Document Document Title
US07942810B2 Endoscope and endoscopic system
An endoscope of the present invention includes an insert section inserted in a subject body, an operation section provided at a base end of the insert section, a control process section provided in the operation section, for controlling an image pickup section for capturing a subject body image and a predetermined function in the operation section, a signal circuit extending from the control process section, and a connection section provided to the operation section, for allowing detachable connection of a tube unit through which at least one duct line is inserted.
US07942809B2 Flexible ultrasonic wire in an endoscope delivery system
The flexible ultrasound wire delivered through an endoscope can bend through multiple radii and deliver ultrasonic energy to the business end of the working channel of an endoscope without requiring percutaneous incisions. The flexible ultrasonic wire is wire or fiber that can be flexed in any direction and is connected at one end to an ultrasonic transducer which is connected to an energy delivering device. An insulating layer between the flexible ultrasonic wire and a metallic working channel is non-metallic and resilient and operates to prevent unwanted fragmentation of the device and possible collateral soft tissue injuries.
US07942807B2 Dissolvable protective treatment for an implantable supportive sling
The invention provides, in one embodiment, a sling assembly including an implantable supportive sling and a biocompatible dissolvable protective treatment on at least a portion of the sling.
US07942805B2 VAD connector plug
A plug which may be positioned in place of a Ventricular Assist Device (“VAD”) within a VAD connector mounted to the heart. The VAD connector may have at least one VAD-engaging feature and may define an opening. The plug may have a body adapted to fill the opening of the VAD connector and may engage the VAD connector. The plug may be installed in place of a VAD when the heart heals, and then removed and replaced by a VAD if the patient's condition deteriorates.
US07942795B2 Stretching and toning device
An exercise device that accommodates stretching and toning exercises otherwise performed with an exercise ball. The device comprises a stable support structure and a padded bench that rocks back and forth on the stable support structure safely and predictably in response to the user's movements. The support structure can take a variety of different forms, including an A-frame geometry, a triangular geometry, a T-shaped geometry, and in the form of a pedestal base. A user, during exercise, can support part of his weight on the bench, and cause the bench to rock back and forth by alternately relaxing and contracting selected muscles.
US07942794B2 Training device
The invention relates to a training device (2) which comprises a base body (4) having a bearing surface (6) which is embodied in such a manner that the back of a user can be placed on the bearing surface (6) when in use. The base body (4) is mounted on or is embodied in such a manner with the bearing surface (6) that it can pivot from a first position, wherein the back of the user, who is sitting, is placed on the bearing surface (6) when in use, into a second position, wherein the bearing surface (6) is pivoted from a first position into the horizontal direction.
US07942788B2 Foldable treadmill
A foldable treadmill includes a base and two posts are pivotably connected to the base. A handle is pivotably connected between the two posts and includes at least one pivotal end which is connected the two posts. A positioning unit is located between the two posts and includes a transverse link and at least one passive link which has a first end pivotably and is connected to the transverse link. A lever is connected to the transverse link so as to pivot the transverse link. At least one insertion is connected to a second end of the at least one passive link, the pivotal end of the handle having a restriction port with which the insertion is disengageably inserted to restrict the handle from pivoted about the insertion.
US07942786B2 Training device for targeted training
A training device to target train a body of a person includes a support, a device foot part having action elements for legs of the person, a device arm part having action elements for arms of the training person, and a connecting joint, mounted on the support, to couple the device foot part with the device arm part. The connecting joint allows the device foot part and the device arm part to displace relative to each other about a common longitudinal axis that runs through the connecting joint, device arm part and device foot part which causes a relative turning movement in a region of a vertebral column axis of the person, when lying on the device, between the pelvic girdle and the shoulder girdle of the person.
US07942783B2 Exercise aid device
An exercise aid device has a hip supporting member movable relative to a base, footrests movable relative to the base, drive means for driving the hip supporting member, body constitution estimating unit for estimating at least one of fat mass and muscle mass of a user, and a controller for the drive means. The controller controls the drive means such that a load acting on a femoral region by own weight of the user supported on the hip supporting member changes according to a relative positional displacement between the user's toe and trochanter major, the positional displacement is allowed in a direction of flexion and extension of knee joint of the user, and an angle of the knee joint is maintained substantially constant. In addition, since the controller controls the drive means by use of an output of the body constitution estimating unit, it is possible to provide an exercise with less burden to the knee joint and a suitable strength for the user.
US07942776B2 Two-mode electrically variable transmission
An electrically variable transmission (EVT) is provided with input member and output member, first and second motor/generators, a first and a second planetary gear set, and a final drive gearset. Two torque-transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engagable alone or in different combinations to establish an electric-only operating mode, an input split mode, a compound split mode, and a neutral mode. The first torque-transmitting mechanism may be configured as a one-way clutch in parallel with a friction clutch or a dog clutch, or configured as a lockable one-way clutch. A vehicle having the EVT may be driven electrically using one or both motor/generators, up to a maximum speed of the motor/generators. There are no slipping clutches when operated in an electric-only operating mode, and the engine provides most of the power for high-speed cruising. The EVT can transition from input split mode to compound split mode by synchronous shift.
US07942757B2 Strike face insert
A golf club head, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises a metallic striking wall having a striking surface and at least one through score-line opening. At least one complementary component may be disposed rearward of the striking surface such that at least a part of the at least one complementary component extends into only a part of the at least one through score-line opening.
US07942751B2 Sports facility
A sporting facility comprises a plurality of rotary elements having flexible components extending therefrom, the rotary elements being arranged so that the flexible components thereof provide a substantially continuous supporting surface, and means for rotating the rotary elements. The flexible components are preferably filaments or fibers, extending perpendicular to the substantially continuous surface. The facility is of particular use in providing an artificial surface for skiing, snow boarding, surfing or the like.
US07942747B2 Video game controller rack
The present invention is for a storage rack for game controllers and a method of using it. The present invention provides a safe convenient and practical way of storing game controllers when the game controller is not in use by a gamer. The advantage of the present invention is that it organizes the controllers as well as provides a decorative element to a room. The game controller rack includes a vertical member and one or more pairs of cantilever angle members or posts wherein the members have a predetermined lateral spacing and are angled outwardly and upwardly in a predetermined range of angles to provide support for retaining various game controllers.
US07942746B2 Network game system
A distribution server distributes meteorological data to a first game apparatus. The first game apparatus obtains, from the distribution server, meteorological data corresponding to region data set by region data setting means and transmits the meteorological data to a second game apparatus. The first game apparatus executes an on-line game with the second game apparatus using the obtained meteorological data. The second game apparatus receives the meteorological data transmitted from the first game apparatus. Using the received meteorological data, the second game apparatus executes the on-line game with the first game apparatus.
US07942743B2 Game apparatus and storage medium storing game program
A game apparatus includes two LCDs, a touch panel is provided in association with the one LCD. On the touch panel, an operation button corresponding to each player character is set. A setting of the operation button is changed according to an operation state (frequency of usage, operation coordinates position) by a player during playing the game. For example, a size of an operation effective area and a display position of the operation button are changed according to the frequency of usage. Furthermore, at least any one of the operation effective areas and the display position of the operation button is changed according to the operation coordinates position.
US07942742B2 Accessing identification information to verify a gaming device is in communications with a server
To verify that a gaming device is in communications with a server that provides activities and/or services to a player through the gaming device and maintains information related to these activities and/or services, a verification server determines one or more pieces of the maintained information and sends the determined information to a verification device.
US07942739B2 Storing information from a verification device and accessing the information from a gaming device to verify that the gaming device is communicating with a server
A system includes a server, which provides activities and possibly other services to a player through a gaming device. To verify that the gaming device is communicating with the server, information received from a verification device is stored. Thereafter, in response to a request from the gaming device, the stored information is determined and sent to the gaming device via the server.
US07942738B2 Verifying a gaming device is in communications with a gaming server
A system includes a verification server and a gaming server, which provides gaming activities and possibly other services to a player through a gaming device. The system further includes a verification device in communications with the verification server. The verification server passes an indicator between the verification device and gaming device via the gaming server and in this fashion, verification can be made that the gaming device is in communications with the gaming server.
US07942737B2 Gaming device having a game with multiple selections and progressive game incrementation
A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive game increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive game increment.
US07942736B2 Path or flow based bonus game
The present invention is a player participatory bonus game intended for use in a gaming environment. After a primary game event triggers play of the bonus game, the player is presented with a game arena which shows start points, end points, and locations in between where game pieces may be placed. The game pieces are specially themed so that the player wins by created a path or flow from a start point to an end point, using selected bonus pieces and placing them on the indicated location points.
US07942735B2 Methods and systems for conducting live pool and competitive wagering activities
Methods and systems for conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment a series of events, such as horse races, dog races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager, and a wagering activity thereon is structured as a contest. Bettors may each be provided with a “play money” bankroll for use in wagering, and play against one another competitively to achieve one or more winning outcomes for the contest as defined by the operator. Alternatively, bettors may have their conventional, live wagers entered into the contest. The prize pool for the contest, which may be multi-tiered, is fixed based on the number of participants and allocated to winners independent of the live wager prize pool, thus not affecting odds for the live wager. The contest wagering activity may be run in parallel with live wagering, and utilizing the same wagering system for administration of both. Wagering systems and a wagering network are also disclosed.
US07942731B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating game play with a mortgaging option
In some embodiments, methods and apparatus allow for a plurality of options to be displayed to a player for playing at least one round of a game in accordance with at least one advantage and/or disadvantage. The player may accept an option. For example, a player may accept an option to play at least one future round of play in accordance with a rule that is different from a rule used in a current round of play.
US07942729B2 Gizzard peeler and method of peeling a gizzard
The invention relates to a gizzard peeler comprising a series of rollersets, each rollerset comprising a first roller and a second roller that in use rotate in opposite directions, wherein the rollersets collectively form a cylindrical wall of a rotatable drum or form part of such a wall, whereby the drum is provided at its outer circumference with a guide and pressure device for guiding and pressing a gizzard along at least a part of the drum's outer circumference.
US07942727B2 Floor edger
A wood floor edger is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the edger comprises a housing and a motor. The housing comprises an opening and a rotatable abrasive disc located in the opening. The rotatable abrasive disc may have a diameter greater than six inches. The motor is operatively connected to the first housing and drivingly connected to the abrasive disc. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor, wherein the motor is operatable at a speed that is preselected by the motor controller.
US07942724B2 Polishing pad with window having multiple portions
A polishing pad has an opaque polishing layer with an aperture therethrough and a polishing surface, and a solid light-transmissive window in the aperture. The solid light-transmissive window includes an outer portion secured to the polishing layer and an inner portion secured to the outer portion. The outer portion has a upper surface recessed relative to the polishing surface, whereas the inner portion has an upper surface that is substantially co-planar with the polishing surface.
US07942723B2 Back adjuster for brassiere
A length adjuster for connection between two parts of a garment has a flexible tape having an outer end adapted for fixing to one of the garment parts and formed with a longitudinally extending row of grooves and an inner end. A buckle has a base formed with a seat and an upper face from which projects a tooth. A clamp has a lower face turned toward the upper face and pivotal on the base between a position closely juxtaposed with the tooth and a position farther away from the tooth. The tape extends through the buckle between the faces with the grooves open toward and fittable with the tooth and with the inner end fixed in the seat. The tape forms a loop to a side of the buckle opposite the outer end. Structure forms an eye through which the loop passes and through which the tape can slide.
US07942717B2 Brick assembly with automatically recognizing connecting relationships
A brick assembly with automatically recognizing connecting relationships includes a rod brick, a sleeve brick and a frame brick. The rod brick has an irregular polygon-shaped cross-section and an identification IC. The sleeve brick has the internal bore with the same shape with the cross-section of the rod brick to make the rod brick insert into the sleeve brick only in one direction. Also, the sleeve brick is used to connect the rod brick to the frame brick. The signals, caused by the resistor of the sleeve brick, of the identification IC of the frame brick are detected by a computer system to recognize automatically connecting relationships of these bricks.
US07942716B2 Frit sealing system and method of manufacturing organic light emitting display device
A frit sealing system and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device by using the frit sealing system, and more particularly, a frit sealing system and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device by using the frit sealing system, which includes a pressure member so as to physically pressurize a first substrate and a second substrate, thereby increasing adhesion of a frit when the first substrate and the second substrate are adhered to each other by using the frit. The frit sealing system, adhering the first substrate and the second substrate by using the frit, includes: a bed member on which the first substrate is placed; a laser irradiation member irradiating a laser to the frit between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a pressure member disposed on an upper part of the first substrate and the second substrate irradiated with the laser and adhered, thereby pressurizing the first substrate and the second substrate irradiated with the laser and adhered.
US07942711B1 Method for controlling a marine propulsion trim system
A method is provided for controlling a marine propulsion trim system under two distinct modes of operation. A first mode operates hydraulic cylinders at a slower speed when the associated marine vessel is being operated at a speed above a predetermined threshold. For example, when the marine propulsion device is under load, such as when the marine vessel is operating on plane, the first mode of operation is used and the trim/tilt cylinders are operated at a slower speed. A second mode of operation is used when the marine propulsion system is being operated below a predetermined threshold. In other words, if the marine vessel is operating at a slow speed, the faster mode of operation is used. Similarly, if the marine vessel is being prepared for transport on a trailer, the very slow or non-existent speed of operation of the engine is used as an indicator which causes the second mode of operation to be employed.
US07942705B2 Audio jack with pogo pins for conductive contacts
An audio jack can allow electrical connections between an audio plug and an electronic device. The audio jack can include a series of pogo pins operative to extend into an audio jack cavity to provide conductive contacts for an audio plug placed within the audio jack. When an audio plug is inserted in the audio jack, the deflectable tips of each pogo pin can deflect and contact audio plug contact portions or regions. The end of the pogo pins opposite the deflectable tips can be coupled to an appropriate electronic device component, such as a printed circuit board, flex circuit, cable, or any other suitable component to provide a conductive path for signals between the audio plug and the electronic device.
US07942704B2 Crosstalk-proof plug connector
A crosstalk-proof plug connector has an insulating housing, a mounting bracket, multiple first terminals, multiple second terminals and a shell. The first terminals are mounted on the insulating housing. The second terminals are mounted on the mounting bracket. Each terminal has a mounting section, a soldering section and a contacting section. The soldering sections are arranged in a transverse row with a specific sequence to prevent crosstalk interfering with signal transmission.
US07942702B2 Modular connector
A modular connector includes a base and at least one adaptor. The base is provided with at least one first assembling port. The first assembling port has an insertion slot therein. The insertion slot has a plurality of insertion holes. Each of the plurality of insertion holes is provided with an electrical-conductive pin extending outside the base. The adaptor has a rear end with an insertion pin and a front end with a connecting port. The connecting port has a tongue therein. The tongue is provided with a plurality of electrical-conductive terminals. One end of each of the electrical-conductive terminals is electrically connected with the insertion pin. The adaptor is assembled in the first assembling port. The insertion pin is inserted into and electrically connected to the insertion slot.
US07942701B2 Power sourcing unit for power over ethernet system
A power sourcing unit for a power over ethernet system. The unit includes a chassis with a power supply guide and a CPU guide, and a power supply including a power supply connector. The unit also includes a printed circuit board including first and second connectors and being coupled to a plurality of RJ-45 jacks, and a CPU line card including a CPU connector. The power supply guide engages the power supply to allow the power supply to be slid into and out of the unit to couple the power supply connector to the first connector of the printed circuit board. The CPU guide engages the CPU line card to allow the CPU line card to be slid into and out of the unit to couple the CPU connector to the second connector of the printed circuit board. The CPU line card allows the unit to be coupled to a network. Multiple power sourcing units can be daisy-chained together.
US07942700B2 Modular electronic header assembly and methods of manufacture
A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components. In one embodiment, a modular non-conducting base member having one or more component recesses and a plurality of lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the wire leads of the component routed through the lead channels to a conductive lead terminal. A plurality of lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the non-conducting base member, are received therein, and adapted to place the device in signal communication with an external printed circuit board. The modular non-conducting base members are assembled or stacked to form a unitary modular assembly. Methods for fabricating the device are also disclosed.
US07942699B1 Electrical connector with a flange secured to an antenna and electrically connected to a ground shield of an electrical power cable
An electrical connector provides electrical power to an antenna from an electrical power cable. The electrical connector includes a housing, and an electrical contact held by the housing. The electrical contact includes a mating segment and a mounting segment. The mating segment is configured to mate with a mating connector that terminates the electrical power cable. The mounting segment is configured to be electrically connected to the antenna. The electrical connector also includes a mounting flange having an opening therein. The housing is held within the opening of the mounting flange such that at least portion of the mounting flange extends outwardly from a periphery of the housing. The mounting flange includes at least one mounting component that is configured to secure the mounting flange to the antenna. The mounting flange is electrically conductive and is configured to be electrically connected to a ground shield of the electrical power cable.
US07942698B2 Connector having contacts with a linkage portion having a width smaller than that of the contact portion
A connector capable of maintaining contact reliability even with reduced arrangement pitch of contacts. First and second contacts are alternately arranged on a housing along contact arrangement direction orthogonal to direction of fitting the housing to a receptacle connector. A first contact portion, first bending portion, and first connecting portion connected to a coaxial cable, of each first contact are disposed on an upper surface, front portion and rear portion of the arranging portion, respectively. A linkage portion connecting the first bending and connecting portions, and a second contact portion continuous with a second connecting portion of each second contact are disposed on a lower surface of the arranging portion. A second bending portion disposed on the front portion is continuous with the second contact portion. The linkage portion is smaller in width in the arrangement direction than the first and second contact portions.
US07942696B2 Pothead connectors for submersible motor head and methods of assembly thereof
A pothead connector for connecting a plurality of electrical cables to the terminal block of a submersible motor head is provided. A method of assembly of the pothead connector is also provided. The pothead connector comprises a housing that defines a plurality of passageways that extend in a longitudinal direction and are each configured to receive one of the electrical cables. Each passageway is further configured to receive a shroud that encircles the electrical cable within that one passageway. A first end of the shroud compresses a packing seal to form a liquid impermeable seal with each passageway and with the outer surface of the electrical cable. Each shroud is biased in the longitudinal direction to compress the packing seal by a plurality of spring stacks separated by a plurality of spacers. The second end of the shroud is capable configured to mate with a recess in the terminal block.
US07942692B2 Connecting element for the connection of switching devices
A connecting element is disclosed for the connection of at least two switching devices and a switching device and an electric distribution system. In order to allow for the rapid and wireless connection of a plurality of electromechanical devices, at least one embodiment of the invention proposes a connecting device for the connection of at least two switching devices, wherein the connecting element includes first element(s) for mechanically connecting the switching devices to one and another and second element(s) for electrically connecting switching poles of the switching devices. The second element(s) include flexible connecting elements for connecting the switching devices to the switching poles that are electrically connected to the connecting device.
US07942689B1 Electrical connector assembly and method
An electrical connector assembly for forming insulation displacement connections with conductors in small wires includes a wire carrier and a base. Pierce points on the base are slid along opposed walls in a slot in the carrier to align small tips on the ends of the pierce points to form electrical connections with a conductor in a wire in the carrier. The connections are located inwardly of the slot walls.
US07942681B2 Safety receptacle with tamper resistant shutter
The disclosed embodiments are directed to a protective shutter assembly that includes a registration member having longitudinal and lateral axes, first and second shutter members slidably mounted in the registration member, each shutter member including a ramp member and a receptacle blocking member, the ramp member being configured to lie in a path of a first receptacle opening and the receptacle blocking member being configured to lie in a path of a second receptacle opening, spring members connected between the registration member and respective ones of the first and second shutter members, the spring members being configured to bias the first and second shutter members so that the ramp members lie in a path of a respective receptacle opening, and wherein the first and second shutter members are independently movable such that when an object exerts a force on only one ramp member, a respective shutter member moves relative to the other shutter member such that the one ramp member is longitudinally displaced allowing the object to contact the receptacle blocking member of the other shutter member.
US07942679B1 Grounding terminal block assembly including conduit adapter for multiple services
A grounding terminal block assembly that includes a conduit adapter, a grounding bar, and a detachable cover. The conduit adapter enables attachment to a wall and to electrical conduit for grounding the assembly. The conduit adapter includes one or more conduit receiving ports for attachment of electrical conduit. The grounding terminal block includes a plurality of grounding terminals for establishing connection points for grounding multiple electrical systems, including phone, data, and cable TV systems. A channel on one end of the grounding bar includes a channel and fastener for establishing a secure connection to a ground wire. Legs are provided on the grounding bar for providing direct connection to the conduit adapter. The detachable insulating cover is secured to the grounding bar to shield the grounding body and all wiring connections to the grounding body.
US07942674B2 Learning bracelet
The invention is directed to a learning bracelet that contains a compartment for placing learning tags for display. The learning tags can either be pre-printed with a word and/or can be made printer friendly so that the desired word and/or concepts can be printed upon the learning tag before being used. Once inserted into the learning bracelet, the learning tag displays the word and/or concept to the person wearing the learning bracelet. The displayed word and/or concepts can be view by the student using the bracelet so as to reinforce the word, its spelling and or meaning.
US07942669B2 Gingival tissue retraction device and method
A method and a device for effecting the cordless retraction of the gingival sulcus tissue that includes a dam shaped to be fitted onto a tooth. In one embodiment, the well of the dam is pre-filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable retraction material having a heavy viscosity or putty consistency. The preloaded tooth dam is fitted to a prepared tooth so that when pressure is applied onto the tooth dam, the retraction material is displaced under pressure and forced into the sulcus, causing the gingival tissue to retract away from the tooth to enlarge the gingival sulcus. In another embodiment the cap is filled with a dilatant material. In another embodiment, the cap is filled with an impregnated compressible porous material. In yet another embodiment, the cap is pre-dosed with an astringent or hemostatic agent.
US07942667B2 Electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and dentifrice system
A device includes a handle coupled with an activated textured surface that can be implemented using a repetitive movement mechanism and a treatment energy source, such as an electromagnetic radiation source. The handle may be used to provide detection, treatment and/or management of sundry conditions including, for example, tooth discoloration, tissue damage, periodontal disease, tumors, pain, halitosis, and bronchitis. The activated textured surface may include a surface topography including corrugations, bristles, protuberances, or pits, or other surfaces for facilitating agitation, cleaning or other surface treatments.
US07942666B2 Apparatus for burning organic substances
An apparatus is described for burning organic substances, comprising a horizontal combustion chamber (2) provided in a housing (1) and heat-insulated against said housing (1), and a counter-flow heat exchanger (8) which preheats the combustion air with the help of the hot exhaust gases from the combustion chamber (2) and which forms a flow duct (10) for the combustion air between the combustion chamber (2) and a heat-exchanger wall (9) enclosing the combustion chamber (2), as well as a flow duct (11) for the hot exhaust gases on the side of the heat-exchanger wall (9) averted from the combustion chamber (2). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the heat-exchanger wall (9) of the counter-flow heat exchanger (8) is provided on the outside of the heat insulation (3) of the combustion chamber (2) which comprises an upper exhaust outlet (7) opening into the housing (1), that heat exchangers (6) which extend parallel to the combustion chamber (2) are provided for the heating of a heat-transfer medium with the sensible waste heat of the hot exhaust gases in the upper interstices (4) obtained on either side of the cylindrical combustion chamber (2) between the combustion chamber (2) and the substantially prismatic housing (1), and that the exhaust-gas-receiving flow duct (11) of the counter-flow heat exchanger (8) for the exhaust gases originates from the two interstices (4), while the heat-exchanger wall (9) extends with the flow duct (10) for the combustion air into the interstices (4).
US07942665B2 Igniter
An igniter can include a safety mechanism which is easily operated by an adult but is difficult for a child to release. In particular, an igniter can include: a nozzle section which emits a flame; a fuel introduction section; an ignition section which ignites the introduced fuel, wherein the ignition section is configured in such a manner that the fuel is ignited by movement of an ignition operating section to an ignition position; a movement restricting section having restricting sections which restrict the movement of the ignition operating section; and a permitting section which permits movement. When moving the movement restricting section, either the restricting sections or the permitting section can be disposed so as to correspond to the direction of movement of the ignition operating section.
US07942663B2 Injection molding valve gate system and activating mechanism
A valve gate system for an injection molding machine, having a valve gate unit configured to be in contact with a manifold of an injection molding machine for delivering a molten plastic flow from a hot runner system to an injection chamber. The valve gate unit has a valve pin for controlling the flow of the molten plastic from a hot runner system to an injection chamber and an activating unit coupled with the valve gate unit. The activating unit is configured to be mounted external to a mold unit that houses the injection chamber. In addition, the activating unit has an element that extends through the mold unit to engage the valve pin, so as to control the molten plastic flow from a runner system to an injection chamber.
US07942660B2 Device for mounting a mould in a machine that makes sanitaryware
A device for mounting a mould in a machine (1) that comprises: a mould (2) composed of two half-moulds (2a, 2b), each of which comprises an active filtering portion (2ar, 2br) and a rigid structural portion (5, 6); a mounting platen (3, 4) for each half-mould (2a, 2b), movable towards and away from each other; the service plate (5) of the first half-mould (2a) is rigidly connected, in use, between the active portion (2ar) and the respective platen (3); the device comprises reference and quick connect means (7, 8) located in a region above the center of gravity of the first half-mould (2a), and acting between the platen (3) and the service plate (5) in order to fasten the first half-mould (2a) in a predetermined, hanging position correlated between the platen (3) and the plate (5).
US07942659B2 Injection drive apparatus for injection molding machine
An injection drive apparatus for injection molding machines is revealed. Liquid material is fed into a mold smoothly by a material feeding screw of a material feeding mechanism. Then a reaction force is generated to push the material feeding screw when the material feeding hole is nearly full of the material. Thus the material feeding screw and the slide mechanism assembled therewith are pushed to move backward. Later the injection mechanism is driven by the slide mechanism to move and act on the drive screw. Thus the slide mechanism threaded with the drive screw is driven to push the material feeding screw moving forward and squeezing the material for injection molding. Therefore, the load of the motor is reduced dramatically and the yield rate of the products produced by injection molding is increased due to the two-stage action-feeding of the material and squeezing of the material for injection.
US07942658B1 Systems for forming lightweight concrete block
A method and apparatus for efficiently forming individual building units is provided, generally includes providing a plurality of molds, each capable of simultaneously forming a plurality of building units. Batches of cementitious slurry are individually mixed in order to control the density of each building unit formed. The ingredients are individually measured and combined into the mixing device. The cementitious slurry is then conveyed or transported and poured into one of the molds. The method provides the ability to control the amount of cementitious slurry in each batch in order to control to the extent possible the quantity of cementitious slurry poured into each mold and the ability to precisely control the dimensions of each building unit produced.
US07942655B2 Advanced scroll compressor, vacuum pump, and expander
Modifications of a scroll compressor provide a bellows suitable for liquid cooling and a plunger actuated seal for the scroll tips of various equipment. A bellows spans the fixed and the orbiting scrolls and hermetically seals the scroll device. Using two bellows, the present invention allows for liquid cooling of a compressor with an inlet and an outlet to exhaust heated coolant to a heat exchanger. Then the scrolls have a spiral upon a plate that ends in a tip. A seal upon the tip that abuts the fixed scroll upon a biased plunger modifies existing scroll designs to maintain the seal in contact with the fixed scroll. The modifications also provide an improved coating that seals the fixed and orbiting scrolls to each other without the use of epoxy, disassembly, and cleaning.
US07942654B2 Addressable multi-channel peristaltic pump
The present invention provides an addressable multi-channel peristaltic pump. According to the invention, this pump design allows for selection and operation of one or more pump heads on a drive shaft, while locking other non-selected pump heads in a stationary position. It is possible to operate the multi-channel pump using a limited number of motors, preferably two motors: a selector motor and a dispense motor. Thus, the pump provides for pumping or dispensing of one or more fluids without the need for multiple pumps. Likewise, compared with typical single motor multi-channel systems, where all pump heads on the drive shaft must rotate at the same time, the present invention provides for selective dispensing of one or more fluids. The pumps of the present invention are suitable for any multiple fluid transfer application, including in automated multi-channel reagent dispensing systems, such as nucleic acid purification systems.
US07942651B2 Refrigeration device with improved DC motor
A miniature cooling device includes numerous improvements capable of increasing the reliability and useful lifetime of the device, as well as improving electrical power to cooling power conversion efficiency. The improvements include a DC motor shaft design that incorporates a flywheel mass 314 with a solid shaft cross-section 300 for increasing shaft stiffness and magnetic flux density in the DC motor. Additional improvements include a bend resistant flexible vane 1114 in the DC motor to compression piston drive coupler, and a sealed cover set configured to be removable to make a motor repair and then replaced.
US07942648B2 Air pump
Lifetime required of mobile-use fuel cells is secured and prolonged, stabilized pump performance is maintained by preventing bearing seizure and abnormal wear. The shaft (101) of a pump mechanism section (100) and the shaft (201) of a motor section (200) are integrated, and the shafts (101, 201) are supported by two or more ball bearings disposed in the pump mechanism section (100), thereby making it possible to fill grease in the closed spaces of the ball bearings (300), and secure a sufficient lifetime basically with almost no possibility of the grease leaking out, even if it is used at a relatively high environmental temperature.
US07942643B2 Device and method for pumping fluids employing the movement of gas bubbles in microscale
The present fluid pumping method for micro-fluidic devices uses gas bubbles to move fluid by light beams. The light beams are emitted to the fluid near the gas bubble through an optically transparent cover and correspondingly heat the fluid in the micro channels. The liquid temperature variation changes the surface tension of the gas bubble near the heated fluid side, therefore, a pressure gradient between the end portions of the gas bubble generates accordingly. By moving the light beams, the moved pressure difference will be achieved, which will drive the gas bubbles and pump the fluid. Such a fluid pumping can simplify the structure of a micro-fluidic device and eliminate heat loss because of using a controllable light beam.
US07942642B2 Method and apparatus for highly efficient compact vapor compression cooling
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for cooling. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to a lightweight, compact, reliable, and efficient cooling system. The subject system can provide heat stress relief to individuals operating under, for example, hazardous conditions, or in elevated temperatures, while wearing protective clothing. The subject invention also relates to a condenser for transferring heat from a refrigerant to an external fluid in thermal contact with the condenser. The subject condenser can have a heat transfer surface and can be designed for an external fluid, such as air, to flow across the heat transfer surface and allow the transfer of heat from heat transfer surface to the external fluid. In a specific embodiment, the flow of the external fluid is parallel to the heat transfer surface. In another specific embodiment, the heat transfer surface can incorporate surface enhancements which enhance the transfer of heat from the heat transfer surface to the external fluid. In another specific embodiment, an outer layer can be positioned above the heat transfer surface to create a volume between the heat transfer surface and the outer layer through which the external fluid can flow.
US07942636B2 Annulus filler seal
A seal for an annulus filler for a gas turbine engine comprises a seal body releasably attached in use to the fan annulus filler, the seal body supporting two seal members so that in use one seal member is brought into contact with, and forms a seal against, an aerofoil surface of one of the fan blades, and the other seal member is brought into contact with, and forms a seal against, an aerofoil surface of the other of the fan blades.
US07942628B2 Turbo compressor
A first compression stage and a second compression stage being arranged at positions adjacent to each other. The first centrifugal impeller and the second centrifugal impeller are arranged in such an orientation that back sides of the first centrifugal impeller and the second centrifugal impeller face to each other. A connection flow path is formed in the first housing and the second housing for introducing the compressed fluid from the first compression stage into the second compression stage. An upstream portion of the connection flow path is formed integrally with the first housing, and a downstream portion of the connection flow path is formed integrally with the second housing.
US07942627B2 Axial fan unit
A serial axial fan unit includes a first axial fan arranged to rotate about a central axis, a flow control device connected to the first axial fan along the central axis, and a second axial fan connected to the flow control device along the central axis. The flow control device preferably includes a wind tunnel portion, a base portion, and a plurality of flow control vanes. A flow of air caused by rotation of first blades has a whirl velocity component in substantially the same direction as the rotation direction thereof. This whirl velocity component is converted to a velocity component in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis by interference of first stationary vanes. The above arrangement provides an improvement in air volume characteristics of a serial axial fan unit including two axial fans arranged in series.
US07942626B2 Compressor
A compressor for compressing a gas comprises an impeller wheel mounted within a housing (2) defining an inlet and an outlet. The inlet comprises a map-width enhanced structure with an annular flow passage (11) defined between inner (9) and outer (7) tubular walls. The flow passage (11) is in fluid communication with the impeller wheel by virtue of a slot (13) in the inner wall (9). A flow-conditioning member (14) is positioned in the annular flow passage (11) and serves to remove swirl from the gas flow that recirculates through the passage. The flow-conditioning member (14) comprises a body penetrated by a plurality of bores (15). The arrangement provides for a significant improvement in the surge margin of the compressor and is particularly suitable for use in a turbocharger.
US07942622B2 Transfer/alignment method in vacuum processing apparatus, vacuum processing apparatus and computer storage medium
In a vacuum transfer chamber 10, a position detecting mechanism 33 for detecting the positions of semiconductor wafers W is arranged. The semiconductor wafers W disposed at predetermined positions in a load lock chamber 17 and vacuum processing chambers 11 to 16 are transferred to the position detecting mechanism 33 by a vacuum transfer mechanism 30 and the positions of the wafers are detected. Then, based on the detection results, aligning between the load lock chamber 17 and the vacuum processing chambers 11 to 16 is performed.
US07942619B2 Carrier unit of substrate transfer apparatus
In the present invention, a base 43 of a robot 27 is fixed to a fixing portion 53 of a frame divided body 50. The base 43 allows force exerted from a robot main body 27A to be transmitted to the fixing portion 53 of the frame divided body 50. Contrary, the fixing portion 53 of the frame divided body 50 has rigidity which can prevent the force exerted from the base 43 of the robot 27 from being transmitted to a main body constituting member 51. Accordingly, the base 43 of the robot 27 has only to possess a function for connecting the robot main body 27A and the frame divided body 50. Therefore, even though reducing its rigidity, transmission of vibration to the wafer processing apparatus can be prevented, as well as occurrence of malfunctioning in the substrate processing work can be prevented. In addition, increasing the rigidity of the frame divided body 50 can be achieved easier with a simpler construction and more effective than increasing the rigidity of the robot. Accordingly, more secured wafer processing can be provided.
US07942618B1 Cargo cover and net assembly
A cargo pallet cover and net assembly includes a cargo cover attached to a cargo net. The cargo net is attached to upper and lower side regions of the cargo cover so that the cargo cover and net assembly may be placed over a cargo load in one step. The cargo net is optionally attached at or near the lowermost side regions of the cargo cover so that the cargo cover is substantially prevented from obstructing attachment of the cargo net to a pallet on which the cargo load is supported.
US07942617B2 Nose tip control for cordless high speed rotary tool
A control mechanism for a rotary hand tool of the type having a generally cylindrical housing in which a drive motor is located, the housing having a nose portion from which a motor output shaft extends and a grip portion, the mechanism including an electrical control circuit that controls the application of power to and the operation of the motor, and a light touch switch having at least a first position or state and a second position or state coupled to the electrical control circuit for selectively enabling or disabling the control circuit to turn the motor on and off. The switch is disposed on the nose portion of the rotary hand tool such that an operator can actuate the switch substantially without altering the operator's grip on the tool.
US07942602B2 Barrier system
A barrier system and method for providing a barrier system are disclosed. The barrier system and method relate to a vehicle and pedestrian barrier system which can be positioned in vehicle and pedestrian passageways adjacent a protected structure or area to preclude the vehicle or the pedestrian from reaching and engaging the protected structure or area.
US07942601B2 Fully automatic twistlock to be connected to a container and a method for releasing a first container from a second
The present invention relates to a coupling device (1) to be connected to a corner fitting of a container, the coupling device comprises a housing (2), an engaging part (3) which is at least partially insertable into and releasable from said corner fitting. The engaging part (3) has a guide part (4) for guiding the engaging part with said corner fitting, further the engaging part (3) is rotably mounted in said housing (2) by means of a shaft portion (5) extending into the housing. The guide part (4) has a translation guide path for guiding the engaging part (3) in relation to the corner fitting in a horizontal direction, which translation guide path is rotational asymmetric in relation to an axis (7) of the shaft portion (5). Also included is a method for releasing a first container from a second.
US07942599B2 Coupling mechanism
An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a coupling for connecting a shaft to a driving element mounted for rotation about the shaft. The coupling provides a torque path between the shaft and the driving element which passes through both a lost motion connection and a shear bolt.
US07942597B2 Assembly for delivering protective barriers onto stethoscope heads
An assembly structured to restrict contamination of individuals from association with the heads of stethoscope comprising a housing including a path of travel along which the head portion passes. Different embodiments include the dispensing of cleaning fluid or the delivery of protective barriers onto predetermined portions of the stethoscope heads, while passing along the path of travel. A dispenser assembly and a cooperatively disposed activating assembly are manually operated by moveable, driving engagement with the head portion passing through the housing. The activating assembly is thereby operatively positioned to activate the dispenser assembly when engaged by a head passing along the path of travel. Differently structured dispenser assemblies function to either deliver the cleaning fluid or individually dispense the barriers onto different heads, so as to either facilitate the cleaning or protective covering of exposed surfaces of the stethoscope heads, dependent on the embodiment utilized.
US07942588B2 Hybrid multi-contact connector
The present invention relates to a multi-contact connector comprising: a plug constituting the termination of a cable having at least one optical conductor and/or at least one electrical conductor; and a socket for connecting to the plug and comprising a body and a plate for fastening to a panel; wherein the socket is a single piece of polymer material and wherein the connector includes electromagnetic shielding.
US07942585B2 Wheel bearing apparatus for a vehicle
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, and double row rolling elements freely rollably contained between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner and outer members. A brake pilot portion extends from a base of a wheel hub mounting flange toward the outer side to guide an inner circumferential surface of a brake rotor. A wheel pilot portion extends from the brake pilot portion further toward the outer side to guide an inner circumferential surface of the wheel. The wheel pilot portion including a plurality of separated pilots separated along a circumferential direction. A chamfered portion is formed, by forging, on a forward end of each separated pilot in view of its lathe cutting direction. The chamfered portion has a predetermined inclined angle relative to an axial end surface of each separated pilot after lathe cutting.
US07942584B2 Wheel bearing apparatus
A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, and seals. At least one seal has a slinger and an annular sealing plate. The sealing plate has a metal core, press fit into the outer member, and a sealing member, integrally vulcanized adhered to the metal core. The sealing member has first and second side lips, formed with an inclination extending radially outward, and a cylindrical inner end portion, surrounding the inner circumferential edge and a portion of the back surface of the metal core. Each tip of the first and second side lips is in sliding contact with the slinger, with a predetermined interference. The cylindrical inner end portion is arranged opposite to the slinger with a slight radial gap therebetween to form a labyrinth seal.
US07942581B2 Anti-friction layer for a bearing element
An anti-friction layer for a bearing element may comprise a synthetic polymer layer. The polymer layer comprises at least a first part-layer and a second part-layer of a different composition.
US07942580B2 Rear suspension for an aircraft engine with shackle in waiting and spring for such a hinge pin in waiting
A rear suspension (10) for an aircraft engine assembly comprises a structure comprising two three-point shackles (12, 12′) and one two-point shackle (14). One of the hinge pins in waiting on the two-point shackle (14), preferably the hinge pin (26) fixed to the engine yoke joint, is mounted with clearance and with a damping ring acting as a spring to prevent vibrations of the engines as long as the hinge pin (26) is not engaged. Each of the suspension connecting pins (10) is a ball joint connection, the beam (16) of the suspension (10) being provided with five aligned orifices (24, 24a, 28, 24′, 24a′).
US07942577B2 Flexible bag having a drawtape closure
A flexible bag comprises flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an opening. The bag has a drawtape closure for sealing the opening. The sheet material of the drawtape closure exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis. The sheet material of the drawtape closure comprises a first region and a second region. The first region and said second region are comprised of the same material composition and each has an untensioned projected pathlength. The first region undergoes a substantially molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the sheet material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to an axis in response to an externally-applied force upon the sheet material of the drawtape closure.
US07942569B2 Metering system for preparing emulsion paints from multiple aqueous paint components
The invention relates to a dosing arrangement which is used to mix a dispersion paint. The dosing arrangement comprises a mixing vessel and one container for the aqueous paint components. Each container is connected to a dosing valve, which is arranged in the supply area of the mixing vessel, by way of a supply line. The containers for the aqueous paint components are formed by waterproof bags.
US07942564B2 Overspeed prevention structure using plastic optical fiber
An overspeed prevention structure is disclosed herein. The overspeed prevention structure according to the present invention comprises a structural body having a curved convex upper surface; an external light source; and a plastic optical fiber embedded in the structural body and connected electrically to the external light source so as to emit the light outside the structural body.
US07942563B2 LED with light pipe assembly
An LED light pipe assembly includes a light pipe; a heat sink portion; an LED mounted on a substrate in optical communication with the light pipe; and a carrier portion for receiving the light pipe and providing electrical interconnections to the LED. The heat sink portion includes a plurality of fins and a plurality of hollow frame portions configured to dissipate heat generated by the light pipe assembly. Attachment features are provided on the heat sink for attaching the heat sink to the carrier portion. The heat sink portion also includes a hollow cavity for receiving the substrate. The carrier portion is insertable into the cavity in abutting relation with the substrate to secure the substrate in contact against the heat sink.
US07942560B2 Apparatus and method of using an LED light source to generate an efficient, narrow, high-aspect ratio light pattern
An LED light source produces a narrow beam of light having a linear field of illumination, which is substantially uniform across the linear field. The light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) and preferably a plurality of LEDs, an optical element for the efficient collection of energy radiating from the LED or LEDs, and an optical element for distributing the collected energy into the linear field of illumination. The apparatus also includes a device or heat sink for thermal management. One or more electronic control circuits are coupled to the LED or LEDs to variably and selectively control them. When a plurality of LEDs are used, the colors produced by the LEDs may different so that the light source is collectively controllable to provide a range of optically mixed colors.
US07942559B2 LED device for wide beam generation
An apparatus and method is characterized by providing an optical transfer function between a predetermined illuminated surface pattern, such as a street light pattern, and a predetermined energy distribution pattern of a light source, such as that from an LED. A lens is formed having a shape defined by the optical transfer function. The optical transfer function is derived by generating an energy distribution pattern using the predetermined energy distribution pattern of the light source. Then the projection of the energy distribution pattern onto the illuminated surface is generated. The projection is then compared to the predetermined illuminated surface pattern to determine if it acceptably matches. The process continues reiteratively until an acceptable match is achieved. Alternatively, the lens shape is numerically or analytically determined by a functional relationship between the shape and the predetermined illuminated surface pattern and predetermined energy distribution pattern of a light source as inputs.
US07942556B2 Solid state illumination device
A solid state illumination device includes a semiconductor light emitter mounted on a base and surrounded by sidewalls, e.g., in a circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular or other appropriate arrangement, to define a chamber. A top element, which may be reflective, may be coupled to the sidewalls to further define the chamber. The light produced by the semiconductor light emitter is emitted through the sidewalls of the chamber. The sidewalls and/or top element may include wavelength converting material, for example, as a plurality of dots on the surfaces. An adjustable wavelength converting element may be used within the chamber, with the adjustable wavelength converting element being configured to adjust the surface area that is exposed to the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitter in the chamber to alter an optical property of the chamber.
US07942555B2 Multi-action, battery-powered, trigger-activated lighting system
A multi-action, battery-powered, trigger-activated lighting system automatically provides soft light upon human motion during the night, even in the event of a power outage, and can additionally be deployed quickly for use as an intense flashlight. Furthermore, it can provide low-battery indication to prompt the user to install fresh batteries whenever necessary, before a critical need arises.
US07942553B2 Lighting device and optics package therefor
A lighting device is generally illustrated having a light body having forward facing light sources including a visible white light source, visible colored light source and an infrared light source. Additionally, a side facing light source is provided. The light body also includes switches for activating the visible light sources and a three-position switch for activating the IR light source and the side facing light source. A light source has a first lens. Additionally, a second lens is included in a light illumination path of the light source to focus light illumination into a desired beam. The lighting device further includes a light transparent gel disposed between the first lens and the second lens for enhancing efficiency of light transmission from the first lens to the second lens.
US07942549B2 LED lamp having light guiding heat sink
An LED lamp structure includes a reflection cup, a metal heat sink for receiving a plurality of LEDs, and a heat conducting base. The heat conducting base has a slot for receiving the metal heat sink. The metal heat sink includes guiding planes for redirecting the output of an LED so as to change the angle of projected light. The metal heat sink is made of a good heat conductor with high thermal capacity so that heat produced by the LED is absorbed quickly and conducted to the heat conducting base. The reflection cup is flexed to an outer edge of the metal heat sink to provide a flat lighting characteristic.
US07942545B2 Ballast access hatch in reflector
A hatch is provided for a fluorescent lighting fixture having a continuous reflector covering the central section. The hatch is covered by a cover of compatible contour cut through the reflector underneath the location of the ballast in the housing above the reflector. The hatch cover is finished in the same surface as that of the reflector to minimize any disruption to the intended reflective pattern and to blend visually with the reflector. Two or more preferably quick-connect fasteners attach the hatch cover to the reflector. To gain access to the ballast, the lens or diffuser is removed and then the fluorescent lamp tubes which would interfere with the hatch cover are removed. The hatch cover is then removed to gain unobstructed access to the ballast from the underside of the fixture.
US07942543B2 Light emitting head accessory
A light emitting head accessory includes an array of light emission devices positioned on a front surface of a strip of flexible material, a logic circuit, a power source, and an input device. The logic circuit is connected to the array of light emission devices and programmed to create arrangements on the array of light emission devices by illuminating a plurality of light emission devices in the array of light emission devices. The power source provides power to the array of light emission devices and the logic circuit. The input device is connected to and instructs the logic circuit to display various arrangements on the array of light emission devices.
US07942540B2 Color tunable light source
A lighting module includes a light output window, at least one side wall that defines a cavity and a mounting plate, and at least one light source, and at least one reflector that is within the cavity. The light output window may be one of the side walls in a side-emitting configuration. The spectral distribution of the light coming out of the light output window may be changed by manipulating the relative position of the side wall to the at least one reflector that is within the cavity.
US07942537B2 Light-emitting device with brightness enhancing layer
A brightness enhancing means (5), comprising a collimating means (6) having a receiving area (61), an output area (62) being larger than said receiving area (61), and sidewalls (63) at least partially extending between said receiving and output areas, is provided. At least a portion of the sidewalls (63) of said collimating means (6) comprises a first filter being arranged to reflect light of a first light property, which light is received via said receiving area (61) of said first collimating means (6), towards said output area (62) of said first collimating means (6), wherein said first filter is a dichroic filter or a polarization filter.
US07942529B2 Method for the optimization of the conditions of execution of the vision contrast test, and corresponding system
Described herein is a method for optimization of the conditions of execution of the vision contrast test and the corresponding system with which to implement said method so as to be able to guarantee optimal conditions throughout the test session even when not it is not possible to respect the standards. Furthermore, the method comprises a self-calibration procedure, which definitively eliminates the operations of calibration of the system by specialized centers.
US07942526B2 Diagnostic, prescriptive, and data-gathering system and method for macular pigment deficits and other eye disorders
A macular health measurement and storage system comprises a plurality of macular-pigment measurement machine for measuring macular pigment density in humans, a plurality of computers each of which is associated with a corresponding one the macular-pigment measuring machines, and a central host. The plurality of macular-pigment measurement machines include a device for receiving macular pigment data from a patient, at least one data transfer port, and at least one processor that enables the transfer of the macular pigment data from the transfer port. The computers include a first port coupled to the data transfer port of the corresponding macular-pigment measurement machine for receiving the macular pigment data. Each of the computers includes a second port for transferring patient data. The central host is coupled to the second ports on each of the computers. The central host includes a storage device for storing the patient data.
US07942524B2 Eyewear system for the treatment of unilateral neglect syndrome
An eyewear system for the treatment of unilateral neglect syndrome is disclosed. The eyewear system is comprised of an eyewear device, a lens system, flashcards, an LED system integrated into the eyewear device, a remote control for selective activation of the LED system, and instructional media on the use of the eyewear system.
US07942521B2 Glasses with reflective frames
A structure of reflective glasses includes a frame having a main front section with opposed side ends for supporting at least one lens, the frame further including a pair of side sections extending rearwardly from the respective opposed side ends of the main front section and at least one retroreflective element attached to at least one of the side sections to be visible by others in low-light conditions.
US07942520B2 Eyewear with reflective frame
Reflective eyewear include at least one lens and a substantially opaque frame having a main front section with opposed side ends for supporting the at least one lens. The frame further includes at least one retroreflective element attached to the frame to be visible by others in low-light conditions.
US07942519B2 Ink-jet recording apparatus
An ink-jet recording apparatus according to one aspect comprises: a movable supporting member slidable in a conveying direction of a recording medium while supporting the recording medium to follow the recording medium conveyed; and an interlocking mechanism configured to control a movement of the movable supporting member. The interlocking mechanism is operable to: position the movable supporting member in a predetermined upstream position in the conveying direction when the recording medium is conveyed to the predetermined upstream position; retain the movable supporting member in the predetermined upstream position until the recording medium overhangs the movable supporting member to cover a contact portion and at least a part of a non-contact portion; and slide the movable supporting member toward a downstream side in the conveying direction while supporting an edge of the recording medium with the conveyance of the recording medium.
US07942517B2 Method for lubricating a transfer roller with an image member
A method is implemented by a printer to move a transfix roller selectively to clean the transfix roller. The transfix roller is moved from a transfix nip with the print drum to a position where the transfix roller remains in rolling contact with the print drum, but exerts a pressure on the print drum that is less than the transfix pressure. The transfix roller is later moved out of rolling contact with the print drum in response to the transfix roller rotating a predetermined distance.
US07942514B2 Keying elements for solid ink loader
Insertion elements can be used to provide keying features for ink loaders. Such elements connect to ink stick receptacles in the loader. The insertion elements can provide a border to a non-integer number of edges of the receptacles and be shaped to complement at least a portion of the perimeter of an ink stick. A solid ink loader that includes at least one feed channel for receiving ink sticks can use the insertion elements. The insertion elements can be part of a keying system that includes keying features supplied by both the insertion element and the receptacle itself. Multi-component key plate systems can be used as well.
US07942513B2 Ink cartridges
An ink cartridge includes a frame, and a film connected to the frame. The frame and the film define an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridge also includes a supporting member configured to support the film, and a movable member pivotably coupled to the supporting member. The movable member is configured to selectively move within the ink chamber in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction based on an amount of ink within the ink chamber, and the supporting member, the movable member, and the film are aligned in a particular direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction.
US07942507B2 Ink jet nozzle arrangement with a segmented actuator nozzle chamber cover
A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer comprises a nozzle chamber; an ink supply channel for supplying ink to the nozzle chamber; a cover for covering the nozzle chamber, the cover defining an ink ejection port through which ink is ejected; a plurality of thermal bend actuators radially arranged around the ink ejection port; and a plurality of heater elements each corresponding to one of the plurality of thermal bend actuators. Each heater element is provided at an end of a corresponding thermal bend actuator opposite the ink ejection port.
US07942504B2 Variable-volume nozzle arrangement
A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet; a static ink ejecting member extending from the substrate assembly and bounding the ink inlet; an active ink ejecting member having a roof and sidewalls that depends from the roof towards the substrate, the roof defining an ink ejection port and the active ink ejecting member movably located relative to the static ink ejecting member to define a variable-volume nozzle chamber; and an actuator arrangement configured to reciprocate the active ink ejection member relative to the static ink ejecting member to eject ink in the nozzle chamber out through the ink ejection port. The static ink ejecting member is located within bounds delimited by the sidewalls of the active ink ejecting member.
US07942502B2 Print engine cradle with maintenance assembly
A cradle unit for use in a print engine to receive a cartridge unit that has a printhead assembly. The cradle unit has a main body with an opening for receiving the cartridge and drive rollers for feeding sheets of media past the printhead assembly, a printed circuit board (PCB) movably mounted to the main body, the PCB having control electronics for operative control of the print engine, a cover assembly movably mounted to the main body, the cover assembly being configured for securing the cartridge in the opening and engaging the PCB such that the PCB is moved into electrical contact with the cartridge when in a closed position, and to move the PCB out of electrical connection with the cartridge when in an open position and, a maintenance assembly operated by the PCB control electronics for capping and wiping the printhead assembly.
US07942500B2 Printhead with flex PCB bent between contacts and printhead IC
A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer that has a print engine controller for receiving print data and sending it to the printhead. The printhead has a printhead IC for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC in the printer adjacent a paper path. The printhead IC is mounted on a face of the support structure that, in use, faces the paper path. A flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) that has contacts for receiving print data mounted to the support structure on a face that does not face the paper path. The bent section reduces the likelihood of trace cracking by holding the flex PCB at a set radius rather than allowing the flex to follow an irregular curve and thereby risking localized points of high stress on the traces.
US07942498B2 Liquid discharging device
Provided is a liquid discharging device including: a first head unit which discharges liquid; a second head unit which faces a portion of a medium, in which the liquid is discharged from the first head unit, and discharges liquid; and a support member which faces the first head unit and the second head unit and supports the medium, wherein in the first head unit and the second head unit, a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a crossing direction crossing a transporting direction of the medium over an overall dischargeable range of the liquid, and a distance between the second head unit and the support member is larger than that between the first head unit and the support member.
US07942497B1 Ink jet recording head
An ink jet recording head (100) comprising edge shooter type head units (20) each having a head chip provided with a nozzle ejection surface, a positioning plate (41) for arranging the head units (20) in parallel to each other, inclined against a line arranging direction. The positioning plate (41) arranges the head units (20) in parallel to each other, inclined against the line arranging direction, and the angle of the inclination is set so that a nozzle interval, in the line arranging direction, of two nozzles (21a) corresponds to a predetermined resolution, the two nozzles being adjacent to each other on a straight line on the nozzle ejection surface.
US07942494B2 Liquid-discharge-failure detecting apparatus, and inkjet inkjet recording apparatus
A liquid-discharge-failure detecting apparatus includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element emits a laser beam in a direction that intersects with a direction in which a droplet of liquid is discharged. The beam is elliptical in cross section. The light-receiving element receives a scattered light generated by scattering of the laser beam by the droplet. The light-receiving element is externally adjacent to a circumference of the beam at a position where a beam diameter of the beam is small.
US07942492B2 Liquid transporting apparatus having temperature regulation
An ink transporting head includes a head main body in which, an ink channel is formed, a transporting electrode which is arranged on an inner surface of the ink channel, an insulating layer which is arranged on the inner surface of the ink channel to cover the transporting electrode, and which changes a wetting angle of liquid on a surface according to an electric potential of the transporting electrode, and a heat generator which heats the ink inside the ink channel. Accordingly, there is provided a liquid transporting apparatus which is capable of suppressing a temperature fluctuation of the liquid inside the liquid channel, and transporting the liquid stably.
US07942487B2 Liquid ejection controlling method and liquid ejection apparatus
A remaining amount of liquid contained in each of a plurality of cartridges is detected. When a small remaining amount is detected, information relating to the cartridge with the small remaining amount is transmitted. A substitute cartridge is determined based on the transmitted information, and liquid ejection data for the substitute cartridge is generated. An expected consumption amount of liquid contained in the substitute cartridge is calculated based on the liquid ejection data. A difference between the remaining amounts of liquid in the cartridge with the small remaining amount and in the substitute cartridge is calculated based on the expected consumption amount and information relating to the remaining amount of liquid. It is determined whether the calculated difference is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.
US07942484B2 Brake system for motorcycle
An ABS modulator for a front wheel is supported on the side surface of an inclined portion located forward of a portion, having the largest width, of the right main pipe with a unit supporting stay in between, while being arranged in a space inside the front cowl covering the front side of the inclined portion. The ABS modulator is arranged on the outer side of the main pipe. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a case where the arrangement space for other components is occupied by arranging the ABS modulator in a space on the inner side of the right and left main pipes, and to support the ABS modulator by utilizing the main pipes having a high rigidity. Further, the resulting configuration allows to ABS modulator to be located in a portion having a high rigidity without occupying a space for other components, such as an induction system.
US07942483B2 Brake system
During normal operation of a braking force generating device, the wheels are braked by braking force generating device when a depressing force cut-off valve is closed by energizing its solenoid to cut off communication between a master cylinder and wheel cylinders. When an abnormality occurs, a master cylinder generates a brake fluid pressure upon a driver's braking operation, and supplies it to the wheel cylinders when the depressing force cut-off valve is opened by de-energizing its solenoid. When the depressing force cut-off valve is closed, such as during normal operation, since the depressing force cut-off valve functions as a one-way valve that is urged in a valve-closing direction due to a brake fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder, an electromagnetic force generated by the solenoid is smaller, thereby reducing the power consumption of the solenoid.
US07942476B2 Collapsible chair
A collapsible chair frame includes two rear legs and two front legs. A cap is secured to a lower end of each leg. A sheath extends from each cap and continues to receive the related leg when the related cap is lowered beyond the related leg in a collapsed position of the collapsible chair frame. A lower ring is movably provided on each leg. A rear, upper ring is secured to each rear leg. A front, upper ring is movably provided on each front leg. A lateral rod includes a lower end pivotally connected to each lower ring and an upper end pivotally connected to each upper ring. A rear rod, longer than the lateral rods, connects a related cap to a related rear, upper ring. A front rod, as long as the rear rods, connects a related cap to a related front, upper ring.
US07942474B2 Vehicle HVAC control panel receptacles and HVAC control panel assemblies
A receptacle for receiving an HVAC control panel of a vehicle includes a frame and at least one unlocking lever. The frame may define an opening for receiving the HVAC control panel. The at least one unlocking lever may include a handle portion, a shoulder and a tapered portion. The tapered portion pivotally connects the at least one unlocking lever to an underside of the frame while the handle portion may extend from the tapered portion such that, when the handle portion is actuated, the at least one unlocking lever may be elastically flexible with respect to the frame. The shoulder portion is disposed on the at least one unlocking lever between the handle portion and the tapered portion and is operable to engage and retain the HVAC control panel in the frame when the HVAC control panel is inserted into the frame.
US07942473B2 Underframe for motor vehicle
An underframe for an automobile including two side rails, a transverse crossbar, a first floor member attached on the side rails and, on either side, a lateral reinforcing member, and a second floor member. Each of the rails includes an extension in a form of a portion under the crossbar, attached to the lower face of the central crossbar and connected to an attachment portion including a front portion that extends gradually towards the respective lateral reinforcement member and that is attached on a longitudinal portion of the respective lateral reinforcement member.
US07942471B2 Aerodynamic skirt shape
An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted on a trailer is provided, the resilient aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer, the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being shorter than the rear height. A method of mounting an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being shorter than the rear height, positioning the forward portion toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion toward a rear portion of the trailer, and securing the skirt panel to the trailer. A kit comprising a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion is equally provided, the forward portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer, the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being smaller than the rear height; and at least one strut adapted to secure the skirt panel to the trailer.
US07942469B2 Aerodynamic skirt panel
An aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a surface adapted to direct airflow around the trailer is provided, the skirt panel being made of a single part of sheet material. A method of manufacturing a skirt panel and a kit thereof are also provided.
US07942467B2 Aerodynamic skirt support member
A support member adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the support member comprising a trailer connecting portion; a skirt connecting portion; and an intermediate portion interconnecting the trailer connecting portion to the skirt connecting portion. A kit of resilient struts adapted to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is also provided, the kit comprising at least two resilient struts. A method of using a resilient strut to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is equally provided, the method comprising providing at least one resilient strut; securing the resilient strut to the trailer; securing the resilient strut to the aerodynamic skirt; and applying a load on the aerodynamic skirt to resiliently bend the at least one resilient strut.
US07942464B2 Tonneau style pop-up camper for pickup trucks
The Tonneau Pop-up Camper is a fully functional pickup truck pop-up camper. When traveling, the camper fits under a tonneau style cover and does not affect the truck's safety, visibility, aerodynamics or economics. When camping, the tonneau camper is equal or superior to a “Low Profile, Bed over Cab, Pop-Up, Truck Camper.” Changeovers between camping and travel configurations, by one person, are completed in less than a couple of minutes. The sleeping quarters are located on top of the truck bed. The living quarters are at ground level in an attached tent, supported by one frame extension from the camper's base module. Attached steps provide easy access between the sleeping and living quarters. Cabinets, counters and storage bins located under the sleeping area are easily accessed from the living area. Utilities are integrated into one utility module under the front of the camper, and two controllers located at the back of the base module.
US07942457B1 Lever-handled pocket door latching system
With the adoption of this new modern latching system, (FIG. 1) closing and latching a pocket door will be just as simple and convenient as closing and latching a swinging door, irregardless of the physical capability of the operator. This system has been masterfully designed and engineered with appropriate lever handles 20 that are prominently mounted on the face of the door, where they will be convenient to use by people of all ages and physical encumbrances. Coupling these handles to a reliable automatic latching embodiment 15 and complementing the completed assembly with door guides 22, promises to be a bold step forward in latching concepts for modern interior pocket doors.
US07942453B2 Coupling device
Coupling device (60) for mechanically and hydraulically coupling a fuel injector (20) to a fuel rail (18) of a combustion engine (22), the fuel injector (20) having a central longitudinal axis (L) and an injection nozzle (31), having a fuel injector cup (32) being designed to be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail (14) and to engage a fuel inlet portion (24) of the fuel injector (20), and a spring element (36) being part of the fuel injector (20) and being designed to be in a snap-in engagement with the fuel injector cup (32) to retain the fuel injector (20) in the fuel injector cup (32) in direction of the central longitudinal axis (L) facing towards the injection nozzle (31).
US07942451B2 Medication packaging and labeling system
Method for generating a label for a medication in which information about the medication is obtained and printed on the label in a hierarchical manner with more important information in a more prominent location or more prominent type relative to other less important information. The information may be divided into primary information and secondary information with the primary information being placed on the label before the secondary information. The label may be used in a container having a curved front wall, a planar rear wall, a substantially planar bottom wall and a cap engaging with the front and rear walls to seal the container. The rear wall is constructed with a device for removably received an information card containing information relating to the medication.
US07942450B2 Snowboard
There is provided a snowboard capable of drawing attention of a back sliding person more appropriately than the related art. A snowboard including: a board (20) having a sole member (21); LEDs (60 to 69) which are arranged between a snow contacting point (21a) of a nose (20c) side of the board (20) and a snow contacting point (21b) of a tail (20d) side of the board (20); a front foot binding fixed to the board (20) for fixing the front foot of a user; and a back foot binding fixed to the board (20) for fixing the back foot of the user, wherein the sole member (21) is translucent and covers the LEDs (60 to 69); and the LEDs (60 to 69) are arranged in positions to emit light to the outside of the board (20) through the sole member (21) and are arranged between the front foot binding and the back foot binding to indicate the length between the front foot binding and the back foot binding.
US07942443B2 Airbag system
An airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
US07942442B2 Airbag cushion folding methods
The methods for folding an airbag cushion into a housing provide for a predetermined deployment trajectory. The airbag cushion is defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
US07942441B2 Gas flow distributor for an airbag module
A gas flow distributor for an airbag module for the specific distribution of a gas flow through which the released gas flows during inflation of the airbag is provided. The gas flow distributor comprises at least two sleeve parts which are made of a flexible material and are connected to one another by a seam. The seam absorbs the forces which are exerted on the sleeve by the gas flowing through it. An additional releasable connection of both sleeve parts is provided in at least some sections in order to absorb the forces exerted by the gas on the sleeve, wherein the additional connection cooperates with the sleeve for limiting the forces to be absorbed by the seam in such a manner that said connection is released when gas passes through the sleeve.
US07942435B1 Tow bar
A tow bar includes a towing hitch member including a pintle hitch and secured to a towing vehicle; a towed hitch member secured to a vehicle to the towed; a head member with a lunette ring; a pair of tow bar legs, each including a proximal end including an outer member with a distal end, and a distal end including an inner member with a proximal end telescopingly displaceable within the distal end of the outer member; a leg connector mechanism pivotally connecting the proximal ends of the tow bar legs to the head member; towed connector elements secured to the distal ends of the tow bar legs and structured to releasably connect the tow bar legs to the towed hitch member; and a locking mechanism structured to automatically and releasably lock each of the tow bar legs in either a stored configuration or a deployed configuration.
US07942433B2 Bracket for fixing a fork of a vehicle
A vehicle has a vehicle body including a head pipe, a lower side bracket disposed below the head pipe for supporting the head pipe upward in a substantial center of the bracket in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of legs of a front fork fixed in vicinities of the ends of the lower side bracket. The lower side bracket is formed to have a downward sloping shape, which slopes from the ends of the lower side bracket toward its center.
US07942432B2 Leveling system for a vehicle air suspension
A system for maintaining a vehicle front end air spring suspension level, for a vehicle having a designed load imbalance, includes a height control valve mounted on the higher load side of the vehicle and controlling compressed air to the air springs of the vehicle suspension. A pressure reduction valve is interposed in a conduit feeding the air spring on the lower loaded side, the pressure reduction valve being set to reduce the pressure of air delivered to the second air spring.
US07942430B2 Device for accommodating objects, as well as transport means
A device for accommodating objects, in particular for use in an airplane, comprising a housing, which has an access opening, as well as a door which is connected to the housing by at least one hinge so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The hinge defines a pivot axis for pivoting the door. The access opening is at least partially clear in the open position of the door and the access opening is at least partially closed off by the door in the closed position of the door. The door is lockable relative to the housing in its closed position. The door, in its closed position, is movable in a direction which extends substantially parallel to the pivot axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The door, in its locked position, is locked relative to the housing, and the door, in its unlocked position, is pivotable about the pivot axis.
US07942429B2 Amphibious, submersible, streamlined transport device for scuba gear
A device used in beach-entry scuba dives that both assists the diver to transport scuba tanks and other diving gear to and across the shoreline, and then accompanies the diver and gear underwater. The device holds at least one scuba tank and associated gear such as a buoyancy compensator (BCD), and has a pair of wheels whose rolling position enables the loaded device to be easily transported over natural terrains. Upon reaching or while in the water the wheels may be shifted from the “rolling position” into a streamlined, free-swim position. The means attaching the scuba gear and the scuba tank are easily operated to let the user now don both scuba tank and gear and start their dive, taking the device along for the return cross-shore trip.
US07942428B2 Spark-emitting device for a skateboard
A spark-emitting device for a skateboard. The spark-emitting device includes a housing and a plurality of misch metal barrels inserted into a housing and spaced apart so that the wear rate of the housing in the misch metal barrels is compatible and a desired sparking effect is achieved.
US07942423B2 Lip type seal
A resin lip type seal (1) capable of increasing safety against rupture by reducing rigidity of a plate-like lip (4) bent around a tip point A of a approximately wedge-shaped recessed part (8) to reduce stress concentration at the point A, suppressing the lowering of sealability due to a reduction in creep of the lip, and increasing the follow-up capability of the lip to the eccentricity of its axis. Indentations are formed on the slidable contact surface (41) of the plate-like lip (4) or/and the anti-slidable contact surface (42) thereof. Indentations (7) are also formed on the sloped slidable contact surface (21) of the inner lip (2) of the seal. Then, the ratio of the portion of each of the slidable contact surfaces where the indentations (7) are formed is ½ or more of each of the surface areas of the slidable contact surfaces (21, 41, 42).
US07942419B2 Portable rebound ball game
A portable stepball game apparatus has a collapsible stairway with a plurality of steps. Each step has a vertical riser portion, a horizontal tread portion, and a nosing on the forward or player-facing edges of the tread portions which protrudes over the riser portions. The game's pivotable stairway configuration is readily housed for storage in a carrying case specifically adapted to be easily portable. It is designed such that one person can lift the carrying case with one hand and easily move it from location to location.
US07942417B2 Gaming machine with reels
Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to gaming machines having mechanical reels. The machine is adapted so that the reels to some extent protrude from the front face of the machine to enhance the user's awareness that the reels are genuine and, optionally, the reels may have side walls having matching indicia to the symbols on the periphery of the reels. The reels may also be observed from front and rear sides of the machine or alternatively, rotated about an upright axis to enable a player to observe front and rear outcomes from one point.
US07942413B2 Image forming apparatus provided with output tray and control method thereof
In an image forming apparatus, a sheet is discharged onto an output tray. The image forming apparatus includes a ranging sensor which measures a distance to an object from a position located away by a predetermined distance from a bottom surface of the output tray in a sheet loading direction on a line in parallel with the bottom surface of the output tray and orthogonal to a direction in which the sheet is discharged. In the image forming apparatus, discharge of the sheet onto the output tray is stopped when the distance to the object measured by the ranging sensor is lower than a specific distance.
US07942412B2 Drive control method and apparatus for sheet processing machine
A drive control method for a sheet processing machine includes the steps of operating a driving motor of a sheet feed device which feeds a sheet to a sheet processing device that processes the sheet, in synchronism with a rotary member of the sheet processing device, and adjusting a rotary phase of the rotary member of the sheet processing device and a rotary phase of the driving motor of the sheet feed device relative to each other.
US07942403B2 Sheet lifting with corner projections
Various methods and apparatuses are disclosed for handling a sheet, wherein at least one projection extends across a stack of sheets such that corners of the sheet are bent when being lifted from the stack.
US07942401B2 ATM equipped with structure for preventing rotation of stack roller
The invention provides an ATM that can stably stack paper money by preventing the rotation of stack rollers when paper money is deposited. The ATM includes feed rollers, stack rollers, and elastic members. The feed rollers convey paper money separated one-by-one by pickup rollers onto a money withdrawal path, or convey paper money conveyed along a money deposit path into a recyclebox. Peripheries of the feed rollers are formed of rubber. Each of the stack rollers includes wings. When paper money is deposited, the stack rollers come in contact with the feed rollers. Peripheries of the stack rollers are formed of synthetic resin. The elastic members push the stack rollers against the feed rollers, and apply elastic forces to the stack rollers such that a frictional force between paper money and the stack rollers is smaller than that between paper money and the feed rollers.
US07942398B1 Buffering apparatus for collations
A document handling apparatus includes a document transport buffering apparatus including drive belts and aligner belts. Each of the drive belts has a general continuous loop shape. The aligner belts are intermixed with the drive belts. Each of the aligner belts has a general continuous loop shape and a projection extending in a general cantilever fashion from the aligner belt. A first drive system is adapted to rotate the drive belts. A second drive system is adapted to rotate the aligner belts individually. The first and second drive systems are adapted to rotate the drive belts and the aligner belts such that a plurality of spaced stacks of documents are transported by the drive belts with one of the projections at a leading edge of each of the stacks and another one of the projections at a trailing edge of each of the stacks.
US07942397B2 Method and device for opening printed products
A device for opening folded or bound printed products, comprises a feeder device (2, 13) for feeding-in individual folded or bound sub-products (4) and an opening device (6) for opening the sub-products (4), as well as furthermore an opening verifying installation (11, 14, 15, 16), in order to with optical means (14) identify deficiently opened sub-products (4) before the sub-products (4) are further processed. In case of sub-products (4) identified as being deficiently opened, the further processing is not carried out, but rather a deficiently opened sub-product (4) is conducted back to the opening device once more.
US07942396B2 Sheet finisher, image forming apparatus using the same, and sheet finishing method
A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit configured to fold the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit and to form a fold line, and a fold reinforcing unit configured to reinforce the fold line formed by the fold unit, the fold reinforcing unit includes a roller unit that includes a first roller and a second roller, nips the fold line of the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit between the first roller and the second roller, and moves along a direction of the fold line while pressing, and a drive unit configured to move the roller unit along the direction of the fold line from a standby position located at a position separate from an end of the sheet bundle, and the first roller and the second roller are separate from each other at the standby position, and approach each other to nip the fold line in a region where the fold line of the sheet bundle exists.
US07942395B2 Rotary cutting mat
A rotary cutting mat of the present invention has a base plate and a rotary mat, which can be rotated relative to each other. The rotary mat is provided with a shaft member projected from a reverse side thereof. The base plate is provided with a receiving portion, which rotatably receives the shaft member of the rotary mat. Since the rotary mat is simply placed on the base plate with the shaft member being inserted in the receiving portion, there is no need of a rivet for connecting the rotary mat and the base plate. Thus, the constitution on the mat is simplified and the surface of the mat can be maintained flat without any buried rivet head in the mat.
US07942394B2 Locking support fixture
A pin locking apparatus (1) includes a housing, at least one pin (40) and at least one locking piston (11). The housing includes at least one locking bore (12) and at least one pin bore (14). The at least one pin is slidably contained within the pin bore and is positioned by application of pressure in the pin bore. The at least one locking piston is slidably contained within the locking bore and is actuated by pressure in the locking bore to apply a locking force on the pin.
US07942392B2 Release explosion damper
A clamping and/or spreading tool comprising a push or pull rod to which a mobile jaw is fixed, a fixed jaw, a gear mechanism which can be used to move the mobile jaw towards or away from the fixed jaw by moving the push or pull rod in a clamping or spreading direction, and to apply clamping and/or bracing forces between the jaws, and a lock used to block movement of the push or pull rod in an opening direction opposing the clamping or spreading direction, in order to maintain clamping and/or spreading forces produced between the jaws. A mechanism for dissipating the stored clamping and/or spreading forces enables an absorption movement of the push or pull rod in the opening direction along a pre-determined absorption course, and especially detachably blocks an absorption movement of the push or pull rod over the predetermined absorption course, in the opening direction.
US07942391B2 Evaporative cooling tower and method
A cooling tower for evaporating water from a brine solution is provided and may include an air inlet, a brine inlet for receiving the brine solution, and a heat-exchange assembly receiving the brine solution from the brine inlet and receiving air from the air inlet. The heat-exchange assembly transfers moisture from the brine solution to the air received from the air inlet to reduce the moisture content of the brine solution.
US07942384B1 Internal clip for a rail
A resilient clip adapted for internal installation within a rail having a longitudinally extending internal gap. The clip includes a lower leg that engages the base of the rail, and an intermediate leg, which engages a side wall of the rail. An indented upper leg of the clip is capable of clamping an elongate line, such as an electrical or communication line, in an elevated position in the upper section of the rail. Plural clips may be installed in the rail to support such a line at multiple spaced points along its length. A strengthening cable may be installed in the lower section of the rail, in overlying relationship to the lower legs of the clips.
US07942382B2 Compact optical microcable driver
The invention relates to an optical cable laying device comprising a mechanism for fixing a rotary motor (i0), at least one friction drive roller (60, 70) for driving the cable (200), and a compressed air inlet (130) for driving the cable (200), the device being characterized in that the motor fixing mechanism, the at least one roller (60, 70) and the compressed air inlet (130) are disposed so that the axis of the motor (10), the compressed air arrival direction (130), and the cable (200) driven by the roller (60, 70) are substantially parallel to one another.
US07942380B2 Portable positive airway pressure device accessories and methods for use thereof
A portable cradle for carrying a PAP device includes a base and a handle that is provided on the base. The base is structured to receive the PAP device and attachments to the PAP device. The base is oriented in a substantially horizontal position when the handle is lifted. A trolley may be provided to easily wheel the PAP device and store multiple accessories. Detachable battery packs may also be provided for attachment to a cradle.
US07942379B2 Active vibration isolation system with a combined position actuator
The invention relates to a vibration isolation system, comprising at least one fluid bearing having a first control device in order to control the fluid pressure and having at least one actuator in order to compensate for position changes of the load to be isolated, which actuator is controlled by at least one second control device, wherein the input of one control device is connected to the output of the other control device.
US07942374B2 Height and tilt adjustable keyboard support
A keyboard support including: a workstation engaging member adapted to be attached to an underside of the work surface; a keyboard engaging member disposed forwardly of the workstation engaging member for supporting a keyboard; a linkage assembly mechanically coupling and providing relative movement between the workstation engaging member and the keyboard engaging member; and a tilt gauge assembly to indicate a tilt angle of the keyboard engaging member, the tilt gauge assembly including a parallelogram linkage defining a longitudinal axis, the parallelogram linkage including stationary member affixed to the keyboard engaging member that pivots with the keyboard engaging member with respect to the upper connector and a movable member tangent to the lower connector, wherein changing the tilt angle of the keyboard engaging member causes a distance along the longitudinal axis between the stationary member and the movable member to change.
US07942373B2 Mounting bracket for classroom board
A mounting bracket allows an electronic whiteboard to be positioned in front of a blackboard. The mounting bracket is attached above the blackboard and extends in front of a portion of the blackboard. A lower portion of the mounting bracket abuts the front of the blackboard. The mounting bracket includes an adjustable portion at the lower end to adjust the distance between the blackboard and the mounting bracket. A standard mounting bracket for the electronic blackboard is attachable to the mounting bracket of the present invention. The height of the standard mounting bracket may be adjusted.
US07942364B2 Film packaging applicator adjustable
A film packaging applicator adjustable includes a first tube and a second tube that join with each other. A guidance groove is formed axially on the first tube. Further, at least one side of the guidance groove, several equidistant hemispheric orientation slots that are formed in a radial direction are formed. A neck is formed at the orientation slot near the guidance groove. The second tube opposite to the guidance groove of first tube is formed with a hemispheric positioning block slipping from the guidance groove and then wedging into one orientation slot of the first tube. Thus, the applicator may be adjusted for a required length following the width of a film reel.
US07942363B2 Combined peripheral and central rewinding machine
The rewinding machine comprises: a first winding roller (11) and a second winding roller (13) defining a nip (15) through which said cores are inserted and through which said web material (N) is fed; and at least one pair of motorized engaging members (57), to engage the ends of a winding core and transmit a rotational movement to the core during at least part of the winding cycle of each log. The engaging members and the first and second winding roller are produced and disposed so that the log being formed is in contact with said first and said second winding roller. Moreover, a third winding roller (17) is provided, defining a winding space with said first and said second winding roller, said third winding roller being movable to allow increase and completion of winding of each log in said winding space.
US07942362B1 Collapsible reel type dispenser with swivel closure
A collapsible reel-type apparatus provides a plurality of adjoining arm component axially joined to a plurality of adjoining leg component. The component so adjoined may be swiveled into a collapsed parallel condition for storage and an open perpendicular position for dispensing. Spring loaded elements automatically lock the components in the open position. Bearings located on the axial member above and below the sum arm component allow the free rotation of the arm component in the open position. Post guide members are adjustably secured to at least one arm component. An axially joined tubing guide extends outward and upward terminating in a looped enclosure. An upper retaining bar is detachably connected upon a coil with a tensioned retainer.
US07942360B2 Retractable tow strap
A retractable tow strap apparatus for towing a vehicle includes a protective casing and a reel including a hub. The tow strap apparatus further include a tow strap webbing for winding about the hub, means for attaching at least one end of the tow strap webbing to a vehicle to be towed, and means for biasing the reel to wind the tow strap onto the hub. When the tow strap is in a fully extended position, the tow strap apparatus is configured to transmit substantially all of a tension force applied by a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle through only the tow strap. In addition or alternatively, the means for biasing applies a biasing force to automatically wind the tow strap webbing onto the hub. In addition or alternatively, the tow strap webbing is non-disjoint and includes two ends that are each extendable from the casing.
US07942352B2 Shredder with rotatable device for moving shredded materials adjacent the outlet
Disclosed herein is a shredder having a rotatable device located at least partially between a shredder mechanism and a bottom of an output opening of the shredder housing. The rotatable device includes a shaft configured to rotate about an axis parallel to an axis of the cutting assembly so as to allow for rotation of the device. The rotatable device has a plurality of fingers or fins extending at least partially radially from the shaft. The rotatable device is able to rotate about the shaft axis in either direction, so as to disperse any accumulation of shredded materials in the waste bin, as well as remove shredded materials caught in or near the cutting assembly within and adjacent the output opening.
US07942351B2 Method of processing nepheline syenite powder to produce an ultra-fine grain size product
The method of converting nepheline syenite particulate feedstock with a grain size profile to an ultra-fine grain finish product for subsequent commercial use, the ultra-fine grain final product has a maximum grain size of less than about 6 microns. The method comprising: providing a dry feedstock with a controlled maximum particle size greater than about 20 microns; grinding the feedstock in a dry state by passing the feedstock vertically downward through a continuous, high-speed stirred ball mill whereby the feedstock is ground into an intermediate powder having a drastically reduced grain size profile than the grain size profile of the feedstock; and passing the intermediate powder from the mill through an air classifier using a rapidly moving high speed air stream moving along a given path to convey the ultra-fine grain product along the path and from the classifier and to allow coarse particulate material including particles larger than the ultra-fine product to be separated and then expelled from the classifier.
US07942349B1 Fuel injector
A fuel injector body has a fuel chamber and a valve seat around a fuel outlet. A valve body is positioned at the valve seat and a valve stem extends through the fuel outlet and fuel chamber. Engagement (disengagement) of valve body and valve seat closes (opens) the injector. The fuel chamber can comprise primary and secondary chambers connected by a valve passage and a metering member that restricts fuel flow between the chambers, thereby providing a flow-dependent closing force that reduces the dependence of fuel flow through the injector on fuel inlet pressure and that makes that flow dependent on an injector actuating force. The injector body or the valve body can comprise a spray-shaping surface arranged at least partly around the valve seat, which spray-shaping surface is arranged to direct a spray of fuel flowing through the fuel outlet.
US07942347B2 Sprinkler having oscillating mechanism
A sprinkler includes an oscillating mechanism having a receptacle for receiving a water, and a casing rotatably attached to the receptacle. A device may be used for swinging the casing relative to the receptacle in reciprocating action, to allow the water to smoothly or swiftly flow out of the sprinkler tube in various kinds of water spraying patterns. Two ratchet gears are rotatably received within the receptacle and rotated in different directions, a barrel and a shaft are rotatably received within the receptacle and rotated in different directions, and a valve controlling device may be used for controlling the water to flow through the shaft, such as to flow through the shaft intermittently.
US07942345B2 Sprinkler with nutating mechanism and optional weight
A rotary, nutating sprinkler head includes a housing supporting a nozzle tube extending in a downstream direction, concentric with a vertical center axis of the sprinkler head; a spool assembly loosely supported on the starter tube, the spool assembly including a double-flanged spool and a water-deflection plate carried by the spool, the water-deflection plate formed with one or more grooves shaped to cause the spool assembly to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the starter tube; wherein one of the starter tube and the spool is provided with at least one tilting lug located to maintain the spool assembly in a tilted or angularly offset orientation relative to the vertical center axis, thereby facilitating a wobbling action of the spool assembly during rotation.
US07942342B2 Railway tie of non-homogeneous cross section useful in environments deleterious to timber
A railroad tie comprises a core comprising wood or a wood product, and a first sleeve encapsulating the core, wherein the first sleeve comprises at least one of the group consisting of plastic, plastic-composite, or non-plastic polymers. A second sleeve may additionally encapsulate the first. In a preferred embodiment, the first sleeve is comprised primarily of poly ethylene terephthalate, and the second sleeve is comprised primarily of high density poly ethylene.
US07942337B2 Wirelessly executing transactions with different enterprises
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for wirelessly executing transactions with different institutions. In some implementations, a physical interface, a communication module, secure memory, a user-interface module, and a transaction module. The physical interface connects to a port of a mobile host device that includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The communication module wirelessly receives Radio Frequency (RF) signals from and transmits RF signals to an access terminal. The secure memory stores a plurality of selectable user credentials. At least one set of user credentials is used to execute transactions with the access terminal, and each set is associated with different institutions. The transaction module dynamically switches between the plurality of selectable user credentials in response to at least an event and wirelessly transmits to the access terminal a response to a requested transaction including user credentials selected from the plurality of selectable user credentials.
US07942336B2 Portable terminal
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable terminal which non-contact communicates with an external reader/writer at a specified relative position to the reader/writer, including: a second antenna configured to carry out non-contact communication with a loop shaped first antenna whose arrangement position and size are defined in the external reader/writer; and a magnetic sheet having no magnetic body in a part of a region where the magnetic sheet at least partly overlaps with the first antenna when the portable terminal is at the specified relative position to the external reader/writer.
US07942328B2 Method for data interchange
A method for data interchange includes summing up data associated with an electronic document to provide summed up data, representing the summed up data as one or more bar codes, and returning the one or more bar codes for display and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video display or a printed version of the one or more bar codes. The electronic document may be of any number of formats. The summing up may include taking data from multiple information fields to create the summed up data. The data may include data tags or a step of adding data tags to the data to assist in data interchange may be performed.
US07942323B2 Apparatus and method for testing the reading reliability of smart labels
The invention relates to an apparatus for testing the reading reliability of smart labels (3), comprising a reader (6), a transport device (2) arranged at a distance from the reader (6) for receiving and transporting the smart labels (3), and a device for adjusting the transmitting power of the reader (6), wherein the reader (6) has a reader antenna (7), the distance (d) of which from the transport device (2) can be varied.
US07942318B2 Enhancing web experiences using behavioral biometric data
A computerized method that provides a Web page having control structures for gathering behavioral biometrics. The method can receive behavioral biometric data in accordance with the control structures and in accordance with interactions of a user with the Web page. Additionally, the method can compare the received behavioral biometric data with at least one set of previously established values. The user can be profiled based upon comparison results. This profiling can affect the manner in which Web pages are provided to the user as well as the content contained therein.
US07942317B2 Data storage and access systems
Data storage and access systems are described for downloading and paying for data such as audio and video data, text, software, games and other types of data. A portable data carrier has an interface for sending and receiving data, non-volatile data memory for storing received content data and non-volatile payment validation memory for providing payment validation data to an external device. The carrier may also store a record of access made to the stored content, and content use rules for controlling access to the stored content. Preferred embodiments store further access control data and supplementary data such as hot links to web sites and/or advertising data. A complementary data access terminal, data supply computer system and data access device are also described. The combination of payment data and stored content data and, in preferred embodiments, use rule data, helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access to data such as compressed music and video data, especially over the Internet.
US07942315B2 Self-service terminal
A method of detecting attempted fraud at a self-service terminal. The method involves providing a classifier having a plurality of input zones, each input zone being adapted to receive data of a different modality. The classifier may be a statistical model. The method also involves mapping inputs from a plurality of sensors in the self-service terminal to respective input zones of the classifier. For each input zone, the classifier independently operates on inputs within that zone to create a weighted set; combines the weighted sets using a dedicated weighting function for each weighted set to produce a composite set; and derives a plurality of class values from the composite set to create a classification result. The classification result can be used to predict the probability of abnormal operation, which may be indicative of fraud.
US07942314B1 Automated banking machine system and monitoring method
A cash dispensing automated banking machine actuated by user cards is in operative connection with a system usable to capture images related to activity that is conducted at or adjacent to the machine. The automated banking machine is positioned at a banking facility including a vault and an entrance. A plurality of cameras are positioned at the facility. Images captured may be analyzed at the bank facility or the remote monitoring center. The monitoring center may operate to assure that employees of the bank facility or others can safely access and/or leave the bank facility.
US07942313B1 Automated banking machine system and monitoring method
A cash dispensing automated banking machine actuated by user cards is in operative connection with a system usable to capture images related to activity that is conducted at or adjacent to the machine. The automated banking machine is positioned at a banking facility including a vault and an entrance. A plurality of cameras are positioned at the facility. Images captured may be analyzed at the bank facility or the remote monitoring center. The monitoring center may operate to assure that employees of the bank facility or others can safely access and/or leave the bank facility.
US07942310B2 Container
A container that can be constructed from a blank is disclosed. The container can include four side walls and can be divided into multiple cells. The size or shape of the cell(s) can be substantially similar or can be varied. For instance, the cell(s) can be varied to correspond to the size or shape of a particular article of manufacture.
US07942309B2 Box sealing belt
A box sealing belt includes two sealing bands, a gap band and two fastening ears. The two sealing bands are substantially in parallel with each other. The gap band is interconnected between the two sealing bands to form two opposing concave slots therebetween. The two fastening ears are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of either one of the two sealing bands.
US07942304B2 Two piece anvil for surgical stapler
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a stapling assembly including a staple cartridge for retaining and selectively releasing a plurality of staples, a forming member engageable by a staple during formation thereof, and first and second anvil sections for forming the staples. The first and second anvil sections are configured for independent actuation. A method of stapling first and second sections of tissue is also disclosed.
US07942302B2 Surgical stapling device with coated knife blade
A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The surgical stapling device includes a knife blade possessing a lubricious coating which enhances the ability of the knife to cut through tissue and minimizes the knife sticking to tissue or other components of the surgical stapling device.
US07942300B2 Surgical fastener applying apparatus
The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus for sequentially applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The surgical fastener applying apparatus includes a replaceable cartridge assembly receivable in a distal end portion of a cartridge receiving half-section, the cartridge assembly including a safety lockout pivotably disposed along the upper surface of the cartridge assembly and movable from an unlocked orientation permitting assembly of an anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving half-section, to a locked orientation preventing assembly of the anvil half-section to the cartridge receiving-half section.
US07942299B2 Hand tool with belt or rafter hook
A tool that includes a housing, a motor assembly, a hook structure and a detent. The motor assembly has an output member and is at least partially housed in the housing. The detent has a first portion, which is engaged to the housing, and a second portion that is engaged to the hook structure. The first and second portions cooperate in an engaged condition to hold the hook structure in a selected rotational position relative to the housing. The first and second portions being disengagable to permit rotational movement of the hook structure relative to the housing. The hook structure can include a friction enhancing portion that is employed to provide better gripping performance.
US07942295B1 Tool chest/glass rack apparatus
A glazier rack and tool chest apparatus for supporting and transporting large glass pieces, including window glass and providing a tool chest in a truck bed, the apparatus providing a hollow base and a top section. In one embodiment, the base provides two top accesses, a pair of side doors, and a front door to access the interior for tool storage and the top section provides a storage tube. The top section hingedly extends to a position atop the base to form, in conjunction with the base, a slanted surface to support large pieces of glass, including window glass, at an angle for stable transport. Tracks affixed to the truck bed and track slides affixed to the base are removably and slidingly engaged for easy removal of the apparatus for multi-use of the truck bed.
US07942294B2 Machine and process for personal, side mounted biomechanically engineered lifting device; a device for lifting awkward and heavy loads
The side-mounted, biomechanically designed lifting device maximizes the lifting capability of human anatomy. A harness with a shoulder pad crosses the user's body diagonally. The load is supported by an adjustable load strap at the user's side from a support ring attached to the harness. One end of the support strap is attached to the harness and the other to a lifting handle. With this device and method heavy and awkward loads like plywood and drywall may be carried and manipulated easily. The side-mounted lifting harness causes the user to lean away from the load. This transfers the weight of a load to a point near the ground, below the vertical center of gravity of the user and between the lifter's feet. There is significant biomechanical advantage to this load configuration. One person can carry heavy, awkward loads safely and quickly with a minimum of physical stress.
US07942293B2 Cosmetic holder for carrying by user
A cosmetic holder includes a mounting base adapted for mounting to an appendage of a user, a plurality of cosmetic containers for storing cosmetics and/or cosmetic accessories, and a swivel joint connected between the mounting base and a selected cosmetic container for adjusting a position of the cosmetic container with respect to the mounting base about three mutually perpendicular axes.
US07942285B2 Easily-openable can lid
An easy open can lid comprises an outer multilayered portion folded into three layers and enclosing the panel portion from outside of the score line, and an inner multilayered portion folded into three layers and enclosing the panel portion from inside of the score line. A leading edge of an outer protection portion as a folding portion between the first and second outer layers is flush with or situated outside of the score line, and a leading edge of an inner protection portion as a folding portion between the second and third inner layers is flush with or situated inside of the score line. An opening width of an inner interspace between the first and second inner layers is wider than that of an outer interspace between the second and third outer layers.
US07942279B2 Device and method for packaging and merchandising personal healthcare products
The invention provides a device and method for packaging and merchandising personal healthcare products. A first aspect of the invention provides a device for storing health care products, comprising: a plurality of product containers, each product container including: a body; a dispensing portion; and an attachment feature; and a housing including a mating feature adapted to be compatible with the attachment feature of each of the plurality of product containers, wherein connection of the attachment feature of a product container and the mating feature of the housing substantially and non-fixedly secures the product container to the housing.
US07942276B2 Rotatable article display device and method for use
A rotatable article display device for displaying an article such as a piece of jewelry or the like includes a platen defining a display surface. The platen is configured to rotate about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the display surface and a second axis parallel to the displays surface. First and second drive mechanisms, together with suitable connectors, are provided to mechanically rotate the platen about the perpendicular and parallel axes. In a method for use, at least one article of jewelry is positioned on the display surface and viewed while the platen is rotated about at least one of the perpendicular and parallel axes.
US07942275B2 Expanded PFTE membrane and method of making
A method of making a porous membrane includes, in an exemplary embodiment, mixing together a first fine powder PTFE resin and a second fine powder PTFE resin to form a PTFE resin mixture. The first PTFE resin having a characteristic of forming more and longer fibrils than fibrils formed from the second PTFE resin. The second PTFE resin having a characteristic of forming thicker nodes than nodes formed from the first PTFE resin. The method also includes forming a preform from the PTFE resin mixture, extruding the preform into a tape, passing the tape through a plurality of opposing calender rolls to form a calendered tape having a thickness of about 380 μm to about 1200 μm, and stretching the calendered tape in the transverse direction to form a porous membrane having a plurality of nodes and fibrils and having a thickness of at least about 100 μm.
US07942261B2 Multi-disc media case
The present invention provides a media storage case that is configured to resiliently hold up to six media discs on a single hub. In one construction, a first panel and a second panel are joined by a hinge and configured to securely hold up to six media discs on a common hub through transit and distribution, using a cantilevered disc retention finger and/or a spine disc retention fin. The media storage case can hold multiple media discs and accompanying literature, while having a minimized case thickness.
US07942259B2 Tubular conveyor belt
A conveyor belt for use in a tubular conveyor belt system has a width and a length, and a longitudinal centerline. The conveyor belt further has a first longitudinal edge, and an opposing second longitudinal edge, wherein during use, the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge overlap to form an overlap region, thus forming the belt into a tube-like shape. The conveyor belt further has a load bearing region, wherein the load bearing region is located evenly about the belt longitudinal centerline, throughout the length of the belt. Further, there is a first anti-rotation region and a second anti-rotation region, wherein the first anti-rotation region is located between the first longitudinal edge and the load bearing region, and the second anti-rotation region is located between the second longitudinal edge and the load bearing region. The first and second longitudinal edges, and the load bearing region comprise longitudinal reinforcement members, and the first and second anti-rotation regions do not comprise longitudinal reinforcement members.
US07942257B2 Roller-belt conveyor with infeed pull-away
A separation conveyor using a roller belt whose rollers are already rotating before receiving an article to provide immediate pull-away from an infeed conveyor. The rollers of a roller belt extend through the thickness of the belt and into contact with a bearing surface in a reversing segment of a belt path between the returnway and the carryway of the separation conveyor. The rollers are already rotating on the bearing surface in the reversing segment at the infeed end before they contact articles to avoid delays in pulling articles away from the infeed conveyor and onto the separation conveyor.
US07942254B2 Corrugated-cardboard-strip conveyor device
The invention relates to a device for conveying strips of corrugated cardboard, the device comprising a work table for conveying strips on the work table along a direction of conveyance, wherein the work table is supported on a floor and comprises at least one longitudinal groove for accommodating an element which is displaceable therein, and at least one slide which is disposed underneath the work table and is actuable for displacement in the direction of conveyance, which slide comprises an element which is actuable for upward extension through the at least one longitudinal groove for cooperation with the strip.
US07942252B2 Gear shift module for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle
In a gear shift module for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle including a series of gear shift elements for example in the form of gear shift forks, which are operated for the shifting of gears, a gear shift module is provided which has a module baseplate forming part of the cylinders of piston-cylinder units and at least part of a housing of a countershaft brake and a central clutch disengager of a starting clutch. These parts can be manufactured jointly providing for lower manufacturing and assembly costs.
US07942250B2 Bicycle hydraulic brake device
A bicycle hydraulic brake device includes a housing having a master cylinder, a master piston movably mounted in the master cylinder, a brake operating member and an adjustment mechanism. The brake operating member is arranged to move between a rest position and a brake actuating position and to move the master piston in response to movement of the brake operating member to the brake actuating position. The adjustment mechanism is arranged to adjust the rest position and a free stroke of the brake operating member with an initial travel position of the master piston remaining unchanged. The adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment member that adjusts a length of a free stroke and a second adjustment member that adjusts the rest position of brake operating member without changing the length of the free stroke.
US07942249B2 Systems and methods for controlling the stability of a water brake dynamometer
A system for stabilizing a water brake including at least two rotor disks, a chamber of the water brake for containing water positioned between the at least two rotor disks, a pressure measuring device for measuring a partial pressure in the chamber, and an air injection device for injecting air into the chamber to increase the partial pressure in the chamber.
US07942246B2 Controlling an elevator with a standby mode
An elevator system where control appliances of the elevator system are fitted to communicate between themselves is described herein. The elevator system has a control arrangement for placing at least one control appliance into standby mode or for terminating the standby mode. The control arrangement is fitted to set the standby mode on the basis of at least one activation signal, as well as to send a control signal of the standby mode to at least one control appliance of the elevator system. Associated methods for fitting a standby mode into an elevator system are also described herein.
US07942244B2 Lifting assembly
The invention relates to a lifting assembly (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) comprising: a rack mast, a platform (12, 23, 33, 43, 53, 91), and at least one power unit (100, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 900, 901) which is mounted to the mast and which controls the vertical movement of the platform along the length thereof. The invention is characterized in that the power unit comprises a plurality of modular elements including at least one motor block (101, 200, 201, 301, 401, 501, 604, 621, 801, 904), at least one upper roller box (102, 205, 210, 305, 404, 503, 627, 903) and at least one lower roller box (103, 206, 304, 405, 502, 601, 629, 902). According to the invention, each of the modular elements is equipped with mechanical fastening means (610, 611, 612) which are aligned with the mechanical fastening means of an adjacent modular element.
US07942242B1 Urban emergency escape method and system
The invention relates to an urban emergency escape method and apparatus for use in escaping from high-rise buildings. The method sets forth a series steps that allows one to successfully evacuate a high-rise building that is filled with smoke due a fire or the elevator system is not working due to an explosion or a terrorist attack of some kind. The apparatus utilized comprises a carry-on bag with a handle and wheels for easy mobility and a zippered cover that encloses a plurality of interconnected rope sections, a descent controller, a plurality of anchoring straps, at least one harness, D-rings and a glass breaking tool. After donning the harness and breaking the window to allow exit, the anchoring straps are secured to several different structural components within the room and tied to a first end of a rope segment. The free end of the rope segment is pre-fed through the descent controller, the user steps out the broken window and allows evacuee to descend by manipulating the descent controller.
US07942240B2 Silencer for internal combustion engine
A silencer for an internal combustion engine includes a silencer housing formed by a pair of clamped housing members each having a substantially identical configuration relative to one another. The silencer housing has an intake port formed at a first end and an exhaust port formed at a second, opposite end. At least one separator is received in the silencer housing between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. The at least one separator extends transversely across the silencer housing relative to a longitudinal length of the silencer housing.
US07942236B2 Exhaust device for straddle-type vehicle and straddle-type vehicle
An exhaust device for a straddle-type vehicle that satisfies the requirements of sound deadening characteristics and which has a reduced size is provided. The exhaust device for a straddle-type vehicle that includes an exhaust pipe connected to an engine and a silencer connected to the exhaust pipe. The silencer includes at least one resonator selected from a group consisting of a Helmholtz resonator and a side branch resonator. The resonator is packed with a sound absorbing material.
US07942235B2 Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine
Disclosed is an exhaust system (100) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a first exhaust train that is provided with a penetrable first muffler (120), especially a rear muffler, and at least one second exhaust train which encompasses a second penetrable muffler (122), particularly a rear muffler. The structure of the first muffler (120) differs from that of the second muffler (122).
US07942227B2 Motorcycle having a continuously variable transmission and a reduction gearset
A motorcycle is provided that includes a frame and an engine supported by the frame. The motorcycle also includes a continuously variable transmission operatively driven by the engine and a reduction gearset operatively driven by the continuously variable transmission. The motorcycle further includes a rotatable rear wheel operatively, indirectly driven by the reduction gearset and a swing-arm assembly pivotably mounted, at a forward end thereof, on the frame. The swing-arm assembly is coupled, at a rear end thereof, to the rear wheel. The swing-arm assembly includes first and second elongated and laterally spaced fork members. The reduction gearset set is positioned forward of the rear wheel and laterally between the first and second fork members.
US07942225B2 Suspension system for a wheeled vehicle and a wheeled vehicle equipped with such a suspension system
A suspension system for a wheeled vehicle is provided, the suspension system being adapted to support at least one wheel of the vehicle and comprising at least one shock absorbing device adapted to be activated as a result of the motion of the at least one wheel in a substantially vertical direction, the suspension system further comprising electrical power generating means in fluid connection with the at least one shock absorbing device so that the activation of said at least one shock absorbing device results in electrical power being generated. Furthermore, the suspension system comprises means for absorbing at least partially the electrical power generated, the absorption of electrical power resulting in the stiffness of said at least one shock absorbing device being varied as a function of the electrical power absorbed.
US07942219B2 Polycrystalline diamond constructions having improved thermal stability
PCD constructions include a PCD body comprising a polycrystalline matrix region, a first region that includes a replacement material positioned remote from a body surface, and a second region that is substantially free of the replacement material and that extends a depth from the body surface. The PCD construction can further include a substrate that is attached to the body. The PCD body is formed by removing a solvent catalyst material used to form the body, replacing the removed solvent catalyst material with a replacement material, and then removing the replacement material from a region of the body to thereby form the second region. The replacement material can be introduced into the PCD body during a HPHT process, and the substrate may or may not be the source of the noncatalyzing material.
US07942217B2 Cutting apparatus for a microtunnelling system
The present disclosure relates to a microtunnelling apparatus including a cutting apparatus adapted to be rotated by a drill shaft defining a central axis of rotation that extends along a length of the drill shaft. The cutting apparatus includes a front cutting rotor having a hub defining a shaft receiver that extends at least partially through the hub in a direction extending from a back side toward a front cutting side of the front cutting rotor. The shaft receiver is configured to receive the drill shaft. The drill shaft and the shaft receiver cooperate to define a torque transmitting mechanical interface for allowing torque to be transferred between the drill shaft and the front cutting rotor such that the drill shaft can be used to rotate the front cutting rotor about the central axis of rotation. The front cutting rotor also includes a plurality of cutting bars that project at least partially radially outwardly from the hub. The cutting apparatus further includes a front retainer that mounts at the front cutting side of the front cutting rotor for retaining the front cutting rotor on the drill shaft.
US07942216B2 Drill rod, drill bit, and drilling tool
A drill rod has a fitting portion protruding toward the distal end of the drill rod. The drill rod fitting portion further encompasses a parallel male thread portion in which a minimum distance from a first axial line in a cross-section perpendicular to the first axial line is constant; and a male thread ending portion is continuous with a proximal end of the parallel male thread portion. The minimum distance of the ending portion increases as a proximal end is approached. Furthermore, the fitting portion is formed such that the minimum distance does not decrease as the proximal end is approached from a distal end thereof. Additionally, the proximal end of the male thread ending portion is positioned where a distance from the first axial line gradually increases as the proximal end of the male thread ending portion is approached from the parallel male thread.
US07942215B2 Drilling fluids for oil and gas reservoirs with high carbonate contents
Compositions including relatively low reactivity acids, mixed with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) and internal breakers may serve as drilling fluids to open underground hydrocarbon reservoirs with carbonate contents of 10 wt % or above. The drilling fluids have low viscosities in the drilling pipe. After the fluid flows out of the drill bit, the acids react with carbonates in the formation thereby increasing the pH of the drilling fluids causing the VES to gel the fluid at the bottom of the hole and the downhole annulus between the drilling pipe and the formation rock. The viscosified drilling fluid will reduce fluid loss and will carry no dissolved drilling debris to the surface. After drilling through the targeted formation, the internal breakers in the viscosified drilling fluids will break down the fluids to permit their removal, and the well is ready to produce with very little or no near well bore damage.
US07942214B2 Steerable drilling system
A steerable drilling system comprises a rotary drill bit 14 secured to a housing 16, a secondary rotary drill component 22 carried by the housing and rotatable therewith, the second rotary drill component 22 having a gauge dimension greater than that of the rotary drill bit 14, and a drive arrangement operable to displace the secondary rotary drill component 22 relative to the housing 16 while maintaining an axis 24 of the secondary rotary drill component 22 substantially parallel to an axis 18 of the housing 16.
US07942211B2 Power tool
This invention relates to a power tool one having a driven member 5 for releasably gripping a working element 4. The power tool is operable in a working mode in which the working element performs work, or an adjustment mode in which the driven member 5 grips or releases the working element 4. The power tool includes a powered selector means including a controller 6 which enables the operator to select the mode of operation of the power tool.
US07942210B2 Chain reel for tillage implement and method
In lieu of rigid bars, a tillage reel utilizes a number of elongated flexible elements such as lengths of link chain that are spaced circumferentially around the reel and extend axially thereof. The flexible elements bow outwardly by centrifugal force as the reel rolls along the ground during tillage operations to impact and fracture clods encountered at the lower front extremity of the reel. When the reel is used in connection with strip till operations, the flexible elements bow upwardly and inwardly along the lower periphery of the reel as they engage and conform to the transverse cross-section of the strip till berm, thereby avoiding destruction of the berm notwithstanding the clod-pulverizing action provided by the flexible elements.
US07942208B2 System and method for blade level control of earthmoving machines
A system for automatically controlling the position and level of an earthmoving implement on an earthmoving machine. The system includes at least one hydraulic actuator adapted to raise and lower the earthmoving implement, a device for delivering a pressurized fluid to and receiving pressurized fluid from the actuator, and an electronic control circuit that includes electronic sensors for sensing the absolute orientation of the machine and the position of the actuator, and a controller for receiving outputs of the sensors, calculating an amount of the pressurized fluid that must be delivered to or received from the actuator to achieve a desired position for the earthmoving implement, and control the delivering-receiving device to deliver or receive the amount of the pressurized fluid to achieve the desired position for the earthmoving implement.
US07942206B2 In-flow control device utilizing a water sensitive media
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow into a tubular includes an in-flow control device having a plurality of flow paths; and a reactive media disposed in each of the flow paths. The reactive media may change permeability by interacting with a selected fluid such as water. Two or more of the flow paths may be hydraulically parallel. The reactive media may include a Relative Permeability Modifier. An associated method may include conveying the fluid via a plurality of flow paths; and controlling a resistance to flow in plurality of flow paths using a reactive media disposed in each of the flow paths. An associated system may include a wellbore tubular; an in-flow control device; a hydraulic circuit formed in the in-flow control device; and a reactive media disposed in the hydraulic circuit, the reactive media may change permeability by interacting with a selected fluid.
US07942202B2 Continuous fibers for use in well completion, intervention, and other subterranean applications
Methods and related systems for use with a continuous fiber based system for use with well bore completions. Wherein a plurality of continuous fibers are deployable into a portion of a well bore completion, such that a fiber management module is adapted and positioned within the borehole to facilitate deployment of and communication with the plurality of continuous fibers. Further, the number of deployable continuous fibers of the continuous fiber based system can provide for sufficient redundancy to make at least a target measurement relating to the completion.
US07942201B2 Apparatus, compositions, and methods of breaking fracturing fluids
Apparatus and methods of reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.
US07942200B2 Downhole fluid injection dispersion device
The invention described herein is directed to a downhole fluid injection dispersion device. This invention may be employed to radially disperse fluid injected downhole in a well bore. This invention comprises a body comprising an inlet port and at least two radial outlet ports.
US07942199B2 Method for installing wellbore string devices
A method for securing a wellbore string device to a wellbore liner tubular employs a swelling elastomer to frictionally grip a gap between the wellbore string device and the liner tubular. The swelling elastomer is positioned between the wellbore string device and the wellbore liner tubular, then activated to cause it to swell to engage the wellbore string device with the wellbore liner tubular. The wellbore string device may be a centralizer, a wear band or a torque ring.
US07942197B2 Methods and systems for producing fluid from an in situ conversion process
A system that includes a plurality of heat sources configured to heat a portion of a formation is described. At least one production well is in the formation. A bottom portion of the production well is a sump in an underburden of the formation below the heated portion of the formation. Fluids from the heated portion of the formation are allowed to flow into the sump. A pump system has an inlet in the sump. A production conduit is coupled to the pump system. The production conduit is configured to transport fluids in the sump out of the formation.
US07942195B2 Heat dissipation device having a bracket
A heat dissipation device (10) includes a first heat sink (20), a second heat sink (30) and a heat pipe (40) transferring heat from the first heat sink to the second heat sink. A bracket (50) includes a first end (51) attached to the first heat sink and a second end (52) attached to the second heat sink.
US07942194B2 Heat sink
A heat sink, wherein a plurality of heat radiation fins are mounted on a base plate to which an electronic device is attached in a heat transmittable manner. The heat radiation fins are erected vertically and in parallel with each other on the reverse face of the base plate to which the electron device is contacted, and extended laterally from the base plate. A heat pipe transports heat between the extended portion of the heat radiation fins and the base plate.
US07942188B2 Refractory metal core
A cast metal article, such as a turbine engine component, is made by shaping a body of refractory metal particles to form a molded refractory metal article. The molded refractory metal article is sintered to form a refractory metal core. Both the refractory metal article and a setter block may be sintered at the same time. At least a portion of the refractory metal core is enclosed with wax. The wax is at least partially enclosed with a covering of mold material. The wax is removed from the mold material to form an article mold cavity. The article mold cavity is filled with molten metal which solidifies to form a cast metal article. The refractory metal core is removed from the cast metal article.
US07942182B2 Rigid-backed, membrane-based chip tooling
An apparatus for use with multiple individual chips having a rigid plate, and a deformable membrane located on the plate, the deformable membrane having a thickness sufficient to allow the deformable membrane to peripherally conform to each of the individual multiple chips irrespective of any difference in height among the multiple individual chips and to prevent each of the multiple individual chips from moving in a lateral direction, the deformable membrane being configured to uniformly transfer a vertical force, applied to the rigid plate, to the chips so as to bring, under pressure, a bonding surface of each individual chip into contact with a bonding surface of an element to which the individual chips will be bonded during a connect and release cycle without causing damage to the individual chips or bonding surface.
US07942181B2 Machine for bonding films made of different materials in several layers, and the corresponding method
A machine for bonding layers in a film includes first pay-off unit to unwind a first layer of the film, a second pay-off unit to unwind a second layer of the film, a third pay-off unit to unwind a third layer of the film, a bonding zone to join the various layers of film together, and a winding unit including a reel onto which the bonded film is wound, the bonding zone including at least one bonding unit, the pressing roller being fitted with at least an hydraulic actuator which brings it in contact with the layers of film on the bonding calender, the presser roller and the hydraulic actuator being mounted on a nip rotating around the axis of the bonding calendar so as to vary the position of the point of contact between the presser roller and the calender and hence to vary the breadth of the contact arc, along the surface of the calender, in which the layers are overlapped.
US07942179B2 Device for dispensing labels
The invention relates to a device for dispensing a plurality of labels onto a folio across a travelling path of the folio through the device, the device has a supply of labels, the labels are carried by a carrier; a guide system for guiding the carrier with labels from the supply to a dispenser. The dispensing machine includes an arm, which extends across the folio, and a dispensing wagon, which is arranged on the arm and is adapted to dispense the labels onto the folio while moving along the arm. The device furthermore keeps the carrier stretched between the supply and the dispenser.
US07942177B2 Pneumatic tire with tread having lug grooves, sipes, and fine groove
Provided is a pneumatic tire that has a directional tread pattern and includes: a rib-shaped first land area extending in the tire-circumferential direction in a center section of a tread portion; paired first main grooves being adjacent respectively to the two sides of the first land area; paired second land areas being adjacent respectively to the outer sides of the first main grooves; paired second main grooves being adjacent respectively to the outer sides of the second land areas; paired third land areas being adjacent respectively to the outer sides of the second main grooves; a fine groove extending at the center of the first land area; plural lug grooves formed in the first land area; and plural sipes formed in the first land area. Each lug groove intersects with a corresponding sipe. An end of the lug groove formed in the first land area is formed as a dead end between the fine groove and a corresponding first main groove. The width and depth of each lug groove formed in the first land area are gradually reduced from its open-end side to its closed-end side. Each sipe formed in the first land area communicates with the fine groove, and includes: a deeper section between a corresponding first main groove and the intersection with a corresponding lug groove; and a shallower section between the fine groove and the intersection with the corresponding lug groove.
US07942175B2 Method of processing wooden piece
A method is of processing a wooden piece into a predetermined three dimensional shape by compressing the wooden piece. The method includes compressing a first wooden piece and a second wooden piece in a water vapor atmosphere of a temperature and a pressure higher than a temperature and a pressure of an atmospheric air, by placing the first and the second wooden pieces one on another, the first wooden piece having a shape including a curved surface, and the second wooden piece having a flat board-like shape in which a large part of fiber components run in a direction substantially parallel to a surface.
US07942170B2 Installation for packaging a liquid product in receptacles
An installation for packaging a product in receptacles. The installation includes a series of filler stations each having a filler spout having a spout body with a top end connected to a filler spout feed duct and a bottom end provided with an orifice fitted with a controlled valve. The filler spout is fitted with a looping duct opening into the spout body above the controlled valve and connected by a link member to a general feed duct at a point between a stop valve and an isolation valve. A purge valve is connected to the general feed duct between the isolation valve and the link member.
US07942166B1 Devices for delivering gas
A device for delivering gas is disclosed. The device may include a chamber and a guide. The chamber may include a set of input openings for receiving the gas and an output opening for providing the gas. The set of input openings may include a first hole and a second hole. The chamber may receive a first portion of the gas through the first hole and a second portion of the gas through the second hole. The guide may include a guiding unit. The guiding unit may be disposed inside the chamber. The guiding unit may contact the first portion of the gas before the first portion of the gas contacts the second portion of the gas and may contact the second portion of the gas before the second portion of the gas contacts the first portion of the gas.
US07942165B2 Connection structure between integrated panel and fluid device
A connecting structure for an integration panel and a fluid device in which an excellent sealing property can be held even when substantially no further fastening is performed, and the assembling workability is improved is provided. When an integration panel 1 and a valve 2 are to be communicatingly connected to each other in a sealed state through single circular pipe-like fluid passages 3, 7 by using an annular gasket G, an annular projection 11 and outer and inner tapered peripheral faces 12a, 13a are formed in first and second fluid supply/discharge port portions 1A, 2A, and the gasket G is configured by a fluororesin having a pair of annular grooves 51, 51 and tapered peripheral faces 52a, 53a. The integration panel 1 and the valve 2 are attracted to each other, thereby configuring a joined state where a sealing portion S1 is formed by fitting the annular projection 11 to the annular groove 51 to press contact the tapered peripheral faces 12a, 13a, 52a, 53a with each other.
US07942163B2 Flat face, pipe coupling with spring-loaded shutoff sleeves to prevent spillage upon uncoupling
A pipe coupling connecting and disconnecting media conducting pipes, hoses or like conduits, which comprise two coupling halves situated at ends of the conduits; and a connector and a socket end having shutoff sleeves in both coupling halves.
US07942162B2 Tee flow splitter
A flow splitter that divides a two-phase (gas-liquid) inlet stream or a one-phase (liquid-liquid) inlet stream into equal and substantially balanced parts for distribution to an equal number of outlets horizontally oriented and connected to the flow splitter. Because of the design of the flow splitter, no control instrumentation or retention time is required during a split. Openings in each face of the flow splitter help to equalize pressure in the split and allow liquid to fill an end chamber that supports impact forces on a wedge-shaped spreader oriented with its leading edge toward an inlet stream.
US07942159B2 Foldable tent frame
The present invention provides a foldable tent frame comprising a certain number of braces and connection sets connecting the adjacent braces, the connection set includes two connection pieces hinged together in dull connection, wherein one connection piece has a cut-away groove along the axial at the open end to form a pair of opposite groove sides, and a through cutting groove formed at the front side crossing the two sides of the cut-away groove; a second connection piece extends a tongue at the front end for plugging into the cut-away groove, and a slotted-eye is formed on the middle portion of the tongue, and coordinating to the cut-away groove, said tongue has a rim formed at the root, and a cam is ex-tended from the surface of the rim coordinating to the cutting groove.
US07942149B2 Forehead support for a facial mask
A forehead support for a respiratory mask. The forehead support includes a pair of arms. The arms are each adapted to locate a forehead cushion. The arms are also adapted to pivot relative to each other. The arms are also selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other. The forehead support can thus be adjusted to suit the facial topography of the wearer of the respiratory mask.
US07942142B2 Battery powered concrete saw
A concrete saw (10) has an electric motor (24) energized by a battery pack (34) to drive a pair of saw arbors (42) and a battery powered transmission (30) drives rear wheels (16) that provide self propulsion of the saw in cooperation with front wheels (20). A power operated actuator (54) raises and lowers the front wheels (20) to provide upward and downward movement of the saw frame (14) about its rear wheels (16). The battery pack (34) may be lead acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries or lithium batteries, and the electric motor (24) has 5 to 15 horsepower, preferably about 10 horsepower, to provide cutting of most conventional concrete jobs.
US07942141B1 Magnetic arrow quiver for carrying arrows
An arrow quiver for carrying arrows is provided. Each arrow has a blade end, a feather end, and an elongated shaft between the blade end and the feather end with the blade end having a tip and blade edges. The arrow quiver comprises a cross member having a first end and a second end. A gripping mechanism is secured to the first end of the cross member with the gripping mechanism substantially surrounding and releasably gripping the elongated shaft only between the blade end and the feather end. A blade hood is secured to the second end of the cross member for forming a blade receiving pocket with the blade hood having a base, a cover and the cover movable from the base, and the blade receiving pocket being open on at least one side. A magnetic plate is positioned within the blade hood and mounted to the base with at least a portion of the blade edges being held by the magnetic plate.
US07942140B2 Microbubble generator for a fuel tank
A microbubble generator includes a fuel pump for pumping fuel with an introduction pipe for guiding the liquid toward the inlet of the fuel pump. An air pipe includes one end joined with the introduction pipe from the side, and the other end opened as an air inlet. A bubble generating orifice is disposed in an output side pipe of the fuel pump. The air pipe is formed of an intake air pipe and a joint side air pipe. An air amount adjustment orifice is disposed at a joint portion between the joint side air pipe and the introduction pipe. The bubble generating orifice has a taper portion with the diameter reduced from the input side to the output side.
US07942136B2 Fuel-heating assembly and method for the pre-heating of fuel an internal combustion engine
A heating assembly that allows an adequate pre-heating of a fuel used in an internal combustion engine is disclosed.
US07942135B1 Vapor pressure enhancer and method
The present invention relates to a device that installs in-line in the fuel supply line of a gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas powered vehicle. The device consists of a hollow cylinder that contains a tightly packed copper wire core. The copper wire serves as a catalyst to crack the fuel's carbon chain molecules as the fuel flows through the device. The resulting fuel contains more and shorter fuel molecules, has a higher vapor pressure and burns more efficiently in the vehicle's engine.
US07942132B2 In-line noise filtering device for fuel system
A fuel injection system includes a fuel supply rail, a fuel injector configured to control the delivery of fuel from the fuel supply rail, and a noise filtering device engaging an upstream end of the fuel injector and/or positioned at least partially within the fuel injector. The noise filtering device defines a fuel passage configured to direct fuel from the fuel supply rail into the fuel injector. The noise filtering device can include one or more of several features including a pocket, a wrap-around shape to conform to the inlet end of the fuel injector, a face-sealing portion, a compression section, and a plurality of parallel restriction passages.
US07942129B2 Method of controlling a spark-ignition supercharged internal-combustion engine, notably of gasoline type
The present invention relates to a method of controlling a spark-ignition supercharged internal-combustion engine, notably of gasoline type, comprising at least one cylinder (12) with a combustion chamber (14), at least two intake means (24, 26), at least one fuel injection means (40, 42), at least one exhaust means (28, 30) and an ignition means (52).According to the invention, the method consists in preparing a fuel mixture with a fuel/air ratio greater than or equal to 1, another fuel mixture is prepared with a fuel/air ratio below 1, the two fuel mixtures are fed into the combustion chamber so as to obtain a part (C1) of this chamber containing a fuel mixture with the fuel/air ratio greater than or equal to 1 and the remaining part (C2) of the chamber containing the fuel mixture with the fuel/air ratio below 1.
US07942128B2 Warm up strategy for ethanol direct injection plus gasoline port fuel injection
A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine; a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder; a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by only one of said first and second injectors during said start and/or warm-up.
US07942122B2 Engine head cover assembly having an integrated oil separator and a removable cover
A head cover assembly for covering a crankcase of an internal combustion engine includes a head cover, a removable cover, a guide, and an integral oil separator. The oil separator includes a labyrinth that defines a flow path that separates oil from crankcase gases passing therethrough. The guide includes a tubular body presenting a passage for which manifold vacuum may draw crankcase gas from the oil separator. The cover includes an aperture. The tubular body is disposed through the aperture such that the outer tube surface is spaced apart from the inner edge of the aperture to define a gap in which separated oil may drain back into the engine for recycling.
US07942119B2 Variable valve mechanism
The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism that varies amounts of opening and closing of a valve includes a rotating cam, a rocker arm, two lash adjusters, a hydraulic passage, and a switching mechanism. The rocker arm includes an input member and an output member. The two lash adjusters support the rocker arm so that the rocker arm can rock. The hydraulic passage includes an internal oil passage that is provided in an interior of at least one of the lash adjusters, and an arm oil passage that is provided in an interior of the rocker arm and that is connected from the internal oil passage. The switching mechanism uses a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic passage to perform a switching between a linked state and a released state, and the switching varies the amounts of the opening and the closing of the valve.
US07942118B2 Oil system for active fuel management on four valve engines
An oil system for selectively deactivating valves for specified cylinders of an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head having a lash adjuster oil passage and a cylinder deactivation oil passage. Plugs are coupled to the cylinder head separating the cylinder deactivation oil passage into separate portions. A clearance between a portion of each plug and the head allows a controlled flow of oil to pass from the lash adjuster oil passage to the cylinder deactivation oil passage to purge air from the cylinder deactivation oil passage. A valve is operable to selectively supply pressurized oil to the cylinder deactivation oil passage to deactivate the specified cylinders.
US07942117B2 Engine
An engine includes two or more serially connected air compressors coupled via a crankshaft to an expander piston and cylinder combination. An intercooler device is placed between the air compressors. Compressed air from the compressors flows through a heat exchanger where it is heated by the expander exhaust gas prior to its introduction into the expander cylinder by way of an inlet valve. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air near the inlet valve in an amount suitable to allow for combustion. An auxiliary compressor allows for the selective introduction of additional compressed air into the heat exchanger
US07942116B2 Double action piston assembly
The double action piston assembly is for an internal combustion engine and has a combustion chamber that has a double action piston connected to one end of a central power rod disposed within the combustion chamber. A first intake air port and a first exhaust port are located in the up side of the combustion chamber. A compression chamber is connected to the combustion chamber. A central power rod passes through the combustion chamber into the compression chamber and out the compression chamber. A fuel mixture is fed into the combustion chamber and ignition means adjacent to combustion chamber to ignite the fuel mixture. At the end of each stroke, the compression exhaust valves are opened and the intake ports and the exhaust ports are open to permit air from the compression chamber to pass through the conduits into the combustion chamber for full scavenging of the combustion chamber.
US07942111B2 Method and device for vacuum-coating a substrate
A method is proposed for vacuum-coating a substrate using a plasma-CVD method. In order to control ion bombardment during the vacuum coating, a substrate voltage, produced independently from a coating plasma, is applied to the substrate. The substrate voltage is modified during the coating. The substrate voltage is a direct voltage that is pulsed in bipolar fashion with a frequency of 0.1 kHz to 10 MHz. A wear-resistant and friction-reducing multilayer structure of alternating hard material individual layers and carbon or silicon individual layers is proposed.
US07942108B2 Noisemaker pennant
The noisemaker pennant is a combination pennant or flag and a noisemaker device that enables the sports fan to simultaneously express his or her emotions at an event both visually and audibly. Waving the present noisemaker pennant serves to display the pennant or flag thereon, while simultaneously activating the noisemaker device attached thereto. The noisemaker pennant may have various types of pennants, flags, banners, etc. formed of relatively thin, flexible material, with a sports team logo, player's name, political symbol, etc., displayed thereon. The noisemaker portion may be any of various devices, including, but not limited to, clappers, ratcheting devices, bells, whistles, etc. The noisemaker portion and/or the pennant may be removably secured to the staff, to allow the user to interchangeably install different noisemakers with the pennant or flag. A handgrip is provided on the staff opposite the noisemaker end thereof.
US07942104B2 3-dimensional embroidery structures via tension shaping
An embroidery process allowing for a three-dimensional shape to be embroidered in two dimensions, allowing for the cost effective and repeatable manufacturing required for use in surgically implanted medical devices.
US07942103B2 Cloth pressing device of sewing machine
A cloth pressing device of a sewing machine is provided. The cloth pressing device includes a presser bar, a presser foot rotatably coupled to a lower end portion of the presser bar, an elastic member having a base end portion which is supported by the presser bar and a tip end portion which is engageable with a tip side portion of the presser foot to downwardly bias the tip side portion of the presser foot, and an adjusting mechanism operable to move the tip end portion of the elastic member between a position at which the tip end portion of the elastic member engages with the tip side portion of the presser foot and another position at which the tip end portion of the elastic member does not engage with the tip side portion of the presser foot.
US07942098B2 Loading tube for shaped charges
A loading tube for use in a perforating gun is disclosed which eliminates the necessity for utilization of plastic jackets to restrain shaped charges. The loading tube comprises a first tubular member and an engagement structure in the first tubular member in which the primer ends of the shaped charges may be installed. These engagement structures may be a center plate or inner tubular members. In each of the disclosed embodiments, a detonating cord connects the primer ends of the shaped charges which are installed in the loading tube.
US07942095B2 Bag dispenser for providing bags at a workstation and method
A bag dispenser feeds a bag assembly for supplying bags to a work station for manual removal from the bag assembly as needed. Each bag is printed with information such as packing date or packing location prior to reaching the work station.
US07942090B1 Enhanced operating life blank fire attachment for gas-operated weapons
An blank firing attachment, with enhanced operating life, for use with gas-operated weapons; wherein, a tungsten carbide stem extending from the attachment is inserted into the bore of the weapon's barrel, the stem having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the bore, to provide backpressure within the barrel to properly cycle the weapon.
US07942085B2 Double-fulcrum torque wrench
A double-fulcrum torque wrench including a tubular body, a head section for fitting with a socket or a screwing member and a flexible mechanism including a flexible section. The flexible mechanism is connected with a rear end of the head section and disposed in the tubular body. The head section protrudes from a front end of the tubular body. When a wrenching force is applied to the wrench, the flexible section of the flexible mechanism is flexible. The head section and the flexible mechanism are connected with the tubular body via two fulcrums and the flexible section is positioned between the two fulcrums. By means of the double-fulcrum design, the action force at the force application end of the wrench is equal to the action force at the resistance end. In addition, the flexure of the wrench and the actual wrenching torque applied to the wrench can be more accurately and sensitively measured.
US07942079B2 Multi-speed gearbox for low spool driven auxiliary component
A turbine engine power generation system includes a gearbox that receives rotational drive from a low spool through an input gear, in one example. The gearbox includes first and second clutches that are coupled to an input shaft of an auxiliary component, such as a generator. First and second output gears are driven at different rotational speeds by the input gear and respectively associated with the first and second clutches. An actuator selectively engages at least one of the first and second clutches to select between first and second rotational speeds in response to a command from a controller.
US07942067B2 Method for measuring flow rate from electromagnetic pump
A method achieving a small spatial restriction and capable of simply measuring with high precision a flow rate of a conductive fluid of an electromagnetic pump is provided. In particular, the method is suitable in measuring a flow amount of each electromagnetic pump in an electromagnetic pump unit where a plurality of electromagnetic pumps are arranged in parallel in one pump vessel. The method includes: measuring, by a magnetic sensor such as a magnetic flux density measuring coil 6, arranged in the vicinity of a outlet end 2 of an electromagnetic pump 1, a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field 4 that is generated in the electromagnetic pump 1 and pushed out from the outlet end 2 of the electromagnetic pump 1 due to a flow of a conductive fluid 5; and measuring a flow amount of the electromagnetic pump 1 from a previously calculated relationship between the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field 4 pushed out from the outlet end 2 of the electromagnetic pump 1 and a flow amount of the conductive fluid 5.
US07942063B2 Processing apparatus
A processing apparatus is provided. The processing apparatus includes a processing portion, an actuator, a casing, a preload mechanism, a force sensor, and a detection unit. The processing portion includes a cutting edge. The actuator is configured to cause the processing portion to vibrate microscopically. The casing is configured to accommodate the actuator. The preload mechanism is disposed inside the casing and configured to impart a preload to the actuator. The force sensor is disposed between the cutting edge and the preload mechanism. The detection unit detects a cutting force of the processing portion based on an output of the force sensor.
US07942061B2 Pressure differential metering device
The pressure differential metering device of the present invention is generally deployed as a flow restrictor placed in the valve inlet so it will create a desired differential pressure to signal a pilot valve, for example, that drives the main valve to limit the flow rate through the valve. The pressure differential metering device of the present invention is deployed across the valve inlet port, with its central axis perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. The flow restriction element of the present invention may be configured in a variety of sizes to create a desired restrictive cross section to the flow, thereby creating the required differential pressure signals for the valve instrumentation and control. The flow restriction element is configured with upstream and downstream apertures that are the openings to passageways to the corresponding upstream and downstream end-ports. The end-ports provide connection arrangements for the control system of the main valve instrumentation.
US07942057B2 Method and a system for monitoring structural changes of a fiber web
A method for monitoring the structural state of a fiber web (1) that is being processed by a fiber web processing machine comprising a fiber web processing station (2) is described. The method comprises the steps of arranging a generator (5) and a detector (6) of a generator-detector unit (4) on opposite sides of the traveling fiber web (1) downstream of the fiber web processing station; bringing the generator to emit an ultrasonic wave; bringing the detector to receive the ultrasonic wave; sending a signal representing the received ultrasonic wave to a control unit (10); and, in the control unit, analyzing the signal and extracting a value from the signal representing a measure of the received ultrasonic wave. A system for monitoring the structural state of a fiber web is also described.
US07942056B2 Self-exciting, self-sensing piezoelectric cantilever sensor
A piezoelectric cantilever sensor includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer, a portion of which is attached to the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, one end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the end of piezoelectric layer to provide an overhang. The overhang piezoelectric cantilever sensor enables increased sensitivity allowing application of the device in more viscous environments, such as liquid media, as well as application in liquid media at higher flow rates than conventional piezoelectric cantilevers. In another embodiment, the sensor includes first and second bases and at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is affixed to each of the first and second bases to form the piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor is robust and exhibits excellent sensing characteristics in both gaseous and liquid media, even when subjected to relatively high flow rates.
US07942053B2 Air flow measuring instrument having dust particle diverting structure
An air flow measuring instrument, comprising: an auxiliary passage 8 arranged inside a main passage through which fluid flows, a tabular member 5 on which a pattern of a heating resistor for measuring an air flow is provided on one face 5a, the tabular member being disposed inside the auxiliary passage so that the one face 5a on which the heating resistor pattern of the tabular member is provided is disposed along a flow of fluid inside the auxiliary passage 8, a heating resistor pattern-side fluid passage 8a portion formed so that the fluid flows between the face 5a and a passage-forming surface 8d of the auxiliary passage, and a back-surface 8b side fluid passage portion formed so that fluid flows between a face 5b on a side opposite to the face of the tabular member and the passage-forming surface of the auxiliary passage. Guidance portion 13 guiding dust that collides against the end portion to back-surface side fluid passage portion 8b side is provided on upstream-side end of tabular member.
US07942052B2 Flow rate measuring apparatus including a recess for changing air flow direction
An inflow port and an outflow port of a bypass passage have openings on a front surface near a projecting end and on a bottom surface, respectively, of a bypass passage forming member. A recess portion is disposed on the front surface of the bypass passage forming member on a circuit housing portion side of the inflow port so as to extend at a predetermined depth over an entire region in a longitudinal direction of a short side of a rectangular cross section of the bypass passage forming member.
US07942046B2 Testing strut assembly
A method of testing a steerable wheel assembly incorporating a shock absorber strut, comprising providing a combined linear and rotary actuator, engaging a lower end of the assembly with the actuator so that the line of linear action of the actuator is aligned with the line of compression of the strut, operating the actuator to compress the strut, and operating the actuator in a rotary sense to apply a steering torque to the assembly. A linear actuator is engageable with the assembly via a load coupling to load the strut. The load coupling comprising a first part on the actuator adapted to engage a second part on the assembly, the two parts being adapted to provide a self-aligning action as the actuator engages the assembly. Preferably, one of the two parts comprises a tapered recess formation, and the other two parts comprises a tapered projecting formation engageable in the tapered recess formation. The actuator is preferably controlled by feedback control loops, one incorporating a load sensor, another a torque sensor, which may be combined in a sensor cell located between the actuator and the load coupling.
US07942045B1 Engine pulley testing device
An engine pulley testing device comprising a first support arm pivotally connected to a second support arm; an arc-shaped brace component with a slot disposed therein, wherein the brace component is slidably attached to the back of the first support arm and the back of the second support arm, wherein the brace component can be locked to the first support arm and to the second support arm via a third locking means; a third support arm attached to the support brace and extending upwardly past the pivot component; a pulley pole perpendicularly attached to the third support arm; and a top pulley attached to the pulley pole, a first bottom pulley rotatably attached to the first support arm, and a second bottom pulley rotatably attached to the second support arm; wherein an engine belt can be wrapped around the pulleys and the test pulley being tested in the engine.
US07942041B2 Engine control device
In an engine control device, when a missing-tooth location K formed on a rotor of a crank shaft sensor fixed to a crank shaft of an engine is detected at timing t1 under the condition T3 ≧2.4×pulse interval T4, it is checked whether or not the detection result is correct based on pulse intervals T0 to T5. When the detection result is correct, the difference (an adjusting counter value) between a counter-value of a crank counter at the missing-tooth location K detection timing and a correct value at the detection timing of the missing-tooth location K is calculated. The device calculates an adjusted counter-value based on an adjusting counter-value, the current counter-value of the crank counter, and a value (+1) set in advance based on the rewriting timing. The crank counter is replaced with the adjusted counter-value at a first rising-edge of the crank signal.
US07942037B2 Method for detecting residues on a component
The present invention relates to a method for detecting residues on a component and particularly on the surface of the component. In order to also allow the testing of surfaces which are difficult to access, without the apparatus outlay growing, the method according to the present invention comprises the following steps: producing a base solution and a reference solution from water, producing a washing solution by adding fresh solvent to the base solution, filling the component to be tested with the washing solution, wetting the entire inner surface of the component with the washing solution, draining the washing solution out of the component, producing a test solution by adding the washing solution to the base solution, comparing the test solution to the reference solution, and testing whether a turbidity occurs in the mixing zone between the washing solution and the base solution, as proof for lubricant on the surface of the component.
US07942033B2 Systems for the detection of trace vapors and particles in air
A detector for the detection for trace vapors and particles in the air that includes a housing; a well formed in the housing; a heated filter positioned across the well; a source delivering sampled air substantially perpendicular to the open end of the well on a first side of the filter; a source to supply dry air across the first side of the filter; a detector line in communication with the at least one well on a second side of the filter; and a second dry air source for supplying air to the second side of the filter at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. An automatic inspection station that includes a vibrator for vibrating articles to be inspected. An automatic inspection station that includes a heating element positioned below an upper surface of the floor and an inlet positioned above the floor.
US07942025B1 Combined washer dryer
A combined washer dryer is provided. The combined washer dryer comprises an outer drum; a variable size inner drum that moves from a first position to a second position effective to increase the inner drum size; a water handling system; and an air handling system.
US07942021B2 Cam assembly part and knitting machine
A needle cam assembly is provided in a circular knitting machine or a flat-bed knitting machine, said needle cam assembly allowing an adjustment of at least one cam assembly part with respect to at least one other cam assembly part. As a result of this, the timing of the closing and opening of the inside space of the hook of the slider needle can be adjusted relative to the timing of the retraction of the slider needle and can be set as needed. This measure may be utilized to increase the knitting quality and operational safety of a knitting machine that has been loaded with slider needles.
US07942014B2 Reduced energy refrigerator defrost method and apparatus
A method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system, the system including at least one refrigeration compartment and a controller operatively coupled to a compressor, an evaporator, an evaporator fan and a condenser fan, wherein the method includes initiating a defrost cycle, operating the sealed system to prechill the refrigeration compartment, and selectively operating the evaporator fan and the condenser fan to raise a temperature of the evaporator.
US07942008B2 Method and system for reducing power plant emissions
A method for operating a power plant to facilitate reducing emissions, wherein the power plant includes a gas turbine engine assembly and a carbon dioxide (CO2) separator. The method includes increasing an operating pressure of exhaust gas discharged from the gas turbine engine assembly, separating substantially all the CO2 entrained within the gas turbine engine utilizing the CO2 separator to produce a CO2 lean airstream, reducing the operating temperature of the CO2 lean airstream, and utilizing the cooled CO2 lean airstream to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of air entering the gas turbine engine assembly.
US07942007B2 Heat shield element for lining a combustion chamber wall, combustion chamber and gas turbine
The invention relates to a heat shield element for lining a combustion chamber wall, to a combustion chamber and to a gas turbine. The heat shield element comprises a hot side that can be exposed to a hot medium, a wall side opposite said hot side, and a peripheral side adjoining the hot side and the wall side and having a peripheral side surface. Relief slots are introduced into the material in an area of the heat shield element that is susceptible to material cracks induced by thermal stress, thereby limiting crack propagation.
US07942001B2 Cascaded organic rankine cycles for waste heat utilization
A pair of organic Rankine cycle systems (20, 25) are combined and their respective organic working fluids are chosen such that the organic working fluid of the first organic Rankine cycle is condensed at a condensation temperature that is well above the boiling point of the organic working fluid of the second organic Rankine style system, and a single common heat exchanger (23) is used for both the condenser of the first organic Rankine cycle system and the evaporator of the second organic Rankine cycle system. A preferred organic working fluid of the first system is toluene and that of the second organic working fluid is R245fa.
US07941997B2 Compact-folded article and pouch
A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) which is contiguous with and interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet layer (26), and a backsheet layer (28) which is operatively connected to the topsheet layer (26). The article has been folded about a first, supplemental-fold-region (64) and a second, supplemental-fold-region (66) to provide a preliminary-folded article (82). The preliminary-folded article has been operatively enclosed in a wrap member (98), and the preliminary-folded article and wrap member have been folded along a composite-fold-region (96a) to provide a composite-folded, wrapped-article (114). The wrap member has included a wrap retainer mechanism (112) which has been configured to operatively hold the composite-folded, article and wrap member in their composite-folded condition.
US07941993B2 Engine cooling
Cavities 4 are defined within an engine nacelle 1 with an inner surface 2 and an outer surface 3. Within these cavities 4, an evaporatable liquid 5 is arranged such that a proportion of the liquid 5 is in a gaseous phase in order to facilitate heat transfer between the inner surface 2 or the outer surface 3 and a hot surface. The liquid condenses upon the inner surface 2 or the outer surface 3 and collects into a pool for subsequent further evaporation by the hot surface of an insulated gate bi-polar transistor or convertor/generator components in order to facilitate further cooling of electric components housed or arranged in the nacelle 1 or nearby.
US07941991B2 Split crimper for heat sealing packaging material
A split crimper for use in a crimping assembly for engaging and heat sealing overlapping layers of a packaging material includes a first crimper portion having a crimping surface and a second crimper portion that is secured to the first crimper portion to form a crimper. Portions of the first and second crimper portions cooperate to define an interior cavity, and a heating element is disposed completely within the interior cavity.
US07941980B2 Window drain
A window drain for preventing stains on a building wall and damage caused by (frozen) rain water, which is installable and sealable easily without impairing the appearance of a building. The present invention relates to a window drain adaptable to be positioned beneath a sill of a sash window frame having a vertical portion, a sloping portion, a front portion, and a horizontal portion for latching to an upper portion of an external wall. Further, the present invention relates to a window drain, wherein the horizontal portion has notches at both ends thereof. Further, the present invention relates to a window drain, further having upstanding portions at both ends of the window drain to regulate a stream of water so that the water is kept between the upstanding portions.
US07941979B2 Thermal processing cabinet with monolithic floor
Smokehouses (20) or other similar thermal processing cabinets or houses are provided with improved floor assemblies (22) which eliminate fluid collection and provide a high degree of structural integrity. The smokehouses (20) include upright walls (24, 26) supported on the floor assemblies (22). Each floor assembly (22) has one or more weldment frame assemblies (38) including a peripheral frame assembly (46) with opposed wall receiving channel segments (52) and frame elements (54). Drainage structure such as one or more tubular drain units (44) are also preferably secured to the weldment frame assemblies (38) and are positioned to effect proper liquid drainage. Tread plates (42) are secured to the weldment frame assemblies (38). In order to construct a floor assembly (22), an appropriately sized recess (66) is formed and the weldment frame assemblies (38) and drain units (44) are installed. A monolithic pour of concrete (40) is then placed within the weldment frame assemblies (38) and allowed to cure. The tread plates (42) are then installed to complete the construction.
US07941977B2 Unitary configured bird repellent apparatus
A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.
US07941976B2 Construction block
A construction block is provided that includes at least one base member that includes a plurality of lower side wall receptacles. The construction block further includes a plurality of side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies includes a plurality of interconnected panels. Each of the panels is hingedly connected to each adjacent one of the panels of the respective one of the side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom. At least some of the panels of each of the side wall assemblies are angled relative to one another. Each of the lower side wall receptacles receives one of the side wall assemblies.
US07941973B2 Synchronized actuation system for sliding doors
A synchronized actuation system for sliding doors, of the type of those formed, in which the pulling grip (1) and the free grip (2) have flanges (12) and the belt (4) and free (2) and pulling (1) grips are joined by a connecting shoe (3). With this configuration it is possible to carry out assembly and maintenance operations vertically and therefore in situ.
US07941971B2 Irrigation system
Disclosed is an irrigation device for use with a drip irrigation conduit for providing water to individual plants planted in rows. The irrigation device includes a water distribution element configured with at least one support configuration for supporting the drip irrigation conduit, and a plurality of water direction elements. Water emitted by the drip irrigation conduit is collected by said water distribution element and each of said plurality of water direction elements directs said water to a different delivery point that corresponds to the location of a plant. The water distribution element of the present invention is provided in at least three variations. In a first variation, the water distribution element of the present invention is deployed between the crop rows and is configured with at least one water flow trough and a plurality of spaced apart output channels extending from the water flow troughs at predefined intervals (matching the intervals between plants) used to direct water coming from the water flow trough to the individual plants. In a second variation, the water distribution element of the present invention is deployed over the crop row and is configured with a separate opening for each crop plant to which the water is directed. A third variation, of the water distribution element of the present invention is deployed substantially as a groundcover having a plurality of openings to provided growing space for the individual crop plants.
US07941969B2 Methods of seed breeding using high throughput nondestructive seed sampling
The present invention provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. A method for analyzing a population of haploid seeds generally includes providing a population of seeds comprising haploid seeds, removing tissue samples from a plurality of the seeds in the population using an automated seed sampler system while preserving the germination viability of the sampled seeds, and analyzing the tissue samples for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics indicative of at least one genetic or chemical trait.
US07941967B2 Method of producing ornamental tree using vine plants
A method provides the steps of: bending a first length of hot rolled steel bar to define a trunk member of a tree frame; bending and welding second cut lengths of hot rolled steel bar onto a bottom end of the trunk member to define feet members; placing a planting pot on top of the feet members with the trunk member extending up through and above the pot; bending and welding third cut lengths of hot rolled steel bar to the trunk member at spaced intervals above the pot to define branch arms; planting flowering vine plants in the pot and braiding the vines up the trunk member and out onto the branch arms; trimming the vines on the trunk member to remove foliage; and allowing foliage of the flowering vine plants to grow on the branch arms to create the appearance of a giant Bonzai tree.
US07941965B2 Tackle container with removable inserts having coaxially notched posts
The invention is a tackle container that incorporates interchangeable and removable inserts. The inserts secure different kinds of fishing lures and baits. For example, the inserts hold segmented lures within notched upright posts. In this regard, the inserts may be suitably structured to hold spinner bait lures, buzz bait lures, or other fishing lures with segmented bodies. Moreover, the inserts are interchangeable to facilitate a wider variety of uses for the tackle container.
US07941964B2 Multiple use fishing assembly
The present invention is a multiple use fishing assembly. This assembly includes a fishing rod holding unit capable of holding at least one fishing rod. This fishing rod holding unit is designed and configured to have various components removably secured thereto. One component is a removable outrigger assembly. When attached the fishing assembly of the present invention will be a combined fishing rod holding unit and outrigger. If the outrigger is not desired, then the user can remove the outrigger and optionally can removably secure an additional fishing rod holding apparatus. Such a configuration enables the user to select his desired fishing option. Consequently providing an apparatus that can successfully be used for trolling, kite, drift and bottom fishing.
US07941960B2 Rail clamp mount
A rail clamp mount that may be quickly and easily firmly secured to a rail, such as a rail carried by a gun, and that may be quickly and easily released from the rail. A preferred embodiment comprises a mount base including a first rail-engaging surface; a generally U-shaped, somewhat elastic clamping member carried by the mount base and including two second rail-engaging surfaces at the ends of the legs of the U, and a third second rail-engaging surface at the end of the center section of the clamping member between the legs of the U, the second rail-engaging surfaces being opposed to and transversely spaced from the first rail-engaging surface; a cam mechanism mounting the clamping member to the mount base for imparting transverse movement to the clamping member when actuated; and an actuator for the cam mechanism including a throw handle.
US07941957B2 Compact foldable handgun
A handgun comprised of a frame having a barrel with a muzzle end and a breech end. A slide is movable on the frame between one of a closed position and a blow-back position. A handgrip is pivotally mounted to the frame about an axis, wherein the handgrip is movable between a firing position and a storage position. A trigger guard is attached to the frame. The trigger guard is movable between a firing position and a storage position, wherein the trigger guard is collapsible relative to the frame.
US07941955B2 Pivoting, non-detachable magazine
An improved firearm including a non-detachable, pivoting magazine is disclosed. The magazine is pivotally attached at its rear end to a sliding arm. The sliding arm is slidably retained within the magazine well of the firearm. The sliding arm is configured to move upwardly and downwardly within the track to allow the magazine to be raised into and lowered out of the magazine well. When the magazine is lowered out of the magazine well, the magazine can be pivoted about its pivotal connection with the sliding arm such that a front end portion of the magazine pivots downwardly and rearwardly to allow ammunition cartridges to be loaded into and unloaded from the magazine.
US07941953B2 Separable composite labeling articles in sheet or roll form
The disclosure relates to a linear series (110) of connected unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling articles (10), each of which comprises a labeling tag (12) flatly cojoined along a unifying flat bond zone (14) with a flexible elastic layer (16) that extends away from the tag (12) and includes an elastic fastening loop (20). Adjacent labeling articles (10) of the series (110) are ruptureably connected in a manner permitting the series (110) to be handled as a unit while at the same time permitting ruptureable separation of individual merchandise labeling articles (10) from the series (110). In one embodiment, the linear series (110) is wound into roll form (210).
US07941950B2 Foldable, in-store advertising cover for security system
An in-store advertising cover for installation onto and covering an upright security fixture includes a pair of front and rear, arcuate panels joined together along side, linear edges to form a lens-shaped cross section when the fixture is covered. A crease extends transversely across the arcuate panels between the side edges. The arcuate panels are foldable about the crease when the fixture is not covered, for example, during shipping, and are unfolded during installation. A lower half of the cover is initially installed on the fixture, followed by an upper half. Advertising material is applied on one or both arcuate panels. The advertising material is visible when viewed off to one side of the respective unfolded arcuate panels.
US07941949B2 Multi-flag label
A multi-flag label label-links a primary container to at least one secondary container. The multi-flag label comprises multiple layers and multiple regions intermediate its length. A back cut separates a first layer into unequal segment lengths. A transparent second layer is removably and adhesively attached to the first layer and is dimensioned such that the first layer frames the second layer with a peripheral boundary. A third layer is permanently bonded to the second layer and terminates adjacent the back cut, thereby exposing the back cut via the second layer. The third and second layers adjacent the back cut provide a parent label region; the remainder of the second and third layers provide a child label region, which region may be die cut into patterns for effecting child label(s). The parent and child labels may comprise information for cross-linking a source container to at least one secondary dose container.
US07941947B2 Snow pusher
A snow pusher attachment for use in conjunction with a straight blade angle-type snow plow mounted to a work vehicle. This pusher allows a work vehicle to capture, contain, and relocate large amounts of snow very quickly and efficiently. The attachment consists of side panels, connected by horizontal members between. This pusher attachment is secured to the snow plow by bracket assemblies, attached to the upper edge of the snow plow that engage hooks on the upper, rear portion of the pusher attachment. The attachment does not require the operator to exit the work vehicle to secure or release it from the snowplow. Accordingly, the attachment allows the quick and repeated conversion of a snow plow into a snow pusher box and visa versa.
US07941945B2 Article of footwear with heel traction elements
An article of footwear with heel traction elements is disclosed. The heel traction elements enhance traction and stability when backpedaling or moving laterally. The heel traction elements may be disposed on a heel wrap. The heel traction elements may be disposed so they are in line with each other.
US07941941B2 Article of footwear incorporating foam-filled elements and methods for manufacturing the foam-filled elements
An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a plurality of support elements, and each of the support elements include a shell and a core. The shell defines an interior void and is formed from a polymer material that extends around substantially all of the void. The core has a shape of the void and is located within the void, with at least a portion of the core being a polymer foam material. The polymer foam material of at least two of the support elements may have different densities.
US07941929B2 Cordless circular saw
A circular saw including a motor housing having a first end portion and a second end portion, a motor assembly disposed within the housing, a rotary blade assembly having a predetermined weight mounted to the first end portion of the motor housing, and a battery pack having a predetermined weight disposed on the second end portion of the motor housing. The battery pack and the rotary blade assembly are configured and arranged to be in longitudinal alignment with one another, and the longitudinal alignment of the battery pack with the rotary blade assembly promotes counterbalancing between the predetermined weight of the rotary blade assembly and the predetermined weight of the motor housing.
US07941923B2 Drilled and integrated secondary fuel nozzle and manufacturing method
A secondary fuel nozzle is formed by brazing and welding a central core, a cylindrical body, and a unitary secondary fuel nozzle portion. The central core has a central bore for receiving a liquid fuel cartridge, and at least two passages concentric with the central bore. The secondary fuel nozzle portion includes a base flange and a main shaft having a central bore for aligning with the central bore of the core and for receiving the liquid fuel cartridge, and a plurality of peripheral bores disposed at spaced locations about the central bore for flow communication with the concentric passages of the core. The core is brazed to the base flange and the cylindrical body is disposed around the core and welded to the base flange to define a one-piece secondary fuel nozzle assembly.
US07941922B2 Method of manufacturing a lightweight valve
A method for manufacturing a lightweight valve is provided. The lightweight valve includes a valve stem, a hollow valve cone and a valve disk closing the valve cone, the valve stem being provided with a hollow space at an end facing the valve disk, the valve disk also having a force transmission element extending through the hollow valve cone into the stem hollow space. The method includes producing a first one-piece component forming the valve disk with the force transmission element by casting, forming and/or a powder metallurgy method, producing a second component forming the valve stem and the valve cone and joining the first and second components together and connecting them by a material, non-positive and/or positive connection.
US07941921B2 Method for the production of a plate type heat exchanger and related heat exchanger
A method for the production of heat exchangers (10, 110, 210) of the so-called plate type, comprising the operative steps of: —juxtaposing a couple of substantially identical metal plates (12, 14), —fixing together said juxtaposed plates (12, 14) to one another by means of welding performed at respective perimetric sides (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d), —further fixing together said juxtaposed plates to each other by means of a plurality of welding tracts (22), arranged in at least two alignments, parallel and adjacent to a couple of opposite perimetric sides (13a, 13c) of the plates themselves (12, 14), and at a pre-established spaced relationship from said sides, —introducing a fluid under pressure between said juxtaposed metal plates (12, 14), to form a hollow, substantially box-shaped body (17), in which an internal chamber (16) and two substantially tubular passages (16a, 16b), formed between said couple of opposite perimetric sides (13a, 13c) and the respective adjacent alignments of the welding tracts (22), are defined, said substantially tubular passages (16a, 16b) having an axis parallel to said opposite perimetric sides (13a, 13c) and being in fluid communication with said internal chamber (16), —cutting said hollow body (17) along said substantially tubular passages (16a, 16c) and in the direction of their axis, thus obtaining a hollow body (17) equipped, on opposite sides, with substantially semi-tubular passages (16c, 16d), open towards the outside of the body (17) itself, —associating with said substantially semi-tubular passages (16c, 16d), respective distributor duct (18) and collector duct (20).
US07941920B2 Blade outer seal assembly and method
An outer seal assembly of a turbine rotor stage is secured within a circumferential groove of the turbine casing in such a manner as to both fix the outer seal assembly in its installed position and also provide for sealing around its outer periphery so as to thereby prevent the leakage of cooling air therearound. A plurality of arcuate elements having an angle-shaped cross sectional profile are provided to interface between radially extending arms of the outer seal assembly and the inner surface of the casing, with a locking mechanism then being applied to secure the two structures in their installed positions. Each of the arcuate elements includes a radially extending panel, a plurality of forwardly extending hooks that are disposed within a groove in the casing, and a second forwardly extending flange that engages the rear surface of the outer seal assembly arm. As the outer seal assembly arm is urged rearwardly during operation, the arcuate element is caused to rotate about a fulcrum in the circumferential groove such that a radially outer edge of the radially extending panel is urged against a casing inner surface so as to thereby enhance the sealing relationship therebetween.
US07941918B2 Method for electrically connecting a stinger into a network node
A spring-loaded device is installed into a node housing at a predetermined location. The predetermined location is selected to correspond to another predetermined location into which a stinger may be installed. These predetermined locations on the node housing are selected to further correspond to a predetermined internal location of an RF interface connector. A conducting pin of the RF interface extends through a dielectric between a nail head shaped end, which provides electrical connection with the stinger projection, and an end soldered to a PCB of the amplifier. The amplifier may be installed and the node housing closed before the stinger and spring-loaded device are installed into the housing. This facilitates installation of the stinger into the housing without having to open the housing and remove the amplifier. External threads on the spring-loaded device facilitate installation thereof, but a unique torque is not required therefor.
US07941917B2 Methods of assembling cable seals
A method of sealing a cable penetration includes assembling a cable seal and inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration. Assembling the cable seal includes adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of a cable outer jacket, and positioning a secondary elastic seal over the heat-shrinkable tubing. An example of a secondary elastic seal could be O-rings. A cap or other means provides the outer sealing surface.
US07941913B2 Component placement unit as well as a component placement device comprising such a component placement unit
A component placement unit for placing a component on a substrate, which component placement unit comprises at least one nozzle which is rotatable about a central axis, by means of which a component can be picked up and placed on the substrate. The component placement unit further comprises at least one sensor for determining the orientation of the component relative to the nozzle. At least one optical element is disposed between said sensor and said nozzle. A first focus plane of the optical element at least substantially coincides with the central axis of the nozzle, whilst a second focus plane substantially coincides with the sensor, wherein an image produced by means of the sensor is a contour image of the component.
US07941912B2 Clamp body for electrical connector clamps
In order to increase the clamping effect in an electrical screw connector used in industrial applications to fix or hold an electrical conductor, the support and contact surfaces for the electrical conductor are textured. According to the invention, the texturing of the support and contact surfaces for the electrical conductor is carried out by various production methods using embossing or stamping tools.
US07941911B2 Planarization methods for patterned media disks
A method is provided for forming a plurality of regions of magnetic material in a substrate having a first approximately planar surface. The method comprises the steps of fabricating projections in the first surface of the substrate, depositing onto the first surface a magnetic material in such a way that the tops of the projections are covered with magnetic material, and depositing filler material atop the substrate so produced. The filler material may then be planarized, for example by chemical-mechanical polishing. In an alternative embodiment magnetic material is deposited on a substrate and portions of it are removed, leaving islands of material. Filler material is then deposited, which may be planarized.
US07941910B2 Method for removing winding conductors from a twisting machine and placing them in a rotor stator stack
Method for removing winding conductors from a twisting machine and placing them in a rotor or stator stack. For a plurality of rectangular winding conductors each having a pair of legs separated by an amount equal to the distance between a predetermined number of rotor or stator slots in which they will be inserted, moving a plurality of fingers of a clamping assembly between the legs of a plurality of winding conductors in a twisting fixture to retain the winding conductors, moving the clamping assembly away from the twisting fixture to withdraw the winding conductors from the twisting fixture, providing relative movement of the clamping assembly and a rotor or stator to insert free ends of the winding conductors into a rotor or stator, and moving the fingers of a clamping assembly from between the legs of a plurality of winding conductors. A preferred embodiment of the method is disclosed.
US07941907B2 Method for manufacture of shaped tubular part
A method is provided for manufacturing a shaped tubular part from a first tube and second tube. The end of the first tube is inserted into the end of the second tube to provide a region of overlapping tube walls. An induction coil is placed around the outer surface of the first and second tubes at the region of overlapped tube walls. The induction coil is energized to make a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart magnetic pulse welds attaching the tubes together to thereby form a multi-tube one-piece composite tubular assembly. The tubular assembly is then subjected to a forming process such as hydroforming, tube bending or stretch bending to form the final shape of the tubular part.
US07941906B2 Progressive cavity apparatus with transducer and methods of forming and use
The present invention relates to a stator (100-1000) with a profiled helical bore (106,206,306,606,706,806,906,1006) having a cast material layer (102;202;302;602;702;802;902;1002) with transducers (104A-104D;304;604A-604D;710;804;904A-904C;1010) disposed therein and describes the methods of forming such stators. Cast material can be fluidic during displacing of a transducer therein. Cast material layer 202 can include housings (218,222) disposed therein and/or a cavity 226 formed therein. Transducer can be a sensor (104A-104C) and/or an actuator 104D. Transducer 804 can extend axially along a length of the stator 800. Transducer or plurality of transducers (904A-904C) can extend along a helical path. Additionally or alternatively, sleeve 1008 can include a transducer 1010.
US07941903B2 Carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle, production method and production device therefor, and carbon fiber and production method therefor
There are provided a carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle which permits easy bundling of a plurality of small tows into one bundle, is provided with a dividing capability to divide into the original small tows spontaneously at the time of firing, and is suitable for obtaining a carbon fiber that is excellent in productivity and quality, and a production method and a production apparatus of the carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle, and an excellent carbon fiber and a production method thereof. A production apparatus of a carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle, comprising an intermingling device that comprises a yarn channel having a flat rectangular section through which a plurality of small tows can pass in a manner adjacent to each other and a plurality of air jet holes disposed with predetermined intervals along the long side direction of the flat rectangle and having the openings thereof in the yarn channel.
US07941901B2 Apparatus for the fibre-sorting or fibre-selection of a fibre bundle comprising textile fibres, especially for combing
In an apparatus for fiber-sorting or fiber-selection of a fiber bundle comprising textile fibers, especially for combing, the fiber bundle is supplied to a fiber-sorting device, clamping devices are provided, which clamp the fiber bundle at a distance from its free end, and mechanical device is present, which generates a combing action from the clamping site to the free end of the fiber bundle. To increase productivity in a simple manner and obtain an improved combed sliver downstream of the supply device there are at least two rotatably mounted rollers rotating rapidly without interruption, the combing device are associated with a said roller, and an arrangement for optimum feed and/or positioning of the fiber material to be combed is associated with the combing device.
US07941898B2 Window rotating handle
A window operator handle securable to a casement window operating drive shaft is described. The handle is movable between an operating position to a folded position The handle has a body housing that has a cavity which includes an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism has an assembly body secured to the housing, a pivotal member positioned in a first section of the assembly body and a sliding member positioned in at least a second portion of the assembly body. The pivotal member is adapted to pivot from a first position to a second position as the handle is moved from a first position to a second position. The pivotal member is held in one position and the other position by the sliding member. The sliding member is retained in contact with the pivotal member by a spring means in said assembly body.
US07941892B2 Windshield wiping device for a motor vehicle
Windshield wiper device for a motor vehicle with at least one molded tube (10) to accommodate a drive shaft to drive at least one wiper arm, wherein the at least one molded tube (10) can be attached to a holding element (11) that can be connected to the body, and to a stub (12) accommodating a mounting plate tube, and connecting bridges (14, 15) are provided to attach the at least one molded tube (10) to the holding element (11) and/or to the stub (12).
US07941891B2 Wiper lever with a driven wiper arm and a wiper blade
Wiper lever (10) with a driven wiper arm (12) and a wiper blade (16) linked to it for cleaning windows, particularly those of motor vehicles, which is provided with a band-like, long-stretched-out, elastic supporting element (30), which features, on its lower band surface facing the window, a long-stretched-out, rubber elastic wiper strip (24) that can be applied to it, on whose upper band surface (29), particularly in the longitudinal middle area of the supporting element (30), a coupling part (32) is situated and wind deflector strip partial sections (52) extending to the ends of the supporting element are arranged on both sides of the coupling part (32). An especially harmonic transition between the wiper blade (16) and the wiper arm (12) is achieved in the area of the joint (46, 47) connecting these two wiper lever parts if the wiper lever (10) is provided with a cap (60) to cover the connection area between the wiper blade (16) and the wiper arm (12).
US07941886B2 Toothbrushes
Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member and a plurality of bristles or tufts of bristles extending from the support member, the bristles or bristle tufts having different lengths. The contour of the bristles may be selected to allow substantially all of the bristles to contact the dentition during brushing.
US07941885B2 Steam washing machine operation method having dry spin pre-wash
A method for operating a horizontal axis washing machine having a tub with a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to hold a fabric load comprises introducing liquid into the drum to wet the fabric load and spinning the drum to distribute the fabric load about the drum prior to the introducing of the liquid.
US07941882B1 Magnetic cushioning system
The magnetic cushioning system is for use in a cushion, mattress or other cushioned article, the cushioning system providing adjustable firmness for the user. The magnetic cushioning system includes a plurality of magnetic supports enclosed within a cover. Each of the magnetic supports has a flexible shell having opposed upper and lower ends. A permanent magnet is disposed within the flexible shell and is positioned adjacent the upper end thereof. An electromagnet is disposed within the flexible shell and is positioned adjacent the lower end thereof. The cover has opposed upper and lower surfaces, the magnetic supports having the upper ends thereof secured to a lower face of the upper surface, and the lower ends thereof secured to an upper face of the lower surface of the cover. A controller is provided for selectively and adjustably controlling electrical power transmitted to each electromagnet.
US07941881B2 Bed control procedure
A bed assembly includes a wheeled base, a sub-frame and mattress support frame. The sub-frame supports a plurality of electrically operated actuators which provide for raising and lowering of the bed. The bed can be lowered to a first low position in which the bed frame is around 38 to 45 centimeters above floor height and to a lower position in which the frame is around 30 centimeters above floor height. The bed is lowered to the first height upon receipt of a first command input and can only be lowered below that first height upon receipt of a second control input distinct from the first control input. Preferably, the bed is lowered at a slower speed from the first low height to its lowermost position.
US07941880B2 Connecting structure for a bed foot
The present invention discloses a connecting structure for a bed foot. The bed foot is pivotally connected to a bottom of a bed board frame. An inner side of the bed foot is pivotally connected with at least one support rod. The support rod has a free end formed with a through hole. The bottom of the bed board frame is provided with a protruding post corresponding in position to the through hole. The through hole has an opening at one side thereof so that the through hole is able to engage with the protruding post through the opening, without aiming at the protruding post. Accordingly, the operation is very convenient and quick.
US07941879B2 Bed with automatic mattress lifting system
The bed with automatic mattress lifting system is a bed with a frame and an internal drive system for raising a mattress above the frame, allowing the user to easily change the sheets or other bed coverings. The mattress rests on a mattress supporting platform, which, in the lowered position, is received within the frame. In operation, driven motion of an internal rod caused by a drive system located within the frame generates rotation in a lever arm. The lever arm is secured to a shaft that extends across the frame, and rotation of the shaft causes a pair of supports to rotate. Upper ends of the supports are joined to a lower surface of the mattress supporting platform, thus driving upward movement of the mattress supporting platform. The sheets cover both the mattress and the platform, allowing the sheets to be changed without having to manually lift the mattress.
US07941872B2 Waistless underwear alternative secret pants shield
A women's waistless and seamless clothing adherable underwear includes an oval pad made of a soft absorbent material, wherein the pad has double sided strips of adhesive tape with removable peel-off cover strips to attach to the inside crotch area of low slung clothing pants, such as tight pants, leotards or dungaree jeans facing upward to the skin and crotch of the wearer. The material is preferably a soft, non-woven, absorbent material. The underwear is particularly suited for women who wear tight pants, or low waist hip hugger pants, which widely reveal waist bands and seams of panty underwear, or expose underwear waist bands. The underwear is minimally intrusive and is attractive for women who like to wear jeans without underwear but who fear bacterial infection or exposure to clothing dyes or irritating stitching.
US07941867B2 Protective device
An energy absorbing device suitable for wearing by humans, or for use in a prosthetic device or robot is provided. The device including support structures which may conform to the contours of limbs, and have the capability of being removeably attached to the limbs. Plates are attached, either fixedly or slideably, to the support structures and adjacent ends of plates may be joined with a flexible link. As the limbs flex at a joint, the slideably attached plate slides to accommodate the rotational motion between the limbs at the joint.
US07945961B2 Display control device, image processing device and display control method
There is disclosed a technique capable of improving operatability for registered users and capable of displaying an interface screen for guest users with security levels maintained. A display control device includes: an identification information obtaining unit that obtains identification information for identifying a user; a determination unit that determines, based on the identification information obtained by the identification information obtaining unit, whether the user belongs to a first group or a second group which is allowed to conduct operation concerning only processing items of a lower security level than a security level allowed for the first group; and a control unit that performs control so as to display, for the user determined as belonging to the second group by the determination unit, display objects corresponding to predetermined processing items of a lower security level than a security level of processing items to be displayed for the user determined as belonging to the first group.
US07945959B2 Secure physical distribution of a security token through a mobile telephony provider's infrastructure
The present invention discloses a system and method of leveraging mobile telephone provider assets and distribution network to securely deliver security tokens, such as PKI certificates. The invention is not limited to using a mobile telephony infrastructure and other pre-existing distributions can also be used. In the invention, a user requested security token can be delivered to a storefront associated with a mobile telephone provider. The storefront can be one proximate to a requesting user. An optional activation key can also be conveyed to the requesting user. The requesting user can be required to physically travel to the storefront to receive the security token. At the storefront, an identity of the requesting user can be verified, such as through photo identification. The security token can be provided when the requesting user has been successfully verified. Use of the security token can still require activation involving the activation key.
US07945956B2 Defining code by its functionality
A system and method for defining code by its functionality is disclosed. The technology initially accesses a portion of code. Once the portion of code is accessed at least one functional operation embedded in the code is determined. When the functional operation in the code is determined, the portion of code is then defined by the functional operation. In so doing, the portion of code can be defined by functional operation without requiring the consideration of any semantics related to the portion of code.
US07945952B1 Methods and apparatuses for presenting challenges to tell humans and computers apart
Methods and apparatuses to tell humans and machines apart. In one embodiment, automated determination of whether a human or machine is at the other end of a communication channel is based on whether the correct response to a challenge/question is received from the other end of the communication channel. The challenge is provided in a non-image format, such as a text based questions or a sound clip, to prevent abuses of the communication system by computer software robots. The communication system may be primarily for text and/or voice communications, or be such that the rendering image-based challenges can cause significant disruption in normal flow of usage. In one example, the challenge includes deliberately generated random misspelling. In one example, the challenge is context sensitive, factual based, and/or instructive of an operation in a natural language to obtain a result.
US07945947B1 Method of providing a computer user with high-level privileges
A method of giving a user high-level access privileges if a combination of keystrokes is sent to a desktop is disclosed. Each terminal services session is enumerated and sessions identified. Unidentified sessions have a user-definable process associated with the session. Desktops registered in the terminal services session are identified, and if a new desktop is identified, a thread is created to attach to that desktop and hook the desktop's low-level keyboard input. The keyboard input is then monitored for a pre-defined combination of keystrokes, and if found, a command shell starts, giving the user higher-level access privileges.
US07945945B2 System and method for address block enhanced dynamic network policy management
A method, computer readable medium, and system for acquiring address block information for an attached function that initiates network access on a distributed computing network. Additional policy information in acquired concerning the attached function. One or more access policies are set based, at least in part, on the address block information and the additional policy information.
US07945935B2 System and method for selecting, capturing, and distributing customized event recordings
A system that enables an event or moments within an event to be captured and provided in a record that preserves at least some aspects of the participant's perspective of the event. In particular, the present invention involves centralized recording of the event in one or more modes including video, audio, and still image recordings and a system that enables a participant (i.e., one who perceives the event) to select portions of the event recording substantially contemporaneously with the event occurrence. A personalized record is made by duplicating the selected portions from the event record. In a particular example, the personalized record is recorded on a digital media such as a compact disc (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) or the like.
US07945933B2 Television broadcast receiver
A television receiver is connected to a multi-directional antenna, and stores, in a memory, a receiving direction table containing: channel numbers; best receiving directions of the multi-directional antenna for receiving the respective channels; and register channel information indicating whether the channels are registered as selectable or non-selectable. The receiving direction table is used for selecting each channel. Based on the operation of a user interface by a user (S42), the register channel information of the receiving direction table can be changed (S44, S45), so that the user can optionally set selectable channels. Thus, the user can preliminarily delete channels in bad receiving conditions from candidates of selectable channels.
US07945932B2 Narrow bandwidth signal delivery system
A bandwidth-limited system for delivering satellite video signals. The system comprises a receive antenna that includes at least one low noise block amplifier (LNB), and a module, coupled to and proximate the receive antenna, the module comprising a multiswitch, coupled to the LNB, for directing the satellite signal received by the LNB to an output of the multiswitch a tuner, coupled to the output of the multiswitch, for tuning to a specific portion of the satellite signal, the specific portion of the satellite signal selected based on commands received from a new Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD), a demodulator, coupled to the tuner, for demodulating the specific portion of the signal into a plurality of demodulated signals, and an interface for delivering a specific demodulated signal to the new IRD, wherein the specific demodulated signal is selected based on the commands received from the new IRD, and the commands and the demodulated signal are carried on a single connection between the at least one IRD and the interface.
US07945930B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a video signal processing apparatus
A method for controlling a recording function of a video apparatus improves recording quality by preventing certain display functions of the apparatus from adversely affecting the resultant recording. A problem may arise in certain video signal processing apparatuses when the user selects a recording function after selecting a particular user-activated display function because the user-activated display function may result in the recording of the video signal in an undesired format, for example a different aspect ratio, or zoom mode. According to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention overcomes this problem by providing a method that includes the steps of detecting activation of a recording function of a video apparatus, and turning off a user-activated display function of the video apparatus responsive to the detection.
US07945929B2 Program guide system with combination category search
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest.
US07945928B2 Methods, systems, and products for classifying subscribers
Methods, systems, and products classify subscribers based on viewing habits. An event record is stored that associates a command entered by a subscriber to a time. The event record is merged with data describing media programming to form event timeline data describing the at least one command and the media programming selected by the subscriber over a period of time. Credit card purchasing data is retrieved that describes the subscriber's credit card purchases. The event timeline data is compared to the credit card purchasing data. The subscriber is classified in a category associated with a product or service when the event timeline data indicates that the subscriber viewed an advertisement and afterwards purchased the product or service.
US07945927B2 Multiple item user preference information data structure and method for providing multi-media information
A user preference information data structure which is capable of classifying and setting user's preference information regarding multi-media contents with multiple items to thereby provide users with user's request-based whole or partial multi-media information, and a method for providing multi-media information by using the user preference information data structure. The multiple item user preference information data structure for multi-media contents comprising: single item user preference information for single items related to the multi-media information; and multiple items user preference information for multiple items formed by combining the single items.
US07945921B2 Cross application domain late binding to non-local types
A system allows a non-virtual method of a base class inherited by a derived class to be effectively overridden so that code developed to access the method via the base class accesses the overriding behavior. The system replaces an instance of the derived class with a dynamic object and transparent object with the transparent object appearing to provide to invoking code an implementation of the derived class. Upon receiving an invocation of a method, the transparent proxy directs the invocation to the dynamic object by invoking an invoke method of the dynamic object passing an indication of the invoked method of the transparent object. The dynamic object may be an instance of a dynamic class that inherits a real class with a virtual invoke method. The dynamic class overrides the invoke method to provide overriding behavior.
US07945920B2 Enforcing proper resolution for classes of shared objects in a virtual machine
Disclosed techniques ensure that isolates that are attached to a shared object region will see appropriate class states. In response to an isolate's attempt to instantiate, in such a region, an object that is an instance of a particular class, a bootstrap class' identity is added to that region's bootstrap class list. In response to an isolate's attempt to attach to the region, each class that is both (a) in the region's associated bootstrap class list, and (b) not yet initialized for that isolate, is initialized for that isolate. Thus, those bootstrap classes are seen by that isolate as being in the “initialized” state. In response to an isolate's addition of a particular bootstrap class to the region's list of dependent bootstrap classes, the particular bootstrap class is initialized for each of the isolates attached to the region and for which the bootstrap class is not initialized yet.
US07945914B2 Methods and systems for performing operations in response to detecting a computer idle condition
Embodiments of the invention enable the efficient use of shared resources by different processes, such as background and foreground processes sharing a mass storage device. Thus, disk intensive operations, such as file indexing, do not unduly interfere with higher priority processes. In one embodiment, a first process is permitted to access a computer resource for a first predetermined time period. After the first predetermined time period has elapsed, the first process is inhibited from accessing the computer resource for a second predetermined time period. After the second predetermined time period has elapsed, a determination is made as to whether the computer resource is idle, wherein if the computer resource is not idle, the embodiment waits for a third predetermined time period and again determining if the computer resource is idle, and wherein if the computer resource is idle, the embodiment allows the first process to access the computer resource again.
US07945912B1 Hierarchical queue-based locks
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method of establishing a queue-based lock including inserting a first qnode into a local queue, where the first qnode is associated with a first thread, splicing the local queue into the global queue, obtaining a lock for the first thread when the first qnode is at the head of the global queue, and executing a critical section of the first thread after obtaining the lock.
US07945911B1 Barrier synchronization method and apparatus for work-stealing threads
Method and apparatus for barrier synchronization of threads, for example work-stealing threads. Embodiments may provide a consensus barrier synchronization mechanism that allows a “stop world” operation being performed by two or more worker threads configured to “steal” work from other threads to complete, even if one or more of the threads are not scheduled/started by the thread scheduler and thus do not rendezvous or “check in” at a consensus barrier in a timely manner. In embodiments, portions (subtasks) of the overall task which were assigned to the tardy thread may have been completed by other work-stealing threads, and one of the other threads may check in the tardy thread at the consensus barrier upon determining that the thread is dormant and does not have any more apportioned work to be performed. In one embodiment, the task being performed may be garbage collection for a process.
US07945910B2 Dynamic registration of batch files by abstract selection criteria
To detect files which are generated unnecessarily or no longer required, and for reliable file versioning, in a batch-processing-oriented environment, a dynamic batch processing system is proposed. The system includes a batch processing control component to process batch processing control instructions, which include the call of at least one program, and a database with files, each of which has a physical file name. The system also includes a component to provide program-related file definition information, which defines the files which are required for a program run by abstract selection criteria. In a file register, the physical file names of the files which are created for the program runs are registered in the form of register entries, which associate at least one selection attribute with each physical file name. A service component which communicates with the control component has access to the file register and the file definition component. The service component selects and/or creates register entries on the basis of file definition information which is associated with the program to be called.
US07945908B1 Method and system for improving the accuracy of timing and process accounting within virtual machines
A sponge process, for example within a driver in a guest operating system, is associated in a virtual computer system with each virtual processor in one or more virtual machines. When timer interrupts become backlogged, for example because a virtual machine is temporarily descheduled to allow other virtual machines to run, and upon occurrence of a trigger event, a conventional interrupt is disengaged and catch-up interrupts are instead directed into an appropriate one of the sponge processes. The backlogged timer interrupts are thus delivered without unfairly attributing descheduled time to whatever processes happened to be running while the catch-up interrupts are delivered, and without violating typical guest operating system timing assumptions.
US07945906B2 Method and software tools for intelligent service pack installation
A software tool and method are provided for selectively installing service packs in a computer system according to dependency information and whether or not an upgrade to an application is scheduled. The method comprises prompting a user for desired setup information and installing the service pack associated with an existing application if the application requires the service pack and if the desired setup information indicates that an upgrade component corresponding to the application is not to be installed. In addition, the service pack is installed if the upgrade component is to be installed and if the service pack is required for upgrading the application.
US07945903B1 System and method for converting graphical call flows into finite state machines
A method, system and module for automatically converting a call flow into a state-based representation are disclosed. The method comprises walking a call flow and converting each page of the call flow into a rule of a higher level representation of the call flow, augmenting the higher level representation with terminal symbols representing state variable assignments and comparisons associated with decision and computation shapes in the call flow and converting the higher level representation into a state-based representation.
US07945902B1 Detection of non-standard application programming interface usage via analysis of executable code
A method for detection of non-portable application programming interface usage via executable code analysis includes identifying one or more conditions for inclusion of an object class within a set of acceptable object classes, wherein a reference to any object class of the set of acceptable object classes by an application is in compliance with a specified portability criterion. The method further includes analyzing an executable version of the application to identify object classes referenced by the application, and generating a portability verification report for the application, wherein the report indicates that the application violates the specified portability criterion if an object class referenced by the application does not meet at least one of the conditions for inclusion in the set of acceptable classes.
US07945899B2 Method and system for remote software testing
Systems and methods for testing a computer program executing on a remote computer physically distant from a local computer are provided. The local and remote computers are connected via a network. The remote computer includes a redirection device operative to transmit the video output of the remote computer to the local computer via the network connection. The redirection device may also receive user input commands generated at the local computer and provide the input commands to the remote computer as if the input commands were physically generated by a user at the remote computer. The remote computer also includes a software program to be tested. The local computer includes a remote control software application operative to receive and display the video output transmitted from the remote computer. The remote control application also receives user input commands, such as keyboard or mouse commands, generated at the local computer by an automated testing application and transmits the commands to the redirection device. The commands generated by the automated testing program may be utilized to test the execution of the computer program to be tested executing on the remote computer.
US07945895B2 Graphical programs with FIFO structure for controller/FPGA communications
System and method for communicating between graphical programs executing on respective devices, e.g., a programmable hardware element (PHE) and a controller. The system includes a first node representing a first in, first out (FIFO) structure, and a second node providing a controller interface to the FIFO structure. A first portion of the FIFO is implemented on the PHE, and a second portion of the FIFO is implemented in memory of the controller. The first and second nodes are operable to be included respectively in first and second graphical programs, where the first graphical program is deployable to the PHE, where the second graphical program is deployable to the controller, and where the graphical programs communicate via the FIFO in cooperatively performing a specified task. The FIFO may implement a Direct Memory Access (DMA) FIFO, where at least part of a DMA controller is implemented on or coupled to the PHE.
US07945888B2 Model-based hardware exerciser, device, system and method thereof
Device, system and method for verification of a hardware system-under-test including at least one processor. A method includes building an executable image of a hardware exerciser adapted for execution on a test platform selected from: a simulation accelerator, a hardware emulator, a prototype hardware system, and a hardware production wafer. The exerciser image includes embedded data corresponding to architectural knowledge, testing knowledge, and a test template. The test template is defined in a context-free formal language and includes biasing directives to influence at least one of a desired test structure, one or more resources to be included in the test, and one or more values of the included resources. The architectural knowledge is obtained from an architectural model including a formal description of the specification for the system-under-test, and the testing knowledge is obtained from a testing knowledgebase including heuristics for testing desired aspects of the system-under-test.
US07945886B2 Stage evaluation of a state machine
The present invention provides a method a system for facilitating enhanced processing of state diagrams in a state diagram environment. The method may include top-down processing a current state in a state diagram environment; determining whether processing of the current state results in an exception event; and passing the exception event to a superstate that includes the current state when it is determined that the current state results in an exception event. The superstate may be made the current state and it may be determined whether the current state can handle the exception event. When it is determined that the current state cannot handle the exception event, it may be determined whether the current state has a second superstate that includes the current state. An error event may be output from the state diagram environment when it is determined that the current state does not have a second superstate.
US07945879B2 Method and apparatus for selecting a hardware representation from a software description
A method and an apparatus take software source code to synthesize a hardware platform for running the software. The method determines which processor is suitable for running the code and meeting the performance parameters determined by the user. The method also determines which hardware devices are accessed by software. If the hardware target is a semiconductor chip, the invention selects the appropriate IP and creates an HDL description of the chip. If the hardware target is a printed circuit board, the invention creates a schematic or netlist that includes the appropriate microprocessor, the various semiconductor chips, and the necessary interconnections.
US07945875B2 Methodology for hierarchy separation at asynchronous clock domain boundaries for multi-voltage optimization using design compiler
This invention transforms a circuit design at an asynchronous clock boundary using a flow involving register grouping, logic modification and level shifter and isolation cell insertion. The level shifter and isolation cell inserted are tested for proper location. The transformed circuit design is suitable for power consumption control by independent control of separate voltage domains.
US07945873B2 Mask pattern data generating method, information processing apparatus, photomask fabrication system, and image sensing apparatus
A method of generating mask pattern data of a photomask used to form microlenses divides a pattern formation surface of a mask pattern to be used for the photomask into a plurality of grid cells, acquires data that represent a transmitted light distribution of the mask pattern to be used for the photomask, determines whether to place a shield on each of the plurality of grid cells by binarizing the plurality of grid cells in order of increasing or decreasing distance from a center of the pattern formation surface using an error diffusion method, to acquire the transmitted light distribution, and generates mask pattern data that represent an arrangement of the shields, based on the determination.
US07945870B2 Method and apparatus for detecting lithographic hotspots in a circuit layout
Method for detecting hotspots in a circuit layout includes constructing a layout graph having nodes, corner edges and proximity edges from the circuit layout, converting the layout graph to a corresponding dual graph, and iteratively selecting edges and nodes having weights greater than a predetermined threshold value at each iteration as hotspots.
US07945869B2 Mask and method for patterning a semiconductor wafer
A method for generating a mask pattern is provided. A target lithographic pattern comprising a plurality of first geometric regions is provided, wherein the regions between the plurality of first geometric regions comprise first spaces. The target lithographic pattern is transformed, and the transformed pattern is decomposed into a first pattern and a second pattern.
US07945868B2 Tunable integrated circuit design for nano-scale technologies
The invention discloses a method for tuning nano-scale analog-circuit designs in order to reduce random-device mismatches and optimize said design, where nano-scale devices potentially have large-scale process variations. The method includes providing a tunable circuit topology, wherein each nano-scale device comprises a single component or comprises multiple parallel components. Each component is decomposed into multiple discrete sub-components, wherein each said sub-component either operates in parallel with other like components to effectively operate like one bigger component. The sub-components are subjected to a dynamic-programming process to adaptively select the sub-components to be kept operational, while configuring the nonselected sub-components to be nonoperational, based on the measurement of at least one operational parameter.
US07945865B2 Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and method
A degree of confidence is objectively evaluated without permitting a user's subjective evaluation, and a content to be output is determined based on this evaluation.An information processing system comprising: an input section for receiving an input from a user; a signal detection section for measuring a signal concerning an event-related potential of electroencephalograms of the user; a determination section for determining a degree of confidence of the user with respect to the input based on an amount of negative shift in the event-related potential during a predetermined period after the input is received; a control section for determining a content to be presented to the user based on the degree of confidence; and an output section for presenting the determined content to the user.
US07945863B1 Localized exploded view
A method for providing an Integrated Development Environment comprises receiving input from a user identifying an area containing an edge shared by two or more objects, wherein the shared edge includes two or more individual edges corresponding to the objects, and visibly separating the two or more individual edges in a localized exploded view responsive to the receiving.
US07945859B2 Interface for exchanging context data
A facility for exchanging context attributes is described. A characterization module receives an invocation request to provide an attribute value that was generated by a requesting attribute consumer. The received invocation request identifies the attribute whose value is to be provided. In response to receiving the invocation request, the characterization module provides a value for the identified attribute to the requesting attribute consumer.
US07945857B2 Interactive presentation viewing system employing multi-media components
An interactive, multi-media presentation viewing system and process for viewing educational or business presentations integrating presentation graphics in the form of presentation slides, video, audio, text, and other streaming media into a powerfully coordinated viewing experience for the end user. The viewing system is an aggregate of synchronized presentation graphics, video, and text displays employing a graphical user interface that allows the user to control all aspects of media playback.
US07945855B2 Smart space insertion
A system and method for inserting space is described. A user may designate content to be inserted into a document and have the system insert space to accommodate the new content. The system and method permit some content to overlie other content as may be intended by a user.
US07945853B2 Script markup
A script markup language provides a declarative mechanism for defining script-based interactive behavior and application logic associated with a document. The script markup defining the interactive behavior and application logic is presented as an independent portion of the markup for the document, separated from any markup concerning the content and presentation of the document.
US07945852B1 Strategies for annotating digital maps
A strategy is described for annotating a digital map. According to one exemplary aspect, the user can link a single uploaded object to multiple locations within a map (or maps) without requiring separate uploading and storing operations. According to another exemplary aspect, the user can specify a range of zoom levels in which an object is made visible on the map. According to another exemplary aspect, the user can instruct map processing functionality (MPF) to automatically extract objects from a data source (such as an RSS data source) and annotate the map with the objects. Still further aspects are described.
US07945851B2 Enabling dynamic voiceXML in an X+V page of a multimodal application
Enabling dynamic VoiceXML in an X+V page of a multimodal application implemented with the multimodal application operating in a multimodal browser on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes, the multimodal application operatively coupled to a VoiceXML interpreter, including representing by the multimodal browser an XML element of a VoiceXML dialog of the X+V page as an ECMAScript object, the XML element comprising XML content; storing by the multimodal browser the XML content of the XML element in an attribute of the ECMAScript object; and accessing the XML content of the XML element in the attribute of the ECMAScript object from an ECMAScript script in the X+V page.
US07945848B2 Dynamically modifying a theme-based media presentation
A system and method for dynamically modifying a media presentation is disclosed. A first presentation theme associated with a media presentation is determined. A plurality of multi-media data files are accessed, wherein each of the plurality of multi-media data files comprises associated metadata. A first of the plurality of multi-media data files are associated with the first presentation theme based on the associated metadata and the first of the plurality of multi-media data files is presented.
US07945844B2 Robust DTV signals transmitted at two thirds the code rate of ordinary 8VSB DTV signals
Redundant coding of 8VSB digital television signals using (12, 8) linear block codes reduces code rate by a third. The parity bits for the (12, 8) block coding of the bytes in a pair of (207, 187) Reed-Solomon codewords are transmitted in a 207-byte segment of data. The information bits contained in each pair of (207, 187) Reed-Solomon codewords are subsequently transmitted in 207-byte segments of data that can be usefully received by legacy digital television receivers. A preferred (12, 8) linear block coding is the equivalent of Gray coding followed by rearranged shortened (15, 11) Hamming coding followed by Gray decoding. Digital television transmitter apparatus capable of generating such redundantly coded signal is described. So is digital television receiver apparatus capable of receiving and decoding such redundantly coded signal to secure more robust reception.
US07945841B2 System and method for continuous logging of correctable errors without rebooting
In some embodiments, the invention involves a system and method to continuously log correctable errors without rebooting by changing the granularity of the error detection and logging mechanism. A mask register is used to identify which errors are to be logged. Each bit of the mask register may represent a different memory component of the system. Logging of the memory component is determined by the value of the bit in the mask. The masking enables granularity of error logging to the channel and/or dual in-line memory module (DIMM) level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07945836B2 Method and apparatus for reducing signaling overhead in a communication system using hybrid automatic repeat request
A transmitting unit combines a slot identifier (SI) and a block identifier (BI) in each header that is transmitted with the data to allow a receiving unit to associate previously received data blocks with retransmissions, or retries, of the same respective data blocks in order to perform bit error detection in accordance with a hybrid or selective ARQ protocol. The receiving unit uses the SI and BI contained in the MHBKs to determine a correspondence between a retried data and a previously transmitted data block.
US07945834B2 IC testing methods and apparatus
A testing circuit has scan chain segments (62,64,60) defined between parallel inputs (wpi[0] . . . wpi[N−1]) and respective parallel outputs (wpo[0] . . . wpo[N−1]). The scan chain segments comprise a bank (62) of cells of a shift register circuit, a core scan chain portion (62), a first bypass path around the core scan chain portion (62) and a second bypass path around the bank (60) of cells of the shift register circuit. This architecture enables loading of data in parallel into the core scan chain, or into the shift register (WBR). In addition, each scan chain segment also has a series latching element (80), and this provides additional testing capability. In particular, the shifting of data between the latching elements (80) can be used to test the bypass paths while the internal or external mode testing is being carried out. This testing can thus be part of a single ATPG procedure.
US07945833B1 Method and apparatus for pipelined scan compression
A pipelined scan compression method and apparatus for reducing test data volume and test application time in a scan-based integrated circuit without reducing the speed of the scan chain operation in scan-test mode or self-test mode. The scan-based integrated circuit contains one or more scan chains, each scan chain comprising one or more scan cells coupled in series. The method and apparatus includes a decompressor comprising one or more shift registers, a combinational logic network, and an optional scan connector. The decompressor decompresses a compressed scan pattern on its compressed scan inputs and drives the generated decompressed scan pattern at the output of the decompressor to the scan data inputs of the scan-based integrated circuit. Any input constraints imposed by said combinational logic network are incorporated into an automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) program for generating the compressed scan pattern for one or more selected faults in one-step.
US07945832B2 Interface to full and reduced pin JTAG devices
The disclosure describes a process and apparatus for accessing devices on a substrate. The substrate may include only full pin JTAG devices (504), only reduced pin JTAG devices (506), or a mixture of both full pin and reduced pin JTAG devices. The access is accomplished using a single interface (502) between the substrate (408) and a JTAG controller (404). The access interface may be a wired interface or a wireless interface and may be used for JTAG based device testing, debugging, programming, or other type of JTAG based operation.
US07945830B2 Method and apparatus for unifying self-test with scan-test during prototype debug and production test
A method and apparatus for testing or diagnosing faults in a scan-based integrated circuit using a unified self-test and scan-test technique. The method and apparatus comprises using a unified test controller to ease prototype debug and production test. The unified test controller further comprises using a capture clock generator and a plurality of domain clock generators each embedded in a clock domain to perform self-test or scan-test. The capture clocks generated by the capture clock generator are used to guide at-speed or reduced-speed self-test (or scan-test) within each clock domain. The frequency of these capture clocks can be totally unrelated to those of system clocks controlling the clock domains. This unified approach allows designers to test or diagnose stuck-type and non-stuck-type faults with a low-cost DFT (design-for-test) tester or a low-cost DFT debugger. A computer-aided design (CAD) method is further developed to realize the method and synthesize the apparatus.
US07945828B2 Integrated circuit arrangement and design method
An integrated circuit (IC) arrangement (10) comprises an integrated circuit (100) having a digital circuit portion (120) with a plurality of digital outputs (122), each of the outputs being arranged to provide a test result in a test mode of the integrated circuit (100). The arrangement (10) further comprises space compaction logic (140) comprising a space compaction network (160) having a plurality of compaction domains (162), each domain being arranged to compact a plurality of test results into a further test result, and a spreading network (150) coupled between the plurality of digital outputs (122, 210) and the space compaction network (160), the spreading network being arranged to duplicate each test result from the digital outputs (122,210) to a number of compaction domains (162). This space compaction logic (140), which may be located on the IC 100 or external thereto such as on a test apparatus or on a test interface, reduces the risk of fault cancellation or fault aliasing compared to SCLs without spreading network.
US07945826B2 Test apparatus and test method
Provided is a test apparatus having a bad block memory for storing a plurality of pieces of fail information in association with blocks of a memory under test, each piece of fail information indicating whether there is a defect in the associated block. The test apparatus writes a test data sequence to a page under test of the memory under test, reads the test data sequence written to the page under test, and compares the read data sequence to the written data sequence. The test apparatus includes an allocation register that stores allocation information for setting which of the plurality of fail conditions for judging whether there is a defect in the page under test are allocated to the plurality of pieces of fail information. The test apparatus detects whether there is a defect corresponding to each of a plurality of fail conditions, outputs the detection result as a fail signal, and updates a plurality of pieces of fail information associated with the block including the page under test using the fail signal corresponding to the allocated fail conditions.
US07945819B2 Message state maintenance at a message log
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for maintaining message state at a message log. Messages are accumulated at a message log in accordance with a message retention policy. Any of a variety of message capture assurances can be used when capturing a message from a message producer within a message log. A message becomes visible to message consumers after the outcome of writing the message is known (either failure or success). Messages are requested using (e.g., monotonically increasing) sequence numbers. Messages are also dropped from the message log in accordance with the message retention policy.
US07945817B1 Method and system for automatically recognizing alarm patterns in a communications network
A method and system for troubleshooting a communications network by recognizing one or more alarm patterns is provided. An incoming status indication (such as an alarm notification) associated with a network resource is received, whereby topological information associated with the network resource is referenced to identify parent(s) and sibling(s) of the network resource. A data structure is referenced to retrieve patterning criteria associated with the parent. The identified network resources are evaluated to determine whether the patterning criteria is met, and if so, then causing an alarm event, such as generation of a synthetic status indication, to be instantiated.
US07945814B2 Remedying method for troubles in virtual server system and system thereof
According to the invention, a managing server, using a snapshot-appended information table which stores management information for identifying snapshots of a virtual server, a setting change table which stores setting change information on the virtual server, and a policy table which stores policies to be met by the virtual server, acquires the setting change information from the setting change table, selects the setting change information items from the acquired setting change information matching policies stored in the policy table, acquires management information on the snapshots of the virtual server from the snapshot-appended information table, identifies a snapshot of the virtual server with reference to the acquired management information, changes the identified snapshot of the virtual server based on the selected setting change information items, and rolls back the virtual server according to the changed snapshot.
US07945811B2 Low power, high reliability specific compound functional units
To prevent short path errors from occurring in systems having error detection and recovery mechanisms, functional elements are combined to form compound functional units comprising at least two evaluation stages, each evaluation stage including at least one functional element. At least one functional element includes error detection/recovery circuitry. The flow of input values to the first evaluation stage in the compound functional unit is controlled so that the input values are changed at most every second clock cycle.
US07945809B2 Recording medium for storing start position information for each zone and method and apparatus of managing data using the information
A recording medium for storing start position information for each zone, a method of managing data using the information, and an apparatus for recording the information and controlling recording and reproduction of data based on the recorded information. In a disc having a plurality of zones which form a group, and a spare area which is allocated at the start portion or the end portion of the group for replacing defects, when start logical sector numbers of each zone are changed by slipping replacement during initialization or reinitialization, the information is stored in the defect management area to thereby increase the compatibility of the medium. In particular, by the method and apparatus of managing data using information stored in a defect management area, generation of errors is prevented in reading or writing due to the change of a physical position of a real-recorded file which are caused by wrong calculation of the start logical sector numbers for each zone.
US07945808B2 Fanout connectivity structure for use in facilitating processing within a parallel computing environment
A hierarchical fanout connectivity infrastructure is built and used to start a parallel application within a parallel computing environment. The connectivity infrastructure is passed to a checkpoint library, which employs the infrastructure and a defined sequence of events, to perform checkpoint, restart and/or migration operations on the parallel application.
US07945801B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A memory interface circuit is connectable to a DDR-SDRAM which outputs read data in synchronization with a data strobe signal together with the data strobe signal. A clock generator generates internal clock signals and memory clock signals supplied to the DDR-SDRAM. The memory interface circuit determines a delay of arrival of the data strobe signal relative to the corresponding internal clock signal by using a data strobe signal inputted in a read cycle with respect to the DDR-SDRAM, samples the arrived read data, based on a signal obtained by shifting the phase of the arrived data strobe signal, and synchronizes the sampled read data to the corresponding internal clock signal on the basis of the result of determination of the arrival delay.
US07945800B2 Synchronization devices having input/output delay model tuning elements in signal paths to provide tuning capabilities to offset signal mismatch
Apparatus for synchronizing signals. For memory devices, such as SDRAMs, implementing a synchronization device to synchronize one signal, such as an external clock signal with a second signal, such as a data signal, tuning elements may be provided at various points in the signal path of the synchronization device. The tuning elements are designed to be identical, such that a single design may be used to a signal mismatch that is produced in either direction, using a single design. The tuning elements may be implemented to provide uniformity in the access time through a range of conditions, such as drain voltages and temperatures.
US07945799B2 HVAC synchronization
Systems and methods are described for synchronizing an HVAC control system. A method, includes: a synchronization sequence including: reading a base time from an internal clock at a first time and saving the base time; measuring an elapsed time interval, from the first time to a second time, by counting an external clock using a frequency counter; and then resetting the internal clock to the base time plus the elapsed time.
US07945798B2 Battery pack for portable computer
A first battery assembly is in a first battery housing that is mechanically engageable with a portable computer, and a second battery assembly is in a second battery housing that is mechanically couplable to the first battery housing. A switch has a first configuration in which communication is established between the portable computer and the first battery assembly and a second configuration in which communication is established between the portable computer and the second battery assembly.
US07945797B2 System and method for portable power source management
A system is provided that includes a host system configured with a portable power source and a host power manager. The host power manager is configured to monitor an available power level of the portable power source and at least one power usage by one or more auxiliary devices. The host power manager is further configured to promote less than a full power usage by at least one of the auxiliary devices.
US07945792B2 Tamper reactive memory device to secure data from tamper attacks
Systems and methods that can facilitate securing data associated with a memory from tampering are presented. A counter tamper component can detect tamper attacks or tamper attempts associated with a memory and/or data stored therein or associated therewith and reacts to such tamper attacks/attempts, as the counter tamper component can provide evidence of, provide a response to, and/or resist tamper attacks/attempts. The counter tamper component can be associated with a memory module that includes a memory device(s) module and is contained in an electronic device and the memory module can change a color state to provide evidence of tampering. A window component is positioned on the casing of the electronic device so that the memory module is visible to the user so the user can perceive that a tamper attack associated with the module has occurred.
US07945789B2 System and method for securely restoring a program context from a shared memory
A system and method for securely restoring software program context is presented. A special purpose processor core is included in a heterogeneous processing environment where each processor can access a shared memory. The isolated special purpose processor core includes an isolated local memory. The isolated special purpose processor core receives an identifier corresponding to the secured program. The identifier is used to read an encrypted context of the secured program from the shared memory. The encrypted context is decrypted using an encryption key. The decrypted context is stored in the isolated special purpose processor core's local memory. The secured program's context integrity is verified by using a persistent security data that is retrieved from a secure location, such as a persistent storage register that can only be accessed when the special purpose processor core is running in isolation mode. If the context is verified, the secured program is executed.
US07945787B2 Method and system for detecting malware using a remote server
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for detecting malware using a remote server. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure a hash value for a file is generated. The hash value is transmitted to a remote server. A notification is received from the remote server indicating whether the file comprises malware. At least one operation on the file is prevented if the notification indicates the file comprises malware.
US07945786B2 Method and apparatus to re-create trust model after sleep state
A processing system features random access memory (RAM), a processor, and a trusted platform module (TPM). When the processing system enters a sleep mode during which the RAM is to stay powered, the processing system may measuring a VMM and one or more secure VMs in the processing system. However, the processing system may not measure or encrypt all of system memory. Upon resuming from sleep, the processing system may verify the measurements, to ensure that the VMM and secure VMs have not been tampered with. Other steps may include sealing encryption keys to the TPM, while preserving the blobs in memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07945784B1 Method and system to perform secret sharing
A method and a system is provided to process data. For example, the method and system may be used to store (e.g., archive) documents. In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving a quantum of data and creating n data pieces of size s from the quantum of data. The method may comprise generating k random numbers of size s, wherein k defines a minimum number of processed data pieces required to reconstruct the quantum of data, and performing polynomial arithmetic modulo prime on the n data pieces. The polynomial arithmetic may utilize polynomial of order k and the prime may be selected based on a bit processing capability of a processor used to process the data. The prime may be 28+1 when the bit processing capability of a processor is 16 bits and 216+1 when the bit processing capability of a processor is 32 bits.
US07945783B2 Customizable instant messaging private tags
Systems for customizing the privatizing of instant messages preferably comprise a processing device configured to detect a marking of select portions of an instant message as sensitive data. The instant message is parsed for marked sensitive data. An encryption engine encrypts the sensitive data. A modified unencoder is also preferably included for converting the encrypted sensitive data into a data stream that complies with an XML format. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US07945776B1 Securing a passphrase
Access to a target system is secured by use of an encrypted passphrase that is supplied on-site at the target system by a user requesting access. The encrypted passphrase includes an access credential portion and a one-way encoded portion. The one-way encoded portion is an encoded version of at least some of the access credential portion. A validator at the target system receives and decrypts the encrypted passphrase and identifies the access credential portion and one-way encoded portion. The validator one-way encodes the identified access credential portion and compares the result to the identified one-way encoded portion from the decrypted passphrase. If the results do not match, the validator denies access to the user requesting access. The encoding and decrypting of the passphrase may be performed using keys generated from a secret key/seed related to the target system, unencrypted information such as time/date information, and a user PIN.
US07945772B2 Apparatus, method and program product for initiating computer system operation
A computer system which includes a CPU for performing various processes by program control and storage elements which store at least one operating system and a BIOS, wherein upon starting a system, the CPU recognizes the system's own hardware configuration, and starts a selected one operating system stored in the storage elements in accordance with the recognized hardware configuration under the control of the BIOS.
US07945768B2 Method and apparatus for nested instruction looping using implicit predicates
A method and apparatus for executing a nested program loop on a vector processor, the loop comprising outer-pre, inner and outer-post portions. An input stream unit of the vector processor provides a data value to a data path and sets an associated data validity tag to ‘valid’ once per outer loop iteration, as indicated by an inner counter of the input stream unit. The tag is set to ‘invalid’ in other iterations. Functional units of the vector processor operate on data values in the data path, each functional unit producing a valid result if the data validity tags associated with inputs data values are set to ‘valid’. An output stream unit of the vector processor sinks a data value from the data path once per outer loop iteration if an associated data validity tag indicates that the data value is valid.
US07945765B2 Method and structure for asynchronous skip-ahead in synchronous pipelines
An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of stages serially interconnected as a pipeline to perform sequential processings on input operands. A shortening circuit associated with at least one stage of the pipeline recognizes when one or more of input operands for the stage has been predetermined as appropriate for shortening and execute the shortening when appropriate.
US07945763B2 Single shared instruction predecoder for supporting multiple processors
Improved techniques for executing instructions in a pipelined manner that may reduce stalls that occur when executing dependent instructions are provided. Stalls may be reduced by utilizing a cascaded arrangement of pipelines with execution units that are delayed with respect to each other. This cascaded delayed arrangement allows dependent instructions to be issued within a common issue group by scheduling them for execution in different pipelines to execute at different times.
US07945761B2 Maintaining validity of cached address mappings
A method is provided for creating and maintaining the validity of a cache group including one or more cache elements. Each of the cache elements corresponds to a different address space in a virtual memory of a computer system. Each of the cache elements include one or more caches that store mappings from virtual addresses to data or values that are functions of or dependent upon physical addresses that correspond to the virtual addresses. When there is an address space switch from a first address space to a second address space, the cache group is searched to find the cache element corresponding to the second address space, and that found cache element is made the current cache element for virtual memory access through the cache element. Changes in the page tables are also detected and reflected in the caches of the cache group to maintain the caches up-to-date.
US07945760B1 Methods and apparatus for address translation functions
Techniques are described for efficient reordering of data and performing data exchanges within a register file or memory, or in general, any device storing data that is accessible through a set of addressable locations. In one technique, an address translator is placed in the path of all or a selected set of address busses to a storage device to provide a programmable translating of the storage device addresses. An effect of this translation is that the data stored in one pattern may be accessed and stored in another pattern or accessed, processed and stored in another pattern. The address translation operation may be carried out in a single cycle, does not involve the physical movement of data in swap operations, allows data to effectively be ordered more efficiently for algorithmic processing and therefore saves power. Address translation functions are shown to be useful for vector operations and a new type of storage unit using built in address translation functions is presented.
US07945758B1 Storage array partitioning
A storage array includes a plurality of directors, each having at least one processor thereon and a global memory distributed among the plurality of directors. A different portion of the global memory is provided on each of the directors. A interconnect fabric is coupled to each of the directors. Global memory accesses performed by one director to access memory of another director through the interconnect fabric. The storage array also includes a plurality of partitioned storage subsystems, each including a separate subset of the directors, where each of the partitioned storage subsystems handles I/O operations for a plurality of logical devices independently of I/O operations for logical devices of other ones of the partitioned storage subsystems, the I/O operations using metadata provided in the global memory of the corresponding directors and containing information that correlates logical device data with physical device data.
US07945757B1 Conserving and shaping address space with arrays
A system and method for using an array structure to abstract the addressing of device memory allows for larger amounts of device memory to be accessed compared with using conventional pointers to access a 32 bit memory space. Additionally, the memory organization may be changed for optimal performance based on the underlying memory subsystem and characteristics of the accesses without impacting the array structure.
US07945756B1 System and method for managing a data storage system by contacting a single processor in a data storage system having more than one processor
An architecture, system, and method for managing a data storage system by contacting a single processor in a data storage system having more than one processor. The single processor contacts each other peer processor in the data storage system and merges selected data from the single processor with data from the peer processor to determine the state of the data storage system.
US07945754B2 Multiprocessor system, processor, and cache control method
A multiprocessor system includes processors each having a primary cache and a secondary cache shared by the processors. The processors each include a read unit that reads data from the primary cache, a request unit that makes a write request when the data to be read is not stored in the primary cache, a measuring unit that measures an elapsed time since the write request is made, a receiving unit that receives a read command from an external device, a comparing unit that compares specific information for specifying data, for which the read command has been received, with specific information for specifying data, for which the write request has been made, and a controller that suspends reading of the data according to the read command, when pieces of specific information are the same, and the elapsed time measured is less than a predetermined time.
US07945752B1 Method and apparatus for achieving consistent read latency from an array of solid-state storage devices
A technique for achieving consistent read latency from an array of non-volatile solid-state memories involves an external entity determining the “busy” or “not busy” status of non-volatile solid-state memory elements in a RAID group. An external data layout engine then uses parity based RAID data reconstruction to avoid having to read from any memory element that is busy in a RAID group, along with careful scheduling of writes and erasures.
US07945751B2 Disk image inheritance
A disk image is generated, stored in at least one persistent storage device, comprises at least one software application, and is a root disk image. An inheritance tree comprising a root node associated with the root disk image is created. A new disk image of a disk is generated based on a previously generated disk image associated with a node of the inheritance tree. The new disk image is stored in at least one persistent storage device, and comprises at least one software application of the previously generated disk image and at least one new software application. The new disk image shares at least one data block of the previously generated disk image. A new node is added to the inheritance tree, and is associated with the new disk image. The new node is a child node of the node that is associated with the previously generated disk image.
US07945736B2 Dynamic load management of network memory
A system for managing network memory comprises a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface receives a status message from another appliance. The status message indicates an activity level of a faster memory and a slower memory associated with the other appliance. The communication interface also receives a data packet. The processor processes the status message to determine the activity level of the faster memory and the slower memory. The processor also processes the data packet to identify any matching data in the other appliance and estimate whether the matching data is stored in the faster memory based on the activity level. Based on the estimate, the processor determines whether to generate an instruction to retrieve the matching data.
US07945732B2 Storage system that executes performance optimization that maintains redundancy
One storage area is selected from two or more storage areas of a high load physical storage device, a physical storage device withal lower load than that of the physical storage device is selected, and it is judged whether the redundancy according to the RAID level corresponding to the logical volume decreases when the data elements stored in the selected storage area are transferred to the selected low load physical storage device. If the result of this judgment is that the redundancy does not decrease, the data elements stored in the selected storage area are transferred to a buffer area of the selected low load physical storage device and the logical address space of the logical volume that corresponds to the selected storage area is associated with the buffer area.
US07945730B2 Systems and methods for recovering from configuration data mismatches in a clustered environment
Apparatus and methods are provided for recovering from mismatching configuration data in a clustered environment having a plurality of storage devices coupled to a plurality of storage controllers. If a clustered environment has a first storage device of the plurality of storage devices that has first configuration data that does not match second configuration data of a second storage device of the plurality of storage devices, then the mismatch may be resolved through operation of the clustered environment rather than through operator intervention. Comparison of relevant attributes of the first and second configuration data determines whether a relevant difference between the first and second configuration data is a physical status of at least one of the plurality of storage devices. If the relevant difference is the physical status of at least one of the plurality of storage devices, then the mismatch may be resolved between the first and second configuration data, and normal operation of the clustered environment may continue.
US07945728B1 Storage device cache
A hard disk drive (HDD) comprises nonvolatile semiconductor (NVS) memory, a life monitor module, and a hard disk controller (HDC) module. The life monitor module evaluates cumulative usage of the NVS memory and selectively generates a usage signal based upon the evaluation. The hard disk controller (HDC) module selectively caches data in the NVS memory and suspends caching of at least selected data in the NVS memory based upon the usage signal.
US07945726B2 Pre-allocation and hierarchical mapping of data blocks distributed from a first processor to a second processor for use in a file system
In a data processing system, a first processor pre-allocates data blocks for use in a file system at a later time when a second processor needs data blocks for extending the file system. The second processor selectively maps the logical addresses of the pre-allocated blocks so that when the pre-allocated blocks are used in the file system, the layout of the file system on disk is improved to avoid block scatter and enhance I/O performance. The selected mapping can be done at a program layer between a conventional file system manager and a conventional logical volume layer so that there is no need to modify the data block mapping mechanism of the file system manager or the logical volume layer. The data blocks can be pre-allocated adaptively in accordance with the allocation history of the file system.
US07945725B2 Access control list rule compression using meter re-mapping
A system may include a content addressable memory (CAM) that is configured to include multiple services, receive a key, where the key includes source port information and IP information related to a packet received on one of multiple ports, and output a match index value in response to a search of the CAM using the key. The system may include a policy memory module that is configured to receive the match index value and to output meter controls and a meter address based on the match index value, a port meter map module that is configured to receive the source port information and to output a mask value and a per port meter value, and a remapping module that is configured to receive the meter address, receive the mask value and the per port meter value, and modify the meter address based on those values.
US07945724B1 Non-volatile solid-state memory based adaptive playlist for storage system initialization operations
An initialization process in a storage server is made more efficient by at least partially avoiding serial and/or sequential access to the data blocks that are needed for such process. To accomplish this, the blocks needed for the initialization process are identified prior to performing the initialization process. The blocks or a list of references to the blocks are stored in a non-volatile solid-state memory, such as a flash-based memory, that is separate from the main drive subsystem and has a much shorter power-up and read-access time than the main drive subsystem. The list or stored set of blocks may be used to access the blocks more efficiently when needed, by accessing two or more of such blocks in parallel, as well as performing block accessing and volume mounting in parallel.
US07945719B2 Controller link for manageability engine
An embodiment of the present invention is an efficient interconnecting bus. A first clock source generates a first clock signal at a first frequency on a link bus line synchronized with first data to be transmitted to a device. The device has a second clock source to generate a second clock signal at a second frequency synchronized with second data when the device transmits the second data. The first and second data each forms a packet being one of a posted, completion, and non-posted packets. The first and second frequencies are independent of each other and bounded within first and second frequency ranges, respectively. A queue structure stores packets used in a credit-based flow control policy.
US07945718B2 Microcontroller waveform generation
One embodiment of the present invention is a microcontroller (24) including an embedded memory (42), waveform control circuitry (44) operatively coupled to the memory (42), several terminals (52), and a programmable processor (30). Processor (30) is responsive to execution of the first sequence of instructions to store a waveform bit pattern in memory (42) with a desired transmission timing. Waveform circuitry (44) is responsive to processor (30) to control transmission of the waveform bit pattern stored in memory (42) through one or more of the terminals (52) in accordance with the timing while processor (30) executes the second sequence of instructions to perform a different process.
US07945714B2 Apparatus and method of tracing descriptors in host controller
Apparatus and method of tracing descriptor in a host controller are provided. The host controller for controlling a device includes a first bus interface coupled to a system bus, a processor which determines whether data received from a system memory through the first bus interface are descriptor data, and a descriptor tracer which receives and stores descriptor data transmitted to the processor. Therefore, the host controller provides rapid and various functional checking and debugging.
US07945707B2 Electrical device configuration system and method
A system (100) capable of configuring an electrical device (101) coupled to a computer (102), the system includes: (a) a computer communications component (111) of the electrical device configured to communicate with the computer; and (b) an installation component (120) of the electrical device capable of an initial configuration the electrical device. In this embodiment, the installation component is configured to automatically begin the initial configuration of the electrical device as soon as the installation component detects the electrical device is not configured and the computer communications component establishes a data connection between the electrical device and the computer. Furthermore, the initial configuration of the electrical device includes an initial configuration of either a dynamic or non-dynamic network connection between the electrical device and a network provider.
US07945706B2 Signal receiving circuit adapted for multiple digital video/audio transmission interface standards
The invention provides a signal receiving circuit applied to multiple digital video/audio transmission interface standards. The signal receiving circuit includes at least an input interface for receiving an input signal, and at least an interface circuit. The input interface includes a set of shared input terminals, a set of first separate input terminals for receiving an input signal corresponding to a first transmission specification with the set of shared input terminals, and a set of second separate input terminals for receiving an input signal corresponding to a second transmission specification with the set of shared input terminals. The interface circuit includes a control circuit coupled to the input interface for supplying a control signal, and a processing module coupled to the input interface and the control circuit for processing the input signal according to the control signal to generate an output signal.
US07945701B2 Television with multiple interfaces
A television includes multiple interfaces, a storage medium, an updating module, a processing module and a display module. The multiple interfaces are mounted on a housing of the television, for connecting to peripheral devices. The storage medium stores a table comprising logos of the multiple interfaces and names of the peripheral devices connected to the multiple interfaces. The updating module receives the names of the peripheral devices and updates the table with the names of the peripheral devices. The processing module reads the data of the table stored in the storage medium and converts the data of the table into image signals. The display module visually displays a menu based on the image signals. The menu shows the logos of the multiple interfaces and the names of the peripheral devices connected to the multiple interfaces.
US07945696B2 Differentiated routing using tunnels in a computer network
In one embodiment, one or more tunnel mesh groups may be established in at least a portion of a computer network, where each tunnel mesh group corresponds to a differentiated routing profile. Traffic may then be received at the portion of the computer network, the traffic indicating a particular differentiated routing profile (e.g., based on a received label corresponding to the differentiated routing profile as advertised by the portion of the computer network). Accordingly, the traffic may be routed through the portion of the computer network along a tunnel of a particular tunnel mesh group corresponding to the particular differentiated routing profile traffic.
US07945694B2 Realtime media distribution in a p2p network
Nodes in a realtime p2p media distribution can act in the role of ‘Amplifiers’ to increase the total available bandwidth in the network and thus to improve the quality of the realtime media consumed by the viewers. Examples of such media consumptions are TV channels over the Internet, video on demand films and files, and media files downloaded to be consumed at a later time. Amplifiers are added to the p2p swarm by a mechanism that discovers the need for supplemental bandwidth in the swarm and orders nodes to join the swarm in the role of amplifiers. The amplifiers' main goal is to maximize the amount of bandwidth they supply (upload) to the swarm while minimizing the amount of bandwidth they consume (download).
US07945693B2 Controlling subscriber information rates in a content delivery network
A plurality of content providers provide multiple resources to multiple clients. At least some of the resources are to be served to clients from a shared content delivery network (CDN) formed by a plurality of repeater servers. Each content provider provides at least some resources via one or more content sources associated with that content provider. Transmission data rates from the CDN on behalf of some of the content providers are monitored. Based at least in part on the monitored data rates, requests for resources are directed to a source other than the CDN. Redirection of requests may be based on a pricing policy.
US07945690B2 Extending functionality of workflow applications using instant messaging (IM)
Plug-ins for instant messaging (IM) systems are described. By using plug-ins in conjunction with IM systems, the functionality of IM systems may be greatly extended. Specifically, in business applications, such as workflow processes, IM provides a more reliable approach to determining actual delivery of messages.
US07945689B2 Method and apparatus for transferring files to clients using a peer-to-peer file transfer model and a client-server transfer model
A method and apparatus is provided for delivering a content file to a client over a packet-switched network. The method begins by determining a suitable throughput required to deliver the content file to the client. Next, the throughput available in a peer-to-peer network for delivering the content file to the client is determined. The required throughput is compared to the available throughput. If the available throughput is less than the required throughput, the available throughput is supplemented with additional throughput. The content is then delivered to the client over the packet-switched network using the available throughput of the peer-to-peer network and the additional throughput.
US07945685B2 Controlled relay of media streams across network perimeters
The invention provides an apparatus and method to establish media sessions for media streams crossing a network boundary. The system includes a media relay controlled by a media configurator control module. The media relay reserves media paths (that include ports in the network boundary), opens the media paths, closes the media paths, and provides information about the media paths. A media configurator is adapted to communicate with the media configurator control module and the media relay. The control module has an event handler handling multimedia session events, a local address resolver that determines if an address identifier of the media session belongs to a private address space and a control element used to establish the media path. The control element manages resources for the media relay. A state-refresh timer is used to maintain state consistency between all media relays controlled by a proxy engine and control elements.
US07945683B1 Method and system for multi-tiered search over a high latency network
A computer implemented method and system include executing a search against both a client cache associated with a client and data sources remotely coupled to the client over a network connection. Results from the search against the client cache are rendered on a client UI. The client cache and the client UI are updated with the results from the search against the data sources.
US07945682B2 Method for optimizing a link schedule
A method for improving a link schedule used in a communications network is disclosed. While the method applies generally to networks that operate on a scheduled communications basis, it is described in the context of a Foundation FIELDBUS. The method includes: scheduling sequences and their associated publications according to their relative priority, per application; minimizing delays between certain function blocks, and between certain function blocks and publications; and grouping certain publications. Accordingly, advantages such as latency reduction, schedule length reduction, and improved communications capacity are gained.
US07945679B2 Presence service system, a presence apparatus, a presence service method, and a presence service program
In a presence service system, at least two terminals are connected via a network to each other for communicating presence information therebetween. Each terminal applies a presence notification policy registered corresponding to a condition regarding presence information. A presence service system, a presence apparatus, a presence service method, and a presence service program make it possible to mitigate presence policy setting load imposed onto the user.
US07945677B2 Connection manager capable of supporting both distributed computing sessions and non distributed computing sessions
A method is described that involves establishing a connection over a shared memory between a connection manager and a worker node. The shared memory is accessible to multiple worker nodes. Then sending, from the connection manager to the worker node over the connection, a first request containing a method call to a remote object on the worker node. Also sending, from the connection manager to the worker node over the connection, a second request containing a second method call to a second remote object on the worker node.
US07945674B2 Degrees of separation for handling communications
A sender's degrees of separation from a recipient may be used to aid in spam filtering or to otherwise handle a communication. The “degrees of separation” represent a metric used to quantify whether/how the recipient is linked to the sender through intermediary people or other entities. A level of “trust” or “legitimacy” about a sender's communication can be inferred by looking at whether the sender is linked to an intended recipient. Typically, user contact lists (e.g., address book, buddy list, and/or white list) are evaluated to determine the number of degrees (or hops) are required to link or relate two users.
US07945673B2 Reduced wireless internet connect time
A method for reducing the connect time for server access by wireless devices connecting to the server via a gateway is described. A connection from the wireless device to the gateway is established and a request for information on the server is received from the wireless device and transmitted to the server. A determination is made that a response from the server is not forthcoming and a busy indicator response is transmitted to the wireless device. The connection between the wireless device and the gateway is terminated and the request to the server is retransmitted. In another embodiment, a response is received from the server and a determination is made that the received server response is not the requested information and a response is transmitted to the wireless device. The connection between the wireless device and the gateway is terminated and the request to the server is retransmitted.
US07945671B2 Method and apparatus for middleware assisted system integration in a federated environment
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for instantiating a service on a network. A service infrastructure manager determines whether a service is available at a requested quality of service in response to receiving a request for the service that specifies the quality of service. The service infrastructure manager performs an analysis of components associated with the service to identify resources needed to create the service in response to the service being unavailable at the requested quality of service. Based on the analysis, the service infrastructure manager allocates resources to support the service and instantiates the service at the requested quality of service after the resources have been allocated.
US07945669B2 Method and apparatus for provisioning storage resources
A method and apparatus for automatically provisioning at least a portion of a computer system to meet a specification provided in a provisioning request. In one embodiment, the provisioning includes provisioning at least one resource from each of at least one host computer, at least one storage system, and at least one connectivity resource that connects the at least one host computer to the at least one storage system. In another embodiment, the provisioning includes selecting and configuring at least one logical volume of storage and configuring the computer system to provide access to the selected volume. In another aspect, a computer-readable provisioning transaction is created to provision the computer system, and a computer-readable undo transaction is created to undo it. In a further embodiment, an existing computer system is reverse engineered to create a specification that is modified to create the specification in the provisioning request.
US07945668B1 System and method for content-aware co-clustering algorithm based on hourglass model
A method for performing a network operation is disclosed. The method includes obtaining an association matrix representing association parameters between first entities and second entities of the network, generating a reduced matrix of the association matrix by aggregating the first entities into a reduced number of representative entities, partitioning a set containing the representative entities and the second entities into intermediate co-clusters based on a reduced-matrix based cohesiveness criterion, generating an expanded intermediate co-cluster from an intermediate co-cluster, partitioning the expanded intermediate co-cluster into final co-clusters based on an association-matrix based cohesiveness criterion, generating a profile of network activities based on the final co-clusters, and performing the network operation based on the profile of the network activities.
US07945665B2 Centralized load distribution for an H.323 network
According to some embodiments, centralized load distribution is proved for an H.323 network.
US07945661B2 Real time monitoring of TCP flows
A method for real time monitoring of at least one TCP flow involves monitoring TCP packets flowing past a particular point in a TCP network. A flow trace including at least source and destination addresses for each TCP packet is determined and a packet record for each monitored TCP packet within a determined flow trace is created. Each of the packet records includes at least a transmitted order number and an actual received sequence number, from which an expected received sequence number for each packet record is determined and stored in the packet record. The difference between the expected received sequence number for each packet record and the expected received sequence number for the previous packet record is used to thereby determine by how much a particular packet was moved out of sequence.
US07945659B2 Technology administrative portal
A system and method for determining and displaying return-on-investment (ROI) of components on a network is described. The system includes one or more processes that initiate and receive data streams directly or indirectly from components on the network or from other databases on the network. A dependency tree is created for each component relating each component to other components and to information characterizing the component. A portal is provided to export data feeds to other systems on the network and to generate reports and display usage information on each component on the network. Usage information may be grouped or summarized according to business function or by top level manager.
US07945658B1 Method for real-time visualization of BGP analysis and trouble-shooting
The present invention comprises a multi-tier system. Major goals of the system are to 1) clearly visualize BGP dynamics and alert/report important deviation of BGP dynamics to avoid overwhelming the operators with too much information and 2) analyze the root cause of the problems by using a multi-tier approach, with a light-computational analysis and high-level classification for a real-time problem identification followed by a more rigorous off-line analysis for a further and more detailed trouble shooting. An example embodiment is provided that comprises four modules. The first module comprises a distributed family of collectors in charge of collecting real-time network information. The second module filters out non-relevant prefixes and extracts and profiles key features of the network information. The third module monitors BGP activity from both an Internet-AS and single-AS perspectives by displaying the data in real time and highlighting major shifts or divergence from historical baselines with comprehensive layouts. The forth module is run off-line to focus on a few relevant events that are selected through the first three modules. This is usually a time-consuming phase of the process due to the different temporal and/or spatial correlation that must be run across several sets of data. During this phase, the system can spend more time to better identify the real cause of the problem.
US07945657B1 System and method for emulating input/output performance of an application
A system and method for emulating the input/output performance of an application. A workload description language is used to produce a small but accurate model of the application, which is flexible enough to emulate the application's performance with varying underlying system configurations or operating parameters. The model describes I/O operations performed by the application, and reflects any dependencies that exist between different application threads or processes. The model is then executed or interpreted with a particular system configuration, and various parameters of the I/O operations may be set at the model's run-time. During execution, the input/output operations described in the model are generated according to the specified parameters, and are performed. The system configuration and/or I/O operation parameters may be altered and the model may be re-run.
US07945653B2 Tagging digital media
A method for tagging digital media is described. The method includes selecting a digital media and selecting region within the digital media. The method may further include associating a person or entity with the selected region and sending a notification of the association the person or entity or a different person or entity. The method may further include sending advertising with the notification.
US07945649B2 Information processing device, information processing method, and computer-readable medium for setting a value used in network communications
In an information processing device according to the present invention, in the case of acquiring a setting value by using a protocol, a setting value acquired from a server by using the protocol is stored into a storage area for storing a setting value designated by a user.
US07945643B2 Rules for shared entities of a network-attached storage device
A system comprises storage configurable, at least in part, into a plurality of shared entities. The storage comprises rules. Each rule is configurable to specify one or more of the shared entities to associate with a specified computer identity so that at least one computer identity is associatable with a different set of shared entities from at least one other computer identity.
US07945641B2 Method and apparatus of triggering a transfer of data stored in a database
A method and apparatus for sending or retrieving data by mobile phone users. The data is stored in a database. The sender or recipient enters into the connection with a manager and provides identification to the manager. Further, the method involves associating an e-mail address or a URL address with the recipient based in part on the identification provided to the manager.
US07945639B2 Processing write requests with server having global knowledge
Described are embodiments directed to processing write requests using designated servers with global knowledge of information within a distributed system. The designated servers are used to enforce a data rule that limits the data that may be written to the distributed system. In order to ensure that data written to the distributed system is consistent with the data rule, when another server within the distributed system receives a request to write information that is subject to the data rule, it must consult with one of the designated servers before it can accept the write request. If the designated server determines that the data is consistent with the data rule, the write request is approved. Otherwise, the write request is denied.
US07945638B2 Ubiquitous content subscription and delivery via a smart electronic paper device
A portable electronic paper device can include a flexible display substrate for displaying dynamic content received from a content provider. The device can also include a CPU, memory storage and a wireless communication component for establishing a connection with the content provider. The memory of the device can be loaded with software needed to display the content, such as a hypervisor, a virtual machine and an interface layer between them such that no operating system is required in order to render content onto the flexible display. The electronic device can be distributed to users from the content provider and loaded with an application deployed on the virtual machine to display and personalize the content. Periodic updates can be transmitted from the content provider to the device thereby enabling real-time updatable content delivery to the users.
US07945637B2 Server architecture and methods for persistently storing and serving event data
A web site system includes an event history server system that persistently stores event data reflective of events that occur during browsing sessions of web site users, and makes such data available to other applications and services in real time. The server system may, for example, be used to record information about every mouse click of every recognized user, and may also be used to record other types of events such as impressions and mouse-over events. The event data of a particular user may be retrieved from the server system based on event type, event time of occurrence, and various other criteria. In one embodiment, the server system includes a cache layer that caches event data by session ID, and includes a persistent storage layer the persistently stores the event data by user ID. Also disclosed are various application features that may be implemented using the stored event data.
US07945636B2 Providing a multi-tier enterprise level application
Systems and methods for providing a multi-tier enterprise level application. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing an architecture and interface for delivering customizable music and advertisements to remote retail locations. A client player computer device is located at the retail location and a server system is located at a remote location. The server system selectively provides broadcast information when an active contract, an active advertisement, and an active schedule are available. The client player computer device establishes a contact with a server at a predetermined time or upon request by the server or another source. The client player computer device executes a broadcast or program schedule that includes music content and advertisements, wherein the advertisements have been purchased as blocks of time by entities and are scheduled to be broadcast at particular times. The music content and advertisements are selectively customizable to provide a dynamic service at the retail location.
US07945631B2 Message state maintenance at a cursor
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for maintaining message state at a cursor. A message consumer requests messages from a cursor. The cursor can maintain state information for the message consumers separately from a message log that stores messages. Any of a variety of message delivery assurances can be used when delivering a message to a message consumer.
US07945629B2 Active removal of e-mail recipient from replies and subsequent threads
A data processing system, computer implemented method, and a computer program product prevents the delivery of undesired e-mail message. A remove request is received from a non-desiring client. The remove request identifies a first subject line or a first body text from a previous e-mail message. An active request is updated with the remove request. Responsive to updating the active requests, the non-desiring client is redacted from a previously received message within a message file. The previously received message includes a second subject line that matches the first subject line, or a second body text that matches the first body text.
US07945628B1 Method for facilitating human social interaction using a computing system
Techniques for facilitating human social interaction, such as dating, through a computing system are disclosed. A logical representation of a social interaction called an event is created. The event is proposed to a second user for the system by the user that created the event. A response from the second user determines the communications paths available through the system. In one example, a positive response from the second user allows further communication between the users via a web-based messaging system. Methods of advertising and matching using this system are also disclosed.
US07945625B2 Automated moderation of discussion lists
Within a network-based discussion environment, a moderation mechanism is implemented to encourage posts of high relevancy. The moderation mechanism is configurable so as to support distributed access control. In one case, the moderation mechanism is configured to support an allocation of a limited number of responses to a user based on the number of new threads the user has started.
US07945623B2 System and method for notifying an offline global computer network user of an online interaction
A system and method for notifying an offline global computer network user of an online interaction in which the offline user could participate. The system and method specify notification criteria of the offline user, monitor activities occurring on the global computer network, compare the activities to the notification criteria, and, if the activities satisfy the notification criteria, forward an offline communication to the offline user, which notifies the offline user of the online interaction. Examples of the online interactions include chat rooms, game sites, instant messaging services, auctions, and calls made over the global computer network. Examples of the offline communication include calls to a wireline telephone, calls to a wireless telephone, messages to a caller identification device, messages to a wireless access protocol device, messages to a one-way pager, and messages to an interactive pager.
US07945617B2 System and method for maintaining on a handheld electronic device information that is substantially current and is readily available to a user
An improved system and method for managing data on a handheld electronic device includes a server that periodically pushes data to a particular handheld electronic device, with the data being stored on the handheld electronic device by way of a routine running in the background whereby such reception and storage is generally transparent to a user. The data can be any type of data and may be data that is desired by the user or that fits a profile or preference of the user. The profile can, for instance, be predetermined and/or can be customized by the user and/or can reflect a preference of the user. The data pushed to the handheld electronic device can also be related in some fashion to a geographic disposition of the handheld electronic device. Such pushing of data and storage is managed by a routine running in the background of the handheld electronic device. The routine enables current data to be maintained on the handheld electronic device for ready access by a user.
US07945614B2 Space-time communication system
A technique for performing message communications while assigning a space and respective time periods or time points at present, in past and in future is disclosed. A space-time object intercepts a message. Alternatively, this object per se executes the processing for immediately transmitting a message to a target object under management with relevancy thereto, for retaining the message by a future time point assigned, or for preparing and sending a message for searching logs in the past, thereby to realize the space-time communications.
US07945610B2 Convolution operation circuit
There is provided a convolution operation circuit that performs a convolution operation on a provided digital signal. The convolution operation circuit includes a data dividing section that generates a plurality of divided data obtained by dividing respective amplitude data of the digital signal into a plurality of bit areas, an arithmetic section that performs a predetermined convolution operation on the respective divided data of the respective amplitude data in a time-sharing mode and outputs the result, and a coupling section that couples the divided data output from the arithmetic section for each of the amplitude data.
US07945609B2 Method for composing lookup table and searching index thereof
A method for composing a lookup table and searching indexes thereof is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) composing a lookup table using a symmetry of a sine and a cosine function; b) changing and setting a gain of a DCO by reflecting a lookup table size in the DCO; c) transforming an absolute value of a DCO output to an integer value; d) determining a range of the integer value of the DCO output; e) searching indexes of a sine and an cosine function according to the range of the integer value of the DCO output; and f) correcting a sign of a lookup table value corresponding to the searched index of the sine function and a sign of a lookup table value corresponding to the searched index of the cosine function according to the range of integers of the DCO output.
US07945607B2 Data processing apparatus and method for converting a number between fixed-point and floating-point representations
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for converting a number between fixed-point and floating-point representations. More particularly, the data processing apparatus comprises a data processing unit operable to execute instructions, with the data processing unit being responsive to a format conversion instruction to apply a format conversion operation to a number to perform a conversion between the fixed-point representation of the number and the floating-point representation of the number. Furthermore, a control field is provided which is arranged to provide a programmable value specifying a decimal point location within the fixed-point representation of the number, and the data processing unit is operable to reference the control field and to control the formal conversion operation in accordance with the programmable value. This enables a single instruction to be used to directly convert between fixed-point formats (where the position of the decimal point may be programmable varied) and floating-point representations.
US07945605B2 Method for accelerating the computational speed of a computer algorithm
A new technique for accelerating the computational speed of a computer algorithm is provided. The inventive technique can be applied to video compression/decompression algorithms, optical character recognition algorithms, and digital camera zooming applications.
US07945600B1 Techniques for organizing data to support efficient review and analysis
Techniques for organizing a corpus of electronic documents. The electronic documents are organized in a manner that facilitates review of the documents. The documents are organized into a concept-based hierarchical collection of folders based upon contents of the documents.
US07945599B2 Method and apparatus for process design
A process is managed by creating a future revision of a base. Data are input into the future revision of the base. The future revision of the base is made current, revising the base. A control tracks the authorization of the base revision, storing the authorization of the future revision of the base.
US07945597B2 Report then query capability for a multidimensional database model
A system and a method for creating an analytical report on top of a multidimensional data model built on top of a relational or multidimensional database. The database operates in a computer system and provides returned values responsive to queries. Such a query is generated automatically and is deduced from a report definition. According to one embodiment, a report specification is used by the system and method of the present invention is able to defer the initial query of the data source, as is the case with conventional reporting tools and methods, until after the report has been defined. That is, the manner in which a analytic report is defined provides for an automatically generated query. Once the report has been defined, the data to populate such a report is retrieved to build the document.
US07945596B2 Programming model for customized data objects
A programming model for customized data objects is provided. For several embodiments, a method for providing customizable data objects comprises storing an abstract definition of an entity in metadata, the definition including a set of properties of the entity; and generating an entity view class based on the set of properties of the entity and including at least one property of the entity in the entity view. When programming against the entity view class, only those properties included in the entity view class are allowed to be seen or modified.
US07945595B1 System and method for generating an item list in electronic content
In various embodiments, a computerized method includes creating a first item of a list having at least two items that form a portion of electronic content. The computerized method can include creating a second item of the list within the electronic content, as well as converting the second item to a separate paragraph below the first item, wherein the separate paragraph is part of the first item. The computerized method may include creating another item of the list below the separate paragraph, wherein a continuity is maintained between the first item and the another item of the list. The computerized method includes storing the electronic content in a machine-readable medium.
US07945593B2 Diagram creation device and program for the same
The diagram creation device ensures a good response irrespective of the volume of data while realizing a wide variety of display modes of figures or tables based on data acquired from a database. The function treating section of the diagram creation device returns a data produced by a content of an instruction input into a cell of a worksheet of a spreadsheet soft. The data treating section acquires data specified by a function and an entire time-series data having a code which forms argument of the function from a local database and then stores into a data caching section. The data acquired from the local database are computed to produce a computed data and stored into a computed data caching section. When data specified by the function exists within the data caching section or a computed data caching section, the data treating section preferentially acquires them.
US07945592B2 XML based transaction detail records
The present invention is directed to a method for managing transactions in a telecommunications network. The method includes creating an XML transaction detail file. At least one transaction detail record is stored in the XML transaction detail file in response to a telecommunications transaction. The at least one transaction detail record includes transaction data corresponding to the telecommunications transaction.
US07945590B2 Programmability for binding data
An object model allows code to be developed using a programming environment to access the functionality of an application, in a word processing application, for example. The object model may be used to manipulate one or more data bindings in an application. Code may also be developed using a programming environment for reacting to changes, in either direction, of a content region or a node in XML data associated with one or more data bindings. Code may be developed to define data bindings between file content and content within data in a data store. Additionally, code may be developed that reacts to changes within a bound region of a file or within a data store, trapping or intercepting events, such as edits, additions, deletions, etc.
US07945589B1 Integrated change management in a business intelligence environment
A business intelligence system includes a business intelligence server configured to support generation of a report user interface for presentation of enterprise data to end users of the business intelligence system and an authoring user interface for development of a report definition of the report user interface. The business intelligence system further includes a metadata repository in which metadata indicative of the report definition is stored, a client having a browser for communication with the business intelligence server and for rendering of the authoring user interface, and a change management server configured for communication with the business intelligence server to manage the development of the report definition via the authoring user interface. The business intelligence server is configured with first textual instructions to direct the browser in the rendering of the authoring user interface, and the browser is further directed by second textual instructions referenced by the first textual instructions and configured to modify the authoring user interface to allow the change management server to manage storage of the metadata indicative of the report definition.
US07945585B1 Method and system for improving targeted data delivery
A method and system for improving targeted data delivery. One method accesses a user profile based on information about a user from at least one electronic device from a set of electronic devices that is associated with the user. A targeted data offer is received, wherein the targeted data offer defines selection criteria for targeted user profiles. A determination is made as to whether the user profile satisfies the selection criteria. A non-user selected relevancy criteria based on the user profile is then utilized to characterize the targeted data offer.
US07945581B2 Global-results processing matrix for processing queries
A system and methods for parallel processing of queries to one or more databases are described herein. One or more databases may be distributed among a subset of slave nodes of a global-results processing matrix. A query to the database may be generated using a query-based high-level programming language. The query-based source code then may be converted to intermediary source code in a common programming language and then compiled into a dynamic link library (DLL) or other type of executable. The DLL is then distributed among the slave nodes of the processing matrix, whereupon the slave nodes execute related portions of the DLL substantially in parallel to generate initial query results. The initial query results may then be provided to a master node of the global-results processing matrix for additional processing, whereby the master node is adapted to execute one or more associated portions of the DLL on the initial query results.
US07945579B1 Locating meaningful stopwords or stop-phrases in keyword-based retrieval systems
A stopword detection component detects stopwords (also stop-phrases) in search queries input to keyword-based information retrieval systems. Potential stopwords are initially identified by comparing the terms in the search query to a list of known stopwords. Context data is then retrieved based on the search query and the identified stopwords. In one implementation, the context data includes documents retrieved from a document index. In another implementation, the context data includes categories relevant to the search query. Sets of retrieved context data are compared to one another to determine if they are substantially similar. If the sets of context data are substantially similar, this fact may be used to infer that the removal of the potential stopword(s) is not material to the search. If the sets of context data are not substantially similar, the potential stopword can be considered material to the search and should not be removed from the query.
US07945576B2 Location recognition using informative feature vocabulary trees
A location recognition technique that involves using a query image to identify a depicted location is presented. In addition to the query image, there is also a pre-constructed database of features which are associated with images of known locations. The technique matches features derived from the query image to the database features using a specialized vocabulary tree, which is referred to as an informative feature vocabulary tree. The informative feature vocabulary tree is specialized because it was generated using just those database features that have been deemed informative of known locations. The aforementioned matching features are used to identify a known location image that matches the query image. The location associated with that known location image is then deemed to be the location depicted in the query image.
US07945575B2 Method of transforming queries based upon E/R schema into multi-dimensional expression queries
A method of transforming queries based upon an entity/relationship schema into multi-dimensional expression queries is provided. The method comprises matching an object referenced in an entity/relationship schema based report specification to a corresponding object in the entity/relationship schema, the corresponding object adorned with associated multidimensional metadata; adding the associated multi-dimensional metadata to the object referenced in the entity/relationship schema based report specification; translating the entity/relationship schema based report specification into a multi-dimensional expression query; and retrieving directly all data required to populate a report output of the entity/relationship schema report specification.
US07945572B2 Pattern discovery through reversing time flow
The present invention provides systems and methods for automatically mining massive intelligence databases to discover sequential patterns therein using a novel combination of forward and reverse temporal processing techniques as an enhancement to well known pattern discovery algorithms.
US07945571B2 Application of weights to online search request
A machine-implemented search method comprises inputting a search query from a user, and before the query is executed, inputting from the user a weighting factor that has a specified relationship to the query. The method further includes initiating a search by causing the query to be applied according to the weighting factor, and returning a result of the search to the user. The weighting factor may represent, for example, a weight to be given to one of multiple information sources that are available to be searched in response to the query, such as an online search engine or a merchant online commerce web site. Alternatively, the weighting factor may represent a weight to be given to a term in the query.
US07945570B2 Identifying optimal multi-scale patterns in time-series streams
A computer-implemented method, system, and a computer readable article of manufacture identify local patterns in at least one time series data stream. A data stream is received that comprises at least one set of time series data. The at least one set of time series data is formed into a set of multiple ordered levels of time series data. Multiple ordered levels of hierarchical approximation functions are generated directly from the multiple ordered levels of time series data. A set of approximating functions are created for each level. A current window with a current window length is selected from a set of varying window lengths. The set of approximating functions created at one level in the multiple ordered levels is passed to a subsequent level as a set of time series data. The multiple ordered levels of hierarchical approximation functions are stored into memory after being generated.
US07945567B2 Storing and/or retrieving a document within a knowledge base or document repository
A document is stored in and retrieved from a repository being indexed by a search engine by applying to each document a first classification based on a profile of a user who is likely to access the repository. A query formulated by the user to the search engine results in the engine producing a list of references of documents. The list of references is reduced by eliminating from the lists the documents and references which do not correspond to the user's profile. A second classification level, representative of the particular nature of the problem to which the document refers, is performed. Automatic tagging and labeling mechanisms improve the repository partitioning.
US07945566B2 System and method of information filtering
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of information filtering. The method includes storing a user goal. The method further includes generating search results corresponding to the user goal. The method further includes continuously filtering the search results, based on a user context that changes, to obtain a filter result related to the user goal. The method further includes outputting the filter result in accordance with a current user device.
US07945562B2 Join predicate push-down optimizations
Join predicate push down transformations push down a join predicate of an outer query into a view. Among the types of views for which join predicate push down is performed are a view with a GROUP BY or DISTINCT operator, an anti-joined or semi-joined view, and a view that contains one or more nested views. During optimization, join predicate push down may be used to generate many transformed queries for comparison. The number of query transformations performed for comparison is managed.
US07945557B2 Method, system, and program for query optimization with algebraic rules
A set of algebraic rules applicable to a query are identified, wherein each of the algebraic rules represents a relationship between two columns in a relational database table. A source column is identified by searching the query for a source predicate, wherein the source predicate is a range predicate. One or more candidate target columns are identified by searching the set of algebraic rules, wherein each of the candidate target columns occurs on one side of a binding expression and the source column occurs on the other side of the binding expression. For each of the one or more candidate target columns, a bounds subquery that provides a lower bound and an upper bound for a new range predicate is derived and he new range predicate is introduced into the query, wherein the query is executed to retrieve data from one or more data stores.
US07945555B2 Method for categorizing content published on internet
The present invention provides method and system for categorizing a content published on Internet. The method comprising gathering one or more feeds associated with the content. The method further comprises extracting contextual information from the one or more feeds. Thereafter, the content is categorized into one or more general web-based categories belonging to a set of general web-based categories. The categorizing step further comprises performing a semantic analysis of the contextual information that yields a keyword string. The content is classified into the one or more general web-based category based on the keyword string. Finally, the set of general web-based categories is translated to a set of pre-defined categories, such that one or more general web-based category is translated to a pre-defined category that is relevant to an end user.
US07945552B2 System of effectively searching text for keyword, and method thereof
A system of the present invention stores: a first index which designates lists of keywords contained in texts from identifications of the respective texts; a second index which designates lists of texts containing keywords from identifications of the respective keywords; and the number of texts containing the respective keywords. Then, upon receiving an input of a text search condition, the system calculates an estimation of search time by the first index and an estimation of search time by the second index, and determines which one of the first and second indexes makes a search faster. Then, by using the index which has been determined to make the search faster, the system searches for keywords which appear in texts satisfying the text search condition with higher frequency.
US07945551B1 Redirection of misses in queryable caches
A cache with a database system that contains a subset of the objects stored in another database system. The cache database system responds to a request that contains a reference to an object that is not in the cache by redirecting the request to the other database system when the request is executed in the cache's database system. Redirection is done by rewriting requests that refer to objects that are not in the cache. In one kind of rewriting, a cursor is marked to indicate redirection, and when the cursor is executed in the cache database system, it is redirected to the other database system for execution. In the other kind, calls to stored procedures that are not present in the cache database system are rewritten as remote procedure calls to the stored procedures in the other database system.
US07945547B2 Communication apparatus and method for controlling communication
According to one embodiment, a communication apparatus communicates with both a controller device and a control object device. The communication apparatus includes a first provide section that provides file configuration information conforming to a file system format acceptable to the controller device; a receive section that receives an access request to a file included in the provided file configuration information, from the controller device; a convert section that converts the access request to control command information conforming to a predetermined protocol acceptable to the control object device; and a second provide section that provides the control command information to the control object device.
US07945544B2 Similarity-based access control of data in a data processing system
Similarity of data items is determined by analyzing corresponding segments of the data items. A function is applied to each segment of a data item and the output of that function is compared to the output of the same function applied to a corresponding segment of another data item. A function may be applied to the output of the functions. The functions may be hash or message digest functions.
US07945541B1 Version set of related objects
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a version set of related objects may comprise a set and/or a group of multiple versions of an object such as multiple edited versions that may be displayed, rendered, manipulated, edited, and/or otherwise handled as a related grouping.
US07945540B2 Method to create a partition-by time/tuple-based window in an event processing service
A method to create a partition by time/tuple based window in an event processing service is provided. When continuous data streams are received, tuples are stored in a data structure with partitions based upon partition keys. Only a specified amount of tuples may be stored in each partition. When a partition exceeds the specified number of tuples, the oldest tuples are removed from the data structure. Tuples stored beyond a specified time period are also removed from the data structure. Two data structures may also be used to implement a time/tuple based window. Tuples are stored in both a data structure with a partition by window and a data structure with a range window. Tuples are removed in the partition by window when tuples exceed the amount in the partition. Tuples are removed in the range window when tuples exceed a specified time period. The two data structures are synchronized.
US07945539B2 Distributing and accessing data in a data processing system
A method of distributing a data item to a plurality of computers in a network of computers. A data item is divided into a plurality of segments. Each segment is stored on at least one computer in said network. A list of computers onto which each of said segments has been stored is maintained. When a data item is requested, its component segments are obtained from at least two computers in the network. Some of the computers may form a peer-to-peer network.
US07945538B2 Method and arrangements for node recovery
The present invention relates to a method and arrangements for node recovery particularly suitable for recovery involving large database fragments. The method for node recovery according to the present invention makes use of an old version of a fragment in a failed node (114). The old version is brought up to date by means of scanning an up to date version of the fragment in another node and copying parts of the fragment (117), which have changed since the creation of the old version, to the recovering node. A delete log is utilized in order to take deletions, which have taken place since the creation of the old version, into account in the recovery of the failed node (116). An advantage of the method for node recovery according to the present invention is that it does not require write transactions to be stopped during the recovery process.
US07945536B2 Method and system for recovering a previous version of a document from a current version of the document
An extensible markup language document management method includes: receiving a document recovery request from a user; and recovering a version of the document as required by a user from the current version of the document, in accordance with the change records for the document. An extensible markup language document management system includes: a rollback control module, adapted to recover a version of a document as required by a user from the current version of the document, in accordance with change records for the document, upon receiving a document recovery request from the user.
US07945530B2 Real estate disclosure reporting method
A real estate disclosure reporting method identifies a condition category, creates a disclosure form and lists items of disclosure on a disclosure form. The items of disclosure relate to the condition category. The reporting method also researches a particular property to determine known items of disclosure, indicates the known items of disclosure on the disclosure form and generates a report of the known items of disclosure.
US07945526B2 Method of organizing and presenting data in a table
An item is organized and presented by displaying a table, wherein the table displays a plurality of data comprising DNA profile analysis results including an observation characterizing the at least one item, and wherein an analysis result is based on a decision made by an expert system according to a rule base. An observation comprises one of concordance, a locus having a concordance error, an off-ladder peak, a peak height imbalance and a peak falling in an overlap region between loci. The rule base comprises rules related to background noise, spike, broad peak, duplicate allele, bleed-through peak, pull-up peak, stutter peak, −A peak and global filter rules.
US07945524B2 System and method for grading electricity distribution network feeders susceptible to impending failure
A machine learning system creates failure-susceptibility rankings for feeder cables in a utility's electrical distribution system. The machine learning system employs martingale boosting algorithms and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms to generate a feeder failure prediction model, which is trained on static and dynamic feeder attribute data. Feeders are dynamically ranked by failure susceptibility and the rankings displayed to utility operators and engineers so that they can proactively service the distribution system to prevent local power outages. The feeder rankings may be used to redirect power flows and to prioritize repairs. A feedback loop is established to evaluate the responses of the electrical distribution system to field actions taken to optimize preventive maintenance programs.
US07945522B2 Match-based employment system and method
A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of possible results compared to information associated with a user, enabling the user to access a result of the plurality of possible results if the score generated for the result meets a threshold condition, enabling the user to adjust the threshold condition and preventing the user from adjusting the threshold condition beyond a minimum threshold condition. The score can be a bi-directional matching score. The minimum threshold condition can include a minimum score. The minimum score can be determined based on the percentage of the plurality of possible results that would be accessible to the user.
US07945519B2 Information management system
An information management system is described comprising one or more workstations running applications to allow a user of the workstation to connect to a network, such as the Internet. Each application has an analyzer, which monitors transmission data that the application is about to transmit to the network or about to receive from the network and which determines an appropriate action to take regarding that transmission data. Such actions may be extracting data from the transmission data, such as passwords and usernames, digital certificates or eCommerce transaction details for storage in a database; ensuring that the transmission data is transmitted at an encryption strength appropriate to the contents of the transmission data; determining whether a check needs to be made as to whether a digital certificate received in transmission data is in force, and determining whether a transaction about to be made by a user of one of the workstations needs third party approval before it is made. The analyzer may consult a policy data containing a policy to govern the workstations in order to make its determination. The information management system provides many advantages in the eCommerce environment to on-line trading companies, who may benefit by being able to regulate the transactions made by their staff according to their instructions in a policy data, automatically maintain records of passwords and business conducted on-line, avoid paying for unnecessary checks on the validity of digital certificates and ensure that transmissions of data made by their staff are always protected at an agreed strength of encryption.
US07945518B2 Method, processor and mail transport system for associating information with a mail item
In a method, data processor and mail transport system for a mail item, the mail item has an electronic memory device physically associated therewith that contains electronically stored information that is relevant for the transport of the mail item.
US07945515B2 Mass compromise/point of compromise analytic detection and compromised card portfolio management system
A system and method for managing mass compromise of financial transaction devices is disclosed. A method includes maintaining a summary of a transaction history for a financial transaction device, and forming a device history profile based on the transaction history, the device history profile including predictive variables indicative of fraud associated with the financial transaction device. A method further includes generating a fraud score based on the predictive variables, the fraud score representing a likelihood that the financial transaction device is compromised will be used fraudulently.
US07945510B1 Systems and methods for providing a mortgage with a sliding credit line
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide a mortgage with a primary credit line and a sliding credit line, such that the borrower may request to borrow from the sliding credit line as part of the original mortgage. A level of risk associated with the borrower may be determined based on credit information of the borrower; a first credit line may be established based on the determined level of risk associated with the borrower, the first credit line being set as a debt of the mortgage; a second credit line may be established based on the determined level of risk associated with the borrower, the second credit line being set as a maximum to which the debt of the mortgage may be increased during the mortgage; and the mortgage may be offered to the borrower with the established first and second credit lines, such that a single first lien may serve as security for the first and second credit lines. Moreover, a mortgage lender may record the single first lien as the sum of the primary and sliding credit lines.
US07945509B1 Seller automated engine architecture for optimized pricing strategies in automated real-time iterative reverse auctions over the internet and the like for the purchase and sale of goods and services
An improved seller automated engine architecture methodology particularly (though not exclusively) for use in automated real-time iterative reverse auctions over the Internet and the like for purchase and sale of goods and services, providing a choice of architectural implementations while enabling price optimization on market share-directed considerations, specific sales target-directed implementations, seller utility derivative-following implementations, model optimizer implementations and explorations, mathematical optimization-oriented and rules-based implementations.
US07945505B2 Methods and systems for trading contracts and operating exchanges
Methods and systems are provided for operating a contracts exchange without conventional counterparty risk measures used by existing futures exchanges such as collateral, margin accounts, position limits, price change limits and regular settlement times. Traders on the contracts exchange hold substantially, or exclusively, cash and/or liquid exchange-traded assets or liabilities. Traders maintain transparent balance sheets which can be made available to third parties. A trader holding assets or liabilities that are illiquid or approaching illiquidity should demonstrate diligence in divesting such holdings. The trader's holdings are marked to their fair market value using acceptable accounting standards. Traders may also be required to obtain and maintain surety guarantees.
US07945484B1 Local product information
The present invention is directed to a method and system for providing information obtained from both online stores and offline stores and for offering more purchasing options to customers. A customer can specify a particular item with detailed aspects for an information search, along with location information to define a local geographic area. The gathered local price information is presented to the customer over a network connection. The customer can purchase the item from either online stores or offline stores over a network connection.
US07945483B2 System and method for sales generation in conjunction with a vehicle data system
Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price.
US07945482B2 Viewing shopping information on a network-based social platform
A system for viewing shopping information on a social networking platform. At the social networking platform, the system receives a request from a first user of the social networking platform to view a list associated with a second user on the social networking platform. The list may include items offered for sale on a network-based marketplace. Next, the system determines the first user is authorized to view the list associated with the second user. Finally, the system communicates the list of items to the first user.
US07945480B2 Multiple-platform estimating and automatic quoting for network-based parts resale with transferable reports
A part location system is described that utilizes computer-based techniques for bringing together repair facilities and suppliers to increase the efficiency of locating recycled, used or aftermarket parts using a computer network, such as the Internet. The part location system receives an estimate from a first user over a communication network. The part location system then parses the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user and automatically generates a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate. The part location system then sends the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network. Subsequently, the part location system receives quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ and presents the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network.
US07945478B2 Historical vehicle parts database system
A computer system, method and computer readable media for processing historical vehicle replacement part database queries is disclosed. The system can include a data preprocessing unit, a database server coupled to the data preprocessing unit, a web server and an application server programmed to connect operatively to the database server and to the web server. The application server can be programmed to generate dynamic content including a user interface adapted to receive user input and to output result data based upon a database query result, a subrogation claim accuracy verification result and an independent subrogation claim value.
US07945477B2 Patron service system and method
A patron service system and method is described herein with reference to several exemplary implementations. For example, in one described implementation, portable patron units are provided to patrons for use in a resort or other establishment. The portable patron units are mobile wireless devices that include interactive display screens. The portable patron units enables patrons to interact order items, request services, and/or browse information associated with the resort wirelessly. Portable staff units are provided to staff members for use in the resort or other establishment. The portable staff units are also mobile wireless devices that include interactive display screens. The portable staff units, enable staff members to view information about orders and/or requests entered by patrons made by the patrons wirelessly. The portable staff units can also display locations of the portable patron units to enable staff members to locate portable patron units when delivering items, servicing requests, etc.
US07945476B2 Internet contextual advertisement delivery system
This invention relates to a system and method for presenting to a user relevant areas of distributed computer network sites. In particular, the invention disclosed, infers, and cross references user mind sets with data stores of potential user goals. The user mind sets indicate a navigational goal of a user over the distributed computer network. In addition, the invention cross-references indicated user goals with data stores of service and service providers providing those services. The invention presents targeted service and service providers to the user across the distributed computer network thereby enabling the user to navigate towards the user goal.
US07945470B1 Facilitating performance of submitted tasks by mobile task performers
Techniques are described for facilitating performance of tasks supplied by task requesters, such as by a task exchange server interacting with mobile task performer users available to perform tasks at various geographical locations. Some or all of the tasks may each be associated with geographical locations and/or other device-related criteria related to the performance of the task, and one or more mobile task performer users may be identified as being appropriate to perform the task based on the location of, qualifications of, and/or characteristics of mobile device(s) of the user. Such identified task performer users may then be notified of such appropriate tasks in various ways, such as by sending one or more electronic messages with information about the tasks to one or more mobile devices of the users, and may in some situations use one or more of their mobile devices as part of the task performance.
US07945464B2 Workflow system matrix organization search engine
A rule-based search engine is used in conjunction with an automated network-based workflow system (which in turn is interfaced with an organizational database) to efficiently determine service routing requests from users/clients. The search engine employs search techniques adapted for use with multi-dimensional tree structures that define the matrix organizational model. Workflow services are preferably represented by roles that can be used to represent workflow actors in the workflow routing rules. These roles are preferably evaluated at run-time to best match recipients depending on the organization context from which the routing request is made.
US07945462B1 Systems and methods of automating reconsideration of cardiac risk
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media to automate reconsideration of a cardiac risk category associated with issuance of a life insurance policy may provide an indication of a best potential risk category or rate class that would be available if at least one action is completed by a life insurance applicant.
US07945461B2 Prescription compliance monitoring system
A method for monitoring patient compliance to medical therapy that includes repeatedly measuring therapy compliance of a patient, uploading the therapy compliance measurements to a personal computer, connecting a central server using the personal computer, sending the uploaded therapy compliance measurements from the personal computer to the central server, providing a number of predetermined compliance threshold amounts, comparing the sent therapy compliance measurements with the number of predetermined compliance thresholds corresponding to the patient, determining a need and level of intervention based on the result of the comparing and reporting the determined need for intervention to a health professional corresponding to the patient and determined level.
US07945459B2 Compensated electronic consults
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing health care information to health care providers and for obtaining information pertaining to the practice of a health care provider by providing incentives for provision of such information.
US07945457B2 Distributed system for monitoring patient video, audio and medical parameter data
A distributed patient monitoring system visually monitors patients and patient parameters using multiple portable processing devices. The system includes an authentication processor enabling a user to obtain access authorization to access patient data. A clinical application display image identifies multiple different patients in corresponding multiple different locations and enables a user to select a particular patient. A data processor uses access information in acquiring live video and vital sign parameters of the particular patient from a room associated with the particular patient. A display processor initiates generation of data representing an image sequence comprising a composite image including a first area showing acquired live video of the particular patient and a second area presenting acquired vital sign parameters of the particular patient using the clinical application display image.
US07945456B2 Documenting remote engagements
A service provider is prompted to provide a summary of an engagement with a consumer, an audible summary provided by the provider is recorded and, and the audible summary is associated with a record of the engagement.
US07945454B2 Medical personal display assistant guide
A system and method of managing medical-related data includes at least one database comprising medical-related data, wherein the at least one database comprises a first module that stores and retrieves data relating to pharmaceutical drugs; a second module that stores and retrieves data relating to medical treatment protocols; a third module that stores and retrieves data relating to healthcare reimbursement data; a fourth module that stores and retrieves data relating to medical billing coding data; and a fifth module that stores and retrieves data relating to medical education data. Furthermore, at least one client system is operatively connected to the at least one database through a communications channel, wherein each of the at least one client system accesses all modules of the at least one database; consolidates data based on user instructions; and broadcasts the consolidated data.