| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08079676B2 |
System and method for acoustic ejection of drops from a thin layer of fluid
Features described herein relate to ejecting drops from a thin layer of fluid. Piezoelectric elements can generate a uniform high acoustic field, which is transferred through a segmented metal support structure and an acoustic horn. The sound waves generate capillary waves on a thin layer of fluid on a top surface of the acoustic horn. At sufficiently high amplitudes, the capillary waves begin to break apart, resulting in the ejection of drops from the thin layer of fluid. |
| US08079675B2 |
Ink jet recording head and manufacturing method of ink jet recording head
An ink jet recording head includes a substrate provided with an energy generating element to generate energy used for discharging ink, a discharge port through which the ink is discharged, a supply port for supplying the ink, and an ink path formed on the substrate for making the discharge port and the supply port communicate with each other, wherein wall members forming the ink path are made of an inorganic material, and a space between adjacent ink paths is filled up by a metal layer. |
| US08079661B2 |
Print cradle assembly for a printhead cartridge
Provided is a print cradle assembly for a printhead cartridge. The cradle assembly includes a docking bay molding and a media feed drive assembly positioned on the docking bay molding and configured to feed media through the assembly. The cradle assembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a printer controller for controlling the media feed drive assembly and operation of the cartridge, as well as a heatshield mounted to the PCB for shielding the printer controller from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and user contact with the PCB. |
| US08079660B2 |
Electronic apparatus, semiconductor storage device, print-recording material container, and control device
An electronic apparatus includes a plurality of semiconductor storage devices, each of which includes an access determination unit that determines whether the semiconductor storage device is accessed, an input terminal and an output terminal used for connection checking, a normally-closed switching element that electrically disconnects the input terminal from the output terminal when the access determination unit determined that the semiconductor storage device is accessed, and a bypass circuit that electrically connects the input terminal to a reference point through predetermined impedance. |
| US08079652B2 |
Connection system for connecting a built-in appliance to a furniture unit and furniture unit arrangement
A connection system for connecting a built-in appliance to a furniture unit is provided and includes a securing strip having first securing elements for securing to the furniture unit side of the securing strip and second securing elements for securing to the appliance side of the securing strip and at least one cover strip which can be attached to the securing strip. Said securing strip comprises at least one recess for securing the cover strip to the securing strip. The invention also relates to a furniture unit arrangement, in particular a kitchen range, comprising a plurality of furniture units, wherein at least one furniture unit comprises a niche, and at least one built-in appliance. The built-in appliance is built into the niche. The built-in appliance is connected to the furniture unit by means of the inventive connection system. |
| US08079648B2 |
Cold-formed cutting tool
A cutting tool body that includes an elongate steel body, which has an axial forward end and an axial rearward end. The elongate steel body contains at the axial forward end thereof a cold-headed socket. The cold-headed socket has an axial forward open end, an axial rearward closed surface, and a side socket surface extending between the axial forward open end and the axial rearward closed surface. The side socket surface contains an undercut adjacent the axial rearward closed surface. |
| US08079646B2 |
Vehicle or trailer
A vehicle or trailer for transporting a load of, for example, fluent bulk material. The vehicle or trailer comprising a chassis (28) and a container mounted on said chassis (28). Said container comprises a base, a plurality of load retaining walls defining a volume for receipt of said load and a discharge opening. The container is mounted to the chassis by at least one connector (34, 35) that permits reciprocal translational movement of the container relative to the chassis (28) whilst mounted thereon between first and second positions so as to agitate the load and encourage it to flow out of the discharge opening. The at least one connector is arranged to permit translational movement of the container from the first position to the second position more slowly than from the second position to the first position. Provision of such an arrangement in which the load is discharged by reciprocal translational movement of the container relative to the chassis obviates or at least reduces the need to tip the container to discharge the load. Thus the risk of the container rolling over whilst the load is discharged is greatly reduced. |
| US08079642B2 |
Frame part, seat frame for motorcycle, and motorcycle
A magnesium alloy frame part for use in a seat frame of a motorcycle includes a seat mounting section arranged to mount a seat thereon, the seat mounting section extending along a vehicle length direction; a first side wall section extending from the seat mounting section; a second side wall section extending from the seat mounting section and being located on the outer side, along a vehicle width direction, of the first side wall section; and a plurality of protrusions provided at at least one of a boundary between the seat mounting section and the first side wall section and a boundary between the seat mounting section and the second side wall section. The seat mounting section has a thickness greater than at least one of a thickness of the first side wall section and a thickness of the second side wall section. |
| US08079640B2 |
Seat cover for vehicle and seat having the same
The present invention provides a seat cover for a vehicle which is configured such that when a side airbag is initially deployed, an airbag can be smoothly guided in a lateral direction. The seat cover includes a front sheet, a rear sheet and a side sheet. A reinforcing fabric is provided on an inner surface of the front sheet. The side sheet is sewn at a first edge thereof to the front sheet and sewn at a second edge thereof to the rear sheet. A reinforcing liner is adhered or welded to an inner surface of the side sheet. The reinforcing fabric is less extensible or stretchable than the reinforcing liner. |
| US08079638B2 |
Front structure of vehicle
Provided is a front structure of a vehicle 1, and the front structure includes a pair of side members 30, a first cross member 10, a bumper 60, upper protruding-plate portions 41, lower protruding-plate portions 42, and a bracket 70. Each of the side members 30 includes an upper plate 31, a lower plate 32, and a vertical plate 33, the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 32 arranged to vertically face each other, the vertical plate 33 connecting the upper and lower plates 31 and 32. The first cross member 10 connects front-end portions 35 respectively of the side members 30. Each of the upper protruding-plate portions 41 extends frontwards integrally from the corresponding upper plate 31. Each of the lower protruding-plate portions 42 extends frontwards integrally from the corresponding lower plate 32 so as to face the corresponding upper protruding-plate portion 41. The bracket 70 includes: an upper fixation portion 71 that is fixed to the upper protruding-plate portions 41; a lower fixation portion 76 that is fixed to the lower protruding-plate portions 42; and a bumper attachment hole 75 that is used to fix the bumper 60. |
| US08079623B2 |
Threaded pipe connector
A riser connector uses a box and upset pin connector threadform design having S-shaped load flanks that provide a variable load angles depending on the radial position along the engaged teeth. This design promotes a load path that changes with position along the axial length of the engaged thread, as well as increasing or decreasing external loads on the connector. The connector also varies radial distention of the pin from the box in a manner that is different from one thread to the next. The threadform uses a combination of thread cuts that vary in shape, pitch, and/or thread cone angle to provide load and stab flanks, as well as a load path, that vary from one axial end of the engaged thread to the other. |
| US08079621B2 |
Reinforced bead tube design
A tube fitting assembly is provided for a gas burner. The assembly includes a pre-deformed tube connector having first and second ends. At least one of the ends is provided an annular sealing bead formed by compressing and cold working at least two intermediate annular beads together. A first coupling member is provided defining a cavity and having a shaped seating surface adapted to sealingly engage a cooperating surface of the annular sealing bead. A second coupling member is provided rotatably and slidably disposed on the pre-deformed tube connector and is adapted to mate with the first coupling member. |
| US08079620B1 |
Slip fit quick disconnect pipe coupler
A slip fit quick disconnect pipe coupler having an insertion portion and a housing portion which mate to form a sealed coupling between pipes. The insertion portion and housing portion are separable to decouple the pipes. |
| US08079619B2 |
Hose end fitting
An end fitting (200) for terminating an end of a hose comprising a tubular body of flexible material arranged between inner and outer helical wires, characterized in that the end fitting comprises: an inner member (202) adapted to be disposed at least partially within the hose; and a hose engaging member (208) adapted to press against the inner member 202 to retain the hose between itself and the inner member (202). The end fitting also includes a separate means for retaining one or more layers of the hose, the retaining means comprising an outer retaining member (232) adapted to press against an inner retaining member (230) to retain the or each layer of the hose between the outer and inner retaining members (232, 230) of the retaining means. |
| US08079618B1 |
Hidden image game piece
A hidden image game piece is formed on a transparent or translucent substrate which is part of an optical disc (e.g., a CD or DVD). The hidden image can be used to contain a “key” which is required to gain access to the data contained on the optical disc, thereby aiding in the prevention of that type of piracy of the content of the optical disc which could be accomplished by a simple disc-to-disc copy. |
| US08079616B2 |
Seatbelt apparatus
A seatbelt apparatus is provided which can constrain a passenger by ensuring removal of a slack of a lap belt when two pretensioners are activated under two different time frames. A pretensioner of a seatbelt retractor is activated first, and a shoulder belt and a lap belt are pulled in a direction toward the seatbelt retractor. Subsequently, a pretensioner of a belt anchor portion is activated and pulls a seatbelt toward the belt anchor portion, and hence a one-way tongue catches and locks the seatbelt. Accordingly, the shoulder belt is prevented from moving toward the lap belt through the tongue. Therefore, removal of the slack of the lap belt is ensured, and hence a lumber of the passenger is firmly fixed. |
| US08079614B1 |
Towmotor secondary lock
The present invention provides for a secondary locking assembly for a towmotor when the towmotor is connected to a dolly. The towmotor includes a first lever pivotally connected to a rear panel of the towmotor. The lever is connected to the rear panel of the towmotor by means of a first pivot point. A sleeve having a second extended lever covers a portion of the first lever. The sleeve abuts the first pivot point of the first lever. The sleeve is pivotally connected about a second pivot point located on the first lever. By clamping the first lever and the second lever together, the sleeve moves from the locked position abutting the first pivot point to an unlocked position wherein the first lever as a whole may be pivotally raised to an unlocked position. The locking assembly further includes an elongated rod extending between the first lever and a hitch pin. The elongated rod forces the hitch pin into place and also operates to remove the hitch pin from the locked position when the first lever is moved to the unlocked position. |
| US08079609B2 |
Aerodynamic brake system
An aerodynamic braking system is disclosed herein. In particular, the brake arms may define an aerodynamic leading portion or edge and may be integrated into the legs of the front fork. Also, the brake arms may be disposed behind the bottom bracket shell to take the rear brake out of the air flow path and reduce aerodynamic drag. The rear brake arms are tapered so that the brake arms remain sufficient stiff to provide sufficient brake response times. The rear brake arms may be matched to recesses formed on an underside of chain stays. |
| US08079608B2 |
Wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle, having a lower link for the fastening of a wheel which is coupled to a chassis underframe and is supported on the body via a spring. The chassis underframe is mounted on the body via elastic bearings and has an annular mounting on which the spring plate of the spring is supported before the wheel suspension system is installed. In the fitted state, the spring plate is pressed out of the mounting by the body and is therefore decoupled from the chassis underframe. |
| US08079607B2 |
Spherical bearing for a steering joint
A spherical bearing including a ball having an external surface defined by an outside diameter of said ball and an outer race having an inside surface contoured to a shape defined by said external surface of the ball. The inside surface extends between a stud end and a cover end of the outer race. The ball is moveably positioned within the outer race such that the inside surface and the external surface slidably engage one another. The inside surface includes at least one lubrication groove formed therein. The lubrication groove initiates at a first position adjacent to the cover end and terminates at a second position adjacent to the cover end. Remaining portions of the lubrication groove are spaced apart from the stud end. |
| US08079600B2 |
Sealing structure
A sealing structure in which sealing is made by a seal ring installed in a dovetail groove where only an inner surface on one side of the groove is an inclined surface. In the sealing structure, the seal ring is less likely to come out of the dovetail groove, resistance of insertion of the seal ring into the dovetail is small, and particles are less likely to occur in the structure. The seal ring is formed of a rubber-like elastic material and is installed in the dovetail groove where the first inner surface on one side of the groove is inclined falling to the inside of the groove. |
| US08079593B2 |
Self-contained dice shaker system
The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a self-contained dice shaker assembly. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include a container device defining an opening into an interior configured for receipt of one or more dice and a sensor assembly in communication with the container interior. The sensor assembly may be configured to monitor, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of a shaking event. |
| US08079592B1 |
Sudoku strategizer solution aide and strategy board game
An aide and strategy layout and method for the solution of a Sudoku puzzle utilizes a row grid (Y) and a column grid (Z). The player can utilize the three grids as well as box's to aid in solving the puzzle. The layout can be provided on paper or on a game board. The game board secures game pieces to the game board 300 via magnets, a cavity, adhesive, etc. An alternative game board utilizes a cellophane sheet and a black (or colored) backing material for removably scribing the solution. The solution aid can be automated using a computer processor, respective software, and a display. |
| US08079587B2 |
Sheet braking mechanism
A sheet braking mechanism for a sheet punching and/or embossing machine for the braking a sheet in a processing station of the sheet punching and/or embossing machine, includes a movable pneumatic sheet brake and a movable carrier, on which at least one brake brush is mounted. The pneumatic sheet brake and the carrier are mechanically coupled, for example, by a driving element, so that a movement of the pneumatic sheet brake causes a movement of the carrier. |
| US08079584B2 |
Document processing assembly
An improved document feeder flag assembly is disclosed. The improved document feeder flag assembly allows single handed, on the fly loading of a document sorter. A method for loading a document sorting machine with a single hand, while the method of operating the machine is also disclosed. The document feeder flag assembly includes a baseplate and a pivot post attached to the baseplate. Further, the assembly includes a flag arm having a first side and a second side, the first side of the flag arm is attached to the pivot post. There is also a feeder flag having a first side and a second side, the first side of the feeder flag being attached to a second side of the flag arm. The document feeder flag assembly also includes a resistance device attached between the feeder flag and the flag arm. |
| US08079582B2 |
Method for arranging pages of a print product on folded sheets and a method for representing the production of a print product
A method for arranging pages of a print product on fold sheets that are subsequently combined into an imposition scheme on print sheets and for representing the production process and the product it produces is disclosed. The print sheets are initially imprinted with the pages and then cut into the fold sheets. The fold sheets are folded and cut and collated into the print products. To make the determination of the imposition schemes more flexible, the pages are initially assigned to partitions of the print products. Pages of a print product that are included in a partition are either not separated from each other, or are only separated from each other by a last cut of the print product. The partitions are disposed on the fold sheets wherein the partitions are hierarchically subordinated to product components and superordinated to the pages, so that pages of a print product that are included in the partitions are either not separated from one another, or are only separated from one another by a last cut of the print product during the production process. |
| US08079580B2 |
Maintaining device for a rim of a vehicle wheel
A holding device for a rim of a vehicle wheel having a base plate which has a central recess for being pushed onto the shaft of a balancing machine, having a plurality of rotatably mounted holding elements and having at least one coupling element which is arranged coaxially with respect to the central recess and is mounted rotatably on the base plate, the holding elements and the coupling element having an interacting coupling for the positive coupling of the rotational movement of the holding elements. There is provision, in addition to the coupling which bring about the positive connection, for the holding elements and the coupling element to have a further coupling mechanism for the frictional coupling of the rotational movement of the holding elements, and for at least one fixing device to be provided for fixing the holding elements, if required. |
| US08079577B2 |
Clamping device
Disclosed is a clamping device for securing and clamping work-piece quickly and efficiently. The clamping device includes an elongated slide bar; a first support assembly and a second support assembly. The first support assembly affixed at a proximal end portion of the elongated slide bar includes a first body portion, and a first clamping member. The second support assembly includes a second body portion, a second clamping member configured on the second body portion, and a locking mechanism configured on the second body portion. The second body portion is slidably coupled to the elongated slide bar for assuming a plurality of positions with respect to the first body portion. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are positioned in a spaced apart relationship for abuttingly clamping the work-piece there between to assume a clamped position of the plurality of positions. |
| US08079576B2 |
Insulator for bushing
An insulator for a bushing may include a plurality of insulator bodies, a center hole formed to each insulator body for coupling the insulator bodies of the bushing to a bushing bracket, and operation slot being formed on each insulator body, wherein the insulator bodies are separately and relatively-rotatably coupled each other. |
| US08079573B2 |
Apparatus and method for aerating waste water
Apparatus for aerating waste water, provided with a container for waste water and a rotor which is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (1) and the downward directed part of which can reach into the waste water, which rotor comprises blades (4) having surfaces which are orientated substantially radially and axially, wherein a surface (12) curved in the direction of rotation of the rotor is present close to the upper edge (8) of a blade (4), and wherein the curved surface close to the upper edge forms an angle of between 10° and 60° with the vertical plan of the blade. |
| US08079568B2 |
Valve with magnetic sealing element made of foam
A valve is described having an inlet, an outlet, a sealing element and a device to generate a magnetic field, whereby the sealing element can be moved at least partially by the device and whereby the sealing element connects the inlet to the outlet in a fluid-conducting manner in that the sealing element lifts off at least partially from a valve seat wherein the sealing element is made at least partially of a foam element that can be deformed by the magnetic field. |
| US08079566B1 |
Form tool to align parallel concrete forms
The concrete form tool apparatus allows a single worker to correctly position inner and outer stem wall forms. The apparatus saves time and labor by allowing a worker to quickly position forms. The apparatus properly positions inner and outer stem wall forms in a parallel relationship, a proper height relationship, and in a proper distance relationship. |
| US08079564B2 |
Mechanism for locking the rails of a motor vehicle seat
A mechanism for locking rails of a motor vehicle seat including a first rail joined to a structure element along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a second rail sliding in the first rail and supporting the seat frame of the seat, a first cross-bar pivoting in the second rail along an axis essentially perpendicular to the two rails coaxially held in a desired position relative to one another via a return mechanism of the first cross-bar, and a second cross-bar, which includes a first protuberance oriented toward the front of the seat and a second protuberance oriented toward the rear of the seat, connected to the first cross-bar so that the longitudinal displacement of the seat is controlled by the two protuberances. |
| US08079562B1 |
Folding urine specimen cup holder
A foldable urine collection device which comprises a pair of wire members having first and second opposed ends and having an upwardly disposed urine collection cup intermediate said first and second ends so that the urine collection cup is generally centrally disposed within a toilet bowl for use by a user wherein the first and second ends of the wire frame connect to opposing rims of the toilet bowl so as to secure the device therein. Also shown is an intermediately disposed net having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed so as to capture the collection cup therein in a manner so that a plurality of sizes of collection cups can be captured with the flexible fingers. The flexible fingers secure the cup within the urine collection device. |
| US08079561B2 |
Universal metal stud clip
A universal metal stud clip is a support mechanism for securing one or more electrical boxes or other construction components to metal construction elements such as metal studs. The opposed spring arm design permits the clip to be oriented in any useful way and frictionally secured to metal studs of varying dimensions. Metal stud clips include one or more pair of resilient arms to frictionally engage metal studs. Using two or more pair of resilient arms provides a very stable attachment to the metal stud. |
| US08079559B1 |
Aspirator bracket
A bracket for mounting a portable aspirator to a wall. The bracket allows easy securing and removing of the aspirator with one hand in emergency situations. The bracket will also secure the aspirator against a 10 G loading force. Electrical leads on both the aspirator and the bracket allow the aspirator to charge when secured. |
| US08079557B2 |
Suction cup device
A suction cup device includes a cup forming unit cooperating with a flat surface to create a volume-variable space, a liftable rod secured to a central portion of the cup forming unit, a bracing shell member having a force-transmitting surrounding wall in engagement with a peripheral portion of the cup forming unit, and a twistable cap member having a surrounding bottom wall in abutting against a circumferential abutment region of the bracing shell member and threadedly engaged with the liftable rod such that a manually twisted movement of the twistable cap member can result in axial movement of the rod so as to pull the central portion away from the flat surface to produce a reduced pressure in the volume-variable space and a biasing force to thereby ensuring fluid-tight engagement of the cup forming unit with the flat surface. |
| US08079556B2 |
Lighting fixture mounting platform
A mounting platform for a lighting fixture comprising a substantially flat plate and an integral cutting guide. The integral cutting guide includes an aperture formed through the substantially flat plate and a flange formed around a perimeter of the aperture. The flange and the substantially flat plate intersect in a curve. The flange can form an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom surface. The mounting platform can also include elongated slots for securing the mounting platform to a ceiling support member. The elongated slots are of a sufficient length to allow the mounting platform to be secured to the ceiling support member to allow placement of the integral cutting guide between a first ceiling support member and a second ceiling support member. The span between the first and second ceiling support members can be in the range of approximately 16 to 24 inches. |
| US08079552B2 |
Clip for fire detector wire
A clip assembly (111) having a clamp member (115) with opposing fingers (121 and 123) configured to form a channel, and an insert member (129) that holds the fire detector wire (128) is disclosed. The insert member (128) is made of, coated with, or treated with an anti-friction material. The insert member includes end flanges (133, 135) that retain the insert member between the opposing fingers. The fire detector wire is installed into the insert member, and the insert member is then snapped into the channel formed by the opposing fingers of the clamp member. |
| US08079544B2 |
Shock wave modification method and system
A system for modifying a shock wave formed in a fluid by a body to modify effects of the shock wave on information transferred to or from the body. The system includes laser pulses for heating fluid along a path to form a volume of heated fluid expanding outwardly from the path, the path extending from the body and through the shock wave; an element for transferring the information to or from the body; and a timer for timing the transferring of the information relative to the heating of the fluid along the path to modify certain effects of the shock wave on the information. |
| US08079536B2 |
Method, control device and drive device for detaching a charge stuck to the inner wall of a grinding pipe
In a method for detaching a charge (5) which is stuck to the inner wall of a grinding pipe (1), the grinding pipe (1) is rotated in a targeted manner such that the charge (5) that is stuck is removed from the inner wall of the grinding pipe (1) as a result of multiple modification of the rotational speed of the grinding pipe (1) and, optionally, as a result of abrupt braking of the grinding pipe (1). Generally speaking, the material-dependent maximum angle of rotation F of the grinding pipe is not exceeded in order to avoid the charge that is stuck from falling in an uncontrolled manner. The invention supercedes labor-intensive and protracted methods for detaching such charges (5) since the tasks can be carried out by the same motor of the drive device (2) which is used to drive the grinding pipe (1) during the grinding process. |
| US08079531B2 |
Pop-up sprinkler
A sprinkler comprising a housing fitted with an inlet port connectable to a water supply line and extending into an inlet chamber, a hollow stem member with an inlet end thereof being in flow communication with said inlet chamber and an outlet end thereof being in flow communication with an irrigation head, a diaphragm seal sealingly fixed at peripheral boundaries thereof to the housing and sealingly articulated to the stem member and supporting it at an essentially upright position. The diaphragm is deformable between a first position in which the irrigation head is retracted within the housing and a second position in which the irrigation head projects from the housing. |
| US08079527B2 |
Method for fabricating an organic diode-based identification and authentication device, device and method for use
The fabrication method comprises a step of exposing at least one organic diode to a gas, before packaging of the device, to form a plurality of randomly distributed black spots by impairment. Increasing the exposure time enables the size of the black spots to be increased, also randomly. The surface distribution of the black spots, visible by electroluminescence, enables an object associated with this distribution to be identified in reliable manner. |
| US08079521B2 |
Fractional down-sampling in imaging barcode scanners
A method of improving the performance of an imaging reader includes (1) illuminating a symbol by projecting illuminating light on the symbol from the imaging reader, (2) capturing return light form the symbol as pixel data over a two-dimensional field of view of a solid-state imager having a matrix of image sensors, (3) reducing the number of pixels to generate reduced pixel data, (4) transmitting the reduced pixel data to a decoding circuit. |
| US08079519B2 |
Structure including an electronic device for making a security document
The present invention provides a method of making a structure for making a security document and/or a document of value, or for making an article secure, the structure comprising at least one electronic device and at least one at least partially fibrous layer having a window arranged to receive the electronic device, at least in part, the method comprising the following steps: placing at least part of the electronic device in the window in the layer; and then depositing a resin in the window so as to encapsulate the electronic device, at least in part. |
| US08079518B2 |
Devices and methods for implant tracking
A tag for tracking inventory levels and uses of an implant. The tag has a first component having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a second component having a proximal portion and distal portion. Additionally, the tag has an implant receiving cavity formed by the distal portion of the first component and the distal portion of the second component. Furthermore, the tag has a planar surface formed by the proximal portion of the first component and the proximal portion of the second component. The planar surface extending from the implant receiving cavity such that the planar surface is substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the implant received within the implant receiving cavity. In addition, the tag has a tamper evident locking mechanism configured for locking the first component to the second component. Additionally, at least a portion of the first and second components is radiopaque. |
| US08079517B2 |
Method of maintaining product item status using computer system
A method of maintaining a status of a product item is provided. The product item includes an associated interface surface which has coded data including a plurality of coded data portions indicative of the product item's identity. The method includes, in a sensing device, sensing at least one coded data portion, generating indicating data indicative of the product item identity therefrom, and transferring the indicating data to a computer system. The computer system is responsive to the indicating data to update product status information stored in a data store. The method further includes, in the computer system, receiving the indicating data, determining the product item identity, determining a current product item status from the product status information stored in the data store, and updating the product status information in accordance with the indicating data. |
| US08079516B2 |
Method for tracking a sales channel of a merchandise item
Method for tracking a sales channel of a merchandise item, comprising: storing an item identifier of said merchandise item on a data carrier; storing in a data base said item identifier together with an associated sales channel identifier; selling said merchandise item together with said data carrier to a customer; reading at a customer's location said item identifier from said data carrier; transmitting said item identifier together with a location identifier to said registration data base; identifying said item identifier in said data base; and comparing said location identifier with said associated sales channel identifier. |
| US08079513B2 |
Creation of customized transactional cards
Customized transactional cards are created in one of various ways. The card holder may obtain a blank transactional card already having an encoded account number, create a customized design, and then apply the customized design to the blank transaction card such as by printing the design onto a label to be applied to the blank transactional card or directly onto the card. The card holder may obtain a blank transactional card which has not yet been authorized with an account number, create a customized design, apply the customized design to the transactional card, and at some point send the transactional card to the card issuer where it can be authorized by having an account number applied to it and then returned to the card holder. The card holder may access a web site to create a customized design and then the card issuer creates the transactional card according to the customized design and sends the transactional card having an encoded account number to the card holder. |
| US08079509B2 |
Brazed aluminum laminate mold tooling
A laminate aluminum block for forming an article includes a series of aluminum laminate plates to collectively form a tool body for forming an article in a forming operation. A series of aluminum brazing layers are formed for brazing together adjacent aluminum laminate plates. The series of aluminum laminate plates and the series of aluminum brazing layers are deoxidized. Draining apertures are formed through a plurality of the series of aluminum laminate plates. The series of aluminum laminate plates are stacked alternating with the aluminum brazing layers between adjacent aluminum laminate plates without a flux. The stacked series of alternating aluminum plates and aluminum brazing layers are pressed. The stacked series of alternating aluminum plates and aluminum brazing layers are heated in a vacuum furnace to a temperature wherein the aluminum brazing layers braze the aluminum laminate plates together and excess braze material drains from the draining apertures. |
| US08079507B2 |
Gimballing roller device for friction stir welding method
A friction stir welding (FSW) apparatus has an FSW tool adapted for joining work pieces supportable against a backing anvil. The FSW apparatus comprises a pair of clamping rollers maintained in substantially perpendicular relationship to the backing anvil as the FSW tool moves along the tool path. A roller pivot joint of the FSW apparatus maintains a cylindrical roller outer surface of each clamping roller in substantially parallel relationship to the top sides of the work pieces. The roller pivot joint may include a gimballing roller bearing to which the clamping roller is mounted. The roller bearing is universally movable in a variety of directions to maintain the perpendicular relationship of the clamping rollers relative to the backing anvil. |
| US08079505B2 |
Low-effort, two-stage stapler
A stapler comprises an upper assembly for driving a staple through a stack of papers to be bound, and a lower assembly with a staple anvil for clinching the staples only after the staples are completely driven through the papers. The staple anvil is kept clear of the effort to drive in the staples by a risen table that is allowed to drop around the staple anvil in a second stage of operation. The upper assembly and a handle for the user are provided that are arranged to give the user a 2:1 mechanical advantage with a lever arrangement. |
| US08079504B1 |
Fastener driving apparatus
A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a retention element retaining a component of the apparatus, and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston compresses gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. Compressed gas is communicated to the second cylinder and the retention force of the retention element is overcome, to release the retained component of the apparatus, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke of the first piston, a vacuum created in the first cylinder is communicated to the second cylinder, causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions. |
| US08079500B2 |
Liquid dispenser
A liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid from a container, includes an intake pipe to receive liquid from the container, an outlet to dispense liquid, a pressure supply mechanism to supply pressurized fluid to the container at a first pressure, and a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is operable to dispense liquid from the container by reducing the pressure in the container to a second pressure, connecting the intake pipe to the outlet to dispense fluid from the container, and subsequently increasing the pressure in the container to the first pressure. |
| US08079497B2 |
Dispenser with improved supply-closing means
The invention relates to a dispensing unit, particularly suitable for a liquid container, comprising an air pump with an air cylinder and an air piston (31), wherein an air chamber (32) is defined between the air cylinder and the air piston, a liquid pump with a liquid cylinder and a liquid piston (24), wherein a liquid chamber (30) is defined between the liquid cylinder and the liquid piston. An axially displaceable activating element (36) for activating the pumps, and upper edge (50) of air piston (31) for closing air supply to the air pump, and an oblique wall (51) of activating element (36) for closing air discharge from the air pump. The air piston and the liquid piston are movable in axial direction relative to the activating element in order to close air supply to the air pump and close air discharge from the air pump. |
| US08079496B2 |
Combination of a dispenser and container for carbonated drink
Combination of a dispenser (1) and container (7) for carbonated drink, the container being provided at the top with an outflow channel (10), extending in the direction of the central axis of the container, and a dispensing valve (11), closed under spring tension, for dispensing carbonated drink via a dispensing line (12, 13) connected to the outflow channel (10), the dispenser (1) being provided with a chill chamber (4) for accommodating the container (7) and with a dispensing head (15) with a handle (17) whereby the handle (17) is connected to an operating member (18, 20) that, during use, engages on the dispensing valve (11). |
| US08079491B2 |
Crate system
A crate system for transport of items. The system includes a set of U shaped tubes that are mounted in an upright position on beams. A second set of U shaped tubes are also mounted in an upright position on beams. Each assembled set are then mounted on top of one another to form a crate system. The crate system can safely secure and even stack heavy items on top of one another. These crate systems can then be disassembled for packing and shipping back to the original shipper. |
| US08079485B2 |
Closure with perforating feature for container seals
A closure for sealing a container, in particular a container that, prior to first use by a consumer, includes an opening or aperture covered by a seal, wherein the closure is equipped with a perforating member adapted to open or break the seal, thereby enabling the consumer to access the contents of the container. |
| US08079484B2 |
Bottle and cap with anti-glug feature
A combination of bottle and cap for dispensing a liquid. The bottle includes a narrow neck and a hollow handle. The hollow interior of the handle communicates at its upper and lower end with the interior of the body, to permit a flow of air through the neck opening, via the interior of the handle, to a lower region within the interior of the container so as to minimize glugging during pouring. The cap comprises a cap body attachable to the neck of the bottle. The cap includes on its crown first and second openings, for dispensing liquid and intake of air, respectively. The cap is configured to attach to the container body so as to position the second opening generally facing the handle, while the first opening is opposed to the handle. During pouring, air flows into the second opening within the cap as liquid exits the first opening, with the inflowing air being channeled into the hollow handle interior with minimal interference with the outflowing liquid so as to introduce air into the interior of the body to displace the liquid being poured from the bottle. |
| US08079470B2 |
Heat sealable laminating film
A themolaminating film for receiving a blister portion in the construction of a reusable package is described. A base blister portion configured to receive some form of media or material is molded from a formable heat sealable polymer such as PETG. A film consisting of a first layer of an amorphous polyester such as APET for heat sealing to the PETG, a second layer of a polyester such as PET, and an adhesive layer is used to laminate a graphical paper based cover thereby allowing the laminated cover to be heat sealed to the blister portion. In a preferred embodiment, the PET and APET are preferably coextruded. |
| US08079469B2 |
Case for holding a hand tool
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a case for holding a hand tool at a point of sale is provided. The hand tool has a working end and a handle. The handle projects from the case to form a handle for the case and the case engages the hand tool such that the hand tool is prevented from being removed from the case while simultaneously, the handle can be rotated with respect to the case to test a function of the hand tool. Before the case and the hand tool is purchased the hand tool is prevented from being removed from the case; however, the handle can be rotated with respect to the case when the case is in a closed position. After the hand tool is purchased the customer can break a seal and the case may be opened, thereby allowing the tool to be removed from the case when the case is in an open position. |
| US08079464B2 |
Hydrogen storage materials
In one embodiment, a hydrogen storage system includes a core of hydrogen sorbent material and a shell of crystalline metal hydride material enclosing at least a portion of the core of hydrogen sorbent material. In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage system further includes an intermediate layer of amorphous metal hydride material, at least a portion of which being positioned between the core of hydrogen sorbent material and the shell of crystalline metal hydride material. |
| US08079462B2 |
Dynamic singulator
An article singulating conveyor assembly and method of singulating articles includes providing a conveying surface defining a plurality of tandem zones. The conveying surface travels in a longitudinal direction. Each of the zones includes a pair of laterally spaced side frame members and a plurality of generally parallel elongated driven rollers that are supported at the side frame members. The driven rollers are adapted to provide lateral variation in the longitudinal speed of the conveying surface. Each of the zones includes at least one drive motor that is adapted to drive the driven rollers in that zone. At least one article sensor is provided that is adapted to sensing articles in the zones. The driven rollers may be divided into a plurality of segmented rollers that are separately rotatable with a separate drive motor to drive corresponding segments for a zone. The drive motors for adjacent zones may be activated in a manner that creates a longitudinal gap between longitudinally adjacent articles. |
| US08079457B2 |
Device for feeding boards to crosscut saws
A device for supplying boards to crosscut saws has a feeding device and a transverse transport unit arranged downstream of the feeding device. Several loading planes are arranged downstream of the transverse transport unit and positioned at different levels. The boards are supplied on the loading planes to a crosscut saw, respectively. The transverse transport unit is adjustable relative to the loading planes about an axis that is transverse to a transport direction of the boards on the transverse transport unit. A stop is adjustably arranged in the transport path of the boards on the transverse transport unit, wherein the stop, without sensing the boards, is adjustable exclusively by a control unit of the device. When the transverse transport unit is being adjusted into a new position relative to the loading planes, the stop prevents further transport of the boards to the loading planes, respectively. |
| US08079455B2 |
Escalator or moving walkway
An escalator or moving walkway having a frame, to which rails for chain rollers and rails for idling rollers are fixedly mounted, in particular with the aid of side panels, the escalator or moving walkway further comprising a turn-around area for the chains thereof that comprises a tensioning station for the chains. The tensioning station is guided and mounted on a side part that is fixedly mounted to the frame independently of the support structure. |
| US08079451B2 |
Convertible storage container
Apparatuses convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration. One apparatus includes a circular lid, a circular base, and at least one zipper pull that zips the lid and base to a wall. When zippered, the apparatus has a generally cylindrical shape. A carrying handle is provided on the lid. When unzippered, the apparatus becomes an activity mat and lies flat. Another apparatus includes two sides, a base, a flap, and at least one zipper pull that zips the sides to the flap. The sides resemble the outline of a car, such that the apparatus when zipped up resembles a car and when unzipped becomes an activity mat and lies flat. Backpack straps on the back allow the apparatus to be worn as a backpack. |
| US08079444B1 |
Transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly
A transportable, self-erecting, battery powered, vertical lift assembly includes a wheeled frame with a towing attachment mechanism. A linear guide member with an exterior roller chain member is pivotally secured to the frame. A carriage member with attached platform member is movably mounted to the linear guide member adjacent the frame. The carriage member includes an attached drive mechanism with a battery powered DC motor driving a gear unit operatively connected to a sprocket, which engages the roller chain member on the linear guide member. The carriage member and attached platform member are movable along the linear guide member by the drive mechanism to pivot and elevate the guide member, which engages a vertical support structure, and to elevate the carriage member and attached platform member. A safety brake assembly immobilizes the carriage member with respect to the linear guide member upon relative movement between the carriage member and drive mechanism. |
| US08079442B2 |
Acoustic baffle
A heat expandable baffle for sealing automotive cavities comprising a carrier plate with an outer perimeter and a strand of a heat expandable material along the major part of the outer perimeter, this strand circumscribing a central section of the carrier plate which is not covered by the heat expandable material, the outer perimeter defining a mean plane limited by the outer perimeter, the central section of the carrier plate being bent away from the mean plane in a way that the point on the central section which has the greatest distance from the mean plane lies at a distance from the mean plane which is at least 5% of the maximum linear length of the carrier plate, and/or the central section having a lumped mass distribution. |
| US08079434B2 |
Cylinder head cooling system for a motorcycle
A motorcycle including a frame and an engine and transmission assembly coupled to the frame. The engine and transmission assembly includes at least one cylinder head assembly having a cooling port and defining a cooling passageway in fluid communication with the cooling port and passing through at least a portion of the cylinder head assembly. The motorcycle also includes a conduit coupled to the cooling port and a fan in fluid communication with the conduit and operable at an operating speed to draw air from the cooling passageway, and move air through the cooling port and through the conduit. |
| US08079431B1 |
Drill bit having rotational cutting elements and method of drilling
A rotary drill bit is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body, a cutting pocket defined in the bit body, and a cutting element rotatably coupled to the bit body. The cutting element may be positioned at least partially within the cutting pocket. The rotary drill bit may also include a rotation-inducing member adjacent to the cutting element for inducing rotation of the cutting element relative to the cutting pocket. The rotation-inducing member may include a resilient member or a vibrational member. The rotary drill bit may also include protrusions extending from an interior of the cutting pocket adjacent to an outer diameter of the cutting element. A method of drilling a formation is also disclosed. |
| US08079430B2 |
Drill bits and tools for subterranean drilling, methods of manufacturing such drill bits and tools and methods of off-center drilling
Drill bits for subterranean drilling comprising a bit body including at least one blade that includes a blade face comprising a contact zone and a sweep zone are disclosed. In particular, drill bits including at least one blade that extends at least partially over a nose region of the bit body, a shoulder region of the bit body and a gage region of the bit body and that include a sweep zone that rotationally trails the contact zone with respect to a direction of intended bit rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bit body and include a contact zone that defines a range of about 90% to about 30% of the blade face surface area is disclosed. Additionally, drill bits comprising a sweep zone located at least partially within a gage region are disclosed. Also, methods of off-center drilling and methods of manufacturing drill bits are disclosed. |
| US08079422B2 |
Soil aerator assembly
In certain embodiments a soil aerator may include a hinged frame assembly that cooperates with one or more weight transferring systems adapted to permit an aeration subassembly to lift off the ground when an aeration tine impacts a hard obstacle such as a rock in the soil. The weight transferring systems may in the preferred embodiments be calibrated so that only minimal upward force, such as that caused by impact of an aeration tine with a rock, may cause the aeration subassembly to lift thereby significantly reducing or preventing damage to the aeration tines and drive assemblies and substantially prolonging the life of the aerator. |
| US08079421B2 |
Method and device for preventing and extinguishing fire in an enclosed space
A method and device for preventing fire and for extinguishing fire in an enclosed space in which a permanent negative pressure is set, includes fresh air being supplied in a regulated manner to the compartment atmosphere as supply air and exhaust air being discharged from the compartment atmosphere in a regulated manner, and wherein should a fire occur or to prevent a fire, an extinguishing agent which is gaseous under normal conditions is supplied to the compartment atmosphere as the supply air. In order to achieve a relieving of pressure without changing the set negative pressure, or upon a sudden flooding of the space with the gaseous extinguishing agent, the total volume flow of fresh air and/or extinguishing agent supplied to the compartment atmosphere as supply air is at all times less than or equal to the volume flow of the exhaust air discharged from the compartment atmosphere. |
| US08079420B2 |
Sealing device
A sealing device is disclosed for separating sections inside an elongate hole with at least one duct extending inside and along the hole. The sealing device includes a first portion which is arranged, in use of the sealing device, to surround the duct and fit substantially tightly against the same, and a flexible cup-shaped second portion, which is arranged to surround the first portion and be resilient radially outwards to seal, in use, against the hole. Moreover, a method is disclosed for separating sections in an elongate hole with a duct extending inside and along the hole. A sealing device is slipped onto the duct at the intended level so that the sealing device after installation forms a cup shape around the duct. The duct and the sealing device are inserted into the hole, and the duct and the sealing device are installed at the intended level. |
| US08079409B2 |
EGR cooler
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler includes a plurality of tubes and a shell enclosing the tubes. During use, cooling water is supplied to and discharged from the shell, and exhaust gas is guided from a diesel engine into the tubes to be heat exchanged with the cooling water. An inner periphery of each of the tubes is formed with three streaks of spiral protrusions running without crossing and with phases peripherally shifted to each other. A pitch P ratio of each of the spiral protrusions to an inner diameter of each of the tubes is 2.0-4.0, and a ridge height H ratio of each of the spiral protrusions to the inner diameter of each of the tubes is 0.1-0.2. |
| US08079407B2 |
Integrated heat exchangers for ECS and OBIGGS applications
An integrated heat exchanger comprises a primary heat transfer zone and a secondary heat transfer zone integral to the primary heat transfer zone. The primary heat transfer zone comprises an ECS heat exchanger and the secondary heat transfer zone comprises a heat exchanger for a secondary system, such as an OBIGGS heat exchanger. The integrated heat exchanger reduces the negative impact that the OBIGGS heat exchanger has on the ECS heat exchanger by providing one ram face, thereby minimizing the flow disturbances associated with the OBIGGS heat exchanger. By integrating the OBIGGS and the ECS heat exchanger, the integrated heat exchanger reduces the negative impact of the pressure drop and heat load caused by the OBIGGS heat exchanger. |
| US08079404B2 |
Lateral seal of a casting gap formed between two casting rollers of a strip casting machine
Lateral seal of a casting gap formed between two casting rollers of a strip casting machine that can be placed against the casting rollers on the front face. The lateral seal includes a first moist part and a second part that is assigned to the front faces of the casting rollers. The second part forms a type of snout shape encompassing two legs which extend along the front faces of the casting rollers, join each other at the bottom, above a kissing point, so as to form a common area, and between which the first part protrudes from above. An insulating layer which separates the two parts from each other is inserted between the first and second part. |
| US08079402B2 |
Casting method for matrix drill bits and reamers
An apparatus and method for manufacturing a down hole tool that reduces manufacturing costs and enhances the tool's performance. A belted mold assembly includes a casting assembly, a belt assembly, and a mid-belt. The belted mold assembly is used to fabricate a casting that allows for a larger diameter blank to be used which displaces the more expensive casting material and for using a smaller outer diameter thin-walled mold. The casting assembly is disposed within the belt assembly and the mid-belt is loaded in the volume created between the casting assembly's outer surface and the belt assembly's inner surface. The mid-belt provides a bracing for the casting assembly during the casting process. Optionally, a cap can be disposed on top of the blank for preventing metallurgical bonds from forming between the binder material and the upper portion of the blank. This allows for the excess binder material to remain high in purity so that it can be reprocessed. The cap can be used with the belted mold assembly or with a casting assembly known in the prior art. |
| US08079395B2 |
Quick change knife blade assembly for a tape roll dispensing cartridge assembly of a case sealing machine
A quick change knife blade assembly, for use in conjunction with a tape roll dispensing cartridge assembly of a case sealing machine, comprises a knife blade mounted upon a knife blade mounting plate. A pin plate is fixedly connected to mounting pins passing through the knife blade, and springs are interposed between the pin plate and the mounting plate so as to normally bias the pin plate to a position at which the mounting pins prevent the removal of the knife blade from the mounting plate. When the pin plate is depressed against the biasing forces of the springs, the mounting pins are moved so as to permit the knife blade to be removed from the mounting plate. |
| US08079394B2 |
Belt for a corrugator machine having a friction coefficient reduced driven side
The invention relates to a belt for a corrugator machine for making corrugated board (50) wherein at least a middle layer (52) of corrugated material is joined under pressure to cover layers (51, 53) of smooth material to form the corrugated board (50). The belt (1) is made of a fabric of warp fibers and weft fibers (4) and has a paper side facing toward the corrugated board (50) to be manufactured. The paper side (6) lies against the corrugated board (50). A driven side (7) lies facing away from the corrugated board (50). The corrugator machine has a pressure zone (70) which includes a pressure element (71) and a countersupport (73). The corrugated board (50) together with the contact engaging fabric belt (1) passes between the pressure element (71) and the countersupport (73). A drive (61) is provided on the driven side (7) of the belt to generate the tension forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the belt. To reduce the friction loss in the pressure zone, a material is provided on the driven side (7) of the fabric belt (1) for reducing the coefficient of friction of the belt side defining the driven side (7). |
| US08079393B2 |
Pneumatic tire with narrow belt reinforcing layer immediately below with terminal end of folded belt layer
A pneumatic tire 1 having a toroidal carcass 3 and a belt 7 consisting of belt layers 5, 6 arranged in the outer circumferential side of a crown portion 4 of the carcass 3. Between the adjacent belt layers 5, 6, the cords 8, 9 are crossed with each other with respect to an equatorial plane E of the tire to form cross belt layers. The widest belt layer 6 is a folded belt layer having a body portion 10 and a folded portion 12. A cord 9 constituting the folded belt layer 6 is an organic fiber cord. A narrow belt reinforcing layer 14 of rubberized cords 13 is arranged at least immediately below the width terminal end 11 of the body portion 10 of the folded belt layer 6 which terminal end 11 abuts on the folded portion 12. |
| US08079389B2 |
Vacuum attachment for router table
The vacuum attachment for a router table removes wood chips, dust, and debris during operation of the router. The attachment includes a hollow annular housing adapted for mounting about the router. The annular housing has an upper edge, a lower edge and at least one sidewall, with the upper and lower edges being adapted for sealing engagement with an external surface of the router. At least one vent hole is formed through the annular housing and a vacuum port is formed therethrough, so that a vacuum source connected to the vacuum port is in fluid communication with an interior of the annular housing. When the annular housing is mounted about the router and aligned with an opening in the base of the router, the vacuum source draws debris away from the router and the router table, with environmental air entering the interior through the vent holes. |
| US08079379B2 |
Baby walking apparatus having a double winding shape and two pairs of handlebars paralled to a wheel axle
The invention relates to a baby walking stick which facilitates and accelerates the transition from crawling to walking in a physiologically appropriate manner. In addition, the invention prevents the accompanying adult from adopting unsuitable postures and the design of the stick provides increased safety by connecting the adult and the baby. The invention comprises a folding stick having an upper curved section which curves around the baby's erect head. The upper end of the stick is provided with a T-shaped handle for the adult and the centre of the stick, at the height of the baby's arms, is provided with handlebars with which the baby can hold himself/herself upright. The lower end of the stick is provided with two wheels so that the stick slides as the baby and adult walk, which wheels are in contact with the ground and joined by an axle parallel to the above-mentioned handle and handlebars, all of said components being disposed in parallel to the direction of movement. |
| US08079375B2 |
Processing apparatus and atmosphere exchange method
A processing apparatus configured to process a substrate under a vacuum environment includes a holding unit configured to hold the substrate, a dust collection part having a surface opposite to the substrate held by the holding unit, a vacuum chamber configured to accommodate the holding unit and to have an internal space that can be decompressed, a temperature controlling unit configured to control a temperature of the surface of the dust collection part opposite to the substrate to a temperature lower than a temperature of the substrate, and a driving unit configured to bring one of the holding unit and the dust collection part close to the other after the temperature controlling unit controls the temperature of the surface of the dust collection part opposite to the substrate. |
| US08079373B2 |
Applicator with helical applicator surface
An applicator includes a handle and an applicator head coupled to the handle. The applicator head includes at least one helical applicator surface, the at least one helical applicator surface disposed about a hollow space, and a plurality of projections attached only to a section of the at least one helical applicator surface facing the hollow space. The plurality of projections depend into the hollow space. |
| US08079369B2 |
Method of forming a cigarette filter rod member
An apparatus and associated method for forming a filter rod member of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An insertion unit is configured to insert an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member. The method comprises forming a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member, and inserting an adsorbent material carried by a carrier material into the rod member such that the adsorbent material is disposed within the rod member. |
| US08079366B2 |
Magnetic earplug
An earplug includes a body, a post and a magnet. The body is made of a pliable material and includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is shaped to be positioned proximal to the user's middle ear and a distal end is shaped to be exposed to the external environment of the user's outer ear when the body is inserted into the user's ear canal. The post is at least partially embedded within the body and includes a first end, a second end and a socket located at one of the first and the second ends. The magnet is positioned in the socket of the post and is capable of producing a permanent magnetic field. |
| US08079362B2 |
Method for displaying dosage indicia
A method for displaying dosage indicia includes engaging a dispenser housing with a container in an engaged position, moving the container relative to the dispenser housing along a longitudinal axis while the container and the dispenser housing are in the engaged position, moving a valve between a closed position and an open position in response to moving the container relative to the dispenser housing and thereby dispensing metered dosages of substance when the valve is moved to the open position, moving the container relative to the dispenser housing to a disengaged position, moving an indicating portion with the container as the container is moved relative to the dispenser housing between the engaged and disengaged positions, and moving the indicator member relative to the container along the longitudinal axis while the container is in the engaged position. |
| US08079361B2 |
Increased dosage metered dose inhaler
An aerosolization apparatus comprises a container containing a pharmaceutical formulation, the pharmaceutical formulation comprising an active agent and a propellant. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a metering chamber in communication with the container, the metering chamber adapted to hold a metered amount of the pharmaceutical formulation, a valve to allow the metered amount of the pharmaceutical formulation to be released from the metering chamber when the valve is actuated, and a pressurizer that applies pressure to the pharmaceutical formulation in the metering chamber while the pharmaceutical formulation is being released from the metering chamber. In one version, the metering chamber is sized so that at least 2 mg, and preferably at least 5 mg, of the active agent is be aerosolized for delivery to a user during inhalation. |
| US08079360B2 |
Inhaler
An inhaler, capable of inhaling liquid droplets having a constant diameter regardless of use environments, for making a user inhale medicine from a suction port has: an air flow path connected with the suction port and for passing the medicine through; an opening mounted with a medicine ejection portion for ejecting the medicine and formed at a part of the air flow path so that the ejected medicine is ejected in the air flow path; a flow path length determining portion for determining a distance from the opening to the suction port according to use environments in using the inhaler; and a flow path length adjustable mechanism capable of changing the distance from the opening to the suction port. |
| US08079356B2 |
Pneumatic projectile launching apparatus with partition-loading apparatus
An improved pneumatic launching apparatus is disclosed having both a partition apparatus for enabling a projectile, such as filled capsules used in paintball, marking devices or crowd control, to be loaded and readied for expulsion and a venting-pressure regulator. When the partition apparatus is in an open position, an aperture is exposed allowing a projectile of complimentary size and shape to transfer to the receiving chamber. The shape of the partition is such that a next projectile is gently cradled and separated from the receiving chamber during a closing movement. Further, the partition facilitates the projectile reaching a containing area and it creates a seal that on the chamber that significantly inhibits the escape of pressurized gas during a firing operation and facilitates the projectile loading into a containing area. The venting-pressure regulator utilizes opposed pistons with an escape mechanism to allow venting to occur without requiring a separate adjustment. |
| US08079351B2 |
Temperature sensor diagnostics
A system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, characteristics of an oxygen sensor are a basis for determining degradation of a temperature sensor. In this way, the system can provide redundant exhaust gas temperature sensing. |
| US08079350B2 |
Blow-by gas recirculation structure for internal combustion engine
A blow-by gas recirculation structure includes a cylinder head including an intake manifold mounting surface and a cylinder block mounting surface with a first intake passage extending between a first intake opening formed in the intake manifold mounting surface and a first intake port formed in the cylinder block mounting surface, and a second intake passage extending between a second intake opening formed in the intake manifold mounting surface and a second intake port formed in the cylinder block mounting surface. The cylinder head further includes at least one blow-by gas passage for recirculating blow-by gas to the first intake passage. The intake manifold mounting surface has at least one enlarged recess fluidly connected between the blow-by gas passage and the first intake passage, the enlarged recess being disposed between the first and second intake openings and at least partially aligned with centers of the first and second intake openings. |
| US08079347B2 |
Apparatus for improving efficiency and emissions of combustion
An apparatus improves the efficiency and emissions of a combustion process by producing sufficient amounts of ozone in the air flow to the combustion chamber to enable more complete and cleaner combustion of the fuel. A plurality of ozone elements for producing ozone are disposed within a housing that is placed in the air intake to a combustion chamber such as a diesel engine. The ozone elements are bonded together in a cross-shaped pattern inside the housing. The apparatus includes one or more vortex scrubbers or vanes in the housing to cause the air flow to have a vortex action to increase the amount of ozone that flows into the combustion chamber. The vortex scrubbers comprise multiple double fins that are attached inside the housing. The vortex scrubbers include holes and/or serrated edges to increase the disturbance of the air flow over the ozone elements to increase ozone production. The mass of the ozone elements have a preferred ratio. |
| US08079345B2 |
High pressure fuel supply control system for internal combustion engine
A high pressure fuel supply control system for an internal combustion engine includes fuel injectors connected to a common rail, and a high pressure fuel pump for pressure-feeding to the common rail fuel that is supplied from a low-pressure fuel pump. The high pressure fuel pump includes a pressurized chamber, a plunger for pressurizing the fuel in the pressurized chamber, a fuel passage valve provided in the pressurized chamber, and an actuator for operating the fuel passage valve. A drive signal calculation unit calculates a drive signal for driving the actuator to control the discharge quantity of the high pressure fuel pump and the pressure in the common rail. The drive signal calculation unit maintains the discharge quantity of the high pressure fuel pump equal to or larger than a prescribed value. |
| US08079343B2 |
Positive-displacement turbine engine
A positive-displacement turbine engine comprising two rotors, exhaust opening for discharging exhaust gas, intake opening for receiving air and fuel or air-fuel mixture, turbine channels, turbine shaft, plurality of turbine blades, and spark plug. The rotors share a single shaft and are positioned in the opposite sides of the combustion head. Each of the turbine channels has a constant depth and varying width and comprises an intake zone, compression zone, combustion-expansion power-stroke zone, and exhaust zone. Each of the turbine channels widens in the intake zone, narrows in the compression zone, widens in the combustion-expansion power-stroke zone, and narrows in the exhaust zone. The turbine blades maintain a constant lateral orientation while the two rotors rotate. Each turbine blade has a blade-rod with two ends and a downward-offset crank on one end of the blade-rod that maintains the turbine blade in a constant horizontal orientation during rotation of the rotors. |
| US08079336B2 |
Compact valve actuation mechanism for barrel internal combustion engines
A multi-cylinder barrel internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation mechanism having generally L-shaped rockers for actuating valves in the engine. The rockers are arranged in pairs each pivotally coupled to a common rocker support. The pair of rockers actuate respective valves of an adjacent pair of cylinders in the engine. |
| US08079333B2 |
Slide type continuous variable valve lift device
A slide type continuous variable valve lift (CVVL) device includes a swing arm rotating to press a valve; a cam lobe; a roller transmitting a driving force of the cam lobe to the swing arm; and a guide guiding the roller to move along a predetermined path. The CVVL device generally can minimize the number of places where sliding friction between respective parts may occur to minimize power loss and enable more precise operation control, reduce the number of parts to enhance the overall robustness of the device, and advance the time of maximum valve opening to improve the fuel efficiency of an engine. |
| US08079331B2 |
Internal-combustion engine, in particular a two-cylinder engine, provided with a simplified system for variable actuation of the engine valves
An internal-combustion engine provided with a simplified system for variable actuation of the valves, which envisages for two different engine cylinders a single solenoid valve that controls connection to an exhaust channel of two pressurized chambers associated to the intake valves of the two different cylinders. |
| US08079330B2 |
Multicylinder engine for a vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
A multicylinder engine for a motorcycle includes a valve actuation mechanism having a hydraulically-operated valve pausing mechanism for holding at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of selected cylinders in a suspended state. The valve actuation mechanism operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and controls flow of oil through an oil passage which introduces working oil to the valve pausing mechanism from a hydraulic-pressure control device. Air-bleeding holes are formed in the cylinder head. The air-bleeding holes are fluidly connected with portions of the oil passages that are located at a highest level in the oil passages while the motorcycle is parked in an inclined state with its side stand down. |
| US08079329B1 |
Hands free leash apparatus
The hands free leash apparatus provides a leash cord that is detachable from the case that is worn as chosen on an animal controller via the strap. The second embodiment features a leash cord that is retractably extended from within the case, with lock and lock release to determine an animal's distance from the case, up to 20 feet. The v-shaped grip is removably inserted within the inset of the case so that a user can choose to omit the grip by choice. The reduced width of the strap importantly allows for the reduced width to be removably inserted into the strap's opposite end strap slot 52 without undue strap width surrounding a controller's arm, for example. The pocket with flap provides for a controller to carry such items as a cell phone or medial player, hands free. |
| US08079328B2 |
Collapsible animal transport apparatus
A collapsible animal transport apparatus includes a planar floor member, front and rear members each having a lower side rotatably coupled to a rear side of the floor member, and a front member having a lower side rotatably coupled to a floor member front side. First and second side members have respective upper and lower sides, respective lower sides being rotatably coupled to opposed sides of the floor member. The apparatus includes first and second roof members each having interior and exterior sides, respective roof member exterior sides being rotatably coupled to first and second side member upper sides, respectively. The second roof member interior side is removably coupled to the first roof member interior side. The front and rear members, the first and second side members, and the first and second roof members are movable between a storage configuration and a use configuration. |
| US08079323B2 |
Liquid wiping apparatus
A liquid wiping apparatus that can eliminate the increase in the thickness of membranous liquid and defects in the surface quality resulting from the attachment of splash onto the surface of a metallic strip and can improve the productivity in a manner of accelerating the line speed is provided. The liquid wiping apparatus includes blade wipers for contacting with a molten metal having been attached onto the metallic strip 1 to mechanically wipe the molten metal. In the liquid wiping apparatus, a pressure applying unit 7 of the static pressure pad type using gas is installed at the outlet side of the blade wiper 6 in the strip running direction, and phase-mixed flow of gas/liquid 15 is produced in membranous liquid running between the blade wiper 6 and the strip 1. |
| US08079320B1 |
Perimeter frame system for use with construction barges
The present invention provides a perimeter frame system for use in forming the top and/or bottom surface of a construction barge. In one exemplary embodiment, the perimeter frame system is used in conjunction with support panels that are manufactured from extruded or roll form materials, such as extruded aluminum or roll form steel. The use of the perimeter frame system of the present invention eliminates the need to modify the perimeter edge portions of the extrusions forming the deck of the barge. |
| US08079315B2 |
Flat pack friction fit furniture system
An article of furniture and associated methods and kits comprising at least one first leg support structure, at least one second leg support structure, the at least one first leg support structure being inter-fitted with the at least one second first leg support structure via an interference fit to define a support assembly, a top that is supported by and attached to the support assembly without the need for a mechanical fastener or adhesive; and means for creating a force state that attaches the top to the support assembly without the need for a mechanical fastener or adhesive, and thereby stabilizes the article of furniture, wherein the force state includes one or more forces applied to the at least one first leg support structure and the at least one second leg support structure, in addition to any frictional force from the interference fit. |
| US08079311B2 |
Television support and mounting kit
A universal TV support and mounting kit that accommodates the principal varieties of TVs that have to be mounted or supported, namely CRT type and two panel types (plasma and LCD), in a single kit. The kit that allows the consumer to employ any of the three modes of support, namely stand mount, console mount and wall mount. The console mount incorporates a vertical spine and a gooseneck mount. A frame is provided that can be attached to the gooseneck mount or to a wall. Pivoting and tilting is accommodated by the gooseneck mount. |
| US08079309B2 |
Devices and systems for controlling travel of a railcar
A device and system for controlling travel of a railcar along a set of rails is provided. In one example, a railcar stop is coupled to the set of rails and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the railcar is free to travel along the set of rails and a second position wherein the railcar stop engages the treads of the wheels to thereby prevent travel of the railcar in at least one direction along the rails. |
| US08079307B2 |
Electric match assembly with isolated lift and burst function for a pyrotechnic device
Electric match assembly for initiating a pyrotechnic device in response to a signal, the assembly comprising a first element for connection to a leader carrying the signal; a first electric match component for connection to the lift charge of the pyrotechnic device, the first electric match component being connected to the first element such that when the first element is connected to the leader and the first electric match component is connected to the lift charge, the signal is applied to the lift charge; a second electric match component for connection to the time fuse connected to the burst charge of the pyrotechnic device, the second electric match component being connected to the first element such that when the first element is connected to the leader and the second electric match component is connected to the time fuse, the signal is applied to the time fuse of the burst charge. |
| US08079306B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning guide rollers of a printing unit
An apparatus and method for cleaning guide rollers of a printing unit, particularly a 9-cylinder satellite printing unit, of a web-fed printing press, is disclosed. A cleaning device having a cleaning body fastened to an actuating grip is insertable between the guide rollers of the printing unit. A cleaning cloth that can be wetted with cleaning fluid can be fastened to the cleaning body, and the cleaning body features cleaning surfaces on opposing sides that are adapted to the contour of the guide rollers. |
| US08079302B2 |
Portable cooking unit
Described here is a rectangular, parallelepiped shaped, portable cooking device that consists of a rigid Stand, with attached lid and flaps, that supports multiple food heating containers. A dual purpose transport case/cooking cover, made of heat resistant materials, is a key feature to the design utility by securely transporting the device and acting as a heat efficiency Cover during the food heating process. When used in conjunction with the Stand flaps and lids, this Cover provides many innovations over prior art by preventing heat escape and weather intrusion. Various burner and fuel devices (i.e.: Sterno, Propane, Electric, Coal, Wood . . . ) can be used to provide the heat for this device. The combination of these multi-functional components, in a single compact, portable, modular unit provide significant improvements over current conventional devices by offering multiple options for food heating and serving with increased efficiency in space usage, heat efficiency and transportability. |
| US08079296B2 |
Device and methods for firing perforating guns
A perforating gun train for perforating two or more zones of interest includes two or more gun sets made up of guns, one or more activators, and other associated equipment. An illustrative apparatus may include a first perforating gun; an activator responsive to the firing of the first perforating gun and a fuse element detonated by the activator; and a second perforating gun that is fired by the fuse element. An illustrative method for perforating a subterranean formation may include forming a perforating gun train using at least a first perforating gun and a second perforating gun; and energetically coupling the first perforating gun and the second perforating gun with an activator. |
| US08079295B2 |
Table saw blade guards and blade guard assemblies including lateral blade guards, and table saws including the same
Table saw blade guards with lateral guards, blade guard assemblies, and table saws including the same. The blade guards include at least one lateral guard that restricts access to a lateral side, or face, of the saw's blade, and may include a top guard. The lateral guard is selectively moved, such as responsive to engagement by a workpiece, between a non-cutting position and a plurality of cutting positions. In some embodiments, the lateral guard is a collapsing lateral guard that has a reduced perimetrical area and/or reduced vertical dimension relative to the saw's work surface when in a cutting position compared to the non-cutting position. In some embodiments, the lateral guard collapses toward the top guard when moved from its non-cutting position to a cutting position. In some embodiments, the lateral guard does not, or does not appreciably, project above the top guard even when in its maximum cutting position. |
| US08079294B2 |
Support leg devices and cutting tools having the support leg devices
A cutting tool has a table for placing a workpiece thereon. A cutting unit is mounted to the table. A support leg device includes a support leg, an operation member and a motion conversion mechanism. The motion conversion mechanism is coupled between the support leg and the operation member, so that the movement of the operation member is converted into the movement of the support leg. |
| US08079291B2 |
Fastener feeder with fastener size screening
An exemplary fastener feeder includes a pair of guiders, a slot cover and a blocker. The guiders define a sliding slot therebetween. Each guider includes a sloped part and a level part, bodies of the fasteners are capable of being received in the sliding slot, and a head of each fastener is capable of sliding down from the sloped parts and stopping on the level parts. The slot cover defines an opening for providing a path through which a fastener pickup device can pass through and engage with a fastener located on the level parts. The blocker is located below the level parts. When the fastener pickup device moves the fastener head engaged therewith away from the opening and a length of the fastener is greater than a distance between the blocker and the level parts, the fastener is blocked by blocker and disengaged from the fastener pickup device. |
| US08079290B2 |
Shingle removing tool
A shingle removing tool includes, among other possible things, a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a base connected to the shaft. A length of the shaft is adjustable. The base includes a blade portion that is configured to separate one or more shingles from a support structure to which the shingles are affixed. |
| US08079288B2 |
Bicycle gear crank
A bicycle gear crank that allows easy and proper circumferential position adjustment of the gear plate with respect to the crank arm. The bicycle gear crank includes a crank arm having a base end provided with a boss for mounting to a crank shaft an annular intermediate member non-rotatably around the boss 11a; a gear mount 3 which is supported non-rotatably fixed to the intermediate member, gear plates fixed around the gear mount, and a positional adjuster provided by spline fitting for changing relative circumferential position of the gear mount with respect to the intermediate member. |
| US08079280B2 |
Rack guide and rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus using the same
A rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus 1 includes a gear case 3 made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and having a hollow portion 2; a steering shaft 6 rotatably supported by the gear case 3 through rolling bearings 4 and 5; a pinion 7 which is rotatably supported in the gear case 3 through the steering shaft 6; a rack bar 9 on which rack teeth 8 meshing with the pinion 7 are formed; and a rack guide 10 which is disposed in the hollow portion 2 inside the gear case 3 and supports the rack bar 9 slidably with respect to its moving direction A. |
| US08079272B2 |
Tactile sensor
A tactile sensor includes a substrate, electrodes arranged on the substrate, a conductive resistor membrane spaced apart from the electrodes by a predetermined distance, and an elastic member spaced apart from the resistor membrane by a predetermined distance. |
| US08079271B2 |
Measuring system with a flow conditioner arranged at an inlet of a measuring tube
A measuring system includes a measuring transducer having a measuring tube serving for conveying medium and a sensor arrangement and measuring electronics communicating with the measuring transducer and using the at least one measurement signal for producing, at least at times, at least one measured value instantaneously representing the measured variable. The measuring tube has, a smaller flow cross section than a supply segment of the process line connected to the inlet end of the measuring system. To this end, the measuring system further includes a flow conditioner arranged at the inlet end of the measuring tube and mediating between the measuring tube and the supply segment of the process line. The flow conditioner has a lumen tapering in the direction of the measuring tube. During operation, medium flows through the lumen of the flow conditioner. The flow conditioner includes at least one inner edge arranged upstream of its outlet end and protruding into the lumen of the flow conditioner. During operation, medium conveyed in the flow conditioner flows against the inner edge. |
| US08079269B2 |
Electrostatic pressure sensor with porous dielectric diaphragm
A pressure sensor comprises a first pressure chamber containing fill fluid at a first pressure, a second pressure chamber containing fill fluid at a second pressure, a porous dielectric diaphragm having first and second major surfaces exposed to the first and second pressure chambers, and first and second electrodes positioned with respect to the first and second major surfaces. A method for sensing pressure is also disclosed, comprising applying first and second pressures to fill fluid in first and second pressure chambers of a pressure sensor having a porous dielectric diaphragm, and producing an output representative of a pressure differential between the pressures, as a function of surface charges on first and second major surfaces of the porous dielectric diaphragm. |
| US08079268B2 |
Ceramic pressure sensors and method for producing the same
The invention relates to the field of multilayer ceramics and relates to ceramic pressure sensors, such as can be used, for example, for industrial process control. The object of the invention is to disclose ceramic pressure sensors that are mounted in a largely mechanically stress-free manner and have a long service life, and the production of which is more effective and more cost-effective. The object is attained with ceramic pressure sensors, comprising a support of tapes, wherein the tape(s) embody at least one cavity that is covered with at least one ceramic pressure membrane tape or in which a ceramic pressure membrane tape covering the cavity is located, and wherein the tape(s) have at least one supply line for the pressure connection to the cavity, and the tape composite is sintered. The object is further attained with a method for production, in which at least one tape is structured for producing a cavity, at least one pressure membrane tape is positioned on the cavity for covering, and subsequently the tape composite is sintered. |
| US08079258B1 |
Gyroscope and pendulous gyroscopic accelerometer with adjustable scale factor, and gravity gradiometer using such
Gyroscopes and pendulous gyroscopic accelerometers with adjustable scale factor are accomplished through control of the net angular momentum of a gyroscopic element such as a rotating or oscillating wheel or other mass. The sensitivity of a gravity gradiometer can be enhanced through use of such instruments, allowing the development of man-portable gravity gradiometers. |
| US08079257B2 |
Method and apparatus for balancing an electrically assisted turbocharger rotor
A rotation is corrected by rotationally driving a supercharger rotor (a turbine impeller (2), a compressor impeller (6) and a shaft (12)) by an electric motor (18) in a state of detaching a turbine housing (4) and a compressor housing (8), and detecting data necessary for correcting the rotation inbalance of a motor-driven supercharger (10). Further, the electric motor (18) is driven by using a dedicated motor driver (27) supplying a larger electric power than a power supply of an acceleration assisting motor driver. |
| US08079255B2 |
Yarn testing apparatus
The device is used for the automatic determination of characteristics on textile test material such as yarns, rovings, and slivers. A path is provided for the test material, through which path the test material is moved in its longitudinal direction. At least one measuring element for measuring a parameter of the test material is arranged along the path. In order to reduce the depositing of loose fibers, dust, or dirt particles, a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged along the path and spaced apart from one another, are provided and generate a vacuum, by means of which the undesired particles are sucked from the path. |
| US08079248B2 |
Moisture sensor
A moisture sensor includes interdigitated first and second electrodes formed in trenches A porous low-k dielectric is provided between the electrodes. The electrodes are of Cu surrounded by a barrier layer to protect the Cu from corrosion. TiN may be used as barrier layer and selectively deposited barrier material such as CoWB, MoWB or NiMoP as barrier layer. |
| US08079243B2 |
Plug, method of expanding inside diameter of metal pipe or tube using such plug, method of manufacturing metal pipe or tube, and metal pipe or tube
The plug is for expanding the inside diameter of the end portion of a metal pipe. Its cross section is a circle, and includes a taper portion and a parallel portion connected to the tail end of the taper portion. The diameter of the taper portion gradually increases from the head end of the taper portion to the tail end of the taper portion where the diameter is D1. The axial distance LR from the point where the diameter D2=D1×0.99 to the tail end where the diameter is D1 satisfies the Expression 22≦LR/((D1−D2)/2)≦115. The taper angle on the surface where the diameter is D2 is larger than or equal to the taper angle on the tail surface of the taper portion following the point where the diameter is D2. The diameter of the parallel portion is D1. |
| US08079240B2 |
Electronic door lock with programmable options
The invention provides an electronic door lock for a door having a first side and a second side. The electronic door lock includes a locking mechanism, a credential reader, and a programmable control circuit. The locking mechanism is coupled to the door and is movable between a locked position in which the door is inhibited from opening and an unlocked position in which the door is free to open. The credential reader is coupled to the door and is operable to read a credential. The programmable control circuit is coupled to the door and is operable to move the locking mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position at least partially in response to the read credential. The programmable control circuit is selectively programmed to move the locking mechanism to a pre-selected either one of the locked position and the unlocked position in response to a failure signal. |
| US08079239B2 |
Key interlock device
A key interlock device includes a body, a camshaft provided in the body so as to be rotated by manipulation of an ignition key, and at least an anti-rotation member provided in the camshaft and being engaged with the body when the camshaft rotates beyond a predetermined speed in one direction to restrict rotation of the camshaft but being disengaged with the body when the camshaft rotates in a reverse direction. |
| US08079237B2 |
Locking assembly for electronic device
A locking assembly for an electronic device includes a first lock-member and a second lock-member. The first lock-member includes a rotatable locking head. The locking head includes a lock lever, a locking block and an adjusting portion. The locking block and the adjusting portion are fixed at two opposite ends of the lock lever. The second lock-member is fixed to the electronic device and includes a lock core and a guiding block extending from the lock core. The lock core defines a locking groove. The guiding block is rotated together with the lock core between a first position where a longitudinal direction of the locking groove crosses that of the locking block and a second position where the longitudinal direction of the locking groove is approximately parallel to that of the locking block. |
| US08079235B2 |
Circular knitting machine with bearing-stabilized cylinder
A retrofit to circular knitting machines that stabilizes the cylinder to reduce or eliminate wobbling or other undesired motion so that the machine can operate at a significantly higher speed. The cylinder is stabilized by a bearing system added to the knitting head of the machine. The bearing system includes a pair of bearings, one of the bearings being disposed above the other one. An inner race of each bearing is affixed to the cylinder and an outer race of each bearing is affixed to a bearing housing that is secured to the stationary base plate of the knitting head. The bearings help stabilize the cylinder so that its rotation axis remains essentially immovable and vertically oriented. |
| US08079234B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus for porous glass base material
Provided is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a porous glass base material by depositing glass particles, which has a chamber having air inlets, and an air distribution container having air outlets from which clean air is supplied to the air inlets. |
| US08079232B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a heat pump HVAC system
A heating and/or cooling system for a dwelling, including a heat exchanger that is located indoors, and ducting that directs rejected air to the attic space or outdoors. The heat exchanger is pre-heated and/or pre-cooled with indoor space air, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. Additionally, a pair of parallel heat exchangers are mounted in the air path of the air handler that forces air in the indoor space of the dwelling. The parallel heat exchangers are connected to conduit through which refrigerant flows between the first heat exchanger, a compressor and an expansion valve. The parallel heat exchangers are mounted in the air path, and because they are heated or cooled to the same extent, they heat or cool the air blowing through them to a greater extent than a conventional heating and cooling system. |
| US08079229B2 |
Economized refrigerant vapor compression system for water heating
An economized refrigerant vapor compression system (10) for water heating includes a refrigerant compression device (20), a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger (30), an economizer heat exchanger (60), an evaporator (40) and a refrigerant circuit (70) providing a first flow path (OA, 70B, 70C, 70D) connecting the compression device (20), the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger (30), the economizer heat exchanger (60) and the evaporator (40) in refrigerant circulation flow communication and a second flow path (70E) connecting the first flow path (62) through the economizer heat exchanger (60) to the compression device (20). The economizer heat exchanger (60) has a first pass (62) for receiving a first portion of the refrigerant having traversed the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger and a second pass (64) for receiving a second portion of the refrigerant having traversed the refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchanger. The refrigerant system (10) has a bypass unloading branch (70F) with a c pass flow control device (92) connecting economizer (70E) and suction (OD) refrigerant lines for providing additional capacity adjustment. |
| US08079225B2 |
Refrigerating appliance provided with an OLED display
A refrigerating appliance provided with a display including at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED). The display can include a plurality of individual displays which are respectively provided with at least one OLED, and are superimposed in a sandwich-type arrangement and can be of different colors. |
| US08079223B2 |
High power density thermoelectric systems
A number of compact, high-efficiency and high-power density thermoelectric systems utilizing the advantages of thermal isolation are described. Such configurations exhibit high system efficiency and power density. Some configurations exhibit a substantial reduction in the amount of thermoelectric material required. |
| US08079219B2 |
Impingement cooled combustor seal
Disclosed is a combustor seal including a seal support locatable at a first combustor component and having a plurality of through impingement holes. A wave-shaped seal located at the seal support and defining at least one seal cavity between the wave-shaped seal and the seal support. A peak of the wave-shaped seal is locatable at a second combustor component. The wave-shaped seal includes at least one through passageway located upstream of the peak capable of flowing cooling fluid therethrough into the at least one seal cavity and through the plurality of impingement holes thereby cooling the first combustor component. Further disclosed is a combustor including a combustor seal and a method for cooling a first combustor component. |
| US08079218B2 |
Method and apparatus for combustor nozzle with flameholding protection
The structure and operation of a fuel nozzle for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed where the fuel nozzle provides for flameholding protection and, more specifically, to such a nozzle that provides for nondestructive protection from flameholding. The nozzle provides for differential thermal expansion between tubes forming fuel passages to allowing for the nondestructive venting of fuel during a flameholding condition. Upon extinguishing the flameholding condition, the nozzle returns to normal operating condition. |
| US08079214B2 |
Integrally formed engine exhaust manifold and cylinder head
An engine in which an exhaust manifold is integrally formed with a cylinder head may include the exhaust manifold in which at least one passage, which is connected to at least one exhaust port disposed in a first cylinder, and at least one passage, which is connected to at least one exhaust port disposed in a second cylinder, are formed, wherein the passage at the first cylinder and the passage at the second cylinder join together to communicate with a first single exhaust outlet. |
| US08079213B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine
An object of the invention is to provide a technique for improving the efficiency of performance regeneration process that is executed on NOx storage reduction catalysts provided in a plurality of branch passages branching from the exhaust passage and reduce emissions of NOx from an internal combustion engine to the atmosphere. When the quantity of NOx discharged from an internal combustion engine and flowing into an exhaust pipe is smaller than a predetermined quantity, fuel serving as reducing agent is added through a fuel addition valve while torque change moderating process is executed (from T0 to T1). After that, a first flow rate control valve is closed to make the flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing in the first branch passage smaller than that in the second branch passage (from T1 to T3). |
| US08079209B2 |
Urea-SCR system and control method thereof
A method for controlling an urea-SCR system may include a first step for calculating a target urea injection amount, a second step that uses urea injection pressure and urea injection time to calculate a real urea injection amount, a third step that calculates a difference value between the target urea injection amount and the real urea injection amount, and monitors the difference value at a predetermined time interval, a fourth step that accumulates difference values for a determined time when the difference value exceeds a predetermined level, and transfers an alarm signal to a driver when the average value thereof exceeds a predetermined level, and/or a fifth step that starts to accumulate a number of engine starts and driving distance after transferring the alarm signal, and when the number of engine starts is larger than a predetermined value or the driving distance is longer than a predetermined value, if the difference value does not become lower than a predetermined level, executes urea recharging means for a driver to charge a urea tank with a urea solution. The urea consumption amount may be continuously monitored, the remained urea amount may be accurately detected, and the urea recharging may be induced in time such that the nitrogen oxide exhaust is prevented. |
| US08079206B2 |
Ring spinning mechanism with fixed ring location
A mechanism for spinning fibrous material to yarn employing the ‘ring spinning process’ on a powered ring frame unit. The device can be adjusted and fixed for the thread count in production. The spinning cone reciprocating up and down to take up the spun yarn, thus ensuring most optimum geometry between the drafting roller and the spinning ring, adjustable at will. Each spinning cone on the entire frame being independent of each other in drive, speed and distance from the drafting assembly. Computers using a new software control the entire process. The described mechanism reduces power consumption, mechanical vibration and material breakage, consequently increasing productivity of the process and quality of the product. |
| US08079200B2 |
Bag transport and tilt-correction device
A bag transport and tilt-correction device for a system for, for instance, manufacturing bags with diagonal spouts, the device including openable and closeable gripping members, an air chuck that opens and closes the gripping members, a reciprocal movement mechanism that reciprocates the gripping members between the bag receiving position and the bag hand-over position, and a reciprocal swing mechanisms that swing the gripping members within the vertical plane along the width direction of the gripped bags. The gripping members are moved together with a reciprocal moving body, which is part of the reciprocal movement mechanisms, and attached to the bottom edge of swing levers, which are part of the reciprocal swing mechanism and operated by a cam during the reciprocal movement process, so as to swing together with it. The tilt of the bag is corrected by the swing motion of the gripping members. |
| US08079199B1 |
Tile alignment and leveling device
A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. |
| US08079198B2 |
Non-combustible reinforced cementitious lightweight panels and metal frame system for shear walls
A vertical shear wall system including vertical metal framing members, for example, C-joists, U-joists, open web joists, or other metal frame systems that support a reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable SCP panel. The shear wall system is non-combustible, water durable, mold and rot resistant, termite resistant and is capable of resisting shear loads equal to or exceeding shear loads provided by plywood or oriented strand board panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of inorganic binder, for example, calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, an active pozzolan and lime. The continuous phase is reinforced with glass fibers and contains lightweight filler particles, for example, ceramic microspheres. |
| US08079194B2 |
Thermal insulating element
A thermal insulating element (10′; 10′″) comprises a first plate (24) forming at least a part of an outer face of the insulating element (10′; 10′″) and a second plate (26) forming a further part of the outer face of the insulating element (10′; 10′″). The first and the second plate (24, 26) are connected to each other via a frame structure (12) which establishes a geometry of the insulating element (10′; 10′″). The first and the second plate (24, 26) and the frame structure (12) define a cavity filled with air, wherein at least one vent opening (28) is formed in the first and/or the second plate (24, 26) and/or the frame structure (12). A projecting edge portion (34, 36) is formed along an edge of a portion of the insulating element (10′; 10′″) which is provided with the at least one vent opening (28), the projecting edge portion (34, 36) being adapted to at least partially cover a gap between two insulating elements (10′; 10′″) disposed side by side. |
| US08079191B2 |
Method and system for covering flat roofs
A method and system for covering flat roofs. The method and system include weather-proof flat roof material with plural sealing components that do not require an open flame (e.g., from a blow torch) to seal a first and second piece of weather-proof flat roof material together. The weather-proof flat material can be used as a base layer, a ply layer used between a base layer and a cap layer, a cap layer, as flashings, on walls or as a substrate layer for flat roofs. |
| US08079185B2 |
Window element for insertion in a window aperture in an outer skin of a transport
A window element has a cover pane which is substantially flush with an outer skin of an aircraft or other transport, achieving a fluid-dynamically favorable, substantially unbulged exterior surface. As a result of the presence of an additional back-ventilated cover pane arranged in front of the actual outer pane of the window element, a fluid-dynamically favorable integration of the window element into the outer skin of an aircraft fuselage airframe is achieved. Any deformation, such as any buckling or bulging of the outer pane of the window element, as a result of a difference in pressure between the interior of the aircraft fuselage airframe and the exterior space at cruising altitudes, has no fluid-dynamically disadvantageous effect. The outer pane is covered by the cover pane which remains substantially undeformed with respect to the outer skin of the aircraft fuselage airframe, for example. Any deformation of the cover pane is largely eliminated by back-ventilation. |
| US08079184B2 |
Skid resistant surfaces
Pedestrian trafficable skid-resistant flexible articles (24) are described. These articles (24) include a flexible substrate (17) having a non-skid coating that may be either a pressure-sensitive adhesive (13) or a highly- filled, textured binder. These articles may be applied to trafficable surfaces such as roof and floors. Articles in the form of roof underlayments having a skid-resistant surface are described in particular. |
| US08079181B2 |
Door for a refrigerating device
A door for a refrigerating unit is provided that includes a door leaf hinged to a body of the refrigerating unit and a decorative element that is superimposed on the door leaf in such a way as to be adjustable in position. The decorative element has a central cutout, through which a central region of the door leaf is exposed. A groove open towards this central region is formed on the door leaf in order to accommodate a profile element which conceals a gap between door leaf and decorative element. |
| US08079180B2 |
Sealing, trimming or guiding strips and reinforcements therefor
A sealing, trimming or guiding strip for supporting a pane of window glass in a frame carried by the rear door of a vehicle in the region of the C-pillar of the vehicle. The strip is made of extruded material defining a channel which embracingly grips a flange. The extruded material is extended to form a limb which supports a lip contacting one surface of the window pane. A reinforcing carrier is embedded in the channel shaped extruded material to strengthen the grip on the flange. The carrier is provided with a plurality of transversely directed through slits to enable the carrier to be curved and the carrier has a longitudinally extending unslit region (B) arranged on the outside of the curve. |
| US08079176B1 |
Collapsible enclosure
A collapsible enclosure includes a mount having a central shaft and a shell carried by the central shaft. The shell includes a first plurality of support arms carrying a cover and a second plurality of support arms pivotally connected with the first plurality of support arms for articulating the first plurality of support arms from a first generally linear position to a second generally bowed position for presenting the cover into a generally hemispherical configuration. Additionally, the first and second plurality of support arms is carried by the central shaft in a manner enabling the shell to traverse the central shaft when the cover is in the generally hemispherical configuration. |
| US08079171B2 |
Adjustable rifle telescope system with multiple fixed angle mount setpoints
A rifle telescope has optics having an optical axis, a scope support portion that supports the optics, and a base portion that mounts to a firearm having a barrel axis. The scope support portion has at least two different settings, each setting providing a different angle between the optical axis and the barrel axis. The invention may also include each setting being a discrete fixed setting. The present invention also includes a method for adjusting the angle mount of an adjustable rifle telescope with multiple fixed angle mount setpoints. |
| US08079165B1 |
Portable shopping aid
This disclosure provides a portable shopping aid used to mount a shopping list, coupons, or other documents. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the aid is configured to sacrifice a writing surface in favor of portability, by providing a small body that may be easily inserted into a pocket or handbag. The body includes a clamp for mounting the aid onto a push bar of a shopping cart, for hands free viewing during shopping, as well as a document clip mechanism that clips documents by their ends closest to the push bar. In order to provide structural rigidity to retained documents, and notwithstanding the absence of a writing surface or clipboard, the clip mechanism is configured to crease documents. The shopping aid also includes feet for standing the aid upright, on a flat surface, and means for mounting the aid magnetically on a refrigerator wall, in all cases such that retained documents are presented in a convenient reading orientation. The aid is further designed so that it can be made in a single mold, thereby lowering design costs. |
| US08079163B2 |
Excavator and a method for constructing an underground continuous wall
A number of front working, trench filling face-compressing, inclinedly disposed sliders are arranged alternately with cutter bits on an endless chain of a trench-forming endless chain cutter on a transporting chassis, and driven with the chain by a drive means so that backward oriented, inclined facet portions of the sliders compress a filling in the trench toward and on a front working face of the wall being formed. An elongate, filling face-compressing shield is adapted to be extended down into the trench and supported with its underground portion on the underground portion of a guide post of the cutter or on the trench bottom for forward and backward oscillation by a drive means to compress the filling face adjacent to the shield. The compacted filling is in these ways being formed by horizontal pressure. |
| US08079162B1 |
Heavy equipment rake attachment
The invention is a rake attachment for use with an excavator arm of heavy machinery. The preferred embodiment has two cross-members that make the invention easily installed with an automated excavator arm. An alternative embodiment provides for mounting hardware for use with a traditional excavator arm, which does not have a hydraulically operated attaching device. The invention is suited for use with the clearing of loose debris in and around a typical construction site. The construction debris may comprise loose wood scraps, tree branches, fencing, and other objects typical of a construction site. |
| US08079160B2 |
Articles with retractable traction elements
Articles of manufacture and articles of wear may include one or more retractable traction elements. A plurality of the retractable traction elements may be interconnected by a base member and may form an insert. Each of the retractable traction elements may include an extension inducing element and a ground (or other surface) contacting element. The extension inducing element may flex in response to an applied force and may cause the ground or other surface contacting element to extend and engage an underlying surface. |
| US08079159B1 |
Footwear
A shoe has a sole including a platform for supporting a wearer's foot upon a surface. The shoe includes a heel pedestal extending from the platform beneath a wearer's heel, a lateral stabilizer pedestal extending from the platform at least partially beneath a wearer's cuboid bone, and a medial stabilizer pedestal extending from the platform at least partially beneath a wearer's navicular bone. The heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal include an outsole for contacting the surface, a compressible middle layer between the outsole and the wearer's foot, and a base layer between the middle layer and the wearer's foot having a compressibility that is lower than the compressibility of the middle layer. |
| US08079155B2 |
Plumb post apparatus having bipod legs and method of use thereof
A plumb post apparatus for retaining a mason's line for laying a brick course, the apparatus comprising two vertical posts each having two legs of adjustable length that pivot outward to form stabilizers. The legs are secured to adjacent sides of the posts, thus extending at right angles to each other. The posts can be secured via spikes through base plates at the bottoms of the posts and the legs are secured in place via stakes that are pivotally secured to the ends of the legs and which can be driven into a ground surface. Levels on adjacent sides of the posts indicate when the apparatus is in level disposition. |
| US08079152B2 |
Electric can opener having removable opener tools
An electric can opener for opening a top of a metal can which includes a housing that has a top end and a front side. A can cutting mechanism is on the front side of the housing proximate the top end of the housing. A hand held jar grip is removably mounted on the top end of the housing. The top end of the housing includes a recess that receives an interior surface of the hand held jar grip. |
| US08079148B2 |
Folding hand saw
A folding hand saw includes a first housing, a transmission unit disposed in the first housing, a second housing having a third pivotal end pivotally connected with a second pivotal end of the first housing and connected with the transmission unit, and a saw blade having a forth pivotal end pivotally connected with a first pivotal end of the first housing and connected with the transmission unit such that the saw blade is pivotable between a folded position where the saw blade is inserted into a first insertion groove of the first housing and a second insertion groove of the second housing, and an unfolded position where the saw blade leaves the first insertion groove and the second insertion groove. As a result, the folding hand saw of the present invention can prevent the saw blade from hurting a user or other people. |
| US08079144B2 |
Method of manufacture, remanufacture, or repair of a compressor
A compressor has a housing assembly and at least one rotor held by the housing assembly for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a first face and a first housing element has a second face in facing spaced-apart relation to the first face of the rotor. One or more spacer elements are positioned from the first housing element. The spacer elements are machined. A coating is applied over the first surface around the one or more spacer elements. |
| US08079142B2 |
Printed circuit board manufacturing method
A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board, including providing a core substrate and an electronic component contained in the core substrate, the electronic component having a die pad, forming a positioning mark on the core substrate, forming an interlayer insulating layer over the core substrate and the electronic component, forming a via hole opening connecting to the die pad of the electronic component through the interlayer insulating layer in accordance with the positioning mark on the core substrate, and forming a via hole structure in the via hole opening in the interlayer insulating layer such that the via hole structure is electrically connected to the die pad. |
| US08079139B1 |
Method for producing electro-thermal separation type light emitting diode support structure
A method for producing an electro-thermal separation type light emitting diode support structure is provided. One of the embodiments for the support structure has at least two heat dissipation bases and at least two conductive supports which are coupled by a heat dissipation plate and a support plate. Another embodiment for the support structure has at least two heat dissipation bases and at least two conductive supports which are formed by a thick-thin plate. The light emitting diode chips of different types can be configured on the heat dissipation bases of these designs, respectively. Therefore, the invention achieves the goal of using different types of light emitting diode chips at the same time. |
| US08079134B2 |
Method of enhancing on-chip inductance structure utilizing silicon through via technology
A method is provided that utilizes silicon through via technology, to build a Toroid into the chip with the addition of a layer of magnetic material such as Nickel above and below the T-coil stacked multi-ring structure. This allows the connection between the inner via and an array of outer vias. This material is added on a BEOL metal layer or as an external coating on the finished silicon. Depending on the configuration and material used for the via, the inductance will increase approximately two orders of magnitude (e.g., by utilizing a nickel via core). Moreover, a ferrite material with proper thermal conduction properties is used in one embodiment. |
| US08079131B2 |
Method for filling metal into fine space
The present invention includes a step of cooling a molten metal within a fine space present in the inside of an object and hardening it while applying a forced external force exceeding atmospheric pressure to the molten metal. The fine space is opened on the outer surface of the object in terms of one end thereof. The forced external force is given by at least one member selected among a pressing pressure, an injection pressure and a rolling compaction and applied to the molten metal from the opening surface side on which the fine space is opened, in a state that the other end side of the fine space is closed. |
| US08079129B2 |
Installation-ready pipe coupling method of manufacture
A method of manufacturing an installation-ready pipe coupling is disclosed. The method includes providing pipe coupling segments each having an initial radius of curvature and an initial subtended angle. The segments are each deformed so as to take a permanent set and have a final radius of curvature greater than the initial radius of curvature and a final subtended angle smaller than the initial subtended angle. The deformed segments are assembled in end-to-end relation using adjustably tightenable fasteners to form a coupling. The deformed segments are maintained in spaced relation so that pipe elements can be inserted between them without disassembly of the coupling. |
| US08079127B2 |
Slip resistant file folders
A folder made from a roll of folder material stock. The folder has a front flap having a first top edge and a first width, and a rear flap connected to said front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge and a second width. A slip-resistant portion is disposed on at least one of the flaps near said first or second top edge. The folder material stock comprises paper and a polymer material. A method of making the folder includes the steps of providing folder material stock comprising polymeric material, providing embossing dies in spaced, operable, mating relationship, positioning the folder material stock appropriately in the embossing dies, applying force to at least one of the embossing dies so as to decrease the spaced relationship, and deforming the folder material stock. |
| US08079124B2 |
Post-cure inflator, rim exchange method of the same and rim
In a post-cure inflator of the present invention, a rim of a pair of disk shape rims for sandwiching bead portions of a tire has one rim surface and the other rim surface in which a plurality of step portions corresponding to the bead portions of different bead diameters are formed so as to reduce thickness from a center to an outer periphery. A pair of the rims is supported switchably between arrangement in which the one rim surfaces face each other and arrangement in which the other rim surfaces face each other. By such a configuration, it is possible to favorably sandwich the tire even when the bead diameter to be treated is added. |
| US08079122B2 |
Spacer jig for replacing spacer damper of overhead power lines and method of replacing spacer damper using the same
A spacer jig using as a tool has developed for easily replacing the spacer dampers on the overhead power lines during the maintenance and repair. The spacer jig is comprised of: a frame having a polygonal shape of two flat panels in parallel with a clearance for mounting the fixtures arranged even intervals in the radial direction between the two flat panels; the frame having square shape using for four-conductor and hexagonal shape using for six-conductor overhead power lines; the fixtures consisting of stationary hexahedron nuts and rotational hexahedron nuts; a clamping arm forming cylindrical-shaped long shafts with threaded end portion for inserting into the fixtures; a cable gripping unit consisting of a clamp, lid, snapping latch and locking detent for easily opening and closing the lid to grip or release the cables, and a clamp mounting unit for rotationally mounting the cable gripping unit on top of the clamping arm. |
| US08079121B2 |
Pressing device for latching and releasing chucking device
An exemplary pressing device (100) includes a first movable member (10) and a second movable member (20). Each of the first and second movable members includes an upper clamping element (11, 21) and a lower clamping element (12, 22). The upper clamping element has a first fringe portion and a plurality of first latching grooves (111, 211) having different sizes are defined in the first fringe portion. The lower clamping element has a second fringe portion and a plurality of second latching grooves (121, 221) having different sizes are defined in the second fringe portion. Each first latching groove of the second movable member has a same size as that of a corresponding first latching groove of the first movable member. Each second latching groove of the second movable member has a same size as that of a corresponding second latching groove of the first movable member. |
| US08079117B2 |
Buckle assembly
A buckle assembly including a first buckle portion having an outwardly projecting engagement member. The assembly further includes a second buckle portion including an extended socket structure with one or more resilient biasing arms disposed radially outboard of the extended socket structure. A sleeve member is disposed in reciprocating relation to the second buckle portion at least partially about the extended socket structure. A camming surface is disposed in substantially fixed relation to the sleeve member radially outboard from the resilient biasing arms. The camming surface includes at least one concavity engaging one or more of the resilient biasing arms. |
| US08079110B2 |
Oral care implement
An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells. |
| US08079104B2 |
Changing station
The disclosed changing station may support a small person, such as a baby. The station may comprise a platform, a support structure, and a mounting structure. The platform may be rotatable from a vertical storage position to a horizontal use position along a rotational axis. The support structure may have a rotatable support member that rotates along the rotational axis. The mounting structure may be used for mounting the support structure to a vertical wall. |
| US08079099B1 |
Wrap for convalescent use, particularly for wheelchairs
An apparatus for wrapping a person sitting in a wheelchair having foot pedals includes a sheet having a top, bottom, right, center and left. The center has a first upwardly-open pocket and one of the right and left has a second upwardly-open pocket. The sheet is placed on a wheelchair with the pedals in the first pocket. A person can sit on the sheet on the wheelchair. The portion of the sheet having the second pocket is wrapped around the person's legs with the person's feet in the second pocket, and the final portion is wrapped around the person's legs. |
| US08079096B2 |
Self-contained, portable, non-mechanical waste disposal system
A portable, self-contained, toilet and sanitation system is disclosed. The system utilizes gravity and non-mechanical means to actually “flush” human bodily waste into a septic storage tank for later removal and disposal and contains sufficient water supply and storage capacity to allow the system to be used continuously for over eight hours. The system is a closed design and operates substantially as a permanent toilet wherein waste odors are trapped and then vented to the atmosphere. |
| US08079095B2 |
Limited volume high performance flush valve assembly
A flush valve assembly of the present invention includes a body subassembly in operable communication with a movable poppet seal subassembly via a guide rod of a predetermined length. The body subassembly inlet is substantially located above the tank floor, thereby reducing available tank discharge volume. The poppet subassembly includes a float having upper and lower float covers with an annular seal disposed therebetween. The poppet subassembly remains coaxially and slidably mounted with respect to the body subassembly so as to create a valve opening therebetween when the poppet subassembly is removed from its initial closed position to a second open position. Guide structure in the body subassembly accommodates reciprocatable movement of the guide rod and inhibits deviation of the guide rod from a predetermined axial guide path when the poppet subassembly is in use during a flush cycle. An optional valve bracket may be provided. |
| US08082593B2 |
Atomic force microscopy devices, arrangements and systems
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to microscopy cantilevers. Consistent with an example embodiment, aspects of the invention are directed to a cantilever having a body and a force sensor arrangement extending from an end of the body and including a tip near a free end of the force sensor arrangement. The force sensor arrangement exhibits a high temporal response to the tip's interaction with a sample, relative to the response of the cantilever. The force sensor arrangement's response is detected and used to characterize the sample. |
| US08082590B2 |
Apparatus and method of detecting and controlling privilege level violation process
Provided are an apparatus and method of detecting and controlling a privilege level violation process. The apparatus monitors whether higher-privileged processes depend on information provided from lower-privileged objects or denies the higher-privileged processes to access the lower-privileged objects. The apparatus is provided in a process, and monitors whether a process accesses to a lower-privileged object. The apparatus gives a warning message or denies an access of the process to the lower-privileged object when it detects that the higher-privileged process access to the lower-privileged object. Therefore, the apparatus of detecting and controlling a privilege level violation process detects weaknesses that may be caused by privilege level violation, thus allowing a system to be safely operated. |
| US08082589B2 |
Diagnostic data capture control for multi-domain processors
There is provided a processor operable in a first domain and a second domain, the processor comprising: monitoring logic operable to monitor the processor and capture diagnostic data; a storage element operable to contain at least one control parameter; control logic operable to control the monitoring logic in dependence on the at least one control parameter and the domain in which the processor is operating, to suppress capturing of diagnostic data relating to predetermined activities of the processor in the first domain. In some embodiments the first domain is a secure domain and the second domain is a non-secure domain, the monitoring function being debug or trace. |
| US08082588B2 |
Secured storage method of encrypted data on a personal digital recorder
The objective of the present invention is a storage method in a decoder of an event encrypted by control words that guarantees the access to this event at whichever moment, even if certain keys of the system have changed for security reasons. This objective is achieved by a storage method of an event encrypted by control words in a reception and decryption unit connected to a security unit, said control words and the necessary rights being contained in management messages encrypted by system keys, comprising storing the encrypted event as well as the control messages in the storage unit, and storing in the storage unit the system keys encrypted by a predefined local key stored in the security unit. |
| US08082584B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for conditionally performing a scan on data based on an associated data structure
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conditionally performing a scan of data based on an associated data structure. In use, at least one aspect is identified for each of a first plurality of scanners utilized to perform a scan on data at a first network device. Additionally, at least one data structure is associated with the data, where the at least one data structure reflects the at least one aspect of each of the first plurality of scanners. Furthermore, a subsequent scan on the data is conditionally performed utilizing each of a second plurality of scanners at a second network device, based on the at least one data structure. |
| US08082581B2 |
Management of session timeouts in an SSL VPN gateway
A network device may manage communication sessions with clients so that attempts at the client to automatically keep the session alive can be ignored for purposes of timing out the session. The device may examine resource requests received from the client as uniform resource locators (URLs) and determine whether the URLs include a context variable. The device may determine whether to reset a timeout period for the communication session based on a presence of the context variable in the URL. At the client side, the context variable may be attached to URLs that are part of functions configured to automatically access the network device. |
| US08082580B1 |
Session layer pinhole management within a network security device
In general, techniques are described for performing session layer pinhole management within a network security device. In accordance with the techniques, the network device includes a resource manager module and a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) module. The SIP module receives a SIP message from a private server, the SIP message requesting a SIP session. In response to the SIP message, the SIP module via the resource manager module opens a pinhole to permit the SIP session and assigns via the resource manager module resources included within the resource pool to monitor each call occurring over the SIP session. The SIP module further determines whether each of the calls has completed based on an session layer characteristic of a subsequent SIP message associated with each call and based on the determination, returns via the resource manager module the resources assigned to monitor each completed call to the resource pool. |
| US08082579B2 |
Access server and connection restriction method
The access server receives an authentication packet including an authentication result, a port change setting information, a port change time, a filtering setting information and a filtering time from the authentication server. The access server stores the respective information in the authentication packet into a memory. The access server refers to the memory, and in the case where the port change setting information on an arbitrary user identifier is set to perform port change, when it becomes the port change time, the access server changes the output destination of a packet from a user terminal to, for example, a proxy server B from a proxy server A. Besides, in the case where the filtering setting information on an arbitrary user identifier is set to perform filtering, when it becomes the filtering start time, the access server performs filtering on the port to which the user terminal is connected. |
| US08082578B2 |
Intelligent firewall
An intelligent firewall that prevents unauthorized access to a system has been developed. The fire wall does not use a communication address. It receives a data packet and analyzes it to determine its final disposition. Finally, the firewall handles the data packet according to its final disposition. |
| US08082575B2 |
System, method and apparatus for enabling transactions using a user enabled programmable magnetic stripe
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus that includes a user device having a magnetic field generator disposed within a substrate that is normally inactive, an initiator mounted on the substrate, a memory disposed within the substrate and a processor disposed within the substrate that is communicably coupled to the magnetic field generator, the initiator and the memory. The processor is operable to process information received from the initiator, generate a time varying code in response to the received information and activate the magnetic field generator. A power source is also disposed within the substrate. The magnetic field generator can create a spatial magnetic signal using a magnetic stripe and one or more induction coils, or create a time-varying magnetic signal for emulating data obtained from swiping a traditional magnetic stripe card through a magnetic card reader. |
| US08082569B2 |
In-flight entertainment system with hand-out passenger terminals
An in-flight entertainment system with hand-out terminals is described. An embodiment of the invention comprises a server having digital content, which is communicatively linked to a communications network, a connector located proximate to each passenger seat of an aircraft, each connector being communicatively linked to the network, and hand-out terminals. Each hand-out terminal is configured to be coupled to one of the connectors to permit a passenger at the seat to which the connector is proximate to access the digital content. |
| US08082567B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for customized programming
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing programming. An electronic programming guide (EPG) is received. The EPG has events associated with products and a programming grid simultaneously listing a wrapper associated with each product and each product's associated events. An input is received that scrolls from one product to another product within the electronic programming guide. Another input is received that scrolls from one event to another event within the same product. |
| US08082566B2 |
Input based function preview apparatuses, systems, and methods
An exemplary system includes a processing subsystem. The system further includes at least one sensing facility and a control facility within an input device configured to communicate with the processing subsystem. The sensing facility is configured to detect a first type of user input and a second type of user input. The control facility is communicatively coupled to the sensing facility and is further configured to provide a first control signal in response to detection of the first type of user input, and a second control signal in response to detection of the second type of user input. The processing subsystem is configured to execute a function associated with the sensing facility in response to the second control signal, and to provide a preview event for the function in response to the first control signal. In certain embodiments, the preview event includes information descriptive of the function. |
| US08082565B2 |
Converged communication server with transaction management
A communications server increases the value of cable and communication services by enabling the integration of packet network content with directed advertising in a managed environment. Such services may include Video On Demand and videoconferencing running on a Converged Communication Platform. Content processing within the server enables the combining of streaming content with different types of ads. Content integration is controlled through software negotiations between subscriber, advertiser, and content provider software agents. The rate, selection, placement, and number of advertisements within a television program or videoconference can also be determined. The ability to custom tailor content and advertisements increases the value of advertising, lowers costs to subscribers, improves the viewing experience, and disburdens transaction participants from the manual tasks that would otherwise be required during transaction setup. |
| US08082563B2 |
System and method for content access control through default profiles and metadata pointers
The control of access to content via a player system accessible by a plurality of users is described. A default profile is provided including filtering criteria, the filtering criteria describing at least one of characteristic of content permitted for all of the plurality of users and a characteristic of content prohibited for all of the plurality of users. Metadata associated with a selected content and the filtering criteria are compared, and access to the content is permitted or denied based on the comparison. Also, content is selected, the selected content having metadata linked thereto via a pointer. The metadata is obtained using the pointer. The metadata and filtering criteria are compared, the filtering criteria describing characteristics of at least one of permitted or prohibited content. Access to the content is permitted or denied based on the comparison. |
| US08082560B2 |
Disc drive with a small-sized circuit board
A disc drive has a loader, a traverse, a circuit board and a supporting frame. The loader has a first side wall, a second side wall and a third side wall that is perpendicular to the first side wall and the second side wall. The circuit board has a first side, a second side and a third side that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side. The supporting frame extends from the second side wall of the loader and has a supporting surface. The third side of the circuit board is shorter than the third side wall of the loader, and the second side of the circuit board is disposed on the supporting surface of the supporting frame. |
| US08082558B2 |
Slot-in optical disk drive for loading/unloading an optical disk
A slot-in optical disk drive includes a power unit to drive a sliding component to rotate a loading bar, so as to process loading procedure of the slot-in optical disk drive. A base covers on a main board disposed on a rear side of a casing of the slot-in optical disk drive. A first linking bar is pivoted to a center of the base. An end of the first linking bar is driven by the sliding component, and a haul slot is for driving a right positioning bar. The other end of the first linking bar is pivoted to a second linking bar of the base. The second linking bar is for driving the unloading bar pivoted to the base. The end of the unloading bar is close to a lateral side of the casing, so as to keep away from a breach on the base. |
| US08082554B2 |
Event-based activation and deactivation of subscription matching
The present invention provides methods, apparatus and computer programs for event-based control of subscription matching in a publish/subscribe communications environment. Activation and/or deactivation events are associated with subscriptions at a publish/subscribe broker and are used to control when a subscription is active. The broker is responsive to temporally-unpredictable events, such as receipt of a published message on a predefined activation topic, to activate subscription matching for messages that are subsequently received or which have been received earlier and retained at the broker. Conventional subscription matching can be avoided for a registered subscription while that subscription is inactive, and subscribers are not required to explicitly and repeatedly subscribe and unsubscribe. |
| US08082551B2 |
System and method for sharing a trusted platform module
A system for sharing a trusted platform module (TPM) comprises a TPM operable to execute an operating system (OS)-level process, the TPM operable to pause the execution of the OS-level process and execute a non-OS-level process. |
| US08082550B2 |
Methods and apparatus for selecting a server to process a request
The invention is directed to techniques for selecting a resource from several resources to process a request from a client. A client sends the request to a data communications device (e.g., network device or switch), which measures usage information from usage meters associated with each resource (e.g., server). The data communications device then makes a usage estimate for each server of the increase in usage required for that server to process the request from the client. Then the data communications device selects one of the servers depending on the usage estimates required to respond to the client's request. The data communications device can consider other factors such as the current level of usage, past usage, and the increased cost of responding to the request. In addition, the data communications device can consider the peak usage level of each resource already established in a current billing period. |
| US08082549B2 |
System, method and apparatus for allocating resources by constraint selection
The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for allocating resources with a linear programming model comprising an objective function and a set of constraints describing feasible allocations of the resources. The method ranks constraints based on a numerical measure derived from criteria selected from at least a first and second group and selects one or more of the top-ranked constraints. A new problem is determined from the model's objective function, the previously selected constraints, and the newly selected constraints, and a tentative resource allocation is determined based on the new problem. Whenever the tentative resource allocation violates a model constraint not in the current problem, one or more of the top-ranked such violated constraints are selected, and the new problem determination and tentative resource allocation steps are repeated. The resources are allocated according to the tentative resource allocation when it does not violate any model constraints. |
| US08082547B1 |
Reallocating hardware resources among workloads in accordance with license rights
A method comprises recognizing a need for an additional resource to be made available to a target computer workload. A determination is made whether said target workload is licensed for additional resource. If the determination is positive, the resource is transferred to the target workload. If the determination is negative, a license is transferred from a source workload, and then the resource is transferred to the target workload. |
| US08082545B2 |
Task dispatch monitoring for dynamic adaptation to system conditions
Monitoring system wide task dispatch allows dynamic adaptation to conditions of a system. A monitor tracks the total tasks currently dispatched to the system. In a system with multiple processing units, this monitor is centralized and collects information about tasks dispatched to each of the processing units. The monitor compares the total dispatched tasks against a threshold that has already been defined. Further dispatching of tasks to the system is regulated based on comparison of the total dispatched tasks against the threshold. If the comparison achieves a trigger condition (e.g., total dispatched tasks exceeding the threshold), then task dispatch is throttled. Throttling further task dispatching, as long as the threshold is exceeded, allows progress to continue without overwhelming the system. |
| US08082541B2 |
Method and system for performing installation and configuration management of tester instrument modules
A method for managing multiple hardware test module versions, software components, and tester operating system (TOS) versions in a modular test system is disclosed. The method includes installing the TOS versions compatible with the modular test system in an archive and installing vendor software components corresponding to the hardware test module versions in the archive. The method further includes creating system profiles for describing vendor software components corresponding to the hardware test module versions and the TOS versions, selecting a system profile for the modular test system, where the system profile includes a set of compatible vendor software components and a selected TOS for testing a particular hardware test module version, and activating the selected TOS on the modular test system. |
| US08082540B2 |
Method for visually indicating preceding and succeeding source code lines that are executed in a graphical debugging environment
A method for visually displaying an indicator for preceding and succeeding source code lines being executed within a graphical debugging environment. The method includes displaying within a GUI source code lines for a segment of currently examined source code, displaying a visual indicator that is associated with a presently examined source code line, and determining a previously examined source code line, wherein the location of the previously examined line of source code is determined by the use of information that is associated with the previously examined line of source code. The method further includes displaying a visual indicator that is associated with the previously examined line of source code, determining a next source code line that is to be examined, and displaying a visual indicator that is associated with the next source code line that is to be examined. |
| US08082537B1 |
Method and apparatus for implementing spatially programmable through die vias in an integrated circuit
Examples of the invention relate to a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for designing a mother integrated circuit (IC) configured for stacking with at least one daughter IC. A layout of the mother IC includes at least one interface tile having an electrical configuration for communicating with interface logic of the daughter IC. The method includes: obtaining design rules for through die vias (TDVs) to be formed in the mother IC for implementing connections between the at least one interface tile and a physical interface of the daughter IC; defining a layout of the TDVs in the mother IC according to the design rules; and defining at least one mask for programming interconnect on the mother IC to physically connect the TDVs between the at least one interface tile and the physical interface of the daughter IC without changing the electrical configuration of the at least one interface tile. |
| US08082533B1 |
Method for resolving overloads in autorouting physical interconnections
Overloaded regions in the routing space of a physical network are resolved via a routing procedure composed of a topological routing phase and a geometric routing phase. The overloads are resolved in the topological routing phase where the constraints of routing are less prohibitive. Multiple topological transformations directed toward resolving the overloads are executed in the topological routing phase prior to a geometric arrangement being realized. The topological transformations may be applied concurrently by way of a multi-threaded embodiment of the invention. |
| US08082529B2 |
Method and system for mapping a boolean logic network to a limited set of application-domain specific logic cells
A method and system is described for mapping a system-level description of an integrated system directly to a technology-specific set of logic cells that are comprised primarily of large complex cells (bricks). The invention is based on applying aggressive Boolean operations that would be of impractical runtime complexity for a large library, but are applicable for the targeted brick libraries which typically contain a small number of complex cells, along with a much smaller number of simple cells. This invention is modular such that it can be applied in the context of incremental netlist optimization as well as optimization during physical synthesis. |
| US08082524B2 |
Mask patterns for use in multiple-exposure lithography
A method for determining mask patterns to be used on photo-masks in a multiple-exposure photolithographic process is described. During the method, an initial mask pattern, which is intended for use in a single-exposure photolithographic process, and a target pattern that is to be printed are used to determine a first mask pattern and a second mask pattern, which are intended for use in the multiple-exposure photolithographic process. In particular, the first mask pattern includes a first feature and the second mask pattern includes a second feature, and the first feature and the second feature overlap an intersection between features in the initial mask pattern. Moreover, the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern have at least one decreased spatial frequency relative to the initial mask pattern along at least one direction in the initial mask pattern. |
| US08082520B2 |
System and method for database management
A method, system and article of manufacture for database management and, more particularly, for managing multiple information management tools in a data processing system. One embodiment provides a method of managing multiple information management tools in a data processing system. The method comprises displaying, on a display device, a user interface of a toolkit configured for managing the multiple information management tools, the user interface comprising a plurality of selectable operations applicable to information management tools, receiving a user selection of an operation of the plurality of selectable operations, and applying the selected operation to at least one of the information management tools. |
| US08082513B2 |
Method and system for saving images from web pages
An exemplary method of saving images, the method comprising: selecting a set of characters displayed on the web page to be use as the name of the image to be saved; dragging and releasing the character set above the image. Saving the image with the character set being the name of the image file. |
| US08082510B2 |
Method and system for inserting advertisements in unified messaging solutions
A method and an apparatus for inserting an included message into an e-mail message, wherein the e-mail message is transferred through a unified messaging solution have been provided. In one embodiment, the unified messaging solution detects transmission of a voice mail message as the e-mail attachment. The voice mail message is received by a system that facilitates the transfer of the e-mail message. The system associates the included message with the voice mail message. The included message is inserted into the e-mail message. The system sends the e-mail message along with the included message and the attached voice mail message to an intended user. In a preferred embodiment, the included message is an advertising message. |
| US08082507B2 |
Scalable user interface
The scaling of a user interface according to network or device limitations is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method of scaling a user interface, comprising sending a user interface over a network to a networked device, detecting a performance limitation of the user interface in at least one of the network or the networked device, and scaling a parameter of the user interface in response to the detected limitation to improve the performance of the user interface. In this manner, a user interface may be scaled in response to limitations on performance and end-user experience can be improved. |
| US08082504B1 |
Creation of a reference point to mark a media presentation
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and software for the marking of media modules. Embodiments described herein include a system and method for creating a reference point on a first device. The reference point may be used to mark a point of a media module being presented on a second device by correlating the reference point on the first device to the point to be marked in the presentation of the media module presented on the second device. The media module or a copy of the media module may be presented in a presentation module utilizing the marked point created using the reference point. |
| US08082503B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating moving picture clip and/or displaying content file list, and recording medium storing program for executing the method
A recording and reproducing apparatus for displaying a content file list, a content file list displaying method and a recording medium storing a program performing the method, which are capable of easily identifying a paused content file and memorizing a point of the content file which reproducing is paused and content of the content file at the paused point, are provided. The method includes: determining whether or not a paused content file exists; creating a content file list capable of identifying the paused content file with reference to the result of the determination; and displaying the created content file list. |
| US08082500B2 |
Method and apparatus for communicating with an intelligent electronic device associated to a switching device in power systems
A method and apparatus for communicating with an intelligent electronic device coupled to a switching device used in a power system, wherein a user-interface software program operates on a computing device which is operatively connected to the intelligent electronic device. The user-interface software program when executed by the processor of the computing device provides a plurality of wizards selectable by a user. Upon selecting a wizard to be executed, the user-interface software program causes the display on a monitor of a first window displaying wizard controls for guiding a user in the execution of one or more steps related to the selected wizard, and a second window separate from the first window displaying information related to the step under execution. |
| US08082499B2 |
Graphical interface for interactive dialog
A system and method for creating conversation in a computer program such as a videogame. A plurality of classes of dialog is provided and a conversation segment is assigned to each class. A graphical interface is displayed during operation of the program that provides a choice indicator, wherein the choice indicator has a plurality of selectable slots, each associated with a dialog class. The graphical interface is consistent as to the position of dialog classes throughout at least a segment of the program. |
| US08082496B1 |
Producing a set of operations from an output description
Producing a set of operations from an output description is disclosed. Producing includes receiving a description of a desired result, where the description is associated with a metalanguage, determining a set of operations such that executing the set of operations would produce the desired result, and providing the set of operations as input to one or more applications. |
| US08082494B2 |
Rendering markup language macro data for display in a graphical user interface
Embodiments are provided for rendering markup language data representing a macro as macro objects in a graphical user interface on a display device and for converting macro objects to markup language data. In one embodiment, markup language data representing the macro from a data source may be translated into macro objects for display in the graphical user interface in response to receiving a paste command in an application program. The macro objects visually represent the macro. The application program may automatically convert the markup language data into the macro objects. The macro objects are then automatically rendered in the graphical user interface. In another embodiment, a selection of macro objects displayed in the graphical user interface may be received via a copy command in the application program. In response to receiving the copy command, the application program may automatically convert the selected macro objects into markup language data. |
| US08082491B1 |
Dynamic displays in a distributed computing environment
A mechanism for describing dynamic display objects in a distributed computing environment is described. A service in a distributed computing environment may generate results data for a client in response to client requests. The service may provide schemas describing the presentation characteristics of results data. The schemas may include information for use in presenting the results data. The results data may include data elements, and the presentation schema may include presentation elements each including information describing the presentation characteristics of one or more of the data elements. The client may map data elements to corresponding presentation elements from the schema, and may use the element corresponding to a data element to present the data element. Using the dynamic display objects, display behavior may be altered without having to rebuild code. |
| US08082489B2 |
Using a spreadsheet engine as a server-side calculation model
This disclosure is directed to novel solutions for processing data in a manner similar to that employed by traditional spreadsheet applications (including, merely by way of example, evaluating expressions, producing reports and the like) without the need for a spreadsheet application. In an aspect, a spreadsheet calculation engine might be emulated in a Java environment, allowing for enhanced data input/output flexibility while still maintaining the ease with which traditional spreadsheet applications allow users to design a calculation model. In another aspect, the spreadsheet engine might be provided on a web server, database server and/or application server, allowing for data (including, for instance, reports comprising data processed and/or produced by the spreadsheet calculation engine) to be published easily (and, in some cases dynamically) on the web. |
| US08082488B2 |
Method for accessing a parent page while browsing web pages
According to the present invention, a method for accessing a parent page while browsing web pages is provided, which comprises steps of: receiving by a server a request from a user to extract a web page; when extracting the web page, updating by the server an “UP” list according to a parent-children-relation markup pre-stored in a page link to the web page, and entering into the web page linked by the page link; when requesting by the user the parent page, obtaining by the server the current “UP” list for the user to extract the parent page. |
| US08082487B2 |
Method to prevent access of web applications from bookmarked links
An improved solution for accessing a web application is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling access to a web application includes: receiving a request for a first web page application, wherein the first web application is connected to a second web page application via a link at the second web page application; determining if the request is likely from a book marked link to the first web page application or from the link at the second web page application; and providing one of the second web page application and the first web page application based on the determining. |
| US08082486B1 |
Source attribution of embedded content
A method, an apparatus and/or a system of source attribution of embedded content is disclosed. A source attribution system includes a tracking module configured to generate an identification meta-data to be associated with an original content of a first publisher that originates in a third-party source server of a public wide area network such that the original content is attributable to the first publisher through the identification meta-data associated thereto with the original content when the original content having the associated identification meta-data is republished. The system further includes a processor including a memory which is configured to determine that a subsequent publishing of the original content is an embedded portion of another work of authorship. The system also includes a notification module that notifies the first publisher upon subsequent publication of the original content by a subsequent publisher. |
| US08082484B2 |
DTV transmitter and method of coding main and enhanced data in DTV transmitter
A DTV transmitter includes a pre-processor pre-processing enhanced data, a data formatter generating enhanced data packets including the pre-processed data and inserting known data place holders to the data packets, and a multiplexer multiplexing the enhanced data packets with main data packets. It further includes an RS encoder which RS-codes the multiplexed data packets, and a data interleaver which interleaves the RS-coded data packets. The RS encoder adds systematic RS parity data to each main data packet and adds non-systematic RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet. The RS encoder adds the RS parity place holders such that the RS parity place holders are placed after the enhanced data within each interleaved enhanced data packet. |
| US08082483B2 |
High speed turbo codes decoder for 3G using pipelined SISO Log-MAP decoders architecture
A MIMO system with Diversity processing is provided having Turbo Codes Decoders for computing orthogonal signals from multiple separate antennas. The invention decodes multipath signals that have arrived at the terminal via different routes after being reflected from buildings, trees or hills. The Turbo Codes Decoder with Diversity processing increases the signal to noise ratio (SNR) more than 6 dB which enables the Wireless system to deliver data rates from up to 200 Mbit/s. The invention provides several improved Turbo Codes Decoder methods and devices that provide a more suitable, practical and simpler method for implementation a Turbo Codes Decoder in ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or DSP codes. A Turbo Codes Decoder block is provided to compute baseband signals from multiple different receiver paths. Several pipelined max-Log-MAP decoders are used for iterative decoding of received data. A Sliding Window of Block N data is used for pipeline operations. In a pipeline mode, a first decoder A decodes block N data from a first source, while a second decoder B decodes block N data from a second source during the same clock cycle. Pipelined max-Log-MAP decoders provide high speed data throughput and one output per clock cycle. |
| US08082482B2 |
System for performing error correction operations in a memory hub device of a memory module
A memory system is provided for performing error correction operations in a memory module. The memory system comprises a memory hub device integrated in the memory module and a set of memory devices coupled to the memory hub device. The memory hub device comprises a link interface integrated into the memory hub device that provides a communication pathway between an external memory controller and the set of memory devices. The memory hub device also comprises first error correction logic provided in write logic integrated in the memory hub device, the write logic providing a data path for writing data to the set of memory devices. The memory hub device also comprises second error correction logic provided in read logic integrated in the memory hub device, the read logic providing a data path for reading data from the set of memory devices. |
| US08082481B2 |
Multiple CRC insertion in an output data stream
A computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving a message to transmit from the channel subsystem to the control unit. The method also includes determining a first CRC insertion position, and receiving a first CRC calculated over a first block of data in the message. The method additionally includes inserting the first calculated CRC at the first CRC insertion position, and determining a second CRC insertion position. The method further includes receiving a second CRC calculated over a second block of data in the message, and inserting the second calculated CRC at the second CRC insertion position. |
| US08082479B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating permutations
Methods and apparatus for determining at least one permutation of a set of a K number of values are disclosed. The methods and apparatus utilize a first permutation functionality that maps an index value to another value within the set of K values according to the first outputting the mapped value as a next value in the at least one permutation; setting the index value to a next index value according to a second predefined permutation function; and repeating mapping, outputting and setting until each operation is performed at least K number of times and a permuted sequence of the K number of values has been output. |
| US08082477B2 |
Method of memory build-in self-test
The present invention discloses a memory build-in self-test comprising steps of: (a) determining whether there is redundant address in the ROM; (b) when there is redundant address for storing standard check code, transferring the coefficient file in the ROM to a predetermined format; (c) producing a self-test logic and a standard check code corresponding to the ROM via design tool; (d) writing the standard check code into the redundant address and generating a new ROM. The present invention can assure that the standard check code and coefficient can be simply revised via corresponding way of Mask Change, so as to detect the damages of ROM by using memory build-in self-test (MBIST) which does not need to remake a whole set of Mask to revise the standard check code outside the ROM, so as to save cost and time, and lower the difficulty to update the product. |
| US08082475B2 |
Enhanced microprocessor interconnect with bit shadowing
Shadow selection logic is used to select a driver bit position as a shadowed driver value, and line drivers to transmit data for the selected driver bit position and the shadowed driver value on separate link segments of a bus. In addition shadow compare logic is used to compare a selected received value with a shadowed received value from the bus and identify a miscompare in response to a mismatch of the compare, and shadow counters to count a rate of the miscompare relative to a bus error rate over a period of time. A defective link segment is identified in response to the rate of the miscompare within a predefined threshold of the bus error rate. |
| US08082471B2 |
Self healing software
The systems and methods describe a self healing framework (SHF) that can monitor errors in a computing system and can resolve the errors and/or suggest methods for resolving the errors to a user based on a heuristic approach. In addition, the SHF can analyze errors that occurred in the past and can predict such occurrences in the future to help users take proactive actions against possible errors. |
| US08082461B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method of image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a controlling unit, and a monitoring unit to monitor, while the printing unit and the controlling unit are in a power-saving mode in which power supply to the printing unit and the controlling unit is stopped, whether there is a resuming factor for resuming operation from the power-saving mode. When the resuming factor is detected, the monitoring unit sends to the printing unit a request to resume operation and a request to set a printing mode, before sending a request to resume operation to the controlling unit. |
| US08082453B2 |
Power sharing between midspan and endspan for higher power PoE
Methods and systems for higher power PoE are provided. Embodiments overcome system limitations to PSE power scaling by using an endspan-midspan configuration which allocates power to the PD from both an endspan PSE and a midspan PSE. Embodiments are particularly suitable for deployed PoE systems having limited power supplies and/or ports designed for lower power. Further, embodiments include power management schemes to enable the proposed endspan-midspan configuration to intelligently allocate power between the endspan PSE and the midspan PSE according to required PD power. |
| US08082451B2 |
Data access control
A data handling mechanism, wherein a small binary tag is appended to data (each message and file) for controlling the access and handling of the data. The tag contains dedicated bits for indicating its various usage rights such as copying, forwarding, editing and also right to edit the tag itself. The tag is created by an author of the data or by any other party handling the data, including middleware agents and possible recipients of the data based on contextual information such as network or ownership domain of the author and/or of the recipient. |
| US08082450B2 |
Method for creating a secure counter on an on-board computer system comprising a chip card
According to the inventive method, the chip card, a counting function (FC), a counter (Cpt) and a private key (Cf) stored in the write-only part of the memory region are stored in a persistent memory, the counter and the private key (Cf) being accessible only by the counting function (FC). When the chip card receives a counter request emitted by an requesting entity (ER), the counting function (FC) performs a modification of the counter (Cpt) and a calculation of a signature, and sends a response to the applicant entity (ER). When the on-board system receives the response to the counter request, the signature contained in the response is checked. |
| US08082441B2 |
Hitless manual cryptographic key refresh in secure packet networks
In a hitless manual cryptographic key refresh scheme, a state machine is independently maintained at each network node. The state machine includes a first state, a second state, and a third state. In the first state, which is the steady state, a current cryptographic key is used both for generating signatures for outgoing packets and for authenticating signatures of incoming packets. In the second state, which is entered when a new cryptographic key is provisioned, the old (i.e. formerly current) key is still used for generating signatures for outgoing packets, however one or, if necessary, both of the old key and the newly provisioned key is used for authenticating signatures of incoming packets. In the third state, the new key is used for generating signatures for outgoing packets and either one or both of the old key and new key are used for authenticating signatures of incoming packets. |
| US08082436B2 |
Enhanced UEFI framework layer
A unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) includes providing by a manufacturer, a basic input/output system (BIOS) personality module to initialize an information handling system (IHS) and receiving from an outside vendor, a BIOS initialization module to initialize the IHS. The UEFI also includes integrating operations of the personality module and the initialization module by translating communication between the personality module and the initialization module. |
| US08082433B1 |
Disk drive employing boot disk space to expedite the boot operation for a host computer
A disk drive is disclosed wherein boot data is transmitted from a first plurality of data sectors to a host during a first boot operation, and a log is maintained identifying a plurality of the transmitted data sectors. The log is used to write the boot data to a boot disk space comprising a second plurality of data sectors. During a second boot operation, the boot data is pre-fetched from the second plurality of data sectors of the boot disk space and stored in a cache. |
| US08082432B2 |
Managing and changing device settings
A system facilitates the configuring of a set of devices. The system stores templates, where each template includes configuration data that applies to one or more of the devices. The system configures the devices based on the configuration data in the templates. |
| US08082424B2 |
Determining when a set of compute nodes participating in a barrier operation on a parallel computer are ready to exit the barrier operation
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for determining when a set of compute nodes participating in a barrier operation on a parallel computer are ready to exit the barrier operation that includes, for each compute node in the set: initializing a barrier counter with no counter underflow interrupt; configuring, upon entering the barrier operation, the barrier counter with a value in dependence upon a number of compute nodes in the set; broadcasting, by a DMA engine on the compute node to each of the other compute nodes upon entering the barrier operation, a barrier control packet; receiving, by the DMA engine from each of the other compute nodes, a barrier control packet; modifying, by the DMA engine, the value for the barrier counter in dependence upon each of the received barrier control packets; exiting the barrier operation if the value for the barrier counter matches the exit value. |
| US08082423B2 |
Generating a flush vector from a first execution unit directly to every other execution unit of a plurality of execution units in order to block all register updates
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and handling an instruction flush in a microprocessor system. A flush mechanism is provided that is distributed across all of the execution units in a data processing system. The flush mechanism does not require a central collection point to re-distribute the flush signals to the execution units. Each unit generates a flush vector to all other execution units which is used to block register updates for the flushed instructions. |
| US08082421B2 |
Program instruction rearrangement methods in computer
A program instruction rearrangement method calculates the dependency depth of each instruction of a program based on dependency between instructions, based on register access order, and rearranging instructions based on the dependency depth. Additionally, the dependency between instructions can be utilized to locate and remove redundant instructions. |
| US08082420B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing instructions
A method and apparatus for executing instructions in a processor are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes receiving a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions includes first instructions in a first thread and second instructions in a second thread. The method further includes forming a common issue group including an instruction of a first instruction type and an instruction of a second instruction type. The method also includes issuing the common issue group to a first execution unit and a second execution unit. The instruction of the first instruction type is issued to the first execution unit and the instruction of the second instruction type is issued to the second execution unit. |
| US08082419B2 |
Residual addition for video software techniques
According to some embodiments, a technique provides for the execution of an instruction that includes receiving residual data of a first image and decoded pixels of a second image, zero-extending a plurality of unsigned data operands of the decoded pixels producing a plurality of unpacked data operands, adding a plurality of signed data operands of the residual data to the plurality of unpacked data operands producing a plurality of signed results; and saturating the plurality of signed results producing a plurality of unsigned results. |
| US08082409B2 |
Data storage device and data management method in data storage device
In one embodiment, a HDD creates a segment table to associate an address of user data in a flash memory with an LBA in a magnetic disk. The HDD updates the segment table in a DRAM and saves it to the flash memory at a specific timing. The HDD creates journals indicating the update of the segment table and saves it to the flash memory. The latest segment table can be restored using the segment table and the journals in the flash memory. |
| US08082408B2 |
System and method for resuming backup of a volume after a backup operation prematurely terminates
A first snapshot of a volume is created at a first point in time. A first backup operation to backup the volume to a first backup image using the first snapshot is initiated. The first backup operation terminates before completion, e.g., due to a failure. A second snapshot of the volume representing the state of the volume at a second point in time is then created. The second snapshot is used by a second backup operation to resume backing up the volume to a second backup image. The first backup image is then merged with the second backup image. |
| US08082406B1 |
Techniques for reducing data storage needs using CDP/R
Techniques for reducing data storage needs using continuous data protection and replication are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for reducing data storage needs using a continuous data protection and replication device comprising creating a master image of material identified by a user, generating a virtual replica of the master image on a storage area network using the continuous data protection and replication device to virtualize physical storage containing the master image, generating a copy of the virtual replica on the storage area network, and providing a virtual logical unit number to access the copy, wherein the access enables a process which requires exclusive access to content of the master image to obtain such access without requiring physical storage for an entire copy of the master image. |
| US08082405B2 |
Dynamic address translation with fetch protection
In an enhanced dynamic address translation facility a virtual address to be translated and an initial origin address of a translation table of the hierarchy of translation tables are used to access a segment table entry containing a format control field and an access validity field. If the format control field is enabled, the segment table entry further contains an access control field and a fetch protection field and a segment-frame absolute address. Fetch operations from the desired block of data are permitted if the program access key associated with the virtual address is equal to the segment access control field. |
| US08082399B2 |
Cache bounded reference counting
Cache bounded reference counting for computer languages having automated memory management in which, for example, a reference to an object “Z” initially stored in an object “O” is fetched and the cache hardware is queried whether the reference to the object “Z” is a valid reference, is in a cache, and has a continuity flag set to “on”. If the object “Z” is a valid reference, is in the cache, and has a continuity flag set to “on”, the object “O” is locked for an update, a reference counter is decremented for the object “Z” if the object “Z” resides in the cache, and a return code is set to zero to indicate that the object “Z” is de-referenced and that its storage memory can be released and re-used if the reference counter for the object “Z” reaches zero. Thereafter, the cache hardware is similarly queried regarding an object “N” that will become a new reference of object “O”. |
| US08082397B1 |
Private slot
Described are techniques and criteria used in connection with cache management. The cache may be organized as a plurality of memory banks in which each memory bank includes a plurality of slots. Each memory bank has an associated control slot that includes groups of extents of tags. Each cache slot has a corresponding tag that includes a bit value indicating the availability of the associated cache slot, and a time stamp indicating the last time the data in the slot was used. The cache may be shared by multiple processors. Exclusive access of the cache slots is implemented using an atomic compare and swap instruction. The time stamp of slots in the cache may be adjusted to indicate ages of slots affecting the amount of time a particular portion of data remains in the cache. Each director may obtain a cache slot from a private stack of nondata cache slots in addition to accessing a shared cache used by all directors. |
| US08082396B2 |
Selecting a command to send to memory
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, select a command to send to memory. In an embodiment, the oldest command in a write queue that does not collide with a conflict queue is sent to memory and added to the conflict queue if some or all of the following are true: all of the commands in the read queue collide with the conflict queue, any read command incoming from the processor does not collide with the write queue, the number of commands in the write queue is greater than a first threshold, and all commands in the conflict queue have been present for less than a second threshold. In an embodiment, a command does not collide with a queue if the command does not access the same cache line in memory as the commands in the queue. In this way, in an embodiment, write commands are sent to the memory at a time that reduces the impact on the performance of read commands. |
| US08082394B2 |
Computer system, storage system and method for extending volume capacity
The object of the present invention is to prevent distribution of a storage range to a volume from an inappropriate disk drive based on use of the volume as a result of an automatic extension of a volume capacity. A computer system has a storage system including a physical storage device, a host computer, and a management computer. The storage system includes a plurality of kinds of physical storage devices physically dividing into two segments or more the volume and records as constitution information the correspondence between each segment and the volume using the segment. And the storage system records the kind of physical storage device to be allocated to the volume and selects the physical storage device according to the kind of stored physical storage device for allocation of the segment when the host computer performs an I/O access to the volume. Access frequency is monitored and data is copied based on the monitored access frequency. |
| US08082393B2 |
Method and system for rebuilding data in a distributed RAID system
Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed provide a distributed RAID system comprising a set of data banks. More particularly, in certain embodiments of a distributed RAID system each data bank has a set of associated storage media and executes a similar distributed RAID application. The distributed RAID applications on each of the data banks coordinate among themselves to distribute and control data flow associated with implementing a level of RAID in conjunction with a volume stored on the associated storage media of the data banks. Migration of volumes, or portions thereof, from one configuration to another configuration may be accomplished according to a priority associated with the volume. |
| US08082391B2 |
Component discovery in multi-blade server chassis
An I/O module includes a switch module, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller and a baseboard management controller (BMC). A first address for a first component of the plurality of components is received. The first address is provided by a user. The switch module is queried for additional addresses for additional components of the plurality of components. The switch module obtains the additional addresses for the additional components from a first persistent storage location associated with the switch module. The first and additional addresses for the first and additional components are stored in a second persistent storage location accessible by the BMC, the switch module, and the RAID controller. Synchronization of the first and additional addresses for the first and additional components in the second persistent location is controlled by the BMC. |
| US08082390B1 |
Techniques for representing and storing RAID group consistency information
Described are techniques for representing and using RAID group consistency information. RAID group consistency information for a slice of data included on a device may be obtained by mapping the slice to an index. The index is one of a plurality of indices each associated with a structure indicating RAID group inconsistencies for a different portion of slices of data of the device. If the index is not associated with a structure, it may be determined that there is no RAID group inconsistency for the slice. If the index is associated with a structure, a hint bit associated with the slice may be determined wherein the hint bit encodes summary consistency information for a plurality of slices. A determination is made as to whether the hint bit is set, and, if the hint bit is not set, it is determined that there is no RAID group inconsistency for the slice. |
| US08082389B2 |
Apparatus and method for mirroring data between nonvolatile memory and a hard disk drive
This storage apparatus that provides to a host computer a logical device for storing data sent from the host computer includes a nonvolatile memory for storing the data, a disk-shaped memory device for storing the data, and a controller for controlling the nonvolatile memory and the disk-shaped memory device. The controller redundantly configures the logical device with the nonvolatile memory and the disk-shaped memory device. |
| US08082387B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for management of a memory system
Methods, devices, and systems for a memory management system within an electronic device are disclosed, such as those wherein the memory management system is external to and compatible with the architecture of currently existing operating systems. One such memory management system may include a power savings manager configured to be invoked by a memory allocation manager. The power savings manager may also be configured to determine whether physical memory blocks should be active or inactive. Furthermore, the memory management system may include a driver configured to activate or deactivate a memory block in response to a system call from the power savings manager. |
| US08082386B2 |
Method of performing wear leveling with variable threshold
A wear leveling limit and/or an overall erase count threshold used for activating wear leveling in a non-volatile memory may be adjusted by determining a stage according to a highest erase count, and determining the wear leveling limit and/or the overall erase count threshold corresponding to the stage. Wear leveling may then be performed according to the wear leveling limit and/or the overall erase count threshold. |
| US08082383B2 |
Semiconductor memory device which includes memory cell having charge accumulation layer and control gate
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a power source circuit, a sense amplifier, a control circuit, and a processor. The memory cell array includes a nonvolatile memory cell. The power source circuit includes a first register and generates a voltage. The sense amplifier includes a second register, reads from the memory cell and amplifies the read data. The control circuit includes a third register and controls operations of the power source circuit and the sense amplifier. The processor controls the operations of the power source circuit, the sense amplifier and the control circuit by giving an instruction to the first to third registers. The control circuit decodes the instruction received at the third register so as to control the power source circuit and the sense amplifier directly based on a result of decoding. |
| US08082382B2 |
Memory device with user configurable density/performance
The memory device is comprised of a memory array having a plurality of memory cells that are organized into memory blocks. Each memory cell is capable of storing a selectable quantity of data bits (e.g., multiple level cells or a single bit per cell). Control circuitry controls the density configuration of read or write operations to the memory blocks in response to a configuration command. In one embodiment, the configuration command is part of the read or write command. In another embodiment, the configuration command is read from a configuration register. |
| US08082379B2 |
Systems and methods for managing semantic locks
In one embodiment, a system for managing semantic locks and semantic lock requests for a resource is provided. Access to the resource is controlled such that compatible lock requests can access the resource and incompatible lock requests are queued. |
| US08082377B2 |
Data transmission and reception system, master device, and slave device
A master device for performing data transmission and reception with a slave device includes: a data transmission and reception circuit for performing transmission of data to the slave device and reception of data from the slave device via a first transmission path in a time division manner; and a control circuit wherein when data is transmitted or received, the control circuit provides a clock signal synchronous with the data to the slave device via a second transmission path, the control circuit provides a signal for setting a state of the slave device, to the slave device via a third transmission path while setting the clock signal at a first level, and the control circuit provides a signal for serving as a trigger for the slave device performing a predetermined operation, to the slave device via the third transmission path while setting the clock signal at a second level different from the first level. |
| US08082374B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, method of processing information, and computer program
An information processing apparatus includes a communication processing unit configured to communicate with an external communication device; and a data processing unit configured to communicate with the communication processing unit and carry out data processing. The communication processing unit includes a memory where data transmitted and received between a communication device and the data processing unit is temporarily stored, and a control unit configured to control data writing and data reading. When a command packet received from the communication device is a data reading request, the control unit acquires data from the memory and transmits the data to the communication device. When the command packet received from the communication device is a data writing request, the control unit stores data in the memory, acquires data from the memory in response to the request from the data processing unit, and outputs the data to the data processing unit. |
| US08082369B2 |
System and method for configuring an electronic device
A system and method configures an electronic device. The method comprises detecting a coupling of a peripheral device to a host device. The peripheral device appears as a compound device including an interface device and a communications device. The method comprises identifying a protocol utilized by the communications device. The method comprises generating a communications link between the communications device and the host device when the protocol is compatible with a driver of the host device. |
| US08082363B2 |
Multiplexed communication between host computer and smartphone used as wireless modem
Data is communicated between a first computing device and a second computing device over a transport employing a communication protocol in a multiplexed manner. The second computing device also includes wireless communication capabilities. Data is received from a first application and a second application through a first virtual port and a second virtual port, respectively, and packets are generated from the data. Tags corresponding to the first application or the second application are added to each packet. The packets are multiplexed and transmitted over the transport according to the communication protocol. The transmitted packets are de-multiplexed based upon the tags to reconstruct the data corresponding to the first or second application. |
| US08082362B1 |
System and method for selection of data paths in a clustered storage system
A system and method for selecting data paths among nodes of a clustered storage system is provided. A data path selection module is operatively interconnected with one or more test modules executing on a client computer of the clustered storage system. When invoked, the data path selection module performs an auto discovery process to identify the configuration of the cluster and identifies an appropriate data path to be utilized for either local/remote access to a specified data container. |
| US08082361B2 |
Method and system for providing a mobile IP network with non-path dependent intra domain quality of service
A system and method for providing quality of service (QoS) service over a mobile IP network with dynamic domains, multiple or distributed QoS managers per domain and/or with network congestion feedback being used to establish an estimated total domain bandwidth which is used for regulating access to a domain. |
| US08082353B2 |
Reciprocal addition of attribute fields in access control lists and profiles for femto cell coverage management
System(s) and method(s) provide access management to femto cell service through access control list(s) (e.g., white list(s), or black list(s)). White list(s) includes a set of subscriber station(s) identifier numbers, codes, or tokens, and also can include additional fields for femto cell access management based on desired complexity. White list(s) can have associated white list profile(s) therewith to establish logic of femto coverage access based on the white list(s). A mechanism for reciprocal addition of access field attributes in access control lists and white list profiles also is provided. The mechanism allows at least in part for a first subscriber to be added to a configured white list of a second subscriber, when the first subscriber configures a new white list, the second subscriber is reciprocally incorporated in the new white list. Such mechanism can be driven and facilitates generation of associations among groups of subscribers that share specific commonalities. |
| US08082352B2 |
Method, system, terminal and device management server for installing software components
A method for installing software components includes: a terminal receives a software component package delivered by a Device Management (DM) server directly or a download address of the component package and a command instructing to download delivered by the DM server, where the software component package contains more than one software component; if the terminal receives the download address and the command instructing to download, the terminal downloads the software component package from the download address; the terminal installs the obtained software component package locally and generates management nodes and subnodes of the management nodes corresponding to the software components under a Deployed subtree of the Software Component Management Object (SCOMO) of the terminal. With the present invention, the process of installing software component is more reasonable. A system and apparatus for installing software components are also provided. |
| US08082348B1 |
Selecting an instance of a resource using network routability information
A client computer requests a resource from an ISP/OSP. The ISP/OSP maintains multiple instances of the resource. In deciding to which instance of the resource to route the client computer, a resource selection server takes network routability information into account. Geographic proximity, resource utilization, network utilization, and/or maintenance of peering agreements may also be taken into account in selecting the instance of the resource. |
| US08082342B1 |
Discovery of short-term and emerging trends in computer network traffic
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for identifying currently dominant events in a computer system. Events in the computer system are monitored. A subset of the monitored events is selected. Priorities are assigned to the events in the subset of monitored events. The priorities are generated through applying a mathematical formula to each event in the subset of events, which mathematical formula discounts old events relative to recent events. A first set of priorities is stored in a first priority queue. The first set of priorities identifies the currently dominant events in the subset of monitored events. |
| US08082338B2 |
Storage network system, managing apparatus, managing method and program
A management computer includes a memory storing toplogical information including identifiers of ports of computers, storage apparatuses, and switches. The management computer includes a processor, which is configured to: collect a plurality of performance information of the ports, and a plurality of access times from computer ports to the storage apparatuses; evaluate that a certain access time among the plurality of access times exceeds a predetermined allowable range; search a first access path to which the certain access time corresponds; search at least one second access path starting from a first computer port on the first access path; and search performance information of certain ports which are on the at least one second access path in order to display the searched performance information. |
| US08082335B2 |
Method and system for telecommunications network planning and management
A method of performing network modification in a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method comprises storing a database comprising a master inventory defining network resources available in the network. A network modification is performed by a process comprising modifying the database storing the master inventory; and modifying the network in dependence on the modified database. The method can be used in the management of telecommunications systems. A network planning method is also disclosed. |
| US08082331B2 |
Optimized multicasting using an interest-aware membership service
A communications network with a structured overlay in which client nodes are interlinked to define a ring uses an interest-aware membership service to identify which client nodes are subscribed to a topic. One of the client nodes in a segment of the ring is designated to be a content-provider node, and a message concerning the topic is communicated to the node. The segment is divided into subsegments. At least one subsegment is redefined by using the interest-aware membership service to assign an outermost subscribing client node to serve as the respective terminal node of the subsegment. The message is broadcast from the content-provider node to the terminal node of the redefined subsegment. The steps of designating, communicating, dividing, redefining and broadcasting are recursively performed, using the subsegment as the segment. |
| US08082330B1 |
Application aware automated storage pool provisioning
Described are techniques for configuring one or more physical devices of a data storage system for use in connection with provisioning storage for an application. A policy is received which includes one or more sets of data storage system best practices. Each of said one or more sets specifies data storage system best practices for a different type of data storage system including a first type associated with said data storage system. Configuration in connection with initialization of said data storage system is performed to configure a first portion of said one or more physical devices for use with one or more storage pools. The best practices for said first type of data storage system specified in said policy are used in performing said configuration processing. |
| US08082328B2 |
Method and apparatus for publishing documents over a network
An apparatus and method for publishing an electronic document on a network is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus for publishing an electronic document on a wide area network comprising at least one server and a client, a client having memory for storing an electronic document, and means for sending the electronic document to the server, wherein a URL is associated with the electronic document, a security key associated with the URL, and means for sending a URL to a user. |
| US08082323B2 |
Monitoring host apparatus, image forming apparatus, and access control method for access to their web pages
The invention realizes access authentication by a simple method using an existing hardware construction while assuring security when a user accesses a monitoring service display screen of a monitoring host from a client PC. A WEB page provided by a monitoring host apparatus is accessed from a WEB page intended for an administrator using an image forming apparatus, a device serial number of the image forming apparatus is used for authentication, thereby omitting an authentication operation using a log-in/account. Thus, problems experienced by the user or the administrator of the monitoring host in managing the log-in/account and a password are minimized. |
| US08082322B1 |
Federation of information from multiple data sources into a common, role-based distribution model
A computerized system for and method of creating applications that access information from multiple data sources into a common, role-based distribution model are described. The computerized system includes a server having one or more dynamic object libraries, one or more template libraries, and a dynamically allocated area in the computer memory where data is stored, referenced, and manipulated. The system also includes one or more adapters, each allowing the server to access one of the data sources. |
| US08082318B2 |
Controlling service requests transmitted from a client to a server
A method and system for controlling service requests from a client to a server involves intercepting and controlling the transmission of service requests from the client to the server. The service requests are queued at the client and the transmission of the queued service requests are delayed to smooth the frequency of service requests transmitted to the server. |
| US08082312B2 |
System and method for communicating over a network with a medical device
A medical device is provided that performs a requested action. The requested action may be communicated, for example, to the medical device via email messages. After performing the requested action, a response that is dependent upon the requested action is generated. The generated response is then sent on a network from the medical device as an email message. |
| US08082309B2 |
Delivery system and computer program product
When delivery data input to a delivery server is directly input to an MFP by an applicant, an examination request flow is determined as a flow to be executed next. When the delivery data input to the delivery server is transmitted from an information processing apparatus of an examiner, an approval request flow is determined as the flow to be executed next. When the delivery data input to the delivery server is transmitted from the information processing apparatus of an approver, an issuance flow is determined as the flow to be executed next. |
| US08082307B2 |
Redistributing messages in a clustered messaging environment
Messages are redistributed in a clustered messaging environment including messaging servers and consuming applications. Each messaging server has a queue partition operable to contain messages. Each consuming application can connect to a messaging server in to consume one or more messages from a queue partition local to that messaging server. A message on a holding queue partition local to a messaging server without at least one consumer interested in consuming that message is said to be marooned. A marooned message is redistributed from the holding queue partition to a messaging server that does have at least one consumer interested in consuming the message. The redistribution involves identifying a group of servers, each of which has one or more consumers interesting in consuming the message, selecting a server from the group and forwarding the message to the selected server. |
| US08082303B2 |
Methods and apparatus for combined peer to peer and wide area network based discovery
A first wireless communications device includes a wide area network (WAN) interface and a peer to peer interface. The first device discovers the presence of a second wireless communications device via a peer discovery signal, received via its peer to peer interface. The second device has been transmitting, e.g., periodically, certain information, e.g., its location and/or shopping preferences, to a node within the WAN. The detected first signal triggers an application alert in the first device. The first device recovers past information about the second device through a second signal received via its WAN interface. The first device uses information communicated in the first signal, e.g., device identifier information, and information communicated in the second signal, e.g., past location and/or shopping information, to generate a targeted message for the second device. The first device communicates the targeted message via its peer to peer interface in a peer to peer traffic channel. |
| US08082298B1 |
Selecting an advertising message for presentation on a page of a publisher web site based upon both user history and page context
A facility for selecting an advertising message to present to a user via a selected device in connection with a selected instance of electronic content presented via the device is described. For the selected instance of electronic content, as well as any other instances of electronic content that were previously presented via the selected device during an immediately preceding period of time of preselected length, the facility distinguishes any subjects identified as corresponding to the instance of electronic content. Among a number of advertising messages, the facility distinguishes advertising messages identified as corresponding to any of the distinguished subjects. The facility weights each of the distinguished advertising messages based upon its expected level of performance, and randomly selects one of the distinguished advertising messages in accordance with their weights for presentation in connection with the selected instance of electronic content via the selected device. |
| US08082296B2 |
Bus system
A disclosed bus system includes multiple server agents corresponding one-to-one with server applications; and multiple user agents corresponding one-to-one with user applications. Each server agent includes a first server-agent communication unit for communicating with the corresponding server application; a server-agent determination unit for determining as communication targets one or more selected from the user agents and the other server agents; and a second server-agent communication unit for communicating with the communication targets determined by the server-agent determination unit. Each user agent includes a first user-agent communication unit for communicating with the corresponding user application; a user-agent determination unit for determining as communication targets one or more selected from the server agents and the other user agents; and a second user-agent communication unit for communicating with the communication targets determined by the user-agent determination unit. |
| US08082294B2 |
Methods and systems for providing web applications
Methods and systems consistent with certain disclosed embodiments provide applications. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed that provides applications. The system may include a computer system that receives a request related to an application and a database system. The database system may include a database and an application server module and a framework of software modules logically arranged to provide controlled access to data in the database. The application server module may use the data to generate content to generate a Web page related to the application. Further, the software modules may be logically arranged in layers such that access to data or software in a software module of one layer is performed by executing software in another software module of another layer. |
| US08082293B1 |
Distributed hypermedia method and system for automatically invoking external application providing interaction and display of embedded objects within a hypermedia document
A system allowing a user of a browser program on a computer connected to an open distributed hypermedia system to access and execute an embedded program object. The program object is embedded into a hypermedia document much like data objects. The user may select the program object from the screen. Once selected the program object executes on the user's (client) computer or may execute on a remote server or additional remote computers in a distributed processing arrangement. After launching the program object, the user is able to interact with the object as the invention provides for ongoing interprocess communication between the application object (program) and the browser program. One application of the embedded program object allows a user to view large and complex multi-dimensional objects from within the browser's window. The user can manipulate a control panel to change the viewpoint used to view the image. The invention allows a program to execute on a remote server or other computers to calculate the viewing transformations and send frame data to the client computer thus providing the user of the client computer with interactive features and allowing the user to have access to greater computing power than may be available at the user's client computer. |
| US08082292B2 |
Method and system for centralized user notification and application execution control
A method for providing application-defined notifications to a user upon receipt of an event at a device is provided. A list of applications is centrally maintained, the list defining, for each application, event identification and corresponding event notification. Whenever an event is received and identified, the corresponding event notification for the event identification is dispatched to the user. |
| US08082291B2 |
Identifying relevant data from unstructured feeds
A system and method of providing data to a mashup application may involve receiving a request from a mashup application and supplying first data to the mashup application in response to the request. Mashup information can be received from the mashup application, wherein the mashup information indicates an inclusion of the first data with second data in the execution of the mashup application. The mashup information may be stored and analyzed to identify relationships between previously unrelated data. |
| US08082287B2 |
Pre-saturating fixed-point multiplier
A pre-saturating multiplier inspects the operands to a multiply operation prior to performing any multiplication. If the operands will cause an overflow requiring saturation, the multiplier outputs the saturated value without multiplying the original operands. In one embodiment, parameters derived from the operands are altered such that when the multiply operation is performed on the altered parameters, the multiplier produces the saturated result. This may comprise altering a Booth recoded bit group to select a negative zero instead of a zero as a partial product, and suppressing the addition of the value one to the partial products (thus effectively subtracting the value one). In another embodiment, when the operands that will cause an overflow are detected, the output of the multiplier is forced to a predetermined saturation value. |
| US08082284B2 |
Implementation of wide multiplexers in reconfigurable logic
A reconfigurable processing device comprises one or more reconfigurable processing units. At least one processing unit utilizes a computational unit having a preprocessing module for receiving n input signals, and s1 selection signals, and providing k output signals wherein k |
| US08082279B2 |
System and methods for providing adaptive media property classification
A system and methods are provided for automatically classifying data according to perceptual properties of the data to form a classification chain that is suited to the searching and sorting of large databases of media entities. During classification, experts assign each media entity in the training data set to one or more classes, with each class corresponding to a given subset of perceptual properties of the data. In conjunction with digital signal processing properties of the data corresponding to the perceptual properties, the classified data is then used to construct an initial classification chain. During operation, when presented with an unclassified entry, the classification chain returns an estimate of the class of the entry, as well as a confidence measure that is proportional to the level of confidence of the class assignment. Over time, as the classification chain evolves, the classification chain becomes more and more effective for quickly characterizing media entities. |
| US08082277B1 |
Systems and methods for generating technical documents
Systems and methods for generating technical documents are provided. An exemplary embodiment of one such system includes a server computer system for generating technical documents having a database for storing information needed to generate technical documents, and a processor operable to cause the server computer system to allow multiple users to access the server computer system, input information needed to generate technical documents, and generate technical documents using the information input by the multiple users. An exemplary embodiment of one such method includes the steps of providing a server computer system operable to generate technical documents and allowing multiple users to access the server computer system, input information necessary for generating technical documents into the server computer system, and generate technical documents using the server computer system. |
| US08082276B2 |
Techniques using captured information
Techniques are provided utilizing captured information. The captured information includes at least one of audio and image information. In response to connecting a capture device including the captured information to another device, the captured information is downloaded to the other device, a text portion is formed corresponding to the captured information, and at least a portion of the captured information and text portion is stored. A selected action is automatically performed using at least one of the text portion and the captured information. |
| US08082275B2 |
Service model flight recorder
A method, system and medium for recording events in a system management environment is described. As system events are detected in an enterprise computing environment they are stored in a manner allowing them to be “replayed” either forward or reverse to assist a system administrator or other user to determine the chain of events that affected the enterprise. The system engineer and business process owner are therefore presented with pertinent information for monitoring, administrating and diagnosing system activities and their correlation to business services. |
| US08082274B2 |
Scheduling application allowing freeform data entry
A project management application provides an environment in which a user can transform a project sketch, which is based on mostly “freeform” data, into a defined project plan. The project management application facilitates the mixture of freeform task attribute values with structured attribute values of one or more project tasks. The project management application can utilize an internal calculation model to manage the relationships between task attribute values despite accepting freeform values for task attributes. The project management application calculates the attribute values to the extent allowed by the calculation model's recognition of the attribute values. |
| US08082269B2 |
Account item management system
An account item management system is provided, wherein account item elements are classified into first to n'th groups in order from highest to lowest levels, such that the first group encompasses the highest-level concepts, and the n'th group encompasses the lowest-level concepts, and the account item elements classified into the first to n'th groups are memorized in the system 10 chronologically from the past to the present. The system 10 is capable of constructing a hierarchically-structured accounting database based on the account item elements, such that the account item elements are systematically related to one another, and the system comprises: database generation means for generating, in real time, the hierarchically-structured accounting database as of any given point in the past or at the present; and database output means for outputting the generated hierarchically-structured accounting database in real time. |
| US08082267B1 |
Parcel record information system management
A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for management of land parcel records for a utility. The system includes a database for storing a plurality of documents pertaining to land parcels and at least one hardware server for executing a plurality of components. The plurality of components include a component for entering and storing a plurality of information for transmission lines; a component for entering and storing a plurality of information for distribution permits; a component for entering and storing a plurality of information for at least one of fee lands, land sales, land leases, and land easements; a component for querying the database to retrieve documents based on at least one search attribute; and a component for enabling a user to perform administrative actions on a plurality of project and land parcel records stored in the database. |
| US08082265B2 |
Database query processing with dynamically activated buffers
A method, apparatus and program product dynamically activate and/or deactivate buffers during execution of a database query. The dynamic deactivation and activation is based on the monitoring of information associated with the consumption of data by a plurality of threads during execution of an access plan for the database query. By doing so, the selection of a less optimal buffer position during optimization may be replaced with a more optimal buffer position during runtime, often resulting in improved query performance and parallelism. |
| US08082261B1 |
System and method for associating NIS attributes with CIFS clients
A system and method for associating NIS attributes with CIFS client. Upon requesting attributes by a CIFS client, a CIFS security ID (SID) is generated for the owner and group from the NIS attributes associated with the NIS name. The generated SIDs are returned to the CIFS client. The SIDs are generated using the NIS UID or GID and a CIFS domain associated with the file server storing the referenced file. |
| US08082260B2 |
Handling content of a read-only file in a computer's file system
Embodiments of the invention relate to manipulating the original content of at least one original read-only computer file in a file-system of a computer system, where the computer system includes an operating system including a framework for in-line monitoring of accesses to the file-system. An exemplary embodiment, includes transforming the original content via a non-length-preserving data transformation algorithm, thereby resulting in transformed content, storing the transformed content in a transformed computer file, splitting the transformed computer tile into a first file and a second file, and associating the first file with the second file in the file-system. The non-length-preserving data transformation algorithm includes a length-increasing data transformation algorithm. |
| US08082251B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for accessing web pages on a network
A system, method, and computer program product for accessing web pages on a network are provided. In use, different users are provided access to a plurality of sections of a web page selected by the different users based on a community value for at least one community dimension assigned to each section of the web page selected by the different users. In particular, a user is conditionally provided access to a section of a web page selected by the user, based on a comparison of a user value indicating a community with which the user is associated to the community value for the at least one community dimension assigned to the section of the web page selected by the user. |
| US08082247B2 |
Best-bet recommendations
Best-bet recommendation may be provided. User behavior associated with a search result may be logged and applied to a relevance classifier. The relevance classifier may determine whether the user behavior indicates that the search result may comprise a best-bet result. A best-bet result may comprise a result associated with a high confidence that the result may be satisfactory to a user. The relevance classifier may be trained according to past searches and user behavior to improve the confidence on best-bet recommendations. Once confidence in a search result is high enough, future searches on the same query may provide the best-bet result to the searching user. |
| US08082234B2 |
Closed-loop system management method and process capable of managing workloads in a multi-system database environment
A computer-implemented apparatus, method, and article of manufacture provide the ability to manage a plurality of database systems. A domain contains a plurality of database systems. A system event monitor, on each of the database systems, monitors the database systems' system conditions and operating environment events within the domain. A multi-system regulator manages the domain, communicates with the system event monitor, and creates a dynamic event on one of the database systems based on the system conditions and operating environment events. The dynamic event causes an adjustment to a state of the database system. |
| US08082232B2 |
Recovery method using CDP
First information representing a plurality of snapshot acquisition time points of the data storage device, journal management data which are second information including the time point at which data are written to the data storage device and the size of the journal for writing the data, and third information representing a plurality of recovery points are acquired. The total transfer data size of one or more data to be transferred in order to recover the data group of the data storage device at the recovery point is calculated for each recovery point on the basis of the first information, journal management data, and third information. A display screen that visualizes the correspondence relationship between the respective recovery points and respective recovery load information representing a recovery load that is expressed on the basis of the total transfer data size calculated for the respective recovery points is displayed. |
| US08082224B2 |
Systems and methods to provide business information via a push model
A system, method, means, and/or computer program code may be provided to facilitate a presentation of business information to a user. According to some embodiments, a request from a client is received at a server, and the request is associated with a query. The server also receives notifications associated with business information and may block a connection with the client and/or a response to the request based on a determination that the business information does not currently satisfy a condition associated with the query (e.g., no such notification has been received). The server may subsequently determine the business information has changed and now satisfies the condition (e.g., when a notification is received). In this case, the server may unblock the connection and transmit a response, including new resulting data associated with the query, to the client. |
| US08082220B2 |
Computing solutions to problems using dynamic association between abstract graphs
A device, system, and method for solving a plurality of sub-problems representing a main problem pertaining to an environment. An abstract graph corresponding to each of the sub-problems may be constructed in a computing system for each of the sub-problems. At least a first abstract graph of the abstract graphs may be resolved, for example, by decomposing one or more nodes of the first abstract graph. At least one of the one or more nodes of the first abstract graph may be associated with one or more nodes of others of the abstract graphs. At least one of the abstract graphs may be resolved using information obtained by the association. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08082217B2 |
Multiphase flow meter for electrical submersible pumps using artificial neural networks
A multiphase flow meter used in conjunction with an electrical submersible pump system in a well bore includes sensors to determine and transmit well bore pressure measurements, including tubing and down hole pressure measurements. The multiphase flow meter also includes at least one artificial neural network device to be used for outputting flow characteristics of the well bore. The artificial neural network device is trained to output tubing and downhole flow characteristics responsive to multiphase-flow pressure gradient calculations and pump and reservoir models, combined with standard down-hole pressure, tubing surface pressure readings, and the frequency applied to the electrical submersible pump motor. |
| US08082214B2 |
System and methods for rating plural products
A system and method for rating of each of plural products comprising identifying plurality of attributes associated with a category of product, applying a scalar structure for each attribute to provide scalar value of each attribute for each of the plural products, determining an incremental competitive index for each attribute of each product based on the scalar value of each attribute and a number of products having the scalar value, and rating each product based on the determined competitive index. |
| US08082208B2 |
Compilation and analysis of company information
Information about a company is compiled from a plurality of public sources. The information is then analyzed to identify a plurality of relevant factors from the information. The factors are used to rate risks associated with the company. A profile is generated based on the factors to summarize the risks associated with the company. |
| US08082207B2 |
Scored negative file system and method
System and method for validating a payment. The method can include obtaining a first account identifier, accessing a database containing a plurality of risk scores, each one of the plurality of risk scores being associated with one of a plurality of account identifiers, obtaining a first risk score from the plurality of risk scores, the first risk score being associated with the first account identifier, and determining an acceptance decision by comparing the first risk score against a risk threshold value. |
| US08082206B2 |
System and method of utilizing a distributed order book in an electronic trade match engine
Methods and systems are providing for minimizing the effects of transmission delays when providing orders for financial instruments. A plurality of order books and match engines may be maintained at geographically dispersed locations. The orders may be synchronized to provide the appearance of a single order book to traders and other users. The plurality of order books and match engines allow traders and other users to transmit orders to the match engine associated with the shortest transmission delay and to access orders pending at other match engines. |
| US08082205B2 |
Electronic securities marketplace having integration with order management systems
An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities. |
| US08082204B2 |
Systems and methods for trading a trade list in financial markets
Systems and methods are provided for maintaining neutrality while trading a list of securities using an algorithmic trading facility coupled with at least one destination. This destination includes at least one alternative trading system (ATS). This facility is coupled, via an electronic data network, to a plurality of trading clients, and configured to receive a trade request to trade a list of securities from a trading client. This request includes user defined trading constraints that are used to generate and transmit trade orders to at least one ATS. The orders are transmitted based on trading data related to the destinations, the trade list, and the trading constraints. The facility can identify each executed trade corresponding to the trade orders and calculate a trade imbalance. The facility can determine whether the trade imbalance exceeds the trading constraints, and reallocate one or more of said submitted orders based on this determination. |
| US08082195B2 |
Prepaid value account with reversion to purchaser systems and methods
Systems, methods, and devices are described for a refundable prepaid transaction cards. The methods and systems include a prepaid transaction card funded with funds by a purchaser. Also included is an issuer. The issuer receives the funds a distributes a prepaid transaction card associated with the funds. The methods and systems also include a prepaid transaction card identifier, wherein the prepaid transaction card identifier identifies the prepaid transaction card. The issuer maintains a central computer system that stores at least one parameter entitling the purchaser to a refund of at least a portion of the funds. The methods and systems also include a cash pool, the cash pool holding at least a portion of the funds funded by the purchaser. |
| US08082194B2 |
Systems and processes for determining costs associated with internal software development
Systems and processes may receive and analyze billing information and/or business expenditures to determine costs associated with jobs corresponding to an internal development of software for internal use. The billing information and/or business expenditures may be analyzed according to accounting rules. Capitalizable costs and/or expenses may be determined based on business information and/or business expenses. |
| US08082193B2 |
Multi-jurisdictional payroll requirements
Payroll requirements are compiled from a plurality of jurisdictions. A plurality of payroll codes are cataloged that are required in one of the plurality of jurisdictions. A user representation includes the plurality of payroll codes. An implementation representation of calculating pay is formed. The implementation representation is based on the user representation and includes a plurality of elements. A specification for each element of the implementation representation is created. |
| US08082192B2 |
Automated pass-through surgical instrument tray reader
An apparatus and method for interrogating and automatically identifying a radio-frequency tagged surgical instrument tray and its contents of RFID-tagged surgical instruments are disclosed. The surgical instrument tray and its contents come into contact with an RF signal transmitted by the RFID reader, and as a result, the RFID tags affixed on the instrument tray and the surgical instruments respond by transmitting back to the RFID reader data pertaining to the history of the surgical instruments. A data terminal, which is connected to the RFID reader, may contain data pertaining to the radio frequency tagged surgical instruments during packaging, and during the return of the surgical instrument trays to the packager, identifies the surgical instruments. |
| US08082191B2 |
Egg code management method and egg search code management system
An egg search code, that can be used for accurately searching history information of an egg using a number of digits printable on the egg, is assigned to the egg, and the history information of the egg can be accurately identified based on the egg search code assigned to the egg. An unused egg search code out of the totality of egg search codes is determined and will be used as the egg search code to be assigned to the egg. The determined egg search code is assigned to all eggs having identical history information. The egg search code assigned to the egg is related to the egg history code and an egg collection date code, and is stored. The egg history code related to the egg collection date code and the egg search code is searched for, in compliance with a provision request, submitted from a consumer terminal, for history information, the provision request containing the egg collection date code and/or the egg search code. The history information identified by the searched egg history code is transmitted to the consumer terminal through a communication network. |
| US08082189B2 |
Information providing system for providing store information to a mobile terminal device
The information providing system accurately predicts a behavior pattern of a user, selects and provides the optimal information at individual points in time. Provision information files (F1, F2, . . . ) for a number of stores are stored in the file storage section (100). When a user accesses the retrieval condition enter section (130) from a cellular phone (10) and transmits a retrieval condition including the position information and a keyword, the retrieval executing section (120) retrieves a file whose degree of accordance to the retrieval condition is a certain reference level or more. The list presentation section (140) comprises tables showing statistical degrees of interest of users in association with respective geographical areas, respective time periods, and respective store genres. The list presentation section (140) corrects the degree of accordance of the retrieved file based on the corresponding degrees of interest in the tables, and presents a list, in which stores are sorted in the large order of the corrected degree of accordance, to the cellular phone (10). The store information selected by the user from the list is distributed to the cellular phone (10) by the information distribution section (110). |
| US08082188B2 |
Lens order system, lens order method, lens order program and recording medium storing the lens order program
A lens order system, includes: a server unit including: a data recognizer that recognizes lens design detail data on setting details of a lens; an image data recognizer that recognizes image data on an image; a lens design section that designs the lens based on the lens design detail data; an image processor that creates processed image data in which lens image data on an image of the designed lens is superposed on the image data and a superposing portion of the image data and the lens image data is image-processed to show a vision of the image data through the designed lens; and an order reception section that recognizes order data on an order of the designed lens and generates order reception data; and a terminal unit connected with the server unit in a data transmittable manner, the terminal unit including: a data acquiring section that acquires the lens design detail data; a display controller that recognizes and displays on a display the processed image data sent from the server unit; and an order section that generates the order data. |
| US08082186B2 |
Method and a system for generating a custom itinerary according to user specifications
An automated method for operating a bimodal itinerary creation and management system. The method includes specifying by a user of his travel preferences and telling the system to plan and calculate an itinerary, calculating by the system of an itinerary meeting said user's travel preferences and presenting said itinerary to said user. The method also includes either accepting this as the final itinerary by the user or further specifying and fine tuning his preferences and finally recalculating the itinerary, until a sufficiently satisfactory itinerary is created. |
| US08082182B1 |
Apparatus, method and system for demand reporting and affectation
An apparatus, system, and method for dynamic demand monitoring and/or affectation uniquely allows a provider to access, utilize and/or integrate demand setting, reporting, and updating into a commerce system. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the present disclosure teaches a facility that responds to a user's selection of criteria in a user interface and dynamically constructs queries that will select information collected in a commerce database and generate reports of demand for goods or services based on the user's selections. The present disclosure also teaches how reported demand levels may be used to change current levels of demand to desired demand levels specified by a user. Furthermore, the present disclosure teaches how to create and utilize a cache of rejected CPOs. As a result, a provider may affect demand for their provisions to desired levels and both providers and consumers may benefit from a better balance of price levels with demand. Also, providers and consumers may benefit from executions of transactions that may otherwise expire upon initial processing. |
| US08082179B2 |
Monitoring television content interaction to improve online advertisement selection
Online advertisement selection techniques are described. In an implementation, data is obtained which describes interaction of one or more clients with television content. At least one online advertisement is selected to be output in conjunction with online content based on the interaction with the television content described in the obtained data. |
| US08082176B2 |
Message character string output system, its control method, and information storage medium
A message string output system which allows increased input motivation of a user with respect to a specific string is provided. A point information storage (48) stores point information in correspondence with user identification information. A specific string storage (44) stores a specific string. A user identification information acquiring unit (34) acquires user identification information corresponding to a message string which is input by an input unit (30). A judging unit (36) judges whether or not the message string which is input by the input unit (30) contains the specific string stored in the specific string storage (44). A point information updating unit (40) updates, based on a judgment result by the judging unit (36), point information stored in the point information storage (48) in correspondence with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquiring unit (34). |
| US08082175B2 |
System and method for optimization of a promotion plan
A method (400) and system (100) for providing a promotion plan (128) for merchandising products (600) receives base data (142) for the products (600) that includes allowable offers (204) and price rules (206) that affect the offers (204). A margin budget (146) is established for the promotion plan (128) that defines an amount of margin an enterprise is willing to forgo for a promotion event implementing the promotion plan (128). A scenario (406) is generated in response to the base data (142). The scenario (406) is optimized to obtain decisions (154) for the promotion plan (128) that are constrained by the margin budget (146). The promotion plan (128), indicating the obtained decisions (154), is presented for implementation by the enterprise during the promotion event. The obtained decisions (154) include a list of the products (600), each of which is associated with one offer (204) and one price rule (206). |
| US08082172B2 |
System and method for peer-profiling individual performance
Embodiments of the invention provide a comprehensive, automated system and method for evaluating the performance of individuals or entities employed by an organization, particularly useful in peer-profiling physician performance in multi-facility environments. Embodiments of the invention can dynamically compose a virtual peer or group of peers and perform peer-profiling on each individual or group of individuals to be evaluated. For example, a composite physician may be generated from system-wide and/or state-wide healthcare data as a benchmark against which a particular physician is profiled according to industry-standard measurements. The composite physician would have equivalent or similar job function(s) as well as patient population. The composite physician enables a comprehensive “apple to apple” comparison with the particular physician, giving meaning to and facilitating the usefulness of performance evaluation results. |
| US08082168B1 |
Method for statistical comparison of occupations by skill sets and other relevant attributes
A method and system for measuring transferability of workers between and among occupations by means of the mathematical relationships between those occupations' key attributes, as defined by publicly available data on the competencies required as specified by a complete catalog of U.S. occupations known as O*NET. This method provides a concise, informative measurement for comparing the relative requirements of abilities, skills, knowledge, and other relevant attributes of occupations, enabling users to gauge the feasibility of transferring workers from one occupation to another. |
| US08082166B2 |
Method to facilitate obtaining, storing, and subsequently conveying an organization's information for the benefit of successor organization-based agents
A party obtains (101) information from a plurality of different organizations and identifies (102) information recipient criteria as a function, at least in part, of at least one specific organization-based hierarchical function. This information and the information recipient criteria is then stored (108) non-volatily under conditions designed to preserve the information integrity of the information and the information recipient criteria for multiple successive successor organization-based agent generations. This can further comprise maintaining (110) at least this information in confidence while storing the information. As appropriate over time, the information as corresponds to a given one of the different organizations is provided (111) to respective successor organization-based agents who meet the corresponding information recipient criteria. So configured, successive generations of the successor organization-based agents within each of the different organizations will have sequential access to the information as corresponds to their respective organization while the information remains unrevealed to others. |
| US08082165B2 |
System and method for theme park line queue management
The present disclosure describes a method for managing theme park ride lines by providing an identifying device to a guest, the device configured to uniquely identify the guest, using the identifying device to ascertain an amount of time a guest spends at a predetermined location and reducing the amount of time a guest spends in a line queue for a predetermined ride by the amount of time the guest spends at the predetermined location. A system for managing theme park ride lines is also provided. |
| US08082164B2 |
Reservation acceptance system and computer program product
A reservation acceptance system is provided that accepts requests of reservations from customers so that the resources can be used efficiently. The reservation acceptance system includes a reservation request reception portion for accepting a request for providing a service, a position information reception portion for obtaining position information of a customer who made the request, an acceptance condition database for storing area condition information defining a predetermined area around a provision position of the service, an existence decision portion for deciding whether or not the customer is within the predetermined area in accordance with the position information and the area condition information, and a reservation acceptance processing portion that performs a reservation acceptance process of the service when it is decided that the customer is within the predetermined area and does not perform the reservation acceptance process when it is decided that the customer is not within the predetermined area. |
| US08082163B2 |
Methods for selling insurance using rapid decision term
An insurance company sells a life insurance policy having a coverage period. The policy provides a total benefit amount which includes an all-cause benefit amount and an accidental death only benefit amount. The policy is initially underwritten on a limited basis and the ratio of the all-cause benefit to the accidental death benefit is low. The insured has the option of providing material to enable comprehensive underwriting and to enable risk classification. If the risk classification improves the policy benefits, the mix of coverage is adjusted to include a higher ratio of the all-cause benefit amount to the accidental death only benefit amount. If the insured does not provide any additional information or materials, or if the materials provided do not result in an underwritten risk classification that enables the policy provisions to be improved, the mix of coverage remains unchanged. |
| US08082161B2 |
Presenting multi-phase clinical order content based upon a designated performance location
Computerized methods and systems for permitting clinicians and other healthcare providers to designate performance locations for clinical orders having one or more phases associated therewith, and for presenting order catalog content that is flexed based upon the designated performance location for the clinical order are provided. Further provided are computerized methods and systems for permitting clinicians and other healthcare providers to designate a performance location for each phase of a multi-phase clinical order, and for presenting order catalog content for each phase that is flexed based upon the designated performance location for the phase. Systems and methods for providing control of plan and phase initiation based at least upon a location associated with the chart encounter are also provided. |
| US08082155B2 |
Camera with printhead for printing images with encoded audio data
A handheld camera comprises a housing containing an image sensor for generating image data; an audio sensor for generating audio data; a processor for generating coded data using the audio data and a pagewidth inkjet printhead. The printhead is configured for printing the image onto a face of a substrate using the image data and at the same time printing the coded data onto the same face of the substrate in the same area as the image. |
| US08082150B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying an unknown work
A system for determining an identity of a received work. The system receives audio data for an unknown work. The audio data is divided into segments. The system generates a signature of the unknown work from each of the segments. Reduced dimension signatures are then generated at least a portion of the signatures. The reduced dimension signatures are then compared to reduced dimensions signatures of known works that are stored in a database. A list of candidates of known works is generated from the comparison. The signatures of the unknown works are then compared to the signatures of the known works in the list of candidates. The unknown work is then identified as the known work having signatures matching within a threshold. |
| US08082149B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for myoelectric-based speech processing
A method for myoelectric-based processing of speech. The method includes capturing a myoelectric signal from a user using at least one electrode, wherein the electrode converts an ionic current generated by muscle contraction into an electric current. The method also includes amplifying the electric current, filtering the amplified electric current, and converting the filtered electric current into a digital signal. The method further includes transmitting the myoelectric signal to a digital device, transforming the digital signal into a written representation using an automatic speech recognition method, and generating an audible output from the written representation using a speech synthesis method. |
| US08082146B2 |
Noise canceller using forward and backward linear prediction with a temporally nonlinear linear weighting
A noise canceller is constituted by a forward linear prediction processor that performs forward linear prediction for a reception signal in a noisy section where the reception signal includes noise, and a backward linear prediction processor that performs backward linear prediction for the reception signal in the noisy section. A signal generator generates a replacement signal, to replace the reception signal in the noisy section, based on the forward linear prediction values obtained by the forward linear prediction and the backward linear prediction values obtained by the backward linear prediction. The signal generator obtains replacement values for a plurality of points within the noisy section by weighting the corresponding forward prediction value and the corresponding backward prediction value with an internal division ratio, the internal division ratio having a linear or nonlinear functional relationship to the time axis of the signal. |
| US08082145B2 |
Character manipulation
Embodiments for manipulating characters displayed on a display screen are provided, wherein one example method includes identifying a selected word, wherein the selected word includes at least one character to be modified. The method further includes correlating each of the at least one character with a unique numerical value and receiving a selection command and a modification command, wherein the selection command is the unique numerical value corresponding to a selected character. Furthermore, the method includes modifying the selected character responsive to the modification command to generate a modified word. |
| US08082142B2 |
Speech recognition method, speech recognition system and server thereof
A speech recognition method includes a model selection step which selects a recognition model and translation dictionary information based on characteristic information of input speech and a speech recognition step which translates input speech into text data based on the selected recognition model and translation step which translates the text data based on the selected translation dictionary information. |
| US08082139B1 |
Displaying signals of a design block emulated in hardware co-simulation
Methods and systems for simulating an electronic system in a high level modeling system (HLMS). A design block and certain signals of the electronic system are selected. The selected signals include internal signals of the design block that are not ports of the design block. The electronic system is simulated in the HLMS, which includes a hardware-based co-simulation platform and a software-based co-simulation platform. A hardware realization of the design block is automatically generated and the design block is emulated in the hardware based co-simulation platform using the hardware realization of the design block. A sequence of values is displayed for the selected signals of the electronic system. During the simulation of the electronic system in the HLMS, the sequence of values for the internal signals of the design block and another sequence of values for the ports of the design block are transferred between the co-simulation platforms. |
| US08082137B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermal modeling and analysis of semiconductor chip designs
A method and apparatus for modeling and thermal analysis of semiconductor chip designs is provided. One embodiment of a novel method for performing thermal testing of a semiconductor chip design includes calculating full-chip temperatures over the semiconductor chip design (e.g., to identify steep thermal gradients) and modeling the full-chip temperatures in accordance with a geometric multi-grid technique. The geometric multi-grid technique is tailored to determine temperatures within the semiconductor chip design based at least in part on the physical attributes or geometry of the design. |
| US08082136B2 |
Computer method and system for predicting physical properties using a conceptual segment model
Method of conducting chromatography comprising controlling a retention time of one or more chemical species in a mixture by determining at least one conceptual segment of: a) the one or more chemical species, b) a mobile phase component, and c) a stationary phase component. The method further includes defining an identity and an equivalent number of each of the at least one conceptual segment. |
| US08082134B2 |
Techniques for modeling/simulating, designing optimizing, and displaying hybrid drill bits
A hybrid drill bit is modeled, simulated, designed, optimized, and displayed. The hybrid drill is modeled based on input bit design parameters. The modeled hybrid drill bit is then simulated as drilling an earth formation, where at least a portion of the simulation may be graphically displayed so as to allow a user to adjust one or more parameters of the hybrid drill bit, drill string, and/or earth formation. Formation interactions between a fixed cutting element of the hybrid drill bit and the earth formation and between a roller cone cutting element of the hybrid drill bit and the earth formation are determined based on models developed using, for example, laboratory-based formation interaction tests. Simulation of the modeled hybrid drill bit may be selectively repeated so as to allow a user to adjust one or more design parameters of the hybrid drill bit to affect a simulated drilling characteristic. Such designing of the hybrid drill bit may be performed until one or more bit design parameters are accepted as being optimized. |
| US08082132B2 |
Method for modeling smoke propagation
A method and computer-readable medium for modeling smoke propagation in a structure are presented, along with applications of the method. A model is provided of a multiplicity of compartments within the structure, and the presence of a fire within a compartment is determined. The energy and smoke released by the fire is estimated, and smoke flows out of the compartment are determined. Each compartment having a smoke source is analyzed, individually, for the propagation of smoke. Each compartment is assumed to have a homogenous upper smoke layer and a lower cool air layer. The analysis includes a mass and energy balance to determine the change in characteristics of the upper smoke layer, where a known pressure for the lower cool air layer is used for the balance. For multiple smoke sources into a compartment, the contributions to the mass and energy balance of each smoke source are considered additive. |
| US08082130B2 |
Method and calculator for modeling non-equilibrium spin polarized charge transport in nano-structures
A method and calculator for obtaining spin polarized quantum transport in 3-dimensional atom-scale spintronic (spin electronics) devices under finite bias voltage, based on implementing Density Function Theory (DFT) in combination with the Keldysh non-equilibrium Greens function (NEGF) formalism to calculate spin polarized quantum transport in 3-dimensional nanostructures under finite bias and external voltage. |
| US08082125B2 |
Apparatus and method for the condition-dependent maintenance of hydrostatic displacement units
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) and a method for the condition-dependent maintenance of hydrostatic displacement units (2), in particular axial piston machines (3) operated as pumps or motors. Mounted on the hydrostatic displacement unit (2) are acceleration sensors (4) and/or contamination level sensors (5) which capture vibration data and/or contamination data of the hydrostatic displacement unit (2) and are connected to an evaluation unit (6) which temporarily stores the vibration data and/or contamination data. A communication unit (7) connected to the evaluation unit (6) retransmits said data. |
| US08082123B2 |
Interactive diagnostics having graphical playback and solution implementation capabilities
A system(s) and method(s) that facilitates diagnosing a HMI system and automatically applying a solution to correct and/or update the HMI system. According to a feature is an interactive diagnosis system for an human machine interface (HMI) system. The interactive diagnosis system includes a data capture component that captures HMI system information and a diagnostic component that accepts a user input relating to an HMI system and receives the HMI system information from the data capture component. The user input can be communicated through an interactive voice response system. Also included in the interactive diagnosis system is an engine component that receives the user input and based in part on the captured HMI system information selectively requests diagnostic and solution information from a data source and automatically applies the solution to the HMI system. |
| US08082122B2 |
Mobile device having a motion detector
A system and method for detecting motion by a mobile device is provided. The mobile device determines whether motion is detected by a motion detector. The motion detection is sampled at a first sampling rate when no motion is detected for a specified time. The motion detection is sampled at a second sampling rate when motion is detected, wherein the second sampling rate is more frequent than the first sampling rate. |
| US08082120B2 |
Hand-held self-referenced apparatus for three-dimensional scanning
A method and hand-held scanning apparatus for three-dimensional scanning of an object is described. The hand-held self-referenced scanning apparatus has a light source for illuminating retro-reflective markers, the retro-reflective markers being provided at fixed positions on or around the object, a photogrammetric high-resolution camera, a pattern projector for providing a projected pattern on a surface of the object; at least a pair of basic cameras, the basic camera cooperating with light sources, the projected pattern and at least a portion of the retro-reflective markers being apparent on the 2D images, a frame for holding all components in position within the hand-held apparatus, the frame having a handle, the frame allowing support and free movement of the scanning apparatus by a user. |
| US08082118B2 |
Test apparatus
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, comprising a clock recovering section that recovers a clock signal from an output signal output by the device under test; an acquiring section that acquires the output signal at a timing corresponding to the clock signal; an adjusting section that adjusts a phase difference between the clock signal and the output signal received by the acquiring section, according to an adjustment amount supplied thereto; a setting memory that stores an adjustment amount of the phase difference between the clock signal and the output signal in the acquiring section in association with each of a plurality of test conditions; and a setting section that supplies the adjusting section with an adjustment amount associated with a test condition for testing the device under test, based on the adjustment amounts stored in the setting memory. |
| US08082116B2 |
Method for estimating life status of lithium battery
A method for estimating a life status of a lithium battery applicable to a portable electronic device is described. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a plurality of lithium battery life status intervals are sectioned out by a plurality of voltage-electric quantity curves representing characteristics of the lithium battery. Then, an actual voltage and an actual electric quantity of the lithium battery of the portable electronic device are measured. Afterwards, positions of the actual voltage and the actual electric quantity in the lithium battery life status intervals are determined to estimate the life status of the lithium battery. |
| US08082115B2 |
Data acquisition system for condition-based maintenance
Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components. |
| US08082112B2 |
Apparatus and method for air-in-line detection
The concentration of air or other agents in a fluid delivery line is determined by monitoring agent signals and processing those agent signals along with information regarding the age of each agent signal. The processor determines a primary agent concentration value based on the received agent signal values, with the primary agent concentration value determined by giving greater weight to more recent agent signal values. Where the primary agent concentration value exceeds a primary threshold value, an alarm signal may be activated. The processor also may determine a secondary agent concentration value, which may be determined from the actual agent signal values instead of the weighted agent signal values. Where the secondary agent concentration value exceeds a secondary threshold value, an alarm signal may be activated. |
| US08082111B2 |
Optical emission spectroscopy qualitative and quantitative analysis method
The invention relates to a method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples by optical emission spectroscopy with laser excitation (18), using a database created on single-element aqueous solutions all having the same pure element concentration, this database containing, for each element, the wavelengths of the emission lines and their respective intensities. |
| US08082110B2 |
Low perfusion signal processing systems and methods
In some embodiments, systems and methods for identifying a low perfusion condition are provided by transforming a signal using a wavelet transform to generate a scalogram. A pulse band and adjacent marker regions in the scalogram are identified. Characteristics of the marker regions are used to detect the existence of a lower perfusion condition. If such a condition is detected, an event may be triggered, such as an alert or notification. |
| US08082102B2 |
Computing flight plans for UAVs while routing around obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions
This description provides tools and techniques for computing flight plans for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while routing around obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. Methods provided by these tools may receive data representing destinations to be visited by the UAVs, and may receive data representing obstacles having spatial and temporal dimensions. These methods may also calculate trajectories spatial and temporal dimensions, by which the UAV may travel from one destination to another, and may at least attempt to compute flight plans for the UAVs that incorporate these trajectories. The methods may also determine whether these trajectories intersect any obstacles, and at least attempt to reroute the trajectories around the obstacles. These tools may also provide systems and computer-readable media containing software for performing any of the foregoing methods. |
| US08082100B2 |
Watercraft automation and aquatic effort data utilization
In one aspect of watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts, an anchor point is obtained and a watercraft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft. |
| US08082097B2 |
Method of routing a first personal navigation device away from a second personal navigation device
A method of routing a first personal navigation device (PND) away from a second PND, the method includes receiving a position or second route of the second PND, and generating a first route for the first PND that maintains at least a threshold distance from the position or second route of the second PND. |
| US08082094B2 |
Navigation apparatus capable of correcting position data according to map matching position and method thereof
This invention discloses a navigation apparatus correcting position data according to a map matching position and a method thereof. The navigation apparatus includes a satellite positioning module, an electronic map database, a map matching module and a correction module. The satellite positioning module provides a plurality of position data. The electronic map database stores at least one map data. The map matching module matches a position data with a map data to generate a map matching position corresponding to the position data. The correction module provides at least one turning point, and each turning point is situated at the map matching position to form an turning angular. If the turning angular exceeds a threshold value, the correction module calculates a position data and a map matching position statically collected within a predetermined time according to an algorithm to generate an offset to correct the position data behind the turning point. |
| US08082093B2 |
Fuel injection control apparatus and fuel injection control method of internal combustion engine
A fuel injection control apparatus of an internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel injection valve that injects fuel directly into a combustion chamber and a controller. When the engine is cold started, a first fuel injection is performed and the injected fuel is spark ignited during the compression stroke, and a second fuel injection is performed during the expansion stroke. The controller selects, according to exhaust emissions, one of a first fuel injection rate and a second fuel injection rate that is lower than the first fuel injection rate as a fuel injection rate during at least the expansion stroke and injects fuel at the selected fuel injection rate. The second fuel injection rate is selected as the fuel injection rate of the second fuel injection and the start timing of the injection is advanced compared with the conventional injection start timing. |
| US08082090B2 |
Method and device for operation of the glow plugs of a Diesel engine
A method and device for operation of glow plugs of a Diesel engine in which the type of glow plugs used is determined, by a parameter typical of the glow plugs, for example, the electrical glow plug resistance, being detected and evaluated. The detected values of the parameter typical of the glow plugs are compared with corresponding data for various types of glow plugs stored in the glow controller to determine the type(s) of glow plug(s) in the engine. After identification of the type(s) of glow plug(s), stored sets of parameters, which correspond to the type(s) of glow plug(s) determined, are likewise called upon to control the glow plugs. |
| US08082087B2 |
Motion control device for vehicle
A motion control device for a vehicle includes a controlling means for maintaining a traveling stability of the vehicle by controlling a braking force of a wheel of the vehicle, a friction coefficient obtaining means for obtaining a friction coefficient of a road surface on which the vehicle travels, a lateral force reference value calculating means for calculating a lateral force reference value acting on the wheel on the basis of the friction coefficient of the road surface and a lateral force actual value obtaining means for obtaining a lateral force actual value acting on the wheel, wherein the controlling means controls the braking force on the basis of a comparison result between the lateral force reference value and the lateral force actual value. |
| US08082086B2 |
Trailer vehicle brake-control module
A brake-control module for a first trailer of a tractor-trailer combination reduces braking response time for the second trailer and subsequent trailers in the vehicle train. The brake-control module includes a tractor interface. The tractor interface includes a tractor CAN interface for connecting to a tractor CAN connector of a tractor, a tractor voltage-supply interface for connecting to a tractor voltage-supply connector of the tractor, and a tractor warning-light interface for connecting to a tractor warning-light connector of the tractor. The brake-control module further includes a second-trailer interface for connection of a second trailer that is coupled to the first trailer. The second-trailer interface includes a second-trailer CAN interface for connecting to a second-trailer CAN connector of the second trailer, a second-trailer voltage-supply interface for connecting to a voltage connector of the second trailer, and a second-trailer warning-light interface for connecting to a second-trailer warning-light connector of the second trailer. |
| US08082082B2 |
Engine-load control device for working vehicle
An engine load control device is adapted to a working vehicle in which output of an engine is transmitted to drive wheels and to hydraulic actuators including a working equipment hydraulic actuator via a plurality of variable capacity hydraulic pumps. The control device includes an engine speed detection unit that detects an engine speed, an instruction content detection unit that detects contents of instructions of a speed instruction device, a hydraulic pump load detection unit that detects load of at least one load detection hydraulic pump among the variable capacity hydraulic pumps, and an absorption torque control unit. The absorption torque control unit controls absorption torque of at least one control hydraulic pump other than the load detection hydraulic pump based on detection results of the engine speed detection unit, the instruction content detection unit, and the hydraulic pump load detection unit. |
| US08082080B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
An electric power steering (EPS) apparatus 1 includes a motor 12, an EPS actuator 10, a torque sensor 14, and an ECU 11. The EPS actuator 10 uses the motor 12 as a drive source to apply assist force to a steering system, thereby assisting a steering operation. The torque sensor 14 detects a steering torque τ of the steering system. The ECU 11 controls the operation of the EPS actuator 10. Based on the steering torque τ detected by the torque sensor 14, the ECU 11 computes a basic shift amount εts_b of the assist force applied to the steering system. The ECU 11 determines which one of returning, holding, and turning is the state of the steering operation. When the state of the steering operation is returning or holding, the ECU 11 executes compensation control for correcting the steering torque τ, which is used in the computation of the basic shift amount εts_b of the assist force, thereby increasing the assist force applied to the steering system. The ECU 11 subjects the steering torque shift control amount εts to a filtering process using a low pass filter, thereby inhibiting the steering torque shift control amount εts from sharply changing. When the state of the steering operation is turning, the ECU 11 changes a filter constant of the low pass filter so as to reduce the filtering effect. |
| US08082077B2 |
Steerable vehicle information display system, as well as cockpit module and steerable vehicle incorporating the system
A steerable vehicle information display system is provided, in which images remain undisturbed even if a momentary power interruption occurs. The steerable vehicle information display system comprises: a DPF controller (21), which acquires status information (D1 to D4) from the ECUs of each section of a motor vehicle with a predetermined periodicity; a rendering controller (22), which generates component images representative of the status of each section of the motor vehicle based on the status information (D1 to D4) and generates a composite image of a motor vehicle dashboard by compositing the generated component images; and a nonvolatile memory (24), which stores the status information (D1 to D4) or intermediate information generated from the status information, with the information being at least the latest information. If any of the status information (D1 to D4) is not acquired, the rendering controller (22) generates the informational image using information read from the nonvolatile memory (24) and displays it on the liquid crystal display device (11). |
| US08082076B2 |
Visual diagnostic system and subscription service
A visual diagnostic system is disclosed. The visual diagnostic system has a sensor located onboard a machine to generate a signal indicative of a status of a machine component, and a user interface associated with the machine to receive input from and provide information to a user. The visual diagnostic system also has a controller in communication with the sensor and the user interface. The controller is configured display on the user interface a model containing the machine component in response to the signal. |
| US08082069B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method of controlling cooling fan
An information processing apparatus includes a device detecting section that detects a heating device provided in a housing; a device determining section that determines the type of the heating device detected by the device detecting section; a sensor selecting section that selects a predetermined one of a plurality of temperature sensors provided in the housing in accordance with existence/absence of the heating device and the type of the heating device; and a fan controlling section that controls the number of rotations of a cooling fan provided in the housing in accordance with a measured temperature of the temperature sensor selected by the sensor selecting section. |
| US08082068B2 |
System for managing power loads
In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a system for managing power loads. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a management host processor storing a plurality of records associated with a plurality of power meters, that is operatively connected to a distribution network capable of sending and receiving messages of a first protocol. An on-premise processor is co-located with at least one of the plurality of power meters, and is operatively connected to the distribution network, for receiving messages of the first protocol from the management host processor. The on-premise processor includes an 802.11X-based wireless communications link interface for sending and receiving messages of a second protocol. A power load controller is associated with the power load and operatively communicates with the on-premise processor using 802.11X-based wireless communications to send and receive messages of the second protocol from the on-premise processor. |
| US08082063B2 |
Mobile apparatus and mobile apparatus system
Mobile apparatuses capable of moving or acting autonomously, without contacting each other, in an environment where movements of the mobile apparatuses are not managed by a server, are provided. In a robot functioning as a first mobile apparatus, it is recognized that an object corresponds to a second mobile apparatus, and based on this recognition, a target trajectory is searched for and determined. Further, the first mobile apparatus causes another robot functioning as the second mobile apparatus to recognize a part or a whole of the target trajectory. In the second mobile apparatus, the part or the whole of the target trajectory of the first mobile apparatus is recognized, and based on this recognition, a target trajectory that the second mobile apparatus should follow is searched for and determined. This allows the mobile apparatuses to move along their respective target trajectories to avoid contact with each other. |
| US08082061B2 |
Vending machines with lighting interactivity and item-based lighting systems for retail display and automated retail stores
Vending machines, automated retail stores, and retail displays with computer controlled, item-based lighting that produces variable visual effects in conjunction with actual or potential vends to provide an enhanced vending experience. Offered products are stored within display tubes that are arranged in orderly geometric arrays. RGB lighting through a plurality of LED banks within polygonal circuit boards associate with each display tube are controlled by a computer activation system that senses the presence of a customer, and the selection of a vend. Combinations of differently colored LED's are computer controlled on a per product basis to artistically illuminate available products and assist customers. Pre-programmed lighting sequences can switch LED off and on, vary their intensity, and alter resultant colors. A touch screen computer responds to user inputs for selections and transactions. Sensors detect the presence of potential customers, even without a customer input, to vary a display and attract mode. |
| US08082058B2 |
Tape library with load count confirmation
A data storage library is described including a tape cartridge possessing an auxiliary memory device adapted to maintain a load count that is incremented whenever the tape cartridge is loaded in a tape drive. The library also includes, a library tape drive adapted to increment the load count every time the tape cartridge is loaded in the library tape drive, an auxiliary storage device capable of maintaining knowledge of the incremented load count only from when the tape cartridge is loaded with the library tape drive, and an auxiliary memory device reader capable of reading the load count from the auxiliary memory device. The library further includes a processing device adapted to receive and compare the knowledge maintained in the auxiliary storage device with the load count from the auxiliary memory device that is read via the auxiliary memory device reader that if different, the processing device is capable of transmitting a notification to an end user. |
| US08082057B2 |
Carpet dyeing systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for “dye-to-order” carpet manufacturing that address deficiencies in the carpet manufacturing industry, some of which are discussed above. In one embodiment, an improved manufacturing system is provided that allows manufacturers to change colors “on the fly” (e.g., within a single roll) with minimal waste. In another embodiment, a dye-to-order processing system is provided that maps multiple orders to undyed carpet rolls such that usage of the undyed carpet rolls is optimized. |
| US08082053B2 |
Automated manufacturing system
An automated manufacturing system comprises a computer processing system and a plurality of consolidation systems. The computer processing system receives information on product subbatches and product packages and consolidation status information to produce consolidation assignment information, each product package comprising one or more product subbatches. The consolidation systems receive the product subbatches in accordance to the consolidation assignment information and consolidate the product subbatches into product packages, wherein the status of the consolidation systems are tracked and the consolidation status information is sent to the computer processing system. |
| US08082052B2 |
Method and apparatus for ensuring the dimensional constancy of multisegment physical structures during assembly
Methods and apparatuses for ensuring the dimensional constancy of multisegment physical structures, in particular aircraft structures, during assembly are disclosed. The method includes setting up a spatially-fixed three-dimensional coordinate system which encloses the subsequent assembled physical structure and introducing a plurality of segments of the physical structure to be assembled into the spatially-fixed three-dimensional coordinate system. The method includes recording the positions of the individual segments and the positions of already assembled groups of segments repeatedly within the spatially-fixed three-dimensional coordinate system during assembly. The method includes correcting the position of a respective segment or of a respective already assembled group of segments if a respective record shows that the positions of the respective segment or of the respective already assembled group of segments is outside a tolerance band, which is predetermined in accordance with a desired dimensional constancy, by a respective predetermined nominal value. |
| US08082051B2 |
Audio tuning system
An audio system installed in a listening space may include a signal processor and a plurality of loudspeakers. The audio system may be tuned with an automated audio tuning system to optimize the sound output of the loudspeakers within the listening space. The automated audio tuning system may provide automated processing to determine at least one of a plurality of settings, such as channel equalization settings, delay settings, gain settings, crossover settings, bass optimization settings and group equalization settings. The settings may be generated by the automated audio tuning system based on an audio response produced by the loudspeakers in the audio system. The automated tuning system may generate simulations of the application of settings to the audio response to optimize tuning. |
| US08082050B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing two or more initially decoded audio signals received or replayed from a bitstream
In the MPEG-4 standard ISO/IEC 14496:2001 several audio objects that can be coded with different MPEG-4 format coding types can together form a composed audio system representing a single soundtrack from the several audio substreams. In a receiver the multiple audio objects are decoded separately, but not directly played back to a listener. Instead, transmitted instructions for mixdown are used to prepare a single soundtrack. Mixdown conflicts can occur in case the audio signals to be combined have different channel numbers or configurations. According to the invention an additional audio channel configuration node is used that tags the correct channel configuration information items to the decoded audio data streams to be presented. The invention enables the content provider to set the channel configuration in such a way that the presenter at receiver side can produce a correct channel presentation under all circumstances. An escape code value in the channel configuration data facilitates correct handling of not yet defined channel combinations. |
| US08082046B2 |
Injection molding system and method for setting valve action
A method for setting valve action, used by a control system having a dialog box, includes choosing a start/stop mode of the valve action. A dialog box of the control system shows start/stop condition fields according to the start/stop mode of the valve action. A start/stop condition field for start/stop timing of the valve action is set. |
| US08082045B1 |
Substrate processing recipe manager
A method to graphically create a recipe for processing a substrate includes displaying graphical images that present processing operations to be performed on the substrate, allowing a user to set properties of the processing operations by manipulating the graphical images, and generating the recipe based on the properties of the processing operations set by the user and synchronizing the plurality of processing operations based on the properties. The graphical images may be time-bars in a Gantt-like chart that allows the user to see the sequence, the timing, and the durations of the processing operations. |
| US08082044B2 |
Apparatus and methods for precompiling program sequences processing for wafer processing
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for embodiments for efficiently and flexibly controlling hardware devices in a semiconductor processing system are provided for use in a distributed control arrangement. In general, the distributed arrangement includes at least one upper-level controller that is configurable with a computer program sequence of instructions for controlling one or more hardware devices of a processing tool. The hardware devices are controlled through one or more lower-level controllers. Prior to execution of the program sequence of the upper-level controller, at least one instruction of this program is pre-compiled so as to translate the instruction for execution by a selected lower-level controller and to add an at least one interlock check to such pre-compiled instruction and make the translated instruction accessible to at least one lower-level controller. The interlock check specifies one or more condition(s) for the selected lower-level controller to execute the pre-compiled instruction. Any number of instructions of the upper-level controller may be translated for use by any number of selected lower-level controllers, where some of the translated instructions include one or more interlock checks. |
| US08082043B2 |
Method for treating intervertebral disc degeneration
A percutaneous method treats degenerate disc disease characterized by a circumferential bulge. The method provides a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the distal end having an intradiscal section with at least one energy delivery device. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal end of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through a nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus, but which force is insufficient for the intradiscal section to puncture the annulus fibrosus. Next the energy delivery device is positioned at a selected location of the annulus by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter. The thermal energy delivery device is positioned adjacent the annulus and used to heat and stiffen the disc. Optionally, there is an additional step of adding a substance to reinforce the area. Optionally, access to the disc is provided by an introducer having an introducer lumen with an opening at a terminus of the introducer. An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus also is disclosed. |
| US08082041B1 |
Bio-implantable ultrasound energy capture and storage assembly including transmitter and receiver cooling
A bio-implantable energy capture and storage assembly, including an acoustic energy transmitter for contact with the skin, and an acoustic energy receiver—converter for converting acoustic energy to electrical energy; and a battery or capacitor connected to the energy converter. The acoustic energy receiver/converter is contained within a biocompatible implant. |
| US08082040B2 |
Multi-electrode cochlear implant system with distributed electronics
An implantable tissue-stimulating device comprising a carrier member having a plurality of electrodes mounted thereon, and at least one signal transmitting wire extending through at least a portion of the carrier member and adapted to transmit signals through the carrier member to and/or from the electrodes. The number of wires within the carrier member is less than the number of electrodes mounted thereon. |
| US08082039B2 |
Stimulation systems
Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent. |
| US08082033B2 |
System and method for providing a waveform for stimulating biological tissue
An implantable programmable stimulator system includes memory that stores waveform data for at least one waveform. A playback system provides at least one output waveform based on the waveform data. |
| US08082027B2 |
Portable USB electrocardiograph system and method
The system and method of the present application includes an ECG acquisition device having a USB connector for connecting the device to a host device and a patient connector for connecting the device to a patient with ECG leads. The ECG acquisition device of the present system further includes a processor and storage medium, a power management and brokering module, a USB communications control module, an ECG acquisition circuit, and a patient isolation module. Unlike prior art ECG acquisition systems, the system of the present application affords a truly portable ECG acquisition device that may be connected through the USB connector to any host device having software processing capabilities and a display. The ECG acquisition device auto-loads and runs ECG monitoring software onto the host device eliminating the need to install additional acquisition software and/or drivers to the host device, and allows the acquisition device to interface with a host device of varying platforms. |
| US08082019B2 |
System and method for magnetic resonance brain scan planning
A method and system for automatic MR brain scan planning is disclosed. The method utilizes a set of 2D orthogonal localizer images to determine scanning planes for 3D diagnostic MR scans. A location of the mid-sagittal plane (MSP) is detected in each of a transversal localizer image and a coronal localizer image. A sagittal scanning plane is determined based on the location of the MSP in the transversal and coronal localizer images. A diagnostic sagittal MR scan is then acquired based on the sagittal scanning plane. The corpus callosum CC is segmented in a sagittal MR image slice resulting from the diagnostic sagittal MR scan. A transversal scanning plane can be determined based on a location of the CC in the sagittal MR image slice and the location of the MSP in the coronal localizer image, and a coronal scanning plane can be determined based on the location of the CC in the sagittal MR image slice and the location of the MSP in the transversal localizer image. |
| US08082018B2 |
System and method for multiple injection procedures on heart vessels
An angiographic injector system and a method of controllably delivering medical fluid to a patient from an angiographic injector system are disclosed. A multiple processor control system is used to actively control the injection process and to monitor sensed functions of the system. The multiple processors provide dual redundancy safety circuits for critical control functions such as syringe motor drive speed and current. A motor/servo-amplifier nested control function is also disclosed. A unique method and apparatus are disclosed for establishing injection parameter default values just prior to an injection procedure that are based on physiological values of the patient to be treated. The injector system uses an interactive display panel that presents sequenced set-up screens to the user and which enables the user to select injection procedures, parameters and other modes of operation directly through the interactive panel. |
| US08082016B2 |
Measurement of cardiac output and blood volume by non-invasive detection of indicator dilution
A system for evaluating the cardiovascular system parameters using indicator dilution and non-invasive or minimally invasive detection and calibration methods are disclosed. Intravascular indicators are stimulated, and emissions patterns detected for computation of cardiac output, cardiac index, blood volume and other indicators of cardiovascular health. |
| US08082011B2 |
Information processing apparatus and mobile communication apparatus
An information processing apparatus or a mobile communication apparatus are connectable to an external device via a short-range wireless communication link. When there is an incoming call, it is determined whether a ringing sound is sounded on both the apparatus and the external device, or whether the ringing is on one of the apparatus and the external device, based on a selected mode. Subsequently, appropriate sound is played based on the selected mode. |
| US08082010B2 |
Wireless headset switching system
Switching signals between a mobile communications device and a wireless headset can include setting a switch in a first position; connecting, through the switch, signals received from a mobile communications device to a wireless adapter for transmission to a wireless headset; and repositioning the switch, in response to input, to a second position, wherein signals received by the wireless adapter from the wireless headset are connected through the switch to the mobile communications device. Further, signals can be transmitted from the wireless adapter to the wireless headset using a short-range radio frequency protocol. Additionally, the input in response to which the switch is repositioned can be received from a hand-held trigger switch. |
| US08082008B2 |
User-interface and architecture for portable processing device
A user interface for a portable device is disclosed. The method includes a computer-implemented method for providing a user interface for interacting with a computing device, the method including the steps of: representing an indicator of an application on the computing device in a highlighted state when a user navigates to the indicator; presenting an option panel contextually related to the application when the user selects a panel key on the computing device; and running the application when the user selects an execute key on the computing device. |
| US08082002B2 |
Container unit, message switching equipment, routing method, routing directory, and system for monitoring containers
The invention includes a message switching equipment for transmitting messages between container units placed in containers and a monitoring server. The message switching equipment comprises at least a container unit 201, a gateway unit 202 providing communication links 203, and a message handler 204 which is coupled to the monitoring server 205. The message switching equipment is adapted to send a first message 206 from the container unit 201 via a cellular network 207 to the message handler 204 in response to an event relating to the container. In more detail, the first message 206 is sent through a cellular network radio 208 of the container unit 201. The equipment is further adapted to receive through a short range radio 209 of the container unit 201 a second message 210 originated from one of the container units and transmit the second message 210 from the container unit 201 via the cellular network 207 to the message handler 204. The equipment is further adapted to receive through a short range radio 211 of the gateway unit 202 a third message 212 and transmit the third message through the gateway unit 202 to the message handler 203. |
| US08081996B2 |
Integrated infrastructure for coexistence of WI-FI networks with other networks
A wireless communications method and system includes an industrial sensor network that comprises a plurality of industrial sensors, which communicates with the industrial sensor network at a particular operating frequency band through one or more infrastructure nodes associated with the industrial sensor network. A wireless communications network is established, which includes a plurality of wireless communications stations that communicates with one or more of the infrastructure nodes. The infrastructure node(s) can be modified to additionally function as a wireless access point for the wireless communications network utilizing Time Division Multiplexing Algorithm (TDMA), thereby permitting the industrial sensor network to coexist and accommodate the wireless communications network. |
| US08081993B2 |
Voice over short message service
A method of operating a mobile communication device, the method involving: over a wireless messaging channel receiving a text message that contains a non-text representation of an utterance; extracting the non-text representation from the text message; synthesizing an audio representation of the spoken utterance from the non-text representation; and playing the synthesized audio representation through an audio output device on the mobile communication device. |
| US08081992B2 |
System and method for displaying the geographic location associated with a phone call received on a phone-equipped mobile device
Embodiments of a system and method for displaying a geographic location associated with an incoming call being received on a mobile device are provided. The mobile device has a user interface that provides a call screen to the user for identifying a phone number associated with the incoming call, and for displaying data including the geographic location associated with the incoming call. The geographic location is resolved by identifying a geographic location associated with a contact entry in the address book of the mobile device, or by comparing the area code of the phone number of the incoming call in a list of area codes and associated geographic location to find a match corresponding to the area code of the incoming call. |
| US08081990B2 |
Method of and system for calibrating a repeater
A method of and system for calibrating a repeater in a wireless communications system are provided. The one or more calibration parameters for the repeater are derived from (a) time measurements derived from one or more signals relayed by the repeater and received at a plurality of different measurement positions, and (b) the positions of the measurement locations. In one application, the one or more parameters are used in determining the positions of subscriber stations in the wireless communications system. |
| US08081988B2 |
Method and system for provisioning a java equipped celluar telephone
Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for provisioning a Java equipped cellular telephone. In one embodiment, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collector application is uploaded onto a Java equipped cellular telephone for enabling the Java equipped cellular telephone to perform GIS data collection functions. The method further comprises uploading a data dictionary onto the Java equipped cellular telephone comprising at least one GIS feature type. |
| US08081984B2 |
UL/DL scheduling for full bandwidth utilization
A method may include receiving, by a user equipment incapable of transmitting and receiving simultaneously, a schedule to transmit data on an uplink, detecting, by the user equipment, whether there is data to be transmitted on the uplink, and receiving, by the user equipment, during a time corresponding to the schedule, data associated with a downlink, when it is determined that there is no data to be transmitted. |
| US08081983B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting high rate packet data over underutilized virtual circuits
A method for communicating data in a wireless communications system having a base station communicating to at least one of a plurality of terminals over a set of carrier frequencies, the method comprising periodically monitoring the carrier energy level of each said carrier frequency received at a given terminal to identify a list of optimal frequencies over which the carrier energy level is strong enough to maintain a viable transmission from said base station to said given terminal, wherein said viable transmission provides a given coding gain; and simultaneously transmitting a given set of packet data from said base station to said given terminal over a plurality of frequencies from said list of optimal frequencies identified for said given terminal. |
| US08081982B2 |
Wireless communication device and communication method thereof
A wireless communication device and method includes selecting a group of neighboring base stations having a relatively stronger signal intensity among the neighboring base stations as servo base stations, and periodically detecting the signal intensities of the servo base stations and the candidate base station. Differences between the signal intensities of two selected neighboring base stations for each cycle of a continuous cycles are accumulated, where when the accumulated value exceeds a threshold value in a each cycle, the group of servo base stations are updated and weakest servo base stations with the strongest candidate base station in that cycle are replaced. |
| US08081979B2 |
Blocking of service in cellular radio system
Blocking of service in cellular radio system. An apparatus comprises a processor configured to control a stand-alone base station so that an emulated cell is formed by transmitting a control channel with information of a real cell and with such a transmission power that a subscriber terminal of a cellular radio system is forced to camp in the emulated cell, and to control the stand-alone base station to block service from the subscriber terminal before an integrity protection process is performed between the stand-alone base station and the subscriber terminal. |
| US08081976B2 |
Mobile radio terminal and base station search method
A mobile radio terminal of the present invention searches for a base station by a first search method by using a frequency at which an electric field strength of a radio signal has a reference value or more, searches for the base station by a second search method by using the frequency group usable for communication with the base station belonging to the mobile communication network, searches for the base station by the first search method until a number of searches by the first base station search method corresponds to an upper limit value of a number of searches, and searches for the base station by the second search method when the base station search by the first search method does not succeed by a time when the number of searches for the base station by the first search method corresponds to the upper limit value. |
| US08081975B2 |
Uplink access management
The invention involves uplink access management for user terminals (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270) present in a same first cell (15) of a communication system (1) and participating in a communication session involving communication of user data on a common downlink channel to the terminals (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270). When the terminals (210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270) want to respond to the user data transmission, they first have to request uplink access. According to the invention, at least one of the terminals (220, 230, 240) requests this uplink access using a request channel associated with a second (25, 35, 45) cell different from the current first cell (15). This reduces the risk of collision of uplink access requests on the request channel by distributing the requests over several cells (15, 25, 35, 45) instead of a single cell (15). |
| US08081973B2 |
Method for selecting a preferable wireless communications service provider in a multi-service provider environment
A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency or frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communication device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequencies in the order specified by the frequency search schedule. The device determines whether the last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider. If the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, the device examines each of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order in the search schedule. The examination continues until another frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. |
| US08081971B2 |
Service in WLAN inter-working, address management system, and method
The present invention provides a solution to the mobile terminal address management in the WLAN inter-working. By using the access control framework, the mobile terminal could obtain the address, and setup the tunnel together with the granting of service access. The management process would be shielded by the inherent encryption and protection of the access control process, and thus does not need extra security setup procedures to be performed. The invention also provides a method for the terminal to obtain address that binds to the session, using a fine grain service authorization procedure. The terminal could maintain multiple addresses when accessing multiple parallel sessions. The address management is also integrated with the policy control mechanisms. The policy control would provide means for the terminal and its home network to configure the WLAN when necessary after an address alternation. QoS, or tunnelling information would be modified and provisioned according to the new status using channels available in the existing policy control procedures. By this, a smooth address transition in the roaming time could be achieved, and QoS interruption could be minimized. |
| US08081966B2 |
RF circuit switching circuit
The RF circuit switching circuit includes N/2 first RF transfer switches connected to N input wirings, N/2 second RF transfer switches connected to N output wirings and N internal connection routes including internal wirings or a combination of a plurality of third RF transfer switches and a plurality of internal wirings. The RF transfer switches on the routes are switched to connect each of the N input RF circuits to each of the N output RF circuits through the route including the first and second RF transfer switch and the internal connection route. |
| US08081961B2 |
Network management apparatus and method of selecting base station for software update
A network management apparatus inputs a plurality of work dates and time periods to update software in a base station. The apparatus obtains an n-week average of the numbers of connection calls during each of the input time periods for each day of the week, based on statistical information about connection with a wireless terminal in each base station. The apparatus obtains an m-month average of the numbers of connection calls during each of the input time periods for each date, based on the statistical information. The apparatus calculates, for each of the time periods for a work date, an average or a weighted average of the n-week average and the m-month average to obtain a degree of impact upon a communication service. A processing section selects a work date and a time period having the minimum degree of impact and updates the software. |
| US08081956B2 |
System and method for determining mobile device capabilities
Methodologies and system functionality are provided to determine mobile device capabilities and/or configuration setting and user abilities and/or inclinations as a precursor to or as part of the management, delivery and/or assessment of the efficacy of promotional material. The determination of the mobile device capabilities and/or configuration settings and user abilities and/or inclinations may be performed, for example, when provisioning a new service or after such a service has been utilized by a mobile device user. Further, such a determination may be performed in connection with a mobile device service that provides free or subsidized service to mobile device users. |
| US08081953B2 |
Method for providing pictures to a digital frame based on home networks
A method for providing pictures to a digital frame based on home networks is disclosed. A frame service server receives an image information message from user equipment which connects with a specific number. The frame service server grasps an IP of an RG installed in a home of a service destination by searching identification information included in the image information message at an RG identification table. The frame service server transmits the image information message including port number information to the IP of the RG, which is selected for informing the frame service. The RG transmits the image information to a digital frame so that the digital frame displays the image information. |
| US08081952B2 |
Mobile communications device with security features
A mobile communications device for communicating with a wireless network is described. The device includes a processor, a communications sub-system connected to the processor for exchanging signals with the wireless network and with the processor, a user input device connected to the processor for sending user input signals to the processor in response to user inputs. A security module is associated with the processor for automatically taking a security action upon detecting a predetermined security user input through the user input device. The security action can include sending a duress message and/or wiping data stored on the device. |
| US08081950B2 |
Power line communication apparatus and power line communication method
A power line communication apparatus is provided with an auto gain detector that detects a gain fluctuation of an AGC (Auto Gain Control) circuit that automatically adjusts a gain of a received signal; a retry ratio calculator that calculates a ratio of retry based on output from an ARQ (Automatic Repeat request) unit that detects an error in the received data and issues a repeat request; and a transmission rate calculator that calculates a transmission rate based on output from a channel estimation unit that calculates a CNR so as to estimate a transmission status. A display displays a transmission status, including the detected AGC noise fluctuation, retry ratio, transmission rate and the like. |
| US08081942B1 |
Method and apparatus for muting based on a constant modulus indication
A constant modulus indicator (CMI) measure is calculated for a received signal having a constant modulus component C and a noise component N. The CMI measure indicates a ratio of an energy of C to an energy of N. A determination of whether to attenuate a derived signal is made based on the CMI measure, wherein the derived signal is generated from the received signal. The derived signal is attenuated based on the determination. |
| US08081941B2 |
Method and system for RF front-end calibration scheme using fractional-N frequency synthesized signals and RSSI
Aspects of a method and system for an RF front-end calibration scheme using signals from a fractional-N frequency synthesized and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) are provided. A frequency synthesizer within a wireless receiver may generate a signal for dynamically modifying a gain in an integrated low-noise amplifier (LNA) for each selected receiver channel. The frequency-synthesized signals may be applied to at least one tunable load communicatively coupled to the LNA. The tunable load may be an input load or an output load. The signal generated by the frequency synthesizer may be sequentially applied to the input load and the output load. A logarithmic amplifier may generate an RSSI signal from the LNA output during the calibration process. The RSSI signal may be utilized for controlling a tunable load coupled to the LNA and optimize the tuning of the LNA in a desired channel by adjusting the tunable load. |
| US08081937B2 |
Gain-control methods of transmitter modulators
An apparatus comprising a plurality of switchable full step mixer unit cells, wherein each switchable full step unit cell is configured to, when the full step transceiver mixer unit cell is turned on, increase the gain experienced by an electronic signal by a full step increment, and wherein the step increment is substantially constant regardless of temperature; and at least one switchable partial step mixer unit cell configured to, when the partial step transceiver mixer unit is turned on, increase the gain experienced by the electronic signal by a predetermined step increment less than that of a full step, and wherein the partial step increment is substantially constant regardless of temperature. |
| US08081936B2 |
Method for tuning a digital compensation filter within a transmitter, and associated digital compensation filter and associated calibration circuit
A method for tuning a digital compensation filter within a transmitter includes: obtaining at least one loop gain calibration result by performing loop gain calibration based upon signals of at least a portion of the transmitter, and obtaining at least one resistance-capacitance (RC) detection result by performing RC detection on the portion of the transmitter without individually measuring resistance values of resistors therein and capacitance values of capacitors therein, wherein the RC detection result corresponds to a detected value representing a product of a resistance value and a capacitance value, and the digital compensation filter includes a gain compensation module and an RC compensation module; and tuning the digital compensation filter by respectively inputting the loop gain calibration result and the RC detection result into the gain compensation module and the RC compensation module. An associated digital compensation filter and an associated calibration circuit are also provided. |
| US08081928B2 |
Canceling harmonics in semiconductor RF switches
An RF switching circuit adapted to cancel selected harmonic signals. An unwanted harmonic signal Sh1 at a selected harmonic frequency Fsh of an operating frequency Fo exists in a signal Si conducted by the switching circuit, possibly produced by the switching circuit due to conduction through a first nonlinear impedance Znl(1). A compensating harmonic signal Sh2 is therefore generated by conduction via a nonlinear impedance Znl(2). Znl(1) may be due to parasitic conduction by “off” switching elements, while Znl(2) may be due to conduction by an “on” FET. The amplitude and/or phasing of Sh2 may be adjusted by selecting components for a network coupling Znl(2) to the conducted signal Si, such that Sh2 substantially cancels Sh1 across a target range of input power. |
| US08081927B2 |
Digital data processing circuit
A digital data processing circuit comprising: a setting unit configured to set setting data on an audio signal processing circuit configured to generate an FM modulated signal based on the setting data, the FM modulated signal being a signal to be transmitted wirelessly to an FM radio receiver; and an output unit configured to output audio data for reproducing a predetermined audio signal while the setting unit sets the setting data on the audio signal processing circuit. |
| US08081920B2 |
Transfer material separating device, transfer device and image forming apparatus
A transfer material separating device includes a transfer material moving member (intermediate transfer belt) adapted to move with a transfer material held in contact with and pressed against it so as to have a liquid developer image transferred onto the transfer material and a transfer material separation/suction section (a suction wheel, a suction wheel support lever, a cam and a spring) for sucking the transfer material moving with the transfer material moving member at the surface opposite to the image transfer surface thereof and separating the transfer material from the transfer material moving member. |
| US08081915B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling the change of direction of a fusing belt in a printing apparatus
An apparatus (100) and method (500) that controls the change of direction of a fusing belt in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a fusing belt (120) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (128). The apparatus can include at least one fusing belt support roller (131) where the fusing belt can be entrained on the fusing belt support roller. The apparatus can include a pressure roller (132) that contacts the fusing belt to form a fusing nip (137), where the pressure roller, the heater, and the fusing belt can be configured to fuse an image on a media sheet (112) in the fusing nip. The apparatus can include a belt position changing mechanism (150) configured to move the fusing belt axially in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the axis of rotation. The apparatus can include a belt position changing control module (152) coupled to the belt position changing mechanism. The belt position changing control module can be configured to change an axial location of a change in direction from the first direction to the second direction so the fusing belt changes direction from the first direction to the second direction at different axial locations. |
| US08081914B2 |
Apparatus and method for detaching media from a fuser in a printer
An apparatus (100) and method (200) that detaches media from a fuser in a printer is disclosed. The method can include feeding (220) a media sheet through a fuser member and applying (230) gas from an air knife to the media sheet on the fuser member to detach the media sheet at a detach point from the fuser member. The method can also include asserting (240) tension on the media sheet using a set of rotational members and continuing to apply gas from the air knife to the media sheet until the set of rotational members asserts tension on the media sheet. |
| US08081908B2 |
Toner bottle for electrostatic latent image developing
A toner bottle containing a cylindrical toner container having therein a toner comprising at least a resin, a colorant and an external additive, the toner container having a toner discharge port on an end thereof and a rotation axis along the cylindrical toner container, and the toner container being installable in an image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container has plural protrusions which are intermittently provided in an interior of the cylindrical container, the protrusions having a function to convey the toner toward the toner discharge port when the toner container is rotated around the rotation axis; an X-ray intensity ratio of titanium to silicon (Ti/Si) determined via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of the toner is 1.0 to 3.0; and a conveyance index of the toner is 2.0 to 10.0 mg/sec. |
| US08081907B2 |
Developer feeding apparatus and developing apparatus
Cones whose rotation axes are substantially parallel to each other and whose sides maintain a constant interval therebetween are provided in a driving force transmission unit to transmit a driving force to a developer feeding member, a roller to transmit the driving force is provided between the cones, a position of the roller is moved in accordance with rotation of one cone or the other, and a rotational speed of the developer feeding member to which the driving force is transmitted from one cone changes with an increase in a number of revolutions of s driving force transmission unit. |
| US08081906B2 |
Image forming apparatus wherein, when a rotary member is located at a reference position, a color developing device is located in a region extending from a position of a transparent developing device toward a downstream side of a rotation direction of the rotary member to a lowermost point in the gravity direction of the rotary member
An image forming apparatus includes color developing units for development with color developing agents, a transparence developing unit for development with a transparent developing agent, a rotary member which holds and rotationally moves the color and transparence developing units toward a development position, a driving device which rotationally drives the rotary member, a toner accumulation portion arranged below the rotary member in a gravity direction, falling toner accumulating therein, and a controller capable of starting image formation after the rotary member is moved to a reference position for rotation start. When the rotary member is located at the reference position, stop control thereof is performed such that at least one color developing unit is located in a region arranged downstream of the transparence developing unit and upstream of a lowermost portion of the rotary member in the gravity direction, with reference to the rotation direction of the rotary member. |
| US08081904B2 |
Belt drive control unit, belt drive control method, belt drive control program, and image forming apparatus using same
A belt drive control unit controls a rotation of belt supported by first and second rollers. Each of rotations of the first and second rollers are detected as first and second results. A rotation of the first roller is controlled in connection with thickness fluctuation in the belt using the first and second results. The belt drive control unit includes a sampling data acquisition unit, a correction value generator, a correction value storage, and a correction value reading controller. The sampling data acquisition unit obtains sampling data by sampling a difference value between the first and second results. The correction value generator generates correction value data for the belt based on the sampling data. The correction value storage stores the correction value data. The correction value reading controller reads the correction value data based on a rotation number of the belt to control a rotation of the first roller. |
| US08081903B2 |
Fixing device, gloss providing device and image forming system
A fixing device includes a fixing member that comes into contact with a recording medium while rotating a heating unit that heats the fixing member, a pressing member that presses the recording medium to the fixing member while rotating, and an air supply unit that supplies air to a part included in an angle range of 90 degrees toward a downstream side of the pressing member in a rotating direction from a contact position between the pressing member and the fixing member. |
| US08081902B2 |
Image-forming device with detachable belt unit
An image-forming device includes a body frame, a belt unit, and a process cartridge. The belt unit includes a belt unit main frame having a first main end portion and a second main end portion in a first direction, a first roller disposed at the first main end portion, a second roller disposed at the second main end portion, a belt mounted around the first roller and the second roller, and a handle part disposed at the first main end portion and has a contacting part. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having a photosensitive surface opposed to the belt in a second direction, and a casing accommodating the photosensitive drum and having a contacted part. The contacting part contacts the contacted part to prevent the photosensitive surface from contacting the belt unit when the process cartridge is mounted in the body frame. |
| US08081901B2 |
Xerographic marking module useful in a xerographic color marking system
This invention provides a xerographic marking module that has a built-in lifting mechanism that is useful in installing a new module in a xerographic marking system. The lifting mechanism forms the bottom portion of the marking module and comprises an upper cradle to hold the remaining module portion, a lower plate that constitutes the bottom of the module when in a collapsed position, and a movable linkage that connects the cradle to the lower plate. When in installation mode, the linkage creates a vertical force which will upwardly push the cradle (holding the module) away from the lower plate into an installation elevation. After slides in the module and in the color marking system are mated, the lifting mechanism is collapsed and the module pushed into the color marking system or apparatus. |
| US08081898B2 |
Process cartridge and method for removing processing means from process cartridge
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging roller for electrically charging the drum; a drum frame rotatably supporting the longitudinal ends of the charging roller through bearings and rotatably supporting one longitudinal end of the drum; a drum bearing rotatably supporting the other longitudinal end of the drum and connected to the other longitudinal end of the drum frame by an adhesive; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum; a longitudinally movable magnet roller provided inside the developing roller; and first and second side members supporting different longitudinal ends of the magnet roller and connected to different longitudinal ends of a developing device frame. |
| US08081893B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus with improved temperature control
An image forming apparatus is provided that has a first pressurizing member, a heating member, and a belt member laid across the heating member and the first pressurizing member in a tensioned state, the belt member being heated by the heating member. The apparatus also includes a second pressurizing member arranged at such position that the second pressurizing member is pressed against the first pressurizing member via the belt member, a fixing unit for fixing a developer image on a medium between the belt member and the second pressurizing member, and a heating control unit for controlling heating of the heating member to drive a temperature of the heating member toward a predetermined target temperature. In addition, the apparatus includes a first temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the first pressurizing member. The heating control unit determines the targeted temperature based on the temperature of the first pressurizing member detected by the first temperature detection unit. |
| US08081890B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and unit removably installed in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a controller which sets fixing conditions in a fixing unit in accordance with the type of printing medium sensed by a sensor. An intermediate transfer member and sensor are configured as an intermediate transfer member unit. The intermediate transfer member unit is removably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer member unit has a storage unit which stores information used to determine the type printing medium by the sensor. |
| US08081889B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus includes: an image receptor; a developing member which develops a latent image on the image receptor with a toner; an anti-spattering member collecting free toner particles, a driver which drives the developing member and the anti-spattering member; and a controller which controls the driver not to drive the anti-spattering member during a printing operation, and to drive the anti-spattering member at other times when printing operation is not being performed. |
| US08081885B2 |
Coherent optical communication apparatus and method
The present invention relates to a coherent optical communication apparatus and method. According to the invention, the optical communication apparatus receives a modulated optical signal, which is generated by modulating an optical signal with a first electrical signal obtained by adding a second electrical signal carrying information to be transmitted and a reference electrical signal, and converts the modulated optical signal to a third electrical signal by coherent detection. Then the apparatus detects an amount of fluctuation of the reference electrical signal included in the third electrical signal, and compensates the second electrical signal included in the third electrical signal using the amount of fluctuation. |
| US08081884B2 |
Rate adjustable differential phase shift key (DPSK) modulation
In a fixed delay optical communication system, rate adjustable differential phase shift key (DPSK) techniques eliminate the need for multiple comparing modules, each corresponding to a different data rate. Setting alternative data rates at integer multiples of the fundamental data rate of the optical communication system allows the system to process the respective integer number of symbols per period of the system, wherein the period of the system is the inverse of the fundamental data rate. Pulse carving techniques may be used to set the duty cycle of clock levels associated with a clock signal. The clock levels may be combined with respective symbols to provide optical symbols having a duty cycle less than 100%. |
| US08081883B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensating for optical crosstalk in an optical output power feedback monitoring system of a parallel optical transmitter
A method and an apparatus are provided for use in a parallel optical transmitter or transceiver to compensate for variations in optical crosstalk in an optical output power monitoring system that are caused by lasers being enabled and/or disabled. In particular, the method and apparatus cause adjustments to be made to the reference value of each optical channel based on determinations of whether one or more lasers of the other optical channels have been disabled or enabled. By making these adjustments, the average optical output power level of each laser of each channel can be maintained at a desired or required level even if one or more of the lasers of one or more of the other channels is enabled or disabled. |
| US08081879B2 |
System for dynamically optimizing a decision threshold voltage in an optical transponder
A transponder having a dynamic remapping circuit remaps a value of decision threshold voltage Vdtc and a value of optical power RXP to a reference voltage Vref to minimize the bit error rate BER of a communication system. The dynamic remapping circuit implements a bilinear mapping of Vdtc and RXP to Vref with three bilinear remapping constants “a”, “b”, and “c” selected to align a remapped value of Vdtc_opt to a selected Vdtc normalization value, Vdtc_norm. A transponder in accord with an embodiment of the invention prevents BER from exceeding a threshold value of BER whether RXP or OSNR, or both, remain constant, change continuously, or change intermittently. Constants “a”, “b”, and “c” are related to parameters resulting from mathematically fitting a line to data comprising Vdtc_opt versus RXP. Another embodiment comprises a method for dynamically optimizing Vdtc and RXP to Vref in a transponder with a bilinear remapping circuit. |
| US08081876B2 |
Optical fan-out and broadcast interconnect methodology
Methods are described for an optical fan-out and broadcast interconnect. A method includes operating an optical fan-out and broadcast interconnect including: fanning-out an optical signal from an optical signal emitter, of one of a plurality of nodes, with a diverging element of one of a plurality of optics; and broadcasting the optical signal to one of a plurality of receivers of all of the plurality of nodes with a light collecting and focusing element of all of the plurality of optics, wherein the plurality of optics are positioned to define an optics array, the plurality of receivers are positioned to define a receiver array that corresponds to the optics array and the plurality of nodes are positioned to define a node array that substantially corresponds to the receiver array and the optics array. |
| US08081871B2 |
Information recording medium, information recording apparatus and method, information reproducing apparatus and method, and computer program for record or reproduction control
An information recording medium on which a plurality of stream groups are multiplexed and recorded by a unit of packet, which is a physically accessible unit, each of the stream groups including one video stream, the information recording medium provided with: an object data file for storing object data which comprises a plurality of packets; and an object information file for storing correspondence definition information for controlling the reproduction of the object data. The object data is divided by a divisional unit in at least one portion of a reproduction section, which is provided with the plurality of packets and corresponds to one of the plurality of stream groups. The object information file stores unit address information indicating an address of each of divisional units, as the reproduction control information. |
| US08081868B2 |
Time reconciliation for image recording devices
Time reconciliation, in which images that each are associated with a recording device system time are received, the recording device records the images at an original rate, a reference time is determined, and a difference time D representing an amount of time that the recording device system time is ahead of the reference time is calculated. In one alternative implementation, a down-sampling rate N is determined, and a time T to reconcile the recording device system time with the reference time is calculated based upon the down-sampling rate N and the difference time D. In another alternative implementation, a time T is determined, and a down-sampling rate N to reconcile the recording device system time with the reference time is calculated based upon the time T and the difference time D. In both alternative implementations, the images recorded by the recording device are down-sampled at 1/N of the original rate, and the down-sampled images are stored. |
| US08081865B2 |
AV data recording apparatus and method, recording media recorded by the same, AV data reproducing apparatus and method, and AV data recording and reproducing apparatus and method
To provide an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus capable of easily carrying out real-time recording and reproducing via a 1394 interface, and method thereof. Input time information relating to one or a plurality of transport packets are stored in the different transport packet; the transport packets and the different transport packet having input time information relating to the transport packets are recorded; and at the same time the transport packet recorded in the recording medium and the different transport packet are read; the different transport packet corresponding to one of a plurality of the recorded transport packets are extracted and the input time is specified; and based on the input time information, the corresponding transport packet is output. |
| US08081863B2 |
Content playback apparatus
A content playback apparatus obtains and plays a content section from content according to an obtaining method that varies.The content playback apparatus which obtains the content section from content and plays the obtained content section includes a reference generation unit that generates a judgment reference that varies dynamically over a playback time axis of the content, and a content section obtaining unit that obtains the content section by comparing the content with the judgment reference. With this structure, the content playback apparatus is able to obtain a content section according to a method that varies. |
| US08081858B2 |
Compact high density central office fiber distribution system
A fiber distribution system having a rack mounted chassis and a fiber distribution rack to mount in the chassis. The system includes one or more splitter modules which are designed to be mounted in the fiber distribution rack. The splitter modules have a compact design and contain a plurality of fiber splitters. The fiber distribution system also contains a cable guide tray for supporting the fiber cables and the system includes a plurality of radius limiters to minimize cable bends. |
| US08081855B2 |
Optical fiber and optical cable
Provided is an optical fiber that has a small bending loss, can be securely prevented from being fractured due to accidental bending during installation or other operations, and is compliant with the G. 652 standard. An optical fiber 1 includes a core 11, a first cladding 12, a second cladding 13, and a third cladding 14. The relative refractive index difference Δ1 of the core 11 is in the range of 0.3% to 0.38%, the relative refractive index difference Δ2 of the first cladding 12 is equal to or smaller than 0%, and the relative refractive index difference Δ3 of the second cladding 13 is in the range of −1.8% to −0.5%. The inner radius r2 and the outer radius r3 of the second cladding 13 satisfy the expression “0.4r2+10.5 |
| US08081848B2 |
Extracting metadata from a digitally scanned document
Presented are techniques for extracting metadata from a digitally scanned document. The text of the digitally scanned document is obtained and a first algorithm is provided to identify various numbers found within the text, determine which numbers correspond to the page numbers of the document, and associate the determined numbers with the pages of the document. Furthermore, a second algorithm is provided that uses the text to determine the page type of the pages within the document. The second algorithm is configured to determine if a page is a table of contents page, an index page, or a title page. |
| US08081846B2 |
System and method for scaling digital images
Methods, computer devices, and computer readable media containing instructions for executing such methods are provided for the modification of digital images having a plurality of visual elements. |
| US08081845B2 |
Method and device for scaling-up or scaling-down images with the same hardware
An image processing device is provided, which scales-up or scales-down images with the same hardware. The device of this invention comprises a line buffer, a first variable, a second variable and a scaler. The scaler practices a scaling-down procedure to scale-down images or scaling-up procedure to scale-up images. |
| US08081842B2 |
Image resizing for web-based image search
Image resizing for web-based searching is described. In one implementation, a system resizes a user-selected thumbnail image into a larger version of the image that emulates the quality of a large, original image, but without downloading the original image. First, the system extracts resizing parameters when each thumbnail image is created. Then, the system creates a codebook of primitive visual elements extracted from a collection of training images. The primitive visual elements in the codebook provide universal visual parts for reconstructing images. The codebook and a resizing plug-in can be sent once to the user over a background channel. When the user selects a thumbnail image for enlargement, the system resizes the thumbnail image via interpolation and then refines the enlarged image with primitive visual elements from the codebook. The refinement creates an enlarged image that emulates the quality of the large, original image, without downloading the original image. |
| US08081836B2 |
Method for filtering of images with bilateral filters and integral histograms
The current invention describes a method for filtering an input image with a bilateral filter to produce an output image. The bilateral filter includes a spatial filter and a range filter. The method comprising the steps of: constructing an integral histogram from an input image including pixels, and wherein each pixel has an intensity; applying, for each pixel, the spatial filter to the integral histogram to produce a local histogram, each local histogram having a bin for a specified range of intensities of the pixels, each bin associated with a coefficient indicating a number of pixels in the specified range and an index to the coefficient; subtracting, for each bin in each local histogram, an intensity of the pixel from each index of the bin to produce a difference value; applying, for each bin, the range filter to each difference value to produce a response; scaling, each response by the corresponding coefficient to produce a scaled response; summing, for each local histogram, the scaled responses to produce a local response for the local histogram; summing, for each local histogram, the coefficients to produce a sum of the coefficient; and dividing, for each pixel, the local response by the sum of the coefficients to produce a response for the bilateral filter, which forms an output image. |
| US08081835B2 |
Multiprimary color sub-pixel rendering with metameric filtering
Systems and methods of rendering image data to multiprimary displays that adjusts image data across metamers are herein disclosed. The metamer filtering may be based upon input image content and may optimize sub-pixel values to improve image rendering accuracy or perception. The optimizations may be made according to many possible desired effects. One embodiment comprises a display system comprising: a display, said display capable of selecting from a set of image data values, said set comprising at least one metamer; an input image data unit; a spatial frequency detection unit, said spatial frequency detection unit extracting a spatial frequency characteristic from said input image data; and a selection unit, said unit selecting image data from said metamer according to said spatial frequency characteristic. |
| US08081833B2 |
Color processing apparatus and method to convert spectral information
A color processing apparatus for converting input spectral color data into output color component data corresponding to an output device is provided. A first conversion unit converts the input spectral color data into color component data, and converts the converted color component data into first output color component data corresponding to the output device. A second conversion unit converts the input spectral color data into second output color component data using a calculation unit which calculates spectral color data from output color component data. An evaluation unit evaluates the first output color component data converted by the first conversion unit. A control unit controls to output one of the first and second output color component data in accordance with the evaluation result of the evaluation unit. |
| US08081827B2 |
Compressed data image object feature extraction, ordering, and delivery
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for processing document images. In one embodiment, the method comprises extracting one or more features corresponding to one or more objects from a JPM compressed file, including extracting at least one of the one or more features without decoding, ranking document objects based on a task being performed by an application, and the one or more extracted features, and selecting a set of the document objects based on rank and at least one constraint. |
| US08081826B2 |
Change image detecting device, change image detecting method, computer program for realizing change image detecting function, and recording medium recorded with the computer program
Change image detecting devices and methods are disclosed. In one example, a change image detecting device includes a change image detecting unit that selects a reference image and an image to be processed and a determination unit that compares an Na-th (‘Na’ is a natural number equal to or smaller than N) partial region of N (‘N’ is an integer equal to or larger than 2) partial regions. If the determination unit determines that there is a change, the change image detecting unit selects the image to be processed or an image, which is temporally later than the image to be processed, as a new reference image and detects the image to be processed or the image, which is temporally later than the image to be processed, as the change image. |
| US08081818B2 |
Locating a feature in a digital image
Methods, systems, and computer program products used to locate a feature in an image, including identifying one or more candidate features in an image, where each candidate feature is a group of pixels in the image that satisfies a pattern-matching criterion. A best candidate feature is selected from the one or more candidate features, and a parameterized shape is fit to the image in the region of the best candidate feature to compute a feature shape corresponding to the best candidate feature. Particular implentations can include one or more of the following features. The candidate feature is a candidate pupil and the feature shape is an ellipse. Fitting the parameterizes shape to the mage includes applying an iterative process varying shape parameters. The parameterized shape encloses pixels in the image, and fitting the parameterized shape to compute an inner value, summing functions of values of pixels in the image outside of the parameterized shape to compute an outer value, and maximizing a difference between the inner value and the outer value. |
| US08081816B1 |
Apparatus and method for hardware implementation of object recognition from an image stream using artificial neural network
The present invention is an apparatus and method for object recognition from at least an image stream from at least an image frame utilizing at least an artificial neural network. The present invention further comprises means for generating multiple components of an image pyramid simultaneously from a single image stream, means for providing the active pixel and interlayer neuron data to at least a subwindow processor, means for multiplying and accumulating the product of a pixel data or interlayer data and a synapse weight, and means for performing the activation of an accumulation. The present invention allows the artificial neural networks to be reconfigurable, thus embracing a broad range of object recognition applications in a flexible way. The subwindow processor in the present invention also further comprises means for performing neuron computations for at least a neuron. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used for object recognition, including face detection and gender recognition, in hardware. The apparatus comprises a digital circuitry system or IC that embodies the components of the present invention. |
| US08081814B2 |
Linear pattern detection method and apparatus
The present invention provides a linear pattern detection method which can extract and detect linear patterns distinguished by a microscopic defect distribution profile even if skipped measurements are taken. The linear pattern detection method acquires a defect map created based on results of defect inspection of a wafer; divides the defect map into a plurality of first segments; calculates a correlation coefficient of a point sequence in each of the first segments, the point sequence corresponding to a defect group contained in the first segments; calculates a total number of those first segments in which the correlation coefficient is equal to or larger than a first threshold; and determines that the wafer contains a linear pattern if the total number is equal to or larger than a second threshold. |
| US08081813B2 |
System for assessing radiation treatment plan segmentations
Segmentations used to describe structures to be treated by radiotherapy are evaluated by converting the segmentations into volume models and examining volume elements that are extra or missing in the volume model of the second segmentation with respect to the volume model of the first segmentation. This characterization of volume elements may be displayed graphically to show differences in segmentations for training or evaluation purposes and may be quantified by a metric method tallying volume elements as optionally weighted by distance from volume elements shared by the segmentation. |
| US08081810B2 |
Recognizing a real world fiducial in image data of a patient
A storage medium contains a program which instructs a computer to recognize a predetermined shape of each of at least one portion of a medical assembly as a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient when the image data includes the predetermined shape and is received by the digital computer. The at-least-one portion has another function apart from functioning as a real-world fiducial. A medical apparatus includes a medical assembly and a storage medium. The medical assembly includes a component having at-least-one portion each with a predetermined shape. The storage medium contains a program which instructs a computer to recognize the predetermined shape of each of the at-least-one portion as a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient when the image data includes the predetermined shape and is received by the digital computer. The component has another function apart from functioning as a real-world fiducial. |
| US08081794B2 |
Method for imaging the surrounding of a vehicle
A method for imaging the surrounding of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of (i) taking a series of two dimensional images of the vehicle surrounding, (ii) taking a series of three dimensional images of the vehicle surrounding that including depth information, (iii) determining at least one object in an area of interest in one of the series of images and tracking the object in the area of interest, (iv) processing the others of the series of images to retrieve object information from said other series of images, (v) adjusting the objects to be tracked in the one series of images in accordance with the object information received from processing the other series of images. |
| US08081793B2 |
Electronic watermarking method and apparatus for color image data
Multi-color image data received from a host device are divided into blocks. The brightness of at least a first color in each block is tested to determine whether the block is watermarkable. An electronic watermark is embedded into each watermarkable block by modifying the image data of at least a second color. The image data of the second color can then be combined with image data of the other colors to generate watermarked output image data or print a watermarked image. The electronic watermark can be read from the watermarked image with a low error rate. |
| US08081790B2 |
Loudspeaker structure of electronic device
A loudspeaker structure for an electronic device, comprising: a housing defining a frame portion, the frame portion comprises a front sound chamber and aback sound chamber; a loudspeaker secured within the frame portion; a speaker cover made of rubber materials and secured within the frame portion to seal the front sound chamber; a speaker seat made of rubber materials and secured within the frame portion to seal the back sound chamber; and a circuit board secured above the frame portion. The front sound chamber and the back sound chamber have comfortable tightness and ensure the sounds transmitting. Thereby, high quality sound is available. |
| US08081789B2 |
Microphone holder and microphone device using same
A microphone device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of microphones and a microphone holder for holding the microphones. The microphones include a first sound receiving part and a second sound receiving part. The microphone holder comprises a holder body, and the holder body includes a plurality of microphone engaging recesses facing in different directions from each other and to be removably in engagement with the plurality of microphones. These microphone engaging recesses are to be in engagement with the plurality of microphones with the first sound receiving part facing the outer side of the holder body. |
| US08081786B2 |
Speaker clearance arrangement for a communication device
Disclosed is an enclosure for a speaker for a communication device. The enclosure comprises: a surface; a speaker grill located in the surface, the grill having an opening therein providing an air channel to the speaker; and at least one structure located in a first region in the surface and protruding from the surface. The enclosure is shaped such that when the enclosure is placed on a flat surface with the surface facing the flat surface, the structure causes the surface to be canted from the flat surface to expose the speaker grill to ambient air. |
| US08081782B2 |
Acoustic-electric transducer, electronic device, method, and computer program product
An acoustic-electric transducer for a microphone may include a cavity delimited by a wall and having an opening; a diaphragm having an outer boundary, said diaphragm extending across said opening so that an air gap is provided transversely outwards of the diaphragm between said outer boundary of said diaphragm and said cavity wall; and an actuator configured to adjust a size of said air gap. |
| US08081775B2 |
Loudspeaker apparatus for radiating acoustic waves in a hemisphere around the centre axis
Loudspeaker apparatus comprise commonly some sort of casings or assemblies, in which one or more single speakers are integrated and which are used to convert electrical signals into sound. A loudspeaker apparatus 1 for radiating sound in a hemisphere is disclosed having a center axis 9, the loudspeaker apparatus 1 comprising: a set of midrange drivers 6a, b, c, d, e, f, whereby the midrange drivers 6a, b, c, d, e, f are controlled and/or arranged in a Bessel configuration and are operable to provide a first acoustic field in the hemisphere, a set of tweeter drivers 7a, b, c, d adapted to provide a second acoustic field in the hemisphere, whereby the first and the second acoustic field are respectively arranged symmetrically, whereby the main sound emitting directions of the single tweeter drivers 7a, b, c, d are angled to the center axis 9. |
| US08081769B2 |
Apparatus for rectifying resonance in the outer-ear canals and method of rectifying
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for cancelling resonance in an outer-ear canal, comprises an outer-ear canal model includes attenuator modules representing reflection coefficients of an earphone or headphone and an eardrum, and a delay module having a delay time corresponding to a distance between the earphone or headphone and the eardrum, an inverse-filter forming unit configured to form an inverse filter of the outer-ear canal model, and a convolution module configured to perform convolution on an impulse response from the inverse filter and a sound-source signal. |
| US08081759B2 |
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating fast transition in a network system
An apparatus, system, computer-readable medium, and method to facilitate quick transition of communications of a mobile station between network stations of a radio communication system, such as a WLAN operable to a variant of an IEEE 802 operating specification, is provided. Implementations of embodiments described herein reduce the transition duration by a pre-keying mechanism that performs authentication procedures prior to commencement of reassociation procedures. In other embodiments, a mobile station is allowed to select whether to perform pre-keying processes over an air interface with a target transition access point or whether to perform the pre-keying processes over a distribution system. |
| US08081758B2 |
Communication support server, communication support method, and communication support system
When a cryptographic communicating part 208 of the communication support server 20 exchanges information with the information processing units 14, if the term of validity of a first key stored in a cryptographic key storing part 200 and corresponding to the identification information of the information processing unit 14 does not expire, the cryptographic communicating part 208 performs the cryptographic communication with the information processing unit 14 using the first key, without performing a process of authenticating the information processing units 14. When the term of validity of the first key expires or the first key corresponding to the identification information of the information processing units 14 is not stored, the key sharing part 202 shares the first key with the information processing units 14, and the cryptographic communicating part 208 performs the cryptographic communication with the information processing units 14 using a newly shared first key. |
| US08081756B2 |
Implementation of media-protection policies
A technique wherein a first electronic device, such as a server, provides to a second electronic device, such as a client device, a first portion of a digital-content stream. The first electronic device receives an identifier of a protection policy to be applied to the digital-content stream. The first electronic device provides to the second electronic device a data set that includes the policy and a key. In an embodiment, the data set is provided concurrently with providing the digital-content stream to the second electronic device. The first electronic device provides to the second electronic device a second portion of the digital-content stream that is encrypted using the key. |
| US08081754B2 |
Key update method and apparatus thereof
A key update method and a key update apparatus are provided. The method includes storing data in a database of an update server, the data having an encoded updated node key in response to a node key update for a group; selecting necessary data, from among the data having the encoded updated node key, to calculate a key immediately prior to when the member is switched to the online mode, and generating member update data; and performing a key update with respect to the member using the member update data in a device corresponding to the member which has switched from the offline mode to the online mode. |
| US08081746B2 |
Conference bridge with improved handling of control signaling during an ongoing conference
In an exemplary method audible signals from participants of a conference call during the ongoing conference call are processed by a conference bridge. An incoming audible signal on a first line from a first participant is detected during the conference call with a plurality of other conference call participants coupled via corresponding other lines. The audible signal on the first line is automatically attenuated before information on the first line is summed into a common signal that is transmitted to the other conference call participants. This prevents the other participants from hearing the audible signal during the ongoing conference call. |
| US08081739B2 |
Methods and systems for voice activated dialing
Methods for routing a call based on voice activated dialing (VAD). A VAD device module may respond to a VAD instruction, or to a call received with a VAD instruction with a corresponding call destination number obtained from a personal VAD directory. If the personal VAD directory fails to include the call destination number, the VAD device module may route the call or initiate a call through a gateway to a VAD network module. The VAD network module may obtain call destination information from the VAD instruction, and may use the call destination information obtain the call destination number. The VAD network module may obtain additional information from the call or other source, and use the additional information to obtain the call destination number. The call then is routed to the call destination number. The call destination number may be added to the personal VAD directory. |
| US08081736B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring electrical properties of communication lines
A method and an apparatus for measuring electrical properties of communication lines is presented, wherein the communication line comprises a first line and a second line, wherein the first line is connected to a first line driver and the second line is connected to a second line driver. At least one measurement for determining said properties of said communication line is performed with the first line driver or the second line driver set to a high impedance state. With this method and apparatus, detailed line testing can be performed without the need for additional elements in a communication circuit. |
| US08081730B2 |
Monitoring device for connectors
An exemplary monitoring device includes: a time chip connected to a connector to generate a time signal and a count signal when the connector is working, the time signal indicating how long the connector is in use, the count signal indicating that the total number of times the connector has been used should be incremented by one; a processor connected to the time chip to receive the time signal and count signal, and generate a data signal including a total service time and a total number of times the connector has been used; a clock generator connected to the processor to provide a clock signal; and an output port connected to the processor to output the data signal. The monitoring device keeps a watch on a connector for showing the service information about the connector to make an operator know if the connector needs to be replaced. |
| US08081725B2 |
Edge evaluation of ASK-modulated signals
Signal processing circuit including a demodulator that receives a receive signal with signal edges, and outputs a demodulated receive signal with transitions from a first level to a second level or vice versa at signal edges of the receive signal, wherein points of time of the transitions depend on the steepnesses of the signal edges. The circuit also includes an edge evaluator that receives the receive signal, and outputs an evaluation signal which includes information about the steepnesses of the signal edges. The circuit also includes a signal generator that receives the output of the demodulator, receives the output of the edge evaluator, and outputs a corrected demodulated receive signal with transitions whose points of time are set with regard to the points of time of the transitions of the demodulated receive signal based on the evaluation signal in order to reduce influences of different steepnesses of the signal edges. |
| US08081716B2 |
Digital broadcasting receiving system and method of processing data
A digital broadcasting receiving system and method is disclosed. In the data processing method, a known data sequence is tuned so as to be received, when the known data sequence is periodically inserted in valid data and transmitted. Then, the timing error is detected by using a correlation characteristic of the received known data sequence. Thereafter, a timing clock that is in proportion to the detected timing error is created, thereby interpolating the received data. |
| US08081715B1 |
Device and method for sampling based on matched filtering
A circuit that reduces the effect of noise in a receiver that includes a plurality of filters and a plurality of samplers. The plurality of filters are configured discreetly filter a digital signal to form a plurality of filtered signals. The plurality of samplers are configured to sample the plurality of filtered signals. |
| US08081709B2 |
Method for transmitting information in a telecommunication system featuring multiple frequency bands
A method for transmitting data in a telecommunication system including at least one communication network CNW1 including a group of radio base stations B1 able to communicate with at least one mobile terminal MT through a wireless link, which method includes at least one frequency switching step for switching an operating frequency of the wireless link from a first frequency band to a second frequency band, and a control signal transmission step in the course of which a slot including control data (Cnt, Swrq, Mst) is transmitted through a communication channel established over said wireless link. The method upgrades an existing network by allowing it to use a new band of available frequencies for the operation of the wireless link. |
| US08081704B2 |
Dynamic digital communication system control
Methods, apparatus and systems for dynamically controlling a digital communication system, such as a DSL system, collect information about digital communication lines in the system and adaptively and/or dynamically determine line and signal characteristics of the digital communication lines, including interference effects. Based on the determined characteristics and the desired performance parameters, operation of the digital communication lines is adjusted to improve or otherwise control the performance of the system. The collection and processing of information may be performed by a party that is not a user in the system. This independent party also may control operational characteristics and parameters of the system. The invention can be used to eliminated or reduce signal interference such as crosstalk that can be induced on communication lines in systems such as DSL systems. Specific iterative power allocation and vectored transmission techniques and apparatus are disclosed. |
| US08081700B2 |
Power allocation method for MIMO transmit beamforming
A transmit power allocation method for computing a transmit beamforming W matrix for a N streams of data, the method has a first step of measuring a receive channel characteristic H matrix, a second step of decomposing the H matrix into a U matrix which is formed from the left eigenvectors of the H matrix, an Σ matrix which is a diagonal matrix formed from the square roots of the eigenvalues of said H matrix and re-ordered by strength, and a VT matrix with rows comprising the right eigenvectors of H, such that UΣVT=H. The transmit beamforming W matrix is then formed from the re-ordered V matrix of the previous decomposition. Optional waterfilling methods for a plurality of subcarriers may then be done using either a minimum mean square error, an optimal signal to noise ratio, or any other waterfilling method which optimizes a desired metric, such as signal to noise ratio or minimum mean square error. |
| US08081696B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-carrier HSDPA traffic transmission channel coding
Three channel coding schemes for multi-carrier HSDPA packet data transmission are disclosed. The first scheme includes: dividing data into N groups (S210); performing CRC attachment, code block segmentation, channel coding and rate matching on each group of data respectively (S220); scrambling and interleaving the N groups of data unitedly, and then dividing the data into N groups again to perform QAM constellation rearrangement and then map to physical channels of respective carriers for transmission. The second scheme includes: dividing data to be sent into groups (S510); and sending each group of data via a physical channel of a carrier after coding it according to single-carrier HSDPA (S520). The third scheme includes: sending N carrier channels as a whole to a physical layer to perform processing from CRC attachment to QAM constellation rearrangement (S710); dividing the processed data into groups and mapping them to respective carrier channels for transmission (S720). |
| US08081695B2 |
Channel estimation using frequency smoothing
A system and method are provided for supplying a frequency-smoothed communications training signal. The method generates a frequency-smoothed unbiased training signal in a quadrature modulation transmitter. The frequency-smoothed unbiased training signal includes a plurality of pilot signal products, where each pilot signal product includes complex plane information represented by a reference frequency subcarrier, multiplying complex plane information represented by mirror frequency subcarrier. The sum of the plurality of pilot signal products is equal to zero. The method supplies the frequency-smoothed unbiased training signal so that it may be transmitted within a single symbol period. System and methods are also provided for using a frequency-smoothed training signal in the calculation of a receiver channel estimate. |
| US08081692B1 |
Transmit beamforming utilizing codebook selection in a wireless MIMO communication system
A sub-matrix is selected from an estimated multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) channel matrix, wherein the estimated MIMO channel matrix is constructed based on a codebook. A singular value decomposition (SVD) is calculated based on the sub-matrix. A steering matrix is calculated based on the SVD and the codebook. |
| US08081691B2 |
Detection of interferers using divergence of signal quality estimates
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for detecting an interferer in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes receiving a signal having P tones, each of the P tones being associated with a frequency, determining a first signal quality of each of the P tones, determining a second signal quality of each of the P tones, and detecting the interferer that occupies the same frequency as one of the P tones based on the respective first signal quality and the respective second signal quality. The first signal quality and second signal quality behave differently when the interferer is present. The detecting the interferer includes determining a discrepancy in the behavior of the first signal quality and the second signal quality. |
| US08081690B2 |
OFDM channel estimation
A receiver for receiving an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) digital video broadcast (DVB) signal including OFDM symbol sets including data symbols and pilot symbols transmitted using a plurality of sub-carriers, the OFDM DVB signal being transmitted toward the receiver via a transmission channel, the receiver including an input processor configured to receive the OFDM DVB signal via the transmission channel and to perform a Fourier transform on the OFDM DVB signal to provide a frequency-domain signal, a channel estimation processor coupled to the input processor and configured to calculate final channel estimates, the channel estimation processor being configured to perform time-domain prediction on the frequency-domain signal to provide established sub-carriers that each have corresponding initial channel estimates, and perform minimum mean square error (MMSE) equalization on the frequency-domain signal using the initial channel estimates that correspond to a sub-set of the established sub-carriers to calculate the final channel estimates. |
| US08081687B2 |
Received signal determination based upon frame classification
A receiver includes digital logic for defining a plurality of signal paths for an ingoing digital signal to determine a frame classification. Frames are classified according to a combination of readings of a plurality of correlation block and relative signal (power) strengths. Power detection is specified for frequency bands of interest. The combination of readings and their corresponding pattern may be used to determine whether a frame is being transmitted in a lower bandwidth channel, an upper bandwidth channel or a large bandwidth channel that overlaps the lower and upper bandwidth channels. A transmission type (legacy, mixed mode, Greenfield) may subsequently be determined based upon the identity of the frame channel. |
| US08081683B2 |
Decoding-processing apparatus for decoding bitstreams encoded in accordance with an arithmetic-encoding system in image compression and method for performing the same
A decoding-processing apparatus that decodes bitstreams using an intermediate format. The apparatus includes a context-calculating unit (2) calculating the probability of symbols contained in incoming bitstreams, a parameter-generating unit (3) generating parameters for use in the context-calculating unit (2), and an arithmetic decoding-calculating unit (4) decoding the incoming bitstreams in accordance with the probability, thereby providing decoded data. The apparatus also includes a stream-converting unit (5) converting the decoded data into intermediate bitstreams, a storage unit (6) storing the intermediate bitstreams, a synchronization-detecting unit (7) detecting calculation start timing from the intermediate bitstreams fed out of the storage unit (6), thereby providing detected calculation start timing, and a multivalued calculating unit (8) permitting the intermediate bitstreams fed out of the storage unit (6) to be multivalued in synchronism with the detected calculation start timing from the synchronization-detecting unit (7). |
| US08081678B2 |
Picture coding method and picture decoding method
The picture coding method of the present invention is a picture coding method for coding a picture on a block-by-block basis, comprising: a selection step of selecting one of at least two sizes as a size of a block on which orthogonal transformation should be performed; a transformation step of performing orthogonal transformation on a block having the selected size; a coding step of coding data of said block obtained in the transformation step; and a generation step of generating a coded stream that includes the coded data of the block and size information concerning the size selected in the selection step, wherein the size information indicates whether or not the size is a fixed block size within a predetermined section in the coded stream, and the predetermined section is one of a sequence, a group of pictures, a picture, a slice, and a macroblock. |
| US08081676B2 |
Method and apparatus for data reception
Method and apparatus for data reception are provided, retrieving digital values transmitted through a cable. In a data receiver, an equalizer equalizes an input signal based on a boost value to generate an equalized signal, and a data extractor samples the equalized signal to extract output values from each symbol period. The data extractor detects signal quality of the equalized signal to adjust the boost value accordingly. An optimal time point is detected within one symbol period where an output value is an ensured valid, and variation rate of the optimal time point is counted as an inverse indicator of the signal quality. |
| US08081675B2 |
De-emphasizing cable equalizer
In accordance with the teachings described herein, an extended equalizer circuit is provided for equalizing a digital communication signal transmitted over a transmission medium that causes a frequency-dependent attenuation of the digital communication signal. An equalizer may be used that includes a linear equalization circuit and a non-linear equalization circuit, the linear equalization circuit being configured to apply a linear filter to the digital communication signal to compensate for the frequency-dependent attenuation caused by a first portion of the transmission medium, and the non-linear equalization circuit being configured to apply one or more non-linear operations to the digital communication signal. A de-emphasizing equalizer circuit may be coupled in series between the transmission medium and the equalizer and configured to apply an additional linear filter to the digital communication signal in order to compensate for the frequency-dependent attenuation caused by a second portion of the transmission medium. |
| US08081674B2 |
Methods and system for determining a dominant impairment of an impaired communication channel
Methods are described for identifying a dominant impairment on a communication channel impaired by an interference issue. The methods include systematic examination of total power loading, systematic examination of signal power reduction, statistical examination of communication channel noise power, and systematic examination of interleaver effectiveness. Each relates to automatically diagnosing and characterizing distortion-based interference issues by monitoring the performance of a communication channel during a testing procedure. These methods enable a technician or engineer to remotely diagnose distortion-based interference issues relatively quickly without having to use external test equipment and without having to deploy technicians to various locations within the cable plant. A system by which these methods can be implemented is also disclosed. |
| US08081673B2 |
Systems and methods for processing spread spectrum signals
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing at least two spread spectrum signals that at least partially overlap in time and in frequency. A main correlator bank with a trip detection component can determine a PN code phase for each of the spread spectrum signals that are associated with a PN code signal. The signals may at least partially overlap in time and in frequency. The PN code phases can be determined by comparing the signals to internally generated PN code phases. Based on the comparison, trips associated with the code phases are detected. The PN code phase for each signal can be used to extract a data signal from the signal. The data signals can be outputted. |
| US08081669B2 |
Method of driving laser diode device and laser diode equipment
A method of driving an ultrashort pulse and ultrahigh power laser diode device having a simple composition and a simple structure is provided. In the method of driving a laser diode device, light is injected from a light injection means into a laser diode device driven by a pulse current having a value 10 or more times as large as a value of a threshold current. |
| US08081666B2 |
Robust digital communication system
Normally ordered robust VSB data are reordered in accordance with a first interleave to produce reordered robust VSB data. The reordered robust VSB data and ATSC data are reordered in accordance with a second interleave to produce normally ordered robust VSB data and reordered ATSC data. The normally ordered robust VSB data and reordered ATSC data are time multiplexed for transmission to a receiver. The receiver discards the reordered ATSC data or the normally ordered robust VSB data depending upon receiver type or user selection. A robust VSB receiver is able to process the normally ordered robust VSB data upstream of an outer decoder without an interleave thereby avoiding the delay associated with an interleave. |
| US08081665B2 |
Virtual concatenation of PDH signals
Asynchronous/plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH) signals, such as DS1 and E1, are transported using virtual concatenation. The packetized data signals are frame encapsulated and subsequently inverse multiplexed into a plurality of PDH frames. An overhead packet is inserted in the transmitted frames to enable the receiver to determine the status of the frames and extract the differential delay experienced by various frames as they are routed through virtually concatenated channels. The extracted delays enables the receiver to realign the various frames of the PDH signal to reconstitute the originally transmitted signals that travel through different paths of the transport network linking the source and sink of the virtually concatenated channel. |
| US08081662B2 |
Methods of transmitting data blocks in wireless communication system
Disclosed is a method for generating a data block to be transmitted from a specific layer in a transmitting side to a receiving side in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving an upper layer datei block from an upper layer and generating a lower layer data block including at least part of the upper layer data block and state indication information indicating a state of the upper layer data block, the state indication information being selected variably according to a logical channel through which the upper layer data block is received. This method optimizes overhead of a header of each upper layer data block according to contents of the upper layer data block and event situations associated with the upper layer data block, thereby increasing system efficiency. |
| US08081661B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth allocation device for an optical network and method thereof
A dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) device and a method thereof are provided. In the DBA method, the band allocation periods according to class queues and allocable bands with respect to each class queue are calculated on the basis of the service level agreement information and stored according to the service types in separate tables. The bandwidth allocation amount is calculated with respect to class queues which have the allocation periods by concurrently checking all the tables at each frame. The upward bandwidth usage efficiency is improved by calculating the final bandwidth allocation information from the service with a high priority order on the basis of the total allocable bandwidth of the corresponding frame. The upward bandwidth allocation amount can be calculated at each frame by reducing the processing speed in calculating the bandwidth allocation amount of each class queue. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively use the network. |
| US08081659B2 |
Map message expediency monitoring and automatic delay adjustments in M-CMTS
An M-CMTS compatible UEQAM device implements circuitry to identify and analyze MAP message in the data stream sent from the M-CMTS Core with respect to timing information embedded in those messages. The improved UEQAM will then create a specific message as an extension to DEPI to communicate that information to the M-CMTS Core. The M-CMTS Core will employ that analysis to automatically adjust MAP message advance time to reduce delay and thus improve system performance. This invention will provide a closed-loop between the M-CMTS Core and the UEQAM where valuable transmission information will periodically be fed back from UEQAM-to-M-CMTS Core in real-time. |
| US08081646B1 |
Old virtual queues technique for routing data packets in a packet switch
A packet switch includes virtual output queues for mapping data units of data packets from input ports to output ports of the packet switch. The packet switch selects virtual output queues based on old age indicators of the virtual output queues and routes data units mapped at heads of the selected virtual output queues to output ports of the packet switch. Further, the packet switch may identify a data unit of a multicast data packet mapped at the head of more than one virtual output queue and contemporaneously route the data unit to more than one output port. Additionally, the packet switch may update an old age indicator to indicate a virtual output queue is old if the virtual output queue maps an unserviceable data unit of a multicast data packet and the same data unit is mapped at the head of a selected virtual output queue. |
| US08081645B2 |
Context sharing between a streaming processing unit (SPU) and a packet management unit (PMU) in a packet processing environment
A method for processing multiple data packets includes receiving from a network interface, at a packet management unit (PMU), a data packet for processing, and determining whether to store or drop the data packet. The method further includes queueing the data packet in a queue within a queueing system and preloading a portion of the data packet into a context from a pool of contexts in a stream processing unit (SPU). The queued data packet referenced by the context is processed by the SPU and outputted to the network interface. |
| US08081642B2 |
Method and apparatus for routing between fibre channel fabrics
An interfabric link between two separate Fibre Channel fabrics so that devices in one fabric can communicate with devices in another fabric without requiring the merger of the two fabrics. The interfabric switch performs a conversion or a translation of device addresses in each fabric so that they are accessible to the other fabric. This translation is preferably done using a private to public loop address translation. In a first embodiment the external ports of the interfabric switch are configured as E_ports. A series of internal ports in each interfabric switch are joined together forming a series of virtual or logical switches. The virtual switches are then interconnected using private loops. The use of the private loop is enabled by the presence of translation logic which converts fabric addresses to loop addresses and back so that loop and fabric devices can communicate. Because each port can do this translation and the private loop addressing does not include domain or area information, the change in addresses between the fabrics is simplified. In a second embodiment the external ports are configured as NL_ports and the connections between the virtual switches are E_ports. Thus the private to public and public to private translations are done at the external ports rather than the internal ports as in the prior embodiment. The virtual switches in the interfabric switch match domains with their external counterparts so that the virtual switches effectively form their own fabric, connected to the other fabrics by the private loops. |
| US08081641B2 |
Methods and apparatus for network coding
One embodiment is directed to transmitting encoded data over a broadcast medium to improve network throughput. A sending node may identify a first packet to be transmitted to a first network node and a second packet to be transmitted to a second network node. The sending node may determine whether the first network node stores the second packet and whether the second network node stores the first packet. If the sending node determines that the first network node stores the second packet and the second network node stores the first packet, it may code together the first and second packets to generate an encoded packet and may transmit the encoded packet over the broadcast medium. Thus, the first packet may be transmitted to the first network node and the second packet may be transmitted to the second node in a single transmission. |
| US08081636B2 |
Method, system and use thereof for controlling real time contiguous data in a packet switched data system, real time contiguous data service provided using said method
The present invention relates to a method of controlling real time contiguous data in a packet switched data stream comprising data packages. Controlling of said real time contiguous data is performed by retaining data packages of said packet switched data stream for disturbing contiguousness of said real time contiguous data after receiving thereof. The invention further relates to a system for controlling said real time contiguous data the use of such a system in a packet switched data network, and a real time contiguous data service provided using a method as described above. |
| US08081634B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing downstream packets of cable modem in hybrid fiber coaxial networks
A packet processing apparatus of a cable modem in hybrid fiber coaxial networks for processing a packet received from a cable modem termination system through a plurality of downstream channels is provided. A specific channel number is assigned to each channel and the cable modem termination system transmits downstream service identifier encoding information to the cable modem during an initializing process therebetween. The apparatus includes a plurality of channel receivers, each for generating an interface packet by inserting the channel number of a corresponding channel into the packet received through the corresponding channel; and an input controller that classifies the interface packet into a resequencing packet, which needs to be resequenced, and an ordinary packet, for which resequencing is not necessary, using the downstream service identifier encoding information and stores the resequencing packet and the ordinary packet. |