| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07942969B2 |
Substrate cleaning chamber and components
A substrate cleaning chamber comprises various components, such as for example, a consumable ceramic liner, substrate heating pedestal, and process kit. The consumable ceramic liner is provided for connecting a gas outlet channel of a remote gas energizer to a gas inlet channel of a substrate cleaning chamber. The substrate heating pedestal comprises an annular plate having a substrate receiving surface with a plurality of ceramic balls positioned in an array of recesses. A process kit comprises a top plate, top liner, gas distributor plate, bottom liner, and focus ring. |
| US07942966B2 |
Method of growing boron doped single crystal diamond in a plasma reactor
Synthetic monocrystalline diamond compositions having one or more monocrystalline diamond layers formed by chemical vapor deposition, the layers including one or more layers having an increased concentration of one or more impurities (such as boron and/or isotopes of carbon), as compared to other layers or comparable layers without such impurities. Such compositions provide an improved combination of properties, including color, strength, velocity of sound, electrical conductivity, and control of defects. A related method for preparing such a composition is also described, as well as a system for use in performing such a method, and articles incorporating such a composition. |
| US07942960B2 |
White ink composition and recorded material using the same
The present invention provides a white ink composition that can give a white image having excellent abrasion resistance. The white ink composition according to the invention is a white ink composition containing hollow resin particles and a polyurethane resin characteristically having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or less. |
| US07942957B2 |
Air filter having antimicrobial property
The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition having antibacterial and antifungal properties and to an air filter manufactured using the composition. The filter of the present invention, comprising a filtration media treated with the antimicrobial composition having antibacterial and antifungal properties, has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties, and thus can prevent the bacteria and fungi filtered by the filter from propagating in the filter. |
| US07942954B2 |
Method and apparatus for refreshing carbon in a carbon filter canister
Method and apparatus for refreshing carbon in a carbon filter system, preferably involving a plurality of canisters, wherein spent carbon is dumped from a filtering canister into a spent carbon container. |
| US07942953B2 |
Adsorption vessels
The present invention relates to a filtration unit containing pellets or granules of fine-particle iron oxides and/or iron oxyhydroxides with a large specific surface area, processes for their production and processes for their use in the filtration units. |
| US07942949B2 |
Method and apparatus for the recovery of refractory debris materials and ladle slags as process slags in iron metallurgy production in EAFs, and the related metering to the furnace for the formation of the process slag
A method for the recovery of refractory debris materials and ladle slags as process slags in the iron metallurgy production in EAFs and the related metering to the furnace for the formation of the process slag comprises the following steps: grinding and screening of the refractory debris materials until powders of controlled granulometry are obtained, storage of the powders in storage sites, injection of the powders into an EAF furnace by means of automatic metering of the various components. |
| US07942944B2 |
Fuel reformer and method for producing the same, electrode for use in electrochemical device, and electrochemical device
A fuel reformer which can easily achieve high weight energy density and high volume energy density, and a method for producing the fuel reformer with ease and high efficiency as well as an electrode for electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell, and an electrochemical device are provided. The present invention is to feed hydrogen obtained from a fuel reformer having a catalyst layer containing Pt for taking out hydrogen from a liquid fuel, such as methanol, and a hydrogen permeable layer, such as a Pd thin film, which is impermeable to liquid and permeable to hydrogen to an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, which comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode and a proton conductive film sandwiched therebetween. The present invention provides a method of producing the hydrogen permeable layer in the reformer by forming the hydrogen permeable layer and the catalyst layer on a base layer comprising Al or the like, and removing the base layer by dissolution. |
| US07942940B2 |
Jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using same
Provided herein are, among other things, jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the fuel compositions comprise at least a fuel component readily and efficiently produced, at least in part, from a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise a high concentration of at least a bioengineered fuel component. In further embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise a C10 bicyclic isoprenoid such as carane, pinane, sabinane or a combination thereof. |
| US07942938B2 |
Gas-resistant phtalocyanine dyes
The present invention relates to dyes of formula (1), wherein Pc is a phthalocyanine of formula (2), Me is a metal, [MePc] is a phthalocyanine-metal complex of formula (3), M+ is an inorganic or organic cation, R1 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aralkyl or unsubstituted or substituted aryl, and R2 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aralkyl or unsubstituted or substituted aryl, and n and m are each independently of the other 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, the sum of (n+m) being a number 5, 6, 7 or 8, and also to mixtures thereof, to processes for the preparation thereof and to the use thereof in dyeing or printing natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic material. |
| US07942936B2 |
Electronic system location determination
A lost or stolen computing device is recovered. A trusted server is requested to locate the computing device. The trusted server requests coarse location information from the computing device, and the computing device reports its coarse location. The trusted server then requests that the computing device transmit wireless local area networks signal so that it may be recovered. |
| US07942931B2 |
Device and method for intra-bronchial provision of a therapeutic agent
The present invention includes an intra-bronchial device, system, and method for providing a therapeutic agent to a patient. A device includes a flow control member for placement in an air passageway communicating with a lung portion, and when deployed in the air passageway inhibits a therapeutic agent distal of the control member from moving proximal of the control member, and includes the therapeutic agent associated with the flow control member. The control member may inhibit movement of the therapeutic agent by limiting airflow, and may include a one-way valve limiting exhalation of air from the lung portion. The control member may include a flexible membrane impervious to air flow, or a separator arranged to inhibit the movement of the therapeutic agent. The control member may include at least one anchor, and the anchor may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device. |
| US07942928B2 |
Valve aptation assist device
An apparatus including a tether, and an aptation device coupled to the tether at a position corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during systole, wherein the tether and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. An apparatus including a support annulus comprising a length corresponding to a circumference of one of an interior portion of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus; and an aptation device coupled to the support annulus corresponding to a location to contact cusps of an atrioventricular valve during at least one of systole when the support annulus is seated in one of an atrium and an atrioventricular valve annulus, wherein the support annulus and aptation device are suitable for percutaneous delivery to a patient. Also, a method of introducing an aptation device to contact cusps or leaflets of an atrioventricular valve. |
| US07942926B2 |
Endoprosthesis coating
An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes a chemical tie layer formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic. |
| US07942923B2 |
Overlapped stents for scaffolding, flexibility and MRI compatibility
A tubular insert for a vessel comprises an inner stent and an outer stent. At least a portion of the inner stent is disposed within the outer stent. The outer stent has a longitudinal axis and is constructed to be free of any closed loops which are electrically conductive and which are disposed about the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinal axis passes through the closed loop. The inner stent has a longitudinal axis and is constructed so as to be free of any closed loops which are electrically conductive and which are disposed about the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinal axis passes through the closed loop. There is a substantially electrically non-conductive connection between the inner and outer stents. Desirably, a wall surface is defined by the outer and inner stents, and there are no closed, electrically conductive loops in the wall surface of the tubular insert. |
| US07942920B2 |
Stent with nested fingers for enhanced vessel coverage
A stent having a lattice and defining a substantially cylindrical configuration has a first open end and a second open end. The lattice has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a plurality of adjacent hoops. Each hoop has a plurality of adjacent loops and a plurality of bridges connect adjacent hoops. A plurality of extensions are provided on the lattice. And, each of the hoops, bridges and extensions define a cell. |
| US07942918B2 |
Device for treating carpal tunnel syndrome
A device for treating a patient having carpal tunnel disease includes a neural stent formed from an elastically deformable material or one that has shape memory properties. The neural stent is in the form of a mesh which, when implanted in a patient, curls about the median nerve below the transverse carpal ligament to separate the two and relieve pressure on the nerve caused by the carpal ligament. |
| US07942917B2 |
Hollow helical stent system
A stent is formed from a hollow resilient tube shaped into a helical expanded configuration to form a substantially cylindrical prosthesis that is releasably attached to an actuation shaft for delivery to a treatment site. The stent is deliverable in a substantially linear configuration and deployed with internal fluid pressure, which is delivered through the actuation shaft, to return to the helical expanded configuration. Specifically, injection of a deployment fluid into the resilient tube that forms the stent causes the stent to revert or spring back from the substantially linear delivery configuration to the original helical configuration, and in some applications to dilate a vessel. A ring is attached to a distal end of the stent to couple the stent system to a guidewire for delivery through the vasculature. |
| US07942916B2 |
Phototreatment device for use with coolants and topical substances
Methods and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-useable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and/or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and/or container is connected to a phototreatment device and/or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed. |
| US07942912B2 |
Occipitocervical plate
Methods, systems, and kits for occipital-cervical spinal fixation are provided. A plate configured for attachment to the occipital bone has two arms extending out from either side, which turn downwards parallel to one another. A first bend is disposed in the arms, such that the arms extend down from the occipital bone behind the spinous process of the C1 and C2 vertebrae, upon installation. A second bend in the arms allows attachment to the C2 vertebra. The system may be dimensioned for pediatric installation. A bone graft material may be held in place between the cervical vertebrae and the skull by installing a cable to the installed system to retain the bone graft material in place. |
| US07942909B2 |
Thread-thru polyaxial pedicle screw system
A thread-thru polyaxial pedicle screw fastening system. The fastening system consists of an anchoring bone screw having threads on one end for use in anchoring to the screw to the spine and a spherical connector on the other end operating as a pivot point about which a U-shaped connecting assembly moves in a polyaxial fashion. The U-shaped connecting assembly, for receipt of a spinal connecting rod, has a biased retainer ring for maintaining a positive tension between the connecting assembly and the anchored screw. The system allows for an improved manufacturing step wherein the threaded shank of a bone screws can be passed through a lower portion of the connecting assembly allowing a variety of bone screw sizes to be used with a common sized connector. |
| US07942903B2 |
Bi-directional fixating transvertebral body screws and posterior cervical and lumbar interarticulating joint calibrated stapling devices for spinal fusion
A self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus is disclosed which includes at least first and second sliding boxes. A first screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body is disposed within the first sliding box, and a second screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body disposed within the second sliding box. An adjuster adjusts the height of the sliding boxes. The screw members are screwed into vertebral bodies in order to fuse the vertebral bodies together. A plurality of the self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatuses may be attached together and/or integrated via a plate or cage. Also disclosed is a cervical facet staple that includes a curved staple base and at least two prongs attached to the bottom surface of the curved staple base. |
| US07942899B2 |
Teether book
A teething toy for infants and small children is styled as an illustrated book. The toy includes a number of page-like leaves, which in the preferred embodiment are fabricated from a cloth-like material, and a number of attached teething elements. The teething elements are preferably made from a relatively hard resilient material that is textured to provide effective teething relief. In one embodiment, the teething elements are integrated into artwork that is printed on the attached page leaf. The teething toy combines effective teething relief for an infant or small child with subtle encouragement to the child that books are worthwhile objects of attention. |
| US07942897B2 |
System for closing an opening in a body cavity
A closure device closes an opening in a body cavity. The closure device includes an elongate delivery member and a closure component which is removably connected to the distal end of the delivery member. The closure component has a collapsible backing movable between a non-collapsed position and a collapsed position. The closure component also includes a plurality of fibrous tissue engaging members disposed on the backing and oriented in a non-engaging orientation when traveling in a distal direction and in an engaging orientation when traveling in a proximal direction. The fibrous tissue engaging members become entangled in the backing when the backing is in the collapsed position. |
| US07942896B2 |
Forceps and collection assembly and related methods of use and manufacture
An aspect of the invention relates to a forceps and collection assembly having multiple components and their related methods of use and manufacture. More specifically, an embodiment of the invention relates to a forceps for obtaining and collecting multiple samples in a collection assembly, such as a pouch. The forceps has multiple components including an insert cutting edge, a molded biopsy jaw, and an insert molded pouch. |
| US07942894B2 |
Embolic device delivery system
A vascular occlusion device deployment system is provided for deploying an embolic device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system includes a tubular element having a catch movably located within the tubular element. The catch has a normal open configuration and a closed configuration. When in the closed configuration, the catch grasps a headpiece of an embolic device. The tubular element has a constraining section and a releasing section. When the catch is within the constraining section of the tubular element, the constraining section acts upon the catch to keep the catch in a closed configuration. When the catch is moved to the releasing section, the catch returns to its normally open configuration and releases its grasp of the embolic device headpiece. |
| US07942893B2 |
Filter retrieval catheter
Methods and devices for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter for retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft and a housing fixed to the elongate shaft proximate a distal end thereof. A tip member is slidingly disposed within a cavity defined by the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tip member is configured such that the housing is substantially centered about the guidewire. In another preferred embodiment, the tip member is slidingly disposed within the housing, and the tip member may be moved between a first position and a second position. |
| US07942882B2 |
Ancillary tool for fitting a humeral component of an elbow prosthesis
An ancillary tool for fitting a humeral component of a total or partial elbow prosthesis, comprising a guiding tool (30) for boring a humeral trochlea (T) along a geometric axis (X-X′) of bend of a joint to be equipped with said prosthesis. The guiding tool (30) includes a stirrup element (31) and means (32b, 33b) for securing said stirrup element on the humeral trochlea (T) so that said guiding tool defines a guiding zone that is aligned in the geometric axis of bend for the introduction (F1) of a drill (40), a punch or the like, in the humeral trochlea (T) along said geometric axis of bend. This ancillary tool also comprises at least one stepped template (701, 702, 703) for determining an anterior offset of said geometric axis of bend (X-X′) with respect to a humeral diaphyseal axis (Y-Y′). |
| US07942880B2 |
Geometric replacements for defective bone
In the repair of bone voids and deficiencies, rather than forming a planar, angled surface that could result in a “slip plane,” an implant features a defined geometric pattern such as a stair-step, which mates with a corresponding stair-step pattern formed on the bone. Screws or alternative fasteners extend through one or more of the stair-step patterns, and into the bone, such that local interface around each fastener is substantially transverse to the axis of the fastener, thereby achieving a set of effective, compression bond. As such, shear stresses that might be associated with an angled, planar fixation are converted to compressive forces, leading to a longer life and a reduced need for revision. Although in the preferred embodiment the plurality of surfaces defines a stair-step having right angles, other geometric patterns are applicable, so long as an irregular defect may be made more regular, and/or compressive forces are used to prevent shear stress. Cementation for may be used for fixation, and/or bone in-growth/on-growth. Although the invention is described in terms of the repair of a deficient acetabulum, the general idea is applicable to any region of the bone including, without limitation, glenoid repair, and tibial repair. |
| US07942879B2 |
Minimally invasive bone miller apparatus
A milling system is disclosed for creating a cavity in a bone. The cavity has a cross section which has a generally triangular profile having a first side generally parallel with an axis of the bone and a second side forming an acute angle with the first side. The cavity is contiguous with a pre-existing conical cavity in the bone. The system comprises a drive shaft, a frame for carrying a cutter and a cutter for cutting the cavity. The drive shaft has a proximal end configured for coupling to a drive means and a distal end configured to form a portion of a drive joint for coupling the drive shaft to a cutter. The frame includes a shaft and a cutter mount for mounting a cutter at a first angle approximating the acute angle with respect to the shaft. The mount includes a bracket extending laterally from the shaft to a bearing configured to receive a portion of a cutter and maintain the received cutter oriented at the first angle during rotation. The cutter has a head configured to form a portion of a drive joint for coupling the cutter to a drive shaft. The drive shaft is coupled to the cutter to form the drive joint. The cutter is received in the mount at the first angle and the drive shaft forms a second angle with the longitudinal axis less than the first angle. |
| US07942878B2 |
Two members cerclage tool
A cerclage tool for placement of a wire around a bone for internal fixation of the bone comprising a first member having a handle portion, a central portion and a first bent tube portion and a second member having a handle portion, a central portion and a second bent tube portion. The first member and the second member are configured and adapted to be inserted separately through an incision into soft tissue surrounding the bone and subsequently joined together after insertion such that the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion form a continuous tube that encircles the bone. |
| US07942871B2 |
Device for ablating body tissue
A cardiac ablation system including an ablation catheter having an anchor adapted to support the ablation catheter within an atrium of a heart and an ultrasound emitter disposed radially outward from a rotation axis and from the anchor, and a control mechanism adapted to rotate the ultrasound emitter about the rotation axis and to provide ablation energy to the ultrasound emitter to ablate heart tissue. |
| US07942866B2 |
Device for treating a wound
A medical device that seals a wound and facilitates wound drainage with suction is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a suction portion, having both an inlet valve and an outlet valve, for suctioning fluids from the wound, and a sealing portion for sealing the wound by engaging the skin adjacent the wound, the suction portion and sealing portion being integral with one another. A method for draining a wound comprises the steps of under-packing the wound with a packing material; sealing the wound; and applying suction to the wound to promote wound drainage and to promote intimate contact between the wound and the packing material. |
| US07942861B2 |
Fluid container with access port and safety cap
An access port for a medical fluid container is provided and in one embodiment includes a shell and a perforator located within the shell, the perforator including an end configured to pierce a medical fluid container. The access port also includes a safety cap, the safety cap initially preventing the perforator from rotating relative to the plane of the container or piercing the container film. The safety cap is manually removable to enable the perforator to pierce the medical fluid container. The shell includes a pair of hinged moving arms and members hinged to the arms. The members push the perforator towards the medical fluid container when the arms are pushed downwardly. |
| US07942857B2 |
Sanitary absorbent article assembly including an integrated disposal sheet
The present invention relates to sanitary absorbent articles and in particular to a sanitary absorbent article assembly including an integrated disposal sheet for disposal of a soiled absorbent article. |
| US07942856B2 |
Post surgical drain facilitator gown
A garment for securing and storing bodily fluid drainage reservoirs and other fluid reservoirs. The garment comprises a loose-fitting body with at least one small aperture for receiving drainage tubing and at least one pocket cloth partly fixed to the body of the garment and partly detachably coupled to the body of the garment which allows for the easy storage and removal of the fluid drainage reservoir. The pocket cloth allows for the continuing support of the drainage reservoir as the drainage reservoir becomes heavier e.g. about 1 kilogram, due to the collection of fluid draining from the patient into the drainage reservoir. The secure storage of the drainage reservoir enables the wearer to move without worry of the drainage reservoir coming loose, losing fluid, or being exposed to a non-sterile environment external to the pocket cloth. The garment may be configured for wear by male and female children and adults. |
| US07942850B2 |
Balloons and balloon catheter systems for treating vascular occlusions
A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventional guidewires beyond partially or fully occluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in the vasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximal tapers is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons are preferably useful with crossing balloon catheter systems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferably reduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall of other body passage in which it is used. |
| US07942846B2 |
Needleless syringe using supersonic gas flow for particle delivery
A needleless syringe having a membrane (28) which is ruptured by gas pressure to generate a supersonic gas flow in which particles containing a therapeutic agent are injected. |
| US07942838B2 |
Compression garment
An apparatus for applying pressure to a body part includes one or more bands of compressible or non-compressible material. |
| US07942835B2 |
System and method for providing therapeutic treatment using a combination of ultrasound and vibrational stimulation
A system and method are disclosed for providing therapeutic treatment using a combination of ultrasound and vibrational stimulation. The system includes a first therapeutic treatment system or Dynamic Motion Therapy system having a vibrational assembly having a non-rigidly supported platform for generating resonant vibrations. The system further includes a second therapeutic treatment system configured to operate either alone or in conjunction with the first therapeutic treatment system. The second therapeutic treatment system includes an ultrasound transducer assembly which generates ultrasonic waves. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic waves are modulated by the resonant vibrations. One method includes: a) applying vibrational stimulation to a patient's body; and b) simultaneously or non-simultaneously applying an ultrasonic stimulation to the patient's body during a treatment session. |
| US07942832B2 |
Medical guide wire
A medical guide wire includes a core wire having a distal portion, and a cover portion formed of a resin for covering at least the distal portion of the core wire, and is provided with a distal shape portion having a curved portion, wherein the distal portion of the core wire includes a tapered portion continuously varied in outside diameter, and a distal flexible portion provided on the distal side of the tapered portion, and the wire diameter variation rate at the tapered portion is 40 to 55%. |
| US07942830B2 |
Ipsilateral approach to minimally invasive ligament decompression procedure
A method for treating spinal stenosis is disclosed. The method can include generating a view of a portion of the spinal canal and compressing the dural sac by injecting a fluid to form a safety zone and establish a working zone, wherein the safety zone can be between the working zone and the dural sac. The method can also include percutaneously accessing the epidural space on a first side of the median plane, inserting a tissue removal tool into tissue in the working zone on the first side of the median plane, and using the tissue removal tool to percutaneously reduce a stenosis on the first side of the median plane. |
| US07942829B2 |
Biopsy planning and display apparatus
Systems are provided for managing, planning and displaying the location of biopsy core sites across multiple same-patient visits or other stored biopsy plans to increase the confidence and accuracy of biopsy results. The systems may allow the operator to fuse multiple predefined and/or automatically generated biopsy core site plans in addition to previous biopsy sites with a current prostate image to assist in creating a final new biopsy core site plan. Further, the system may allow the operator to selectively view singular parts of the final plan to simplify the planning process. Further, the systems may assist the operator during the navigation phase of the biopsy by hiding biopsy core sites from the final plan that are not of immediate interest during the biopsy phase and thereby reducing clutter and distraction during biopsy sample acquisition. |
| US07942822B1 |
Implantable medical device with sleep apnea detection control and method
A method for use in an implantable medical device comprises the steps of monitoring respiration with an amplifier having a gain, generating a moving apneic threshold based on recent respiration cycles, accumulating differences between amplitudes of respiration cycles and the moving apnea detection threshold and comparing the accumulated differences against an apnea detection threshold to detect the onset of an episode of apnea. The method further comprises measuring respiration levels upon detecting the onset of apnea, confirming the episode of apnea based upon the respiration levels measured upon detecting the onset of apnea; and adjusting one of the gain of the amplifier and the apnea detection threshold so that the time from the detection of onset of apnea to the time of confirmation of the episode of apnea is within a predetermined time range following the detection of the onset of apnea. |
| US07942813B2 |
Detachable endotracheal camera
A low cost camera and radio frequency transmitter are detachably coupled to an endotracheal tube to obtain an image in real time of tissue at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The image recorded by the camera is transmitted to a low cost radio frequency receiver nearby and conveyed to a video monitor to display the image. The use of a wireless transmission system avoids the presence of wires and cords that otherwise might become entangled and cause the endotracheal tube to be inadvertently repositioned or pulled out of the patient. |
| US07942811B2 |
Capsulated medical equipment
A capsulated body having a facility, which acquires biomedical information through endoscopic examination or the like, incorporated therein is inserted into a duct within a living body. Whether the capsulated body has halted for a certain period of time is detected from the time-varying position of the capsulated body or a time-passing change in an image. If it is judged that the capsulated body has halted at a stenosed region or the like, the fact is notified so that the capsulated body can be collected immediately. |
| US07942808B1 |
Method of implanting a penile prosthesis
A method of providing a patient having a predetermined corporotomy length with an implant having a length that is sized for the predetermined corporotomy length is disclosed. The method includes providing a penile implant having a delivered length that is approximately equal to the predetermined corporotomy length and comprising a distance that extends from a distal end of a distal tip to a proximal end of a proximal tip assembly, the proximal tip assembly providing a first proximal tip diameter. The method additionally includes reducing the first proximal tip diameter to a smaller implantable proximal tip diameter. |
| US07942804B2 |
Replaceable expandable transmyocardial ventricular assist device
A novel ventricular assist device is disclosed comprising a pump unit and a motor unit. The pump unit is made up of an impeller, an impeller housing, and a shaft. The impeller and/or the impeller housing are expandable, allowing for custom fitting and positioning of the pump unit within the ventricle. In certain embodiments, the shaft is adjustable, allowing for further customization of fit. |
| US07942800B2 |
Centrifugal separator and analyzer provided with same
The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator (5) including a rotor (51) which pivotally supports a container (9) including an upper opening (90B) and which is to be rotated to apply a centrifugal force to the container (9). The rotor (51) includes an evaporation preventer (55A) for preventing separation target liquid contained in the container (9) from evaporating when the rotor (51) is rotated. The evaporation preventer (55A) includes a standing wall (55Ab) which is positioned in front of the upper opening (90B) when the container (9) is pivoted by rotating the rotor (51). |
| US07942799B1 |
Knee joint flexure progression meter
A knee joint flexure progression meter and system. The knee joint flexure meter has an elongated progression meter bar with a major axis, an upper surface, a lower surface having a longitudinal recess therein, and a plurality of spaced apart indicia disposed on the upper surface thereof. A crossbar is disposed perpendicularly to the progression meter bar major axis. The crossbar is both adjustable and removable with respect to the progression meter bar. The crossbar is dimensioned smaller than the recess in the progression meter bar, so that the crossbar can be contained within the recess. A mechanism is provided for containing the crossbar within the progression meter bar for transportation or temporary storage. |
| US07942798B2 |
Resistance arrangement of a waist-twisting machine
A resistance arrangement of a waist-twisting machine, wherein the waist-twisting machine includes a rotating disc for the lower limb of the operator to stand thereon and swiveled under application of force, a rotating handlebar for the upper limb of the operator to hold thereon and swiveled under application of force, and a coupling mechanism for synchronically and reversely coupling the rotating disc and the rotating handlebar. Moreover, a resistance-adjustable apparatus is interposed between the bottom base and the upright rod transmission shaft. |
| US07942797B1 |
Balance board for pipe roller
A balance board includes an elongated, generally rigid board having a top surface, a bottom surface, and upwardly-angled distal ends and upwardly-angled side edges. The bottom surface of the board has a center plane that extends longitudinally between areas of the bottom surface proximate the upwardly-angled distal ends. The width of the center plane is defined by the upwardly-angled side edges. The bottom surface of the board is at least partially coated with a frictional material. A balance board system includes a cylindrical roller, preferably having a uniform cross-sectional size and shape along its length. The roller is formed of a smooth, rigid material. The system allows extreme tricks and moves by a rider of the board on the roller. |
| US07942796B2 |
Stability ball control device with radial control surfaces of increasing widths
An exercise device for controlling the rolling movement of a stability ball during exercise. The exercise device has a central base, a plurality of rib-like structures radiating from the central base, each rib-like structure having at least one wing, formed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the exterior surface of the rib-like structure and protruding outward at a variable distance, and an annular-shaped band connected to each rib-like structure such that the central base, the plurality of rib-like structures, and the annular-shaped band form a cup-like enclosure. A partial, bottom portion of the stability ball is seated securely in the cup-like enclosure. The at least one wing of each rib-like structure is shaped such that it provides an incremental resistance against the rolling movement of the exercise ball as the ball is rolled along a substantially flat surface. |
| US07942793B2 |
Adjustable resistance exercise device
A resistance exercise device enables resistance training by using one or more retractable cables that provide resistance to the user when the user pulls on the cable(s). The resistance exercise device provides a retraction force to retract the cable(s), which is independent of a resistance force applied to the cable(s). The resistance exercise device may thus allow adjustment of the resistance force without affecting the retraction force. |
| US07942791B1 |
Device and method for holding striking targets for use in the practice of martial arts
A board holding device for practicing a martial art and its associated method of use. The board holding device includes a framework that has a plurality of vertical rails. The vertical rails define sides of at least two striking planes. Connectors are disposed along each of the vertical rails. The connectors are used to selectively join striking boards to the vertical rails at any point along the vertical rails. In this manner, multiple striking boards can be placed across any or all of the striking planes. The striking boards can also be placed on the outside of the framework or on the inside of the framework. Thus, the striking boards can be arranged to be broken with a pushing blow or a pulling blow. The device enables a martial artist to arrange multiple striking targets at any position within multiple striking fields. |
| US07942790B2 |
Roller trainer assembly with safeguards
Bicycle rollers that include a frame and front and rear rollers mounted in the frame, each having two lateral ends. Also, a pair of bumper/rollers are mounted on the frame adjacent both sides of the front roller. They are mounted so as to be horizontally rotatable, thereby acting to constrain a wheel of a bicycle supported by the front roller from moving laterally off the roller, while not stopping rotation of the bicycle wheel. |
| US07942787B2 |
Exercise machine
An exercise device providing a fore and aft horizontal component of striding motion that is dynamically user-defined, while providing a vertical component of the motion that is maintained on a predetermined vertically reciprocating path in some embodiments. The exercise device guides the user's foot in a pseudo-elliptical stride path, while providing a dynamically variable stride length that allows the user to move with a natural stride length. The exercise device allows tall and short users to extend or curtail the stride length to match their natural stride lengths. The length of the reciprocating path is dynamically adjusted during the exercise operation without equipment adjustments by changes in the length of the stride input by the user at a pair of foot engagement pads disposed on laterally spaced apart foot support members. |
| US07942784B1 |
Sports specific training program application
A sports specific training program application for creating a customizable training program for an athlete of a particular sport. The sports specific training program application includes a user interface preferably connected to and accessible through a network, the user interface allows a user to input user information to correlate with a particular athletic event into one or more user databases. The user information is matched with targeted exercises from an exercise database using training program logic and the resultant training program is outputted to the user, wherein the training program may be outputted in online, printed, or electronic file formats. The user may also input results from performing the training program into the user interface to receive a scorecard of processed results which details progress and history of the user's exercises and goals and for developing subsequent training programs. The present invention may be a stand-alone program without the network. |
| US07942781B2 |
High-efficiency vehicular transmission
A high-efficiency vehicular transmission is provided. The transmission includes a transmission housing, a set of torque delivery elements which include first and second elements supported for rotation within the housing and an electric motor for changing angular velocity of at least one of the elements in response to an electrical signal during a shift to obtain a desired transmission ratio. At least one non-friction controllable coupling assembly has a coupling state for coupling the first element to either the second element or the housing and an uncoupling state for uncoupling the first element from either the second element or the housing, respectively. The at least one coupling assembly is non-hydraulically controlled to change state to maintain the desired transmission ratio. |
| US07942780B2 |
Electronic locking differential with direct locking state detection system
An axle assembly with an electronic locking differential that employs a locking mechanism having components that are fixed to one another along an axis such that they co-translate with one another when the actuator that effects the locking and unlocking of the differential is operated. |
| US07942778B2 |
Hydromechanical variable speed transmission
A hydromechanical variable speed transmission (1) including outer and inner differential gear trains each having a carrier carrying planet pinions meshing with two coaxial side gears, the side gears of the outer differential gear train being ring gears one of which is an input ring gear (11) and the other (52) of which rotatably drives the planet pinion carrier of the inner differential gear train, the side gears of the inner differential gear train respectively rotatably driving two coaxial output shafts which extend axially outwards through the ring gears (11, 52) of the outer differential gear train, the planet pinion carrier (14) of the outer differential gear train rotatably driving a hydraulic motor (2) which is fluidly coupled by a hydraulic circuit to rotatably drive a hydraulic pump (3) having a pump control for changing the displacement of the hydraulic pump (3) in response to rotation thereof, wherein the pump control is fixed from rotation to thereby isolate the input ring gear (11) from torque recirculation. |
| US07942775B2 |
Drive apparatus for vehicle
A vehicle drive apparatus includes a first electric motor, a power distributing mechanism, a second electric motor, and a step-variable power transmission. A power transmitting portion includes a second case, accommodating the second electric motor and the automatic power transmission. One end of an input shaft of the automatic power transmission faces a drive apparatus output shaft, which is supported with a first support wall mounted on the second case, the second electric motor being accommodated in a compartment opposite to the automatic power transmission with respect to the first support wall, and one end of a second rotor supporting shaft of the second electric motor faces the automatic power transmission, which is supported with a second support wall mounted on the second case. The automatic power transmission and second electric motor can be unitized as one power transmitting portion, improving assembling workability of the drive apparatus. |
| US07942774B2 |
Electrical motor reducer for operating an eccentric cam
The present invention relates to a cam actuator which adopts an epicyclic reducer housed inside the eccentric cam supporting pivot, where is also provided a housing compartment for the electrical motor, whose pinion is perfectly coaxial with the axis of the epicyclic reducer and with the axis of said supporting pivot. |
| US07942768B2 |
Electrically operated derailleur that re-engages a disengaged derailleur force overload clutch
A derailleur includes a motor that drives a drive member, a driven member driven by the drive member, and a clutch having a first element that disengages from a second element when substantial resistance exists in a power transmission path between the drive member and the driven member. An apparatus for controlling the derailleur comprises a re-engage command receiving circuit and a re-engagement circuit, wherein the re-engage command receiving circuit receives a re-engage command signal to re-engage the first element with the second element when the first element is disengaged from the second element, and the re-engagement circuit re-engages the first element with the second element in response to the re-engage command signal. |
| US07942763B2 |
Basketball rim visual target device
A visual target device includes a target object and a suspension member or cord. The visual target device can be suspended within a basketball rim to provide a point of focus for a basketball player while shooting. The target object is smaller than the basketball rim such that the shooter has a more precise target to aim at. The target object is typically suspended from the rim at or below the level of the rim such that the target object does not prevent the basketball from entering the rim. The target object can be suspended from the rim by an elastic cord or other elastic means such that the target object can be pushed aside as the basketball enters the rim. The suspension cord can include a vertical component for properly positioning the target object below the rim. |
| US07942762B2 |
GPS device
A golf GPS device is disclosed herein. The device includes a GPS unit, a memory for storing a plurality of aerial images of a golf course, a display for displaying the plurality of aerial images, a user input for inputting a plurality of location points on an aerial image of the plurality of aerial images displayed on the display, and a processor comprising means for collision avoidance of features on the display of the device. |
| US07942760B2 |
Transitioning hollow golf clubs
The present invention relates to a set of golf club irons in which some of the club heads have a hollow space, and some of the club heads do not have a hollow space. The hollow space is preferably defined by a lower portion of the front face, a portion of the sole, and a rear wall. The presence of the hollow space moves the club head center of gravity back (away from the face) and down (toward the sole), making it easier to get a golf ball airborne. The volumes of the hollow spaces generally transition or get progressively smaller with an increase in the club loft angle, thus altering the center of gravity location and moments of inertia by different amounts for different clubs. The hollow spaces may be empty or filled, in whole or part. |
| US07942758B2 |
Head for golf putter and golf putter
A golf putter (2) includes a head (4), a grip (6) and a shaft (8). The head (4) has a head body (h1) formed of a metal and a face member (f1) formed by an elastic material. A front surface (Ff) of the face member (f1) constitutes at least a part of a face surface (10). A siping (s1) is provided on a back surface (Bf) of the face member (f1). The siping (s1) is not provided on the front surface (Ff) of the face member (f1). It is preferable that the siping (s1) should be extended with bending. It is preferable that a ratio (Ds/Tf) of a depth (Ds) of the siping (s1) to a thickness (Tf) of the face member (f1) should be equal to or higher than 0.2 and should be equal to or lower than 0.8. It is preferable that a width (Ws) of the siping (s1) should be equal to or smaller than 1.0 mm. |
| US07942756B1 |
Golf tool with insert
A golf tool capable of performing multiple manipulation tasks associated with the play of the game of golf has a body of a first material and inserts of a second material. The inserts are user removable and replaceable relative to the body of the golf tool. The inserts will be associated with tasks which require a relatively strong and durable material in order to ensure an acceptable life span for performance of their respective tasks. Cutting or scrapping operations are such tasks. The use of durable inserts provide for the body of the golf tool to be considerable less expensive to manufacture using lighter and softer materials than that material utilized for the inserts. Replacement of the insert with a replacement insert, supplied with the golf tool, is an option when the respective deployed insert becomes worn or dull. Removal of certain inserts provide for easier sharpening of cutting edges. |
| US07942755B2 |
Core connector putting stroke trainer
A golf training apparatus is used in combination with a golf putter to train a golfer to execute a putting stroke keeping the golfer's core in the same relative position to the golfer's hands. The apparatus includes a parabolic shaped yoke member having an arcuate inner edge for engagement across the lower torso of a golfer. An adjustable length connector member connects the yoke member to the golf putter. |
| US07942754B1 |
Golf green for a patio
A golf green for a patio, deck, floor, substrate or supporting surface with access from below to cut a hole therein includes a U-shaped cup retaining structure mounted to the substrate underside adjacent the hole and into which a cup is slidably inserted and seated in alignment with the hole and the cup having a passageway into which a plug is inserted with the plug having a through hole for receiving the lower end of the golf flag staff, a plurality of ring inserts for placement within the cup to alter the cup diameter and refine golf putting practice, a cover for placement over the cup to conceal the hole so that the substrate, such as the patio, can be safely traversed, and a ball collection apparatus disposed underneath the substrate and into which balls fall by gravity for collection and eventual retrieval. |
| US07942753B2 |
Play apparatus with integrated sound producing mechanism
A sound producing play apparatus includes a support structure, an air compression system, a movable member, and a sound generating mechanism. In operation the air compression system harnesses energy from a user's movement of the movable member to create a forced supply of wind. The wind is then passed through a series of tubes and air reservoirs to a sound producing mechanism to create the desired sound. The air compression system includes an air compressor that is positioned inside a portion of the support structure to protect the air compressor from damage. |
| US07942749B2 |
Damper mechanism
A damper mechanism (4) includes a first flywheel (2), an intermediate rotating body (44) arranged to be rotatable with respect to the first flywheel (2), a second flywheel (3) arranged to be rotatable with respect to the intermediate rotating body (44), a first damper (8) having a plurality of first coil springs (41) elastically coupling the first flywheel (2) and the intermediate rotating body (44) in a rotation direction, and a second damper (9) elastically coupling the intermediate rotating body (44) and the second flywheel (3) in the rotation direction and that begins operating at a torque that is lower than the minimum operating torque of the first damper (8). The first coil springs (41) are accommodated between the first flywheel (2) and the second flywheel (3) in a state of having been compressed in the rotation direction. |
| US07942744B2 |
Virtual input system
For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input. |
| US07942733B2 |
Slot machine that sets free game when predetermined condition is satisfied
A slot machine includes: a display device that is defined with a plurality of symbol display areas in which one of a plurality of types of symbols including a special symbol is displayed; an operation unit; and a game controller that operates to: accept a bet of a game value on any one or more of a plurality of bet areas; determine the symbols to be displayed stopped in each of the symbol display areas; control the display device to display the determined symbols stopped in each of the symbol display areas after being variably displayed; set a free game for the bet areas on which the bet is accepted and the special symbol is displayed stopped; and accept a next bet on any one or more of the bet areas for which the free game is not set. |
| US07942730B2 |
De-skinner for poultry parts
The present invention relates to a de-skinner for poultry-parts. In one exemplary embodiment, the deskinner includes an infeed for the poultry parts, a processing device for removing the skin from the poultry parts, and a discharge for the processed poultry parts. Receptacles are provided for receiving the poultry parts from the infeed. The receptacles are connected to a conveyor-line for transporting the receptacles with the poultry parts to the processing device for removing the skin from the poultry parts. The receptacles are equipped with pressing means for pressing the poultry parts into intimate contact with the processing device. |
| US07942720B1 |
Animated “peek-a-boo” stuffed toy creature
A child's stuffed teddy bear embodiment is made with arms that are animated by an internal electronically-controlled electric motor. The paws at the ends of arms are normally located initially so as to cover the bear's eyes, with the head inclined slightly and the eyes downcast. When a child approaches the bear within a predetermined distance, a built-in proximity sensor initiates the bear's built-in animation system to move the arms so as to remove the hands from the eyes, incline the head upwardly and immediately speak a phrase such as “peek-a-boo” generated by a built-in speech synthesizer, audio amplifier and loudspeaker. Then the cycle is completed by returning to the initial condition: the end of the paws again covering the eyes and the head inclining downwardly. |
| US07942719B2 |
Miniature toy for supporting doll on a bicycle
A fully functional miniature toy bicycle is sized and configured to receive and support a doll in a typical riding posture. Apparatus secures the toy bicycle to the host bicycle handle bars in a releasable attachment. |
| US07942715B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides an organic light emitting device in which an upper transparent electrode 10 of an organic light emitting device 2 is connected electrically at a contact hole portion 122 to a current supply line 121 disposed in the same layer as that of and extending in parallel with a gate line 106. That is, a hole transport layer 5 and an electron transport layer 9 of the organic light emitting device 2 are formed over the entire display region, and then a contact hole portion 122 is removed to electrically connect the current supply line 121 and the upper transparent electrode 10, thereby decreasing unevenness of luminance due to wiring resistance of the upper transparent electrode. |
| US07942708B2 |
Electrical connector and terminal for electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a housing and a terminal. The housing includes a terminal hole and a lance portion disposed in the terminal hole. The lance portion includes a guide surface; an engaging front edge surface; and a regulated surface. The terminal includes a contact portion; a connection portion; an engaging portion; a curved portion; and a regulating portion. The engaging portion pushes the guide surface to deform and is guided with the guide surface when the terminal is inserted into the terminal hole. When the terminal is completely fitted in the terminal hole, the engaging portion faces the engaging front edge surface and engages the lance portion. |
| US07942706B1 |
Configurable power distribution block
A configurable distribution block assembly includes a base member, a plurality of input terminals mounted to the base assembly, a plurality of output terminals mounted to the base assembly, and an insert, wherein the insert serves as an electrical bridge between at least two of the plurality of input terminals when the distribution block assembly is configured as the distribution block and the insert prohibits an electrical bridge between each of the plurality of input terminals when the distribution block assembly is configured as the power-ground combination block. In another aspect of the invention, a power distribution system includes a power source, a primary power wire, a primary ground wire, a distribution block assembly electrically connected to the power source by the primary power wire and the primary ground wire, and a plurality of electronic components electrically connected to the distribution block assembly. |
| US07942695B1 |
Cable end connector
A cable end connector includes a tubular connection member having a coupling portion, a core tube having a stop flange mounted in the coupling portion, a barbed flange and a coupling portion, a plastic outer tubular member having a front tubular coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion, a rear tubular body and an annular packing portion for engaging the coupling portion of the core tube, a retaining sleeve fastened to the rear tubular body, and an insulative holder block mounted in the core tube to hold a metal center pin for the connection of the center conductor of a coaxial cable. |
| US07942690B2 |
Cable positioner
A cable positioner is formed integrally with a connector and/or a plug, or is shaped and sized to matingly engage a connector and/or a plug. The connector cable positioner can define at least one groove. The groove is sized to secure the cable in a desired position and direct it in a desired direction. The positioner may define at least one retaining tab, or lip, at the extent of at least one groove wall to produce an interference fit with the cable when pushed through the retaining tab, while surrounding the groove enough to effectively create a groove wall more than 180 degrees around the grove to retain the cable in the groove. The at least one tab can pinch, or otherwise secure, at least a portion of the cable to hold the cable in desired position and direction. |
| US07942688B2 |
Locking device
The invention proposes a locking device for a two-part connector housing. This locking device consists of two locking elements in connection with an actuating handle. The locking elements respectively consist of a one-piece wire element and feature on one end a part that is shaped in the form of an open eyelet and serves for encompassing a bearing pin of a first connector housing half. On the other end, they feature a part that is shaped in the form of an indentation and serves for producing a snap connection with a locking pin of the second connector housing half. Since the locking elements are manufactured of a flexible spring steel wire, they can be elastically bent such that they can be pushed over the bearing pins of an existing connector housing half and engaged at this location in order to allow the retrofitting of an already installed connector with a locking device with superior environmental resistance. |
| US07942686B2 |
Electrical barrier and moisture seal for an implanted medical device
Multiple seals, internal to a connector block, provide for connecting an implantable medical device and an implanted cable or lead. The forces to engage sealing or releasing the seals are derived from a mechanism so they can be relaxed to permit ease of insertion or withdrawal of a lead, or can be increased to tightly seal against fluid migration, and to provide an electrical insulation between adjacent conductors of the lead and connector block. During implant of the medical device, the lead is inserted and a shaft is rotated with a tool to engage the seals. Later, the seals can be released by rotating the control shaft in the opposite direction to allow extraction of the lead from the connector block. The seals therefore are able to provide improved sealing without increasing the insertion or the extraction forces for the lead. |
| US07942683B2 |
Electrical bushing with radial interposer spring
An electrical bushing connects a power distribution component with a power line. The electrical bushing includes a connection terminal that is configured to connect with the power distribution component. A core component of the electrical bushing defines a socket that is configured to receive a contact pin associated with the power line. The electrical bushing also includes a radial interposer spring that is configured to complete an electrical connection between the contact pin and the core component when the contact pin is inserted into the socket. |
| US07942677B2 |
Conductive contact and conductive contact unit
A conductive contact includes a first contacting element that is brought into contact with one of different circuitries; a second contacting element that is brought into contact with another one of the different circuitries; a resilient element that is interposed between the first contacting element and the second contacting element to be expandable and contractible in a longitudinal direction; a first connecting element that connects the resilient element and the first contacting element; and a second connecting element that connects the resilient element and the second contacting element, and has an opening penetrating therethrough in a through-thickness direction. At least a portion of the resilient element is shorter than the first connecting element and the second connecting element in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the through-thickness direction. |
| US07942676B2 |
Human spine model
This invention relates generally to the field of anatomical models and more specifically to a human spine model. The disclosed human spine model includes a plurality of rigid disks each having radial elongate members that represent vertebrae, a plurality of resilient disks that represent spinal disks and a plurality of elastic band members that represent connecting muscle, all mounted on top of a housing. The rigid disks are alternately interspersed with the resilient disks thereby forming a column. The rigid disks and the resilient disks each have a centrally located aperture. The resilient disks are translucent and each have an LED imbedded within. When a rotary knob is rotated by a user a take up spindle within the housing pulls on a flexible cable traveling through the center of the disks causing a pre recorded audio message and the LED's to activate and causing the resilient disks to compress and bulge outward. The elastic bands connect one elongate member to another simulating muscle tissue. |
| US07942673B2 |
Dental obturator
Dental obturators are used in the preparation of root canals in teeth. The subject obturators are so constructed that they bind at a particular distance into the canal, thereby precluding possible damage at the end of the canal. The obturator is used for positioning of a sealing material placed on a carrier portion of the obturator into the root canal. Disclosed are a variety of structural configurations on a tapered surface of the carrier portion is disclosed. |
| US07942671B2 |
Method for preparing a physical plaster model
The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image. |
| US07942670B2 |
Locking system for screws for dental implants and the like
Disclosed is a means of locking the head of a screw to an abutting area. This is depicted in (FIG. 5) reference numeral (52) whereby the screw-head is locked in place to the abutting area (26) via filling void areas (56) and (32) with plasticized materials which then become solid. The voids are such that the head of the screw (52) cannot be located in any position in relation to the abutting area (26) but that some voids and some metal projections approximate each other, partial or complete. The locking material becomes a part of a seal to the septic area of the dental implant system (FIG. 6), (56) and (52). The septic area seal (FIG. 2) is completed with a small layer of sealing cement in that area between the abutment (26) distal end (44) and the proximal end of the implant body (24). |
| US07942668B2 |
Drill template arrangement
A drilling assembly is provided for drilling a hole into a zygoma of a patient. The assembly can comprise a template, an extension unit, a drill guide unit, and first and second drills. The template can be configured for orientation within a patient's mouth and can comprise a guide sleeve having a longitudinal axis extending towards the zygoma when fitted on the patient. The extension unit can include a central bore and be slideably received within the guide sleeve. The drill guide unit can also include a central bore of a different diameter than that of the extension unit. The first drill can be slideably received within the central bore of the guide sleeve. The second drill can have an outer diameter different than that of the first drill and can be configured to be slideably received with the central bore of the drill guide unit. |
| US07942662B2 |
Rotary press
A rotary press wherein the dosage drive and the compression roller drive have identical installation means, the stand has an upper and a lower accommodation platform and the accommodation platforms have identical accommodation means for the installation means on the sides facing each other, which are in a coincident arrangement with respect to each other. |
| US07942661B2 |
Bifurcated balloon folding method and apparatus
A balloon folding system specifically configured to reduce a side branch balloon of a bifurcated balloon catheter assembly includes a die that defines at least one chamber for receipt of the sidebranch balloon, and at least one pin sized to fit into the chamber and reduce the balloon to a substantially flattened state. The system also may include a housing for the reduction and folding of a primary branch balloon. The system is configurable to fold and reduce both branches simultaneously or separately. |
| US07942656B2 |
Compressor and device for reducing vibration therefor
A compressor and device for reducing vibration therefor is provided herein. The compressor includes a compression device having a compression chamber, and configured to receive, compress, and output a refrigerant, a drive motor configured to rotate the compression device to compress a refrigerant within the compression chamber, and a torsional vibration absorbing device attached to the motor and configured to absorb torsional vibration. |
| US07942653B2 |
Electric shower-waste pump and control unit
An electric shower-waste pump and control unit for pumping run-off shower water from a waste outlet to a drain, the unit comprising a housing having a first chamber and a separate second chamber which is water-tightly sealable, a removable housing cover for closing the housing, an electric pump provided in the first chamber, electronic control circuitry provided in the second chamber, and a removable second chamber cover for water-tightly sealing the second chamber against ingress of water leakage from the pump. |
| US07942647B2 |
Pump for supplying chemical liquids
An opening 22d of a supply/withdrawal passage 22b is positioned at the center part of the internal wall surface 22c of the operating chamber 26 (concave area 22a), and a pin 24 that protrudes toward the diaphragm 23 is provided in a position that is offset from the center of the wall surface 22c. When the diaphragm 23 is deformed toward the operating chamber 26 by the suction of an operation air into the operating chamber 26 during drawing in the chemical liquid, a part of the diaphragm 23 opposing to the pin 24 rides on the pin 24 and this part becomes a slightly convex shape toward the pump chamber 25. When the operation air is supplied from the opening 22d into the operating chamber 26 during the discharge of the chemical liquid, the deformation begins first from the part of the diaphragm 23 riding on the pin 24. |
| US07942645B2 |
Oil pump assembly
An oil pump assembly includes a plurality of pump chambers constituting a plurality of oil pumps, respectively, a plurality of rotors are fitted into the pump chambers, respectively, with a single driving shaft carrying the plurality of rotors to form a single body. Oil pumped up from an oil pan is supplied under pressure to different associated destinations with the relief valves being arranged compactly to reduce the size of the oil pump assembly. Oil pumps are provided with respective relief valves provided to pass oil discharged from the corresponding pump chambers therethrough and the axes of the relief valves are arranged parallel to the driving shaft. A driving shaft is provided on which a plurality of the inner rotors are carried concentrically and integrally. The rotors are connected to the driving shaft and changed depending on discharge oil pressures, thereby preventing the driving shaft from increasing its diameter. |
| US07942644B2 |
Capillary pumps for vaporization of liquids
A capillary pump is provided for producing pressurized and unpressurized vapor emissions from liquid feed. In its simplest form, the capillary pump incorporates a liquid feed intake, a porous vaporization component, and a heat transfer component. Additional components, such as an insulator component, a feed pre-heat component, a liquid feed reservoir and/or delivery system, an integrated or associated heater component, a vapor collection chamber, a heat distribution component, an orifice component and/or vapor release component, may also be associated with or integrated in the improved capillary pumps. Capillary pump arrays are provided, and numerous applications for capillary pumps are disclosed. |
| US07942641B2 |
Varying fluence as a function of thickness during laser shock peening
A method for simultaneously laser shock peening opposite laser shock peening surfaces on opposite sides of an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness using oppositely aimed laser beams and varying surface fluence of the laser beams over the laser shock peening surfaces as a function of the thickness of the article beneath each one of a plurality of laser shock peened spots formed by the beams on the surfaces. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. Laser beam energy may be varied with a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam. |
| US07942633B2 |
Helicopter vibration control system and rotary force generator for canceling vibrations
Helicopter rotating hub mounted vibration control system for a rotary wing hub having periodic vibrations while rotating at an operational rotation frequency. The vibration control system includes a housing attachable to the rotary wing hub and rotating with the hub at the operational frequency. The housing is centered about the rotary wing hub axis of rotation and has an electronics housing cavity subsystem and an adjacent rotor housing cavity subsystem. The rotor housing cavity contains a first coaxial ring motor with a first rotor and imbalance mass and a second coaxial ring motor with a second rotor and imbalance mass. The electronics housing cavity contains an electronics control system which receives sensor outputs and electrically controls and drives the first motor and the second motor such that the first imbalance mass and the second imbalance mass are driven at a vibration canceling rotation frequency greater than the operational rotation frequency wherein the helicopter rotary wing hub periodic vibrations are reduced. |
| US07942632B2 |
Variable-shape variable-stagger inlet guide vane flap
A variable shape inlet guide vane (IGV) system includes a variable-shape IGV flap with a flexible portion that enables the desired spanwise distribution of Cx, alpha, and beta at a fan rotor inlet. An actuation system that rotates a root section of the variable-shape IGV flap to flex the flexible portion such that the twisted shape of the flap can reverse rather symmetrically during actuation from max open to max closed. |
| US07942630B2 |
System for ventilating a downstream cavity of an impellor of a centrifugal compressor
A system for ventilating a downstream cavity of an impellor of a centrifugal compressor in a turbomachine, this system including flow diversion system mounted fixedly in the downstream cavity of the impellor in order to divert the ventilation air taken from the outlet of the compressor and cause it to circulate radially from the inside to the outside along the downstream face of the impellor. |
| US07942624B1 |
Vertical axis wind generator
One embodiment of a vertical axis wind generator having a stationary vertical shaft (10) supporting with bearings (12) a larger diameter rotating shaft (11) attached by radial connections (13) and support connections (15) to circular support members (16), which are joined to equivalently spaced vertical connections (14). Attached by hinges (18) to these vertical connections (14) are plates (17) held to a radial position to the shafts (10),(11), when the wind force is on them, by cables (19) controlled by electronically controlled winches (25) attached to the circular support members (16). The wind force will close the plates on the opposite side, thus not affecting the rotation, which is transmitted through amplifying gears (21) to the generators (21). Magnetic levitation, which includes an aluminum rail (23), as shown in FIG. 4 would raise the vertical axis wind generator negating friction. |
| US07942623B2 |
Substrate supporting means having wire and apparatus using the same
An apparatus includes: a process chamber for treating a substrate; a susceptor in the process chamber; a supporting frame over the susceptor; and at least one wire connected to the supporting frame. |
| US07942621B2 |
Container loading apparatus
A container loading apparatus for a truck (10) comprises a first pair of opposed container attachment arms (14) and a second pair of opposed secondary support arms (22), rotatable about horizontal axes from a stowed position in which the container attachment arms (14) and the secondary support arms (22) are disposed substantially beneath a loaded container, the secondary support arms (22) being rotatable relative to the truck (10) by first actuation rams (30) and the container attachment arms (14) rotatable relative to the secondary support arms (22) by second actuation rams (32). |
| US07942620B2 |
Tire handling apparatus
A tire handling apparatus comprises a structural body composed of a hydraulically actuated scissor lift assembly for adjusting the height of a tire receiving platform; a movable plank that can be stowed away when not in use but is protruding off the side of the body so that it can receive a tire removed from a vehicle. The plank slides longitudinally across the length of the receiving platform so as to be in line with an empty receiving niche. The structural body is on wheels so that the tire handling apparatus can be moved from location to location as required. |
| US07942616B2 |
Drilling tool and method for producing port seals
The present invention provides a new drilling tool useful in machining hydraulic port seals for fluid power ports. The drilling tool drills the port hole to size in a solid material for the minor thread diameter in combination with forming the port in a single operation. The drilling tool has a tool holder having a rotational axis, a first drilling insert having cutting surfaces on a first side and a mounting surface on a second side, at least one second drilling insert having a predetermined cutting surface portion and a mounting portion which is mounted on the holder at a location from the rotational axis of the holder. The at least one second drilling insert has first and second portions which engage and machine a work piece in a drilling operation to form a spot face and a seal form. |
| US07942615B2 |
Multi-cartridge cutting tool and railway wheel boring assembly
A multi-cartridge cutting tool includes a body with a plurality of cartridge-receiving pockets, and a plurality of insert-receiving cartridges mounted to a respective pocket. A round cutting insert is mounted to each cartridge. The pockets are formed at predetermined distances from a central, longitudinal axis of the body to form a first group and a second group of cutting inserts such that the cutting edges of the first group of cutting inserts and the cutting edges of the second group of cutting inserts are located at different axial and radial distances from the central, longitudinal axis of the body to perform different machining operations. The cutting tool may be used as part of a railway wheel boring assembly. |
| US07942614B2 |
Method and apparatus for self-aligning swivel foot power feed drill
A drilling apparatus contains a drilling tool and a platform. A flexible joint having three degrees of freedom connects the drilling tool to the platform. A clamping element may be provided proximate to an opening formed in the platform. The clamping element is attached to the platform and extends through an opening formed in the structure to fasten to the structure. |
| US07942609B2 |
Method and device for trenchless pipe laying
A method for trenchless pipe laying, a pipeline is constructed form a starting point to a goal point undercrossing an obstacle wherein the constructing of a bore hole and laying the prefabricated pipeline, which is constructed in one piece on the surface, are done in one work step, wherein at the front end of the pipeline a steerable drilling device is arranged, wherein a pipe thrusting device is arranged at the starting point applying forces from the outside to the pipeline via traction preferably friction by pushing the pipeline from a starting point to a goal point, wherein at the same time the necessary contact forces for drilling are transferred, wherein the cuttings produced during the drilling by the drilling device are removed and transported hydraulically out of the bore hole via a transport line inside the pipeline, and wherein the annular space between pipeline and bore hole wall created during drilling is continuously filled with a drilling suspension. |
| US07942606B2 |
Groundwater control system with automatic water flow regulator
An automatic water flow regulator apparatus and a system for controlling and regulating the level of groundwater in an agricultural field. An automatic flow regulator adapted for use in a buried tile line that responds to conditions upstream and downstream along the line in order to regulate flow. A system having a tile line buried in a field for draining water therefrom, a preferably manually operated terminal control stand positioned at the discharge end of the system, and one or more automatic water flow regulators along the line for controlling the flow of water therethrough in conjunction with said terminal control stand. |
| US07942603B2 |
Speed sensitive traffic control device
A traffic control device includes a shell body and at least one receptacle located in the shell body. The receptacle includes a dilatant material. |
| US07942600B2 |
Coupling apparatus for passage blocks
A passage block coupling apparatus including a bolt insertion hole 13 and a pin insertion hole 14 formed in an upper-stage passage block 3, a screw hole 15 and a non-screw hole 16 that are formed in a lower-stage passage block 4, a bolt 11 that is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 13, and threaded with the screw hole 15, and a positioning pin 12 that is inserted to the pin insertion hole 14, with its lower end portion being fitted to the non-screw hole 16. A cut-out section 17 is formed near the lower end portion of the positioning pin 12, and a protruding portion 18 to be fitted to the cut-out section 17 is formed on the opening portion of the non-screw hole 16. A tightening force exerted by the bolt 11 and a force exerted by the lower end portion of the positioning pin 12 to press the protruding portion 18 of the non-screw hole 16 upward are balanced with each other so that an evenly fastened state is achieved so that the passage blocks 3 and 4 are coupled with each other. |
| US07942596B2 |
Cosmetic applicator
A cosmetic applicator having an actuator near its top which can be easily used with one hand having an elastomeric top seal is described. The cosmetic applicator is provided with a seal opening sleeve which protects the body of cosmetic from the elastomeric seal during opening operations and closing operations. |
| US07942595B2 |
Gear unit apparatus for printer
To provide a gear unit apparatus for a printer in which the assembling characteristics and maintenance workability of driving sections for transferring a printing paper to be printed can be improved, and particularly assembling, replacement and maintenance work can be easily performed on a platen roller and a transfer roller. The present invention focuses on unitizing a group of belts and a group of gears independently of a printer main body, and is configured such that a unit bracket that is detachable to a printer bracket is provided independently of the printer bracket, a drive motor, the belt group and the gear group are assembled to the unit bracket, and, when the unit bracket is attached to the printer bracket, a platen roller gear of a platen roller and a transfer roller gear of a transfer roller can be engaged with each other. |
| US07942594B2 |
Ribbon cartridge and printing apparatus
A ribbon guide includes a pair of upper and lower plates for limiting upper and lower ends of an ink ribbon. A ribbon guide plate is disposed between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a non-transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Ribbon press bars are suspended between the pair of upper and lower plates so as to guide a transfer surface of the ink ribbon. Cutouts through which the ink ribbon is inserted are formed at the lower plate so as to surround lower end portions of the ribbon press bars. |
| US07942589B2 |
Optical connector, optical fiber with connector, optical fiber connecting device, and optical fiber connection method
A plug-type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and an aligning sleeve member. The aligning sleeve member receives a portion of the ferrule including an abutting end face inside a bore to prevent staining and damage and uses a movable shutter to prevent light emitted through the ferrule from leaking to the outside. The socket type optical connector is provided with a ferrule and a holding section. The optical connector is not provided with an aligning sleeve member and further can hold a coated optical fiber by a holding section behind the ferrule by a radius of curvature of at least a prescribed minimum radius of curvature. Optical loss in the coated optical fiber can be reduced while effectively reducing the external dimensions in the direction of extension of the ferrule at the time of use. An optical fiber connecting device that includes a combination of a pair of optical connectors is also provided to be suitably applied to an optical transmission line laid indoors. |
| US07942587B2 |
Strain-relief assemblies and methods for a field-installable fiber optic connector
A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place. The crimp sleeve is then crimped, which fixes the strand ends in place and also fixes the intermediate sleeve in place on the ferrule back section. |
| US07942582B2 |
Hub unit for a driving wheel
A sensing part 35 of a sensor 30 for detecting speed of rotation is disposed to face a magnetic encoder 10 through a sensor holder 20, the sensor 30 for detecting the speed of rotation is disposed inward in the radial direction of a hub unit mounting hole NH of the knuckle N of a car body, a connecting portion 34a of a harness 34 is provided with deformation tolerance for allowing deformation of the shape when a load exceeding a predetermined level is applied thereon externally and a shape retaining capacity for retaining and maintaining the shape always as it is when the load is not higher than the predetermined level, and the connecting portion 34a of the harness 34 is, when the load is not higher than the predetermined level, positioned more on the outer diameter side than the outer diameter of a constant velocity universal joint 9 at least until the connecting portion 34a is located out of the hub unit mounting hole NH of the knuckle N. |
| US07942576B2 |
Adjusting positioner for radiation device
The present invention relates to an adjusting positioner for a radiation device, comprising: a clamping device detachably connected to the radiation device to clamp said radiation device; a supporter to which said clamping device is connected and a slide path is defined therebetween, wherein the clamping device clamping said radiation device is movable along said slide path in a predetermined direction; and an adjusting device coupled with said clamping device so as to drive said clamping device to move along said slide path. Since the present invention employs above technical solution, it is easy to adjust the position of the radiation device for example, X-ray device, so that the precisely positioning for the radiation device is achieved and a satisfying positioning accuracy is able to obtain. |
| US07942575B2 |
Urological X-ray workstation with orbiting X-ray imaging components
A urological x-ray workstation has an x-ray source and an x-ray receiver that are respectively supported on device retainers of a device carrier located at the longitudinal side of a patient positioning table such that they can be positioned opposite one another and independently of one another in various positions on an orbit proceeding around a common center in a working plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. |
| US07942571B2 |
Mixer with shaking and tumbling motion
A mixer for combining ingredients using a composite shaking and tumbling motion. The mixer includes a base carrier rotating about a primary axis and supporting a container carrier assembly having a clamp retaining a container to be mixed. The container carrier assembly is coupled to the base carrier to oscillate in an eccentric manner with respect to the rotating base carrier. The container carrier assembly also rotates with the base carrier rotation. The composite resulting motion includes shaking and tumbling components of the motion to mix the ingredients. The clamp has a first housing portion receiving the container, and a second housing portion movable with respect to the first portion to retain the container. A latch selectively retains the first and second housing portions together in a closed condition. |
| US07942570B2 |
Blender for blending foodstuff
A blender for blending foodstuff comprising a motor housing that encloses an electric motor and has a first end and a second end. An upper housing is attached to the first end of the motor housing. The motor housing includes a fan driven by the motor controlled by a plurality of switches positioned behind a flexible cover. A transparent base having translucent base feet and an open bottom partially surrounds the motor housing and has a first end. The first end of the base is clamped between the upper housing and the first end of the motor housing to thereby solely suspend the motor housing from the first end of the base. A shroud is positioned partially around the motor within the motor housing. The fan draws air through the open bottom of the base into the second end of the motor housing and then around and outside of the shroud into the open top of the shroud to thereby cool the motor. The air is then directed out through the open side portion of the shroud and then sealingly vented to atmosphere. |
| US07942552B2 |
Light source device and light source packaging method
A light source device includes a base member and a light guiding section. The base member has a plurality of layers with each of the layers including a plurality of light emitting bodies, the base member having a light emitting surface. The light guiding section is arranged in the base member. The light guiding section is configured and arranged to guide light rays emitted from the light emitting bodies disposed in at least one of the layers to the light emitting surface. |
| US07942550B2 |
Light emitting device and backlight unit including the same
There are provided a light emitting device and a backlight unit including the same. The light emitting device includes a package body having opposing first and second main surfaces and side surfaces, and formed of a curable resin; first and second external terminal blocks opposing each other and each having first and second surfaces formed on the first and second main surfaces and side surfaces, the first and second external terminal blocks each including a connecting part having a bonding portion located inside the package body and a terminal portion connected to the bonding portion and exposed outward; and an LED chip including an electrode forming surface where first and second electrodes are formed and a light emitting surface located opposite to the electrode forming surface, the LED chip having the first and second electrodes electrically connected to the bonding portions of the first and second external terminal blocks, respectively. |
| US07942548B2 |
Light-source lamp and projector
An object is to provide a light-source lamp capable of reducing consumption power while ensuring a certain luminance level and a projector using the light-source lamp. This light-source lamp 1 gathers light from a light source at a lens for emission. The light sources 3, 6 are formed of a plurality of arranged light-emitting diodes 32, 62, and the light sources 3, 6 are driven with pulse-width modulation control of the light-emitting diodes 32, 62. With this, compared with a configuration in which the light sources 3, 6 are subjected to analog control, consumption power of the lamp can be reduced while ensuring a certain luminance level lm. |
| US07942544B2 |
Hose mounted visual indicating device
A visual indicating device for mounting on a hose includes a body having an outer wall and defining a central passage extending axially through the body between a first end and a second end, and a plurality of lights arranged around the annular body so as to be visible from beyond the outer wall. A power source is arranged within the annular body, and a switch selectively energizes the plurality of lights from the power source. The visual indicating device includes groups of differing colored lights. Mounted on a hose, one of the groups indicates the general direction of the nozzle and another of the groups indicates the general direction of an exit. The switch automatically energizes the lights upon pressurization of the hose. |
| US07942539B2 |
Light-emitting diode module for instrument panel
A light-emitting diode module is mounted on an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle for illuminating a scale plate of the instrument panel. The module is composed of a light-emitting diode and a holder for supporting the diode thereon. The holder includes a housing made of molded resin and conductor plates embedded in the housing. The light-emitting diode is mounted in a depressed portion formed in the housing, and the holder is mounted on a circuit board to supply electric power to the light-emitting diode through the conductor plates embedded in the housing. A front surface of the housing and a front surface of the light-emitting diode are made flush with each other so that a flat surface made by both front surfaces is positioned close to a rear surface of the scale plate. |
| US07942538B2 |
Information presenting device
The invention is directed towards an information presenting device and a portable electronic device including such an information presenting device. The information presenting device (16) comprises a first information layer (18) having a first information presentation structure (20) of photo chromatic material changing appearance when irradiated by light (28) of a specific wavelength, a second information layer (22) having a second information presentation structure (24), and a first light source (26) illuminating the second information layer for presenting the second information presentation structure, wherein the first information layer is of a material that is transparent for light emanating at least from the first light source when the first layer is not exposed to light of said specific wavelength. |
| US07942535B2 |
Color wheel
A light fixture having at least one light source for generating a beam of light, a plurality of color filters are rotatable into position to intercept the light beam. The color filters are fixed to the color wheel by a central spring which has a number of radial protruding tongues for fixation of the color filters. The color filters are removable yet are secured in a correct position by radial protrusions formed between the color filters an circular outer protrusion located outward of the color filters so as to form a cavity that surrounds the color filter at both sides as well as at outward. Inward of the color filters, they are fixed by the protruding tongue that presses them down and keeps them in place. This leads to a nearly perfect fixation of each color filter, which can be exchanged if necessary. |
| US07942534B2 |
Projector for achieving a wide varity of gradation and color representation, projection system, program and recording medium
A projector, includes: an illumination device that radiates plural colors of light in a time-sharing manner; a reflective optical modulator that forms, based on input image information, an optical image for each of the plural colors of light radiated from the illumination device in a time-sharing manner; a projection optical device that projects the optical images of the plural colors of light formed by the reflective optical modulator; and a controller that controls the illumination device and the reflective optical modulator, the controller including: an image information analyzer that analyzes the input image information; and an illumination time controller that dynamically changes and controls illumination time of the plural colors of light by the illumination device based on an analysis result by the image information analyzer. |
| US07942530B2 |
Apparatus and method for self-calibrating multi-projector displays via plug and play projectors
An asynchronous, distributed, and calibrated apparatus provides a composite display from a plurality of plug-and-play projectors. The apparatus comprises a plurality of self-sufficient modules. Each module comprises at least one plug-and-play projector of the plurality of plug-and-play projectors. A camera is coupled to the projector. A software or firmware controlled, computation and communication circuit is coupled to the projector and executes a single-program-multiple-data (SPMD) calibration algorithm that simultaneously runs on each self-sufficient module to generate a scalable and reconfigurable composite display without any need for user input or a central server. |
| US07942528B2 |
Perimeter
A perimeter has fixation state judging means for individually judging a fixation state of an examinee in connection with each presented stimulus, and the fixation state judging means individually judges the fixation state whenever the stimulus is presented. Even if defective fixation is judged, retest is conducted on only a point where the stimulus was presented, which was judged to be defective fixation. Then, examiner's burden and examinee's burden can be lightened, the test time can be made shorter and test efficiency can be improved in comparison with a case where the whole test is retried from the first as a conventional way. |
| US07942518B2 |
Medium feeder and liquid ejecting apparatus or recording apparatus incorporating the same
A medium feeder is operable to feed a target medium to a liquid ejecting section in which liquid is ejected toward the target medium. A feeding roller is adapted to come in contact with the target medium, thereby feeding the target medium along a feeding path in a first direction. A supporter is opposing the feeding roller and having a supporting face adapted to support the target medium. A releaser is movable between a first position entering the feeding path and a second position retreating from the feeding path, A driver is operable to place the releaser in the second position when a feeding operation of the feeding roller begins, and to place the releaser in the first position when a leading end of the target medium reaches the liquid ejecting section. An edge guide is provided on the supporter and has a guiding face adapted to come in contact with a side edge of the target medium at least when the releaser is placed in the second position. The releaser is adapted to push up the target medium at the first position thereof, so that the target medium is separated from the supporting face. The edge guide is formed with a concave portion adapted to oppose the side edge of the target medium pushed up by the releaser. |
| US07942516B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus
Provided are an image forming method and image forming apparatus capable of always stably transferring an ink image on an intermediate transfer body to a printing medium and stably obtaining an image with high quality. Formation and drying operation of the image using an inkjet method are repeated a plurality of times to obtain the image on the intermediate transfer body and the thus obtained image is transferred from the intermediate transfer body to a printing medium to form the image. At this time, a capability of the drying operation finally performed among a plurality of times of the drying operations is more lowered than those of all the drying operations except the drying operation finally performed. |
| US07942511B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid container and liquid container
A method of manufacturing a liquid container, the liquid container including a liquid containing chamber in which a liquid can be contained, an air communicating passage allowing the liquid containing chamber to communicate with air, a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid container to an outside, a liquid flow passage allowing the liquid container and the liquid supply port to communicate with each other, a differential pressure valve which is disposed in the liquid flow passage, which is normally urged to a closed state, and which is changed to an opened state when a differential pressure between a side of the liquid supply port and a side of the liquid containing chamber is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and a blocked portion formed by closing a bypass flow passage allowing a supply port side flow passage that is closer to the liquid supply port than the differential pressure valve to communicate with a containing chamber side flow passage that is closer to the liquid containing chamber than the differential pressure valve, so as to bypass the differential pressure valve, the method includes; opening at least a part of the blocked portion so as to form the bypass flow passage; injecting the liquid into the liquid containing chamber from the liquid supply port via the supply port side flow passage, the bypass flow passage, and the containing chamber side flow passage; and blocking the bypass flow passage after injecting the liquid. |
| US07942510B2 |
Liquid injecting method and liquid container
A method of injecting a liquid into a liquid container detachably mounted on a liquid consuming device, the liquid container comprising: a liquid containing chamber containing the liquid; a liquid supply port connectable to the liquid consuming device; a liquid guide path for guiding the liquid contained in the liquid containing chamber to the liquid supply port; an air communicating path communicating the liquid containing chamber with air and having a communicating passage portion that is narrower than at least a part of other communicating paths in the air communicating path and can store some liquid contained in the liquid containing chamber by a meniscus; and a liquid residual quantity sensor provided in the liquid guide path for outputting different signals in accordance with a residual amount of the liquid in the liquid containing portion, wherein the liquid contained in the liquid containing chamber can be blocked from the air by the liquid stored in the communicating passage portion, the method comprising: forming an injection port on a more upstream side than an upstream end of the communicating passage portion; injecting a predetermined amount of liquid from the injection port; and sealing the injection port after injecting the liquid. |
| US07942503B2 |
Printhead with nozzle face recess to contain ink floods
An inkjet printhead that has a silicon wafer substrate that defines a plurality of ink inlet channels and a plurality of replicated nozzle arrangements positioned on the substrate to receive ink from the ink inlets and eject ink droplets onto a media substrate. Each of the nozzle arrangements has nozzle chamber walls, and a roof positioned on the nozzle chamber walls defining an ink ejection port. The roof defines a recess about the ink ejection port to inhibit ink spread from any nozzle face floods. |
| US07942499B2 |
Method of aligning two or more printhead modules mounted to a support member in a printer
The present invention provides for a method of aligning two or more printhead modules mounted to a support member in a printer. The printhead modules are MEMS manufactured integrated circuits having at least one fiducial on each. The method includes the steps of positioning the printhead modules on the support member such that they align when the support member is at its operating temperature but not necessarily at other temperatures, and using the fiducials to misalign the printhead modules by a distance calculated from the difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the support member and the printhead integrated circuits, the spacing of the printhead chips along the support member and the difference between a production temperature of the modules and an operating temperature of the printer. |
| US07942496B2 |
Cradle unit for a printer assembly
A cradle unit for a printer assembly includes a body having a printhead cartridge support bay for receiving a printhead cartridge that incorporates a printhead, an ink supply for the printhead and a capper for capping the printhead when not in use. A levered frame is positioned within the body and is movable between an open position for allowing access to the printhead cartridge support bay and a closed position to close the printhead support bay. A support frame is positioned within the body. A capper drive mechanism is mounted on the support frame to actuate the capper of the printhead cartridge. A media transport mechanism is mounted on the support frame to feed print media through the body operatively with respect to the printhead. |
| US07942493B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A disclosed image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes an inkjet head having a nozzle surface and inkjet nozzles on the nozzle surface and configured to jet ink droplets from the inkjet nozzles; a recording medium conveying mechanism including a recording medium conveyor and configured to convey the recording medium by the recording medium conveyor into an image forming area facing the inkjet head; a test pattern forming part provided separately from the recording medium conveyor; a control unit configured to perform an image forming test where a test pattern is formed on the test pattern forming part by jetting ink droplets from the inkjet head; and a test pattern detection unit configured to detect the test pattern formed on the test pattern forming part. |
| US07942490B2 |
Ink jet printer, method of controlling an ink jet printer, and computer program product for an ink jet printer
A printer is provided with an ink jet head and a controller. The ink jet head prints on a print medium by discharging ink. The ink jet head comprises a plurality of units. Each unit comprises a nozzle for discharging ink, a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle, and a piezoelectric element facing the pressure chamber. The piezoelectric elements form at least two element lines. Each element line is formed by at least two piezoelectric elements aligned in a first direction. Each element line is aligned in a sec direction which is different from the first direction. The controller controls the ink jet head to print on the print medium by changing voltage applied to each piezoelectric element of the ink jet head. The controller controls timings at which the controller changes voltage applied to each piezoelectric element by the element line. It is preferred that a timing at which the controller changes voltage applied to one of the two adjacent element lines is different from a timing at which the controller changes voltage applied to the other of the two adjacent element lines. |
| US07942489B2 |
Liquid emitting apparatus and method
Disclosed is a liquid emitting apparatus for emitting a liquid pressurized by a pressure generated by a pressure generating element is emitted as liquid droplets onto a support. A controller (68) controls an emission controller (63) so that the current value of the pulse current supplied to a heating resistor (42a) will have a current value difference within ±10% with respect to the current value of the pulse current supplied to a heating resistor (42b). By so doing, variations in the position of deposition of an ink droplet i emitted with variable emitting directions may be suppressed to enable printing to a high-quality image in which deterioration in the image quality variations ascribable to color time variations or white streaks is prohibited. |
| US07942486B2 |
Linear guide system for a sliding shelf
A linear guide system having a slide-out member including a support element and two elongate guides extending rearwardly laterally of the support element and having at least one pair of stationary outer rails mounted in a horizontally extending position on the inside of a carcass wall and slides each of which is slidably supported on a respective outer rail along the length thereof. An engagement apparatus is provided for bringing the guides of slide-out members into engagement with slides and a locking apparatus is provided for locking at least one slide in an extended position with respect to displacement travel of the slide-out member and locks the slide against displacement when a guide of the slide-out member is brought out of engagement with the slide and unlocks the slide for displacement along the outer rail when the guides of the slide-out member is brought into engagement with the slide. |
| US07942481B2 |
Rock drill and method of breaking rock
A method of breaking rock which includes the steps of drilling a hole in the rock using a drill rod; leaving the drill rod in the hole; using water flow to direct a propellant charge into the hole through a passage in the drill rod; and at a leading end of the drill rod, firing the propellant charge with, at least, the drill rod and water in the hole and passage providing a stemming function. |
| US07942480B2 |
Mini-sized side dump trailer
A mini-sized side dump trailer comprising a wheeled frame having a pair of wheels supporting the rearward end thereof and a steerable front wheel assembly of the forward end thereof with a forwardly extending tongue extending from the front wheel assembly for connection to a small vehicle such as a utility terrain vehicle, an all terrain vehicle or a small tractor. The small side dump body may be pivoted to either the first side of the trailer or to the second side of the trailer. |
| US07942479B2 |
Combined manual recline and manual lumbar adjustment mechanism
A control device for regulating adjustment of vehicle seats is disclosed. The control device is a dual function control arm which combines the manual recliner and lumbar mechanism into a single handle. The handle is moved in a first direction to release the seat back recliner mechanism without affecting the lumbar adjustment mechanism. The same handle is moved in a second direction to actuate the lumbar adjustment mechanism without affecting the recliner mechanism. |
| US07942478B2 |
Human form child car seat
The present invention provides a human form child car seat comprising: (a) a seat body having (i) a generally human body head and arm shape, including a seat wall and a backrest wall; (ii) a front seat side; (iii) a back side; (iv) a top side; (v) bottom side; (vi) a left side; and (vii) a right side; (b) a top side concave-shaped head support, the head support capable of cradling a juvenile head comprising (i) a left side head support and (ii) a right side head support; (c) a left arm rest and a right arm rest, each having a generally human arm shape, the arm rest terminating in a cup holder having a generally human first shape, the cup holder capable of receivably accepting a geometrically shaped object; and a seat base. The present invention further provides a quick release seatbelt system. |
| US07942477B1 |
Seat provided with electric or electronic equipment
There is disclosed a seat that comprises a trim cover including a sheet of covering material and a wadding layer, a padding member covered with the cover, a seating surface section formed by a portion of the cover and a portion of the padding member, and electric or electronic equipment, the equipment including planar equipment bodies and accessories, the wadding layer including a first wadding member laminated onto the entire sheet, and second wadding members formed separately from the first wadding member and mounted to predetermined regions of the portion of the padding member which forms the seating surface section in cooperation with the portion of the cover, the bodies being disposed on the second wadding members, and the padding member being covered by the cover in such a manner that the second wadding members having the bodies disposed thereon are combined with the first wadding member. |
| US07942475B2 |
Composite reinforcement for a roof assembly
A composite reinforcement for a vehicle roof opening that provides several advantages over the prior art metal ring design. The reinforcement is a composite bonded to the roof, can be polyurethane, and may include fiberglass, such as long fiber injection (LFI) or glass fiber mat. A honeycomb core can also be disposed within the polyurethane made from cardboard or aluminum. Steel inserts can also be formed within the composite to provide attachment points for a variety of functions, such as sunroof module, structural brackets, and locating assemblies. The steel inserts can have external threads to allow composite material to physically capture the insert during formation of the reinforcement. This roof assembly can be mounted to the vehicle in an optimized manner for ease of assembly, color matching, and to provide structure to support a mounted sunroof assembly. |
| US07942468B2 |
Aerodynamic skirt securing mechanism
A securing mechanism adapted to secure struts to a trailer is provided, the securing mechanism comprising a pair of clamps adapted to be secured to the strut to clamp a frame member of the trailer therebetween. A method of securing a strut to a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a strut; providing a pair of clamps; positioning an end of the strut adjacent to a side of a frame member of the trailer; positioning the pair of clamps on an opposed side of the frame member; and securing the pair of clamps to the strut to clamp the frame member therebetween. A securing mechanism kit for securing a strut to a frame member of a trailer is equally provided, the kit comprising a pair of clamps; and a strut. |
| US07942462B2 |
Motorcycle and rectifier plate for the same
A motorcycle is provided with a translucent screen board 25 arranged forwardly of a handle 13 which changes a direction of a front wheel according to an operation by a rider and extended obliquely upward toward a rear of a vehicle body, and a rectifier plate 30 extending along the screen board 25 in front of the screen board 25. The rectifier plate 30 prevents dust, etc., from adhering to the screen board when the motorcycle travels. |
| US07942461B2 |
Method and apparatus for selling consumer products
Methods and apparatus for advertising, promoting, marketing and/or selling products and services. The inventions includes a mobile vehicle for advertising, promotion, marketing and sales of products and services, wherein the vehicle is self-propelled and self-contained for transport to, and operation in, any locale. A showroom affixed to or carried by or in the moving vehicle, the vehicle acting as a moving showroom, mobile kiosk, or mobile store. Preferably, the showroom has side panels on three sides which can be raised, removed or retracted to allow customers to view the products within the showroom. Further preferably, the panels have advertising on both of their sides, providing billboards that are visible on all of the sides of the vehicle, such that three hundred and sixty degrees of billboard signage are present to promote particular products and services. Those products and services can include electronics and electrical devices, mechanical products, consumer products, and other objects. The products and services may be promoted for direct sale from the moving showroom, or for sale from other outlets, such as retail stores and internet sales. |
| US07942460B2 |
Pet litter scooper
A litter scooper for quick and convenient removal of waste from pet litter boxes. The litter scooper may include a bowl having a front opening and a guard covering at least part of the front opening. The scooper may also include a handle of sufficient length to allow a user of the device to scoop litter without getting too close to the litter box and without bending. |
| US07942458B2 |
Magnetic gate latch
A magnetic gate latch has a multiplicity of permanent magnets arranged on a pair of disks with half of the magnets in mutual attraction and half of the magnets in mutual repulsion. These magnetic forces are used to brake and close a gate or door. One of the disks is made axially movable with respect to the other so as to assume mutual repulsion in one position and mutual attraction in a second position. The movable disk is attached to a gate or door closing member and the other disk is attached to the closing structure post or jamb. Magnetic forces in the repulsion position are used in the invention to reverse the movable disk from a mutual repulsion position to a mutual attraction position. |
| US07942455B2 |
Device for connecting a fluid circulating line to a refractory element and refractory element
A device for connecting a fluid circulating line to a refractory element having a wall provided with a cylindrical bore comprises a gasket intended to be located into the bore and a first supporting element compressing the gasket from the outside of the bore. A second supporting element which can be introduced into the bore sandwiches the gasket together with the first Supporting element and a rod brings the two supporting elements closer so as to compress the gasket. Also, a refractory element, notably a nozzle or pouring shroud, is provided with a cylindrical bore size to receive two supporting elements and a tightening gasket sandwiched by these supporting elements. |
| US07942452B2 |
Flange fitting with leak sensor port
A leak detection feature for a fluid conduit. The leak detection feature facilitates the monitoring of fluid leaks at the interface of two adjoining conduit flange fittings. An embodiment of a flange fitting with a leak detection feature for a fluid conduit having an opening. The flange fitting includes a flange body around the opening of the fluid conduit, a leak detection passageway formed in the flange body, and a leak detection port formed in the flange body. The flange body has a sealing face surface configured to mate with a cooperating flange fitting, and the leak detection passageway terminates at the sealing face surface. The leak detection port is in fluid communication with the leak detection passageway, and the leak detection port is configured for fluid communication with a leak sensing apparatus. |
| US07942448B2 |
Vehicular seatbelt device
A vehicular seatbelt device whereby slack in a lap belt is sufficiently eliminated according to a traveling state of a vehicle, and a comfortable ride for a vehicle occupant is maintained. A seatbelt device comprises a belt retraction part and an actuator for driving the belt retraction part. The belt retraction part pulls part of a belt in a direction opposite the direction in which the belt is wound up by a belt reel so as to restrain the vehicle occupant. A controller includes a plurality of pre-set control modes for controlling a motor and the actuator in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle, and selects and implements one control mode corresponding to the traveling state from among the plurality of control modes. The control modes include a mode for drivably controlling both the motor and the actuator, a mode for drivably controlling only the motor, and a mode for drivably controlling only the actuator. |
| US07942444B2 |
Airbag module
The disclosed airbag device for a vehicle may comprise an airbag and at least one connection member. The airbag may have first and second side surfaces, wherein the first side surface has upper and lower ends. The at least one connection member may connect the lower end of the first side surface to an intermediate position on the first side surface located between the upper and lower ends of the first side surface. |
| US07942439B2 |
Vehicle body mount structure of curtain airbag
A vehicle body mount structure for a curtain airbag includes: a curtain airbag disposed on an upper side surface of a cabin of a vehicle and having an airbag body that is deployable to an inside of the cabin; a roof headlining that covers the curtain airbag and that allows the airbag body to be deployed while the roof headlining is undergoing an opening movement; an engagement portion that retains the roof headlining at a predetermined position, and that releases retention of the roof headlining as the airbag body inflates during actuation of the curtain airbag; and a release assist portion that releases the retention effected by the engagement portion as the airbag body inflates during the actuation of the curtain airbag. |
| US07942437B2 |
Detachable tray accessory for stroller
A detachable tray accessory for a stroller secured by a left and right side member or lock housing member each containing a detachable attaching means that attaches to and releases from a corresponding lock receiver on the stroller assembly or stroller seat. The detachable tray accessory for a stroller includes a support bar for supporting the shape and weight of a flat surface tray removably attachable to the support bar. |
| US07942436B2 |
Ski or snowboard with means for influencing its cross-sectional shape
The invention describes a ski (2) or a snowboard in the form of a board-type gliding device (1). By reference to the width (13) of the gliding device (1), at least one recess (14) is provided in its middle portion extending in its depth direction—arrow (15)—from the top face (7) of the gliding device (1) in the direction towards the running surface facing (10) and disposed in its longitudinal direction essentially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the gliding device (1) with a view to causing a cross-sectional weakening. At least one manually adjustable adjusting means (20) is provided, which is designed to produce an individually adjustable change in the load-dependent deformability of the cross-sectional shape or to produce an individually adjustable limit to the maximum permissible load-dependent cross-sectional deformation of the gliding device (1). The invention further relates to a ski (2) or a snowboard, provided with a manually adjustable adjusting means (20) which is designed to act as a prizing means for producing an individually adjustable increase in the width (19) of the recess (14) on the one hand and to act as a pulling means to produce an individually adjustable decrease in the width (19) of the recess (14) on the other hand. |
| US07942434B2 |
Disengageably coupled take-apart bicycle frame
A disengageably coupled bicycle frame, utilizing a device for coupling a first tube and a second tube, the tubes having terminal ends and tube faces defined by their terminal ends, the device comprising a first plate member having a first plate member face and a first plate member rear and a second plate member having a second plate member face and a second plate member rear, the first plate member rear fastened by a fastening means to a face of the first tube, the second plate member rear fastened by a fastening means to a face of the second tube, and the first and second plate members fastened face to face by a fastening means, the fastening means being other than a clamp, the plate members not hingedly attached. |
| US07942431B2 |
Wheeled chassis assembly for vats, especially for sorption columns
A wheeled chassis assembly for a sorption column in the form of a vat (1) for cleaning waste gases has at the bottom end thereof a depending foot rim (5) and an outwardly projecting corrugation (4). Wheel mounts (14) with wheels (7) thereon are pivotally secured to wheel brackets (6). Each wheel bracket (6) has an engagement surface (16) pressed onto the outside surface of vat (1) between foot rim (5) and corrugation (4) by a counter-piece (17) engaging the inside surface of foot rim (5) and threadingly coupled to wheel bracket (6). Engagement surfaces (16 and 18) are curved to conform with the outside surface of vat (1) and the inside surface of foot rim (5), respectively. Below an engagement surface (16), a wheel bracket (6) has an annular groove (19) for receiving a foot rim (5), its upper area having an inclined curved portion (21) for engaging the corrugation (4) and shaped to conform with the configuration thereof. |
| US07942427B2 |
Air supply system for active air suspension
An air suspension includes a plurality of air spring assemblies that each include a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted over the piston airbag. The primary and piston airbags each have a variable volume that is controlled independently of the other for active suspension control. Each piston airbag includes a piston intake valve and a piston exhaust valve. Each primary airbag includes a control valve that is operable to supply and exhaust air from the corresponding primary airbag. The control valves and piston intake valves operate independently of each other. A compressor supplies air to a supply reservoir which is used to supply air to the primary and piston airbags. The compressor includes a bypass loop that directs exhausted air to a compressor inlet when the compressor is running. |
| US07942425B2 |
Plasma resistant seal
To make a plasma resistant seal excellent in both a plasma resisting performance and a sealing performance, and prevent an O-ring from protruding to a vacuum side gap, a plasma seal (6) made of PTFE having a plasma resisting performance is provided in a plasma irradiating side of an O-ring (5) as a main seal made of a rubber-like elastic material, an installation groove (4) shallower than a depth of an installation groove (3) provided in an installation member (2) is continuously provided in a plasma irradiation side of the installation groove (3), the O-ring (5) is attached to the installation groove (3), and the plasma seal (6) is attached to the installation groove (4) in a compressed state, or the O-ring is attached to the installation groove and the plasma seal is attached to the plasma irradiation side of the same installation groove (3) in a compressed state. |
| US07942421B1 |
Container with message inside and related method for promoting social interaction
A kit for promoting social interaction includes a plurality of containers in the form of boxes held by a larger vessel. Each of the containers encloses a message designed for stimulating conversation and includes an instruction that the container is to be used for purposes of stimulating conversation. The instruction may be carried on the substrate together with the message. Alternatively or additionally, the messages may be provided on inside surfaces of the containers while the instruction may be printed on the outside of the individual containers. |
| US07942420B2 |
Aqua shooting range
The invention relates to sports and entertaining facilities and in particular to aqua shooting ranges. The inventive aqua shooting range comprises a pool (1), an above-water fence, shooting positions (9) with weapons and underwater targets (5). The pool is provided with a transversal partition (6) separating the shooting positions (9) from the underwater targets (5). Each partition (6) is provided with a firing port (8). An additional shooting position (20) for shooting from an above-water position to water is embodied on the partition (6). The above-water part of the pool wall placed above the underwater target (5) and the above-water fence is provided with bullet stoppers (11). The shooting position is located in such a way that the weapon vertical guidance angle is limited to a value equal to or greater than 10 degrees with respect to the horizon. The invention makes it possible to increase the safety, learning, and training efficiency of shooting at underwater targets. |
| US07942418B2 |
Card game with counting
Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic. |
| US07942415B2 |
Mail sorting machine with improved diverter panel
A diverter panel comprises an elongated rectangular panel made of a substantially flat plate made of clear plastic. The plate has fasteners mounted at its front corners for mounting the panel to a frame of the sorting machine, a rear upright flange extending from the plate along the length thereof, the flange having a bottom edge which can be supported on a horizontal beam of the sorting machine. The panel is rigid enough such that vibration of the sorting machine does not cause significant movement of the panel when secured at its corners and with the rear flange supported by the beam of the sorting machine. An opening in the rear flange and an adjacent portion of the plate allows a drive shaft to pass therethrough, and a contact pad formed by an outwardly projecting portion of the rear flange is configured for engagement with a plunger of a switch. |
| US07942411B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus has a guide member disposed in a space on a side of a pair of rotating bodies. The guide member is supported such that the guide member can project outward from an outer periphery of one of the rotating bodies located upstream in a sheet conveying direction. When a front end of a conveyed sheet abuts against the guide member and pushes the guide member, the guide member retracts from a projecting position into the space on the side of the pair of rotating bodies, and in this state, the front end of the sheet is guided to a nip portion of the pair of rotating bodies. |
| US07942409B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus includes a first conveyance unit to convey a sheet, a second conveyance unit to convey the sheet received from the first conveyance unit, a sheet detection unit to detect an edge position of the sheet in a lateral direction intersecting a sheet conveyance direction of the second conveyance unit, a sheet shifting unit to shift the sheet conveyed by the second conveyance unit in the lateral direction, a computing unit to compute a difference between the detected edge position of the sheet and a reference position, a position correction unit to control a shifting amount of the sheet by the sheet shifting unit based on the difference computed by the position correction unit to correct a sheet position in the lateral direction, and a conveyance interval control unit to shorten a sheet conveyance interval of the first conveyance unit if the computed difference is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. |
| US07942408B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for transporting sheet thereof
Provided is an image forming apparatus including: a first sensor which is provided on a transportation path of a sheet and detects a first passage time of the sheet; a second sensor which is provided at a position different from the position of the first sensor in a transportation direction of the sheet and a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction and detects a second passage time of the sheet; a skew determination unit which determines a skew amount of the sheet based on the first passage time detected by the first sensor and the second passage time detected by the second sensor; and a correction control unit which controls correction of a skew of the sheet on the basis of the skew amount determined by the skew determination unit. |
| US07942407B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
The invention provides a sheet processing apparatus in which a controller transports a sheet, delivered to a process tray, by a predetermined distance by a transport member for contacting a stopper, and selects the distance according to a friction on the lower surface of the sheet by detecting at least either of stack information on the process tray and sheet information of the sheet transported by the transport member, thus selecting the distance larger for a larger frictional force. |
| US07942405B2 |
Mail processing machine for conveying filled envelopes
In a mail processing machine, a fixed mounting of an envelope turning station relative to an upstream stuffing station, and therefore a simple construction of the drive for the envelope turning station, can be achieved in that the items of goods for despatch to be turned through 180° are drawn by grippers of a gripper chain into the region of horizontally opening tongs of the envelope turning cylinder of the envelope turning station, in such a way that, in each case irrespective of the longitudinal format of the items of goods for despatch, the latter are gripped by the turning cylinder tongs over their entire length, for which purpose the gripper chain, together with the stuffing table supporting it, is designed to be displaceable with respect to the turning station in the conveying direction of the goods for despatch, in a manner dependent on the envelope format. |
| US07942399B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
The invention is to stabilize an amount of application of a glue to sheets, to stabilize adhesive force between the sheets, and to further improve the productivity of a glued sheet bundle. A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing tray 130 that stacks a sheet discharged by a pair of discharge rollers, an attitude changing unit 150 that displaces the aligned sheet bundle on the processing tray 130 to partially expose sheet surfaces, an adhesive agent delivery device 160 that applies a glue to the exposed parts of the sheet surfaces of the displaced sheet bundle on the processing tray 130, and a sheet bundle aligning portion such as aligning plates 140 and 141 that aligns the glued sheet bundle. |
| US07942390B2 |
Steam humidifier
A steam humidifier provided by the present invention has a tank having a reservoir section and a cover removably and sealingly secured thereto. The tank contains water during a humidifying operation in which the humidifier humidifies an indoor environment. The cover has a heating element mounted thereon and extending therefrom into the reservoir section and a steam outlet assembly mounted thereon and extending therethrough into the tank. The heating element evaporates at least a portion of the water during the humidifying operation into steam output through the steam outlet assembly to humidify the indoor environment. |
| US07942389B2 |
Air humidifier for respirators and incubators
An evaporator defines an evaporator volume, and boils the liquid inside evaporator volume. A mixing chamber is in communication with the evaporator volume and mixes the vapor or moisture from the liquid in the evaporator with the breathing gas of the patient. The mixing chamber is a separate structure than the evaporator. The mixing chamber and the evaporator are connected by a first connection that is repetitively connectable and disconnectable without significant destruction of a respective connection. A heater is arranged outside of the evaporator and in a heat conducting connection with the evaporator. The heater is a separate structure than the evaporator. The evaporator and the heater are connected by a second connection that is repetitively connectable and disconnectable. A liquid storage tank is in communication with the evaporator and supplies a liquid to the evaporator through a flow channel. The liquid storage tank is larger than the evaporator. The flow channel is formed of a material and has a size to thermally insulate the evaporator from the liquid storage tank. |
| US07942387B2 |
System and method for managing water content in a fluid
A system and method for managing water content in a fluid include a collection chamber for collecting water from the fluid with a desiccant, and a regeneration chamber for collecting water from the desiccant and transferring it to a second fluid. An evaporator cools the desiccant entering the collection chamber, and a condenser heats the desiccant entering the regeneration chamber. Diluted desiccant from the collection chamber is exchanged with concentrated desiccant from the regeneration chamber in such a way as to efficiently control the transfer of both mass and heat between the chambers. In one embodiment, mass is not exchanged until one or both of the desiccant levels in the chambers exceeds a predetermined level. Heat is transferred between the two desiccant flows as they are transferred between the chambers. This increases efficiency and reduces the energy input required for the evaporator and the condenser. |
| US07942385B2 |
Adjustable railing post bracket
A rail post bracket includes a base with longitudinal members extending up from the base creating a square or rectangular surround for insertion of a rail post support and a rail post. The rail post support is inserted first following which the rail posts can be inserted over the rail post support and removed from the bracket to avoid the need for securing the rail posts into place using grout or concrete. The bracket base is attachable to any solid surface using bolts placed through bolt holes located in the base. Attached to the bottom of the base are adjustable feet for leveling of the rail post bracket. An adjustable mechanism is attached to and partially inset in the front longitudinal member to assist in leveling the rail post. Together these features enable a rail to be leveled in every direction and can be adjusted over time if the mounting surface moves and settles, as well as enabling the easy removal and replacement of rail posts. |
| US07942383B2 |
Airplane jack and method of use
A jack for lifting the nose gear on a lightweight aircraft including a wheeled tray adapted to hold weights, a handle for manually moving the jack, and a winch mounted on the jack. The winch including a line adapted to attach to a tie down point on a tail section of the aircraft. Also, a method of using the jack to service the nose gear of alight aircraft including the steps of, loading a weight on a tray, wheeling the tray under a tail section of the aircraft, attaching a line to a tie down point on the airplane opposite the nose gear, and winching the line to apply a downward force on a tail section of the aircraft to lift the nose gear of the airplane off the ground. |
| US07942378B2 |
Torque transmitting mechanism for medical stand
The medical stands is used to support a medical tool and includes a first parallel linkage to maintain weight balance of the medical tool. The torque transmitting mechanism maintains an attitude of the medical tool and includes a second parallel linkage whose one end is fixed to a body of the medical stand, a connecting element, and a third parallel linkage connected through the connecting element to the second parallel linkage. Links that form the second parallel linkage are made of rigid material. A vibration suppressing mechanism is attached to a longitudinal link of the first parallel linkage and is always resiliently in contact with a longitudinal link of the second parallel linkage. |
| US07942377B2 |
Beach umbrella stand including foot operated drive assembly for anchoring and method of use
A beach umbrella stand is provided including a foot operated drive assembly. A pole of a beach umbrella stand has a hollow interior portion housing the foot operated drive assembly. The foot operated drive assembly includes a ratchet assembly operated by a foot pedal. The ratchet assembly further includes an auger mounted at least partially within the pole, for driving into the sand. The ratchet assembly is positioned for operation of a pedal by a user's foot. |
| US07942376B1 |
Wire deck with integral reinforcement
A wire deck for supporting a load between two spaced parallel supports comprises a parallel array of first wires dimensioned to extend between the supports, and a parallel array of second wires extending across and joined to the first wires. The second wires have intermediate shaped sections projecting downwardly from an adjacent pair of first wires. The shaped sections define a channel-shaped path parallel to the first wires, with one of the first wires located at the base of that path. |
| US07942372B2 |
Multi-functional rack for a whiteboard
A multi-functional rack for a whiteboard includes a lower adjuster. The lower adjuster has two lower telescopic tubes respectively disposed two lateral sides thereof. The lower adjuster has a driving mechanism mounted thereon. A frame is fixed on lower adjuster. The driving mechanism is connected to the frame for lifting the frame. An upper adjuster is mounted on a top of the lower adjuster. The upper adjuster has two upper telescopic tubes respectively disposed on two lateral sides thereof. An upper cross beam has two ends simultaneously fixed on an upper part of the both two lower telescopic tubes. An upper sleeve is rotatably mounted on the cross beam. A telescopic arm is connected to the upper sleeve. An adjusting mechanism is mounted on the upper adjuster. |
| US07942371B1 |
Conduit spacer for duct banks
Conduit spacers useful in preparing duct banks are disclosed. The conduit spacers are designed for attachment to each other in vertical and horizontal combinations, that is, they may be arranged in side-by-side arrays, up-and-down arrays, or arrays that are both side-to-side and up-and-down. Thus, the conduit spacers include both vertical and horizontal restraints or interlocks. The vertical interlocks are achieved by the use of tapered tabs and tapered slots, both the tabs and the slots having tapers in the same horizontal direction. Horizontal interlocks are made by the use of rails and matching grooves in the sides of the spacers. Thus, both vertical and horizontal interlocks are achieved by assembling the ducts in a horizontal direction, side-by-side as desired for width, and up-and-down as desired for height. The number and length of conduits and the length of the duct banks needed dictate how many spacers are needed. |
| US07942368B2 |
Composite aircraft component
This invention relates to improving the tolerance of composite laminate structures to damage and/or delamination, resulting in weakening of the structure and/or to reducing the possibility of such damage and/or delamination. In particular, but not exclusively the invention relates to protecting the end surfaces of composite laminate structures present on aircraft from impact damage. The invention provides an aircraft component comprising a composite laminate structure, the composite laminate structure including an end surface at which a multiplicity of the layers of the laminate structure terminate, wherein the aircraft component further comprises a deformable strip mounted to protect the end surface of the composite laminate structure from direct impacts. |
| US07942367B2 |
Rest compartment for an aircraft pilot
A rest compartment configured for at least one aircraft pilot includes a berth arranged at least partially above an aisle separating two monuments. The first and second monuments are located behind a cockpit of an aircraft. One of the monuments comprises an access to the berth. |
| US07942366B2 |
Aircraft landing gear with integrated extension, retraction, and leveling feature
Electrically controlled and/or actuated landing gear mechanisms are presented that allow for adjustment of aircraft attitude on the ground as well as for retraction and extension of the landing gear in a single unit. Most preferably, the electric actuator is positioned within the diameter of the strut to thereby form a compact and load bearing structure. |
| US07942365B2 |
Variable speed transmission for a rotary wing aircraft
A transmission gearbox for a rotary-wing aircraft includes a main gearbox and a variable speed gearbox in meshing engagement with the main rotor gearbox. The variable speed gearbox permits at least two different RPMs for the main rotor system without disengaging the engine(s) or changing engine RPMs. The variable speed gearbox includes a clutch, preferably a multi-plate clutch, and a freewheel unit for each engine. A gear path drives the main gearbox in a “high rotor speed mode” when the clutch is engaged to drive the main rotor system at high rotor rpm for hover flight profile. A reduced gear path drives the main gearbox in a “low rotor speed mode” when the clutch is disengaged and power is transferred through the freewheel unit, to drive the main rotor system at lower rotor rpm for high speed flight. The variable speed gearbox may be configured for a tail drive system that operates at a continuous speed, a tail drive system that changes speed with the main rotor shaft or for no tail drive system. |
| US07942357B2 |
Wear part for a VSI-crusher, and a method of reducing the wear on the rotor of such a crusher
A wear part for protecting a vertical rotor wall of a rotor of a VSI-crusher includes a wear body having a wear surface adapted for contacting abrasive particles. The wear surface is provided with at least one ridge extending over at least a portion of the wear surface. At least a portion of the length of the ridge is, when the wear part has been mounted to the vertical rotor wall, inclined in relation to a horizontal plane. |
| US07942356B2 |
Horizontal shaft impact crusher
A horizontal shaft impact crusher includes a housing, an impeller, and a first and a second curtain against which material accelerated by the impeller may be crushed, the second curtain being located downstream of the first curtain. The housing is provided with a first and a second pivot point for mounting a first end of the first curtain in two different positions relative to the impeller, a first adjustment device for mounting a second end of the first curtain, a third and a fourth pivot point for mounting a first end of the second curtain in two different positions relative to the impeller, and a second adjustment device for mounting a second end of the second curtain. |
| US07942353B2 |
Adjustable screen for material destruction apparatus
An adjustable screen apparatus for a material destruction device includes a first stationary fixed member and a second member positioned in an operatively juxtaposed and nesting relationship for reciprocal movement relative to the first member, each having a predetermined plurality of openings which are disposed in a predetermined pattern. A guide system is provided for guiding the reciprocal movement of the second member relative to the first member. A power operated drive is coupled to a source of power and to the second member for reciprocally moving the second member between a first position wherein each opening in the second member substantially overlaps a respective opening in the first member for producing large size particles and a second position wherein each opening in the second member partially overlaps each of a pair of adjacently disposed openings in the first member for producing small size particles. |
| US07942350B2 |
Method and system for fluid transmission along significant distances
A supply line system for conveying a fluid is provided. First and a second conduit segment have at least one inner conduit surface and an outer conduit surface. At least one fluid chamber is within the conduit segments and is formed by the at least one inner conduit surface. At least one electric wire is located between the at least one inner conduit surface and the outer conduit surface. A conduit connection element is connecting the first and second conduit segments, thereby mating the fluid chamber and the electric wire of the first conduit segment with the fluid chamber and the electric wire of the second conduit segment. At least a portion of the quantity of fluid and the electric signals is passed from the first to the second conduit segment. A control system is connected to the electric wire and in communication with at least one device. |
| US07942338B2 |
Semiconductor device
The invention provides a circuit which provides a stabilized boosting in the case where a semiconductor device typified by a non-contact ID chip includes a circuit which requires a higher voltage than a logic circuit does. By inputting an alternating signal inputted from an antenna to a charge pump circuit as it is or through a logic circuit, a charge pump can operate with a stabilized frequency that a clock frequency is not affected by a variation of elements and the ambient temperature, thus a stabilized boosting can be provided. |
| US07942333B2 |
IC card secure personalization method
A method for an entity different than a manufacturer of an integrated circuit (IC) card to perform a secure personalization phase of the semi-finished IC card is provided. The semi-finished IC card includes a non-volatile memory storing an algorithm for processing data as a finite-state machine, and enabling the entity different from the IC card manufacturer to access the algorithm for storing personalization data and information in the non-volatile memory. The method includes performing a security authentication before enabling the algorithm to receive the personalization data and information, enabling the algorithm to receive the personalization data and information, and storing the personalization data and information in secret memory locations in the non-volatile memory according to a data structure and an access procedure hidden to the entity different from the manufacturer of the integrated circuit card. The enabling and storing may be repeated if the personalization data and information were not correct. |
| US07942332B2 |
Camera unit incoporating program script scanner
A camera unit includes a display for displaying an image to be captured; an image sensor for digitally capturing the displayed image; a card reader having a linear scanner for scanning a surface of a removable card to sense a plurality of dots printed on the surface of the removable card, the plurality of dots representing a bit pattern encoding a program script; a card interface for receiving a signal from the card reader indicative of the sensed plurality of dots printed on the surface of the card, and decoding the sensed plurality of dots into the program script; and a printer configured to print a distorted image on print media, the distorted image being a version of the captured image distorted in accordance with the program script. |
| US07942329B2 |
Method for providing user feedback in an autoidentification system
An optical barcode and/or RFID reader having at least two sets of illuminating LEDs that are directed toward a target object to reflect whether the barcode and/or RFID reading was successful or unsuccessful. The reader is provided with a set of red LEDs and a set of green LEDs for illuminating targets, such as barcodes or RFID tags. In addition to using these LEDs to illuminate the target, the reader will illuminate the target with a particular color of light to signify a successful read, such green light, or an unsuccessful read, such as red light. A third color may be provided to indicate a successful RFID interrogation, such as blue light. The reader thus uses the built-in illumination LEDs to cast differently colored light on the target, rather than having to provide additional LEDs in a user interface positioned on the housing of the reader. |
| US07942326B2 |
Multi-mode ring scanner
A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on a finger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit, such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with a computing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as an optical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has two paddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacent to the finger. The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRS in a plurality of modes and/or to communicate a plurality of information codes to the computing device. The computing device is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination of activation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRS optionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a host processor. |
| US07942319B2 |
Location information management
A method of managing product-location specific information is provided. Product-location specific information is collected from multiple users at a centralized network hub and transformed into location-harmonized data with one or more attached attributes including product data. The location-harmonized product-location specific data and/or content derived therefrom is distributed, and/or other content is distributed based on the location-harmonized product-location specific data and/or on the location harmonized data, to the same or different users. One or more efficient customer access methods is/are also provided. |
| US07942312B2 |
System and method for obtaining object data
In a method and a system for obtaining object data representative of an object, the object is provided with at least one identification carrier on which identification data are stored, the method including:—reading identification data from the identification carrier with a read unit;—determining from the identification data location data of a network location of a server element connected to an electronic network and on which object data representing the relevant object are stored;—sending the identification data on the basis of the location data via a communication connection over the electronic network between the read unit and the server element associated with the determined network location;—the server element determining task data from the identification data;—having the server means execute the associated task on the basis of the task data so as to generate and/or process object data representing the identified object. |
| US07942311B2 |
Method for sequencing flavors with an auditory phrase
A method for linking tasting a food product with listening to an auditory phrase. The method involves identifying sequenced flavor notes in a food product and developing an auditory or musical phrase that represents or artistically relates to the tasting experience of the flavor notes. The auditory phrase is played and listened to concurrently with tasting the food product, thus producing a combined sensory experience. |
| US07942306B2 |
Friction stir welding tool having a counterflow pin configuration
A friction stir welding tool having one or more tapered flats for promoting flow of weld material toward the pin terminus and one or more counter-spiraling channels or threads which for promoting flow of the weld material toward the tool shoulder. |
| US07942305B1 |
Soldering apparatus
A soldering apparatus includes a base body, an actuator connected to the base body, and a pair of soldering arms connected to the actuator, each of the pair of soldering arms including a heating member and a soldering tip thermally coupled to the heating member. The pair of soldering arms is moveable and the actuator is controllable to move one soldering arm relative to the other soldering arm. |
| US07942303B2 |
Knife lockout mechanisms for surgical instrument
A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a channel, a cover, a staple cartridge and a knife. The channel includes a protrusion thereon. The cover is configured for mechanical engagement with the channel and includes a blocking member and a surface defining a plane. At least a portion of the blocking member is configured to move away from the plane upon contact with the protrusion. The staple cartridge is configured for mechanical engagement with the cover. The blocking member is configured to substantially prevent distal translation of the knife after the knife has been translated proximally past a predetermined position. |
| US07942301B2 |
Vascular puncture stapling system
A stapling system includes a tissue staple, a mandrel, and a pusher. The staple includes a crown at the proximal end and a plurality of prongs extending distally therefrom about a central axis of the staple. Each prong of the staple includes a tab extending towards the central axis. The mandrel receives the staple along an outer surface thereof. The mandrel includes a proximal groove adapted to receive the tab of the corresponding prong. The proximal groove includes a ramp from a proximal portion of the proximal groove to a distal portion of the proximal groove. The mandrel further includes a distal groove adapted to receive the tabs of the prongs and a distal anvil disposed distally of the distal groove. The pusher is disposed around the mandrel abutting and proximal to crown of the staple. |
| US07942298B2 |
Paper processing tool with force reducing drive arrangement
A stapler includes a base member, a magazine for receiving a plurality of staples, and a drive member including a driver blade movable relative to the magazine for ejecting staples from the magazine one at a time. The stapler further includes an input member pivotally coupled to the drive member. The input member is configured to receive an input force and transmit the input force to the drive member for driving movement of the drive member relative to the magazine. One of the drive member and the input member pivots about a pivot axis that moves relative to the base member along an arcuate path. |
| US07942291B2 |
Break-away spring and piston rod for a trigger sprayer
A manually operated trigger sprayer has an integral plastic spring and pump piston rod that are connected by a breakable connection, whereby the spring and piston rod can be assembled to the trigger sprayer as one piece and are subsequently broken into two separate pieces in response to their assembly to the trigger sprayer, or subsequent manual operation of the trigger sprayer. |
| US07942290B2 |
Ticket dispenser
An improved device for distributing tickets or coupons is disclosed that includes a plurality of ticket chutes each having a ticket guide assembly for guiding tickets through the chute and an exit slot and biasing tickets against a drive wheel which engages the tickets. The drive wheel is powered by a motor which uses a drive belt to power a screw gear which in turn rotates and axle on which the drive wheel is attached. The motor is activated by a controller in response to an input signal and the controller may also received input from an optical sensor in the chute for the detection of the tickets and the movement of the motor. |
| US07942287B2 |
Bottle and closure assembly with improved locking elements
A threaded container closure assembly, comprising: a container neck (10) having an opening; a closure (12) for said neck, the closure having a base portion (22) and a skirt portion (24), a first screw thread on the neck said first screw thread comprising one or more first thread segments (16), and a second screw thread on an inner surface of the skirt of the closure, said second screw thread comprising one or more second thread segments (26); a first locking projection (44) on the container neck separate from the first thread segments (16) and a second locking projection (46) on the inner surface of the skirt of the closure separate from the second thread segments (26), said first and second locking projections being configured to resist unscrewing of the closure from the fully engaged position on the container neck after the closure has been secured or resecured on the container neck until a predetermined minimum opening torque is applied; wherein said first and second locking projections (44, 46) longitudinally overlap the first or the second thread segments when the closure is in the fully engaged position on the container neck. |
| US07942284B2 |
Apparatus for removing tamper-evident seals from containers
An apparatus removes a tamper-evident seal from a mouth of a container and retains the tamper-evident seal to prevent any of the seal from falling into the container. The apparatus includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A sidewall circumscribes the body and extends substantially perpendicularly from the top surface of the body. A first projection extends substantially perpendicularly from the top surface and is disposed radially inward from the side wall. The first projection includes a first tip, a first portion, and a second portion, wherein an indentation is defined between the first and second portions. The first portion is located between the body and the second portion. The second portion has a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the first portion. A plurality of second projections extend from the top surface of the body. |
| US07942283B2 |
Dispenser assembly
A method and a device for preparing a drinking glass, cup, mug or other beverage container, e.g. drink-ware, where any dry granular, flaked, shaved or powder substance (SPICE) is applied to the rim of the drink-ware. Where the drink-ware is inverted and introduced into the SPICE and in order to adhere the SPICE to the rim of the drink-ware, the rim is customarily first moistened with a liquid, gel or other viscous aqueous wetting substance (moistening agent). The dispenser is an all encompassing system to accommodate common large diameter drink-ware, to moisten the rim of the drink-ware, house the SPICE, preserve the moistening agent and preserve the SPICE by separating the moisture of the wetting agent from the SPICE, providing for drink-ware to be introduced into the wetting agent then into the SPICE and to re-close and secure the device and its contents with a screw or snap-on lid. |
| US07942281B2 |
Closure and package with flexible base wall panel
A closure includes a plastic shell having a generally flat base wall, a peripheral skirt for mounting the closure on a container neck finish and an annular portion integrally connecting the skirt to the periphery of the base wall. A flexible resilient sealing liner is disposed on at least an inner surface of the annular portion. The annular portion has an inverted V-shape with an outer leg integrally connected to the skirt and an inner leg integrally connected to the periphery of the base wall such that the base wall is disposed axially beneath the annular connection between the inner and outer legs. The inner leg is resiliently flexible with respect to the outer leg upon engagement with an end of a container neck finish so as to flex the inner leg and the base wall outwardly with respect to the skirt and thereby draw the outer leg into engagement with an outer surface of the container neck finish. The inner leg of the annular V-shaped portion preferably is conical, and in exemplary embodiments of the disclosure the outer leg preferably either is cylindrical or is conical preferably at an angle equal and opposite to the conical inner leg. |
| US07942280B2 |
Push tab vial assembly and methods
A push tab container assembly includes a container and a lid configured to mate with the container in an unlocked state and in a locked state. The container includes a push tab assembly having a locking member defining a ramped surface and ending at a locking edge. The locking edge is vertically oriented with respect to the ramped surface and is tapered as it extends radially inwardly. The container has exactly one external container thread positioned on an external surface and at least one internal thread positioned on an internal surface. The lid has at least one locking lug positioned on an internal surface of a second skirt. The locking lug has a lug edge that tapers as it extends radially inwardly. When the lid is operably oriented relative to the container in the unlocked state, the external lid thread is mated with the internal container thread. When the lid is operably oriented relative to the container in the locked state, the internal lid thread is mated with the exactly one external container thread, while the locking edge of the locking member is engaged against the lug edge of the locking lug. The push tab assembly is actuatable to release the locking edge of the locking member from the lug edge of the locking lug to permit disengagement of the lid from the container. |
| US07942278B2 |
Baking rack for chickens and other fowl
A baking rack is provided. The rack includes a plurality of relatively straight wires that are each disposed in parallel to each other and an outer wire establishing a perimeter of the rack and extending along opposing ends of the plurality of wires, the straight wires and the outer wire are each disposed within a plane. A plurality of height stabilizing members are connected to two or more of the straight wires or the outer wire, such that the plane is disposed above a surface upon which bottom portions of the height stabilizing members rest. A plurality of upstanding members extend from the plane, the upstanding members each connected to one or more of the straight wires and the outer wire, the upstanding members each comprising an arched portion and an upstanding stick, wherein a second plane is disposed through the arched portion of each upstanding member is at an acute angle with a line parallel to the straight wires. |
| US07942274B2 |
High-throughput asymmetric membrane
A microporous asymmetrical membrane formed of one or more layers wherein the “tight” side of the membrane has an “opened” face or otherwise highly-porous reticulated surface is described. The microporous asymmetrical membrane has high throughput and high flux, even when used for filtering viscous materials, such as serum or plasma. The membrane's surface can be formed by ablation or solvation, or in a two or more layered structure, through an appropriate selection of casting dopes. |
| US07942273B2 |
Cross flow air separation system
A cross-flow air separation system comprises a conveyor configured to project material out over an end of the conveyor generally along a trajectory path into a far receiving bin. An optical sensing system is configured to identify particular objects in the projected material. A first air ejection system is configured to generate a first airstream that ejects the identified objects from the trajectory path into a second near receiving bin. A second cross air current system is configured to generate a second airstream that reduces air resistance for the materials projected along the trajectory path. The second airstream reduces certain aeronautic phenomena that would cause some of the projected materials to unintentionally fall into the wrong receiving bin, thus creating a higher purity/less contaminated materiel stream into the near bin. |
| US07942268B2 |
Container for take-away pizza or the like
A container for take-away pizza or the like comprises a first dish-shaped semi-container and a second dish-shaped semi-container comprising a first and a second support portions, respectively, adapted to support the pizza, and means for the mutual releasable connection of the first and the second semi-containers. The first and the second semi-containers are shaped so that, when they are connected, the respective support portions thereof form, together, a pizza seat adapted to internally contain the take-away pizza and, when they are separated, each of them can act as a dish for the pizza through the respective support portion thereof. The first and the second semi-containers are made of a washable material so that the container can be used many times. |
| US07942267B2 |
Case with pill receiving sleeves for storing and dispensing pills
A case for receiving and dispensing pills, having an optional top cover having a forward edge and a rearward edge, an optional bottom cover having a forward edge and a rearward edge, a spine extending between the top cover and the bottom cover, to which the top cover and the bottom cover are affixed at the rearward edges thereof, and at least one sleeve containing a plurality of pills secured within the sleeve and adapted to be dispensed therefrom, the sleeve having a forward edge and a rearward edge and being attached to the spine at the rearward edge thereof between the top cover and the bottom cover. |
| US07942264B2 |
Sterilization container with peel top
A single-use sterilization container for use in the sterilization of medical instruments is provided. The sterilization container includes a lid having central portion defined by a frangible region. Upon activation of the frangible region, the central portion may be removed rendering the sterilization container inoperable for future use. |
| US07942253B2 |
Thumb-actuated handle device
Provided is a novel handle device that encloses a ratcheting mechanism that a user can easily control and operate using only one hand by employing conveniently located push button ratchet controls situated at the opposing lateral surface ends of the handle. |
| US07942245B2 |
Oil return structure for vehicle drive apparatus
An oil return structure for a vehicle drive apparatus includes a hydraulic control apparatus disposed below an oil supply target device to which oil for lubricating and cooling is supplied; and an oil pan that retains the oil that is supplied to the oil supply target device is provided below the hydraulic control apparatus, wherein a bypass oil path is formed in a body of the hydraulic control apparatus, the bypass oil path being structured in order to guide the oil from the oil supply target device from an upper surface of the body, inside the body and then discharge the oil from a side surface of the body. |
| US07942243B1 |
Intermediate cable fairlead
An intermediate cable fairlead is comprised of a frame assembly, a left and right wheel assembly affixed to the frame assembly, and a pulley wheel attached to the wheel assembly. The intermediate cable fairlead can be attached to a ladder and utilized to move material from the ground up to or over the intermediate cable fairlead. The device can also be utilized as a stop to hold a load in position on a ladder. |
| US07942237B2 |
Long fiber thermoplastic composite muffler system with integrated reflective chamber
The present invention provides composite muffler systems formed of a long fiber thermoplastic. Long fiber thermoplastic technology allows the fibers, to maintain a length sufficient to provide structural strength at lower fiber loading. The long fiber thermoplastic material for forming composite muffler systems also provides increased impact strength and creep resistance as well as chemical and thermal resistance. Mufflers molded with long fiber thermoplastics demonstrate improved dimensional stability as compared to known short fiber based moldings. One suitable muffler structure is a multi-piece muffler assembly including at least one long fiber thermoplastic shell section. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance. The use of such preforms is particularly suited to use in the manufacture of high temperature, structural articles such as bumper muffler combinations. |
| US07942232B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
A controller samples a motor current value detected by a motor current detector at a sampling start timing for turning on a switching device to start holding in a motor current hold section, and fetches the motor current value held in the motor current hold section at a hold timing for turning off the switching device. The sampling start timing and the hold timing are variable. |
| US07942231B2 |
Hydraulic power steering system
A hydraulic auxiliary power steering for motor vehicles having a source for a hydraulic medium, in particular an oil pump, which can be driven during operation by a drive device, in particular by an internal combustion engine of the vehicle or by an electric motor, having a steering transmission and having a line system for the hydraulic medium connecting the source to the steering transmission, wherein the line system has at least two line sections through which the hydraulic medium can flow. |
| US07942226B2 |
Motorcycle
A motorcycle includes a body frame having right and left frame members 15R and 15L and an air cleaner 10 having an air cleaner case 3 and an air filter element 6. The air cleaner case 3 includes a lower section 3a, a part of which being positioned between the frame members 15R and 15L and an upper section 3b protruding upward from the lower section 3a above the frame members 15R and 15L and laterally extending outward. The upper section 3b is positioned above the frame members 15R and 15L and laterally outward of inner ends 15a of the right and left frame members 15R and 15L. The upper section 3b has a seal section 26. The air filter element 6 is supported and sealed by the seal section 26 so as to divide the inner space of the air cleaner case 3 into an upper space and a lower space. |
| US07942224B2 |
Lawn mower with suspended ergonomic seat
Embodiments of the invention provide a lawn mower including a frame, a seat or operator station, one or more handles, and a suspension unit coupled between the frame and the seat or operator station. The lawn mower can include one or more pivot members with a first portion coupled to the frame at a pivot location forward of the seat or operator station and a second portion coupled to the seat or operator station. The one or more pivot members can allow the seat or operator station and the one or more handles to move with respect to the frame while the suspension unit absorbs a portion of shock caused by riding over the uneven terrain. The seat can be positioned at least partially between a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel and at least partially along a drive axis. The seat can be declined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the operator's upper torso leans forward at an angle with respect to a vertical plane when the operator is sitting on the seat. |
| US07942223B2 |
Vehicular radiator supporting apparatus
A vehicular radiator supporting apparatus 10 has a pair of radiator support sides 16 and 18 connected to a radiator support upper 12 to be pivoted about a predetermined pivot axis O. To the pair of radiator support sides 16 and 18, a pair of abutting brackets 34 and 36 are integrally fixed at positions corresponding to a height of the bumper reinforcement 54, and they are connected to a pair of vehicle-body side brackets 38 and 40. When applied with a load exceeding a predetermined value and acting rearward of the vehicle, the pair of abutting brackets 34 and 36 are pivoted about the pivot axis O integrally with the pair of radiator support sides 16 and 18 to be displaced rearward of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicular radiator supporting apparatus 10 itself in addition to the radiator main body 20 is prevented from being damaged. |
| US07942222B2 |
Swing-type operation machine
To realize a mounting structure on the rear side of the seat of the operator station on which the seat and equipment for operation are installed in the swing table of a swing-type operation machine, the mounting structure being simple in construction yet imparted with a sufficiently large strength without increasing the size of the swing table or without utilizing the counter weight. The swing-type operation machine comprises an under carriage, a swing table mounted on the under carriage so as to freely swing thereon, an operator station mounted on the swing table and on which a seat and equipment for operation are installed, and a heat exchanger-mounting body supporting a heat exchanger for cooling the engine that is positioned at the back of the seat of the operator station and supporting the rear part of the seat of the operator station. |
| US07942213B2 |
Using hydrostatic bearings for downhole applications
Hydrostatic bearings are used for drill string stabilization and bottom hole assembly steering. The hydrostatic bearings utilize an existing mud flow as the bearing fluid. For steering, the bearings may be used between movable kick pads and the formation to reduce friction. Alternatively, differential hydrostatic bearing pressure may be utilized to steer. Multi-modal (non-linear and linear) steering may be provided by selectively applying equal and unequal hydrostatic bearing pressures. The bearings can be made more tolerant of imperfections in the formation by utilizing multiple pressure pockets. |
| US07942212B2 |
Hand-guided power tool
A hand-guided power tool has a drive motor and a tool in driving connection with the drive motor. At least one handle is provided for guiding the power tool in operation. At least one antivibration element functionally connects the at least one handle and the drive motor. The at least one antivibration element has a coil spring and a guide, wherein the coil spring has an end connected to the guide. The coil spring has a first radial spacing relative to the guide in a first radial direction and has a second radial spacing relative to the guide in a second radial direction, wherein the second spacing is smaller than the first spacing or is zero. |
| US07942207B2 |
Ceiling-only dry sprinkler systems and methods for addressing a storage occupancy fire
A ceiling-only dry sprinkler system configured to address a storage occupancy fire event with a sprinkler operational area sufficient in size to surround and drown the fire. The system and method preferably provide for the surround and effect by activating one or more initial sprinklers, delaying fluid flow to the initial activated sprinklers for a defined delay period to permit the thermal activation of a subsequent one or more sprinklers so as to form the preferred sprinkler operational area. The sprinklers of the operational area are preferably configured so as to provide sufficient fluid volume and cooling to address the fire-event with a surround and drown configuration. The defined delay period is of a defined period having a maximum and a minimum. The preferred sprinkler system is adapted for fire protection of storage commodities and provides a ceiling only system that eliminates or otherwise minimizes the economic disadvantages and design penalties of current dry sprinkler system design. |
| US07942205B2 |
Secondary oil recovery
A process for injecting water into a subterranean petroleum-bearing formation for petroleum recovery, said method comprising: a) positioning a selective membrane (14) between an aqueous solution (18) and formation water (20) having a higher solute concentration than the aqueous solution (18), such that water passes across the membrane (14) by osmosis to dilute the formation water (20), b) injecting the diluted formation water (22) into the petroleum-bearing formation, c) recovering formation water from the petroleum-bearing formation, and d) using at least a portion of the recovered formation water in step a). |
| US07942203B2 |
Thermal processes for subsurface formations
A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation. |
| US07942198B2 |
Aerator for a well water pumping system
A novel aerator for use inside a well casing in conjunction with a submersible pump, the aerator comprising a check-valve with a nozzle for spraying a portion of a water supply that is being pumped by the pump. The spray is directed towards the well water within the well casing and is calibrated to provide enough agitation to promote the evolution of dissolved gases in the water both as it is sprayed and also as the spray contacts the surface of the well water. The check-valve is calibrated to operate at a pressure threshold to ensure that spraying occurs only when the pump is running. |
| US07942196B2 |
Heat spreader with vapor chamber
A heat spreader for cooling an electronic component includes a lower plate defining a chamber, an upper plate fixed on the lower plate to seal the chamber, a first wick layer and a second wick layer sandwiched between the lower plate and the upper plate, and a working liquid contained in the chamber. The first wick layer and the second wick layer respectively define a plurality of apertures, which include right-angled triangle, acute-angled triangle, and rhomboid apertures communicating with each other for containing the working liquid therein. |
| US07942191B2 |
Method and system for producing wide steel strip
A method for producing a wide steel strip using thin slab continuous casting and rolling by the following steps a) casting a molten steel into a thin slab having a thickness of between 50 and 90 mm; b) cutting; c) soaking; d) heating by electromagnetic induction; e) descaling; f) rolling; g) cooling with laminar flow; and h) coiling. The method can effectively control the solution and precipitation of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfide in steel with a low cost. The process is easy and flexible, and steel can be produced in a wide range of categories. Further provided is a system for producing a wide steel strip with thin slab continuous casting and rolling. |
| US07942190B2 |
Process for repairing inlet ports of an extruder die
A process for repairing one or more worn inlet ports on an interior or exterior surface of an extruder die wherein each inlet port provides an opening into an extrusion channel. The worn inlet port has a funnel shape and a diameter greater than that of the extrusion channel. The worn inlet port is repaired by placing a fused silicon oxide insert into one or more extrusion channels so that an external surface of the insert engages the interior surface of the extrusion channel, thereby forming a pocket around the insert between the circumference or perimeter of the worn inlet port and the external surface of the insert. The pocket is filled with molten metal, and the insert prevents the molten metal from entering the extrusion channel. When the molten metal hardens the inserts are removed. New inlet ports are thereby formed having the same diameter as the extrusion channels. |
| US07942187B2 |
Method for manufacturing mold
A method for manufacturing a mold, including steps of (a) expanding a powder mixture containing a water-soluble inorganic salt powder and a water-soluble organic polymer powder in a plane on a table and then selectively spraying a spray liquid containing at least one selected from a water-miscible organic solvent and water through a nozzle on this powder mixture layer to make a bonding strength among particles of the powder mixture in a sprayed region higher than that among particles of the powder mixture in an unsprayed region, (b) further expanding the powder mixture on the powder mixture layer after spraying and then selectively spraying the spray liquid through the nozzle on this powder mixture layer, (c) repeatedly conducting the step (b) over several times to form a mold shaped by the sprayed regions, and (d) taking out the mold. |
| US07942185B2 |
Folding leaf gate
A folding leaf gate comprising a post hung section hingedly attachable to a gate post and at least one leaf hung section hingedly connected in series with the post hung section by means of one or more section hinges, wherein the folding leaf gate additionally includes a rotating device associated with the or each leaf hung section and sharing a common axis of rotation with the or each section hinge and secured in a static relationship to a leaf hung section whereby rotation of the or each rotating device causes rotation of a leaf hung section about the or each section hinge, and one or more translating devices engaging the or each rotating devices, the one or more translating device being configured, when in use, to translate rotational motion of the post hung section about a gate post to rotation of the one or more rotating devices whereby simultaneously to open a gateway closed by the folding leaf gate and fold the folding leaf gate in two or more. |
| US07942184B2 |
Vertical cellular blind
A vertical cellular blind includes a headrail having first and second tracks; a fabric carriage including a trolley translatable along one of the tracks and a fabric stem releasable connected to the trolley; a cellular fabric panel connected to the fabric stem; a vertical rail bracket translatable along the other of the tracks in the headrail and including a component angularly adjustable relative to the headrail; a vertical rail attached to the panel and connected to the vertical rail bracket; a cord having ends secured in the headrail and extending through the panel and the vertical rail; and a locking handle in the vertical rail having the cord extended therethrough and releasable pinching means in the handle for engaging the cord. |
| US07942180B2 |
Apparatus for applying glue to fibers for making fiberboard
The invention relates to an installation for applying glue to fibers for the production of fiberboard, especially MDF board or similar wood material board. Said installation comprises a fiber feed unit having at least one fiber feed conduit which opens into a fiber exit tube via e.g. an arched fiber deflection element and receives the air that is used to transport the fibers, a chute which is located downstream of the fiber exit tube, a glue application device which is located between the fiber exit tube and the chute and which has spray nozzles for spraying the fibers that emerge from the fiber exit tube and enter the chute with drops of glue, and a collection device, located downstream of the chute and having a transport device for collecting and optionally carrying off the fibers and a suction device for suctioning air from the chute through the transport belt. The installation is characterized in that the spray nozzles or at least some of the spray nozzles can be transferred from a standby position to a working position and vice versa for applying glue to the fibers. |
| US07942178B2 |
Pneumatic tire for motorcycle having central, intermediate and shoulder tread rubber
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire for a motorcycle which improves driving performance and braking performance without degrading driving stability particularly when a middle camber angle is applied to the tire. This tire comprises a tread portion 1, side wall portions 2 and bead portions 3, wherein this tread portion 1 comprises five regions of a central region A, shoulder regions C and intermediate regions B and 100% modulus of at least a portion forming the ground contact surface of intermediate tread rubber 7b disposed over the entire region of the intermediate regions B is larger than both of 100% modulus of at least a portion forming the ground contact surface of central tread rubber 7a disposed over the entire region of the central region A and 100% modulus of at least a portion forming the ground contact surface of shoulder tread rubber 7c disposed over the entire region of the shoulder regions C. |
| US07942168B2 |
Pneumatic and/or fluidic module, pneumatic and/or fluidic system and method of manufacturing a pneumatic and/or fluidic module
The invention provides a pneumatic and/or fluidic module, a method of producing a pneumatic and/or fluidic module and the use of a pneumatic and/or fluidic module, the pneumatic and/or fluidic module comprising at least one pneumatic and/or fluidic conduit provided to form at least a part of a pneumatic and/or fluidic circuit, said at least one pneumatic and/or fluidic conduit comprising a first part along said conduit and a second part along said conduit, wherein said conduit is provided essentially leak-proof along the interface of the first and the second part by means of the first part comprising a first material at the interface of the first and the second part and by means of the second part comprising a second material at the interface of the first and the second part and wherein the first material is more compressible than the second material. |
| US07942167B1 |
Expandable pipe for restoring a conduit
An expandable pipe (20) for restoring a damaged conduit (22) includes a liner (24) formed of polypropylene material. The liner (24) presents exterior surface (26) defining a plurality of grooves (28) and surrounding a center opening (32). The grooves (28) contain a grout material (30) and provide for controlled placement of the grout material (30). The grooves (28) maintain the placement of the grout material (30) when sliding the expandable pipe (20) into the conduit (22). The grout material (30) includes urethane and recycled fibers (36), and expands in volume upon contact with moisture. The grout material (30) expands to fill cracks in the conduit (22). The grooves (28) also render the expandable pipe (20) bendable in width (W) at the groves for folding and transporting the expandable pipe (20) and for maneuvering around bends of the conduit (22). |
| US07942161B2 |
Push-fit valve with integrated mounting assembly
The present invention provides an integrated valve, push connection and push release components, and a valve mounting assembly for use on fluid, air or gas applications. The invention allows for the installation of the valve by sliding the valve over the supply tube/piping or pushing the tube/piping into the valve. Once connected, an o-ring seals the connection, a packing gland applies energy to the o-ring seal maintaining constant, even pressure across the seal, and a grip ring applies opposing energy to prevent the disconnection of the assembly. The quick connection assembly is retained by a retaining cap, which applies constant, positive force on the sealing surface. |
| US07942157B2 |
Cleaning head
In order to deliver supplies of liquid for irrigation of a cleaning head, a turnable part of the cleaning head housing and a nozzle hub (4) are mounted directly in a stationary part (2) of the housing to the turnable part (3) by forming slide bearings therebetween made of materials such as AISI316L and Nitronic60, preferably with at least one bearing having parts (15, 20) made of the same material. Liquid can flow through gaps (9, 14) provided between the slide bearing parts, reducing the consumption of liquid used for irrigating an exterior of the cleaning head, while creating a strong film of liquid which settles on the exterior surface. |
| US07942156B2 |
Screening arrangement for a dishwashing appliance, and associated apparatus
A screening arrangement for screening washing fluid in a dishwashing appliance is provided. Such a screening arrangement comprises intersecting wall members forming a latticework structure, defining opposing inlet and outlet planes, for receiving the washing fluid therethrough. The wall members have inlet and outlet ends disposed toward the respective inlet and outlet planes. The wall member inlet ends, in cross section, have a non-planar apex portion tapering toward the outlet plane. A circumferential member extends about a periphery of the latticework structure, and at least a portion of the circumferential member is sloped toward the latticework structure so as to direct washing fluid received thereby toward the latticework structure. An associated apparatus is also provided. |
| US07942152B1 |
Soft hand restraint device for transporting prisoners
The present invention, a SOFT HAND RESTRAINT DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PRISONERS comprising a fabric pouch, a retaining clip mechanism, a wrist retaining strap, restraint grommets, a handcuff retainer and a splay device seeks to provide law enforcement personnel a means of safely transporting prisoners, whereby the ability of a prisoner to grasp objects or persons and exercise his hands in an offensive posture is temporarily debilitated. This is accomplished by maintaining the hand in a position whereby the middle and ring finger are splayed apart at a predetermined distance by a splay device, which interferes with the grip ergonomics, wherein the prisoner is unable to exert sufficient force to overcome the splay device and hence is unable to form a grip. Additional embodiments providing differing arrangements of the primary elements are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US07942151B2 |
Hemorrhoid treatment device
The present application is directed to a seat having a hard, firm surface designed to treat hemorrhoids. The hard, firm surface of the seat is configured to have a void and two opposing pressure applying points designed to place positive pressure on the area surrounding a hemorrhoid so as to develop a negative pressure within the body which causes the body to draw the hemorrhoids back up into the body. |
| US07942147B2 |
Aerosol forming device for use in inhalation therapy
The present invention relates to the inhalation delivery of aerosols containing small particles. Specifically, it relates to a device that forms drug containing aerosols for use in inhalation therapy. In a device aspect of the present invention, a device for delivering drug containing aerosols for inhalation therapy is provided. The device includes a housing and an airway that has a gas/vapor mixing airway. The airway further includes a subassembly, which has a metallic substrate coated on its surface with a composition comprising a drug. |
| US07942146B2 |
Impaction nozzle for propellant driven metered dose aerosols
Propellant gas inhaler fitted with a valve or valve system through which at least two clouds of aerosols or at least two jet streams are produced that travel towards one another at an angle from 0° to 180°, so that the individual aerosol particles at least partially impact with one another and lose kinetic energy thereby. |
| US07942145B2 |
Rechargeable self-heating food container
A rechargeable, self-heating food container includes an inner chamber with a supersaturated salt solution and trigger means for initiating crystallization of the supersaturated salt solution. A rechargeable element for heating food includes a cylinder containing a supersaturated salt solution sealingly insertable into a food container, with a trigger in fluid contact with the supersaturated salt solution. A method of heating a food container includes providing a food container with an internal chamber, a supersaturated salt solution contained in the internal chamber, and a trigger to initiate crystal nucleation within the supersaturated salt solution in an exothermic reaction; and recharging by heating the food container until the salt crystals melt, and cooling the salt solution to a supersaturated state. A portable recharger for a rechargeable heating element includes an insulated sleeve with electric resistive heating element pluggable into an automobile or conventional ac outlet. |
| US07942144B2 |
Heating system and apparatus
A heating apparatus and a system that utilize friction to generate thermal energy. The heating apparatus comprises a housing unit, a plurality of heating chambers for generating heat, an actuating unit, a shaft; and at least one blade unit. Each heating chamber comprises a stationary disc member, a rotating disc member, and a medium disposed between the stationary disc member and the rotating disc member. The actuating unit drives the rotating disc member in the heating chamber to generate thermal energy by friction among the stationary disc member, the rotating disc member, and the medium. Thermal energy generation is controlled by rotating speed, diameter of the disc member, and contact pressure between the rotating disc member and the stationary disc member. Tube members can also be used in the heating chambers. |
| US07942139B1 |
Ring insert for an air intake conduit for an internal combustion engine
A ring insert for an air intake conduit for an internal combustion engine comprising a sleeve-shaped body which is tightly mounted within the air intake conduit. The body has an inner surface which includes an annular surface in the shape of a truncated cone defining an annular inclined surface that is narrower at the forward edge of the body than at the rearward edge forming a venturi directly adjacent the rearward edge. The forward edge of the body is smoothly contoured and the rearward edge of the body is smoothly contoured. |
| US07942138B1 |
Outboard motor with exhaust gas recirculation cooling
An outboard motor is provided with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system that provides a heat exchanger which reduces the temperature of the exhaust gas prior to introducing the exhaust gas to the cylinders of the engine. The heat exchanger can be integral to the engine, particularly the cylinder head of the engine, or it can be disposed outside the structure of the engine. When disposed outside the structure of the engine, the heat exchanger can comprise a tubular structure that causes exhaust gas and water, from the body of water, to flow in thermal communication with each other. Alternatively, the heat exchanger which is disposed outside the structure of the engine can use a cavity within the driveshaft housing as a heat exchanger with water being sprayed into the stream of exhaust gas as it passes from the engine to the cavity. |
| US07942134B2 |
Evaporative emission system and method for controlling same
A method for controlling an automotive canister purge valve in fluid communication with an evaporative canister includes selecting a purge flow rate of increase for the purge valve based on a hydrocarbon concentration in a fluid stream exiting the evaporative canister, and operating the purge valve based on the selected rate. |
| US07942124B2 |
Exposed coil rocker arm cover assembly having external multi-coil mounting bracket
An improved rocker arm cover assembly having an enclosed rocker arm chamber housing and a generally L-shaped bracket for mounting multiple coils to an exterior vertical side wall of the housing, so that the coils are exposed and laterally displaced from the housing. The bottom of the housing includes special seal and flange members to permit sealing mounting to the engine head so that the rocker arm chamber is isolated as a “wet” enclosure from the coil bracket assembly. The housing is mounted directly to the head via a plurality of through bolts. A fully isolated, dual function, oil fill/PCV valve conduit is provided through the top of the housing to permit adding lubrication oil or permitting exhaust of crankcase vapors without contaminating the coils, and permitting independent servicing of the coils. Several variations of coils and coil mounting brackets are disclosed. |
| US07942123B2 |
Variable valve system for internal combustion engine
A variable valve system has a drive shaft having a drive cam, a rockable cam opening/closing an engine valve, a transmission mechanism converting torque of the drive cam into a rocking motion and transmitting it to the rockable cam, a control shaft, and a control cam. When the variable valve system varies a valve lift amount of the engine valve by changing the rocking fulcrum of the transmission mechanism, the rocking fulcrum during a small valve lift control is set in an area outside an arc locus drawn with the drive shaft being a center of the arc and passing through a rocking fulcrum position positioned at a maximum valve lift and also inside an arc locus drawn with a pivot of the one end side of the transmission mechanism being a center of the arc and passing through the rocking fulcrum position positioned at the maximum valve lift. |
| US07942113B2 |
Animal litter composition
An animal litter mixture comprising pine wood and silica gel is provided. The pinewood is preferably a sawdust form, although the pinewood may be in the form of fine shavings or compressed pellets. The silica gel may have one porosity or a mixture of porosity. In one embodiment of the animal litter mixture, the silica gel may be an indicator gel that changes colors when the silica is saturated with water. |
| US07942110B2 |
Electrostatic coating device
An electrostatic coating device (10) comprising a body defining to an interior chamber (13) communicating with the exterior by means of a first coating powder inlet conduit (14) and a second outlet conduit (15) for said powders, a plurality of electrodes (16) and one or more voltage generators (17) connected to said electrodes (16), wherein said electrodes (16) are positioned so as to generate an electrical field inside said second conduit (15). |
| US07942109B2 |
Spill-proof coloring container
The spill-proof coloring container is an invention that because of its unique geometry and design, will when oriented in any position prevent spillage of liquid contents when filled to predetermined amount. Because of the use of vacuum formed sheet in the construction of the container, the container pieces are compactly stackable and are of substantially low manufacturing cost. The container is principally intended for use by young children to facilitate painting pictures and dying objects such as Easter eggs without the mess otherwise associated with painting and dying. The invention is also intended to help avoid the mess associated with pouring paint or paint powder concentrates otherwise encountered when preparing a cup of paint for general purpose painting. |
| US07942106B2 |
Push pole for a boat
A push pole for manually propelling boats, including a shaft and a foot. In a preferred embodiment, the foot is flared at the bottom end in an inverted V-shape, and a pivoting pin is located along one side of the foot, and pivots outwardly from the foot so that it may be used to retrieve lures or as a docking hook. When the pin is not in use, it may pivot back into a receiving cavity within the side of the foot, forming a streamlined edge thereof. In one embodiment, the pivoting mechanism of the pin may include a spring to bias the pin in an outward direction, as well as means for locking the pin into the inward streamlined position when not in use. The pivoting pin may be locked into either the extended or retracted position. Further, the foot may be detachable from the shaft in any desired manner, and replaced by a net, paddle, gig, scrub brush, gaff, docking hook or spike that attaches in the same manner as the foot. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the push pole is buoyant in water, and includes a telescoping shaft that may be extended or retracted. A detachable hook is also disclosed. |
| US07942105B1 |
Foot operated scupper plug
A scupper plug apparatus is foot-operable, by a person standing next to the scupper, to apply substantially more force for sealing the scupper than is typically achievable through application of force by the hand or arm of a person installing a scupper plug. A resilient body of the scupper plug formed from highly conformable closed-cell foam to closely match the shape of the scupper. A rolling member is used as a cam follower in an actuation arrangement for compressing the resilient body. |
| US07942101B2 |
Leg adjuster for a work support
Apparatus for adjusting the longitudinal and angular position of a work surface support leg. The leg passes through a channel in a cap held via a spring and pin to a base affixed to the work surface. The leg's angular position is adjusted by rotating the cap, which moves a tooth through a series of mating depressions. The longitudinal position is adjusted by moving the leg which has a series of notches that mate with a locking tooth in the cap. A knob interfaces with the cap via a rotary cam having high and low steps and a matching cam rider. The low step allows separation between the cap and base and the high step locks the cap to the base, thereby locking in the adjustment setting for the leg. |
| US07942096B2 |
Method of controlling a powder sprayer and printing press having a powder sprayer
A method of controlling a powder sprayer having a fan jet nozzle configuration in a printing press, includes controlling the fan jet nozzle configuration as a function of operating parameters of the printing press. A printing press having a powder sprayer is also provided. |
| US07942093B2 |
Automatic brewed beverage dispenser comprising an infused product ejecting device
The invention relates to an automatic dispenser for infused beverages made from powdered coffee or from pre-packaged capsules comprising, inside a housing: an infusion group (1) containing an infusion chamber (2) having a bottom and an opening (3) and being able to receive a pressing plunger (5), actuating means (7) for effecting a sliding movement relative to the pressing plunger (5) and/or said infusion chamber (2) relative to one another, starting from a position of rest, in which the plunger is located outside the chamber, and up to a working position inside the infusion chamber, and an ejecting plate mounted inside the infusion chamber (2) in a manner that enables it to be displaced between the bottom and the opening (3) of the latter by means of a drive device, and; a device (20) for ejecting the cake consisting of coffee grounds or ejecting infused capsules when said ejecting plate is brought to the level of the opening (3) of the infusion chamber (2), this ejecting device comprising an ejecting arm (21) placed in alternating motion above the opening (3) of the infusion chamber (2). According to the invention, the ejecting arm (21) is mounted in a manner that enables it to rotate about a pivotal axis (24) perpendicular to the plane of the opening (3) of the infusion chamber (2) and it is driven in its alternating motion by a single cam (30) that can move with the pressing plunger (5) or with the infusion chamber (2) whose profile is such that it ensures the two-way displacement of the ejecting arm. |
| US07942092B1 |
Blast shield for armored vehicle
A protective shield apparatus for a light armor vehicle having a turret includes a generally flat base plate mounted to the turret; an armor plate fixed to the base plate and including a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel and a rear panel, the armor plate being canted vertically outward from the base plate; each of the first side panel, second side panel and rear panel including a ballistic glass window; a rear bracket connected at one end to a rear of the base plate and at another end to the turret; and a z-bracket connected at one end to the rear of the base plate and at another end the z-bracket bears against the turret. |
| US07942091B2 |
Shotgun drum magazine
A magazine for shotgun shells for use with a shotgun including an open frame housing having a generally flat front and a generally flat rear portion connected and separated by spacers. The flat front and flat rear portions each include an annular groove, the annular groove forming an annular path along which the shells travel. A rotatably mounted cog wheel for carrying the shells along the annular path and a coil spring for rotating the cog wheel such that shells can be manually loaded into the magazine against a force generated against the spring and automatically dispensed by the spring. |
| US07942089B2 |
Anvil drum and an anvil assembly provided with such an anvil drum
An anvil drum for a rotary cutting apparatus having a rotary axis comprises an axle on each axial side of the anvil and concentric with the axis. Each of the axles is adapted to receive a bearing, and an anvil surface substantially concentric with the rotary axis. A reference portion is provided including an axial reference surface coaxial to the axis and a radial surface perpendicular to the axis. At least one connection device is provided for connecting a cover member on each axial side of the anvil so as to cover the bearing, respectively. An anvil assembly is further provided with such an anvil drum and the bearings, each cover member being provided with a blind opening adapted arranged coaxially with respect to the axis. |
| US07942086B2 |
Hobble turning method and preferred applications for said method
A process for hobble lathing, and preferred process applications, for the cutting of workpieces with non-circular or discontinuous contours on programmable lathes. The use and combination of a special program e.g. of thread cycles and hobble values for the diameter and/or the longitudinal axis or the pitch, the angle of the spindle, in option of a reciprocal-step technique and interleaved machining sequences opens up virtually infinite possibilities. The preferred applications of the process allow special threads to be cut on screw-in bodies, e.g. screw-in artificial hip joint sockets and bone screws for example with neutral or virtually any angle of pitch or relief of the thread blade as well as e.g. internal and external contours on workpieces for circular wedge connections. A particularly beneficial hip joint socket is presented comprising so-called screw or threaded surfaces. |
| US07942083B2 |
Apparatus and method for depressing brake drum springs
A c-clamp locking device has been specially modified to depress brake drum springs while the brake shoes are replaced. The device has opposing c-clamp jaws, one of which has a blunt end for compression against the surface of the brake drum, and the other of which has a ring for compressing the brake drum spring. The jaws are adjustable relative to each other. A locking mechanism enables the device to lock in place when the brake drum spring is appropriately compressed, allowing the mechanic to use both hands unencumbered when replacing brake shoes. |
| US07942082B1 |
Crankable hand wrench
A crankable hand wrench includes an elongated main handle having opposite end portions, opposite faces extending between the opposite end portions, and a slot in the main handle nearer to one than the other of the opposite end portions, a wrench head attached to and extending from at least the other of the opposite end portions of the main handle, and a crank assembly incorporated by the main handle. The slot is formed through the main handle between the opposite faces thereof so as to open at the opposite faces. The crank assembly includes a crank handle movable between a stored position in which the crank handle is disposed within the slot and a deployed position in which the crank handle extends from the main handle so as to form a substantially L-shaped crank therewith. |
| US07942080B2 |
Index table assembly
An index table assembly includes a rotary table, a frame separated from the rotary table in the direction of a rotational axis of the rotary table, a clamping device for bringing the rotary table into contact with the frame by moving the rotary table along the rotational axis, a first bearing disposed between the rotary table and the frame, and an urging device disposed between the first bearing and one of the rotary table and the frame and pressing the first bearing against the other one of the rotary table and the frame at least when the rotary table rotates. |
| US07942078B2 |
Structural connection of a motor and gear unit
A structural connector for providing a structural interconnection between the housing of a gear unit and the housing of an electric motor, the structural connector being of a modular type including a base member adapted for connection to at least one of the housing of an electric motor and the housing of a gear unit, and at least two side wall members, the side wall members having a motor end adapted for connection to one of an electric motor housing and the base member and a gear end adapted for connection to a gear unit housing, the side wall members lying at least in substantial part in a plane inclined at an angle of at least 60 degrees relative to a plane containing at least a part of the base member, and the side wall members being spaced apart by connection to an interposed housing. |
| US07942077B2 |
Bicycle handlebar assembly having tightly clamping effect
A handlebar assembly for a bicycle includes a handlebar tube, a sleeve, a clamping member and an end cap. Thus, the clamping plate of the end cap is clamped between any two of the clamping member, an end portion of the sleeve and an outer wall of the handlebar tube without obstructing the contact space between the clamping member and the outer wall of the handlebar tube so that the clamping member can directly clamp the handlebar tube completely or indirectly clamp the handlebar tube locally through the clamping plate of the end cap, thereby enhancing the clamping effect of the handlebar assembly. |
| US07942072B2 |
Flexible force sensor with coupling type and multi-directional recognitions
A force sensor includes a substrate, a support layer, a film, a plurality of sensing portions, a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of sensing materials, and a filler. The support layer is disposed on the substrate. The film is supported by the support layer. The sensing portions extend from the film. The electrodes are correspondingly disposed on the sensing portions. The sensing materials are correspondingly disposed on the electrodes. The support layer, the film, the sensing portions, the electrodes, and the sensing materials encapsulated by the filler. |
| US07942071B2 |
Turbine for measuring petroleum products which are charged with a viscosity reduction agent
Turbine comprising a tubular body that receives an upstream stator, a rotor including a propeller and a downstream stator. The trailing edge of the blades of the upstream stator is inclined through a negative angle relative to a normal relative to the axis, and the leading edge of the blades of the propeller is inclined and rounded in an incline directed downstream. The rotational mounting of the propeller in the turbine involves a fixed shaft installed in the upstream and downstream stators, and which carries an upstream bearing bush and a downstream bearing bush, close to the end of the location of the propeller, and a stop formed by a crown of support pins in an upstream and downstream direction. The propeller comprises a tubular hub through which the fixed shaft extends and which has a bearing bush at each end in order to co-operate at the same time with the corresponding bearing bush of the fixed shaft and with the corresponding peripheral stop. |
| US07942069B2 |
Fluid handling device with isolating chamber
A fluid handling device includes a body portion defining a flow passage and an impulse chamber extending from the flow passage. The impulse chamber is fluidly coupled with the flow passage and has a pair of opposing ends defining a length dimension therebetween. The impulse chamber further presents a diameter dimension transverse to the length dimension, wherein the length dimension is at least 3 times and not greater than 10 times the diameter dimension. The device further includes at least one sensor operably coupled with the body portion. The sensor is disposed proximate the end of the impulse chamber opposite the flow passage and presents a sensing face facing into the impulse chamber. |
| US07942066B1 |
Non-intrusive two-phase flow measurement system
A process for determining a fluid flow velocity and then a mass flow rate of a cryogenic fluid in which a Helmholtz resonator is used to detect a presence of a two-phase flow in a conduit. The process first measures a frequency of the fluid flow, then determines a speed of sound of the fluid from the frequency, then measures the temperature of the fluid flow, and from the speed of sound and the temperature determines a quality of the fluid flow (liquid or vapor), and from the frequency and the fluid quality determines a Strouhal Number. The fluid flow velocity is found from an equation relating the frequency and a diameter of the surface area to the Strouhal Number. The mass flow rate is found from the fluid flow velocity and the temperature. |
| US07942065B2 |
Isokinetic sampling method and system for multiphase flow from subterranean wells
The invention relates in a one aspect to a method or apparatus for measuring flow properties of a multiphase fluid stream flowing in a pipeline comprising means for sampling, with a sampling probe, a portion of the fluid stream; for measuring a differential pressure between a first pressure of the fluid stream in the pipeline and a second pressure of the portion of the fluid stream in the sampling probe; for controlling flow rate of the sampled portion, wherein the flow rate of the sampled portion is controlled to provide for nullification of the differential pressure in order to obtain substantially isokinetic sampling of the fluid stream; for measuring properties of the portion of the fluid stream; and for processing the measured properties to determine the flow properties of the multiphase fluid stream flowing in the pipeline, wherein the above elements do not require- or are performed without the determination of the density of fluid in the fluid stream through nuclear radiation methods. |
| US07942064B2 |
Method and apparatus for measurement of mechanical characteristics of a cement sample
A system for non-destructively measuring the strength of a cement slurry sample includes an elongate sample container for receiving a cement slurry sample. The elongate sample container has a mass mounted at its first end. A transducer mounted at a second end of the elongate sample container vibrates the elongate sample container and mass. The elongate sample container, mass and transducer have a known resonance. The system calculates the strength of a tested cement slurry within the elongate sample container as a function of variation in resonance of the elongate sample container, mass and transducer. |
| US07942062B2 |
Pressure sensor and method for manufacturing the same
A pressure sensor includes: a housing; an attachment having a pressure input orifice communicating with an interior of the housing; a first diaphragm that seals an opening of the pressure input orifice of the attachment, an external surface of the first diaphragm being a pressure receiving surface; a force transmitting member having an end which is coupled approximately perpendicular to a main surface of the first diaphragm, the main surface being opposite from the pressure receiving surface; a swing arm which is joined to the force transmitting member and is held to a retainer at a pivoting point as a fulcrum; and a pressure sensing element having a first end coupled to the retainer and a second end coupled to the swing arm, so that a displacement direction of the force transmitting member is the same direction as a line joining the first end and the second end. In this pressure sensor, the force transmitting member, the swing arm, the pressure sensing element, and the retainer are housed inside the housing, and the retainer is fixed to an inner wall of the housing. |
| US07942060B2 |
Universal ultrasound holder and rotation device
Provided herein are devices and methods for mounting variously configured medical imaging probes for imaging applications. In one aspect, a holding device allows for interfacing/holding most conventional ultrasound probes such that the probes may be attached to a positioning device using a common interface. As ultrasound probes come in various sizes and lengths, the device may adjust to different lengths, widths and shapes of different probes. Hence, the device may work in a substantially universal manner while securely holding probes with little wobble or other problems. |
| US07942058B2 |
System and methods to determine and monitor changes in microstructural properties
A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. The present invention includes a database of data, wherein a first set of data is used for comparison with a second set of data to determine the conditions of the material microstructure. |
| US07942055B2 |
Acceleration sensor
Disclosed is an acceleration sensor having a small variation in detection sensitivity, in which one end portion of an oscillation detecting element is fixed so that the free length thereof does not vary. Supporting resins 4a, 4b are formed in one end portion of the oscillation detecting element 3. With the oscillation detecting element being inserted into a through hole 2h of a holding member 2 provided in a case 1, the supporting resins 4a, 4b are in close contact with the inner periphery of the through hole 2h. As a result, the oscillation detecting element 3 is fixed to and held by the holding member 2. |
| US07942049B2 |
Device for automatic evaluation and control of wind tunnel measurements
A device for evaluating a wind tunnel measurement, in which a processor identifies a flow element on an image recorded in the wind tunnel. The identified flow element subsequently may be segmented and further analyzed in order to obtain accurate information about the flow behaviour of an object to be analyzed. In addition, a method, a computer-readable storage medium, a program element, and an arrangement are disclosed. |
| US07942048B2 |
System for detecting the pressure in a vehicle tire and/or the speed of the vehicle
A system for detecting the pressure in a pneumatic vehicle tire which is mounted on a vehicle and/or the speed of the vehicle, having an arrangement composed of load sensors which supplies force signals for a two-dimensional pattern of the distribution of force which is exerted by the vehicle tire in contact with the sensors when the vehicle moves over the arrangement, a computer which is programmed in such a way that it defines the tire pressure and/or the speed on the basis of the distribution of force independently of the method of manufacture or the model of the tire and of the vehicle, and a device for displaying the pressure and/or the speed, is characterized in that the arrangement composed of load sensors comprises at least two series of load sensors which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel, wherein at least one row of load sensors is offset with respect to one or more rows of the load sensors by a predetermined absolute value transversely with respect to the direction of travel. |
| US07942047B2 |
Method for determining the length of the footprint on the ground of a tire of a wheel of a vehicle
A method for determining, while a vehicle is traveling, the length of the footprint on the ground of a tire (7) including a metal belt, fitted to a rim (6) of a wheel of the vehicle. According to the invention, this method includes mounting a magnetic sensor (16) on the rim (6) and analyzing the signal representing the magnetic field measured by the magnetic sensor, so as to detect the variations of the magnetic field resulting from the deformations sustained by a circumferential zone of the tire (7) situated opposite the magnetic sensor (8) when, respectively, the circumferential zone enters into contact with the ground and leaves the ground. |
| US07942043B2 |
On-board aftertreatment device tail pipe hydrocarbon slip calculation
A method to determine hydrocarbon slip in a compression ignition engine equipped with an electronic control unit having memory and coupled to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system having a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter, a selective catalyst reducer and a clean up diesel oxidation catalyst. |
| US07942039B2 |
Method and engine control unit to detect combustion misses in part-engine operation
In a method for detecting combustion misses in cylinders of a combustion engine in part-engine operation in which only some of the cylinders are operated by the injection of fuel, a positional angle of the crankshaft is assigned to an angle segment; each angle segment is assigned to the particular cylinder which predominantly provides the torque for moving the crankshaft through the angle segment; an irregular running datum is determined as a function of a difference of segment pass-through times of immediately successive angle segments; and a combustion miss is detected if the irregular running datum exceeds or undershoots a limit value. In part-engine operation, the irregular running datum is determined only for two successive angle segments that are assigned to a combusting cylinder and to a non-combusting cylinder. |
| US07942038B2 |
Systems and methods of monitoring acoustic pressure to detect a flame condition in a gas turbine
A method may detect a flashback condition in a fuel nozzle of a combustor. The method may include obtaining a current acoustic pressure signal from the combustor, analyzing the current acoustic pressure signal to determine current operating frequency information for the combustor, and indicating that the flashback condition exists based at least in part on the current operating frequency information. |
| US07942036B2 |
Rheometer allowing direct visualization of continuous simple shear in non-newtonian fluid
The present invention relates to a rheometric device which provides a direct visualization of the subject material. The device also determines the velocity and/or the strain field across the thickness and the morphology to be determined across the same gap. The invention relates both to a device and/or method that can be used in connection with current shearing rheometers, and similar apparatus. The present invention also relates to a process for making a shear rate measurement. The invention provides versatility by allowing multiple angles of visualization which properly characterizes the flow characteristics and shear rates involved. |
| US07942034B2 |
Testing system
A system for testing a mechanical input device of a wireless telecommunication device is provided, where the system comprises a pressure air regulator comprising: a receive unit comprising an inlet aperture and a first contact surface with at least one exit aperture connected to the inlet aperture; a distribution unit rotatably pivoted relative to the receive unit, the distribution unit comprising a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface and comprises at least two entrance apertures located at a rotational trajectory of the at least one exit aperture. The distribution unit further comprises at least two distribution apertures, each connected to an entrance aperture, thus providing pressure air when the entrance aperture overlaps with the exit aperture. |
| US07942030B2 |
Shell press, and die assembly and associated method therefor
A die assembly is provided, which is structured to be affixed to a shell press. The die assembly includes at least one die shoe having first and second opposing ends, and a number of divisions between the first end and the second end. The divisions are structured to divide the at least one die shoe into a plurality of pieces to accommodate thermal expansion. Each of the divisions between the pieces of the at least one die shoe has a profile. Preferably, the profile is not straight. Each of the divisions of the at least one die shoe form a gap between the pieces of the die shoe, thereby spacing the pieces apart from one another. The pieces are independently coupled to a corresponding mounting surface of the shell press. A shell press and a method for employing the die assembly in a shell press are also disclosed. |
| US07942024B2 |
Washing machine provided with silver solution supply device
A washing machine comprising a tub, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tub and a silver solution supply device for supplying a silver solution to the tub, wherein the silver solution supply device includes a housing provided with an inlet and an outlet, a water feed unit for connecting the inlet of the housing and the water supply unit of the washing machine, two silver members installed in the housing and ionized by the electrolysis, and a current speed reduction member positioned between an end of the silver member located at the outlet and the outlet of the housing. The current speed reduction member reduces the current speed of the wash water supplied to the silver solution supply device and changes the current of the wash water, thereby allowing the silver members to be sufficiently ionized and providing sufficient antibiotic and bactericidal effects. |
| US07942023B2 |
Drum type washing machine
Disclosed herein are a drum type washing machine and a control program therefore. The washing machine includes a control mechanism to control a motor. The control mechanism includes a torque control unit to perform torque addition processes of adding pulse type torque during only a period for which a drum makes one rotation in a uniform torque control state in which torque of the motor is uniformly controlled at least two times and to perform the second torque addition process after n+0.5 rotations of the drum (n is an integer not less than 1) on the basis of the first torque addition process, and a weight calculation unit to calculate an average value of rotational accelerations of the motor at the respective torque addition processes and to calculate a weight of laundry received in the drum based on the average value. |
| US07942018B2 |
Apparatus for cooling or heating thermal storage using microencapsulated phase change material slurries
A thermal storage system includes a thermal storage device that includes an aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material, a thermal collector in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a first heat exchanger, and a thermal service device in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a second heat exchanger. The aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material is configured to convert between solid and liquid states. |
| US07942017B2 |
Refrigerator door comprising an insulated duct for ice making air supply and discharge
A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit. |
| US07942016B2 |
Icemaker external intrusion protection
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet having at least one door, an ice dispenser operatively connected to one of the at least one door having an opening for dispensing ice, an ice storage receptacle for storing ice disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice crusher, an ice transfer mechanism for moving ice from the ice storage receptacle to the ice crusher, an ice chute for conveying ice from the ice crusher to the ice dispenser, and an intrusion barrier positioned within the ice chute to assist in preventing objects entering the ice chute through the ice dispenser from reaching the ice crusher without stopping ice flow through the ice chute. The ice dispenser may include a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being spaced apart from the second switch, and the ice dispenser adapted to require simultaneous activation of the first switch and the second switch to dispense ice. The ice dispenser may also include one or more sensors in the ice chute to detect objects moving toward the ice crusher. |
| US07942015B2 |
Water sump structure
A water sump structure (1) is provided. A channel, trough, trench or the like is formed as or provided with an impermeable member (7) for trapping water. One or more heat exchange pipes (6) for carrying a heat exchange fluid are located, in use, so as to pass through water trapped by the impermeable member thereby forming a heat exchange water sump structure. |
| US07942013B2 |
Display for refrigerator and display mounting frame, display mounting structure comprising the same
The present invention is directed to a display for a refrigerator, comprising a display case mounted to a display mounting portion provided to a front surface of a refrigerator door and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; a printed circuit board (PCB) installed to the display case and including an input portion for receiving various operation signals for the refrigerator and a display portion for displaying a variety of operating information for the refrigerator; and a display cover provided to one side of the PCB and defining a front surface of the display. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that errors occurring at an installation process can be minimized, the assembly and installation processes can be more easily made, and the repair and exchange can also be easily performed. |
| US07942012B2 |
Refrigerator with select temperature compartment
A dual evaporator refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment with an enclosed pan. A freezer evaporator with a freezer fan is in the freezer compartment for cooling the freezer compartment and a refrigeration evaporator with a first refrigeration fan is in the refrigeration compartment for cooling the refrigeration compartment. A compressor provides refrigerant flow to the freezer and the refrigeration evaporators. A second refrigeration fan moves air from the refrigeration evaporator to the enclosed pan. |
| US07942011B2 |
System and method for managing water content in a fluid
A system and method for managing water content in a fluid includes a collection chamber for collecting water from the fluid with a desiccant, and a regeneration chamber for collecting water from the desiccant and transferring it to a second fluid. An evaporator cools the desiccant entering the collection chamber, and a second evaporator cools the second fluid to extract the water. The evaporators use a refrigerant, the flow of which is controlled by a flow control valve. When the temperature in the second evaporator drops below a set point, the refrigerant flow to the second evaporator is stopped, and the refrigerant flow to the first evaporator is increased. This increases the water collection in the collection chamber, and causes a rise in the temperature in the second evaporator. The valve is then opened to increase the cooling in the second evaporator. |
| US07942009B1 |
Gas turbine engine with an air cooled bearing
A small gas turbine engine with a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine located downstream of the combustor. The compressor and turbine are supported on a rotary shaft, and a main bearing is support on the rotary shaft, the main bearing being located in a hot zone of the combustor. The main bearing includes cooling air passages within the races to provide cooling for the bearing. A cooling air is diverted from the compressor and passed through the bearing cooling passages for cooling the bearing, and then the cooling air is directed into the combustor. The cooling air is also passed through a guide nozzle before being passed through the bearing to cool both the guide nozzle and the bearing. A swirl cup injector is sued to deliver the compressed air from the compressor and the cooling air from the bearing into the combustor, the swirl cup injector also acting to draw the cooling air through the bearing. |
| US07942004B2 |
Tile and exo-skeleton tile structure
It is known to assist cooling of a combustion chamber in a gas turbine by fixing an exo-skeleton tile structure to an inner annular combustion liner shell. To improve structural integrity of the exo-skeleton tile structure, each tile is formed with at least one rib extending circumferentially across the outer surface of the tile. An end of each rib projects beyond one edge of the tile, like tiles being linked at overlapping edges by the inter-engagement of a projecting rib of one tile with the rib of an adjacent tile. The inter-engaging ends of the ribs are relatively slideable circumferentially to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the exo-skeleton structure, but sockets are provided where the ribs engage so as to resist relative bending of the adjacent tiles about their linked edges and impart rigidity to the structure. |
| US07942000B2 |
Rotary vane engine system
A rotary vane engine system for using exhaust heat energy of a fuel-based heat engine. The heat engine includes a crankshaft being driven by a combustion cycle, and the heat engine generates exhaust gases by combustion. The system comprises an independent air system, wherein the independent air system contains air separate to the exhaust gases. A heat exchanger system is provided for transferring exhaust heat energy from the exhaust gases to the air contained in the independent air system to generate pressurized air. A rotary vane engine is also provided having a housing, a rotor contained within the housing and coupled to the crankshaft of the heat engine, and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the rotor. The pressurized air is expanded within the rotary vane engine for rotation of the rotor thereby providing drive to the crankshaft of the heat engine. |
| US07941999B2 |
Internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine with at least one turbocharger supplying compressed air to the engine cylinders which are divided into a first group and a second group, a first exhaust gas line connecting a first section of an exhaust gas collection line to the turbine, a recirculation line for returning exhaust gas from a second section of the exhaust gas collection line to the charge air supply line, a first control device controls the exhaust gas flow from a section of the cylinders to the first section of the exhaust gas collection line, a second control device controls the exhaust gas flow to the turbine and a third control device controls the exhaust gas flow recirculated to the charge air supply line for the cylinder. |
| US07941996B2 |
Actuation system for a servo-assisted mechanical transmission with oil leakage recovery
An actuation system for a servo-assisted transmission; the actuation system is provided with: a hydraulic circuit comprising a reservoir containing a control fluid, a hydraulic accumulator containing the pressurized control fluid, and a pump which draws from the reservoir and feeds the hydraulic accumulator; at least a hydraulic actuator comprising at least one actuation chamber and a mobile piston which slides within the actuation chamber; a solenoid valve for connecting the actuation chamber of the hydraulic actuator to the hydraulic accumulator and to the reservoir; and a recirculation circuit, which departs from at least one environment bordering with the actuation chamber of the hydraulic actuator and ends in the reservoir. |
| US07941994B2 |
Emission control device
An engine having a first and second bank of cylinders is disclosed. The engine may have improved fuel economy and emission as compared to other similar engines. In one example, engine cylinders may be deactivated. |
| US07941992B2 |
Method and unit for feeding products to a group-forming unit
A method and unit for feeding products to a group-forming unit for forming groups of products, each containing a given number of products; an orderly succession of products is fed in a first direction by means of a first conveyor; an orderly succession of products is fed in a second direction, parallel to the first direction, by means of a second conveyor parallel to the first conveyor; and the products are transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor by means of a transfer device which is permanently integral with an output end of the first conveyor, is moved in the second direction upon detection of a gap along the first conveyor, and is moved in the opposite direction to the second direction to form, along the second conveyor, a number of consecutive gaps equal to the number of products in each group of products. |
| US07941989B2 |
Deck flashing trim system
An article of flashing for a deck includes a channel with a back leg, a first side leg, and a second side leg and further includes an attachment flange fixedly connected to the channel where the channel is adapted to receive decking. A deck flashing system includes a deck with a surface and at least one edge, decking forming the surface of the deck, and flashing extending along the at least one edge, the flashing having a channel adapted to receive the decking. A method of trimming a deck includes erecting deck framing, installing decking on the framing, and installing flashing on at least one edge or the entire perimeter of the deck. |
| US07941988B2 |
Tile system and method
A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme. |
| US07941987B1 |
Tile spacer and method for its use
A tile spacer is made from a pair of parallel planar members joined by a series of connectors forming a series of channels. The tile spacer is positioned between two adjacent tiles and sunk into the adhesive so that excess adhesive enters the channels and is subsequently removed. One or more appropriate cuts can be made to the tile spacer in order to open desired channels which allows the tile spacer to curve or otherwise bend from linear. |
| US07941985B2 |
Halo/spider, full-moment, column/beam connection in a building frame
A column/beam connection in a building frame, including an elongate column having faces which join through corners, an elongate beam having an end, and a full-moment nodal connection connecting the end of the beam to the column solely through a pair of next-adjacent corners in the column, with the beam end, as so connected, being spaced from the column face which lies between the mentioned pair of corners. The connection per se features (a) plural standoffs joined to and extending, one each, outwardly from the column's corners at a selected, common elevation located along the length of the column, and (b) a halo collar joined through a gravity-seat-and-lock, full-moment interface connection to each of the standoffs, and, as so joined, spaced by the standoffs from the column faces which lie between the column corners. |
| US07941978B1 |
Deployable heirarchical structure
A collapsible and deployable hierarchical open lattice assembly comprised of hinge boxes of 12 battens connected by hinge nodes. The hinge nodes are made of a plurality of resilient flexure joints, each joint connected to a batten and giving said batten a 90-degree in-plane rotation capability with a neutral-shaped flexure in a deployed state and a deformed-shaped flexure in a compressed state, whereby a restorative moment is created tending to return said flexure to its neutral state. One or more trusses are formed by sets of four longerons connected to the hinge boxes by the resilient flexure joints. Multiple hub boxes connected by longerons may be used to create a hierarchical truss of trusses in either two or three dimensions. These assemblies may be collapsed to a linear dimension by shearing the hub boxes and trusses in a parallelogram manner. The folding kinematics occur in three stages, which may be performed either sequentially or simultaneously. Initially the trusses connecting the hub boxes are sheared. Then the hub boxes and trusses are sheared in one common dimension to reduce the assembly to a two-dimensional, planar configuration. Finally the hub boxes and trusses are sheared in a perpendicular common dimension to reduce the assembly to a one-dimensional, linear configuration. |
| US07941974B2 |
Inflatable shelter for use in hostile environment
A flexible, inflatable shelter is held within a storage container. The shelter can be erected rapidly, by directing compressed gas held or produced within the container, into the flexible material which will define the finished shelter. Personnel using the shelter then enter through an air lock door located in the storage container. An air lock may be alternatively provided such that is located at least partly within the deployed shelter, and so that it does not occupy substantial space in the container. The container includes supplies necessary to sustain life for an extended period. The shelter can be used to protect personnel from harmful environments caused by accidents or explosions in mines, tunnels, industrial plants, and the like. The container is compact, but allows rapid deployment of the flexible material to produce a shelter which is of approximately the same volume, or greater, than that of the storage container. |
| US07941972B2 |
Powered opening and closing system for vehicle's door
A powered opening and closing system includes a door supported on a vehicle body, a motor, a drive mechanism for moving the door in opening and closing directions by virtue of power of the motor, an operation detecting sensor for detecting a handle operation when the door is operated to open or close, and a control circuit for prohibiting the operation of the drive mechanism when a predetermined operation prohibiting condition is detected. The drive mechanism brakes the movement of the door by putting the clutch in an engaged state while the motor is kept stopped. While the predetermined operation prohibiting condition is detected, the control circuit controls the clutch to be engaged while keeping the motor stopped when an opening of the door is detected, and controls the clutch to be disengaged when an operation of the handle is detected by the operation detection sensor. |
| US07941970B2 |
Combination-cell foam floating island
A floating island comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising at least a first portion that comprises a combination-cell thermoplastic foam and having a cavity; and a bedding material that is disposed in said cavity; wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water. In another embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising a first matrix layer, a second matrix layer and a third matrix layer; and a gas-trapping insert that is disposed between two of said layers. |
| US07941966B2 |
Device for protecting different articles against birds, insects and dust
The invention relates to a device for protecting different articles against birds, insects and dust. The inventive device consists of a tubular element (11) comprising a flexible mesh or a non-woven fabric, which can be closed at the upper and lower openings thereof and which encloses the article to be protected (9a,9b). The invention is also equipped with a series of hoops (17) or supports which keep the tube (11) at a certain distance from the article to be protected. |
| US07941959B1 |
Modular integrated rail assembly for firearms
A modular integrated rail system for a firearm includes an upper hand guard having a dovetail rail extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rearward end thereof. The rearward end of the upper hand guard includes a clamp that removably secures the upper hand guard to the barrel nut of the firearm. The rearward end of the upper hand guard and the clamp include clamping surfaces configured to cooperatively engage the outer surface of the barrel nut. The upper hand guard further includes mounting channels that are used to mount accessories, such as a lower hand guard or a grenade launcher, to the upper hand guard. The rear end of the upper hand guard includes alignment tabs for automatically aligning the dovetail rail of the upper hand guard with the dovetail rail of the upper receiver during mounting. The tabs also prevent rotation of the rail system relative to the upper receiver during use. |
| US07941956B2 |
Compact foldable handgun
A handgun having a frame with a barrel. The barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A handgrip is mounted to the frame to pivot about an axis. The handgrip is movable between a firing position and a storage position. The axis is movable relative to the frame along a path extending in a direction of the barrel wherein the handgrip is movable along the length of the frame to the storage position wherein the handgrip is adjacent the frame. |
| US07941954B2 |
Compact foldable handgun
A handgun comprised of a frame having a barrel with a muzzle end and a breech end. A breech area is adjacent the breech end of the barrel. A slide is movable on the frame between one of a closed position and a blow-back position. An opening in the slide allows communication with the breech area. A hatch on the slide is movable between one of a closed position enclosing the breech area and an open position allowing access to the breech area. |
| US07941948B2 |
Pressure sealed point of sale card package
A point of sale card package, and method for manufacturing same, include an intermediate in the form of a sheet of paper material which is sequentially V-folded twice about a first and a second fold line, extending orthogonally to one another, to form four stacked panels defined by and connected at the fold lines, with a credit-card-like card disposed between two adjacent ones of the stacked panels, and the with separate portions of the peripheries of the stacked panels being adhesively joined together by a pressure sensitive adhesive. |
| US07941942B2 |
Article of footwear including a composite upper
An upper made of a composite material is disclosed. The composite material comprises a layer of carbon fiber material and a flexible substrate. The composite material also includes a thin outer coating of TPU. The upper is generally flexible and lightweight. |
| US07941940B2 |
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. |
| US07941939B2 |
Midsole element for an article of footwear
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void. |
| US07941938B2 |
Article of footwear with lightweight sole assembly
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion having a lower ground engaging surface, an upper surface, and a recess formed in the upper surface. The upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the upper. A second portion is seated in the recess in the first portion and has an upper surface, with the upper surface of the second portion being in contact with the upper. The second portion comprises a foam material having a density less than 0.25 g/cm3. |
| US07941937B2 |
Laundry dryer control method
A laundry drier control method reads a temperature variation rate per unit time, to enable drying according to the amount and type of an object being dried. The method includes steps of initiating a drying procedure; measuring a temperature variation rate per unit time over the drying procedure; calculating an overall drying time based on the measured temperature variation rate per unit time; and performing the drying procedure for the calculated overall drying time. The drying time determining step is repeated if a substantial increase in the temperature variation rate is detected. |
| US07941934B2 |
Method for identifying keys for controlling locks
A system for controlling access to a secure area includes a lock and an electronic access device for controlling access to a secure area. The lock includes pins for locking and unlocking the lock. The access device communicates with the pins for electrically measuring movement of the pins. The access device stores an unlock pin code for the predetermined position of the pins for unlocking the lock. The electronic access device electrically measures pin movement by a key and determines a key code for the key from the pin movement. A control device electrically communicates with the electronic access device for identifying the key code and determining when the key code matches the unlock pin code. |
| US07941931B2 |
Wet shaving razor and protective cover assembly
A protective cover for a razor cartridge. The cartridge is joined to a handle and is pivotal about a pivot axis with respect to the handle. The cover includes a front wall, a back wall opposed to the front wall, a side wall extending from the front wall to the back wall, a first end and an opposed second end. The second end has an opening. The back wall has an opening with first and second pivot inhibiting members extending away from the back wall and towards the front wall. The cover is slidable over the cartridge through the opening in the second end to cover the cartridge such that the first and second pivot inhibiting members engage the handle to inhibit the cartridge from pivoting about the pivot axis with respect to the handle. |
| US07941930B2 |
Hand-held power tool
A hand-held power tool has a motor housing with drive motor and a grip housing with a longitudinal support and a forward grip. The motor housing and the grip housing are connected to one another by antivibration elements. The forward grip has a connecting end that is connected by a screw connection to the longitudinal support. The screw connection has at least one fastening screw that is positioned in the operating position of the power tool in a vertical direction of the power tool. The screw connection has a metal insertion part that is positioned entirely within the contour of the longitudinal support that is a plastic part. The metal insertion part has a screw receptacle for the at least one fastening screw. The at least one fastening screw is fixedly screwed into the metal insertion part. |
| US07941927B1 |
Folding knife lock
A folding knife having a movable locking element that locks the blade in open position and retains the blade in secure closed position within an integrated spaced parallel monolithic handle frame member. A spring-urged locking retainment arm engages corresponding parallel portions of the blade shank when in respective locked open and locked closed positions. Sliding longitudinal displacement of the retainment arm allows for progressive engaged rotation of the blade shank about a pivot mounting point to a fully closed and locked position against two blade shank engagement points by the locking arm. |
| US07941926B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing hydro dynamic bearing device method
An apparatus for manufacturing a hydro dynamic bearing device is provided for the finishing treatment of lubricating oil after lubricating the hydro dynamic bearing device. The hydro dynamic bearing is constructed of an axial member housed in a housing, a radial bearing part for supporting the axial member in a non-contact manner in a radial direction by a hydro dynamic pressure action of the lubricating oil generated in a radial bearing clearance, and a sealing part arranged in an opening part of the housing, and the apparatus has a laser for measuring an oil-level height of the lubricating oil in the housing. |
| US07941925B2 |
Method of forming members for providing sealing or baffling
There is disclosed a member for sealing, baffling and/or reinforcing components of an automotive vehicle. The assembly generally includes a carrier, an expandable material and at least one fastener. |
| US07941916B1 |
Manufacturing method for memory card
A portable memory card including a molded plastic casing formed over a memory device and other circuits mounted on a substrate such that the molding material extends over side edges of the substrate to provide accurate width and thickness dimensions. Contact pads are formed on a lower surface of the PCBA substrate, which is exposed through a bottom of the casing. The PCBA is fabricated on a substrate carrier, then positioned inside of a mold assembly. During the molding process, a rod extends from an upper portion of the mold assembly and pushes the substrate against the lower surface. A vacuum is then applied to hold the substrate against the lower surface of the mold, and the rod is subsequently withdrawn from the mold cavity during injection of the molten molding material. A single cavity mold assembly provides molding material extends over front and back edges of the memory card. |
| US07941915B2 |
Installation/removal device, display change device, and dosing system
A display change device is formed by connecting and thereby integrating an installation/removal device and a card display change device together. The card installation/removal device is configured to have at a back side thereof a pressure reception wall, at a further back side of which a position adjustment mechanism part is provided. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to include a seat member, a moving part, and a drive part. The position adjustment mechanism part is configured to strike and move the card installation/removal device by an eccentric cam. The position adjustment mechanism part moves the eccentric cam far from the pressure reception wall under the condition that a reaction force Fr received by the eccentric cam becomes larger than a force Fa for pulling the moving part 102 toward the pressure reception wall side. |
| US07941909B2 |
Method of fabricating an ultra-small condenser microphone
In the present invention, a plurality of condenser microphones is formed on a substrate. Then, charges are fixed to a dielectric film provided in each of the condenser microphones. After an amount of deposited charges of the dielectric film of each of the plurality of the condenser microphones is inspected by measuring capacitance of each condenser microphone while applying bias between the first electrode film thereof and the second electrode film thereof, the substrate is diced so that each of the condenser microphones is separated. Thus, at least the step of fixing charges is performed in a substrate state where the plurality of the condenser microphones is formed on the substrate. Therefore, the present invention contributes to enhancement of productivity in an assembly process of the condenser microphone and reduction in equipment costs. |
| US07941908B2 |
Method for scalable manufacturing of medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems
A plurality of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips with different functions is provided. Each of the ASICs performs one or more functions along an ultrasound data path. The chips include communications protocols or processes for allowing scaling. For example, ASICs for backend processing include data exchange ports for communicating between other ASICs of the same type. As another example, receive beamformer ASICs cascade for beamformation. By providing ASICs implementing many or most of the ultrasound data path functions, with scalability, the same ASICs may be used for different system designs. A family of systems from high end to low-end using the same types of ASICs, but in different configurations, is provided. |
| US07941905B2 |
Method of removing a component from an aircraft
A device for facilitating the removal of a component from an aircraft includes a mounting member, a guide member and a handle. The mounting member provides an attachment portion for attaching the device to the aircraft. The guide member includes a support portion for receipt of the component to be removed and is pivotally mounted to the mounting member so that, when the component is being supported by the support portion in use, the support portion moves pivotally away from the aircraft along a predefined path. The handle is operatively associated with the guide member for assisting in the pivotal movement of the guide member. |
| US07941902B1 |
Safety belt release mechanism
The safety belt release mechanism includes a sensor component and a belt release component. The sensor component is installed at a low point within the vehicle. The sensor component contains a water-soluble material that retains a spring in its compressed state so long as the water-soluble material is dry. If the vehicle is immersed in water, the water-soluble material dissolves, releasing the spring. The spring drives a pin into the end of a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2) cartridge, releasing the gas therein. The gas passes through a tube to the belt release component installed upon a belt latch mechanism to drive a pin from an engaged position in the latch to release the latch. While one such assembly is disclosed herein, it is most preferred that one such assembly be installed along each safety belt assembly of the vehicle. |
| US07941899B2 |
Apparatus for the fibre-sorting or fibre-selection of a fibre bundle comprising textile fibres, especially for combing
In an apparatus for the fiber-sorting or fiber-selection of fiber material which is supplied by means of supply means to a fiber-sorting device, at least one mechanical device is present which generate a combing action to remove non-clamped constituents such as short fibers. To enable productivity to be substantially increased in a simple manner and an improved combed sliver to be obtained, downstream of the supply device there are arranged at least first and second rotatably mounted rollers with clamping devices for the fiber bundles, and the apparatus further comprises at least two supply devices and/or at least one further high-speed roller and/or at least two take-off devices. |
| US07941896B2 |
Upright vacuum cleaner capable of adjusting height of suction port assembly
An upright vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body; a suction port assembly hinged to the cleaner body with a drum brush mounted on a front lower surface thereof; and a height adjusting apparatus set to an active mode or an inactive mode. In the active mode, the height adjusting apparatus raises the rear portion of the suction port assembly from an initial height, with the drum brush spaced from a surface, to bring the drum brush into contact with the surface when the cleaner body tilts from an upright position towards the rear of the suction port assembly. In the inactive mode, the rear portion of the suction port assembly remains at the initial height when the cleaner body tilts from the upright position towards the rear of the suction port assembly. |
| US07941889B2 |
Cleaning tool for photographic device
A cleaning tool is for removing foreign matter from a surface of a photographic device. The cleaning tool includes an adhesive member and a body. The adhesive member has an adhesive surface for the foreign matter to adhere to. The body has a first end to which the adhesive member is attached, and has an end surface located at a second end being opposite to the first end. The outline of the adhesive surface includes a linear section, and the shape and orientation of the adhesive surface are represented on the end surface. |
| US07941887B2 |
Multi-purpose showerhead
A multi-purpose showerhead includes a flexible conduit having a head end coupled to an water outlet of a faucet, a first water supply channel and a first water return channel being fitted within the flexible conduit, wherein the first water supply channel is connected to the water outlet of the faucet while the first water return channel is provided with a back flow opening extending outward near the head end; a showerhead main body having a shank member and a head member at the top of the shank member, the inside thereof being brought in a connected state. Meanwhile, a second, third, and fourth water supply channels as well as a second, third, and fourth water return channels are available. Moreover, return flow chambers and a blade wheel are disposed within the head member. In addition, a brush body and water-spraying perforations are fitted on the surface thereof. The adjustment knob permits the control of the switching of the water flow channels. In this way, the pressure of the water flowing into the showerhead may be employed to bring a brush body into autorotation for cleaning and massaging the body of the user without application of power to the showerhead. Meanwhile, the function of taking a shower or brushing the body or both functions can be chosen. Moreover, the water may flow back into the bathtub when the function of brushing the body is selected. Therefore, the water won't be wasted. |
| US07941884B2 |
Method for operating a washing machine having a heating unit
The invention in one embodiment relates to a method for operating a washing machine having a heating unit, wherein the heating unit comprises a carrier and at least one planar heating element disposed thereon. At least one first heating element is attached to the carrier in a planar manner, wherein the carrier has a recess extending in the longitudinal direction in the center region. The washing machine has a washing machine barrel and a drum therein, wherein the heating unit is displaced at the bottom in the washing machine barrel outside of the drum. A heating element is provided on the outside of the carrier in the region of the recess in the region along an apex, or along an apex of the recess, wherein only said heating element is operated in the region of the recess for creating steam in the washing machine. |
| US07941883B2 |
Therapeutic mattress
A mattress (2) which in plan view comprises an inner portion (4) and an outer portion (6), and the mattress (2) being such that the inner portion (4) is of a size for being slept on by at least one person, the outer portion (6) extends at least partially around the inner portion (4), and the inner portion (4) has a lower compression rate than the outer portion (6) whereby the weight of the person on the inner portion (4) is distributed over a greater area than would be the case if the inner portion (4) had the same compression rate as the outer portion (6), and whereby the outer portion (6) constrains the inner portion (4) and controls lateral expansion of the inner portion caused by the weight of the person on the inner portion (4). |
| US07941877B2 |
Sound system and a head rest for a spa and a spa having a sound system
A sound system and a head rest for a spa and a spa having a sound system are disclosed. The sound system includes a head rest mountable to a spa and at least one electronic speaker. The head rest includes sound emitting perforations and is mounted to the spa whereby the uppermost rim of the spa remains at a substantially uniform elevation. The electronic speaker is mounted to transmit audible sound through the perforations in the head rest. The head rest may also include a light-transferring insert that is illuminated to provide an enhanced bathing experience. The head rest may also include a fluid flow device, for example, a nozzle for water. The sound system and head rest can be used to introduce audio to a tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower while imposing little or no impact upon the fabrication, storage, or shipping of the tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower. |
| US07941875B1 |
Trabecular matrix like protectors and method
An impact pad containing body cushioning device with the impact pad filled with a viscoelastic polymeric material which mimics the trabecular architecture of cancellous bone allowing the device to enhance this ability to cushion impact forces against various sensitive parts of the human body. |
| US07941874B2 |
Swimming or diving goggles
Swimming or diving goggles includes a lens unit including two viewing sections. A front face of each viewing section is a portion of a peripheral face of a cone. The cone has an apex and a bottom face, and the peripheral face extends between the apex and the bottom face. A spacing from a top face of each viewing section to a vertical axis passing through a center of the bottom face in the thickness direction is smaller than a spacing from a bottom face of the viewing section to the vertical axis in the thickness direction. A normal plane perpendicular to each of the two viewing sections is at an acute angle with the vertical axis. Each viewing section is a curved face in a circumferential direction about the vertical axis. A frame mechanism is coupled to the lens unit and in intimate contact with eye sockets of a wearer. |
| US07941873B2 |
Protective helmet with cervical spine protection and additional brain protection
A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly. |
| US07941871B1 |
Garment with stretchable section and related methods
The present invention is directed to a garment (such as a short, shirt, pants and other garments) having a stretchable section preferably of neoprene, that provides for improved comfort and wearability. The other panels or fabric portions of the garment may be constructed of a relatively less stretchable or even a relatively inelastic material, and the stretchable portion is positioned in an “area of flex” of the garment (so that the stretchable portion can “stretch” when the wearer rotates limbs extending into the garment). Related methods are disclosed for garment fabrication and the like. |
| US07941870B2 |
System for placing disposable sweatband
A system for placing a disposable sweatband on a variety of hats comprises the steps of attaching an adhesive tape with a backing paper to at least one longitudinal edge of the sweatband, for affixing to the hat in use. The adhesive tape can also be formed as an inner flap of the sweatband. |
| US07945965B2 |
Sensor for observations in liquid environments and observation apparatus for use in liquid environments
The sensor has the self-detecting probe including a body portion, an elongated belt-like flexible substrate, connecting members, a resinous portion, and external contacts formed at the ends of the flexible substrate brought out of liquid. The probe further includes a cantilever whose base end is supported to the body portion, a strain resistive element whose resistance value varies according to the amount of displacement of the cantilever, and interconnects electrically connected with the strain resistive element. A probe tip is formed at the front end of the cantilever. The flexible substrate has an interconnect pattern sandwiched between two insulating sheets. The flexible substrate supports the body portion while the cantilever protrudes outwardly. At least one end of the flexible substrate is brought out of liquid. The connecting members connect the interconnects with the interconnect pattern. The interconnects, connecting members, and the portions of the connecting members electrically connected with the interconnect pattern are coated with the resinous portion. |
| US07945963B2 |
Information memory apparatus using probe
A first thermal buffer layer and a second thermal buffer layer are arranged between a recording medium and an actuator structure. The heat conductivity of the first thermal buffer layer is set low and the heat conductivity of the second thermal buffer layer is set high. Most of the heat generated from a coil wiring of the actuator structure is blocked by the first thermal buffer layer, and heat leaked from the first thermal buffer layer is diffused by the second thermal buffer layer. Temperature distribution on the recording medium is made uniform, and thus, a configuration wherein the recording medium and the actuator structure are placed one over another can be provided, information reading accuracy or information recording stability can be improved and the sizes of an information storage device can be reduced. |
| US07945946B2 |
Attribute level access control
A method and apparatus for applying access control instructions to attributes. A request is received for permission to perform an operation on an attribute associated with an access control instruction. The access control instruction specifies an allowed type of channel for the operation. If a secure channel has been established with the requester, the permission to perform the action is granted. |
| US07945944B2 |
System and method for authenticating and configuring computing devices
A system and method for authenticating a host on a network enables the host to update IP configuration and internal configuration of a storage controller connected to the network. The host has an algorithm to decrypt a security key supplied by the storage controller. The host broadcasts a discovery command which includes an IP address of the host and a service requested by the host. The discovery command conforms to a proprietary discovery command protocol. In response to the discovery command, the host receives a response from a storage controller which is able to provide the requested service. The response includes a WWN, IP configuration and a security key of the storage controller, and conforms to the discovery command protocol. Next, the host decrypts the security key received from the storage controller using the decryption algorithm, and sends an updated IP configuration to the storage controller along with the security key for authentication. Next, the host exchanges other keys with the storage controller using IKE and IPSec. Afterwards, the host sends an updated internal configuration to the storage controller. |
| US07945942B2 |
System and methods for exchanging user interface data in a multi-user system
A centralized process is provided for elevating portions of an application running under a user account to administrator privilege. A service security identifier is temporarily associated with the user and the portions of the application to be elevated to administrator privileges. The service security identifier is registered in the access control list to be accessed by the operating system. The centralized process may be used in the activation of software products. |
| US07945936B2 |
Multicasting system, client device, upper router controller, method of displaying content and computer program
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 and an upper router controller, a content retrieving unit, and a content playing unit. The client device includes an individual storage unit, a content retrieving unit, a content playing unit, a switch time addition unit, and a display controller. The delivery server includes a content delivery unit for delivering each content to the client device. The upper router controller includes a session information retrieving unit, a book scheduling unit, and a schedule information notifier. |
| US07945934B2 |
Portable media device and method for presenting viewing content during travel
A portable media device for use in cooperation with passenger entertainment systems installed in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The portable media device is configured to communicate with one or more content sources, which provide viewing content and which may be proximate to, and/or remote from, the portable media device. Preferably being configured to wirelessly communicate with the content sources, the portable media device can select content from any available content source and can download and present the selected content in any conventional manner. The selected content can be streamed to the portable media device for contemporaneous presentation and/or stored by the portable media device for viewing at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle once travel is completed. As desired, the portable media device likewise can be configured to transmit appropriate upload content to the content sources. |
| US07945931B2 |
Broadcastings service system using mobile communication terminal
A system capable of receiving a television signal and telephone signal on a mobile communication terminal. In particular, the system is capable of displaying each television broadcast on a monitor of the mobile communication terminal by receiving the video and audio signal, decoding it, and outputting it to the monitor of the mobile communication terminal. In addition, the system can transmit an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data corresponding to a subscriber request and a selected broadcasting program in real time. |
| US07945926B2 |
Enhanced custom content television
The present invention includes a system and method for combining television broadcast programming content with customized or personalized information and educational or entertainment content. The system includes a set-top box capable of receiving data transmissions and locally rendering video animation for display with, instead of and/or synchronized with television broadcast programs in a way that the television viewer sees a coherent seamless merging of the television program content and supplemental content sources in an indistinguishable format. Preferably, the viewer may interact in real-time with the enhanced television programming to provide a higher level of engagement and customization potential. |
| US07945925B2 |
Copy protection
An apparatus for copy protection in a cable broadcast receiver and method thereof, by which digital broadcast contents can be protected from being copied. |
| US07945923B2 |
Disc device
The invention provides a disc device capable of offering good SATA interface performance by optimizing the placement of the SATA connector relative to the control board, solving problems concerning noise or unnecessary radiation.A driver IC and DSP for executing main processing concerning disc recording or reproduction processing are installed in a main printed circuit board. A SATA connector having a power supply terminal and signal terminal is fixed to the main printed circuit board. The SATA connector is placed on the board opposite the DSP. Patterns each connecting the power supply terminal to the driver IC and connecting the signal terminal and DSP are formed on the board. The SATA connector and DSP are placed on the driver IC side relative to the central line of the board, the power supply terminal is placed on the driver IC side, and the signal terminal is placed on the DSP side. |
| US07945919B2 |
Information processing apparatus and device controller driving/controlling method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a system memory, a device controller, a basic input/output system and a device driver. The device driver of the information processing apparatus forms its own data structure for communication control in the system memory separately from the basic input/output system, saves the address set in the register of the device controller when the device controller executes the communication with the various externally connected devices, sets an address for referring to the own data structure in the register of the device controller in order to make the device controller communicate with the various externally connected devices, and resets the saved address in the register of the device controller after the communication is completed. |
| US07945918B2 |
Generalized WBEM/CIM indication provider simulation engine
A simulator of WBEM/CIM indication providers conforming to the CIM Indication Provider object specification simulates both the CIM indication provider and the means to drive the associated CIM events. The simulator comprises three functionally unique pieces: one or more CIM indication provider drivers, one or more CIM event trigger drivers, and a control application. This modularization creates flexibility in configuring the simulator to stress test different aspects of an operating system's underlying support for CIM indications. Modularization also makes the simulator design operating system independent. Provision is made in the simulation for generation of additional CIM events as background activity on the operating system. |
| US07945917B2 |
Monitoring method, monitoring system, system program and recording medium having program recorded thereon
A screen image for monitoring the usage state of a client computer is acquired, the acquired screen image is efficiently stored, and the stored screen image can be easily searched.A draw command is acquired by a driverware (22) when a screen image is generated in a client computer (2), and text data is extracted from the draw command. The extracted text data are associated with the draw command and stored in a database (13) of the server (3). The database (13) is searched using a keyword, and the screen image is reproduced from an associated draw command. |
| US07945916B1 |
Shared persistent objects
A system and method are disclosed for an interactive multimedia file (iMF), running on an interactive multimedia runtime (iMR), to store an object onto a computer, the method comprising creating a local instance of the object, storing the local instance into a memory location on the computer, monitoring changes to one or more data slots of the local instance, assigning a version identifier to the local instance, synchronizing the local instance with a main instance of the object, and interfacing the one or more data slots of the local instance with said iMF during execution. |
| US07945915B1 |
Efficient operating system interposition mechanism
Methods and systems for efficiently interpreting operating system service requests on the same register or vector of a processor or CPU where the operating system service requests are initiated from native and non-native applications are provided. More particularly, a switching layer can enable processing of the operating system service requests by routing control of a particular request to an appropriate kernel subsystem or module based on the type of operating system service being requested and the type of application initiating the request. Additionally, the performance impact of the switching layer for native applications is overcome by dynamically reprogramming the processor or CPU on every change of active process so that only foreign applications are subject to the processing requirements of the switching layer. |
| US07945913B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for optimizing allocation of resources on partitions of a data processing system
The inventive method includes creating a first virtual central processing unit (CPU) and a second virtual CPU, where at least one of the set of the first virtual CPU and the second virtual CPU spans across a first physical processing unit and a second physical processing unit. One or more resources from the first and second virtual CPUs are allocated to a first partition and a second partition. Whether one or more processes running on the first partition can utilize additional resources is determined. One or more resources from the first virtual CPU and resources from the second virtual CPU are reallocated to the first partition, where at least one of the resources was previously allocated to the second partition. |
| US07945909B2 |
Initiating recovery of an executing task using historical information and task information
Systems and techniques to manage tasks in a data processing environment. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes monitoring a task in a data processing environment and, using an instance of a distributed application, assessing when to initiate recovery of the monitored task based on an expected execution time derived using the task's associated class and historical execution times. In another implementation, the technique includes forecasting an execution time of a task in a data processing environment using a class of the task and historical task execution times as input into a statistical analysis tool comprising multiple interconnected processing elements and servicing the task based on the forecast execution time. |
| US07945905B2 |
Quality inspector tool
A data processing system, method, and instructions executable on a computer inspect the quality of software code. A summary report is generated that summarizes aspects of the current status of a software project. The summary report may include which portions of code have been written, which have been edited to predetermined standards, and which remain to be written. Errors in the code may be identified. Warnings associated with portions of the code may be generated, as well as suggested changes to the code. For comparison, the suggested code changes may be displayed along side of the corresponding portions of the pre-existing code that the suggested code is intended to replace. Hard coded values may be automatically identified. Text elements corresponding to each hard coded value may be automatically created. Subsequently, each hard coded value may be automatically replaced by the corresponding text element. Revisions to pre-existing code may be inspected. |
| US07945904B2 |
Embedding expression in XML literals
An architecture that extends conventional computer programming languages that compile into an instance of an extensible markup language (XML) document object model (DOM) to provide support for XML literals in the underlying programming language. This architecture facilitates a convenient short cut by replacing the complex explicit construction required by conventional systems to create an instance of a DOM with a concise XML literal for which conventional compilers can translate into the appropriate code. The architecture allows these XML literals to be embedded with expressions, statement blocks or namespaces to further enrich the power and versatility. In accordance therewith, context information describing the position and data types that an XML DOM can accept can be provided to the programmer via, for example, an integrated development environment. Additionally, the architecture supports escaping XML identifiers, a reification mechanism, and a conversion mechanism to convert between collections and singletons. |
| US07945894B2 |
Implementing a design flow for a programmable hardware element coupled to a processor
System and method for implementing a design flow for a programmable hardware element (PHE) coupled to a processor. A graphical program (GP) that specifies performance criteria is received. The GP is mapped for deployment, with a first portion targeted for execution by the processor, and a second portion targeted for implementation in the PHE. A determination is made as to whether the graphical program meets the performance criteria. If not, the GP is remapped for deployment, including identifying and specifying the sub-portion for implementation in the PHE, thereby moving the sub-portion from the first portion to the second portion, and/or identifying and specifying the sub-portion for execution on the processor, thereby moving the sub-portion from the second portion to the first portion. The determining and remapping are repeated until the performance criteria are met. The first and second portions are deployed to the processor and the PHE, respectively. |
| US07945891B2 |
Time business process validations within data context
Validating executable data for interactions among a plurality of process artifacts at design time. A data context is created to include the plurality of process artifacts. The data context carries interaction rules among the plurality of process artifacts. The executable data from a data source is associated with the plurality of process artifacts in the created data context. A subset of the interaction rules is selected corresponding to at least one of the plurality of process artifacts. The associated executable data is validated when the associated executable data is in accordance with the selected subset of the interaction rules. |
| US07945890B2 |
Registry for electronic design automation of integrated circuits
A method for registering constraints for EDA (Electronic Design Automation) of an IC (Integrated circuit) includes: associating a constraint with values for constraint identification that identify the constraint in an IC design; associating the constraint with values for constraint relationships that relate the constraint to at least one EDA application; saving the constraint identification values and the constraint relationship values in a constraint registry element; and providing an interface to a user for accessing values of the constraint registry element. |
| US07945889B2 |
System and method for designing a voltage regulator module
A computer-implemented method for designing a voltage regulator module (VRM) is disclosed. The method includes receiving design parameters and a component data for each component and storing the design parameters and the component data for each component into a component selection table, calculating a work efficiency of the VRM, and storing the work efficiency into a power computation table. The method further includes simulating a derating of each component according to a corresponding rated stress of each component if the work efficiency is greater than or equal to a predetermined work efficiency, calculating a stress ratio of each component, and storing the stress ratio into a component derating table. The component selection table, the power computation table and the component derating table are stored to form a desired VRM model if the stress ratio of each component meets a corresponding derating specification. |
| US07945885B2 |
Power managers for an integrated circuit
A system for an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of power islands includes a first power manager and a second power manager. The first power manager manages a first power consumption for the integrated circuit based on needs and operation of the integrated circuit. The second power manager communicates with the first power manager and manages a second power consumption for one of the power islands. |
| US07945883B2 |
Apparatus, and computer program for implementing vertically coupled noise control through a mesh plane in an electronic package design
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing vertically coupled noise control through a mesh plane in an electronic package design. Electronic package physical design data are received. Instances of vertically coupled noise in the electronic package physical design data are identified. The identified instances of vertically coupled noise are quantified. Then the electronic package physical design data are modified to limit the vertically coupled noise. |
| US07945882B2 |
Asynchronous circuit logical verification method, logical verification apparatus, and computer readable storage medium
A verification method for verifying an asynchronous circuit includes producing a netlist based on circuit information at a register transfer level, extracting delay information and an asynchronous circuit section in which circuits operating with different clock signals are coupled to each other from the netlist, processing the delay information to extend a malfunction generating period in the asynchronous circuit section, and executing verification of the asynchronous circuit based on the delay information having been processed. |
| US07945881B2 |
Method of reducing crosstalk induced noise in circuitry designs
A method of reducing crosstalk induced noise in a physical circuit wiring design constructs a spatial vector for each interconnect wire segment in the physical circuit wiring design. The method compares the spatial vectors of said physical circuit wiring design and identifies any of the spatial vectors that are parallel to each other and have opposite directions. The method may identify all drivers and receivers in the physical circuit wiring design, and trace each interconnect line, starting with its driver, to determine a routed length from the driver to each segment break point of the interconnect line. The method may construct the spatial vector by defining an origin in the physical circuit wiring design. The method determines a starting point and an ending point of the spatial vector with respect to the origin. The starting point of the spatial vector is the break point of the interconnect wire segment closer to the driver. The ending point of the spatial vector is the break point of the interconnect wire segment farther from the driver. The method may define a Cartesian coordinate system with respect to the origin. The Cartesian coordinate system may be orthogonal with the interconnect wire segments of the physical circuit wiring design. The method may define one or more geometry windows in the physical circuit wiring design and compare the spatial vectors in each geometry window. |
| US07945878B2 |
Rules and directives for validating correct data used in the design of semiconductor products
A method to validate data used in a design of a semiconductor product currently in a partially fabricated state is disclosed. The partially fabricated state having a plurality of layers up to and including a first conductive layer. The method generally includes the steps of (A) adding a second conductive layer from a user specification to an application set, the application set having a plurality of resources that define the semiconductor product, (B) validating a new resource in the user specification against the resources in the application set, (C) adding the new resource to the application set upon passing the validating and (D) propagating the new resource throughout a description of the semiconductor product, the description being stored in a computer-readable medium. |
| US07945874B2 |
Method for designing driver
A method for designing a driver including matching stages having transistors matched to each other is disclosed, including interpreting an offset caused by a mismatched characteristic difference of a plurality of transistors using a current change in a matching stage. A size of the transistors may be determined using the results of interpreting of the offset, and the size may be adjusted until a simulated yield of the driver obtained by a simulation using measured matching information and the determined size of the transistors approximates a targeted yield. The resulting determined size may be used to fabricate the driver, to obtain a test yield of the manufactured driver. If the test yield is not the targeted yield, the measured matching information may be adjusted until the adjusted yield of the driver obtained by the simulation approximates the test yield. Therefore, the offset of the driver may be minimized, making it possible to improve output characteristics of the driver, optimize the area, improve the yield, reduce the frequency of revisions in the development of the chip, and/or shorten the period of the chip design. |
| US07945872B2 |
Verifying an IC layout in individual regions and combining results
When performing rule checking locally within any given region of a layout of an integrated circuit, certain data is generated to be checked globally, regardless of boundaries (hereinafter “to-be-globally-checked” data). The to-be-globally-checked data, resulting from execution of a given rule in each region of the IC layout, is merged across all regions, and the same rule (i.e. the given rule) is executed globally on the merged data. When an entire runset has been executed in all regions individually, and also executed globally on the merged data, the results thereof are all merged together to yield a final result of a complete execution of the entire runset over the entire IC layout. In some embodiments, certain additional data that could not be rule checked due to the presence of boundaries of adjacent regions is propagated between successive rules in each region. |
| US07945871B2 |
Integrated OPC verification tool
An integrated verification and manufacturability tool provides more efficient verification of integrated device designs than verification using several different verification components. The integrated verification and manufacturability includes a hierarchical database to store shared design data accessed by multiple verification components (e.g., layout versus schematic, design rule check, optical process correction, phase shift mask assignment and OPC verification and machine language conversion). The hierarchical database includes representations of one or more additional, or intermediate layer structures that are created and used by the verification components for operations performed on the design being verified. Use of a single hierarchical database having shared data for access and use by multiple verification components streamlines the verification process, which provides an improved verification tool. |
| US07945866B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for displaying video content with aging
Methods of displaying video content include obtaining a video content record to be displayed and determining an associated aging characteristic associated with the video content record. A current age is determined for the obtained video content record and a modified video content record is generated for display based on the determined aging characteristic and the determined current age of the obtained video content record. The obtained video content record may be an animation, which may include audio data. The obtained video content record may also be a still image. |
| US07945864B2 |
Operation assisting apparatus and operation assisting method
An operation assisting apparatus includes: an option-function distance storage unit that stores a semantic distance between each of the options displayed on a menu screen and each of functions positioned at an end in the hierarchical structure; an operation history storage unit that stores the operation history of the options sequentially selected by the user; an estimation unit that estimates, based on a semantic distance between a selection option selected by the user and each of the functions, and a semantic distance between an unselected selection option that has been selectable but not selected and each of the functions, a degree of probability that the function is the function desired by the user; and an operational assistance determination unit that determines, based on the result of the estimation, a detail of an output such that functions with higher probability will be presented with higher precedence in selectability. |
| US07945862B2 |
Social network site including contact-based recommendation functionality
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a social network site with enhanced user interaction functionality. In particular implementations, a method includes accessing a list of contacts that are connected to an owner of a personal page of a social network; identifying one or more contact pairs from the list, wherein the contacts in each contact pair are not connected to each other; computing an affinity score for each identified contact pair; randomly selecting one or more of the contact pairs based on corresponding affinity scores; providing a friend connector user interface module to the owner of the personal page, wherein the friend connector user interface prompts the owner to invite the contacts of the selected contact pair to establish a connection association relative to the social network; and conditionally transmitting an invitation to the contacts of the contact pair based on one or more actions of the owner relative to the friend connector interface. |
| US07945860B2 |
Systems and methods for managing conversations between information technology resources
A system for managing a conversation includes one or more interfaces configured to provide management information about the conversation to a manager. The interface can be configured to provide information regarding a resource such as a Web service that contains the conversation. Information regarding the conversation that may be made available to the manager includes the number of failed messages processed by the conversation; the number of successful messages processed by the conversation; the total number of messages processed by the conversation; the number of other resources participating in the conversation; the identity of other resources participating in the conversation; an identifier of the conversation; the last message received; the last fault message received; and an identifier of the resource that contains the conversation. |
| US07945849B2 |
Identifying appropriate client-side script references
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying appropriate client-side script references. Embodiments of the invention facilitate tailoring a list of script references to send to a Web browser based on a list of script references included in a server page. Referenced scripts sent to a Web browser can differ from referenced scripts included in the server page. Script references sent to a Web browser can refer to scripts optimized for the execution environment of the Web browser and to scripts stored at preferred script sources. Further, duplicate script references are removed prior to sending a list of script references to the Web browser. Since script lists sent to Web browsers are tailored for execution environment and duplicates are removed, scripts can be loaded and processed more effectively at Web browsers. |
| US07945845B2 |
Maximum likelihood decoding via mixed-integer adaptive linear programming
A method and system decode a sequence of symbols received via a channel to a codeword of an error-correcting code. Log-likelihood ratios are determined from a sequence of symbols received via a channel. A set of constraints is initialized according to the log-likelihood ratios. An adaptive linear programming decoder is applied to the set of constraints and the log- likelihood ratios according to an error-correcting code to produce an estimate of the codeword and an updated set of constraints. If the estimate of the codeword is a non-integer pseudo codeword, further update the set of updated constraints with a set of integer constraints if the estimate of the codeword is the non-integer pseudo codeword, and proceeding with the applying step, and otherwise producing the estimate of the codeword as the final codeword. |
| US07945840B2 |
Memory array error correction apparatus, systems, and methods
Various embodiments include apparatus, methods, and systems that operate to extend the processes of reading, modifying, and writing data stored in or being provided to a memory array without interrupting a continual stream of data to be written into the memory array. Embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a memory array, and an error code module coupled to the memory array with a data buffer having a plurality of data burst registers operable to receive a plurality of data bursts to be written to the memory array on a corresponding plurality of consecutive clock cycles. The error code module is operable to perform a read/modify/write process on each of the plurality of data bursts within a time period no longer than a period of two consecutive cycles of the plurality of consecutive clock cycles. |
| US07945839B2 |
Set-cyclic comparison method for low-density parity-check decoder
The present invention discloses a set-cyclic comparison method for an LDPC (Low-Density Parity-Check) decoder, which applies to a CNU (Check Node Unit) or a VNU (Variable Node Unit). In the systematized method of the present invention, all the input elements are initialized to obtain a matrix. Based on the symmetry of the matrix and the similarity between the rows of the matrix are sequentially formed different sets respectively corresponding to the horizontally-continuous elements having the maximum iteration number in the horizontal and vertical directions, the symmetric non-continuous non-boundary elements, and the boundary elements plus the end-around neighboring elements in the same row. The present invention applies to any input number. Via the large intersection between the compared sets, the present invention can effectively reduce the number of comparison calculations and greatly promote the performance of an LDPC decoder. |
| US07945838B2 |
Parity check decoder architecture
A method and systems for reducing the complexity of a parity checker are described herein. In at least some preferred embodiments, a parity-check decoder includes column store units and one or more alignment units, which are coupled to the column store units. The column store units outnumber the alignments units. |
| US07945837B2 |
Optical recording medium, apparatus and method of recording/reproducing data thereon/therefrom, and computer-readable recording medium storing program to perform the method
A recording medium on which a recording/reproducing unit block is recorded, an apparatus to record and/or reproduce data on/from the recording medium, and a method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium. The recording/reproducing unit block comprises invalid data used in disc certification, and an identifier to indicate that the invalid data is included in the recording/reproducing unit block, the invalid data being used during the disc certification on a portion of the recording medium or the entire recording medium. |
| US07945835B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficiently retransmitting data in wireless network environment
A method and apparatus for efficiently retransmitting data in a wireless network environment are provided. The method includes transmitting a block comprising one or more data frames to a terminal, receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of the block from the terminal, and retransmitting a block comprising data frames that have not yet been received by the terminal to the terminal by referencing the acknowledgement of receipt. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance overall throughput by reducing receipt acknowledgement time during a data retransmission operation. |
| US07945831B2 |
Gating TDO from plural JTAG circuits
Various apparatuses, methods and systems for dual JTAG controllers with shared pins disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a boundary scan apparatus having a first boundary scan circuit with a first plurality of control inputs, a second boundary scan circuit with a second plurality of control inputs, and a plurality of boundary scan control signals connected to the first plurality of control inputs on the first boundary scan circuit and to the second plurality of control inputs on the second boundary scan circuit. At least two of the plurality of boundary scan control signals are connected between the first boundary scan circuit and the second boundary scan circuit in a crossover fashion. |
| US07945825B2 |
Recovery while programming non-volatile memory (NVM)
Disclosed are methods and circuits for performing recovery associated with programming of non-volatile memory (NVM) array cells. According to embodiments, there are provided methods and circuits for programming NVM cells, including: (1) erasing NVM array cells; (2) loading an SRAM with user data; (3) if programming is successful, then flipping bits in the SRAM; and (4) if programming is not successful, reading data back from the array to the SRAM. |
| US07945824B2 |
Processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package and system-in-module devices
An apparatus and method for a processor-memory unit for use in system-in-package (SiP) and system-in-package (SiP) integrated circuit devices. The apparatus includes a processing module, a memory module and a programmable system module. The programmable system module is configured to function as an interface between the memory module and the processing module, or as an interface between the memory module and a testing device. The invention facilitates integration and testing of processor-memory units including functional components having different communication protocols. |
| US07945821B2 |
Time lag measuring device, distance measuring apparatus and distance measuring method
In measuring a certain time lag between generations of two pulse signals, a time lag measuring device prevents errors in measurement results even with an error in two reference signals for measuring the time lag. The device measures a time lag between a start signal M1 and a stop signal M2 and includes a reference signal generating section 41 generating two reference signals S1, S2 having a phase difference π/2, and an amplitude detecting section 42 detects amplitudes A11, A12 and A21, A22 of the reference signals S1, S2 at generation timings for the start signal M1 and the stop signal M2, a phase difference detecting section 43 calculating a phase _ of the reference signals S according to each set of the amplitudes (A11, A12) and (A21, A22), and a correcting section 46 correcting the calculated phase using correction data for error correction in the reference signals S1, S2. |
| US07945820B2 |
Method and apparatus for elimination of faults of a data processing system
A method for fault handling of a data processing unit is disclosed. The method includes automatic acquisition of input information and/or output information of a user at at least one user interface of the data processing unit; automatic detection of a fault message that indicates a fault of the data processing unit; transmission of the acquired fault message together with the input information and/or the output information to a fault handling center; and evaluation of the transmitted fault message in the fault handling center. |
| US07945818B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting multichannel messages into a single-channel safe message
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for the coupling of a safety-critical process from a safe environment to an environment that is not safe or to an environment that is safe but has fewer processing channels. To this end, provision is made of a method which processes a data record that is relevant to the safety-critical process to form a respective safe protocol using at least two redundant processing channels in accordance with identical laws, and forms a common safe protocol taking into account at least two redundant safe coupling protocols. When writing at least elements of the common safety-based protocol using a processing channel with write authorization, another processing channel is used to check whether these elements are identical to one another. Access to a common buffer register for the purpose of storing these elements is enabled only when they are identical to one another. |
| US07945816B1 |
Comprehensive end-to-end storage area network (SAN) application transport service
Disclosed is a method and system for transmitting data on a data channel from a source to a destination. The data channel has a plurality of wavelength channels and a throughput. The system and method include a storage application for multicasting data on each of the plurality of wavelength channels, a storage protocol extension device using buffer credits to adjust the throughput during the multicasting, and an application optimization device for managing data channel latency to achieve asymmetric mirroring behavior at the same time as the multicasting. |
| US07945815B2 |
System and method for managing memory errors in an information handling system
A method for handling memory defects during the POST phase and memory calibration in single processor and multiprocessor information handling systems is disclosed whereby information regarding the location of a known memory defect is utilized to optimize the performance of an information handling system. Memory defects within system memory are identified and replaced during operation with error free memory space. |
| US07945810B2 |
Virtual disk drive system and method
A disk drive system and method capable of dynamically allocating data is provided. The disk drive system may include a RAID subsystem having a pool of storage, for example a page pool of storage that maintains a free list of RAIDs, or a matrix of disk storage blocks that maintain a null list of RAIDs, and a disk manager having at least one disk storage system controller. The RAID subsystem and disk manager dynamically allocate data across the pool of storage and a plurality of disk drives based on RAID-to-disk mapping. The RAID subsystem and disk manager determine whether additional disk drives are required, and a notification is sent if the additional disk drives are required. Dynamic data allocation and data progression allow a user to acquire a disk drive later in time when it is needed. Dynamic data allocation also allows efficient data storage of snapshots/point-in-time copies of virtual volume pool of storage, instant data replay and data instant fusion for data backup, recovery etc., remote data storage, and data progression, etc. |
| US07945806B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for controlling a transfer of payload data over a communication channel
A data processing apparatus has initiator circuitry for initiating a transfer of payload data in a first clock cycle, and recipient circuitry for receiving the payload data in a later clock cycle. A communication channel carries the payload data along with associated transfer control information. Timing of receipt of the payload data by the recipient circuitry is controlled by the transfer control information. Timing easing circuitry located within the communication channel temporarily buffers the transfer control information before outputting it to the recipient circuitry. The timing easing circuitry is responsive to a specified timing easing value to determine a time for which the transfer control information is temporarily buffered. The number of clock cycles that elapses between the first clock cycle and the later clock cycle depends on the specified timing easing value. This enables a multi-cycle path to be provided to transfer the payload data. |
| US07945804B2 |
Methods and systems for digitally controlled multi-frequency clocking of multi-core processors
A method and system for digitally controlled multi-frequency clocking are provided. The method includes receiving a system reference oscillator clock frequency at a microprocessor including multiple cores. The system reference oscillator clock frequency provides a reference frequency to a local oscillator. The local oscillator supplies a core clock frequency to at least one of the cores. The method further includes adjusting the local oscillator to output the core clock frequency at a frequency greater than the system reference oscillator clock frequency as a function of digital frequency characteristic data associated with the core or cores. The method supports extendibility to larger systems and may support enhanced power management through frequency adjustments at the core level. |
| US07945803B2 |
Clock generation for multiple clock domains
This disclosure relates to generating clock signals that drive data passing circuitry for various clock domains. Each individual clock domain can adjust its operating frequency from one generated by a central clock to an appropriate frequency. By using embodiments of the invention, clock crossing circuitry between domains need not run at the highest clock frequency of the entire circuit, but rather the clock crossing circuitry need only operate at the highest frequency of the two domains sharing data. |
| US07945802B2 |
Modifying time progression rates in a virtual universe
Described herein are processes and devices that intentionally modify time progression rates in a virtual universe. One of the devices described is a temporal variation device. The temporal variation device can determine an area, in a virtual universe, in which time progresses at a specific time progression rate. The temporal variation device can modify the time progression rate to be faster or slower in the area. By modifying the time progression rate in the area, rates at which action occur also change in a way that is correlated to the change in the time progression rate. The temporal variation device can maintain areas beyond the borders of the area at a time progression rate that is not modified. Therefore, the temporal variation device can create a relative time dilation between the determined area and other areas in the virtual universe outside of the determined area. |
| US07945796B2 |
System for controlling power supplies to an external apparatus via a connector based on user setting information
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes: an information processing apparatus main body receiving a supply of power from power supplies disposed at outside or inside; one or a plurality of connection connector(s) constituted to be able to attach/detach an external apparatus, and having at least one signal terminal transmitting/receiving signals between the information processing apparatus main body and the external apparatus and at least one power terminal supplying the power from the power supplies to the external apparatus; a power supply state changing portion having a switch provided between the power supply and the power terminal, and capable of changing the switch to either one of a connection state or a non-connection state; and a power supply state control portion having user setting information set by a user concerning a control method of the power supply state changing portion, and performing a control to change the switch to either one of the connection state or the non-connection state in accordance with the user setting information at a non-operation time of the information processing apparatus main body. |
| US07945791B2 |
Protected storage of a datum in an integrated circuit
A method for protecting at least one first datum to be stored in an integrated circuit, including, upon storage of the first datum, performing a combination with at least one second physical datum coming from at least one network of physical parameters, and only storing the result of this combination, and in read mode, extracting the stored result and using the second physical datum to restore the first datum. |
| US07945788B2 |
Removable drive with data encryption
A removable drive such as a USB drive or key is provided for connecting to computer devices to provide secure and portable data storage. The drive includes a drive manager adapted to be run by an operating system of the computer device. The drive manager receives a password, generates a random key based on the password, encrypts a user-selected data file in memory of the computer device using the key, and stores the encrypted file in the memory of the removable drive. The drive manager performs the encryption of the data file without corresponding encryption applications being previously loaded on the computer system. The drive manager may include an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) cryptography algorithm. The drive manager generates a user interface that allows a user to enter passwords, select files for encryption and decryption, and create folders for storing the encrypted files on the removable drive. |
| US07945785B2 |
Security of data over a network
A method for securing data transmitted over a network to an image display device. In one embodiment, the method may include identifying at least one image display device on the network, selecting the at least one image display device for transmission of data, activating a data protection process to generate locked data and transmitting the locked data to the image display device. The method may further include receiving a key to unlock the locked data such that the data is available to the image display device. |
| US07945782B2 |
Method and apparatus for digitally signing electronic mail that originates from a browser
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for digitally signing electronic mail that originates from a browser. The system operates by first receiving a message from a browser at a mail server. The mail server formats the message and returns the formatted message to the browser so that the browser can sign the message. The mail server then receives the signature for the formatted message from the browser and encapsulates the formatted message and the signature into a secure message. Next, the mail server forwards the secure message to the intended recipients for the message. |
| US07945777B2 |
Identification information protection method in WLAN inter-working
By introducing a hierarchical encryption scheme and the use of asymmetric cryptography, the critical information in message exchanges is concealed from unauthorized entities. This helps greatly in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks faced by inter-working. In addition, access control is conducted by introducing a network structure having a rule interpreter that is capable of mapping general rules to WLAN specific commands. It obviates the needs for mobile user's home network to understand information about every WLAN it is inter-worked with. A common interface independent of WLAN technologies could be used by the home network for all the WLANs. The above conception provides a solution to the problems of the protection of user identification information and access control in the inter-working of WLAN. |
| US07945774B2 |
Efficient security for mashups
The present invention provides a method that facilitates secure cross domain mashups in an efficient fashion. The invention allows a first entity, the Masher, to establish at a second entity, the User, a secure mashup by obtaining information from, or taking actions at, a third entity, the Mashee, by using a novel twist to the SSL protocol. The invention is further extended to secure a hub and widget architecture, which allows one Masher to establish at a User, communication with several Mashees. Mutual authentication of all entities, key distribution for authentication, privacy and code verification and dynamic authorization based on the certificate information are provided by the invention. |
| US07945771B1 |
System and method for a software application to determine if the storage device and the operating system is an internal drive or an external drive
Software program or application can determine if the storage device it was launched from is connected to the host computer system on an internal bus or an external bus. The ability of a software application to determine from where it and the operating system was launched allows it to perform a plurality of actions based on the launch location such as limiting the functionality of an application depending on its launch location. If a software company does not want its software to be installed or executed from an external drive or executed on multiple computers then it can limit the users ability to moved the software from one computer to another on a portable drive connected through a USB or IEEE-1394 port. |
| US07945770B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for executing plug and play processing via a predetermined communication medium
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of executing plug and play processing for starting up one installation processing operation upon acquiring one device identification information item. The information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring at least one device identification information item including a plurality of configuration information items corresponding to each of a plurality of logical interfaces in response to connection of a peripheral device. The information processing apparatus further includes an installation control unit for controlling execution of installation of a plurality of device drivers corresponding to the plurality of logical interfaces, respectively, by the use of the plurality of configuration information items included in the at least one device identification information item when the acquisition unit acquires the at least one device identification information item from the peripheral device. |
| US07945769B2 |
Single system board with automatic feature selection based on installed configuration selection unit
Disclosed is a method and circuit board assembly for automatically configuring a circuit board assembly based on installed configuration selection unit. The method comprises reading a feature detection input signal representing a machine model from the installed configuration selection unit; enabling the feature selected by the installed configuration selection unit; reading a machine type number; and determining whether the machine model represented by the feature detection input signal matches the machine type number. |
| US07945766B2 |
Conditional execution of floating point store instruction by simultaneously reading condition code and store data from multi-port register file
A processor capable of executing conditional store instructions without being limited by the number of condition codes is provided. Condition data is stored in floating-point registers, and an operation unit executes a conditional floating-point store instruction of determining whether to store, in cache, store data. |
| US07945764B2 |
Processing unit incorporating multirate execution unit
A multirate execution unit is capable of being operated in a plurality of modes, with the execution unit being capable of clocked at multiple different rates relative to a multithreaded issue unit such that, in applications where maximum performance is desired, the execution unit can be clocked at a rate that is faster than the clock rate for the multithreaded issue unit, and in applications where a lower power profile is desired, the execution unit can be throttled back to a slower rate to reduce the power consumption of the execution unit. When the execution unit is clocked at a faster rate than the multithreaded issue unit, the issue unit is permitted to issue more instructions per cycle than when the execution unit is throttled to the slower rate to increase overall instruction throughput. |
| US07945753B2 |
Computer system, management method and storage network system
A computer system wherein, when a state of the primary host computer is in an active state, a data sent from the primary host computer to the first storage system is copied through a first copy route which includes a route from the first storage system to the second storage system and a route from the second storage system to the third storage system, wherein, if a failure occurs in the primary host computer and a state of the second host computer is to be in an active state, a data sent from the secondary host computer to the second storage system is copied through a second copy route which includes a route from the second storage system to the first storage system and a route from the first storage system to the third storage system. |
| US07945749B2 |
Data mirroring method
A copy source device includes bit map acquisition and bit map merge functions. In accordance with bit-map management information in which a bit map indicating the presence of written data is rounded, the bit map acquisition and bit map merger acquires required bit map from a copy destination device, and merges the acquired bit map to a corresponding bit map of the copy source device. The copy destination device includes bit-map management information updater. The bit-map management information updater updates bit-map management information indicating a write operation when the write operation has been performed during a copy suspend mode. During a copy resume mode, the copy source device requests the copy destination device to transfer the bit-map management information, and in response, the copy destination device transfers the bit-map management information. |
| US07945748B2 |
Data migration and copying in a storage system with dynamically expansible volumes
When migrating data stored in a storage region assigned to a volume to another storage region, the connection status of the host computer and volume is confirmed. When the host computer and volume are connected, the maximum capacity of the volume requested by the host computer is reserved so that it is exclusively secured in another storage region to which data is to be migrated, and when the host computer and volume are not connected, the current capacity of the volume is reserved so that it is exclusively secured in another storage region. |
| US07945746B2 |
Memory sharing of time and frequency de-interleaver for ISDB-T receivers
Time and frequency de-interleaving of interleaved data in an Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T) receiver includes exactly one random access memory (RAM) buffer in the ISDB-T receiver that performs both time and frequency de-interleaving of the interleaved data and a buffer address calculation module for generating buffer address in the buffer. The system performs memory sharing of the time and frequency de-interleaver for ISDB-T receivers and reduces the memory size required for performing de-interleaving in an ISDB-T receiver and combines the frequency and time de-interleaver buffers into one RAM thereby reducing the memory size. |
| US07945743B2 |
Dynamic storage based on performance throttling
A system and method for dynamic storage based on performance throttling. The method comprises providing an array of storage devices coupled to a computing device. The method comprises determining a status of a system condition, such as ambient temperature. The method comprises throttling the operating speed of one or more storage devices in the array based on the status of the system condition. The method comprises determining relative frequency of access to data to be stored by the computing device in the array of storage devices. The method comprises optimizing storage of data by the computing device in the array of storage devices based at least in part on 1) relative frequency of access to data and 2) which of the one or more storage devices are throttled. |
| US07945742B2 |
Electronic device, recording control method and recording medium
To provide a technology for stopping recording in an improper state by detecting whether an electronic device is in the process of being carried or not, and so on. Data signals that have been broadcast are received, the data signals are recorded on a storage unit at preset time, a state related to the recording of the data signals is detected, the data signals are recorded, and the recording of the data signals is stopped corresponding to a result of the detection. |
| US07945741B2 |
Reservation required transactions
A computer readable medium is provided embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for performing a transaction including a transaction head and a transaction tail, the method includes executing the transaction head, including executing at least one memory reserve instruction to reserve a transactional memory location that are accessed in the transaction and executing the transaction tail, wherein the transaction cannot be aborted due to a data race on that transactional memory location while executing the transaction tail, wherein data of memory write operations to the transactional memory location is committed without being buffered. |
| US07945731B2 |
Method for reading data with storage system, data managing system for storage system and storage system
Provided is a database management system obtains storage mapping information which associates addresses in a plurality of physical disk drives within the storage system and addresses in logical disk drives including these physical disk drives, to create queues individually for each of the plurality of physical disk drives. The database management system receives a plurality of read requests which request to read data out of the physical disk drives via the logical disk drives provided by the storage system, sorts the read requests by their destination, and accumulates the read requests in the respective queues associated with the request destination physical disk drives. The database management system reallocates the accumulated read requests into an order that shortens the data read time in each physical disk drive, and then issues the read requests to the storage system. |
| US07945723B2 |
Apparatus and method of managing mapping table of non-volatile memory
An apparatus and method for managing a mapping table of a non-volatile memory are provided. The apparatus includes a non-volatile memory having memory cells, each of which stores data bits in a plurality of pages included in a block according to a plurality of states, each of which has at least two bits, an operating time measuring unit measuring a write operation time on each of the plurality of pages included in the block, and a mapping table generating unit dividing the pages into a plurality of groups according to the measured write operation time and generating a mapping table by using the divided groups. |
| US07945722B2 |
Routing data units between different address domains
Methods for routing data units and PCI Express switches are disclosed. A plurality of devices may be coupled to a corresponding plurality of physical interfaces, each physical interface having a respective configurable status and a respective address domain, wherein in a first status the interface is transparent, and in a second status the interface is non-transparent. The status of each of the plurality of physical interfaces may be set as transparent or non-transparent. Data units may be switched between the physical interfaces using mapped address input/output, switching data units including masking the address domain for the interfaces configured as non-transparent. |
| US07945721B1 |
Flexible control and/or status register configuration
A register access request for control and/or status operations from a link is detected using a hardware mechanism and is forwarded to a software-controlled entity for access to a virtual register for control and/or status operations. The software-controlled entity can provide virtual registers in memory associated with the software-controlled entity. The hardware mechanism can form part of an interconnect device and the software-controlled entity is external to the interconnect device. |
| US07945717B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing USB pass through connectivity
Methods, systems, and devices for facilitating pass-through USB connectivity are provided. A computing device engages with an accessory device such that the computing device connects to a corresponding USB engine in the accessory device. A signal corresponding to an engagement of an external device to the accessory device is detected and a determination of whether to disconnect the computing device from the corresponding USB engine is made as a function of a set of logic operations upon detecting the signal. A USB connection between the computing device and the external device is established as a function of the set of logic operations such that the USB connection is only established if the computing device has been disconnected from the accessory device. |
| US07945716B2 |
Serial buffer supporting virtual queue to physical memory mapping
A serial buffer having a plurality of virtual queues, which can be allocated to include various combinations of on-chip dual-port memory blocks, on-chip internal memory blocks and/or off-chip external memory blocks. The virtual queues are allocated and accessed in response to configuration bits and size bits stored on the serial buffer. Relatively large external memory blocks can be allocated to virtual queues used for data intensive operations, while relatively small and fast dual-port memory blocks can advantageously be allocated to virtual queues used for passing command and status information. The serial buffer provides an efficient and flexible manner for utilizing available memory, which not only minimizes the access latency but also provides a large amount of buffer space to meet different application needs. |
| US07945713B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating device association/control information for realistic media representation
Provided is an apparatus and method for creating device association/control information for realistic media representation. The device includes a media analyzer, a device information creator, a device parameter creator, a device attribute database, a device control information creator, and a device control stream creator. The media analyzer analyzes media to determine control values and control times for control parameters of respective devices to be associated for media reproduction. The device information creator creates device information by searching peripheral devices connected to a media reproduction device. The device parameter creator creates device parameter information by extracting controllable factors for the respective devices. The device attribute database stores the device information and the device parameter information. The device control information creator creates device control information including control values and control times for the respective device parameters. The device control stream creator creates a device control stream by converting the device control information into a stream-format binary code in the order of reproduction. Herein, one or more devices are associated according to the contents of the media. The apparatus and method can provide the optimal media representation effect by controlling peripheral devices suitably for an available environment by creating a signal for controlling the peripheral devices according to the media contents. |
| US07945704B2 |
Smart card set protocol optimization
A method of facilitating communications between a computer device and a smart card reader having an associated smart card, the computer device including a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service, the smart card reader service acting as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader, the method comprising: receiving from the smart card resource manager a first command for setting a protocol for communications with the smart card; and responding, prior to receiving a reply from the smart card to the first command, to the smart card resource manager with a message indicating that the smart card has successfully received the first command. |
| US07945698B2 |
System and method for partial data compression and data transfer
The present invention provides a system and method for data transfer. The system may include a client having software adapted to display data; a storage; and client data. Further, the system may include a server having compressor data and information regarding data file types that have been partially compressed by the compressor data. In the system, the client may be operably coupled to the server for data and file transfer purposes. |
| US07945697B2 |
System and method for offering a fixed internet protocol address to a client device
A method for offering a fixed Internet protocol (IP) address to a client device is provided. The method includes recording a client device ID and an IP address assigned to the client device by a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server. The method further includes sending a renewing request periodically to the DHCP server to renew the IP address in response to the determination that the client device is not powered on. Furthermore, the method includes sending an offering message comprising the client device ID and the IP address to the client device until the client device accepts the offering message in response to the determination that the client device is powered on. |
| US07945691B2 |
Data conveyance management
Data conveyance management may be facilitated by a process performed at a data distribution device. The data distribution device may determine whether a message has been received indicating that data conveyance rules are to be modified and, if the message has been received, identify a rule template associated with the data conveyance rules, the identified rule template including at least one parameter. The data distribution device may also send a message specifying a user interface corresponding to the rule template and the parameter, determine whether a message including a specification of the parameter has been received, and, if the message has been received, create a rule by binding the template with the specified parameter. |
| US07945681B2 |
Clipboard data modifications system and method for controlling remote communications
A first computer remotely controls, using a remote control application over a network (such as a WAN), a remote session on a second computer over a first network. The disclosed method (as implemented in a first application in the first computer) involves identifying clipboard data (associated with a copy, cut or paste operation) shared between a first and second computer during the remote session, temporarily storing the shared clipboard data, modifying, (via the first application in a unidirectional manner) the clipboard data associated with said environment, wherein the modified clipboard data is extracted by an interceptor associated with the second computer. The second computer, based on a look-up of clipboard values, executes a pre-defined action affecting the remote session, wherein the pre-defined action is different than the copy, cut, or paste operation. After executing the pre-defined action, the clipboard data is restored from the computer storage. |
| US07945680B2 |
Method and apparatus for peer to peer link establishment over a network
A method and apparatus for linking to a Peer-to-Peer (“P2P”) network for VOIP communications. An intermediary peer creates a map to link peers together in the P2P network. A series of messages are generated to open the ports of one peer to be accessible to other peers on the P2P network. Peers are then enabled to communicate directly with other peers. Steward peers can assume the functionality of the intermediary peer. |
| US07945676B2 |
Processing requests transmitted using a first communication protocol directed to an application that uses a second communication protocol
Provided are a method, system, and program for processing requests transmitted using a first communication directed to an application that uses a second communication protocol. A request is received from a client over a network in a first communication protocol. A determination is made as to whether the request includes an identifier of an application indicated in a data structure. A socket is processed that enables communication between the application identified by the identifier in response to determining that the identifier included in the request is indicated in the data structure. The socket is provided to the application associated with the requested resource to enable the application to communicate with the client over the network using a second communication protocol. |
| US07945672B2 |
Unicast/multicast architecture
A system and method for providing content to users including a multicast sub-system providing content to multiple users and a unicast sub-system providing content to individual users. The multicast sub-system being operative to push to each of a plurality of user communities, content relating to the community and the unicast sub-system being operative to provide on demand to a user, content which has not been previously pushed to the user. |
| US07945666B2 |
Method, system and storage medium for establishing compatibility between IPsec and dynamic routing
A method, system and storage medium wherein reachability information is exchanged over IPsec tunnels by means of a dynamic routing protocol, but instead of incorporating it into the normal routing table, it is incorporated into the IPsec data structures SPD and SAD by performing a set of steps.1 Thereby, disadvantages of prior art efforts to establish compatibility between IPsec and dynamic routing, for instance IIPtran (RFC 3884), are overcome in that compatibility is established without modifying the processing of datagrams by IPsec.2 This may be implemented by extending the routing daemon so that it supports inserting or removing entries in the SPD and SAD using the PF KEY API.3 Further embodiments feature cryptographically signing and filtering advertised reachability information, redistribution of reachability information between the dynamic routing in the base network and the overlay network, a new routing protocol tailored specifically to IPsec and load sharing over multiple IPsec tunnels.41 [0043-0054]2 [0009-0023]3 [0064-0068]4 [0055-0059], [0061-0063], [0069-0079] and [0080-0081] |
| US07945663B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products for adaptively adjusting a registration interval of an endpoint
Methods, systems, and computer program products for adaptively adjusting a registration interval of an endpoint are provided. In an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method of adaptively adjusting a registration interval of an endpoint comprises determining a registration interval for an endpoint associated with a binding defined at a network address translation device. The method also comprises determining a stability of the binding based on a message received from the endpoint. Further, the method comprises adjusting the registration interval for the endpoint based on the determined stability of the binding. A message can be sent to the endpoint for indicating the adjusted registration interval. |
| US07945660B2 |
Time slicing web based advertisements
A system and method are disclosed for rotating an advertisement on a single page or screen. The advertisement may be rotated when the user is active on the page or screen. In addition, the advertisement that replaces the original ad may be based on the user's activity, or may be based on the content displayed in the page or screen. This system and method may increase advertising inventory that is displayed on a page or screen by displaying advertisements for a set time interval, which results in increased flexibility for sellers and buyers of online advertising. |
| US07945656B1 |
Method for determining round trip times for devices with ICMP echo disable
A method and apparatus for determining reachability of a device connected to a computer network by receiving from a requesting device at least one ICMP echo request, the at least one ICMP echo request having a destination address associated with a non-echoing device; in response to the received ICMP echo request, sending a ping to the non-echoing device; receiving from the non-echoing device a reply to the sent ping; issuing from a routing device a subsequent at least one ICMP echo request to the non-echoing device and determining that no response is received to the issued at least one ICMP echo request; receiving at least one subsequent ICMP echo request from a requesting device, the at least one subsequent having a destination address associated with the non-echoing device; and in response to the received reply to the additional ping, sending a proxy ICMP echo reply to the requesting device. |
| US07945654B2 |
Agile network protocol for secure communications using secure domain names
A secure domain name service for a computer network is disclosed that includes a portal connected to a computer network, such as the Internet, and a domain name database connected to the computer network through the portal. The portal authenticates a query for a secure computer network address, and the domain name database stores secure computer network addresses for the computer network. Each secure computer network address is based on a non-standard top-level domain name, such as .scom, .sorg, .snet, .snet, .sedu, .smil and .sint. |
| US07945650B1 |
Identifying modular chassis composition by using network physical topology information
A method and apparatus for identifying internal occupants of a communications system apparatus with an Ethernet backplane and at least one internal occupant. The method comprising: verifying that a system switch processor (“SSP”) has been assigned an IP address; requesting a discovery protocol data package from the SSP; determining whether the package corresponds to at least one internal occupant; and if the package corresponds to the internal occupant, then discovering occupant information corresponding to the internal occupant. The apparatus comprising means for verifying that a system switch processor (“SSP”) has been assigned an IP address; means for requesting a discovery protocol data package from the SSP; means for determining whether the package corresponds to at least one internal occupant; and if the package corresponds to the internal occupant, then means for discovering occupant information corresponding to the internal occupant. |
| US07945648B2 |
Methods and systems for dynamically configuring a network component to reroute media streams
A method for dynamically configuring a network component to reroute media streams is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for content from a first network connected component and determining a type of media service needed for at least a portion of the content. Moreover, the method includes configuring a network data relaying component to forward at least a portion of the content from a second network connected component to a third network connected component. |
| US07945647B2 |
Method and system for creating a virtual network path
In general, the invention relates to a method for creating a virtual network path. The method includes instantiating a number of virtual network interface cards (VNICs) on a number of virtual machines, where each virtual machines is located in one of the computers, each of the computers is connected using a chassis interconnect, and the computers share a physical network interface. The method further includes populating a virtual switching table associated with the VNICs and implementing the virtual network path using the virtual switching table. The virtual network path includes a first virtual wire between a first VNIC and a second VNIC, wherein the first VNIC is located in a first computer and wherein the second VNIC is located in a second computer selected from the plurality of computers. |
| US07945646B2 |
Distinguishable display of searched network devices with a physical address or a network address
In a network device management method, a first packet to search for network devices is generated and broadcasted on the network. In addition, a second packet to search for network devices is generated and broadcasted on the network. A comparison is made between a network device that replies to the first packet and a network device that replies to the second packet, and it is determined based on the comparison whether predetermined information has been set for the network device, and the determination results are displayed. |
| US07945645B2 |
Method and system for accessing web pages based on playback of recordings
Entertainment content complementary to a musical recording is delivered to a user's computer by a computer network link. The user employs a browser to access the computer network. A plug-in for the browser is able to control an audio CD or other device for playing the musical recording. A script stored on the remote computer accessed over the network is downloaded. The script synchronizes the delivery of the complementary entertainment content with the play of the musical recording. |
| US07945644B2 |
Dynamic initialization method and system of location server
A dynamic server initialization system and method includes a second location server requesting a first location server for a registration to a multicast group associated with a replication group, when the second location server is added to the replication group. The replication group comprises at least one location server. The status update messages received from a predetermined service server are transferred to the second location server, when the registration to the multicast group is completed. The second location server requests the first location server for a message dump when a predetermined reference time elapses. Subsequently, the status update messages which are maintained in a predetermined message pool of the first location server are dumped to the second location server according to the message dump request. |
| US07945633B2 |
Sorting electronic messages using attributes of the sender address
Systems and methods for sorting electronic messages using attributes of senders or of sender addresses. An electronic messaging server sorts electronic messages using attributes associated with the senders or sender addresses of the electronic messages. The sender addresses and associated attributes are stored in an accept list. A sorting module uses the accept list to sort the electronic messages into various folders. The sorting module can also access other data sources, such as a contact list, to assist in sorting the electronic messages. The attributes can be determined independently of the user or can be set directly by the user. The attributes can also identify a status of a sender such as whether the sender is authorized, unauthorized, or unconfirmed. |
| US07945630B2 |
Method and system for verifying a recipient of a communication
A method and system for communicating a message in an electronic messaging environment is provided. A method employed by the system may include generating a personalized communication model related to a user, determining the validity of a token associated with an intended recipient of the message based on information in the personalized communication model, extracting entities from the message, determining whether the entities extracted match the intended recipient, and indicating to the user whether the token is valid and whether the entities match the intended recipient. The tokens correspond to email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses associated with intended recipients. The personalized communication model includes the names and tokens associated with those individuals with whom the user communicates. The personalized communication model is seeded with information including social, spatial, temporal and logical information related to the user. The personalized communication model is generated by a network processor. |
| US07945627B1 |
Layout-based electronic communication filtering systems and methods
In some embodiments, a layout-based electronic communication classification (e.g. spam filtering) method includes generating a layout vector characterizing a layout of a message, assigning the message to a selected cluster according to a hyperspace distance between the layout vector and a central vector of the selected cluster, and classifying the message (e.g. labeling as spam or non-spam) according to the selected cluster. The layout vector is a message representation characterizing a set of relative positions of metaword substructures of the message, as well as metaword substructure counts. Examples of metaword substructures include MIME parts and text lines. For example, a layout vector may have a first component having scalar axes defined by numerical layout feature counts (e.g. numbers of lines, blank lines, links, email addresses), and a second vector component including a line-structure list and a formatting part (e.g. MIME part) list. |
| US07945626B2 |
Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for determining a physical location of a sensor
A method that determines a physical location of an unknown position device (UPD) in a communication network including a plurality of known position devices (KDPs), in which a message transmitted by the UPD is received by plural KDPs. The method includes measuring a signal quality of each received message received by the plural KDPs from the UPD, and computing the likely physical location of the UPD based on the physical location of the plural KPDs receiving the message from the UPD and the respective signal quality measured at each KPD. |
| US07945621B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for recording and viewing a collaboration session
In one embodiment, the systems and methods attend a collaboration session; detect content shared during the collaboration session; automatically record the content and a time stamp corresponding to the content; and play at least a portion of the content during the collaboration session. |
| US07945618B2 |
Peer-to-peer service designer
A peer-to-peer communication system, including a service manager for managing peer-to-peer services, a zone manager for managing zones, each zone including at least one peer-to-peer service and a window display layout therefor, and a privacy manager for restricting access to a zone, to a select group of users. A method is also described and claimed. |
| US07945612B2 |
Aggregating user presence across multiple endpoints
A presence aggregation system provides a presence server that allows users to publish information regarding their availability with the presence server. The presence server maintains a record of each user's published information. When an endpoint publishes information regarding a user's availability at that endpoint with the presence server, the presence server provides all of the user's published information, including the information just published, to each of the user's endpoints, including the endpoint which published the information. This allows each of the user's endpoints to generate an aggregated availability of the user. The presence server may also provide all of the user's published information, including the information just published, to each of the subscribing users' endpoints. This allows the subscribing users to also generate a view of the user's aggregated availability. |
| US07945606B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating a time varying signal
A method for evaluating a received signal varying over an interval includes: (a) obtaining a data sample and a sample time; (b) determining whether the sample exceeds a previous exceeded extremum of the signal; (c) if the sample does not exceed an exceeded extremum, storing the sample; (d) if the sample exceeds the an exceeded extremum, in no particular order: (1) extracting and storing cycle information involving the exceeded extremum; and (2) replacing an earliest exceeded extremum with the sample; (e) outputting first selected data from a storage unit; (f) determining whether the interval has completed; (g) if the interval has not completed, repeating steps (a) through (f); (h) if the interval has completed, checking whether an output buffer is empty; (i) if the buffer is not empty, outputting second selected data from the buffer; j) if the buffer is empty, terminating the method. |
| US07945594B2 |
Using status models with inhibiting status values in a computer system
Actions are controlled actions in a computer-based process by a status schema model defined at design-time, stored in a computer-readable medium and including a precondition identifying how a status affects whether an action is to be allowed to be performed at runtime by a data object node instance having the status. A status schema instance is created for a particular data object node instance being used in a computer-based process. The status schema instance corresponds to the status schema model and includes a status variable having an inhibiting status value. Conditioned upon a determination that the data object node instance includes a value for a status variable that corresponds to the inhibiting status value of the status variable of the status schema model, actions are prohibited to be performed by the data object node instance other than an action with an explicit precondition from the inhibiting status value. |
| US07945588B2 |
Image forming apparatus controlling use of medium inserted thereinto
When a user logs in to an MFP and inserts a medium, a serial number of the medium is stored in a device information database in correspondence with user information of the user, and a descramble key, e.g., a hash code of the serial number is registered in the user information. When the medium is removed from the MFP which is still logged in, the registration is deleted. When the MFP into which the medium is still inserted is logged out, no registration is deleted. When the user logs in to the MFP into which the medium is already inserted, the MFP determines whether a descramble key is registered in user information of the user. When a second user logs in to an MFP from which a first user had logged out while forgetting to remove a medium, the MFP prohibits the second user from accessing the medium because no descramble key is registered in user information of the second user. |
| US07945587B2 |
Random allocation of media storage units
Described is a technology by which storage space in the form of allocation units (e.g., clusters of a storage volume) are intentionally allocated so as to likely be non-contiguous for a file's data. For example, random selection of each of the allocation units will likely provide non-contiguous allocation units; on solid state storage media, such a random distribution of a file's data does not significantly affect access times. In one aspect, a file system driver randomly allocates the allocation units, and records the allocation units in association with the file, e.g., in a master file table or similar database. Non-contiguous (e.g., random) allocation may be on demand as storage space is needed, and/or may be performed in anticipation of needing storage space for satisfying a later request. Once the storage space is no longer mapped to a file, reconstructing that file's data in forensic analysis is more difficult. |
| US07945586B1 |
Methods and apparatus to protect data
A computer-implemented method for providing protection for a data file is disclosed. The method includes employing allowable location information to control access to information of the data file, wherein the allowable location information is associated with the data file The information in the data file is inaccessible if a location of a computer employed to access the data file is not within an allowable geographic area defined by the allowable location information. |
| US07945580B2 |
Document retrieval using a printed form
A method of retrieving a document from a database of hierarchical electronic document versions is disclosed. Each document version is associated with a unique document instance. In the method a search form is printed. The search form includes a search instruction input field relating to at least one parameter of a search to be carried out within the database and a plurality of coded data tags. Each coded data tag encodes a location of that coded data tag on the search form. The coded data tags are sensed by a sensing device as the sensing device is used to handwrite at least one search term on the search form. Data representing the parameter and the at least one search term is generated, with the data representing the at least one search term being generated from the locations of the coded data tags. Next, a search is carried out within the database based on the at least one search term and parameter in order to identify document versions. A results form is printed, with the results form containing data representing the document versions identified in the search and coded data tags. By sensing one or more coded data tags on the results form, the document version associated with the coded data tag sensed on the results form is retrieved and printed. |
| US07945577B2 |
System and method for adaptive database caching
A local database cache enabling persistent, adaptive caching of either full or partial content of a remote database is provided. Content of tables comprising a local cache database is defined on per-table basis. A table is either: defined declaratively and populated in advance of query execution, or is determined dynamically and asynchronously populated on-demand during query execution. Based on a user input query originally issued against a remote DBMS and referential cache constraints between tables in a local database cache, a Janus query plan, comprising local, remote, and probe query portions is determined. A probe query portion of a Janus query plan is executed to determine whether up-to-date results can be delivered by the execution of a local query portion against a local database cache, or whether it is necessary to retrieve results from a remote database by executing a remote query portion of Janus query plan. |
| US07945574B2 |
Reproducing apparatus, reproducing method, and reproducing program
Disclosed herein is a reproducing apparatus including: a reproduction unit configured to reproduce content data linked to a first item being selected; a selection unit configured to select a second item in response to a request to select the second item, the request being input by a user operating an operation input unit; a determination unit configured to determine whether there exists content data linked to the second item; and a reproduction control unit configured to control reproduction of content data. |
| US07945573B1 |
Dynamic transcoding to stitch streaming digital content
Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for dynamic transcoding to stitch streaming digital content. A selection of a content file is received from a mobile device. An advertisement content file is identified for the selected content file. Attributes of the selected content file are determined. Attributes of the advertisement content file are determined. The advertisement content file and the selected content file are converted so that the attributes of the advertisement content file and the attributes of the selected content file match. The selected content file is stitched with the advertisement content file to produce streaming digital content. The streaming digital content is provided to the mobile device. |
| US07945560B2 |
Technique for removing subquery in group by—having clauses using window functions
Methods for transforming a query to remove redundant subqueries in HAVING clauses are provided. The methods provided transform queries that contain subqueries in HAVING clauses with tables and join conditions and filter conditions equal to tables, join conditions and filter conditions in outer query to queries that eliminate the original subquery and retain the original outer query with a single inline view using window functions. Whether this transformation can be performed depends on which tables and join and filter conditions are in the outer query and the subquery. The transformation eliminates duplicative table accesses and join operations from queries. |
| US07945558B2 |
Query optimizer with join cardinality estimation which mitigates the effects of skew
One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method to estimate a cardinality of a database query. Single table cardinalities are determined after application of selection predicates. In addition, pair-wise join selectivities are estimated without assuming independence between selection and join predicates. Said pair-wise join selectivities are multiplied with said single table cardinalities after application of the selection predicates. Another embodiment relates to a computer apparatus including a cardinality estimator. The cardinality estimator includes computer-readable instructions configured to (a) determine single table cardinalities after application of selection predicates from the database query, (b) estimate pair-wise join selectivities without assuming independence between the selection predicates and join predicates of the database query, and (c) multiply said pair-wise join selectivities with said single table cardinalities after application of the selection predicates. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US07945556B1 |
Web log filtering
Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for web log filtering. A uniform resource locator (URL) is identified for a resource requested by an identified device. The URL is stored unless the URL has at a reference to an advertisement or an extension that matches any of a list of extensions specified for storage exclusion. The stored URL is categorized based on either the stored URL or an included domain name, depending on whether the included domain name matches any of the list of domain names that are associated with multiple categories. A count is incremented in a web log category associated with the identified device based on the categorized stored URL. |
| US07945554B2 |
Systems and methods for providing enhanced job searching
Methods and systems of providing a job search to a jobseeker are disclosed. Based on previously stored user preferences, job listings can be presented to users. User preferences can be gathered through previous search requests, resume keywords, jobseeker applies to job listings, jobseekers viewing job listings, etc. The search request can include search criteria. As such, preference data related to the jobseeker is identified based on jobseeker online behavior. In one embodiment, a set of jobs listings having associated metadata that match the search criteria is identified. A subset of job listings that match the preference data is identified. The subset of job listings is a subset of the set of job listings. At least the subset of job listings can be provided to the jobseeker. In another embodiment, a set of job listings having associated metadata that match the search criteria and the jobseeker preferences is identified and provided to the jobseeker. |
| US07945548B2 |
Method for sourcing replacement parts
A method of sourcing a piece of equipment or a replacement part includes preparing a part request record, providing a part source database, searching part source records in the database according to one or more search parameters associated with the part, part requestor or part source, creating a prospective part source list, and prioritizing the part source list by one or more indexing fields, to identify sources predicted to have the part at the best combination of quality, price, and other similar factors. A method of updating the indexing fields is also disclosed. |
| US07945543B2 |
Method and system for deferred maintenance of database indexes
Rectifying discrepancies between a table, from which a segment of data has been removed, and an index for the table may be deferred. Each entry in the index is sequentially analyzed to remove entries therefrom referring to any removed segment referenced in the starting location list. During this process, if a segment newly removed from the table is detected, then analysis of the index entries continues and an indicator is set that another segment has been removed. Analysis of the entries continues in a looping fashion until each entry has been assessed to determine if it makes a reference to any of the removed segments. If a query is received before rectification is complete then the query is amended by establishing search boundaries based so that the query does not produce any entries in the index referring to removed segments. |
| US07945537B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for disaster recovery planning
Formulating an integrated disaster recovery (DR) plan based upon a plurality of DR requirements for an application by receiving a first set of inputs identifying one or more entity types for which the plan is to be formulated, such as an enterprise, one or more sites of the enterprise, the application, or a particular data type for the application. At least one data container representing a subset of data for an application is identified. A second set of inputs is received identifying at least one disaster type for which the plan is to be formulated. A third set of inputs is received identifying a DR requirement for the application as a category of DR Quality of Service (QoS) class to be applied to the disaster type. A composition model is generated specifying one or more respective DR QoS parameters as a function of a corresponding set of one or more QoS parameters representative of a replication technology solution. The replication technology solution encompasses a plurality of storage stack levels. A solution template library is generated for mapping the application to each of a plurality of candidate replication technology solutions. The template library is used to select a DR plan in the form of a replication technology solution for the application. |
| US07945531B2 |
Interfaces for a productivity suite application and a hosted user interface
User interfaces are defined by metadata for use with productivity suite applications in a wrapped window, a task pain, or some other suitable representation. Data can be bound to a data source in a one-way format such that changes from the data source propagate to property fields in the UI form. Data can also be bound to a data source in a two-way format such that changes from the property field of the UI propagate back to the data source. The data source can be a local cache such as for synchronization between a productivity suite application and a line of business (LOB) application (e.g., CRM applications). A rendering engine is arranged to process the UI and data bindings such that custom event handlers are defined in a code behind assembly format. Productivity suite items are accessible from the code behind assembly through a series of item interfaces. |
| US07945529B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing table comparisons
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to analyze sort options associated with an input table and a comparison table. It is determined whether a consistent sort can be performed by a first database associated with the input table and a second database associated with the comparison table. A first sort operation is performed on the input table at the first database and a second sort operation is performed on the comparison table at the second database when a consistent sort can be achieved. Sort operations on the input table and the comparison table are executed at a common sort engine when a consistent sort cannot be performed by the first database and the second database. |
| US07945528B2 |
Method and device for high performance regular expression pattern matching
Disclosed herein is an improved architecture for regular expression pattern matching. Improvements to pattern matching deterministic finite automatons (DFAs) that are described by the inventors include a pipelining strategy that pushes state-dependent feedback to a final pipeline stage to thereby enhance parallelism and throughput, augmented state transitions that track whether a transition is indicative of a pattern match occurring thereby reducing the number of necessary states for the DFA, augmented state transition that track whether a transition is indicative of a restart to the matching process, compression of the DFA's transition table, alphabet encoding for input symbols to equivalence class identifiers, the use of an indirection table to allow for optimized transition table memory, and enhanced scalability to facilitate the ability of the improved DFA to process multiple input symbols per cycle. |
| US07945527B2 |
Methods and systems for interpreting text using intelligent glossaries
A computer implemented method and systems used to create and interpret a set of formal glossaries which refer one to the other and are intended to define precisely the terminology of a field of endeavor. Such glossaries are known as intelligent, in the sense that they allow machines to make deductions, with interaction of human actors. Once a word is defined in an intelligent glossary, all the logical consequences of the use of that word in a formal and well-formed sentence are computable. The process includes a question and answer mechanism, which applies the definitions contained in the intelligent glossaries to a given formal sentence. The methods may be applied in the development of knowledge management methods and tools that are based on semantics; for example: modeling of essential knowledge in the field based on the relevant semantics; and computer-aided human-reasoning. |
| US07945525B2 |
Methods for obtaining improved text similarity measures which replace similar characters with a string pattern representation by using a semantic data tree
The embodiments of the invention provide methods for obtaining improved text similarity measures. More specifically, a method of measuring similarity between at least two electronic documents begins by identifying similar terms between the electronic documents. This includes basing similarity between the similar terms on patterns, wherein the patterns can include word patterns, letter patterns, numeric patterns, and/or alphanumeric patterns. The identifying of the similar terms also includes identifying multiple pattern types between the electronic documents. Moreover, the basing of the similarity on patterns identifies terms within the electronic documents that are within a category of a hierarchy. Specifically, the identifying of the terms reviews a hierarchical data tree, wherein nodes of the tree represent terms within the electronic documents. Lower nodes of the tree have specific terms; and, wherein higher nodes of the tree have general terms. |
| US07945523B2 |
Method and computer program for analyzing variables using pruning, influencing a combustion process in a combustion chamber, using a trainable statistical model
The invention relates to sensitivity analysis of variables influencing a combustion process. A trainable, statistical model is trained in such a way that it describes the combustion process in the combustion chamber. The trained statistical model is used to determine the influence of the variables on said combustion process in the combustion chamber. |
| US07945521B2 |
Process and architecture for structuring facilities revenue bond financings
A process and architecture may be implemented to structure bond financing or refinancing for facilities construction and/or renovation to improve economic and business terms for involved or interested parties, including for education institutions, healthcare companies and/or energy production entities. |
| US07945520B2 |
System and method for secure and/or interactive dissemination of information
An interactive information dissemination system includes a media server (210) for receiving a plurality of media elements and storing the media elements in a database. A sender client (200) enables a first user to identify message data, a recipient identifier, and a media element from the database of media elements. A recipient client (202) presents the media element to a second user associated with the recipient identifier. The recipient client (202) further presents the message data to the second user when the second user performs a predetermined action, such as submitting authentication information or requesting the message data, to receive the message data. The message data may be secured by requiring sender and recipient authentication, and by encoding the data using a private encoding key and data package identifier managed by a main server (206) and a key server (208). |
| US07945513B2 |
Method and system for providing minimum contract values in an annuity with lifetime benefit payments
A data processing method determines a contract value of a deferred annuity product during the accumulation phase. The method includes receiving by a computer a request for a withdrawal during the accumulation phase, the amount of the withdrawal being no more than a lifetime benefit payment amount, determining by the computer whether the contract value, after deduction of withdrawal is below a minimum contract value, and if the contract value would be below the minimum contract value, providing an output signal by the computer that. The contract value is not reduced below the minimum contract value. |
| US07945508B2 |
System and method for prioritized data delivery in an electronic trading environment
A system and method for prioritized data delivery in an electronic trading environment are described herein. According to one example embodiment, by prioritizing the messages associated with a tradeable object, the bandwidth and system resource usage may be optimally reduced, and any loss of priority content in the messages sent between the network device and the client device may be reduced. An example method includes associating different priority levels with messages comprising market data. Messages containing market information related to the inside market may be associated to a higher priority level. Whereas messages containing market information relating to the quantities at prices outside the inside market may be associated with a lower priority level. Based on the priority level associated with a message, a network device may send the message directly to the client device or store the message in a data structure until a pre-defined condition is satisfied. |
| US07945504B1 |
Secure image bidding system
Secure image bidding system process for financial transactions, including structured investment products, escrows and interest rate swaps. Some embodiments provide a secure image bidding system and process for image-based bid transmissions where each of a plurality of bids received by the system is encrypted and held in a digital “Vault” until the specified end of the bid period, at which time a package containing the encrypted bids, a log of server activity, and a digital checksum of the original bid file is sent via electronic mail to the bid broker and other participants. A second electronic mail message is sent to the bid broker and other participants containing the decryption key. During the bid process, no party has access to the bid information and there is no human interaction in the receipt, conversion to image, encryption, storage or conveyance of compiled information. |
| US07945503B2 |
On-line auction interface
A method for conducting a fantasy sports auction for a plurality of players utilizing a plurality of pre-recorded multimedia clips is disclosed. The method includes initiating an auction session including a plurality of participating team bidders, selectively displaying data associated with an individual player during the auction session, and displaying a starting bid for the individual player on the user interface. A series of progressively higher bid levels associated with the player is displayed and the participating bidders are prompted to make bids by playing at least one of the multimedia clips. Bids are received from the participating bidders and visual representations are provided for each bid on the user interface. A winning bidder is determined based on the receipt of a bid associated with the highest bid level displayed. |
| US07945502B2 |
Online trading and dynamic routing of electric power among electric service providers
A method and system for trading electric power on a spot market and dynamically matches bids and asks and routes the electric power in accordance with the matches to effect the settled trades. A control node is arranged for receiving bids and asks via a wide area network. The control node is also connected to a transmission system and a central control of the transmission system to dynamically switch the transmission system to effect the matched bids and asks. |
| US07945501B2 |
System and method for constraining depletion amount in a defined time frame
Embodiments disclosed herein provide price protection on commodity purchases in which a consumer can select, accept, or otherwise agree to a depletion constraint on the consumption of the commodity thus purchased. Based on the agreed depletion constraint, a provider may adjust terms and/or the price of the price protection. In some embodiments, the depletion constraint can be time-based, quantity-based, value-based, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the depletion constraint can be linear. In some embodiments, a consumer may be required to purchase a certain amount of the commodity during a specified time frame. In some embodiments, the provider of the price protection may receive a payment from the consumer when the retail price of the commodity at the time of the purchase is below a specified floor price. In some embodiments, the commodity is motor fuel. |
| US07945499B2 |
Method and system for providing a fixed rate annuity with a lock-in interest rate feature
A data processing method and system administers a deferred annuity contract during the accumulation phase of a contract term. The system stores an account value and a guaranteed rate of interest on the account value. The system may credit an interest rate which is reset periodically (reset rate). The system is configured for changing from the reset rate to the guaranteed rate, when the reset rate falls below the guaranteed rate. |
| US07945498B2 |
Method for facilitating chemical supplier transactions
A business-to-business transaction clearinghouse integrates the traditional point-to-point business supply chain at the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse provides cost effective access to a wide variety of members and includes value-added services. Members of the clearinghouse can include trading members, members that help the trading members ship their products, and banking members. The clearinghouse facilitates business among the trading members by providing a single point of contact for all transactions. The clearinghouse can be specific to an industry, such as the chemical industry. Multiple industry specific clearinghouses may form a network clearinghouses to effectively create one larger and more general business-to-business electronic commerce community. |
| US07945497B2 |
System and method for utilizing interrelated computerized predictive models
The invention relates to a system for handling insurance requests, such as new coverage applications, renewal applications, and insurance quote requests. The system includes at least two computerized predictive models whose outputs each serve as inputs to the other. A business logic module is included in the system to process insurance requests with the predictive models to determine one or more sets of recommended policy parameters for the user and to output the determination to the user via a user interface. In various embodiments, the predictive models also output workflow components (such as underwriting workflow components) and price components (such as premium prices) corresponding to output suggested sets of coverage parameters. |
| US07945489B2 |
Flexible cost and revenue allocation for service orders
A method and system handles cost and revenue allocation for service orders. For a service order, there is allowed to be created planned rules for allocation of costs to one or more service providers and for allocation of expected revenues to be received from one or more service receivers, which are forwarded in electronic form, if created, to a cost accounting system. After receipt of a confirmation that the service order has been executed wherein the confirmation includes information about costs actually incurred in executing the service order, there is allowed the creation of revised or newly created rules for allocation of the incurred costs to the one or more service providers and for the allocation of the revenues to be received from the one or more service receivers, which are forwarded in electronic form, if created or revised, to the cost accounting system. |
| US07945488B2 |
Drilling collaboration infrastructure
Methods and systems facilitate collaboration between users at an oil well site and users at a remote location. Multiple types of oil well data are collected at the oil well site to form aggregated data. The aggregated data is stored in a data aggregation server at the oil well site. Users at the oil well site and users at the remote location are allowed to access the aggregated data on the data aggregation server using a standard data format. |
| US07945485B2 |
Service for providing item recommendations
A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations, including associations between particular search queries and items. The detected associations are recorded in site-specific datasets, and are made available to the corresponding sites via the service's interface. |
| US07945472B2 |
Business management tool
The present invention includes a business management tool that is configured to receive and process both first and second data sources for planning, performance and forecasting purposes. The business management tool of the present invention is further configured to utilize essential data including key performance indicators. The foregoing data sets are inputting into an integrated planning, performance and forecasting methodology that integrates historical data and forecasting data to form a closed loop system for managing a business. Lastly, the business management tool of the present invention is adapted to advise managers of those conditions and variables that subject the business to the most risk with regard to revenue planning and forecasting. |