| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08056621B2 |
Master ball valve with integrated hanger
A master ball valve with an integrated main hanger below the valve which may be used to hang jointed tubing, coil tubing, or electrified coil tubing for connection with an electric submersible pump. |
| US08056617B2 |
HVAC system for a work vehicle
An HVAC system for work vehicle having an operator compartment for an operator is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a pressurizer blower and an air-conditioning system coupled to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to reduce the output of the pressurizer blower when the operator selects a high output from the air-conditioning system. The HVAC system is also configured to provide defog operation in both a manual mode and an automatic mode of operation. The HVAC system is configured to reset the defog operation when the vehicle ignition is turned off or turned back on. The HVAC system is also configured not to reset the defog operation when the operator switches rapidly between the automatic mode and the manual mode of operation. |
| US08056615B2 |
Evaporative compact high intensity cooler
An evaporative compact high intensity cooler (ECHIC) for transferring heat from a heat source along a heat conduction surface of the heat source with a two-phase coolant, comprises a flow passage labyrinth of flow passages with short conduction paths interrupted by coolant columns that all radiate from at least one coolant supply passage and offer the coolant expanding volume as the coolant evaporates due to absorbing heat within the flow passages from the heat conduction surface to maintain nearly isobaric conditions for the coolant to maintain relatively constant temperature throughout the ECHIC as it absorbs heat from the heat source and limit boundary layer formation within the flow passages to improve heat transfer. |
| US08056614B2 |
Heat sink and modular heat sink
A modular heat sink including a first heat sink and a second heat sink is disclosed. The first heat sink includes a first base having a female connecting part and a first fin assembly disposed on the first base. The second heat sink is connected to the first heat sink and includes a second base having a male connecting part for coupling the female connecting part and a second fin assembly disposed on the second base. The male connecting part is coupled with the female connecting part. |
| US08056610B2 |
Secondary cooling apparatus and casting apparatus
A secondary cooling apparatus capable of gradually cooling cast thin pieces and a cast apparatus that uses it are provided. A comb tooth-shaped device is arranged inside a vessel of the secondary cooling apparatus; the cast thin pieces are piled on the comb tooth-shaped device; and crushed small pieces are placed thereon. After the cast thin pieces and the crushed small pieces are gradually cooled, the cast thin pieces are crushed by a pressing device. The crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled by being in contact with a surface of a bottom wall and side faces of cooling teeth. Nd-rich phases or R-rich phases can be annealed by the gradual cooling, and after the crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled to its oxidation temperature or below, the crushed small pieces can be taken out to the air atmosphere. |
| US08056605B2 |
Flaskless molding method
A flaskless molding method, wherein a match plate (5) is held between an upper flask (2) and a lower flask (3) and squeeze plates (6) and (7) are inserted into the openings of the upper flask (2) and the lower flask (3) to form an upper manufacturing space and a lower manufacturing space with initial volumes. A foundry sand is filled in the upper and lower manufacturing spaces with the initial volumes through the supply ports of the flask (2) and (3) (first filling). Next, the squeeze plates (6) and (7) are retreated to expand the upper and lower manufacturing spaces more than the initial volumes. The foundry sand is filled again in the expanded upper and lower manufacturing spaces through the supply ports (second filling). After the second filling is completed, the squeeze plates (6) and (7) are advanced to compress the foundry sand in the upper and lower manufacturing spaces so as to manufacture the upper and the lower flasks stacked on each other. |
| US08056597B2 |
Cam follower assembly for thin walled cylinder of scroll shaping drum used in tire construction
A scroll shaping drum useful in the construction of tires and including an internal air cylinder having an inner sleeve member and a roller member positioned about the inner sleeve member includes a plurality of cam follower assemblies anchored within the inner sleeve member. Each cam follower assembly includes a hub and a cam follower member positioned about the hub, and the cam follower member of each assembly is accepted by an appropriately-shaped slot defined in the roller member. The inner sleeve member defines an internally-threaded opening for accepting the hub of each assembly, and each hub includes a mounting portion positioned within a corresponding internally-threaded opening of the inner sleeve member. In addition, an externally-threaded insert member having a length which is larger than the thickness of the wall of the inner sleeve member is threadably accepted by the internally-threaded opening of the inner sleeve member and has a central through-opening within which the mounting portion of the hub is force-fitted. |
| US08056595B2 |
Low-permeable rubber laminate and pneumatic tire using same
A low permeability rubber laminate capable of preventing blisters formed when fabricating a pneumatic tire having a low permeability resin composition (A) layer having a air permeation coefficient, determined according to JIS K7126, of 0.5×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or less at 30° C., an average thickness d of 0.05 μm |
| US08056594B2 |
Long drive patch for tire puncture
An external puncture sealing patch for a vehicle tire is provided. The patch comprises a thin spiked pad made of flexible base and a number of sharp pins partially implanted in the base in a radial arrangement around a central void protruding vertically downward from the bottom surface of the base for penetratively engaging a depth of the tire about its puncture upon depression onto the top surface of the base. A thick coat of an elastomeric sealant is added to the spiked side of the patch for sealingly adhering the spiked pad to the tire as the sealant fills any irregular clearances between the spiked pad and tire to reinforce the attachment thereof. In order to keep the patch effective for an extended period of time, the patch is also provided in a contained form whereby the patch in a dual-purpose container can be quickly deployed at the time of need for application to a tire puncture in a safe and comfortable manner. |
| US08056578B2 |
Valve cartridge with lobular key
A one-handle valve cartridge has one or more lobular keys formed on a housing of the valve cartridge. The lobular keys interface with keyways formed in a valve body. |
| US08056577B2 |
Apparatus and methods to dispense fluid from a bank of containers and to refill same
An example cascade system includes a manifold having a fluid outlet port to dispense fluid and a fluid valve engaged to the manifold. First and second fluid storage containers are coupled to the manifold. The fluid valve is configured to control a first fluid flow path between the second fluid storage container and the fluid outlet port. |
| US08056576B2 |
Dual setpoint pressure controlled hydraulic valve
A hydraulic valve has a valve body with a bore into which an inlet port, an outlet port, and a workport all open. A valve spool is slideably received within the bore. The valve spool has a first position that provides a path between the inlet port and the workport, and a second position that provides another path between the outlet port and the workport. Inlet port pressure tends to move the valve spool into the first position and outlet port pressure tends to move the valve spool into the second position. A linear actuator is coupled to the valve spool by a spring, thereby biasing the valve spool toward the first position. Another spring biases the valve spool toward the second position. |
| US08056574B2 |
Adjustable valve assembly
A valve assembly is disclosed for mounting through a wall having a first face and a second face defining a thickness there between. The valve assembly includes a valve body housing having an axially-extending inner bore. A valve body is telescopically received in the inner bore of the valve body housing, such that the valve body is axially movable with respect to the valve body housing. A valve is nested in a recess of the valve body. A locking element selectively engages the valve body housing and the valve body to lock a position of the valve body relative to the valve body housing. |
| US08056572B2 |
System for rapid concealment and shelter including angular frames and warfighter covers
An easy to use, universal, simple, lightweight, compact, portable, dynamically configurable and modular system of concealment and shelter. An operator configures a number of concealment blinds or shelters using brackets, supports, segmented and folding shafts, covers, curtains, and skirts, and more complex modules. Advanced modules include user adjustable domes and angular structures. Angular frames with corresponding angular covers provide improved headroom. The system can be configured for placement on a hillside or over rough terrain and obstacles, or for different types use. The system provides covers with novel windows, movable panels, and configuration attachments. The operator changes the configuration of the structure to quickly provide cover, to increase cover, and to adapt to terrain or changing weather. The system includes novel methods of tightening the skin on a cover to reduce movement and noise, while improving safety. Methods include using the full human body, from hands to feet, and its strongest muscle groups to rapidly set up the system with tighter skin. Foot attaching means and hand attachment means enable methods for setting up a fast setup frame or angular frame with the body in a horizontal seated row or a vertical power jerk position. Improved fast setup frame and angular frame are comprised of novel simpler components such as plates with single anchor connections. The components are easier to make, less costly using less material, yet yielding stronger, more durable frames. The system includes novel tent floors, netting, and rain cover configuration for use on fast setup frames or angular frames. |
| US08056570B2 |
Bobby pin (1)
A bobby pin includes a body composed of bending members, a decorative member, a clamping member and a clamping holed member. The decorative member is provided with plural decoration recesses for placing plural decorations therein, the clamping member is connected to one side of the decorative member, and the clamping holed member is connected to the other side of the decorative member. The clamping member is provided with plural teeth and the clamping holed member is provided with a hole and a clamping rim around the hole. When the bobby pin is to clamp hair, the clamping member is made to bend by means of the bending members and inserted in the hole of the clamping holed member and clamp with the clamping rim with one of the teeth of the clamping member to let the bobby pin form a tubular shape for clamping hair stably. |
| US08056568B2 |
Systems and methods for combing, drying, and straightening hair
An adjustable hair combing, drying, and straightening device and related method is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the device includes: a first row of comb teeth disposed upon a comb body in a fixed position relative to a comb handle; a second row of comb teeth disposed upon the comb body and configured to slide in a generally parallel manner alongside the first row of comb teeth; an adjustable tension device disposed upon the comb body and configured to provide a tension between the first row of comb teeth and the second row of comb teeth, thereby configured to compress hair at a variable level of tension and provide a wring effect; and a tab, operable by a single digit of a user, disposed upon the comb handle, operable to regulate a position of the second row of comb teeth in relation to the first row of comb teeth. |
| US08056565B2 |
Surgical clip applier and method of assembly
Surgical clip appliers are provided including a clip carrier disposed within a channel assembly and defining a channel and a plurality of windows therein; a plurality of clips slidably disposed within the channel of the clip carrier; a wedge plate reciprocally disposed within the channel assembly, the wedge plate including a plurality of apertures formed along a length thereof; and a clip follower slidably disposed within the channel of the clip carrier and disposed proximally of the plurality of clips, the clip follower being configured and adapted for selective engagement with the windows of the clip carrier and the apertures of the wedge plate. The clip follower is configured and adapted to urge the plurality of clips, in a distal direction relative to the clip carrier, upon reciprocal movement of the wedge plate. The clip applier may be adapted to different size clips by the method of replacing modular components. |
| US08056564B2 |
Methods for treating eye conditions
Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye. |
| US08056558B2 |
Patient delivery tube for humidified oxygen
A patient delivery tube for the delivery of a heated, humidified gas. The patient delivery tube includes an elongated tubing member molded from a flexible polymer, said elongated tubing member comprising a first end, a second end and an axially aligned passageway extending therethrough and an electric heater comprising a conductive material, said electric heater arranged along said axially aligned passageway for perimetrically heating said axially aligned passageway. A method of delivering a heated, humidified gas to a patient is also provided. |
| US08056555B2 |
Thin film trough solar collector
This invention is a trough solar collector that uses inexpensive aluminized plastic films as the reflecting surface. The films are held in proper shape by stretching them between rigid ribs that are spaced apart along the length of the collector. The structure of the trough is held rigid by a unique sun-tracking system that not only guides a whole of array of troughs on a field to point them toward the sun, but also maintains the whole length of each trough in rigid configuration. It is not necessary to extend rigid metal beams along the trough to maintain the rigidity of the trough. Small-diameter cables are wrapped around rotatable pipes that extend along the east and west sides of the field. The cables extend over the field of the troughs and are attached to connecting points above the troughs in such a way that when the rotatable pipes rotate, the cables move, the troughs move with them, and the cables provide the rigidity of the troughs. The troughs are supported by support posts that are driven into the ground. Since the support posts do not have to supply torque to rotate the troughs, no concrete foundations are necessary. |
| US08056554B2 |
Man made island with solar energy collection facilities
A man-made island adaptable for land-based operation holds solar energy collection facilities and is rotatable to optimize the angular orientation thereof relative to the position of the sun. A platform includes a large outer ring that floats on a fluid and a flexible cover is attached to the ring to define an airtight volume below the cover. A plurality of rows of solar radiation collector modules are located above the cover and carry steam generating heat pipes. The rows of modules are supported laterally above the cover by an upper support structure, either a space frame, a plurality of cables, or a honeycomb. A compressor creates an over-pressure within the enclosed volume to vertically support the cover and the other components mounted thereabove. |
| US08056553B2 |
Condensate pan with condensate trap
A condensate pan for a condensing furnace includes a main chamber to receive exhaust gases, a condensate trap separate from the main chamber and internal the condensate pan and a main drain. |
| US08056552B2 |
Wall thimble with outside air inlet
A wall thimble for use with a heating appliance. Dual functionality is provided in a single wall thimble device by having a vent path for exhausting combustion by-products, and a separate air inlet path to draw in outside combustion air for use by the heating appliance. The wall thimble is formed as a two-part housing such that a first portion can be inserted into a second portion. When an exhaust pipe is routed through end plates on the housing portions, a closed region is formed between the exhaust pipe and the housing portions. A first air vent is formed in the first or outside portion to draw combustion air into the closed region from outside. A second air vent is formed in the second or inside portion to route the combustion air from the closed region to an opening in the housing where a combustion air inlet pipe is connected. |
| US08056548B1 |
String vibration suppressor for compound archery bows
A vibration dampening device for use on compound archery bows. A device may be associated with one or more bow limb, with each device disposing a vibration damping bumper in position to shorten the vibrating length of the bow string at brace, compared to the vibrating length of a bow string of a comparable bow lacking the device(s). Certain embodiments couple bowstring vibration at brace with one or more cable. Preferred embodiments include a limb anchor adapted to distribute string-induced loading onto a bow limb at both sides of a string cam. |
| US08056545B2 |
Integrated cover and exhaust gas recirculation cooler for internal combustion engine
An integrated engine cover and exhaust gas recirculation cooler for an internal combustion engine includes a cover for enclosing a portion of an engine and an EGR cooler having a housing formed as one piece with the cover. The EGR cooler includes at least one cooler section located within the housing and EGR and bypass valves for controlling the flow of exhaust gases either though the cooler or around the cooler. |
| US08056544B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system
A method for operating an internal combustion engine Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system that includes producing an EGR valve position signal to decrease the amount of exhaust gas passed to the EGR cooler when a processor determines the EGR cooler efficiency is less than the predetermined level and producing an EGR coolant valve position signal to decrease the amount of coolant passed to the EGR cooler when such processor determines the EGR cooler efficiency is less than the predetermined level. The processor produced EGR valve and the EGR coolant valve position signals result in regeneration within the cooler, returning the effectiveness of the cooler to a near “clean” condition. |
| US08056538B2 |
Method and system to prevent unauthorized uses of engine controllers
A method and control module for enabling or disabling control of an engine includes a check module receiving signals through a wiring harness and comparing the check signals to a threshold. The control module also includes an engine control module disabling the engine when the check signals correspond to an unauthorized use. |
| US08056533B2 |
Gas exchange valve actuating device
In a gas exchange valve actuating device for transmitting a drive movement to at least one gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine which includes a braking unit having at least one actuator, the gas exchange valve actuating device is provided with a locking unit for locking the actuator counter to an opposing force when the actuator has reached a specific position. |
| US08056532B2 |
Direct fuel injection diesel engine
In a direct fuel injection diesel engine having a piston with a pentroof-shaped top face, with regard to a pentroof-shaped piston (13) with a cavity (25) recessed in a central part of the top face, a radial width S of a squish area (26) formed between an outer peripheral part of the top face and a lower face of a cylinder head (14) changes in the circumferential direction of the piston (13). By setting a squish clearance H large for a portion where the radial width S of the squish area (26) is large and setting the squish clearance H small for a portion where the radial width S of the squish area (26) is small, more specifically, by setting S/H so that it is constant in the circumferential direction, it is possible to make the strength of the squish flow uniform in the circumferential direction of the piston, thus promoting the mixing of air and fuel and reducing harmful exhaust components. |
| US08056530B2 |
Direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine and method for controlling same
In a direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine that performs an Atkinson cycle operation in which the time to close intake valves is retarded, the tumble flow in the engine cylinder is intensified by fuel injected from a fuel injection valve during a time period from an intake stroke bottom dead center to closing of the intake valves. |
| US08056523B2 |
Rocker arm apparatus for engine cylinder deactivation
The present invention provides to a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation with a new structure for increasing fuel efficiency in a gasoline engine.For this, the present invention provides a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation including: a rocker arm; a restoring spring supported at the bottom of a rear end portion of the rocker arm; a roller coupled to the rocker arm to be pressed by a cam; a pair of rocker shaft assemblies each including first and second rocker shafts, and a connecting rod integrally connecting the first and second rocker shafts; a pair of rocker shaft support members connected to the rocker arm by means of the first and second rocker shafts; and a transfer member for controlling the rocker shaft assembly. |
| US08056522B1 |
Automotive valve cover
An exemplary embodiment includes a valve cover for automotive engines with convenient holes for adjusting the valves without removing the valve cover from the engine. Rubber plugs close the holes in the valve cover. |
| US08056517B2 |
Variable valve lift apparatus
A variable valve lift apparatus of an engine includes: a control shaft; a driving arm rotatable around the control shaft by a cam of a camshaft; a first rocker arm rotatable around the control shaft, that is operated by the driving arm so as to drive a first valve through a first swing arm; a second rocker arm rotatable around the control shaft, that is operated by the driving arm so as to drive a second valve through a second swing arm; and a mediating device rotatable around the control shaft, that transmits a movement of the driving arm to the first and second rocker arms. |
| US08056513B2 |
Apparatus for use in controlling the spread of ectoparasite-borne diseases
A device (15) for the application of pesticides to animals as they feed and that accommodates wildlife of all sizes, poses no threat of harm to the animals, and maximizes the per capita application of pesticide. Whole kernel corn (or other feed) placed in a feed bin (30) is dispensed into a trough/receptacle (20) through an opening at the bottom of the bin. The trough/receptacle (20) is surrounded by pesticide applicators (40) such that as an animal feeds, some part of its head, neck and/or ears will contact one or more of the applicators. The applicators (40) are flexible and rotatable, so that animals attracted to the apparatus to feed are subjected to the application of a pesticide upon their head, neck, ears, and/or, where applicable, antlers or horns, the flexible and rotatable applicators (40) maximizing pesticide application with minimal stress to both the animal and device. The device employs a modular molded polyethylene design that is durable, economical, mass-producible, lightweight, and can be shipped for user-assembly, thereby reducing shipping and manufacturing costs. |
| US08056503B2 |
Plasma procesor and plasma processing method
An etching chamber 1 incorporates a focus ring 9 so as to surround a semiconductor wafer W provided on a lower electrode 4. The plasma processor is provided with an electric potential control DC power supply 33 to control the electric potential of this focus ring 9, and so constituted that the lower electrode 4 is supplied with a DC voltage of, e.g., −400 to −600 V to control the electric potential of the focus ring 9. This constitution prevents surface arcing from developing along the surface of a substrate to be processed. |
| US08056502B2 |
Film forming equipment
The present invention provides film forming equipment that can reduce the space necessary for coating. The film forming equipment has an object conveyor for moving an object (50); a spray gun conveyor (41) for moving a spray gun (30) that sprays a coating material; and a controller for controlling operations of the object conveyor (41), the spray gun (30), and the spray gun conveyor, wherein the controller moves the object (50) in a specific direction while spraying a coating material from the spray gun (30) and reciprocates the object (50) so that partial layer coating can be sequentially conducted, and while coating the object (50), the controller shifts the object (50) and the spray gun (30) while keeping the relative positions of the object and the spray gun to each other constant. |
| US08056499B2 |
Gas wiping apparatus
A gas wiping apparatus for use in coating a molten metal onto a steel strip. In the apparatus, a chamber, to which a high pressure gas is supplied, defines a multistage uniform pressure space. A lip support unit is associated with a front of the chamber to allow the high pressure gas to flow therethrough, the lip support unit supporting the apparatus against load. Upper and lower lips are associated with a front of the lip support unit to cooperatively define an outlet. The upper lip adjusts a gap of a gas outlet cooperatively with the lower lip, and can be easily installed in a lip support unit while adjusting the gap of the gas outlet stably. Also, edge over coating (EOC) of the steel strip can be prevented without an additional auxiliary nozzle. |
| US08056487B2 |
Tilting table device
A tilting table device includes a first rotary member which is rotated by a rotation amount equivalent to that of a tilt shaft when rotation of the tilt shaft is transmitted; a second rotary member which has an axis parallel to that of the first rotary member and is rotated by a rotation amount equivalent to or substantially equivalent to that of the first rotary member in a direction opposite to that of the first rotary member when the rotation of the first rotary member is transmitted; two retaining members respectively provided at the first and second rotary members, in which when the center of gravity of a table is located at an uppermost position or a lowermost position, the retaining members are located on or near a line connecting rotation centers of the first and second rotary members, the retaining members are located at equivalent or substantially equivalent distances respectively from the rotation centers, both the retaining members are provided inside or outside the two rotation centers; and an urging device which causes a constant urging force to be applied between the two retaining members so as to reduce a torque applied to the tilt shaft by movement of the center of gravity from the uppermost position or the lowermost position as a result of the rotation of the tilt shaft. |
| US08056486B2 |
Railroad hopper car hatch cover
A railroad car hatch cover including a high strength and highly rigid laminate panel having an inner aluminum member, an outer aluminum member, and a solid plastic core. A cross-section of the laminate panel includes a center section with two generally parallel and generally vertical sides. Each generally vertical side of the panel is joined to center section of the panel along a longitudinally elongated curved corner having a radius of less than 1.5 inches. Moreover, compressible gasket structure is secured to an underside of the center section of the laminate panel in the vicinity of each corner for engaging and pressing against a top rim of railcar coaming to seal the hatch cover whereby inhibiting contaminants from passing between the closed clover and the coaming on the railcar. Additionally, the laminate panel is provided with longitudinally spaced structure, arranged inwardly from the opposed ends of and secured across the laminate panel, for adding further strength and rigidity to the hatch cover. |
| US08056485B2 |
Rail car door closer
A rail car door closer is shown for hopper type rail cars used to carry bulk commodities or materials. Cylinders provide horizontal motion to rotate an axle on which cam closers are attached thereto. The cam closers operate between a relaxed position (down position) and a raised position (up position). During rotation of the cam closers from the relaxed position to the raised position, the cam closers push hopper doors under the rail car up to a latched position. Individual hopper doors can be closed, or multiple doors can be simultaneously closed, depending on the preference of the operator. The cylinders are protected from falling bulk commodities by an elongated tent frame structure. |
| US08056484B2 |
Vehicle with anti-roll devices
A vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, having a longitudinal axis, at least one first vehicle component which is supported via at least one first spring device on at least one first wheel unit and at least one second spring device on at least one second wheel unit, and having at least one first anti-roll device and a second anti-roll device which are coupled to one another via a coupling device, are each connected to the first vehicle component and counteract rolling motions of the first vehicle component. The first anti-roll device and the second anti-roll device are articulated to the coupling device at first and second articulation points, respectively. The coupling device is configured such that, caused by a counterforce-free first displacement of the first anti-roll device via the first and second articulation points, an opposing second displacement is introduced into the second anti-roll device. |
| US08056481B2 |
Controlled deceleration projectile
The present invention provides a controlled deceleration projectile, in particular, a projectile having a nose-mounted fuze thereon, which initiates an ignition/expulsion charge via an ignition shaft in the interior portion of the projectile body at a preset distance from target impact, resulting in inflation of the projectile body with propellant gases to a level sufficient to either expand same, rupturing of a rupture ring, or sliding of the hollow projectile body rearwards relative to the ignition shaft, so as to create an annular opening between the projectile body side wall and projectile body forward end. The payload, which is preferably non-lethal, is then ejected from this annular opening, the resulting forward velocity of the expelled payload and propellant gases producing a rearward thrust on the projectile, and a concomitant deceleration thereof. Additional mechanisms for creating reverse thrust are also provided, involving the expulsion of rear ballast or rocket thrust from rear chamber ports disposed within the projectile. |
| US08056480B2 |
Projectile for administering a medicament
A projectile (2) includes a cylindrical casing with the one (nose) end has a relatively non-penetrating front face (3) with an opening therein defining a cavity (5) extending longitudinally into the casing from said opening, and the other (tail) end (10) of the cylindrical casing is adapted to receive a propelling force; said projectile further comprises an implant (14) for penetrating a target on impact; wherein said implant is located at least in part within the cavity during flight and has longitudinal freedom of movement within the cavity towards the nose of the casing; whereby on impact said implant tends to penetrate said target whilst said relatively non-penetrating front face abuts at least momentarily said target. |
| US08056479B2 |
Separation device of ejector motor for portable missile
Disclosed is a separation device of an ejector motor for a portable missile, capable of being separated from a missile without any additional separation devices after ejecting the missile. An ejection rocket motor and a separation device are integrally formed. Ejection is performed by a thrust generated while the ejection rocket motor is combusted, and separation is performed by cutting off shearing bolts with using a force generated from a separation cylinder when the combustion of the ejection rocket motor has been completed. This operation and configuration may minimize a weight and a space occupied by a general ejection and separation device in a missile system. |
| US08056476B2 |
Method for operating a printing press and printing press implementing the method
A method for operating a printing press having a printing unit and a cleaning apparatus includes, in a first step, starting up the printing unit in order to print therewith, and in a subsequent, second step, displacing the cleaning apparatus into the printing unit running in printing operation and/or out of the printing unit running in printing operation. A printing press for implementing the method is also provided. |
| US08056475B2 |
Variable cutoff printing press with common blanket cylinder
A variable cutoff web printing press is provided including a first plate cylinder for printing a first color of first and second images and a second plate cylinder for printing a second color of the first and the second images. The printing press also includes a common blanket cylinder. The first and second plate cylinders contact the common blanket cylinder and transfer the first and second images to the common blanket cylinder. The printing press also includes a first transfer body for receiving the first image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the first image to a web and a second transfer body for receiving the second image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the second image to the web. A method of variable cutoff web printing is also provided. |
| US08056474B2 |
Apparatus for applying electronic circuits to curved surfaces
An electric circuit is applied to an object having a curved surface. The curved surface of the object is divided into sections, and the circuit is applied one section at a time. The circuit is formed between layers of dielectric material. The dielectric is applied by a computer-controlled device, which controls the position of a spray head and the rotation of the object, such that the spray head is held substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object at all times, and such that a controlled thickness of dielectric material can be deposited. The fine-featured circuits formed by the invention are rugged, and can be used on objects intended to be exposed to harsh environments. |
| US08056472B2 |
Twine arm assembly
A twine arm assembly is provided with a guide member controlling the movement of a twine arm during a tying cycle. In order to facilitate the insertion of new twine into the twine arm, said guide member is made of two parts which can be locked to each other or which can move with respect to each other in order to bring the twine arm into a position, in which twine can be inserted easily. |
| US08056471B2 |
Plastic, re-sealable elongated check valve application to a square, cylindrical or flat type of a vacuum food package
A flexible, plastic thin film food package is provided having an elongate opening check valve with an air removal port that allows repeated opening and resealing of the package followed by removal of air and moisture by vacuuming. The top open edge of the food package is bonded to a flexible but rigid frame that fits a lid with the air removal port flat valve. The flat valve is a compressed foam sponge and a thin film housed in a rigid case that is bonded to the lid. Air is removed with a spatula attachment of the vacuum pump that is inserted into the space between the lid and the flat check valve. Once vacuum is induced in the interior of the food package, the film covering the frame is sucked against the lid thereby shutting off influx of air into the package. |
| US08056470B2 |
Tempering channel for confectioneries
A tempering channel (1) for tempering confectioneries (4) includes a tempering tunnel (2) and a conveyor belt (5) having an upper part (11) and a lower part (12). A transfer location (8) is located at the conveyor belt (5). The confectioneries (4) arrive at the transfer location (8) to be placed on the upper part (11) of the conveyor belt (5). The conveyor belt (5) transports the confectioneries (4) through the tempering tunnel (2). A first tempering apparatus (6) tempers the confectioneries (4) while they are transported through the tempering tunnel (2). The tempering channel (1) includes a control unit (16) and at least one sensor (15) sensing the temperature of the lower part (12) of the conveyor belt (5). The sensor (15) is connected to the control unit (16) to transmit a signal to the control unit (16) depending on the sensed temperature. A second tempering apparatus (14) is connected to the control unit (16). The second tempering apparatus (14) directly act upon the lower part (12) of the conveyor belt (5) in a way that the conveyor belt (5) is tempered to attain a specific temperature in response to a signal of the control unit (16) derived from the signal of the sensor (15). |
| US08056466B2 |
Pneumatic actuator, in particular for valves
The invention concerns pneumatic actuators for valves comprising a body closed by head flanges, two pistons moving in said body in opposite directions, an output shaft that turns actuated by the pistons, and a stop device on each head flange to limit the stroke of the pistons when they move away from each other towards the head flanges. On at least one side of the actuator body an adjusting device (22) is provided which includes stop means (26, 27) at varying distances from each other in a direction parallel to the movement of the pistons and arranged in a position to intercept and limit the stroke of the pistons when the latter move towards each other. |
| US08056465B2 |
Active implement down force system providing reduced heat generation
A line connects the tractor hydraulic power beyond supply to the pressure reduction valve that is connected to the implement cylinder ends and automatically controls implement down pressure. Fluid under pressure is supplied from a line independently of the tractor selective control valve during automatic down pressure mode operation, the selective control valve can be positioned in a float mode when the down force circuit is controlling implement down pressure. The circuit eliminates a stall signal from the selective control valve to the hydraulic pump that otherwise would cause the pump to rise to the high, heat-producing stall pressure if the selective control valve operated in an active pressure mode. |
| US08056459B2 |
Anti-lock device and dynamic brake control in a machine automatically distributing cut wiping cloths
A lever, in its gooseneck-shaped top part, has a non-circular, curvilinear internal configuration with a wide gap toward the outside and a perpendicular anchoring ridge in the widest part oriented toward the inside to work together with a span ring made of an elastomer material arranged on an end piece of the receiving end of the mandrel of a spool of material, and a counterweight device, comprising a counterweight cam that works together with the lever with each turn of a drum. |
| US08056457B2 |
Arrangement for covering a flat lying blank with a cover
An arrangement for covering a flat lying blank, preferably made of paperboard, with a cover, as is in particular applicable in the manufacture of book cases. The arrangement comprises fixing means for simple coupling of a circular cutting device. This circular cutting device comprises transport means for direct feeding of the cut blank to the arrangement. |
| US08056453B2 |
Fast tool servo
A fast tool arrangement, in particular for lathes for machining optical workpieces, has a carriage, which for linear reciprocating movements is guided in a housing on bearing elements stationary in relation to the housing, and which at its outer end carries a holder for a tool or workpiece and at its inner end is actively connected with a moving coil drive. The carriage has the cross-section of a T-profile with plane-parallel flange and web faces wherein the bearing elements are arranged in pairs on both sides of the profile web and the profile flange. |
| US08056451B2 |
Locking pliers
The pliers comprise a fixed assembly and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed, locked position. A movable pivot connects the second jaw to the fixed assembly such that the movable pivot can move relative to the fixed assembly when the second jaw is in the closed, locked position and a torque is applied to the pliers. The second jaw is configured such that a resultant force on the second jaw is inside of the fixed pivot, between the fixed pivot and the movable pivot. |
| US08056449B2 |
Wrenching tool applicable to various sizes of threaded members
The present invention provides a wrenching tool having a polygonal fitting hole formed of a first equilateral polygonal hole and a second equilateral polygonal hole with the same configuration. The two polygonal holes are concentrically arranged to provide two fitting positions for fitting to threaded members. The first polygonal hole has multiple first internal angles each having two sides. A first small internal angle is further disposed on one side of each first internal angle of at least the first polygonal hole. The first small internal angles provide another fitting position for fitting to another size of threaded member. Accordingly, the wrenching tool is applicable to various sizes of threaded members. |
| US08056446B1 |
Ratcheting adjustable wrench
The invention is a ratcheting open ended wrench comprising a main body having an elongate primary handle portion and an upper stationary jaw element, a secondary handle opposed to the primary handle portion and having a binding surface at the top being pivotally attached to the main body, a tertiary handle pivotally attached to the main body having a gear element cooperating with a geared end of a connecting rod, the opposing end pivotally and slidably fixed to a lower movable jaw assembly, the lower movable jaw assembly being spring biased against the upper stationary jaw and positioned within a main body guide slot so that the secondary handle binding surface contacts the lower jaw assembly and activation of the secondary handle clamps the lower movable jaw assembly relative to the upper stationary jaw. Activation of the tertiary handle counteracts the lower movable jaw spring bias to open the jaws. |
| US08056443B2 |
Striking tool
A hammer that that reduces vibration and provides advantageous balance and mass distribution having a handle portion comprising an I-shape sectional profile and a head comprising a cavity formed therethrough. The hammer may further comprise various nail or other fastener removal structures, such as a claw, slots, notches, or the like. The hammer may further include a nail-starter with magnetic nail retention. |
| US08056441B2 |
Control knob device
A control knob device has a main body defining a top surface having a ring-shaped stopping wall with two inserting openings formed thereon, and a lateral surface having a guiding recess extending upwards and downwards and a sliding slot running circumferentially and communicating with the guiding recess, with the depth thereof greater than that of the guiding recess. A shell coupled to the main body has a covering plate with two blocking portions located outside the stopping wall and adjacent to the inserting openings, and a lateral plate extending inwards to form an inserting slice corresponding to the sliding slot. The shell is coupled to the main body by the inserting slice passing through the guiding recess and inserted into the sliding slot. Two elastic ends of a spring element are inserted into the inserting openings and abut against the blocking portions for making the rotated shell return automatically. |
| US08056437B2 |
Electric steering column lock with single direction actuator travel
A steering column assembly includes a column jacket coupled to a support bracket. The column jacket is moveable in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and in a pivotable direction relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism interconnects the support bracket and the column jacket, and includes a torsion shaft rotatable about a shaft axis in a first direction and a second direction to move the locking mechanism between a lock position and a release position. A motor includes an output shaft rotatable about a primary axis in a single rotational direction. A linkage interconnects the motor and the torsion shaft of the locking mechanism. The linkage is actuated by rotation of the output shaft in the single rotational direction to rotate the torsion shaft in alternating fashion between the first direction and the second direction. |
| US08056434B2 |
Advancing means for a multi-coordinate measurement table of a coordinate measuring device and method for controlling such an advancing means
An advancing means for a multi-coordinate measurement table including a drive unit having a friction rod and a motor for each coordinate axis (x, y). The motor contacts one side of the friction rod with its motor shaft and at least one press roller contacts the other side of the friction rod. At least one pressing means is provided biasing the press roller, the friction rod and the motor shaft against each other with a pressing force, whereby the motor shaft frictionally engages the friction rod and converts the rotational movement of the motor into a linear movement of the friction rod. A method for controlling such an advancing means is disclosed as well. |
| US08056432B2 |
Active control stick assembly
An active control stick assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the active control stick assembly includes a housing assembly, and a control stick support body mounted within the housing assembly for rotation about two substantially orthogonal and co-planar rotational axes. A control stick is fixedly coupled to the control stick support body and rotatable along therewith from a null position to a plurality of control positions. A first spring element is coupled between the housing assembly and the control stick support body and passively biases the control stick toward the null position. |
| US08056431B2 |
Self-locking gear
The present invention pertains generally to a self-locking gear that includes an input shaft, a collar, a locking mechanism, and an output member. The collar is positioned eccentrically about the input shaft, and the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating. As a result, rotation of the input shaft causes the collar to gyrate about the input shaft, and the gyrating collar engages with the output member to turn the output member in the same direction as the input shaft. Torque applied to the output member with cause the output member to attempt to rotate the collar. However, the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating, thus locking the output member from rotation. |
| US08056426B2 |
Method and device for controlling a hydraulically operated power wrench
In a method for controlling a hydraulic power wrench with a pivotable lever pivoted by a piston-cylinder unit and a ratchet arrangement for stepwise rotation of a ratchet bushing by advancing and return strokes, parameters such as nominal torque or pre-load or screw parameters are entered into an electronic input unit. Nominal pressure corresponding to the parameters is determined by an electronic evaluation unit and generated by the pump. The piston-cylinder unit is pressure-loaded for performing a pre-stroke until the nominal pressure is reached followed immediately by a return stroke. A time interval from beginning of pressure loading until reaching nominal pressure or until reaching an initial pressure after pressure relief is measured. Pressure loading and measuring are repeated. The measured time intervals are compared. Pressure loading cycles are stopped when at least the last measured time interval is shorter than at least the penultimate measured time interval. |
| US08056423B2 |
Sensing the tendon tension through the conduit reaction forces
A technique that determines the tension in a tendon using a conduit reaction force applied to an end of a conduit through which the tendon is threaded. Any suitable tendon tension sensor can be employed that uses the conduit reaction force for this purpose. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tendon tension sensor includes a cylindrical strain gauge element and a force member mounted to an end of the conduit. The force member includes a cylindrical portion having a bore and a plate portion, where the cylindrical portion is inserted into a bore in the strain gauge element. The tendon is threaded through the strain gauge element and the force member. A strain gauge is mounted to the strain gauge element and measures the reaction force when tension on the tendon causes the strain gauge element to be pushed against the force member. |
| US08056419B2 |
Artificial lateral line
An artificial sensor comprises at least one substrate, and a plurality of flow sensors disposed on the at least one substrate for providing a plurality of spatial-temporally varying signals representing a hydrodynamic stimulus. The plurality of flow sensors are spatially distributed on the at least one substrate. A processor is coupled to the plurality of flow sensors for receiving the signals and determining spatial-temporal information from the received signals. |
| US08056418B2 |
Method and device for testing the functionality of an actuator having a pneumatic drive
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the functionality of an actuator (1) having a pneumatic drive (2), in particular for monitoring an actuator (1) for a safety valve, including a magnetic valve (4) for controlling the pneumatic drive (2), wherein the magnetic valve (4) is monitored by means of a pressure measurement and is, for this purpose, connected to a first pneumatic conduit (16) to a position controller (3) of the actuator (1) as well as to the pneumatic drive (2) to a second pneumatic conduit (17). The magnetic valve (4) is switched off and on again with a switching time (t2-t1). The switching time (t2-t1) of the magnetic valve (4) is detected at which, at the one hand, the switching time (t2-t1) is so short that the position of the actuator (1) remains essentially constant or unchanged and, on the other hand, it is, however, so long that a pressure drop (dp=P1-P2) in the first pneumatic conduit (16) in front of the magnetic valve (4) is present after switching the magnetic valve (4) on again. |
| US08056416B2 |
Ultrasonic probe, method of manufacturing the same, and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasonic probe in which cable wiring between transducers within the ultrasonic probe and connector terminals can be simplified. The ultrasonic probe includes: plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to supplied drive signals, and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output detection signals; plural terminals provided in a connector to be used for connecting the plural ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body; plural cables for electrically connecting the plural ultrasonic transducers and the plural terminals to one another; and a storage unit for storing connection relationship data representing connection relationships between the plural ultrasonic transducers and the plural terminals. |
| US08056413B2 |
Sensor and sensing method utilizing symmetrical differential readout
A sensor and sensing method capable of full-differential symmetry to minimize bias drift and improve stability of the sensor output. The sensor includes a sensing element, sense electrodes capacitively coupled to the sensing element to generate capacitive outputs that vary in response to the motion of the sensing element, and a differential readout device. The sense electrodes are electrically separable into at least two pairs of differential sense electrodes. The readout device performs a sampling sequence of at least two sampling cycles during which the readout device samples the capacitive outputs of the sense electrodes and produces at least two differential outputs based on the difference between the capacitive outputs within each pair of differential sense electrodes. The readout device then calculates an average of the differential outputs of the sampling sequence to produce an output of the differential readout device, and thereafter repeats the sampling sequence and calculation. |
| US08056412B2 |
Inertial measurement unit and method of constructing the same using two orthogonal surfaces
A method of mounting in-plane sensors of an inertial measurement unit. The method includes the steps of: providing a structure having first and second planar surfaces oriented orthogonally to one another, positioning a plurality of sensors on the first planar surface such that each of the sensors has a sense axis extending parallel to the first planar surface, positioning at least one other sensor on the second planar surface such that the at lease one other sensor has a sense axis extending parallel to the second planar surface, and orienting the sensors on the first and second surfaces so that the angles formed between any two sense axes are equal. |
| US08056409B2 |
Hybrid flowmeter that includes an integral vortex flowmeter and a differential flow meter
A new flowmeter which comprises a DP flowmeter and a volume meter in series or in hybrid integrated form. The combination of the readings from the two gives increased metering capabilities. |
| US08056408B2 |
Downhole measurement of formation characteristics while drilling
A method for determining a property of formations surrounding an earth borehole being drilled with a drill bit at the end of a drill string, using drilling fluid that flows downward through the drill string, exits through the drill bit, and returns toward the earth's surface in the annulus between the drill string and the periphery of the borehole, including the following steps: obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a pre-bit sample of the mud in the drill string as it approaches the drill bit; obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a post-bit sample of the mud in the annulus, entrained with drilled earth formation, after its egression from the drill bit; implementing pre-bit measurements on the pre-bit sample; implementing post-bit measurements on the post-bit sample; and determining a property of the formations from the post-bit measurements and the pre-bit measurements. |
| US08056405B2 |
Particulate matter concentration measuring apparatus
A particulate matter concentration measuring apparatus configured to measure concentration of particulate matter in exhaust gas passing through an exhaust line includes an exhaust gas collecting line branched from the exhaust line, a particulate matter detection filter provided in the exhaust gas collecting line, a differential pressure sensor configured to sense differential pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the particulate matter detection filter, a passage wall disposed so that the exhaust gas flows to a downstream side of the particulate matter detection filter, an inlet side passage through which the exhaust gas flows into the particulate matter detection filter in the passage wall, and an outlet side passage through which the exhaust gas flows out from the particulate matter detection filter. The outlet side passage has an outlet side cross-sectional area approximately 1.0 times or more larger than an inlet side cross-sectional area of the inlet side passage. |
| US08056403B2 |
Method of analysis of secondary-air circuits in gas-turbine plants
A method of analysis of secondary-air circuits in gas-turbine plants includes defining an equivalent fluid-dynamic network of a secondary-air circuit of a gas-turbine plant. The equivalent fluid-dynamic network includes a plurality of elements, organized in branches and connected to nodes. For at least one element of the secondary-air circuit a principal component of flow and at least one auxiliary component of flow are calculated. |
| US08056401B2 |
In-line moisture-content measurement of ceramic materials in ceramic article manufacturing
In-line systems for and methods of measuring the moisture content of ceramic material within an extrusion system used to form ceramic articles are disclosed. One method includes arranging, relative to the extrusion system, at least one radio-frequency (RF) sensor system having an RF antenna, and generating through the RF antenna an RF field that resides substantially entirely within the ceramic material. The method also includes, in response to the RF field interacting with the ceramic material, generating in the RF sensor system a signal representative of a raw moisture-content measurement of the ceramic material. The method also includes generating calibration data by performing RF moisture-content measurements on samples of the ceramic material having different known moisture contents, and establishing a calibrated moisture-content measurement using the raw moisture-content signal and the calibration data. Both contact and non-contact systems and measurement methods are described. |
| US08056394B2 |
Procedure for measuring the concentration of a gas
In a procedure for measuring the concentration of a target gas, a gas sensor is provided whose sensor signal at constant temperature is dependent on a target gas concentration and has a lower measurement sensitivity in a first modulation range than in a second modulation range. The position of the modulation ranges is dependent on the temperature. The temperature of the gas sensor is controlled so that the sensor signal is essentially independent of the target gas concentration and lies within the second modulation range. The temperature of the gas sensor is then a measurement for the target gas concentration. |
| US08056388B2 |
Pointer instrument
A pointer measuring instrument capable of indicating “zero” on an indication panel by a pointer even if a play (backlash) is present in gears. The measuring instrument comprises a pointer reference position setting means (7a, 7b) for determining the reference position of the pointer (4). A control means (6) rotates the pointer (4) in the direction toward the reference position when a power supply to a stepping motor (2) is turned on, and performs a first drive for stopping the rotation of the pointer (4) when it receives a pointer reference position arrival signal from the pointer reference position setting means (7a). Then, the control means performs a second drive for moving the pointer (4) by a first angle from the reference position in the reverse direction away from the reference position, and performs a third drive for rotating the gear (3S) of a reduction mechanism (3) on the stepping motor (2) side by a second angle. |
| US08056384B2 |
Punching method
A method and a device for shaping sheet metal to form a main structure is described, minor structures being created in the planar sheet metal before shaping to form the main structure, which is rotationally symmetrical, for example. This method and device are particularly advantageous because they make it possible to inexpensively and precisely design shell-shaped parts for torque converters, such as a pump shell, a turbine shell or the inner ring of a pump or the inner ring of a turbine. |
| US08056371B2 |
Cooling apparatus for fiberizing bushings and method
This invention involves apparatus and methods for making fibers by passing a molten material like glass, polymer, etc. through orifices or tips in a fiberizing bushing and then cooling the molten material coming from the tips and newly formed fibers using cooling tubes. The cooling tubes are made from precious metals and various alloys comprising precious metals, nickel and one or more of titanium, chromium, molybdenum, etc. The one or more fins attached to the top surface of a hollow tube to make the cooling tubes contain spaced apart gaps, notches and/or slots extending from the top edge of the fin to prevent warping of the fins and to make the cooling tube more bendable, adjustable during the operation of making fibers from molten material. |
| US08056370B2 |
Method of making amorphous and ceramics via melt spinning
Methods of melt spinning to make amorphous and ceramic materials. |
| US08056369B2 |
Device for forming fiber felts
Device intended for an installation for forming fibrous felts, the fibers being formed from a material that can be attenuated by internal centrifugation and by attenuation by means of a gas stream, the flow of fibers being in the form of a tubular veil, the device including air blowing means that expel air tangentially to the tubular veil so as to impress a rotational movement on the veil, wherein the blowing means deliver air in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of the flow of the tubular veil. |
| US08056368B2 |
Method for tapering optical fibers to conform to a desired radial profile
An apparatus and method for tapering an optical fiber segment having an initial radial profile to substantially conform to a pre-specifiable desired radial profile for controlling mutually coordinated elongation and softening of different axial portions of the segment according to control parameters derivable based on a normalized axial coordinate reference by which points of the initial profile map to corresponding points of the desired profile. The softening and/or elongation may progress substantially in either a step-wise, time-discrete manner or time-continuously. The invention is useful for forming tapered fused couplers as well as for tapering individual fibers. |
| US08056366B2 |
Method for preheating glassmaking materials
Heat in a stream of combustion products obtained from a glassmelting furnace heated by oxy-fuel combustion is passed to incoming glassmaking materials in a heat exchanger without requiring reduction of the temperature of the stream yet without causing softening of the glassmaking material. |
| US08056358B1 |
Method and apparatus for disinfecting a refrigerated water cooler reservoir
A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a cabinet and spigot type bottled water dispenser features an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the ozone generator housing. The air carries the ozone that is generated through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned upstream of the spigot (or spigots) used to dispense water. In one embodiment, a valve that is activated on the spigot to dispense water also activates the blower and ozone generator. In other embodiments, a flow sensor activates the ozone generator and blower. Various spigot and flow sensor arrangements are disclosed as a part of the overall apparatus and method. |
| US08056357B2 |
Method and device for ensuring maintained temperature inside a transport container or the like
A method and a device for better utilizing latent cold in a cold producing material used for producing and upholding a pre-determined temperature inside a transport container or the like, where dry ice or a similar first phase change material having very low sublimation temperature is utilized. Inside the transport container is arranged a receptacle for such low sublimation temperature phase converting material, the said receptacle being provided with an enclosure having cavities for a second phase change material having a considerably higher melting point, the said cavities of the receptacle at least partially enclosing the inside of the receptacle, in which the converting material having the essentially lower melting point is received. |
| US08056356B2 |
Refrigerating plant
In order to improve a refrigerating plant, comprising a refrigerant circuit, with a high-side refrigerant-cooling heat exchanger, with an expansion cooling device, with a reservoir for the main mass flow, with at least one normal cooling stage, with an intense cooling stage, which removes an overall intense cooling mass flow from the reservoir, and with at least one refrigerant compressor unit, which is disposed in the refrigerant circuit, in such a way that it has a better efficiency, it is proposed that the intense cooling stage has for further cooling of the overall intense cooling mass flow an intense cooling expansion cooling device, which in the active state cools the overall intense cooling mass flow and thereby produces a main intense cooling mass flow, which is fed to the intense cooling expansion element, and an additional intense cooling mass flow. |
| US08056353B2 |
Sample collector and components thereof
To provide a protective coat on a refrigerated sample collector for a corrosive environment a unitary frame includes a support unit with condenser and evaporator coils mounted to the support unit and an orifice connecting the condenser and evaporator coils. The evaporator coils, condenser coils and a restrictor are powder coated after being connected, whereby an effective seal is provided for the restrictor, condenser coils and evaporator coils after they are assembled. |
| US08056351B2 |
Blower for marine air conditioner
An air conditioning system for a nautical vehicle includes a main body including an assembly, and a blower including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in air communication with the main body, the blower further including blades rotating therewithin about a first axis, the assembly for adjusting the blower with respect to the main body about a second axis so as to alter an orientation of the outlet. The assembly includes a guiding cover and a cylindrical duct element for maintaining the main body and the blower in air communication with one another. The duct element has a first base and a second base, and is coupled to the blower at the second base. The first base of the duct element is dimensioned to correspondingly fit the guiding cover, and the duct element is rotatably adjustable around the guiding cover about the second axis at the first base. |
| US08056347B2 |
Auxiliary cooling device
An auxiliary cooling device is used in another main cooling device, such as a refrigerator. The auxiliary cooling device includes a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, which includes a heat source and a heat sink. The heat sink is used to directly or indirectly cool an item, such as a bottle of liquid. The heat source, which is insulated from the heat sink, is in close thermal contact with a heat exchange fluid in a container. The heat exchange fluid is used as a thermal buffer for the waste heat generated by the cooling process. That waste heat may be transmitted into the main storage chamber of the main cooling device. |
| US08056346B2 |
Combustor
A combustor includes a first wall, a second wall, an injector grommet, a combustor longitudinal axis, and a connection assembly indirectly connecting the first wall to the second wall. A portion of the injector grommet is disposed within a groove of the connection assembly. |
| US08056342B2 |
Hole pattern for gas turbine combustor
A combustor for a turbine engine includes an outer liner having a row of circumferentially distributed outer combustion air holes and an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and having a row of circumferentially distributed inner combustion air holes. The inner and outer liners each include at least a major air hole having a first hole size, an intermediate air hole having a second hole size, and a minor air hole having a third hole size. The first, second, and third hole sizes are all different from each other. |
| US08056341B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing heat energy
A method of and an apparatus for storing heat energy in a body of graphite at an elevated temperature are disclosed. The method comprises heating an inner region of a body of graphite when it is required to store the heat energy and recovering the heat by way of a heat exchanger, when the energy is required to be used. The apparatus is suitable for the storage of renewable energy and electric energy obtainable from off peak periods of supply. |
| US08056334B2 |
Energy recovery method for plastic pipe manufacturing systems
An energy recovery system for a pipe manufacturing process is shown. A compression or injection molding operation is used to form a sealing gasket which is used in the subsequent pipe manufacturing operation. A Stirling engine cycle is used to recover heat during the gasket manufacture. The Stirling engine is driven by waste heat from the mold members or other associated parts of the injection or compression molding apparatus. The recovered waste heat is used to subsequently heat the female pipe end which is being belled in the pipe manufacturing process. |
| US08056330B2 |
Torque converter with multi-segment core ring
A torque converter includes a plurality of blades and a core ring supporting the plurality of blades. The core ring includes at least two segments, each segment having two circumferential ends. A core ring and method are also provided. |
| US08056327B2 |
Micro-venturi exhaust cooling device
An exhaust gas-cooling device for use on an exhaust gas conveyance system of a vehicle having an exhaust gas passageway to emit exhaust gases from an engine to an outlet includes an exhaust passageway pipe in fluid communication with the engine, and a micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe in fluid communication with and located downstream of the exhaust passageway pipe. The micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe defines the outlet of the exhaust gas-cooling device and has at least one aperture disposed on a pipe body of the micro-venturi mixing chamber for introducing ambient air into the micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe. |
| US08056324B2 |
Regeneration system
An regeneration system for use in a power system is disclosed. The regeneration system may include a source of intake air, an engine brake configured to reduce the speed of an engine by compression and release of the intake air, and a valve configured to divert a portion of the intake air to an auxiliary device. The regeneration system may further include a controller in communication with the engine brake and the valve. The controller may be configured to move the valve to reduce the portion of intake air diverted to the auxiliary device when the engine brake is active. |
| US08056322B2 |
System and method for supplying oxygenate reductants to an emission treatment system
A system is provided for supplying reductants to an emission treatment unit. The system comprises a fuel tank adapted to directly or indirectly supply a first premixed fuel stream and a second premixed fuel stream, wherein each fuel stream comprises a primary fuel component and an oxygenate reductant component. An engine is in fluid communication with the fuel tank, wherein the engine is configured to receive the first premixed fuel stream and create an exhaust stream. The system further includes an emission treatment unit to treat the exhaust stream. A separation unit is configured to receive the second premixed fuel stream, separate the second premixed fuel stream into a first fraction stream and a second fraction stream, and supply the first fraction stream to the emission treatment unit, wherein the first fraction stream comprises a higher concentration of the oxygenate reductant component than the second fraction stream. |
| US08056317B2 |
Apparatus and system for gas turbine engine control
Methods and systems for controlling a dynamic response in a gas turbine fuel control system are provided. The control system includes a component model adapted to regulate a fuel supply pressure for a gas turbine, a pressure sensor adapted to sense a pressure of fuel supplied to the gas turbine, and a feedback module including integral plus state feedback, the feedback module adapted to provide a positive feedback reference signal to the component model such that a response time of the gas turbine fuel control system to changes in fuel pressure is facilitated being reduced. |
| US08056307B2 |
Mower cutterbar
A gear-driven modular disc cutter assembly that may be used singly or in combination on a header of an agricultural harvester to form a modular disc cutterbar. The modules feature a low profile to minimize disruption of incoming crop flow and are coordinated such that any two adjacent cutters are either converging or diverging the crop flow (e.g. any two adjacent cutters rotate in opposite directions). Additionally, the modules are suitable for mounting on a movable frame which allows the cutterbar to be folded in a horizontal plane to reduce the transverse width of the cutterbar to facilitate transport of the harvester between fields. |
| US08056306B2 |
Rear discharge mower
A rear discharge mower comprising: a first shaft; a first blade that is rotated in unison with the first shaft; a second shaft that is configured to be rotated in a direction opposite from a rotational direction of the first shaft; a second blade that is rotated in unison with the second shaft, wherein a grass-clippings discharge path is formed through which grass clippings are discharged in a rearward direction from the area between the first shaft and second shaft; an enclosing casing that supports the blade shafts; and a power train that is accommodated in the enclosing casing and that transmits power to the first and second blade shafts. |
| US08056304B2 |
Method of, and apparatus for, handling nappies
For the purpose of packaging diapers (10), the latter are fed to a grouping arrangement (13) in order to produce diaper groups (20, 21) from a plurality of diapers (10) positioned closely one beside the other. The diaper groups (20, 21) are fed along a plurality of conveying paths, in particular along two removal conveyors (35, 36) located one beside the other or one above the other, to a (multi-path) packaging machine or a plurality of packaging machines. |
| US08056303B2 |
Non load-bearing metal wall stud having increased strength
A non load-bearing metal wall stud has a sheet metal body with a web, a pair of flanges extending at right angles to the web, a pair of lips, each extending at a right angle from a straight edge of one of the flanges and a pair of skirts each extending at an angle from the straight edge of one of the lips. Knurled channels in the flanges and in the web stiffen the stud further. |
| US08056300B2 |
Raised floor access panel retrofit method
A method for installation of a raised access floor panel with a raised access floor is provides which includes providing a pedestal support system having a plurality of vertically extending pedestal supports each having an upper end connected to a pedestal support head and a lower end connected to a pedestal support base. The pedestal support heads are each connected in a matrix orientation with a plurality of horizontal stringers. A floor panel plate is provided having four corner portions, four lateral edge portions, an upper load bearing surface, a lower plenum surface, and a clear hole positioned adjacent to each of the corner portions. A threaded collar is vertically connected to the lower plenum surface and positioned in axial alignment with the clear hole. A single handed set screw has an upper tool receiving end and a lower foot end. The set screw engages the threaded collar so that the tool receiving end extends through the clear hole. The upper load bearing surface adjusts to a predetermined level in relation to the pedestal head by rotating the set screw. |
| US08056297B2 |
Flangeless wind tower
A method for stiffening a wind turbine tower employing fingerplate assemblies on flangeless joints between adjacent tubular tower sections. The method includes limiting the intercan gap between adjacent end surfaces of the tower sections at the flangeless joints and selecting a number of fingerplates to fasten each flangeless joints to limit distortion. Establishing dimensions for the fingerplates may further minimize localized tower distortion. Selecting a material for the fingerplate with a lower Young's modulus than a material for the tubular section also results in reduced localized tower distortion. Attaching a coverplate to a top tubular section limits tip displacement for the tower. |
| US08056284B2 |
Auto-irrigating case
An auto-irrigation apparatus is provided. A control panel and a water-level indicator light are inserted in a side of an irrigating case. A water pump, a cell box, and a control circuit are inserted in the irrigating case. The control panel, water-level indicator light, cell box, and water pump are coupled to the control circuit. A solar panel is embedded in each of two cover panels. Each of the two cover panels are mounted on opposite sides of the irrigating case. The embedded solar panels are coupled to the cell box. A water conduit adapter is connected to an outlet of the water pump. A planter box is placed in the irrigating case above a built-in water reservoir so that the water conduit adapter passes through an aperture in the planter box. Then, the water conduit adapter is connected to a spray pipe positioned above the planter box. |
| US08056283B2 |
Flower pot cover with indented ring portion and apparatus for forming same
An apparatus and method is provided for forming a flower pot cover with at least one indented portion to retain the flower pot cover on the flower pot. The apparatus includes a male and female die. The female die has a plurality of fingers movable radially into an opening of the female die. The male die has a recess formed between the lower end and the upper end and adapted to receive the fingers of the female die to form the at least one indented portion of the flower pot cover when the sheet of material is pressed between the female die and the male die. |
| US08056282B2 |
Insect trap with behavior modifying features
An insect trap (100, 200) having an entrapment chamber (110, 210) comprising one or more compartments, a tapered guide (130, 260) extending into each compartment, and an entry structure (120, 240) providing insect access to each compartment. The tapered guides optionally include a plurality of projections defining a crown structure for discouraging insect egress from the trap. The entry structures each define a plurality of entry apertures or entryways that are physically separated such that interactions between insects at different entryways is reduced or eliminated. |
| US08056279B2 |
Compressed elastomer process for autofrettage and lining tubes
An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface. |
| US08056276B2 |
Backlash vibration structure for toy rifle
A backlash vibration structure for toy rifle (air soft rifle, BB-rifle) formed of a receiver extension, a weight, a reaction spring and a buttcap spacer is disclosed. The weight has a front extension inserted through the lower receiver of the toy riffle and connected to the rear end of the piston spring at the rear side of the piston so that the component parts of the backlash vibration structure doe not touch the piston during movement of the piston. An adjustment knob is provided at the buttcap spacer for adjustment of the reaction spring to adjust the level of the backlash vibration. |
| US08056274B2 |
Device for creating and displaying liquid-medium movement within a vessel containing a dioramic scene
A dioramic apparatus includes a vessel having an inferior portion and a superior portion. The vessel includes a shell and defines an interior space. The interior space is partially filled by a liquid medium. At least one dioramic scene is disposed in the interior space. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the interior space. The reservoir includes a flow plate defining at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid output port. The at least one liquid intake is configured and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the liquid medium from the interior space when the dioramic apparatus is at least partially inverted. The at least one liquid output port is configured and arranged to output at least a portion of the liquid medium from the reservoir when the vessel is placed in an upright position. |
| US08056273B2 |
Container for beverages
A container for beverages has a hollow container body having a recess, and an electronic device attached to the hollow container body and provided with a display for displaying electronic images, and the electronic device is configured so that when inserted into the recess of the container body it is held in the recess. |
| US08056271B2 |
Earth leveling and moving apparatus
The present invention is a compact earth leveling and moving apparatus including a handle assembly, a blade assembly, a blade coupled to the blade assembly, a basket, and two wheel assemblies. The handle assembly is connected to the blade assembly which is coupled to the blade. The blade may be removable and may have a straight edge or a ripper edge with teeth for cutting through hard surfaces. The basket is coupled to the handle assembly and to two wheel assemblies. The blade height is determined by adjusting the wheel assemblies and varying the force used on the handle assembly. The basket may have materials for weight in order to aid in applying a downward force to cut or gouge the land and level the land as the user desires. The basket may also be used to move debris and materials around the worksite. |
| US08056263B2 |
Article of footwear with multi-layered support assembly
An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs. |
| US08056262B2 |
Shoe system with a resilient shoe insert
A first load (L1) is put on the upper leg (606) to create a contact area (619) between the front segment (610) and the front segment (618). The contact area (619) has a center point (601) located a distance (p1) from the front end (602). An upper forward segment (621) pulls away from a lower forward segment (623) immediately adjacent to the front end (602) to create a loop (625a). The first load (L1) is progressively increased to a second load (L2) and the center point (601) is rolled back from the distance (p1) to a distance (p2) from the front end (602). The segments (621) and (623) expand the loop (625a) to a loop (625b). |
| US08056258B2 |
Cord drying method and cord drying apparatus for carrying out the same
A cord drying apparatus dries cords for forming cord-inserted bands, such as belts and components of tires, such as carcasses. A plurality of cords C unwound from a plurality of reels 1a held in a wheeled creel 1 are passed through guide holes formed in a guide plate 21 and are extended to an insulation head 6. Vertically movable rollers 4 are moved down from their home positions above the cords C to cause the cords C to extend along curved heating surfaces of heating boards 5. The cords C are moved along the heating surfaces of the heating boards 5 to dry the cords C. The cords C can be easily extended along and pressed against the heating surfaces of the heating boards 5. Thus cords C can be changed in a short time and the efficiency of operations for drying cords C by a drying process can be improved. |
| US08056252B2 |
Moisture removal system
A sheathing layer spans a supporting surface from which moisture is to be removed. In one exemplary system, ventilation channels extend between opposed ends of the substrate layer, communicating with an outlet opening at one end and with a duct at the opposing end which in turn communicates with an inlet opening at the same end of the substrate layer as the outlet opening. A fan is arranged to circulate air through channels from the inlet opening to the outlet opening to replace humid air in the channels with drier replacement air. In another example, a substrate layer includes ventilation channels communicating only between the supporting surface and an outlet opening. The outlet opening connects to a fan which maintains the channels at a vacuum pressure to withdraw moisture therefrom. |
| US08056251B1 |
Top plate alignment template device
A top plate alignment template device for subterranean drilling or boring. The template device includes a frame receivable on a ground site. A plurality of tubular guide bores are provided on the frame, with each of the guide bores arranged at an angle extending downwardly and outwardly from the frame. In one embodiment, each of the guide bores has an axis so that the axes of the guide bores extend from a common center point above the frame. |
| US08056250B2 |
Rotary disk eccentricity measurement method, rotary encoder, and rotary member control device
An eccentricity measurement method of measuring the eccentricity between a center of a connection portion of a rotary disk of a rotary encoder connected to a rotary shaft of a rotary member, and a center of a scale provided at the periphery of the rotary disk. The method includes forming, on the rotary disk, a circle pattern concentric with the scale and at least three straight-line patterns intersecting or contacting the circle pattern and the connection portion; and measuring an amount and direction of the eccentricity of the rotary disk by comparing a coordinate of the center of the connection portion, calculated from coordinates of intersections of the straight-line patterns and the connection portion, with a coordinate of the center of the scale, calculated from the coordinates of intersections of the straight-line patterns and the circle pattern. |
| US08056247B2 |
Tilt sensor
A tilt sensor including a body, an LED, a first photosensitive device, a second photosensitive device, and a moving thin-element is provided. The body has a movement region, a first containing region, a second containing region, and a third containing region. The first, second, and third containing regions have an opening respectively and are connected with the movement region through the openings. The LED providing a light beam is disposed in the first containing region. The first and second photosensitive devices are disposed in the second and third containing regions respectively. When the body tilts toward different tilt directions, the moving thin-element moves in the tilt direction, allowing the light beam provided from the LED to reflect directly to the first and second photosensitive devices, or shielding the light beam provided from the LED from being transmitted to the first and second photosensitive devices. |
| US08056245B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning collimated light beams
An optical bench configured to hold two or more sources of collimated light utilizes prisms that when rotated generate rings of possible angular directions of light that overlap at one or more locations at which the two or more beams are coaligned. |
| US08056237B1 |
Guardrail stanchion and system
A guardrail system and method comprises utilizing at least one through-hole of a poured concrete wall of a structure to affix a stanchion to the wall inside a bay of the structure. The stanchion allows for a guardrail to be conveniently and securely positioned within the bay without damage to the structure and without covering an edge of the structure. A fastener inserts through the through-hole which is preferably a pre-existing tie-hole resulting from formation of the wall. In one optional aspect a guardrail stanchion includes a base segment having at least two slots for receiving fasteners which insert through two tie-holes of the wall, and at least one side segment having at least one adjustment port, the side segment extending generally perpendicular to the base segment. A pair of stanchions may be affixed to opposing walls within the bay, and guardrails affixed thereto and spanning across the bay. The system may also include a cable system having a cable operate as a guardrail to be tightened by utilizing a stanchion in accordance with the invention. |
| US08056235B1 |
Process for producing a rail and post fence system
A modular rail and post fence system which may be fabricated, assembled, and installed without fasteners, adhesives or welding. The fence system includes a plurality of rail assemblies with each rail assembly formed from a pair of panels. Each panel has a pair of sidewalls joined together at an angle to form an angled edge wherein the pair of panels are joined together to form a rail assembly. A plurality of elongated posts are also provided. Each elongated post has at least one longitudinal recess. At least one pair of notches in the pair of longitudinal recesses is provided whereby the angled edges of each rail assembly are received in one pair of notches of the elongated posts. |
| US08056226B2 |
Method of manufacturing a dual interface separable insulated connector with overmolded faraday cage
A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell. |
| US08056219B2 |
One port plug unlocking tool
The present invention involves a plug unlocking tool which comprises a housing and a probe connected to housing wherein the probe extends in a direction away from the housing. The tool further includes a first and second latch release fingers associated with the housing wherein the first and second latch release fingers are movable relative to the housing and an actuator positioned within and moveable along a slot defined in the housing wherein the actuator is associated with the first and second latch release fingers to impart movement of at least one of the first and second latch release fingers with movement of the actuator along the slot. In addition, the present invention includes a method for unlocking a plug from an electrical connection with the plug positioned within a plug cassette assembly and for unlocking the plug from the plug cassette assembly utilizing the plug unlocking tool. |
| US08056216B2 |
Method of manufacturing non-backlighted illuminating keypad
A method of manufacturing non-backlighted illuminating keypad includes preparing a transparent plastic thin plate; forming a plurality of keycaps on a surface the plastic thin plate; forming a light gathering layer on another surface of the plastic thin plate opposite to the keycaps; attaching the plastic thin plate onto an electronic ink layer; and attaching an first elastic layer on the electronic ink layer. |
| US08056214B2 |
Method of manufacturing magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording including two side shields
A magnetic head includes a pole layer, first and second side shields, and an encasing layer having a pole groove that accommodates the pole layer and first and second side shield grooves that accommodate the first and second side shields. In a manufacturing method for the magnetic head, the pole groove and first and second initial side shield grooves are formed in a nonmagnetic layer using an etching mask layer having first to third openings. In the manufacturing method, a wall face of the first initial side shield groove that is closer to the pole groove and a wall face of the second initial side shield groove that is closer to the pole groove are etched by dry etching to thereby complete the first and second side shield grooves. |
| US08056213B2 |
Method to make PMR head with integrated side shield (ISS)
A PMR head comprises a substrate, a magnetic pole formed over the substrate, the pole having a pole tip having a cross-sectional tapered shape wherein the pole tip is surrounded by a write gap layer, an integrated shield comprising side shields on the substrate laterally surrounding the pole tip and a trailing shield overlying the pole tip and integral with the side shields. |
| US08056207B2 |
Push/pull wire anchor
A method for making a deflectable catheter includes positioning a flexible element along a catheter liner. A flexible element distal portion extends along at least a portion of a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner. At least one anchor is engaged to the flexible element distal portion. The anchor extends at least part way around the flexible element distal portion. An encapsulant is positioned around at least the flexible element distal portion and the deflectable distal end portion. The method further includes squeezing the encapsulant around the flexible element distal portion and the anchor, wherein the encapsulant forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the deflectable distal end portion and at least the anchor is within the sidewall, and the encapsulant is adapted to transmit pushing and pulling forces from the at least one anchor to the deflectable distal end portion, and the tension strength and compression strength of the flexible element and the at least one anchor are at least as strong as the encapsulant tension strength and compression strength. |
| US08056201B1 |
Apparatus for installing pin to aligned guard/shaft assembly
A device for inserting a pin into an apertured shaft having an apertured guard which includes a mission plate and an adjacent press fixture mounted to a mounting plate. The press fixture is adapted to receive and hold the apertured shaft and apertured guard. An alignment pin extends from the press fixture for insertion into the apertured shaft and apertured guard once the apertures in the shaft and guard have been vertically aligned. A press head is affixed atop the press fixture and adapted to insert a pin into the vertically aligned apertures of the apertured shaft and apertured guard. |
| US08056198B2 |
Method of manufacturing electronic device
A master substrate 15 having a plurality of substrate areas A arranged in a matrix shape is prepared, and a piezoelectric oscillation element 5 is carried in each of the substrate areas A. A main cover 16 made of a metal having a plurality of cover areas B having a one-to-one correspondence with the substrate areas A is placed and joined on the master substrate 15. The main cover 16 is together cut along the outer periphery B′ of each of the cover areas B, to simultaneously obtain a plurality of electronic devices. The productivity can be improved by simplifying the assembling steps. |
| US08056195B2 |
Landscape edging clip
A U-shaped clip that is configured to be quickly installed by attaching the clip over the top edge of the vertical wall defined by plural end to end oriented landscape edging restraint members. This action is quick and easily accomplished by hand, requiring no tools or forceful effort. The clip is made of a material having a hardness characteristic that is harder than the material of the edging restraint members. The clip includes a series of pointed, opposing, hardened steel barbs that bite into the softer edging material to create a mechanical lock. Further, the barbs are angled so as to increase the force applied to the edging material as the parts are drawn apart in opposite directions. |
| US08056193B2 |
Plastic fastener
A fastener includes a fastener body having a pair of legs. A shoulder portion causes the legs to be elastically engaged with inner edges of a mounting aperture when the fastener is inserted into the mounting aperture. A gripper portion includes a pair of gripper arms that interpose an insertion rib between a pair of opposite gripper surfaces of the pair of gripper arms when the fastener is fitted to the insertion rib. An engagement projection is formed on any one of the pair of gripper surfaces and extends from one of the pair of gripper surfaces to a height exceeding half of the distance between the pair of gripper surfaces so as to engage with an engagement slot formed on the insertion rib. |
| US08056192B1 |
Hose clamp with parallel tightening and rapid release
An improved clamp constricting objects to be held in place including hoses wires tubes. One embodiment having some or all plastic molded parts one of which is a support base (10) to one side is attached a partially grooved or fully flexible grooved band strap (13) where as the other end is free to enter a band strap entrance port (26) thereby contact is made with a matching grooved rotating cylinder (12) held by two bearings. The band strap (13) advances encircling objects to be held. The support base top (11) is closed and locked by the rapid release hold down top lock (20) confining the grooved molded rotating cylinder (12) engaging a flexible paw (17) allowing advancing rotation only, preventing the grooved molded band strap (13) from retracting. Six sided wrench or tool is inserted into the cylinder cavity (15) forcefully rotating the grooved rotating cylinder (12) advancing the flexible grooved band strap (13) through exit port (27) being held down by band strap retainers (18). A rapid release finger grip (19) releases a rapid release hold down top lock (20) lifting the molded support base top (11) disengaging the flexible paw (17) from the grooved molded rotating cylinder (12) allowing counter rotation of the grooved molded rotating cylinder (12) retracting the flexible grooved band strap (13) freeing the constricted objects. |
| US08056188B2 |
Door assist assembly for being grasped by a user of a vehicle
A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel, a primary assist handle, a secondary assist handle, and a first and second extension. The primary assist handle and the secondary assist handles are configured for being grasped by the user of the vehicle. A first extension extends from the door panel. A second extension extends from a second mounting portion of the secondary assist handle, in spaced relationship to the first extension. The extensions pivotally support ends of the primary assist handle. The primary assist handle pivots relative to each of the extensions and the door of the vehicle, between a retracted position and an extended position. A first mounting portion of the secondary assist handle pivotally extends from the door panel. |
| US08056187B2 |
Hinge assembly
An exemplary hinge assembly includes a shaft, a cam, a cam follower, a first elastic member, a second elastic member, a first sleeve, a second sleeve. The cam and the cam follower are sleeved on the shaft. The first elastic member is sleeved on the shaft, and configured for producing an elastic force along the shaft. The first sleeve is sleeved on the shaft, and non-rotatably connected to the cam follower. The second sleeve is sleeved on the shaft, and non-rotatably connected to the cam. The second elastic member is sleeved on the shaft, and configured for producing an elastic force for driving the first sleeve to rotate relative to the second sleeve. The controlling member resists one of the cam and cam follower, and capable of driving the cam away from the cam follower. |
| US08056183B2 |
Multiple position ball stud for closure strut
A multiple position ball stud assembly for a closure strut supporting a closure pivotally attached adjacent to an opening, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The ball stud assembly may comprise a ball stud and a ball stud actuator. The ball stud may have a socket portion mounted on a closure lift assist strut and a guide pin extending from the socket portion. The ball stud actuator assembly may include a housing, a guide for receiving the guide pin, and an actuator for moving the guide pin along the guide to thereby cause the ball stud to move relative to the housing. The multiple position ball stud assembly may also include a control assembly that engages the actuator for selectively causing the actuator to move the guide pin along the guide. |
| US08056182B2 |
Heating system for a portable carpet extractor
A portable extractor apparatus is shown which includes a wheel mounted base having a solution tank for dispensing and recovering cleaning solution. A cleaning wand is connected to the solution tank and has a head which contacts the surface to the cleaned for dispensing and recovering cleaning solution. A fluid pump circulates cleaning solution in a path between the solution tank and the cleaning head. A vacuum motor provides a vacuum source for the cleaning head for suctioning the surface being cleaned and has an exhaust fan for exhausting excess heat created by the operation of the vacuum motor. A fluid operated heat exchanger is mounted in the vicinity of the vacuum motor. The heat exchanger is plumbed in the circulation path of the cleaning fluid, whereby excess heat generated by the vacuum motor is transferred to the cleaning fluid being applied from the cleaning head onto the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning head can also be integrally mounted on the wheel mounted base. |
| US08056181B2 |
Vacuum cleaner and intake port unit thereof
A vacuum cleaner and an intake port unit thereof are disclosed, by which a steam cleaning can be conducted together with a vacuum cleaning. The intake port unit includes a housing. A vacuum intake passage is provided within the housing for passage of air sucked in from the exterior of the housing, and a steam generator is provided within the housing to generate steam. A steam discharge passage is provided within the housing for passage of steam discharged to the exterior of the housing. The steam discharge passage is partitioned from the vacuum intake passage. |
| US08056178B2 |
Mop with receptacle
Some aspects of the present invention are related to a mop and/or mop head that allows larger debris to pass over at least a portion of the mop head and into a receptacle of the mop head. In some embodiments, the mop head and the receptacle are integrally formed. The mop has debris collecting material coupled to the mop head to collect dust, dirt, and other relatively small debris as the mop moves over a floor. In one particular embodiment, the debris collecting material is a non-woven material. The debris collecting material of the mop can be connected to the mop many different ways. However, in some embodiments, the material is connected via several projections extending from a top surface of the mop head. The projections pass through apertures in the dust collecting material. |
| US08056177B2 |
Leaf gathering apparatus
A leaf gathering apparatus includes upper and lower conveyor axes, a conveyor extending around the upper and lower conveyor axes that is continuously rotatable, and a rotatable sweeping mechanism having a generally horizontal axis of rotation, the sweeping mechanism being configured to move leaves from a ground surface onto the conveyor. The apparatus includes a bag and a channel extending from the conveyor to the bag to direct leaves therebetween. A shredder is located along the channel. A frame, the upper and lower conveyor axes, and the sweeping mechanism are operatively coupled to the frame. A plurality of wheels are operatively coupled to the frame to allow the frame to be easily transported and a motor is operatively coupled to the sweeping mechanism to rotate the sweeping mechanism, the motor being operatively coupled to at least one of the upper and lower conveyor axes to rotate the conveyor. |
| US08056176B2 |
Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are provided which have various features that may include one or more tooth cleaning elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, one or more gum treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, and/or one or more soft tissue/tongue treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes. |
| US08056175B2 |
Toothbrush device
A toothbrush device including a brush member and a grip. The brush member includes an electric terminal accommodation chamber and an electric terminal plate accommodated in the electric terminal accommodation chamber. The electric terminal plate includes a contact, which comes into contact with a contact portion of a coupler shaft of the grip through a window providing communication with a receptacle of the brush member. The brush member includes a holding portion supporting the coupler shaft. The receptacle includes a fastener mount portion and an engaging piece which cooperates with the fastener mount portion to hold the coupler shaft therebetween. The engaging piece and the contact portion are arranged at the same side of the axis of the coupler shaft. The fastener mount portion is arranged opposite the contact portion with respect to the axis of the coupler shaft. |
| US08056174B2 |
Repositionable pit seal
A method of selectively closing off a loading dock opening defined by a loading dock pit recessed within a floor of a building and a doorway into the building, the method comprising: (a) repositioning a pit seal panel having a substantially incompressible height and width to a barrier position where the pit seal panel closes off a rectangular area substantially spanning an entire vertical dimension and an entire widthwise dimension of the loading dock pit; and (b) lowering an overhead door to concurrently contact the pit seal panel and the floor of the building to close off the loading dock opening. |
| US08056171B2 |
Leak and poor drainage detection for electronic laundry machine
A control system for a laundry machine provides a system and method to automatically monitor the results of the drain or pump operation during normal operation of machine cycles, during unattended idle states as well as through specific diagnostic tests. By automatically monitoring the results of the drain or pump operation, the machine controller can warn the owner or servicer of the equipment that a machine requires service attention. |
| US08056169B2 |
Institutional mattress and pillow composite with transparent covering
A composite mattress with or without a pillow made of flexible or compressible filling material covered by a pliable transparent polymeric cover material with a visual clarity to allow one to detect, locate, and identify contraband items hidden under the cover material. |
| US08056165B2 |
Inflatable mattress for a bed
A support apparatus includes a rotation therapy device, a pulsation therapy device, a dynamic therapy device, and a control system for operating the devices. |
| US08056161B2 |
Sheet system with restraint
There is provided a sheet system for securing a child in a preferred position on a sleep surface and covering the child, the sheet system including: a base sheet; a band for securing a child in a preferred position; a first attachment means for attaching the band to the base sheet; a top sheet for covering the secured child, and a second attachment means for attaching the top sheet to the base sheet and a stabilizing means for stabilizing the base sheet on a sleep surface. |
| US08056159B2 |
Mattress supporting system
A folding mattress support system replaces both a conventional box spring and the bed frame with rails. The mattress support system is lighter, quieter and easier to transport, and also provides more storage space beneath the mattress. The mattress support system includes bed frame assemblies, central connecting bars, edge attachments and a bed skirt. Leg brackets fold out from the bed frame assemblies, which themselves unfold in the middle. Central connecting bars connect inner side edges of the bed frame assemblies. Plastic edge attachments are attached at outer corners of the bed frame assemblies and hold a bed skirt taught around the frame assemblies when the frame assemblies are standing on the extended leg brackets. A mattress is then placed on top of the assembled mattress support system. Optionally, metal edge attachments at the head corners of the mattress support system both hold the bed skirt and support a headboard. |
| US08056157B2 |
Lightweight shower tray
A shower stall tray includes a plastic shell defining an outer surface and a cavity that is filled with a light weight resinous material and a structural member having a density less than the resinous material. The plastic shell is formed to include a visible surface and a backside surface. The backside of the plastic shell defines an open cavity that is filled with a resinous material. The resinous material provides structural rigidity and the solid substantial feel providing a favorable perception of quality. The structural member not only provides structural support for the shower tray, but also displaces resinous material, thereby reducing the amount of resinous material required to fill the open cavity. |
| US08060939B2 |
Method and system for securing wireless local area networks
A wireless network security system including a system data store capable of storing network default and configuration data, a wireless transmitter and a system processor. The system processor performs a network security method. An active defense request signal is received, typically from an intrusion detection system. The received request signal includes an indicator of an access point within the wireless computer network that is potentially compromised. In response to the received an active defense of the wireless network is triggered. The triggered active defense may be on or more of transmitting a jamming signal, transmitting a signal to introduce CRC errors, transmitting a signal to increase the difficulty associated with breaking the network encryption (typically by including in the signal packet appearing legitimate but containing randomized payloads, or transmitting a channel change request to the potentially compromised access point. |
| US08060937B2 |
System for protecting domain system configurations from users with local privilege rights
A group change lockout system for protecting the configuration of a securable object in an operating system from members of a locally privileged group, such as the local administrators group, when a security descriptor exists for the securable object that includes a discretionary access control list (DACL). A copy of the security descriptor is made. Then a new access control entry (ACE) is added to the DACL in the copy. This new ACE specifies denying the local administrators group an access right to the securable object. Then the security descriptor in the operating system is overwritten with the copy. |
| US08060936B2 |
Security status and information display system
The present invention provides a system and method for reporting security information relating to a mobile device. The invention enables a security assessment to be displayed in various formats on the mobile device display or on a client computer. A security component identifies security events on the mobile device that are processed on the mobile device or by a server. The security component then determines a security assessment for the mobile device based upon the detected security events. The security assessment display may be persistent in the form of a desktop widget or dashboard on a client computer, or home-screen item on the mobile device. This allows a user or administrator to verify that security protection on the device is functioning and to be alerted if the device needs attention without having to specifically seek the information, thereby enabling immediate response to potential security problems. |
| US08060934B2 |
Dynamic trust management
A method and apparatus are provided for tracking the state of a software component in use on a computing platform. Upon a change of a first type in the software component (such as a change to an integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded in cumulative combination with any previous integrity metric values recorded for changes of the first type to the software component. Upon a change of a second type in the software component (such as a change to a non integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded as a replacement for any previous integrity metric value recorded for changes of the second type to the software component. The two resultant values provide an indication of the integrity state of the software component. |
| US08060928B2 |
Information-processing apparatus, method for controlling information-processing apparatus, and storage medium
The present invention can control a logout procedure of each user according to an operation state and provides an information-processing apparatus with enhanced security and excellent usability. A method for controlling an information-processing apparatus capable of maintaining a state in which a plurality of users has been logged in to the information-processing apparatus comprises causing a display unit to switch an operation screen for a user who currently logs in to the information-processing apparatus between an active state and an inactive state where the user can or cannot operate the screen respectively; automatically logging out the user of the information-processing apparatus when a predetermined time has elapsed; and controlling so as not to automatically log out a user whose operation screen is in the inactive state of the information-processing apparatus when the predetermined time has elapsed. |
| US08060927B2 |
Security state aware firewall
A network firewall may apply policies to packets based on a security classification. Packets with an authenticated and established security connection may be handled at a high throughput while packets with unauthenticated connections may be handed at a low throughput or even discarded. In some embodiments, three or more levels of security classifications may be used to process packets at different speeds or priorities. In some embodiments, one device may classify and tag each packet, while another device within the network may process the packets according to the tags. |
| US08060925B2 |
Processor, memory, computer system, and method of authentication
A processor communicating with a first memory configured to store first information and first data, and communicating with a second memory configured to store second information and second data, includes a computing unit configured to perform computation using the first data and the second data; an storing unit configured integrally with the computing unit to store first authentication information and second authentication information; a reading unit configured to read out the first information and the second information; an authenticating unit configured to authenticate the first memory by comparing the first information and the first authentication information, and to authenticate the second memory by comparing the second information and the second authentication information; and an controlling unit configured to control an access of the computing unit to the first memory and the second memory based on a result of the authentications. |
| US08060919B2 |
Automated password tool and method of use
A method of auto updating a password comprises opening a password file and a new password file and reading information from the password file including user ID type. The method applies the user ID type to a predetermined application type and executes password-updating logic to generate a new password for the application type. The method further updates the new password file with the new password for the predetermined application type. A system comprises at least one of a hardware component and a software component configured to read information from a password file including user ID type. The hardware component and/or software component is further configured to determine that the user ID type matches to an application type and to apply the user ID type to the matched application type. The hardware component and/or software component is further configured to generate a new password for the application type and to update the password file with the new password for the application type. |
| US08060918B2 |
Method and system for verifying identity
Verification facilitating company or companies X and verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y may respectively manage member ID(s) and password(s) of user(s) 1 in mutually separate and mutually secret fashion. User(s) 1 may send member ID(s) to verification facilitating company or companies X from mobile telephone(s) 2, and verification facilitating company or companies X may use originating telephone number(s) and/or member ID(s) to carry out first-stage identity check(s). In the event of positive verification of identity as a result of such identity check(s), verification facilitating company or companies X may issue one-time ID(s) to user(s) 1 and may communicate such one-time ID(s) to verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y. User(s) 1 may send one-time ID(s) and password(s) to verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y from company or companies (e.g., store or stores) Z. Verifying company or companies (e.g., credit service company or companies) Y may use one-time ID(s) and password(s) to carry out second-stage identity check(s), and in the event of positive verification of identity as a result of such identity check(s), may provide credit transaction processing or other such service(s). |
| US08060914B2 |
Anonymous selectable credential system and method therefor
The present invention provides an anonymous selectable credential system and method therefor. In the system, a credential authority issues root credentials to a user for certain user rights. The user generates an anonymous selectable credential from the root credentials that correspond to a selected set of user rights, and presents the anonymous selectable credential to a service. Using the anonymous selectable credential, the user can prove to the service through a knowledge proof that the selected set of user rights was granted by the credential authority. Then the service may provide service to the user according to the verified user rights. By generating and presenting different anonymous selectable credentials, the user could remain anonymous no matter how many times he/she accessed one or more services. The user can selectively prove any portion of his/her full set of rights, and no matter how many rights is to be proved, the computational cost is basically the same as that for proving only one right. |
| US08060913B2 |
Policy execution
According to one embodiment a method is disclosed involving storing in a device a static policy framework and one or more dynamic policy algorithms, and controlling policy management in the device by operating the static policy framework and executing the dynamic policy algorithms. The invention also provides in other embodiments an apparatus configured to perform such a method and a computer program product for performing the method. |
| US08060910B2 |
Set top box apparatus having a radio frequency antenna and an associated method
Systems, methods and devices are provided for enabling a wireless television network at a subscriber location in a subscriber television network, such as a cable or satellite television network. In general, a set top box apparatus is provided having a receiver configured to receive a media content signal from the television network, the media content signal being composed of a plurality of channels. The set top box comprises a plurality of tuners for tuning to various channels available in the media content signal. At least a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is operatively coupled to a radio frequency transmitter of the set top box. The radio frequency transmitter is configured to utilize an antenna to communicate a radio frequency signal for wirelessly communicating media content received by the first tuner to at least one remote television. In an embodiment, the set top box further includes at least one radio frequency remote control for controlling the tuning of the first tuner. |
| US08060908B2 |
Consumer access systems and methods for providing same
Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced consumer access to information sources and controllable entities. An Access device can be a stand alone device such as a DVD player in which the DVD disk contains the back-end information network. Other Access devices obtain the back-end information network from remote sources. By way of a specific example, the consumer can then view a game and interactively select every television camera located at the game venue. |
| US08060902B2 |
System for receiving broadcast digital data comprising a master digital terminal, and at least one slave digital terminal
The system for receiving broadcast digital data (in particular pay television services) comprises a master digital terminal (1), and at least one slave digital terminal (2) connected to the master terminal by a link (3) and able to receive protected digital data. The slave digital terminal can access the protected data only if information necessary for accessing the data and received by the master digital terminal is sent by way of link (3) to the slave digital terminal within a predetermined deadline. This information is in particular access entitlements to television services or keys for descrambling the service. |
| US08060899B2 |
Disk device
A disk device includes a loader chassis, a traverse chassis, an optical pickup, a clamp mechanism and a cam mechanism. The cam mechanism pivots the traverse chassis with respect to the loader chassis between a loading position and an unloading position. The cam mechanism includes a follower, a cam plate, a guide member and a biasing member. The cam plate has a first restricting face that restricts a first direction movement of the follower with respect to the cam plate. The guide member has a second restricting face that restricts a second direction movement of the follower with respect to the guide member. The biasing member biases the follower towards both the first restricting face of the cam plate and the second restricting face of the guide member when the traverse chassis is located at the loading position. |
| US08060895B2 |
Disk device tray
A disk device tray includes a first support component, a second support component and a step component. The first support component has a first support face with a first disk supporting area that supports an outer edge portion of a lower face of a first disk. The second support component has a second support face with a second disk supporting area that supports an outer edge portion of a lower face of a second disk. The step component has an inner side portion protruding upward with respect to an outer side portion. The inner side portion has a top face that is located lower than the second support face and a first inner peripheral face that extends upward from the first support face to the top face and restricts movement of the first disk in a radial direction of the first disk. |
| US08060884B2 |
Deterministic task scheduling in a computing device
A method and system for scheduling tasks in a computing device ensures substantially seamless processing of an active job while preventing starvation of background tasks. In one aspect, a method comprises the steps of statically allocating processor time to a background task class and dynamically allocating processor time to background tasks within the background task class based at least in part on a current count of the background tasks. The background task processor time may equal the background task class processor time divided by the current count. The method may further comprise, in each of successive processing periods, assigning a processor to each of the background tasks for their respective background task processor times and assigning the processor to active job tasks when the processor is not assigned to any of the background tasks. The computing device may be a printing device. |
| US08060883B1 |
System for managing and providing expandable resource reservations in a tree hierarchy
Described herein are approaches to managing expandable resource reservations. In one approach, a method is described in which an attempt is made to change a resource reservation from a first amount to a second amount. The second amount is examined to determine whether it exceeds a reservation limit. The second amount is compared with available resources, and reserved. |
| US08060880B2 |
System using backward inter-procedural analysis for determining alternative coarser grained lock when finer grained locks exceeding threshold
Locks which protect data structures used within atomic sections of concurrent programs are inferred from atomic sections and acquired in a manner to avoid deadlock. Locks may be inferred by expression correspondence using a backward inter-procedural analysis of an atomic section. Locks may be sorted according to a total order and acquired early in an atomic section to prevent deadlock. Multiple granularity of locks are determined and employed. Fine grained locks may be inferred and acquired to reduce contention. Coarse grained locks may be determined and substituted for fine grained locks when necessary for unbounded locations or to reduce the number of finer grained locks. |
| US08060879B2 |
Predictive log synchronization
A method for coordinating shared access to data objects comprises applying modification operations to a data object from a first thread of a plurality of threads on behalf of all the other threads during a session in which the first thread owns a lock on the data object. Each modification operation corresponds to a respective entry recorded in a log associated with the data object by a respective thread. The method may further comprise predicting, for a second thread, a result of a particular operation requested by the second thread on the data object. The result may be predicted using log entries corresponding to modification operations that have not yet been applied to the data object. In addition, the method includes performing one or more other operations in a non-blocking manner from the second thread during the session, where at least one other operation is dependent on the predicted result. |
| US08060876B2 |
Methods and apparatus for creating an isolated partition for a virtual trusted platform module
A data processing system isolates a virtual trusted platform module (vTPM) manager in the processing system from other management software in the processing system. In one example process, the processing system launches a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that includes a memory-mapped input/output (MMIO) trap. The processing system also launches a vTPM manager in a first virtual machine (VM). In addition, the processing system launches a second VM to contain virtual machine management programs other than the vTPM manager and the MMIO trap. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08060875B1 |
System and method for multiple virtual teams
A system and method for assigning virtual machines to network interfaces. A first virtual machine is assigned to a network interface according to a first rule and a second virtual machine is assigned to a network interface according to a second rule. The assignment rules are dependent on network conditions as determined through at least one of the network interfaces. The first rule and the second rule may specify assignments differently, such that the same network conditions may result in different assignments for the first and second virtual machines. |
| US08060873B2 |
Method and system for remote programming of a program-controlled device using a legitimization code
A method for remote programming of a program-controlled device, and a system having an interface to receive program data and a legitimization, as well as a remotely programmable, program-controlled device, which includes a processor and a program memory, are provided. In the method, program data are remotely transmitted from a control station to the interface and buffer-stored there in a buffer store. Subsequently, a legitimization is transmitted from the control station to the interface, and from there to the program-controlled device. The device checks the legitimization and imports the program data from the buffer store if the legitimization check is positive. |
| US08060868B2 |
Fully capturing outer variables as data objects
Providing for read/write access to captured free variables expressed as environment data objects is disclosed herein. By way of example, free variables can be rewritten as a field of a private class, and accessed via an instance of the private class captured within the environment data object. In such a manner, no need of a placeholder or proxy function is required to access the free variable. Consequently, the subject innovation provides a simplified method for capturing free variables within expression trees and providing read/write access to such variables. |
| US08060865B2 |
Build-time enforcement of architectural partitioning in computer application
A computer software construct has a plurality of components and is built based on an architecture designed for the construct. The architecture includes a number of partitions and dependency rules, where each partition is for having at least one component associated therewith. Each dependency rule specifies whether a component of one partition may refer to any component of another partition. The method enforces the dependency rules of the architecture on each component of the construct as built. A command is received to build a particular component of the software construct based on corresponding build instructions, and the dependency rules are also received. Thereafter, it is determined whether the particular component of a particular partition violates any dependency rule by improperly referring to another component of another partition. The particular component of the software construct is built only if the particular component violates none of the dependency rules. |
| US08060863B2 |
Conformance control module
Systems, methods and computer readable media are provided for the conformance testing of services through the utilization of a conformance control module. In one exemplary embodiment, the method may include comparing meta-data returned by the service to predetermined parameters to determine whether the meta-data conforms to the predetermined parameters. The method may also include determining a conformance violation exists when the comparison indicates the meta-data does not conform to the predetermined parameters. The method may further include determining a conformance violation does not exist when the comparison indicates the meta-data does conform to the predetermined parameters. Moreover, the method may include continuing execution of the service based on the results of the comparisons made. |
| US08060862B2 |
Apparatus and method for configuring a process control system having one or more digital data processors
Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object. Configuration-time formulas contained objects are evaluated to constants prior to downloading to the control system. |
| US08060861B2 |
Tool to generate active page interface instructions
A system and method for generating a script conforming with the interactive television standard for embedment in an entertainment device includes retrieving a header file containing definitions of functions present in the interactive television standard. A code file includes a string that does not conform to the interactive television standard for code. The string is broken into substrings based on the presence of the “;” character. In substrings with a “typedef” keyword, a data type is selected based upon occurring immediately succeeding the “typedef” keyword up to the “;” character and creating variables with values representative of the data type. Automatically selecting from a plurality of strings in the header, a suitable string in accord with the variables creates resulting substring in a form acceptable according to the interactive television standard. The resulting code is stored in a memory storage for execution by the entertainment device. |
| US08060848B2 |
Verification support apparatus, verification support method, and computer product
A computer-readable recording medium stores therein a verification support program that causes a computer to execute receiving a hardware description of a sequential circuit to be verified and a timing specification that indicates a timing constraint in the hardware description; converting the hardware description into a control flow graph that expresses a flow of control in the sequential circuit; indentifying, from the control flow graph and as a combination of conditional branch descriptions having a hierarchical relation, conditional branch descriptions that are connected in parallel; extracting, from among identified combinations of conditional branch descriptions, a combination having a potential to satisfy specified conditions; creating a simulation program that, at a timing satisfying the timing specification, causes the conditional branch descriptions included in the extracted combination to satisfy the specified conditions; and outputting, as assertion information of the sequential circuit, the simulation program created at the creating. |
| US08060847B2 |
Clock model for formal verification of a digital circuit description
An edge clock model is used to capture states from a logic-level simulation of a circuit description. The states are captured at clock edges, or transitions, according to an edge clock model based on a clock specification for the circuit description. The captured states and associated attributes are used in formal verification of the circuit description. This approach helps to reduce or eliminate inaccuracies and other issues with other clock models such as a phase clock model. In one embodiment, a phase clock model can be used in addition to the edge clock model. In another embodiment, the edge clock states can be used to generate states according to different clock models, such as the phase clock model. |
| US08060846B2 |
Inductance mitigation through switching density analysis
Embodiments of a method for detecting potential areas of inductive coupling in a high density integrated circuit design are described. The inductance mitigation process first converts the inductive analysis into a density problem. The density of wires within a region that may switch within a portion of the system clock are compared to the density of wires will not switch within that same time. Regions of the chip that have a high ratio of density of switching wires versus non-switching wires are determined to have the potential of an inductive coupling problem. Additional grounded metal is added into the problematic regions of the chip to improve the switching versus non-switching wire density. |
| US08060844B2 |
Method for generating optimized constraint systems for retimable digital designs
A method for generating timing constraint systems, where the constrained object is a digital circuit, is provided, where the constraints are generated for the use of a digital logic optimization (synthesis) tool. The synthesis tool is used to optimize the circuit, under the applied constraints, so that the circuit exhibits certain desirable timing properties, while at the same time minimizing hardware cost and various other properties. The particular class of timing constraints generated by the disclosed invention is useful when the circuit is to be retimed after optimization. Typically, the joint use of the described invention and retiming results in improvements in the overall cost/performance tradeoff curve of the design. The invention comprises a method that comprises the following steps: (1) the flip-flops of the design are replaced with buffers having a negative delay whose magnitude is approximately the desired clock cycle time of the design; and (2) cycles in the design are broken using flip-flops having an infinite or quasi-infinite clock frequency. Following optimization by the synthesis tool, the temporary changes can be reverted, and retiming performed on the circuit. |
| US08060840B2 |
Orientation free user interface
Generation and display of a dynamically orientable graphical user interface (GUI) is described. The GUI can include user input controls that are configured to receive user input. In one exemplary embodiment, the GUI is displayed as a band around a perimeter of a horizontally oriented interactive display surface. The user input controls can be made to reorient in response to an application that provides control, or a user can selectively cause the GUI to move relative to the interactive display surface to enable the user to gain access to a specific that was previously disposed at a different point. The user input can be received directly from the orientable GUI in the form of finger movement detected by the interactive display surface and the reorientation of the GUI can be controlled according to the laws of physics, based on the user input. |
| US08060833B2 |
Method and system for computer folder management
Disclosed are a method and system for managing groups of folders on a computer. The method comprises the step of presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) view to a user, said view identifying a multitude of folders, wherein some of said folders are empty, and in said view, the empty folders are designated in a defined manner. The user chooses a group of said folders by interacting with the GUI, and the user selects one of a group of given actions. In response to the user selecting that one action, the computer applies the selected action to all of said group of folders as a single operation. |
| US08060830B2 |
News feed browser
Techniques for detecting, managing, and presenting syndication XML (feeds) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a web browser automatically determines that a web site is publishing feeds and notifies the user, who can then access the feed easily. In another embodiment, a browser determines that a web page or feed is advertising relationship XML, and displays information about the people identified in the relationship XML. In yet another embodiment, a browser determines that a file contains a feed and enables the user to view it in a user-friendly way. In yet another embodiment, feed state information is stored in a repository that is accessible by applications that are used to view the feed. In yet another embodiment, if a feed's state changes, an application notifies the repository, and the state is updated. In yet another embodiment, a feed is parsed and stored in a structured way. |
| US08060826B2 |
Method for processing still image and broadcast receiving apparatus thereof
A method for processing a still image and a broadcast receiving apparatus thereof is provided. The method for processing a still image includes transmitting to an external apparatus a still image selected by a user using a GUI window to select a desired still image from among still images of a stored broadcast. Accordingly, the user can conveniently use the home network service. |
| US08060824B2 |
User interface for a multimedia service
Methods, systems, and machine readable media are disclosed for providing a user interface for a service distributing multimedia content. According to one embodiment, providing a user interface accessing a media service can comprise generating a representation of a stage for presenting graphical elements related to multimedia content provided by the media service and displaying a first view of the stage, wherein the first view of the stage includes a portion of the stage less than all of the stage. The first view of the stage can comprise at least a first pane and a second pane, the first pane and the second pane including different portions of the stage. The first pane can include a first plurality of graphical elements representing content items available through the media service. |
| US08060821B2 |
Enhanced visual feedback of interactions with user interface
An item in a user interface is visually enhanced in response to an interaction with the item or in response to a request. In some implementations, the item (e.g., an icon, button, text, etc.) is visually enhanced and displayed in the user interface at a conspicuous location (e.g., the center of the user interface). Optionally, the user interface can be altered (e.g., darkened) to improve the visibility of the enhanced item. In some implementations, visual enhancement includes displaying enhanced feedback (e.g., text, data, graphical objects or images, etc.) associated with the item in a caption panel. The caption panel can display enhanced feedback associated with any items in the user interface and not just the item associated with a current user interaction. In some implementations, the user can interact with items (e.g., launch an application) from within an interaction panel. |
| US08060816B1 |
Methods and apparatus for intelligent crawling on the world wide web
Methods and apparatus for performing intelligent crawling are provided. Particularly, the intelligent crawling techniques of the invention provide a crawler mechanism which is capable of learning as it crawls in order to focus the search for documents on the information network being explored, e.g., world wide web. This crawler mechanism stores information about the crawled documents as it retrieves the documents, and then uses the information to further focus its search appropriately. The inventive techniques result in the crawling of a small percentage of the documents on the world wide web. |
| US08060810B2 |
Margin decoding communications system
A margin decoding communications system includes a circuit receiving a message encoded by an iterative code and processing the message into scores. A normalization process module receives the scores and iteratively approximates log-map normalization factors of the scores to generate approximation normalization factors. An element receives the message and the approximation normalization factors and decodes the received message based on the approximation normalization factors. |
| US08060806B2 |
Estimation of non-linear distortion in memory devices
A method for operating a memory (24) includes storing data in analog memory cells (32) of the memory by writing respective analog values to the analog memory cells. A set of the analog memory cells is identified, including an interfered cell having a distortion that is statistically correlated with the respective analog values of the analog memory cells in the set. A mapping is determined between combinations of possible analog values of the analog memory cells in the set and statistical characteristics of composite distortion levels present in the interfered memory cell. The mapping is applied so as to compensate for the distortion in the interfered memory cell. |
| US08060802B2 |
Automatic repeat request (ARQ) apparatus and method of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system
Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) apparatus and method of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO system are provided. The ARQ method includes decoding, when one or more packets are received, the received packets and trying to detect the decoded packets; and storing, when error is detected from the packets, the corresponding error packet, requesting a transmitter to retransmit N-ary packets from which the error is detected and to transmit (M-N)-ary new packets when the number of the error packets N is smaller than the total number of the transmitted packets M. Accordingly, the error rate of the retransmitted data can be minimized, the number of retransmissions can be decreased, and the overall data transmission rate can be raised. |
| US08060801B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating HARQ buffer in wireless communication system
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for efficiently controlling buffers which support a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) in a wireless communication system. Buffer regions for the HARQ scheme are not fixedly allocated according to channel identification information, but are allocated from the viewpoint of one overall memory through aggregation support. That is, an HARQ buffer is dynamically controlled. Therefore, there are the effects reducing the size of the entire chip, as well as reducing power consumption of the entire system according to the reduction of the chip size. |
| US08060794B2 |
NAND flash memory and method for managing data thereof
A NAND flash memory and method for managing data reads a header from each storage area, and identifies each storage area. Data of the primary storage area is updated if the primary storage area exists, and an operating system in the NAND flash memory is initiated according to the updated data in the primary storage area, or in the secondary storage area if the primary storage area does not exist but a secondary storage area does. |
| US08060790B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and debugging system
This invention is to provide a technology for taking out trace information externally without lacking under the condition of limited output bandwidth. A semiconductor integrated circuit provided includes: a processing unit which can perform arithmetic processing according to a predetermined program and can output trace information with respect to the arithmetic processing; and a trace compression unit which can compress the trace information outputted from the processing unit. The trace compression unit includes a storage device, a comparator unit which can compare trace information stored in the storage device and the trace information newly outputted from the processing unit, and a trace information compression controller which can compress trace information to be externally outputted, based on the comparison result of the comparator unit. When a content of the trace information is in agreement with that of the trace information already outputted, information indicating the already-outputted trace information is outputted, accordingly the trace information is compressed. |
| US08060789B2 |
Web page error reporting
An error in a web page displayed on a device is detected. The error is assigned to a bucket to indicate a type of the error, and a record describing the current state of the device is generated. Both an indication of the bucket and the record describing the current state of the device are then sent to a server. At the server, error information including error records and bucket identifiers are received from multiple devices. Each error record describes a current state of one of the multiple devices at a time when an error in a web page displayed on the one device was detected. Each bucket identifier corresponds to one of the error records and describes a type of the error associated with that error record. The error records are grouped into multiple baskets based at least in part on the current state information in the error records. |
| US08060787B2 |
System and method for reducing chronic troubles
A system to reduce chronic troubles includes at least one interexchange point of presence for a network, an access loop, a central office, and a compiler. The access loop exchanges transmissions to at least one end device that is part of the network. The central office of the network is disposed between the at least one interexchange point of presence and the access loop. The compiler gathers performance management data related to the network at a taper code level. The compiler determines if a trouble associated with the network relates to the taper code level. |
| US08060776B1 |
Mirror split brain avoidance
A data storage system has two computers. Each computer is assigned to a set of data. Two copies of each set of data are maintained. A first copy is stored on a first set of disks and a second copy is stored on a second set of disks. Each time that a data is written by a computer, a label is written to each set of disks, the label having fields for a status of each computer, a first ordinal which is increased each time that a new data is written, and a time stamp giving a time at which the last write was performed. After failure of a computer, a processor determines, in response to reading the labels of the first set of disks and the second set of disks, the most up to date copy of the data assigned to the failed computer. |
| US08060775B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing dynamic multi-pathing (DMP) for an asymmetric logical unit access (ALUA) based storage system
A method and apparatus for providing dynamic multi-pathing for an asymmetrical logical unit access (ALUA) based storage system. The method comprises identifying a first processor within a storage system as providing an optimized path to a disk array, identifying a second processor within a storage system as providing an unoptimized path to the disk array and, in response to failure of the optimized path, immediately switching from the optimized path to the unoptimized path. |
| US08060774B2 |
Memory systems and memory modules
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a memory module that includes at least one memory chip, and an intelligent chip coupled to the at least one memory chip and a memory controller, where the intelligent chip is configured to implement at least a part of a RAS feature. The disclosed architecture allows one or more RAS features to be implemented locally to the memory module using one or more intelligent register chips, one or more intelligent buffer chips, or some combination thereof. Such an approach not only increases the effectiveness of certain RAS features that were available in prior art systems, but also enables the implementation of certain RAS features that were not available in prior art systems. |
| US08060770B2 |
Method and system for clock skew reduction in clock trees
A system that includes a clock tree and multiple variable delay components. The system is characterized by including a first set of fuses indicative of identities of variable delay components that belong to a first set of variable delay components, a second set of fuses indicative of delay values of the variable delay components that belong to the first set of variable delay components, and a second set of variable delay components that are set to at least one default delay value. A method for reducing clock skews, the method includes providing a clock tree that includes a set of variable delay components. The method is characterized by selecting a first set of variable delay components in view of timing violations occurring due clock skews, setting delay values of variable delay components that form a first set of variable delay components by programming fuses, and setting delay values of variable delay components that form a second set of variable delay components to at least one default value. |
| US08060768B2 |
Power saving method of portable internet device and portable internet device thereof, and instant messaging system using the same
The present invention discloses a power saving method of a portable Internet device, the portable Internet device and its instant messaging system. If a screen of the portable Internet device is in non-view state, for example, both backlight module and LCD panel are turned off, it means that a user is not viewing the screen, and thus the message update frequency of the instant messaging program is lowered to prevent unnecessary transmission and receiving of wireless signals, so as to reduce power comsumption of the portable Internet device. |
| US08060766B2 |
Microprocessor performance and power optimization through inductive voltage droop monitoring and correction
A voltage droop monitoring and correcting circuit for a microprocessor includes: a monitor circuit configured to monitor voltage droops of the microprocessor and perform a temporary clock-skipping technique to compensate for the voltage droops. A method for monitoring and correcting voltage droops of a microprocessor includes: monitoring voltage droops of the microprocessor; and performing a temporary clock-skipping technique to compensate for the voltage droops. A computer system includes memory; a processor operatively connected to the memory; and computer-readable instructions stored in the memory for causing the processor to: monitor voltage droops of the microprocessor; and perform a temporary clock-skipping technique to compensate for the voltage droops. |
| US08060763B2 |
Computer system and power control apparatus thereof
A power control apparatus is disclosed. The power control apparatus includes a temperature sensor, a level-controlling unit, a reset unit and a first voltage converter. The temperature sensor is for sensing an operation temperature of a computer system and accordingly outputs a sensing signal. The level-controlling unit is for deciding whether or not to output a control voltage according to the sensing signal. The reset unit is for producing a reset signal according to a plurality of reference voltages generated by dividing the power voltage and using the control voltage to adjust the levels of the reference voltages. The first voltage converter is for producing a start signal according to the reset signal, wherein the start signal is for enabling the embedded controller. |
| US08060761B2 |
Electrical power sharing circuit has control unit for controlling performance of CPU and GPU based on a reference value
An electrical power sharing circuit applied in a computer system includes first and second sense units and first and second control units. The first and second sense units are electrically connected to a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphical processing unit (GPU) of the computer system and thus generate first and second sense values, respectively. The first control unit is electrically connected to the first and second sense units, the CPU and the GPU and receives the first and second sense values. The second control unit is electrically connected to the first and second sense units and the first control unit, receives the first and second sense values and provides a reference value to the first control unit. The first control unit controls performances of the CPU and the GPU according to the reference value. |
| US08060758B2 |
Item tracing with supply chain secrecy using RFID tags and an identity-based encryption scheme
A method for tracing an item may include encrypting item information using an identity-based encryption scheme with a batch number for an item as an encryption key and communicating the encrypted item information for storage on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for attachment to the item. |
| US08060754B2 |
Cryptographic processing device and method for adapting to shared-cache attacks
Embodiments of a cryptograph processing device and method for adapting to shared-cache attacks are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the cryptographic processing device comprises first and second processing units, and a cache that is shared by the first and second processing units. The first processing unit may monitor a number of cache misses that occur during the performance of a first cryptographic process and may switch to performing a second cryptographic process after the number of cache misses exceeds a threshold. |
| US08060753B2 |
Biometric platform radio identification anti-theft system
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for administering a protected item. An anti-theft key encoded with a radio frequency identification of the user and biometric data of the user is provided. The anti-theft key is associated with the protected item such that the protected item is accessible with the anti-theft key. |
| US08060750B2 |
Secure seed provisioning
A technique is utilized in the configuration and seeding of security tokens at third party facilities, particularly at facilities of a configuration agent, such that a token can be configured without the configuration agent having security-defeating knowledge about the token. Such a technique allows a third party to provision a token with a seed, but in such a way that the third party will not know, or be able to construct, the seed after the seed provisioning process is complete. The seed may include, by way of example, a symmetric key or other secret shared by two or more entities. In some arrangements, a method is used for secure seed provisioning. Data is derived from inherent randomness in a token or other authentication device. Based on the data, the token or other authentication device is provisioned with a seed. |
| US08060746B2 |
E-mail transfer method and device
In a method and a device for transferring an e-mail by a public key cryptography between an e-mail transmission device and an e-mail reception device, a trigger message to which user authentication data and a public key are added is received from a transmitting side client, and trust is assigned to the public key within the trigger message to be transmitted to a receiving side client when the user authentication data within the trigger message are authenticated. In response thereto, a response message to which user authentication data and a public key are added is received from the receiving side client, and trust is assigned to the public key within the response message to be transmitted to the transmitting side client when the user authentication data within the response message are authenticated. |
| US08060743B2 |
Cryptographic method and apparatus
A method of formatting data for transmission to another party including the step of incorporating in the data a flag indicative of the absence of data for authentication of the sender. An authentication tag length is also included to permit variable length tags to be used. |
| US08060742B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure communications
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a trusted service provider (TSP) which assists with the secure exchange of data across the public switched telephone network. Communications are routed via a TSP, which uses cryptographic techniques to conceal the identities (e.g., telephone numbers) of the call initiator and call recipient, thereby preventing traffic analysis attacks. The TSP also performs cryptographic handshakes with the call initiator and call recipient to authenticate callers. The TSP further provides cryptographic keying material which communicants may use to help protect communications and to directly authenticate and identify each other. Although the TSP is trusted to negotiate the connection and is involved in the process, the communicants can perform their own key agreement and authentication for protecting data routed via the TSP. |
| US08060737B2 |
Method and apparatus for preventing BIOS from failing to enter boot program
A method and an apparatus for preventing a basic input/output system (BIOS) from failing to enter a boot program are adapted to solve the problem that when a central processing unit (CPU) executes a first instruction after a computer is powered on, a start address to be executed is erroneously set as another corresponding start address, resulting in that a BIOS cannot enter a boot program. In the method of the present invention, a jump instruction is written to the corresponding start address, so as to enable an execution instruction to jump to a boot block of the BIOS when the start address is erroneously set in the computer, thus performing a normal boot operation. Moreover, in the present invention, a step for checking a register that may cause the start address to be inverted to the corresponding start address is further added to the BIOS program, such that in each boot process, the value of the register can be pre-checked and overwritten when an error occurs, so as to avoid the problem of false pointing next time the computer is booted. |
| US08060736B2 |
Navigation system and method with switchable multi-language interfaces
A navigation system and method that allows switching between multi-language operating interfaces. It provides multi-language operating interfaces in the storage unit of the navigation system. During the navigation system operation, the user is prompted by Basic Input Output System (BIOS) to select a language of operating interface to display. The navigation system is then installed by executing the index file of the selected language to display the navigation system operating interface in the selected language. |
| US08060732B2 |
Multiple purpose integrated circuit
An integrated circuit is operable to execute boot loader code and a boot code from external memory. To provide security so that the CPU does not execute malicious codes, the circuit resets in a restricted mode in which only certain functional units may be connected. In the restricted mode the CPU is only able to fetch boot code from an external memory for transfer to an internal memory. A hash function operates on the fetched boot code to determine whether it is authentic and, if it is determined that the code is authentic the circuit is reset to an unrestricted mode to continue executing from the boot code now stored in the internal memory. Further security is provided by a watchdog timer function which resets the circuit if the boot code is not determined to be authentic within a threshold period of time. |
| US08060729B1 |
Software based data flows addressing hardware block based processing requirements
In the provided architecture, one or more multi-threaded processors may be combined with hardware blocks having increased functionality. Each hardware block may be able to transfer a data packet to a particular hardware block based on the packet being processing. One or more hardware block may also be able to divide packets into subpackets for separate processing, and other hardware blocks may be able to rejoin the subpackets. Hardware blocks may also be able to transfer packet information between other hardware blocks during the processing sequence. |
| US08060723B2 |
Memory management device
A second memory stores data in units of segments. An assignment control circuit sets up a buffer space as a logical address space. A buffer space is formed as a set of at least one segment. A state storage circuit stores association between a buffer space and segments as segment assignment information. An address conversion circuit refers to segment assignment information to convert a logical address into a physical address. A segment queue stores a free segment and a buffer queue stores a free buffer. The state storage circuit includes a plurality of register groups each of which includes a plurality of segment registers. A register group is associated with one of the plurality of buffer spaces. A range number identifying a range of logical addresses in the associated buffer space is set up in a segment register. |
| US08060721B1 |
Apparatus and method for a synchronous multi-port memory
A method of and apparatus for arbitrating a memory access conflict to a memory array. The apparatus may include selection logic coupled with a plurality of ports and a memory array to arbitrate among a plurality of contending memory access requests and to conditionally block write data from accessing the memory array when write data arrives late in time. |
| US08060716B2 |
Information processing device for securely processing data that needs to be protected using a secure memory
To aim to provide an information processing device capable of improving a processing capability and securely handling programs and data to be protected. According to a system LSI including a plurality of CPUs, when a CPU-1 switches to a protection mode, the CPU-1 and a CPU-2 are reset. While the CPU-1 operates in the protection mode, only the CPU-1 executes a protection program and the CPU-2 is stopped by continuing outputting a reset signal to the CPU-2. |
| US08060712B2 |
Remote mirroring between a primary site and a secondary site
In one embodiment, a method for remote mirroring includes providing a control entity coupled to a primary site and a secondary site, receiving first memory space information indicative of a location of a first memory space, establishing a remote mirroring relationship between the primary site and the secondary site, copying data from the primary site to the secondary site, and writing status information to the first memory space for storing status information representative of a relationship between data stored in the primary site and destined to be copied to the secondary site and data copied from the primary site to the secondary site. |
| US08060710B1 |
Non-disruptive migration using device identity spoofing and passive/active ORS pull sessions
On-line storage devices are migrated to new storage devices in a non-disruptive manner. A host executing multipath I/O software is initially coupled to a source storage device via at least one active path. The target storage device is configured with the source device's device identification information. The target storage device is coupled to the host via a passive path so that the target storage device can return its device identification information to the host but cannot respond to I/O read or I/O write requests from the host. All paths between the host and the source storage device are then disconnected. An on-line data migration session between the source storage device and the target storage device is then activated. The path between the target storage device and the host is then re-configured from passive to active so that the target storage device can respond to I/O read and I/O write requests. |
| US08060709B1 |
Control of storage volumes in file archiving
Computer file archiving systems and techniques are described. Various aspects include wide area high-availability file archiving, volume-level management capabilities of archiving systems, and methods and systems for storing file archiving metadata. The methods and systems described can be used individually or in combination. |
| US08060708B2 |
Multiprocessor system having an input/output (I/O) bridge circuit for transferring data between volatile and non-volatile memory
A disclosed circuit includes circuitry for coupling to a volatile memory, circuitry for coupling to a nonvolatile NAND flash memory, and circuitry that: (i) receives a volatile memory request from a processor and satisfies the volatile memory request by accessing the volatile memory, and (ii) receives a nonvolatile NOR flash memory read request from the processor and satisfies the NOR read request by accessing both the NAND flash memory and the volatile memory. The circuit may also include circuitry that receives a volatile memory request from another processor and satisfies the volatile memory request from the other processor by accessing the volatile memory, and circuitry that receives a NAND flash memory read request from the other processor and satisfies the NAND read request by accessing the NAND flash memory. Multiprocessor systems including the circuit are described, as is a method for satisfying a NOR flash memory read request. |
| US08060704B2 |
Application pre-launch to reduce user interface latency
A device stores a plurality of applications and a list of associations for those applications. The applications are preferably stored within a secondary memory of the device, and once launched each application is loaded into RAM. Each application is preferably associated to one or more of the other applications. Preferably, no applications are launched when the device is powered on. A user selects an application, which is then launched by the device, thereby loading the application from the secondary memory to RAM. Whenever an application is determined to be associated with a currently active state application, and that associated application has yet to be loaded from secondary memory to RAM, the associated application is pre-launched such that the associated application is loaded into RAM, but is set to an inactive state. |
| US08060700B1 |
System, method and frame buffer logic for evicting dirty data from a cache using counters and data types
A system and method for cleaning dirty data in an intermediate cache are disclosed. A dirty data notification, including a memory address and a data class, is transmitted by a level 2 (L2) cache to frame buffer logic when dirty data is stored in the L2 cache. The data classes include evict first, evict normal and evict last. In one embodiment, data belonging to the evict first data class is raster operations data with little reuse potential. The frame buffer logic uses a notification sorter to organize dirty data notifications, where an entry in the notification sorter stores the DRAM bank page number, a first count of cache lines that have resident dirty data and a second count of cache lines that have resident evict_first dirty data associated with that DRAM bank. The frame buffer logic transmits dirty data associated with an entry when the first count reaches a threshold. |
| US08060699B2 |
Spiral cache memory and method of operating a spiral cache
A memory provides reduction in access latency for frequently-accessed values by self-organizing to always move a requested value to a front-most central storage element of a spiral. The occupant of the central location is swapped backward, which continues backward through the spiral until an empty location is swapped-to, or the last displaced value is cast out of the last location in the spiral. The elements in the spiral may be cache memories or single elements. The resulting cache memory is self-organizing and for the one-dimensional implementation has a worst-case access time proportional to N, where N is the number of tiles in the spiral. A k-dimensional spiral cache has a worst-case access time proportional to N1/k. Further, a spiral cache system provides a basis for a non-inclusive system of cache memory, which reduces the amount of space and power consumed by a cache memory of a given size. |
| US08060698B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling degradation data in cache
A cache controller controls at least one cache. The cache includes ways including a plurality of blocks that stores therein entry data. A writing unit writes degradation data to a failed block. The degradation data indicates that the failed block is in a degradation state. A reading unit reads entry data from a block. A determining unit determines, if the entry data obtained by the reading unit includes the degradation data, that the block is in the degradation state. |
| US08060692B2 |
Memory controller using time-staggered lockstep sub-channels with buffered memory
Memory control techniques for dual channel lockstep configurations are disclosed. In accordance with one example embodiment, a memory controller issues two burst-length 4 DRAM commands to two double-data-rate (DDR) DRAM sub-channels behind a memory buffer (e.g., FB-DIMM or buffer-on-board). The two commands are in time-staggered lockstep. The time-stagger allows data coming back from the two back-side DDR sub-channels to flow naturally on the host channel without conflict. Multiple DIMMs can be used to obtain chip-fail ECC capabilities and to reclaim at least some of the lost performance imposed by the burst-length of 4 s typically associated with dual channel lockstep memory controllers. The techniques can be implemented, for instance, with a buffered memory solution such as fully buffered DIMM (FB-DIMM) or buffer-on-board configurations. |
| US08060688B2 |
Method and device for reconfiguration of reliability data in flash EEPROM storage pages
A data processing system comprises a Flash memory (120) having a storage space partitioned in a plurality of storage pages (P′). Each storage page comprises a memory reliability indicator indicative for the reliability of a storage region of the memory. Coupled to the Flash memory is a controller (150) for the Flash memory, that includes a facility for protecting data against errors occurring during storage in the Flash memory and for detecting and/or correcting errors in the data stored in the data, when retrieved from the Flash memory. A data processing unit (100) is coupled to the controller (150) that has access to a working page (P) comprising a first section of user data and a second section of management information, including a memory reliability indicator. The data processing system is characterized by a data re-arranging facility (105) for subdividing the data in the work page into a plurality of portions. Each portion comprises a part of the user data, and the last portion additionally comprises the management information including the memory reliability indicator. The controller (150) is arranged to subsequently generate redundant data for each of those portions and to write the content of the subsequent portions with its respective redundant data to the storage page (122). |
| US08060687B2 |
Flash memory allocating method
An allocating method for a flash memory is disclosed. The allocating method includes the following steps: adjusting a preliminary data storage capacity corresponding to the flash memory for determining a real data storage capacity of the flash memory; adjusting a preliminary spare area capacity corresponding to the flash memory for determining a real spare area capacity of the flash memory, wherein a total capacity of the preliminary data storage capacity and the preliminary spare area capacity is equal to the total capacity of the real data storage capacity and the real spare area capacity; and allocating the real data storage capacity and the real spare area capacity to the flash memory, wherein the real data storage capacity stores data, and the real spare area capacity stores parity codes generated by an error codes correction algorithm performed upon the stored data in the real data storage capacity. |
| US08060686B2 |
Method, apparatus and controller for managing memories
A method, an apparatus and a controller for managing memories are provided. In the present invention, a data accessing format of each of the memories is adjusted such that the accessing units for each data accessing operation are unified. A mapping table is then established for recording the adjusted data accessing format. When a data accessing command is received from a host, the mapping table is inquired so as to execute the data accessing command. Accordingly, incompatibility of hardware structures can be resolved, and management of different types of flash memory can be achieved. |
| US08060683B2 |
System, method and program to preserve a cache of a virtual machine
A system, computer program product and method for managing a cache of a virtual machine. A cache is defined in memory, and a virtual machine is assigned to the cache. An identity of the cache is recorded in storage. The virtual machine terminates, and the cache and contents of the cache are preserved despite the termination of the virtual machine, such that if the virtual machine subsequently resumes operating, the virtual machine can access the cache and its contents. There is also a system, method and computer program product for managing a cache of an LPAR. A cache is defined in memory, and assigned to an LPAR. A record is made of an identity of the cache in storage. The LPAR terminates, and the cache and contents of the cache are preserved despite the termination of the LPAR, such that if the LPAR subsequently resumes operating, the LPAR can access the cache and its contents. |
| US08060682B1 |
Method and system for multi-level switch configuration
System and method to configure switch systems are disclosed. A switch system includes leaf modules with internal ports and spine modules with ports. A midplane includes first layers closer to a first side, second layers closer to a second side and third layers between the first layers and the second layers. The midplane receives the leaf modules and the spine modules about both the first side and the second side. Conductors of the third layers couple internal ports of the leaf modules about one side to a port of spine modules about the other side. Conductors of the first layers couple internal ports of the leaf modules with ports of the spine modules about the first side. Conductors of the second layers couple internal ports of the leaf modules with ports of the spine modules about the second side. |
| US08060674B2 |
Systems and methods for data storage devices and controllers
An integrated data storage control system provides, in a single integrated circuit, RDC, servo logic, ATA interface, microprocessor, and other formerly discrete components in one highly integrated system design. The integrated circuit is rendered using a single integrated circuit technology type (e.g., digital CMOS) for all components. Analog and digital circuits are combined in such a way as to eliminate or reduce noise or interference in digital circuits from analog circuit components. Individual elements may have their outputs and inputs MUXed together such that individual elements can be selectively switched (during testing modes) such that the integrated circuit emulates or behaves in the same or similar manner as one of the prior art components. The present invention may be applied to magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs) or other types of storage devices such as floppy disk controllers, optical disk drives (e.g., CD-ROMs and the like), tape drives, and other data storage devices. |
| US08060673B2 |
Smart card read/write control method based on USB interface and reader/writer thereof
The present invention uses a smart control module with HID descriptors to communicate with the host side in accordance with the standard HID communication protocol, so as to interact with the smart card, which can eliminate the need of installing a private driver from a particular manufacturer when installing its reader/writer. The driver of the HID device can be installed automatically upon installation of the operating system. The users can use the reader/writer easily without carrying a driver around. It is not necessary for the users to deal with upgraded versions of the driver, to consider compatibilities of drivers for different products, to confront usage risks of the operating system due to the driver, or to worry about contamination of the operating system resulted from the installation and uninstallation of the driver. |
| US08060667B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing high speed data using hybrid DMA
An apparatus and a method for processing high speed data using hybrid Direct Memory Access (DMA) are provided. The method includes determining a size of data to be transmitted, determining a memory access method of the data by comparing the determined size of the data with a first threshold, and determining an I/O bus access method of the data by comparing the determined size of the data with a second threshold. |
| US08060663B2 |
Physical layer interface for computing devices
A physical layer device for interfacing with multiple computing devices includes a digital core and first and second analog front ends. The digital core is operative to perform one or more functions of the physical layer device. Each of the first and second analog front ends is operative to perform signal conversion between a digital domain and an analog domain. The physical layer device further includes a digital switching circuit coupled to the digital core and to the first and second analog front ends. The digital switching circuit is operative to electrically connect the digital core to the first analog front end or the second analog front end as a function of a control signal applied to the digital switching circuit. |
| US08060661B1 |
Interface circuit and method for programming or communicating with an integrated circuit via a power supply pin
An interface circuit and method for programming or communicating with an integrated circuit (IC) via a power supply pin is provided herein. In general, the power supply pin may be coupled for receiving a relatively constant voltage signal during a first mode of operation (i.e., a normal mode) and a modulated voltage signal during a second mode of operation (i.e., a programming or communication mode). The interface circuit may be coupled between the power supply pin and other IC components for decoding the modulated voltage signal into data. Various encoding/decoding schemes may be used by the interface circuit and method for communicating data to the IC over the power supply lines. The decoded data may be used for programming or communication purposes. |
| US08060659B2 |
Method of determining image transmission method, image supplying system, image supplying device, image display device, program and computer-readable recording medium
There is provided a method of determining an optimal image transmission method when image data is transmitted from an image supplying device 1 and 1′ to an image display device 2 and 2′, the method including: before the image data is transmitted after a transmission path from the image supplying device 1 and 1′ to the image display device 2 and 2′ is established, determining the image transmission method on the basis of correspondence table, which is previously prepared, such that the optimal image transmission method according to at least one of transmission path information and capability of the image display device 2 and 2′ acquired by the image supplying device 1 and 1′ is derived. |
| US08060657B2 |
Method and system for data transmission between dual processors
A method and system for data transmission between dual processors are provided. The dual processors include a first processor and a second processor with a controller and a point-to-point protocol (PPP) module. The method includes sending a connection instruction from the first processor to the PPP module, transmitting network configurations from the PPP module to the first processor, and a protocol stack shared by the first processor and the second processor for establishing a connection between the first processor and the PPP module, the protocol stack comprising a new PPP (NPPP) layer, and transmitting data to the PPP module through the connection between the first processor and the second processor. |
| US08060652B2 |
Extensible binary mark-up language for efficient XML-based data communications and related systems and methods
An extensible binary mark-up language is disclosed that is compatible with existing XML standards yet provides significantly improved efficiencies for XML-based data storage and communications, particularly for narrow and low bandwidth communication media. A corresponding extensible non-binary mark-up language is also disclosed that is compatible with the XML standard. This dual-representation common message format (CMF) allows standard XML tools to be utilized in viewing and editing XML-based data and allows a CMF parser to be utilized to convert the XML formatted information into an extensible binary representation for actual communication through a medium or storage on a wide range of media. Advantages include a very compact, yet flexible and extensible binary data representation (CMF-B) for a corresponding extensible mark-up language (CMF-X), a data packaging scheme that allows for the effective transport of XML-based data over existing data channels, including narrow-bandwidth channels that utilize existing network protocols, and a CMF parser that allows for seamless conversion between CMF-B and CMF-X. |
| US08060649B2 |
Method and system for dynamic metric and wireless hello protocol
A method and system for a dynamic metric and wireless hello protocol for use in a wireless mesh network are disclosed. In one embodiment a computer-implemented method, comprises determining a route for a packet to travel through a mesh network. A first time period needed to transmit the packet between a first node and a second node in the mesh network is estimated. The first time period is normalized to generate a normalized value. A route is calculated using the normalized value. |
| US08060648B2 |
Method and system of allocating data for subsequent retrieval
A method and system of allocating data for subsequent retrieval. The method and system optionally including allocating data to a plurality of devices for storage, associating the data with the device providing the storage thereof, and providing retrieval information to facilitate retrieval of the data as function of the devices associated with the storage thereof. The method and system may further include features for controlling information associated with the allocated and/or features for associated one or more pieces of metadata to control access to allocated data once retrieved. |
| US08060646B2 |
Adaptive refresh rate for header compression over long propagation channels and related methods
An adaptive telecommunications packet transmission system. Implementations may include a compression engine configured to compress a header of at least one uncompressed packet and to send at least one compressed packet corresponding to the at least one uncompressed packet across a communication channel coupled to the compression engine. A refresh rate calculator may be included that is configured to receive at least one error and at least one success from a decompression engine and calculate an adaptive refresh rate based on the at least one error or the at least one success. The refresh rate calculator may be configured to communicate an adaptive refresh rate to the compression engine. The compression engine may be configured to transmit at least one uncompressed packet across the communication channel according to the adaptive refresh rate received from the refresh rate calculator. |
| US08060640B2 |
Combining SIP requests with SIP responses
A method and system for combining SIP requests with SIP responses is provided. When a server receives a request from a client, a message combining system of the server sends a response to the request that includes the content of a request that the server would normally send to the client in a separate request. The message combining system of the server composes a response as it would normally and adds the content of the subsequent request to the response. The server then sends the combined response and request to the client. When the client receives the response, it retrieves and processes the combined request. |
| US08060634B1 |
Determining and displaying a count of unread items in content feeds
A method quantifies unread content items for a stream subscribed to by a user. The stream includes a time-ordered list of content items from two or more content feeds. Each content feed includes a set of content items published by a respective publication source. The method includes determining a count of content items having an unread status in accordance with read state information stored for the user with respect to the stream, and transmitting the count to a client system for display. |
| US08060633B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying data content
A method for identifying data content comprises: establishing a character base which stores characters corresponding to various service applications and protocols; performing matching between contents of currently received data and the characters in the character base, and obtaining characters contained in the currently received data; identifying at least one of a service application and a protocol corresponding to the characters contained in the currently received data according to a mapping relation between characters and protocols as well as a mapping relation between characters and service applications. An apparatus for identifying data content is also disclosed. The technical scheme of the present invention can identify data content comprehensively and can be easily extended. |
| US08060630B1 |
Creating and configuring virtual fabrics in storage area networks
Embodiments of a mechanism for creating and configuring virtual fabrics in Storage Area Networks (SANs). Embodiments may provide a vendor-neutral mechanism for creating and configuring virtual fabrics in physical SAN fabrics that may include heterogeneous switches. Each virtual fabric may include its own name service, management service, fabric configuration service, zoning service, and/or other fabric services. A vendor-neutral virtual fabric utility may be provided for creating and managing virtual fabrics. In one embodiment, switch ports, switch slots and/or switches may be selected and added to new or existing virtual fabrics using the virtual fabric utility. In one embodiment, SAN components coupled to fabric switches (e.g. hosts, HBAs, HBA ports, storage devices and storage device ports) may be displayed for selection and assignment to the virtual fabric. Switch ports coupled to a selected SAN components may be automatically determined by the virtual fabric utility and added to the virtual fabric. |
| US08060627B2 |
Device-to-device workflows
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for performing a workflow with two or more electronic devices. Embodiments include an initiator electronic device that may function to control the workflow and send instructions for executing the workflow to a target electronic device. The initiator device may generate instructions for the workflow based on properties received from the target device. The instructions generated by the initiator may allow both devices to accomplish a shared goal, such as exchanging contact information. In some embodiments, the initiator device may include a graphical user interface for creating workflows, downloading workflows from a web service, and entering preferences governing the performance of the workflows. |
| US08060620B2 |
Profile deployment using a generic format
A network enabled computer receives connection profile information in a generic form and creates one or more native mode profiles to establish connections. By accepting profile information in a generic form, profile information can be readily provided from one or more ways, including from a policy server, through a user interface or from a third party application. The profile information can be provided with an order of precedence so that profile information from different sources may be combined appropriately. Additionally, the profile information may be provided in an extensible format to allow profile information to be distributed to multiple computers, even if some have different hardware or software configurations and are not programmed to recognize extensions of the profile information. |
| US08060619B1 |
Direct connections to a plurality of storage object replicas in a computer network
A system and method for efficiently accessing replicas of a storage object. A first node may perform a find operation to determine a plurality of nodes that each store a replica of a first storage object. For each node in the plurality of nodes, the first node may establish a direct connection to the node. The first node may then access the replicas of the first storage object using the respective direct connections to the plurality of nodes. In one embodiment, the nodes may be nodes in a peer-to-peer network. Establishing a direct connection to each storage object replica may enable the first node to communicate with each node in a single hop without having to pass messages via intermediate nodes in the peer-to-peer network. |
| US08060617B2 |
Reserving network resources during scheduling of meeting event
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for scheduling a meeting event between client endpoint devices in an Internet Protocol (IP) based network, the meeting event having a starting time and duration, the meeting event requiring identifiable network resources from the network; determining whether the network will have available network capacity to supply the identifiable network resources during the meeting event; and selectively reserving the identifiable network resources for the meeting event, from the available network capacity, based on determining the network will have the available network capacity during the meeting event. |
| US08060616B1 |
Managing CDN registration by a storage provider
A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing registration, by a network storage provider, of one or more resources with a CDN service provider are provided. A network storage provider storing one or more resources on behalf of a content provider obtains registration information for registering the one or more resources with a CDN service provider. The registration information may include a request to publish one or more resources to a CDN service provider, an identification of the one or more resources, CDN selection criteria provided by the content provider or otherwise selected, and the like. The network storage provider transmits a CDN generation request corresponding to the registration information to the CDN service provider. Then, the network storage provider manages and processes data pursuant to registration of the one or more resources with the CDN service provider. The process can further include causing the generation of a user interface by the network storage provider for requesting registration of the one or more resources with a CDN service provider using a single control. |
| US08060615B2 |
Stream reservation protocol for bridged networks
In one embodiment, a talker device may issue talker registrations to bridges of a network domain for a stream, the talker registration having at least a bandwidth requirement and a state of the talker registration as either offering or failed. Also, a listener device may issue listener registrations for a stream, the listener registration having at least a state of the listener registration as one of asking, asking-failed, ready, or ready-failed. In response to receiving a talker registration and listener registration for the same stream, a bridge of the network domain may then attempt to allocate resources for the stream if the bridge is on a path of the stream between the talker device and the listener device. The bridge may then notify, via respective states of the talker and listener registrations, the talker device and the listener device of whether resources have been allocated for the stream. |
| US08060608B2 |
Refined quality feedback in streaming services
A method for quality feedback in a streaming service is shown, wherein at least one media stream is streamed to a client for playback, the method comprising determining a quality feedback value according to at least one quality metric from a pre-defined set of quality metrics, wherein the pre-defined set of quality metrics contains a quality metric related to at least one of the playback of the at least one media stream and a corruption of one out of at least two types of frames contained in the at least one media stream, and reporting the quality feedback value to a server. A system, a client, a server, a computer program, a computer program product and a protocol for quality feedback are also shown. |
| US08060606B2 |
Geo-intelligent traffic reporter
A traffic reporter gathers real-time information on traffic conditions within a network and sends out traffic reports to traffic managers. The traffic reporter analyzes the network and also gathers network information from the traffic managers and analyzers dispersed throughout the network. These traffic reports provide real-time information on network conditions to allow the traffic managers to route network traffic in the most efficient, reliable, and fastest manner. |
| US08060605B1 |
Systems and methods for evaluating the performance of remote computing systems
A computer-implemented method for evaluating the startup performance of a remote computing system may comprise: 1) commanding the remote computing system to power on using an out-of-band remote-management protocol, 2) determining when the remote computing system becomes responsive to an in-band remote-management protocol, and then 3) calculating the amount of time that elapsed between when the remote computing system was commanded to power on and when the remote computing system became responsive to the in-band protocol. Similarly, a method for evaluating the shutdown performance of a remote computing system may comprise: 1) commanding the remote computing system to shut down using an in-band remote-management protocol, 2) determining when the remote computing system has powered off using an out-of-band remote-management protocol, and then 3) calculating the amount of time that elapsed between when the remote computing system was commanded to shut down and when the remote computing system powered off. |
| US08060604B1 |
Method and system enabling internet protocol multimedia subsystem access for non internet protocol multimedia subsystem applications
Methods and systems for facilitating communication between IMS and non-IMS applications are introduced. A network agent may serve as a proxy between one or more client devices and an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) infrastructure. The network agent may transmit a monitoring program to a client device for execution on the client device. The monitoring program may collect data regarding communication applications executing on the client device, and then transmit this data to the network agent. From the collected data, the network agent preferably selects translation logic with which to translate between messages compatible with the communication applications executing on the client device and standardized communication applications executing in the IMS infrastructure. |
| US08060597B2 |
Method for implementing service interaction in the IP multimedia subsystem
A method for implementing service interaction in the IP multimedia subsystem is disclosed in the present invention, wherein each service logic has a unique service identifier. The method comprises the following steps: (a) a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) sends a session initiation protocol (SIP) request message to the service capability interaction manager (SCIM) or to the application server (AS) to which a user requests for a service; (b) after the AS or SCIM has received the request and has executed this service, it inserts the service identifier of this service into the SIP request, and returns the SIP request with the service identifier to said S-CSCF. With the present invention, most of the service interaction requirements can be satisfied. |
| US08060594B1 |
Client-side wireless communications link support for mobile handheld devices
A client-based method for implementing a communications link. The method includes receiving a request for a communications link from an application executing on a handheld device and accessing a device API component to configure device hardware to implement the communications link. A wireless communications link is established with a server. In optimized protocol is automatically implemented between a client communications component and the server based on the wireless communications link type and the handheld device type, wherein the communications link is established via the communications component functioning with a device API component to configure hardware of the handheld device. |
| US08060584B1 |
Personalized audio system and method
A personalized audio system and method that overcomes many of the broadcast-type disadvantages associated with conventional radio stations. |
| US08060583B2 |
Personalized audio system and method
A personalized audio system and method that overcomes many of the broadcast-type disadvantages associated with conventional radio stations. |
| US08060581B2 |
Dynamic image delivery system
A dynamic image delivery system receives a client request for an image at an image caching server. The image caching server measures the client's network access speed and looks for an appropriate pre-rendered copy of the requested image that is rendered for the client's network access speed in local storage. If the appropriate rendered copy is found, then the image caching server sends the rendered image to the client. If it is not found, then the image caching server dynamically renders a copy of the image and sends it to the client. |
| US08060580B2 |
Index rank optimization system and method
An index ranking optimization system and method are provided herein. |
| US08060576B2 |
System and method for communicating over a network with a medical device
A device is provided for connecting a medical apparatus to a network. The device collects data from the medical apparatus and performs a variety of processing functions, such as trending, protocol translation, generating reports, etc. related to the collected data. The device then transmits the collected data over a network to interested parties. In some implementations, the device can transmit the collected data as an email message. |
| US08060573B2 |
Matching social network users
Systems and methods are disclosed for matching of individuals to one another using a matching model. The matching model matches social network users based on ratings given by users one to another, as well as, as appropriate and available, explicit attributes indicated by users and other data such as location data and system usage data. |
| US08060567B2 |
Method, system, graphical user interface, and data structure for creating electronic calendar entries from email messages
A method, system, and data structure for creating electronic calendar entries are disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer data structure that includes an email message with an embedded link. The embedded link contains event information corresponding to multiple parameters for an event described in the email message. The embedded link is configured, upon activation, to initiate generation of an electronic calendar entry form with multiple fields. A plurality of the multiple fields contain event information from the embedded link. |
| US08060564B2 |
System and method for pushing information from a host system to a mobile data communication device
A system and method for pushing information from a host system to a mobile data communication device upon sensing a triggering event is provided. A redirector program operating at the host system enables a user to continuously redirect certain user-selected data items from the host system to the user's mobile data communication device upon detecting that one or more user-defined triggering events has occurred. The redirector program operates in connection with event generating applications and repackaging systems at the host system to configure and detect a particular user-defined event, and then to repackage the user-selected data items in an electronic wrapper prior to pushing the data items to the mobile device. Included in the system is a program to manage information moved by the user within the host system or the mobile data communication device so that the move is made on both the host system and the mobile data communication device. |
| US08060558B2 |
Automatic annotation of audio and/or visual data
Automatic annotation of data recorded by a device. A portion of an event may be recorded as an image, movie, sound byte, audio recording, etc., and contemporaneous to the recording, a time value (which may encode a calendar date) is determined. The time value is looked up on a calendar, and a description of the event is read from the calendar and used to automatically annotate the recording. |
| US08060557B2 |
Application services gateway
Application services gateways that execute electronic application programs/services allows the application programs/services to be managed and administered out of a network rather than locally. The application services gateways are elements in a services delivery system that execute application programs/services that control or otherwise interact with systems and devices of a home or business such as a heating and cooling system or a security system. The application services gateways have a LAN connection to a communication gateway that in turn communicates over a WAN to a remote services gateway. The remote services gateway channels data from a remote service platform to provide application programs/services and management services over the WAN to the communications gateway where it is then channeled to the application services gateways. The installation and management of the application programs/services residing and/or being executed at the local site on the application services gateways relieves the consumer of such responsibilities. |
| US08060553B2 |
Service oriented architecture for a transformation function in a data integration platform
A transformation function of an extract-transform-load data integration process is deployed as a service in a services oriented architecture. A method includes providing a module for a data integration function, the module being a data transformation module; providing a registry of services; providing an interface for the data transformation module; and identifying the data transformation module in the registry; wherein the data transformation module can be accessed as a service in a services oriented architecture. A system includes a data transformation module for a data integration function; a registry of services; and an interface for the data transformation module; wherein the data transformation module is identified in the registry; and wherein the data transformation module can be accessed as a service in a services oriented architecture. |
| US08060551B2 |
Method and apparatus for integer division
A method, arithmetic divider unit, and system are disclosed for dividing a dividend DZM . . . Z0 having a most significant bit ZM and a plurality of less significant bits ZM−1 through Z0 by a divisor RZN . . . Z0 having a most significant bit ZN and a plurality of less significant bits ZN−1 through Z0. The method, arithmetic divisor unit, and system round the divisor to the next significant bit greater than the divisor's most significant bit ZN to produce a first partial divisor RZN+1, divide the dividend DZM . . . Z0 by the first partial divisor RZN+1 to produce a first partial quotient QN, calculate one or more additional partial quotients based on one or more divisor bits selected from the plurality of divisor bits ZN−1 through Z0, and add the first partial quotient QN and one or more additional partial quotients to produce an estimated final quotient. |
| US08060550B2 |
Method and apparatus for integer transformation using a discrete logarithm and modular factorization
Transforming an integer comprises receiving the integer, where the integer can be expressed as a modular factorization. The modular factorization comprises one or more factors, where each factor has an exponent. The integer is expressed as a product of residues. A discrete logarithm of the integer is established from a sum corresponding to the product of residues. A value for an exponent of a factor is determined from the discrete logarithm. The integer is represented as the modular factorization comprising the one or more factors, where each factor has a value for the exponent. |
| US08060548B2 |
Messaging method
This invention relates to a short message format that captures useful information embedded in a data vector of sequence of symbols or numbers. The data vector may represent many different forms of information generated by various electronic and information systems. This short message format is particularly useful when bandwidth limited communication links are used to transmit a data set that can be represented as a set of data vectors that is true for essentially all types of data. Described herein is an algorithm formulated to be useful for data communication problems associated with bandwidth limited communication links. |
| US08060541B2 |
Network-based database communication system
The present invention is a communication system. Further, the present invention relates to a database communication system that allows for communication between disparate databases. |
| US08060540B2 |
Data relationship visualizer
Data having express or implied relationships may be displayed by selecting a starting entity in a data structure, building a relationship tree, and building and optimizing a relationship matrix based on the relationship tree. The optimized relationship matrix may be used to layout and render a graphical image that positions various elements with respect to the starting entity based on the relationships. The distance matrix may be optimized by creating a first distance matrix based on the relationship tree, developing a dissimilarity matrix based on expressed or implied relationships, and multiplying the dissimilarity matrix by a weighting factor to determine a distance matrix that may be optimized by multi-dimensional scaling. An optimized weighting factor may be determined and used to select an optimized distance matrix. |
| US08060539B2 |
Method of notifying an invitee to an event of changes to the event in an electronic calendar system
The present invention provides a method for notifying at least one invitee of an initial event of changes to the initial event. The method comprises receiving the initial event comprising a plurality of initial event elements and receiving an updated event comprising a plurality of updated event elements, each updated event element corresponding to a respective initial event element. The updated event elements are compared to the initial event elements to determine which of the updated event elements are changed event elements that differ from their respective initial event elements and the at least one invitee is notified of any specific changed event elements. |
| US08060537B2 |
Storage portion management device, image processor, method for controlling the same and computer program product
An image forming device includes a box for each user for storing a file, a table management portion for storing a file change in the box together with a time when the change happened as change history information, an inbox change detection portion for detecting a file change in the box of the user when the user logs in that happened before the user logs in this time in accordance with the change history information of the box and a screen display process portion for displaying a result of the detection. |
| US08060535B2 |
Method and apparatus for information and document management
A telecommunications system includes a network; one or more user devices operably coupled to the network; one or more servers operably coupled to the network, the servers defining document storage locations; and a document management service including: a document address database configured to identify geographical locations associated with the document storage locations; a map display manager configured to cause a display to display a map of geographical locations associated with the document storage locations; and a geography manager configured to allow access to documents at locations defined by the document address database and displayed by the map display manager in association with a particular geographical location. |
| US08060533B1 |
Panel-based management of data objects from a plurality of data sources
A mechanism for providing panel-based management of data. In accordance with instructions on a machine-readable medium, a computing system receives data objects from various sources such as various user devices and application servers. Further, the computing system causes a device to display a graphical user interface through which a user can define panels that will be associated with various received data objects, so as to define a record, by time or subject matter, of relevant data objects. Further, the computing system allows a user to readily switch from display of one panel to display of another panel, so as to assist the user with multi-tasking and associated context switching. |
| US08060530B2 |
System and method for triggering a provisioning event
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for triggering a provisioning event in a service provider using a provisioning request message generated by an external system. A provisioning system may be used to receive the provisioning request message from the external system and transmit information in the provisioning request message to the service provider to trigger the provisioning event. The provisioning request message may have a data structure that includes a header section and a body section. The body section may contain a provisioning entity section that includes information identifying an entity to which the provisioning event pertains, wherein the provisioning entity section includes one or more attributes defined by the external system. |
| US08060528B2 |
Business intelligence OLAP consumer model and API
According to some embodiments, a method is provided including receiving, from a front-end portion of a business information system, a data request at a back-end portion of the business information system, identifying an information provider associated with the data request, passing the data request to the information provider via a consumer services interface using a selection object and a query view object, and receiving a result set from the information provider. |
| US08060527B2 |
Techniques to associate media information with related information
System, apparatus, method, and article for techniques to associate media data with related information. A mobile computing device includes a media manager module. The media manager module processes a media file including metadata. The media manager module retrieves a first content from a metadata field in the metadata. The media manager module retrieves a second content from a field in an application file associated with an application client. The media manager module compares the first and second contents and determines whether the first and second contents are associated. If the first and second contents are associated, the media manager module retrieves the second content and inserts the second content in a second metadata field of the media file. |
| US08060524B2 |
History answer for re-finding search results
A system, method, and medium are provided for providing a personalized answer to a user-defined search query by utilizing the user's search history. A search session is instantiated, and search queries, search results, user selections of search results, and other information is recorded. A search query is received and analyzed to determine whether the query reflects user intent to re-find a search result that the user previously was presented in response to a previously issued search query. Search results pages provided to the user in response to queries include a personalized history answer that represents a previously viewed search result that the user may be attempting to re-find. |
| US08060519B2 |
Ontology-integration-position specifying apparatus, ontology-integration supporting method, and computer program product
Attribute mapping information is stored, in which a superclass of an associated class in an integration-source ontology already associated with an integration-destination ontology, an attribute of the superclass, and an integration destination attribute of a class in the integration destination are associated with each other. An integration target class in the integration source is specified to acquire an attribute of a superclass of the integration target class. An associated class having the shortest distance from the integration target class is specified, to specify an integration-destination-associated class associated with the specified associated class. An inheritance relation is followed from the integration-destination-associated class to specify a class having the integration destination attribute corresponding to the attribute in the mapping information as a position where the class associated with the integration target class is present. |
| US08060517B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting a scoring measure based on query breadth
Methods and systems for adjusting a scoring measure of a search result based at least in part on the breadth of a previously-executed search query associated with the search result are described. In one described system, a search engine determines a popularity measure for a search result, and then adjusts the popularity measure based at least in part on a query breadth measure of a previously-executed search query associated with the search result. The search engine may use a variety of query breadth measures. For example, the search engine may use the quantity of results returned by the search query, the length of the query, the IR score drop-off, or some other measure of breadth. |
| US08060514B2 |
Methods and systems for managing composite data files
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or non-metadata such as content. In one exemplary method, a composite document is received and it is determined whether the composite document contains at least one subdocument and if it does, the method captures metadata and/or content from the subdocument and stores the captured metadata and/or content for use in future searches (or an immediate search). The metadata and/or content from the composite document is typically combined together with information about the hierarchy of the subdocuments in the document. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described. |
| US08060513B2 |
Information processing with integrated semantic contexts
A system and method for generating a frame of reference for a plurality of information, the plurality of information containing text data and obtained by a user through interaction with one or more information sources. The method and system include receiving selected information for analysis, the information including a plurality of text data and identifying a plurality of logical units of the text data. Also included are identifying a plurality of individual textual portions in each of the logical units and calculating the number of logical units associated with each of the individual textual portions of the plurality of textual portions for use in identifying a plurality of patterns including a respective pattern for each of the individual textual portions. Based on the identified patterns, a measure of importance for each of the plurality of patterns is calculated and respective patterns from the plurality of patterns are selected based on their corresponding measure of importance satisfying a predefined pattern importance threshold for retaining the respective patterns in the plurality of patterns. Further, a plurality of information context definitions is generated based on the selected respective patterns and the generated information context definitions are assigned as context definitions of a semantic context associated with the frame of reference. The plurality of information is related to each other and such relation is represented by the generated context definitions of the semantic context. |
| US08060512B2 |
Hybrid tensor-based cluster analysis
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for analyzing multi-dimensional cluster data sets to identify clusters of related documents in an electronic document storage system. Digital documents, for which multi-dimensional probabilistic relationships are to be determined, are received and then parsed to identify multi-dimensional count data with at least three dimensions. Multi-dimensional tensors representing the count data and estimated cluster membership probabilities are created. The tensors are then iteratively processed using a first and a complementary second tensor factorization model to refine the cluster definition matrices until a convergence criteria has been satisfied. Likely cluster memberships for the count data are determined based upon the refinements made to the cluster definition matrices by the alternating tensor factorization models. The present method advantageously extends to the field of tensor analysis a combination of Non-negative Matrix Factorization and Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis to decompose non-negative data. |
| US08060511B2 |
Method for extracting referential keys from a document
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for extracting referential keys from a document are provided. A document is parsed to identify at least one key, the key being identified from at least one contextual indication. The key is classified according to a key type, the key type being identified from the contextual indication. The key is extracted and then stored in a location in a structured shell with the location corresponding to the key type. As a result, the key can be found by a search seeking one of the key and the key type allowing a searcher to identify the document from which the key was extracted. |
| US08060510B2 |
Best fit map searching
A search engine computer system is configured to produce an optimized display of maps especially useful in mobile handheld devices with comparatively small screens. The system factors in scoring functions, visibility, and empirical data on map levels to provide optimal map based results to users. This minimizes or avoids graphical results that overlap each other. |
| US08060509B2 |
Technique for processing data in a network
A technique for processing data in a network is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for processing data in a network having a plurality of network stations. The method comprises receiving a first representation of data at a first of the plurality of network stations, processing the first representation so as to generate a second representation of the data, and transmitting the second representation from the first network station to a second of the plurality of network stations for storage therein, wherein the second representation is stored at an address within the second network station. The method also comprises receiving the address at the first network station, and transmitting the address from the first network station to a third of the plurality of network stations for storage therein. |
| US08060507B2 |
Filtering system for providing personalized information in the absence of negative data
Systems and methods are provided for personalizing advertising for a user. In accordance with certain implementations, information is accessed indicating which documents were selected by a user and which documents were not selected by a user. At least one positive word vector is generated using words contained in at least one of the selected documents, and at least one negative word vector is generated using words contained in at least one of the unselected documents. Document word vectors are generated, and a document rank order is established based on a vector space relationship analysis. Categories associated with the documents are ranked based on the document rank order, and the ranked categories are sent to an ad server. Advertising material associated with the ranked categories may then be received from the ad server in a selected context. |
| US08060504B2 |
Method and system for selecting content items to be presented to a viewer
A rules evaluation engine operable to select optimal content for presentation to the viewer at each presentation opportunity. The engine evaluates segmentation rules associated with each particular content item in parallel, and then selects the best content to be presented. Priorities determined during evaluation sort out which content items will be presented. Real time dynamic enrichment of the decision making context occurs by retrieving additional information required to evaluate the rules. Logging and administrative processes for managing the segmentation rules are also realized. |
| US08060497B1 |
Framework for evaluating web search scoring functions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for testing web search scoring functions. A query is received. A first and a second scoring function are selected by receiving search results responsive to the query; applying candidate scoring functions to the search results to determine scores for the search results for each candidate scoring function; identifying pairs of the candidate scoring functions, and calculating a diversity score for each of the pairs. A pair of candidate scoring functions is chosen from the one or more pairs of candidate scoring functions based on the diversity scores, and the alpha function is selected as the first scoring function and the beta function is selected as the second scoring function. The plurality of search results are presented in an order according to scores from the first scoring function and are presented in an order according to scores from the second scoring function. |
| US08060496B2 |
Method for creating appendices that clearly reference the location of an object
To generate appendices which uniquely reference an object geographically, a tree of possible paths is generated. The paths are evaluated in accordance with predefined criteria, which are suited for use as termination criteria, at the time the paths are formed. Of the remaining paths, at least that one is coded as an appendix which best fulfills at least one of the criteria. |
| US08060494B2 |
Indexing and searching audio using text indexers
A full-text lattice indexing and searching system and method for indexing word lattices using a text indexer to enable enhance searching of audio content. The system and method utilize a Time-Anchored Lattice Expansion (TALE) method that represents word lattices such that they can be indexed with existing text indexers with little or no modification. Embodiments of system and method include an indexing module for generating and indexing word lattices based on audio content and a searching module for allowing searching of a full-text index containing indexed word lattices. The indexing module includes a custom IFilter and a custom Wordbreaker. Embodiments of the searching module include an ExpandQuery function for decorating an input query and a custom Stemmer. Embodiments of the searching module also include a GenerateSnippets module that extracts information from the indexed word lattices to enable the creation of clickable snippets. |
| US08060489B1 |
Computer-implemented interactive, virtual bookshelf system and method
A computer-implemented method and system for realizing an interactive, virtual bookshelf representing physical books and digitally stored books of the user. Using a search query, the Web is searched using search metadata to identify a desired book. Library metadata corresponding to the physical books and digitally stored books of the user is then searched using the search metadata to determine whether the desired book is present in the virtual on-line bookshelf. Results indicative of whether the desired book is present on the virtual on-line bookshelf can be displayed. |
| US08060477B1 |
System and method for archiving a media collection
A system and method for archiving a user's media collection are provided. In general, a central archiving system stores high-quality versions of a number of known media files and a number of known encoding algorithms. First, each media file in the user's media collection and an encoding algorithm used to encode each media file are classified as either known or unknown to the archiving server. For each known media file encoded with a known encoding algorithm, the archive includes information identifying the media file, information identifying the encoding algorithm for the media file, and optionally the one or more quality parameters such as bit rate, sampling frequency, and the like for the media file. For each unknown media file and/or media file encoded with an unknown CODEC or encoding algorithm, the archive includes the media file, which is uploaded and stored at the archiving system. |
| US08060475B1 |
Intelligent recovery point copying system and method
A method of intelligently copying recovery points from a primary storage device to a secondary storage device is presented. The decision on how to copy the recovery points depends upon the backup copy policy as well as the availability of previous backups on the secondary storage device. |
| US08060471B2 |
Updating display system of display list and method thereof
An updating display system of a display list and the method thereof are provided. A first version information of the display list at a local end is checked against with a second version information on a server. If they are different, only a modification item file containing a data item to be modified is downloaded from the server. The display list is then modified according to a line number given in the modification item file. The data item in the display list are ordered according to the time tags in the modification item file. This can solve the problems of spending too much time in downloading the display list and an unclear play list. This helps to achieve efficient update and better display. |
| US08060467B1 |
On-line account management system having a synchronized account information data store
A system and method for on-line management of account information by customers of a provider of goods or services. A web server receives billing information from a telecommunications service provider in a standardized XML-format readily suitable for viewing by the customers. The system further includes a tiered storage system for maintaining invoices of the customers. Recent invoices are maintained in an upper tier of the storage system where they are accessible to customers over the Internet. As the invoices age, an archival and retrieval application periodically transfers the invoices to an intermediate tier where they may only be accessed by the archival and retrieval application using an index maintained in the upper tier. Account receivable information is also available on-line through the web site. The available account receivable information is continuously synchronized with corresponding information maintained by the service provider using a synchronization application which minimizes traffic therebetween. |
| US08060461B2 |
System and method for load shedding in data mining and knowledge discovery from stream data
Load shedding schemes for mining data streams. A scoring function is used to rank the importance of stream elements, and those elements with high importance are investigated. In the context of not knowing the exact feature values of a data stream, the use of a Markov model is proposed herein for predicting the feature distribution of a data stream. Based on the predicted feature distribution, one can make classification decisions to maximize the expected benefits. In addition, there is proposed herein the employment of a quality of decision (QoD) metric to measure the level of uncertainty in decisions and to guide load shedding. A load shedding scheme such as presented herein assigns available resources to multiple data streams to maximize the quality of classification decisions. Furthermore, such a load shedding scheme is able to learn and adapt to changing data characteristics in the data streams. |
| US08060460B2 |
System, method and computer program product for dynamically measuring properties of objects rendered and/or referenced by an application executing on a computing device
A system, method and computer program product for dynamically measuring attributes of objects rendered and/or referenced by an executing software application without having to change and recompile the original application code. The system includes a staging environment that monitors the execution of the application and indexes items of graphical and/or audio information generated by the application into a first database. A second database is populated with one or more business rules, wherein each business rule is associated with one or more of the indexed objects. The system further includes a run-time environment that identifies items of graphics and/or audio information as they are generated by the application during run-time, uses the second database to determine if an identified item is associated with a business rule, and, responsive to a determination that an identified item is associated with a business rule, measures the object and its related attributes. |
| US08060457B2 |
Systems and methods for electromagnetic band gap structure synthesis
The present invention describes methods and apparatus for electromagnetic band gap structure synthesis. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of electromagnetic band gap structure synthesis, which includes the step of providing a set of desired characteristics for an electromagnetic band gap structure. Furthermore, the method includes generating populations of patch shape members with a genetic algorithm routine and solving one or more of patch shape members of the populations with an electrodynamics modeling technique. Thereafter, the method includes the step of converting the output of the electrodynamics modeling technique into a set of response data for one or more of the patch shape members and calculating a fitness level for one or more of the sets of response data in comparison to the set of desired characteristics for the electromagnetic band gap structure. Next, the method includes the step of determining whether the fitness level of one of the patch shape members is within a predetermined tolerance. Subsequently, if none of the patch shape members provides a fitness level within the predetermined tolerance, then the steps of generating, solving, converting, calculating, and determining are repeated. |
| US08060456B2 |
Training a search result ranker with automatically-generated samples
A search result ranker may be trained with automatically-generated samples. In an example embodiment, user interests are inferred from user interactions with search results for a particular query so as to determine respective relevance scores associated with respective query-identifier pairs of the search results. Query-identifier-relevance score triplets are formulated from the respective relevance scores associated with the respective query-identifier pairs. The query-identifier-relevance score triplets are submitted as training samples to a search result ranker. The search result ranker is trained as a learning machine with multiple training samples of the query-identifier-relevance score triplets. |
| US08060452B2 |
Sales methods, delivery methods, code verification methods, repudiation resolution methods, and articles of manufacture
A sales method includes accepting an order for goods from a customer, providing a code associated with the goods to the customer, and receiving the code from the customer prior to delivering the goods. A code verification method includes providing a code associated with goods ordered by a customer to the customer and receiving a verification request from a delivery agent tendering delivery of the goods to the customer. The verification request includes an asserted code provided by the customer. The method also includes determining whether the asserted code is the code previously provided to the customer. A repudiation resolution method includes receiving a request to reverse a credit charge for a purchase of goods from a customer and determining whether the customer provided a code associated with the goods to a delivery agent in response to the delivery agent tendering delivery of the goods to the customer. |
| US08060451B2 |
System and method for facilitating skill gap analysis and remediation based on tag analytics
This invention includes a workforce management system having a system bus, at least one database in communication with the system bus that includes data representative of workforce employees, and social networking data associated with the employees. A matching functional unit includes a text mining function for mining contextual information from the at least one database to generate context labels for an employee, a clustering function for generating concept labels for an employee, and a matching function that sorts and matches employees by the labels in accordance with a matching criteria. A user interface provides user input to the support operation of the workforce management system. |
| US08060444B2 |
Determining whether a digital rights management system's native license is valid
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to determining whether a digital rights management system's native license is valid. According to one embodiment, a value of a decision indicator is accessed at a digital rights management system. The decision indicator is set by a trusted entity other than the digital rights management system because the digital rights management system does not have sufficient information to determine how to set the decision indicator. The value of the decision indicator is used at the decision rights management system to determine whether the native license associated with the digital rights management system is valid. |
| US08060443B2 |
Electronic copyright license repository
A content distribution system for transporting audio or video licenses between content players that use digital rights management (DRM) is disclosed. The content distribution system includes at least a second license repository and an authentication engine. The second license repository receives second information describing a second plurality of content licenses. A first license repository stores a first plurality of content licenses. The first plurality of content licenses enable use of a plurality of content objects with a first content player within confines of DRM. The second license repository is geographically distant from the first license repository. The authentication engine authorizes the second plurality of content licenses of the second license repository. The second plurality of content licenses enable use of the plurality of content objects with the second content player within the confines of DRM. |
| US08060427B2 |
Graphical user interface related to non-standard trading of financial instruments
A graphical user interface related to non-standard settlement trading in financial instruments is provided. The graphical user interface preferably includes a selectable portion of a display screen related to a financial instrument and a selectable tab for accessing a selectable portion of the display screen related to one or a plurality of non-standard settlement positions with respect to the financial instrument. In one embodiment of the invention, when the tab is selected, access is provided to the selectable portion of the display screen related to the plurality of non-standard settlement positions. |
| US08060424B2 |
On-line method and system for monitoring and reporting unused available credit
The present invention generally relates to monitoring and advising consumers of their outstanding credit balance by category of debt (i.e. including, but not limited to, the category of all credit cards, all real estate loans, all automotive loans, all revolving credit loans, etc.) and all minimum payments due by category of debt, and more particularly to an on-line method and system for monitoring and reporting total credit used by category of debt, total minimum payments due by category of debt and total unused available credit by category of debt, and alerting the consumer on a periodic basis via email. Since the credit report is the basis of most credit scores this invention is meant to provide the consumer with debt categories that are used in calculating their credit score, which is critical to future borrowing especially when the borrowing is approved or disapproved based only on the user's credit score. |
| US08060419B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing separable billing services
Methods and apparatus for providing separable billing services. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a memory for storing a data address associated with a first type of communication and a processor for receiving a data packet, the data packet comprising a destination data address. The processor compares the destination data address to the data address associated with the first type of communication, and routes the data packet to the destination data address if the destination data address matches the data address associated with the first type of communication and bills an account associated with the first type of communication. |
| US08060413B2 |
System and method for making electronic payments from a wireless mobile device
There is disclosed a system and method of making an electronic payment from a wireless mobile device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: providing an electronic wallet, the electronic wallet having a persistent store for storing data for one or more payment cards and a wallet security module configured to verify authorized access to the electronic wallet; and permitting access to the data for one or more payment cards stored in the electronic wallet upon verification of authorized access by the wallet security module. In an embodiment, the wallet security module is configured to store one or more of a password and biometric data, and the method further comprises: comparing any subsequently input password or biometric data to a password or biometric data previously supplied by the authorized user and stored in the wallet security module; and if the comparison matches or is within an acceptable range, then permitting access to the data for one or more payment cards stored in the electronic wallet. |
| US08060412B2 |
System and method for obtaining merchandise information
In a method of obtaining merchandise information from a store system using speech processing technology to determine a spoken query entry, an information inquiry from a customer regarding a particular product is received via a communication network. The location of the customer is determined, which is then used to determine a store closest to the customer. A merchandise database is searched for the inquired information regarding the particular product, wherein searching the merchandise database is limited to products available at the store closest to the customer location. The inquired information is retrieved from the merchandise database, and transmitted to the customer. |
| US08060411B2 |
Method and system for generating an automatic authorization
A system and method for generating an automatic authorization of a shopping cart created during a procedure of electronic procurement of items depending on values stored in a database table. Data is retrieved from a database table. The data may represent a budget-value and data representing a cumulative amount spent during a specified time period assigned to the user performing the electronic procurement. The total value of items in the shopping cart is calculated. And, a sum of the value of the cumulative amount spent and the total value of items in the shopping cart is compared with the budget-value. If the sum lies within the budget-value, then the authorization may be generated, and the value of the cumulative amount spent by the total value of items in the shopping cart may be updated. If the sum does not lie within the budget-value, an indication is generated indicating that the budget is exceeded. |
| US08060407B1 |
Method for providing personalized, targeted advertisements during playback of media
A media player is provided. The media player comprises a communications interface, a memory store containing a plurality of personalized advertisements, and a media playback component. The targeted advertisements are refreshed by receiving updates from the communications interface during some of the intervals when the media player is connected to a network. The targeted advertisements are indexed by a plurality of characteristics, the first characteristic being a creation date of the targeted advertisements. The media playback component is configured to play a media content, wherein the media content is stored separately from the targeted advertisements, and to play one of the targeted advertisements in the memory store selected based on the characteristics of the one of the targeted advertisements. |
| US08060403B1 |
Method and system for providing advertising to select consumers using payroll data and systems
In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for providing advertising to select consumers using payroll data includes a process for providing advertising to select consumers using payroll data whereby one or more advertisements and/or marketing devices are distributed to a given consumer based, at least in part, on data representing financial information about the given consumer obtained from a payroll system and/or payroll service. The one or more advertisements and/or marketing devices are distributed to the given consumer through the payroll system and/or payroll service and, in some instances; the one or more advertisements and/or marketing devices are distributed to the given consumer as printed and/or electronic attachments to the given consumer's paycheck and/or payroll account. |
| US08060399B2 |
Targeting content to network-enabled television devices
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for managing content, including advertising content, delivered to various network-connected devices, including screens, mobile devices, computers, televisions, radios, and the like, based on usage profiles associated with device-specific identifiers for mobile devices, short-distance wireless technologies for transmission of content and detection of proximity, and content targeting and management techniques. |
| US08060397B2 |
Method and system for asset valuation using a statistical approach
The disclosed embodiments are directed to a system, non-transitory computer readable medium and method of determining a value of an asset and presenting a visualization of the determined asset value The exemplary system and method use past data and future plan data related to the asset that is processed by a computer to determine the asset value. Different valuation processes may be used to determine the asset value. The resulting valuations may be presented to a user for comparison purposes. |
| US08060396B1 |
Business activity monitoring tool
A system for monitoring orders processed by order processing applications implemented on computer systems is provided. The order processing monitor comprises an application to process a portion of an order and to write application data to a log file, the application data related to the processing of the order by the application, a log adapter operable to communicate with the log file to obtain at least a portion of the application data, a log agent operable to monitor a resource data related to a computer system used by the application to process at least some of the order, and a monitor component in communication with the log adapter to obtain the portion of the application data and operable to obtain at least a portion of the resource data, the monitor component using the application data and resource data to determine order status information. |
| US08060394B2 |
Worker and document management system
The method, system and a computer program and a computer product for managing workers and documents is provided. The method includes storing industry representations and a list of workers with data related to the workers, linking the industry representations to the workers and selecting at least one worker from based on the industry representations for that worker. The method also includes scheduling workers to a job based on whether they have all of the required industry representations. In addition, the method includes uploading industry representations and bar code scanning industry representations into the database. The method further includes dispatching said industry representations to other users and automatically mapping fields of the dispatched data in the destination database. In addition, the method includes selectively encrypting only sensitive fields in data transmission between two entities. |
| US08060390B1 |
Computer based method for generating representative questions from an audience
A computer assisted system and related method for interacting with an audience by combining questions from a group of questioners, analyzing the questions, and presenting the questions in summary form for answering by a speaker or interviewee. The answers are then delivered to the questioners. The entire interview may be delivered to the questioners, or portions may be selectively delivered to separate questioners based on questions asked by the respective questioner. In one embodiment, questions may be grouped by similar subject matter; groups may be arranged by the number of associated questions or by other priority criteria. In a further embodiment, a representative question may be generated for each group. The representative question may be selected from the group or may be generated from analysis results. In one embodiment, a subscriber based service is provided. Profiles may be developed for the questioners, and targeted advertising may be delivered based on the profiles. |
| US08060389B2 |
System and method for anonymous location based services
Provided is a fully automated web service with location based services generally involved in transmission of situational location dependent information to automatically located mobile receiving data processing systems. The web service communicates with a receiving data processing system in a manner by delivering information to the device when appropriate without the device requesting it at the time of delivery. There are varieties of configurations made by different user types of the web service for configuring information to be delivered, and for receiving the information. The web service maximizes anonymity of users, provides granular privacy control with a default of complete privacy, and supports user configurable privileges and features for desired web service behavior and interoperability. The web service is fully automated to eliminate human resources required to operate services. Integrated with the web service are enhanced location based services providing map solutions, alerts, sharing of novel services between users, and complete user control for managing heterogeneous device interoperability through the web service. |
| US08060386B2 |
Persistent sales agent for complex transactions
The present invention includes systems and methods employing branded virtual characters across multiple network platforms throughout various stages of complex transactions (eg, selling insurance). These characters initially engage prospective customers on a network platform, such as a social network, and persist over time across other network platforms (eg, university and company websites) to educate consumers until they are ready to purchase—from their “trusted advisor”—particular products and services offered by various providers. Even after completing transactions, these characters continue to provide various services, such as notifying a customer whose circumstances have changed of a relevant product or service, while remaining available to answer questions and provide information upon demand. By employing a semi-automated model, the system of the present invention can answer many questions via predetermined vignettes and automated answers generated by expert systems, while still utilizing live human experts (often transparently) when necessary. |
| US08060385B1 |
System, program product and method for segmenting and underwriting using voting status
A system, method and computer program product for utilizing a person's voting status as a factor in segmenting a population, and in various aspects of selling, underwriting, or rating insurance. Voting status may include voter registration, eligibility for voter registration, an instance of recent voting, voting frequency, or other voting history in elections. In defining voting status, an instance of recent voting, voting frequency, or other voting history may optionally take into account the type of election or the turnout for the election, or both. Voting status may be used together with other factors such as age, gender, driving distance to place of employment, or residence location. A risk model for insurance purposes is provided, including segmentation of a population into groups based factors including voting status; and determining risk parameters of each group. A rate structure corresponding to the segmented groups may be calculated, and insurance coverage limits and a premium proposed to a customer based on a group assignment. Persons to receive insurance sales solicitations may be identified based on voting status. |
| US08060383B2 |
Systems and methods for a consumer to determine food/medicine interactions
One embodiment of the present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting harmful and/or hazardous ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction, interfere with the effectiveness of a prescription drug, exacerbate symptoms associated with a chronic illness, and/or cause another undesired reaction. |
| US08060354B2 |
System and method for determining a nutritional diet for a canine or feline animal
Selecting the nutrition for an animal or animal group comprises performing a diagnostic test to obtain first data. A data base that comprises first data relating a genomic analysis of a bodily fluid or tissue sample from an animal to a physiological condition and optionally the genotype of the animal is accessed. A data base that comprises second data relating to effects of nutrition on genomic analysis is accessed. The first and second data are processed with input data defining the physiological condition and optionally the genotype of the animal or animal group to derive the nutrition for an animal or animal group. |
| US08060353B2 |
Flow cytometer remote monitoring system
Generally, computer implemented remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality of analyzed instrument signals. Specifically, a flow cytometer remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality analyzed flow cytometer signals. |
| US08060351B2 |
Display design system and method
An LCD display design system and method are disclosed. The method includes performing operations by a variety of operation modules after initial parameters are input and an operation type is selected, so as to generate operation results and transfer the operation results to an integration module; integrating the operation results by an integration module to generate a correspondence relation such as an operation window, a compare-table or an equation, and further transferring the operation results and the correspondence relation to an output module such that the output module can display performance variations of a variety of designs corresponding to the different initial parameters. Therefore, the present invention provides a user with a convenient way to obtain optimal design parameters for designing a display pixel circuit. |
| US08060348B2 |
Systems for analyzing tissue samples
A system for analyzing tissue samples, that generally comprises, a storage device for at least temporarily storing one or more images of one or more cells, wherein the images comprise a plurality of channels; and a processor that is adapted to determine the extent to which a biomarker may have translocated from at least one subcellular region to another subcellular region; and then to generate a score corresponding to the extent of translocation. |
| US08060345B2 |
Transforming airplane configuration requirements into intelligent spatial geometry
A system and method for knowledge based development of interior models for configurable spaces, including storing a digital definition of the interior section of the passenger vehicle and parameters related to the objects, storing a digital definition of a plurality of three dimensional stay-out spaces associated with one or more of the objects, defining one or more collision rules between a first three dimensional stay-out space and a second three dimensional stay-out space, the rules define whether the first three dimensional stay-out space and the second three dimensional stay-out space may overlap, and designing the interior section to accommodate objects based on the defined collision rules and object parameters. |
| US08060340B2 |
Controllers, observers, and applications thereof
Controller scaling and parameterization are described. Techniques that can be improved by employing the scaling and parameterization include, but are not limited to, controller design, tuning and optimization. The scaling and parameterization methods described here apply to transfer function based controllers, including PID controllers. The parameterization methods also apply to state feedback and state observer based controllers, as well as linear active disturbance rejection (ADRC) controllers. Parameterization simplifies the use of ADRC. A discrete extended state observer (DESO) and a generalized extended state observer (GESO) are described. They improve the performance of the ESO and therefore ADRC. A tracking control algorithm is also described that improves the performance of the ADRC controller. A general algorithm is described for applying ADRC to multi-input multi-output systems. Several specific applications of the control systems and processes are disclosed. |
| US08060338B2 |
Estimation of global position of a sensor node
Methods and apparatuses for locating a sensor node are disclosed. A representative apparatus, among others, includes a processing unit that receives sensor node data and object trajectory information data for an object. The sensor node data is related to the object's trajectory, and a data point in the object trajectory information data comprises a time stamp and the coordinates of a position. The position corresponds the location of the object at the given time. The processing unit is adapted to correlate at least a portion of the sensor node data with at least a portion of the object trajectory information data to determine an absolute position of the sensor node. |
| US08060335B2 |
Method and system for liquid and vapor leak detection
The present invention relates generally to the commercial distribution and sales of volatile motor fuels and more specifically to systems and methods for ensuring leak free storage of both liquid and vapor phase states of fuels stored at dispensing facilities. In addition, the present invention presents a simple device for measuring evaporative loss rates from fuel storage systems. Moreover, this invention provides a device for determining proper functioning of Stage I and Stage II vapor recovery techniques. |
| US08060334B1 |
Aircraft pitot-static tube with ice detection
An aircraft Ice Detection pitot-static tube is described which uses sensors integrated into the pitot-static tube to determine when and where the pitot-static tube is icing up. Temperature, thermal conductivity and impedance sensor measurements are combined with a mathematical transfer of the impedance sensor output into the complex dielectric plane to identify that the material accreating on the exterior and interior of the pitot-static tube is ice and only ice. Identification of ice realized when the trace in complex dielectric space has a distinctive semi-circular form, which only ice exhibits, with measured values in agreement with reference laboratory data stored in the onboard computer system. |
| US08060329B2 |
Display-device inspection apparatus and inspection method
A display-device inspection apparatus includes a pointing device for following a position where an identification for identifying an attention area on an inspection image is displayed on the inspection image simultaneously, an attention area information extracting part for converting the identification into outline coordinate data to extract both positional information and shape information related to the attention area m a screen, an attention area information storing part for classifying and storing the positional information and the shape information on a basis of a predetermined standard of classification, and an analysis result outputting part for outputting inspection result information constructed by analyzing contents stored in the attention area information storing part. |
| US08060328B2 |
Method and apparatus for quantitating surface-binding optical resonance profiles
An apparatus for quantitation of surface-binding optical resonance profiles includes a calibration module including a calibration scan result fetcher, a calibration profile creation module, and a fitting module. The fitting module includes an experimental scan result fetcher, a calibration profile fetcher, and a resonance shift determination module. A method for qualifying a surface plasmon resonance chip is also described herein. |
| US08060316B2 |
Methods, data structures, and systems for classifying microparticles
Methods, data structures, and systems for classifying particles are provided. In particular, the methods and systems are configured to acquire a first set of data corresponding to measurable parameters of a microparticle and identify a location of a look-up table to which the first set of data corresponds, wherein the look-up table is framed by values associated with at least one of the measurable parameters. Furthermore, the methods and systems are configured to determine whether the first set of data fits one or more predefined algorithms respectively indicative of a different microparticle classification associated with the identified location of the look-up table. The methods and systems are further configured to classifying the microparticle within at least one predefined categorization based upon the determination of whether the first set of data fits the one or more predefined algorithms. |
| US08060314B2 |
Updating information regarding sections of a streamer that are in a body of water
To perform a marine survey, a streamer is deployed into a body of water, where the streamer has plural first sensors to perform a subterranean survey. Indications are received from second sensors in corresponding sections of the streamer, where the indications are regarding which sections are in the body of water. Information is updated regarding which sections of the streamer are in the body of water in response to the received indications. |
| US08060312B2 |
System and method for migrating seismic data
A system and method that enable the processing of seismic data. In one embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of processing nodes and a server. The plurality of processing nodes are configured to process seismic data for migration. The server is operatively linked to each of the plurality of processing nodes to enable communication between the server and the processing nodes. The server may manage a set of stored beam tables that can be accessed by the processing nodes in order to process seismic data. |
| US08060309B2 |
Characterization of fracture length and formation resistivity from array induction data
Measurements made by a multi-array/multi-frequency induction resistivity logging tool in a borehole are used for determining the length of fractures in an earth formation and the resistivity of the unfractured formation when the fractures have a resistive fluid. A look-up table based on modeling of a fracture by a pair of wings is used. |
| US08060308B2 |
Weather monitoring techniques
Arrangement and method for monitoring weather includes a sensor system arranged in vehicles for obtaining information about the weather in the vicinity of the vehicle, a communication system arranged in each vehicle and coupled to a respective sensor system for communicating the obtained weather information to a control station or other remote facility, and a transmission system arranged at the control station for transmitting weather conditions in an area in which the vehicles travel based on the information obtained by the vehicles. A positioning system may be arranged on each vehicle to determine its position so that the communication systems transmit the position of each vehicle along with the obtained information. A display may be arranged in each vehicle for displaying the transmitted weather conditions to an occupant of the vehicle. |
| US08060304B2 |
Marking system and method
A marking system may hold a container from which markers are dispensed and identify a marker characteristic regarding the markers in the container. The marking system may also receive activation of a trigger, dispense a marker from the container when the trigger is activated, and store the marker characteristic and time data when the trigger is activated. |
| US08060303B2 |
Navigation device and lane guide method
A vehicle is guided to a lane that the vehicle should run, even if map data do not include lane information of a tollgate.A navigation processing part 100 makes a vehicle running path calculation part 112 calculate a running path of the vehicle from a point of a prescribed distance from the tollgate until an ETC receipt signal receiving part 114 receives an ETC receipt signal. Then, the navigation processing part 100 calculates an approximate position of an ETC lane on the basis of the running path, and accumulates the calculated approximate position in a storage unit. Further, when the vehicle approaches to the tollgate within a prescribed distance from the tollgate, the navigation processing part 100 obtains the approximate position of the ETC lane of the tollgate from the storage unit, and displays the approximate position through a display processing part 106, to guide the user to the ETC lane. |
| US08060302B2 |
Visual assessment of landmarks
Visual images may be used to detect, or verify the existence of, landmarks. In one example, the landmarks may be used to provide driving or walking directions. A set of records may be examined to identify the street addresses of businesses or other entities. Additionally, street-level images may be captured with a camera, and the locations at which the images were captured may be recorded. The images may be evaluated with an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process to determine what words appear in the images. The words in the image are compared with the names of entities whose addresses are near where the image was captured. If the words match the entity name, then a sign identifying the entity is presumed to be visible along a particular route, and the entity may be used as a landmark in a set of walking or driving directions. |
| US08060297B2 |
Route transfer between devices
A user can intend to travel between different locations and employ different traveling manners to reach an intended travel destination. At different points, different devices can be employed for disclosing a route. For instance, as a user walks, a route can be integrated into a personal electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. An evaluation can take place that due to specific route details, for example detailed text, a particular device would be superior for presentment over another. |
| US08060296B2 |
Low cost aircraft center of gravity monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods for determining center of gravity for an aircraft. An example system includes one or more load measurement devices that generate one of nose gear or main gear weight information and a processing device that determines center of gravity of the aircraft based on previously received gross weight information and the generated nose or main gear weight information. The number of gear sets with load measurement devices is one less that the total number of gear sets having distinct longitudinal positions along a fuselage of the aircraft. The processing device further determines center of gravity based on temperature and/or pitch attitude information. The system includes a user interface that allows a user to enter the gross weight information that might be included in a flight manifest or a load and trim sheet and/or a communication component that receives the gross weight information from a ground-based system. |
| US08060288B2 |
Control system and method to inhibit automatic transmission downshifting during trailer sway
A control system for a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the control system including a lateral acceleration sensor coupled to the vehicle for determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle caused by the trailer swaying and generating a lateral acceleration signal based on the lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a transmission controller for receiving the lateral acceleration signal from the lateral acceleration sensor, comparing the lateral acceleration signal to a threshold, and prohibiting a gear switch signal from being transmitted to a transmission of the vehicle when the lateral acceleration signal exceeds the threshold. |
| US08060287B2 |
Service brake control system for optimized regenerative braking of medium or heavy trucks
Braking control for a hybrid vehicle provides both service and regenerative mode braking for the driven wheels. A hybrid drive system is coupled to the driven wheels to provide traction power and which is capable of operating in a regenerative braking mode. The service brakes are provided by pneumatically actuated service brakes coupled to the driven wheels. Braking is initiated conventionally using an operator controlled brake actuator. A pressure regulator is placed in a pneumatic brake actuation line coupled from the operator controlled brake actuator to the pneumatically actuated service brakes for the driven wheels. The pressure regulator initially closes during braking, preventing operation of the service brakes up to the limit of the ability of the hybrid drive system to absorb torque for regenerative braking. When the torque limit for the hybrid drive system is reached, the regulator opens the actuation line progressively allowing the service brakes to supplement the hybrid drive system. During loss of traction events regenerative braking is discontinued to avoid interference with operation of anti-lock braking of the vehicle's service brakes. |
| US08060284B2 |
Work machine with torque limiting control for an infinitely variable transmission
A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine output. The IVT includes a hydraulic module and a mechanical drivetrain module. A pressure transducer is associated with and provides an output signal representing a hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic module. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling the IC engine output, dependent upon the output signal from the pressure transducer. |
| US08060283B2 |
Method and system for controlling the loading of a container associated with a vehicle
A leader location-determining receiver determines a leader location of a lead vehicle. A follower location-determining receiver determines a follower location of a follower vehicle, which has a container for storing a material. A data processor or position module calculates an observed relative position between the lead vehicle and the follower vehicle. Target relative positions are established between the lead vehicle and the follower vehicle. A data processor or selector selects a preferential one of the established target positions. A data processor or adjuster adjusts the observed relative position of the follower vehicle to achieve the selected preferential one of the established target positions. |
| US08060278B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling steering in a vehicle using a primary active steering functionality and a supplemental active steering functionality
A method for controlling steering in a vehicle includes the steps of obtaining a vehicle steering communication, controlling an actuator coupled to a hand wheel, a road wheel, or both using a primary active steering functionality, if the vehicle steering communication reflects one or more of a plurality of types of specified errors, and controlling the actuator using the primary active steering functionality and a supplemental active steering functionality, if the vehicle steering communication does not reflect one or more of the plurality of types of specified errors. |
| US08060272B2 |
System and method for image mapping and visual attention
A method is described for mapping dense sensory data to a Sensory Ego Sphere (SES). Methods are also described for finding and ranking areas of interest in the images that form a complete visual scene on an SES. Further, attentional processing of image data is best done by performing attentional processing on individual full-size images from the image sequence, mapping each attentional location to the nearest node, and then summing all attentional locations at each node. |
| US08060271B2 |
Detecting principal directions of unknown environments
Apparatus and methods according to some embodiments of the present invention use a graphical model, such as a Markov random field model, to represent principal driving directions within an environment. The model has a plurality of nodes representing spatial locations within the environment, and the principal direction for each node is determined probabilistically using linear features detected within an image of the environment. Apparatus and methods according to embodiments of the present invention can be used in improved autonomous navigation systems, such as robotic vehicles. |
| US08060270B2 |
System and method for inspection of structures and objects by swarm of remote unmanned vehicles
A method for inspecting structures that includes using a plurality of independent unmanned mobile vehicles. The unmanned mobile vehicles are equipped with a control and guidance system for enabling each unmanned mobile vehicle to operate autonomously. Each unmanned mobile vehicle may be programmed with an operating program that defines a path of travel for it, relative to a structure to be inspected. The unmanned mobile vehicles are deployed so that they cooperatively form a swarm that travels about the structure. At least one of said unmanned mobile vehicles is used to obtain inspection data of a portion of the structure as it executes its respective operating program. |
| US08060262B2 |
Airport lighting aid simulation system
An airport lighting aid simulation system comprises a data storage unit configured to store lighting aid data relating to a plurality of airports. The lighting aid data indicates a type and a location of an airport lighting aid at a runway at each airport. The system also includes a display unit and a processing unit operatively connected to both the data storage device and the display unit. The processing unit is configured to receive an input signal indicative of a target runway, to retrieve a sub-set of the lighting aid data from the data storage unit, the sub-set being indicative of a target runway lighting aid, and to control the display unit to display a target runway description. The system enables a pilot to determine whether a visible runway is the target runway by comparing a view from an aircraft as the aircraft approaches the visible runway with the target runway description. |
| US08060253B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling a legged robot based on rate of change of angular momentum
Systems and methods are presented that use the rate of change of a legged robot's centroidal angular momentum ({dot over (H)}G) in order to maintain or improve the robot's balance. In one embodiment, a control system determines the current value of {dot over (H)}G, compares this value to a threshold value, and determines an instruction to send to the robot. Executing the instruction causes the robot to remain stable or become more stable. Systems and methods are also presented that use a value derived from {dot over (H)}G in order to maintain or improve the robot's balance. In one embodiment, a control system determines the location of the Zero Rate of change of Angular Momentum (ZRAM) point (A), determines the distance between A and the location of the center of pressure of the resultant ground force, compares this value to a threshold value, and determines an instruction to send to the robot. |
| US08060246B2 |
System and method for interactive items dispenser
A networked items dispenser is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a bulk storage bin for storing items, a temporary storage bin for receiving the items, and a dispensing receptacle for receiving the items from the temporary storage bin. A communications network interface is provided for entering programming instructions. A programmable internal memory device is also included for storing a schedule for dispensing the items, such that the schedule can be automatically adjusted according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules. |
| US08060245B2 |
High volume conveyor sortation system
A sortation system and method of sorting product includes providing a sorter assembly and a supply system supplying product that is received by the sorter assembly. Product supplied to the sorter assembly is monitored and a parameter is determined that is indicative of the relationship between product supplied to the sorter assembly and product being sorted by the sorter assembly. The supply system is controlled as a function of a value of the parameter. |
| US08060243B2 |
Sorting apparatus
A sorting apparatus includes: a characteristic information obtaining unit which obtains characteristic information of each of packages; a first branching unit to a third branching unit each of which performs branching operation for forwarding a predetermined package among the packages to a corresponding one of a first branching conveyor to a third branching conveyor; an interval adjusting unit which adjusts an interval which is a distance between two packages, which are a current package and the next package, forwarded sequentially; a branch control unit which causes each of the first branching unit to the third branching unit to change the details of branching operations according to the characteristic information; and an interval control unit which causes the interval adjusting unit to increase the interval in proportion to the time required for the branching operation for the current package. |
| US08060242B2 |
System, apparatuses, methods and computer program for producing a batch of mail items and providing and generating identification codes
A method and apparatus for producing a batch of mail items. A number of sheets are assembled to at least two documents, wherein at least two of the documents each contain at least two sheets. Each of the sheets in the batch is provided with a unique identification code unique to each sheet in the batch. The documents are assembled to one or more mail items. At least one unique identification code is read and the read unique identification codes are tested against a criterion. An error message is provided if the characteristic does not meet the criterion. |
| US08060241B2 |
Automatic warehouse
Stations (8,9) of an automatic warehouse (2) are provided with transfer devices (10) for transferring an article one by one between a tray and a bucket, and hands (11, 12) of the transfer devices are provided with an ID tag reader and writer. The ID of the article stored in the bucket can be grasped and delivering products can be inspected, and further, data corresponding to each article can be written in the ID tag. |
| US08060237B2 |
Method and apparatus for work instruction generation
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for manufacturing a product. In response to receiving an identification of the product, a process object associated with the product may be identified. A completed instance of the process object may be created for the product. A set of instructions may be presented to manufacture the product using the completed instance of the process object. |
| US08060236B2 |
System for producing orthodontic aligners by CNC machining
A system produces orthodontic aligners by CNC machining. A digital model of the patient's dental anatomy is manipulated using CAD software to create a solid CAD model of an aligner. A CNC milling machine is then used to machine the inside and outside surfaces of the aligner from a block of suitable material. A progressive series of aligners can also be designed. |
| US08060233B2 |
Control system for a plurality of chip mounters and operating method thereof
A control system includes at least one part mounter installing parts on a printed circuit board and a control device integrally controlling the operation of the at least one part mounter. The control device controls the part mounter using information about the printed circuit board and information on a production process flow of the printed circuit board. The control device integrally controls the operations of the part mounters, including receiving and storing information on parts that the part mounters install, information on a feeder that supplies the parts, and information on arrangement of the parts on the printed circuit board, receiving and displaying operation information and operation situations from the part mounters, and controlling operations of the part mounters using the stored information and displayed information. |
| US08060228B2 |
Financial transaction product with connection cable
A financial transaction product includes an electrical assembly, a housing at least partially enclosing the electrical assembly, a connection cable, and an account identifier. The connection cable includes a first end, which is coupled with the housing and in electrical communication with the electrical assembly, and a second end, which is opposite the first end, is spaced from the housing, and includes an electrical connector configured to selectively interface with a electrical device separate from the financial transaction product. The account identifier is affixed to the housing and links the housing to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly and other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08060227B2 |
Digital media player and method for facilitating social music discovery through sampling, identification, and logging
A portable digital media player and method for providing convenient music logging is provided. A music collection is maintained and includes music stored in digital media form on a portable digital media player. A music sample is recorded from an ambient environment and is encoded in digital media form. Information is added to the music recommendation to describe the music sample, to identify the recommender, to capture a context of the music sample, and to optionally specify a rating. A sampling event is saved, which includes the music sample and the information, in a log file on the player. At least part of the information from the sampling event is integrated into a display of the music collection on the player. The information is displayed as integrated. Action upon the music sample is facilitated through playback or addition of the music to the music collection through an external source. |
| US08060225B2 |
Digital audio device
A digital audio system configured to facilitate a collaborative audio session comprises a first digital audio device operable by a first user, a second digital audio device operable by a second user independently of the first digital audio device, and a server configured to communicate with the first digital audio device and the second digital audio device over a network, receive a request from at least one of the digital audio devices for participation in a collaborative audio session, and facilitate communication between the first digital audio device and the second digital audio device. |
| US08060220B2 |
Promotion of oral hygiene and treatment of gingivitis, other periodontal problems and oral mal odor with alternating current waveforms and device therefor
A method for promoting oral hygiene and treating a patient for gingivitis, other periodontal problems, or oral mal odor by transmitting to the gums of a patient electrical current waveforms of electrical voltage within the range of from about ±0.1V to about ±3.9V as a combination of ultra-weak electrical currents. |
| US08060215B2 |
Implantable microstimulator having a battery unit and methods of use therefor
An implantable microstimulator arrangement includes at least one implantable microstimulator unit; an implantable battery unit separate from the implantable microstimulator unit(s); and at least one lead coupling the microstimulator unit(s) to the battery unit. The microstimulator unit(s) are operated to treat body tissue. |
| US08060212B1 |
External medical device configurations for communicating with implantable medical devices
Exemplary external medical devices are configurable to communicate with an implantable medical device (IMD). One medical device includes multiple IMD telemetry ports operable to connect IMD telemetry mechanisms to the medical device. The medical device also includes a control unit configured to control the IMD telemetry mechanisms. |
| US08060211B2 |
Method of reducing retinal stress caused by an implantable retinal electrode array
This invention is methods of reducing stress in the retina that are caused by the implanted electrode array body having an oval shape that is curved to conform to the curvature of the retina and having a mounting aperture in the body for attaching the electrode array to the retina with a tack where a strain relief internal tab is place around a strain relief slot. |
| US08060208B2 |
Action potential conduction prevention
An example method for selectively and reversibly preventing the conduction of action potentials in a targeted nerve region is presented. The method includes generating an electrical waveform having two phases and selectively depolarizing a nerve membrane using the electrical waveform. The nerve membrane is depolarized to a state where the nerve membrane cannot conduct an action potential. The depolarization is achieved by selectively repetitively providing the electrical waveform to a targeted nerve region associated with the nerve region to control m gates and h gates in the region and thus to control the availability of ions. |
| US08060206B2 |
Baroreflex modulation to gradually decrease blood pressure
The present invention is a baroreceptor stimulator, including, a pulse generator to provide a baroreceptor stimulation signal through an electrode and a modulator to modulate the baroreceptor stimulation signal to increase the baroreceptor stimulation therapy by a predetermined rate of change to lower systemic blood pressure to a target pressure. |
| US08060205B2 |
Cardiac rhythm management system with user interface for threshold test
An implantable cardiac rhythm management system includes a user interface, such as an external programmer, for performing therapy energy threshold tests. The threshold tests allow the caregiver to determine the threshold energy at which paces capture the heart, i.e., cause a resulting contraction of the heart chamber to which the paces are delivered. The programmer provides recorded indications of the energy corresponding to each paced event, so that the caregiver can easily determine the point at which capture was lost. This recorded representation of pacing energy makes it easy for the caregiver to determine proper pacing thresholds to be used to ensure adequate pacing, while minimizing energy drain to prolong the useful life of the implanted device. |
| US08060202B2 |
Ventricular event filtering for an implantable medical device
Pacing parameters are provided to address cross talk and intrinsic ventricular events occurring within a predefined blanking period following an atrial event. The parameters are used in conjunction with protocol for minimizing or reducing ventricular pacing, wherein ignoring intrinsic ventricular events during the blanking period might otherwise affect the performance of the protocol. |
| US08060201B2 |
Medical device
A method for operating an implantable medical device to control a stimulation therapy includes the steps of: sensing an acoustic energy; producing acoustic signals indicative of heart sounds of the heart of the patient over predetermined periods of a cardiac cycle during successive cardiac cycles; extracting a signal corresponding to a first heart sound (S1) from a measured acoustic signal; calculating an energy value corresponding to the extracted signal; storing the energy value corresponding to the first heart sound; and initiating an optimization procedure, the optimization procedure comprising the steps of: iteratively controlling a delivery of the pacing pulses based on successive energy values corresponding to successive first heart sound signals and determining an optimal PV interval or AV interval with respect to the energy values. A medical device and a computer readable medium to implement the method. |
| US08060199B2 |
CPR time indicator for a defibrillator data management system
A system is disclosed wherein patient data, such as an electrocardiogram (“ECG”) signal or a chest impedance measurement signal, collected by a defibrillator device during a resuscitation event is analyzed and processed by a computing device to provide an assessment of CPR administered during the event. The CPR assessment results in one or more CPR figures of merit that relate to temporal characteristics of the CPR relative to the duration of the event. In one embodiment, the CPR figure of merit represents a percentage of the event period during which chest compressions were administered to the patient. |
| US08060194B2 |
Biological interface system with automated configuration
A system and method for a biological interface system that processes multicellular signals of a patient and controls one or more devices is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that detects the multicellular signals and a processing unit for producing the control signal based on the multicellular signals. The system further includes an automated configuration routine that is used to set or modify the value of one or more system configuration parameters. |
| US08060190B2 |
Detection of drastic blood pressure changes
The invention relates to cardiac-activity based prediction of a rapid drop in a patient's blood pressure during hemodialysis. A proposed alarm apparatus includes an input interface, primary and secondary analysis units and an alarm-generating unit. An electrocardiogram signal (HECG) of the patient is received via the input interface by the primary analysis unit, which in response thereto produces a heart-rate-variability signal (PHRV). The secondary analysis unit determines an intensity of ectopic beats (PEBC) based on the electrocardiogram signal (HECG). The alarm-generating unit investigates whether the intensity of ectopic beats (PEBC) is relatively low or relatively high. In case of a relatively low intensity, the unit triggers an alarm signal (α) indicative of an estimated rapid blood pressure decrease if the heart-rate-variability signal (PHRV) fulfills a first alarm criterion. In case of a relatively high intensity, however, the unit triggers the alarm signal (α) if the intensity of the ectopic beats (PEBC) fulfills a second alarm criterion. |
| US08060189B2 |
System and method for detection of hematoma
A system and method for determining brain hematoma including a handheld device for emitting and detecting radiation with a removable light guide assembly. A method for determining a brain hematoma condition that includes determining optical density of various regions of the brain using near infrared spectroscopy. |
| US08060188B2 |
Method for imaging variations in tissue viability
Prolonged and severe tissue hypoxia results in tissue necrosis in pedicled flaps. We demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting viability of compromised tissue portions. This approach clearly identifies tissue regions with low oxygen supply, and also the severity of this challenge, in a rapid and non-invasive manner, with a high degree of reproducibility. Early, nonsubjective detection of poor tissue oxygenation following surgery increases the likelihood that intervention aimed at saving the tissue will be successful. |
| US08060185B2 |
Navigation system for cardiac therapies
An image guided catheter navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller, and a display. The imaging device generates images of the region of the patient. The tracking device tracks the location of the catheter in the region of the patient. The controller superimposes an icon representing the catheter onto the images generated from the imaging device based upon the location of the catheter. The display displays the image of the region with the catheter superimposed onto the image at the current location of the catheter. |
| US08060181B2 |
Risk assessment for planned trajectories
A method for planning the placement of a device in a body includes analyzing information of at least part of the internal structure of the body of a patient to determine if at least one specific or critical region or structure lies within a region of interest, said region of interest within a predetermined distance of the planned trajectory of the device in the body. Then, a level of risk is assessed to the at least one specific or critical region or structure that is within the region of interest. |
| US08060179B1 |
Biomagnetic detection and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
SQUID imaging of a subject's head after the subject having been administered superparamagnetic nanoparticles comprising: an iron-containing core, a coating covering the core and a probe molecule conjugated to the coating wherein the probe molecule locates the superparamagnetic nanoparticle to a target in the brain that is characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease; magnetizing the superparamagnetic nanoparticles using external magnetic coils; and measuring the decaying remanence magnetic fields of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles attached to the target and not from unattached superparamagnetic nanoparticles to obtain magnetic field measurements. |
| US08060175B2 |
System and apparatus for collecting physiological signals from a plurality of electrodes
A system and apparatus for obtaining physiological data from a patient. The system and apparatus comprising at least one electrode disposed to collect physiological data from the patient and an electrode connection device having a conductive array formed by a plurality of conductive regions and a plurality of nonconductive regions. The conductive regions are suitable to be connected to the at least one electrode. The electrode may be connected to a first conductive region of the electrode communication device and wherein upon movement by the patient or the conductive array, the electrode is connected to a second conductive region of the conductive array. |
| US08060174B2 |
Analyte sensing biointerface
Disclosed herein is an analyte sensing biointerface that comprises a sensing electrode incorporated within a non-conductive matrix comprising a plurality of passageways extending through the matrix to the sensing electrode. Also disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a sensing biointerface and methods of detecting an analyte within tissue of a host using an analyte sensing biointerface. |
| US08060170B2 |
Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor, comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory device that stores data comprising drift parameters indicative of changes to operating properties of the oximeter sensor. |
| US08060168B2 |
Dust sealing tape and display using same and method of sealing
A mounting system for a display includes support structure to support a display and viewing window in spaced apart relation, and a flexible attachment sealing the space between the window and display and adapted to hold the window to the support structure. A display system includes such mounting system. The flexible attachment includes a first annular ring of double sided adhesive tape adapted to attach to a window, a second annular ring of double sided adhesive tape adapted to attach to both a retainer and a display, and an interface of non-adhesive material between and adhesively adhered to both annular rings of double sided adhesive tape. A method of assembling a display system includes placing a display in a support housing, pressing the dust sealing tape against the display, and applying a protective window over the display and pressing it against the dust sealing tape. |
| US08060167B2 |
Portable wireless machine
An upper case (1) is connected to a lower case (2) in a hinge portion (3) so as to freely rotate. A plate shaped conductor (4) and a plate shaped conductor (5) are disposed along the surface of the case in the upper case (1). A ground plate (6) is formed in a ground pattern of a circuit board disposed in the lower case (2). The plate shaped conductor (4) and the plate shaped conductor (5) are selected by a high frequency switch (14) and connected to one end of a feeding portion (15). The other end of the feeding portion (15) is connected to the ground plate (6) to form a dipole antenna. |
| US08060165B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal is provided where the portable terminal includes a lower body, an upper body connected to the lower body, the upper body being slidably moveable in a first direction with respect to the lower body between a closed position and an open position, and a first moving unit connected between the upper body and the lower body to move the upper body in a second direction different from the first direction. The first moving unit is configured to move the upper body toward the lower body along the second direction when the upper body is moved from the closed position to the open position and to move the upper body away from the lower body along the second direction when the upper body is moved from the open position to the closed position. |
| US08060152B2 |
Apparatus and method for current control in mobile terminal
An apparatus and method for current control in a mobile terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit for measuring a total required current amount that is the sum of current amounts required by respective components of the mobile terminal and detecting whether the total required current amount is greater than a limit threshold value; and a power distribution unit for searching the supply current amounts using a current distribution table when detecting through the monitoring unit that the total required current amount is greater than the limit threshold value, and controlling the power supply unit to supply current to the respective components according to the searched supply current amounts. |
| US08060145B2 |
Cell site content caching
Systems, apparatus, methods, and manufactures for caching content at a communications services cell site which include caching previously provided content and/or predictively caching content. Content may be transmitted to cell sites for caching via primary or ancillary channels. Ancillary channels may be provided through a broadcast medium such as the ancillary or supplementary services spectrum of the digital television (DTV) spectrum. Content may also be broadcast to multiple cell sites simultaneously. |
| US08060141B2 |
Method for permitting change of an electronic card without powering off and communications device employing the method
In a method for permitting change of an electronic card without powering off and a communications device employing the method, the communications device includes a control module, a card connector for receiving the electronic card, and a trigger module. The method includes: when the communications device is in an on state, triggering the trigger module to generate a trigger signal to the control module; enabling the control module to determine a card insertion mode if it is detected that a state of electrical connection of the card connector with an electronic card changes from a disconnected state to a connected state after receipt of the trigger signal; and enabling the control module for supplying power to the electronic card inserted into the card connector upon determining the card insertion mode. |
| US08060137B2 |
Communication apparatus and method
A communication apparatus includes a communication unit, an operation unit, and a recording unit. The communication unit is for communicating with other communication apparatuses. The operation unit is for generating an operation signal corresponding to a user's operation. The recording unit is for recording immediate environmental sound and generating an audio file. The audio file is sent to the other communication apparatuses when the communication unit receives an incoming call from the other communication apparatuses and the operation unit does not receive a user's operation responding to the incoming call. A communication method is also provided. |
| US08060136B2 |
Light illumination compensation for mobile computing devices
A mobile computing device includes a housing, a light source, a power circuit, and a processing circuit. The housing is configured to be carried by a user while in use. The power circuit is coupled to the light source. The processing circuit is configured to provide control signals to the power circuit to illuminate the light source. The processing circuit is configured to count the illuminations of the light source, to store usage data based on the counted illuminations, and to adjust the control signals based on the usage data. |
| US08060135B2 |
Method and system for selective application of cellular-PBX integration service
A method and system for selectively applying a cellular-PBX integration service. When a radio access network (RAN) receives a call request for a served wireless communication device (WCD), call setup signaling passes to a call session control function (CSCF), and a determination is made as to whether the WCD is currently checked-into or checked-out of the cellular-PBX integration service. If the WCD is checked-in, the call is set up to an IPPBX server for handling. If the WCD is checked-out, the call is set up back to the RAN for handling. Similarly, the CSCF may receive call setup signaling in response to a call dialed to an IPPBX extension associated with the WCD, and the check-in/check-out status of the WCD may be used as a basis to decide whether to send the call to the RAN for handling or whether to return the call to the IPPBX server for handling. |
| US08060134B2 |
Communication terminal
According to the embodiment of the invention, a communication apparatus including: a first communication module radio communicating based on a first radio access technology; a second communication module radio communicating based on a second radio access technology; a first information storing module storing radio access technology information indicating at least one of the first and second radio access technologies to be used in a radio communication of the communication apparatus; a chip storing module configured to store an information chip that stores company information with respect to a company providing a communication service; a search module configured to read out the company information from the information chip to perform a radio wave search according to one of the first and second radio access technologies based on the company information; and a setting module configured to set the radio access technology information in the first information storing module based on the result of the radio wave searching |
| US08060132B2 |
Apparatus and method for a repeater using a multi-antenna in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for supporting a relay service using at least two antennas in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes at least two antennas, each of the at least two antennas for receiving a signal, at least two factor generators, each of the at least two factor generators for generating a factor used for removing at least one polarization component other than a select polarization component from a signal, at least two filters, each of the at least two filters for filtering at least one polarization component other than a select polarization component from the signal received by one of the at least two antennas using a factor generated by one of the at least two factor generators, and at least two signal detectors, each of the at least two signal detectors for detecting a signal for the select polarization component filtered by one of the at least two filters. |
| US08060130B2 |
Method and apparatus for power control during DTX operation
Techniques for performing power control during discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation are described. A UE transmits on the uplink during a transmission burst and receives TPC commands generated by a Node B based on the uplink transmission. The UE may receive two TPC commands at the end of the transmission burst that are not applied during the transmission burst. The UE saves and applies these two TPC commands in the next transmission burst. In one design, the UE applies each saved TPC command in one slot of the next transmission burst. In another design, the UE combines the two saved TPC commands and applies the combined value in the first two slots of the next transmission burst. In yet another design, the UE selects one of the saved TPC commands and applies the selected TPC command in the first two slots of the next transmission burst. |
| US08060129B2 |
Peer-to-peer communications
In a multiple-access network, network access terminals conduct peer-to-peer communications on reverse link channels of the network. |
| US08060123B2 |
System and method for using SMS and tagged message to send position and travel information to server and/or to peers
The GPS position or other short information related to a wireless telephone is encapsulated in a tagged protocol such as XML and sent using short message service (SMS) to peers or Internet servers, which can parse the tagged messages and extract, e.g., position information for display on a map. |
| US08060121B1 |
Mobile network presence service with load-based notification throttling
Methods and systems are described for providing a presence service that is particularly useful for mobile telecommunications devices. A plurality of outgoing presence updates are sent to a presence client. The system monitors the level of network traffic and determines whether the client is in a region of high network load. If the client is in a region experiencing a condition of high network load, the system throttles the outgoing presence updates during the condition of high network load. The level of throttling may depend at least in part on the amount of time that has elapsed since the presence client began a presence session, and/or the amount of time that has elapsed since an incoming presence update was received from the presence client. In determining the latter amount of elapsed time, the system may consider only the amount of time elapsed since an incoming non-automatic presence update was received from the presence client. When presence updates are throttled, the may schedule presence updates such that at least a minimum delay period elapses between consecutive updates to a particular client. |
| US08060120B2 |
System and method for transmitting a sequence of pages in a communication system
A system and method for transmitting a series of pages in a communication system. The system includes a paging console for placing a plurality of pages in a queue for transmission to one or more targets devices. Each page includes a Dependent-Upon (DU) field that indicates whether the page is dependent upon an earlier page in the queue. Upon initiating a paging event, the plurality of pages are attempted based upon their order in the queue. Prior to transmitting each page, it is determined whether the DU field of that page indicates a dependency upon an earlier page. If there is no dependency, the page is attempted as normal. If the current page is dependent upon an earlier page, a record is checked to determine whether the earlier page was successful. If the earlier page was successful, the current page is attempted. If the earlier page was unsuccessful, the current page is not attempted and is recorded as unsuccessful. |
| US08060115B2 |
Apparatus and method for location estimation in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for location estimation in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes identifying if a received at least one signal passed through at least one repeater, when the received at least one signal is identified as having passed though at least one repeater, measuring a Base Station (BS) basis delay time and calculating a repeater basis delay time using the measured BS basis delay time, and estimating a location of the MS using the repeater basis delay time. |
| US08060112B2 |
Mobile device and geographic information system background and summary of the related art
The present invention provides a system and mobile device for providing geographic information to a user. The system includes a mobile device that is wirelessly connected to a geographic database. The mobile device includes a plurality of sensors for determining a first location and a first direction. A controller is adapted to provide information requested based on local queries and distal queries. In addition, the controller can respond to thematic queries of each variety, wherein the database search is limited to objects, entities or features that fit within a selected theme. Finally, the controller is adapted to select and order query results based upon two- and three-dimensional query windows. |
| US08060111B2 |
Method for determination of location information in a communication system
A method for computer-aided operation of a communication system with a communication network, which has a plurality of network nodes, which are designed to interchange data with a number of terminals in the communication system, and in which the following steps are carried out: the terminals determine a first position variable relating to or at a specific point, with the first position variable comprising a semantic description relating to that specific point; the terminals determine a second position variable relating to or at the specific point with the second position variable comprising physical location information relating to that specific point; the first and the second position variables which have been determined by one of the terminals together represent location information, with the location information being transmitted to a network node in the communication network for further processing. |
| US08060109B2 |
Authorized location reporting mobile communication system
A location reporting paging communication system comprising space satellites, ground stations and a remote receiving unit adapted to resolve a global position from signals transmitted from a communication transmitter. The subscriber in possession of the remote receiving unit updates the paging network with global positioning information. A caller paging a subscriber in possession of the remote receiving unit may request the global location of the remote receiving unit. The paging network could divulge or block such information from a caller depending on the requirements of the subscriber. |
| US08060107B2 |
Radio network system capable of autonomous estimation using position correction
A radio apparatus forming a radio network system calculates a calculated distance, based on a tentative self-position and tentative positions of a plurality of radio apparatuses existing in the vicinity. The radio apparatus successively and autonomously corrects the tentative self-position so that the calculated distance comes closer to the measured distance, relying more heavily on the calculated distance than the measured distance between itself and each of the plurality of radio apparatuses, and determines the position of itself. Other radio apparatuses also successively correct the tentative self-positions by the same method as the radio apparatus, and determine the positions of themselves. |
| US08060105B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining resources for peer to peer communication in communication system
A method and apparatus for allocating frequency resources for peer to peer (P2P) communication between terminals without a base station are provided. The method determines resources used for a direct communication between two terminals in a communication system. The method includes determining uplink frequency resources of a cellular communication system for use in the direct communication between the two terminals, determining a primary maximum transmission power to minimize interference caused by the direct communication on the cellular communication system and performing the direct communication between the two terminals by using the uplink frequency resources and a transmission power less than the determined primary maximum transmission power. |
| US08060101B2 |
Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) provisioning and voicemail routing by a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE)
According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) telephone number provisioning and voicemail routing by a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: provisioning a telephone number (TN) and its associated mobile subscriber identification (MSID) owned by a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on a home location register (HLR) of a third party carrier, the third party carrier is not the owner of the TN; routing a call to the provisioned TN from a calling party by utilizing the HLR, wherein a called party of the TN is at least one of providing no answer or unreachable; receiving an indication from a gateway mobile switching center (GW MSC) of the third party carrier that there is no voicemail transfer number associated with the TN; and initiating a new call to a voicemail server of the MVNO, the new call to provide voicemail associated with the TN to the calling party. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08060099B2 |
Inter-sector control channel transmission
Provided is a more efficient manner of transmitting a control message to reach into a neighboring sector (e.g., inter-sector) of a wireless network environment. The control message can be utilized for purposes such as handoff, indicating an amount of interference, inter-sector power control for managing inter-sector interference, sector loading, or other control messages. The control message can be placed on a set of resources utilizing planned reuse and/or statistical reuse. Statistical reuse includes selecting a subcarrier set for carrying the control message. According to some aspects, the control message can be sent over a backhaul channel. |
| US08060092B2 |
Apparatus and method for handover between heterogeneous systems
An apparatus and method for enhanced heterogeneous network handover using a media independent handover scheme is provided. A heterogeneous network handover method of the present invention includes generating, at a mobile node, self-location information, transmitting the self-location information to a management server which manages heterogeneous networks, searching, at the management server, surrounding networks using the self-location information, composing a set of candidate networks including at least one of the surrounding networks, transmitting information on the set of candidate networks to mobile node and deciding, at the mobile node, a target handover network among the candidate networks. Accordingly, latency during handover in a heterogeneous network can be reduced. |
| US08060089B1 |
Paging success rate control mechanism
A method for handling registration requests in a cellular wireless communication system. The method includes determining that a transmission-success rate of messages sent via the forward-link of an air interface is less than a threshold success rate. The method further includes, in response to the determination that the system has less than a threshold transmission success rate, increasing a frequency at which mobile stations register with the cellular wireless communication system via the air interface. |
| US08060087B2 |
CDMA intelligent network system and its method, device for realizing international roaming service
The present invention discloses a CDMA intelligent network system and a method for implementing an international roaming service. The CDMA intelligent network system includes: a Home SCP, a Home Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) or Home International Switching Center (ISC), and a visited GMSC or visited ISC; further, the CDMA intelligent network system includes a roaming SSP. The SCP is in communication with the roaming SSP, and voice channels are established among the roaming SSP, the Home GMSC or ISC, and the visited GMSC or ISC. The present invention further discloses a roaming Service Switching Point, which is adapted for signaling exchanging with the Home SCP of subscriber in international roaming, so as to establish a service route for the subscriber in international roaming in the CDMA intelligent network. |
| US08060084B2 |
Network selection scheme using a roaming broker (RB)
A network selection scheme operable in a network environment having one or more radio access networks (RANs), one or more core networks (CNs), and one or more service networks (SNs). Upon obtaining identity information of a particular network combination, a wireless user equipment (UE) device is operable to register with a roaming broker (RB), whereby additional information may be provided to the device for facilitating appropriate network selection. |
| US08060083B2 |
System for managing an aircraft-oriented emergency services call in an airborne wireless cellular network
The Aircraft Emergency Services Call Management System enables the unique identification of each passenger wireless device in use in an aircraft and the corresponding identification of the passenger associated with the passenger wireless device. This passenger wireless device registration data is stored as database entries in a ground-based Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database which associates each aircraft with its registered passenger wireless devices. The origination of an emergency services call by any registered passenger wireless device results in the call being routed to a serving Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) where the passenger is connected to an emergency services operator. Since the aircraft flight crew and cabin crew are the only personnel on site that can be relied upon to provide some sort of emergency services response, they are included in the emergency services call. |
| US08060082B2 |
Ancillary terrestrial component services using multiple frequency bands
A satellite radio telephone system employing at least two space-based components, each of which is configured to communicate with a plurality of radio telephones. Each space-based component employs its own frequency band and its own air interface and includes an ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate terrestrially with a plurality of radio telephones over their frequency bands and air interfaces. |
| US08060077B2 |
Method and apparatus for functional testing of a base station system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for function testing of a base station system in a wireless communication system, wherein the base station system comprises at least two antennas and at least two transceivers, and said antennas are intended to cover a target area. Function testing of the parts in the base station is based on measurements of performance variations caused by for example bad contact in feeders, misdirected or malfunctioning antennas, malfunctioning feeders, wear and tear of transceivers, and/or corrosion in feeder connections etc. By alternating between TRXs in the base station system for carrying BCCH messages the performance of each TRX is measured at each time period and stored for further analysis. Thereby a decrease or a fault in the base station system is easily detected. |
| US08060072B2 |
Rerouting communications to provide cell phone parental control
A method for allowing remote control of the usage of a networked wireless device including incoming communications, outgoing communications, and application launching. Controlling entities, such as parent cellular telephones or web sites, are provided with the ability to select a list of approved anytime incoming communications, or approved incoming and outgoing communications based on time and day. Incoming communications include text messaging and telephone calls. Further, the controlling entity is provided with the ability to reroute to the controlling entity any usage of the wireless device such as incoming communications, outgoing communications, and application launching. Access to usage logs of the wireless device is provided to the controlling entity. |
| US08060071B2 |
Enterprise mobility user
In one embodiment, an enterprise network is provided that includes a mobility agent 150 associated with a switch/server 100 or 104. The mobility agent creates a visitor application record 172 associated with a second communication device 140b. The visitor application record is associated with a first subscriber. A second subscriber is normally associated with the second communication device, and the first subscriber with a first communication device 136a. In response to creating the visitor application record, the native communication device record is associated with a virtual communication device having the same public and/or private numbers as the second communication device 140b. |
| US08060068B1 |
Interactive mobile caller-identification information on a television
A system and associated methods and media of delivering a notification of an incoming call and a series of interactive options such that a user can provide call-handling instructions to a wireless communications network for the incoming call. The notification and interactive options are transferred to a display device across at least a partially wired network. The indication and caller-identification information is inserted into a video stream that is communicated from the video-providing component to a media-receiving device that is in communication with a display device. The video-providing component receives call-handling instructions from the media-receiving device, as selected by a user, regarding the incoming call and then transmits the call-handling instructions to the wireless communications network. |
| US08060067B2 |
Method and system for efficiently routing messages
Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process. |
| US08060065B1 |
Managing outgoing voicemail messages
Embodiments of the invention provide ways to track the status of calls made to mobile devices. An illustrative method includes an originating mobile device receiving data from a mobile access network about an outgoing call, utilizing the data from the mobile access network to determine the outcome of the outgoing call, displaying an indicator of the outgoing call on the originating mobile device, and displaying an indicator of the outcome (connected, no answer, voicemail, busy, etc.) on the originating mobile device. |
| US08060063B1 |
Presenting messages on a mobile device that is currently presenting other media content
Computer readable media are provided for displaying a message notification on a mobile device while the mobile device is presenting media content to a user. An embodiment of the media determines if the mobile device is presenting media content. If the mobile device is presenting media content, an activation message is sent to the mobile device that instructs it to present a message notification in a manner that does not interrupt the media presentation. |
| US08060061B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for initializing the mobile communication terminal using an over-the-air (OTA) data backup
A mobile communication terminal and a method for initializing a mobile communication terminal using an over-the-air (OTA) data includes receiving OTA data from a wireless network entity, storing the OTA data in a first database and a second database which are each associated with the mobile terminal, receiving a reset request which requests initialization of parameters associated with the operation of the mobile terminal and which are stored in the first database, and responsive to the reset request, updating parameters of the first database with corresponding parameters of the second database, and updating any remaining parameters of the first database with default parameters. |
| US08060055B2 |
Method, system and color ring back tone platform for downloading media resources to terminal
The present invention discloses a method for downloading media resources to a terminal. The method may be applied to mobile communication network, and includes: calling by a calling terminal a called subscriber through an MSC at a calling side; establishing a bi-direction connection between the calling terminal and a color ring back tone platform through the MSC at the calling side according to ring back tone registration information of a called terminal obtained by the MSC at the calling side; and receiving by the color ring back tone platform the download command from the calling terminal through the bi-direction connection and sending a media resource corresponding to a ring back tone to the calling terminal. The present invention also discloses a system and a color ring back tone platform for downloading media resources to a terminal. With the present invention, the subscriber may download media resources easily and conveniently. |
| US08060049B2 |
Integrated low-if terrestrial audio broadcast receiver and associated method
An integrated low-IF (low intermediate frequency) terrestrial broadcast receiver and associated method are disclosed that provide an advantageous and cost-efficient solution. The integrated receiver includes a mixer, local oscillator generation circuitry, low-IF conversion circuitry, and DSP circuitry. And the integrated receiver is particularly suited for small, portable devices and the reception of terrestrial audio broadcasts, such as FM and AM terrestrial audio broadcast, in such portable devices. |
| US08060038B2 |
Radio transmitter using Cartesian loop
A radio transmitter including a combiner which combines input I/Q signals with feedback I/Q signals, a power amplifier which amplifies the quadrature modulated signal, a detector which detects amplitude and phase differences between the input and feedback I/Q signals, a switch to turn on and off the feedback I/Q signals, a generator to generate control signals which minimizes the amplitude difference and the phase difference, in a state where a transmission power is set, during for a period during which the switch is turned off, an amplitude adjuster which adjusts an amplitude of the feedback RF signal, during a period during which the switch is turned on, and a phase adjuster which adjusts a phase of the local signal, during the period during which the switch is turned on. |
| US08060032B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device capable of restraining interference and thereby improving transmission quality. A wireless controller includes a wireless communication interface, and a baseband controller includes a baseband communication interface for controlling the transfer/reception of baseband signals, a logic circuit, and a memory. The wireless communication interface and the baseband communication interface are connected to each other by a communication line, and the memory stores, with respect to individual radio frequencies of a receive radio signal, bit rates for the communication line at which interference caused by noise produced around the communication line is minimized. When notified of a receive radio frequency, the logic circuit reads, from the memory, an optimum bit rate which corresponds to the receive radio frequency and at which the interference is minimized, and sets the optimum bit rate in the wireless communication interface and the baseband communication interface. |
| US08060031B2 |
Hands-free cell phone jewelry
A voice-activated mobile phone in the form of jewelry includes a necklace element for suspending the phone around the neck of a user, a phone element being a part of the necklace and a pendant hanging from the necklace. The phone element is voice activated so that a user can send and receive calls without having to physically manipulate the phone. The phone element may be disguised as a part of the necklace by virtue of a fancifully designed cover that fits over the phone portion of the device. |
| US08060030B2 |
Portable terminal having optical transmitter/receiver
In a folder type or a swing type terminal including a pair of housings or triple housings for attaining composite opening/closing operation, information transmission with a higher speed and larger capacity is available using optical devices for establishing communication lines between circuit devices in the housings. Also, a stable maintenance of the communication lines is possible between the circuit devices of the housings in spite of repeated opening/closing operation of the housings. |
| US08060029B2 |
Antenna with resonator grid and methods for use therewith
An antenna includes a planar antenna section. A resonator grid includes a plurality of resonators in a planar array to electromagnetically enhance the performance of the plan antenna section. |
| US08060028B1 |
Multi-spectrum high data rate communications system with electromagnetic interference cancellation
A system may include one or more transmitter processing modules each having at least one of a plurality of modulation elements arranged in parallel. Each modulation element may be configured to modulate a respective baseband data signal at a different rate than other modulation elements. The system may include one or more receiver processing modules each having a plurality of demodulation elements arranged in parallel. Each demodulation element may be configured to demodulate a respective baseband data signal at a different rate than other demodulation elements. The system may include a first antenna for transmitting signals and a second antenna for receiving signals. One or more isolation systems may be used to actively cancel electromagnetic interference received by the receiving antenna from the transmitting antenna. |
| US08060021B2 |
Portable radio terminal and communication control method
The radio OFF mode control unit 12 cancels the radio OFF mode temporarily, even though the portable radio has shifted to a mass storage mode, when the access monitoring unit 13 does not receive any access command from the PC 90 for a predetermined time. The USB control unit 14 sets a state where the memory card does not exist virtually so that no access command is received from the PC. Moreover, the incoming information unit 15 inquires whether there is incoming information to the server 100. |
| US08060016B2 |
Wireless communication method, and wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication system using the same
A wireless communication method, and a wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication system using the same. The wireless communication method includes pairing with a specific device, extracting a media access control (MAC) address of the specific device, and communicating with the specific device. Accordingly, even when a MAC address of a counterpart device is not known, pairing with the counterpart device can be performed without interference with other devices. |
| US08060009B2 |
Wireless local area network repeater with automatic gain control for extending network coverage
A frequency translating repeater (200) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system includes an automatic gain control feature. Specifically, a received signal (330) is split to provide signal detection paths (331, 332) wherein detection is performed by amplifiers (301, 302) filters (311, 312), converters (313, 314) and a processor (315). Delay is added using analog circuits such as SAW filters (307, 308, 309, 310) and gain adjustment provided by gain control elements (303, 304, 305, 306). |
| US08060007B2 |
Adaptive crosspole technique
An RF signal processing device which includes a countermeasure set connected to the processing device. The RF signal processing device shifts an incoming RF signal by ninety degrees and combines the phase shifted RF signal with RF jamming signals from a jammer. The processing device next transmits the RF signal including the RF jamming signals from the jammer. |
| US08060002B2 |
Developer storage device and image forming apparatus having the same
A developer storage device and an image forming apparatus having the same include a developer storage part including a first storage part and a second storage part having widths different from each other, and a first developer conveying member to convey a developer stored in the first storage part to the second storage part in a diagonal direction. The first developer conveying member includes conveying elements extended slantingly with respect to a width direction of the developer storage part. An angle between the conveying elements and the width direction of the developer storage part is determined depending on relative positions of the first storage part and the second storage part. Accordingly, the developer storage device can effectively convey a developer by designing the developer conveying member adequately for an overall shape or structure of the developer storage device. |
| US08059999B2 |
Belt conveyor and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided with an image bearing member for bearing a toner image in conformity with specified image information, a transfer belt mounted on a plurality of rollers for transferring the toner image on the image bearing member to the outer surface thereof or a recording sheet placed on the outer surface thereof, a bending roller whose outer circumferential surface presses the outer surface of the transfer belt to bend the belt inwardly, a torque limiter having a specified cutoff torque and mounted on a rotary shaft of the bending roller, a drive motor for giving a driving force to the bending roller via the torque limiter, and a drive controller for driving the drive motor such that the circumferential speed of the bending roller is faster than the rotating speed of the transfer belt. |
| US08059994B2 |
Image forming unit and image forming apparatus
An aspect of the invention provides an image forming unit that comprises: a developer container configured to contain a developer; and a developer supplier including at least a developer carrier configured to supply the developer, contained in the developer container, to a latent image formed on an image carrier, wherein: the glass transition temperature of a first developer initially contained in the developer supplier is higher than the glass transition temperature of a second developer contained in the developer container; and the glass transition temperature of the first developer is equal to or lower than 75° C. |
| US08059993B2 |
Rotating toner cleaning member for a toner delivery device in an image forming apparatus
The present invention provides a toner container system, such as a toner cartridge, comprising a housing including a first reservoir for containing toner and a second reservoir for receiving toner from the first reservoir and transferring the toner to an image forming apparatus, and a toner transfer mechanism that includes a rotatable roller member having in the surface thereof a recess defined by a concave surface having a radius of curvature, and wherein the roller member is rotatable from a first position at which the recess is open to the first reservoir and a second position at which the recess is open to the second reservoir, for conveying toner from the first reservoir to the second reservoir upon rotation of the roller member from the first position to the second position, and a rotatable wiper member disposed within the second reservoir and being sized and having a flexible distal end rotatable through the recess in contact with the concave surface when the roller member is in the second position. |
| US08059986B2 |
Cartridge assembling method and cartridge reassembling method
In a state where a gear is resting on a side cover, the gear and a shaft of a developing roller are made to engage with each other. |
| US08059984B2 |
Carrier bead collection assembly for a xerographic printer
A carrier bead collection assembly in a xerographic printer is disclosed. The carrier bead collection assembly may include a tray defining a cavity for retention of carrier beads, wherein the tray is located below a slot in a media transport surface in the xerographic printer and is removable so that it may be cleaned, and a magnet that is disposed beneath the tray, wherein the magnet attracts carrier beads that reside on the media transport surface such that as a result of the attraction, the carrier beads come to rest in the tray. |
| US08059982B2 |
Printing device with laminating functionality
A method of using a printing device having a toner fuser to laminate a media sheet with at least one laminate material sheet, the method including receiving a laminate request, adjusting a characteristic of the toner fuser of the printing device, and passing the media sheet and the at least one laminate material sheet through the toner fuser to effect lamination within the printing device. |
| US08059981B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method therefor
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an exposure mechanism, a latent-image forming mechanism, at least one image forming mechanism including a development mechanism to develop the latent image, an intermediate transfer member disposed to contact the image carrier, a primary transfer mechanism to transfer a toner image on the image carrier and superimpose one toner image on another on the intermediate transfer member, a secondary transfer mechanism to transfer the toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer member onto a transfer material, an asperity detector to detect an asperity profile of a surface of the transfer material to identify a concavity of the transfer material, and a toner adhesion control mechanism to increase an amount of the toner transferred to intermediate transfer member according to the concavities in the surface of the transfer material identified by an asperity detector, after a predetermined time elapses. |
| US08059978B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier that carries an image; a charging section that electrically charges the image carrier; an exposure section that forms a latent image on the image carrier electrically charged by the charging section; a development section that develops the latent image formed by the exposure section on the image carrier by means of a liquid developer; a primary transfer section that transfers a image developed by the development section onto a transfer medium; a secondary transfer section that transfers a image transferred onto the transfer medium further onto a recording medium by pressing the transfer medium; and a variable transfer pressure application section that applies transfer pressure of a first level or of a second level at the secondary transfer section. |
| US08059976B2 |
Image forming apparatus with sheet feeding retry function
After the start of an image formation operation, feeding of a sheet on which an image is to be formed is started, and an image formed on an image carrier is transferred onto the fed sheet. On the other hand, after the start of the image formation operation, in a case that the sheet has not been detected within a predetermined time period in a predetermined position on the upstream side of a transfer position, transfer is stopped, and after the stoppage of the transfer, re-feeding of the sheet is performed. By the re-feeding, in a case that the sheet has been detected in the predetermined position, formation of an image to be transferred onto the sheet is started, then the timing of start of the feeding of the sheet is delayed from the timing of start of the feeding in normal times. |
| US08059975B2 |
Flexible diagnostic sensor sheet
A system of diagnosing a printer or photocopying system using a flexible diagnostic sheet is described. In the system, a thin diagnostic sheet including a plurality of sensors formed on the sheet is run through the paper path of the printing system. The printing system subjects the diagnostic sheet to the printing process, including the deposition of fuser oil and toner on the sheet. Sensors on the sheet record various parameters, including but not limited to the amount of fuser oil deposited and the charge on various toner particles. The information is transmitted to service personnel or the printer end user to enable timely repair of the printer. |
| US08059974B2 |
Image forming apparatus and information processing method thereof
In an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a monitoring device for monitoring the operating states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the operating amount of a part is detected, information about the operating amount is stored in relation to the part, and the stored information is sent to the monitoring device, the first consumed level of the part, which is calculated by the monitoring device based on the sent information, is acquired, and the acquired first consumed level is output in relation to the part. The second consumed level is calculated based on the stored information. When the first consumed level is acquired from the monitoring device, the first consumed level is output. When the first consumed level cannot be acquired from the monitoring device, the calculated second consumed level is output. |
| US08059973B2 |
Discrete bootstrapping in an optical receiver to prevent signal feedback
An optical receiver assembly that is configured to avoid the introduction of feedback in an electrical signal converted by the assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical receiver assembly is disclosed, comprising a capacitor, an optical detector provided with a power supply being mounted on a top electrode of the capacitor, and an amplifier mounted on the reference surface. The assembly further includes an isolator interposed between the reference surface and the capacitor, wherein the isolator includes a bottom layer of dielectric material that is affixed to a portion of the reference surface, and a metallic top plate that is electrically coupled both to a ground of the amplifier and to the capacitor. This configuration bootstraps the amplifier ground to the amplifier input via the photodiode top electrode of the capacitor to cancel out feedback signals present at the amplifier ground. |
| US08059972B2 |
Optical receiver and visible light communication system
A data signal to be transmitted is supplied to a modulator of a transmitter, and the modulator modulates the output of a blue light-excited white LED and outputs blue LED light and phosphor light. The modulated blue light enters to a photo-electric converter through an LED light transmission color filter. The modulated phosphor light on the other hand enters to another photo-electric converter through a phosphor light transmission color filter. The photo-electric converters convert incident light to electric signals. The converted signals are amplified by amplifiers. Then, equalizers emphasize the harmonic component therein according to the response characteristic of the blue light and the response characteristic of the phosphor light for reduction of the dullness of waveforms. |
| US08059970B2 |
Control system for a polar optical transmitter
A method of controlling a polar optical transmitter comprising a dual-branch Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulator driven by a pair of independent electrical drive signals. A cost function is provided which defines a relationship between a control parameter of the optical transmitter and a power level of an output optical signal generated by the MZ modulator. A selected component of the electrical drive signals is dithered using a predetermined dither signal. A modulation depth of the output optical signal power level corresponding to the dither signal is detected, and the control parameter adjusted based on the cost function and the detection result. |
| US08059968B2 |
Modulation device for generating optical signal with quadruple frequency and method thereof
The present invention discloses a modulation device for generating an optical signal with quadruple frequency and the modulation method thereof. The modulation device in the present invention utilizes a commercial integrated modulator, a RF signal generator and a phase shifter to generate an optical signal with quadruple frequency. When the RF signal generator generates a first modulation signal, and the phase shifter shifts the first modulation signal by 90 degrees to generate a second modulation signal, the integrated modulator is biased to transmit the optical signal in maximum value and to modulate the first and second modulation signal so as to generate a output optical signal with quadruple frequency. |
| US08059966B2 |
Wavelength division multiplex optical regeneration system and wavelength division multiplex optical regeneration method
An optical regeneration system for regenerating a degenerated signal light, comprising a regeneration device having at least one of a soliton converter, a pulse roller, a Kerr-shutter and a soliton purifier. The solilton converter uses an anomalous-dispersion fiber (ADF) having a fiber length up to three times the soliton frequency, and the pulse roller is provided with a pulse roller fiber having high non-linear characteristics. The Kerr-shutter comprises an optical LO (local oscillation) generator for generating an optical LO on an OPLL (optical phase locked loop), a phase comparator for detecting the phase difference between an externally-input signal light and an optical LO, and a control unit for regulating the repeated frequency of an optical LO based on the phase difference. The soliton purifier has a soliton fiber disposed between two optical fibers. |
| US08059958B1 |
Measurement of polarization dependent loss in an optical transmission system
A method is provided for measuring polarization dependent loss in an optical transmission system. In the method, a first optical signal is generated, and a polarization of the first optical signal is altered over time. The first optical signal is combined with a second optical signal from the optical transmission system to yield a combined optical signal, which is coherently detected to yield a radio frequency signal. A power of the radio frequency signal is measured. The measured power of the radio frequency signal is processed to generate an indication of the polarization dependent loss of the optical transmission system. |
| US08059956B2 |
Auto focus apparatus and method for camera
An auto focus (AF) apparatus and method for a camera that improves the AF action by reducing the number of time and steps required of a conventional apparatus and method. An encoder initial value is detected by measuring an initial position of a lens unit by means of an encoder; matching the measured encoder initial value to an initial position value to which the lens unit is to move while performing the auto focus; performing the auto focus starting from the matched initial position value, and dividing a distance that the lens unit is to cover into sections corresponding to a preset number of steps; detecting an edge value which shows a brightness change for a contour of a subject for as many as the number of the preset steps. The AF is completed by moving the lens unit to a position corresponding to a maximum edge value selected from among the detected edge values. |
| US08059953B2 |
Retractable zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a zoom optical system including movable lens groups for zooming which are moved between a ready-to-photograph position and an accommodated position, a diaphragm mechanism, and a lens shutter. One of the movable lens groups serves as an aperture-control lens group. The diaphragm mechanism and the lens shutter are positioned in front of and behind the aperture-control lens group and are movable relative to the aperture-control lens group in the optical axis direction. The diaphragm and the lens shutter are moved to close positions to the aperture-control lens group when the movable lens groups are moved to the accommodated position. Both apertures of the diaphragm mechanism and of the lens shutter are widely opened to allow the aperture-control lens group to partly enter the apertures when the diaphragm mechanism and the lens shutter are moved to the close positions. |
| US08059951B2 |
Image stabilizing device and camera
An image stabilizing device of the present invention includes: a correction lens holding member 405 to which a correction lens G3 included in an optical system of a camera is fixed; a lens holding member 408 that holds the correction lens holding member so that the correction lens holding member is movable in a rectilinear direction that is an arbitrary direction in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis A of light entering the correction lens G3 and in a rotation direction along an arc in the plane about a rotary shaft A3 substantially parallel to the optical axis A; a driving portion for rectilinear movement 412 that applies a driving force to the correction lens holding member 405 in order to drive the correction lens holding member 405 in the rectilinear direction; and a driving portion for rotation 413 that applies a driving force to the correction lens holding member 405 in order to drive the correction lens holding member 405 in the rotation direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an image stabilizing device that achieves miniaturization, while preventing a deterioration in image stabilizing performance, and a camera including the same. |
| US08059950B2 |
Image stabilizing apparatus, lens apparatus, imaging apparatus, and correction optical apparatus
An image stabilizing apparatus includes a movable vibration-correcting lens constituting a part of an optical system and movable along a direction orthogonal to an optical axis; a locking unit that fixes the movable vibration-correcting lens at a neutral position substantially coinciding with the optical axis of the optical system; an actuating unit that switches between a locked state where the movable vibration-correcting lens is fixed by the locking unit and an unlocked state where the locked state of the movable vibration-correcting lens is released. The locking unit includes retaining members having a retaining unit sandwiching the movable vibration-correcting lens and arranged to slide along the direction orthogonal to the optical axis; and the actuating unit switches between the locked state and the unlocked state by moving the retaining members in opposing directions. |
| US08059949B2 |
Gyro-sensor mounting structure in a camera having an image-stabilizing function
A gyro-sensor mounting structure in a camera having an image-stabilizing function, the camera including a first gyro sensor and a second gyro sensor for detecting rotations about two axes, respectively, which are mutually orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to an optical axis of a photographic lens, the gyro-sensor mounting structure including a sensor mounting member supporting the first and second gyro sensors; a stationary member to which the sensor mounting member is fixed, positioned inside the camera; four receiving portions the sensor mounting member or the stationary member to lie in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis and be positioned at four vertexes of an imaginary square, respectively; and two, three or four engaging members supported by the other of the sensor mounting member and the stationary member and engaged with corresponding receiving portions. |
| US08059947B2 |
Environmentally protected thermistor for respiratory system
A temperature probe, such as for a respiratory system in which breathable gases are supplied to a patient, includes a housing having a cavity sized to snugly receive therein a generally cylindrical container within which is secured a thermistor, with the container adapted to provide a barrier to moisture. The probe provides a quick temperature response but minimizes migration of moisture to the thermistor notwithstanding the high temperature and heat levels encountered in normal operation of the respiratory system. |
| US08059943B2 |
Information recording medium wherein stream convertible at high-speed is recorded, and recording apparatus and recording method therefor
An information recording medium capable of converting a stream including seamless connection, which is recorded in a constrained format allowing format conversion from a first format (MPEG-TS) to a second format (MPEG-PS), into a second stream, and an apparatus and method for recording information in the information recording medium. The constrained format is provided for enabling conversion from a first format (for example, MPEG transport stream) to a second format (for example, MPEG program stream). Seamless playback is performed by using a third system stream (Bridge-VOB), which is composed of each of the parts the two seamlessly connected system streams. A video information presentation time by data management unit (Capsule) at a third system stream terminal is greater than or equal to 0.4 second and less than or equal to 1 second, according to the constrained format. |
| US08059942B2 |
Recording medium, reproducing device, recording method, and reproducing method
On a BD-ROM, PlayList information is recorded. The PlayList information includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information and SubPath information include connection_condition information and sp_connection_condition information, respectively. The connection_condition information and sp_connection_condition information indicate that, when the connection state between two MainClips referred to with the MainPath information is seamless connection (CC=5), the connection state between two SubClips referred to with the SubPath information is also seamless connection (SP_CC=5). In the case of CC=5 and sp_CC=5, IN_time of PlayItem is equal to IN_time(SubPlayItem_IN_time) of SubPlayItem. |
| US08059941B2 |
Multiplex DVD player
A method for playing DVD. A method for simultaneously outputting a DVD movie to multiple channels each having its own playback parameters such as view angle, spoken language and subtitle language, using a single DVD player. |
| US08059939B2 |
Recording medium, playback device, and integrated circuit
On a recording medium, stereoscopic and monoscopic specific areas are located one after another next to a stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area. The stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area is a contiguous area to be accessed both in stereoscopic video playback and monoscopic video playback. The stereoscopic specific area is a contiguous area to be accessed immediately before a long jump occurring in stereoscopic video playback. In both the stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area and the stereoscopic specific area, extents of base-view and dependent-view stream files are arranged in an interleaved manner. The extents on the stereoscopic specific area are next in order after the extents on the stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area. The monoscopic specific area is a contiguous area to be accessed immediately before a long jump occurring in monoscopic video playback. The monoscopic specific area has a copy of the entirety of the extents of the base-view stream file recorded on the stereoscopic specific area. |
| US08059937B2 |
Relating to the copy protection of optical discs
Generally the more effective is the copy protection provided on an optical disc, such as a DVD, the greater is the likelihood that the copy protection will adversely interfere with legitimate uses of the optical disc. It is therefore proposed to include at least one region of subversive data within the content in the data area of an optical disc, and then to prevent access to each such region of subversive data during normal playback of the disc. For a DVD, the subversive data may be incorporated within video objects and/or may be in gaps between files in the DVD_Video zone. It is arranged that there are no navigable paths to the regions of subversive data. |
| US08059936B2 |
Video importance rating based on compressed domain video features
Systems and methods are provided for identifying important video frames and segments in multimedia content such as a segmented compressed domain video. Video frames in a segment are analyzed to determine intensity, contrast, and motion values for the frames and their segments. The values among frames and segments are compared to identify one or more video segments likely to be important to a viewer. The systems and methods may additionally be augmented with audio data other characteristics associated with the video frames and segments analyzed. |
| US08059935B2 |
Recording method and reproduction method suitable for recording/reproduction of AV data, and recording drive and reproduction drive, information recording system and information reproduction system, and information recording medium for such methods
In an information recording medium for recording and reproducing data thereon on a sector-by-sector basis, the recorded data being managed as at least one file by using a file structure, the file structure includes unused space management information for identifying a used region and an unused region. At least one defective region is registered as an unused region in the unused space management information, the at least one defective region being a region on the information recording medium which is incapable of proper reproduction of the recorded data. |
| US08059928B2 |
Decohered laser light production system
A decohered laser light production system is provided. The decohered laser light system comprises a laser source. The system further comprises a multi-mode fiber having an input face, an output face and a body for propagating light from the input face to the output face, the input face arranged to accept laser light from the laser source, the body comprising a length such that laser light is generally decohered when exiting the output face. |
| US08059914B2 |
Method and apparatus for preprocessing ultrasound imaging
The present invention provides a method and module for preprocessing ultrasound imaging. The method comprises a calculation step for constructing a multivalue vector field and a smoothing step for smoothing the whole volume data. The method further comprises a judgement step and minification and magnification steps. The module includes a calculation unit, a smoothing unit, a judgement unit, a minification unit and a magnification unit. According to the method for preprocessing ultrasound imaging, speckle noise can be eliminated effectively by calculating a mean value of a plurality of nodes distributed over the surface, so as to implement the smoothing. Therefore, this method is capable of smoothing data without compromising details. |
| US08059912B2 |
Method for an image adjustment
A method for an image adjustment is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: reading an interested pixel and its plural neighboring pixels from an image storage device; determining a so-called first gradient value of the first direction and a so-called second gradient value of the second direction, wherein the first direction is the orthogonal direction of the second direction; comparing the first and the second gradient values; executing a sharpness adjustment to the interested pixel along the direction which has larger gradient value; then executing a noise reduction or smoothing adjustment to the interested pixel along the direction which has smaller gradient value; and repeating the steps until all interested pixels are processed and obtaining a new pixel value. |
| US08059911B2 |
Depth-based image enhancement
A depth-based image enhancement system is disclosed. A depth estimation unit generates three-dimensional (3D) depth information from a two-dimensional (2D) image. Subsequently, an image enhancement unit enhances the 2D image according to the 3D depth information. |
| US08059902B2 |
Spatial sparsity induced temporal prediction for video compression
A method and apparatus are disclosed herein for spatial sparsity induced temporal prediction. In one embodiment, the method comprises: performing motion compensation to generate a first motion compensated prediction using a first block from a previously coded frame; generating a second motion compensated prediction for a second block to be coded from the first motion compensated prediction using a plurality of predictions in the spatial domain, including generating each of the plurality of predictions by generating block transform coefficients for the first block using a transform, generating predicted transform coefficients of the second block to be coded using the block transform coefficients, and performing an inverse transform on the predicted transform coefficients to create the second motion compensated prediction in the pixel domain; subtracting the second motion compensated prediction from a block in a current frame to produce a residual frame; and coding the residual frame. |
| US08059900B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate visualization and detection of anatomical shapes using post-processing of 3D shape filtering
A method includes generating a first response including a plurality of potential first objects of interest of a first shape from data regarding a region of interest (ROI), generating a second response including a plurality of second objects of interest for a second shape different than the first shape from the data regarding the ROI, and performing a morphological closing on the second response to produce a second cleaned response including a plurality of completed second objects. The method also includes decreasing the number of potential objects of interest in the first response by deleting any potential first objects that overlap any completed second objects to obtain a cleaned first response, and generating an image using at least one of the first cleaned response and the second cleaned response. |
| US08059899B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer product
An image processing apparatus includes a contour extraction unit and a contour correcting unit. The contour extraction unit ascertains intensity difference between each of the pixels in the original image data and pixels around the pixel, and evaluates sharpness of a contour to determine intensity of a pixel in the contour image data based on gradient of intensity of the pixel. The contour correcting unit shifts a contour of the pixel in a predetermined direction based on a direction of a slant of the gradient of intensity when an absolute value of the gradient of intensity is larger than threshold. |
| US08059892B1 |
Image enhancement method and apparatus
An image enhancement method includes segmenting pixels of an image into background pixels and non-background pixels and computing a color scaling factor based on the color of the background pixels compared to white. The color scaling factor is then applied to the background pixels and the non-background pixels. |
| US08059889B2 |
Position and orientation measurement apparatus and control method thereof
A position and orientation measurement apparatus for measuring the position and orientation of an image capturing apparatus, which captures an image of a measurement object, relative to the measurement object, extracts configuration planes of the measurement object based on three-dimensional model data of the measurement object, and extracts measurement line segments to be used in detection of edges of a captured image from line segments which form the configuration planes. The position and orientation measurement apparatus projects the extracted measurement line segments onto the captured image based on an estimated position and orientation of the image capturing apparatus, selects visible measurement line segments which are not hidden by the extracted configuration planes, and calculates the position and orientation of the image capturing apparatus relative to the measurement object based on the visible measurement line segments and corresponding edges of the captured image. |
| US08059886B2 |
Adaptive signature detection
A processor-based method for detecting defects in an integrated circuit, by creating an image of at least a portion of the integrated circuit with a sensor, grouping pixels of the image into bins based at least in part on a common characteristic of the pixels that are grouped within a given bin, creating a histogram of the pixels in each of the bins, calculating a mean value of the histogram for each of the bins, comparing the mean value for each of the bins to a threshold value, flagging as defect candidates those bins where the mean value of the bin varies from the threshold value by more than a predetermined amount, and performing signature detection on the bins that are flagged as defect candidates, where the image of the integrated circuit is not directly compared to any other image of an integrated circuit. |
| US08059880B2 |
Nuclear medicine diagnosis device, form tomography diagnosis device, nuclear medicine data arithmetic processing method, and form tomogram arithmetic processing method
In a state in which a subject is absent, blank data is collected by a self-radioactivity element typified by Lu-176 (S1). In a state in which the subject is present, transmission data is collected by the self-radioactivity element (S2). Emission data is collected by γ rays emitted from the subject injected with a radiopharmaceutical (S3). Absorption-corrected data is calculated based on the blank data and the transmission data (S4 to S7), and the emission data is absorption-corrected using the absorption-corrected data (S8). Although such background data obtained by the self-radioactivity is originally abandoned, the background data is rather used for the absorption-corrected data. Stable absorption correction can be thereby conducted. |
| US08059879B2 |
Brain function analysis apparatus and method
There is provided a method including, acquiring brain function data and diffusion tensor data, calculating a connection degree between voxels adjacent to each other based on the diffusion tensor data, constituting a data evaluation value based on the brain function data and the connection degree between the adjacent voxels, subjecting the data evaluation value to nonparametric regression analysis, and forming and displaying images based on results of the analysis. |
| US08059878B2 |
Registering MR patient data on the basis of generic models
A method for registering a non-patient-characteristic three-dimensional magnetic resonance data set (MR data set) to patient-characteristic data includes: producing or providing a non-patient-characteristic three-dimensional generic model of a body or body part containing body structure data; ascertaining or providing two-dimensional patient-characteristic detection data of a patient; using a transformation protocol for data-linking the body structure data of the three-dimensional generic model to the two-dimensional patient-characteristic detection data to change or adapt the generic model of the body or body part based on the ascertained two-dimensional patient-characteristic detection data, wherein the three-dimensional generic model is at least correlated with a three-dimensional MR reference data set; and changing or deforming at least a part of the three-dimensional MR reference data set by using the transformation protocol to generate a patient-characteristic three-dimensional MR data set that is registered to the fluoroscopic images. |
| US08059877B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast automatic centerline extraction for virtual endoscopy
A method for automatic centerline extraction for a virtual endoscopy image of an organ having a boundary surface includes centering on selected points of an initial path through the image, which is derived from an endoscopy dataset, respective spheres exhibiting respective maximal diameters short of contacting the boundary surface; and forming a centered path consecutively joining centers of the spheres. |
| US08059876B2 |
Cardiac function analysis apparatus, method and program
A position obtainment means obtains the positions of points in the heart of a subject that are present in at least two three-dimensional volume datasets in a group of three-dimensional volume datasets that have been obtained by imaging the heart of the subject at predetermined time intervals, the points anatomically corresponding to each other, and the at least two three-dimensional volume datasets having been obtained by imaging at different time from each other. A function information obtainment means obtains, based on each of the positions of the points in the heart, which have been obtained by the position obtainment means, function information representing the function of the heart at each point within a three-dimensional space. A display means displays, based on the function information, the motion function of the heart at each of the points in an image that has the shape of the heart of the subject. |
| US08059861B2 |
Method and system for identifying and recognizing products for sorting/sequencing operations
A method and system is provided for identifying and recognizing products such as mail pieces and, more particularly, a method and system of object recognition based mail piece fingerprinting is provided to be used with sorting and/or sequencing processes. The system for identifying product transported through a machine includes a first system configured to extract one or more unique features from each of a plurality of product and a data storage system configured to store the extracted one or more unique features for each of the plurality of product. The system further includes a second system configured to identify each of the plurality of product by matching the stored extracted one or more unique features with subsequently extracted unique features from each of the plurality of product as the plurality of product continue to be conveyed through a transportation system. |
| US08059860B2 |
Steganographic encoding
The present invention relates generally to steganographic encoding. One claim recites a consumer product including: a metallic or shinny surface including a machine-readable pattern, the machine-readable pattern including plural-bit auxiliary data hidden in a steganographic manner, and the pattern provides at least diffuse or Lambertian reflection. Another claim recites a consumer product including: a shiny or metallic surface including a pattern, the pattern including or representing the auxiliary data in a steganographic manner, and in which the pattern is provided with an ink or dye and in which at least one of a coloration or finish of the ink or dye is selected to hide the ink or dye with respect to at least one of a first coloration or the first finish. The auxiliary data comprises or links to information regarding the physical object. Of course, other claims and combinations are also provided. |
| US08059859B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
To provide a technique of embedding information in a document image containing character strings, photos, and graphics, an image processing apparatus for inputting a document image and embedding watermark information by controlling the line spacing between character strings in the document image includes an input unit which inputs a document image as image data, an image reduction unit which generates reduced image data from the image data, a determination unit which determines reduced objects corresponding to character strings in the image data, a specifying unit which specifies the position of each character string in the image data based on the positions of the reduced objects in the reduced image data, and an embedding unit which embeds the watermark information in the image data by moving the positions of a plurality of specified character strings in the image data based on a preset line spacing correspondence relationship. |
| US08059858B2 |
Identification document and related methods
The present disclosure relates generally to identification documents and related methods and apparatus. One claim recites a method to determine whether to authenticate an identification document through digital watermarking or through an alternative process. The method includes: receiving data carried by the identification document corresponding to a detection trigger; if the received data indicates an expected presence of digital watermarks, attempting to authenticate the identification document by analyzing digital watermarking carried by the identification document; and if the received data indicates an expected absence of digital watermarks, attempting to authenticate the identification document through an alternative process. Other claims and combinations are provided too. |
| US08059855B2 |
Speaker device and television set
A speaker device includes a speaker and a connecting component. The speaker has a pair of input terminals spaced apart with a first predetermined distance therebetween. The connecting component electrically couples the speaker to a printed circuit board. The connecting component has a relay-use printed circuit board and a pair of lead wires. The relay-use printed circuit includes a pair of sub-board portions and a separation portion. The sub-board portions have a pair of terminal holes. The input terminals of the speaker are disposed through the terminal holes, respectively. The separation portion is disposed between the sub-board portions to couple the sub-board portions with a second predetermined distance between the terminal holes of the sub-board portions, and selectively separate the sub-board portions when the first predetermined distance between the input terminals of the speaker is different from the second predetermined distance between the terminal holes of the sub-board portions. |
| US08059851B2 |
Hearing protection and/or loudspeaker element
A hearing protection and/or loudspeaker element (1) is provided which includes a carrier part (2) arranged on a protective helmet (5) and a module (4) which can be actively connected to an outer ear of the wearer to act as a hearing protection and/or loudspeaker module. The carrier part (2) and protective helmet can be fixed to the head of the wearer. The module (4) which acts as the hearing protection and/or loudspeaker module can be adjusted in relation to the loudspeaker part (2) and shifted from a position of rest to a position of use. The module (4) itself is like a plug and is embodied as a part that covers the entrance of the human outer ear. |
| US08059848B2 |
Condenser microphone unit
In a condenser microphone unit in which a microphone capsule and a capsule support are connected to each other via a screwed ring coupler, shield is maintained stably regardless of the degree of tightening of the ring coupler. On one end side on which a microphone cord 30 is drawn into the capsule support 20, a shield covering wire exposure part 33a is formed. Also, a shield cup 40 including a small-diameter cylindrical part 41 and a large-diameter cylindrical part 42 is arranged in the capsule support 20, the small-diameter cylindrical part 41 is fixed to the shield covering wire exposure part 33a by staking, a flange part 421 having a diameter almost equal to the outside diameter of a circuit board 21 is formed on the surface on which the large-diameter cylindrical part 42 is in contact with the circuit board 21, and a staking allowance 274 that goes around to the lower surface side of the flange part 421 is connectingly provided on the lower edge side of the ring coupler 270, by which the circuit board 21 and the flange part 421 are integrated with each other by staking the staking allowance 274. |
| US08059846B2 |
Switching device for hearing aid
Switching device for hearing aid, whereby a hearing aid casing part is adapted for placement above and behind the ear lobe and encloses a battery and a signal processing and amplifier device operable to provide an amplified audio signal to the user perceivable as sound wherein further the switching device comprises a base section and a manually operable rigid pivot element which has a two spaced apart pressure receiving parts and a pivotal axis placed between the two pressure receiving parts, whereby a cantilever and indexing ladder is provided between the base section and the rigid pivot element operable to allow the rigid pivot element to assume 2, 3 or more stable positions. |
| US08059845B2 |
In ear communications device and stabilizer
An in-ear stabilizer with a compression strut securely holds an in-ear communications device within the human ear. The in-ear stabilizer comprises an in-ear device housing which fits into the human ear and has a receiver and speaker. Attached to the in-ear device housing is a compression strut which extends, when in the human ear, across the crus of helix and fits securely under the antihelix in the upper concha of the ear. The housing of the in-ear device fits into the lower concha of the human ear. The compression strut exerts outward pressure when compressed, comfortably holding the in-ear device in place through pressure on the lower and upper concha of the human ear. |
| US08059842B2 |
Capacitor microphone
A capacitor microphone is constituted by a plate having a fixed electrode, a diaphragm including a center portion and at least one near-end portion that is fixed to the outer periphery, in which the center portion having a vibrating electrode, which is positioned relative to the fixed electrode and which vibrates in response to sound waves, is increased in rigidity in comparison with the near-end portion; and a spacer that is fixed to the plate and the near-end portion of the diaphragm and that has an air gap formed between the plate and the diaphragm. Alternatively, a diaphragm electrode is horizontally supported by extension arms extended from a circular plate thereof and is vertically held in a hanging state being apart from a fixed electrode with a controlled distance therebetween. |
| US08059835B2 |
Impulsive communication activated computer control device and method
An impulsive communication activated device for connection to a computer input port for controlling a computer, is disclosed. The disclosed device includes an output connector for communicating with the computer input port, and includes a sensor for detecting an impulsive communication such as a hand clap or other predetermined input, to generate an impulsive signal. The disclosed device includes a comparator for responding to both a reference signal and to the impulsive signal, and to determine if the impulsive signal differs substantially from the reference signal to generate a start signal. The disclosed device includes a logic circuit responsive to the start signal for generating a predetermined computer command signal to control the computer. |
| US08059831B2 |
Noise processing device and method thereof
A noise processing device and its method are provided for a video/audio system having a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). The noise processing device includes a detecting unit, a signal generating unit, and a decision unit. The noise processing method includes using the detecting unit to monitor a variation related to an audio signal and generate a detecting signal accordingly; using the signal generating unit to produce an adjustment signal according to the detecting signal; and using the decision unit to produce an output audio signal according to the audio signal and the adjustment signal. Another embodiment of the noise processing device includes a compensation tracking unit having a control unit. The compensation tracking unit produces an output audio signal according to a difference between the output audio signal itself and the audio signal and a gain of the control unit. |
| US08059830B1 |
Audio system and method of use
A secondary audio system for use in a vehicle equipped with a primary audio system connected to a power source of the vehicle and including at least an in-dash head unit. The secondary audio system includes an amplifier installed in the vehicle and directly connected to the power source and to at least one speaker installed in the vehicle, the amplifier comprising at least one means for receiving audio content. A portable media player having audio content stored therein is operably connected to the amplifier through the at least one receiving means, whereby the amplifier is powered by the power source for playing the audio content stored in the portable media player through the at least one speaker, such that the secondary audio system is operably installed within the vehicle without affecting the primary audio system and specifically without utilizing, removing or rendering inoperable the head unit. |
| US08059829B2 |
Sound effect producing apparatus for vehicle
A processor determines an engagement state of a clutch based on a clutch signal, which is output from a clutch switch connected to a clutch pedal. In a declutching state, the processor lowers weighting gain characteristics that serve as acoustic correcting characteristics used in a sound pressure adjuster. Therefore, even when a change of an engine rotational frequency per unit of time increases during a shift-change operation, the gain of the control signal is prevented from increasing. Accordingly, a gap between real acceleration of the vehicle and a sound effect output from a speaker can be decreased, thereby reducing the possibility that the driver and/or a passenger in the vehicle may feel a sense of strangeness relative to the sound effect. |
| US08059826B2 |
Efficient and scalable parametric stereo coding for low bitrate audio coding applications
The present invention provides improvements to prior art audio codecs that generate a stereo-illusion through post-processing of a received mono signal. These improvements are accomplished by extraction of stereo-image describing parameters at the encoder side, which are transmitted and subsequently used for control of a stereo generator at the decoder side. Furthermore, the invention bridges the gap between simple pseudo-stereo methods, and current methods of true stereo-coding, by using a new form of parametric stereo coding. A stereo-balance parameter is introduced, which enables more advanced stereo modes, and in addition forms the basis of a new method of stereo-coding of spectral envelopes, of particular use in systems where guided HFR (High Frequency Reconstruction) is employed. As a special case, the application of this stereo-coding scheme in scalable HFR-based codecs is described. |