| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08118277B2 |
Intercepting valve
The present invention has as its object an intercepting valve of a fluid comprising an obturator which can be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise. By turning clockwise, the fluid in transit is given a first characterization, while by turning anti-clockwise it is given a second characterization. In addition, the present invention has as its object, a method of fabrication of a valve fitted with obturator as described above. |
| US08118276B2 |
Valve actuators
A valve actuator having an electric drive motor with a motor shaft and having an output shaft linked to the motor shaft to drive movement of a valve, the actuator further having a control system arranged to provide a first closed loop control of the actuator output shaft and including a controller coupled to a first position sensor to sense the position of the actuator output shaft, and to a second position sensor to sense the position of the motor shaft and to enable determination of the speed of the motor shaft, the control system being configured to respond to sensed signals from the first and second sensors and adjust the motor speed/position accordingly. |
| US08118270B2 |
Disk drive assembly
A mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a securing element. The mounting bracket is configured to receive a disk drive. The securing element is slidably mounted to the mounting bracket. The securing element includes a stopping portion. The securing element is configured to slide, along a first direction to engage the disk drive to prevent the disk drive from moving along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The stopping portion is configured to block the mounting bracket to prevent the securing element from sliding out of the mounting bracket along a third direction that is opposite to the first direction. |
| US08118267B2 |
Mounting mechanism for retaining slide rail to chassis
A mounting mechanism is disclosed. The mounting mechanism includes a chassis with an anchor member, a slide rail defining a mounting slot to receive the anchor member, and a retaining member slidably attached to the slide rail. A first end of the retaining member is pivotable attached to the slide rail. The retaining member comprises a stop surface and an inclined surface opposite to the stop surface formed from a second end of the retaining member. The anchor member slides in the mounting slot to drive the inclined surface of the retaining member to rotate the retaining member, when the anchor member rides over the stop portion, the retaining member is restored to make the stop surface of the stop portion retain the anchor member in the mounting slot of the slide rail. |
| US08118266B2 |
Apparatus for generating position signals for rail-bound vehicles, in particular magnetic levitation vehicles
An apparatus generates position signals to indicate the position of a rail-bound vehicle along a travel way throughout which travel way many markings are located. The apparatus includes at least one sensor located on the vehicle for scanning the markings and outputting signals and an evaluation unit that is connected to the sensor for generating the position signals by evaluating the signals generated by the sensor by scanning the markings. When the vehicle passes a marking, the sensor outputs a “marking present” signal and otherwise outputs a “marking absent” signal. The vehicle has a receiver of a navigation system that is connected to the evaluation unit and outputs current location signals. The evaluation unit is connected to a memory device (20) for storing position data associated with the markings, where, upon receiving each “marking present” signal, the evaluation unit outputs a position signal associated with the marking based on a comparison of the current location signal and the memory-stored position data. |
| US08118265B2 |
Devices and methods to improve wing aerodynamics at low airspeeds
Aircraft wings are provided with aerodynamic devices that improve the wing's low airspeed aerodynamics. In preferred embodiments, the aircraft wings include a slat operatively positioned at the wing's leading edge for movement between a retracted position for relatively high airspeed aircraft operations, and a deployed position for relatively low airspeed aircraft operations. An aerodynamic device is positionally fixed to the wing laterally adjacent the leading edge slat, the device having a forward end extending forwardly of the wing leading edge. The device is operable in response to movement of the slat into the deployed position thereof so as to improve the aerodynamics of the wing at low airspeed aircraft operations, but provides substantially no aerodynamic improvement when the slat is in the retracted position thereof during high airspeed aircraft operations. |
| US08118263B2 |
Method of controlling an aircraft in flight, especially to reduce wake vortices
The flight of an aircraft is controlled by controlling the aircraft propulsion thrust and adjusting aerodynamic control elements so that the aircraft flies along a specified flight path. In order to reduce wake vortices generated by and trailing behind the aircraft, a wake vortex parameter is determined as a function of a spoiler deflection, and a spoiler element is adjusted to a spoiler deflection value in an optimum range in which the spoiler influence on the wake vortex parameter is maximized and the spoiler influence on the aircraft performance is at its lowest level for achieving that maximum spoiler influence on the wake vortex parameter. |
| US08118256B2 |
Brake shutoff valve test
A system, apparatus and method of verifying operation of a vehicle fluid brake system shutoff valve is provided, wherein the shutoff valve is adapted to enable or inhibit the transmission of fluid pressure to at least one brake solenoid valve that controls operation of at least one brake actuator so as to effect wheel braking. In verifying operation of the system, the shutoff valve is commanded to inhibit the transmission of fluid pressure to the at least one brake solenoid valve, and the at least one brake solenoid valve is commanded to apply fluid pressure to the at least one brake actuator. An operational status of the shutoff valve is determined based on the absence or presence of wheel braking. |
| US08118253B1 |
Auxiliary power unit (APU) of an aircraft
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) includes a power module (1) to be supplied with fuel (2), a gearbox (5), an electric generator (6), and an element selected from a compressor (4), a hydraulic pump and a combination thereof, in order to provide a functioning mode for production of power selected from electric (8), pneumatic (7), hydraulic and a combination thereof; the APU presents the novelty of including an electric motor (9), integrated into the electric generator (6), with the electric motor (9) and the electric generator (6) connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and a main clutch (10). Moreover, the compressor (4) and/or the hydraulic pump are also connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and the main clutch (10). Also, the compressor (4) and/or hydraulic pump are connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and the main clutch (10). This architecture permits the functioning modes of the APU to be extended, increasing its performance and reducing harmful environmental effects. |
| US08118251B2 |
Mounting system for a gas turbine engine
A mounting system for a gas turbine engine includes a thrust ring and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is at least partially received by the thrust ring. The linkage assembly reacts at least a side load and a thrust load communicated from the thrust ring. |
| US08118248B2 |
Method for recovering and/or recycling material
A cutting mill for crushing broken polycrystalline needle-shaped silicon material, which contains particles that have an aspect ratio of AI with 5 |
| US08118244B2 |
Internal cutter on submersed mixer
A mixing system for a fluid tank is described herein, the system having a drive motor, an impeller capable of being submersed, a shroud having a sidewall enclosing the impeller, and a cutter mounted on the shroud and cooperating with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the shroud. The shroud is open at both an inlet end and a discharge end for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. Additionally, the cutter is also detachable from the recess so that it may be replaced when worn. In use, homogeneity is maintained in a slurry contained within the tank by submerging an impeller into the slurry, the impeller being shrouded in a housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, securing a cutter on an internal surface of the housing such that during operation of the impeller the cutter cooperates with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the slurry, drawing tank contents into the impeller at the inlet opening, cutting solid material in the drawn tank contents between the cutter and an impeller blade, and then discharging the drawn tank contents out the discharge opening back into the tank. |
| US08118243B2 |
Fluidized bed systems and methods including micro-jet flow
Methods and systems for enhancing fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanoagglomerates are provided. A fluidization chamber is provided with a fluidizing medium directed in a first fluidizing direction, e.g., upward into and through a bed containing a volume of nanoparticles and/or nanopowders. A second source of air/gas flow is provided with respect to the fluidization chamber, the secondary air/gas flow generally being oppositely directed relative to the fluidizing medium. Turbulence created by the secondary gas flow is advantageously effective to aerate the agglomerates and the shear generated by the jet is advantageously effective to break apart nanoagglomerates and/or reduce the tendency for nanoagglomerates to form or reform. A downwardly directed source of secondary gas flow located near the main gas distributor leads to full fluidization of the entire amount of powder in the column. The oppositely directed fluid flow facilitates powder circulation within the fluidization chamber, thereby enhancing fluidization results. |
| US08118238B2 |
User interface for building controller
A user interface for a building appliance controller that may include a control panel and one or more option cards. The user interface may allow a user or technician to program, modify, and/or view one or more parameters of the control panel and/or the one or more option cards. In some cases, the control panel may be configured to send one or more messages to a selected option card that indicate an input at the user interface, and in response, the selected option card may send one or more messages to the control panel that indicate display information for display on the user interface of the control panel. In some embodiments, such as when the user interface includes a segmented display, the display information may include the on/off state of the various segments of the display. |
| US08118234B2 |
Coding pattern comprising translation symbols for aligning cells with tags
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more translation symbols encoded by a respective set of the data elements. The translation symbols identify a translation of the cell relative to a tag containing the cell. |
| US08118230B2 |
Stored-value card with audio capabilities
A stored-value card includes a housing, an audio circuit storing an audio file, and a speaker coupled to the audio circuit. The housing includes a first panel, a second panel spaced from and positioned opposite the first panel, and a side wall extending between the first panel and the second panel. The side wall extends substantially perpendicular to each of the first panel and the second panel such that an open cavity is formed between the first panel and the second panel. The housing further includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card. The audio circuit and the speaker are substantially enclosed within the open cavity of the housing. Stored-value card assemblies and methods of using a stored-value card are also disclosed. |
| US08118229B2 |
Method of printing marks on an optical article
An optical article with a plurality of optically detectable marks on a first surface of the optical article, wherein a mark of the plurality of marks has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 micrometer, and wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks have uniform thickness. |
| US08118227B2 |
Multiple camera imaging-based bar code reader with optimized imaging field
A multicamera imaging-based bar code reader wherein for least one camera assembly of the reader, a sensor array of the camera assembly is non-orthogonal with respect to an optical axis of an imaging lens assembly of the camera assembly such that an imaging or scanning volume of the camera assembly more closely conforms to a desired imaging field or region of the reader. In one exemplary embodiment the reader features: a housing supporting first and second transparent presentation windows and defining an interior region; an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies within the interior region, at least one camera assembly includes a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly, the sensor array being positioned with respect to the imaging lens assembly at an angle so as to be non-orthogonal with respect to an optical axis of the imaging lens assembly of the camera assembly. |
| US08118226B2 |
High-resolution optical code imaging using a color imager
An optical code or other data reading device includes a color image sensor array positioned to sense light reflected from an object, and to produce image data. In one configuration, the color image sensor array has multiple sets (e.g., first and second sets) of sensor elements that are sensitive to corresponding visible wavelength bands of light (e.g., first and second wavelength bands), the sets also being sensitive to light within an infrared wavelength band. An artificial illumination source is positioned to illuminate the field of view with light that is reflected off an object in the field of view toward the image sensor array, the illumination source being operable to produce infrared light having wavelengths within the infrared wavelength band so that, upon illumination, at least some sensor elements of each of the sets are sensitive to the infrared light and contribute to production of the image data. |
| US08118224B2 |
Handheld electronic book reader with annotation and usage tracking capabilities
A handheld electronic book reader, program product, and method incorporate enhanced annotation and/or usage tracking capabilities. Users may create “contexts” for defined terms in an electronic document. Moreover, annotation data such as contexts, comments and highlighting may be associated with various users, and displayed in connection with the display of an electronic document so as to indicate that different annotation data has been originated by different users. In addition, from the standpoint of usage tracking, usage statistics for an electronic document displayed in a handheld electronic reader may be generated on a page-by-page basis, and/or in association with term definitions. Moreover, usage statistics for multiple users may be combined and analyzed. Through such analysis, the usage statistics may be used in the conduct of various beneficial actions such as revising an electronic document, revising a lesson plan with which an electronic document is associated, determining whether a user has read a selected portion of an electronic document, or determining whether a user needs supplemental assistance. |
| US08118223B2 |
Smart sign mobile transit fare payment
A system and method for facilitating the payment and collection of transit system fares using a mobile device utilizes a smart sign including near field communication (NFC) devices that communicate with a contactless element embedded within a mobile wireless device. Each NFC device is associated with a different transit location. The NFC devices may be included on the same smart sign located at one transit location or on different smart signs located at different transit locations. Alternatively, one NFC device may be included on a smart sign at a departure location and another NFC device may be activated when or after the user enters the transit system to provide proof of fare purchase. The mobile device is positioned proximate the NFC devices to activate the NFC devices and access fare and/or schedule information or purchase a fare. |
| US08118222B2 |
Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc. |
| US08118213B2 |
Indirect mobile codes with flexible formats
A method of operating a code clearing house is provided. The method comprises receiving an indirect mobile code from a mobile code client. The indirect mobile code comprises a length field, a routing prefix, and an identification code. The method further comprises determining the routing prefix in the indirect mobile code using the length field. |
| US08118207B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes. The handle portion includes a spindle and barrel assembly drive mechanism for advancing and retracting a drive member positioned in the tool assembly. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly. |
| US08118201B1 |
Storage and carrier apparatus for patient transport litter
An apparatus for carrying a patient transport litter includes a support mount for releasably mounting a separate litter carrier for carrying a patient transport litter. The support mount includes a mounting panel adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure and a pair of flexible side flaps that wrap around the litter carrier to secure the litter carrier to the support mount in a storage condition. Each side flap includes a fastener or buckle component for releasably joining together the respective side flaps snugly around the litter carrier, to thereby releasably secure the litter carrier to the support mount and the supporting structure. The litter carrier may include carrying straps for facilitating transport to a site of injury, where the litter carrier is opened and the patient transport litter removed from the litter carrier for use in transporting an injured person. |
| US08118200B2 |
Device for removing wrinkles from the sleeve of a garment
A device for removing the wrinkles from the sleeve of a garment. A working surface defines a plurality of openings. Each of first and second sleeve holders are secured proximate an opening at a proximal end of each sleeve holder. First and second air bags are each configured to substantially surround a cooperating sleeve holder. Each sleeve holder and cooperating air bag is adapted to be received within a sleeve of the garment to extend the sleeve from the working surface. In one embodiment, a steam transfer device is configured to selectively transfer steam into each air bag and outwardly through each air bag to an interior surface of the sleeve. In another embodiment, a heated air transfer device is configured to selectively transfer heated air into each air bag and outwardly through each air bag to an interior surface of the sleeve. |
| US08118197B2 |
Method of making aerosol valve mounting cups and resultant cups
Metal discs, preferably circular, are cut to a precise diameter and drawn to a preform with a channel and skirt for an aerosol valve mounting cup. The preform then undergoes further forming operations at stations in a press system. “Bumping” is carried out on the skirt edge at a station, to eliminate non-burr trimming of the cup edge, save material and obtain a carefully controlled skirt height and a substantially even skirt edge with minimized earring. The resultant cup terminating skirt edge is characterized by reformed metal. A further coaxing or pinch-cut operation may be performed on the cup skirt. |
| US08118195B2 |
Fluid product dispensing member and dispenser comprising same
A fluid dispenser member (1) for associating with a fluid reservoir (2) so as to form a fluid dispenser, the member (1) including a body (11) via which the dispenser member is mounted in stationary manner on a mounting part (3), the body (11) defining a housing (113) for receiving another component element (13) of the dispenser member. The housing (113) includes a movable portion (115) that is displaceable from an initial configuration in which the housing is open, to a final configuration in which the housing is closed on the component element (13) while the dispenser member (1) is being mounted in the mounting part (3). |
| US08118193B2 |
Dispensers e.g. for cosmetics
The application describes small hand-held dispensers suitable for use with creamy flowable products such as cosmetics. The dispensers are of a kind having a top plate (4) with a dished pick-up surface (42), and a product discharge opening (43) opening into the pick-up area (42). Specific proposals include positioning the pick-up surface (42) and an actuator (8) side-by-side on the top plate. The actuator (8) operates a pump (6), desirably positioned beneath the actuator and offset from the pick-up surface (42). A corresponding transverse outlet conduit (69) may be provided. The container (1) may be plastics or a metal container. Embodiments using plastic pump springs and resiliently deformable pump chamber walls are also described. Also, embodiments in which actuation is by tilting of the top plate in its entirety, the pick-up area then optionally being central. |
| US08118192B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for marking concealed objects
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and products are disclosed for locating concealed objects by discharging the contents of an aerosol container. A housing encloses an inner volume, and a hollow conduit extends along the housing. An elongate rod slides within the conduit. An actuator of the aerosol container is engaged between a discharge position and a non-discharge position by movement of the elongate rod. |
| US08118191B2 |
Liquid dispensing system with enhanced mixing
A dispense apparatus and system for dispensing suspensions or emulsions. The system ensures uniformity of distribution of the dispersed phase within the continuous-phase liquid by moving the fluid through the dispense cartridge, such as with a continuous or pulsating flow. In one embodiment, peristaltic pumps are positioned upstream and downstream of the dispense cartridge, in fluid communication with and forming a single loop with a fluid source. Circulation between the fluid source and the dispense cartridge is maintained. In a second embodiment, a pump circulates fluid into and out of the dispense cartridge and is also in fluid communication with a fluid source such as with a pinch valve to allow proper filling of the dispense cartridge from the fluid source. In a third embodiment, a reversing pump is placed between the dispense cartridge and fluid source to continually or continuously pump fluid into and out of the dispense cartridge. |
| US08118184B2 |
Container lid with pivoting gate valve and linear actuator
A lid for controlled drinking from a drinking container includes an aperture adjacent a periphery, and a closure device formed as a single continuous piece of material. The closure device has an actuator portion, a web portion and a valve portion. The actuator portion has a distal portion extending outward of the periphery, and a proximal portion attached to a first end of the web portion. A second end of the web is attached to the valve portion. The valve portion can rotate about a pivot point and move from a closed position over the aperture when the actuator portion is in a first position, towards an open position away from the aperture when the actuator portion is moved towards a second position, during which the web winds around a suitably shaped region partially surrounding the pivot point. |
| US08118183B2 |
Delaminatable laminated bottle
A particularly small eyedropper or the like is provided, which has a construction such that, when a body thereof is squeezed, an introduction hole thereof can be easily closed to compress air in a space between an inner layer and an outer layer thereof even in the absence of a check valve in the introduction hole, and defectiveness of the introduction hole can be easily checked. To this end, a test hole (19) communicating with an introduction hole (17) via a space between an outer layer bottle. (1) and an inner layer bag (16) is provided in an outer layer mouth portion (4). The test hole (19) is closed by the inner layer bag (16) and an inside plug (21) fitted in the mouth portion (4). Further, the introduction hole (17) is provided in a middle portion of a body which is pressed by a finger when the bottle is squeezed. The introduction hole (17) is closed by the finger. |
| US08118180B2 |
System for supporting objects
A system (1) for supporting a rollable object (4), such as a cylindrical container. The system comprises at least one elongated rail (2) and at least one supporting part. The rail (2) has a contact surface (6) for bearing on a base, and is furthermore provided, along at least two sides, with an at least partly profiled surface (5) for holding a supporting part (3) in position at least in a longitudinal direction of said elongated rail (2). The supporting part (3) comprises a supporting surface (7) for preventing a movement of the object (4) in a horizontal direction, and, optionally, for supporting the object (4) in a vertical direction, and a contact surface (8) for bearing on the rail (2) and/or the base. The supporting part (3) further comprises a passage (9) for receiving at least a part of the rail (2). This passage (9) is provided with an inner wall which is at least partly provided with a profiled surface (10) complementary to the profiled surface (5) of the two sides of the rail (2), for at least partly transmitting a force, applied to the supporting part in said longitudinal direction, to the rail (2). |
| US08118179B2 |
Adjustable storage rack for cooking utensils
The present invention is directed to a method for providing a storage rack for cooking utensils, such as skillets and the like, that can be adjusted to accommodate cooking utensils having different characteristics. Adjustment of the rack is accomplished by assessing a particular cooking utensil and bending one or more bendable members to define a slot between two of the bendable members that is of a width that potentially accommodates the cooking utensil. In another embodiment, a bendable handle support member is provided that is capable of being moved between two positions, one of which supports an extended handle of a cooking utensil in an elevated position and the other of which does not support the handle in an elevated position. In yet a further embodiment, a bendable positioner is provided that can be bent to engage a surface adjacent to a support surface and prevent the base from moving. |
| US08118177B2 |
Non-woven webs and methods of manufacturing the same
A product including a web and a method of manufacturing such a product. The product may be for use as an industrial absorbent or a thermal or acoustic insulator and includes a web including scrap and/or recycled cellulose, the cellulose being selected from a source of post-industrial cellulose and/or a source of post-consumer cellulose, the cellulose being treated with a fire-retardant, the cellulose being dry before web formation, and opened, individuated bicomponent fibers mixed with the cellulose, at least some of the bicomponent fibers being thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose. The method may include shredding the cellulose, declumping and sizing the cellulose, metering the cellulose into a spray booth, applying a fire retardant to the cellulose in the spray booth, if the fire retardant is a liquid, drying the cellulose, adding bicomponent fibers to the cellulose, forming a web, and heating the web in an oven. |
| US08118176B2 |
Membrane unit element, semipermeable membrane, filtration device, and processes for manufacturing the same
The object of the invention is a unit element forming a membrane comprising a semi-permeable material able to separate in two compartments a filtration device for extracorporeal treatment of a fluid such as blood or plasma, said material being negatively charged, said element having a first internal face intended to be in direct contact with blood or plasma and a second external face intended to be in contact with filtrate, wherein said second face of said element is treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising at least a cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic. The unit element can also have said first face treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising: at least one cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic.The object of the invention is also a semipermeable membrane consisting of such unit elements; a filtration device for extracorporeal treatment of a fluid such as blood or plasma comprising two compartments separated by such a semipermeable membrane.The object of the invention is also the processes for manufacturing such devices. |
| US08118173B2 |
Streamer trap assembly
A streamer trap assembly for collecting streamers from a flow of polymer pellets includes a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and an opening bounded by a sealing surface; and a streamer trap positioned in the housing through the opening. The streamer trap comprises a screen sized to collect the streamers at the screen and to allow the polymer pellets to pass through the screen, a guide positioned to guide the flow of polymer pellets from the inlet to the screen and from the screen to the outlet, and a cover adapted to engage the sealing surface and cover the opening. |
| US08118171B2 |
Process and device for aerating suspensions
The disclosure relates to a process and device for aerating suspensions, particularly to flotate them, for example in deinking of pulp suspensions which includes a primary and secondary stage. In order to improve ash removal, a washing process is interposed between the primary and secondary stages. |
| US08118170B2 |
Particulate size classification apparatus and method
Particulates called nanoparticles (principally having a diameter of 10 nm or less) are reliably and easily according to size with high throughput. An impactor includes a particulate size classifying chamber provided with an exhaust port for particulates, a nozzle ejecting to the inside of the particulate size classifying chamber a carrier gas containing particulates to be classified, and a trapping plate as particulate trapping unit provided in the particulate size classifying chamber and selectively trapping particulates ejected from the nozzle. |
| US08118168B2 |
Portable cabinet and storage caddy for holiday, hobbies and crafts
A combination rolling cabinet and storage assembly for storing and transporting collectibles therein, having: a top and bottom compartment; top and bottom walls joined by opposed side walls all joined to an upright rear wall, the cabinet defining an interior compartment accessible through an open upright front side of the door between open and closed positions; a base cabinet including wheels and a retractable/extendible pulling handle for locomoting; at least one additional cabinet connectable on top of the base cabinet; upper storage apparatus connectable on top of the base cabinet; a plurality of removable tote tray drawers or containers, and light holder carried in trunklike housing between top compartment and bottom compartment; can be loaded or unloaded upright or laying on floor or flat surface; and components are made of any suitable materials, preferably plastic. |
| US08118167B2 |
Medical container
The present invention relates to a medical container useful upon transportation of plural syringe barrels. The medical container includes at least a container main body and a holding member arranged inside the container main body. The holding member is provided at least with a plurality of cylindrical holding portions for holding syringe barrels. The container main body has at least a peripheral rim arranged on and along an outer periphery of an opening and a shoulder-shaped portion arranged on an inner wall of the container to arrange the holding member. The shoulder-shaped portion has at least three ribs for supporting the holding member, and has a structure that enables to arrange via the ribs the holding member in a horizontal position relative to a bottom wall of the container main body. According to the present invention, there is provided a medical container of a construction that can be promptly brought into a sterilized state by various methods, can be readily brought into a state capable of maintaining the sterilized state, and during transportation, can fixedly secure, without rattling, syringe barrels held upright by holders. |
| US08118163B2 |
Apparatus for sharps protection
Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting individuals from the sharp ends of medical objects following use on a patient. Such sharp objects include hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, cannulae, trocars, and the like. The invention utilizes a disposable protective cover for the used sharp. The protective cover is designed to surround and embed the sharp in a permanent cover that is blunt and will not permit further puncture or cutting with the sharp. In an embodiment, the protective cover also absorbs any fluids on or in the used sharp and prevents any fluids from escaping the protective cover. The sharp cover is configured to irreversibly lock, once closed. A refillable or replaceable dispenser dispenses the protective covers at points of use. A disposable receptacle receives the used sharp embedded in the protective cover. When the receptacle is full, the entire receptacle may be discarded in a medical waste container. |
| US08118162B1 |
Fastener organizing system
An inexpensive, portable, and convenient organizer for bolts and screws is provided that holds fasteners and gaskets of various types and sizes. Fasteners may be stored in a pattern according to user-preference. Fasteners held may occupy relative positions on the organizer similar to their relative positions on the original assembly to facilitate identification for proper reassembly. The organizer may be preprinted or labeled by the user to further clarify sequence, position, or other useful information about the fasteners being held. |
| US08118161B2 |
Pressurized cigarette packages and methods
A cigarette or other tobacco product package may be constructed with a sealed outer overwrap. The overwrap may be multi-layered and configured to contain an internal pressure higher than an ambient external air pressure. The multilayer overwrap may be assembled to a cigarette or other tobacco product pack in two or more layers adhered together during assembly. |
| US08118159B2 |
Apparatus and method for safely disposing medicines
An apparatus and a method for safely disposing of medicines. The apparatus includes a container assembly and a bag. The container assembly includes a container member capable of storing the medicines, and a lid extending from a top portion of the container member. The bag includes a pair of gloves capable of being worn by a user for allowing hygienic handling of the medicines, one or more funnels capable of being configured in one or more openings of the lid for allowing receiving of the medicines and storing of the medicines in the container member, a first receptacle having a bittering agent capable of denaturing the stored medicines, a second receptacle having a coloring agent capable of providing a characteristic color to the denatured medicines and a third receptacle having a thickening agent capable of converting the denatured medicines into a partially solid disposable mass. |
| US08118154B2 |
Sod handler
A sod handling method and a sod handling apparatus, in one embodiment the sod handling apparatus uses a pressure differential to hold a sod slab during sod transfer, other embodiments include a sod lift member for lifting sod, a sod transport mechanism for moving sod; a sod carriage for transporting sod, a sod bed positioning system for stacking sod, a system and method for checking sod quality as well as an apparatus and method of machine stacking sod to maintain the integrity of a sod stack. |
| US08118153B2 |
Shuttle-type conveying device, microplate feeding and collecting device, pickup device for microplate, cassette for microplate, and shelf for containing microplate
A shuttle-type conveying system to convey an article. The system includes a feeding and collecting device capable of setting a cassette in which articles to be conveyed are stacked as they are on a rotating and feeding table, a pickup device taking out the article and placing it on a receiving/delivery table, and a conveying device feeding the article on the receiving/delivery table to another receiving/delivery table by a shuttle conveying portion traveling on conveying paths below the receiving/delivery table. After the article is lifted up by the shuttle conveying portion and moved to outside the receiving/delivery table, the article is lowered below the receiving/delivery table and made to travel under the receiving/delivery table to another receiving/delivery table. |
| US08118148B2 |
Control method of external control type fan clutch
The invention provides a control method of an external control type fan clutch able to improve engine performance, fuel cost and cooling performance of a capacitor of an air conditioner (A/C) and restrain fan noises due to associative rotation. Namely, in the external control type fan clutch device constructed so as to control the opening and closing of a supply adjusting hole of oil by a valve member operated by an electromagnet, the opening and closing of the supply adjusting hole of the oil is on-off-controlled with the temperature of a cooling liquid of a radiator, a fan rotating speed, the temperature of transmission oil, a vehicle speed, an engine rotating speed, the pressure of a compressor of the air conditioner, etc. as parameters. |
| US08118144B2 |
Hydraulic dampers with pressure regulated control valve
A suspension damper includes a housing bounding a main chamber. A hydraulic fluid is disposed within the main chamber. A piston rod is selectively movable between an advanced position wherein a portion of the piston rod is advanced into the main chamber and a retracted position wherein the portion of the piston rod is retracted from the main chamber, wherein as the piston rod is moved a fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases and a portion of the hydraulic fluid passes through a passage within the housing. A control valve is at least partially disposed within the main chamber, the control valve being moved by the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid so as to progressively restrict the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the passage as the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases. |
| US08118137B2 |
Multiple duty portable pneumatic lubrication device
A portable multiple duty grease gun is permanently housed and operated out of a portable housing. Two grease tubes feeding through a common funnel to a retractable hose with a hand held grease gun on the end. A pressure regulator, a compressor or mechanical pump with an electric motor, a rechargeable battery pack, and a control panel in the housing operate the system. |
| US08118134B2 |
Front resonator for a speaker of a wireless device
A front resonator for a speaker of a wireless device, comprising: an enclosure mounted over the speaker and forming with an upper surface of the speaker a front volume for the front resonator; and, a horizontal or approximately horizontal tube formed or mounted on a surface of the enclosure, the tube coupled to the front volume, and the tube having at least one end to emit sound generated by the speaker and passing through the front volume and tube from the wireless device. |
| US08118132B2 |
Hydraulic hybrid vehicle method of safe operation
A hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes elements such as a hydraulic pump driven by an internal combustion engine and arranged to draw in low pressure fluid and pump the fluid at high pressure to an accumulator. A hydraulic motor is powered by the pressurized fluid. Safety processes are provided for detecting and addressing a number of conditions that may arise in the operation of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle, including an initialization procedure for start-up of the vehicle, a shut-down procedure, and procedures for detecting and responding to failure of the pump or motor, internal and external fluid leaks, and non-responsive actuation and mode control systems. |
| US08118130B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device using XY crush-zone satellite accelerometers
An apparatus is provided for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system including a central crash accelerometer sensing crash acceleration at a central vehicle location and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A crush zone crash accelerometer senses transverse crash acceleration at a forward location of the vehicle. A controller actuates the actuatable occupant restraining system in response to the central crash acceleration signal and the transverse crash acceleration signal from the crush zone sensor. |
| US08118129B2 |
Drainage structure in fuel cell motorcycle
A layout for an exhaust pipe which also serves as a drainage pipe which prevents splashing of water generated in a fuel cell toward a passenger or splashing toward a tire. Humid excessive gas supplied from a fuel cell is diluted in a dilution box by off-gas discharged from the fuel cell and is used for humidifying air in the humidifier. An exhaust pipe is connected to the dilution box, and diluted hydrogen gas is discharged via the exhaust pipe. Vapor mixed in hydrogen gas is condensed in the exhaust pipe and turned into water, which is drained through the exhaust pipe that extends rearwardly of a vehicle body through the interior of a power unit. A discharge port of the exhaust pipe (which is also a drainage port for water generated in the fuel cell) is positioned at the widthwise center of the vehicle body. |
| US08118126B2 |
Steering assist system and steering assist method
A steering assist system for applying a steering torque reduces the influence of a time-dependent steering control amount on an assist steering torque when a predetermined driving operation by a driver is detected. Thus, the influence of the time-dependent steering control amount on the applied steering torque, which increases when the period of time over which actual moving state deviates from the target moving state increases is reduced when the driver makes the predetermined driving operation. Thus, it is possible to avoid the problem where steering feel degrades because the steering torque increases over time. |
| US08118123B2 |
Method for the generation of electrical energy, method for operation of an electrically-driven motor vehicle and device for generation of electrical energy and electric vehicle
A process for generation of electrical power comprises the exothermic, possibly catalytic, decomposition of a medium, preferably hydrogen peroxide, with the addition of water and the use of the steam to drive a steam machine, which is connected to an electricity generator. In order to improve the process specifically for use in electrical vehicles, highly concentrated medium, preferably hydrogen peroxide, is decomposed and the steam is condensed after emerging from the steam machine, and is fed back into the process. An electrical vehicle is advantageously operated in such a way that the electrical power is generated as explained above and is fed to at least one rechargeable battery, with the electrical power for at least one electric motor being taken from the rechargeable battery. |
| US08118122B2 |
Method and system for monitoring signal integrity in a distributed controls system
A method to monitor integrity of a signal in a distributed control system for a powertrain system includes communications link transmitting signals between control modules. Integrity of each of the control modules is monitored. The signal is generated and verified in an originating control module and transmitted to a receiving control module whereat it is subsequently verified. |
| US08118121B2 |
Rechargeable automobile electric power system configured to replace the unpowered rear axle of a front wheel drive vehicle
A rechargeable automobile electric power system and method modifying a front-wheel drive automobile through installation of the system is disclosed. The system is designed as a unit meant to replace the rear axle of a front-wheel drive vehicle. The system comprises: an axle assembly configured to replace the existing unpowered rear axle of a front-wheel drive automobile, an electric motor powered by rechargeable batteries which drives the axle assembly. |
| US08118118B2 |
Modular rotary drill head
A modular base assembly for a rotary drill head includes a drive flange assembly having a tubular drive shaft configured to engage at least a lower drive interface. The modular base assembly also includes a gear housing supporting the drive flange assembly. Furthermore, the modular base assembly can also include a plurality of interchangeable gear pinions selectively coupled to the drive flange assembly. |
| US08118115B2 |
Method and system for installing geothermal heat exchangers, micropiles, and anchors using a sonic drill and a removable or retrievable drill bit
There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a micropile. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A micropile is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground. In another embodiment, a removable drill bit may be used in place of the retrievable drill bit. |
| US08118108B2 |
Combustion process stopper
A fire extinguishing apparatus in which one embodiment comprises of a dome lengthening into an extendable and flexible cylinder which contains a device that can adapt and form a seal with the surface as it is lowered, by means of a lifting device, on to a fire below, encapsulating said fire and extinguishing it by striving it of oxygen. The apparatus can be stretched or collapsed by means of installed winches, to accommodate different sizes of burning materials and to facilitate transportation. |
| US08118106B2 |
Flowback tool
In one embodiment, a flowback tool for running a tubular string into a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a tubular mandrel. The mandrel: has a bore therethrough in communication with the housing bore, is longitudinally movable relative to the housing, is torsionally coupled to the housing, and has a threaded coupling for engaging a threaded coupling of the tubular string. The flowback tool further includes a nose: longitudinally coupled to the housing, operable to receive an end of the tubular string, and including a seal operable to engage a surface of the tubular string, thereby providing fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and the mandrel bore. The flowback tool further includes an actuator operable to move the mandrel and the nose longitudinally relative to the housing for engaging and disengaging the tubular string. |
| US08118102B2 |
Downhole swivel apparatus and method
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel. |
| US08118101B2 |
Ball catcher with retention capability
A ball catcher is designed to stop balls that are the same size or different sizes at an inlet on a seat that is connected to a movable biased sleeve. Once the ball or other shaped object lands at the seat the flow around it increases differential pressure on the seat and sleeve and displaces them against the bias. The ball goes into a surrounding annular space and cannot exit. A preferably spiral sleeve guide the movement of the balls in the annular space so that efficient use of the annular space is made to maximize the number of balls that can be captured per unit length of the annular space. As soon as the ball enters the annular space the sleeve shifts back to the original position to stop the next ball at the inlet. Once in the annular space, the balls cannot escape if there is a flow reversal. The central passage remains open to pass other tools and flow. |
| US08118097B2 |
Formation evaluation while drilling
An apparatus comprising a fluid communication device configured to extend from a drill string and establish fluid communication with a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore in which the drill string is positioned, wherein the drill string comprises a passage configured to conduct drilling mud and an opening extending through an outer surface thereof and into a cavity. A sample chamber is coupled within the cavity and is in selectable fluid communication with the formation via the fluid communication device. A retainer is configured to absorb axial loading of the sample chamber within the cavity. |
| US08118095B2 |
In situ combustion processes and configurations using injection and production wells
Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion. |
| US08118094B2 |
Tracer injector tool for well investigation
A tool system for monitoring a flow of liquid within a borehole. The tool system comprises a plurality of tools disposed on a longitudinal axis of the tool system. The plurality of tools comprises at least a first injector tool for ejecting in the borehole a tracer and a detector tool to detect the ejected tracer. The tool system further comprises a standard digital bus traversing at least a portion of each tool of the plurality of tools. The standard digital bus allows a communication between each tool of the plurality of tools. |
| US08118093B2 |
Threaded retention device for downhole transmission lines
An apparatus for retaining and tensioning an end of a transmission line includes a nut element having internal threads configured to engage an externally threaded transmission line, such as an externally threaded coaxial cable, thereby retaining an end of the transmission line. The internal threads may form a passageway extending from a first end of the nut element to a second end of the nut element. This passageway may allow a transmission line to pass through the nut element. A socket may be incorporated into one end of the nut element to enable a tool to apply torque thereto. A corresponding method is also disclosed. |
| US08118089B2 |
Down hole delivery system
An improved delivery system for pumping fluid from a pay zone to the surface of a well consisting of a pump situated near the pay zone of the well, a drive head at the surface of the well and a rod string connecting the two, wherein a transmission is interposed between the pump and drive head on the rod string and fluid pumped from the pay zone passes through conduits, extending longitudinally in isolation through the transmission. |
| US08118084B2 |
Heat exchanger and method for use in precision cooling systems
An improved precision cooling system for high heat density applications comprises a heat exchanger having more fluid outlet conduits than fluid inlet conduits to optimize the pressure drop across the heat exchanger at a given fluid flow rate. The heat exchanger may be of microchannel or tube fin construction, and the cooling system may utilize single phase or multi-phase pumped or compressed fluids. |
| US08118083B2 |
Circulation-type liquid cooling apparatus and electronic device containing same
A cooling apparatus includes a tank for keeping a coolant liquid therein and including an air layer, a heat receiver in contact with a heat generating part for receiving heat therefrom, a radiator for radiating the heat absorbed by the coolant liquid, and a circulating mechanism for circulating the coolant liquid from the heat receiver through the tank, through the radiator and again to the heat receiver. The tank is mounted on the radiator. The radiator includes a coolant liquid circulating conduit for radiation which includes a width narrower at the middle position of the tank, and is divided by a gap at the middle position of the tank. The radiator includes cavities on both sides of a portion in which the gap in the coolant liquid circulating conduit is formed, each of the cavities having an area covered with the tank mounted on the radiator. |
| US08118081B2 |
Heat dissipation device with locking tabs
A heat dissipation device (100) includes a fin assembly (10) having a plurality of fins (12). Each fin includes a locking tab (126b) with a connecting end (1268), a free end (1269), a hole (1261) adjacent to the connecting end, a hook (1262) adjacent to the free end, and a tongue (1263) between the hole and the hook. A punched hole (127b) in each fin is adjacent to the locking tab, which extends through the punched hole of an adjacent fin. The hook of the locking tab engages the hole in the locking tab of the adjacent fin, locking them together. |
| US08118077B2 |
Retractable arched window covering
A shade for an arched window including an arched track with a movable slide base and a pleated blind attached to the slide base. A cord actuates the slide base to move along the track and pull the blind between retracted and extended positions. A top rail of the blind is removably connected to the slide base by a connector and one or more pleats of the blind include connectors which are received within a groove along an inner wall of the track. |
| US08118068B2 |
Apparatus and methods for storing and dispensing solid material
The invention is directed to a dispensing unit suitable to precisely dispense material in powdery and/or granular form. The dispensing device comprises an gate valve opening sealingly closed by a blend. A control unit, which is interconnected to a scaling device, controls the opening of the gate valve opening by the position of the blend. The precise amount of the material is adjusted in relation to the signal of the scaling device. |
| US08118067B2 |
Sulfur loading apparatus
A chemical loading system is used for loading a molten chemical into a tanker. The chemical loading system includes a source supplying a molten chemical and a tanker for receiving the molten chemical. The chemical loading system has a stationary feed line supplying a chemical from the source. An extendable loader has a feed passage that is in fluid communication with the feed line. The extendable loader has a retracted position and an extended position relative to the feed line. The feed passage is adapted to have at least a portion thereof inside the tanker when in the extendable loader is in the extended position. A hoist assembly selectively extends and retracts the extendable loader assembly between the retracted and extended positions. |
| US08118066B2 |
System for replenishing flowable or pourable washing or cleaning agents
System for replenishing washing or cleaning agents, comprising a spout placeable on the opening of a bottle and having a first collar with a fastener for fastening the spout to a bottle, a second collar with a fastener for fastening a closure and/or metering cap on the spout, a wall extending from the first collar or second collar, a funnel, and an adapter element connectable to the pouring opening of a replenishing container and that comprises a cylinder element and a peripheral collar, a membrane for closing the replenishing container and preventing leakage of washing or cleaning agents out of the replenishing container, wherein the cylinder element of the adapter element has a guide groove configured such that the cylinder element can be detachably placed over the funnel and the web of the spout, whereby the positioning of the adapter element relative to the spout is determined. |
| US08118065B2 |
Sailcloth with high 1% warp and high warp efficiency and method of making same
A woven sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having one or more of (i) a 1% warp of at least about 125 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 17, (ii) a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1, and (iii) a weight of at least about 7 and at least one of a 1% warp to 1% fill ratio of at least about 4:1, a 1% fill to 1% bias ratio of less than about 1:1, a 1% warp:1% fill to 1% fill:1% bias ratio of at least about 1:1, a 10 lb. warp to 10 lb. fill ratio of less than about 0.5:1, a 10 lb. fill to 10 lb. bias ratio of at least about 1:1, and a 10 lb. warp:10 lb. fill to 10 lb. fill:10 lb. bias ratio of less than about 0.5:1; a sail comprising panels of sailcloth at least one panel of which is woven sailcloth as described; a method of making such a woven sailcloth comprising weaving warp yarns and fill yarns, which can comprise a reinforcing yarn and can be weaved in a ripstop pattern, in a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1; and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth, at least one panel of which is woven sailcloth as described and wherein said at least one panel of woven sailcloth is assembled into the sail with load paths oriented along its warp yarns. |
| US08118062B2 |
Pleated washer spring for fuel pressure regulator
A spring-actuator assembly (10) is provided for a fuel pressure regulator. The assembly includes a housing (30) and a washer spring (10) received in the housing. The washer spring has a body (12) with a top surface (13) and a bottom surface (15). The body includes an opening (14) there-through and a plurality of pleats (16, 16′) therein so that that first faces (20) of the top surface are disposed on a plane that is different from a plane of second faces (22) of the top surface. At least certain first faces define contact points (24). The assembly also includes an actuating member (26) disposed at least partially in the opening and engaging the contact points of the certain first faces such that a fluid flow passage (36) are defined between the washer spring and the actuating ball for dampening. |
| US08118060B2 |
Valve part of a hydraulic control valve for controlling flows of pressurized medium
A valve part of a hydraulic control valve for controlling flows of pressurized medium is provided, wherein the valve part includes a cylindrical valve housing with a first cylinder casing section extending in the axial direction and a first cylinder base section extending perpendicular to the axial direction, with the sections defining a valve housing hollow space that is open on one side. The first cylinder casing section is provided with a first work connection, a second work connection, and a pressure connection, each of which open into the valve housing hollow space. A cylindrical control piston is held in the valve housing hollow space so that it can move in the axial direction, and has a second cylinder casing section extending in the axial direction and a second cylinder base section extending perpendicular to the axial direction, with these sections defining a control piston hollow space that is open on one side. The second cylinder casing section adjacent to the second cylinder base section is provided with a radial discharge connection opening into the control piston hollow space, and the control piston is constructed such that the work connections can be connected selectively in a fluid conducting manner to the pressure connection and to the discharge connection through axial displacement of the control piston. The valve part is distinguished in that the discharge connection of the control piston includes at least one inclined opening, having a wall direction that assumes an angle of less than 90° to the axial direction. |
| US08118059B2 |
Control valve for a camshaft adjuster
A control valve for a hydraulic adjuster for the camshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein an actuator acts on a pressure part (12) embedded in a control piston (5). In order to prevent the piston (5) from being blocked in the valve housing by the expansion thereof caused by the pressure part embedment, the pressure part (12) and/or the control piston (5) is/are provided with radial recesses (34) in the embedment area (13) which make it possible to limit joining forces and the resulting radial expansion of the piston (5). Alternatively or in addition, the external surface of the control valve (5) has a reduced cross-section in the embedment area (13). |
| US08118057B2 |
Temperature rotational limit stop for a mixing valve
A temperature limit stop assembly for a mixing valve including a stop surface supported by a stem and a hot water stop shoulder supported by a stop member and engagable with the stop surface of the stem to limit rotational movement of a valve plate. |
| US08118055B2 |
Valve component for faucet
A valve component for a faucet includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate, the strengthening layer comprising tantalum. A layer including amorphous diamond is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond has sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa. |
| US08118053B2 |
Adjustable backflow prevention device
A backflow prevention device is to be installed between various equipment drain lines and a drain cover or drain pipe. The backflow prevention device provides an air gap operable to prevent backflow of sewer waste into the drain lines. The device includes a drainage hub and a tubing mount attached to the drainage hub. The drainage hub defines a liquid flow conduit throw which liquid discharged from the drain lines can flow and can be connected to the drain. The tubing mount supports the drain lines in such a way that the drain line effluent is positioned to be in fluid connectivity with the upper opening of the liquid flow conduit at a vertically displaced position from the drainage hub. |
| US08118051B2 |
Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank
Valve for the ventilation circuit of a liquid tank, comprising: a) a chamber comprising a base, a side wall and a cover; b) at least two independent ventilation orifices in the chamber cover connecting the chamber to the venting circuit; c) at least one orifice in the chamber side wall connecting the chamber to the inside of the tank; d) at least two independent concentric floats, each comprising an apex capable of sealing one of the ventilation orifices, each being able to slide vertically inside the chamber depending on the liquid level in the chamber and to rest on the chamber base when the chamber is empty; one of the floats being calibrated so as to seal one of the ventilation orifices at one liquid level L1 in the tank and the other float being calibrated so as to seal the other ventilation orifice at a level L2 above L1. |
| US08118050B1 |
On-line constant flow dilution
A system for providing constant flow on-line dilution comprising a first fluid introduction line carrying a first fluid, a second fluid introduction line carrying a second fluid, a flow path selection assembly coupled to the fluid introduction line and the second fluid introduction line, a mixing assembly suitable for mixing the first fluid, the second fluid and a sample, and a plurality of fluid transport lines coupled to the flow path selection assembly suitable for transporting the first fluid, the second fluid and a sample to the mixing assembly. The flow path selection assembly is suitable for selecting a flow path for each of the first fluid introduction line and second fluid introduction lines and providing changeable coupling of each of the first fluid introduction line and second fluid introduction line to one of the plurality of fluid transport lines through the flow path selection assembly. |
| US08118049B2 |
Safety system for fluid conduit
A safety system for a fluid conduit includes an elongated flexible conduit having a first end and a second end and a central opening running therethrough and capable of transporting a first fluid under pressure. A first valve is located near the first end of the conduit and a second valve is located near the second end of the conduit. Each of the valves is moveable between a closed position and an open position so as to control the flow of the first fluid through the conduit. The central opening of the conduit is surrounded by a conduit wall which extends substantially the entire length of the conduit. A plurality of enclosed channels are located within the conduit wall and extend at least a substantial length of the conduit. A second fluid under pressure is contained in the channels and a sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the second fluid within the channels. One or both of the valves are operatively associated with the second fluid and close when the monitored pressure falls below a predetermined level. |
| US08118045B2 |
Outdoor canopy
An outdoor canopy includes a canopy frame, a canopy shelter and a side entrance arrangement. The canopy frame includes a roof frame and a legs frame downwardly extended from the roof frame to form a canopy area. The canopy shelter, which is made of waterproof fabric, is detachably fastening at the canopy frame to define a ceiling wall, a front wall, a rear wall and two sidewalls for enclosing the canopy area therewithin. The side entrance arrangement is formed on one of the sidewalls of the canopy shelter for a user to gain entry to and exit the canopy area without having to pass through the front entrance, wherein the side entrance arrangement contains a side entrance opening formed on the corresponding sidewall of the canopy shelter, and comprise at least one entrance fabric operatively mounted on the corresponding sidewall. |
| US08118043B2 |
Vehicle washing installation with artificial turf covered wash bay
A vehicle washing installation includes a wash bay having a floor for supporting a vehicle to be washed and a washing apparatus for washing a vehicle. An artificial turf covers the floor of the wash bay which functions to pre-filter dirt and debris from the water used to wash the vehicle before the water is passed thru a water filtration system. |
| US08118042B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning a liquid handling probe
The present invention concerns an improved apparatus for cleaning the interior of a liquid handling probe to reduce the amount time and the volume of wash fluid required to clean the probe and minimize carryover of material between different samples. In addition to the probe, the apparatus includes one or more wash fluid reservoirs, a compressed gas supply, one or more pumps, two or more valve-controlled probe lines and a controller for opening and closing the valves and actuating the pump(s) at desired time intervals. The invention further concerns a method of cleaning a liquid handling probe using the claimed apparatus and comprising sequential steps of pumping wash fluid and compressed gas through the probe. |
| US08118033B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing rod-shaped smoking articles
An apparatus for manufacturing rod-shaped smoking articles which includes a forming section (10) for forming a material layer (K) made up of particles of smoking material and delivering the formed material layer (K); a wrapping section (20) disposed downstream of the forming section (10), for forming a rod (KR) by wrapping the material layer (K) in a web (W); a pair of guide blocks (54) disposed in the terminal end portion of the forming section (10), for guiding the material layer (K); a web shield (56) disposed downstream of the guide blocks (54) as viewed in the direction of delivering the material layer (K), for separating the material layer (K) and the web (W) from each other; a tongue (40) disposed in the start end portion of the wrapping section (20); and injection openings (64, 70, 76) provided to the guide blocks (54), the web shield (56) and the tongue (40), for injecting a liquid flavor additive into the material layer (K). |
| US08118031B2 |
Hearing protection device with damped material
The invention provides a hearing protection device having an attenuating body composed of an elastomer with an increased glass transition temperature and a reduced glass-to-rubber transition temperature such that the damping factor of the material peaks at a higher temperature and, resultantly, the damping factor is increased over a range of temperatures and frequencies typically experienced by the device during usage. The increased damping results in higher sound attenuation provided by the hearing protection device. |
| US08118028B2 |
Intrauterine contraceptive device
An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising a carrier body (1) and an active metallic alloy (4), characterized in that the active metallic alloy is of the formula ZnxCuyMnzAuk (I) or ZnxCuyMnzAgk (II), wherein x+y+z+k=100 weight %, x is in the range from approximately 18 to 30 weight %, z is in the range from approximately 0.5 to 3 weight %, and k is in the range from approximately 3 to 12 weight %, y being the balance. |
| US08118024B2 |
Mechanical ventilation system utilizing bias valve
A portable mechanical ventilator having a ROOTS® blower is configured to provide a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the ROOTS® blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the ROOTS® blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve is further configured to attenuate pulsating gas flow produced by the ROOTS® blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module. |
| US08118019B2 |
Cooking apparatus with charcoal starting device
A barbecue cooking system with moveable charcoal chimney device is provided, the system comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, and the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; and a chimney movable through the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl, and at least a portion of the chimney is situated within the firebowl during a usage position and at least a portion of the chimney is moveable to a position below the firebowl during a stowage position. |
| US08118014B2 |
Fuel system for multi-fuel engine
An engine system and corresponding control method are described. As one example, the control method includes transferring one type of fuel from one fuel tank to a second fuel tank holding another type of fuel and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on the blended fuel mixture by selective operation of a first and second fuel pump. |
| US08118011B2 |
Marine vessel propulsion device
A marine vessel propulsion device includes an engine, a fuel injection device, an intake system, a vapor separator tank arranged to separate fuel vapor from liquid fuel to be supplied to the engine, a pump unit arranged to transport the fuel from the vapor separator tank to the fuel injection device, a fuel pipe arranged to connect the fuel injection device and the pump unit, a vapor pathway arranged to connect the vapor separator tank and the intake system, a valve disposed in the vapor pathway, and an engine control unit. The engine control unit is arranged to control the opening degree of the valve in accordance with a valve opening speed set based on at least the pressure of the fuel in the fuel pipe when starting the engine. |
| US08118009B2 |
On-board fuel vapor separation for multi-fuel vehicle
A fuel delivery system for a fuel burning engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is provided. As one example, the method includes separating a first fuel and a second fuel from a fuel vapor on-board the vehicle, said fuel vapor including at least an alcohol component and a hydrocarbon component and said first fuel including a higher concentration of the alcohol component than the fuel vapor and the second fuel; condensing the separated first fuel from a vapor phase to a liquid phase; delivering the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel to the engine; and combusting at least the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel at the engine. |
| US08118006B2 |
Fuel injector diagnostic for dual fuel engine
Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection of a dual fuel engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, while pumping is suspended in the second fuel rail, the first fuel is injected to all but one cylinder of the engine and the second fuel is injected to the one cylinder in a predetermined sequence. As such, the fuel injector injecting to the one cylinder is isolated and its performance may be assessed without significantly affecting engine performance. |
| US08118005B2 |
Auxiliary power units for vehicles
Cooperative operation of an auxiliary power unit having a mechanical power output shaft with a transmission coupled power takeoff operation system of a vehicle is provided by allowing the vehicle's main engine to be cranked by the auxiliary power unit through the power takeoff operation system. |
| US08118002B2 |
Continuously variable valve lift system including valve deactivation capability on one of two dual intake valves
In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable valve lift (CVVL) system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated valve deactivation device, and the other intake valve does not. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence under low valve lift, one of the intake valves may be deactivated, resulting in mixture intake through only one valve, resulting in strong swirl by unbalanced flow. A CVVL-equipped engine including a valve deactivation device provides the same amount of air flow for the same engine load as a prior art CVVL engine. A method of introducing a swirl to the mixture is also described. |
| US08118001B2 |
Cooling system for an internal combustion engine in a motorcycle
A cooling system for a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes a coolant flow circuit and a coolant return passage. The coolant flow circuit includes a water pump, a water jacket having a plurality of serially connected flow passages, an oil cooler, a radiator, and a pressure-regulating valve for discharging coolant to a reservoir tank when pressure of the coolant in the coolant flow circuit reaches a predetermined target value. The coolant return passage supplies coolant from the reservoir tank to the coolant flow circuit via a check valve, which only allows coolant to flow in one direction from the reservoir tank to the coolant flow circuit. |
| US08117999B2 |
Electrolyte delivery system and method
In a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine, a water store is in communication with a water supply line, for replenishing the level of electrolyte solution used by the electrolysis cell. A valve which may be disposed at a level below the level of the water supply line and is opened, for example upon deactivation of the engine, to drain the water out of the water supply line and prevent freezing in sub-freezing temperatures. |
| US08117993B2 |
Pet enclosure
A pet enclosure includes a cover and a support frame. The cover includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, and a plurality of side panels extending between the bottom panel and the top panel to define an interior space of the cover. An aperture is defined in at least one of the top panel and one of the plurality of side panels for accessing the interior space. The support frame is pivotable between a collapsed configuration and an upright configuration and is insertable into the interior space of the cover through the aperture in the collapsed configuration of the support frame. The support frame is also pivotable from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration while disposed within the interior space of the cover. |
| US08117991B1 |
Refrigerated pet water dispensing and bowl cleaning system
A pet water dispenser having a system of water pumps to circulate water, a water bowl containing a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the water in the bowl, an ultra violet light and a filter to purify and clean the circulating water, an in-line water heater and a thermoelectric cooling plate to keep the water at a desired temperature, water jets inside the bowl to spray water against the inside of the bowl to clean hair and debris from the bowl, a rotating drain disc in the bowl which periodically opens to permit emptying of old water from the water bowl and closes to permit filling of the bowl with fresh water, a digital controller to permit a pet owner to control the operation of the dispenser and the temperature of the water presented in the bowl to the pet. |
| US08117985B2 |
Laser cladding device with an improved nozzle
A laser cladding device for applying a coating to a part comprising a laser which can generate laser light, which is adapted to heat the coating and the part, a main body defining a laser light channel adapted to transmit the laser light to the part, a coating channel adapted to transmit the coating to the part, and a vacuum channel and a nozzle having an exit. The nozzle comprises a delivery port at one end of the laser light channel, a coating port at one end of the coating channel, and a vacuum port at one end of the vacuum channel, wherein the vacuum port is positioned generally adjacent the delivery port. In operation the vacuum port draws a vacuum, pulling the coating towards the part. |
| US08117984B2 |
Coating abluminal surfaces of stents and other implantable medical devices
A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces. |
| US08117983B2 |
Directional extruded bead control
A micro-extrusion printhead assembly utilized in a micro-extrusion system to form parallel extruded lines of material on a substrate includes a material feed system for pushing/drawing materials out of extrusion nozzles defined in the printhead assembly, a Z-axis positioning mechanism, and a base. The micro-extrusion printhead includes a layered nozzle structure sandwiched between back and front plate structures. The layered nozzle structure includes stacked plates including top and bottom nozzle plates sandwiching a nozzle outlet plate. According to various embodiments, at least one of the nozzle structure materials of the printhead assembly, the output geometry of the printhead assembly, and the internal conduit geometry of the printhead assembly are modified to cause the bead traveling through the extrusion nozzle to be reliably directed (biased) toward the target substrate as it leaves the printhead nozzle orifice. |
| US08117980B1 |
Rigid quick connect mooring device
A rigid mooring system that instantly secures pontoons, float planes, boats, and other forms of craft to a variety of dockage types and consists of two identical, yet separately positioned devices which together moor a craft safely away from the dockage. Barrel plate hinges permanently secure the two devices to the dockage allowing both the devices and the attached craft vertical motion but prohibit parallel or lateral movement. Each device has two reinforced arms coming together to form a right triangle shaped rigid body with one arm projecting further, bending into a curved attaching end. This attaching end is integrated with a self closing latch. The latch opens when pressed against the craft's mooring fixture then automatically snaps back into place capturing the craft. Pressing the release button opens the latch, freeing the craft. Each device also provides a place for a separate lock to be installed preventing theft or unauthorized use of the craft. |
| US08117976B2 |
Handicraft needle puncher, handicraft assisting tool and handicraft needle punch set
A handicraft needle punch set includes a needle puncher, and an assisting tool used in performing needle punching to an object. The assisting tool includes a plurality of tubular template portions each having a desired sectional shape. The needle puncher includes a plurality of needles, a grip member supporting the needles in a manner allowing the tips of the needles to protrude to the outside, and a tubular attachment member detachably attached to the grip member. The tubular attachment member is configured to surround the needles in a noncontact manner and have a contact end portion coming into contact with the upper portions of the tubular template portions. |
| US08117974B2 |
Biomass energy recovery apparatus
An apparatus for extracting energy from fiber introduced as a fuel into a vertically elongated combustion chamber having a suspension burner capable of projecting a flame down the axis of the combustion chamber with a heat collection surface located radially from the flame and below the burner, and an exhaust opening located below the flame and below at least a portion of the heat collection surface, in which the combusted fiber yields a mixture containing hot flue gas and molten ash above the exhaust opening and heat transfers therefrom to the heat collection surface prior to any substantial contact of ash to a surface of the combustion chamber, to yield a mixture containing warm flue gas and non-molten ash, that is thereafter cooled to yield a mixture containing cool flue gas and non-molten ash. |
| US08117971B1 |
Table cloth and trash bag combination
A table cloth and trash bag combination having a table cloth upper portion dimensioned to be laid on top of a picnic table or other types of outdoor and indoor tables and made of thin sheet paper, plastic and like material. The upper portion includes decorative designs of toys, animals, birthday cakes, logos, and like festive items for birthdays, anniversary, and other party events. On opposite corners of the upper portion is an outwardly extending first portion of pull strings. A second portion of the pull strings is received through seams disposed along sides of a length and a width of the table cloth upper portion. In the center of the table cloth upper portion and parallel to the length is an elongated opening having sides attached to a top of a folded trash bag lower portion. The opening provides access into the folded trash bag lower portion. The lower portion is made of thin sheet plastic for receiving trash items placed on top of the upper portion and picnic table. |
| US08117967B2 |
Bullet
A projectile (10), where necessary covered with a jacket, possesses a front-side core (1) and a rear-side core (2). The rear-side core (2) here bears positively in a centered manner against the front-side core (1) and this rear-side core (2) fills the entire cylindrical and the frustoconically configured rear region (2) of the projectile (10). A contact zone (11, 12 is respectively configured on the two cores (1, 2), which contact zone allows the projectile (10) to be joined together in a press fit, a perfectly aligned external form (3) of the projectile (10) being obtained and the contact faces (15; 13; 11 to 12) of the cores (1, 2) directly touching one another substantially without a clearance or gap over the whole of the contact face (15; 13; 11 to 12). When the projectile (10) impacts upon a surface oriented in any chosen manner relative to the firing direction (20), the projectile (10) is split into two less dangerous projectile parts. |
| US08117966B1 |
Stun grenade
A stun grenade that provides a flash and an associated loud report without use of pyro-ignition sources. The flash is generated by discharge of a conventional flash bulb. The loud, explosive noise comes from rupturing of an inflatable bag at a predetermined rupture pressure and inflation volume. |
| US08117963B2 |
Printing security features
A printing machine for printing security features onto a web. The machine has a first printing cylinder defining a first circumference and carrying a first number (m) of rows of first image elements, each adjacent row of first image elements having a first circumferential separation. The machine also has a second printing cylinder defining a second circumference, different to the first circumference, and carrying a second number (n) of rows of second image elements, different to the first number (m) of rows, where each adjacent row of second image elements has the same first circumferential separation as adjacent rows of first image elements. The printing cylinders are operable to print the first and second image elements in registration on a web so that composite security features are created on the web from the first and second image elements. |
| US08117953B2 |
Stop rule with hold-down device for circular saw benches
A stop rule for circular saw benches includes a profiled hollow body extending longitudinally with a substantially right-angled cross section, on which means are located for the attachment thereof to a table. One side of the profiled hollow body is designed as a guide member with a coplanar extension extending therefrom, which has a guide rule on the front edge thereof for low workpieces. Such guide rule extends vertically at right angles from the table, on which the guide member lies when the stop rule is in a horizontal position. The extension protruding sideways has a horizontal contact surface in the horizontal position of the stop rule, on which surface a vertically adjustable hold-down device for low work pieces is connected. |
| US08117951B2 |
Double flex wrench
A wrench having a main body defines a first end, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween. A handle body defines a first end, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween, wherein the handle body first end is pivotally coupled to the main body second end. A handle is axially fixed and rotatably coupled to the handle body second end. A tang, having a first end configured to releasably receive a tool, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween, is pivotally coupled to the main body first end. A detent is received in a recesses defined in one of the handle body first end and the main body second end. |
| US08117950B2 |
Extension shaft for holding a tool for rotary driven motion
An extension shaft for holding a tool for rotary motion of the tool includes a first end adapted to cooperate with a chuck of a handheld instrument and a second end including a tool holder for holding the tool for rotary driven motion thereof. The tool holder includes a base portion operatively connected to the extension shaft and a swivel portion capable of holding the tool. The swivel portion is pivotly coupled to the base portion through a pivot assembly, wherein the tool is capable of being rotated about an angle with respect to an axis of the chuck through rotation of the extension shaft in response to rotation of the chuck. |
| US08117947B2 |
Power ratchet assembly
A power ratchet assembly has a handle, a power shaft, a sleeve, a crankshaft, multiple planet gears, multiple pins, two support bearings and a ratchet head device. The crankshaft has an outer surface. The support bearings are securely mounted around the outer surface of the crankshaft. Because the crankshaft is supported by the support bearings, the crankshaft is effectively stabilized so mitigating vibration of the crankshaft and reducing wear of the planet gears and noise and increasing useful life of the power ratchet assembly. |
| US08117944B2 |
Pedal apparatus
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a pedal apparatus is provided. The pedal apparatus comprises a pedal member including a seat and an axle configured to cooperate with the seat to support the pedal member. The pedal apparatus is configured such that a rotation of the pedal member with respect to the axle causes translation of the pedal member with respect to the axle. |
| US08117938B2 |
Shifter with shape memory alloy and safety
A shifter incorporates a shape memory alloy wire (SMA actuator) to control movement of a blocker to selectively prevent moving a shift lever (or pawl) out of its park position until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. A mechanical fuse (i.e., flexible overload spring) prevents damage to the SMA actuator where the shift lever (or pawl) can be frictionally stopped from movement despite the contraction of the SMA actuator. The control circuit for the SMA actuator includes a photo-electric switch for stopping electrical power to the SMA actuator when the shift lever is moved from its park position, and the shift lever includes structure for mechanically continuing to hold the switch open while out of park. Further, the control circuit is operably connected to an ignition key retaining mechanism so that the ignition key cannot be removed when the lever is not in its park position. |
| US08117936B2 |
Gear support structure
A gear support mechanism for supporting two gears and an intermediate gear which meshes with the two gears to transfer rotation of one of the two gears to the other, includes a gear-shaft support member(s) which supports a gear shaft of the intermediate gear; and a spring member installed between the gear-shaft support member and the intermediate gear. The spring member includes a gear contacting portion which is in contact with the intermediate gear, and resilient support legs extend radially from the gear contacting portion and are in contact with the gear-shaft support member, the spring member biasing the intermediate gear in a direction of an axis of the gear shaft. Each of the two gears is positioned in an inter-leg space between adjacent resilient support legs as viewed in a direction along the axis of the gear shaft. |
| US08117934B2 |
Transmission shift mechanism with single-end actuation
A shift mechanism for a transmission having a first and a second combination of gears is disclosed. The shift mechanism has a rod member and a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to an end of the rod member. The hydraulic actuator is configured to move the rod member between a first position at which the first combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, a second position at which the second combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, and a third position at which neither the first nor the second combination of gears is engaged to transmit power. The hydraulic actuator has a first piston slidably connected to the rod member, a second piston fixedly connected to the rod member, and a housing. The housing forms three chambers and has only two fluid conduits in communication with the three chambers. |
| US08117933B2 |
Five speed dual clutch transmission
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second shafts, first and second countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member. |
| US08117931B2 |
Drive for displacing profile parts relative to each other via a flexible material strip, length-adjustable housing and article of furniture
A drive for displacing and positioning at least two profile parts relative to each other, includes: a rotatable drive wheel, a motor coupled to a first profile part and to the drive wheel, a flexible material strip which is rigidly connected on at least one side to a second profile part, which material strip also engages on the drive wheel, and a guide for the flexible material strip connected in at least substantially stationary manner to the first profile part, wherein the distance between the guide and the drive wheel is greater than the distance between the point of engagement of the flexible material strip on the second profile and the drive wheel. The invention also includes a length-adjustable housing provided with the aforementioned drive and to an article of furniture, in the legs of which such drives are accommodated. |
| US08117930B2 |
Cooling bearings, motors and other rotating heat generating components
Cooling apparatus for transferring heat from and cooling one or more heat generating components that support or drive a flywheel or other spinning member. The apparatus may include a first heat transfer element attached to and spinning with the spinning member, a second heat transfer element stationary with respect to the spinning member, wherein the first and second heat transfer elements move relative to one another, and wherein the first and second heat transfer elements are shaped and positioned in close proximity to one another so that substantial heat is transferred from the first heat transfer element to the second heat transfer element. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a set of rotating vanes mounted to rotate with the spinning member, an orifice configured to direct a spray of cooling liquid onto the rotating vanes, wherein the cooling liquid is sprayed onto the rotating vanes at a radially inward location, so that the liquid flows radially outward over the surface of the vanes as a thin film of liquid, and is thrown off the vanes by centrifugal action, and collecting apparatus configured to collect the liquid thrown off of the vanes. |
| US08117929B2 |
Control of the positional relationship between a sample collection instrument and a surface to be analyzed during a sampling procedure using a laser sensor
A system and method utilizes distance-measuring equipment including a laser sensor for controlling the collection instrument-to-surface distance during a sample collection process for use, for example, with mass spectrometric detection. The laser sensor is arranged in a fixed positional relationship with the collection instrument, and a signal is generated by way of the laser sensor which corresponds to the actual distance between the laser sensor and the surface. The actual distance between the laser sensor and the surface is compared to a target distance between the laser sensor and the surface when the collection instrument is arranged at a desired distance from the surface for sample collecting purposes, and adjustments are made, if necessary, so that the actual distance approaches the target distance. |
| US08117926B2 |
Method of and equipment for preparing an analysis sample
The invention relates to a method of and equipment for preparing an analysis sample (2) for a continuous on-line analysis. According to the invention, a sample material (5) is taken by means of a sampling arrangement (4) from a material flow (24) that contains solid matter and liquid, whereby the sample material (5) is fed into a chamber (6); a layer of material (10), which contains coarse solid matter, depositing in the lower part of the chamber, and a layer of material (8), which contains liquid and fine solids, being separated from the sample material in the upper part of the chamber, whereby at least part of the material (8), which contains fine solids, is moved to the lower part (9) of the chamber (6), from where the analysis sample (2) that has a higher solids content than the sample material (5) is removed. |
| US08117916B2 |
Electronic component and method for manufacturing the same
An electronic component is disclosed, and this component includes an element with an electrode section which is formed of upper electrode (74), lower electrode (72), piezoelectric unit (70) placed between upper electrode (74) and lower electrode (72), and adhesive layer (76) layered between upper electrode (74) and piezoelectric unit (70). Piezoelectric unit (70) includes piezoelectric layer (80) made of piezoelectric material containing lead, and adhesive layer (76) includes a tungsten layer made of tungsten-based material. Piezoelectric layer (80) and the tungsten layer are layered together. The structure discussed above allows preventing a piezoelectric constant from lowering and a base-point voltage from varying. The lowering and the varying have been caused by a temperature-rise. |
| US08117911B2 |
Gauge for bulk fuel storage tanks
This invention relates to bulk liquid storage tanks, and in particular to an improved tank gauge for measuring the amount of liquid within the tank and for monitoring the movement or settling of the storage tank. |
| US08117909B1 |
Icing resistant sensor port for a fuel tank environment
A system for an icing resistant sensor port assembly includes shaped and patterned features for resisting the formation and propagation of ice around a sensor port, such as for a pressure sensor in an aircraft fuel tank. Water may be present in fuel tanks due to condensation and other factors. The water, being heavier than fuel, such as jet fuel, sinks to the bottom of the tank and may be present around the sensor port. If the water completely fills the pressure port, it may damage the sensor. In various embodiments, an inlet assembly having a cone-shaped countersink, sharp edges that reduce surface area, anti-wetting coatings, and slots to allow fluid flow within the inlet assembly, among other features, may be used to help resist ice formation and propagation around a sensor port. |
| US08117907B2 |
Caliper logging using circumferentially spaced and/or angled transducer elements
A downhole tool includes circumferentially spaced and/or angled transducer elements. In one embodiment a standoff sensor has at least three piezoelectric transducer elements, at least a first element of which is configured to both transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. At least second and third of the elements are configured to receive ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first element in pitch catch mode. An electronic controller is configured to calculate a standoff distance from the ultrasonic waveforms received at the first, the second, and the third piezoelectric transducer elements. The controller may further be configured to estimate the eccentricity of a measurement tool in the borehole. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may improve borehole coverage and data quality and reliability in LWD caliper logging. In particular, the invention may advantageously reduce or even eliminate blind spots when logging eccentric bore holes. |
| US08117903B2 |
Golf club head comprising a piezoelectric sensor
An apparatus and method for determining the kinematic characteristics of a golf club head are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one piezoelectric component selectively positioned within or upon a club head. The piezoelectric component is preferably positioned to the rear of the center of gravity, and near the midpoint of the face of the club head. During a golf club swing, the piezoelectric component determines the acceleration and deceleration of the golf club head. When the club head impacts an object such as a golf ball, the piezoelectric component is also operable to determine the velocity of the club head. It may also be desirable for the piezoelectric component to determine the magnitude of vibration during impact. In this manner, the piezoelectric component may function determine the efficiency of a golf club swing. |
| US08117902B2 |
Nanopatterned surfaces and related methods for selective adhesion, sensing and separation
The invention is comprised, in part, of a surface that contains more than one component or construct. Such heterogenous surface compositions and configurations, related systems and methods for sensing particle or analyte interaction therewith can selectively and/or differentially interact with a range of particles/analytes, in lieu of specific molecular sensor-analyte interactions for each particle. These interactions of various analytes or particles can differ sufficiently in strength and range between multiple analyte types or particles to effect a separation of analytes or particles mixtures, in a way that requires no sensing or detection. With incorporation of a sensing mechanism, discrimination/detection of different compounds within an analyte mixture can be accomplished. |
| US08117900B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring the integrity of a tank
A conduit is connected to the interstice between an outer and inner wall of a storage tank or the liner thereof and may be used to monitor the integrity of the interstice. The conduit comprises a coupling in fluid communication with the interstice, a tube connected at one end to the coupling and having a length sufficient to extend into a riser pipe of the tank. The conduit may also include a bushing holding the tube apart from the tank and providing for the variable positioning of the tube with respect to the tank. A method of monitoring the integrity of the interstice uses monitoring equipment connected to the conduit. |
| US08117899B2 |
Method and device for measuring the gas permeability through films and walls of containers
A device for measuring permeability of a gas sample through a thin film, or a wall, arranged as a membrane between a first chamber and a second chamber of a measurement cell is provided that includes, a pressure regulator, upstream from each inlet to the measurement cell, that are each associated with a respective pressure sensor. A humidifier can be used, if desired. The device further includes that can switch the flows of gas between a starting wash step and a measurement step. Each gas flow is adjusted at the exit of the respective flow regulator. A control unit operates the pressure regulators and flow regulators to keep at predetermined values the total pressure in the first chamber and second chamber with those values maintained equal to each other. |
| US08117894B2 |
Gas sensor
A sensor system issues measurement commands at a predetermined regular rate. If a measurement indicates that a gas of interest is present, then the sensor system is signaled to wake-up thereby pulsing a heater for the sensor element that improves the accuracy of measurements. Measurements of humidity, temperature and gas concentration are made. If the gas of interest is detected then the data is used to indicate a compensated gas measurement. The gas level is classified as to its hazard and an adaptive detection algorithm is used to set an activity mode. If the gas of interest is not detected, the adaptive detection algorithm is used to set a sleep mode that saves power. Measurement rates are kept constant while heater power is controlled to reduce power consumption. Measurement rates are changed to increase concentration sensitivity. |
| US08117892B2 |
Hardness testing instrument and calibration method thereof
Disclosed is a hardness testing instrument which measures a hardness of a specimen, the hardness testing instrument including: a load applying section with the indenter or a flat indenter mounted thereon; a driving section to move the load applying section; a specimen table on which an object to be pressed is placed; a specimen table height adjustment section to adjust a height position; an indentation depth amount storage section to measure the indentation depth amount when the indenter is pressed to a reference block and to store the amount; a deformation amount storage section to measure the deformation amount of a load measuring instrument when the flat indenter is pressed to the load measuring instrument and to store the amount; a height position obtaining section to obtain a height position of the specimen table; and a calibration section to calibrate the load. |
| US08117890B1 |
Automatic optimized calibration for a marine propulsion system with multiple drive units
A method for calibrating the steering configuration for a marine propulsion system provides a procedure by which the steering alignment is changed by a known and symmetrical amount in order to identify and characterize the effect that such a change has on the operating efficiency of the marine vessel. Before the calibrating process is completed, the overall consistency of the vessel operation is measured to determine that the conditions are correct for the calibration procedure to commence. After analyzing the consistency of operation of the marine vessel, known and symmetrical changes, or perturbations, in the steering system are made and the effect of those changes are determined as a function of the fuel usage by the marine vessel. The effects on fuel usage are characterized as being beneficial, harmful, or negligible. In other words, the effect on the marine propulsion system resulting from the change in steering alignment is characterized as improving the fuel usage, degrading the fuel usage, or having a negligible effect on the fuel usage. |
| US08117882B2 |
Multi-layer pipe and method for its manufacture
A method for manufacture of a multi-layer pipe (5) by means of a bending roller with individual material layers (1, 2) to be combined into the multi-layer pipe (5) being placed one upon the other, and the multi-layer material thus formed being shaped into a multi-layer pipe (5) by means of the bending roller, and in the final stage of pipe shaping in the bending roller and/or a subsequently used bending machine a material layer (1) acting as an internal pipe being pressed non-positively into a material layer (2) acting as an external pipe. |
| US08117881B2 |
Press-molding method and press-molding device
A press-molding device (80) press molds a bottom portion of a work piece (9) having a closed-end shape between an, inner die (521) inserted into the work piece (9) and an outer die (551) disposed on an outside of the work piece (9). A chuck position switching mechanism (501) grips the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in an axial direction. An inner die moving mechanism (522) inserts the inner die (521) into the inside end of the work piece (9). A stopper mechanism (531) supports the inner die (521) in a processing position by restricting movement of the inner die (521). An outer die moving mechanism (552) press-molds the bottom portion of the work piece (9) between the outer die (551) and the inner die (521), thereby press-molding the workpiece (9) smoothly without damaging an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece (9). |
| US08117878B1 |
Method and apparatus for forming and texturing process shields
A textured process shield and similar parts may be formed and textured in the same forming process using a mandrel. The mandrel may have movable portions that may be set into a forming die position to form and texture a workpiece into a process shield and collapsed to allow the process shield to be removed from the mandrel. The movable portions may include several textured shoes supported by movable jaws. The movable portions may also include a contact surface having angled indentations. |
| US08117877B2 |
Method and forming machine for manufacturing a product having various diameters
The invention relates to a method and a forming machine suitable for manufacturing a product having various diameters from a workpiece, such as a metal cylinder or plate, in which the workpiece is clamped down in a clamping device, the workpiece and a first tool are rotated about an axis of rotation relative to each other, the workpiece is deformed by means of said first tool by placing the tool into contact with the workpiece and moving the workpiece and/or the tool in a direction along the axis of rotation. At least a second tool is placed into contact with the workpiece at a position behind the first tool, seen in the working direction, and the workpiece is also deformed by means of said second tool. Thus, parts of the workpiece that have been deformed by the first tool are deformed by one or more subsequent tools practically immediately. |
| US08117875B2 |
Retractable wheel lock
The retractable wheel lock has a wheel axle assembly that includes a hub forming a housing with an opening. The hub is freely rotatable about the axle. A retractable cable including a male locking element is coiled in the hub and can be retractably paid out from the hub, guided through a frame of an attached bicycle, around a bike rack, pole, or the like, and then back into a female lock socket affixed to the hub to conveniently secure the bicycle in a theft resistant manner. Alternative embodiments allow a rim to rotate freely around the hub. |
| US08117869B2 |
Blank mold for an I.S. glass forming machine
A blank mold for an I. S. Machine is made up of a pair of opposed engaged blanks. When closed, these blanks have a top surface with an opening. The blanks have an inner surface defining the side wall of a parison which extends upwardly to a position a defined distance below the top surface of the blanks and a continuous, beveled surface connecting the top of the inner surface defining the side wall of the parison and the top opening of the blanks. A pair of funnels, each having a continuous beveled surface extending from a circular horizontally disposed top opening downwardly to smaller centrally located bottom opening, are interfit with the top of the blanks with the top opening of the blanks and the bottom opening of the funnel being coextensive. |
| US08117867B2 |
Process for producing spherical inorganic particle
A process for producing spherical inorganic particles which have high flowability, can be incorporated in a high proportion, and are useful as a filler for composite substrates such as printed wiring boards and encapsulating materials. Also provided is a process for producing spherical inorganic particles which have high flowability and can be incorporated in a high proportion and which are useful as a filler for encapsulating materials and give an encapsulating material having high electrical insulating properties. One of the processes for producing spherical inorganic particles comprises: (a1) pulverizing a silicate-containing inorganic material to form a pulverization product; (b1) heating the pulverization product in an atomized state to form the pulverization product into spherical particles; (c1) spraying water over the spherical particles to cool them while maintaining the atomized state of the spherical particles; and (d1) collecting the spherical particles. The other process, which is for producing spherical glass particles, comprises: a pulverization step in which a silicate-containing vitreous material is pulverized to form a pulverization product; an acid treatment step in which the pulverization product is contacted with an acid; and a sphering step in which the pulverization product is heated in a suspended state and formed into spherical particles. |
| US08117864B2 |
Compact, modularized air conditioning system that can be mounted upon an airplane ground support equipment cart
A modular and compact air conditioning system is designed to be conveyed by a ground support equipment cart and to occupy minimal space within the cart. The system is constructed within a rectangular frame supporting top, bottom, left side, right side, front side, and back side panels. The top and back side panels contain thin air conditioner condensers. One of the left and right side panels contain an air outlet, and the other contains an air inlet and a duct that may be connected to an airplane to provide cooling air to the airplane. A condenser fan is mounted within the rectangular frame and is arranged to draw outside air in through the condensers and to blow the air out through the air outlet. First and second air conditioners are mounted within the rectangular frame, each including a compressor, an expansion valve, and evaporator coils, with each compressor pumping refrigerant through one of the condensers, through one of the expansion valves, and through one of the evaporator coils and back to the compressor. One of the two evaporator coils is mounted over the air inlet, and the other is mounted over the duct. A variable speed blower is mounted within the rectangular frame adjacent the air inlet, and an enclosed air passage routes air from the air inlet through one of the evaporator coils, the air passage narrowing and routing the air through the blower, the passage then widening and curving around and routing the air through the other of the evaporator coils and through the duct. |
| US08117859B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling air conditioning systems having a cooling mode and a free-cooling mode
An air conditioning system having a cooling mode and a free-cooling mode. The system having a refrigeration circuit having a compressor and a pump; a suction pressure sensor for measuring a suction pressure of the compressor; a discharge pressure sensor for measuring a discharge pressure of the compressor; a controller for selectively operating in the cooling mode by circulating and compressing a refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit via the compressor or operating in the free-cooling mode by circulating the refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit via the pump; and a recover-refrigerant sequence resident on the controller, the recover-refrigerant sequence being configured to pump the refrigerant in a portion of the refrigeration circuit not used in the free-cooling mode to remaining portions of the refrigeration circuit used in the free-cooling mode when the controller switches from the cooling mode to the free-cooling mode. |
| US08117858B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner is switchable between a cooling mode and a heating mode using highly pressurized hot gas in a refrigerant cycle. During the cooling mode, a controller controls an input electric current to a solenoid to operate the control valve based on a lower pressure side pressure of the refrigerant cycle acting on a pressure sensitive mechanism and a quantity of the input electric current to the solenoid. During the heating mode, the controller controls the input electric current to the solenoid to operate the control valve based not on the lower pressure side pressure of the refrigerant cycle acting on the pressure sensitive mechanism, but only on the quantity of the input electric current to the solenoid. |
| US08117854B2 |
System and method for producing and determining cooling capacity of two-phase coolants
The invention provides systems and devices for producing two-phase coolants such as an ice slurry. Also provided are methods for producing two-phase coolants, and methods for using the two-phase coolants to lower the temperature or maintain a low temperature in any subject, system, object, device, or application where particular low temperatures are desired. Also provided are systems for determining the cooling capacity of two-phase coolants. |
| US08117850B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus having warm connection element and cold connection element and heat pipe connected to connection elements
A heat pipe arranged between warm and cold connection elements is intended to be filled at least partially with a refrigerant, which can be circulated in the heat pipe by a thermosiphon effect. The parts of a device, particularly in superconducting technology, which are to be cooled are connected to the warm connection element and a heat sink is connected to the cold connection element. To thermally separate the warm and cold connection elements, the refrigerant can be pumped off through the pipeline connected to the interior of the heat pipe. |
| US08117847B2 |
Hybrid missile propulsion system with reconfigurable multinozzle grid
A propulsion system, such as for use in a missile, includes a multinozzle grid having a pair of plates that are separably mechanically coupled together. When coupled together in a first configuration, the plates provide multiple nozzles in a first nozzle configuration (geometry). Separation of the plates, such as by separating an aft plate from a forward plate that remains with the missile, reconfigures the multinozzle grid to a second configuration that has nozzles in a second nozzle configuration (geometry). The nozzle configurations may be suitable for different types of propulsion mechanisms. The hybrid propulsion system utilizing the multinozzle grid may include a pair of pressurized gas sources, for example a solid rocket fuel and a combustion chamber for a ramjet. |
| US08117846B2 |
Gas turbine burner and method of mixing fuel and air in a swirling area of a gas turbine burner
A gas turbine burner, comprising at least one swirler, the swirler having at least one air inlet opening, at least one air outlet opening positioned downstream to the air inlet opening and at least one swirler air passage extending from the at least one air inlet opening to the at least one air outlet opening which is delimited by swirler air passage walls; a fuel injection system which comprises fuel injection openings arranged in at least one swirler air passage wall so as to inject fuel into the swirler air passage; and an air injection system which comprises air injection openings arranged in at least one swirler air passage wall and positioned downstream of the fuel injection openings for injecting air into the swirler air passage. |
| US08117843B2 |
Ocean thermal energy conversion system
An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is disclosed. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water from a surface region of a body of water and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water from a deep water region of the body of water. The thermal mass attains a desired temperature while it is positioned in the deep water region, with which it is thermally coupled. The present invention uses a bulk transport vessel to carry the thermal mass from the deep water region to a depth where it can be thermally coupled with the OTEC system. |
| US08117840B2 |
Abnormality-determining device and method for turbo-supercharger, and engine control unit
An abnormality-determining device for a turbo-supercharger, which is capable of detecting abnormalities, including response delay of a movable member, with accuracy. A turbo-supercharger provided in an internal combustion engine has variable vanes 8c arranged in an exhaust turbine, for changing an area of a nozzle thereof. An abnormality-determining device stops supply of fuel to the engine, when the engine is in a predetermined operating condition, actuates the variable vanes, after actuating the same toward one of an open side and a closed side, toward the other of the sides, during the stoppage of fuel supply, detects a supercharging parameter indicative of a degree of supercharging by the turbo-supercharger, and determines abnormality of the turbo-supercharger based on a change in the supercharging parameter detected during the actuation of the movable vanes. |
| US08117839B2 |
Propane injection system
A flow regulator valve having multiple stages is described herein. The flow regulator valve provides a base amount of propane when the engine is idling and provides additional propane to the engine based on the engine's requirements. |
| US08117838B2 |
Master brake cylinder arrangement of a motor vehicle brake system
The invention relates to a master brake cylinder arrangement of a motor vehicle brake system with a master brake cylinder housing, a transmission piston disposed in a displaceable manner in the master brake cylinder housing, and a force input member which can be workingly coupled to the transmission piston in order to introduce a braking force. According to the invention, in order to simplify assembly and to reduce the required construction space, an adapter is coupled to the master brake cylinder housing, to which adapter a contact sleeve is fitted, the force input member being supported at the contact sleeve in a non-actuated starting position. |
| US08117836B2 |
Scroll type fluid machine and air suspension apparatus using the same
A pressure keeping mechanism is provided downstream of a discharge port of a compressor. The pressure keeping mechanism is set to a small flow path area having only a bypass orifice until a pressure in a downstream pipe reaches a predetermined pressure after the operation is started, the pressure keeping mechanism is set to a large flow path area of a pressure keeping valve which is opened when the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure and the bypass orifice, thereby changing the flow path area at least in two stages. The pressure in the upstream pipe which is almost closed by the pressure keeping valve can be thus increased at a dash and the pressure in a compression chamber can also be increased swiftly immediately after the compressor is started. |
| US08117834B2 |
Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, an NOx selective reduction catalyst is arranged in the engine exhaust passage and a urea aqueous solution stored in a urea aqueous solution tank is fed to the NOx selective reduction catalyst where the NOx is selectively reduced. Opening and closing of the urea aqueous solution refill port of the urea aqueous solution tank are detected and it is judged if the urea aqueous solution is refilled in the urea aqueous solution tank. When it is judged that the NOx purification rate has fallen to an allowable level or less at the time of engine operation right after the urea aqueous solution is refilled in the urea aqueous solution tank, it is judged that the refilled urea aqueous solution is abnormal. |
| US08117833B2 |
Method and system using a reduction catalyst to reduce nitrate oxide
A method of controlling a system having an internal combustion engine, a filter in an exhaust passage, a reduction catalyst downstream of said filter capable of reducing nitrate oxide contained in the exhaust gas with reductant supplied thereto is provided. The method may include, in a first mode, combusting a first amount of particulate matter trapped in said filter and supplying a first amount of reductant to said reduction catalyst when an amount of particulate matter trapped in said filter is less than a predetermined trapping amount (α). The method may further include, in a second mode, combusting a second amount of particulate matter that is greater than said first amount of particulate matter and supplying a second amount of reductant to said reduction catalyst when an amount of particulate matter trapped in said filter is equal to or greater than said predetermined trapping amount (α). |
| US08117831B2 |
Diesel exhaust gas temperature reduction
An exhaust system for a vehicle having a diesel engine and a method of operation are disclosed. The exhaust system may include a diesel particulate filter, a pipe located downstream of the diesel particulate filter and an exhaust gas cooling assembly. The exhaust gas cooling assembly may have an air pump and a connecting pipe connected to the pipe and configured to direct air from the air pump into the pipe. During particulate filter regeneration, the air pump may be activated to push air into the exhaust in order to reduce the temperature of exhaust gasses exiting the vehicle. |
| US08117824B1 |
Pollution free engine using hydrogen as a fuel
A pollution-free propulsion engine includes a rotating arm, a hollow axle defining a fuel delivery chamber, and hydrogen and oxygen sources. The rotating arm is formed with a detonation chamber, an opening and two tubular ducts therebetween. The axle is inserted into the opening. A pair of holes is formed in the axle to establish paths of fluid communication from the fuel delivery chamber through the ducts and into the detonation chamber as the rotating arm turns. The hydrogen source comprises a thin palladium binding layer deposited onto an aluminum sheet. Hydrogen molecules that are trapped in the binding layer are released, and the hydrogen is fed into the delivery chamber, through one duct and into the detonation chamber. At the same time, oxygen is delivered into the detonation chamber through the other duct, and the oxygen-hydrogen combination is detonated to release energy, which is converted into mechanical energy. |
| US08117823B2 |
Method and system for increasing modified wobbe index control range
A system and method for controlling the temperature of a fuel gas. The system and method includes mixing an intermediate pressure feedwater stream from the heat recovery steam generator with a high pressure feedwater stream from the heat recovery steam generator, then using that mixture to heat the fuel gas mixture. The system and method may provide for improved control over the Modified Wobbe Index of the fuel gas, which may allow for greater variation in the composition of the fuel gas. |
| US08117821B2 |
Optimization of low-BTU fuel-fired combined-cycle power plant by performance heating
Disclosed is an optimized approach of using bleed-off of compressed air flow from a gas turbine compressor in a combined-cycle power plant and performance heating to augment plant performance. In one embodiment, a diverted portion of a by-product off gas and the bleed-off of compressed air flow are fired heated to produce a high temperature flue gas that is used to performance heat a pressurized mixture of fuel prior to being supplied to the gas turbine combustor. |
| US08117818B2 |
Steel cord, composite of rubber and steel cord, and tire
A steel cord has a multi-twist structure in which N (N=2 to 8) strands 2 are twisted, each strand 2 being formed by twisting a plurality of element wires 1 and having a substantially elliptical cross-section, wherein d1/d2>1.08 is satisfied, where the major diameter of the strand 2 is represented by d1 and the minor diameter is represented by d2, and εe defined by the following equation: εc=√(−b/2+√(b2/4−c))−1 (in the equation, b represents −1+π2(−4R2+d2)/P2, c represents π2d2k(4π2R2+P2)/P4, R represents (D−d)/2, k represents tan2(π/2−π/N), and d represents (d1+d2)/2) satisfies εc>0.005, where the diameter of a circle circumscribing the cord is represented by D (mm) and the twist pitch of the cord is represented by P (mm). |
| US08117815B2 |
Fire retardant compositions and methods and apparatuses for making the same
A method and apparatus for forming yarn provides a feeding component that feeds one or more ribbons of tow starting material, a drafting component that includes at least two pairs of rollers through which the feed materials pass and which stretch-breaks the starting material into a cohesive elongated network of fibers formed from the filaments of the tow material. The stretch-broken intermediate product may be a blended cohesive network formed form multiple feed materials. The intermediate product may be spun directly into yarn in one winding/twisting operation or it may be combined with other simultaneously produced intermediate products. Various yarns may be used as produced or otherwise combined to form various fabrics and other materials used in fire-retardant and heat resistant products. The starting materials may be PAN, para- and meta-aramid fibers, viscose rayon, and stainless steel and other suitable materials. |
| US08117813B2 |
Riding type grass mower having a rear-discharge type mower unit
A riding type grass mower includes a right wheel and a left wheel, a rear-discharge type mower unit disposed forwardly of the right/left wheels, a driver's seat disposed between and upwardly of the right/left wheels, an engine mounted rearwardly of the driver's seat, an engine hood for covering the engine, and a restricting unit disposed rearwardly of the driver's seat and at an area downwardly of the engine hood, the restricting unit having a restricting face (including a mesh face) configured to restrict upward rising of cut grass discharged from the mower unit. |
| US08117812B2 |
Header transport
A swather tractor has ground drive wheels at a first end, castor wheels at a second end and a header lift arms at the first end and can be driven with the first end forward for harvesting and with the first end rearward for towing. A transport for the header includes a longitudinal beam with a plurality of transverse support arms along the beam. The beam is kinked adjacent the front so that a main portion of the beam is offset to one side relative to the hitch assembly and the rear wheels. A yoke engages the lift arms and provides a hitch for towing the header. Either the forward end of the beam is directly attached to the hitch for small headers or for larger headers a steerable front wheel assembly is connected to the hitch and includes a spring coupling which transfers load to the lift arms. |
| US08117811B1 |
Cutter system for a header of a forage harvester
A cutting system for a forage harvester includes a source of rotational movement for each of the pair of substantially planar counterrotating blades and for a pair of substantially planar counterrotating gripping members. Each blade of the pair of blades is configured to rotate about a substantially parallel axis. Each gripping member of the pair of gripping members is configured to rotate about a corresponding rotational axis of one blade of the pair of blades. The source of rotational movement is separated from each blade of the pair of blades by an inner shaft. The source of rotational movement is separated from each gripping member of the pair of gripping members by a tube surrounding the shaft. The tube includes a gripping portion secured to a periphery of the tube between the source of rotational movement and the pair of gripping members. |
| US08117808B2 |
Apparatus and method for transverse sealing of a packaging tube
An apparatus for transverse sealing of a packaging tube, filled with products, in order to form bag packages, has a delivery conveyor for delivering the packaging tube, a removal conveyor for carrying the bag packages away and a transverse sealing unit engaging an interstice between these two conveyors. Means is provided for supporting the bag packages at least in part at the transition through this interstice. This means for supporting the bag packages is a supporting base, which reaches beneath the bag packages from two diametrically opposed sides and both supports the bag packages and transports them onward. |
| US08117807B2 |
Pocket-size container for consumer items
A three-piece pocket-size container for holding a consumer product such as smokeless tobacco product in an interior volume of a perimeter band which has a base locked to a lower rim portion and an openable cover on an upper rim of the perimeter band. When closed, the cover, the perimeter band and the base form a flush exterior sidewall of the container. The base and cover can be metal and the perimeter band can be transparent (clear, tinted or colored) or opaque plastic to provide a container that maintains product freshness, and is easily opened and closed. |
| US08117802B1 |
Prefabricated structural element
A structural element for use in forming a structure, that includes first and second longitudinal members that extend between opposite ends of the element. The longitudinal members have inward and outward faces, and a pair of side faces extending between the inward and outward faces. The element includes first and second lateral members that extend between the first and second longitudinal members. The first and second lateral members each have an outer surface. The outer surface of the first lateral member is substantially flush with a side face of each longitudinal member to form a substantially planar surface extending across substantially an entirety of a first side surface of the element. The outer surface of the second lateral member is substantially flush with a side face of each longitudinal member to form a substantially planar surface extending across substantially an entirety of a first side surface of the element. |
| US08117800B2 |
Method and elements for forming a building facade
A facade is formed on an upright supporting surface using a plurality of facade elements formed of plastic material having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side. The flat rear side of the elements can be abutted directly against the upright supporting surface with the elements in spaced relation with one another and secured thereon using nails from an air driven nailer. Grouting in the form of mortar repair or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between adjacent elements on the supporting surface to complete the appearance of a natural stone facade on a building wall. |
| US08117796B2 |
System for attaching reinforcing bars
A system of attaching and aligning both parallel and transverse bars for supporting a concrete matrix includes a plurality of substantially identical molded plastic clips for alternatively attaching and holding two parallel reinforcing bars of equal diameter or two transverse reinforcing bars of equal diameter. |
| US08117795B2 |
Floor boards having interlocking tongue and groove connection with pre-applied adhesive layer
Flooring panels having a tongue and groove locking mechanism. The tongue-and-groove configuration principle are provided at the areas being connected. The sides of the groove diverge from the groove base and converge at the end away from the groove base. The opening width of the groove is greater than the foremost area of the tongue in the direction of insertion. The tongue exhibits wedge-shaped areas that diverge from front to back which areas exhibit an undercut in the back area of the tongue that conforms to the groove cross-section. The undercut's borders, adjoining the wedge-shaped areas, converge at the same angle as the groove sides toward a connecting bridge that is part of the component. |
| US08117789B2 |
Door and window sill pan flashing with drain
A window sill pan flashing or a door sill pan flashing with drain. The sill pan flashing has an inclined base, window or door continuous or near continuous sill supports which can be extruded as part of the base unit, and corner elements which can be snapped or otherwise attached to the base. Sill pan flashing offsets provided in the rear sill pan flashing wall and in the front flange create a flow path for water to drain from the sill pan flashing. The base may be solid or hollow with window or door supports extending vertically through the base. The sill pan flashing may be manufactured by extrusion, and corner pieces may be injection molded or otherwise fabricated. The base may be fabricated from fiberglass, metal, or plastic. A window sill support means is provided in a horizontal orientation so that the base can be extruded. |
| US08117786B1 |
Insulation barrier for ceiling hatch openings
A barrier or dam to contain loose insulation from falling through an attic access hatch or scuttle opening is provided. Embodiments include four pieces that can be assembled together around the perimeter of hatches of varying sizes. Two of the pieces may be male pieces and two may be female pieces. Each piece may have a securing tab on its bottom end to attach each piece to joists that define the hatch opening. A kit comprising the barrier pieces may be utilized by homeowners, contractors or insulation installers for quick and easy installation of the containment dam. |
| US08117785B2 |
Gutter system
A gutter system for preventing leaves and other debris from obstructing a gutter is provided, the gutter system including a bracket and a gutter cover. The bracket is removably coupled to a hanger and removably secured to the gutter cover. |
| US08117784B2 |
Mechanism for a sliding glass pane
The present invention relates to a mechanism for a sliding-type glass pane, of those formed by a top guide profile, placed against the wall and provided with a rib on which a rolling element moves; a bottom guide; a suspension device and top retaining stops, in which the suspension device has a larger outer plate and two smaller inner plates, which define a space between them in which the rolling element is housed and in which the top retaining stops are provided with respective horizontal flats so as to retain the cylinders. |
| US08117783B2 |
Gate for marine animal trap
A trigger for a marine animal trap is preferably constructed from two identical, or nearly identical, parts. The two parts are substantially flat as manufactured, and are constructed to have connector sections that fold without breaking away from each substantially flat part. The connector sections overlap and secure to one another, preferably with integral connection facilitators on each connector section. Fingers from each substantially flat part converge towards one another when the connector sections are secured together. Optional excluder bars may be included on each substantially flat part, and may be bent towards one another and secured together. |
| US08117778B2 |
Processes and systems for monitoring environments of projectile weapons
Processes and systems are disclosed for recording data relating to a shot by a projectile weapon. Environment data occurring prior to data indicating the occurrence of a shot by the projectile weapon is retained for subsequent evaluation. Such environment data includes, but is not limited to, ambient audio data, video data produced by a video camera associated with the projectile weapon, GPS data representing locations of the projectile weapon, electronic compass data representing orientations of the projectile weapon and acceleration data representing accelerations of the projectile weapon. |
| US08117770B2 |
Footwear device
A footwear device including a resilient member having first and second ends. The first end can be configured for being connected to a user's foot, and the second end can be configured for being connected to the user's leg above the ankle joint. The resilient member can be configured and positioned for resiliently and rotatably biasing the user's foot about the ankle joint. |
| US08117769B2 |
Cushioned shoe construction including toe and heel plates
A shoe sole construction includes a sole member formed from a synthetic plastic material having a first durometer value of hardness and including toe, ball, arch, and heel portions. Relatively rigid toe and heel plates are secured to bottom surface of the sole member on opposite sides of a relatively soft flex bar member that extends transversely across the ball portion of the sole member. A plurality of toe cushion members are mounted for independent movement within openings contained in the toe plate, and a stabilizing arch cushion member is mounted in the recess defined in the heel plate. These cushion members have an intermediate durometer value that, during use, permits compression of these cushion members in a footprint pattern. |
| US08117768B2 |
Anatomical footwear toepiece and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention is an anatomical toepiece that is adapted for insertion into the footbed of a footwear article to provide increased comfort and control. The toepiece has a molded core comprising an anchoring flange for embedded attachment within the footbed of the footwear article. Additionally, the molded core further has an inter-toe engagement portion which extends upwardly from the anchoring flange for engagement between the great toe and the adjacent digit, and a wing which caps the inter-toe engagement portion and extends outwardly in both directions over a portion of the upper forefoot. The inter-toe engagement portion has arcuate curved sidewalls and an arcuate curved back wall to contour to the curvature of an engage foot thereby providing comfort and dexterity. |
| US08117767B2 |
Rotating anti-slip device for soles for footwear
The present invention relates to the footwear industry. More specifically, the present invention concerns a device that, inserted in soles for footwear, allows the user to equip his or her own footwear, mechanically and easily, with anti-slip serrated nails in the presence of snow or ice or other slippery material on the paved surface. |
| US08117766B2 |
Device for utilization of the energy generated by body weight
The present invention refers to a device for utilization of the energy generated by pressure of body weight on the heal of footwear to be utilized at the moment of the final detachment of the footwear from the ground. |
| US08117763B2 |
Tape rule and end hook therefor
A rule assembly includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and an elongated blade having an end hook member on a free end thereof. The end hook member includes a mounting portion having a length dimension and a top surface area and a hook portion having a width dimension and a front surface area, where a ratio of the width dimension of the hook portion to the length dimension of the mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1, a ratio of the front surface area of the hook portion to the top surface area of the mounting portion is greater than or equal to 1.1, and at least two-thirds of the mass of the hook portion lies outside a center section that includes one third of the hook portion's width. |
| US08117762B2 |
Tape rule and end hook therefor
A rule assembly includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, and an elongated blade having an end hook member on a free end thereof. The elongated blade is arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing. The end hook member is formed of sheet metal to include a mounting portion and a hook portion bent at a generally right angle from an end of the mounting portion. The end hook member includes a pair of generally upwardly extending side edges, a generally laterally extending lower edge, and recessed edge portions disposed at corner portions at which the upwardly extending side edges and the laterally extending lower edge intersect. |
| US08117761B2 |
Displacement amplifier
A displacement amplifier 10 comprises first and second longitudinally extending elements 12, 22, each having a free portion 14, 24 and a constrained portion 16, 26. The constrained portions 16, 26 of the first and second elements 12, 22 are constrained to move together such that longitudinal displacement of a free portion 14 of one element with respect to the free portion 24 of the other element results in an amplified displacement of the constrained portions 16, 26 relative to a resting position. |
| US08117758B1 |
Scribe tool
A scribe tool includes a three-dimensional, polygonal block having two opposing ends with a plurality of planar, non-orthogonal surfaces formed therebetween. A bore extends from one of the ends to another and is offset from the block's central, longitudinal axis. Each planar surface is spaced a discrete distance from the central axis that corresponds to one of a plurality of conventional measurements. The tool allows a craftsman to form a trim line along an architectural item that conforms to surface irregularities on an adjacent wall. |
| US08117752B2 |
Method for producing a rotary joint
A method and an assembly device for producing a rotary joint between a drive element and a flange are defined. The drive element and the flange are screwed together by a nut and a bolt of the drive element. The bolt is drawn axially in to a bore in the flange by the rotation of the nut and until the drive element attains a final position in relation to the flange. |
| US08117751B2 |
Method of forming printhead by removing sacrificial material through nozzle apertures
A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead by forming a plurality of actuators on a monolithic substrate, covering the actuators with a sacrificial material, covering the sacrificial material with a printhead surface layer, defining a plurality of nozzle apertures in the printhead surface layer such that each of the actuators corresponds to one of the nozzle apertures and then, removing at least some of the sacrificial material on each of the actuators through the nozzle aperture corresponding to each of the actuators. |
| US08117749B2 |
Process for producing metallic gasket
A process for producing a metallic gasket, which comprises making a thin metallic sheet into a solid figure having an inclined surface, thereby providing a bead region extended upwardly and downwardly over the inclined surface, and forming a sealing part made of a hardened rubber layer on the surface of bead region, characterized by forming a sealing part extended from the apex of the bead region down to an upperward position on the inclined surface, and another sealing part extended from a downward position on the inclined surface down to the flat bottom part, and joining the sealing parts by the rubber material in a solution state extended along the inclined surface from both of the sealing parts, before drying and hardening of the material for making sealing parts. Application of the rubber material in a solution state is carried out preferably by a screen printing process. The rubber sealing parts formed by a silk screen printing process contributes to uniformization of the layer thickness resulting from the drying and hardening. |
| US08117748B2 |
Ballize in tension camshaft assembly process
A method may include locating first and second lobe members of a camshaft on a first shaft. The first shaft may include an annular wall defining a bore. The first lobe member may be located on a first portion of the first shaft and may define a first end of the camshaft. The second lobe member may be located on a second portion of the first shaft and may define a second end of the camshaft. The first shaft may be fixed from axial displacement and a tool may be displaced through the bore of the first shaft to fix the first lobe member to the first shaft. The fixing may include the first shaft being free from axial restraint in a first axial direction extending from the first portion of the first shaft to the second portion of the first shaft. |
| US08117746B1 |
Method and machine for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacle or switch simultaneously
A machine for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacles or switch simultaneously, A process that allows electricians to perform all 3 tasks at one time without the need to return to install receptacles or switch after wallboard is installed, Comprised of: Housing with built-in laser guide and attached magnetic spacers for metal studs or wooden studs that allow for correct alignment of receptacle or switch for applicable wallboard thickness used. |
| US08117745B2 |
Method of using a foldable card as a USB contact
The method is for using a foldable card as a USB contact. A foldable flat card has a folding line and a foldable front flap section and foldable rear flap section. The card has contact segments. The front flap section is upwardly folded until the front flap section bears against a top surface of the card. The rear flap section is also upwardly folded until the rear flap section bears against the top surface of the card. A front segment is downwardly folded along the folding line until an underside of a rear segment bears against an underside of the front segment and the contact segment comes into contact with the contact segment to form a USB contact. The USB contact is then inserted into a computer. |
| US08117741B2 |
Method for manufacturing a radiation imaging panel comprising imaging tiles
An automatic or semiautomatic method of assembly of radiation digital imaging tiles to form a one or two dimensional imaging panel whereby the imaging tiles are provided with alignment mark(s), inherent or specific, and a mother board or substrate is also provide with alignment mark(s) and the imaging tiles are mounted on the mother board by means of mechanical pick and place mechanism, whereby the distances of corresponding alignment mark are set to predetermined values, programmed in the automatic machine. |
| US08117737B2 |
Method of manufacturing magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording with shield around main magnetic pole
A manufacturing method for a magnetic head includes the steps of: forming a structure on a lower shield, the structure including a lower gap, a main magnetic pole and first and second side gaps; forming first and second side shields; forming an upper gap; and forming an upper shield. In the step of forming the structure, an initial lower gap layer is formed on the lower shield, the initial lower gap layer including a pre-lower-gap portion, and two to-be-removed portions that are located on opposite sides of the pre-lower-gap portion. Then, a protrusion including the main magnetic pole and the first and second side gaps is formed on the pre-lower-gap portion. With the top surface of the protrusion covered with a mask, the initial lower gap layer is etched in part to thereby form the lower gap. |
| US08117735B2 |
Two piece bi-metal coil terminal and electrical coil assembly incorporating same
An electrical coil assembly utilizing a bi-metallic two-piece terminal construction and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The inner terminal structure utilizes a material that aids in the touchless attachment of the fine gauge magnetic wire to the inner terminal structure. The low mass of the inner terminal structure allows for increased winding speeds during the manufacturing process. The outer terminal structure utilizes a material that provides good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. The inner and outer terminal structures are electrically attached after the winding and electrical attachment process of the fine gauge magnetic wire. The coil and two-piece terminal connectors may then be encapsulated to provide a final electrical coil assembly. |
| US08117733B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing a film of a package of objects
An apparatus (1) for removing a film (2) of a package (3) of objects having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis comprises two pairs of rollers (7 and 12) suitable for pressing on the film (2) externally to hold the package (3) in place in a removal station (8); the two pairs of rollers are operatively connected to respective motor drives so as to apply a mechanical stretching to portions (13 and 14) of the film (2) in order to tear them, thus enabling the first pair (7) of rollers to remove the film (2) and free the objects from the package. Known film removal apparatus require a device for cutting the packaging film longitudinally, so that the speed of the apparatus is limited according to the length of the package and there is a risk of objects being damaged during cutting. |
| US08117730B2 |
Method of manufacturing lazurite-made faucet and apparatus thereof
A method of manufacturing lazurite-made faucet and apparatus thereof makes use of injecting wax into a soft silicone mold to form a wax mold, coating gypsum on the wax mold to form a gypsum body, heating the gypsum body to melt and guide the wax mold thereout to form a hollow gypsum body. Alternatively, a stainless steel body can be coated by gypsum to be placed in a shaping cast, and a heating furnace filled for melting lazurite pellets into liquid lazurite and dripping them into the shaping cast to fill the vacant space between the bodies and the shaping cast. After cooling, the shaping cast is taken out to attain a preliminary lazurite-material faucet body. Lastly, the gypsum body is smashed to shape the lazurite-made faucet body; with a further surface processing procedure and assembling with other parts, a satisfied and worthy lazurite-made faucet is achieved. |
| US08117728B2 |
Method and device for installing open seal
A method of installing an open seal on a flange provided at a door installation opening of a vehicle, the installation being made by pressing the seal against the flange by a roller. A side face of the open seal temporarily installed on the flange is pressed by the tapered outer peripheral surface of a flange formed at one end of the roller body. Then, a back face of the open seal is pressed by the roller towards the flange. The roller is moved along the flange with constant pressing force. |
| US08117722B2 |
Container and closure device employable in association with said container
A container is realisable by folding a laminar element (10), and the laminar element comprises: mutually adjacent principal faces (20), connected to each other by principal folding lines (30), the principal faces extending along a principal axis (20a) and presenting respectively principal sides (20b) parallel to the principal axis and located respectively at a first (20c) and a second distance (20d) from the latter; auxiliary faces (40) emerging from each principal face along respective second axes of extension (40a) orthogonal to the principal axis and connected to the principal faces by auxiliary folding lines (50). For at least one pair of principal sides of at least one principal face, the first and the second distance are different in value, the principal sides of a principal face presenting a respective offset (60), transverse with respect to the principal axis and different, for each principal side, with respect to an ideal mid-line of the principal face to which they belong. |
| US08117721B2 |
Snap hook having pivotal lock
A snap hook includes a channel and an orifice of different height formed in an attaching end of a hook member and a latching cavity formed in a receiving end of the hook member, a pivotal gate having one end attached to the attaching end with an axle, and a latch member attached to the other end for engaging with the latching cavity of the hook member, the axle includes one or more flat surfaces for engaging into the narrower channel of the hook member and for selectively moving the latch member to engage with the latching cavity of the hook member and to lock the pivotal gate to the hook member, and for preventing the pivotal gate from being unlocked or opened inadvertently. |
| US08117717B2 |
Temporary device for spacing an opening element with respect to a fixed element
The invention relates to a temporary device (1, 20) for spacing an opening element (6) with respect to a fixed element (3) of the vehicle body comprising a fixing plate for anchoring the device on the fixed element and a body which is connected to the fixing plate and forms an abutment (4) for supporting the opening element, wherein at least one part of the abutment is elastically deformable by forces produced by the opening element in the longitudinal direction thereof. |
| US08117716B2 |
One-way valve and door check apparatus
A one-way valve having a conduit for allowing liquid to flow therein, a valve element provided in the conduit, a hole portion provided in the conduit on the upstream side of the valve element and configured to be brought into a closed state by being closed by the valve element, and a spring that urges the valve element in the direction to close the hole portion, in which the peripheral surface of the valve element is formed with a first surface and a second surface intersecting the direction of movement of the valve element and generating a component force in the direction to close the hole portion when an urging force of the spring is applied, the first surface and the second surface are formed so as to increase the component force in the direction to close the hole portion as the valve element approaches the hole. |
| US08117713B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with two stage filtration
A canister vacuum cleaner comprises a base, a recovery tank, and a clean solution tank. The vacuum cleaner can be used for dry vacuuming, wet vacuuming, and can distribute cleaning solution to a floor surface and has means for a fluid distribution system and a recovery system. The clean solution tank can be filled with a cleaning solution for distribution to a floor surface and the recovery tank is used for collecting dry or liquid matter recovered from vacuuming. |
| US08117710B2 |
Windscreen wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a windshield wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a support (12), on which a bearing (18) is arranged, which supports a wiper shaft (22). In this case, a retaining element (20) is provided, which detachably connects the bearing (18) to the support. |
| US08117709B2 |
Buffing system including load absorbing fixture with multiple compression load deflection and replaceable working face
A rotary buffing and finishing system includes a polymeric foam cushioning layer that has a graded compression load deflection which is interposed between a backing plate and a relatively thin performance layer that is removably attached to the foam cushioning layer. The backing plate is flexible but has a compression load deflection greater than the cushioning layer, and the cushioning layer includes two foam layers of graded compression load deflection that decreases from a rear face to a front face. The system provides improved performance over thicker and more expensive performance layers while reducing operator fatigue. |
| US08117700B2 |
Mattress system and method
A mattress system and method according to which a custom mattress is built according to customer-specific parameters. In several exemplary embodiments, the custom mattress includes one or more removable core cartridges and/or one or more removable topper cartridges. |
| US08117697B2 |
Patient-support apparatus with a locking deck section
A patient-support apparatus includes a patient-support deck movable from a use position to a stowed position. The patient-support deck is configured to engage receivers of the patient-support apparatus to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism. A storage structure is configured to support the patient-support deck in a stowed position. The storage structure is configured to deflect under load to prevent damage to the storage structure or patient-support deck. |
| US08117689B2 |
Portable wash basin cart and disposable personal wash basin
A wheeled cart is configured to removably carry a patient's personal wash basin. The cart includes a lid that covers the personal wash basin when the cart is moved from a bathroom to the patient so that liquid in the wash basin cannot splash out onto the floor if the cart strikes an obstruction. A flexible tube is provided for filling the basin from a sink. A drain pipe is provided to empty the wash basin without the need to lift the wash basin. A disposable thin personal wash basin having a funnel-shaped outlet may be used with the cart to minimize potential contamination. |
| US08117687B2 |
Diverter valve with minimum bias forces
A diverter valve including: an inlet port coupled to a refill tube; a first outlet port; a bowl refill tube coupled to the outlet port with its second end adjacent to a toilet tank overflow tube; a second outlet port; a central flow passageway providing a path of fluid communication between the inlet port and the first and second outlet ports, the entrance of the first outlet port and the entrance of the second outlet port being directly opposite one another in the central flow passageway; a poppet in the central flow passageway, the poppet having a raised position obstructing the first outlet port and a lowered position obstructing the second outlet port; an actuating arm, float member and rod coupled to the poppet, wherein movement of the float member translates downward motion of the rod into upward motion of the actuating arm and vice versa. |
| US08117686B2 |
Durable protective cover for preventing spilled liquids from flowing into drains or holes
Durable protective covers for drains and other holes are provided which prevent spills and unwanted liquids from flowing therein. The protective covers include a durable backing layer and a pliable, tacky sealing layer which conforms and adheres to a surface surrounding the drain to reduce or eliminate the flow of liquids into the drain. A low-density bonding layer is provided between the pliable, tacky sealing layer and the durable backing layer in order to provide significantly improved adherence between the layers. |
| US08117681B2 |
Folding device for male child urination
A foldable, hanging urinal includes a back surface, hooks and a receptacle. The foldable hanging urinal folds flat for transportation, inventory and disposal. Hooks on the back of the foldable hanging urinal fold out and the foldable hanging urinal hangs on a toilet fixture. The receptacle folds out to form a cup during use and the cup is positioned at a height lower than the rim of the toilet fixture thereby enabling urination by a person that is too short to reach the rim of the toilet fixture. |
| US08117676B1 |
Hardhat with vent strip and lighting configuration
A hardhat provides ventilation and controlled lighting. A crown of a modified semi-spherical shape terminates downwardly with a generally oval peripheral edge in a horizontal plane, the crown having a plurality of apertures therein arranged in spaced apart sequence, and a flexible venting strip fixed forwardly on the crown and extending over the apertures, the venting strip positionable in each of a plurality of arcs above the crown, wherein each one of the arcs provides a selectable ventilation conductance into the hardhat. A brim is joined integrally to the peripheral edge of the crown extending outwardly. An electrical circuit has components including: a head-lamp mounted forward on the hardhat, a series of individual lights mounted in spaced-apart positions circumventing the crown, and a manual control mounted on the brim, the manual control is enabled for setting the electrical circuit in a standard operating mode wherein the head-lamp and individual lights are activated, and in a distress operating mode wherein the individual lights are red in color and set to blinking, and in an emergency mode wherein a loudspeaker and radio distress beacon are activated. |
| US08117675B2 |
Waterproof panty
A pretty, stylish and comfortable waterproof panty that has a unique design technique of rolled over welded seams. The rolled over welded seam will inhibit the leaking of bodily fluids at the leg openings caused by stitching and wicking. The panty has an outer shell and an inner panty layer. The outer shell a continuous cut formed of a soft blend laminated fabric. It is liquid proof, breathable, hypo-allergenic, stain resistant, and elastic. It is cut to form a waist opening and two leg openings. If desired stretchable lace or elastic side portions can be provided. The inner panty lining is a breathable soft blend fabric and includes a front portion, back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion is double layered for added dryness. The inner panty layer is cut to the full design of the panty having a waist opening and two leg openings. This over all design provides the user peace of mind and security with a stylish, lightweight, comfortable, waterproof panty. |
| US08122491B2 |
Techniques for physical presence detection for a communications device
Techniques are provided for determining a physical presence setting. First information is received indicating whether a physical token of a user is detected with respect to a device associated with the user. The physical presence setting for the user with respect to the device is determined in accordance with the first information. |
| US08122489B2 |
Secure handling of stored-value data objects
An approach to managing stored-value data objects, such as electronic tickets, comprises secure systems and procedures for ticket issuing, storage, and redemption. With these systems and procedures in place, stored-value data objects may be securely transferred to remote systems, such as a user's personal electronic device, for subsequent secure redemption, thus allowing the user to gain access to the desired goods or service upon redeeming the data object. Techniques provide secure delivery of the requested data object to the requesting device, and provide secure redemption and disposal of the data object. Ticket issuing systems may be Internet-accessible systems, and users may purchase and redeem tickets using mobile terminals or other devices adapted for wireless communication. Standardized WPKI and Internet access procedures may be employed in ticket issuance and redemption. Techniques further provide temporary and rapid verification data objects useful where rapid ticket verification is essential, such as mass transit systems. |
| US08122488B2 |
Media file distribution system and method
A file distribution method and system for distributing media files to authorized recipients. The method and system exploit the advantages of peer-to-peer file distribution protocols, such as BitTorrent, while maintaining security and control over the file distribution. A server farm containing a plurality of servers is placed behind the security of a distribution system, preventing unauthorized client devices from accessing the media files stored on the server farm. Media files are fragmented and stored on each of the plurality of servers within the server farm. Each server on the server farm features at least one IP address and each server is pre-seeded with a complete copy of the fragmented media file. Fragments are distributed to requesting authorized clients in accordance with a peer-to-peer file distribution protocol. |
| US08122487B2 |
Method and apparatus for checking proximity between devices using hash chain
A method of measuring round trip time (RTT) includes: chain-hashing at least one random number to create a plurality of hash values; (b) transmitting one of the created hash values to a device and starting to measure RTT of the device; and (c) receiving from the device a response to the transmitted hash value and ending the RTT measurement, thereby performing a more effective proximity check than a conventional proximity check requiring encryptions and decryptions of several tens of times through several thousands of times. |
| US08122483B2 |
Document file, document file generating apparatus, and document file usage method
A document file is configured to restrict, without a costly special-purpose terminal or the like, use of document data contained therein, if the document data is taken out of a predetermined location. A document file contains (i) electronic document data, (ii) usage location information indicating one or more usage locations in which use of the electronic document data is less restricted, and (ii) a data management program that causes, when a user requests use of the electronic document data, a computer to request for user location information indicating the current location of the user. Under control of the data management program, use of the electronic document data is permitted within a first usage pattern, if the user location is included in the usage locations. If not, use of the electronic document data is prohibited or permitted within a second usage pattern which is more restricted than the first usage pattern. |
| US08122481B2 |
System and method for permission management
The present invention discloses a system and a method for permission management, and a permission management server. The system includes: a privacy owner terminal, for providing a privacy owner's privacy; a privacy management system, for obtaining the privacy owner's privacy provided by the privacy owner terminal; a privacy inquiry terminal, for inquiring about the privacy owner's privacy from the privacy management system and further obtaining an privacy inquirer's privacy provided by the privacy management system; a permission management server, for determining whether to grant a privacy inquirer to obtain the privacy owner's privacy according to a predetermined privacy permission rule when the privacy inquirer inquires about the privacy owner's privacy via the privacy inquiry terminal. |
| US08122478B2 |
Method and system for interactive multimedia
A high capacity interactive multimedia system is provided that can deliver large number of concurrent video on demand and high speed data streams in an integrated fashion to a plurality of subscribers located at one or more subscriber sites. A video server module in the system generates a plurality of video on demand streams, which are transported via a high capacity transport system to a plurality of clients located at a subscriber site. A web server in the system stores data, such as web pages, which are also transported via the high capacity transport system to the clients. By accessing the web pages, a plurality of subscribers interact with the system via the clients. The interactive multimedia system controls and monitors in a centralized fashion the hardware and software components of the system, thus assuring the quality of the video and data services provided to the subscribers. |
| US08122477B1 |
System and method for video distribution
A method and system for a Virtual Video Store (VVS) System for distributing video. Shown is an on-premise locked storage vault or remote video rental storefront vault, wherein multiple purchased copies are physically placed in the vault and at least one is digitally stored. The vault contains a plurality of copies of a title which titles have been purchased. The VVS Digital Encoder System would store the titles into the video server storage unit so that the vendor could get multiple plays from a single digitally stored copy. Content control is provided prior to storage in the Administration Database Server for the Middleware. Also, Cover Art is provided for scanning prior to storage in the video server storage unit. Meta Data is input into the Administration Database. The Movie ID number is input into the Virtual Video Store System Database Control Server to allow Database and Control Exchange. Unlike the VOD model, the VVS utilizes a purchase and rent model whereby, just like a video store, copies become unavailable when all virtual copies are in use. The distribution network provides data into various viewer control and display system outlets including a Set Top Box for TV viewing, a laptop computer, mobile phones or PDA's or home theaters. Various modules provide practical user operational functions and emphasis is placed on providing a “certifiable” software tracking system and business model. |
| US08122476B2 |
System and method for reducing interlace artifacts during trick mode playback
A system and method for reducing interlace artifacts during trick mode playback of pre-encoded content. The system and method operate a decoder to receive a video signal, configured as frames, with each frame having a plurality of interlaced fields, and to provide a video output in interlaced format or trick mode format. When operating in a normal mode, the decoder provides the video output in the interlaced format. When operating in trick mode, the decoder is instructed to use one of the fields of a frame as a reference field, and outputs a video output frame in the trick mode format where both fields of the video output frame are the same as the reference field. The video signal can be a streaming video or read from a medium. |
| US08122472B2 |
User interface presenting enhanced video content information associated with video programs
Providing interactive access to video programming and video content information in a multimedia system. A processing device of the multimedia system receives video content information associated with video programming that is to be broadcast. The video content information includes at least video identification information and video content information. The display device of the multimedia system presents a first interface image that presents the video content information for one of the video programs of the video programming. In response to viewer input, a second interface image is displayed on the display device presenting video content information for another one of the video programs of the video programming or for more detailed information associated with the video program. In this manner, the viewer can conveniently navigate through the video content information and identify information that is useful in selecting a program to watch. |
| US08122471B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and downloading setup information
Multiple channel maps are embedded in a television transmission and the appropriate-channel corresponding to the particular television service used by the viewer is downloaded for use with the television receiver. Each channel map is accompanied by a channel map identifier which identifies the source of the television transmission and a geographic identifier. The source of a television transmission is automatically detected by monitoring the radio-frequency spectrum allocations of telecast stations. The geographic area identifier is determined by comparison with a user inputted geographic area identifier. The channel map having a channel map identifier corresponding to the detected television transmission source and the user inputted geographic area identifier is downloaded and stored for future use. |
| US08122470B2 |
Method for providing an electronic program guide based on user preference data
An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an electronic program guide based on user preference data collected at different time intervals in a day. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store first and second sets of user preference data collected at respective first and second time intervals in a day, and a processor operative to enable display of an electronic program guide including a list of channels. The channels are arranged in the list based on one of the first and second sets of user preference data. |
| US08122467B2 |
Open API video system and method of making and using same
A video player unit, system and method, and a video hierarchy. Included are at least one memory device, a plurality of communication access points for receiving at least one program play, an open application programming interface associated with the at least one memory device, wherein a plurality of applications correspondent to the open application programming interface allow a user to manipulate metadata associated with ones of the programs plays, wherein the metadata relates to interframe interactivity with detailed aspects of the ones of the program plays, and at least one correlation engine in communication with the open application programming interface, wherein the at least one correlation engine provides for correlation among at least the interframes of the program play to ones of the interframes of other ones of the program plays. |
| US08122466B2 |
System and method for updating digital media content
A system and method for updating digital content are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure enable updating of content on digital media by dynamically presenting specialized selected content from a global computer network, e.g., the Internet, or other stored digital medium. The system and method provide for reading at least one identifier of at least one media content; transmitting the at least one identifier to a remote server; receiving at least one indication of updated supplemental content related to the at least one media content from the remote server; and presenting the received at least one indication to a user. In one embodiment, the at least one indication is a menu of at least one selectable item. The at least one item may be a movie preview, a movie segment, a web page, an ecommerce website, a product preview, a document or an audio file. |
| US08122465B2 |
Watermarking to set video usage permissions
A digital watermark in video includes a plural-bit payload that sets different permissions governing usage of the video. One bit, for example, may flag whether fast-forwarding of the video is permitted. Another may flag whether storage in non-encrypted form is permitted. A compliant video appliance governs its actions in accordance with such flag data provided by a video watermark detector. |
| US08122463B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection device for optical disk drive
An ESD protection device for a disk drive comprises a guide at two inner sides of the disk drive. A conductive sponge, one end contacting the case and the other protruding end contacting one of two conductive rails, is disposed in one guide. A hook is formed at one end, jutting out of the disk drive, of the rail. The rails support two sides of the tray, having electric elements disposed thereon and its bottom being covered by a conductive traverse cover, sliding. A conductive elastic stopper disposed at the bottom tray has an indentation formed at the front end to position the hook on the indentation's moving path, a contact part bent to electronically connect to the cover next to the indentation, and a sliding part formed at the rear end by protruding upwards to electronically connected to the rail, to electronically connect to the cover and the rail. |
| US08122459B2 |
Engine agnostic interface for communication between game engines and simulations systems
A software architecture is provided that has an agnostic interface mechanism coupled between a simulator and a game engine. The agnostic interface mechanism has an extension interface to translate simulator specific data objects to/from interface objects, a reflector interface to translate interface data objects to/from game specific objects, a launcher interface to translate interface control objects for controlling the game engine into game specific control objects, and a core control coupled between the extension interface and the reflector and launcher interfaces for controlling the communication of objects between the simulator and the game engine. The core control through the reflector and launcher interfaces provides game specific objects to the game engine through direct application programming interface (API) calls. |
| US08122458B2 |
Device communication interface system
The device communication interface obtains a device driver corresponding to a device connected to the input and output interface from a server on a communication network via a communication interface, and outputs information, which is input via the input and output interface and the device driver from the device, via the communication interface to the server on the communication network, and/or outputs information, which is received via the communication interface from a server on the communication network, via the device driver and the input and output interface to the device. |
| US08122452B2 |
Swap cap resource control for use in virtualization
A method of implementing virtualization involves an improved approach to virtual memory management. An operating system includes a kernel, a resource control framework, a virtual memory subsystem, and a virtualization subsystem. The virtualization subsystem is capable of creating separate environments that logically isolate applications from each other. The virtual memory subsystem utilizes swap space to manage a backing store for anonymous memory. The separate environments share physical resources including swap space. When a separate environment is configured, properties are defined. Configuring a separate environment may include specifying a swap cap that specifies a maximum amount of swap space usable by the separate environment. The resource control framework includes a swap cap resource control. The swap cap resource control is enforced by the kernel such that during operation of the separate environment, the kernel enforces the swap cap specified when the separate environment was configured. |
| US08122448B2 |
Estimation method and system
A time estimation method and system. The method comprises performing a loop of one or more iterations. Each iteration is for calculating a remaining time duration (RD) for completing a process for performing tasks. The loop is performed until the RD equals zero. Each iteration comprises receiving first data related to a plurality of objects associated with the process. A time to complete each object of the plurality of objects (POT) is calculated based on the first data. A number of objects of the plurality of objects remaining in the process (OR) is calculated based on the first data. Second data related to a plurality of work units is received. The plurality of work units is comprised by the plurality of objects. Each work unit is associated with a different task of the tasks. The RD is calculated based on the POT, the OR, and the second data. |
| US08122447B2 |
Firmware installation
A firmware bundle is download to a non-operational storage area without changing a live copy of firmware in a device. The firmware bundle is downloaded in order to reboot the device to deploy one or more downloaded firmware packages from the non-operational storage area to the device, launch an Early Boot Installer manager to spawn and monitor the status of one or more Early Boot Installer processes contained in the firmware bundle download, determine in parallel whether a firmware install to one or more subsystems of the device is desire, and install the downloaded firmware package in parallel to one or more subsystems of the device. |
| US08122444B2 |
Legacy application decommissioning framework
A legacy application decommissioner provides developers a tool to decommission and migrate legacy application functionality in a phased approach. The decommissioner identifies core web services that invoke legacy applications through an accessibility layer that monitors operator interaction with the application. The decommissioner then defines, creates, and deploys a web service that provides control over the operation of the legacy application. As a result, the functionality of the legacy application may be migrated to a new platform and architecture and the legacy application decommissioned so that organizations may continue to realize a return on their significant investment in the creation of the legacy application. |
| US08122442B2 |
Method and system for array optimization
A method for transforming access to a structure array, that includes compiling source code, wherein compiling the source code includes identifying the structure array in the source code, performing an object safety analysis to determine whether the structure array is safe for transformation, wherein the object safety analysis includes an inter-procedural alias class analysis, performing a profitability analysis on the structure array when the structure array is safe for transformation, wherein the profitability analysis includes selecting a transformation from a plurality of transformations, wherein the plurality of transformations includes a pointer based fully splitting transformation, a pointer based partially splitting transformation, and an address based fully splitting transformation, and performing the selected transformation on the structure array, and storing the compiled code. |
| US08122441B2 |
Sharing compiler optimizations in a multi-node system
Embodiments of the invention enable application programs running across multiple compute nodes of a highly-parallel system to compile source code into native instructions, and subsequently share the optimizations used to compile the source code with other nodes. For example, determining what optimizations to use may consume significant processing power and memory on a node. In cases where multiple nodes exhibit similar characteristics, it is possible that these nodes may use the same set of optimizations when compiling similar pieces of code. Therefore, when one node compiles source code into native instructions, it may share the optimizations used with other similar nodes, thereby removing the burden for the other nodes to figure out which optimizations to use. Thus, while one node may suffer a performance hit for determining the necessary optimizations, other nodes may be saved from this burden by simply using the optimizations provided to them. |
| US08122440B1 |
Method and apparatus for enumerating external program code dependencies
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for enumerating program code dependencies is provided. According to an embodiment of the invention, a user selects or otherwise indicates a code base to be processed and analyzed for the purpose of enumerating those program code modules required by the code base in order to properly compile and execute the code base. Next, the code base is processed in accordance with instructions designed to mirror those of a compiler for compiling the code base. Accordingly, external program code dependencies are identified using compile time compilation parameters, as well as extensive programming language analysis. |
| US08122438B2 |
Computer implemented method and system for accurate, efficient and adaptive calling context profiling
Computer implemented method, system and computer usable program code for profiling the execution of an application that is both space- and time-efficient and highly accurate. A computer implemented method for profiling the execution of an application includes sampling execution characteristics of the application at a plurality of sampling points to provide samples, and deriving a calling context of the samples. The application is continuously executed between sampling points while additional profiling data is gathered. |
| US08122437B2 |
Method and apparatus to trace and correlate data trace and instruction trace for out-of-order processors
In a data processing system, a marked bit is used to identify a data access instruction throughout the pipeline to indicate that the instruction meets user-specified criteria (e.g., a meets a data address range of interest). Based on the marked bit, an in-order program correlation message is generated which indicates when the data access instruction occurs relative to the instruction stream. The marked bit is also used to generate an in-order data trace message. As a result, the trace streams including only data access instructions meeting user-specified criteria may be post-processed and correlated precisely. |
| US08122435B2 |
Operating status monitoring program, method and device
An operating status monitoring device detects execution of a machine instruction included in an execution module that is obtained by translating a source program into machine language, specifies a step in the source program corresponding to the detected machine instruction with reference to a definition list that stores correspondence between each step in the source program and a machine instruction in the execution module, updates a data table, which defines correspondence between a step position in the source program and the execution count of the step, by adding the execution count of the specified step in the data table, and outputs an operating status map in which execution count of each step can be visually recognized by arranging unit marks and by changing a displaying pattern of each unit mark in response to the execution count. |
| US08122434B2 |
Methods and apparatus for control configuration control objects associated with a track attribute for selecting configuration information
The invention provides improved apparatus for configuring a control system that includes a model that is made up of one or more objects representing one or more devices in the system. The objects have parameters reflecting characteristics of the devices represented by the respective objects. At least one of those parameters is associated with a “track” attribute indicating whether at least selected configuration information transferred from that object to the respective device in the control system is to be logged to a change tracking system. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. Those downloads can go directly to the respective devices or can go indirectly, e.g., via other devices in the control system (such as controllers, field bus modules, and so forth). Regardless, the download service according to this aspect of the invention generates for logging by the change tracking system indicia of that transferred configuration information. Generation of those indicia is governed, at least in part, by the “track” attribute associated with one or more of the parameters with which the transferred information is associated. |
| US08122432B2 |
Rule management using a configuration database
A method is presented that enables custom applications to embed rule authoring capabilities. In one embodiment, the method includes: imbedding a rule picker into an existing software application; presenting a choice of rules to be implemented in the existing software application, wherein a business vocabulary context defines and limits the choice of rules that is presented; and integrating a selected rule, from the choice of rules, into the existing software application. The business vocabulary context may be determined by a business vocabulary of the existing software application, wherein the business vocabulary is composed of software objects that describe a current session of the existing software application. The business vocabulary context may be defined as a name of a category that is passed to a rule creation engine by a rule picker in an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), such that a rule picker tag may be rendered in the IDE. |
| US08122427B2 |
Decentralized system services
A Decentralized System Services (DSS) architecture defines a framework for building fault-tolerant distributed applications across decentralized and heterogeneous systems. DSS enables “complexity through composition” by defining distributed designs as compositions of limited function and observable services which may be quickly and dynamically assembled to perform higher level functions. DSS defines a standardized interaction between distributed services using sessionless, asynchronous communications with explicit failure semantics. Accounting for latency, failure and state management all become a natural part of the design process. DSS includes a runtime implementation for managing concurrent services—the Common Concurrency Runtime (CCR), a protocol for service interactions—the Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP), and a set of required service behaviors which provide for composibility, location independence, and fault tolerance—Distributed Protocol Oriented Programming (DPOP). DSS also includes a set of base level infrastructure services which make it easy to communicate, secure, distribute, debug, and store content across devices. |
| US08122425B2 |
Quality software management process
A quality management framework system and method for operating a quality plan in a product development organization having quality objectives. The system includes a plurality of computer implemented tools accessible by users for operating a plurality of quality processes. Data relative to the quality processes is collected and aggregated to generate quality reports. Reports are analysed and problems are detected through a defect prevention process. Quality actions are initiated in a feedback quality management action tracking process. |
| US08122424B2 |
Automatic natural language translation during information transfer
Content is transferred from one computer resource to another by enabling automatic cutting-and-pasting in a destination first, source second sequence, a user selecting insertion points in the contents of a destination computer resource, followed by the user selecting information elements in a source computer resource, subsequently automatically intercepting transfer of the selected information elements to the destination, determining which intercepted information elements are expressed in a natural language not matching a user-specified natural language, invoking a rule management user interface to allow the user to define an action to be taken, performing the specified language handling actions on the intercepted information elements, and transferring translated information elements to the destination computer resource. |
| US08122421B2 |
System, and method, and computer readable medium for designing a scalable clustered storage integrated circuit for multi-media processing
An integrated circuit includes a clustered memory storage subsystem. The integrated circuit utilizes a baseline design that supports a scalable number of memory clusters. The number of storage devices within an individual memory cluster may also be selected to adjust the memory capacity. A single baseline design of a clustered memory storage subsystem design is customized for a particular integrated circuit with the number of memory clusters and storage devices within memory clusters selected for the memory requirements of a particular application. The design and verification costs to fabricate different versions of the integrated circuit are thus reduced. |
| US08122417B2 |
Method and system for the modular design and layout of integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (IC) and fabrication method thereof is provided that include the steps of specifying a plurality of required tile modules suitable for a particular end application, each of the modular tiles being configured to perform a predetermined function and constructed to have approximately the same length and width dimensions. The modular tiles are used to form the IC in a standard IC fabrication process. In many implementations, physical layout of the IC does not include the step of routing. Capabilities also include configuring the modular tiles to have programmable performance parameters and configuring the modular tiles to cooperate usefully with one another based on a programmable parameter. |
| US08122416B2 |
Arrangement verification apparatus
An arrangement verification apparatus that makes it possible to shorten a time it takes to complete a failure/no-failure test on the arrangement of control circuits that control block circuits is provided. The arrangement verification apparatus arranges block circuits to be controlled comprising a semiconductor device and control circuits that control the block circuits over a predetermined floor and conducts a failure/no-failure test on the arrangement of the control circuits. The arrangement verification apparatus includes: a floor plan generation unit that arranges block circuits over a floor based on circuit specifications; a grouping generation unit that hierarchically groups the block circuits arranged over the floor and control circuits described in the circuit specifications based on a predetermined requirement to generate a group tree; a control circuit arrangement unit that arranges the control circuits over the floor according to a predetermined condition and the group tree generated at the grouping generation unit; and a failure/no-failure test unit that conducts a failure/no-failure test on the arrangement of the control circuits by the control circuit arrangement unit. |
| US08122409B2 |
Method and device for selectively adding timing margin in an integrated circuit
A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications. |
| US08122408B2 |
Circuit verification method for verifying circuit with timing information and logic information in library cell
A circuit verification method propagates a fixed logic value from a black-box circuit block without logic information to a subsequent-stage circuit, by taking into consideration timing information. |
| US08122407B2 |
Method and system for implementing pattern matching of integrated circuit features using voronoi diagrams
A method for implementing pattern matching of integrated circuit features includes computing Voronoi edge regions for both a reference configuration and a search space of an integrated circuit design to be searched and presenting the computed Voronoi edge regions of the reference configuration to a user; receiving one or more selected bisectors of the Voronoi computed reference configuration from the user, indicative of user identified salient regions of design shapes and/or corners to be searched, so as to define one or more search elements, wherein a search element comprises a given bisector and a pair of Voronoi edge regions bounded thereby; constructing a search pattern from the one or more search elements defined from the reference configuration; examining the search space for matching sequences with respect to the search pattern; and highlighting resulting matching patterns in the search space for the user. |
| US08122404B2 |
Performing a statistical timing abstraction for a hierarchical timing analysis of VLSI circuits
A method for performing a hierarchical statistical timing analysis of an integrated circuit (IC) chip design by abstracting one or more macros of the design. The method includes performing a statistical static timing analysis of at least one macro; performing a statistical abstraction of the macro to obtain a statistical abstract model of the macro timing characteristics; applying the statistical abstract model as the timing model for each occurrence of the macro leading to a simplified IC chip design; and performing a hierarchical statistical timing analysis of the simplified chip design. The method achieves a context aware statistical abstraction, where a generated statistical abstract model is instantiated for each macro of the chip during statistical static timing analysis at the chip level, providing a compressed and pruned statistical timing abstraction and reducing the model-size during the statistical abstraction. |
| US08122403B2 |
Trace containment detection of combinational designs via constraint-based uncorrelated equivalence checking
Methods and systems are provided for producing more efficient digital circuitry designs by identifying trace-containment for a sequential circuitry design netlist through the use of constraint-based uncorrelated equivalence checking. A set of candidate input netlist sets n1 and n2 is first uncorrelated and then submitted for equivalence checking. Mismatches discovered during the equivalence checking are avoided by imposing constraint to the input set until discovering an equivalency relationship between the input sets n1 and n2. |
| US08122402B2 |
Equivalence checking method, equivalence checking program, and generating method for equivalence checking program
To provide a checking method that utilizes a test bench for a circuit model, which will serve as a fundamental for equivalence checking of a circuit to be newly developed for the fundamental circuit model. In order to check the equivalence of a model to be verified using a sample model a circuit of which has been described in a predetermined language and a test vector generation model for the sample model, a process for writing an output from the sample model test vector generation model into an input FIFO group for each signal of the sample model with the same timing as that of the sample model while the sample model is inputting/outputting a signal from/to the sample model test vector generation model with cycle accuracy and a process for reading data from the input FIFO group with the same operation timing as that of the model to be verified and outputting the data to the model to be verified are carried out. The output of the sample model and the output of the model to be verified are written into an output FIFO pair group for each corresponding signal name and coincidence judgment is carried out for a pair output for each written signal name. |
| US08122399B2 |
Compiler for closed-loop 1×N VLSI design
Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements. |
| US08122398B2 |
Conversion of circuit description to an abstract model of the circuit
A system and method is disclosed for converting an existing circuit description from a lower level description, such as RTL, to a higher-level description, such as TLM, while raising the abstraction level. By changing the abstraction level, the conversion is not simply a code conversion from one language to another, but a process of learning the circuit using neural networks and representing the circuit using a system of equations that approximate the circuit behavior, particularly with respect to timing aspects. A higher level of abstraction eliminates much of the particular implementation details, and allows easier and faster design exploration, analysis, and test, before implementation. In one aspect, a model description of the circuit, protocol information relating to the circuit, and simulation data associated with the lower level description of the circuit are used to generate an abstract model of the circuit that approximates the circuit behavior. |
| US08122397B2 |
Method and system for mapping source elements to destination elements as interconnect routing assignments
Aspects for optimized mapping of source elements to destination elements as interconnect routing assignments are described. The aspects include utilizing chosen rules to establish a priority for mapping, and generating mapping assignments based on the priority. The mapping assignments are recursively refined to converge on an optimized solution. |
| US08122391B2 |
Method, program product and apparatus for performing double exposure lithography
A method of generating complementary masks based on a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate for use in a multiple-exposure lithographic imaging process. The method includes the steps of: defining an initial H-mask corresponding to the target pattern; defining an initial V-mask corresponding to the target pattern; identifying horizontal critical features in the H-mask having a width which is less than a predetermined critical width; identifying vertical critical features in the V-mask having a width which is less than a predetermined critical width; assigning a first phase shift and a first percentage transmission to the horizontal critical features, which are to be formed in the H-mask; and assigning a second phase shift and a second percentage transmission to the vertical critical features, which are to be formed in the V-mask. The method further includes the step of assigning chrome to all non-critical features in the H-mask and the V-mask. The non-critical features are those features having a width which is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical width. The non-critical features are formed in the H-mask and the V-mask utilizing chrome. The target pattern is then imaged on the substrate by imaging both the H-mask and V-mask. |
| US08122388B2 |
Phase-shifting masks with sub-wavelength diffractive optical elements
The present invention discloses a method of designing a set of two tiled masks, as well as, a mask including: a first tile, the first tile being transparent to a light, the first tile having a first characteristic linear dimension that is 15% or less of a wavelength of the light; a second tile, the second tile being transparent to the light, the second tile having a second characteristic linear dimension that is 15% or less of the wavelength of the light; and a third tile, the third tile being opaque to the light, the third tile having a third characteristic linear dimension that is 15% or less of the wavelength of the light. |
| US08122387B2 |
Optimizing integrated circuit chip designs for optical proximity correction
A method of physical design for integrated circuit (IC) chip fabrication, physical design system and program product therefor. A design shape is fragmented into segments for Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) and a harmonic mean of the segments is determined. Electrical intent is determined for the shape and a harmonic mean is determined for the segments. Segments may be moved based on a effect on the harmonic mean from moving the segments, measured using a harmonic mean cost function. Finally segmented shapes are passed to OPC. |
| US08122386B2 |
Dummy pattern placement apparatus, method and program and semiconductor device
The load of OPC processing (especially, the load of bias processing) has been increasing due to optical effects involved in the placement of a dummy pattern. A pattern placement apparatus places dummy patterns in a layout region where a plurality of wiring patterns is placed. The pattern placement apparatus comprises: a placement region setting section that sets a placement region, where each of the dummy patterns should be placed, in an intermediate region between the adjacent wiring patterns at substantially constant intervals to the adjacent writing patterns; and a pattern placement section that places the dummy pattern in the placement region. |
| US08122383B2 |
System and method for photo album creation using television
A system and method for classifying photographs using a TV and a remote control, and then subsequently searching for previously classified photos. A multi-level GUI that includes a “who” GUI operable to classify a photograph according to a proper name of a person appearing in the photograph and a “what” GUI operable to classify a photograph according to a name or genre of a subject associated with the photograph are provided. A user of the remote control navigates through levels of the GUI to classify photographs provided to the TV without having to manually type in text using alphabet keys. |
| US08122381B2 |
Context debugger
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for user a context debugger. A computer-implemented method of displaying information on a computer display device includes loading data into a context hierarchical data structure into memory during an execution of a business software application, the context hierarchical data structure comprising an arrangement of nodes and attributes, and displaying a first view on the display device during the execution, the first view comprising the context hierarchical data structure and data. |
| US08122377B2 |
Preserving user interface customizations while upgrading an enterprise application
In an embodiment, a system for preserving user interface customizations while upgrading an enterprise application is provided. The system preserves customizations by identifying customizations made to user interface (“UI”) objects of an enterprise application, and enabling these UI customizations to function with a newer version of the enterprise application. The system transforms UI customizations so that the transformed UI customizations function with a new UI model. By enabling a portion of an enterprise application to be upgraded while preserving UI customizations, the system dramatically reduces the time and cost incurred by companies when they upgrade enterprise software. |
| US08122376B2 |
Manipulating toolbar component dimensions
Systems and methods for manipulating toolbar dimensions are provided. Each toolbar includes a number of toolbar components each having a first and second representation and the toolbar is associated with a reference value. As the toolbar dimensions are adjusted, if the reference value for the toolbar is between a first and second size thresholds, the toolbar is adjusted and displayed relative to the reference value while maintaining the relative position of the toolbar components displaying a first representation to each other. Alternatively, if the reference value for the toolbar is not between the first and second size thresholds, the toolbar is adjusted and displayed relative to the reference value while maintaining the relative position of the toolbar components displaying a second representation to each other. |
| US08122372B2 |
Method and system for rendering web pages on a wireless handset
A wireless handset and a method and system for a wireless handset that better enable a user of the wireless handset to identify, select and view objects on a web page. Objects from a web page are rendered on a wireless handset display as selectable panels in perspective views. The rendering of objects from a web page as selectable panels in perspective views allows a web page designed for rendering on a display of a conventional Internet capable device to fit within a much smaller display of a wireless handset while maintaining the relative position, visibility, selectability and natural appearance of the objects. |
| US08122367B2 |
Automated publishing system that facilitates collaborative editing and accountability through virtual document architecture
The present invention automates the publishing of financial, legal, and governmental documents and any other publications that are structured and require compliance with corporate or external standards and may share content elements. It gives users control in an always-on, familiar environment: the Internet. Due to its virtual document architecture and ability to operate over the Internet and intranets, the system facilitates collaborative work and traces accountability. The key concept behind automating publishing is to control scheduling and costs by better content management. The present invention handles document content as small, reusable components, down to the paragraph and table cell level. The interface helps users assemble documents from these version-controlled components with automated support. The system applies context and filtering criteria stored with each component to locate and apply content fragments to a current document. The system of the present invention can apply structural rules and content requirements to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company business rules. A working virtual document within the system always incorporates the current version of all constituent elements. |
| US08122363B1 |
Presence status indicator
Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data between users of a communication system by delivering an e-mail message from a sender to at least one recipient and indicating the online state of at least one of the sender and any other recipient of the e-mail message upon opening of the e-mail message by the recipient. |
| US08122359B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for topological display of user interface elements
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for topological display of user interface elements. An input/output module receives the selection of a UIE. A topology display module displays a topology view of the selected UIE and a child UIE of the selected UIE. A relationship display module displays a modified navigation relationship indicator (NRI) for each navigation relationship between UIEs wherein at least one UIE in the navigation relationship comprises modified functionality, a new NRI for each navigation relationship between UIEs wherein at least one UIE in the navigation relationship comprises new functionality, and an existing NRI for each navigation relationship between UIEs wherein no UIE in the navigation relationship comprises modified functionality. The modified functionality may comprise plug-in functions and upgraded functions. The new functionality may comprise a new object. |
| US08122358B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying user comment
A communication management technology of improved convenience is provided. A game apparatus includes: a registration unit which registers other terminals accessible through a network as participants to notify each other's status to; a status information acquisition unit which acquires information indicating the statuses of the registered terminals through the network; a list display unit which displays a list of the registered terminals on a screen; and a comment display unit which displays a user-selected terminal distinctively from the rest of the list, and if information indicating the status of the terminal includes any comment from a user of the terminal to a user or users of a terminal or terminals by which the terminal is registered as a participant of notification, displays the comment on the screen. |
| US08122357B2 |
Method and apparatus for interfacing between devices in home network
A method of interfacing between devices in a home network control device includes dividing a screen into at least two areas, assigning a predetermined contents service function to each of the divided screen areas, sensing the position of the screen that an external device approaches and the distance between the screen and the external device reproducing content, and performing the contents service function differently between devices for each screen area according to the position of the screen that the external device approaches and the distance between the screen and the external device. |
| US08122351B2 |
Document edit device and storage medium
A document edit device includes: an object obtaining unit that obtains objects each being data expressing at least one of a text and an image which are included in a document as an edit target to be edited; an object selection unit that selects at least two target objects from among the objects obtained by the object obtaining unit, the target objects each being an object as a processing target to be processed; a golden rectangle forming unit that forms a golden rectangle having a predetermined positional relationship with at least one target object of the at least two target objects selected by the object selection unit, based on a size or position of the at least one target object; and a position change unit that changes positions of the at least two target objects such that they are inscribed to the golden rectangle formed by the golden rectangle forming unit. |
| US08122347B2 |
Document editing support device, program, and storage medium
A document editing support device includes: an object obtaining unit that obtains at least one object as data representing at least one of a text and an image included in a document as a target to be edited; a split ratio storage unit that stores a predetermined split ratio; a reference line setting unit that extracts two lines from at least one of a circumscribed polygon and a boundary and sets the extracted lines as reference lines, the circumscribed polygon being of an object other than a target object, a location of which is to be determined relative to at least one object obtained by the object obtaining unit, and the boundary being of a layout area where objects are to be located in the document; a virtual line generation unit that generates a virtual line that splits an interval between the two reference lines set by the reference line setting unit, at a split ratio stored in the split ratio storage unit; and a location unit that determines a location of the target object, the location of which is to be determined, along the virtual line generated by the virtual line generation unit, within the layout area. |
| US08122346B2 |
Methods and systems for merging software-level objects with document-level objects in a document publishing environment
Methods and systems are disclosed for generating, managing, and publishing documents based on document level objects and software level objects. In one aspect, a method is provided for managing documents in a computing system environment. The method includes identifying a placeholder object included in a document having a document level object, the placeholder object having metadata corresponding to a software level object. Software level object content is identified in response to a query message and is included within a response to the query message. A format of the software level object content included in the response is transformed into a second format based on a second set of constraints, and merged in the document based on the placeholder object. An output document may be generated such that the transformed software level object content replaces the placeholder object in the output document. |
| US08122344B2 |
System and method for rapid document conversion
A method and a system for converting a document in a streamed manner, for more rapid transmission and display of each part of the document as that part is converted. The system and method are preferred for operation in environments with limited bandwidth and/or display capacity, such as for wireless handheld devices, for example. Such devices cannot easily receive large amounts of data, and also typically have relatively small display screens. Thus, the user is able to quickly receive and display each part of the document after being converted, rather than waiting for the entire document to be converted and then transmitted before any part is displayed. The system and method are particularly useful for modular file formats, such as word processing document file formats, in which each module of a file can only be fully interpreted with regard to at least one other module. |
| US08122343B2 |
System for creating a reusable list, saving it in a clipboard, and accessing a current document version by selecting a hyperlink on the list
A computer system that allows a user to select one or more of the documents that are listed in a summary view of documents and creates a list of the selected documents. Advantageously, for each selected document, the list includes document summary data pertaining to the selected document and a hyperlink to the selected document. |
| US08122340B2 |
System and method for management of common decentralized applications data and logic
Enables a computer-assisted management of enterprise-network files of interest, and trouble-free migration of enterprise-wide business data and processes currently built and maintained in two popular tools, spreadsheets (commonly MICROSOFT® EXCEL®) and desktop/departmental databases (commonly MICROSOFT® ACCESS®). Includes: File-system repository that lists each file of interest and describes in detail design and intent information for each spreadsheet and desktop/departmental database; Utilities that keep the file-system repository complete and up to date; Simplified Enterprise Application Repository (SEAR) configured to store descriptions of simple “enterprise” applications; Repository Application that manage both the file-system repository and SEAR; Utilities that read enterprise database meta-data (such as table definitions) and store them in SEAR; Utilities that analyze spreadsheets and desktop/departmental databases in the file repository and restate them as simple “enterprise” applications in SEAR; Utilities that generate well-documented and well-programmed enterprise relational databases and applications from simple “enterprise” applications descriptions in SEAR. |
| US08122338B2 |
Distinguishing and displaying tables in documents
A method, a client terminal and a computer program for presenting on a display a (X)HTML document which includes a table. The table in the (X)HTML document is examined and determined to be a true table or a non-true table. If the table is determined to be a true table, the content of the table, including its table structure, is presented on the display. If the table is determined to be a non-true table, the table is formatted by rejecting the table structure, and the content of the table is presented as a linear structure on the display. The invention is particularly suitable for presenting HTML documents, including tables, on a client terminal with a display with a limited number of horizontal pixels, such as a mobile telephone or a PDA. |
| US08122337B2 |
Apparatus and method for navigating a multi-dimensional database
A computer readable storage medium comprises executable instructions to provide a Graphical User Interface for displaying visualizations of a multi-dimensional database. An action is received within a visualization of a table of the multi-dimensional database, the action performed by a user when selecting a cell of the table. A slice in the visualization is populated in response to the action. The visualization is filtered to drill down on dimensions associated with the cell. |
| US08122335B2 |
Method of ordering and presenting images with smooth metadata transitions
A method (100) of generating an ordered sequence of items from a collection of items, at least one of the items of the collection having at least two annotations, is disclosed. The method (100) selects one or more of the annotations and forms a first plurality of groups of items from the collection of items, each item in a group having one or more of the selected annotations in common. The method (100) selects a second plurality of the groups of items to form a sequence of groups, each group in the sequence comprising an item having at least one annotation in common with an item of at least one adjacent group of the sequence. The items are ordered within each of the selected groups of the sequence based on the selected annotations. |
| US08122334B2 |
Parity error detecting circuit and method
A parity error detecting circuit includes a first operation unit, a second operation unit, and a shift register. The first operation unit receives a serial data signal and a first signal, performs a logic operation on the two received signals, and outputs the result of the logic operation as the first signal in response to a first clock signal. The shift register shifts the first signal in response to the first clock signal and outputs a second signal. The second operation unit receives the first signal and the second signal, performs a logic operation on the two received signals, and outputs the result of the logic operation in response to a second clock signal. |
| US08122330B2 |
Rate-adaptive forward error correction for optical transport systems
An optical transport system (OTS) having a plurality of optical transponders (OTs) connected via one or more optical links and adapted to communicate with one another using respective rate-adaptive forward-error-correction (FEC) codes. In one embodiment, the OTS has a rate control unit (RCU) adapted to configure the OTs to dynamically adjust the rates of the FEC codes based on an estimated performance margin for each link between two respective communicating OTs to optimize the overall capacity of the OTS while maintaining an adequate, but not excessive, overall system margin. |
| US08122325B2 |
Forward error correction for 64b66b coded systems
A network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method that comprises applying a forward error correction (FEC) algorithm to a plurality of data blocks to generate a plurality of redundancy data, encapsulating an integer number of the data blocks and the redundancy data in an FEC codeword, and transmitting the FEC codeword, wherein the codeword is about evenly aligned with a transmission clock time quanta to have a transmission rate. A method comprising selecting an FEC algorithm that generates a plurality of redundancy data from a plurality of data blocks, selecting an EEC codeword that encapsulates an integer number of the data blocks, and selecting a synchronization pattern to add to the FEC codeword such that an integer number of the FEC codewords are evenly aligned with an integer number of transmission clock time quanta. |
| US08122324B2 |
Error correction coding apparatus
An error correction coding apparatus is disposed to generate a low-density parity-check code 16 from an input information sequence 15 by using a low-density parity-check matrix which satisfies a predetermined weight distribution, and includes a low-density parity-check matrix output means 13 for forming the above-mentioned low-density parity-check matrix by continuously arranging a number of rows in each of which the same number of cyclic-permutation matrices as the row weight are arranged, the number of rows satisfying the above-mentioned predetermined weight distribution, and then gradually increasing or decreasing the row weight, and for outputting the above-mentioned low-density parity-check matrix. |
| US08122322B2 |
System and method of storing reliability data
Systems and methods of storing error correction data are provided. A method may include storing data at a first memory having a first non-volatile memory type. The method may also include determining error correction data related to the stored data. The method may further include storing the error correction data at a second memory having a second non-volatile memory type. The first non-volatile memory may have a slower random access capability than the second non-volatile memory. |
| US08122320B2 |
Integrated circuit including an ECC error counter
An integrated circuit includes a memory array and an error correction code (ECC) circuit configured to provide a first signal indicating whether data read from the memory array has been corrected by the ECC circuit. The integrated circuit includes a mimic circuit configured to provide a second signal indicating whether the first signal is valid and a counter configured to increment in response to the second signal indicating the first signal is valid and the first signal indicating an error. |
| US08122318B2 |
Decoding apparatus and method for a perfect difference-set cyclic code and a difference-set cyclic code
A decoding apparatus includes a decoder register for receiving data having a codeword including null data bits, and decoding the received data while shifting Bit Under Decoding (BUD) by one bit. A connection unit outputs a check result by applying a predetermined check equation to the data output from the decoder register. A majority logic unit for determines if an error is detected according to the check result output from the connection unit, and outputs the determination result. An error information unit determines if there is an error in the received data and if there is an uncorrectable error in the decoded data. |
| US08122315B2 |
LDPC decoding apparatus and method using type-classified index
Provided is a low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoding apparatus and method using a type-classified index. The apparatus includes: a memory allocating unit for multiplying reception data by an estimated channel value and storing a multiplied value in a memory including a plurality of memory block; an index storing unit for storing a Read Only Memory (ROM) index, an address index and a permutation index for the stored data; a check node updating unit for bring the stored data in parallel based on the ROM index, the address index, and the permutation index and updating a check node; and a bit node updating unit for updating a bit node based on the data stored in the memory and check node information updated in the check node updating unit. |
| US08122314B1 |
Defect recovery for iteratively-decoded data channel
In iterative decoding, a data recovery scheme corrects for corrupted or defective data by incorporating results from a previous decoding iteration. In one embodiment, a final multiplexer selects between the final detector output or a previous detector output based on the absence or presence of defective data. In another embodiment, the branch metrics for the defective data, which otherwise would be combined with a priori LLRs from an outer decoder of a prior stage, are ignored so that the a priori LLRs themselves are used alone. The two embodiments can be used together. |
| US08122304B2 |
JTAG controlled self-repair after packaging
An integrated circuit containing memory includes IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) controlled self-repair system that permits permanent repair of the memory after the integrated circuit has been packaged. The JTAG controlled self-repair system allows a user to direct circuitry to blow fuses using an externally supplied voltage to electrically couple or isolate components to permanently repair a memory location with JTAG standard TMS and TCK signals. The system may optionally sequentially repair more than one memory location using a repair sequencer. |
| US08122302B2 |
Semiconductor device having adaptive power function
In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes at least one circuit element configured to generate output data. At least one control circuit is configured to adaptively control a power of the output data based on feedback from a receiving semiconductor device, which receives the output data. |
| US08122301B2 |
Performing remote loads and stores over networks
A network adaptor which performs CPU loads and stores to remote memory over network fabrics. The network adaptor receives a transfer request from a compute node and converts the request to a remote transfer request, which is transmitted to the network. The network adaptor then monitors the network connection for a remote completion response. When the network adaptor receives the remote completion response within a specific time period, the network adaptor transmits a first completion response to the compute node. If the network adaptor does not receive the remote completion response within the specific time period, the network adaptor transmits an “early completion response” to the compute node. The network adaptor continues to monitor for the actual response. This allows the compute node to continue processing without having to wait for the actual response to be received. The method handles small payloads efficiently and also accounts for long completion delays. |
| US08122299B2 |
System and method for in-line error correction for storage systems
The present invention provides a method and system for performing in-line error correction in a disk storage system. The system includes an error correction (ECC) module; and a first memory storage device, wherein the first memory storage device and the error correction module simultaneously receive data from a storage disk before being buffered for transfer to a host system. The ECC module provides error correction mask before any data is transferred from the first memory storage device to a second memory buffer. |
| US08122291B2 |
Method and system of error logging
Method and system of error logging. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including detecting assertion of an error pin by a processor system, (comprising at least a main processor and a chipset, the assertion of the error pin an indication to reboot the processor system) the detecting by a reset circuit, notifying a management processor (distinct from the main processor) that the error pin is asserted (the notifying by the reset circuit), writing to a plurality of registers in the chipset (the writing by the management processor), de-asserting a reset pin of the main processor, and then executing by the main processor an error-handling code to generate an error log. |
| US08122288B2 |
Redundant system, control apparatus, and control method
A redundant system includes a redundant apparatus and a control unit that controls power supplied to the redundant apparatus. The redundant apparatus includes a state management unit that manages an operational state of the redundant apparatus, and a response unit that returns the operational state to the control unit. The control unit includes a first requesting unit that requests a redundant apparatus that operates as an operation system for the operational state information, a first determination unit that determines whether the response to the request is returned within a predetermined time, a second determination unit that determines whether the operational state is normal if the response is returned within the predetermined time, and a shutdown unit that shuts down the power supply to the redundant apparatus, if the second determination unit determines that the operational state is not normal. |
| US08122286B1 |
Technique for increasing the number of persistent consistency point images in a file system
An on-disk storage arrangement increases the number of persistent consistency point images (PCPIs) that may be maintained for a volume of a storage system. The on-disk storage arrangement comprises a novel volume information (volinfo) block representing a root of the volume; the volinfo block is stored at predefined locations on disk and comprises various system wide configuration data. The volinfo block further comprises a data structure configured to provide a level of indirection that increases the number of PCPIs maintainable by a file system executing on the storage system. To that end, the data structure may be organized as an array of pointers, wherein each pointer references a block containing a snapshot root, thereby enabling efficient access to each PCPI maintained by the file system. |
| US08122284B2 |
N+1 failover and resynchronization of data storage appliances
Reciprocal data storage protection is combined with “N+1” hardware provisioning and on-demand resynchronization to guarantee full data availability without impairing performance. Pairs of nodes are identified that act as backups for each other, where each node stores a secondary copy of data allocated to its reciprocal, paired node. A single extra node is brought online to take over the role of a failed node and assumes the role of the primary node it replaced. |
| US08122283B2 |
Communications path status detection system
A network failover apparatus and method for use in a client-server system. The method includes establishing at least a first and further path between a client and a server. The first path connects the server to the client through a first network and a first interface of the client and the further path connects the server to the client through a further network that is separate from the first network and a further interface of the client. The method also includes reaching the server through the first interface, detecting that the server is no longer reachable through the first interface, and identifying the first interface as failed. The method also includes reaching the server through the further interface after the first interface is identified as failed, testing the first interface to determine whether the server is reachable while the server is reachable through the further interface, and reestablishing a connection to the server through the first interface. |
| US08122280B2 |
Method and system for providing high availability to computer applications
A set of system-level high availability services for computer systems, including a service that functions in general terms like an extension of the operating system. By providing High Availability (HA) at the system-level, modifications to the applications or the operating system kernel are not required. |
| US08122270B2 |
Voltage stabilization for clock signal frequency locking
A processor, system, and method are disclosed. In an embodiment, the processor includes a first site and a second site. There is a link to transmit a voltage stabilization signal from the second site to the first site. In the first site voltage correction logic can dynamically modify a voltage supplied to the first site and second site. In the second site there is logic to assert the voltage stabilization signal. After asserting the voltage stabilization signal, the second site is granted at least a window of time in which the supplied voltage to the second site does not change. |
| US08122267B2 |
Power control circuit for hard disk drive
A power control circuit for a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a first control circuit, a second control circuit, a first connector connected to a power supply, the first and second control circuits, and a second connector connected to the first control circuit and the HDD. The power supply outputs a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to the first and second control circuits via the first connector. The first control circuit converts the first and second voltage signals into a form compatible with a timing sequence of the HDD receiving voltage signals, and outputs the first and second voltage signals to the HDD via the second connector. The second control circuit controls the first control circuit. |
| US08122266B2 |
Powered communications interface providing low-speed communications between power-sourcing equipment and powered device in non-powered operating mode
A powered communications interface in a power-over-Ethernet (POE) system has a non-powered operating mode in which it withholds operating power from a powered device and applies relatively low signaling voltages and currents to the conductors of the Ethernet cable which include (a) first signaling voltages and currents of a detection/classification operation, and (b) second signaling voltages and currents of a low-speed communications operation by which the power-sourcing equipment and the powered device exchange operational information. The low-speed communications from the power-sourcing equipment to the powered device are conveyed by values and sequencing of the second signaling voltages, and low-speed communications from the powered device to the power-sourcing equipment are conveyed by values and sequencing of the second signaling currents conducted by the powered device in response to the second signaling voltages from the power-sourcing equipment. Frame-based communications protocols or lookup-table-based communications may be used. |
| US08122265B2 |
Power management using adaptive thermal throttling
In some embodiments, a chip includes a scheduler, transmitters, receivers, and control circuitry. The schedule schedules signals to be transmitted outside the chip and the transmitters transmit the scheduled signals outside the chip. The receivers receive signals including signals with temperature information related to a temperature outside the chip. The control circuitry selectively limit a number of commands that can be scheduled within a series of smaller windows while checking the temperature information near the conclusion of a larger window comprising many smaller windows. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08122264B2 |
Power-state change as a function of direction of right-to-use status change
The present invention provides a computer-implemented limited right-to-use business method. In response to a command to change the right-to-use status of at least a first component, the right-to-use status of said processor is changed in a direction either from reserved to available or from available to reserved. Then, the power state of the component can be changed as a function of that direction. |
| US08122263B2 |
Application executing device, managing method, and program
A BD-ROM stores a disc root certificate 301 that is issued by a root certificate authority and assigned to the disc medium. An application manger 2 acquires a hash value from the disc root certificate 301 and verifies the authenticity of an application by using the hash value. If the authenticity is verified, the virtual machine 3 executes the application. A local storage 5 has a plurality of domain areas. Form among the plurality of domain areas, a security manger 4 allocates to the application a domain area that corresponds to the hash value. |
| US08122262B2 |
Semiconductor device including encryption section, semiconductor device including external interface, and content reproduction method
A secure LSI device 1 includes an encryption section 2 for encrypting a program, and an external I/F 50 for inputting/outputting a program or data from/to an external memory 100. In the encryption section 2, the operation of a private key arithmetic processing section 20 is prohibited with respect to a sequence whose execution is determined by a key-generation/update sequencer 30 to be impermissible. In the external I/F 50, a program processing section 51 and a data processing section 55 are structured independently from each other. |
| US08122258B2 |
System and method for secure operating system boot
There is provided a method for operating a basic input/output system (BIOS) of a pay-as-you go computer system. In one example embodiment, the method includes periodically resetting a watchdog timer, wherein failure to reset the watchdog timer indicates a security violation. In another example embodiment, the method also includes comparing a first time count representing motherboard use time with a second time count representing hard drive use time to determine if a security violation has occurred. There is also provided a pay-as-you-go computer system having a BIOS configured to determine if a hard drive is password protected. In an example embodiment, the BIOS is configured to calculate a password to unlock the hard drive if the hard drive is password protected. |
| US08122257B2 |
Audio-based, location-related methods
The presently claimed technology relates generally to audio-based, location-related methods. One claim recites a method in which a microphone in a user's portable device captures ambient sound, and corresponding data is then processed to determine location information about the user's location. Action is then taken involving the determined location information. By such arrangement, location information is determined by reference to ambient sound captured by a user-carried portable device. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08122256B2 |
Secure bytecode instrumentation facility
A secure bytecode instrumentation facility, wherein a new code fragment is registered in an encrypted registry by first extracting a digital certificate from a specified code fragment location. A certification authority (CA) in the digital certificate is compared against a list of registered trusted certification authorities in the registry. If the CA is in the registry list, the code fragment origin in the digital certificate is compared against a list of registered trusted origins in the registry. If the code fragment origin is in the registry list, a determination is made as to whether the code fragment is authentic. If so, the information of the code fragment is recorded into the registry. The injection of code fragments may begin upon the initialization of the instrumentation facility if the encrypted registry has not been corrupted since last accessed, and if the code fragment content matches code fragment information in the registry. |
| US08122254B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method thereof
It is simpler to manage an electronic signature on a It is simpler to manage an electronic signature on a server. On the contrary, authentication in a paper is more conveniently managed by a serverless system. However, data embedded in a document relies on an authentication system and security system. In view of this, a security data extraction unit separates electronic data into security data and non-security data. An image arrangement unit arranges the non-security data on a paper surface and converts it to readable image data. An encryption processing unit encrypts the security data. An authentication program generation unit generates an authentication program that executes authentication using authentication data. A package unit packages the encrypted data and the authentication program. A background embedding unit generates background image data where the package data is embedded in a background pattern. An output image generation unit synthesizes the background image data with the readable image data, and generates encrypted image data. |
| US08122252B2 |
Cascaded digital signatures
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for methods and apparatuses for generating digital signatures of digital contracts, such as digital health care contracts. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for generating and using cascading digital signatures to identify a digital contract, enabling the digital contract's integrity to be assured, and rendering the digital contract non-repudiative. |
| US08122250B2 |
Authentication in data communication
Method of authenticating a client comprising the steps of sending a subscriber identity to an authentication server; obtaining at least one challenge and at least one first secret to the authentication server based on a client's secret specific to the client; forming first credentials; forming a first authentication key using the at least one first secret; encrypting the first credentials using the first authentication key; sending the at least one challenge and the encrypted first credentials to the client; forming an own version of the first authentication key at the client; decrypting the encrypted first credentials using the own version of the first authentication key. In the method, the encrypted credentials are sent together with the at least one challenge to the client so that the client can proceed authentication only if it can derive the first secret from the at least one challenge. |
| US08122249B2 |
Method and arrangement for providing a wireless mesh network
Provided are a method and an arrangement for creating a wireless mesh network in which a new node is provided that is connected between mesh nodes and an AAA server located in an infrastructure network. Based on basic encoding data that is available to the new node following successful initial authentication of a first mesh node, the new node performs the authentication similar to a proxy server instead of an AAA server, particularly for a limited time, during subsequent authentication attempts. |
| US08122247B2 |
Processing method for message integrity with tolerance for non-sequential arrival of message data
One example embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for processing an application packet for transmission, includes breaking the application packet into a plurality of segments, creating first pseudorandom bits, and generating partial tags based on each of the plurality of segments and portions of the first pseudorandom bits associated with each of the plurality of segments. The method further including combining the partial tags including a last partial tag associated with a last segment of the application packet to create an accumulated tag, generating an authentication tag based on the accumulated tag and second pseudorandom bits, storing the authentication tag, and transmitting the plurality of segments including the authentication tag. |
| US08122244B2 |
Secure management of configuration parameters in a computing platform
A computing platform (10) protects system firmware (30) using a manufacturer certificate (36). The manufacturer certificate binds the system firmware (30) to the particular computing platform (10). The manufacturer certificate also stores configuration parameters and device identification numbers. A secure run-time platform data checker (200) and a secure run-time checker (202) check the system firmware during operation of the computing platform (10) to ensure that the system firmware (30) or information in the manufacturer certificate (36) has not been altered. Application software files (32) and data files (34) are bound to the particular computing device (10) by a platform certificate (38). Configuration parameters may be stored in a data file (34) with an associated platform certificate (38). |
| US08122239B1 |
Method and apparatus for initializing a system configured in a programmable logic device
Method and apparatus for initializing a system configured in a programmable logic device (PLD) is described. In some examples, the method includes: initializing memory elements in the system with first data; executing a first iteration of the system to process the first data; partially reconfiguring the PLD, during execution of the first iteration, to initialize shadow memory elements in the PLD with second data, the shadow memory elements respectively shadowing the memory elements in the system; transferring the second data from the shadow memory elements to the memory elements; and executing a second iteration of the system to process the second data. |
| US08122236B2 |
Method of disseminating advertisements using an embedded media player page
A method of disseminating advertisements includes the step of transmitting to a media device an embedded media player page for playing a media file. The embedded media player page allows a user of the media device to create a bookmark for a browser. The bookmark points to the embedded media player page. The bookmark includes an address of the media file as a parameter. When the bookmark is used in the browser to play the media file, the embedded media player page instructs the media device to request an advertisement from an advertisement server for display in the embedded media player page. |
| US08122235B2 |
System and method of delaying power-up of an information handling system
A system and method of delaying power-up of an information handling system is disclosed. According to an aspect, a method of powering an information handling system can include detecting a delay power-up setting within a basic input output system (BIOS) of a particular information handling system using a management controller. The management controller can be configured to delay power-up of the particular information handling system. The method can further include enabling a power-up of the particular information handling system in response to the delay power-up setting using the management controller. |
| US08122230B2 |
Using a processor identification instruction to provide multi-level processor topology information
Embodiments of an invention for using a processor identification instruction to provide multi-level processor topology information are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes decode logic and control logic. The decode logic is to receive an identification instruction having an associated topological level value. The control logic is to provide, in response to the decode logic receiving the identification instruction, processor identification information corresponding to the associated topological level value. |
| US08122226B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic partial reconfiguration on an array of processors
A method and apparatus for dynamic partial reconfiguration on an array of processors. The method includes the steps of verifying if a processor is ready for dynamic partial reconfiguration to begin, deciding the degree of dynamic partial reconfiguration, including the number and identity of all processors to be modified, executing native machine code in the port of a processing device, and modifying a segment of the internal memory of said single processing device. Additional embodiments allow modification of multiple processors in the array, including the modification of all processors on a die or system. The apparatus includes a processor array having a first group of processors connected together for performing a first task, and a second group of processors connected together for performing a second task with at least one processor connected to said first group of processors and said second group of processors for facilitating communications between said first group of processors and said second group of processors without participating in said first task and said second task. In an embodiment of the apparatus, this one processor dynamically reconfigures the array. Additional embodiments allow additional processors to aid in the reconfiguration. |
| US08122222B2 |
Access speculation predictor with predictions based on a scope predictor
An access speculation predictor may predict whether to perform speculative retrieval of data for a data request from a main memory based on whether a scope predictor indicates whether a local or global request is predicted to be necessary to obtain the data for the data request. In particular, a first address and a scope predictor may be extracted from a first data request. A determination may be made as to whether a memory controller receiving the first data request is local to a source of the first data request or not. Speculative retrieval of the data for the first data request from a main memory may be controlled based on whether the memory controller is local to the source of the first data request and whether the scope predictor identifies whether a local or a global request is predicted to be necessary. |
| US08122220B1 |
Memory usage in imaging devices
Imaging devices incorporating semi-volatile memory are described herein. According to various embodiments, a communication interface may receive image data that is stored in a semi-volatile NAND flash memory device divided into three regions. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08122215B1 |
Method and apparatus for verifying memory contents
A system and method of verifying a content of a non-volatile reprogrammable memory communicatively coupled to a microprocessor is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of reading at least some of the data stored in the non-volatile reprogrammable memory, computing a value related to contents of the non-volatile reprogrammable memory, and comparing the value with a stored integrity value. The apparatus comprises a microprocessor, a non-volatile reprogrammable memory communicatively coupled to the microprocessor via a first communication path, the non-volatile memory for storing microprocessor program instructions, and a logical module, communicatively coupled to the non-volatile memory via a communication path independent from the first communication path, the logical module for verifying the data stored in the non-volatile reprogrammable memory by comparison of the contents of the non-volatile reprogrammable memory with a stored integrity value. |
| US08122212B2 |
Method and apparatus for logical volume management for virtual machine environment
Logical volume management for storage subsystem in virtual machine environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage system comprises a storage subsystem including a processor, a memory, one or more virtual disks, and one or more logical disks each corresponding to a physical storage area in the storage subsystem; and a host computer connected with the storage subsystem via a network, the host computer including virtual machines running thereon, the virtual machines each being connected to at least one of the virtual disks or logical disks in the storage subsystem. In the storage subsystem, abstract disks each represent one of the virtual disks or logical disks. An abstract disk management table is stored in the memory of the storage subsystem to manage a relationship between the abstract disks and the one or more virtual disks and between the abstract disks and the one or more logical disks. |
| US08122209B1 |
Diskless storage device
A diskless storage device includes a volatile memory and at least one director, coupled to the volatile memory, that receives data for the diskless storage device and provides the data to the volatile memory. The at least one director provides logical storage device functionality without using non-volatile memory. The logical storage device functionality may include addressing tracks, blocks, and cylinders of logical storage devices of the diskless storage device. The volatile memory may include a plurality of slots and where data is stored in the slots. Data may be stored in unused ones of the slots and/or slots marked for reuse. |
| US08122207B2 |
Apparatus and method for power management of memory circuits by a system or component thereof
An apparatus and method are provided for communicating with a plurality of physical memory circuits. In use, at least one virtual memory circuit is simulated where at least one aspect (e.g. power-related aspect, etc.) of such virtual memory circuit(s) is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the physical memory circuits. Further, in various embodiments, such simulation may be carried out by a system (or component thereof), an interface circuit, etc. |
| US08122205B2 |
Structured virtual registers for embedded controller devices
Techniques for using structured virtual registers in embedded systems are described. A virtual register structure definition provides a map of virtual registers within an embedded controller. The virtual registers are externally accessible and correspond to memory locations within the embedded controller. In various embodiments, an embedded controller and/or an external entity may store data in or read data from the virtual registers using the virtual register structure definition. The problems of manual tracking of virtual register addresses and manual transcription of virtual register addresses to program code are ameliorated. When the virtual register map changes, logical references in program code to particular virtual registers need not necessarily be changed. |
| US08122196B2 |
System and procedure for rapid decompression and/or decryption of securely stored data
A procedure and system reduces latency in restoring encrypted or compressed and encrypted data through a security appliance. The security appliance is coupled to a sequential access device and is configured to encrypt or compress and encrypt data provided by an initiator for secure storage on a sequential access device. To that end, the security appliance intercepts a read request issued by an initiator to access the data stored on the device, and forward the request to the device. Upon return of the requested data from the device, the security appliance restores (decrypts or decrypts and decompresses) the data prior to returning it to the initiator. The appliance also issues a “read ahead” (retrieve beyond the request) request to the device for predetermined amount of additional data for caching on the appliance. The appliance restores the read ahead data that is returned from the device and caches that additional data in memory in anticipation of one or more subsequent read requests for the data from the initiator. |
| US08122190B1 |
Method and system for reconfigurable memory-based permutation implementation
Memory-based permutation methods and systems are provided for the permutation of data. The memory-based permutation methods and systems provide flexibility and reconfigurability while reducing size and increasing speed. They provide the ability to program a memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), to implement a permutation of source data. The RAM may be reprogrammed to change the permutation pattern thereby providing the flexibility to implement any pattern of permutation from source data to output data and the reconfigurability to change that implementation as desired. Also, the size of the RAM is greatly reduced, and as the input and output data width and number of input and output data bits increase, the size and complexity of the RAM does not increase greatly or exponentially, as with typical conventional systems. |
| US08122188B2 |
Method of controlling refresh operation in multi-port DRAM and a memory system using the method
A multi-port memory system includes a shared memory bank, and a refresh controller coupled to the shared memory bank, and configured to selectively apply refresh commands from multiple processors to the shared memory bank. |
| US08122185B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring the useful life of solid-state storage devices
A non-volatile solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory device, maintains usage statistics reflective of the wear state, and thus the remaining useful life, of the subsystem's memory array. A host system reads the usage statistics information, or data derived therefrom, from the subsystem to evaluate the subsystem's remaining life expectancy. The host system may use this information for various purposes, such as to (a) display or report information regarding the remaining life of the subsystem; (b) adjust the frequency with which data is written to the subsystem; and/or (c) select the type(s) of data written to the subsystem. |
| US08122183B2 |
Data managing method for flash memory and flash memory device using the same
A data management method for a flash memory apparatus, entailing a step for handling a plurality of flash chips, a step for enabling the flash chips in sequence, and a step for updating the first data in the first block on the first flash chip among the flash chips. Additionally there is a step for updating f writing of the first new data corresponding to the first data into a second block in a second flash chip among the flash chips, and a step merging the first block and the second block, wherein both of the first new data and the first data are corresponding to a first logical block address. |
| US08122182B2 |
Electronically addressed non-volatile memory-based kernel data cache
An operating system on a computer system can comprise a user space, which can comprise a persistent data store, and a kernel space, which can be extended by loading kernel modules. As provided herein, the kernel space can utilize kernel designated electronically addressed non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory) to cache data from the user space persistent store, for example, upon a boot event. The kernel space can further comprise a cache controller that can be used to populate the kernel electronically addressed non-volatile memory with kernel in-memory data caches that comprise user space persistently stored data. In one embodiment, the kernel space can further comprise kernel designated volatile main memory (e.g., RAM), which can be used in conjunction with the kernel electronically addressed non-volatile memory to cache user space persistently stored data. In this way, kernel modules may access user space persistent store data from the RAM and/or electronically addressed non-volatile kernel cache. |
| US08122177B1 |
Direct memory access technique for use with PCIe endpoints
An integrated circuit (“IC”) includes a peripheral component interconnect express (“PCIe”) root complex having a central processing unit (“CPU”), a memory controller configured to control a main memory of a PCIe system, and a PCIe port coupled to a PCIe endpoint device through a PCIe switch. The PCIe endpoint device is configured to initiate data transfer between the main memory and the PCIe endpoint device. |
| US08122176B2 |
System and method for logging system management interrupts
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system is provided. The information handling system may include a plurality of processors, each processor comprising multiple cores, a memory system coupled to the plurality of processors, and a controller coupled to the plurality of processors. The controller may be configured to: receive a local system management interrupt (SMI) signal regarding an error associated with at least one of the multiple cores, determine that the received local SMI signal triggers a global SMI based on a global SMI trigger rule, cause the plurality of processors to enter a global system management mode (SMM), and log the error in a shared resource shared by the plurality of processors during the global SMM. |
| US08122172B2 |
Portable information security device
The invention discloses a portable information security device in the security field. In order to solve the problem that the USB Key transfers data at low speed and may occupy more CPU resources with USB master/slave protocol, and to meet the demand on development of the next generation of interface technology, the invention provides a portable security device, based on serial ATA protocol, comprising an eSATA interface unit, a memory unit, a privilege management unit, an algorithm unit and a control unit. |
| US08122168B2 |
Method for implementing concurrent producer-consumer buffers
A method and a system for implementing concurrent producer-consumer buffers are provided. The method and system in one aspect uses separate locks, one for putter and another for taker threads operating on a concurrent producer-consumer buffer. The locks operate independently of a notify-wait process. |
| US08122167B1 |
Polling in a virtualized information handling system
A software thread is dispatched for causing the system to poll a device for determining whether a condition has occurred. Subsequently, the software thread is undispatched and, in response thereto, an interrupt is enabled on the device, so that the device is enabled to generate the interrupt in response to an occurrence of the condition, and so that the system ceases polling the device for determining whether the condition has occurred. Eventually, the software thread is redispatched and, in response thereto, the interrupt is disabled on the device, so that the system resumes polling the device for determining whether the condition has occurred. |
| US08122164B2 |
Information processing apparatus having first DMA controller and second DMA controller wherein selection circuit determines which DMA will perform data transfer based on higher data transfer performance
Provided is an information processing apparatus and method of controlling same in which, when data transfer is performed among a plurality of control circuits, which control circuit is used to execute data transfer is controlled appropriately based on the transfer conditions of data transfer. To accomplish this, the apparatus has first and second control circuits, a request for data transfer performed between the first and second control circuits is acquired, the transfer conditions of the acquired data transfer are analyzed and which of the first and second control circuits is to execute the data transfer is selected. |
| US08122163B2 |
Communication system and its method and communication apparatus and its method
This invention relates to a communication system including a first apparatus having a first storage medium, and a second apparatus for transmitting data to the first apparatus, the second apparatus comprising: a second storage medium for storing management information of data to be transferred to the first storage medium; communication means for communicating data with the first apparatus; edit means capable of editing the management information; and control means for making a control to transfer data stored in the second storage medium to the first storage medium by way of the communication means on the basis of the management information edited by the edit means. |
| US08122161B2 |
Associating and evaluating status information for a primary input parameter value from a profibus device
A method and system are disclosed for managing Profibus device information in a distributed control system. After receiving input parameter data originating from a Profibus device message, the I/O module assembly performs steps for processing, maintaining and providing the input parameter data to a requesting control processor. The processing step includes extracting input parameter values from a received Profibus device message. The extracted input parameters are then deposited in a repository on the I/O module assembly, such that for a primary input parameter, the I/O module assembly stores at least: (1) a measured value, and (2) a status value. Furthermore, the I/O module assembly maintains a reference linking the first status parameter to the first input parameter. The I/O module assembly provides a data status value with the measured value for the first input parameter in accordance with an I/O read operation. The data status value is based on the status value for the first status parameter. |
| US08122160B2 |
Dual mode displayport (DP) and high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) transmitter configured to transmit video and/or audio signals in DP or HDMI according to mode signal
A system and method for dual mode DP and HDMI transmission are provided. Briefly described, one embodiment of a dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter, among others, can be implemented as follows. The dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter comprises a driver circuit controlled by a data signal. The dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter also comprises a control circuit coupled to the driver circuit. The control circuit is configurable to transmit the data signal in a DP mode or a HDMI mode according to a mode signal. One embodiment of a method, among others, comprises: receiving a mode signal; determining whether to configure the dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter for transmitting in a DP mode or an HDMI mode based on the received mode signal; and configuring a dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter in accordance with the determination. |
| US08122152B2 |
Systems and methods for network user resolution
Systems and software that enable mapping of a particular network transaction with a specific computer and user in an organization. The network packet may be a live in-transit packet, or a packet that occurred at some time in the past. In a particular implementation, a database currently comprises a collection of records containing fields for username, computer name, IP address of the computer, and logon time. A name resolution is performed by taking an IP address and time as input, and determining from the records in the database what user's computer owned the IP address at that time. |
| US08122147B2 |
Method for acknowledgement of messages in a star network
A method of communicating node status in a star network comprising a hub and a plurality of nodes comprises sending a first message to the hub from a first node included in the plurality of nodes; forwarding the first message from the hub to at least one second node included in the plurality of nodes; communicating status information to the hub from the at least one second node after receiving at least a portion of the first message at the at least one second node; compiling a status vector based on the status information received from each of the at least one second nodes; and sending the status vector from the hub to at least the first node. |
| US08122131B2 |
Takeover processes in security network integrated with premise security system
An integrated security system is described comprising a gateway located at a first location. The gateway includes a takeover component that establishes a coupling with a first controller of a security system installed at the first location. The security system includes security system components coupled to the first controller. The takeover component automatically extracts security data of the security system from the first controller. The gateway automatically transfers the security data extracted from the controller to a second controller. The second controller is coupled to the security system components and replaces the first controller. |
| US08122130B2 |
Access control system and method for wireless application provisioning
A method for controlling access to content on a network, the method comprising the steps of associating access credentials with content to be published for download receiving a content download request from a mobile device, the content download request including access information, matching the received access information with the published content access credentials to permit access to the published content and allowing the permitted content to be downloaded by the mobile device. |
| US08122129B2 |
Hash-based resource matching
In various embodiments, techniques can be provided for identifying and filtering network resources. The filtering may occur not only on the type of network traffic (e.g., HTTP traffic) but also with resources identified by the network traffic. In some embodiments, one or more hash functions may be used to facilitate the identification, searching, and matching of network resources. The network resources may be identified as a unique domain, unique network host, unique URL, or the like. |
| US08122126B2 |
Device status notification device
There is provided a device status notification device that notifies a notification destination, which is connected to a network, of a status change in a device connected to the network through the network. The device status notification device includes a notification destination information table in which a notification destination, to which the status change in the device is notified in a case where there is the status change in the device, is registered, a notification destination validity checking unit that checks whether the notification destination registered in the notification destination information table exists with validity, and a registration deleting unit that deletes the notification destination, of which valid existence cannot be checked by the notification destination validity checking unit, from the notification destination information table. |
| US08122125B2 |
Deep packet inspection (DPI) using a DPI core
Illustrated is a system for performing Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) that includes a core to prepare a data packet for transmission. Further, the system includes a memory controller to direct the data packet to a DPI core. Additionally, the system includes a Network Interface Card to receive the data packet for transmission after DPI is performed on the data packet by the DPI core. The system includes a Direct Memory Management module to update a descriptor that references a received data packet stored in an Operating System buffer. Moreover, the system includes an Input/Output Memory Management Unit to direct the descriptor to be stored in a DPI memory. Additionally, the system includes an interrupt controller to transmit an interrupt to the DPI core to such that the DPI core retrieves the descriptor from the DPI memory and performs DPI on the data packet stored in the OS buffer. |
| US08122124B1 |
Monitoring performance and operation of data exchanges
A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests are provided. A client computing component associated with a client computing device identifies an original resource request and associates a record identifier with the original resource request. The client computing component transmits the original resource request and the associated record identifier to a performance measurement component. The client computing component also determines performance data associated with processing the original resource request. In response to the transmission from the client computing component, the performance measurement component further transmits the original resource request and also monitors performance associated with processing the original resource request as well as any embedded resource requests included in a response to the original resource request. The performance measurement component and the client computing component each transmit the determined performance data associated with the record identifier to a processing component for further analysis. Aspects of systems and methods for monitoring the operation and performance of networked devices are provided. In some embodiments, performance measurement components are provided for network client and/or network content providers. Performance measurement components may transmit performance data to a metric processing component. |
| US08122123B2 |
System and method for monitoring business performance using monitoring artifacts
A method (and system) of monitoring business performance using a monitoring artifact includes processing an incoming event using the monitoring artifact. |
| US08122122B1 |
Event monitoring and collection
Embodiments of the invention provide systems, software and methods for monitoring events on a computer. In a set of embodiments, a monitoring application monitors events on a monitored computer. Each of the monitored events may be analyzed, and based on the analysis, some or all of the monitored events may be collected. A variety of rules may be used in analyzing events. In some cases, collected events can be queued, for example, by storing a representation of each collected event in an event cache. When connectivity with a monitoring computer is available, a connection with the monitoring computer may be established, and/or the queued events may be transmitted to the monitoring computer. In a particular set of embodiments, the monitoring application is designed to avoid detection by a user of the monitored computer. |
| US08122120B1 |
Failover and failback using a universal multi-path driver for storage devices
An embodiment of the invention is a technique to manage failover and failback. A failover of a first path is detected. The first path corresponds to a first device in a plurality of physical devices having M device types. A connection status of the first device is determined if the failover is detected. The connection status is one of a connected status and a disconnected status. The disconnected status corresponds to the failover. The first path is adjusted according to the connection status. |
| US08122117B2 |
Determining an imbalance among computer-component usage
The present invention is directed to determining an imbalance among computer-component usage. Based on a performance value (e.g. utilization value, response time, queuing delay, Input/Output operations, bytes transferred, work threads used, connections made, etc) that describes a respective computer component among a set of computer components, and an average performance value of the set, a component value of each computer component in the set can be determined. Each component value quantifies a contribution of the usage of a respective computer component toward an imbalanced assignment of computer operations. Component values are information rich and comparisons of component values suggest levels of over-utilization and under-utilization of the computer components. Based on the component values of a set of computer components, decisions can be made as to what portion of computer operations should be reassigned to enable computer operations to be executed in a more balanced manner by the set of computer components. |
| US08122114B1 |
Modular, dynamically extensible, and integrated storage area network management system
A client-server based Storage Area Network (SAN) management system provides easy to use and uniform multiple user interfaces such as web interface and windows interface to the administrators to manage the SAN consisting of various types of devices. The integrated object-oriented management agent consists of several components such as object manager, UI module, web server, user interface modules, error and status handler and device handler. The agent functionality can be dynamically expanded to handle new device types without stopping the existing agent, installing new agent and restarting it. The management system uses conglomerate methods to automatically discover SAN devices and their topology. The error and status from SAN devices are handled in a hybrid method consisting of distributed, hierarchical and centralized schemes. A simple and easy device independent user interface is provided to download firmware to various types of devices hiding complex device dependent processes from the administrator. The system can manage multiple SANs. It can run on various environments such as an appliance, host, in a cluster, or on a client station. Where reliability is required, it can run on a fault tolerant system as well as multiple copies can be run simultaneously. |
| US08122109B2 |
Method and system for dynamic virtual environment migration
An incompatibility problem during a virtual environment migration from a first host to a second host can be addressed by changing a configuration of the virtual environment and/or by migrating the virtual environment to a host other than the second host. A migration advisor module is configured to take such action automatically upon detection of the incompatibility problem. Alternatively, the migration advisor module may take such action with assistance and/or input from an operator. The migration advisor module can change the configuration of the virtual environment by removing unnecessary components of the virtual environment and causing the reconfigured virtual environment to be migrated to the second host. Alternatively, the migration advisor module can cause the virtual environment to be migrated to a third host with sufficient physical system resources to meet the requirements of the virtual environment. |
| US08122103B2 |
Method for controlling a multimedia device from a mobile terminal, corresponding computer programs, multimedia device and server
A method is provided for controlling, via a mobile terminal, a multimedia device for playing back and/or storing multimedia contents, the mobile terminal and the multimedia device being connected to a communications network. The method includes the following steps: the mobile terminal sends to a remote server, via the communications network, at least one request for activating a functionality on the multimedia device; the remote server translates this at least one request made by the mobile terminal into at least one query and transmits this at least one query to the multimedia device via the communications network, and; the multimedia device receives and executes this at least one query. |
| US08122096B2 |
Method and system to determine a user specific relevance score of a message within a messaging system
The present invention refers to a method and system to determine automatically a user specific relevance score of a message within a messaging system in a client-server environment, the message being provided with message specific meta-information. The disclosed method includes analyzing by means of an analyzing component of the client-server environment the meta-information of the message with respect to correlations of the message with other messages, recording and classifying the correlations of the message with the other messages, deriving from such identified and classified correlations a message model reflecting the correlations of the message with the other messages, the messages being represented by accordingly linked nodes, monitoring by means of a monitoring component of the client-server environment how the message is processed, calculating by means of a calculating component a numerical relevance score for the message, the calculation using a user specific ranking scheme and being based on the message model and on the monitored processing, and assigning the calculated numerical relevance score by means of an assigning component of the client-server environment to the respective node within the message model. |
| US08122094B1 |
Methods for performing an action relating to the scheduling of an event by performing one or more actions based on a response to a message
A method for performing an action relating to the scheduling of an event includes sending a message regarding an event from a remote site to a user device. Additionally, the method includes receiving a response to the message from the user device. Furthermore, the method includes performing one or more actions based on the response, where the actions are selected from a group consisting of purchasing a pay-per-view show, scheduling a recording of a user-selected show, and sending a reminder of the event to the user device. A method for scheduling events includes sending a message to a client regarding an event from a remote site, receiving a response at the remote site from the client. Further, the method includes sending a scheduling request or command to the client. Further still, a reminder for the event appears on the client. Additional systems, methods and products are also disclosed. |
| US08122093B2 |
Instant messaging interaction system and method thereof
An instant messaging interaction system and method work by: analyzing communicative information sent by a remote user to create emotional messages and analyzing information about the remote user's identity; storage in a storage module behavior weight value preset and corresponding to the information about the remote user's identity; determining, by a learning module, interactive responses according to the emotional messages and the behavior weight values; outputting, by an output module, the interactive responses; detecting if receiving a feedback signal from an local user; if the feedback signal is not received, the learning module stores the behavior weight value in the storage module; if the feedback signal is received, the feedback module generates a modification value corresponding to different levels of the feedback signal; generating, by the learning module and according to a detection result, modification values for modifying the behavior weight values. As a result, the messaging interaction system is capable of presenting rated interactive responses in a personalized, artificial intelligence-based manner that meets the local user's expectation. |
| US08122088B2 |
Adding personal note capabilities to text exchange clients
The present invention discloses a personal note capability for a text exchange client. A personal note can be a note not transmitted in a dialog between text exchange participants. It can, however, be transmitted in a communication outside the text exchange dialog communication. The personal note can be created and presented within a text exchange window. In one implementation, a user can utilize a special symbol to denote that a personal note follows. For example, a user could enter “ subject globalization program,” into a text output field, where “” is the special symbol, “subject” denotes a category of the personal note, and “globalization program” defines the subject of the text exchange. Personal notes can be stored along with a log of the communication session and used for indexing, searching, and other log management functions. |
| US08122085B2 |
Email transaction system
The present invention provides a method and a system in which, a determination is made in order to determine whether a destination mail server is able to process a number of emails associated with a distribution list. By requesting performance metrics for each destination server, analysis is performed to understand the processing capacity of the destination server. In response to the determined processing capacity of the destination mail server, and the time in which the emails must be sent by, the emails are either sent, or a negotiation is performed with each of the destination servers, to determine an available time. Therefore, each destination server can control the time in which it receives and processes the emails. Therefore, avoiding large amounts of emails ‘hitting’ the destination servers, at a time when the destination servers are already very busy and available processing capacity is of a premium. |
| US08122083B2 |
Client apparatus
A client apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a contents list request transmitting means 401 for transmitting a request of a media server apparatus 101 to transmit a contents list which is a list of metadata of contents, a contents list receiving means 402 for receiving the contents list from the media server apparatus 101, an item list storing means 403 for storing the contents list and an item list having listed items each of which is described as metadata, an item list transmitting means 404 for transmitting the item list to a monitor server apparatus 102, a key input means 405 for receiving a key input, an input key transmitting means 406 for transmitting the key input to the monitor server apparatus 102, and an identification information receiving means 407 for receiving identification information making it possible to uniquely identify each item included in the item list. |
| US08122072B2 |
Content provision system and content provision method
This content provision system includes a creation unit for associating the first content data and the second content data, assigning a common content ID to the first content data and the second content data, and creating management information of all content data configured from the first content data and the second content data based on the attribute information of content data, an analysis unit for analyzing hobby information of a user based on reference information for deciding hobby information of a user, a search unit for searching content data that coincides with the analyzed hobby information of a user based on the management information of all content data, and a provision unit for providing to a user content information that coincides with hobby information of a user based on the searched content data. |
| US08122069B2 |
Methods for pairing text snippets to file activity
A method collects user interface events and file system events to capture text snippets in focus on an output device. The method then pairs the text snippets with related files to build a context graph and discover files associated with a task. |
| US08122068B2 |
Memory management using garbage collection of objects in child scoped memory areas
Mechanisms of memory management in a scoped memory system of a data processing system having a one or more scoped memory areas are provided. The mechanisms identify a set of one or more child scoped memory areas of the scoped memory area for garbage collection. The mechanisms further identify, in each scoped memory area of the set, references to the scoped memory area for garbage collection as root references for objects allocated in the scoped memory area of the scoped memory system, thereby generating a set of root references. The mechanisms also recursively traversing and marking objects that are referenced from the set of root references and that are allocated in the scoped memory area of the scoped memory system and identify objects in the scoped memory area of the scoped memory system that are not so marked. The identified objects are discarded from the scoped memory system. |
| US08122063B2 |
Using status models in a computer system
A design-time status schema model describes the progress of a data object through a computing process. The status schema model includes status variables, processing actions and constraints for performing actions. The status schema model also may describe permitted changes to a status variable in response to performing an action. At runtime, the status schema model is used to control processing performed by, or on, an instance of a data object corresponding to the status schema model. |
| US08122062B2 |
Meta model for an enterprise service architecture
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for using a meta model for an enterprise service architecture. The meta model includes a first class to represent data organization in a back end data store. The first class includes a data type identifier attribute to permit meta data to identify a data type. The meta model also includes a second class associated with the first class. The second class includes a field identifier attribute to permit meta data to identify fields for a particular data type. The meta model also includes a third class associated with the first class. The third class includes an action identifier attribute to permit meta data to identify an action. In some examples, there is a service provider identifier to permit meta data to identify a service provider class that can effect the action. |
| US08122058B2 |
Configuring variables
System and method for creating, configuring, representing, and using variables in programs. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed in response to user input requesting creation and/or configuration of a variable for use in or comprised in one or more programs, e.g., on various devices. User input is received to the GUI configuring attributes of the variable, including: name, data type, and/or scope (e.g., local, global, or network). The configured attributes are stored and optionally displayed, e.g., in a resource tree, and the variable in each of the programs updated in accordance with the configured attributes. When at least one of the programs is incompatible with the configured variable, an error condition may be indicated, e.g., by providing information relating to portions of the program that are incompatible with the configured variable. The program may be modified in response to user input for compatibility with the configured variable. |
| US08122056B2 |
Interactive aggregation of data on a scatter plot
A computer-implemented method, which comprises the following: aggregating a plurality of records in accordance with an aggregation specification, wherein the records are part of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection; graphically representing the records in un-aggregated form; graphically representing the records in aggregated form; and causing the graphical representation of the records to be switched between aggregated form and un-aggregated form based on a user indication. |
| US08122054B2 |
Confidential communications executing multifunctional product
A multifunctional product connected with a plurality of terminals over a network includes an image information obtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storing device that stores the image information in a prescribed location as a document file, and a designating device that designates a prescribed terminal to receive the document file. A file transmission device is provided to transmit the document file to the prescribed terminal simultaneously when the document file storing device stores the image information in the document file. |
| US08122052B2 |
Data model simplification through field fallout
Methods, articles of manufacture and systems are provided for simplifying a query building process by limiting the number of fields presented to a user for building queries. The number of fields presented to the user may be limited by hiding one or more logical fields from the user based on usage characteristics. For example, a logical field that is rarely used or has not been used within a predetermined period of time may be hidden from the user. For some embodiments, a fallout manager may monitor the use of logical fields in building queries, update usage characteristics, and mark logical fields as hidden based on the usage characteristics. A graphical user interface may not present to a user logical fields that have been marked as hidden. |
| US08122041B2 |
Sharing and collaboration of search findings
Sharing of search histories is facilitated with a computer based system and method that allow a searcher to share search results generated without prior authentication of an identity with a search engine. Sharing and collaboration are further facilitated by allowing search history items to be shared with a minimum of additional searcher input. Context for the search history items is provided by associating a search query with an accessed document link without requiring separate tagging of the link by the searcher. |
| US08122038B2 |
Period to date functions for time intelligence functionality
A system for extending a Time Intelligence language to provide support for period-to-date functions and for generating member sets in response to data queries is provided. The system may apply member aggregation functions and queries across a plurality of heterogeneous data sources. Each data source is aligned to a reference dimension and is said to organize data according to at least one level of granularity. In some embodiments, a member aggregation function specifies a period (e.g., year, quarter, month) and retrieves data from a data source starting with the current specified period and ending with the most recently completed period equal to the granularity of the data source. The system may allow a user to further customize a member aggregation function by specifying a granularity, a period offset, or a granularity end offset. Additionally, the system may generate a caption to display in association with the retrieved data. |
| US08122036B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating customized maps
A system and method for generating a map includes a database for storing a list of recipients and characteristics associated with each recipient in the list of recipients. The method and system also includes a control module for receiving a characteristic associated with at least one recipient in the list of recipients. The method and system also includes a rule engine for generating a map based at least in part on the characteristic associated with the at least one recipient using programmable rules. |
| US08122031B1 |
User label and user category based content classification
Methods, program products, and systems for classifying feeds are described. A system acquires user created labels and user subscribed data feeds from a group of users. The system generates a topic-feed association rule by generating a topic-feed mapping that contains topic-feed pairs, calculating a weight for each topic-feed pair, and selecting topic-feed pairs whose weight reaches a threshold. The data feeds are classified into topics according to the topic-feed association rules. The system obtains user categories from a group of users. Using a probability model, the system matches the user subscribed data feeds with the user categories. The system further generates a topic classification, associating topics with user categories. Using the topic classification, topic-feed association rules, and a user's specific data, the system predicts a user's feeds of interest and recommends data feeds to the user accordingly. |
| US08122028B2 |
System for remotely searching a local user index
A system is provided for enabling a user to search for documents that the user has previously viewed on its local machine. The system may include three main components: the desktop integration module, the index module, and the graphical user interface module. The desktop integration module is an application which monitors documents with which the user interacts for predetermined events, and obtains content data and metadata from the monitored documents. The index module indexes the content data and metadata received from the desktop integration module. The graphical user interface module then permits a user to utilize the desktop integration module and index module by allowing a user to search for a document. |
| US08122018B2 |
System and method for generating creatives
Attribute data regarding an entity, such as a business entity, are identified. Thereafter, one or more creative templates are selected based on the attribute data related to the entity. Creatives for the entity are then generated from the creative templates and the entity attribute data. |
| US08122015B2 |
Multi-ranker for search
Systems and methods for processing user queries and identifying a set of documents relevant to the user query from a database using multi ranker search are described. In one implementation, the retrieved documents can be paired to form document pairs, or instance pairs, in a variety of combinations. Such instance pairs may have a rank order between them as they all have different ranks. A classifier, hyperplane, and a base ranker may be constructed for identifying the rank order relationships between the two instances in an instance pair. The base ranker may be generated for each rank pair. The systems use a divide and conquer strategy for learning to rank the instance pairs by employing multiple hyperplanes and aggregate the base rankers to form an ensemble of base rankers. Such an ensemble of base rankers can be used to rank the documents or instances. |
| US08122009B2 |
Dealing with composite data through data model entities
The present invention is generally directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data represented abstractly through an abstraction model. In one embodiment, a data repository abstraction layer provides a logical view of an underlying data repository that is independent of the particular manner of data representation. A query abstraction layer is also provided and is based on the data repository abstraction layer. A runtime component performs conversion of an abstract query (i.e., a request for results or a request to modify data) into a form that can be used against a particular physical data representation. Abstract and/or physical queries are transformed according to model entities which define a relationship between logical fields of the data repository abstraction layer. |
| US08122008B2 |
Joining tables in multiple heterogeneous distributed databases
A method for joining tables in multiple heterogeneous distributed databases implemented by at least two data sources accessible to a federal database server over a network includes: transmitting from the federated database server a sub-command to a first of the data sources responsive to the federated database server receiving a data query; retrieving, with the federated database server, block data from the first data source related to the data query using block fetching according to the sub-command; transmitting, with the federated database server, at least a portion of the block data to a second of the data sources together with an instruction for the second data source to perform a join operation on the portion of the block data and a data table stored by the second data source related to the query; and retrieving a result of the join operation with the federated database server. |
| US08122005B1 |
Training set construction for taxonomic classification
A training set generator may be configured to input a taxonomy including a hierarchy of categories and a plurality of top-level sites, and to output a training set of categorized data. The training set generator may include a crawler configured to crawl each of the top-level sites to determine at least one lower-level site associated therewith and to store the top-level sites and associated lower-level sites as crawl data. The training set generator also may include an extractor configured to determine, for each of the top-level sites, a corresponding site-specific extraction template associating at least one portion of the corresponding top-level site with at least one category of the hierarchy of categories, and further configured to apply each site-specific extraction template to corresponding crawl data to thereby associate the crawl data with the categories of the hierarchical categories and obtain categorized data of the training set. |
| US08122001B2 |
Method of retrieving an appropriate search engine
To allow a user to use an appropriate search engine, this invention provides a computer system including: a client computer; a search engine; and a management computer, in which the management computer is configured to: collect logs of access; specify a parameter transferred from the client computer to an access destination of the client computer by analyzing the collected logs of access; judge that an access including a parameter judged as a search query is an access to the search engine; select a log of access to the search engine from the collected logs of access; extract an address of the search engine and the search query from the selected log of access to the search engine; and store a correspondence between the extracted address of the search engine and the extracted search query in a search engine profile. |
| US08121998B2 |
Method for automatically enabling traceability of engineering calculations
An improved method and system for managing the traceability of numerical, alphabetical, alphanumeric, character, or string entities such as critical constants or key calculations, equations, functions, and procedures that automatically enables the traceability of information entities without requiring significant manual intervention by a system user. The system allows a user to enter critical information such a critical constant or key calculation into a first document. When the user copies/exports the critical information from the first document and pastes/imports the information to a second document, the system automatically generates meta-data describing the provenance of the information, and propagates the provenance meta-data from the first document to the second document. By accessing provenance meta-data contained within respective documents, the user can track where critical information within a document originally came from, and which intermediary document or documents the critical information came from last. |
| US08121997B2 |
Universal search engine
According to the invention, a search system for searching intranet datasets and Internet datasets is disclosed. Included in the search system are a first interface portion, a preference and a search translation unit. The first interface portion receives a search query from an end user. A preference indicates a target search engine referenced by the search query. The preference is modifiable by the end user. The target search engine cannot be determined from the search query alone. The target search engine may operate upon an intranet dataset or an Internet dataset. The search translation unit that determines the target search engine indicated by the preference. The search translation unit also translates the search query with a syntax used by the target search engine to create a translated search query. The search translation unit is hosted within an intranet used by the end user. |
| US08121993B2 |
Data sharing and recovery within a network of untrusted storage devices using data object fingerprinting
A data sharing method using fingerprinted data objects for sharing data among untrusted network devices. Each peer device is adapted for storing a plurality of data objects, and a fingerprint generator is used to generate a fingerprint for each stored data object available for sharing or for recovery. The fingerprints are stored in a local data store, and a data manager running on one of the computer devices retrieves from another of the computer devices a copy of one of its data objects through the use of the associated fingerprints. The fingerprints include a hash value output from a strong hashing algorithm. The retrieving includes transmitting query messages with the fingerprints of the needed data objects to the networked, peer devices and then verifying the integrity of received data objects by generating a fingerprint of the received data objects that can be compared with the ones provided in the queries. |
| US08121991B1 |
Identifying transient paths within websites
Systems, methods and computer readable media for identifying transient paths within websites. Transient paths can be identified, for example, by identifying a path associated with known transient content and determining that the path exists on other pages associated with the website. If the path exists in other web pages associated with the website, the content associated with the path can be identified as transient content. |
| US08121987B2 |
Compression scheme for improving cache behavior in database systems
A scheme for accessing an index structure using a reference minimum bounding shape is disclosed. In one example embodiment, a reference minimum bounding shape that encloses two or more minimum bounding shapes may be identified from an index structure stored in memory. Each of the two or more minimum bounding shapes may correspond to a data object associated with a corresponding leaf node of the index structure. In one example embodiment, the index structure may be accessed using the reference minimum bounding shape. In one example embodiment, at least one minimum bounding shape of the two or more minimum bounding shapes may be represented in a relative representation calculated relative to the reference minimum bounding shape. Also disclosed are a method, a system and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for accomplishing the same scheme as described above. |
| US08121984B2 |
Method and system for archiving biomedical data generated by a data collection device
A method for archiving biomedical data generated by a data collection device, includes the steps of automatically determining a data format in which the collection device is configured to store the biomedical data onto a computer-readable storage medium, based on the data format, extracting the biomedical data from the storage medium, and transmitting the extracted data to a database in which the extracted data is archived. |
| US08121982B1 |
Data transfers from mobile devices with cell-site staging
Data uploaded from a mobile unit to a remote site can be buffered at an intermediate wireless base station, allowing an initial wireless link to be rapidly terminated and freed for other uses. In one implementation, a method includes forming a wireless link between a device and a first wireless receiver site, receiving a portion of a data set from the device, relinquishing the wireless link, and then transmitting the portion of the data set from the first wireless receiver site to a service provider. In another implementation, a method includes receiving, via an intermediate wireless base station, a backup request and a portion of data to be backed up from a device. The portion of the data to be backed up is received after a wireless link between the device and the wireless base station has been terminated. |
| US08121979B2 |
System and method for replication and synchronisation
Embodiments of the invention provide a replication and synchronization mechanism that is peer to peer and multi-threaded. Embodiments of the invention may further enable a useable alternative service in the event of a loss of communications between replicas and a fully automated recovery upon the recovery of communications between the replicas. A replication and synchronization mechanism may further provide entry level synchronization and support for transactions. The replication and synchronization mechanism merges changes that have been made independently as a result of the loss of communication between peers. |
| US08121975B2 |
Creating pivot tables from tabular data
System and method of simultaneously creating and managing a plurality of OLAP cubes in real time, each from a different tabular data source, comprising, for each cube, defining the table columns as either dimensions or measures of the cube using at least one of predefined semantics and data formats, generating the cube using said defined dimensions and measures, updating the cube when the respective data source is modified and deleting the cube according to predefined criteria. |
| US08121974B2 |
Method of generating node indentifier in tree structure
Provided are a method of generating a node identifier including padding information and location information, in a tree structure, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a method of generating a node identifier in a tree structure, and a terminal apparatus using the tree structure. The location information is generated by using branch identifiers, each of the branch identifiers being allocated for each branch from a root node to a target node. The padding information is generated by a padding code, which includes information about a group of the target node, and depth information, which includes information about a level of the target node in the tree structure. |
| US08121970B1 |
Method for identifying primary product objects
A method for identifying primary product objects on webpages over the Internet. A primary product object displays the best view of the product that a webpage is detailing. Each webpage is divided into sections based on the primary product objects in the webpage. Features of candidate product objects in each section are extracted. The primary product objects are identified by computing probabilities of the candidate product objects in each section being primary product objects, based on a statistical model. The identified primary product objects are stored for subsequent retrieval and display. |
| US08121967B2 |
Structural data classification
Techniques for classifying structural data with skewed distribution are disclosed. By way of example, a method classifying structural input data comprises a computer system performing the following steps. Multiple classifiers are constructed, wherein each classifier is constructed on a subset of training data, using one or more selected composite features from the subset of training data. A consensus among the multiple classifiers is computed in accordance with a voting scheme such that at least a portion of the structural input data is assigned to a particular class in accordance with the computed consensus. Such techniques for structured data classification are capable of handling skewed class distribution and partial feature coverage issues. |
| US08121966B2 |
Method and system for automated integrated server-network-storage disaster recovery planning
An automated disaster recovery (DR) planning system for a computing environment is provided. A discovery module discovers servers, networks, and storage devices in a computing environment. An expert knowledge base module captures best practices in planning, and capabilities, interoperability, limitation and boundary values for different DR technologies. A match-making module determines multiple DR plans as combinations of one or more replication technologies that can be used to satisfy DR requirements. And, an optimizer configured for assessing a feasible DR plan from said multiple DR plans, to deploy for DR planning of a primary computing environment. |
| US08121965B2 |
Updating an engine using a description language
Functionality is described for sending updated engine logic to a user device. The engine logic is expressed in a description language, such as the extensible markup language (XML). The user device uses the updated engine logic to update a parse tree. The user device then uses the parse tree to process various events. By virtue of the formation of the engine logic in a description language, a network-accessible service can disseminate the engine in an efficient manner. In one illustrative application, the user device can use the parse tree to process electronic messages (e.g., Email messages) that have been received by the user device. |
| US08121964B2 |
State machine method for editing requirements using transition systems, a sub-state mechanism, and a partial behaviors mechanism in order to reduce complexity and the number of states
A method for providing writing requirements for a structured transition system employing state machines. The requirements employ a plurality of structuring mechanisms, namely, sub-state based structuring, abstraction based structuring and partial behavior structuring that uses event sequences. The sub-state based structuring has to do with the hierarchical requirements of the state machines, abstraction based structuring provides an abstraction of the state machines that reduces the number of states, and partial behavior structuring looks at certain states to predict how those states will affect other states. |
| US08121963B2 |
System identification, estimation, and prediction of advertising-related data
In accordance with the invention, a system, method, and apparatus for analyzing advertisement-related data are presented, which may include receiving data related to an aspect of an advertisement and modeling the aspect of the advertisement with a mathematical model. The mathematical model may include a control-signal-related component, a control-signal-independent component, and an error component. Each component may be updated based on at least one of a control signal, the received data, and a previous state of at least one of the components. An updated model may be created based on the updated components. The system, method, and apparatus may also include predicting the aspect of the advertisement using the updated model. Exemplary aspects of and data related to the advertisement may include one or more of the following: a number of impressions, “clicks,” or “conversions” and/or the impression-to-conversion, impression-to-click, or click-to-conversion ratios. |
| US08121961B2 |
Feedback in group based hierarchical temporal memory system
A Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) network has at least first nodes and a second node at a higher level than the first nodes. The second node provides an inter-node feedback signal to the first nodes for grouping patterns and sequences (or co-occurrences) in input data received at the first nodes at the first nodes. The second node collects forward signals from the first nodes; and thus, the second node has information about the grouping of the patterns and sequences (or co-occurrences) at the first nodes. The second node provides inter-node feedback signals to the first nodes based on which the first nodes may perform the grouping of the patterns and sequences (or co-occurrences) at the first nodes. |
| US08121956B2 |
Cardless challenge systems and methods
Systems, methods, and apparatus for handling and/or authorizing payment requests by a consumer for a transaction are provided. Challenge questions may be presented from the non-merchant to the consumer after receiving the payment information, thereby allowing a judicious determination of when to ask such challenge questions and allowing complex and probative questions. The time limit for such challenge questions may advantageously be unconstrained, while still preserving security. Also, a risk analysis may be started prior to the consumer submitting payment information, thus allowing an efficient and complex risk analysis. Information about an access device used by the consumer may be obtained at the non-merchant from the access device with code sent to the access device from the merchant, and the device information may be used in the risk analysis. |
| US08121954B2 |
Information processor, method for controlling the same, and image forming system
An information processor is capable of restricting the available application program interface for each application program. The information processor capable of executing a predetermined application program includes at least one application program interface for providing predetermined control function for the application program, a determining unit for determining an available application program interface for the application program based on license information of the application program, and an operation controlling means for controlling the operation of the application program interfaces in accordance with the results determined by the determining unit. |
| US08121951B2 |
Check clearing systems
A system and process for more efficiently clearing checks by transmitting MICR line data together with a URL link to facilitate check clearing via electronic debits by an ACH. The URL link can be used at the option of the paying bank (or other entity) to access images of the check from a database. |
| US08121950B2 |
Method of processing a check and an apparatus therefor
A device captures an image of a check having a payee and/or a payor field. Payee data and/or payor data contained in the payee field and/or the payor field is extracted from the captured image. Extracted payee data and/or extracted payor data is stored in a data warehouse to allow a user to generate business-related information based upon the extracted payee data and/or the extracted payor data. |
| US08121945B2 |
Methods and systems for payment method selection by a payee in a mobile environment
Methods and systems for receiving a financial payment facilitated by use of a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user/payee, and also is coupled for electronic communication with a payment instruction recipient that effects payments by various methods. The system provides information corresponding to a received payment to a user/payee's mobile device. Information is displayed to the user/payee corresponding to a plurality of selectable payment methods available for receiving the payment. The user/payee provides input on his/her mobile device corresponding to selection of a payment method for receiving the payment. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction indicating the selected payment method and wirelessly communicates the mobile payment instruction to the MFTS. The MFTS generates and communicates an MFTS payment instruction including an amount, the identified payee, and the selected payment method, to a payment instruction recipient. The payment instruction recipient, in response to receipt of the MFTS payment instruction, effects a payment to the user/payee utilizing the selected payment method. |
| US08121934B2 |
System and method for trading packaged collar options on an exchange
A method of creating and trading packaged standard option collars on an exchange is provided, as well as a trading facility for trading such packaged standard option collars. Collars are created by identifying an underlying asset, a first leg of a collar is determined by determining the desired strike price for the first leg and selecting a standard option contract traded on the exchange having a strike price closest to the desired strike price. The second leg is determined by selecting another standard option, the opposite of the first leg, having an option price substantially offsetting the option price of the first leg. Once the legs of the collar have been selected the collar package may be listed on the exchange, and orders for the collars may be processed by matching orders for opposite positions in the collar. |
| US08121931B2 |
Fuel offering and purchase management system
The present disclosure is directed towards apparatuses, systems and methods to facilitate the pricing, sales and delivery of a commodity fuel to a Customer. In one embodiment, the disclosure teaches a Fuel Offer Generator that facilitates the purchase and management of fuel offerings. The Fuel Offer Generator allows Customers interested in securing fuel to obtain an offer for fuel at lock-in prices for various tenors. Fuel Customers can buy these fuel offers such that they may later exercise the fuel offers so their fuel costs are locked-in at desired levels (e.g., they may be set to strike prices). The Fuel Offer Generator also can establish a Premium Price that will be part of the fuel offer. The Fuel Offer Generator may generate hedges to counteract fuel related risks stemming from fuel offer purchases. Ultimately, a customer that purchases a fuel offering can exercise their fuel offering order at a specified price and redeem any difference between the market price for their purchased fuel and the price specified in their fuel offering order. The Fuel Offer Generator employs a geographical fuel pump location metric as well as consumer purchasing behavior to establish the pricing of fuel offerings. |
| US08121926B2 |
System and method for flexible spread participation
A system and method for risk analysis of a portfolio of derivative products is disclosed which is conducted based on a set of flexible rules. The system and method allow creating predefined sets of products for the purpose of future risk offsets. If a futures trade as a subset of that set of products that met a threshold level, then the subset is assigned the offset value (or a pro rata or other portion of the offset value) of the predefined set. For example, assume that the predefined set consists of one S&P 500 futures, one NASDAQ futures, one S&P Midcap 400 futures and one Russell 1000 futures and the threshold is three. If the futures trader holds any three of those four futures, the three futures can be grouped, assigned an offset value, and this group can be used as one asset for purpose of further risk offsets. |
| US08121924B1 |
Investment management
Data processing for novel form of relationship management links, supervises, and balances depositors, marketing agents, financial intermediaries, mortgage brokers, and borrowers in an inflation-adjusted financing program. Funds are deposited in participating financial institutions in return for certificates of deposit yielding a fixed rate of interest, plus principal growth at a yearly rate equal to that year's rate of growth in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers, All Items. Funds on deposit are loaned to borrower, either directly or through brokers, at a rate calculated by adding three components: a fixed debt service rate, a fixed constant interest rate, and an inflation factor interest rate which reflects the effects of inflation on the outstanding loan balance. Organizing company sychronizes entire program by contacting depositors through marketing agent, designating institutions to receive depositors' funds, contacting borrowers directly or through brokers, and by supplying data processing capabilitites to financial intermediaries for purposes of impletation of the program and for analysis of the effects of the program on the intermediaries' capital structures. |
| US08121923B1 |
Automated fulfilling of currency exchange requests over a computer network
An automated method is provided for fulfilling currency exchange requests received at a processor for a plurality of different currencies that are received from a plurality of different customers. The processor fulfills at least some of the requests by automatically matching requests of one or more customers with requests of one or more other customers who have requested an exchange of the converse target and source currencies in an amount of currency sufficient to match a first portion of the requests using the currency exchange rates in the memory of the processor, and using amounts of currency in different currency types that are not received from the customers to fulfill a second portion of the requests using the currency exchange rates in the memory of the processor. The fulfillment of the second portion is performed at the end of each of the predetermined time periods. The currency exchange requests are always guaranteed to be fulfilled at the same currency exchange rate that exists when the currency exchange requests are received at the processor. |
| US08121922B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
According to some embodiments, a central controller receives a selection signal. If the selection signal indicates acceptance of any installment plan, use of the accepted installment plan for the financial account is authorized. Thereafter, bills may be generated that reflect installment charges to be paid. |
| US08121920B2 |
System and method of detecting mortgage related fraud
Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting fraud. In particular, one embodiment includes a system and method of detecting fraud in mortgage applications. For example, one embodiment includes a computerized method of detecting fraud that includes receiving mortgage data associated with an applicant and at least one entity related to processing of the mortgage data, determining a first score for the mortgage data based at least partly on a first model that is based on data from a plurality of historical mortgage transactions associated with the entity, and generating data indicative of fraud based at least partly on the first score. Other embodiments include systems and method of generating models for use in fraud detection systems. |
| US08121911B2 |
Method, computer program product and system for verifying financial data
The method, system and computer program product for verifying financial data provides tracking and reporting of the reconciliation and approval process by providing a hierarchical list of users responsible for verification of at least a portion of the financial data and automatically notifying the users responsible for the reconciliation and approval, based upon the hierarchical list, of their duties regarding the account. If the certifier and approver do not certify and/or approve the financial data within a specified timeframe, their supervisors, based upon the hierarchical list, will be automatically notified. In addition, any certification and approval of the financial data is recorded, which permits instantaneous reporting regarding the status of the certification and approval process. Moreover, outstanding issues associated with the financial data may be recorded and tracked, and the appropriate user(s) may be notified of the issue if it is without resolution after a specified timeframe. |
| US08121909B2 |
Activity inference and reactive feedback
Disclosed herein is a method of processing physical information collected from a plurality of sensors and deducing object attributes and actions over a facility. RFID tags are applied to determine position coordinates. A plurality of sensors related to activities or objects are applied for capturing a plurality of physical variables representing the activities or object attributes. Position coordinates and the plurality of physical variables are correlated to infer or deduce the activities that have occurred. Predetermined rules are applied to recommend one or more actions based on the deduced activities. |
| US08121908B2 |
Data collection method and report generation apparatus including an automatch function for generating a report illustrating a field order and associated invoice
A system is disclosed for storing and maintaining a plurality of field orders and a corresponding plurality of invoices. This system allows a supplier and a buyer to easily view and obtain copies of one or more of the field orders and their corresponding invoices when proper security constraints are satisfied. The system includes a computer server adapted to receive input data comprising a plurality of field orders and a corresponding plurality of invoices, the field orders and the invoices being stored in a memory of the server. A processor of the server will execute a software package stored in a memory of the server called a report generation software. When the report generation software is executed by the processor of the server, a ‘special report’ is available for display on the server's recorder or display device, that ‘special report’ being adapted to be viewed by either the buyer or the supplier. On that ‘special report’, there are three columns. A first column consists of a plurality of descriptions of goods or services. A second column consists of a plurality of field orders. A third column consists of a plurality of invoices corresponding, respectively, to the plurality of field orders. The ‘special report’ can be viewed by the buyer when the buyer accesses the supplier's server via the internet and initiates an ‘automatch’ function. However, before accessing the supplier's server, the buyer must first input certain security constraints, such as username and password. |
| US08121906B2 |
Method for selling content over a network
A method to generate revenue from supplied content is provided. Content is provided to a consumer via a network by providing a content service that allows the consumer to select and retrieve content as a package together with a clearing of the selectable content to an operator used by the consumer to select and retrieve the content via the network. Any content selected by the consumer is supplied directly to the consumer via the operator. The operator is charged for the supplied content. |
| US08121905B2 |
Merchandising items of topical interest
Various embodiments are described herein that provide one or more of a systems, methods, software, and data structures within an Internet marketplace context that are useful to promote products that may be associated with an event occurrence. Some embodiments further utilize collaborative filtering to augment event-based product recommendations. |
| US08121903B2 |
Method and system for balancing stock
A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the products with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers. |
| US08121902B1 |
Customer-annotated catalog pages
Customer-annotated catalog pages enable a user of a merchant website to annotate an image that illustrates one or more items found within an electronic catalog. This annotation may include associating an illustrated item with a hyperlink to a page that is associated with the illustrated item. This annotation may also include commenting on the illustrated item or describing the image as a whole. In some instances, the user may herself upload the image to the merchant web site to enable this annotation. Additionally, other users of the merchant website may comment on the image, the illustrated items, or may associate hyperlinks to associated pages for one or more of the illustrated items. By providing such customer-annotated catalog pages, users of the merchant website are able to view a group of potentially-related items and are able to easily navigate to these items' associated pages within the electronic catalog or otherwise. |
| US08121901B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing compatible components for purchase
Online purchasing of components compatible with particular hardware devices of a computer system. In one aspect, the identity of a hardware device capable of communicating with computer systems is automatically determined. At least one component for the hardware device is displayed on a computer system based on the identity of the hardware device such that the user can select the at least one component for purchase, where the at least one component is compatible with and for use with the hardware device. |
| US08121892B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for assessing information security
A method, system and computer program product for assessing information security interviews users regarding technical and non-technical issues. In an embodiment, users are interviewed based on areas of expertise. In an embodiment, information security assessments are performed on domains within an enterprise, the results of which are rolled-up to perform an information security assessment across the enterprise. The invention optionally includes application specific questions and vulnerabilities and/or industry specific questions and vulnerabilities. The invention optionally permits users to query a repository of expert knowledge. The invention optionally provides users with working aids. The invention optionally permits users to execute third party testing/diagnostic applications. The invention, optionally combines results of executed third party testing/diagnostic applications with user responses to interview questions, to assess information security. A system in accordance with the invention includes an inference engine, which may include a logic based inference engine, a knowledge based inference engine, and/or an artificial intelligence inference engine. In an embodiment, the invention includes an application specific tailoring tool that allows a user to tailor the system to assess security of information handled by a third party application program. |
| US08121884B1 |
Method and apparatus for estimation of component gating and shortage risk in manufacturing operations
A method for estimation of component gating risk in manufacturing operations is disclosed. The method includes generating an altered component plan by altering a component plan for a component, computing a mean production value using the altered component plan, and computing the component gating risk using the mean production value. |
| US08121880B2 |
Method for calendar driven decisions in web conferences
A method for associating a calendar invitation for a calendar event to a web conference for a web conference event is provided. Invitees of a calendar invitation for a calendar event are received and are detected. The invitees of the calendar event are associated to a web conference event. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are detected. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are propagated to the web conference event, and the web conference event synchronizes with the calendar event. Modifications relating to the web conference event for the web conference are detected. Modifications relating to the web conference event are propagated to the calendar event, and the calendar event synchronizes with the web conference event. The invitees of the calendar invitation include first, second, and/or third tiers, and the tiers relate to user roles and privileges, such as a hidden or anonymous presence. |
| US08121874B1 |
Phase delivery of components of a system required for implementation technology
A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for displaying phases of delivery of components of a system by first displaying a pictorial representation of an existing system including a plurality of components. Next, a first set of components are presented that are to be delivered in a first phase. This is accomplished by indicia coding the first set of components in a specific manner. Further, a second set of components are presented that are to be delivered in a second phase. This is carried out by indicia coding the second set of components in a manner unique with respect to the indicia coding of the first set of components. |
| US08121871B2 |
System, method and software application for accessing and processing information
The present invention relates generally to systems, methods and software applications for storing, retrieving, and displaying information. More particularly, the present invention relates to providing a comprehensive, interactive tool for storing, retrieving, and displaying agent identifying information and agent commission information. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving agent identifying information and agent commission information; analyzing and sorting the received agent identifying information and agent commission information; saving the agent identifying information and the agent commission information; providing an interactive display of the agent identifying information and the agent commission information; providing interactive access to a display of detailed agent identifying information; and providing interactive access to a display of detailed agent commission information. |
| US08121869B2 |
Computer-implemented method for grouping medical claims based upon changes in patient condition
A computer-implemented method for profiling medical claims to assist health care managers in determining the cost-efficiency and service quality of health care providers. The method allows an objective means for measuring and quantifying health care services. An episode treatment group (ETG) is a patient classification unit, which defines groups that are clinically homogenous (similar cause of illness and treatment) and statistically stable. The ETG grouper methodology uses service or segment-level claim data as input data and assigns each service to the appropriate episode. The program identifies concurrent and recurrent episodes, flags records, creates new groupings, shifts groupings for changed conditions, selects the most recent claims, resets windows, makes a determination if the provider is an independent lab and continues to collect information until an absence of treatment is detected. |
| US08121867B2 |
Software application generation and implementation method and system
An application generation and implementation method and system. The application generation method includes generating and storing a transparency software application comprising multiple application software code. The application implementation method includes retrieving by the transparency software application, personal data and an address associated a point of interest associated with a user. The two dimensional mapping application is enabled and a geographical map and selections for relevant healthcare service providers specified on the geographical map are received. The transparency software application retrieves ratings and feedback data and a selection for filter criteria. The filter criteria and subsequent filter criteria are evaluated and in response a report indicating results of the evaluation is generated and stored. |
| US08121862B2 |
Medical support system
A medical support system and method for performing at least one medical support process relating to diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition and that includes or employs medical records relating to patients and medical support databases including medical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition. A medical support process includes one or more process phases, which may include a data phase, a diagnostic phase and a therapy/treatment recommendation phase. Each process phase includes one or more process operations wherein each of the process operations of a process phase includes one or more process forms providing interfaces between a user and the process operations. Each process form includes fields for passing user inputs to the process operations and for displaying the results of the process operations to the user and the support processes are responsive to user inputs, the medical records and the guidelines to execute an interactive dialogue between the medical support process and the user to provide guidance to the user in performing the medical support process according to the guidelines and dependent upon the user inputs and the medical record. |
| US08121861B2 |
Service for managing medications
A health management system includes a computerized management site having one or more servers executing software from coupled computer-readable media, and a data repository storing information regarding a plurality of enrolled persons, including at least medications and medication schedules for individual ones of the persons, and storing information regarding a plurality of associate or partner entities comprising at least physicians. In this system persons, in enrollment, enter personal data and medication data, the service stores the data in the repository associated with each enrolling person entering the data, associates the person with one or more physicians and other partner entities whom also enter data in enrollment, and enables enrolled persons to share their individual medication data with associated physicians and other partner entities. |
| US08121853B2 |
Loyalty measurement
A computer-implemented system measures loyalty of one partner to another partner in a relationship, such as the loyalty of a company's customer to the company. The first partner's loyalty is measured by obtaining information from the partner, such as through answers to survey questions, about the partner's perception of the climate of the relationship. A loyalty index function may be applied to scores associated with the answers to produce a single loyalty index representing the first partner's loyalty to the other partner. The system may recommend that the second partner change their practices to increase the first partner's loyalty index. For example, the system may recommend that the second partner improve practices related to “satisfier” dimensions of the relationship, and/or that the second partner improve practices which empirical data have demonstrated to correlate most strongly with increased loyalty. |
| US08121852B2 |
System and method for selecting and protecting intellectual property assets
The present invention relates to systems and methods for intellectual property asset selection and protection. In an embodiment, an intellectual property selection system receives from an innovator an innovation submission describing an innovation. An intellectual property protection system receives at least a portion of the innovation submission and manages obtaining an intellectual property legal right related to the innovation. An intellectual property asset management system receives and stores at least one of an innovation description is based at least in part on the at least a portion of the innovation submission and the intellectual property legal right description is based at least in part on the intellectual property legal right. |
| US08121851B2 |
Selection of individuals from a pool of candidates in a competition system
An integrated highly automated competition system allows for selection of one or more competition winners. Documents can be submitted electronically or by hardcopy. Document submissions are checked against databases to determine duplicate existence by a variety of information extracted from the documents. Candidates are filtered by one or more filters requiring candidates meet completeness, qualification, eligibility, and partner/discretionary standards. Candidates are evaluated by one or more readers and scored on a plurality of cognitive and non-cognitive variables. Readers are monitored and corrective action is taken when reader evaluations are determined to require corrective action. Candidates are selected by a two stage process first using raw read scores and then using a successive weighted read score iteration or tie-breaking stage. Winning candidates are subject to progress tracking and re-qualification prior to receiving award payments. |
| US08121849B2 |
Content filtering for a digital audio signal
According to some embodiments, content filtering is provided for a digital audio signal. |
| US08121848B2 |
Bases dictionary for low complexity matching pursuits data coding and decoding
Embodiments related to utilizing substantially optimal entries for a relatively low complexity dictionary for matching pursuits coding is disclosed. In various embodiments, methods are invoked for determining a substantially optimal entry from a bases dictionary comprising a plurality of entries; and utilizing the substantially optimal entry in a relatively low complexity matching pursuits data coding. In various embodiments, a system is provided comprising a bases dictionary comprising a plurality of entries each with a width of 15 or less; a signal to be coded; and a selection module configured to receive at least one of the plurality of entries from the bases dictionary, to calculate an inner product between the at least one of the plurality of entries and the signal to be coded, and to select the entry from the at least one of the plurality of entries that produces a maximum inner product for use in at least partially coding the signal to be coded. In various embodiments, instructions for the invoked methods are stored in computer-readable media. |
| US08121847B2 |
Communication terminal with a parameterised bandwidth expansion, and method for the bandwidth expansion thereof
The disclosure relates to a communication terminal having a bandwidth expansion device for expanding the bandwidth of a narrowband voice signal, on a low-frequency and/or high-frequency side, by synthesizing at least one frequency band on the basis of the narrowband voice signal. A qualitatively satisfactory bandwidth expansion is thus performed using a plurality of net bit rates. The bandwidth expansion device is further connected to a memory containing a lookup table comprising at least one parameter value for the bandwidth expansion, for at least two net bit rates of the narrowband voice signal. A method for expanding a bandwidth of a narrowband voice signal having at least two net bit rates in a communication terminal is also disclosed herein. |
| US08121846B2 |
User speech interfaces for interactive media guidance applications
A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands. |
| US08121845B2 |
Speech screening
This invention relates to screening of spoken audio data so as to detect threat words or phrases. The method is particularly useful for protecting children or vulnerable adults from unsuitable content and/or suspicious or threatening contact with others via a communication medium. The method is applicable to screening speech transmitted over a computer network such as the internet and provides screening of access to stored content, e.g. audio or multimedia data files, as well as real time speech such as live broadcasts or communication via voice over IP or similar communication protocols. The method allows an administrator, e.g. a parent, to identify groups of threat words or phrases to be monitored, to set user access levels and to determine appropriate responses when threat words or phrases are detected. |
| US08121840B2 |
System and method for likelihood computation in multi-stream HMM based speech recognition
A system and method for speech recognition includes determining active Gaussians related to a first feature stream and a second feature stream by labeling at least one of the first and second streams, and determining active Gaussians co-occurring in the first stream and the second stream based upon joint probability. A number of Gaussians computed is reduced based upon Gaussians already computed for the first stream and a number of Gaussians co-occurring in the second stream. Speech is decoded based on the Gaussians computed for the first and second streams. |
| US08121837B2 |
Adjusting a speech engine for a mobile computing device based on background noise
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for adjusting a speech engine for a mobile computing device based on background noise, the mobile computing device operatively coupled to a microphone, that include: sampling, through the microphone, background noise for a plurality of operating environments in which the mobile computing device operates; generating, for each operating environment, a noise model in dependence upon the sampled background noise for that operating environment; and configuring the speech engine for the mobile computing device with the noise model for the operating environment in which the mobile computing device currently operates. |
| US08121836B2 |
Apparatus and method of processing an audio signal
In one embodiment, at least one channel in a frame of the audio signal is subdivided into a plurality of blocks such that at least two of the blocks having different lengths. A length of the frame is a user defined value and is determined within a predetermined value. Furthermore, information indicating the subdivision of the channel into the blocks is generated. |
| US08121831B2 |
Method, apparatus, and medium for bandwidth extension encoding and decoding
Provided are a method, apparatus, and medium for encoding/decoding a high frequency band signal by using a low frequency band signal corresponding to an audio signal or a speech signal. Accordingly, since the high frequency band signal is encoded and decoded by using the low frequency band signal, encoding and decoding can be carried out with a small data size while avoiding deterioration of sound quality. |
| US08121823B2 |
Iterative inversion of data from simultaneous geophysical sources
Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather. (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations. |
| US08121821B1 |
Quasi-static design approach for low Q factor electrically small antennas
Methods and apparatuses are described that enable the design of electrically small antennas in terms of their quality factor (Q) performance or other antenna parameter. A desired charge distribution is defined and thereafter the shape of the antenna is generated, based on the corresponding solution of a quasi-static field approximation. A degree of freedom in the shaping of the antenna is incorporated into the quasi-static field approximation, via a dimensional variable. This expression has a solution set containing the minimum Q factor. By selection of an appropriate value of the dimensional variable, antennas with minimum or otherwise tailored Q values can be quickly designed. |
| US08121817B2 |
Abnormal event detection using principal component analysis
Process control system for detecting abnormal events in a process having one or more independent variables and one or more dependent variables. The system includes a device for measuring values of the one or more independent and dependent variables, a process controller having a predictive model for calculating predicted values of the one or more dependent variables from the measured values of the one or more independent variables, a calculator for calculating residual values for the one or more dependent variables from the difference between the predicted and measured values of the one or more dependent variables, and an analyzer for performing a principal component analysis on the residual values. The process controller is a multivariable predictive control means and the principal component analysis results in the output of one or more scores values, T2 values and Q values. |
| US08121813B2 |
System and method for clearance estimation between two objects
A processing system for clearance estimation in a rotating machine includes one or more sensors and one or more digital signal processors for calculating the estimated clearance. The processing system may include techniques for obtaining real-time clearance estimates and techniques for obtaining averaged clearance estimates. Aspects of the processing system may also include a method of switching between real-time clearance estimates and averaged clearance estimates depending on the operating conditions of the rotating machine. Other aspects of the processing system include the use of two digital signal processors: a first digital signal processor configured to receive signals from a clearance sensor and perform a first set of high speed processing tasks, and a second digital signal processor configured to receive signals from the first digital signal processor and perform a second set of lower speed processing tasks. |
| US08121811B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting angular position
Methods and systems for detecting an angular position of a rotating device are disclosed, including sensing and counting high-resolution transitions of a high-resolution digital sensor in response to the rotating device rotating; sensing low-resolution transitions of a low-resolution digital sensor in response to the rotating device rotating, the low-resolutions transitions being spaced apart at uneven angles; determining an angular position of the rotating device in response to determining a number of high-resolution transitions between pairs of low-resolution transitions. |
| US08121808B2 |
Systems and methods for location, motion, and contact detection and tracking in a networked audiovisual device
Systems and methods for location, motion, and contact detection and tracking in a portable networked device are disclosed. A portable device may include a motion detection unit including an accelerometer for detecting accelerations in one or more axes. Signals associated with the detected motion are processed to generate estimates of device acceleration, velocity, and relative and absolute locations. Additional processing may be performed to detect user gestures or other user input relevant to portable device control. Particular motion or vibrational characteristics may be also be detected and used by other processes in the portable device. |
| US08121804B2 |
Electrical network analysis of a multiphase system
A method for determining characteristics of a multi-material object is provided. The method includes determining an electric element matrix representing the multi-material object. The electric element matrix is pre-multiplied by a first mathematical transformation matrix to obtain a first transformed electric element matrix. The first transformed electric element matrix is post-multiplied with a second mathematical transformation matrix to obtain a second transformed electric element matrix. The method further includes determining the characteristics of the multi-material object based on the second transformed electric element matrix. |
| US08121796B2 |
Apparatus and method for identifying the original femorotibial joint location in a revision knee replacement
An apparatus and method is disclosed of identifying the original femorotibial joint location in a revision knee replacement of a patient. The invention includes selecting a first reference point (H) relative to the femoral head of the patient. A second reference point (A) is selected relative to the adductor tubical of the femur of the patient. The femorotibial joint location (J) is calculated through a relationship between the first reference point (H) and the second reference point (A) of the patient. The method and apparatus defines a femur reference plane to assist in establishing the correct rotation of the femur in a revision knee replacement of a patient. |
| US08121795B2 |
Computing likelihood ratios using peak heights
Methods for comparing a first DNA profile with a second DNA profile are provided. The likelihood ratio for one hypothesis relative to another, as to the sources of the DNA, is conditioned on quantity of DNA in the test sample providing the first DNA profile and/or another sample providing the second DNA profile. |
| US08121789B2 |
Method for correcting the phase of electromagnetic data
Method for identifying, determining and correcting source-related phase errors in data from a controlled source electromagnetic survey by using data from ordinary survey receivers, i.e. without benefit of source monitoring data. Abrupt anomalies indicating source malfunctions are identified (71) in the time domain by plotting time intervals between neighboring zero crossings or by zero-lag cross correlation between consecutive bins of receiver data, and the amount of the time error (73) can be determined by performing cross correlation between two bins on either side of an anomaly. In the frequency domain, transmitter anomalies can be identified by looking for discontinuities in plots of phase vs. offset, and the corrective phase shift can be determined by matching the phase on one side of the anomaly to that on the other side. A global time/phase shift (76) can be determined by using phase frequency-scaling behavior at near offsets. |
| US08121787B2 |
Vehicular video mirror system
A video mirror system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly mountable at an interior portion of a vehicle and a video display screen disposed to the rear of a rear portion of a reflective element. The video display screen emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing the front portion of the reflective element. A camera having a field of view rearward of the vehicle is mounted to the rear of the vehicle and, during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a video output of the camera is displayed by the video screen so as to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display at least one of (i) an instruction, (ii) an icon, (iii) a character, (iv) a symbol and (v) an indicia. |
| US08121783B2 |
Method for selective filtering of an aircraft flight plan according to the operational needs
The present invention relates to a method for selective filtering of a flight plan according to the operational needs, and it is characterized in that elements specific to the structure of the flight plan are added by the flight management system according to the nature of the elements inserted by the operator onto the flight plan, in order to determine whether these elements should or should not be taken into account for their use in the computations relating to the flight plan. This operator may, on his MMI (man-machine interface) carry out visual filterings of certain characteristic points or portions of the flight plan. This method makes it possible to add elements to a flight plan without modifying its essence and above all the maneuvers that are associated therewith. |
| US08121780B2 |
Method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route
A method for offering a user reward based on a chosen navigation route includes calculating alternative routes from a starting location to a destination location by taking into consideration route segments including public transportation route segments and road network route segments. The alternative routes are presented to a user. A reward is offered for choosing a respective one of the routes. A navigation system that performs the route calculation preferably queries a network database for public transportation information. |
| US08121778B2 |
Method, control system and software program for executing the method for optimized use of the airside capacities of an airport
A method for optimized use of the airside capacities of an airport, in which by means of electronic data processing system a current operating capacity of the airport and a current traffic demand are calculated. Information for an optimized use of the available resources is determined and outputted based on the current operating capacity and the current traffic demand. Further provided are an information system and a control system for optimum runway use and a software program for executing the method. |
| US08121775B2 |
Misfire detecting device for water jet propulsion watercraft
A misfire detecting device is provided for a water jet propulsion watercraft in which a propulsion unit operates through an operation of an engine to propel the water jet propulsion watercraft. The misfire detecting device includes injectors arranged to inject fuel into the engine under a fuel injection amount adjusting control implemented by an electric control device, ignition plugs arranged to ignite the fuel injected into the engine from the injectors to operate the engine, an oxygen sensor arranged to detect that a misfire occurs in the engine, a warning lamp and buzzer arranged to inform that the misfire occurs, etc. The misfire detecting device prevents the warning lamp and the buzzer from informing the warning if the misfire is caused through the control by the electric control device. Accordingly, the misfire detecting device for a water jet propulsion watercraft ensures that an operator cannot mistake a misfire caused under a control for a misfire caused due to an abnormality of an engine or other components thereof. |
| US08121774B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation system and method of operating such system
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an engine and a method of operating that system is disclosed. The system has a conduit arrangement for conducting exhaust gas from an exhaust side of the engine to an intake side of the engine, a valve arrangement configured for controlling the amount of exhaust gas to be recirculated and a conduit arrangement for providing intake air to the intake side of the engine. A sensor arrangement is provided and is configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of the humidity of the recirculated exhaust gas and the intake air at the intake side of the engine. A control arrangement is configured to receive a signal from the first sensor arrangement and further is configured to control the valve arrangement in response to a determination by the control arrangement that the first parameter is outside a desired range for low-NOx emission during a subsequent combustion period. |
| US08121769B2 |
Vehicle descent control
Vehicle descent is controlled in at least one implementation by comparing an engine braking torque to a target engine braking torque, and controlling one or more vehicle brakes to maintain the engine braking torque substantially at the target engine braking torque. The target engine braking torque may be varied as a function of one or more factors or conditions, such as accelerator position or brake application pressure. |
| US08121768B2 |
Method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system based upon hydraulic pressure and clutch reactive torque capacity
A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an electro-mechanical transmission to transfer power between the engine and a plurality of torque generating machines and an output member. The transmission is operative in one of a plurality of operating range states through selective application of torque transfer clutches and the engine is operatively coupled to a main hydraulic pump to supply pressurized fluid to a hydraulic circuit operative to apply the torque transfer clutches. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining an output torque request to the output member, determining a pressure output of the main hydraulic pump based upon an engine input speed, calculating a clutch reactive torque capacity for each applied torque transfer clutch based upon the pressure output of the main hydraulic pump, and determining a preferred engine input speed to achieve the clutch reactive torque capacity to meet the output torque request to the output member. |
| US08121766B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine to transmit power to a driveline
A method for operating an engine includes defining a two-dimensional search region based upon an input power transmittable between the internal combustion engine and an electromechanical transmission. The method further includes iteratively dividing the two-dimensional search region into a plurality of subregions based upon one of the input power and the input speed, iteratively determining an engine operating point within each of the subregions, iteratively calculating an operating cost to operate the internal combustion engine and the electromechanical transmission to meet the operator torque request for each engine operating point within each of the subregions, and iteratively identifying the subregion having a minimum operating cost to meet the operator torque request. A preferred engine operating point is determined based upon the engine operating point within the identified subregion having the minimum operating cost to meet the operator torque request. |
| US08121765B2 |
System constraints method of controlling operation of an electro-mechanical transmission with two external input torque ranges
A method to control an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and first and second electric machines to transmit power to an output member includes determining motor torque constraints and battery power constraints. A preferred output torque to an output member is determined that is achievable within the motor torque constraints and is achievable within a range for a first torque input and is achievable within a range for a second torque input and is based upon the battery power constraints. |
| US08121764B2 |
Shift control device for automatic transmission and control method thereof
In a shift control device for an automatic transmission according to this invention, when the engine load increases such that a kickdown is required, and a gear position calculated in accordance with the shift map from an operating condition defined by a look-ahead vehicle speed at a predetermined future time is lower than a current gear position and the look-ahead vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined vehicle speed, control is performed to shift to a higher gear position than the target gear position. |
| US08121763B2 |
Automatic productivity management control with standard power shift transmission
A system and method for managing an engine-powered vehicle is provided. When the vehicle is placed in an automatic speed control mode, an electronic controller receives data from the vehicle's engine, transmission, a final drive, and a device which evaluates at least one variable. The electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received, and automatically up-shifts the transmission and reduces engine speed to reduce fuel consumption when a load on the vehicle is reduced and down-shifts the transmission and increases engine speed when a load is applied. |
| US08121759B2 |
Motor-driven power steering apparatus
A motor-driven power steering apparatus is provided with a sub control system including a map memory means storing a first window time setting map M1 and a second window time setting map M2 in which a window time is set shorter, a window time setting map selecting means selecting the first window time setting map M1 at a time when a torque change amount dT and a current change amount dIm are both smaller than respective predetermined change amounts, and selecting the second window time setting map M2 in the other cases, a window time deciding means collating a point coordinate of a combination of a steering torque and a motor current with the selected window time setting map so as to decide a window time, and a motor drive stop determining means determining the motor drive stop in the case that the point coordinate exists in a region corresponding to the decided window time for the window time, and when a motor drive stop determining means determines the motor drive stop, the drive of the motor controlled so as to be driven by a main control system is stopped. |
| US08121758B2 |
System for determining torque and tire forces using integrated sensing system
A vehicle (10) includes a control system (18) that is used to control a vehicle system. The control system determines an axle torque, and longitudinal forces at each tire in response to the axle torque. Lateral forces at each tire are determined in response to the longitudinal forces. The control system of the vehicle is determined in response to the longitudinal and lateral forces. |
| US08121754B2 |
Inductive coupling of pulses from piezoelectric device
Apparatus and methodology for inductively coupling tire rotations related signals to a tire electronics module associated with a tire are provided. The tire electronics module is configured to receive the tire rotation related signals through inductive transmission from a signal transmission module that includes at least a piezoelectric element and a transmitter inductor. The signal transmitter module and the tire electronics module may be physically separated from each other and may be separately or collectively encased in a protective coating. |
| US08121749B1 |
System for integrating dynamically observed and static information for route planning in a graph based planner
Methods and systems of controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. A method comprises controlling operations of the vehicle based at least in part on edge costs. An edge is a representation of a path the vehicle can traverse. Edge costs are determined by an estimation system and are based on at least one of an estimated travel time for an edge and a traverse-ability of the edge. The method further comprises sensing conditions of edges the vehicle is traversing and based on the sensed conditions, dynamically updating the edge costs. |
| US08121748B2 |
Startup sequence control method of fuel cell-super capacitor hybrid electric vehicle
The present invention provides a startup sequence control method of fuel cell-super capacitor hybrid electric vehicles, which can protect a fuel cell at the time of the starting of the fuel cell, reduce the start-up time and promote convenience of a driver in a fuel cell-super capacitor serial hybrid system which does not employ a high-voltage power converter. The startup sequence control method comprises the steps of: determining whether or not a low-voltage auxiliary battery is in a state where its voltage is less than a reference voltage or in a cold start condition after a key-on signal has been input; if the auxiliary battery is in the state where its voltage is less than a reference voltage or in the cold start condition, matching the voltage of a main bus terminal to the voltage of an auxiliary power source through the voltage boost of a power converter; turning on a relay for cutting off the voltage of the auxiliary power source and a main relay of a precharge unit for the auxiliary power source; and turning off the power converter and then driving a fuel cell auxiliary component using the auxiliary power source to thereby boost a fuel cell voltage. |
| US08121747B2 |
Flight management system, process, and program product enabling dynamic switching between non-precision approach modes
Embodiments of a process and a program product are provided suitable for implantation by a flight management system (FMS), which is deployed onboard an aircraft and including a display device and a user interface. The FMS operable in a plurality of non-precision approach modes. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of: (i) receiving data via the user interface designating an approach in a flight plan; (ii) enabling the pilot to utilize the user interface to select a non-precision approach mode from the plurality of non-precision approach modes if the designated approach is a non-precision approach; and (iii) placing the FMS in the selected non-precision approach mode during the designated approach. |
| US08121745B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information
Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time. |
| US08121741B2 |
Intelligent monitoring of an electrical utility grid
A method of managing an electric utility grid includes geographically grouping a set of customer electric usage meters to create a set of fine sensors on a power grid. Each usage meter in the grouped set is capable of being remotely monitored, and each usage meter is at a different location along the power line. If a power anomaly is detected at the subset of meters, then power to the electric utility grid is adjusted to correct the anomaly. |
| US08121740B2 |
Feeder automation for an electric power distribution system
A soft PLC technology based computer-implemented method includes updating a system configuration incidence matrix for an electric power distribution system based on both a depth-first search of a connectivity matrix for the electric power distribution system and information about the electric power distribution system, wherein the information includes at least status information about one or more switches of the electric power distribution system. The method further includes detecting a fault in the system based on the incidence matrix. The method further includes generating isolation control logic based on the incidence matrix and isolating the fault based on isolation control logic. The method further includes generating restoration control logic based on a breadth-first search of the incidence matrix and restoring the system based on the restoration control logic. |
| US08121731B2 |
Teaching position correcting apparatus and teaching position correction method
A teaching position correcting apparatus corrects plural teaching point positions of a robot in a robot operation program, by sequentially moving the robot to each of the plural teaching points and by sequentially reading a current position of the robot at each of the plural teaching points. The apparatus includes: a position correction amount calculating unit that calculates a position correction amount, based on corrected teaching point positions and teaching point positions before correction; and a corrected-position calculating unit that calculates corrected positions of teaching point positions before correction out of the plural teaching points, based on the position correction amount. At the time of moving the robot to uncorrected teaching points, a moving unit moves the robot to corrected positions of the teaching point positions before correction. |
| US08121730B2 |
Obstacle detection device of autonomous mobile system
The present invention relates to an obstacle detection device, adapted for an autonomous mobile system, which comprises: a conducting wire, a first unit and a second unit. The first unit further comprises a first conducting part, electrically connected to an end of the conducting wire; and the second unit further comprises a second conducting part, electrically connected to another end of the conducting wire other than that connecting to the first conducting part. As an abnormality, such as the autonomous mobile system comes into contact with an obstacle, or misses a step, is happening and detected by the obstacle detection device, a reactive force will be generated to force the two conducting parts to contact with each other so as to enable an electrical conduction for issuing an electrical signal to the control unit of the autonomous mobile system and thus enabling the autonomous mobile system to react with respect to the abnormality. |
| US08121729B2 |
Remote diagnostic system for robots
A remote diagnostic system for robots including a number of at least two robots, wherein a controller of each robot of the system is locally connected to a service unit provided with local processing power, a remote service center provided with a connector server is arranged, and a communications infrastructure for transferring packets of information between a controller of a robot of the system and connector server via the service unit is arranged for performing remote monitoring and diagnostics at the remote service center, wherein the communications infrastructure uses internet and/or GPRS communication lines. |
| US08121728B2 |
Robot apparatus and output control method thereof
The present invention relates to a robot apparatus and an output control method adapted for the robot apparatus. The method includes steps of: receiving radio frequency (RF) signals of identification (ID) codes from several wireless communication devices within a predetermined area and time period; sensing people and obtaining the number of people within the predetermined area and time period; comparing current ID codes and the number of people in the predetermined area with what were determined previously, generating an update signal when the comparison is not equal; replacing the previous data with the current data; acquiring output data based on the associated output found in the output table; and performing an output based on the output data. |
| US08121724B2 |
Transfer system, and transfer method
In response to a transfer request, for which a loading time at a transfer source and a loading time at a transfer target are designated by a production controller, there is created a transfer scenario, which contains a basic transfer (From) from the transfer source to a buffer near the transfer target, for example, and a basic transfer (To) from the buffer to the transfer target. In order that the basic transfers (From, To) may be able to be executed, the buffer is reserved, and a transfer vehicle is allocated. The time period for the transfer vehicle to run to the transfer source or the buffer and the time period for the transfer vehicle to run from the transfer source or the buffer are estimated to assign a transfer command to the transfer vehicle. The possibility that the loading and the loading time may deviate from a designated period is evaluated. In case this possibility is high, a production controller is informed that a just-in-time transfer is difficult. |
| US08121723B2 |
Substrate transfer system, substrate transfer apparatus and storage medium
A substrate transfer system includes a substrate storing apparatus for storing therein one or more substrates; at least one substrate processing apparatus for performing a predetermined processing on the substrate; and a substrate transfer apparatus for transferring the substrate by moving between the substrate storing apparatus and the substrate processing apparatus, the substrate transfer apparatus including at least one substrate transfer unit for supporting the substrate, unloading the substrate from the substrate storing apparatus or the substrate processing apparatus, and loading the substrate into the substrate storing apparatus of the substrate processing apparatus. The substrate transfer apparatus moves while supporting the substrate by the substrate transfer unit. |
| US08121722B2 |
Powered mobile storage system with select and drag operation and selectable aisle width feature
The present invention is a mobile storage system that includes a number of mobile storage units movably disposed with respect to one another and including a logic system. A signal from a motion control actuator on a mobile storage unit which is to move where an aisle is desired directs a run signal to at least one unit to cause one or multiple units to be driven successively away from a desired aisle. If multiple units are moved together, a motion control actuator on the unit adjacent the closing aisle is operated to move the actuated unit and the other units. The logic system remembers and maintains each new open aisle width and closed aisle width after the termination of a particular movement. |
| US08121720B2 |
Tool-path calculation apparatus for numerical controlled system and method for operating the same
A tool-path calculation apparatus for a numerical controlled system and a method for operating the same are applied to a CNC tool machine. The tool-path calculation apparatus includes an upper controller and a servo driver. Firstly, an interpreter is provided to interpret the tool paths to produce a plurality of executable instructions. Afterward, the executable instructions are sent from the upper controller to the servo driver through a serial communication interface and stored in a queue buffer. Finally, the executable instructions are received and calculated by a tool path calculator to produce a plurality of points along the tool paths. |
| US08121717B2 |
Three dimensional processing data setting system, method for setting three-dimensional processing data, computer program for setting three-dimensional processing data, medium with three-dimensional processing data stored therein that is readable by computer and laser processing equipment operated by the three-dimensional data
A three-dimensional processing data setting system comprises an information input device for inputting information on a shape of a three-dimensional work surface to be processed and information on a processing pattern to be specified, a display for displaying a work surface representing the shape information virtually in three dimensions thereon, and a coordinate conversion means for converting data describing the pattern information in two dimensions to three-dimensional space coordinate data so that a pattern representing the pattern information virtually matches with the work surface on the display, thereby generating and setting the three-dimensional processing data. |
| US08121713B2 |
Electronic apparatus, method for generating digital signal, digital signal recording medium, and signal processing apparatus
An electronic apparatus having a CPU for controlling each portion of the apparatus has a storage unit for storing at least one of firmware or data to be used by the CPU, an input terminal to which a digital signal with a predetermined format is input, a processing unit for performing a predetermined process on the digital signal input from the input terminal, an extracting unit for extracting data located at predetermined timings in one frame of the digital signal input from the input terminal, and outputting the data as extracted data, and a rewriting unit for analyzing the extracted data and rewriting at least one of the firmware or the data in the storage unit based on a result of the analysis and the extracted data. The CPU at least serves as the extracting unit. |
| US08121703B1 |
Dual-range compliance voltage supply for a multi-channel stimulator
A stimulation circuit for a channel in a multi-channel stimulator having a common voltage power supply for each of the channels included therein includes means for generating a stimulation current that is output by the channel and means for selecting between a high voltage compliance mode and a low voltage compliance mode for the channel. In the low voltage compliance mode, the channel operates at a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of the common voltage power supply. In the high voltage compliance mode, the channel operates at a voltage level that is higher than the voltage level of the common voltage power supply. |
| US08121702B2 |
Impedance-based stimulation adjustment
Techniques for adjusting stimulation are disclosed. A medical device measures an impedance associated with one or more electrodes, e.g., the impedance presented to the medical device by a total electrical circuit that includes the one or more electrodes, the conductors associated with the electrodes, and tissue proximate to the electrodes. The medical device stores at least one patient-specific relationship between impedance and a stimulation parameter, and adjusts the value of the stimulation parameter based on the measured impedance according to the relationship. The medical device may store multiple relationships, and select one the relationships based on, for example, an activity level of the patient, posture of the patient, or a current stimulation program or electrode combination used to deliver stimulation. By adjusting a stimulation parameter, such as amplitude, according to such a relationship, the stimulation intensity as perceived by the patient may be kept substantially constant. |
| US08121700B1 |
Sound processing and stimulation systems and methods for use with cochlear implant devices
Sound processing strategies for use with cochlear implant systems utilizing simultaneous stimulation of electrodes are provided. The strategies include computing a frequency spectrum of a signal representative of sound, arranging the spectrum into channels and assigning a subset of electrodes to each channel. Each subset is stimulated so as to stimulate a virtual electrode positioned at a location on the cochlea that corresponds to the frequency at which a spectral peak is located within an assigned channel. The strategies also derive a carrier for a channel having a frequency that may relate to the stimulation frequency so that temporal information is presented. In order to fit these strategies, a group of electrodes is selected and the portion of the current that would otherwise be applied to electrode(s) having a partner electrode in the group is applied to the partner electrode. |
| US08121697B2 |
Biocompatible bonding method and electronics package suitable for implantation
The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a plated rivet-shaped connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue. |
| US08121696B2 |
Topical analgesia using electrical and vibration stimuli
The present invention is an electrode with one or more conductive surfaces and one or more access windows allowing needles, lancets and other similar objects to pass through or near the electrode and into the underlying skin layer. The electrode adheres to skin and surrounding mild electrical and vibration stimulation acts to mask the pain signals caused when sharp objects penetrate the skin. The stimulation is delivered by an attachable electrical unit designed to generate both the TENS and vibration stimuli while connected to the electrode. In addition, a flap which is attached to the electrode may serve as a bandage type dressing by flipping down over the access window(s) once the procedure is done. The present invention is an electrode with one or more electrically isolated conductive surfaces coupled to a TENS and vibration generating unit. It is designed to allow access to underlying skin and is meant to be easily produced, with the electrode being disposable after each patient use. |
| US08121694B2 |
Therapy control based on a patient movement state
A movement state of a patient is detected based on brain signals, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. In some examples, a brain signal within a dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex of a brain of the patient indicative of prospective movement of the patient may be sensed in order to detect the movement state. The movement state may include the brain state that indicates the patient is intending on initiating movement, initiating movement, attempting to initiate movement or is actually moving. In some examples, upon detecting the movement state, a movement disorder therapy is delivered to the patient. In some examples, the therapy delivery is deactivated upon detecting the patient is no longer in a movement state or that the patient has successfully initiated movement. In addition, in some examples, the movement state detected based on the brain signals may be confirmed based on a signal from a motion sensor. |
| US08121693B2 |
Baroreflex stimulation to treat acute myocardial infarction
An aspect of the present subject relates to an implantable medical system. An embodiment of the system includes a baroreflex stimulator, a myocardial infarction detector, and a controller. The baroreflex stimulator applies a baroreflex stimulation signal through an electrode. The myocardial infarction detector detects an event indicative of myocardial infarction. The controller is connected to the baroreflex stimulator and to the myocardial infarction detector, and is adapted to apply a baroreflex therapy in response to a detected event indicative of myocardial infarction. Other aspects are provided herein. |
| US08121691B2 |
Voiding event identification based on patient input
An implantable medical device (IMD) is configured to operate as an automatic voiding diary for logging urinary and/or fecal voiding events. The IMD detects urinary and/or fecal voiding events and generates data that identifies detected events as voluntary or involuntary events. In particular, the IMD generates the identification data based on a patient defined action. In one embodiment, the patient defined action is the patient tapping on the skin located above the IMD. The IMD may generate the identification data based on one or more characteristics of the tapping, e.g., the number, frequency, duration, or pattern of taps. The IMD may also generate the identification data based on a lack of input during a specific range of time after a detected voiding event. In some embodiments, the identification data may be used to identify a false positive, i.e., an event that was incorrectly detected by the IMD. |
| US08121683B2 |
External automatic defibrillator
An external automatic defibrillator including an attachment device that can be externally attached and carried by a patient, an identification device for detecting an abnormal event in the cardiac activity, which can be treated by an electric shock, as well as a defibrillator allowing to exert a shock upon the patient after having detected the abnormal event. In order to ensure reliable functioning over a longer period of time, the identification device is configured so that the identification device can detect an abnormal event in an interval of not more than 90 seconds or one minute. |
| US08121682B2 |
Combined hemodynamic and EGM-based arrhythmia detection
A medical device and associated method for detecting arrhythmias that includes sensing cardiac electrical signals and cardiac hemodynamic signals, determining a long-term baseline hemodynamic measurement in response to a plurality of the sensed cardiac hemodynaic signals, detecting a period of increased metabolic demand in response to the sensed cardiac electrical signals, determining a sinus tachycardia baseline hemodynamic measurement in response sensing of cardiac hemododynamic signals during the detected period of increased metabolic demand, and detecting the arrhythmia and delivering therapy in response to one of only the sensed cardiac electrical signals and the sensed cardiac electrical signals in combination with one or both of the determined long-term baseline hemodynamic measurement and the sinus tachycardia baseline hemodynamic measurement. |
| US08121681B2 |
Cooperating defibrillators and external chest compression devices
Devices, methods, and software implementing those methods for providing communicating external chest compression (ECC) devices and defibrillation (DF) devices, where the ECC and DF devices can be physically separate from each other. Both ECC and DF devices are able to operate autonomously, yet able to communicate with and cooperate with another device when present. Some ECC and DF devices are adapted to be physically and/or electrically coupled to each other. One ECC device includes a backboard, a chest compression member, a communication module, controller, and at least one sensor, electrode lead or electrode. One DF device includes a defibrillator module, a controller, and a communication module that can communicate with the ECC communication module. The communicating ECC and DF devices may deliver ECC, pacing, defibrillation, ventilation, and cooling therapies, and may deliver instructions to human assistants, in a coordinated and cooperative fashion. |
| US08121680B2 |
Subcutaneous cardiac stimulation device providing anti-tachycardia pacing therapy and method
An implantable subcutaneous cardiac device includes at least two subcutaneous electrodes adapted for placement external to a heart beneath the skin of a patient. The device further includes an arrhythmia detector that detects a sustained tachyarrhythmia of the heart and a pulse generator that delivers anti-tachycardia pacing pulses to the subcutaneous electrodes in response to detection of a sustained tachyarrhythmia. The pacing pulses preferably have waveforms devoid of any exponential voltage decay and include rounded or substantially constant portions to minimize pain. |
| US08121675B2 |
Device and method for detecting atrial fibrillation
Detection of atrial fibrillation involves detecting a plurality of ventricular events and obtaining a series of probabilities of AF, each corresponding to a probability of AF for a different beat window having a plurality of ventricular events. AF onset is detected when one or each of a plurality of consecutive AF probabilities satisfies an AF trigger threshold. AF termination is detected when one or each of a plurality of consecutive AF probabilities does not satisfy the AF trigger threshold. Upon detection of AF onset, ventricular events are processed to detect for a sudden onset of irregularity of the ventricular events. AF onset is confirmed when sudden onset is detected and overturned when sudden onset is not detected. |