |
Oil separator for air conditioners
Disclosed herein is an oil separator for air conditioners that is capable of separating oil from refrigerant. The oil separator comprises a shell having a cylindrical space defined therein, a refrigerant introduction pipe for introducing refrigerant into the shell, a refrigerant discharge pipe for discharging the refrigerant out of the shell, and oil-drop growth accelerating member for accelerating growth of oil drops contained in the refrigerant flowing in the shell. |
| US07690214B2 |
Micro-spray cooling system
A micro-spray cooling system for a plurality of heat sources includes an evaporator contacting the heat sources and comprising a plurality of actuators corresponding to the heat sources, a condenser connected to the evaporator, and at least one driving circuit connected to the actuators to drive some or all of the actuators sequentially according to a predetermined timing to cool the heat sources. The refrigerant in the evaporator is sprayed by the actuators to thermally contact the heat sources, evaporated by heat from the heat sources, condensed in the condenser and re-enters the evaporator. |
| US07690213B2 |
Waste heat utilization device and control method thereof
A waste heat utilization device includes a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, a Rankine cycle using a condenser in common with the refrigeration cycle, and a control unit which controls operation of the refrigeration cycle and the Rankine cycle. The control unit performs a continuation control of the Rankine cycle, in which the Rankine cycle is continuously operated regardless of an operation state of the compressor, when a load of the refrigeration cycle is lower than a predetermined load. In contrast, the control unit performs an intermittent control of the Rankine cycle, in which the Rankine cycle is intermittently operated in accordance with the operation state of the compressor such that the mechanical energy recovered by the expansion unit is larger than a driving energy of the compressor. |
| US07690211B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus
To provide a refrigerating apparatus that can control the supercooling degree of liquid refrigerant irrespective of changes in circulating refrigerant amounts in a refrigeration cycle, a refrigerating apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle having one or more compressors or inverter compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; a liquid introduction circuit that guides decompressed refrigerant obtained by extracting one part of high pressure liquid refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle and decompressing, to a supercooling heat exchanger provided in the refrigeration cycle to perform heat transfer between the decompressed refrigerant and high pressure liquid refrigerant, and then introduces the refrigerant into refrigerant for intake into the compressors or inverter compressor or an intermediate pressure part of these compressors; a controller controlling shutdown of the compressors or driving frequencies of the inverter compressor based on suction pressure detection values with respect to pressure setting values for suction pressure of the compressors or inverter compressor; and a flow controller controlling the amount of high pressure liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid introduction circuit based on the circulating volume of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. |
| US07690207B2 |
Gas turbine floating collar arrangement
A crack-resistant floating collar mounting arrangement is provided comprising a collar mounted between spaced-apart mounting flanges, the flange being fixed to a dome from an outer surface unexposed to the hot combustor temperatures. |
| US07690204B2 |
Method of maintaining a fuel Wobbe index in an IGCC installation
A method of reducing a modified Wobbe index of a fuel stream fed to diffusion combustors of a gas turbine that is used in connection with an IGCC installation in which a nitrogen stream is fed into the head ends of the combustor of NOx control and the modified Wobbe index of the fuel stream has been increased in an amount that is greater than at least about 10 percent of a design Wobbe index for the fuel to be fed to the gas turbine. The reason for the increase is the conversion of the carbon monoxide within the fuel stream to hydrogen and carbon dioxide by a water gas shift reaction and subsequent removal of the carbon dioxide. The nitrogen stream is maintained at the same level both with and without conversion and subsequent removal of carbon atoms. The nitrogen stream is divided to subsidiary streams that are respectively fed into the head end of the combustors and that are mixed with a fuel to lower the modified Wobbe index to acceptable levels for the gas turbine. |
| US07690203B2 |
Removable diffusion stage for gas turbine engine fuel nozzle assemblages
A gas turbine engine fuel nozzle assemblage (10) comprises a nozzle outer body (25) comprising a premixing section (23) and an interiorly disposed first fuel passageway (22) to supply fuel to the premixing section (23), and more interiorly a central channel (33) comprising an inlet (30) from an air supply, an aperture (19) at an upstream end to receive a lance (18), and a downstream-disposed annular bearing surface (21) adapted to slidingly engage the lance, the fuel nozzle assemblage adapted so that the lance may be alternatably selected as any interchangeable one of a gas lance, an oil lance, and a non-fueling dummy lance. Between the lance and the central channel (33) is formed a cooling fluid passageway (24) that is in fluid communication with the inlet (30) and one or more cooling fluid passageway exits (60). The interchangeability of the lances (18) is effective to provide a desired flexible functionality to said fuel nozzle assemblage. The architecture of the fuel nozzle assemblage (10) may be utilized for higher level architectures of benefit to gas turbine engine facilities. |
| US07690202B2 |
Mobile gas turbine engine and generator assembly
A method for supplying power to a remote load includes coupling a gas turbine engine to a vessel that is not used to provide propulsion for the vessel, coupling a generator to the gas turbine engine, coupling an intercooler system downstream from a first compressor such that compressed air discharged from the first compressor is channeled therethrough, the intercooler system includes an intercooler and a first heat exchanger, channeling a first working fluid through the intercooler to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of air discharged from the intercooler to a second compressor, channeling a second working fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger to extract energy from the first working fluid to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the first working fluid, and operating the gas turbine engine and generator to supply power to a load that is located remotely from the vessel. |
| US07690201B2 |
Method of efficiency and emissions performance improvement for the simple steam cycle
A method for improvement of a fossil fuel energy conversion into electrical energy for the simple sub- and supercritical steam cycle is proposed through introduction of additional regenerative cycle duties to improve the evaporation rate per unit of fuel burned, thus minimizing condenser heat loss of the working media. The additional duties provide a supplemental energy credit in the form of heat input to a steam generator where a modified combustion process is realized to convert fossil fuel into carbon monoxide and hydrogen at atmospheric pressure and thus achieving an essential reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) formation. The additional duties also involve a direct contact heat transfer to recover latent and thermal energy, contained in the discharged combustion products to provide yet another energy credit that satisfies both conventional and/or added regenerative cycle duties. A water surplus is also achieved in the said process of heat recovery from the combustion products to significantly improve water usage of the simple steam plant. The proposed heat recovery process also minimizes coolant usage while achieving a complete water recovery from combustion products and maintaining draft capabilities in the stack. |
| US07690192B2 |
Compact, high performance swirl combustion rocket engine
A rocket engine includes a combustor assembly for carrying out a combustion process of fuel and oxidizer rocket propellants to produce thrust. A swirl generator is positioned within the combustor assembly to produce a turbulent flowfield of the fuel and oxidizer rocket propellants within the combustor assembly. |
| US07690188B2 |
Combination engines for aircraft
An engine combination for generating forces with a gas turbine engine generating force, and an internal combustion engine provided in the combination as an intermittent combustion engine generating force having an air intake, there being an air transfer duct connected from a compressor in the gas turbine engine to the air intake to transfer compressed air thereto. |
| US07690179B2 |
System and method for maintaining the location of a fiber doff inner-diameter-tow at the point of payout within a constant inertial reference frame
A method of maintaining the location of a fiber doff inner-diameter-tow at a point of payout within a constant inertial reference frame includes providing a flat fiber tow payout system with a center-pull doff of flat fiber tow that pays out at a point of payout along an inner diameter of the center-pull doff with rotation of the center-pull doff about a vertically oriented axis of rotation, the flat fiber tow payout system including a constant inertial reference frame for payout of the flat fiber tow along the inner diameter of the center-pull doff without twisting the flat fiber tow; and accelerating and stopping rotation of the center-pull doff with the flat fiber tow payout system so as to maintain payout of the flat fiber tow along the inner diameter of the center-pull doff in the constant inertial reference frame, preventing twisting of the flat fiber tow. |
| US07690174B2 |
Compressing and conveying article through shrink packaging machine
An apparatus for conveying an article through a hot air chamber of a shrink packaging machine comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor. Each conveyor includes a plurality of rollers. The rollers of the plurality are interconnected together to form an endless conveyor belt. The conveyor further includes a drive assembly for advancing the endless conveyor belt in a first direction, and a track member having a surface disposed in engagement with particular rollers of the endless conveyor belt. Each of the particular rollers of the endless conveyor belt rolls over the surface of the track member when advanced through the shrink packaging machine. The first conveyor is located over the second conveyor in opposing facing relation therewith such that a compressible item to be shrink wrapped may be compressed and conveyed through the shrink packaging machine between and by the first and second conveyors. |
| US07690171B2 |
Machine for filling sealed soft containers in an aseptic environment, and method for their filling
A machine for filling a sealed soft container (2) with fluid material in an aseptic condition comprises a sealing box (3) comprising two complementary half-boxes (4a & 4b) having respective sealing edges (21, 22, 23) that can be brought into mutual contact to isolate their interior from the outside environment when the complementary half-boxes (4a & 4b) are clamped together, vertical and horizontal blades located in the sealing box (3) for forming an aperture (5) in a portion of the container (2) inserted in the sealing box (3), filling device (8, 9) for filling the container (2) through the aperture (5), suckers (28a) for widening the aperture (5), and welding device (32) for sealing the aperture (5) on termination of filling. |
| US07690169B2 |
Roof cladding element and method for manufacturing roof cladding elements
The present invention relates to a roof cladding element, which roof cladding element has been manufactured of profiled plate material and which roof cladding elements are adjacently and in succession mountable such that the edges of a roof cladding element will be placed a distance overlapping with the edges of adjacent roof cladding elements. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing roof cladding elements in which method a plate material in strip form is formed into profiled roof cladding element strip with a forming device and in which method a finished formed roof cladding element strip is cut with a cutting device at even intervals into roof cladding elements. Characteristic to a roof cladding element in accordance with the invention is the fact that to at least one corner of a roof cladding element a recess reaching at least partly under the lower surface of the part of the roof cladding element surrounding the corner has been formed. Characteristic to the method in accordance with the invention is the fact that to at least one corner of the roof cladding element a recess reaching at least partly under the lower surface of the part of the roof cladding element surrounding the corner is formed with a forming device. |
| US07690163B2 |
Polymeric door facing with textured interior surface, and method of forming same
The present invention is directed to a door facing formed from a polymeric composite material. The door facing has a first major surface intended to be interiorly disposed and a second major surface intended to be exteriorly disposed. At least a portion of the first major surface is to be subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses during door assembly. The first major surface has a textured pattern in the portion to be subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses. The textured pattern includes a plurality of spaced grooves extending into the first major surface and minimizing thermal and mechanical stresses. A door formed with the disclosed polymeric door facing and a method of forming a door facing are also disclosed. |
| US07690160B2 |
Modular floor tile system with transition edge
The present invention provides a modular flooring system including a ramp to facilitate entry and exit from the flooring system. The ramp may be modular and interconnect with all or parts of a perimeter of the flooring system, and the ramp may also interconnect with adjacent ramp members. |
| US07690159B1 |
Relocatable personal and/or pet safety appliance
Relocatable personal and/or pet safety shelters for protecting occupants from dangerous conditions such as those from hurricanes and tornadoes. The shelters can include metal wall and ceiling panels of approximately 10 gage to approximately 12 gage thick and be able to withstand winds of up to approximately 250 miles per hour or greater, and be able to withstand a projectile such as 2 inch by 4 inch wood member shot at approximately 100 miles per hour from penetrating inside. The shelter can have a length of approximately 60 inches, a width of approximately 30 inches, a height of approximately 55 inches, with a total weight of up to approximately 940 pounds. The shelter can have fixed bench seats along opposite sides of the door from each other, and be attached in a fixed horizontal orientation above the floor by elongated L-shaped brackets that are attached to the walls be removable fasteners. The bench seats can also be attached by hinges so that the bench seats can have folded up positions adjacent to side walls and can fold down to horizontal positions to allow occupants to sit thereon. A fold down table can be included to fold down between the two bench seats when being used. A safety window such as plexiglass, can be formed in the door to allow the occupants to see outside environmental conditions. The shelter can be fastened to a concrete pad base, or driveway or concrete floor and the like, both inside and outside of a garage, a home, a trailer, and the like. |
| US07690158B2 |
Sight and sound barrier
In one embodiment, the sight and sound barriers of this invention have a flexible sheet of lightweight, resilient foam as a core. This core is covered by a fabric or other suitable covering to further enhance the acoustic properties and to make the walls attractive. In this embodiment the core of polyethylene, polystyrene, urethane, or a mosaic thereof, for example, is made flexible with alternating wall and hinge portions. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the barriers or panels are formed with mitered grooves to allow the panel to be bent into larger degree corners, such as 90 degrees in one direction or 180 degrees in the opposite direction. |
| US07690157B2 |
Secure data center having redundant cooling and blast protection for protecting computer servers by the positioning of air handling units, fiber optic cable and a fire suppression system
A data center is contained within a building which includes protection from vandalism, high winds, earthquake, and storms. Circulated water within the building is used for cooling or fire suppression. Explosions emanating from inside or outside of the building are protected against by the construction components of the building containing the data center. |
| US07690156B2 |
Door opening/closing control device
A control device controls opening/closing of a sliding door of a vehicle by a motor in cooperation with a drive device that opens and closes the sliding door, and applies proportional plus integral plus differential control to motor speed based on a driving pattern of the sliding door. When a difference between a door speed and a motor speed exceeds a threshold, the control device judges that the vehicle is parked in a tilted state, and adjusts a sum of a proportional element, an integral element, and a differential element of a proportional plus integral plus differential control to a vehicle-tilted time element. |
| US07690155B2 |
Window regulator for vehicle
A window regulator for a vehicle includes first, second, third, fourth belt guiding members, a loop belt member including a plurality of teeth at a first surface and installed on the belt guiding members with exhibiting an eight-shape, and a rotational member engaged with the belt member and driven by a motor. The belt member includes first and second moving portions, which are arranged in parallel with each other, and third and fourth moving portions, which are arranged to intersect each other. First and second supporting members are connected to the belt member at the first and second moving portions, respectively. First and second twisted portions are provided at the belt member at the third and fourth moving portions, respectively, by twisting the belt member for reversing first and second surfaces of the belt member. Accordingly, the teeth of the belt member contact all of the belt guiding members. |
| US07690152B2 |
Opening and closing member control system
An opening and closing member control system includes a rotation sensing device, which outputs a pulse signal synchronously to a movement of a window glass, and a controller, which senses pinching of an object by an opening and closing member based on the pulse signal. The controller has leaning stored data Δωm based on the pulse signal. The controller computes a rotational speed difference Δω at a current position of the window glass based on the pulse signal while the window glass is driven in a closing direction. The controller computes a difference between the rotational speed difference Δω and leaning stored data Δωm in such a manner that the controller determines whether the pinching of the object based on a comparison between the difference and a pinching determining threshold value β. |
| US07690150B2 |
Planter
A plant container with a pot and a coaster (2) made of plastic, in particular as a flowerpot, whereby the coaster (2) which is closed at the bottom to serve as a water dish is to be attached undetachably via coupling devices to the pot (1) which is provided with holes at the bottom and is designed in the sense of an easy but secure connection of the pot and the coaster in such a manner that the coaster (2) and the pot (1) are interconnected via coupling elements (11, 15) by at least one conically tapering guide face (9, 16) and are mutually engaged by a rotational movement. |
| US07690147B2 |
Rearming electronic animal trap with baffle, mechanical switch and multiple-killing-plate configuration
An electric or electronic animal trap with a CPU-controlled, rearming, multiple killing plate configuration and automatically resetting mechanical switch for triggering a high voltage cycle. A high-voltage output circuit is connected to killing plates which are activated with a high-voltage pulse train when a pest closes the mechanical switch. The trap is configured to automatically rearm an indefinite number of times until a first dispatch is detected. Once the first dispatch is detected, the circuit will automatically rearm twice more. Accordingly, a plurality of mice may be dispatched and retained within the trap before the trap requires servicing. |
| US07690146B2 |
Decoratable deer repellent cheating dummies
A cheating dummy for repelling deer and similar animals from forbidden site is invented. In addition to cheating ability, the dummy also equipped with sensor for detecting approaching animals and capable of triggering actions such as spreading water toward approaching animals, generating ultra-sound to scare them and even making a gunshot sound to repel them. By combining cheating and scaring functions, the repelling effect is expected to be much better than those devices using only sprinkling water or ultra-sound repelling alone. The cheating dummy is user decoratable by dressing with customized outfits for decoration or increasing cheating ability. |
| US07690142B2 |
Note holder
A holder for clamping flexible sheet material includes an extruded plastic, elongated channel member having a base wall having two ends. The base wall is connected at one of the ends to a relatively short, upstanding forward leg having an inner face forming a bearing surface. The forward leg has a free upper end, and the base wall is connected at the other of the ends thereof to a relatively long, upstanding rearward leg having an upper end, and a top wall is joined to the upper end of the rearward leg. The top wall extends down behind the forward leg and has a free end which resiliently engages the bearing surface of the forward leg and it also has a crease or bend line spaced apart from the upper edge of the forward leg so as to define a wedge-shaped opening therebetween. |
| US07690138B2 |
Rolling assembly mounted on a trencher
In one aspect of the invention a trenching machine for degrading natural and man-made formations, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies exteriorly mounted to a trenching boom or wheel. The rollers comprising a plurality of pointed inserts radially arranged along the wheel's outer diameter. The inserts are adapted to degrade the formation when the boom or wheel is activated. |
| US07690137B2 |
Method and device for connecting a wear part to the support thereof on material handling devices on heavy construction machinery
A device for connecting a wear part to a support thereof on materials handling equipment for public works machines, comprises a key placed in an axial alignment with regard to an elastically deformable sleeve placed in part of an adapter. The key has a key foot and a key head on either side and opposite ends of a body. The key head is arranged with a part forming an off-centered seat. The key foot comprises an anchoring element for temporarily penetrating into the elastically deformable sleeve. Rotation of the key causes its misalignment with regard to its initial axis and the tight securing of the key, either in the sleeve by anchoring, or against metal parts of the tooth and of the adapter on differentiated support zones. |
| US07690135B2 |
Deep sea mining riser and lift system
Applicants have created a method and system of deep sea mining comprising mining SMS deposits from the sea floor with a subsea miner, pumping the solids from the subsea miner through a jumper and pumping the solids from the jumper up a riser to a surface vessel. Further, applicants have created a method of deploying a deep sea mining system, comprising stacking a riser hangoff structure on top of a subsea pump module forming an assembly; picking up the assembly by a hanging mechanism, hanging the assembly on a moon pool, attaching a first riser joint; disconnecting the riser hangoff structure from the assembly; and attaching at least one second riser joint to form the riser. |
| US07690133B2 |
Shoe, in particular for a child
Shoe (10), in particular for a child, which advantageously has an unusually long lifetime, is of the type comprising a sole (12) and a upper (14), that define a determined fitting volume (V2), in which a determined length (L2) and a determined fitting (C2) are individualized, said shoe (10) comprising at least one removable, fittable spacer (20), which determines a reduced fitting volume (V1), in which a reduced length (L1) and a reduced fitting (C1) are individualized with respect to said determined length (L2) and said determined fitting (C2), respectively. |
| US07690130B1 |
Punch deflection gauge
A punch deflection gauge is provided having a die adaptor, indicator base, and dial indicator. An indicator stem of the dial indicator measures deflection of a punch in a punch orifice. In some embodiments a plurality of variably sized die adaptors are provided and are removably attachable to the same indicator base. |
| US07690125B2 |
Construction layout tool
A construction layout device comprising a body having a front face, rear face and two side faces; at least one base plate fastened to the underside of said body and providing support therefor atop a worksurface; a handle fastened atop said body, said handle having one termination proximate to said front face and a second termination proximate to said rear face; a first protrusion fastened to either said front face or one of said side faces, said protrusion having a through bore, said through bore normal to said worksurface; and at least one adjustable pin inserted in said through bore for holding a chalk line or other layout means. |
| US07690124B1 |
Self-supporting stud finder with line-laser
A self-supporting apparatus and method for locating a stud in a wall and providing a hands-free laser-level with visible indication of the stud includes a body and a rare earth magnet attached to the body. A battery-operated laser assembly is attached to the device and emits a laser-line that is visible on a surface of a wall when it is energized. A means for leveling the laser is attached to the body to align or indicate when the laser-line is plumb or disposed at an angle with respect to vertical. |
| US07690121B2 |
Invertible punch tool
A punch tool for the punching of a shape through a sheet of material. The punch tool includes a punch and a die portion disposed within a housing having a slot for receiving a sheet of material. A lower ramp is disposed within the housing and, when rotated, raises the punch to engage the die. The lower ramp may be rotated regardless of the orientation of the punch tool. Thus, the punch tool may be used even when in an inverted position. |
| US07690120B2 |
Arrangement for retro-actively cutting wiper blades
The invention relates to an arrangement for retro-actively cutting wiper blades, comprising a first guiding element (D) which engages in grooves which are arranged on both sides of the wiper blades, and a second guiding element (L) which is arranged in close proximity to the edge of the lip (M) of the wiper blade which is to be retro-actively cut. A blade (J) is arranged in close proximity to the second guiding element (L). The second guiding element (L) has a fixed width such that the lip (M) of the wiper blade is guided in a smooth-running manner. |
| US07690118B2 |
Bar steel cutting tool
A bar steel cutting tool in which a fixed blade body and a rotary blade body that is capable of rotating around a first shaft, by operating a handle, are provided at the front end of a tool base for shearing bar steel with concave blades formed on outer peripheries of the fixed blade body and the rotary blade body. The handle is so constructed that the front end of a proximal portion of the handle thereof is supported by a second shaft at a position above the tool base and equipped with an elongated hole extending obliquely backwards from the second shaft. The rotary blade body has an arm portion extending backwards, and forms branch portions which nip both the right and left sides of the proximal portion of the handle at the rear end thereof. |
| US07690117B2 |
Shaving apparatus with a short-hair cutting device and a long-hair cutting device
In a shaving apparatus (1) with a housing (2) and with a short-hair cutting device (30) projecting out of housing (2) and with a long-hair cutting device (36, 37) projecting out of housing (2), a common carrying device (45) is provided for the cutting devices (30, 36, 37), wherein the carrying device (45) is adjustable for height relative to the housing (2), so that all the cutting devices (30, 36, 37) can be adjusted for height together, and wherein there is a drive connection to a motor (16) of the shaving apparatus (1) in each operating position of the cutting devices (30, 36, 37) and consequently all the cutting devices (30, 36, 37) are drivable in each operating position of the cutting devices (30, 36, 37). |
| US07690115B2 |
Method of making a micro-fluid ejection device
A method is provided for making a multi-fluid cartridge for holding multiple fluids in segregated containment localities. The cartridge body contains fluid supply paths in fluid flow communication with the containment localities. A nozzle plate is attached to a device side of each of a plurality of defined ejection head substrates on a semiconductor wafer. Each of the ejection head substrates has a fluid supply side and two or more fluid flow paths therein for supplying fluid from the supply side to the device side thereof. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrates have a flow path density of greater than about 1.0 flow paths per millimeter. The wafer is diced to provide a plurality of micro-fluid ejection device structures. A circuit device is attached to the device side of each of the substrates. An adhesive is stencil printed with a bond line density of at least about 1.2 mm−1 on the micro-fluid ejection device structures or on the cartridge body. At least one of the micro-fluid ejection device structures and attached circuit is adhesively bonded to the cartridge body for flow of fluid from the containment localities to the device side thereof. |
| US07690114B2 |
Tube having reinforcing structures made of profile rolled metal and method of producing same
Disclosed is a tube made of a profile rolled metal product, in particular for use in heat exchangers, a rolled metal product and a method of producing the same. The tube includes a first wall and a second wall forming two opposing sides of the tube, and a plurality of reinforcing structures connecting the first and second walls and forming longitudinal passages between them. Each reinforcing structure is formed by a longitudinal ridge on the first wall projecting towards the second wall and a longitudinal ridge on the second wall protecting towards the first wall. The ridges are joined to each other at their sides. |
| US07690113B2 |
Process for producing a high temperature-resistant structure with application of lubricant
A process for producing a high temperature-resistant structure provides at least one at least partially structured metallic layer. A smooth metallic layer is deformed by a rolling process, in which oil at least partially wets the at least one layer. The oil is at least partially removed. Lubricant is fed onto at least one subsection of the at least one layer. A structure is at least partially shaped. Technical joining connections are produced for fixing the structure. |
| US07690110B2 |
Methods for manufacturing miniature circuitry and inductive components
A method for making plural plated through holes in a single circuit board via is provided. The method includes plating copper in the walls of said circuit board via to form a first plated through hole and applying a thin layer of first adhesive promotor to the surface of said plated via. The method further includes vacuum depositing an organic layer having a high dielectric strength unto said layer of first adhesive promoter and applying a second layer of adhesive promoter over said organic layer. The method even further includes plating copper over said second layer of adhesive promoter to form a second plated through hole in said circuit board via. |
| US07690106B2 |
Ceramic header method
A ceramic header configured to form a portion of an electronic device package includes a mounting portion configured to provide a mounting surface for an electronic device. In addition, the ceramic header includes one or more conductive input-output connectors operable to provide electrical connections from a first surface of the ceramic header to a second surface of the ceramic header. The ceramic header also includes one or more thermally polished surfaces. |
| US07690103B2 |
Method of forming a printed circuit board with improved via design
A circuit board includes an electrically conductive sheet having an insulative coating surrounding the conductive sheet, with a surface of the insulative coating around an edge of the conductive sheet having an arcuate or rounded shape. At least one electrical conductor is conformally deposited on at least the rounded insulative coating around the edge of the conductive sheet and defined via photolithographic and metallization techniques. Each electrical conductor on the insulative coating thereon around the edge of the conductive sheet conforms to the arcuate or rounded shape of the insulative coating and, therefore, has an arcuate or rounded shape. |
| US07690099B2 |
Transformation station for a packaging production machine
A transformation station for a packaging production machine comprises side frames between which tool-carrier cassettes are mounted. The side frames support slides on which members slide for the mounting of the tool-carrier cassettes. The members for mounting the tool-carrier cassettes comprise cassette supports that can be moved in opposition across and according to material advancing direction dimensions of the tool-carrier cassettes. The cassette supports are fitted with first devices for attaching in position the cassette supports and second devices for locking the tool-carrier cassettes to the supports. |
| US07690097B1 |
Methods of assembling well screens
In some embodiments, methods for securing a cylindrical screen jacket to a base pipe include heating the screen jacket to expand it so that its inner diameter becomes greater than the outer diameter of the base pipe, positioning the base pipe at least partially within the screen jacket and allowing the screen jacket to cool and contract, engaging the base pipe. |
| US07690091B2 |
Loop closure
A loop closure includes a deformable loop and a closure with at least one entrance opening for at least one end of the loop which is fixed in the closure. The closure has a locking bolt opening with a locking bolt fixed once in the closure. By way of the locking bolt the end of the deformable loop is positively and/or non-positively fixed in the closure. |
| US07690090B2 |
One-sided rail slider for reclosable zipper
The disclosure relates to a slider and a reclosable zipper, particularly a zipper with first and second profiles for watertight vessels, packages or similar devices. The slider is generally C-shaped with an upper arm, a lower arm, and a support wall in between. The support wall includes a groove which captures a rail formed on the first profile so that the slider can slidably move along the rail, riding the first profile. The lower arm includes separator blades which separate the first and second profiles when the slider is moved in the opening direction so as to urge the second profile between the upper and lower arms. When the slider is moved in the closing direction, the second profile travels between the upper and lower arms and is urged into engagement with the first profile by the upper arm. At the final closing position, the slider is stabilized or parked within a cut-out portion of the second profile. |
| US07690089B2 |
Reverse opening type slide fastener
The reverse opening type slide fastener has a separable bottom end stop including upper and lower sliders, wherein a stopper for preventing the lower slider from slipping off is provided at the bottom end of a box pin. A first engaging portion is formed on an opposite side edge opposite to an insert pin of the box pin and a second engaging portion is formed on an opposite side edge opposite to the box pin of the insert pin to position the insert pin in a downward direction when the second engaging portion engages the first engaging portion. A projecting portion which makes contact with the inner face of the blade of the upper slider to suppress a free sliding of the upper slider, is formed on at least any one of front and rear side faces opposite to the inner face of the blade of the upper slider of the box pin. |
| US07690087B2 |
Button
A button comprises a button body (10, 10a, 10b) and a prong (20, 20a, 20b) adapted to be arranged on the side of cloth (30) opposite to the side thereof on which the button body mentioned above is set in place to nip the cloth therebetween and to fixedly secure the button body to the cloth. The button body mentioned above contains an outer shell member (13), which comprises a button back (15, 15a, 15b) and a cap (14, 14a, 14b), and an insert (11, 11a, 11b) accommodated in the outer shell member. In order to make a whitish button which could be heretofore obtained only by plating, at least the button back mentioned above is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Preferably, the button back mentioned above is made of an aluminum alloy containing 3-6% by weight of magnesium, and the cross-sectional thickness of the above-mentioned button back is in the range of 0.25-0.6 mm. Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned cap and the insert should also be made of an aluminum alloy. |
| US07690086B2 |
Fleece-laying apparatus
A fleece-laying apparatus with an upper carriage (4) and a laying carriage (5) which move above an output conveyor belt (2) transversely to the transport direction of that belt to lay a card web (11) supplied to the fleece layer in partially overlapping layers on an output conveyor belt (2), an endless card web conveyor belt (14) traveling exclusively in the laying carriage (5) wraps around at least one first laying roller (12) in the laying carriage (5). The belt has upper and lower strands (14o, 14u), which extend between the first laying roller (12) and a deflecting roller (15), which is supported in the laying carriage a certain distance away from the laying roller and around which the belt partially wraps. The lower strand (14u) of the web conveyor belt (14) traveling around exclusively in the laying carriage (5) passes only a very short distance away from the output conveyor belt (2), and its upper strand (14o), namely, a section of the upper strand adjacent to the laying gap, supports a length of the card web (11) to be laid from underneath. This length of the card web (11) is covered by the opposing section of another traveling card web guide belt (6). |
| US07690085B2 |
Pole grip
The invention relates to a pole grip (1), particularly for walking sticks, trekking poles, alpine ski poles, cross-country ski poles and Nordic walking poles, comprising a grip body (3) and a hook-like device (14) for attaching a hand-retaining device particularly provided in the form of a hand strap or a glove. Latching means (6, 11) are placed in the area of the hook-like device (14) in such a manner that a strap-shaped, ring-shaped or eyelet-shaped device (33), which is inserted from above into the hook-like device (14) and which is provided on a hand-retaining device, is fixed in the hook-like device (14) in a self-latching manner. This simple and self-latching mechanism enormously simplifies use and is preferably combined with a safety release in the event of a heavy load acting in the opening direction of the hook-like device. |
| US07690084B2 |
Structure of anti-vibrating rotation shaft
The present invention provides a supporting rack, one lateral end thereof is provided with a connecting section and the base thereof is provided with an extending section, at least one clamping ring is formed at the free end of the extending section and an opening is provided between the clamping ring and the extending section; an auxiliary connecting member used to connect a reinforcing sheet to the extending section, a positioning sheet is formed by vertically bending one end of the reinforcing sheet and is formed as one piece with the reinforcing sheet; a core hole is axially provided on the positioning sheet, with respect to a location of a shaft hole of the clamping ring and with respect to a size of a shaft rod; a pivotal shaft, the shaft rod is axially extended from the pivotal shaft; the shaft rod passes through the core hole of the positioning sheet and is tightly connected thereon, and is covered by at least one clamping ring. |
| US07690083B2 |
Clip fixture for the fast assembly of fittings, such as swiveling lever-type closures and hinge parts, in breakthroughs of a thin wall
The description is directed to a snap fastening for fast mounting of fittings such as socket wrench latches, swivel lever latches, hinge parts in openings in a thin wall, comprising a head part which is to be arranged on one, outer side of the thin wall and which overlaps the outer rim of the opening, and a body part which proceeds from the head part and projects through the opening in the mounted position, and holding elements which project from the body part and are flexible in direction of its outer surface, the free end of these holding elements being provided with a first inclined surface (run-in bevel) such that the holding element is pushed back in a spring-loaded manner by the opening edge and with a second inclined surface (stop bevel) for supporting the body part without play on the rim or edge of the opening of the other, inner side of the thin wall, which second inclined surface is substantially perpendicular to the first inclined surface. According to the invention, the body part and holding element and spring are separate parts. |
| US07690077B2 |
Central vacuum units with an acoustic damping pathway
Central vacuum units are provided with a canister having a sidewall forming a hollow interior, a vacuum motor disposed within the hollow interior, an exhaust port in fluid communication with the hollow interior, and an acoustic damping pathway. Examples of the acoustic damping pathway can include a plurality of acoustic damping chambers in fluid communication with each other. In addition or alternatively, the acoustic damping pathway can include an inner acoustic damping chamber and an outer acoustic damping chamber. In addition or alternatively, the acoustic damping pathway can form a serpentine passage from the motor to the exhaust port. |
| US07690076B2 |
Water pipe starter and cleaning device
A hookah accessory comprising a motor driven vacuum secured in a housing, vacuum port, filter between the vacuum port and vacuum used to apply a suction force used to ignite and start a hookah, blower port in pneumatic communication with the output/return port of the vacuum to provide a blow force used to clean hoses, switches in the vacuum and air pressure ports to automatically turn on the accessory when inserting a hose and fixed resistors in series with the switches for setting the vacuum at two constant speeds for a set suction force and set air pressure force. Alternatively, the accessory may have a variable resistor (rheostat) to adjust the speed of the motor, which adjusts the suction and blowing forces. The filter is in line with the vacuum port and vacuum to capture debris before it reaches the vacuum or vacuum motor. The vacuum and blower ports securely receive and hold different sized hoses and, or hose tips in a manner that creates a substantial airtight seal. |
| US07690075B2 |
Central vacuum cleaner control, unit and system with contaminant sensor
A central vacuum cleaning system 3 has a central vacuum unit 17 with a motor 10, a motor compartment 19, and a vacuum chamber 25. The system 3 also has a control circuit 1 for controlling power to the motor 10, and one or more airborne contaminant sensors 15 for sensing contaminants within the system 3. The sensors 15 may be located in pipes 31 motor compartment 19, vacuum chamber 25 and hose handle 34. Vacuum air may be drawn through aperture 37 in wall valve 38. |
| US07690072B2 |
Side cutting tool
A side cutting tool has a sponge 1 inserted within a hand piece 2. The sponge 1 is fixed within the hand piece 2 by a pin 3 inserted through adjustment holes 4 in a handle 5. A suspended plate 8 is inserted adjacent to the curved face 9 of the hand piece 2. The suspended plate 8 is fixed within the hand piece 2 by a pin 10 inserted through holes 11 and 12 in the suspended plate 8 and holes 13 and 14 in the hand piece. An adjustment plate 15 is inserted between the suspended plate 8 and the curved face 9 of the hand piece 2. |
| US07690062B2 |
Method for cleaning a steam generator
A method for cleaning a steam generator may include supplying water to the steam generator and boiling the water in the steam generator to separate and expel at least some deposits in the steam generator. |
| US07690061B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a laundering process
A method for controlling a laundering process includes determining a concentration of a detergent within a wash fluid during at least one cycle of an article laundering process, and dynamically adjusting at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined concentration of the detergent. An apparatus for controlling a laundering process includes a fluid chamber to contain a wash fluid, a sensor coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to dynamically adjust at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined detergent concentration. |
| US07690060B2 |
Articulated mattress
The present invention refers to an articulated mattress that does not need any specific frame for its perfect functioning, mattress that may be provided with a massage device, pertaining to the general market, having particular application in the field of health and prevention and being included in the group of products that provide comfort and wellbeing. The said mattress is characterized in that it is articulated, in that it is provided with an internal support structure of the plate and of the cushion and with an external stabilization structure, the internal structure comprised by a superior element, an inferior element and a central element, the external structure being connected to the other two elements by means of joints and having at least two supports for pivoted fixation of the elevation mechanisms responsible for the movement, independently, of the superior element and of the inferior element, the internal structure being, in turn, connected to the external structure by means of, at least, a foot with which is provided the central element, connection that is of the removable type. |
| US07690051B2 |
Harness type safety belt
A harness type safety belt absorbs dropping shocks to a user who accidentally falls from an elevated position. If the user fails to apply a rope hook to a life line and falls from the elevated position, an air bag in a mounting body inflates to absorb the dropping shock to reduce the dropping impact applied to the user. If the user falls with the rope hook connected to the life line, the rope suspends the user. The body of the user is supported by a waist belt, shoulder belts and thigh belts. Therefore a tension applied by the rope to the body of the user is dispersed to each of the belts so the body of the user is stably supported. |
| US07694345B2 |
Authorising use of a computer program
A method of authorizing use of a computer program only able to be used when an authorized message is received from an authorizing system. The method includes providing an authorization system, making a request to use a computer program, signalling the request to the authorization system, the authorization system recording the use of the computer program and providing the authorization message to the computer program upon receipt of the authorization message the computer program may be used. |
| US07694343B2 |
Client compliancy in a NAT environment
Techniques for implementing client compliancy in a network address translation (NAT) environment are disclosed. Network appliances (e.g., NAT hubs, routers, switches, and other NAT devices) actively cooperate with client compliance strategies by engaging in the compliance evaluation of the hosts connected to it, and interact with the up-stream compliance mechanism. As such, devices normally hidden behind a NAT device from the upstream network can participate in the compliance scheme in a more meaningful way. |
| US07694342B2 |
Systems and methods for managing and protecting electronic content and applications
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing and protecting electronic content and applications. Applications, content, and/or users can be given credentials by one or more credentialing authorities upon satisfaction of a set of requirements. Rights management software/hardware is used to attach and detect these credentials, and to enforce rules that indicate how content and applications may be used if certain credentials are present or absent. In one embodiment an application may condition access to a piece of electronic content upon the content's possession of a credential from a first entity, while the content may condition access upon the application's possession of a credential from a second entity and/or the user's possession of a credential from a third entity. Use of credentials in this manner enables a wide variety of relatively complex and flexible control arrangements to be put in place and enforced with relatively simple rights management technology. |
| US07694340B2 |
Anti virus for an item store
Systems and methodologies for integration of an anti virus AV Plug In(s) as part of an Item Store. The semantics for operation of the AV Plug In(s) are provided by the relational Item Store, via employing a metadata component and a scanning component associated with the Item Store. The metadata component can supply a signature value being associated with the Item Store that can represent the time of scanning of data, and outcome for every scanned item. The scanning component can provide for a queuing of items in the data store in a synchronous and/or asynchronous mode for both scanning and cleaning by the AV Plug In supplied by vendors. |
| US07694336B2 |
Aggregated authenticated identity apparatus for and method therefor
An apparatus and method for authenticating users on a data processing system is implemented. The present invention provides for aggregating authenticated identities and related authorization information. A security context created in response to a first user logon is saved in response to a second logon. A composite or aggregate security context is created based on the identity passed in the second logon. Access may then be granted (or denied) based on the current, aggregated security context. Upon logout of the user based on the second identity, the aggregate security context is destroyed, and the security context reverts to the context previously saved. |
| US07694329B2 |
Secure delegation using public key authentication
A client is impersonalized to a plurality of servers using a middle-tier server. A common nonce associated with each of the plurality of servers is obtained and the common nonce is provided to the client. The common nonce signed by the client is received at the middle-tier server and provided as a signature for transactions from the client to the plurality of servers so as to authenticate the client to the plurality of servers. |
| US07694324B2 |
Rendering graphics/image data using dynamically generated video streams
The present invention provides for rendering graphics/image data at an electronic device that typically has limited resources. A video data steam is received at an electronic device, the video data stream including either user interface information or slideshow presentation data coded in a video codec format. A video processor of the electronic device is used to decode at least a portion of the video data stream into video frame data. A portion of the user interface or slideshow presentation is then displayed as video from data on a display of the electronic device. |
| US07694322B2 |
Efficient streamed content delivery to portable communications device
Described is a system and method of receiving content on a portable mobile communications device from a mobile TV service provider. A mobile pointer record is created and stored within the portable mobile communications device that contains data that identifies content to be delivered from the mobile TV service provider. The mobile pointer record data is sent to a content server maintained by the mobile TV service provider where a corresponding content server pointer record is created and stored such that the mobile TV service provider associates the content server pointer record with stored content. When desired, a request is sent to the mobile TV service provider from the portable mobile communications device by selecting the desired mobile pointer record for the content. The mobile TV service provider identifies the content via the corresponding content server pointer record and delivers the requested stored content to the portable mobile communications device. |
| US07694319B1 |
Interactive program guide with continuous data stream and client-server data supplementation
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment obtains program guide data from two data delivery mechanisms. Current program guide data is obtained from a continuous data stream. Other program guide data (which may include the current program guide data) is obtained by the program guide from a program guide server.The continuous data stream may also include program and program grouping identifiers. The program guide may perform real-time actions associated with programs identified in the continuous data stream. |
| US07694316B2 |
Fluid mediated disk activation and deactivation mechanisms
Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms. |
| US07694315B2 |
Schema-based machine generated programming models
A programming model that takes general purpose APIs and machine-generates new programming models based on user defined schemas that provide the developer with data and view separation, and a way to communicate to the host application using the domain of the problem being solved. The system comprises a schema component that the developer uses to define a schema that includes one or more domain terms related to the problem to be solved, and a mapping component that uses the schema to search and map selected constructs from one or more generic host application APIs to the corresponding problem domain terms. Once the mapping is completed, a generating component generates a new API that is used by a host application to facilitate developing an application document using terms related to the domain of the problem to be solved. |
| US07694313B2 |
Terminating device and a method of operating a terminating device configured to communicate availability status directly between terminating devices
A system and a method are disclosed for a terminating device for a communications network which comprises an application program configured to utilize an availability status of a user; a communications interface configured to receive and/or transmit data and a presence engine. The presence engine is configured to provide the communications interface with data representative of an availability status of a user, and cause the communications interface to transmit the data directly to another terminating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the presence engine is configured to receive data representative of an availability status of the user directly from another terminating device, and make available data representative of the received availability status of a user to the application program. |
| US07694312B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enabling bus connectivity over a data network
A method and system for interconnecting peripherals, processor nodes, and hardware devices to a data network to produce a network bus providing OS functionality for managing hardware devices connected to the network bus involves defining a network bus driver at each of the processor nodes that couples hardware device drivers to a network hardware abstraction layer of the processor node. The network bus can be constructed to account for the hot-swappable nature of the hardware devices using a device monitoring function, and plug and play functionality for adding and, removing device driver instances. The network bus can be used to provide a distributed processing system by defining a shared memory space at each processor node. Distributed memory pages are provided with bus-network-wide unique memory addresses, and a distributed memory manager is added to ensure consistency of the distributed memory pages, and to provide a library of functions for user mode applications. |
| US07694309B2 |
Method for facilitating unification of event framework views and system comprising same
An object model comprises a data store and a plurality of event framework information objects. The data store including a plurality of event information objects each defining server event information for a respective one of a plurality of unique events exhibited by a server during operation. The plurality of event framework information objects each define event framework characteristics for a respective one of a plurality of event frameworks implemented in the server. At least one of the event framework information objects reference a common one of the event information objects for enabling server event information defined by the common one of the event information objects to be viewed using the respective one of the event frameworks corresponding thereto. Each one of the event framework information objects define event framework unification rules under which unification of event framework views provided in accordance with each one of the event framework information objects is facilitated. |
| US07694308B1 |
Enterprise application mapping tool and datastore with target state dimension
A system for representing the state of an enterprise software architecture is disclosed. The system comprises a datastore that contains a plurality of attributes of applications and of interfaces, including a state attribute. The system also comprises a plurality of stencils operable to define a graphic. The stencils are each associated with a script: that links back to the datastore, an application stencil operable to define an application graphic and associated with an application stencil script and an interface stencil operable to define an interface graphic and associated with an interface stencil. The system also comprises a template operable to define a drawing of an enterprise software architecture using the stencils. |
| US07694306B2 |
Balancing computational load across a plurality of processors
Computational load is balanced across a plurality of processors. Source code subtasks are compiled into byte code subtasks whereby the byte code subtasks are translated into processor-specific object code subtasks at runtime. The processor-type selection is based upon one of three approaches which are 1) a brute force approach, 2) higher-level approach, or 3) processor availability approach. Each object code subtask is loaded in a corresponding processor type for execution. In one embodiment, a compiler stores a pointer in a byte code file that references the location of a byte code subtask. In this embodiment, the byte code subtask is stored in a shared library and, at runtime, a runtime loader uses the pointer to identify the location of the byte code subtask in order to translate the byte code subtask. |
| US07694304B2 |
Mechanisms for dynamic configuration of virtual processor resources
Mechanisms for dynamically configuring the resources of a virtual multiprocessor are provided. An apparatus to configure resources for virtual processing elements in a virtual multiprocessor is provided. The apparatus includes a virtual multiprocessor context, virtual processing element contexts, and configuration logic. The virtual multiprocessor context, prescribes the resources, and controls a configuration state of the virtual multiprocessor. The virtual processing element contexts each exclusively correspond to a virtual processing element. The virtual processing element contexts each have first logic, for prescribing whether the virtual processing element is permitted to configure the resources; and second logic, for prescribing a subset of the resources that is allocated to the virtual processing element. The configuration logic detects whether the virtual processing element is permitted to configure the resources, updates the virtual multiprocessor context to direct the virtual multiprocessor enter the configuration state, and configures the resources by updating a prescribed virtual processing element context. |
| US07694298B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing virtual server blades
A first virtual machine (VM) in a processing system may emulate a first server blade, and a second VM in the processing system may emulate a second server blade. The emulated server blades may be referred to as virtual server blades. A virtual machine monitor (VMM) in the processing system may provide a communication channel to at least one of the virtual server blades. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07694294B2 |
Task template update based on task usage pattern
The usefulness of task templates can be maintained in a number of ways. Task templates can be updated on a client server from a remote task update server by initiating communication with the remote task update server, selecting a task template from a list of available task templates presented by the remote task update server, and downloading the selected task template to the client server in a format defined by a schema. Task templates can be updated on a client server by receiving a request from the client server, presenting a task template based on the request, receiving a selection of the task template, and transmitting the task template to the client server in a format defined by a schema. Task templates can also be managed by downloading task templates, assigning group names, and storing the downloaded task templates in a database. |
| US07694290B2 |
System and method for partitioning an application utilizing a throughput-driven aggregation and mapping approach
A method and system to optimize throughput of executable program code are provided. The system comprises a profiler to receive a representation of a plurality of functions, an aggregator, and a mapper to map the plurality of aggregates to a plurality of processors. The aggregator may be configured to create an aggregate for each function from the plurality of functions thereby creating a plurality of aggregates, choose an optimization action between grouping and duplication based on the number of aggregates in the plurality of aggregates, the number of available processing elements (PEs), and execution time of each aggregate, and perform the chosen optimization action. |
| US07694289B2 |
Method for embedding object codes in source codes
Methods for embedding codes executable in a first system having a first microprocessor into codes executable in a second system having a second microprocessor are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes providing first codes having a routine, the first codes being compilable to be executed in the first system, and compiling the first codes, resulting in second codes; the second codes comprising opcodes of the routine executable by the first system, which convert the second codes into third codes automatically, the third codes being compilable to be executed by the second system; this is followed by compiling the third codes, resulting in the fourth codes being executable in the second system, and linking the fourth codes, generating an executable image and executing the executable image in the second system. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US07694287B2 |
Schema-based dynamic parse/build engine for parsing multi-format messages
A parse/build engine that can handle multi-format financial messages. The engine converts the different format messages into a common format, and the common format message is then processed by the business service application. A parser examines the message and determines an appropriate schema for the particular format of message received. The schema is a data structure in a schema registry that includes a grammar structure for the received format as well as pointers to handlers for converting the different fields of the message into the internal message format using the grammar structure (the “grammar” can include field sequence, field type, length, character encoding, optional and required fields, etc.). The handlers are individually compiled. As formats change, new formats or changes to old formats can be dynamically added to the parse/build engine by loading new schema and handlers. |
| US07694282B2 |
Mapping breakpoints between web based documents
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for mapping breakpoints between Web based documents. Embodiments of the invention facilitate extracting corresponding client script blocks from different Web based documents to disassociate the client script blocks with their relative locations within the Web based documents. From the extracted client side script blocks, a position for mapping a breakpoint from one client side script block another client side script block can be determined. The breakpoint is then copied from the one client script block and inserted into the determined position in the other client script block. The client script blocks can then be re-associated with their relative locations in the Web based documents from which they were extracted. |
| US07694280B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling program installation on a computing device
In one embodiment, a system and method for controlling program download pertain to determining the configuration of an existing program that executes on the computing device, determining the configuration of a new program that is to be installed on the computing device to replace the existing program, determining whether installation of the new program is authorized, and preventing installation of the new program if installation is not authorized. |
| US07694279B2 |
Extensible web service
In order to make business software operate remotely as a web service, the web service may have to be extendible. This extendibility may require several additions to the base software that is now operating as a web service program. |
| US07694276B2 |
Contracts and futures in an asynchronous programming language
An asynchronous programming language that facilitates concurrent programming by utilizing futures, asynchronous calls, and joins on futures. For each of a client interface and a service interface of an asynchronous interface, respective models are automatically extracted. A behavioral contract is defined on the asynchronous interface. The client and service models are then passed to modular checking algorithm that checks to ensure that both the client and the service conform to the behavioral contract. The checking algorithm combines region-based type systems with model checking techniques to handle pointer aliasing in a sound manner. |
| US07694273B2 |
Automatic modification of a graphical program based on corresponding changes to a diagram with states and state transitions
A system and method for automatically generating a data flow diagram in response to a first diagram. The first diagram may specify one or more states and one or more state transitions, wherein each state transition specifies a transition from a first state to a second state. A data flow diagram may be automatically generated from the first diagram. A hardware description may be generated from the data flow diagram. The hardware description may be usable to configure a programmable hardware element such as, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The configured programmable hardware element may implement a hardware implementation of the data flow diagram. |
| US07694272B2 |
Method, a language and a system for the definition and implementation of software solutions by using a visualizable computer executable modeling language
A software development platform, used to develop software applications substantially free of the need to write code. The platform includes a visualizable computer executable modeling language for the definition of software solutions. The platform also includes a visual modeling system comprising a visual modeling tool for users to develop software solutions using the modeling language, and a runtime engine software program that automatically executes the defined software solutions. The visualizable computer executable modeling language system enables defining each application by a set of: process models, each of which may contain any number of sub process model; input and output slots; data models, each of which may contain any number of sub data models; and flow rules applicable to connect pairs of slots, data models and sub-data models, thereby defining both data flow and process flow, wherein the sets of process models, slots, data models and flow rules are arranged in a structural hierarchy conforming to a set of rigid composition rules. |
| US07694271B2 |
Rendering GUI widgets with generic look and feel
Rendering GUI widgets with generic look and feel by receiving in a display device a master definition of a graphics display, the master definition including at least one graphics definition element, the graphics definition element including a reference to a protowidget and one or more instance parameter values characterizing an instance of the protowidget, the protowidget includes a definition of a generic GUI object, including generic display values affecting overall look and feel of the graphics display, and rendering at least one instance of the protowidget to a graphics display in dependence upon the generic display values and the instance parameter values. |
| US07694268B2 |
Method for optimization of optical proximity correction
A method of designing and forming a mask used for projecting an image of an integrated circuit design. After providing a mask element corresponding to a portion of a design of an integrated circuit layout, the method includes correcting the mask element using OPC techniques, and fracturing the OPC-corrected mask element into a plurality of polygonal segments. The method then includes identifying along an edge of the mask element a polygon edge having a thickness less than that which can be normally reproduced by a mask writer, and modifying configuration of the identified mask element segment to add or subtract length to an end of the polygon to create a corrected mask element having increased resolution by the mask writer. The method then includes using an electron beam or other mask writer to form a mask having the mask element with modified configuration. |
| US07694267B1 |
Method for process window optimized optical proximity correction
One embodiment of a method for process window optimized optical proximity correction includes applying optical proximity corrections to a design layout, simulating a lithography process using the post-OPC layout and models of the lithography process at a plurality of process conditions to produce a plurality of simulated resist images. A weighted average error in the critical dimension or other contour metric for each edge segment of each feature in the design layout is determined, wherein the weighted average error is an offset between the contour metric at each process condition and the contour metric at nominal condition averaged over the plurality of process conditions. A retarget value for the contour metric for each edge segment is determined using the weighted average error and applied to the design layout prior to applying further optical proximity corrections. |
| US07694263B2 |
Method of wiring data transmission lines and printed circuit board assembly wired using the method
A method of wiring data transmission lines between a CPU including CPU data pins identified by a set of pin numbers and a DRAM including DRAM data pins also identified by the set of pin numbers, the method including connecting the CPU data pins to the DRAM data pins with data transmission lines including unit-bit data transmission lines so that the unit-bit data transmission lines do not cross each other and without matching the pin numbers of the CPU data pins to the pin numbers of the DRAM data pins. |
| US07694261B1 |
Method and mechanism for implementing tessellation-based routing
Disclosed are methods and mechanisms for implementing tessellation-based processing of an integrated circuit design. Tessellation based routing of objects on an integrated circuit layout can be performed by identifying a spacing rule for tessellating at least a portion of the integrated circuit layout, forming one or more plane figures in the tessellation having one or more edges compliant with the spacing rule, the edges of the one or more plane figures forming a contour derived from a shape of a blockage object, and identifying a routing path along at least part of the one or more edges. Packing and pushing of objects may be performed using this approach. |
| US07694257B2 |
Method and apparatus for deep sub-micron design of integrated circuits
A technique for adding filler metal polygons in metal layers on a chip area of an IC design. In one example embodiment, this is accomplished by computing a size of a filler metal polygon using chip design layout data. One or more regions on the metal layers of the IC design that do not meet metal density requirements are then identified. The identified one or more regions are then filled with one or more filler metal polygons as a function of the metal density requirement and coupling capacitance between metal lines. |
| US07694256B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing analytic placement techniques on logic devices with restrictive areas
A method for designing a system on a target device having restricted areas includes determining locations on the target device for all cells in the system by solving one or more equations. Partitioning of cells of a first classification type is performed. One or more equations are modified in response to the partitioning. Revised locations on the target device are determined for the cells by solving the modified one or more equations. The partitioning procedure takes into consideration the classification types of cells as well as restricted areas on the target device. |
| US07694253B2 |
Automatically generating an input sequence for a circuit design using mutant-based verification
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically generates an input sequence for a circuit design using mutant-based verification. During operation, the system receives a description of the circuit design. Next, the system determines a target value for a control signal in the description and a mutant value for the control signal. The system then determines if an input sequence exists for the circuit design that stimulates the control signal to the target value and causes the effects of the target value and the effects of the mutant value to reach an observation point in the circuit such that the effects of the target value and the effects of the mutant value differ at the observation point. If such an input sequence exists, the system then simulates operation of the circuit design using the input sequence. During simulation, the system generates two sets of signal outputs for the circuit design. The first set of signal outputs is affected by the target value for the control signal, while the second set of signal outputs is affected by the mutant value for the control signal. |
| US07694251B2 |
Method and system for verifying power specifications of a low power design
Method and system for verifying power specifications of a low power design are disclosed. The method includes receiving a register-transfer level (RTL) netlist representation of the low power design, receiving a power specification file for describing power requirements of the low power design and verifying the power specification file in accordance with the RTL netlist representation of the low power design. The method further includes verifying completeness, compatibility, and consistency of power requirements for the low power design. |
| US07694248B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting verification, and computer product
An apparatus for supporting verification includes a detecting unit that detects description data of a false path from setting data for a system mode operation of a target circuit to be verified; an analyzing unit that analyzes the description data in the system mode operation and a test mode operation of the target circuit; a diversion determining unit that determines, based on a result of analysis by the analyzing unit, whether the description data is divertible to the test mode operation; and a generating unit that generates setting data for the test mode operation based on a result of determination by the determining unit. |
| US07694245B2 |
Method for designing semiconductor package, system for aiding to design semiconductor package, and computer program product therefor
A method for designing a semiconductor package is disclosed, wherein the semiconductor package comprises a semiconductor chip and an adjustment target. A first target variable is calculated in consideration of a first transition state where an output level of the semiconductor chip changes from a low level to a high level. A second target variable is calculated in consideration of a second transition state where an output level of the semiconductor chip changes from the high level to the low level. Inferior one of the first and the second target variables is selected as a main target variable. The main target variable and a predetermined constraint represented in frequency domain are compared to decide design guidelines for the adjustment target. |
| US07694243B2 |
Avoiding device stressing
A system for protecting a weak device operating in micro-electronic circuit and a design structure including the system embodied in a machine readable medium are disclosed. The system includes a high voltage power supply from high voltage overstressing prevents the weak device from failing during power-up, power-down, and when a low voltage power supply in a multiple power supply system is absent. The system further includes a low voltage power supply detection circuit configured to detect circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent, and generate a control signal upon detection. The system further includes a controlled current mirror device configured to provide a trickle current to maintain a conduction channel in the weak device in response to the control signal received from the low voltage power supply detection circuit during circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent. |
| US07694242B1 |
System and method of replacing flip-flops with pulsed latches in circuit designs
A circuit design system, methodology, and software are disclosed for generating circuit capable of consuming less dynamic power. In particular, the circuit design methodology entails modifying an initial circuit design including a clock network coupled to a plurality of edge-triggered flip-flops to generate a modified circuit design that uses pulsed latches driven by pulse generators in place of at least some of the flip-flops. Since pulsed latches use less dynamic power than edge-triggered flip-flops, the modified circuit may consume less dynamic power. The circuit design methodology may further entail adding delay cells for balancing the clock network to compensate for timing effects caused by the insertion of pulse generators. Additionally, the methodology may further include cloning of forbidden clock paths to make more flip-flops eligible for pulsed latch replacement. |
| US07694241B1 |
Automated design process and method for multi-rail cells and connections
Automated design process and method with set of syntactic elements compensates for inability to represent voltage island connection of multi-rail cells in RTL source files in traditional design process which inhibits development of design automation methods and causes hardship and risk of failure to simulate, synthesize, perform physical design or formally verify a semiconductor chip design implemented with multi-rail. |
| US07694229B2 |
System and theme file format for creating visual styles
A method of specifying a visual style for a set of graphical components is provided for use on a computer system having a graphical operating environment. The method includes providing a schema file of available graphical components for which a visual style can be created. In the schema file, each component is defined by a unique class name. The method further includes selecting graphical components from the schema file that are desired to have a defined visual style. Properties are then assigned to these selected components according to the desired visual style, and pairs of selected graphical components and corresponding assigned properties for the defined visual style together are grouped together in a class data file that defines the overall appearance for the defined visual style. |
| US07694228B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for network conferencing
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for conducting a conference amongst remote participants. During the conference an object from a library of digital objects is communicated to a participant communications device via a distributed computing network. During the conference the library of digital objects is downloaded to the participant communications device. During the conference a synchronization command is communicated from a host communications device to the participant communications device. The synchronization instructs the participant communications device to present another object from the library of digital objects. A synchronization acknowledgment is received from the participant communications device and confirms a successful presentation of the object on the participant communications device. |
| US07694223B2 |
Methods and systems for recording user actions in computer programs
A method for recording a sequence of user actions made when interfacing with objects associated with an executable code is provided. In this method, a selection of a level of detail to record when user actions enable interfacing with the objects associated with the executable code is enabled. Subsequently, the sequence of user actions is recorded. The recorded sequence of user actions is defined by the selected level of detail. Thereafter, the recorded sequence of user actions is parsed by applying rules that enable the generation of a defined number of data types. The data types are capable of being utilized by an application that is designed to generate information that is related to one or more of the data types. |
| US07694222B2 |
Document composition system and method
A user-friendly technique is described for assisting users to compose original documents, such as essays, research papers, literary papers, historical papers, memoranda, and the like. Interactive software provides document-specific active assistance with creating, researching, writing, editing, and finalizing documents. Such assistance may take the form of providing document specific guides, automatically generating and inserting content, and/or checking for document specific errors. |
| US07694221B2 |
Choosing between multiple versions of content to optimize display
Described is a technology by which a piece of content is selected from among at least two pieces of content in response to a request to return content. The selection is based on an evaluation of current state data against the properties/characteristics of the content. For example, the state data may define a currently available size; each piece of content has associated size properties (e.g., height and width ranges) that can be matched in the selection process. In a layout system, a parent container may request content from a child container that is associated with the selection process. The selection process may, for example, evaluate the child's pieces of content in an evaluation order, with the first appropriate matching piece of content selected. If no content matches, a default piece of content, or a code that indicates that no content is to be shown, is returned. |
| US07694219B2 |
Dynamic tree representation for internet enterprise applications
A tree is used for representing relationships between various entities and, in an embodiment, may be used for conducting transactions. In an embodiment, the tree may be dynamically updated at run time and/or each time an agent accesses the tree by, for example, conducting a transaction or requesting new information. An application running on a server may be used for accessing a database and generating a display language tree (which may be a tree written in a display language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) or Extensible Markup Language (XML)). The application sends the display language tree to the agent's appliance where the display language tree is displayed. In an embodiment, nodes having different interrelationships, such as aggregation relationships and association relationships, may be handled differently from one another even if the same type of parent/child relationship is displayed in an image of the tree to the agent. |
| US07694217B2 |
Systems and methods for comparing documents containing graphic elements
A system and methods for comparing graphic elements in a changed document to those in a reference document is described. Attributes of selected graphic elements are first adjusted before comparing so that comparing does not identify certain document changes. |
| US07694213B2 |
Video content creating apparatus
A video content creating apparatus includes a computer. The computer registers photographic image data input from a photographic input device and meta-information set in relation to the data in a database. After retrieving photographs based on the meta-information, the apparatus selects the photographs to be used for a reminiscence video and decides the reproduction order of the photographs. After registering a BGM playlist, the apparatus reproduces the photographs and BGM for creating the reminiscence video. If there are any regions, the apparatus displays the regions on a monitor while aligning them in sequence according to the meta-information on them. Upon completion of generation (rendering) of a series of reminiscence video contents, the apparatus creates the reminiscence video by saving the rendering results in Flash movie format, for example. |
| US07694211B2 |
Method and apparatus for error compensation
Various approaches to recover data are described. An one example, an encoded data stream is processed in a first channel decoder producing a channel decoder output. The channel decoder output and the encoded data stream are processed in an error compensation unit to compensate the channel decoder output for low frequency noise and produce an error compensated data stream. The error compensated data stream is processed in a second channel decoder to produce a recovered data stream, wherein the recovered data stream has a reduction in the number of errors as compared to the encoded data stream. Systems to iteratively recover data from an encoded data stream are also described. |
| US07694209B2 |
Decoding device for decoding codeword
According to one embodiment, a decoding device decodes a (k+m) bit codeword in accordance with a check matrix. The codeword includes k-bit information symbols and an m-bit parity check code. The check matrix includes a unit matrix and a coefficient matrix. The most significant bit of each of a second vector to a last vector in the coefficient matrix is 1. Binary codes with values 1 to k−1 are sequentially arranged from the second vector to the last vector in a matrix which is obtained by excluding the most significant bits of the second to the last vectors from the matrix including the second to the last vectors. A first vector of the coefficient matrix disagrees with the other vectors in the check matrix, and the first vector is composed of a specified bit pattern having a most significant bit of 0. |
| US07694208B2 |
Error correction algorithm using interleaved parity check and Reed-Solomon code
Methods and apparatuses for correcting errors in a data stream are described herein. In one aspect, the error correction process is operable to correct errors in at least two separate types of data streams, each of which utilizes a distinct error correction scheme. The error correction process utilizes Reed-Solomon code and Error Detection Code (EDC) in combination for error correction. The process comprises using a Reed-Solomon code to identify errors in a plurality of data blocks and attempting to correct the errors. An EDC map is then generated, wherein the EDC map identifies the location of the errors within the corresponding data blocks which includes errors that are not corrected by the Reed-Solomon code. |
| US07694205B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a read channel having combined parity and non-parity post processing
A method and apparatus for providing a read channel having combined parity and non-parity post processing is disclosed. A post-processor combines parity and non-parity post processing to make both parity and non-parity corrections so that error events that cannot be detected by parity may be corrected. Non-parity detectable error events are only kept for consideration if their likelihood is above a set threshold. |
| US07694203B2 |
On-chip samplers for asynchronously triggered events
Embodiments of an integrated circuit that includes a debug circuit are described. This debug circuit is configured to test an asynchronous circuit by performing analog measurements on asynchronous signals associated with the asynchronous circuit, and includes a triggering module configured to gate the debug circuit based on one or more of the asynchronous signals. This triggering module has a continuous mode of operation and a single-shot mode of operation. A timing module within the debug circuit has a timing range exceeding a pre-determined value, and is configured to provide signals corresponding to a first time base or signals corresponding to a second time base. Furthermore, control logic within the debug circuit is configured to select a mode of operation and a given time base for the debug circuit, which is either the first time base or the second time base. |
| US07694197B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising a test mode secured by detection of the state of a control signal
An electronic circuit comprises configurable cells driven by command signals to adopt either a standard mode of operation in which they are integrated into a logic circuit, or a test mode in which they provide information on this logic circuit. The circuit includes a spy circuit capable of detecting an abnormal excitation of certain of the conductors through which the command signals travel, thus preventing fraudulent extraction of data out of the configurable cells. The spy circuit includes a logic combination circuit and a state detection cell. |
| US07694196B2 |
Self-diagnostic scheme for detecting errors
The present invention is generally related to integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to methods and systems of a multi-chip package (MCP) containing a self-diagnostic scheme for detecting errors in the MCP. The MCP generally comprises a controller, at least one volatile memory chip having error detection logic, at least one non-volatile memory chip, and at least one fail signature register for storing fail signature data related to memory errors detected in the MCP. The controller can poll the fail signature register for fail signature data related to memory errors stored therein. Upon detection of fail signature data, the controller can store the fail signature data on a fail signature register located on a non-volatile memory. |
| US07694195B2 |
System and method for using a memory mapping function to map memory defects
A system and method are herein disclosed for managing memory defects in an information handling system. More particularly, a system and method are described for generating a usable memory map which excludes memory locations containing defect memory elements. In an information handling system, a memory defect map, which contains information about the location of defective memory elements, is coupled to the memory device. As a map of memory usable by the system is created, usable memory regions containing defective memory elements are excluded from the memory map. The memory map is passed to the operating system, which uses only those regions of memory designated as usable and non-defective. |
| US07694194B2 |
Semiconductor device
A highly reliable semiconductor device includes, for example, a memory circuit MEM such as a multiport RAM and a BIST circuit (BIST[A] and BIST[B]) for carrying out a test for each of the ports PO[A] and PO[B] of the MEM, as well as pointers PNT0[A] to PNT3[A] and PNT0[B] to PNT3[B] corresponding to the PO[A] and PO[B], respectively. Each of the BIST[A] and BIST[B] manages plural respective segments SEG0 to SEG3 obtained by dividing the MEM and the PNT0[A] to PNT3[A] are provided for those SEG0 to SEG3, respectively. For example, the BIST[A], upon accessing SEG0, writes ‘1’ in PNT0[A] while the BIST[B] refers to the value in this PNT0[A], thereby its access to SEG0 can be avoided. Consequently, each port can execute a complicated test pattern asynchronously. |
| US07694191B1 |
Self healing file system
A self healing file system is designed for proactive detection and containment of faults, errors, and corruptions, in order to enable in place (online) and non-intrusive recovery. For proactive fault detection, the file system maintains certain per-block metadata of each file system block. The per-block metadata includes a redundancy check, and for file system data blocks, an inode identifier, and an offset of the file system data block in the file including the file system data block. The redundancy check is used to detect and mark bad file system blocks. The inode identifier and offset is used for validating connectivity of the file system blocks to the inodes, and for tracing bad blocks to files that contain the bad blocks. |
| US07694190B2 |
Preventing distribution of modified or corrupted files
An administrator node (130) adjusts a trustworthy-measure associated with nodes (110) that are suspected of unauthorized modifications of content material. The original provider of the content material to a network binds an identifying code to it. Upon receiving the material from a source node (110), a target node (120) computes an associated code for the received material. If the computed code and the identifying code differ, the material is determined to be modified, and a discrepancy report is submitted to the administrator node (130). The administrator node (130) effects a penalty against the root source if the modification is confirmed; or against the target node (120) if the discrepancy report is unfounded. The penalties include downgrading of the trustworthiness-measure associated with each node, and these trustworthiness-measures are available for use by potential target nodes in their selection of preferred source nodes. |
| US07694188B2 |
Disk failure prevention and error correction
The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods that facilitate prevention of hard disk drive failure. Sophisticated drives are likely to be capable of detecting many of the conditions that either cause or precede hard disk drive failure. Such information can be provided to a host operating system, analyzed and used to correct errors associated with the hard disk drive to reduce the probability of failure and/or damage of the hard disk drive. The host operating system can respond by taking corrective actions that alleviate or mitigate hostile conditions (e.g., excessive vibration, heat, humidity and the like) prior to disk failure. |
| US07694187B2 |
Method of peripheral type identification in a system of circumvention and recovery
A method of implementing a circumvention and recovery system comprising conveying peripheral identifiers to a controller, and determining a level of susceptibility of a peripheral to select events based on the peripheral identifier. The method further includes controlling each peripheral based on the level of susceptibility of the peripheral during detection of a select event. |
| US07694183B2 |
Controlling software failure data reporting and responses
User input defines transmission filter rules to be met when sending an error report to a support provider. User input also defines collection filter rules to be met when including failure data within an error report. Error reports corresponding to crash failures at clients are filtered with the transmission filter rules to determine which of the error reports to send to the support provider, and each error report to be sent to the support provider is further filtered to remove any failure data that fails to satisfy the collection filter rules. Each error report that satisfies the transmission filter rules, along with the failure data satisfying the collection filter rules, is sent to the support provider for analysis. Standard and or custom failure responses corresponding to the failures at the clients may be retrieved and sent to the clients in accordance with the collection filter rules. |
| US07694176B2 |
Fault-tolerant computer and method of controlling same
A fault-tolerant computer has duplex systems each comprising a CPU subsystem for controlling access to a CPU and a storage unit, and an IO subsystem for controlling data which are input to the IO subsystem from an external circuit and output from the IO subsystem to the external circuit. Data with a transmission time assigned thereto is transmitted from one of the IO subsystems to the other IO subsystem, and is received asynchronously by the other IO subsystem. The other IO subsystem records a reception time of the data, and calculates an ideal reception time using the transmission time assigned to the data. A clock shift in the other IO subsystem with respect to the one IO subsystem is calculated from the calculated ideal reception time and the recorded reception time. Thereafter, the counter in the other IO subsystem is changed based on the calculated clock shift, and data is received using the changed counter. |
| US07694173B1 |
Technique for managing addition of disks to a volume of a storage system
A technique manages the addition of disks to a volume of a storage system. A disk addition procedure is encapsulated into a DISKADD object conforming to a configuration management framework used to implement a RAID subsystem of the storage system. The DISKADD object is responsible for determining a set of available disks required to satisfy a disk addition request issued by an operator through a user interface of a storage operating system executing on the storage system. Furthermore, the DISKADD object is responsible for monitoring the state of the disks, including preparation/initialization of the disks (e.g., disk zeroing) and possible disk failures, as well as placing those disks into RAID groups of the volume once preparation completes. Persistent storage of the state of a pending disk addition is then accomplished using an implementation of the configuration management framework. |
| US07694168B2 |
Network router failover mechanism
A method, system, and logic for determining connectivity information for routers running on servers that are attached to a device. A router is resigned in favor of a corresponding router at another server when the corresponding router has better connectivity to the device, where partial connectivity is better than no connectivity, and full connectivity is better than partial connectivity. |
| US07694163B1 |
System for generating and monitoring voltages generated for a variety of different components on a common printed circuit board
A system for generating and monitoring voltages on a variety of different components on a common printed circuit board. The system includes a programmable controller, a plurality of DC/DC converters for producing voltages for the devices and a plurality of voltage regulators for produced voltages for a plurality of CPUs on the board, such CPU voltages being produced in accordance with VIDs provided to the regulator by the CPU. The programmable controller: establishes a set point voltage for such one of the DC/DC converters; sequentially monitors the produced voltages produced, monitors voltages produced by the regulators for the CPUs by comparing the VIDs to the voltages produced by the regulators, and if during the sequencing any one of the converters is determined by the programmable controller as producing an improper voltage or if the any one of the regulators fails top produce the voltage indicated by the VIDs, disables the board. |
| US07694159B2 |
Method of remotely controlling the power consumption of one or more servers
An embodiment of a method for remotely controlling power consumption of at least one server, including providing remote control to an administrator over a power state of at least one server, building an instruction command and encoding it into a suitable format for transport over a data network from an administration terminal to the at least one server, and interpreting the command and executing the command by the at least one server without powering down the at least one server. |
| US07694158B2 |
Parallel processing method and system, for instance for supporting embedded cluster platforms, computer program product therefor
A multi-processing system-on-chip including a cluster of processors having respective CPUs is operated by: defining a master CPU within the respective CPUs to coordinate operation of said multi-processing system, running on the CPU a cluster manager agent. The cluster manager agent is adapted to dynamically migrate software processes between the CPUs of said plurality and change power settings therein. |
| US07694155B2 |
Digital work protection system, record/playback device, recording medium device, and model change device
A system includes of a main device and a recording medium device. The main device includes a reception unit that receives a digital work from an external distribution server, an internal storage area for storing the digital work, a playback unit that plays back the digital work, and a unique information storage area for storing information that is unique to the main device. The main device also includes an encryption unit that encrypts the digital work using the unique information, a decryption unit that decrypts, using the unique information, the encrypted digital work having been read from the recording medium device, a write unit that writes the encrypted digital work into the recording medium device which is portable, and a read unit that reads the encrypted digital work from the recording medium device. |
| US07694151B1 |
Architecture, system, and method for operating on encrypted and/or hidden information
An architecture, system and method for operating on encrypted and/or hidden information (e.g., code and/or data). The invention enables creators, owners and/or distributors of proprietary code to keep such code inaccessible to users and user-controlled software programs. A memory architecture includes first and second protected memory spaces, respectively storing operating system instructions and a decrypted version of the encrypted information. The first protected memory space may further store a table linking the locations of the encrypted and/or hidden, decrypted information with a decryption and/or authorization key. The system includes the memory architecture and a processor for executing instructions, and the method loads, stores and operates on the encrypted and/or hidden information according to the memory architecture functionality and/or constraints. |
| US07694148B2 |
Method and system for managing the display of sensitive content in non-trusted environments
A method (10) for managing the display of sensitive content in non-trusted environments can include the steps of interrogating (12) a list of policies associated with a given user and a physical device, determining (14) a location of the physical device, comparing (18) the location of the physical device with a list of trusted locations, and enforcing (20) a plurality of rules contained in the policy by limiting or restricting access to sensitive information based on the location. |
| US07694147B2 |
Hashing method and system
A hashing method and system. The method comprises receiving by a computing system, a user password. The computing system generates a first hash for the user password. The computing system generates a second hash for a system parameter and performs an operation relating the first hash to the second hash to generate a first combination value. The computing system generates a third hash for the first combination value. The computing system receives a specific password for requesting access to the computing system. The computing system generates a fourth hash for said specific password and performs an operation relating the fourth hash to the second hash to generate a second combination value. The computing system generates a fifth hash for the second combination value. The third hash is compared to the fifth hash to determine that the third hash matches the fifth hash. Access is enabled to the computing system. |
| US07694143B2 |
Method of and system for collecting an electronic signature for an electronic record stored in a database
A method of and system for collecting an electronic signature for an electronic record stored in a database. In one embodiment the method comprises automatically creating an electronic record from data stored in a plurality of different database tables in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event; storing an instance of the electronic record in a common repository of electronic records that provides an audit trail that cannot be altered or disabled by users of the system; executing a rule associated with the electronic record to determine whether an electronic signature is required to connote review and/or approval of the electronic record; and if execution of the rule results in a determination that an electronic signature is required, marking the instance of the electronic record as unsigned and initiating a request to collect the required electronic signature. In some embodiments the electronic record is stored as unstructured data in a character large object (CLOB) format and the unstructured data comprises a well-formed XML document stored within a column of a table stored in the database. |
| US07694139B2 |
Securing executable content using a trusted computing platform
A software development system (SDS) (228) digitally signs software (230) developed on the system. The SDS (228) executes on a computer system (112) having a trusted computing platform. The platform includes protected areas (220, 226) that store data and cannot be accessed by unauthorized modules. A code signing module (232) executing in a protected area (226) obtains a private/public key pair and a corresponding digital certificate. The SDS (228) is configured to automatically and transparently utilize the code signing module (232) to sign software (230) produced by the system. End-user systems (114) receive the certificate with the software and can use it to verify the signature. This verification will fail if a parasitic virus or other malicious code has altered the software (230). Accordingly, the SDS (228) greatly reduces the risk of malicious code executing on the end-user computer system (114). |
| US07694138B2 |
Secure authentication with voiced responses from a telecommunications terminal
A method and an apparatus are disclosed that enable an enhanced, interactive voice response (IVR) system to securely authenticate a user at a telecommunications terminal, without some of the disadvantages in the prior art. In particular, after the user at the telecommunications terminal requests access to a resource, the controlling IVR system of the illustrative embodiment issues a random challenge sequence to the user, along with interspersed “camouflage elements” and one or more directions as to how to respond. The user is then free to speak a returned sequence that answers the combined challenge sequence and interspersed camouflage elements; as a result, an eavesdropper overhearing the user hears what sounds like a random number or string. In short, the technique of the illustrative embodiment uses a challenge-response exchange of a substitution cipher interspersed with camouflage elements. |
| US07694134B2 |
System and method for encrypting data without regard to application
Systems and methods are provided for encrypting data without regard to applications writing the data to, or reading the data from, encrypted data storage devices. An operating system intercept detects information indicating that a file will be encrypted and, in respond, sets device-level flags indicating encryption and also establishes one or more encryption keys to be used in the encryption process. A second intercept detects an input/output event and, in response, calls an encryption application to encrypt (or decrypt) the data before it is written to (or read from) the data storage device. |
| US07694132B2 |
Secure intermediary communications system
A system for communication of a message in which the message intended for a third computer is first encrypted by a first computer and is sent to a second computer. The second computer, acting as an intermediary, + decrypts the message and re-encrypts the message before sending the message to the third computer which again decrypts the message. |
| US07694128B2 |
Systems and methods for secure communication delivery
Systems and methods for secure delivery of electronic communications are provided. A communication transmitted over a communications network is received by a system processor. The system processor selects a secure delivery mechanism for delivering the communication. The system processor attempts to deliver the communication to the predetermined recipient via the selected secure delivery mechanism. Some systems can further provide for determining whether a particular received communication requires secure delivery. |
| US07694126B2 |
Method and system for recovering the validity of cryptographically signed digital data
According to the present invention, techniques, including a method and system, for restoring and/or validating data and/or associated signature log entries are provided. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for validating a restored message, having an entry generated in a signature log for a message, where the entry includes cryptographic information associated with the message. Next, when said message is lost, the restored message is generated responsive to a request; and the restored message is validated using the signature log. In another embodiment a method for validating a selected log entry by using a signature log having a plurality of recorded log entries is provided. The method includes: computing a cryptographic value for the selected log entry; and determining if the cryptographic value is part of another recorded log entry. |
| US07694124B2 |
System for registering and initiating pre-boot environment for enabling partitions
A method for registering and initiating a pre-boot environment for enabling partitions. The method provides a basic input output system (CIOS) with an application program interface (API) that accesses a Logical Clock Address (LCA) sector number when a boot configuration flag is set, the LCA sector number stores an operating environment manager which then boots the information handling system to an appropriate partition. |
| US07694122B2 |
Electronic device and booting method thereof
An electronic device and a booting method thereof are provided, wherein the method includes the steps of copying the boot image from the first non-volatile memory to the internal RAM when a booting operation of the electronic device begins, setting a stack pointer in the internal RAM by executing a control code to set the stack pointer among control codes of the boot image, and activating the main memory by executing a control code to initialize the main memory controller and activate the main memory among the control codes of the boot image, the control code to initialize the main memory controller and activate the main memory using the stack pointer. Accordingly, since the control code to initialize the main memory controller to activate the main memory is written in a high-level programming language instead of assembly language, the display device can be driven before the main memory is activated. |
| US07694121B2 |
System and method for protected operating system boot using state validation
A mechanism for protected operating system boot that prevents rogue components from being loaded with the operating system, and thus prevents divulgence of the system key under inappropriate circumstances. After a portion of the machine startup procedure has occurred, the operating system loader is run, the loader is validated, and a correct machine state is either verified to exist and/or created. Once the loader has been verified to be a legitimate loader, and the machine state under which it is running is verified to be correct, the loader's future behavior is known to protect against the loading of rogue components that could cause divulgence of the system key. With the loader's behavior being known to be safe for the system key, the validator may unseal the system key and provides it to the loader. |
| US07694119B1 |
Techniques for device initialization
Described are techniques for initializing a device in a data storage system. An indicator is set in an entry associated with a portion of the device indicating that the portion of the device is to be initialized. A signature field of the entry is set with a signature value indicating that the portion of the device is to be initialized. The device is indicated as available for use after setting the indicator and the signature field for each portion of the device. The device has one or more portions and each of the portions has a corresponding entry including an indicator and a signature field. |
| US07694118B2 |
Function addition apparatus and function addition method
A function addition apparatus allows an added function to be started-up immediately after a computer has been powered on or reset. A function expansion program stored in a program storage section is called, before a start-up program starts-up an operating system, by the start-up program and is executed by the CPU. The functional expansion program controls a functional section. Under a first condition, the CPU is prevented from returning to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU. Under a second condition, the CPU is returned to execution of a start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU so that the operating system is started-up. When the operating system is started-up after the CPU has returned to execution of the start-up program, the operating system or the like controls the functional section. |
| US07694112B2 |
Multiplexing output from second execution unit add/saturation processing portion of wider width intermediate result of first primitive execution unit for compound computation
A method for executing multiple computational primitives is provided in accordance with exemplary embodiments. A first computational unit and at least a second computational unit cooperate to execute multiple computational primitives. The first computational unit independently computes other computational primitives. By virtue of arbitration for shared source operand buses or shared result buses, availability of the first and second computational units needed to execute cooperatively the multiple computational primitives is assured by a process of reservation as used for a computational primitive executed on a dedicated computational unit. |
| US07694110B1 |
System and method of implementing microcode operations as subroutines
Various embodiments of methods and systems for implementing a set of microcode operations corresponding to a microcoded instruction as a microcode subroutine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microprocessor includes a dispatch unit configured to dispatch operations and a scheduler coupled to the dispatch unit and configured to schedule dispatched operations for execution. In response to receiving a microcoded instruction, the dispatch unit is configured to dispatch a microcode subroutine call operation that specifies a tag identifying a microcode subroutine. |
| US07694109B2 |
Data processing apparatus of high speed process using memory of low speed and low power consumption
When fetching an instruction from a plurality of memory banks, a first pipeline cycle corresponding to selection of a memory bank and a second pipeline cycle corresponding to instruction readout are generated to carry out a pipeline process. Only the selected memory bank can be precharged to allow reduction of power consumption. Since the first and second pipeline cycles are effected in parallel, the throughput of the instruction memory can be improved. |
| US07694106B2 |
Multiprocessor system
A multiprocessor system includes a judging unit judging whether a read command inputted to a global address crossbar is a read command to a memory on an own system board, an executing unit speculatively executing, when the judging unit judges that the read command is a read command to the memory on the own system board, the read command before global access based on an address notified from the global address crossbar, a setting unit setting for queuing data read from the memory in a data queue provided on a CPU without queuing the data in a data queue provided on the memory, and an instructing unit instructing, based on notification from the global address crossbar, the data queue provided on the CPU to discard the data or transmit the data to the CPU. |
| US07694105B2 |
Data storage systems that implement sector sets
A data storage device has a data storage medium configured to store a first version of data in parent sectors. The data storage device is configured to store a second version of the data in child sectors. The child sectors have the same logical block addresses as the parent sectors. A host operating system can read data from or write data to the child sectors by sending logical block addresses and a sector set number to the data storage device. The logical block addresses and the sector set number identify the child sectors. In response to receiving a request to access the child sectors, the data storage firmware identifies physical addresses that correspond to the logical block addresses and the sector set number. The data storage device uses the physical addresses to identify the location of the child sectors. |
| US07694104B2 |
Virtualization controller and data transfer control method
System for controlling data transfer between a host system and storage devices. A virtualization controller implements the data transfer and includes first ports for connection with the storage devices, a second port for connection with the host system, a processor, and a memory configured to store volume mapping information which correlates first identification information used by the host system to access a first storage area in one of the storage devices, with second identification information for identifying the first storage area, the correlation being used by the processor to access the first storage area. When data stored in the first storage area is transferred to a second storage area, the processor correlates the first identification information with a third identification information for identifying the second storage area and registers the first identification information and the third identification information in the volume mapping information. |
| US07694101B2 |
Implementing virtual disk reservations on a storage media for multiple distributed applications
A method for implementing virtual disk reservations on a storage media for multiple distributed applications. The method includes initializing a plurality of virtual disks, wherein each of the virtual disks is instantiated on a physical storage media. A reservation status is determined for each of the virtual disks and a first distributed application that uses at least one virtual disk is executed. Upon an update of the reservation status for the at least one virtual disk by the first distributed application, a notification indicator is set to notify a second distributed application of the update. The update is subsequently recognized and the notification indicator is cleared in order to continue I/O for the first distributed application and the second distributed application. |
| US07694098B2 |
System and methods for avoiding base address collisions
Processes are monitored as components are loaded into memory. Relocation of a component to an alternate base address instead of its preferred base address, causes an alternate component to be created corresponding to the relocated component. The alternate component is a copy of the relocated component, but the preferred base address of the alternate component is reset to be the alternate base address of the relocated component. Additional alternate components may be created for each relocated component, with each additional alternate component being optimized in a different manner. Alternate components may be implemented as alternate data stream of the corresponding relocated components. In response to subsequent requests to load a selected component into memory, it is determined whether the selected component has at least one corresponding alternate component. If so, one of the corresponding alternate components is loaded into memory instead of the selected component. |
| US07694096B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for implementing protected partitions in storage media
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for implementing protected partitions in storage media. The apparatus includes a control module configured to communicate with a host and receive read/write commands for a storage device, and a protection module operating within the control module and configured to maintain a plurality of protection states for the partition and a plurality of allowable transitions between the protection states. The system includes the apparatus, a host device, and a storage device coupled with the host, the storage device including an enclosure having storage media and a control module. The method includes communicating with a host device and receiving read and write commands for a storage device having at least one partition, and maintaining a plurality of protection states for the partition and a plurality of allowable transitions between the protection states on a control module located within the storage device. |
| US07694095B2 |
Managing snapshots using messages
A method and apparatus for managing snapshots of a file system using messages. A snapshot is a restorable version of a file system created at a predetermined point in time. A message is a persistent data structure supported by a file server. A message may include one or more snapshots, attributes for the message, and/or access control information for the message. The attributes and access control information are applied to all snapshots in the message. The attributes in the message enable users to perform automatic event-based management of the snapshots in the message. The access control information in the message provides granular access control to the snapshots in the message. |
| US07694094B2 |
Transaction method for managing the storing of persistent data in a transaction stack
A transaction method manages the storing of persistent data to be stored in at least one memory region of a non-volatile memory device before the execution of update operations that involve portions of the persistent data. Values of the persistent data are stored in a transaction stack that includes a plurality of transaction entries before the beginning of the update operations so that the memory regions involved in such an update are restored in a consistent state if an unexpected event occurs. A push extreme instruction reads from the memory cells a remaining portion of the persistent data that is not involved in the update operation, and stores the remaining portion in a subset of the transaction entries. The push extreme instruction is executed instead of a push instruction when the restoring of the portion of persistent data is not required after the unexpected event. The restoring corresponds to the values that the persistent data had before the beginning of the update operations. |
| US07694086B1 |
Method and system for incremental backup of data volumes
A method and system for incremental backup is disclosed. The method includes attaching a first plex to a log, which includes a log plex. The method also includes writing data to said log plex and said first plex. |
| US07694083B1 |
System and method for providing a virtual memory architecture narrower and deeper than a physical memory architecture
Some embodiments provide a method of presenting virtual memory as narrower and deeper than a physical memory. The method receives a memory address location including a set of real memory address bits and a set of virtual memory position bits. The method retrieves an original memory word from a physical memory using the real memory address bits. The method shifts the original memory word by an amount determined by the virtual memory position bits by using a barrel shifter, creating a shifted memory word. The method reads a part of the shifted memory word. |
| US07694080B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a low power mode for a processor while maintaining snoop throughput
A method and apparatus for providing a low power mode for a processor while maintaining snoop throughput are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cache, a processor, and a frequency controller. The frequency controller is to operate the apparatus in a low power mode in which the operating frequency of the cache is higher than the operating frequency of the processor. |
| US07694078B2 |
Data processing apparatus that provides parallel access to multi-dimensional array of data values
An array of data values, such as an image of pixel values, is stored in a main memory (12). A processing operation is performed using the pixel values. The processing operation defines time points of movement of a multidimensional region (20, 22) of locations in the image. Pixel values from inside and around the region are cached for processing. At least when a cache miss occurs for a pixel value from outside the region, cache replacement of data in cache locations (142) is performed. Locations that store pixel data for locations in the image outside the region (20, 22) are selected for replacement, selectively exempting from replacement cache locations (142) that store pixel data locations in the image inside the region. In embodiments, different types of cache structure are used for caching data values inside and outside the region. In an embodiment the cache locations for pixel data inside the regions support a higher level of output parallelism than the cache locations for pixel data around the region. In a further embodiment the cache for locations inside the region contains sets of banks, each set for a respective line from the image, data from the lines being distributed in a cyclically repeating fashion over the banks. |
| US07694076B2 |
Method and system for dynamic distributed data caching
A method and system for dynamic distributed data caching is presented. The method includes providing a cache community comprising at least one peer. Each peer has an associated first content portion indicating content to be cached by the respective peer. A client may be allowed to join the cache community. A peer list associated with the cache community is updated to include the client. The peer list indicates the peers in the cache community. A respective second content portion is associated with each peer based on the addition of the client. |
| US07694075B1 |
System for enabling and disabling cache and a method thereof
A second cache (e.g., L2 cache) is enabled or disabled based at least in part on an utilization of a first cache (e.g., L1 cache). The utilization of the first cache may be interpreted as an estimation of the likely utilization of the second cache. The utilization may be estimated by monitoring, for example, the eviction rates of the first cache or other caches, by monitoring the proportion of ways of the first cache used by an instruction stream, or by monitoring the duration between certain instructions executed by the processor, such as the duration between suspend operations. |
| US07694073B2 |
Computer system and a method of replication
In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user. |
| US07694070B2 |
Computer system for managing performances of storage apparatus and performance management method of the computer system
In a computer system with a DBMS running thereon, management of the performance of a storage apparatus is executed by using a performance indicator provided by a user job so as to simplify the management of the performance. For this reason, a management server employed in the computer system monitors an operating state of each system element, a response time onto a job and other information. A method for estimating a processing time is given to the management server, which issues a setting modification command based on an estimated processing time. |
| US07694069B2 |
System and method for detecting multiple matches
A system for identifying asserted signals includes a plurality of input ports, a priority encoding module, and a match module. The plurality of input ports receive one of a plurality of input signals. The priority encoding module is coupled to the plurality of input ports and outputs a signal indicating a highest-priority input signal that is asserted. The match module is also coupled to the plurality of input ports and receives a plurality of match detect signals from the priority encoding module. Each match detect signal is associated with a particular input signal and indicates whether another input signal having a higher-priority than the associated input signal is asserted. The match module also generates a multiple match signal based on the input signals and the match detect signals. The multiple match signal indicates whether more than one of the input signals is asserted. |
| US07694067B2 |
Memory card
A memory device is provided which is connected to operate with power and clocks supplied from a host apparatus. The memory device includes external terminals, a flash memory chip to store data, an IC chip to process data; and a controller chip connected with the external terminals, the flash memory chip and the IC chip. The flash memory chip, the IC chip and the controller chip are discrete chips. The controller chip writes data inputted from the host apparatus into the flash memory chip or the IC chip and transfers data read from the flash memory chip or the IC chip to the host apparatus, based upon commands from the host apparatus. |
| US07694065B2 |
Distributed cache architecture
Methods for a treatment of cached objects are described. In one embodiment, an object, associated with an object key, is stored in a first local memory cache associated with a first virtual machine within a first computing system. The object is also stored in a serialized format to a database. The object key is serialized after receiving a notification of successful storage of the object in the database. The serialized key is then sent over a network to a second computing system. |
| US07694064B2 |
Multiple cell computer systems and methods
In an embodiment, a multi-processor computer system includes multiple cells, where a cell may include one or more processors and memory resources. The system may further include a global crossbar network and multiple cell-to-global-crossbar connectors, to connect the multiple cells with the global crossbar network. In an embodiment, the system further includes at least one cell-to-cell connector, to directly connect at least one pair of the multiple cells. In another embodiment, the system further includes one or more local crossbar networks, multiple cell-to-local-crossbar connectors, and local input/output backplanes connected to the one or more local crossbar networks. |
| US07694062B1 |
System and apparatus for capacitively coupling signals with an integrated circuit
Systems and apparatus for capacitively coupling signals with an integrated circuit (IC) are described. Capacitive elements disposed within a transmitting IC effectively function as AC coupling capacitors for a PCIe, DisplayPort™ or other interconnect linking the transmitting IC with a receiver disposed remote there from. Integrating the coupling capacitors allows for a smaller and more economical design for the circuits that utilize the interconnect. |
| US07694059B2 |
Interface for bridging out-of-band information from a downstream communication link to an upstream communication link
A device includes a first interface to receive a signal from a first communication link, wherein the receive signal includes out-of-band (OOB) information. A detector coupled to the first interface detects the OOB information. An encoder coupled to the detector encodes the OOB information into one or more symbols (e.g., control characters). A second interface is coupled to the encoder and a second communication link (e.g., a serial transport path). The second interface transmits the symbols on the second communication link. The device also includes mechanisms for preventing false presence detection of terminating devices. |
| US07694058B2 |
Storage router and method for providing virtual local storage
A storage router (56) and storage network (50) provide virtual local storage on remote SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) to Fiber Channel devices. A plurality of Fiber Channel devices, such as workstations (58), are connected to a Fiber Channel transport medium (52), and a plurality of SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) are connected to a SCSI bus transport medium (54) The storage router (56) interfaces between the Fiber Channel transport medium (52) and the SCSI bus transport medium (54). The storage router (56) maps between the workstations (58) and the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) and implements access controls for storage space on the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64). The storage router (56) then allows access from the workstations (58) to the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) using native low level, block protocol in accordance with the mapping and the access controls. |
| US07694056B2 |
Variable-function or multi-function apparatus and methods
A computer system is provided which includes a computer configured to detect for the occurrence of an event. The computer is also configured to determine whether content related to the event should be generated by a device coupled to the computer and to provide a signal to the device if it determines that the device should generate the content related to the event. The device includes a first module which is configured to generate the content related to the event. |
| US07694055B2 |
Directing interrupts to currently idle processors
Interrupts are directed to currently idle processors. Which of a number of processors of a computing system that are currently idle is determined. An interrupt is received and directed to one of the currently idle processors for processing. Determining which processors are currently idle can be accomplished by monitoring each processor to determine whether it has entered an idle state. When a processor has entered an idle state, it is thus determined that the processor is currently idle. Where just one processor is currently idle, an interrupt is directed to this processor. Where more than one processor is currently idle, one of these processors is selected to which to deliver an interrupt, such as in a round-robin manner. Where no processor is currently idle, then one of the processors is selected to which to deliver an interrupt. |
| US07694054B2 |
Governing access to a computing resource
Technologies are described herein for governing access to a computing resource. A proxy receives a request to access a computing resource. In response to the request, the proxy determines whether the request can be granted without consulting a governor for the computing resource. If the request cannot be granted without consulting the governor, the proxy transmits the request to a broker. The broker, in turn, transmits the request to a governor for the computing resource. The governor determines whether the requested access to the computing resource should be granted. The governor generates a response to the request and transmits the response to the broker. The broker, in turn, transmits the response to the proxy. The broker may also request notifications from the governor. |
| US07694049B2 |
Rate control of flow control updates
Various embodiments adjust the rate at which periodic flow control updates are transmitted when in a lower power or power saving state. One embodiment transmits flow control updates across a bus based upon a first rate in response to a normal power mode and transmits second flow control updates across the bus based upon a second rate in response to a power saving mode. |
| US07694048B2 |
Remote control apparatus for printer appliances
An apparatus for the remote wireless control of a printer appliance includes a remote control handset and a wireless receiver for connection to the appliance. The remote control unit is adapted to transmit data and control codes to the receiver. The receiver is responsive to the data and control codes to control the appliance to print the data. The remote control unit includes a reader for a storage medium for printing the data, or a cable or wireless interface to an image acquisition device such as a digital video or still camera. |
| US07694047B1 |
Method and system for sharing input/output devices
A PCI-Express module that is coupled to plural host systems and to at least an input/output (I/O) device is provided. The PCI-Express module includes an upstream port module and a downstream port module that use a mapping table to facilitate the plural host systems sharing the I/O device by modifying a transaction layer packet (TLP) field. For upstream ID based traffic, a source identifier is replaced based on the mapping table and a destination identifier is replaced with a value that is captured during upstream port module initialization. For upstream address based traffic, the mapping table routes TLPs by using a downstream port number and a function number in a source identification field. For downstream ID based traffic, a destination identifier is replaced by using the mapping table for routing TLPs. For downstream address based traffic, the PCI-Express module uses an address map to route TLPs. |
| US07694046B2 |
Remotely reprogrammable communications adapter for providing access to an electronic device
A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port. |
| US07694044B2 |
Stream under-run/over-run recovery
Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described to recover from stream under-run and/or over-run conditions. In some embodiments, an audio controller may discard any partial sample block of the stream. |
| US07694041B2 |
Method for managing buffers pool and a system using the method
Method and system for managing a buffers pool. The system may include a first processor coupled to a general memory having allocation ring and de-allocation ring portions; and a second processor to perform internal accounting of pointer(s) buffer(s). The second processor has an internal storage array logically divided into first and second storage spaces. The second processor releases temporarily un-required buffer(s) pointer(s) to the first storage space, or to the second storage space if the first storage space is full. The second processor utilizes allocated buffer(s) pointer(s) accumulated in the first storage space. The second processor is to cause a DMA engine to move a bulk of two or more buffer(s) pointer(s) from the allocation ring to the first storage space, and to move a bulk of two or more buffer(s) pointer(s) from the second storage space to the de-allocation ring. |