| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07878318B2 |
Cassette for storing bills and the like
A cassette for storing bills is described. The cassette includes a shutter, a link which engages the shutter; and a helicoidal drive shaft which engages the link. As the cassette is inserted or removed from a chassis, an actuator fixed to the chassis actuates the drive shaft such that the shutter opens or closes. In some embodiments, the cassette may prevent persons without proper authorization from accessing bills inside the cassette. |
| US07878315B2 |
Spring clutch
A spring clutch is provided for which durability is improved by preventing a clutch spring from breaking due to fatigue. A cylindrical clutch spring made from a wire having a square section is mounted between a pulley and a pulley hub mounted in the pulley. An end of the clutch spring is coupled to the pulley hub. A clutch surface is formed on the inner periphery of the pulley and is formed with a large-diameter recess at a position opposite to the end portion of the clutch spring including the torque transmission end. When the pulley rotates in one direction, the clutch spring expands. At this time, the end portion of the clutch spring including the torque transmission end expands in the large-diameter recess, thus relaxing sharp torque produced in the clutch. This prevents local stress concentration on the clutch spring and breakage of the clutch spring and improves the durability of the clutch. |
| US07878314B2 |
Power transfer device having sensor circuit with dual sensors for identifying locking state
An apparatus for transferring power includes a sensor circuit for identifying a position of an axially-movable locking element. The axially-movable element is movable between a first position, which inhibits transmission of rotary power through the apparatus, and a second position that permits transmission of rotary power through the apparatus. The sensor circuit includes two Hall-effect sensors that are employed to sense a position of the axially-movable locking element and produce sensor signals that are employed to control a magnitude of the current that is output from the sensor circuit. A method of detecting an operating mode of a power transfer device that is configured to transmit rotary power is also provided. |
| US07878312B2 |
Adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat
An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses using both VPEA and fixed load energy absorbers (FLEAs) that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed. A semi-active control absorption system, comprising a VPEA and FPEA configured to work in series, is also disclosed. |
| US07878311B2 |
Piston with an integral electrically operated adjustment valve for a hydraulic vibration damper
A vibration damper includes a cylinder within which a piston is slidably received thereby defining compression and rebound chambers. The piston has a bore with a valve seat through which fluid flows between those chambers. A poppet selectively engages the valve seat and forms a pilot chamber an opposite side of the poppet from the valve seat. The greater pressure within the compression or rebound chambers is applied by a first logic arrangement to the pilot chamber and a pilot spool control a fluid flow between the pilot chamber and a pressure cavity in the piston body. A second logic arrangement connects the pressure cavity to either the compression and rebound chamber which has the lesser pressure. A solenoid that moves the pilot valve element to control pressure in the pilot chamber and thus the amount that the poppet moves to allow fluid flow through the piston. |
| US07878310B2 |
Bicycle damper
A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve. |
| US07878309B2 |
Quick release hand brake
A brake mechanism comprises a housing, a first handle, a first shaft mounted in the housing having at least one gear rotationally fixed thereon, a second gear rotatably mounted in the housing in operative engagement with the first shaft, a locking mechanism, and a clutch operatively disposed between the first handle and the second gear. The locking mechanism comprises a second shaft mounted in the housing, a second handle rotationally fixed to the second shaft, a first pawl rotatably received on the second shaft and in operative engagement with the first shaft at least one gear, and a second pawl having a first portion in operative engagement with the first pawl and a second portion. The clutch is in engagement with the second pawl second portion and is moveable between a first position in which the first shaft is rotationally coupled to the second gear and a second position in which the second gear rotates with respect to the first shaft. |
| US07878303B2 |
Lubrication scavenge system
A method and apparatus for scavenging lubricant is disclosed herein. In the invention, a rotating structure is encircled within a sump housing and subjected to lubrication. The sump housing collects high-momentum lubricant flow and low-momentum lubricant flow. The interior of the sump housing is separated into a plurality of chambers with at least one dynamic seal. The at least one dynamic seal extends between the sump housing and the rotating structure to isolate the high-momentum lubricant flow from the low-momentum lubricant flow. |
| US07878300B2 |
Integrated modular exhaust system
A customizable integrated modular exhaust system is provided having a hollow shell muffler body formed from two symmetrical stamp formed shell members that sealably attach to a tailpipe that transverses the hollow shell, and extends through each end of the hollow shell. Exhaust gases are delivered to the muffler body from an engine, by at least one inlet tube communicably attached to the muffler body and connected to the engine via a flange. The muffler body may have various internal configurations, including a disc baffle or catalytic converter configuration. |
| US07878298B2 |
Fuel-cell exhaust system
One embodiment of the invention includes a product including a fuel-cell exhaust diffuser; an air funnel; and at least two exhaust tubes attached to the diffuser. |
| US07878297B2 |
Acoustic transducer made of pure beryllium with directed radiation, with a concave-shaped diaphragm, for audio applications, in particular for acoustic enclosures
A loudspeaker for acoustic enclosure, in particular a tweeter or a medium-frequency loudspeaker, which consists of a spherical diaphragm with direct radiation, with a front side that is concave in relation to the spool, and onto which is attached at a certain level, for example at mid-height or approximately at mid-height, the moving spool so as to achieve an optimal mechanical coupling capable of reproducing frequencies lower than 1 kHz with a high efficiency. Material such as pure beryllium or a Be/Al alloy or similar alloys is used to make the diaphragm.Loudspeakers of the tweeter or medium type, especially for very high-fidelity acoustic enclosures. |
| US07878295B2 |
Vehicle steering apparatus
A vehicle steering apparatus 1 includes an EPS actuator 17 and an EPS ECU 18 that controls the EPS actuator 17. The EPS actuator 17 applies an assist force that assists a steering operation. A microcomputer 43 of the EPS ECU 18 determines whether the currently executed oversteer control (OS control) is being intensified or converged. In the OS control intensification state, in which the vehicle stability is low, the microcomputer 43 reduces a damper compensation current command Idp* (Idp**), which is a damper compensation component for attenuating a steering wheel turning speed ωs. |
| US07878294B2 |
Variable gear ratio steering apparatus
A variable gear ratio steering apparatus has a steering operating member, a turning unit to turn a vehicle wheel and a gear ratio varying unit arranged between the steering operating member and the turning unit. The gear ratio varying unit comprises a differential gear mechanism, a gear ratio control motor and a steering torque assistance motor. The differential gear mechanism has a first internally toothed gear coupled to the steering operating member, a second internally toothed gear coupled to an input shaft of the turning unit and arranged coaxially with respect to the first internally toothed gear, at least one inside gear meshing with both the first and second internally toothed gears, and an inside gear support member rotatably supporting the inside gear. The gear ratio control motor is connected to the inside gear support part. The steering torque assistance motor is connected to the second internally toothed gear. |
| US07878290B2 |
Saddle riding type vehicle
A saddle riding type vehicle capable of making turns by leaning a vehicle body includes a pair of rear wheels provided at opposite sides of the vehicle body, a pair of support mechanisms arranged to support the pair of rear wheels to be movable, independently of each other, up and down about a pivot axis relative to the vehicle body, an engine disposed forward of the pivot axis to produce a drive force, a differential mechanism arranged to distribute the drive force of the engine to the pair of rear wheels and to absorb a rotating speed difference between the pair of rear wheels at a time of making a turn, the differential mechanism including drive shafts arranged between the engine and the pivot axis, a pair of shaft drive mechanisms provided for the pair of rear wheels, respectively, and arranged to transmit the drive force of the differential mechanism to the pair of rear wheels, and a pair of constant velocity universal joints provided for the pair of shaft drive mechanisms, respectively, each including a pair of universal joints connected by a coupling yoke, the coupling yoke being located on the pivot axis, and the pair of universal joints being arranged in a positional relationship of point symmetry. |
| US07878286B2 |
Front structure of vehicle
A tunnel-expansion portion is provided at a front portion of a tunnel portion. The tunnel-expansion portion projects upward greatly and widely so as to provide components of an exhaust system that extend rearward from an exhaust manifold therein (outside a vehicle compartment). Accordingly, there can be provided a front structure of a vehicle, in which an engine is laterally disposed in an engine room at a front portion of the vehicle, an intake pipe is disposed in front of the engine, and an exhaust pipe is disposed in back of the engine, which can improve an exhaust efficiency and a vehicle safety against a vehicle crash, without providing an improperly-large longitudinal space between the engine and the dash panel. |
| US07878282B2 |
Control device for hybrid vehicle
A control device for hybrid vehicle is provided with property alter means 88 that is operative based on whether or not an EV running mode is set and alters a given property used for determining demanded output torque TOUTt of a transmission mechanism by referring to an accelerator opening Acc. This suppresses occurrence of engine startup to meet a requirement for the EV running mode to be initiated. The property alter means alters the given property such that during an EV running mode turn-on state, demanded output torque TOUTt determined based on the accelerator opening Acc has a lower value than that set for an EV running mode turn-off state. That is, this causes a drop in sensitivity of demanded output torque TOUTt determined based on the accelerator opening Acc. Thus, the occurrence of engine startup induced upon depressive operation of an accelerator pedal during the EV running mode is suppressed. |
| US07878280B2 |
Low pressure hydrogen fueled vehicle and method of operating same
A hydrogen fueled vehicle includes a vehicle body, a hydrocarbon fuel tank, and a low pressure hydrogen gas storage vessel. |
| US07878279B2 |
Hybrid golf car
A hybrid golf car type vehicle powered by a gasoline engine or an electric motor in the forward direction and by the electric motor in the reverse direction with the gasoline engine charging the batteries when the batteries fall below a threshold charge either with a motor generator or an alternator. |
| US07878271B2 |
Drill bit
A drill bit (20) for connection to a casing string (R), wherein the bit (20) comprises an annular bit face (21) which is built-up by a matrix and which comprises a sintered diamond-metal powder mixture, wherein the bit face (21) includes a plurality of radially orientated liquid delivery slots (16, 23, 26) for cooling and cleansing the bit face (21), wherein at least one of the liquid delivery slots is comprised of an inner slot (23) which extends radially outwards from the inside (24) of the bit face (21), wherein the slot (23) is terminated with an inner bottom (24) in the bit face (21), wherein a further liquid delivery slot comprises an outer slot (26) that extends radially inwards from the outside (27) of the bit face, and wherein said outer slot is terminated with an outer bottom (28) in the bit face (21). |
| US07878267B2 |
Rotary directional drilling apparatus and method of use
An apparatus for steering a drill string is disclosed herein, the apparatus comprising a drilling motor comprising a rotor, a stator, and at least one fluid passage for flowing drilling fluid to the stator. A blade is fixedly disposed on the exterior surface of the stator. A diverter valve controls the flow rate of drilling fluid to the stator, to provide counter rotational movement to the stator with respect to the rotor. Placement and movement of the blade is thereby controlled. When the blade is rotated such that it remains stationary with respect to a fixed point in a borehole, the drill bit is turned. When the blade is counter-rotated in a constant motion with respect to the rotor, the drill bit continues to drill in a straight direction. |
| US07878264B2 |
Hand-held power tool
A hand-held power tool includes two vibration-damped handles (21), two handle attachment axles (31) for securing the two handles (21) on the tool outer housing (12), respectively, and extending at an angle to respective longitudinal axes (23) of respective handles (21), each handle attachment axle being surrounded, at least in some areas, by the mounting section (24) of the respective handle (21), a damping sleeve (31) formed of an elastic material and provided between the mounting section (24) of the respective handle (21) and the respective handle attachment axle (30), with the damping sleeve (31) forming a first damping element, and a damping body (36) provided on a free end (26) of each handle (21) and forming a second damping element and having an extension (D) in a radial, with respect to the handle longitudinal axis, direction that is greater than a minimal radial extension (T) of the handle (21) at its free, second end. |
| US07878263B2 |
Pressure-fluid-operated percussion device
A pressure-fluid-operated percussion device includes a frame allowing a tool to be arranged movably in its longitudinal direction. Pressure liquid is fed to the percussion device and returned to a pressure liquid tank. A stress pulse is produced in the tool utilizing pressure of the pressure liquid. A pressure liquid source maintains pressure in the working pressure chamber. Pressure liquid is intermittently fed to the percussion device such that the pressure liquid pushes a transmission piston into a predetermined backward position. Pressure liquid is alternately discharged rapidly from the percussion device so that the pressure of the pressure liquid in the working pressure chamber and the pressure liquid flowing from the pressure liquid source pushes the transmission piston towards the tool, generating a stress pulse in the tool. |
| US07878254B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and methods for autonomous tripping of well pipes
A robotic system coupled to a racking platform of an oil well service or drilling rig comprising a base coupled to the racking platform at a fixed location, a mast pivotally coupled to the base by a mast pivot joint allowing rotation of the mast about a mast axis, a mast actuator for controllably rotating the mast about the mast pivot joint, an arm coupled to the mast and moveable along a radial direction with respect to the mast axis, an arm actuator for controllably moving the arm along the radial direction, an end effector pivotally coupled to an end of the arm by an end effector pivot joint allowing rotation of the end effector about an end effector axis oriented generally parallel to the mast axis, and an end effector actuator for controllably rotating the end effector about the end effector pivot joint. The end effector comprises at least one grabbing member operable to selectively grab an elongated object under control of a grabbing member actuator. |
| US07878251B2 |
Multiple stage tool for use with plunger lift
A multiple stage tool for use with plunger lift is disclosed. The disclosed device can be removably positioned at a desired position in a well's tubing, thus providing an upper limit for the travel distance of a first plunger. Subsequent well tubing partitions can be established with the introduction of subsequent plungers followed by the disclosed device. |
| US07878247B2 |
Methods for cleaning out horizontal wellbores using coiled tubing
Methods for cleaning out horizontal wellbores using coiled tubing are provided for use during downhole operations. A coiled tubing having a bottom hole assembly is deployed into a horizontal wellbore. Fluid is circulated down the annulus of the wellbore and up the bottom hole assembly while the bottom hole assembly is moved upward at a selected rate and distance. This method may be used to remove downhole solids, such as formation sands and proppant. |
| US07878246B2 |
Methods of perforation using viscoelastic surfactant fluids and associated compositions
The invention provides a method for perforating a well with a perforating fluid comprising a viscoelastic surfactant that essentially stops fluid leak-off after perforation in an overbalanced condition. Another aspect of the invention provides the perforating fluid in itself. The well has a wellbore defined by a generally cylindrical casing in at least a portion of the wellbore (i.e., the wellbore is cased, although it is not necessary cased in its entire length). The wellbore passes through a subterranean formation that comprises hydrocarbon formation fluids (such as oil and/or gas), at least in certain strata. The method comprises placing a perforating device in a wellbore which includes at least one explosive perforating charge that can be detonated in order to perforate the casing and allow the formation fluids to enter the wellbore. The casing is located between the subterranean formation and the perforating device. A perforating fluid including at least one viscoelastic surfactant is placed in the wellbore between the perforating device and the casing, in at least a portion of the wellbore. In other words, the perforating fluid is present in the wellbore adjacent to the perforating device. The explosive charge(s) in the perforating device is detonated, such that the perforating device forms at least one perforation in the casing that permits the flow of hydrocarbon formation fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore. As a result of the detonation, at least a portion of the perforating fluid is put in communication with the subterranean formation. |
| US07878245B2 |
Cement compositions comprising a high-density particulate elastomer and associated methods
A variety of methods and compositions, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising introducing a treatment fluid into a well bore, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a particulate elastomer having a specific gravity of at least about 1.6. Another method of treating a subterranean formation comprises introducing a treatment fluid into a well bore, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a particulate elastomer having a specific gravity of at least about 1.05, wherein the particulate elastomer comprises a halogenated thermoplastic. |
| US07878244B2 |
Apparatus and methods to perform focused sampling of reservoir fluid
Apparatus and methods to perform focused sampling of reservoir fluid are described. An example method couples a sampling probe to a subterranean formation and, while the sampling probe is coupled to the subterranean formation, varies a pumping ratio of at least two displacement units to reduce a contamination level of a formation flu id extracted via the sampling probe from the subterranean formation. |
| US07878242B2 |
Interface for deploying wireline tools with non-electric string
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and/or apparatus for deploying wireline tools with a non-electric string. In one embodiment, a method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore includes deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular with a non-electric string. The free point assembly includes a battery, a controller, and a free point tool. The method further includes activating the free point tool by the controller. The free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string. The method further includes applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string; and measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool. |
| US07878239B2 |
Fluid collecting apparatus
A fluid collecting apparatus inserted in a borehole for collecting fluid in the borehole. The fluid collecting apparatus may include a first packer and a second packer which are selectively adhered to an inside of the borehole, a first supply pipe and a second supply pipe which supply expansion fluid to each of the first packer and the second packer, and a guide tube which guides fluid in a collecting space between the first packer and the second packer to an outside of the borehole. Also, the second supply pipe moves with the second packer in a longitudinal direction of the borehole, and a passage which does not communicate with the first supply pipe is formed. Accordingly, the fluid collecting apparatus may independently control the first and second packers, and thus fluid in a desired depth and region within the borehole may be easily collected. |
| US07878237B2 |
Actuation system for an oilfield tubular handling system
An actuation system for a tubular handling mechanism of a tubular handling assembly has a mud flow path passing through rotating parts and non-rotating parts of the tubular handling assembly. A ball drop assembly has an opening to the mud flow path through which a ball is released. The ball drop assembly opening is positioned in a non-rotating part. A lateral passage joins the mud flow path downstream of where the ball is released. A valve is positioned in the mud flow path at the lateral passage for selectively directing a purge fluid from the mud flow path out the lateral passage. |
| US07878226B2 |
Machine for filling containers with at least one granular product
In an embodiment of a continuously-operating machine for filling containers with at least one granular product, each container is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device, which withdraws the product from a tank, feeds the withdrawn product into the container, and has a metering cylinder defined at the bottom by a piston which moves, along the metering cylinder, to and from a feed position in which to feed the product in the metering cylinder to a drop chute for unloading the product into the relative container; the piston having a cam follower which is maintained contacting a cam by a pneumatic push assembly. |
| US07878224B2 |
Forming fabric having binding warp yarns
Forming fabric that includes a top layer including top weft yarns and a bottom layer including bottom weft yarns. Binding warp yarns weave with the top weft yarns and bind to the bottom layer. |
| US07878220B2 |
Pipe plug with a locating appliance
A pipe plug provides a water-tight seal and expedites locating of non-metallic pipes. The pipe plug includes a hollow body member adapted for being received by an associated piping member of a variety of inner dimensions, and for being engaged with it. The hollow body member includes a tapered portion with tapered threads on its exterior surface and a seal member made of a resilient material. The seal member envelopes the tapered portion of the body and is capable of moving along the exterior surface of the body in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the threads, providing thereupon a leak-safe seal. The body is provided with and engaged with a cap portion that includes a metal plate on its top surface, thus adapted for being located with a metal detector. |
| US07878218B2 |
High viscosity fluid transfer apparatus
An apparatus for transferring a viscous fluid including waxy solids includes a mobile platform, a support member having a first end coupled to the platform and a second end, a pump unit coupled to the second end of the support member, wherein the pump unit can be raised and lowered with respect to the second end, wherein the pump unit includes a recirculation system selectively operable to break down waxy solids prior to transfer of the fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with a collection tank. |
| US07878216B2 |
Female connection part comprising a member for actuating valves and a connection comprising such a female part
A female coupling for receiving a male coupling element and including a female element and a body delimiting a receiving zone. The female element includes a passage having a reduced opening that is closed by a valve and a cylindrical bore for receiving a male connection element. The female element is connected to the body by a nut and a ring member that engage one another in a manner to permit radial displacement of the female element to the body in order to facilitate the alignment of an elongated axis of the male element with an elongated axis along the passage of the female element as the male element is inserted within the cylindrical bore of the female element. |
| US07878215B2 |
Impulse actuated valve
A valve for controlling flow of pressurized fluid from a confined area that is operable to relieve an overpressure condition as well as to allow flow of fluid in response to a pressure relief command. The valve including a valve body with a fluid passage therethrough, a reverse buckling rupture disc in the valve body in normally blocking relationship to the flow of fluid through the passage, and a selectively actuatable device carried by the valve body adjacent the convex surface. The actuatable device is operable to disrupt, without puncturing, the disc so as to initiate reversal and rupture of the disc and to permit flow of the pressurized fluid through the passage. |
| US07878211B2 |
Tobacco powder supported catalyst particles
Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cut filler compositions and cigarettes, and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke of cigarettes are provided that use catalyst particles capable of converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst particles are supported on tobacco powder. The tobacco powder supported catalyst particles can be prepared by dry admixing the catalyst particles and tobacco powder or by combining a dispersion of catalyst particles with the tobacco powder. |
| US07878209B2 |
Thermally insulative smoking article filter components
A filter component includes a catalyst surrounded by a thermally insulative carbon fiber composite. The catalyst can catalyze the chemical reaction of selected gaseous constituents of a gas stream. During catalysis, the catalyst can reach high temperatures. The carbon fiber composite can contain heat generated during the catalysis within the filter component and thereby reduce heat transfer to the surroundings. The filter component can be used in smoking articles. Methods of making and using the filter-component and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke are also provided. |
| US07878207B2 |
Locating an implanted object based on external antenna loading
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for locating an implanted object using an external antenna. The implanted object may be, for example, an internal antenna that facilitates recharging of and/or communication with an implantable medical device. An external device coupled to the external antenna drives the antenna with a plurality of waveforms. Asymmetry in the loading profile of the external antenna when it is driven by the plurality of waveforms allows the external device or another device to determine the location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna. The external device or other device may provide information to a user based on the determined location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna, such as information to help a user position the external antenna with respect to an internal antenna in embodiments in which the implanted object is an internal antenna. |
| US07878206B2 |
System and method for treatment of uvula and soft palate to reduce tissue laxity
System and methods for minimally invasive treatment of snoring are described. According to one system and method, laser energy is applied to tissue of a soft palate and/or uvula to create a pattern of multiple treatment spots in the tissue. According to another system and method, electromagnetic energy from a filament light source is impinged of soft palate and/or uvula tissue to achieve volumetric heating of the tissue. The systems and methods increase rigidity and/or reduce laxity of the tissue, and/or volumetrically reduce the tissue, thereby diminishing snoring. |
| US07878202B2 |
Suction catheter assembly
A respiratory suction catheter assembly includes a manifold supporting a rotatable swivel member for engagement with an endotracheal tube, and a seal support body disposed on a boss of the manifold opposite the part supporting the swivel for supporting a catheter tube seal and a porous filter for filtering air flowing into and out of a flexible elongated sheath enclosing the catheter tube. The sheath includes opposed tapered ends secured to the seal support body and to a boss on a suction control valve housing. The valve housing supports a tapered plug closure member engageable with a resilient actuator and a slide-lock member. Certain components, including the sheath, the seal support body, the filter, the catheter tube seal and the catheter tube may be treated with an anti-microbial agent. |
| US07878196B2 |
Fluid product dispensing device
A fluid dispenser device including at least one individual reservoir (21) containing a single dose of fluid, such as powder, opening means (40) being provided for opening an individual reservoir (21) each time the device is actuated, the device including a dispenser chamber (70) for receiving the dose of fluid contained in a reservoir (21) after said reservoir has been opened, an inhalation endpiece (15), and an inhalation trigger system that comprises a deformable air-chamber (61) that co-operates with said dispenser chamber (70), said dispenser chamber being displaceable between a rest position and an inhalation position, such that during inhalation through said inhalation endpiece (15), said air chamber (61) is deformed, thereby displacing said dispenser chamber from said rest position to said inhalation position. |
| US07878195B2 |
Heat management system for industrial safety equipment
A heat management system for industrial safety equipment is described, including an industrial safety article (e.g., a full face respirator), a power source and a fan unit, wherein the fan unit is mounted on the industrial safety article such that the fan directs air within a confined or other interior space of the industrial safety article, and wherein the fan unit is powered by the power source. |
| US07878193B2 |
Capsule for taking an active substance which can be inhaled
The invention relates to a novel capsule for receiving an active substance to be administered by inhalation, which is preferably intended for use in a powder inhaler operating on the Bernoulli principle. |
| US07878190B2 |
Solar collection apparatus, solar collection arrays, and related methods
A solar collection apparatus includes a housing with a first opening, a second opening, and a partially-mirrored floor. The device includes fins with first and second end segments and curved bodies. Both sides of the fin bodies have the same curvature, and both sides are mirrored. The curved bodies of the fins all have the same curvature. The floor and the second end segments of the fins together define a light pipe. Light impinging on the first opening of the housing is directed into the light pipe by reflection between adjacent faces of adjacent fins. The second end segments of the fins prevent the light within the light pipe from exiting the light pipe in the first direction. Light within the light pipe exits the light pipe at the second opening, where it may be stored, or may be directed to a solar energy device such as a solar cell, turbine, or vehicle heater. |
| US07878189B2 |
Combustion fan installation structure of gas radiation oven range
A combustion fan installation structure of a gas radiation oven range is disclosed in which a combustion fan (200) is coupled at a space outside a space where a radiant burner (40) is positioned. Since the temperature of the sucked air for combustion is constantly maintained, an air with a sufficient air density can be supplied. Thus, it can have a stable combustion performance. In addition, an influence of the temperature change generated when the oven or the grill is operated can be excluded. Accordingly, a reliability of a combustion performance of the gas radiation oven range to be mainly used in kitchens or in hotels can be improved. |
| US07878188B2 |
Self-heating beverage container
A self-heating beverage container includes a housing defining an open interior area for holding a liquid and defining a cavity separated from the open interior area. The container includes a heater portion removably coupled to the housing within the cavity. First and second reactants may be positioned in the cartridge area where they may be selectively combined to produce heat when a seal between them is punctured, causing the liquid to be heated. The container includes a selection portion that is selectively separable from the housing. A plurality of flavoring agents is positioned in the selection portion, each flavoring agent being separated from each other flavoring agent. Each flavoring agent is selectively separated from said open interior area by at least one breakable barrier. Each breakable barrier may be selectively pierced so as to dispense an ingredient into the liquid where it may be selectively mixed and heated. |
| US07878187B2 |
Heat cells comprising exothermic compositions having absorbent gelling material
The present invention is directed to heat cells that are suitable for incorporation into disposable heating wraps. The heat cells comprise an exothermic composition comprising an absorbent gelling material, wherein the absorbent gelling material provides for improved heat application in the relief of temporary or chronic body aches and pains. |
| US07878185B2 |
Cooking apparatus with plasma cleaning
A cooking apparatus includes a case in which a cooking chamber for cooking food is provided, a heating source provided in the case, a fan configured to circulate air in the cooking chamber; and a plasma discharger provided in the case and configured to generate plasma in order to remove residue from a surface of the case. |
| US07878184B2 |
Hardball weapon
A hardball weapon for use in exercises or shooting games and designed as military gun is made with a weapon housing (3) containing two coaxial pistons (21, 26) which are mounted directly in the weapon housing (3) and driven by an electric motor (10) via a gear wheel mechanism (12, 18) and toothed racks (24, 25). The first outer piston (21) functions as a movable bolt for loading the cartridge chamber with cartridges (7) with solid balls (6), and the other piston (26) functions as a pressurised air piston for creating an overpressure for firing the balls (6). The weapon housing (3) can be opened by pivoting, thereby giving access to the parts in the firing mechanism for inspection, repair and adjustment. |
| US07878183B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method to provide air to a doser injector nozzle
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing air to an injector nozzle. An injector nozzle is in fluid communication with a dosing fluid input. An opening substantially circumscribes the injector nozzle. The injector nozzle is directed toward the opening, injecting a fluid from the dosing fluid input through the opening. An injector air output is in fluid communication with an air input port and with the opening. The injector air output is directed toward the opening, injecting air from the air input port through the opening. The injector air output creates a positive air pressure around the injector nozzle. |
| US07878174B2 |
Fuel-supplying structure for a V-type multi-cylinder engine, and engine incorporating same
In a V-type multi-cylinder engine, a first fuel supply conduit is connected to fuel-injection valves in a first throttle body group corresponding to the first bank, and a second fuel supply conduit is connected to fuel injection valves in a second throttle body group corresponding to the second bank. A pair of first and second side plates connect adjacent ends of the first and second throttle body groups together. A distance between respective throttle bodies located in two ends of the first throttle body group is set shorter than a comparable distance between the throttle bodies located in two ends of the second throttle body group. A joint part for connectively receiving the fuel hose is provided at an end of the first fuel supply conduit in a way that the joint part is arranged between the two side plates. |
| US07878172B2 |
Intake channels for internal combustion engines
Various embodiments of the invention relate to an intake channel of an internal combustion engine in which an adjustable position guide vane is configured to modify the velocity distribution inside the intake channel in order to vary the mean swirl number generated by the channel. The intake channel may comprise a combination of two or more ports, which can be helical or tangential, depending on their shape. By varying the velocity distribution inside the intake channel it is possible to vary the mean swirl number in an internal combustion engine. Contrary to existing systems to vary the swirl in internal combustion engines, the invention proposed does not require the separation of both ports inside the intake channel by a wall in order to achieve a variation in the swirl. |
| US07878169B2 |
Cam roller pin with transverse grooves
A roller pin for carrying a cam roller in a tappet assembly is provided. The roller pin providing reduced run in time and reduced peak and localized contact pressure between the cam roller and roller pin. The roller pin comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft having a length, a first end and a second end. The length extends from the first end to the second end. The shaft includes a plurality of grooves axially spaced apart and extending in a direction being transverse to the length. The plurality of grooves located proximate the first and second ends and extending only partially the circumference of the shaft. |
| US07878167B2 |
Engine with round lobe
An engine with intake and exhaust valves that may be controlled with a circular cam lobe is provided. The rotating axis of the circular cam lobe is offset from the physical center of the cam lobe. This permits the cam lobe to impart a reciprocal opening and closing of the valve. To maintain the valve in the closed position, the interconnection between the cam lobe and the valve 12 may have a spring which is compressed to allow the valve to remain closed for a set duration of time while the cam lobe continues to rotate. |
| US07878162B2 |
System to control exhaust gas temperature
A variable valve actuation system is disclosed for providing exhaust to at least one component downstream of an engine. The system includes a supply of low pressure fluid, an engine fluid sump, and an exhaust valve disposed in an engine cylinder. The system also includes a hydraulic actuation system operably connected to the exhaust valve of the engine cylinder and a braking control valve operably connected to the hydraulic actuation system. The system further includes a device for accumulating fluid and a device for fluidly coupling the hydraulic actuation system to the accumulating device. |
| US07878156B2 |
Method and plant for the conveyance of fine-grained solids
The present invention relates to a method for the conveyance of fine-grained solids in a fluidized bed reactor and also to a corresponding plant. It is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a central tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the central tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (10) are adjusted such that the particle Froude numbers in the central tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidizied bed (10) between 0.02 and 2 in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30. |
| US07878152B2 |
Domestic animal telephone
A phone for pets and pet owners is taught which allows the owner to call the house and “talk” to the pet. The owner can then see a video image of the pet in front of the pet phone to verify presence and happiness. The device can also present the owner's scent to the pet and deliver treats on remote command. In some embodiments, the pet can initiate the phone call. |
| US07878150B2 |
Multiple function animal training system with extendable ramp
A multi-purpose furniture structure and system may be used for caring for an animal throughout the life of the animal. For small animals such as puppies, this furniture system may be used to train the animal to behave in a desired manner. Animal toys are stored in the animal living space as well. Animals may use a detachable ramp member to climb to the top of the furniture structure. The ramp is extendable allowing for the ability to vary the length of the ramp. This feature enables the owner to change the angle of inclination of the ramp to accommodate animals that may have difficulty climbing steeper ramp inclines. For larger or older animals, the extendable ramp may serve as a bed or as a means to help the animal get into the bed of the owner. The furniture piece may be positioned adjacent an owner's bed. |
| US07878142B2 |
Device to coat food products such as potato crisps
A device (10) to coat food products such as potato crisps or chips and biscuits. The device (10) includes a flavor dispenser 21 that delivers granular flavor material to the products (12) being coated. The device (10) further includes a conveyor (11) with conveyor surfaces (15 to 18) that are arranged in cascade so that the food products tumble from one surface to the next so that the granular flavor material is applied to the various surfaces of the food products. |
| US07878139B1 |
Universal automobile flag
A flagpole comprising a clip portion, where the clip portion is shaped such that it fits over the top of an automobile window and allows the flagpole to be held in place by the window and an associated window frame when the window is nearly in a rolled up position; a u-shaped portion extending generally downward from the clip portion, away from the clip portion, and then upward, such that the u-shaped portion extends around a vent visor or rain guard associated with the window, where the vent visor or rain guard need not be in use on the window when the flagpole is in use; a straight portion extending upward from the u-shaped portion; and a flag situated on the straight portion. The flagpole may also be adjustable such that it may be used on a trunk deck. |
| US07878138B2 |
Appliance for deployment and tracking of an unmanned underwater vehicle
An appliance for lowering and tracking an underwater vessel includes a carrier arranged on an end of a holding cable; a holding device on the carrier used to receive/release the underwater vessel with a controllable holding element; and a tracking device arranged on the carrier and used for acoustically determining the position of the underwater vessel lowered into the water. As a result, a light, compact lowering appliance is provided that is suitable for handling vessels on small platforms and ensures acoustically undisturbed operation of the tracking device, which is arranged on one end of the carrier, the carrier being mounted such that it can be pivoted on the holding cable in an articulated manner in a central longitudinal region thereof. Following release of the underwater vessel from the holding element, a pivoting device pivots the carrier including the tracking device out of a lowering position, into a tracking position. |
| US07878130B2 |
Overfiring air port, method for manufacturing air port, boiler, boiler facility, method for operating boiler facility and method for improving boiler facility
A overfiring air port of the present invention is to supply an incomplete combustion region with air making up for combustion-shortage, in a furnace in which the incomplete combustion region less than stoichiometric ratio is formed by a burner. Furthermore, the airport is characterized by comprising: a nozzle mechanism for injecting air including an axial velocity component of an air flow and a radial velocity component directed to a center line of the airport; and a control mechanism for controlling a ratio of these velocity components. |
| US07878129B2 |
Swing-out workbench extension apparatus
A swing-out workbench extension for a workbench includes a rectangular swinging platform and four swinging upright members having equal lengths and each pivotably connected at the lower ends thereof to the rectangular platform, two on each side thereof. The four swinging upright members are pivotably mounted on the underside of a bench top of a workbench so that the rectangular swinging platform is movable between a stored position hanging below the bench top and an upper extended position generally adjacent a bench top. The rectangular platform extends at all times in a generally horizontal plane whereby tools mounted on the rectangular swinging platform are retained thereon, and a latch is provided for releasably locking the rectangular swinging platform in the upper extended position. |
| US07878127B2 |
Pallet with optimized cargo layer and related methods
A pallet includes a cargo layer for supporting different size cargo cases. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, with each end deck board having a first width. Spaced apart intermediate deck boards are positioned in a pattern between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards for providing deck coverage for the different size cargo cases. The pattern is defined by two pairs of first and second intermediate deck boards, with each intermediate deck board in each pair having a second width. Each pair of intermediate deck boards is adjacent one of the end deck boards. A pair of third intermediate deck boards is between the two pairs of intermediate deck boards, with each third intermediate deck board having a third width. A fourth intermediate deck board is between the pair of third intermediate deck boards, and has the second width. |
| US07878124B2 |
Semi-rigid railcar cover
A cover for open top railcars may be alternatively locked into place over the railcar top opening, or rotated on hinges to either side of the railcar to provide access to the entire top of the railcar. The cover may be compressed against either side of the railcar to allow the car to move between structural or other elements of loading or unloading facilities. |
| US07878121B2 |
Penetration assisting kit and method for use
The present invention relates to a penetration assistance kit fitted to a bomb, notably an anti-infrastructure bomb. The kit includes launch tubes mechanically secured to the bomb. In each of the launch tubes is positioned a detonating projectile and its propulsive charge. A detonating projectile can be ejected from its tube by initiation of its propulsive charge. A system is provided for controlling the initiation of each propulsive charge prior to impact of the bomb with a target. The invention applies notably to the penetration of very thick walls made of non-metallic material such as concrete, for example. The invention also relates to a penetrating projectile equipped with such a kit and to a method of getting such a projectile to penetrate a target. |
| US07878118B2 |
Circumferential register for a rotary press
A registration system for a rotary press including circumferential and sidelay registers designed to interface to the press unit using more direct motion translation. In particular, to go from rotational motion of a motor to linear motion of the adjustment with fewer transitions. Also discussed are measurement systems which measure the adjustments made to the plate cylinder more directly by measuring the linear movement of components acting on the cylinder as opposed to the movement of the motor or power source of the registration system. These systems can provide for more accurate movement to the various elements. |
| US07878113B2 |
Juice extractor including drive shaft seal and related methods
A juice extractor may include a drive housing and a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom to a juice extraction area. The juice extractor may further include a shaft seal that, in turn, includes a seal housing and at least one positioning ring contained within the seal housing and surrounding a corresponding drive shaft. The seal may also include at least one sealing ring contained within the seal housing adjacent the at least one positioning ring and surrounding the corresponding drive shaft. The at least one positioning ring may be radially spaced from the corresponding drive shaft when the corresponding drive shaft is aligned along the seal axis, and the at least one sealing ring may sealingly engage the corresponding drive shaft and be radially spaced from adjacent portions of the seal housing when the corresponding drive shaft is aligned along the seal axis. |
| US07878111B2 |
Heating and venting arrangement for a rotisserie oven
An oven is used for cooking food and comprises an enclosure having a floor, a ceiling, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. A heating element is disposed on the back wall at a distance from the floor and the ceiling and a shield is disposed between the back wall and the heating element. The shield is configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and to re-radiate lower frequency radiant heat towards the food. The enclosure may further comprise a door and the side walls may be double paneled. A radial fan is coupled to one of the side walls to pull hot air from inside the enclosure and cooler air from outside the enclosure. The hot and cool air are mixed within a space defined by the double paneled side wall and is directed out over the exterior of the door to cool the door. |
| US07878108B2 |
Disposable packaging for the distribution of a liquid preparation pumped by a venturi-effect device
The invention relates to a disposable packaging, for the distribution of at least one nutritional preparation, based on a nutritional liquid, comprising at least one closed chamber, containing the nutritional liquid, with means for housing a sub-assembly for aspiration and mixing of the venturi type and means for sealing the package. The invention is particularly characterized by a duct, passing through the base seal, said duct provided for a venturi nozzle which permits the extraction of the nutritional liquid inside the packaging by piercing or removal of the seal. The invention is particularly of application to the production of hot and/or emulsified drinks of the cappuccino type or similar. |
| US07878105B2 |
Mitigating recoil in a ballistic robot
Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing. |
| US07878103B2 |
Systems and methods for mitigating a blast wave
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a method to mitigate a blast wave includes detecting an imminent explosion that produces a blast wave. In response to this detection, the energy of a portion of this blast wave may be reduced by deploying a fluid in the path of the blast wave. |
| US07878102B1 |
Revolver for firing high velocity ammunition
A revolver for firing high velocity ammunition includes a frame, a cylinder, a barrel, and a firing mechanism. The revolver may include one or more of the following, each of which is especially adapted for use in the context of firing high velocity ammunition: spacers for adjusting a barrel-cylinder gap, for eliminating broaching of the rearward surface(s) of the barrel; a forcing cone formed in the rearward opening of the barrel for accommodating deformed projectiles; a reflective surface (e.g., mirrored surface) provided on the cone and/or barrel rearward surfaces, for reducing erosion resulting from using high velocity ammunition; gain-twist rifling in the barrel for a smoother transition to full projectile velocity; a larger diameter, hardened firing pin bushing for minimizing brass flow in the rearward direction; and a front sight assembly that minimizes lateral shift or drift of the sight pin during firing. |
| US07878101B2 |
Weapon storage and loading system with rocket launcher and ammunition compartment for storing rocket containers
A weapon system, especially for a ship, having a rocket launcher and an ammunition compartment for storing rocket containers designed to each accommodate at least one rocket. Disposed in the ammunition compartment is a guide mechanism on which at least two ammunition carriages, designed to accommodate the rocket containers, are displaceably disposed, whereby they can be shifted out of a parked position into a loading position in which the rocket container is disposed essentially below a slide-in structure of the rocket launcher. Securing mechanisms are provided for securing the ammunition carriages in place on the guide mechanism. |
| US07878100B2 |
Method for removing toxic material from toxic weapon projectiles
An apparatus useful in the removal of toxic materials from toxic weapon projectiles has a base, a projectile retaining container and a ram. The projectile retaining container has a projectile retainer opening, a ram opening and a drain opening. The projectile retaining container is adapted to retain a toxic weapon projectile in the projectile retainer opening. The ram is adapted to extend into a toxic weapon projectile disposed within the projectile retaining container to crush the projectile's burster well and to thereby release toxic materials to the drain opening in the projectile retaining container. The ram alternatively includes high pressure water nozzles for breaking up any coagulant particles and for thoroughly rinsing the interior side walls of the toxic weapon projectile. |
| US07878093B1 |
Rotator socket suitable for the installation of a cup hook
A rotator socket for use with a handheld power drill suitable to install a cup hook, the cup hook characterized by a rounded hook portion having wideness and a semi-spherical flange, comprised of a shank; a body; a slot; a depression and a resilient member. |
| US07878091B2 |
Screwdriving tool with free wheel gear
A screwdriving tool includes a gear head and a drive arm. The gear head forms a gear housing, in which a free wheel or ratchet gear having an output rotational axis is arranged. A front side of the gear head includes an output coupling, in the shape of a polygon. The drive arm can be pivoted about a pivot axis, which is substantially transverse to the output rotational axis, from a quick-action screwdriver position, in which the drive arm is in the output rotational axis, into a power-action screwdriver position, in which the drive arm extends substantially transversely to the output rotational axis and can be fixed in both pivot positions by detents. The detents can be moved from a detent position into a release position by means of an actuating member associated with the drive arm. |
| US07878090B2 |
Handheld power tool, in particular a power drill or screwdriver
A handheld power tool, in particular a power drill or power screwdriver, has a tool holder, which is displaceably received in a housing and which can be driven via a drive unit; a microswitch that can switch the drive unit on and off is provided, which is switchable upon an axial displacement motion of the tool holder via an actuating element. The actuating element is joined axially solidly to the tool holder, so that the axial displacement motion of the tool holder at the same time acts as the displacement motion of the actuating element, which motion actuates the microswitch. |
| US07878088B2 |
Sealing device for joint section of robot and articulated robot having the same
A sealing device provided to a joint section of a robot. The sealing device includes overlapped seal portions having a multi-stage configuration, provided for a driving mechanism incorporated into the joint section. The overlapped seal portions include a first seal portion including a first contact seal element sealing a first inter-member gap defined adjacent to a lubricant retaining section provided in the driving mechanism; and a second seal portion arranged outside the first seal portion and including a second contact seal element sealing a second inter-member gap defined in a circumferential wall of the joint section, the circumferential wall defining an accommodation space for accommodating the driving mechanism. |
| US07878085B2 |
Configuration of lubricating system for a power unit of a vehicle
A power unit includes a shaft member rotatably supported by the crankcase and a torsional coil spring, disposed at one end of the shaft member, biasing a swing arm in one rotational direction. An oil strainer is fixed to the crankcase through a strainer support bracket extending vertically relative to a strainer element. The torsional coil spring includes a coil portion wound around the shaft member, one end portion retained on the side of the shaft member, and the other end portion retained by a retaining portion formed integrally with the strainer support bracket. |
| US07878081B2 |
Portable, refrigerant recovery unit
A portable, refrigerant recovery unit for transferring refrigerant from a refrigeration system to a storage tank. The recovery unit includes two, opposed piston heads rigidly attached to respective piston rods that extend along a common fixed axis. The piston rods are rigidly attached to the yoke member of a scotch yoke arrangement. In operation, incoming refrigerant from the system is simultaneously and continuously directed to the opposing piston heads wherein the forces of the pressurized refrigerant on them counterbalance or neutralize one another. The scotch yoke arrangement includes a two-piece slide mechanism mounted about a cylindrical crank pin and a single piston embodiment is additionally disclosed. |
| US07878074B1 |
Eccentric load sensing device used to sense differential pressures
A differential pressure sensor positioned adjacent a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber separated by a nozzle. Flow in a conduit is determined by detecting the pressure on either side of a nozzle. Changes in pressure are proportional to a change in flow. An integrated differential pressure sensor having different pressure detecting portions with strain gauges thereon detects differences in deflection of each pressure sensor portion resulting from change in fluid flow. A bridge circuit detects changes in the signals from the two different pressure sensor portions creating a differential which is proportional to a change in liquid flow. The present invention reduces the need for calibration of pressure sensors and improves the detection of fluid flow. The present invention has many applications and can detect small changes in fluid flow and is particularly applicable to the medical field where in many procedures, small fluid flows must be measured or determined accurately. |
| US07878073B2 |
Measuring system with a flow conditioner arranged at an inlet of a measuring table
The measuring system is inserted into the course of a process line and serves for registering at least one measured variable of a medium flowing in the process line. The measuring system includes for such purpose a measuring transducer having a measuring tube serving for conveying medium being measured and a sensor arrangement, which has at least one sensor element reacting primarily to the measured variable to be registered, and which delivers by means of at least one sensor element at least one measurement signal influenced by the measured variable. Further, the measuring system includes a measuring electronics communicating with the measuring transducer and using the at least one measurement signal for producing, at least at times, at least one measured value instantaneously representing the measured variable. The measuring tube has, in the case of the measuring system of the invention, a smaller flow cross section than a supply segment of the process line connected to the inlet end of the measuring system. To this end, the measuring system further includes a flow conditioner arranged at the inlet end of the measuring tube and mediating between the measuring tube and the supply segment of the process line. The flow conditioner has a lumen tapering in the direction of the measuring tube. During operation, medium flows through the lumen of the flow conditioner. The flow conditioner includes at least one impingement surface arranged upstream of its outlet end and protruding into the lumen of the flow conditioner. During operation, medium conveyed in the flow conditioner flows against the impingement surface. |
| US07878070B2 |
Chuck body for a chuck, chuck and method for determining a clamping force on such a chuck
A chuck body for a clamping chuck for clamping a workpiece has a substantially rotationally symmetrically formed basic body, provided on which is a receiving opening, which is formed as a portion of a cone and is formed for receiving a clamping head in such a way as to transmit force. Attached to the basic body is a deformation sensor, for example as a strain gauge, which is intended and designed for determining a deformation of the basic body in a circumferential direction. In this way, the condition and state of wear of the clamping chuck can be determined. |
| US07878065B2 |
Ultrasonic inspection apparatus
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes a container containing de-ionized water, at least one limiting member, a loading member, and a cover member. The at least one limiting member, the loading member, and the cover member are disposed in the de-ionized water and between the transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer. The limiting member is supported on the limiting member for loading the integrated circuits to be inspected. The cover member is detachably disposed on the loading member for holding the integrated circuits by a gravitational force of the cover member acting on the loading member. |
| US07878062B2 |
Advanced ultrasonic interferometer and method of non-linear classification and identification of matter using same
An ultrasonic interferometer for the characterization of the matter (solids, fluids & gases) in a medium is described, along with a method of using the same. The interferometer accurately determines the travel time of the multi-frequency ultrasonic signal in the matter that is being queried. By carefully selecting the design of the multi-frequency ultrasound signal, various properties of the material can be derived using a trainable classification system to classify or recognise the substance, or state of a process. The apparatus exploits the normally undesirable higher harmonics characteristics of the piezoceramic transducer to gain penetration through a spatial-frequency window that is not suitable for the higher frequency signals that are required to achieve the measurements. |
| US07878056B2 |
Micromachined thermal mass flow sensor with self-cleaning capability and methods of making the same
The current invention generally relates to Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) thermal mass flow sensors for measuring the flow rate of a flowing fluid (gas/liquid) and the methods of manufacturing on single crystal silicon wafers. The said mass flow sensors have self-cleaning capability that is achieved via the modulation of the cavity of which the sensing elements locate on the top of the cavity that is made of a silicon nitride film; alternatively the sensing elements are fabricated on top of a binary silicon nitride/conductive polycrystalline silicon film under which is a porous silicon layer selective formed in a silicon substrate. Using polycrystalline silicon or the sensing elements as electrodes, an acoustic wave can be generated across the porous silicon layer which is also used for the thermal isolation of the sensing elements. The vibration or acoustic energy is effective to remove foreign materials deposited on top surface of the sensing elements that ensure the accuracy and enhance repeatability of the thermal mass flow sensing. |
| US07878051B2 |
Liquid flow measurement apparatus and method utilizing a bubble in a passage
A liquid measurement apparatus is configured to measure an amount of liquid flowing from a measured object. The apparatus includes a passage member having a measurement passage being connected to the measured object at one end. The measurement passage is filled with liquid. The apparatus further includes a closed vessel, which is connected to an other end of the measurement passage and filled with saturated vapor of the liquid. The apparatus further includes an analyzer. The liquid filled in the measurement passage contains a bubble, which is movable in accordance with change in amount of the liquid in the measurement passage. The analyzer is configured to calculate a travel distance of the bubble and configured to measure the amount of the liquid flowing from the measured object based on the calculated travel distance. |
| US07878049B2 |
Method and system for indicating a fault associated with a non-combustion chamber of an engine
A method of indicating a fault associated with a non-combustion chamber of an engine includes monitoring a fluid intake pressure for the engine, monitoring a pressure for a non-combustion chamber of the engine, and indicating a fault associated with the non-combustion chamber based on a difference between a first non-combustion chamber pressure and a second non-combustion chamber pressure being below a chamber threshold value. |
| US07878048B2 |
Fuel system injection timing diagnostics by analyzing cylinder pressure signal
A method for diagnosing combustion within an engine includes monitoring pressure cylinder pressure and generating a measured combustion phasing value for the cylinder at a predetermined metric selected to index the combustion cycle. The measured combustion phasing value is calculated through a Fast Fourier Transform and compared to an expected combustion phasing value. |
| US07878047B2 |
Monitoring particles in a fluid stream
There is described an apparatus for monitoring particles in a fluid stream, comprising a body portion and a detector element that is acoustically decoupled from the body portion. The detector element comprises a target surface, a sample acoustic sensor and a corrosion sensor. The sample acoustic sensor is acoustically coupled to the target surface and is arranged to provide a first signal, which varies in dependence upon acoustic noise generated by impacts of particles and fluid on the target surface. The corrosion sensor is arranged to provide a second signal, which varies in dependence upon corrosion and/or erosion of the target surface. A corresponding method of monitoring particles in a fluid stream is also described. The method and apparatus are suitable for monitoring sand in oil and gas production flow streams. |
| US07878039B2 |
Channel letter machine and method thereof
A channel letter bending machine for bending a return of a channel letter from a stock includes a feeding unit disposed along a path of travel of the stock to be bent for feeding the stock, a flanging unit for forming a flange along one edge of the stock, a notching unit for notching the flange of the stock fed by the feeding mechanism along the path of travel, and a bending unit for bending the stock under the control of the computer control system into the desired configuration for the channel letter shape, wherein the notching unit and the flanging unit are disposed upstream of the bending unit and the flanging unit is disposed upstream of the notching unit. |
| US07878037B2 |
Device for the free forming and bending of longitudinal profiles, particularly pipes, and a combined device for free forming and bending as well as draw-bending longitudinal profiles, particularly pipes
A device for the free-form bending of longitudinal profiles, in particular pipes, in which an axial sleeve is arranged downstream of a feed unit in its direction of feed. Arranged downstream of the axial sleeve in the direction of feed, is a bending sleeve. The feed unit and the axial sleeve in each case have a drive pointing in the direction of feed, wherein the axial sleeve can be adjusted independently of the feed unit. The feed unit and the axial sleeve further have rotary drives for the simultaneous rotation in the same direction of the longitudinal profile held and guided by them. The bending sleeve can only be adjusted in a translatory manner by means of a drive in an axis running transverse to the axis of the longitudinal profile and the feed device. In addition to this, it can be pivoted by means of a drive about an axis lying transverse to the axis of the longitudinal profile and the feed device. The bending sleeve is additionally mounted so as to freely rotate in sympathy with the guide sleeve or is braked in relation to it. |
| US07878036B2 |
Rekeyable lock cylinder
A lock cylinder having a keyway includes a first plurality of guide channels. A plurality of cup-shaped pins is movably disposed within the first plurality of guide channels. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins extends across the keyway. Each cup-shaped pin of the plurality of cup-shaped pins has an engagement protrusion. The first plurality of guide channels conform to the shape of the plurality of cup-shaped pins to allow movement of the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a first direction while restraining movement transverse to the first direction. A plurality of biasing springs is positioned to bias the plurality of cup-shaped pins in a direction toward the keyway. A plurality of racks is movably disposed in a second plurality of guide channels. Each rack of the plurality of racks has at least one engagement groove to selectively receive the engagement protrusion of a respective cup-shaped pin. |
| US07878028B2 |
Knitting machine tool, in particular for the finest division
A knitting needle designed specifically for achieving particularly fine divisions, or another knitting tool (2), has a narrower working section (4) and a wider support section (5), whereby the support section (5) is provided with a positioning means (11), for example, having the form of a slit (12) or having the form of a rib (32). The knitting tool (2) is associated with a fixing means (29) in the form of a projection (17) or a groove (33) on the side of the bar (1). Due to this measure, the support sections (5) of the knitting tools (2) may be arranged—in close proximity to each other, in contact with or at a minimal distance from each other—on the bar (1), so that a maximum cross-section is available for configuring the support section (5). This provides strong stability for the knitting tools (2)—even in cases of extremely fine divisions—and, at the same time, provides precise alignment and avoids division errors. |
| US07878025B2 |
Oval shaped diamond cut having hearts and arrows pattern
An oval shaped diamond, adapted to display a hearts and arrows pattern when exposed to light characteristic of the hearts and arrows pattern in a round diamond, comprising: an oval shape having two long sides symmetrical to each other, two short sides symmetrical to each other and four corner sides symmetrically located between the long sides and the short sides respectively, eight main crown facets of unequal size and eight main pavilion facets of unequal size, sixteen pavilion half facets; a girdle of non-uniform thickness separating the crown and pavilion facets and two subsidiary pavilion facets in alignment with each other on the long sides of the diamond adjacent a main pavilion facet. |
| US07878024B2 |
Earring
An earring includes an earring body, a locking bar provided at one end of the earring body and formed with a locking groove, and a locker provided at the other end of the earring body to be selectively locked with the locking bar. The locker is formed with an insert groove, the insert groove is provided at an inside thereof with a locking protrusion, and a locking release button is positioned adjacent to the locking protrusion while protruding out of the locker. The spring includes a compression spring and the locking protrusion is adapted to lock with the locking groove of the locking bar while performing a straight movement in a state in which the locking protrusion is elastically supported to the spring. The locking/unlocking operations of the coupling parts are easily performed and an aesthetic appearance of the earring is improved. |
| US07878023B2 |
Refrigeration circuit
Refrigeration circuit (1, 1′) for circulating a refrigerant in a predetermined flow direction through at least one functionally disconnectable component, the refrigeration circuit having in flow direction an expansion device (b, b′, 26, 26′, 33), an evaporator, a compressor (2, 2′, 29, 36) and a heat-rejecting heat exchanger (6, 20), wherein an upstream-side shut-off valve is provided upstream of the component and a downstream-side shut-off valve is provided downstream of the component, wherein at least one of these shut-off valves is a non-return valve (a, c, 25, 27, 32, 34). Preferably, the component has in flow direction the expansion device (b, b′, 26, 26′, 33) and the evaporator (12, 12′, E1, E1′, E2) or the compressor (2, 2′). Preferably the non-return valve (a, c, 25, 27, 32, 34) is lockable in it's open position. |
| US07878022B2 |
Refrigerator door having dispenser
A refrigerator door having a dispenser is disclosed. The refrigerator door includes an outer case forming a front appearance of the refrigerator door, an inner case forming a rear appearance of the refrigerator door, and an insulation layer disposed between the outer case and the inner case. First and second mounting frames are installed at both side ends of the refrigerator door and have first and second mounting slots longitudinally formed in the first and second mounting frames in opposition to each other. The dispenser is detachably coupled to a front surface of the outer case and includes a housing, which forms an external appearance of the dispenser and is formed with a recess section. An external plate section is coupled to the front surface of the outer case except for an area in which the dispenser is installed, forming an external appearance of the refrigerator door. |
| US07878021B2 |
Simplified ice-cream maker
An ice-cream maker including a blade (30a) arranged in a double-walled container (20a), and a housing (1) containing a driving mechanism (10) that can generate a blade-rotating movement (30a) in relation to the double-walled container (20a), the double-walled container (20a) being composed of an external wall (23) and an internal wall (24) defining a housing (25) containing a phase changing mixture having a fusion range extending at least partially below 0° C. The inner wall (24) forms a vat (26), and the blade (301a; 30b′) is used to scrape the inner wall (24; 24′). The blade (30a) forms a spoon. |
| US07878015B2 |
Radiating apparatus of built-in refrigerator
A radiating apparatus of a built-in refrigerator includes an airflow guide that separates a condenser from a blower fan in order to prevent a cool air and a hot air from mixing together, thereby increasing an efficiency of the built-in refrigerator. |
| US07878011B2 |
Method for determining the desired ventilation air temperature of an automatic air-conditioning system in a convertible
A method for determining the desired ventilation air temperature of an automatic heating and air-conditioning system of a vehicle having an opening top is described. The open or closed state of the top of the vehicle is detected, and the heating and air-conditioning system is controlled and/or regulated in a number of different ways as a function of the state of the top. In the open state of the top, the desired ventilation air temperature is determined as a function of the speed of the vehicle. Also, in the open state of the top the desired ventilation air temperature is determined in such a manner that the top-closed desired ventilation air temperature is increased by a speed-dependent offset value. |
| US07878008B1 |
Smart rack and intelligent wireless climate sensors
A smart rack having intelligent wireless climate sensors that detect and report one or more climate conditions is provided. The smart rack includes an enclosure that houses network elements and an array of intelligent wireless climate sensors that form a mesh network. The enclosure of the smart rack includes a console that displays climate measurements and notifications. The intelligent wireless climate sensors perform periodic climate measurements and detect climate conditions in the smart rack. When a climate condition is detected the console of the smart rack graphically displays the climate condition. |
| US07878002B2 |
Methods and systems to facilitate reducing combustor pressure drops
A method for assembling a gas turbine combustor includes providing a combustor case having a first end, a second end, and a centerline extending there between, coupling an end cover to the case first end, coupling a combustor liner within the case such that the liner is substantially coaxially aligned with respect to the case, and providing a streamline flow conditioner including a body that includes a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a deflection plate that extends from the body, and coupling the streamline flow conditioner to the case second end such that the streamline flow conditioner is coupled radially between the case and the combustor liner such that the deflection plate is adjacent the case second end. The deflection plate inner surface at least one of extends radially outward with respect to the centerline and defines a plurality of openings within the plate inner surface. |
| US07877999B2 |
Power generation and space conditioning using a thermodynamic engine driven through environmental heating and cooling
A thermodynamic engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature difference to a nonheat form of energy. Heat is directed through a heating loop in thermal contact with a first side of the thermodynamic engine. A second side of the thermodynamic engine is coupled to an environmental cooling loop in thermal contact with an environmental cooling device. The thermodynamic engine is operated to dispense heat from the second side of the thermodynamic engine through the environmental cooling loop into the environmental cooling device. Operation of the thermodynamic engine thereby generates the nonheat form of energy from the temperature difference established between the first side and the second side of the thermodynamic engine. |
| US07877992B2 |
Hydraulic power generation system driven by compression air produced by fluid
A hydraulic power generation system driven by compression air produced by fluid is provided. The present invention is featured in that it employs more than one group of windmills which can be driven by wind power, or utilizes hydraulic power, such as a river flow, tides at estuaries or bays to drive more than one group of hydraulic turbines. The rotation power of the windmills or the hydraulic turbines then drives a transmission and subsequently drives an air compressor to produce compression air. The compression air is compressed with a specific pressure and collectively stored in an air compression tank. The compression air stored in the air compression tank is guided to a water filled hermetic tank. The hermetic tank is connected with a hermetic water tower having a certain height, in which the hermetic tanks and the hermetic water tower are connected with a communicating pipe by which a pressure can be conducted. According to the Pascal's principle, when suffering the pressure of the compression air, the water stored in the hermetic tank is transmitted to the hermetic water tower up to a certain height thus obtaining a potential energy. The water is collectively stored at the certain height to obtain a large amount. Such a large amount of water can be downwardly guided to drive a hydraulic turbine which is connected to a power generator for generating power. After releasing the potential energy, the water can be conducted back to the hermetic tank via another communicating pipe for recycle use. |
| US07877986B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a reductant in an exhaust gas of a compression-ignition engine
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a reductant in an exhaust gas feedstream of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine upstream of a hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The method comprises injecting a quantity of fuel into the exhaust gas subsequent to a combustion event whereat a temperature of the exhaust gas is in a range of 670 K to 1100 K at a start of the injection. The generated reductant comprises an active species including an oxygenated fuel species. |
| US07877984B2 |
Engine-driven vehicle with exhaust emission control
A method and an arrangement are provided for maintaining the oxidation of NO to NO2 in an oxidation catalytic converter arranged in a vehicle, the vehicle including an internal combustion engine which in operation emits exhaust gases to an exhaust gas after treatment system including the oxidation catalytic converter. A predetermined quantity of hydrocarbon is delivered to the exhaust gas aftertreatment system or the engine over at least one predetermined time interval for the purpose of maintaining the working temperature or regenerating an exhaust gas aftertreatment unit. The quantity of hydrocarbon is delivered to the exhaust gas aftertreatment system or to the engine through an injection with at least one predetermined fragmentation frequency and an injection period in order to maintain an NO2 production in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system that prevailed immediately prior to said time interval for the hydrocarbon injection. |
| US07877983B2 |
Arrangement for supplying a medium into an exhaust gas conduit in an internal combustion engine
An arrangement for supplying a medium to an exhaust line of a combustion engine. The arrangement comprises a first exhaust passage defined by at least a first wall surface of an element, and a dosing device supplying the medium to the first exhaust passage. The arrangement is adapted to maintaining a degree of heating of the first wall surface so that the latter will be at a higher temperature than the medium's vaporization point when the liquid medium is supplied in the first exhaust passage. Therefore, even the medium which reaches the first wall surface will vaporize in the first exhaust passage. |
| US07877982B2 |
Device and method for aftertreating exhaust gases
A device and method for aftertreating exhaust gases in which a controllable valve is used to introduce a supplementary agent in fluid form into the exhaust system at high pressures. The high-pressure promotes an efficient mixture of the supplementary agent for the aftertreatment with the exhaust gas emerging from the internal combustion engine. |
| US07877981B2 |
Control strategy for turbocharged diesel engine
The description relates to a control strategy for assisting regeneration of a particulate filter for a turbocharged diesel V-engine. The engine has two cylinder banks, a first cylinder bank coupled to a first exhaust pipe and a second cylinder bank coupled to a second exhaust pipe. The two exhaust pipes are in communication with one another by a connecting pipe and have two exhaust gas turbochargers each connected in a respective one of the exhaust pipes. The first exhaust pipe being provided with an exhaust shut-off valve in order to operate the engine either with a single turbocharger when the valve is in its closed position or with the two turbochargers when the valve is in its open position. The first exhaust pipe is connected to a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and the second exhaust pipe is connected to a diesel oxidation catalyst and to the DPF. |
| US07877977B2 |
Master link for a track chain
A master link for a chain assembly is provided. The master link includes a body member with a first side, a second side positioned opposite the first side, a shoe surface configured to receive a track shoe, and a rail surface positioned opposite the shoe surface. The master link also includes first and second apertures extending through the body member from the first side to the second side and third and fourth apertures located between the first and second apertures. The master link also includes a strut member dividing the third and fourth apertures. The master link also includes a first gap located in the body member and extending from the first aperture to the third aperture and a second gap located in the body member and extending from the fourth aperture to the second aperture. The master link further includes a third gap located in the strut member and extending from the third aperture to the fourth aperture. |
| US07877973B2 |
Riding mower
A mid-mount riding rotary mower which has a two-piece frame. The frame includes a front section that is pivotally connected to a rear section. The mower deck is carried beneath the mower between the front and rear wheels and is attached to the front frame and follows the movement of the front wheels. The front frame includes swing arms that allow the front wheels to spread open and be clamped for different operating conditions. The mower deck can be removed from underneath the mower when the arms are fully spread. |
| US07877972B2 |
Automatic connection mechanism for mid-mounted implement
An automatic connection mechanism for a mid-mounted implement to a tractor. The automatic connection mechanism includes a rear lift linkage pivotably attached to the tractor, that automatically and releasably engage the rear of the implement. The forward lift linkage is pivotably attached to the front of the implement, and automatically and releasably engages the forward end of the tractor. A PTO coupling member also is attached to the rear lift linkage to engage an opposing PTO coupling member on the implement. |
| US07877971B1 |
Mower trimmer combination for facilitating simultaneous mowing and edge trimming in a single pass
A trimming system for a user-operated ground vehicle capable of performing mowing and trimming operations. The system includes a drive operatively coupled to a drive system of the vehicle having the trimming system mounted thereon, and a trimming unit operatively coupled to the drive for performing edge trimming operations. The drive may include at least one driven pulley operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the vehicle for driving the trimming unit. The drive pulley may be coupled to a mowing unit and the trimming unit to either selectively or simultaneously drive the mowing and trimming units. A guide wheel may be mounted on the vehicle adjacent the trimming unit for maintaining the trimming wires of the trimming unit at a predetermined distance from a stationary object during performance of edge trimming operations. |
| US07877964B2 |
Pocketed spring units
A method and apparatus for the production of a pocketed spring unit, the method comprising the steps of compressing and feeding a plurality of springs (42) into troughs (2A, 4A) or castellations in opposed conveyor belts (2, 4), moving said springs (42) from said troughs (2A, 4A) or castellations to a position between upper and lower layers of fabric or other material (16A, 18A), step-wise advancing said material (16A, 18A) and said springs (42) in the direction of the output of the apparatus and welding together said lengths of fabric or other material (16A, 18A) at each step-wise advancement by a plurality of sequentially controlled welding anvils (10) so as to form a plurality of discrete pockets (46) each containing a spring (42). Apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed. |
| US07877956B2 |
Floor element with guiding means
Floor element (1), which is mainly in the form of a board with triangular, quadratic, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape as seen from above. The floor element (1) is provided with edges (2), a lower side (7) and a decorative upper layer (3). The floor elements (1), which are intended to be joined via tongue and groove are on at least two opposite edges (2), preferably on all edges (2) provided with holes (4). The holes (4) extends inwards from the edge (2) mainly parallel to the decorative upper layer (3). The holes (4) are arranged on a predetermined distance from the decorative upper layer (3) and on a predetermined distance from a closest corner between two adjacent edges (2), whereby the holes (4) are intended to receive each one part of a guiding means (6). |
| US07877953B2 |
Process for sticking edging material onto lightweight building boards and a lightweight building board produced by means of said process
The invention relates to a process for sticking edging material (10, 12) onto lightweight building boards (1) comprising two thin-walled outer layers (2, 4) and a core layer (6) of lightweight filler material disposed between the outer layers (2, 4), having the steps: provision of a lightweight building board (1), a decor edge (10) and a stabilizing edge (12), and sticking on of the decor edge (10) and/or the stabilizing edge (12) in the region of a narrow surface (1′) of the lightweight building board (1). The process according to the invention is characterized in that at least the stabilizing edge (12) comprises a synthetic fiber material, preferably a cellulose-based fiber material, particularly paperboard material. |
| US07877951B2 |
Caulk free window trim
There is provided a caulk free window trim for use with a replacement window in a wall having a window jam. The window jam has a jam liner. The window trim includes a vertical rigid first member for disposing against a portion of the replacement window. An angled flexible second member extends away from a predetermined intermediate position on the vertical rigid first member and above an uppermost portion of the vertical rigid first member in contact with a portion of the jam liner to prevent air from infiltrating into the wall between the jam liner and the replacement window. No caulking or painting is required because the angled flexible second member together with the vertical rigid first member seals any minor gaps and produces an attractive finished product. |
| US07877950B2 |
Portable light emitting stage
A portable light-emitting stage component including a deck supported by a support portion comprising at least one light-producing element, a first side, a second side substantially parallel the first side, a first end connected to the first side and the second side, and a second end substantially parallel the first end, the second end connected to the first side and the second side. The at least one light-producing element directs light through the deck. The first side includes a first rotatable latch member comprising a first hook. The first side and the axis of rotation of the first rotatable latch member are substantially coplanar or parallel. The second side includes a first receiving member comprising a first post. The support portion includes a protrusion protruding from a side or end selected from the group consisting of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end. |
| US07877948B2 |
Fastener system for fixing hardened plates
A fastener system for fixing hardened plates includes a fastener element having a frusto-conical head and a threaded shaft portion, wherein a smallest outer diameter of the frusto-conical head is adjacent the threaded shaft, and a largest outer width of the shaft is smaller than a smallest diameter of the head. |
| US07877947B2 |
System for building with glass blocks
A system for building using glass blocks is disclosed which employs spacing strips. The spacing strips comprising elongate, generally planar elements having a cross section generally corresponding in shape to the intended spacing between two adjacent blocks in the completed construction. The spacing strips are hollow and may be provided with interior supporting webs. The strips are provided with adhesive which may be included during manufacture. |
| US07877942B2 |
Device for controlling the atmosphere in a space
A device for controlling the atmosphere in a space (16) which is partly delimited by at least one glass component (12, 13; 61) and which is separated from the environment (17, 18), with at least one connection between the space and the environment, and with at least one electrically actuatable valve (32, 33; 47, 48) associated with the connection, which valve is connected to an electric control unit (24); the valve (32, 33; 47, 48) is arranged in a connecting passage (34) within a member (15A) delimiting the space (16), namely in the case of an insulating glass assembly (11), a connecting ledge (15) arranged between two glass panes (12, 13) or, in the case of a lamp (60), in a socket (64), and the control unit (24) provided for an automatic actuation of the valve is also arranged in said member (15A). |
| US07877941B2 |
Leadthrough for a conduit
A leadthrough (10) for passing conduits through a constructional component includes a tube (11), a base member (16) arranged at the first axial end (12) of the tube (11) and having a receiving space (18) for isolating means (19) and defining an opening (17), and first (14) and second (15) annular, diaphragm-shaped sealing elements provided, respectively, at the first (12) and second axial ends of the tube (11). |
| US07877939B2 |
Fastening device with improved fastening portion for securement of a glass pane or a plate in a frame
The invention relates to a fastening means for preferably fastening a glass pane (12) in a frame structure made of wood or plastic material. The fastening means according to the invention is characterized by the following elements: several angular clamping pieces (1) and a holding rail (9), wherein each of the angular clamping pieces comprises two legs extending perpendicularly to each other and the vertical leg comprises a plate-like fastening portion (4), which extends from the center part thereof outwardly at a predetermined distance to the horizontal leg and is shorter than the angular clamping piece itself, wherein the holding rail (9) extending along the glass pane is provided in its longitudinal direction with a groove (10), the with thereof matching to the thickness of the fastening portion, and wherein, in the mounted state, the glass pane contacts at its backside the stop provided in the frame (11), several angular clamping pieces are tightly pressed to the front side of the glass pane and fixed by fixing elements (7), and the holding rail (9) is pressed onto the fastening portion (4) by its longitudinal groove (10). |
| US07877936B2 |
Plastic utility shed roof system
The present invention provides a system which includes injection molded roof panels, header assemblies and ridge caps having integrated connectors which combine to form a family of variously sized roof assemblies for utility enclosures. The injection molding facilitates integrally formed connectors so that the roof panels, header assemblies and ridge caps interlock with one another without the need for separate connectors. |
| US07877932B2 |
Adjusting system for a motor vehicle door
An adjusting system for a motor vehicle door includes a window winder for adjusting a window, at least one guide area of the window winder for guiding the window along a direction of adjustment, a door lock and a lock support. The one guide area of the window winder and the lock support are fixedly connected to one another, such that the guide area and the lock support form a structural unit. The guide area which is combined with the lock support into a structural unit includes at least one overlap area for a lateral window edge of the window to be adjusted and a further guide area of the window winder is provided, which is extended in the direction of adjustment of the window, and is positively engaged with a carrier being forcibly guided along the direction of adjustment of the window to be adjusted. |
| US07877931B2 |
Superstructure for the lifting of panes in display units
The present superstructure involves, for each upright, a spacer section bar (3), a hinge-bearing section bar (6), a hinge (8), a piston (13) that helps to lift the pane (1), and is completed by a gripper (9) for supporting the pane (1), a closing section bar (11) and a gasket; the section bar (3) has a box section so that it can be adjusted to be joined together with the section bar (6); each hinge (8) is fixed to the section bar (6) and at its end to be fixed to the gripper (9), bears conical guides (8.1) suitable for fitting the conical arms (9.1) situated on the gripper (9) itself; a gasket (12) is fixed to the gripper (9); where spherical panes (1) are involved, hinges (15) are used containing a body (15.1) and a connecting piece (15.2) that can be rotated with respects to the body (15.1) so that the panes (1) can be fitted on at different lengths of the circular arc. |
| US07877930B2 |
Methods and systems of porous receptacles
Drainage systems for plant gardening in flowerpots, specifically a shaped porous rock or perhaps even an enclosed pouch having soil preservation capability and filling inside the enclosed pouch. Embodiments may include a pot hole locator which may place an enclosed pouch in a bottom of a pot prior to adding soil and planting a plant in a flowerpot. Other embodiments may include the addition of soil amendments, water retention elements, drying elements and the like. Filling may include plastic, various rocks, various stones, pebbles, synthetic materials and the like. |
| US07877928B2 |
Apparatus for use with a method for mass production of seedling of seed potato
A method of mass producing potato seedlings, involves collecting growing points of seed potatoes and culturing the growing points in a liquid or solid medium; introducing in vitro plantlets obtained from the culture of the growing points to solid culture; and removing the in vitro plantlets from the solid culture, and planting through stem cutting and acclimatizing the in vitro plantlets in deep flow culture, in which a nutrient solution is circulating. Upon planting in hydroponic facilities, such potato seedlings have high adaptability to the external environment and thus rapidly, uniformly generate roots in a short time. The rapid root anchoring prevents planted seedlings from withering, leading to death, growing poorly, and the like. The direct planting of in vitro plantlets through stem cutting without a separate acclimatization process shortens the overall production period of potato seedlings by omitting the acclimatization process. |
| US07877926B2 |
Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds
An automated seed sampler includes a sampling station; a sampler for removing material from a seed in the sampling station; a seed conveyer for conveying the seed from the sampling station to a compartment in a seed tray; and a conveyor for conveying the material removed from the seed to a corresponding compartment in a sample tray. The method of the present invention comprises feeding seeds individually to a sampling station, removing a sample from the seed in the sampling station; conveying the sample to a compartment in a sample tray, and conveying the seed to a corresponding compartment in a seed tray. The samples can be tested, and the seeds can be sorted according to the results of the testing of their corresponding samples. |
| US07877925B2 |
Method and system for cultivating fruit
A method of growing fruit such as papaya commercially, the method including the use of a structure having a covering adapted to permit sufficient light, nutrients and moisture, while substantially precluding access by potentially virus-carrying insects; together with seeds that are obtained, germinated, planted, and grown in a manner that permits plants to grow and bear seedless fruit suitable for harvest. |
| US07877922B1 |
Fishing rod and reel storage device and carrier
A weather-tight storage device and carrier for a single or multiple fishing rods and reels releasably mounted to a vehicular roof carrier rack. When not mounted on a vehicle, the storage device and carrier is manageable enough to be hand-carried and may also serve as a stand for the rods and reels. The storage device and carrier includes a carrier box housing the fishing reels and a portion of the associated fishing rods and an anchor portion for securing the distal ends of the associated fishing rods to the vehicular roof rack. |
| US07877918B2 |
Multi-shot firearm using separate chamber tubes
A firearm includes a magazine cavity in a handle defined by a frame. A stack of chamber tubes each holding a cartridge is loaded into the magazine cavity. A firing recess just to the rear of a bore defined in a firearm barrel receives the topmost chamber tube and cartridge and is urged against a partially circular contour defined within the recess by a feed spring which contour center is aligned with the bore. Each cartridge is fired while in its chamber tube by a firing mechanism and each chamber tube and fired cartridge are both ejected by gas pressure exerted on one side of the chamber tube through an ejection port defined by an opening in one side of the firing recess remote from the one side of the chamber tube. The ejection port allows a chamber tube positioned therein to be readily viewed or felt through the ejection port to make it possible to easily and reliably determine if the firearm is ready to be fired. |
| US07877914B2 |
Retractable banner stands with cooperating banners
A display comprising a retractable banner stand assembly has a base with a pair of banners extendable therefrom, each banner having a forward surface and a rearward surface. When extended, the banners are arranged in a spaced back face to front face visually overlapping relationship with each banner having graphics on the forward sides of the banner. A forward banner having a different shape than a rearward banner whereby significant portions of the rearward banner may be viewed from directly in front of the banner stand assembly. The precise portion of the rearward banner viewable being dependent upon the viewing angle in front of the display. The base including a housing with each banner being retractable into said housing. In a preferred embodiment the graphics will be aesthetically complementary from the forward banner to the rearward banner; for example, a portion of the graphics on one banner may continue on another banner. An object partially portrayed on one screen can be continued on another screen as a different “depth” or distance from the viewer and may be a different color, shading, or size. |
| US07877913B1 |
Multi-faceted, rotatable promotional display for vehicles
A multi-faceted, rotatable promotional display device for being retained relative to a vehicle for enabling the perception of multiple promotional messages from a single vantage point. A display casing with multiple display surfaces is rotatably retained relative to a base structure. Promotional messages are displayed relative to the display surfaces, and a drive arrangement rotates the display casing relative. The display casing can have a square, triangular, or other cross section. The base structure can have a cup portion with a raised peripheral ridge, and a shell can envelope the display casing. The display surfaces can be electronic display screens or light transmissive panels. A light source can be disposed within the display casing. A drive motor can be powered by a battery, a photovoltaic array, or a wind turbine. A clutch or a force sensor can prevent the application of excessive rotational force. |
| US07877911B2 |
Merchandise package with rotatable display element
A package configuration for holding merchandise includes a rotatable element that selectively displays different information to the user as the element is rotated. The rotatable element is restrained without a central hub or pivot pin. The restraining configuration limits lateral movement and minimizes pinching of the rotatable element. In one configuration, the merchandise storage package has a cover assembly having front and rear covers that define at least one window. Three pocket tabs restrain the lateral movement of the rotatable element. Each pocket tab is integrally folded from the blank used to form the storage package. One of the pocket tabs is double folded over itself to form a spacer having a thickness of three layers of blank material. Another pocket tab is folded over the spacer tab to form a fourth layer of material between the front and back covers. |
| US07877909B1 |
Pet tags
Implementations of pet tags and related protective and alignment features. A pet tag may comprise a raised edge of a concave design, a recessed design or a bordered design. Single or multiple piece implementations may be used to protect an image to be marked on one or both sides of a pet tag. Implementations may comprise multiple pet tags pre-assembled or assembled after marking to further protect one or more images marked on the tags. Other implementations may comprise removable brackets to adapt the pet tags to particular marking kiosks. Still other implementations may comprise crystals embedded in the marking substrate with an additional substrate coupled to a rear side of the marking substrate. |
| US07877903B2 |
Interchangeable shoe-forming assembly
The invention provides a shoe having conveniently interchangeable components, such as a vamp and an ankle strap constructed for releasable attachment to the periphery of a sole member with the same fasteners. The components are easily removed and exchanged to alter the appearance of the shoe, thus providing a wearer with a variety of styles and/or decorative appearances in a single pair of shoes. |
| US07877899B2 |
Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part
The present invention provides a shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part which can restrain the inclination of the foot toward the medial side while absorbing the shock of landing on the lateral side of the foot. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to the present invention, includes: a support element M; deformation elements 3 disposed below the support element, the deformation elements deforming to be compressed vertically at landing; and outer sole elements 2 contacting a ground at landing, each outer sole element being joined to a bottom surface of the respective deformation element. Both the deformation elements 3 and the outer sole elements 2 are substantially separated in a medial-lateral direction in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions of the rear foot part. A quotient obtained by dividing an area of a bottom surface of the support element M by an area of bottom surfaces of the outer sole elements 2 is set at about 1.3 or more in the rear foot part. A vertical compressive stiffness of the deformation element 3 disposed on the lateral side is smaller than that of the deformation element 3 disposed on the medial side. |
| US07877897B2 |
Shoe
A shoe having a toe region, a middle region, a heel region, and a multi-layer, multi-density midsole wherein an upper layer of the midsole has a bottom surface that has a longitudinal convexity and a longitudinal concavity, the longitudinal convexity typically occupying a substantial portion of the toe region or a substantial portion of the toe region and middle region, and the longitudinal concavity typically occupying a substantial portion of the heel region, the longitudinal convexity and the longitudinal concavity collectively contributing to simulating the effect, and imparting the fitness benefits, of walking on a sandy beach or on a giving or uneven surface regardless of the actual hardness of the surface. |
| US07877895B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing method is arranged to perform a heat process on a substrate with a coating film formed thereon to bake and cure the coating film. At first, the substrate, with the coating film formed thereon, is held at a preparatory temperature lower than a lower limit of temperature for baking and curing the coating film, to adjust distribution of a predetermined component in the coating film. Then, the substrate, with distribution of the predetermined component thus adjusted, is subjected to a heat process at a temperature not lower than the lower limit of temperature. |
| US07877883B2 |
Method for locating a geometric detail for determining the spatial position of a wheel rim relative to a measuring instrument and method and device for determining the spatial position of a wheel rim with respect to a measuring instrument
A method for locating a geometric detail of at least one wheel rim for determining its spatial position relative to a measuring instrument, includes: aiming at least one measuring camera of a measuring instrument of a chassis measuring system at a wheel rim; recording an image of a wheel rim using the at least one measuring camera; ascertaining at least one geometric detail in the image of the wheel rim; and selecting a known geometric detail for determining the spatial position of the wheel rim relative to the measuring instrument. |
| US07877882B2 |
Thread gauge checker
A method is disclosed for measuring the threads of standard and metric female thread bolt and standard and metric male thread nut of must commonly used nuts and bolts and the screw diameters in sizes #0 to #14. A separate set of plug gauges and ring gauges match the thread sizes of both the said standard female and metric female thread bolt gauge sizes. Separate standard and metric thread nut thread sizes are present in separate plug and ring gauges to provide ready gauges to measure threads of bolts and nuts not conveniently measure by plug and ring gauges mounted on a display wall structure for protection of the said gauges for dirt and contaminants. The wall mounted display structure provides an immediately available device for checking thread sizes of nuts and bolts. |
| US07877880B2 |
Hand held personal care appliance
A hand-held personal care appliance includes a handle accommodating a rechargeable power supply and having electrical contacts, an operating head detachably mountable on the handle and having contacts for connection to the contacts of the handle, and a charging device for recharging the power supply and having contacts for connection to the contacts of the handle. The operating head must be detached from the handle for recharging the power supply. Different operating heads may be mountable on the handle to form a vibrating safety razor, a hair trimmer, etc. |
| US07877876B2 |
Method of attaching integrated circuits to a carrier
The invention provides for a method of attaching printhead integrated circuitry to a carrier. The method includes scanning a wafer having a number of circuitry dies formed thereon to demarcate respective dies, aligning a die picker with a dice on the wafer according to a wafer substrate mapping scheme, and removing the dice from the wafer with the die picker. The method further includes the steps of transporting the dice to a placement station operatively positioning the carrier, aligning the dice with the carrier; and heat bonding the dice to the carrier. |
| US07877875B2 |
Method for connecting a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) to a printhead assembly
A method for connecting a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) to a printhead assembly that includes a printhead carrier and an ink ejection printhead carried by the carrier. The method includes the steps of: adhering the PCB to a first surface of the printhead; receiving the printhead and PCB in a mechanical nest, and actuating the nest into a position below a heated platen assembly; heating the heated platen assembly and actuating the heated platen assembly rectilinearly towards the nest, the heated platen assembly thereby compressing the PCB and the printhead; actuating a forming bar assembly, provided adjacent the heated platen assembly, rectilinearly towards the nest, the forming bar assembly thereby bending a portion of the PCB extending beyond the printhead towards the printhead assembly; and heating a heater cartridge and actuating the heater cartridge rectilinearly towards the print head printhead in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the forming bar assembly is actuated, whereby the PCB is connected to the printhead and bonded to the printhead carrier. |
| US07877872B2 |
Method for manufacturing printed circuit board
A method for manufacturing a hollowed printed circuit board includes steps of: providing an electrically conductive layer; laminating a first dielectric layer having a first through opening defined therein on a first surface of the electrically conductive layer; forming a protecting layer on the first surface of the electrically conductive layer in the first opening; creating an electrically conductive pattern in the conductive layer; removing the protecting layer; and laminating a second dielectric layer having a second through opening defined therein on an opposite second surface of the electrically conductive layer in a manner that the first through opening is aligned with the second through opening, thereby a portion of the electrically conductive layer is exposed to exterior through the first through opening and the second through opening. |
| US07877860B2 |
Method of manufacturing a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording
A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the steps of forming an underlying layer, forming a pole layer including a track width defining portion at least by plating, using the underlying layer as an electrode, such that the track width defining portion is disposed on the underlying layer, and removing the underlying layer except a portion below the pole layer by ion beam etching. The underlying layer is made of a conductive material whose etching rate of ion beam etching is higher than that of the magnetic alloy used to make the pole layer. |
| US07877859B2 |
Shield fabrication of magnetic write heads
Methods are provided for fabricating a write head with a self aligned wrap around shield and a self aligned flared region of a write pole. A flare point and a track width of a write pole may be fabricated using multiple processes. The multiple processes utilize several masking structures to define the track width and the flare point of the write pole. A mask structure is formed to cover a first portion of the write pole. An edge of the mask structure adjacent to an exposed second portion of the write pole defines a flare point of the write pole. Various structures of the write head, including shield gap layers, a wrap around shield and a flared region (e.g., the yoke) of the write pole may be fabricated from the flare point defined by the mask structure. |
| US07877855B2 |
Method of forming vertical coupling structure for non-adjacent resonators
A method for forming a vertical coupling structure for non-adjacent resonators is provided to have a first and a second resonators, a dielectric material layer, a first and a second high-frequency transmission lines and at least one via pole. The first and the second resonators respectively have a first and a second opposite metal surfaces. The dielectric material layer is disposed between the opposite second metal surfaces of the first and the second resonators. The first and the second transmission lines are respectively arranged at sides of the first metal surfaces of the first resonator and the second resonator. The first high-frequency transmission line is vertically connected to the second high-frequency transmission line by the via pole. |
| US07877850B2 |
Method for positioning and joining panels
A method is provided for precisely positioning and joining first and second sheet panels. A first hole is extruded in the first panel with an annular upstanding wall surrounding the first hole. The first hole has a diameter to fit closely over the locating pin of a support. A second hole is formed in the second panel and has a diameter to fit closely over the annular upstanding wall of the first panel. A bond is created between the first and second panels adjacent to the annular upstanding wall, so that the annular upstanding wall protects the locating pin from being fouled by the bonding material. The bond may be either an adhesive bond or an electric resistance weld or both an adhesive bond and an electric resistance weld and the annular upstanding wall acts as a dam to protect the locating pin from the adhesive or weld splatter. |
| US07877847B2 |
Cremation identification system and method for use of same
A synthetic biometric cremation identification system for use in cremation and burial processes of a deceased individual and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of synthetic biometric tokens include a cremation compatible material that is suitable for mechanical pulverization. A synthetic biometric identifier is integrated with each of the synthetic biometric tokens, which may be placed with the deceased individual at any stage during the cremation and burial process to provide, via instrumentation, continuous and integrated positive identification of the deceased individual, bone fragments, and/or granulated particles. |
| US07877844B2 |
Tag attachment apparatus
An apparatus for attaching a tag to an object. The apparatus may include a body. The apparatus may also include an attachment arm, the attachment arm having a locked position and an unlocked position, and the attachment arm lockably closing to form a first closed loop with the body when the attachment arm is in the locked position. The apparatus may also include a tag loop mechanically coupled to the body. The apparatus may also include a detent arm mechanically engaged with the attachment arm in the locked position of the attachment arm, the detent arm configured so that an application of a force to the detent arm simultaneously unlocks the attachment arm and opens the tag loop. |
| US07877839B2 |
Wet and/or dry vacuum with floor collector
A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface. |
| US07877831B2 |
Weather shield for underneath a dock leveler
Weather shields for underneath a dock leveler are described herein. An example weather shield described herein includes an environmental barrier disposed underneath a deck where the environmental barrier includes a first section and a second section. A tensioner is coupled to the environmental barrier and creates a vertical tension in the environmental barrier in an upward direction such that a) when the deck is in the raised position, both the first section and the second section are in vertical tension; b) when the deck is in the lowered position, both the first section and the second section are in less vertical tension than they are when the deck is in the raised position; and c) when the deck is in the intermediate position, the first section is in appreciably greater vertical tension than the second section such that there is a discrete incremental difference in vertical tension in the environmental barrier. |
| US07877829B2 |
System and method for maintaining air inflatable mattress configuration
A system and method for maintaining an air inflation mattress configuration sufficient for patient support and comfort. Infrared illumination levels are measured within individual or groups of inflated mattress chambers. A staggered approach to illumination monitoring of chambers or sections to eliminate crosstalk between the infrared sensors is carried out. Distributed microprocessor controllers established in a network configuration utilizing controller network protocols reduces the wiring and connections necessary for the assembled system. Various mattress cushion construction techniques, such as sewing and or RF welding methods, are used for the creation of individual chambers utilizing specific types of IR translucent, transparent or reflective materials. The construction of the cushions and bladders in the system includes the use of various types of fabrics with low to high air loss qualities as required. The overall mattress assembly, including the control systems and the methodologies associated with such control systems, provide a unique approach to the maintenance of a consistently comfortable patient support surface. The use of a handheld unit for both programming the system and downloading information about the operation of the system is also anticipated. The specific cushion construction designs associated with the head, body, and foot cushion components of the mattress are tailored to operate specifically with the control capabilities (sensors and air flow regulators) of the invention. |
| US07877823B2 |
Method and system for encompassing a construction site structure
A method and system for providing an aesthetically pleasing covering for construction site structures, such as portable toilets and/or construction waste bins, includes expanses of material designed to encompass and/or encircle such structures. Various embodiments are directed to retractable, weather-resistant fabrics that, when employed in accordance with the present invention, create a cabana-like structure to obscure the undesired aesthetics of underlying structures. Other embodiments relate to camouflaging such structures to avoid the unpleasant visual appearance of reconstruction/remodeling projects where such structures are utilized. |
| US07877817B1 |
Mask attachment assembly
A mask attachment assembly for use in attaching a mask in a sealed position on the user's face. The mask attachment assembly includes a panel member with a sleeve extending along the panel member, and one or more straps extending through and slidable within the sleeve. The strap includes a first attachment assembly on a first end of the strap for engaging a first engagement member on a first side of the mask, and a second attachment assembly on a second side of the strap for engaging a second engagement member on a second side of the mask. The strap is repositionable by releasing the attachment assemblies, sliding the strap through the sleeve of the panel and re-engaging the attachment assemblies. A patient interface device and a strap are also disclosed. |
| US07882562B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for deploying iSCSI parameters to a diskless computing device
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for deploying sensitive communication parameters to a diskless computing device. A parameter structure module is included to store one or more Internet Small Computer System Interface (“iSCSI”) communication parameters in an extendable data structure configured to store a set of basic parameter settings and a set of extended parameter settings. A link module is included to establish a secure link to a diskless computing device over a physically secure connection. A deployment module is included to deploy the extendable data structure over the secure connection to a non-volatile memory in the diskless computing device. The non-volatile memory is configured to provide sensitive iSCSI communication parameters provided by the extendable data structure to a CPU of the diskless computing device during a boot sequence. |
| US07882561B2 |
System and method of caching decisions on when to scan for malware
In accordance with this invention, a system, method, and computer-readable medium that selectively scans files stored on a computing device for malware is provided. One aspect of the present invention includes identifying files that need to be scanned for malware when a software update that includes a malware signature is received. More specifically, attributes of the new malware are identified by searching metadata associated with the malware. Then, the method searches a scan cache and determines whether each file with an entry in the scan cache is the type that may be infected by the malware. If a file is the type that may be infected by the malware, the file is scanned for malware when a scanning event such as an I/O request occurs. Conversely, if the file is not the type that may be infected by the malware, the file may be accessed without a scan being performed. |
| US07882555B2 |
Application layer security method and system
The invention provides an application layer security method and system to secure trusted computer applications from executing out of their intended and authorized scope caused by illegal or harmful operation requests received from a distrusted environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a protective layer is implemented in between a trusted application and distrusted application operation requests. In operation, the protective layer identifies an application path of each operation request. Depending on the application path identified, one or more security pipes scrutinize the application contents of the operation request to determine if the operation request is illegal or harmful to the application or a surrounding environment. |
| US07882553B2 |
Authentication device and method
An apparatus for generating intermediate cryptogram data corresponding to a dynamic password for a first cryptographic scheme, the intermediate cryptogram data being suitable for display using a device designed for a second, different cryptographic scheme, the apparatus including: a communications interface for communicating with a said device; and a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing processor control code to control the processor, when running, to: generate a dynamic password according to the first cryptographic scheme; and generate intermediate cryptogram data corresponding to said dynamic password, the intermediate cryptogram data being suitable for outputting to the said device so that, when the said device processes said intermediate cryptogram data according to the second cryptographic scheme, the said device generates data suitable for displaying said dynamic password. |
| US07882548B2 |
System and method for protecting identity information
A method is provided for using an identity service for protecting identity information during an electronic transaction. The method includes registering an identity client, wherein the identity client possesses an associated multi-component identity. The method further includes regulating access to the multi-component identity such that the identity service authorizes dissemination of fewer than all components of the multi-component identity to an identity requester. Additionally, a method for providing client identity repair protect a client from fraudulent distribution of electronically available client identity information. Upon detection of fraudulent distribution of identity information, a new identity reference is created and attempts to access an old identity reference are tracked. If the attempts to access the old identity reference are authorized, the attempts are re-directed to the new identity reference. However, if the attempts were unauthorized, access to the new identity reference is denied. |
| US07882540B2 |
System and method for on-demand dynamic control of security policies/rules by a client computing device
A system and method for an end user to change the operation of a data flow filter mechanism, such as a firewall, that operates to control data flows between a plurality of protected computing devices and one or more non-protected computing devices. With the system and method, an administrator of a sub-network of computing devices may set a client computing device's scope of rules/policies that may be changed by a user of the client computing device, with regard to a data flow filter mechanism. The user of the client computing device, or the client computing device itself, may then log onto the data flow filter mechanism and modify the operation of the data flow filter mechanism within the limits established by the administrator. |
| US07882538B1 |
Local caching of endpoint security information
In general, the principles of this invention are directed to techniques of locally caching endpoint security information. In particular, a local access module caches endpoint security information maintained by a remote server. When a user attempts to access a network resource through an endpoint device, the endpoint device sends authentication information and health information to the local access module. When the local access module receives the authentication information and the health information, the local access module controls access to the network resource based on the cached endpoint security information, the authentication information, and a security state of the endpoint device described by the health information. |
| US07882537B2 |
Method and apparatus for security policy management
A security policy management system for deriving a security policy from setting details of security devices as components of an information system includes a setting information storage unit for storing setting information representing settings with regard to security functions of devices included in a network system to be managed, and a general-purpose security policy generator for generating a security policy including a description expressed in a format independent of descriptions depending on particular devices, based on the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit. |
| US07882536B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of braoadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
| US07882534B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
| US07882531B2 |
Multicasting system and multicasting method
A multicasting system includes a delivery server for multicasting a content via at least one upper router and a plurality of lower routers, a plurality of client devices for playing the content multicast by the delivery server, an upper router controller for controlling the upper router and a lower router controller for controlling the plurality of lower routers. The client device includes a play history storage unit, an individual storage unit, a content retrieving unit, and a content playing unit. The delivery server includes a master storage unit, an optimizer optimizing the identifier and the session information of the content stored on the individual storage unit, and a content delivery unit. The upper router controller includes a session information retrieving unit, a book scheduling unit, and a schedule information notifier. |
| US07882530B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program products for socially synchronizing an experiential data stream
Apparatus, methods, and a computer-usable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to synchronize the presentation of an experiential data stream at a local device with the presentation of a similar experiential data stream using a playback position received over a control link. |
| US07882525B2 |
Data collection for a comprehensive program guide
Data collection for a comprehensive program guide is described. In embodiment(s), a content distributor communicates media content to client devices via an IP-based network. The client devices also receive off-air media content along with off-air program guide data that corresponds to the off-air media content. The content distributor can then receive the off-air program guide data from any one or more of the client devices to update a comprehensive program guide at the content distributor. |
| US07882519B2 |
Advertisements in an end-user controlled playback environment
This invention discloses a method for displaying advertisements transmitted to a user unit, the method includes receiving, at the user unit, at least one advertisement tagged with a delay tag indicating whether display of the at least one advertisement can be delayed and only if the delay tag allows delaying display of the at least one advertisement, storing the at least one advertisement at the user unit, retrieving the at least one advertisement and displaying the at least one advertisement. A billing system for reporting a commercial broadcast to a multiplicity of users is also disclosed. |
| US07882517B2 |
Content replacement by PID mapping
A method of content substitution involves receiving an ordered stream of packets containing content marked by a first packet identifier (PID) and one or more substitute content portions marked by one or more secondary PIDs, where the number and placement of packets marked by secondary PIDs ahead of packets marked by the first PID in the stream is retained during transmission of the ordered stream of packets; initiating processing for display or storage of content contained in packets having the first PID; initiating processing for display or storage of content contained in packets having a selected secondary PID that meets a substitution criterion; and either deleting or processing the content having the first PID depending upon a number of received intervening packets having secondary PIDs that reside between the packets having the first PID and the packets having the selected secondary PID that meets the substitution criterion. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US07882515B2 |
Device and process for acquiring files by accumulation of points and associated products
The present invention relates to a device and a process for acquiring files by accumulation of points. The device is designed for a user of a receiver of data of a communication network, able to earn points by accomplishing at least one predefined operation, and to acquire at least one of the files by downloading via this communication network, when the aggregate number of points reaches a predetermined level associated with this file. The device comprises an automatic control module for ordering downloading via this network to a storage space accessible to this receiver, of portions of this file, designed to order the downloading of each of these portions when the number of points earned by this user reaches a fraction of this predetermined level which corresponds to this portion. |
| US07882511B2 |
Disk apparatus with a recess on a disk-accommodating portion
A disk apparatus is provided that includes an apparatus body including a driving section for rotating a disk, an information reading/writing section, and a control section for controlling the driving section and the information reading/writing section. The disk apparatus also includes a housing accommodating the apparatus body and including a housing body having an accommodating recess formed at a position thereof corresponding to the driving section and the information reading/writing section for accommodating the disk therein, and a lid member supported for pivotal motion on the apparatus body for closing up the accommodating recess. The accommodating recess has a convex portion formed in a projecting manner on a bottom face thereof such that the convex portion surrounds the disk mounted around a rotary shaft of the driving section A space which is formed by the convex portion surrounds the disk having a circular shape and a polygonal shape combined. |
| US07882509B2 |
Expander-based solution to the dynamic STP address problem
The persistent binding of STP SAS addresses to SATA devices is disclosed so that SATA devices can be moved to different insertion points (ports) within a SAS expander and still properly receive I/O requests. When a SATA device is inserted into the SAS expander, it is interrogated to obtain information about the attached device. This information may be combined using a hashing function to obtain a unique ID for the SATA device. A table can be used to assign a STP SAS address to the Phy connected to the device based in the unique ID. In this manner, the same STP SAS address will be assigned to the Phy connected to a particular SATA device, regardless of where the device is connected to the SAS expander. |
| US07882507B2 |
Application module for managing interactions of distributed modality components
A method for managing application modalities using dialogue states can include the step of asserting a set of activation conditions associated with a dialogue state of an application. Each of the activation conditions can be linked to at least one programmatic action, wherein different programmatic actions can be executed by different modality components. The application conditions can be monitored. An application event can be detected resulting in an associated application condition being run. At least one programmatic action linked to the application condition can be responsively initiated. |
| US07882506B2 |
Distribution of general inter-ORB protocol messages
An object request broker (ORB) for receiving an incoming message including a message header and a message body in General Inter-ORB Protocol (GIOP) type format, the ORB comprising: an external ORB element for converting the header of the incoming message to an implementation-specific format, and for providing the header in implementation-specific format with the body in GIOP type format to a distribution mechanism for identifying an appropriate target server for processing the body of the incoming message; and an internal ORB element associated with the identified target server for converting the body of the incoming message to an implementation-specific format for use by the target server to process the message. |
| US07882501B1 |
System and method for enabling dynamic modifed class reloading in an application server environment
System and method for enabling dynamic class reloading in an application server environment. A distinction is made between “versionable” and “non-versionable” classes. Versionable classes are classes that should be automatically reloaded when they are modified. The application server(s) may execute a background task that executes periodically to check for modified versionable classes. Users may specify class versionability by specifying a list of explicitly versionable classes, specifying a list of superclasses whose extending classes should be considered to be versionable, and specifying a list of interfaces whose implementing classes should be considered to be versionable. Once the background task discovers a modified versionable class, the background task may cause the class to be reloaded, e.g., by instantiating a new classloader and instructing the new classloader to reload the class. The background task may purge the reloaded class from any caches that the application server maintains. |
| US07882500B2 |
Method and a system for composing an optimally-grained set of service functions
Disclosed is a computer program product for managing granularity of a computing infrastructure, wherein the program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to: identify at least one set of service functions suited to characterization by one or more sets of metrics; create a representation of at least one supplied functionality for the set of service functions for input to a formal process; characterize at least one rule and at least one constraint for input to the formal process; determine at least one set of metrics for evaluating the service functions; quantify benefits associated with at least one of the sets of service functions using the set of metrics; and provide one or more of the sets of service functions as output, wherein the output is based on the metrics determining the output by use of the formal process. Systems and infrastructure are also disclosed. |
| US07882499B2 |
Caching dynamically compiled code to storage
Dynamically compiled code is stored for future use by an emulator application. The emulator application may recall the previously compiled code rather than recompile the same code again. Recycling previously compiled code prevents unneeded code compilation, and saves valuable processing time and resources. Previously compiled code can be associated with code identification information. When compiled code is needed, one or more indexes of compiled code identification information is searched. If the appropriate identification information is found, the corresponding code is loaded and executed. |
| US07882490B2 |
Automatic generation of a data flow diagram from a diagram with states and transitions
A system and method for automatically generating a data flow diagram in response to a first diagram. The first diagram may specify one or more states and one or more state transitions, wherein each state transition specifies a transition from a first state to a second state. A data flow diagram may be automatically generated from the first diagram. |
| US07882488B2 |
Software tool for synthesizing a real-time operating system
A tool for developing software source code for embedded systems that allows the user to automatically generate a real-time operating system for scheduling of multi-tasking operations while preventing deadlocks between the real-time tasks. The tool takes parameters that let the user assign priorities and timing characteristics to different tasks and to experiment with different scheduling algorithms. |
| US07882487B2 |
Method of generating C code on the basis of UML specifications
The method in accordance with the invention is characterized in that a detailed implementation model is produced in the UML language, that the data of this model are structured to render them utilizable by the scripts generation tool “ModelInAction” (termed “MIA” and produced by the company Sodifrance), and that this tool is made to produce files in the C language, namely .C files, .H files, a generation report file, configuration management “batch” files and compilation project files. |
| US07882486B2 |
Adding interactivity to artwork
A prototyping tool is provided to an artistic team, which can use the tool to experiment with, demonstrate, and communicate aspects of the user interface interaction with various user interface elements. These user interface elements can be defined within a layered graphics representation of the user interface artwork, rather than individual flattened graphics files. By setting properties on individual user interface elements through the prototyping tool, the artistic team can review how the elements will appear and behave during typical interaction with a user. Furthermore, a description of the interaction properties and relationships of these user interface elements, as defined by the artistic team, is captured for communication to a programming team. The programming team can then load the layered graphical representation and the interaction description to implement the user interface interactivity developed and proposed by the artistic team. |
| US07882481B2 |
Wafer layout optimization method and system
For determining an optimized wafer layout, at least two wafer layouts are specified for a given wafer, each wafer layout defining the location of a plurality of die with regard to the wafer. An optimization parameter value of at least one optimization parameter is determined for each of the at least two wafer layouts. The at least one optimization parameter includes at least one of a number of exposure fields necessary for exposing the respective wafer layout and a number of die of the wafer layout. The optimized wafer layout is selected out of the at least two wafer layouts depending on the optimization parameter values. |
| US07882478B2 |
Spacers for reducing crosstalk and maintaining clearances
In one aspect of the invention is a method for reducing crosstalk and maintaining clearances between traces on a printed circuit board design. Crosstalk caused by placing traces a virtual printed circuit board are reduced by placing artificial obstructs, called spacers, between traces and/or between traces and nets to create a user-specified clearance between the traces and/or nets. As additional traces and/or nets are added to the virtual printed circuit board, the spacers are dynamic and adjust accordingly to maintain the specified clearances. |
| US07882477B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating layout model, computer product, and method of manufacturing device
A layout-model creating apparatus creates a layout-model for a mechanical computer-aided design from component information including heights and layout information of components created by an electrical computer-aided design. A height determining unit determines whether a height of a component is equal to or lower than a specified height. A three-dimensional-model creating unit creates a three-dimensional model by excluding a component of which the height is determined to be equal to or lower than the specified height. |
| US07882476B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device formed by automatic layout wiring by use of standard cells and design method of fixing its well potential
Standard cells without a well potential fixing active region (4T-11 to 4T-14, 4T-21 to 4T-24, 4T-31 to 4T-34, 4T-41 to 4T-44) are read from a library and a circuit is temporarily designed by automatic layout wiring. Then, a change in the substrate potential is estimated from at least one of the number of transistors to be switched at the same timing in the temporarily designed circuit, the sizes of transistors, the transition probability, and the appearance probability. It is determined whether the estimated change in the substrate potential is within a reference value. If the estimated change in the substrate potential has exceeded the reference value, standard cells with a well potential fixing active region (2T-11, 2T-21, 2T-31 and 2T-41) are read from the library and placed in a region where the estimated change in the substrate potential exceeds the reference value. Thereafter, automatic layout wiring is done again, thereby forming a circuit. |
| US07882469B2 |
Automatic verification of adequate conductive return-current paths
After finding the shortest conductive signal return-current path for each signal, the invention assesses whether each conductive return-current path is adequate. The method analyzes each shortest conductive signal return-current path and determines if a significant portion of the signal return current flows as displacement current rather than following the conductive current path. A significant displacement current flows when the length of the conductive return-current path that diverges from a signal net is more than a previously defined limit based on the signal transition time. Further, a significant displacement current flows when the overall length of the signal differs from the overall length of the conductive return-current path by more than a previously defined limit based on the signal transition time. |
| US07882468B2 |
Integrated circuit device evaluation device, evaluation method, and evaluation program
Time-axis data that include the peak waveform and the clock frequency of the power supply current when the LSI is switched are inputted to the LSI information input unit, and the LSI equivalent circuit creation unit creates an equivalent circuit of the LSI on the basis of the time-axis data. The time-axis/frequency-axis conversion unit converts the time-axis data to frequency-axis data. The equivalent circuit synthesis unit synthesizes the equivalent circuits of the printed wiring substrate, the power supply regulator, and the LSI to create a single equivalent circuit; the frequency-axis circuit analysis unit performs frequency-axis analysis of the single equivalent circuit; and the frequency-axis/time-axis conversion unit converts the results to time-axis data. The amount of fluctuation of the power supply voltage of an integrated circuit device can thereby be evaluated in a short time. |
| US07882464B1 |
Method and system for power distribution analysis
Disclosed are systems and methods for electrical verification of integrated circuits. Methodologies are described for verification of the power and ground distribution systems (PDS) for system-on-a-chip (SoC) and the verification of the interaction of the PDS with the behavior of integrated circuits. |
| US07882463B2 |
Integrated circuit selective scaling
The invention includes a solution for selectively scaling an integrated circuit (IC) design by: layer, region or cell, or a combination of these. The selective scaling technique can be applied in a feedback loop with the manufacturing system with process and yield feedback, during the life of a design, to increase yield in early processes in such a way that hierarchy is preserved. The invention removes the need to involve designers in improving yield. |
| US07882457B1 |
DSP design system level power estimation
Power consumption estimation is performed at the system level in a design process, thus allowing early evaluation of feasibility and other considerations relating to logic/DSP design and hardware implementation of a proposed electronic design. Evaluation of the system level power consumption estimate(s) permits adjustment of a system level representation of the proposed electronic design, prior to investment of substantial resources in the electronic design. Other estimates, including other power consumption estimates, may be performed to adjust the proposed electronic design as well. Such estimates may be made in response to gate level power consumption estimates and/or hardware level power consumption estimates. |
| US07882453B2 |
Semiconductor device metal programmable pooling and dies
A pool of die designs includes die designs having metal programmable base layers. Die designs from the pool are selected for use in fabricating dies. Die designs are added to the pool by customization of die designs already in the pool or by preparing custom die designs that incorporate a metal programmable base layer. In some embodiments multi-tile dies are provided with I/O slots configurable for either inter tile communication or inter die communication. |
| US07882452B2 |
Modeling silicon-on-insulator stress effects
A method and system for modeling silicon-on-insulator shallow trench isolation stress effect is described. The method includes creating instance parameters that define dimensions of a body-tie enclosure of gate and gate-end. The instance parameters are added to a netlist. The netlist and a lookup table are used to generate a mobility multiplier. The mobility multiplier is added to the netlist and a circuit simulation program runs the netlist having the instance parameters and the mobility multiplier. |
| US07882450B2 |
Interactive document summarization
A real-time interactive document summarization system which allows the user to continuously control the amount of detail to be included in a document summary. |
| US07882448B2 |
Taskbar configuration tool for computer systems
A taskbar control permits system operators to group application instances according to their own preferences. The taskbar control system groups application instances according to a default grouping scheme but permit the default grouping to be managed by operator control. The operator may move application instances among groups or to new groups via drag and drop commands, commands entered through context menus and the like. |
| US07882447B2 |
Method and system to determine area on a user interface
A method and system to determine the size of a first area on a user interface that is utilized to display data items. The system receives a request for a user interface that includes a first area and a second area that are complementary in size. The system utilizes the first area utilized to display data items and the second area to display other information. The system determines a size of the first area by computing a number of data items that are to be displayed in the first area and generates the user interface to include the first area in the second area, the first area being of the determined size. |
| US07882443B2 |
Method for improving queue experience in a three-dimensional virtual environment
A method improving a customers experience in a queue located in a three-dimensional virtual environment is provided. The method includes the creation of computer controlled pseudo avatars that are added and removed from queues to create the perception that the queues are moving. A conversational avatar is further provided to engage the customer avatars in conversation. |
| US07882442B2 |
Multi-frame display system with perspective based image arrangement
Systems and methods are provided for presenting digital images using a plurality of digital media frames separated spatially along at least two axes. In one aspect the method comprises the steps of obtaining the digital images to be presented determining the multi-dimensional relationship between the digital media frames analyzing the digital images and any associated metadata to assign an image perspective determination to each of the digital images and determining an arrangement of the digital images for presentation on the plurality of the digital media frames according to the multi-dimensional relationship between the digital media frames and according to the determined image perspectives. |
| US07882439B2 |
Graphical user interface and method for customer centric network management
A graphical user interface and method for customer centric network management. The graphical user interface includes a first view showing text input by a user indicative of customer identification data corresponding to a customer in a network. This data is received by a server connected to the user. The server retrieves stored information corresponding to the customer identification data from a database and provides the stored information and actual circuit path information corresponding to a customer service based on the stored information to the graphical user interface. A second view of the graphical user interface shows the stored information, and a third view shows a graphical representation of a customer path corresponding to the actual circuit path information. |
| US07882435B2 |
Electronic equipment with shuffle operation
An electronic equipment is provided that includes access to a playlist, the content of which identifies a plurality of media objects, and a media player section configured to play the plurality of media objects identified in the playlist in an order. In addition, the electronic equipment includes a shuffler section for altering at least one of the order in which the plurality of media objects in the playlist are played by the media player, or the content of the playlist, in response to a shuffle command. The electronic equipment further includes a motion sensor that detects motion of the electronic equipment, the motion sensor producing an output based on detected motion from which the shuffle command is derived. |
| US07882430B2 |
Utility, method and device providing vector images that may be formatted for display in different locales
In one embodiment, in response to receiving an image request, a computer-implemented method: 1) retrieves a vector image from a device that is a target of the image request, the vector image illustrating at least a portion of the device; 2) determines a locale for display of the vector image; 3) selects a locale tag from among a number of locale tags stored within the vector image, in accord with the determined locale; and 4) formats the vector image in accord with display data associated with the selected locale tag. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US07882424B2 |
Serial data communication—CAN memory error detection methods
A method is provided for formatting a message, with a first plurality of bits forming a data component, and a second plurality of bits forming a reserved component, for transmission in a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of calculating an initial checksum from the data component, calculating a revised checksum at least from the initial checksum, and storing the revised checksum in the reserved component. The number of bits in the reserved component is less than the number of bits in the data component. |
| US07882419B2 |
Communications line monitoring system, relay apparatus, and communications line monitoring method
A communications line monitoring system of the present invention comprises a plurality of relay apparatus and a communications line monitoring apparatus for monitoring a line quality of a communications line of relayed data, and each of the relay apparatus comprises error detecting unit for detecting errors in received data, previous error detection determination unit for determining whether or not error detection has already been performed in other apparatus based on previous error detection information of the received data, and initial error detection process unit for, only when an error is detected and the error was undetected in other apparatus, autonomously notifying error detection information to the communications line monitoring apparatus, and for adding previous error detection information to data for transmission. |
| US07882398B2 |
Ghost agents within a grid environment
A method for evaluating system behavior within a grid environment can include the step of identifying a host software object, wherein the host software object includes a user object, an application, and/or a process. The software object can be associated with the host software object. The host actions of the host software object can be replicated within the associated software object. Replicated actions can be recorded. The host software object can move from one grid within the grid environment to a different grid. In response to the moving of the host software object, the associated software object can move from the one grid to the different grid. |
| US07882394B2 |
Intelligent condition-monitoring and fault diagnostic system for predictive maintenance
A system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis includes a data collection function that acquires time histories of selected variables for one or more of the components, a pre-processing function that calculates specified characteristics of the time histories, an analysis function for evaluating the characteristics to produce one or more hypotheses of a condition of the one or more components, and a reasoning function for determining the condition of the one or more components from the one or more hypotheses. |
| US07882388B2 |
Dual independent non volatile memory systems
Disclosed is a method, system, and computer readable medium for restoring a failed non-volatile memory (NVM) system in a wireless device having a primary NVM system and a secondary NVM system. The method does not require a reboot of the wireless device. A NVM manager application detects a failure in either of the NVM systems and determines which NVM system has failed. If the primary NVM system has failed then the NVM manger switches the wireless device to operate using the secondary NVM system, restores the primary NVM system using data from the secondary NVM system, then switches the wireless device back to the primary NVM system once it has been restored. If the secondary NVM system has failed then the NVM manager restores the secondary NVM system using data from the primary NVM system. |
| US07882387B2 |
Reconfigurable device and control method thereof
A reconfigurable device having a plurality of component elements each configured in accordance with configuration information, the device being adapted to determine whether an error in configuration information for the component elements affects an output of the reconfigurable device. |
| US07882386B1 |
System and method for recovering a logical volume during failover or reboot of a file server in a data storage environment
This invention is a system and a method for recovering and repairing a logical volume in a data storage environment using a new architecture. The method of recovering a logical volume enables mounting of a file system by instantiating only a single slice under the sparse volume and instantiating rest of the slices provisioned under the sparse volume in background by a asynchronous recovery process or on-demand by the clients of the file system issuing an I/O on the slice volume. The method of repairing a logical volume provides the ability to regenerate the metadata required to reconstruct the corrupted volume. |
| US07882385B2 |
Reducing inefficiencies of multi-clock-domain interfaces using a modified latch bank
A system and method for improving the performance and efficiency of multi-clock-domain data transmission interfaces. The data transmission interface may include a modified slave latch which includes one or more clock splitters and one or more transmission gates may be used. By having such a configuration, space requirements are reduced and a reduction of the number of devices necessary for a multi-domain interface may be realized. The configuration may further allow for independent cycle stealing of N:1 and N:2 logical paths, thus allowing for timing resolution solutions that use fewer devices versus implementations that require the tuning of each individual bit in the cross-clock-domain interface. By implementing such a data transmission interface, space and power requirements may be reduced and timing criticalities may be more easily managed. |
| US07882374B2 |
Method of powering up a portable terminal and avoiding undesirable powering up
A method of powering up a portable terminal, which automatically executes a software program when powered on, the terminal having a manually operated power-up key, wherein the method comprises the step of: a) at the beginning, moving (in 32) the key from an idle position in which the terminal is powered off to an active position in which the terminal is powered up, then b) before a first predetermined time interval (Δ1) has elapsed since the beginning of step a), starting (in 36) to run the software program on the terminal, the first time interval being long enough to check that the key has not been inadvertently moved, then c) when the first time interval elapsed, if the key is still in the active position, continuing (in 42) to run the software program, else powering down the terminal (in 40). |
| US07882373B1 |
System and method of reducing power consumption in a storage system through shortening of seek distances
Described is a storage system and method for reducing power consumption in a storage system by shortening seek distances associated with input/output (I/O) requests to a physical disk drive. A sweep direction is set. An offset of a new I/O request is evaluated to determine whether to send the new I/O request to the physical disk drive. The new I/O request is sent to the physical disk drive if the offset is consistent with the sweep direction. Otherwise, sending the new I/O request to the disk drive is deferred until the sweep direction is set to a reverse direction. |
| US07882368B2 |
System for publishing content on a portable digital storage medium
In a method of publishing creative content to at least one local digital display device, a first unit of the creative content is stored on a first portable digital storage medium in an encrypted format. The digital replication is encrypted with a selected one of a plurality of private encryption keys. The first portable digital storage medium is transferred to the local digital display device. A preselected public key is entered into the local digital display device. The preselected public key corresponds to the selected one of the plurality of private encryption keys. At least a portion of the first unit of the creative content is decrypted by employing the public encryption key using a public key/private key decryption algorithm. The portion of the creative content is displayed on the local digital display device. |
| US07882366B2 |
Storage media tracking and managment
Managing removable computer-readable media transporting across various locations. Data is stored on the computer-readable media at an on-site location. Each of the computer-readable media is associated with a tracking device. The tracking device has a storage medium. An intent expression is defined for each of the computer-readable media. The defined intent expression includes conditions for managing each of the computer-readable media. The defined intent expression for each of the computer-readable media is stored on the storage medium of the tracking device. The computer-readable media are transported from the on-site location to an offsite location. The stored intent expression is obtained for each of the computer-readable media on the tracking device at the offsite location to manage the computer-readable media based on the defined intent expression. |
| US07882365B2 |
Systems and methods for distinguishing between actual data and erased/blank memory with regard to encrypted data
Systems and methods that facilitate processing data, such as by encryption/decryption, and storing and retrieving data to/from memory such that actual data can be distinguished from information associated with, or representative of, erased/blank memory locations. A processor can include a comparing component that compares information input to the processor to determine whether such information is associated with actual data, or associated with, or representative of, erased/blank memory locations. Information associated with, or representative of, an erased/blank memory location can be processed so that it can be interpreted as such by other components. If actual data is processed such that the comparing component interprets the processed data to be equivalent to an erased/blank memory location, then the data can be re-processed, so it is not interpreted as such, before being forwarded to its next destination. |
| US07882364B2 |
Technology for authenticating person by data generated based on biological information
A biological information acquisition unit of a biological information processing apparatus acquires biological information. A cue data acquisition unit requests and acquires cue data from the personal authentication apparatus. A personal data generating unit converts the biological information into personal data, or image data. The personal data generating unit further encrypts the personal data based on the cue data. A personal data output unit displays this encrypted personal data on-screen. |
| US07882363B2 |
Biometric authentication system
There is described an authentication system in which during an enrolment process a distinctive characteristic of a subject being enrolled is measured to generate a reference number representative of the subject. Authentication data is then generated using the reference number, and the authentication data is stored for use in a subsequent verification process. During verification, the representative characteristic of the subject being verified is re-measured to generate a test number representative of the subject being verified and the authentication data during enrolment is retrieved. The authentication system then checks for equality between the test number and the reference number using the retrieved authentication data. If the test number and the reference number are equal, then the authenticity of the subject is verified, otherwise the authenticity is denied. |
| US07882361B2 |
Method and system for accepting a pass code
A method and apparatus for accepting a pass code such as a personal identification number (PIN) are disclosed. The method involves providing a user with a challenge, typically on some form of shielded display to prevent third party viewing. The user now enters a response which transforms the challenge into the pass code allocated to the user. The response allows the user to be validated against a stored record of the pass code allocated to the user. |
| US07882358B2 |
Reversible hashing for E-signature verification
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods to authenticate software licenses. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method where a vendor creates a reversible hash from a known, predetermined seed value, encrypts the hash to generate a digital signature, and sends the digital signature to the customer. The customer enters the digital signature. The customer's client computer reverses the reversible hash to obtain a determined seed value. The client has access to the known seed value used by the vendor. The known seed value is compared to the determined seed value. If the seed values compare, the software license and the associated software is authenticate. |
| US07882356B2 |
UPnP authentication and authorization
A secure handshake service is implemented among a plurality of UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) portable media devices and endpoints in an open network hosting one or more UPnP services. A first portable media device receives a first request for a hosted service from a second portable media device via the network. The first portable media device authenticates authorizes the second portable media device as a function of the certificate of the request. The second portable media device is allowed to access the requested service hosted on the first portable media device if the second portable media device has been authenticated and authorized by the first portable media device. |
| US07882354B2 |
Use of device driver to function as a proxy between an encryption capable tape drive and a key manager
A tape system is provided with an encryption capable tape drive and an encryption enabled tape drive device driver for the encryption capable tape drive. The encryption enabled tape drive device driver functions as a proxy which connects the encryption capable tape drive to a key manager which serves keys to the tape drive. When the encryption capable device driver causes a command to be sent to the drive, the tape drive is configured to respond with a message that is intended for a key manager such as an External Key Manager (EKM). The encryption capable device driver recognizes that this is a message intended for the EKM and forwards that message to the EKM (e.g., via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection). The EKM then responds to the key request by issuing a new key (for a new cartridge which is to be written from beginning of tape (BOT)) or an existing key (for a cartridge which needs to be read). The device driver connects all EKM responses to the encryption capable tape drive and the EKM from which the encryption capable tape drive obtains its keys. |
| US07882349B2 |
Insider attack defense for network client validation of network management frames
Method for detecting an attack on a broadcast key shared between an access point and its wireless clients. Upon detection of the attack, actions are implemented to react to the attack as defined in one or more security policies. Detection of the attack is achieved by examining both a link message integrity check and an infrastructure management frame protection (IMFP) message integrity check contained in a broadcast management frame. |
| US07882347B2 |
Image printing device, verifying device, and printed material
An image is split into a plurality of blocks, a feature quantity is extracted from each of the blocks, data is embedded into each of the blocks based on a difference between feature quantities of that block and at least one adjacent block, and data embedded blocks are printed. |
| US07882344B2 |
Memory system having a communication channel between a first processor and a second processor and memory management method that uses the communication channel
A multi-processor system includes a first processor, a second processor communicable with the first processor, a first non-volatile memory for storing first codes and second codes to respectively boot the first and second processors, the first memory communicable with the first processor, a second volatile memory designated for the first processor, a third volatile memory designated for the second processor, and a fourth volatile memory shared by the first and second processors. |
| US07882343B2 |
Optical data disc with multiple booting points
A booting procedure can take a long time and typically starts from a lead-in on a main data layer of an optical data disc. A Portable-Blue (PB) disc, a dual boot disc, includes a second data layer (304) from which application specific optical drives can boot directly. The dual boot disc still conforms to the prior art standard for PB for normal applications. The second boot (340) will cut in booting time for a specific application and will make application software small. is in particular relevant for gaming, for portable devices and relative specific applications. |
| US07882341B2 |
System and method to enable parallelization of early platform initialization
In some embodiments, the invention involves reducing the time required for a platform to boot to its target application/operating-system using parallelization of firmware image content decompression and loading. An embodiment dispatches alternate processing agents as a means to intelligently assist in off-loading some of the initialization tasks so that the main processor may share the burden of boot tasks. In at least one embodiment, it is intended to build firmware images that facilitate parallelization, utilizing co-processing agents that can split these transactions across various processing agents. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07882338B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for an implicit predicted return from a predicted subroutine
A method, system and computer program product for performing an implicit predicted return from a predicted subroutine are provided. The system includes a branch history table/branch target buffer (BHT/BTB) to hold branch information, including a target address of a predicted subroutine and a branch type. The system also includes instruction buffers, and instruction fetch controls to perform a method including fetching a branch instruction at a branch address and a return-point instruction. The method also includes receiving the target address and the branch type, and fetching a fixed number of instructions in response to the branch type. The method further includes referencing the return-point instruction within the instruction buffers such that the return-point instruction is available upon completing the fetching of the fixed number of instructions absent a re-fetch of the return-point instruction. |
| US07882336B2 |
Employing a buffer to facilitate instruction execution
Instruction execution is facilitated by employing a buffer to handle instructions having special circumstances. When such an instruction is to be executed, a pointer of the instruction is directed to the buffer. The instruction is executed from the buffer and then the pointer is recovered to point to a location other than the buffer. |
| US07882334B2 |
Processor pipeline architecture logic state retention systems and methods
A system, method and program product for retaining a logic state of a processor pipeline architecture are disclosed. A comparator is positioned between two stages of the processor pipeline architecture. A storage capacitor is coupled between a storage node of the comparator and a ground to store an output of the early one of the two stages. A reference logic is provided, which has the same value as the output of the early stage. A logic storing and dividing device is coupled between the reference logic and a reference node of the comparator to generate a logic at the reference node, which is a fraction of the reference logic, and to retain a logic state of the information stored on the storage capacitor. Further mechanisms are provided to determine validity of data stored in the logic storing and dividing device. |
| US07882331B2 |
Method and system for simultaneously supporting different block sizes on a single hard drive
A method and system where a hardware platform such as a disk drive is formatted to the largest block length it is desired to read from or write to. Using commands, data can be accessed from the drive in any block length that is equal to or less than the formatted block length. |
| US07882328B2 |
Cancellation of individual logical volumes in premigration chains
Provided are techniques for cancellation of premigration of a member in a chain. A set of premigration messages are received, wherein a separate premigration message is received for each logical volume in a chain of logical volumes. While processing the premigration messages in order of receipt of each of the premigration messages, a cancel message indicating that premigration of a logical volume in the chain is to be cancelled is received. In response to determining that the logical volume whose premigration is to be cancelled has not already been transferred to physical storage media, premigration of the logical volume is cancelled by removing a premigration message for that logical volume from the set of premigration messages and premigration of each other logical volume in the chain of logical volumes is continued in order of receipt. |
| US07882326B2 |
Live migration of a logical partition
A partition migration mechanism migrates a logical partition executing an operating system and resumes the logical partition before all resources in the logical partition have been migrated. When a partition is being migrated, a call checkpoint mechanism creates checkpoints of the state of the operating system when the partition manager is called. Before performing the call to the partition manager, a check is made to determine if all resources required by the call are available. If so, the partition manager call is executed. If all resources required by the call are not available, a resource fault is indicated, which causes the operating system state from the last checkpoint to be restored and a corresponding virtual CPU to be preempted until the resource that caused the fault becomes available. Exceptions that do not require the missing resource may be performed while the virtual CPU awaits the resource to become available. |
| US07882324B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing memory enabled systems with master-slave architecture
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a system, method and memory device for accessing memory. One embodiment includes synchronization circuitry configured to determine timing skew between a first memory device and a second memory device, and introduce a delta delay to at least one of the first memory device and the second memory device to adjust the timing skew. |
| US07882315B2 |
Snapshot mechanism in a data processing system and method and apparatus thereof
A snapshot mechanism of a data processing system is provided herein. The snapshot mechanism includes providing a snapshot storage unit for storing the data created when snapshotting the target storage units and generating a plurality of snapshot images accordingly. Two different types of address tables in the snapshot image are used for corresponding to the storage units of the snapshot storage unit and the target storage units. The status of the target storage units can be recovered to the status at a predetermined time ago according to the snapshot images. The two types of address tables are respectively used for storing the data created by the data processing system and history data so as to prevent the data stored in the target storage units to be overwritten. |
| US07882311B2 |
Non-snoop read/write operations in a system supporting snooping
Techniques that may utilize generic tracker structures to provide data coherency in a multi-node system that supports non-snoop read and write operations. The trackers may be organized as a two-dimensional queue structure that may be utilized to resolve conflicting read and/or write operations. Multiple queues having differing associated priorities may be utilized. |
| US07882306B2 |
Method for substantially uninterrupted cache readout
A memory device capable of sequentially outputting multiple pages of cached data while mitigating any interruption typically caused by fetching and transferring operations. The memory device outputs cached data from a first page while data from a second page is fetched into sense amplifier circuitry. When the outputting of the first page reaches a predetermined transfer point, a portion of the fetched data from the second page is transferred into the cache at the same time the remainder of the cached first page is being output. The remainder of the second page is transferred into the cache after all of the data from the first page is output while the outputting of the first portion of the second page begins with little or no interruption. |
| US07882303B2 |
Computer system, management computer, and volume allocation change method of management computer
A computer system to prevent intervention and falsification by setting encrypted transfer between a host computer and a first storage device that provides a virtual volume and between the first storage device and second and third storage devices that provide a real volume corresponding to the virtual volume. A management computer specifies the second and third storage device that provide the real volume corresponding to the virtual volume by providing a volume corresponding to the virtual volume used by a host computer in which encrypted transfer becomes necessary, and setting the encrypted transfer to communication between the first storage device and the second and third storage devices, makes a reconnection thereof, and also sets the encrypted transfer to an I/O port used for the communication with the host computer in the first storage device. |
| US07882302B2 |
Method and system for implementing prioritized refresh of DRAM based cache
A method for implementing prioritized refresh of a multiple way, set associative DRAM based cache includes identifying, for each of a plurality of sets of the cache, the existence of a most recently used way that has not been accessed during a current assessment period; and for each set, refreshing only the identified most recently used way of the set not accessed during the current assessment period, while ignoring the remaining ways of the set; wherein a complete examination of each set for most recently used ways therein during the current assessment period constitutes a sweep of the cache. |
| US07882300B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing nonvolatile memory
A nonvolatile-memory-management includes a generation unit that generates a free block list by arranging an entry including representative information of a group, of which free blocks adjacent to each other are grouped according to predetermined criteria, according to key values where the representative information are combined, a determination unit that determines parameters according to characteristics of data to be recorded, and a block-allocating unit that allocates free blocks satisfying the parameters as an area to be recorded with the data by referring to the free block list. |
| US07882299B2 |
System and method for use of on-chip non-volatile memory write cache
A method of programming a non-volatile memory array using an on-chip write cache is disclosed. Individual data packets received by the memory system are stored in cache memory. More than one data packet may be stored in this way and then programmed to a single page of the non-volatile array. This results in more efficient use of storage space in the non-volatile array. |
| US07882298B2 |
Method for transmitting data from and to a control device
A method for transmitting data from and to a control device, in particular an engine control device for a motor vehicle that has a first communication interface and a second communication interface , the method having the following steps: connecting the first communication interface to a development tool, and connecting the second communication interface to one or more function units during the development phase of the control device, transmitting data from the control device to the development tool via the first communication interface using a first communication protocol, transmitting data from the development tool to the control device via the first communication interface using the first communication protocol, breaking the connection between the first communication interface and the development tool, connecting the first communication interface to one or more additional 20 function units, and transmitting data between the control device and the other function unit or function units via the first communication interface using a second communication protocol. |
| US07882297B2 |
Serial bus hub with low power devices
Serial bus hub with one or more low power devices. The serial bus hub may include at least one upstream port for coupling to a host system. The serial bus hub may include one or more downstream ports for coupling to peripheral devices. The serial bus hub may include the low power devices which may have no functionality external to the serial bus hub. The presence of the low power devices may allow the serial bus hub to draw additional power from the host system and a substantial portion of the additional power may be usable by other devices. The serial bus hub may be configured to allow the host system and one or more peripheral devices coupled to the one or more downstream ports to communicate. |
| US07882290B2 |
Method for preventing transaction collision on bus and computer system utilizing the same
A computer system is provided. The computer system includes a bus, a first master device, a second master device and a processor. The bus has a data line and a clock line. The first master device is coupled to the bus, detects a start phase of a first transaction on the data line, issues an interrupt message upon the detection of the start phase, and triggers a second transaction in response to a transaction indication message. The processor is coupled to the first master device, receives the interrupt message, and transmits the transaction indication message after a predetermined time interval upon reception of the interrupt message. The second master device is coupled to the bus and triggers the first transaction. The first transaction is finished within the predetermined time interval. |
| US07882289B2 |
Slave apparatus in a data transmission system, data transmission system and data transmission method in a data transmission system
In a data transmission system having a plurality of apparatuses connected to one another in a cascade, each slave apparatus has an identification number retention section retaining the same identification number as the other slave apparatuses, a receiver receiving data accompanied by an apparatus number, a judgment section judging that the data is destined for itself when the apparatus number coincides with the identification number, while judging that the data is destined for another slave apparatus when the apparatus number does not coincide with the identification number, and a transmitter changing the apparatus number by subtracting or adding when the data is judged to be destined for another slave apparatus, and transmitting the data to another lower-ranked slave apparatus. Thereby, data transmission can be accomplished without automatically setting an apparatus number to each of the plural apparatuses. |
| US07882288B2 |
Method and apparatus for transfering data between USB client devices by toggling a USB VBUS line
A method and apparatus for transferring data from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, both first and second electronic devices having Universal Serial Bus (USB) client interfaces, the method comprising the steps: connecting the two electronic devices with a USB cable; toggling the voltage on a VBUS line of the USB cable between logic high voltage and no voltage at the first electronic device; detecting toggles of the VBUS line at the second electronic device; and interpreting the toggles detected in the detecting step as data. |
| US07882287B2 |
Peripheral device
A multifunction device includes a plurality of slots capable of accepting the insertion of media. Initially, the multifunction device is set to a single drive mode (automatic switching mode) and subsequently is set to a multi-drive mode upon receiving a GET_MAX_LUN command from a personal computer. In the single drive mode, a drive is assigned only to one slot in which a medium has been first inserted. In the multi-drive mode, drives are assigned for all of the slots respectively. |
| US07882283B2 |
Virtualization support in a multiprocessor storage area network
Support for virtualization in a storage area networks may be provided using a variety of techniques. In one embodiment of the present invention, exchange level load balancing may be provided by determining if input/outputs (IOs) received by a device are new. If a particular IO is new, the IO may be assigned to a particular data path processor and an context may be created corresponding to the IO and to the processor. Then, when an event corresponding to the IO is received, the event may be forwarded to the processor assigned to the IO. |
| US07882280B2 |
Packet processing switch and methods of operation thereof
A packet switching integrated circuit chip is configured to receive packets, e.g., RapidIO™-compliant packets, from a plurality of external sources, and selectively passes data in the received packets to a plurality of external recipients. The chip is configured to pass first received packets without modification and to terminate second received packets and preprocess payloads thereof to produce new packets. The chip may be configured to perform signal sample processing operations on the second received packets, such as bit extension, bit truncation, bit reordering and/or bit arithmetic operations. The chip may be further configured to manage the first and second received packets based on destination addresses in the received packets. |
| US07882279B2 |
Bidirectional control circuit
A bidirectional bus control circuit to which first and second direction signals instructing bus directions are input and which inputs and outputs a clock signal and data signal includes a first bidirectional buffer that switches an input or output direction of the clock signal in accordance with the second direction signal, a second bidirectional buffer that switches an input or output direction of the data signal in accordance with the second direction signal, and a data confirmation unit that confirms a data signal input to the second bidirectional buffer and invalidates the confirmation of the data signal in accordance with switching of the signal direction instructed by the first direction signal from the input direction to the output direction, the switching of the signal direction instructed by the first direction signal occurring before the switching of the signal direction instructed by the second direction. |
| US07882278B2 |
Utilizing programmable channels for allocation of buffer space and transaction control in data communications
A control mechanism for data bus communications employs channels to which bus transactions are assigned, each channel having independent flow control. The control mechanism enforces an ordering algorithm among channels, whereby at least some transactions may pass other transactions. Channel attributes are programmable to vary the ordering conditions. Preferably, each channel is allocated its own programmable buffer area. The control mechanism independently determines, for each channel, whether buffer space is available and enforces flow control independently for each channel accordingly. Flow control is preferably credit-based, credits representing buffer space or some other capacity of a receiver to receive data. Preferably, the flow control mechanism comprises a central interconnect module controlling internal communications of an integrated circuit chip. |
| US07882275B2 |
Arrangement and method for system of locally deployed module units, and contact unit for connection of such a module unit
An arrangement for a system for controlling, monitoring, communication etc. comprises locally deployed module units which each perform one or more local function(s). The system also comprises one or more system-functioning-determining unit(s) at a higher level than said module units. Also included are one or more connection(s) connecting said units. Each module unit is connected to the connection concerned via a connection facility or connection point. The facility or point comprises one or more microprocessor(s) (microprocessor setup(s)) arranged with compatibility with signalling appearing on the connection according to the rules of systems engineering which apply, and with a higher-level function in relation to the module unit. The invention also relates to a method for said system and a contact arrangement for connection of a module unit to the connection. The invention makes possible outstanding separation of system functions and module unit functions, the result of which is that the various part functions can be produced individually with hardware and used by the system/module unit constructor. |
| US07882271B2 |
Processor partnering in a storage system
An apparatus and associated method are provided for performing a storage transaction associated with a network I/O command by employing an ASIC having an interconnect selectively coupling a plurality of dedicated purpose function controllers in the ASIC to a policy processor via a list manager in the ASIC communicating on a peripheral device bus to which the policy processor is connected. |
| US07882270B2 |
Shadow community producing system matched to a variable area of an internet base and method of the same
The present invention provides a shadow community producing system matched to a variable area of an internet base and a method of the same, which allows users connecting with unspecified web sites of an internet base to arbitrarily and automatically construct a community area in the web sites in real time, and allows a number of third parties connecting to the web sites to confirm creation information regarding the community and access to the community area, thereby enhancing convenience and consistency in information sharing. The present invention has advantages in that it allows users to create shadow communities matched with URLs on all areas accessible through the user's terminals regardless of web site producing companies, thereby sharing objective information with many and unspecified users; allows users to freely create and manage shadow communities for web sites not having communities, categories, and products. |
| US07882269B2 |
Modularization of broadcast receiver driver components
A modularized broadcast receiver driver architecture includes one or more control nodes, under control of a network module, that perform a series of one or more functions to receive a broadcast signal and extract content information from the signal. None of the multiple control nodes requires knowledge of the network type via which the signal is being received. Rather, a network module is aware of the network type and configures the control nodes to carry out their respective functions. |
| US07882265B2 |
Systems and methods for managing messages in an enterprise network
A protocol management system is capable of detecting certain message protocols and applying policy rules to the detected message protocols that prevent intrusion, or abuse, of a network's resources. In one aspect, a protocol message gateway is configured to apply policy rules to high level message protocols, such as those that reside at layer 7 of the ISO protocol stack. |
| US07882262B2 |
Method and system for inline top N query computation
A system and method of generating an overall top N query result from multiple sets of sessionized network events that correspond to different time periods include identifying a subset within each set of network events whose event attributes satisfy a predefined query, generating an aggregation result table for each identified subset of network events in accordance with an aggregation attribute, identifying matching first and second entries in first and second aggregation result tables that have a same aggregation attribute value, generating a new entry in a query result table by merging the matching first and second entries together, and selecting entries in the query result table that have highest session counts as the overall top N query result. |
| US07882252B2 |
Providing redundancy for a device within a network
A storage device has partitions that are separately addressed by distinct IP addresses. This allows direct access of the partitions, on a peer-to-peer basis, by any other device that can communicate using IP. Preferred storage devices support spanning between or among partitions of the same device, as well as between or among different storage devices. Both multicast and proxy spanning are contemplated. Combinations of the inventive storage devices with each other, and with prior art storage devices are contemplated, in all manner of mirroring and other arrangements. In still other aspects of the invention, a given storage device can include one or more types of media, including any combination of rotating and non-rotating media, magnetic and optical, and so forth. |
| US07882250B2 |
Device for provision of role-based access to data through a central interface
A device for provision of access to data in various data sources. In one embodiment the device permits a user uniform central access to all data sources and a uniform visualization of the data from the corresponding data sources. The various data sources are automation devices, ERP devices, MES devices and other production relevant data sources. |
| US07882249B2 |
Methods and systems for communicating with storage systems using slim IP stacks
Methods, and associated devices, media, and systems, for establishing a communication link between a host system and a storage device are provided. Such a method includes the steps of: providing a communication stack having only an application layer and a physical layer; and establishing a communication channel between a host system and the storage device using the communication stack. The step of establishing may be performed via a TCP/IP emulator in a host-system side and a storage-command interpreter in a storage-device side. The method may further include: establishing a communication channel between the host system and a device having a static-IP address; and establishing a communication channel between the host system and a device having a storage identifier that is embedded into one of command parameters sent by the application layer or the physical layer to the TCP/IP emulator. |
| US07882248B2 |
Content delivering system, server, and content delivering method
A receiver receives from a client, a participation request indicating that a delivery of a content is desired. An affiliated group-determining unit determines of which group corresponding to the attribute content the attribute of the user, included in the participation request is affiliated. When the other client corresponds to the same desired content and the same affiliated group as that of the participation request source client, and when the other client is already registered in a client database (DB), an access point-deciding unit decides the registered client as a access point of the participation request source client. When the other client is not registered in the client DB, the access point-deciding unit decides a delivering server as the access point of the participation request source client. |
| US07882244B2 |
Method and system for facilitating group organization using mobile devices
Method and system for facilitating group organization using mobile devices and near field communication (NFC). Such a method in one aspect comprises the steps of selecting a first member of a group to create resources for the group, creating the resources by the first member using a mobile device belonging to the first member, bringing the mobile device belonging to the first member and a mobile device belonging to a second member of the group into proximity whereby a NFC connection is established between the mobile devices, uploading from the mobile device belonging to the second member to the mobile device belonging to the first member via the NFC connection information about the second member and adding the information about the second member to the resources. |
| US07882242B2 |
Method for transmitting destination user part unavailable message
A method for transmitting Destination User Part Unavailable message includes: signaling-point-transmitting, by an Application Server Process, a received DUPU message, if the Application Server Process is a signaling transfer point. |
| US07882240B2 |
Disconnecting selected participant in multicast session
A slow client that participates in a reliable multicast session may reduce the speed of data transfer for other clients in the session. A multicast server can mitigate the effect of a slow client by identifying and disconnecting one or more clients that are slowing down the session, or by using other criteria to identify clients to be disconnected. The server may monitor the performance of clients in the session based on factors such as the rate at which each of the clients is able to receive data, the number or rate of packets lost by a client, the amount of time that a client has spent as the slowest client in the session, the identity of a particular client, etc. A client that has been identified for disconnection based on the server's detection efforts, or that has been identified by an administrator, may be disconnected. |
| US07882238B2 |
Using bluetooth to establish ad-hoc connections between non-bluetooth wireless communication modules
Using Bluetooth to provide the network management functions such as device discovery, service discovery, security negotiation, and connection establishment. Upon a Bluetooth connection being established between the Bluetooth-enabled devices an IP channel availability query is made. This is accomplished by using information request signals from the Bluetooth L2CAP protocol layer. If an IP channel is available on both the devices and the communication modules using that IP channel are compatible the devices will then establish a secondary Internet Protocol (IP) based data channel between them. |
| US07882237B2 |
TCP/IP proxy utilizing transparent acknowledgements
A method is described herein for transmitting data from a first point (203) to a second point (205) on a network (201) via a proxy server (207). In accordance with the method, a first data packet is received from the first point at the proxy server without sending an acknowledgement packet to the first point. The first data packet is forwarded from the proxy server to the second point, and a second data packet is received from the second point at the proxy server. The second data packet is then forwarded to the first point along with an acknowledgement packet for receipt of the first data packet from the first point at the proxy server. |
| US07882235B2 |
Session control apparatus, software applied to session control apparatus, communication control method, and network system
A network system includes a session control server and a presence server. The session control server includes a presence information update unit that is started when the status changes and notifies the presence server of the changed status. The presence server includes a presence information control unit that controls the consistency of the notified update information. |
| US07882232B2 |
Rapid resource provisioning with automated throttling
Resources are rapidly provisioned using a repeatable, error free deployment technique. The technique includes an automatic throttle of a build management node to conform to existing network limitations in order to maximize the number of build operations which can be performed concurrently, while queuing up remaining requests to be executed, in response to sufficient network bandwidth becoming available. |
| US07882230B2 |
Method and system for dynamically allocating servers to compute-resources using capacity thresholds
Servers are allocated for use in one of a plurality of compute-resources or for stand-by storage in a free-pool. Server load metrics are selected (e.g., ping-reply time or CP utilization) for measuring load in the servers. Metrics are measured for the servers allocated to the compute-resources. Several metrics can be measured simultaneously. The metrics for each compute-resource are normalized and averaged. Then, the metrics for each compute-resource are combined using weighting coefficients, producing a global load value, G, for each compute-resource. The G value is recalculated at timed intervals. Upper and lower thresholds are set for each compute-resource, and the G values are compared to the thresholds. If the G value exceeds the upper threshold, then a server in the free-pool is reallocated to the compute-resource; if the G value is less than the lower threshold, then a server is moved from the compute-resource to the free-pool. |
| US07882228B2 |
Integrated application access
An exemplary system includes an application portal providing access to items of a plurality of remote applications, wherein at least one of the items is related to more than one of the remote applications, and an authorization layer that is included in the portal and that includes a permission map indicating an association between a user and at least one of the items of the plurality of remote applications that the user is permitted to access. In certain embodiments, the items include an application program interface (API). In certain embodiments, the authorization layer is synchronized with the remote applications, whereby the permission map is updated concerning information about at least one of the items that the user is permitted to access. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US07882223B2 |
System and method for saving dump data of a client in a network
A system and method for saving memory dump data from an operating system of a client in a network. The method includes configuring the client to allocate client system memory according to system memory classifications, configuring the client to transfer dump data to at least one dump server, saving said dump data periodically during client system run-time based on the system memory classifications, and saving dump data in the event of a client system crash to at least complement the dump data sent periodically during client system run-time. |
| US07882219B2 |
Deploying analytic functions
A method, system, and computer usable program product for deploying analytic functions are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A resource is identified in an analytic function specification. A set of input time series is identified for the analytic function specification. An analytic function instance corresponding to the analytic function specification is instantiated in relation to an object of the resource. Each input time series in the set of time series is located in relation to the object. The analytic function instance is associated with each input time series in the set of time series. An analysis is performed using the set of input time series and an analytic function described in the analytic function specification. The analytic function instance is instantiated if both the object and the set of data sources are present in an object graph where the analytic function instance is to be instantiated. |
| US07882216B2 |
Process and methodology for generic analysis of metrics related to resource utilization and performance
A generic algorithm for analysis of resource metrics. A threshold is calculated in a stack tier policy for the performance state of a metric in a virtualized process collection (VPC). Responsive to determining that the metric is a critical metric, a weighted average of all metrics in the VPC is determined. Responsive to determining that the weighted average exceeds the threshold in the stack tier policy, if the value of the metric is determined to be higher than values for all recorded metrics, the value of the metric is stored as a highest value. A weighted average performance state of all metrics is calculated as the weight property of the performance metric divided by the weight factor total. Responsive to determining that the highest value is higher than the weighted average performance state of all metrics, the highest value is used as the performance state of the VPC. |
| US07882213B2 |
Network management system to monitor managed elements
A network management system in which an administrator may specify attributes of interest, and the specified attributes are monitored. Graphs/reports corresponding to the specified reports may be generated in a single place (e.g., on a web page) such that the data points for the various attributes may be correlated easily. The specified attributes may contain attributes which are dynamically created (e.g., counters measuring various aspects related to instances of objects). The network management system provides the ability to discover such attributes using a suitable interface, and selection of such attributes as well. |
| US07882210B2 |
Dynamic agent formation for efficient data provisioning
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for monitoring one or more computers in a distributed computing system. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include determining, at a node, a first quantity of first agents reporting to the node and limiting the quantity of first agents to not exceed a predetermined threshold. The first agents configured to directly report to the node a first information corresponding to systems being monitored by the first agents. A second quantity of second agents may also be determined. The second agents report to the node through the first agents. The second agents report a second information corresponding to systems being monitored by the second agents. The first agents may be notified to report to the node the first information corresponding to systems being monitored by the first agents. The second agents may be notified to report to at least one of the first agents the second information corresponding to systems being monitored by the second agents. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US07882202B2 |
System to delegate virtual storage access method related file operations to a storage server using an in-band RPC mechanism
A method is disclosed that places data-intensive subprocesses in close physical and logical proximity to the facility responsible for storing the data, so that high efficiencies at reduced cost are achieved. In one specific example, new computer programs, termed adjuncts, are added and placed in a logical partition on a storage facility so that they can be invoked using appropriate commands issued on the I/O channel. Further, programs or changes are added to existing programs on the host machine, wherein such programs or changes discover the function extensions and invoke them to perform data processing. |
| US07882201B2 |
Location based content aggregation and distribution systems and methods
In an exemplary method, a content posting is received from an access device connected to a network. The content posting includes data representative of a content instance and a geographic location associated with the content instance. The content posting is stored. The content instance is selectively distributed to at least one other access device connected to the network based on the geographic location. In certain embodiments, the selective distribution includes determining that the other access device is located physically proximate to the geographic location and making the content instance accessible to the other access device in response to the determination. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises the access device creating the content instance, detecting the geographic location as a physical location of the access device, and associating the geographic location with the content instance. |
| US07882200B2 |
Method and apparatus for distribution of data among computing resources
A method and apparatus for distribution of data among computing resources are disclosed. A data provider system architecture for “grid” computing resources can include a plurality of data providers. At least some of the data providers each have an associated cache for storing data to provide the data to the engines. The grid computing network interconnects the plurality of data providers and the engines. A data provider director (DPD) determines the selected data provider with respect to providing the data from the cache to a particular engine. The DPD may also provide an alternate data provider. In some embodiments, a data provider may have both an internal and external cache. Such an external cache may serve more than one data provider, for example, multiple data providers in a locale interconnected by a local area network (LAN). |
| US07882198B2 |
Shared JAVA JAR files
Techniques are disclosed for sharing programmatic modules among isolated virtual machines. A master JVM process loads data from a programmatic module, storing certain elements of that data into its private memory region, and storing other elements of that data into a “read-only” area of a shareable memory region. The master JVM process copies loaded data from its private memory region into a “read/write” area of the shareable memory region. Instead of re-loading the data from the programmatic module, other JVM processes map to the read-only area and also copy the loaded data from the read/write area into their own private memory regions. The private memory areas of all of the JVM processes begin at the same virtual memory address, so references between read-only data and copied data are preserved correctly. As a result, multiple JVM processes start up faster, and memory is conserved by avoiding the redundant storage of shareable data. |
| US07882196B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication parameter configuration method and communication method
In a communication apparatus on a network where communication apparatuses perform direct communication with other apparatuses, a providing apparatus that provides communication parameters, and a reception apparatus that receives the communication parameters are determined based on information indicating the capabilities of communication apparatuses existing on the network, and a transfer direction of the communication parameters is notified to the providing apparatus and the reception apparatus thereby determined. |
| US07882192B2 |
Detecting spam email using multiple spam classifiers
A method for detecting undesirable emails combines input from two or more spam classifiers to provide improved classification effectiveness and robustness. The method includes obtaining a score from each of a plurality of constituent spam classifiers by applying them to a given input email. The method further includes obtaining a combined spam score from a combined spam classifier that takes as input the plurality of constituent spam classifier scores, the combined spam classifier being computed automatically in accordance with a specified false-positive vs. false-negative tradeoff. The method further includes identifying the given input email as an undesirable email if the combined spam score indicates that the input e-mail is undesirable. |
| US07882191B2 |
Method and system for mapping organizational social networks utilizing dynamically prioritized e-mail flow indicators
A method to use dynamically prioritized email communications to establish and analyze organization social network maps includes selecting a dynamically prioritized email dataset based on network boundaries and contextual framework, establishing a one-way trusted relationship score between an email recipient and sender, establishing a one-way trusted relationship score between an email sender and recipient, establishing a two-way trusted relationship score between two communicating entities, establishing an atomic unit of entities based on a decreasing order of at least one of the one-way trusted relationship score and the two-way trusted relationship score, and establishing a social network based on arranging atomic units and entities based on one or more of an email prioritization score, a trusted relationship score, and an email productivity and collaboration metric, wherein the entities are email senders and email recipients. |
| US07882188B2 |
Symbol-based message transmission method and system
The present invention discloses a method of message transmission performed in a server; a method of message transmission performed in a client; a symbol-based method for transmitting a message between a server and at least one client as well as a server; a client and a symbol-based message transmission system, wherein the symbol-based method of message transmission has: at least one client requesting the server to perform message transmission; the server transmitting symbols of the client's message to the client; and presenting the received message symbols on the client. The symbol-based method of message transmission saves a great deal of bandwidth of the communication channel by having the server only transmit symbols that represent the message after receiving a message transmission request from the client. This is done in order to efficiently transmit a message with a large body and/or attachment(s), thereby avoiding the risk of blocking the communication channel. |
| US07882180B2 |
Monitoring apparatus for image forming apparatus, control method executed by the monitoring apparatus, program for implementing the control method, and management apparatus, control method executed by the management apparatus, and program for implementing the control method
There is provided a monitoring apparatus which makes it possible to efficiently update modules on which the monitoring apparatus operates by remote control from a management apparatus. The monitoring apparatus carries out communication with the management apparatus by e-mail. When the monitoring apparatus receives other modules for updating the modules in the monitoring apparatus from the management apparatus by e-mail, the monitoring apparatus automatically updates the modules to the other modules. The monitoring apparatus collects version information on the modules when receiving a version information acquisition request from the management apparatus by e-mail. The monitoring apparatus sends the collected version information to the management apparatus by return mail. |
| US07882178B2 |
Method and system for using business rules to control invitations to join instant message collaborations
A method and system for using business rules to control invitations to participate in instant message (IM) collaborations. A primary invitee is invited to participate in an IM collaboration via a first IM. A business rule associated with the primary invitee is applied to determine that the primary invitee is unavailable to participate in the IM collaboration. A second IM is sent to automatically invite a backup invitee to participate in the IM collaboration. In another embodiment, a primary invitee with credentials specified by a business rule is to be invited to an IM collaboration at a specified time. An application of the business rule determines that the specified time is outside a valid invitation time period or the primary invitee's credentials are not included in a set of predefined credentials. Following the application of the business rule, a backup invitee is invited. |
| US07882172B2 |
Thin client system
In a thin client system which provides a high-quality picture reproduction method and which makes it possible to use a thin client terminal as a TeleVision (TV) phone terminal and a TV conference terminal, a video reproducing module is disposed in a thin client server device and a graphics module is disposed in a thin client terminal. The thin client server device sets a transmission color to a video display area of screen data and sends the screen data via a remote control communication path and simultaneously sends video data via a second route. The thin client terminal receives the screen data and the video data and displays the screen and video data as an overlay image in one same screen using the screen overlay scheme. |
| US07882169B1 |
Method and apparatus for configuring relay processes used for dynamically configuring hosts in network communications
Techniques for configuring relay processes for dynamically configuring hosts for network operations include receiving, at a relay process on a network device, a first message from a first server that dynamically configures hosts for network communications. The first message includes first data that indicates a particular set of one or more network addresses for servers that dynamically configure hosts for network communications. The particular set is stored for use in directing second data to a server that dynamically configures hosts for network communications. The second data is received in a second message from a client on a host connected to the network device. The second data indicates a host request for configuring the host for network communications. These techniques allow a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) relay agent on a router to be automatically configured with a set of addresses for DHCP servers. |
| US07882168B2 |
Contents distribution system, node apparatus and information processing method thereof, as well as recording medium on which program thereof is recorded
To provide a contents distribution system, method and the like, wherein even a node apparatus with a small storage capacity, such as in the case of a set-top box, can function as a root node apparatus in a P2P type of contents distribution system having a plurality of node apparatus disposed dispersed in a network by a DHT (Distributed Hash Table), or the like. A node apparatus includes a distribution source information storage section having a management information storage area storing first position information, which is position information of a management subject contents holding node apparatus holding contents data which are a subject of management, and an extension management information storage area storing second position information, which is position information of a node apparatus holding position information of the management subject contents holding node apparatus. Then, in the event that it is determined that a message received via a network is a request addressed to the node apparatus itself for a transmission of contents data distribution source information, the node apparatus selects the first position information or the second position information from the distribution source information storage section. |
| US07882165B2 |
Digital signal processing element having an arithmetic logic unit
A digital signal processing circuit including: a multiplier circuit; a plurality of multiplexers coupled to the multiplier circuit and controlled by a first opcode; and an arithmetic logic unit coupled to plurality of multiplexers and controlled by a second opcode. |
| US07882158B2 |
Declarative pinning
A system and method is provided for efficiently pinning references to the managed heap. The system and method allow for references to managed objects to be declared as pinned during a call to unmanaged code. The references are then reported as pinned to a garbage collector in response to invocation of a garbage collection service. The reference can be declared as pinned by a programmer within the source code or automatically invoked at run-time based on an unsafe condition. The garbage collection service will not move or relocate objects that are referenced by the active pinned local variables. If a garbage collection does not occur, the fact that the local variables are declared pinned is ignored. |
| US07882157B2 |
Content data recording device and recording control method
Electronic device capable of automatically securing a capacity for recording a second content data other than a first content data even in the case of automatically recording to a storage medium the first content data received by a push-type service. For example, a portable audio player receives as an input push-type data from a personal computer and stores the same in a HDD when there is a free storable region in its push-type-use storage capacity. |
| US07882156B2 |
System and method for storing item attributes in an electronic catalog
An electronic catalog is provided that stores items and attributes associated with the items. One or more of the attributes may have more than one value. Items are stored in an item table with different attributes for items stored in different rows in an attribute table. Additional items may be added to a catalog by adding additional rows to the item table, with attributes related to the additional items added as rows into the attribute table. Particular attributes may have multiple values, and attributes with multiple values are associated with sub-items that correspond to different attribute trees or attribute sets associated with the item. Searching can be performed for attribute values and search results returned indicating all items and sub-items that satisfy the search criteria. |
| US07882155B2 |
Hierarchical inherited XML DOM
A computer system including a processor and a memory unit containing instructions that when executed by the processor implement a method for providing processed data definition documents (DDDs) or processed document object models (DOMs) for object oriented programming. The use of these processed data definitions simplifies the data structures and streamlines programming to access the data. A standard DDD/DOM has a hierarchical branched structure having a number of levels each with elements/nodes and attributes. The DDD is written in a platform independent markup language. An element/node is selected and its attributes are identified. All ‘children’ of the selected element/node are identified. The attributes of the selected element/node (parent) are then copied to each child for all children in the DDD/DOM. This is repeated for all elements/nodes in the DDD/DOM, resulting in a processed DDD/processed DOM which is structured to allow program access to data in a more direct manner. |
| US07882154B2 |
Hierarchical inherited XML DOM
A computer program product comprising computer readable program configured to implement a method for providing processed data definition documents (DDDs) or processed document object models (DOMs) for object oriented programming. The use of these processed data definitions simplifies the data structures and streamlines programming to access the data. A standard DDD/DOM has a hierarchical branched structure having a number of levels each with elements/nodes and attributes. The DDD is written in a platform independent markup language. An element/node is selected and its attributes are identified. All ‘children’ of the selected element/node are identified. The attributes of the selected element/node (parent) are then copied to each child for all children in the DDD/DOM. This is repeated for all elements/nodes in the DDD/DOM to result in a processed DDD/processed DOM which is now structured to allow program access to data in a more direct manner. |
| US07882150B2 |
Health advisor
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing health and diet advice. A user may establish a user profile that may include information relating to the user's health and nutritional needs. The user may visit a restaurant or other food service location and may be presented with a menu that includes a variety of menu options. The user may access the user profile at the restaurant or food service location and may be provided advice and suggestions regarding the available menu options. The diet advisor may perform a comparison of the health and nutritional needs of the user with the available menu options. The diet advisor may assist a user in selecting a menu option at a restaurant or food service location that is healthy and will provide the user with the proper balance of nutrients. |
| US07882146B2 |
XML schema collection objects and corresponding systems and methods
The present invention provides “XML Schema Collections” and methods and systems for using the same. XML data is typically stored as an XML instance, each of which should conform to a “schema” according to a desired goal. An XML schema provides identification and organization for the data supplied by an XML instance. XML Schema Collections are collections of one or more XML schema namespaces. A storage location designated for storage of XML data, such as an XML column in a relational database, can be “typed” with an XML Schema Collection object, allowing that storage location to store XML instances that conform to more than one XML schema. XML Schema Collections provide increased data storage versatility, and facilitation of data searches. |
| US07882144B1 |
Computer systems and methods for the query and visualization of multidimensional databases
In response to a user request, a computer generates a graphical user interface on a computer display. A schema information region of the graphical user interface includes multiple operand names, each operand name associated with one or more fields of a multi-dimensional database. A data visualization region of the graphical user interface includes multiple shelves. Upon detecting a user selection of the operand names and a user request to associate each user-selected operand name with a respective shelf in the data visualization region, the computer generates a visual table in the data visualization region in accordance with the associations between the operand names and the corresponding shelves. The visual table includes a plurality of panes, each pane having at least one axis defined based on data for the fields associated with a respective operand name. |
| US07882142B2 |
Dynamic optimized datastore generation and modification for process models
A method for generating and modifying a datastore may include identifying all processes associated with an observation model and identifying any metrics associated with each process to be recorded. The method may also include automatically constructing a database schema to store the metric data and provide appropriate interrelations between the processes. |
| US07882141B2 |
Digital pictorial book sytstem, pictorial book searching method, and machine readable medium storing thereon pictorial book searching method
A digital pictorial book system includes an image capturing module for capturing an image; a main object selecting module for selecting a main object out of the image; an inclination measuring module for measuring inclination of the image capturing module in a vertical direction; and a name searching module for searching for a name of the main object in an image database, which stores a name of an object corresponded to a feature of the object, on the basis of the main object selected by the main object selecting module and the inclination measured by the inclination measuring module. |
| US07882138B1 |
Progressive evaluation of predicate expressions in streaming XPath processor
Progressive evaluation of predicate expressions in streaming XPath processor. A method for evaluating multiple XPath predicate expressions of multiple XPath queries includes identifying includes determining hit of a location path in a SAX event. All XPath predicate expressions of all XPath queries corresponding to the location path are then identified. All leaf nodes in the XPath predicate expressions corresponding to the location path are then determined. Thereafter, storage of nearest parent nodes of the leaf nodes is checked. Each nearest parent node is a first parent node which is encountered while moving from a leaf node towards a root node in an XPath predicate expression and which requires storage for storing intermediate Boolean result. Results of parent nodes of the leaf nodes are the determined based on the checking. Thereafter, the results of the parent nodes are stored if the results of the parent nodes are Boolean results. Further, results of root nodes of the XPath predicate expressions are determined by progressively evaluating subsequent parent nodes of the parent node. |
| US07882135B2 |
Method for predicting treatment classes using behavior informatics
A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subject's behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is the module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis. |
| US07882130B2 |
Method and apparatus for requestor sensitive role membership lookup
A directory server system that includes a data repository storing a plurality of entries, wherein the plurality of entries comprises a plurality of user entries and a plurality of role entries, wherein each of the plurality of role entries define a role and comprises an InterestedApplication attribute, a directory server executing a first operation to obtain initial results and execute a second operation to obtain final results, wherein the second operation uses the initial results and the InterestedApplication attribute to obtain the final results, and an application requesting the directory server to execute the first operation and the second operation. |
| US07882126B2 |
Systems and methods for computation of optimal distance bounds on compressed time-series data
There are provided a method and a system for computation of optimal distance bounds on compressed time-series data. In a method for similarity search, the method includes the step of transforming sequence data into a compressed sequence represented by top-k coefficients of the sequence data and a sum of the energy of omitted coefficients of the sequence data. The method further includes the step of computing at least one of a lower bound and an upper bound on a distance range between a query sequence and the compressed sequence, given a first and a second constraint. The first constraint is that a sum of squares of the omitted coefficients is less than a sum of the energy of the omitted coefficients. The second constraint is that the energy of the omitted coefficients is less than the energy of a lowest energy one of the top-k coefficients. |
| US07882125B2 |
Document managing system, method and apparatus, printing apparatus and information processing apparatus for the system, program for implementing the method, and storing medium storing the program
A document managing system that is capable of realizing enhanced operability in inputting a search condition or the like when any of registered documents is searched for and printed. A document is registered in a document managing apparatus. A search condition to search through the registered documents for a specific document is registered in the document managing apparatus. A list of the registered search conditions is transmitted to a printing apparatus. The registered documents for a document that matches the selected search condition are searched through, by using a search condition selected from the transmitted list of the search conditions. The document that matches the selected search condition is transmitted to the printing apparatus. |
| US07882123B2 |
Method and system for intelligent storage management
A storage management system is provided. The storage management system may includes a data collector configured to receive storage management information for storage. The storage manager includes an agent configured to collect storage management information for a storage object and to communicate the storage management information to the data collector. The storage management system includes a user interface configured to display the storage management information for the storage objects. |
| US07882121B2 |
Generating queries using cardinality constraints
A query generation using cardinality constraints process including choosing a first set of parameters for a query, calculating an additional set of parameters based on the first set of parameters, executing the query using additional set of parameters, evaluating the cardinality error the additional set of parameters, and refining the additional set of parameters to meet the desired cardinality constraint. Creating a query and selecting parameters for the query to meet a desired cardinality constraint or set of cardinality constraints when the query is executed against a database may be difficult. A query generation using cardinality constraints process may create a set of parameters for a query which satisfies a desired cardinality constraint or set of cardinality constraints. An application of such a query generation using cardinality constraints process may be database component and code testing. |
| US07882117B1 |
First normal form (1NF) data normalizer
An embodiment of the invention provides for receiving a data-value-location indication from which a set of data values that are to be normalized can be determined, determining column-header and row-header information associated with the set of data values, and automatically creating a set of associations, wherein, for each data value in the set of data values, each association associates respective column-header and row-header information with a single data value such that no data is duplicated per row of a table that is composed of rows of data created from the associations. |
| US07882116B2 |
Method for localization of programming modeling resources
A computer method localizes programming models. Given a model having one or more elements, each element has an element name, and each element name is in a language of an author of the model. For each element name, the invention method stores corresponding character strings (or string values) for generating the element name in different languages. During display of the given model in a certain locale, the present invention obtains the stored respective character strings of each element name in the language of the certain locale and uses the obtained character strings to display each element name in the language of the certain locale. |
| US07882112B2 |
Image search device and image search method
An image search device is provided which relatively easily outputs images that a user wishes to use for interpolation from among a large volume of stored image content data.The image search device includes: a degree-of-association database (102) which stores degrees of association between images; an input unit (103) which receives a first image and a second image; an interpolation range computing unit (104) which computes interpolation range including first photographing location of the first image and second photographing location of the second image; an imaging content inferring unit (107) which infers imaging content of interpolation images based on the degree of association between the first image and an image belonging to the interpolation range and the degree of association between the second image and the image belonging to the interpolation range; an interpolation image obtaining unit (108) which obtains interpolation images from among candidate images using the inferred imaging content; and an output unit (109) which outputs the interpolation images. |
| US07882111B2 |
User interactive precision targeting principle
A method of determining content relevance for a user sets a user preference, which is related to a first area of content. The method calculates a set of scores, by using a combination, of the user preference, affinity data, and a parametric weight. The method organizes the content by using the set of scores, such that the organization of the content has a desirable relationship to the user, and recommends the selected content. Preferably, the method precomputes the affinity data and/or the parametric weight to generate and store the precompiled data for later retrieval. The affinity data describes a relationship between a first item of content and a second item of content, and the parametric weight describes an attribute of the second item. Additional embodiments include a system implementation and computer readable medium. |
| US07882106B2 |
Method of indexed storage and retrieval of multidimensional information
A tree-structured index to multidimensional data is created using naturally occurring patterns and clusters within the data which permit efficient search and retrieval strategies in a database of DNA profiles. A search engine utilizes hierarchical decomposition of the database by identifying clusters of similar DNA profiles and maps to parallel computer architecture, allowing scale up past previously feasible limits. Key benefits of the new method are logarithmic scale up and parallelization. These benefits are achieved by identification and utilization of naturally occurring patterns and clusters within stored data. The patterns and clusters enable the stored data to be partitioned into subsets of roughly equal size. The method can be applied recursively, resulting in a database tree that is balanced, meaning that all paths or branches through the tree have roughly the same length. The method achieves high performance by exploiting the natural structure of the data in a manner that maintains balanced trees. Implementation of the method maps naturally to parallel computer architectures, allowing scale up to very large databases. |
| US07882102B2 |
Nearest-neighbor geographic search
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for use in searching a geographic database to retrieve geographic objects one cell from a neighborhood of cells at a time. A cell neighborhood can be defined using a grid of cells and an initial, or center, point. A first neighborhood is identified based on its proximity to the initial search point, and corresponds to a first geographic area defined using the initial point and a distance from the initial search point in a number of directions. In a case that more than one cell neighborhood is used, each subsequent cell neighborhood is defined so that it excludes cells belonging to a previously-searched cell neighborhood. A subsequent neighborhood corresponds to a geographic area that is a distance from the initial point greater than the distance associated with a previously-searched neighborhood. |
| US07882101B2 |
Optimizing search trees by increasing success size parameter
A SQL query that includes an IN-List is optimized by (1) performing an evaluation to determine whether access to a table can be performed as a join operation, (2) converting the IN-List to an IN-LIST relation, and (3) joining the IN-List relation with the table to access the data in the table. |
| US07882098B2 |
Method and system for searching stored data
A complete document management system is disclosed. Accordingly, systems and methods for managing data associated with a data storage component coupled to multiple computers over a network are disclosed. Systems and methods for managing data associated with a data storage component coupled to multiple computers over a network are further disclosed. Additionally, systems and methods for accessing documents available through a network, wherein the documents are stored on one or more data storage devices coupled to the network, are disclosed. |
| US07882097B1 |
Search tools and techniques
The invention provides tools and techniques for assisting searches of large information collections, such as the Internet or databases. An initial search from a given user A is used to help identify related productive searches by other users. Those searches (keywords and/or searched portions) are then used to focus the search effort of user A. Activities by other users in response to search results are tracked to help a search assistant automatically identify the results those other users deemed of greatest interest. |
| US07882091B2 |
Record tagging, storage and filtering system and method
A record tagging, storage and filtering system and method that permits paper records to be tagged, stored and filtered according to user criteria. The system includes a scanning module, a central server, one or more user workstations and an optical character recognition server. After scanning, the records may then be serialized and categorized by project, and then supplemented automatically by the system with a hypertext data file. The system provides for the manual input of additional hypertext data and merger of the hypertext data file with other records in the project. The end user may then search and/or filter records according to information contained in the hypertext data file. Because the pages may be sorted according to user criteria, the user may shuffle through pages from various different documents, thus allowing them to quickly retrieve the records they need and perform such actions as trend-spotting. |
| US07882089B1 |
Caching database information
Embodiments for caching database information are disclosed. A query may specify a set of information to be retrieved from a database file. The database file may be parsed according to the query to retrieve the set of information. The query and the corresponding set of information retrieved from the database file may be stored in a cache file. The cache file may be searched for the query, which may enable the set of information to be retrieved from the cache file. Searching the cache file and retrieving the set of information from the cache file may be faster than searching the database file to retrieve the set of information. The cache file may be associated with a currency token which may indicate whether the cache file is current. The currency token may indicate whether the database file has been updated since being parsed according to the query. |
| US07882086B1 |
Method and system for portset data management
A system and method are provided to method and system for portset data management. The system comprises a mass storage device to store a list of portset records; a network drivers layer to receive a request to add a new portset record to a list of portset records; and a portset update component to process the request. A portset may include a set of ports that provides access to logical unit numbers (LUNs). When the system receives a request to add a new portset, the portset update component may determine an available common index for the new portset record, associate the new portset record with the available common index, and update in memory representation of the list of records with the new portset record. The new portset record is then stored at a location on disk associated with the available common index for the new portset record. |
| US07882085B2 |
Database system and method with improved locks
A method for handling database locks includes detecting a new query from an administrator for a set of database records. Next, it is determined whether the administrator has any chance of being authorized to acquire a new lock. If so, an attempt is made to acquire the new lock and, on the failure to acquire, the administrator is informed that the lock has already been acquired by a prior administrator. Optionally, the new administrator is also provided with identifying information of the prior administrator and contact information for the prior administrator. The new administrator is therefore pre-screened to determine whether there is any chance to acquire a new lock to reduce the chance that an unauthorized new administrator could lock the set of database records. Also, should the new administrator be authorized but not able to access the set of database records due to a prior lock, the new administrator can be informed of the identity and contact information concerning the holder of the prior lock. |
| US07882080B2 |
Method for operating an automation system
There is described a method for operating an automation system, in which automation-specific data is filed in a database, an access to the data taking place using a database interface, all access to the data taking place via one and the same database interface and when an access to the database takes place, a datum to which the access relates is identified by a unique reference, in which on the datum identified via the reference a buffer is formed or used and a status of the datum is backed up in the buffer. |
| US07882077B2 |
Method and system for offline indexing of content and classifying stored data
A method and system for creating an index of content without interfering with the source of the content includes an offline content indexing system that creates an index of content from an offline copy of data. The system may associate additional properties or tags with data that are not part of traditional indexing of content, such as the time the content was last available or user attributes associated with the content. Users can search the created index to locate content that is no longer available or based on the associate attributes. |
| US07882074B2 |
Video contents recording apparatus and method of managing data storage medium included therein
A video contents recording apparatus and a method of managing a data storage medium include: a data storage medium in which a plurality of contents are recorded; and a controller displaying a list of contents to be deleted generated from the contents recorded in the data storage medium to a user via a display unit according to a predetermined delete priority and deleting contents selected by the user from the data storage medium with reference to the list. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a recording space of a data storage medium having limited data storage capacity may be efficiently managed by automatically deleting contents stored in the data storage medium according to a predetermined priority selected by a user or by providing a delete list for referring to when the user determines contents to be deleted. |
| US07882070B2 |
System and method for UDDI data migration using standard UDDI v3 API
A system and method are described for Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI) data migration exporting existing UDDI V3 data from a UDDI V3 compliant repository (a source repository) and importing this data into another UDDI V3 compliant repository (a destination repository). The data from the source repository is migrated into the destination repository and remains in the custody of the destination repository. The method preserves the user name and entity key associated with the data during the process. If that is not possible, the method generates new user names and/or entity keys and creates a mapping between the original and the generated user names and/or keys in order to dispatch the requests properly during runtime. Source repository is required to support the mandatory UDDI v3 APIs and may need to support the optional Security API Set. Destination repository is required to support the mandatory UDDI v3 API and the optional Security API Set. Other optional APIs (as replication and subscription for example) are not required to be supported by any of the repositories. |
| US07882067B2 |
Snapshot management device and snapshot management method
A snapshot management device and snapshot management method whereby a snapshot is obtained on a regular basis, the amount of difference between two obtained snapshots is detected and, when the detected difference amount is smaller than a threshold value, of the two snapshots, the snapshot obtained earlier than the other is deleted, thereby contributing to the improved convenience. |
| US07882066B1 |
Probabilistic data locating in sparse data images
A set of probabilities may indicate the chance of finding the latest version of a data item in any particular data image layer of a data image. A client may use the set of probabilities to request the data item from one or more layers that have a higher probability of having that version of the data item. A client may query more recently created layers to determine whether they have a version of the data item. If any of the more recently created data image layers has a version of the data item, a client may request the data item from the most recent of the more recently created layers and may discard any data returned from the originally requested layer. A client may update the historical probabilities based on which layers contain versions of the data item. |
| US07882061B1 |
Multi-thread replication across a network
Data is replicated from a source to a target. For each of a plurality of replication processing threads (one thread at a time) a corresponding batch of one or more non-synchronization tasks is formed. Each batch of one or more non-synchronization tasks includes a next consecutive set of non-synchronization tasks drawn from a source of non-synchronization tasks that is common to the replication processing threads included in the plurality of replication processing threads. A replication processing thread that has associated with it an outstanding batch of one or more non-synchronization tasks that the thread has not finished communicates via an associated connection to the target as needed to perform such unfinished tasks included in the outstanding batch without regard to whether other threads included in the plurality of threads are communicating with the target via one or more other connections to the target. |
| US07882058B1 |
Method and apparatus for business resource automation
A method and system of computer-assisted business resource automation that is applicable to a variety of business enterprise requirements including, but not limited to customer relationship management and sales force automation. The system provides improved an apparatus and method for automating the production of business resources such as documents and presentations. The system further provides an apparatus and method for analyzing the associated processes of the enterprise and providing business intelligence such as sales analytics. In particular, aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to: a hierarchical architecture that simplifies customization and maintenance of enterprise software, the encapsulation of data within reusable intelligent advisor objects, and the flexible integration of a variety of expert systems functionality and other apparatus and means of artificial intelligence therein. |
| US07882056B2 |
Method and system to predict and recommend future goal-oriented activity
One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for recommending activities to a user. During operation, the system determines an activity-type distribution based on the user's personal profile and/or population prior information, thereby facilitating prediction of future activities for the user. The system further searches for and receives one or more activities based on the activity-type distribution. The system then scores each received activity and recommends a number of activities to be performed by the user in the future and a number of corresponding venues, based on the activity-type distribution and the weight distribution. |
| US07882054B2 |
System for estimating audience size in a digital broadcast environment using control packets and predictions
For digital media, audience evaluation is performed as a result of transmitter-receiver interaction similar to a lottery game. The transmitter provides receivers with a preliminary audience estimate and a “winning” number, both placed in control packets multiplexed with a media stream. Each receiver generates a random number within a range of numbers proportional to the audience estimate and if the winning number is generated, the receiver sends a “claim” back to the transmitter over a return path. The transmitter increases or decreases the audience estimate placed in control packets if the number of “winners” is statistically greater or lesser than theoretically predicted for correct estimates until the number of winners becomes as predicted. Reducing the volume of data transmitted over the return path and keeping the volume independent from audience size, the system prevents the return pass capacity overload and provides an accurate measurement of any audience no matter how large or small it is. |
| US07882052B2 |
Evolutionary neural network and method of generating an evolutionary neural network
An evolutionary neural network and a method of generating such a neural network is disclosed. The evolutionary neural network comprises an input set consisting of at least one input neuron, said input neurons being adapted for receiving an input signal form an external system, an output set consisting of at least one output neuron, said output neurons being adapted for producing an output signal for said external system, an internal network composed of a plurality of internal neurons, each internal neuron being adapted for processing a signal received from at least one of said input neurons or other internal neurons and producing a signal for at least one of said output neurons or other internal neurons, and a plurality of synapses constituting connections between said neurons, each of said synapses having a value of strength that can be adjusted by a learning process. Each of said neurons is assigned to a neuron class, the parameter values of which are defined by the genotype of the neural network, and each of said synapses are assigned to a respective synapse class, the parameter values of which are also defined by said genotype of the neural network. At reproduction, the genotype of any new neural network is subject to genetic operations. The evolutionary neural network is associated with a neural space, said neural space comprising a plurality of neural layers. Each neuron is associated with at least one neural layer and described by a set of topographical parameters with respect to said neural space. At least one of said topographical parameters of at least the internal neurons is encoded in the genotype of the evolutionary neural network in a statistical form. |
| US07882047B2 |
Partially observable markov decision process including combined bayesian networks into a synthesized bayesian network for information processing
Disclosed herein is an information-processing apparatus for constructing an information analysis processing configuration to be applied to information analysis processing in an observation domain including an uncertainty. The information-processing apparatus includes a data processing unit for: taking a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process as a basic configuration; taking each of elements included in every information space defined in the Partially Observable Markov Decision Process as a unit; analyzing relations between the elements; and constructing an Factored Partially Observable Markov Decision Process, which is a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process including the relations between the elements, on the basis of results of the analysis. |
| US07882046B1 |
Providing ad information using plural content providers
An ad system is described for providing ad selections in response to an ad presentation opportunity. The ad system can use multiple content providers to generate multiple sets of ad candidates. The content providers can apply different ad selection paradigms in generating their sets of ad candidates. The paradigms may act on different aspects of a context pertaining to the ad presentation opportunity. A chooser module and filtering module can cull the set of ad selections from among the plural sets of ad candidates. At least one content provider uses machine learning functionality in generating ad candidates, such as a Naïve Bayesian approach, an affiliate similarity approach, etc. Various content providers also find application in a stand-alone mode. |
| US07882042B2 |
Automated printing of return labels
Embodiments herein provide for the automated printing of a shipping label as part of the software/memory of the customer replaceable unit (CRU). Such printing is controlled by information carried in the module itself. Thus, the embodiments work with exhaustible modules that include their own memory and potentially include their own module processor (that are contained within the exhaustible module and are separate from the memory and processor of the printing device). |
| US07882037B2 |
Open, neutral electronic distribution system for digital content providing distribution channel support to publishers and retailers and abstract fulfillment for publishers
An online service and system are provided through which digital content publishers can package, protect, market and sell their content through on-line retailers, and through which on-line retailers can both build a unique inventory of digital content with all associated marketing metadata to sell through their on-line stores and seamlessly integrate the digital content into their on-line shopping cart. The system provides publishers with abstract fulfillment such that they only. |
| US07882035B2 |
Pre-performing operations for accessing protected content
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for pre-performing operations for accessing protected content. Cryptographic user key pairs can be pre-generated and distributed in response to a variety of different events prior to provisioning client machine for accessing protected content. Usage licenses can be pre-generated and allocated prior to requests for usage licenses. Usage licenses can be pre-obtained for client machines prior to client machines access protected content. Pre-performed operations can be performed in response to detected events, such as, for example, reduced resource consumption in a Digital Rights Management system. |
| US07882034B2 |
Digital rights management for content rendering on playback devices
In one embodiment, an elapsed playback time associated with a digital playback device is determined and compared to an allotted playback time for the device. In the event the elapsed and allotted playback times satisfy a predetermined relationship with respect to one another, further content playback on the device may be denied or otherwise regulated until content playback rights intrinsic to the device are renewed or “recharged”. |
| US07882033B2 |
Systems and methods for providing communication services to guests at a hospitality facility
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention allow guests at a hospitality facility to communicate via VoIP from a remote terminal. For example, guests at a client terminal can place and receive phone calls, experience content, and receive targeted messages while continuing to play games at the client terminal. Based on the stored guest preference information, hospitality facility operators can selectively target information to each guest. |
| US07882018B2 |
System and method for providing market updates in an electronic trading environment
A system and method are provided for modifying how market updates are provided in an electronic trading environment upon detecting one or more triggering events. One example method includes defining an event to be used to trigger modification of how market updates are provided to a client entity, receiving a market update from an electronic exchange, and, when the event is detected, modifying how the market update is provided to the client entity. As an example, the modification of how the market update is provided to the client entity may include providing less data in relation to market updates, and sending the market updates less frequently. |
| US07882017B2 |
Deal matching in an anonymous trading system
An anonymous trading system comprises an interconnected network of broking noted arranged in cliques which receive buy and sell orders from trader terminals via connected trading engines and which match persistent orders, executed deals and distribute price information to trader terminals. Where two orders are matched, a proposed deal message is sent by the matching broker. If another broker has processed an event which makes the matched quote unavailable the match fails and rematch may occur. Rematch may be attempted by an intermediate broker provided it owns one side of the match, or it received both sides of the match from brokers in different cliques. The intermediate broker attempts to match with the next available quote in the queue. |
| US07882016B2 |
Utilizing cash flow contracts and physical collateral for energy-related clearing and credit enhancement platforms
In accordance with the present invention, a financial instrument for the energy market is created. The financial instrument comprises a derivative instrument related to accounts receivable or accounts payable or both. In a preferred embodiment, the derivative instrument normally consists of two sets of linked swaps. In the first set, the seller exchanges two things with a third party: (i) the right for payment of accounts receivable within a month from the buyer is exchanged for the right to payment of such accounts receivable within a week from the third party; and (ii) the obligation to deliver energy to the buyer is exchanged for the obligation to deliver to the third party. The buyer exchanges the mirror image of those with a third party, to with: (i) the obligation to pay within a month to the seller is exchanged for the obligation to pay within a week to the third party, but the buyer receives financing to offset the cash flow ramifications; and (ii) the obligation to take delivery from the seller is exchanged with the obligation to take delivery from the third party. The swap can further be utilized to net payment obligations under multiple cash and forward commodity transactions between the buyer and the seller. Physical collateral is utilized as margin. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the process takes place on a ‘clearing platform’ for such energy transactions. |
| US07882015B2 |
Block trading system and method providing price improvement to aggressive orders
In a trading system for trading securities or the like, Contra Targeting is performed by enabling users to expose the liquidity within their order management system without divulging order management system information to a central trading server. Also, virtual orders can be placed and executed which give users price-time priority on an order without reserving the shares until the moment of execution. |
| US07882012B1 |
System and method for estimating order position
A system and method for providing order queue position information are disclosed. In this application, market updates are received for a tradable object from at least one exchange. To the extent that the market updates do not include enough details to compute the queue position of a trader's working orders, estimation may be used. As a result, an order queue is generated to approximate a trader's order position in an exchange price order queue. An interface may be used to display the generated order queue estimation to the trader which provides valuable trading information. |
| US07882011B2 |
Systems and methods of conducting financial transactions
Systems and methods of conducting financial transactions are disclosed. One method disclosed comprises receiving prices from a plurality of providers, updating a database of providers based at least in part on the received prices, and arranging the prices in the updated database of providers by arranging bid rates in a first order, arranging offer rates in a second order, and resolving a tie. |
| US07882010B2 |
Opening price process for trading system
A system for determining an opening price for products traded over a distributed, networked computer system, includes a plurality of workstations for entering orders for financial products into the distributed, networked computer system and a server computer coupled to the workstations for receiving the orders. The server computer determines when a time just prior to an official opening time for opening regular trading has been reached, and executes a server process that determines an opening price for the product. The server process identifies the oldest of interest at the most aggressive price on each side of the market and selects the older interest of the identified interest to designate as initial interest. The server process matches initial interest against all contra side interest. |
| US07882009B2 |
Method of on-line auctioning for leases
The present invention is a reverse auction/lease and review/evaluation method to be used on the Internet. The method permits quantitative analysis of competitive leasing offers according to financial fundamentals and lessee defined qualitative variables and their relative weighting. The invention includes multiple Internet displayable screens which depict and permit inclusion of quantitative and qualitative variables as defined by the lessee. The invention also includes a scoring system by which the lessee can objectively and quantitatively measure competitive bids of prospective lessors participating in a reverse auction conducted on the Internet. |
| US07882000B2 |
Automated payment system and method
An automated payment system for processing payment by a customer to a company. The payment system includes a document scanning system which has an input receptacle adapted to accept a document. After receiving an authorization agreement from the customer, the scanner acquires at least one image from the document. Also provided is a first computer adapted to receive images from the document scanning system. Adapted to communicate information represented by the image, a first communication link couples the document scanning system and the first computer. The payment system also includes a second computer adapted to receive images which is in communication with the first computer via a second communication link. The second communication link is adapted to communicate images and payment information. |
| US07881998B2 |
System and method for a performance incentive plan
The invention relates to a novel incentive and compensation plan for motivating and rewarding employees, and a computer system for implementing said plan. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stock-based incentive and compensation plan that rewards employees based on the performance of the company. The present invention provides methods and systems for providing an employee incentive and compensation plan, which include deferring a portion of an employee's compensation for a period of time. The financial performance of the employee's company is evaluated over the selected period of time, and the employee's total deferred compensation is converted into a number of units based on the amount deferred, the average share price of the company stock, and the financial performance of the company. The employee's units are valued based on the average share price of the company stock, and the total compensation is paid to participating employees as an incentive and compensation plan. |
| US07881997B2 |
System and method for quantitative peer travel and expense benchmarking analysis
A system, computer product and method are provided for providing business travel and expense benchmarking analysis. A first data storage receives and stores travel data for peer entities. A second data storage receives and stores expense transaction data for the plurality of peer entities. A data storage server aggregates the metrics of the travel data and the expense transaction data of the plurality of peer entities, generating aggregated travel and expense data. A processor compares a travel and/or expense transaction metric of an individual entity to a corresponding metric of the aggregated travel data and expense transaction data and a communications interface electronically communicates the result of the comparison to a client host computer. |
| US07881994B1 |
Method and system for assessing loan credit risk and performance
A method of determining a probability of an adverse event in connection with a loan (such as, delinquency, default, or prepayment) based on a predetermined set of loan parameters comprises determining whether loan variable data is available for each of the loan parameters. If loan variable data is available for each of the loan parameters, the probability of delinquency within a period of time is estimated as a function of the loan variable data. If loan variable data is not available, the probability of delinquency within a period of time is estimated by imputing the loan variable data that is not available. |
| US07881989B2 |
Information model for property records management
An information model for a party and property records management system includes a legal party role object for maintaining relationships between objects, such as legal party objects and revenue-object objects, within the information model. A legal party object could have several associated objects, such as an identification number object or a legal party communication object. |
| US07881982B1 |
Method, medium, and system for renter pre-qualification, rental facilitation, and regulatory compliance
Consumers who are interested in various rental properties can create a list of those properties, and notifications of that interest can be sent to the property managers associated with those properties. A system could be implemented to send multiple notifications (e.g., to each manager of a property on the list) with a single request by the consumer. Such notifications can be used to provide property managers with information used to screen applicants, and/or can allow property managers to seek to access additional information about the consumer. Whether any additional information has been accessed can be tracked to verify that access is only provided in compliance with relevant regulation. This type of functionality can be integrated with a system that allows regulatory investigations to be allocated to, and performed by, compliance representatives using mobile devices, and can also be integrated with functionality that allows consumers to present themselves as pre-qualified applicants. |
| US07881981B2 |
Methods and computer readable media for determining a macro-context based on a micro-context of a user search
A data extraction tool is provided for cataloging information in an information source for searching by a user. The tool mines information from the information source and organizes the information, or the locations of that information, within a database. A user may then query the tool for a desired type of information. The tool filters the database to provide a set of pinpoint site locations with information of the type requested in the query. These pinpoint site locations are presented to a user and indexed for future reference. The index of site locations may be updated automatically by the tool. A context system is provided for manually or automatically determining the proper context for a user's query. Thus, the data extraction tool provides information with a high probability of relevance to the user. The user obtains the information without expending much effort to refine the search. |
| US07881979B2 |
Interactive event planning and payment method and system
Method for an event organizer to arrange receipt of gifts and services rendered in conjunction with the event in which an on-line database of gifts and services is created, and each gift and service is associated with a first price representing its cost to the organizer. Gift givers access the database, view the gifts and services with a second price that is greater than the first price, and can select gifts and services for purchase on behalf of the organizer. Then, the organizer receives funds from each gift giver equal to the second price for the selected gifts and services and directs gift and service providers to provide the selected gift or perform the selected service at the event. A difference between the first and second prices is determined and the organizer can use at least part of this difference to purchase gifts and services prior to the event. |
| US07881973B2 |
Method, system and program product for selecting window coverings
A solution for improving generally the selecting of window coverings, and more specifically, a method, system, and program product for selecting window coverings is provided. A method may include receiving at least one window attribute of a structure; obtaining a plurality of information via an electronic medium; and presenting at least one window covering option via the electronic medium, wherein the option is based on the at least one window attribute and the plurality of information. |
| US07881970B2 |
Method and system for ordering and delivering a product
A method and system of buying a product for delivery to a specific individual or entity using a customized picture frame which includes selecting and placing an order for a specific item to be prepared and delivered. A photographic image of the provider is transmitted by the entity where the purchase was made to the intended recipient at the time of the order or when the order is ready for delivery. The provider and preparation and delivery entity both have a supply of the customized picture frames, and whoever is making the delivery of the product places the photographic image of the provider in one of these frames in one of several available ways to secure the framed picture along with an accompanying written message to the product for delivery. The framed picture is easily removed from the product and can be placed on a desk or mantle for viewing or used in any other way for the enjoyment of the recipient. |
| US07881964B2 |
Computer self-support management
A computer based technique for providing a list of selectable computer solutions in a self-support environment. The technique includes sending a computer solution to the client computer in response to a request from the client computer for the computer solution from the list. The computer solution includes at least an automated solution. |
| US07881958B2 |
Business data analysis
A technique for analyzing business data includes gathering current profit data that includes at least one of category size data, market share data, and profit margin data. Profit factor data is also gather that includes at least one of category size change data, market share change data, and profit margin change data. Future profit data is calculated based on the current profit data and the profit factor data. The future profit data is displayed to a user. |
| US07881954B2 |
System and method for managing seat reservations
This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event. |
| US07881953B2 |
System and method for selecting and reserving airline seats
This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event. |
| US07881952B2 |
Competitive availability tools
A competitive, availability prediction system for predicting relative, competitive availability of seating on an airline flight is described. The system includes an availability predictor that predicts seating availability on a competitive flight, an availability system that produces an actual availability response for a flight and decision logic that compares the predicted answer from the availability predictor and the potential answer from the availability system to establish a decision with respect to actual availability. |
| US07881947B2 |
Content information sales management method and distribution management method
Disclosed herein is a content information sales management method including the steps of: causing a distribution source apparatus to distribute trial content information, trial use rules stating trial use conditions, and distribution source identification information for identifying the distribution source apparatus to a distribution destination apparatus; causing the distribution destination apparatus to upload the distribution source identification information corresponding to the trial content information to a sales source apparatus for formal content information when the distribution destination apparatus downloads the formal content information corresponding to the trial content information; and causing the sales source apparatus to update an evaluation value corresponding to the distribution source identification information in accordance with the uploaded distribution source identification information. |
| US07881946B1 |
Methods and apparatus for guiding a user through a SAN management process
In response to a user selection of a management function to configure a storage area network, a resource manager application generates a graphical user interface that displays a list including at least initial process steps requiring selection of resources in the storage area network to execute the management function. Based on input from a user such as selection of resources for a given process step in the list, the resource manager application dynamically selects further process steps in addition to the list of initial process steps for display in the list. In this way, a user can i) view a changing list of process steps and ii) identify which additional process steps are required to perform a respective management function as a result of making a selection of storage area network resources for the given process step. |
| US07881936B2 |
Multimodal disambiguation of speech recognition
The present invention provides a speech recognition system combined with one or more alternate input modalities to ensure efficient and accurate text input. The speech recognition system achieves less than perfect accuracy due to limited processing power, environmental noise, and/or natural variations in speaking style. The alternate input modalities use disambiguation or recognition engines to compensate for reduced keyboards, sloppy input, and/or natural variations in writing style. The ambiguity remaining in the speech recognition process is mostly orthogonal to the ambiguity inherent in the alternate input modality, such that the combination of the two modalities resolves the recognition errors efficiently and accurately. The invention is especially well suited for mobile devices with limited space for keyboards or touch-screen input. |
| US07881934B2 |
Method and system for adjusting the voice prompt of an interactive system based upon the user's state
The voice prompt of an interactive system is adjusted based upon a state of a user. An utterance of the user is received, and the state of the user is determined based upon signal processing of the utterance of the user. Once the state of the user is determined, the voice prompt is adjusted by adjusting at least one of a tone of voice of the voice prompt, a content of the voice prompt, a prosody of the voice prompt, and a gender of the voice prompt based upon the determined state of the user. |
| US07881927B1 |
Adaptive sidetone and adaptive voice activity detect (VAD) threshold for speech processing
Systems and methods for adaptive sidetone and adaptive voice activity detect (VAD) threshold for speech processing are disclosed. The VAD system generally includes an adaptive VAD threshold generator configured to generate a VAD threshold based on an increase in voice level resulting from sidetone attenuation and a comparator for comparing received signals to the adaptive VAD threshold to determine the existence of voice activity. The sidetone attenuation is based on an average ambient noise energy level determined from a noise energy amplitude during periods of no voice activity and a comparator for comparing received signals to the adaptive VAD threshold to determine existence of voice activity. |
| US07881924B2 |
System and method for computer analysis of computer generated communications to produce indications and warning of dangerous behavior
The present invention is a system and method for computer analysis of computer generated communications to produce indications and warnings of dangerous behavior. A method of computer analysis of computer generated communications in accordance with the invention, includes collecting at least one computer generated communication produced by or received by an author; parsing the collected at least one computer generated communication to identify categories of information therein; processing the categories of information with at least one analysis to quantify at least one type of information in each category; and generating an output communication when a difference between the quantification of at least one type of information for at least one category and a reference for the at least one category is detected involving a psychological state of the author to which a responsive action should be taken with content of the output communication and the at least one category being programmable to define a psychological state in response to which an action should be taken and what the action is to be taken in response to the defined psychological state. |
| US07881920B2 |
Systemic enterprise management method and apparatus
An automated system and method provides a diagnosis and remedy to a business information system. From an initial model of a proposed system architecture, performance metrics are modeled and compared against a set of user-defined corporate and business requirements. The performance metrics include cost, quality of service and throughput. From these metrics and requirements, a business ephemeris or precalculated table is produced, to cross reference enterprise situation and remedy. From the ephemeris, cases can be generated to comprise characteristics, diagnosis and proposed solutions relating to states of the model or business information system. A matching engine matches a case to a state of the model or information system. The matching case can be employed to report a diagnosis and proposed remedial actions, as well as to implement remedial actions automatically. Off line a mathematical modeling member provides feedback to further update the business ephemeris and case base. |
| US07881915B2 |
System and method for collecting and modeling object simulation data
A system and method for collecting and modeling simulated movement data on a graphical display is provided. Simulated movement data from a simulation is accessed from a database. The simulated movement data comprises each location of a object on a graphical display for multiple points in time of the simulation. A three-dimensional representation is associated with the object and the three-dimensional representation is displayed at each location on the graphical display for each point in time of the simulation. |
| US07881910B2 |
Methods and systems for managing facility power and cooling
Systems and methods are provided for determining data center cooling and power requirements and for monitoring performance of cooling and power systems in data centers. At least one aspect provides a system and method that enables a data center operator to determine available power and cooling at specific areas and enclosures in a data center to assist in locating new equipment in the data center. |
| US07881908B2 |
Methods, program code segments, and devices for determining individual quantum absorption events in a radiation converter
A method is disclosed for determining individual quantum absorption events in a radiation converter which counts quanta. In at least one embodiment of the method, temporally continuous analog-to-digital conversion of electrical signals generated by a quantum absorption event to a digital signal is carried out first of all by the radiation converter. The digital signal is then processed to determine the number of quanta of the underlying quantum absorption event absorbed in the radiation converter. |
| US07881903B2 |
Intelligent vehicle load measuring system and method
An intelligent vehicle load measuring system includes a sensor installed in the shock-absorber of every wheel of a vehicle to detect the extension length data of the associating shock-absorber when the vehicle carries a load, a calculation unit coupled to the sensors to receive the extension length data of every shock-absorber of the vehicle and to calculate the weight of the load received by each shock-absorber and the total weight and loadage of the vehicle, and a display unit electrically coupled to the calculation unit to display the load data of the vehicle. The invention involves also an intelligent vehicle load measuring method. |
| US07881900B2 |
Acceleration measuring device
A reference point defined on a two dimensional or three dimensional orthogonal coordinate space and scale reference of respective axes are estimated based on a distribution on the three dimensional orthogonal coordinate space at the time when respective axial components of an acceleration data group comprised of plural acceleration data including multi-axial components and a importance group pertaining to the acceleration data group, and the respective acceleration data are corrected based on the estimated reference point and scale reference of the respective axes. |
| US07881899B2 |
Programmable measurement system with modular measurement modules that convey interface information
System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations which uses small form-factor measurement modules or cartridges with a re-configurable carrier unit, sensors, and a computer system to provide modular, efficient, cost-effective measurement solutions. The measurement module includes measurement circuitry, e.g., signal conditioner and/or signal conversion circuitry, and interface circuitry for communicating with the carrier unit. The module communicates interface information to the carrier unit, which informs the computer system how to program or configure a functional unit on the carrier unit to implement the communicated interface, or sends the information directly to the computer system. The computer system programs the carrier unit with the interface, and the programmed carrier unit and measurement module together function as a DAQ, measurement, and/or control device. The carrier unit may receive multiple cartridges, each having a respective interface protocol, where the carrier unit is configurable to support the respective protocols sequentially and/or in parallel. |
| US07881895B2 |
Methods of calibrating a clock using multiple clock periods with a single counter and related devices and methods
A method of calibrating a first clock signal using a second clock signal and a plurality of calibration periods may include generating incremented counter values at a counter responsive to edges of the second clock signal. For at least two of the plurality of calibration periods, an initial incremented counter value from the counter may be stored in memory at an initial edge of the first clock signal for the respective calibration period, a final incremented counter value may be stored in memory at a final edge of the clock signal for the respective calibration period, and the at least two of the plurality of calibration periods may be overlapping with different initial and final edges of the first clock signal. For each of the plurality of calibration periods, a number of edges of the second clock signal occurring during the respective calibration period may be determined using the initial and final incremented counter values stored in memory. A relationship between the first and second clock signals may be determined using a sum of a number of edges of the second clock signal occurring during each of the plurality of calibration periods and using a sum of a number of first clock signal cycles occurring during each of the plurality of calibration periods. |
| US07881894B2 |
Method and circuit for local clock generation and smartcard including it thereon
One delay circuit is inserted in open loop inside a clock recovery circuit for improving the accuracy of clock recovery. One oscillator signal φ(0) to φ(2i−1) is provided with a basic Step of Time. A rational number of Step of Time corresponding to a bit-duration is measured inside a received flow of bits. The oscillator signal φ(0) to j(2i−1) is transformed into a clock signal CK having active edges of said clock signal in phase with at least one oscillator signal φ(0) to φ(2i−1), two consecutive active edges being separated by a time duration proportional to the integer part of the number of Step of Time. A time delay is computed proportional to the fractional part of the number of Step of Time. The next active edge of the clock signal CK is delayed of said computed delay. |
| US07881890B2 |
Method of prioritizing anomalies in a buried linear conductor
A method of prioritizing anomalies in a linear conductor buried under a ground surface includes the steps of obtaining prioritization values for a plurality of anomalies along a linear conductor, and ranking the prioritization values according to magnitude. For each anomaly, a prioritization value is obtained by: locating an anomaly; for each anomaly, determining a current, a depth of cover, and a voltage gradient using spaced voltage probes; using the depth of cover and the voltage gradient, calculating an effective probe spacing of the first and second voltage probes relative to the anomaly on the conductor; and determining the prioritization value of the anomaly based on a linear relationship between the voltage gradient and the product of the current and the effective probe spacing. |
| US07881888B2 |
Logical scheme for severe fault detection
The present invention relates to a method for determining location of faults in a wind power plant comprising a first plurality of wind turbines arranged in n groups, each group comprising mn wind turbines electrically arranged in series, each of the wind turbines having a fault detector and a timing device for recording a time of fault occurrence, all groups electrically connected via a bus bar. The method may comprise the steps of detecting a fault, obtaining a status indicator from each of the fault detectors and timing devices, evaluating time of fault occurrence for two wind turbines in each of the n groups to determine if the fault have occurred inside a group, evaluating if a fault is registered in the wind turbine closest to the bus bar in each group. Further the present invention relates to a wind park. |
| US07881881B2 |
Structural health monitoring apparatus and methodology
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for structural health monitoring (SHM) in which smart devices interrogate structural components to predict failure, expedite needed repairs, and thus increase the useful life of those components. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) are applied to or integrated with structural components and various data collected there from provide the ability to detect and locate cracking, corrosion, and disbanding through use of pitch-catch, pulse-echo, electro/mechanical impedance, and phased array technology. Stand alone hardware and an associated software program are provided that allow selection of multiple types of SHM investigations as well as multiple types of data analysis to perform a wholesome investigation of a structure. |
| US07881877B2 |
Techniques for determining the effects on a system of a component that has four states
Techniques for determining effects on a biological system include determining rate constants for a particular time interval starting at an initial time. Each rate constant indicates a rate of transition from one of four states to a different one of the four states for a component of a biological system in presence of an external factor. A temporal change in a probability that the component is in a particular state after the initial time is determined without numerical iteration over multiple time steps. This includes determining three relaxation time constants that describe exponential changes based on the rate constants. The effect of the external factor on the biological system is determined based on the temporal change in the probability that the component is in the particular state. The probability at an arbitrary time is determined based on the rate constants and initial probabilities. |
| US07881871B2 |
Method for designing surfaces
A method of producing a binding surface for a target molecule having a functional binding site, which method comprises: (i) identifying within the target molecule an anchor site which is remote from the functional binding site; (ii) generating a pharmacophore model for the anchor site; (iii) using the pharmacophore model to identify an anchor site binding ligand; and (iv) providing the anchor site binding ligand on a surface of a substrate such that the ability of the anchor site binding ligand to bind to the anchor site is preserved. |
| US07881868B2 |
Dual assessment for early collision warning
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates warning of collision between a primary principal and one or more non-primary principals. The system includes a triggering mechanism and a preliminary assessment mechanism. During operation, the triggering mechanism determines whether a trigger condition is met based on the state of the primary principal. When the trigger condition is met, the preliminary assessment mechanism generates one or more collision scenarios associated with the trigger condition, assesses a preliminary probability of collision in a collision scenario, and, based on the preliminary probability of collision in the collision scenario, activates a specialized assessment mechanism to assess a refined probability of collision in the collision scenario. |
| US07881867B2 |
Onboard system for the prevention of collisions of an aircraft with the ground with end-of-conflict indication
The TAWS system, in addition to an FTLA function for detecting the risk of collision with the terrain, has an end-of-conflict announcement function COT which is activated after the cessation of a warning or alarm concerning the risk of collision with the ground originating from the FTLA function. This COT function, when activated, checks that the aircraft (A) is observing minimum vertical and lateral safe distances, and estimates the lower vertical speed margin with which a new ground collision risk warning will not be retriggered. After confirming the observance of the minimum safe distances, the COT function has an end-of-conflict message (“Clear of terrain”) sent with a lower vertical speed margin indication. |
| US07881866B2 |
Airborne system for preventing collisions of an aircraft with the terrain
This Terrain Awareness and Warning System produces a new “Too Low Terrain” predictive alert of “Caution” type when the crew of the aircraft has the possibility of resolving a detected risk of collision with the terrain without interrupting the current maneuver to stabilize at a safety altitude by a leveling-off maneuver, without performing a vertical avoidance maneuver. To do this, it measures the ability of the airplane to avoid the terrain with a sufficient margin without performing a vertical avoidance maneuver, taking into account the location or locations of the penetration or penetrations of the terrain along an alert prober C as well as the capacity of the aircraft to level off knowing the flight conditions. |
| US07881862B2 |
Incident command post
Provided are systems and methods for tracking resources at a site and initiating audio and video communication with tracked resources using multiple input and output modalities. The systems include a location tracking system, including a positioning engine and a presentation engine, an environmental tracking system, location and environmental sensors, either permanently installed or temporarily deployed, and portable devices such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants carried by the tracked resources and users. The methods include tracking such resources at a site, displaying their locations on a portable device using a visual map display, and providing the ability to initiate bi-directional audio and video communications with one of more of the tracked resources. |
| US07881860B2 |
Vehicle planning support system
The present invention is a vehicle planning support system (1) for displaying vehicle models (84, 92, etc.) on a screen to support vehicle planning, and comprises specification value input screen display means (36) for displaying specification value input screens for inputting specification values including dimensions and angles in the vehicle model; 3D morphing screen display means (58) for displaying vehicle models as deformable three-dimensionally shaped 3D vehicle models based on specification values input on the specification value screen using the 3D morphing screen; 2D morphing screen display means (56) for displaying vehicle models as deformable two-dimensionally shaped 2D vehicle models based on specification values input on the specification value screen using the 2D morphing screen. |
| US07881859B2 |
Torque converter clutch control system and post oxygen sensor performance diagnostic system
A system comprises a post oxygen performance diagnostic (POPD) module that performs a POPD of a post oxygen sensor, wherein the POPD includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) portion. A torque converter control module adjusts operation of a torque converter clutch (TCC). The POPD module and the torque converter control module operate the TCC to control engine speed above a predetermined engine speed during the DFCO portion of the POPD. A method comprises performing a POPD of a post oxygen sensor, wherein the POPD includes a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) portion and adjusting operation of a torque converter clutch (TCC) to control engine speed above a predetermined engine speed during the DFCO portion of the POPD. |
| US07881857B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine
In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, the fuel is supplied to at least one combustion chamber via at least one injector, which method includes the following steps: a) a total injection is divided into a basic injection and at least one measured injection; b) the injection time of the measured injection is successively decreased and the injection time of the basic injection is successively increased so that a total injection quantity ascertained from a valve characteristic curve remains the same. |
| US07881856B2 |
Apparatus for and method of controlling fuel injection of engine
An apparatus for and a method of controlling a fuel injection in which, in fuel injection control of an engine including a variable valve mechanism that can change an inlet valve opening characteristic, when an intake air amount is changed by an operation of the variable valve mechanism after the fuel injection valve performs first injection, a fuel amount corresponding to the change in intake air amount is injected in second injection after the first injection, and the sum of the fuel amount injected in the first injection and the fuel amount injected in the second injection becomes a fuel amount corresponding to an intake air amount fixed at an inlet valve closing timing. |
| US07881855B2 |
Method for metering fuel into combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine
A method and control unit for metering fuel into at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprising at least one pilot injection and one main injection per combustion cycle, combustion features being detected and an effect of a fuel quantity injected prior to the main injection being ascertained from the combustion features. An actual value of a combined effect of at least two pilot injections per combustion cycle is ascertained and the actual value is regulated to a setpoint value via an intervention on at least one of the pilot injections. |
| US07881854B2 |
Method of reducing hydrocarbon emissions from a cold engine and device and engine for carrying out this method
The invention relates to a method of control of an internal combustion engine comprising at least one electrically controlled inlet valve.To reduce hydrocarbon emissions by the cold engine, the opening of the valve is controlled in two successive phases (32, 34), the first phase (32) corresponding principally with the admission of fuel and the second phase (34) mainly corresponding with the air inlet. The opening of the valve is substantially lower during the first phase than during the second phase in order to pulverize the fuel into fine droplets during the first phase. |
| US07881849B2 |
Electric parking brake system and method for controlling the electric parking brake system
In an electric parking brake system, the moving force-based target tension is set based on the inclination angle of a vehicle and the shift position, and the slack compensation amount is determined based on the inclination angle of the vehicle and the shift position. The control target tension is set to a smaller value from among the slack-based target tension, which is the sum of the moving force-based target tension and the slack compensation amount, and the maximum value of the output power that can be produced by an electric motor. The electric motor is controlled such that the tension of the cable matches the control target tension (the slack-based target tension, in most cases). |
| US07881848B2 |
Lane departure prevention apparatus and method
A lane departure prevention apparatus includes a control section configured to carry out a lane departure prevention control to prevent a vehicle from departing from a lane, and to finish the lane departure prevention control by using a predetermined finish parameter; a vehicle-state detecting section configured to detect a state of vehicle at least when or after the lane departure prevention control is started; and a control finish-parameter correcting section configured to correct the predetermined finish parameter on the basis of the vehicle state detected by the vehicle-state detecting section. |
| US07881846B2 |
Driveline clunk detection and control
A driveline clunk control system for a vehicle having an engine that drives a driveline through a transmission includes a transmission output shaft speed (TOSS) sensor that generates a TOSS signal and a first module that receives the TOSS signal and that determines a secondary parameter (ΔTOSS) based on the TOSS signal. A second module detects onset of a clunk condition based on the ΔTOSS and a third module regulates operation of the vehicle to inhibit the clunk condition when the onset of the clunk condition is detected. |
| US07881845B2 |
Loader and loader control system
A loader and a control system for a loader provide for monitoring the position of a part of the implement carried by the loader. The loader has a body with left and right upright tower portions, and a loader drive system including ground engaging drive elements. Left and right interconnected lift arm assemblies each have an implement lift arm pivotally connected with a corresponding tower portion of the body at a lift arm pivot point. A lift actuator is connected between the body and the lift arm. The implement is pivotally connected with the lift arm assemblies about an implement pivot axis. The lift arm pivot point and the implement pivot axis in side elevation define a straight reference line. At least one implement tilt actuator is connected between at least one of the lift arm assemblies and the implement. A position sensor is mounted on the body at the level of, or above, the lift arm pivot points. An inclinometer is movable with the left and right interconnected lift arm assemblies to provide an indication of the inclination of the lift arm assemblies along the straight reference line. An angle sensor provides an indication of the orientation of said implement with respect to said left and right interconnected lift arm assemblies. The control is responsive to the position sensor, the inclinometer, and the angle sensor. The control determines the position of the position sensor and the position of a part of the implement with respect to the position sensor. |
| US07881841B2 |
Motion-control system
A motion-control system includes an operator interface with an operator-input member and a controllable force feedback device drivingly connected to the operator-input member. The motion-control system may also include controls that regulate the motion of one or more moveable components, including adjusting a first operating parameter in a manner that depends at least in part on a control error between a target value of a second operating parameter and an actual value of the second operating parameter. The target value of the second operating parameter may be based at least in part on the motion of the operator-input member. The controls may also operate the controllable force feedback device to provide feedback force on the operator-input member in a manner that depends at least in part on the control error and such that the derivative of the feedback force with respect to the control error varies dependent at least in part on the control error. |
| US07881834B2 |
Speed ratio shift method
The present invention essentially concerns a method for a motor vehicle speed ratio shift. Said method uses a power transmission device (1.1) comprising a traction chain consisting of a heat engine (2), a clutch (3), an electrical machine (4), a gearbox (5), and wheels (6). The invention is characterized in that, upon shifting, the heat engine (2) is started before, during or after the torque (CMEL) observable on the shaft (11) of the electrical machine (4) is canceled, by means of a starter system (7) mechanically independent of the electrical machine (4). |
| US07881830B2 |
Electronic control system for controlling plant temperature
Nonlinear functions (table and map) of a temperature estimation model are corrected based on outputs from a temperature sensor. An electronic control system calculates, for a plant model constructed to calculate an estimated temperature value of the plant, an estimated temperature value using a correlation model between a first parameter regarding the plant and a second parameter regarding the plant model. This control system controls the temperature of the plant based on the calculated estimated temperature value of the plant. The control system also defines a plurality of functions (Wi) in a range of a plurality of the first parameters for the correlation model, calculates correction coefficients (Kli, Kci) that adjust the height of the plurality of functions based on the output of the temperature sensor and the calculated estimated temperature value of the plant, and corrects the correlation model by the plurality of functions (Wi) and correction coefficients (Kli, Kci). |
| US07881829B2 |
Mass flow controller
This invention provides a mass flow controller that can prevent a flow rate change due to a pressure change without sacrificing the speed of response to a change of a flow rate setting value and can be used in a system that can generate a crosstalk.In order to provide the mass flow controller, the mass flow controller has: a control section 5 that calculates an opening control signal to be supplied to a flow rate control valve based on a predetermined calculation formula including at least a flow rate measurement value and a flow rate setting value as parameters and outputs the opening control signal; and a pressure sensor section 4 that measures pressure of a fluid on the upstream side or the downstream side of a flow rate sensor section 2 and outputs a pressure detection signal indicating the pressure value. The control section 5 uses different calculation formulas for a changing period, which is a predetermined period from a point in time when the flow rate setting value changes by a predetermined amount or more, and a stable period, which is the remaining period, and at least in the stable period, the calculation formula further includes the pressure value as a parameter. |
| US07881827B2 |
Air conditioner and method of operating the same
The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method of operating the same. The air conditioner includes a human body detection unit configured to rotatably operate and to detect a person within an indoor area, a position determination unit configured to determine a position of the person using data detected by the human body detection unit and to set a reference area to which a current of air will be provided according to a frequency of detection on the person, and a control unit configured to control the human body detection unit so that the human body detection unit detects the person by a reference frequency or more and to control the current of air based on the determination results by the position determination unit so that the current of air is discharged toward the reference area. |
| US07881821B2 |
Media storage system
A media storage system includes a disc input element for receiving a media disc, a disc output element for ejecting a disc, and a media reader for reading information from a disc. If insufficient information is readable from a disc, it may be obtained through a computer network. The system includes a disc transporter for moving received discs to respective internal storage locations. The system includes a data input device for entering disc catalogue data and a data output device such as a display for displaying disc catalogue data. The data input and output devices may be input buttons and a display on a remote control. Each disc and related information is associated with an identifier such that access to disc data may be by restricted by user identifier or content ratings. |
| US07881815B2 |
Method and system for process control
A method and system for process control. The control system can be operably coupled to a processing system. The control system can include control devices operably coupled to the processing system; a modeling module to provide a linear model based at least in part on the processing system; a computational module to provide controller algorithms associated with the control devices; a user interface module to present at a user interface controller information based at least in part on the linear model and the controller algorithms; and a separate coordination module for establishing communication between the modeling module, the computational module and the user interface module. One or more control signals can be provided to at least one of the control devices for controlling the processing system. In one embodiment, the modeling module can generate the linear model from a non-linear process. |
| US07881814B2 |
Method and system for rapid modeling and verification of excitation systems for synchronous generators
A method for modeling an excitation system for a synchronous electrical power generator including: selecting a standard mathematical excitation system model from a plurality of standard excitation system models stored electronically; wherein the selected standard model is selected based on a similarity to the excitation system and can be an IEEE standard model; collecting data from the excitation system; determining parameter settings for the selected standard model using first pre-calculated and then collected (measured) data; verifying the selected standard model with tailored parameter settings by comparing an output of the model to a corresponding output of the excitation system; storing electronically the verified selected standard model with tailored settings; generating a report of the verified selected standard model with the tailored settings; performing rapidly and automatically model generation from a maintenance computer proximate to the excitation system; performing rapidly and automatically model generation without the need for system experts or extra equipment; and providing means to repeat test an operating excitation system at low cost and risk. |
| US07881813B2 |
System and method for sharing reset and background communication on a single MCU pin
Methods and data processing systems are provided to share a common pin between two circuits in microcontroller unit (MCU). Signals are received at a common pin included in the MCU. If the first circuit has been enabled, then the received signals are analyzed to determine whether the signals are valid command signals for the first circuit. If the signals are not a valid command signal, then a second circuit is performed. If the first circuit has not been enabled, then an alternate function is performed. One of the operations performed by the alternate function is to determine whether to enable the first function. In one embodiment, the first circuit is a background debug controller of the MCU and the second circuit is a reset circuit. |
| US07881812B2 |
Editing and configuring device
The claimed subject matter provides an editor system for employment in an industrial automation environment that enhances programmability of at least one of a controller and an industrial process. An interface component can facilitate the receipt of instructions relating to programming a programmable logic controller. A programming assist component communicatively coupled to the interface component can program the programmable logic controller in accordance with the received instructions; the programmable logic controller is programmed in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model that utilizes a naming convention. |
| US07881808B2 |
Conductive polymeric coating with optional biobeneficial topcoat for a medical lead
A cardiac lead comprising a lead body extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion; a cardiac electrode disposed along the lead body; and a coating associated with at least a portion of the electrode, the coating comprises a conductive polymer. |
| US07881805B2 |
Method for optimizing search for spinal cord stimulation parameter settings
A method for transitioning electrical energy in steps between electrodes implanted within a patient to stimulate tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) is provided. The method comprises determining a maximum comfortable step size, determining a minimum step size, selecting one or more step sizes between the maximum comfortable step size and the minimize step size, and transitioning the electrical energy between the electrodes using the selected one or more step sizes. |
| US07881798B2 |
Controlling therapy based on sleep quality
A medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep, and controls delivery of a therapy based on the sleep quality metric values. For example, the medical device may compare a sleep quality metric value with one or more threshold values, and adjust the therapy based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the medical device adjusts the intensity of therapy based on the comparison, e.g., increases the therapy intensity when the comparison indicates that the patient's sleep quality is poor. In some embodiments, the medical device automatically selects one of a plurality of therapy parameter set available for use in delivering therapy based on a comparison sleep quality metric values associated with respective therapy parameter sets within the plurality of available therapy parameter sets. |
| US07881796B2 |
Implantable medical device with a nonhermetic battery
An implantable medical device (IMD) including a nonhermetic battery is described. The IMD includes components and a power source module that includes the nonhermetic battery. The IMD also includes a barrier to substantially impede movement of substances from the nonhermetic battery to the components. The barrier may include a hermetic feedthrough, a gel, a polymer, or a solid electrolyte within the nonhermetic battery, and a seal member. The barrier may also be a material that encapsulates the nonhermetic battery and a getter within the IMD. In some embodiments, the IMD comprises a modular IMD including an interconnect member. In that case, the barrier may include a material that fills at least a portion of a void defined by the interconnect member. A length and a cross-sectional area of the interconnect member may also act as a barrier. |
| US07881794B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the coronary sinus vein branch accessed by a coronary sinus lead
Systems and methods for determining the coronary sinus vein branch location of a left ventricle electrode are disclosed. The systems and methods involve detecting the occurrence of electrical events within the patient's heart including sensing one or more of the electrical events with the electrode and then analyzing the electrical events to determine the electrode's position. The determination of electrode position may be used to automatically adjust operating parameters of a VRT device. Furthermore, the determination of electrode position may be made in real-time during installation of the electrode and a visual indication of the electrode position may be provided on a display screen. |
| US07881793B2 |
System and method for ventricular pacing with progressive conduction check interval
A pacing protocol is provided that reduces or minimizes ventricular pacing in favor of intrinsic conduction. When operating in a mode that provides ventricular pacing, a series of conduction checks are performed to determine if intrinsic conduction has returned. These conduction checks occur according to a predetermined pattern that general includes longer intervals between subsequent attempts. A maximum interval is provided such that conduction checks are not repeated sequentially at the same time of day when at this maximum interval. |
| US07881791B2 |
Apparatus and methods of optimizing ventricle-to-ventricular pacing delay intervals
Provided herewith are methods and apparatus for optimizing ventricle-to-ventricle (V-V) pacing delay intervals based upon ECG-based optimization calculated as a linear function of P-wave duration sensed PR (intrinsic) interval sensed (or paced) QRS duration and heart rate. Since the relationship among these parameters is linear, once the coefficients are solved (which can be any value, including null) with reference to a known optimized V-V interval such as from an echocardiographic study, an operating V-V interval value can be dynamically adjusted in an ambulatory subject. The various combinations of values can be loaded into a look up table or calculated automatically. And, since some of the parameters do not typically change much over time they can be determined acutely and fed into the equation while the other values can be measured more frequently. The parameter values can be measured by an implantable medical device such as a dual- or triple-chamber pacemaker. |
| US07881789B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting oscillations in cardiac rhythm with electrogram signals
A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to detect oscillations in cardiac rhythm by comparing electrogram signals during successive heart beats. Upon detection of electrical alternans, the device may adjust its operating behavior to compensate for the deleterious effects of the condition. |
| US07881788B2 |
Heart treatment apparatus and heart treatment method
Precursor of fatal arrhythmia is detected and by setting the tolerance level for carrying out nerve stimulation depending on the severity degree of the precursor, significant variation of the heart rate is suppressed and induction of the fatal arrhythmia is repressed. For this purpose, precursor of tachyarrhythmia occurrence such as premature contraction, ST change, repolarization abnormality or the like is detected and the lower-limit of the atrium interval which becomes the tolerance level of the nerve stimulation is set according to the detected result. Then, it is constituted according to the precursor of aforesaid tachyarrhythmia such that time for making the nerve stimulation means in an operation state is to be adjusted or nerve stimulation is to be carried out as much as the heart rate of a predetermined number of times. |
| US07881773B2 |
Multi-mode internal imaging
The invention described herein provides systems and methods for multi-modal imaging with light and a second form of imaging. Light imaging involves the capture of low intensity light from a light-emitting object. A camera obtains a two-dimensional spatial distribution of the light emitted from the surface of the subject. Software operated by a computer in communication with the camera may then convert two-dimensional spatial distribution data from one or more images into a three-dimensional spatial representation. The second imaging mode may include any imaging technique that compliments light imaging. Examples include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer topography (CT). An object handling system moves the object to be imaged between the light imaging system and the second imaging system, and is configured to interface with each system. |
| US07881772B2 |
Electronic portal imaging for radiotherapy
Some embodiments include transmission of a pulse to imaging elements in order to read an image frame from the imaging elements, prior to exposure of the imaging elements to radiation that is to be converted to and captured as image data, wherein the pulse is transmitted so that the image frame is read and the imaging elements become ready to capture image data associated with the radiation substantially immediately before the imaging elements are exposed to the radiation. Embodiments may also include transmission of a second pulse to the imaging elements in order to read a second image frame from the imaging elements, wherein the second pulse is transmitted at a predetermined time after the exposure of the imaging elements to the radiation is complete, wherein one of the imaging elements produces second radiation after the exposure of the imaging elements to the radiation is complete, and wherein the predetermined time is a time suitable to substantially capture image data associated with the second radiation. |
| US07881768B2 |
Assessing the condition of a joint and devising treatment
Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly in a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy. |
| US07881765B2 |
Interference-fit shroud-based cardiac electrodes
Apparatus and method according to the disclosure relate to minimizing gaps between a substantially planar cardiac-sensing electrode and a shroud member utilizing a so-called interference-fit. For example, a relatively recessed area or aperture formed in an exemplary resin-based shroud member has slightly reduced dimensions relative to the electrode and requires compression forces during assembly (e.g., manually or in an automated process including a press, a tool or other means). The interference-fit promotes a very tight fit (or seal) between the metallic electrode and the resin-based shroud member and, importantly, minimizes gaps. Additionally, discrete interference structures promote fluid tight seals between the electrode and a recess or aperture adapted to receive the electrode. |
| US07881764B1 |
Physiological recording device
The present invention relates to a dry physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The dry physiological recording electrode comprising a substrate having an upper and a lower surface, and at least one penetrator(s) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate. The penetrator(s) is capable of piercing through the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin, and transmitting an electric potential from the lower layers of the epidermis through the penetrator(s) which can be measured, or detecting agents from the lower layers of the epidmermis primarily the stratum germinativum layer. At least one epidermis stop may be provided resulting in the formation of detritus troughs interposed between adjacent penetrator(s) and epidermis stops. The present invention also includes a method of sensing biopotentials in the skin. |
| US07881763B2 |
Optimized sensor geometry for an implantable glucose sensor
An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte such as glucose in a bodily fluid, including a body with a sensing region adapted for transport of analytes between the sensor and the bodily fluid, wherein the sensing region is located on a curved portion of the body such that when a foreign body capsule forms around the sensor, a contractile force is exerted by the foreign body capsule toward the sensing region. The body is partially or entirely curved, partially or entirely covered with an anchoring material for supporting tissue ingrowth, and designed for subcutaneous tissue implantation. The geometric design, including curvature, shape, and other factors minimize chronic inflammatory response at the sensing region and contribute to improved performance of the sensor in vivo. |
| US07881759B2 |
Shaped loudspeaker output in a communications handset
Loudspeaker sounds in a communications handset may be amplified in predetermined frequency ranges through positioning the loudspeaker between ported and unported spaces. In one embodiment, an empty volume of space disposed in front of the loudspeaker is included to shape the frequency response of the loudspeaker. A port connecting this volume of space to the environment may be located at a longitudinal end of the handset. In one embodiment, the port may pass through a space formed by an antenna loop. An additional empty volume of space may be disposed behind the loudspeaker to further shape the frequency response of the loudspeaker. |
| US07881757B2 |
Power management method of wireless nodes
The invention comprises a step of constructing a plurality of groups using a plurality of wireless nodes during construction of a network; a step of provisionally deciding, from among the wireless nodes in each group, a group master node serving as a group master that communicates with the other nodes in the group and that functions as a communication relay station for communicating with the other groups, with the other nodes in the group serving as slave nodes that are connected under the control of the group master node to perform their respective terminal station operation; a step in which the wireless nodes in each group exchange data with each other at a commencement session and calculate the minimum required transmission power for each other; a step in which the wireless nodes in each group use the calculated minimum required transmission powers to communicate with each other; and a step of, when determining that the time of changing the group master has come, causing one of the slave nodes to take over the group master. |
| US07881756B2 |
Level shifters and level shifting methods for suppressing current flow and generating fixed output values
A level shifter includes a level shifting circuit which receives input signal from a function block and changes the voltage level of the input signal, to output an output signal; a current blocking circuit, which suppresses current flowing to the level shifting circuit in an input suppression mode in which power supplied to the function block is cut and deactivates the level shifting circuit; and an output control circuit, which controls the output signal of the level shifting circuit to have a direct current (DC) voltage level in the input suppression mode. |
| US07881755B1 |
Wireless LAN power savings
A network device includes a base band processor (BBP) receiver to detect a frame in a signal. A media access controller (MAC) receiver identifies a destination address in the frame. A power management module transitions the BBP receiver to an active mode based on an estimated energy level of the signal before transitioning the MAC receiver, a processor, a MAC transmitter, and a BBP transmitter to the active mode; transitions the MAC receiver to the active mode when the frame is present after transitioning the BBP receiver to the active mode and before transitioning the processor, the MAC transmitter, and the BBP transmitter to the active mode; and transitions the processor to the active mode based on the destination address after transitioning the BBP receiver and the MAC receiver to the active mode and before transitioning the MAC transmitter and the BBP transmitter to the active mode. |
| US07881753B2 |
Method and system for sharing multiple antennas between TX and RX in a repeat field of polarization isolation
A repeater device may be utilized to enable forwarding extreme high frequency (EHF) communication between EHF-enabled wireless devices. The repeater device may utilize polarization isolation to prevent and/or reduce interference between received and transmitted EHF RF signals in the repeater device. The repeater device may utilize plurality of polarization antenna arrays for reception and transmission of EHF RF signals to facilitate polarization isolation between received and transmitted EHF RF signals. Alternatively, the repeater device may utilize a single polarization antenna array, with switching elements, to facilitate polarization isolation between received and transmitted EHF RF signals. The repeater device may utilize control connections to enable communicating with the EHF-enabled wireless devices to facilitate performing polarization isolation at the repeater device. Non-EHF interfaces, for example Bluetooth, may be utilized to establish the control connections. |
| US07881750B2 |
Method for transfer of personalised information
Personalized information is transferred from a first hand portable phone having a first memory means for storing said personalized information to a second hand portable phone having a second memory means for storing said personalized information. A connection between said first hand portable phone and a computer on which a data transfer application is running is established. The data transfer application on said computer is controlled to read said personalized information from said first memory means to store the personalized information in said first hand portable phone in memory means associated with said data transfer application in said computer. Then a connection between said second hand portable phone and said computer on which said data transfer application is running is established. The data transfer application on said computer is controlled to write said personalized information from said memory means associated with said data transfer application into said second memory means for storing said personalized information in said second hand portable phone. The user is allowed to individually select the type of personalized information to be written into said second memory means prior to the initializing of the data transfer. |
| US07881747B2 |
Method and system for a mobile architecture that supports a cellular or wireless network and broadcast utilizing an integrated single chip cellular and broadcast silicon solution
In an RF communication system, aspects for supporting cellular or wireless network and broadcast utilizing an integrated single chip cellular and broadcast silicon solution may include communicating data, within a mobile terminal, between a single baseband processor integrated circuit (BBPIC) and a plurality of receiver front ends via a channel interface, for example, a serial bus. The plurality of receiver front ends may comprise a cellular receiver front end and a VHF/UHF broadcast receiver front end. The BBPIC may communicate with one or more processors, for example, a CPU and/or DSP, via the processor interface, for example, an AMBA bus. The BBPIC may also communicate with a power management unit via a control interface, for example, an I2C bus, with memory devices via a memory interface, for example, a serial random access memory bus, and/or with peripheral devices via a peripheral interface, for example, a serial bus. The peripheral interface may comprise a wireless LAN interface, USIM interface, and/or a Bluetooth interface. |
| US07881743B2 |
Handheld mobile communication device
A digital communications device with a reduced size, enhanced keyboard and large screen is disclosed. The mobile device has an auxiliary input such as a keyboard with a plurality of keys that is arranged in a first position to minimize the size of the device, and in a second position to enable the use of the auxiliary input in conjunction with other auxiliary inputs and the display. When in the first position, the keyboard is used to make telephone inputs and when in the second position, the keyboard is used to make textual inputs. |
| US07881741B2 |
Mobile station apparatus and wireless communication method
A mobile station wherein the power consumption can be suppressed. In a frame 3, this mobile station (100) transmits, to both a base station (200) and a relay station (150), a multicarrier signal comprising a plurality of subcarriers that have been controlled in transmission power on the basis of reception quality information 1 (Processes (3) and (3)′: first transmission). In a frame 4, the mobile station (100) transmits, only to the base station (200), a multicarrier signal comprising a plurality of subcarriers that have been controlled in transmission power on the basis of reception quality information 2 (Process (5): second transmission). In this case, the mobile station (100) selects subcarriers in which reception qualities indicated by the reception quality information 2 are lower than a target quality, and the mobile station (100) then transmits, to the base station (200), a multicarrier signal comprising only those subcarriers in which the reception qualities are lower than the target quality. |
| US07881733B2 |
Method and system to monitor and control devices utilizing wireless media
A method and system of selectively communicating with one or more devices within pre-defined geographical zones is disclosed. A plurality of geographical zones is defined, each zone being defined by latitude and longitude attributes. A plurality of devices is associated with each geographical zone with which a portable device can communicate, the portable device having data representative of the plurality of geographical zones. The portable device also has a ground positioning unit receiver to obtain geographical coordinates of the portable device. If the portable device determines that its location is within one of the plurality of geographical zones, the portable device communicates with the devices in associated with the geographical zone. |
| US07881732B2 |
Information portal
A communication system for providing high-speed wireless access to mobile processing systems a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. A local server in communication with this stationary transceiver is configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within the information portal. |
| US07881728B2 |
Self-powered positioning and modem system for two-way radio
A self-powered positioning and modem system, which is adapted for linking to a radio frequency transmitter of a communication device to communicating with a communication system through radio frequency signals, includes a GPS controller for communicatively linking to the radio frequency transmitter. The GPS controller includes a position information receptor receiving a positioning data, a signal converter linked to the position information receptor to encode the positioning data into a RF positioning signal in form of audio signal, wherein the GPS controller is triggered for wirelessly transmitting the RF positioning signal through the radio frequency transmitter to the communication system. |
| US07881726B2 |
Method and apparatus for spectrum sharing between an incumbent communications system and a cognitive radio system
Efficient frequency spectrum sharing between at least one incumbent communication system(s) (102, 152) and at least one cognitive radio (CR) system (105) is provided. The incumbent system's system parameters and CR system's operational requirements are copied to a mirrored database (106B). The mirrored database (106B) is controlled by a either a central authority (108) or a database manager having delegated authority (508). The mirrored database (106B) is accessed by the CR system (105). The mirrored database (106B) can be modified and updated by the central authority (108) or delegated database manager (508) to correct for interference detected in the incumbent system caused (152) by the cognitive radio system (105). The cognitive radio system (105) utilizes the updated mirrored database (106B) to avoid interfering with the incumbent system (102, 152) to determine CR system operating parameters thus enhancing the ability to share spectrum. |
| US07881722B2 |
Selection of an uplink carrier frequency corresponding to one of co-sited cells having different coverage areas and supporting different uplink data rates
Random access coverage is assured while at the same supporting high uplink data rates in a same service area served by a base station. The service area includes first and second co-sited cells. The first co-sited cell is associated with a first uplink frequency, and the second co-sited cell is associated with a second uplink frequency. The first cell allows a lower uplink load and provides a greater coverage than the second cell. The second cell allows a higher rise over thermal (RoT) value than the first cell. Random access channel requests are initially directed to the first cell using the first uplink frequency. One of the co-sited cells is selected for supporting the connection depending on one or more factors. Example factors include a priority associated with the mobile terminal, a capability associated with the mobile terminal, a load situation in the second cell, or radio channel conditions associated with the mobile radio terminal. |
| US07881721B2 |
Channel sounding techniques for a wireless communication system
A technique of operating a wireless communication system includes determining respective geometries of multiple subscriber stations, which include a first subscriber station and a second subscriber station, with respect to a serving base station. Respective channel sounding bandwidths for sounding the channel between the multiple subscriber stations and the serving base station are then scheduled, based on the respective geometries. The respective channel sounding bandwidths include a first channel sounding bandwidth (associated with the first subscriber station) and a second channel sounding bandwidth (associated with the second subscriber station). The first channel sounding bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second channel sounding bandwidth and the first subscriber station has a lower geometry than the second subscriber station. |
| US07881718B2 |
Wireless communication system, handover suppression apparatus, station, communication control method and computer-readable medium storing communication control program
When a station is connected via a connector to an AC adapter, a controller may detect the event of connection between the station and the adapter and drive a suppression signal transmitter to send a suppression signal to suppress a handover by the station. The station may include a communication controller to fix, upon receipt of the suppression signal from the adapter, a wireless access point to which the station belongs. The station may enter a handover suppressed state in which the station does not conduct a handover to belong to another wireless access point so long as the station is connected to the adapter and is receiving the suppression signal. This may suppress the excessive handover and secure stable communication quality. |
| US07881713B2 |
System and method of wirelessly triggering portable devices
The present invention provides for a system and method of wirelessly triggering portable devices to provide a user with audio and/or visual information related to a show or attraction, for example, or for the purposes of captioning, language translation, assistive listening, and descriptive audio. As a person moves about a venue, a portable device receives signals from transmitters at venue locations. Transmissions may be via infrared or radio signals. The receiving device decodes each signal as a venue location, event time, or device trigger. The receiving device processes the signal and its memory to start a presentation on the device. The portable device memory contains audio, text, graphics, and/or visual content; device playback may contain one or many of these stored contents. The stored content may be synchronized with the user's location, time of travel, time of day, time of a show, or an event in a show. Stored content may be in one or many languages. Presentation of stored content on the portable device may also be altered by user preference, stored logic constraints, automatic learning of user behavior, or user interaction with other devices. |
| US07881711B2 |
Feedback system using dynamic decoding
Methods and apparatus are presented for dynamically decoding acknowledgment signals. A source receives an acknowledgment signal and starts monitoring an energy value associated with the acknowledgment signal. If the energy value exceeds a predetermined threshold amount before the end of the acknowledgment signal, then the source is confident that the portion of the acknowledgment signal received up to that point could be decoded successfully. Hence, the source decodes that portion of the acknowledgment signal and disregards the remainder of the acknowledgment signal. |
| US07881706B2 |
Communication terminal, server, playback control method and program
The communications terminal comprises: a playback device which playbacks content; a reading device which reads in access information recorded on a prescribed recording medium, the access information being necessary for downloading the content which can be played back by the playback device, via a network; a communications device which downloads via communications the content corresponding to the access information according to the access information read in; a storage device which stores the downloaded content, the storage device storing details of the access information in association with the content, the details of the access information being used in downloading the content; a judging device which judges whether or not the content corresponding to the read access information is present in the storage device, according to information which is stored in the storage device, when the access information is read in by the reading device; and a control device which controls the playback device, the reading device, the communications device, the storage device, and the judging device, wherein: if the judging device judges that the content is present in the storage device, the control device controls for acquiring the content corresponding to the access information read in from the storage device, and for playing back the content; and if the judging device judges that the content is not present in the storage device, the control device controls for downloading the content corresponding to the access information read in, and for playing back the content. |
| US07881702B2 |
Interactive entertainment, social networking, and advertising system
A system includes a personal wireless mobile communication device that is configured to transmit a short-range wireless signal. The short-range wireless signal is processed by a server, and the server executes an action based on the short-range wireless signal. In an embodiment, the action executed by the server is the creation of an Interactive session on a display unit as a function of the short-range wireless signal. |
| US07881697B2 |
System and methods for managing the utilization of a communications device
A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the allocation of electronic wallets that are associated with one or more devices and various controls that enable at least two entities to manage how the device is utilized for various activities and to pay for goods and services. Each device is associated with at least two electronic wallets, a user wallet and an administrator wallet. The administrator can establish rules that designate how and when the device can be used and which wallet will be used to pay for goods and services desired by the user, but in the event the user wallet is depleted or low on funds, the administrator wallet can serve as a backup funding source for specified types of goods and/or services. Additional wallets can also be associated with the device to authorize and pay for goods and services, under the control of the administrator wallet, such as a promotional wallet that could be designated for use with the device before a primary or administrative wallet was used, or a dynamic wallet that could be associated for use with multiple different devices as well as other wallets, but acts in conjunction with the user and administrator wallets. Additional rules can be established to perform many other functions, such as manage the movement of value between wallets and from other sources to the wallets. |
| US07881694B2 |
Cycled receiver for mobile wireless devices
A wireless device (110) is provided for supporting extended battery life. A transceiver (132) is configured to receive and transmit data over a wireless link. A frame detection sensor (140) is coupled to the transceiver and configured to sense an incoming frame and generate an incoming frame sensor signal. A controller (142) is coupled to the frame detection sensor and transceiver, and configured to selectively deactivate a portion of the transceiver device based at least in part on the frame sensor signal. Advantages of the invention include the ability to extend battery life in mobile wireless devices. |
| US07881684B2 |
Receiver, frequency deviation measuring unit and positioning and ranging system
In a system for measuring a time difference of arrival of signals for positioning, an accurate time difference is measured by a receiver which is reduced in power consumption, size, and cost. The system comprises a node (under measurement) for transmitting a positioning signal, a reference station for transmitting a reference signal, and a plurality of access points for receiving the positioning signal and reference signal, and a server connected to the plurality of access points through a network. Each of the plurality of access points measures a time difference between the reception of the positioning signal and the reception of the reference signal, and a frequency deviation from the reference station, using a clock signal and a signal for shifting the clock signal, and the server calculates the position of the node based on the measured time difference and frequency deviation. |
| US07881682B2 |
System and method for configuring a wireless module power limit
A system for configuring a wireless module power limit comprises a wireless module having a control module configured to automatically select a power limit setting from one of a plurality of power limit settings to set a maximum output power level for the wireless module to enable an antenna coupled to the wireless module to radiate at a predetermined power level. |
| US07881679B1 |
Method and apparatus for integrating power amplifiers with phase locked loop in a single chip transceiver
A phase locked loop and power amplifier are integrated on single chip. To eliminate cross-talk between the components, a frequency translation block is introduced to change the output frequency of the PLL. To isolate the components from unwanted feedback, a high isolation buffer is introduced between the components. To further isolate the components, the voltage supply domains for each component is physically separated. Each separate voltage supply domain can include a separate high isolation ring, separate voltage regulator, and separate bandgap reference. |
| US07881673B2 |
Method and system for weight determination in a spatial multiplexing MIMO system for WCDMA/HSDPA
Certain aspects of the method may comprise generating models for a received plurality of spatially multiplexed communication signals for multiple channels from a plurality of transmit antennas. A calculated signal to noise ratio (SNR) of each multiple channel may be maximized based on the generated models. A phase and an amplitude of at least a portion of the received plurality of spatially multiplexed communication signals may be adjusted based on a plurality of amplitude and phase correction weights determined from the maximized SNR. |
| US07881672B2 |
Tuner, digital demodulating apparatus, controlling method of the apparatus, computer program product for the apparatus, recording medium recording thereon the product, and digital receiver
A digital demodulating apparatus comprises a tuner constituted by circuit elements to perform channel select processing to a signal; a demodulator that performs demodulation processing to a signal output from the tuner; a power supply unit that supplies a normal power to each circuit element, and supplies to the circuit element a test power different from the normal power, over a first time period in place of the normal power; a test noise measuring unit that measures the intensity of test noise contained in a signal to be output from the tuner, when the power supply unit supplies the test power over the first time period; a comparing unit that compares the intensity of the test noise measured by the test noise measuring unit with a noise reference value as a reference for updating of the normal power; and a power updating unit that updates the intensity of the normal power on the basis of a result of the comparison by the comparing unit. |
| US07881671B2 |
Method and system for retrieving information from wireless sensor nodes
A system supporting data retrieval from a plurality of wireless sensor nodes is defined. The system includes the plurality of wireless sensor nodes and a data retrieval device. The plurality of wireless sensor nodes include a transceiver receiving a first signal and transmitting a second signal. The second signal includes a sensed datum or an encoded statistic based on the sensed datum identified at the plurality of wireless sensor nodes. The data retrieval device includes a plurality of antennas transmitting the first signal toward the plurality of wireless sensor nodes and receiving the second signal from the plurality of wireless sensor nodes, and a processor coupled to receive the received second signal from the plurality of antennas, the processor defining a virtual receive signal from the received second signal for the plurality of antennas and processing the defined virtual receive signal to determine the identified sensed datum. |
| US07881667B2 |
Methods and apparatus for secure, portable, wireless and multi-hop data networking
A mobile network solution provides secure and portable wireless networking service to mobile users with devices equipped with wireless network interfaces. The Secure Nomadic Wireless Network, or SNOWNET, follows a hierarchical approach. Special SNOWNET nodes are deployed in the area where networking service is needed and form a backbone network. At the same time, SNOWNET nodes provide local access service to regular mobile clients. SNOWNET provides security through authentication of the nodes and clients, as well as through encryption of the data. |
| US07881665B2 |
Near field communications, NFC, communicators and NFC communications enabled devices
A NFC communicator or NFC communications enabled device (100) has a data store (108) to store data, an inductive coupler (102) to couple inductively with the magnetic field of a radio frequency signal and a signal supplier (109) to supply a radio frequency signal to the inductive coupler. A modulator (110) is provided to modulate a radio frequency signal in accordance with data and a demodulator (114) is provided to extract data from a modulated radio frequency signal inductively coupled to the coupler. A controller (107) enables the NFC communicator or NFC communications enabled device both to initiate near field radio frequency communication with another near field RF communicator and to respond to near field radio frequency communication initiated by another near field RF communicator. The inductive coupler (102) has an antenna (120) and a variable impedance element (200) and the controller (107) is operable to control the variable impedance element (200) to control a magnetic field strength associated with a radio frequency signal supplied by the signal supplier. |
| US07881662B2 |
System for information contextual distribution simultaneously in a public and individual mode
The inventive information distributing system (1), in particular for railway stations or airports, comprises a control unit (5) delivering information items selected according to a first key value to a main distributor (3), a short-range communications relay (7) for establishing connections with mobile terminals (11, 13, 15). Said control unit comprises a relay interface and a control module carrying out a function of general distribution to the distributor, an inventory function for interacting with the terminals by storing state data received therefrom and by setting a second key value according to a state data sub-group and a particular distribution function for transmitting the information items selected according to the second key value to the terminals having the second sub-group state data. |
| US07881660B2 |
Mobile communication system, transmitting station, receiving station, relay station, communication path determining method, and communication path determining program
A mobile communication system determines a communication path to implement fast communication by multihop connection. A mobile communication system includes a mobile station, at least one relay station, and a base station and implements packet transmission from the mobile station to the base station through a communication path with an intermediary of at least one relay station or through a communication path without an intermediary of a relay station. The mobile communication system is provided with a communication path determiner for determining a communication path with a largest communication speed or a communication path satisfying a required line quality, based on interference levels of respective signals received at a relay station constituting a communication path between the transmitting station and the receiving station, and at the base station. |
| US07881657B2 |
Method for high-throughput identification of distributed broadcast content
A method and system of performing high-throughput identifications of broadcast content is provided. A device can send a content identification query, which includes a sample of content being broadcast, to a server to request an identity of the content. The server will perform a computational identification of the content, return the result to the device, and store the result. For all subsequently received content identification queries requesting an identity of content being broadcast from the same source and in a time during which the content is still being broadcast from the source, the server will send the stored content identification in response to the subsequent queries. If a subsequent content identification query does not request the identity of content being broadcast from the same source or is not received during the time that the content is still being broadcast, the server will perform a computational identification of a content sample. |
| US07881656B2 |
Audio visual player apparatus and system and method of content distribution using the same
A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria. |
| US07881655B2 |
Mover, information center, and mobile communication system
A mover such as a vehicle acquires the information, which has been updated by broadcasting/communication during an engine stall or in an unreceivable state, after the engine start or the recovery of reception. The engine stall period and the unreceivable state continuation period of the mover are monitored and are notified after the engine start from a communication device to an information center and a mounted device. In response to this notification, the information center extracts the information, which has been updated during the engine stall period and the unreceivable state continuation period, and transmits the information to the communication device of the mover. As a result, the mover can always hold the latest information of a broadcast receiving device, the communication device and an information service device. |
| US07881654B2 |
Image processing apparatus
A document is made which consists of a large number of recording sheets whose originality can be certified with reliability. Different specific images are respectively formed on a plurality of recording sheets of recording sheets outputted in constant order. Confirmation holes are formed on recording sheets at higher levels than the recording sheets with the specific images formed thereon, in positions in conformity with the positions of the specific images. When a document made by stacking those recording sheets is seen from the top, and the specific images are visible through the confirmation holes, the originality of the document can be certified. When the specific image is invisible through the confirmation hole, it is found that the document has been changed due to missing of part of the recording sheets, a change in order of the recording sheets, or the like, and hence the originality of the document cannot be certified. |
| US07881651B2 |
Lubricant applying device and image forming apparatus
A lubricant applying device, includes: an image carrier; a lubricant; a lubricant applying member that contacts the image carrier and the lubricant, and maintains a portion of the lubricant on an outer periphery of the lubricant applying member due to rotating so as to apply the lubricant to the image carrier; and a solid material that is adjacently provided with the lubricant on an upstream side in a rotation direction of the lubricant applying member, wherein the solid material has a higher level of hardness than the lubricant and is worn out due to contact with the lubricant applying member. |
| US07881648B2 |
Positive charge control resin for electrophotographic functional component parts, developing roller, and electrophotographic apparatus
To provide a positive charge control resin with which an electrophotographic functional component part coming into contact with a toner can be made chargeable in a polarity reverse to the polarity of the toner, and which has superior dispersibility in, and compatibility with, a main binder. The present invention is a positive charge control resin having a copolymer obtained by polymerizing specific acrylate or methacrylate monomer, amino-group-containing monomer(s) and carboxyl-group-containing monomer(s) as copolymerization components. |
| US07881642B2 |
Simplified resetting thumper assembly
This is a thumper assembly that is positioned in a developer station of a xerographic marking system. A waste container connected to a drop tube collects waste developer from this station. A magnet prevents magnetic developer from moving through the tube when the container is removed. Once a new container is installed, the magnet is moved away from the tube thereby allowing magnetic developer lodged therein to again move through the tube. A thumper is moved striking the tube to further dislodge developer and allow this developer to move through the tube into the waste container. |
| US07881641B2 |
Developing cartridge, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A developing cartridge includes: a developer carrier which carries toner; a toner supply member which supplies the toner to the developer carrier; a regulation member which regulates an amount of toner on the developer carrier; a developing chamber which has the developer carrier and the toner supply member; a transport section which is connected to an upper portion and a lower portion of the developing chamber and transports the toner from the lower portion of the developing chamber to the upper portion of the developing chamber; and a transport member which is disposed inside the transport section and transports the toner while agitating the toner. A capacity of the transport section is larger than a capacity of the developing chamber. |
| US07881640B2 |
Member for agitating and conveying developer, developing device, and image forming apparatus having the same
A member for agitating and conveying a developer, includes: a rotation shaft that rotates in a given direction; a spiral-shaped conveying member that is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft; and conveys a developer in a shaft direction of the rotation shaft; a protruded agitation section that protrudes, with a gap from the rotation shaft, from the spiral-shaped conveying member toward an upstream side in a developer conveying direction; and agitates the developer; and a diameter directional conveying section that is disposed between adjacent spires of the spiral-shaped conveying member; is disposed in a downstream side in the developer conveying direction with respect to the protruded agitation section; and gives a diameter directional conveying force to the developer. |
| US07881639B2 |
Developer units, electrophotographic apparatuses and methods of supplying developer material to photoconductive members
Developer units for supplying developer material to a photoconductive member is disclosed and may include a magnetic roll having an outer surface, a first auger adjacent the magnetic roll being rotatable to convey the developer material to the outer surface of the magnetic roll, a second auger disposed below the first auger, a first trim blade disposed at a first angular position about the outer surface of the magnetic roll for leveling the developer material on the outer surface during rotation of the magnetic roll, and a second trim blade disposed at a second angular position about the outer surface of the magnetic roll for leveling the developer material on the outer surface that has been leveled by the first trim blade during rotation of the magnetic roll, the magnetic roll being rotatable to supply the developer material leveled by the second trim blade to the photoconductive member. |
| US07881637B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling multiple color developers using a camming mechanism
Aspects of this disclosure describe a multi-pass printer having a photoreceptor device mounted on an axis, a developer that is arranged adjacent to the photoreceptor device and is movable between a first position and a second position, and a camming mechanism mounted on the axis that acts upon the developer to urge the developer between the first and second positions. The camming mechanism can further include a camming disc that is mounted to rotate about the axis. The camming disc can also have an outer periphery edge having a first portion defined by a first radius and a second portion defined by a second radius. The camming mechanism can also have a developer roll spacing cam having an effective radius that maintains a spacing between the developer and the photoreceptor device. |
| US07881636B2 |
Belt driving device and image forming apparatus
A plurality of supporting rollers over which the endless belt member is supported includes at least a driving roller that drives the endless belt member and a driven roller that is driven by a rotation of the endless belt member. A detecting unit detects a plurality of marks provided on the driven roller at a predetermined position. A control unit controls a speed at which a driving unit drives the endless belt member based on a result of detecting the marks. The driven roller functions as a tension roller that applies a tension to the endless belt member. The detecting unit is held by the tension roller. |
| US07881633B2 |
Developer cartridge, developing device and image forming apparatus
A developer cartridge includes an outside frame, an inside frame, a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The outside frame includes an outside supply opening and an outside return opening. The inside frame includes a developer chamber for accommodating a developer, an inside supply opening and an inside return opening. The first sealing member is provided around one of the inside return opening and the outside return opening between the inside frame and the outside frame and is contactable with the inside frame and the outside frame with a first contact pressure. The second sealing member is provided around one of the inside supply opening and the outside supply opening between the inside frame and the outside frame and is contactable with the inside frame and the outside frame with a second contact pressure that is greater than the first contact pressure. |
| US07881632B2 |
Image forming apparatus for controlling fixing operation with auxiliary power source
In an embodiment of the invention, it is detected whether an auxiliary power source device is mounted in an apparatus main body or not. When the auxiliary power source device is mounted in the image forming apparatus, after a specified time has passed in a printable state, power supply to a first heat roller to heat a heat roller is shifted to a sleep mode. When the auxiliary power source device is not mounted in the image forming apparatus, after a specified time has passed in the printable state, a shift is made to a preheat mode in which the heat roller is kept at a preheat temperature, and a specified time has further passed, a shift is made to a sleep mode. |
| US07881630B2 |
Temperature control device, temperature control method, fixing device, image forming apparatus, temperature control program, computer-readable recording medium, and computer data signal
The present invention carries out temperature detection and temperature control accurately in a temperature control device using a noncontact-type temperature detecting section. The temperature control device obtains the surface temperature of a fixing roller by using a temperature correspondence table in which correspondences between output voltage values of a main NTC thermistor which detects heat generated by infrared radiation from the fixing roller and the surface temperatures of the fixing roller are shown for respective output voltage values of a compensation NTC thermistor. Here, the output voltage values of the main NTC thermistor and the output voltage values of the compensation NTC thermistor are set in the temperature correspondence table so that an interval between adjacent values of the compensation temperatures corresponding to the output voltage values of the compensation NTC thermistor is smaller than an interval between adjacent values of the surface temperatures of the fixing roller which temperatures correspond to the output values of the main NTC thermistor. |
| US07881626B2 |
Image formation apparatus utilizing density of waste toner to detect amount thereof
An image formation apparatus has a waste toner accommodation unit including a toner transporting rotation member covered with a fixed pipe. As the member rotates, waste toner in the pipe is transported downstream A fin involved in detecting an amount of toner moves upward and downward with a predetermined amplitude as the member rotates. The pipe has a projection secured by an elastic member to a bottom of the waste toner accommodation unit, and when waste toner reaches the level of the pipe, the waste toner is compressed in the pipe downstream and thus increases in density, and together with the waste toner the pipe starts to rotate. As a result, the projection rotates to a position allowing it to interfere with the fin, and the fin decreases in amplitude. Such variation in amplitude is detected by a sensor and a state full of toner is thus detected. |
| US07881625B2 |
Fixing device with non-contact temperature sensor and contact temperature sensor
A fixing device of the invention detects a temperature of plural positions of a heat roller by a multiple non-contact temperature sensor at the same time and controls the temperature of plural heat source members. The non-contact temperature sensor and a contact temperature sensor detect the temperature of the same position. According to the detection result, maintenance is performed or a temperature conversion table is corrected, the non-contact temperature sensor is maintained with high precision, and the heat roller is controlled the temperature with high precision. |
| US07881619B2 |
System and method of using variable pulses for symbology
A method and system for storing and transmitting data using variable pulse characteristics to represent ASCII or UNICODE characters, of the value of a string of data using a number base higher than 2. Pulse characteristics are modified to correspond to different data values. Pulse characteristics can include pulse durations, pulse spacings, pulse amplitudes, pulse phases, pulse polarities, pulse shapes and/or other pulse characteristics. |
| US07881616B2 |
Transceiver based loop back initiation
An operational optical transceiver configured to initiate operation in loop back mode. The optical transceiver includes transmit and receive signal paths, a memory capable of having microcode written to it, and a configurable switch array that is used to connect and disconnect the two signal paths as appropriate for a desired loop back mode. The microcode is structured to cause the optical transceiver to control the configurable switch array. This allows for analysis and diagnostics of the signal data. |
| US07881615B2 |
Dynamic digital diagnostic alerts
Alerts, such as laser driver current alarms, are triggered in an optoelectronic device based on dynamic digital diagnostics, such as operating temperature. Optoelectronic devices may execute microcode structured to represent a formulaic relation between a first parameter (e.g., temperature) and an indicator value for a second parameter (e.g., laser driver current). The microcode may further be structured to cause the optoelectronic device to access the first parameter, calculate an indicator value for the second parameter based on the accessed first parameter using the formulaic relation, access the second parameter, and compare the indicator value with the second parameter to determine whether to trigger an alert. If the second parameter exceeds the indicator value, the alert may be triggered, and may be indicative of potentially imminent optoelectronic device failure. |
| US07881614B2 |
Optically connecting computer components
A central component of a processor based system, the central component including a processor and an optical interface to transmit data encoded as an optical signal to an optical interface of an external component of the processor based system, and to receive data encoded as an optical signal from the optical interface of the external component, the external component being one or more of an external peripheral device, a docking station, and a port replicator. |
| US07881612B2 |
Optical autodiscovery for automated logical and physical connectivity check between optical modules
Optical autodiscovery is provide between two optical modules to insure that when an optical signal is coupled between the two optical module, the optical signal from a first module does not interfere with operation of a second module. The autodiscovery is implemented by sending an optical identification signal from the first optical module via the coupling to the second optical module from which signal, the second optical module can verify and determined acceptance of the coupled first optical module. During this autodiscovery process, the optical identification signal from the first optical module may be attenuated or shifted in optical spectrum so as not to interfere with the operation of the second optical module. Autodiscovery may also be employed in cases where a first optical module is to receive an optical signal from a second module. |
| US07881610B2 |
Method of transmitting an optical signal in an optical transmission system and optical transmission system for implementing such a method
Described is a method of transmitting an optical signal in an optical transmission system. The method comprises: providing a length of an optical fiber having a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength, wherein the optical fiber belongs to an optical fiber group and wherein the optical fiber group comprises optical fibers having a zero chromatic dispersion wavelength comprised within a wavelength range; estimating a tolerated chromatic dispersion range; and transmitting the optical signal over the length of optical fiber at a first transmission wavelength. The method is characterized by estimating, within the wavelength range, at least one wavelength sub-range, the at least one wavelength sub-range being such that an optical signal is affected by a chromatic dispersion which is comprised within a tolerated chromatic dispersion range when the optical signal is transmitted a) at any wavelength of the at least one sub-range, and b) over any optical fiber of at least one optical fiber sub-group of the optical fiber group, wherein the first transmission wavelength is comprised within the at least one wavelength sub-range. |
| US07881607B2 |
Methods and apparatus for identifying a passive optical network failure
A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for determining a particular Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) is malfunctioning by sending a continuous stream of light up a shared fiber, which results in adversely affecting communications between the ONT and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The example embodiment verifies the failure is due to a faulty optical transmitter in the ONT and not a different network fault, such as a fiber optic line cut or power outage. Through the use of the example embodiment, a service provider can determine in an automated manner which specific ONT of a PON is malfunctioning. |
| US07881603B2 |
Dichroic aperture for electronic imaging device
A dichroic filter that for use with an electronic imaging device, such as a camera. The dichroic filter is located in the main imaging lens, and may permit all light to pass through a first portion and be measured by a photosensor, while restricting at least some portions of visible light from passing through a second portion thereof. In this manner, only the non-restricted portions of visible light passing through the second portion may be measured by the associated pixels of the photosensor. The filter may be formed from a first aperture permitting a first set of wavelengths to pass therethrough and a second aperture adjacent the first aperture, the second aperture permitting only a subset of the first set of wavelengths to pass therethrough. The second aperture may be a dichroic mirror or it may be an optical filter of some other type. |
| US07881598B1 |
Anti-shake auto-focus modular structure
An anti-shake auto-focus modular structure includes an image sensor, an auto-focus module for driving a lens to focus captured image on the image sensor; a plurality of suspension wires for suspending the auto-focus module at a position perpendicular to a light entering direction (z-axis), so that the auto-focus module is movable in an x-axis or a y-axis direction; a deviation compensation magnet assembly including at least one x-axis magnet and at least one y-axis magnet; a deviation compensation assembly including at least one x-axis driving winding and at least one y-axis driving winding corresponding to the x-axis magnet and the y-axis magnet, respectively, for producing an electromagnetic field each to drive the x-axis or the y-axis magnet and accordingly the auto-focus module to move in the x-axis or the y-axis direction for compensating a positional deviation of the auto-focus module in the x-axis or the y-axis direction. |
| US07881595B2 |
Image stabilization device and method
An imaging device and processes to provide image stabilization by controlling analog gain and integration time. Analog gain and integration time for images are determined by comparing an image in various frames, whether full frames or hidden frames, where the image is provided with differently set analog gain and integration time settings to determine settings for stabilized image capture. |
| US07881583B2 |
Playback apparatus, playback method, and playback program
A playback apparatus is capable of playing back video data at a variable speed ranging from a forward normal speed to a reverse normal speed, the video data having been encoded for compression through inter-frame compression based on predictive coding and recorded on a recording medium that allows random access. The playback apparatus includes a frame buffer configured to temporarily store video data of a plurality of frames; a target-pattern generator configured to generate a target pattern of the frame buffer for a target playback frame to be played back next; a comparator configured to compare a current state of the frame buffer with the target pattern; and a frame-buffer controller configured to extract a frame to be newly decoded and a frame no longer used in the current state of the frame buffer, on the basis of a result of the comparison by the comparator. |
| US07881581B2 |
Optical termination unit
An optical termination unit is provided for allowing an optical cable to be easily projected straight in any of five directions, including upward, downward, rightward, leftward, and rearward directions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of cable laying or the like. An end securing box 150 of the optical termination unit 100 includes a two-stage multi-tiered box structure separable to two bodies, the first stage including a clamp tray 120 and the second stage including a fusion tray 130 which is provided with a lid (lid 140) thereupon. An inlet Im (m=1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for introducing the end of a second optical cable to be embedded in a wall or a pillar is provided at each face of the enclosure. Holes H1 and H2 formed on the rear face 115 are provided for securing the end securing box 150 with a nylatch n. The end securing box 150 having a rectangular solid shape has multiple holes formed therein. This allows the end securing box 150 to be secured to a rear face 115 so as to be arbitrarily oriented on a right angle basis. |
| US07881579B2 |
Optical transmission system and dispersion-compensating optical fiber
An optical transmission system employs an optical fiber as an optical transmission path that includes a holey fiber and a dispersion-compensating optical fiber. The holey fiber includes a core region that is formed at a center of the holey fiber and a cladding region having a plurality of holes around the core region at regular intervals. The dispersion-compensating optical fiber is connected close to the holey fiber and that collectively compensates wavelength dispersion of the holey fiber at an operation wavelength in at least two wavelength bands out of O band, E band, S band, C band, and L band within a predetermined range depending on a transmission rate. |
| US07881577B1 |
Nanotube structures and methods for making and using nanotube structures
Structures and method for making, using and implementing a drawn preform from a plurality of tubes are provided. The drawn preform includes a first end of the preform defining source side of the preform and a second end of the preform defining a delivery side of the preform. At least some tubes of the plurality of tubes of the second end of the preform are drawn to a dimension of at least less than one micron in size. The drawn preform is capable of including conductors integrated with the tubes, and the conductors enable manipulation of materials (e.g., fluids, chemicals, biological samples, solids, inks, etc.) as the go through the tubes from a source end to the delivery end, or when the material is already present on a target substrate or receiving cell or material. |
| US07881573B2 |
Optical imaging probe connector
This document discusses, among other things, a connector for an optical imaging probe that includes one or more optical fibers communicating light along the catheter. The device may use multiple sections for simpler manufacturing and ease of assembly during a medical procedure. Light energy to and from a distal minimally-invasive portion of the probe is coupled by the connector to external diagnostic or analytical instrumentation through an external instrumentation lead. Certain examples provide a self-aligning two-section optical catheter with beveled ends, which is formed by separating an optical cable assembly. Techniques for improving light coupling include using a lens between instrumentation lead and probe portions. Techniques for improving the mechanical alignment of a multi-optical fiber catheter include using a stop or a guide. |
| US07881567B2 |
Optical device for monitoring a rotatable shaft with an oriented axis
An optical device for monitoring a rotatable shaft is disclosed. The optical device has an optical waveguide arranged on the rotatable shaft and an optical sensor. The optical device further has a transmitting unit transmit the light signal, a transfer device to transmit the light signal between the transmitting unit and the optical waveguide and an evaluation unit for determining a physical variable from a light signal coming from the optical sensor and transferred by the transfer device, the evaluation unit being associated with the transmitting unit. The transfer device has an optical ‘multimode’ waveguide associated with a coupling device, the waveguide being associated with the transmitting unit and a further optical ‘multimode’ waveguide, with an associated coupling device associated with the optical waveguide and arranged on the rotatable shaft eccentrically to its axis. |
| US07881566B2 |
Optical pulse generator for distributed temperature sensing operating at a characteristic wavelength in a range between 1050 nm and 1090 nm
An improved laser source for use in a distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system (and DTS systems employing the same) includes a laser device and drive circuitry that cooperate to emit an optical pulse train at a characteristic wavelength between 1050 nm and 1090 nm. An optical amplifier, which is operably coupled to the laser device, is adapted to amplify the optical pulse train for output over the optical fiber sensor of the DTS system. In the preferred embodiment, the laser device operates at 1064 nm and outputs the optical pulse train via an optical fiber pigtail that is integral to its housing. The optical power of the optical pulse train generated by the laser source is greater than 100 mW, and preferably greater than 1 W, at a preferred pulse repetition frequency range between 1 and 50 kHz, and at a preferred pulse width range between 2 and 100 ns. |
| US07881565B2 |
Device and method using asymmetric optical resonances
An optical resonator includes a reflective element and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is positioned relative to the reflective element such that light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected by the reflective element. The optical resonator has an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape that is asymmetric as a function of wavelength. |
| US07881563B2 |
Distortion correction of images using hybrid interpolation technique
The specification and drawings present a new method system, apparatus and software product for correcting a geometrical distortion of an image using a hybrid interpolation technique by a digital image processor. After calculating corrected coordinates of the pixels in the image, the interpolation of color components of the pixels can be performed by using the corrected coordinates, wherein at least one color component is interpolated using a quality which is different from quality interpolators used for other color components. |
| US07881562B2 |
Real-time spherical correction of map data
A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes steps of obtaining map data for rendering the map to be displayed on the wireless communications device, generating corrected map data by applying a spherical correction factor to the obtained map data, and rendering the corrected map data to display the map on a display of the wireless communications device. The spherical correction factor corrects for map distortions that occur at northerly (or southerly) latitudes. Since the spherical correction factor is a simple correction to a 3×3 transformation matrix, this spherical correction can be easily applied without taxing the CPU limitations of small handheld devices. |
| US07881557B2 |
Image correction method, apparatus, article and image
An image correction method able to avoid error image. According to opposite properties of black and white, only the last few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted for black correction, while only the first few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted for white correction. Further, the most significant bit of the digital signal is 1 for white correction. Therefore, the unwanted LBB effect on the scanned image caused by dust or spots on the correction document is avoided. In addition, as only a few bits of the scanned digital signal are extracted, the requirement in memory capacity is reduced. |
| US07881556B2 |
Method of image processing and device thereof
A method of image processing and a device thereof are provided in the present invention. First, an image having a plurality of regions is received, wherein each region comprises a plurality of pixels. A contrast process is performed on each region and a respective local curve of each region is analyzed, wherein the local curve is a corresponding relation between the gray-level values of the pixels in each region before and after the contrast process. Next, the gray-level value of one of the pixels in a boundary between one of the regions and the neighboring region is adjusted according to the respective local curves of the one of the regions and the neighboring region. The local contrast process towards to each region is performed for enhancing the image. Therefore, not only can the features be obvious, but the non-uniform area in the boundary between the regions also can be smoothed. |
| US07881553B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes a threshold selecting unit that selects a threshold based on an input gray-scale value of the target pixel. When a degree of flexibility is defined as representing a degree of the number of pixels that can take different output values as a result of threshold processing on the pixels with the same input gray-scale value, the threshold selecting unit selects a threshold from at least two types of thresholds associated with pixel positions and having the same period and different degrees of flexibility. |
| US07881552B1 |
Anti-flicker filter
An anti-flicker filter is described, including determining a video sequence based on designated portion of a video, selecting a plurality of video elements from the video sequence, calculating an individualized filter for each video element of the plurality of video elements based on motion in each video element, and applying the individualized filter to each video element of the plurality of video elements. |
| US07881548B2 |
Image processing method, apparatus, and computer readable recording medium on which the program is recorded
Contents of manual retouching performed on a portion of an input image are reflected to the entire portion of the image. Weighting parameters, each representing pre- and post-retouching state of a manually retouched area of a predetermined structure in a retouching target image, and pre-retouching state of the entire portion of the structure, are obtained by applying the area in pre- and post-retouching state, and the entire portion of the structure in pre-retouching state to a model that represents at least the shape of the area or the entire portion of the structure. Then, a parameter representing the entire portion of the structure after the contents of the manual retouching are reflected to the entire portion of the structure is determined based on the obtained weighting parameters, and an image of entirely reconstructed structure is generated based on the determined parameter and the model. |
| US07881546B2 |
Slab-based processing engine for motion video
Systems and methods of encoding a video signal that includes a succession of images are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of independently programmable processing elements (PEs), an input interface device adapted to receive, buffer, and divide the input video signal in a manner appropriate to the plurality of PEs, and an output interface device adapted to receive encoded bitstreams generated by the plurality of PEs and provide an encoded video signal. Each PE is configurable to carry out the steps of a selected encoding algorithm and includes a digital processor and a memory in communication with the digital processor. The memories are independently accessible, and PEs communicate with each another during the encoding. |
| US07881545B2 |
Image data compression method and image data compression device
An image data compression method includes the steps of dividing image data into predetermined regions, generating modeled data by extracting a feature of the image data for each of the regions, performing trial calculation of data quantity of compressed data that is generated by a thinning-out process in which data is thinned out from the modeled data based on a threshold value concerning the thinning-out process, determining a thinning-out threshold value that is a threshold value such that the data quantity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined target data quantity, and performing the thinning-out process based on the thinning-out threshold value so that compressed data is generated. |
| US07881543B2 |
Image compression processing device, image compression processing method, and image compression processing program
A high-frequency integrating circuit 32 detects characteristics of horizontal high-frequency components and vertical high-frequency components of the image formed by a processing-target image signal. Based on the detection result, a CPU 61 obtains the number of bits of the after-compression-coding data of the image signal, and calculates the compression rate dependent upon the number of bits. The CPU 61 controls an image codec 36 so that the processing-target image signal is compression-coded through only one time of compression coding processing by use of the calculated compression rate. This configuration allows the image compression processing (compression coding) to be rapidly executed with high accuracy. |