| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07874701B2 |
Lighting apparatus with adjustable lenses or filters
A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. Lenses and/or filters are adjusted in distance from the light elements, by for example moving the lenses/filters into different slot positions of the frame, to alter characteristics of the emitted light. Focal lenses, diffusion lenses, and color filters may be used individually or in combination. A compound lens includes lens elements having different characteristics arranged in a pattern. Through groupwise control of the intensity of the light elements, the different characteristics are emphasized or de-emphasized. The light panel may have an integrated battery, and may be mounted on a stand. The panel may be modular, allowing larger panels to be constructed from smaller panels. |
| US07874695B2 |
Electrical actuator system for articles of furniture
An electrical actuator system, especially for hospital and care beds and patient beds, comprising a number of actuators (6,7; 10,11), a control box (12) with a mains-based power supply, and typically also a rechargeable battery package and a control unit with a microprocessor, a number of controls (15,16), an orientation light (17) for mounting under the bed. The system comprises at least one junction box (13,14) and the orientation lighting is, with its own control unit, located in this. This enables a flexible location of the lighting. |
| US07874692B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a lamp cover consisting of a plurality of sector-shaped connecting bodies, a plurality of fins attached to the lamp cover and a plurality of LED modules attached to the lamp cover and opposing the fins. A locking device is pivotably mounted to the lamp cover and comprises a supporting pole extending in the lamp cover, a plurality of branches pivotably mounted to the lamp cover and the supporting pole. The branches are movable along the supporting pole to be locked at a desired position, whereby an illumination angle of the LED modules of the lamp cover relative to the supporting pole is changeable via movement of the branches along the supporting pole of the locking device. Thus, an illumination area and an illumination intensity of the LED lamp are adjustable. |
| US07874691B2 |
Light emitting device for divers
A light emitting device (1), which is adapted to be attached to at least one air cylinder (2, 3) that is to be carried by a diver, such as a scuba diver or a smoke diver, comprises an electroluminescent filament and a protective cover enclosing the filament and made of translucent, heat resistant silicone material. The light emitting device (1) further comprises resilient fastening elements (4a, 4b), which are arranged to secure the light emitting device (1) to the air cylinder/cylinders (2, 3) by a force determined by the resilient properties of the fastening elements. |
| US07874690B2 |
LED lighting fixture for illuminating a cavity
An oven lighting fixture includes an LED assembly or assemblies optically coupled with an optical guide member. The lighting fixture also includes a mounting bracket and a pair of electrical leadwires to connect the LED lighting fixture to an external voltage source. The LED assembly has an LED attached to a printed circuit board containing ancillary circuitry for powering the LED, and a heat sink for removing heat from the LED. The mounting bracket is attachable to a door of the oven cavity to support the LED lighting fixture adjacent to a sidelight window. The mounting bracket has a slot adjacent to the window for transmitting light from the LED through the light guide and into the oven cavity. Positioning the lighting fixture outside of the oven cavity and adjacent to the sidelight window permits the LED to operate within required temperature limits. |
| US07874685B2 |
Projection system, projector, and information processing device
A projection system includes an information processing device for processing image information, a projector for modulating a light beam emitted from a light source device in accordance with the image information processed by the information processing device and enlargedly projecting the modulated light beam, and an information transfer section for connecting the information processing device and the projector to each other so as to communicate information. The projector includes, a cooling device for cooling internal heat generator, and a power generation section for supplying at least the cooling device with a drive voltage based on the electric power supplied via the electric power transmission path. The information processing device includes a cooling device control section for generating a control instruction for performing drive control of the cooling device and for outputting the control instruction to the cooling device via the information transfer section. |
| US07874684B2 |
Housing assembly and projection device having the same
A housing assembly which comprises a primary housing, a secondary housing and a moving mechanism is provided. The primary housing has a first external contour and an opening disposed on the primary housing. The secondary housing has a second external contour. The moving mechanism connects the secondary housing to the primary housing so that the secondary housing can move between the sheltering position and the open position. When the secondary housing is located in the open position, the primary housing can define a space within the secondary housing. When the secondary housing is located in the sheltering position, the secondary housing is adapted to at least partially cover the opening. The first external contour and the second external contour together form a third external contour, which has substantially the same or different contour as the first external contour. |
| US07874675B2 |
Pupillary reflex imaging
A method, system and device for recording image data for a pair of eyes exposes to a series of flashes that includes flashes that vary chromatically is provided. More particularly, one eye is exposed to the series of flashes, and the resulting pupillary reflexes of both eyes are concurrently recorded. |
| US07874674B2 |
Aberrometer having reduced noise
Methods and apparatus for facilitating determination of centroids of image spots in an image containing an array of image spots generated by an aberrometer, the image comprising a first plurality of pixels each pixel having a corresponding intensity value, the method comprising calculating an average intensity value for a second plurality of pixels in a perimeter around a pixel, the average calculated using a subset of the second plurality exclusive of at least a portion of the pixels in the perimeter. |
| US07874670B2 |
Sunglasses secured with fashionable tapered fabric component
The present invention is a novel apparatus comprising tapered fabric components which cover or replace the eyeglass frame arms, and which are secured to the eyeglass frames by a discrete attachment means which gives the appearance that the eyeglass and fabric components are a unitary accessory. |
| US07874667B2 |
Eyemask
To attain the object of the invention to provide an eye mask of a simple structure that is easy to assemble using the integrally formed arc-shaped mask body, with the centrally located concave part abutting the nose of the wearer, the eye mask of the invention comprises an arc-shaped oblong mask body (1) integrally formed of resin, a concave (4) formed at the center of the mask body (1), a first and a second eye spot (5 and 6) comprising small perforated holes (2) formed on both sides of the concave (4) and temples (10) each mounted on both sides of the mask body (1) via a hinge (9), wherein the cross section of the mask body (1) perpendicular to its length direction has a C-curved surface. |
| US07874664B2 |
Electrically conductive pressure roll surfaces for phase-change ink-jet printer for direct on paper printing
A printing apparatus having a) a printing station including at least one printhead for applying phase-change ink to a print substrate in a phase-change ink image, and b) an ink spreading station including an ink spreading member and a back-up pressure member in pressure contact with the ink spreading member forming a nip between the ink spreading member and pressure member for spreading the phase-change ink image on the print substrate, wherein the print substrate is passed through the nip, and wherein the pressure member includes i) a pressure member substrate, and ii) an outer coating with a urethane and conductive salt. |
| US07874661B2 |
Solid ink stick with coded markings and method and apparatus for reading markings
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided. The ink stick comprises a three dimensional ink stick body having an exterior surface. The ink stick includes one or more coded markers formed in the exterior surface from a leading end to a trailing end of the ink stick body parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader, each coded marker including a coded pattern of indicia for being optically read as the coded marker passes a sensor in the feed channel. The coded pattern of indicia may include areas of varying widths and/or varying reflective properties for generating a coded signal pattern indicating variable control/attribute information to a control system of an imaging device. |
| US07874656B2 |
Ink-feeding device and pressure-generating method
An ink-feeding device is provided in which the pressure applied to the ink in the printing head can be adjusted arbitrarily irrespective of the relative positions of the ink container and the printing head. Inside the sub-tank 80, a pressure-adjusting pump 82 is installed for applying a suitable pressure to many nozzles 22Kn of the printing head 22K. This pressure-adjusting pump 82 is placed a little above the bottom face of the sub-tank 80 at a prescribed distance from the bottom face. Thereby the pressure-adjusting pump 82 is immersed in the ink held in the sub-tank 80. A drive unit 83 for driving the pressure-adjusting pump 82 is placed above the sub-tank 80. On the upper wall of the sub-tank 80, an air-vent valve 84 is fixed to bring the inside pressure in the sub-tank 80 to an atmospheric pressure. The inside pressure in the sub-tank 80 is made equal to the atmospheric pressure by opening the air-vent valve 84. |
| US07874655B2 |
Liquid transporting apparatus and piezoelectric actuator
A liquid transporting apparatus includes a channel unit in which liquid transporting channel transporting the liquid is formed, the liquid transporting channel including a pressure chamber; a piezoelectric actuator which is connected to the channel unit, and which applies a pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber, the piezoelectric actuator having: a piezoelectric layer; a first electrode arranged on a first surface of the piezoelectric layer to face the pressure chamber; a second electrode which is arranged, to face the first electrode, on a second surface of the piezoelectric layer different from the first surface; third electrodes arranged on the piezoelectric layer to sandwich the first electrode in a plan view; and fourth electrodes which are arranged, to face the third electrode, on the piezoelectric layer; a voltage applying mechanism which applies a voltage to the piezoelectric actuator; and a controller which controls the voltage applying mechanism. |
| US07874653B2 |
Piezoelectric device, its manufacturing method, liquid ejection head, and printer
A piezoelectric device includes a substrate composed of a (110) single crystal silicon, a driver IC formed in the substrate, and a piezoelectric device that is formed above the substrate and is driven by the driver IC, wherein the driver IC has an analog switch including a transistor, the transistor having a channel direction in <001> orientation of the substrate. |
| US07874651B2 |
Liquid droplet discharge head and liquid droplet discharge apparatus
A piezoelectric actuator includes upper and lower constant electric potential electrodes. The upper constant electric potential electrodes are connected to a first-common conducting section extending in a predetermined direction, both ends of the first-common conducting section are connected to second-common conducting sections, and thus a first electrode assembly is formed. Both ends of the lower constant electric potential electrodes extending in the predetermined direction are connected to third-common conducting sections, and thus a second electrode assembly is constructed. A flexible wiring board stacked on the piezoelectric actuator has a first-connecting land extending in the predetermined direction and to which one of the first and second electrode assemblies having a smaller voltage drop when a predetermined current is applied is connected, and second-connecting lands to which the other is connected and which are arranged on both end sides of the first-connecting land. |
| US07874649B2 |
Piezoelectric element, ink jet head and producing method for piezoelectric element
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric film disposed on a substrate and a pair of electrodes disposed in contact with the piezoelectric film and utilizing a bending mode. The piezoelectric film includes domains constituted of a tetragonal crystal and including an a-domain which is formed by a crystal having a (100) plane parallel to the film surface of the piezoelectric film, the a-domains include an A-domain having a normal axis of (001) plane substantially parallel to a principal bending direction of the piezoelectric film and a B-domain having a normal axis of (001) plane substantially perpendicular to the principal bending direction of the piezoelectric film, and the A-domains have a volume proportion larger than 50 vol % with respect to the sum of the volume of the A-domains and the volume of the B-domains. |
| US07874646B2 |
MEMS bubble generator incorporating superalloy heater in direct contact with bubble formation liquid without intervening protective coating
A MEMS vapor bubble generator includes a chamber for holding liquid; and a heater positioned in the chamber, the heater being formed using a sputtering technique. The heater is formed from a superalloy material. The superalloy material of the heater is in direct contact with the liquid, without any intervening protective coating. The superalloy has a crystalline structure with a grain size less than 100 nano-meters. The superalloy is MCrAlX, where M is one or more of Ni, Co, Fe with M contributing at least 50% by weight, Cr contributing between 8% and 35% by weight, Al contributing more than zero but less than 8% by weight, and X contributing less than 25% by weight, with X consisting of zero or more other elements, preferably including but not limited to Mo, Re, Ru, Ti, Ta, V, W, Nb, Zr, B, C, Si, Y, Hf. |
| US07874645B2 |
Modular printhead assembly with serially mounted printhead modules
A printhead assembly has an elongate casing. A plurality of printhead modules is mounted serially on the casing. Each printhead module has a fluid channel member defining a number of channels extending along a longitudinal axis of the casing. A printhead tile defines a fluid distribution assembly mounted on the fluid channel member in fluid communication with the channels. The fluid distribution assembly is defined by a laminated structure of the printhead tile. A micro-electromechanical printhead integrated circuit is mounted on the tile to receive fluid from the fluid distribution assembly. The fluid distribution assembly is configured to supply the integrated circuit with at least ink and to adjust fluid flow to compensate for microscopic nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit. A securing arrangement is on the fluid channel member to secure each module to the casing in a replaceable manner and drive circuitry is arranged in the casing and connected to the printhead integrated circuits to control operation of the printhead integrated circuits. |
| US07874640B2 |
Inkjet printhead employing nozzle paddle ink ejecting actuator
An inkjet printhead includes a substrate defining a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber having a fluid outlet nozzle and a fluid supply channel respectively defined in opposite walls of the chamber; a thermal actuator extending from outside of the fluid chamber into the fluid chamber via an aperture in a sidewall of the fluid chamber; and a nozzle paddle terminating the thermal actuator and positioned within the fluid chamber, the nozzle paddle operatively displaceable upwards by the thermal actuator to eject ink from within the fluid chamber out through the fluid outlet nozzle. The fluid chamber is provided with a rim extending around an inner surface of the side wall, the rim partially protruding from the inner surface into the fluid chamber. The rim is provided with a rim edge angled upwards towards the fluid outlet nozzle. The nozzle paddle is spaced from the rim edge to define a gap between an edge of the nozzle paddle and the rim edge, the gap facilitating ink flow from a side of the nozzle paddle facing the fluid supply channel to a side of the nozzle paddle facing the fluid outlet nozzle. |
| US07874639B2 |
Ink jet recording head, ink jet cartridge with ink jet recording head, and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet recording head includes at least three nozzle array groups, each including at least two nozzle arrays with an ink supply port interposed therebetween and each ejecting a different ink. Opening areas of the ejection outlets of the nozzle arrays in each array group are of different sizes. Two adjacent nozzle array groups each include three nozzle arrays. The nozzle array group not identified as one of the two adjacent nozzle array groups is supplied with ink having a highest lightness among the three kinds of inks. |
| US07874637B2 |
Pagewidth printhead assembly having air channels for purging unnecessary ink
Provided is a pagewidth printhead assembly having a plurality of printhead modules. Each printhead module comprises a printhead integrated circuit (IC) having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and an ink distribution assembly formed from a stack of ink distribution layers, each layer defining apertures therein at predetermined locations, the layers laminated together so that the apertures of each layer complementarily define discrete ink distribution channels to the printhead IC. The module also includes air channels for directing air at the nozzles of the IC to purge unnecessary ink from said nozzles. |
| US07874636B2 |
Print head cleaning with vacuum source and solvent
To clean a print head of an ink jet printer, an ink gun is connected to an ink chamber, a solvent chamber, a vacuum source, and an ink collection gutter, which is capable of being connected in a controlled manner to a vacuum source. During cleaning, an interruption of a hydraulic connection between the gun and the ink chamber is ordered. Next, the gun is connected to the vacuum source. Finally, the solvent chamber is hydraulically connected to the vacuum source via a conduit which includes the ink gun. |
| US07874633B2 |
Printhead IC with non-ejection maintenance
A printhead IC is provided having an ejection nozzle having a heater for heating printing fluid, and drive circuitry for generating print pulses and maintenance pulses for driving the heater of the ejection nozzle. The maintenance pulses have a series of sub-ejection pulses preceding a de-clog pulse. The print signals are generated to heat the heater to form a first vapor bubble in printing fluid that causes ejection of the printing fluid from the nozzle. The de-clog pulse is generated to have lower power and longer duration than the print pulses so as to heat the heaters to form a second vapor bubble in the printing fluid which does not cause ejection. The sub-ejection pulses are generated to have lower power than the print pulses and shorter duration than the de-clog pulse so as to heat the heater without sufficient energy to nucleate a vapor bubble in the printing fluid. |
| US07874628B2 |
Boxes for keys
The aim of the invention is to provide boxes for keys that can be produced at low costs, especially when they form an integral part of a series of boxes of different capacities. For this purpose, the housing of such a box is configured with side walls (7, 8) screwed together with an upper part (1) and a lower part (2) and a back wall (22 22) guided in a guide groove (18, 19) of the side walls (7, 8). The side walls (7, 8) and the door (13) of the housing are preferably constituted of continuous profiled elements cut to shape and the back wall (22, 22) as well as the upper and lower parts (1, 2) consist of diecast elements. The back wall is provided with perforations (24) for hanging at least one key rail (25). |
| US07874626B2 |
Hydraulic modulator for brake device
A hydraulic modulator includes a cylinder for slidably supporting a power piston and changing the volume of a hydraulic chamber communicating with brake calipers according to the sliding of the power piston, and an electric motor for sliding the power piston through a power transmitting mechanism. The cylinder extends parallel to a rotating shaft, and a rotational motion of the electric motor is converted into a linear motion on an axis parallel to the rotating shaft. The power transmitting mechanism is provided by a ball screw mechanism composed of a ball screw nut, balls, and a ball screw shaft for converting the rotational motion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the push slider. The push slider has a head portion coming into spherical contact with the power piston. The hydraulic modulator so configured has a small size, and an improved arrangement of components. |
| US07874618B2 |
Vehicle seat with a deformable backrest
The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a backrest (1) and a seat part (2a), wherein the seat part (2a) can be displaced in the forward and backward direction (4) with respect to a base frame (3, 11) and the backrest (1) has a lumbar spine region (14) which can be deformed in the forward and backward direction (13), wherein a rocker-like element (8) is provided which is arranged in the lumbar spine region (14) such that it can pivot about a horizontally running pivot axle (9), said rocker-like element extending at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the backrest, wherein the pivot axle (9) can be displaced together with the seat part (2a) in the forward and backward direction (4) and a pivotable section (8b) of the rocker-like element (8) is attached to the base frame (3, 11) in a backrest region of the base frame (3, 11). |
| US07874617B2 |
Baby seat rocker system
A rocker mechanism for a baby seat, having: a housing; a rotatable member in the housing; a drive mechanism for rotating the rotatable member; a power source for the drive mechanism; a projection on the rotatable member; a first line anchor on the housing; a second line anchor on the housing; and a line wrapped around the projection, the line having a fixed end connected to the first line anchor, a mid-portion connected to the second line anchor, and a free end, wherein the free end of the line repeatedly moves towards and away from the housing as the rotatable member rotates in the housing. |
| US07874616B2 |
Horizontal lumbar suspension for vehicle seats
An adjustable lumbar assembly for a vehicle seat is provided with a wireframe for attachment to a frame of the seat. The wireframe has a pair of spaced apart side members. A flexible lumbar support band has a pair of outboard portions affixed to the side members, a pair of lateral portions extending inboard from the outboard portions and pivotally connected to the outboard portions offset from the side members. A central portion of the support band is pivotally connected to the lateral portions. A cable assembly is mounted to the outboard portions for extension and retraction of the lateral portions and the central portion for providing adjustment of the lumbar assembly. A method for manufacturing an adjustable lumbar assembly is provided by forming a wireframe with the side members, inserting the wireframe into a mold, and molding a flexible lumbar support band to the wireframe side members. |
| US07874610B2 |
Drag reduction device for a motor vehicle
A drag reduction device for a motor vehicle is provided that includes a substantially flat plate member preferably rotatably connected to a tailgate assembly. The tailgate assembly has at least one, but preferably two panels defining a cavity. The plate member can be selectively positioned at a first position and a second, third, or fourth position. When in the first position, the plate member is inside the cavity. In the second position, the plate member is substantially vertical, and partially extending outside the cavity. In the third position, the plate member is extending forward, preferably in a horizontal orientation outside the cavity. When in the fourth position, the plate member is extending rearward, preferably in a horizontal orientation outside the cavity. The plate member is of sufficient length when in the second, third, and fourth positions to thereby reduce the coefficient of drag and lift on the vehicle. |
| US07874600B2 |
Bumper system for vehicle
The bumper system for a vehicle body includes a vehicle body bumper beam of a hollow construction with an impact buffer member arranged in the front side. The impact buffer member is provided with a collision wall part, side wall parts and joint flanges and is integrally formed by a metallic material, the collision wall part and the side wall parts forming a sectional shape of approximately U-shape which embraces the bumper beam. The joint flanges are joined with the flanges protruding from the rear wall of the bumper beam and support the impact buffer member from the rear wall side of the bumper beam. |
| US07874596B2 |
Connecting arrangement with end sections of two fluid conduits to be connected
A connecting arrangement has end sections of two fluid conduits to be connected to one another and a coupling element having an axis and an outer side surrounding the axis and an inner side surrounding the axis. On the circumference of the end sections first securing ribs extend in the circumferential direction. On the inner side of the coupling element second securing ribs extending in the circumferential direction are provided proximal to each axial end of the coupling element. The coupling element is coaxially coupled to the end sections in the coupled state of the connecting arrangement by being elastically expanded, wherein the second securing ribs lock behind the first securing ribs and the end sections are coupled seal-tightly with one another. The coupling element is a circular cylindrical sleeve that is closed circumferentially. |
| US07874594B2 |
Label adherable to an object and method for making
A label assembly including a carrier sheet and label sheets, including a first sheet and a second sheet and defining at least one label portion. The label portion is adhesively bonded to the carrier sheet and removable with respect to the carrier sheet. A label comprises a first sheet having a first outer periphery and a second sheet having a second outer periphery. The first outer periphery may be coextensive with the second outer periphery. At least a portion of the first sheet is adhesively bonded to the second sheet by a first adhesive. The label further includes a second adhesive at least partially covering a back surface of the label. When the label is in a mounted position with respect to an object, the second adhesive contacts a surface of the object. Voids and/or openings within the label, or any part thereof, may be aligned with or over certain areas on a surface of an object to allow visual and/or physical access to such areas on the surface of the object. |
| US07874592B2 |
Adjustable fender mount
A vehicle fender is mounted to a mounting arm through at least one clamp that is mounted on the mounting arm. The clamp and an edge of the fender have complementary teeth and grooves to adjustably mount the fender to the mounting arm. The fender teeth and grooves are formed in a pocket and the pocket extends beneath the fender panel and receives the mounting arm. |
| US07874584B2 |
Sealing patch for the ventilation hole of a non-siliconized cushion of an airbag module
The invention relates to an airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle in the event of a collision, comprising a cushion (11) that can expand with the gas provided by a generator with at least one ventilation hole (13) sealed with a patch (21) including a silicone membrane (23) intended to break due to the effect of the internal pressure in the cushion (11) so as to allow gas discharge, in which the fabric of the cushion (11) does not have a silicone coating, the patch (21) is formed by said membrane (23) joined at its edges to two pieces (25, 27) of fabric and fixed to the cushion (11) by means of a seam (31). The invention also comprises a process for manufacturing the cushion (11). |
| US07874576B2 |
Adjustable airbag systems for vehicles
Adjustable airbag systems for a vehicle may comprise an airbag assembly having an inflatable airbag within a housing and an actuator associated with the housing, a sensor operable to measure a physical characteristic of an occupant of the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the actuator such that upon receiving a feedback signal from the sensor relating to the physical characteristic of the occupant, the controller sends a control signal to the actuator to adjust a position of the housing with respect to the occupant. |
| US07874575B2 |
Airbag apparatus
The airbag apparatus is provided with a retainer that includes a hold-down portion for attachment of a periphery of a gas inlet of an airbag to the case, a cover wall surrounding an inflator body, deflectors and catches. The cover wall includes a plurality of outlet ports for releasing inflation gas exited discharge ports of the inflator body radially. The deflectors deflect the inflation gas exited the outlet ports in a range of angle from a direction orthogonal to an axis of the inflator body to a downward direction extending toward the hold-down portion. The catches capture residual particles contained in the inflation gas when the gas deflected by the deflectors hit them. |
| US07874573B2 |
Convertible toe strap
A convertible toe strap for securing a toe area of a snowboarding boot is selectively and repeatedly convertible between different restraining configurations. The convertible toe strap includes a first configuration where one of toe lift or forward movement is resisted and a second configuration where both toe lift and forward movement is resisted. |
| US07874570B2 |
Tow behind steerable caddy trailer
A steerable caddy trailer is provided that has an improved structure including a main frame assembly, spindle assemblies attached to each end of the main frame for attachment of a wheel, a pair of swinging arms forwardly extending from the main frame and pivotally attached to the main frame, and tie rods connecting the swinging arms with the spindle assembly such that pivoting of the swinging arms steers the wheels. |
| US07874568B1 |
Method for remotely launching and securely retrieving a trailered watercraft
A boat trailer modified to include a dolly and dolly track, the dolly including a hook triggering mechanism, a bow cradle and a slidable hooking mechanism for engaging a watercraft bow ring at a wide range misalignment with the centerline of the trailer. The trailer further including a remote controlled power winch with an automatic shut off for stopping the power winch when a watercraft is fully loaded. The invention providing a means for a single user to launch a securely retrieve a watercraft to and from a watercraft trailer. |
| US07874567B2 |
Bicycle shifting control apparatus
A bicycle shifting control apparatus controls an electrical power supplied from a power supply to first and second gear shifting devices that are operated by first and second gear shift operating devices, respectively. The bicycle shifting control apparatus includes a first power supply sensor and a controller. The first power supply sensor detects a power level of the power supply. The controller receives a power level signal from the first power supply sensor. The controller performs a stopping operation of the first gear shifting device in response to the first power supply sensor detecting the power level of the power supply being below a first prescribed power level, but the controller transmits a second gear shift signal from the second gear shift operating device to the second gear shifting device to perform a second shifting operation of the second gear shifting device. |
| US07874566B1 |
Dual riding and driving tricycle in juxtaposing link
A dual riding and driving tricycle in juxtaposing link comprises a primary bicycle body, an auxiliary cycle body and an articulation mechanism including a resilient tension mechanism.Primary bicycle body comprises a saddle sat by a primary rider, a front wheel controlled by a steering handle, a rear wheel and a pair of pedals to drive.Auxiliary cycle body comprises an auxiliary saddle sat by an auxiliary rider, an auxiliary wheel with a hub shaft located between hubs of front wheel and rear wheel in primary bicycle body and a pair of pedals to drive.Articulation mechanism comprises a left holding base, a right holding base and two parallel linking trough beams being disposed between both holding bases.Resilient tension mechanism comprises plural elastic elements connected on articulation mechanism respectively. Thereby, primary rider and auxiliary rider can independently tread respective pedals to drive synergistically. |
| US07874558B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same
A sheet processing apparatus includes an intermediate stacking portion which temporarily stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; a discharge portion which discharges sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking portion; an aligning member which is provided downstream of the discharge portion in a sheet conveying direction and has a sheet holding surface capable of holding the lower surfaces of the sheet and a sheet aligning surface capable of abutting against end portions of the sheet in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, the aligning member being movable in the widthwise direction; a first stacking portion which is provided below the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet discharged from the discharge portion; and a second stacking portion which is provided above the aligning member and stacks, thereon, a sheet conveyed thereto; wherein a standby position of the aligning member is at a position more inward than the outermost position in the widthwise direction, within the range through which the aligning member is movable. |
| US07874556B2 |
Printer with reversible air flow sheet picker
A printer for sheets of porous media supplied from a stack of such sheets. The printer has a printhead, a sheet pick-up assembly having a conduit connected to a reversible air supply, the conduit having an outlet directed towards a top sheet of the stack for directing an airstream onto the top sheet such that air penetrates the top sheet and generates an air cushion lifting the top sheet from a second sheet, the reversible air supply configured to suck air into the outlet after the top sheet has lifted from the second sheet to hold the top sheet against the outlet and a sheet feed mechanism for displacing the conduit to draw the top sheet away from the stack. |
| US07874552B2 |
Sheet post-process apparatus including movable stack tray, and sheet post-process method
A sheet post-process apparatus according to one example of the present invention includes a movable stack tray for stacking a sheet that is elevated in a vertical direction; a movable tray position detection unit that detects a vertical position of the movable stack tray while a request command for post-processing of the sheet is not received; an upper surface sensor that senses either an upper surface of the movable stack tray or an upper surface of the sheet stacked on the movable stack tray when a first position of the movable stack tray detected by the movable tray position detection unit is lower than or equal to a predetermined first height; and a movable tray moving unit that moves the movable stack tray upward when either the upper surface of the movable stack tray or the upper surface of the sheet stacked on the movable stack tray is not sensed by the upper surface sensor. |
| US07874551B2 |
Holding unit having delayed conveyance time
A finisher includes: a holding unit; a stapling unit; a discharge unit; and a control unit. The finisher forms a part of a second sheet bundle subsequent to a first sheet bundle until discharging the first sheet bundle. The holding unit receives a sheet of the first sheet bundle and the subsequent sheet within a first period. The holding unit receives the last sheet of the first sheet bundle and a first sheet of the second sheet bundle within a second period as same length as the first period. The holding unit receives a sheet of the second sheet bundle and the subsequent sheet within a third period different from the second period in time length. |
| US07874550B2 |
Method for producing books
A book product apparatus and method for producing books includes the step of supplying a controller, a gathering line, and a plurality of feeding devices, wherein the feeding devices are adapted to dispense at least one signature onto the gathering line based on instructions from the controller. The method further includes the steps of loading a customer list and a separate recipient list associated with each feeding device into the controller and comparing two customer data sources to generate the instructions to send to the feeding devices as to what signatures to dispense from the feeding devices. |
| US07874545B2 |
Intrusion-prevention enclosure
An intrusion-prevention enclosure of the type comprising a plurality of modular panels, that are mutually associatable in an orderly and predefined manner to provide a barrier structure, a plurality of ground support posts provided with detachable upper retention elements for lateral uprights of the panels, and a plurality of lower collars, which are arrangeable at adjustable heights along the posts and are provided with a peripherally distributed plurality of wings, which can engage detachably open lower ends of the uprights. Each wing forms a lateral supporting surface for the base of the open lower end, which allows tilting of the panel in a preset direction, with the retention elements in the configuration for releasing the panels. |
| US07874542B2 |
Actuator levers, collets, and collet removers
Actuator levers, collets and collet tools for use in process control devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an actuator lever, a collet coupled to the actuator lever, and a collet tool. In the example apparatus, the collet tool is removably coupled to at least one of the lever or the collet, and the collet tool applies a force to at least one of the actuator lever, the collet, a valve shaft, or an intervening structure to couple or decouple the collet to or from the lever. |
| US07874541B2 |
Proportional solenoid and flow control valve employing thereof
A proportional solenoid 5 comprising: an electromagnetic coil 9; a fixed yoke 10 provided immovably inside the electromagnetic coil 9 and having a convex portion 13 formed at an edge portion of an end surface of the fixed yoke; and a movable yoke 20 that is disposed inside the electromagnetic coil 9, has a tip portion thereof inserted into the convex portion 13 of the fixed yoke 10, and is provided movably relative to the fixed yoke 10, the proportional solenoid 5 enabling the position adjustment of the movable yoke 20 by controlling an electric current applied to the electromagnetic coil 9, wherein a protruding portion 21 that protrudes at the side of the fixed yoke 10 is formed at an edge portion of the surface of the movable yoke 20 on the side of the fixed yoke 10, and an inner surface 21b of this protruding portion 21 is tapered such that the inner surface is located further outside as the inner surface approaches the fixed yoke 10. |
| US07874540B2 |
Concrete form for pouring non-round columns, and method of making same
A concrete form comprises a single insert assembly or a plurality of insert assemblies within an outer tube. Each insert assembly comprises a pre-formed polymer liner sheet, a pre-formed polymer backing sheet, and a plurality of prefabricated cellular material pieces. Each cellular material piece has a first surface configured to form a portion of the non-round cross-section desired for the column and an opposite second surface formed substantially as an angular section of a cylinder. An insert assembly is constructed by affixing the liner sheet to the first surfaces of a plurality of the cellular material pieces. The cellular material pieces are arranged in a plurality of laterally adjacent rows extending lengthwise along the liner sheet for a length approximately equal to the length of the outer tube. The backing sheet is then fixed to the second surfaces of the cellular material pieces. The liner sheet and backing sheet together substantially fully envelope the cellular material pieces. |
| US07874539B2 |
Integral nail bar hanger for recessed luminaire
A bar hanger assembly is provided for supporting a recessed electrical device in a ceiling support. The bar hanger includes first and second telescoping support arms that are slidably connected together for adjusting the length of the bar hanger. The support arms having an elongated body with first and second ends and a mounting plate coupled to the first end. The mounting plate is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body. An attachment member is coupled to a bottom edge of the mounting plate for attaching to the bottom edge of a ceiling joist. The attachment member includes a detent extending from one side thereof. The attachment member can be bent from a first position perpendicular to the mounting plate to a second position parallel to the mounting plate for attaching to a T-bar support. |
| US07874538B2 |
Adjustable lectern system
An adjustable lectern includes a base portion having a tubular upstanding base member and a tubular upstanding tower member that is mounted in a telescoping arrangement with respect to the base member. The base member and the tower member are each respectively formed as rigid tubes or channels by a single, unitary piece of material such as sheet metal. The lectern further includes a work platform that is positioned at an upper end of the tower portion. The work platform is both vertically and horizontally adjustable with respect to the base portion, so that both users who will be standing behind the lectern making a presentation and users who will be sitting behind the adjustable lectern in a wheelchair when making a presentation may be accommodated. Both the work platform and the base member include industry-standard rackmount structure for facilitating integration of electronic components. |
| US07874536B2 |
Angle ceiling hanger or bracket
An angle ceiling bracket, hanger or support which is specially designed for use with sloped ceilings of the type found in attics or the second or third stories of residences or related building structures. The design is such that it has virtually universal application for any type or angle of sloped ceiling so that a new bracket need not be designed for various ceiling work sites. The hanger design is contemplated for use with closet clothes hanger rods and has many other possible uses. |
| US07874535B2 |
Cup holder
A cup holder includes a box-shaped body having a holder opening at the top, a supporting arm, an urging element urging the supporting arm to come inward into the holder opening of the box-shaped body, an engaging element engages temporarily the supporting arm at a retreated position, an enabling/disabling element enabling the urging action of the urging element and disabling the engagement action of the engaging element by a pressing force resulting from a container, a fixing element, and a releasing element. The fixing element includes a mechanical mechanism, which fixes the supporting arm to bring it into contact with the container. The releasing element includes a mechanical mechanism, which releases the supporting arm from the fixing action of the fixing element upon taking out the container, and enables the supporting arm to come outward out of the holder opening. |
| US07874530B2 |
Supporter usable with display apparatus
A supporter usable with a display apparatus includes a base, a vertical moving member coupled to a display main body, a guide frame coupled to the base to support the vertical moving member to slide up and down, a spring rotor supported in the vertical moving member rotatably having a rotational axis transverse to a moving direction of the vertical moving member to move up and down along with the vertical moving member, a spiral plate spring having an inside end part coupled to the spring rotor as being wound around the spring rotor and an outside end part coupled to the guide frame to elastically resist a downward movement of the vertical moving member, a spring friction part to frictionally contact the spiral plate spring to resist a rotational movement of the spiral plate spring, and a rotor friction part to frictionally contact the spring rotor to resist a rotational movement of the spring rotor. |
| US07874529B2 |
Deck and pier accessories and mounting assemblies
A recreational accessory and corresponding mounting assembly is disclosed which is adapted and configured for use in combination with a substrate, such as a pier, dock, deck, porch, staircase, etc. The mounting assembly is secured to the substrate and the recreational accessory is removably attached to the mounting assembly. In the complete assemblage, the mounting assembly is optionally cantilevered outwardly beyond the perimeter of the substrate. Accordingly, the recreational accessory does not occupy any surface area of the substrate. |
| US07874527B2 |
Fastening rail in railway slide chair assembly
A rail fastening apparatus fastens an inner stock rail in a railway slide chair assembly. The apparatus includes a base plate. The base plate has on one face a rail seat region on which the inner stock rail sits when the slide chair assembly is in use. A resilient rail fastening clip restrains the inner stock rail. A locating means locates the rail fastening clip in a first position. A loading means vertically deflects the clip so as to produce a load in a toe portion of the clip. A second locating means holds the rail fastening clip in a second position different from the first position such that the toe portion of the clip sits on a ramp of the loading means in a preload condition in which the clip does not bear on the rail |
| US07874526B2 |
Full authority fly-by-wire pedal system
A pedal system particularly tailored to a Fly-By-Wire (FBW) flight control system includes a double gradient linkage assembly. The double gradient linkage assembly includes a damper system and a spring system that improves yaw axis (azimuth) control of the aircraft. Control is only required when a change in the yaw axis state is demanded. Since only minimal displacement inputs to such a FBW flight control system is required, the travel of the pedals are exceeding compact, such that pilot workload is significantly reduced through the reduction in the frequency and magnitude of aircraft control inputs. |
| US07874525B2 |
Method and system for fully fixed vehicle control surfaces
A fully fixed, non-articulating geometry vehicle that includes a number of virtual control surfaces operable to replicate a mechanical control surface's functionality. These virtual control surfaces further include a number of flow control devices on the non-articulating vehicle surface. The plurality of flow control surfaces is operable to induce secondary flow structure(s) within a boundary layer of a fluid flow over the non-articulating vehicle surface. A virtual control surface controller is operable to dynamically adjust a frequency and amplitude of the secondary flow structure(s) in order to reposition the virtual control surface. A vehicle control and stability system communicatively coupled to the plurality of virtual control surfaces is operable to direct positioning of the plurality of virtual control surfaces in response to vehicle control commands. |
| US07874524B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a multi-segment flap fence
A multi-segment flap fence is incorporated into the wing such that a lower fence structure is attached to the underside of the fixed wing, an upper fence structure is attached to the main flap (e.g., at the outboard end). The two flap segments are configured to slideably articulate with respect to each other when the flap is extended to form a composite flap fence having an area that is substantially equal to the sum of the surface areas of the upper and lower flap fence structures. In one embodiment, the area of the upper fence is less than that of the lower fence. |
| US07874522B2 |
Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices
Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices. One method includes directing a tracer from a first aircraft into a vortical flow generated by the first aircraft. The method can further include detecting a characteristic corresponding to the presence of the tracer directed into the vortical flow. Based at least in part on the detected characteristic, the method can include directing the flight of the first aircraft, or a second aircraft following the first aircraft, or both. |
| US07874519B2 |
Spacecraft three-axis attitude acquisition from sun direction measurement
Methods and apparatus for a spacecraft (1) orbiting about a celestial body such as the Earth to reacquire operational three-axis orientation with respect to that body. A method embodiment of the invention comprises determining (201) a set of actual conditions of the spacecraft, comprising a position of the spacecraft (1) in inertial space as a function of time and a set of angular rotation rates of the spacecraft (1) with respect to a coordinate frame of the spacecraft (1), determining (202) an actual instantaneous direction of the sun with respect to the coordinate frame, and propagating (240) an estimated actual sun direction with respect to the coordinate frame as a function of time; determining (260) a desired sun direction with respect to the coordinate frame as a function of time; rotating (270) the spacecraft (1) and adjusting angular rotation rates of the spacecraft (1) so that an actual angle between the spacecraft (1) coordinate frame and the sun as a function of time substantially coincides with the desired sun direction with respect to the coordinate frame as a function of time; and, rotating (280) the spacecraft (1) around an axis defined by a line between the sun and the spacecraft until (1) the celestial body is observed by a celestial body sensor of the spacecraft. |
| US07874518B2 |
Aircraft structure including composite beam and composite panel with metal foil therebetween
A method and article of manufacture of joining a stringer to a wing or tail panel and curing a wing or tail panel is disclosed. A sheet of titanium is placed between a cured stringer and an uncured wing or tail panel. The stringer, wing or tail panel and sheet are then placed within a vacuum bag, and gas is pumped out of the bag. The bag is then placed in an auto-clave to cure the wing or tail panel. |
| US07874516B2 |
Structural frame for an aircraft fuselage
A structural frame for a fuselage including a lower arched structure (1), a cross-piece (2), supporting a floor element (3) and a connecting lattice (4) between the lower arch (1) and the cross-piece (2), the connecting lattice (4) more particularly may comprise bars (4a, 4b) the ends of which are spliced to the cross-piece (2) and the lower arch (1). |
| US07874515B2 |
Air vehicle propulsion system on gimbaled truss
A gimbaled truss assembly is disclosed including a frame rotatably mounted in a gimbal mount, and a truss rotatably mounted within the frame. The truss is configured to retain a propulsion system. The frame and the truss rotate independently of one another. A fastening system for mounting the propulsion system to the truss includes vibration isolators. A plurality of braces are coupled to the gimbal mount. The braces conform to the external surface of an air vehicle on which the assembly is to be attached. |
| US07874511B2 |
Breakdown reel
The present device provides a breakdown reel that includes a spool barrel, at least one flange and likely two, one disposed at each end of the barrel, and a locking mechanism such that the flange lockingly engages and removeably disengages the barrel. The locking mechanism is divided into two sections, one is conjoined with the barrel and the other is conjoined with the flange. The two sections of the locking mechanism provide the unique the locking and unlocking action. |
| US07874510B2 |
Strap dispenser apparatus
Device for dispensing strapping material from a coil of the strapping material includes a carriage for receiving the coil of material such that the coil can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the coil by pulling the material from the coil to unwind the material from the coil. The carriage supports the coil at circumferential spaced locations on the periphery of the coil, is adjustable to various widths or thickness of the coil, and operates to apply a proportional braking force to the coil at circumferential spaced locations on the periphery of the coil as a function of the weight of the coil. The carriage is mounted to a wheeled cart that includes various receivers for storing tools and supplies used in the process of bundling articles together with strapping. |
| US07874494B2 |
Product item having first coded data and unique identifier
An object comprising first coded data disposed on or in a surface thereof and an identifier is provided. The first coded data identifies a plurality of locations on the surface and the identifier identifies a unique identity of the object. The first coded data and the identifier are distinguishable from each other and are independently readable. |
| US07874491B2 |
Carrier arrangement with overvoltage protection
A carrier arrangement having a carrier configured to fix a semiconductor chip, contacts located on the carrier and configured to make contact with the semiconductor chip, and an overvoltage protection in a form of a spark gap arrangement formed between the contacts. |
| US07874487B2 |
Integrated illumination assembly for symbology reader
This provides a plurality of novel features that can be applied variously to a reader. In one embodiment, the light pipe is constructed from durable polycarbonate for increased shock resistance and can define a rectangular cross section. The chamfered end of the light pipe is textured or frosted to further diffuse refracted light passing through the end so as to present a more even effect. The conical/tapered diffuser within the light pipe is illuminated by a reflector with a white textured surface that reflects a plurality of rearward-directed illumination sources back into the diffuser. The reflector can define a predetermined cross section that directs further light into the forwardmost, remote regions of the diffuser to generate a better spread of light and alleviate spotting effects. The textured surface on the chamfered light pipe end can be employed to better project indicator light. The illumination sources are arranged in a ring at the inner end of the pipe, and can be multi-colored sources that respond to the controller to project and appropriate color and/or blink in an appropriate pattern to indicate various conditions, such as read success or failure. The controller is adapted to provide indications between image acquisitions. The controller can operate individual portions of the ring so that only corresponding portions of the light pipe perimeter are illuminated in a particular color (quadrants, for example) at a given time. Different quadrants may be simultaneously illuminated in different colors in one example. |
| US07874486B2 |
Portable communication device with DMD
A filter-free projector includes a light source unit to generate a light beam with different color and a color control module coupled to the light source unit for switching the light source unit to emit one color light at a time. A digital mirror device panel having a plurality of mirror elements is provided so as to reflect light fed from the light source unit. Projection lens is positioned in the reflected light path from the digital mirror device panel to project image. |
| US07874477B2 |
Carton with top dispensing feature
A carton with a new dispenser that can be opened by a pull tab with this dispenser flap being placed in a corner of the top panel of the carton so that it is adjacent to the tops of the small necks of the bottles for easy opening and removal or for opening and reclosing. The dispenser flap is held in position by resistant tear lines but can be easily removed by an attached pull tab that is loosely connected to the top panel. |
| US07874476B2 |
Container and blank for the production thereof
A container (1) for the transport of a foodstuff comprises an upper and a lower container half (2, 3) which are interconnected for pivoting between a closed and an open position (4). Each container half comprises a flat bottom and/or cover wall (5, 6), from which side walls (7, 8, 9, 10) extend essentially obliquely upwards or downwards and outwards to the respective other container half (2, 3). In order to improve the thermal insulation with containers of this nature and at the same time to achieve increased stability, in particular with containers made from paper, cardboard or the like, the bottom and/or cover wall (5, 6) is formed double-walled at least in places. A one-part blank (40) is provided for the manufacture of a container of this nature. |
| US07874470B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing solderability of electrical components
The described embodiments relate generally to methods and apparatus for use in determining solderability of an electrical component. One particular aspect relates to apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber, a load sensor, a platform and a control module. The load sensor has a contact portion disposed within the vacuum chamber and the platform is disposed in relation to the contact portion and has a component mounting surface and a mounting member for mounting an electrical component to the component mounting surface. The control module causes relative movement between the platform and the load sensor so that a contact surface of the electrical component is brought into close proximity with the contact portion. When the contact portion has solder thereon and the solder is brought into contact with the contact surface, the load sensor measures force arising from wetting of the solder to the contact surface. The force generated under contact changes over time, depending on the degree of solderability of the electrical component. Thus, measurement of the wetting forces over time provides an indication of the solderability of the electrical component. |
| US07874469B2 |
Nailing depth adjustable device for a nail gun
A nailing depth adjustable device for a nail gun includes: a barrel-extending part mounted slidably on a barrel; an interconnecting part extending from the barrel-extending part and defining a driving surface; a support; and a telescopic adjusting unit mounted movably on the support and including a first part and a second part that is coupled movably to the interconnecting part, that defines a driven surface, and that engages threadedly the first part so as to be rotatable relative to the first part and the interconnecting part and therefore to be movable relative to the first part and the interconnecting part, thereby permitting adjustment of the distance between the driving and driven surfaces. |
| US07874468B2 |
Sizer for a garment hanger and garment hanger having a sizer
A sizer for a garment hanger configured to extend over a garment hanger comprising a body. The body has an outer surface and an inner surface, and defines a cavity with an upper opening and a lower opening. The body further having a central region with a first wall and a second wall spaced apart therefrom, and, a first curved wall spanning between the first wall and the second wall and a second curved wall spanning between the first wall and the second wall. The first and second curved walls are outwardly convex and define a peak region on each of the first and second curved walls. Applying a pinching force upon the first and second curved walls toward each other drives the first wall and second wall further apart, to, in turn, temporarily widen at least one of the lower and the upper openings of the body. |
| US07874464B2 |
Venting system for a product dispensing device
A device for containing and dispensing a product includes a piston secured to a base portion and a housing configured to be secured to the base portion, the housing including an open first end for receiving the piston and a second end for dispensing the product. At least one aperture is formed on a portion of the piston to allow air compressed in the device to flow there through. |
| US07874462B2 |
Pressure-actuated liquid disinfectant dispenser and method for an aerobic treatment system
A pressure-actuated disinfectant dispenser and method for treating wastewater in an aerobic treatment system. The dispenser includes a reservoir for holding a disinfectant supply and a dosage container for holding a dosage of disinfectant. The container is positioned within the reservoir and has a flow-regulated path for fluid communication from the reservoir into the container. The invention also includes actuation means for increasing the pressure within the dosage container to force disinfectant therefrom, and a discharge assembly for discharging fluid from the dosage container into said storage tank. |
| US07874458B2 |
Multichamber dispensing system
Disclosed is a multichamber dispensing system for dispensing a mixture containing several substances. Said dispensing system comprises a receiving unit (10) with several chambers (12, 14) which are aligned parallel to each other and each of which is provided with a first end for inserting a plunger (21, 23) as well as a second end encompassing an outlet (11, 13), and with a neck region (15) that is located downstream from the outlet(11, 13) of the chambers (12, 14). The dispensing system further comprises a dispensing unit (30) that is provided with a discharge duct (33) and an adapter section for establishing a fluid-tight connection to the neck region (15) for the receiving unit (10). The inventive multichamber dispensing system also comprises a position ring (40) for axially positioning the dispensing unit (30). Said positioning ring (40) is rotatably mounted on the receiving unit and embraces the receiving unit (20). |
| US07874451B2 |
Container assembly for use on planar surfaces of varying slopes
The present invention relates generally to containers configured for use on dual planar as well as single planar surfaces that can deviate from the horizontal. Such special receptacles can be used in a variety of static environments having sloped surfaces including: hills, damaged or structures under construction, sloping roofs, and the like. The primary object is to provide a substantially horizontal storage or support structure for objects. |
| US07874441B2 |
Closure and package for high-temperature applications
A plastic closure includes a plastic closure shell having a base wall with a central opening and a skirt for securing the closure to a container neck finish. A plastic disk includes angularly spaced fingers extending into the central opening of the shell base wall and external beads on the fingers for engaging an inner periphery of the central opening to retain the disk within the shell. The beads have flat undersurfaces and the inner periphery of the central opening has a ledge with a conical surface engaged by the beads. Any doming that occurs in the disk and/or the closure shell base wall increases the surface contact between the finger beads and the opposing surface of the ledge so that removal of the shell from a container neck finish will simultaneously lift and remove the disk from the neck finish without having the beads snap through the central opening in the shell so that the shell is removed while the disk is retained on the neck finish. |
| US07874439B2 |
Overhead crane
An overhead crane adapted to be supported by at least one main support beam includes a bridge adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the at least one main support beam, a trolley adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the bridge, a jib rotatably coupled to a bottom surface of the trolley, and a hoist adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the jib. |
| US07874438B2 |
Boom assembly
A boom assembly comprising: a base anchored to a structure/ground. A boom is rotatably mounted to the base at a connected end so as to be rotatable about a generally vertical axis, the boom having a device to support loads at a free end. An orientation clutch is provided between the base and the boom. The orientation clutch has a mechanism for locking a rotation of the boom with respect to the generally vertical axis so as to selectively adjust an orientation of the boom. The orientation clutch has a release configuration to allow the boom to self-adjust its orientation to align with a load pulled by the device. |
| US07874432B2 |
Protected alloy surfaces in microchannel apparatus and catalysts, alumina supported catalysts, catalyst intermediates, and methods of forming catalysts and microchannel apparatus
The invention describes microchannel apparatus and catalysts that contain a layer of a metal aluminide or are made in a process in which a metal aluminide layer is formed as an intermediate. Certain processing conditions have surprisingly been found to result in superior coatings. The invention includes chemical processes conducted through apparatus described in the specification. Other catalysts and catalyst synthesis techniques are also described. |
| US07874431B2 |
Filter element for cleaning a fluid
A filter element for cleaning a fluid having a pleated filter medium designed for radial flow, to the outside of which a circumferential reinforcing thread is applied. The outside of the filter medium is divided into two axial sections, to which the reinforcing thread is applied in a plurality of circumferential thread windings, such that the axial distance between directly adjacent thread windings differs in the two sections. |
| US07874428B2 |
Structure for air-packing device
An air-packing device has an improved shock absorbing capability to protect a product in a container box. The air-packing device is comprised of first and second thermoplastic films where predetermined portions are bonded thereby creating a plurality of air containers, a plurality of heat-seal lands each sealing the first and second thermoplastic films in a small area of the air container thereby creating a plurality of series connected air cells for each air container, a plurality of check valves for corresponding air containers for allowing the compressed air to flow in a forward direction. The plurality of heat-seal lands at predetermined sides of the air-packing device create triangled areas of the air cells, and the air-packing device is folded at the heat-seal lands, thereby creating an inner space for packing a product therein. |
| US07874427B2 |
Linear fluorescent lamp end cap locking system
A locking system for two linear fluorescent lamps comprises an endcap (10) formed to receive two linear fluorescent lamps (12, 14) (FIG. 3). The endcap (10) has two chambers (16, 18) formed by the outside surfaces of endcap (10) and a central partition (19). Each of the chambers has a forward portion (20) and a rearward portion (22). The endcap (10) has a width W equal to the diameter of the fluorescent lamps, a length L equal to twice the diameter of the fluorescent lamps and a depth, for example, 4 to 6 inches, that is substantially less than the length of the lamps, which can be one to eight feet long. A stop (24) is formed in each of the chambers at the forward portion (20) to retain the lamps within the endcap. Each of the stops (24), in the form of a reverse corner, extends inwardly toward the center of the endcap and has a first leg (26) with a first dimension equal to the width W and a second leg (28) with a second dimension that is greater than one half of said width W but less than the width W. The first leg (26) is provided with a score line (72) that divides the first leg into two segments. |
| US07874425B2 |
Golf bag stand
A golf bag has an extensible stand which incorporates legs having a compound bend. The legs provide increased stability when deployed, without increasing the splay angle of the leg pivots. The compound bend in the legs also permits the legs to fold compactly against the golf bag body. |
| US07874422B2 |
Cigarette box and blank therefor
A cigarette box has a V-shaped notch (6) cut in an edge of a top wall thereof, a push-pull wall (8) forming one side wall thereof, and a fin-shaped knob (10) provided on the outer surface of the push-pull wall (8). When the push-pull wall (8) is pulled out of the cigarette box, an upper end thereof is shaped like the letter V forming a rhombic opening (12) in cooperation with the notch (6). On the other hand, when the push-pull wall (8) is pushed into the cigarette box, the upper end thereof coincides with the notch (6), forming an oppositely directed V shape and closing the opening (12). |
| US07874421B2 |
Container having multiple connected packs
A container comprises two or more connected packs at least one for housing a bundle of smoking articles. The container comprises a first pack having a first wall and a second, hinge-lid pack comprising a box part and a lid connected to the box part along a hinge line extending across a back wall of the second pack, wherein a wall of the lid is affixed to the first wall of the first pack. |
| US07874419B2 |
Contained drive system for chain conveyor belt to reduce catenary sag
A conveyor frame assembly for use with a conveyor belt formed from individual links each joined together at pivot points. The conveyor frame assembly includes a drive assembly that pulls the conveyor belt around a drive roller to transition between the upper and lower runs of the conveyor belt. The drive end includes a support block that encloses the side edges of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt transitions over the drive sprockets. The side frame members each include a continuous retaining channel having a height greater than the thickness of the conveyor belt. The retaining channels formed on opposite sides of the conveyor frame assembly allow the lower run of the conveyor belt to “tent” by creating an angle between adjacent links of the conveyor belt assembly. The tenting of the lower run of the conveyor belt eliminates catenary sag. |
| US07874418B2 |
Multi drive unit for conveyor and long conveyor implementing a plurality of multi drive units
Multi drive unit for propelling a modular conveyor belt, where the conveyor belt is made from a plurality of substantially identical belt links, where each link has a top and bottom surface, two side faces and a front and rear edge, where eye parts project from the front and rear edges, where the eye parts are separated by openings, such that the eye parts along the front edge of one belt link may intermesh in the openings provided between the eye parts along the rear edge of an adjacent belt link, and that apertures provided in the eye parts perpendicular to the intended travelling direction are superposed and a hinge pin may be inserted in order to hingely connect the overlapping eye parts and thereby adjacent belt links, wherein the unit comprises a plurality of parallely arranged axles, where each axle is provided with a plurality of sprocket wheels, each sprocket wheel having a number of projecting teeth distributed along its circumference, where the sprocket wheels on the same axle are spaced along the axle by way of spacing members, and where at least one axle is coupled to a drive. |
| US07874417B2 |
Machine for grouping packs
A machine for grouping packs includes a sliding work plane for advancing in sequence at least a consecutive and equidistanced row of packs along a predetermined advancing direction (A); and a retaining means for cyclically braking the advancing of one of the packs of the row with respect to the sliding work plane, the retaining means including at least a striker body and a moving means for cyclically locating the striker body close to a pack advancing on the work plane, such that the striker body receives the pack in contact there-with, preventing the pack from advancing at a same speed as a previous speed thereof on the work plane. |
| US07874416B2 |
Self-aligning detent spring assembly
An automatic transmission has a park system with a shaft and a parking pawl. The shaft rotates in response to a gear shift lever, and a detent lever positions the parking pawl in response to rotation of the shaft. A detent spring assembly biases the detent lever and has a detent spring, cage, and roller assembly. The cage aligns the roller assembly, while the detent spring is connected to the cage at one end and has a flat reaction surface formed at a second end. A cage notch portion aligns the cage with the detent lever, and the roller assembly into a perpendicular orientation with detent lever teeth. The notch portion engages either a detent tooth or a stationary portion of an internal mode switch (IMS). A shaft inserts into a roller through a side hole in the cage to retain the roller assembly therewithin. |
| US07874408B2 |
Work bag or travel suitcase with an incorporated extendable pull handle and with wheels
A work bag or travel suitcase with an incorporated extendable pull handle and with wheels includes a framework, having a practically parallelepiped shape and with an outer covering, in a lower portion of whose frame a supporting and containment element for a pull handle is constrained at one side having a greater length and lesser width, which is situated at the end of rod elements which can be extracted from the supporting and containment element, a pair of wheels being arranged in an opposite position with respect to the pull handle and with both the supporting and containment element and the extractable rod elements have a flattened telescopic form and are made of a light and particularly resistant material, also to shear and flexural stress. A particular pulling device which can be applied to a work bag or travel suitcase is also envisaged. |
| US07874405B2 |
Brake carrier
Embodiments of the present invention provide a brake carrier for a disk brake, which comprises a flange facing in parallel to the brake disk plane. The brake carrier comprises a flange facing having at least two sections that are configured on respective shoulders on the side of the brake carrier facing away from the brake disk. |
| US07874403B2 |
Lubrication system for pin connections
The present invention is a lubrication system for movable pins connecting pivotable structural members of a deepwater floating oilfield production platform. The lubrication provides adequate lubrication for easing movement of the pins and also for maintaining the long-term functionality of the pins by reducing the corrosion of the pin assemblies. The lubrication of each of the pins is provided by a closed loop circulation system that provides sufficient flow and pressure to establish hydrostatic bearings around the bearing surfaces of the pin-connected members that are being axially assembled and between pin-connected members that are being rotated relative to each other. The lubrication system provides for continuously lubricating a static pinned connection for the purpose of preventing water intrusion and subsequent corrosion. Furthermore, the lubrication system provides a means for ensuring the lubrication of the most highly loaded zones of a laterally loaded pin connection. |
| US07874402B2 |
Acoustic laminate
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an acoustic laminate including: a first layer of viscoelastic acoustic barrier material; a sound absorbing/decoupling batt affixed to the first layer of viscoelastic acoustic barrier material, the batt at rest defining a batt plane; the batt including a plurality of batt fibers; the batt further including retaining fibers, wherein the batt fibers and/or retaining fibers are disposed perpendicular to the batt plane and having end portions thereof disposed at a batt surface, the end portions affixed to the viscoelastic barrier material so that either the first layer of viscoelastic acoustic barrier material or the sound absorbing/decoupling batt itself may be retained in spaced relation from a mounting surface when the laminate is so mounted, the retention being achieved in any orientation by bearing a mass load of the batt or first layer of viscoelastic material along the axis of the affixed batt fibers and/or retaining fibers. |
| US07874401B2 |
Exhaust muffler for exhaust system
An exhaust muffler (1) is provided for an at least partly dual-flow exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle. The exhaust muffler has a housing (2), which encloses an interior space (3), with two exhaust pipes (6), through which exhaust gas can flow in parallel, and which are each led through the interior space (3), and which have a side opening (8) each within the housing (2). A neck body (9) connects the two side openings (8) of the exhaust pipes (6) in a communicating manner to form a Helmholtz resonator with the interior space (3) of the housing (2), which interior space (3) acts as a resonance volume (12). An embodiment, which has an especially compact design and can be manufactured at a low cost, is obtained when the neck body (9) has two plate-shaped longitudinal walls (11), which are in contact each with the two exhaust pipes (6) and which define a neck volume (10), into which the side openings (8) of the exhaust pipes (6) open, and which is open towards the resonance volume (12). |
| US07874398B2 |
Rearward torque arm for damping independently suspended and driven axle shafts
An independently suspended, driven axle shaft set in which the axle shafts are driven by a differential which is rigidly connected to the body of the motor vehicle by a rearward torque arm, whereby powerhop is mitigated thereby. Where the axle shafts are torsionally asymmetric with respect to each other, the differential is a limited slip differential and the relative torsional stiffness therebetween is different by a ratio substantially between about 1.4 to 1 and about 2.0 to 1, wherein powerhop is mitigated synergistically by both the rearward torque arm and the asymmetric axle shafts. |
| US07874395B2 |
Electric motor mounting structure for vehicles
A structure for mounting an electric motor in a vehicle, comprises: a mounting frame detachably fixed to a body component of the vehicle by a bolt; an upward-projecting bracket, which is upwardly projected from the mounting frame, being attached to the body component of the vehicle; a bolt hole, in which the bolt is inserted, being formed on the upward-projecting bracket; and a downward-projecting bracket, which is downwardly projected from the mounting frame, being connected to the electric motor. Both the mounting frame and the downward-projecting bracket are set apart from an axis of the bolt hole. |
| US07874393B2 |
Theft deterrent shield for electronic device
A theft deterrent system for an electronic device associated with a motor vehicle is disclosed. The theft deterrent system includes a shield portion, a bracket portion and a fastener. The shield portion and the bracket portion are attached to an electronic device with the fastener. The shield portion prevents substantially immediate removal of a connector from a connecting port of the electronic device. |
| US07874381B2 |
Pneumatic line deicing system
A wellbore servicing method comprising supplying a deicing fluid to a pressurized pneumatic line on a drilling rig, whereby the deicing fluid retards the formation of ice within the pressurized pneumatic line. A wellbore servicing apparatus comprising a pump, a sight glass container coupled to the pump, and a storage tank coupled to the sight glass container and the pump. A wellbore servicing apparatus comprising an air regulator configured to couple to a pneumatic line coupled to an air compressor, a pneumatic pump coupled to the air regulator and configured to couple to the pneumatic line, a sight glass container coupled to the pneumatic pump, and a storage tank coupled to the sight glass container and the pneumatic pump. |
| US07874378B2 |
Vibratory and impact connector for a power tool
A vibratory and impact connector for a power tool is provided with a spring, a first drive rod, a drive ring and a second drive rod which are sequentially received in an outer cylinder. The first drive rod is inserted through the spring and extended out of the outer cylinder, the second drive rod is inserted through the drive ring and into the first drive rod, and the drive ring is fixed to the outer cylinder. By such arrangements, driving the second drive rod can rotate the outer cylinder, the first drive rod and the drive ring. Furthermore, by restricting the rotation of the outer cylinder, the drive ring can also be restricted from rotation, and the drive ring and spring can cooperate with a spring to drive the first drive rod to perform axial reciprocation, thus creating an impact operation. |
| US07874377B1 |
Circle drive arrangement for motor grader
A motor grader is equipped with a circle drive arrangement including a variable displacement motor capable of operating at a high speed for driving the circle at a high speed, as when the blade is elevated above the ground and the grader is turning around for reversing the operation of the blade, and capable of operating at a high torque for driving the circle to change the angle of operation of the blade relative to the grader frame when the blade is in ground contact. |
| US07874374B2 |
Turf aerator tine
A tine for a turf aerator comprises a hollow, generally cylindrical tine having a lower section that first contacts the ground as the tine is driven into the ground with the lower section having an open bottom mouth. The tine includes an aeration core exit. A core comprising a splitting or dividing wall is fixedly carried within the hollow tine to split or divide the aeration core into at least two sub-cores or pieces thereof, which are subsequently ejected from the tine through the exit. These two sub-cores dry more quickly than the single larger aeration core that would have been formed and ejected had the core splitter been absent. |
| US07874373B2 |
Pump system for a firefighting vehicle
A firefighting vehicle having a dual pressure pump system includes a fluid supply, a first pump stage coupled to the fluid supply and configured to pump fluid at a first pressure, a second pump stage coupled to the first pump stage and configured to pump fluid at a second pressure, the second pressure being substantially different from the first pressure, a fluid manipulator; and a valving arrangement coupling the first pump stage and the second pump stage to the fluid manipulator, the valving arrangement being selectively adjustable between a first position forming a first fluid path and a second position forming a second fluid path, wherein the first fluid path provides the fluid to the fluid manipulator at a first output pressure and the second fluid path provides fluid to the fluid manipulator at a second output pressure. |
| US07874364B2 |
Method for jarring with a downhole pulling tool
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method of jarring with an overpull generator. In one aspect, a method of dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. The method includes the step of running an assembly into the wellbore on a conveyance member and attaching the assembly to the object, wherein the assembly comprises an overpull generator and a delay force release device. The method also includes the step of generating an overpull force in the wellbore by selectively activating the overpull generator. Additionally, the method includes the step of applying an impact force to the object by activating the delay force release device and releasing the generated overpull force, thereby dislodging the object stuck in the wellbore. In a further aspect, an assembly for dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. In yet a further aspect, an overpull generator for use in generating an overpull force in a wellbore is provided. |
| US07874362B2 |
Determination of downhole pressure while pumping
Tubewaves are used to transmit an indication of the depth at which a condition is detected in a well. In particular, the depth is calculated based on the difference in arrival time at the surface of a first tubewave which propagates directly upward in the borehole and a second tubewave which initially travels downward and is then reflected upward. The tubewaves may be generated by a canister designed to implode at a certain pressure. The canister is carried downhole by gravity and the fluid being pumped. At a depth at which its pressure tolerance is exceeded, it implodes and generates the tubewaves. An analyzer at the surface detects the tubewaves and generates a pressure versus depth profile of the well. Canisters may be acoustically tagged in order to generate tubewaves having particular frequency and amplitude characteristics. Canisters may also be configured to produce multiple implosions. |
| US07874361B2 |
Methods and devices for forming a wellbore with casing
A method for cementing a tubular in a wellbore in a subterranean formation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises connecting a circulating tool to a slip and a top drive; gripping a first tubular with the slip above the surface of the wellbore; sealingly engaging the first tubular with a seal member; fluidly connecting a wiper plug to the circulating tool; connecting the first tubular to a second tubular; and lowering the second tubular into the subterranean formation. |
| US07874359B2 |
Methods of retrieving data from a pipe conveyed well logging assembly
A method of performing a pipe conveyed well logging operation is provided that includes providing a pipe conveyed well logging assembly having a pipe string, a memory logging tool and a memory module; deploying the assembly into a wellbore; operating the memory logging tool to perform a logging operation to obtain logging data from the wellbore; and retrieving the obtained logging data prior to withdrawing the pipe string from the wellbore. |
| US07874356B2 |
Single packer system for collecting fluid in a wellbore
A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having a plurality of sample collectors disposed along an expandable packer element. An anti-expansion device also is deployed along the expandable packer element to limit expansion in localized regions. Limiting the expansion can provide additional space or an increased production surface that facilitates collection of samples. |
| US07874354B2 |
Packer-anchoring device
A packer-anchoring device between an annular packer and a body, wherein the annular packer is provided, at least at one of its end portions, with an expandable end ring. |
| US07874351B2 |
Devices and systems for measurement of position of drilling related equipment
A depth measurement system for determining an absolute depth of a drill string uses a position acquisition device to determine a length value for a joint or stand being added to the drill string. The position acquisition device receives a signal from a target object associated with the added joint. The processed signal can be an optical signal, a radio signal, an acoustic signal, or other suitable signal. Using techniques such as time lapse, Doppler effect or phase shift, the depth measurement system determines a position parameter such as distance or position based on the received signal. Thereafter, the processor determines the absolute depth of the drill string by summing a length of each joint making up the drill string and correcting for the position of the newly added joint. |
| US07874350B2 |
Reducing the energy requirements for the production of heavy oil
An apparatus for generating a heated product stream downhole is provided wherein a fuel rich mixture is reacted downhole by contact with a catalyst to produce a partially reacted product stream, the fuel rich mixture comprising fuel and oxygen. The partially reacted product stream is brought into contact with an oxidant thereby igniting combustion upon contact producing a combustion product stream. The combustion product stream may be cooled by injecting a diluent flow such as water or CO2. The cooled combustion product stream may be injected into oil bearing strata in order to reduce the energy requirements for the production of heavy oil. |
| US07874349B2 |
Heat exchanger tank
A heat exchanger includes a pair of tanks, each of the tanks having a pair of baffles sealingly engaged to a center wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a cover to form a fluid tight seal therebetween and provide a closure to the tank, wherein each of the sidewalls includes a portion of at least one of a pin and bracket for mounting the heat exchanger. |
| US07874348B2 |
Fan holder
A fan holder used to secure a fan to a heat dissipation device, includes a main body for mounting the fan thereon, a pair of blocking wings and a pair of baffle walls extending from the main body to define a space for receiving the fan therein. The blocking wings each include a pair of locking protrusions engaging in the fan to prevent the fan from moving vertically. The baffle walls each includes a pair of blocking flanges fittingly received in cutouts defied in the fan to prevent the fan from moving horizontally along a lateral direction of the fan holder. The baffle walls engage with front and rear sides of the fan for preventing the fan from moving along a front-to-rear direction. |
| US07874344B2 |
Method for producing a functionally gradient component
A method for producing a functionally gradient component, such a component having an outer layer of a first material, and an inner core of a second material, there being a gradual change in microstructure across the interface between the two materials, the method having particular application in producing a component formed from two or more aluminium alloys based on the aluminium-silicon (Al—Si) system, the method involving introducing a first molten metal into a mould, and allowing a layer of the first metal to partially solidify against a wall of the mould, decanting the remaining molten portion of the first metal, and introducing a second molten metal into the mould and allowing same to solidify. |
| US07874343B2 |
Roller blind with noiseless flat spiral spring drive
A spring motor having a pot shaped housing in which a flat spiral spring is housed. The flat spiral spring is connected at one outer end to the pot-shaped housing while the inner end is coupled to a shaft or axle. To prevent radial vibrations of individual spring layers when the spring motor is wound or unwound, a damping plate is housed in the pot-shaped housing and held in pressed engagement with a side edge of the flat spiral spring. This spring motor can be combined with the wind-up shaft of roller-blind arrangements for motor vehicles, including fixed roller blinds, storage-area covers, or separating screens. |
| US07874342B2 |
Wind resistant movable barrier
A door system (20) having a door (21) movable between a closed position and an open position, a plurality of panels (40-43; 140-143; 240-243), a facer (45; 145; 245) generally defining the configuration of the panels, hinges (50; 150; 250) joining adjacent of the panels for articulation in moving between the closed position and the open position, a reinforcing member (65; 165; 265) associated with the facer extending substantially the longitudinal length of at least one of the panels, a roller assembly (80; 180; 280) mounted on the reinforcing member, and a track system (31, 32; 131, 132; 231, 232) operatively interrelated with the roller assembly, whereby forces imparted to the facer are transferred to the track system through the reinforcing member and the roller assembly. |
| US07874334B2 |
Pneumatic tire for motorcycle
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire for a motorcycle capable of satisfying all of high-speed durability, turning performance and slide controllability.The invention relates to a pneumatic tire 10 for a motorcycle having a bead core 12, a carcass 14, a tread rubber 18, a side rubber 26 and a spiral belt 30. The number of cords Nmc in the spiral belt 30 in the center area is set to 30 to 70/50 mm, and the number of cords Nms in the spiral belt 30 in the shoulder area is set to 10 to 45/50 mm (Nmc/Nms=1.5 to 3.0). The tread rubber 18 is set to tan σ/E′=0.06 to 0.14 MPa−1 in the center area CA and the tread rubber 18 is set to tan σ/E′=0.12 to 0.16 MPa−1 in the shoulder area SA (TEc/TEs=0.4 to 0.9). |
| US07874330B2 |
Motorcycle tire for off-road traveling
An off-road motorcycle tire having a block pattern comprising a plurality of blocks 11 defined by tread grooves 10, each block 11 having a circumferential profile 16 of top surface 12 in the form of a straight line or a circular arc having a radius Ra of curvature of at least 500 mm, in which the circumferential profile denotes a profile in the circumferential section which passes through the centroid G of the top surface 12 and is parallel to the tire equatorial plane Cc. According to the invention, the ground contact pressure at the periphery of the top surface of blocks 11 is prevented from lowering to enhance the edge effect. |
| US07874329B2 |
Low noise pneumatic tire
Disclosed is a low noise pneumatic tire in which a plurality of noise absorbing members of a porous material are attached to the tire inner peripheral surface with intervals in the tire circumferential direction. The number of the noise absorbing members is from 5 to 50. The total length obtained by integrating the lengths of the noise absorbing members in the tire circumferential direction is not less than 75% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length. The distance between each adjacent two of the noise absorbing members is equal to or more than the maximum thickness of the noise absorbing members at the end portions thereof in the tire circumferential direction, while being not more than 15% of the tire maximum inner peripheral length. |
| US07874327B2 |
Tree feeding control for a tree handling device
In a tree handling device, where the tree is fed longitudinally through at least three drive wheels driven by a fixed-displacement hydraulic pump, feeding commences with all drive wheels simultaneously propelling the tree longitudinally through the knife arms and frame. During feeding, once the approximate maximum feeding speed of the drive wheels is achieved, one of the drive wheels is shifted to a free-wheeling condition, allowing the maximum feed speed to increase. |
| US07874324B2 |
Methods, rack and device for preparing samples for analysis
A rack for preparing samples for analysis is provided. The rack includes a frame, a sliding assembly, a first and a second receptacle mounted in the frame underneath the sliding assembly; and means for selectively connecting each receptacle with a vacuum source. The sliding assembly is mounted for sliding in the frame and is provided with a plate having a plurality of columns for receiving samples through an upper opening of the columns. The sliding assembly is movable between a first position above the first receptacle and a second position above the second receptacle. The sliding assembly is provided with engagement means for a needle, wherein the engagement means are located outside the columns. |
| US07874322B2 |
Industrial two-layer fabric
The object of the present invention is to provide an industrial two-layer fabric which exhibits good hydration property and good air permeability by forming a longitudinal groove on its upper surface side through a weave design without decreasing the number of warps, while at the same time exhibits good fiber supportability, good surface smoothness and high rigidity.The present invention provides an industrial two-layer fabric constituted by at least one upper surface side warp to be woven with at least one upper surface side weft, at least one lower surface side warp to be woven with at least one lower surface side weft, and at least one warp binding yarn to be woven with the at least one upper surface side weft and the at least one lower surface side weft comprising at least one pair of upper and lower warps in which said upper and lower surface side warps are located to be upper and lower, respectively, and at least one pair of warp binding yarns in which at least one yarn constitutes the warp binding yarn, characterized in that all knuckles emerging on the upper surface side formed by the yarns of said pair of warp binding yarns are aligned with knuckles on the upper surface side formed by the upper surface side warp adjacent to said pair of warp binding warps to form a hydrating groove. |
| US07874320B2 |
Method of producing a woven artificial turf
In one embodiment, there is a method which includes providing a plurality of warp yarns; providing a plurality of fill yarns; providing a plurality of pile yarns of a first type; providing a plurality of pile yarns of a second type; providing a plurality of dummy yards; weaving the plurality of pile yarns of the first type with the plurality warp yarns and the plurality of fill yarns for a first predetermined distance to form a backing; weaving the plurality of pile yarns of the first type with the plurality of dummy yarns to form a plurality of short hoops for a second predetermined distance; cutting the plurality of pile yarns of the first type to form a first plurality of upstanding ribbons representing grass to produce a synthetic field surface. |
| US07874319B2 |
Tube for guiding gas or liquid
The invention relates to a tube (1) for guiding gas and/or liquid, particularly on an internal combustion engine, comprising a supporting body (2) and a skin (3). The supporting body (2) consists of a relatively stiff first plastic and has a number o recesses (6), which pass through the supporting body (2) and are arranged in such a manner that the supporting body (2) is flexible in a longitudinal section provided with the recesses (6) and resists pressure forces. The skin (3) consists of a relatively supple second plastic and is placed on the supporting body (2) in such a manner as to close the recesses (6) in a tight manner and transfers pressure forces acting thereupon to the supporting body (2). |
| US07874315B2 |
Multi-channel, multi-phase flow metering valve
A multi-channel, multi-phase flow metering valve has multiple pintle valves for metering liquid media through each valve channel. The valve channels have venturi passageways that alone, or in cooperation with the pintles, cause the local pressure of the media to fall below its saturated vapor pressure and allow the liquid media to change phase. The cavitation creates a gaseous region, formed from one or many discrete cavities, in the media within valve channels that effectively isolates the pressures in the upstream and downstream parts of the valve channels to reduce the affects of input pressure fluctuations in the output media. The valve components, particularly the modules defining the venturi passageways, are made of a high-strength material to better resist pitting and other surface erosion from sonic shock associated with the collapse of the gaseous cavities. |
| US07874314B2 |
Motor fuel connector with replaceable tip seal
An improved fuel line connector for connecting a fuel line connection valve to a fuel cylinder outlet valve includes an improved, replaceable tip seal mounted on the tip or nose of the connector valve. The tip seal provides an additional, effective face seal between the connector body and the cylinder outlet valve. The tip seal, being on the fuel line connector, can be maintained and replaced by the party using the vehicle or filling the fuel cylinder. |
| US07874313B2 |
Pipe coupling
At least one coupling member (2) has a slide valve holder (42) that is pushed in by the other coupling member (3) when coupled to the coupling member (2). The coupling member (2) further has a rotary valve (41) rotatably supported by the slide valve holder. The slide valve holder has a through-hole (425) constituting a flow path. A valve seat (26) is provided around the through-hole. The rotary valve (41) has an outer peripheral surface portion that slidingly engages the valve seat. One end of a fluid passage (411) extending through the rotary valve is open on the outer peripheral surface portion. The rotary valve is displaceable toward the valve seat and is urged toward the valve seat by a spring member (64). Thus, the outer peripheral surface portion is pressed against the valve seat. When a fluid pressure acts in the coupling member (2) when the coupling members (2, 3) are not coupled to each other, the fluid pressure presses the rotary valve toward the valve seat. |
| US07874310B1 |
Water cooled liquid fuel valve
A water cooled valve is provided in the form of a check valve, an air purge valve, a distributor valve, a combination air purge and distributor valve and the like for use in the liquid fuel system of a gas turbine. A movable valve member controls the flow of fluid through the valve's fuel circuit. A separate cooling circuit circulates cooling water through the valve near or alongside the valve member. The water is of a lower temperature than the high temperature liquid fuel, and thereby carries away heat transferred to the valve by the fuel. In one form, the cooling circuit is formed in part by a helical groove in the periphery the valve body housing the valve member. A sealed water jacket surrounds the valve body and has dedicated supply and return ports for coupling the valve to a water supply via water lines. The water ports are positioned tangentially to induce swirling flow inside the valve. |
| US07874307B1 |
Check valve and method of use
A check valve is shaped and dimensioned to be installable inside a conventional pipe coupling, thereby reducing the amount of length required to install the check valve. |
| US07874306B2 |
Efficient liquid processing system
A fluid processing system has a plurality of segments configured to receive flow of a fluid product. Each of the plurality of segments has a line input, a line output, a cleaning input valve, and a cleaning discharge valve. The cleaning input valve connects to the line input and the cleaning discharge valve connects to the line output. A cleaning medium is provided wherein the cleaning medium is injected into a respective cleaning input valve and drained through a respective cleaning discharge valve, such that each segment can be cleaned independently of each other. |
| US07874299B2 |
Methods of neutralizing relaxed hair and compositions for same
The present invention relates to processes for neutralizing relaxed hair. Still further, the present invention relates to neutralizer compositions for use on relaxed hair. Still further, the present invention relates to a system for neutralizing relaxed hair. Yet further, the invention relates to relaxed hair neutralized by the compositions and methods disclosed herein. |
| US07874298B2 |
Unit and method for decorating nails
A unit for decorating nails comprises a container 2 of nail varnish, a lid 4 for the container incorporating means for applying the nail varnish, at least one ink pad 8, and at least one stamp 6 being a decoration design for applying ink from the ink pad to a nail. The stamp is provided on an external surface of the lid. |
| US07874295B2 |
Shredded tobacco material feeder of a cigarette manufacturing apparatus
A shredded tobacco material feeder of a cigarette manufacturing apparatus has a reservoir (2) of shredded tobacco material; a first separation chamber (20) and a second separation path (28) for dividing the shredded tobacco material into normal particles and separation material having larger particle sizes than the normal particles in a process when the shredded tobacco material is fed from the reservoir (2) toward a tobacco band of the apparatus; a sieve conveyor (34) for receiving and transferring the separation material discharged from the second separation path (28), and separating the separation material into large particles having large particle sizes and medium particles having smaller particle sizes than the large particles; and a cyclone (48) for receiving the medium particles from the sieve conveyor (34), the cyclone (48) separating returnable components corresponding to the normal particles from the medium particles, and returning the returnable components to the reservoir (2). |
| US07874290B2 |
Breathing assistance device
A breathing assistance device (10) for a patient, comprising: A source of respiratory pressurised gas (105), A breathing connection (120) to allow the patient to receive said gas, At least one sensor for acquiring a parameter representative of the operation of the device (10), wherein said gas source (105) is a ventilator (210), and said ventilator (210) is integrated into a removable module (20) which also comprises at least one sensor for acquiring a parameter representative of the operation of the device (10). |
| US07874286B2 |
Heated holding compartment for food
A food item is cooked in a cooking device and transferred to a heated holding table by two exit conveyors. The food item then falls onto one of two transfer conveyors that move perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the exit conveyors. The food items travel on the transfer conveyors and then fall onto a main conveyor. The main conveyor moves in a direction that is parallel to the direction of movement of the exit conveyors. If the food item has not been manually removed from the main conveyor after a predetermined amount of time, the food item falls off the main conveyor and into a drawer waste chute for disposal. |
| US07874285B2 |
Method and device for monitoring an exhaust gas probe
Depending on a trim controller diagnosis, a suspicion marker for an asymmetric ageing of the exhaust gas probe is allocated either a “true” value or a “false” value and, if the value of the suspicion marker is “true”, a dynamic diagnosis will be performed based on the exhaust gas probe's measuring signal, on the basis of the results of which diagnosis either an asymmetrically aged or a non-asymmetrically aged exhaust gas probe will be detected. |
| US07874281B2 |
Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine
In a method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine with a fuel pump, which on the drive side is coupled with a camshaft or a crankshaft, and a fuel accumulator, which is supplied by the fuel pump and to which a pressure sensor is assigned for sensing the pressure in the fuel accumulator, to each cycle of the internal combustion engine a first and a second crankshaft rotation (CRK_R1, CRK_R2) are assigned. Depending on a signal sequence (P_F_S) of the sensed pressure in the fuel accumulator which is characteristic of the respective crankshaft rotation it is ascertained whether the crankshaft is in its first or second rotation (CRK_R1, CRK_R2). |
| US07874277B2 |
Combustion method for a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine
A reciprocating engine includes a combustion chamber, and a gas exchange inlet valve and a gas exchange outlet valve for a charge cycle. The method introduces an inlet gas into the combustion chamber in an intake phase; introduces a primary quantity of fuel into the combustion chamber during the intake phase and/or a compression phase; compresses the inlet gas and the fuel in the compression phase; ignites a mixture of inlet gas and fuel formed in the combustion chamber; and expands and discharges an exhaust gas formed by the combustion in an expansion phase. A pilot quantity of fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber before the primary quantity of fuel is introduced. Intermediate products of the pilot quantity of fuel are formed and the primary quantity of fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber during the compression phase such that complete ignition of the mixture consisting of inlet gas and the intermediate products is suppressed and other intermediate products are formed until a controlled ignition of the mixture and other intermediate products occurs. |
| US07874276B2 |
Fuel injection control method for an internal-combustion engine and engine using the same
The invention relates to a method for control of fuel injection for an internal combustion engine, in particular with direct fuel injection, comprising at least one cylinder (10), one piston (30) running in said cylinder, with a projection (34) arranged in a concave bowl (32), a fuel injector (22) and a combustion chamber (26). According to the invention, during high engine loads, a first amount of fuel is injected at a piston (30) position of between 35 and 70° before the top dead centre position of said piston, followed by an injection of at least one second amount of fuel, the first amount of fuel being less than the second amount and the fuel is injected into said combustion chamber by means of an injector (22) with a cone angle (a1) less than or equal to 2Arctg CD/2F where CD is the diameter of the cylinder (10) and F the distance between the points of origin of the fuel jets from the injector (22) and the position of the piston corresponding to a crankshaft angle of 50° with relation to the top dead centre (PMH) of the piston. |
| US07874274B2 |
Apparatus for the variable setting of control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine
An apparatus (10) for the variable setting of control times of gas-exchange valves (9a, b) of an internal combustion engine (1) is provided and includes a drive element (22), a driven element (23), at least one pressure chamber (35, 36), a pressurized medium system (37), and a pressure storage device (43). The pressure chamber (35, 36) and the pressure storage device (43) communicate with the pressurized medium system (37), and a phase position between the driven element (23) and the drive element (22) can be changed by supplying pressurized medium to or discharging pressurized medium from the pressure chamber (35, 36) by the pressurized medium system (37). |
| US07874269B2 |
Styptic applicator with file
A styptic powder applicator and file for use with pets. The applicator is designed to be integrated with the container and have a funnel-like shape in order to handle a styptic powder in an easier fashion. The container further has a file attached to a side of the container for the removal of burrs left after clipping a pet's nails. This invention provides a more efficient structure for grooming a pet by incorporating a file for removing burrs with the styptic applicator for staunching the flow of blood from a “quicked” nail. |
| US07874267B2 |
Animal breeding system and use thereof
The present invention has objectives of providing a low-cost, easy-to-handle individual isolation animal breeding unit and a system for using the same, significantly reducing costs of facilities and maintenance for animal experiments and saving on labor, and providing a new animal transportation form. For achieving the objectives, the present invention provides a system for maintaining an animal breeding environment, comprising A) an animal breeding unit capable of comprising an internal tray having a sufficient space for breeding an animal of interest, comprising an external tray capable of accommodating the internal tray, and capable of keeping a predetermined cleanliness degree; B) a method for providing the internal tray having the predetermined cleanliness degree; C) an internal tray exchange unit capable of accommodating the animal breeding unit and exchanging the internal tray while keeping the predetermined cleanliness degree; and D) a method for recovering the exchanged internal tray. |
| US07874263B2 |
Arrangement and method for milking a plurality of milking animals
An arrangement for milking a plurality of milking animals comprises an automated milking system (11) provided with a milking robot (13) for automatically milking a milking animal; a milking system (15) provided for batchwise milking of multiple milking animals; an identification arrangement (19, 21) provided for identifying each of the plurality of milking animals prior to being milked; decision means (23) connected to the identification arrangement for deciding, for each of the plurality of milking animals, whether that milking animal should be milked by the automated milking system or by the milking system for batchwise milking; and means connected (25) to the decision means for guiding each of the plurality of milking animals to the automated milking system or to the milking system for batchwise milking depending on the decision made for that milking animal. |
| US07874262B2 |
Masking system for the masking of a crank chamber of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a masking system (1) for the masking of a crank chamber (2) of an internal combustion engine (3) during a surface treatment of a cylinder running surface (4, 41, 42) of a cylinder bore (5, 51, 52) of a cylinder (6, 61, 62) of the internal combustion engine (3). The masking system (1) includes a hollow masking body (7) with a connector segment (71) for the connection of the hollow masking body (7) to the cylinder bore (5, 51, 52) as well as a screen segment (72). In accordance with the invention, the hollow masking body (7) is configured such that the connector segment (71) of the hollow masking body (7) can be positioned on the cylinder bore (51) of the first cylinder (6, 61) at the crank chamber side during the surface treatment of a first cylinder (6, 61) of the internal combustion engine (3). The invention further relates to the use of a masking system (1) in accordance with the invention. |
| US07874259B2 |
Steering system
Road and marine steering means in an amphibious vehicle are linked so that the ratio between them is variable. In a first embodiment, an arm connects a lever to a steering rack. A cable operates the marine steering means. The lever pivots about a pin, which may be moved along a slot by the motor and gearbox driving screw shaft. At pin position A, full road steering travel x is achieved with minimal marine steering travel. At pin position B, road and marine steering have equal travel x′; and at position C, full marine steering travel z is achieved with minimal road steering travel y. In a further embodiment, a lever arm fixed to steering rack casing has a cam profile constraining pin. Full marine steering travel z of the cable is achieved over rack travel y. The steering wheel controls both road and marine steering. |
| US07874254B2 |
Device for the secondary suspension of a car body in a rail vehicle
A device for the secondary suspension of a body of a rail vehicle, the device comprising a spring element which is between the body and a bogie and to ensure at least one raised transport level for the body during the journey of the rail vehicle. The spring element can be compressed by a traction cylinder when the rail vehicle is stationary, in order to adjust a sunken platform level for the body, which is arranged below the raised driving level. The traction cylinder is provided with means for mechanically decoupling the advancing movement of the body from a pressure reduction in the pressure chamber of the traction cylinder. |
| US07874253B2 |
Firearms projectile
A projectile structured to be discharged from a firearm includes a body having a nose portion and a tail portion separable from one another when the projectile strikes a target. The body further includes an interface disposed intermediate opposite ends of the body of the projectile structured to removably interconnect the nose and tail portions. Separation of the nose and tail portions such as when striking a soft tissue is caused by the tumbling of the projectile and the cooperative structuring of the interface to facilitate separation of the nose and tail portions. The interface is disposed, dimensioned and structured to define the primary area of contact of the projectile body with the rifling or interior surface of the barrel of the firearm. Another embodiment includes one of the nose or tail portions structured to contain a supplemental payload that is carried to the target upon discharge of the firearm. |
| US07874250B2 |
Nano-based devices for use in a wellbore
An apparatus includes a component for use in a wellbore, and a nano-based device for activating the component. |
| US07874248B2 |
Typing device, printer and card case with printing function
Date can be printed on a business card in a business card case by realizing a business card case with a printing function. The business card case with a printing function includes an upper case (1) provided with a pressing rubber (12) and a pressing block (13) of a printing hammer, a lower case (2) connected to the upper case (1) so as to be freely opened and closed, a card containing section (3) formed in the case, a typing device in which a plurality of date printing type units coupled so as to move up and down among a plurality of type blocks each having a type formed on the upper surface are fixed to a type case (4), and a printing ribbon (5) for printing the date. The date is printed by pressing the print hammer and pressing the business card (34) against the type with the printing ribbon (5) interposed therebetween. |
| US07874247B2 |
Waste bin having compacting means
The present invention relates to a waste bin (1) for used paper towels or the like waste having an upper part including a rear wall (2), two side walls (4.5), and a front wall (3), which upper part include compacting means (6,7). According to the invention the compacting means (6,7) in its rest position divides the inner space of the waste bin (1) into an upper (8) and lower compartment (9) and are movable to open and re-close an opening into a lower part of the waste bin. |
| US07874239B2 |
Mosaic extremity protection system with transportable solid elements
A flexible armor system adaptable to a garment suitable for extremity protection uses planar, polygon-shaped solid elements made of ceramic cores wrapped in high strength fabric and arranged with rotable edge and intersection protection as a flexible mosaic array which is bonded between an elastic strike side spall cover and a high tensile strength flexible backer layer, further supported by a substantial fiber pack. A progressive mode of localized system failure during a ballistic strike includes: a projectile penetrating the spall cover, fracturing the ceramic core of a wrapped SE while being partially deformed; the deformed projectile accelerating the fractured but still wrapped solid element before it so as to free the solid element from the array and drive it through the flexible backer as a combined mass at a reduced velocity into the fiber pack. |
| US07874238B2 |
Asymmetric firearm silencer with coaxial elements
The present invention relates to a silencer for reducing muzzle blast and noise of firearms or similar devices. The present silencer has a hollow cylindrical or other shape casing comprising front and rear end caps and an opening aligned along a longitudinal axis defining a passage for a projectile and propellant gases to emerge from the muzzle opening. A plurality of serially placed baffles of symmetrical or slanted orientation and intervening coaxial spacers are positioned within the casing and define a multitude of chambers among the baffles, spacers, and outer housing. The baffles shear propellant gases away from the projectile path and through openings or ports into additional chambers formed between the spacers and outer housing. The arrangement of baffles and spacers provides flow-impeding paths, dispersion, and controlled expansion of gases and lowers gas temperature to reduce audible noise and observable signature of the muzzle blast. |
| US07874236B2 |
Metal cutting band saw with suspended saw frame
A metal cutting band saw is provided that includes a main carrier, on which an intermediate carrier is pivotally mounted. The saw frame, which can be adjusted in the direction of the workpiece, is mounted on the intermediate carrier by a swivel support or a parallel guide. The swivel support for connecting the main carrier to the intermediate carrier is located above the workpiece to be processed. |
| US07874230B2 |
Lockable rotary operating handle such device
A lockable handle assembly, having an operating handle rotatably mounted on a frame, with a bore therein, having an axis extending laterally, a blocking bolt slideably mounted in the handle, one end of the bolt being slideable into a strike in the frame, a drum rotatably mounted in the bore, with a second end of the bolt in contact with the drum so that rotation of the drum moves the bolt into and out of the strike, a lateral hole through the handle and passing through the bore, the drum having a throughhole therein coaxial with the lateral hole in the handle when the drum is positioned with the bolt in the strike, so that a bar extending through both the throughhole in the drum and the lateral hole in the handle prevents rotation of the drum to maintain the bolt is the strike thereby preventing rotation of the handle. |
| US07874229B2 |
Bicycle handlebar assembly and bicycle brake/derailleur operating unit
A bicycle handlebar assembly is provided with a handlebar, a first gearshift operating part and a second gearshift operating part. The handlebar includes a central portion, a first end portion on a first lateral side of the central portion and a second end portion on a second lateral side of the central portion. The first gearshift operating part is attached to the first end portion of the handlebar with the first gearshift operating part being arranged to electrically control a front derailleur to selectively perform a first gearshift operation. The second gearshift operating part is attached to the first end portion of the handlebar with the second gearshift operating part being arranged to electrically control a rear derailleur to selectively perform a second gearshift operation. |
| US07874221B1 |
Devices for obtaining cylinder samples of natural gas or process gas, and methods therefore
A sample pump system for metering the amount of sample taken from a pressurized fluid process such as a natural gas pipeline or the like, the sample pump system designed for immersion, directly or indirectly, into the pressurized fluid stream so that the sampling is taken at the prevailing pressure and temperature of the fluid stream. A spot sample cylinder device is further provided which employs a method of collection wherein the initial cylinder volume of the collection vessel or sampling cylinder is zero. The spot sample cylinder is inserted into the pressurized gas (or fluid) source, said sample cylinder employing a piston or moveable end configured such that purging of the cylinder sample cavity is not required, since the sample cavity volume is essentially eliminated prior to sampling by the location of the piston within the cavity, the cavity expanding upon sampling via piston movement within the cavity. |
| US07874218B2 |
Capacitive electromagnetic flowmeter
A measuring pipe obtained by applying an insulating resin lining to the inside of a nonmagnetic pipe is employed. A through hole reaching the resin lining is made in the sidewall of the nonmagnetic pipe, and a signal electrode and a guard electrode are arranged in the through hole. The through hole is filled with an insulating vibration absorbing member so as to cover the periphery of the signal electrode and the guard electrode. A gelatinous substance of silicon resin, or the like, is employed as the vibration absorbing member, but liquid such as oil may be employed to liquid seal the signal electrode and the guard electrode in the through hole. Consequently, the electromagnetic flowmeter can be formed compact and its production is facilitated. |
| US07874216B2 |
Mounting apparatus and method for accurately positioning and aligning a leadless semiconductor chip on an associated header
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for mounting a leadless semiconductor chip on a header. The semiconductor chip has contacts on a surface and the chip is of a specified geometric shape. The header has a contact surface for receiving the chip with the contact surface of the header containing header contact pins, which pins have to contact the contacts on the semiconductor chip. The header has a guide pin extending from the contact surface and there is a guide plate which has an aperture adapted to be placed over the guide pin, the guide plate further has a chip accommodating aperture of the same geometric shape as the chip. The guide plate, when placed over the guide pin enables the chip to be placed in the chip accommodating aperture so that the contacts of the header pin are properly and accurately aligned with respect to the contacts on the semiconductor chip. |
| US07874207B2 |
Fluid flow direction detection
In order to provide a robust, weather resistant, portable, low-noise, relatively inexpensive, wind direction detection device, disclosed herein is a method and device for detecting fluid flow direction based on sensing a temperature variation transmitted from a temperature variation source to one or more temperature sensors. One or more indicators are utilized to communicate the measured fluid flow direction to a user. An implementation of the fluid flow direction detection device utilizes a resistance heater as the temperature variation source, thermistors as the temperature sensors, and light emitting diodes (LEDs) corresponding to each thermistor as the indicators. The thermistors and LEDs are arranged in a circular fashion around the resistance heater to accurately detect the direction of a thermal plume generated by the resistance heater. |
| US07874206B2 |
Single phase fluid sampling apparatus and method for use of same
A fluid sampler operable for taking at least one fluid sample in a subterranean well and associated methods. A fluid sampling method includes the steps of disposing a fluid sampler at a first target location in the well, receiving the fluid sample into at least a first sample chamber of the fluid sampler, pressurizing the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source of the fluid sampler, retrieving the fluid sampler to a surface location, isolating the fluid sample in the first sample chamber from the pressure source of the fluid sampler and supercharging the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source on the surface. |
| US07874205B2 |
Mounting structure of electronic device, and pneumatic tire onto which electronic device is mounted by such mounting structure
A bonded patch is bonded on a surface of an inner liner. A first patch wall having a first wall surface for restraining a movement of an electronic device main body in one direction is provided integrally with the bonded patch so as to project toward a tire center. A second patch wall having a second wall surface for restraining a movement of an electronic device main body in another direction is provided integrally with the bonded patch so as to project toward the tire center. A connecting segment is provided between the first patch wall and the second patch wall with bridging them for engaging a top of the electronic device main body. A crack occurrence on the mounting structure is prevented by deconcentrating a force applied on an electronic device to overall of the mounting structure to restrain an intensive stress concentration on the mounting structure. |
| US07874204B2 |
Method for determining a correction value for the lambda center position in the control of an internal combustion engine
In a method for determining a correction value λk for the lambda center position λm which is specified in the control of the air/fuel ratio which is force-modulated between a first lean lambda value λ1 and a second rich lambda value λ2 and supplied to an internal combustion engine or a catalyst, using the signal from a binary jump sensor downstream from a catalyst volume, and whenever the jump sensor signal Uλ jumps from “lean” to “rich” or from “rich” to “lean” the air/fuel ratio is switched back and forth between the lean lambda value λ1 and the rich lambda value λ2, it is proposed that the time period between two signal jumps Uλ, which indicates the residence time T1 in the lean phase or the residence time T2 in the rich phase, is determined, and the correction value λk is determined from the first lean lambda value λ1, the second rich lambda value λ2, the first residence time T1, and the second residence time T2. According to the proposal, a particularly simple yet accurate method is provided for determining the correction value λk for the lambda center position λm. |
| US07874203B2 |
Misfire detection apparatus and misfire detection method for internal combustion engine
In a misfire detection apparatus and method that detects a misfire in an internal combustion engine with cylinders provided in a vehicle, it is determined that a misfire occurs in the engine, if a first condition and a second condition are satisfied; the first condition is a condition that a rotational speed of an output shaft of the engine decreases by an amount equal to or larger than a first change amount during a time period from a compression top dead center in a first cylinder to the compression top dead center in a second cylinder; and the second condition is a condition that the rotational speed of the output shaft increases by an amount equal to or larger than a second change amount during a time period from the compression top dead center in the second cylinder to the compression top dead center in a third cylinder. |
| US07874201B2 |
Leakage search assembly having a sniffing probe
The leakage search assembly has a main device which contains a vacuum pump and a test gas sensor, and a hand-held sniffing probe. Capillary lines which connect the sniffing probe to the basic assembly contain valves by means of which these lines can be selectively opened. In a leakage search mode, the capillary line having the larger cross section is open. This results in leaks also being found from a greater distance. The dead time before response of the test gas sensor is shortened. Once a leak has been located, the assembly is switched to the leakage rate measurement mode, in which only the capillary line with the smaller cross section is open. This results in quantitative determination of the leakage rate with high accuracy and high stability. |
| US07874197B2 |
Measuring liquid flow rate from a nozzle
An apparatus for measuring a rate of liquid flow through a spray nozzle includes a container with an opening in a top thereof adapted to receive a liquid discharge from a spray nozzle. A level sensor comprises an electrical capacitor oriented substantially vertically in the container and configured such that as liquid rises in the container, a capacitance of the capacitor changes. A processor circuit is connected to the capacitor and is operative to measure the change in capacitance of the capacitor and convert the change in capacitance into a rate of liquid flow into the container, and a display is operative to display the rate of liquid flow. The apparatus is applicable to an agriculture or industrial application whereby an operator can periodically check the flow to determine wear or plugging of a spray nozzle. |
| US07874192B2 |
Arrangement for cooling a roll
The present invention discloses an arrangement for cooling a roll (5). The arrangement comprises a housing (2) to be secured to the roll (5), a hollow shaft (8) mounted for rotational movement within the housing (2) and a cooling medium line to convey cooling medium into the roll (5) via the interior of the shaft(8). The cooling medium line comprising an inlet communicating with an elbow portion, a first length (27) of the elbow portion (20) extending from the inlet substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and a second length (26) of the elbow portion extending from the first length in the direction of the axis of the shaft (8), the axes of the first and second lengths being in substantially the same plane. |
| US07874191B2 |
Cylinder lock
A cylinder lock includes a lock housing receiving a plug assembly that has a key hole, tumbler pieces having respective toothed parts, and a re-keying unit. The re-keying unit has rotatable gear wheels engaged releasably with the respective toothed parts to reposition the respective tumbler pieces. The gear wheels disengage from the respective tooth parts by moving transversely of a longitudinal axis of the lock housing. Re-keying methods are also disclosed. |
| US07874187B2 |
Laundry appliance
A laundry machine configured to supply a first amount of water to the wash tub wherein a wash plate can be oscillated such that clothes items directly above and in contact with the impeller are frictionally dragged in a oscillatory manner with the wash chamber while continuing to oscillate said wash plate, an additional supply of water is added to said wash tub such that as cloth items lost frictional engagement with the wash plate, the cloth items continue to move along an inverse toroidal rollover path at higher water levels. |
| US07874185B2 |
Washing machine and base system and method of making the same
A system for stacking a laundry treatment machine provided with a bottom panel of predetermined three-dimensional configuration onto a pedestal or the like provided with a support surface of a complementary three-dimensional configuration. The bottom panel is preferably made of sheet metal of a predetermined thickness or gauge, and the support surface is made of a sheet metal of lesser thickness or gauge. |
| US07874183B2 |
Knitting machine needle with meandering slit curve
A knitting machine needle (1) that is designed as a meander needle in accordance with the invention comprises at least one meander curve (12) that is provided with a meander curve slit (18) having the shape of a vertical slit that is parallel to the tongue slit. It is delimited by two side walls (19, 20) that are preferably aligned parallel to each other and circumscribe an open intermediate space. |
| US07874182B1 |
Crochet hook with ergonomic configuration
A crochet hook with one or more elevation changes associated with the exterior surface of its elongated shaft that provide ergonomic benefit on the grip area of the shaft typically held by a person crocheting, to allow crocheting with enhanced comfort, faster crocheting, and/or crocheting for longer periods of time with less risk of hands becoming tired, numb, or aching from the repetitive motion inherent in crocheting activity. The hook's shaft may also have different cross-sectional configurations that provide ergonomic benefit, such as that of a triangle with softened edges, instead of the traditional circular shape still most commonly used. The elevation changes typically extend longitudinally along the crochet hook shaft a minimum of approximately two-and-one-half to three inches, and are not usually positioned on the hook associated with the crochet hook's shaft, or within approximately one to one-and-one-eighth inches thereof. |
| US07874178B2 |
Absorption refrigerator flame arrestor system
An ignition containment system is provided for absorption refrigeration systems. The system encloses the burner area to contain an inadvertent ignition of gases that may have escaped from the refrigerant tubing or elsewhere. By containing a potential fire or vapor leak, the system can substantially mitigate the spread of a fire to other nearby combustible materials, further damage to the appliance, and fire or smoke damage to property or materials beyond the appliance. The ignition containment system can also include an electrical detection device that can indicate an abnormal rise in temperature, a presence of foreign material, or the presence of ignitable gases in the contained or encapsulated ignition chamber. Detection of any one of the above can trigger a termination of the ignition source. |
| US07874168B2 |
Modular refrigeration unit and process for assembling a modular refrigeration unit to a cabinet of a refrigeration appliance
The present invention relates to a modular refrigeration unit for a refrigeration appliance, and to a process for assembling the modular refrigeration unit to a cabinet of a refrigeration appliance. A modular refrigeration unit (3) includes a base plate (6) supporting a condensing assembly (7), which comprises condensing means (8) and a compressor (9), and an evaporating assembly (10) comprising an evaporator (11); the condensing assembly and the evaporating assembly are operatively interconnected. The evaporating assembly (10) is arranged, in use, vertically spaced apart and above the compressor (9); the evaporating assembly (10) is supported by support means (24) vertically extending from the base plate (6); insulating means (16) separate the evaporating assembly (10) from the condensing assembly (7, 107). |
| US07874167B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing slush for surgical use
Methods and apparatus for producing saline slush for surgical applications. Producing surgical saline slush in a slush bottle that is a rigid or semi-rigid, high integrity, sturdy container that resists punctures and leaks to better maintain a sterile barrier and does not rely on having an external object placed in the fluid to mix the slush. Slush is agitated by rotating the slush bottle within a slush bottle carriage around an axis of rotation. Agitation of the slush may be increased by including an agitation feature such as at least one fin in one or more sidewalls of the slush bottle. The rotating slush bottle is chilled. One variation is to keep the sterile saline in a flexible container and tumble the flexible container in a rotating slush bottle. Other variations are suggested. |
| US07874165B2 |
Wind power installation
An apparatus is provided including a generator, at least two rotor blades coupled to the generator, a pylon, and electrical equipment configured to receive electrical power generated by the generator and located within an internal space of the pylon. The apparatus further includes a dehumidification device adjacent the electrical equipment, the dehumidification device having a first element, a heat transfer element coupled to the first element and configured to remove heat from the first element, and a second element coupled to the heat transfer element and to a wall of the pylon. The second element is configured to receive the heat removed from the first element. The apparatus may include a deflecting structure configured to deflect cooled air toward the second element for extracting the heat received by the second element. |
| US07874158B2 |
Dirt separator for compressor diffuser in gas turbine engine
A compressor diffuser for a gas turbine engine is provided with a dirt separator. The dirt separator ensures the air having moved downstream of the compressor section, and moving toward the combustion section, is separated into a dirtier air flow path directly radially outwardly, and a cleaner airflow path directed radially inwardly. In this manner, the air reaching a combustion section, and the air being utilized for radially inner cooling air is relatively cleaner air. Further, the dirt separator provides a convenient surface for mounting a pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the dirt separator is mounted within the diffuser housing, and in a second embodiment, it is mounted immediately downstream. |
| US07874157B2 |
Coanda pilot nozzle for low emission combustors
A low emission combustor includes a combustor housing defining a combustion chamber. A secondary nozzle is disposed along a centerline of the combustion chamber and configured to inject air or a first mixture of air and fuel on a downstream side of the combustion chamber. The secondary nozzle includes an air inlet configured to introduce a first fluid including air, a diluent, or combinations thereof into the secondary nozzle. At least one fuel plenum is configured to introduce a second fluid including a fuel, another diluent, or combinations thereof into the secondary nozzle and over a predetermined profile proximate to the fuel plenum. The predetermined profile is configured to facilitate attachment of the second fluid to the profile to form a fluid boundary layer and to entrain incoming first fluid through the fluid boundary layer to promote mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid and fuel to produce the first fluid. A plurality of primary fuel nozzles are disposed proximate on an upstream side of the combustion chamber and located around the secondary nozzle and configured to inject air or a second mixture of air and fuel to an upstream side of the combustion chamber. |
| US07874156B2 |
Methods and apparatus for heating a fluid
A method for heating a fluid in a turbine engine is provided. The method includes channeling an exhaust flow through an exhaust duct of the turbine engine and coupling a panel to the exhaust duct. The panel includes a first wall and an opposite second wall that is spaced a distance from the first wall such that at least one passageway is defined within the panel. The fluid is supplied to the at least one passageway through an inlet defined at a first end of the passageway, such that heat is transferred from the exhaust flow to the fluid flowing through the panel. The fluid is injected into the turbine engine. |
| US07874144B2 |
Method for controlling a fuel mixture, exhaust gas system having a mobile internal combustion engine and vehicle having an exhaust gas system
A method for controlling a fuel mixture in an exhaust gas system of a mobile internal combustion engine having at least one catalytic converter in an exhaust gas line, includes carrying out the control with an individual control probe in the interior of the at least one catalytic converter. An exhaust gas system and a vehicle having the exhaust gas system, are also provided. |
| US07874142B2 |
Aeroengine thrust reverser
A gas turbine engine comprising a bypass duct defined radially outwardly by a nacelle and radially inwardly by a core engine casing. The nacelle comprises a thrust reverser unit having at least one blocker door rotatably attached to a static part and slidably connected to a translating part. The translating part is arranged to move between a stowed position and a deployed position and in the deployed position the blocker door spans the bypass duct. In the stowed position the blocker door is stowed inside the translating part and does not form part of an airwash surface of the bypass duct. |
| US07874133B2 |
Forage harvester having a blower
A forage harvester having a header for harvesting crop from a field, a chopper for comminuting the crop harvested by the header, a spout from which the chopped crop is discharged and a rotary blower (10) for propelling the chopped crop from the chopper along an intake chute (18) leading to the spout. A deflector plate (14a) is provided at the entrance of the blower. The deflector plate (14a) is pivotable between a first position in which the crop is guided to flow in a substantially tangential direction relative to the trajectory of the blades (10a) of the blower (10) and a second position in which the crop is deflected radially inwards from the tangential direction to impact the blades (10a) of the blower (10) at a point along their length. |
| US07874129B2 |
Sterile de-molding apparatus and method
Apparatus for molding and filling a device having a body defining an opening in communication with an interior chamber for receiving a substance therein, and a closure including a penetrable and resealable portion for sealing the opening and substance received in the device. A mold includes within the aseptic chamber plural mold cavities shaped to form the closure and body, and substantially sterile surfaces extending about and contiguous to the peripheries of the mold cavities. An assembly device including end-of-arm tooling having an engaging portion engageable with each of the body and closure is movable relative to the mold to engage and de-mold the substantially sterile closures and bodies from the mold cavities. Flexible barriers are coupled to the mold and the tool to substantially prevent the passage of contaminants from the molding machine and tool therethrough. |
| US07874128B2 |
Test unit and method for testing whether a sterilizing packaging unit is effective against recontamination, and container packaging suitable for applying said method
A testing unit and a method of testing a sterilization packaging unit for microbial contamination of sterilized objects after they have been sterilized are disclosed. The testing unit includes a dry matrix for accommodating a nutrient medium and a receptacle containing a liquid. By applying the liquid onto the matrix, the matrix is provided with a nutrient medium. In the method, the testing unit is inserted into the sterilization packaging unit which is sterilized and stored. At a desired point in time, the receptacle is opened in order to produce the nutrient medium in the matrix. After a possible multiplication of microbes on the matrix, an observation of microbes takes place. The invention also relates to a sterilization packaging unit which has a rigid outer casing and is suitable for the application of the method. |
| US07874127B2 |
Device with a quick release mechanism and methods of releasing and re-connecting
A device is provided for interconnecting a support and a connector through a quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism is normally biased in the locked position and is configured to automatically move from the unlocked position back to the locked position when the connector mates with the support as a user re-connects the unit back to the support. Methods of releasing and re-connecting the unit to the support are also disclosed. |
| US07874126B2 |
Service line distribution base
A service line distribution base (10) comprises a ground anchor (18) having an upstanding cruciform portion adapted to extend into the ground. A cabinet (20) suited to support a utility pole (14) extends upwardly from the ground anchor (18). The cabinet (20) defines and internal space for receiving buried wire conduits (28) incorporated to the cruciform ground anchor (18). The cruciform shape of the ground anchor (18) advantageously permits to incorporate a greater number of wire conduits (28) into the base of a utility pole as compared to conventional concrete bases. |
| US07874125B2 |
Molded support beam
A molded support beam (1, 2, 3) that includes an elongated lower portion (11) an elongated upper portion (14) and at least one elongated flange (17, 18) extending upwardly from the elongated upper portion, is described. The elongated lower portion (11) includes at least three separate downwardly extending supports (e.g., 29, 32, 35) which together define at least two open-bottomed transverse openings (e.g., 41, 44), at least one of which being an arched open-bottomed transverse opening (e.g., 219, 234, 249). The elongated upper portion (14) includes a longitudinal passage (68), and a ledge (92) that extends horizontally outward from a second vertical side (56) thereof. An elongated hollow support tube (74) resides within the longitudinal passage (68) of the elongated upper portion (14). The elongated lower portion (11), elongated upper portion (14) and the elongated flange(s) (17, 18) are substantially continuous and together form a substantially unitary structure, and are each typically fabricated from a plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic polyethylene), and the elongated hollow support tube (74) is typically fabricated from metal. The molded support beam (e.g., 1, 2, 3) may be used as a lower molded support beam in numerous structures, such as shipping containers (e.g., ISO Containers having lengths from 6.1 to 16.2 m). |
| US07874124B2 |
Method for securing a building structure
Certain embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include an apparatus and method for securing a wall system together in a vertical direction. More specifically, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a first floor lower linkage beam attached to a foundation of a structure. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed including attaching a first floor lower linkage beam to a foundation of a structure. |
| US07874123B2 |
Stop bead for separating stucco material from a frame of a window or door
A stop bead for mounting along a frame or jamb of a window or door of a building to separate the frame or jamb from plaster or stucco material during application of the plaster or stucco material to the building comprises a first side end portion and a second side end portion, the first side portion having a leading edge for engaging the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb, a base panel having a front face, a wall formed on the base panel and extending outwardly above the front face of the base panel, the wall having an engaging surface for engaging plaster or stucco and a frame/jamb facing surface that faces the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb, and a spacing member formed on the stop bead and extending outwardly away from the frame/jamb facing surface of the wall for spacing the wall a predetermined distance from the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb, the spacing member forming the leading edge of the first side portion of the stop bead and forming gap between the wall and the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb. |
| US07874119B2 |
Locking system, floorboard comprising such a locking system, as well as method for making floorboards
The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1) constructed from a body (30), a rear balancing layer (34), and an upper surface layer (32). A strip (6), which is integrally formed with the body (30) of the floorboard and which projects from a joint plane (F) and under an adjoining board (1), has a locking element (8) which engages a locking groove (14) in the rear side of the adjoining board. The joint edge provided with the strip (6) is modified with respect to the balancing layer (34), for example by means of machining of the balancing layer under the strip (6), in order to prevent deflection of the strip (6) caused by changes in relative humidity. The invention also relates to a floorboard provided with such a locking system, as well as a method for making floorboards with such a locking system. |
| US07874116B2 |
Wall mold attachment clip
A clip for attaching the end of a grid tee to a wall angle. The clip, in various forms, is arranged to frictionally lock between the hem of the horizontal leg of the wall angle and the vertical leg. The clip, typically, has a pair of opposed open hems forming channels in which the flange of the tee end is received to join the tee to the clip. The clip can be elongated horizontally to accommodate movement of the grid during seismic activity. The clip can be used to trim the edges of a ceiling island and can be made to accommodate angular intersections of the grid with a wall or island edge. |
| US07874114B2 |
Radiant heat barrier
A radiant heat barrier may be installed under a wide variety of roofs between the roof supports. In one configuration, the radiant heat barrier is provided in the form of a plurality of boards that are each erectable into a barrier tray having at least one high-reflectivity, low-emissivity surface. The surface reflects a large percentage of the radiation energy back in the direction from where the radiation originated. Each board includes features that allow the board to be formed into different-sized trays. In one configuration, the trays may be configured to fit between the rafters of typical residential construction. The trays include tabs that allow the tray to be mounted to the supports. |
| US07874113B2 |
Expansion-compensating deck fastener
The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) an at least partially flat horizontal top element having an imaginary center line, having opposite side walls, and having a top view footprint adapted to be inserted into grooves of adjacent boards; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which contain said grooves for receiving portions of said top into said grooves; and, (c) at least one compressive element located on aid device, with at least a portion of said at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from said imaginary center line and way from said vertical support member, wherein said compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under predetermined compressive force. |
| US07874110B2 |
Reinforced or pre-stressed concrete part which is subjected to a transverse force
The invention concerns a reinforced concrete or prestressed concrete part stressed by shearing forces with layers of reinforcement (22, 24) provided at its upper and lower sides. For shear protection at least one sheet metal reinforcing part (30, 32, 34, 36) is provided between these layers of reinforcement which mainly extends at right angles to a surface of the reinforced concrete part and mainly over the entire distance between the layers of reinforcement (22, 24) and crosswise to at least one crack (50) occurring in the reinforced or prestressed concrete part under transverse load. |
| US07874109B2 |
Fireproof panels and methods of fabricating the same
Methods and apparatus are provided for making a fireproof panel. The fireproof panel includes a first ply of material and a ceramic material impregnating at least a portion of the first ply of material, the ceramic material formulated to resist loss of physical properties when exposed to temperatures of at least 1090° C. |
| US07874099B2 |
Pest control device and method
An aggregation base for use within a subterranean cavity for detecting subterranean termites includes an elongate member having longitudinally opposite ends, a circumference, and an outer surface. A void extends longitudinally within the elongate member for forming an aggregation site for the termite. The elongate member is open at least at one end in communication with the void. At least one channel extends circumferentially about at least a portion of the circumference of the elongate member at the outer surface thereof and also extends transversely through the elongate member from the outer surface inward to the void. |
| US07874098B2 |
Weighted rodent bait stations and related methods
Rodent bait station assemblies and methods for assembly and bundling. |
| US07874096B2 |
Fish releasing device
The present invention relates to a releasing device and more particularly a releasing device used to release fish in water. Deep-water fishes such as rockfish often exhibit the effects of rapid water pressure change such as expelled gas bladder, protruded eyes when brought to the surface. The fish releasing device of the present utilizes a jaw assembly, a weight, and other components to clamp onto a fish. The device is dropped into the water which pulls the fish beneath the surface of the water and automatically releases the fish upon the opening of the clamping jaw. |
| US07874095B2 |
Fishing lure
A fishing lure has a body having a front end, a rear end, a top and a bottom. A hook is secured by a shank to the rear end of the body. A slot extends through the body from the top to the bottom. The slot at the top of the body is enlarged toward the front end and the slot at the bottom of the body is enlarged toward the rear end. A fishing line, is extended through the slot from the top to the bottom and secured to the shank of the hook. The body assumes a substantially linear orientation when the body is pulled forward by the line, such as when casting or trolling. The body enlarged slot results in the body pitching, such as to imitate a swimming motion during jigging. |
| US07874094B2 |
Fishing lure spiral spinner application
A fishing lure and spinner blade designed in a helical form that rotates in a free form fashion or in an inline application. The “Tornado or Funnel” appearance of the blade as it spins through the water can be regulated by the speed of the retrieval, size of the blades and number of rotations on the spinner blade, which give a consistent spinning experience at any retrieval speed and level. The blades are affixed through split rings and swivels on varying spinner bait wire forms and spin effortlessly at high very slow to high retrieval rates and upon natural free falling through the water. The inline technology uses the tornado design to employ a dependable and effortless spinning motion around the axis of the wire form, and a streamlined spinner that doesn't need to have the blades set by applying force to the lure before spinning commences. |
| US07874092B2 |
Head for a gun support
A Head for a gun support apparatus is provided, which includes a body, a left arm assembly, a right arm assembly, and a blocking member. The left arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the body, and the right arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the body and is engaged to the left arm assembly so that they can be revolved simultaneously. The blocking member is engaged to both the left arm assembly and the right arm assembly to form a ratchet mechanism. |
| US07874089B2 |
Rotational displays
A rotation apparatus includes at least one magnet, and a flexible suspension coupled to the at least one magnet. The at least one magnet is suspended from the suspension. Moreover, when the flexible suspension causes rotation in a first direction via a force, the at least one magnet alternately rotates in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US07874088B2 |
Tray-tag
A tray-tag that can be mounted on a tray and display information about items on the tray is provided. A tray-tag of the present invention includes a face plate having front and back surfaces. The front surface of the face plate is adapted to have indicia thereon that display information about the items on the tray. The tray-tag also includes a mounting assembly capable of selectively and securely coupling the tray-tag to a tray. The mounting assembly includes an engagement flap and first and second support tabs. The engagement flap and the support tabs securely couple the tray-tag to the tray. The engagement flap extends over a rim of the tray, while the support tabs extend underneath the rim to couple the tray-tag to the tray. Additionally, the support tabs maintain the face plate in a generally vertical orientation. |
| US07874085B1 |
Plow blade and moldboard shoe
The present disclosure provides a plow blade edge device for mounting to a moldboard of a plow comprising at least one adapter blade including a bottom edge having a carbide insert along at least a portion of the bottom edge. The device further includes at least one moldboard shoe selectively reversible to present the adapter blade at a first angle or a second angle. The device further includes at least one impact bar mounted to a front side of the adapter blade. The at least one moldboard shoe can include a bottom edge having a carbide insert along at least a portion of the bottom edge. |
| US07874084B2 |
Recycled bicycle tire foxing tape for footwear and method of making footwear
A method of manufacturing and article of footwear from a reclaimed bicycle tire includes the steps of providing an article of footwear having an upper attached to a sole, providing a worn bicycle tire, cutting a strip from the tire, and attaching the strip to at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the sole as foxing tape. |
| US07874082B2 |
Method and apparatus for drying bulk material, especially bark, sawdust, pretreated sludge or a mixture thereof
Method and apparatus are provided for drying bulk material, especially bark, sawdust, pretreated sludge or a mixture of these. Also provided are a method and apparatus for cooling waste water produced in a pulp or paper production process. Certain embodiments include a pulp mill, paper mill and a novel way of using a wire. Other embodiments provide for cooling in one and the same heat exchanger the waste water produced in a pulp or paper production process while simultaneously heating the gas that cools the waste water. Heated gas extracted from the heat exchanger is conducted through one or several drying conveyers and through the material to be dried that is conveyed on the drying conveyer so as to dry the material with the heated gas. |
| US07874080B1 |
Measuring device and method for measuring suspension sag of a vehicle
A measuring device has a first elongate body element, a second elongate body element, and an elongate ruler element. The first and second elongate body elements slidably engage each other, and the elongate ruler element is slidably engaged adjacent the first elongate body element. A plurality of ruler markings on the elongate ruler element enable measuring the sag of a vehicle. A partial-fastening element fastens the elongate ruler element to the first elongate body element. A body fastening clip is attached to a top end of the first elongate body element for removably engaging a body of the vehicle. A hub engagement post is attached to the second elongate body element for removably engaging a hub of the vehicle. A method of using the measuring device to measure the sag of the vehicle is also disclosed. |
| US07874078B2 |
Vehicle dimensional measuring system
The present invention relates to a vehicle measuring apparatus for establishing baselines and dimensionally measuring a vehicle's upper and lower structure, without requiring the use of a fix mechanical grid mechanism. A method is presented which includes having a pre calibrated portable gauge (52) placed to a selected point on the vehicle with a squaring device (66) on gauge (52) positioned outwardly of the vehicle and having a light source (20) placed on or in proximity to the vehicle for projecting a plane of light (90 or 92) to align to squaring device (66). This alignment establishes a light beam baseline at a predetermined dimensional value with respect to the vehicle. Once the baseline is established measurements of the vehicle's upper or lower body may be determined by placing a portable gauge (52) relative to a point on the vehicle and using squaring device (66) to square the alignment of gauge (52) to the selected baseline. |
| US07874076B2 |
Razor handle having ergonomic ribbed sides
A razor handle having a rigid core and a layer of elastomeric material. The razor handle includes a head portion for connection to a razor head and an body portion. The body portion includes a first neck portion in the vicinity of the head portion, the first neck portion having opposite side gripping areas. Each side gripping area has a series of spaced fins made of elastomeric material, protruding from the rigid core. The rigid core defines a comb-like structure in which the spaced fins are imbricated. |
| US07874073B2 |
Nose hair cutter
To provide a nose hair cutter, comprising a blade configures to cut nose hair, a motor which drives a movable blade of the blade, and a fan which is driven by the motor to suck pieces of the nose hair cut by the blade into a body. |
| US07874069B2 |
Method of manufacturing a gasket
A gasket for preventing high-temperature fluid of an internal combustion engine from leaking is located between an adjacent pair of components of the engine. The gasket includes a gasket plate made of an electrically insulating material. The gasket plate has a hole. An annular sealing member is made of a material having a higher heat resistance than the gasket plate. The annular sealing member covers part of the gasket plate that defines the hole. Therefore, the gasket is capable of, for an extended period, preventing metal components in an internal combustion engine from directly contacting each other. |
| US07874064B2 |
Device for positioning and fixing wires in tubes
A device for fixing and positioning in tubes and its use in tubular reactors. |
| US07874056B2 |
Method of controlling delivery of components to an assembler
An assembling machine with a feeder is provided. The feeder feeds receiving components into an assembler, where a moveable coupling mechanism couples attaching components to the receiving components. Transporting mechanisms coupled to a plurality of drive trains deliver the receiving components across the feeder table and to the assembler. The transporting mechanisms alternate between a plurality of speeds so as to deliver the receiving components to the assembler such that the moveable coupling mechanism may operate at a continuous, periodic rate. |
| US07874055B2 |
Method and system for assembly of lighting fixtures
An apparatus, method and system for assembling lighting fixtures where reflective inserts are installed into a reflector frame to create a reflective surface for the fixture. According to one aspect of the method, some type of worker-perceivable indication prompts a worker as to which reflective insert should be installed at which mounting location on the reflector frame. The worker does not have to guess or translate written instructions. The method can be used sequentially to provide such assistance for each of a plurality of reflective inserts for a plurality of mounting locations. The method is particularly helpful if the reflective inserts are not identical for each mounting location. According to one aspect of an apparatus according to the invention, a reflector frame is removably mounted to a machine that holds the reflector frame in an indexed position. A controller generates a signal that produces the worker-perceivable indication that correlates for the worker the assigned reflective insert for each mounting position. This can be done with LEDs or other types of lights. |
| US07874046B2 |
Apparatus on a spinning preparation machine for monitoring and/or adjusting clearances at components
An apparatus on a spinning preparation machine for monitoring and/or adjusting clearances at components has a clothed, high-speed roller located facing at least one clothed and/or unclothed component and the clearance between the components facing one another is alterable. The roller and opposed component(s) are electrically isolated with respect to one another and are connected as contact elements to an electrical power supply line in which a measuring device for ascertaining contact is located. In order to avoid an undesirably heavy contact between the components, electric signals are emitted upon contacts with the clothing of the roller and the measuring device is arranged quantitatively to determine the contacts. |
| US07874043B2 |
Furniture hinge with damping device
Furniture hinge with damping and/or braking device in alternative to those already existing and capable of guaranteeing an improved efficiency during the closing and/or opening operation of doors, or other furniture parts, without any variations to the overall dimensions of standard hinges. The improved efficiency of the hinge is obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and/or by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocities of one or more circular shaped elements, for example a disc, which act as braking elements in contact with the viscous medium. |
| US07874038B2 |
Air gun equipment for cleaning workpieces
An air gun equipment (10) for cleaning workpieces includes an air gun (20), a switch (50) connected to the air gun and an air source by pipes (206, 70), and a sensor (30) fixed on the air gun. The switch is controlled by an output signal from the sensor to control the flow of air from the air source to the air gun. |
| US07874033B2 |
Universal support pillow
A universal support pillow usable by both back and side sleepers includes a first chamber having multiple filled compartments that define a first side of the pillow and a second filled chamber that defines a second side of the pillow. The multiple compartments of the first chamber are designed particularly to receive a head of a back sleeper, and the second chamber is designed to receive a head of a side sleeper. The universal support pillow, in one version, includes a closable opening that is disposed between the two chambers for receiving a pillow insert to provide user-customized thickness and firmness characteristics of the universal support pillow. Multiple types of pillow inserts having different thickness and/or firmness characteristics may be provided, wherein a user is able to select one of the pillow inserts based on the user's sleep pillow preferences. |
| US07874032B2 |
Method and device for maintaining a side sleeping position
A method and device for developing a positional orientation sleep aspect (POSA) to enable an individual to assume at least one preselected side-sleeping orientation on either a left or right side, including the steps of: a) placing first and second cylindrically configured, elongate pillows in parallel orientation on the bed, tethered by an intermediate member having a length approximately equal to a distance from the individual's low back to an extended knee; b) positioning the individual's body in a preselected, side-position on the intermediate member, c) establishing two additional, concurrent points of contact respectively at the individual's low back side with the first pillow and a projecting limb or knee with the second pillow; and d) sustaining the at least three points of contact to establish a sustainable recognition and awareness during sleep of the side-position while allowing the individual freedom of movement to also assume alternate right and left side positions, including free movement of the limbs between the pillows. |
| US07874028B2 |
Sofa protector and bedding substitute
An easily laundered one piece sofa protector and bedding substitute for couches and sofas having a fitted sheet type element conjoined to a flat sheet in such a way to stay in place while the sofa occupant sleeps. Alternately, the flat sheet may be pulled away from the fitted sheet and laid against the back sofa cushions to protect them from soiling. Additionally, a sewn in pouch for the temporary retention of a typical throw pillow is provided so that the throw pillow may be used as a sleeping pillow without soiling the surface of the throw pillow. |
| US07874024B1 |
Neck support for hair salon sink
The invention as presently conceived discloses a padded neck support for beauty salon washing sinks. The invention is an apparatus to aid in the support of a user's head during the hair washing process at a sink in a beauty salon. The head and neck support pad is configured as a conformable pad to be removably attached to the head receiving portion of a conventional hair salon sink. If necessary, means exist to removably attach multiple support pads thereon each other for vertical adjustment due to the physical characteristics of the individual user. The apparatus is covered with a waterproof cover for ease in washing after use. |
| US07874023B1 |
Inflatable safety swimming pool cover
A system and method for an inflatable swimming pool cover that is elevated above the water line, particularly for above ground pools, is herein disclosed. The cover is configured with a donut-shaped air pillow around a higher center air pillow. The donut-shaped air pillow maintains the cover above the levels of the pool sidewalls such that rain, snow, leaves and the like are directed off the pool cover to the ground, thus eliminating unwanted debris from accumulating on the cover. Further, since no water can collect on the pool cover, the risk of drowning by young children or pets that may accidentally be trapped upon or within the pool cover is significantly reduced. The two air pillows are interconnected with a tube structure and also an air filling tube that extends to the side of the pool to allow the air pillows to be filled or refilled from the perimeter. A plurality of straps secures the pillows in place to the underside of the pool cover. |
| US07874019B2 |
Powder skirt zipper system
Garments and garment sets are described that include a jacket having a powder skirt and trousers that can be attached to the powder skirt via at least one fastener. One embodiment of the invention includes a water resistant jacket, an elasticized powder skirt having at least two edges, the first of which is attached to the water resistant jacket, at least one fastener connected to the second edge of the powder skirt, water resistant trousers including a waist opening and two leg openings and at least one corresponding mating fastener connected to the trousers. The fastener and the corresponding mating fastener are constructed to detachably fix the powder skirt to the water resistant trousers. In several embodiments, the fastener and corresponding mating fastener are two mating zipper portions of standard length that can be combined to form a zipper irrespective of the garment size. |
| US07874017B2 |
Flexible knee pad with rotating knee support cushion
A flexible knee pad of the kind to be worn over the knee of a workman who must kneel down for long periods of time while working on a work surface. According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible knee pad includes an upper knee support cushion against which the workman's knee is laid, a lower pivot support base to rest upon the work surface, and an intermediate pivoting reinforcement plate having a flat bed upon which the knee support cushion is seated. The intermediate pivoting reinforcement plate includes a pair of pivots that are coupled to respective pivot slots formed in the lower pivot support base. Accordingly, the pivoting reinforcement plate, the knee support cushion seated thereon, and the workman's knee are all suspended by and rotatable relative to the pivot support base above the work surface so as to advantageously reduce pressure applied to the workman's knee cap by the work surface should he rock his body and shift his weight back and forth over the work surface. |
| US07877816B2 |
Scanning probe in pulsed-force mode, digital and in real time
Microscope, in particular a scanning probe microscope, comprising a programmable logic device. |
| US07877809B1 |
Secure automatable clean boot system
A computer system uses a clean boot technique to protect against malware attacks. Upon certain detection of a malware infection, the computer system is configured to clean boot off of a fixed secure volume containing its own operating system and security software. The security software in the fixed secure volume is usable to remediate the malware attack by itself or by relying at least in part on security software installed in the infected volume. |
| US07877807B2 |
Method of and system for, processing email
A system for processing emails incorporates means for dealing with previously unknown viruses. The system monitors email traffic patterns to identify patterns characteristic of a virus outbreak and takes corrective action when an outbreak is detected. Individual emails are analysed and, if any one of the constituent parts contains content in which it is possible to contain a virus, characteristic data derived from the email is logged to a database which is scanned for outbreak-indicating traffic patterns. |
| US07877805B1 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product for detection of a security breach in a network
A method for detecting a security breach in a network comprises at one of a plurality of transceivers each having a different media access control address, receiving a signal from an access point, the signal representing one or more packets of data, determining a source media access control address for each of the packets, and alerting the access point when the source media access control address of one of the packets is the media access control address of the transceiver. |
| US07877803B2 |
Automated immune response for a computer
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with making an automated immune response on a computer that may be infected with a malicious software like a virus are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a behavior logic that faciltates identifying that a computer is exibiting a behavior that indicates that the computer may be infected by a malicious software. The exemplary system embodiment may also include an immune response logic that is configured to facilitate identifying a process and/or program related to the behavior. The immune response logic may be configured to automatically make an immune response with respect to the process and/or program. |
| US07877802B2 |
System and method for proactive computer virus protection
A system, method, and computer readable medium for the proactive detection of malware in operating systems that receive application programming interface (API) calls is provided. A virtual operating environment for simulating the execution of programs and determining if the programs are malware is created. The virtual operating environment confines potential malware so that the systems of the host operating environment will not be adversely effected. During simulation, a behavior signature is generated based on the API calls issued by potential malware. The behavior signature is suitable for analysis to determine whether the simulated executable is malware. |
| US07877800B1 |
Preventing fraudulent misdirection of affiliate program cookie tracking
A cookie monitoring manager detects fraudulent updates to cookies on a computer. The cookie monitoring manager monitors cookies, and detects attempted write operations thereto. The cookie monitoring manager determines whether each detected attempted write operation is an attempt to write a fraudulent affiliate identifier to a cookie. The cookie monitoring manager detects fraudulent write attempts, for example, by detecting an attempt to write a known fraudulent affiliate identifier to a cookie, by detecting an attempt to write to a cookie by a process other than a browser or by detecting multiple attempts to write affiliate identifiers to a cookie within a sufficiently short period of time. When the cookie tracking manager detects an attempt to write a fraudulent affiliate identifier to a cookie, it can block the write attempt and/or run an adware removal program on the computer. |
| US07877798B2 |
System and method for connecting gaming devices to a network for remote play
A system and method for connecting remote player devices to regulated host gaming devices in a network to provide remote game play. A host gaming device is configured to provide game information to a plurality of remote player devices to allow remote play of the host game device. Whether each remote player device is permitted to receive gaming data is based upon, at least in part, the geographic location of the remote player device. |
| US07877795B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically configuring firewalls
Methods, systems, and computer program products that automatically configure firewalls are provided. An blocked attempt by a software application executing on a user device to communicate through a firewall is detected. Information about the detected communication attempt is collected. A danger level of allowing the software application to communicate through the firewall is assessed based upon the collected information. The blocking rules/policy of the firewall are automatically modified to allow the software application to communicate through the firewall if the assessed danger level is below a threshold level. |
| US07877792B2 |
System and method for authentication to an application
Authenticating a first user in a protected network to an application in a DMZ network shared simultaneously with a second user in an unprotected network. The first user supplies a userID and a password to a first server within the protected network for authentication for the application. The first server checks authentication of the first user based on the userID and password. If the first user is authentic, the first server forwards to the application an authentication key for the first user and a selection by the first user pertaining to the application. The application checks authentication of the key, and if authentic, complies with the selection by the first user. The second user supplies another userID and another password to the application. If the other userID and other password are authentic, the application complies with a selection made by the second user pertaining to the application. |
| US07877789B2 |
E-mail stamping with from-header validation
Effective aspects of stamping outbound e-mail are combined with a registration system for e-mail senders. A mail sender participates by registering From: line information with a trusted third-party repository known as a stamp authority. When the sender sends an e-mail message, the From: line is compared against the From: line information for the sender stored in the repository. If the result is a match, the e-mail is allowed to be sent. If there is not a match, then the e-mail is prevented from being stamped. |
| US07877782B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuration management of computer system
A management computer collects, from a storage subsystem via a management network, path definition information including the contents of a security setting made to a path accessible to a volume in the storage subsystem, and when the volume in the storage subsystem is an original volume having a replica volume, replica definition information of the original volume. Based on the replica configuration information thus collected from the storage subsystem, the replica relationship between the volumes is to be grasped. Then, based on the path definition information also collected from the storage subsystem, the contents of the path security setting are verified for the volumes under the same replica relationship, and the verification result is output. In such a structure, consistency verification can be easily done for the security setting of the original and replica volumes. |
| US07877779B2 |
Digital cable TV receiver, diagnosis method for the same, and data structure of HDMI status report
A host includes a plurality of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports. A controller is configured to receive a source external to the host. The controller is further configured to collect HDMI information associated with more than one HDMI port in response to the request. |
| US07877776B2 |
Personal media broadcasting system
A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user's experience. |
| US07877774B1 |
Browsing and retrieval of full broadcast-quality video
A method includes steps of indexing a media collection, searching an indexed library and browsing a set of candidate program segments. The step of indexing a media collection creates the indexed library based on a content of the media collection. The step of searching the indexed library identifies the set of candidate program segments based on a search criteria. The step of browsing the set of candidate program segments selects a segment for viewing. |
| US07877770B2 |
Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
There is provided according to an embodiment, a digital television (DTV) data stream containing a program and system information protocol (PSIP) table associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP table comprising a descriptor which comprises: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event. |
| US07877768B2 |
Smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system
A smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time and resolving any conflicts arising from conflicting scheduled program recordings. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television that lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record and the invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The viewer adjusts the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a specific program or series of programs by specifying the time increment (padding) to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times and the invention adjusts the recording schedule for the program(s) using the padding values. Conflicts that arise from adjusted recording schedules are resolved using a priority scheme. Conflicting padding values and start and end recording times are adjusted using threshold values or by elimination. Broadcast programs are recorded onto a persistent storage device when the recording schedule indicates that it is time to do so. |
| US07877761B2 |
Optical disc apparatus
To prevent an optical disc from being removed from a clamper even when an impact force is applied in an optical disc apparatus. A displacement amount by which a disc motor is sunk on the bottom case side is suppressed. In more detail, a convex portion which protrudes in the bottom cover direction is provided at a region including the whole or a part of an orthographically-projected surface of the disc motor on a surface of a bottom case opposed to a rear surface of the disc motor, and in a state of recording or reproducing, the sum of a distance between a motor fixing plate and a bottom cover and a distance between the bottom cover and the convex portion of the bottom case is smaller in the rotational axis direction of the disc motor than the sum of a distance between an optical disc and a tray and an insertion depth by which a clamper is inserted into a center hole of an optical disc. |
| US07877760B2 |
Distributed hardware state management in virtual machines
Mechanisms are disclosed herein that manage operations in virtual machine environments. A first partition can have a proxy driver object corresponding to a driver object in a second partition. The driver object can control a physical device, but because of the proxy driver object, the first partition can retain some measure of control over the physical device. The driver object can be surrounded by a first filter object beneath it, and a second filter object above it. The first filter object can provide interfaces to the driver object so that the driver object can perform various bus-related functionalities; and, the second filter object can receive redirected instructions from the first partition and provide them to the driver object, and intercept any instructions originating from within the second partition, such that if these instructions are inconsistent with policies set in the first partition, they can be manipulated. |
| US07877757B2 |
Work item event monitor for procession of queued events
Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, monitors the flow of events between a front-end application and a backend server. In one approach is technology, a new event is received at the backend server. This new event has an event type, which is used to set a new event flag, indicating that a new event of that type has been received. The new event is added to the queuing table. One or more events from the queuing table are selected, and a failover mechanism is maintained while selected events are being processed. |
| US07877756B2 |
Apparatus and method for inter-object communication
A partnership object is created to manage interactions between objects in an object oriented computing environment. A first object requests to interact with a second object. A partnership object is created and each of the first and second objects is provided with a reference to the partnership object. The request from the first object may include identifiers of licenses associated with the first and second object and the partnership object may be created only if both licenses are validated. The first object then is able to interact with the second object by using the reference to the partnership object. |
| US07877747B2 |
Flexible operating system operable as either native or as virtualized
According to at least one embodiment, a flexible operating system comprises operability for executing in a first manner as a native operating system on a computer system and for executing in a second manner as a virtualized operating system on the computer system. The flexible operating system further comprises code for determining whether it is being used as a native operating system or as a virtualized operating system on the computer system. |
| US07877740B2 |
Handling caught exceptions
Embodiments of the invention relate to exceptions. In a Java embodiment, if the count of a program statement that causes the exception reaches a threshold, then the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) searches for the throw statement corresponding to that program statement. The JVM then identifies the catch clause corresponding to the throw statement, and depending on implementations, the JVM may replace the throw statement with the catch block or replace the throw statement with a jump to the catch block. As a result, in both situations, program execution, when being supposed to execute the throw statement, executes instructions of the catch block, and avoids execution of the throw statement that would invoke the exception handler, which improves system performance. |
| US07877739B2 |
Method of partially copying first and last private arrays for parallelized loops based on array data flow
A computer-implemented method for determining whether an array within a loop can be privatized for that loop is presented. The method calculates the array sections that require first or last privatization and copies only those sections, reducing the privatization overhead of the known solutions. |
| US07877735B2 |
Application cloning
A system and method are described for performing application cloning. In one embodiment, on a client, an application that is already deployed on a server is accessed and then cloned into another application by assigning a new name to the application. The clone application is then deployed on the server where the application and the clone application are simultaneously run. |
| US07877730B2 |
Method for effecting a preliminary software service in a productive system of a software system landscape and computer system
A method for effecting a preliminary software service in at least one productive system of a plurality of logical systems of a software system landscape, wherein the logical systems are interconnected by logical transport paths and each logical system has associated therewith one of a plurality of system roles, the method comprises: providing system role types, each system role being associated to one of the system role types; providing an association of tasks to system role types; providing a transport track that defines a route for software services through logical systems in a particular order and specifies one source system in which software services are permitted, adjacent interconnected systems, and at least one target system; providing a preliminary software service relating to at least one of the code and the data of at least one productive system; and generating a hot fix instance from the preliminary software service, the system role types, the association and the transport tracks, the hot fix instance defining tasks for routing the preliminary software service to at least one productive system and for executing the preliminary software service therein. |
| US07877727B2 |
Hierarchical state programming with a markup language
A method, system and apparatus are directed to application generation, and more particularly, to generating a user interface enabled application for an embedded device. A configuration file defining at least a hierarchical state machine (HSM) is received and/or pre-loaded. Based on the received configuration file, an intermediate version of the HSM is generated, wherein a child state of the intermediate version is enabled to pass an unconsumed event to a parent state of the child state. Based on the intermediate version, an invocation of at least one user interface (UI) element associated with a state of the intermediate version is enabled. The intermediate version may be executed and/or interpreted by an event-state engine on an embedded device. |
| US07877724B2 |
Decision tree representation of a function
An arbitrary function may be represented as an optimized decision tree. The decision tree may be calculated, pruned, and factored to create a highly optimized set of equations, much of which may be represented by simple circuits and little, if any, complex processing. A circuit design system may automate the decision tree generation, optimization, and circuit generation for an arbitrary function. The circuits may be used for processing digital signals, such as soft decoding and other processes, among other uses. |
| US07877718B2 |
Analog IC placement using symmetry-islands
A placement tool searches for an optimal placement for a plurality of device modules within an integrated circuit (IC) including symmetry groups formed by device modules that are to be symmetrically placed. The tool employs a hierarchical B*-tree (HB*-tree) representation of a trial placement wherein each symmetry group and each module not included in a symmetry group is represented by a separate node of the HB*-tree. Each symmetry group node maps to a symmetry island placement for the symmetry group satisfying all symmetry and other placement constraints on the symmetry group. The placement tool employs a simulated annealing technique to iteratively perturb the HB*-tree representation to produce a sequence of trial placements, and uses a cost function to evaluate the quality of each trial placement. |
| US07877711B2 |
Methods of deriving switch networks
A method of determining the lowest possible number of serial switches in a pull-up plane or a pull-down plane of a network implementing a logic function. The same method may be used in any multi-value function. Also, the method may be used in generating switch networks to be implemented as standard cells implementations of combinational logic cells. The minimum number of switches can also be used as a criterion for technology mapping devoted to automatic cell generation. The method is based on the use of a covering table to derive a sum of products where individual cubes have a minimum literal count. |
| US07877709B2 |
Method of placing wires
A method of placing wires for placing a shield wire with respect to a shield subject wire placed on a chip, a method includes setting a plurality of wire tracks on the chip, dividing the chip into at least a first area and a second area according to a division boundary, confirming whether the shield subject wire exists around the division boundary in the second area when the division boundary is not laid on top of the wire track, and determining whether to place the shield wire on a wire track being adjacent to division boundary in the first area based on the confirming. |
| US07877703B1 |
Intelligent rendering of information in a limited display environment
Methods for the intelligent rendering of information in a limited display environment are provided. Display environments, especially in mobile devices, are limited with regard to physical space and technical capability. The present invention provides for the scaling of information in the display in light of those limitations. Additional methods for intelligently determining information to be or not to be displayed in the environment are further provided. Determinations of information to be displayed may be a result of a user-determination or automatic determinations made by a user device. Zooming and ‘quick look’ features are also provided. |
| US07877701B2 |
In-context total document views for manipulating data
A computer-implementable method, system and computer-readable medium for providing in-context total document views for manipulating data are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: displaying an active context of a software program on a User Interface (UI); receiving a copy command for a copied element from the active context; in response to a control signal, displaying an access view of one or more secondary contexts of the software program; temporarily activating a selected context from the secondary contexts shown in the access view while continuing to display the active context on the UI; and pasting the copied element into the selected context. Preferably, in response to the copied element being pasted into the selected secondary context, the access view is automatically removed from the UI. |
| US07877700B2 |
Adding accessibility to drag-and-drop web content
Techniques for enhancing accessibility to web content are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes presenting an activation element in association with a web page and detecting activation of the activation element, wherein the detection occurs following an activation event. The method can also include identifying draggable elements and drop zones in the web page and associating identifiers with the draggable elements and the drop zones, wherein the identifiers indicate one or more input events that will move a certain one of the draggable elements to a certain one of the drop zones. The method can also include modifying the web page to display the identifiers in association with the draggable elements and the drop zones, detecting the input events, and moving the certain one of the draggable elements to the certain one of the drop zones. |
| US07877699B2 |
Multilayered task supporting apparatus and method for supporting multilayered task
A multilayered task supporting apparatus includes: a display area that is divided into three or more; an input unit that is provided with a group of control buttons for assigning a display object; and a control unit that controls a content to be displayed on the display area on the basis of an input from the input unit. |
| US07877696B2 |
Multi-frame display system with semantic image arrangement
Methods and systems for managing presentation of digital images using multiple separate digital media frames each positioned in a separate location and providing images that are viewable within a presentation space, the method comprising the steps of providing access to a source of a plurality of digital images; determining a semantic type defining at least one semantic element of the digital images to be presented; determining the number of the multiple separate digital media frames that are available to be used for presenting the digital images; determining the semantic content of the accessed digital images; selecting digital images for presentation having determined semantic content that corresponds to the determined semantic type; determining a manner for presenting the selected digital images using the determined number of number of digital media frames; and, presenting the selected digital images in the determined manner. |
| US07877694B2 |
Hosted notifications templates
Method and systems for generating notifications in a notifications system. A parameter-driven template received from a content provider contains one or more parameters related to a subscription for notifications. The notifications system enables an application based on the received template and executes it to map a recurring event to one or more subscribers as a function of the parameters specified by the content provider. In response to the recurring event, the notification system generates a notification. Other aspects of the invention relate to a computer-readable medium that defines the application for use in a notifications system. |
| US07877693B2 |
Application sharing security
A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for facilitating application sharing. In operation, a user selects at least one of a plurality of applications operating on a first computer to share with at least a second computer. The user then selects at least one of a plurality of security measures for preventing a user operating the second computer from performing at least one of a plurality of unauthorized operations. Next, the user initiates applications sharing on the first computer, wherein the user operating the second computer may access or observe an application running on the first computer, but may not perform any unauthorized operations on the first computer. |
| US07877689B2 |
Distributed scalable media environment for movie advertising placement in user-created movies
Ads are placed in a movie using a graphical interface that enables selecting of the ads from a set of ads, selecting frames of the movie for the ad, and selecting locations in the frames for the ads. Each of the ad and the movie can be a still image, a full motion video, an audio, a graphic or a combination thereof. An executable command may also be a part of the ad that is inserted, the command being selected for execution by a viewer of the ad when the movie is played to the viewer. |
| US07877684B2 |
Calendar production apparatus
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for producing a calendar. A report, which includes an image and is contributed by a contributor, is recorded and distributed. The invention counts the number of viewings of the image in the report by a viewer, and acquires information on a photographing density. This photographing density expresses the number of images photographed or contributed in a predetermined period before and after a time and date when the image in the report was photographed or contributed. The invention extracts an image for a calendar on the basis of the number of viewings and the photographing density from among the images contributed or photographed in a predetermined month. When a calendar production instruction is received, the invention produces a calendar for the predetermined month when the image was contributed or photographed using the extracted image. |
| US07877679B2 |
System and method for generating a user profile from layers based on prior user response
A method for optimizing forms includes generating a profile of a user of a web browser on a client computer and loading into the web browser a vendor form including a field to be filled in with information provided by the user. The form also includes a tag invoking a script-based engine. Software code is stored corresponding to a plurality of layers containing interactive instructions for assisting the user in filling in the field. Responsively to the tag, the script-based engine is loaded into the web browser. Responsively to at least one profile parameter of the user, a portion of the software code is selected and downloaded to the web browser, so that a layer from among the plurality of layers is displayed by the web browser. Via the displayed layer, input is received from the user for filling in the field. |
| US07877678B2 |
System and method for rendering of financial data
A method of populating a spreadsheet with financial data, includes, in response to a user's request for financial data, sending a request to a web service for the financial data, receiving a response to the request from the web service, processing the response, retrieving a taxonomy associated with the response and populating the spreadsheet in accordance with the response and the retrieved taxonomy. |
| US07877676B2 |
Data processing device and method for selecting media segments on the basis of a score
A context of media content is represented by context description data having a hierarchical stratum where the lowest hierarchical layer is formed from an element representing a segment of media content which corresponds to a change between scenes of video data or a change in audible tones. A score relating to the context is appended, as an attribute, to individual elements in the lowest hierarchical layer. In a selection step of a data processing method, the context of the media content is expressed, and one or a plurality of scenes of the media content is or are selected on the basis of the score of the context description data. |
| US07877673B2 |
DTV transmitter and method of coding main and enhanced data in DTV transmitter
A DTV transmitter includes a pre-processor pre-processing enhanced data, a data formatter generating enhanced data packets including the pre-processed enhanced data, and a multiplexer multiplexing the enhanced data packets with main data packets. The transmitter further includes an RS encoder RS-coding the multiplexed packets by adding systematic RS parity data to each main data packet and by adding non-systematic RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet, and a data interleaver interleaving the RS-coded packets. The non-systematic RS parity place holders are placed after the enhanced data within each interleaved enhanced data packet, and a sequence of known data place holders is periodically included in the interleaved enhanced data packets. |
| US07877670B2 |
Error correcting decoding for convolutional and recursive systematic convolutional encoded sequences
The invention relates to error-correcting coding and correct restart of decoding after errors of sequences that are coded by convolutional coders or LFSR based descramblers. The signals can be binary or multi-valued signals. Methods and apparatus to convolutional encode and decode sequences of binary and n-valued symbols are disclosed. The invention further discloses methods and apparatus to identify symbols in error in sequences coded according to methods of the invention. Methods and apparatus to correct these errors are provided. Methods and apparatus to repair errors in a Trellis of received sequences are also provided. Methods and apparatus for n-valued Recursive Systematic Convolutional coders and decoders are disclosed. |
| US07877664B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving signal in communication system
Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for transmitting/receiving a signal in a communication system, which generates an Affine Permutation Matrix-Low Density Parity Check (APM-LDPC) codeword by encoding an information vector in an APM-LDPC encoding scheme which is a preset structured LDPC encoding scheme, and detects the information vector by decoding the signal in a decoding scheme corresponding to the APM-LDPC encoding scheme, thereby making it possible to generate a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code in the form of maximizing a girth while minimizing complexity. |
| US07877662B2 |
Reverse concatenation for product codes
A system is provided to encode data for recording onto media whereby modulation and linear constraints from a concatenated code or product code are imposed. A first array of unencoded user data is generated. Each row is modulation encoded to enforce a first modulation constraint; the array is transformed into a second array which is transformed into a third array having predetermined empty locations in each column interleaved with the modulated data. A C2-parity byte is computed for at least some of the empty locations of the third array and a fourth array is generated. C1-parity symbols in each row are computed, generating a fifth array. A second modulation constraint is enforced on each C1-parity symbol in each row of the fifth array, generating a sixth array. The rows of the sixth array are assembled with header and sync fields for recording onto a recording media. |
| US07877660B2 |
Transmitting additional forward error correction (FEC) upon request
Systems and methods for providing forward error correction are disclosed in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, among others, a method comprises transmitting a stream of data packets to a receiver and transmitting a first amount of forward error correction (FEC) to the receiver. The first amount of FEC is designed to restore a first number of dropped data packets. The method also includes a receiving a message from the receiver that the first amount of FEC is not sufficient to restore a detected number of dropped data packets, and then transmitting additional FEC to restore the detected number of dropped data packets. |
| US07877658B2 |
IEEE 1149.1 and P1500 test interfaces combined circuits and processes
In a first embodiment a TAP of IEEE standard 1149.1 is allowed to commandeer control from a WSP of IEEE standard P1500 such that the P1500 architecture, normally controlled by the WSP, is rendered controllable by the TAP. In a second embodiment (1) the TAP and WSP based architectures are merged together such that the sharing of the previously described architectural elements are possible, and (2) the TAP and WSP test interfaces are merged into a single optimized test interface that is operable to perform all operations of each separate test interface. One approach provides for the TAP to maintain access and control of the TAP instruction register, but provides for a selected data register to be accessed and controlled by either the TAP+ATC or by the discrete CaptureDR, UpdateDR, TransferDR, ShiftDR, and ClockDR WSP data register control signals. |
| US07877657B1 |
Look-ahead built-in self tests
A method and apparatus are disclosed for predicting the failure of a functional element of an integrated circuit during operation. The method includes determining whether the functional element of the integrated circuit device is in an idle cycle, performing a stress test of the functional element while the functional element is in the idle cycle, and indicating that the functional element, if it fails the stress test, is a potential future failing element. The stress test can include simultaneously providing a margining test voltage and a stress clock signal to the functional element. The stress test is performed in the background, during continuous operation of the integrated circuit device, such that normal operation of the integrated circuit device is not interrupted. Thereby, the method and apparatus of the present invention allows for failure prediction in a device before it happens, allowing for planned outages or workarounds and avoiding system downtime for unplanned repairs. |
| US07877654B2 |
Selectable JTAG or trace access with data store and output
An addressable interface selectively enables JTAG TAP domain operations or Trace domain operations within an IC. After being enabled, the TAP receives TMS and TDI input from a single data pin. After being enabled, the Trace domain acquires data from a functioning circuit within the IC in response to a first clock and outputs the acquired data from the IC in response to a second clock. An addressable two pin interface loads and updates instructions and data to a TAP domain within the IC. The instruction or data update operations in multiple ICs occur simultaneously. A process transmits data from an addressed target device to a controller using data frames, each data frame comprising a header bit and data bits. The logic level of the header bit is used to start, continue, and stop the data transmission to the controller. A data and clock signal interface between a controller and multiple target devices provides for each target device to be individually addressed and commanded to perform a JTAG or Trace operation. Trace circuitry within an IC can operate autonomously to store and output functional data occurring in the IC. The store and output operations of the trace circuitry are transparent to the functional operation of the IC. An auto-addressing RAM memory stores input data at an input address generated in response to an input clock, and outputs stored data from an output address generated in response to an output clock. |
| US07877650B2 |
Core circuit test architecture
A scan test architecture facilitates low power testing of semiconductor circuits by selectively dividing the serial scan paths into shorter sections. Multiplexers between the sections control connecting the sections into longer or shorted paths. Select and enable signals control the operation of the scan path sections. The output of each scan path passes through a multiplexer to compare circuits on the semiconductor substrate. The compare circuits also receive expected data and mask data. The compare circuits provide a fail flag output from the semiconductor substrate. |
| US07877649B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a memory chip using a common node for multiple inputs and outputs
An apparatus and methods for testing an integrated device comprising memory a test device are provided. At least two data inputs of the memory are coupled to a data output of the test device. As an alternative, at least two data outputs of the memory are coupled to a data input of the test device. Test data are transferred from the test device to the memory chip and written to memory cells of the memory. Data are read from the memory cells of the memory and transferring from the memory to the test device. The data read from the memory chip are compared with the test data written to the memory in order to identify faults of the memory. |
| US07877646B2 |
Method and system for monitoring a computing device
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a computing device, that includes receiving, by a data collector, a plurality of system messages from a system controller, wherein the data collector is wired to a serial port component of the system controller, wherein the system controller is factory preconfigured to automatically send the plurality of system messages via the serial port when the data collector is connected to the serial port, wherein the computing device comprises the system controller, and wherein the data collector is independent of the computing device. The method further includes storing data from the plurality of system messages on the data collector, receiving, by the data collector, a data transmit request, and wirelessly transmitting, by the data collector, the data to a field receiver. |
| US07877645B2 |
Use of operational configuration parameters to predict system failures
The use of operational configuration parameters to predict digital system failures is described herein. At least some illustrative embodiments include a method that includes initializing a digital system (the initializing comprising determining an operational configuration of at least part of the digital system), saving the operational configuration to a database stored on the digital system, reading the operational configuration from the database and comparing the operational configuration to a reference configuration, and identifying the digital system as being at risk of a future failure if at least one parameter of the operational configuration differs from the at least one same parameter of the reference configuration by more than a tolerance value. |
| US07877642B2 |
Automatic software fault diagnosis by exploiting application signatures
A method monitors non-faulty application traces of a computer application with the runtime environment during fault-free activities to create non-faulty runtime signatures for the computer application. Once obtained, the method stores the non-faulty runtime signatures. The method then detects a faulty application trace of the computer application and compares the faulty application trace with the non-faulty runtime signatures by comparing a call graph of the faulty application trace with call graphs of non-faulty application traces of the application signatures to identify differences between the two (e.g., fault attributes). Then the invention outputs the fault attributes to allow the user to identify a fault cause. |
| US07877640B2 |
Method and system for providing enhanced exception messages for exceptions thrown by virtual machines
A system and method are provided to provide enhanced exception messages for exceptions thrown by virtual machines. In one embodiment, an exception is detected when it is thrown at a virtual machine when a programming error is detected. A first message is associated to the exception, the first message including a default message. A request is received for a second message to be associated with the exception. The second message is associated to the exception in response to the request, the second message including an extended message explaining the exception. |
| US07877639B2 |
Systems and methods to provide failover support for booting embedded hypervisor from an internal non-volatile memory card
The present disclosure further relates to information handling systems with failover support for booting an embedded hypervisor, the information handling system. For example, an information handling system with failover support may comprise a processor; one or more applications configured to be executed, at least in part, by the processor; a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and comprising a basic input/output system (BIOS), the BIOS comprising a BIOS universal serial bus (USB) driver, the BIOS USB driver comprising a mass storage device driver; a primary internal embedded hypervisor non-volatile memory (NVM) card communicatively coupled to the memory, the first NVM card comprising a first bootable hypervisor image; and a back up internal embedded hypervisor NVM card communicatively coupled to the memory, the second NVM card comprising a second bootable hypervisor image. |
| US07877638B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing computer
An apparatus for testing a computer includes a control module having a power cycling test program and a display driving program therein, a switch module connected to the control module for receiving trigger signals generated from the power cycling test program and powering on or off the computer consequently, a driving module connected to the control module for receiving display driving signals from the display driving program, and a display module connected to the driving module for displaying test parameters. A method utilizing above described apparatus for testing the computer is also disclosed. |
| US07877637B2 |
Multicore abnormality monitoring device
A monitoring side core has an input protection part including an access checking part and an address information storage part. Address information of a count RAM area and an access prohibiting mode to the address are stored in the address information storage part in advance by CPU. The access checking part determines whether an address to be accessed through a first communication path by a monitored side core and an access mode are coincident with the stored address and the stored access prohibiting mode. When the coincidence is determined, the access of the monitored side core to the count RAM area of the monitoring side core is prohibited. |
| US07877636B2 |
System and method for detecting temporal relationships uniquely associated with an underlying root cause
Methods and systems are provided for detecting temporal relationships that are uniquely associated with a selected root cause. The method comprises identifying error codes associated with a root cause, wherein each error code comprises a plurality of event indicators and temporal data describing when the event indicator was generated, analyzing each of the error codes to detect a combination of event indicators that is associated with error codes corresponding to the selected root cause and to a non-selected root cause, and detecting a temporal relationship involving the combination of event indicators, wherein the temporal relationship is uniquely associated with error codes corresponding to the selected root cause. |
| US07877633B2 |
Highly reliable storage system and internal network thereof
The disk controller has a plurality of channel control units, a plurality of cache memories, a plurality of disk control units, and a plurality of internal switch units. Each channel control unit or disk control unit sends to one of the cache memory units a request packet requesting execution of processing. The cache memory unit sends a response packet in response to the received request packet. Each internal switch unit monitors the request packet sent from the channel control unit or disk control unit, and judges whether or not the response packet to the request packet has passed through the internal switch unit within a first given time period since the passage of the request packet. In the case where the response packet has not passed through the internal switch unit within the first given time period, the internal switch unit sends a failure notification. |
| US07877632B2 |
Storage control apparatus and failure recovery method for storage control apparatus
A storage control apparatus of the present invention reduces the frequency of disk drive failures. An error management part manages the number of times errors occur in respective disk drives. A disk drive in which the number of errors meets or exceeds a threshold value is selected as a disk drive to be restarted. A restart control part commences difference management prior to restarting the disk drive targeted for restart. A difference management part manages parity group-related update locations using a difference bitmap. After commencing difference management, the restart control part restarts the disk drive in which the error was detected. This makes it possible to resolve an error caused by a firmware hangup or the like. |
| US07877629B2 |
Facilitating handling of exceptions in a program implementing a M-on-N threading model
A method for facilitating handling of exceptions in object code transformed from a 1-to-1 threading model to a M-to-N threading model comprises transforming object code having a 1-to-1 threading model to a M-to-N threading model, saving context of a Runnable section of the object code into a context object in response to an exception occurring and rethrowing the exception after performing the saving. The transforming includes creating a Boolean enable value in a method context for an exception handler in the method context, mapping an exception type to the exception handler and wrapping a Runnable section of the object code within a respective synthetic exception handler. The respective synthetic exception handler is configured for saving context of the object code Runnable into a context object in response to an exception occurring and rethrowing the exception after performing the saving. |
| US07877625B2 |
Efficient architecture for interfacing redundant devices to a distributed control system
A system and method for interfacing redundant devices to a distributed control system, includes a first and second redundant field bus modules communicably coupled to the distributed control system and to one another via Ethernet switches. A pair of redundant field devices are coupled to the Ethernet switches, one FD having a floating IP address. The FBMs adopt respective roles as master FBM and tracker FBM, so that the master FBM is configured to capture data from the one FD using the floating IP address, and to pass any data changes periodically to the tracker FBM, through the Ethernet switches. The master FBM is configured to point to the other field device in the event the other field device has assumed the floating IP address. The FBMs are configured to switch roles in the event communication is disrupted between the master FBM and the FD having the floating IP address. |
| US07877624B2 |
Faulted circuit indicator monitoring device with wireless memory monitor
A wireless communications system for viewing and modifying memory locations within a power system device is provided including a wireless device and a power system device. The wireless device includes an input mechanism adapted to accept input from a user indicating a memory location the user wishes to view; a first radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a first signal including the memory location within the power system device the user wishes to view; and a first radio frequency receiver for receiving a second signal. The power system device includes at least one randomly accessible memory location and a processor coupled to at least one randomly accessible memory location; a second radio frequency receiver coupled to the processor and a second radio frequency transmitter coupled to the processor for receiving the first signal. The processor retrieves the value of the memory location included within the first signal and activates the second radio frequency transmitter to transmit a second signal including the value of the memory location. The value of the memory location may be a command or control that is executed by the power system device. |
| US07877621B2 |
Detecting software attacks by monitoring electric power consumption patterns
Software attacks such as worms and viruses are detected in an electronic device by monitoring power consumption patterns. In a first embodiment, software attacks are detected by an increase in power consumption. The increased power consumption can be caused by increased network traffic, or by increased activity in the microprocessor. Monitoring power consumption is particularly effective for detecting DOS/flooding attacks when the electronic device is in an idle state. In a second embodiment, a power consumption signal is converted to the frequency domain (e.g., by fast Fourier transform). The highest amplitude frequencies are identified. Specific software attacks produce characteristic frequencies in the power consumption signal. Software attacks are therefore detected by matching the highest amplitude frequencies with frequencies associated with specific worms and viruses. Identification of a particular software attack typically requires matching of 3 or more of the highest amplitude frequencies, and, optionally, amplitude information. |
| US07877617B2 |
Energy-saving mode-equipped apparatus, information processing apparatus, and control method
An energy-saving mode-equipped apparatus for implementing an energy-saving mode for limiting power supply to modules notifies an information specifying a restore time from the energy-saving mode to an information processing apparatus connected via a network before switching into the energy-saving mode. The information processing apparatus transmits a processing request to the energy-saving mode-equipped apparatus after the restore time has elapsed since a launch request was transmitted to the energy-saving mode-equipped apparatus. |
| US07877616B2 |
Data management system, data processing system, and computer-readable medium having on which data management program is recorded
A data management system including a storage and activating an application so that the application accesses contents in the storage and processes the contents. The data management system also monitors access of the application to the contents by associating information for the application brought into an activated status with information for the accessed contents. The data management system also enciphers the contents with the application information when the activated application writes the contents into the storage while deciphering the contents with the application information when the activated application reads out the contents. |
| US07877614B2 |
Process for securing the access to the resources of an information handling system (I.H.S.)
A process for securing the access to the resources of an Information Handling System (I.H.S.) in accordance with the present invention which involves the steps of: initiating a first preliminary qualification process for the purpose of generating a system qualification file (SQF) comprising a list and identifiers of components detected within the system; encrypting the qualification file in order to create a reference system qualification signature (RQS); and storing the reference qualification signature (RQS); and initiating preliminary to a transaction or to a service to be secured, a validation process for the purpose of generating a new system qualification file; encrypting the new system qualification file in order to generate a checking signature; and comparing the checking signature with the reference signature and, in response to the comparison, allowing or denying access to the transaction or service. |
| US07877613B2 |
Protecting mobile code against malicious hosts
Techniques for using a class loader to protect mobile code against a malicious host. The techniques include using the class loader to extend a class used by the mobile code such that a method is added to the code which authenticates the mobile code. When executed, the method provides a dynamic watermark that authenticates the code. The method may be encrypted until it is added to the code. One such method uses a static watermark in the code to determine whether the code has been modified. The techniques also include using a class loader to extend the class such that obfuscated symbolic names in the program that correspond to symbolic names defined by the class can be resolved. A way of doing this is to include a first association between the obfuscated symbolic names and encrypted forms of the corresponding symbolic names in the program and to make a second association between the encrypted forms of the corresponding symbolic names and information used to resolve the symbolic names defined in the class. The loader then uses the first and second associations to resolve the obfuscated names. |
| US07877611B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing on-line fraud using personal digital identification
A distributed Personal Digital Identification (PDI) system and architecture rapidly verifies individuals using biometric data or other tokens prior to approving a transaction and/or granting access to an on-line services and other network services. The architecture that includes a server that has access to template data required to authenticate individuals, and the processing capacity to route authenticated requests to the appropriate downstream entity (Internet Service Provider, Credit Card Company, etc.). The server is connected to requesting users by various network methods to form a client/server architecture. The server and clients each contain discrete subsystems, which provide various levels of authentication services to users of the system. |
| US07877609B2 |
Optimization methods for the insertion, protection, and detection of digital watermarks in digital data
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for encoding digital watermarks into content signals. Also disclosed are systems and methods for detecting and/or verifying digital watermarks in content signals. According to one embodiment, a system for encoding of digital watermark information includes: a window identifier for identifying a sample window in the signal; an interval calculator for determining a quantization interval of the sample window; and a sampler for normalizing the sample window to provide normalized samples. According to another embodiment, a system for pre-analyzing a digital signal for encoding at least one digital watermark using a digital filter is disclosed. According to another embodiment, a method for pre-analyzing a digital signal for encoding digital watermarks comprises: (1) providing a digital signal; (2) providing a digital filter to be applied to the digital signal; and (3) identifying an area of the digital signal that will be affected by the digital filter based on at least one measurable difference between the digital signal and a counterpart of the digital signal selected from the group consisting of the digital signal as transmitted, the digital signal as stored in a medium, and the digital signal as played backed. According to another embodiment, a method for encoding a watermark in a content signal includes the steps of (1) splitting a watermark bit stream; and (2) encoding at least half of the watermark bit stream in the content signal using inverted instances of the watermark bit stream. Other methods and systems for encoding/decoding digital watermarks are also disclosed. |
| US07877600B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing root certification
An apparatus and method for providing at least one root certificate are disclosed. Specifically, a plurality of root certificates is received and stored. Afterwards, a request is received from a first endpoint device for a desired root certificate, where the desired root certificate is used by the first endpoint device to verify an identity of a second endpoint device. Furthermore, the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device are associated with different certificate hierarchies. The desired root certificate is then sent to at least the first endpoint device. |
| US07877595B2 |
Modular cryptographic device and related methods
A cryptographic device may include a cryptographic module and a communications module removably coupled thereto. The cryptographic module may include a first housing, a user network interface carried by the first housing, a cryptographic processor carried by the first housing and coupled to the user network interface, and a first connector carried by the first housing and coupled to the cryptographic processor. Furthermore, the communications module may include a second housing, a second connector carried by the second housing and being removably mateable with the first connector of the cryptographic module, and a network communications interface carried by the second housing and coupled to the second connector. |
| US07877592B2 |
System and methods for efficient and cooperative operating system switching
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for performing operating system (OS) switching. In one embodiment, the method comprising enabling a plurality of operating systems to run concurrently on a computer, wherein a first operating system in the plurality of operating systems is actively being run, the method comprising, identifying a second operating system of a plurality of operating systems that is to be active next, exchanging information between the first and second operating systems using a storage area accessible by the first and second operating systems, causing the first operating system to become inactive by performing a suspend operation; and causing the second operating system to become active by performing a resume operation to cause the second operating system to resume operation, wherein the information controls which operations are performed as part of one or both of the suspend and resume operations. |
| US07877589B2 |
Configuring a device for operation on a computing platform
A method which includes initializing a device following a power cycle. The initialization includes an agent for the device implementing one or more command sequences to configure the device for operation on a computing platform. The one or more implemented command sequences are recorded and a configuration flag is asserted to indicate the device has been configured for operation on the computing platform. The configuration flag is included in a command configuration register. At least a portion of the recorded one or more command sequences and the command configuration register are stored in a persistent memory that includes non-volatile memory resident on the device. Based on an other power cycle, the device is to access the command configuration register. Based on the command configuration register, the device is to determine whether it is to configure itself by implementing the one or more stored command sequences. The device then configures itself based on that determination. Other implementations and examples are described in this disclosure. |
| US07877587B2 |
Branch prediction within a multithreaded processor
A branch prediction mechanism 16, 18 within a multithreaded processor having hardware scheduling logic 6, 8, 10, 12 uses a shared global history table 18 which is indexed by respective branch history registers 20, 22 for each program thread. Different mappings are used between preceding branch behavior and the prediction value stored within respective branch history registers 20, 22. These different mappings may be provided by inverters placed into the shift in paths for the branch history registers 20, 22 or by adders 40, 42 or in some other way. The different mappings help to equalise the probability of use of the particular storage locations within the global history table 18 such that the plurality of program threads are not competing excessively for the same storage locations corresponding to the more commonly occurring patterns of preceding branch behavior. |
| US07877585B1 |
Structured programming control flow in a SIMD architecture
One embodiment of a computing system configured to manage divergent threads in a SIMD thread group includes a stack configured to store state information for processing control instructions. A parallel processing unit is configured to perform the steps of determining if one or more threads diverge during execution of a conditional control instruction. A disable mask allows for the use of conditional return and break instructions in a multithreaded SIMD architecture. Additional control instructions are used to set up thread processing target addresses for synchronization, breaks, and returns. |
| US07877578B2 |
Processing apparatus for storing branch history information in predecode instruction cache
The present invention provides an information processing apparatus having a predecoder decoding an operation code in an input instruction, generating conditional branch instruction information indicating that the input instruction is a conditional branch instruction and instruction type information indicating a type of the conditional branch instruction when the input instruction is a conditional branch instruction, and writing the input instruction, from which the operation code is deleted, the conditional branch instruction information and the instruction type information to the instruction cache memory, and a history information writing unit writing history information indicating whether or not the conditional branch instruction was branched, as a result of executing the conditional branch instruction stored in the instruction cache memory, to an area in the instruction cache memory, where the operation code of the conditional branch instruction is deleted. |
| US07877576B2 |
Processing system having co-processor for storing data
When an interruption instruction occurs in an information processing apparatus including a CPU and a coprocessor, execution of a single dedicated instruction “GETACX Dm,Dn” performs saving of necessary data from all registers. “Dm” is a value output from a general register group 104 to a first data input bus 120. Each of calculation units implemented in a coprocessor 110 recognizes a value stored therein. If a value “Dm” specifies one of the calculation units, the specified calculation unit outputs, to a selector 116, data stored in a register included in the specified calculation unit. An implemented calculation unit information output circuit 117 stores therein the count of the calculation units implemented in the coprocessor 110. If a value of the first data input bus 120 is greater than the count of the calculation units, the implemented calculation unit information output circuit 117 outputs a value “1” to a flag register 102. Based on the fact that the value stored on the flag register 102 is “1”, a CPU 100 recognizes that saving of the data from the register has been completed. |
| US07877575B2 |
Microprocessor
The invention relates to a microprocessor having a plurality of components which are selected from registers (14,16), arithmetic logic units (30,32), memory (36,38), input/output circuits and other similar components where the plurality of components are interconnected in a manner which allows connection between some of the components to be varied under program control. |
| US07877574B2 |
Relay node communication interface transmitting update packet to higher node by executing chain indivisibility instructions upon receiving data change notification from lower node
A first storing unit stores therein a chain indivisibility instruction. A detecting unit detects a change of first data that is distributed in a node computer. A first designating unit designates, when the detecting unit detects the change in the first data, an indivisibility instruction corresponding to the first data from which the change is detected, by referring to the first storing unit. A first executing unit executes the indivisibility instruction designated by the first designating unit. |
| US07877573B1 |
Work-efficient parallel prefix sum algorithm for graphics processing units
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for computing a parallel prefix sum using one or more cooperative thread arrays (CTA) within a graphics processing unit. The prefix sum input list is partitioned and distributed to each CTA. Within each CTA, the input list is further partitioned for processing by individual threads in a way that avoids access conflicts to memory. Each list partition within the CTA is assigned to one of a plurality of concurrent threads, which executes a prefix sum operation the partition. The final values of the prefix sum operations form a list that is then subjected to a second prefix sum operation. Each element of the second prefix sum operation is added to each element of the subsequent partition, completing the prefix sum operation within the CTA. This technique may be extended to prefix sum operations that span two or more CTAs. |
| US07877571B2 |
System and method of determining an address of an element within a table
In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes executing a single instruction to identify a location within a table stored at a memory. The single instruction is executable by a processor to extract bit field data from a first register and insert the bit field data into an index portion of a second register. The second register includes a table address portion and an index portion. The table address portion includes a table address identifying a memory location associated with a table. The table address and the bit field data combine to form an indexed address to an element within the table. |
| US07877567B2 |
Transporting image files
A method for transporting an image file over a network is provided. The network may include two or more computers, and the image file may include a control stream, a data stream, and a cluster map stream. The method may include parsing the image file into two or more segments. A first segment may include the control stream, the cluster map stream and a first portion of the data stream. A second segment includes a second portion of the data stream. The method may also include sending the first segment from a first computer to a second computer, and sending the second segment from the first computer to the second computer. |
| US07877563B2 |
Programmable memory device security
A removable digital data storage device has a programmable memory controller, a data storage medium and a data destruction means. The memory controller is encoded with a firmware program to provide a computer device driver interface, wherein the firmware program further configures the memory controller to secure data on the medium by querying for a hardware code in response to a data operation request by a computer through the interface and either granting access in response to a hardware code input or, independent of an operational status of the requesting computer, directly instructing the data destruction means to render data residing on the data storage medium unreadable in response to a failure to receive the first hardware code input through the interface. |
| US07877562B2 |
Memory controller, flash memory system, and control method of flash memory
A flash memory stores a boot program of a host system and its backup program. A memory controller determines whether or not the boot program is stored properly in the flash memory when the host system is to be activated. The memory controller reads out the boot program in a case where the boot program is stored properly, and reads out the backup program in a case where the boot program is not stored properly. Then, the memory controller supplies the read-out boot program or backup program to the host system. This makes it possible to avoid a situation that the host system cannot be activated due to the boot program not being able to be executed. |
| US07877560B2 |
Storage system with automated resource allocation
When a plurality of disk control apparatuses function as one disk control apparatus with a mutual connecting network, a processor is used as an independent resource. Moreover, states of use of resources are monitored, and processing from distribution of the resources to allocation of control tasks is optimized promptly so as to be compatible with a user request. By promptly making system performance compatible with the user request according to the present invention, a state in which the user request and the system performance are alienated from each other for a long time is eliminated. |
| US07877559B2 |
Mechanism to accelerate removal of store operations from a queue
A processor includes at least one processing core. The processing core includes a memory cache, a store queue, and a post-retirement store queue. The processing core retires a store in the store queue and conveys the store to the memory cache and the post-retirement store queue, in response to retiring the store. In one embodiment, the store queue and/or the post-retirement store queue is a first-in, first-out queue. In a further embodiment, to convey the store to the memory cache, the processing core obtains exclusive access to a portion of the memory cache targeted by the store. The processing core buffers the store in a coalescing buffer and merges with the store, one or more additional stores and/or loads targeted to the portion of the memory cache targeted by the store prior to writing the store to the memory cache. |
| US07877558B2 |
Memory controller prioritization scheme
A system includes a processor coupled to a memory through a memory controller. The memory controller includes first and second queues. The memory controller receives memory requests from the processor, assigns a priority to each request, stores each request in the first queue, and schedules processing of the requests based on their priorities. The memory controller changes the priority of a request in the first queue in response to a trigger, sends a next scheduled request from the first queue to the second queue in response to detecting the next scheduled request has the highest priority of any request in the first queue, and sends requests from the second queue to the memory. The memory controller changes the priority of different types of requests in response to different types of triggers. The memory controller maintains a copy of each request sent to the second queue in the first queue. |
| US07877553B2 |
Sharing volume data via shadow copies using differential areas
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to sharing volume data via shadow copies. In aspects, an active computer creates a shadow copy of a volume. The shadow copy is exposed to one or more passive computers that may read but not write to the volume. A passive computer may obtain data from the shadow copy by determining whether the data has been written to a differential area and, if so, reading it from the differential area. If the data has not been written to the differential area, the passive computer may obtain it by first reading it from the volume, then re-determining whether it has been written to the differential area, and if so, reading the data from the differential area. Otherwise, the data read from the volume corresponds to the data needed for the shadow copy. |
| US07877552B2 |
Symmetric multiprocessor fault tolerant computer system
A symmetric multiprocessing fault-tolerant computer system controls memory access in a symmetric multiprocessing computer system. To do so, virtual page structures are created, where the virtual page structures reflect physical page access privileges to shared memory for processors in a symmetric multiprocessing computer system. Access to shared memory is controlled based on physical page access privileges reflected in the virtual paging structures to coordinate deterministic shared memory access between processors in the symmetric multiprocessing computer system. A symmetric multiprocessing fault-tolerant computer system may use duplication or continuous replay. |
| US07877551B2 |
Programmable partitioning for high-performance coherence domains in a multiprocessor system
A multiprocessor computing system and a method of logically partitioning a multiprocessor computing system are disclosed. The multiprocessor computing system comprises a multitude of processing units, and a multitude of snoop units. Each of the processing units includes a local cache, and the snoop units are provided for supporting cache coherency in the multiprocessor system. Each of the snoop units is connected to a respective one of the processing units and to all of the other snoop units. The multiprocessor computing system further includes a partitioning system for using the snoop units to partition the multitude of processing units into a plurality of independent, memory-consistent, adjustable-size processing groups. Preferably, when the processor units are partitioned into these processing groups, the partitioning system also configures the snoop units to maintain cache coherency within each of said groups. |
| US07877549B1 |
Enforcement of cache coherency policies using process synchronization services
In general, this disclosure describes techniques of ensuring cache coherency in a multi-processor computing system. More specifically, a relaxed coherency mechanism is described that provides the appearance of strong coherency and consistency to correctly written software executing on the multi-processor system. The techniques, as described herein, combine software synchronization instructions with certain hardware-implemented instructions to ensure cache coherency. |
| US07877548B2 |
Shared buffer having hardware-controlled buffer regions
Buffer memories having hardware controlled buffer space regions in which the hardware controls the dimensions of the various buffer space regions to meet the demands of a particular system. The hardware monitors the usage of the buffer data regions over time and subsequently and automatically adjusts the dimensions of the buffer space regions based on the utilization of those buffer regions. |
| US07877545B2 |
Online restriping technique for distributed network based virtualization
A technique is provided for implementing online restriping of a volume in a storage area network. A first instance of the volume is instantiated at a first port of the fibre channel fabric for enabling I/O operations to be performed at the volume. While restriping operations are being performed at the volume, the first port is able to concurrently perform I/O operations at the volume. |
| US07877539B2 |
Direct data file storage in flash memories
Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. The file based interface between the host and memory systems allows the memory system controller to utilize the data storage blocks within the memory with increased efficiency. |
| US07877537B2 |
Configurable cache for a microprocessor
A cache module for a central processing unit has a cache control unit coupled with a memory, and a cache memory coupled with the control unit and the memory, wherein the cache memory has a plurality of cache lines, at least one cache line of the plurality of cache lines has an address tag bit field and an associated storage area for storing instructions to be issued sequentially and at least one control bit field, wherein the control bit field is coupled with the address tag bit field to mask a predefined number of bits in the address tag bit field. |
| US07877535B2 |
Processor and interrupt handling method
Disclosed are a processor and an interrupt handling method. The processor of the present exemplary embodiments may include a plurality of processing elements and may predict whether a periodic interrupt occurs during a parallel processing mode before entering a mode in which the plurality of processing elements share a single task to process the single task in parallel. The processor may delay entering the parallel processing mode based on the prediction. The processor may reduce overhead that stores a context of the plurality of processing elements when the interrupt occurs. |
| US07877533B2 |
Bus system, bus slave and bus control method
A bus system includes one or more bus masters, one or more bus slaves, and a response unit. When an access request to a resource of a bus slave is sent from a bus master, the response unit outputs a wait response that is either a blocking wait response to cause the bus master to perform a blocking wait operation or a non-blocking wait response to cause it to perform a non-blocking wait operation to the bus master if the bus slave is in the wait state. |
| US07877529B1 |
Low overhead, data transparent synchronization of streaming serial data
Synchronization management is provided for a continuous serial data streaming application wherein the serial data stream includes a plurality of consecutive, identical-length segments of consecutive serial data bits. Synchronization management bits are provided in each segment. The synchronization management bits are programmed such that the synchronization management bits contained in first and second adjacent segments of the serial data stream will bear a predetermined relationship to one another. At the receiving end, the synchronization management bits are examined from segment to segment. In this manner, synchronization can be monitored, synchronization loss can be detected, and synchronization recovery can be achieved. |
| US07877526B2 |
Data processing system having a channel adapter shared by multiple operating systems
A data processing system including a processing unit on which a control program runs, a plurality of operating systems (OS's) configured to run under control of said control program, a Peripheral Component Interchange (PCI) bus coupled to the processing unit, and a channel adaptor for data transmission/reception, wherein: the channel adaptor is coupled to the PCI bus on a PCI bus side of the channel adapter, and the channel adapter includes only one connecting port on an input/output (I/O) side of the channel adapter; an input/output process is executed between each OS and said channel adaptor by using input/output process control data specifying input/output (I/O) data, the input/output process control data being provided via a Queue Pair having a Queue Pair identifier and including a Send Queue, Receive Queue and Complete Queue; configuration information is provided, exclusively defining the Queue Pair identifier of said Queue Pair of said input/output process control data which is usable exclusively by each respective OS; said channel adaptor can process a plurality of input/output process control data; and each OS uses said input/output process control data corresponding to a unique usable Queue Pair identifier and defined in said configuration information, and thereby a plurality of OS's control input/output process control data having different Queue Pair identifiers relative to said channel adaptor to execute the input/output process without sharing said input/output process control data for said channel adaptor by different OS's. |
| US07877525B1 |
Resuming media objects delivered via progressive downloading services upon data loss events
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for resuming a media object presented following a data loss event are provided. A physical disconnection that occurs at a point during the presentation of the media object is detected. The physical disconnection interrupts the presentation of the media object. Upon detecting the physical disconnection, a reestablishment of the physical connection is detected. Subsequently, an option to resume the presentation of the media object at the interrupted point is presented to a user. |
| US07877524B1 |
Logical address direct memory access with multiple concurrent physical ports and internal switching
A DMA engine is provided that is suitable for higher performance System On a Chip (SOC) devices that have multiple concurrent on-chip/off-chip memory spaces. The DMA engine operates either on logical addressing method or physical addressing method and provides random and sequential mapping function from logical address to physical address while supporting frequent context switching among a large number of logical address spaces. Embodiments of the present invention utilize per direction (source-destination) queuing and an internal switch to support non-blocking concurrent transfer of data on multiple directions. A caching technique can be incorporated to reduce the overhead of address translation. |
| US07877523B2 |
Apparatus, computer program product, and system for completing a plurality of chained list DMA commands that include a fenced list DMA command element
An apparatus and a computer program product are provided for completing a plurality of (direct memory access) DMA commands in a computer system. It is determined whether the DMA commands are chained together as a list DMA command. Upon a determination that the DMA commands are chained together as a list DMA command, it is also determined whether a current list element of the list DMA command is fenced. Upon a determination that the current list element is not fenced, a next list element is fetched and processed before the current list element has been completed. |
| US07877519B2 |
Selecting one of a plurality of adapters to use to transmit a packet
Provided are a method, system, and program for selecting one of a plurality of adapters to use to transmit a packet. A packet is generated by a protocol driver having connection information in a packet header. A determination is made as to whether there is one value in a table for the connection information. The packet and the determined value are forwarded to a network driver in response to determining that the table has one value for the connection information. The network driver uses the forwarded value to determine one of a plurality of adapters to use to transmit the packet over a network. |
| US07877517B2 |
Determining whether to compress data transmitted over a network
Provided are a method, system and program for determining whether to compress data transmitted over a network. A determination is made of compression performance for a compression algorithm to use to compress data to transmit to a target node over a network and of network performance of the network. The determined compression performance and the network performance are used to determine whether to compress the data. The data is compressed in response to determining to compress the data and the compressed data is transmitted to the target node over the network in response to compressing the data. The data is transmitted to the target node uncompressed in response to determining not to compress the data. |
| US07877515B2 |
Identity assignment for software components
Devices, systems, methods and software are described which provide identity assignment and redistribution capabilities for software components of a distributed application. Identity value ranges can be fixed or variable. Identity assignment schemes according to exemplary embodiments facilitate the continuation of traffic between the components and clients during redistribution of the identities. |
| US07877508B1 |
Method and system for intelligently forwarding multicast packets
A routing system utilizes a layer 2 switch interconnecting several routers to intelligently forward multicast packets throughout an internet exchange carrying multicast content. The layer 2 switch performs protocol snooping to extract a lookup key that is based on network layer protocol information. The lookup key is uniquely formulated to support either shared or explicit source distribution trees. The lookup key is used to query a forwarding memory that returns an outgoing port index. The outgoing port index points to one or more outgoing ports that are eligible to receive the multicast packet. The outgoing ports are also connected to the neighboring device(s) that are designated to receive the multicast packet. The routing system also supports real time maintenance and updating of the forwarding memory based on the periodic exchange of control messages. The routing system is configured to support PIM routers operating in PIM SM or PIM SSM modes. However, the routing system can also support other multicast protocols and/or standards. |
| US07877505B1 |
Configurable resolution policy for data switch feature failures
A method for communication includes associating respective feature chains with a plurality of interfaces of a data switch. The feature chains include service features. A respective failure policy is defined for each of one or more of the service features in each of the feature chains. Upon detecting a failure in a service feature in a feature chain associated with one of the interfaces, data packets are routed through the data switch while applying, responsively to the failure, the respective failure policy to the one of the interfaces. |
| US07877501B2 |
Packet prioritization and associated bandwidth and buffer management techniques for audio over IP
The present invention is directed to voice communication devices in which an audio stream is divided into a sequence of individual packets, each of which is routed via pathways that can vary depending on the availability of network resources. All embodiments of the invention rely on an acoustic prioritization agent that assigns a priority value to the packets. The priority value is based on factors such as whether the packet contains voice activity and the degree of acoustic similarity between this packet and adjacent packets in the sequence. A confidence level, associated with the priority value, may also be assigned. In one embodiment, network congestion is reduced by deliberately failing to transmit packets that are judged to be acoustically similar to adjacent packets; the expectation is that, under these circumstances, traditional packet loss concealment algorithms in the receiving device will construct an acceptably accurate replica of the missing packet. In another embodiment, the receiving device can reduce the number of packets stored in its jitter buffer, and therefore the latency of the speech signal, by selectively deleting one or more packets within sustained silences or non-varying speech events. In both embodiments, the ability of the system to drop appropriate packets may be enhanced by taking into account the confidence levels associated with the priority assessments. |
| US07877500B2 |
Packet prioritization and associated bandwidth and buffer management techniques for audio over IP
The present invention is directed to voice communication devices in which an audio stream is divided into a sequence of individual packets, each of which is routed via pathways that can vary depending on the availability of network resources. All embodiments of the invention rely on an acoustic prioritization agent that assigns a priority value to the packets. The priority value is based on factors such as whether the packet contains voice activity and the degree of acoustic similarity between this packet and adjacent packets in the sequence. A confidence level, associated with the priority value, may also be assigned. In one embodiment, network congestion is reduced by deliberately failing to transmit packets that are judged to be acoustically similar to adjacent packets; the expectation is that, under these circumstances, traditional packet loss concealment algorithms in the receiving device will construct an acceptably accurate replica of the missing packet. In another embodiment, the receiving device can reduce the number of packets stored in its jitter buffer, and therefore the latency of the speech signal, by selectively deleting one or more packets within sustained silences or non-varying speech events. In both embodiments, the ability of the system to drop appropriate packets may be enhanced by taking into account the confidence levels associated with the priority assessments. |
| US07877494B2 |
Method, components and system for tracking and controlling end user privacy
A privacy service is provided for use in protection of user data transferred in a network, including a converged network. The privacy service extracts and measures service elements of a message containing user data. The service elements include an identity element, a trust element, a rights element and a security element. The privacy service performs security by comparing service elements with a user defined privacy policy. The privacy policy may also be based on particular factors relating to the application, context, and time of the message. In another embodiment, the privacy service provides controls that indicate when user data is misappropriated as a result of an infringement of the user defined privacy policy. Further the privacy service provides a means to audit and trace deviations from the privacy policy for the purpose of repudiation, or future defense of security threats. |
| US07877490B1 |
Method and apparatus for efficient TCP connection handoff
A method for efficient communications with a cluster-based architecture preserves various aspects of integrity throughout one or more connections with a client, even in the midst of connection migration between nodes in the cluster. According to one aspect, the invention provides a mechanism for preventing the loss of packets arising from a TCP connection migration within the cluster. According to another aspect, the invention provides a mechanism for uniquely identifying conflicting TCP connections migrated to a common node. According to a still further aspect, the invention provides a distributed TCP timestamp mechanism so that the sender and receiver will have a consistent view of the timestamp even when each node has different local clock values and regardless of how many times the socket has been migrated. |
| US07877484B2 |
System and method for bulk processing of semi-structured result streams from multiple resources
A system and associated method for bulk processing of semi-structured results streams from many different resources ingest bytes, parse as many bytes as practical, and return to process additional bytes. The system processes network packets as they arrive from a computing resource, creating intermediate results. The intermediate results are held in a stack until sufficient information is accumulated. The system then merges the intermediate results to form a single document model. As network packets at one connection are consumed by the system, the system can select another connection at which packets are waiting for processing. The processing of a result at a connection can be interrupted while the system processes the results at another connection. In this manner, the system is able to utilize one thread to process many incoming results in parallel. |
| US07877483B1 |
Virtual local area network pruning protocol
In one embodiment, an intermediate network device has a plurality of ports, and at least some of the ports are associated with Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) designations. A spanning tree entity executes a spanning tree protocol to transition the ports among a plurality of spanning tree states. A VLAN port logic circuit is disposed at one or more of the ports and processes control packets advertising VLAN memberships. The VLAN port logic circuit, in response to receiving a control packet broadcast by another intermediate network device, asserts bits in a VLAN wanted vector for which the spanning tree state of the selected port is in the forwarding state, signifying that network messages associated with such VLAN designations are to be forwarded from the respective port. The VLAN wanted vectors may later be transmitted in control messages from the intermediate network device. |
| US07877482B1 |
Efficient application hosting in a distributed application execution system
In a distributed application execution system having an application master and a plurality of application servers, each application server includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs. The one of more programs include instructions for storing in non-volatile storage a plurality of applications distributed to the application server by the application master, for loading into volatile storage and executing a respective application in response to a received request, and for returning a result to the request. In addition, the one of more programs include instructions for conditionally retaining the respective application in volatile storage, for responding to a future request, when criteria, including at least predefined usage level criteria, are met by the respective application, and otherwise removing the respective application from volatile storage upon returning the result to the request. |
| US07877481B2 |
Method and apparatus for overflowing data packets to a software-controlled memory when they do not fit into a hardware-controlled memory
A system for managing packets incoming to a data router has a local packet memory (LPM) mapped into pre-configured memory units, to store packets for processing, an external packet memory (EPM), a first storage system to store packets in the LPM, and a second storage system to store packets in the EPM. The system is characterized in that the first storage system attempts to store all incoming packets in the LPM, and for those packets that are not compatible with the LPM, relinquishes control to the second system, which stores the LPM-incompatible packets in the EPM. |
| US07877480B2 |
Method and system for peer-to-peer authorization
An authorization mechanism within a peer-to-peer network is presented. A central server that operates a centralized data repository search engine within a peer-to-peer network performs authentication and authorization operations with respect to users that access its services. A user at a peer node reviews peer-to-peer search results that have been gathered and returned by the centralized search engine. When the user desires to retrieve a file from another peer node, the user's peer node must obtain an authorization token from the central server, which authenticates the user or has previously authenticated the user. The user's peer node then presents the authorization token along with a request to retrieve the file from the other peer node. After verifying the authorization token, the other peer node responds with the requested file. If the other peer node cannot verify the authorization token, then the other peer node denies access to the file. |
| US07877479B2 |
Bandwidth control system and method capable of reducing traffic congestion on content servers
A bandwidth control system controls the bandwidths used by plural web crawlers. The bandwidth control system receives a connection request from one of the web crawlers for establishing a connection between that web crawler and a content server. The control system records each of the web crawlers in association with a content server to which that web crawler is connected. The control system monitors the traffic on the content servers to which the web crawlers are connected. When the traffic on the content server recorded becomes too heavy, the control system disconnects the web crawler from the content server to which the crawler is connected. |
| US07877472B2 |
System and method for displaying historical performance of an element on a network
A method of monitoring an element in a computer network including monitoring a preselected variable relating to that element; defining a threshold for the monitored preselected variable; establishing a sliding window in time; repeatedly generating a time above threshold value, the time above threshold value being a measure of an amount of time during which the monitored variable exceeded the threshold during the sliding window of time; detecting when the time above threshold value exceeds a condition window value; and in response to detecting when the time above threshold value exceeds the condition window, generating an alarm. |
| US07877471B2 |
Detecting system reconfiguration and maintaining persistent I/O configuration data in a clustered computer system
In a clustered computer system with multiple power domains, a bus number manager within each power domain manages multiple nodes independently of other power domains. A node within a specified power domain includes a non-volatile memory that includes bus numbering information for its own buses as well as bus numbering information for two of its logically-interconnected neighbors. This creates a distributed database of the interconnection topology for each power domain. Because a node contains bus numbering information about its logical neighbor node(s), the bus numbers for the buses in the nodes are made persistent across numerous different system reconfigurations. The clustered computer system also includes a bus number manager that reads the non-volatile memories in the nodes during initial program load (i.e., boot) that reconstructs the interconnection topology from the information read from the non-volatile memories, and that assigns bus numbers to the buses according to the derived interconnection topology. |
| US07877469B2 |
Authentication and authorization for simple network management protocol (SNMP)
A system is provided that includes a manager device that executes a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) manager. The system also includes an agent device coupled to the manager device. The agent device executes a SNMP agent that selectively provides access to managed data. The SNMP manager enables a user to issue a login command. The SNMP agent processes the login command and, if the user is authenticated, allows the user to access the managed data using a session identifier. |
| US07877467B2 |
Network equipment system
This network equipment system is a system of a functional processing system, and is configured so that each network device performs a function assigned to itself whereby the whole system performs the predetermined action. Each network device has a function memory part 10, a variable memory exchanger 11, an execution function selector 12, and a function execution part 13. The variable memory exchanger 11 is connected to each network device through a telecommunications line, and it stores a variable necessary for execution of the functions stored in the function memory part 10 of each network device, and it shares the variable among the network devices. The execution function selector refers the variable stored in the variable memory exchanger, and it selects an executable function out of the functions stored in the function memory part. The function execution part executes the function selected by the execution function selector and updates the variable stored in the variable memory exchanger by the execution result. |
| US07877466B2 |
Network topology based storage allocation for virtualization
Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the configuration and allocation of storage resources in a fiber channel fabric. Network topology information and loop topology information is used to increase data availability and data access efficiency. For example, devices in different loops are selected for striping and devices connected to a host through different ports and switches are selected for mirroring. Link speed, quality of service, credits, and the availability of trunking links can also be considered. |
| US07877463B2 |
Method and systems for providing access to dynamic content via static pages
A system and method for providing access to dynamic content via static pages. A page or portion of a page is received containing at least one executable element and at least one static element. The at least one executable element is identified and then processed to produce output. A static page is created comprising the produced output. In some embodiments static elements linked to executable elements are replaced with static links referencing said executable elements. In other embodiments a page comprising a single form is created from a page comprising at least two forms. |
| US07877462B2 |
Managing transiently connected network clients
The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for delivering data over a computer network. |
| US07877461B1 |
System and method for adding dynamic information to digitally signed mobile applications
Described are systems and methods for adding information to a mobile application. A mobile application is downloaded from a server to a mobile device using a web browser. A web browser cookie associated with the mobile application is stored on the mobile device. A request is sent from the mobile application to the server, where the request includes information from the stored web browser cookie. Mobile application data associated with the stored web browser cookie from the server is received by the mobile application in response to the request. The mobile application is then provided with access to the mobile application data. |
| US07877459B2 |
Method and system for modifying requests for remote resources
Techniques for modifying requests or browser viewable documents (e.g., markup language documents) are described. By modifying requests or browser viewable documents, access to resources residing on remote servers through an intermediate server is facilitated. In one embodiment, Universal Resource Locators (URLs) associated with requests or markup language documents are modified. The techniques are suitable for both secure and unsecure requests. The techniques can also modify requests or browser viewable documents at the intermediate server, a client device, or both. |
| US07877455B2 |
Remote system override
A system and a method for providing remote supervisory override of a lockout at a workstation is disclosed. The system includes a first workstation and a second workstation. The first workstation has lockout functionality, wherein at least a portion of the functionality of the workstation is locked when a lockout module in the first workstation detects a violation of a predetermined rule. The first workstation includes an override request module that sends an override request message to the second workstation, which is associated with a supervisor. The second workstation includes an override response module that the supervisor uses to send an override response message back to the first workstation. When the first workstation receives an override response message that authorizes overriding the rule, the first workstation is unlocked. |
| US07877445B2 |
Collaboration server, collaboration system, and method and program for collaboration server and system, for reducing network traffic
The present invention provides a collaboration system that reduces communication traffic, is platform- and OS-independent, and has high versatility. There are provided a collaboration server connected with a plurality of terminal apparatuses through a network for obtaining, retaining, and distributing a Web page as a work screen used in collaborative work among the terminal apparatuses, and a chat server for managing chat sessions. The collaboration server participates as a chat client in a chat session managed by the chat server and distributes an operation instruction concerning the work screen as a chat message to each terminal apparatus. The work screen is reloaded into each terminal apparatus according to the operation instruction to allow the collaborative work to progress. |
| US07877442B1 |
Context-aware processes for allowing users of network services to access account information
A system provides account statistics to a user of a network service. The system provides access, to a user, to the network service. The system determines one of an environmental attribute or context associated with the user's access of the network service. The system provides, contemporaneously with the access of the network service, a document to the user, where the document includes account statistics related to the one of the determined environmental attribute or content. |
| US07877427B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method thereof
A printing apparatus manages identifiers of accounting destinations of print jobs. With a Web browser, a client can set update settings (update rules) of an identifier list saved in an identifier saving unit (of a device. An identifier update unit obtains an identifier list from another device, and updates the identifier list by adding or synchronizing identifiers included in the obtained identifier list in accordance with the update settings. |
| US07877422B2 |
Method and system for processing 1:N relationships between data object nodes
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a method and system for processing 1:N relationships between data object nodes. A first data object and a second data object is provided wherein a first node of the first data object has a 1:N relation with a second node of the second data object. The first node includes a first sync key uniquely identifying a field in the first node. The second node includes n second sync keys, each of the n second sync keys uniquely identifying a field in the second node. A shadow node is generated in the first data object. The 1:N relation is de-normalized to generate 1:1 associations between the first node and the second node, the 1:1 associations being stored in shadow node. |
| US07877421B2 |
Method and system for mapping enterprise data assets to a semantic information model
A method for mapping data schemas into an ontology model, including providing an ontology model including classes and properties of classes, providing a data schema, identifying a primary data construct within the data schema, identifying a secondary data construct within the primary data construct, mapping the primary data construct to a corresponding class of the ontology model, and mapping the secondary data construct to a property of the corresponding class of the ontology model. A system and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed. |
| US07877418B2 |
Schema for sharing relational database types
A schema for storing the meta data that describes relational databases. Advantageously, the schema can be used in both database vendor environments and toolkit vendor environments, thereby facilitating the sharing of relational database types. In addition, by describing the schema in a standard modeling language, even among multiple implementations of storage systems designed according to the schema, the conceptual structure and understanding of each storage system can be the same. |
| US07877413B1 |
Path variablizing layered system
The inventions relate generally to layered computing systems that provide public access to the content of the layers. Also disclosed herein are prioritization schemes usable in a layered computing system, including prioritization by layer type, by assigned priority weights, by access type, by sub-layers and by read-write indicators. Processes may further be associated to layers from which they originate, and priority given to associated layers thereby. Association may also be provided for installer services, thereby depositing an applications updates into its layer. Layers may also contain file reference information including exclusion or inclusion entries indicating what files may be written thereto. Paths recorded in layers may also embed variables to true paths on a layered system. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims. |
| US07877411B1 |
System and method for duplication of virtual private server files
A method and system for managing files in a server environment includes launching a plurality of Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) in a computing system; copying a content of a file of a VPS to a shared space; providing access to the file copy in the shared space when the VPS attempts to access the file; detecting files with the same content in other VPSs; and providing access to the file copy in the shared space from the other VPSs when they attempt to access their files with the identical content. |
| US07877407B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating use of hypertext links on the world wide web
A database server contains pointers to useful information, such as on the World Wide Web. Users of the server may have hypertext links added automatically into documents they submit. Users may additionally contribute to the link database, thereby extending it, and may add additional qualifying information pertaining to the links. |
| US07877405B2 |
Pruning of spatial queries using index root MBRS on partitioned indexes
A method, system, and computer program product provides improved performance for queries on local partitioned indexes. A method of performing a database query comprises receiving a query of spatial data in a database, the database comprising at least one partitioned spatial index, obtaining metadata relating to all partitions of the spatial index using array-fetching techniques, determining, for each partition, whether the partition is relevant to the query by comparing with “footprint” (root_mbr) information stored in the metadata for the partition, and processing the query on each relevant partition. |
| US07877402B1 |
Method and system for providing network search results based in part on a user's financial data
A method and system for providing relevant search results using financial data includes a process for providing relevant search results using financial data whereby a user's financial transaction data is obtained from one or more sources. A user then initiates a network search using one or more network search parameters such as one or more keywords and/or phrases. The scope of the one or more network search parameters, and therefore the scope of the network search, are then determined and/or modified based, at least in part, on the user's financial data. |
| US07877396B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and extracting information from dynamically generated web pages
A method and apparatus for automatically detecting and extracting information from dynamically generated web pages are disclosed. For example, the present method stores user provided information that is entered into a form interface of a web page for a first query. Responsive to the first query, a first response web page is received and stored. The present method then automatically generates a second query to acquire a second response web page that is responsive to the second query. Finally, the present method compares the first response web page and the second response web page. In one embodiment, the present invention extracts information that is dissimilar between the first response web page and the second response web page. This extracted information is deemed to be the pertinent information requested by the user. |
| US07877393B2 |
Method and system for accessing a file system
A method for accessing a file system that includes creating a document index for an active document, identifying a similarity score for each of a plurality of stored documents to generate a list of similar documents, wherein the similarity score is computed by comparing the document index for the active document with a search index for the plurality of stored documents, and displaying the list of similar documents in a file system interface. |
| US07877392B2 |
Centralized web-based software solutions for search engine optimization
A system and method for modifying a parameter of a website in order to optimize an organic listing of the website at one or more search engines is described. Several embodiments include methods and systems for generating scored representations based upon different portions of data associated with a website, and then combining the scored representations to achieve a result. The result indicates a feature of the website that may be modified in order to optimize the organic ranking of the website at one or more search engines. |
| US07877389B2 |
Segmentation of search topics in query logs
A system and method are disclosed for identifying the tasks that a user is attempting to perform when submitting a series of search queries. A task may be categorized hierarchically into a mission and a goal in order to classify a series of queries and determine the user's intent. The user's mission may be an extended task and the user's goal may be a specific task. A pair of queries may be analyzed to determine whether those queries have the same mission and/or the same goal. For a series of queries, boundaries may be identified between the queries to identify where a user has changed her goal or changed her mission. The identification of goals, missions and boundaries may be automated based on an analysis of features of the queries that are compared. |
| US07877385B2 |
Information retrieval using query-document pair information
Information retrieval using query-document pair information is described. In an embodiment, a click record is accessed having information about queries and documents where user clicks have been observed for query-document pairs. A click graph is either formed or accessed. This has nodes connected by edges, each node representing any of a document and a query and each edge representing at least one observed click. Given at least one first node in the click graph, a similarity measure is determined between that first node and each of one or more second nodes. The second nodes are then ranked on the basis of the similarity measure results and the ranking is used to retrieve information from the click record. |
| US07877384B2 |
Scoring relevance of a document based on image text
A method and system for determining relevance of a document having text and images to a text string is provided. A scoring system identifies image text associated with an image of the document. The scoring system calculates an image score indicating relevance of the image text to the text string. The image score may be used in many applications, such as searching, summary generation, and document classification, image search, and image classification. |
| US07877382B1 |
System and methods for detecting images distracting to a user
Methods and apparatus for detecting distracting search engine results are described. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring the behavior of a user with respect to a group of images that are related in some manner to a query, and using the monitored behavior to calculate the distractiveness of a particular image. The method also includes adding to a group of images related to a query a set of images that are unrelated to the query and monitoring the behavior of a user with respect to all the images. |
| US07877359B2 |
Backup executability judging system
A problem of prior art is that normal backup data is lost as a result of taking a backup by overwriting the normal backup data with data that has been changed greatly from a virus infection or the like. This invention provides a computer system having a storage system. The storage system contains a first storage area and a second storage area for storing a copy of data that is stored in the first storage area at one point in time. Only when the differential amount indicating the difference between data stored in the first storage area and data stored in the second storage area is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the storage system deletes the data which is stored in the second storage area and newly stores a copy of the data stored in the first storage area in the second storage area. |
| US07877354B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending and tracking resume data sent via URL
A resume database system allows for resume records on the resume database system to be viewed by others via a Uniform Resource Locator, URL. In addition, in response to instructions from an authorized user of the resume database system, input from an unauthorized, but otherwise verified, source can be added to the database by the resume database system. The verified user accesses the resume database and completes any necessary forms via a web browser and submits the information. The authorized user defines the actions that the verified user is allowed to take. These actions include, for example, only being able to review resume information, or being able to add information to the resume database without needing training on the operation of the database. A resume database server system coordinates the activity of the authorized and verified users. Communications between all three users is accomplished via a computer network. |
| US07877349B2 |
Methods and apparatus for evaluating semantic proximity
Methods and apparatus to evaluate the semantic proximity between reference free-form text entry and a candidate free-form text request. |
| US07877346B2 |
Method and system for predicting personal preferences
The invention provides techniques for building multiple predictive models of individuals' affinities for attributes of objects and/or services. The accuracies of multiple predictive models are measured and the models are combined based on the measurements, resulting in a more accurate predictive model of individual-specific affinities for attributes of the objects and/or services. |
| US07877345B2 |
Topical sentiments in electronically stored communications
The present application presents methods for performing topical sentiment analysis on electronically stored communications employing fusion of polarity and topicality. The present application also provides methods for utilizing shallow NLP techniques to determine the polarity of an expression. The present application also provides a method for tuning a domain-specific polarity lexicon for use in the polarity determination. The present application also provides methods for computing a numeric metric of the aggregate opinion about some topic expressed in a set of expressions. |
| US07877344B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting meaning from documents using a meaning taxonomy comprising syntactic structures
Systems and methods are provided for an expert search engine. In one embodiment, a method may employ a computer based system to define a meaning taxonomy including one or more meaning loaded entities, associate documents to the meaning taxonomy based on a set of expert rules and the syntactic structures included in the documents and provide the results to a user. In another embodiment, a system includes interfaces for meaning taxonomy, expert rule and search criteria information. The information provided by these interfaces is then used to determine how a set of documents maps to meaning taxonomy to assist the user in locating documents that are most interesting from a meaning perspective and to provide a user with an interface to navigate the meaning taxonomy as it applies to the set of documents. |
| US07877343B2 |
Open information extraction from the Web
To implement open information extraction, a new extraction paradigm has been developed in which a system makes a single data-driven pass over a corpus of text, extracting a large set of relational tuples without requiring any human input. Using training data, a Self-Supervised Learner employs a parser and heuristics to determine criteria that will be used by an extraction classifier (or other ranking model) for evaluating the trustworthiness of candidate tuples that have been extracted from the corpus of text, by applying heuristics to the corpus of text. The classifier retains tuples with a sufficiently high probability of being trustworthy. A redundancy-based assessor assigns a probability to each retained tuple to indicate a likelihood that the retained tuple is an actual instance of a relationship between a plurality of objects comprising the retained tuple. The retained tuples comprise an extraction graph that can be queried for information. |
| US07877341B2 |
Self-adaptive data pre-fetch by artificial neuron network
When a patient enters a medical situation, healthcare professionals can use various amounts of information in evaluating the situation. However, different information can be beneficial dependent on the medical situation. Moreover, personnel can historically use specific information types regardless of the situation. An artificial neuron network is employed to pre-fetch information that personnel likely will want prior to a request from the personnel. In addition, the artificial neuron network can be trained based on results of presented information. |
| US07877338B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and program using recurrent neural networks
An information processing apparatus, includes a lower time series data generation unit having a plurality of recurrent neural networks which learn predetermined time series data, and generating prediction time series data. An upper time series data generation unit has recurrent neural networks which learn error time series data that is time series data of errors raised at the time of the learning by the respective plural recurrent neural networks of the lower time series data generation unit. Generation of prediction error time series data that is time series data of prediction errors; and a conversion unit that performs nonlinear conversion for the prediction errors generated by the upper time series data generation unit. The lower time series data generation unit outputs the prediction time series data according to the prediction errors. |
| US07877336B2 |
Nucleotide sequence screening
A system for screening nucleotide sequences, a method therefor, a program, a recording medium, and a server on which the screening of nucleotide sequences is executed. The solution comprises a step of storing target nucleotide sequence data and a probe nucleotide sequence, a step of generating complementary sequence data from a probe nucleotide sequence that may be bound to the target nucleotide sequence, and storing a maximum acceptable edit distance between the target nucleotide sequence and the probe nucleotide sequence, a step of reading out each nucleotide sequence data and the maximum edit distance from each storing unit, and evaluating the binding possibility of the target nucleotide sequence data and the complementary sequence data in descending order of edit distance, and a step of storing the result of the binding evaluation in a storage unit. |
| US07877334B2 |
Recognizing apparatus and recognizing method
A recognizing apparatus includes a training vector input unit configured to enter training vectors for training, a weak classifier generator configured to obtain weak classifiers based on the value of an element of a dimension common to the training vectors using a learning method, a classifier integrator configured to obtain non-linear mappings for each dimension of the training vectors by combining the weak classifiers, a test vector input unit configured to input a test vector to be classified, a non-linear transformer configured to a transformed vector by transforming the values of the elements of the test vector using the respective non-linear mappings, and a score calculator configured to obtain a classification score by summing the value of the respective elements of the transformed vector and recognize the test vector using the classification score. |
| US07877328B2 |
Communication system communication method, contents processing device, and computer program
A communication system and so forth are provided by which registration or cancellation of a plurality of apparatus owned by a user can be executed efficiently. In the communication system, a content processing apparatus acquires a second source ID list of a content reproduction apparatus. If it is detected based on the second source ID list that the content reproduction apparatus is not yet registered in a management server and a recorder ID of the content processing apparatus is not yet registered in the second source ID list, the content processing apparatus recommends registration. If a registration instruction of the content reproduction apparatus is accepted, the content processing apparatus requests the management server to register the content reproduction apparatus. The content processing apparatus receives registration completion transmitted from the management server and adds a group ID stored in a first source ID list to the second source ID list of the content reproduction apparatus. If the registration instruction of the content reproduction apparatus into the management server is not accepted, then the content processing apparatus adds the recorder ID of the content processing apparatus to the second source ID list. |
| US07877322B2 |
Preferred credit information data collection method
A creditor creates a lock box at a financial institution. The lock box includes an escrow provision. A consumer makes regularly scheduled payments to the financial institution and designates the payment either for the creditor's lock box or for the escrow account. The financial institution reports all payments and escrow events to the creditor and to the credit payment data repository. All credit payment data maintained in the credit data repository is maintained securely and will not be released without the consent of the consumer. The credit data maintained in the repository is used to report a credit score, which occurs only when the consumer authorizes the release of the data. |
| US07877321B2 |
Method of and system for evaluating financial risk associated with a construction project
A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include evaluating financial risk associated with a construction project by electronically aggregating construction project data associated with participants in a construction project, the data aggregated from a software application that manages payment workflows for the construction project; establishing financial metrics based on the project data; and evaluating at least one of either the metrics or the project data to determine financial risk associated with the project. |
| US07877317B2 |
Method and system for finding similar charts for financial analysis
Embodiments of the invention concern finding correlations between related traded items, such as securities, commodities, currencies, or contracts. The pricing information of multiple traded items from one or more markets is analyzed and a user is provided with a listing of pairs or larger groups of traded items which are most closely correlated. Another embodiment of the invention is a system and method for finding the most related traded item to a particular predefined item. Another embodiment of the invention is a system and method for finding the traded item whose trading history is closest to a predefined curve. |
| US07877316B2 |
Reprice-to-block order
A reprice-to-block order and related market center and process are disclosed which automatically reprice a posted limit order to the price of a block trade executed at an inferior price on a market away from the market center that posted the limit order. |
| US07877312B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying trading trends
The present invention provides an apparatus and method of determining and displaying trading trends for an investment underlying one or more options wherein an opening value and a closing value for the underlying investment for two or more time intervals is obtained. An opening value trend using a market trend indicator and the opening values for the investment is calculated, and a closing value trend using the market trend indicator and the closing values for the underlying investment is calculated. A visual indicator comparing the opening value trend to the closing value trend for the underlying investment is then displayed. This method may be incorporated into a computer program embodied in a computer readable medium using code segments to accomplish the method described above. |
| US07877311B1 |
System and method for analyzing transactions at an electronic exchange
The present invention can provide a market analysis system which includes a computer processor, a computer readable storage medium, a database stored on the computer readable storage medium including a set of transaction data and a software program stored on the computer readable storage medium. The software program can be executable by the computer processor to receive a transaction from an electronic exchange, store the transaction in the database as an addition to the set of transaction data, define a standard pricing group from the set of transaction data, and apply a statistical analysis to the standard pricing group. |
| US07877310B1 |
Systems and methods for determining an earnings portion of a distribution from a 529 plan
A method for determining an earnings portion of a distribution from a 529 plan. The method includes receiving information associated with a plurality of 529 plan accounts, identifying related 529 plan accounts, aggregating the information for related 529 plan accounts, and determining an earnings portion of a distribution from at least one of the 529 plan accounts. |
| US07877308B1 |
Method and system for using risk tolerance and life goal preferences and rankings to enhance financial projections
A system and method directed to improving efforts to plan for investor life goals. The method combines unique approaches of assessing investor risk tolerance using utility theory and investor preferences using conjoint analysis, Analytic Hierarchy Process (“AHP”), or the like in combination with existing industry financial projection methods using linear projections, Monte Carlo simulation, or the like. Further, the method improves upon existing financial projection approaches with the addition of regression techniques to streamline adjustments to the plan objectives, resources, and constraints. The method includes a means of determining an optimal combination of attribute preferences that have an acceptable probability of achieving plan goals while maximizing investor satisfaction as measured by total utility. |
| US07877307B2 |
Method and system for a deferred variable annuity with lifetime benefit payments as a function of a predetermined age-based withdrawal percent table
A computer implemented data processing system and method administers a deferred variable annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The annuity contract has a payment base value, a contract value, and a withdrawal percent for determining a lifetime benefit payment amount available for withdrawal without reduction in the payment base. The withdrawal percent is dependent on the age of a relevant life as of the date of a request made by the relevant life for the withdrawal. |
| US07877306B2 |
Method and system for a deferred variable annuity with lifetime benefit payments as a function of a predetermined time-based withdrawal percent table
A computer implemented data processing system and method administers a deferred variable annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The annuity contract has a payment base value, a contract value, and a lifetime benefit payment amount available for withdrawal without reduction in the payment base. The lifetime benefit payment amount available is based in part on a withdrawal percent determined in accordance with a withdrawal percent relationship that provides a particular withdrawal percent for each respective completed year since the purchase date of the contract. |
| US07877305B2 |
System and method for automatically monitoring the performance of a contractor in the management of an insurance claim
In an exemplary embodiment, a server system stores a plurality of textual scripts in a database server in association with a plurality of contractor actions. Each of the textual scripts comprises an alert notifying the contractor of an obligation to perform the associated contractor action. The server system generates a plurality of deadlines by which the contractor is required to perform the contractor actions, and provides a user interface that allows a user to submit a plurality of notices of completion for the contractor actions. If a particular notice of completion is not submitted by the deadline for the contractor action, the server system selects the textual script associated with the contractor action, converts the textual script to a voice message, and initiates transmission of the voice message to the contractor via a telephone network. |
| US07877304B1 |
System and method for managing consumer information
Method and system of analyzing a consumer's credit is provided. The method includes, answering questions about the consumer's credit; analyzing the answers to determine credit data about the consumer; storing the credit data in a leads database; storing the credit data in a credit analysis database; displaying the credit data to the consumer; inquiring into whether the consumer wants to register for managing credit online; and registering the consumer or sending the credit data to a marketing analysis engine to categorize the credit data for future marketing to the consumer. The system includes a user interface for entering user data; a credit score meter for accessing a credit score; and a processing module for segregating credit data items into categories; wherein the processing module calculates a credit score; an interest rate for each of the categories; and payment amounts for each of the categories. |
| US07877297B2 |
Method and system for conditional transactions
A method and system for conditional transactions are provided. The system provides one or more master accounts wherein each master account is tied to and controlled by one or more subordinated accounts. Each subordinated account may have a configurable/customizable set of permissions defined by the master account. The subordinated account holder would optionally require permission from the master account holder to complete a purchase. The master account holder would have a number of configurable/customizable permission rules to choose from for each subordinate account. |
| US07877291B2 |
Diagnostic data interchange
The present invention provides a bi-directional communication network which provides monitoring, data collection, and control of food service industry operations. The system includes a computer and control logic implemented by the computer which may be configured to perform various tasks. A communication network may be provided linking the computer with equipment and appliances having a microprocessor based controller capable of communicating with the system. In one embodiment, the system automatically verifies the performance of equipment-related manual tasks in food preparation. In another embodiment, the system schedules the maintenance of a plurality of kitchen appliances. In another embodiment, the system provides a hold timer for tracking the hold time of cooked food products and determines when the hold time elapses. In yet another embodiment, the system manages the inventory of cooked food products in a food preparation establishment. |
| US07877290B1 |
System and method for transmitting, receiving and displaying advertisements
Digital data objects containing video-based advertisement information are broadcast via satellite and received by one or more integrated receiver decoders (IRDs). Each IRD selectively discards or caches advertisement objects (AOs) in a local memory. AOs that are incompatible with the sophistication level of the IRD and/or user preferences/characteristics are discarded without being cached and AOs that have a lower priority than currently cached AOs are discarded. The IRD arranges cached AOs into ordered lists to schedule them for display and each ordered list corresponds to a unique display position within a program guide. When the user initiates a program guide session, the IRD cyclically displays the AOs in the program guide according to the ordered lists. |
| US07877287B1 |
System and method for selecting multiple sites using weighted bands
After defining a relevant market area around a selected geographical point, a map is generated using stored geographical map information around a selected geographical point and a geographical area is selected around that point. Multiple bands are formed on the map around the geographical point and market information is gathered from a database for the defined geographical area. The bands are weighted based according to empirical data drawn from within the market area, if available, or from data from a demographically matched location. A net demand model is constructed to perform point studies, comparison studies, area studies, and multi-unit simulations for the selected geographical area. |
| US07877286B1 |
Subset optimization system
A method for computing a preferred set of prices for products in a subset of a plurality of products is provided. Generally, initial prices for a plurality of products are stored. A subset of products of the plurality of products is designated, where the number of products in the subset of products is less than the number of products in the plurality of products. A demand model is created based on Bayesian modeling. Prices for the products in the subset of products are optimized, while maintaining the initial prices of products of the plurality of products that are not in the subset of products, wherein the optimization uses a grid method to determine the optimized prices. |
| US07877285B2 |
System and method for forecasting demanufacturing requirements
Demanufacturing workload is forecast based on anticipated volumes of equipment to be disassembled and/or salvaged, as well as equipment complexity factors determined by disassembly prototyping. Staffing requirements are unique for each customer and are based on the number of pounds needed to be worked during each month and the associated complexity (work content multiplier) for that customer's typical or expected returns. |
| US07877279B1 |
Method and apparatus for improving the loss ratio on an insurance program book
A method of improving the loss ratio on a book of insurance including the use of a computer data base with a user interface display including questions for insured entities making up the book of insurance. Spaces are provided on the display for the input of answers from an insured. A survey is used to question the insured entity, the survey eliciting answers to the questions posed. Data is input from the answers received into the computer data base at the spaces provided for. The answers that are collected are compared with answers contained in written documents having information that was supplied by a third party insurance underwriter. Inconsistent answers are identified and the information obtained is reported to the underwriter who can determine whether or not the insurance premium of the insured should be adjusted. |
| US07877275B2 |
System and method for maintaining and providing personal information in real time
The invention provides a method and system for communicating a vehicle user's medical information stored in a key device to medical caregivers via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving vehicle user medical information in a key device, transmitting the medical information from the key device to a storage unit within a vehicle and transmitting the stored medical information from a telematics unit to a call center responsive to an emergency event. |
| US07877274B2 |
Messaging to remote patients in a networked health-monitoring system
A networked health-monitoring system configured to collect and process patient health-related data. A plurality of remote patient sites each includes at least one display, a data management unit for collecting patient health-related data, a memory, and stored program instructions for generating health-monitoring related information on the display. A central server connects to the data management unit at each patient site. The system transmits messages for display at the patient sites and at least one of these messages is a message selected by a health care professional. |
| US07877273B2 |
System and method for evaluating and providing nutrigenomic data, information and advice
A method for minimizing an individual's predisposition for developing a disease including providing personal information of an individual, querying a first database of disease information with the personal information to determine a disease for which the individual has a predisposition for developing, wherein the query produces disease information, querying one or more second databases with at least a portion of the disease information and/or personal information for obtaining second information for reducing the risk for the individual developing the disease and communicating a result of the query of the lifestyle database to the individual. |
| US07877268B2 |
Intelligent pill box
The invention is an effective solution to the medical non-compliance problem. Reducing patients' non-compliance offers them better health, longer life expectancy, and better quality of life. The solution offers these great benefits at a limited cost and can be applied to many diseases. The invention uses a dispensing scheme to help patients keep track of their medicine usage through a series of light-emitting diode (LED) alarm indicator signals and audio alarm indicator signals. If the patient is not following the treatment that was prescribed to him or her, the system has the ability to send patient compliance information over the telephone to a disease management system. |
| US07877261B1 |
Call flow object model in a speech recognition system
Systems and methods are provided for embodiments of a speech recognition system call flow object model. The systems and methods organize and execute, for example, multiple question directed dialogs, overview dialogs, or natural language directed dialogs. In certain embodiments, the organizing and executing of the natural language directed dialogs uses primary and secondary concepts without requiring a structured response. The systems and methods enable the call flow designers to define particular call flows without requiring the designers to perform any programming or coding. |
| US07877260B2 |
Content creation, graphical user interface system and display
The present invention relates to creating a web page and voice browsing of the web page, and more particularly, it improves accessibility for the voice browsing of the web page through a synthetic voice, efficiently with high reliability.A content creation system 20 of the present invention is used for creating a content which may be viewed through the synthetic voice, the system including: a database 22 for storing a structured document; and an information process section 24 for creating a speech node series 18 from the structured document, and calculating a reaching time from starting voice synthesis of the speech node series 18 until each node is outputted as the synthetic voice. The information process section 24 includes a support process section 36 to determine a graphic display corresponding to the reaching time, and to visually display the reaching time to a predetermined node by the voice synthesis on a screen of a display section 26. |
| US07877256B2 |
Time synchronous decoding for long-span hidden trajectory model
A time-synchronous lattice-constrained search algorithm is developed and used to process a linguistic model of speech that has a long-contextual-span capability. In the algorithm, hypotheses are represented as traces that include an indication of a current frame, previous frames and future frames. Each frame can include an associated linguistic unit such as a phone or units that are derived from a phone. Additionally, pruning strategies can be applied to speed up the search. Further, word-ending recombination methods are developed to speed up the computation. These methods can effectively deal with an exponentially increased search space. |
| US07877253B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for frame erasure recovery
In one configuration, erasure of a significant frame of a sustained voiced segment is detected. An adaptive codebook gain value for the erased frame is calculated based on the preceding frame. If the calculated value is less than (alternatively, not greater than) a threshold value, a higher adaptive codebook gain value is used for the erased frame. The higher value may be derived from the calculated value or selected from among one or more predefined values. |
| US07877252B2 |
Automatic speech recognition method and apparatus, using non-linear envelope detection of signal power spectra
An automatic speech recognition method includes converting an acoustic signal into a digital signal; determine a power spectrum of at least one portion of the digital signal; and non-linearly determining envelope values of the power spectrum at a plurality of respective frequencies, based on a combination of the power spectrum with a filter function. Non-linearly determining envelope values involves calculating each envelope value based on a respective number of values of the power spectrum and of the filter function and the respective number of values is correlated to the respective frequency of the envelope value. |
| US07877249B2 |
Concealment of external array accesses in a hardware simulation accelerator
A circuit arrangement and method detect external requests to access a memory array in a hardware simulation accelerator during performance of a simulation on a simulation model and access the memory array without halting the simulation in response to detecting the external request. Such functionality may be provided, for example, by detecting such external requests in response to processing a predetermined instruction in an instruction stream associated with the simulation model, where the predetermined instruction is configured to ensure a predetermined period of inactivity for the memory array. By doing so, the memory array can be accessed from outside of the hardware simulation accelerator during the processing of a simulation, and without requiring that the simulation be halted, thus reducing overhead and improving simulation efficiency. |
| US07877248B1 |
Modifying block parameters in a discrete event execution domain
A discrete event system (DES) modeling environment models the occurrence of events independent of continuous model time. In a DES modeling environment, state transitions depend not on time, but rather asynchronous discrete incidents known as events. A user may customize selected parameters of a block or other component able to support at least one entity passing therethrough holding a value of arbitrary data type in a DES modeling environment. For example, a user can enable and disable ports a discrete event execution block in a discrete event execution model using a graphical user interface, such as a dialog box. Based on user-selected dialog inputs, a discrete event execution program can automatically update a specification for a block, for example, by adding ports to the graphical representation of the block. |
| US07877243B2 |
Pivotable computer interface
A computer interface for use with a computer simulation system. The interface includes a first grip portion and a second grip portion pivotably coupled to the first grip portion. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the two grip portions and is configured to provide feedback to a user. |
| US07877241B2 |
System and method for identifying behavioral signatures
Psychopharmacological properties of new therapeutic drugs and highly heritable behavior patterns of test subjects are identified based on analysis of monitored exploratory movement to identify behavioral signatures. A test subject in a pen is allowed to explore for a period of time, after injecting it with a candidate drug or control vehicle. The test subject's movement is monitored and its locations stored. The locations are analyzed to separate them into behavioral patterns that are defined based on combinations of behavioral feature. Relative frequencies of performing each behavioral pattern are determined. In each pattern, differences between the relative frequencies in the candidate drug and control groups are tested, and only patterns in which this difference is highly significant are retained. The number of behavioral patterns further is reduced based on the relative frequencies and the correlation of behavioral patterns to one another, with the cells left over corresponding to a set of endpoints that identify a behavioral signature of the effect of the drug. |
| US07877234B1 |
System and method for statistically monitoring and analyzing sensed conditions
A system and method of monitoring and analyzing a plurality of attributes for an alarm condition is disclosed. The attributes are processed and/or unprocessed values of sensed conditions of a collection of a statistically significant number of statistically similar components subjected to varying environmental conditions. The attribute values are used to compute the normal behaviors of some of the attributes and also used to infer parameters of a set of models. Relative probabilities of some attribute values are then computed and used along with the set of models to determine whether an alarm condition is met. The alarm conditions are used to prevent or reduce the impact of impending failure. |
| US07877231B2 |
Electromechanical actuator and effector health management system and method
A system and method are provided for supplying electromechanical actuator (EMA) health status information to a control system. A determination is made as to whether the EMA has experienced a fault. If the EMA has experienced a fault, a fault-based position limit and a fault-based rate limit of the EMA are determined, based on the fault. A design position limit and a design rate limit of the EMA are supplied. An updated position limit of the EMA is determined based on at least the design position limit and the fault-based position limit, and an updated rate limit of the EMA is supplied based on at least the design rate limit and the fault-based rate limit. |
| US07877230B2 |
System and method for attributing a portion of a response time to an element of a virtual network
A system and method for evaluating a portion of a response time of an application that is attributable to an element on a virtual IP network by emulating a condition on a network, running the application on the network under the emulated network conditions and measuring a portion of the response time of the application that is attributable to elements on the network under such emulated conditions. The application may be varied and response times of various network elements may be measured under one or more of the variations. |
| US07877229B2 |
Computational method for load enhancement factors and apparatus for executing same
A method and computer system for executing a program for calculating Load Enhancement Factor that includes the steps of obtaining coupon test data and storing the coupon test data on an information storage device. Analyzing the coupon test data for fit with a Weibull distribution and other analysis criteria and performing either a Modified Joint Weibull analysis or a Weibull Regression analysis or both a Modified Joint Weibull analysis and a Weibull Regression analysis with an accommodation in the analysis for scatter within the coupon testing data. |
| US07877224B2 |
Inclination calculation apparatus and inclination calculation program, and game apparatus and game program
An inclination calculation apparatus sequentially calculates an inclination of an input device operable in terms of a posture thereof. The input device includes acceleration detection means and imaging means. The inclination calculation apparatus sequentially calculates first inclination information representing an inclination of the input device from positions of two imaging targets in a taken image obtained by the imaging means. The inclination calculation apparatus also sequentially calculates second inclination information representing an inclination of the input device from an acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means. The inclination calculation apparatus calculates an inclination of the input device using the first inclination information and the second inclination information. |
| US07877223B2 |
Method and apparatus for geometric rotor stacking and balancing
A computer method or corresponding system for optimally balancing a rotor assembly. The computer system defines a theoretical centerline based on a mathematical model of the rotor assembly. For each disc or component of the rotor assembly, the invention system calculates rotor blade or bolt and washer distribution, based on calculated centerline deviations and angular locations of the discs and effective weights of rotor blade or bolt-and-washer sets. The rotor blade or bolt-and-washer distribution provides locations for placement of the rotor blades or bolts-and-washers so as to offset the centerline deviations and thus correct imbalance of the rotor assembly. |
| US07877222B2 |
Structure for a phase locked loop with adjustable voltage based on temperature
A design structure for an apparatus for utilizing a single set of one or more thermal sensors, e.g., thermal diodes, provided on the integrated circuit device, chip, etc., to control the operation of the integrated circuit device, associated cooling system, and high-frequency PLLs, is provided. By utilizing a single set of thermal sensors to provide multiple functions, e.g., controlling the operation of the integrated circuit device, the cooling system, and the PLLs, silicon real-estate usage is reduced through combining circuitry functionality. Moreover, the integrated circuit device yield is improved by reducing circuitry complexity and increasing PLL robustness to temperature. Furthermore, the PLL circuitry operating range is improved by compensating for temperature. |
| US07877221B2 |
Sensor module and method for correcting sense output signal therefrom
A sense signal outputted from a sensor element and a reference voltage having a constant voltage level are selectively inputted to an amplifier, and amplified signals thereof are sequentially outputted as A/D-converted data by an A/D converter. An average of a predetermined number of A/D-converted data corresponding to the reference voltage is calculated, and a correction value is obtained by subtracting the average from one of the A/D-converted data corresponding to the reference voltage. Corrected data is obtained by subtracting the correction value from each A/D-converted data corresponding to the sense signal outputted from the sensor. |
| US07877214B2 |
Hydrophobic moment of multi-domain proteins
Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, a method of analyzing a multi-domain protein structure comprises the following steps. For at least one domain, a hydrophobic dipole, e.g., defined as a first-order hydrophobic moment of the domain, is calculated. A score representing the orientation of the hydrophobic dipole of the at least one domain relative to a hydrophobic dipole of one or more other domains of the multi-domain protein structure is then calculated. |
| US07877211B2 |
Downlink based on pump noise
A method for determining a drilling event includes measuring a first signal from a sensor over a first selected time interval, measuring a second signal from the sensor over a second time interval, determining if a noise is reduced in the second signal. |
| US07877209B2 |
Radar collison warning system for rooftop mounted cargo
Rooftop cargo racks, otherwise simply known as roof-racks, provide an option for transporting cargo that does not use space inside a vehicle. However, despite the usefulness of roof-racks, once cargo is secured to a roof-rack on a vehicle there is the added potential for a collision between the cargo and some overhead obstruction—such as, for example only, a garage door, over-hanging sign, public parking structures, and tree branch. Previous collision avoidance systems that employ either ultrasonic acoustic or Doppler-based radar systems are poorly suited for detecting the potential of a collision between rooftop mounted cargo and an overhead obstruction. By contrast, aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods for reducing the risk of a collision between rooftop mounted cargo and overhead obstructions by providing a more suitable radar-based means for detecting overhead obstructions and warning drivers and, if present, passengers in vehicles when there is a risk of a collision. |
| US07877205B2 |
Method for setting destination based on identifier of moving object and method for providing position information
A method for setting a destination based on an identifier of a moving object and a method for providing position information are disclosed. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for setting a destination based on an identifier of a moving object, including the steps of: a) selecting an identifier of moving object; b) requesting the providing of position information providing to the selected moving object; c) receiving the position information from the selected moving object; and d) setting a destination for the moving object based on the received position information. |
| US07877201B2 |
System and method for dynamically determining vehicle loading and vertical loading distance for use in a vehicle dynamic control system
A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a roll rate sensor (34) for generating a roll rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) for generating a lateral acceleration signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) for generating a longitudinal acceleration signal, and a yaw rate sensor (28) for generating a yaw rate signal. A safety device or system (44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller. The controller (26) determines an added mass and the height of the added mass on the vehicle, or a roll gradient, a roll acceleration coefficient, and/or a roll rate parameter that take into account the added mass and height from the roll rate, the lateral acceleration, the longitudinal acceleration, and the yaw rate of the vehicle, and controls the safety system in response thereto. |
| US07877197B2 |
Systems and methods for real-time conflict-checked, operationally preferred flight trajectory revision recommendations
Systems and methods for actively seeking and generating real-time, conflict-checked, operationally preferred flight trajectory revision recommendations are disclosed. The system analyzes air traffic based on a plurality of uniquely integrated inputs, to produce at least one conflict-checked, operationally preferred flight trajectory revision opportunity for an operating vehicle, and a communications component configured to communicate the at least one conflict-checked flight trajectory revision. In one embodiment, the system interfaces with the airspace user's operations center (e.g. Airline Operations Center), to communicate the operationally preferred flight trajectory revision opportunity, and allow the operator to make the decision whether to implement, and request the same from the Air Navigation Service Provider. In another embodiment, the system interfaces with the Air Navigation Service Provider, and while considering operator business objectives, and other constraints, directly aides the air traffic controller in determining more optimal flight trajectory revision opportunities. |
| US07877196B2 |
Road congestion detection by distributed vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining traffic condition comprising the steps of determining periodically a position data of a host vehicle 1, wherein the position data includes a time stamp, position, velocity and driving direction of the host vehicle 1, receiving periodically position data of at least an other vehicle 2, 3, 4, wherein the position data includes a time stamp, position, velocity and driving direction of the other vehicle 2, 3, 4, storing the position data of the host vehicle 1 and the position data of at least the other vehicle 2, 3, 4, calculating a relative position data, wherein the relative position data includes relative velocity and relative driving direction between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2, 3, 4, and judging a traffic condition based on the position data of the host vehicle 1, the position data of the other vehicle 2, 3, 4 and the relative position data. |
| US07877193B2 |
Method for operating a shutoff device for a device, in particular an internal combustion engine and/or an electric machine, as well as a shutoff device
A method for operating a shutoff device for a device, in particular an internal combustion engine and/or an electric machine, in which an operating element for initiating a shutoff operation is provided, and in which a transmission path is provided via which a shutoff signal is transmitted from the operating element to the device in order to deactivate the device. The shutoff device is checked for proper functioning at least in part automatically, by automatically transmitting a shutoff signal, in particular from the operating element via the transmission path to the device. |
| US07877192B2 |
Control for an internal-combustion engine
A rotational speed parameter is detected in accordance with a rotational speed of the engine. A reference value of the rotational speed parameter is calculated. For each cylinder, an error between the reference value and the rotational speed parameter detected every predetermined crank angle is calculated as a relative speed parameter. For each cylinder, an integrated value is calculated by integrating the relative speed parameters over a predetermined period. For each cylinder, an average value per cylinder of the sum of the integrated values of all the cylinders is calculated. For each cylinder, an error between the integrated value of the cylinder and the average value is calculated. For each cylinder, the output of the engine is controlled in accordance with the error calculated for the cylinder such that variations in the output between the cylinders are suppressed. |
| US07877189B2 |
Fuel mass control for ethanol direct injection plus gasoline port fuel injection
A method is described for an engine having a delivery system configured to deliver fuel and a fluid to an engine cylinder, said fluid containing at least some water. In one example, an engine operating parameter may be varied based on an amount of water in said fluid, where said amount is determined based on an operating condition. |
| US07877187B2 |
Driving support method and device
A navigation device provides support for a driver of a vehicle in merging from one road onto another road (main road). The navigation device receives traffic information including at least positions and speeds of other vehicles traveling the main road. The navigation device then detects at least positions of inter-vehicle spaces between those other vehicles, using the traffic information, and determines which one of the detected inter-vehicle spaces is most suitable for the driver's vehicle to enter for merging. A beam radiating unit provided in the driver's vehicle is used to form a moving first entry point mark on the road surface to indicate the inter-vehicle space the driver's vehicle is going to enter upon merging. |
| US07877186B2 |
Method and system for identifying a malfunctioning compressed air consumer circuit in a vehicle electronic compressed air system
To detect a failure of a compressed air consumer circuit in a compressed air system for vehicles, pressure is continuously measured in compressed air consumer circuits and evaluated in an electronic control unit which compares the pressure values and/or determined negative pressure gradients of the compressed air consumer circuits with a respective threshold value and shuts off an air-consumer circuit if the pressure values and/or negative pressure gradients thereof satisfy a circuit-failure criterion. The circuit-failure criterion is satisfied when the pressure values and/or pressure gradients are below the respective threshold value for a time equal to or longer than the time of a dynamic pressure change or of a dynamic pressure collapse. |
| US07877184B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for hybrid vehicle
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a required torque calculating portion that calculates required drive torque required of the vehicle; a running mode switching portion that switches between a motor running mode and a hybrid running mode according to the calculated required drive torque; a torque distribution control portion that sets the torque distribution between front and rear wheels according to the switched running mode; a gear noise preventing portion that prevents gear noise in a gear mechanism by changing the set torque distribution between the front and rear wheels when a predetermined gear noise producing condition is satisfied; and a drive torque control portion that calculates drive torques of the front and rear wheels based on the calculated required drive torque and the changed torque distribution and controls the torques of the engine and the electric motor. |
| US07877181B2 |
Scalable grain tank fill level display
An apparatus for indicating a grain tank fill level for a grain tank (20) of an agricultural harvester (10), the harvester (10) having a chassis (12), an operator cabin (18) on the chassis (12); a threshing, separating, and cleaning means (24) on the chassis (12) for processing crop, a grain tank (20) on the chassis (18) for storing harvested grain and having an actual fill level of grain, a display (48) disposed in front of the operator in the direction of travel for displaying a fill level of the grain tank; a calculating means (46) coupled to the display (48) for calculating a fill level of the grain tank to be displayed on the display (48), and an operator input device (70) coupled to the calculating means (46) for selecting between first and second modes of operation, wherein the calculating means (46) is configured to repetitively and automatically calculate the fill level of the grain tank (20) in a first mode of operation and configured to repetitively and automatically indicate a scaled fill level that is scaled to a reference fill level different from the actual fill level in a second mode of operation, and further wherein the operator input device (70) is configured to indicate to the calculating means (46) the reference fill level when the operator input device (70) is selected by the operator. |
| US07877180B2 |
Automatic window repositioning to relieve vehicle passenger cabin wind pressure pulsation
Methods and apparatus are provided for the detection of conditions indicative of a wind pressure pulsation within the passenger cabin of a vehicle, and for the reduction of the intensity of the pressure pulsation via automatic window repositioning. The apparatus comprises vehicle sensors for detection of a pressure pulsation condition, controllers to process sensor data and issue commands, and power-operated vehicle windows. |
| US07877177B2 |
Fault-tolerant vehicle stability control
A system and method for providing a fault tolerant vehicle dynamics control (VDC) is described. The system includes a fault tolerance module that receives an indication of a fault in at least one of the actuators of the VDC and selects a fault compensation mode to maintain the stability of the motor vehicle in light of the received fault indication. The fault tolerance module proceeds by diagnosing at least one fault in at least one of the actuators, selecting a fault compensation mode based on the detected at least one fault and the driving condition, and compensating for the at least one fault by optimally controlling remaining operable actuators according to the fault compensation mode. |
| US07877175B2 |
Imaging system for vehicle
An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The image array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is positioned at the vehicle with a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image exterior of the vehicle. The control may process the captured images and may determine that the imaging array sensor is not aligned within a desired tolerance when the imaging array sensor is positioned at the vehicle. The control, responsive to a determination of a misalignment of the imaging array sensor at the vehicle, may adjust at least one of the captured images or an image data set and the image processing to at least partially compensate for the determined misalignment of the imaging array sensor. |
| US07877174B2 |
Watercraft speed control device
An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions. |
| US07877172B2 |
Pit road display
Instruments or gauges arranged to provide feedback detectable by the peripheral vision of a driver when vehicle operating parameters, such as engine speed, temperature, pressure, and voltage, are in a critical range, include one or more of the following types of instruments or gauges and/or features: (a) a tachometer that not only includes a primary numeric display, but also a secondary display made up of a plurality of discrete lights of different colors, the colors indicating whether the engine speed of a vehicle is within a relatively narrow range of engine speeds acceptable for the roadway leading from a race track to service areas, known as “pit road,” the high and low limits of the range being adjustable to meet pit road requirements at different tracks; (b) an instrument or gauge having a background that illuminates to indicate critical sensor readings; (c) an instrument or gauge having improved handling of sensor abnormalities to prevent false readings; (d) a non-linear analog gauge for a motor vehicle having a higher resolution in a particular range of interest, and a lower resolution outside that range; and (e) a boost pressure gauge that facilitates entry of gear information for use in traction control. The instruments or gauges of the invention are suitable for use in racing vehicles that meet standards established by NASCAR. |
| US07877163B2 |
Method for fast manufacturing and assembling of hot runner systems
The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory. The partially manufactured hot runner components may then be removed from inventory after receiving a customer's order, and further manufactured and assembled in accordance with the customer's parameters in a second phase. |
| US07877159B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing production history information of pipe or tube and method for producing pipe or tube therewith
The production history information management apparatus 100 comprises: machining an identifier for identifying a pipe or tube in a region of the pipe or tube on which thread cutting is to be performed before an initial production process is performed among production processes which are management targets of the production history information; reading the identifier machined on the pipe or tube before each of the production processes is performed or while each of the production processes is performed; management for storing the production history information of the pipe or tube obtained in each of the production processes and the identifier read from the pipe or tube while the production history information and the identifier are associated with each other; and thread cutting for removing the identifier machined on the pipe or tube in the process of performing the thread cutting on the end portions of the pipe or tube among the production processes which are management targets of the production history information. |
| US07877158B2 |
Method for operating industrial installations
The method was tackled with picking line for generating strip steel for the automobile industry. The initial conditions to which the tandem-type mill coupled with picking line executed using the installation is exposed. The installation receives an input in the form of human resources, energy, media, raw materials, semifinished product, etc., which is converted by the installation into output. Since the plant is a hot rolling mill, the output is in the form of hot rolled strips. The different components of the input can be assigned to the factor markets that are relevant to the real installation. The different components of the output can further be assigned to the product markets that are relevant to the real installation. |
| US07877156B2 |
Audio reproducing apparatus, audio reproducing method, and program
This invention provides an audio reproducing apparatus which reproduces plural digital audio signals and synchronizes them with each other. The audio reproducing apparatus includes a synchronization setting unit 11 which synchronizes the plural audio signals by allocating, on a time axis, plural pieces of audio reproduction time information of the audio signals and in a manner which maintains a difference between reproduction times indicated by adjacent pieces of the audio reproduction time information of each of the audio signals, and an audio synthesis unit 6 which synthesizes the plural audio signals using the plural pieces of the audio reproduction time information allocated on the time axis. |
| US07877155B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling display in a networked device
Methods and apparatus for controlling display elements within a networked device. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the device a digital set-top box (DSTB) with front panel display(s). A downloadable software module is provided that is adapted to discover the front panel display capabilities of the device, and control the display accordingly. This approach allows, inter alia, the cable network operator or other entity to manage the user's experience relating to the front panel display(s) on various types of client devices. The module is also optionally platform-agnostic (i.e., “universal”) so that the aforementioned capabilities are provided largely irrespective of the device hardware/software environment. |
| US07877154B2 |
Method and system for controlling a batch process
A first principles model may be used to simulate a batch process, and the first principles model may be used to configure a multiple-input/multiple-output control routine for controlling the batch process. The first principles model may generate estimates of batch parameters that cannot, or are not, measured during operation of the actual batch process. An example of such a parameter may be a rate of change of a component (e.g., a production rate, a cell growth rate, etc.) of the batch process. The first principles model and the configured multiple-input/multiple-output control routine may be used to facilitate control of the batch process. |
| US07877153B2 |
Installation and method for a configuration of a control system
A configuration device is provided for configuring a control system that includes at least one electronic processing unit and at least one associated I/O device. At least a portion of a control program is generated that corresponds to a configuration and is used for controlling the control system. The configuration device has at least one display device. The display device allows at least one I/O access point to be displayed in a model configuration field and/or at least one hardware functionality to be displayed in a function configuration field and/or at least one hardware interface to be displayed in an interface configuration field. It is possible to associate at least one I/O access point and at least one hardware functionality with one another and/or to associate at least one hardware functionality and at least one hardware interface with one another. |
| US07877151B2 |
Strategic combination of conductors in a lead assembly for a medical device
Low voltage conductors in a lead assembly share a lumen in a tube and are separated from adjacent conductors in the tube by an insulative layer. In an embodiment, low voltage conductors are combined with high voltage conductors. In another embodiment, low voltage conductors are combined with other low voltage conductors. |
| US07877150B2 |
Lead electrode for use in an MRI-safe implantable medical device
A neurostimulation lead is configured to be implanted into a patient's body and has at least one distal electrode. The lead comprises at least one conductive filer electrically coupled to the distal electrode, a jacket for housing the conductive filer and a shield surrounding at least a portion of the filer for reducing electromagnetic coupling to the filer. |
| US07877144B2 |
Predicting chronic optimal A-V intervals for biventricular pacing via observed inter-atrial delay
Methods for optimizing the atrio-ventricular (A-V) delay for efficacious delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy. In CRT devices, the programmed A-V delay starts with detection of electrical activity in the right atrium (RA). Thus, a major component of the A-V delay is the time required for inter-atrial conduction time (IACT) from the RA to the LA. This IACT can be measured during implantation as the time from the atrial lead stimulation artifact to local electrograms in a coronary sinus (CS) catheter. Assuming that the beginning of LA contraction closely corresponds with the beginning of LA electrical activity, the optimal AV delay should be related to the time between the start of RA electrical activity and the start of LA electrical activity plus the duration of LA atrial contraction. Thus ‘during atrial pacing’ the IACT measured at implantation is correlated with the echocardiographically defined optimal paced AV delay (PAV). |
| US07877136B1 |
Enhancement of neural signal transmission through damaged neural tissue via hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current
Methods and systems of enhancing transmission of a neural signal through damaged neural tissue include providing a stimulator, programming the stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters configured to enhance transmission of a neural signal through the damaged neural tissue, and applying a hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current with the stimulator to the damaged neural tissue in accordance with the one or more stimulation parameters. |
| US07877133B2 |
Marker or filler forming fluid
A solution for forming a marker or filler mass for an intracorporeal site. The solution contains a polar, water soluble non-aqueous solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide and a bioabsorbable, essentially water insoluble polymer such as polylactic acid, or copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid. The solution may be delivered to the biopsy site by a suitable syringe and delivery tube. The delivery tube is preferably provided with a releasable radiopaque element on the distal tip which can be released within the polymeric marker mass formed in the biopsy cavity. |
| US07877132B2 |
Medical viewing system and method for detecting and enhancing static structures in noisy images using motion of the image acquisition means
A method for use in a medical viewing system for processing for display a sequence of images of a medical intervention comprising manipulating a tool such as a stent (25) within an artery. Two markers (21, 22) are provided on the tool support (10) and the method includes extracting these markers (21, 22) to yield marker location information, from which tool location information can be derived. The image of the tool within the sequence of images is then enhanced relative to the background. The background can be additionally blurred by simulating or effecting relative movement of the image detector and the stent (25) by, for example, zooming in on the stent (25) or rotating the detector relative thereto, during acquisition of the sequence of images. |
| US07877129B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and RF reception coil apparatus
An RF receiving means, which comprise respective at least three RF receiving coils (203, 201 (or 202), 204), (205, 202 (or 201), 206), (207, 201 (or 202), 208) disposed in at least two orthogonal directions (x, y, z), are set to a patient 209, any one direction (x) of the two directions is set as a phase encoding direction, magnetic resonance signals are measured by executing a pulse sequence while thinning phase encoding steps, and the aliasing of an image is eliminated by an arithmetic operation executed using the magnetic resonance signals measured by at least the three RF receiving coils (205, 202 (or 201), 206) disposed in the thus set phase encoding direction and using the sensitivity distributions of the respective RF receiving coils. |
| US07877125B2 |
Portable terminal device
A portable terminal device can extrapolate the position of a sound source in the thicknesswise direction regardless of the use style. A slide type portable terminal has an upper casing, a lower casing, and a coupling part that couples the casings in such a way that their positional relation is changeable. The upper casing has a plurality of first microphones, and the lower casing has a second microphone. In a handhold style, one of the first microphones and the second microphone are lined in the thicknesswise direction of the cellular phone. As the upper casing is slid, the other one of the first microphones and the second microphone are lined in the thicknesswise direction of the cellular phone. The position of a sound source in the thicknesswise direction can be extrapolated from output signals of a formed microphone array in the thicknesswise direction. |
| US07877119B2 |
Mobile communications device with rotatable screen and qwerty keypad
Disclosed is a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device includes a first body section having a keypad arranged on a first upper surface thereof; and a second body section connected to the first body section and having a display screen arranged on an upper surface thereof, the second body section linearly sliding from a first position where the second body section overlays the first body section to a second position where the second body section exposes a first part of the keypad, the first part providing input functions of numerals and letters, the second body section rotating while facing the first upper surface from the first position to a third position where the second body section fully exposes the keypad. The communications device can selectively provide QWERTY keyboard arrangement, thereby allowing increasingly integrated electronics and complex features sufficiently utilized and long text messages easily edited. |
| US07877117B2 |
Method for maintaining wireless network response time while saving wireless adapter power
To reduce the power consumption of a wireless communication hardware device, power conservation scheduling algorithms can be implemented. Reoccurring events, including DTIM intervals and listen intervals can be scheduled as awake times. Similarly expected response intervals can be scheduled as awake times based on information, such as round trip time, that can be passed together with data to be transmitted. The wireless communication hardware device can be placed into a doze state unless it is transmitting data, or unless it is expecting a transmission during one of the scheduled awake times. |
| US07877112B2 |
SIM card data transfer system and methods
System and method for transferring data from a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card to a second SIM card are provided. The first SIM card is inserted into a wireless telephone. Software is downloaded to the wireless telephone. The software converts the data from a format of the first SIM card to a format of the second SIM card. The second SIM card is inserted into the wireless telephone, and the converted data is written to the second SIM card. |
| US07877105B2 |
Method and arrangement for frequency synchronization of a mobile station with a base station in a mobile communication system
In a method for synchronizing a mobile station with the base station in a mobile communication system, a reference-frequency oscillator is re-adjusted. To enable an inexpensive reference-frequency oscillator of simple construction to be used, the frequency variations resulting from a change in the temperature of the mobile station and a change in its location are determined and/or predicted separately. When the frequency variations are large, the mobile station is synchronized with the base station more frequently than when they are small. |
| US07877089B2 |
System and method for continuous broadcast service from non-geostationary orbits
A method, apparatus for providing at least near continuous broadcast services to one or more terrestrial receiver stations is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of satellites, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical geosynchronous orbit, each satellite providing a portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service to the terrestrial receiver. In one embodiment, the system also comprises a receiver station having an legacy antenna modified so as to include a sensitivity pattern substantially matched to the track of the apparent position of the satellites actively broadcasting information to the receiver stations. The present invention is also embodied in a method for receiving at least near continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of satellites at a time, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit. |
| US07877088B2 |
System and method for dynamically configuring wireless network geographic coverage or service levels
A system and a method for facilitating communication between a remote station and a service network are disclosed. A remote station is associated with a first communicator configured to communicate over a first communication network and a second communicator configured to communicate over a second communication network. A communication controller associated with the remote station and coupled with the first communicator and the second communicator is operable to transmit a first set of signals using the first communicator a second set of signals using the second communicator. A mobile network access point is directable to within a communication range of the second communicator of the remote station when the remote station is outside of an existing communication range of the second communication network and the first set of signals includes a resource request for the second communication network. |
| US07877085B2 |
Portable electronic device capable of receiving distributed contents, content information server, and content list providing method for content distribution system and recording medium recording program for providing content list
Reception of a list including information on a content not receivable at a current location is avoided in acquiring a multicast content list.A portable terminal searches a wireless base station which can communicate with the portable terminal at a current location thereof, and transmits available sector identification information for identifying the searched wireless base station to a content information server. Based on the available sector identification information and multicast detailed information on a content distributed by the wireless base station, the content information server transmits a list of contents receivable at the current location of the portable terminal to the portable terminal. The portable terminal selects a content from the content list in accordance with user's manipulation, and makes transition to a channel where the selected content is distributed based on the multicast detailed information. |
| US07877084B2 |
Method and system for automatic call filtering based on user selectable parameters
The present invention provides a method and system that enables telephone users to specify parameters that will be used in filtering incoming calls to the user's telephone device. The invention can use parameters known in telephone use such as call cost or roaming detection of mobile telephone device and user-defined settings to enable users to control costs and improve efficiency when using their cell telephones especially outside their home network and/or time zone. These call filtering parameters serve to activate the call filtering method of the present invention. The user can choose parameters that specify telephone call cost and user time zone location as threshold parameters that can trigger activation of the call filtering method of the present invention. When those parameters are exceeded, the system will enable the user-defined settings that determine how to process or direct incoming calls. The method and system of this invention can include dynamic parameters (i.e. cost) and/or static parameters (i.e. time of day) as triggering parameters. Further, the method of this invention can be automatically activated by triggers or can be manually activated by the user at any time. |
| US07877081B2 |
Proxy-encrypted authentication for tethered devices
Methods and apparatus are presented herein for allowing a wireless communication device to perform a proxy authentication on behalf of a tethered device and ensure the authentication is encrypted. |
| US07877078B2 |
Power line communication networks and methods employing multiple widebands
Systems and methods for communicating over a power line are configured to substantially simultaneously communicate over a plurality of wideband frequency ranges. Signals may be communicated two or from a communication node at two different frequencies simultaneously. These signals may be exchanged with different nodes and/or include independent data. In some embodiments, some of the wideband frequency ranges are above 30 MHz. |
| US07877074B2 |
Adaptive coherent RFID reader carrier cancellation
Systems and methods for adaptive cancellation of carrier content includes receiving a signal, adaptively detecting an amount of carrier content in the received signal, generating a feedback signal for canceling out the carrier content in the incoming signal, and introducing the feedback signal for canceling out a majority of carrier content in the signal being received. |
| US07877073B2 |
Superheterodyne receiver having at least one downconversion stage empolying a single image reject filter stage and both low-side injection and high-side injection of a local oscillator signal
A multi-channel superheterodyne receiver employs a low intermediate frequency (IF) and both high-side injection and low-side injection of a selected local oscillator (LO) signal into the mixer in order to position image frequencies outside the passband of a single image reject filter. Any channel that falls within a used portion of the image reject filter passband can be downconverted with image rejection if the utilized bandwidth portion is no greater than about 4 times the IF minus the bandwidth of a channel in the filter passband. Low side injection is used for channels falling within the lower half of the passband of the image reject filter, while high-side injection is used for channels falling within the upper half thereof. The image always remains outside the passband and the receiver can accommodate a greatly increased number of channels. |
| US07877068B2 |
Semiconductor device
A demodulation signal is generated by provision of a demodulation signal generation circuit to the semiconductor device capable of wireless communication and by obtainment of a difference between voltages having opposite polarities by the demodulation signal generation circuit. Alternatively, a plurality of demodulation signal generation circuits and a selective circuit which selects a demodulation signal generation circuit depending on characteristics of a received signal are provided, where operation of a second demodulation signal generation circuit stops when a first demodulation signal generation circuit is operated. The selective circuit includes an inverter circuit, a flip-flop circuit, and a selector circuit. When the second demodulation signal generation circuit has a comparator and the like, power consumption thereof is reduced. |
| US07877066B2 |
Techniques to reduce the power consumption of an RF log-amp detector
An embodiment of the present invention provides an RF log-amp detector, comprising a pre-amplifer at the input of the RF log-amp detector, a plurality of limiters with variable gain connected to the pre-amplifier, wherein the gain of the preamplifier is set to its minimum and the dynamic range is expanded by modifying the amplification gain of the plurality of limiters, thereby increasing the dynamic range and reducing accuracy, after which a coarse measurement of a power level is taken and wherein the RF log-amp detector then defines which pre-amplification level is required based on the course measurement to bring the signal at the output of the preamp within an optimum dynamic range of the log-amp and wherein the pre-amplification gain is then set while the gain of the plurality of limiters are set to their minimum value with the RF log-amp then performing a second measurement with higher accuracy and calculating the final measurement from fine measurements and the pre-amplification gain. |
| US07877063B2 |
High-frequency amplifier, and transmission/reception system
In a high-frequency amplifier for amplifying transmission and reception signals, an integrated circuit area is reduced to reduce production costs. A high-frequency amplifier (101) includes a reception signal amplifying part (102), a transmission signal amplifying part (103), and a spiral inductor (104). An output of the reception signal amplifying part (102) is connected with an output of the transmission signal amplifying part (103) to be an output terminal OUT of the high-frequency amplifier (101). The single spiral inductor (104) is connected to the output terminal OUT. This spiral inductor (104) is used as a load common to the reception signal amplifying part (102) and the transmission signal amplifying part (103). Thereby, the area of the integrated circuit is reduced, and the production cost is reduced. |
| US07877059B2 |
Underwater communications system comprising relay transceiver
An underwater communications system is provided that transmits electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals to a remote receiver. The transmitter includes a data input. A digital data compressor compresses data to be transmitted. A modulator modulates compressed data onto a carrier signal. An electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna transmits the compressed, modulated signals. The receiver that has an electrically insulated, magnetic coupled antenna for receiving a compressed, modulated signal. A demodulator is provided for demodulating the signal to reveal compressed data. A de-compressor de-compresses the data. An appropriate human interface is provided to present transmitted data into text/audio/visible form. Similarly, the transmit system comprises appropriate audio/visual/text entry mechanisms. |
| US07877057B2 |
Wireless communication system, relay station device and base station device
A wireless communication system, relay station device, and base station device reduce dead zones in which communication with the base station device is not possible, and enable expansion of service areas. The BS transmits to the RS burst packets and MAP messages including information providing notification of the timing of information transmission and reception. The RS receives the MAP messages and burst packets. The RS stores, in the Preamble Present bits in MAP messages, information providing notification of the preamble transmission timing to control synchronization of reception by the SSs, and transmits the MAP messages to the SSs. The RS transmits burst packets to which preambles are appended to the SSs. |
| US07877050B2 |
Reversible eccentric actuator widens optical sensor setting latitude
An improved flag-actuator (actuator) is provided for use in an electrophotographic marking system. This actuator is reversible providing sides 1 and 2, thereby about doubling the useful life of the actuator. Each side 1 and 2 is mounted at different positions on a shaft and permits a much wider range of actuator adjustment than prior art units. Depending upon a tolerance stack-up within the marking system, the user can determine whether to use either side 1 or side 2. The use of this reversible asymmetrical and eccentric actuator allows for the setting of start actuation for nearly double the tolerance stack-up. |
| US07877034B2 |
Image forming apparatus, sheet finisher and image forming system
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, a sheet finisher and an image forming system; each of them including: a display for displaying a work item for a maintenance in the form of a guidance display; a detection section for detecting whether the work item is executed or not; an energization controller for supplying/blocking power supply to electric components to be maintained; a connection judging section for judging whether the electric components are electrically connected with the power supply or not; and a controller for controlling the display to switch displays of the work item and for controlling the energization controller, in accordance with a detection result of the detection section; wherein the controller causes the display to display an alarm and a guidance display of a corresponding work, according to a judgment of the connection judging section. |
| US07877030B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member to which a developing bias is applied. A frequency f of a developing bias waveform, a developing area S1 which is a time-integrated value of a difference between a voltage value of the developing bias and a solid electrostatic image potential VL in a developing period of the developing bias, a collecting area S2 which is a time-integrated value of a difference between the voltage value of the developing bias and VL in a collecting period of the developing bias, and a developing contrast value Vcon are used for defining a range of a value of the developing bias frequency f, a range of a value of a voltage change rate α at VL during transition of the developing bias voltage value from a developing-side voltage to a collecting-side voltage, and a range of a value represented by the formula: {(S1−1.28×S2)×f/Vcon}×exp(−2.0×10−5×f/Hz). |
| US07877028B2 |
Apparatus and a method for forming an image on a sheet
In the image forming apparatus according to the invention, a fixer fixes toner on the sheet and presses the sheet, and a media sensor measures a thickness of the sheet before pressurization and a thickness of the sheet after pressurization. Then, by calculating an amount of heat used if the fixer fixes the toner on the sheet on the basis of the measurement result, a control unit is able to control the temperature of the fixer on the basis of the calculated amount of heat. In this manner, it is possible to appropriately calculate an amount of heat per unit area required to fix toner on the sheet. |
| US07877023B2 |
Light detector detecting optical signal loss in an optical communication system
A light receiver has a photoelectric conversion circuit which converts an input optical signal into an electrical signal, an electric amplifier which amplifies the electrical signal output from the photoelectric conversion circuit, a threshold adjustment circuit which outputs a threshold value according to signal information in the optical signal, and an optical signal loss detection circuit which compares amplitude of the electric signal output from the electric amplifier with the threshold value output from the threshold adjustment circuit and outputs results of the comparison. |
| US07877022B2 |
Circuits and methods of thermal gain compensation
Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for reducing a thermally dependent gain swing. Exemplary embodiments include a resonant notch filter in parallel with a thermistor. |
| US07877021B2 |
Electrically programmable pulse generator, in particular a pulse generator of very high resolution phase and intensity profiles
In a pulse generator of very high resolution phase and/or intensity profiles, an active mode-locking laser source (1) emits a first train of optical pulses according to a determined period (To), which is intensity-modulated pulse-by-pulse by a modulator (2). The modulated pulses are transmitted to an optical loop (3) via a coupler (4). The optical length of the optical loop is slightly different from the period (To) of the source. The modulated pulses are transmitted to input B of the coupler. The optical loop connects output D to input A of the coupler. This coupler is commanded such that, according to a first command (k=0), it transmits the light received on its two inputs A, B towards output d, and according to a second command (K=1), it transmits the light received on its input (A) towards output (C). |
| US07877016B2 |
Photonic integrated circuit (PIC) transceivers for an optical line terminal (OLT) and an optical network unit (ONU) in passive optical networks (PONs)
A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) for a PON transceiver comprises a single monolithic chip having a modulated transmitter laser diode of a first wavelength, λ1, for generating a first communication signal outgoing from the chip via an input/output port and a receiving photodetector for receiving a second communication signal of a second wavelength, λ2, onto chip incoming from the input/output port and a monitoring photodetector for receiving a portion of the first communication signal to monitor the laser diode output power. |
| US07877014B2 |
Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy video service terminals in an optical network
A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. At a data service hub, a digitized-RF-to-packet converter (DRPC) can convert the RF packets into standard sized packets such as Ethernet packets for processing by a video services controller. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture. |
| US07877013B2 |
Method and system for random channel assignment in WDM based passive optical networks
A wavelength division multiplexing based passive optical network is disclosed. The network includes an optical line terminal; a power optical splitter connecting to the optical line terminal by an optical fiber; and several optical network units. Each of the optical network units connects to the power optical splitter by each of other optical fibers by a random process. |
| US07877011B2 |
Optical switch and optical crossconnect apparatus
An optical switch is constructed by: first and second optical switches each having ports of k inputs and k outputs; a third optical switch of k inputs and k outputs which can perform a bi-directional transmission; 2k first optical circulators; 2k second optical circulators; and 2k selecting switches. First to kth interfaces are connected by the first optical switch. (k+1)th to 2kth interfaces are connected by the second optical switch. The first to kth interfaces are connected to one of the (k+1)th to 2kth interfaces by the third optical switch. An optical crossconnect apparatus is also provided. |
| US07877008B2 |
WDM layer-based optical chanel protecting device and method thereof
The present invention discloses a WDM layer-based OChP device and the method thereof, i.e., M protection channels are added in the transmitting module and the receiving module to connect to receiving ends and transmitting ends of M protection channels in the WDM system; a switching device is added so as to switch signals in specified working channels to specified protection channels or switch signals transmitted in specified protection channels back to specified working channels according to switching requests from the WDM system; wherein M and N are natural numbers, and M |
| US07877003B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods regarding images
An illumination and/or imaging system including a dome, a crown, and multiple light sources for illuminating an object. The multiple light sources can include dome lights, diffuse on-axis sources, diffuse off-axis sources, medium-angle direct light sources and low-angle direct light source. The medium- and low-angle sources can illuminate the object from one direction or from multiple directions simultaneously. |
| US07876998B2 |
DVD playback over multi-room by copying to HDD
DVD playback over Multi-room by copying to the hard drive of a primary device in a networked multi-room system (NMS). The DVD content is saved to a hard drive and can then be retrieved by any of the remote devices in the NMS by accessing the program guide or the recorded programs list. The DVD menu can be altered to include previews, contests, products, etc. |
| US07876985B2 |
Optical rotating data transmission device of short overall length
An optical rotating data transmission device comprises a first collimator arrangement for coupling-on first optical waveguides, a second collimator arrangement for coupling-on second optical waveguides, which is supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator arrangement about a rotation axis, and a derotating element such as a Dove prism in a light path between the collimator arrangements. At least one collimator arrangement comprises a deflecting element which deflects light entering the device from optical waveguides positioned at an angle to the direction of the rotation axis to travel along the direction of the rotation axis, or deflects light traveling along the direction of the rotation axis to exit the device at an angle to the rotation axis towards optical waveguides. |
| US07876979B2 |
Resolution-converting apparatus and method
The resolution-converting method comprises steps of applying an edge-directed interpolation to an input image and producing an intermediate image; converting a sampling rate with respect to the intermediate image and producing an output image having a predetermined resolution; and improving sharpness of the produced output image. The present invention prevents image-quality degradation factors that can occur in the conventional resolution-converting method as well as obtains an output image having a resolution of a desired size. |
| US07876978B2 |
Regions of interest in video frames
A first representation of a video stream is received that includes video frames, the representation expressing the video frames at a relatively high pixel resolution. At least one of the video frames is detected to include a region of interest. A second representation of the video stream that expresses the video frames at a relatively low pixel resolution is provided to a video playing device. Included with the second representation is additional information that represents at least a portion of the region of interest at a resolution level that is higher than the relatively low pixel resolution. |
| US07876976B2 |
Method and apparatus for resizing images using discrete cosine transform
A method for resizing an image using a resizing ratio may include receiving DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) coefficients of an input image; calculating a transformation matrix for transforming the input image to an integer aspect ratio closest to the resizing ratio; performing a coarse resizing on the input image in a DCT domain using the transformation matrix; obtaining a spatial image by performing an IDCT (Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform) on the coarse-resized domain; and forming an output image by performing a fine resizing on the spatial image in a spatial domain. |
| US07876972B2 |
Filtering of noisy images
A method for correcting an image from defects and filtering from Gaussian noise corrects each pixel of the image when it is considered defective and filters it from Gaussian noise in one-pass. The one-pass improves the speed for performing the correcting and filtering. The drawbacks associated with choosing incompatible defect correction and filtering operations are overcome. |