| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07992732B2 |
Truck rack and loading/unloading system
A multi-use truck bed apparatus, comprising a first rack assembly, a second rack assembly, a base assembly coupled to the truck, wherein the first rack assembly and second rack assembly are coupled to the base assembly, and a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a winch coupled to the second rack assembly. |
| US07992730B2 |
Pillar insertion combination rack system
An improved construction pillar insertion combination rack made of metal wire material in a rectangular or polygonal form and in a single layer or multiple layers includes multiple side frames, multiple pillars, multiple clamping members, and a top; each limitation corner of the rack comprised of two rings concentrically arranged with the diameter of the upper ring smaller than that of the lower ring; each side frame including an upper and a lower support rods; a connection rod usually made in a waveform being disposed at where between and soldered to both of the upper and the lower support rods; each pillar containing multiple sections with a circumferential slot being defined by any two abutted sections; the pillar being secured with the clamping member at where it to be inserted into the limitation corner; and the top usually related to a mesh being placed on the frame of the rack; alternatively, an upper frame with multiple upper rings of the limitation corner and a lower frame with multiple lower rings of the limitation corner may be separately made in continuous form to be spot soldered at where both ends meet. |
| US07992721B2 |
Method and apparatus for confirming that a filter drier has been replaced
A filter in some embodiments of the invention includes: a housing defining an interior chamber substantially sealed from outside of the housing; a valve located in the chamber biased to a first position where the valve maintains a seal between the interior chamber and outside of the housing; and an anchor fixed to the housing defining a surface for a spring to urge against and bias the valve to the first position and be compressed against when a receiver enters into the housing a moves the valve to a second position, the anchor defining, at least in part, flow paths wherein a pressurized fluid within the housing can communicate with an interior of the receiver to equalize a pressure within the chamber and the interior of the receiver; and a nipple attached to the housing having an interior passageway configured to permit the receiver to pass through in a substantially sealed manner. A method of attaching a filter to a filter receiver is also provided. |
| US07992718B1 |
Method for enhancing selectivity and recovery in the fractional flotation of particles in a flotation column
The method relates to particle separation from a feed stream. The feed stream is injected directly into the froth zone of a vertical flotation column in the presence of a counter-current reflux stream. A froth breaker generates a reflux stream and a concentrate stream, and the reflux stream is injected into the froth zone to mix with the interstitial liquid between bubbles in the froth zone. Counter-current flow between the plurality of bubbles and the interstitial liquid facilitates the attachment of higher hydrophobicity particles to bubble surfaces as lower hydrophobicity particles detach. The height of the feed stream injection and the reflux ratio may be varied in order to optimize the concentrate or tailing stream recoveries desired based on existing operating conditions. |
| US07992715B2 |
Developing agent container package unit, packing receptacle for developing agent container, and packing method of developing agent container
A developing agent container package unit includes a packing case, a developing agent container received inside the packing case and storing developing agent, and a supporting member to support the developing agent container so that the developing agent container is inclined with respect to one side surface of the packing case. |
| US07992707B2 |
Storage unit
A storage unit is disclosed comprising a container disposed within a housing, the container having a cavity with an opening at the upper end for receiving an item. A cover comprises two or more rounded cover sections pivotally mounted between the container and the housing for movement between an open position and a closed position, the cover sections being biased toward the open position. Vertical downward movement of the container toward the bottom wall of the housing causes the cover sections to overcome the bias and rotate to the closed position. When rotating to the open position, the cover sections recede into a receiving space between the housing and container, thereby exposing the cavity, such that the outer form factor of the storage unit is no larger in the open position than in the closed position. |
| US07992704B2 |
Conveyor clean-out for material transport vehicles
An improved material transport vehicle having an integrated assembly for cleaning out conveyors, elevators, hoppers and the like, and method for clean-out utilizing the same. The cleanout assembly comprises one or more detachable panels strategically located about the material transport vehicle, and means for releasing the same, so as to permit convenient and safe access to the components for removing unused, old or dried material. The detachable panel or panels are integral with a surface of the housings, typically the lower surface thereof. |
| US07992698B1 |
System for preventing gear hopout in a tooth clutch in a vehicle transmission
A system is provided for preventing gear hopout in a tooth clutch in a vehicle transmission, the tooth clutch including an engaging sleeve having sleeve clutch teeth. The tangent function for at least one of driving back-taper angle and braking back-taper angle is larger than the average value of clutch coefficient of friction and spline coefficient of friction multiplied by the sum of unity and the ratio of clutch teeth pitch diameter and spline teeth pitch diameter. |
| US07992696B2 |
Construction machine, as well as clutch for switching the power flow
Construction machine, with working drum mounted at a machine frame, combustion engine for driving the working drum, drive train between the combustion engine and the working drum, and clutch in the drive train, where the clutch is arranged between a drive shaft and output shaft of the drive train, clutch elements on drive side capable of being engaged with clutch elements on output side, where clutch elements on the drive side or on output side are provided with several clutch part elements that are permanently engaged with one another via at least one mechanical coupling, it is provided that a braking device acting between the drive shaft and the output shaft is arranged at the clutch, said braking device being additionally engaged during engagement of the clutch in order to eliminate or reduce any rotary vibrations caused by play of mechanical coupling between clutch part elements. |
| US07992694B2 |
Seal for torque converter lockup clutch
A method and a sealing system for sealing the space between a piston and the hub of a torque converter lockup clutch is provided. According to the method and the sealing system, the seal is pretensioned with its cylindrical surface facing the piston bore. In an embodiment of the invention, the first seal is fastened by a second seal. The invention allows minimization of oil leakage flow and at the same time to linearize its dependency on the differential pressure. Spontaneous sealing may be reduced, thereby directly correlating the contact pressure of the piston—and thus the torque of the torque converter lockup clutch—with differential pressure and eventually allowing for smoother travel. |
| US07992686B2 |
Pallet counter for lift truck
A method for counting the pallets or loads moved by a lift truck using internal sensors is disclosed. The lift truck includes a weight sensor for weighing a load, a height sensor, for measuring a height of the forks, and a distance sensor for determining whether the vehicle has moved. When the data from each of these sensors exceeds a corresponding minimum value, a vehicle control system increments a pallet counter. A count of the number of pallets moved is therefore maintained without the need for tracking specific pallets of for adding expensive components and devices. |
| US07992683B2 |
Multipurpose sawhorse end frame
The multipurpose sawhorse end frame has a top section defining center and lateral slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and central slots for 2″×12″ planks, a central section with center slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and lateral support bars for supporting 2″×12″ planks, and a bottom section having feet for supporting the frame. A plurality of diagonal braces maintain rigidity of the end frame and provide the end frame with structural strength. Two or more end frames may be configured as a sawhorse, a scaffold, a workbench, a table, or other temporary construction accessory using scrap lumber and without fasteners. The multipurpose sawhorse end frame may be made from lightweight aluminum or other suitable material. |
| US07992680B2 |
Rigid rail fall protection apparatus having bypassable moveable anchorages
A fall protection apparatus includes a single longitudinally extending rigid rail onto which two laterally spaced apart moveable lanyard anchorages are mounted. The rail has a generally H-shaped cross-section with opposing vertically oriented first and second tracks laterally spaced apart by a connecting member extending between the tracks and substantially continuously along the length of the tracks The apparatus is attached to a structure by a support member, such as an overhead or lower support member, with the support member being attached to an upper or lower surface of the connecting member respectively. Each anchorage is adapted to be independently moveable along the length of one of the tracks, with the tracks being sufficiently spaced apart to permit the anchorages to freely pass by each other and the attachment point. |
| US07992672B2 |
Electric power steering system
An electric power steering system includes a steering wheel, a rack-and-pinion type steering gear box connected to the steering wheel, a steering torque sensor, a pinion shaft, and a steering actuator mounted on the pinion shaft to assist a steering operation conducted by a driver. An overload preventing control is conducted so that a sum of a current conversion value of a steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor and an assist current calculated based on the steering torque becomes equal to a limit value. When the steering gear box has reached a stroke end, the assist current is prevented from excessively increasing, thereby preventing a reduction in durability of the steering gear box or a motor of the steering actuator. |
| US07992670B2 |
Motor vehicle having a unit operated by a cryogenically stored fuel
A motor vehicle having a unit, particularly a drive assembly, which is operated by a fuel that is cryogenically stored in a vehicle tank, is provided, in which fuel is heated by a heat exchange with a warmer medium. The fuel taken from the vehicle tank comes in contact with the cold side of a thermoelectric generator, particularly in the form of a Seebeck element, in order to generate electric current for the electric power supply of the vehicle. The warm side of the thermoelectric generator is preferably acted upon by the warmer medium also used for the heat exchange with the cold fuel, in which case the thermoelectric generator may be integrated in a heat exchanger for the heat exchange between the fuel taken and the warmer medium. |
| US07992668B2 |
Low-angle spline coupling for power transmission units
A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member driven by the first output shaft and a driven member driving the second output shaft. A spline coupling is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member to drivingly interconnect the driven member and the second output shaft. The second output shaft is axially moveable relative to the driven member. |
| US07992664B2 |
Jalousie for a vehicle
The jalousie for the control of the air flow through the engine cooler of a vehicle has rotatable fins (2), which are supported on one side in an outer housing ring (47) provided for the connection with the engine cooler of the vehicle and on the other side in an inner supporting ring (4). The swivelling of the fins (2) occurs with an adjusting ring (45), whose engaging portions (46) work together with counter-engaging portions (10) provided at the fin ends. The adjusting ring (45) with its engaging portions (46) and the counter-engaging portions (10) of the fins (2) are enclosed together on all sides in a hollow space (49) circumferentially extending around along the adjusting ring (13, 45) for the protection against contaminants and consequently for its safe function, which is limited by two profile rings (47, 50) interlocking with each other all around. |
| US07992658B2 |
Pilot reamer with composite framework
A reamer for subterranean wellbores may include a composite framework, which may include one or more high strength stems, each having one or more reamer bodies coupled thereto. The body may include a plurality of plates coupled together and may include additional components formed integrally therewith or coupled thereto. A method of forming a reaming tool may include forming a high strength stem and a reamer body and coupling the body to the stem. A method of using the reaming tool may include coupling one or more bodies in a drill string and reaming a wellbore. |
| US07992656B2 |
Self healing filter-cake removal system for open hole completions
A method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a well bore that includes a filter cake on at least a portion of the well bore and contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with a filter cake degradation fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier. The method also includes allowing the relative permeability modifier to retain at least a portion of the filter cake degradation fluid in the well bore for a time sufficient to contact the filtercake and allowing the filter cake to degrade. |
| US07992655B2 |
Dual gradient drilling method and apparatus with multiple concentric drill tubes and blowout preventers
Controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations utilizing concentric drill tubes and at least two different density fluids. The mud required at the wellhead is combined with a base fluid of a different density to produce diluted mud in a riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, greater control over the pressure in the wellbore and various risers can be achieved. Concentric drill tubes or risers are disclosed, wherein a first annulus defined within one riser is utilized to carry one fluid to the wellbore injection point, while a second annulus defined within another riser is utilized to carry a combination fluid and cuttings back to the drilling rig. In one embodiment with three concentric drill tubes, a third annulus is also define, wherein the various annuli can be utilized in various combinations to deliver at least two different fluids to the wellbore and return a combination fluid from the wellbore. Blowout preventers may also be used in combination with the process to control these pressures. |
| US07992654B2 |
Dual gradient drilling method and apparatus with an adjustable centrifuge
A system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations that combines a base fluid of lesser/greater density than the drilling fluid required at the drill bit to drill the borehole to produce a combination return mud in a riser. Concentric tubular members are disclosed, wherein one tubular member, such as the drill string, is utilized to inject the drilling fluid into the wellbore. Another tubular member carries the combination fluid to the surface for separation by a centrifuge system. By combining appropriate quantities of drilling mud with another fluid, the density of the combination fluid carrying drill cuttings to the surface can be regulated. During separation by the centrifuge, a weir plate having an adjustable height is utilized in the centrifuge to regulate the separation of the base fluid from the drilling fluid, producing a high density fluid and a low density fluid. The adjustable centrifuge permits the densities of the two fluids to be readily altered as desired for well drilling operations. |
| US07992648B2 |
Light ultra high pressure fire vehicle system
A firefighting apparatus on a small all-terrain utility vehicle has a U-shaped water tank closely spaced from the driver's cab. A reel for a high-pressure hose is mounted in the U of the water tank. A high-pressure engine driven pump is connected to the reel and a high-pressure hose through a water management system, which directs water from the water tank to the pump, and from the pump to the hose. The pump has a pressure valve which sets the engine idle when the high-pressure water nozzle is closed. A pressure unloader valve recirculates water from the pump outlet to the pump inlet when the nozzle is closed. A check valve is used between the water tank and a point where water recirculates to the pump. A prefilter is connected between the check valve and the water tank. |
| US07992647B2 |
Process and device for fire prevention and extinguishing
The instant invention relates to a fire extinguishing apparatus. Particularly to an apparatus that includes at least one container that includes a fire retardant gel. The gel is formed from dehydrated superabsorbent polymer and water. The pre filled containers include at least one control valve or frangible portion to release the fire retardant to extinguish the fire. |
| US07992642B2 |
Polished bore receptacle
An integral polished bore assembly for use in a wellbore. The assembly includes a barrel having a polished bore; at least one no-go member positioned within the barrel; an elongated locator member having a sealing head and an end, the end extending out of the barrel; and a radial port formed through the barrel. |
| US07992639B2 |
Methods for improved hydrocarbon and water compatibility
Improvement in the compatibility of hydrocarbon and water is achieved by surface active agents newly synthesized by mixed microbial populations. Methods for enhancing the microbial production of surface-active agents in hydrocarbon-exposed surface waters can be achieved by supplementing the mixed microbial population with one or more carbon sources, most notably propionate. Hydrocarbon-exposed surface waters having enhanced levels of surface-active agents can be used to improve hydrocarbon recovery from subterranean formations or for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites. |
| US07992638B2 |
Downhole disconnect mechanism
A release device includes a first sub, a second sub, and a connector separably connecting the first and the second sub, wherein the connector includes a shear member disposed with the first sub and a collar connected between the second sub and the shear member. |
| US07992634B2 |
Adjustable pipe guide for use with an elevator and/or a spider
One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40. |
| US07992627B2 |
Microjet module assembly
Low-pressure drop thermal assemblies, systems and methods of making low-pressure drop thermal assemblies for use in high power flux situations. A manifold body is attached to a distributor to form a subassembly. This subassembly is in communication with a substrate surface, which has a semiconductor device in need of thermal management thereon. An enclosed cavity is formed between the target substrate surface and the subassembly, and a seal of the cavity protects critical components residing on the active surface of the semiconductor device. The distributor includes a distributed liquid impingement microjet inlet array isolated from and parallel with a distributed microjet drain array for impinging cooling fluid and removing spent heated fluid in a direction orthogonal to a target surface for maximizing the heat transfer rate, and thereby providing high cooling flux capabilities while enabling low-pressure drops. |
| US07992626B1 |
Combination spray and cold plate thermal management system
A combination spray and cold plate thermal management system for effectively thermally managing a heat producing device during startup. The combination spray and cold plate thermal management system includes a spray unit thermally managing a heat producing device and a coolant reservoir thermally connected to the heat producing device. The coolant reservoir includes a porous media with coolant channels for storing a volume of the waste coolant after spraying of coolant has terminated. The coolant reservoir is fluidly connected to the spray chamber within the spray unit to receive the waste coolant. |
| US07992624B2 |
Heat sink module
A heat sink module includes a heat transfer tube, a plurality of radiation fins respectively riveted to locating grooves around the periphery of the heat transfer tube, and a heat transfer panel fastened to the bottom side of the heat transfer tube and the radiation fin set and kept in contact with a heat source, such as a CPU or a light emitting unit of a LED lamp for transferring heat from the heat source to the radiation fins for quick dissipation. |
| US07992621B2 |
Side dam with insert
A side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system includes a body of refractory material having opposed outer surfaces with one outer surface adapted to contact molten metal and casting rolls in a continuous twin roll caster system and retain molten metal, and an opposite outer surface having fastening portions of refractory material adapted to attach the side dam to a side dam holder to hold the side dam in place during casting; an aperture in the outer surface of the body positioned adjacent a nip of the continuous twin roll caster system and adapted to receive a side dam insert; and a side dam insert of a second refractory material harder than the refractory material of the body having a first surface adapted to contact molten metal and form with the outer surface of the body the outer surface of the side dam. |
| US07992618B2 |
Coating-film transfer tool
A coating-film transfer tool is configured to positively absorb rotation of a head part caused when pressed and an effect of lean of the head part, and such a configuration contributes to favorable and uniform transfer. A member 4 is disposed at one end of a support column 2 supporting a head part 1 at the other end. A distance between the axial center of the support column 2 and its periphery varies depending on a position in the rotation direction. Sandwiching plates 3 resiliently sandwich the facing sides of the member 4 with the narrowest gap, when the head part 1 is not pressing a transfer target. When the head part 1 rotates around the axis of the support column 2 in a state pressing the transfer target, the member 4 rotates to forcibly and significantly widen the gap between the sandwiching plates and generate a restoring force. |
| US07992613B2 |
Method and arrangement for the production of composite work pieces comprising layers laminated to each other
A method and an arrangement for the production of composite work pieces of layers laminated to each other, with at least one layer representing a glass plate. First, at least one composite work piece is laminated in a lamination press under the effects of pressure and heat in order to at least activate the adhesive material used for lamination. Then the composite work piece is removed from the lamination press and transported into a curing station and/or cooling station for curing and/or cooling. A testing device for detecting broken glass in the composite work piece is arranged between the lamination press and the curing station or between the lamination press and the cooling station, which detects potentially present broken glass by testing the inherent stability of the composite work piece. |
| US07992612B2 |
Research press
A simulation press having a main body and an actuator attached thereto. The actuator is substantially aligned with the main body. A first plate is coupled to the main body and a second plate is coupled to the actuator. Both plates are adapted to engage a workpiece so as to simulate various modes of deformation of an area or areas on the workpiece when the second plate is moved relative to the first plate. The simulation press further includes a drive controller for controlling operation of the actuator. The drive controller additionally responds to feedback from at least one feedback sensor included with the simulation press. |
| US07992611B2 |
Pneumatic tire with a leno weave flipper or chipper
A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass, a tread, and a belt structure. The carcass has at least one reinforced ply and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain. The tread is disposed radially outward of the carcass. The belt structure is disposed radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure comprises at least one layer of an open construction LENO weave fabric having warp yarns extending in the radial direction and weft yarns extending in the circumferential direction. |
| US07992610B2 |
Device for connecting a tire of an aircraft wheel to a pneumatic unit of the aircraft
A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising a stator and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative to the stator and that includes means enabling it to be rotated by the wheel. The stator is bell-shaped and is designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle, and includes an end wall carrying a first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit via a tube running along the inside of the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator. |
| US07992609B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread including wavy sipes having branch portions
A sipe inner wall surface of a sipe is provided with a wavy first concave and convex row, a wavy second concave and convex row arranged in a sipe bottom side from the first concave and convex row so as to be spaced, and structured such that a wavelength is made shorter than the first concave and convex row so as to increase the number of waves, and a third concave and convex row extending toward the sipe bottom side in a branched manner while being inclined to a longitudinal direction side of the sipe with respect to a normal direction of a tread surface, and interposed between the first concave and convex row and the second concave and convex row so as to be connected to both elements. |
| US07992605B2 |
Multifunctional tire support device
A tire assembly inserted in a conventional pneumatic tire that allows the driven vehicle to be operated in a normal operating condition as well as in both a low tire pressure and a “run flat” condition. The tire embodies a multifunctional tire support device that permits the tire even when punctured to continue to support the vehicle and never allows the tire to go entirely flat. The support device when installed reinforces the tire tread and its side walls by applying internal pressure against them should they collapse when tire is punctured. The invention embodies a means for supporting the tire with the multifunctional device and provides an additional embodiment that uses the same device with a backup redundant inner tube to provide support to the punctured or ruptured tire and permits it to be operated in a run flat condition. The inner tube is located in the assembly at a distance away from the tread so that any puncture of the tread would not also puncture the inner tube. This provides safety and security for the vehicle operating with this assembly installed in a conventional tire and a standard tire wheel rim. |
| US07992604B1 |
Ripsaw stabilizing device
One aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw stabilizing device that has a moveable carrier arm subassembly, a hold-down subassembly, a hold-down support engaged to the moveable carrier arm subassembly and a force applying subassembly engaged to the hold-down subassembly and the hold-down support that applies downward force such that downward force is applied to a piece of material being cut on both sides of the blade. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for making a glue-line quality cut without further processing of the material being cut and without the use of a sacrificial material. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw including one or more ripsaw stabilizing devices of the present invention. |
| US07992602B1 |
Device, kit and method for adding salt to a water softener system
The present invention relates to devices, kits and methods to aid the home owner in the transport of salt to their cellar-based water softening system. The device of the present invention uses rectangular piping because of the greater ease of supporting the piping and greater stability during use. |
| US07992598B2 |
Fluid bin assembly with hoist
A method for filling a dispensing bag includes inserting a collapsed bag within the chamber of a bin, the chamber being bounded by a floor and an upstanding sidewall. A first port formed on the collapsed bag is securely fixed within a port hole formed on the floor of the bin. A hoist mounted on the bin is manipulated so that the hoist raises an upper end of the collapsed bag within the chamber while the first port remains fixed within the port hole so as to expand the collapsed bag within the chamber of the bin. |
| US07992596B2 |
Method and apparatus for weaving tape-like warp and weft and material thereof
A method of weaving including warp and weft being supplied in the form of tapes, and not yarns. The method preferably carried out in vertical format and includes feeding positively flat tensionless warp for shedding and taking-up; selecting, feeding positively and inserting weft tapes of different widths and thickness by gripping in its fore end in flat condition; depositing inserted weft at fabric-fell in a flat condition without beating-up; and taking-up the woven material that includes either the same or different widths of flat wefts. The warps and wefts, preferably of partially stabilized type of fibrous tapes, can be overfed in a tensionless, positive and controlled manner when required to make the fibres of constituent fibrous tapes occur non-linearly in the form of wave/texture during weaving. Extra warps and wefts can be also fed in tandem whereby the warps and wefts become composed of two or more unconnected, mutually slipping, flat tapes in a stacked arrangement. These doubled warps and wefts function effectively as a unit warp and weft during weaving and in the fabric. The method also allows for the production of other materials such as those with slant weft tapes in relation to warp, having a shape within the body of the fabric and warp and weft tapes of shaped edges. A variety of fibrous and non-fibrous materials are equally well processed. |
| US07992593B2 |
Electrically conductive confined space ventilator conduit formed of conductive polymer, electrical grounding circuit for ventilation systems using same, and methods of using and forming same
An electrically conductive confined space ventilation conduit formed of a substantially rigid non-metallic conductive material, such as plastic, and a related process for ventilating an enclosure accessed by a manhole or other port. In one embodiment, the conduit has a pair of outer cylindrical sections and a central section having a cross-sectional shape of a crescent or a segment of a circle where it passes through a port to provide a minimum of obstruction for men and equipment passing through the port. Intermediate sections of varying cross-section connect the central section to the cylindrical outer sections so that the outer sections are offset from the axis of the manhole. The central section is preferably configured to obstruct no more than about 10 percent of a standard manhole opening, while causing either no air flow rate reduction, or a reduction of no more than about 10 percent as compared to the flow rate through a cylindrical conduit similar to said outer sections. The conduit is preferably formed of a conductive or electrically dissipative polyethylene polymer material to allow static electricity to be conducted from the conduit to ground. In a preferred embodiment, a connecting device for connecting the conduit to electrical ground is connected to the conduit. A grounding circuit kit and method of grounding the conduit is also disclosed. |
| US07992590B2 |
Faucet spout with water isolating couplings
A faucet including a spout body formed of metal and having an inlet end, an outlet end and a chamber extending between inlet and outlet ends. A tube formed of a non-metallic material is enclosed within the chamber and has receiving and dispensing ends. Tube defines a passage extending between receiving and dispensing ends. Receiving end is in fluid communication with water source to communicate water through passage. An inlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an inlet opening extending therethrough is molded about receiving end such that receiving end is sealingly received within inlet opening. An outlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an outlet opening extending therethrough is molded about dispensing end such that dispensing end is sealingly received within outlet opening. Inlet and outlet couplings are sealingly coupled to inlet and outlet ends of spout body, respectively. |
| US07992589B2 |
Dual butterfly valve driven by a common drive motor
A valve including a body delimiting an inlet duct opening into a first and second outlet duct. The body includes a first butterfly valve element and a second butterfly valve element. The first butterfly valve element is mounted on a first transmission gearwheel connected to a drive motor and is movable into two closed positions on either side of an open position of the first duct. The first transmission gearwheel is connected to a second transmission gearwheel, on which the second butterfly valve element is connected by a one-way positive drive element. When the first butterfly valve element is moved from an open position to one of the two closed positions in the first duct, the second butterfly valve element is driven from a closed position to an open position of the second duct. The valve includes a member for returning the second butterfly valve element to the closed position. |
| US07992582B2 |
Umbrella and umbrella canopy
An umbrella having a central shaft, a spindle slidably disposed on the shaft, a first plurality of radially extending ribs hingedly attached to the shaft, a second plurality of radially extending ribs secured at first ends thereof to the spindle and secured at second ends thereof to respective ones of the first plurality of ribs and an umbrella canopy supported by the first plurality of ribs, the canopy secured to the first ends of the first plurality of ribs adjacent to the second end of the central shaft and secured to the second ends of the second plurality of ribs at an outer perimeter of the canopy, wherein the canopy includes one or more single-canopy umbrella panels, and one or more double-canopy umbrella panels and wherein the double-canopy umbrella panels includes an upper canopy and a lower canopy, and wherein only the lower canopy is secured directly to the ribs. |
| US07992581B2 |
Canopy device
The present invention relates to a canopy device, in particular an umbrella or parasol, comprising: a rod; a canopy of flexible material connected to the rod close to an end thereof; operating means displaceable along the rod for closing or opening the canopy; and means for tensioning the canopy, which canopy tensioning means comprise a set of first tensioning members and a set of second tensioning members, wherein the first tensioning members are each pivotally connected with one first outer end to the rod and extend therefrom along the canopy to a position close to the periphery thereof, and wherein the second tensioning members are each pivotally connected with a first outer end to the operating means and are connected with a second outer end to a corresponding first tensioning member, wherein the connection between the first and second tensioning members is arranged closer to the periphery of the canopy than to the rod, and is preferably situated substantially close to the periphery of the canopy. |
| US07992580B1 |
Combination parts washer and sink washer
A combination parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts of oil, grease and contaminants. The washer has a cabinet which has two reservoirs. A parts receptacle in the one of the reservoirs receives the parts which are cleaned by ultrasonic waves. An operable sink for manual cleaning is positioned on the top of the cabinet and opens to access the cabinet and reservoir. Fluid from the sink drains to the first reservoir. In the closed position, the sink covers the top of the cabinet and may be used as a sink washer using the attached brush supplied by fluid from the first reservoir. Initial pre-cleaning may be performed in the sink using the brush. Subsequent precision cleaning may be accomplished by immersion and ultrasonic cleaning in the second reservoir. |
| US07992568B2 |
Integrated operating room sheet system and method for using the same
Disposable operating room surgical draping systems are disclosed. Methods of using disposable operating room surgical draping systems are also disclosed. |
| US07992567B2 |
System and method for percutaneous glossoplasty
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and/or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices are also disclosed for manipulating other soft tissue structures, including the soft palate and pharyngeal airway. |
| US07992564B2 |
Respiratory devices
Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided. |
| US07992563B2 |
Methods and devices for improving breathing in patients with pulmonary disease
Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough. |
| US07992562B2 |
Laryngeal mask airway installation kit, laryngeal mask airway with a stylet, and stylet
A laryngeal mask airway installation kit includes a laryngeal mask airway having a gastric access tube and includes a stylet capable of being inserted into the gastric access tube from the inlet end. When bent, the stylet changes the original shape of the laryngeal mask airway, thus facilitating the installation of the laryngeal mask airway. |
| US07992549B2 |
Method of fueling an internal combustion engine using pressurized and heated fuel
A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of (a) pressurizing a liquid fuel to a pressure above 150 psig; (b) heating the liquid fuel to a temperature above 500° F. to produce a heated liquid fuel; (c) suddenly reducing the pressure of the heated liquid fuel sufficiently to vaporize the heated liquid fuel to form a vaporized hot fuel; (d) combining the vaporized hot fuel with oxygen to form a vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture; (e) introducing the vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture into the internal combustion engine; and (f) combusting the vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture within the internal combustion engine. |
| US07992545B2 |
Piezoelectric fuel injector having a temperature compensating unit
The present invention provides a fuel injector, comprising a housing having a sealable injector seat; a fuel injector pin disposed within the housing proximate) the injector seat such that the injector seat may be sealed and unsealed by displacing the fuel injector pin; a resilient element biasing the fuel injector pin in an unsealed direction; a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the housing proximal to the fuel injector pin configured to actuate to force the injector pin towards the injector seat to seal the injector seat; and a thermal compensating unit disposed within the housing proximal to the actuator and configured to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of a component of the fuel injector. |
| US07992541B2 |
System and method for controlling auto-ignition
A method controlling combustion modes of an engine with at least a first and second cylinder, the engine having a first actuator configured to control at least intake valves of the first and second cylinder and a second actuator configured to control at least exhaust valves of the first and second cylinders, the method comprising of sending a first signal to the first actuator which adjusts operation of at least intake valves of the first and second cylinder and a second signal to the second actuator which adjusts operation of at least exhaust valves of the first and second cylinder, said first and second signals sent at different crank angles, and transitioning combustion modes of said first and second cylinders, said combustion modes including spark ignition and homogeneous compression ignition. |
| US07992540B2 |
Decompression braking device in endothermic engines
A decompression braking device in an endothermic engine (1) is provided of the type comprising a lever axle (2) on which a plurality of eccentric bushings (31) of a corresponding plurality of levers (3) provided with tappets (4) are rotationally and eccentrically mounted for actuating a plurality of exhaust valves (5), and a camshaft (30) for actuating the plurality of levers (3), the device is characterized in that it comprises an actuating member (6, 61) mounted externally to the lever axle (2) and connected to the latter by linkages (8, 9, 10), such that a respective rotation of the bushings (31) by a predetermined angular value (α), with consequent displacement of the hinging axis of the levers (3), corresponds to each excursion of the actuating member (6, 61). |
| US07992536B2 |
Direct fuel injection diesel engine
In a direct fuel injection diesel engine equipped with a pentroof-shaped piston, when fuel is injected into a cavity (25) recessed in a central part of a piston (13), for which the height of a top face changes in the circumferential direction, from a fuel injection point (Oinj) of a fuel injector disposed on a piston central axis along a plurality of fuel injection axes (Li1,Li2), if a cross-section of the cavity (25) passing along the fuel injection axis (Li1,Li2) is defined as a fuel injection cross-section (Sn), a cross-sectional shape (see shaded portion) of the cavity (25) defined by first to third specific points (An, Bn, Cn) on the fuel injection cross-section (Sn) is set so as to be substantially equal for each fuel injection cross-section (Sn). By so doing, the conditions in which fuel and air are mixed in each fuel injection cross-section (Sn) can be made uniform, the engine output can be improved, and harmful exhaust substances can be reduced. |
| US07992534B2 |
Engine balancer system
An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a). |
| US07992531B2 |
Phase varying apparatus for engine
Heat generation is not caused by friction in a phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine.A phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine varies the opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve. The phase varying apparatus includes a rotary drum (44A) screwed to an intermediate member (30); an electromagnetic clutch (42) including a plurality of magnets (80) that are fixedly arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotary drum and that are magnetized alternately in opposite directions and a coil wound around an iron core (60); and ferromagnetic-material-made magnetic flux induction members (82, 84) having a plurality of claws (82B, 84B) close to magnetic poles of a magnet, having a slight gap between the iron core and the magnetic flux induction member, and forming a magnetic path (85) made up of the iron core and the magnets. The magnetic flux induction member is fixed to an outer cylinder part (10) or to an inner cylinder part (20). The rotary drum is accelerated and decelerated by a magnetic force exerted on the magnet by the claws while controlling an electric current to be supplied to the coil, and the inner cylinder part (20) and the outer cylinder part connected to the intermediate member in a spline manner are rotated relative to each other. |
| US07992524B2 |
Cat can't jump—device for training small animals
An animal training device and restraint (10) is comprised of a lead (14) having a length greater than the height of the cat and less than the length of the cat and a device (12) for attaching to the cat's collar or harness on one end and a weight (13), light enough to lift into the air and swing freely when the cat jumps, attached to the other end to provide the animal with some free roaming ability while preventing them from jumping onto furniture or over fences or after birds. |
| US07992521B2 |
Method and device for automatically detecting mating of animals
The inventive device for automatically detecting the mating of animals is wearable by an animal. The device includes a fixing to an animal mechanism, a detector for an attempt of mating a female animal by the animal with the fixing mechanism, and an identifier for an electronic label which is introduced in the body of the female animal and actuated by the detector and/or by the female animal identification device by processing the image of at least one part of the female animal triggered by the detector. The identifier includes a communicator with an electronic label carried by a female animal. The communicator can read the electronic label identifier of each female animal which the animal attempts to mate. The communication can also be provided with a device for storing representative information on the attempted mating in the random access memory of the electronic label. |
| US07992520B2 |
Squirrel-proof bird feeder and feed level control device
A squirrel-proof bird feeder and feed level control device is described. The bird feeder includes a vertically disposed inner housing member which is positioned within a vertically disposed outer housing member with each of the housing members including a plurality of vertically spaced-apart housing segments. The spacing of the housing segments divide feed openings therebetween. A combination feed level control and feed port device is positioned between each of the housing segments of the inner housing member so that feed ports are provided therebetween. The outer housing member has a plurality of feed openings formed therein which register with the feed ports of the combination devices when the outer housing member is in its first position. If a squirrel should move onto the outer housing member, the outer housing member moves downwardly with respect to the inner housing member so that the feed openings in the outer housing member do not register with the feed ports of the combination devices. A spring interconnects the inner and outer housing members to yieldably maintain the outer housing member in its first position. The combination feed level control and feed ports not only function as a feed level control mechanism but also provide feed ports at the lower end thereof. |
| US07992517B2 |
Gantry tower spraying system with cartridge/receptacle assembly
A gantry tower spraying system with a cartridge/receptacle assembly includes a gantry and a spray assembly coupled to the gantry to allow for translational movement of the spray assembly along the gantry. The spray assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a cartridge containing a cosmetic liquid for skin treatment, and a spray nozzle coupled to the receptacle for receiving the cosmetic liquid and dispensing the cosmetic liquid in a spray. The receptacle has an inner surface of a size and shape to generally conform to a size and shape of a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge. The spraying system can further be provided with an oscillation mechanism adapted to cause oscillation of the spray nozzle. The bottle can be provided with a keying mechanism for engaging a corresponding key structure of the receptacle. |
| US07992514B1 |
Imparted charge in situ pipelining device
The invention pertains to a lining device that can be pulled through a pipe having an approximate diameter between 1 and 36 inches. The device sprays an electrically charged lining mixture 360° onto the inside pipe surface. The lining mixture is electro-statically charged to facilitate full encapsulation and adhesion to all pipe wall surfaces in a circumferentially uniform thickness. The lining device can be contained in a multipart housing having flexible rod-like components that hold the device in the center of the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The lining mixture is conveyed to the device through heated non expanding hose. The non expanding properties facilitate the delivery of the lining under pressure to the device. The device also incorporates a dwell cone having a knurled edge that atomizes the lining mixture as it is centrifugally thrown onto the pipe wall. The device may further incorporate nitrogen in mixing the lining material. |
| US07992509B1 |
Shellfish habitats
Methods of producing precast concrete structures, installing them to form larger structures along shorelines or underwater and the structures produced thereby are disclosed. Certain preferred embodiments can be employed as underwater shellfish habitats for raising oysters, mussels and the like. |
| US07992499B2 |
Device for neutralizing and destroying buildings for storing noxious substances
The invention relates to the field of penetrative projectiles capable of penetrating buildings whose structures are reinforced such as anti-aircraft shelters for example. The invention consists in a projectile comprising a solid penetrative body designed to perforate a wall of the building, the roof for example. Inside the projectile according to the invention are housed sub-munitions enclosing the charge in the form of bomblets, a device for plugging the hole formed in the wall by the passage of the projectile, and a sequencing and command device. When the wall is penetrated, the rear portion of the penetrative body is separated from the rest of the penetrative body and the plugging device is deployed so as to block the hole that has been passed through. After penetration, the front portion of the penetrative body continues its route toward the ground while the sub-munitions enclosing the bomblets remain suspended in the air under the wall. |
| US07992498B2 |
Reduced collateral damage bomb (RCDB) and system and method of making same
A reduced collateral damage bomb (RCDB) bomb casing is described and disclosed along with the system and method for making it. The RCDB bomb casing may be formed from conventional or penetrating warhead bomb casings. The RCDB bomb casing has a filler material/materials disposed on the interior walls that will assist in controlling the collateral damage caused by the finished bomb but not prevent the appropriate destructive power being delivered to a selected target. |
| US07992497B1 |
Tactical weapons system and method of use
An inert tactical weapons system and method of use thereof, said system being a non-lethal application system designed to deal with terrorists and hostage situations. It consists of pumping an inert gas into a structure in which hostages are being held, the inert gas displacing the oxygen in the air within the structure and rendering all those within unconscious. Prompt venting after the initial incapacitation renders all those affected conscience within a few minutes and does no permanent harm. |
| US07992496B2 |
Decoys for infra-red radiation seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same
The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released. |
| US07992494B2 |
Detonator ignition protection circuit
An ignition circuit for a detonator is disclosed. The circuit includes; an igniter having a first terminal and an opposing second terminal, a first diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal, and a second diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals proximate the igniter and distal terminals on an opposing side of each respective diode. An energy source and a switch are electrically connected in series with each other, and are electrically connected across the distal terminals. Current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode. |
| US07992493B2 |
Dampening water control method and printing apparatus
Line patches m and solid patches s are printed with a subject image, each line patches having at least 200 lines per inch and a duty ratio of at least 60%, to detect densities Dm and Ds. A water coefficient W (=Dm/Ds) is calculated from the detected densities Dm and Ds. Whether dampening water is fed at a proper rate or not is determined based on correlation data stored beforehand and showing a relationship between the feed rate of dampening water and the water coefficient W. The feed rate of dampening water is controlled to be a proper rate. |
| US07992490B2 |
Automatic by-pass control system for meat injection machine and method of using same
A by-pass control system for a meat injection system has a variable speed pump that transports fluid to a meat injection machine. Excess fluid is transported to a by-pass control valve. The valve has a moveable piston disposed therein that separates the valve into a fluid chamber and an air chamber. The piston moves back and forth based on the relationship between fluid pressure and air pressure. Sensors are disposed within or through the lid or the valve to sense the position of the piston. A controller is connected to the sensors and the variable speed pump and adjusts the speed of the pump based on the position of the piston. |
| US07992487B1 |
One-step canning kettle and associated method
The invention as presently conceived discloses a cooking kettle apparatus having special features to make food canning a single step process. The apparatus comprises a large diameter pour spout on the upper portion of the kettle that allows even the thickest food to flow through, and a series of interchangeable spout attachments. One spout attachment is a strainer to hold back solids as the cooked product is poured into containers. Another attachment is a straight pour spout with an air induction vent to improve the flow or liquids. The kettle has three handles about the upper portion to allow easy pouring by one person, or for two people when there is a particularly heavy batch of cooked food. The method of use provides a means by which a person can cook jams, jellies, and similar foods in the most efficient manner and with less specialized cooking items. |
| US07992484B2 |
Rotary hydraulic machine and controls
A variable capacity hydraulic machine has a rotating group located within a casing and a control housing secured to the casing to extend across and seal an opening in the casing. The control housing accommodates a control circuit and a pair of sensors to sense change in parameters associated with the rotating group. One of the sensors is positioned adjacent the barrel on the rotating group to sense rotational speed and the other senses displacement of the swashplate. The control housing accommodates a control valve and accumulator to supply fluid to the control valve. |
| US07992483B2 |
Firing frequency controller
A firing frequency controller which includes a cylinder body, a piston assembly, and a unidirectional seal is provided. The cylinder body includes a first orifice, a second orifice and a third orifice, wherein the gas flux through the first orifice and the third orifice are inequality. The piston assembly disposed inside said cylinder body is repeatedly moved. The unidirectional seal is disposed at outside of the piston and adjacent to the inner wall of the cylinder body. The unidirectional seal is contacted with the cylinder body and is kept airtight while moved at one direction. The unidirectional seal is not contacted with the cylinder body and kept non-airtight while moved at another direction. Because of pressure difference, the velocity of piston assembly can be adjusted and then the firing frequency of toy gun can be controlled. |
| US07992480B2 |
Angle indicating device for table saw
A table saw includes a curved channel formed in a supporting base, a cradle attached to the supporting base, an arbor bracket attached to the cradle for supporting a saw blade and a motor, a height shaft attached to the cradle and extended through the curved channel of the base for engaging with the arbor bracket, a tilt shaft attached to the base and engaged with the cradle for adjusting the saw blade relative to the base to selected angular positions, a follower slidably engaged in the curved channel of the base, and a signal generating device attached to the follower for detecting a bevel angle of the arbor bracket and the cradle and the saw blade relative to the base and for precisely showing the angle with digits. |
| US07992477B2 |
Medicine feeding device
A medicine feeding device including a support portion (32) for supporting a seal surface side of a press through pack (5), a press section (33) for pressing the housing recess portions (9) from one side other than the seal surface of the press through pack (5), and a cutter (38) for making a cut slit in the sheet (11) at a boundary portion between the housing recess portions (9) and the seal surface (8) at least before the sheet (11) is broken or the medicine (6) is damaged by the pressure exerted by the press section (33). |
| US07992476B2 |
Food chopper
A food chopping or slicing device preferably includes three primary components, including a lid, a blade tray, and a food reservoir. A trimming blade secures to an edge of the device to cut overlength food items. In some embodiments, a reservoir bottom is removable and the device includes orthogonal volumetric markings. |
| US07992475B2 |
Plate workpiece processing
A plate workpiece processing method includes utilizing one or more cutting devices of a machine tool to perform first and second cutting operations on a plate workpiece. During the first cutting operation, the workpiece is moved relative to cutting device(s) used for the first cutting operation, at least two cut-outs are partially formed in the workpiece with only a common residual connection left that jointly connects the partially formed cut-outs to a remaining portion of the workpiece and that is shortened along one or more cutting lines of the second cutting operation to a size that is larger than a working area of the cutting device(s) used for the second cutting operation. During the second cutting operation, the workpiece is maintained stationary supported by the machine tool, the shortened common residual connection is severed along the cutting line(s) to completely separate the cut-outs from the remaining portion of the workpiece. |
| US07992472B2 |
Torque limiting and ratcheting driver and assembly
A torque-limiting and ratcheting driver. The drive comprises a handle having an enclosed end and an open end, which houses a drive assembly. The drive assembly comprises a drive shaft, a drive clutch member and a camming clutch member supported by the drive shaft. The camming clutch member is coupled to the drive shaft, and the first drive clutch member and second camming clutch member are biased towards one another. The drive assembly has a locking screw supported by the drive shaft, with the locking means located at the enclosed end of the handle. The drive assembly is secured with the housing. The driver also comprises a ratcheting assembly connected to the handle, independently assembled of the drive assembly. |
| US07992471B2 |
Positioning apparatus for hand tool
A positioning apparatus for hand tool includes a shank, a driving head, a switch, and a positioning device. The shank has a connecting end having a receiving space and a slot communicated with the receiving space. The driving head has multiple positioning holes. The switch includes a screw. The positioning device is received in the receiving space. The positioning device includes a spring, a pusher, and a base. The base is received in the receiving space. The base has a recess for receiving the spring and the pusher and a slot communicated with the recess. The spring has one end abutting against a bottom of the recess and the other end abutting against the pusher. The screw passes the switch and fastens with the pusher via the slot in the shank and the slot in the base. The pusher selectively engages with one of the multiple positioning holes. |
| US07992470B2 |
Adjustable gripping tool
A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element which engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece. |
| US07992468B2 |
Internally fitting tool for spinning a hollow element
A spinner tool has a shaft that is receivable in a rotation-imparting device, such as a hand-held drill. The shaft carries mounts in which the shaft rotates. Gripper elements are mounted between the mounts for radial movement relative to the shaft. The shaft is configured to move the gripper elements away from the shaft away from the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. This movement of the gripper elements causes the gripper elements to engage the interior surface of a hollow-cylindrical element in which the tool is inserted, so that the hollow-cylindrical element rotates together with the shaft. |
| US07992467B2 |
Shingle removing apparatus
The present invention discloses a shingle removing apparatus which includes a handle, a stripper member, a drive assembly and a drive linkage assembly with lost motion mechanism. The stripper member is adapted for inserting under a shingle has a first end portion and a second end portion. The drive assembly drives at least a portion of the stripper member and the drive linkage assembly causes at least portion of the stripper member to reciprocally move up and down to thereby remove the shingle. The drive linkage assembly provides a lost motion mechanism which allows the stripper member to intermittently not be driven. |
| US07992465B2 |
Drive unit for actuators in a motor vehicle
A drive unit (10) actuates drives in a motor vehicle with a first housing part (12), in particular a pole pot (12), and a second housing part (14), in particular a gear housing or electronic housing (14, 15), which can be connected with connecting elements (40), wherein the first housing part (12) features receptacles (38) for the connecting elements (40), wherein the receptacles (38) are embodied as centering holes (36) for corresponding centering pins (48), which are arranged on the second housing part (14). |
| US07992463B2 |
Shifter for automatic transmission
A shifter for an automatic transmission has a gate plate with a main gate and a sub-gate. A shift lever has a spherical portion and is movable along the main gate and the sub-gate. A switching member enables switching the automatic transmission to a manual operation. The switching member includes a body held in a swingable manner, and a lever holding section integrally formed with the body to rotatably hold the spherical portion. The body is adapted, to be uncoupled from the shift lever so as to place the automatic transmission in a manual mode when the shift lever is swung from the main gate into the sub-gate about the spherical portion and to be coupled to the shift lever so as to return the automatic transmission to an automatic mode when the shift lever is returned from the sub-gate to the main gate. |
| US07992462B2 |
Resin double-helical gear
In a resin double-helical gear formed by injection-molding, smooth meshing of teeth can be performed for rotation of the resin double-helical gear in both directions, and occurrences of thrust-direction load and noise can be prevented.Peak-side tooth flanks 7c and 7d and valley-side tooth flanks 7e and 7f of a tooth 7 in a resin double-helical gear 1 are formed such as to become farther away from peak-side tooth flanks 9c and 9d and valley-side tooth flanks 9e and 9f of a standard tooth 9 in an inward direction, the closer the peak-side tooth flanks 7c and 7d and the valley-side tooth flanks 7e and 7f are to a tooth width direction center section 3 from one tooth width direction end section 4a and another tooth width direction end section 4b. As a result, meshing escape sections g (g1 and g2) and h (h1 and h2) having dimensions in a tooth thickness direction that increase towards the tooth width direction center section 3 are formed on the peak-side tooth flank side and the valley-side tooth flank side. |
| US07992461B2 |
Circulating device for motion guide apparatus
A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves for receiving ball bearing elements, a tubular member is engaged with the ball nut and includes a ball circulating pathway communicative with the helical groove of the ball nut, and includes an intermediate segment, two curved segments, and two end coupling segments each having a ball guiding channel which includes a wider inner section for guiding and circulating the flexible coupling member of a ball coupler to smoothly move through the ball guiding channel of each end coupling segment and for preventing the flexible coupling member from being twisted. The tubular member is preferably formed by two half members. |
| US07992453B1 |
Erosion-resistant insert for flow measurement devices
An erosion-resistant insert is provided for a flow measurement device having a fluid displacement member. The insert includes a flange and a sleeve extending axially from the flange. The sleeve may be inserted into a recess machined into a fluid conduit of the fluid measurement device to protect the inner wall of the conduit. The insert maintains the inner diameter of the conduit and the beta ratio of the flow measurement device. |
| US07992449B1 |
Method for assessment of cable strength and residual life
A method for determining the condition assessment and residual life span of bridge cables based on a parametric statistical model. The method includes random sampling of individual cable wires, mechanically testing the sampled wires, determining the probability of broken and cracked wires and the ultimate strength of cracked wires using fracture toughness and imputing the above data to simulate stress-strain curves for each wire in the cable, applying strain increments until reaching ultimate elongation. Assessing remaining service life of the cable by determining the rate of change of broken wires detected over a time frame, measuring the rate of change of fracture toughness over said time frame, and applying the rates of change to a time-dependent degradation prediction model. |
| US07992448B2 |
Mechanical-quantity measuring device
A mechanical-quantity measuring device capable of measuring a strain component in a specific direction with high precision is provided.At least two or more pairs of bridge circuits are formed inside a semiconductor monocrystal substrate and a semiconductor chip, and one of these bridge circuits forms a n-type diffusion resistor in which a direction of a current flow and measuring variation of a resistor value are in parallel with a <100> direction of the semiconductor monocrystal silicon substrate, and an another bridge circuit is composed of combination of p-type diffusion resistors in parallel with a <110> direction. |
| US07992444B2 |
Pressure detection device and pressure detection method
The pressure detection device includes a buffer member deformable by a pressure change, including one or more magnets, and a sensor assembly including one or more magnetic sensors to detect a variation of a magnetic field accompanied by deformation of the buffer member. |
| US07992441B2 |
Pressure sensor for measuring pressure in a medium
A pressure sensor module is disclosed. The pressure sensor module comprises a sensing element (1) mounted on a front side (3) of a support member (5). The support member (5) comprises a hole (7) through the support member (5) from the front side (3) to a back side (9). The sensing element (1) covers the hole (7) at the front side (3). A back side barrier (6) provided at the back side (9) of the support member (5) surrounds a surface of the back side (9) of the support member (5) and forms an enclosed area (8), wherein the enclosed area (8) and the hole (7) form a pressure channel (10). A back side protective member (2) fills the hole (7) and at least partially the enclosed area (8). The support member (5), back side barrier (6) and back side protective member (2) form a module that can be placed during production of the pressure sensor in a housing of the pressure sensor. |
| US07992438B2 |
Multiaxial gyroscope
The present invention relates to a multiaxial gyroscope, which comprises a vibration-sensing device, a plurality of elastic connecting parts, a first substrate, and a plurality of electrodes. The first ends of the elastic connecting parts are adapted on the periphery of the vibration-sensing device. The sidewall of the first substrate connects with the second ends of the elastic connecting parts. The plurality of electrodes is located on the periphery of the vibration-sensing device and is opposite to the plurality of elastic connecting parts. The vibration-sensing device comprises a ring and a plurality of vibration blocks. By means of the vibration blocks, the sensing area as well as the driving amplitude of the gyroscope can be increased effectively. Thereby, the intensity of the sensed signals of the gyroscope can be enhanced. |
| US07992437B2 |
Liquid level detector
A liquid level detector for conductive liquids for vertical installation in a tank, the detector having a probe positioned within a sheath and insulated therefrom by a seal so that the tip of the probe extends proximate to but not below the lower end of the sheath, the lower end terminating in a rim that is provided with notches, said lower end being tapered, the taper and notches preventing debris collection and bubble formation, said lower end when contacting liquid as it rises will form an airtight cavity defined by the liquid, the interior sheath wall, and the seal, the compression of air in the cavity preventing liquid from further entry into the sheath and contact with the seal. As a result, the liquid cannot deposit a film to form an electrical bridge across the seal. |
| US07992436B2 |
Electro-optic liquid level sensing system for aircraft beverage brewing
The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor. |
| US07992435B2 |
Air flow meter
In a structure in which peripheral part of a diaphragm section of an electrical insulating film is covered with a protective film made of an organic material, the resistor wire on the diaphragm section crosses the peripheral part of the diaphragm section. At a place where a narrow wire of a resistance temperature detector and the like crosses the peripheral part of the diaphragm section, the protective film is thinner than the other part, and the dust impact resistance is reduced. At a place where a heating resistor wire connected to a heating resistor body or resistance temperature detector wires connected to resistance temperature detector bodies cross a periphery of the diaphragm section, a film component protruding from an electrical insulating film is arranged side by side with the heating resistor wire or the resistance temperature detector wires. |
| US07992434B2 |
Christmas tree with internally positioned flowmeter
A measurement device is disclosed which includes a structure adapted to be removably coupled to a Christmas tree, a sleeve operatively coupled to the structure and a flowmeter positioned at least partially within the sleeve. |
| US07992431B2 |
Piezoelectric microcantilevers and uses in atomic force microscopy
The invention is direct to a piezoelectric microcantilever for static contact and dynamic noncontact atomic force microscopy which may be carried out in solution. The piezoelectric microcantilever, which includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3)0.65—(PbTiO3)0.35(PMN0.65-PT0.35)(PMN-PT), zirconate titanate (PZT)/SiO2 or from any lead-free piezoelectric materials such as doped sodium-potassium niobate-lithium niobate. The piezoelectric layers of the microcantilevers may have dielectric constants of from 1600-3000 and thicknesses below 10 μm. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating microcantilever sensors and methods for atomic force microscopy employing the microcantilevers. |
| US07992430B2 |
Sampling device and method for monitoring of liquids
Methods and devices for measuring chemical or biological properties of a liquid from a subsurface position are disclosed, wherein a closed casing is submerged in the liquid to be sampled. The flow of the liquid for the sampling is driven by a hydrostatic pressure and is thus independent of pumps or the like when placed at the correct subsurface position. The flow rate is in a first aspect of the present invention controlled by providing a constant hydrostatic pressure during the sampling period. Alternatively, the inlet is provided with a cartridge comprising a tracer material, which is partly soluble by the liquid and is released proportional to the flow rate. |
| US07992428B2 |
Method and device for ingredient analysis
A method for ingredient analysis includes the steps of: providing a database, which stores a plurality of standard ingredient data; analyzing a sample to obtain a plurality of inspection data via a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method; and respectively comparing the inspection data with the corresponding standard ingredient data to analyze all ingredients contained in the sample simultaneously. The method may be applied to a device for ingredient analysis. Thus, by cooperating the database with the HPLC method, all ingredients contained in the sample can be analyzed via at least one analysis procedure so that the procedures for ingredient analysis are simpler and quicker and the accuracy of the analysis result can be enhanced. |
| US07992424B1 |
Analytical instrumentation and sample analysis methods
Sample introduction components of analytical instruments are provided that can include a membrane inlet component in fluid communication with both a mass analyzer component and a sample inlet. The components can also include a valve in fluid communication with the sample inlet and a sampling component. Components can include a sample loop assembly in fluid communication with valve, and a preconcentration assembly in fluid communication with the valve. Sample analysis methods are provided that can include providing sample to a membrane in fluid communication with a mass analyzer to acquire sample parameter data, and providing the sample to a sampling assembly upon acquisition of predefined sample parameter data. Methods can also include providing sample to a first sampling assembly in fluid communication with a detection component to acquire sample parameter data, providing the sample to a second sampling assembly upon acquisition of predefined sample parameter data. |
| US07992420B2 |
Method for the production of a housing of a brake caliper
A brake caliper for a disk brake, in particular for motorcycles and/or bicycles, includes a housing (30) in which a disk space (39) for receiving a brake disk and a brake cylinder (35) for receiving a brake piston (25) are formed. The brake cylinder (35) is connected to the disk space (39) and has, on its side opposite to the disk space (39), an assembly opening (50) through which the brake piston (25) can be inserted into the brake cylinder (35). A closure element (10) closes the assembly opening (50) after the insertion of the brake piston (25) into the brake cylinder (35). A securing element (21) secures the closure element (10) in the assembly opening (50) against forces in the direction of the main axis of the brake cylinder (35). |
| US07992419B2 |
High speed extrusion
An apparatus for extrusion, in particular for extrusion of metal, comprising an extrusion body defining a passage for material to be extruded, including a die having a bearing opening extending between a bearing opening entry surface and a bearing opening exit surface, and wherein cooling means are arranged in the body defining the extrusion passage upstream of the bearing opening exit surface, the cooling means comprising the material of the body being differentiated in thermal conductivity so as to define cooling pathways. |
| US07992413B2 |
Process for producing synthetic quartz glass
An object of the invention is to provide a process for producing a synthetic quartz glass while taking account of a refractive index distribution remaining in the synthetic quartz glass; a jig for use in the synthetic-quartz-glass production process; and a synthetic quartz glass for an optical member, produced by the process. A process for producing a synthetic quartz glass, which comprises: depositing and growing fine quartz glass particles synthesized by flame hydrolysis of a glass-forming material on a rotating target to thereby form a porous quartz glass base of a substantially cylindrical shape; presintering the porous quartz glass base; and heating the presintered porous quartz glass base to a temperature not lower than the vitrification temperature to convert the base into a transparent glass, wherein in the step of conversion into a transparent glass, the porous quartz glass base is placed so as to make its growth axis vertical and a load is vertically imposed on the thus-placed porous quartz glass base. |
| US07992410B2 |
Modified princess cut diamond having hearts and arrows pattern and method
A modified princess cut diamond and method of forming a modified princess cut diamond into a symmetrical shape possessing a hearts and arrows pattern characteristic of the true hearts and arrows pattern in a round cut diamond. The modified princess cut diamond includes: a tablet facet, 4 main crown facets, 8 crown halves, 8 crown star facets, 4 subsidiary crown facets, 8 subsidiary crown halves, 8 main pavilion facets, 4, subsidiary pavilion facets, 16 pavilion halves, a girdle and 4 subsidiary cut corner girdle facets with each main crown facet having a pair of crown star facets symmetrically disposed on one side thereof adjacent to the tablet facet and a pair of crown halves symmetrically disposed on the opposite side thereof with each pair of crown star facets having the side thereof adjoining the table facet meeting at a point equal to essentially half the longer distance of the main crown facet measured horizontally and with all crown star facets and crown halves adjacent each main crown having identical polished angles with a maximum tolerance of 0.3°. |
| US07992409B1 |
Cryogenic process for separation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using a superconducting wind turbine
A continuous cryogenic process for the separation and removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using, in part, the existing cryocooling apparatus that is a component of the inventor's patented high temperature superconducting wind turbine electric generating and energy storage system. The proposed system is contained within a long, large, non-corrosive, open-ended, double-walled tubular-shaped vacuum or conventionally insulated dewar, which is cantilevered in two or more units from the wind turbine's steel tower. The major internal components consist of a large screen grid, a small screen filter, a low-speed electric turbo-style fan and, most importantly, a series of coated frost-free heat exchangers of differentiated design that freeze the carbon dioxide in the moving air into a form of flake-like dry ice which is then captured for potential reuse or underground sequestering. |
| US07992405B2 |
Drain pan and method for fabricating a drain pan
A drain pan and a method for fabricating a drain pan for use with an air conditioner, the drain pan having a plastic drain having plastic threads, with an insert disposed within the plastic drain to prevent the fracturing of the plastic threads when a steel pipe is threaded into the plastic drain. The insert may be a metal insert. |
| US07992404B2 |
Window air conditioner with easy installation method
A window air conditioner includes an indoor housing, an outdoor housing, an air conditioning unit including a first unit for removing heat from indoors at the indoor housing, a second unit for releasing the heat to outdoors at the outdoor housing, and a power control panel provided at the indoor housing to control the first and second units; and a connecting rod extended between the indoor housing and the outdoor housing, wherein the connecting rod serves as a bridge for suspendedly hanging the air conditioning unit at the window frame at a position that the indoor housing is supported at an interior side of the window frame while the outdoor housing is supported at an exterior side of the window frame. |
| US07992403B2 |
Air conditioning system using ground heat
Provided is an air conditioning system using ground heat. The system includes one or more indoor units, at least one outdoor unit, a ground heat exchanger, and a plurality of auxiliary heat sources. The one or more indoor units condition indoor air. The at least one outdoor unit communicates with the indoor units via a plurality of pipes, and includes an outdoor heat exchanger where heat exchange occurs. The ground heat exchanger is connected with the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, and laid under the ground to allow heat to be exchanged between ground heat and a circulating medium circulating through the ground heat exchanger. The plurality of auxiliary heat sources are installed on one side of the outdoor unit to assist heat exchange of the outdoor heat exchanger. Two or more auxiliary heat sources are simultaneously used, or one of them is selectively used. |
| US07992400B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus and fluid machine therefor
A complex fluid machine has an expansion-compressor device, a pump, and a motor generator, wherein the expansion-compressor device, the pump, and the motor generator are operatively connected and arranged in series, and a power transmitting device for disconnecting the pump from the motor generator, when the expansion-compressor device is driven by the motor generator so as to be operated as a compressor device. |
| US07992394B2 |
Cold trap and cold trap regeneration method
A cold trap is provided with a cold panel provided in a pumping path such that the panel is exposed, a refrigerator thermally coupled to the cold panel and operative to cool the cold panel; and a controller configured, in a regeneration process for evaporating a gas frozen on the surface of the cold panel and discharging the gas outside using the vacuum pump, to control the refrigerator so as to raise the temperature of the cold panel to a temperature exceeding a non-liquefaction temperature range and to adjust a pressure in the pumping path at the temperature so that the gas frozen on the surface of the cold panel is evaporated without being melted, the non-liquefaction temperature range being a range in which it is guaranteed that a gas frozen on the surface of the cold trap is evaporated without being melted. |
| US07992389B2 |
Method and apparatus for actively turbocharging an engine
A system and method for monitoring at least one operating parameter indicative of an operating condition of an engine and controlling a turbocharger assist device to maintain desired operating conditions of the engine equipped with a turbocharger. In one embodiment, a controller is provided to control operation of a turbocharger assist device in an engine for generating electric power when an excess of energy exists in the exhaust of the engine to subtract work from a turbocharger drive shaft. |
| US07992388B2 |
Method for estimating compressor output temperature for a two-stage turbocharger
A method for estimating the output temperature of the output compressor of a two-stage turbocharger. The method includes: storing a composite relationship relating temperature ratio across a pair of compressors of the two-stage turbocharger as a function of mass flow through such pair of compressors and pressure drop across the pair of the compressors; calculating the pressure ratio equal to the pressure at an input to the first one of the pair of compressors to the pressure at the output of the second one of the pair compressor; using the composite relationship and an output of a mass flow at the input to the first one of the pair of compressors and the calculated pressure ratio to determine the temperature ratio across the pair of compressors; and calculating the estimated output temperature of the second one of the pair of compressors by multiplying the determined temperature ratio across the pair of compressors by a temperature at the input of the first one of the pair of compressors. |
| US07992387B1 |
Arrangement for simultaneous actuation of compensation valves
A master cylinder having a housing with a bore wherein front and rear pistons are located by return springs to define front and rear chambers. The front and rear chambers are respectively connected by an axial port and a radial port in the housing to a reservoir. Communication of fluid between the bore and reservoir is controlled by a rear center compensation valve that is linked to a front center port compensation valve such that fluid communication between the front and rear chambers and reservoir is controlled by movement of the rear piston in response to an input force with a first and second actuation springs respectively closing the front and rear center port compensation valves to allow simultaneous pressurization of fluid in the front chamber and rear chamber that is supplied to front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes to effect a brake application. |
| US07992386B2 |
Waste heat engine
An engine includes a radial arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston with a piston head and a connecting rod pivotally linked to the piston head at an upper end. A lower end of each connecting rod is pivotally linked to a crank disk that is rotatably mounted on a crank arm of a crankshaft. Steam intake valves at each cylinder are momentarily opened by a bearing cam roller that is moved in a circular path by rotation of the crank disk to sequentially engage spring urged cam followers on inboard ends of radially extending valve stems. Low pressure steam or gas is injected into the top of each cylinder, as the intake valves of the cylinders are opened in sequence, thereby forcing the piston in each cylinder through a power stroke to move the crank disk and turn the crankshaft. Angular displacement of each connecting rod through the return stroke of the piston urges an exhaust reed valve on the piston head to an open position, thereby releasing exhaust steam to a condenser chamber. The engine is self-starting and operates in a low pressure, low temperature range, using waste heat from an external source, such as exhaust from an internal combustion engine, burning of refuse (e.g. garbage or other solid waste material) or solar heat. |
| US07992385B2 |
Hydraulic control device
A hydraulic control device includes an oil pan; an oil pump; a strainer; a pressure regulating valve; an oil cooler; a cooler bypass valve with an input port that is connected with a cooler supply oil passage through which the hydraulic oil to be supplied to the oil cooler flows, wherein the input port is communicatively connected with an output port when the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil within the cooler supply oil passage is equal to or greater than a predetermined valve opening pressure; and a cooler bypass oil passage that connects the output port of the cooler bypass valve with an intake oil passage between the strainer and the intake port of the oil pump. |
| US07992383B2 |
Method for controlling exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification system
In regeneration control, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) using the temperature of the oxidation catalyst (12a) as an index is below a predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1), the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) which is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in the ordinary operation, and, further, multi-injection is carried out. On the other hand, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) is the predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1) or above, the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined second target engine speed (Nei2), which is lower than the predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) and is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in ordinary operation, and, further, post injection is carried out, followed by raising of the temperature of an exhaust gas flown into a DPF apparatus (12b) to a predetermined second determination temperature (Tc2). According to the above constitution, in the regeneration control of the DPF apparatus (12b) in an internal combustion engine (10), the regeneration can be forcibly carried out with high efficiency while enhancing the temperature rise efficiency of the exhaust gas, and, at the same time, excessive rise in the exhaust temperature, a deterioration in fuel consumption, and the occurrence of noise are suppressed. |
| US07992378B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying device for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purifying device for an internal combustion engine, comprises: an exhaust purifying catalyst; a NOx purifying catalyst disposed downstream of the exhaust purifying catalyst; upstream and downstream A/F detecting sensors disposed on upstream and downstream sides of the exhaust purifying catalyst, respectively; means for supplying a reducing agent to the NOx purifying catalyst when conducting a reduction control of the NOx; means for calculating an amount of reduced NOx in the NOx purifying catalyst; means for terminating the reduction control when the amount of reduced NOx exceeds a prescribed reduction termination threshold value; means for detecting a degree of deterioration of the exhaust purifying catalyst based on an output from the upstream and downstream A/F detecting sensors; a threshold value correcting means for correcting the reduction termination threshold value according to the degree of deterioration of the exhaust purifying catalyst; and a correction prohibiting means for prohibiting the correction of the reduction termination threshold value when an amount of H2 and/or CH4 in the exhaust gas exceeds a prescribed correction prohibiting judgment value. |
| US07992377B2 |
Diesel exhaust control during limp-home mode
A method of extending emissions performance of an exhaust after-treatment system of a vehicle that includes a dosing agent includes determining a level of a dosing agent source, selectively entering a limp-home mode based on the level and monitoring a catalyst temperature during said limp-home mode. Operation of an engine is regulated to increase the catalyst temperature when the catalyst temperature is less than a threshold catalyst temperature during the limp-home mode. |
| US07992376B2 |
Method for metering a fuel into an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine and a device for implementing the method
A method for metering a fuel into at least one exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine and a device for implementing the method. The fuel is converted in an exothermic reaction for achieving a specified setpoint temperature of a component to be heated. The required metering quantity of the fuel is calculated with the inclusion of a model of the exothermic reaction. The method makes it possible to achieve the specified setpoint temperature of the component to be heated or of the exhaust gas in front of the component to be heated using a minimal quantity of fuel. |
| US07992375B2 |
Treatment of engine exhaust using molecular sieve SSZ-73
The present invention relates to new crystalline, essentially all silicon oxide molecular sieve SSZ-73 prepared using a 3-ethyl-1,3,8,8-tetramethyl-3-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane cation as a structure-directing agent, and its use in treating engine exhaust. |
| US07992370B2 |
Work machine with auxiliary power unit and intelligent power management
A work machine includes a primary power unit having a rated primary output. The primary power unit is couplable with at least one primary load, including a propulsion load. An auxiliary power unit is mechanically independent from the primary power unit, and has a rated auxiliary output which is smaller than the primary output. The auxiliary power unit is couplable with at least one external load, including an operator initiated load. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for selectively coupling the primary power unit with one or more primary loads, and for selectively coupling the auxiliary power unit with one or more external loads. |
| US07992368B2 |
Equine training device
An equine training aid for enabling a horse, pony, donkey or the like, particularly dressage or show horses, to adopt an optimum outline or profile. The training aid includes a self-centering, continuous loop portion (1), configured, during lunging or riding, to be in contact tension with the equine wherein the continuous loop portion (1) includes a front section (1a) and a rear section (1b) each of which are linked by a linker such as the form of rings (2a) and pivotal clips (2b). Each of the loop sections (1a) and (1b) additionally has two adjustment mechanisms (e.g. sliders; (3)) to allow each loop section to be lengthened or shortened and both ends of the rear section (1b) terminate in a safety loop (4) which allows rotation of the device to a limited extent and prevents the rear section of the loop portion (1b) from slipping down the hind legs of the equine when the device is being dismantled and removed from the equine. |
| US07992365B2 |
Devices and methods for verifying capping of vials in system for dispensing prescriptions
A method of verifying the seating and securing of a closure on a container includes the steps of: (a) positioning a container on a stage of an automated capping station; (b) bringing a closure into contact with the container; (c) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the container and the closure; (d) responsive to step (c), relatively moving the closure and the container if step (c) indicates seating of the closure on the container is proper; and (e) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the closure and the container to determine whether the closure is properly secured. |
| US07992364B2 |
Vertical bagging machine
A vertical bagging machine including a spindle for receiving and supporting a roll of stock material, the spindle defining a spindle axis, wherein the stock material is unwindable as a sheet, a folding plate defining a folding plate plane that is substantially parallel with the spindle axis, the folding plate including a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally equal in length and connect at a central peak, a spreader chute including a first guide plate and a second guide plate, the second guide plate being generally parallel with and spaced apart from the first guide plate, wherein the first and second guide plates are substantially perpendicular to the folding plate plane, and first and second folding rollers defining a nip therebetween, the first and second folding rollers being generally parallel with the folding plate plane and disposed between the folding plate and the spreader chute, wherein the sheet is moveable over the central peak, through the nip, and over the first and second guide plates to define a loading space between the first and second guide plates. |
| US07992363B2 |
Method and apparatus for palletizing confectioned units of articles
A method for palletizing confectioned units including the steps of grouping the confectioned units to a layer of confectioned units in a grouping device, providing a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material, cutting a single sheet from the material for the intermediate layer, moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a transport device, moving the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer into the loading station of the transport device, transporting the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to an unloading station, and positioning the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer at the unloading station onto a pallet or onto layers of goods which are already positioned on the pallet. |
| US07992362B2 |
Column assembly
A kit of parts for a column assembly includes a sleeve having a first end portion, and a second opposed end portion. The kit further includes a collar having a collar aperture therethrough for receiving the first end portion of the sleeve in sliding fit. The kit further includes a skirt having skirt a first end and a skirt second end opposed to the skirt first end. A skirt aperture extends through the skirt for receiving the first end portion of the sleeve in sliding fit to position the skirt second end is adjacent the collar. A base is positionable adjacent the first end portion. The collar is selectively securable to the either the base or the skirt second end, and the skirt first end is selectively securable to the base, such that the column assembly is selectively assemblable with or without the skirt. |
| US07992360B2 |
Inlay system for concrete
The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a body for extending the fastener through the panel and into the substrate matrix. |
| US07992358B2 |
Guiding means at a joint
A guiding means at a joint comprising groove (1) and tenon (2) preferably intended to be joined with glue. The tenon (2) and/or groove (1) includes guiding wedges (3). |
| US07992349B2 |
Multi-media workstation having a master rail system
A multi-media workstation having a master rail system for permitting horizontal adjustment of the various components of the workstation. The workstation generally includes a console having a work surface and a master rail system for supporting various audiovisual equipment. The master rail system includes a rail extrusion connecting at least two frames and having a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of its surfaces. The various components of the workstation each include a finger engaged in the longitudinal slot of the rail extrusion, wherein the component is able to be horizontally translated along a length of the rail extrusion. |
| US07992344B2 |
Artificial soil and method for growing vegetation on sloped surface using the same
An artificial soil and a method for growing vegetation on a sloped surface using the same are disclosed. The artificial soil is produced by mixing peat or grass peat, paper chip or pulp chip, saw dust or bark, fermented animal waste or dried animal waste, and a microbe activator, frisol; and by adding clay or Silt(SILT) or granular to the mixture. The method comprises forming a vegetation base layer by applying the artificial soil to a sloped surface; waiting until the vegetation base layer has a crack by a shrinkage; and applying a seed mixture of artificial soil over the vegetation base layer, the seed mixture of artificial soil obtained by adding a myocardium catalyst, a microbe activator, a material binder, an evaporation prevention material, and grass seeds, weed seeds, and tree seeds to the artificial soil with water. |
| US07992343B1 |
Flexible fishing lure that traps air
A flexible fishing lure comprising: a head integral with an egg sack, a body integral with the egg sack opposite the head, at least two air trapping cavities disposed adjacent each other along a central axis in the body for trapping and retaining air during lure movement, and a tail integral with the body. The tail is tapered to a point and rises when the head is engaged with a hook, and the tail remains at an elevated position above the head when submerged in water. |
| US07992340B1 |
Fishing apparatus
A fishhook setting apparatus utilizing a lever arm support which holds a fishing rod associated with the fishhook and which is freely rotatable about a pre-determined arcuate path. The trigger mechanism initiates the instantaneous raising of the rod chip through the lever arm support when the lever arm support travels to the extreme portion of an arcuate path. |
| US07992338B2 |
Finger alignment devices for triggers and trigger-activated devices incorporating the same
Alignment devices for assisting proper location of fingers relative to the triggers of trigger-activated devices, trigger-activated devices, finger position indicating triggers for trigger-activated devices, and methods for activating a trigger-activated device are disclosed. Alignment devices for assisting proper location of a finger relative to a trigger may include a body having a trigger face configured to engage a user's finger, a trigger-engaging region, and a position indicator disposed on the trigger face. The trigger-engaging region may be adapted to couple the alignment device to a trigger of a trigger-activated device. The trigger-engaging region may be configured to position the trigger face in a predetermined position relative to the trigger. The position indicator may be disposed on the trigger face. The position indicator may be configured to provide an indication that at least a portion of the finger is positioned in a predetermined lateral position relative to the trigger. |
| US07992334B1 |
In-store marketing sign
A marketing sign is constructed of a sheet material. The sheet material includes a free portion, a base portion and a connecting portion that couples the base portion to the free portion. The base portion is configured to engage with a product display structure, which has a price holder. The connecting portion is defined between a first connecting bend line spaced apart from a second connecting bend line by a distance. The distance substantially corresponds with an edge thickness of the price holder. |
| US07992332B2 |
Apparatuses for providing power for illumination of a display object
An exemplary power regulator apparatus provides power for illumination of a display object, such as a merchandise package or container, which has a light emitting apparatus comprising a secondary inductor and an illumination source. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a primary inductor voltage. The controller may also comprise a plurality of switches and a memory adapted to store values for switching frequency or switch on-time durations or pulse widths. The illumination source emits visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. |
| US07992328B2 |
Trench wall ripper apparatus
An apparatus coupled to an excavation bucket for creating a trench sidewall having indentations formed therein. |
| US07992322B2 |
Dryer having intake duct with heater integrated therein
Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum. |
| US07992319B2 |
Dryer, drying method and drying plant
The invention provides a dryer for drying particulate material, comprising at least one substantially vertical elongate container having: an upper inlet for receiving a charge of moisture containing particulate material; a lower outlet for discharging dried particulate material, whereby the particulate material travels under the influence of gravity from the inlet to the outlet; at least one substantially vertical gas permeable wall through which a drying gas can pass to contact the particulate material; the dryer also comprising at least one plenum on an exterior surface of the at least one gas permeable wall, covering ingress and egress openings within the at least one gas permeable wall. |
| US07992317B1 |
Tape measure apparatus
A tape measure apparatus that includes one or more information storage components and one or more protection components. |
| US07992314B2 |
Measuring device for fast measurements
An elevation measuring device comprises a measuring column at which a vertically movable measuring slide is supported, so it can be moved by hand and also by a drive motor through a clutch device. The measuring slide supports a scan head, which imparts a constant measuring force onto the measuring location at the work piece, which is generated by the drive motor and the clutch device. A measuring system detects the elevation coordinate of the scan head and hands said elevation coordinate to a control device for further processing and evaluation. The control device comprises logic for automating the measuring process. This logic automatically detects a positioning of the scan head in a certain direction, which is manually performed by the operator, subsequently controls the drive motor in a suitable manner in order to cause a scanning of the work piece and determines the measurement values. |
| US07992311B2 |
Rotary boring tool alignment and depth indication system
A system for a rotary boring tool that enables a user of the tool to align the tool perpendicularly with respect to a work surface of a work piece. In one embodiment the system enables a user to gauge distance or depth drilled into the work piece. |
| US07992310B2 |
Reference beam generator and method
A reference beam generator has first, second, and third projection turrets for projecting first, second, and third fan beams of laser light, respectively. The first, second, and third fan beams of laser light are oriented normal to each other. The turrets may be rotated such that each of said fan beams can each be rotated about an axis that is normal to the plane in which the fan beam is projected. The generator may be used to project a number of reference points and lines on multiple surfaces. |
| US07992304B2 |
Razor
A razor having a simplified structure is provided. This oscillating razor is provided with a razor head. The razor head is provided with a blade member composed of a base having a blade-body supporting portion and a plurality of blade bodies, a blade base member located on the back side of the razor head, and a top member located on the front side of the razor head. The blade member is fitted between the blade base member and the top member. The base is supported on the blade base member and the cutting edge of the blade body is exposed outward at the top member. Each of the blade bodies is placed on the blade-body supporting portion, and welded portions fixed to each other by welding from the side corresponding to the blade-body supporting portion are formed on the blade body and the blade-body supporting portion. |
| US07992301B2 |
Method for manufacturing an exhaust element of an exhaust line of a vehicle with a heat engine and exhaust element, namely obtained through implementing said method
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an exhaust element of an exhaust line of a vehicle with a heat engine. The exhaust element includes a box having, internally, at least one compartment and at least one tube extending at least partly inside such a compartment. The method includes inserting sound-insulation into at least one such compartment. The insertion is ensured through injection into such a compartment through an opening in the tube from the inside of the tube. The invention also relates to an exhaust element obtained by implementing this method, including forming a box with at least one compartment containing sound-insulation and at least one tube extending at least partly inside at least one such compartment, the tube having an opening provided for in the body of the tube. |
| US07992300B1 |
Method of assembling a hydraulic fluid accumulator
A method of assembling a hydraulic fluid accumulator in a bore defined in a housing structure is disclosed. The method includes (a) inserting an annular seal into a second bore portion of the bore so that the annular seal is positioned in contact with the first ledge, (b) inserting a piston into the bore so that the piston is located in a first bore portion of the bore as well as the second bore portion of the bore, and (c) inserting a cover having an annular rim into the bore so that (i) the annular rim is positioned in contact with the annular seal, and (ii) the annular seal is located in an annular space defined by the first ledge, the annular rim, the piston, and an internal wall of the housing structure that partially defines the second bore portion. |
| US07992294B2 |
Method of manufacturing an interconnect device which forms a heat sink and electrical connections between a heat generating device and a power source
An interconnect device is used to mate a heat generating device to a power source. Plated components are provided on the interconnect device to provide a heat sink function for the heat generating device when the heat generating device is connected to the interconnect device, and to provide an electrical path between the heat generating device and the power source. A method of manufacturing same is also disclosed. |
| US07992292B2 |
Method for manufacturing a touch panel
A method for manufacturing a touch panel for acquiring a plurality of touch panels in one machining process comprises the steps of: sticking a rectangular transparent film to a back liner as to be formed with an upper material piece; each upper electrode unit of the transparent film being formed with a closed gluing frame along an inner periphery of the cutting line; forming a plurality of lower electrode units with an identical specification as the upper electrode units on the transparent film on a surface of the glass substrate; sticky a surface of each upper electrode unit on the transparent film to a surface of a respective lower electrode unit on the glass substrate by the gluing frame; a glass cutter cutting along a cutting line into one lateral side of the surface on the glass substrate; performing a piece peeling operation so as to acquire each touch panel. |
| US07992286B2 |
Assembly apparatus for attaching decorative pieces
A assembly apparatus for attaching decorative pieces to electronic devices includes a seat, a first cover, a second cover, and a transmitting member. The seat includes a disengaging portion and an attaching portion. The disengaging portion has a recess, a protrusion and at least one positioning column in the recess. The attaching portion defines a receiving room for receiving a shell. The first cover is detachable mounted on the disengaging portion and defines at least one first through hole. The second cover is detachable mounted on the attaching portion and defines a second through hole. The transmitting member includes a latching portion. The latching portion is inserted in the first through hole to attract a decorative piece, and is inserted in the second through hole to release the decorative piece on the shell. |
| US07992285B2 |
Method for fabricating negative temperature coefficient thermistor
A method for fabricating a negative temperature coefficient thermistor is provided, including the steps of: (A) combining ceramic powders having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, a polymer binder and a solvent to form a mixture; (B) removing the solvent and granulating the mixture to form granulous powders; (C) compressing the granulous powders to obtain a thermistor material with a specific shape; (D) curing the thermistor material at 80° C. to 350° C.; and (E) mounting an electrode to the thermistor material to form the negative temperature coefficient thermistor. The method can be performed in a low temperature without the problem of interface diffusion. Further, the desired resistance value and thermistor constant (B) can be easily adjusted and obtained by mixing ceramic powders with different characteristics of temperature coefficient of resistance and/or the addition of conductive metal powder. |
| US07992279B2 |
Releasable barb assembly
The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features. |
| US07992277B2 |
Suspension damper removal tool
The present disclosure relates to a suspension damper removal tool for removing a shock absorber from a suspension assembly of a vehicle. The removal tool includes a base and a projection. The base includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion has at least one mounting hole for mounting the removal tool to at least one lug bolt of a hub assembly. The projection extends outwardly from the second end portion of the base. |
| US07992276B2 |
Fixture exchange rail system and method of use
A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail. |
| US07992272B2 |
Method and apparatus for milling thermal barrier coated metals
A method is provided for milling a thermal barrier coated metal part. This method includes selectively removing a portion of a ceramic coating using a mechanical cutting tool, thereby forming a counterbore, and machining the metal part through the counterbore. A drilling head for drilling thermal barrier coated metal parts is also provided. The drilling head comprises a mechanical cutting tool, which is operable to mill through ceramic, and an electrode for electrical discharge machining. The electrode may be used to mill the metal part, and may be interchangeable with the mechanical cutting tool. |
| US07992269B2 |
Child restraint assembly for child vehicle seat
A child restraint assembly for a child vehicle seat includes a buckle assembly including a buckle and a pair of latches, a harness coupled to the buckle assembly, and a harness adjuster to adjust the harness. The buckle includes a buckle actuator slidable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the buckle to unlock the buckle assembly. The harness adjuster includes a housing and a harness adjuster actuator movable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the housing to unlock the harness adjuster. Movement of the buckle actuator from the first position to the second position is in the same direction as movement of the harness adjuster actuator from the first position to the second position. The buckle can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the buckle grip surface when actuating the buckle actuator. Likewise, the housing can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the housing grip surface when actuating the harness adjuster actuator. The child restraint assembly also can include a chest clip coupled to the harness. The chest clip can include a male member and a female member releasably coupled to the male member, the male member having a pair of opposing grip surfaces of sufficient thickness to enable a user to grip the male member when decoupling the male member and the female member. |
| US07992267B2 |
Snap lock carabiner
A locking mechanism is contained within a carabiner's straight or bent gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a pivoting link that can be moved to abut against a transverse pin, thereby immobilizing the gate return spring, which prevents opening movement of the gate. The transverse pin is a material able to resist and distribute forces attempting to open the locked gate. The spring pin is notched to engage the transverse pin thereby simplifying assembly of the carabiner. A low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of opening the gate to switch the mechanism to the unlocked position. Similarly, another low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of closing the gate to switch the mechanism to the locked position. The locking and unlocking protrusions are located adjacent the gate hinge so that the gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened, closed and relocked with the fingers of one hand. |
| US07992262B2 |
Flush cleat
A rope cleat secures a rope to a structure. The cleat has a body with opposite first and second portions joined along a longitudinal central plane. The body has a U-shaped cavity inside it tapering between a large entrance leg and a smaller exit leg, which communicate at a confluent portion. A flange is integrally attached to the body first portion. The flange is mounted against the structure through a mounting hole. The flange has an entrance hole and an exit hole spaced apart and extending through the flange. The rope is easily inserted into the large entrance hole, through the U-shaped cavity, and out the smaller exit hole. A knot is then tied to secure the rope in the cleat. The cleat has registration pins on one body portion, and corresponding registration holes on the opposite portion. The pins align the body first and second portions for assembly with a screw. |
| US07992261B2 |
Reel based closure system
Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace. |
| US07992251B2 |
Robot and method for controlling the robot
A robot includes a second bumper that senses an obstacle having such a height that can be passed over. Thus, the robot can pass over the obstacle without avoiding it. |
| US07992248B2 |
Spoilerless flat wiper blade assembly
A wiper blade assembly has a resilient wiper element with a crown having lengthwise grooves and a tip for wiping a window. An arcuate metal flexor has inner edges disposed in the grooves of the crown and outer edges. An elongate cover has an upper wall and a pair of flanges curled inwardly in spaced relation from the upper wall to provide elongate channels. The outer edges of the flexor are disposed in the channels. The connector is configured for attachment to a wiper arm, and has a lower surface with a pair of flanges curled in spaced relation from the lower surface to provide opposite facing pockets that slidingly receive the cover flanges therein. A projection on one of the connector or the cover is received in an opening of the other of the connector or the cover to lock the connector to the cover. |
| US07992247B2 |
Toothbrush and process for producing the same
The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush. |
| US07992246B2 |
Radial vane for tooth brush, tooth brush using the same, and method and device for manufacturing the radial vane for the tooth brush
In a 360-degree toothbrush in which a brush head is formed by superposing disk-shaped radial vanes 1 in an axial direction, the arranging pitch of the radial vanes 1 is increased so as to make the bristle density appropriate. Spacers are not used between the radial vanes 1 so as to increase the productivity, and to improve the hygiene condition. In order to realize these aspects, an annular protrusion or protrusions 3 are formed on one or both of the surfaces of an annular weld portion 2 of the radial vane 1. The annular protrusion 3 is formed at the same time when forming the weld portion 2 in a welding step in which the bristle bundle is opened radially and the center part is welded so that the radial vane 1 is manufactured. |
| US07992243B2 |
Custom fit system with adjustable last and method for custom fitting athletic shoes
A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes. |
| US07992242B2 |
Mattress having a zoned spring unit with firmness indicating zones formed by a multiple colored top panel
A zoned mattress including at least a head firmness zone, a leg firmness zone between the head and leg firmness zones overlaid by a knit top fabric knit from threads of at least two different colors to define three different firmness indicating areas corresponding to the three firmness zones of the mattress. At least one of the firmness indicating areas is defined by threads differing in color as compared to the color of the threads defining at least one of the two remaining firmness indicating areas. |
| US07992233B1 |
Hydraulic suction fuse
A swimming pool hydraulic suction fuse system. Implementations may include a fuse housing having a pump outlet, a drain inlet, and an air source. The hydraulic suction fuse system may also include a fuse assembly coupled into the fuse housing, the fuse assembly having a fuse body including a first section and a second section. An air intake may be coupled to the fuse body and a magnet assembly may be coupled to the first section of the fuse body. The magnet assembly may include a solid magnet. A fuse may be included, which may be coupled to the second section of the fuse body and include an attractor element coupled between a fuse cap and a fuse stem. |
| US07992232B1 |
Toilet flush control device
A device for controlling valve travel of the flush valve of a toilet operated by a rigid linkage rod and for forcibly returning the valve to the closed position. The device may comprise a spring contained within a sleeve. The sleeve has end caps bearing openings for passing the rigid linkage rod entirely through the sleeve and spring. One end cap may be threaded to enable it to compress and immobilize the spring for selectively defeating operation. |
| US07992231B1 |
Urinal
A splash-eliminating urinal contains an outer body and a receptor cavity within the outer body. The receptor cavity contains a rear surface having projecting concave rear walls that converge to form sides of an outwardly-projecting vertical ridge, and two side walls that transition to the rear walls. When a stream of urine is directed onto the rear walls, it adheres by surface tension without causing a splash. |
| US07992228B2 |
Protective eyewear
Protective eyewear includes a frame having a first and second opposing sides and an eye protector joined with the frame. A flexible strap is joined with the first and second sides of the frame. The strap extends around at least a portion of a player's head to position the eye protector over the player's eyes. A connector is rotatably joined with the first side of the frame so that the connector rotates in a plane generally parallel to a temple of the player. The connector is joined with the strap so that the strap can rotate relative to the frame and includes a limiter that limits the rotation of the connector. A strap diverter is adjustably positioned along the strap and divides the strap into first and second strap portions that extend at an angle relative to one another and define a space therebetween. |
| US07992221B2 |
Ballistic combat uniform
An improved uniform for military, police, and security personnel that when worn with ballistic vests, offer the wearer increased protection, performance and survivability from low and high velocity projectiles in a combat or tactical environment. |
| US07992220B1 |
Protective burp cloth
A burp cloth device that is designed to protects a mother's hand while feeding and burping an infant. In this manner, the amount of an infant's spit-up that contacts the mother's hand is limited and the mother's skin need not become irritated by the contact with stomach acid or the need for excess washing. The burp cloth device has a hand pouch that defines an open interior. The hand pouch has at least one side opening that provides access into the open interior by a user's hand. A cloth panel extends below the hand pouch. The cloth panel has side edges that extend downwardly to a free hanging end. Secondary features, such as a catch pocket, protruding tabs and teething surfaces can be added to the cloth panel. |
| US07992217B2 |
Shape changing material
An apparatus is configured with one or more sensors arranged to detect a first shape-related parameter, one or more control elements arranged to provide a force, and circuitry operably connected to the one or more sensors and the one or more control elements to determine the force provided to the one or more control elements. |
| US07996908B2 |
Method and system for coordinating client and host security modules
A system and methods for coordinating the operation of a client security module and a host security module on a mobile electronic device. The modules communicate with each other through a platform abstraction layer using application programming interfaces to coordinate their activities. In particular, the client security module instructs the host security module when to lock and unlock the device, and the host security module alerts the client security module to attempts by the user to lock or unlock the device. |
| US07996907B2 |
Data recording method, data recording system, data recording apparatus, data reading method, data reading system, counting method, counting system, method of supplying encryption key, system for supplying encryption key and program
Data recorded in a recording medium is encrypted with an encryption/decryption key, and the encryption/decryption key is encrypted with an encryption-only key. The encrypted encryption/decryption key is embedded in encrypted data. A decryption-only key the encryption/decryption key is embedded in a program for reading. The data and the program for reading are recorded in the recording medium. The data cannot be read without the program for reading. The program for reading cannot be used for recording other data even if it is copied. |
| US07996905B2 |
Method and apparatus for the automatic determination of potentially worm-like behavior of a program
A method and system for the automatic determination of the behavioral profile of a program suspected of having worm-like characteristics includes analyzing data processing system resources required by the program and, if the required resources are not indicative of the program having worm-like characteristics, running the program in a controlled non-network environment while monitoring and logging accesses to system resources to determine the behavior of the program in the non-network environment. A logged record of the observed behavior is analyzed to determine if the behavior is indicative of the program having worm-like characteristics. The non-network environment may simulate the appearance of a network to the program, without emulating the operation of the network. |
| US07996903B2 |
Method and system for detecting and removing hidden pestware files
A method and system for detecting and removing a hidden pestware file is described. One illustrative embodiment detects, using direct drive access, a file on a computer storage device; determines whether the file is also detectable by the operating system by attempting to access the file using a standard file Application-Program-Interface (API) function call of the operating system; identifies the file as a potential hidden pestware file, when the file is undetectable by the operating system; confirms through an automated pestware-signature scan of the potential hidden pestware file that the potential hidden pestware file is a hidden pestware file; and removes automatically, using direct drive access, the hidden pestware file from the storage device. |
| US07996900B2 |
Time travelling email messages after delivery
Systems and methods for reviewing email messages after delivery to an inbox. An inbox filter maintains a suspect list identifying of the email messages including unwanted content and identifies unread email messages in the inbox of the user. The inbox filter moves each identified unread email message to a suspect folder when the determined source of the identified unread email message is contained in the suspect list of sources. |
| US07996897B2 |
Learning framework for online applications
Learning to, and detecting spam messages using a multi-stage combination of probability calculations based on individual and aggregate training sets of previously identified messages. During a preliminary phase, classifiers are trained, lower and upper limit probabilities, and a combined probability threshold are iteratively determined using a multi-stage combination of probability calculations based on minor and major subsets of messages previously categorized as valid or spam. During a live phase, a first stage classifier uses only a particular subset, and a second stage classifier uses a master set of previously categorized messages. If a newly received message can not be categorized with certainty by the first stage classifier, and a computed first stage probability is within the previously determined lower and upper limits, first and second stage probabilities are combined. If the combined probability is greater than the previously determined combined probability threshold, the received message is marked as spam. |
| US07996892B2 |
Method and apparatus for using a proxy to manage confidential information
A method, apparatus, and computer usable code for managing confidential data. A request is received to access an application from a user, wherein the application includes logic to process the confidential data. One of a first interface or a second interface is selected based on an identification whether the user is permitted to see the confidential data to form a selected interface in response to receiving the request. A selected interface is presented to the user. The first interface presents the confidential information and second interface presents non-confidential information without presenting the confidential information. The second interface allows access to the logic in the application without accessing the confidential data. |
| US07996891B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for generating anonymous assertions
Systems, methods and computer program products for generating anonymous assertions. Exemplary embodiments include a method for generating anonymous assertions, the method comprising engaging anonymous role authentication via one or more authenticator services, generating an assertion token on a trusted assertion device that is booted into a trusted configuration, and processing the assertion and validating a right of the user to make the assertion for the event. |
| US07996890B2 |
System and method for trusted communication
A trusted communication system and methods of ensuring trusted communications are provided. A portable memory device is configured to resemble a character, and a client is configurable to operate specifically with that portable memory device. The client may allow a user to access network resources related to other clients belonging to other users having portable memory devices. Each portable memory device may have stored therein a unique token. A token from one portable memory device may be associated with a token of another portable memory device, e.g., by operating the first portable memory device with a client configured to operate with the second portable memory device. When two tokens are associated, the client configured to operate with a portable memory device having one of those tokens may access network resources related to another of those tokens. |
| US07996888B2 |
Virtual identity apparatus and method for using same
A system according to an embodiment of the invention provides a means whereby a user or user device may be authenticated by an identity provider. The authentication may provide a trust relationship between the user and a service provider. An IdentityCard, a virtual version of traditional ID cards seamlessly expands the end user's ID card experience and related services to a personal device, like a mobile station or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), as well as to the Web browser. |
| US07996887B2 |
Security of a network system
In a first aspect, a first method of improving security of a network system is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) providing a plurality of devices coupled via a network, wherein one or more of the devices are adapted to execute at least one client and one or more of the devices are adapted to execute at least one server in a client-server relationship; and (2) employing software, functionality of which is based on client-specific criteria or operational condition criteria of the system, to reduce a number of times a user of a client of the system must provide first authentication data to access data from one or more servers of the system. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US07996886B1 |
Method and system for providing persistence in a secure network access
A system and method for providing persistence in a secure network access by using a client certificate sent by a client device to maintain the identity of a target. A security handshake is performed with a client device to establish a secure session. A target is determined. A client certificate is associated with the target. During subsequent secure sessions, the client certificate is used to maintain persistent communications between the client and a target. A session ID can be used in combination with the client certificate, by identifying the target based on the session ID or the client certificate, depending on which one is available in a client message. |
| US07996883B2 |
Centralized identity management for delegating resource management in a technology outsourcing environment
Delegating resource management to customers in a technology outsourcing environment includes providing the customer with a secured user interface (e.g., HTML pages) for selecting one or more parameters (e.g., User Ids, application name and version, etc.) associated with a resource management task (e.g., password management). The parameters are used to automatically perform the task using a centralized identity management system and repository for storing and updating data, such as data associated with customers, User Ids, environments, applications and application versions. Such a system and method enables the delegation of resource management tasks across multiple environments hosting disparate hardware and software platforms, including multiple versions of applications. |
| US07996879B1 |
Network deployment techniques employing radio frequency identification (RFID)
A method for facilitating connection between an entity's network and a first electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving, using an RFID (radio frequency identification) reader associated with the first electronic device, a first file from an RFID tag, the RFID tag being provided by the entity. The method also includes obtaining connection information from the first file, the connection information including at least one of a security policy and network configuration. The method further includes enabling a user to attempt to log in via the first electronic device, using the connection information, into the network, wherein the log in is attempted using a different connection modality than that employed to receive the first file from the RFID tag. |
| US07996861B1 |
Flexible interface for secure input of pin code
The present invention concerns a system (10) and a process for authenticating a PIN code of a user in an interactive information system in order to run an application. It comprises input means (15) for PIN code entry, security manager means (13) for comparing the PIN code of the user upon a request for user authentication from the application, with a registered PIN code, and giving authorization to run said application if the PIN code of the user matches with the registered PIN code, and display means (17) for displaying any graphics including a PIN entry field. The request for user authentication is provided on the display means via the PIN entry field with the look and feel of said application. The system further comprises emitting means for entering crypted digits, the security manager means (13) being arranged to give authorisation to run the application after full entry of said crypted digits and if the PIN code of the user is identical to the registered PIN code. |
| US07996859B2 |
Optical disc device protecting the optical pickup unit during ejection by a catch member of a tray displacing a catch surface of the optical pickup unit
An optical disc device comprising a tray (1) for carrying an optical disc, which tray (1) can move between a position inside the device and a position partly outside the device. The device also comprises a structure (13) for holding and driving the optical disc, which structure (13) is provided with a turntable (6) and an optical pickup unit (8) and guiding means for moving the optical pickup unit (8). The structure (13) can tilt around a horizontal tilt axis (14) behind the rotating optical disc. The tray (1) is provided with a catch member (9) and the optical pickup unit (8) is provided with a cooperating catch surface (20), whereby the catch member (9) may hit the catch surface (20) when the tray (1) moves, thereby displacing the optical pickup unit (8) into a save position. |
| US07996858B2 |
Disk device
A disk device includes: a front panel; a bottom chassis, including: a bottom plate, having a first end and a second end; and a side plate, formed on the first end, the side plate formed with a first through hole; a connecting member, having a first wall formed with a second through hole and a second wall coupled with the front panel; a hook portion, formed on the first wall so as to extend in a first direction and engaging with the side plate; a screw, fitted into the first through hole and the second through hole thereby coupling the first wall and the side plate; a first engaging member, formed on the side plate; and a second engaging member, formed on the connecting member, and engaging with the first engaging member such that movement thereof in at least the first direction is restricted. |
| US07996856B2 |
Processing application data
An electronic device for executing an application includes: application data, a central control unit for processing the application data according to a first method call, an interface for transmitting a description of the first method call to a second electronic device, and a synchronization entity for generating the description and passing the description to the interface. The transmitted description is used by the second electronic device to derive a second method call that is executable on the second electronic device. |
| US07996853B2 |
Method and apparatus for correlation of events in a distributed multi-system computing environment
There is provided a method that includes (i) examining first data from a first Application Program Interface (API) call and second data from a second API call to determine whether (a) the first API call sent a message, and the second API call received the message, or (b) the first API call was conducted in a transactional unit of work, and the second API was also conducted in the transactional unit of work, and (ii) employing the first data and the second data in a subsequent process, if either of (a) or (b) is true. |
| US07996848B1 |
Systems and methods for suspending and resuming threads
In a methods and systems of controlling a process's access to a device driver, a lock may be used to establish a process wait state or to wake up one or more processes. A spinlock may be used to acquire a lock associated with a device driver. The lock includes a lock value representing the availability of the lock. If the lock value is a first value, the process acquires the lock and sets the lock value to a second value. Otherwise, the process returns to the step of using the spinlock to acquire the lock associated with the device driver. If the lock is acquired, the process accesses the device driver. If the device is not ready, the process is set to wait for the lock. Waiting for the lock comprises setting a field of the process to a pointer to the lock and setting a state of the process to waiting. After the device has been successfully accessed or the process has been set to wait for the lock, the lock is released typically by setting the lock value to the first value. |
| US07996843B2 |
Symmetric multi-processor system
The present invention relates generally to computer operating systems, and more specifically, to operating system calls in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) environment. Existing SMP strategies either use a single lock or multiple locks to limit access to critical areas of the operating system to one thread at a time. These strategies suffer from a number of performance problems including slow execution, large software and execution overheads and deadlocking problems. The invention applies a single lock strategy to a micro kernel operating system design which delegates functionality to external processes. The micro kernel has a single critical area, the micro kernel itself, which executes very quickly, while the external processes are protected by proper thread management. As a result, a single lock may be used, overcoming the performance problems of the existing strategies. |
| US07996842B2 |
Computer resource management for workloads or applications based on service level objectives
A resource allocation method and system for efficiently allocating compute resources. The method includes providing a workload manager and installing a workload in the computer system. During the installing, a service level goal for the workload is provided to the workload manager, and the workload manager assigns a first resource allocation for the compute resources to the workload. Then, a service level being achieved for the workload is determined in the compute resources. Based on results of the comparing, the workload manager reallocates the compute resource with the workload manager including assigning a second resource allocation for the compute resources to the workload. The workload may be made up of one or more applications running on the compute resources over multiple OS instances. The installing of the workload includes the application interfacing with the workload manager to provide the service level goal during installation. |
| US07996839B2 |
Heterogeneous processor core systems for improved throughput
A computer system for maximizing system and individual job throughput includes a number of computer hardware processor cores that differ amongst themselves in at least in their respective resource requirements and processing capabilities. A monitor gathers performance metric information from each of the computer hardware processor cores that are specific to a particular run of application software then executing. Based on these metrics, a workload assignment mechanism assigns jobs to processor cores in order to maximize overall system throughput and the throughput of individual jobs. |
| US07996834B2 |
Virtual machine self-service restrictions
The embodiments contemplate a system and method for a restriction of virtual machines for a group of one or more users. A predefined policy may include a restriction related to the group, as well as a measure of enforcement to initiate in the event of a violation of the restriction. The measure of enforcement may include a warning message or denial of resources. The restriction may be resource-based, time-based, machine-based, or a combination. The restriction may be a group-level restriction, in which the entire group actions are monitored, or a user-level restriction, in which the user's actions are monitored. In the event a user is assigned to more than one group, the policies of each group are assigned a priority level. The priority level dictates the restriction as well as the measure of enforcement. |
| US07996831B2 |
Office equipment and program installation support method
An apparatus and a method are provided to enable simple and easy installation of a driver program, on an external apparatus, for controlling office equipment from the external apparatus regardless of a positional relation between the office equipment and the external apparatus. The office equipment, controllable by the external apparatus with a predetermined driver program, can include a request accepting unit configured to accept an acquisition request for predetermined information that facilitates installation of the driver program on the external apparatus. The office equipment can further include an information transmitting unit configured to transmit the predetermined information to a storage device capable of communicating with the external apparatus. |
| US07996828B2 |
Back-end field control for multiple software layers
This disclosure involves back-end field control of layered software. For example, a method for providing back-end field control of an interface can comprise receiving a request to update one or more attributes of a business object, where the request is associated with a first software layer. The method then identifies one or more additional software layers associated with the business object and determines whether the request can update to the one or more attributes violate settings of the one or more attributes associated with the one or more additional software layers. |
| US07996826B2 |
Method of executing virtual machine application program and digital broadcast receiver using the same
A method is provided for receiving a digital broadcast, which contains a virtual machine application program that is to be executed. The method includes receiving a virtual machine application program signal, downloading a virtual machine application program, ahead-of-time (AOT) compiling virtual machine instruction code included in the downloaded virtual machine application program before executing the downloaded virtual machine application program, and executing the compiled virtual machine instruction code using a virtual machine. |
| US07996823B2 |
Mechanism to provide debugging and optimization in policy and knowledge controlled distributed computing systems, through the use of tagged policies and knowledge representation elements
A mechanism to provide debugging and optimization in policy and knowledge controlled distributed computing system through the use of tagged policies is provided. An aspect of the mechanism tags one or more policies, for instance, at their creation time, execution time and/or at any other time an event that affects the policies occur. Decisions made according to policy execution or evaluation may be traced using the tags. |
| US07996822B2 |
User/process runtime system trace
A tracer object for tracing a user or process in a data processing system is provided. An application receives a tracer key containing a request for information to be traced. The received tracer key is checked against all tracer keys that the application has stored. If a match between two tracer keys is found, the stored tracer key maps the tracer key containing the request to the stored tracer key's associated tracer object and applies the conditions and modifiers contained in the tracer key containing the request to the tracer object. The tracer object then gathers the required information as requested. |
| US07996821B2 |
Data processor
A data processor having a debugging aid function capable of monitoring a plurality of kinds of internal buses from the outside and identifying each of the buses monitored is provided. A central processing unit (CPU), a debugging aid module, and other circuit modules are mounted on a semiconductor chip. The debugging aid module selects an information transmitting path in accordance with a trace condition from a plurality of information transmitting paths used for the operation of a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, holds trace information obtained according to the trace condition from the selected information transmitting path together with attribute information of the trace information in a buffer circuit, and outputs the information serially to the outside of the semiconductor chip. A plurality of kinds of internal buses can be monitored on the outside, and each of the buses monitored can be identified. The trace information and its attribute information is output serially from the same external terminal. |
| US07996814B1 |
Application model for automated management of software application deployments
A system for managing a deployment of a software application is disclosed. The system includes a telemetry component that collects data values of state metrics associated with the deployment, an application model that represents the deployment, a repository of encoded knowledge describing known problems associated with the software application, and an analysis subsystem that programmatically maps logical combinations of features associated with the deployment to known problems. The application model includes a representation of physical and logical objects in a domain of the deployment, and configuration data about the objects. The analysis subsystem is adapted to query the application model for information about the deployment. The application model can implement a discovery process to construct itself by using an abstract model of a generalized deployment of the software application, the discovery process including obtaining information from the managed deployment. |
| US07996813B2 |
Method for generating pattern, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and computer program
A method for generating a pattern includes reading out an interconnect layout and a hole layout, the interconnect layout prescribing interconnect patterns, the hole layout prescribing hole patterns configured to connect to the interconnect patterns; extracting one of the hole patterns to be connected within the same interconnect layer level to one of the interconnect patterns in a pattern processing area; extracting a first processing area including the extracted hole pattern; calculating a first pattern density of the interconnect patterns included in the first processing area; and generating first additional patterns in the first processing area based on the first pattern density. |
| US07996812B2 |
Method of minimizing early-mode violations causing minimum impact to a chip design
A system and a method for correcting early-mode timing violations that operate across the process space of a circuit design. Optimizations are performed to replace padding that increase path delays on fast paths. At the stage in the design process where early-mode violations are addressed, placement, late-mode timing closure, routing, and detailed electrical and timing analysis are assumed to have been completed. The optimizations are designed to be effective in delaying fast paths while minimizing the impact on already-completed work on the chip, in contrast to relying only on adding pads that can have a negative impact on all of these quantities. The optimizations are classified according to their invasiveness and are followed by their deployment. The deployment is designed to minimize using delay pads, reduce design disruptions, and minimize effects on other aspects of the design. |
| US07996808B2 |
Computer readable medium, system and associated method for designing integrated circuits with loop insertions
A computer readable medium, system and associated method is provided for designing an integrated circuit with inserted loops. The method comprises the steps of inserting a loop with tagged wire segments and/or vias in a fully routed and DCR clean integrated circuit; performing a DRC; and fixing DRC violations by removing tagged wire segments and/or vias which contribute to a violation. |
| US07996806B2 |
Methods and apparatus for layout of multi-layer circuit substrates
Methods and apparatus are provided for designing and laying out multi-layer circuit substrates, such as multi-layer PCBs. Dynamic vias are provided on intermediate PCB layers. Each dynamic via has features that adjust based on the trace layout of the corresponding intermediate layer. In particular, each dynamic via has a second radius R2 if the via is not connected to any trace on the corresponding intermediate layer. If a trace is connected to a dynamic via, the via radius changes from the second radius R2 to a first radius R1, where R1 is greater than R2. |
| US07996796B2 |
Method and program for designing semiconductor device
A method of designing a semiconductor device is provided. According to the method, a group of cells that is a target of clock distribution is placed. After the group of cells is placed, a plurality of clock driver cells for driving the clock are placed such that each clock driver cell is prohibited from overlapping with a prohibited region of a predetermined size surrounding another clock driver cell. |
| US07996795B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing stress modeling of integrated circuit material undergoing material conversion
A method, a computer medium storing computer instructions performing a method, and a computer with processor and memory perform stress modeling as follows. The stress model transforms a representation of a material conversion of a first material in the integrated circuit to a second material in the integrated circuit. Prior to the material conversion the first material occupies a first space having a first boundary. After the material conversion the first material and the second material together occupy a second space having a second boundary. The first space and the second space are different. The stress model performed by the computer system transforms the representation of the material conversion of the first material to the second material into: i) the first material occupying the first space having the first boundary, and ii) a strain displacement condition of the first material. The strain displacement condition is determined by a spatial change from the first boundary to the second boundary. |
| US07996794B2 |
Mask data processing method for optimizing hierarchical structure
Disclosed is a mask data processing method of correcting a hierarchical structure. In the case that in design data having a hierarchical structure including a plurality of cells each having a design pattern, when the total number of graphic forms or the total edge length of a design pattern on which the calculation of mask data processing is to be executed, the amount of calculation to be executed, or the expansion degree presumably becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value if the calculation of the mask data processing is executed on the design data having the initial hierarchical structure, the hierarchical structure is corrected. This correction is performed to reduce the total number of graphic forms or the total edge length of the design pattern on which the calculation is to be executed, the amount of calculation to be executed, of the expansion degree. |
| US07996791B2 |
Streaming video programming guide system selecting video files from multiple websites and automatically generating selectable thumbnails
A programming guide for streaming video files may be automatically compiled in response to a user request. The user may provide keywords for categories of streaming video files that are of interest. A graphical user interface is automatically developed which splits responsive streaming video files into categories requested by the user. Each streaming video file may be represented in a user selected fashion. For example, the streaming videos may be represented by a representative frame, title or other information. The user can then click on any of the streaming video files, broken down into the appropriate categories, to begin viewing a streaming video file of interest. |
| US07996790B2 |
Button area having a mixed state button for collapsing and expanding user interface items
A method of indicating expanded states and collapsed states of lower level expander/collapser items in a higher level visual control of a user interface display. The method includes providing, in the higher level visual control, a lower level expander/collapser indicator area; displaying a first display in the expander/collapser indicator area when all the lower level expander/collapser items are in a first state; displaying a second different display in the expander/collapser indicator area when all of the lower level expander/collapser items are in a second different state; and displaying a third different display in the expander/collapser indicator area when a first one of the lower level expander/collapser items is in the first state and a second one of the lower level expander/collapser items is not in the first state. |
| US07996785B2 |
Systems and methods for integrating application windows in a virtual machine environment
The present invention includes systems for and methods of visually integrating application windows in a virtual machine environment. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for and method of visually integrating application windows of host and guest operating system in a virtual machine environment in order to reduce difficulties that the users of computers experience in navigating between applications in a virtual machine environment. The present invention accomplishes this by using a composite window list in the virtual machine monitor (VMM) to manage the configuration, the focus, the geometry, the Z-order of the windows across guest and host operating systems, and the arrangement of doppelgangers (virtual application windows, in this case) in a way that allows host and guest application windows to appear integrated in a single display window. |
| US07996784B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling tab indexes in a web page
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing tab indexes. A Web page is displayed, wherein the Web page includes a plurality of tab indexes for a plurality of components in the Web page. User input is received for setting a position for a tab index within the plurality of tab indexes for a component within the plurality of components in the Web page relative to positions of tab indexes for other components within the plurality of tab indexes in the Web page to form a desired position for the tab index. The desired position is stored for the tab index for the component to form stored tab index information. Subsequent visits to the Web page result in the tab index for the component being in the desired position using the stored tab index information. |
| US07996781B2 |
List entry selection for electronic devices
A system (and method) for selecting an entry from a list of entries on an electronic device is disclosed. The system is configured to display a plurality of banks to a user and to receive a bank selection event from the user for selecting a bank containing a set of characters. The user creates a bank selection event through an input device such as a navigation device or touch screen. The set of characters is appended to a prefix that is used to determine a current result list containing entries that match the prefix. The list of entries is reduced to the current result list and displayed to the user with the portions of the entries matching the prefix highlighted. After the list of entries is reduced to a desired size, the user enters a scrolling mode where the user scrolls through the list of entries and selects an entry. |
| US07996777B2 |
Syndicated trackable ad content
A system sends ad content to a publisher, where the ad content includes a first snippet of code. The system receives requests from browsers accessing a document at the publisher that includes the ad content, where the browsers send the requests based on execution of the first snippet of code. The system transmits, based on receipt of the requests, a second snippet of code to the browsers that instructs the browsers on a content, format and appearance of text to be inserted within the document when the browsers render the document. The system tracks each transmission of the second snippet of code to determine a number of times the text has been displayed at the browsers. |
| US07996774B1 |
Hierarchical display of project information in a collaboration environment
Providing access to project information in a virtual collaboration environment is disclosed. A credential information associated with a user of the virtual collaboration environment is received. It is determined, based at least in part on the credential information, which portion or portions of a hierarchical set of project information the user is entitled to receive. A hierarchical display that includes the portion or portions of the hierarchical set of project information that it is determined the user is entitled to receive is provided to the user via the virtual collaboration environment. |
| US07996765B1 |
System and method for style sheet language coding that maintains a desired relationship between display elements
Systems and methods are provided for style sheet language coding that maintains a desired relationship between display elements. An authoring tool receives a desired attribute for a first display element, and the authoring tool generates style sheet language code for defining attributes of at least one other display element to maintain a predefined relationship between the display elements. Accordingly, as a developer defines (e.g., creates, modifies, etc.) attributes for one of the display elements, the authoring tool autonomously updates the style sheet language code to define the attributes of the other display elements to maintain the predefined relationship therebetween. In certain embodiments, the authoring tool provides an interface that enables a developer to directly define certain attributes of a display element, wherein the authoring tool generates style sheet language code to indirectly define the attributes in a manner that reflects the developer's direct definition thereof. |
| US07996762B2 |
Correlative multi-label image annotation
Correlative multi-label image annotation may entail annotating an image by indicating respective labels for respective concepts. In an example embodiment, a classifier is to annotate an image by implementing a labeling function that maps an input feature space and a label space to a combination feature vector. The combination feature vector models both features of individual ones of the concepts and correlations among the concepts. |
| US07996760B2 |
Acquisition of user data over a network
An embodiment includes a method that includes intercepting, by an intermediary, a form destined for a device used by a user over a network that is from an application executing on a different device on the network. The form includes parts to be completed by the user. The method also includes completing, by the intermediary, a first part of the parts to be completed by the user, prior to the form being received by the device. |
| US07996753B1 |
Method and system for automatically creating an image advertisement
A system and method for generating an electronic document are provided. A request to generate an electronic document associated with a concept is received. Content for the electronic document is suggested based on the concept. A selection of the suggested content is received. An electronic document is automatically generated using the selected suggested content. |
| US07996751B2 |
Transmitter and system for transmitting/receiving digital broadcasting stream and method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission system processes dual transport stream (TS) including multi turbo streams. The digital broadcasting transmission system includes a turbo processor to detect a turbo stream from a dual transport stream (TS) which includes a multiplexed normal stream and a turbo stream, encoding the detected turbo stream and stuffing the encoded turbo stream into the dual TS; and a transmitter to trellis-encode the processed dual TS, and to output the resultant stream, wherein the turbo processor encodes the turbo stream using a plurality of turbo processors. Accordingly, a plurality of turbo streams may be processed in parallel. |
| US07996750B2 |
Lip synchronization system and method
A system and method for correcting so-called “lip sync” errors is provided, using a synchronization test signal comprising a video signal including a colorbar signal that is periodically interrupted by a series of consecutive defined black frames and an audio signal comprising a tone periodically interrupted by a period of silence beginning at the same time as the first of the series of consecutive defined black frames. The synchronization test signal is configured to survive encoding, decoding, conversion, and compressing processes used in a typical digital broadcast system environment and thus provide a means of measuring the relative audio and video timing of a processed signal. A method for correcting lip sync error receiving the synchronization test signal and comparing the relative timing of the video and audio portions of the synchronization test signal to their original relative timing, and delaying either the audio or video portions of a broadcast signal according to the timing comparison derived from the received test signal. |
| US07996749B2 |
Signal loss detector for high-speed serial interface of a programmable logic device
A loss-of-signal detector includes digital and analog monitoring of incoming data. The incoming signal is compared digitally to at least one predetermined pattern that may indicate a loss of signal, and also is monitored by an analog detector that detects transitions in the data. If the digital comparison fails to match any of the at least one predetermined pattern, or if transitions are detected by the analog monitoring, even if the digital comparison produces a pattern match, then loss of signal is not indicated. |
| US07996748B2 |
ECC for single 4-bits symbol correction of 32 symbols words with 22 maximum row weight matrix
An error correction device is provided. Such error correction device may make use of an error-correction code defined by a parity matrix specialized for the application to multilevel memories. For example, the parity matrix is characterized by having a Maximum Row Weight equal to 22. |
| US07996747B2 |
Forward error correction encoding for multiple link transmission compatible with 64B/66B scrambling
A Forward Error Correction (FEC) code compatible with the self-synchronized scrambler used by the 64B/66B encoding standard for transmission on Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) communications channel links. The FEC code allows encoding and decoding to occur before and after scrambling, respectively, so as to preserve the properties of the scrambling operation on the transmitted signal. The code allows the correction of any single transmission error in spite of the multiplication by three of all transmission errors due to the 64B/66B scrambling process. A Hamming code is combined with a Bit Interleaved Parity code of degree n (BIP-n). These two codes provide for protection both for an error anywhere in the maximum length of the packet as well as for an error replicated two or three times by the descrambling process. All single bit errors, whether multiplied or not, have unique syndromes and are therefore easily correctable. In addition, the packet can be transported across multiple serial links for higher bandwidth applications without a degradation of the code efficiency. The Hamming code can be generated from any irreducible polynomial, such as H(x)=x10+x3+1. The BIP code is chosen to be of degree 6 to fit with 64B/66B scrambling polynomial and is represented by B(x)=x6+1. |
| US07996746B2 |
Structured low-density parity-check (LDPC) code
A method for constructing a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code using a structured base parity check matrix with permutation matrix, pseudo-permutation matrix, or zero matrix as constituent sub-matrices; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for constructing a LDPC code using a structured base parity check matrix H=[Hd|Hp], Hd is the data portion, and Hp is the parity portion of the parity check matrix; the parity portion of the structured base parity check matrix is such so that when expanded, an inverse of the parity portion of the expanded parity check matrix is sparse; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for encoding variable sized data by using the expanded LDPC code; and applying shortening, puncturing. |
| US07996744B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a data retransmission scheme
An approach is provided for efficient retransmissions by allocating a transmission resource for transmitting data and allocating a retransmission resource for retransmitting the data according to a transmission scheme that specifies relationship between the transmitted data and the retransmitted data for providing communication over a radio network. |
| US07996743B1 |
Logic circuit testing with reduced overhead
An integrated circuit may have a circuit under test. The integrated circuit may have a clock generation circuit that receives a reference clock from a tester and that generates a corresponding core clock. The integrated circuit may have a built in self test circuit and a clock synthesizer that receives the core clock. The built in self test circuit may provide clock synthesizer control signals that direct the clock synthesizer to produce test clock signals at various test clock frequencies. The test clock at the test clock frequencies may be applied to the circuit under test during circuit testing. The circuit under test may assert a pass signal when the circuit tests are completed successfully. The built in self test circuit may inform the tester of the maximum clock frequency at which the circuit under test successfully passes testing. |
| US07996742B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for checking the function of a logic circuit in a circuit arrangement
A circuit arrangement comprising a logic circuit to be tested and a test circuit. The logic circuit comprising logic-circuit-internal combinations configured to generate output data from input data based on a predetermined relationship. The logic circuit is configured to detect whether the relationship is satisfied and to provide an error signal if the relationship is not satisfied. The test circuit is configured to alter logic-circuit-internal combinations, to detect the error signal, and to output an alarm signal if the error signal is not detected upon alteration of the logic-circuit-internal combinations. |
| US07996735B2 |
Semiconductor device
To realize a fast and highly reliable phase-change memory system of low power consumption, a semiconductor device includes: a memory device which includes a first memory array having a first area including a plurality of first memory cells and a second area including a plurality of second memory cells; a controller coupled to the memory device to issue a command to the memory device; and a condition table for storing a plurality of trial writing conditions. The controller performs trial writing in the plurality of second memory cells a plurality of times based on the plurality of trial writing conditions stored in the condition table, and determines writing conditions in the plurality of first memory cells based on a result of the trial writing. The memory device performs writing in the plurality of first memory cells based on the writing conditions instructed from the controller. |
| US07996733B2 |
Identify indicators in a data processing system
A data processing system employing identify indicators associated with various components of the system. The indicator may be activated whenever a corresponding component requires maintenance, field testing, installation, replacement, and the like. The user may specify global and local conditions under which an activated identify indicator is reset. After the indicator is activated, the system monitors for the satisfaction of one of the conditions. When one of the conditions is satisfied, the system deactivates the indicator automatically. The global conditions apply across logical partitions in a logically partitioned system thereby reducing the occurrence of stale identify indicators on all partitions. |
| US07996732B2 |
Program-execution monitoring method, system, and program
A program product is embedded in a media accessible by a computer operative to request a plurality of program tasks for wakeup so as to execute the plurality of program tasks in a predetermined schedule. The program product causes at least one of the computer and another computer to execute the instructions of measuring a delay period between a request of at least one of a plurality of program tasks and a wakeup thereof. The instructions include comparing the measured delay period with a predetermined first timeout value, thus determining whether at least one of the plurality of tasks is abnormally executed by the computer based on the comparison result. |
| US07996730B2 |
Customizable system for the automatic gathering of software service information
The present invention provides methods and systems for a customizable collector application, which automates multiple diagnostic techniques to obtain sets of diagnostic information. The collector application is easily customizable for use by different products, and may reduce the diagnostic information gathering to a single session. This includes gathering all of the required sets of information about a product problem, the hardware environment, the maintenance levels of the operating system environment, and the involved middleware, both local and distributed. In addition, the collector application has a reusable framework designed to have minor external customization for each product that requires its' service. The output of the collector application may be provided in a format, such as XML, that is viewable by another application, such as browser. |
| US07996729B2 |
Method and system for maintenance of network rendering devices
A method and system for automatically generating a helpdesk ticket when a remote rendering device possesses a series of customer resolvable events within a time period. The helpdesk ticket can be moved into an active state when an alert associated with the customer resolvable events is triggered and the ticket can be moved into a passive state when the alert is no longer triggered for the predefined time period. The helpdesk ticket can be retained in the active state if the fault condition detected for a defined number of times without being out of that state for the predefined time period. A device management module sends a notification indicative on each change of the state associated with the rendering device to a helpdesk unit. The device management module can also reset the time period between alerts if the problem occurs infrequently and the ticket can be automatically closed. |
| US07996727B2 |
Error correction for memory
Methods and devices operate to apply and provide differing levels of error correction within a multi-level, non-volatile memory. In an example, the differing level of error correction is provided within one page of a row of multi-level cells relative to other pages stored within the same row of multi-level cells. |
| US07996723B2 |
Continuous, automated discovery of bugs in released software
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method, system, and computing device for identifying bugs in a software application. The method provides for hosting the software application on a cloud server and providing the software application to a group of users and monitors usage of the software application. Next, new usage patterns are identified by identifying current usage patterns based on the monitoring are identified and comparing the current usage patterns to stored usage patterns. After that, bugs are identified by: 1) automatically generating a set of new test matrices based on the new usage patterns; 2) automatically running the set of new test matrices on the software application, while the software application is being used; 3) recording error messages generated; and 4) correlating the error messages with the new usage patterns to identify the bugs. Then, a reporting message is generated to report the identified bugs. |
| US07996720B2 |
Apparatus and method of mirroring firmware and data of embedded system
Disclosed is an apparatus and method of mirroring firmware and data of an embedded system. The embedded system mirrors a boot loader image, a kernel image, a RAM disk image and data that are stored on a main flash memory to be operated onto a secondary flash memory. Therefore, when a main flash memory does not normally work, the firmware and data that are stored on the main flash memory to be operated is mirrored onto the secondary flash memory, which prevents the loss of data and maintains the operation of the embedded system. As a result, it is possible to secure the reliability and operability of the system. |
| US07996719B2 |
Expressing fault correlation constraints
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for expressing fault correlation constrains to a developer of a service application are provided. Initially, the fault correlation constraints are identified by inspecting an architecture of resources comprising a data center. Based on the resources, sets of nodes that become concurrently unavailable due to a failure mode or update scheme are aggregated. These fault correlation constraints, upon being communicated to the developer, then may be incorporated into a service model produced thereby. Accordingly, the service model is tailored to the specific characteristics of the data center and is provided with instructions as to how to partition instances of the service application throughout the distributed resources of the data center. Thus, the fault correlation constraints provide a developer with insight into rules and structures on which the data center is constructed and assurances of a certain level of fault tolerance upon deploying the service application. |
| US07996717B1 |
Compression of temporal dimension in a temporal storage device
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for setting and implementing a policy to compress the history of data on a temporal volume is described. |
| US07996715B2 |
Multi nodal computer system and method for handling check stops in the multi nodal computer system
A new multi nodal computer system comprising a number of nodes on which chips of different types reside. The new multi nodal computer system is characterized in that there is one clock chip per node, each clock chip controlling only the chips residing on that node said chips being appropriate for sending a check stop request to the associated clock chip in case of a malfunction. A new check stop handling method is characterized in that depending on the source of the check stop request the clock chip that received the check stop request initiates a system check stop, a node check up, or a chip check stop. |
| US07996713B2 |
Server-to-server integrity checking
A method performed by a primary server includes receiving integrity criteria and sending a health check request to a secondary server based on the received integrity criteria. The method also includes receiving integrity information from the secondary server and checking the integrity information against the integrity criteria. The method further includes initiating a non-compliance action if the integrity information does not comply with the integrity criteria. |
| US07996712B2 |
Data transfer controller, data consistency determination method and storage controller
A data transfer controller of the present invention can determine whether or not data has been correctly stored in a cache memory even when the data is not transferred to the cache memory in sequential order. Data inputted from a host is transferred to and stored in a prescribed area of the cache memory. First check data is created and stored for each block. A data consistency determination module reads out the data from the cache memory subsequent to the end of a data write, and creates second check data anew. By comparing the second check data against the first check data, it can be determined whether or not the data has been stored normally in the cache memory. The data consistency determination module can also determine the consistency of the data on the basis of the data address written to the cache memory. |
| US07996710B2 |
Defect management for a semiconductor memory system
A method is provided for managing defects in a semiconductor memory system having a plurality of addressable locations. In the method, a first plurality of the addressable locations is allocated as in-use locations, and a second plurality of the addressable locations is allocated as spare locations. A plurality of sets of the in-use locations, wherein each of the sets is associated with a memory defect, is determined. At least one of the sets includes a different number of in-use locations than another of the sets. Each of the sets of the in-use locations is associated with at least one corresponding set of the spare locations. Each of a plurality of data requests that is associated with one of the sets of the in-use locations is directed to the at least one corresponding set of the spare locations. |
| US07996708B1 |
Techniques for file system resource restoration
Techniques for file system resource restoration are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for file system resource restoration comprising modeling source configuration information of one or more file system resources associated with a first storage management system, modeling target configuration information of one or more file system resources associated with a second storage management system, mapping one or more portions of the source configuration information to the target configuration information, generating computer executable restoration instructions based at least in part on the mapping; and executing the computer executable restoration instructions to restore one or more file system resources of the source configuration information to a target computing platform identified by the target configuration information. |
| US07996692B2 |
Information processing apparatus and semiconductor integrated circuit
The information processing apparatus equipped with a microprocessor is provided. The information processing apparatus equipped with a microprocessor includes: an operation clock signal generator that generates a frequency-variable operation clock signal supplied to the microprocessor; and a power supply voltage generator that determines a value of a power supply voltage to be supplied to the microprocessor according to a logarithm of a frequency of the operation clock signal and generates the power supply voltage. |
| US07996690B2 |
System and method for dynamic utilization-based power allocation in a modular information handling system
Power from a modular chassis to plural modular information handling systems contained by the chassis is dynamically allocated according to power consumed at each modular information handling system and a priority associated with each modular information handling system. A power manager of the modular chassis allocates power by setting a maximum power for each modular information handling system based upon a priority for each modular information handling system. A power monitor on a modular information handling system requests additional power allocation if power consumed is within a predetermined amount of the maximum power for that system. The power manager allocates additional power in response to the request if another modular information handling system has excess power allocated or if the requesting modular information handling system has a higher priority than another modular information handling system. The requesting system's maximum power is increased and the other system maximum power is decreased so that the maximum power available from the chassis is not exceeded. |
| US07996683B2 |
System, portable device and method for digital authenticating, crypting and signing by generating short-lived cryptokeys
A system for authentication, encryption and/or signing, as well as corresponding devices and methods, that use temporary but repeatable encryption keys uniquely connected to the user and generated from a unique set of input parameters. The system comprises an input device (105) designed to extract predetermined characteristic values from value input by the user, which value is specific to the user, by means of a given algorithm, which algorithm is designed to remove the natural variation in the characteristic values in order to yield an identical set of characteristic values upon input of the same value, and a device (106) designed to generate at least one user specific encryption key comprising said characteristic values. |
| US07996682B2 |
Secure prompting
Techniques are described herein for securely prompting a user to confirm sensitive operations, input sensitive information or the like. The techniques include receiving or intercepting calls from applications to prompting routines. When a call to a prompting routine is received or intercepted a hint may be provided to the user to switch to a secure desktop. When the user switches from the user desktop to the secure desktop the particular prompt is displayed. The input to the prompt is received on the secure desktop and verified to have been provided by the user. The user input or a representation of the input is then returned to the application running on the user desktop. Using these techniques, interception of prompting messages by malware does not result in sensitive information being revealed. Furthermore, spoofing of new messages by malware does not lead to the dismissal of critical prompting. |
| US07996675B2 |
Host identity protocol method and apparatus
A modified Host Identity Protocol, HIP, base exchange method is provided for use by first and second HIP hosts (Initiator and Responder) having a shared state from a pre-existing relationship. In the modified HIP base exchange method, an authentication message (I2′) is sent (S2) from the first host (Initiator) to the second host (Responder) comprising an identifier (HITI) of the first host (Initiator) and a cryptographic item (PF). The authentication message (I2′) is received (S3) at the second host (Responder). Following receipt, the identifier and information relating to the shared state are used (S4) to authenticate the cryptographic item (PF). If the cryptographic item, and the rest of the authentication message, is authenticated, a confirmation message (R2′) is sent from the second host (Responder) to the first host (Initiator) to indicate successful authentication. These two messages (I2′ and R2′) are equivalent to the I2 and R2 messages of the standard HIP base exchange protocol, and the requirement for the I1 and R1 messages from the standard HIP base exchange protocol is eliminated. |
| US07996671B2 |
Security of program executables and microprocessors based on compiler-architecture interaction
A method, for use in a processor context, wherein instructions in a program executable are encoded with plural instruction set encodings. A method wherein a control instruction encoded with an instruction set encoding contains information about decoding of an instruction that is encoded with another instruction set encoding scheme. A method wherein instruction set encodings are randomly generated at compile time. A processor framework wherein an instruction is decoded during execution with the help of information provided by a previously decoded control instruction. |
| US07996667B2 |
System with at least two BIOS memories for starting the system
A system with at least two basic input-output system (BIOS) memories includes a chip unit, a control unit, and two or more BIOS memories. The chip unit includes a control pin. The control unit includes an enable pin and N output pins. The enable pin of the control unit is connected to the control pin of the chip unit. Each of the N BIOS memories is connected to one of the N output pins of the control unit correspondingly. The chip unit is configured to start the control unit. The control unit is configured to start the N BIOS memories according to voltages of the output pins of the control unit. N is an integer greater than one. |
| US07996666B2 |
User influenced loading sequence of startup applications
There is provided a method for altering a sequence in which programs and content are loaded upon startup of an electronic device. A user may change the loading sequence by selecting a program or content before the loading sequence has finished. In addition, the altered loading sequence may be saved and utilized when the electronic device is powered on again. There is also provided a tangible, machine-readable medium for performing the described method. Finally, there is provided an electronic device having a memory device for storing a loading program that defines a loading sequence, a processor for loading programs and content based on the loading sequence, and a user interface for delivering user input to the loading program to alter the loading sequence. |
| US07996665B2 |
Information processing device, power supply control method and storage medium
An information processing device includes: a power-off detection unit for detecting a signal relating to a power-off operation of a user; an application program termination unit for terminating a predetermined application program when the power-off operation is performed; and a control unit for passing control, after the termination of the application program, to a state in which normal execution can be started faster than normal power-off, and power consumption is lower than in the normal execution. |
| US07996663B2 |
Saving and restoring architectural state for processor cores
A method and apparatus for saving and restoring architectural states utilizing hardware is described. A first portion of an architectural state of a processing element, such as a core, is concurrently saved upon being updated. A remaining portion of the architectural state is saved to memory in response to a save state triggering event, which may include a hardware event or a software event. Once saved, the state is potentially transferred to another processing element, such as a second core. As a result, hardware, software, or combination thereof may transfer architectural states between multiple processing elements, such as threads or cores, of a processor utilizing hardware support. |
| US07996662B2 |
Floating point status/control register encodings for speculative register field
In one embodiment, a processor comprises a plurality of storage locations, a decode circuit, and a status/control register (SCR). Each storage location is addressable as a speculative register and is configured to store result data generated during execution of an instruction operation and a value representing an update for the SCR. The value includes at least a first encoding that represents an update to a plurality of bits in the SCR, and a first number of bits in the plurality of bits is greater than a second number of bits in the first encoding. The decode circuit is coupled to receive the first encoding from a first storage location responsive to retirement of a first instruction operation assigned to use the first storage location as a destination, and is configured to decode the first encoding and generate the plurality of bits. The decode circuit is configured to update the SCR. |
| US07996654B2 |
System and method for optimization within a group priority issue schema for a cascaded pipeline
The present invention provides system and method for a group priority issue schema for a cascaded pipeline. The system includes a cascaded delayed execution pipeline unit having a plurality of execution pipelines that execute instructions in a common issue group in a delayed manner relative to each other. The system further includes circuitry configured to: (1) receive an issue group of instructions, (2) determine the dependency chain depth of all the instructions in the issue group, (3) schedule the instructions in an order of the longest dependency chain depth to shortest dependency chain depth, and (4) execute the issue group of instructions in the cascaded delayed execution pipeline unit. |
| US07996647B2 |
Enhanced microprocessor or microcontroller
A processor device has a data memory with a linear address space, the data memory being accessible through a plurality of memory banks. At least a subset of the memory banks are organized such that each memory bank of the subset has at least a first and second memory area, wherein no consecutive memory block is formed by the second memory areas of a plurality of consecutive memory banks. An address adjustment unit is provided which, when a predefined address range is used, translates an address within the predefined address range to access said second memory areas such that through the address a plurality of second memory areas form a continuous linear memory block. |
| US07996644B2 |
Fair sharing of a cache in a multi-core/multi-threaded processor by dynamically partitioning of the cache
An apparatus and method for fairly accessing a shared cache with multiple resources, such as multiple cores, multiple threads, or both are herein described. A resource within a microprocessor sharing access to a cache is assigned a static portion of the cache and a dynamic portion. The resource is blocked from victimizing static portions assigned to other resources, yet, allowed to victimize the static portion assigned to the resource and the dynamically shared portion. If the resource does not access the cache enough times over a period of time, the static portion assigned to the resource is reassigned to the dynamically shared portion. |
| US07996642B1 |
Digital locked loop on channel tagged memory requests for memory optimization
A method and system for performing memory optimization. The method includes receiving from a processor a plurality of read/write requests, wherein at least a portion of the read/write requests are assigned respective identifiers for associating related ones of the read/write requests; measuring arrival times of the read/write requests assigned to each of the identifiers; determining a periodicity and a phase of the read/write requests based on the identifiers in order to determine predicted arrival times of future read/write requests assigned to each of the identifiers; creating a real-time schedule of memory requests using the arrival times of the read/write requests and the predicted arrival times of the future read/write requests; using the real-time schedule to determine idle periods where none of the read/write requests will be received; and performing opportunistic functions during the idle periods, including performing at least one of garbage collection and translation cache pre-fetch. |
| US07996639B2 |
Method for managing volume groups considering storage tiers
A tiered storage system according to the present invention provides for the management of migration groups. When a migration group is defined, a reference tier position is determined and the relative tier position of each constituent logical device is determined. Movement of a migration group involves migrating data in its constituent logical devices to target logical devices. The migration group is then defined by the target devices. A virtualization system makes the transition transparent to host devices. |
| US07996638B2 |
Application dependent storage control
A system for enforcing a storage allocation usage right(s) for an application may include a controllable storage and a storage manager to control the access of the application to the storage according to an associated storage allocation usage right. A SIM card for enforcing a storage allocation usage right for an application may include an application register to store an access rule of the storage allocation usage right(s) and an APREC module to identify the application and thereby an access rule to enable controlling of the access of the application to storage according to the storage allocation usage right. A high-capacity SIM card for enforcing a storage allocation usage right for an application may include a storage; a storage manager to control the access of an application to the storage according to an associated access rule of the storage allocation usage right; and an APREC module. |
| US07996635B2 |
Offsite management using disk based tape library and vault system
A method for archiving data from a first disk-based storage device to a second disk-based storage device includes moving an emulated tape from a first element to a second element simulatively without actually moving data associated with the emulated tape. The data associated with the emulated tape is transmitted from the first disk-based storage device to the second disk-based storage device via a communication link. The data associated with the emulated tape is removed from the first disk-based storage device. |
| US07996634B2 |
Memory system with controller for managing management data and reverse flag for reversing write data
A semiconductor storage device includes a first nonvolatile memory to store user data of a file, a second nonvolatile memory to store management data of the file, the second nonvolatile memory being different in type from the first nonvolatile memory, and a controller to control read/write of data with respect to the first and second nonvolatile memories. |
| US07996632B1 |
Device for misaligned atomics for a highly-threaded x86 processor
A multithreaded processor with a banked cache is provided. The instruction set includes at least one atomic operation which is executed in the L2 cache if the atomic memory address source data is aligned. The core executing the instruction determines whether the atomic memory address source data is aligned. If it is aligned, the atomic memory address is sent to the bank that contains the atomic memory address source data, and the operation is executed in the bank. In one embodiment, if the instruction is mis-aligned, the operation is executed in the core. |
| US07996627B2 |
Replication of object graphs
The updating of only some memory locations in a multiple computer environment in which at least one applications program (50) executes simultaneously on a plurality of computers M1, M2 . . . Mn each of which has a local memory, is disclosed. Objects A and B in each local memory are disclosed which each include primitive fields (11). However, the simultaneous operation of the application program (50) can result in a “non-primitive” reference field (10) in one machine which must then be replicated in all other machines. However, the reference field (10) references another object (H) in the one machine's local memory so corresponding objects (T, K) must be created in the local memory of each other machine and be referenced by the corresponding non-primitive field (10). |
| US07996625B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing memory latency in a cache coherent multi-node architecture
A method for reducing memory latency in a multi-node architecture. In one embodiment, a speculative read request is issued to a home node before results of a cache coherence protocol are determined. The home node initiates a read to memory to complete the speculative read request. Results of a cache coherence protocol may be determined by a coherence agent to resolve cache coherency after the speculative read request is issued. |
| US07996623B2 |
Read ahead storage control
Method and apparatus for managing the storage of data in a cache memory by placing pending read requests for sequential data in a dedicated read ahead stream control (RASC) data structure, and further configured for dynamically switching both ways, in response to data stored in the RASC, between speculative non-requested read ahead data streaming to read behind stream locking on the read requests in the RASC. |
| US07996622B1 |
Detecting unused cache lines
In the event of a cache miss, data is written from main memory to the cache. To select a cache line to write the data to, cache lines in the cache that are not referenced during a certain interval are identified. One of the identified cache lines is selected and the data can be written to that cache line. |
| US07996620B2 |
High performance pseudo dynamic 36 bit compare
A cache memory high performance pseudo dynamic address compare path divides the address into two or more address segments. Each segment is separately compared in a comparator comprised of static logic elements. The output of each of these static comparators is then combined in a dynamic logic circuit to generate a dynamic late select output. |
| US07996618B2 |
Apparatus and method for using branch prediction heuristics for determination of trace formation readiness
A single unified level one instruction(s) cache in which some lines may contain traces and other lines in the same congruence class may contain blocks of instruction(s) consistent with conventional cache lines. Formation of trace lines in the cache is delayed on initial operation of the system to assure quality of the trace lines stored. |
| US07996616B2 |
Apparatus and methods to reduce castouts in a multi-level cache hierarchy
Techniques and methods are used to control allocations to a higher level cache of cache lines displaced from a lower level cache. The allocations of the displaced cache lines are prevented for displaced cache lines that are determined to be redundant in the next level cache, whereby castouts are controlled. To such ends, a line is selected to be displaced in a lower level cache. Information associated with the selected line is identified which indicates that the selected line is present in a higher level cache. An allocation of the selected line in the higher level cache is prevented based on the identified information. |
| US07996615B2 |
Cache region concept
A method to associate a storage policy with a cache region is disclosed. In this method, a cache region associated with an application is created. The application runs on virtual machines, and where a first virtual machine has a local memory cache that is private to the first virtual machine. The first virtual machine additionally has a shared memory cache that is shared by the first virtual machine and a second virtual machine. Additionally, the cache region is associated with a storage policy. Here, the storage policy specifies that a first copy of an object to be stored in the cache region is to be stored in the local memory cache and that a second copy of the object to be stored in the cache region is to be stored in the shared memory cache. |
| US07996614B2 |
Cache intervention on a separate data bus when on-chip bus has separate read and write data busses
Computer implemented method, system and computer usable program code for processing a data request in a data processing system. A read command requesting data is received from a requesting master device. It is determined whether a cache of a processor can provide the requested data. Responsive to a determination that a cache of a processor can provide the requested data, the requested data is routed to the requesting master device on an intervention data bus of the processor separate from a read data bus and a write data bus of the processor. |
| US07996611B2 |
Backup data management system and backup data management method
Provided are a backup data management system and a backup data management method capable of facilitating the management of backup data that is multiplexed between different storage apparatuses. The backup data management system includes a storage apparatus having a volume to be used by a host computer, at least one storage apparatus having volumes, and a management computer. The management computer creates a copy pair so that a snapshot of the volume included in a backup group is stored in all the volumes included in the backup group, and sets all copy pairs included in the designated backup group to a PAIR status when there is a creation request of the snapshot of the volume. |
| US07996609B2 |
System and method of dynamic allocation of non-volatile memory
A method of dynamic allocation of non-volatile memory in a cache storage subsystem includes constraining a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) 6 array in an unavailable state, the RAID 6 array having been newly created in the subsystem, destaging data from a write cache to a storage medium to free memory space, reserving the freed memory space for allocation to data-persistent storage, allocating the memory space to an adapter in the subsystem as a target for data in the event of a power loss, and changing the RAID 6 array to an available state. A system for dynamic allocation of non-volatile memory in a cache storage subsystem includes a computer processing device which constrains a newly-created redundant array of independent disks (RAID) 6 array in an unavailable state to execute a reconfiguration method. |
| US07996603B2 |
DRAM controller that forces a refresh after a failed refresh request
A refresh controller transmits two refresh request signals of a first request signal which indicates a time at which a refresh operation of a DRAM may be performed and a second request signal which indicates a time at which a refresh operation of the DRAM must be performed, to an arbitrator. On the other hand, also transfer request signals each of which requests a data transfer are transmitted from plural data transfer parts, respectively, to the arbitrator. If no transfer request signal is input when a first request signal is input to the arbitrator, a refresh operation of the DRAM is performed. As a result, a refresh operation is performed when the crowding level of a bus is relatively low. This improves an efficiency in a data transfer. |
| US07996602B1 |
Parallel memory device rank selection
A translator of an apparatus in an example selects one or more ranks of parallel memory devices from a plurality of available ranks of parallel memory devices in a plurality of double data rate registered and/or unbuffered dual in-line memory modules (DDR registered and/or unbuffered DIMMs) through employment of a native fully buffered dual in-line memory module protocol (native FB-DIMM protocol). |
| US07996600B2 |
Memory emulation in an electronic organizer
An electronic organizer using a memory array that is directly addressed and non-volatile is disclosed. The memory array can be used to replace and emulate multiple memory types such as DRAM, SRAM, non-volatile RAM, FLASH memory, and a non-volatile memory card, for example. The memory array may be randomly accessed. Data stored in the memory array is retained in the absence of electrical power. One or more memory arrays may be used in the electronic organizer. At least one of the memory arrays may be in the form of a removable memory card. |
| US07996598B2 |
Memory management module
A methodology for efficiently copying data is presented. An internal controller RAM is multiplexed between storing existing RAM data such as look up table data) and storing copy back data with respect to a flash memory. The data in the controller RAM is temporarily stored in a free space of the flash memory. The data of the flash memory, which is to be copied, is read from a source page and is stored in the free space of the controller RAM, and from there, the data is written to a destination block of the flash memory. After completion of the copy back operation, the data of the controller RAM that was moved to the free space is retrieved for storage back in the controller RAM. |
| US07996597B1 |
Mapping address bits to improve spread of banks
A device may include a group of requestors issuing requests, a memory that includes a set of memory banks, and a control block. The control block may receive a request from one of the requestors, where the request includes a first address. The control block may perform a logic operation on a high order bit and a low order bit of the first address to form a second address, identify one of the memory banks based on the second address, and send the request to the identified memory bank. |
| US07996585B2 |
Method and system for state tracking and recovery in multiprocessing computing systems
Disclosed are a method and system of tracking real time use of I/O control blocks on a processing unit basis, in a multiprocessing system, such that in the case of a processing unit failure, a list accurately and concisely identifies the control blocks that need to be recovered. This eliminates the need to scan all the I/O control blocks, greatly reducing the overall system recovery time and minimizing impact to the rest of the running system. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses a task control block structure to record which I/O control blocks are in use by each Processing Unit. Also, the lock word structure defined in the I/O control blocks is provided with an index back into the task control block to facilitate managing the task control block entries. |
| US07996582B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program
An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit that transmits/receives data to and from an external device; a detection unit that detects communication connection with the external device by the communication unit; an operation input unit that accepts an operation input; a command allocation unit that, when the detection unit detects communication connection with the external device, allocates a data transmission command with respect to a one-click operation to a symbol corresponding to a data storage place to be displayed on a display unit, which is accepted by the operation input unit; and a control unit that, when the operation input unit accepts the one-click operation to the symbol, in case the data transmission command is allocated with respect to the one-click operation, controls so that the communication unit transmits data stored in the data storage place corresponding to the symbol to the external device. |
| US07996580B2 |
System and method for notifying a host of a service required by a slave storage device
A host device includes an electrical activity monitoring (EAM) module that is configured to monitor the electrical activity of a slave storage device interfaced with the host device. Responsive to the value of, or change in, the electric current fed to the slave storage device being at or near a certain level, or within a predetermined range, the EAM module notifies the host device that the slave storage device has pending service request(s) or information for the host device. |
| US07996575B2 |
Detection and configuration of SAS/SATA connection
Given the different configurations for SAS and SATA Host and Target Ports, embodiments of the present invention automatically detect the configuration of SATA and SAS Phys when any device is inserted into a port enclosure and properly configure the connection regardless of the Phy configuration of the connected device. When a device is connected to the system, the port listens for either a SATA or SAS OOB signal to determine if the receive pin of the port is properly connected to the transmit signal of the attached device. By switching the configuration periodically and listening for the OOB signal, the port can determine which configuration is proper. Once a signal is detected, the port can properly configure the connection and continue with the SATA or SAS insertion algorithm. A user may alternatively choose which configuration to use and bypass the automatic detection and configuration. |
| US07996574B2 |
Messaging mechanism for inter processor communication
An apparatus and method are provided for connecting a host Enterprise System Connection Architecture (ESCON) Input/Output (I/O) interface to a cache of a data storage system. The apparatus includes (a) a set of at least 4 pipelines, each pipeline being coupled on a first end to the host ESCON I/O interface and being coupled on a second end to the cache, (b) a plurality of line processors, each line processor controlling one or more of the pipelines of the set of pipelines, and (c) in each pipeline, a protocol engine, the protocol engine configured to distinguish user data from frame header data and separate the user data from the frame header data for transport over the pipeline. |
| US07996567B2 |
Audio processing
A network interface device connectable to a network, the device being arranged to receive digital audio data representing an audio signal and, substantially in real time, to launch data packets representing the digital audio data onto the network, the device comprising: an attribute detector arranged to generate attribute data representing an attribute of the audio signal; and a packetiser operable: to format the digital audio data into audio data packets to be launched onto the network; and to format the attribute data into attribute data packets, separate from the audio data packets, to be launched onto the network. |
| US07996562B2 |
Messaging system interface to web services
A method, system and computer program for addressing a web service defined by a service definition document, such as a Web Services Definition Language (WSDL) document. The method includes, for example, generating a messaging destination for a service element, and each associated port element, of the WSDL document, and providing an invocation mechanism associated with each port destination for invoking the web service. A destination is an addressable location in the messaging configuration, such as a message queue. |
| US07996558B2 |
Methods and systems for a routing protocol
A method for routing data, using a stateless routing protocol includes communicating data between a source host and a destination host in a network with a plurality of hosts. Each host in the network has a unique numerical address. The method comprises determining a least common ancestor host of the source host and the destination host using the unique numerical address of each of the source and destination hosts. The data is sent from the source host to the least common ancestor host, and then sent from the least common ancestor host to the destination host. Alternatively, the data can be routed using a stateful routing protocol in which each host records the address of its neighbors and forwards the data to the neighbor host that is closest to the destination host. |
| US07996557B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-PHY communication without an ATM bus master
A communication system includes a bus, first and second devices coupled to the bus, and a handshaking unit. The bus includes at least one data line and control lines. The data line is coupled between the first and second devices. The handshaking unit is coupled to the control lines of the bus and is adapted to determine if the first and second devices are capable of completing a data transfer and enable the first and second devices to facilitate the data transfer. A method for interfacing first and second devices coupled to a bus is provided. The bus has at least one data line coupled to the first and second devices and control lines. The method includes determining if the first and second devices are capable of completing a data transfer based on the control lines; providing handshaking signals on the control lines to enable the first and second devices; and transferring the data over the data line in response to the handshaking signals. |
| US07996554B1 |
System for improving quality of service for wireless LANs
An access point (AP) including a control module and a scheduling module. The control module defines a plurality of basic service sets (BSSs) for the AP. Each of the BSSs has an identifier, corresponds to a class of service, and predetermined service parameters based on the class of service. The scheduling module schedules communications between the BSSs and a plurality of client stations based on (i) the identifiers and (ii) the predetermined service parameters and determines quality of service for the communications based on (i) the identifiers and (ii) the predetermined service parameters. A first scheduler schedules first transmit times for the BSSs to transmit data from the AP to the client stations within time slots determined according to the predetermined service parameters. A second scheduler schedules second transmit times for the client stations, to transmit data from the client stations to the AP, based on the predetermined service parameters. |
| US07996553B2 |
Multi-user streaming
The invention provides a solution for performing multicast for streaming transmission in a telecommunication system. An intermediate node is proposed which is able to connect the functionality of a broadcast/multicast server and of a streaming node. Further the intermediate node is responsible for the establishment of a bearer for multicast transmission. The establishment of a session is done by means of a translation the on-demand single-use signalling into multi-user push signalling. Furthermore an adaptation of the streaming flow for a whole multicast group or for individual subgroups of a multicast group is performed. |
| US07996551B2 |
Method and system for improving the appearance of a person on the RTP stream coming from a media terminal
Method for replacing an input RTP stream coming from a media terminal by an output RTP stream integrating an environment which improves the appearance of a person on said input RTP stream, said method providing for the identification of the media terminal user and of a person, the providing of the data for the environment to be integrated in the input RTP stream of the identified user, the integration in the input RTP stream of data for the environment, and the sending back of the output RTP stream thus obtained to the media terminal. |
| US07996548B2 |
Message communication techniques
A network protocol unit interface is described that uses a message engine to transfer contents of received network protocol units in message segments to a destination message engine. The network protocol unit interface uses a message engine to receive messages whose content is to be transmitted in network protocol units. A message engine transmits message segments to a destination message engine without the message engine transmitter and receiver sharing memory space. In addition, the transmitter message engine can transmit message segments to a receiver message engine by use of a virtual address associated with the receiver message and a queue identifier, as opposed to a memory address. |
| US07996547B2 |
System for coordinating registration and managing peer-to-peer connections for data replicated backup and versioning
Techniques are presented for peer-to-peer (P2P) replicated backup and versioning. Peer clients register and share storage with one another for purposes of P2P data replication, data versioning, and/or data restoration via a P2P server. The P2P server also provides security and management between the peer clients. Moreover, the P2P sever can audit behaviors of the peer clients and take punitive actions against any of the peer clients that violate policy. |
| US07996544B2 |
Technique of detecting denial of service attacks
The invention detects a denial of service attack at a node by monitoring the number of discarded packets in relationship to the number of inbound packets. When an attack is detected, relevant inbound packet information is collected during the attack to help characterize the attack and at least to pinpoint the source of the last hop to the attacked node. |
| US07996541B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying a serving home subscriber server (HSS) in a communications network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a serving home subscriber server (HSS) in a communications network are described. One method includes obtaining a subscriber identifier from a query message. An exceptions-based data structure contained in a database is accessed to locate a database entry associated with the subscriber identifier. Similarly, a range-based data structure contained in the database is accessed to locate the database entry associated with the subscriber identifier if the exceptions-based data structure does not contain the database entry. The method also includes acquiring serving HSS data corresponding to the located entry from either the exceptions-based data structure or the range-based data structure. |
| US07996539B2 |
Agile network protocol for secure communications with assured system availability
A plurality of computer nodes communicates using seemingly random IP source and destination addresses and (optionally) a seemingly random discriminator field. Data packets matching criteria defined by a moving window of valid addresses are accepted for further processing, while those that do not meet the criteria are rejected. In addition to “hopping” of IP addresses and discriminator fields, hardware addresses such as Media Access Control addresses can be hopped. The hopped addresses are generated by random number generators having non-repeating sequence lengths that are easily determined a-priori, which can quickly jump ahead in sequence by an arbitrary number of random steps and which have the property that future random numbers are difficult to guess without knowing the random number generator's parameters. Synchronization techniques can be used to re-establish synchronization between sending and receiving nodes. |
| US07996535B2 |
Proximity as an aid to caching and secondary serving of data
A proximity-based content control method “propagates” or positions content based upon “proximity” between various nodes on a network. The nodes between which the content is propagated include content libraries, servers, and clients. In one case, the relative proximities of two content servers to a particular client or group of clients determines which of these servers serves client requests. In another case, the method employs anticipatory loading of content from a library to a server based upon the server's proximity to a given client-base. Yet another application involves adding or removing server capacity to a network based upon proximity to clients. Another application applies proximity affects to cache release algorithms. A “content control system” calculates proximity dynamically and automatically decides whether to move content based upon the proximity calculation. |
| US07996531B2 |
Content delivery network map generation using passive measurement data
A routing method operative in a content delivery network (CDN) where the CDN includes a request routing mechanism for routing clients to subsets of edge servers within the CDN. According to the routing method, TCP connection data statistics are collected are edge servers located within a CDN region. The TCP connection data statistics are collected as connections are established between requesting clients and the CDN region and requests are serviced by those edge servers. Periodically, e.g., daily, the connection data statistics are provided from the edge servers in a region back to the request routing mechanism. The TCP connection data statistics are then used by the request routing mechanism in subsequent routing decisions and, in particular, in the map generation processes. Thus, for example, the TCP connection data may be used to determine whether a given quality of service is being obtained by routing requesting clients to the CDN region. If not, the request routing mechanism generates a map that directs requesting clients away from the CDN region for a given time period or until the quality of service improves. |
| US07996524B2 |
Controlling external communication of embedded device using proxy server
An embedded device communicates with another device via an external proxy server acting for the embedded device to control communication. The embedded device includes a communication device capable of communicating with the proxy server, a storage unit storing a state of communication with the other device, an updating unit, a response unit responding to the task with a result of the updating of the communication state that has been performed in accordance with the control request, and a control instruction unit transmitting, to the proxy server by means of the communication device, an instruction for changing a state of communication with the other device in the proxy server to the communication state stored in the storage. |
| US07996521B2 |
Service for mapping IP addresses to user segments
A system is disclosed that uses behavioral data collected by ISPs to categorize particular ISP subscribers. The behavioral data may, for example, include the identities of particular web sites and/or web pages accessed by particular subscribers, the search queries used by the subscribers to conduct Internet searches, and/or other types of behavioral information. The ISP subscribers are assigned to particular behavioral categories or “segments” using a behavioral segmentation schema that maps particular subscriber behaviors to particular behavioral segments. The ISP subscribers may also be mapped to other segment types, such as demographic segments derived from off-line data about the subscribers. The subscriber-to-segment mappings are made available to content targeting entities via a query interface that, for example, supports queries of the form “what are the segments associated with IP address X?”. |
| US07996505B2 |
Network and interface selection on a computing device capable of establishing connections via multiple network communications media
A system and method for carrying out network and interface selections across multiple media is disclosed. The disclosed system facilitates automated network interface configuration decision-making that spans a set of networks supporting communications via differing media. A set of media specific modules associated with differing communications media acquire network interface status/capabilities information. A rules engine thereafter applies a designated network selection rule(s) to the acquired network interface status/capabilities information, and any other appropriate parameters attributable to either an interface or network, to select one or more networks and interfaces with which to establish/maintain a connection. |
| US07996503B2 |
System and method for managing access to digital content via digital rights policies
A dynamic repository (either storing digital data content or pointers to stored digital data content) works in conjunction with a plurality of interfaces to manage digital content and digital rights policies associated with one or more users. Digital rights policies are unique to each user and such policies define access to digital content in the repository. The user's digital rights policy indicates the level of access a user has to digital content in the repository (e.g., the policy could indicate that the user has authorized access to a particular file for a period of seven days). The interfaces linked with the content repository are used to access and manipulate the digital data content (based upon each user's digital rights policy) and the digital rights policies stored in the content repository. The interfaces include: (a) one or more authentication interfaces for authenticating users, (b) one or more digital rights management (DRM) interfaces allowing users to add, delete, or edit the digital rights policies, (c) one or more data access interfaces allowing users to selectively access digital data content as defined by their individual digital rights policy, (d) one or more browsing interfaces allowing users to selectively browse said digital data content, or a (e) one or more content manipulation interfaces allowing said users to add, delete, or edit said digital data content. |
| US07996500B2 |
Systems and methods for extensible distributed configuration management
Systems and methods for extensible distributed configuration management of computer resources are described. Examples include a computer system including a processing unit and a storage device that stores a model definition and one or more asset plug-ins (each of the one or more asset plug-ins configured to expose at least one asset object that represents a computer resource). The computer system further includes memory that stores an asset model created based at least in part on the model definition, and a network interface configured to deploy to at least one managed system a compatible asset plug-in (the model definition including at least one conditional reference to the compatible asset plug-in). If a condition specified within the asset model is satisfied the processing unit selects the compatible asset plug-in for deployment, the condition being defined within the model definition and designated as applicable to the at least one conditional reference. |
| US07996497B2 |
Method of handling duplicate or invalid node controller IDs in a distributed service processor environment
A method for enabling a Node Controller (NC), which claims a duplicate or invalid service processor Node Controller Identification (NCID) in a distributed service processor system, to be integrated into the system includes reading an NCID by the NC after the NC is booted, saving the NCID into a non-volatile storage and broadcasting an NC Present Message (NPM) to a System Controller (SC) repeatedly until the SC initiates communication, updating the NCID for the NC in the non-volatile storage when the NC receives an NCID change message from the SC and rating any future NPM as a new NCID, and checking a record of a new NC when the SC receives the NPM from the NC. If the SC has a record of a recorded NC with the same NCID as the new NC, then the SC checks its role as a primary SC. If the SC does not have the record of the recorded NC with the same NCID as the new NC, then the SC checks validity of the NCID. |
| US07996494B2 |
System and method for delivering grouped web service applications
A producer can make available pages and books containing multiple applications. As used herein, the term “book” refers to a group of pages bound together by a navigational menu. The producer presents the pages and books to the consumer in a service description message. An administrator of the consumer can select the pages and books, thus generating proxy versions on the consumer. The proxy versions can then be presented on the consumer. |
| US07996493B2 |
Framework for managing client application data in offline and online environments
A multi-phase synchronization framework allows developers to develop smart client applications that can operate efficiently in offline and online modes. For example, a client application receives user input, and generates an object that includes the user input data, as well as some associated logic for one or more phases in the synchronization framework. The object can then be passed to the synchronization framework, which communicates a service request based on the object to a target application service only when the target application service is effectively online, generally as defined by the associated logic. Whether the target application service is effectively online can also be based on default settings. The synchronization framework handles state for the object, and communicates failure and/or success to the client application. As such, the functionality for treating failed or successful communication is handled generally by the synchronization framework, rather than necessarily the client application. |
| US07996490B2 |
System and method for changing a functionality of an image processing device based on a file corresponding to a network application
A method and system for managing documents, where the system includes a document manager server connected to image processing devices and to applications via a network. The document manager server receives identification information from the image processing devices and transmits information relating to network applications to the image processing devices. This information is then used to change the functionality of the image processing device. |
| US07996489B2 |
Method and apparatus for allowing a portable device to provide rich site summary service
A method of allowing a portable device to provide a rich site summary (RSS) feed including information about renewal of contents, and an apparatus performing the method are provided. If contents of the portable device are renewed, the portable device generates an RSS feed for the renewed contents and sends the RSS feed to an RSS reader, and accordingly, a related art web-based RSS service is expanded to the portable device. Therefore, even if the user does not browse all contents of the portable device, a user of the portable device can easily see only information about contents that are recently updated using another device such as a personal computer (PC). |
| US07996488B1 |
Systems and methods for interconnecting media applications and services with automated workflow orchestration
Systems and methods are provided to integrate disparate media services and applications across an organization. The media services are connected to an interoperable media services bus by creating a connector API for each service, thereby enabling the media services to exchange messages related to transactions to be performed involving media assets and/or metadata associated with media assets. To support complex transactions involving coordinated activity by multiple media services, an orchestration service advantageously performs a coordinated sequence of request/response transactions, referred to as a “workflow.” The workflow may include requests conditional on responses to previous requests, multiple parallel requests, a combination of synchronous and asynchronous requests, and so on. Multiple workflows may be managed concurrently. |
| US07996481B2 |
Outbound notification using customer profile information
Methods and systems provide for automatic outbound information notification to a subscriber based on a subscriber's communications customer profile. A subscriber may select one or more events for which the subscriber desires notification from an outbound notification events options list. When an event is triggered for which the subscriber has requested notification, for example a traffic information report at a selected notification time, a voice services node queries a customer profile database to determine what information must be obtained and transmitted to the subscriber based on the subscriber's selected notification options and frequencies. The voice services node calls the subscriber at the subscriber's telephone directory number and plays the prescribed event information to the subscriber. |
| US07996479B2 |
Employee communication reputation
A method of controlling a system of monitoring messages in a network is described. A message sent by a user of the network to one or more recipients is received and a weight is applied to any text from any previous message that appears in the message. A measure of language content used in the message is formed and stored in one or more data stores. Information identifying the sender of the message is also stored. The stored measure of the language content and the stored information identifying the sender is reported to an administrator of the system. |
| US07996477B2 |
System and method for document processing device operation monitoring
The subject application is directed to a system and method for document processing device operation monitoring. Operational data is first communicated between document processing devices on one of a plurality of networks, each network having an assigned audit server from among a plurality of audit servers. Operational data is received into each audit server from each document processing device in its associated network. The audit servers output operational data from each document processing device in a thin client language via attachment to an e-mail. A data server receives the e-mail from each audit server and parses the operational data from each received e-mail. The parsed data is then stored in a database associated with the data server. The data server then generates a device report in accordance with a query to the database. |
| US07996464B1 |
Method and system for providing a user directory
Techniques for providing a graphic environment to facilitate communication with one or more users in a directory. The directory includes a plurality of registered users and a corresponding status thereof. At least one of the registered users in the directory is associated with an iconic image that is automatically enlarged when the user selected. In one implementation, an icon may appear as a thumbnail photo of the user. When enlarged, an iconic image is shown as a photo of sufficient resolution of the user for easy recognition. |
| US07996461B1 |
Method of remotely controlling a user interface
A method of remotely controlling a user interface which includes peer-peer client/server software modules that allow the user interface on a host computer to be displayed by a remote terminal. The method includes the steps of sending a request to a host application of a first computer to establish a remote control session by a second computer over a network connection between the first and second computers, establishing a communication session between a user interface server of the first computer and a user interface client of the second computer, sending a current presentation of the host application rendered by a user interface engine to the user interface client by the user interface server, wherein the presentation includes visual display information displayed on a display of the first computer, rendering the presentation by a user interface engine of the second computer, sending user interface events from the user interface client to the user interface server, and calling the user interface engine of the first computer by the user interface server to report the user interface events. |
| US07996459B2 |
Video-switched delivery of media content using an established media-delivery infrastructure
A strategy is described for delivering media content to clients using a combination of switched media technology and established broadcast delivery technology (such as HFC technology). The strategy is advantageous because it provides the benefits of switched media environment without requiring significant revision to the established delivery infrastructure. The strategy includes a first version in which channels are not shared among clients, and a second version in which channels may be shared among clients which are accessing the same media content. |
| US07996458B2 |
Assigning tasks in a distributed system
A method and apparatus are provided for assigning tasks in a distributed system. The method comprises indicating to one or more remote systems in the distributed system that a task is available for processing based on a list identifying the one or more remote systems. The method further comprises receiving at least one response from the one or more remote systems capable of performing the task based on the indication. The method comprises allowing at least one of the remote systems to perform the task based on the at least one received response. |
| US07996457B2 |
Systems and methods for domain name registration by proxy
A system and method of proxy domain name registration permits a would-be domain name registrant anonymity. A registrar affords customers the opportunity to use the proxy registration. If the customer seeking registration of a domain name requests, the registrar obtains contact information needed for registration from a proxy entity established for this purpose. The registrar completes the registration of the domain name with the appropriate registry (i.e. “.com, .net” etc.). The contact information published in WHOIS is that of proxy entity. Contractually the customer is afforded control over the domain name. Emails intended for the customer are received by the proxy entity who may filter them if the customer requests. Emails sent by the customer are sent to the proxy entity who in turn sends them to the indicated addressee. |
| US07996447B2 |
Method and system for optimal file system performance
An automated system for determining an optimal file system on which to store data files is provided. The system includes a data storage device having multiple virtual partitions operable to receive, store, and retrieve a data file. The system additionally includes a plurality of file systems associated with the virtual partitions. One or more of the different file systems have different data storage performance characteristics. A sub-system tracks file characteristics and user requirements for the data file and uses the file characteristics and the user requirements to automatically determine an optimal file system for the data file. The systems and methods provided may be implemented with an information handling system. |
| US07996446B2 |
Scheduling and performing garbage collection in a real-time system with guaranteed space bounds
A method for performing garbage collection for a real-time application uses a memory for determining an amount of memory required to run the garbage collection process and waits until the determined amount of memory is available, then allocates memory space for the application by segmenting the memory space into a number of pages of a predetermined size. A mutator is used for assuring that only non-null, unmarked objects are placed into a write buffer. A hybrid collector is used for removing the dead objects and defragmenting the memory space. |
| US07996445B2 |
Block reallocation planning during read-ahead processing
A data storage system pre-fetches data blocks from a mass storage device, then determines whether reallocation of the pre-fetched blocks would improve access to them. If access would be improved, the pre-fetched blocks are written to different areas of the mass storage device. Several different implementations of such data storage systems are described. |
| US07996440B2 |
Extraction of attributes and values from natural language documents
One or more classification algorithms are applied to at least one natural language document in order to extract both attributes and values of a given product. Supervised classification algorithms, semi-supervised classification algorithms, unsupervised classification algorithms or combinations of such classification algorithms may be employed for this purpose. The at least one natural language document may be obtained via a public communication network. Two or more attributes (or two or more values) thus identified may be merged to form one or more attribute phrases or value phrases. Once attributes and values have been extracted in this manner, association or linking operations may be performed to establish attribute-value pairs that are descriptive of the product. In a presently preferred embodiment, an (unsupervised) algorithm is used to generate seed attributes and values which can then support a supervised or semi-supervised classification algorithm. |
| US07996439B2 |
Automatic document exchange and execution management
The exchange of documents for signature can be performed efficiently using an automatic routing system that associates a document with appropriate identifying metadata. The routing can be facilitated through facsimile in which the metadata is encoded on a return facsimile cover sheet that is routed with the document. Appropriate central exchange servers have appropriate input and out subsystems to perform the document routing. The executed documents can be conveniently archived for efficient document storage and access, such as network access to one or more of the parties. |
| US07996438B2 |
Device and process for remote management of a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems
Management device for a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems or jukeboxes, including a database with a plurality of sets of arrays, each array containing grouped information either about the composition of a jukebox, or the use of the jukebox, or the payment of fees. The database is managed by a computer server connected with the audiovisual information reproduction systems to receive messages sent by each audiovisual information reproduction device and containing information necessary to update determined sets of arrays in the database, and update data or the program for each audiovisual information reproduction device with information stored in at least one set of arrays in the database and transmitted in this message. |
| US07996437B2 |
Program for mapping of data schema
A data item name constituting a source data schema is extracted (1051), a data item name constituting a target data schema is extracted (1052), element concepts included in the extracted data item names of the source data schema and the target data schema are extracted (1053), a distinctive relation between the data item names is set based on the extracted element concepts to be stored in an ontology (1061), the data item names of the source data schema and the target data schema are read, a correlation is set between the two read data item names based on the distinctive relation to be stored in a mapping definition file (1071). |
| US07996435B2 |
Apparatus and method for comparing computer documents using tree structures
Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-implemented method of comparing computer documents such as programs and XML. A hierarchical level may be specified. For each hierarchical level between a root and the specified hierarchical level, first and second searches are executed for nodes representing subsections of each document. The returned nodes from the first search correspond to subsections of the first computer document, and may be set equal to nodes representing the second document if the addresses are the same. The second search is executed on the second document, and the addresses of the nodes returned by the first search may be compared against addresses for nodes returned from the second search. Nodes are matched and marked as equal. The hierarchical level may then be increased and the process repeated until the root node is reached. |
| US07996431B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for generating metadata and visualizing media content
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for generating metadata for media content that includes a digital media file and includes retrieving a media content subset from a media content source, saving the received media content subset at a computing system, and generating metadata by processing the media content using the computing system. The method further includes associating generated metadata with media content to facilitate the visualization and navigation of the media content, and adding the metadata to at least one metadata repository designed for efficient retrieval of metadata elements. |
| US07996429B2 |
Mechanisms to persist hierarchical object relations
Mechanisms to persist object relations are provided. A project is defined as a series of interrelated objects having dependencies and relationships with one another. The dependencies and relationships are maintained via a storage organization for files that define the objects within a project storage environment for the project. Thus, the dependencies and relationships are not maintained via hardcoded instructions or references that are included within the files. |
| US07996425B1 |
Storing element-based descriptions of documents in a database
A method, computer program, and database system are disclosed for storing element-based descriptions of documents in a database. The database system includes one or more nodes. Each of the one or more nodes provides access to one or more of a plurality of CPUs. Each of the one or more CPUs provides access to one or more of a plurality of virtual processes. Each virtual process is configured to manage data stored in one of a plurality of data-storage facilities. The data stored in the plurality of data-storage facilities includes data representing a database table. A row of the table corresponds to an element of the element-based document description and includes: data describing the element, an order identifier corresponding to the element, and a range identifier corresponding to the element. |
| US07996414B2 |
Method and system for separating file system metadata from other metadata in virtual machine image format
A method for performing software operations on virtual machine images, includes: receiving a virtual machine image that includes data; reclassifying the data into a plurality of parts; and performing a software operation on one of the parts, wherein the software operation is performed without running a virtual machine. |
| US07996407B2 |
System, method and computer executable program for information tracking from heterogeneous sources
A system for information clustering comprising a data accumulation part for accumulating documents in a document repository, the documents having loosely related attributes, and defining a cluster between the documents being time sliced so as to define chunks of the documents; a vector space generation part for generating document-keyword vectors, the document-keyword vectors consisting of sparse numeral values depending on presence of key words; a dimension reduction part for reducing dimensions of the keywords to create a dimension reduction matrix of the document-keyword matrix; a centroid vector determination part for generating a centroid vector of the cluster, the centroid vectors being defined from keywords and weight of documents within the cluster; and an item repository for storing the centroid vectors together with the keywords and the weights of the centroid vector. |
| US07996405B2 |
Technique for managing data in association with tag information
To enhance the convenience of a bookmark function for web pages, a system for displaying identification information enables a user to select a file. Included is a storage section that stores identification information of each of classified files in association with tag information indicating classification of contents of that file, a search section that, in response to inputting of tag information to be registered, searches the classified files for a file including information matching with the input tag information, a first storing section that stores the input tag information in the storage section in association with identification information of the searched file, and a display section that, in response to a display request for identification information designating tag information, reads identification information associated with the designated tag information from the storage section, and displays the read identification information. |
| US07996404B2 |
System and method for detecting and analyzing pattern relationships
In its broad aspect, the invention provides a method for analyzing relationships among patterns within a data set having a set of samples and associated attribute values defining each attribute of each said sample. The method comprises receiving at an input at least two patterns; defining a data cluster within the data set for each of said at least two patterns, each defined data cluster having samples with attribute values associated with a corresponding pattern of said at least two patterns; grouping at least some of the samples of each defined data cluster with one another to generate a resultant data cluster; and calculating a variation between the attribute values of a first set of samples and the attribute values of a second set of samples within said resultant data cluster, the attribute values of the first set of samples and the second set of samples corresponding to the same attribute. |
| US07996403B2 |
Method and apparatus for assigning a cultural classification to a name using country-of-association information
A method and system for performing a search request for a name among a database including a plurality of names. In one implementation, the method includes receiving the search request on the name, determining a geographic location associated with the name, assigning a cultural classification to the name based on the geographic location associated with the name, and completing the search request by searching for the name among the plurality of names within the database based on the cultural classification assigned to the name. |
| US07996400B2 |
Identification and use of web searcher expertise
A search expertise level system and method for determining a search expertise level of a search engine user and then using that information to improve the searcher's experience. The search expertise level system and method identifies the search expertise level of the searcher based on query behavior, post-query browsing behavior, and other behaviors of the searcher. One simple and important behavior that indicates a skilled searcher is the use of advanced query syntax and operators in the query. Once the search expertise level of a searcher is known, the search engine user interface can be modified and tailored to the needs of both skilled and novice searchers. The search expertise level also can be used to rank search results, such that search results for a novice searcher are ranked differently than those for a skilled searcher. The search expertise level also can be used in advertising and marketing. |
| US07996399B2 |
Presenting media guidance search results based on relevancy
Systems and methods for presenting search results based on relevancy in an interactive media guidance application are disclosed. After performing a user-initiated or automatic search for media content, the interactive media guidance application determines which of the hits are most relevant to the user. The guidance application then displays, or visually identifies, the relevant items. Some embodiments employ using different display arrangements based on the number of relevant items. Some embodiments display the relevant items in recommendation lists or hot lists. |
| US07996398B2 |
Identifying related search terms based on search behaviors of users
A system is disclosed that identifies related search terms by performing a term co-occurrence analysis of search query submissions of users. The system may give different amounts of weight to different search query submissions based, for example, on whether subsequent user actions reveal that particular searches were successful. The system may use the identified related search terms to correct spelling errors in search queries received from users. |
| US07996396B2 |
Identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on user activity with respect to the results of similar queries
A facility for ranking in a result set is described. The facility establishes a system of ratings for combinations of a web page with the query term that reflect the level of relevance of the web page to the query term. In response to each of a number of content interactions performed by users, each with respect to a result corresponding to a web page included in a result set that was generated in response to a query comprising a set of one or more query terms, the facility adjusts a rating score for each combination of the web page and a query term among the set of query terms. For each of a number of web pages included as results in a distinguished result set produced in response to a distinguished query comprising a set of distinguished query terms, the facility (1) selects established and adjusted reading scores for each combination of the web page and a query term among the distinguished set of query terms, and (2) determines a ranking score for the result in the distinguished result set by combining the selected reading scores. |
| US07996393B1 |
Keywords associated with document categories
A system extracts a pair that includes a keyword candidate and information associated with a document from multiple documents, and calculates a frequency that the keyword candidate appears in search queries and a frequency that the pair appears in the multiple documents. The system also determines whether the keyword candidate is a keyword for a category based on the calculated frequencies, and associates the keyword with the document if the keyword candidate is the keyword for the category. |
| US07996391B2 |
Systems and methods for providing search results
A method includes generating search results in response to a user query, where at least one of the search results includes a group of links. The group of links may represent links to web pages within a same web site and may be identified based on at least one factor associated with the links. The method may also include providing the search results to the user. |
| US07996389B2 |
Method and apparatus for searching a database in two search steps
Search in stocks of data, particularly on optical media, is intended to be optimized in terms of the time required for the search. It is therefore proposed that the search be carried out in two steps. In a first search step, the entire database is scanned on the disk storage medium. In a second search step, executed in parallel, intermediate results from the first search step are searched. This allows the number of skips on a disk to be reduced, which results in increases of speed, particularly in the case of optical drives. |
| US07996387B2 |
Techniques for extending user-defined indexes with auxiliary properties
In one embodiment, a database server registers one or more functions included in a user-defined index that includes one or more auxiliary properties. The one or more functions are operable to generate index entries of the user-defined index for the one or more auxiliary properties. The one or more auxiliary properties are different than, and in addition to, a primary property of the user-defined index that provides for evaluating a query operator. The database server receives a first statement that defines the user-defined index, where the first statement includes one or more parameters that define the one or more auxiliary properties. The database server invokes the one or more functions in response to the first statement, where the one or more functions when invoked generate and store the index entries of the user-defined index according to the one or more parameters that define the one or more auxiliary properties. |
| US07996386B2 |
Tracking premature termination of a database query
An apparatus and program product that utilize at least one prematurely terminated processing of a database query to improve the processing of the database query. The embodiments discussed track termination information associated with at least one user initiated premature termination of processing of a database query to improve the processing of the database query. Information related to the premature terminations of a database query may be utilized by a DBMS to generate and/or implement suggestions to improve the processing of the database query, resulting in improved query processing, improved performance, fewer premature terminations, and more satisfied users. |
| US07996377B2 |
CIM data quarantine
One aspect of the present invention includes performing a quarantine of inaccessible data within a CIM dataset that is managed by a storage service, and a recovery of this data within the CIM dataset once it becomes accessible. In one embodiment, after a first request is made through a CIM agent to the inaccessible data managed by a storage service, the storage service is quarantined within the CIM dataset. This includes terminating any active threads to the service and preventing new threads from accessing the service. Accordingly, the data is hidden from subsequent requests with the CIM agent and any requests to the inaccessible data are prevented. The storage service is then queried so that when the data becomes accessible, the device services for the storage service are restarted. Once restarted, new threads within the CIM agent are able to access the data within the storage service. |
| US07996373B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting policy violations in a data repository having an arbitrary data schema
A method and apparatus for scanning structured data from a data repository having an arbitrary data schema and for applying a policy to the data of the data repository are described. In one embodiment, the structured data is converted to unstructured text data to allow a schema-independent policy to be applied to the text data in order to detect a policy violation in the data repository regardless of the data schema used by the data repository. |
| US07996372B2 |
Automated response to solicited and unsolicited communications and automated collection and management of data extracted therefrom
An automated correspondence response system is provide for permitting a receiving entity to generate customized responses based on data extracted from received communications. The system also provides for automated management and manipulation of data extracted from correspondence received by a receiving entity for group profiling and to perform various statistical analysis thereof.The system analyzes content of received correspondence, such as celebrity fan mail, and manages the automation of responses via targeted or “customized” letters, wherein the receiving entity creates content specific fields or terms in order to respond to correspondence in an automated and yet relevant manner. The receiving entity can electronically define what data is extracted from the correspondence. A particular “customized” response to the correspondence may be electronically selected from a plurality of possible responses based on the data extracted from the sender's correspondence so that the receiving entity can effectively respond to the sender. The “customized” automated response can also be “personalized” by including sender specific data in the “customized” automated response. |
| US07996371B1 |
Combining context-aware and context-independent data deduplication for optimal space savings
A storage system includes a storage operating system configured to provide two-step data deduplication in which, during a data storage operation and prior to committing data to a storage medium of the storage system, context-aware data deduplication is performed on the data to obtain context-aware deduplicated data, and, subsequent to committing the context-aware deduplicated data to the storage medium, a context-independent data deduplication operation is performed on the context-aware deduplicated data to obtain context-independent deduplicated context-aware deduplicated data, for commitment to the storage medium. |
| US07996370B2 |
System restoration apparatus and method for management of dependencies, ordering sensitivities, and database index rebuilds
A method, apparatus, and program product restore database data having dependencies or ordering sensitivities, or that incorporates a database index. Unresolved dependencies are identified in response to an attempt to restore data in a computer. The data restoration is deferred and the data is cached when it has an unresolved dependency. After the dependency is resolved, the data restoration is completed. The unresolved dependency may be based-on data that must be restored or created prior to completing restoration. Deferred data is cached in memory and tracked in a deferred operation table. Data that is deferred may be accessed so long as operations that access the underlying based-on data are denied. |
| US07996367B2 |
Automatic document exchange with document searching capability
The exchange of documents for execution can be performed efficiently using an automated system that routes and stores documents based on routing information. Routing may be accomplished with reminders for individuals of deadline for responding. After execution is confirmed, an executed copy may be forwarded to all parties and desired non-parties. If execution or approval is desired from a plurality of individuals, documents received from each of the plurality of individuals can be merged into a single, fully executed document if the approval/signatures are obtained simultaneously. Search capability for identifying data regarding the document, text within the document, or both may also be provided. |
| US07996366B1 |
Method and system for identifying stale directories
Aspects for identifying stale contents in a file system include processing a set of attributes of each file in the file system. These aspects further also include determining access times at the directory level, recursively, from all the files in lower-level directories. The aspects further include identifying the highest-level stale directories in the file system. |
| US07996365B2 |
Record level fuzzy backup
A method, system, and computer program product for performing a backup operation in a computing environment is provided. A list of keys identifying a plurality of locked records is created at a start of the backup operation. If a first locked record of the plurality of locked records is obtained during the backup operation, a first key identifying the first locked record is added to the list of keys. At a completion of the backup operation, if a second locked record of the plurality of locked records was not moved during the backup operation, a second key identifying the second locked record from the list of keys is dropped. The list of keys is written to a log file as in-flight updates. The in-flight updates are reprocessed through the backup operation using the log file. |
| US07996358B2 |
Method for transmitting syncML synchronization data
The present invention provides methods for transmitting SyncML synchronization data. One is that the originator constructs a SyncML message after encrypting the user data to be transmitted and then transmits the data in an existing transmission way; the user data includes, but is not confined to, authentication information, terminal capability information and the data to be synchronized; the other method is that the originator encrypts the SyncML message in the transport layer before transmitting the message, and the recipient deciphers the received SyncML message from transport layer and processes the message subsequently. The two methods can be used either separately or together. If they are used together, the transmission of SyncML synchronization data is provided with double safety insurance. By using the present invention, user data can be transmitted safely without being intercepted by the third party. |
| US07996353B2 |
Policy-based management system with automatic policy selection and creation capabilities by using singular value decomposition technique
A statistical approach implementing Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) to a policy-based management system for autonomic and on-demand computing applications. The statistical approach empowers a class of applications that require policies to handle ambiguous conditions and allow the system to “evolve” in response to changing operation and environment conditions. In the system and method providing the statistical approach, observed event-policy associated data, which is represented by an event-policy matrix, is treated as a statistical problem with the assumption that there are some underlying or implicit higher order correlations among events and policies. The SVD approach enables such correlations to be modeled, extracted and modified. From these correlations, recommended policies can be selected or created without exact match of policy conditions. With a feedback mechanism, new knowledge can be acquired as new situations occur and the corresponding policies to manage them are recorded and used to generate new event and policy correlations. Consequently, based on these new correlations, new recommended policies can be derived. |
| US07996349B2 |
Methods and apparatus for computing graph similarity via sequence similarity
This disclosure describes systems and methods for identifying and correcting anomalies in web graphs. A web graph is transformed into a sequence of tokens via a walk algorithm. The sequence is fingerprinted to form a set of shingles. The singles are compared to shingles for other web graphs in order to determine similarity between web graphs. Actions are then carried out to remove anomalous web graphs and modify parameters governing web mapping in order to decrease the likelihood of future anomalous web graphs being built. |
| US07996343B2 |
Classification via semi-riemannian spaces
Described is using semi-Riemannian geometry in supervised learning to learn a discriminant subspace for classification, e.g., labeled samples are used to learn the geometry of a semi-Riemannian submanifold. For a given sample, the K nearest classes of that sample are determined, along with the nearest samples that are in other classes, and the nearest samples in that sample's same class. The distances between these samples are computed, and used in computing a metric matrix. The metric matrix is used to compute a projection matrix that corresponds to the discriminant subspace. In online classification, as a new sample is received, it is projected into a feature space by use of the projection matrix and classified accordingly. |
| US07996340B2 |
Method and system for L1-based robust distribution clustering of multinomial distributions
A workforce analysis method for solving L1-based clustering problem of multinomial distributions of workforce data includes acquiring workforce allocation data, arranging the workforce allocation data in sets of fraction data with respect to the L1 distances, clustering the sets of fraction data t corresponding set of cluster centers, or L1 distances for each set, minimizing the sets of fraction data based on the cluster centers or L1 distances and outputting analysis results of the clustering problem. |
| US07996336B2 |
System and program storage device of object classification utilizing optimized boolean expressions
Classification of objects using the best boolean expression that represents the most optimal combination of the underlying features is disclosed. |
| US07996334B2 |
Methods and apparatus for recognizing compact discs and issuing corresponding credits
For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content. |
| US07996331B1 |
Computer-implemented systems and methods for performing pricing analysis
Computer-implemented systems and methods for regular pricing optimization. A system can include decomposing a pricing situation into sub-problems. A non-linear optimization problem is solved to determine continuous optimal prices. A mixed integer linear programming problem is solved to snap prices to grid points. |
| US07996329B1 |
Profit optimization
Profit optimization methods and systems for a supply chain are described. An implementation of the technique includes determining the initial cost of components required to manufacture a product, dynamically determining the cost for substitution of at least one product component, dynamically determining the location of at least one substitute component, and manufacturing the product for the lowest cost based on the results of the cost of substitution and substitute component location determinations. At least one of the cost of substitute components and the component locations may be determined at or near the time of manufacture. |
| US07996327B2 |
Product efficiency calculator system and method
A method of using a computer system to inform a consumer about an efficiency associated with an improved packaging configuration for a cleaning product relative to a standard packaging configuration for the cleaning product. The method comprises inputting values from the consumer into the computer system using an input device and storing the input values in a memory, using a processor to calculate a packaging space efficiency and a packaging material efficiency, and using the processor to calculate a total cost savings from using the improved packaging configuration. The method further comprises calculating a storage cost savings based on the shipping-associated packaging space efficiency and the storage cost per unit volume; calculating a disposal cost savings based on the packaging material efficiency and the disposal cost per unit weight; adding the storage cost savings and the disposal cost savings; and displaying output to the consumer using the output device. |
| US07996323B2 |
Method and system for a service provider to control exposure to non-payment by a service consumer
A dispute resolution system for requesting a service provider to provide services so that the service provider can demonstrate to a service intermediary that a service consumer requested services. A service consumer that wants to start requesting services of the service provider registers with the service intermediary an end code of a sequence of code generated using a one-way function. The service intermediary provides the end code to the service provider. The service consumer can then using codes of the sequence requests the service provider to provide services. When the service provider receives a request, it verifies that the code of the request can be used to derive the end code. If the verification is successful, then the service provider can provide the verified code to the service intermediary as non-repudiatable evidence of the services requested by the service consumer. |
| US07996321B2 |
Method and apparatus for access control to language learning system
A technique to control access to computer network resources at a computer facility permits a user to interact with the computer facility through a computer node of a network, wherein the user interaction comprises language learning responses submitted to the computer facility through the computer node, and a user authentication process is performed to determine if the permitted user interaction is authorized. The user authentication process is performed with user authentication information that is obtained by the computer facility during the permitted user interaction and also with user authentication information that is extracted from the user's language learning responses. In this way, user authentication occurs without intruding into the utilization of the computer facility. |
| US07996319B2 |
Authentication and tracking system
A subset of unique codes are generated from a set of codes. The subset of codes are stored in a database on a secure server and each of the codes is marked on a corresponding instantiation of the product. The marked instantiations are distributed. During their distribution, the marked instantiations are verified for authenticity and for routing. This verification is performed by reading or scanning the codes on the instantiations, and transmitting that information to the secure server for comparison against the codes and other information located in the database contained therein. |
| US07996315B1 |
Systems and methods to modify a negotiable instrument
When the deposit of a negotiable instrument, such as a check, is done electronically by using a digital image of the negotiable instrument rather than the negotiable instrument itself, during the process, at least two negotiable instruments may exist: the physical negotiable instrument and the digital image of the negotiable instrument. To change the physical negotiable instrument to a non-negotiable instrument, a bank or other financial institution may send a transmission to modify the appearance of the negotiable instrument, thus effectively “voiding” the physical negotiable instrument. The negotiable instrument may have various inks or mechanisms that facilitate the modification of the appearance through the application of a stimulus, such as heat or light. The financial institution may cause the application of the stimulus to modify the appearance of the negotiable instrument. |
| US07996314B1 |
Systems and methods to modify a negotiable instrument
When the deposit of a negotiable instrument, such as a check, is done electronically by using a digital image of the negotiable instrument rather than the negotiable instrument itself, during the process, at least two negotiable instruments may exist: the physical negotiable instrument and the digital image of the negotiable instrument. To change the physical negotiable instrument to a non-negotiable instrument, a bank or other financial institution may send a transmission to modify the appearance of the negotiable instrument, thus effectively “voiding” the physical negotiable instrument. The negotiable instrument may have various inks or mechanisms that facilitate the modification of the appearance through the application of a stimulus, such as heat or light. The financial institution may cause the application of the stimulus to modify the appearance of the negotiable instrument. |
| US07996312B1 |
System and method for image based electronic check presentment
A method and system for processing electronic check presentment (ECP) data and check image data, where the check image data is transmitted electronically, either with the ECP data or separately. The ECP data has associated ECP sequence numbers assigned in connection with the preparation of an electronic cash letter (ECL). The check image data has associated image sequence numbers assigned to the image file that is transmitted with or following the ECL. A source key and an image key are defined for each item in the ECP data and the image data. An electronic check presentment (EIP) sequence number generated at the receiving financial institution, associates each presented electronic item with the ECP sequence number and image sequence number. System components include a transaction and image import server, an entry creation module, a cross-reference archive load module, a reject repair module, a post preprocessor module and a posting module. These components enable transaction and image data to be imported to a host processing system, formatted, converted between standard image formats, repaired on the date received, archived and posted to customer accounts in a check truncation environment. |
| US07996308B1 |
System and method for managing aggregated accounts
A method and system for minimizing fund transfers to and/or from a plurality of government-backed, interest-bearing aggregated deposit accounts. |
| US07996306B2 |
System and method for payment over a series of time periods in an online market with budget and time constraints
An improved system and method is provided for using sampling for scheduling advertisements in an online auction with budget and time constraints. A multi-armed bandit engine may be provided for sampling new advertisements by allocating advertisements for web page placements of equal quality and optimizing payments to maximize the welfare of the advertisers while remaining within advertiser's budget and time constraints. Advertisers may report their private information including arrival time, departure time, value per click, and budget. And the multi-armed bandit mechanism may approximate the maximal welfare that may be achieved under budget and time constraints by bounding the possible gain from any possible lie an advertiser might submit in reporting private information. Advertisers departing from the online auction may be charged using a payment method that may provide truthful guarantees on budget, arrivals, departures, and valuations for a budget-constrained online auction. |
| US07996305B2 |
System and method for efficiently processing multiple credit applications
A system and method for forwarding multiple credit applications to multiple potential lenders. A user computer or a credit management server sends queries to potential lenders inquiring about the respective information fields used in the potential lenders' respective credit applications. The queries also request information relating to the desired format and transmission method of the respective credit applications. With this information, a dynamic credit application is generated which includes all of information fields from all potential lenders. A credit applicant enters credit information into the dynamic credit application. The system then generates tailored credit applications for each lender and forwards these tailored applications to the respective potential lenders. The lenders process the tailored applications and provide results to the user. |
| US07996304B1 |
Risk-based reference pool capital reducing systems and methods
Embodiments consistent with the present invention provide a credit enhancement structure for risk allocation between parties that minimizes the regulatory capital reserve requirement impact to an institution subject to capital reserve requirement. A subject pool of assets held by the institution, such as a pool of loans, is rated to determine its risk levels. Based on the rated risk levels, a guarantor party agrees to be responsible for a portion of the risk associated with the pool of assets, which may define the maximum risk exposure of the institution holding the asset pool. The risk-rated capital reserve requirements are applied to the asset pool based on the risk level rating and the guarantor's agreed upon risk responsibility such that the institution holds a reduced amount of reserve capital compared to what it would otherwise be required to hold. |
| US07996302B2 |
System and method for activity based margining
A system and method for factoring in a trader's trading activity into the margin requirements is disclosed. In the securities arena, day traders are assessed different margins than non-day-traders, however, the specific profile of the trader is analyzed (that is, the same rule applies to all day traders). |
| US07996300B2 |
Regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment to maintain an actual cost for a trading strategy
A system and method for regulating order entry based on an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy are described. According to one example embodiment, a trader may define an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy as a percentage. The trader may also define a variable to associate with the trading strategy. Using a spread trading algorithm, a spread price axis is generated and the trader may place an order for the trading strategy at a desired price, comprising placing an order in one leg market dependent on the market conditions of another leg market. Using the acceptable slop range, the system keep the net cost to the trader within the acceptable slop range, by regulating orders in the leg markets. Defining an acceptable slop range as a percentage allows the trader to monitor and regulate their profits and loss, regardless of the type of spread trading algorithm used or the placement of an order on the spread price axis. |
| US07996296B2 |
Digital options having demand-based, adjustable returns, and trading exchange therefor
Methods and systems for conducting demand-based trading are described. In one embodiment, states are established, each state corresponding to at least one possible outcome of an event of economic significance. An investment amount may be determined as a function of a selected outcome, a desired payout, and a total amount invested in the states. In another embodiment, an investment amount may be determined as a function of parameters of a financial product. In another embodiment, a payout may be determined as a function of an investment amount, a selected outcome, a total amount invested in the states, and an identification of a state corresponding to an observed outcome of the event. |
| US07996293B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring, analyzing and reporting information in association with collateralized financial instruments
In one method embodiment of the present methods and systems, a computer-assisted method is provided for analyzing at least one financial instrument associated with a financial institution. The financial instrument has an associated collateral. The method includes receiving at least one collateral margin record from a collateral data source, wherein the collateral margin record includes information related to at least one collateral margin condition of the financial instrument; comparing at least a portion of the collateral margin record to at least one criterion; and, generating at least one of a report and a notification based on the step of comparing the collateral margin record to the criterion. Various aspects of the present method embodiments discussed herein can also be provided in accordance with various computer-readable media embodiments and system embodiments. |
| US07996288B1 |
Method and system for processing recurrent consumer transactions
In a communications network-based system, a method for securely processing recurrent consumer transactions. Merchant-specific proxy financial account information is provided to a user and maintained in a database, the proxy financial account information valid for transactions at a single merchant only. A request for transaction approval is received from a merchant, the request including a merchant identifier and a user's proxy financial account information. The database is queried to determine if the proxy financial account is valid for the merchant seeking transaction approval. The proxy financial account information may include a credit card account number and/or a proxy billing address linked to a financial account. A merchant identifier string, identifying the authorized merchant, may be encoded in the credit card number and/or proxy billing address. A communications network-based system and software program for implementing the present invention are also disclosed. |
| US07996284B2 |
Spare plug management system
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for implementing a field supply chain logistics system for managing spare parts inventory. In one embodiment, the method comprises: identifying locations for field service locations (FSLs) field warehouses for the spare parts, based on time or distance windows to deliver the parts to the field locations each FSL serves; collecting and validating data to compute optimal field inventory levels and minimum inventory levels for non-field warehouse, the non-field warehouse including central stock; physically setting up FSLs so that the FSLs functions as field warehouses and receive plug requests; generating optimal inventory profiles; opening FSLs for service; conducting plug inventory to retrieve plug excess and deploy new levels; and conducting after implementation review to verify that processes are being followed as expected and document lessons learned. |
| US07996283B2 |
System, method, and storage medium for inventory management of expendable supplies used in printing devices
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for efficiently performing inventory management, including storage places, of expendable supplies to be used in devices. Storage place information in which held storage places and classifications of expendable supplies are associated with each other is updated based upon an association of a designated storage place and a specified classification of expendable supplies. |
| US07996282B1 |
Method and system for selecting and displaying items
Methods and systems for causing the display of items for the review and selection thereof by a potential purchaser has a plurality of search tools whereby a customer can select certain search criteria for displaying items corresponding to the search criteria for review and selection thereof and comparison therebetween. In one embodiment, the system provides a brand menu whereby a customer can select one or more brands of products for displaying the same in a common display window. |
| US07996278B2 |
Method of customizing an article
A method of post customization for articles of footwear is disclosed. The method includes a step of receiving an order for a plurality of pairs of footwear, a step of manufacturing the articles, a step of receiving a set of post customization designs and a step of applying post customization designs to the articles of footwear. |
| US07996273B2 |
Method and print merchant computer for matching print orders to print service providers
A method is provided for operating an on-line retailing operation for retailing of at least one print product to a customer. The print product is supplied by a print merchant operation that displays plural image items for remote viewing by a customer. The print merchant operation transacts a first type of order with the customer for supply of at least one print product, and transacts a second type order with the print merchant for fulfillment of the first type order. |
| US07996269B2 |
Using mobile phones to provide access control and usage fee charges for MFDs
Use of wireless technology to enable Point of Sale (POS) vending for Multi-Function Devices (MFDs) is disclosed. A user can enable the MFD through the Internet by calling or accessing a centralized server. The user can access a previously existing account or establish a new account. Also, one time use of the MFD can be enabled by entering credit or debit card information. Previously existing accounts can be recognized by the caller's phone number or other mechanism. Individual MFDs can be recognized by Global Positioning System (GPS), an access number, or by entering the MFD identification number. The server can transfer billing information, MFD or account restrictions, and available balance to the user. The MFD prevents users from overdrawing their account or from running prohibited jobs. Charges incurred are transmitted back to the server for account maintenance. |
| US07996264B2 |
System and method for consumer-selected advertising and branding in interactive media
A user of an interactive medium may select advertising for display on the user's avatar, property, or other user-associated environment. The invention presents one or more advertisements to the user and allows the user to select at least one advertisement to display. The user may also choose a location for displaying the selected advertisement. The invention presents the selected advertisement to other users of the interactive medium. The invention tracks these presentations or displays and rewards the original user based on the presentation. The tracking data may also be used to bill the advertiser or optimize the process of selecting and displaying advertisements. |
| US07996262B2 |
System and method for redeeming affinity rewards as political contributions
Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the redemption of affinity reward points as political contributions are disclosed. In an aspect, “points” or “miles” created through various existing affinity programs prevalent in the credit card and airline industries can be redeemed as political donations. Typically, such reward, award or bonus “points” or “miles” have been redeemed for free or discounted rewards such as airline tickets, hotel room stays, restaurant vouchers or other goods and services. However, millions of vested affinity points or miles are left unused (i.e., unredeemed). The present invention allows a consumer who holds such points or miles to link to a political campaign, political party or political action committee allowing excess points to be converted into cash donations to such political campaigns, political parties or political action committees. |
| US07996259B1 |
Method for developing electronic documents providing e-commerce tools
A method of assisting a website designer in establishing an arrangement between a first website being designed by the website designer and a second website in order to market the first website at the second website upon the activation of the first website on the internet is provided. The method includes, during design of the first website, receiving information at a user interface indicating a type of an element for marketing that is to be displayed at the second website, and information specifying the second website at which the element is to be displayed; saving the information at a first database that is coupled to the user interface; obtaining the element for marketing of the type indicated; and causing the display of the element for marketing at the second website when the first website is activated with respect to the internet. The element for marketing includes at least one of a banner ad concerning the first website and a link to the first website. Further provided is a method of assisting a website designer in establishing an e-commerce feature on a first website being designed by the website designer for access by third parties upon the activation of the first website on the internet, wherein the e-commerce feature is at least one of a shopping cart and an auction. |
| US07996258B2 |
Computer system and method for statewide or other jurisdiction registering and monitoring of vehicle locations
A computer system and a method as a part of the registration and/or inspection system of a state or other jurisdiction results in the assignment of a vehicle identification code to each vehicle and notification to the registrant to take the vehicle to an inspection/installation facility wherein a GPS receiver and transmitter are either installed, updated or checked for operability on a regular basis, such as yearly. Each registered vehicle in a state or other jurisdiction, as a result of the regular registration process or as the result of a temporary registration process when the vehicle enters the state temporarily, has a GPS receiver and transmitter transmit in real time location data of the vehicle via a wireless communication system such a WiFi, cellular, satellite or other system to an electronic storage subsystem which stores for each vehicle identification code the location data and time in real time and maintains it for a predetermined period of time, such as twelve months. This data may be accessed by authorized users for various purposes including law enforcement, emergency responses and/or roadway planning studies and the like. The data may also be used in settlement of negligence or criminal complaints. An alarm detection system detects either the loss of signal or a tampering signal transmitted to the state computer system. |
| US07996257B2 |
Collecting, calculating, and reporting quantifiable peer feedback on relative contributions of team members
Mechanisms for collecting, calculating, and reporting quantifiable peer feedback on relative contributions of team members are provided. Team members may quantifiably evaluate other team members or work group members relative to each other by allocating points from a point pool to each member according to the team member's subjective evaluation. Various types of processing on the quantitative valuations of the team members' relative contributions to a project may be performed to weight the quantitative valuations due to particular criteria, provide relative evaluation calculations between team members' quantitative valuations, report generation, providing action plan suggestions for aiding a team member in increasing his/her relative valuation on future projects, and the like. |
| US07996244B1 |
Systems and methods for mobile healthcare alerts
Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for a portable medical alert mechanism stores health information on a portable electronic device and provides the health information to a health professional. In some embodiments, the health information may include information about a health condition, a health history, current medications, current medication dosages, allergies, or instructions. The health information may be on the portable electronic device and/or downloaded from a web-based application. In some embodiments, the health information may be selected and transferred to the portable electronic device by the system user from an external computer system. The health information stored on the portable electronic device may be periodically updated. The system user (or the portable electronic device) may have an indication of the presence of the health information on the portable electronic device (e.g., on a bracelet). |
| US07996242B2 |
Automatically developing neuropsychiatric treatment plans based on neuroimage data
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for developing neuropsychiatric treatment plans. A treatment plan generator receives a set of diagnoses for a patient. The treatment plan generator automatically analyzes medical information in a set of electronic medical literature sources for potential therapies associated with treatment of each identified condition in the set of diagnoses. The treatment plan generator identifies the potential therapies associated with the treatment of each diagnosed condition. The treatment plan generator selects a set of recommended therapies from the potential therapies based on portions of the medical literature describing each therapy in the potential therapies and a medical history for the patient. The treatment plan generator generates a treatment plan. The treatment plan comprises the set of recommended therapies to treat each diagnosed condition in the set of diagnoses. |
| US07996240B2 |
Knowledge-based system for supporting radiological assessment and diagnostics
In a method and a system for determination of at least one additional examination process in the framework of a medical examination of a patient using a knowledge base, the knowledge base contains a number of rules, and each rule contains a condition from which a result can be derived. An item of patient-related information is automatically registered and used to output the examination-specific result. |
| US07996236B2 |
Wireless LAN with load balancing
A communication system with a plurality of access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) and at least one network station (5, 6), the network station (5, 6) being arranged to communicate with one of said the plurality of access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) through a wireless communication protocol, each access point (AP1, AP2, AP3) is able to monitor its access point traffic load and transmit an access point traffic load parameter (ATT) to the network station (5, 6), and the network station (5, 6) is able to monitor its network station traffic load; store a network station traffic load parameter (AUTT); receive access point traffic load parameters (ATT) from the access points (AP1, AP2, AP3); and select a communication connection with one of the access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) using a predetermined cost function taking the access point traffic load parameters (ATT) and the network station traffic load parameters (AUTT) into account. |
| US07996227B2 |
System and method for inserting a description of images into audio recordings
There is disclosed a system and method for interpreting and describing graphic images. In an embodiment, the method of inserting a description of an image into an audio recording includes: interpreting an image and producing a word description of the image including at least one image keyword; parsing an audio recording into a plurality of audio clips, and producing a transcription of each audio clip, each audio clip transcription including at least one audio keyword; calculating a similarity distance between the at least one image keyword and the at least one audio keyword of each audio clip; and selecting the audio clip transcription having a shortest similarity distance to the at least one image keyword as a location to insert the word description of the image. The word description of the image can then be appended to the selected audio clip to produce an augmented audio recording including the interpreted word description of the image. |
| US07996222B2 |
Prosody conversion
A contour for a syllable (or other speech segment) in a voice undergoing conversion is transformed. The transform of that contour is then used to identify one or more source syllable transforms in a codebook. Information regarding the context and/or linguistic features of the contour being converted can also be compared to similar information in the codebook when identifying an appropriate source transform. Once a codebook source transform is selected, an inverse transformation is performed on a corresponding codebook target transform to yield an output contour. The corresponding codebook target transform represents a target voice version of the same syllable represented by the selected codebook source transform. The output contour may be further processed to improve conversion quality. |
| US07996216B2 |
Apparatus and method of encoding and decoding audio signal
In one embodiment, at least first and second channels in a frame of the audio signal are independently subdivided into blocks if the first and second channels are not correlated with each other. At least two of the blocks have different block lengths. Furthermore, the first and second channels are correspondingly subdivided into blocks such that the lengths of the blocks into which the second channel is subdivided correspond to the lengths of the blocks into which the first channel is subdivided if the first and second channels are correlated with each other. At least two of the blocks have different block lengths. |
| US07996211B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast semi-automatic semantic annotation
A method, apparatus and computer instructions is provided for fast semi-automatic semantic annotation. Given a limited annotated corpus, the present invention assigns a tag and a label to each word of the next limited annotated corpus using a parser engine, a similarity engine, and a SVM engine. A rover then combines the parse trees from the three engines and annotates the next chunk of limited annotated corpus with confidence, such that the efforts required for human annotation is reduced. |
| US07996210B2 |
Large-scale sentiment analysis
A method for determining a sentiment associated with an entity includes inputting a plurality of texts associated with the entity, labeling seed words in the plurality of texts as positive or negative, determining a score estimate for the plurality of words based on the labeling, re-enumerating paths of the plurality of words and determining a number of sentiment alternations, determining a final score for the plurality of words using only paths whose number of alternations is within a threshold, converting the final scores to corresponding z-scores for each of the plurality of words, and outputting the sentiment associated with the entity. |
| US07996207B2 |
Bidirectional domain names
A multilingual bidirectional domain name is produced by receiving a domain name having characters from at least two character sets with different display orders with just one direction of reading; breaking domain name into labels delimited by a full stop punctuation marks, the labels having an original label display order as encountered from left to right; within a label, resolving display directions of indeterminate display order characters by assigning a strong reading direction left-to-right display order to each indeterminate display order character; subsequently, reordering the characters within each of the labels into a display order using the fully resolved characters while preserving the original label display order and wherein bidirectionality of characters within each label is produced, so that produced the multilingual bidirectional domain name contains at least two different directions of reading across the entire converted address; and, displaying the multilingual bidirectional domain name on a computer display. |
| US07996206B2 |
Serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) connection emulation for direct attached serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)
The present invention is directed to a system and method for emulating a serial small computer system interface (SAS) connection for direct attached serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) communication are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention includes a host controller. The host controller includes a physical interface for accepting at least one of a SAS connection or a direct attached SATA device. A common interface logic configured to receive SAS communications and SATA communications having a SAS emulated connection is included in the host controller. An emulation logic is communicatively coupled to the common interface logic. The emulation logic being configured to determine a value of a ConnectedSata signal based on the state of a SATA link state machine. |
| US07996205B2 |
Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process
Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, if a client based model is not available, the server supplies a software agent to replace the inputs and outputs normally associated with that portion of the overall simulation. |
| US07996203B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for out of order instruction address stride prefetch performance verification
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for verifying out of order instruction address (IA) stride prefetch performance in a processor design having more than one level of cache hierarchies. Multiple instruction streams are generated and the instructions loop back to corresponding instruction addresses. The multiple instruction streams are dispatched to a processor and simulation application to process. When a particular instruction is being dispatched, the particular instruction's instruction address and operand address are recorded in the queue. The processor is monitored to determine if the processor executes fetch and prefetch commands in accordance with the simulation application. It is checked to determine if prefetch commands are issued for instructions having three or more strides. |
| US07996202B2 |
Method of modeling and producing an integrated circuit including at least one transistor and corresponding integrated circuit
A system is provided for modeling an integrated circuit including at least one insulated-gate field-effect transistor. The system includes generator means for defining a parameter representing mechanical stresses applied to the active area of the transistor, and processing means for determining at least one of the electrical parameters of the transistor based at least partially on the stress parameter. Also provided is a method of modeling an integrated circuit including at least one insulated-gate field-effect transistor, and a method of producing an integrated circuit including at least one insulated-gate field-effect transistor. |
| US07996199B2 |
Method and system for pore pressure prediction
A method for performing an oilfield operation at a wellsite having a drilling rig configured to advance a drilling tool into a subsurface formation. The method includes generating a borehole temperature model for an area of interest using water depth information and a vertical stress model, generating a formation temperature model using the borehole temperature model, generating a mud-weight pressure model using the formation temperature model and pressure coefficients, generating a formation pore pressure model using the mud-weight pressure model, and adjusting the oilfield operation based on the formation pore pressure model. |
| US07996195B1 |
Computation of particle energy from ablation
A method is provided for predicting thermal energy transfer from an entrained particle to a wall surface, the entrained particle being incorporated within a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a flow scenario. Initially, the method generates grid geometry for the CFD model to form a plurality of finite element cells; and establishes initial and boundary conditions for the flow scenario. The model determines a characteristic particle size of the entrained particle; inserts the particle into a cell at an initial location; initializes physical conditions of the particle as a particle state; and calculates a time-step based on characteristic cell size and flow velocity. The model integrates state change in the particle state over the time-step in the cell; and computes collision effect in response to the particle crossing a face of the cell. After convergence, the model quantifies energy flux to the wall surface from impingement by the particle. |
| US07996192B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating an environmental element prediction for a point of interest
An apparatus for generating environmental element predictions at a point location includes a receiver for collecting broadcast environmental element prediction data. A processor generates at least one environmental element prediction for the point location. |
| US07996188B2 |
User interface for a flow cytometer system
A method of extracting and analyzing a data set from a flow cytometer system of the preferred embodiment comprises the steps of (1) running a sample and saving all collected raw data, (2) viewing raw (or “unmodified”) data, (3) modifying the raw data (e.g., scaling and/or culling the raw data), (4) reviewing and saving the modified data, and (5) exporting the saved data. Once the sample has been run and all collected data have been saved, the user can repeat the steps of modifying the raw data, saving the modified data, and exporting the saved data as many times as necessary and/or desirable. |
| US07996185B2 |
Machine data acquisition system with data compression
A machine data acquisition system is disclosed. The data acquisition system may include a sensor disposed on a machine and configured to produce a signal indicative of an operational parameter of the machine. The system may also include a data processor and controller configured to convert the signal into a plurality of parameter data points. The system may further include a primary data circular buffer disposed on the machine and configured to store the plurality of parameter data points. Additionally, a variable resolution circular buffer may be disposed on the machine and configured to store a compressed parameter data point calculated from the plurality of parameter data points. |
| US07996181B2 |
System and method for sensor phasing using a substrate edge signal
A system and method for measuring a substrate edge signal for image sensor phasing. An intermediate transfer substrate edge signal can be effectively mapped by a substrate edge sensor and recorded for at least one complete revolution. A substrate edge signal from an inter-document zone sampled from any region of a substrate in runtime by a process sensor can also be recorded. A comparison or cross-correlation can be applied between the bare intermediate transfer substrate edge signal and the substrate edge signal sensed in the inter-document zone. A cross-correlation algorithm returns a maximum peak value when the two signals are registered in-phase with one another. This information can then be used to register the bare belt process sensor signal and the process sensor signal over the region of interest in-phase with one another. A flat-fielding algorithm can also be applied to the phase-aligned process sensor data to remove artifacts and compensate for substrate (e.g., belt) induced non-uniformities. |
| US07996178B2 |
Semiconductor substrate processing method and apparatus
A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus and a method for processing semiconductor substrates are provided. The method may include providing a semiconductor substrate having a surface and a plurality of features on the surface, each feature being positioned on the surface at a first respective point in a first coordinate system, plotting the position of each feature at a second respective point in a second coordinate system; and generating a translation between the first and the second coordinate systems. The generating of the translation may include calculating an offset between the first and the second coordinate systems. The calculating of the offset may include calculating an offset distance between a reference point of the first coordinate system and a reference point of the second coordinate system and calculating an offset angle between an axis of the first coordinate system and an axis of the second coordinate system. |
| US07996177B2 |
Information display system
An information display system includes a sensor which measures a state of each part of a body of a user, an active state identifying section which identifies an active state of the user based on a measurement result, an information estimating section which estimates information required by the user based on the active state identified by the active state identifying section, a database which stores at least the information required by the user, an information selecting section which selects the information required by the user from a plurality of information stored in the database, and an information display section which displays the information required by the user selected by the information selecting section. |
| US07996175B2 |
PCI load card
A PCI load card includes a PCI interface, an operational amplifier, at least two switches, and a controller. A terminal of each switch is connected to an input terminal of the operational amplifier and connected to a standby power pin of the PCI interface via a first resistor. The other terminals of the at least two switches are respectively connected to ground via at least two resistors. The other input terminal of the operational amplifier is grounded. An output terminal of the operational amplifier is connected to a first terminal of the controller, a second terminal of the controller is connected to a system power pin of the PCI interface, a third terminal of the controller is grounded, the power of the controller is adjusted by controlling the at least two switches. |
| US07996173B2 |
Method, apparatus, and article to facilitate distributed evaluation of objects using electromagnetic energy
Objects such as manufactured goods or articles, works of art, media such as identity documents, legal documents, financial instruments, transaction cards, other documents, and/or biological tissue are sampled via sequential illumination in various bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, a test response to the illumination is analyzed with respect to reference responses of reference objects. The sequence may be varied. The sequence may define an activation order, a drive level and/or temperature for operating one or more sources. Illumination may be in visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Elements of the evaluation system may be remote from one another, for example coupled by a network. |
| US07996168B2 |
Method and apparatus for time vernier calibration
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for calibrating a time vernier in an automatic test equipment (ATE) system, the method including generating a data signal and a reference signal whose periods differ by a small amount (dt), using precession of the data signal and reference signal to create accurate delay increments, and creating a trigger signal for Bit Error Rate Test (BERT) counting, the trigger signal having a select frequency such than an integer number (N) of triggers are generated with a precession period (TPREC). Upon occurrence of each trigger, a BERT is initiated for measuring data to determine strobe positions with respect to the data signal. |
| US07996167B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating resistance characteristics of battery based on open circuit voltage estimated by battery voltage variation pattern
An apparatus for estimating resistance characteristics of a battery includes a data storing manager for obtaining and storing battery voltage, current and temperature data of a battery, whenever estimating a battery resistance characteristic; an open circuit voltage calculator for calculating battery open circuit voltage from a battery voltage variation pattern measured at the present and in the past; a weighted mean resistance calculator for calculating a battery resistance parameter from a battery current and a difference between the battery open circuit voltage and a battery voltage, and calculating a weighted mean resistance from battery resistance parameters calculated at the present and in the past; a weighted mean resistance convergence calculator for calculating a weighed mean resistance convergence value by repeatedly calculating a weighted mean sequence using the weighted mean resistance as an initial condition; and a resistance characteristic estimator for estimating a battery resistance from the weighted mean resistance convergence value. |
| US07996163B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a short circuit in a DC link
A system for detecting a short circuit in a direct current (DC) link (312), wherein the DC link (312) is coupled with a rectifier (206) which includes a set of rectifier diode pairs (310). During operation, a controller (500) receives a set of outputs of a power generator 204, a set of machine parameters, and a set of diagnostic values. Next, the controller (500) determines a set of expected operating values corresponding to the set of diagnostic values. The controller (500) then compares diagnostic values to corresponding expected operating values. If the difference between the diagnostic values and the expected operating values exceeds a threshold, the controller (500) provides a flag to indicate that a short circuit condition exists. |
| US07996162B1 |
Detection of shorted output pins
The rates of change and difference between signals sensed at adjacent electronic module output ports are determined and compared to criteria to determine whether the output ports are shorted. |
| US07996161B2 |
Process fluid pressure transmitter with pressure transient detection
A process fluid pressure transmitter includes a process fluid pressure sensor, measurement circuitry, a controller and a loop communicator. The pressure sensor is coupleable to a source of process fluid pressure. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the process fluid pressure sensor and provides a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic of the process fluid pressure sensor. The controller receives the signal from the measurement circuitry and calculates a process fluid pressure based at least in part upon the signal. The controller is also configured to detect a process fluid pressure transient and store at least one parameter related to the process fluid pressure transient. The loop communicator is coupled to the controller and is configured to provide a signal over a process communication loop based upon the process fluid pressure. The process fluid pressure transmitter is also configured to provide an indication related to the at least one stored parameter. |
| US07996157B2 |
Genetic diagnosis using multiple sequence variant analysis
The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid-based genetic analysis. More particularly, it discloses novel insights into the overall structure of genetic variation in all living species. The structure can be revealed with the use of any data set of genetic variants from a particular locus. The invention is useful to define the subset of variations that are most suited as genetic markers to search for correlations with certain phenotypic traits. Additionally, the insights are useful for the development of algorithms and computer programs that convert genotype data into the constituent haplotypes that are laborious and costly to derive in an experimental way. The invention is useful in areas such as (i) genome-wide association studies, (ii) clinical in vitro diagnosis, (iii) plant and animal breeding, (iv) the identification of micro-organisms. |
| US07996153B2 |
Method and apparatus for formation testing
A method includes calculating a correction factor that uses a tool component volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component. An apparatus includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole, a formation test tool coupled to the carrier, the formation test tool including a tool component. A measurement device to estimate a change in the tool component during operation, and a compensator uses an estimated system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation, the compensator compensating for the system volume change and wherein the estimated system volume change is estimated at least in part using a volume change model. |
| US07996151B2 |
Map information display controlling device, system, method, and program, and recording medium where the program is recorded
Provided is a navigation device which appropriately notifies a user of information. When traffic information and feature information are acquired, the traffic information and the feature information are associated with an ID number in accordance with time information and a type contained in the traffic information and the feature information to generate guidance having a single data structure. Calculated based on the time information of the guidance is an elapsed time up to a current time counted by a timer. Regarding the guidance having exceeded a predetermined time period, an icon A of such guidance is displayed in a display pattern different from the guidance not having exceeded the predetermined time period, where the icon A is displayed with higher transparency like an icon A1 or A2. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the reliability of the traffic information and the feature information. The information is thus appropriately notified to the user. |
| US07996147B2 |
Locomotive engine multi-fuel control system and method
A method, in certain embodiments, includes controlling a first parameter set (e.g., fuel injection timing, engine speed, etc.) of an engine to reduce specific fuel consumption to account for a plurality of different fuels alone or in combination with one another. The method also may include controlling a second parameter set (e.g., engine duration, engine speed, manifold air pressure, fuel supply temperature, fuel supply pressure, etc.) of the engine to reduce the possibility of exceeding design limits associated with the engine to account for the plurality of different fuels alone or in combination with one another. |
| US07996146B2 |
Internal combustion engine, control system and operating method for determining a fuel attribute
A method of operating a fuel injected multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes electronically storing a first value or reference value indicative of an engine speed response to a commanded fueling duration change during fueling the engine with a first fuel or reference fuel, such as a known type of diesel fuel. The method further includes operating the internal combustion engine in a fuel testing mode during fueling with a second fuel or test fuel, such as an unknown type of diesel fuel. The fuel testing mode includes determining a second value or test value indicative of an engine speed response to a commanded fueling duration change, comparing the test value with the reference value and outputting a fuel attribute signal which is based at least in part on comparing the reference value and the test value. If a difference between the reference value and the test value satisfies corrective action criteria, a corrective action such as adapting fuel injector control signal duration or shutting down the engine can be taken. An engine and control system whereby the operating method is executed are also provided. |
| US07996143B2 |
Control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
An evaporated fuel gas concentration learning section A8 renews an evaporated fuel gas concentration learning value based on a feedback correction amount FAF. An estimated purge rate calculating section A9 estimates, a flow of an evaporated fuel gas introduced into a combustion chamber based on a flow KP of an evaporated fuel gas passing through a purge control valve in consideration of a transportation delay time duration and a behavior of the evaporated fuel gas. An instructed injection amount determining section A10 calculates a purge correction amount based on the evaporated fuel gas concentration learning value and the estimated purge flow. An evaporated fuel gas purge stop timing adjusting section A11, at a purge control valve closing instruction timing, corrects the feedback correction amount to a base value and corrects the evaporated fuel gas concentration learning value so as to add, to the purge correction amount, an amount corresponding to an correction amount to correct the base injection amount provided by the feedback correction amount at a timing immediately before the feedback correction amount is corrected to the base value. |
| US07996141B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine
In a method for operating an internal combustion engine with a crankcase breather venting into an intake tract, operating parameters of the internal combustion engine are measured 102. A mass flow of fuel from the crankcase into the intake tract is determined as a function of the operating parameters measured 103. The internal combustion engine is controlled 111 or monitored 108 as a function of the mass flow of fuel from the crankcase into the intake tract. |
| US07996133B2 |
Time dilation formulas, algorithms and applications
An algorithm that is part of a collision preparation system that provides selective and limited vehicle braking to avoid undesirable intrusive high-G braking while still giving the system adequate time to activate collision mitigation devices on the vehicle before impact with an object. If a predicted time to collision between the vehicle and the object is less than a required time to collision, which is determined by how much time is necessary for a certain collision mitigation device to be activated, the algorithm calculates a time dilation deceleration. The system causes the vehicle to automatically brake to decelerate the vehicle at the time dilation deceleration until the time dilation deceleration reaches a predetermined decelerating threshold so that more time is available for the collision preparation system to determine whether to activate the collision mitigation device. |
| US07996130B2 |
Driver workload-based vehicle stability enhancement system
A vehicle stability enhancement system that is adapted for an estimated driver workload. The system includes a driver workload estimation processor that estimates the driver workload based on certain factors, such as the vehicle speed or driver-behavior factors. The driver workload estimation is used to adjust the damping ratio and natural frequency in dynamic filters in a command interpreter to adjust a desired yaw rate signal and a desired side-slip signal. The driver workload estimation is also used to generate a yaw rate multiplication factor and a side-slip multiplication factor that modify a yaw rate stability signal and a side-slip stability signal in a feedback control processor that generates a stability control signal. |
| US07996128B2 |
User configurable scan tool
A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device, a processor controlling a software according to the input information and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, the processor receiving a selected information of a user and configuration of the diagnostic tool through the input device and correlating the configuration information with the user information, the processor processing the received diagnostic data according to the selected configuration information corresponding to the selected user by the input unit, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing the configuration information according to the corresponding user information, and a display unit receiving and displaying diagnostic information according to the selected stored configuration information according to the user. |
| US07996127B2 |
Display system for a trailer vehicle
A display system is provided for a trailer equipped with an electronic braking system (EBS) and/or an anti-lock braking system (ABS). A separate display device having a display is provided for indicating at least the mileage on the trailer vehicle. In order to reduce the amount of wiring required, a speed signal of at least one of the wheels of the trailer is looped through the EBS/ABS and is routed directly to the display device. |
| US07996126B2 |
Apparatus and method for navigation based on illumination intensity
An apparatus and method for navigation based on the intensity of illumination. The apparatus includes: a photosensitive sensor sensing light; a photosensitive sensor processor calculating an illumination intensity of the light sensed by the photosensitive sensor; a drive unit moving the apparatus; an actuator actuating the drive unit; and a task manager generating data usable to move the apparatus along a trajectory of a preset target illumination intensity where the illumination intensity measured by the photosensitive sensor processor is the same as the target illumination intensity using the difference between the measured illumination intensity and the target illumination intensity. The actuator uses the data generated by the task manager to actuate the drive unit. |
| US07996125B2 |
System and method for displaying vehicle efficiency
A system and method for determining and displaying an overall efficiency value of a vehicle. The vehicle may include an engine and an electric machine that operates to provide torque to propel the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle may have an electric power source that provides electric power to the electric machine. A controller may determine and transmit the overall efficiency value so that the information display displays the number of efficiency indicators. Also, the number of efficiency indicators displayed may be based on the overall efficiency value. |
| US07996123B2 |
Device and method for controlling the engine speed and the slip of the clutch of a ship's propulsion system
A control unit and a method for influencing the speed of an engine and the slip of a downstream clutch of a transmission of a ship's propulsion system via an electronic control unit in response to a manual control-signal generator to select the sense of rotation and the driving speed, wherein, as the clutch is engaged to initiate forward or reverse driving, a slip determination unit of the electronic control unit influences the slip of the clutch in response to a ramp function characteristic to reduce the clutch's slip during an engagement period. |
| US07996121B2 |
Device and method for assisting in the management of an engine failure on an aircraft
A device and method for assisting in the management of an engine failure on an aircraft: (1) determine, when an engine failure occurs, flight profiles allowing the closest airports to be reached according to flight strategies and (2) present, on a screen, the airports associated with the determined flight profiles and corresponding predictions. |
| US07996115B2 |
Modular and expandable irrigation controller
Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program. |
| US07996108B2 |
Sheet product dispenser and method of operation
A sheet product dispenser and method of operation is provided. The sheet product dispenser records usage data and stores the data on a storage device. A dispenser controller uses the usage data to create a model that is used to determine a predicted depletion date. The depletion date is provided as feedback to an operator to allow the operator to more efficiently dispatch maintenance personnel. In one embodiment, the feedback is in the form of a display on the front of the dispenser that displays the predicted depletion date. |
| US07996103B2 |
Embroidery data generating apparatus and computer readable medium storing embroidery data generating program
An embroidery data generating apparatus for embroidering image data configured by multiplicity of pixels including a color difference calculator calculating a color difference between sewing thread color of the target segment and an underpass segment underlying the target segment; an angular difference sum calculator calculating an angular difference between the underpass segment and the target segment, the angular difference being measured at an intersecting pixel where the target segment and the underpass segment intersect; a third determiner determining whether or not to append the target segment to the sequence information based on the angular difference when the sum of the color difference is determined to be equal to or less than the first predetermined value; and a second segment appender that appends the target segment between the focus segment and the subsequent segment when determined by the third determiner to append the target segment to the sequence information. |
| US07996102B2 |
Process control using process data and yield data
A method for monitoring a manufacturing process features acquiring metrology data for semiconductor wafers at the conclusion of a final process step for the manufacturing process (“Step a”). Data is acquired for a plurality of process variables for a first process step for manufacturing semiconductor wafers (“Step b”). A first mathematical model of the first process step is created based on the metrology data and the acquired data for the plurality of process variables for the first process step (“Step c”). Steps b and c are repeated for at least a second process step for manufacturing the semiconductor wafers (“Step d”). An nth mathematical model is created based on the metrology data and the data for the plurality of process variables for each of the n process steps ('Step e“). A top level mathematical model is created based on the metrology data and the models created by steps c, d and e (”Step f'). The top level mathematical model of Step f is based on those process variables that have a substantial effect on the metrology data. |
| US07996101B2 |
Cartridge apparatus for three-dimensional object printing
A cartridge apparatus for supplying materials to a three-dimensional printing system is provided. The cartridge apparatus may include a cartridge, a data storage device to record data relating to a material contained within the cartridge and a reader to read data from the data storage device and transmit the data to a controller of the printing system. |
| US07996096B2 |
Estimation of process control parameters over predefined travel segments
A method of determining a segment-specific estimate of a parameter associated with a process control loop includes receiving signal data corresponding to a signal from a process control loop, storing the signal data, partitioning the stored signal data into a plurality of data segments and performing a statistical analysis on a first one of the plurality of data segments selected from the plurality of data segments to generate a first segment-specific parameter estimate. |
| US07996095B2 |
Method and arrangement for controlling a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus
In a method, system, and a computer-readable medium being a data structure for remote control of an MR scanner for execution of a corresponding measurement, all method steps for controlling or for preparation of the MR scanner are executed on a controller that is independent of the real scanner. A virtual apparatus that simulates the real scanner is implemented on the controller. Control parameters that are relayed to the scanner from the controller in order to prepare the scanner for a measurement are generated from the automatically-registered parameters. |
| US07996089B2 |
Methods and implantable systems for neural sensing and nerve stimulation
Apparatus for producing a dorsiflexion of the foot of a patient comprises a combined sensing and stimulation electrode device having neurosense and stimulation electrode means capable of sensing a nerve signal from a peripheral nerve and stimulating peripheral motor nerve fibers. The neurosense and stimulation electrode means are implantable above the knee of a patient. Means for receiving and processing the sensed nerve signals are provided to identify a signal indicative of the timing of hell strike and heel lift of the patient and for producing a control signal in response thereto. Means for operating said neurosense and stimulation electrode means in response to the control signal to produce stimulation of the peripheral motor nerve fibers are also provided. |
| US07996085B2 |
Isolation of sensing circuit from pace generator
In a system for sensing electrical signals within a living body, and specifically for tracking location of an object in the body using impedance measurements, an isolation circuit maintains isolation between the pacing and position sensing circuits, even while the heart is being paced. |
| US07996079B2 |
Input response override for an implantable medical device
A method and apparatus for providing an override of an operational mode of an implantable medical device. An override input to enter an override mode is received. A determination as to whether a magnetic input has been received is made. A predetermined response to the magnetic input is blocked in response to receiving the override input. |
| US07996072B2 |
Positionally adaptable implantable cardiac device
Cardiac sensing and/or stimulation devices and methods that adapt to implant location and positioning, and may employ automated vector selection from multiple electrodes. Devices include a housing having a first face opposing a second face, and an edge extending around the perimeter. A pulse generator and controller are coupled to three or more electrodes. Electrode arrangement facilitates selection of the particular electrodes that sense cardiac activity irrespective of one or more of positioning of the device, rotation of the housing, and which of the first and second faces of the housing is orientated toward the patient's skin. A first vector may be selected that provides for sensing cardiac activity, and a second vector may sense skeletal muscle activity. The vectors may be selected based on amplitude or signal-to-noise ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold. Methods may involve delivering defibrillation or cardioversion energy and/or determining cardiac rhythm states using selected vectors. |
| US07996070B2 |
Template matching method for monitoring of ECG morphology changes
An implantable medical device and associated method perform ECG morphology monitoring. A subcutaneous ECG signal and a posture signal are sensed in a patient. A cardiac condition is detected in response to the ECG signal and the posture signal. In one embodiment, multiple ECG morphology templates corresponding to each of a number of different patient postures are acquired and stored for use in detecting a cardiac condition. |
| US07996067B2 |
In-vivo imaging device, optical system and method
An in-vivo device may include an optical system, and a method for viewing in-vivo sites. A dome or cover may cover an end of the device, protecting optical elements such as illumination devices or imagers, which may be behind the dome. The dome may be forward projecting. The field of view of the imager may be for example forward looking. Illumination element(s) and a receiving unit or imager may be disposed behind a single optical window, which for example may enable obtaining of images free of backscatter and stray light. |
| US07996064B2 |
System and method for placing and determining an appropriately sized surgical implant
Images taken before a surgical procedure by an imager are displayed by a computer and overlaid with graphical representations of instruments and/or surgical implants. The graphical representations can be used to determined appropriate sizes of the surgical implants and trajectories for placement. Also, the images can be used in the operating room. The graphical representations can be updated in real-time to correspond to movement of the instruments in the operating room. |
| US07996061B2 |
Method and surgical navigation system for creating a recess to receive an acetabulum
A system and method for creating a cavity to receive an acetabulum in a pelvic bone with the aid of a navigated tool are provided. A tear-drop point on a pelvic bone is located by means of a scanning instrument. A tear-drop plane is determined from position data of the tear-drop point and the plane of the pelvic inlet. The tear-drop plane lies perpendicular to the plane of the pelvic inlet, extends parallel to a line connecting the two anterior superior iliac spines, and runs through the tear-drop point. A reference point is determined which is at a defined height above the tear-drop plane, in a defined position in an anterior-posterior direction, and at a defined spacing from an outer surface of the pelvic bone in a lateral-medial direction. A tool is worked into the pelvic bone in a desired direction relative to the reference point. |
| US07996059B2 |
Esophagus imaging enhancement device
A device for enhancing visualization of an esophagus when imaged by a visualization system includes a structure including material that is clearly visible when imaged by the visualization system. The structure is arranged, when inserted into the esophagus, to expand so as to conform to an inner surface of the esophagus in order to enhance a visualization quality of the surface when imaged by the visualization system. A cord attached to the structure is arranged to extend out of the esophagus so as to assist a removal of the device from the esophagus. |
| US07996058B2 |
Method using implantable wireless transponder using position coordinates for assessing functionality of a heart valve
A method for assessing functionality of a valve in a heart includes providing a position sensor that is a wireless transponder for transmitting or receiving an ultrasound wave for determination of position coordinates of the position sensor at the point; implanting the wireless transponder at a point on the valve; and using a position determining system for determining whether the valve is functioning properly based on position coordinates of the wireless transponder. |
| US07996057B2 |
Ultrasound catheter calibration with enhanced accuracy
An apparatus for calibration of a probe that includes a magnetic position sensor and an acoustic imaging device has a rigid mechanical framework. One or more field generators, fixed to the framework, generate a magnetic field of known spatial characteristics. An acoustic target assembly includes a phantom coupled to a motion mechanism, which is arranged to move the phantom in a known orbit relative to the framework. A jig, fixed to the framework, holds the probe within the magnetic field of the one or more field generators, in an orientation suitable for the imaging device to image the phantom. A processor processes position and image signals from the probe in order to calibrate coordinates of the imaging device relative to the position sensor. |
| US07996055B2 |
Cardiac navigation system including electrode array for use therewith
A cardiac navigation system including a mapping catheter, a control system coupled to the mapping catheter, an electrode array, and means for driving an electrical current across the electrode array. The mapping catheter includes means for sensing an electrical field. The control system includes means for receiving sensed signals from the mapping catheter. The cardiac navigation system includes at least one electrode array including means for providing an electrical field across three axes. The three axes are approximately orthogonal with respect to one another. The means for driving an electrical current across the three axes includes means for providing a plurality of individual current sources to the electrode array. As such, the cardiac navigation system presented provides a more uniform sheet of current across an area of interest, the mapping catheter senses the electrical field across the area of interest, and the control system determines a three-dimensional location of the mapping catheter based on the sensed electrical field. |
| US07996054B2 |
Electrochemical analyte sensor
An electrochemical analyte sensor having conductive traces on a substrate is used to determine a level of analyte in in vitro or in vivo analyte-containing fluids. The electrochemical analyte sensor includes a substrate and conductive material disposed on the substrate, the conductive material forming a working electrode. In some sensors, the conductive material is disposed in recessed channels formed in a surface of the sensor. An electron transfer agent and/or catalyst may be provided to facilitate the electrolysis of the analyte or of a second compound whose level depends on the level of the analyte. A potential is formed between the working electrode and a reference electrode or counter/reference electrode and the resulting current is a function of the concentration of the analyte in the fluid. |
| US07996053B2 |
Quench-controlled high temperature superconductor
The present invention relates to a quench controlled high temperature superconductor component wherein at least one depression is provided in a surface of the component resulting in a reduced wall thickness, and, wherein an electrical shunt is applied into the depression. |
| US07996046B2 |
Smart alert charms for wireless devices
A notification charm for a wireless communication device and a method of operating the wireless device to provide an alert on the charm are presented. The charm may be a bracelet, watch, keychain, ring, or other ornamental device which can generate event and preference based alerts about events occurring on a wireless device. |
| US07996042B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for providing call-forwarding information
A mobile communication terminal and for providing call-forwarding information are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a registration message or an origination message including user identity information to a network and receiving call-forwarding information of a corresponding subscriber included in an ACK message, thereby providing call-forwarding information interworked with the network and the mobile communication terminal. Accordingly, a user of the mobile communication terminal can precisely recognize accurate call-forwarding information in real time. |
| US07996041B2 |
Apparatus and method for requesting initiation of a communication session using capability configuration parameters with card application toolkit
A means by which a list of service options may be used as capability configuration parameters to specify a card application toolkit call setup command, such as from R-UIM applications, is provided. For example, when the R-UIM application sends a call setup command to a mobile communication station, the R-UIM application may also send a list of service options that may be used by the mobile communication station to negotiate with the network. During the service negotiation process of setting up the call, the mobile communication station will only use or accept a service option that is in the service option list. |
| US07996037B1 |
Communication device
A communication device, such as a mobile phone, which implements a voice communication mode, a digital mirror mode, and a voice dialing mode, wherein the image retrieved from the camera is displayed in an inverted manner when the digital mirror mode is implemented, and a dialing process is performed by utilizing an audio data retrieved via the microphone when the voice dialing mode is implemented. |
| US07996036B1 |
Method and system for providing mobility to enhanced call service features at remote locations
A system and method for providing PBX-like functionality at a remote office location includes the capability of maintaining a network session with a mobile number associated with the remote worker once the worker terminates the remote office session. The system utilizes a remote office platform interposed between a data communications network and a conventional PBX switch (located either at a subscriber-based office location or within the communication network and shared by a number of different subscribers). A remotely located individual (such as a telecommuter) “logs in” to the remote office platform and, once the individual is authenticated, a graphical user interface (GUI) emulating a PBX station set is enabled at the remote employee's personal computer, the GUI including a field for entry of the user's mobile number. When the user ends the session at the remote location, the platform invokes a mobility process to maintain a communication session with the remote worker via the communication device associated with the mobile number. |
| US07996035B2 |
Matching circuit for adaptive impedance matching in radio
An impedance matching circuit for a radio receives antenna signals and has its matching elements, such as capacitors, progressively switched into the circuit, with the matching element configuration resulting in the highest RSSI being subsequently used until a succeeding test or antenna impedance change. The effect of the matching circuit is accounted for in the transmitter calibration routine so that the matching circuit works for both half duplex and full duplex. |
| US07996033B2 |
Radio communication system and base station
A radio communication system includes a grouping unit for grouping a plurality of base stations into a plurality of groups (Soft Handoff Groups) and a determining unit for selecting base stations belonging to one and the same group selected from the groups produced by the grouping unit and for determining the base stations as base stations to send communication packets to an access terminal. |
| US07996032B2 |
Power control and resource management in orthogonal wireless systems
A method for controlling power in a wireless network is provided. The method includes determining a relative power parameter at a wireless device such as a mobile wireless terminal and receiving a load parameter at the wireless device, where the load parameter is associated with at least one other wireless cell. The method includes adjusting transmit power of the wireless device in view of the relative power parameter and the load parameter. In another embodiment, the transmit power can be controlled in view of an absolute power spectral density parameter. |
| US07996029B2 |
Method of allocating radio resources in a wireless communication system
A method of allocating radio resources in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method of allocating radio resources from a network of a wireless communication system in accordance with a plurality of scheduling modes comprises transmitting first scheduling information to a user equipment to allocate radio resources to the user equipment in accordance with a first scheduling mode, the first scheduling information including a first user equipment identifier, and transmitting second scheduling information to the user equipment to allocate radio resources to the user equipment in accordance with a second scheduling mode, the second scheduling information including a second user equipment identifier. |
| US07996026B2 |
Data reception apparatus having data display function
Cellular phones (1a, 1b) adjust the brightness of an image before sending mail with an attached photograph, so that it is possible to visually verify the mail text when the mail text is overlaid over the image, which serves as a background image attached to the mail text at the receiving side, after which the mail is send to a system (in particular, to mail servers (33) and (63)). The color of mail text characters is changed in responsive to the image brightness. When the cellular phones (1a, 1b) receive an e-mail with an attached photograph, they display the mail text overlaid over the image as a background image (which has had its brightness adjusted). |
| US07996019B2 |
Intelligent location-based services
A method (500) for dynamically providing location-based services based, at least in part, on time (114), current detected information (116, 118), historical information (124, 126), contextual information (128), user preferences (120, 130) and/or a user input (122). |
| US07996017B2 |
Location of subscriber terminal in packet-switched radio system
The invention relates to a packet-switched radio system and to a method of performing a function of the subscriber terminal location service in a packet-switched radio system. The method comprises the (302) subscriber terminal transmitting a request message for location service to the core network of the radio system via the radio system; (304) performing at least one function of the location service required in the request message; (306) the core network transmitting a response message to the subscriber terminal via the radio network. |
| US07996009B2 |
Method for authenticating access to an unlicensed wireless communications system using a licensed wireless communications system authentication process
A method of authenticating a user seeking access to an unlicensed wireless communication system includes delivering to an unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device licensed wireless communication system security information. An authentication result produced by the subscriber device is processed in response to the licensed wireless communication system security information. The authentication result is compared with an authentication value to selectively produce an authentication command. Unlicensed wireless communication between the subscriber device and an unlicensed wireless communication system base station is enabled in response to the authentication command. |
| US07996005B2 |
Mobile communication device monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example in accordance with an embodiment, each of the data services on a mobile communication device may be monitored against rules stored in a central data center repository. The data services may include all forms of communications between the mobile communication device and a third party along with changes to application or data within the mobile communication device. An alert may be provided to an administrator when unauthorized data service activity and/or a message may be sent to the mobile communication device to prevent the unauthorized data service activity. |
| US07996004B2 |
Wireless communication system and test method thereof, and access terminal for testing wireless communication system
A wireless communication system and its test method capable of executing a test of the wireless communication apparatus from a remote place by using a terminal generally used in wireless communication systems are implemented with a low-cost configuration and a simple procedure. A terminal obtained by installing a test AP on a general terminal that is used in general wireless communication systems and that can execute APs via a communication network is placed in a coverage area of a wireless communication apparatus. A maintenance center for the wireless communication system activates the terminal. The terminal executes the test AP and conducts communication with the maintenance center by using control signals and test signals for testing wireless communication system. A test is executed by measuring an actual communication state of the wireless communication system. |
| US07996003B2 |
Integrated circuit and device for mobile communications
When generating an RF test signal for mismatch calibration for receiver in order to calibrate reception mismatch of an I-phase signal and a Q-phase signal that are output from demodulated signal processing circuits coupled to mixers for receiving, a Tx VCO avoids covering the higher frequency of an RF received signal in an FDD system. An RF test signal generating unit generates, in a calibration mode of a mismatch calibration for receiver circuit, the RF test signal by using an oscillation output signal of the Tx VCO and other circuits, and supplies the same to the mixers for receiving via a switch. The RF test signal has a frequency within an RF reception frequency band that is higher than that of an RF transmission signal with the maximum frequency band of multiband radio frequency communications. By switching the switch in a reception mode, an output of a low-noise amplifier that amplifies the RF received signal received by an antenna is supplied to each of the mixers for receiving. |
| US07995999B2 |
Methods and systems for delivering travel-related information
Methods and systems are provided for delivering travel related information with an intelligent network. One method embodiment includes establishing a communication with the intelligent network through an access device, determining a location of the access device, and obtaining the travel-related information with the access device through the intelligent network, wherein the travel-related information includes data related to a location of the access device. Additional system and computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods and systems are also provided. |
| US07995996B2 |
System and method for providing short message targeted advertisements over a wireless communications network
A method and system for providing targeted advertisement information to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to advertise on certain wireless communications devices that are in close proximity to the advertiser. As a consumer enters a cell site that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message to the wireless device that is specified by the local advertiser. An acknowledgement signal is then received by the network, and the local advertiser's account is charged for transmission of the advertisement. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more demographic codes, and users of wireless communications device select from one more demographic codes to describer their advertisement preferences. Messages to be transmitted to particular wireless communications devices are selected based upon both the location information and the demographics codes that are associated with the messages. |
| US07995995B2 |
Voice over IP based biometric authentication
An individual's identity is verifiable using voice biometrics. A voice biometric system includes a receiver configured to receive, from a remote communications device, a voice biometric sample of a party attempting to obtain a service from a remote system. The service is provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual. The voice biometric system also includes a processor configured to compare the voice biometric sample received by the receiver to voice biometric information obtained from a storage to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual. The receiver and processor are provided within a communications network. |
| US07995993B1 |
System and method for linking existing Wi-Fi access points into a single unified network
The present invention comprises a system and method for providing a distributed wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, at least one information processor is coupled to and accessible over a communication network, such as the internet. Network bandwidth is provided to a first user of at least two end users for a first fee and to a second user of the at least two end users for a second fee. The bandwidth is provided by at least one network service provider. Further, at least two wireless gateway devices are each respectively operated by the end users, and the wireless gateway devices are configured to provide wireless access to the communication network within a transmission range and to communicate with the at one least information processor. Also, at least two wireless receiving devices are provided that are operable to receive the respective bandwidth from the at least two wireless gateway devices when in transmission range. Preferably, the first user is authorized to use the second bandwidth and the second user is authorized to use the first bandwidth via the wireless devices. Thus a system and method of sharing bandwidth is provided. |
| US07995991B2 |
Credit based management of telecommunication activity
An apparatus for allowing a telecommunication service provider to manage the risk that a subscriber will not pay their bill for use of the provider's telecommunication system comprising interface means, operating within a digital computer, for communicating information relating to a particular subscriber, said interface means includes a first portion for communicating information relating to said particular subscriber with a payment records database and a second portion for receiving a call information record for each call involving said particular subscriber, said call information record derived from information compiled by a switching center that is capable of establishing connections between a plurality of pairs of telecommunication devices and simultaneously maintaining such connections; credit means, operating within said digital computer, for using said first portion of said interface to obtain a billing and payment history for said particular subscriber, for using said billing and payment history to establish a credit limit for said particular subscriber; analysis means, operating within said digital computer, for receiving each of said call information record for said particular subscriber from said second portion of said interface means and using said call information record to compare call usage of said particular subscriber call to said credit limit for said particular subscriber; and output means, operating within said digital computer, for outputting an indication to the telecommunication service provider that said particular subscriber has exceeded said credit limit for said particular subscriber. |
| US07995985B2 |
Wireless security messaging model
Reducing power consumption and interference in wireless communication is provided. For example, in one embodiment, a method is provided that listens for radio frequency (“RF”) activity on a receiver utilizing a first receiver antenna. When no RF activity is detected the receiver is switched “on” and a command is transmitted. If a reply to the transmission is not received the receiver is turned “off.” After an expiration of time, the receiver is again switched “on” and another command is transmitted on a second antenna coupled to the receiver. Thereafter, if a reply is not received the receiver is again turned “off.” Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method. |
| US07995983B2 |
Gilbert mixers with improved isolation
The employment of cascading in connection with improving mixer isolation in a Gilbert mixer circuit. In this vein, there is broadly contemplated herein, inter alia, the provision of a mixer suitable for use in a direct-conversion radio receiver operating in the 57-64 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. Such a receiver may be integrated along with a transmitter entirely on a silicon integrated circuit and can be used to receive and transmit data signals in such applications as wireless personal-area networks (WPANs). Numerous other applications, of course, are available for a mixer with improved LO-to-RF isolation, particularly at millimeter-wave frequencies where high LO-to-RF isolation is difficult to achieve. |
| US07995981B2 |
Receiver with image rejection calibration at an undesired picture carrier and method therefor
In one embodiment, a method is provided. An in-band calibration tone is generated at a frequency of an undesired interfering signal. A receiver is calibrated using the calibration tone to reject image interference caused by the undesired interfering signal. |
| US07995980B2 |
Automatic gain control apparatus and method
An automatic gain control apparatus includes a first comparing module, a counting module, a second comparing module, and a control module. The first comparing module compares an input signal with a first threshold level and a second threshold level to generate a first compared output signal and a second compared output signal respectively. The counting module performs counting operations upon the first compared output signal and the second compared output signal to generate a first counting number and a second counting number respectively. The second comparing module compares the first counting number with a first threshold number to generate a first detection signal and compares the second counting number with a second threshold number to generate a second detection signal. The control module controls the gain of a radio frequency amplifier or an intermediate frequency amplifier according to the first detection signal and the second detection signal. |
| US07995969B2 |
Millimeter wave power conversion
A translation transceiver device consistent with certain embodiments has a 60 GHz band receiver for receiving SD type device compatible transmissions. A demodulator demodulates the SD type transmissions. A decoder decodes the demodulated SD type transmissions into received data. An AD type encoder encodes the received data to produce AD type transmitter compatible data. An AD type modulator modulates the AD type transmitter compatible data, and an AD type 60 GHz band transmitter transmits the modulated AD type transmitter compatible data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US07995965B2 |
Adaptable power supply circuit
A power supply circuit and a transponder having a circuit for rectifying an A.C. voltage and two power storage elements, the rectifying circuit providing a rectified voltage to at least one of the storage elements and an output voltage being provided by at least one of the storage elements, and at least one switching element for switching the circuit operation between a state of provision of a relatively high voltage and a state of provision of a relatively low voltage, the second state configuring the rectifying circuit in halfwave operation. |
| US07995962B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A sheet post-processing apparatus (1) includes a first stapler (4) and a second stapler (5) for stapling the stack of sheets on a stack tray (61), a first moving frame member (10) on which the first stapler (4) is mounted rotatably, a second moving frame member (11) on which the second stapler (5) is mounted, a rotating member (20) rotatably mounted on the first moving frame member (10), the rotating member (20) so held in engagement with the first moving frame member (10) as to move linearly the first moving frame member (10) by rotation of the rotating member (20), and also rotating the first stapler (4) by rotation of the rotating member (20), and a single drive power source (16) for driving the rotating member (20). |
| US07995961B2 |
Waste developer collecting device and image forming apparatus
A waste developer collecting device comprising: a collecting container; a collecting opening; a conveying unit; a filter; a partition wall; and an air inlet. |
| US07995960B2 |
Image forming apparatus having units for cleaning photosensitive members
An image forming apparatus includes photosensitive members which are aligned along a conveying direction of a transfer medium and on each of which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; developing units which supply a plurality of colors of developing agent to the photosensitive members, respectively; and cleaning rollers which slidably contact the photosensitive members to collect at least one of paper powder and developing agent adhering to surfaces of the photosensitive members, respectively. A most upstream cleaning roller which slidably contacts a most upstream photosensitive member in the conveying direction is provided with a paper powder absorption shaft which attracts and absorbs paper powder from the cleaning roller. A most downstream cleaning roller which slidably contacts a most downstream photosensitive member in the conveying direction is not provided with the paper powder absorption shaft. |
| US07995954B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including same which includes a supply path and a recovery path
A developing device including a developer container casing, a developer bearing member to supply toner to a latent image, a supply path to convey developer in an axial direction of the developer bearing member, a supply conveyance member to apply a force to the developer in the supply path to convey the developer, a recovery path to return the developer reaching a downstream end of the supply path to an upstream end of the supply path relative to a direction of conveyance of the developer, and a recovery conveyance member to apply a force to the developer in the recovery path to convey the developer. A bottom surface of the supply path is tilted such that the bottom surface at the downstream end of the supply path relative to the direction of conveyance of the developer is lower than the bottom surface at the upstream end of the supply path. |
| US07995949B2 |
Powder conveyance device, process unit, and image forming device
A powder conveyance device is disclosed that enables plural powder conveyance paths to be easily and reliably attached and detached. The powder conveyance device includes a first housing including a first powder conveyance path, and a second housing including a second powder conveyance path, the first housing and the second housing being detachably attached to each other. A projection portion is provided in the first housing, the projection portion having a hole in communication with the first powder conveyance path, and a hole portion is provided in the second housing, the hole portion being in communication with the second powder conveyance path. When attaching the first housing to or detaching the first housing from the second housing, the projection portion is inserted into or drawn out of the hole portion. |
| US07995947B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and charging device and process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus
The invention provides a charging device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a fax machine, a printer or the like, the charging device including: a gold-plated discharge wire for charging an image carrier such as a photoconductive member or the like; and a cleaning member, having an abrasive, for cleaning the discharge wire, with the gold plating being maintained over time satisfactorily, and provides a process cartridge having this charging device. The cleaning member has an abrasive containing alumina and/or silicon, the grain size of which ranges from #6000 to #8000. The discharge wire is a tungsten wire on which a plating film is formed by gold plating, such that the thickness of the plating film is not smaller than 1.5 μm, and the diameter of the tungsten wire is not smaller than 30 μm. |
| US07995946B2 |
Image forming apparatus having cleaning member for cleaning transmission member
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an optical unit provided below the photosensitive drum and including a cover glass for transmitting light emitted toward the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the cover glass. The cleaning member includes a cleaning sheet configured to move foreign substances on the surface, and a wiping member configured to wipe foreign substances from the surface. The cleaning sheet and the wiping member move in contact with the surface of the cover glass when the cleaning member cleans the surface. The wiping member moves in contact with a portion of the surface of the cover glass after the cleaning sheet moves in contact with the portion. Accordingly, the cover glass can be reliably cleaned even when an unexpectedly large number of foreign substances that vary in particle size and shape adhere to the cover glass. |
| US07995942B2 |
Developing apparatus of image forming apparatus and supplying method of toner
A developing unit that includes a stirring roller stirring a developer and a developing roller and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a toner image; a drive source that rotationally drives the developing roller and the stirring roller; and a control unit that switches a rotational speed of the developing roller in modes of an image formation mode and an adjustment mode, and rotationally controls the stirring roller at a first speed in the modes are provided. |
| US07995939B2 |
Toner calibration measurement
The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating an image forming device using a toner patch sensor which emits and detects light in at a given wavelength. A plurality of toner patches may be deposited onto a control surface, wherein the toner patches include a first toner patch including a first toner, a second toner patch including the first toner deposited over a second toner, and a third toner patch including the second toner. Signals indicative of the reflectivity of the plurality of toner patches and the control surface may be measured by emitting light of a given wavelength in the infrared spectrum and detecting the amount of incident light reflected from said plurality of toner patches and said control surface. The signals indicative of reflectivity may then be used to adjust operating parameters of the image forming device which may then control toner mass density. |
| US07995937B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying body which includes a surface on which a developer which corresponds to printing data is applied; a transferring unit which receives transferring electric power to form a transferring area which transfers the developer to a transferring target body; a power supply unit which applies transferring electric power to the transferring unit; and a control unit which controls the power supply unit to apply first transferring electric power or second transferring electric power based on the amount of the developer in a unit section on a surface of the image carrying body. Thus, the present general inventive concept provides an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof for improving a printing image quality. |
| US07995936B2 |
Optical measurement system and method for determining wear level of printer components
Optical measurement system and method for determining a wear level of printer components such as fuser rolls. Papers can be treated with optical brighteners, which act as distinct tag/trace molecules with fluorescent properties. A fluorescence pattern on the fuser roll can be changed in accordance with the edge density distribution in the print engine, when paper edges are accumulated on the fuser roll surface. A photo detector can capture a two-dimensional, digital image of the fluorescence pattern on the fuser roll surface to be measured, after illuminating the fuser roll, with intensity near ultraviolet range, by a light source. An image processor with a parameterized model can measure changes in the fluorescence pattern by analyzing the digital image of the fuser roll surface in order to determine the level of edge wear on the fuser rolls. |
| US07995926B2 |
Scanned acquisition using pre-track data
A scan acquisition technique for acquiring terminals (62, 64) that does not rely on precise alignment between a sensor (66, 70) and a transmitter (68, 72) associated with the terminals (62, 64). The terminals (62, 64) separate uncertainty regions (76, 78) into a plurality of sections (88, 90). Scan beams (82, 84) include encoded information of what section (88, 90) the scan beam (82, 84) is currently scanning. Each terminal (62, 64) will eventually receive the scan beam (82, 84) of the other terminal (62, 64). When it does, it will encode its scan beam (82, 84) with both the outgoing code and the return code for that section (88, 90), so that when it's scan beam (82, 84) is received by the other terminal (62, 64), that terminal (62, 64) will know what scan section (88, 90) the other terminal (62, 64) is located. |
| US07995925B2 |
Optical receiver using beam combining and system using the same
An optical beam combiner is provided, which allows efficient collection of light for various applications: non-line of sight and free space optical communications, remote sensing, optical imaging and others. A multitude of transverse scattered optical beam portions is captured by the multi-aperture array positioned perpendicular to the beam projection direction. These beam portions are combined first into a single optical waveguide with minimal loss of power. This is achieved by modulating the beam portions phase and coupling ratio of couplers in the optical beam combiner tuned to maximize the final output power. The data is recovered from the received optical beam using coherent detection. |
| US07995916B2 |
Verification of path integrity in optical switch network
To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals. |
| US07995915B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing transmission lines normally propagating optical signals
Portable apparatus for measuring parameters of optical signals propagating concurrently in opposite directions in an optical transmission path between two elements, at least one of the elements being operative to transmit a first optical signal (S1) only if it continues to receive a second optical signal (S2) from the other (10) of said elements, comprises first and second connectors for connecting the apparatus into the optical transmission path in series therewith, and a device connected between the first and second connectors for propagating at least the second optical signal (S2) towards the one of the elements, and measuring the parameters of the concurrently propagating optical signals (S1, S2). The measurement results may be displayed by a suitable display unit. Where one element transmits signals at two different wavelengths, the apparatus may separate parts of the corresponding optical signal portion according to wavelength and process them separately. |
| US07995909B2 |
Auto-focusing method
An auto-focusing method includes: setting a central point of area of interest according to a user's input to select a moving object to perform auto tracking of the moving object within an image; setting an auto focusing area encompassing the central point of area of interest, the auto focusing area in which an operation is performed for auto focusing; setting a tracking sub-window encompassing the auto focusing area, the tracking sub-window in which an operation is performed for auto tracking; and tracking, by the central point of area of interest according to the user's input, the auto focusing area and the tracking sub-window, the moving object while changing a position of the auto focusing area and updating a position of the tracking sub-window according to a movement of the moving object. |
| US07995906B2 |
Illumination device for video presenter and video presenter having illumination device
An illumination device for a video presenter includes a light source and an optical lens. The light source radiates light beams incident on a stage where an object to be photographed is placed and arranged inclined at an acute angle with respect to a surface of the stage. The optical lens is arranged between the light source and the stage and inclined to be more parallel to the stage than the light source. |
| US07995904B2 |
Trick mode system
A method is described for trick mode playback, the method including selecting a key-frame in a recording substantially in the vicinity of a trick mode playback starting position, preparing a decryption key associated with a key period including the selected key-frame, sending the prepared decryption key to a descrambler, thereby enabling decryption of video beginning at the selected key-frame, sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames, starting at the selected key-frame, at a predetermined speed for a predetermined number of seconds, to a video decoder, in parallel to the sending P seconds of video frames, choosing at least a second video section to stream to the video decoder, sending a decryption key associated with the chosen second video section to the descrambler, and repeating the steps of selecting, preparing, sending the prepared decryption key, and sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US07995894B2 |
Telecommunications connection cabinet
A telecommunications connection cabinet includes a termination region, a fiber optic splitter mounting location, and a predetermined connector storage region positioned within an interior of a housing. The termination region includes telecommunications adapters, each telecommunications adapter being configured for coupling together two fiber optic connectors such that an optical interconnection is made between the two fiber optic connectors. The connector storage region is spaced from the termination region. The storage region defines openings allotted to removably mount connector storage housings at the connector storage region. |