| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07963738B1 |
Vehicle trailer apparatus
A vehicle trailer apparatus for carrying vehicles and other objects has a front bed having a frame of spaced apart frame rails connected by at least one transverse support, a front bed platform over at least a part of the front bed, a tongue with hitch affixed to the front bed frame, at least two spaced apart wheels affixed to the frame via an axle, a rear tilt bed, having a plurality of spaced apart bed rails, hingedly attached to the front bed, a bed platform over at least a part of the tilt bed, the tilt bed selectively pivoted in incline or decline relative to the front bed to at least about a 40 degree angle, whereby adjacent positions of the front bed rear edge, the sleeve of the hinge, and the tilt bed platform front edge are retained in incline and decline of the tilt bed. |
| US07963733B2 |
Apparatus for and a method of binding of a perfect bound book
Apparatus for binding perfect bound books of different thickness is disclosed where the amount of adhesive applied to the spine of the book block may be varied in relation to the thickness of the book block. An adhesive application station is provided which has a rotary driven adhesive application wheel partially immersed in a bath of a liquefied adhesive such that as a portion of the wheel rotates up out of the adhesive, the periphery of the wheel is coated with a layer of adhesive. An area of increased thickness of the adhesive if formed adjacent the top of the wheel so that upon effecting relative movement of the book block and the adhesive application station, adhesive is applied to the spine of the book block. The thickness of the layer of adhesive applied to the spine of the book block may be varied in relation to the thickness of the book block generally in accordance with the formula AT=b+mX, where AT is the adhesive thickness, b is the width of an initial gap between the topmost surface of the wheel and the spine, and where mX is a function of the number of sheets making up the book block, or is a function of the measured thickness of the book block. |
| US07963731B2 |
Thermoformed separator pad
A pad (20) is particularly suited for separating or restraining cargo and includes a top sheet surface (21) having longitudinally extending spaced ribs (27) forming a plurality of recesses (28) therebetween. A pattern of lugs (31) is formed in the recesses (28). The pad (20) also includes a bottom sheet surface (22) having longitudinally extending spaced ribs (29) forming a plurality of recesses (30) therebetween. A pattern of notches (32) is formed in the ribs (29), and the pad (20) may nest with a like pad (20) by placing the lugs (31) in the notches (32). The pads (20) may stack to form a thicker pad by positioning the ribs (27) of one pad (20) in the recesses (28) of a like pad (20). A flange (33) extends outwardly from one of the edges of the sheet surface (21) which assists in preventing the pad (20) from sliding when in use. |
| US07963730B2 |
Tie-down for wheelchairs
Apparatus for securing one or more wheelchairs to a vehicle includes a plurality of straps for holding the wheelchairs to the vehicle. Some of the straps are attached to a movable element that can be moved into or out of the area to be occupied by the wheelchairs. This allows the area to be utilized by other passengers when no wheelchairs are present and also facilitates ingress and egress of the wheelchairs. In the preferred embodiment, movable elements, which carry housings for wheelchair-engaging belts and passenger restraint belts, are mounted to the side wall of the vehicle for pivotal movement about vertical axes between storage positions and operative positions. The apparatus allows an operator to quickly and easily secure or release a passenger in a wheelchair and maintains the integrity of the straps. |
| US07963729B2 |
Milling cutter and milling insert with coolant delivery
A cutting insert for use in chipforming and material removal from a workpiece wherein coolant is supplied to the cutting insert from a coolant source. The cutting insert includes at least one discrete cutting location and at least one distinct internal channel that corresponds to the cutting location. The internal channel has an inlet to receive coolant and an outlet to exit coolant. The outlet is proximate to the cutting location, and the inlet is radial inward of the outlet. |
| US07963726B2 |
Plastic rock-bolt or dowel
A rock-dowel has a dowel shank and a threaded end at the head or proximal end of the dowel. Three groups of projecting mixing vanes are spaced along the shank. In use when inserted into a pre-drilled hole containing a two-part encapsulating resin and spun, the rock-dowel can thoroughly mix the two part resin encapsulating resin and force the resin casings into the back of the pre-drilled hole. Also disclosed is a nut made from a plastics material defining a first, typically relatively wider, barrel portion and a second, typically relatively narrower, nut portion, the second portion defining a nut section for engagement with a socket, wherein an area of weakness is provided between the first and second portions such that the second portion breaks from the first portion when a particular torque value is applied to the nut. |
| US07963725B2 |
Rock bolt
A rock bolt (10) which includes An elongate tubular member (18), which is formed with an inlet (22) through which a pressurized fluid can pass, into an interior of the tubular member (18), thereby to expand the tubular member (18) in a radial direction, an elongate shank (12) with a first end (14) which is secured to the tubular member (18) and a second end (16), and an expansion unit (26) which has a wedge-shaped member (44) at the second end (16) of the shank (12). |
| US07963721B2 |
Distributed buoyancy subsea pipeline apparatus and method
Apparatuses including a subsea pipeline (18) extending from a first location (14) to a second location (16) and including at least one distributed buoyancy region (102) to traverse a seabed topographic feature (12) are presented. Methods including laying a subsea pipeline (218) including laying a negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218A), a distributed buoyancy section (202) of pipeline (218), and a second negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218B) from a pipelay vessel (220) to traverse an undersea topographic feature (212) are also presented. |
| US07963718B2 |
Edge restraint for water permeable pavement systems
A T-shaped edge restraint for use in water permeable pavement systems. The base (stem) of the T has a plurality of openings to facilitate the use of spikes or anchors or to facilitate curving the edge restraint to accommodate curved sections of the pavement system. |
| US07963711B2 |
Packaging and applicator device including a member for reshaping an applicator surface thereof and a method of reshaping an applicator surface
A packaging and applicator device comprising: a body; a block of fluidizable substance that is stationary relative to the body while the substance is in the solid state, said block of substance projecting beyond the body to define at least one surface serving as an applicator surface; and a reshaper member for reshaping the applicator surface, said reshaper member being positionable on the body to co-operate therewith to define at least one cavity into which the substance can flow when fluidized by supplying heat, the substance retaining the shape of the cavity when it returns to the solid state after cooling. |
| US07963710B2 |
Label printer
The printer includes a printing unit 12 that performs printing on each of a label L1 and a second raw sheet M2 on the way of feeding out a first raw sheet M1, which is temporarily stuck with labels L1 on a release liner S, and a second raw sheet M2 having no adhesive layer; a peeling unit 13 that peels off the label L1 from the release liner S; first and second holding units 15, 16 that hold a label sheet L2 formed via a cutting unit 14; and a laminating unit 17 that laminates the label L1 and the label sheet L2 with each other so that the reverse surface of the printed surface of the label sheet L2 faces the adhesive layer side of the label L1 are provided. The label L1 laminated with the label sheet L2 is stuck onto an adherend W in a state that the adhesive layer is exposed in a closed loop state in an entire area of the periphery of the label sheet L2. |
| US07963700B2 |
Sealing device for antifriction bearing comprising identifying means
A sealing device for an antifriction bearing includes a fixed support and a rotating support, the sealing device comprising a metal frame designed to be associated with a support of the bearing and a sealing joint, the frame including an annular seat and, secured to the seat, electronic identifying means consisting of a transponder connected on a communication antenna, wherein the antenna has an at least semi-annular or annular shape which is designed to be urged opposite the seat, the identifying means being secured to the seat via an insulating material layer which is interposed between the antenna and the seat so as to provide electromagnetic insulation for the antenna. |
| US07963696B2 |
Mobile computerized tomography (CT) imaging system with off-center X-ray beam
A mobile CT imaging system comprising a housing having a center opening; and a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, wherein the CT imaging unit is adapted to scan anatomical objects located within the center opening and generate images of the same, wherein the CT imaging unit comprises: a rotatable drum assembly disposed within the housing, concentric with the center opening; an X-ray tube mounted on the rotatable drum assembly and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and an X-ray detector mounted on the rotatable drum assembly in alignment with the X-ray beam; wherein the X-ray beam is disposed in an “off-center” configuration, adjacent to an entrance of the center opening. |
| US07963692B2 |
Monitoring apparatus
A monitoring apparatus is disclosed for monitoring time by a color change indicator, comprising an observable fluid, a first reservoir holding at least a portion of the observable fluid, and a second reservoir abutting the first reservoir. The first reservoir is responsive to pressure on it such that a portion of the observable fluid flows into the second reservoir. The second reservoir is responsive to a lack of pressure in the first reservoir such that a portion of the observable fluid in the second reservoir reverses flow back into the first reservoir once the first reservoir is not under pressure. |
| US07963689B2 |
LED-edgelit light guide fixture having LED receiving grooves
A LED lighting fixture includes a cavity receiving a light guide board, and a plurality of LEDs mounted within two reinforcing parallel grooves formed in the light guide board along the length of corresponding opposite lateral sides. The light guide board further includes a clear base portion made of a light transmissive material, and a continuous reflective layer disposed over a surface of the clear base portion, the reflective layer having a portion protruding into the clear base portion. Light from the LEDs is injected transversely into the inside of the light guide board for reflection by the reflective layer to be ejected from the lighting fixture through a surface of the light guide board. |
| US07963687B2 |
Light emitting panel assemblies
Light emitting assembly includes an optical conductor having a pattern of deformities on or in front and back sides of the optical conductor to cause light to be emitted from a light emitting surface on at least one of the sides. At least one of the deformities varies, and at least one planar or curved refractive surface is aligned with at least one light source to redirect a portion of the light from the light source entering the optical conductor in a predetermined manner to cause the light emitted from the light emitting surface to pass through an optical film, which redirects the light through a liquid crystal display with no loss. |
| US07963682B2 |
Temporary emergency headlight for vehicles
A temporary headlight reflector device for application to a vehicle of a sandwich construction having a temporary elastic or flexible reflective panel with protruding tabs including protective layers releasably bonded by adhesive material to the tab substrate which may be folded over for attachment to the front of a vehicle. |
| US07963681B2 |
Race track lighting fixture and race track lighting system
A race track lighting system comprising a plurality of fixtures mounted in spaced relationship to one another on the infield side of the track and projecting light outwardly and downwardly onto the track surface from relatively low poles. Each fixture is asymmetric so as to provide a strong cut-off preventing light from being projected into the eyes of oncoming driver, but a divergent pattern in the direction of traffic flow so as to blend the light from one fixture with the light from an adjacent fixture for the purpose of promoting uniformity in the lighting intensity. The lamp is offset in the fixture and a blocker strip is placed in from of the lamp to prevent direct, uncontrolled light from reaching the track. |
| US07963675B2 |
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. |
| US07963673B2 |
Versatile illumination system
A lightweight, modular expandable multiple par lamp fixture configurable to form various sizes and intensities of high output area lighting or projected soft light. A high efficiency par lamp includes a high output globe and lightweight reflector, optional collar, and lens. Individual modular fixtures comprising high efficiency par lamps may be stacked to create larger units. The par lamps may be arranged in pods which can be assembled into larger units. A diffusion frame and fabric cover can be attached to the fixture in front of the par lamps to create a soft, deeply projected light. The diffusion frame may have an internal semi-translucent baffle to spread light through diffusive sidewalls. |
| US07963672B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a housing defining an opening, an LED module received in the housing, a light-guiding cover covering the LED module and a transparent plate hermetically coupled to the housing via glue. The housing includes a main body, a pair of lateral plates secured to two opposite ends thereof and a pair of cushioning plates tightly sandwiched between the lateral plates and the two opposite ends of the main body. Each cushioning plate defines a recessed side edge, whereby two opposite end edges of the transparent plate, the recessed side edges and tops of the lateral plates cooperatively define a pair of receiving grooves at the two opposite ends of the main body of the housing. An outer edge of the transparent plate is hermetically coupled to the housing via glue filled in the receiving grooves. |
| US07963669B2 |
Modular lighting system and lighting arrangement
A modular lighting system having a plurality of light modules, which each have a plurality of light modules accommodating at least one light-emitting diode module. The light modules have at least two mounting clearances, which run substantially parallel, and a mounting rod passes through each mounting clearance for mechanical fixing and electrical contact-making purposes. The mounting clearances are formed on the luminaire body. A lighting arrangement of such lighting systems is also disclosed. |
| US07963667B2 |
LED lighting device
The present invention is a light generation device utilizing higher efficiency LED's while also allowing for interface with current lighting interfaces. The LED's are replaceable in the unit and may be interchanged with other LED's to affect lighting mood and style or simply for replacement in the event an LED ceases to function. |
| US07963666B2 |
Efficient emitting LED package and method for efficiently emitting light
An LED package comprises an LED for emitting LED light, and a conversion material remote to said LED for down-converting the wavelength of LED light. The package further comprises a reflector directing at least some of the LED light toward the conversion material, the conversion material down-converting the wavelength of at least some of the reflected LED light. A method for emitting light from an LED package comprising providing an LED, reflector and conversion material, and emitting light from said LED, at least some of the LED light emitted toward the reflector. The method further comprises reflecting at least some of the LED light toward the conversion material, and converting at least some of said reflected LED light at the conversion material. At least some of the converted reflected LED light is emitted by the LED package. |
| US07963663B2 |
Lighting system
A lighting system, the lighting system being usable in combination with coloured light sources to create a lighting scheme by providing electrical power to the coloured light sources, the lighting system comprising: at least two lamp modules, each of the lamp modules including a module base and a socket matrix mounted to the module base, each of the socket matrices having a predetermined number of sockets, each of the sockets being able to removably receive at least one of the coloured light sources and transmit electrical power thereto; at least two power transmission lines, each of the power transmission lines being electrically coupled to a respective socket in each of the socket matrices; and a controller for selectively providing the electrical power independently to each of the power transmission lines. |
| US07963662B2 |
Recessed sealed lighting fixture
In an embodiment, a recessed light fixture includes a structural reflector and two end caps that form a light fixture housing. A first, second and third optics areas are provided. At least one first light source type is mounted near the first optics area. A second light source type is mounted near the second optics area and the second light source type is mounted near the third optics areas, the second light source type having a light output level substantially lower than the light output level of the first light source type. A diffuser is configured to sealably mount to the light fixture housing so as to substantially seal an interior portion of the light fixture. In operation, the light fixture can be switch between an ambient mode and an examination mode while providing a cost effective and attractive design. |
| US07963661B2 |
Display light fixtures
Light fixtures adaptable for use with displays such as retail displays and using T-5 type lamps, the fixtures having a lamp housing, a mounting bracket, and lamp housing support arms which extend from the mounting bracket to the lamp housing, the lamp housing having a shroud and shroud end caps at each end of the shroud, the shroud end caps configured for interconnection with an opposing shroud end cap of another fixture whereby multiple fixtures can be interconnected in serial fashion. |
| US07963656B2 |
Vehicular meter unit and display device
In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation. |
| US07963650B2 |
Eyewear with wire frame threaded through lenses
A rimless eyeglass assembly is constructed using a first lens and a second lens with holes for receiving a wire. A wire having a first end and a second end is threaded through the holes of the first and second lens to form eyewear, in some cases including a bridge portion and temples. |
| US07963649B2 |
Computer monitor having inkjet printhead
A computer monitor is provided which has a flat panel display for displaying images and an inkjet printhead disposed adjacent a lower portion of the computer monitor. The monitor is configured such that print media to be printed is fed manually into a feed path that directs the print media from a region adjacent the upper edge of the flat panel display, past the printhead for printing, then out of the monitor adjacent a lower edge of the flat panel display. |
| US07963648B2 |
Original cover closer
An original cover closer of which the energy absorption capability can be freely adjusted by a damper is described. The development period for the original cover closer is therefore shortened. The original cover closer comprises: an attachment member to be mounted on the main body of a device; a support member pivotally connected to the attachment member and operable to support an original cover; a first and a second slider slidably installed in the support member; a compression coil spring interposed between the first and second sliders and operable to urge the original cover to open; and a fluid damper located in the compression coil spring. Particularly, the fluid damper comprises: a cylinder having a base end fixed to the first slider; a piston slidably installed in the cylinder; an abutment stem integrally provided on the piston and located in order that a tip portion of the abutment stem can come in contact with the second slider; a first fluid chamber formed on one side of the piston; a second fluid chamber formed on the other side of the piston; a viscous fluid with which the first fluid second fluid chambers are filled; a fluid conduit formed through the piston in order that the viscous fluid can move through the fluid conduit from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber and vice versa; and a flow rate regulating needle valve formed in the fluid conduit and operable to adjust the speed of the viscous fluid passing through the fluid conduit when the piston slides in the cylinder. |
| US07963646B2 |
Ink-jet inks containing metal nanoparticles
Compositions for use in ink jet printing onto a substrate comprising a water based dispersion including metallic nanoparticles and appropriate stabilizers. Also disclosed are methods for the production of said compositions and methods for their use in ink jet printing onto suitable substrates. |
| US07963643B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a casing; an inkjet head; an ink cartridge which has an ink accommodating unit which accommodates ink to be supplied to the inkjet head and is removably installed into the casing via a front face side of the casing and disposed in a position whereby a central position of the ink accommodating unit is situated below the inkjet head in the vertical direction, at a distance of not less than 10 mm and not more 50 mm from the inkjet head in the vertical direction; an ink supply channel; a coupling unit which separates the inkjet head with and from the ink supply channel; and a negative pressure maintaining unit which includes an ink supply port which has a first opening and closing member, couples with the coupling unit, and is connected to an ink flow channel inside the inkjet head. |
| US07963642B2 |
Ink-jet printer
An ink-jet printer, including: a recording head which ejects ink onto a recording medium; a main tank which stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head; a sub tank configured to be extended and contracted in a vertical direction and including first and second ink flow holes provided in a lower portion of the sub tank, such that the first ink flow hole communicates with the recording head while the second ink flow hole communicates with the main tank; and a communication tube which is connected, at one of opposite ends thereof, to the second ink flow hole and which has, at the other of opposite ends thereof, an opening positioned in an inside space of the sub tank, whereby the second ink flow hole and the inside space of the sub tank communicate with each other via the communication tube, wherein the communication tube is configured such that the opening of the communication tube is displaced downwardly in accordance with the contraction of the sub tank. |
| US07963641B2 |
Ink jet printer
An ink jet printer is provided with an ink jet head, a sub ink tank, a carriage, a main body, and an ink supply device. The ink jet head includes an ink passage and a nozzle communicated with the ink passage. The sub ink tank is communicated with the ink passage of the ink jet head. The sub ink tank is elastically deformable. The ink jet head and the sub ink tank are mounted on the carriage. The carriage is capable of moving. The main body houses the ink jet head, the sub ink tank, and the carriage. The main body has a space for housing a main ink tank that is to be communicated with the sub ink tank. The ink supply device supplies ink within the main ink tank to the sub ink tank by applying a pushing force to the sub ink tank and releasing the pushing force after applying the pushing force. |
| US07963638B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid jet head, a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element and a liquid jet apparatus
In a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element which includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer including a plurality of piezoelectric films, and a second electrode formed opposite a surface of the piezoelectric layer, a step of forming the first electrode metal layer includes forming the first electrode metal layer so as to include one or more iridium layer and permit the iridium layer to have the total thickness in the range from 2 to 5 nm to form the first electrode metal layer; and forming the first electrode film by heating the piezoelectric film at a temperature in the range from 400 to 650° C. for 30 minutes or more after the first piezoelectric film is formed in the step of forming the piezoelectric layer to oxidize the iridium contained in the first electrode metal layer. |
| US07963634B2 |
Liquid ejection head, liquid ejection apparatus and method of manufacturing liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head includes: an ejection port through which liquid is ejected; a liquid chamber which is connected to the ejection port, the liquid chamber being filled with the liquid; a pressurization device which is arranged on a wall of the liquid chamber, the pressurization device pressurizing the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a movable member which has a free end on a side of the ejection port and a fixed end on a side opposite to the ejection port, the free end being arranged at a prescribed distance from the wall of the liquid chamber so as to face the wall of the liquid chamber, the movable member including a first layer that is an internal layer, and second and third layers that are respectively arranged on both surfaces of the first layer, the second and third layers having a stress lower than the first layer. |
| US07963626B2 |
Liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus
A liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including: a main tank which stores liquid; a head unit including a sub tank which accommodates the liquid supplied from the main tank, and an ejecting head which ejects droplets of the liquid supplied from the sub tank; a liquid supply passage communicating, at one end thereof, with the main tank and communicating, at the other end thereof, with the sub tank such that the liquid is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank through the liquid supply passage; a first detector configured to detect presence and absence of the liquid stored in the main tank; a second detector configured to detect presence and absence of the liquid in the liquid supply passage; and a controller configured to perform various operations for the liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus and including an empty judging section which judges that the main tank is empty of the liquid where the absence of the liquid in the main tank is detected by the first detector and the absence of the liquid in the liquid supply passage is detected by the second detector. |
| US07963623B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method
An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method are provided which use a printing head having a plurality of ejection opening arrays and enable high quality printing without causing uneven density in a conveying direction. For this purpose, by providing a plurality of ejection opening arrays to chips constituting the printing head and changing data assigning ratio of each ejection opening array, deviation in impact positions depending on the distance between the ejection opening arrays becomes inconspicuous. |
| US07963620B2 |
Carbon brake wear for aircraft
Methods and systems are provided for improving brake performance, including extending the life of carbon brakes on aircraft. One embodiment of the method comprises measuring the speed of the aircraft and the intensity of braking and comparing these to predetermined maximum values for each. If the values are both lower than the maximum values, one or more of the brakes are selectively disabled. |
| US07963618B2 |
Systems and methods for providing aircraft runway guidance
There is presented a system and method for providing aircraft runway guidance. One delineated runway alert system for a host aircraft comprises: a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the runway alert system; a data storage device including geographical runway information; a receiver for obtaining current location data of the host aircraft; an apparatus to provide a current heading of the host aircraft; a data entry device for receiving data indicating a desired runway; memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the runway alert system to: receive the identity of the desired runway; provide an indicia of: the desired runway; and the position of the host aircraft in relation to the desired runway. |
| US07963615B2 |
Mining and demolition tool
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a mining and demolition tool are described herein. In an embodiment, a mining and demolition bit tool includes a mining tool base and a mining bit tool tip coupled to the mining bit tool base. The base includes a tapered portion and a stem. The tapered portion includes a first end and a second end, with a surface tapering from the first end to the second end. There is at least one flute positioned along the tapered surface, where the flute is helical in shape. The stem extending from the first end of the tapered portion, and the tip is coupled to the second end of the tapered portion. |
| US07963612B2 |
Modular furniture assembly
The invention relates to a modular furniture assembly that is convenient and versatile. One embodiment of the modular furniture assembly comprises a base and a transverse member manually, detachably coupled to the base by a coupler. The base and the transverse member have a defined spatial relationship which enables a variety of different types, configurations and sizes of furniture assemblies to be formed therefrom. Further, the base is configured such that the transverse member can be coupled to the base in a first position to form a first furniture assembly, and can be coupled to the base in a second position to form a second furniture assembly. |
| US07963609B2 |
Chair arm that is rotatably folded and assembly-free
A chair arm is rotatably folded and assembly-free, which is applicable for a new type folding chair, said chair arm comprising a back panel pin, an arm, a fixation for the pin, and a connection screw. The back panel and the arm are connected through the screw via a screw hole formed on the top end of the arm with said screw hole being a rotation center. The pin is fixed on a side of the back panel, the fixation for the pin comprises an arm housing, an unlocking hand knob, a locking member, an elastic member and a fixation screw, a slide slot is formed on the inner side of the arm housing facing the back panel, when the back panel is rotated, the screw hole on the top end of the arm functions as a rotation center, the pin on the back panel contacts the locking member through the guide slot on the arm, the locking member slides inside the guide slot on the arm as acted on by the pin, when the pin enters into the inner side of the locking member, the lock member is reset as acted on by the elastic member, and the locking member and the guide slot on the arm form a locking hole for locking the back panel pin. |
| US07963604B2 |
Forwardly movable motor vehicle seat
The forwardly movable motor vehicle seat has a seat back (20) and a seat frame with a seat pan. The motor vehicle seat may be moved between a normal position of utilization and a forwardly moved position. An immobilizing device is associated with the seat frame. In particular, the seat back (20) has a seat back hinge (32) and a stopper device (40). The stopper device (40) retains the seat back (20) in the forward tilted position as long as the seat frame is located in a front portion of the travel path. The stopper device (40) enables said seat back to tilt upward into the normal position of utilization when the seat frame is located in a rear portion (74) of the travel path. The stopper device (40) has a first limit stop and a second limit stop, one limit stop being disposed on the seat frame and the other one on the seat back (20). |
| US07963602B2 |
Vehicle seating system including seat mounted reversible pelvic bolster
A vehicle system for aiding in the protection of a vehicle occupant is disclosed. The system includes a seat assembly having a seat base and a seat back and a pelvic bolster rotatably attached to the seat back of the seat assembly. The pelvic bolster is rotatably movable between a first stowed position and a second deployed position. A reversible motor drives the pelvic bolster between its stowed position and its deployed position. The system further includes a threat condition sensor operatively associated with the reversible motor. |
| US07963598B2 |
Head rest control systems
It is one object of the present invention to provide a control for moving a head rest in response to a signal from a sensor detecting a distance between the head rest and a head of a passenger, in which even if the head of the passenger moves within a predetermined range, the head rest can be prevented from moving depending on the motion of the head of the passenger so as to remove discomfort for the passenger.Therefore, the present invention has a construction as follows.A head rest control system in which a head rest of a seat of a vehicle is constructed to be moved back and forth by a head rest moving mechanism may include a sensor detecting a distance between the head rest and a head of a passenger, and a control device controllably actuating the head rest moving mechanism. The control device is constructed to actuate the head rest moving mechanism when the distance between the head rest and the head detected by the sensor is outside of a proper range of clearance in which it is possible to deal with a back-side collision of the vehicle, thereby moving the head rest to a proper position in which it is possible to deal with the back-side collision of the vehicle. |
| US07963593B2 |
Organizer attachable to a chair and task utility system and process of providing same
An organizer and utility apparatus that can be attached to a chair comprises a generally horizontal elongate support which can be in the form of a tube or channeled block. The elongate support has one or more holder attachments that can be joined in a permanent fashion or mutually engaged and disengaged and located according to user preference. The elongate support can be supported directly on a desk, or with an attachable generally vertical support, supported above a floor or desk; Or with such attachable vertical support, engaged to a chair that has a chair attachment mechanism. If the organizer is either freestanding or attached to a chair, it can be converted into a work station by the use of an engageable plane-attachment accessory. If free standing, the vertical support is attached to a stand base. An embodiment of the apparatus has a wire conduit that permits electrical and electronics wire protection and management. In addition to organizing traditional items associated with desk work, it incorporates the possible organization of items such as computer monitors, lamps, electronic devices, and relatively smaller organizers or specific holders. |
| US07963590B2 |
Assembly for vehicles including adjustable mirrors
An assembly configured to be attachable to a front portion of a frame for a vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axis extends through the assembly. The assembly includes: a first cross member oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis positioned at a forward end of the assembly; a first side member attached to a first end of the first cross member at a first end thereof, the first side member extending rearward and upward therefrom; a second side member attached to a second end of the first cross member at a first end thereof, the second side member extending rearward and upward therefrom; a second cross member connected to a second end of the first side member at a first end thereof and to a second end of the second side member at a second end thereof wherein an open area is defined by the first cross member, the first side member, the second side member, and the second cross member; a first side mirror assembly movably attachable to the first side member, and, a second side mirror assembly movably attachable to the second side member. In this way, the first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to a desired position. |
| US07963586B2 |
Interior wall panel for a motor vehicle
Aspects of the invention relate to a panel for a vehicle interior. The panel includes a relatively non-deformable support having at least one shaped portion, and a relatively deformable inlay pad that can be mounted in the shaped portion. The inlay pad may be formed as a foam pad, as an air cushion and/or as a gel cushion. Aspects of the invention also relate to a method for forming a panel for a vehicle interior. |
| US07963585B2 |
Vehicle tonneau cover system
A tonneau system for a vehicle bed includes a rail disposed on a top portion of the vehicle bed. A tonneau cover extends over the vehicle bed and includes an elongate retention clip is adjacent the rail and is connected thereto by an interference fit. The elongate retention clip includes a removal tab. A connection clip is slidable along the linear extent of the rail. An elongate band is slidably received in the tonneau cover and in a band aperture of the connection clip. |
| US07963584B2 |
Retractable roof and vehicle including the same
A retractable roof includes a roof member 2 including a front roof panel 21, a back roof panel 22, and a linkage mechanism 4 for alternately chaining the position of the roof member 2 between an in-use position and a storage position. The retractable roof further includes an adjusting mechanism 51, 52 for adjusting the geometry in the in-use state of the linkage mechanism 4 by changing the angle of the turning direction of one of links 44 included in the linkage mechanism 4 in the in-use state. |
| US07963583B2 |
Top for a convertible vehicle
The invention relates to a system for sensing an object in the pivoting range of a top for a convertible vehicle, the system comprising an electrode for sensing field properties of a field which is assigned to the top, and an evaluation unit for evaluating the sensed field properties. The invention further relates to a method for sensing a top of a convertible vehicle which is moved by a drive, comprising the steps: sensing of a field between the top of the convertible vehicle and the bodywork during movement of the top of the convertible vehicle, adjusting of the sensed characteristic variables to setpoint values, and acting on the drive as a function of the sensed characteristic variables of the field and of the setpoint values. |
| US07963582B2 |
Sliding visor
A sun visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The sun visor includes a first and second visor body shell. The shells define a retaining channel for a slider on a visor pivot rod and may be engaged and enclosed about the slider. It is also contemplated that the sun visor has a combination slider and detent slidably supported in channels molded into the first and second visor shells. A support arm may be provided and is readily offset from the combination slider and detent and is slidable relative thereto. |
| US07963580B2 |
Cargo space cover for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a device for covering a cargo space (12) of a motor vehicle, said cargo space being bordered by an outwardly pivotable vehicle lid (14), in particular a trunk lid, said device comprising an extractable roller blind device (26, 22, 24) which can be driven at least in the retraction direction and which forms a roller blind web (22) which extends over an area in its extracted state between a first end (26) of the roller blind and a second end (24) of the roller blind, and first and second positioning means (32, 34, 31) arranged in the vehicle for positioning the first and/or second ends (26, 24) of the roller blind(s) by means of which the roller blind web (22) can be extracted into a covering position in which the roller blind web (22) extends essentially horizontally over the cargo space (12). To be able to bring the roller blind web easily out of the covering position into a position that facilitates access to the cargo space, according to the present invention, the first positioning means (32, 34) are arranged separately from the vehicle lid (14) and the second positioning means (31) are arranged on the vehicle lid (14) so that the second end (24) of the roller blind is jointly pivotable due to the outward pivoting (A) of the vehicle lid (14) to bring the roller blind web (22) out of the covering position and into an inclined position. |
| US07963579B2 |
Self-leveling bottom block assembly
A bottom block assembly includes a block having a central vertical axis, a hook secured to the block for attaching a load to the block, a first pair of sheaves rotatably attached to the block, a first rope reeved about the first pair of sheaves, a second pair of sheaves rotatably attached to the block, and a second rope reeved about the second pair of reeves. The first and second pairs of sheaves are each equally spaced about the central vertical axis. The first pair of sheaves are located higher on the block than the second pair of sheave so that a portion of the first rope located between the first pair of sheaves crosses over a portion of the second rope located between the second pair of sheaves. If either rope fails, the other rope ensures the block remains level with a full load attached to the hook. |
| US07963571B2 |
Tubing configuration and sealing method for high pressure tubing on high pressure fuel systems
A high-pressure joint for sealing the high pressure at the tubing ends for a high-pressure fuel system on diesel and gasoline engines. One form of the invention of such a method is disclosed using a harder male fitting and a hard tube end and introducing a replaceable insert made out of a softer material of lower yield strength which will deform at both ends and seal the two mating harder components. This insert will be a throw away part to be replaced every time the system is serviced or repaired and the joint is broken. The cost for this insert is minimum and will reduce the fuel system service or repair cost saving money for the customer. |
| US07963569B2 |
Locking pipe joint and a method of making the same
A novel locking pipe joint for use in fluid-carrying pipe systems is described. The locking pipe joint of the present invention provides a system of joints that will withstand the stresses and forces imposed on a pipe system carrying fluids. The joint is constructed on a push-fit principle. Sealing rings are used to make the joint leak-proof. Splines are provided to sustain the longitudinal forces imposed on the joint, and longitudinal ribs are provided on the outer surface of the joined pipes to withstand the torsional loads. The joint is simple in its construction, easy to assemble in field and cost effective. |
| US07963568B2 |
Apparatus and method for repairing a core spray line elbow weld joint
An elbow clamp assembly structurally supports or replaces a connection between a main pipe and an elbow pipe. The elbow clamp assembly includes an upper clamp body and a lower clamp body securable on opposite sides of the main pipe in facing relation. The upper and lower clamp bodies are connected by a clamp bolt extendable through the main pipe. An elbow boss is securable to the elbow pipe, and a cross bolt is extendable through the elbow pipe and connected between the elbow boss and the clamp bolt. |
| US07963562B2 |
Safety belt system for a motor vehicle
A safety belt system for a motor vehicle is provided. The safety belt system comprising a safety belt, a shoulder portion of the safety belt, a buckle element, a mobile region of the buckle element, which under the action of forces caused by a crash is mobile from an initial position in which the safety belt may slide along the buckle element into a final position, in which the safety belt is fixed to the buckle element. The safety belt cooperating with the mobile region, such that the mobile region is movable by a force acting on the shoulder portion which tensions the shoulder portion in the direction of extension of the belt, from its initial position into its final position. The fixing of the safety belt on the buckle element is carried out by the mobile region itself. |
| US07963560B2 |
Pivoting device for a centrifugal traction assembly of a vehicle
The invention discloses an anti-skid mechanism operating device (1) for vehicles comprising an operating unit (2) and an operating arm (3) pivotally supported thereby and intended to carry a rotary anti-skid device (4) and to operate the latter between an active and a passive position. The operating device (2) comprises a worm gear (6) and a driven worm (5) adapted to engage said worm gear (6) for operation of the operating arm (3). The driven worm (5) is resiliently displaceable along an axis (A) of said worm (5). |
| US07963559B2 |
Roll bar with integrated lighting
An internally illuminated roll bar has a W-shaped frame with “U” shaped cross-section with opposed side walls, a bottom wall and an open top, first and second outer legs, first and second inner legs, a lateral connecting member connecting the inner legs at the lower ends, one or more lenses for covering one or more portions of the rear side of the frame and discrete light sources mounted between the frame and the lenses wherein the some of the discrete light sources may be powered independently of others of the discrete light sources. |
| US07963558B2 |
Method for producing an airbag package for an airbag module
A method for producing an airbag package for an airbag module, which airbag package at least comprises an airbag and a protection covering surrounding the airbag is provided. The method using a first tool that comprises a recess for receiving the airbag package. The method comprising the steps of: covering the recess with an evenly outspread first protection covering part of the protection covering, folding the airbag, and inserting the folded airbag into the recess under interposition of the first protection covering part. |
| US07963556B2 |
Air bag module including a gas distributing member
An air bag module (10) comprises an air bag (12), an inflator (14) and a gas distributing member (16) for distributing the gas escaping from the inflator (14) into different directions of flow. The gas distributing member (16) is configured so that it is deformed by the pressure exerted by the escaping gas such that thereby the distribution of the gas to the different directions of flow is influenced. |
| US07963554B2 |
Airbag device and steering wheel
To provide an airbag device and a steering wheel capable of improving the operational feeling of horn.An airbag device comprises: an airbag unit 2 having an airbag, an inflator 12 for inflating the airbag, and a cover 13 which is disposed to cover said airbag in the folded state, wherein as the cover 13 is pressed, the airbag unit 2 is moved in the pressing direction; a supporting plate 3 which is fixed to a steering wheel; three springs 4a-4c for biasing the airbag unit 2 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction; and three horn switches 5a-5c which are located outside of the springs 4a-4c in the radial direction of the steering wheel and close to the surface of the cover 13 in relation to the springs 4a-4c. |
| US07963552B2 |
Head-protecting airbag
A head-protecting airbag is deployable downward from an upper periphery of a window of vehicle to cover the window. The airbag includes a primary inflatable portion that includes a protection portion for receiving an occupant's head and a secondary inflatable portion that admits inflation gas of the primary inflatable portion and is inflatable secondarily for preventing a pressure increase of the primary inflatable portion. The primary inflatable portion and the secondary inflatable portion are communicated with a tubular conduit that is arranged along the lower periphery of the airbag. The protection portion includes an inlet-side inflatable portion communicated with the conduit and an upper inflatable portion located above the conduit. The conduit includes a main region located facing the outlet port and an enlarged-diameter region that is located facing the inlet port and has a greater opening dimension than the main region. |
| US07963543B2 |
Trailer hitch safety assembly
A fully adjustable safety chain assembly comprising at least one trailer mounted safety chain adjusting box, at least one vehicle mounted safety chain adjusting box, and a safety chain having a first free end and a second free end. A slot in each of the at least one trailer mounted safety chain adjusting box and at least one vehicle mounted safety chain adjusting box enables the safety chain first free end and second free end, respectively, to be reversible affixed at a selected position, thereby holding the safety chain at a desired length. A locking mechanism secures the safety chain in place to prevent it from dislodging. |
| US07963540B2 |
Bicycle front fork assembly
A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle. |
| US07963538B2 |
Wheel suspension assembly and a motor vehicle
A motor vehicle and wheel suspension assembly for a rear wheel of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a wheel spindle housing supporting a wheel spindle carrying the rear wheel and defining a wheel center. A frame structure is adapted to be connected to a vehicle body or an engine-transmission assembly of the motor vehicle. A spring link extends between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing and carries a vehicle spring. First and second control links extend between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing to control the wheel spindle housing to maintain the rear wheel substantially in parallel with a longitudinal direction. A first and second camber link extends between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing, and intersect each other. An instantaneous center of motion is located at a position far outside the wheel and then rearward the wheel, or far inside the wheel and then forward the wheel. |
| US07963537B2 |
Suspension unit
A suspension unit comprises a hub about which a suspension arm is pivotable. The hub is secured to a vehicle chassis or hull by means of a connecting element. The connecting element has a flange provided with holes positioned to coincide with pre-existing holes on the vehicle hole or chassis. The suspension unit can thus be retro-fitted to a vehicle in place of an existing suspension unit of a different kind. |
| US07963535B2 |
Tag axle pivot mount
An arrangement for pivotally coupling an auxiliary axle frame to a vehicle chassis includes a pair of support brackets, each fastened to one of two opposite longitudinal rails of the chassis. Each bracket is coupled to its associated rail with a set of threaded fasteners extended through aligned openings in the bracket and rail. Each fastener is tightened to a predetermined level of tensile force, after which its movable components are welded together to positively and permanently set the fastener. Each bracket extends behind the chassis to support a rotational coupling device including a pin rotatable about a transverse axis. Opposite arms of the tag axle frame support clevis type coupling features at their forward ends. Each clevis type feature is integrally coupled to one of the pins. An actuator used to pivot the tag axle frame can be coupled to the chassis and frame through similar rotational coupling devices and clevis type features. |
| US07963532B2 |
Tilting paint spray pump and cart
A paint pump and cart having a movable carriage to enable tilting of the paint pump secured to the carriage via a pivot mechanism without tilting the remainder of cart. A latching mechanism having a spring biased pin received in one of a pair of apertures provides selective retention of the carriage in an operating or loading position and the latching mechanism is operable to release the carriage to move between the operating and loading positions. |
| US07963528B2 |
Working machine
A working machine includes a body and an axle which is mounted so as to be moveable relative to the body, the axle carrying at or towards each end, a ground engaging wheel by means of which the machine can travel over the ground, the machine including a speed sensor sensitive to the machine ground speed, and there being a hydraulic control system including at least one control actuator connected between the body and the axle for controlling movement of the axle relative to the body, and the hydraulic system further including at least one control valve which is operable to restrict fluid flow occurring as a result of the control actuator extending or retracting in response to axle movements relative to the body, depending upon the signal provided by the speed sensor, wherein the control valve is an electrically operated control valve, operated proportionally by a valve controller which responds to changes in machine speed, by adjusting the restriction to fluid flow so as to permit more fluid flow as the machine speed increases. |
| US07963525B1 |
Hydrodynamic circumferential seal system for large translations
A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine. |
| US07963522B2 |
Internal sliding baffles for controlling air flow in a vacuum transport
A vacuum control assembly for use in an image production device is provided. The assembly has a plenum having a vacuum inlet; a perforated plate fluidly connected to the plenum, the perforated plate having a plurality of perforations; a baffle plate connected to an inside of the plenum such that the baffle plate can slide relative to the perforated plate and can pivot relative to the perforated plate; and a protrusion on the inside of the plenum. The baffle plate is capable of sliding relative to the perforated plate between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being where the baffle plate causes the vacuum inlet to be fluidly connected to a first plurality of the perforations, and the open position being where the baffle plate is pivoted away from the perforated plate, causing the vacuum inlet to be fluidly connected to a maximum number of the perforations. The maximum number is greater than the first plurality, and the baffle plate is pivoted into the open position by coming in contact with the protrusion. |
| US07963520B2 |
Sheet loading device, sheet conveying device, and image forming apparatus
A sheet cassette loads and houses therein a plurality of sheets. A separating unit separates the sheets loaded in the sheet cassette one by one. The separating unit is arranged in the sheet cassette in opposite to a feeding roller that conveys the sheets from the sheet cassette. A rib is formed on a rear surface of a bottom plate of the sheet cassette. The rib is pressed by a pressing member. |
| US07963519B2 |
Media pick system and method
Various embodiments of a system and method for picking print media are disclosed. |
| US07963516B2 |
Actuation of output tray
A media reproduction device has an input tray and an output tray. Commencement of a print job causes the output tray to move from a closed position to an open position. A gear attaches to the output tray, the gear being engaged with a pick transmission to move the output tray to the open position and being disengaged from the pick transmission so the output tray freely rotates while in the open position. |
| US07963514B2 |
Rotating machine
A rotating machine includes a receiving member having a base wall. A first cylinder module disposed above the receiving member includes a first cylinder body. Grappling hooks fixedly connecting with the first cylinder module are disposed below the first cylinder body. A second cylinder module mounted on a top surface of the base wall includes a second cylinder body. A rotating module includes a rotatable shaft rotationally settled in the base wall. A top end of the rotatable shaft engages with a salver below the grappling hooks. A gear wheel is located around the rotatable shaft and below the salver. A rack meshing with the gear wheel connects with the second cylinder body, and controlling switches are used for starting the first cylinder module and the second cylinder module. |
| US07963506B1 |
Vehicle leveling apparatus
The present invention may be used for leveling a land vehicle. A frame lifting assembly may have a frame cross-member adjustable in length for attachment at each end to each side of a vehicle frame. A folding jack with a force element and a folding leg may be attached to the frame cross-member. The folding leg may have a leg member with a foot attached at a first end to a force rod of the force element. A support arm may be rotatably attached intermediate the first end and the second end of the leg member and may be rotatably attached adjacent a second end of the frame cross-member. A positioning rod may be rotatably attached at the first end of the leg member and rotatably attached to the frame member. The force rod may be movably attached to a fixed element of the force element and the fixed element may be attached to the frame cross-member. A power source may be operable to move the force rod relative to the fixed element to move the leg member between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. |
| US07963505B2 |
Self-contained self-elevating platform lift
In one embodiment, a self-elevating platform lift for moving objects between a first level and a vertically-elevated second level is provided. The platform lift comprises: (A) a platform for supporting the objects; (B) a plurality of lift lines for connection at the second level and for moving the platform; and (C) a motor connected to move with the platform and wherein the motor operably is connected to the lift lines for moving the platform between the first and second levels while being supported by the lift lines. In another embodiment, a lift installation is provided for moving objects between a first level and a vertically-elevated second level comprising: (A) a platform for supporting the objects; (B) a plurality of lift lines fixed at one end to extend downward from the second level for moving the platform; and (C) a motor connected to move with the platform and wherein the motor operably is connected to the lift lines for use in moving the platform between the first and second levels while being supported by the lift lines. |
| US07963501B2 |
Butterfly valve
A butterfly valve including a housing having a hollow passage defining a flow path and a shaft mounted to the housing and extending transversely across the flow path. The shaft defines an axis of rotation for a butterfly valve element carried on the shaft. The valve element can be rotated about the axis between an open position permitting flow along the flow path and a closed position restricting flow along the flow path. The butterfly valve element includes a thin, substantially disc-shaped, flow-regulating plate having front and rear faces and a flow-straightening vane extending from one of the faces transversely relative to the shaft. The vane is solid and extends substantially to the wall of the hollow passage thereby defining separate non-communicating flow channels on opposite sides thereof for reducing flow turbulence and for straightening and accelerating flow across the plate. |
| US07963499B2 |
Formliner and method of use
A formliner and method of use are provided in order to minimize and/or eliminate visible seaming between interconnected formliners. In some embodiments, the formliner can comprise raised sections that define interrelated inner and outer dimensions. In this manner, a given portion of a first formliner can mate with another given portion of a second formliner in a nested manner. As such, edges of the interconnected formliners can be discreetly hidden along features of the formliner pattern to reduce and/or eliminate visible seaming between the formliners. |
| US07963498B2 |
Bracket assembly
An assemblage (8) comprises an electrical connector (10) having body (12) with a tubular projection (14) having a push-through portion (16) having a first diameter and an engaging portion (18) having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A support (20) for the electrical connector (10) has a major part 22 that is substantially rigid and includes an aperture (24) formed by a plurality of deflectable spokes (26). The aperture (24) has a center opening (28) with a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter, whereby the tubular projection push-through portion (16) slides through the aperture (24) and the spokes (26) engage the second diameter of the engaging portion (18) and mount the electrical connector (10) with the support (20). |
| US07963494B2 |
Holder, and assembly of the holder and an electronic device
A holder is for holding an electronic device, and includes a housing, a support frame, and a resilient element. The housing is disposed on a rear face of the electronic device, defines a receiving space, and includes a barrier plate abutting against one side of the electronic device. The support frame is disposed in the receiving space and is movable relative to the housing. The support frame includes a catch member which is exposed from the housing, which is disposed opposite to the barrier plate, and which is engaged with a retaining hole in the rear face, and a push button portion exposed from the housing. The push button portion is operable to permit disengagement of the catch member from the retaining hole. The resilient element is disposed in the receiving space to provide the catch member with a restoring spring force. |
| US07963492B2 |
Vertical support structure
A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member has a vertically-elongated central panel and a pair of vertically-elongated side panels connected to and extending perpendicularly from the central panel to form a U-shaped-channel as viewed in cross-section. The support member has a top edge and a bottom edge disposed vertically apart from and extending horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed at least through the central panel. The slot is disposed between and extends parallel to the top and bottom edges. The mounting plate is slidably inserted into the slot in a close-fitting manner and is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate at least partially projects perpendicularly from the central panel away from the U-shaped channel. A guide element is connected to the top edge and extends upwardly and inwardly toward the U-shaped channel. |
| US07963487B2 |
Plastic clamp
A synthetic material clamp includes a band bent ring-shaped, having band ends with toothed coupling sections together forming a latching coupling. Each coupling section has a first latching element with a latching tooth directed toward a band inner side and a second latching element with a latching tooth directed toward a band outer side. The latching elements are arranged on the coupling sections so the first latching element of a coupling section engages upon closing of the latching coupling. The first and second latching elements are located on opposite sides of a plane centrally dividing the band in a longitudinal direction. The latching elements of both coupling sections include on a side facing the plane a supporting surface arranged when the latching coupling is closed, with the supporting surfaces of one of the latching elements engaging the supporting surfaces of the latching elements of the other coupling section. |
| US07963484B2 |
Lift-augmenting flap, in particular for a leading edge flap, for an aerodynamically effective wing
A lift-augmenting leading edge flap for a carrying wing of an aircraft, wherein the flap comprises an essentially rigid main body which makes a transition from the first side to the second side of the wing the flap being adjustable by a retention- and actuation mechanism coupled between the flap and wing box, between a first, retracted, position and a second, extended, position, wherein the first transition region of the flap is slidable to rest in each position essentially free of any gap, against the first skin of the wing box or against the wing end cover, in relation to the wing end cover. |
| US07963481B2 |
Method and device for supporting the take-off rotation of an aircraft
A method and a device for supporting the take-off rotation of an aircraft, which aircraft comprises on each side of the aircraft at least two main landing gear units, arranged one behind the other, which main landing gear units comprising wheels. For supporting the take-off rotation, in at least one rear pair of the main landing gear units the distance between the wheels of these rear main landing gear units, which wheels roll on the ground, and the fuselage, may actively be reduced. |
| US07963480B2 |
Strut for locking the engine of an aircraft
An engine mount for an aircraft engine. The engine mount includes a rigid structure forming a box closed at its forward end by a forward closure rib, and a mounting system including a forward engine attachment having an attachment body fixedly mounted on the rigid structure. The attachment body lies against a forward surface, and the engine mount includes at least one shear pin passing at least in part through the attachment body and forward closure rib. |
| US07963472B2 |
Intake limiting device for document shredder
A shredder intake limiting device having a pair of parallel bars, wherein the ends of the bars are supported by a pair of side supports. Each side support comprises a floor surface flanked by two upwardly-diverging sidewall surfaces. The angle of the sidewall surfaces is such that the bars will be prevented from separating beyond a desired limit when sheet material is being inserted downward into the shredder. When sheet material is being pulled upward during removal after a jam, the diverging angles of the sidewall surfaces will allow the bars to travel upward and the horizontal separation distance to increase, thereby allowing the jammed material to be easily removed. |
| US07963470B2 |
Discharge from grinding mills
A screening element can be mounted at a discharge passage of a grinding mill chamber. The discharge passage is positioned in use to receive ground particles moving thereinto in a discharge direction. The screening element comprises one or more openings defined therein that are oriented such that ground particles pass therethrough in a direction that is oblique with respect to the discharge direction. The grinding mill chamber may form part of a centrifugal grinding mill. |
| US07963468B2 |
Shredder with thickness detector
A shredder is disclosed. The shredder includes a housing having a throat for receiving at least one article to be shredded, and a shredder mechanism received in the housing and including an electrically powered motor and cutter elements. The shredder mechanism enables the at least one article to be shredded to be fed into the cutter elements. The motor is operable to drive the cutter elements so that the cutter elements shred the articles fed therein. The shredder also includes a detector that is configured to detect a thickness of the at least one article being received by the throat, and a controller that is operable to perform a predetermined operation responsive to the detector detecting that the thickness of the at least one article is at least equal to a predetermined maximum thickness. |
| US07963467B2 |
Safety system for a roller grinding mill, and method for the production of cement
The invention relates to a safety system ensuring availability of a milling or crushing plant with a roller grinding mill, which is provided in a combined plant, more particularly for the mill drying of cement raw material.For bringing about an almost 100% redundancy, in particular six milling rollers are provided. The roller grinding mill is designed in such a way that 80% of the full milling capacity can be provided in four-roller operation. |
| US07963465B2 |
Injection valve
An injection valve for fuel-injection systems has a valve-seat support, a valve needle, a solenoid and a connection piece having a filter, to convey the fuel. Valve opening and valve seat are formed on the one-piece valve-seat support itself, which additionally guides the valve needle so as to be axially displaceable; solenoid coil and connector plug are combined in a separate, plastic-extrusion-coated coil part, the magnetic cup is placed over the coil part, and the connection piece is formed as separate plastic-injection-molded part having an integrated filter. Joining and sealing points between the connection piece on the one side and the coil part, magnetic cup and/or valve-seat support on the other side are bonded. |
| US07963463B2 |
Compressed air foam and high pressure liquid dispersal system
The compressed air foam and high pressure liquid dispersal system provides a compressed air foam product in addition to concurrently producing a liquid under pressure for decontamination, general cleaning, vapor suppression, Hazmat remediation, fuel spills, and fire suppression support for durable equipment, vehicles, terrain, facilities, and aircraft. The system includes a power plant for powering the compressed air foam and high pressure liquid sub-systems of the system. The high pressure sub-system further includes a boiler for heating the liquid to a temperature above ambient temperature. The boiler and power plant may use the same type of fuel for decreasing the number of fuel supplies to the system. In addition, the power plant drives an air compressor for providing compressed air for powering the compressed air foam sub-system. The power plant further drives a high pressure water pump for pressurizing the water for the high pressure sub-system. The system includes additional features such as an air chuck that feeds off of the compressed air supply for powering pneumatic tools and inflating flat tires present during such cleaning and decontamination. Also, the system includes a 24 VDC electrical system for charging stalled vehicles and the like present during operations. |
| US07963460B2 |
Detachable aromatic nebulizing diffuser
A detachable aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel, an electric fan, a fluid container, an ultrasonic oscillator, a power jack, a water baffle, a lower housing and a top cover. The ultrasonic oscillator oscillates ultrasonic waves to cause an aromatic fluid in the fluid container into a fine mist that is carried by currents of air caused by the electric fan and guided through an air duct in the fluid container. The fluid container has bottom mounting rods detachably plugged into respective tubular upright posts of the base panel, facilitating mounting and dismounting. The water baffle and the top cover are light transmissive for creating a visual effects upon working of a light source that is carried on the ultrasonic oscillator. |
| US07963455B2 |
Thermostat valve
A thermostatted valve used in an internal combustion engine and comprising a housing fitted with at least three ports, namely an engine port to communicate with the engine cooling system, a radiator port to communicate with the radiator, and a bypass port to communicate with a bypass, further comprising a hollow, spherical valve element supported pivotably about a pivot axis within the housing between two end positions, said valve element being fitted with at least two apertures of which one permanently communicates with the engine port and the other is situated in a plane substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis, further comprising a temperature sensor controlled valve element drive, characterized in that the axes of all ports are configured in planes that are approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis of the valve element, in that the valve element is approximately a spherical segment or a laminar sphere of which the open side communicates permanently with the engine port, further that the valve element is fitted with at least one feedthrough which in one of the end positions of said valve element is disconnected from the radiator port while in the other end position it faces this radiator port, in that an approximately spherical sealing system is configured in the zone of the radiator port and in that said drive acts on the valve element) excentrically relative to the pivot axis. |
| US07963450B2 |
Near infrared ink security feature
Systems and methods of providing a covert security marking for items such as documents, packaging, credit cards, and other valuable goods to combat the steady increase in forgery, counterfeiting, and other fraudulent activities is presented. A spectrally narrow, near infrared ink system serves as the basis of a covert security feature for items of value. Alternatively, or in combination, metal oxides having a substantially narrow absorption band and a maximum absorption wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in the near infrared range are also utilized. |
| US07963449B2 |
Tamper evident adhesive and identification document including same
A composition is provided for adhering a first article to a second article, the composition comprising a thermally active low Tg polymeric resin; and a multifunctional crystalline polymer. The thermally active low Tg polymeric resin can, for example, comprise 50-99% of the composition. The multifunctional crystalline polymer can, for example, comprise 1-50% of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer comprises 5-20% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer has a low molecular weight. |
| US07963439B2 |
Method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product utilizing an automatic self-service refill system
A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product. In further embodiments, the dispenser may also print discount tickets or coupons that may discount the purchase of the containerized fluid or other promotional merchandise. The machine-readable indicia may include affiliate codes that permit crediting or compensating various affiliates in relation to the container filling. |
| US07963436B2 |
Cluster box mail delivery unit having security features
An apparatus and method for enhancing the security of a cluster box unit which includes a protective enclosure, internal cabinetry, door, hinge and locking system. The cluster box unit may also include outgoing mail compartment doors that are heavily constructed and rigidly reinforced, with the locks carried thereon protectively shielded, and with the extensible bolts of these locks being engaged by brackets that not only lock the outgoing mail compartment doors but also the master loading doors of the cluster box units. The cluster box unit may also include master loading doors are provided with hinges that extend the full height of the doors—hinges that are defined by pivotally interlining elements of extrusions that very sturdily mount the master loading doors, that prevent prying or bending the doors in the vicinities of their hinges. The interfitting elements of the hinge extrusions also permit the doors to be installed on their surrounding door frames quickly and easily, and permit one or both of the master loading doors to be quickly and easily removed for service or replacement when necessary. |
| US07963434B2 |
Micro component removing method
A method and an apparatus for removing a micro component surely and leveling solder remaining on a substrate without imposing thermal damage to solder lands, the substrate and components on the periphery. A thermosetting adhesive (15) is provided on the surface (12a) of a micro component (12) opposite to the side of a substrate (11), and the distal end of a component holding pin (13) having cross-section area falling within the surface (12a) of the micro component (12) opposite to the side of the surface (11) is passed through the thermosetting adhesive (15) to abut against the surface (12a) of the micro component (12). Subsequently, solder (16) between the micro component (12) and the substrate (11) is heated to melt and the component holding pin (13) is moved in the direction receding from the substrate (11). Consequently, the micro component (12) is removed from the substrate (11). |
| US07963431B2 |
Grasping jaw mechanism
A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first grasping mode of operation and a second clamping mode of operation. The handle assembly includes a rotation control member and an articulation lever. The rotation control member is configured to facilitate rotation of the elongated member with respect to the handle assembly. The articulation lever is configured to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly configured to clamp and staple tissue in the second clamping mode of operation of the device. |
| US07963424B2 |
Integrated beverage and ice dispenser assembly
A beverage dispenser with plural dispensing heads from which different beverages are dispensed. The dispenser has an ice bin from which ice is dispensed. A motor drives an agitator internal to the ice bin. The motor is removably attached to the ice bin by locking pins for easy removal and replacement. Waste ice and beverage is collected in a drip pan. The drip pan is insulated to prevent condensate from collecting around the outer surface of the drip pan. A carbonator is mounted to a front of the dispenser to provide carbonated water. Consequently, the carbonator is easily accessible for maintenance or replacement. Carbonated or non-carbonated water flows through a common manifold to the individual dispensing heads. By setting a manifold valve member associated with each dispensing head, the type of water supplied to the dispensing head, either carbonated or non-carbonated, is selectively set. |
| US07963416B2 |
Food package with lid
A food package has a container and a lid. The lid includes a planar surface and a convex dome that is above the planar surface. A transparent window in the convex dome attracts the attention of consumers since it is raised relative to the remainder of the lid. The lid also includes a concave dome that frames a raised logo or raised text within the dome. By framing the logo, the concave dome helps to direct a consumer's attention to the logo or text and helps to protect the logo or text from wear. |
| US07963409B2 |
Resealable closures
A closure (2) comprising a solid colour spout (6) and a transparent overcap (4) is adapted to be sealed to a container neck (50) by means of a double-sided foil (8). The overcap (4) has a depending valve (24), which engages with the spout (6) to hold these components together prior to assembly to the container. The spout (6) has a flange (10) adapted to seat on a rim (54) of the container neck and an annular wall (28) that is received within the container neck (50). The foil (8) is welded to the flange (10) and is also used to weld the closure (2) to a rim (54) of a container neck of standard threaded design. The overcap (4) can screw to an external thread on the container neck. The primary ex-factory seal is provided by welding the assembled closure to the neck. The secondary seal is provided by the engagement of the overcap valve (24) with the spout (6). The invention discloses an improved method of assembly. |
| US07963408B2 |
Storage tray system
A storage tray system which includes a rack and a plurality of storage trays. The rack includes a plurality of tray runners for supporting the trays in the rack, and which allow sliding movement of the storage trays between open and closed positions. The storage trays can be inclined downwards when in the open position to allow access to their contents. |
| US07963403B2 |
Dual surface density baffle for clarifier tank
A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank, each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall. |
| US07963397B2 |
Modular, knock-down, light weight, thermally insulating, tamper proof shipping container and fire retardant shipping container bag
The invention provides a knock-down, lightweight, thermally insulating, shipping container made at least in part from a polymer core covered by a thermoplastic sheet layer. In an embodiment of the invention, the shipping container is modular, being adjusted to suit the item(s) to be shipped. In an embodiment of the invention, the base, top panel and walls are made of expanded polystyrene core and combined with high impact polystyrene surface. In one embodiment, a mesh is introduced into the core to strengthen the core making the shipping container tamper proof. A shipping container bag that is light weight, strong, made of a fire retardant material and which forms an ultra violet light, weather and dust barrier can be used to store the shipping container. A system and method for supplying, dispensing, positioning, tracking, transporting, forwarding and storing the light weight shipping containers based on the shipping container bag is disclosed. |
| US07963395B2 |
Method of holding together packages and components thereto
The disclosure relates to a connecting element adapted to temporarily holding together a plurality of articles, the connecting element comprising a base member provided with a first adhesion area adapted to hold a first secondary article to said base member and a second adhesion area adapted to hold a second secondary article to said base member, wherein the adhesion areas comprise an electrically weakable adhesive. Also disclosed is a package and an article being provided with adhesion areas comprising an electrically weakable adhesive. |
| US07963393B2 |
Connected fastener assembly
A connected fastener assembly is formed by fitting a shaft guide on a shaft section of each fastener, by connecting the fasteners using two connecting sheets made of a synthetic resin and disposed on upper and lower sides of the shaft guides. Since the connecting sheets have through holes thorough which the fasteners pass and connecting sections formed so as to be easy to bend or difficult to bend in the width direction, the connected fastener assembly can be formed into a straight type or a coil type.In a connected fastener assembly, shaft sections of a plurality of fasteners are connected by a connecting band formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic resin. Ring-shaped retaining sections for retaining the shaft sections are formed at constant intervals in the connecting bands. The ring-shaped retaining sections are disposed so as to be overlaid on shaft guides made of soft materials and fitted on the shaft sections. Each of the shaft guides is formed into a cylindrical shape. An outside diameter of each of the ring-shaped retaining sections of the connecting band is larger than an outside diameter of the each of the shaft guides. |
| US07963388B2 |
Spline roller for a belt-driven roller conveyor, and method for making
A spline roller having a cylindrical barrel having a length, a first and second end, a centerline, and a circumferential surface, and at least a first drive portion formed integrally into the circumferential surface, having a first end and a second end, at least a first circumferential recess at the first end, and comprising a plurality of the parallel, radially-disposed, splines about the circumference, each spline extending along the length of the barrel from the first circumferential recess. Each spline has a ridge extending from the first end to the second end, and typically has a crown along the length of the ridge. The ridge can be oriented along a line that is parallel to the centerline of the spline roller, to provide a straight spline roller. The ridge can also be oriented along a line that is angled inwardly at a taper angle toward the centerline of the roller, to provide a tapered spline roller. Typically, each roller has a second drive portion adjacent to and axially disposed from the first drive portion. |
| US07963386B2 |
Method and device for the selective processing of printed products
Printed products are optionally processed in a preliminary stage (1) and a follow-up stage (2). The printed products are fed in a printed-product stream. The printed products, for optionally processing in the preliminary stage (1), are directed optionally, by means of a diverter (5), to different conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3), on which processing arrangements (10, 11, 12) are set up. The printed products are processed in the processing arrangements and then conveyed on. In an intermediate region, in which the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1) run parallel to one another and one beside the other, different conveying paths (7.1, 7.2) of the follow-up stage (2) can optionally be connected to the conveying paths (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) of the preliminary stage (1). Processing arrangements (13, 14) for optionally processing the printed products are also set up on the various conveying paths of the follow-up stage (2). The apparatus allows optional processing in two stages which are completely independent of one another. |
| US07963382B2 |
Optical coin discrimination sensor and coin processing system using the same
An method for determining the denomination of a coin with a disk-type coin processing system comprises moving a coin along a coin path with a rotatable disk, generating an encoder pulse for each incremental movement of the rotatable disk, directing a light beam transverse the coin path, detecting the light beam with a light detector, developing a signal at the light detector indicating the presence of a coin in the coin path, counting a number of encoder pulses occurring while developing the signal at the light detector, and comparing the counted number of encoder pulses to a plurality of stored numbers of encoder pulses corresponding to the particular coin denominations. |
| US07963381B2 |
Multi-plate centrifugal clutch and vehicle equipped with the same
A centrifugal clutch for a vehicle includes a clutch housing having friction plates, a clutch boss having clutch plates, a pressure plate, and roller weights that press the pressure plate in a direction such that the friction plates and the clutch plates are brought into frictional contact with each other when the roller weights receive a centrifugal force. The vehicle power unit includes a main shaft which has an oil supply passage formed therein. The clutch includes a first oil supply path that supplies oil via the oil supply passage to the friction and clutch plates. The clutch includes a second oil supply path that supplies oil via the oil supply passage to the roller weights. The first and second oil supply paths are formed individually to allow independent adjustment of oil supply to each path. |
| US07963376B2 |
System for cooling a disc brake rotor and collecting brake pad waste
The present invention is a system which improves the airflow in a disc braking system by using impellers which are powered by a drive shaft that is rotated via a roller that is contacted with the brake rotor. A housing is provided that fits on a brake disc which holds the impellers, drive shaft, and filters. In an alternative embodiment, twin impellers could be used on either side of the rotor to maximize the air flow through the impellers. It is another object of the present invention to provide an impeller shroud housing that has an inlet to allow air to enter the shrouding. There is a mesh filter on the inlet which can capture particles as air is forced into the shrouding. Another filter on the shroud housing outlet to capture the remaining particles as air is forced out of the shroud housing and onto the rotor to aid in cooling of the braking system. |
| US07963375B2 |
Pole wheel which can be connected to a wheel hub of a motor vehicle
A pole wheel is described, which can be connected to a wheel hub of a motor vehicle. The pole wheel comprises an annular-shaped wheel ring extending in a radial plane, and forming an outer edge comprising a plurality of openings arranged at substantially equal angular distances in relation to each other. The pole wheel also includes a dimensionally stable stop formed directly or indirectly on the wheel ring. The stop engages the brake disc connected to the wheel hub such that the brake disc is retained in an axial direction. |
| US07963365B2 |
Drag harness improvements
A drag harness comprises two arm loops, each of which has a fixed length and is adapted to receive a separate arm of a wearer, and a pair of gripping loops, each of which has a fixed length. The gripping loops are joined to the arm loops. |
| US07963363B2 |
Soundproof cover for automobiles
The present invention relates to a soundproof cover for automobiles, the soundproof cover including: a cover body formed of a metal or a resin; and a sound-absorbing material disposed opposite to a sound source, in which the sound-absorbing material has a soft sound-insulating layer on a surface side thereof facing the cover body, the sound-absorbing material is disposed apart from the cover body, and the sound-absorbing material has a peripheral edge that contacts with an inner wall of an edge of the cover body. |
| US07963360B2 |
Ratchet reset mechanism
A ratchet apparatus includes a first member, a rack, and a second member that is selectively movable in first and second directions with respect to the first member. A first pawl is mounted with respect to the first member and is biased into engagement with the rack. The first pawl and the rack are configured such that engagement of the first pawl with the rack prevents movement of the first pawl relative to the rack in the first direction. A second pawl is mounted with respect to the second member for movement therewith in the first and second directions. The second pawl is biased into engagement with the rack. The second pawl and said rack are configured such that engagement of the second pawl with the rack prevents movement of the second pawl relative to the rack in the first direction. |
| US07963355B2 |
Vehicle front end structure
A vehicle front end structure is provided with a vehicle body frame forming a frontward portion of a vehicle, a longitudinal acceleration sensor, a frontward vehicle component, a rearward extending part and a bracket. The frontward vehicle component is disposed to protrude farther forward than the vehicle body frame. The rearward extending part is connected to the frontward vehicle component and extends to a rearward position of the vehicle body frame. The bracket fixes the rearward extending part to the vehicle body frame at a connection area such that the rearward extending part is located farther rearward than the connection area of the vehicle body frame, with the bracket being constructed such that the rearward extending part releases from the vehicle body frame when a force acts to move the frontward vehicle component and the rearward extending part rearward. |
| US07963353B2 |
Power output device of hybrid vehicle
A trans axle includes motor generators with central rotation axes of respective rotors arranged coaxially, a power split device arranged coaxially with the central rotation axis of a crank shaft and between motor generators, and a power control unit controlling the motor generators. The power control unit is arranged such that a reactor is positioned at least on one side and a smoothing capacitor is positioned on the other side of the central rotation axis of motor generator. The motor generators, the power split device and the power control unit are housed and integrated in a metal case, and fixed on a body of a vehicle (1000) by an engine mount. |
| US07963352B2 |
Powered unicycle
A powered unicycle (100) having a wheel (105) driven by a motor (107) and a control system arranged to automatically maintain the fore-aft balance of the unicycle (100) via operation of the motor (107). The unicycle (100) also includes a handle bar (102), coupled to the wheel (105) by a pillar (101), which is operable to steer the wheel (105), and a rider-support (109) which is pivotable relative to the wheel. |
| US07963350B1 |
Spherical armored mobile platform
A spherical armored mobile platform (SAMP) is provided for at least one operator to enable protected entry and egress from a militarily hostile environment. The SAMP includes a spherical shell, an armored cockpit and a set of wheels. The spherical shell has inner and outer surfaces and features a plurality of cavities that extend therethrough. The cockpit houses a seat, a guidance controller, a display console, and an electric motor connected to a power supply. The cockpit is contained within said shell. The seat is designed to receive the operator. The wheels are driven by the motor and structurally supported by the cockpit. The wheels engage the inner surface and turn in response to the motor. The cavities are disposed within three-sided boundaries of a geodesic dome. The SAMP can further include a plurality of optical sensors disposed on the cockpit, and a signal integrator to present temporally concatenated visual signals into a mosaic at the display console. The SAMP can also include a projectile-firing gun mounted to the cockpit, and a trigger control to enable actuation of the gun in response to the projectile exiting the sphere at an instance that coincides with a cavity of the plurality of cavities. The SAMP includes a steering mechanism that turns orientation direction of the fore lower and aft upper wheels. The SAMP includes a door on the cockpit that slides between first open and closed positions, and a hatch on the sphere that hinges between second open and closed positions. |
| US07963338B1 |
Methods to treat produced water
Methods are disclosed to treat produced water from hydrocarbons production facilities. The disclosed methods can be used to either: (1) de-NORM produced water; or (2) de-NORM and partially de-salt produced water; or (3) de-NORM and partially de-salt and de-ionize produced water; or (4) de-oil, de-NORM, de-salt and de-ionize produced water. |
| US07963337B2 |
Composite enhanced metallic drilling riser system
An offshore composite enhanced metallic drilling riser is equipped to enable preloading of the composite shell and the metallic riser. A riser has steel end connectors and a continuous metallic inner liner, encased in a composite shell. A segmented hyperboloid shaped profile is located near each of the end fittings for preloading of the composite and the metallic riser. In one version, both halves of the hyperboloid shape are capable of axial movement by adjusting jack bolts connected to one of the hyperboloid halves. One of the halves is limited in axial movement while the other half moves axially away from the restricted half, the movement simultaneously generates the composite pre-load and the metallic riser pre-load. The other version uses fluid pressure between mating faces of the segments to push them apart. |
| US07963335B2 |
Subsea hydraulic and pneumatic power
Systems and methods for providing energy to sub-sea support equipment. Energy can be provided by diverting at least a portion of a fluid from a well producing system to sub-sea support equipment units that can be disposed in the vicinity of the sea-floor, sea-bed, or mud-line. The well producing system can include, but is not limited to, a water injection system, a gas lift system, or combinations thereof. A water injection system designed to provide pressure support to one or more wells can be modified to provide an operational power source to one or more sub-sea support equipment units. |
| US07963332B2 |
Apparatus and method for abrasive jet perforating
A abrasive jet perforating tool comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube with a side, an upper portion, and a lower portion; a plurality of holes tapped and threaded into the side of the tube; threaded abrasive jets mounted in at least some of the plurality of threaded holes; protective plates mounted on the side of the tube around the abrasive jets; gauge rings that slide onto an outer diameter of the upper portion and the lower portion of the tube; and a mechanical casing collar locator connected to the upper portion of the tube. |
| US07963331B2 |
Method and apparatus for isolating a jet forming aperture in a well bore servicing tool
An embodiment of a well bore servicing apparatus includes a housing having a through bore and at least one high pressure fluid aperture in the housing, the fluid aperture being in fluid communication with the through bore to provide a high pressure fluid stream to the well bore, and a removable member coupled to the housing and disposed adjacent the fluid jet forming aperture and isolating the fluid jet forming aperture from an exterior of the housing. An embodiment of a method of servicing a well bore includes applying a removable member to an exterior of a well bore servicing tool, wherein the removable member covers at least one high pressure fluid aperture disposed in the tool, lowering the tool into a well bore, exposing the tool to a well bore material, wherein the removable cover prevents the well bore material from entering the fluid aperture, removing the removable member to expose a fluid flow path adjacent an outlet of the high pressure fluid aperture, and flowing a well bore servicing fluid through the fluid aperture outlet and flow path. |
| US07963326B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing pressure signature in conjunction with fall time as indicator in oil and gas wells
Disclosed is a method of utilizing a pressure signature in conjunction with a plunger's fall time as an indicator of plunger location. The disclosed method can also indicate well and/or plunger conditions. A controller that can see and interpret slope change and/or pressure signature and automatically make changes to plunger fall time is also disclosed. |
| US07963325B2 |
Method and system for fracturing subsurface formations during the drilling thereof
A method for fracturing a wellbore while drilling a wellbore includes inserting a drill string into a wellbore. A fluid is pumped into at least one of an interior passage in the drill string and an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string. At least one of a pressure and a temperature of the fluid proximate a lower end of the drill string is measured and the measurements are transmitted to the surface substantially contemporaneously with the measuring. At least one of a flow rate and a pressure of the fluid is controlled in response to the measurements to selectively create fractures in formations adjacent to the wellbore. |
| US07963324B2 |
Flow control actuation
A method usable with a subterranean well that includes actuating a downhole tool (a valve assembly, for example). The method also includes applying at least one of an impulse stimulus and a vibration stimulus to the tool during the actuating to enhance operation of the tool. |
| US07963315B2 |
Vehicle air conditioner having hinge for rotating heat exchanger during collision
A vehicle with an air conditioner comprises an instrument panel center member disposed vertically behind an evaporator and fixed to a vehicle structure. The evaporator is disposed obliquely in such a manner that its maximum-area face has a crossing angle relative to a horizontal face and a distance between its front and rear ends is a specified length or greater. The evaporator is configured so as to be rotated between a vehicle dash panel being moved rearward and the instrument panel center member at a frontal crash of a vehicle in such a manner that the distance between its front end and rear end becomes shorter. Accordingly, the evaporator can be prevented from being pushed into a vehicle cabin at the vehicle frontal crash, thereby ensuring the safety of the passenger. |
| US07963314B2 |
Casting apparatus and method
A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold. |
| US07963312B2 |
Screen apparatus
A screen is made to be able to be changed in a state in which the screen is made to be detachable from a screen attaching frame portion, a first connector is arranged at one end extracted from the screen of screen tension members penetrating the screen at a plurality of portions in a length direction, the one end is connected to a vicinity of a free end of a slide guide frame portion, other end of a jump member extracted to a screen attaching side is arranged with a second connector, the first connector and the second connector are made to be attachable and detachable to and from each other, and the slide guide frame portion is extracted from inside of the screen attaching frame portion. |
| US07963311B2 |
Veneer lay-up squeezing
The invention relates to squeeze pressing of a laid-up veneer assembly having glue applied as glue stripes. The pressing in the method is subjected to the assembly as two uniform fronts advancing in opposite directions from the central area of the assembly. A press for implementing the method comprises press plates to be pressed together, at least one press plate being equipped with a sub-pressing plate extending as an arch at the central area of the press plate to the press opening. |
| US07963310B2 |
Method for connecting electronic components, method for forming bump and conductive connection film and fabrication apparatus for electronic component mounted body, bump and conductive connection film
A liquid resin in which conductive particles are dispersed is supplied to between a circuit substrate and a semiconductor chip disposed so as to face each other and an ultrasonic wave having an amplitude in a perpendicular direction to a surface of the circuit substrate to generate a standing wave in a resin. Then, the conductive particles dispersed in the resin are captured at nodes of the standing wave to form connection bodies of aggregation of the conductive particles between connection terminals of the semiconductor chip and terminals of the circuit substrate. Thus, the semiconductor chip is mounted on the circuit substrate via the connection bodies. The terminals are arrayed so as to be spaced apart from one another by half a wavelength of the standing wave and each of the nodes of the standing wave are generated at a position between the terminals in the resin. |
| US07963303B2 |
Manual hair dye apparatus and method for using the same
In one embodiment of the present system invention, the operator enters the customer name into the color management system and the computer screen displays the customer's history. If this is a new customer, a history file is created. The operator selects desired color from the color pallet, enters the required amount of finished dye and finally the activator strength is selected. The operator is instructed to place an empty batch container on the scale. The system prompts the operator for the first dye color, and an LED adjacent to the corresponding drawer is illuminated. The operator manually adds the amount indicated on the display panel, while the scale monitors exactly how much has been added and provides feedback to the operator leading to an extremely accurate dispense. After returning the bottle or tube to the designated storage bin, the operator presses “next”, and the next LED is illuminated along with the required amount of the next ingredient. Bar code readers can also be used to control the ingredient solution and control process. The system automatically adds the required activators from the internal storage reservoirs. A batch record is placed in the customers history file. |
| US07963300B2 |
Flexible hose article and related methods
The present invention generally relates to flexible hose articles and methods. Some embodiments include hoses that can be reversibly bent and/or shaped. Furthermore, some embodiments can comprise methods for making and/or using such hose articles. |
| US07963299B2 |
Heat dissipation
A method and apparatus are disclosed for dissipating heat from a region of flexible pipe covered by a bend stiffener. The method includes the steps of, via at least one channel in an outer surface around a flexible pipe, providing a flow path for water to flow from a region of the flexible pipe covered by a bend stiffener to an uncovered region of the flexible pipe. |
| US07963298B2 |
Spherical tube end form for a fluid connection system
A fluid distribution pipe includes an elongate tubular body and a spherical end form integral with the tubular body at an inlet end. The spherical fluid connection end of the fuel rail is formed by plastic deformation. A series of tools and motions is used while the tubing of the fuel rail is clamped in place to form the spherical end form at the inlet end of the tubing. The resulting spherical end form provides the necessary geometry and surface finish to provide a successful seal and flexible connection of the fuel rail with a fuel line with significant cost advantages over current prior art methods. |
| US07963287B2 |
Tissue-treatment methods
Polymer insulators and methods of using polymer insulators are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes separating a first portion of a subject's tissue from a second portion of the subject's tissue so that there is a space between the first and second portions of tissue. Deionized water, a buffered saline solution, liquid polymers, gels, particles, foams, and/or gases are disposed between the first and second portions of tissue, and the first portion of tissue is exposed to energy to treat the first portion of tissue. |
| US07963286B2 |
Combination bite block, tongue depressor/retractor and airway
A combination bite block, tongue depressor/retractor and airway for establishing and maintaining an open airway while preventing emergence clenching and the resulting dental and soft tissue damage associated with emergence clenching in procedures where anesthesia and/or sedation are used, or when the patient is not in control of their own airway, regardless of the cause. The inventive subject matter includes a tongue depressor/retractor component in both right and left conformations; and a bite block component. The bite block component is a wedge shaped, compressible component that is inserted between the upper and lower molars on either the right or left side of the mouth. The tongue depressor component is comprised by a flat portion of that is inserted into the side of the bite block, and an optional curved portion that retracts the tongue off of the posterior pharynx when in place. |
| US07963282B2 |
Kitchen hood assembly with a combination cleaning and fire suppression system
A kitchen hood assembly includes a combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system. The hood assembly includes a hood structure and a riser connected thereto. An exhaust blower forces an exhaust stream of air into the hood and through the riser. A combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system is incorporated into the hood structure. The combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system includes an elongated spray bar that is connected to a water source and includes a surfactant injector that injects a surfactant into the water being directed to the spray bar. In one mode of operation, the spray bar is effective to clean the hood assembly. In another mode of operation, when a fire is sensed in or in the vicinity of the hood, the same spray bar is utilized to inject an aqueous liquid into the hood to suppress the fire. |
| US07963281B2 |
Electric toy gun and motion control mechanism thereof
This invention is a motion control mechanism for use in electric toy guns. The mechanism includes a gear set, a piston set that is inside the electric toy gun's body and driven by the said gear set, a primary repositioning spring that is between the said piston set and the toy gun's rear end, and the repositioning set that is installed on the gun body, and moves backward when driven by the said piston set. The said repositioning set is fixed to the piston set, and will move backward when driven by the gear set. It will then reposition itself by the force of primary repositioning spring. The electric toy guns with this invention have the following advantageous features: Since it has a repositioning set, and air release holes, it provides for motions that are more similar to those of real guns. Thus it is more suited for military training and lasts longer. |
| US07963277B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation control system
An exhaust gas recirculation system has an EGR valve disposed in an EGR duct connecting an engine intake and exhaust. A diaphragm of said EGR valve is actuated via vacuum from the engine intake, the application of the vacuum is controlled via an electronic valve regulator (EVR). The EVR is provided a fixed signal to cause it to be fully open when it is determined that the engine is about to encounter a condition in which there is insufficient vacuum to open the EGR valve. The EVR is provided a variable signal during other operating conditions in which there is sufficient vacuum to open the EGR valve. |
| US07963273B2 |
Cylinder charge temperature control for an internal combustion engine
An engine is operated with a first cylinder to provide a net flow of gases from the engine intake to the engine exhaust while a second cylinder returns combusted gases back to the intake to control a timing of auto-ignition combustion in the first cylinder. |
| US07963269B2 |
Ignition timing controlling apparatus and ignition timing controlling method for internal combustion engine
A 90° integrated value calculating unit of an engine ECU calculates a 90° integrated value obtained by integrating a magnitude. A calculating unit calculates a knock magnitude by dividing 90° integrated value by a BGL. A value obtained by subtracting a standard deviation σ from a median value of 90° integrated value is determined as the BGL. An ignition timing control unit controls the ignition timing depending on whether knock magnitude is equal to or larger than a determination value. A median value calculating unit calculates median value of 90° integrated value. A standard deviation calculating unit calculates standard deviation of 90° integrated value. A first stop unit stops updating of median value and standard deviation when 90° integrated value is smaller than a first threshold value or is equal to or larger than a second threshold value. |
| US07963266B2 |
Starter apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A starter device for an internal combustion engine (10) has an actuating device and an entrainer (24) can be coupled to the crankshaft (13) of the engine (10). The entrainer (24) and the actuating device are rotatably journalled about a rotational axis (14). The entrainer (24) and the actuating device are connected to each other via a damping spring (23). The damping spring (23) is connected with a first end (26) to the actuating device and with a second end (27) to the entrainer (24). The entrainer (24) and the actuating device have respective supports (21, 42). The damping spring (23) is mounted on the outer periphery of the two supports (21, 42). In the direction of the rotational axis (14), a disc (22) is mounted between the two supports (21, 42) in order to avoid the situation that the damping spring (23) can force itself into a gap between the two supports (21, 42) which gap can arise during operation. |
| US07963256B1 |
Motion control harness for a medium to large dog
A restraint harness for a dog, particularly a dog of medium size and larger, including a conventional adjustable dog harness and an attached harness control extension. The harness control extension includes a plurality of straps configured to extend to the hind end of the dog and a motion control cord that is interlaced in and between the conventional adjustable dog harness and the harness control extension. The motion control cord encircles the dog's hind legs and can be tightened around the thighs with minimal force, where such tightening substantially restrains the dog without causing injury to the dog. |
| US07963250B2 |
Animal feeder
An animal feeder which is adapted to simultaneously dispense feed and liquid onto a feed material receiving member. |
| US07963248B2 |
Plasma generator, substrate treating apparatus including the same and substrate treating method
A plasma generator includes a gas supply member configured to supply source gas and a plurality of electrodes for generating plasma using the source gas. The plurality of electrodes have a long rod shape in a first direction and are arranged abreast in a second direction vertical to the first direction to be spaced apart from each other at the same height. A spaced distance between electrodes is adjusted by means of a distance adjusting unit including a first connector connected to a first electrode, a second connector connected to a second electrode, and a first shaft pin connecting the first and second connectors to each other. The first and second connectors rotate on the first shaft pin to adjust a spaced distance between the first and second electrodes. |
| US07963246B1 |
Apparatus for controlled application of an adhesive bead to a workpiece
An apparatus is designed to apply a controlled adhesive bead to a workpiece as the workpiece is manually moved along a stationary adhesive dispensing mechanism. The apparatus comprises a worktable with a motion detection device mounted on a top surface of the table, the adhesive dispensing mechanism mounted to the worktable, an electronic control system mounted to the worktable and operatively connected to the motion detection device and the adhesive dispensing mechanism, and an adhesive source. The workpiece is manually moved under the dispensing mechanism. Regardless of the workpiece movement speed, a consistent sized adhesive bead is applied to the workpiece. |
| US07963245B2 |
Liquid application device and ink jet recording apparatus
A liquid application device includes a rotating unit for rotating an application member to apply liquid to a medium in contact with the application member, a liquid application unit including the application member, and a retention member for retaining liquid in a sealed liquid retention space formed to be in contact with the application member. The liquid application unit applies the liquid retained in the liquid retention space to the medium via the application member by rotating the application member. In addition, a control unit controls the rotating unit, wherein the control unit controls, after receiving information of instruction on applying liquid to the medium, the rotating unit to rotate, before the application member contacts the medium, the application member so that the rotating unit performs a preliminary rotation that forms a pool of the liquid in an area. The area is upstream, in a rotational direction, of a contact area between the retention member and the application member at a side where a surface of the application member enters a contact area with the retention member, and the area is downstream, in the rotational direction, of a contact area between the medium and the application member when transferring the medium. |
| US07963243B2 |
Portable collapsible boat
The invention is a portable collapsible boat comprising one or more rigid cockpit sections, constructed of a material such as fiberglass, attached to a bow section and a stem section, which are constructed of fabric material covering a skeleton of longitudinal stringers and ring frames, and are attached to the rigid cockpit section(s) by means of a belt, buckles, and/or flanges. The hybrid folding boat combines the best features of rigid boats, such as performance and durability, with the best features of existing folding boats, such as transportability, without suffering from the drawbacks of rigid boats (mainly the extensive storage space required) or folding boats (mainly weight). The hybrid folding boat is lighter, easier to transport, more rugged, safer, easier to assemble, and stiffer than previous folding boats, adapts easily to a sailing rig, and facilitates one or more passengers. Manufacture of the boat is simpler than that of conventional folding kayaks because it has fewer parts and less dependence on precision stitching of the fabric covering. |
| US07963242B2 |
Anchor containing a self deploying mooring system and method of automatically deploying the mooring system from the anchor
An anchor holds a variety of mooring system elements, including processor-controlled cable brakes, prior to deployment of the anchor. The anchor is configured to automatically deploy the elements of the mooring system into a desired underwater configuration. A method of deploying an ocean anchor includes controlling cable brakes and results in the elements of the mooring system being deployed into a desired underwater configuration. |
| US07963235B2 |
Thermoformed platform having a communications device
Articles constructed of a plurality of scuffed sheets have improved sheet-to-sheet bond strength and surfaces with high coefficients of friction. Articles constructed out of three scuffed sheets include exterior intumescent polymeric surfaces resisting the spread of combustion flames and insulating the interior surfaces from the high temperature of fire. Articles include electronic apparatus sending an emergency 911 call to a remote monitoring station. Articles are advantageously reinforced with optional rigidifying structures without article modification. Members are joined with snap together features providing an assembled article. Articles include handles for ergonomic manipulation by workers. Articles include elements amenably receiving unitization accessories. The article improvements are demonstrated in the form of industrial platforms, particularly material handling pallets. |
| US07963234B2 |
Computer table element
The invention relates to a computer table element (1), comprising a body (2), a sliding keyboard panel (3) having an extended working position and a retracted storage position, a bearer (9, 10) mounted pivotably on the body (2) for supporting a flat-panel display (11) in various positions, and a front wall (6) beneath the keyboard panel (3). The keyboard panel (3) has its movement transmitted by a pivot joint (4) to the front wall (6) and by swing arms (5a, 5b) to the display bearer (9, 10), such that the front wall (6) and the bearer (9, 10) swivel towards a vertical plane as the keyboard panel (3) travels from the working position to the storage position. This results in more leg room under the table. |
| US07963227B1 |
Multiple report stun grenade
The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a stun grenade device with an elongated cylindrical body having a cylindrical sidewall and opposed top and bottom end faces. The body includes a delay chamber containing a delay material, and has a number of flash charge chambers each containing a quantity of flash charge material. The body defines a number of ignition passages, each communicating from a respective flash charge chamber to the delay chamber. Each flash charge chamber has at least one exhaust aperture penetrating the top or bottom end face. Each flash charge chamber may be formed in an elongated tubular sleeve inset in a frame of a different material. |
| US07963226B2 |
Method for operating a printing unit having at least one press unit, and a press unit for carrying out the method
A printing unit has at least one press unit having a plate cylinder with at least one printing plate that can be mounted on the plate cylinder and which carries a printing image. The plate cylinder has at least one cylinder channel in which ends of the printing plate can be fixed or positioned. The printing plate has a leading angled end and also has a trailing angled end, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder during operation of the printing press. The printing plate can be secured to the plate cylinder by insertion of the plate leading end into the cylinder channel and by insertion of the plate trailing end into the same, or another cylinder channel. Initially, the plate trailing end is fixed in its associated cylinder channel and the plate cylinder is rotated in a rotational direction counter to a production direction. The leading plate end is then fixed in its associated cylinder channel during continued rotation of the plate cylinder opposite to a production direction. Once the printing plate is secured, the printing cylinder is rotated in its production direction. |
| US07963225B2 |
Method for controlling and/or adjusting a register in a printing machine and a device for controlling and/or adjusting a circumferential register
A register in a printing machine is controlled and adjusted by providing at least one printing unit provided with at least two printing groups in the printing machine. Each printing group comprises a cylinder pair consisting of at least a forme cylinder and a transfer cylinder. The forme cylinder of the first printing group is phase shifted at a first amount for the register adjustment in a circumferential direction. The transfer cylinder of the first printing group is phase shifted in a second amount in the circumferential direction. The amount of the phase shift of the forme cylinder is different from the amount of phase shift of the transfer cylinder. The two amounts of the phase shifts are not equal to zero. |
| US07963224B2 |
Drum having a polymer layer with channels on a metal cylinder
Various embodiments and methods relating to a drum having a polymer layer with channels on a metal cylinder are disclosed. |
| US07963223B2 |
Apparatus and method for bending a printing plate
An apparatus and method for bending a printing plate is disclosed. A bending machine, in particular for the bending of printing plates which are used in printing machines, includes a pressure pad, which exerts the required clamping force on the printing plate during the bending operation, and which is movable in relation to a holding-down plate, so that a uniform clamping force acts on the printing plate over the entire length of the pressure pad. |
| US07963222B2 |
Flexographic printing machine
A flexographic printing machine including at least one printing unit with an ink roller mounted at one end to a first sliding support and a plate-holding roller mounted at one end to a second sliding support, and at least one guide member for guiding the movements of the supports in directions parallel to an imaginary line which perpendicularly intersects the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers. In addition, first upper and lower screws are provided parallel to said line above and below the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers in order to move the first support, and second upper and lower screws are provided parallel to the line above and below the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers in order to move the second support. |
| US07963216B2 |
Apparatus for improving surface smoothness and internal firmness of cylindrical food products
An apparatus for improving surface smoothness and internal firmness of cylindrical food products is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt for conveying cylindrical food products to a concave rolling zone below an output end, such that each of the cylindrical food products rolls in the rolling zone for an appropriate amount of time. Thus, surface smoothness and internal firmness of each of the cylindrical food products are improved. |
| US07963214B1 |
Extrusion processing of high meat quantity feeds using preconditioner with hot air input
The present invention is directed to improved preconditioners (12) especially useful for the production of high meat-content pet foods. The preconditioners (12) include an elongated housing (16) with one or more elongated, axially rotatable mixing shafts (18, 20) therein, each having a plurality of outwardly extending mixing elements (42, 44). The preconditioner (12) is provided with apparatus (56) for directing relatively large quantities of heated non-steam gas into the preconditioner (12) in lieu of most or all of the steam normally used with preconditioners. This serves to heat material passing through the preconditioner (12) without the addition of substantial moisture. |
| US07963211B2 |
Reciprocating gas compression installation with controlled leakage rate
The invention relates to a reciprocating installation (1) for the compression of a current gas, comprising: at least one cylinder (2) which defines a compression chamber (3); a piston (4) which co-operates with the cylinder, an actuation rod (6) extending from said piston; a cylinder base (7) comprising a passage (8) for the linear and reciprocating displacement of the piston rod; and a stuffing box-type sealing device (9) between the piston rod (6) and the cylinder base (7). The invention is characterized in that: a source (16) that provides a pressurized insulating gas of no interest is used; the sealing device stack comprises two spacer rings (111, 112), namely a front ring (111) which is disposed at a distance from the cylinder and a rear ring (112) which is disposed nearer the cylinder; and the cylinder base or the body of the sealing device (7) is equipped with a front hole (151) and a rear hole (152), such that, on one side, the two holes are communicated with two external peripheral cells (141, 142) in the two spacer rings respectively and, on the other side, at least the front hole (151) is communicated with the insulating gas source (16), such as to use an internal annular gap in order to generate a tubular insulating gaseous path comprising the insulating gas along the length of the piston rod (6) practically from one end of the sealing device (9) to the other. |
| US07963206B2 |
Apparatus for sighting-in a gun
To sight-In a gun—especially a rifle (10)—it has to be held in the same position while it is fired at least twice, the gunsight (14) being adjusted after the first shot so that the gun sight shows the gun aimed at the point of impact of the first shot on the target. Apparatus to hold the gun while sighting-in is performed has a base (16) on which an elogate support frame (40) is mounted. The support frame (40) carries a rear stock clamping arrangement, with which clamping members (21) firmly hold the rear stock (11) of the gun. A gun barrel (13) or front stock (12) locating arrangement (30,31,32,34,37,39), also carried by the support frame, ensures that the front stock (or barrel) of the gun can be repositioned (if it has not been clamped) in the same position after a shot has been fired. Mounting blocks (115, 116) clamped to the base (16) include means to make fine adjustments of the lateral pointing of the gun. Course variation of the vertical pointing of the gun is effected by changing the height above the support frame (40) of a horizontal bar (30) of the front stock locating arrangement. Fine adjustment of the vertical pointing of the gun is effected by movement of pivot arms (24), on which the rear stock clamping members (21) are carried, about a pivot axis (27). Straps to prevent or limit gun movement due to recoil may be included. |
| US07963204B2 |
Stressed skin tiled vehicle armor
Vehicle armor includes a body panel of the vehicle having a stressed skin construction with an inside surface and an outside surface. A liner overlies the inside surface of the body panel and a particle-filled elastomer overlies the outside surface of the body panel. Thin, single-layer steel tiles overlie the elastomer layer, with the tiles each having a hardened outer side and a non-hardened inner side. |
| US07963203B1 |
Rifle
A rifle with an upper receiver and a barrel attached to the upper receiver and including a bolt carrier, and operating, buffer, and cooling systems. The operating system includes a cylinder and a piston coupled to receive propelling gases from the barrel. As the piston moves between retracted and extended positions the bolt carrier is moved between closed and open positions. The bolt carrier includes a weight movable within a guide frame between rearward and forward limits. The buffer system includes a compression spring in a tube attached to the upper receiver in abutting engagement with the bolt carrier. A partially fluid filled cylinder is attached to a coil of the spring and includes a piston and shaft. The piston is formed so that fluid in the cylinder restricts movement in one direction and allows free movement in a second direction. |
| US07963192B2 |
Surgical scissors and method for the manufacture of surgical scissors
Surgical scissors are provided having two scissor blades mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other about a pivot axis and having one cutting edge each. The scissor blades have, proximal of the pivot axis, one sliding surface area each, the sliding surface areas sliding along each other and the scissor blades contacting each other distally of the pivot axis at a moving point of contact of the cutting edges sliding along each other when the scissors are opened and closed. At least one of the cutting edges is provided with a hard material coating, and at least one of the two sliding surface areas have a first hard material coating-free surface. A method for the manufacture of surgical scissors is also proposed. |
| US07963190B2 |
Helical gear sets
A gear set for a transmission for use in limited space and capable of transmitting relatively large amounts of power with a small diameter of the gear sets, comprising a series of helical gear elements having stub shafts extending laterally from either side thereof, each of the stub shafts having teeth formed at the remote ends thereof and a central axial bore extending through each gear element and a coupler adapted to engage the teeth on adjacent gear elements join gear elements in driving contact. The gear set having a relatively large effective diameter, and a tension rail extending through the axial bore in the gear elements with retainers at either end of the tension rail so as to effectively permit limited axial movement along the tension rail while preventing inadvertent disengagement. |
| US07963187B2 |
Control arrangement and gearbox
The invention relates to a control device for controlling the engagement of desired gears of a gearbox, which control device comprises a control rod with a relating locking arrangement. The locking arrangement comprises a locking element provided with one or more grooves or recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod. The locking arrangement further comprises a resilient locking means arranged in a recess in the control rod, which locking means has a locking portion which, against the action of a spring force of the locking means, is arranged for movement in said recess in the control rod's radial direction between a protruded position in which the locking portion engages in one of said grooves/recesses in the locking element and thereby counteracts movement of the control rod relative to the locking element, and a retracted position in which the locking portion does not engage in any of said grooves/recesses in the locking element. The invention also relates to a gearbox comprising such a control device. |
| US07963185B2 |
Stepper motor driven proportional actuator
A stepper motor driven actuator that eliminates the need for a position sensor is provided. The stepper motor rotates a cam in a control piston valve. In a single nozzle embodiment, pressure balance is maintained by a spring preload on one end of the piston in one embodiment, and by hydraulic pressure acting on a double diameter end portion of the piston in another embodiment. As the cam is rotated, the change in the gap between the nozzle and the cam changes the pressures on the control piston ends, which forces the piston in the direction that will re-equalize the pressure based on the cam-nozzle gap. As a result, the head or rod of the actuator piston receives high pressure flow, thereby moving the actuator. Movement of the actuator rod provides mechanical feedback to the cam, causing the cam to move back to its mechanical null position. |
| US07963181B2 |
Drive for adjusting parts of seating and reclining furniture
A drive for adjusting parts of seating and reclining furniture is provided, which includes: an electric motor, disposed within a motor cover of a cabinet and engaged with a gear connected to a lead screw via one end of a drive shaft of the electric motor, and a slider, for moving rectilinearly back and forth in cooperation with the lead screw. The slider is provided with a drive nut therein, which is screwed onto the lead screw to enable the slider to move rectilinearly. One or more positioning grooves are disposed on the slider in parallel with the nut. Guide rails are correspondingly disposed in the positioning grooves. One end of each guide rail is fixed to the cabinet and the other end of each guide rail is fixed to a top stopper. Therefore, a better adjustability is achieved within a limited inner space of the furniture. Moreover, the drive does not need to move, and the stroke length of the drive is independent from the cabinet size thereof, so that the drive has a low manufacturing cost and is easily assembled. |
| US07963180B2 |
Wireless sensors in roll covers
An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical shell having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the shell outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, each sensor configured to sense a data parameter; and a plurality of wireless transceivers, each transceiver connected to a respective sensor and embedded in the cover adjacent thereto. Each wireless transceiver is configured to transmit data signals from the respective sensor. Related methods and systems are also discussed. |
| US07963178B2 |
Fork lift truck with axle load determination for a rear-end axle
A fork lift truck has a rear-end axle provided with a measuring device to determine the axle load. To enable the axle load to be determined using simple means which are reliable in operation, at least one shearing force detector (2 or 3) or normal force detector (6) in the form of a structural component and arranged in the force flux is integrated into the axle. |
| US07963177B2 |
Apparatus for attenuating ultrasonic waves propagating within a pipe wall
A damping device for a fluid flow meter mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe is provided. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a pipe wall in a direction normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe, which signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency. The damping device includes a base and a plurality of tines. The base is conformable to an exterior surface of the pipe wall, and has a pipe-side surface and a tine-side surface. The plurality of tines is attached to the base and extends outwardly from the tine-side surface. Each tine is spaced apart from an adjacent tine by a tine-to-tine distance that is less than the wavelength of the secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially propagating within the pipe wall. |
| US07963175B2 |
Clamp-on apparatus for measuring a fluid flow that includes a protective sensor housing
An apparatus for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, sealant, and an array of at least two ultrasonic sensors. The housing is operable to be mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The housing has at least one pocket extending between a pipe-side surface and an outer surface. The pipe-side surface mates with the exterior surface of the pipe. The sealant is disposed between the pipe exterior surface and the housing pipe-side surface. The sealant forms a seal around the pocket when the housing is mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The array of ultrasonic sensor units are disposed within the at least one pocket. Each sensor unit includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitters are operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the fluid flow within the pipe. The receivers are operable to receive signals from the transmitters. |
| US07963174B2 |
Ultrasonic flowmeter having a rubber transmitting body
An ultrasonic flowmeter includes two ultrasonic transceivers. Each of the ultrasonic transceivers includes a cylindrical transmitting body closely fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a measurement pipe through a fluid flows so as to surround the measurement pipe, and an ultrasonic transducer surrounding the measurement pipe and spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the measurement pipe. The transmitting body is made of a rubber material and has axial end surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the measurement pipe. The axial end surface of the ultrasonic transducer is fixedly secured to the axial end surface of the transmitting body, and the ultrasonic transducer is extended and contracted in the axial direction thereof by applying a voltage between the axial end surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer. |
| US07963173B2 |
Magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow
A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a flow of process fluid, includes a flow tube arranged to receive the flow of process fluid therethrough. A magnetic drive coil proximate the flow tube is arranged to apply a magnetic field to the flow in response to a drive signal. At least one electrode is arranged to sense an electrical potential of the process fluid which related to the applied magnetic field and flow rate of the process fluid. Temperature measurement circuitry is coupled to the magnetic drive coil and is configured to provide a temperature output indicative of temperature of the drive coil based upon an electrical parameter of the drive coil. Flow measurement circuitry coupled to the at least one electrode is configured to provide a flow output based upon sensed electrical potential. |
| US07963172B2 |
Multiphase flowmeter using a combination of pressure differentials and ultrasound doppler readings
A multiphase flowmeter, and a method of analyzing and measuring multiphase flow is described. The body of the multiphase flowmeter consists of the following components. It has a straight flow pipe in which two orifice plates a lodged near the extremities. At each of these two locations, a pressure differential transmitter measures the pressure drop that occurs as the fluid passes through the orifice plates. Along the length between the orifice plates, an ultrasound Doppler sensor measures the volume flow rate of the multiphase fluid, a pressure transmitter measures the in-pipe pressure and a temperature sensor measures the temperature. From the signals obtained from the above sensors, an overall analysis of the multiphase fluid flow is performed providing a complete set of flow measurement data for the mixture and for each of the three phases consisting of oil, water and gas. |
| US07963169B2 |
Level indicator or pressure-measuring device with a cup-shaped housing cover
Level indicator or pressure-measuring device with a cup-shaped housing cover (1), having a cylindrical lateral wall (10) and an inspection glass (4) fixed to the base, such that the inspection glass (4) is held in place by a bayonet fitting. |
| US07963168B2 |
Inspection apparatus and inspection method using electromagnetic wave
The present invention is to provide inspection apparatus and method of being able to acquire electromagnetic wave response information of an inspection object at high speed as average information using an electromagnetic wave. An inspection apparatus using an electromagnetic wave 2 includes an electromagnetic wave generation and irradiation unit 9 which generates an electromagnetic wave and irradiates the electromagnetic wave on an inspection object 11, and an electromagnetic wave detection unit 10 having a plurality of detection units. The plurality of detection units is arranged so as to detect the electromagnetic wave which is irradiated by the electromagnetic wave generation and irradiation unit and is transmitted or reflected with interacting with different sites of the inspection object 11, and is constructed so as to detect the electromagnetic wave from the different sites in different detection time or detection frequencies respectively. The inspection apparatus acquires electromagnetic wave response information on the inspection object 11 based on detection signals from the plurality of detection units. |
| US07963167B2 |
Ultrasonic probe
An ultrasonic probe is configured such that: a piezoelectric element group is housed within a sealed container so as to be rotated and oscillated left and right about a center line that equally divides a plate surface of the piezoelectric element group; and the sealed container is filled with a liquid that serves as an acoustic medium, and in the sealed container there are provided an inlet hole for the liquid as well as an exhaust hole, to the inlet hole there is connected a flexible tube that functions as a diaphragm, and on the flexible tube and the exhaust hole there are respectively provided sealing lids. As a result, there is provided an ultrasonic probe that prevents an occurrence of air bubbles in a liquid that serves as an ultrasonic wave medium, and that realizes excellent ultrasonic characteristics. |
| US07963164B2 |
Capacitive sensor assembly for determining level of fluent materials
A capacitive sensor assembly for measuring a level of fluent material in a container includes an electronics section for receiving and processing signals and an antenna probe operably associated with the electronics section. The antenna probe has an electrical conductor and an insulating layer that covers at least a portion of the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is connected to the electronics section. An enlarged measurement portion is in turn connected to the electrical conductor for detecting the presence or absence of the fluent material. The enlarged measurement portion has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of the electrical conductor over an equivalent height or length to function as a first plate of the capacitive sensor assembly, with the fluent material to be measured functioning as a second capacitive plate. In this manner, a change in detected capacitance of the antenna probe is reflective of a level condition of the fluent material. |
| US07963161B2 |
Heating resistor type air flow rate measuring device utilizing an auxiliary passage
An object of the present invention is to provide a structure which prevents a particulate contaminant and a liquid contaminant on which centrifugal separation hardly works, from arriving at a sensor element part. In order to attain the above described object, in a heat resistor type air flow rate measuring device which includes an auxiliary passage taking in a part of a fluid flowing in a main passage, and a plate-shaped sensor element installed in the aforesaid auxiliary passage and for detecting a flow rate of the fluid, and is a heat resistor type flow rate measuring device having an auxiliary passage formed along a curved line at 90° or more in an auxiliary passage portion at an upstream side from the plate-shaped sensor element, the aforesaid auxiliary passage is formed along a curved line at 90° or more on a phantom plane orthogonal to a sensor formation surface of the plate-shaped sensor element and parallel with a flow, and a sensor formation surface side and a rear side of the plate-shaped sensor element have gaps from an auxiliary passage wall surface. |
| US07963159B2 |
Inflation system for tires
Preferably, an embodiment of a tire inflation system includes at least an axle housing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap, and a lubrication trap axially aligned with the axle, supporting the rotary union and secured to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap for rotation with the hubcap. In another embodiment, a tire inflation system includes at least an axle housing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap, and a bushing axially aligned with the axle and disposed between the rotary union and the hubcap. |
| US07963157B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting decrease in tire air pressure and program for detecting decrease in tire air pressure
An apparatus for detecting a decrease in a tire air pressure includes: a rotation velocity information detection means for periodically detecting tire rotation velocity information for the respective wheels of a vehicle; a frequency characteristic estimate means for estimating, based on this rotation velocity information, a frequency characteristic of the rotation velocity information; and a judgment means for judging, based on the estimated frequency characteristic, a decrease in the air pressure of the tire. The frequency characteristic estimate means includes, with regard to a time-series signal including the rotation velocity information, a parameter estimate means for subjecting parameters of a three-order or more linear model to a time-series estimate; an input signal estimate means for estimating, based on the estimated linear model and the rotation velocity information that is an output signal of the linear model, an input signal to the linear model; a parameter identification means for identifying, based on the estimated input signal and the rotation velocity information, parameters of a linear model caused to have a lower order of a second order; and a resonant frequency estimate means for estimating, based on the parameters identified based on the model caused to have a lower order of the second order, a resonant frequency of the tire in a torsional direction. |
| US07963156B2 |
Method to determine a fuel composition
A method to determine the fuel composition of a fuel mixture from a first fuel and a second fuel for the operation of an internal combustion engine. The first and the second fuel have different combustion rates and/or different specific energy contents and the internal combustion engine has at least one pressure sensor in at least one combustion chamber, with which a temporal pressure curve and/or a pressure curve under conditions of angular synchronism is determined. |
| US07963154B2 |
Sensor unit for the measurment of a variable in a medium
A sensor unit for measuring a measurement variable in a medium, in particular in an aggressive liquid or gaseous medium, comprises a sensor that is arranged in a sensor capsule and has a sensor region that is arranged on a base body. In order to detect the measurement variable in the sensor region, a measurement opening is provided in the sensor capsule. On a side facing the measurement opening, the sensor region has a measurement surface that is provided with measurement electronics. An electrical supply line is provided on the sensor for the purpose of transmitting a sensor signal that is generated by the measurement electronics. A plated-through hole is provided in the base body. The plated-through hole is used to connect the measurement electronics to the electrical supply line via signals through the base body, on a base side of the sensor that faces away from the measurement opening. |
| US07963148B2 |
Gas sensor made of field effect transistor based on ZnO nanowires
The present invention discloses a gas sensor made of field effect transistor based on ZnO nanowires (ZnO-FET) which operates according to the principle of metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and has a charge carrier channel made of ZnO nanowires between source and drain. The gas sensor device disclosed in the present invention has three electrodes-gate, source and drain, so that it is different from the known gas sensor device which has only two electrodes-cathode and anode. The ZnO nanowires as charge channel in the gas sensor device of the present invention is an n-type semiconductor with high specific surface area, and its electric resistance can be controlled by the gate bias, so that the capability of the present device for sensing gas can be largely promoted. |
| US07963146B2 |
Method and system for detecting vapors
A method and system may include receiving a sample gas from an ambient environment on a first surface of a selective isolation device within an inlet assembly, dispersing the sample gas in substantially a first direction along the first surface, and circulating a carrier gas through a main assembly coupled to the inlet assembly, the main assembly defining a carrier gas environment. The method and system also may include selectively passing analytes from the sample gas through the selective isolation device to a second surface of the selective isolation device, the selective isolation device separating the ambient environment from the carrier gas environment, dispersing the carrier gas in substantially a second direction along the second surface, and obtaining the analytes in the carrier gas from the second surface. |
| US07963142B2 |
Radial compression mechanism with optimum die-to-die gap
Radial compression mechanism includes a plurality of dies each having an elongated arcuate body with an outer end pivotally attached to a hinge plate and an inner working tip. The dies are mounted on the hinge plate in an inwardly spiraling orientation with the outer ends positioned in a circle and the working tips cooperating to define a central product-receiving cylindrically-shaped cavity. The product-receiving cavity is transitional between an open and a closed orientation. The working tip of each die has a sliding surface and a working surface with the sliding surface positioned in parallel juxtaposition to the working surface of an adjacent die and a constant width gap therebetween. Driving mechanism is coupled to rotatably drive all of the dies in unison to transition between open and closed orientations. The width of the gap remains constant during transition and between the open and closed orientations. |
| US07963139B2 |
Apparatus for can expansion
An apparatus to expand a diameter of a can or other article comprises a forming turret that includes a stop plate and a forming tooling. The stop plate is configured to be adjacent a dome-end of a can to restrict motion of the can; the stop plate is axially movable relative to a turret axis of rotation. The forming tooling includes a plate and an expansion tool axially movable relative to the turret axis of rotation. The plate includes an opening through which the tool passes. The expansion tool is configured to move into an open end of the can to expand the diameter of the can. |
| US07963132B2 |
Locking device with passage
A lock device for use with a key is disclosed. The lock device includes a locking spindle including a plurality of locking spindle bores and a passage extending axially along an axial length of the locking spindle, and a driver structure including a plurality of driver structure bores. An interface between the driver structure and the locking spindle forms a shear line. The lock device also includes a plurality of combination pins in the plurality of locking spindle bores, and a plurality of driver pins in the driver structure bores in the driver structure, the plurality of driver pins being respectively associated with the plurality of combination pins. |
| US07963123B2 |
Method and machine for the production of convex glass sheets
A method and machine for obtaining bent glass sheets. Glass sheets are brought to their softening temperature, then they are caused to travel over a shaping bed of advancing elements for advancing them which are arranged along a path having a circular arc-shaped profile, the sheets progressively assuming their shape on entering the bed and over a first shaping zone, then being hardened by tempering or cooling in a second zone of the bed until they leave, and then the bent glass sheets thus obtained are recovered. The shaping bed is produced with a profile extending in a circular arc of more than 90°, and, on leaving the shaping bed, the hardened glass sheets are moved in a direction opposite that in which they were fed in. |
| US07963122B2 |
Microprism and microrod lenses, method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing optical glass elements, in particular optical prisms or optical rod lenses, using a drawing process. The geometry of the glass strand which is to be produced is controlled by means of cooling or heating elements positioned at least around portions of the periphery or longitudinal axis of the glass strand, inside or outside the heating apparatus. |
| US07963121B2 |
Outdoor unit of air conditioner
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is provided in which a wind whistling sound and a vibration noise due to airflow are reduced. The outdoor unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a fan, a motor for driving the fan, and a motor support table for supporting the motor. The fan moves air on the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between refrigerant and air. The motor support table (63) is provided with a rectifying member, and the rectifying member deflects air flowing toward the motor support table in a predetermined direction. |
| US07963119B2 |
Hybrid air and liquid coolant conditioning unit for facilitating cooling of one or more electronics racks of a data center
A hybrid air and liquid coolant conditioning unit is provided for facilitating cooling of electronics rack(s) of a data center. The unit includes a first heat exchange assembly, including a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, a system coolant loop and a facility coolant loop, and a second heat exchange assembly, including an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, an air-moving device, and the facility coolant loop. The system coolant loop provides cooled system coolant to the electronics rack(s), and expels heat in the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger from the electronics rack(s) to the facility coolant. The air-to-liquid heat exchanger extracts heat from the air of the data center and expels the heat to the facility coolant of the facility coolant loop. The facility coolant loop provides chilled facility coolant in parallel to the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and the air-to-liquid heat exchanger. In one implementation, the hybrid coolant conditioning unit includes a vapor-compression heat exchange assembly. |
| US07963118B2 |
Vapor-compression heat exchange system with evaporator coil mounted to outlet door of an electronics rack
A vapor-compression heat exchange system for facilitating cooling of an electronics rack. The system includes employing an evaporator coil mounted to an outlet door cover, which is hingedly affixed to an air outlet side of the rack, as well as refrigerant inlet and outlet plenums and an expansion valve also mounted to the outlet door cover and in fluid communication with the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil includes at least one heat exchange tube section and a plurality of fins extending therefrom. Respective connect couplings connect the inlet and outlet plenums in fluid communication with a vapor-compression unit which includes a compressor and a condenser disposed separate from the outlet door cover. The vapor-compression unit exhausts heat from refrigerant circulating therethrough. |
| US07963114B2 |
Hydraulic brake lever assembly
A hydraulic brake lever assembly includes a master cylinder, a master piston, and a floating piston. Both of the master piston and the floating piston are sealingly and movably received in the master cylinder. The master piston has a passage diametrically defined therein and extending therethrough for receiving a bias mechanism. The floating piston has a through hole for coaxially and sealingly receiving the master piston. The floating piston has two raceways radially and symmetrically extending from the through hole therein. The bias mechanism is movably disposed between the two raceways. Each raceway has a trough defined in a bottom thereof. The bias mechanism moves along the troughs and the raceways to provide the effort of multi-stage movement and different braking feel. |
| US07963113B2 |
Cylinder device
A cup seal 21 includes a base portion 21a, an inner circumferential lip 21b slidingly contactable with a plunger 19 and an outer circumferential lip 21c contactable with the bottom surface 26a of the seal groove 26. Further, on the cup seal 21, there are provided elastic projections 21d projecting from the outer circumferential side leading end of the inner circumferential lip 21b toward the cylinder hole bottom portion. The length of the cup seal 21 from the base end face 21e to the leading end portions 21f is set longer than axial length of the seal groove 26. When the cup seal 21 is fitted into the seal groove 26, force is imparted on the inner circumferential lip 21b toward the cylinder hole inner circumferential direction to energize the inner circumferential lip 21b toward the piston all the time. |
| US07963112B1 |
Portable wave-swash and coastal-wind energy harvester
In accordance with the present invention, a portable wave-swash & coastal-wind energy harvester, once placed on a sea coast in the swash zone captures the mechanical energy contained in: (a) waves in the swash-zone, and (b) coastal-wind. Energy is extracted through: (a) wave turbines, (b) wind turbines, and (c) wave floats. A rotational transmission system with one-way clutches transmits torque to an alternator, while flywheels attached to the axles maintain steady rotation of axles. A wave funnel faces the waves and causes the wave uprush to converge toward wave turbines. A buoyancy chamber at the bottom produces reduction of weight of the portable wave-swash & coastal-wind energy harvester when water in the chamber is emptied and thereby enhances maneuverability of the unit on land and in water, while a stabilization tank at the top when filled with water provides extra weight and stability of the unit in its operating location. |
| US07963111B2 |
Sea wave energy converter
The invention relates to a method for generating energy from an undulating movement of a medium such as seawater, comprising of following the movement of the medium, wherein a direction of movement of the movement changes at a point in time, converting the followed movement into energy, interrupting the following of the movement for an interruption period close to the point in time, wherein conversion of energy comprises of pumping a fluid with the followed movement by feeding and discharging said fluid. |
| US07963110B2 |
Systems and methods for improving drivetrain efficiency for compressed gas energy storage
In various embodiments, systems for providing a constant electrical output from a compressed gas energy storage and recovery system include a hydraulic-pneumatic energy storage and recovery system configured to provide a varying pressure profile at least at one outlet, a hydraulic motor-pump in fluid communication with the outlet, and a control system for enabling the constant electrical output by controlling at least one of pressure, piston position, power, flow rate, torque, RPM, current, voltage, frequency, or displacement per revolution. |
| US07963109B2 |
Guide structure and exhaust gas purification device
Structure for guiding exhaust gas flow to an exhaust gas sensor in exhaust gas purification device installed in an exhaust passage, wherein a plurality of exhaust gas purification units is disposed in series in a container, the exhaust gas sensor is installed between the exhaust gas purification units and guide plates/pipes direct the exhaust gas flowing to the sensor to increase the exhaust gas sensor's responsiveness. |
| US07963108B2 |
Multi-stage regulation of exhaust back pressure
An exhaust system for a two-cycle engine includes an exhaust conduit having both a bypass port and a regulator port for discharging exhaust gases to atmosphere. The bypass port has a fixed size but the regulator port has a variable size that varies over the range of engine speeds. Within a low range of operating speeds, the regulator valve is at least partly closed. Within a mid range of operating speeds, the regulator valve is progressively opened with increases in the operating speed. Within a high range of operating speeds, the regulator valve is progressively closed with further increases in the operating speed. |
| US07963104B2 |
Emission control system having a coated mixer for an internal combustion engine and method of use
An emission control system capable of remediating an exhaust from an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust passage, an oxidation catalyst, a reducing agent and a source of the reducing agent cooperating with an aperture in the exhaust passage. The aperture is disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a mixer arranged within the exhaust passage downstream of the aperture. The mixer includes a plurality of mixing elements. The mixer also includes a coating capable of hydrolyzing the reducing agent. At least a portion of the mixing elements which have a thermal conductivity greater than 8 W/m/° K. The system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed downstream from the mixer. |
| US07963100B2 |
Cooling system for high-speed vehicles and method of cooling high-speed vehicles
A cooling system for a high-speed vehicle may comprise a combustor wall at least partially enclosing a combustor and which is cooled using a coolant circulating in a Brayton cycle. The heated coolant may be expanded in a turbine, transfer heat to a fuel within a heat exchanger, and be compressed by a compressor before returning to the combustor wall. The combustor wall may be capable of withstanding high temperatures, higher than the temperature at which fuel coking may take place. Heat transfer takes place between the coolant and the combustor wall, and between the coolant and the fuel. A method of cooling an engine for a high-speed vehicle is also disclosed. |
| US07963093B2 |
Steel cord with iron-zinc alloy coating
A steel cord comprises more than one steel filament (10). At least some of the steel filaments have a zinc iron alloy layer (14) partially covered with a zinc cover (16). The zinc cover is only present in valleys formed in the zinc-iron alloy layer. The processability and adhesion level in rubber products of the steel cord are increased. |
| US07963092B2 |
Trimmer with cutting height adjustment
A trimmer includes a working head having a housing and a handle that extends outwardly from a rear end of the housing, at least one wheel mounted on the rear end of the housing, a support element for supporting the working head that is located below the housing and mounted on the housing through a shaft, a cutting element coupled to the housing coaxial with the support element, and a cutting height adjustment device which is respectively connected with the at least one wheel and the shaft for adjusting a cutting height of the trimmer via movement of the at least one wheel and the shaft to which the support element is coupled relative to the cutting element. In this manner, no matter the cutting height, a cutting surface of the cutting element can be ensured to be substantially parallel to the ground. |
| US07963084B2 |
Deployable triangular truss beam with orthogonally-hinged folding diagonals
A synchronously deployable tetrahedral truss beam with orthogonally-hinged diagonals, having uniquely-connected transverse members and folding chordal members, where a plurality of bays can extend and retract in a coordinated manner without need for a deployment canister mechanism or other assembling means. The triangular cross-section truss can be adapted to deploy pre-attached panels or nodally-attached payload components. These triangular beams can be mounted side-by-side with a common chord to create a synchronously deployable trapezoidal cross-section beam or space-frame. Both the triangular and trapezoidal configurations can be adapted to deploy with a prescribed curvature of the longitudinal axis, and form perimeter trusses which can be post-tensioned for maximum structural performance. |
| US07963083B1 |
System and process for installing standing seam roofs
A standing seam roof assembly. The assembly includes at least one first panel with a first side edge turned vertically upward. At least one second panel has a side edge turned vertically upward with the second panel side edge adjoining the first panel side edge. A plurality of clips each have a fixed base with a slot therethrough. At least one base insert has a substantially flat first section installable beneath the first panel, a substantially flat second section installable beneath the second panel, and a plurality of upturned tabs between the first and the second side edge. The upturned tabs are received in the slots of the clips. Adhesive on the first section adheres to the first panel and adhesive on the second section adheres to the second panel. |
| US07963082B1 |
Concrete vapor barrier integrity system and method
The present invention provides a device and method to maintain the integrity of a vapor barrier for use with concrete slab on grade construction. In accordance with the present invention an apparatus to repair a punctured concrete slab vapor barrier includes a substantially planar concrete slab vapor barrier patch having a resealable aperture to receive a removable, substantially upright support. The patch is secured to the existing vapor barrier and the concrete is poured and substantially set. The support is removed and the malleable concrete flows, causing the engagement of the resealable aperture, thereby repairing the punctured vapor barrier. |
| US07963081B2 |
Roofing system
A roofing system formed of a plurality of support members secured to a load bearing roof deck. A plurality of roofing panels are positioned on the support members and are oriented to form overlapping joints between the panels. Sealant is positioned within the overlapping joints of the panels. A compression bar is positioned over the overlapping joints and is secured to the overlapping joints and support member by a fastener arrangement. |
| US07963080B1 |
Composite pre-formed construction articles
A composite building panel that includes a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, containing an expanded polymer matrix, having opposite faces, a top surface, and a bottom surface; at least one embedded framing stud longitudinally extending across the central body between the opposite faces, having a first end embedded in the expanded polymer matrix, a second end extending away from the bottom surface of the central body, and one or more expansion holes in the embedded studs between the first end of the embedded stud and bottom surface through which the polymer matrix expands. A concrete layer can optionally cover a portion of the top surface and/or bottom surface. The building panel can be positioned perpendicular to a structural wall and/or foundation to provide a floor panel. The second end of the framing studs can be embedded in a second central body to provide an insulated concrete form. |
| US07963078B1 |
Compression cap sheathing lock
A cap for an anchorage of a post-tension anchor system has an outer tubular portion having an inner wall and an outer wall, an inner tubular portion having an inner wall and an outer wall, an end wall extending between the outer tubular portion and the inner tubular portion, and a sheathing lock affixed to the inner wall of the inner tubular portion. The inner wall of the outer tubular portion is in spaced relation to the outer wall of the inner tubular portion. The outer tubular portion and the inner tubular portion are concentric with each other. The sheathing lock has a body having locking ribs extending radially inwardly therefrom. The locking ribs extend in parallel relationship to each other. The outer tubular portion and the inner tubular portion and the end wall are integrally formed of a polymeric material. |
| US07963077B2 |
Rail assembly for a glass door
A rail assembly for a glass door has a rail body, two clamping members, a pushing member and at least one pushing bolt. The rail body has a clamping channel defined in and along the rail body. The clamping members are movably mounted in the clamping channel. Each clamping member has a clamping recess and an inclined guiding surface. The clamping recess is defined in the clamping member at a side facing to the other clamping member. The inclined guiding surface is defined in the clamping member at a side opposite to the other clamping member. The pushing member is mounted movably in the clamping channel, holding the ends of the clamping members inside and has two inclined surfaces abutting respectively with the guiding surfaces of the clamping members. The least one pushing bolt is screwed into the rail body and pushes against the pushing member. |
| US07963076B2 |
Devices and methods for flangeless installations
A flangeless mounting system, suitable for in-wall speakers and other objects, includes a panel that replaces a substantial section of wallboard instead of being installed behind the wallboard. In preferred embodiments a rim extends outwardly from a first surface of the panel by a distance of less than ½ inch, and preferably by only ⅛ inch or even 1/16 inch. The face of the object can be quite large, up to 40 in2 or more, and still be relatively small with respect to the panel. Panels are contemplated that have a width at least two, three or more times that of the face of the object, and along with optional wings are wider than the stud separation in the wall. |
| US07963075B2 |
Inflatable barrier
An inflatable barrier system for a doorway or other opening comprising a front side envelope of rectangular front elevation and dog bone shaped horizontal plane cross section, inflatable with gas and fillable with a hardening foam, combined with an inflatable back side array of tubular air beams configured with self sealant, both connected to a source of gas for inflating the fabric envelope and the back side array of tubular air beams. The front side envelope is configured for frontal resistance to predetermined levels of push, cut, puncture, flame, chemical, and ballistic attack. The system is used as a method for closing a doorway to such attacks by erecting and inflating the system within the opening such that the edges on either side of the opening are gripped between the lobes of the respective ends of the dog bone profile of the front side envelope. |
| US07963074B2 |
Fixing device for photovoltaic modules on sloping roofs
A fixing device for fixing a photovoltaic module on a sloping roof having a roof structure and a roof covering with individual roof covering elements includes a roof-side connecting piece disposable beneath the roof covering and a module-side connecting piece disposable on an edge of the photovoltaic module. A flexible retaining element interconnects the roof-side connecting piece and the module-side connecting piece. The flexible retaining element is loadable by pulling and adapted to be guided through the roof covering without altering a position or shape of the individual roof covering elements. |
| US07963073B1 |
Relocatable concrete armory vault
A relocatable concrete armory includes an outer vestibule and an inner vault separated by a dividing wall. A vestibule door provides entry to the concrete vestibule. A steel vault door and a security daygate are mounted to the dividing wall and provide entry to the concrete vault. The interior surface of the armory includes insulation panels embedded in concrete. The armory can be integrally lifted via removable lifting cams attached to concrete side walls. The concrete has a compressive strength of at least 15,000 psi. |
| US07963071B2 |
Louvre window system
A louvre window system has an end clip (10) which is formed with at least one internal drainage channel (14) which can drain water through the end clip (10). A number of such clips can rotate between an open position and a closed position. The clips (10) are aligned when in the closed position which insures that water can drain from an upper clip through a lower clip. The clips (10) have a low friction design which enables a larger number of louvers to be rotated by a single handle (55) without placing too much load on the handle and on the louvre operating mechanism. A simple efficient louver operating mechanism (27; 37) is used to operate the end clips. |
| US07963070B2 |
Slider window for pick-up truck, and/or method of making the same
Certain example embodiments relate to a window assembly for a vehicle. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. An elongated upper rail includes first and second upper rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top pin attached to the slidable panel. An elongated lower rail includes first and second lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. The upper and lower rails are connected to the fixed panel. The first upper rail channel and the first lower rail channel are provided at a first depth and the second upper rail channel and the second lower rail channel are provided at a second depth. The slidable panel is substantially flush with the fixed panel when closed, but is slightly inwardly and laterally movable when being opened. Safety features may include, for example, teeth provided to the upper and/or lower elongated rails of the window assembly and/or a downwardly extending flange provided to the upper rail of the window assembly. Water management features may include, for example, one or more sealing bulbs provided to the window assembly and/or a draining recess or channel provided to the lower rail of the window assembly. |
| US07963069B2 |
Safety device for motorized access passageways
A safety device for motorized pedestrian access passageways, comprising a movement and supporting mechanism of an oscillating access shutter, which includes an electric motor (30) for activating the shutter, and a mechanical control system, which uses a series of levers (12, 13, 14, 14′), associated with respective elastic elements (22, 25), and a pushing element (31), suitable for allowing the automatic opening of the passageway, in the case of a lack of power supply, due, for example, to an electric black-out; in particular, the position in which the shutter almost completely closes the access passageway is an unstable equilibrium position, which is maintained thanks to the action of an electric motor (30), with an incorporated reducer, which contrasts the opening movement of the shutter, and the pushing element (31), which intervenes in the opening, when the shutter is positioned for completely closing the passageway. |
| US07963067B2 |
Heat exchanger and applications thereof
A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a liquid-containing medium and a gas comprises a medium inlet and a medium outlet and a flat heat exchanger mat, wherein the mat comprises a number of parallel, equidistant capillaries of heat-conducting material and wires of heat-conducting material which are attached in heat-conducting contact to the capillaries, extend in transverse direction relative thereto and have a mutual distance in the order of magnitude of the diameter of the wires, wherein gas can flow along the wires for heat exchange between this gas and the medium flowing through the capillaries, and wherein the gas flows along the mat and at least a substantial part of the gas is prevented from flowing through the mat, and the gas flows in longitudinal direction of the wires. |
| US07963065B1 |
Fishing strike indicator
A fishing strike indicator for providing a visual indication showing that a fish has taken a lure or bait includes an elongate body portion, a clamp for attachment to a fishing pole, a sliding connection joining the clamp to the elongate body portion, a line engaging feature formed as a portion of or attached to the elongate body portion, the line engaging feature engageable with a portion of a fishing line below the fishing pole, whereby tension in the portion of the fishing line below the pole causes the elongate body portion to move upwards thus providing the visual indication. |
| US07963063B2 |
Device for preventing dust and moisture from entering a firearm barrel
A muzzle cover for a firearm comprising a soft, flexible and resilient member that slides over and frictionally engages the front end of the muzzle. The cover comprises a substantially cylindrical sheath that is open at a first end to receive the front end of the muzzle therein and which frictionally engages the external surface of the muzzle. A conical tip is integrally formed with the sheath and extends outwardly from the sheath and over the opening to the barrel. The conical tip may extend forwardly away from the front of the sheath or may be depressed inwardly into the bore of the sheath upon application of gentle pressure from a fingertip. The muzzle cover completely disengages from the muzzle when a projectile is fired from the weapon. |
| US07963061B2 |
Magazine plug
A magazine plug is configured to be positioned in a magazine of a shotgun to reduce the shotshell capacity of the shotgun. In one embodiment, the magazine plug has an elongated cross-sectional shape. The magazine plug is configured to rotate between a first orientation where the magazine plug can move longitudinally into and out of the magazine and a second orientation where the magazine plug is prevented from moving longitudinally out of the magazine. |
| US07963056B1 |
Cable markers for use in close quarters
A cable marker having a collar member with an opening and a pair of legs extending distally from the opening, guide and locking assemblies at the distal ends of the legs, and a base member with cavities for receiving the guide and locking assemblies and a face surface with indicia for identifying the cable. |
| US07963054B2 |
Coupling configuration with a device for connecting energy transmission lines
A coupling apparatus having a device for automatic connection of power lines, in particular of hydraulic lines, for the attachment of working tools to a tool mount of a excavator boom by means of a quick-action coupling, wherein, in order to connect the tool mount to the working tool, the quick-action coupling has a hook connection and a blocking unit with a movable bolt element which is operated by an actuating unit. Supply connecting pieces are fixed to the tool mount, and the corresponding power take-off connecting pieces of the working tool are fixed on a mount, which is mounted on the working tool such that it can move between a moved-forward position and a drawn-back position, wherein the mount has a driver piece for engagement with an operating element which is coupled to the movable bolt element. When the blocking unit is closed, the power take-off connecting pieces are connected to the corresponding supply connecting pieces and, when the blocking unit is open, they are detached from the supply connecting pieces. |
| US07963053B1 |
Boom mounted excavator for cleaning under bridges inside of pipe and drainage ditches
An excavator provides a frame that includes an undercarriage having a ground engaging propeller (e.g. endless tracks) that enables the undercarriage to move the frame. The frame includes an upper portion that supports an elongated articulating boom having at least two boom sections that are pivotally connected. The frame provides an enclosure having a motor drive and a hydraulic system that powers the boom, and a cab rotatable upon the undercarriage about a generally vertical axis. The boom has a distal end with a bucket that has one or more bucket teeth. A scraper is connected to the boom distal end and provides another end that is extendable to a position generally below the cab and to the vertical axis. A connection joins the boom distal end to the scraper. The connection includes a connection of the bucket to the proximal end of the scraper and to the upper surface of the scraper wherein the bucket tooth connects to the scraper. |
| US07963052B2 |
Plow quick connect / disconnect hitch mechanism
A snow plow including a quick connect/disconnect hitch. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle. The hitch frame nose assembly includes a chassis coupler secured at each end of a hitch frame tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin. A plow frame is included with the plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A plow blade is coupled to the front portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly includes a pair of notched members with each notch member aligned with a corresponding chassis coupler of the hitch frame nose assembly. Each of the notched members is configured to engage the traverse pin in each of the chassis couplers, wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle. |
| US07963047B2 |
Braking device of measuring instrument and measuring instrument
A braking device of a measuring instrument includes a body case and a spindle that penetrates the body case to be axially and reciprocably displaceable. The braking device includes a cylinder of which a first end is attached to the body case for accommodating a second end of the spindle, a piston provided on the second end of the spindle and accommodated to be reciprocably displaceable within the cylinder, a closing member provided on a second end of the cylinder to form a damper chamber between the closing member and the piston; a shaft connected to a side of the piston opposite to the spindle and penetrates the closing member; and a knob provided on a distal end of the shaft. A clearance is provided between the closing member and the shaft to circulate air. |
| US07963046B2 |
Auto-calculated length determination and display
In one embodiment, a tape measure having a tape, housing, and an input, has an OLED strip overlaid on top of the tape. The housing contains a programmable controller and a rolled-up portion of the tape. A specified fraction of the length of the linear target is provided to the controller using the input. The tape may be extracted from the housing to generate an exposed portion of the tape corresponding to the total length of a linear target. The controller receives information indicative of the total length of the linear target. The controller controls the OLED strip to show, i.e., light up along the tape, a fractional portion corresponding to the specified fraction of the linear target. |
| US07963044B1 |
Modular construction level
A construction level with modular detachable sections is herein disclosed. In its detached state, the level resembles a conventional two-foot level with the typical three bubble vials indicating levelness at angles of zero degrees (0°), forty-five degrees (45°), and ninety degrees (90°). If levelness over a larger distance is required, one (1) or both detachable end portions of the level are attached using sliding joints thus allowing the device to extend to a four (4) foot length. The attaching joints allow for the extension without a loss of accuracy. Each end piece has its own bubble vial to verify levelness at any point along the device. In such a manner, the device may also be used as a one-foot torpedo level. The use of the modular construction level allows for the accuracy and precision of a long level with the convenience and usability of a shorter level. |
| US07963042B2 |
Micro surgical cutting instruments
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for micro surgical blades, knives and assemblies. |
| US07963031B2 |
Package for semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In a package for a semiconductor device, a core substrate has two metal plates, each of which includes a first through hole, a second through hole, a projection, and an insulating layer formed on its surface. The metal plates are stacked in a manner that the projections of the mutual metal plates enter the second through hole of the metal plate on a partner side, and the first through holes of the metal plates form a through hole penetrating the core substrate. A tip end of each of the projections of the metal plates is exposed to a surface of the metal plate on the partner side to form a first terminal portion, and a second terminal portion is exposed from the insulating layer and formed on a surface of the metal plate on a side where the first terminal portion of the metal plate on the partner side is exposed. |
| US07963030B2 |
Multilayer printed circuit board and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed is a multilayer wiring board in which a copper foil is bonded by a thermocompression bonding onto an insulating layer having a bump for interlayer connection buried therein, and the copper foil and the bump are electrically connected to each other. The copper foil is provided with an oxide film having a thickness of 50 Å to 350 Å on a surface in contact with the bump and an insulating layer. In a manufacturing process, for example, an oxide coating of the copper foil to be subject to the thermocompression bonding is removed by acid cleaning, and then an oxide film having an appropriate thickness is formed by irradiating the copper foil with ultraviolet light. Consequently, reliability in electrical connection between the copper foil and the burn is adequately ensured, while achieving sufficient mechanical connection strength between the copper foil and the insulating layer. |
| US07963029B2 |
Holding/convey jig and holding/convey method
A jig for holding and conveyance includes a plate having a weak-adherence adhesive pattern on a surface and a printed circuit board having a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion on the surface of an insulating substrate. The weak-adherence adhesive pattern is formed at a position corresponding to the non-conductive portion. Alternatively, the weak-adherence adhesive pattern subjected to surface roughening is formed on a surface of the weak-adhesive layer at a position corresponding to the conductive portion. |
| US07963027B2 |
Method of manufacturing a switch device
A manufacturing method of a switch device having changeable distances involves uniformly arranging more than two throws on the same circumference and then fixing the throws onto corresponding circular carriers. Included further is fixing a number of throws on the inner cylinder surface of a flat cylinder plate body, and fixing the poles in cylinder shape on to the top of the carrier in a cap shape which can be worn on the tip of a single finger. One end of the lead wires is connected to respective throws and pole, the other end is connected to the pin of the interface of the controlled object by fixing or inserting in order to form the switch device. Distances between the throws and the poles are variable. |
| US07963026B2 |
Method of forming an electrical heating element
A method for forming an electrical heating element by flame spraying a metal/metallic oxide matrix, wherein a flame sprayed metal/metallic oxide matrix is deposited onto an insulating or conductive substrate such as to have a higher resistance than is required for a designed use, and an intermittently pulsed high voltage DC supply is applied across the matrix such as to produce continuous electrically conductive paths through the matrix which permanently increase the overall conduction and simultaneously reduce the overall resistance of the metal/metallic matrix to achieve a desired resistance value. |
| US07963024B2 |
Method of manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording. The method allows an upper write coil to be formed directly on a conformally deposited layer of non-magnetic material such as alumina which has been deposited over a magnetic shaping layer and write pole. The method allows the write coil to be constructed without the need for the deposition of a thick alumina fill layer and subsequent chemical mechanical polishing. This, therefore, avoids the necessity of such a chemical mechanical polishing step. |
| US07963023B2 |
Process for accurately machining a magnetic tape head
An electrical lapping guide for a magnetic tape head is provided with a resistive transverse stripe with a longitudinal height affixed to a substrate. A pair of leads extend from the stripe with a notch formed therebetween. The notch has a height corresponding to a lapping target limit for associated tape head elements. During material removal of the transverse stripe and the tape head elements, resistance is measured across the stripe and a dramatic increase in resistance indicates that the material removal has reached the notch. A method for accurately machining a magnetic tape head is provided by depositing tape head elements and a resistive stripe with a notch on a substrate. Resistance is measured across leads on either side of the notch for discontinuing machining of the stripe due to a dramatic increase in resistance. |
| US07963022B2 |
Method for joining components with shape memory alloys
A method of swaging a head gimbal assembly (HGA) to an actuator arm comprises positioning a tubular element on the HGA adjacent a hole in the actuator arm; restraining the subassembly; providing a rod formed from a shape memory alloy (SMA), the SMA having a martensitic phase at a low temperature and an austenitic phase above a phase transition temperature that is higher than the low temperature, the rod having an initial diameter that is smaller than diameters of the tubular element and the hole; extending the rod through the tubular element and hole; heating the rod above the phase transition temperature such that the rod expands to a second diameter that is greater than the initial diameter to plastically deform the HGA and swage together the HGA and actuator arm to form an assembly; cooling the rod and removing the rod from the assembly such that the rod returns to the initial diameter. |
| US07963021B2 |
Inductor embedded in substrate, manufacturing method thereof, micro device package, and manufacturing method of cap for micro device package
An inductor embedded in a substrate, including a substrate, a coil electrode formed by filling a metal in a spiral hole formed on the substrate, an insulation layer formed on the substrate, and an external connection pad formed on the insulation layer to be connected to the coil electrode. The inductor-embedded substrate can be used as a cap for a micro device package by forming a cavity on its bottom surface. |
| US07963019B2 |
Method of roll-forming an automotive support member
A roll-forming process for the manufacture of a structural member can be used in the manufacture of an automotive vehicle. The roll-forming process creates a component that has multiple cells with an integral internal web separating the cells, enhancing the strength, rigidity and stiffness of the component for any given size and shape. The roll-forming process starts with a piece of sheet metal and rolls the sheet metal into a desired shape and then rolls the tube back over on itself to create a second cell with the internal reinforcing web positioned between two structural cells of the beam. The rolled form is then welded into the formed shape to create the structural beam. The two cells of the beam can be the same general size or be formed as completely disparate sizes, depending on the design requirements of the structural member. |
| US07963011B2 |
Fitting system for securing a panel to a wall or ceiling
A fitting system for securing a panel to a wall frame having a first member removably secured to a second member. The first receiving member includes an outer flange with a center aperture and a ring-like member extending backwards from a bottom surface of the flange to define a receiving passageway. The flange has a plurality of apertures for securing the first member to the wall frame with the ring-like member disposed within a recess in the wall frame. The second insertion member includes an outer flange and a male insertion portion. The outer flange is used to secure the second member to the panel. The male member is adjustable making its insertion within the receiving passageway easier. Attachment clips of the second member mate with an inner ledge of the receiving passageway to lock the two members together and thus secure the panel to the wall frame. |
| US07963008B2 |
Slider for slide fastener
The present invention provides a resin-made slider of the type that a pull tab is to be attached afterward, wherein a cantilever pull tab attaching lever is provided from a rear mouth side of an upper blade toward a shoulder mouth and has an engaging portion at a front end portion thereof, an engaged portion is provided on the shoulder mouth of the body so that the engaging and engaged portions can be engaged with each other, a concave portion is provided in the upper blade from a proximal portion toward the shoulder mouth, a gap portion is formed between the upper blade and the proximal portion, and the gap portion allows to form in the upper blade a first upper blade portion separated from the proximal portion and a second upper blade portion disposed from the proximal portion toward the shoulder mouth side and connected to the proximal portion. |
| US07963005B2 |
Method and apparatus for fastening objects to an elastic surface
A method and apparatus for attaching an object to an elastic surface includes an elastic surface and a first flexible, linear fastener attached to the elastic surface by at least two opposite ends separated by a distance that is less than a diameter of an object to be fastened to the elastic surface. A second flexible, linear fastener is attached to the elastic surface by at least two opposite ends separated by a distance that is less than a diameter of an object to be fastened to the elastic surface. The first linear fastener and the second linear fastener are separated by a distance sufficient to insert a leading edge of the object between the first linear fastener and the elastic surface and to insert a trailing edge of the object between the second linear fastener and the elastic surface so that the first linear fastener and the second linear fastener hold the object against the elastic surface. |
| US07962998B2 |
Roller support assemblies
A roller support assembly is used to support sliding doors, windows or the like. The assembly includes a housing member having spaced apart side walls and interconnecting transverse walls defining a roller receiving zone for receiving and operationally mounting a roller assembly. The roller assembly has a roller body with a rolling peripheral rim and a shaft whereby the roller body is rotatable relative to the shaft having short stub axle parts. The housing side walls including openings that are fully enclosed by the side walls into which the short stub axle parts fit. The housing side walls further include projecting elements extending inwardly from an inner surface of a housing side wall to cooperate with the corresponding roller body side wall surfaces to spay the housing side walls apart as the roller assembly is moved into the roller receiving zone to locate the stub axle parts in the openings. |
| US07962995B2 |
Apparatus for cleaning synthetic grass
An apparatus for cleaning a synthetic grass surface, the apparatus comprising a plenum head and a manifold, the plenum head disposed within the manifold and having a compressed air inlet and at least one air outlet through which air can be expelled against the synthetic grass surface for dislodgement of coarse and fine particulate material and to entrain the dislodged particulate material into the manifold which extends above the plenum head, said manifold including an outlet located in an upper region of the manifold for expelling the fine particulate material, and an outlet in a lower region of the manifold for distributing the coarse particulate material back to the synthetic grass surface, wherein the plenum head is mounted for rotation within the manifold about a substantially vertical axis. |
| US07962994B2 |
Vacuum electronic switch detection system
A vacuum electronic switch detection system allows multiple user selectable vacuum modes to be chosen with only one micro-controller input available for performing the multiple selectable modes. The switch detection system provides multiple voltage ratio control signals indicative of multiple switch position possibilities. |
| US07962993B2 |
Surface cleaning pad having zoned absorbency and method of making same
A floor cleaning pad is provided having a pad body comprising a cleaning surface configured for contact with a floor to be cleaned and an opposed surface configured to be coupled to a floor cleaning implement. The cleaning surface and the opposed surface defining a thickness of the pad body and superabsorbent polymer particles maintained within a zone of the pad body, and the zone of the superabsorbent polymer particles occupying a portion of the thickness and an area less than an area of the cleaning surface. |
| US07962992B2 |
Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head
An electric toothbrush comprises a head having a bristle face and an opposite face, the head including a longitudinal groove filled with an elastomer; and a handle connected to the head and formed at least in part by a non-compressible material. |
| US07962991B2 |
Toothbrush
A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements. |
| US07962990B2 |
Brush box cleaner module with force control
Embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning a substrate using scrubber brushes. One embodiment of the present invention provides a substrate cleaner comprises two scrubber brush assemblies movably disposed in a processing volume. The two scrubber brush assemblies are configured to contact and clean opposite surfaces of a substrate disposed in the processing volume. The substrate cleaner also comprises a positioning assembly configured to simultaneously adjust positions of the two scrubber brush assemblies, wherein the positioning assembly makes substantially the same amount of adjustment to the first and second scrubber brush assemblies in mirror symmetry. |
| US07962988B2 |
Toothbrush with powered head
A powered toothbrush includes a handle having a neck. A head is mounted to the neck and has a first surface and an opposed second surface. At least one fixed tuft block is mounted to the head in a fixed orientation and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A movable tuft block is flexibly connected to each fixed tuft block and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A drive assembly is operably connected to the movable tuft block to move the movable tuft block with respect to each fixed tuft block. |
| US07962985B2 |
Washing machine and method for controlling the same
Disclosed are a washing machine, in which substances stuck to the surface of a heater are washed off to minimize the generation of scale on the heater, and a method for controlling the same. The washing machine includes a tub; a heater installed in the tub for heating washing water; and a washing device for washing the heater. The washing device includes a spray nozzle for spraying the washing water to the heater, and a washing pump for supplying the washing water in the tub to the spray nozzle. The washing of the heater is performed in the first rinsing operation. |
| US07962984B2 |
Tubular pillows having attachable and detachable ends and related methods
Variable-use tubular pillows having attachable and detachable ends and related methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a tubular pillow in accordance with the subject matter disclosed herein may include a pillow body having first and second ends being opposed to one another and being attachable to and detachable from one another. The pillow body forms a tube shape having a central tunnel when the first and second ends are attached. Further, the tubular pillow may include a removable cover for covering the pillow body. |
| US07962982B1 |
Operating room table safety strap
A strap unit secures a patient to a table during surgery. The strap unit includes a pad which is interposed between the patient and a strap and the strap has grommets through which screws from clamps fit to securely hold the strap in place. The clamps can be placed anywhere on the operating table so the strap unit can be easily and expeditiously positioned in the most advantageous location. The unit further includes shims which are interposed between the strap and the table adjacent to the clamps to ensure proper and secure positioning of the unit with respect to the patient and operating room personnel. An over-center buckle closes the strap over the patient while allowing easy and secure placement of the strap on the patient. |
| US07962980B2 |
Apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products and method for incontinence management
According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products is disclosed. The apparatus may include a bed frame, a lower plate having a container coupled thereto, an upper plate having an aperture defined therein, a mattress having an aperture defined therein, a mattress cover having an aperture defined therein and an absorbent pad having a bag coupled thereto. The apparatus may allow for continuous collection of human waste products while maintaining the patient in a comfortable position. The apparatus may further facilitate preventing human waste products from contacting the skin of the patient, thereby substantially reducing the occurrence of pressure ulcers. Additionally, the apparatus may reduce the need for the use of Foley catheters for incontinence management, thereby reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infections related to such use. |
| US07962977B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for determining a price utilizing a pattern oriented rule implemented table
In use, parameter representing pricing logic is defined in a pattern oriented rule implementation table/(s) and is applied utilizing a rule. Each rule may return a result according to a set of condition-value expressions pairs. Code is generated for determining a price, based on the rule. In various embodiments, the order of the code may be optimized when generated. Given a parameter name, the code may be executed for determining the price in an event scope. |
| US07962976B2 |
Method of treating a stain or soiled area of a fabric using a laundry stain and soil pretreatment sheet
A laundry stain and soil pretreatment sheet including a water soluble or water dispersible carrier layer, preferably polyvinyl alcohol, a removable separator layer, and a layer of cleaning agent composition therebetween. The separator layer is removed, the composition layer is adhered to a stain on clothing, and the clothing is laundered to treat the stain. The carrier layer dissolves or disperses during the laundering. A method of treating a stained or soiled area of a fabric using the sheet is also disclosed. |
| US07962974B2 |
Plunger system and method
A system and method for a plunger for unclogging a toilet. A plunger system comprising an elongated cylinder, a flexible material at a first end of the elongated cylinder, an air reservoir located inside the cylinder having an outlet extending through the flexible material, and a valve adapted to release compressed air stored inside the air reservoir through the outlet. The flexible material is capable of being expanded to seal the exit port of a toilet. A method for unclogging a toilet with a plunger device comprising the following steps: inserting a first end of a plunger device into an exit port of the toilet, expanding a flexible material attached to the first end of the plunger device to seal the exit port, and releasing a bolus of air into the exit port past the flexible material to unclog the toilet. |
| US07962971B1 |
Flip cap system
A headband is positionable in a generally horizontal orientation. The headband has a front left panel and a front right panel. Each of the front panels has a lower edge stitched to the headband at a forward extent. Each of the front panels has a forward edge stitched together over a central extent above a central region of the headband. Each of the front panels has a vertically extending rearward edge. The headband has a left rear panel and a right rear panel. Each of the rear panels has a forward edge stitched to a rearward edge of a front panel. Each of the rear panels has a free rear edge and free lower edge. The lower and rear edges of the rear panels are adapted to be positioned rearwardly in a first orientation and forwardly in a second orientation. |
| US07962970B2 |
Ear warmer having a curved ear portion
An ear warmer comprises a frame disposed within a cavity of a shell. The frame includes a band portion and an ear portion. The ear portion includes an inner side disposed adjacent a head of a user when the ear warmer is worn by a user. In one embodiment, the ear portion is curved toward the inner side of the ear portion. In one embodiment, the ear portion is configured to flex when the ear warmer is disposed on a head of a user. |
| US07966663B2 |
Methods and systems for determining privacy requirements for an information resource
A privacy impact assessment is performed to determine and implement privacy requirements for any information resource that uses personal information. Data may be collected and analyzed regarding the information resource and the personal information, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies may be considered to determine privacy requirements. Such requirements may include, for example, access controls, information retention periods, systems requirements, and risk assessments. |
| US07966659B1 |
Distributed learn mode for configuring a firewall, security authority, intrusion detection/prevention devices, and the like
Techniques for system wide analysis of industrial protocol traffic are provided to determine an optimal location of a security device and/or to dynamically and automatically create rules for security devices, communication modules, and/or proxy devices, including replacement devices. Intrusion detection and/or prevention can be provided for an system utilizing mechanisms for an industrial protocol space. Automated configurable security rule combining can maintain a rule set that is simple and manageable. Configuration and maintenance of industrial protocol devices, communication devices, security-enabled devices, security proxies, and intrusion detection and/or prevention can be simplified within unique industrial environment architectures. |
| US07966658B2 |
Detecting public network attacks using signatures and fast content analysis
Detecting attacks against computer systems by automatically detecting signatures based on predetermined characteristics of the intrusion. One aspect looks for commonalities among a number of different network messages, and establishes an intrusion signature based on those commonalities. Data reduction techniques, such as a hash function, are used to minimize the amount of resources which are necessary to establish the commonalities. In an embodiment, signatures are created based on the data reduction hash technique. Frequent signatures are found by reducing the signatures using that hash technique. Each of the frequent signatures is analyzed for content, and content which is spreading is flagged as being a possible attack. Additional checks can also be carried out to look for code within the signal, to look for spam, backdoors, or program code. |
| US07966656B2 |
Method of coupling a switched circuit network to an internet protocol network
A method of operating a gateway is disclosed to manage communications between a switched circuit network and an internet protocol network using a gateway. The method includes receiving at the gateway, a service call requesting the service for routing to an application server on the internet protocol network. If the application server is available the service call is routed to the first application server and the gateway generates an entry in its database. The entry includes the service identifier and the first application server identifier. If the application server is not available to accept the service call and the service call is routed to the application server when it is not available, the method includes sending a control message to the calling party on the switched circuit network. |
| US07966649B1 |
System and method for login resistant to compromise
A method for authentication to a computer system by providing a challenge display presenting a plurality of possible second passwords, each of which is associated with an individual response code, each response code being revealed to the user in the same location as the associated password. On the final appearance of the challenge display, all the possible response codes are displayed in sequence, enabling the user to submit the chosen response code by moving a display pointer to the appropriate displayed response code and leaving the pointer there. |
| US07966646B2 |
Stateless cryptographic protocol-based hardware acceleration
According to one embodiment of the invention, a network device comprises a first processing element and a second processing element. The first processing element is adapted to handle an authentication handshaking protocol, such as the SSL/TLS Handshake, and upon receipt of a Client Key Exchange message, passes control of the authentication handshaking protocol to the second processing element. The second processing element completes the authentication handshaking protocol. |
| US07966645B2 |
Application-aware policy enforcement
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first message from a first manager. The first message includes a first element of a request for policy authorization. The request for policy authorization attempts to reserve particular network resources for a particular application context. The method includes, in response to the first message, establishing a policy rendezvous state at a policy manager for a policy decision on the request for policy authorization. The method includes receiving a second message from a second manager subsequent to the first message. The second message includes a second element of the request for policy authorization, and the second element completes the request for policy authorization. The method includes, in response to the second message, making the policy decision based on the first and second elements of the request for policy authorization. The method includes, if the policy decision grants the request for policy authorization, generating a complete policy facet and communicating the complete policy facet to the first manager or the second manager to authorize use of the particular resources for the particular application context. |
| US07966643B2 |
Method and system for securing a remote file system
A method and system for controlling access to files in a remote file system is provided. In one embodiment, a firewall system at a client computer system intercepts requests originating from the client computer system and sent to the remote file system for accessing remote files, that is, files stored on a server computer system. Upon intercepting a remote file access request (e.g., to open a remote file), the firewall system determines whether the file access request should be allowed based on access control criteria. |
| US07966641B2 |
User identification using Bluetooth and audio ranging
In certain embodiments, a method of automatically changing an attribute defining operation of a television system involves determining that a short range radio frequency (RF) transceiver device has entered RF range of the television system, the television system having a short range RF transceiver compatible with that of the short range RF transceiver device; binding the short range RF transceiver device to the television set to establish an identity (ID) for the short range RF transceiver device; determining that the short range RF transceiver device is within a predefined distance metric of the television system by use of an audio ping signal; at the television system, looking up a functional attribute associated with the identity; and setting a television parameter at the television using the functional attribute while the short range RF transceiver device is in the RF range as well as within the predefined distance of the television system. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US07966636B2 |
Multi-video receiving method and apparatus
A method and apparatus is disclosed for receiving a plurality of video signals using a single video signal transmitted using a point-to-multipoint connection; the plurality of video signals originate from various locations of an event. Information received using a reception unit comprises at least one of the plurality of video signals, at least one of the plurality of sound track signals related to the at least one of the plurality of video signals, data transmitted using the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the single video signal and graphics. |
| US07966634B2 |
Method and apparatus for information exchange in an interactive communication system using tv broadcast information
A method for information exchange, comprises the steps of producing information transmissions in a broadcast standard; sending the information live from a studio; digitizing the sent data and then transmitting the digitized data via satellite as IP multicast packets; receiving the data by a TV decoder and feeding them into a data and/or communications network; installing software on a data processing equipment, like PCs or workplace computers, in which the software, after the data processing device has been connected to the data and/or communications network, permits receiving of information transmissions and use of at least part of the functions furnished by the information transmission; dialing via a portal to access an information transmission; and using the functions furnished by the information transmission via communications connections between the data processing equipment and studio for an interactive information exchange. |
| US07966633B2 |
Method for receiving broadcasting signal and broadcasting receiver
A method for receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. Even when a cell is changed while an emergency alert is output, the emergency alert can be continuously output using emergency alert table information included in the broadcasting signal and channel information of the cell. The emergency alert table information may include a cell identifier and the channel information of the cell may include virtual channel information of the cell. |
| US07966631B2 |
MPEG-4 remote communication device
An MPEG-4 based multimedia system in connection with a service provider therefore, and a remote communication device therefore, is presented. The interactive content based remote communication unit simplifies and reduces the number of steps and buttons required for receiving interactive service by the use of MPEG-4 encoded data. Additionally, new ways are disclosed for the data processing at the service provider side. Further, an improved way of exchanging data between the service provider (broadcaster, cable provider) and the customer (viewer) is presented. Still further, there is disclosed how digital equipment (server, set-top box, remote control unit and display) involved in the data processing can be optimized for the task of controlling the available channel bandwidth and displaying the data. |
| US07966630B2 |
Head gimbal mechanism and information recording/reproducing apparatus
There is provided a head gimbal mechanism 2 including a slider 10 placed between a recording medium D and a beam 11 and having a device generating near-field light, gimbal means 12 for fixing the slider to the tip of the beam 11 at a state that it can rotate about two axes which are parallel to the surface of the recording medium and are orthogonal to each other, and a flexible optical waveguide 13 composed of a basic waveguide section 21 placed along the beam and a bent waveguide section 21 that is bent in the Z-direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the recording medium from the tip of the basic waveguide and connecting to the slider in non-contact with the beam and the gimbal means, the optical waveguide 13 guiding the luminous flux to the slider, wherein the basic waveguide section is placed at a state that at least a predetermined length on the bent waveguide section side relative to the beam is not fixed to the beam. |
| US07966626B2 |
Optimized delivery of web application code
Systems and methods are provided for optimizing application code for deployment to a client over a data link to minimize download time by supplying only the application code with a particular object that is required by the object. In a web application that includes multiple pages, the HTML and JAVASCRIPT may be scanned to identify code resources called by a particular web page. When all called resources are identified, they may be extracted and concatenated into a single resource file. When the page is downloaded to the client, the import file may be included with the page. The import file may be cached so that it need only be downloaded once, rather than being downloaded every time the page is requested. The disclosed systems and methods are suitable for use with other interpreted scripting languages. |
| US07966625B2 |
Extending web service description language for SIP/call flow interactions
An extended Web services description language (WSDL) is provided to allow for the merging of call flow XML with the interface description. This is accomplished through additional WSDL bindings for operations that associate an operation with segments or message points within the call flow. In addition, the extension to WSDL defines a set of interactions that provide additional semantics for how the operation interacts with the call flow. These interactions capture the interaction points between the WSDL. The WSDL interfaces that are created may be used for outbound interactions (i.e. initiated through Web services from some event within the call flow) or for the usual inbound request response. An additional lifecycle listener interface is used to convey different binding points between an enhanced converged Web service processing engine and a converged application implementation of the WSDL. |
| US07966623B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling highlighter services for visitors to web pages
A method and user interface object for invoking a highlighting service to operate with a web page are disclosed. Consistent with one embodiment of the invention, a highlighting web portal associated with a highlighting service provides a web page for selecting one or more user interface objects to be added to a content provider's web page. Each user interface object is displayed with its associated snippet of code, making it simple for a web author to copy and paste the code into his or her own web page. Once embedded in a web page, the code snippet displays a user interface object (e.g., button) on the web page, and when pressed or selected, invokes a highlighting service. Alternatively, the highlighting service may be automatically invoked without requiring the selection of a button. |
| US07966619B2 |
Exposing J2C interface properties
The invention relates to Web Services Invocation Framework (WSIF) operations. “interactionSpec” and “connectionSpec” are Java 2 Enterprise Edition Java Connector Architecture interfaces. Their properties are exposed as data in WSIF operations. Thus WSIF support for the Java 2 Enterprise Edition Java Connector Architecture is made functionally more complete. |
| US07966613B2 |
System and method for supporting multiple users
Systems and methods that support splitting a compute resource from its input/output and sharing among one or more users are provided. In one embodiment, a system that supports one or more user devices may include, for example, a compute engine, a first user device and a second user device. The compute engine may be adapted to provide virtualization. The virtualization may provide, for example, a first instance of a particular operating system and a second instance of the particular operating system. The first user device may be coupled to the compute engine and may access the first instance of the particular operating system. The second user device may be coupled to the compute engine and may access the second instance of the particular operating system. In one example, the user devices are input/output devices that do not run applications or operating systems. |
| US07966611B2 |
Delayed production expansion by use of macros
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a rules file is maintained, wherein the rules file includes production rules that are defined by including macros. At least one makefile is maintained, wherein the at least one makefile is a file that is executable by a make utility to generate at least one target corresponding to a software component, and wherein the at least one makefile includes the rules file. An execution is initiated of the make utility on the at least one makefile with an instruction to generate the at least one target. At least one production rule including at least one macro included in the rules file is evaluated, in response to initiating the execution of the make utility on the at least one makefile. The at least one target is generated. |
| US07966610B2 |
Application of optimization techniques to intermediate representations for code generation
The present invention provides a method and system for optimization of an intermediate representation in a graphical modeling environment. A first intermediate representation is provided. At least one optimization technique is applied to the first intermediate representation. A second intermediate representation is generated responsive to the application of the at least one optimization technique to the first intermediate representation. |
| US07966605B1 |
Method and apparatus for a programming language having fully undoable, timed reactive instructions
A method and apparatus are described for providing an undoable programming language. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing a fully undoable programming language, where the language includes a fully undoable core language portion and a conventional language portion. An embodiment of the present invention includes a method of determining an actual target of an event calculating a set of pre-events of the event, adding the set of pre-events as children of the event, and the set of pre-events being set to be raised to a pre-queue of the event. The method also includes applying an event principle to each pre-event of the event such that a set of protected positions being augmented with an upward closure of the target, executing the event, if the actual target is defined and the event is consumable, and applying the event principle to each post-event of the event. |
| US07966595B1 |
Method and system for approximate placement in electronic designs
Disclosed are method, system, and computer program product for a method and system for a fast and stable placement/floorplanning method that gives consistent and good quality results. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for approximate placement of various standard cells, macro-blocks, and I/O pads for the design of integrated circuits by approximating the final shapes of the objects of interest by one or more probability distribution functions over the areas for the objects of interest with improved runtime and very good stability. These probability distributions are gradually localized to final shapes satisfying the placement constraints and optimizing an objective function. |
| US07966594B2 |
Automated method for the hierarchical and selective insertion of dummy surfaces into the physical design of a multilayer integrated circuit
The invention relates to an automated method for inserting dummy surfaces (95) into the various layers of the physical design (121) of multilayer integrated circuits organized in interconnected units (2) containing interconnected blocks (30) composed of interconnected cells (3), implemented by an integrated circuit design system (100). The multilayer integrated circuit design (121), stored in the design system (100) is implemented layer by layer, through selective insertion of patterns of dummy surfaces (95), the selective insertion is based on an insertion hierarchy that respects the hierarchy of the physical design (121) of the integrated circuits, by means of individual implementation of the interconnected blocks (30) and first interconnection routing (31) for said interconnected blocks (30) and individual implementation of the interconnected units (2) and second interconnection routing (22) for said interconnected units (2). The patterns of dummy surfaces are established selectively in accordance with the design of the blocks (30) of the integrated circuit. |
| US07966591B2 |
System and method for verifying race-driven registers
Embodiments include a system and method for generating RTL description of an electronic device provided for a design test and a test bench environment to drive stimulus into the electronic device, identifying at least one register to be verified during the design test, authoring a property list including a plurality of properties, wherein each property includes a cause and an effect, creating a new property instance upon receiving an enqueue cause, transitioning a property instance from a waiting state to a pending state based on a dequeue cause, advancing property instances from the pending state to an active state and then to an expired state based on a defined time window, creating a current solution space including a plurality of solutions, wherein each of the plurality of solutions includes a list of unused active effects, inserting property instances into each of the plurality of solutions when the property instance enters to active state, pruning solutions from the current solutions space which have not used a property instance entering the expired state, and computing a new solution space based on the current solution space and target transition. |
| US07966588B1 |
Optimization of electrical circuits
A user may optimize a circuit design using a control presented within an Internet browser. The user can change the optimization value of the circuit that in turn places more or less emphasis on a parameter (e.g. foot print vs. efficiency). Once optimized for the values, the list of components matching the design as well as the optimization operating values are presented to the user. |
| US07966587B2 |
Information storage medium on which is stored an interconnection program, interconnection method, interconnection apparatus, and semiconductor device
Conventionally, an excessively strict current limitation is often adopted. An interconnection apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a decision unit. The acquisition unit serves to acquire a current density and data rate of a region that a specific interconnect passes through. The decision unit serves to decide whether the temperature increase corresponding to the current density and the data rate acquired by the acquisition unit is within a permissible range. |
| US07966580B2 |
Process-model generation method, computer program product, and pattern correction method
A process-model generation method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: forming a test pattern on a film to be processed by exposing a test mask having a mask pattern formed thereon; generating a plurality of process models having a different model parameter; performing a simulation of the mask pattern by using each of the process models to predict a plurality of model patterns; calculating a difference in dimension between the test pattern and each of the model patterns; extracting a model pattern in which the difference in dimension from the test pattern is within a scope of specification from the model patterns; and specifying the process model, which predicts the extracted model pattern, as the mask pattern. |
| US07966579B2 |
Methods of optical proximity correction
Systems and methods of optical proximity correction are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a method of determining optical proximity correction, which includes providing a design for a lithography mask. The design comprises a layout for a material layer of a semiconductor device. A predicted wafer image producible by the design for the lithography mask is calculated, and an amount of error between a target image and the calculated predicted wafer image is measured over a plurality of pixels of the predicted wafer image. The plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of different sizes. |
| US07966577B2 |
Multimedia control center
Techniques and systems for centralized access to multimedia content stored on or available to a computing device are disclosed. The centralized access can be provided by a media control interface that receives user inputs and interacts with media programs resident on the computing device to produce graphical user interfaces that can be presented on a display device. |
| US07966570B2 |
Graphical user interface for detail-in-context presentations
A method for displaying a region of interest within visual information on a display screen of a computer, the region of interest including a focal region and a base region. The method includes the steps of: providing means for selecting at least one parameter for transforming at least one of the region of interest, the focal region, and the base region; selecting the parameter using the means for selecting; transforming the visual information in accordance with a predetermined distortion function and the parameter to produce transformed visual information; and, displaying the transformed visual information on the display screen. |
| US07966569B2 |
Method and system and program storage device for storing oilfield related data in a computer database and displaying a field data handbook on a computer display screen
A computerized handbook known as an ‘i-Handbook’ is adapted to be stored in a memory of a computer system and displayed on a display screen of the computer system for assisting field personnel in the performance of their respective job related responsibilities. The ‘i-Handbook’, when displayed, has the appearance of a real handbook and it includes a database and a plurality of calculators for calculating a plurality of oilfield or wellbore related data in response to a first plurality of data in the database and a second plurality of data input by a user. The plurality of calculators are adapted for calculating: unit conversions, triplex pump volumes, tank volumes, tubular stretch and free point, annulus volumes, slurry density, gate percentage, screen out, cement slurry, casing lift, HCL density, oil gravity and API, and salt requirements. The ‘i-Handbook’ has a wellbore diagram feature which will allow a user to draw and create differing types of downhole tubular, packers and perforations in the tubular adapted to be disposed in a wellbore. In addition, the ‘i-Handbook’ can display: tubular capacities and displacement volumes, and tubular data based on suppliers which will enable a user to search through a database of the tubular data to locate the suppliers. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of aiding a patent searcher; it is provided with the understanding that this abstract shall not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US07966568B2 |
Remote control method having GUI function, and system using the same
A remote control method and system embody a graphic user interface. The present invention includes a remote controller having a touch pad and a digital television having a GUI. That is, a viewer can select a menu displayed on the digital television by using the touch pad. It is thus possible to overcome control limitations of the remote controller, namely complexity of the rapidly-developed functions of the television. In addition, the viewer can watch menus displayed on the screen of the digital television, operate the touch pad and execute a wanted control operation. As a result, the viewer can easily conveniently control the digital television through simple operations of the remote controller. |
| US07966563B2 |
System for organizing and displaying registered images
This invention relates to a system for organizing, storing, retrieving and displaying spatially related images where such images may also be relatable within time or image modality parameters. The system includes a dynamically manipulable user interface capable of visually depicting one or more images in a registerable manner, and also depicting the orientation of the image or images in relation to the surrounding neighborhood. The inventive system provides for display of panoramic image sequences consisting of multiple rows with multiple images per row, or image sequences consisting of only a single image. In a preferred embodiment, images taken from the same perspective at different times can be overlaid, and the user manipulates the display to perform real-time compare and contrast between images. In an alternate embodiment, the registered images include those created by means of different imaging modes or modalities such as, for example, visible light images and thermographic images. |
| US07966562B1 |
System and method for providing domain-sensitive help
A help facility for a graphical modeling environment that determines the domain of a multi-domain graphical object and provides the correct documentation for that object in that domain is discussed. The help facility determines the identity of the multi-domain graphical object and the domain in which the multi-domain graphical object is instantiated. Once the domain and the graphical object identity are determined, the help facility triggers a help callback restricted to that domain that provides domain appropriate help for the object. |
| US07966560B2 |
Laying out web components using mounting and pooling functions
To edit a web page so that various contents can be displayed, while ensuring fine uniformity of the whole web page, a mount (board art) is displayed within the web page so that content, such as an image or a text, can be pasted in the mount. When pasting the content in the mount, the content is compressed or extended so as to fit in a predetermined region disposed within the mount regardless of a data amount of the content. By arranging the mount within the page, fine conformity of the whole page is achieved by proximity, alignment, and repetition of a plurality of mounts. |
| US07966558B2 |
Snipping tool
Systems and methods for capturing content and performing operations associated with the content are described. A stylus or other pointing device may be used designate content to be captured. After content is designated, a new window is generated that includes the designated content and user interface elements for annotating, conveying or otherwise acting upon the designated content. |
| US07966546B2 |
Non-volatile memory with soft bit data transmission for error correction control
Data stored in non-volatile storage is decoded using iterative probabilistic decoding. An error correcting code such as a low density parity check code may be used. In one approach, initial reliability metrics, such as logarithmic likelihood ratios, are used in decoding sensed states of a set of non-volatile storage element. The decoding attempts to converge by adjusting the reliability metrics for bits in code words which represent the sensed state. Soft data bits are read from the memory if the decoding fails to converge. Initial reliability metric values are provided after receiving the hard read results and at each phase of the soft bit operation(s). In one embodiment, a second soft bit is read from the memory using multiple subsets of soft bit compare levels. While reading at the second subset of compare levels, decoding can be performed based on the first subset data. |
| US07966543B2 |
Cyclic comparison method for low-density parity-check decoder
A cyclic comparison method for an LDPC decoder. The nth element of the input k elements, wherein n=1, . . . , k, is sequentially removed by the corresponding comparator to obtain k first level sequences. Next, pairs of two elements selected from the k elements are used to form k second level sequences. The preceding step is repeated k×┌log2(k−1)┐ times to obtain k output results. Either of one first level sequences and one output results contains (k−1) elements. The first level sequences are compared with the output results to determine whether they are identical. If they are identical, the process stops. If they are not identical, the abovementioned step is repeated to obtain new output results. The cyclic comparison method of the present invention needs only k×┌log2(k−1)┐ comparisons to obtain output results. Thus, the present invention can reduce the number of basic operations and can apply to any input number. |
| US07966542B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing low-density parity-check (LDPC) code operations using a multi-level permutation
Methods and apparatus of the present invention are used to implement a communications system wherein different devices using the same LDPC code are implemented using different levels of parallelism. The use of a novel class of LDPC codes makes such differences in parallelism possible. Use of a factorable permuter in various embodiments of the invention make LDPC devices with different levels of parallelism in the encoder and decoder relatively easy to implement when using the codes in the class of LDPC codes discussed herein. The factorable permuter is implemented as a controllable multi-stage switching device which performs none, one, or multiple sequential reordering operations on a Z element vector passed between memory and a Z element vector processor, with the switching one individual vectors being controlled in accordance with the graph structure of the code being implemented. |
| US07966539B2 |
Digital content protection systems and methods
A method of operating an integrated circuit which includes an input module, an output module, and a processing module coupled to the input module and the output module. The method includes, in the input module, receiving a first data segment; in the processing module, reading a hard coded identifier from an identifier module coupled to the processing module, processing the first data segment with the hard coded identifier to generate a first encoded data segment; and in the output module, transferring the first encoded data segment for storage on a storage system. |
| US07966537B2 |
Digital reliability monitor having autonomic repair and notification capability
A circuit for preventing failure in an integrated circuit. The circuit including: an original circuit; one or more redundant circuits; and a repair processor, including a clock cycle counter configured to count pulses of a pulsed signal, the repair processor configured to (a) replace the original circuit with a first redundant circuit or (b) configured to select another redundant circuit, the selection in sequence from a second redundant circuit to a last redundant circuit, and to replace a previously selected redundant circuit with the selected redundant circuit each time the cycle counter reaches a predetermined count of a set of pre-determined cycle counts. |
| US07966536B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic scan completion in the event of a system checkstop
A method for automatic scan completion in the event of a system checkstop in a processor. The processor includes: a processor register; a millicode interface connected between the processor register and a checkstop scan controller; a checkstop logic circuit connected between the checkstop scan controller and a checkstop scan engine; and a scan chain engine and a scan chain connected to the checkstop scan engine. The method includes (a) upon occurrence of a checkstop serially reading data from a processor register and serially writing the data to latches of a scan chain register; and (b) upon occurrence of a system checkstop during (a), stopping the reading and writing and moving data sent before the system checkstop from latches of the scan chain where the data was stored when the system checkstop occurred to latches where the data would have been stored if the system checkstop had not occurred. |
| US07966527B2 |
Watchdog mechanism with fault recovery
A method for handling watchdog events of an electronic device includes detecting a watchdog fault in a normal mode, which is a watchdog event in which a watchdog trigger is not correctly serviced; entering from the normal mode into a first escalation level of nx escalation levels upon detection of the watchdog fault, wherein nx is an integer equal to or greater than 1; detecting correct watchdog events, which are watchdog events in which a watchdog trigger is correctly serviced; and concurrently detecting watchdog faults, leaving the first escalation level if a first escalation condition is met, and recovering in a recovering step back from any of the nx escalation levels to a previous level or mode, if a de-escalation condition is met. An electronic device embodiment includes a CPU and program instructions for carrying out the method. |
| US07966525B2 |
Diagnostic procedure and device for a field bus system
The invention relates to a computer-implemented diagnostic procedure for a field bus system in which bus users exchange data via a field bus in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, the data being exchanged in the form of data packets, comprising the following procedural steps: (a) recording states of the bus users; (b) detecting a data packet which is transmitted via the field bus between the bus users; (c) analyzing the data packet and deriving an updated state of the bus users in dependence on the preceding state of the bus users and the content of the data packet; (d) recording the updated states of the bus users; (e) repeating steps (b) to (d) in order to detect the current states of the bus users in an in-line manner. |
| US07966524B2 |
Systems and methods for gathering and selectively synchronizing state information of at least one machine
A method for gathering and selectively synchronizing state information of at least one machine includes generating, by a first machine, a query identifying a plurality of metrics characterizing a state of a second machine and at least one criterion identifying a circumstance in which to respond to the query. The method includes determining, by the second machine, whether to respond to the query, responsive to the criterion in the query. The method includes transmitting, by the second machine, to the first machine, a response including a subset of the plurality of metrics, responsive to the determination. A system for gathering and selectively synchronizing state information of at least one machine, includes a first machine generating a query. The system includes an agent, on the second machine, determining whether to respond to the query, and transmitting a response including a subset of the plurality of metrics, responsive to the determination. |
| US07966520B2 |
Software licensing for spare processors
A system is provided for controlling a right to use a computational component, comprising (a) a backup computational component 102 associated with a primary computational component 150, wherein when the primary computational component is in an operational mode the backup computational component is in a standby mode; (b) an activation agent 154 operable to determine when the primary computational component is no longer in the operational mode; (c) a timer 126 associated with the backup computational component; and (d) a mode setting agent 124 operable to permit the backup computational component to change to the operational mode when the value of the license error timer is not zero and to not permit the backup computational component to change to the operational mode when the value of the license error timer is zero. |
| US07966519B1 |
Reconfiguration in a multi-core processor system with configurable isolation
Methods and integrated circuits for reconfiguration in a multi-core processor system with configurable isolation are described. According to one embodiment, a processor configuration method includes determining that a first module is faulty. A second module is configured to communicate with the first module when the first module is not faulty. The method also includes analyzing a third module with respect to a substitution criterion, selecting the third module based on the analyzing determining that the third module satisfies the substitution criterion, and subsequent to the selecting, configuring the second module to communicate with the third module instead of the first module. Additional embodiments are described in the disclosure. |
| US07966515B2 |
Method of achieving high reliability of network boot computer system
In a network computer system, recovery may be impossible from a fault when the fault occurs in a network switch in a network or a device such as an external disk device. Provided is a computer system that includes a plurality of servers, a plurality of network, a plurality of external disk devices, and a management computer, in which the management computer detects a fault which is occurred, retrieves an application stop server inaccessible to the used disk due to the fault, retrieves the disk for storing the same contents as contents stored in the disk used by the retrieved application stop server and the external disk device including the disk, retrieves an application resuming server capable of accessing the retrieved external disk device, and transmits an instruction to boot by using the retrieved disk to the retrieved application resuming server. |
| US07966513B2 |
Automatic classification of backup clients
A method of automatically classifying clients into different backup policy groups according to pre-selected criteria, such as type of client, whether the client is a server, a desktop or a mobile computer, the department or business unit, or even the user. The method uses information obtained from the client itself to classify the client. This information includes the kind of processor platform and operating system in the client, the type and version of software being run, and whether the client has a battery, indicating that it is a mobile computer. Other information that can be used to classify the client for backup may be obtained from information that identifies the user, the department to which the client is assigned, and the location in which it is used. The process enables a mobile client traveling to another site of an enterprise to connect to a local LAN of the enterprise and be authenticated for backup, and to be automatically assigned an appropriate backup classification. |
| US07966504B2 |
System and method for power management in a computing device for power over ethernet
A system and method for operating system power management in a computing device for power over Ethernet (PoE). Computing devices such as portable computers or embedded devices having an operating system (OS) can leverage power management features in an OS. Power management state information such as user parameters, computing device parameters, application parameters, IT parameters, network parameters, etc. can be used to generate power requests that are acted upon by power sourcing equipment. |
| US07966502B2 |
System and method for enabling power over ethernet for legacy devices
A system and method for enabling power over Ethernet (PoE) for legacy devices. Legacy devices often represent a large installed base of devices. This installed base of devices (e.g., mobile computing devices) may have little or no PoE functionality. It is a feature of the present invention that an external device (e.g., dongle) can be used to retrofit such an installed base of devices for use with state of the art PoE functionality. |
| US07966498B2 |
Data outputting method, data outputting apparatus, data reproducing method, data reproducing apparatus, data recording method, data recording apparatus, and record medium
A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data. |
| US07966495B2 |
Conserving file system with backup and validation
Disclosed herein is a hierarchical data storage and retrieval system implemented using a computed statistically unique signature for the content of given computer data as its basis. The data storage and retrieval system can be used to catalog computer information for easy indexing and retrieval. The signature is computed by any number of techniques so long as it is able to produce a statistically unique signature, one example being the SHA-1 algorithm. The system is able to reduce the amount of data that is stored and the time required for retrieving the data. Provide a way to move electronic data in an encrypted secure manner that requires the complete data set being moved for decryption of the data. Even if a portion of the data is compromised that portion would still remain secure. The data is encrypted and separated into two or more portions all of which would be needed to decrypt the data. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims. |
| US07966490B2 |
Using mobility tokens to observe malicious mobile code
One or more mobility token managers (101) track movement of files (105) within a network. A mobility token manager (101) on a source computer (113) detects an attempt to write a file (105) to a target computer (117). Responsive to the detection, the mobility token manager (101) writes a mobility token (103) containing data concerning at least the file (105) and the write operation to the target computer (117). A mobility token manager (101) on the target computer (117) detects that the mobility token (103) is being written to the target computer (117). The mobility token manager (101) on the target computer (117) reads the mobility token (103), and determines relevant information concerning the file (105) associated with the mobility token (103). |
| US07966486B2 |
Computer system with dual basic input output system and operation method thereof
A computer system including a central processing unit (CPU), a chipset, a first bus, a second bus, a first memory, a second memory, and a logic control circuit is disclosed. The chipset is coupled to the CPU. The first bus and the second bus are respectively coupled to the chipset. The first memory is coupled to the chipset through the first bus for storing a first basic input output system (BIOS). The second memory is coupled to the chipset through the second bus for storing a second basic input output system (BIOS). The logic control circuit detects a state of the first bus and controls the chipset to select to access the first memory through the first bus or select to access the second memory through the second bus according to the state of the first bus. |
| US07966485B2 |
Universal operating system to hardware platform interface for gaming machines
Gaming machines and systems having a universal interface layer linking a gaming platform to a hardware platform are disclosed. In particular, the universal interface layer is configured such that the gaming platform is hardware platform independent and such that the hardware platform is gaming platform independent. Platform independence can facilitate the interchangeability of one platform without a corresponding need to modify the other platform. The gaming platform can include various gaming modules and an operating system, while the universal interface layer can include firmware, various additional gaming modules, hardware specific drivers and various APIs to facilitate communication between the gaming platform and other universal interface layer components. A safe storage manager can be included to utilize a non-volatile storage component to store data regarding a gaming machine state, with the state being recoverable after a substantial interruption to the machine. |
| US07966483B2 |
Communication device
A communication device includes storage configured to store information, an output device configured to output the information, a power supply detector configured to detect a supply of power to the communication device when the communication device is coupled to an external power source. Also, the communication device includes a processor configured to prohibit the stored information from being output by the output device responsive to the power supply detector detecting the supply of power. |
| US07966480B2 |
Register pointer trap to prevent errors due to an invalid pointer value in a register
Trap flags and a pointer trap are associated with registers in a processor. Each trap flag indicates whether a corresponding register has been written with valid data. If not, the trap flag is set to indicate that the register corresponding to the trap flag contains invalid data. During instruction processing, the pointer trap receives control signals from instruction fetch/decode logic on the processor indicating an instruction being processed calls for a register to be used as a pointer. If the specified pointer register has its corresponding trap flag set, then the pointer trap indicates that a processing exception has occurred. The interrupt logic/exception processing logic then causes a trap interrupt service routine (ISR) to be executed in response to the exception. The ISR prevents errors from being introduced in the instruction processing due to invalid pointer values. |
| US07966477B1 |
Power optimized replay of blocked operations in a pipilined architecture
A method and apparatus for power optimized replay. In one embodiment, the method includes the issuance of an instruction selected from a queue. Once issued, the instruction may be enqueued within a recirculation queue if completion of the instruction is blocked by a detected blocking condition. Once enqueued, instructions contained within the recirculation queue may be reissued once a blocking condition of an instruction within the recirculation queue is satisfied. Accordingly, a power optimized replay scheme as described herein optimizes power while retaining the advantages provided by selectively replaying of blocked instructions to improve power efficiency. |
| US07966472B2 |
Method of managing a memory including elements provided with identity information indicative of the ancestry of said elements
A method of managing a memory having stored elements that are organized in a hierarchy, each having a header containing individual identity information and a body containing data, the identity information of each element being encoded on a plurality of bits each of which can take a first value or a second value. The identity information of each element is obtained by repeating the identity information of an element constituting a direct antecedent of the element in question in the hierarchy, and in said identity information of the antecedent, by changing the value of a first value bit that follows the last second value bit in a direction for reading the identity information. |
| US07966470B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing logical volume in distributed storage systems
A logical volume management apparatus includes a first storage unit that stores configuration information on a first stage logical volume, and a second storage unit that stores configuration information on a second stage logical volume. An access unit finds a storage area in the second stage logical volume that corresponds to the first stage logical volume, and accesses a storage area in a storage device that corresponds to the determined storage area. A logical volume generation unit generates a new second stage logical volume, and a storage area extension unit extends a storage area of the first stage logical volume stored in the configuration information on the first stage logical volume to a desired storage capacity, and makes the new second stage logical volume generated by the logical volume generation unit correspond to the first stage logical volume. |
| US07966468B1 |
Apparatus, system, and method for fast read request transfer through clock domains
A speculative transfer mechanism transfers a source synchronous read request from a first clock domain to a second clock domain. The address portion having address information is transferred to the second clock domain in response to detecting a source synchronous address strobe latching signal. A pointer is generated in response to detecting the address strobe latching signal and passed into the second clock domain. In one embodiment, a pointer is retimed to be stable for a timing window for which a crossover of the address portion may be performed in the second clock domain. Request logic in the second clock domain generates a read command based on the address portion and the pointer. |
| US07966467B1 |
Secure memory access system and method
A secure memory access system and method for providing secure access to Hyper Management Mode memory ranges is presented. |
| US07966465B2 |
Method and system for secure code encryption for PC-slave devices
A PC-slave device may securely load and decrypt an execution code and/or data, which may be stored, encrypted, in a PC hard-drive. The PC-slave device may utilize a dedicated memory, which may be partitioned into an accessible region and a restricted region that may only be accessible by the PC-slave device. The encrypted execution code and/or may be loaded into the accessible region of the dedicated memory; the PC-slave device may decrypt the execution code and/or data, internally, and store the decrypted execution code and/or data into the restricted region of the dedicated memory. The decrypted execution code and/or data may be validated, and may be utilized from the restricted region. The partitioning of the dedicated memory, into accessible and restricted regions, may be performed dynamically during secure code loading. The PC-slave device may comprise a dedicated secure processor that may perform and/or manage secure code loading. |
| US07966463B2 |
Asynchronous remote copy system and control method for the same
Provided is a control method for an asynchronous remote copy system, the method including: fixing data in a secondary volume; determining a certain area in the secondary volume that contains data required to be copied to a primary volume from the secondary volume in which the data is fixed; copying the data in the certain area to the primary volume; and swapping the primary volume and the secondary volume for restarting the asynchronous remote copy. |
| US07966459B2 |
System and method for supporting phased transactional memory modes
A phased transactional memory (PhTM) may support a plurality of transactional memory implementations, including software, hardware, and hybrid implementations, and may provide mechanisms for dynamically transitioning between transactional memory modes in response to changing workload characteristics; upon discovering that the current mode does not perform well, is not suitable, or does not support functionality required for particular transactions; or according to scheduled phases. A system providing PhTM may be configured to transition from a first transactional memory mode to a second transactional memory mode while ensuring that transactions executing in the first transactional memory mode do not interfere with correct execution of transactions in the second transactional memory mode. The system may be configured to abort transactions in progress or to wait for transactions to complete, be aborted, or reach a safe transition point before transitioning to a new mode, and may use a global mode indicator in coordinating transitions. |
| US07966451B2 |
Power conservation in a composite array of data storage devices
Operating a composite array of data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, to conserve power includes storing data in block-level stripes with parity on a composite array including a controller and at least three data storage devices. The composite array includes a hot spare distributed across the data storage devices. The method further comprises placing one of the data storage devices in a standby state, operating the rest of the data storage devices in an active state, and controlling logical operations of the controller and the read and write operations of the active data storage devices to substitute for read and write operations on the standby device. For example, the controller can read redundant data on the active drives and compute data identical to the data on the standby drive to substitute for reading the standby drive. Furthermore, the controller can write a modified version of data on the standby drive to a spare block to substitute for writing to the standby drive. |
| US07966450B2 |
Non-volatile hard disk drive cache system and method
A non-volatile hard disk drive cache system is coupled between a processor and a hard disk drive. The cache system includes a control circuit, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The control circuit causes a subset of the data stored in the hard disk drive to be written to the non-volatile memory. In response to a request to read data from the hard disk drive, the control circuit first determines if the requested read data are stored in the non-volatile memory. If so, the requested read data are provided from the non-volatile memory. Otherwise, the requested read data are provided from the hard disk drive. The volatile memory is used as a write buffer and to store disk access statistics, such as the disk drive locations that are most frequently read, which are used by the control circuit to determine which data to store in the non-volatile memory. |
| US07966437B1 |
Wireless USB enabled dataloads
A wireless enabled data transferring system for transferring data from a storage device to a slave receiving system. The wireless enabled data transferring system includes a master wireless USB element connectable to a USB port of a storage device. A slave wireless USB element is connectable to a USB port of a slave receiving system. The master wireless USB element and the slave wireless USB element are operably connected to provide data transfer when i) power is applied, ii) the master wireless USB element and the slave wireless USB element are within a predetermined range, and iii) security authentication is established. The slave wireless USB element emulates the data in the storage device as local to the slave wireless USB element. |
| US07966435B2 |
Integrated circuit design structure for an asychronous data interface
A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a design, the design structure comprising for an interface system is disclosed. The system includes a buffer that receives data from a source in a first clock domain and stores the data to be read by a destination in a second clock domain, wherein the buffer functions in both the first clock domain and the second clock domain; a write pointer that points to data written by the source; and a read pointer that points to data read by the destination. According to the design structure, the write pointer and the read pointer are utilized to enable the data to be transmitted from the first clock domain to the second clock domain asynchronously. |
| US07966427B2 |
Proxy object configuration of industrial component
An electrical device may be configured by coupling the device to a human machine interface (HMI) that is equipped with software for interacting with a configuration station. The software may include components that can enumerate properties of objects on the device to be configured. The device to be configured provides a file to the server-enabled HMI, such as a schema file. The server-enabled HMI then enumerates properties of the objects or otherwise provides an indication of the properties to the configuration station. The properties may be altered by a user at the configuration station. The reconfigured properties are then transmitted from the server-enabled HMI back to the device to be configured. |
| US07966422B2 |
System and method for communicating between servers using a multi-server platform
Aspects of the invention may include receiving a packet from a first of a plurality of blade servers coupled via a common bus. An identifier associated with a second blade server may be determined based on at least a portion of the received packet and at least a portion of the received packet may be routed to at least the second blade server. At least a portion of the received packet may be transferred to at least the second blade server via the common bus. Routing of at least a portion of the received packet may be controlled by a switch blade which may also be coupled to the common bus. In order to route information in the server, an identifier of the first blade server, the second blade server and the switch blade may be determined. Exemplary identifiers may be a MAC address and/or an IP address. |
| US07966416B2 |
Management of bandwidth allocation in a network server
A server is connected to a plurality of connected client devices, and is configured to transfer information between any selected one of the client devices and a memory for static storage of information. The method comprises increasing the defined delay period after each execution of a packet transfer cycle, thereby discouraging the transfer of unacceptably large files. The delay period may be initiated, and the amount of increase or other adjustment to the delay period during the transfer cycle may be controlled, by selected a predetermined value from a table, or by calculating a value based on variable input parameters such as the file size, server load, network response time, and number of transfer requests from the client device within a defined prior period. |
| US07966413B2 |
Method for configuring a programmable logic controller using a schema to validate extensible markup language file
A method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a protocol is provided. The method includes providing an extensible markup language (XML) schema for the protocol of the PLC. In another aspect, a method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a protocol includes utilizing the schema to validate at least one XML file parsed from a comma separated variable (CSV) file created by a configuration tool for a protocol different than the protocol of the PLC. In another aspect, a method for configuring a programmable logic controller (PLC) having a protocol includes utilizing the schema to validate at least one XML file parsed from a comma separated variable (CSV) file created by a configuration tool. |
| US07966412B2 |
System and method for a pluggable protocol handler
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a system and method for pluggable protocol handlers to route message traffic between communication partners. In an embodiment, a protocol independent connection manager receives a message from a communication partner over a network connection. The connection manager calls a dynamically loadable protocol handler to process and route the received message to a subsequent communication partner. In one embodiment, the network connection is a multiplexed network connection. |
| US07966411B2 |
Methods for transmitting multimedia files and advertisements
The invention is directed to a method of transmitting a file having an advertising portion and a requested portion different from the advertising portion. The method includes receiving a request to transmit the file, via a streaming protocol allowing non-sequential access, transmitting the advertising portion of the file, receiving a request to transmit a portion of the requested portion of the file prior to completing transmitting the advertising portion of the file, completing the transmission of the advertising portion of the file, and transmitting the requested portion of the file. |
| US07966408B2 |
Adaptive multimedia integration language (AMIL) for adaptive multimedia applications and presentations
The invention generally relates to the field of markup languages used to describe adaptive mobile multimedia applications and/or presentations being inherently dependent on the dynamic mobile environment they are running in, which means that these mobile multimedia applications and/or presentations need to be adapted to the preferences of mobile users, the capabilities of their mobile computing devices, and their current situation. It allows adaptive mobile stream-based multimedia applications with real-time requirements in a typical wireless scenario (e.g. a radio link with a changing transmission quality and hand-over procedures) to adaptively and responsively react to a time-varying network topology and different radio link characteristics. Thereby, the underlying invention especially includes research and development issues in the field of describing adaptation possibilities (1500), adaptation constraints (802) and adaptation events (3802) directed to a personalization and context-aware adaptation of document-based multimedia applications by providing methods for pre-allocating, reserving, monitoring and adapting QoS-related parameters in a dynamic mobile environment using an XML-based multimedia presentation language.In this connection, a document model (100) consisting of vocabulary, document structure and linking means (1600) between the document model elements is presented which supports the description (700) of adaptive mobile multimedia applications and/or presentations. Besides, a document object model supporting a simplified transaction-oriented access is proposed. |
| US07966406B2 |
Supporting a response to a mid-dialog failure
In one embodiment, supporting outbound proxy discovery includes receiving a first registration request at a home proxy, where the first registration request is received from a user agent. An outbound proxy set is assigned to the user agent. The outbound proxy set includes outbound proxies. An outbound proxy set identifier is inserted into a first registration response for the user agent. The outbound proxy set identifier allows the user agent to identify the plurality of outbound proxies. |
| US07966404B2 |
Proxy apparatus and method
A system, comprising various methods and apparatus providing a transparent communication session setup and control for communication sessions involving different communication capabilities, is disclosed. The system receives a request for a communication session at a proxy apparatus, the request being originated from a first subscriber to the communication session using a first group of terminals. The system identifies at least a second subscriber to the communication session using a second group of terminals. The system evaluates types of communication being available for the first group of terminals and at least the second group of terminals on the basis of the request. The system sets up terminal sub-sessions from the proxy apparatus to the first group of terminals and to at least the second group of terminals according to types of communication being available for the first group of terminals and at least the second group of terminals. |
| US07966402B2 |
Switch to selectively couple any of a plurality of video modules to any of a plurality of blades
A distributed blade computer system and a method for operating a distributed blade computer system. More specifically, a computer system having one or more blades configured to operate as stand-alone computers are coupled to an infrastructure which includes one or more video modules. When a remote user wishes to implement video functions with a blade, a management subsystem in the infrastructure allocates a video module and couples the video module to the requested blade such that the blade can implement the video functions of the video module. |
| US07966398B2 |
Synthetic transaction monitor with replay capability
Systems and methods for recording and replaying client-server transactions on selected clients in order to gauge the performance of the client-server system from the perspective of the client. In one embodiment, a method comprises playing back a set of recorded transactions on a client, monitoring selected performance-related parameters at the client, and transmitting monitored data to the server for analysis or for viewing by a system administrator. The set of transactions is recorded on a first client by replacing a standard Internet transaction driver (e.g., WinInet.DLL) with a modified driver that is configured to intercept function calls. The function calls and corresponding parameters are recorded in a file which is later transmitted to a client, where the recorded transaction information is used to reproduce the transactions on the client. As the transactions are played back, performance data may be monitored and forwarded to a management server for analysis, display, etc. |
| US07966384B2 |
Real-time interactive system and method for making and updating changes to infrastructure data
A real-time interactive system and method for updating infrastructure information, and using the same to implement new changes to the infrastructure, can utilize a wireless enabled portable data collection device for capturing infrastructure information in the field at an access interface; an infrastructure information database containing previously recorded infrastructure information, if any; a remote server communicating with the portable data collection device and the infrastructure information database; wherein infrastructure information is wirelessly communicated to the remote server and the remote server controls a real-time interactive session with the portable data collection device to verify previously recorded infrastructure information, update the infrastructure information database with the current infrastructure information, and facilitate making the new changes using updated infrastructure information. The portable data collection device can be a cell phone having a camera, for capturing the images, and a GPS receiver, for obtaining GPS data associated with the access interface. |
| US07966383B2 |
Client-server systems and methods for accessing metadata information across a network using proxies
Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-implemented systems and methods for accessing metadata across a network. A metadata server receives requests to access a data source from one or more clients. The metadata server is coupled between one or more backend servers and the clients. The backend servers may be coupled to the data sources of interest. The metadata server provides a metadata service proxy for establishing communications with the backend servers and for signaling the backend servers to establish connections to data sources. Data sources may be stateful or stateless. For stateless data sources, the metadata server may dynamically create reusable metadata service provider proxies that receive metadata from metadata service providers on the backend servers. For stateful data sources, unique metadata service provider proxies may be dynamically created and used to service client requests. |
| US07966382B2 |
Enabling access to media content in media servers in remote networks
Provided are a method, system, and program enabling access to media content in media servers in remote networks. Available devices are discovered in a network capable of being controlled, wherein the devices include at least one media renderer and media servers. An access list is maintained indicating network addresses of a subset of the discovered media servers available in the network. A determination is made of discovered media servers having network addresses indicated in the access list and the media content in the determined media servers is discovered. Indication of the discovered media content from multiple media servers is made in an aggregate content directory of media content. Discovered media renderers are enabled to access media content indicated in the aggregate content directory. |
| US07966375B2 |
System and method for restricting access to email and attachments
One aspect of the invention is a method for restricting access to one or more email attachments includes receiving an email addressed to a first recipient and including at least a first attachment. The email is processed to determine whether a valid authorization code is associated with the email (and/or the attachment (s)). The valid authorization code identifies the email (and/or the attachment(s)) as an authorized communication. Access by the recipient to the first attachment is prevented if the processing of the email determined that no valid authorization code is associated with the email (and/or the attachment(s)). |
| US07966374B2 |
Adaptive media messaging, such as for rich media messages incorporating digital content
A facility for presenting an adaptive message is described. The facility receives a message in the computer system. Based upon the contents of the received message, the facility tests two or more digital content capabilities of the computer system. The facility then selects one of a number of different digital content elements based upon the results of the testing. The facility presents the selected digital content element. |
| US07966373B1 |
Automated system and method for delivery of messages and processing of message responses
An automated system for delivery of messages to multiple recipients, and for processing of responses to the messages, includes a message client, message server, and system database. A message is created using a universal message form. The message content can be translated into multiple formats and sent to one or more different recipients using one or more different types of messaging devices, including pagers, telephones, fax machines, and e-mail readers. A recipient profile manager allows each recipient to select the messaging devices to be used for message delivery as well as preferred messaging schedules, priorities, and message security. Receipt of the messages by the recipients is verified, response requirements collected and consolidated from multiple sources and presented to the message originator in a structured format. |
| US07966370B1 |
Templating and provisioning of collaborative facilities for a data-agnostic collaboration service
Various embodiments herein include one or more of systems, methods, software, and/or data structures to create collaboration enabled client applications. In some embodiments, web services are provided on one or more servers that may be called by processes within client applications to facilitate collaboration within a workspace, such as directly within a computer application. Some such web services may be application and data-agnostic, meaning that such web services are not aware of or do not care where application collaboration service calls come from, what their destination application is, or what data is being communicated. These web services, in some such embodiments, may be properly called by an authorized user. Virtual meeting places referred to as rooms may be created dynamically and may each include one or more collaborative services. To facilitate the dynamic creation of new rooms, room templates may be provided which allow new rooms to be easily and automatically created. The room templates may store state information for the pre-existing rooms from which they are based. Such state information may include collaboration services, configurations of the collaboration services, data messages that have been saved by the pre-existing room, as well as other features. |
| US07966369B1 |
Method and apparatus for collecting and disseminating information over a computer network
A device of and method for collecting and disseminating information over at least one computer network is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one database for storing digital information associated with at least a first user and a second user, at least one links module for the first user to link to at least a portion of said digital information associated with said second user and for the second user to link to at least a portion of said digital information associated with said first user, at least one manipulations module for manipulating said digital information stored in said at least one database, and at least one display device associated with each of the at least first user and second user for respectively displaying at least said linked digital information to each of said at least first user and second user, wherein said linked digital information associated with said first user is automatically updated on at least said display device of said second user when that information is manipulated, and wherein said linked digital information associated with said second user is automatically updated on at least said display device of said first user when that information is manipulated. |
| US07966367B2 |
Web application execution method
A web application execution method, for a client to execute a web application on a remote server is provided. A connection status between the client and the remote server is monitored. If the connection is established, an online learning process is performed to monitor the handshakes between the client and the server, thereby constructing a virtual server. If the connection is disconnected, an offline service is activated, allowing the client to execute the web application through the virtual server. If the connection is reestablished after being disconnected, a synchronization process is performed to synchronize state machines within the virtual server and the server. |
| US07966355B2 |
Interface for extending functionality of memory cards
An enhanced flash memory card, including a flash memory for storing a file system a wireless modem for downloading data from a remote computer to the flash memory, and a driver that controls the modem by associating designated flash card file system commands with modem actions to be performed. |
| US07966343B2 |
Accessing data in a column store database based on hardware compatible data structures
Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more hardware-friendly data structures that enable efficient hardware acceleration of database operations. In particular, the present invention employs a column-store format for the database. In the database, column-groups are stored with implicit row ids (RIDs) and a RID-to-primary key column having both column-store and row-store benefits via column hopping and a heap structure for adding new data. Fixed-width column compression allow for easy hardware database processing directly on the compressed data. A global database virtual address space is utilized that allows for arithmetic derivation of any physical address of the data regardless of its location. A word compression dictionary with token compare and sort index is also provided to allow for efficient hardware-based searching of text. A tuple reconstruction process is provided as well that allows hardware to reconstruct a row by stitching together data from multiple column groups. |
| US07966340B2 |
System and method of massively parallel data processing
A system and method of massively parallel data processing are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes generating an interpretation of a customizable database request which includes an extensible computer process and providing an input guidance to available processors of an available computing environment. The method further includes automatically distributing an execution of the interpretation across the available computing environment operating concurrently and in parallel, wherein a component of the execution may be limited to at least a part of an input data. The method also includes automatically assembling a response using a distributed output of the execution. |
| US07966339B2 |
Method and system for globally sharing and transacting contents in local area
A method and system for globally distributing a service containing digital content are provided. The method includes receiving original content existing in each local area from at least one content provider, generating metadata in a first local language using the received original content, converting the metadata into a universal language, and transmitting the converted metadata and at least a portion of the original content to the global MSP. |
| US07966337B2 |
System and method for prioritizing websites during a webcrawling process
A system and method for prioritizing a fetch order of web pages. The method comprises extracting by a web crawler a set of candidate web pages to be crawled. Each web page in the set of candidate web pages is associated with a website in a computer network. A determination is made to determine if a first website score for the website is in a website score database. The first website score is associated with web pages in the set of candidate web pages if the first website score exists in the website score database. The set of candidate web pages is prioritized with respect to an associated website score for each web page in the candidate set of web pages. Content is retrieved from the set of candidate web. Hyperlinks are extracted from the content. The hyperlinks are stored in a memory unit. |
| US07966334B1 |
Information retrieval systems and methods that use user-defined lists to identify related offerings
Information retrieval systems and methods are disclosed for presenting items of interest to a user of a computer-based data repository, where the items are presented in the form of lists generated by other users. Users of a data repository may generate lists of items from the repository that are accessible by other users. In various embodiments, users generating lists may add supplemental commentary about the items and other personalizing information. The information retrieval systems and methods store the user-generated lists for future presentation to other users. The online activities of a user of the data repository are monitored, and, in response to the user indicating an interest in an item, one or more lists determined to be similar to the indicated item are presented to the user. |
| US07966332B2 |
Method of generating a distributed text index for parallel query processing
The present invention relates to a method of generating a distributed text index for parallel query processing by a number of nodes. A set of node indices is generated for text indexing a set of documents, each node text index covering a subset of the documents. For each node text index, a local frequency measure for each term of the node text index is calculated on the basis of a frequency of documents containing the term in the subset of the documents of the node. A global frequency measure for each term is calculated on the basis of a frequency of documents containing the term in the set of documents. A quality measure for each node text index is calculated on the basis of the local frequency measures of the terms of the node and the global frequency measure of the terms of the node. |
| US07966323B2 |
Enabling category-based filtering
A category may be associated, in a personal information manager (PIM) application, with a data item by associating a category pattern with the data item. Where the PIM application already associates keyword patterns with data items for enabling keyword searching, the category pattern may have a format of an ordered plurality of elements that satisfies at least one rule for the format of the keyword patterns. Optionally, the first element of the ordered plurality of elements may be an element predetermined to be specific to pluralities of elements associated with categories. Advantageously, this approach to the association of a category with a data item allows for the association of more than one category with a single data item. Such an allowance provides for more accurate synchronization with a PIM application on a desktop that also allows the association of more than one category with a data item. Given the allowance of the association of multiple categories with a single data item, the user may filter a list of data items by one or more categories. |
| US07966322B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for visualizing OLAP and multidimensional data in a calendar format
Computer-implemented systems and methods for displaying multidimensional data as graphical time-based objects. A system and method could include associating actual calendar units with time dimension members. The association can be based on the time periods and the corresponding time-level information in the cube's time dimension hierarchies. Query results involving time periods and time period analysis are displayed as graph chart objects within the time period's visual presentation. |
| US07966319B2 |
Systems and methods for a rating system
An embodiment relates generally to a method of searching. The method includes providing for a knowledgebase item and associating a review for the knowledgebase item. The method also includes associating a rating for the knowledgebase item and developing a ranking associated with the knowledgebase item based on at least one the review and the rating. The method further includes displaying the knowledgebase item based on the ranking in subsequent searches that include the knowledgebase item. |
| US07966318B2 |
Compressed data storage to provide recent and summary data
The present invention is related to data storage and transmission. Data is compressed and stored by a controller computer instead of having a client computer gather, compress and store the data. This allows for data to be retrieved from the data stores and displayed for user retrieval, even when communication failures have occurred. |
| US07966315B2 |
Multi-query optimization
A database query optimization method is provided for database queries that include predicates, the queries being directed to at least one database table having data in rows and columns. The method includes associating a lineage bit set with each row of the database table, the lineage bit set providing a binary predicate state indication whether each predicate is met or are not met by data in the row. A dependency bit set is established to provide a binary indication of the predicates that are included in each query. Queries are applied against the database table by a logical operation between the lineage bit set and the dependency bit set. A database query optimization data structure includes a lineage bit set associated with each row in the database table. The lineage bit set provides a binary predicate state indication whether each predicate is met or are not met by data in the row. The data structure further includes a dependency bit set that provides a binary indication of the predicates included in each query. |
| US07966312B2 |
Updatable result set for multiple joined tables
A technique for providing an updatable result set from multiple joined tables derived from a plurality of databases includes testing for at least one unique index from each of the multiple joined tables. A technique for providing an updatable result set from multiple joined tables that may include null values for outer-joined tables includes testing for a connection to the unique indexes and the null values. |
| US07966309B2 |
Providing relevance-ordered categories of information
A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a remote device a search query, generating a plurality of different category-directed result sets for the search query, determining an order for the plurality of category-directed result sets based on the search query, and transmitting the plurality of category-directed result sets to the remote device, in a manner that the result sets are to be displayed in the remote device in the determined order. |
| US07966306B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for location-aware search
Performing location-aware search involves intercepting a network request targeted for an Internet-based search engine. The network request includes a location-dependent query containing a location term, and the location term cannot be used by the search engine to positively determine a target location. A location descriptor that can be used by the search engine to positively determine a target location is determined via a location database. The location database may include a location sensor such as GPS. The network request is modified to replace the location term with the location descriptor, and the modified network request is sent to the search engine. |
| US07966303B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer-readable recording medium
A data processing apparatus includes a setting part for setting a combination including location data indicating the location of a data source located in a target data item and a designated process corresponding to the location data, an acquiring part for acquiring the target data item and a data processing part for obtaining data from the data source located at the location indicated by the location data by referring to the combination set by the setting part and performing the designated process corresponding to the location data on the target data item in accordance with the combination by using the data obtained from the data source. |
| US07966300B2 |
Application processing method, and intermediation server device
An intermediate server device is installed among a financial institution server device, a local government server device and an applicant terminal device. The intermediate server device transmits application processing information received from the applicant terminal device to the financial institution server device after adding data for verification and application ID. Partially masked application processing information is sent to the local government server device for verification. Then the intermediate server device manages verification history for certification request information with application IDs requested from the financial institution server device based on the application IDs. |
| US07966296B2 |
Storage system, storage controller and data compression method
Provided are a storage system, a storage controller and a data compression method that will not deteriorate the performance of a storage system by adjusting the compression processing time required for compressing data. This storage controller includes a statistical information management unit for managing a throughput value decided based on statistical information of previously compressed file data as a system performance value, a mode setting unit for setting a compression mode of either a system performance priority mode that terminates compression of the file data and gives priority to system performance or a compression priority mode that gives priority to compression of the file data based on a comparison between a system performance target value preset as a target value and the system performance value, and a compression controller for compressing the file data based on the compression mode set with the mode setting unit. |
| US07966291B1 |
Fact-based object merging
A repository contains objects including facts about entities. Some objects might be associated with the same entity. An object merge engine identifies a set of merge candidate objects. A grouping module groups the merge candidate objects based on the values of facts included in the objects. An object comparison module compares pairs of objects in each group to identify evidence for and/or against merging the pair. Evidence for merging the pair exists if, e.g., the objects have a type in common or share an uncommon fact. Evidence against merging the pair exists if, e.g., the objects have differing singleton attributes. A graph generation module generates graphs describing the evidence for and/or against merging the pair. A merging module analyzes the graphs and merges objects associated with the same entity. The merged objects are stored in the repository. |
| US07966289B2 |
Systems and methods for reading objects in a file system
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to file systems. Specifically, certain embodiments include systems and methods for reading objects in a file system. In some embodiments, a first processing thread traverses a portion of a file system and represents file system objects in a data structure. A portion of the data and/or metadata associated with the represented objects may be prefetched to a memory. In some embodiments, a second processing thread consumes the objects represented in the queue. For example, in a file system backup embodiment, the second processing thread may transfer data and/or metadata associated with the objects to an archive target. |
| US07966288B2 |
Device and method for integrating file systems
The present invention enables a user to increase storage capacity for a host by using multiple storage devices. File systems are virtualized regardless of any difference in file system format. The invention may be embodied as a device for integrating file systems or as a method of integrating file systems. The device has one or more storage device interfaces for storage devices, a host interface, and a hub connected to the interfaces. The hub creates a virtual file system that aggregates the storage device file systems of storage devices that are connected to the storage device interfaces. The method of integrating file systems includes reading file systems, interpreting them, creating a logical structure containing data of the file systems, and generating in a memory sectors that map the logical structure into a virtual file system. |
| US07966284B2 |
Preference setting in a computer system
A profile of likelihoods of actions that will occur on a computer is stored. The computer may be likely to be off between time periods, e.g., between midnight and 7 am. Some action is taken relative to the actions that are likely to occur, before those actions actually happen. |
| US07966281B2 |
Management of storage and retrieval of data labels in random access memory
According to an example embodiment, a technique may be provided for managing a label data base of which each entry comprises a data field for insertion into a respective packet in a multicast transmission and a validity field. The technique may include, for example, (a) establishing a fixed size for a cluster of labels, (b) associating with each cluster a pointer to another cluster, (c) establishing a sentinel cluster of which all entries are indicated to be invalid and of which the cluster pointer points to this sentinel cluster, (d) establishing a root table which defines the number of replications of the packet in a multicast group and identifies a first label cluster associated with the multicast group and (e) establishing a chain of clusters of which each cluster which is full of valid entries points to the next cluster in the chain and the last cluster which contains valid entries points to the sentinel cluster. |
| US07966276B2 |
Controller for partially observable systems
A controller is provided, operable to control a system on the basis of measurement data received from a plurality of sensors indicative of a state of the system, with at least partial autonomy, but in environments in which it is not possible to fully determine the state of the system on the basis of such sensor measurement data. The controller, includes: a system model, defining at least a set of probabilities for the dynamical evolution of the system and corresponding measurement models for the plurality of sensors of the system; a stochastic estimator operable to receive measurement data from the sensors and, with reference to the system model, to generate a plurality of samples each representative of the state of the system; a rule set corresponding to the system model, defining, for each of a plurality of possible samples representing possible states of the system, information defining an action to be carried out in the system; and an action selector, operable to receive an output of the stochastic estimator and to select, with reference to the rule set, information defining one or more corresponding actions to be performed in the system. |
| US07966272B2 |
Methods and systems for multi-participant interactive evolutionary computing
Disclosed are methods, systems, and processor program products that include executing an optimization scheme to obtain a first solution set, presenting the first solution set to at least two users, receiving rankings of the first solution set from the at least two users, aggregating the rankings, and, generating a second solution set based on the aggregated rankings. The optimization scheme can include a genetic algorithm. In embodiments, at least a part of the first solution set can be presented to the users based on the parts of the solution set associated with the user (e.g., user's knowledge). |
| US07966271B2 |
Device influenced table formatting
A server includes a logic subsystem and memory. The memory holds instructions that, when executed by the logic subsystem, cause the logic subsystem to determine if a table is wider than a viewing size of a screen of a requesting device, determine if the table is a data table or a layout table, and format an instance of the table prior to sending that instance of the table to the requesting device. The instance of the table sent to the requesting device is formatted in accordance with a determined viewing size of the screen of the requesting device and in accordance with a determined table type. |
| US07966268B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated identification of signal characteristics
A method of assessing a signal to identify particular signal characteristics comprises application of machine learning to multi-dimensional histograms derived from multi-tap sampling of the signal. The signal is sampled from at least two tap points to retrieve a sample set, and the at least two tap points are adapted to retrieve distinct samples from the signal, such as time spaced samples or spectrally distinct samples. Multiple sample sets are retrieved from the signal over time. The at least two dimensional histogram is built from the joint probability distribution of the plurality of sample sets. A machine learning algorithm then processes the multi-dimensional histogram, and is trained to predict a value of at least one characteristic of the signal. |
| US07966263B2 |
Wireless phone RF presentation instrument with sensor control
A mobile communications device is described which includes an input sensor, a memory unit, processing unit, and an antenna configured to wirelessly transmit and receive financial account data for a transaction. The antenna is configured to receive a request for data stored on the memory unit, and may also be configured to induce a voltage from a magnetic field to power certain components of the device. The input sensor may control whether the components can be so powered from the magnetic field. Alternatively, input from the input sensor may otherwise control the functionality of the device. By way of example, data representative of an input received by the input sensor may be transmitted in addition to the requested data. |
| US07966256B2 |
Methods and systems of predicting mortgage payment risk
A method for detecting a risk of payment default comprises receiving mortgage data associated with a mortgage application, the mortgage application associated with an applicant, determining a first score for the mortgage data based at least partly on one or more models that are based on data from a plurality of historical mortgage transactions and based on historical credit information related to the applicant, and generating data indicative of a risk of payment default based at least partly on the first score. |
| US07966255B2 |
Method and apparatus for a no pre-set spending limit transaction card
A method and apparatus are provided for a no pre-set spending limit transaction card with features and attributes of both a credit card and a charge card, including an overlimit spend feature and an associated communicated line of credit. The transaction card may carry a balance like a credit card and may require that a card user pay down the balance carried forward to the line of credit subsequent to the end of each billing cycle. When the user has reached or exceeded the communicated line of credit, each subsequent transaction request for a new transaction by the user is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a process that includes execution an overlimit spend authorization logic or process. |
| US07966252B2 |
Methods and systems for providing hybrid ARM indices
In at least one aspect, the invention comprises constructing one or more hybrid adjustable rate mortgage aggregates based on one or more of: agency, program, coupon, and origination year; for each of one or more of the aggregates, constructing one or more sub-aggregates based on one or more of: rate-index, capitalization structure, and existence of interest-only feature; mapping pools of adjustable rate mortgages to the aggregates and sub-aggregates; constructing an index based on the mapping; and pricing the index. |
| US07966251B2 |
Credit event referenced asset that minimizes an investor's risk of loss of principal
A credit event referenced asset having a par value includes (a) a provision for a right of a creditor to receive interest on the asset for a credit term, wherein the interest is reduced if a credit event occurs with respect to a reference entity, and (b) a provision for a right of the creditor to receive the par value at a maturity date of the asset. |
| US07966249B1 |
Block trading system and method
In an electronic trading system, a method for facilitating block trading of financial instruments includes establishing a set of tiered block trading ranges, each tiered block trading range having a lower limit defining a minimum order size for filling block trades within the respective tiered block trading range, receiving a block order for a financial instrument, the block order having a block size that falls within a first tiered block trading range, and executing the block order in accordance with the minimum order size defined by the lower limit associated with the first tiered block trading range. The electronic trading system is adapted to identify executed trades with matching parties and financial instruments, combine each set of matching trades into a single trading order, reverse out the individual matching trades, execute the single trading orders, and transmit data corresponding to the executed trades to the transacting parties or a clearing entity. |
| US07966248B2 |
Methods and systems for providing tax efficient hedge fund returns
In one aspect, the invention comprises a method comprising: (1) selling a note to an investor for a specified amount; and (2) using proceeds from selling the note to purchase (a) one or more zero coupon municipal bonds, and (b) an option on at least one of the group comprising: a hedge fund, a fund of funds, and a hedge fund index; wherein the note entitles the investor to substantially all of the returns on the one or more bonds and on the option, wherein the one or more bonds are configured to provide a return substantially equal to the specified amount, and wherein the option is a European option. This option can be a variable option. |
| US07966241B2 |
Stock method for measuring and assigning precise meaning to market sentiment
A stock method for objectively quantifying the feeling, or market sentiment, of a company's stock (or the market as a whole) in a data-driven and transparent manner that serves as a standardized tool useful to investors and stock market analysts in gauging such items as inflated or deflated price values resulting from varying levels of market sentiment. |
| US07966238B2 |
Multi-level leverage account structure
An investment structure for multiple classes of investors that combines the advantages of both the master feeder structure and the reverse master feeder structure with segregated accounts. In particular, an investment structure is formed in which investors invest in a common fund. The common fund, in turn, opens a common prime brokerage account, having at least three sub-accounts, for example: an unlevered account; one or more levered accounts and a general trading account. The prime broker provides class loans to the levered account and margin loans to the general trading account. To the extent class loans are provided to the levered account, levered investors will participate in the returns on the general account as if the levered investors invested capital plus the amount of any class loans to that levered account. The unlevered investors will participate in the returns on the general trading account on the basis of their capital contributions alone. The prime broker will have no recourse against any assets of any account other than the levered account as a result of a default or margin call of the levered account. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the investment structure is structured as a fund of funds, in which multiple classes of investors invest, which, in turn, invests in multiple investment funds, or a fund that employs alternative investment strategies that overlay the basic trading strategies. In this embodiment, a credit facility is established with the equivalent of three sub-accounts as discussed above. |
| US07966236B2 |
Method and system for real time margin calculation
Methods and systems for real time margin management are provided. A margin inquiry request from a user is processed in real time. Such a margin inquiry request may include a real time on-demand margin inquiry. In addition, a margin inquiry request may also correspond to a hypothetical margin inquiry. |
| US07966235B1 |
Method and apparatus providing automated control of spending plans
A method providing automatic allocation of a spending limit value among a plurality of recipient departments is disclosed. A spending plan, comprising a plurality of spending limit values, is created. Each spending limit value is associated with a department from among a plurality of departments. A first selected department is identified as a source for allocation of a first spending value. One or more recipient departments are identified as recipients of an allocation of the first spending value. The first spending value is then automatically allocated among the recipients under a specified allocation model, resulting in creating a plurality of allocated spending limit values that are associated with one of the recipient departments. As a result, delay in preparing spending plans is reduced because allocations are rapidly, automatically computed and distributed to department plans. Further, visibility of allocations is improved, enhancing management awareness of allocation values that are beyond the control of a recipient department. |
| US07966227B2 |
System for configuring a chemical separation system
The present invention relates to a configuration system for configuring and ordering a chemical separation system, which configuration system comprises a configuration tool, a database comprising data relating to chemical separation hardware modules and the linkage of said hardware modules. Said configuration system enables a user in real-time to obtain a customized configuration of the chemical separation system. The present invention also relates to a method of selling a customized chemical separation system using said configuration system. The present invention system and method considerably shorten the time required for customizing a chemical separation system. |
| US07966224B1 |
System, method and computer program product for generating a relationship-based recommendation
A system, method and computer program product are provided for providing recommendations. In use, a plurality of contacts is identified, where each contact has a relationship with a user. In addition, information associated with activities of at least one of the contacts is received such that a recommendation may be generated for the user, based on the information. |
| US07966222B2 |
System and method for distributing information through cooperative communication network sites
Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details. An additional feature of the invention makes use of a consumer “personal page,” which is an individualized database in which consumer shopping preferences are defined, both by information that the consumer expressly provides and by the consumer's past shopping activity. Use of the personal page allows the consumer to receive product offers that are more targeted to the individual consumer, thus saving the consumer time and effort. Another embodiment of the invention provides for distribution of a product purchase incentive directly to the consumer in response to his or her selection of an advertising banner displayed on an independent commercial network site. |
| US07966221B1 |
System, method and computer program product for dynamic pricing
A system, method and computer program product are provided for various pricing techniques. Initially, data associated with a sale of goods or services may be received. A plurality of values associated with the sale of goods or services may then be calculated based on the received data. At least one of the values is then optionally compared to a low threshold and at least one of the values is also optionally compared to a high threshold, although any threshold may be used. Even still, the threshold may be altered based on the received data. Consequently, the price of the goods or services may also be altered based on the comparisons, wherein the price may be altered, at least in part, in a random manner. Further, the altered price may be output. |
| US07966218B1 |
Apparatus, method and system for broadcast content expiration after recorded by a user
An apparatus, method, and system for a Media Expiration System (MES) that improves upon current content control systems by better managing media recordings. The MES enables media owners to disable recordings of their broadcast content and/or advertising, locally, after the content has been recorded by a consumer. In one embodiment, the MES places expiration stamps into broadcast media as it is recorded by a consumer electronics device. The MES tracks viewing habits, enables the purchasing of extended views of programs, and removes expired media programming content. The manner and way in which this is achieved results in the expiration of stale media content. |
| US07966215B1 |
Combination reservation and navigation system and method
A combination reservation and navigation system includes a reservation communication device and a customer communication device. The reservation communication device provides the reservation information to various customer communication devices associated with customers responsive to organizing the reservation information. The reservation communication device receives customer information, including a request for a reservation for the parking space, from the customer communication device. The reservation communication device transmits electronic navigation information to the customer communication device associated with the customer over a communication link responsive to the customer making the reservation. The electronic navigation information assists the customer in traveling from a customer geographic location to a business geographic location of the parking space reserved by the customer. |
| US07966212B2 |
Quantitative alignment of business offerings with the expectations of a business prospect
In certain embodiments, a method for quantitative alignment of business offerings with the expectations of a business prospect includes accessing a novelty indicator for an offering, the novelty indicator being based on one or more characteristics of the offering and rating an innovation level of the offering. The method further includes accessing an innovation perception indicator for a prospect of the offering, the innovation perception indicator providing an indication of how the prospect views innovation. The method further includes comparing the novelty indicator for the offering with the innovation perception indicator for the prospect to determine if the offering is aligned with the expectations of the prospect. In certain embodiments, the method includes generating a recommendation, possibly in the form of a report, based on the comparison of the novelty indicator for the offering and the innovation perception indicator for the prospect. |
| US07966204B1 |
System and method for processing insurance claims
Systems consistent with the present invention automatically process data associated with insurance claims to identify insurance claims with subrogation potential. Text from an insurance claim file may be automatically analyzed to extract data that can be quantified to determine whether the claim may have subrogation potential. |
| US07966203B1 |
Property insurance risk assessment using application data
A pre-screening or application risk assessment score may be calculated based on data accumulated during an insurance application process to more effectively segment risks at the point of application. The application data may be used as a substitute for, or in addition to, the applicant's credit score as an accurate measure of risk on the policy. In general, this pre-screening risk assessment score may be particularly useful for segmenting risks during the application and underwriting process for insurance policies that typically require a measurement of risks contributed by both the property and the applicant before the policy is written. More specifically, the score may be used during the underwriting process for property insurance policies. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method is useful for segmenting risks associated with an insurance coverage determination for property that typically requires a physical inspection, for example, real property. |
| US07966200B1 |
Systems and methods for modeling insurance coverage
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the modeling of insurance coverage. Coverage parameters of a policy are displayed as graphical elements within a user interface (UI) of a computing device along with a plurality of claim scenario parameters for selection by a user. Once selected, the claim scenario parameters are applied to relevant claim data and a claim scenario is generated. The claim scenario is then applied to the policy coverage parameters of the policy to determine and graphically display coverage parameter disparities, which are then graphically modified to offset any coverage parameter disparities. As coverage parameters are modified, corresponding adjustments to the premium of the current policy are made and displayed within the UI. A resulting policy is generated, using the modified coverage parameters of the current policy and adjusted premiums, and then fulfilled, electronically or physically. |
| US07966194B2 |
Method and apparatus for targeted event networking
A method and apparatus that eliminates blind networking and allows targeted networking amongst event attendees, both for personal as well as professional reasons, while also making events ubiquitously available anytime anywhere beyond the physical limitations of time and space, such that anyone anywhere in the world can not only attend the event from the comfort of his office desk or home but also network with the other event attendees without physically attending the event is disclosed. Event hosts can be any non-profit/for-profit organization or entity hosting events of any nature in any realm. Another embodiment of the invention provides enhanced, multiple levels of profile content privacy that give complete freedom, control, and flexibility to the users to express themselves fearlessly by controlling the specific chosen contents in their profiles for input, storage, analysis, retrieval, and/or display to specific chosen authorized users or groups. Another embodiment of the invention provides integration in a chat/instant messaging to allow a user to set up an online meeting with one or more participants in the chat and/or that allows a user to find a meeting place where one or more participants can decide to meet in person locally or globally in various parts of the world. Another embodiment of the invention is related to sales and revenue generation, particularly for e-commerce/e-services companies whose products or services, which include but not limited to, yellow page, directory, or business information databases by area, reach large numbers of users directly. |
| US07966191B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a number of output audio channels
An audio encoder (109) has a hierarchical encoding structure and generates a data stream comprising one or more audio channels as well as parametric audio encoding data. The encoder (109) comprises an encoding structure processor (305) which inserts decoder tree structure data into the data stream. The decoder tree structure data comprises at least one data value indicative of a channel split characteristic for an audio channel at a hierarchical layer of the hierarchical decoder structure and may specifically specify the decoder tree structures to be applied by a decoder. A decoder (115) comprises a receiver (401) which receives the data stream and a decoder structure processor (405) for generating the hierarchical decoder structure in response to the decoder tree structure data. A decode processor (403) then generates output audio channels from the data stream using the hierarchical decoder structure. |
| US07966190B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing an audio signal using linear prediction
In one embodiment, a channel in a frame of the audio signal is subdivided into a plurality of blocks, and at least two of the blocks have different lengths. An optimum prediction order for each block is determined based on a permitted prediction order and a length of the block. |
| US07966188B2 |
Method of enhancing voice interactions using visual messages
A method for enhancing voice interactions within a portable multimodal computing device using visual messages. A multimodal interface can be provided that includes an audio interface and a visual interface. A speech input can then be received and a voice recognition task can be performed upon at least a portion of the speech input. At least one message within the multimodal interface can be visually presented, wherein the message is a prompt for the speech input and/or a confirmation of the speech input. |
| US07966185B2 |
Application of emotion-based intonation and prosody to speech in text-to-speech systems
A text-to-speech system that includes an arrangement for accepting text input, an arrangement for providing synthetic speech output, and an arrangement for imparting emotion-based features to synthetic speech output. The arrangement for imparting emotion-based features includes an arrangement for accepting instruction for imparting at least one emotion-based paradigm to synthetic speech output, as well as an arrangement for applying at least one emotion-based paradigm to synthetic speech output. |
| US07966181B1 |
System and method for processing speech files
A system and method for speech file processing which provides users with differentially selectable speech file transcripts which can be sent to one or more other users. The speech files may be voicemail messages from which respective voicemail transcripts are created. The voicemail transcripts are provided in a user selectable format from which users may select non-contiguous portions of the transcript. |
| US07966179B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting voice region
A method and apparatus for distinguishing a voice region from a non-voice region in an environment where various types of noise and voice are mixed together are provided. The method includes the steps of converting an input voice signal into a frequency domain signal by preprocessing the input voice signal, performing sigmoid compression on the converted signal, transforming a spectrum vector generated by the sigmoid compression into a voice detection parameter in scalar form, and detecting the voice region using the parameter. |
| US07966178B2 |
Device and method for voice activity detection based on the direction from which sound signals emanate
A device includes a sound signal analyser configured to determine whether a sound signal comprises speech. The device further includes a microphone system configured to discriminate sounds emanating from sources located in different directions from the microphone system so that sounds only emanating from a range of directions are included as signals possibly containing speech. |
| US07966174B1 |
Automatic clustering of tokens from a corpus for grammar acquisition
A system for recognizing patterns is disclosed. Grammar learning from a corpus includes, for the other non-context words, generating frequency vectors for each non-context token in a corpus based upon counted occurrences of a predetermined relationship of the non-context tokens to identified context tokens. Clusters are grown from the frequency vectors according to a lexical correlation or a cluster tree among the non-context tokens. The cluster tree is used for pattern recognition. |
| US07966173B2 |
System and method for diacritization of text
A system and method for restoration of diacritics includes making classification decisions regarding an utterance in accordance with an aggregate of a plurality of information sources in a diacritization model for diacritic restoration. A best diacritic representation is determined for graphemes in the utterance based upon a best match with the diacritization model. A diacritically restored representation of the utterance is output. |
| US07966171B2 |
System and method for increasing accuracy of searches based on communities of interest
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer-readable media for using a local communication network to generate a speech model. The method includes retrieving for an individual a list of numbers in a calling history, identifying a local neighborhood associated with each number in the calling history, truncating the local neighborhood associated with each number based on the at least one parameter, retrieving a local communication network associated with each number in the calling history and each phone number in the local neighborhood, and creating a language model for the individual based on the retrieved local communication network. The generated language model may be used for improved automatic speech recognition for audible searches as well as other modules in a spoken dialog system. |
| US07966170B2 |
Computer program product and computer system for language-enhanced programming tools
Statements of a computer program expressed using a first source natural language are made meaningful to a programmer familiar with a second target natural language. The first source natural language of the computer program is determined from the programmer, or through analysis, and the second target natural language desired by the programmer is selected. Textual constructs may be parsed, with reference to stored coding conventions to determine meaningful lexical tokens. Such tokens are translated with a translation engine, and displayed to the programmer, desirably using a graphical user interface feature of an integrated development environment (IDE) for computer programming in a particular programming language. |
| US07966167B2 |
Support method, design support apparatus, and storage medium
A design support method of inspecting control on an image forming apparatus based on a simulation result of operation control on a virtual device which is modeled to simulate operation of the image forming apparatus includes the steps of referring to control definition information for determining whether an operation request is proper with respect to a virtual device for which the operation request is input, in accordance with an operating state of the virtual device, and determining, based on the control definition information referred to in the referring step whether operation of the virtual device can be performed. |
| US07966163B2 |
System and method of interactive situation simulation
An authoring, execution, and participation software system and corresponding method for the capture and execution of real-world events (e.g., crises) involving individuals such as senior private and/or public sector leaders is presented. The authoring system and method are used to model a scenario, incorporating knowledge from domain experts, relevant media, and external computation/simulation engines. The execution system and method execute scenarios created by the authoring system and method and provide a communication hub for the participation system and method. The participation system and method provide individuals, such as senior leaders and their staff, with appropriate views into the unfolding scenario and appropriate decisions to be made. The system and method also include features that allow for research and analysis with respect to, for example, efficient crisis response tactics. |
| US07966160B2 |
Method and system for user modelling
An improved user modeling server for use in media delivery networks, wherein a plurality of applications exchange usage data via at least one user modeling server. The user modeling server has an associated function for regulating exchange of usage data between any of a first application and a second application in the set, wherein the function defines: whether the usage data are provided by the first application to the second application, and a degree of trust acknowledged by the second application to the provided usage data. The function is in the form of a bi-directional relationship, wherein any of the first and second applications is configured for accepting, refusing or negotiating the relationship. The function is preferably configured for valuating the usage data, and defining debit and credit values each application has in respect to usage data exchanged with other applications in the set. |
| US07966158B2 |
Measurement apparatus
The measurement apparatus includes a distortion correcting unit configured to generate a plurality of correction signals by correcting the plurality of signals using a distortion coefficient which is stored in the apparatus, a square-root of sum of squares arithmetic unit configured to calculate a square-root of sum of squares of the plurality of correction signals, a first normalizing unit configured to generate a plurality of first normalized signals by dividing each of the plurality of correction signals by the square-root of sum of squares, and a phase arithmetic unit configured to calculate the position of the object based on the plurality of first normalized signals. |
| US07966157B2 |
Signal processing circuit for rotation detector and method for detecting rotation of object
A signal processing circuit for a rotation detector outputs accurate rotational information including a rotating direction of a rotor which rotates with an object. A phase difference compensation substantiating block decides whether a predetermined phase difference compensating condition is established. The condition relates to decision whether noise effects on first and second filter signals in first and second filter blocks are different from each other. When the phase difference compensating condition is established, the phase difference compensation substantiating block corrects the phase relationship between first and second phase difference compensation output signals so that the phase relationship is identical to that attained just before the phase difference compensating condition is established. |
| US07966153B2 |
Intelligent irrigation rain sensor
An intelligent irrigation rain sensor for use in an irrigation system comprises a rain sensor unit and a sensor control unit. The rain sensor unit has a rain catcher reservoir with an open top for receiving rainwater with an internal volume for holding water and tapers into a funnel. At least one droplet detector is positioned directly below the funnel opening that contacts the water droplets from the funnel. The droplet detector includes detection electrodes for sensing a change in an electrical property being monitored by a detection control in the sensor control unit and for discriminating phantom droplets from rain. Upon exceeding a rain threshold amount over measurement time period, the intelligent irrigation rain sensor issues a rain signal to the irrigation controller. The intelligent irrigation rain sensor issues a corresponding dry signal to the irrigation controller after a drying period has elapsed. |
| US07966149B2 |
Multivariate detection of transient regions in a process control system
Methods and systems to detect transient operations from abnormal operations, and to detect abnormal operations in a coker heater, include collecting on-line process data. The collected on-line process data is generated from a plurality of process variables of the process, or coker heater. A first representation of the operation of the process, or coker heater, is generated based on a first set of the collected on-line process data generated from a first set of the process variables. The first representation is adapted to be executed to generate a first result. A second representation of the operation of the process, or coker heater, is generated based on the first result and based on a second set of the collected on-line process data generated from a second set of the process variables. The second representation is adapted to be executed to generate a prediction of data generated from the second set of the process variables. The prediction is analyzed to detect an abnormal operation or to detect whether one or more abnormal operations comprises a transient operation of the process. |
| US07966145B2 |
Integrated circuit and the corresponding test method, computer device and program
An integrated circuit is provided, which includes at least one external input, a power supply and a plurality of elementary components, each having at least one internal input and at least one internal output. The circuit further includes at least one test unit having an AND gate, each input of which is connected to an internal output of one of the elementary components and an output of which is connected to the power supply via a resistor. |
| US07966144B2 |
Clock circuits and counting values in integrated circuits
A clock circuit for an integrated circuit having at least one MOS transistor. The clock circuit includes a first circuit for inducing a degradation of the transistor as a function of time and means for measuring a parameter of the transistor that reflects a lowering of the performance of the transistor resulting from the degradation. This also includes a method of generating a counting value of clock circuit by inducing continuous degradation of an MOS transistor. The method could include measuring a parameter of transistor, reflecting a lowering of performance of transistor resulting from said degradation. The method could also include measuring the temperature and calculating the counting value of the clock from the value of said parameter, from the measured temperature and from a law of variation of the parameter as a function of time and temperature. |
| US07966141B2 |
Method for evaluating and correcting total measurement signals
An improved and more accurate method for evaluating and correcting total measurement signals (TS(n)) of measuring devices. The invention concerns a method for evaluating and correcting total measurement signals (TS(n)) of a measuring device, wherein measuring signals are transmitted in the direction of a medium and reflected on a surface of the medium as wanted echo signals or on a surface of a disturbing element as interference signals and received. In the case of a modification of at least one technical, process condition in the container and/or a modification of at least one technical, measurement condition of the measuring device, an independent reference curve is ascertained on the basis of a current static reference curve, wherein the interference signals are masked out of the raw echo curve on the basis of a masking algorithm, which applies the independent reference curve. |
| US07966140B1 |
Radio frequency power meter
An in-line directional radio-frequency (“RF”) power meter for measuring power and other parameters in a transmission line. The meter simultaneously measures complex voltage-waves traveling in the forward and reverse directions of a connected transmission line and processes measured voltages to compute forward and reverse power, standing wave ratio, and impedance values. The apparatus includes a microprocessor having microcode for digitally computing RF power parameters, and a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) having microcode for executing complex Fast Fourier Transforms (“FFT”) to calculate voltages and frequencies, a microprocessor with attached firmware to make a series of complex calculations relative to sensed electrical values in the transmission line and to pass certain calculated values to the device to communicate RF power parameters to a user. The configuration of the apparatus allows for measurement of RF power parameters in a relatively economical package. |
| US07966138B2 |
Apparatus for creating test pattern and calculating fault coverage or the like and method for creating test pattern and calculating fault coverage or the like
The method for creating a test pattern and calculating a fault coverage or the like of the present invention is characterized by creating bridging fault voltage information indicating a voltage of a bridging assumed on the wire derived from an output terminal of a cell, calculating a logical threshold of an input terminal of the cell, extracting bridging fault information on an adjacent wire pair, calculating a detection limit resistance value using the logical threshold, adding the detection limit resistance value to bridging fault voltage information, creating extended bridging fault voltage information, creating a bridging fault list including a bridging fault type based on the extended bridging fault voltage information, creating a test pattern based on the bridging fault list, judging whether or not a bridging fault can be detected through this test pattern, creating fault detection information and calculating a weighted fault coverage based on the fault detection information and bridging fault generation information. |
| US07966137B2 |
Line resonance analysis system
The present invention provides a method for monitoring a condition of an electrical cable, the method including: providing a reference signal CH0 and a signal CH1, the signal CH1 being the reference signal CH0 after amplitude and phase modulation by a cable impedance ZDUT of the electrical cable; calculating the cable impedance ZDUT as a function of the applied signal frequency based on the reference signal CH0 and the signal CH1; and analyzing the cable impedance providing an assessment of the cable condition. A system performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US07966134B2 |
Systems and methods to determine elastic properties of materials
The present invention provides systems and methods to use a measured driving-point response of a nonlinear material to determine one or more elastic properties of the material. The present invention takes advantage of the full information represented by the transient component, the steady-state component, the anharmonic components, and the nonlinear response components of a measured driving-point response of a real nonlinear material, without limitation in the use of large-amplitude forces. The elastic properties are determined by forming and solving a time-domain system of linear equations representing a differential equation model of the driving-point motions of the material. Based on a single, short duration, large-amplitude driving point measurement, both linear and nonlinear properties can be determined; both large-amplitude and near-zero amplitude properties can be determined; and elastic-wave speed and elastic moduli and their variation with depth can be determined. |
| US07966131B2 |
Analyte sensors and methods
Methods of determining analyte concentration. The methods use a fraction of the predicted total charge, from analyte electrolysis, instead of using time, for determination of a data collection endpoint. The total charge is then extrapolated from the data collection endpoint. The analyte concentration is determined from the total charge. |
| US07966126B2 |
Vital system for determining location and location uncertainty of a railroad vehicle with respect to a predetermined track map using a global positioning system and other diverse sensors
A system includes a global positioning system receiver to determine position of a railroad vehicle, a predetermined track map of possible coordinates of the vehicle, motion sensors providing a positive bias error to determine change in location of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor to determine acceleration of the vehicle, and a processor to vitally determine the location and the location uncertainty of the vehicle on the track map. The processor verifies one motion sensor with another motion sensor, determines a slip or slide condition of the vehicle from one of the motion sensors, determines speed and position of the vehicle from the acceleration sensor during the slip or slide condition, verifies the position of the vehicle from the global positioning system receiver based upon the track map, and corrects the positive bias error of the motion sensors using the position of the vehicle from the global positioning system receiver. |
| US07966123B2 |
Display device and method for vehicle
A display device for a vehicle has a display unit that has a meter display area and a navigation display area. The meter display area displays vehicle operation condition, and the navigation display area displays travel route guidance. When a display color changes in the travel route guidance in the navigation display area, color of the vehicle operation condition in the meter display area is also changed so that the color of the travel route guidance becomes more eye-catching than the vehicle operation condition. |
| US07966122B2 |
System and method for flight plan data capture
A system and method for providing to a user a candidate list of flight plans that specify one or more planned routes of flight from one location to another location, such routes satisfying certain criteria. These criteria include ranking the candidate list of flight plans according to the probability that the flight plan may be allowed or cleared by a controlling authority based on historic cleared flight plans; further qualifying this list by considering only candidate flight plans cleared during specified weather conditions; or specified time periods; or requested speed and/or altitude and/or aircraft type of flight parameters. Various embodiments include providing the candidate list of flight plans to the user by means of a communication system that is composed of a combination of a wide-area network, a wireless network or the internet. Additionally, an embodiment includes providing the flight plan data to a global positioning system (GPS) of a user. |
| US07966121B2 |
Fuel efficiency display device for fuel cell vehicle, and fuel efficiency displaying method for fuel cell vehicle
This fuel efficiency display device for a fuel cell vehicle includes: a first interval vehicle efficiency obtaining device which obtains a first interval vehicle efficiency being a fraction of a generated traveling energy with respect to a consumed fuel amount in a predetermined first time-interval; a second interval traveling energy obtaining device which obtains a second interval traveling energy being a traveling energy generated in a predetermined second time-interval which is shorter than the first time-interval; and a second interval fuel efficiency obtaining device which obtains a second interval fuel efficiency being a fuel efficiency in the second time-interval, based on at least the first interval vehicle efficiency and the second interval traveling energy. |
| US07966120B2 |
Engine control system and vehicle including the same
A control system for an engine includes a regulator with an output waveform which includes a plurality of waves, each wave having a peak portion, a first portion located on a front side of the peak portion, and a second portion located on the other side of the peak portion, the second portion exhibiting a more rapid change in voltage than the first portion. An ECU is configured to turn on a fuel injector of the engine at a first timing and turn off an ignition plug of the engine at a second timing, the first and second timings corresponding to a shift in waveform output from the peak portion toward the first portion of a first wave and a second wave, respectively. The waveform shift corresponds to a predetermined angular shift in the rotational position of a crankshaft of the motorcycle engine of preferably about 3°. |
| US07966115B2 |
System and method for controlling transmission shift points based on vehicle weight
A system and method of controlling shift points of a transmission coupled to an internal combustion engine by modifying at least one transmission shift point schedule may comprise determining a weight of a vehicle carrying the engine and the transmission, modifying the at least one transmission shift point schedule as a function of the weight of the vehicle, and controlling automatic shifting between two or more gear ratios of the transmission in accordance with the modified at least one transmission shift point schedule. |
| US07966111B2 |
Centralized management of motor vehicle software applications and services
In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle. |
| US07966110B2 |
High-voltage vehicle fault detection method and apparatus
A method includes detecting high-voltage faults, such as welded contactors or disconnected components, in a vehicle by measuring the total electrical impedance between positive and negative rails of a high-voltage bus and a ground or chassis, comparing the impedance before and after opening the contactors, and executing a maintenance response. The response includes setting an error code when the open impedance level is less than a threshold multiple of the closed impedance level. A vehicle includes a chassis, energy storage system (ESS), motor/generator, and a high-voltage bus conducting electrical current from the ESS to the motor/generator. Contactors are positioned along each of the rails of the bus, a device for measuring a total electrical impedance level between the chassis and each of the rails, and a controller for determining a welded contactor condition of at least one of the contactors based on the measured total electrical impedance level. |
| US07966104B2 |
Apparatus and method for the control of the indoor thermal environment having feed forward and feedback control using adaptive reference models
A controller for controlling thermal sources affecting an air temperature in a space subjected to thermal variables, including a sensor network measuring the thermal variables; a feed forward controller generating a feed forward control signal based on an adaptive model including a model of the space and a model of the thermal sources, wherein the models are formed utilizing data from the sensor network; a feedback controller generating a feedback control signal based on a difference between an output of the feed forward controller and output from the space; and a combiner combining the feed forward and feedback control signals to produce a control signal for controlling the thermal sources to control the air temperatures of the space. |
| US07966099B2 |
Monitoring and controlling water consumption and devices in a structure
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more sensed parameters. |
| US07966096B2 |
Systems and methods for isobutyl alcohol (IBA) recovery
Methods and systems for creating dynamic performance measures (DPMs) for an IBA manufacturing process. Included is a method for monitoring an Isobutyl Alcohol (IBA) recovery system that includes computing at least one of an amount of IBA recovered from the IBA recovery system and an amount of waste material produced from the IBA recovery system, and displaying at least one of the recovered IBA and the waste material produced based on time. The method also includes computing a cost saved based on a cost of virgin IBA and the amount of IBA recovered. Computing an amount of waste material includes measuring waste material flow, and computing a cost of waste material management based on the measured waste material flow and a cost per unit volume to dispose of waste material. The IBA recovery system can include an evaporation IBA recovery system and/or a distillation IBA recovery system. |
| US07966094B2 |
Workpiece picking apparatus
A workpiece picking apparatus includes a robot, a workpiece recognition device for recognizing the workpieces located in a wide area, an accurate measurement device for accurately measuring the three-dimensional position of the workpiece, a workpiece select device for selecting the workpiece to be picked, and an NG workpiece storage device for storing information on the rough position of an failed NG workpiece when the measurement of the three-dimensional position or the picking for the workpiece has failed. The workpiece select device excludes the NG workpiece stored in the NG workpiece storage device and selects the next workpiece to be measured. The robot picks the selected workpiece based on the three-dimensional position of the workpiece measured by the accurate measurement device. |
| US07966088B2 |
System and method for manufacturing uniquely decorated components
Uniquely decorated devices may be manufactured using high speed production equipment. In one approach, a master piece of artwork is selected. For each decorated part to be fabricated, a portion of the master artwork is selected. Image data for the portion of the master artwork is input to a manufacturing tool, such as a laser etch machine. The manufacturing tool may process each part to have a representation of its corresponding portion of the artwork, resulting in plural parts that each has a unique cosmetic appearance. |
| US07966087B2 |
Method, system and medium for controlling manufacture process having multivariate input parameters
A method, system, and medium of modeling and/or for controlling a manufacturing process is disclosed. In particular, a method according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating a set of predicted output values, and obtaining a prediction model based on a set of input parameters, the set of predicted output values, and empirical output values. Each input parameter causes a change in at least two outputs. The method also includes optimizing the prediction model by minimizing differences between the set of predicted output values and the empirical output values, and adjusting the set of input parameters to obtain a set of desired output values to control the manufacturing apparatus. Obtaining the prediction model includes transforming the set of input parameters into transformed input values using a transformation function of multiple coefficient values, and calculating the predicted output values using the transformed input values. |
| US07966080B2 |
System for optimizing oxygen in a boiler
A method and apparatus for controlling a parameter associated with operation of a fossil fuel fired power generating unit. An optimizer determines optimal setpoint values for manipulated variables used to operate the power generating unit by accessing a model that predicts a parameter sensed by a plurality of sensors. The optimizer uses the model to minimize a cost valve of a cost function while observing at least one constraint associated with operation of the power generating unit. |
| US07966079B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for managing wastewater treatment installation
Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website. |
| US07966077B2 |
Electrode assembly for a stimulating medical device
An electrode assembly comprising a low-profile, low-volume elongate electrode carrier and a corresponding guide tube for introducing the carrier into the cochlea to place electrodes disposed at the distal end of the carrier at desired locations along the tonotopically-mapped cochlea. The electrode assembly facilitates intra- and extra-cochlea atraumatic implantation of the unobtrusive electrode carrier of the present invention thereby minimizing adverse impact to natural auditory functioning. For example, the electrode assembly may be utilized to implant the low-profile, low-volume elongate electrode carrier into the scala tympani without damaging the delicate structures of the cochlea and without interfering with the natural hydrodynamic nature of the cochlea such as the natural flow of perilymph in the cochlea canals. In one particular embodiment, the carrier is pre-curved to attain a perimodiolar position in the scala tympani to facilitate accurate delivery of electrical stimulation with a minimum stimulation current and power consumption. |
| US07966076B2 |
Lead and apparatus for stimulation of the cardiac plexus
A medical electrical lead adapted to stimulate a patient's cardiac plexus includes a flexible distal portion having a surface adapted to conform to an outer surface of an aortic region generally associated with the cardiac plexus. The distal portion can have one or more elongate members. Alternatively, the distal portion can have a generally planar portion. The distal portion is flexible such that it can be furled or otherwise compacted such that it can be delivered to a target stimulation site using a guide catheter or other delivery tool, such as a cannula. |
| US07966075B2 |
Switched diverter circuits for minimizing heating of an implanted lead in a high power electromagnetic field environment
An energy management system that facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy induced on an implanted lead or a leadwire includes an energy dissipating surface associated with the implanted lead or the leadwire, a diversion or diverter circuit associated with the energy dissipating surface, and at least one switch for diverting energy in the implanted lead or the leadwire through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. In alternate configurations, the switch may be disposed between the implanted lead or the leadwire and the diversion circuit, or disposed so that it electrically opens the implanted lead or the leadwire when diverting energy through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. The switch may comprise a single or multi-pole double or single throw switch. The diversion circuit may be either a high pass filter or a low pass filter. |
| US07966072B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating obesity-hypoventilation syndrome
Methods and compositions for treating a subject for obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, or related conditions, are provided. The subject methods include applying an electrical stimulus to a subject in a manner that modulates chest cavity capacity in a manner effective to treat the subject. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for use in practicing the subject methods. |
| US07966070B2 |
Feedthrough apparatus with noble metal-coated leads
Methods and apparatuses are provided for an electrical device that employs a feedthrough including a hermetic seal that seals an interior region of the electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical contact disposed within the interior region of the electrical device, and a wire terminal that includes an encircled portion that is encircled by the feedthrough, and a first end that electrically connects with said electrical contact. When the electrical device is constructed, the first end of the wire terminal is coated with a conductive metal that is more resistant to oxidation than the wire terminal. The first end of the wire terminal is secured to the electrical contact using a mechanical device such as a crimping connector or a spring connector. |
| US07966068B2 |
Detecting a lead fracture in an active implantable medical device for cardiac pacing resynchronization cardioversion and/or defibrillation
Detecting a lead fracture in an active implantable medical device for pacing, resynchronization and/or defibrillation of the heart. This device senses the heart rhythm through an endocardial lead comprising at least one endocardial electrode collecting the depolarization potentials, and detecting the myocardium contractions through an endocardial acceleration sensor. The device detects an incipient or total lead fracture by correlating the signals representative of successive ventricular and/or atrial depolarizations (P, R) with the signals representative of successive acceleration peaks (e.g., PEA I). In the case of a lack of correlation, a signal of suspicion of lead fracture is delivered, notably to generate an alarm signal through recording of markers in a memory of the device readable by an external programmer, RF transmission and/or production of an audible signal. |
| US07966066B2 |
Apparatus and method for optimizing atrioventricular delay
Systems and methods to optimize atrioventricular delay during sensing or pacing of the atrium and for a plurality of sensed rates or pacing rates. In one example, a paced atrioventricular delay is calculated using a sensed atrioventricular interval and a paced atrioventricular interval. In another example, a plurality of paced atrioventricular delays for different pacing rates can be calculated. In another example embodiment, a plurality of sensed atrioventricular delays for different sensing rates can be calculated. Combinations of the various systems and methods are also possible. |
| US07966065B2 |
Treatment of heart failure by controlled adjustment of the atrioventricular and interventricular delays in an active implantable medical device
An active implantable medical device such as a cardiac prosthesis for the treatment of a heart failure by controlled adjustment of the atrioventricular and interventricular delays. The device provides atrioventricular and/or biventricular stimulation, a sensor delivering at least one hemodynamic parameter correlated with time intervals representative of the succession of the systolic and diastolic phases, and circuits to adjust the AV delay and/or VV delay. The device determines (12) during one cardiac cycle several parameters such as the left ventricular pre-ejection interval LPEI, the left ventricular ejection time LVET, the diastolic filling time FT and the conduction time PR. The device compares (14, 18) these parameters with at least one predetermined criterion. If a condition is met, the device readjusts (16) the AV delay and/or VV delay to maximize the ventricular filling and ejection. |
| US07966060B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining autofluorescence of skin tissue
For determining autofluorescence of a clinically normal skin issue (7) of a patient, the tissue (7) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. An amount of fluorescent radiation emitted by the tissue (7) in response to the irradiation is measured and, in response thereto, a signal is generated which represents a determined autofluorescence in agreement with the measured amount of electromagnetic radiation. Because the tissue (7) is skin tissue (7) in vivo and irradiation is performed noninvasively, a method which is very simple to apply for determining autofluorescence is obtained. An apparatus especially adapted for use in this method is also described. |
| US07966059B2 |
Rotating and pivoting magnet for magnetic navigation
A system for magnetically navigating a medical device in an operating region within the body of a patient. The system includes a magnet having a front field projecting from the front of the magnet sufficient to project a magnetic field into the operating region in the patient. The magnet is mounted for movement between a navigation position in which the magnet is located adjacent to the patient with the front of the magnetic generally facing the operating region, and an imaging position in which the magnet is spaced from the patient and the front generally faces away from the operating region. |
| US07966055B2 |
Magnetic resonance system and method for cardiac imaging
In a method for representation of the heart in a magnetic resonance system at least one MR overview image of the heart is acquired. An image plane with a predetermined position relative to the magnetic resonance system is selected for this overview image. The acquired MR overview image is displayed and a number of marking points are established in the displayed overview image. Further image planes for representation of the heart are calculated using some of the established marking points. Further MR images are acquired in the calculated image planes. |
| US07966048B2 |
Portable device
According to the portable device of an aspect of the present invention, the first enclosure and the second enclosure are brought into movable linkage between the first position where the silhouettes of the first enclosure and the second enclosure are overlapped and the second position where the second enclosure is moved in parallel from the first position. In addition, the first enclosure and the second enclosure are rotatably and movably linked between the first position and the third position where the second enclosure is rotatably moved from the first position at a predetermined angle. |
| US07966041B2 |
Pin mounting of camera module in a radio communication terminal
The present invention involves a radio communication terminal comprising a camera module and an information receiving device, wherein said camera module comprise at least one mounting opening, said radio communication terminal further comprise at least one pin, which is connected to said information receiving device, and at least one resilient member, and said pin is adapted to be inserted into said mounting opening of said camera module and to interact with said resilient member to lock the camera module to the information receiving device. |
| US07966040B2 |
Magnetically attachable accessories for a mobile unit
A mobile unit comprises a housing and a processor. The housing includes a frame configured to magnetically couple with an accessory. When the frame and the accessory are magnetically coupled, data signals and power are exchanged between the mobile unit and the accessory via a wireless communication where the wireless communication includes at least one of an inductive coupling, a capacitive coupling and an optical coupling. The processor is disposed within the housing to process the data signals and control the power being exchanged between the mobile unit and the accessory. |
| US07966039B2 |
Bidirectional dynamic offloading of tasks between a host and a mobile device
One or more functions are exposed by a mobile device to a host connected to the mobile device. A function of the one or more functions is executed at the mobile device in response to a request from the host, wherein the function is associated with a host task. The result of the function is returned to the host. |
| US07966038B2 |
Wireless audio transfer system, wireless microphone, audio transmitting apparatus, audio receiving apparatus, image pickup apparatus, recording apparatus, and audio mixer
Disclosed is a wireless audio transfer system. The wireless audio transfer system includes an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone, an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves transmitted from the audio transmitting apparatus and demodulating the audio signal and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit, and an image pickup apparatus including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal outputted from the audio receiving apparatus. In this wireless audio transfer system of the embodiment, the audio transmitting apparatus includes a connection terminal and a data transmitting unit, the audio receiving apparatus includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit, and the image pickup apparatus includes a second communication terminal and a control unit. |
| US07966036B2 |
Wireless LAN device and communication mode switching method
A wireless LAN device for lessening failure in switching from infrastructure mode to ad-hoc mode. A radio wave coverage storage stores coverage information about coverage of radio waves amongst access points. A terminal information storage stores terminal information about terminals associated with the access points. A packet receiver receives, via the access points, a packet transmitted from any of the terminals in infrastructure mode. An access point acquisition unit looks up the terminal information storage, based on terminal information about originating and destination terminals contained in the packet, to identify access points with which the terminals are associated. A radio wave coverage decision unit looks up the radio wave coverage storage to determine whether the identified access points are within each other's coverage of radio waves. A communication mode switch switches the communication mode of the originating and destination terminals to ad-hoc mode in accordance with the determination result. |
| US07966035B2 |
Screen changing method in mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a function key configured to select at least one of a first list of menu items and a second list of menu items, a selecting key configured to select a function from at least one of the first menu list and the second menu list, and a display configured to display at least one of the selected first list of menu items, the selected second list of menu items and the selected function. Further, the first list of menu items and the selected function are selectively displayed on a first display portion of the terminal, and the second list of the menu items is displayed on a second display portion of the terminal. The terminal also includes a controller configured to activate the function selected by the selecting key. In addition, when the activated function displayed on the first display portion is a screen occupation function which is not to be interrupted, the first display portion does not display the list of first menu items when the function key is selected. |
| US07966034B2 |
Method and apparatus of synchronizing complementary multi-media effects in a wireless communication device
A mobile communications device has a wireless transceiver to facilitate communications, memory, and a processor. The processor may be configured to analyze an audio file stored in the memory, and extract or generate synchronizing information from the audio file. The processor synchronizes one or more complementary multi-media effects, such as lights, a camera, or a tactile feedback generator, with the audio file based on the synchronizing information. Alternatively, a user may input synchronizing information about the audio file via an interface on the communications device. The processor may then control the complementary multi-media effects in synchronization with the input synchronizing information. |
| US07966032B2 |
Power control avoiding outer loop wind-up
Techniques for power control that avoids outer loop wind-up are disclosed. In one aspect, wind-up of a target power level is detected, and the target power level is modified in response. In another aspect, unwinding of the target power level is detected, after which the target power level is determined without considering wind-up. Various other aspects are also presented, including wind-up and unwinding detection procedures, and target power level modification procedures. These aspects have the benefit of reducing the time that transmit power exceeds that which is necessary, thus increasing system capacity and performance, and mitigating misallocation of system resources. |
| US07966027B1 |
Using an SMPP parameter for managing message content within a wireless network
A Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) parameter is used for managing message content of a message within a wireless communication network, such as an SMS message. A content rating is associated with a short code corresponding to the content and the content rating is inserted, for example, into a Tag Length Variable (TLV) field of the message. The content rating can be compared with a subscriber rating to determine whether to block or approve delivery of a message based upon the comparison. |
| US07966026B2 |
Method and system for delivery of a calling party's location
A method and system for providing a service that delivers location information associated with a caller. The service operates in both wireline and wireless networks, providing called parties with the location information of calling parties who use either stationary terminal devices or mobile devices. The service can operate as a stand alone service or can be a part of a calling name delivery service (or caller-ID service), delivering location information in addition to the conventional name, number, date, and time. The components of the present invention include a service control point, an address database in communication with the service control point, and a network that tracks the locations of mobile network users. The system further includes a mapping converter if the location data provided by the network is not meaningful to a subscriber. |
| US07966023B2 |
Lawful interception of location based service traffic
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in a telecommunication system to generate Interception Related Information IRI related to positioning activities involving a mobile subscriber/equipment MSA. The system provides information to an Intercept configuration unit ICU, collected from an Intercept Access Point IAP; MSC, GMLC that is associated to the monitored subscriber/equipment. The method comprises the following steps: receiving to the Intercept Access Point IAP; MSC, GMLC from the Intercept configuration unit ICU, a request to monitor the mobile subscriber/equipment MSA. Registration in the Intercept Access Point IAP; MSC, GMLC, of a positioning activity involving the monitored subscriber/equipment. Delivering information related to the positioning activity, from the Intercept Access Point IAP; MSC, GMLC to the Law Enforcement Agency LEA. |
| US07966017B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing handover of user equipment (UE) during discontinuous reception (DRX) operation in mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for increasing the success rate of a handover of a connected mode UE while minimizing the power consumption of the UE during DRX operation in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes the steps of transmitting a cell change report to the serving base station, and then suspending the DRX operation to transition to an active mode; receiving a handover command message, and completing the handover to a target cell; checking if the handover command message includes a DRX resume command; waiting until a control message including the DRX resume command is received from the target base station; and after the control message including the DRX resume command is received, transitioning from the active mode to a sleep mode, and resuming the DRX operation. |
| US07966013B2 |
Roaming gateway enabling location based services (LBS) roaming for user plane in CDMA networks without requiring use of a mobile positioning center (MPC)
LBS support to CDMA mobiles while roaming on another network. IS-801 session data is routed by a routing gateway to a correct visited network PDE that contains correct BSA data, which is used to return assistance data to an interrogating mobile device. A standalone exemplary roaming LBS routing gateway (XRG) provides network connectivity between PDE equipment in multiple carrier networks. Conventional LBS roaming support is defined via the use of Mobile Position Centers (MPCs). The invention implements a roaming LBS gateway to enable roaming between CDMA carriers that are only using a PDE (Positioning Determining Entity) for this purpose, since a mobile position center (MPC) is typically an optional network node according to location based services (LBS) specifications. |
| US07966010B2 |
Method and system for tuning and self-monitoring of wireless networks
A method includes determining a first performance indicator for a wireless network, the first performance indicator including an unperturbed value of a parameter of an access point of the network; perturbing the parameter of the wireless network by a predetermined increment to obtain a perturbed value of the parameter; determining a second performance indicator for the wireless network, the second performance indicator including the perturbed value of the parameter; and selecting the one of the unperturbed value of the parameter and the perturbed value of the parameter corresponding to a higher of the first performance indicator and the second performance indicator. |
| US07966008B2 |
Use of location awareness to control radio frequency interference in a healthcare environment
A method of controlling RF interference in a healthcare establishment. The method comprises receiving data regarding a wirelessly detectable tag associated to a first piece of equipment within the healthcare establishment; determining whether the first piece of equipment is positioned relative to a second piece of equipment within the healthcare establishment such that an RF interference constraint is violated, based at least in part on the data regarding the wirelessly detectable tag; and responsive to the RF interference constraint being violated, causing a variation in RF power transmitted by at least one of the first piece of equipment and the second piece of equipment. In this way, wireless communication equipment can be used in the healthcare establishment without deleterious effects on sensitive medical equipment. |
| US07966006B2 |
Mobile phone having a non-telephone function and timing reset unit
The present invention is a mobile phone having a non-telephone function (e.g. a radio function) that is different from a telephone function, and comprising: a non-telephone function unit (a radio functioning unit) operable to execute the non-telephone function; an auto-power-off control unit operable to cause a timer to operate during execution of the non-telephone function, and automatically stop the execution of the non-telephone function when the timer indicates an elapse of a predetermined time period; a telephone function unit operable to execute the telephone function; and a reset unit operable to reset the timer to an initial state each time a predetermined operation relating to the telephone function is executed. The present invention successfully reduces occurrences of unwanted auto power off during the time when the non-telephone function is in execution—for example, the auto power off of the radio function during the time when the user is listening to the radio. |
| US07966001B2 |
Systems and methods for configuration of mobile computing devices
A system including a handheld mobile computing device and an external storage medium in communication with the mobile computing device, the storage medium having stored thereon preconfigured user information and security information. |
| US07966000B2 |
Secure bootstrapping for wireless communications
A mutual authentication method is provided for securely agreeing application-security keys with mobile terminals supporting legacy Subscriber Identity Modules (e.g., GSM SIM and CDMA2000 R-UIM, which do not support 3G AKA mechanisms). A challenge-response key exchange is implemented between a bootstrapping server function (BSF) and mobile terminal (MT). The BSF generates an authentication challenge and sends it to the MT under a server-authenticated public key mechanism. The MT receives the challenge and determines whether it originates from the BSF based on a bootstrapping server certificate. The MT formulates a response to the authentication challenge based on keys derived from the authentication challenge and a pre-shared secret key. The BSF receives the authentication response and verifies whether it originates from the MT. Once verified, the BSF and MT independently calculate an application security key that the BSF sends to a requesting network application function to establish secure communications with the MT. |
| US07965998B2 |
Network support for handset data protection
An apparatus in one example has: a telecommunication network operatively coupled to at least one mobile terminal; a handset data transfer module in the at least one mobile terminal; a mobile handset protection application server in the telecommunication network; and an emergency storage location operatively coupled to the mobile handset protection application server; wherein, if the mobile terminal is identified as being lost/stolen, the mobile handset protection application server communicates with the handset data transfer module to upload the handset data to the emergency storage location in the telecommunication network. |
| US07965994B2 |
Method and system for an analog zero-IF interface for GSM receivers
Certain embodiments for an analog zero-IF interface for GSM receivers, where a receiver may receive RF signals and downconvert the RF signal to a VLIF signal in the analog domain. The VLIF signal may be further downconverted to a baseband signal in the analog domain. The baseband signal may be an analog signal. Aspects of the invention may comprise amplifying the received RF signal, mixing the amplified RF signal down to a VLIF signal, filtering the VLIF signal, amplifying the VLIF signal, mixing the filtered VLIF signal to a baseband signal, and filtering the baseband signal. The local oscillator signal to the mixer that may downconvert the RF signal to a VLIF signal may be an output of a programmable local oscillator, and may be one of a plurality of frequencies. The mixer that generates the baseband signal may be a harmonic-reject mixer. |
| US07965993B2 |
Method for polarization correction in user equipment
A method and device for compensation of received signal components at a user equipment (UE) used for receiving signal components from a radio base station (RBS). The signal components have at least a first and a second polarization orientation, respectively. The intended reception of the signal component (Yh(n)) having the first polarization deviates from the polarization orientation of the transmitted signal component (Xh(n)) having the first polarization by a first angle (φ), and the intended reception of the signal component (Yv(n)) having the second polarization deviates from the polarization orientation of the transmitted signal component (xv(n)) having the second polarization by a second angle (θ). The method comprises the steps: determining the correlation values (Ryvv, Ryvy, Ryyv, Ryyy) for the received signals (Yh, Yv) at a first time (k) and a second time (m); using these values to determine the deviation angles (φ, θ) performing said compensation using the deviation angles (φ, θ). |
| US07965991B2 |
Phase calibration for multiple transmitter systems
A method, wireless communication device, and a base station calibrate relative phase of a plurality of output signals from respectively combined plurality of transmitters (302, 204) in the wireless device (102, 108). An output of a combiner (346) is disconnected (504) from an antenna port (306) of a wireless device (102, 108). A phase position of an output signal from one of the at least two transmitters is set to an initial phase position value (506). The phase position of the output signal is incremented by a given phase increment value until a final phase position value is reached (510). Occurrences of reverse power alarm events are monitored at the initial phase position value, at each incremental phase position value, and at the final phase position value (512). A phase position value for the output signal is selected (516). |
| US07965989B2 |
High frequency module
A high frequency module includes a layered substrate and an element for outputting a reception signal in a balanced state. The element includes a first and a second output terminal and is mounted on the top surface of the layered substrate. A first and a second reception signal terminal are disposed on the bottom surface of the layered substrate. The high frequency module further includes a first signal path connecting the first output terminal and the first reception signal terminal to each other, and a second signal path connecting the second output terminal and the second reception signal terminal to each other. The first and second signal paths are each formed using one or more through holes provided inside the layered substrate, and are not exposed at any side surface of the layered substrate. |
| US07965987B2 |
Amplifying a transmit signal using a fractional power amplifier
A transmit amplifier stage operable to amplify a transmit signal comprises power amplifiers and switches. The power amplifiers include at least one full power amplifier operable to provide full power to amplify the transmit signal and at least one fractional power amplifier operable to provide fractional power to amplify the transmit signal, where the fractional power is a fraction of the full power. A switch has a plurality of positions, where a position directs the transmit signal to a selected power amplifier. |
| US07965982B2 |
Reconfigurable wireless communications device and radio
An apparatus for short-range wireless communications includes a transceiver configured to operate different modes. Each of these modes corresponds to a particular wireless link type. In addition, the apparatus includes a controller for selectively activating one of the operational modes of the transceiver. The controller sends one or more operational parameters to components within transmitter and receiver portions of the transceiver, such as filters, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, and digital-to-analog converters. Such parameters control the operational characteristics of these components. |
| US07965979B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing an extended-local area system based on short messaging service
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing an extended-local area system based on short messaging service are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US07965977B2 |
Remote antenna system
Various methods, apparatuses, and systems are described in which a WAP is coupled to an antenna unit and provides a wireless LAN. In one embodiment, the antenna unit includes at least one remote antenna circuit having one or more ports to receive a control signal and a transmit signal transmitted from the WAP located in a multi-tone transmitter-receiver. Each remote antenna circuit includes a transmit amplifier unit that amplifies the transmit signal, a receive amplifier unit that amplifies a receive signal, and control unit that receives the control signal. The control unit controls an operation of the transmit and the receive amplifier units to extend a range of the wireless WAP with the at least one remote antenna circuit. |
| US07965967B2 |
Image-forming device with calibration capabilities
The pattern data generating unit generates pattern data indicative of a pattern of a plurality of marks including a plurality of first marks each having a first color and a plurality of second marks each having a second color so that a first target-total is equal to a second target-total. The first target-total is a total of deviations of first target-positions from a reference position in a predetermined direction. The second target-total is a total of deviations of second target-positions from the reference position in the predetermined direction. The controlling unit controls the image-forming unit to calibrate the second target-positions based on the offset of a second actual-total from a first actual-total. |
| US07965966B2 |
Transferring unit and image forming apparatus including the same
Disclosed are a transfer unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The apparatus can include multiple members configured to carry developer associated with color images. The transfer unit can include multiple rollers each disposed to opposingly face a respective corresponding one of the members, a belt interposed between the rollers and the members, and a device configured to support the rollers. The rollers can include a first roller at one end of the transfer unit, a second roller at an opposite end and one or more middle rollers arranged between the first and second rollers. The device can be configured such that a rotation center of the first roller and a rotation center of the second roller define a first plane and a rotation center of the one or more middle rollers defines a second plane parallel to but not co-planar with the first plane. |
| US07965963B2 |
Sealing member, toner accommodating container and image forming apparatus
A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a main body for containing toner; a sealing portion for sealing the toner discharge opening; locking projections for snap-fitting engagement with holes provided in a cylindrical member of an image forming apparatus, wherein the projections receive from the cylindrical member unsealing forces for unsealing the toner discharge opening by a relative movement between the sealing portion and the toner container, wherein a number of the locking projections is larger than a number of ribs provided between the holes of the cylindrical member. |
| US07965960B2 |
Light guide and charge eliminating unit, image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus having the same
Disclosed are a light guide member, a charge eliminating unit and an image forming apparatus and/or an image reading apparatus having the same. The light guide member may include an incidence face through which light is introduced, an irregular reflection portion arranged along a longitudinal direction of the light guide member for irregular reflection of the light introduced through the incidence face and an emission face arranged opposite the irregular reflection portion for emission of the light. At least one recess may be formed in the incidence face for diffusion of the light introduced through the incidence face. |
| US07965956B2 |
Image forming apparatus preventing power supply during initialization and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus is provided with: a fusing unit which fuses an image transferred to a printing medium; a power supply which supplies power to the fusing unit; a switching unit which switches the power supplied to the fusing unit; and a controller which controls the switching unit to prevent the power from being supplied to the fusing unit in at least a section during initialization of the image forming apparatus. |
| US07965953B2 |
Electrode-based post nip field conditioning method and apparatus
An image-forming device includes a media path extending through the image-forming device, and at least one image transfer nip positioned along the media path. An electrode is positioned subsequent to the nip with respect to the media path and is coupled to a voltage source. An electric field produced by the electrode and voltage source limits the degree of post-nip toner scattering by applying an electrostatic force to toner particles on media sheets passing along the media path. The image-forming device further includes a processor for monitoring a plurality of ambient conditions, for adjusting the voltage applied to the electrode, and optionally, for repositioning the electrode with respect to the media path. |
| US07965951B2 |
Image recording apparatus having a lower fixing temperature
An image recording apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a print engine; a fixing unit; a medium sensor that outputs a detection signal when a recording medium passes said medium sensor; and a controller that determines from the detection signal whether an abnormal transportation of the recording medium has occurred or not, wherein when said controller determines from the detection signal during continuous printing that a following one of two consecutive pages of recording medium remains in said print engine after removing a preceding one of the two consecutive pages that has been abnormally transported, said controller controls said fixing unit to a predetermined temperature and subsequently allows the following one of the two pages to pass through said fixing unit at a first speed so that the following one of the two pages is discharged from the image recording apparatus. |
| US07965946B2 |
Multichannel optical transport network skew calibration
A system and method are provided for calibrating skew in a multichannel optical transport network (OTN) transmission device. The method accepts a pair of 2n-phase shift keying (2nPSK) modulated signals via Ix and Qx electrical signal paths, where n>1. Likewise, a pair of 2p-PSK modulated signals are accepted via Iy and Qy electrical signal paths where p>1. The Ix, Qx, Iy, and Qy signals are correlated to a preamble/header portion of an OTN frame. A voltage on the Ix signal path is compared with Qx, and VO12 voltage is generated. A voltage on the Iy signal path is compared with Qy, and VO34 is generated. One of the Ix or Qx voltages is compared with one of Iy or Qy voltages to generate VOxy. Then, the VO voltages are minimized in response to adjusting time delay modules in the Ix, Qx, Iy, and Qy signals paths. |
| US07965944B2 |
System for passive scrambling and unscrambling of an optical signal
A system for passively scrambling and unscrambling a, pulse optical signal transmitted through a multi-mode optical fiber is provided. The system includes a scrambling unit connected between a signal receiving end of said transmission fiber and an optical signal source that includes an optical fiber which creates a differential delay between two groups of optical modes of the signal that is at least one bit period long such that said optical signal is passively scrambled, and an unscrambling unit connected to a signal transmitting end of said transmission fiber having an optical fiber that counteracts said differential delay between said two groups of optical modes of the signal such that said optical signal is passively unscrambled. The scrambling unit optical fiber has an alpha profile with a complementary perturbation that creates the differential delay between two groups of optical modes of the signal, and the unscrambling unit optical fiber has an alpha profile with reversal complementary perturbation that counteracts the differential delay between said two groups of optical modes of the signal. Alternatively, the scrambling and unscrambling units may have the combination of a mode splitter that splits the signal into two different groups of optical modes, and a pair of optical fibers that conduct the two groups of optical modes in parallel, the fibers being of different lengths to create or to counteract a differential delay in the two groups of modes. |
| US07965943B2 |
Multi-channel optical rotary transmission device with high return loss
An optical rotating data transmission device comprises a first collimator arrangement for coupling-on first light-waveguides, and a second collimator arrangement for coupling-on second light-waveguides, which is supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator arrangement about a rotation axis. A Dove prism is provided between the collimator arrangements as a derotating element. Furthermore, the collimator arrangements pre provided with adapter elements having rotationally symmetrical conical faces. Prism adapter elements are disposed on the end faces of the Dove prism and have prism adapter elements on the sides facing the collimator arrangements. These also have rotationally symmetrical conical faces with a surface configuration that is inverse to that of the adapter elements of the collimator arrangements. |