| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07951041B2 |
Variator
A continuously variable ratio device (“variator”) is disclosed in which a pair of rotary races (252, 254) is mounted for rotation about a common variator axis (218). Drive is transferred from one race to the other through at least one roller (200) running upon them. The drive ratio is variable by virtue of precession of the roller about a precession axis (228). Precession results in a change in angle between the roller axis and the variator axis and a corresponding change in drive ratio. In accordance with the invention, the roller (200) is coupled to a carrier (214) in a manner which permits it to precess relative to the carrier (214). The carrier itself is rotatable about a carrier axis (226) which is non-parallel to the precession axis. Rotation of the carrier (214) about the carrier axis serves to change the orientation of the precession axis (228) and is accompanied by a change in variator drive ratio. |
| US07951039B2 |
Eight speed automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. |
| US07951038B2 |
Power transmitting apparatus
A power transmitting apparatus for performing switching between 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive modes and locking and unlocking of a differential by an operational shaft can comprise a reversible motor, a driving shaft rotationally driven by the motor and adapted to be engaged by the operational shaft for transmitting a rotational force therebetween, a sub case for containing the motor and the driving shaft therein and mounted on the main case, an opening formed in the sub case and having a size permitting the operational shaft to be inserted and an end face of the driving shaft for engaging an end face of the operational shaft to be exposed, and a first sealing arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the opening at a position away from the driving shaft for sealing off the inside of the sub case with forming a seal between the inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the operational shaft when the operational shaft is engaged with the driving shaft. |
| US07951036B2 |
Differential transmission unit featuring active controlling of the moment distribution
Disclosed is a differential transmission unit featuring active controlling of the moment distribution. Said differential transmission unit comprises a differential transmission (4) with two output shafts (6, 7), the cage (5) of said differential transmission (4) forming the input member, and one respective controlled frictional clutch (22, 26) that is associated with an output shaft. The primary part (22) of the clutch is drivingly connected to the input member (5) while the secondary part (26) of the clutch is drivingly connected to the associated output shaft (6, 7), at least one of the driving connections being provided with an increased or reduced transmission ratio. In order to create a lightweight and small unit, the clutch (22, 26) surrounds the associated output shaft (6, 7), the central axis (13) thereof is offset relative to the central axis (12) of the associated output shaft (6, 7), and the secondary part (26) of the clutch, which surrounds the associated output shaft (6, 7), is provided with an internally toothed gear rim (30) which meshes with an externally toothed wheel (31) on the associated output shaft. |
| US07951027B2 |
CVT using a belt and driving method
The present invention relates to a continuously variable transmission using a belt which comprises: a driving portion including a main cylinder having a space in which oil can be filled and operating as a pulley, a plurality of subsidiary cylinders disposed at a circumferential surface of the main cylinder and expanding in the radial direction due to the centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the driving shaft, the subsidiary cylinders each being formed with belt grooves at the distal end for seating belts thereon; a driven portion having a structure identical to that of the driving portion, and disposed at a position spaced apart from the driving portion by a predetermined distance; belts seated on the belt grooves formed at the subsidiary cylinders of the driving portion and the belt grooves formed at the subsidiary cylinders of the driven portion, for transmitting the power of the driving portion to the driven portion. |
| US07951025B2 |
Power unit for motorcycle
A motorcycle including a power transmission device including a continuously variable transmission having a belt wound around a drive pulley and around a driven pulley and a hydraulically-operated clutch provided on at least one of a drive pulley shaft and a driven pulley shaft and an internal combustion engine wherein a supply of working oil to the clutch and of lubricating oil to a continuously variable transmission is enabled while avoiding a complication of an oil passage configuration and an increase in the diameter of the pulley shaft. A clutch control oil passage directs working oil to a clutch and a lubricating oil passage directs lubricating oil to a continuously variable transmission are provided in the particular pulley shaft on which the clutch is provided, so as to be coaxial with each other and be axially isolated from each other. |
| US07951023B2 |
Archery broadhead having blade cut-out and method for making same
A broadhead comprising a ferrule configured to be mounted on an arrow shaft, and at least two cutting blades, configured to be mounted on the ferrule, each having a penetration limiter formed therein. The at least two cutting blades each have a cutting edge and a cutting tip, and wherein the penetration limiter comprises a cut-out formed in the cutting edge to limit penetration of the broadhead upon impact. |
| US07951021B2 |
Target ball game kit
A target ball game kit is provided that is easily carried and readily assembled to facilitate play in recreational areas such as parks or beaches. The kit includes a container housing a plurality of paddles, a plurality of balls having varying weights, and at least one target assembly. The target assembly is appointed to be set-up on a ground surface and secured thereto by way of securing means. Concentric rings having assigned point values are constructed within the target assembly. The target assembly preferably is constructed of a continuous rope or cord-like member. The kit can be readily and accurately adjusted for singles to doubles play by including at least two target assemblies therein. Glow in the dark properties may be provided to the target assembly, paddles, and/or balls for play in dimly lit or foggy conditions. |
| US07951019B1 |
Bunting mat
Disclosed herein are various inventive methods and apparatus related to an apparatus and method for teaching bunting techniques to baseball or softball players. A bunting mat may be provided that contains a plurality of lines that aide a player in better understanding bunting techniques, including aiding a player with appropriately positioning their feet for a bunt. |
| US07951017B2 |
Golf ball
The present invention provides a golf ball composed of a core and a cover having an outside surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples. Letting BV and CV be the initial velocity (m/s) of, respectively, the ball and the core as measured by a method using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as a USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument and letting BE and CE be the deflection (mm) of, respectively, the ball and the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf), the ball initial velocity BV is from 70.0 to 76.0 m/s and the ball satisfies the formula −1.0≦(BV/BE)−(CV/CE)≦3.0. The golf ball of the invention has a flight distance that can be reduced compared with official golf balls currently in use, yet has the same good feel on impact and excellent controllability, scuff resistance and durability to repeated impact as a game ball. |
| US07951014B2 |
Device for picking up golf balls
A device for picking up balls or golf balls (10) is disposed in the region of the grip (11) of a club (12). It includes several holding elements, which are displaceable under the effect of at least one resilient element from a rest position on the grip into an actuatable position in which they are capable of picking up the golf ball. By the holding element being at least two gripping arms (13, 14), which are fitted into each other in the rest position under the effect of at least one resilient element, a compact device for picking up that is simple to operate is created. |
| US07951009B2 |
Fixed constant-velocity universal joint
A fixed constant velocity universal joint is made compact, has little decrease in load capacity even at an operating angle, and can improve high angle strength and durability through lessening instances in which a ball runs over a track at a high angle. A cage includes four pockets, a pair of long pockets of which a circumferential direction spacing is wide and a pair of short pockets of which the circumferential direction spacing is narrow. The long pockets are shifted by 180 degrees along a circumferential direction and the short pockets are shifted by 180 degrees along the circumferential direction. The long pockets and the short pockets are alternately disposed along the circumferential direction. A long pocket houses two balls. A short pocket houses one ball. An offset amount in the cage is made large to be almost the same as an offset amount of track grooves. Track grooves on a joint inner side are deepened and cage thickness on an opening side is increased. |
| US07951005B2 |
Network gaming system management
A data presentation system that allows a user to view information from a game network in real-time is disclosed. Information is collected from a game network and stored in a data repository. Data is gathered from the data repository, filtered, formatted, and displayed on a viewer of a user machine connected to the data presentation system. A user can select from a number of data views and customize the views, thus ensuring that the desired information is available to the user. Information is updated at a pre-selected rate, or as the network allows. Information may be retained for a period of time, for example, for a shift period. Pre-filtering of data can provide notice to a user when predetermined network events occur. |
| US07951004B2 |
Multi-player bingo game with progressive jackpots
Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool. |
| US07951003B2 |
Wireless identification and tracking in gaming systems
A gaming system has at least two gaming components. Each gaming component has controller, a communications interface, a communication link to allow the controllers of the gaming components to communicate with internal components in either a wired or wireless fashion, a communication link providing for a wireless communications to external systems and/or components, a wireless identification mechanism used to uniquely and automatically identify the gaming device to appropriate sensors, and a positioning system that can relay precise positional data to host systems. |
| US07950993B2 |
Gaming system and method providing an interactive game with automatic wagers
A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines or devices. The gaming machines include an interactive game and a wager triggering event. Upon the occurrence of the wager triggering event during play of the interactive game, the gaming machine causes the placement of a wager component and randomly determines a wagering outcome. Upon completion of the interactive game, the gaming machine provides the player with an interactive game outcome and provides the player with any awards based on any determined wagering outcomes. The players are ranked in the interactive game. Upon a triggering event, the gaming system provides one or more ranked players of the interactive game an award from funds derived from a marketing or advertising account. |
| US07950988B2 |
Variable volume floor diffuser with attachment means
A diffuser for positioning in an opening of a passageway having conditioned air, the diffuser including a grate assembly, a pan assembly, and a retention assembly. The grate assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion contains an aperture, a plurality of slotted sections, and a flange. The lower portion includes downwardly depending sidewalls and a stop. The pan assembly includes a tray with an aperture and a plurality of upwardly depending legs. The retention assembly couples the grate assembly with the pan assembly and contains a first member that is movable from a first position to a second position for selectively engaging the stop. |
| US07950987B2 |
Aircraft cabin pressure control system and method that improves cabin pressurization during take-off
A cabin pressure control system and method improves cabin pressurization during aircraft take-off operations. The cabin pressure control system sets a cabin pressurization rate limit based on a cabin pressurization rate error. The cabin pressurization rate error is derived from a comparison of a sensed cabin pressure rate-of-change value and a predetermined cabin pressurization rate value. |
| US07950986B2 |
Carcass processing apparatus
An apparatus for processing carcasses of gallinaceous animals, including a conveyor line 3 from which, in operation, carcasses are suspended by their legs, a heating cabinet 1 through which the carcasses are transported on the conveyor line 3, the heating cabinet 1 including hot air means 10, 11, 15 to project a flow of hot air onto the carcasses to warm the outer surface on the carcasses to thereby loosen the feather. |
| US07950978B2 |
System, apparatus and method for providing control of a toy vehicle
A system, apparatus, and method for providing a soft-start for a toy vehicle configured to be operated by a person. The method includes receiving a throttle signal operable to induce motion via a motor operating as a drive mechanism of the toy vehicle. A transition signal may be generated based on the throttle signal. The transition signal may be applied to effect operation of the motor. The transition signal may be a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and 100 percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the problems of conventional control systems. The transition signal may be ramped in a linear or non-linear fashion. The system may couple the soft-start control circuit between a ground terminal of a battery of the toy vehicle and motor(s), thereby allowing the soft-start control circuit to operate on a low voltage (i.e., not the high voltage of the battery). |
| US07950972B1 |
Electrical female terminal
An electrical female terminal includes a female terminal body and a spring assembly. The female terminal body extends along and about a longitudinal axis and has a top wall, an opposite bottom wall and a pair of opposing side walls that connected to each other to form a generally box-shaped passageway extending through the female terminal body. The spring assembly has a beam portion, an interconnect portion and a contact portion. The beam portion is connected to one of the side walls. The interconnect portion is connected generally perpendicularly to the beam portion and interconnects the beam portion and the contact portion. The contact portion is connected to the interconnect portion and projects forwardly from the interconnect portion in a cantilevered manner. When a male terminal pin is inserted into the electrical female terminal, the spring assembly twists towards the one side wall to which the beam portion is connected. |
| US07950971B2 |
Electrical connector apparatus and methods
Size-specific electrical connector apparatus optimized for e.g., biomedical applications, and which prevents mating to the wrong sized terminals. In one embodiment, the connector apparatus comprises a device having a two piece assembly adapted to pivotally engage and lock a sensor such as those used in impedance cardiography (ICG). The conductor is shaped so as to provide a high degree of specificity in sensor connection as well as signal stability and reliability. In one variant, the pivot comprises a spring-loaded pivot having no external stops and the shape of a sensor engaging aperture is defined by a metal insert associated with one element of the assembly and the pivot is permanently formed within the connector. Thus, a user is obstructed from changing the properties of the connector to accept smaller or larger sensors. Methods of manufacturing and operating the connector are also disclosed. In one embodiment, an opening in the metal insert (212) is sized to exclude oversized sensors. In another embodiment, a V-shaped stop (308) on one of the elements (304) acts to limit closure and to prevent a tight grip upon an undersized sensor. |
| US07950970B1 |
Terminal assembly and method of manufacturing the same
A terminal assembly includes a contact terminal having a base board, a driven terminal having a retention portion and an insulating block. Two opposite ends of the base board form a pair of contact portions located at one side of the base board for contacting a corresponding external terminal group. A portion of an edge of the retention portion extends to form an elastic arm. The insulating block is integrated with the contact terminal and the driven terminal by means of a substantial middle portion of the base board and a free end of the elastic arm being integrated in the insulating block. The base board of the contact terminal and the elastic arm of the driven terminal are intersected with and non-contacting with each other. |
| US07950969B1 |
One-piece terminal block assembly
The present disclosure is directed to a terminal assembly member for electrically connecting output leads to external systems and equipment, including a one piece insulating body formed from high-pressure molten plastic/nylon, adapted for mounting to an external portion of a generator housing; one or more conductive inserts over-molded within the one piece insulated body, the conductive inserts having at least one threaded bore for receiving a bolt; and one or more bronze alloy lug structures over-molded within the one piece insulated body, the one or more lug structures having a generally L-shaped geometry and a plurality of bores adapted for attaching terminal ring carriers. |
| US07950967B2 |
Low profile plugs
Apparatus, systems, and methods for assembling a plug with a low profile for use with an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, a 4-pin plug may include a diameter similar to the diameter of a 3-pin plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may be coupled to the plug such that a portion of the fourth pin may be coupled to any suitable device on an internal surface of the plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may dive into the plug at the same depth as one of the other three pins of the plug. The pins within the plug may be coupled (e.g., soldered) at the ends that may emerge underneath an overmold to any other suitable device to form electrical connections. The plug may be used to transmit audio or transfer data to a user of the electronic device. |
| US07950965B2 |
Electrical connector having passageways protected from contamination
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (20) defining a plurality of passageways (20a) with an inserted opening (215), a plurality of forniciform terminals (30) inserted into the passageways (20a) from the inserted openings (215) and disposed therein, each defining a soldering portion (34) extending towards outside of the insulative housing (20) and a connecting portion (33) folding and extending from one end of soldering portion (34). Each of the connecting portions (33) covers the inserted opening (215), both cut sides (331) of which are pressed against by a pair of protecting protrusions (216) which integrally protrudes outwards from both sides of inserted opening (215) of the insulative housing (20). |
| US07950959B2 |
Coaxial connector
A coaxial connector includes an insulating body, a central terminal having a main rod comprising front and rear portions, and a housing. The front portion extends outwardly to form left and right wing-members. Wing-members can be bent to surround the front portion and to form a cylindrical contact. Each wing-member extends outwardly to form a sheet body. Tongue members are bendable to form fixing portions for fixing the insulating body by insert molding. The rear portion has fixtures for clamping the coaxial cable. The housing includes a plate member, a main portion for connecting one end of the plate member, and a cable-clamping member for connecting the other end of the plate member. The main portion has two supporting arms for clamping and holding the insulating body. Each supporting arm has a bottom fixture sheet. Side arms and the fixture members are bendable to fix. |
| US07950956B2 |
Tracer wire connector kits
A ready to use tracer wire connector kit comprising a pod and cover that can be mated together around a tracer wire connector that can be retained in the pod or removed from the pod as the tracer wires are joined therein with the pod and cover encapsulating and protecting the junction of tracer wires in the tracer wire connector and a method and system wherein underground difficult to detect devices and systems can be indirectly located. |
| US07950954B2 |
Fastening mechanism and portable electronic device with fastening mechanism
The present invention includes a fastening mechanism comprising a base and a metal frame. The base has an accommodating slot arranged for accommodating a memory card, a first fastener and a second fastener. The first fastener and the second fastener are electrically connected to a battery and the memory card, respectively. When the metal frame is in a fastening position and fastened to the first fastener and the second fastener, the memory card can be clamped between the base and the metal frame. Then an electrical path is formed among the first fastener, the second fastener and the metal frame, thereby supplying the memory card with power of the battery. The present invention further includes a portable electronic device with the above fastening mechanism in which the electrical path is opened, while removing the memory card, so as to prevent supplying the memory card with power of the battery. |
| US07950947B2 |
Releasably engaging high definition multimedia interface plug
A releasably engaging high definition multimedia plug comprises a plug body and an actuator operable with the plug body to move a locking tab of the plug and facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. |
| US07950946B2 |
Electrical connector for receiving CPU
An electrical connector (1) for receiving a CPU (5) includes a rectangular planar receiving portion (10) having a top surface (14) for mating with the CPU. At least two posts (20) extend perpendicularly from corners of the planar receiving portion. At least two posts and the planar receiving portion together define a receiving space for receiving the CPU. The post includes a resilient portion (22) and a fixing portion (24). A gap (241) is defined between a resilient portion and a fixing portion, and the resilient portion forms a protrusion block (26) protruding into the receiving space. |
| US07950944B1 |
Electrical connector having a locking collar
An electrical connector is provided for mating with a mating connector. The electrical connector includes a housing and an electrical contact held by the housing. The housing has a mating end that faces the mating connector when the electrical connector is mated with the mating connector. The housing includes a body having a retaining flange. A locking collar is movably mounted on the body of the housing. The locking collar includes a locking element and an inwardly directed shoulder having an opening extending therethrough. The locking element is configured to engage the mating connector to lock the electrical connector to the mating connector. The shoulder engages the retaining flange of the body when the locking collar is fully engaged with the mating connector. The retaining flange of the body is configured to engage the locking element of the locking collar to retain the locking collar on the body of the housing. |
| US07950943B2 |
Electric vehicle control device
To secure safety in an electric vehicle during charging, the electric vehicle is provided with a high voltage battery and a charging port portion for charging the high voltage battery. A power reception connector and a connector locking mechanism are provided in the charging port portion, and a fitting hole is formed in a power supply connector disposed on an external power supply side. The connector locking mechanism is switched between a restrained condition, in which a locking pin is inserted into the fitting hole, and a released condition, in which the locking pin is retracted from the fitting hole. A vehicle control unit for controlling the connector locking mechanism switches the connector locking mechanism to the restrained condition when a door is locked, and switches the connector locking mechanism to the released condition when the door is unlocked. Thus, the connection condition between the power reception connector and the power supply connector can be maintained even when a passenger locks the door and moves away from the electric vehicle, and as a result, safety can be secured during charging. |
| US07950939B2 |
Medium voltage separable insulated energized break connector
Medium voltage separable insulated connector system for power distribution systems and configured to make and break energized connections at rated voltage but in the absence of load current. |
| US07950937B2 |
Card connector with bulge portion
A card connector essentially includes an insulation body, a metal shell and an ejection lever. The insulation body includes a pair of two guide arms formed at two sides of the insulation body, a plurality of conductive terminals and an ejection apparatus formed at one of the two guide arms. The metal shell is engaged with the insulation body for receiving a card. The ejection lever is pivotally attached to an inner surface of the metal shell thereby forming a pivot mechanism, and operatively connected to the ejection apparatus such that the ejection lever rotates around the pivot mechanism when the ejection apparatus is actuated. The metal shell includes an integrally formed bulge protruding from the metal shell, and the bulge is formed in the vicinity of the pivot mechanism so as to reinforce the strength and rigidity of the metal shell. |
| US07950934B2 |
Socket assembly with sliding plate
In at least one embodiment, a socket assembly that is positioned in a vehicle is provided. The socket assembly includes a socket plate and a socket body. The socket plate defines a first plurality of openings to enable a connection to a plurality of terminals. The socket body defines a recess therein and a second plurality of openings extend therethrough for receiving the plurality of terminals. The socket body includes at least one channel positioned on an outer periphery of the recess to receive the socket plate such that the socket plate is moveable across the recess and the first plurality of openings are capable of being aligned over the second plurality of openings. The socket body further includes at least one locking member protruding from the socket body to secure the socket plate to the socket body. |
| US07950933B1 |
Electrical socket having contact terminals floatably arranged therein
The present invention provides an electrical socket comprising a wafer defining a plurality of slots extending between an upper face and a lower face of the wafer; an upper frame mounted on the upper face of the wafer, a lower frame mounted on the lower face of the wafer, and a plurality of contacts each having a base portion floating received in corresponding slots. The upper frame defines a plurality of interior walls to form a plurality of first openings. The lower frame defines a plurality of interior walls to form a plurality of second openings. The contact comprises an upper contacting arm extending through a corresponding first opening and beyond an upper surface of the upper frame, and a lower contacting arm extending through a corresponding second opening and beyond a lower surface of the lower frame. |
| US07950929B2 |
Electrical terminal and board-to-board connector with the electrical terminal
An electrical terminal is adapted for being mounted in a connector. The electrical terminal includes an elastic portion of a substantially U-shape which includes a fastening arm and a contact arm spaced from the fastening arm, and a soldering tail connected with a free end of the fastening arm. The contact arm defines a contact area back to the fastening arm for electrically contacting an external mating terminal. The contact area includes a plurality of concave fillisters and contact ribs parallel one another to be alternately arranged and each extended at an incline to an inserting direction of the external mating terminal so that ensures a firm contact between the electrical terminal and the mating terminal. |
| US07950927B2 |
Conductive contact holder and conductive contact unit
A conductive contact holder includes a holder substrate and a holding member. The holder substrate is made of a conductive material and has an opening for holding a conductive contact for inputting and outputting a signal to and from a circuit structure. The holding member is formed by filling the opening with an insulating material, smoothing the surface of the insulating material, and forming a hole through the insulating material for inserting the conductive contact. |
| US07950923B2 |
Occlusal plane analyzer, articulator, and occlusal plane analyzing method
An occlusal plane analyzer (5) is composed of an analysis board (7) made of a magnetic material and held above a lower jaw model (2), a magnet (8) which can attract the analysis board (7) with magnetic force and which has a circular support hole (15) going through in an attraction direction of the magnetic force, and a Monson curve imparting tool (9) composed of a spherical body section (17) which is made of a magnetic material with a diameter larger than an inside diameter of the support hole (15) and which can be attracted to the support hole (15), an extended section (18) extending from the spherical body section (17), and a spherical surface regenerating section (19) further extending from a distal end of the extended section (18) for drawing a circular arc concentric with the spherical body section (17). |
| US07950921B1 |
Method and apparatus for cooling the underside of kiln cars
An improved method and apparatus for cooling the under-car channel of a tunnel kiln while minimizing migration of air between the above-car and under-car channels involves controlling or equalizing the mass flow of cooling air directed through the under-car channel and in particular through individual undercarriage cooling zones which can match individual heating zones of the tunnel kiln. |
| US07950920B2 |
Combustion device
A combustion device in the form of a paraffin stove (10) comprises a fuel reservoir (12), a burner (14), stand pipe (16) which extends between the reservoir (12) and the burner (14) and a stove top (18). The reservoir (12) comprises a rigid, air-tight outer container (22) and a deformable bladder (25) for holding paraffin (27) which is located within the container (22). The bladder has an outlet (44) which is connected to the stand pipe (16). A conduit (51) which can be connected to a source of compressed air is connected to the container (22) for pressurizing the container (22) to exert a force on the bladder (25) sufficient to cause the paraffin to be delivered to the burner (14) where it is ignited to produce a flame. |
| US07950918B2 |
Apparatus for controlling melt flow in a melt distribution network
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling melt flow through a portion of the melt distribution network. A flow control device is provided. The flow control device comprises a body defining: a mixer configured to be positioned in a conduit for providing a path of flow for melt such that the mixer traverses substantially the whole cross-section of the path of flow; a temperature control portion associated with the mixer for actively controlling temperature of the mixer. |
| US07950916B2 |
Apparatus for production of rolled dough food piece
An improved apparatus for producing a rolled snack piece using an extruder having typically a plurality of orifices through which an extrudate exits the extruder. Each of these orifices is spiral shaped. When a desired length of extrudate stream or rope protrudes from an orifice, it is cut at its base, thus producing individual snack pieces that appear to have been rolled after being sheeted. |
| US07950913B2 |
Seal system and scroll type fluid machine
In a seal system for a scroll type fluid machine, a seal mechanism is provided between a backpressure plate and a holder, so as to surround an orbiting backpressure chamber. The seal member comprises a seal attachment groove, a seal member and a Y-shaped packing. The seal attachment groove is stepped on its outer circumference to define a shallow bottom portion. The seal member includes, on its outer circumference side, a cutout portion matching the shallow bottom portion. The Y-shaped packing is disposed between a deep groove peripheral wall of the seal attachment groove and the cutout portion of the seal member, and a backpressure chamber is defined on a reverse surface side of the seal member. By this arrangement, a slide surface of the seal member can be larger than an effective area of the backpressure side of the seal member. Thereby it is possible to reduce a difference between a load Ff acting on the slide surface and a load Fb acting on the reverse surface. |
| US07950912B2 |
Scroll compressor having a gradually changing tip clearance
A scroll compressor performing three-dimensional compressions, which can optimize a tip clearance in operation while considering a thermal expansion and a pressure deformation and which can reduce a compression leakage to improve a compression efficiency thereby to realize a high performance. The leading end faces (13c and 13d) and the bottom face of a spiral wrap (13b) have a step portion (13e), and the wrap height on the outer circumference side of the spiral wrap (13b) is made larger than that on the inner circumference side wrap height. The spiral wrap (13b) on the inner circumference side with respect to the step portion (13e) is stepwise or continuously made gradually lower toward the center side of the spiral wrap (13b), and the tip clearance (Δi) of the spiral wrap on the inner circumference side with respect to the step portion (13) is made gradually larger toward the center side of the spiral wrap (13b). |
| US07950911B2 |
Single stage root type-vacuum pump and vacuum fluid transport system employing the single stage root type-vacuum pump
A single stage root type vacuum pump has a pair of outside air introduction holes formed in the vicinity of a phantom line in an inner wall surface within a range between intersecting points, where the intermediate position that is located between the center of a driving side rotor shaft and the center of a driven side rotor shaft of three-lobe rotors intersects with the intersecting points at which internal circles located on the extended circumferences of the inner wall surface of the casing. The pair of outside air introduction holes formed in symmetrical positions into horizontally long slit shapes parallel to a width direction of the casing. Check valves are fitted to tip end portions of outside air introduction pipes which are respectively connected to outside air communication holes for preventing air from escaping at the time of reverse rotation of the three-lobe rotors. |
| US07950910B2 |
Piston cartridge
A piston cartridge having a piston chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a piston moveable between a first position and a second position. Also, the cartridge includes a first barrier positioned between the piston and the inlet port and a first sealing member moveable between the first barrier and the inlet port, wherein the first sealing member seals the inlet port when positioned adjacent to the inlet port but allows the fluid into the chamber when positioned adjacent to the first barrier. In addition, the cartridge also includes a second barrier positioned adjacent to the outlet port and a second sealing member moveable between the piston and the second barrier, wherein the second sealing member seals the outlet port when positioned adjacent thereto but allows the fluid to pass through the outlet port when positioned adjacent to the second barrier. |
| US07950908B2 |
Fluid transporting device of a peristalic type with tube and push pin arrangement
A fluid transporting device is of a writhing type for transporting a fluid continuously. The fluid transporting device comprises a plurality of push pins arranged along a tube and radially on a concentric arc for squeezing a portion of the tube through which the fluid is fed and having elasticity substantially at right angles, and rollers 50 to 53 for pushing those push pins sequentially from the inlet side to the outlet side of the fluid. With this structure, it is possible to provide a thin, small fluid transporting device for continuing a stable flow rate, and a fluid transporter having the fluid transporting device. |
| US07950902B2 |
Cooling channel formed in a wall
A wall in which there is formed at least one cooling channel, said wall being cooled by cool air flowing in the channel, the channel comprising a hole and a diffusion portion, the hole opening out at one end into the inside surface of the wall, and at its other end into the diffusion portion where it forms an orifice, the diffusion portion flaring around said orifice and opening out into the outside surface of the wall, the diffusion portion having a bottom whose front end is substantially plane, sloping, and extending in front of the orifice, and also having a margin extending behind, round the sides, and in front of the orifice, said margin joining the sides of the front end. A method and an electrode for making such a cooling channel. A turbomachine blade presenting such a wall. |
| US07950900B2 |
Aerofoil stage and seal for use therein
A stage for a gas turbine engine, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially extending aerofoils, includes a plurality of annulus fillers to bridge the spaces between adjacent aerofoils to define an inner wall of a flow annulus through the stage. Each annulus filler has opposing side faces which are spaced circumferentially from the adjacent blades and which correspond in profile therewith, and resilient seal strips each including a stiffener are mounted adjacent the opposing side faces of the annulus fillers to seal the gaps between the annulus fillers and the aerofoils. The stiffeners have three-dimensional curvature. |
| US07950899B2 |
Modular fan inlet case
A modular fan inlet case includes a center ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of struts each coupled at a first end to the center ring, and at a second end to the outer ring. A plurality of shell members are each configured to be removably coupled to a corresponding strut. Preferably, the plurality of shell members each define a longitudinal groove for being received onto the corresponding strut. |
| US07950895B2 |
Bucket bale spear
A bucket bale spear bolts together upon a frame, that slips upon the cutting edge of a bucket, and then one bolt secures the frame to the bucket. The frame receives a spear and two balance spikes upon a bracket. A centered tube accepts the spear and secures it with a transverse bolt. The tube provides additional bending resistance for the spear at less weight than a proportional length of spear. The balance spikes also bolt to the frame. The frame, spear, and balance spikes can be shipped and merchandised compactly. At the farm or the ranch, the bucket bale spear assembles readily with hand tools. |
| US07950889B2 |
Connection arrangement for superimposed layers of material
In aircraft construction, connection elements for connecting layers of insulating material onto walls are subject to special requirements for ease of installation, weight considerations, and resistance to heat. The invention provides a connection arrangement, in particular for superimposed layers of material, whose function is not impaired under extreme heat. The connection arrangement is comprised by a pin with a head or head arrangement, engaging positions, and a retaining element. The pin, the head or the head arrangement, and retaining element are made up of a skeleton and an outer material where the skeleton is made of a material more resistant to heat than the outer material. Following destruction or removal of the outer material by heat, the remaining skeleton parts of the pin, head part, and retaining element maintain their connections and structure keeping the layers of material in place. |
| US07950884B2 |
Cargo restraining apparatus
A load restraining apparatus includes a retractable fabric membrane for retaining items in position inside a semi-trailer or shipping container. A membrane carrier is removably fastened to one interior wall of the trailer and a spring-biased retractable membrane is pulled across the width of the trailer and fastened to the other interior wall. A tensioning device tensions the membrane thereby securing the cargo during shipment and preventing shifting inside the shipping container or trailer. The fore and aft adjustability and the vertical adjustability of the load restraining apparatus permit it to effectively restrain cargo of diverse size and shape. |
| US07950883B2 |
Compact engraving machine
An engraving machine includes a base with two side panels extending upward from two sides of the base, and a top board is driven horizontally by a motor in the base. A horizontal frame is movably mounted on two rods connected between the two side panels by a motor. A vertical frame is located on a front side of the horizontal frame and is movable along two rods in vertical direction by another motor. The horizontal frame, the vertical frame and the top board are movable along X, Y and Z directions by three independent motors. A chuck is connected to the vertical frame and secures an engraving tool which is driven by a main motor connected between the two side panels. The object to be engraved is secured on the top board and engraved by the engraving tool in X, Y and Z directions. |
| US07950881B2 |
Cutting insert with helical geometry and holder therefor
A cutting tool insert and holder therefore, the drill insert having a helical geometry corresponding to helical flutes in a drill body holder which enable the drill tool assembly to more efficiently remove chips from a hole during operation, the drill insert comprising a drill insert body having a first end opposite a second end, a plurality of helical flutes formed in the drill insert body, a plurality of cutting edges formed at the interfaces of the plurality of helical flutes and the first end of the drill insert body, and an aperture formed in each helical flute. |
| US07950880B2 |
Spiral flute tap
A cutting tool that includes an elongate body that has a forward end and a rearward end. The elongate body has a fluted portion that beginning near and extends in a rearward direction from the forward end. The fluted portion has a flute that defines a cutting edge. The flute presents a concave cutting face wherein the concave cutting face is defined by a first radius. The flute further presents a concave core surface adjacent to the concave cutting face wherein the concave core surface is defined by a second radius. The flute presents a convex heel surface adjacent to the concave core surface wherein the convex heel surface is defined by a fourth radius. |
| US07950876B2 |
Socket wrench attachment for rotary drive member
A socket wrench attachment (SRA) is connected by a circular array of bolts (28) connecting the mounting flange (30) to the rotary output member (22) on a rotary output shaft (20). The shaft (20) is a part of a rotary drive mechanism (12) which is mounted for longitudinal travel along a tower (14). |
| US07950875B2 |
Water feature device
A device for generating and maintaining a standing wave face capable of being ridden by an individual. The device includes a container having a base wall and a sidewall and containing a fluid, at least one inlet into the container, and means for imparting a combination of rotational vertical and horizontal velocity to a fluid with-in the container. |
| US07950874B2 |
Slipform paving machine with adjustable length paving kit
A concrete paving machine which has a main frame and two hydraulic jacking columns at each end of the frame for raising and lowering the machine frame. Crawlers attached to the jacking columns move the paving machine in the travel direction. A paving kit is secured to the main frame and has a rigid center portion. Each terminal kit has an end frame secured to the center portion, an adjustable length support structure between the end frame and the slipform, and a hydraulic actuator. Spacers are interposed between the end frame and the slipform. A finishing pan is provided to finish the concrete surface. All replaceable components of the terminal are constructed and arranged so that they can be manually exchanged be one or two persons without removing the paving kit from the main frame and without needing the help of lifting equipment. |
| US07950873B2 |
Set of paving blocks
A set of concrete pavers is formed by a plurality of pavers being arranged in a paver row, and a plurality of paver rows being arranged to form a row. A number of parallel, adjacent rows form linear or meandering joints in the end-paver region of the rows when the rows are laid together. At least one section of the upper delimiting surface of the pavers is convexly cambered towards the outside, and projections on the side faces of the pavers form support elements for the adjacent pavers. The support elements, in combination with projections on adjacent pavers, create spaces that act as water-drainage openings in the joint regions. The pavers in each set include not only paving blocks with a length-to-height ratio of less than or equal to 4 but also at least one paving slab with a length-to-height ratio greater than 4. |
| US07950871B2 |
Vehicle restraint system
The invention relates to a vehicle restraint system provided for delimiting roadways and including guide barriers (1) which are placed next to one another in a detachable manner. Each guide barrier (1) includes a housing-type base body (2) that can be placed upright on the ground and a guide rail (14) arranged above the base body (2). The guide rail (14) and the base body (2) can be coupled together by means of tension rods (19), wherein each tension rod (29) is connected to the guide rail (14) with an upper end (20) and can be tightened at a bottom end (22) in an abutment (23) arranged in the base body (2). The guide rail (14) and the base body (2) are suitably arranged at a vertical distance from one another by spacers (30), with the tension rod (19) extending through the spacers (30). |
| US07950867B2 |
Lever for a ring binder mechanism
A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages includes a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing. Rings for retaining the loose-leaf pages are mounted on the hinge plates for movement with the hinge plates between an open and closed position. A lever is mounted on the housing and includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is disposed to engage the hinge plates and move the rings from the closed to the open position. The hinge plates are supported by the housing so that at least one of the hinge plates is in continuous engagement with the second portion of the lever when the rings are in the closed position. The at least one hinge plate has an upper surface facing toward the housing and a lower surface facing away from the housing and is in continuous engagement with the second portion of the lever. |
| US07950864B2 |
Device with internal pull tab activation
A stretchable device is provided including a base layer; a wipe layer attached to the base layer at a seam and defining an interior space between the wipe and base layers, the interior space having an internal surface; and a pouch positioned within the interior space and attached to one of the seam and the internal surface, the pouch having a top layer, a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween, an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, and a pull tab coupled to the pouch and to one of the seam and the internal surface. |
| US07950863B2 |
Cosmetic applicators containing heating elements
Product applicators that are separable from a product reservoir and that heat a portion of product. A product applicator fitted with an electronic heating element capable of connecting to a low voltage power source. Most of the electric circuitry is incorporated into a circuit subassembly, for example a flexible substrate with printed-on circuit. The preferred heating element is a flexible heater. Heat emanates from the surface of the separable applicator so that the product that is closest to the applicator surface is heated prior to and/or during application. |
| US07950860B2 |
Thermal printer and drive control method of thermal head
A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head. |
| US07950854B2 |
Hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device and recording and reproducing apparatus equipped with same
A hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device includes radial hydrodynamic grooves and thrust hydrodynamic grooves forming communicating channels, communicating holes designed to communicate the groove end of the radial hydrodynamic groove on the side opposite the thrust hydrodynamic grooves with the groove end of the thrust hydrodynamic groove on the side opposite the radial hydrodynamic grooves, and a circulation route composed by the communicating hole, the radial hydrodynamic groove, and the thrust hydrodynamic groove. Lubricating oil is circulated by means of a pump force of the hydrodynamic groove. The hydrodynamic bearing device prevents the formation of low-pressure parts from the bearing portion, preventing the accumulation of air bubbles, and thereby preventing the occurrence of oil film breakage at the radial hydrodynamic groove and the thrust hydrodynamic groove. |
| US07950852B2 |
Linear motion guide unit with inside seal
An inside seal is installed in a recess open downward in the slider to keep load-carrying races kept free of foreign materials that have already crept into the inside of the slider. The inside seal is composed of a metallic core and a sealing member that includes a joint portion secured to the core and a major portion integral with the joint portion. The joint portion has a mating surface to come into engagement with a downward surface deep inside the recess cut in a carriage while the major portion includes a first lip to come into sliding engagement with a guide rail, a second lip come into abutment against an inward sidewall of the recess, and third lip to come into abutment against the downward surface. |
| US07950850B2 |
Long packaging material for manufacturing pouch
An elongated packaging material (A1) for manufacturing a pouch comprises a first elongated flexible sheet (10), and a second elongated flexible sheet (10) layered on the first sheet. The side ends of the first and the second sheets are provided with a plurality of side sealing portions (2) extending lengthwise of the sheets. A plurality of cross sealing portions (3) are spaced from each other lengthwise of the sheets. Each of the side sealing portions is provided with a plurality of projecting portions (20), each projecting toward a center of the width of the sheets, between an adjacent pair of cross sealing portions. |
| US07950848B2 |
Sheath type measuring instrument, bearing and rotary machine
A sheath type measuring instrument can be mounted in place easily and smoothly without the need for boring holes in an outer wall and an inner wall with high positional accuracy and also for a complex process, even if a barrel is to be fixed to the outer wall while a tip end of a sheath is being inserted in a sheath insertion hole bored in an inner wall. The sheath type measuring instrument has a sheath having a tip end for being brought closely to or into contact with a measurand for measuring a physical property of the measurand, and a barrel holding a proximal portion of the sheath for movement in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the sheath. |
| US07950846B2 |
Coupled resonators for a timepiece
The resonator (1) for a timepiece results from coupling a first, low frequency resonator (2) with a second, higher frequency resonator (3). The first resonator (2) has a first balance (4) associated with a first balance spring (5). The second resonator (3) has a second balance (6) associated with a second balance spring (7). A third balance spring is arranged between the first (4) and second (6) balances to couple said first (2) and second (3) resonators. |
| US07950841B2 |
Concrete cooling injection unit and method of injecting a coolant into a concrete mixture
A method and apparatus for cooling a mixture with an injection system. The injection system is adjustable to accommodate the relative position and particular specifications of a given container (e.g., concrete mixer). In one embodiment, the injection system is operable to inject a coolant directly into the mixture while in the mixing process. |
| US07950839B2 |
Light emitting diode having electrodes with branches and backlight module using same
An exemplary light emitting diode (23) includes a package body (231) and two electrodes (233) attached to the package body. Each of the electrodes includes a main body and a plurality of branches extending from the main body. The branches of each electrode together with a corresponding portion of the main body cooperatively define an accommodation space therebetween. |
| US07950833B1 |
Splay frame luminaire
A fluorescent luminaire has a luminaire housing, a lens frame positioned within the luminaire housing, the lens frame having a first side frame member and a second side frame member connected to a first end frame member and a second end frame member, a flexible plastic lens having a length, wherein a distance between the first and second side frames is less than the length of the plastic lens and, wherein the lens curves from the flat orientation to a curved orientation when seated between the first and second side frames corresponding to curvature of the first and second end frames. |
| US07950829B2 |
High efficiency light emitting diode apparatus
The high efficiency light emitting diode apparatus mainly comprises a connector, a heat dissipating body, a light generator, a central venting portion, and a transparent casing. This connector has a flow guider, a flow chamber and a vent. The light generator contains several LEDs. The heat dissipating body includes an inner passage and an outer passage. The central venting portion has a central channel. An inner flow path and an outer flow path are formed. So, the heat dissipating effect of the flow paths is excellent. The structure forming two flow paths can enhance the heat dissipating effect. The auxiliary element can strengthen the overall illuminating effect. Plus, the auxiliary element can make the light more uniformly. |
| US07950827B2 |
Electrically controllable window treatment system to control sun glare in a space
A system for reducing sun glare through an opening into a space, the system comprising an electrically controllable window treatment operable to alter the amount of daylight entering the space through the opening; a first sensor mounted within the space and characterized by a sensor gain, the first sensor operable to sense a level of illumination in the space; and a control system operable: to compare the sensed illumination level in the space to a dead-band having upper and lower thresholds; to adjust during a time period when glare from the sun can occur through the opening at least one of: (a) the upper threshold of the dead-band, (b) the lower threshold of the dead-band, and (c) the sensor gain of the first sensor; and to adjust the window treatment in response to the sensed level of illumination to reduce the sun glare. |
| US07950826B2 |
Circle type LED lighting flood lamp using nano spreader
A circle type LED lighting flood lamp using a nano spreader is provided, which can provide a double heat dissipation structure formed by mounting an extended nano spreader having high heat diffusion on the inside of a circular type upper cover and making the extension parts of the nano spreader in contact with a heat dissipation portion in both directions, and prevent a heat dissipation plate from exposing to an outside by fixedly putting the upper cover on the outside of a heat dissipation member to improve the heat dissipation efficiency and the life span of the lamp. The circle type LED lighting flood lamp using a nano spreader includes LEDs, an LED mounting substrate on which the LEDs are mounted, a nano spreader having one side that is in contact with the LED mounting substrate and the other side that is extended for a specified length to form extension parts, an upper cover having inner heat dissipation pins that are in contact with the extension parts of the nano spreader, an upper cap fixed to an upper end of the upper cover, a lower heat dissipation member inserted into the inside of the upper cover and having an inner surface that is in contact with the extension parts of the nano spreader and an outer surface that is in contact with an inner surface of the upper cover, and a lower lens fixed to a lower part of the lower heat dissipation member. |
| US07950824B2 |
Lighting system and a color indicator part therefor
The present invention provides a lighting system with a color indicator surface (24, 30). The surface receives light via a cover (18) of the lighting system, mainly through internal reflection. Hence, the light from the light sources, here at least two different colored LEDs (14), is guided away from the main light emitting surface (20), such that well-mixed light with a lower intensity may be used to determine the color of the light. The color indicator surface may be a surface (24) of the cover (18), or may be a surface (30) of a separate outer part (26). The lighting system may be used to illuminate objects in houses, shops and so on. The color indicator surface provides a convenient and easily accessible color reference. |
| US07950822B2 |
Detachable ballast housing
A detachable ballast housing for use with fluorescent lights includes a ballast, a housing for the ballast, and electrical contacts for detachably mounting and dismounting to a lighting fixture without connecting or disconnecting power wires. |
| US07950812B2 |
Shutters for infra red communication at moderate bandwidths
A modulating corner-cube retroreflector for remote communications is disclosed. The modulating corner-cube retroreflector includes a solid retroreflector with a front surface and three mutually perpendicular surfaces: a first surface, a second surface and a third surface. A first thin membrane is disposed relative to at least one of the three mutually perpendicular surfaces and covers at least a portion of the surface. A modulator is included that is adapted to cause the thin membrane to vibrate. The corner-cube retroreflector is configured to receive an incident beam of light from a source along a first path and is configured to return a reflected beam of light back towards the source along a second path that is substantially parallel to the first path. The first thin membrane is configured to substantially frustrate total internal reflection of the incident beam of light when the first thin membrane is moved relative to at least one surface of the retroreflector. |
| US07950810B2 |
Adjustment module for adjusting a position of a lens of a projector
An adjustment module is capable of adjusting a position of a lens of a projector. The adjustment module includes a base, a first tray, a second tray, at least one guide roller, and at least one boundary constrainer. The first tray is slidably disposed on the base along a first axis. The second tray is slidably disposed on the first tray along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The lens is fixed on the second tray. The guide roller is rotatably disposed on the second tray. The boundary constrainer is disposed on the base. The guide roller is capable of confining the lens within an image area of the lens by rotatably contacting the boundary constrainer. |
| US07950807B2 |
Projector and control method thereof
Disclosed herein is a projector that can be loaded with lamps of a plurality of kinds, each of a plurality of the lamps loadable into the projector being given a lamp serial code formed by arranging lamp information including at least a minimum wattage and a maximum wattage of the lamp and a check sum in predetermined order. The projector includes: a lamp power supply for driving the lamp loaded in the projector, the lamp power supply being provided in advance with a plurality of mode ranges each as a range from a minimum wattage to a maximum wattage of output of the lamp power supply, and one predetermined mode range of the plurality of mode ranges being freely set in the lamp power supply; and a control circuit for controlling the lamp power supply. |
| US07950806B2 |
Rear projector
A rear projector for performing image projection includes: a screen and a projection optical system. The screen has a rotationally symmetric Fresnel lens. The projection optical system has at least one reflection surface formed of a rotationally asymmetric free curved surface. The projection optical system is nonaxisymmetric and makes a central principle ray incident obliquely on the screen in the image projection. The Fresnel lens has aberration that cancels out pupil aberration of the projection optical system so that principal rays of beams exiting from the Fresnel lens become substantially parallel to each other. |
| US07950805B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying images to viewers in motion or viewing from multiple perspectives
Systems and methods for displaying images to viewers in motion are provided. According to some embodiments, an image display system generally comprises an image source and a lensboard. The image source can be configured to present one or more images outwardly from the image source. The lensboard can comprise at least one curved lens. The curved lens can have a generally curved cross section and a focal distance. The curved lens may also be a cylinder. The lensboard can be spaced apart from the image source at a distance less than the focal distance. A method to display images that appear animated to a viewer in motion relative to the can generally comprise providing an image source configured to direct one or more images outwardly from said image source, and providing a lensboard having a focal distance spaced apart from the image source at a distance less than the focal distance. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described. |
| US07950797B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to eject liquid droplets onto a sheet to form an image; a transport unit configured to intermittently transport the sheet; a discharge transport unit disposed downstream the transport unit in a transport direction, the discharge transport unit including plural transport rollers configured to transport the sheet in a sheet discharge direction and plural spurs disposed facing the respective transport rollers and arranged in the transport direction; a guide member configured to hold the spurs and be rotatable about a most downstream side or a most upstream side in the transport direction to rotate in a direction away from a sheet transport path; and a stopping and holding unit configured to stop and hold the guide member in a position in which only the spur in the most downstream side in the transport direction is in contact with the sheet. |
| US07950796B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing light emitting device, and ink jet recording apparatus
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting body, a thermally conductive member, and a heat radiation member. The substrate has a first face and a second face which is a face opposite to the first face. The light emitting body is held on a side of the first face of the substrate and emits light. The thermally conductive member is provided so as to be in contact with the second face of the substrate and contains a high thermal conductive material. The heat radiation member is provided so as to be in contact with the thermally conductive member and radiates heat conducted from the substrate through the thermally conductive member. |
| US07950790B2 |
Ink container and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink container usable for recording heads different in flow rate without being affected by a pigment particle concentration of ink held in an ink supply portion is provided. In correspondence with a size of a filter of a recording head used, ink non-conducting areas are provided to a press-contact member, whereby movement of settled ink remaining in the press-contact member is blocked. As a result, common use of the ink container with respect to the recording heads different in flow rate is realized. |
| US07950788B2 |
Printing device having supply of colorant and receptive to print cartridge having self-contained supply of colorant
A printing device includes a supply of colorant and a mechanism. The mechanism is receptive to removable insertion of a first print cartridge and a second print cartridge. One of the first print cartridge and the second print cartridge can be inserted into the mechanism at any given time. The first print cartridge at least ultimately uses the supply of colorant of the printing device to form the images on the media. The second print cartridge has a self-contained supply of colorant that is exclusively used in lieu of the supply of colorant of the printing device to form the images on the media. |
| US07950783B2 |
Actuator device and liquid ejecting head including the same
An actuator device includes a piezoelectric element including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode that are displaceably provided in sequence on a substrate. The lower electrode includes a flat center portion and an inclined end portion that descends toward the substrate. The piezoelectric layer is disposed above the lower electrode and the substrate, and includes a first, second, and third piezoelectric layer portion constituted by a plurality of columnar crystals. The columnar crystals of the first and second piezoelectric layer portions are orthogonal to the flat portion of the lower electrode and surface of the substrate, while the columnar crystals of the third piezoelectric layer portion extend orthogonally from a surface of the inclined portion and bend to be orthogonal to the surface of the upper electrode, giving the grains of the columnar crystals of the third piezoelectric layer portion larger widths and increased stress resistance. |
| US07950776B2 |
Nozzle chambers having suspended heater elements
An inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead includes a substrate, nozzle chambers formed on the substrate, and at least one heater element suspended in each nozzle chamber. |
| US07950773B2 |
Nozzle with magnetically actuated reciprocating plunger
An inkjet drop ejection apparatus includes a chamber defined by a plunger spaced from an ejection nozzle; and an actuator for moving the plunger towards the nozzle, the actuator including a magnetic plate and a solenoid coil provided circumferentially between the magnetic plate and the plunger, the solenoid coil for inducing a magnetic field in at least one of the magnetic plate and the plunger. The plunger has defined therethrough a series of apertures arranged around a circumference of the plunger, the apertures substantially mapping a locus of the solenoid coil. |
| US07950771B2 |
Printhead nozzle arrangement with dual mode thermal actuator
A pagewidth inkjet printhead assembly has a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement comprises walls defining an ink chamber having an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port having an ink spreading prevention rim; a thermal actuator mechanism for ejecting ink from the chamber via the ejection port, the thermal actuator mechanism including an actuator arm having two layers which are formed from a conductive, resiliently flexible material, said layers surrounding a central material layer so that said two layers are in thermal balance with the arm in a quiescent state; and drive circuitry for supplying the thermal actuator mechanism with a drive current, the drive circuitry being operable in a first and second operative mode. Tn the first operative mode, the drive circuitry supplies current to the thermal actuator mechanism sufficient to cause the thermal actuator mechanism to bend to a degree whereby ink is expelled from the ink ejection port. In the second operative mode, the drive circuitry supplies current to the thermal actuator mechanism insufficient to cause ink the thermal actuator mechanism to bend to such degree whereby ink is expelled from the ink ejection port. |
| US07950770B2 |
Method and droplet-ejecting head for droplet-ejecting recording apparatus capable of achieving high recording image quality
This patent specification describes a droplet-ejecting head including a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets, and an actuator configured to be driven to generate energy for ejecting droplets through each nozzle. The nozzle substrate is cleaned by a cleaning liquid containing microbubbles before being bonded to another member. |
| US07950769B2 |
Circuit board for ink jet head, ink jet head having the same, method for cleaning the head and ink jet printing apparatus using the head
In an ink jet head using a thermal energy for ejecting ink, this invention aims to reliably and uniformly remove kogations deposited on a heat application portion in contact with the ink. To realize this objective, the upper protective layer is arranged in an area including the heat application portion so that it can be electrically connected to serve as an electrode which causes an electrochemical reaction with the ink. The upper protective layer is formed of a material containing a metal which is dissolved by the electrochemical reaction and which does not form, on heating, an oxide film which hinders the dissolution. With this arrangement, a reliable electrochemical reaction can be produced to dissolve a surface layer of the upper protective layer, thereby removing kogations on the heat application portion reliably and uniformly. |
| US07950767B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an image generating unit configured to generate an image to be printed on a recording paper; a paper type designating unit configured for a user to directly designate a type of the recording paper or to designate automatic identification of a type of the recording paper; a paper type identification device configured to identify the type of the recording paper presented by the user when automatic identification of the type of the recording paper is designated by the paper type designating unit; and a printing unit configured to print the image generated by the image generating unit onto the recording paper in accordance with the type of the recording paper identified by the paper type identification device. |
| US07950765B2 |
Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus using liquid discharge head
A compact and highly reliable recording head enabling precise detection of temperature information for each nozzle and rapid as well as highly accurate detection of nozzles with a discharge defect can be achieved. An electrothermal transducing member is provided on a substrate to generate heat energy for discharging liquid from a discharge port. A temperature detecting circuit includes a temperature detecting element for measuring a temperature of the transducing member. The temperature detection circuit includes a constant current circuit, a voltage detecting circuit, and a switching element. |
| US07950763B2 |
Recording method
A method for recording an image based on image data in a recording region of a recording medium being transported in a predetermined transportation direction includes forming a first reference mark in a recordable region, including the recording region, of the recording medium using a first colored liquid containing a colorant; supplying an uncolored liquid containing no colorant uniformly over the entire recordable region of the recording medium; forming a second reference mark in the recordable region of the recording medium using a second colored liquid containing a colorant; detecting the amount of misalignment between the first reference mark and the second reference mark; calculating the total amount, excluding the content of the colorant, of first colored liquid to be used to record the image based on the image data on the recording medium for each unit area of the recording region of the recording medium. |
| US07950761B2 |
Liquid discharging apparatus and method for obtaining a large liquid droplet detection signal
A liquid discharging apparatus includes a discharging device, a liquid receiving device, a voltage applying device, an electrical change detection device, a driving signal generating device, and a control device. The discharging device discharges liquid from a nozzle to a target on the basis of discharge data. At the time of discharging, the control device controls the discharging device so as to perform discharging on the basis of the discharge data using a generated discharge data driving signal. At the time of the nozzle testing, the control device controls the voltage applying device so as to apply a predetermined voltage between the discharging device and the liquid receiving device and controls the discharging device using a test driving signal to determine on the basis of an electrical change detected by the electrical change detection device whether the liquid is discharged to thereby perform the nozzle testing. |
| US07950750B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining braking force of vehicle
A braking force maintaining apparatus executes hill-hold control in which braking force applied to each of wheels of a vehicle is maintained by a braking device even after release of a brake pedal. An electronic control unit determines whether the yaw rate of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value and whether the wheels are held in a locked state by the braking force applied by the braking device. If the wheels are held in the locked state and the yaw rate is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the electronic control unit controls the braking device in such a manner that the braking force acting on two or more of wheels including at least a specific wheel falls below the braking force at the start of the hill-hold control. The specific wheel is one of steered wheels that corresponds to an outer wheel when the steered wheels are steered through manipulation of the steering wheel intended to correct an offset posture of the vehicle that causes generation of the yaw rate. |
| US07950749B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus and vehicle control method
In a vehicle control apparatus, a hybrid ECU automatically stops and starts an engine if a predetermined condition is met while the vehicle is stopped. A brake ECU controls the braking force applied to wheels. A hybrid ECU controls the brake ECU so that braking force is applied to the wheels at the time of startup of the engine if while the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle run position is not selected as a shift position of the transmission. This restrains vibration of the vehicle at the time of startup of the engine. |
| US07950747B2 |
Wheel with tension spokes
A tension-spoke wheel including a rim, spokes, and a central hub, the exterior of the rim having a tire-receiving channel that defines a median plane, and an interior of the rim having spoke fastening zones that define a median plane for fastening the spokes, the hub having a median plane and two flanges for fastening the spokes, one of the flanges being closer to the median plane of the hub than the other, and at least the spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the median plane of the hub lacking individual tensioning mechanisms. The spokes fastened to the flange that is closer to the hub median plane are fastened to the rim on the side of the median plane of the tire-receiving channel that is opposite the closer flange. |
| US07950746B2 |
Attack tool for degrading materials
An attack tool for degrading materials is disclosed which comprises a base segment comprising an attachment to a driving mechanism, a first wear-resistant segment bonded to the base segment, a second wear-resistant segment bonded to the first wear-resistant segment at a brazed joint opposite the base segment, and at least a portion of exterior surfaces of both the wear-resistant segments proximate the joint, the portion of exterior surfaces comprising a finish ground surface. |
| US07950742B2 |
Connecting apparatuses for vehicular seats
A connecting apparatus for rotatably connecting two object members of a vehicle seat relative to each other. The connecting apparatus may include first and second connecting members, a lock member and an operating member. The first and second connecting members are integrated to be able to rotate relative to each other. The lock member is able to lock the relative rotation between the connecting members by meshing outer peripheral teeth with inner peripheral teeth formed at the second connecting member. The operating member moves the lock member between a mesh state and a release state. |
| US07950741B2 |
Connection devices in vehicle seats
A connecting device may include first and second connecting elements that are axially oppositely coupled to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a retainer member that is arranged and constructed to clamp the first and second connecting elements. The second connecting element has a plurality of radially projected portions and a plurality of radially depressed portions that are respectively formed in a circumferential end surface thereof. The retainer member has a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a plurality of fixing portions and a plurality of supplemental retainer portions. The supplemental retainer portions are arranged and constructed to be axially supported by a support die of a crimping machine when the end peripheries of the fixing portions are crimped while the second retainer portion is axially supported by the support die. |
| US07950740B2 |
Seat swivel with brake for infinite rotational position adjustment
A seat swivel for providing angular adjustment of a seat to an infinite number of rotational positions with respect to a seat base. The seat swivel includes a swivel assembly having a swivel plate rotatably supported between a pair of fixed plates, the swivel plate being adapted to be affixed to the seat and the fixed plates being adapted to be affixed to a seat base. The seat swivel further includes a brake assembly having a mechanism for releasably retaining the seat in any one of the infinite number of positions when the seat is subjected to a first dynamic impact loading, the mechanism being either mechanically or electrically actuated, the mechanism being adapted to withstand a dynamic impact loading of up to about 16 g in at least one rotational position of the seat. |
| US07950739B2 |
Stadium seat and a method of mounting a stadium seat
A seat (1, 41, 61) for stadia, auditoria and the like is disclosed. The seat has a fixed backrest (2, 42) pivotable between a horizontal use position and a vertical standby position. A spring (33) or other resilient means urges the seat (5, 45) into the standby position. A damping mechanism such as a viscous grease damps the motion, preferably in both directions. Mounting straps (51, 52, 71, 72) enable a body (45) to be clamped to a spine (7, 47). By lightly tightening the straps, the position of the seat on the spine can be subject to small final adjustments before final tightening. |
| US07950738B2 |
Latch belt storage system for juvenile vehicle seat
A child restraint including a juvenile seat configured to be mounted on a seat base. The seat base includes a seat support and a LATCH system including first and second anchor belts for anchoring the seat support to the seat of a vehicle. The seat base includes a storage compartment for storing free ends of the anchor belts when the anchor belts are detached from the vehicle. |
| US07950733B2 |
Mechanism for an adjustable body component of a vehicle
The invention relates to a mechanism for generating pivot motions and displacement motions of a chassis component (30), having a displaceable carriage (40) engaging with at least one first guide element (361) disposed on the chassis component by means of at least one second guide element (42, 44, 46). In order to simplify the mechanism according to the invention, the displaceable carriage (40) has at least two second guide elements (42, 44, 46) acting together with the first guide element (361) in the closed position and during the pivot motion of the chassis component (30), and acting together with a further first guide element (362) associated with the chassis component (30) during a displacement motion of the chassis component (30). The invention is in particular suitable for the panel of a sliding tilting sunroof of a vehicle. |
| US07950730B2 |
Front end assemblies for vehicles
A lower grille assembly for connection with a front bumper structure of a vehicle includes a frame and a covering portion supported by the frame. A lower grille cavity filler extends downwardly beyond the frame. The lower grille cavity filler is sized and arranged to be received within a cavity formed by the front bumper structure and located below the lower grille assembly. |
| US07950727B2 |
Suspension means with scissor pantograph
A suspension arrangement for spring suspending a mass body (3) in relation to a substructure (1), for example, a driver's cabin (3) of a heavy goods vehicle in relation to the vehicle chassis (1) thereof. The suspension arrangement comprises a spring/damper arrangement (2) which is arranged between the mass body (3) and the substructure (1) and which is used to dampen thrusts and/or oscillations. The suspension arrangement in characterized in that it comprises at least one pantograph (6) which is used to reduce the freedom of movement of the mass body (3). The inventive suspension arrangement is constructively robust and can determine the provided freedom of movement of the mass body in a reliable manner and can dampen and/or prevent undesired movements in other spatial directions. The invention enables an economical and a reliable spring suspension, in particular, for a driver's cabin of heavy good vehicles, to be produced. |
| US07950726B2 |
Air ride system for a tractor cab
An air ride system is provided for tractors and other agricultural vehicles to provide a smooth operator ride. The system includes a bracket mounted to the transmission housing beneath the cab. A pair of shock absorbers and a pair of air bags extend between the bracket and the cab so as to absorb forces generated during travel of the vehicle over the ground. A laterally extending control rod provides anti-sway for the cab. Stop members limit the upward and downward travel of the cab relative to the transmission housing. A compressor and air lines allow air to be supplied to or removed from the air bags to adjust the ride. |
| US07950722B2 |
Smooth side body structure and method
A method for constructing a wall structure for a bulk commodity carrying truck body or trailer is defined. The method includes arranging a plurality extruded aluminum panels to define a wall structure, wherein each of the plurality of panels includes a flat inner wall, an outer wall spaced-apart from the inner wall, and first and second end walls that extend between and interconnect the inner and outer walls. The arranging step includes locating the panels in a series with first and second end walls of adjacent panels abutted with each other and defining a seam. The method further includes fixedly securing the adjacent panels together by welding the seam and arranging the wall structure as part of the bulk commodity carrying truck body or trailer with each seam extending vertically. A wall structure and panel for same are also disclosed. |
| US07950712B2 |
Deck board and mounting structure of deck board
A deck board includes a board body arranged in a luggage area of a vehicle so as to be capable of being moved between an upper position and a lower position. The board body in the upper position separates the luggage area into upper and lower areas. The deck board further includes a front support portion that is rotatably connected to the front end portion of the board body via a hinge portion so as to guide the board body being moved between the upper and lower positions. The end portion of the front support portion on the opposite side of the hinge portion is pivotally supported by the sidewalls of the luggage area via a support pin. Further included is a spring unit arranged to bias the board body and the front support portion to be drawn to each other across the hinge portion. |
| US07950710B2 |
Robot
A robot includes a base unit, at least two link mechanisms arranged on the base unit, drive units capable of bending and expanding the link mechanisms, and a control unit controlling the drive units. At least one drive unit has a drive force larger than those of the other drive units, and the other drive units are passively displaced by external forces larger than their own drive forces. |
| US07950706B2 |
Magnetic bumper guard
A magnetic bumper guard, the guard being constructed such that it may be magnetically mounted onto a structural member to be protected, such as the corner, post, rail or leg of a structure composed of a suitable metal, the guard having a rear wall bounded by a pair of side flanges, a magnet-receiving recess positioned within the rear wall, a hollow interior, a rounded or curved forward wall, and a magnet, whereby frontal force is absorbed by the guard and lateral or angular forces cause the guard to disengage from the structural member, thereby dissipating the force. |
| US07950705B2 |
Underrun protector mounting structure of vehicle
An underrun protector mounting structure includes: a chassis frame; a front underrun protector which is disposed at the front or rear of the chassis frame and extended in a lateral direction of the vehicle; a bracket 6 for fixing the front underrun protector to the chassis frame; and a support part interposed between the front underrun protector and the bracket. The support part has a first plate part disposed on the front underrun protector side and a second plate part disposed on the first plate part on the bracket 6 side. The first plate part is formed to be wider in the lateral direction of the vehicle than the second plate part 32. The first and second plate parts are stacked to form a leaf spring shape in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. |
| US07950704B2 |
Cancel lever for clam shell vehicle doors
A door assembly for a vehicle body including a portal having a first end and a second end. A first door and a second door are pivotably coupled to the first end and the second end, respectively, of the portal. The first door includes an end panel opposite the first end of the portal, and a pivot is fixed to the end panel. A cancel lever is rotatably coupled to the pivot, and the cancel lever is arranged to be contacted by the second door at any location within a zone of contact determined by the relative positions of the first and second doors such that a force applied to the cancel lever by the second door includes a component perpendicular to a radius of the cancel lever at the point of contact. |
| US07950703B2 |
Door latch mechanism
The door latch mechanism independently operated by first and second handles of the door handle assembly comprising a cam member having a cam surface which facilitates translation of movement of the handles to displacement of the cam member. The cam member can be coupled to a latch member and move the latch member between an extended and retracted position. A door lock mechanism can prevent displacement of the second door handle while simultaneously allowing displacement of the first door handle. |
| US07950700B2 |
Connector assembly for sterile connectors
A connector assembly and method of creating a connection is described. The connector assembly includes a connector fitting having at least one receiving component on an end of the connector fitting and a gasket having at least one appendage, where the at least one appendage of the gasket engages the at least one receiving component to create an at least temporary secured attachment of the gasket to the connector fitting end. |
| US07950693B2 |
Dual stage inflator
A dual stage inflator device including a housing defining first and second chamber each containing a quantity of gas generant material ignitable to produce combustion products. A divider plate, separating the first chamber from the second chamber, is disposed and fixed within the housing. The divider plate includes an opening to allow gas flow communication from the second chamber to the first chamber. A removable plug element is normally disposed in the divider plate opening to prevent gas flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber when in a static state. |
| US07950692B2 |
Gas generation device with consumable ignitor tube
A gas generation device includes an elongated housing and an ignitor tube. The elongated housing defines a generant bed. The ignitor tube is disposed within the housing and extends at least substantially along the entire length of the generant bed. The ignitor tube defines an unobstructed path for ignitor gases to travel into the generant bed. The ignitor tube is constructed of a consumable material. |
| US07950691B1 |
Inflator body with adapter form end
A gas generating system includes a housing having an adapter formed integral with the housing to enable operative coupling of the gas generating system to an associated gas-actuatable device. The adapter may include openings formed therein to enable distribution of gases to an exterior of the housing. |
| US07950690B2 |
Steering wheel for a motor vehicle
A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel. |
| US07950689B2 |
Seat having side airbag
A first exemplary seat with a side airbag disposed therein includes a front seat cover and a side seat cover. The seat covers are releasably attached together at a junction configured for the airbag to be deployed therethrough. The front seat cover is less stretchable than the side seat cover. A second exemplary seat with a side airbag disposed therein includes a front seat cover and a side seat cover. The seat covers are releasably attached together at a junction configured for the airbag to be deployed therethrough. The junction includes a first thread of the front seat cover, and a second thread of the second seat cover. The first thread is stronger than the second thread. |
| US07950687B2 |
Wheelbarrow with improved stability
An improved wheelbarrow places the bucket at ground level when at rest. The wheelbarrow frame beneath the bucket rests on the ground while the wheelbarrow is at rest. The wheelbarrow wheel is lifted off of the ground at rest. The wheelbarrow provides greatly improved stability both at rest and while moving the wheelbarrow. |
| US07950684B2 |
Wheelchair side guards
Wheelchair side guards are provided with a strip and covering materials. The strip is sufficiently rigid to keep the shape and position of the side guards such that a user and their clothes are kept away from the wheelchair wheels. The side guards may also comprise a hinge near the middle that permit the wheelchair backrest to fold. |
| US07950683B1 |
Device and method for modifying a bicycle for freestyle riding
The present disclosure provides a kit and method for modifying a bicycle comprising attaching a platform to both sides of the bottom bracket crank spindle in place of a crank set and chain. The platforms include internal spindle slots adapted to crank spindle shape through which a screw or other fastener may be used to temporarily attach the platform to the bottom bracket crank spindle. |
| US07950682B2 |
Front-wheel driven, rear-wheel steered vehicle
The present invention relates to a front-wheel driven, rear-wheel steered vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle having one front-wheel and one rear-wheel, wherein a power source is used to drive the front-wheel and a steering apparatus is used to transfer inputs from the user to the rear-wheel, and kits for creating such vehicles. |
| US07950680B2 |
Wheel suspension for wheeled vehicle
Wheel suspension (10) for a wheeled vehicle, comprising at least one lower, wheel-carrying radius arm (12) with an inner end, which is designed for fastening so that it can pivot about a substantially horizontal axis in a vehicle frame (14), and an outer end, which is pivotally fastened to a lower part of a wheel hub (24), and at least one upper support arm (28), one end of which is fastened to an upper part of the wheel hub (24), and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame (14). The inner end of the lower radius arm (12) is designed for pivotal connection to the vehicle frame (14) by way of a lower arm part (16) of a double rocker arm (18), swiveling about a substantially horizontal axis (20), whilst the upper support arm (28) is pivotally connected to an upper arm part (34) of the double rocker arm (18) via a connecting link (36), which is pivotally connected to the upper support arm (28) and to the upper arm part (34) of the double rocker arm (18). |
| US07950672B2 |
Magnetic fluid sealing device
A magnet is embedded in an outer rotational shaft provided in a bearing hole of a case, and an outer magnetic circuit and an inner magnetic circuit are formed on the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the outer rotational shaft, respectively. In a magnetic fluid seal device, magnetic fluid is filled in minute gaps coming in contact with the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the outer rotational shaft, and the two rotational shafts can be strongly sealed by the magnetic circuits formed by a magnet. As a result, the rotational shafts can be rotated while supported in a non-contact style. In addition, the dimension can be reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced. |
| US07950669B2 |
Method for providing an improved sealing system for high speed applications
The invention provides a method that can be applied, for example, to seal a constant velocity joint. The invention includes a method comprising the steps of substantially sealing the constant velocity joint with the primary boot which includes first and second ends, fixedly associating the first end of the primary boot with the constant velocity joint, and slidably associating the second end of the primary boot with the shaft which extends from the constant velocity joint. In one aspect, the invention includes a primary boot having a body defining a substantially smooth interior surface and a secondary boot associated with the primary boot and spaced from the interior surface. In another aspect, the invention includes a constant velocity joint having an outer joint member, an inner joint member positioned in the outer joint member, a plurality of ball members positioned between said outer and inner joint members, and a shaft engaged with and extending from the inner joint member. The primary boot is fixedly associated with respect to the outer joint member and slidably associated with said shaft. |
| US07950668B2 |
Remote operated actuator system for drill string internal blowout preventer
An air swivel ring includes a non-rotating member having an air inlet, a rotating member having an air outlet, and a split seal having a first sealing surface and coupled to one of the non-rotating member and the rotating member so that the first sealing surface on the seal is disposed proximate a second sealing surface on the other of the non-rotating member and the rotating member. |
| US07950666B2 |
Omnidirectional target system
An omnidirectional target system includes a target movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an actuation mechanism for moving the target to the extended position, the target and the actuation mechanism being releaseable so that the target can be moved back into the retracted position despite movement of the actuation mechanism. |
| US07950661B2 |
Wireless monitoring of a card game and/or wagers in gaming
A method for automating a card game includes wirelessly interrogating each of a plurality of playing cards using radio frequency transmissions. For at least some of the playing cards, determining a rank of the playing card is based on the wireless interrogation using a mapping stored on a computer-readable medium that uniquely identifies playing cards based on a random distribution of conductive material carried by each of the playing cards. |
| US07950658B2 |
Recording medium transporting device and recording apparatus
A recording medium transporting device includes a transporting unit that transports a recording medium; a guide member that supports and guides the recording medium in a downstream direction, the guide member being disposed downstream of the transporting unit; and a restraining unit that includes a restraining member having a restraining section, the restraining section being movable relative to the guide member. The restraining section imposes a restraint on the recording medium to prevent the recording medium from rising above the guide member at a position downstream of the transporting unit. A restriction state of the restraining member is switchable between at least two states, and the restriction state is switched so that a degree of the restraint is reduced or the restraint is removed before a trailing edge of the recording medium passes the restraining section. |
| US07950652B2 |
Sheet discharge apparatus, image forming apparatus and sheet discharging method
A sheet discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion configured to discharge sheets, a wall member provided below the discharge portion, a tray configured to receive the discharged sheets from the discharge portion, and a holding member provided on the wall member to approach relatively the tray, holding the sheets between itself and the tray, and moving linearly by holding the sheets. |
| US07950651B2 |
Media stacker
A media stacker unit comprises: (i) at least one stacker wheel and (ii) a detent. The stacker wheel includes: a hub for mounting on an axle, and a plurality of arcuate tines, each tine being coupled to the hub at a hub end and extending transverse to the axle to a point radially spaced from the axle at a capture end. When the stacker wheel is rotated about the axle, the capture ends traverse a capture circumference. Each tine further comprises a resilient tine portion. The detent partially extends within the capture circumference for engaging with and temporarily retarding a capture end as the stacker wheel is rotated. This reduces the time during which that capture end blocks a media transport path, thereby reducing the possibility of a media item colliding with a capture end and jamming the media stacker unit. |
| US07950646B2 |
Method for adjusting a folding station and inserting system
For determining a setting of an apparatus for folding documents to be inserted into windowed envelopes, a tentative folding setting is determined. Then, an overlay image representing the envelope and at least a portion of a side of the folded document that would be visible through the envelope window after folding of the specimen of the documents in accordance with the tentative folding setting and insertion of the folded specimen into the envelope is displayed. If the overlay image is not satisfactory, another tentative folding setting is inputted and an accordingly changed overlay image is generated. If the overlay image is satisfactory, the current tentative folding setting is selected as the folding setting to be applied for folding documents. |
| US07950645B2 |
Method and installation for the insertion of supplements into printed products
A method and an installation for the insertion of supplements into printed products (1) such as newspapers, periodicals, brochures, etc., wherein each single, folded or multi-paged printed product (1) is opened over a fold (8) and a supplement (2) is inserted, wherein a leader edge (9) of the supplement (2) is placed at least near the fold (8), or against the spine respectively, of the printed product (1). The method further comprises the following steps of: Application of a bonding agent (3) to the supplement (2) near the leader edge (9) or to the printed product (1) near the fold (8); Insertion of the supplement (2) into the printed product (1); and Adhesion by means of the bonding agent (3), of the supplement (2) in at least one place near its leader edge (9) with the printed product (1). |
| US07950643B2 |
Sheet finisher, image forming apparatus using the same, and sheet finishing method
A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle-stitching unit to stitch a center of a sheet bundle, a folding unit to fold the center and to form a fold, a first and a second rollers that move along a direction of the fold while nipping and pressing the fold of the sheet bundle and reinforce the fold, and a drive section to move the first and the second rollers along the fold from a standby position apart from an edge of the sheet bundle, and the first and the second rollers are separate from each other in a thickness direction of the sheet bundle at the standby position, and after the first and the second rollers reach to a position where they pass the edge of the sheet bundle of a processable maximum size, they come close to each other in the thickness direction and nip the fold. |
| US07950642B2 |
Sheet finishing apparatus and control method
A sheet finishing apparatus including a finishing unit configured to perform finishing on a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus, a sensor group including device sensors that are operated by a power source voltage supplied from the image forming apparatus and detect states of a plurality of devices in the sheet finishing unit, and sheet sensors that are for detecting the sheet in the finishing unit, and a control unit to control the plurality of devices in response to detection results of the sensor group. While a first finishing is being executed in the finishing unit, the control unit keeps the sheet sensor in an operable state, stops execution of another finishing, and stops operation of the device sensor for the another finishing. |
| US07950640B2 |
Rotary printing press and method for producing a newspaper product in tabloid format
A rotary printing press is usable for producing a newspaper product in tabloid format. The printing press has at least one printing unit which is configured so that it prints a web with printed pages in a horizontal tabloid format. A part web, which is formed by slitting a web, is provided with a fold by a plough folder and that is arranged in the path of travel of the web. The web is folded with a first edge region, which is printed with a narrow printed image section, as a folded portion, along a first folding line by the plough folder. A fold former is arranged after the plough folder. The part web is printed with only one horizontal page in tabloid format and is also printed with a narrow printed section on an adjacent edge region. The part web and the fold former are arranged in the partial web travel direction so that the part web, which is folded along one side by the plough folder, runs into the folding former offset. The center of the partial web is not aligned with the former tip but instead is offset with respect to that former tip. |
| US07950638B2 |
Fly tying vise
A fly tying vise to be used for holding a fishing hook and to provide rotation of the fishing hook on two axes, one axis along the center of the hook shank, the other axis perpendicular to the hook shank and the two axes cross each other. The fly tying vise has a multi-part base assembly and a bearing mechanism which will provide a lateral rotation of the jaws. While the hook holding mechanism is connected to the rotatable part of the base,a series of elongated designed parts connected to the stationary part of the base and extended over the cylindrical center of the base assembly for holding parachute post to aid tying parachute patterns and like. The vise base can be locked in different positions laterally for using the vise as a regular rotary vise or working on a fly from different directions, such as fight handed or left handed. |
| US07950637B2 |
Adjustable holding apparatus
An adjustable holding apparatus is provided, including a base unit, a clapping unit, and at least two stopping units. The base unit includes a surface on which the electronic device can be placed. The clapping unit is partially embedded in the base unit, and can move in the direction parallel to the surface of the base unit. The clapping unit includes a clapping part. The clapping part is located on one side of the clapping unit vertically. The stopping units are located at the lower part of the base unit with a distance separating the two stopping units. Each stopping unit includes a stopping part located at the upper part of stopping unit, and is off-center. The clapping part of the clapping unit and the stopping parts of the stopping units are located on the opposite sides of the surface of the base unit to form a three-point clapping on the device placed on the surface. The clapping units and the stopping units can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of objects. |
| US07950633B2 |
Vibration isolator system
A vibration isolator system for attaching a payload to a supporting base is provided, the payload having a center of mass and the system consisting of at least three vibration isolating pods. Each pod has two associated, non-parallel, elastic struts. A first end of each strut is attached to the supporting base and a second end of each strut is attached to the payload at a respective mounting point, and the a projected elastic center of the system is substantially co-located with said center of mass. The vibration isolator system is operable to substantially prevent translational vibration of the supporting base from inducing angular rotation of the payload. |
| US07950629B2 |
Tensioning ratchet for tautening and holding tensioning means
A tensioning ratchet for tautening and holding tensioning means, such as webbings, extruded straps, ropes, chains and the like, includes a console, with a winding-on shaft, rotatably mounted in the console, which is formed by at least two direction reversal bars, delimiting a distance between one another, and with a tensioning lever for turning the winding-on shaft about an axis of rotation. The tensioning ratchet according to the invention withstands a higher load and enables high pre-tensioning forces to be applied while preventing inadmissible stress on the user. This is achieved by the fact that the position at least of the outer circumferential face of the direction reversal bars coming into contact with the tensioning means, is variable. |
| US07950621B2 |
Pneumatic pressure regulation valve
A pneumatic pressure regulating valve, the opening of which can be automatically changed in a pressure-related manner, including a control diaphragm that is subjected to a reference pressure, to the gas pressure as well as to a governor spring, wherein a change in the differential pressure causes an adjustment of the control diaphragm and the latter itself or a closing element actuated by it changes the opening through an outflow cross-section, and wherein a structure that is arranged adjacent to the outflow cross-section on the diaphragm side forms a stop for the control diaphragm or for the closing element in the closed position of said control diaphragm. At least one preliminary stop is arranged in the pressure regulating valve such that, when the control diaphragm is moving in its closing direction, the control diaphragm or the closing element first comes into contact with the preliminary stop and that, when the control diaphragm is moving further in its closing direction, the control diaphragm or the closing element will then, while being subjected to elastic and flexible deformation or being further subjected to elastic and flexible deformation respectively, further reduces the opening and, in a final position, also comes into contact with the stop. |
| US07950620B2 |
Air conditioner condenser platform
An air conditioner condenser platform is described for supporting an air conditioner condenser installed on a roof. The platform provides a fixed base and an adjustable platform whereby the fixed base is installed on the roof and the adjustable platform is configured to provide a level platform on which to install the condenser. It provides a durable metal weather resistant platform on which to install the condenser, and a standard platform that may be quickly installed in a variety of roof slopes and configurations. |
| US07950619B2 |
Fluid device mounting structure
A fluid device mounting structure is provided for installing a plurality of fluid devices on a support assembly. The support assembly includes a support member for supporting connecting portions of the fluid devices by the support assembly, so that the fluid devices are freely disposed in three dimensions. |
| US07950618B1 |
Shock absorbing platform with dampening means
A shock-absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another along at least two sides by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the plates are displaced responsive to externally-imparted forces. An air spring resists relative vertical motion between the bottom and top plates as external forces are applied to the platform. A shock-absorbing damper damps the natural oscillation of the air spring. The resistance presented by the air spring is adjustable through an inlet and outlet port in fluid communication with a remote source of air under pressure. In a second embodiment, a seat bottom includes arched leaf springs that supplant the air spring to increase the range of relative movement between the top and bottom plates and to lower the profile of the seat bottom. |
| US07950610B2 |
Display base including torque limiter and torque limiter
A display base including a torque limiter capable of inhibiting the number of components from increase and the torque limiter are obtained. This display base includes a driving source turning a display screen portion and a transmission gear portion for transmitting driving force of the driving source to a turning portion. The transmission gear portion includes a torque limiter having a driven gear member integrally provided with a plurality of support sections formed concentrically with rotational axis, a drive gear member fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of each of the support sections of the driven gear member, and a spring member pressing the support sections against the drive gear member by being press-fitted into an inner peripheral surface of each of the support sections of the driven gear member. |
| US07950609B2 |
Acoustic dampening pipe shoe
A pipe support for dampening acoustic propagation from a pipeline is provided. The pipe support can include a support base and a movable base spatially arranged from the support base. One or more fasteners can be disposed through the movable base to the support base, thereby connecting the movable base to the support base. One or more acoustic isolators can be disposed between an upper surface of the support base and a lower surface of the movable base. |
| US07950607B1 |
Small munitions adaptor rack for releasing small munitions from an aircraft
An adapter for converting a full size aircraft bomb rack into a rack capable of supporting reduced size bombs or stores. The full size bomb rack includes a bomb ejection mechanism capable of delivering an ejection force to a full size bomb. The adapter includes an elongated plate having a body portion defining a planar center portion and end portions. The end portions include laterally extending sway braces for reducing lateral swaying of the reduced size store or bomb. The adapter plate is mounted between the reduced size store and the full size adapter rack. The body portion of the adapter rack includes apparatus for ejecting a reduced size store from the elongated plate. A first opening is arranged adjacent to one end portion of the elongated plate for receiving fasteners carried by the reduced size store which attach the store to the full size bomb rack. These fasteners are passed through an opening in the elongated plate. An ejection mechanism at an end of the elongated plate operates to transfer the ejection force from the full size bomb rack to the store. |
| US07950606B2 |
Electric-based secondary power system architectures for aircraft
Methods and systems for providing secondary power to aircraft systems. In one embodiment, an aircraft system architecture for providing power to an environmental control system includes an electric generator operably coupled to a jet engine. The jet engine can be configured to provide propulsive thrust to the aircraft, and the electric generator can be configured to receive shaft power from the jet engine. The environmental control system can be configured to provide outside air to a passenger cabin of the aircraft in the absence of bleed air from the jet engine. |
| US07950605B2 |
Torsionally de-coupled engine mount system
A torsionally de-coupled engine mount system for use in tilt rotor aircraft applications is disclosed, in which an engine is mounted at its forward end to a prop rotor gear box by means of a forward mount that is a simple adapter fitting, and at its aft end to a pylon assembly by an aft mount that is a simple bi-pod fitting. The forward mount counteracts forces and moments in six degrees of freedom, but the aft mount only counteracts lateral and vertical loads. The contribution from the engine to the overall dynamic response of the aircraft is tuned by selectively tailoring the size, shape, weight, and material of the forward mount. The engine mount system torsionally de-couples the engines from the prop rotors, thereby preventing rotor torque from being induced into the engines. In addition, the contribution from the engines to the overall dynamic response of the aircraft can be tuned by selectively tailoring the size, shape, weight, and material of the forward mounts between the engines and the transmissions. |
| US07950604B2 |
Engine mounting structure for an aircraft
An engine attachment pylon for an aircraft including an aft engine attachment fitted with an aft attachment body and two lateral brackets each including a longitudinal portion in contact with an inner face of the lateral panel associated with it and mounted fixed on the same inner face, and a transverse portion including an attachment interface for the aft attachment body, the transverse portion configured to pass through a recess formed on the associated lateral panel. |
| US07950603B2 |
Integral powered wing aircraft
Disclosed is a rotary winged aircraft. More specifically, this invention relates to an aircraft wherein lift is generated by two discs which rotate about a central axis. The discs generate equal and opposite forces such that the central axis remains fixed, thereby allowing it to be used for a crew compartment. In one embodiment, the two discs are concentrically located. |
| US07950599B1 |
Hose controlled sprinkler device and control method therefor
A hose controlled sprinkler device, whose sequential liquid output states can be remotely controlled by a substantially unidirectional movement of a hose connected to the sprinkler device. The hose controlled sprinkler device includes a valve and at least one valve support. The valve includes a moveable member, a valve housing, an inlet connection configured for connection to the hose and an outlet connection. The valve is configured to have at least one liquid off state, a liquid on state, and a liquid off state output sequence at the outlet connection. The sequence is established by a pressurized liquid input at the inlet connection and further by a unidirectional movement of the movable member and the housing one about the other. The at least one valve support is connected to the valve and is configured to stabilize the valve above at least one of a ground and a lawn. The liquid output states of the hose controlled sprinkler device can be remotely controlled by the substantially unidirectional movement of the hose which is both connected to the inlet connection and supplies the inlet connection with a pressurized liquid. In other embodiments, a sprinkler is connected to the outlet connection of the hose controlled sprinkler device. |
| US07950598B2 |
Integrated flow control assembly for air-assisted spray gun
An air-assisted sprayer comprises a platform, an air reservoir, a fluid reservoir, a spray cap and a dual flow valve. The air reservoir extends through the platform and is configured to receive a source of pressurized air. The fluid reservoir extends through the platform to intersect the air reservoir, and is configured to receive a source of pressurized fluid. The spray cap is configured to receive pressurized air from the air reservoir and pressurized fluid from the fluid reservoir to discharge a stream of atomized fluid from the platform. The dual flow valve is positioned within the platform to intersect the air reservoir and the fluid reservoir to simultaneously vary volumetric flow rates of the pressurized air and the pressurized fluid over a range. |
| US07950596B2 |
Distributed stiffness biasing spring for actuator system and fuel injector using same
A fuel injector includes a fuel injector body defining a fuel inlet and at least one fuel outlet, a valve having a first valve state and a second valve state and an actuator for the valve. The fuel injector includes a biasing spring including a cylindrical rolled sheet having a first spring end, a second spring end and defining a longitudinal center axis. The cylindrical rolled sheet is configured to change in length to bias the actuator toward the first actuator position and includes a helical seam located between the first spring end and a second spring end which has a shape adapted to reduce non-uniformity in a spring constant via distributing stiffness about the longitudinal center axis. |
| US07950588B2 |
Coding and decoding of data
An information code has a positioning layer for coding position information and a data layer for coding arbitrary non-positional data. Both the positioning layer and the data layer may be formed by circularly shifted instances of a window sequence. A product may have information code. Further, the information code may be coded and decoded by using methods for coding and decoding and may be decoded by using an apparatus. |
| US07950586B2 |
SIM card handle
An improved smart card is provided, which is adapted for easy extraction from a smart card socket, or example, in a mobile telephone. Facilitating the easy extraction is a structural deviation in the plane of at least one of the sides of the smart card to enable an increase of an external force on the smart card to thereby cause the extraction of the smart card from a socket. The structural deviation may be a change in the thickness of the smart card or a roughened surface in the smart card's enclosure. The smart card may be a SIM card. Also provided is a method of extracting a smart card from a socket, which method may include the steps of engaging a structural deviation in the plane of at least one side of the smart card's enclosure and applying a force to the engaged structural deviation. |
| US07950585B2 |
Protected contactless card
A protected contactless presentation instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protected contactless presentation instrument includes an RFID chip that can be manually exposed and shielded by a user. The protected contactless presentation instrument may include a moveable tab that includes the RFID chip. The protected contactless presentation instrument may also include a moveable shield. Another embodiment of the invention provides for a contactless presentation instrument that includes an electroluminescence material. |
| US07950583B2 |
Automatic digital video imaging based code symbol reading system employing an automatic object motion controlled illumination subsystem
An automatic digital video imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing automatic object motion detection and illumination control, and digital video imaging based code symbol reading techniques, which ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments, while providing the versatility required to accommodate the different ways in which operators present objects for code symbol reading at POS environments. |
| US07950580B2 |
Membership cards
A code carrier, on which multiple barcodes corresponding to independent entities are printed or stored, is disclosed. The barcodes are arranged on the code carrier and angled such that a barcode reader may individually read a desired barcode and the barcodes are surrounded in distinctive colors. A code carrier provider maintains a data base of users and their corresponding barcode identifiers. |
| US07950578B2 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing machine control
In order to control the status and the operation of a dispensing machine assembly comprising one or more modules or sub-assemblies, at least one of modules or sub-modules is provided with an electronic tag and the machine is provided with a tag controller device for interacting with said tag by reading, writing and transmitting information data on or through said tag and operating said dispensing machine according to the information gathered from said tag or tags. |
| US07950574B1 |
ATM that places front customer interface in communication with rear servicer interface
An automatic banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that reads data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards and carries out transactions related to the accounts. The machine includes a camera, a microphone, and the card reader at a customer interface located at the front of the machine. A servicer display device is at a servicer interface located at the rear of the machine. The customer interface and the servicer interface can be placed in audio/visual communication. Although a first servicer located at the customer interface may not be directly visible to a second servicer located at the servicer interface, they are still able to communicate through the customer interface and servicer interface during machine servicing. |
| US07950570B2 |
Parking environment management system and method
A system and method for managing a permit-based parking environment governed by a parking program. The permit-based parking environment includes a number of parking permits each including a unique RFID tag and tag number. One or more RFID readers are used to scan the vehicles parked in the parking environment to determine if a RFID tag is associated with the parked vehicle. The results of the scan along with information related to the parked vehicle are provided to a permit management system to determine if the vehicle is parked within the scope of privileges pre-defined for that vehicle, pursuant to the parking program governing the parking environment. The permit management system stores, manages, and monitors data related to the permits controlled under the parking program. |
| US07950569B2 |
Container for food
A container for receiving a food product is formed from a shaped blank of paper, paperboard, cardboard or a similar material. A hinge arrangement comprising at least two and preferably three parts is provided between one of the side walls and one of the end walls to allow the partially formed container to be moved easily between a flat configuration suitable for transportation or storage and an erect configuration for receiving a food product. In the erect configuration one part of the hinge arrangement is sandwiched between another part of hinge arrangement and the end wail. In the flat configuration these two parts of the hinge arrangement lie in substantially the same plane. An integral lid may be provided. |
| US07950568B2 |
Exothermic welding assembly
An assembly is disclosed for exothermic welding comprising a mold which is formed of a material which withstands exothermic welding temperatures and includes a weld cavity therein for positioning at least two members which are to be exothermically welded together, and an ignition cavity communicating with the weld cavity. The mold is capable of accommodating any one of several exothermic welding procedures which may involve either a flint igniter or the use of an electrical igniter which is readily accommodated by the mold in the performance of several of the procedures. The electrical igniter is formed of a pair of flat, longitudinally extending conductor strips with a sheet of insulation laminated therebetween, a filament adjacent one end of the strips, and one or more positioning tabs adjacent one end of the strips. A cartridge is also provided which contains the weld metal and the electrical igniter and which may be positioned in the ignition cavity of the mold. The cartridge is formed of a material which is consumed during the welding procedure and may contain a plate of a different material adjacent its bottom which melts at a higher temperature than the materials of the cartridge. |
| US07950565B2 |
High speed ball shear machine
A high speed ball shear machine is adapted for removing a metal bump fixed on a substrate. The high speed ball shear machine includes a fixing base, a shear tool, and a metal bump catcher. The substrate is fixed on the top surface of the fixing base. The shear tool is disposed above the top surface. The fixing base is adapted for being translated along a translation path relative to the shear tool, wherein the translation path is a straight path. When the fixing base translates along the path, the metal bump is driven to strike the shear tool so as to separate itself from the substrate. The metal bump catcher, which is adapted for catching the drop bump after the striking, is disposed on the side wall of the fixing base. The bump catcher has a fillister with a configuration depicted in the figures of this invention. |
| US07950560B2 |
Powered surgical instrument
A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive gear, a drive motor, a shift motor and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The drive gear is disposed at least partially within the housing and is rotatable about a drive gear axis which extends therethrough. The drive gear is selectively movable along the drive gear axis. The drive motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and is configured to rotate the drive gear. The shift motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and is configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion. |
| US07950558B2 |
Spring actuated pliers stapler
A spring-energized stapler having a pliers type configuration, wherein papers and like items are fastened at a front end and the stapler is normally gripped and squeezed at a rear end. A compact mechanism and independent handle linkages provide a compact overall shape in a high efficiency action. An upper handle is pivoted at a front, top of a housing with a pressing area spaced at least one half the handle length away from the upper handle pivot. A lower handle includes a multi-segment cam link to a base to provide a minimal gripping distance with a large clamping force at an anvil. A simplified front-loading mechanism provides a compact, low cost assembly. A release latch holder is located behind the striker for a compact front end. |
| US07950553B2 |
Automatically locking high security holster
A holster for securing a pistol having a barrel with a chamber, a muzzle, a slide having a front and rear portion, includes (a) an open-bottom enclosure sized to accommodate the slide, wherein a cavity defined in a front portion of the enclosure is sized to receive the muzzle but not allow the slide to enter therein; (b) a securing member pivotally attached within the enclosure near a rear portion thereof and shaped to correspondingly mate with a rear portion of the slide; (c) a lever disposed externally to the enclosure and attached via a connecting member to the securing member; (d) a spring disposed between an interior surface of the enclosure and the securing member; and (e) a protuberance extending from the interior surface of the enclosure and sized to be received into the chamber when the pistol is secured within the enclosure. |
| US07950548B2 |
Universal collar
A universal collar that attaches to a pump and, in turn, a container used in a dispenser having a keyplate, the universal collar including: a first flange and a second flange, wherein the flanges extend radially outward and are axially spaced from each other for receiving the keyplate therebetween. |
| US07950547B2 |
Reservoir for liquid dispensing system with enhanced mixing
Reservoir for a dispense system designed to maintain a suspending fluid flow within the reservoir. The fluid dispense system is particularly well suited to be manufactured in a single-use format comprising a fluid reservoir and fill tube assembly, particularly comprising a reservoir, tubing, fittings and connectors, and a needle. The system ensures uniformity within the liquid by moving the fluid through the product reservoir such as with a continuous or pulsating flow, and is designed to maintain the fluid in motion in order to maintain a homogenous solution. The reservoir is designed to minimize any fluid dead zones. |
| US07950546B2 |
Re-sealable moisture tight containers for strips and the like having alternative sealing mechanisms
A substantially moisture tight container and lid assembly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items comprising an assembly with a container and a lid, the lid is attached by a hinge to an upper housing portion of the container, the container has a container base, and a sidewall depending upwardly from the base, a top container surface extends inward from the sidewalls, the top container surface is provided with an opening that permits access to the interior of the container, the lid portion has a lid base with an outer periphery that extends over at least a portion of the container portion, the lid base is provided with a skirt that depends downwardly from the base portion, the skirt is configured at a location on the base portion that allows the skirt to enter into a sealing relationship with the container portion, the lid includes a member that depends downwardly from the lid, the member is configured to abut at least a portion of the interior side of the container when the lid is in the closed position resulting in a substantially moisture tight seal between the lid and the lid, and the container assembly further comprising a base portion and an upper housing portion, the upper housing portion is capable of being snap-fit into the base portion by employing a mechanical interference to form a substantially moisture-tight seal. |
| US07950544B2 |
Support and stand for furniture from kegs
The present invention is a top stand platform for furniture manufactured from beer kegs. The top stand platform has a first load distribution ring which circumvents the outlet opening at the center top of the keg at a level below the top flange of the outlet opening. Near its periphery, the first ring has a set of first threaded bolts extending downwardly onto the top surface of the keg. Also, the top stand platform comprises a second stand base ring, with a set of second threaded bolts which secure the second stand base ring to the top of the first load distribution ring. This way, the two first and second rings are clamped together and secured tightly to the flange of the outlet opening at the top of the keg. Secured to the top of the second stand base ring is an upwardly-extending base. |
| US07950543B2 |
Trash can assembly with locking lid
A trash can assembly has a shell and a lid fitted over the top end of the shell. The lid has a slidable lock member that is removably engaged to a portion of the shell to prevent the lid from being opened. |
| US07950536B2 |
System for displaying merchandise in front of backer material
A top hardware bar includes a body, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The body is elongate and defines a first end, a second, opposite end, a channel, and a plurality of holes disposed lengthwise along the body. The first bracket is secured to the first end of the body and is releasably secured to a first upright. The second bracket is adjustably secured within the channel at the second end of the body and is releasably secured to a second upright. A backer piece is secured to the body of the top hardware bar along a top portion of the backer piece such that the backer piece hangs from the top hardware bar A product fixture is then placed in front of the backer piece to support products, with the ends of the product fixture being attached to the first and second uprights, respectively. |
| US07950533B2 |
Muffler pipe rack and hanger system
A muffler pipe storage rack may include an elongated support member having two ends and a longitudinal slot between the two ends. The longitudinal slot may have a width that is wider than the outer diameter of the widest of the tubular portions, but narrower than the width of the narrowest of the flanges. The longitudinal slot may have a length that is longer than the sum of the widths of all of the flanges. A first mounting bracket may be affixed to one end of the elongated support member and configured to clamp to a first substantially horizontal support and to suspend the one end of the elongated support member from the first substantially horizontal support. A second mounting bracket may be affixed to the other end of the elongated support member and configured to clamp to a second substantially horizontal support substantially parallel to the first substantially horizontal support and to suspend the other end of the elongated support member from the second substantially horizontal support. |
| US07950530B2 |
Sludge and sediment removal system by remote access
A compound conduit containing inner and outer conduits with apertures in the former that are angled to direct jets of fluid in a rearward direction from the inner conduit into the annular space is used to draw sludge or undesirable material from a vessel without imposing a vacuum on the system. In conjunction with the compound conduit is a rotary tube seal that allows the conduit to be mounted to an orifice in a tank wall and pivoted or rotated over a range of angles. A tubing drive mechanism grasps the tubing at locations well removed from the distal end and causes the tubing to travel in the direction of the tubing axis. The gripping members in the mechanism engage the sides of the tubing and are capable of shifting position relative to each other to accommodate changes in the curvature of the tubing. |
| US07950528B2 |
Hollow fiber membrane and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a through-one-end water collection type hollow fiber membrane and a method for manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, an internal sealing part is formed in the hollow part of the membrane at its free end. The internal sealing part supports an external sealing part surrounding the external surface of the free end such that the durability of the whole sealing part might be improved. |
| US07950527B2 |
Helical internal support structure for intake screens
A method and apparatus for supporting a screen. The apparatus comprising a cylindrical screen for submerging in a fluid, the screen having an inlet pipe for connecting to a piping system, filter members, a first end, a second and a support structure. The support structure is one or more helical members which traverse the screen. |
| US07950526B2 |
Device and method for carrying out a financial in-payment transaction
An apparatus and a method for executing a money deposit transaction. During a money deposit transaction the state of the bank notes to be deposited is ascertained, bank notes being in a good state are made available to the depositor after the completion of the money deposit transaction, while bank notes being in an unsatisfactory state are withheld. |
| US07950523B2 |
Retainer for a welding wire coil
A retainer for a welding wire coil has a plurality of fingers (38) and a base element (32) with an upper surface (34) and a lower surface (36), the fingers (38) extending downwardly beyond the lower surface (36) of the retainer (12). |
| US07950521B2 |
Low depth stackable tray
A tray for containers, such as beverage bottles, includes a base and a plurality of interior columns extending upwardly from the base. A plurality of columns extend upwardly along at least a portion of the periphery of the tray. Side walls extend along the sides of the tray and end walls extend along the ends of the tray, the end walls connected to the side walls by corner walls. The corner walls protrude upwardly higher than the side walls and end walls and include an opening at a lower edge thereof for receiving a corner portion of an identical tray nested therebelow. In another, independent feature, dividers and/or the walls include recesses along uppermost edges to reduce the overall footprint of the tray. |
| US07950520B2 |
Modular conveyor belt support idler
A support for a conveyor belt is provided. The support has a series of frames that may be installed beneath the underside of the conveyor belt to support the underside of the belt in a trough-shaped arrangement. Each frame supports a guide element, such as a roller, slider bar or bearing block, that permits the belt to ride over the frames. The frames may be installed beneath the belt and removed from beneath the belt from one side of the conveyor belt. Installation and removal of the components require minimal side clearance beneath the belt. As a result, the support may be installed and removed with minimal interference from adjacent structures or fixtures beneath the belt. |
| US07950516B2 |
System for conveying groups of partially overlapping postal objects
Conveying system, wherein a conveying device that is mobile with respect to an accumulation device is designed to convey a group of postal objects received at input from a flow-forming device designed to generate at output the group of postal objects aligned in a reference direction, partially overlapping one another and arranged with their own front edges spaced apart from one another. The accumulation device is provided with a plurality of cells, each of which is designed to contain at least one group of postal objects fed to the accumulation device by the translating-lifting device. |
| US07950514B1 |
Apparatus and method for variable torque braking of escalators and moving walkways
A braking apparatus and method for an escalator or moving walkway are provided. The braking apparatus may include a braking element, a linearly controllable solenoid assembly, a biasing mechanism, and a control device. The braking element may be adapted to engage a brake drum or brake disk on a drive shaft of the escalator or moving walkway. The linearly controllable solenoid assembly may include a brake coil and an elongated member. The elongated member may be moveable linearly along an axis and the braking element may be coupled to the elongated member. The biasing mechanism may be arranged to bias the elongated member in a first direction along the axis to increase a torque applied to the drive shaft by the braking element. The control device may be configured to modulate a current to the brake coil based on at least one measured parameter associated with an operating condition of the escalator or moving walkway, whereby the elongated member is biased in a second direction along the axis opposite the first direction to decrease the torque applied to the drive shaft by the braking element. |
| US07950510B2 |
Torque transfer device with torque limiting mechanism
An overrunning torque transmitting device that employs a plurality of cone clutches and an overload mechanism for limiting the torque transmitted through the device in a predetermined rotational direction. A method for transmitting torque is also provided. |
| US07950508B2 |
Piston valve assembly of continuous damping control damper
The present invention relates to a piston valve assembly which is used in a continuous damping control damper using magneto-rheological fluid. The piston valve assembly is coupled with an end of the piston rod, and a stopper having a flat upper surface which is surface-contacted with an upper plate is disposed between a core assembly and the upper plate, thereby properly dispersing a force applied to the piston rod.According to the present invention, the reliability and stability in the coupling between the piston rod and the piston valve assembly can be increased, thereby stably controlling the damping force of the damper. Further, the slot is formed in the core of the piston valve assembly so as to reduce the damping force in the lower speed range, thereby considerably improving the driving comport of a vehicle. |
| US07950505B2 |
Mechanically ventilated disc brake rotor
A mechanically ventilated disc brake rotor has internally housed centrifugal fan impeller rotates freely at one direction and engages with brake rotor in other direction with use of single direction ball bearing. While a vehicle travelling forward, centrifugal fan impeller rotates along with brake rotor at same speed and forces airflow out through the fixed vanes passages by centrifugal action and at the same time it gains angular momentum energy. Whenever brake's applied to slow down a forward moving vehicle, the rotation of brake rotor slows down. At this instant, single direction bearing gets disengaged from the brake rotor and continue rotating freely at same initial rotational speed with help of angular momentum effect. Continues rotation of centrifugal fan impeller, continue in forcing out air flow thru fixed vanes channels by centrifugal action providing enhanced and continues heat dissipation even though brake rotor rotation speed has slowed down or stopped. |
| US07950503B2 |
Electric disk brake, caliper for the electric disk brake, motor/controller unit for the electric disk brake, and method for assembling the caliper for the electric disk brake
An electric disk brake that can be operated and inspected before being assembled and that can be assembled easily. A piston, a ball ramp mechanism, a differential reduction mechanism, and a pad wear compensation mechanism are integrated to form a piston unit. A motor, a resolver, and a drive controller are integrated to form a motor/controller unit. The piston unit is inserted into a cylinder of a caliper body, and the motor/controller unit is mounted on the caliper body to assemble an electric caliper. Before being incorporated into the electric caliper, the motor/controller unit can be operated and easily inspected for any defect by applying an electric current to the motor/controller unit. |
| US07950499B2 |
Control apparatus for an elevator responsive to car-mounted position detectors
A control apparatus for an elevator has a support device mounted on a car, a detection device for detecting the position of the car, and a control unit for controlling operation of the elevator based on information from the detection device. The support device has a rail holding member, which is displaceable with respect to the car and is guided by a guide rail located in a hoistway in which the car moves. The detection device is located on the rail holding member. |
| US07950498B2 |
Stair climbing aid
A stair climbing aid comprises two slide rails, an assist member, a control mechanism and two positioning assemblies. The slide rails and the assist member are assembled to handrails at both sides of the stairs. The control mechanism is disposed on the assist member to be controlled by the user. The positioning assemblies are disposed at both sides of the assist member, each positioning assembly is provided with an engaging portion to be engaged in the respective positioning portions of the slide rail. Thereby, an anti-slide effect is produced, so as to prevent the user from falling down the stairs and to help the user move from step to step safely. |
| US07950490B2 |
Four-wheel vehicle suspension arrangement
To enhance the balance in weight of the right and the left of the body of a four-wheel vehicle. In a four-wheel vehicle, an engine is supported by a body frame. A swing arm is swingably attached to the body frame. Rear wheels are supported by the swing arm. A rear cushion unit is attached between the rear of the body frame and the side of the rear end of the swing arm. Power from the engine is transmitted to the rear wheels via a rear propeller shaft. The center of the engine (that is, an axis of a crankshaft) and the rear cushion unit are set on one side and the rear propeller shaft is set on the other side respectively with respect to a center line of the body extending in a longitudinal direction of the body. |
| US07950486B2 |
Vehicle
A utility vehicle is disclosed. The utility vehicle may include storage areas under the dash. The utility vehicle may include suspension systems for utility vehicles having shocks with both a fluidic stiffness adjustment and a mechanical stiffness adjustment. The utility vehicle may include an electrical power steering. |
| US07950485B2 |
Control device for hybrid vehicle
The control device for the hybrid vehicle is mounted on the hybrid vehicle including the engine and the motor generator as the driving source and capable of switching at least two modes, i.e., the infinite variable speed mode and the fixed gear ratio mode. When the speed change is performed from the infinite variable speed mode to the fixed gear ratio mode, the first speed change control to maintain the number of revolutions equal to or larger than the number of engine revolutions at the time of setting the infinite variable speed mode and reduce the engine torque to shift the speed gear in the fixed gear ratio mode is executed. Thereby, when the speed change is performed from the infinite variable speed mode to the fixed gear ratio mode, it becomes possible to appropriately suppress the drivability deterioration caused due to the change of the number of engine revolutions. |
| US07950483B2 |
Wheel assembly with in-wheel motor
A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor, which transmits rotational output of an output shaft of a motor to a wheel via a counter gear, is such that a bearing on a vehicle outside, from among bearings provided on the vehicle inside and the vehicle outside in a vehicle width direction which rotatably support the output shaft of the motor, and a bearing on the vehicle inside, from among bearings provided on the vehicle inside and the vehicle outside in the vehicle width direction which rotatably support a rotating center shaft of the counter gear, are housed inside a main structure portion of a knuckle that defines a load transfer path. |
| US07950481B2 |
Electric powertrain for machine
An electric powertrain includes an engine configured to provide mechanical energy and a generator operably coupled to the engine and configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The electric powertrain further includes at least one electric motor operably coupled to the generator, a plurality of driving members, and at least one power electronics unit configured to control at least one of the engine and the generator. The at least one electric motor is configured to provide torque for the plurality of driving members. |
| US07950480B2 |
Hybrid power train and operating method therefor
A hybrid motor vehicle power train operating in thermal mode or electric mode includes a thermal engine coupled to a gearbox via a clutch and an electrical machine. The electrical machine is continuously connected to the input shaft of the gearbox. |
| US07950476B2 |
Drill bit and cutter element having chisel crest with protruding pilot portion
A rolling cone drill bit includes a cutter element having a cutting portion with a chisel crest and a pilot portion extending beyond the chisel crest. The pilot portion includes a cutting surface that may be generally conical, or form a second chisel crest. The cutting tip of the pilot portion is supported by buttress portions which emerge from and extend beyond the flanks of the chisel crest to provide additional strength and support for the material of the pilot portion that extends beyond the height of the chisel crest. |
| US07950473B2 |
Non-azimuthal and azimuthal formation evaluation measurement in a slowly rotating housing
A steering tool configured for making azimuthal and non-azimuthal formation evaluation measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment a rotary steerable tool includes at least one formation evaluation sensor deployed in the steering tool housing. The steering tool may include, for example, first and second circumferentially opposed formation evaluation sensors or first, second, and third formation evaluation sensors, each of which is radially offset and circumferentially aligned with a corresponding one of the steering tool blades. The invention further includes methods for geosteering in which a rotation rate of the steering tool housing in the borehole (and therefore the rotation rate of the formation evaluation sensors) is controlled. Steering decisions may be made utilizing the formation evaluation measurements and/or derived borehole images. |
| US07950471B2 |
Hand-held power tool with pneumatic percussion mechanism
A hand-held power tool includes a percussion power tool includes a percussion piston (5) for applying blows to an anvil (8) axially displaceable in a guide tube (6) within limits defined by two, spaced from each other, stops (9a, 9b) arranged in the guide tube (6), a pneumatic percussion mechanism (2) for driving the percussion piston (5), an air spring (3) for connecting the percussion piston (5) with the percussion mechanism (2), and an impact ring (12) arranged coaxially with the anvil (8) outwardly thereof and having spaced from each other, inner radical flanks (14) located on opposite axial sides of the outer radial collar (11) provided on the anvil (8), with the impact ring (12) freely axially displaceable, within limits, relative to the outer radial collar (11) and having an outer diameter smaller than a guiding inner diameter of the guide tuber (6), and with a mass ratio of the impact ring (12) to the anvil (8) being equal at least 0.25. |
| US07950468B2 |
Wellbore plug
A method of retrieving at least a first plug and a second plug of the same type from a wellbore, wherein when the plugs are set in the wellbore each plug has a valve in a closed position blocking flow of fluid through the plug and a sealing mechanism expanded into engagement with a wellbore casing providing a seal between the plug and the casing, includes the steps of connecting a conveyance to the first plug; releasing the first plug; moving the first plug into connection with the second plug; and retrieving the first and the second plug from the wellbore simultaneously. |
| US07950467B2 |
Conveyor tube for use in installing or replacing a well tool in a producing well and procedures for use of the same
This invention describes a conveyor tube for use in installing or replacing a well tool in a producing well, wherein the well tool is fed into the conveyor tube which at least runs between a valve tree and at least one receiving unit in the well, and wherein the conveyor tube is installed on the outside of and in fluid communication with a production tube in the well. A method for using same is also described. |
| US07950463B2 |
Method and arrangement for removing soils, particles or fluids from the seabed or from great sea depths
A method for removing soils, particles or fluids from the seabed or from great sea depths, includes positioning a platform or a vessel above an offshore location, lowering a riser from the vessel or platform to the seabed or great depth, the riser being vented to the atmosphere, sucking soils, particles or fluids with inflow of fluid into the riser and removing them from the riser via an outlet in the riser, the outlet being at a level well below the water surface, by use of a pumping system with a flow return conduit running to a selected location, while keeping the level of the fluid in the riser at a level between the outlet and the surface corresponding with a pressure in the lower end of the riser substantially lower than the sea water pressure at the end of the riser. |
| US07950462B2 |
Scale inhibitors compatible with sandstone acidizing
Methods are given for making scale inhibitors, that were previously incompatible with fluids containing fluoride ion, compatible with fluids containing fluoride ion. Examples of such scale inhibitors include phosphonates and phosphino-polycarboxylates. The method is replacing alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cations, present in salts or bases, or as counter ions of the scale inhibitors, with hydrogen or ammonium ions. Methods of inhibiting scale formation and of dissolving scales are also given. |
| US07950461B2 |
Screened valve system for selective well stimulation and control
A well system includes a valve interconnected in a casing string and selectively configurable between first and second configurations via a line external to the casing string, the valve in the first configuration being operable to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the casing string exterior and interior, and in the second configuration to selectively filter and prevent fluid flow between the casing string exterior and interior. A method of selectively stimulating a formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore intersecting the formation, the casing string including a valve operable via an external line to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the casing string interior and exterior; and stimulating an interval set of the formation by opening the valve, flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval set, and then configuring the valve to filter formation fluid which flows into the casing string. |
| US07950456B2 |
Casing deformation and control for inclusion propagation
Casing deformation and control for inclusion propagation in earth formations. A method of forming at least one inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a liner within a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; and expanding the liner and the casing section, thereby applying an increased compressive stress to the formation. Another method of forming the inclusion includes the steps of: installing an expansion control device on a casing section, the device including at least one latch member; expanding the casing section radially outward in a wellbore, the expanding step including widening at least one opening in a sidewall of the casing section, and displacing the latch member in one direction; and preventing a narrowing of the opening after the expanding step, the latch member resisting displacement thereof in an opposite direction. |
| US07950455B2 |
Non-spherical well treating particulates and methods of using the same
Non-spherical particulates are useful in the stimulation of subterranean formations. A proppant pack composed of the non-spherical particulates exhibits greater porosity than a corresponding proppant pack composed of spherical particulates. Non-spherical particulates which are hollow and non-porous may further be at least partially filled with a chemical treatment agent including water-soluble or oil-soluble chemical treatment agents. |
| US07950454B2 |
Technique and system for completing a well
A technique that is usable with a well includes running a screen assembly and a service tool as a unit into a well and using the service tool in connection with a sand control operation. The use of the service tool in connection with the sand control operation includes operating at least one valve of the screen assembly. The technique includes withdrawing the service tool from the well after the sand control operation and running a completion into the well to operate the valve(s) of the screen after the withdrawal. |
| US07950451B2 |
Annulus mud flow rate measurement while drilling and use thereof to detect well dysfunction
Methods and apparatus are described that combine a measurement of the physical velocity of material within the annulus of a well between the drill pipe and the wall of the well with a measurement of the area of the flow as determined from a measurement of distance between the drill pipe and the wall of the hole to determine the actual material volumetric flow rate. Changes in volumetric flow rate at one or more points along the well can be used to determine the occurrence and location of well dysfunctions. This knowledge can then be used to make decisions about treating well dysfunctions which will lead to more efficient use of drilling rig time. |
| US07950450B2 |
Apparatus and methods of cleaning and refinishing tubulars
A method for cleaning and/or altering an inside surface and shape of a tubular is disclosed. The method includes placing a surface finishing tool in the tubular, energizing the surface finishing tool, and causing extendable assemblies therein to extend radially to contact an inside diameter of the tubular. Moving the surface finishing tool axially and/or rotationally while the extended members are in contact with the inside diameter of the tubular cleans debris from the inside surface of the tubular. In another aspect of the invention, the tool burnishes the inside diameter of the tubular, thereby altering the surface characteristics and rounding the tubular. |
| US07950446B2 |
Heat dissipation device with clip for mounting a fan to a heat sink thereof
A clip is capable of engaging with a heat sink for securing a fan to the heat sink. The clip includes a mounting plate, a supporting plate, a spring fastener and a spring positioning plate. The supporting plate extends from the mounting plate. The spring fastener extends from the supporting plate and spaced from the mounting plate for pressing the fan toward the heat sink. The spring positioning plate extends from the mounting plate. The mounting plate is horizontally inserted into the heat sink and the spring positioning plate is V-shaped and resiliently engaged in a V-shaped receiving space of the heat sink, thereby securing the clip to the heat sink. |
| US07950445B2 |
Combined assembly of fixing base and heat pipe
A combined assembly of a fixing base and heat pipes includes a fixing base and at least one heat pipe. The fixing base has a plate body. The bottom surface of the plate body is formed with a transverse opening trough. The opening trough is provided with a through-hole penetrating the plate body. A longitudinal groove is provided in the opening trough at a position corresponding to that of the through-hole. One end of the longitudinal groove does not penetrate the plate body and is formed into a loose-proof section on the bottom section of the opening trough. The heat pipe has a heat-absorbing section and a heat-releasing section. The heat-releasing section penetrates to the outside of the through-hole, and the heat-absorbing section is accommodated in the opening trough. A portion of the heat-absorbing section is inserted into the longitudinal groove and stopped by the loose-proof section, and the other portion thereof is formed with a plane that is in flush with the bottom surface of the plate body. Via the above arrangement, the fixing base can be combined with the heat pipes firmly and tightly. |
| US07950441B2 |
Method of casting damped part with insert
A method including positioning an insert in a vertical mold including a first mold portion and a second mold portion; and casting a material including a metal around at least a portion of the insert. |
| US07950433B2 |
Machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web
A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of the pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of gas and having an opening for receiving such gas. |
| US07950432B2 |
Method of customizing an article and apparatus including an inflatable member
A graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The graphic transfer assembly includes an inflatable member that is capable of expanding to fill the interior of an article of footwear. The graphic transfer assembly can include a fluid pump for filling the inflatable member. |
| US07950431B2 |
Pneumatic bias tire
In a heavy duty pneumatic bias tire having a ply rating of not less than 58 and an aspect ratio of not more than 80%, a rubber volume as the product of the sum of each distance between ply cords in an inner mutually adjoining carcass ply per 50 mm, the sum of each distance between ply cords in an outer mutually adjoining carcass ply per 50 mm, and a distance between ply cords of mutually adjoining inner and outer carcass plies with respect to three or more inside carcass plies of an innermost ply group in at least a portion corresponding to a position of a maximum tire width is 500-1350 mm3, more preferably 700-1000 mm3. |
| US07950428B2 |
Non-pneumatic tire
A non-pneumatic tire includes a spoke structure that can be easily mounted on a rim of a wheel. Durability is improved by suppressing the buckling of a spoke structure. A non-pneumatic tire includes a spoke structure (5) and a tread ring (11). The spoke structure (5) includes a cylindrical outer member (2) and a cylindrical inner member (3) which are concentrically arranged, and which are connected to each other with a plurality of fins (4, 4′) arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The tread ring (11) fits onto the outer periphery of the spoke structure (5). The spoke structure (5) is divided in the tire circumferential direction into at least two circumferential-direction separate structures (511, 521, 531). |
| US07950425B2 |
Filler neck to fill fuel into a vehicle tank
A filler neck an actuation ring (16) having a slot (18) and an entrance portion which is conically narrowed towards the tank, the most narrow cross-section of the entrance portion being smaller than the diameter of a diesel-nozzle and larger than that of an otto-nozzle the actuation ring (16) has an actuation portion at the end facing the tank at least on one side of the slot a closing mechanism is associated with the end of the actuation ring facing the tank and designed such that in closing position thereof it stops the otto nozzle inserted into the actuation ring and the actuation portion of the actuation ring engages the closing mechanism, whereby the closing mechanism is moved from the closing position into an opened position by the actuation portion if the actuation ring is radially expanded by the diesel-nozzle inserted into the actuation ring. |
| US07950418B2 |
Device and method for repairing a pipeline
A method for repairing a pipeline by means of at least one shell that is adapted to the outer contour of the pipeline, wherein the at least one shell is attached to the outer wall of the pipeline using an intermediate layer between the interior of the shell and the outer wall of the pipeline. The intermediate layer is made of an adhesive that can be activated, which is used to substantially completely coat the interior of the at least one shell. The attachment of the shell is carried out by applying a force acting at least in the radial direction, and the activation of the adhesive. A shell that is coated in this manner is also disclosed. |
| US07950417B2 |
High flow nozzle system for flow control in bladder surge tanks
A surge tank is sized to retain a volume of fluid. A fluid inlet/outlet port is attached to the tank, and an elastomeric bladder is disposed within the tank and separates the fluid from a volume of gas. A nozzle system is disposed within the tank and has a nozzle member comprising a first plurality of axially elongate perforations, and a second plurality of perforations. The nozzle member can extend a partial or complete distance with tank. The tank body includes a throat that extends outwardly from a portion of the tank adjacent the port, and a portion of the nozzle member comprising the first plurality of perforations is disposed within the throat. An annular space exists adjacent the nozzle member in the neck to facilitate the flow of solid constituent within the fluid from the tank and into the nozzle member. |
| US07950415B2 |
Coupling for self-contained breathing apparatus
A socket part actuated without pressure for a fluid coupling is provided with a mechanism for mechanically sealing, to a large extent, the insertion space of a plug against the penetration of foreign matter. In addition, a throttling device is provided, which practically does not obstruct the fluid connection for an inserted plug, while a high flow resistance is produced for a plug that has been pulled out, without, however, completely blocking the flow path. The associated plug also has a sealing device in order to protect the flow channel against the penetration of particles when the plug is removed. In case the plug is connected to a compressed-air tank, this is provided with a throttling device, which practically does not obstruct flow for an inserted plug, but forms considerable flow resistance for a removed plug without completely blocking the flow. |
| US07950414B2 |
Regulating check valve and fuel injecton valve having the same
A valve chamber is defined in a valve body of the regulating check valve. A first communicating hole and a second communicating hole communicate the valve chamber with a first flow passage and with a the second flow passage, respectively. A valve element is slidably installed in the valve chamber to seat on or lift away from a valve seat to close or open the first communicating hole. A pressure in the first flow passage urges the valve element away from the valve seat, and a pressure in the second flow passage urges the valve element toward the valve seat. The spring is interposed between the valve element and the valve body to urge the valve element away from the valve seat. |
| US07950412B2 |
Non-removable refill restrictor apparatus
A toilet refill restrictor apparatus includes an adapter interposed between a fill valve and a refill hose. The adapter is non-removably coupled to the fill valve and is configured with a larger proximal pathway, and a smaller distal metering pathway for restricting the refill flow rate. The adapter may be coupled to a shortened horizontal outlet formed at a top portion of the fill valve. The horizontal outlet is shortened to a length such that the refill hose cannot be connected directly to the outlet. The adapter may also be coupled to a fill valve without a horizontal outlet where an exit port is defined in the vertical conduit of the fill valve. The adapter includes a securing mechanism to prevent removal from the fill valve without excessive force or breaking the adapter. |
| US07950406B2 |
Athletic course covering system
The invention relates generally to a covering system for athletic courses. A movable framework straddles the athletic course and serves as a support for a cover. Inside, lighting and climate may be controlled. Also, possibly as a training aid or to facilitate competitive events, a timing system and/or PA system may be incorporated. Among the possible athletic courses suitable for covering are running courses, in-line skating courses, cycling courses, etc. The invention also includes a method of operating an outdoor exercise course. |
| US07950404B2 |
Method of removing surface material from resin product and apparatus therefor
A method of removing a surface material from a resin product including: coarsely crushing the resin product having a resin substrate and the surface material formed thereon by coating or adhesive bonding, introducing the coarsely crushed product into a cylinder, and transporting the coarsely crushed product in the cylinder while bringing the product into contact with heated steam and stirring the product by a rotor having a protruding bar, to peel the surface material from the product. The heat of the heated steam and the rubbing heat by the stirring reduce the bonding strength between the surface material and the resin substrate to easily peel the surface material from the product by rubbing the product with each other. Thus, the removal of the surface material formed on a surface of a resin substrate by coating or adhesive bonding can be achieved with enhanced efficiency, environment safety and processing capacity. |
| US07950398B2 |
Method and device for increasing an optical system focal depth
A method and device for modifying optical system properties by means of a continuously multifocal profile, wherein said profile comprises a component for increasing the optical system focal depth and is calculated according to a fourth-order Zernike polynom. The aim of said invention is to avoid the eye base refraction and, for this purpose, said focal depth increasing component is also calculated according to the second-order Zernike polynom. |
| US07950397B2 |
Method for ablating body tissue
A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein. |
| US07950396B2 |
Treatment for otitis externa
The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to otitis externa. For example, a method of present invention includes applying a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within ear cavity where microbes causing otitis externa are located; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the cavity; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate the microbes and/or to reduce inflammation at the treatment site but without causing physiological damage to host tissue within the ear cavity; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the treatment site and the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide. |
| US07950395B2 |
Restraining system
A mechanical restraining system for use in situations where it is desirable to restrain a detainee, such as a prisoner, psychiatric patient or accused criminal defendant, while minimizing the ability of the public or certain courtroom participants to readily observe that the detainee has been placed in or is being held by some type of restraining device. |
| US07950393B2 |
Endotracheal cuff and technique for using the same
An inflatable balloon cuff associated with a tracheal tube may be adapted to filter microbial secretions and reduce their passage into the lungs. A cuff as provided may include a cross-linked polymeric structure that may serve to exclude certain secretions on the basis of size. The polymeric structure may be incorporated onto all or part of the surface of the inflatable balloon cuff. |
| US07950392B2 |
Cushion and mask therefor
A cushion includes a substantially triangularly shaped frame from which extends a membrane. The frame has a scalloped edge by which the cushion is affixed to a mask body. The membrane has an aperture into which the wearer's nose is received. The membrane is spaced away from the rim of the frame. The wearer's nose is received through the aperture into the chamber within the mask body. The shape of the seal forming portion is particularly suited to effectively seal the difficult region of the facial contour that is the crease between the sides of the nose and the face. |
| US07950382B2 |
Air gun
An air gun includes a retainer pivotably connected inside the air gun and having a bullet abutment part that pivots into and out of a bullet-receiving chamber. The retainer is resiliently biased to pivot in a forward direction so that the bullet abutment part is urged into the bullet-receiving chamber. In a trigger rest position, a hollow inner barrel prevents a bullet and the bullet abutment part from entering into the bullet-receiving chamber. Upon pulling the trigger, the inner barrel moves in a forward direction to permit the bullet and the bullet abutment part to enter the bullet-receiving chamber where the bullet abutment part contacts and retains the bullet therein. Upon pulling the trigger further, the inner barrel moves in a rearward direction to capture the bullet therein while causing the retainer to pivot in the rearward direction to thereby move the bullet abutment part out of the bullet-receiving chamber. |
| US07950373B2 |
Check valve with separate spherical spring guide
A check valve for use with a pump is disclosed. The check valve may have a body at least partially defining a central bore with an open end and a closed end, and a spring guide separate from the body and disposed within the closed end of the central bore. The check valve may also have a spring located within the central bore and having a first end operatively engaged with the spring guide, and a valve element operatively engaged with a second end of the spring and being movable by a pressure differential to compress the spring. The spring guide may be moveable relative to the body. |
| US07950371B2 |
Fuel pump control system and method
A control system includes a fuel pump control module and a diagnostic module. The fuel pump control module controls a fuel pump to provide fuel to a fuel rail. The diagnostic module controls the fuel pump control module to provide a predetermined amount of fuel to the fuel rail, determines an estimated pressure increase within the fuel rail based on the predetermined amount of fuel, and compares an actual pressure increase within the fuel rail to the estimated pressure increase. The fuel pump control module selectively controls the fuel pump based on the comparison. |
| US07950367B2 |
Accelerator position sensor arrangement structure for motorcycle
To provide an accelerator position sensor arrangement structure for a motorcycle that can prevent an increased vehicle-width without change of operational feeling of a throttle. An accelerator position sensor is connected to a throttle grip via a pair of throttle cables and disposed externally of main frames, of a body frame, extending from a head pipe toward the rearward of a vehicle body. |
| US07950365B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an oil pressure regulating valve having a solenoid, a variable cam phase mechanism for changing a cam phase, and an ECU for controlling the oil pressure regulating valve. The ECU includes an actual cam phase detecting unit, a target cam phase setting unit, a feedback control unit, a coil temperature detecting unit, a circuit resistance calculating unit, and an integral term initial value calculating unit. When an integral term is initialized, the feedback control unit sets the holding output duty as the integral term. |
| US07950359B2 |
Variable valve system
A variable valve system includes a variable valve lifter for changing a first lift amount of one or more valves at a predetermined engine speed; a variable valve timing portion for controlling opening and closing timing of one or more valves; and a cylinder deactivation portion that changes a second lift amount of two or more valves in an alternating pattern. |
| US07950357B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine
An engine comprises a power cylinder having a power chamber, a compression cylinder having a compression chamber and a flow-through chamber connected with the compression chamber when a flow-through valve is open and connected with the power chamber when an intake valve is open. The engine is operated by flowing-in fresh charge into the compression chamber while increasing the volume of the compression chamber, compressing the fresh charge while decreasing the volume of the compression chamber, pushing-over the compressed fresh charge into the flow-through chamber, pushing-out the fresh charge into the power chamber, combusting the fresh charge while increasing the volume of the power chamber and discharging the combusted charge while decreasing the volume of the power chamber. The flow-through chamber volume increases during at least a part of the pushing-over step and, at the end thereof, the volume is less than 15% of its maximum volume. |
| US07950355B2 |
Air-cooled engine having improved dust preventive structure
An air-cooled engine is provided, in which a cooling fan assembly for inducing a stream of cooling air and a screen member for covering an axial end face of the cooling fan on a suction side are drivingly mounted on a rotary drive shaft of the engine. A fan casing covering the cooling fan assembly and defining an air flow path for the flow of the stream of cooling air is formed with an air intake opening through which the cooling air is introduced towards the cooling fan assembly and the screen member. A cutter is formed in an outer peripheral portion of the screen member or its neighbor so as to protrude axially close to an inner surface of the fan casing at a position downstream of the cooling air from the air intake opening. |
| US07950350B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing bioresponse signals, in particular apparatus and method for hatching out hatching eggs
An apparatus for measuring, with infrared thermometers, temperatures of hatching eggs placed in nests of hatching trays which are arranged in an incubator, wherein, for a preselected number of trays, the temperature is measured of a predetermined number of eggs, wherein during the hatching period, each individual thermometer contactlessly measures the temperature around a corresponding individual egg arranged in the incubator according to a pre-entered measurement scheme, wherein the measuring signals obtained control a temperature control regulation. |
| US07950342B2 |
Automated bimini top device
An automated bimini top device comprises a foldable frame assembly adapted to carry a flexible canvas material thereon and powered to move the canvas selectively between a retracted position and an extended position. The frame assembly includes a rear bow member supported in a fixed raised position, a front bow member adapted to slide along a length of the rear bow and pivot relative thereto, and a middle bow member pivotally connected along the length of the front bow and adapted to move in an opposite rotational direction thereto. Actuator means assembled to the rear bow member are operatively connected to move the front bow member in reversible directions outward and away from the rear bow into the extended position and inward and toward the rear bow into the retracted position. The middle bow member is coupled to a guide strap support connected between the rear and front bow members and further attached beneath the canvas material to maintain contact with the canvas during retraction and provide central support thereof in the extended position. |
| US07950339B2 |
Pyrolysis apparatus with transverse oxygenation
Apparatus for the pyrolysis of solid waste material includes a thermal reactor including an elongate hollow housing with a reaction chamber disposed within the housing. The thermal reactor is vertically oriented in order to cause solid waste material fed thereinto to pass through said reaction chamber by the force of gravity and a plurality of vanes are disposed for both conducting heat into said reactor chamber and for tumbling said solid waste material as said solid waste material passes through said reaction chamber. Inlets and outlets are provided for passing oxygen transversely through the reaction chamber. |
| US07950338B2 |
Adjustable height keyboard support
A vertically adjustable keyboard support is mounted on a pair of U-shaped members having crossed legs pivoted on a horizontal axis providing scissor linkage support for adjusting the height of the keyboard to accommodate the keyboard operator in a standing position as well as in a sitting position. |
| US07950332B2 |
Apparatus and method of generating motion
An apparatus and method of generating motion including a track having at least one incline portion and at least one decline portion, a cart movably coupled to the track, and one or more magnets arranged along the track such that cart moves along the track by a combination of gravitational and magnetic forces. The motion generator may be used as a power source for a motor or electric generator. |
| US07950331B2 |
Narrow slot roller and guide system for high density mobile storage systems
A narrow slot roller and guide system for high density mobile storage systems having a plurality of storage units. The roller and guide system includes a longitudinally extending axial guide defining a first slot in a floor and a drive rail parallel thereto defining a second slot in the floor. The axial guide includes a roller arrangement adapted to engage a downwardly extending guide member coupled to the carriage of the storage units. The engagement of the roller arrangement and guide member serves as a guide for the storage units as the storage units are moved axially along the axial guide and drive rail. Further, the present invention limits the width of the first and second slots to a very narrow width, e.g. less than one half inch, thereby easily permitting disabled individuals to freely travel across a floor in which the roller and guide system is mounted. The roller and guide system may include an anti-tip assembly to prevent the tipping of the storage units as the storage units are moved along the axial guide and drive rail. |
| US07950329B1 |
Cartridge for remote electroshock weapon
A cartridge for launching from an electroshock weapon includes a housing adapted for operative connection with the electroshock weapon and having a chamber functioning as a barrel for a projectile unit. The projectile unit includes a conductive head member and an orderly packed wire assembly of electric wire connected with said head member and preferably in coil form. The head member includes a barbed needle for establishing an electrical connection with a target. The electric wire is connected at one end to the head member and at the other end to the housing whereby the wire is withdrawn from the coil as the projectile unit advances toward said target. The project unit is launched by a percussive cap at a rear end of said chamber ignited by the electroshock weapon. At the target an electrical connection is established through the wire to the weapon. |
| US07950328B2 |
Blast hole liner
A borehole liner comprising a continuous length of polymer tubing of alternating diameters forming undulations sized for creating undulations in the liner to optimize the annular air gap alternating with full bore hole diameter loads of explosive to effectively reduce overall explosives consumption by 1-20%. Explosive charge weights can be modified to meet the users needs without introducing inert materials or other more labor intensive alternative. |
| US07950326B2 |
Photogravure press and method for manufacturing multilayer ceramic electronic component
In a print area provided on a peripheral surface of a gravure roll, a plurality of cells are defined by printing-direction walls and perpendicular walls, and each perpendicular wall has a plurality of cuts. In a center portion of the print area, most intersections of the printing-direction walls and the perpendicular walls are defined by T-shaped intersections where the perpendicular walls do not cross the printing-direction walls, but meet the printing-direction walls in a T-shaped arrangement. Preferably, round chamfers are provided at corners where a portion of each printing-direction wall and a portion of each perpendicular wall intersect, and at leading ends of the perpendicular walls pointing toward the cuts. |
| US07950320B2 |
Brake booster for motor vehicles
Disclosed is a brake booster for motor vehicles, the control valve (12) of which is operable, irrespective of an actuating rod (7) that displaces a valve piston (9), via an electromagnet (20), which actuates a third sealing seat (24) allowing ventilation of the working chamber (3). The third sealing seat (24) is provided on a sleeve (32) that cooperates with the electromagnet (20), and a ring (36) is arranged, which is displaceable in relation to the third sealing seat (24) and is supported on the sleeve (32) by the intermediary of an elastic or compressible element (37). In order to improve the dynamics and the sound behavior of the brake booster, the ring (36) is arranged radially within the sleeve (32) in such a manner that its areas (33), by which it is in contact with the valve body (10), at least partly release the passages (19) provided in the valve body (10). |
| US07950319B2 |
Cutting device
A cutting device includes a substrate, a supporting arm mounted on the substrate, a driving component supported by the supporting arm, and a cutting member. The cutting member includes a connection member and a cutting wire. The connection member includes an attachment portion connected to the driving component and a securing portion. The cutting wire is positioned on the securing portion. |
| US07950317B2 |
Miter saw with top table
A saw assembly has a fixed fence and a moveable fence. The fixed fence has a groove for receiving a tongue of the moveable fence. The tongue of the moveable fence has a first groove and a second groove for controlling a range of movement of the moveable fence relative to the fixed fence. |
| US07950315B2 |
Tile saw
A saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, and a table slidingly disposed on the first rail. The table has an upper surface for supporting a workpiece. A support assembly is disposed on the frame. A saw assembly is supported by the support assembly. The saw assembly includes a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, a guard portion covering an upper portion of the cutting wheel, and a fluid delivery assembly configured to direct fluid toward the cutting wheel. The fluid assembly includes a flexible nozzle with a hole. The nozzle is configured to direct airflow created by the cutting wheel away from the hole. |
| US07950312B2 |
Fastening element feeding device for power drive-in tool
A fastening element feeding device for a power drive-in tool includes a transportation device (30) having a transportation wheel (32) for a magazine strip (50), at least one actuation member (35) displaceable in a control track (16) in a first component (11) for effecting a relative displacement between the first component (11) and the second component (21), which results in a transportation displacement of the transportation wheel (32); a displacing member (31) having one end region (39) which is adjacent to the head (22), supporting the rotary axle (D) together with the transportation wheel (32), and having another of its end regions (38) supporting the at least one actuation member (35); and a guide arrangement that provides for displacement of the displacing member (31) over the second component (21). |
| US07950309B2 |
Power-driven torque intensifier
A torque intensifying tool for tightening and loosening threaded connectors has at least one torque intensifier unit with a torque intensifier housing portion, an input and a first output and a second output, a drive connected with the input unit for transmitting a torque from the drive through the intensifying unit to a threaded connector, so that in one mode of operation the housing portion together with the first and the second outputs turn in the same direction, and in another mode of operation the housing portion together with one of the first and second outputs receives a turning force in one direction while the other one of the first and second outputs receives an equal turning force in the opposite direction, and so that one of the first and second output means turns in the one mode and in the another mode while the other of the first and second output means turns in the one mode and reacts in the another mode. |
| US07950304B2 |
Roller screw
A roller screw of the present invention has a screw shaft 1 having a roller rolling surface 1a spirally formed with a lead on an outer surface thereof; a nut 2 having a roller rolling surface 2a spirally formed on an inner surface thereof to face the roller rolling surface 1a of the screw shaft 1; and a plurality of rollers 4 arranged in a rolling path 3 between the roller rolling surface 1a of the screw shaft 1 and the roller rolling surface 2a of the nut 2 and moving around the screw shaft while rotating on rotation axes of the rollers. In this roller screw, each of the rotation axes 4a of the rollers 4 substantially crosses a center line 1b of the screw shaft 1. Since each of the rotation axes 4a of the rollers 4 crosses the center line 1b of the screw shaft 1 (in other words, the rollers 4 arranged in the rolling path 3 are not skewed from the beginning) even when the rolling path 3 has the lead, the roller 4 are allowed to move smoothly. |
| US07950303B2 |
Transmission temperature sensing and control
As one example, a propulsion system for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a propulsion device configured to provide mechanical work via a crankshaft; a transmission having an input shaft coupled with the crankshaft and an output shaft, wherein said transmission includes a plurality of selectable gear ratios between the input and output shaft; at least one drive wheel coupled with the output shaft; an actuation device configured to adjust the selected gear ratio of the transmission; and a control system configured to adjust an electrical signal provided to the actuation device to obtain an indication of a temperature dependent electrical parameter of the actuation device and to adjust the selected gear ratio of transmission by varying the signal provided to the actuation device in response to said indication. |
| US07950300B2 |
Thrust transfer device
A thrust transfer device includes: a motor serving as a driving source; a sun gear rotatable to an output shaft of the motor, a plurality of nut members each provided with an outer peripheral external tooth meshed with the sun gear and provided with an inner peripheral nut side spiral screw groove; and a plurality of screw shafts, each provided, at an outer periphery thereof, with a screw side spiral screw groove corresponding to the nut side spiral screw groove, and reciprocally moved in accordance with nut rotation by fitting the screw side screw groove into the nut side screw groove; and an internal tooth gear meshed with the external tooth formed to each of the nut members. When the sun gear is rotated, the nut members perform planetary motion inside the internal tooth gear, by which the screw shafts are reciprocally moved in axial directions thereof. |
| US07950299B2 |
Adjusting and guiding system for tools
The invention relates to an adjusting and guiding system for guiding tools (1) in relation to a workpiece (2), said system comprising the following characteristics: a navigation system (3) used to identify reference points, a first reference point unit (4) that can be fixed to the workpiece (2), a first template receiving element (5) that can be fixed to the workpiece (2), a second reference point unit (6) that can be fixed to the first template receiving element (5), and a template. Said template comprises a coupling part (7a) adapted to the first template receiving element, a tool guiding element (7b) adapted to the tool (2) to be guided, a lockable coupling device (7c) connecting the coupling part (7a) to the tool guiding element (7b) and enabling the tool guiding element (7b) to be oriented in relation to the coupling piece (7a), and a template adjusting device (8). Said template adjusting device is characterized by a second template receiving element (8a) connected to the template adjustment device (8) in a geometric relation therewith, the first and the second template receiving elements being identical, a tool guiding coupling (8b) for the defined connection of the tool guiding element (7b) of the template to the template adjustment device (8), and an adjusting device (8c) comprising adjusting elements that can be displaced in a defined manner and are used for the defined orientation of the tool guiding coupling (8b), said adjusting elements (8c) being provided with measuring scales. |
| US07950294B2 |
Preventive maintenance diagnostics for valve systems
A valve system includes a valve and a controller that controls the valve. The valve includes a valve body, and a motor configured to deliver a torque to the valve body to cause the valve body to move between an open position and a closed position. The controller is configured to drive the motor by applying a current to the motor. The controller is configured to measure the torque delivered by the motor to the valve body, compare the calculated torque with a threshold value, and diagnose a need by the valve system for preventive maintenance when the calculated torque is substantially equal to the threshold value. The threshold value represents substantially the maximum amount of torque available from the stepper motor. |
| US07950293B2 |
Method for measuring flow rates in liquid melts
The invention relates to a method for measuring flow rates in liquid melts in a temperature range above 200 DEG C. using an ultrasonic generator and to an associated ultrasonic waveguide according to the ultrasonic Doppler method. The aim of the invention is to provide good signal incoupling and outcoupling. This is achieved by the preparation of the wettability of the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide before the measuring operation, subsequent direct incoupling of ultrasonic measuring signals into the melt at an angle that is not equal to 90 DEG, achieved by the immersion of the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide into the melt, outcoupling of the ultrasonic signals reflected in the melt via the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide and routing of said signals to an evaluation circuit. To prepare the wettability of the end face, the latter is mechanically and chemically cleaned and subsequently coated with a suitable material. |
| US07950292B2 |
Capacitive electromagnetic flowmeter
In a constant current circuit, a constant current is caused to flow through a resistor, thereby causing a constant voltage to occur across the resistor. This constant voltage is then superimposed on an output signal of an operational amplifier that is to be fed back to the drain of a field effect transistor, thereby maintaining the same potential in an AC manner between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the drain of the field effect transistor. In this way, the gate and drain of the field effect transistor is caused to exhibit the same potential in an AC manner, so that no current will occur through the stray capacitance between the gate and drain of the field effect transistor. As a result, similarly to a case of using a feedback capacitor, the input impedance of the field effect transistor can be raised. |
| US07950288B2 |
Physical quantity sensor
A physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity includes: a first substrate having a first physical quantity detection element; a second substrate having a second physical quantity detection element, wherein the second substrate contacts the first substrate; and an accommodation space disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first physical quantity detection element is disposed in the accommodation space. The first physical quantity detection element is protected with the first substrate and the second substrate since the first physical quantity detection element is sealed in the accommodation space. |
| US07950284B2 |
Inspection device and method for inspection
Device for ultrasonic inspection of a wall of a pipeline that encloses a fluidum. The device is arranged to be moveable along a device axis through the pipeline along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline. The device is provided with electronic means, a body, a transmitting transducer and at least two receiving transducers, mutually spaced apart in a first transducer array along an array direction that is directed substantially parallel to the device axis. The electronic means are arranged to operate the transmitting transducer for transmitting a first ultrasonic signal to propagate through the fluidum to reach the wall, and to operate the at least two receiving transducers for receiving a second ultrasonic signal, which originates from the first ultrasonic signal after it is modified by the wall, according to a tandem method. The at least two receiving transducers are operated for receiving substantially simultaneously. |
| US07950282B2 |
Acceleration sensor incorporating a piezoelectric device
An acceleration sensor includes: a piezoelectric vibration device; an oscillation circuit; and a detection circuit, wherein the piezoelectric vibration device includes a substrate, an insulation layer formed above the substrate, a vibration section forming layer formed above the insulation layer, a vibration section formed in a cantilever shape in a first opening section that penetrates the vibration section forming layer and having a base section affixed to the vibration section forming layer and two beam sections extending from the base section, a second opening section that penetrates the insulation layer and formed below the first opening section and the vibration section, and a piezoelectric element section formed on each of the beam sections; the oscillation circuit vibrates the piezoelectric vibration device at a resonance frequency; and the detection circuit detects a change in the frequency of vibrations of the piezoelectric vibration device which is caused by an acceleration applied in a direction in which the beam sections extend, and outputs a signal corresponding to the acceleration based on the change in the frequency. |
| US07950278B2 |
Atmosphere control device
The present invention provides elimination of atmosphere that is not suitable to a space concerned by controlling atmosphere.The present invention is characterized that atmosphere in space is analyzed based on voice, and if atmosphere that is not suitable to the space is detected, the atmosphere in the space is controlled by choosing and irradiating illumination that enables to create atmosphere suitable to the space, atmosphere in the space is controlled for creating atmosphere that is suitable to the space. |
| US07950274B2 |
System and method for determining an absolute rotational position of a vehicle steering column
A method for determining an absolute rotational position of a vehicle steering column is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method determines a relative position of a steering assist motor utilizing a relative position sensor. Thereafter, the method determines the absolute rotational position of the vehicle steering column based upon the relative position of the steering assist motor. |
| US07950269B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
The control apparatus for the internal combustion engine includes: a unit for detecting the change in the alcohol concentration of a fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders; a unit for detecting an air-fuel ratio variation between the plurality of cylinders; a unit for making the failure diagnosis when the air-fuel ratio variation between the plurality of cylinders exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a unit for inhibiting the failure diagnosis executed based on the air-fuel ratio variation between the plurality of cylinders when the change in the alcohol concentration is detected. |
| US07950265B2 |
Toilet overflow prevention system and method
A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system. |
| US07950262B2 |
Guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies
A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad. |
| US07950260B2 |
Hemming method and hemming apparatus
A movable die 18 including a first groove 52 and a second groove 54 that extend in a direction in which hemming is performed is moved by a robot 22, and is positioned and set with respect to a wheel arch portion 16 in a vehicle 12 on a production line 14. The movable die 18 is mounted, positioned and fixed with respect to the vehicle 12 by a clamping mechanism 58. A guide roller 32 is rolled while the guide roller is engaged with the first groove 52, and a flange 17 is inclined by a conical surface of a tapered roller 38 of a hemming roller 30 that moves in an interlocking manner with the guide roller 32. Next, the guide roller 32 is rolled while the guide roller is engaged with the second groove 54, and the flange 17 is bent by a cylindrical surface of a cylindrical roller 40 of the hemming roller 30. The movable die 18 is separated from the vehicle 12 after the hemming. |
| US07950258B2 |
Drum type washing machine
A drum type washing machine including a tub, the tub having a wall for mounting a driving unit thereto, a drum mounted inside the tub, a shaft passed through the tub and coupled to the drum, for trans mission of driving force from a motor to the drum, at least one bearing, a bearing housing, a stator to form the motor with a rotor, wherein the stator includes an annular helical type core, an insulator insert molded with the helical type core to cover an outside surface of the helical type core, and fastening portions formed as a unit with the insulator projected from an inside circumferential surface of the helical type core toward a center of the stator, for fastening the stator to the tub supporter, wherein the fastening portion has a fastening hole at a center fastening the stator to the wall of the tub. |
| US07950254B2 |
Method and system for washing
A washing system for use in cleaning or washing a soiled substrate or substrates, the system comprising: a. a washing zone for contacting and washing the soiled substrate with wash liquor; b. a feed supply for providing hot or cold feed water to the washing zone; c. a wash liquor cleanup and recycle zone in fluid communication with the washing zone d. an effluent storage and/or discharge zone; and optionally one or more of e. a product dispensing zone; f. means for sonically or ultrasonically treating the soiled substrate in the washing zone or in a washing pre-treatment zone; g. an electrolysis zone for electrolysing the feed water or wash liquor; h. a wash liquor disinfection zone; and i. a feed water softening zone; The wash liquor cleanup and recycle zone preferably comprises an ultrafiltration or microfiltration device having a cut-off in the range from about 1000 Daltons to about 1 μm, preferably from about 0.05 μm to about 0.5 μm, a lumen size of from about 1 to about 10 mm, preferably from about 2 to about 6 mm, more preferably from about 3 to about 5 mm, and a clean water flux of at least about 1000 L/m2.h.100 kp (RO water at 25° C.), preferably at least about 10,000 L/m2.h.100 kp. |
| US07950252B2 |
Method of manufacturing formed article, support member, and forming apparatus
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a formed article comprising forming an upper surface of a forming material comprised of a thermosoftening substance into a desired shape by positioning the forming material on a forming surface of a mold and heating the forming material to a temperature permitting deformation to bring an entire surface of a lower surface of the forming material into tight contact with the forming surface. The positioning of the forming material is conducted by supporting the forming material with a support member so that at least a portion of a lower surface rim portion of the forming material is in tight contact with the forming surface and a center portion of the lower surface of the forming material is separated from the forming surface, and the support with the support member is conducted so that a lower portion of a lateral surface of the forming material is separated from the support member and at least a portion of an upper edge portion of the lateral surface of the forming material is supported by the support member. According to the present invention, a formed article with a desired shape can be manufactured with high precision by hot sag forming method. |
| US07950248B2 |
Refrigerator having component and storage compartments
A refrigerator includes a main body cabinet which includes an external cabinet, and an internal cabinet disposed inside the external cabinet and including a partition wall forming first and second storage compartments partitioned right and left, one of the first and second storage compartments being provided thereunder with a component compartment accommodating a compressor between the external cabinet and the internal cabinet but the other one being not provided thereunder with the component compartment; a bottom cabinet which is coupled to a bottom of the main body cabinet and accommodates a condenser for condensing a refrigerant received from the compressor accommodated in the component compartment. Thus, the capacity of the storage compartment increases, so that the inner space of the storage compartment can be efficiently used. |
| US07950246B1 |
Assembly of abutting vacuum insulated panels arranged to form a retention chamber with a slip surface interposed between the panels
The invention is an assembly of abutting vacuum insulated panels configured and arranged to form a retention chamber with a slip surface providing a low kinetic coefficient of friction interposed between the panels within the abutment areas. |
| US07950244B2 |
Apparatus for facilitating cooling of an electronics rack through the use of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger
An apparatus for facilitating cooling of an electronics rack is provided. The apparatus includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and system coolant inlet and outlet plenums mounted to a door of an electronics rack. The inlet and outlet plenums are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and respectively include a coolant inlet and coolant outlet in the top portions thereof. System coolant supply and return hoses are disposed above the electronics rack and respectively couple in fluid communication the inlet plenum to a system coolant supply header and the outlet plenum to a system coolant return header. The hoses are each flexible, partially looped and of sufficient length to allow for opening and closing of the door. Stress-relief structures are coupled to at least one end of the hoses to relieve stress on the ends of the hoses during opening or closing of the door. |
| US07950242B2 |
Control valve for a refrigerant compressor and refrigerant compressor
A refrigerant compressor has a control valve for controlling the degree of conveyance of the refrigerant compressor by setting a drive housing pressure pC of the refrigerant compressor. A control body controls a conveying-side control line between a discharge chamber, acted upon by high pressure of the compressor, and the drive housing of the compressor, and also controls a suction-side control line between the drive housing and a suction chamber, acted upon by suction pressure of the compressor variably in a throttling and/or shutting-off manner. The control body is driven electromagnetically. To improve the refrigerating capacity and the control behavior of the refrigerating system, the control body, which can shut off both the conveying-side and the suction-side control line, is also driven by means of a pressure cell. |
| US07950232B2 |
Fuel feed circuit for an aircraft engine
A head loss element is interposed between the outlet from the pump delivering high pressure fuel and the pipe feeding combustion chamber injectors. A servo-valve for feeding a hydraulic actuator of a variable-geometry component of the engine has an HP admission inlet connected to the outlet from the pump upstream from the head loss element and an LP outlet connected to the feed pipe downstream from the head loss element. Thus, the flow rate taken upstream from the head loss element for driving the actuator is compensated by the flow rate reinjected downstream from the head loss element, thereby avoiding any movement of the variable-geometry component giving rise to a disturbance in the flow rate delivered to the injectors. |
| US07950225B2 |
Exhaust control system for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust control system for an internal combustion engine provided with an exhaust gas processing device and a NOx purifying catalyst which are arranged in series in an exhaust system, comprises: a first temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the exhaust gas processing device; a second temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the NOx purifying catalyst; a control means for controlling an exhaust temperature to conduct a regeneration process for removing sulfur contents trapped by the NOx purifying catalyst; and a control mode selection means for selecting one of a plurality of exhaust temperature control modes according to a relationship between an output from the first temperature detector and an output from the second temperature detector, wherein the control means conducts exhaust temperature control according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection means. |
| US07950220B2 |
Turbine engine compressor
A counter-rotating blade stage in lieu of a stator stage may compensate for relatively low rotational speed of a gas turbine engine spool. A first spool may have at least two compressor blade stage and at least two turbine blade stage. A combustor is located between the at least two compressor blade stage and the at least two turbine blade stage along a core flowpath. The at least two counter-rotating compressor blade stage is interspersed with the first spool at least two compressor blade stage. A transmission couples the at least two additional compressor blade stage to the first spool for counter-rotation about the engine axis. |
| US07950216B2 |
Gas turbine engine fuel control system
A fuel control system having a combustive energy value evaluator determining a combustive energy value of the fuel, and a controller calculating a desired flow rate based at least on the combustive energy value and controlling a fuel metering device such that the fuel flow rate corresponds to the desired fuel flow rate. |
| US07950213B2 |
Reinforced belt having reduced electrical resistivity and method for producing same
A link belt for use as a conveyor belt or power transmission belt is provided. The belt is formed of a plurality of links forming a series in successive overlapping relation. The upper surface of each belt link includes an electrically conductive layer. Additionally, the lower surface of each belt link may have an electrically conductive layer. The conductive layer or layers provide an electrical path along the belt to impede the build-up of static electricity as the belt is run during use. A method for producing the conveyor assembly is also provided. A plurality of layers of reinforcing material are arranged in overlapping relation. A binding material such as thermoset urethane is deposited on the reinforcing material to bind the reinforcing materials together, thereby forming a composite material. An electrically conductive layer is deposited on the composite material, forming a conductive layer. The combined conductive layer and composite material are cured so that the conductive layer permanently bonds to the composite material. The combined conductive layer and composite material are then cut into a plurality of belt links, such that the conductive layer of each belt link is generally coextensive with the upper surface of the belt link. The belt links are then assembled to produce a link belt having an electrically conductive path. |
| US07950211B1 |
Power tool for facilitating an operator's alternative cutting of foliage over the ground and along the ground
A power tool for facilitating an operator's cutting of foliage over and along the ground, the tool including a case; a tubular shaft fixedly attached to and extending forwardly from the case; a flexible line trimmer head mounted at the tubular shaft's distal end; a motor housed within the case; an axle linking the flexible line trimmer head with the motor, the axle extending through the tubular shaft; and a handle and wheeled carriage combination connected operatively to case, the handle and wheeled carriage combination being adapted for alternatively facilitating manual movement of the case, tubular shaft, trimmer head, motor, and axle during the operator's over the ground foliage cutting, and facilitating rolling movement of the case, tubular shaft, trimmer head, motor, and axle during the operator's along the ground foliage cutting. |
| US07950208B2 |
Sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product
A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation. |
| US07950205B2 |
Method for removing a pouch from a pouch container
Pouches are provided to the user of an automated pouch handling apparatus in a pouch container. The pouches are oriented the same way in the box. The box may be sealed to prevent pouch contamination. A door on the box is opened or removed to define a door opening. A portion of the pouch stack is accessible through the opening. These pouch containers may be stacked near a pouch handling apparatus where the operator may open the door and load the pouch containers directly into the pouch handling apparatus. The pouch handling apparatus removes the pouches directly from the pouch container through the door opening. The apparatus may include a pouch separator that bends the edge of the pouch out through the door and slides the first pouch away from the second pouch. |
| US07950199B2 |
Adjustable cabinet fillers
A filler assembly for spanning, filling, and concealing a gap between an installed metal cabinet and an adjacent wall, or adjacent cabinet is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket, a backing strip and a filler strip and the filler strip is formed with a projecting tongue. The bracket includes a narrow channel sized to receive the tongue of the filler strip in a sliding relationship. The tongue of the filler strip can slide into the channel to different depths so that the tongue and bracket span and fill the gap and the position of the backing strip can be adjusted by an adjustment feature. |
| US07950198B2 |
Fire-rated wall construction product
The present invention is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components for use in building construction. The invention provides wall components and systems which have fire-retardant characteristics, as well as wall components which allow for needed ventilation in a building throughout times when no fire is present. Embodiments include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving intumescent material. When the intumescent material becomes hot, it expands rapidly and fills its surrounding area, blocking fire, heat, and smoke from traveling to other areas of a building. |
| US07950195B2 |
Adjustable housing assembly
An adjustable housing assembly for mounting to a wall is disclosed. The assembly generally includes a back plate having a flange that defines an axis extending perpendicularly from the back plate and a front plate disposed in parallel relationship to the back plate. A connector connects the plates in the parallel relationship at various distances longitudinally along the axis. The connector includes co-acting male and female components extending circumferentially about the axis and at least one of the male and female components is spaced longitudinally along the axis for connecting the plates at any one of the various distances in response to relative rotation between the male and female components about the axis. The connector may also include a mounting ring separate from the back plate and the front plate that couples the front plate to the back plate. The mounting ring allows for additional distances to be obtained between the front plate and the back plate. |
| US07950192B2 |
Framed panel and related method of manufacture
A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed. |
| US07950186B2 |
Clip-on inner panel seal assembly
A vehicle seal assembly incorporates an integrated attachment feature to secure a flexible seal to closely spaced inner and outer body panels joined along a flange region. First and second spaced openings are aligned in a direction extending from the flange region. The seal assembly includes a generally planar portion having a finger secured at one end and extending outwardly in a generally parallel direction to the planar portion. The finger extends through the first opening and directs the seal assembly as the seal assembly is advanced toward the second opening where a retaining member snap fits therethrough for retaining the weatherstrip to the body panel. |
| US07950180B2 |
Fish lure break away system
A fish lure break away system, having a lure attachment member, a hook section with at least one elongated shank, an eyelet, an eyelet guide, and a least one curved bend terminating in a tip section. The eyelet defines an eyelet gap having a predetermined width. In one embodiment the lure attachment member has a predetermined breaking strength in combination with a selected thickness and flexibility such that the lure attachment member can be squeezed through the eyelet gap and thereby attached to the eyelet. The lure attachment member may be of strength less than that of fishing line so as to break if snagged to release and avoid loss of a lure. The hook section has an inwardly projecting member which may be maneuvered to close or minimize the eyelet gap to retain the lure attachment member. |
| US07950179B2 |
Attachable handgun storage accessory
An attachable storage receptacle for storing an accessory on a firearm comprises a storage receptacle body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a wall portion, and an attaching mechanism on the top portion of the storage receptacle body for releasably attaching the storage receptacle body to a bottom end of a firearm magazine. The wall portion is connected to the top portion at one end and the bottom portion at the other end, thereby forming a hollow inner portion for storing the accessory in the storage receptacle. |
| US07950174B2 |
Windproof billboard
A windproof billboard, including at least a body, a pair of first supports, multiple second supports, a rotating shaft, multiple linkage mechanisms, a transmission mechanism, a power mechanism, and at least one brake, wherein the first supports and the second supports are disposed on the ground, the bottom of the body is hinge connected to the first supports, the linkage mechanisms are hinge connected an upper part of the back of the body and fixed on the rotating shaft, and operate to drive the body to rotate with respect to the first supports, the rotating shaft abuts against one of the second supports, the power mechanism is fixed on the transmission mechanism and operates to drive the rotating shaft to rotate via the transmission mechanism, and the brake is disposed on one of the second supports and operates to fix the rotating shaft. |
| US07950172B1 |
Vehicle identification card with adhesive fastner
A vehicle identification card has the words SERVICE and READY on its front and rear sides, respectively, and includes a top segment having a horizontal band of static cling vinyl covered by a removable protective liner. Upon removal of the protective liner, the card can be adhered to the inside of a vehicle windshield with the word SERVICE visible from outside the vehicle and the top segment may be folded 180 degrees and adhered to the inside of the vehicle windshield with the word READY visible from outside the vehicle. The card is preferably a two section card with the before mentioned construction in an upper section and having a lower section which includes a removable key tag and a removable vehicle claim ticket. Service personnel can place the card on, and remove the card from, the inside of the vehicle windshield without bodily entering the vehicle. |
| US07950171B2 |
Electric mining shovel saddle block assembly with adjustable wear plates
A saddle block assembly including a main body having a shipper shaft opening through the main body bottom end, and an eccentric pin opening in the main body top end, an eccentric pin received in an eccentric pin opening in the top end of the main body, and a wear plate support. The wear plate support has a pin receiving opening, the eccentric pin being received in the pin receiving opening. Wear plates are mounted on the bottom end of the wear plate support and are adapted to bear against the top of a dipper handle. |
| US07950167B2 |
Adjustable footwear sole construction
A sole construction having a cushion insert that is installable in the sole at different orientations to vary the support/cushioning characteristics of the sole. The sole construction may include a midsole defining a receptacle configured to receive the cushion insert in a plurality of different orientations. The cushion insert and the receptacle may include a plurality of lobes that are interfitted when the cushion insert is installed in the receptacle. The size, shape and configuration of the lobes may be varied between different regions of the cushion insert so that different regions of the cushion insert provide different support/cushioning characteristics. The cushion insert and the receptacle may be generally disc-shaped so that the sole is adjusted simply by rotating the cushion insert with respect to the receptacle. The lobes may be configured so that rotation of the cushion insert adjusts the sole between supination, pronation, soft and firm settings. |
| US07950165B2 |
Alignment apparatus
An alignment apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of first members (12) and a plurality of second members (14). First and second co-operating formations (16, 22) are provided on the first and second members. The co-operating formations can co-operate with one another to secure the first members to the second members. The first members include spaced alignment formations arranged to align the placement of articles on the surface. The first co-operating formations may constitute the alignment formations. |
| US07950164B2 |
Surface texture measurement apparatus and roundness measuring apparatus
A roundness measuring apparatus includes: a stylus having a contact part; a holding member that holds the stylus while allowing displacement of the contact part; an elastic member that presses the contact part against a measurement target object; a detector holder that supports the holding member rotatably; a motor; an elastic force adjustment member that is rotatable and concentric with the holding member; a joining section that joins the elastic force adjustment member with the holding member to maintain relative rotational positions; and a restricting section that restricts rotation of the elastic force adjustment member at a predetermined rotational position. The displacement direction of the contact part is adjusted in a first rotation range. The rotational position of the holding member relative to the rotational position of the elastic force adjustment member changes with the rotation of the elastic force adjustment member being restricted in a second rotation range. |
| US07950162B2 |
Tilt sensor and method for making the same
A tilt sensor includes a light emitting element and two light receiving elements accommodated in a case. The case is formed with an inner space in which a rolling member is provided in a freely movable manner by the pulling force of gravity. A cover plate is fixed to the case to close the inner space. The cover plate is provided with an irregular, inner ceiling surface that is exposed to the inner surface so as to come into sliding contact with the rolling member. |
| US07950161B2 |
Level posture sensing chip and its manufacturing method, level posture sensor
The present invention discloses a gas pendulum style level posture sensing chip and its manufacturing method and a level posture sensor. The gas pendulum style level posture sensing chip includes: a semiconductor substrate; two sets of arm thermosensitive fuses formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, each set of the thermosensitive fuses including two thermosensitive fuses in parallel to each other, the two sets of thermosensitive fuses being vertical to each other; electrodes formed at the two ends of the thermosensitive fuses. For the level posture sensing chip and sensor provided by the present invention, the parallelism and verticality of the thermosensitive fuses is high in precision such that the more accurate measurement can be implemented. |
| US07950159B2 |
Sundial
Disclosed are embodiments of a sundial. Various embodiments of the sundial disclosed herein may be used to determine the time of day based on the position of the sun. The sundial may utilize a curved reflector to reflect the image of the sun onto a dial-face. The curved reflector may be disposed, at least in part, behind the dial-face. A portion of the curved reflector behind the dial-face may be used to reflect an image of the sun onto a back surface of the dial-face. The reflected image of the sun received on the back of the dial-face may, in some embodiments, be visible on the front surface of the dial-face. The dial-face may have a plurality of time markings positioned thereon. The position of the image of the sun on the dial-face may be compared to the plurality of time markings to determine at least an approximation of the time of day. |
| US07950158B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the interior dimensions of a glove
A device and method for measuring the interior dimensions of a glove is provided. The internal glove sizing device disclosed may be used for quickly and automatically measuring the interior dimensions of a glove during and/or after manufacturing so that quality control personnel and customers can verify glove compliance with certain specifications and to ensure quality control. |
| US07950148B2 |
Holding sealer and exhaust gas purifying device
A holding sealer for an exhaust gas purifying device includes a sheet member including inorganic fibers and having a first surface and a second surface substantially facing each other and perpendicular to a direction of thickness of the sheet member. At least one of the first and second surfaces has a profile including projecting portions and depressed portions. The projecting and depressed portions of the profile have a maximum difference, h. The h satisfies about 0.4 mm≦h≦9 mm. |
| US07950147B2 |
Method for producing gas turbine components
A method for producing gas turbine components, in particular blades, blade sections or rotors with integral blades for a jet engine is provided. The method comprises at least the following steps: preparation of at least one metallic powder and at least one expanding agent; mixing of the metallic powder or each metallic powder with the expanding agent or each expanding agent; compression of the resultant mixture to form at least one semi-finished product; expansion of the semi-finished product or each semi-finished product by heating to achieve a defined degree of expansion; termination of the expansion process by cooling, once the defined degree of expansion has been reached. |
| US07950145B2 |
Component mounting apparatus and method for determining component holding members
For determining the types of component holding members equipped to a plurality of holding-member equipping sections, a detection sensor having a detection optical axis in a direction intersecting with the arrayed direction of the respective holding-member equipping sections is used, and the respective holding-member equipping sections have a first detection position where interrupting of the detection optical axis is detectable only when a second component holding member is equipped and a second detection position where interrupting of the detection optical axis is detectable when the component holding member of any type is equipped. Consequently, by sequentially positioning the detection optical axis at the respective detection positions and detecting the presence of interrupting, the type of the equipped component holding member is determined only by the detection sensor. |
| US07950140B2 |
Connection device for electric components
A connection device for an electric component 4 is constituted by two units 2 and 3, height position change means that changes the height position of one end 4a of the electric component 4 relative to the other end 4b is provided for a second unit 3, and the size and weight of a first unit 2 that connects the electric component 4 to a wiring board can be reduced. Therefore, the electric component 4 can be connected, under a low load, to a limited connection region of a wiring board. |
| US07950138B2 |
Method of forming a pole tip region in a main pole layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write head
A main pole layer is deposited within an opening in a patterned photoresist layer on a substrate. The photoresist is thinned to expose an upper portion of a pole tip region that is then trimmed to a rectangular shape while a lower portion retains an inverted trapezoidal shape. Thereafter, a second trimming process forms a pole tip with a first width in the upper rectangular portion and a second thickness and second width which is less than the first width in the lower portion. A CMP step subsequently thins the upper portion to a first thickness of 0.04 to 0.08 microns while the second thickness remains at 0.16 to 0.32 microns. The bottom surface of the lower portion along the ABS becomes the trailing edge in a recording operation. The pole tip has a consistent first width (track width) that is not influenced by CMP process variations. |
| US07950134B2 |
Implantable antenna
A method of forming and connecting an antenna to a feedthrough member of a housing. The method comprising a step of: positioning the feedthrough member and an antenna template relative to each other. A step of connecting the first portion of at least one electrically conducting wire to the feedthrough member. An additional step of winding the wire at least once around the antenna template, and a further step of connecting a second portion of each wire to said feedthrough member. |
| US07950127B2 |
Stacked family molding and subsequent assembly process
The subject invention relates to a precision injection molding of multi-piece parts and the subsequent handling and assembly of those parts produced from the mold. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical suture package with a top part and a bottom part is molded and assembled. In such a method and system, the top parts and bottom parts are first molded utilizing a family mold and then are transferred to a stacker. The stacker is able to stack the top part and bottom part on top of one another on a pallet. The parts are then transported to a welder in order to weld the top part and bottom part together. The completed surgical suture packages are then transferred to a magazine for storage and shippage. |
| US07950121B2 |
Method for rounding the edges of parts
A method for rounding edges of parts, in particular of turbo engines, is disclosed. An edge to the surfaces is rounded, the edge being created by at least two adjacent surfaces of the part. A blasting jet consisting mostly of abrasive particles is directed at its center approximately tangentially to the angle bisecting line between the surfaces at the edge and is moved at a defined rate of advance in relation to the part along the edge such that there is a defined removal of material of the part with rounding toward the surfaces. |
| US07950120B2 |
Method for manufacturing piezoelectric resonator
To provide a method for manufacturing a piezoelectric resonator which can conduct frequency matching with high reliability when performing rough adjustment of the frequency by adjusting the shape of a piezoelectric oscillating piece before forming an electrode film, and thereby it becomes possible to avoid reduction of the yield. Etching for forming the shape of a piezoelectric oscillating piece, and etching for forming grooves are conducted simultaneously, and after forming the grooves, the shape formation of the piezoelectric oscillating piece is started again from the same depth as the groove in a state of covering the groove with a metal film, and after the shape formation, matching of frequency is conducted by etching the side surface of the piezoelectric oscillating piece in succession. By composing such a structure, it is possible to conduct rough adjustment of frequency at a low etching rate so that the frequency matching can be performed with no due difficulty and with high accuracy. |
| US07950118B1 |
Memorial urn assembly
A memorial urn assembly for comingling remains from two containers includes a pair of containers such that each of the containers includes a perimeter wall defining an interior. The perimeter wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The perimeter wall of one of the containers has a mating area configured to engage with a mating area of another one of the containers. The containers are couplable together so that the interior of one of the assemblies is in fluid communication with the interior of another one of the assemblies. |
| US07950115B2 |
Device for fastening an add-on part to a support part
A device for fastening an add-on part to a support part is equipped with a fastening bracket, which has a flat cover plate and, at opposite sides, bracket arms which are attached to the cover plate, and with a bearing part which can be connected to the fastening bracket. The bearing part has a receiving space in which the cover plate of the fastening bracket is mounted so as to be rotatable between a locking position, in which the bracket arms engage behind the support part, and a release position in which the bracket arms are not in engagement with the support part. In this way, an add-on part can be connected to and disconnected again from a support part in an efficient and reliable manner. |
| US07950113B2 |
Device for retaining splitting forces of a cable stop
A device for retaining splitting forces incurred by a cable stop, tow stop or carriage stop is disclosed that includes a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The bore is sized and configured to retain at least one of the cable stop, tow stop and carriage stop. The sleeve is sized and configured to retain splitting forces transferred from the cable stop, tow stop or carriage stop when the sleeve retains the cable stop, tow stop or carriage stop and is engaged by a cable catch or tow ball. |
| US07950112B2 |
Reel based closure system
Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace. |
| US07950111B2 |
Apparatus for attaching boutonnieres
The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching boutonnieres. In one embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for attaching a boutonniere including a first device, the first device including a first support structure, a first securing mechanism attached to the first support structure, and a base connected to the first support structure for securing the boutonniere. The present invention also includes a second device, the second device including a second support structure, and a second securing mechanism attached to the second support structure. The second securing mechanism cooperates with the first securing mechanism to secure the first support structure and the second support structure to a piece of material. |
| US07950107B2 |
Portable household appliance
The portable household appliance comprises: a motor unit (3) arranged to operate at least at lower operating speeds (M) or at higher speeds (MD, MX) and vice versa; first power supply means (9) arranged to constantly supply said motor unit (3); control means for increasing said lower speeds (M) in a first time interval (T1) up to said higher speeds (MD, MX) or to reduce said higher speeds (MD, MX) in a second time interval (T2) up to said lower speeds (M); auxiliary means (10) for the temporary power supply of said motor unit (3) which can be actuated during said first time interval (T1). |
| US07950102B2 |
Upright vacuum cleaner having steering unit
An upright vacuum cleaner having a steering unit is provided. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body having a suction motor and a dust separating and collecting unit, a suction port assembly rotatably connected to a lower portion of the cleaner body, a handle mounted to the cleaner body, and a steering unit to elastically support the cleaner body so that the center of gravity of the cleaner body shifts to the direction where the cleaner body is rotated, according to the rotation of the cleaner body to the left or right. |
| US07950099B1 |
Caulk working systems and methods with integrated cutting tool
A caulk working tool for working caulk against first and second surfaces defining an intersection comprising a shaft member and a scraper body. The shaft member is substantially rigid, and scraper body is substantially resilient. The scraper body is molded over the shaft member and comprises a scraper surface defining a point and first and second sides. The scraper body deforms when the first and second sides are held in contact with the first and second surfaces. The caulk working tool is displaced relative to the first and second surfaces while the first and second sides are in contact with the first and second surfaces to cause the scraper surface to work the caulk against the first and second surfaces and form a desired profile in the caulk. |
| US07950095B2 |
Gangway and method for manufacturing same
A gangway comprises at least one component formed from a continuous piece of metal. The at least one component formed from the continuous piece of metal may be a support structure or an underbody, a platform, a ramp, a step, or other support surface. A method for manufacturing such a gangway comprises forming the at least one component from the continuous piece of metal. |
| US07950094B2 |
Ramp assembly including extension section
A ramp assembly generally includes a ramp platform having a top substantially planar tread surface and an extension section extending outwardly from an end of the ramp platform. The extension section has proximal and distal sloping portions that converge at a juncture forming an obtuse angle therebetween. |
| US07950086B2 |
Adaptive water level adjustment for an automatic washer
An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items. |
| US07950083B2 |
Portable child bed
A portable child bed in the nature of a cot. The cot includes a frame having a network of interconnected legs such that the frame is collapsible and expandable between open and closed configurations. The frame includes a stop to halt the expansion of the frame at a certain position. Flexible bedding depends from the frame in the nature of a hammock, with the flexible bedding being anchored at six positions about the frame. The frame of interconnected legs includes legs that are shaped to be out-of-the-way of the depending flexible bedding such that a child rests on the flexible bedding, not on the frame. Flexible straps run on an underside of the bedding and run to and between hubs of the frame. |
| US07950082B2 |
Cradle adaptable to an aircraft seat
Cradle for a passenger cabin of an aircraft, suitable for a child of less than 2 years old capable of sitting upright, comprising a rigid and formable structure formed by a rectangular frame and two uprights, designed to be fixed to one wall of the cabin, and a cover with mattress attached to the rectangular frame. The cover comprises in one of its longitudinal sides two windows separated by a strip of fabric and closed by a retractable tulle flap in such a way that the child can sit upright in the cradle with his or her legs passing out of the cradle through the windows and on either side of the fabric strip when the flap has been retracted. |
| US07950078B2 |
Preformed structural support for tile
A preformed structural support for ceramic tile for use in constructing a horizontal support surface, such as a seat or a foot rest in a shower or the like installation environment is provided. The preformed structural support includes a base of a corrosion-resistant material that can be trimmed to conform to the irregularities of the structural walls to which it is to be installed against. The base includes tile receiving sides that are textured and are ready for the application of tile using a suitable adhesive, such as a thinset compound. The preformed structural support is installed without the use of penetrating fasteners, thereby preserving the integrity of the waterproofing of the shower. |
| US07950077B2 |
Spa jet yielding increased air entrainment rates
An improved spa nozzle that is capable of entraining high air flow rates from the surrounding environment, said nozzle of the type having a water input conduit of diameter D, a flow output conduit having entry and diameter of DID, a transition conduit having a diameter of ID and a length of PL, and an air entrainment conduit, and wherein the following ratios are defined to describe the relative geometry of the nozzle: α=PL/(DID−ID), β=DID/ID and γ=D/ID, the improvement comprising: the water input, transition and output conduits being configured such that α is in the range of 1.3-5 and β is>1.9. |
| US07950073B2 |
Headgear securement system
Headgear of the type having an outer layer and a relatively flexible inner layer includes a belt which extends around the inner layer within the outer layer, and a tensioning device which can tension the belt causing the belt to urge the inner layer inward away from the outer layer and against the helmet wearer's head. Preferably, the tensioning device includes a chinstrap assembly releasably fastened to the front of the helmet. |
| US07950071B2 |
Functional compression socks
This invention relates to functional socks which provide appropriate and variable compression on the various parts of foot.The functional compressive socks of this invention comprise the parts including shin, calf, instep, toe, heel, and sole. The said socks are characterized by the fact that all those said parts are subject to appropriate compression by part, and in addition, the said parts of shin, calf, instep, and sole are knitted with high elasticity yarn as the elastic threads and the core yarn single covered with polyurethane based long staple or long staple copolymer fiber as the inner threads, while the said parts of toe and heel are knitted with the core yarn single covered with polyurethane based long staple or long staple copolymer fiber as the inner threads, in appropriate ratio set respectively by the characteristics of the part.According to this invention which utilizes high elasticity yarn and implements a multi-stage compressive knitting technology that can adjust the lateral tensile force of the elastic threads, the blood in foot is pressed bilaterally promoting the circulation, therefore, the socks which can prevent or even treat the varix or edema can be produced. |
| US07950070B2 |
Shorts comprising a waistband with a self-gripping strip
Shorts comprising a rear face and a front face (10, 12) having a fly (18). The shorts further include a waistband (20) integral with the front and rear faces, the waistband extending between first and second ends (20a, 20b) placed on either side of the fly.A tab (22) extends the first end (20a) as far as a free end (23) and is placed so as to cover the second end (20b) of the waistband. The tab has a self-gripping strip (24) placed facing a complementary self-gripping strip integral with the second end (20b) of the waistband.A lace (29) connects the tab (22) to the second end (20b) of the waistband and passes through two respective holes (30, 32) made in the second end (20b) of the waistband so as to be able to be tied on the inside of the waistband. |
| US07950068B2 |
Headwear comprising a bill which defines an enclosed space
A headwear assembly, comprising a crown, a bill attached to said crown, and extending outwardly therefrom. The bill comprises an upper bill portion comprising a first periphery and a first closure means disposed along that first periphery, a lower bill portion comprising a second periphery and a second closure means disposed along that second periphery, wherein the first periphery can be releaseably attached to the second periphery by releaseably attaching the first closure means to the second closure means to define an enclosed space between the upper bill portion and the lower bill portion. |
| US07954166B2 |
Independently-addressable, self-correcting inking for cantilever arrays
An improved method of loading tips and other surfaces with patterning compositions or inks for use in deposition. A method of patterning is described, the method comprising: (i) providing at least one array of tips; (ii) providing a plurality of patterning compositions; (iii) ink jet printing at least some of the patterning compositions onto some of the tips; and (iv) depositing at least some of the patterning compositions onto a substrate surface; wherein the ink jet printing is adapted to prevent substantial cross-contamination of the patterning composition on the tips. Good printing reproducibility and control of printing rate can be achieved. The surfaces subjected to ink jet printing can be treated to encourage localization of the ink at the tip. The method is particularly important for high density arrays. |
| US07954165B2 |
Scanning probe microscope
A scanning probe microscope is provided, which can be stably used for a long time even if excitation efficiency varies during scan. A cantilever (5) is excited, and the cantilever (5) and a sample are subjected to relative scanning. A second-harmonic component detection circuit (31) detects second-harmonic component amplitude of oscillation of the cantilever (5) as integral-multiple component amplitude. The second-harmonic component amplitude is amplitude of a second-harmonic component having a frequency twice as high as excitation frequency. An excitation intensity adjustment circuit (33) controls excitation intensity based on the detected second-harmonic component amplitude such that the second-harmonic component amplitude is kept constant. |
| US07954161B1 |
Mechanism for characterizing soft failures in systems under attack
A system and method to identify and characterize nonfatal failures of a device-under-analysis (DUA). A security analyzer executes attacks to test the security of the DUA. During the attacks, the security analyzer periodically sends an instrumentation command to the DUA and measures the time the DUA takes to successfully respond to the instrumentation command (the response time sample). The security analyzer uses the response time samples to identify and/or characterize the nonfatal failures in the DUA caused by the attacks. |
| US07954157B2 |
System and method for backing up data
A method is provided to facilitate the detection of file tampering, such as a computer virus, on a computer. In one example, a digital fingerprint is generated for each file on the computer using a substantially collision-free algorithm. The digital fingerprints of the computer files are compared with digital fingerprints of the computer files generated when the files were previously saved. If the digital fingerprint of that file differs from the digital fingerprint generated when that file was previously saved, a computer virus or other tampering may exist on the file. |
| US07954156B2 |
Method to enhance platform firmware security for logical partition data processing systems by dynamic restriction of available external interfaces
A system and method to reduce external access to hypervisor interfaces in a computer system, thereby reducing the possibility of attacks. In a preferred embodiment, addresses for calls are used to fill a table, where the addresses are specifically selected for a requesting computer. For example, in one embodiment, a routine searches for the adapter type of a requesting computer and populates the table with calls specific to that type of adapter. Other types of calls are not put in the table. Instead, those calls are replaced by routines that will return an error. In other embodiments, the operating system type is used to determine what addresses are used to populate the table. These and other embodiments are explained more fully below. |
| US07954154B2 |
Communication system and communication apparatus
A communication system and communication apparatus that can improve the stability and security of communication. In this communication system, a communication apparatus (101) generates, at a predetermined interval, a keep-alive message based on key information stored in a key information database part (113) and transmits the keep-alive message to a communication apparatus (102). The communication apparatus (102) receives the keep-alive message from the communication apparatus (101), and a key information updating part (157) updates (for example, corrects), based on this keep-alive message, the data stored in a key information database part (154). In this way, the information stored in the communication apparatus (101) and the information stored in the communication apparatus (102) can be made common, and problems, such as a communication interruption, caused by disagreement between the information stored in the communication apparatus (101) and the information stored in the communication apparatus (102) can be solved, resulting in improvement of the stability and security of communication between the two communication apparatuses. |
| US07954149B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method of the apparatus, and control program of the apparatus
When an enabler key 10 is inserted in the main body 1, an overwrite mode for overwriting new data on existing data in a hard disk drive 25 is set. When the enabler key 10 is removed from the main body 1, the overwrite mode is released. During startup of the main body 1 and at every fixed time t1 after the startup of the main body 1, presence or absence of insertion of the enabler key 10 is detected. When a result of this detection changes from “present” to “absent”, the main body 1 is stopped. |
| US07954145B2 |
Dynamically configuring a client for virtual private network (VPN) access
Techniques for virtual private network (VPN) access are provided. A dynamic determination, in response to privileges, is made as to whether a principal and a device of a principal are to receive a thin client virtual private network (VPN) installation for a thin client VPN session between the principal and a remote site or whether a clientless VPN session is appropriate. Dynamic switching between the clientless VPN session and thin client VPN session is permissible when the principal supplies the appropriate credentials for such a switch. |
| US07954143B2 |
Methods, network services, and computer program products for dynamically assigning users to firewall policy groups
Methods, network services, and computer program products that dynamically assign computer network users to firewall policy groups are provided. A user is assigned to a first firewall policy group, and user activity on the computer network is monitored. The user is assigned to a second, different firewall policy group automatically if monitored user activity indicates that a change in detail level of rules is necessary. Each firewall policy group has rules that control whether to block or allow communications through firewalls on the computer network. The firewall policy groups are arranged in a hierarchical structure having a plurality of levels that are arranged such that rules within the firewall policy groups are different at each level. A user may be assigned to a different firewall policy group that is below, above, or at the same level as the initial firewall policy group. |
| US07954139B1 |
Arrangements for efficient authentication of service request messages
A server processes a service request message (SRM) including a credential string and information (I) specifying a requested service. The server determines (305) whether or not the received credential string is valid, by comparing the received credential string and a key in an authorization database (FIG. 1 Auth DB; Table 1) that is associated with the server. Records of the authorization database include the key, and zero or more parameters constituting respective restrictions on performing the requested service for the service requester associated with the credential string that matches the key. The server tests (305, and FIG. 4A) any parameter values against the restrictions to judge whether or not the restrictions are met, and causes (322) performance of the requested service if the credential string is determined to be valid and the restrictions are judged to be met. An alternative method involves receiving (352) a credential string, and determining (354) whether or not the received credential string is valid, by comparing the received credential string and an authorization database string from an authorization database (FIG. 1 Auth DB; Table 1) that is associated with the server and that includes a set of records including respective authorization database strings. If the received credential string is determined to be valid, the method further involves receiving (372) the SRM that includes information (I) specifying a requested service, and causing (374) performance of the requested service. |
| US07954131B2 |
Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network
Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway. |
| US07954129B2 |
Wireless video surveillance system and method with remote viewing
A surveillance system and method for remote viewing of inputs associated with at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) monitoring a target environment, and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and/or another ICD, including the steps of providing base system and at least one user accessing the DIR or ICD(s) via user interface remotely from a remote viewing device. |
| US07954125B2 |
System and method for focused navigation within a user interface
A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option. |
| US07954124B2 |
System and method for simultaneously displaying video programming and instant messaging
Instant messaging (IM) and TV programming are displayed simultaneously on a TV screen. An instant messaging window on the screen displays posted messages and identifies the TV program (if any) being currently viewed by each user posting messages. An icon accompanying a message can be selected by a message recipient to permit a telephone call to be automatically dialed and completed to the message sender. Video files attached to sent messages include a key which may be compared to a key at the destination, so that the video file may be viewed by the recipient only if the there is a match. Data collected at a server managing the instant messaging may be used to monitor message, television and telephone activity, as well as demographic data associated with the IM users. |
| US07954120B2 |
Analysing viewing data to estimate audience participation
According to the present invention there is provided a method of analysis of the audience for channels selectable by a channel selector device for presentation on a presentation device, the channel selector device providing data indicating which channels are selected and the lengths of time for which selected channels remain selected. The data relating to the lengths of time for which channels remain selected is subject to a capping procedure, whereby the indicated length of time for which a channel remains selected is reduced to a capped maximum permitted length of time if the indicated length of time exceeds the maximum permitted length, to provide capped data. The capped data is employed to select, in dependence upon the indication of the channel selected and length of time for which the channel is selected, an array of probabilities of individuals' exposure (PIVs) to the presentation of the channel on a presentation device, for individuals of different demographies, whereby the data provided by the channel selector device can be resolved into data estimating the likelihood of individuals of different demographies participating in the audience. |
| US07954119B2 |
Apparatus for attaching a disk to a spindle of a spinstand, methods for attaching and detaching a disk to and from a spindle of a spinstand and a movable stage
In one arrangement, apparatus for attaching a disk to a spindle of a spinstand has a spindle adapter. The spindle adapter has a drawbar movably disposed within. The drawbar has a connector end that is reversibly connectable to the cap and has a piston that is connectable to a source of fluid pressure. The drawbar is movable in response to fluid pressure so as to urge together the cap and the spindle adapter when connected. The cap and the spindle adapter are capable of holding a disk therebetween. In another arrangement, a movable stage movable over a deck of a spinstand has a lift stage arranged to hold a cap with a disk positioned thereon. The lift stage has at least one actuator for raising the lift stage so that the cap can be connected with a spindle adapter of an inverted spindle of a spinstand. |
| US07954117B2 |
Disk selecting device and disk device with a drum cam to separate disks
A disk selecting device for storing a plurality of disks that can be separated to provide a space for receiving a disk drive unit to play a selected disk within the disk selecting device. A plurality of trays are mounted within the disk selecting device including a drum cam that can be rotated by a drum gear driven by a drive mechanism so that a disk selecting cam groove does not contact those trays that do not contain the disk to be selected for playing whereby a sufficient space is provided to drive the selected disk. |
| US07954113B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and recording medium
A signal processing apparatus includes the following elements. A plurality of signal processing software modules perform unit signal-processing steps of signal processing by means of software processing. An instruction input receiving unit receives an instruction. A virtual connecting unit sets up a virtual connection between inputs and outputs of the signal processing software modules in response to the received instruction. A circuit structure information storing and managing unit stores and manages the virtually connected signal processing software modules. A path routing unit routes a signal processing path to determine the order in which the stored signal processing software modules perform the signal processing. A signal processing executing unit performs the signal processing by sequentially executing the signal processing software modules in the determined order. The path routing unit determines whether a feedback loop including no delay element is generated in a circuit composed of the signal processing software modules. |
| US07954112B2 |
Automatic recovery from failures of messages within a data interchange
Data interchanges are processed so that problematic individual elements within the data interchanges do not cause the processing of the data interchanges to be suspended unless there is a catastrophic error. The data interchanges are split up by flat file and/or XML disassemblers of a message engine into independent messages even if some elements are incorrect or cause processing failures. Those messages in the interchange that may be processed are processed, while those that would cause processing errors are suspended in a suspend queue for recovery processing. Even when a message is placed in the suspend queue, processing continues with the next independent message in the data interchange. Messages that are placed in the suspend queue for lack of routing information may be resumed by providing the routing information and again attempting to route the previously suspended message. The method of the invention is scalable since it works regardless of the size of the interchange or its individual message elements. |
| US07954106B2 |
Estimating resource usage system for allocating resources to tasks based upon the rating value of tasks and resources mapping
A method for allocating resources of a group of resources to tasks of a group of tasks, the method comprising: forming a resource set comprising a resource record for each of the resources of the group of resources, each resource record having one or more fields representative of attributes of the respective resource; forming a task set comprising a task record for each of the tasks of the group of resources, each task record having one or more fields, each field holding data representative of an attribute of the respective task; condensing the task set by one or more iterations of the steps of: i. selecting two or more tasks of the task set; ii. adding to the task set an aggregate task record having one or more fields, each such field corresponding to a field of each of the task records of the selected tasks and holding data representative of the collective attributes of the task records of the selected tasks in those fields; and iii. removing the task records of the selected tasks from the task set; forming at least two mappings of some or all of the members of the resource set on to one or more members of the task set; calculating, for each of the mappings, a rating value dependent on the allocation of resources to the or each aggregate task in that mapping; comparing the rating values of the mappings; and selecting one of the mappings for further processing in dependence on the result of the said comparing step. |
| US07954104B2 |
Remote copy storage device system and a remote copy method to prevent overload of communication lines in system using a plurality of remote storage sites
Overload of communication lines and the drop of through-put of task processing in a center computer is prevented. The center computer executes a plurality of task processing, writes the execution result to a center storage device and remote copies the same data to a plurality of remote storage devices. At this time, the center computer acquires loads of communication lines through load measurement portions and stops the execution of a part of the task processing involved with the transmission of the copy data through the communication line when its load exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When the center storage device and the remote storage devices switch the transmission route of the copy data to other route, the center computer starts again the execution of the task processing previously stopped and starts again the remote copy. |
| US07954103B2 |
Method for preventing process collision of micro controller
A method for preventing process collision of a micro controller is disclosed. The method includes the following steps. At least a first process and a second process are provided, wherein the first process is executed by the micro controller in every first period, the second process is executed by the micro controller in every second period, and the first period is shorter than the second period. When collision of the first process and the second process may happen in the second period, the executing time of the second process is shifted a predetermined time. |
| US07954099B2 |
Demultiplexing grouped events into virtual event queues while in two levels of virtualization
A method, system, program product and computer data structure for providing for two levels of server virtualization. A first hypervisor enables multiple logical partitions to share a set of resources and provides a first level of virtualization. A second hypervisor enables multiple, independent virtual machines to share the resources that are assigned to a single logical partition and provides a second level of virtualization. All events for all of the virtual machines within said single logical partition are grouped into a single partition-owned event queue for receiving event notifications from the shared resources for that single logical partition. A request for an interrupt is signaled for the grouped events from the partition-owned event queue for the demultiplexing of grouped events, by the machine, from the partition-owned event queue into individual, virtualized event queues that are allocated on a per virtual machine basis. |
| US07954098B1 |
System and methods for SAN agent installation
A bulk install which evaluates prerequisites and performs installations of agents for multiple remote host computers performs a prerequisite check to identify prerequisite files, resources, or other objects expected by each agent on the hosts, and identifies potential shortcomings or failures before installation. A GUI identifies agents for installation on a plurality of host computers, which allows agent specification on an agent type, operating system, or individual host basis. Install files for each agent are identified and retrieved from a common media repository for transport to the target host. The prerequisite checks are also performed in bulk prior to the bulk install, such that the checks prevent a failed prerequisite check from disrupting an entire install. Such bulk install operations mitigate the time-consuming, repetitive nature of the conventional single agent install by iteratively installing each of the agents on the proper host. |
| US07954095B2 |
Analysis and selection of optimal function implementations in massively parallel computer
An apparatus, program product and method optimize the operation of a parallel computer system by, in part, collecting performance data for a set of implementations of a function capable of being executed on the parallel computer system based upon the execution of the set of implementations under varying input parameters in a plurality of input dimensions. The collected performance data may be used to generate selection program code that is configured to call selected implementations of the function in response to a call to the function under varying input parameters. The collected performance data may be used to perform more detailed analysis to ascertain the comparative performance of the set of implementations of the function under the varying input parameters. |
| US07954094B2 |
Method for improving performance of executable code
A computer-implemented method, computer program product and data processing system to improve runtime performance of executable program code when executed on the data-processing system. During execution, data is collected and analyzed to identify runtime behavior of the program code. Heuristic models are applied to select region(s) of the program code where application of a performance improvement algorithm is expected to improve runtime performance. Each selected region is recompiled using selected performance improvement algorithm(s) for that region to generate corresponding recompiled region(s), and the program code is modified to replace invocations of each selected region with invocations of the corresponding recompiled region. Alternatively or additionally, the program code may be recompiled to be adapted to characteristics of the execution environment of the data processing system. The process may be carried out in a continuous recursive manner while the program code executes, or may be carried out a finite number of times. |
| US07954092B2 |
Creating an assured execution environment for at least one computer program executable on a computer system
The present invention provides processor-implemented method and system of creating an assured execution environment for at least one computer program executable on a computer system. In an exemplary embodiment, the method and system include (1) converting the executable into a computer program targeted for the computer system, where the converting includes scrambling the executable by applying an encryption scheme to the executable and (2) executing the program on the computer system only if the program complies with a policy. |
| US07954090B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting behavioral features of software application deployments for automated deployment management
A system for monitoring and analyzing a deployment of a software application is disclosed. The system includes a monitoring component that collects streams of data values of time-variant state metrics associated with the deployment, and a feature detector that analyzes the streams to identify features known to be associated with potential problems. Detected features can include deviations of a signal from a normalcy band, a rising or descending trend in signal behavior, deviations from seasonal or cyclical normalcy bands, and the like. |
| US07954088B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing unit tests in application host environment
A development environment in which unit tests are prepared. The unit tests run in a host environment for more complete and accurate testing of program units. The development environment uses a test execution shim to access an adapter running in the host environment. The host adapter may invoke other program objects that run specific tests. Such objects may late bind to the unit under test. An accessor class may facilitate late binding to the specific unit under test while allowing tests authored in the development environment to use context sensitive information needed to access the unit under test. |
| US07954084B2 |
Software for generating a computer application code and software description language
The software generates the computer code of at least one part of a computer application, from a description of this part of the computer application by distributing this part among several code generators according to modifiable distribution rules. Each code generator translates the part of the description that it is provided with, in order to provide at least one part of the computer code in a respective language. The invention also relates to a software description language, notably of the type of an object-oriented language for computer application modeling. The invention also relates to a software enabling to graphically or textually build a computer application model, notably a computer application human-machine interface model, and to provide a description of the model in a software description language according to the invention. |
| US07954078B1 |
High level IC design with power specification and power source hierarchy
A method to produce an information structure in computer readable memory that specifies power source hierarchy information for an RTL circuit design that includes multiple function instances encoded in computer readable memory, comprising: providing associations within the memory between respective function instances of the RTL design and respective power domains so as to define respective primary power domains relative to the RTL design; specifying in the memory respective secondary power domains; and providing associations within the memory that are indicative of respective power source relationships between respective primary power domains and corresponding respective secondary power domains. |
| US07954075B2 |
Vector sequence simplification for circuit verification
One set of illegal vector sequences is manually generated for a circuit design and a symbolic simulator is used to automatically generate another set of illegal vector sequences for the circuit design. For verification purposes, the relationship between the manually generated set and the automatically generated set is determined. Prior to determining this relationship, one or both of the sets are simplified. One simplification technique includes replacing pairs of illegal vector sequences that are the same except at one bit position with a more general illegal vector sequence representative of both illegal vector sequences of the pair. Another simplification technique includes sorting the illegal vector sequences in a list having a sort order from most general to most specific and then identifying illegal vector sequences that are redundant in view of one or more other illegal vector sequences prior in the sort order based on a binary decision diagram (BDD)-based analysis that sequences through the sorted list in its sort order. |
| US07954074B2 |
Logic design support system having RTL analysis means
A logic design support system which supports logic design using an HDL includes: RTL analysis means for receiving, as input, an RTL including a dedicated comment as a comment statement specifying expansion of a generate statement, detecting the dedicated comment from the input RTL, and retrieving a generate statement to be expanded; logic expansion means for expanding the generate statement retrieved by the RTL analysis means; and RTL output means for merging a portion not retrieved by the RTL analysis means from the input RTL with a portion expanded by the logic expansion means, and generating and outputting output RTL. |
| US07954073B2 |
Methods of arranging mask patterns responsive to assist feature contribution to image intensity and associated apparatus
Methods and apparatus are disclosed that arrange mask patterns in response to the contribution of an assist feature to image intensity. In some methods of arranging mask patterns, a distribution of functions h(ξ−x) is obtained which represents the contribution of an assist feature to image intensity on a main feature. Neighboring regions of the main feature are discretized into finite regions, and the distribution of the functions h(ξ−x) is replaced with representative values h(x,ξ) of the discretized regions. A position of the assist feature is determined using polygonal regions having the same h(x,ξ). As described, the term x is the position of the main feature and the term ξ is the position of the assist. |
| US07954072B2 |
Model import for electronic design automation
Methods and systems for providing processing parameters in a secure format are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for providing semiconductor fabrication processing parameters to a design facility is disclosed. The method comprises providing a set of processing parameters of a fabrication facility; creating a model from the set of processing parameters; converting the model into a corresponding set of kernels; converting the set of kernels into a corresponding set of matrices; and communicating the set of matrices to the design facility. In another aspect, a method for providing semiconductor fabrication processing parameters is disclosed. The method comprises providing a set of processing parameters of a fabrication facility; creating a processing model from the set of processing parameters; encrypting the processing model into a format for use with a plurality of EDA tools; and communicating the encrypted processing model format to a design facility. |
| US07954066B2 |
Interface engine providing a continuous user interface
An interface engine provides animated views in a user interface. The interface engine directs the operation of a rendering environment to create an interface in a rendering area. The interface engine includes views, layouts, animators, and constraints. Views identify child views and resources for display in the rendering area. In response to events, such as user inputs, a view modifies itself by calling layouts, animators, and constraints. A layout manages the attributes of a view's child views, including child view position and size. An animator modifies the view's appearance over a specified period of time. A constraint imposes limits on view properties. In one implementation, an Internet site delivers an interface engine to a browser to supply content and a user interface. A presentation server compiles an interface engine description and specified resources into an interface engine. The presentation server delivers the interface engine to the browser, which executes the interface engine using a plug-in—eliminating excessive interface updates found in traditional HTML pages. |
| US07954063B2 |
Methods and systems for assigning an attribute value to an object
A computer system includes a user interface, which includes a display device for displaying a graphical program interface. The graphical program interface includes one or more controls for assigning at least one attribute value to an attribute of an object. The graphical program interface also includes a current attribute values interface in which attribute values assigned to the object are displayed and an assignable attribute values interface in which a limited set of possible values of at least one of the attributes are shown. At least one of the current attribute values interface and assignable attribute values interface includes a value select control for selecting at least one of the possible values and assigning this selected value to the object attribute. |
| US07954062B2 |
Application status board mitigation system and method
A system and method for monitoring computer applications comprising an application component table comprising a plurality of applications and application functions, wherein the applications comprise data identifying a functional status of the applications; a processor adapted to analyze the functional status of the applications based on the data; and a single status board user interface adapted to display the functional status of the applications, wherein the processor is adapted to predict when a running time of an application will be completed. The processor is adapted to determine whether the application functions fail when the applications are running; diagnose a cause of failure of the application functions; and indicate the cause of failure to a user. The processor is adapted to reconciliate information across processes supporting the applications. The system and method is adapted to send alerts to the single status board user interface of errors found in the processes. |
| US07954061B2 |
Creation and manipulation of internet location objects in a graphical user interface environment
Internet location objects are created and displayed as icons in a graphical user interface environment. When an object is dragged from within an application into a system window, a drag object describing what is being dragged is passed from the application to the operating system. Depending on the drag object, the file manager either causes an Internet location object to be created directly or intelligently parses a text string that has been dragged and dropped onto the user desktop to determine whether the text string is likely a URL. If a text string is found to likely be a URL, then an Internet location object is created to contain a URL by transforming the text string into the URL. When the user “opens” an Internet location object, a browser or other program is launched and retrieves the resource identified by the URL stored as part of the Internet location object. |
| US07954060B2 |
Accentuated graphical user interface
A graphical user interface in which entities of the interface are manipulated using manipulation operations. The graphical user interface comprises a selectable interface entity upon which manipulation operations are commence-able, a first interface entity distinct from the selectable interface entity, and a second interface entity distinct from the first interface entity and the selectable interface entity. Upon commencement of a manipulation operation on the selectable interface entity, at least one of the first interface entity and the second interface entity is visually accentuated. |
| US07954053B2 |
Extraction of datapoints from markup language documents
An extraction-rule generation and training system uses information obtained from multiple markup language documents (e.g. web pages) of similar structure to generate an extraction rule for extracting datapoints from markup language documents. Where the structures of two or more documents are not sufficiently similar, the system maintains separate extraction rules for the same datapoint, and applies these separate extraction rules in combination to particular markup language documents to extract the datapoint. |
| US07954051B2 |
Methods and apparatus for converting markup language data to an intermediate representation
Systems, methods and apparatus provide a character process for processing markup language data, such as XML data, by receiving a character stream of markup language data and applying sequences of characters of the character stream to a set of state machines. The set of state machines includes a plurality of construct state machines responsible for processing respective markup language constructs identified by the sequences of characters. The character processor produces, from application of the sequences of characters to the set of state machines, an intermediate representation of the markup language constructs identified by the sequence of characters of the character stream of markup language data. The intermediate representation contains encoded items containing type, length, value representations representative of constructs within the character stream of markup language data. |
| US07954049B2 |
Annotating multimedia files along a timeline
A facility for annotating media files is described. In various embodiments, the facility displays a timeline indicating a duration of the media file, determines that an annotation is associated with the media file, and displays in an area near the timeline an indication of the associated annotation. In various embodiments, the facility displays a timeline indicative of a duration of the media file, receives an indication to add an annotation at an annotation time relative to the duration of the timeline, receives and stores an annotation, associates the annotation with the annotation time, and displays an indication of the stored annotation at an area near the timeline. |
| US07954040B2 |
Encoding method and apparatus for cross interleaved cyclic codes
The invention relates to an encoding method for encoding a codeword to obtain a parity code. The code is embedded in the codeword and divides the codeword to have intermediate symbol locations between a first and a second set of data symbols. Each data symbol forms a coefficient. The first and the second set of data symbols and the parity code respectively form a first polynomial (M1(x)), a second polynomial (M2(x)), and a parity code polynomial (R(x)). The method comprises: first, designing a first code generator polynomial (G1(x)); next, dividing M1(x)x4 by G1(x) to obtain a first remainder polynomial (R1(x)); next, generating a second code generator polynomial (G2(x)) from G1(x); next, generating a third polynomial (M3(x)); next, dividing M3(x)x4 by G2(x) to obtain a second remainder polynomial (R2(x)); next, performing an adding procedure to R1(x) and R2(x) to obtain R(x); finally, obtaining the parity code from each coefficient of R(x). |
| US07954033B2 |
Decoding apparatus and method in a communication system using low density parity check codes
A decoding method in a communication system using a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code. The method includes determining whether an LDPC codeword to be decoded is a general LDPC codeword to which a puncturing scheme is not applied or a punctured LDPC codeword to which the puncturing scheme is applied; if the LDPC codeword to be decoded is the punctured LDPC codeword, generating a child parity check matrix according to a mother parity check matrix indicative of a parity check matrix of the general LDPC codeword, and a puncturing pattern applied to the punctured LDPC codeword; and decoding the punctured LDPC codeword according to the child parity check matrix. |
| US07954029B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for memory built-in self testing using microcode sequencers
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for performing Built-In Self Tests (BIST) on memories. One such BIST includes loading microcode instructions into a main microcode sequencer and loading subroutine instructions into a subroutine microcode sequencer on the memory. The microcode instructions generate subroutine calls to the subroutine microcode sequencer. The subroutine instructions generate memory operation codes, address codes, and data codes for testing a memory device. BIST addresses are generated in response to the memory operation codes and the address codes. BIST data are generated in response to the memory operation codes and the data codes. Conventional memory commands are created by generating command signals, address signals, and data signals for the memory in response to the memory operation codes, the BIST data, and the BIST addresses. Test results output data may be stored in a data checker in the form of information stored in data registers or checksum registers. |
| US07954028B2 |
Structure for redundancy programming of a memory device
A design structure for implementing redundancy programming in a memory macro of an integrated circuit chip. It is assumed that all fails are row fails until determined to be bitline fails, circuits for implementing a method wherein it is assumed that all fails are row fails until determined to be bitline fails and test patterns are passed back to the failure detecting circuit when a wordline destination of the test patterns has previously been determined to be failing, and the test patterns and resultant patterns are passed between the memory macro and a test engine via logic paths connecting the memory macro to other circuits in said integrated circuit chip. |
| US07954022B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling dynamic modification of a scan path
The invention includes an apparatuses and associated methods for controlling dynamic modification of a testing scan path using a control scan path. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a testing scan path and a control scan path. The testing scan path includes testing components and at least one hierarchy-enabling component. In one embodiment, the control scan path includes at least one control component coupled to the at least one hierarchy-enabling component for controlling dynamic modification of the testing scan path. In one embodiment, the control scan path includes the at least one hierarchy-enabling component, wherein the at least one hierarchy-enabling component is adapted for dynamically modifying the testing scan path using the control scan path. The dynamic modification of the testing scan path may include modifying a hierarchy of the testing scan path, such as selecting or deselecting one or more hierarchical levels of the testing scan path. |
| US07954011B2 |
Enabling tracing operations in clusters of servers
A method and apparatus for enabling tracing operations in clusters of servers. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a first message at a first managed bean on a first server node of a cluster of servers, and enabling a performance trace of a computer application on the first server node in response to the first message, where the computer application is running on a plurality of server nodes of the cluster of servers, including the first server node and a second server node. The method further provides for sending a second message from the first managed bean on the first server node to a second managed bean on the second server node, and enabling the performance trace of the computer application on the second server node in response to receipt of the second message. |
| US07954010B2 |
Methods and apparatus to detect an error condition in a communication network
Methods and apparatus to detect an error condition in a communication network are disclosed herein. An example method of detecting an error condition in a communication network includes collecting first metric data from a first endpoint device, the first metric data being related to a first connection between the first endpoint device and a communication network; collecting second metric data from a second endpoint device, the second metric data being related to a second connection between the second endpoint device and the communication network; determining if at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition; when the at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition, identifying a point of correlation between the first and second connections; identifying a network element based on the point of correlation; and performing an evaluation of the network element. |
| US07954003B2 |
Fault management system in multistage copy configuration
A data storing system including: a first, second and third storage systems providing first, second and third logical volumes; wherein the first logical volume and the second logical volume forms a first replication pair which indicates the first logical volume is a replication source and the second logical volume is a replication destination, and the second logical volume and the third logical volume forms a second copy pair which indicates the second logical volume is the replication source and the third logical volume is the replication destination. The replication pairs may adopt differing possible pair statuses, which may affect consistency between such pairs. |
| US07954000B2 |
Power supply current spike reduction techniques for an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes a first clock island, a second clock island, a clock generator, and a first programmable delay element. The first clock island is configured to receive a first clock signal. The second clock island is configured to receive a second clock signal. The clock generator is configured to provide a generated clock signal and the first and second clock signals are based on the generated clock signal. The first programmable delay element is coupled between the clock generator and the first clock island. The first programmable delay element is configured to receive the generated clock signal and provide the first clock signal. The integrated circuit is configured to account for a clock skew between the first and second clock signals when information is transferred between the first and second clock islands. In this manner, a predetermined amount of the clock skew may be introduced between the first and second clock signals to smear out, over time, instantaneous power supply current demands of respective logic within the first and second clock islands. |
| US07953997B2 |
Power amplifier
A power amplifier includes a power distribution circuit which distributes an input signal into signals and outputs the signals, amplification circuits which amplify the respective signals outputted from the power distribution circuit, a power combining circuit which combines the respective signals outputted from the amplification circuits and outputs the combined signal, and a stabilization circuit connected to an input line of the power distribution circuit. The stabilization circuit has a capacitance and a resistance connected in parallel. |
| US07953994B2 |
Architecture incorporating configurable controller for reducing on chip power leakage
The present invention provides a method and system for controlling leakage power consumption at a System on Chip (SoC) level during a normal run or a boot-up mode. The leakage power reduction is achieved by incorporating a central programmable controller in the SoC architecture and test structures of idle SoC peripherals to place them into an Absolute Minimum Power consumption state with respect to static and dynamic power. |
| US07953986B2 |
Method of protecting data saved to recording medium and data storage apparatus adopting method
An apparatus, a computer-readable recording medium, and a method of controlling data recording and reproducing to and from a disk. Controlling the recording of data includes storing password information set in a recording mode and key information to a first area of the disk, encrypting location information of the first area, storing the encrypted location information to a second area of the disk, encrypting desired data and an address of the desired data using the key information, and recording the encrypted data at the encrypted address. Controlling the reproducing of data includes, when the password information is received in a reproducing mode, reading the encrypted location information saved to the second area of the disk, decrypting the encrypted location information of the first area, reading the password information saved to the first area, comparing the received password information with the read password information, and when the received password information is identical to the read password information, reading the key information saved to the first area and reproducing the desired data and the address using the read key information. |
| US07953983B2 |
Image or pictographic based computer login systems and methods
Image based login procedures for computer systems include: (a) displaying a first image on a computer screen; (b) receiving user input indicating a portion of the first image; (c) determining if the user input corresponds to a first acceptable user input for user authentication; and (d) proceeding with the authentication procedure when this user input corresponds to the first acceptable user input for user authentication. Additionally or optionally, when proceeding with this authentication procedure, the systems and methods further may include: displaying a second image on the screen; receiving new user input indicating a portion of the second image; and determining if this new input corresponds to a second acceptable user input for user authentication. |
| US07953982B2 |
Method of authenticating digital signature
A method of authenticating a digital signature is provided. The method includes sending a request from a first entity to a second entity, at least some of the request being digitally signed with a base key by the first entity, receiving, at the first entity, a digital signature and a bit-pattern from the second entity, the digital signature having been generated by the second entity using a variant key to digitally sign at least part of data indicative of a value stored in the second entity which is to be authenticated, the variant key being based on the result of applying a one way function to the base key and the bit-pattern, receiving the data at the first entity, generating, at the first entity, the variant key from the bit-pattern and the base key, and authenticating, at the first entity, the digital signature using the generated variant key. Only the first entity includes the base key and the second entity includes the variant key and the bit-pattern. |
| US07953980B2 |
Signed manifest for run-time verification of software program identity and integrity
A measurement engine performs active platform observation. A program includes an integrity manifest to indicate an integrity check value for a section of the program's source code. The measurement engine computes a comparison value on the program's image in memory and determines if the comparison value matches the expected integrity check value. If the values do not match, the program's image is determined to be modified, and appropriate remedial action can be triggered. The integrity manifest can include a secure signature to verify the validity of the integrity manifest. |
| US07953977B2 |
Security and ticketing system control and management
A security device of this invention includes a nonvolatile storage unit 22 for storing a validity check unit including a counter updated every time signature function means 30 is called up, a volatile storage unit 24 for reading and storing a counter array out of an external nonvolatile storage unit storing the counter array, in which the counter array is obtained by coupling a hash value generated for each signature key with a signature number counter for counting the number of signatures performed by use of the signature key, and a hash function unit 28 for reading the counter array out of the volatile storage unit 24, generating the hash value, and transferring the hash value to the validity check unit for a validity check. |
| US07953975B2 |
Method of generating anti-collusion fingerprint codes using (na,n2a−2,na−1,n,0,1) GD-PBIBD
Disclosed herein is a method of generating anti-collusion fingerprint codes using a (na, n2a−2, na−1, n, 0, 1) GD-PBIBD. The fingerprint codes are generated using computer equipment that executes a program for executing a program for generating the fingerprint codes. The method includes step 1 of receiving an arbitrary prime number n and an arbitrary integer a larger than 3, step 2 of generating an n×n index matrix, step 3 of generating n n×n type_i matrixes, step 4 of generating an n2×n2 matrix using the n×n index matrix and the n×n type_i matrixes, step 5 of generating an na×n2a−2 matrix, and step 6 of extracting one arbitrary column from the na×n2a−2 matrix. |
| US07953971B2 |
Synchronizing certificates between a device and server
Systems and methods for processing messages within a wireless communications system are disclosed. A server within the wireless communications system maintains a list of certificates contained in devices that use the server. The server synchronizes or updates the list of certificates based on information contained in message to and from the device. By providing a server with certificates associated with devices that use the server, and providing a system and method for synchronizing the certificates between the device and server, the server can implement powerful features that will improve the efficiency, speed and user satisfaction of the devices. The exemplary embodiments also enable advantageous bandwidth savings by preventing transmission of certificates unnecessarily. |
| US07953968B2 |
System and method for selective encryption of input data during a retail transaction
A retail environment having retail terminals with data entry point devices selectively encrypts input received by the data entry point devices and passes the encrypted data to a security module. The selective encryption is based on whether or not sensitive or confidential information, such as a personal identification number (PIN) associated with a debit card, is being input. To prevent hacking of the software of the retail terminal, content destined for display on the retail terminal is authenticated prior to display. In this manner, the retail terminal may be assured that confidential information is input only when desired, and thus may be encrypted only as needed. |
| US07953966B2 |
Semiconductor device with a power down mode
The semiconductor device with the power down mode includes a power down detecting block for generating a power down mode signal by detecting if the power down mode is activated, a power source control block for producing a power control signal whose ratio of an enable period to a disable period is determined by the power down mode signal, a current saving block whose driving current requirement is reduced in the power down mode, a power switching block for controlling the power supply to the current saving block in response to the power control signal, and a current non-saving block whose driving current requirement in the power down mode is identical to that in a normal operation mode. The semiconductor device can prevent the current consumption due to off-leakage components and static current components generated at internal analog circuits in the power down mode. |
| US07953962B2 |
Multiprocessor system and control method thereof
A multiprocessor system according to an embodiment comprises a plurality of processors, an execution control unit to control processing by the plurality of processors and data transfer between the plurality of processors; and an internal data storage unit to store data dependence information indicating status of the data transfer. If control flow of processing by a processor is fixed after a preceding data transfer is registered for execution and another data transfer to a similar destination as the preceding data transfer is necessary, the execution control unit cancels the preceding data transfer based on the data dependence information. |
| US07953955B2 |
Methods and apparatus for automated generation of abbreviated instruction set and configurable processor architecture
A systematic approach to architecture and design of the instruction fetch mechanisms and instruction set architectures in embedded processors is described. This systematic approach allows a relaxing of certain restrictions normally imposed by a fixed-size instruction set architecture (ISA) on design and development of an embedded system. The approach also guarantees highly efficient usage of the available instruction storage which is only bounded by the actual information contents of an application or its entropy. The result of this efficiency increase is a general reduction of the storage requirements, or a compression, of the instruction segment of the original application. An additional feature of this system is the full decoupling of the ISA from the core architecture. This decoupling allows usage of a variable length encoding for any size of the ISA without impacting the physical instruction memory organization or layout and branching mechanism as well as tuning of the execution core to the application. A hardware embodiment described herein allows application of the above mentioned high-entropy encoding technique in actual embedded processor using today's technology without posing significant strain on timing requirements. |
| US07953954B2 |
Flash storage partial page caching
Methods and apparatus may operate to receive allocation requests from a processor configured to manage memory comprising a non-volatile memory device configurable as a plurality of blocks comprising a plurality of sectors, assign partial page blocks from the plurality of blocks for memory storage, fill some of the sectors by storing data bits associated with the allocation request in the at least one of the plurality of sectors, determine that the sectors are full, assigning a full page block from the plurality of blocks, and transfer the data bits associated with the allocation request from the partial page blocks to the full page block. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US07953951B2 |
Systems and methods for time division multiplex multithreading
Systems and methods for distributing thread instructions in the pipeline of a multi-threading digital processor are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and software are disclosed for successively selecting threads in an ordered sequence for execution in the processor pipeline. If a thread to be selected cannot execute, then a complementary thread is selected for execution. |
| US07953948B1 |
System and method for data protection on a storage medium
A method of and system for protecting a disk drive or other data storage includes mounting a virtual storage that combines a READ-only portion of a volume of the main storage and a full access temporary storage located on the same data storage, wherein the READ-only portion represents a protected area of the volume of the main storage; generating a bitmap for blocks of the virtual storage; redirecting virtual storage write requests to the temporary storage; marking, in the bitmap, blocks of the virtual storage corresponding to blocks of the temporary storage that are being written to; redirecting, to the READ-only portion, read requests for unmarked blocks; redirecting, to the temporary storage, read requests for marked blocks; upon an acceptance of a state of the virtual storage, merging the temporary storage with unmarked blocks of the READ-only portion of the volume of the main storage, to form an integral storage; and upon a rejection of a state of the virtual storage, terminating the redirecting. Optionally, data in the temporary storage can be archived. |
| US07953943B2 |
Epoch-based MUD logging
In one embodiment, a MUD logger receives a notification from another MUD logger maintaining another MUD log for a volume, the notification indicating one or more modifications to be made to a MUD log maintained by the MUD logger receiving the notification, wherein the MUD log includes information for one or more epochs, wherein the information for each of the epochs indicates a set of one or more regions of the volume that have been modified during the corresponding epoch. The MUD logger updates the MUD log associated with the volume, wherein updating the MUD log is performed in response to the notification. |
| US07953942B2 |
Storage system and operation method of storage system
The present invention is able to improve the processing performance of a storage system by respectively virtualizing the external volumes and enabling the shared use of such external volumes by a plurality of available virtualization storage devices. By virtualizing and incorporating the external volume of an external storage device, a first virtualization storage device is able to provide the volume to a host as though it is an internal volume. When the load of the first virtualization storage device increases, a second virtualization storage device 2 is newly introduced, and connected to the storage system. When a transfer direction is issued from a management terminal, the external volume relating to the selected logical volume is transferred from the first virtualization storage device to the second virtualization storage device. |
| US07953937B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for subdividing data for storage in a dispersed data storage grid
An efficient method for breaking source data into smaller data subsets and storing those subsets along with coded information about some of the other data subsets on different storage nodes such that the original data can be recreated from a portion of those data subsets in an efficient manner. |
| US07953936B2 |
Hiding conflict, coherence completion and transaction ID elements of a coherence protocol
According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus having one or more cache agents and a protocol agent is disclosed. The protocol agent is coupled to the one or more cache agents to receive events corresponding to cache operations from the one or more cache agents to maintain ordering with respect to the cache operation events. The protocol agent includes a structure to handle conflict resolution. |
| US07953933B1 |
Instruction cache, decoder circuit, basic block cache circuit and multi-block cache circuit
An instruction processing circuit includes an instruction cache, a decoder configured to receive at least one of the instructions and to generate, based thereon, a decoder sequence of at least one operation. The circuit includes a basic block cache that includes a basic block sequence of at least one of the operations. The basic block sequence is derived from at least one of the decoder sequences and includes at most one conditional control transfer operation. The circuit includes a multi-block cache that includes a multi-block sequence consisting of at least one of the operations derived from two or more smaller op sequences. A sequencer is configured to generate a prediction for the result of a conditional control transfer operation, select the next sequence of operations, and provide an indication of the next sequence to the instructions cache, the basic block cache, and the multi-block cache. |
| US07953931B2 |
High endurance non-volatile memory devices
High endurance non-volatile memory devices (NVMD) are described. A high endurance NVMD includes an I/O interface, a NVM controller, a CPU along with a volatile memory subsystem and at least one non-volatile memory (NVM) module. The volatile memory cache subsystem is configured as a data cache subsystem. The at least one NVM module is configured as a data storage when the NVMD is adapted to a host computer system. The I/O interface is configured to receive incoming data from the host to the data cache subsystem and to send request data from the data cache subsystem to the host. The at least one NVM module may comprise at least first and second types of NVM. The first type comprises SLC flash memory while the second type MLC flash. The first type of NVM is configured as a buffer between the data cache subsystem and the second type of NVM. |
| US07953927B2 |
Allocating clusters to storage partitions in a storage system
The bandwidth of the inter-connection network between the clusters is quite narrower than that of the inter-connection network in the clusters. When the logical allocation technique is simply applied to a cluster storage system, there is created a logical partition associated with two or more clusters. It is not possible to create logical partitions of performance corresponding to resources allocated thereto. In a storage system including a first cluster and a second cluster, when a resource of the storage system is logically subdivided into logical partitions, a resource of the first cluster is allocated to one logical partition. The system may be configured such that the first and second clusters are connected via switches to disk drives. The system may also be configured such that when failure occurs in the first cluster, the second cluster continuously executes processing of the first cluster. |
| US07953922B2 |
Double density content addressable memory (CAM) lookup scheme
The number of content addressable memory (CAM) lookups is reduced from two to one. Each side (left and right sides) of a CAM is programmed with network addresses, such as IP addresses, based on certain bits of the network addresses. These bits of the network addresses (which represent packet routes) are examined and used to determine whether the particular network address is to be placed on the left or right sides of the CAM. The grouping of certain network addresses either on the left or right sides of the CAM can be performed by examining an individual bit of each network address, by performing an exclusive OR (XOR) operation on a plurality of bits of each network address, and/or by searching for bit patterns of the network address in a decision table. Network addresses that cannot be readily assigned to a particular side of the CAM using these grouping techniques are programmed into both sides of the CAM. During packet routing, techniques similar to the grouping techniques that populated the CAM are used to determine which of the two sides of the CAM is to be searched. |
| US07953921B2 |
Directed auto-refresh synchronization
In a directed auto-refresh (DARF) mode, refresh commands are issued by a controller, and refresh row and bank addresses are maintained internally to a memory module. A bank address counter internal to the memory is initialized to a first predetermined value upon entering DARF mode. The memory refreshes the currently addressed bank in response to a DARF command, and increments the bank address counter in a predetermined sequence. The controller tracks the bank address, and may issue one or more memory access commands while a DARF operation is being performed, if the memory access and the refresh are directed to different banks. Upon exiting a self-refresh mode, the bank address counter assumes a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value may be fixed, or may be n+1, where n is the value of the bank address counter when self-refresh mode is initiated. |
| US07953920B2 |
Semiconductor storage device with volatile and nonvolatile memories, method of controlling the same, controller and information processing apparatus
A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory area configured in a volatile semiconductor memory, second, third and fourth memory areas configured in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller which executes following processing. The controller executes a first processing for storing a plurality of data by the first unit in the first memory area, a second processing for storing data by a first management unit in the fourth memory area, a third processing for storing data by a second management unit in the third memory area, a fourth processing for moving an area of the third unit from the fourth memory area to the second memory area, a fifth processing for copying data to an area of the third unit and allocating the area to the second memory area, and a sixth processing for copying data to an empty area of the third unit in the second memory area. |
| US07953914B2 |
Clearing interrupts raised while performing operating system critical tasks
Embodiments of the invention provide an interrupt handler configured to distinguish between critical and non-critical unrecoverable memory errors, yielding different actions for each. Doing so may allow a system to recover from certain memory errors without having to terminate a running process. In addition, when an operating system critical task experiences an unrecoverable error, such a task may be acting on behalf of a non-critical process (e.g., when swapping out a virtual memory page). When this occurs, an interrupt handler may respond to a memory error with the same response that would result had the process itself performed the memory operation. Further, firmware may be configured to perform diagnostics to identify potential memory errors and alert the operating system before a memory region state change occurs, such that the memory error would become critical. |
| US07953913B2 |
Peripheral device locking mechanism
A computing system having a host device and at least one client device having a lock used to prevent modification of data in the client device. A lock clear signal from the host device causes the client device to clear a lock used to prevent modification of data stored in at least a protected portion of the client device where the client device remains fully operational. |
| US07953907B1 |
Concurrent input/output control and integrated error management in FIFO
A FIFO memory has integrated error management to react to different errors according to the current state of operation of the input and output as well as internal conditions such as buffer memory status. The FIFO memory completes or aborts current operations according to state and leaves the FIFO memory in known condition following error handling. Thus, data sent to a host avoids data gaps or data overlaps because the FIFO memory leaves operations in a known state before reporting the error to a controller. |
| US07953904B2 |
Storage control apparatus having power saving controller which stops particular data transfers based on connection and data transfer rates
A storage control apparatus capable of reducing a power consumption in network port units, including a host communication control unit 10 which includes a plurality of network ports 18 and which controls communications with a host computer 2 that is connectable through the network ports, a storage-device communication control unit 16 which controls communications with a plurality of storage devices, a plurality of DMA portions 111 by which data to be transmitted/received between the host computer and the storage devices are transferred between the host communication control unit 10 and the storage-device communication control unit 16, a plurality of cache memories 12 in which the data to be transferred by the DMA portions 111 are temporarily stored, and a power saving control portion 110 which stops the DMA portion 111 and the cache memory 12 that are previously associated with one network port, on the basis of a connection situation of the pertinent network port with the host computer and a data rate to be inputted/outputted to/from the pertinent port. |
| US07953900B2 |
System and method for discovering I/O bus capabilities on a computer system via ACPI
A system and method for discovering I/O bus capabilities. Specifically, a system is described for discovering I/O bus capabilities on a computer system. The system includes an ACPI name space, a first ACPI interface, and a second ACPI interface. The ACPI name space details hardware configuration in the computer system. The first ACPI interface in the ACPI name space details current capabilities of an I/O bus that is communicatively coupled to an I/O slot. The second ACPI interface details a list of all the capabilities of the I/O bus that supports the I/O slot. |
| US07953897B2 |
Hybrid industrial networked computer system
A Kitchen Display System (KDS) includes a workstation including a first Personal Computer (PC)-based controller, a fanless workstation including a second PC-based or a non-PC-based controller having lower cost than the first PC-based controller, an Ethernet network operatively coupling the controllers, and a bump bar, keyboard, touchscreen, or keypad operatively coupled to at least one of the controllers. The first PC-based controller stores and displays video, multimedia, or a build card. At least one of the controllers includes a rugged computing module, which includes a circuit board including an outer perimeter and traces associated therewith, an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board, at least one interface connector, a housing, and a thermal transfer device. |
| US07953896B2 |
Managing user accounts and groups in multiple forests
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for managing contact proxies and security proxies in networks that are organized as forests. For instance, contact proxies may be generated to represent user accounts and groups in forests other than the home forests of the user accounts and groups. Security proxy objects may be generated to represent group members (e.g., security principals and groups) in groups in forests other than the home forests of the group members. Furthermore, when both a contact object and a security proxy object exist for a member added to a group, one of the contact object or the security proxy object may be selected to represent the member in the group. |
| US07953894B2 |
Providing aggregated directory structure
In an embodiment, circuitry residing, at least in part, at a first network node may initiate, at least in part, replicating, at least in part, at the first node of a file space at a second network node, may detect, at least in part, modification at the second node of the file space, and may initiate, at least in part, corresponding modification at the first node of a replication of the file space. The circuitry also may generate, at least in part, an aggregated directory structure including, at least in part, the file space and another file space resident, at least in part, remotely from the second node. The directory structure may be provided, at least in part, to the second node prior, at least in part, to completion of the replicating, at least in part, at the first node of the file space. |
| US07953891B2 |
Systems and methods for scheduling data flow execution based on an arbitrary graph describing the desired data flow
The data transformation system in one embodiment, comprises a capability to receive data, a data destination and a capability to store transformed data, and a data transformation pipeline that constructs complex end-to-end data transformation functionality by pipelining data flowing from one or more sources to one or more destinations through various interconnected nodes for transforming the data as it flows. Each component in the pipeline possesses predefined data transformation functionality, and the logical connections between components define the data flow pathway in an operational sense.The data transformation pipeline enables a user to develop complex end-to-end data transformation functionality by graphically describing and representing, via a GUI,a desired data flow from one or more sources to one or more destinations through various interconnected nodes (graph). Each node in the graph selected by the user represents predefined data transformation functionality, and connections between nodes define the data flow pathway. |
| US07953889B2 |
Systems and methods for routing VPN traffic around network disruption
Methods for using a client agent to route client requests among a plurality of appliances using transport layer information include the steps of: establishing, by a client agent executing on a client, a first transport layer connection with a first appliance of a plurality of appliances, the first appliance providing access to one or more servers; establishing, by a client agent executing on the client, a second transport layer connection with a second appliance of a plurality of appliances, the second appliance providing access to one or more servers; intercepting, by the client agent, a packet transmitted by the client; selecting, by the client agent, one of the connections to transmit the intercepted packet based on a characteristic of at least one of: the transport layer connections, the plurality of appliances, or the servers; and transmitting the intercepted packet via the selected connection. |
| US07953887B2 |
Asynchronous automated routing of user to optimal host
A system and method of automatically routing a user to an optimal data center of a host. A method includes transmitting a web page having measurement code and modification code from one of a plurality of data centers to a computing device. The measurement code determines an optimal data center of the plurality of data centers for the computing device, and the modification code alters at least one link in the web page to point to the optimal data center. |
| US07953886B2 |
Method and system of receiving and translating CLI command data within a routing system
A method and system of receiving and translating data using an internetwork operating system (IOS) command line interface (CLI) parser subsystem of a routing system are shown. Input is received at the IOS CLI parser subsystem. The input is traversed. Where the input originates from outside of the router, the input is translated into a corresponding CLI statement. Where the input originates from within the router, the input is translated into a prescribed output format. The translated input is output. |
| US07953885B1 |
Method and apparatus to apply aggregate access control list/quality of service features using a redirect cause
A method and apparatus to apply aggregate ACL/QoS features using a redirect cause is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a control processor configured to support a plurality of virtual interfaces is provided, wherein each of the plurality of virtual interfaces is associated with a quality of service level. According to another embodiment, each quality of service level is associated with a processing bandwidth of the control processor. According to yet another embodiment, a control processor interface is provided coupled to the control processor which is configured to select a virtual interface of the plurality of virtual interfaces using data of a received data unit, and to transfer the received data unit to the selected virtual interface. |
| US07953884B2 |
Method and apparatus for overload control and audit in a resource control and management system
A system and method for resource control management implementing Diameter protocol is disclosed. The system includes a border gateway which is configured to send an overload message and a controller that is acting as a Diameter protocol server which is configured to receive the overload message and block a number of calls to the border gateway. The controller would also be configured to perform an audit function which includes clearing media resource ports. The overload message sent by the border gateway may also include a reduction percentage, which will dictate the percentage of calls which will be blocked. |
| US07953883B2 |
Failover mechanism for real-time packet streaming sessions
Techniques are provided herein for failover streaming mechanisms. At a first device (e.g., a content router device) that is configured to interface with a plurality of streaming servers for real-time protocol packet streams, communications are configured with a client device and a first of the plurality of streaming servers associated with a streaming session from the first streaming server to the client device so that the first device receives client session control and session feedback messages associated with the streaming session and so that a packet stream associated with the streaming session transmitted by the first streaming server to the client device does not pass through the first device. The first device stores session state information comprising an address of the client device, streaming session identification information and data representing a current state of the streaming session at the client device derived from the client session control and session feedback messages. Upon detecting a failure of the first streaming server, the first device selects a second of the plurality of streaming servers for serving the streaming session previously served by the first streaming server, and then initiates a streaming session from the second streaming server to the client device in order to continue from a state of the streaming session previously served by the first streaming server prior to the failure without any indication at the client device of the switching from the first streaming server to the second streaming server. |
| US07953876B1 |
Virtual interface over a transport protocol
A method and system comprising a host system and a host bus adapter (HBA). The HBA is configured to handle a Virtual Interface and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP) processing for applications running on the host system. |
| US07953874B2 |
System and program product for preserving a user state in an application
Under the present invention, milestones or points of closure are provided at predetermined locations within a workflow of an application. Typically, the milestones are provided at completion points of tasks in the workflow. To this extent, as the user proceeds through the workflow, he/she is associated with the milestones corresponding thereto. The associations are stored (optionally with any corresponding data) in a persistent storage. In the event of a failure, the milestone associations are used to transport the user back to the last milestone with which he/she was associated. |
| US07953873B1 |
Network-based service for menu filtering based on user information
In various embodiments, a menu item identification service may provide a system user with information on acceptable restaurant menu items based on ingredients the system user prefers or is trying to avoid. The menu item identification service may receive information on ingredients the system user prefers or wants to avoid and information on a restaurant of interest to the system user. The menu item identification service may use a database to identify menu items of the restaurant and their associated ingredients. The menu item identification service may present the system user with menu items the restaurant offers that have preferred ingredients and/or do not have ingredients to avoid or that have limited quantities of the ingredient. Menu items with the ingredients to avoid may be shown along with avoidance indicators. The system user may then use this information to select a menu item and/or restaurant. |
| US07953872B2 |
Method and system for securely requesting download of content to a user device from another device
A method and system includes a first web service client generating a first message with first security portion and communicating the first message and first security portion to a second web service client. The second web service client generates a response to the first message at the second web service client when the first security portion is valid and communicates the response to the first web service. The second web service generates a user device request at the second web service when the first security portion is valid and communicates the user device request to a conditional access management center. The conditional access system generates a control word and communicates the control word to the user device. The conditional access system generates a status signal and communicates the status signal to the second web services client when a control word is sent to the user device. The second web service device generates a formatted response message from the first web services client to the second web services client in response to the status signal. |
| US07953867B1 |
Session description protocol (SDP) capability negotiation
In an example embodiment a method is provided which comprises initiating at an offerer endpoint an offer message in Session Description Protocol (SDP) format. Included in the offer message is an indication of a plurality of potential configurations which the offerer endpoint is capable of supporting. The offer message is sent to an answerer endpoint to allow capability negotiation between the offerer endpoint and the answerer endpoint in a manner that is backwards compatible with existing endpoints. In an example embodiment, the indication of the plurality of potential configurations comprises assigning a new attribute or value to an existing type of SDP identifier. |
| US07953864B2 |
Method and system for notifying updating of terminal capability information for combination service
A method and system for notifying updating of terminal capability information for a combination service for simultaneously performing two or more services between first and second users are disclosed. Each terminal recognizes whether or not its terminal capability information has been updated to inform the other terminal accordingly when the first service for the combination service is connected. When a terminal, which has received update indication information informing that the terminal capability information has been updated, request and obtains the updated terminal capability information from the other terminal. |
| US07953863B2 |
Techniques for timing optimization in wireless networks that utilize a universal services interface
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a mobile station (MS) operable to communicate with an application service provider (ASP) in a wireless network, the wireless network including a Universal Services Interface (USI); and wherein the MS includes a USI client adapted to store some or all USI context as required by said ASP and wherein when a user accesses the ASP using something other than a web-browser, the USI client inserts relevant USI context as part of an ASP request message. |
| US07953862B2 |
Methods for accessing a phone-based web server with a private IP address and related electronic devices and computer program products
A Web server is provided at an electronic device by registering the Web server with an Internet server that has a public Internet Protocol address, receiving a message at the electronic device that indicates a request is forthcoming to access the Web server, establishing a communication connection with the Internet server responsive to receiving the message, receiving a request addressed to the Web server from a requesting device that is forwarded from the Internet server via the communication connection, and conveying a Web service from the Web server to the requesting device via the Internet server responsive to receiving the request. |
| US07953858B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping peers to an overlay network
In a method of mapping peers in a peer-to-peer network to an overlay network, network coordinates are determined for a selected peer. The logical coordinates in the overlay network are determined based on the network coordinates. A zone is determined based on the logical coordinates. The network coordinates, a network address of the selected peer and the zone is stored as an object at a peer owning the zone, where associated information is stored in the peer that has the network coordinate and using the network coordinate as a key. |
| US07953857B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic data transfer management on a per subscriber basis in a communications network
A method of dynamically managing transmission of packets is disclosed. The method, in some embodiments, may comprise establishing a network session over a communication link between a network and a user device of a user and associating a data transmission parameter with the user device. The method may further comprise receiving a packet and calculating a delay period associated with the packet based on the data transmission parameter and delaying transmission of the packet based on the delay period. |
| US07953856B2 |
Multiple resource control-advisor for management of distributed or web-based systems
A system and method are provided for autonomic system management in a computing system containing system resources including network resources and multiple resource demands, or processes. The computing system may be a stream-processing system or other real-time computer management system, such as workload management, or a virtualization engine. The system and method enables achieving a better level of performance than would occur in the computing system using only existing mechanism. It permits, with very low computational overhead, achieving or driving the system closer to a user-defined system performance objective. To do so, a system performance equation is defined to determine a level of performance of the system as a function of the allocation of two or more system resources among a plurality of system resource demands or processes. From this system performance equation, a plurality of resource-specific change equations is derived. Each resource-specific change equation is capable of calculating changes in the level of performance of the system attributable to changes in the allocation of one of the system resources. The resource-specific change equation yielding the greatest change in the level of system performance at a given allocation of all of the system resources and the system resource associated with the identified resource-specific change equation are identified. The allocation of the identified associated system resource to at least one system resource demand to provide the largest increase in the level of performance of the system, and allocations for all system resources are adjusted in accordance with the modified allocation of the identified associated system resource. |
| US07953854B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing remote access redirect capability in a channel adapter of a system area network
A method and apparatus for providing remote access redirect in a host channel adapter of a system area network are provided. The apparatus and method provide a mechanism by which a host channel adapter, in response to receiving a marker message, places selected channel(s) of the host channel adapter in a remote access redirect (RAR) mode of operation. During the RAR mode of operation, memory access messages received by the host channel adapter that are destined for portions of an application memory space marked as being protected are converted to RAR receive messages and redirected to a queue pair associated with an operating system rather than the queue pair for the application. The operating system is responsible for serializing access to application memory pages outside of the host channel adapter. The mechanisms of the present invention may be used to perform a checkpoint data integrity operation. |
| US07953850B2 |
Monitoring related content requests
Multiple transaction components that comprise a transaction are correlated using a GUID generated at a browser application. The transaction components may occur asynchronously or synchronously between a network browser and one or more applications. An identifier is generated for a set of network browser requests corresponding to a single user input or some other event and the identifier is included in each request. Server traffic and the servers processing the request are monitored and data which includes the identifier is generated. Data for the transaction with multiple transaction components is reported using the GUID associated with the transaction. |
| US07953846B1 |
Internet security updates via mobile phone videos
Information relevant to internet security is received at a data center server. Such information, for example, a network intrusion alert or details on a recent outbreak of an network virus, may be examined to determine the nature and scope of the security-related information. A security alert is promptly generated in response to the information, using previously stored multimedia content divided into categories of security alerts and/or multimedia content generated at the data center shortly after receiving the security information. The security alert is then disseminated to a plurality of mobile device users. The alerts may be disseminated only to the users associated with a certain security event category, or may be sent to different groups of users depending on other relevant criteria. |
| US07953843B2 |
System and method for evaluating a heterogeneous cluster for supporting expected workload in compliance with at least one service parameter
According to at least one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, into a capacity planning system, workload information representing an expected workload of client accesses of streaming media files from a site. The method further comprises receiving, into the capacity planning system, at least one service parameter that defines a desired service characteristic to be provided by a heterogeneous cluster of servers under the expected workload. The capacity planning system evaluates whether the heterogeneous cluster, having a plurality of different server configurations included therein, is capable of supporting the expecting workload in compliance with the at least one service parameter. |
| US07953840B2 |
Method and apparatus for remotely rebooting designated VoIP communication devices connected to a network
An apparatus is provided for remotely rebooting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication devices. In general, the apparatus remotely selects VoIP communication devices connected to a network, reboots the selected devices, and evaluates the status of each device. A processor allows a user to select VoIP communication devices connected to the network and receives inputs pertaining to the reboot operation, including a time input and search criteria. The processor communicates with the designated VoIP communication devices over a packet-switching network to instruct the devices to reboot and monitors each device. In this way, multiple VoIP communication devices may be rebooted from a remote location, and problems or issues that arise during the reboot process may be identified and addressed. An associated method and computer program product are also provided for remotely rebooting VoIP communication devices. |
| US07953839B2 |
Network resource monitoring and measurement system and method
A method and system for analysing and measuring multiple sources of data over a communications network (18) so as to ascertain information or usage of one or more resources, such as resource servers (2). A data collection and processing means (20) collects and processes the data sources which are forwarded to a reporting server (34) as a combined data source made available to interested parties. |
| US07953837B2 |
Persistent group membership in a distributing computing system
A distributed system has a multiplicity of nodes. A group of the nodes subscribe to a group services process. The group is subject to dissolving. A list of persistent subscribers to the group is maintained. Subscriptions to members and states of the group that are persistent subscribers do not terminate in response to the group being dissolved. The persistent subscribers automatically receive a notice in response to the group being reestablished and do not need to re-subscribe to the group. |
| US07953834B1 |
System and method for reducing bandwidth consumed by looping message packets in local area network
A local area network includes a plurality of devices and a firewall for interfacing the LAN to a wide area network. In the LAN, each device generates a message packets for transmission over the network in which a time to live field contains an initial value that is preferably selected to be a function of the maximum path length for transfer of message packets within the local area network. Similarly, the firewall, when it receives message packets from the WAN for transmission to a device on the LAN provides in the time to live field an initial value that is preferably selected to be a function of the maximum path length for transfer of message packets within the local area network. When the firewall received a message packet from the LAN for transmission over the WAN, it provides a default initial value that is selected for use for message packets transmitted over the WAN in the time to live field, which typically will be significantly higher than the initial value that is used in the local area network. Since the initial time to live value used in the local area network is preferably selected to be a function of the maximum path length for transfer of message packets within the local area network, it can be much lower than the value that is typically used. This can reduce the bandwidth taken up by message packets that are in a loop in the local area network, which, in turn, can allow for increased bandwidth available for message packets that are being transferred through a portion of the loop but which are not themselves looping through the entire loop. |
| US07953831B2 |
Method for setting up failure recovery environment
A method for configuring failover environment, wherein the data on the configuration of the standby server device is obtained by transferring a program for obtaining configuration data to the standby server device; comparison is made in the configuration management table in the management server between the configuration of the standby server device and that of the working server device; and the working server device is started up by emulating the configuration lacking in the working server device by using the unit for emulating the server configuration when the configuration of the standby server device and that of the working server device are different from each other. |
| US07953829B2 |
System and method for quality of service (QoS) parameter change
A system and method for redirecting or duplicating a media flow to one or more alternative media presentation devices and providing updated quality of service parameters to the application server providing the media flow. The user of a mobile communication device can manually initiate the media flow change or the user can configure the media flow change to automatically transfer based on the proximity of the mobile communication device to the alternative media presentation device. If desired, the media flow can be reverted to the mobile communication device. A media flow can also be divided, such as by audio and video to different alternative media presentation devices. |
| US07953827B2 |
System and method for dynamic allocation of information handling system network addresses
Network addresses are dynamically allocated to blade information handling systems supported by a blade chassis having plural blade slots. A network address seed stored in memory associated with the blade chassis is retrieved by a management controller of a blade information handling system and applied by a network address generator to local network address information to generate a network address. The generated network address is applied by the management controller to a network component of the blade information handling system to establish communications over a network. For example, a WWN generated from a blade chassis seed address provides a blade information handling system host bus adapter access to a storage area network for boot from SAN support for the blade information handling system. |
| US07953826B2 |
Provisioning and redundancy for RFID middleware servers
The present invention provides for the provisioning and redundancy of RFID middleware servers. Middleware servers can be automatically provisioned and RFID device/middleware server associations can be automatically updated. Some implementations of the invention provide for automatic detection of middleware server malfunctions. Some such implementations provide for automated provisioning and automated updating of RFID device/middleware server associations, whether a middleware server is automatically brought online or is manually replaced. Changes and reassignments of the RFID device populations may be accommodated. |
| US07953814B1 |
Stopping and remediating outbound messaging abuse
Systems and methods are provided for allowing subscriber message sending profiles to be maintained and used in conjunction with behavior-based anomaly detection techniques and traditional content-based spam signature filtering to enable application of appropriate message disposition policies to outbound subscriber message traffic. According to one embodiment, subscriber profiles are constructed for multiple subscriber accounts associated with a service provider based on outbound message flow originated from the subscriber accounts. Then, possible subscriber account misuse may be discovered by performing behavior-based anomaly detection, including a comparison of a subscriber profile associated with the subscriber account with recent subscriber account usage information, to identify one or more behavioral anomalies in outbound message flow originated from a subscriber account, the behavior-based anomaly detection. |
| US07953813B2 |
Notification system and method for domain name options
A system and method of the present invention allow communication via electronic messages between a Customer and a domain name Registrar, avoiding traditional electronic mail (email) communication. Email messages may not be delivered to the Customer for various reasons including the situations where the Customer employs anti-SPAM protective technologies. The system and method of the present invention establish a Communication Link between a Customer's Computer and Registrar's Server, which avoids anti-SPAM protective technologies and email messaging altogether. Information relating to the communication may be stored on a database and the system may present the Customer with various options relating to a domain service. The implementation of this invention would result in a higher rate of delivered messages to the Customer. |
| US07953812B2 |
Notification system and method for domain name options
A system and method of the present invention allow communication via electronic messages between a Customer and a domain name Registrar, avoiding traditional electronic mail (email) communication. Email messages may not be delivered to the Customer for various reasons including the situations where the Customer employs anti-SPAM protective technologies. The system and method of the present invention establish a Communication Link between a Customer's Computer and Registrar's Server, which avoids anti-SPAM protective technologies and email messaging altogether. Information relating to the communication may be stored on a database and the system may present the Customer with various options relating to a domain service. The implementation of this invention would result in a higher rate of delivered messages to the Customer. |
| US07953811B2 |
Presence system and information processing equipment, dynamic buddy list generation method in presence system, and presence notification destination controlling method and its program for use with presence system
A presentity service client has a presentity that issues presence information to a presence service and a watcher which observes presence information for other presentities; a presence change rule holding part holds a presence change rule; and a presence calculating part changes the presence information for the presentity, using as a trigger a change in presence information of other presentities, based on the presence information of other presentity acquired by the watcher and in accordance with the presence change rule held by a presence change rules holding part. |
| US07953807B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for controlling image processing apparatus
A situation such that E-mail such as spam mail with contents which the user of a printing apparatus does not desire is sent to the printing apparatus and a user's undesirable print is executed is prevented. For this purpose, whether an E-mail address of a transmitting source of the E-mail has been registered in an address book or not is discriminated. If it is not registered in the address book, this E-mail data is abandoned. |
| US07953806B2 |
Task assignment and progress monitoring in an instant messaging session
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to task management in an instant messenger and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for task assignment and progress monitoring in an instant messaging session. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of task assignment and progress monitoring in an instant messaging session can be provided. The method can include maintaining an instant messaging session between first and second collaborators, assigning a task to the second collaborator on request of the first collaborator from within the instant messaging session, the task specifying a third collaborator external to the instant messaging session, and providing subsequent notice to the first collaborator of collaborative interactions between the second and third collaborators in respect to the assigned task. |
| US07953803B2 |
Multiple login instant messaging
Mechanisms are provided for allowing users to log into an IM provider from multiple clients concurrently. The messages are recorded and messages from the same users originating form multiple clients are differentiated. The user may then follow the IM session from any client device from which the user has logged into the IM provider. Also, when logging into a new client device in a session, the user is provided a history of the IM session. |
| US07953802B2 |
System and method for pushing information from a host system to a mobile data communication device
A system and method of pushing user-selected data items from a host system to a user's mobile data communication device upon detecting the occurrence of one or more user-defined event triggers is provided. The user may then move (or file) the data items to a particular folder within a folder hierarchy stored in the mobile data communication device, or may execute some other system operation on the data item. Software operating at the mobile device and the host system then synchronizes the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with a folder hierarchy of the host system, and any actions executed on the data items at the mobile device are then automatically replicated on the same data items stored at the host system, thus eliminating the need for the user to manually replicate actions at the host system that have been executed at the mobile data communication device. |
| US07953798B2 |
Data sharing sequence display method and corresponding sharing device
The present invention discloses a method of displaying a sequence for sharing digital data items with a set of recipients using a terminal capable of using at least two communication modes for communicating with the recipients. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a first list of recipients communicating with the terminal according to a first communication mode, obtaining at least one second list of recipients communicating with the terminal according to a second communication mode, displaying on the mobile terminal a representation of each recipient in the lists thus obtained, selecting at least one representation, determining the communication mode to be used according to the representation selected and sending data item to the recipient whose representation was selected according to the determined communication mode. The invention also describes a sharing device adapted to implement the method, in particular a digital camera. |
| US07953795B2 |
Method and apparatus for participating in a conference session over a data communication network
A method and apparatus for participating in a conference session over a data communication network, the method comprising the steps of initiating a data communication conference session by a presenter with the an at least one viewer; establishing communication between the presenter and a thin server, wherein the thin server comprises an application for acting behind the scenes and enabling to transfer data. |
| US07953791B2 |
Network resource monitoring and measurement system and method
A method and system for analysing and measuring multiple sources of data over a communications network (18) so as to ascertain information or usage of one or more resources, such as resource servers (2). A data collection and processing means (20) collects and processes the data sources which are forwarded to a reporting server (34) as a combined data source made available to interested parties. |
| US07953789B2 |
Who, what, where, when information supply facility
Disclosed is an Information Supply Facility. The Information Supply Facility utilizes a personal/hand held device that transparently interacts (via various access points) with a centralized server. The server collects identification and location information about the personal device and makes a determination as to whether the person associated with the device should be notified regarding the proximity of other individuals and/or regarding one or more topics of interest to the particular person. The collected information along with certain profile information is stored in a database where it can be made available to third parties (e.g., governmental entities) for tracking and notification purposes. |
| US07953784B2 |
Detection of potential need to use a larger data format in performing floating point operations
Detection of whether a result of a floating point operation is safe. Characteristics of the result are examined to determine whether the result is safe or potentially unsafe, as defined by the user. An instruction is provided to facilitate detection of safe or potentially unsafe results. |
| US07953778B2 |
Efficient support of consistent cyclic search with read-copy update and parallel updates
A method, system and computer program product for supporting concurrent updates to a shared data element group while preserving group integrity on behalf of one or more readers that are concurrently referencing group data elements without using locks or atomic instructions. Two or more updaters may be invoked to generate new group data elements. Each new data element created by the same updater is assigned a new generation number that is different than a global generation number associated with the data element group and which allows a reader of the data element group to determine whether the new data element is a correct version for the reader. The new generation numbers are different for each updater and assigned according to an order in which the updaters respectively begin update operations. The global generation number is updated so that when all of the updaters have completed data element update processing, the global generation number will correspond to the new generation number that is associated with the last of the updaters to begin update operations. |
| US07953776B2 |
Discovery directives
A mechanism for configuring and scheduling logical discovery processes in a data processing system is provided. A discovery engine communicates with information providers to collect discovery data. An information provider is a software component whose responsibility is to discover resources and relationships between the resources and write their representations in a persistent store. Discovery directives are used to coordinate the execution of information providers. |
| US07953772B2 |
Method and system for inspecting memory leaks and analyzing contents of garbage collection files
A system method is provided to inspect memory leaks and analyze contents of garbage collection files. In one embodiment, a garbage collection file is selected from a plurality of garbage collection files at a file system. The garbage collection file includes histograms. Each histogram is compared with other histograms in the garbage collection file to identify objects associated with memory leaks The results of such comparison are provided. |
| US07953765B2 |
System and method for storing metrics in a database
The invention relates to a system and method for storing data associated with an extensible instrumentation layer. The system and method include receiving metrics from an extensible instrumentation layer in an operating system. The metrics are defined by at least one class and a plurality of properties, with each property being associated with one class. The metrics are converted into at least one database-compliant data structure and stored in a database. |
| US07953763B2 |
Method for detecting link spam in hyperlinked databases
Methods for facilitating the identification of link spamming in a linked database include calculating a spam likelihood value for nodes in a directed graph of linked nodes are disclosed. The spam likelihood value is computed from an importance of the node and a derivative value of the importance function with respect to a coupling factor. The likelihood that the node's importance is inflated by link spam is estimated by calculating the ratio of the magnitude of the derivative value for the node to the rank for the node. Alternatively, the spam likelihood may be computed directly from a component of the principal eigenvector of A evaluated at two values of the parameter c. The normalized derivative value can also be used to provide an order of importance in a list of nodes. |
| US07953762B2 |
Infrastructure and architecture for development and execution of predictive models
A system that enables development and execution of predictive models comprises a centralized data management system, a data extraction tool a model validation tool and a model execution tool. In embodiments, a data management system includes a data management server that can be accessed via a web browser that stores data. An extraction tool includes a data filter adapted to filter data based on, for example, a population criteria, a sample size, and a date range criteria. A model validation tool validates the model. A model execution tool allows a user to score the model. |
| US07953761B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for retrieving structured document and apparatus for managing structured document
A plan generating unit generates an execution plan based on a retrieval request. An acquiring unit acquires, from a structure-information storing unit, statistical information corresponding to a logical structure to be retrieved. An associating unit acquires, from a rule storing unit, an expression format corresponding to a condition satisfied by the statistical information acquired and associates the expression format with the execution plan. A plan executing unit represents a retrieval result obtained by executing the execution plan received from a retrieving apparatus in the expression format associated with the execution plan. A result transmitting unit transmits the retrieval result to the retrieving apparatus. |
| US07953756B1 |
Unified high-performance database connectivity system and method
The present invention utilizes a comprehensive object oriented software architecture that is flexibly extendible to accommodate numerous features and activities associated database connectivity including opening a database session, tracking information associated with the database session and closing the database session. An automated unified database connectivity method controls and automatically manages database connectivity information. Database credentials are prepared. A database connectivity session manager object is created. A database session connection is opened automatically based upon the database connectivity session manager object. A database service action is performed. When finished the database session connectivity is automatically closed. |
| US07953752B2 |
Methods for merging text snippets for context classification
One embodiment is a method that stores user interface events and file system events to capture text snippets visible on an output device. Similar text snippets are merged into a context graph that is used to locate a document from a query. |
| US07953751B2 |
System and method for audio hot spotting
Audio hot spotting is accomplished by specifying query criterion to include a non-lexical audio cue. The non-lexical audio cue can be, e.g., speech rate, laughter, applause, vocal effort, speaker change or any combination thereof. The query criterion is retrieved from an audio portion of a file. A segment of the file containing the query criterion can be provided to a user. The duration of the provided segment can be specified by the user along with the files to be searched. A list of detections of the query criterion within the file can also be provided to the user. Searches can be refined by the query criterion additionally including a lexical audio-cue. A keyword index of topic terms contained in the file can also be provided to the user. |
| US07953748B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method, and computer program
Apparatus and a method are provided, which efficiently and properly execute information update processing and content reproduction processing based on transmission processing of content information from a server to a client. The server owning content attribute information extracts metadata based on an information acquisition request from the client, to generate the content information based on property information which is a component of the metadata, and for each property, sets data editing information allowed by each piece of the property information to transmit to the client. Furthermore, the server generates the content information including data mode information by which processing capability in a device on the client side can be judged, such as record quality level information and codec information, as the data mode information of the contents. |
| US07953745B2 |
Intelligent container index and search
Aspects are introduced for indexing contents of a shell namespace extension. A plurality of files are indexed, and it is encountered that one of the files contains at least one file reference. The file is then accessed as a shell namespace extension so that the file reference can be indexed. |
| US07953744B2 |
Database change verifier
A method and system for automatically verifying a change to a database. An input file including a test query for the database and an expected output from executing the test query is received. The test query is automatically executed on the database. An actual output resulting from executing the test query is retrieved. Based on a comparison between the actual output and the expected output, a match or mismatch between the actual output and the expected output is automatically identified. If a mismatch is identified, a failure indication is stored that indicates that the database change is invalid and that the database change may initiate a defect in an application coupled to the database. In one embodiment, the change to the database is a change in a services engagement. In one embodiment, the test query is automatically generated in the method and system described above. |
| US07953742B2 |
Three-phase single-pass efficient processing of Xquery update
A system and method is provided for processing XQuery Updates on an Extensible Markup Language (XML) document. The XQuery Updates are processed in three phases. The first phase includes creating a pending update list (PUL) including all update operations to be performed on nodes in a fragment of the Extensible Markup Language (XML) document. The second phase includes sorting the PUL. The third phase includes applying the sorted PUL to each node in the XML fragment during a single traversal of the XML fragment. |
| US07953741B2 |
Online ranking metric
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for ranking resources. One or more signals reporting one or more actions by the plurality of users related to a respective resource are received, where a reported action is a presentation of the respective resource, an addition of the respective resource, or a deletion of the respective resource. The reported actions include one or more short deletions of the respective resource. A respective long-addition click-through rate (LACTR) is determined for the respective resource based on a number of reported presentations of the respective resource and a difference between a number of reported additions of the respective resource and a number of short deletions of the respective resource. The plurality of resources are ranked based on the respective LACTRs for the plurality of resources. The ranking of the plurality of resources are provided. |
| US07953738B2 |
System and method for visualization of categories
Distribution displays for categories are provided which illuminate the distribution of continuous attributes over all cases in a category, and which provide a histogram of the population of the different states of categorical attributes. An array of such displays by attribute (in one dimension) and category (in another dimension) may be provided. Category diagram displays are also provided for visualizing the different categories, and their distributions, populations, and similarities. These are displayed through different shading of nodes and edges representing categories and the relationship between two categories, and through proximity of nodes. |
| US07953737B2 |
Creating reference objects
A storage medium and computer system that, in an embodiment, in response to a request to create a target object, create a reference object for the target object and bind the reference object to a name space without the target object being instantiated. In response to an invocation of a method on the reference object, a determination is made whether a target object associated with the reference object exists. If the target object does not already exist, the target object is instantiated. If the target object does already exist, the target object is returned. In this way, target objects are not instantiated until a method on the reference object is invoked, which in an embodiment increases the performance of the invoking application. |
| US07953732B2 |
Searching by using spatial document and spatial keyword document indexes
A computer-implemented method for searching a corpus of documents for documents that are responsive to a query specifying one or more search words and spatial information, the method involving: storing in memory a spatial document index for the corpus of documents, wherein the spatial document index indexes documents in the corpus according to spatial references found within the documents; storing in a storage medium a plurality of spatial keyword document indexes for the corpus of documents, wherein each of the spatial keyword document indexes is for a different keyword and indexes those documents among the corpus that are responsive to that keyword; and intersecting a portion of the spatial document index and selected indexes among the plurality of spatial keyword document indexes to identify a result set of those documents from among the corpus of documents that are responsive to the query. |
| US07953730B1 |
System and method for presenting a search history
A method for displaying a search history for a user is shown. The method includes generating a search history for a user including one or more listings of search results, displaying a first search result listing on a web page, and displaying at least a second search result listing on the web page, the second search result listing having a relationship to the first search result listing within the search history. |
| US07953729B2 |
Resource optimizations in computing utilities
Techniques are provided for use in accordance with relates to computing utilities. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a computing utility, wherein the computing utility comprises a plurality of application service provider systems and a utility controller, and each application service provider system comprising an application controller, comprises the following steps. An application request to one of the plurality of application service provider systems is obtained. Then, in response to the application request, at least one of: (i) the application controller of the application service provider system to which the application request is directed computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action; and (ii) the utility controller computes a value of a business metric associated with a resource action. |
| US07953724B2 |
Method and system for disambiguating informational objects
The present invention provides a Distinct Author Identification System (“DAIS”) for disambiguating data to discern author entities and link or associate authorships with such author entities. The invention provides powerful disambiguation processes applied across one or more databases to yield a disambiguated authority database of authors. An entire database of publications may be processed by the DAIS to group/link authorships and to identify author entities. The author entities may then be matched or associated with actual authors to establish an authority database of authors. After initial evaluation, the DAIS may be used to reevaluate some or all of the database(s) and/or the authority database established by the DAIS may be used to add or update information. DAIS may use “hierarchical clustering” to link authorships and identify authors based on authorship similarity. DAIS evaluates the likelihood that authorships are from the same author. |
| US07953723B1 |
Federation for parallel searching
A search engine can be configured to improve search times by implementing a parallel computing architecture. The index is split across a plurality of independent search nodes. A query is communicated to each of the parallel nodes and the query is searched in each independent node. The results from each node are routed to a federator that is configured to aggregate the results to a result set. The federator is configured to determine a subset of intermediate results to retrieve and aggregate from each of the independent nodes. The federator determines a number of results to retrieve from each of the nodes based at least in part on the number of nodes and the number of search results desired in the results set. |
| US07953722B2 |
Query response service for business objects
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a query response service for business objects. In general, data characterizing a request to perform a query on multiple instances of a business object may be received, where the query includes selection criteria for multiple attributes across multiple nodes for each of the instances of the business object. The query may be initiated on the instances of the business object. Results including values from the attributes across the nodes of the business objects may be returned. The query may be assigned to a node of the business object, which may be a query response transformation node. The node may include a combination of attributes associated with the attributes across the nodes of the business object. Results may be sorted on a server, sent as pages to a client, or both. |
| US07953717B2 |
Hierarchical locking in B-tree indexes
Portions of a B-tree index in a database are locked for concurrency control. In one example, hierarchical lock modes are provided that permit locking a key, a gap between the key and the next key, and a combination of the key and the gap. In another example, key range locking may be applied to the B-tree index using locks on separator keys of index nodes. In another example, key range locking may be applied to the B-tree index using locks on key prefixes. |
| US07953715B2 |
File processing device, file transmission device, and corresponding methods
Upon receiving a plurality of image files transmitted from a portable telephone 80, a multifunction printer 10 stores, of the image files received this time, the file name of an image file with no data loss into a RAM 76, and controls a printer unit 20 so that print processing of the image file with no data loss is executed. Thereafter, upon receiving the same plurality of image files again, the multifunction printer 10 controls the printer unit 20 so that print processing is executed with respect to, of the image files received this time, a file whose file name was not stored into the RAM 76 as a file with no data loss last time and which is determined to be a file with no data loss this time. |
| US07953713B2 |
System and method for representing and using tagged data in a management system
Disclosed is a management system of a managed system. The management system includes a data sensor layer that interfaces with the managed system to collect raw data. The data sensors in the data sensor layer add semantic tags to the raw data to form tagged data. The semantic tags are maintained throughout the life cycle of the tagged data. The management system further includes a core engine for processing the tagged data based on the semantics tags. |
| US07953712B2 |
Computer system, a database for storing electronic data and a method to operate a database system
A computer system includes a database containing a plurality of data documents stored thereon, each data document containing at least one data field, and an archive system for electronically archiving data documents originating from the database. The database includes a control table stored thereon containing change rule information pertaining to the at least one data field of a data document archived in the archive system. |
| US07953711B2 |
Method and system for hybrid garbage collection of multi-tasking systems
In general, the invention relates to a method for garbage collection. The method includes examining old regions to obtain a mark bitmap, a connectivity matrix, and fragmentation information, where the mark bitmap describes marked words and unmarked words for the old regions. The method further includes identifying a fragmented region in the old regions based on the fragmentation information, where the fragmented region includes at least one of the marked words. The method further includes copying the at least one of the marked words to a new region allocated from a pool of free regions, designating each of the unmarked words not in the fragmented region as free, adjusting a cross-region reference to the fragmented region in the marked words to point to the new region based on the connectivity matrix, and adding the fragmented region to the pool of free regions. |
| US07953709B2 |
Systems and methods for a read only mode for a portion of a storage system
In general, embodiments of the invention relate to reading data from and writing data to a storage system. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a read only mode for a portion of a storage system. In one embodiment, a selective read-only mode for a portion of a storage system is implemented by monitoring a condition that affects a subset of persistent storage in a storage system, by detecting the condition, by entering a read-only mode for the subset, and by enforcing a policy of processing write requests and read requests to the storage system, which includes processing the write requests without modifying user data stored on the subset and processing the read requests, including requests for user data stored on the subset. |
| US07953708B2 |
Optimizing grace period detection for preemptible read-copy update on uniprocessor systems
A technique for optimizing grace period detection following a data element update operation that affects preemptible data readers. A determination is made whether the data processing system is a uniprocessor system or a multiprocessor system. Grace period detection processing is performed using a first grace period detection technique if the data processing system is a multiprocessor system. Grace period detection processing is performed using a second grace period detection technique if the data processing system is a uniprocessor system. The grace period detection processing according to either technique determines the end of a grace period in which readers that are subject to preemption have passed through a quiescent state and cannot be maintaining references to the pre-update view of the shared data. |
| US07953707B2 |
System and program product for sequential coordination of external database application events with asynchronous internal database events
Database management systems and program products that exploit time dependent sequential database management system processes to ensure presentation of the same data or view to one or a plurality of users through sequencing asynchronous database management operations such as recovery and replication. Sequencing is accomplished through the use of entries in sequential logs, including transaction logs, recovery logs, and other data recovery tools and applications. Uses include managing data migration and data replication. |
| US07953705B2 |
Autonomic retention classes
The embodiments of the invention provide methods, computer program products, etc. for autonomic retention classes when retaining data within storage devices. More specifically, a method of determining whether to retain data within at least one storage device begins by storing data items in at least one storage device. Furthermore, the method maintains access statistics for each of the data items, an age of each of the data items, and an administrator-defined importance value of each of the data items. Following this, a retention value is calculated for each of the data items based on the access statistics for each of the data items, the age of each of the data items, and the administrator-defined importance value of each of the data items. |
| US07953701B2 |
Method of controlling total disk usage amount in virtualized and unified network storage system
A system includes at least a user and a file system connected to the user through a network. An estimated write size of a write operation of the user into the file system is managed as an accumulated value. The timing of judging the limit of the disk usage amount is specified from the accumulated value and a predetermined threshold value, and the limit of the disk usage amount is judged at the specified timing, so that disk usage amount by a user may be limited and managed. |
| US07953700B2 |
Home page automatic update system and home page automatic update method
A home page automatic update system includes home page management means for reading out an HTML document from a home page database in response to a request from a user terminal, and transmitting the readout HTML document to the user terminal, patrol search means for extracting update data by executing in turn a reception process of a mail message stored in a mail server, an extraction process of update data of an HTML document stored in the home page database, a file search process in a personal computer, and a search process of schedule data in a storage device on the basis of a priority order, and banner data generation means for generating update HTML data on the basis of the extracted update data. The home page management means transmits an HTML document which contains the update HTML data generated by the banner data generation means to the user terminal. |
| US07953698B2 |
Replication system with methodology for replicating stored procedure calls
A replication system with methodology for replicating stored procedure calls is described. In one embodiment, for example, in a database system without support for logging stored procedure invocations, a method of the present invention is described for replicating invocation of a stored procedure from a primary database to a replicate database, the method comprises steps of: inserting table data into the primary database for storing information sufficiently characterizing the procedure's invocation to allow its replication, the table data being logged to a log file; reading the log file, for determining changes to apply to the replicate database for replicating the procedure's invocation; and reconstructing the procedure's invocation at the replicate database based on the determined changes. |