| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08127701B2 |
Fabric joining method and system
A fabric joining method and system for attaching a first piece of fabric having synthetic content to a second piece of fabric having synthetic content. The method includes welding the first piece of fabric to the second piece of fabric at a seam and sewing the first piece of fabric to the second piece of fabric using a stitch that crosses the welded seam. An example method includes ultrasonically welding a first piece of fleece fabric to a second piece of fleece fabric followed by stitching along and across the welded seam completely through the fabric layers using a zig-zag stitch. The system includes a first piece of fabric, a second piece of fabric fused to the first piece of fabric at a welded seam, and a thread stitched across the welded seam. |
| US08127700B2 |
Sewing machine
A sewing machine is provided. The sewing machine includes a needle, a feed dog which feeds a workpiece in a feeding direction, a stitching motor which vertically moves the needle, a needle swinging motor which swings the needle in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction, a memory in which basic coordinate data of basic buttonhole stitches having a basic stitching width is stored, an input device from which a stitching width is input, and a control device which creates a modified coordinate data based on the basic coordinate data and the stitching width input from the input device, and controls the stitching motor and the needle swinging motor based on the modified coordinate data to form buttonhole stitches having the stitching width input from the input device. |
| US08127697B2 |
Method and device for charging processing plants
A device and method for charging processing plants, in particular, combustion furnaces (1), is disclosed, in which a flowing process material (3), which has solid components (6) in addition to liquid components (5), is introduced into the processing plant (1), by means of a conveyor line (2) under pressure. According to the invention, advantageous charging conditions may be achieved, by means of mixing the process material (3) before pressurization. |
| US08127696B2 |
Block pedestal having slidably supported horizontal members
A pedestal comprising (i) a pedestal base whose upper surface defines at least two pairs of open channels, (ii) horizontal lower support members placed in the channels, and (iii) at least one block component which is fitted slidably over one or more of the lower support members. Two or more block components can be used together, and upper support members can be placed in channels in the upper surfaces of the block components so that they are at right angles to the lower support members. The pedestals are particularly useful in the catering and hospitality industry for supporting food and beverage containers, tableware, flower vases and sculptures. |
| US08127695B2 |
Display stand with table
In an embodiment, a display stand including a display stand housing is included. The display stand housing can be configured to hold one or more graphic panels. The display stand housing can define a table pocket. The display stand also includes a table assembly configured to move between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration. The table assembly can be configured to be disposed within the table pocket and concealed from view by at least one of the graphic panels when in the stored configuration. The display stand housing can further include a counter top panel disposed over the display stand housing. Other embodiments are also included herein. |
| US08127694B2 |
Portable, self-contained pc-camera workstation
A portable, collapsible, self-contained workstation having a substantially planar platform adapted for receiving a lap-top computer. A pair of doors, extendable away from the platform, are hinged from a lower surface of the platform. The workstation also preferably includes four (4), adjustable-length legs with a pair of legs being secured to each of the doors. The doors extending away from the platform and the legs being adapted for supporting the platform from a surface. The workstation includes a handle that is that secured to the platform and is disposable and fixable to extend above the platform. When disposed above the platform, the handle is adapted for receiving and having affixed thereto an instrument or a camera. |
| US08127690B2 |
Portable workstation
A portable workstation, in one embodiment, includes a base unit and a table. The base unit includes one or more vertical support members and a platform extending horizontally from the vertical support member. Support legs telescopically extend laterally to support the workstation in an upright position. The platform forms the top of the base unit in an upright position. The table is configured to extend from the base unit and includes a support leg. The table transitions between an extended position and a storage position. When the support legs are in the extended position, the table and support legs provide support to the base unit of the workstation, forming an integrated tripod system. Thus, the base unit may be compact and easily transported in a storage position; however, the platform and the table when extended may provide an ample work surface at a traditional working height. |
| US08127688B2 |
Dual stage railroad hopper car door actuating mechanism
A mechanism for controlling opening of doors on a hopper car underside. The mechanism includes a pair of stationary hook assemblies located outboard of a discharge opening and having a proximal end affixed to the hopper car and a distal free end. Each hook assembly includes a locking cavity bounded by a cam locking surface and a distal slide surface. Included also is a pair of locking cam assemblies having an upper and lower cam surface matable with the hook cam locking assembly and having a slot. An elongate member has ends affixed to the pair of locking cam assemblies and extends through each of the annular end bearings. A pair of annular end bearings is disposed adjacent to the locking cam assemblies and each affixed to a door. |
| US08127686B2 |
Kinetic energy rod warhead with aiming mechanism
An aimable kinetic energy rod warhead system includes a plurality of rods and explosive segments disposed about the plurality of rods. There is at least one detonator for each explosive segment. A target locator system is configured to locate a target relative to the explosive segments. A controller is responsive to the target locator system and is configured to selectively detonate specified explosive segments at different times dependent on the desired deployment direction of the rods to improve the aiming resolution of the warhead. |
| US08127682B1 |
Cast booster using novel explosive core
An improved cast booster design and method of assembly is provided for the detonation of blasting agents. The booster design utilizes a pre-formed core that simplifies assembly of the booster and increases the reliability of detonation transfer from a blasting cap. The pre-formed core has a cup shaped aperture provides improved coupling with the initiation source. The pre-formed core is made using a relatively insensitive explosive composition that can be manufactured using high speed pressing methods. The explosive composition allows for the attainment of a well defined shape with a predictable density. The pre-formed core shape mates with the casting mold in a way that ensures the location of the core within the booster thereby improving reliability and reducing labor associated with the booster manufacturing operation. |
| US08127681B2 |
Metal-sealing material-feedthrough and utilization of the metal-sealing material feedthrough with an airbag, a belt tensioning device, and an ignition device
The present invention relates to a metal-sealing material-feedthrough for igniters of airbags or belt tensioning devices, especially glass-metal-feedthrough, including at least one metal pin which is located in a feedthrough opening in the base body in a sealing material, wherein the base body has a front side and a back side. Structure is provided between the front and the back side in order to avoid a relative movement of sealing material in the direction toward the back relative to the inside circumference of the feedthrough opening. At least the feedthrough opening is punched out of the base body. The base body is configured so that the ratio of thickness (D) of the base body to the maximum dimension of the feedthrough opening vertical to the axis direction of the feedthrough opening is in the range of between and including 0.9 to 1.6. |
| US08127678B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing information about printing plates to be manufactured for a new production of a printing press
A method and an apparatus are used for providing information about printing plates to be manufactured for a new production of a printing press. A use of at least one of the printing plates, at its point of use in the printing press, is visualized on a display of a display apparatus. Several different positions exist at the point of use of each respective printing plate. Each of those different positions may relate to one of several installation positions on a plate cylinder comprising the several installation positions and disposed in the printing press. These can also relate to one of several storage positions of a printing plate magazine of the printing press comprising several storage positions. By use of the display, several different points of use in the printing area, for a particular printing plate, are displayed simultaneously. The display depicts which one of the positions of use, of the several possible provided parts of use, is to be provided. The display additionally depicts different states or properties of at least one printing plate that has been manufactured or that is to be manufactured. It may also depict a print location of a printing plate on a transport path to the printing press. |
| US08127677B2 |
Plate inserting apparatus including braking unit for braking the plate
A plate inserting apparatus includes a plate cylinder, press roller, and braking unit. A plate is to be mounted on the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The press roller is rotatably supported to oppose the outer surface of the plate cylinder. When the leading edge bent portion of the plate to be supplied to the plate cylinder abuts against the press roller and the distal end of the leading edge bent portion abuts against the outer surface of the plate cylinder, the press roller inserts the leading edge bent portion of the plate into a groove portion formed in the plate cylinder upon rotation (with a pressing force) of the plate cylinder. The braking unit keeps braking the plate at least since the leading edge bent portion of the plate abuts against the outer surface of the press roller and until the leading edge bent portion is completely inserted in the groove portion of the plate cylinder. |
| US08127674B2 |
Stamp and fabricating method thereof, thin film transistor using the stamp, and liquid crystal display device having the thin film transistor
Provided are a method of fabricating a stamp, a thin film transistor and a liquid crystal display device using the same. The stamp has an improved contact property with respect to a substrate. A charged zone is formed on the substrate using the stamp, and nano material charged with opposite charges to those of the charged zone is coated or plated to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Therefore, the thin film transistor and the liquid crystal display device can have precise nano patterns, thereby improving the performance of the device. |
| US08127670B2 |
Baler plunger drive system
A baler for making parallelepiped bales includes a planetary gear drive arrangement including a planet carrier coupled through an overrunning clutch for driving an output shaft which extends cross wise to a forward end of an elongate baling chamber. A plunger is mounted for reciprocating within the baling chamber for compressing crop into a bale, with a crank shaft arrangement being mounted for rotation with the output shaft and being coupled to the plunger by a connecting rod arrangement. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a compression stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in a driving mode. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a reverse stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in an overrunning mode so long as compressed crop is exerting a force on the plunger. |
| US08127664B2 |
Appliance for brewing an infusion of coffee or tea
The invention relates to an appliance comprising a water tank, a housing including a chamber having an opening for receiving a fill of brew preparation, a chamber closure part having an outflow orifice and mounted to move between an open position and a closed position; means connected to the tank to act during a brewing cycle to deliver a certain volume of water raised to a brewing temperature, from said tank to said chamber. According to the invention, the appliance essentially consists in a portable structure comprising a head containing at least one chamber, a body including at least handle means making it possible, during the brewing cycle, to place the outflow orifice facing down towards a cup. |
| US08127662B2 |
Apparatus for preparing a beverage from sterilized water of a predetermined consumption temperature
The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a beverage, for instance baby milk, from an instant product, such as formula, and water, which has been sterilized and cooled down to a temperature suitable for consumption. The apparatus comprises a water supply system for supplying water, a heating system for sterilizing the water, a cooling system for cooling down the sterilized water and a bypass, which allows sterilized water from the heating system to bypass the cooling system. Thanks to such configuration, hot water from the bypass can be added to cool water from the cooling system so as to bring the temperature of the cool water to a desired consumption temperature. |
| US08127658B1 |
Method of shooting a semi-automatic firearm
A method for rapidly firing a semi-automatic firing unit (22) having a trigger (24), a receiver (21) and a barrel (23). The firing unit (22) is placed in a handle (20) so as to enable only reciprocating linear movement along a constrained linear path (P). The user grasps the handle (20) and places their trigger finger (74) firmly on a finger rest (70). In use, the user generates a forward activation force (200) that urges the firing unit (22) forwardly so that the trigger (24) collides with the stabilized finger (74), stimulating the first round of ammunition in the receiver (21). A recoil force (202) from the discharging ammunition pushes the firing unit (22) rearwardly so that the trigger (24) separates from the stabilized finger (74). The intensity of the forward activation force (200) can be varied by the user on-the-fly to proportionally change the firing tempo. |
| US08127657B2 |
Electric safety device actuator
A safety selector for selectively implementing a firing disabled position for the prevention of unintentional firing of a firearm. The safety selector comprises two prongs adapted to push a cross bolt safety actuation lever to the right or to the left. A DC electrical motor provides torque, which is transferred through a torque transferring mechanism, to the safety selector. The safety selector is particularly useful for actuation via remote control. |
| US08127655B1 |
Low force bomb rack release mechanism
A low force weapon ejection system includes a hook for engaging a store, a primary sear for applying a primary pressure against the hook, and a secondary sear for applying a secondary pressure against the primary sear. When the primary and secondary pressures are applied, respectively, against the hook and the primary sear, the hook is prevented from releasing the store. When the primary and secondary pressures are reduced, the hook is enabled to release the store. The low force weapon ejection system reduces the size and weight of various elements in a conventional ejection system that requires greater forces for actuating, releasing and ejecting a store. |
| US08127652B1 |
Apparatus and method of making a double finger trap loop
A double finger trap loop includes at least one braid having a first end and a second end. The braid is defined by an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion is a hollow conduit in the braid. The braid is readily adaptable to accept the first end and the second end into the hollow conduit. The first end and the second end are associated with each other. The association is capable of adhering the first end to the second end by a continuous internal stitch. |
| US08127644B2 |
Rotary transmission leadthrough for a pipe cutting machine
Rotary transmission leadthrough with: a shaft (3) able to turn about a longitudinal axis running in the longitudinal direction (L) with at least one longitudinal borehole (26, 27, 28) running in the longitudinal direction (L), in which a push rod (43, 44, 45) is arranged and can move back and forth relative to the shaft (3) in the longitudinal direction (L), and with at least one opening (22, 23) in a lateral wall of the shaft which extends to a coordinated longitudinal borehole (26, 27, 28) and at least one push fork (12, 13, 14) which can travel in the longitudinal direction (L) outside the shaft (3) and is coordinated with one of the push rods (43, 44, 45), and an active connection running through the coordinated opening (22, 23) to the coordinated longitudinal borehole (26, 27, 28) between the coordinated push fork (12, 13, 14) and the coordinated push rod (43, 44, 45), which transmits a back and forth motion of the coordinated push fork (12, 13, 14) relative to the shaft (3) onto the coordinated push rod (43, 44, 45), and enables a rotary motion of the shaft (3) relative to the coordinated push fork (12, 13, 14). |
| US08127635B2 |
Twin clutch transmission
A twin clutch transmission for reducing the frequency of hit noise occurring in a dog clutch when shifting from neutral to a first speed. The twin clutch transmission includes a plurality of pairs of gears according to the number of speed stages between dual-structured main shafts and a countershaft. A twin clutch is disposed on the main shafts wherein a rotational drive force of an engine is transferred or blocked. A transmission between adjacent speed change gears on each shaft by a dog clutch occurs with a shift drum for switching between an engagement condition of the dog clutch by driving a shift fork. The patterns of guide grooves in the shift drum are formed wherein the dog clutches for a first speed gear and a second speed gear engage simultaneously when the shift drum is rotated by predetermined angles to shift from neutral to the first speed. |
| US08127627B2 |
Device for collecting samples and method of use
The present invention comprises a sampling device for collecting samples having a detachable handle with a threaded portion. The device for collecting samples is further provided having a connecting head with a receiving member whereby the receiving member detachably engages the threaded portion of the handle. An absorbent material is placed about the connecting head wherein the absorbent material is a single piece of generally rectangular material folded at a distal edge of the connecting head and adhered through at least one aperture of the connecting head. The detachable handle with the threaded portion is releasably attached to a connecting head with an absorbent material by rotating the detachable handle into the connecting head in a clockwise direction. The user can rotate the handle in a counter-clockwise direction and easily release the handle from the connecting head with the absorbent material into the collection bag. |
| US08127624B2 |
Particulate sampling apparatus, particulate sampling substrate and particulate sampling method
A particulate sampling apparatus configured to control the flow direction of a dispersion solvent for particulates, at a channel branching section of a channel includes an introduction channel capable of introducing the dispersion solvent, and a plurality of branch channels communicating with the introduction channel, so as to disperse desired ones of the particulates into a selected one of the branch channels, wherein the apparatus includes light irradiation means by which a bubble can be generated in the dispersion solvent by irradiation with a laser beam used as a heat source, and the flow direction of the dispersion solvent at the channel branching section is controlled by the bubble. |
| US08127620B2 |
Load sensor-containing actuator
Various means for detecting the load on the bottom of a bed are proposed, but they have various problems, since the load sensor is provided separately from a bed or installed outside a bed.This invention solves the abovementioned problems by a load sensor-containing actuator in which one end side of a screw shaft 1 is rotatably supported by a base body 2; a female threaded member 3 is engaged with the screw shaft; and an actuation rod body 4 fixed to the female threaded member can advance and retreat in the axial direction of the screw shaft, wherein the base body is provided with a thrust bearing 6 coaxially with the screw shaft and an actuation cylinder 7 supporting the one end side of the screw shaft in the axial direction via the thrust bearing; a detection cylinder 9 is provided between the actuation cylinder and a support member 8 for the base body; and a strain gauge 10 is attached to the outside surface of the detection cylinder.The present invention relates to a foldable side rail for a bed or the like, particularly a foldable side rail in which multiple strut members are pivotally rotatably connected between an upper crosspiece member and a lower crosspiece member to form a parallel link mechanism. |
| US08127618B1 |
Implantable micro-electromechanical system sensor
The disclosure relates in some aspects to an implantable pressure sensor and a method of measuring pressure. In some embodiments pressure may be measured through the use of an implantable lead incorporating one or more pressure sensors. In some aspects a pressure sensor is implemented in a micro-electromechanical system (“MEMS”) that employs direct mechanical sensing. A biocompatible material is attached to one or more portions of the MEMS sensor to facilitate implant in a body of a patient. The MEMS sensor may thus be incorporated into an implantable lead for measuring blood pressure in, for example, one or more chambers of the patient's heart. |
| US08127617B2 |
Pressure sensor, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic component provided therewith
A pressure sensor which includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first cavity portion that spreads out approximately parallel with one surface of the semiconductor substrate in the interior of a central region thereof; a diaphragm portion of a thin plate shape that is positioned on one side of the first cavity portion; a pressure sensitive element that is disposed on the diaphragm; and a bump that is disposed in an outer edge region of the one surface of the semiconductor substrate that excludes the diaphragm portion and is electrically connected with the pressure sensitive element, wherein a second cavity portion is disposed in at least one portion of the outer edge region in the interior of the semiconductor substrate and is closed with respect to the one surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08127616B1 |
Elevated temperature pressure sensor
The present invention relates, in general, to pressure sensors capable of operating at high temperatures. The present invention further relates to a high temperature pressure sensor with an improved gage factor. The present invention still further provides a pressure sensor with a smaller sized diaphragm, which is capable of reading higher pressures. The present invention also provides a method and sensor for detecting strain using shape memory alloys. |
| US08127614B2 |
Methods and systems for ultrasonic coupling using ultrasonic radiation pressure
Apparatus and methods for ultrasonic coupling using ultrasonic radiation pressure generating are provided. Ultrasonic energy is generated to propagate in the form of ultrasonic waves in a medium coupled to a second element. The ultrasonic energy is converged in the medium to couple the medium to an object located at a distance from the second element. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed. |
| US08127613B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer
An ultrasonic transducer for installation in an instrument housing, the ultrasonic transducer having a transducer housing and a housing fixture, the transducer housing being put under pressure by a medium in its installed state on its emitting and/or receiving side. To provide an ultrasonic transducer for installation in an instrument housing, which implements a measure for avoiding crosstalk of ultrasonic signals and avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art—at least partially, the ultrasonic transducer is wherein the transducer housing indirectly forms at least one contact area in its installed state with the housing fixture, the transducer housing and the housing fixture being at least indirectly pressed against one another in a first contact area with existing, but as slight as possible, surface pressure by a pre-loading mechanism. |
| US08127611B2 |
Timber harvesting apparatus
The use of a harvester head, processor head or merchandiser to deploy or place probes into a standing tree, felled stem or trunk, log, cant or the like whereby a time of flight of a stress or acoustic wave can be measured for the purpose of comparing a relationship to a threshold for the purpose of attributing a characteristic to be harvested, processed or broken down tree, stem or trunk, log, cant or the like. |
| US08127609B2 |
Angular velocity sensing element
An angular velocity sensing element is provided, which is able to prevent breakage of an oscillation arm even when an excessively large shock is given. An angular velocity sensing element 2 according to the present embodiment includes oscillation arms 22, 23 and 24 formed of a semiconductor material, and a stopper member provided to limit the oscillation range of the oscillation arms. As such a stopper member, a first stopper member 25 is provided, for example, which limits the oscillation range of the oscillation arms at least within a single plane of the arms. Fixing portions 21, the oscillation arms 22, 23 and 24 and the first stopper member 25 are integrally formed by processing a semiconductor material, such as silicon. |
| US08127608B2 |
Detection device, gyrosensor, and electronic instrument
A detection device includes a driver circuit and a detection circuit. The detection circuit includes an amplifier circuit which amplifies an output signal from a vibrator, a sensitivity adjustment circuit which performs sensitivity adjustment by variably controlling a gain, and a synchronous detection circuit which performs synchronous detection based on a reference signal. The sensitivity adjustment circuit is provided in the preceding stage of the synchronous detection circuit. The sensitivity adjustment circuit operates as a programmable-gain amplifier and a high-pass filter. |
| US08127607B2 |
Angular velocity sensor interface circuit and angular velocity detection apparatus
An angular velocity detection apparatus includes an angular velocity detection signal amplifier circuit which amplifies an angular velocity detection signal Vo output from an angular velocity sensor, and an offset control circuit which controls an offset so as to be a reference voltage which is output when a value of an angular velocity is 0. The angular velocity detection apparatus further includes an input switch circuit which selects the reference voltage and a discharge switch circuit which short-circuits a capacitor included in a high-pass filter in an offset control period. |
| US08127606B2 |
Fault tolerant multidimensional acceleration and/or rotation sensor arrays with minimum numbers of redundant single dimension sensors and associated signal computation means
An inertial system design approach that can sense and tolerate failures of individual single dimensional acceleration and/or rotation sensors with a minimal number of sensors. Sets of 4 single dimensional acceleration and/or rotation sensors can provide full 3 dimensional sensing in spite of a sensor malfunction or failure, and sets of 3 single dimensional acceleration and/or rotation sensors can provide full 2 dimensional sensing in spite of a sensor malfunction or failure. |
| US08127603B2 |
Physical quantity sensor
A physical quantity sensor includes a sensor element that converts an externally applied physical quantity to an electrical signal; a detection circuit that amplifies and detects the output signal of this sensor element; and an adjustment circuit that adjusts the output signal from the detection circuit to a predetermined signal by applying the power supply wherein the adjustment circuit comprises an amplifier circuit that amplifies the output signal from the detection circuit and a reference amplifier circuit that has a gain that is made to correspond to the gain of the amplifier circuit. This configuration allows the gain of the amplifier circuit in the adjustment circuit to be varied according to the power supply voltage and, as a results, provides a physical quantity sensor having reliable sensor detection sensitivity and high-accuracy ratiometric characteristics. |
| US08127602B2 |
Measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the amount of contents in a container
A fill-measuring device for determining and/or monitoring the fill level of a container, includes: a membrane (1) which can be caused to vibrate; a rigid membrane rim (2) in which the membrane (1) is disposed; a drive device (4) having a drive end face (5) to impel the membrane (1) into vibration, and/or to convert vibrations of the membrane (1) into an electrical signal; and an attaching device (13) for attaching the drive device (4) to the membrane rim (2); wherewith, according to the invention: a part of the attaching device (13) is disposed in a region extending between the membrane (1) and the drive end face (5) of the drive device (4); and at least one pressure transmission element (6) is disposed between the membrane (1) and the drive end face (5) of the drive device (4), in a manner such that the membrane (1) and the drive end face (5) are coupled together for purposes of transmission of vibration. |
| US08127601B2 |
Process for determining tissue product break-through
A method for testing the break-through strength of a tissue product is disclosed. The method entails the steps of: a) observing a first condition of the tissue product; b) disposing the tissue product between a lower platen and an upper platen; c) disposing at least a portion of the tissue product within an aperture disposed within the lower platen and an aperture disposed within the upper platen; d) providing a simulated mucous composition; e) directing the simulated mucous composition toward the tissue product disposed within the aperture disposed within the lower platen and the aperture disposed within the upper platen; f) after step d), observing a second condition of the tissue product; and, g) comparing the first and the second conditions of the tissue product. |
| US08127598B2 |
Procedure for determining the proportions of components of a fuel mixture
A procedure for determining the proportion of components of a fuel mixture, which is boosted with a fuel pump, and a device for implementing the procedure are suggested. A measure for the power input of the fuel pump is detected, with whose aid the proportion of components of the fuel mixture is determined. By proceeding according to the invention a special sensor, which is susceptible to components of the fuel mixture can be waived. |
| US08127595B2 |
Pre-concentrator and sample interface
This invention describes a multi-stage pre-concentrator device for use with a detector system. One pre-concentrator stage is detachable and may be used to collect sample remotely from the detection system. The detachable pre-concentrator stage mates with the detector system and can transfer its desorbed sample to another pre-concentrator stage which also incorporates the functions of a sample loop serving as an injection volume to the separation column of an analytical instrument. In one embodiment the fixed pre-concentrator stage serves as a sample loop that preferably integrates suitable valves with sorbent materials onto the same structure to minimise dead volume, maximise sensitivity, improving column loading efficiency, reducing duty cycles and minimising detection system response time. |
| US08127593B2 |
Method for detecting fungal contamination
A method for detecting a fungal contamination of an indoor environment by calculation of a chemical index of the fungal contamination. A sample of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is withdrawn in indoor surroundings, and the presence or absence of certain predetermined VOCs resulting from fungal metabolism is detected. |
| US08127591B2 |
Calibration for a nondestructive material testing system
Calibration for an ultrasonic nondestructive materials testing system is specified, the system having an array of ultrasonic transducers which can be linearly moved and pivoted. In order to compensate for the offset between the beam direction of the ultrasonic transducers and the rotation point of the pivoting system or another desired point of the transducers, this offset is determined using a calibrating body which is, for example, spherical. |
| US08127590B2 |
Die cushion device of pressing machine
In a die-cushion device of a press machine a controller controls an opening degree of a proportional flow-rate control valve to an appropriate opening degree in order to control the flow rate flowing out of a lower chamber of a hydraulic cylinder supporting a cushion pad before a slide collides against the cushion pad using a die-cushion pressure command commanded from a commander in advance and a slide speed signal inputted from a slide speed detector. By this, generation of a surge pressure when a slide collides against the cushion pad at a high speed is restricted. |
| US08127589B2 |
Pliers for pressing work pieces
Pliers for pressing work pieces such as mountings, electric contacts, cable lugs and fittings include a first hand lever and a second hand lever. The hand levers are movable with respect to one another. The pliers also include a head and at least two pressing jaws being located in the region of the pliers head and approaching one another during a working stroke of the pressing pliers to press a work piece. The working stroke includes a first partial stroke and a second partial stroke. The pliers also include a first transfer mechanism and second transfer mechanism. |
| US08127585B2 |
Process for manufacturing outer ring member for constant-velocity joint
First shaped item with shaft part is produced by forward extrusion forming of work, and further, upset forming thereof is carried out to thereby obtain second shaped item with large-diameter part. Subsequently, backward extrusion forming of the second shaped item is carried out to thereby obtain third shaped item having not only cup part provided with ball rolling grooves but also circular diameter expansion portion provided at the mouth area of the inside wall of the cup part along the circumferential direction in such a fashion that the diameter is gradually expanded from the bottom side toward the opening side. Outer ring member for constant-velocity joint is obtained by further subjecting the third shaped item to low-temperature annealing treatment, shot blast treatment and lubricating chemical coating treatment, and thereafter to ironing forming. |
| US08127581B2 |
Turbine blade twist angle correction tooling
A tool for correcting the twist angle of a turbine blade includes an adaptor configured to engage a tip of the blade, a socket drive configured to engage the adaptor, a first handle connected to a first side of the socket drive, a second handle connected to a second side of the socket drive, and a torque gauge configured to measure a load applied to the blade. |
| US08127579B2 |
Universal lock cylinder
A lock assembly includes a universal core assembly, which provides multiple engagement features to permit the core assembly to be mounted into various lock housings. A torque blade or a spindle assembly is received within a rear segment of the lock core to engage one of the engagement members depending upon the desire lock within which the core is to be mounted. |
| US08127578B2 |
Locking gate latches
A gate latch is adapted to be installed on a gate post and a complementary striker arm is secured typically to a gate so that, upon closure of the gate, the striker arm engages a displacable latching element mounted in a housing of the latch to displace the latching element. The latching element is biased towards its open position but when the striker arm engages with the latching element it is displaced, thereby releasing an interference portion of a biased locking element, whereby the locking element is released to move under its biasing into a locking position so that self-locking is provided for the latch. A rotary release mechanism may be actuated to return the locking element so that the latching element can be released to release the striker bar and the gate may be opened. |
| US08127577B2 |
Lock
The invention relates to a lock, in particular a hoop lock, having a lock housing, in which a locking cylinder of the lock is arranged, including a cylinder housing, a barrel rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing and a driver unit associated in a drive effective manner with the barrel, and having at least one bolt coupled to the barrel via the driver unit, so that by rotating the barrel the at least one bolt is moveable from a locked position into a release position. The lock housing has a receiving space in an axial extension of the locking cylinder, with the locking cylinder or a part thereof being able to be displaced from an operational position into the receiving space on the application of a predefined force in the axial direction of the locking cylinder, to adopt a sabotage position, in which the coupling of the at least one bolt to the barrel is taken out of operation. |
| US08127575B2 |
Wicking fabric and garment made therefrom
A moisture wicking fabric has one side comprised substantially entirely of inherently hydrophobic fibers such as polyester or polypropylene and the other side comprised of a mixture of hydrophobic fibers such as polyester or polypropylene and hydrophilic fibers, particularly cellulosic fibers such as cotton, lyocell and viscose rayon. A garment can be formed from such a moisture wicking fabric, for example by the whole garment knitting method, the side comprised of the mixture of fibers being the external side of the garment. |
| US08127568B2 |
Article of jewelry and method of manufacture
An article of jewelry comprising: a first base having an outer surface and at least two wells; a layer of adhesive material in communication with at least one well; a layer of glitter in communication with at least a portion of the adhesive material in at least one well to provide a glitter adhesive filled well; at least one gemstone in communication with the layer of adhesive material and at least partially contained in at least one well; and at least one circular surrounding piece having an outer circumference and a center opening, the center opening corresponding to and surrounding the gemstone and in communication with the layer of adhesive material. |
| US08127566B2 |
Multiple airflow pattern water source geothermal heat pump unit
A modular water source geothermal heat pump unit is provided. The water source geothermal heat pump unit comprises separate fan, compressor and coil modules. In one embodiment, the compressor module may be located between the fan and coil modules. In another embodiment the water source geothermal heat pump unit may be a monolithic unit that includes a fan that directs air through a chute located adjacent a compressor. The chute may also be located between the fan and a coil. |
| US08127559B2 |
Core unit for refrigeration unit and refrigeration unit including the core unit
A refrigeration unit is provided without impairing freshness, as before freezing, after thawing frozen subjects, and, with providing excellent color of dark colored flesh of fish/meat, especially in the case of using perishable food, such as meat or fish, for subjects to be frozen. A core unit for a refrigerator, between a substantially-rectangular first plate member and a substantially-rectangular second plate member spaced apart and arranged in parallel toward each other, where an electric wave is propagated to the sides of the first plate member and the second plate member by an electric wave transmission antenna, and that can form a unidirectional and substantially-uniform static magnetic field in substantially-normal directions of a principal surface of the first plate member and a principal surface of the second plate member, is used. |
| US08127558B2 |
Gas turbine engine adapted for use in combination with an apparatus for separating a portion of oxygen from compressed air
A gas turbine engine is provided comprising an outer shell, a compressor assembly, at least one combustor assembly, a turbine assembly and duct structure. The outer shell includes a compressor section, a combustor section, an intermediate section and a turbine section. The intermediate section includes at least one first opening and at least one second opening. The compressor assembly is located in the compressor section to define with the compressor section a compressor apparatus to compress air. The at least one combustor assembly is coupled to the combustor section to define with the combustor section a combustor apparatus. The turbine assembly is located in the turbine section to define with the turbine section a turbine apparatus. The duct structure is coupled to the intermediate section to receive at least a portion of the compressed air from the compressor apparatus through the at least one first opening in the intermediate section, pass the compressed air to an apparatus for separating a portion of oxygen from the compressed air to produced vitiated compressed air and return the vitiated compressed air to the intermediate section via the at least one second opening in the intermediate section. |
| US08127557B2 |
Control systems and method for controlling a load point of a gas turbine engine
Control systems and a method for controlling a load point of a gas turbine engine are provided. A control system includes a controller that receives a temperature signal and a pressure signal associated with exhaust gases from the gas turbine engine. The controller is further configured to generate the fuel control signal. The controller is further configured to generate an actuator control signal such that flow restriction member is moved from the first operational position to the second operational position to restrict the flow path such that the exhaust gases have a temperature level within a desired turndown temperature range, the pressure level in the exhaust gases is less than a threshold pressure level, and the load point of the gas turbine engine is adjusted to toward a target load point. |
| US08127555B2 |
Flowpath heat exchanger for thermal management and power generation within a hypersonic vehicle
An electrical power generation system incorporates thermoelectric devices (TE Devices) for electrical power generation adjacent a flow path heat exchanger (HEX) adjacent to a vehicle flowpath structure such as a scramjet flow path to take advantage of the waste heat, high thermal gradients, and available, unused volume. A thermally conductive material communicates thermal energy from a vehicle external skin structure to the TE Device while a thermally conductive compliant material allows the TE Device to “float” with minimal mechanical stress. |
| US08127552B2 |
Transition scrolls for use in turbine engine assemblies
An engine assembly includes a combustor having a combustion chamber in which an air and fuel mixture is combusted to produce combustion gases. The engine assembly further includes a transition scroll coupled to the combustor for receiving the combustion gases. The transition scroll includes an interior surface, an exterior surface, and effusion cooling holes for providing cooling air to the interior surface. The engine assembly further includes a turbine coupled to the transition scroll for receiving and extracting energy from the combustion gases. |
| US08127551B2 |
Turbomachine with a diffuser
A turbomachine including an annular combustion chamber, a centrifugal compressor, an annular diffuser enabling the flow of gas leaving the compressor to be diffused and directing this flow of gas towards the combustion chamber, and an outer casing surrounding the outside of the combustion chamber is disclosed. The diffuser includes an upstream portion oriented radially and presenting diffusion passages connected to the outlet from the compressor, an intermediate portion that is elbow-shaped, and a downstream portion having a series of circularly spaced-apart flow-straightening vanes. The flow stream in the downstream portion is delimited externally by the outer casing. The outer casing presents a shoulder against which the outer downstream edge of the intermediate portion comes into abutment. |
| US08127546B2 |
Turbine engine fuel injector with helmholtz resonators
An end cap for a fuel injector of a turbine engine is disclosed. The end cap includes an annular first surface including a plurality of perforations. The annular first surface is exposed to a combustion chamber of the turbine engine. The end cap is coupled to an end face of the fuel injector to define an enclosed cavity. The enclosed cavity and the plurality of perforations form an array of Helmholtz resonators. |
| US08127545B2 |
Solar energy trap and turbine
A solar energy turbine includes solar energy trap (1110) having a chamber with an inlet port (12), such that solar energy (13) entering the chamber through the inlet port is absorbed and reflected within the chamber means until substantially all the solar energy is absorbed by the chamber. Preferably, the inlet port is arranged to cause photons of the solar energy entering the chamber to circulate substantially in a single direction within the chamber until absorbed, such that on re-passing the inlet port substantially no photons emerge from the inlet port. The solar energy turbine includes a heat exchanger (1150, 1160, 1170) for extracting energy from the solar energy trap to drive a turbine (1120). |
| US08127541B2 |
Working fluid cooling control system for construction machine
A working fluid cooling control system has a controller 100 that receives inputs signals from a traveling motor speed pickup 101, a pressure sensor 102, a signal receiving line 103a of an option selecting switch 103 and a temperature sensor 104. The controller performs predetermined arithmetic processing and controls proportional solenoid valves 105 and 106. The pressures controlled by the solenoid valves are compared with positive control command pressures in shuttle valves 109 and 110. In this way, in the case of an operation pattern corresponding to a rise in temperature of the working fluid, minimum tilting angles of hydraulic pumps 11 and 12 are increased to increase an average flow rate of the working fluid passing through an oil cooler 40, thereby increasing an average heat discharge amount and reducing an equilibrium temperature of the working fluid. |
| US08127539B2 |
Exhaust manifold
An exhaust manifold includes a plurality of branch pipes 2 to 5 and an adapter member 9 that has a ring portion 10 provided at exhaust-gas downstream side end portions 2a to 5a of the branch pipes 2 to 5 and with a reinforcement portion 11. The adapter member 9 and the exhaust-gas downstream side end portions 2a to 5a, which are inserted into the adapter member 9, are fixed with each other by a circular weld line X1 formed along outer circumferences of the exhaust-gas downstream side end portions 2a to 5a of the branch pipes 2 to 5 and also by a weld line X2 formed along the adjacent side wall portions 2b to 5b of the branch pipes 2 to 5. |
| US08127538B2 |
Liquid injector assembly with a flanged connector connection
A system for injecting from an injector into a duct of an engine system is provided. The system may include a first flange on a duct connection side, a second flange on an injector connection side, a stand-off separating the first flange from the second flange to form an air gap therebetween, and a seal offset from at least one of the first and the second flanges and located within the airgap and between the first flange and the second flange. |
| US08127537B2 |
Exhaust system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine
An exhaust system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine comprises a three-way catalyst composition including an oxygen storage component, which TWC composition is coated on a flow-through monolith substrate, which substrate comprising a plurality of channels, each channel having a length extending from an inlet end to an outlet end and a single lambda sensor, wherein the substrate comprises a portion of the plurality of channels wherein the TWC composition in at least a part of the length of channels extending from the inlet end has a reduced oxygen storage activity, or no oxygen storage activity, relative to the TWC composition in a remainder of the substrate, the arrangement being such that the single lambda sensor is contacted substantially only with exhaust gas that has first contacted the TWC composition having a reduced oxygen storage activity or no oxygen storage activity. |
| US08127536B2 |
Exhaust gas cleaning apparatus
An exhaust gas cleaning apparatus is provided with an exhaust gas particulate filter, an oxidation catalytic converter and a regeneration control component. The exhaust gas particulate filter is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine for capturing particulate matter in exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The oxidation catalytic converter is arranged upstream of the exhaust gas particulate filter in the exhaust passage. The regeneration control component is configured to control an exhaust gas recirculation rate and a temperature of recirculated exhaust gas being recirculated to an air induction system of the internal combustion engine for controlling a temperature of the exhaust gas particulate filter and a concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust gas particulate filter such that nitrogen dioxide generated by the oxidation catalytic converter is used to burn the particulate matter captured in the exhaust gas particulate filter. |
| US08127535B2 |
Method and system for purification of exhaust gas from diesel engines
The invention provides a method and system for purification of a carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, incompletely combusted hydrocarbons and soot containing exhaust gas from a combustion engine comprising the steps of catalytically oxidizing the carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas, retaining soot and remaining amounts of hydrocarbons in the oxidised exhaust gas in a filter, addition of a reducing agent to gas and catalytically reducing nitrogen oxides, and obtaining a purified exhaust gas. The invention further comprises the steps of controlling a temperature in the oxidising catalyst by passing at least a part of the gas from the engine through a first side of a heat exchanger, and passing at least a part of the purified exhaust gas through a second side of the heat exchanger, and leading the remaining amount of the gas from the engine through a by-pass across the first side of the heat exchanger and leading the remaining amount of the purified exhaust gas through a by-pass across the second side of the heat exchanger. |
| US08127529B2 |
Variable area fan nozzle and thrust reverser
A nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle door having a first end, a second end opposed from the first end, and a pivot between the first end and the second end. A linkage connects to the nozzle door and to an actuator. The actuator is selectively operative to move the linkage to in turn move the nozzle door about the pivot between a plurality of positions, such as a stowed position, an intermediate position, and a thrust reverse position, to influence a bypass airflow through a fan bypass passage. |
| US08127524B2 |
Gas turbine fuel metering unit
A fuel system for a turbine engine is provided. The fuel system includes a positive displacement pump driven by an electric motor. The pump is rotated in a first direction to deliver fuel to the turbine engine, and a second direction for evacuating fuel from the turbine engine. A shut-off check valve is open in a first direction in response to a first differential pressure created by the pump in the first direction. The shut-off check valve is biased to a closed position when the pump is rotating in the second direction. An ecology check valve is biased to a closed position in the first direction and open in the second direction in response to a second differential pressure created by the pump. The check valves open and close automatically in response to the pressures generated by the positive displacement pump in each of the first and second rotational directions. In this manner, simple, reliable valves are utilized to regulate the flow of fuel in the fuel system. |
| US08127522B2 |
Rotary cutting unit with deflection baffle
A rotary cutting unit with a deflection baffle in the cutting chamber, the deflection baffle including a bottom plate attached to the wall at the rear of the cutting chamber and increasing in width in the direction of blade rotation, and a front plate joined to the bottom curved plate and extending from the wall at the rear of the cutting chamber and sloping radially inwardly toward the center spindle in the direction of blade rotation. |
| US08127518B2 |
Flat blank carton
A flat blank carton is provided for packaging articles or products. The flat blank carton includes a base, a top, and a rear panel, hingedly connected to one another, and pairs of upper and lower side flaps hingedly attached to the top and base panels, respectively. The upper and lower side flaps include locking projections and corresponding locking recesses that are brought into mating, locking engagement as the top panel is folded over the base panel. After loading with products, the front end flaps of the cartons can be sealed to close the cartons. |
| US08127517B2 |
Method and apparatus for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container
Apparatus and methods for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strip.Apparatus and methods for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, and also for manufacturing an empty, flexible recloseable container. One method includes providing a pair of interlockable fastener strips, a web of flexible film, and a plurality of sliders, placing the sliders on the pair of interlockable fastener strips, subsequently attaching the interlockable fastener strips with attached sliders to the web of flexible film, and either placing a product within the web or providing the empty container to the consumer. |
| US08127514B2 |
Enhanced multi-layered shingle
A multi-layered roofing shingle is described. The layers of the shingle are connected via a mechanical fastener. A method for manufacturing a multi-layered shingle is also described. The method includes aligning the layers of the shingle, and connecting the layers via at least one mechanical fastener. Further described is a multi-layered shingle having layers that are mechanically fastened by deforming one of the layers into one of the other layers. |
| US08127507B1 |
System for mounting wall panels to a wall structure
A system for mounting wall panels to an existing wall structure, includes wall panels, each having a main panel section and hook walls at edges thereof which define a U-shaped configuration therewith; fastening extrusions, each including a securing section for securing the fastening extrusion to the existing wall structure, and a female connecting section including a recess and connected with the securing section; a frame extrusion connected to each hook wall, each including a securing section connecting the frame extrusion to a hook wall, a male connecting wall engaging within a recess of one female connecting section, and a spacer wall connecting the male connecting wall to the securing section so as to define a gap between the female connecting section and the hook wall when the male connecting wall is engaged within the recess; and a cover panel inserted in the gap. |
| US08127505B2 |
Assembly type wall structure
An assembly type wall structure is disclosed. The assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and includes a plurality of wall units. Each wall units together to form a wall and may connect this wall with the corresponding ceiling, walls and floor of the interior space. Hence, the assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and has the advantages of fast and simple implementation. |
| US08127504B2 |
Sliding door assembly for air and water exclusion
A sliding door assembly includes a fixed meeting stile sufficiently designed for maintaining a vertical weather strip gasket; a door jamb sufficiently designed for maintaining a vertical weather strip gasket; a first horizontal weather bar comprising an attaching means for engaging a sill of the sliding door assembly, and a horizontal member having a first end for engaging the fixed meeting stile, and a second end for engaging the door jamb, wherein the horizontal member is sufficiently designed for maintaining a horizontal weather strip gasket; and a second horizontal weather bar comprising an attaching means for engaging a head component of the sliding door assembly, and a horizontal member having a first end for engaging the fixed meeting stile, and a second end for engaging the door jamb, wherein the horizontal member is sufficiently designed for maintaining a horizontal weather strip gasket. |
| US08127503B2 |
Symmetric roof spoiler
Disclosed is a roof spoiler that effectively disrupts the attached flow of wind on a roof surface. Preferably, the spoiler is specially designed for installation with a gutter mounted on the roof fascia or along the leading edge of the roof. This spoiler utilizes a hinged design to move between two operating positions. The first position is a stowed position, whereby the spoiler extends beyond the gutter and is designed to be nearly invisible to passersby. In the stowed position, a portion of the spoiler covers the outer edge of the gutter (if present). A second portion of the spoiler may extend outward from the gutter. The second position is a deployed position, wherein a barrier is projected vertically, or substantially vertically, so as to disrupt the flow of air over the roof surface. In one embodiment, the spoiler rests upon the roof covering when in the deployed position. In another embodiment, the spoiler rests near or against the gutter or holding bracket. In one embodiment, a bracketing system, or support structure, is placed around an existing gutter. The roof spoiler is then pivotally attached to this support structure. In another embodiment, the support structure attaches directly to the gutter. |
| US08127493B2 |
Mechanism for adjusting mounting position of window regulator
A window regulator having a rail (20) with a mounting hole (24). A bracket (30) is mountable to a vehicle door. The bracket (30) has a cam guiding feature (38) and a surface (34) for seating the rail (20). The seating surface (34) has an elongate slot (36) therein. A cam (40) having a keyhole (42) and a cam surface (44) engages the cam guiding feature (38) of the bracket (30). A fastener (50) has a shaft fitted through the rail mounting hole (24), cam keyhole (42) and elongate slot (36) and connects the rail (20), cam (40) and bracket (30). The fastener has a key (54) mating with the cam keyhole (42). Thus, rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the cam and a coincident translation of the rail. |
| US08127488B2 |
No-smear flyswatter
A flyswatter (10) having an elastically deformable swatting member (16) with a plurality of protrusions (20) formed thereon. The protrusions (20) are spaced apart on the swatting member (16), and have a height somewhat less than the height of the insect. When the swatting member (16) is struck on an object upon which the insect rests, the protrusions (20) contact the object, and the swatting member (16) elastically deforms and bows outwardly and strikes the insect without flattening or squishing the insect. |
| US08127484B2 |
Rail clamp mount
A rail clamp mount that may be quickly and easily firmly secured to a rail, such as a rail carried by a gun, and that may be quickly and easily released from the rail. A preferred embodiment comprises a mount base including a first rail-engaging surface; a generally U-shaped, somewhat elastic clamping member carried by the mount base and including two second rail-engaging surfaces at the ends of the legs of the U, and a third second rail-engaging surface at the end of the center section of the clamping member between the legs of the U, the second rail-engaging surfaces being opposed to and transversely spaced from the first rail-engaging surface; a cam mechanism mounting the clamping member to the mount base for imparting transverse movement to the clamping member when actuated; and an actuator for the cam mechanism including a throw handle. |
| US08127483B2 |
Firearm buttstock assembly and method
A firearm buttstock includes a buttstock body having first, second and third passages. A transfer member is received in the second passage and a retaining member is received in the third passage. A firearm is also disclosed that has a receiver extension. The firearm buttstock can be supported on the firearm such that the receiver extension is received within the first passage. A method of assembling a firearm buttstock assembly is also included. |
| US08127481B2 |
Model 1911 semiautomatic pistol thumb safety
A model 1911 semiautomatic pistol thumb safety or decocking lever adapted to be coupled to a model 1911 receiver. The thumb safety has a selector pivotally coupled about an axis of rotation to a side of the model 1911 receiver the selector having a flat surface portion offset from the axis of rotation and contacting the side. The selector has a raised surface portion offset from the axis of rotation and facing the side. The safety is adapted to be selectable from a first position to a second position. The flat surface portion covers a swept area when the safety is rotated from the first position to the second position. The swept area is covered by the raised surface portion in either the first position or the second position. |
| US08127476B2 |
Quick release screw connector for earth-moving equipment
A connector for earth-moving equipment subjected to contact with earth, abrasive materials and the like has a nut with a body and a hole extending through the body. A bolt with a shank adapted to extend into the hole has an enlarged head at one end of the shank. Cooperating thread formations are defined on the shank and in the hole. The thread formations have cooperating matching cross-sections that decrease from a vicinity of the head of the screw towards the other end of the screw and that extend over a circumference of less than 360° and typically of no more than 270°. The connector is adapted to connect various components, including teeth and adapters, to each other and to lips at the front end of earth moving buckets and the like. |
| US08127470B2 |
Footwear with projections activated by horizontal sliding
Surface-engaging footwear projections can automatically be activated by horizontal sliding motion. In an example, horizontal sliding motion can turn one or more circular rolling members, such as around a horizontal axis, or move one or more sliding members along a horizontal track. The motion of such rolling or sliding members can cause one or more surface-engaging projections to move downward from the footwear into contact with the surface, which can then help slow or stop the horizontal sliding motion. |
| US08127468B2 |
Footwear construction
A welted footwear construction with a direct-attach outsole and an internal tray containing a low density cushioning material. The welt may be secured to the upper and insole by one line of stitching and to the tray by a second line of stitching. The tray may include separate heel and forefoot cavities, each containing a low density cushioning material. The tray may be manufactured from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”) and may contain low-density polyurethane (“PU”). The low-density PU may be molded in place within the cavities in the tray. The outsole may be directly attached to the undersurface of the tray, and may be manufactured from high-density PU. |
| US08127466B1 |
Foot conditioning device and method
The device and methodology of the present invention promotes and maintains the user's Pointe position of the foot in a completely, at-rest, passive manner. It combines the technology of medical grade custom orthotics/insoles pre-shaped, including a subtalar neutral heel position, into the proper arched position of the user's foot position “en pointe”, securing the toes to the device with Velcro®. A non-stretch, firm, breathable material such as canvas is the base of a self-adjustable lacing system that pulls the foot muscles onto the orthotic/insole to passively “teach” the foot muscles to conform and mimic the Pointe position. This self-adjusting feature of the lacing system allows constant correction and improvement of the foot muscles as they conform to the device. This leads to the formation of a near-perfect pointe position. |
| US08127464B2 |
Front ring for a household appliance door
A household appliance includes a housing having an opening for accessing an interior of the housing, a tub disposed inside the housing and having a rotating drum therein for receiving laundry through the opening, and a door assembly having a see-through portion for viewing into the tub and being pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly includes a door frame and a front ring coupled directly or indirectly to the door frame. The front ring includes a front face having an outside and inside edge, the inside edge defining an opening that substantially corresponds to the see-through portion, and a recessed rear face on an opposite side of the front ring from the front face, wherein the recessed rear face includes a handle portion extending around at least a portion of the front ring. |
| US08127462B2 |
Cylindrical dryer having conduits provided within a plurality of holding plates
A dryer uses conduits to carry a heating medium, such as steam, to heat the outer surface of the dryer. The volume of steam is successfully reduced to non-explosive levels and the shell need not be designed to prevent an explosion. Conduits may be formed through the shell itself or grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the shell, with the conduits retained within the grooves. Also, the conduits can be placed against the inside surface of the dryer and a material, such as zinc, can be filled in about the conduits. The material serves to both retain the conduits in place and thermally couple the conduits to the dryer to assure efficient heat transfer between the conduits and dryer. These modifications relieve the dryer from the Unfired Pressure Vessel classification to the classification of a piping assembly under ASA code regulations. This results in savings in operation safety, installation cost and operating costs due to the absence of costly inspections. Transportation costs are lowered by manufacturing a plurality of holding plates which would be transported to the location of use at which point the Yankee dryer will be constructed. It is contemplated that the plurality of holding plates would not require a shell surrounding the exterior of these holding plates. Additionally, the thermal gradient on the exterior of the Yankee dryer will be controlled through the use of a plurality of auxiliary supply and exhaust conduits. |
| US08127459B2 |
Multifunctional airway evaluator for orotracheal intubation
A multifunctional airway evaluator for orotracheal intubation includes first and second connected elongated arms, movable relative to each other about a pivot axis, a planar plate connected to the first arm and extending upwardly therefrom, and a gravity-operated angular indicator attached to the planar plate. The plate includes a distance scale on its front face, and the distance scale includes a plurality of spaced apart grade lines aligned radially with the pivotal axis and distance parameters associated with the grade lines, each of the distance parameters indicating a distance between the distal ends of the first and second arms when the arms are in a relative position. The gravity-operated angular indicator includes an axial pin disposed perpendicular to the planar plate, a rotating disk pivotally attached to and rotatable around the axial pin by gravity, and one or more angular measurement marker provided adjacent the rotating disk. |
| US08127454B1 |
Rod cutter
A rod cutter and method of measuring rod length and then cutting, and including two telescoping handles operable with only longitudinal force on the handles. The cutting precision is effective by a gauge that aligns with the cutting line on the rod and then positions the rod in the cutter according to that alignment. Storage for the gauge is provided on the cutter. |
| US08127451B1 |
Method for supporting loads in a coal-dust-laden environment
A bearing for use in a particulate-laden environment uses the particles as a lubricant between the opposed bearing surfaces, which are coated with a tungsten carbide coating that is harder than the particles. |
| US08127448B2 |
Method for making drainage element
The machine employs a forming collar to shape a continuous web of material longitudinally about a barrel with the longitudinal edges splayed outwardly and over each other. A sewing machine spaced radially from the barrel secures the longitudinal edges together to form a sleeve having an outwardly directed flap. In another embodiment, the machine employs two forming collars to shape a pair of webs about the barrel with outwardly splayed edges on two sides and two sewing machines to secure the edges together to form a pair of flaps. The seam(s) can be sewn at one of a plurality of spacings from the barrel to form a drainage line element of a different diameter from a standard diameter without need to adjust or replace other components of the fabricating machine. |
| US08127447B2 |
Method for downhole screen manufacturing
A method of making a screen for downhole use uses mesh screen layers that are diffusion bonded to each other. The ends that will overlap to make a seam when the sheets that are attached together are rolled into a tube are compressed before the tube shape is created or thereafter when the tube shape and an inner base pipe are drawn through a die to join the seam made by the overlapping edges. Because of the compression of the edges, when they overlap to form a tube the wall thickness at the overlap is about the same as the remaining thickness of the screen portion. Optionally, a resilient material can be compressed into the open areas of the screen portions that will be overlapped to make the generally longitudinally oriented seam. The seam can be parallel to the screen axis or spiral around it. The outer perforated shroud provides a compressive force that maintains a barrier resistant to flow of sand particles between the seam overlapping surfaces as the outer perforated shroud, filtration tube and inner base pipe assembly is drawn through a die. |
| US08127444B2 |
Fans and turbines
Overlapping twisted radial aerofoil blades or vanes (70) are formed on a compressor rotor or turbine disk or the like (68) by electro-discharge machining with a curved round section wire tool electrode (72) which is turned by a tool holder (28) as it is advanced on a helical path to form the inner surface of each blade or vane with the outer curve of the wire, or the outer surface of each blade or vane with the inner curve of the wire, the disk being indexed to a next rotary position after each blade surface is machined. |
| US08127442B2 |
Compressor blade flow form technique for repair
A method for repairing a turbine engine component is provided. The method broadly comprises the steps of providing a turbine engine component having an airfoil portion, applying a coating to the airfoil portion, and restoring a tip portion, a chord, and surfaces of the airfoil portion to original dimensions in a single operation. A system for repairing the turbine engine component is also described. |
| US08127440B2 |
Method of making bondable flexible printed circuit
A method for producing a circuit assembly having a non-conductive substrate upon which printed conductors may be easily and selectively interconnected to another circuit assembly device, and/or apparatus. |
| US08127439B2 |
Method of manufacturing electronic component device
A recessed portion is formed in a predetermined position in a heat-spreading component. A thermoplastic resin serving as a thermal interface material (TIM) is stored in the recessed portion. Meanwhile, a large number of filamentous thermo-conductive elements serving as the TIM are arranged to stand side by side on a surface of the heat-spreading component in which the recessed portion is formed (or on an exposed surface of an electronic component). Then, the heat-spreading component is fixed onto a board in such a manner that the surface of the heat-spreading component in which the recessed portion is formed faces the board and that a clearance is adjusted between the electronic component and the heat-spreading component. Thereafter, the resin is heated to a softening point thereof into a fluidized state, and the resin is flowed and filled into the clearance between the electronic component and the heat-spreading component. |
| US08127437B2 |
Method for fabricating electroactive polymer transducer
Electroactive polymer transducers for sensory feedback applications are disclosed. |
| US08127433B2 |
Method of manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk
In a manufacturing method of a glass substrate for a magnetic disk including a cleaning process of the glass substrate, the cleaning process includes a process of contacting the glass substrate with a cleaning solution containing a compound, such as thioglycolic acid or a thioglycolic acid derivative, having a thiol group as a functional group. |
| US08127430B2 |
Method of assembling split core type stator of inner rotor type rotary electric machine
A method of manufacturing a stator coil including shaping a plurality of shaped bodies from electric conductor wires; combining the shaped bodies to form a combined body; and winding the combined body around a core member to form a wound body. The shaped body includes a plurality of parallel straight portions extending along a longitudinal direction of the combined body, and a plurality of turn portions connecting straight portions at ends of the straight portions in an alternating manner. Each of the shaped bodies includes a plurality of straight overlap sections. The wound body includes a plurality of straight laminated sections formed from the plurality of straight overlap sections laminated in a radial direction. Pre-orientation members are inserted respectively into consecutive clearances formed between adjacent straight overlap sections during the winding step, so overlap of the straight portions in the straight overlap section caught between said pre-orientation members is aligned. |
| US08127429B2 |
Method for producing ring core
A method for producing a ring core having a plurality of separate core plates with lobes defined on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the separate core plates being arranged and stacked in a ring-shaped pattern. The method includes the steps of supporting the separate core plates with either one of an inner guide member being disposed radially inwardly of the separate core plates stacked in the ring-shaped pattern and an outer guide member disposed radially outwardly of the separate core plates, and applying a pressure from the other of the inner guide member and the outer guide member, wherein the inner guide member has recesses corresponding to the lobes for positioning and supporting the lobes, and stacking the separate core plates in the ring-shaped pattern to form the ring core, while rotating the separate core plates in unison through a predetermined angle with the inner and outer guide members. |
| US08127427B2 |
Quartz crystal unit, quartz crystal oscillator having quartz crystal unit, and electronic apparatus having quartz crystal oscillator
A quartz crystal oscillator has an amplifier, a capacitor, a resistor and a quartz crystal unit comprised of a case, a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator vibratable in a flexural mode and a lid connected to the case. At least one groove with a first surface opposite a first side surface and a second surface connected to the first surface through a third surface is formed in each of first and second main surfaces of each of first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines. The width of each groove is greater than a distance in the width direction of the groove measured from an outer edge of the groove to an outer edge of the corresponding tuning fork tine. A first electrode is disposed on the first surface of the groove and a second electrode is disposed on the first side surface so that the first electrode has an electrical polarity opposite to the electrical polarity of the second electrode. Each of an overall length of the resonator and a length of the groove is determined so that a series resistance R1 of a fundamental mode of vibration of the resonator is less than a series resistance R2 of a second overtone mode of vibration thereof. The tuning fork resonator is electrically connected to the amplifier, the capacitor and the resistor. |
| US08127426B2 |
Electronic apparatus having quartz crystal oscillating circuits
An electronic apparatus has a display portion, and first and second oscillating circuits each having a quartz crystal resonator, the quartz crystal resonator of each of the first and second oscillating circuits vibrating in a different mode from each other. One of the quartz crystal resonators is a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator having first and second tuning fork tines. Electrodes are disposed on side surfaces of each of the first and second tuning fork tines so that the electrodes of the first tuning fork tine have an electrical polarity opposite to an electrical polarity of the electrodes of the second tuning fork tine. The capacitance ratio r1 of a fundamental mode of vibration of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is less than a capacitance ratio r2 of a second overtone mode of vibration thereof. An output signal of the oscillating circuit having the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator is a clock signal used to display time information at the display portion of the electronic apparatus. |
| US08127425B2 |
Gear production plant
A gear production plant has, along a gear production path, a station for preparing a number of blanks; a cutting station, where respective teeth are cut on the blanks to obtain a number of semifinished parts; a heat treating station, where the toothed semifinished parts are carburized or nitrided; and a finish station for finish machining the heat treated semifinished parts; the plant also having a check station located along the production path, downstream from the heat treating station or the finish station, and which houses an optical measuring unit for non-destructively determining the effective carburized or nitrided case depth on the teeth. |
| US08127423B2 |
Roller hemming system
A roller hemming system for hemming nested panels includes a single hemming workstation providing for tooling exchange operations simultaneous with hemming operations. A plurality of robots that perform tooling exchange at the hemming workstation, movement of nested panels through the system, and hemming operations on nested panels at the hemming workstation. Nested panels are inputted into the system and hemmed nested panel assemblies are outputted from the system. |
| US08127421B2 |
Three-dimensional branching structures and methods for making and using same
The specification and drawing disclose the steps and structure involved in making one of a wide variety of three-dimensional branching structures that can be individually formed into extremely complex spatial representations of natural or abstract shapes suitable for viewing from many perspectives. A branching structure in the form of a wall-mounted tree is comprehensively disclosed along with means for affixing leaves to the tree to further simulate the form of a tree and for the further (optional) purpose of physically memorializing persons or events. A second embodiment is also disclosed to suggest the wide range of variations possible through employment of the basic method steps and to illustrate a form of branching structure that can be viewed from any horizontal or vertical perspective. |
| US08127420B2 |
Dental machining device and method for monitoring sealing elements in dental machining devices
A dental machining device (1) having at least one shaft (2) which projects into a machining chamber (4) and is displaceable in both axial and radial directions includes a sealing element (7) having at least two axially spaced sealing lips (8, 9) bearing against the shaft (2) in its peripheral direction and enclosing an annular chamber (10) with the shaft (2). At least one fluid conduit (11) opens into the annular chamber (10) to supply a fluid (16) thereto. A pressure sensor (14) is provided for detecting a state variable of the fluid, which is detected and held ready for transmission to a control unit (14″). |
| US08127407B2 |
Packaged item including a packaging tie-down
A packaged item including one or more packaging tie-downs configured to retain objects secured with a retention strap in association with packaging material. |
| US08127406B2 |
Hose clamp
Provided is a hose clamp which is capable of reliably fastening and fixing a hose to a pipe without being affected by a layout of the hose to be fastened. The hose clamp (10) has an annular plate spring body (11), a slit (15) and a first tab (18) are formed at one end of the plate spring body (11), and an insertion section (23) and a second tab (25) are formed at another end. An engagement section (21) engaged with an opposite surface of the second tab (25) is formed at the first tab (18), and an operation section (29) extending in a width direction to be situated above the engagement section (21) is formed at the second tab (25). The engagement between the engagement section (21) and a groove (31) can be released by vertically moving the engagement section (21) and the operation section (29) away from each other by a flat head screwdriver (D) or by bringing the operation section (29) and the first tab (18) close to each other in the width direction by a plier (T). |
| US08127404B2 |
Decorative jewellery
The present invention provides a jewellery ornament device for decorating the upper torso region of a user, comprising a clip, and a support for a decoration, the support being detachable from the clip, the clip comprising: a first plate connected to a second plate, the plates being adapted to grip between them a portion of a garment worn by a user, such that when a portion of a garment worn by a user lies substantially flat against the user's body, and the portion of garment is gripped between the second and first plates, the plates limit the movement of the clip about the plane of the portion of the garment, thereby retaining the dip substantially in line with the portion of the garment. |
| US08127399B2 |
Self-propelled vacuum-cleaning device
A self-propelled vacuum-cleaning device for cleaning smooth and textile floor coverings, particularly in the private home sector. The device has a housing, a vacuum blower, an electrically driven cleaning roller, an electrical drive mechanism, control electronics, and a power source. The maximal electric power of the self-propelled vacuum-cleaning tool lies between 150 watts and 300 watts during cleaning operation, whereby between 120 watts and 220 watts are allocated to the vacuum blower, between 10 watts and 40 watts are allocated to the electrical roller drive for the cleaning roller, and between 5 watts and 40 watts are allocated to the drive mechanism, and whereby the control electronics have a power demand of less than 5% of the maximal electric power. |
| US08127394B2 |
End-piece for a windshield wiper blade unit
The invention relates to an end-piece (20) for a windshield wiper blade unit, which end-piece comprises: an open hollow body (26) that receives a longitudinal end of the spine member; and locking means for locking the end of the spine member in the engaged position in which it is engaged in the cylindrical recess. In accordance with the invention, the locking means (46, 48) are declutchable, so as to enable the end-piece to be dismounted from the front end of the spine member. |
| US08127390B2 |
Robot for cleaning wall/window
A robot according to the present invention cleans the outer surface of a window/wall by performing automatic movement along the outer surface of the window/wall while being vacuum-sucked onto the outer surface. The robot includes a moving unit for moving the robot in a first direction, a direction changing unit for rotating the moving unit to change a movement direction of the robot, and a cleaning unit mounted on at least one side of the robot. The robot can prevent water used to clean the window or outer wall of a building from being dropped toward a lower story. Also, the robot can run smoothly so that it can achieve a satisfactory cleaning operation without forming spots. The robot uses a turntable system, so that it can also freely change the movement direction thereof about the center thereof up to 360° without requiring any radius of rotation, to easily approach even a dead zone. The robot has a minimum size and a minimum weight, so that it can minimize the possibility that the robot falls down during a cleaning operation. |
| US08127388B2 |
Gangway apparatus
A gangway apparatus (10) for transfer between vessels or between a vessel (38) and a fixed structure such as an offshore construction or a quay is disclosed. The gangway apparatus (10) includes a gangway component (16) which is preferably buoyant and may be inflatable. The gangway component (16) is mounted on a skate or bogie and traverses a fixedly mounted runway (14). The runway (14) may be inclined. Control means are provided for controlling the motion of the gangway component on the runway. These may include biasing means such as a counterweight. The apparatus is preferably mounted in a shipping container such as a 40′ ISO container. |
| US08127383B2 |
Titanium mattress member
A versatile support member constructed of a metallic mesh is provided in a bedding product. The support member is placed on top of the mattress core (whether foam or spring coil) before the mattress cover is attached. The support member may be constructed of titanium wire in a woven or welded mesh grid or web configuration, although other metals (such as, but not limited to, vanadium, chromium, platinum, molybdenum, nickel, iron, zinc), alloys thereof, or fiber composites (such as, but not limited to, carbon or graphite) may be used. The support member may be directly attached to the core or may be secured to the upper or lower border rods by hog rings, stitching, lacing, or other conventional means. |
| US08127378B1 |
Gusseted foot canopy for bed top sheets, blankets, quilts or beds and the like
A bed top covering includes a top portion; and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a gusseted foot canopy therein configured to allow feet of a user to be extended in an upward direction therewithin and providing room and maneuverability for the feet of the user. A foot canopy for a bed, including top and side portions. The top and side portions form a gusseted foot canopy. The side portions are configured to be removable and attachable to a mattress of a bed. The gusseted foot canopy is configured to allow feet of a user to be extended in an upward direction therewithin and provides room and maneuverability for the feet of the user. |
| US08127370B2 |
Breakaway sport pants and method of use
Breakaway sport pants include right and left side zippers that do not have catch mechanisms. When the zippers are zipped, right and left connectors hold the front and back portions of the sport pants together and prevent the zippers from unzipping. However, when the right and left connectors are disengaged, the zippers easily unzip to allow removal of the sport pants. In an embodiment of the invention, the zipper pull tabs include a friction enhancing material that catches on the connectors and upper portions of the pants to prevent inadvertent unzipping of the pants. |
| US08127369B2 |
Knee-mounted air deflector for motorcyclist
An air deflector is mounted to the area of the knee of a motorcyclist to prevent a stream of air from striking the motorcyclist's face. In one embodiment, the deflector is in the form of a cap visor. |
| US08132267B2 |
Apparatus and method to harden computer system
In some embodiments, a processor-based system may include a processor, the processor having a processor identification, one or more electronic components coupled to the processor, at least one of the electronic components having a component identification, and a hardware security component coupled to the processor and the electronic component. The hardware security component may include a secure non-volatile memory and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive the processor identification from the processor, receive the at least one component identification from the one or more electronic components, and determine if a boot of the processor-based system is a provisioning boot of the processor-based system. If the boot is determined to be the provisioning boot, the controller may be configured to store a security code in the secure non-volatile memory, wherein the security code is based on the processor identification and the at least one component identification. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US08132264B2 |
Access authorization across processing devices
Authentication information (125) obtained by a device (100) at one level of a transformation sequence is securely communicated to another device (200) at another level of the transformation sequence. To assure that the communicated authentication information (125) is not merely a copy of previously communicated authentication information, each communication (145) includes an item (255) that the receiving device (200) can verify as having been recently generated. |
| US08132261B1 |
Distributed dynamic security capabilities with access controls
A method and system are disclosed for distributed dynamic security of a document. Portions of a document are associated with a plurality of member definitions. Each member definition contains an access right associated with a user. An access controller receives a request from a user and determines whether that user has sufficient access rights to access a portion of the document. |
| US08132260B1 |
Methods and apparatus for prioritization of remediation techniques for network security risks
A method for a computer system includes receiving a topology of a network including a server location and a threat server at a threat server location, determining a vulnerability security risk for the server location, determining remediation actions including a first action and a second action in response to the vulnerability, determining updated security risks associated with the server location including an first updated security risk for a first action and a second updated security risk for, and displaying a prioritized list of remediation actions on the display, wherein the first remediation action is prioritized over the second remediation action when the first updated security risk value with respect to the security risk value shows a greater improvement in risk than the second updated security risk value with respect to the security risk value. |
| US08132258B1 |
Remote security servers for protecting customer computers against computer security threats
A client computer may be configured to perform computer security operations in conjunction with a remotely located security server. Upon detection of a computer security event, such as reception of a file, the client computer may generate a query input and determine if the query input has corresponding security information in the security server. When the query input has corresponding security information, the client computer may forward the query input to the security server. In response, the security server may retrieve the security information using the query input and provide the security information to the client computer. As a particular example, the security event may be reception of a file in the client computer and the security information may indicate whether or not the file is infected with a computer virus. |
| US08132246B2 |
Kerberos ticket virtualization for network load balancers
An exemplary group ticket for a Kerberos protocol includes a service ticket encrypted with a dynamic group key and a plurality of enveloped pairs where each pair includes a name associated with a member of a group and an encrypted the dynamic group key for decryption by a key possessed by the member of the group where decryption of an encrypted dynamic group key allows for decryption of the service ticket. Other exemplary methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08132242B1 |
Automated authentication of software applications using a limited-use token
In general, the invention is directed to techniques of automated authentication of network-enabled software applications launched by a web browser. For example, an intermediate device, such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) gateway, intercepts communications between a client device and a server. The gateway device automatically issues a temporary token to the client device when the web browser requests a resource that will result in the launch of an additional software application external to the web browser. This temporary token is only valid for a limited time and a limited number of uses. Subsequently, the gateway device uses the temporary token to authenticate the second software application, thereby avoiding passing user credentials from the web browser to the second application on the client device via an insecure persistent cookie. |
| US08132241B2 |
Method for device insertion into a community of network devices
A method for performing at least one evolution operation in a dynamic, evolutive community of devices in a network comprising at least a first device. The method comprises a step of sending at least one message over the network from the first device to a second device, wherein the first device continues the method without acknowledgement of the at least one message from the second device. The method is suitable for execution on clockless devices. A device for performing the method is also claimed. |
| US08132238B2 |
System and method for identity authentication for service access without use of stored credentials
A computer-implemented system and method for pool-based identity authentication for service access without use of stored credentials is disclosed. The method in an example embodiment includes providing provisioning information for storage in a provisioning repository; receiving a service request from a service consumer, the service request including requester identifying information; generating an authentication request to send to an authentication authority, the authentication request including requester identifying information; receiving validation of an authenticated service request from the authentication authority; and providing the requested service to the service consumer. |
| US08132235B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for providing e-token based access control for virtual world spaces
A method for providing e-token based access control to virtual world (VW) spaces includes intercepting a request from a first VW member to invite a second VW member to a VW space within a VW network, the request intercepted outside of the VW network. The access controls also include using a secret code associated with the first member to generate an e-token that includes an identifier of the second member and the space. The access controls further include sending the e-token inside the network. In response to a request for access to the space, the access controls include sending the e-token outside of the network for verification. Upon successful verification of the e-token, the access controls include accessing the network and controlling a guard bot inside the network to grant access for the second member to the space. The guard bot adds the second member to an access control list. |
| US08132233B2 |
Dynamic network access control method and apparatus
A method of network access control identifies, in response to a request by an end node to access a network, attributes of the end node and of a device receiving the request. Based on the attributes, a network access control implementation is selected from a plurality of network access control implementations to apply to the request. |
| US08132232B2 |
Controlling access privileges in a wireless domain
Various systems, methods, and programs executable on a computer readable medium are provided for providing secure communications in a wireless domain. In one embodiment, a method is provided in which access to a network is established a client in an originating subnet associated with an originating controller in a wireless domain. The access rights for the client are set based upon a first active control list. Access to the network for the client is established in a foreign subnet associated with a foreign controller in the wireless domain when the client roams from the originating subnet to the foreign subnet. A second active control list is tunneled from the foreign subnet to the originating subnet. The access rights to the network for the client in the originating controller are reset based upon the second active control list. |
| US08132231B2 |
Managing user access entitlements to information technology resources
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for logical management and provisioning of business applications within the framework of an identity management system. The illustrative embodiments providing an interface layer to map respective attributes, permissions, and resource accounts in a data repository needed to represent access to business applications via a managed service in the identity management system. The illustrative embodiments define user entitlements on a user account associated with the managed service. The illustrative embodiments provision user access to the business applications via the managed service in the identity management system upon user request. |
| US08132225B2 |
Scalable and flexible information security for industrial automation
A security system that relates to industrial automation security comprises a component that receives a request to modify security relating to a zone of a factory floor, the zone being less than an entirety of the factory floor. A zonal security component generates security procedures for the zone, the security procedures differ from security procedures implemented on the factory floor outside the zone. |
| US08132224B2 |
Transmitting and receiving multimedia SMIL documents
An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving multimedia broadcasting in order to provide multimedia broadcasting services and interactive broadcasting services are provided. An apparatus for receiving multimedia broadcasting includes a reference clock receiver, which receives a reference clock value, i.e., a current time value, of real-time multimedia broadcasting; a multimedia document receiver/storage, which receives and stores a first multimedia document; a media data receiver/storage, which receives and stores first media data; and a multimedia document renderer, which when the first multimedia document is scheduled at the reference clock value and the first media data is a rendering material used to render the first multimedia document, renders the first multimedia document using the first media data. |
| US08132223B2 |
Display of enhanced content
A method for controlling presentation of items of enhanced content in an interactive television system comprising at least one distribution unit and a plurality of decoder units arranged to store items of enhanced content and cause them to be presented to a user on receipt of a trigger signal from the distribution unit, the method comprising: storing the items of enhanced content at the decoder units; storing at the distribution unit a schedule indicating a desired synchronisation between the items of enhanced content and a running program with which the enhanced content is associated, the running program comprising a timing stream and a series of periodic indications of the identity of the running program; transmitting the running program to the decoder units over a transmission channel via the distribution unit; and at the distribution unit analysing traffic passing over the transmission channel so as to determine whether the said periodic indications of the identity of the running program continue to be detected as passing over the transmission channel, and generating trigger signals in respect of the enhanced content associated with the running program only whilst it is determined that the said periodic indications continue to be detected as passing over the transmission channel. |
| US08132218B2 |
Access/edge node supporting multiple video streaming services using a single request protocol
An access/edge network node (300) according to the invention includes a single proxy function (301) to terminate on the subscriber side a single requesting protocol for a plurality of streaming video services. |
| US08132217B2 |
Control device, reproduction system, and program
First, a control device determines a reproduction-display device, from which the control device has been able to obtain neighborhood device information via a short-range wireless communication section, to be located in the neighborhood of the control device, and registers this reproduction-display device to neighborhood determination information. Next, the control device detects the reproduction-display devices connected to a network, to which a content server is connected, using a network communication section and registers these reproduction-display devices to reproduction device registration information. The reproduction-display device, which is registered in both of the reproduction device registration information and the neighborhood determination information, is designated by priority, and reproduces and displays content. |
| US08132216B1 |
Method and system for controlling a multi-terminal system
A method and system for controlling a terminal includes a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals receiving a command signal and converting the command signal to a serial port control signal. The receiving unit formats the serial port control signal to form a formatted signal. A terminal device receives the formatted signal, recovers the serial port control signal from the formatted signal and controls a terminal device in response to the serial port control signal. |
| US08132215B2 |
Apparatus for receiving broadcast signal
A broadcast signal receiving apparatus, which is capable of simultaneously processing a plurality of transport streams in an appropriate manner, is comprised of: a pre-processing unit 1202 that determines and extracts a piece of viewing-related data from each of a plurality of transport streams; a multiplexing unit 1203 that multiplexes the extracted pieces of viewing-related data, and outputs the resulting multiplexed data to an adapter 1204; and a demultiplexing unit 1205 that obtains, from the adapter 1204, the multiplexed data processed by the adapter 1204, and demultiplexes the received data. |
| US08132210B2 |
Video disc player for offering a product shown in a video for purchase
There is provided a method for use by a video disc player for offering a product shown in a video for purchase. The method comprises examining a disc containing the video to determine whether the disc contains trigger data associated with the video; requesting the trigger data associated with the video from a remote server if the examining determines that the disc does not contain the trigger data associated with the video; downloading the trigger data associated with the video from the remote server using a network connection; and storing the trigger data associated with the video in a memory of the video player, wherein at least one trigger data includes a time indicating when a trigger is to occur during the playing of the video on the disc, the at least one trigger corresponding to the display of a product shown in the video. |
| US08132206B2 |
Multiple database, user-choice-compiled program and event guide
An electronic programming guide generator utilizes filters to select only programming filtered to display in an electronic programming guide display. |
| US08132193B2 |
Disk ejecting unit and optical disk device including the same
A disk ejecting unit to manually ejecting a disk and a disk device including the disk ejecting unit are provided. A disk ejecting unit for use in a disk device for recording and/or reproducing data with respect to a disk, includes a driving motor, a slider that moves toward a first position or a second position in response to a driving force of the driving motor, an eject lever to press the disk inserted into the disk device so as to eject the disk where the slider is moved toward the second position, and a gear assembly to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the slider. |
| US08132192B2 |
Optical disk apparatus
In a prior art slim-type high speed rotation optical disk apparatus, the side wall of the bottom chassis is bent at a bending point toward the side of the optical disk according to the configuration of the corner air window section of the chassis. According to the present invention, this bent side wall is formed so as to have a first vertical wall which is adjacent to the bending point and a second vertical wall which is adjacent to and lower than the first vertical wall. This constitutes an L-shaped vertical wall in the air window section of the bottom chassis, resulting in reduced noise. |
| US08132177B2 |
System and method for load-balancing in server farms
A system and method for receiving a server request, determining whether one of a plurality of servers scheduled to receive the server request is available, wherein the availability of the one of the servers scheduled to receive the request is based on a first stored value and a second stored value, incrementing the second stored value by a predetermined amount when the one of the servers is unavailable and directing the server request to another one of the plurality of servers based on the first and second stored values. |
| US08132176B2 |
Method for accessing, by application programs, resources residing inside an application isolation scope
In a method for accessing, by application programs, resources provided by an operating system, a process receives a request for a resource and an identifier associated with the resource. It is determined that the requested resource resides inside an application isolation environment. The request for the resource and the identifier associated with the resource is redirected to the application isolation environment. The request for the resource is responded to using an instance of the resource residing inside the application isolation environment. |
| US08132174B2 |
Concurrency management in cluster computing of business applications
A system and method for concurrency management in an environment, in which a common pool of objects is shared by multiple users. A virtual lock owner is created for a main thread of a processing task. The main thread spawns parallel threads to update the objects in the common pool with locks. The virtual lock owner is passed to each parallel thread. Each thread (including the main thread) is associated with a thread dependent lock indicator identified by the virtual lock owner. The lifetime of the thread dependent lock indicator is coupled with the lifetime of the associated thread. The virtual lock owner is also associated with a thread independent lock indicator that has a lifetime independent of the lifetime of the main thread. Thus, the parallel threads can perform object update with lock protection even if the main thread aborts. |
| US08132172B2 |
Thread scheduling on multiprocessor systems
A thread scheduler may be used in a chip multiprocessor or symmetric multiprocessor system to schedule threads to processors. The scheduler may determine the bandwidth utilization of the two threads in combination and whether that utilization exceeds the threshold value. If so, the threads may be scheduled on different processor clusters that do not have the same paths between the common memory and the processors. If not, then the threads may be allocated on the same processor cluster that shares cache among processors. |
| US08132171B2 |
Method of controlling thread access to a synchronization object
A method of controlling thread access to a synchronization object is described. The method comprises waking a sleeping first thread after release, by a second thread, of a synchronization object in a normal state and causing, by the first thread, the synchronization object to transition to a want-lock state, the synchronization object being acquirable by the first thread prior to being acquirable by the second thread. |
| US08132170B2 |
Call stack sampling in a data processing system
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for sampling call stack information. An event is monitored during execution of a plurality of threads executed by a plurality of processors. In response to an occurrence of the event, a thread is identified in the plurality of threads to form an identified thread. A plurality of sampling threads is woken, wherein a sampling thread within the plurality of sampling threads is associated with each processor in the plurality of processors and wherein one sampling thread in the plurality of sampling threads obtains call stack information for the identified thread. |
| US08132169B2 |
System and method for dynamically partitioning an application across multiple processing elements in a heterogeneous processing environment
A system and method for dividing an application into a number of logical program partitions is presented. Each of these logical program partitions are stored in a logical program package along with a execution monitor. The execution monitor runs in one of the processing environments of a heterogeneous processing environment. The logical program partition includes sets of object code for executing on each of the types of processors included in the heterogeneous processing environment. The logical program partition includes instrumentation data used to evaluate the performance of a currently executing partition. The execution monitor compares the instrumentation data to the gathered profile data. If the execution monitor determines that the partition is performing poorly then the code for the other environment is retrieved from the logical program package and loaded and executed on the other environment. |
| US08132161B2 |
Semiconductor test program debug device
It is possible to provide a semiconductor test program debug device capable of reducing the unnecessary facilities when using a semiconductor test device or a semiconductor test program of different specification. The semiconductor test program debug device 300 includes a virtual device 80 for simulating operation of the device under test, a dedicated test bench processing section 60 and a general-purpose test bench processing section 70 for generating a pseudo test signal and a response signal inputted/outputted between to/from the virtual device 80, conversion source program storage sections 10-14 for storing a plurality of semiconductor test programs of different specifications, dedicated conversion rule storage sections 30, 32 and general-purpose conversion rule storage sections 40, 42 for storing conversion rules corresponding to the respective specifications, and conversion processing sections 20-26 for generating the dedicated and the general-purpose bench processing sections 60, 70 by using the semiconductor test programs stored in the conversion source program storage sections 10-14. |
| US08132158B2 |
Mechanism for software transactional memory commit/abort in unmanaged runtime environment
A method and apparatus for ensuring integrity of transaction exit functions is herein described. Dead local data in a transaction is prevented from overwriting local variables associated with a transaction exit function. In a write-buffering Software Transactional Memory (STM) system, a commit function is associated with a private stack to store local variables to ensure write-back of local dead data in a write-buffer does not corrupt the commit function. Similarly, in a roll-back STM, an abort function is associated with a private stack to store local variables to ensure the roll-back of a program stack with local dead data from a write log does not corrupt the abort function. Alternatively, one stack may be used for the transaction including a first function and an exit function. Here, local dead variables are detected and prevented from overwriting local variables of the exit function. |
| US08132154B2 |
Displaying comment statistics information
A system, method and program product for statistically analyzing comments in one or more program code listings. A system is disclosed that includes a process for associating comments to blocks of code at different programmatic levels in a code listing; a process for assigning weights to different code blocks, and a process for generating a statistical analysis at the different programmatic levels of the comments in the code listing. |
| US08132152B2 |
Extending a scripting language to provide an object hierarchy
Generating programmatically a pointer to a super implementation of a method in a programming language that is not a class-based object-oriented programming (OOP) language is disclosed. A hierarchy of functions, the hierarchy including one or more parent nodes each representing a parent function and each having one or more child nodes, each child node representing a function that inherits the methods of the corresponding parent node of which it is a child, is traversed until a super implementation of an inherited method is found. A programmatically created pointer to the super implementation is inserted programmatically into a corresponding location in a current function. |
| US08132151B2 |
Action tags
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for performing actions with respect to objects. An object having an action tag, that specifies that a particular action script is to be performed with respect to the object, is provided. The action tag can be in the form of a textual label or any suitable user interface object that can be associated with the object. A search is then performed in a plurality of reference action tags, that each correspond to a different action script, for the provided action tag. When a matching reference action tag is found for the provided action tag, the corresponding, matching action script is then invoked so that the matching action script is automatically performed with respect to the object. Embodiments of the present invention also provide an action tag management architecture that is independent of the actions that are triggered by the action tags associated with particular objects and, accordingly, provides flexibility by allowing the set of actions to be expanded without requiring code changes to the tag management architecture. |
| US08132150B2 |
Automatic customization of classes
A method and computer readable medium for automatic replacement of object classes in a library with custom classes to improve program efficiency. The method begins with static analysis preformed on a program containing a plurality of objects in order to determine type-correctness constraints and to detect unused functionality in one or more of the objects to be replaced. The plurality of objects is instrumented to detect usage patterns of functionality in one or more objects. Customized classes are generated based upon the static analysis and usage patterns detected. Bytecode is rewritten which is used for generating classes. The present invention provides transparency in the replacement of the objects. |
| US08132148B2 |
XML application framework
The present invention relates to an XML application framework (XAF). XAF applications are data driven such that all operations with the computer system are data focused. In addition, the components used in the XAF application are instantiated and connected according to how the data is displayed and what type of data is used. Applications within XAF comprise a user interface (UI) connector, an action module, and a data connector. UI connectors receive UI events and connect the UI event to an action module. The action module generates a standard format action from the UI event and sends it to the data connector. The data connector translates the standard format action into a data-specific action that changes data in a data store. A data connector then sends a standard format data representation corresponding to the changed data back to the UI connector to provide the changed data to the UI. |
| US08132147B2 |
Semantic interpretation of software models for generating user interfaces
In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of generating a user interface comprising storing an interpretation model that describes program logic corresponding to a user interface for a computer program. Elements of the interpretation model may be bound with one or more user interface fragments. In one embodiment, the UI fragments may be specified in a user interface specification. User interface components may be generated based on said interpretation model, the user interface components comprising a plurality of said user interface fragments. In one embodiment, if the program logic is changed, a new user interface may be generated that works with the changed program logic. |
| US08132146B2 |
Input of program instructions in imperative programming languages
The invention relates to a programming surface for imperative, procedural languages. A further prerequisite is a graphical user interface (GUI). The programming surface for the input of program code can be used with known programming languages such as Visual Basic, Java, C++. In the case of the programming surface, there is no longer a need to key in the program instructions. A language syntax need not be observed. An instruction set need not be learned. |
| US08132144B2 |
Automatic clock-gating insertion and propagation technique
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for clock-gating a circuit. During operation, the system receives a circuit which includes a plurality of clocked memory elements. Next, the system identifies a feedback path from an output of a clocked memory element to an input of the clocked memory element, wherein the feedback path passes through intervening combinational logic, but does not pass through other clocked memory elements in the circuit. Then, the system gates a clock signal to the clocked memory element so that the clock signal is disabled when the feedback path causes a value which appears at the output of the clocked memory element to be appear at the input of the clocked memory element. |
| US08132142B2 |
Various methods and apparatuses to route multiple power rails to a cell
Various methods and apparatuses are described in which an integrated circuit is organized into rows and columns of macro cells having a layout architecture that includes at least two metal layers and a plurality of traces carrying three or more different potentials of voltage routed by the metal layers. A first, a second, and a third adjacent metal layers extend across the integrated circuit. The plurality of traces carry three or more different potentials of voltage and are routed in the metal layers. A first power trace supplies a VDD voltage potential. A second power trace supplies a VSS voltage potential. A third power trace supplies a third voltage potential to support sleep modes and retain data during sleep modes. All three power supply traces connect to one or more transistors in a first macro cell. |
| US08132140B2 |
Analyzing device for circuit device, circuit device analyzing method, analyzing program, and electronic medium
A circuit board analyzing method and a circuit board analyzer are provided which can greatly reduce analyzing time. The circuit board analyzer includes a computing unit 110, a memory unit 140 connected to the computing unit 110, and an input unit 160 connected to the computing unit 110. The computing unit 110 includes a wiring data acquiring section 310 acquiring data of wirings formed on a circuit board, a basic circuit diagram forming section 320 dividing the wirings into meshes and setting cells and branches connecting the adjacent cells, and an interference analysis setting section 330 setting an element ignoring range of elements set in the cells and the branches. |
| US08132139B2 |
Method of designing semiconductor device and design program
A semiconductor device has an interconnect structure that includes a main interconnection and a contact structure. Parameters contributing to parasitic capacitance and interconnect resistance of the interconnect structure include: main parameters including width/thickness of the main interconnection; and sub parameter. Variation of each parameter from a design value caused by manufacturing variability is represented within a predetermined range. A method of designing the semiconductor device includes: calculating the maximum capacitance value, the minimum capacitance value, the maximum resistance value and the minimum resistance value of the interconnect structure under a condition that respective variation amplitudes of the main parameters do not simultaneously take maximum values and variation of the sub parameter is fixed to a predetermined value; generating a CR-added netlist; and performing operation verification of the semiconductor device by using the CR-added netlist. |
| US08132138B2 |
Buffering technique using structured delay skewing
A line buffering technique in which a plurality of line buffers are arranged based on a determined average number of branches and stages that are necessary to implement the buffers based on design constraints. In an exemplary embodiment, the line buffers may be arranged in any buffer topology arrangement meeting the average number of branches and the number of stages design constraints. |
| US08132135B2 |
Method and system for creating a boolean model of multi-path and multi-strength signals for verification
A system, method, computer program product for verification and equivalence checking. In one approach, the system, method, and computer program product analyzes the switching paths in a manner consistent with circuit functionality to provide a complete application which can verify the complex characteristics in the circuits to the accurate RTL model function, including FPGA, ROM Arrays, RAM circuits, and other custom integrated circuit designs. |
| US08132134B2 |
Closed-loop 1×N VLSI design system
Embodiments that design integrated circuits using 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 viewer and a 1×N compiler. The viewer may generate displays of behavioral representations of 1×N building blocks, with the behavioral representations comprising RTL definitions. The 1×N compiler may create physical design representations of the 1×N building block and create behavioral representations from the physical design representations, wherein the physical design representations have elements altered by one or more tools of a tool suite. |
| US08132124B2 |
Method and system for representing Web service activity through a user interface
A method and apparatus for representing Web service activity utilizes a user interface. Components of the user interface present a changing graphical feature based on an activity indicator of the associated web service. The components may vary color or text indicators. Activity indicators may include loading of the Web service object or other states and activities of interest. |
| US08132123B2 |
3D scene orientation indicator system with scene orientation change capability
The present invention is a system that provides an orientation indicator graphical user interface element in a display view of a three-dimensional scene. The orientation indicator can be used to automatically change a view of the scene to a predetermined viewpoint. The indicator includes view direction indicating controls that when activated cause the view of the scene to change to a view direction indicated by the control. The direction can be indicated by a shape of the control, such as by a cone with a point pointing in the direction of the view, or by the location of the control, such as being located on a marked scene axis of the indicator. The view of the scene is also automatically adjusted at the view position to center an object of interest in the scene and zoomed in/out to fit the object to the display view. The indicator is part of the three-dimensional scene and moves with the scene as the scene is manipulated by a user, such as in tumbling the scene. The indicator is held at a fixed position and size in the display view, such as in a corner of the display view, by moving the indicator about within the scene and changing the size of the indicator. |
| US08132122B2 |
Multidimensional structured data visualization method and apparatus, text visualization method and apparatus, method and apparatus for visualizing and graphically navigating the world wide web, method and apparatus for visualizing hierarchies
A method of displaying correlations among information objects includes receiving a query against a database; obtaining a query result set; and generating a visualization representing the components of the result set, the visualization including one of a plane and line to represent a data field, nodes representing data values, and links showing correlations among fields and values. Other visualization methods and apparatus are disclosed. |
| US08132120B2 |
Interface cube for mobile device
A computing device presents, on a screen, a three-dimensional rendering of an interface cube that includes a representation of a user's contacts displayed on at least one surface of the interface cube. The computing device receives a communication item from a peripheral application, where the communication item is associated with a particular contact of the user's contacts. The computing device creates a graphic based on the communication item and displays the graphic at a location on the representation of the user's contacts that corresponds to the location of the particular contact within a sequence of the user's contacts. |
| US08132119B2 |
Priority controlled display
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for priority-controlled displays. In one aspect, the information elements are received at a user interface. Priorities are determined for the information elements. The information elements and determined priorities are then provided to the user interface. The priorities include a first priority representing one of the information elements with a higher priority, the information element having the first priority formatted to display the information element with higher priority when compared to another information element having a lower determined priority than the first priority. |
| US08132118B2 |
Intelligent default selection in an on-screen keyboard
Systems and methods are described for intelligent default selection of characters to be entered via an on-screen keyboard. Based on one to several criteria, a character most likely to be selected for entry via the on-screen keyboard during a search request is determined and a selector is positioned at that particular character. If that character is indeed the character the user wishes to enter, the user does not have to execute any navigation steps to enter the character, but can—with a single actuation—enter that character. In many instances, the user will only have to enter the selection without first having to navigate to the selection. As a result, the number of times buttons need to be actuated by the user to enter a character string can be significantly reduced. |
| US08132115B2 |
Dynamic properties for software objects
A method, apparatus and article of manufacture provide for displaying per-instance dynamic properties of an object. A reference to an object instance having a dynamic property that is supplied at runtime for the object instance on a per-instance basis and is not stored with the object is received. A reference to a property source instance, that maintains knowledge of the dynamic property, associated with the object, is retrieved. The references are provided to a control that retrieves and displays the dynamic property. Additionally, the object may provide/specify a custom ActiveX control that defines a user interface for displaying and editing one or more properties. The custom control is instantiated and used to display the property in the defined user interface. |
| US08132111B2 |
Virtual social interactions
A computer implemented method and system for enabling an interaction between a first user and a second user in a virtual social environment is disclosed. A plurality of interactables is provided in the virtual social environment for enabling a first user and a second user to interact in the virtual social environment. The first user selects one or more of the interactables and may modify the selected interactables. The first user targets the modified interactables to the second user in the virtual social environment. The first user renders the targeted interactables to the second user in the virtual social environment. Further, the first user shares the targeted interactables with the second user in the virtual social environment. |
| US08132109B2 |
Webpage magnifier/formatter using CSS properties and cursor/mouse location
An approach is provided that receives web page data at a network adapter included in an information handling system. A process identifies a first set style sheets that apply to the web page data and a second set of style sheets that apply to graphical elements that are within a predefined proximity area of a cursor that is displayed on the information handling system's display screen. The process displays graphical elements that are outside the predefined proximity area using the first set of style sheets and simultaneously displays a second set of elements that are within the predefined proximity area using the second set of style sheets. |
| US08132107B2 |
Multifunctional apparatus, method for controlling multifunctional apparatus, control apparatus, method for controlling control apparatus, system for controlling multifunctional apparatus, control program, and computer-readable storage medium
A multifunctional apparatus is capable of switching between a standard operation mode in which a Web service layer stops operating and an OS mode in which the Web service layer operates. In the OS mode, the multifunctional apparatus informs an external control apparatus of pressed-hardware-button information indicative of a pressed hardware button detected by a user interface layer. In the control apparatus, an event process section reads out, from a shortcut button storage section, process-contents information corresponded with button identification information indicative of the hardware button indicated by the pressed-hardware-button information, and a device control section transmits, to the multifunctional apparatus, a control instruction for executing a device process indicated by the process-contents information. Thereafter, in the multifunctional apparatus, the Web service layer acquires the control instruction from the control apparatus and executes the device process in accordance with the acquired control instruction. This allows for realizing a system for controlling a multifunctional apparatus, capable of executing, with only one touch, a process that has been registered. |
| US08132106B2 |
Providing a document preview
A system, apparatus, method, and computer-readable media are provided for generating a document preview. According to one method, a preview handler is provided that exposes interfaces that may be called by a host application to generate a document preview without launching the application program that created the document. The interfaces exposed by the preview handler provide a common framework that may be utilized by both operating system and application program hosts to provide document previews. |
| US08132104B2 |
Multi-modal entry for electronic clinical documentation
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for populating an electronic clinical document capable of receiving multiple types of data are provided. In one embodiment, dictation audio input is embedded directly into one or more sections of an electronic clinical document along with other data types, such as structured user input, free-text input, or system-generated input. An electronic clinical document having embedded dictation audio and other data types can receive transcribed text corresponding to the embedded dictation audio. |
| US08132101B2 |
Method and system for data selection and display
A method and apparatus for concurrently displaying sets of data related to a medical condition, including a feature which enables the user to select one or more of the data sets for emphasized or more prominent display relative to the other data set(s). |
| US08132100B2 |
Screen image presentation apparatus and method for mobile phone
An apparatus and method is provided for idle mode screen image presentation device, such as a mobile phone. The screen image presentation apparatus includes a memory for storing a character house including variable and selectable background and function items for executing functions of the mobile phone, a controller for presenting the character house in a given mode, such as an idle mode of the mobile phone, and providing information, when one of the function items is selected, on a function represented by the selected function item, and a display which displays the character house and contents under the control of the controller. |
| US08132098B1 |
Inhibiting hyphenation clusters in automated paragraph layouts
Methods and apparatus for inhibiting hyphenation clustering. In one aspect, the invention identifies a sequence of consecutive text lines, one or more of which end in hyphens, and calculates a hyphenation penalty value based on the number and proximity of hyphens within the sequence consecutive text lines. The hyphenation penalty can be aggregated with other format penalties to aid the identification of a paragraph layout having a best overall visual appearance. |
| US08132096B1 |
Image composition evaluation
In a method of evaluating compositional quality of a layout orientation of an image, image saliency data is received for an image to be presented in a viewing region. A layout orientation for presenting the image in the viewing region is received. A composition template embodying an image composition rule is received. The image saliency data and the composition template are utilized to determine a weighted occlusion cost for the layout orientation. The weighted occlusion cost is utilized to determine a composition score indicating quality of the layout orientation with respect to the image composition rule. |
| US08132095B2 |
Auditing a website with page scanning and rendering techniques
An automated website analysis system includes mechanisms for automatically reviewing a website and identifying various features of the website. In one implementation, the analysis system can rely at least in part on the actual downloading and rendering of each page in the website to determine not only aspects of website content and layout, but also whether various content, such as third party objects or source code, execute as intended. Additional features include recording user input that may be required to progress past web pages where automated site mapping would ordinarily stall. The analysis system can identify various items of interest about each web page to the website owner, including web page parent/child relationships, as well as the extent to which the given page content is consistent with its metadata descriptions. |
| US08132093B2 |
Instance annotation in object-oriented programming
Object instance annotation technology is disclosed. This technology is capable of annotating any number of instances for any number of objects. Object instance annotations can be of various types, and annotations can serve as data extensions. Objects are enabled for annotation either by developers, or, alternatively, automatically by a programming language or framework. Furthermore, an interface is provided for annotations. This interface has a variety of operations, some of which allow for adding, retrieving, or removing annotations. Annotations can be reference types or even value types. They may also be private class types. Once object instances are enabled for annotating, and the interface is set up, this interface can annotate a multitude of different kinds of objects. For example, it can annotate generic objects, XML trees, CodeDom trees, and so on. |
| US08132085B2 |
Method and apparatus for frame control header decoding using cyclic shifting of bits
A method and apparatus for decoding a frame control header message in a wireless communication transmission are disclosed. The method comprises assuming at least some of the bits comprising the frame control header message are constant across multiple frames or are known a priori and generating metrics at least from the bits of the frame control header message that are assumed to be constant or are known a priori. The method further comprises decoding the metrics, for example, with a Viterbi decoder or using chase combining, to yield the decode frame control header message. |
| US08132081B1 |
Binary BCH decoders
Binary Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) encoded data is processed by obtaining a set of syndromes associated with the binary BCH encoded data, including a subset of odd-term syndromes and a subset of even-term syndromes. During initialization of a variant error-locator polynomial, {circumflex over (Ω)}(x), the subset of even-term syndromes, but not the subset of odd-term syndromes, are loaded into the variant error-locator polynomial, {circumflex over (Ω)}(0)(x). |
| US08132076B1 |
Method and apparatus for interleaving portions of a data block in a communication system
Circuit, method, and computer program for reordering data units of a data block in accordance with a first pre-determined function. The method includes, for each data unit of the data block—(i) generating an address corresponding to a memory location of a single-port memory module into which the data unit is to be stored, and (ii) storing the data unit in the memory location based on the address generated for the data unit. Each address is generated in accordance with the first pre-determined function, and each memory location of the single-port memory has a different delay associated with the memory location. The method further includes reading each data unit out of the single-port memory in accordance with the first pre-determined function, wherein data units of the data block are reordered based on each different delay associated with each memory location. |
| US08132072B2 |
System and method for providing H-ARQ rate compatible codes for high throughput applications
In one embodiment, the present patent application comprises a method and apparatus to generate low rate protographs from high rate protographs, comprising copying a base graph; permuting end points of edges of a same type in copies of the base graph to produce a permuted graph; and pruning systematic input nodes in the permuted graph and the edges connected to them. In another embodiment, the present patent application comprises a method and apparatus to generate high-rate codes from low-rate codes, comprising puncturing a subset of codeword bits, wherein the step of puncturing a subset of codeword bits comprises regular-irregular puncturing the subset of codeword bits, random puncturing variable nodes, or progressive node puncturing variable nodes to obtain a desired code from a preceding code. |
| US08132071B2 |
Transmitting device, receiving device, packet transmission method, packet reception method, and programs for same
A network interface unit of a server determines whether the transmission method of transmitting a packet is multicast transmission or unicast transmission; adds to the packet a second FEC when the transmission method of the packets is determined to be multicast transmission and adds to the packet an error detection code for ARQ when the transmission method of the packets is determined to be unicast transmission; and transmits the packet to clients. Each client determines whether the transmission method of the received packet is multicast transmission or unicast transmission; corrects the error on the basis of the second FEC when the transmission method is determined to be multicast transmission; and detects the error on the basis of the error detection code and generates a retransmission request signal when the transmission method is determined to be unicast transmission. |
| US08132070B2 |
Using different physical interface to request retransmission of packet lost on unidirectional interface
Packets detected to be lost from a unidirectional interface such as an ATSC tuner are requested from the source or a peer using a different physical interface. The packets may be retransmitted for reception over either interface. |
| US08132069B2 |
Selective HARQ combining scheme for OFDM/OFDMA systems
A method and apparatus for combining retransmitted hybrid automatic repeat-request (HARQ) messages at different stages in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)/orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) receiver are provided. The type of HARQ combiner used for a particular channel may depend on a number of selection criteria including the modulation order of the transmission, the number of bits needed for the combined signals, and the headroom in the HARQ buffer. For some embodiments, a combination of different types of HARQ combiners may be designed into a receiver and selected on a per-channel basis. Proper selection of a HARQ combining scheme may reduce the required HARQ buffer size and may provide an increased combining gain when compared to conventional HARQ combining techniques. |
| US08132061B2 |
Repair bits for a low voltage cache
A method and apparatus for repairing cache memories/arrays is described herein. A cache includes a plurality of lines and logically viewable in columns. A repair cache coupled to the cache includes a repair bit mapped to each logically viewable column. A repair module determines a bad bit to be repaired within a column based on any individual or combination of factors, such as the number of errors per line of the cache, the number of errors correctable per line of the cache due to error correction code (ECC), the failure rate of bits, or other considerations. The bad bit is transparently repaired by the repair bit mapped to the column including the bad bit, upon an access to a cache line including the bad bit. |
| US08132060B2 |
Comprehensive application programming interfaces for handling logical volume manager
Some embodiments of a system and a method to provide comprehensive application programming interfaces to a logical volume manager have been presented. For instance, a processing device running on a server may provide a library having a set of application programming interfaces to interface an application and a logical volume manager (LVM). In response to an error occurring while running the application in operation with the LVM, the processing device may return an error string in a natural language, a piece of programming code associated with the error, and an error code associated with the error using one or more of the set of application programming interfaces. |
| US08132058B1 |
Auto regression tester for network-based storage virtualization system
An apparatus and method for testing a network-based storage virtualization system. A tester is connected to a host side of a storage virtualization system. The tester provides test scripts to the storage virtualization system to test I/O and other operations. A separate link, independent of said storage virtualization system, is provided to a storage side of said storage virtualization system to allow verification of the correct translation from virtual to physical independent of the data path used by the virtualization system. Thus, the tester verifies, over the separate link, the physical configuration of VLUNs and data written to the VLUNs by the tester on storage devices. |
| US08132056B2 |
Dynamic functional testing coverage based on failure dependency graph
A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for providing test coverage for detecting failures in a software application. The method comprises the steps of identifying a set of test cases; and for each of at least a subset of said test cases, identifying one or more of the other test cases that depend on said each of the test cases based on a defined functional relationship. The method comprises the further steps of using a selected one of said subset of test cases to test the software application; and when said test of the software application fails, then testing the software application with the one or more of the other test cases that depend on said selected one of the test cases based on said functional relationship. |
| US08132055B2 |
Operating system-firmware interface update recovery
Operating system (‘OS’)-firmware interface update recovery including determining, for each of a plurality of available OS-firmware interface images for booting a computer, whether each available OS-firmware interface image is corrupted or uncorrupted; setting, for each corrupted OS-firmware interface image, a predictive failure analysis (‘PFA’) bit in nonvolatile memory available to the OS-firmware interface update recovery module; selecting an uncorrupted OS-firmware interface image; initiating a boot for the computer with the selected OS-firmware interface image; determining whether a previous update to one of the available OS-firmware interface images was interrupted; and notifying a user that the previous update was interrupted if the previous update to one of the available OS-firmware interface images interrupted. |
| US08132048B2 |
Systems and methods to efficiently schedule commands at a memory controller
Systems and methods to respond to schedule commands at a memory controller are disclosed. A transmission error between a first memory controller port and a first redrive device may be detected. A first corrective action may be initiated at the first memory controller port in response to the detection of the transmission error. A particular method may include determining that a second memory controller port initiated a second corrective action. Incoming read commands may be distributed based on a comparison of the first corrective action and the second corrective action. |
| US08132038B2 |
System and method for calibrating a time of day (TOD) clock in a computing system node provided in a multi-node network
A system, method and computer program product for calibrating a Time Of Day (TOD)-clock in a computing system node provided in a multi-node network. The network comprises an infrastructure of computing devices each having a physical clock providing a time base for executing operations that is stepped to a common oscillator. The system implements steps for obtaining samples of timing values of a computing device in the network, the values including a physical clock value maintained at that device and a TOD-offset value; computing an oscillator skew value from the samples; setting a fine steering rate value as equal to the opposite of the computed oscillator skew value; and, utilizing the fine steering rate value to adjust the physical clock value and correct for potential oscillator skew errors occurring in the oscillator crystal at the computing device. |
| US08132037B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing wirelessly communicated data and clock information within an electronic device
An electronic device (12) for processing information that includes data and clock information and that is wirelessly received from another electronic device (14) may include a first processor (18) that controls only wireless communications with the another electronic device (14) and excluding operations associated only with the electronic device (12), a second processor (16) that controls the operations associated only with the electronic device (12) and excluding the wireless communications with the another device (14), and means (30-30″″) for extracting the clock information and the data from the wirelessly received information and providing a corresponding clock signal and the data to the second processor (16) for synchronous receipt of the data by the second processor (16) using the clock signal. |
| US08132036B2 |
Reducing latency in data transfer between asynchronous clock domains
A method and an interfacing circuit are disclosed for transmitting data between a first clock domain operating at a first clock frequency C1 and a second clock domain operating at a second clock frequency C2. In accordance with this invention, data are transmitted from the first domain, through the interfacing circuitry, and to the second domain. Also, the interfacing circuitry includes a synchronization section that operates at a third frequency C3, which, in one embodiment, is greater than and a whole number multiple of C2. Preferably, C3 is an even whole number multiple of C2. In the preferred embodiment, a clock signal A is used to operate the second clock domain at frequency C2, and a clock signal B is used to operate the synchronization section of the interfacing circuitry at frequency C3, and clock signals A and B are source synchronized. |
| US08132034B2 |
System and method for managing information handling system power supply capacity utilization based on load sharing power loss
An information handling system having plural processing modules, such as an information handling system blade chassis having plural information handling system blades, allocates power by determining an actual load sharing power loss associated with plural power supplies and applying the actual load sharing power loss to determine how much power to allocate to the information handling system modules. A chassis manager determines actual load sharing power loss by retrieving power information from plural power supplies. The actual load sharing power loss replaces a worst-case load sharing power loss assumed value to increase the amount power available for allocation to the information handling system modules. |
| US08132030B2 |
Device and a method for managing power consumption of a plurality of data processing units
A device and a method for managing power consumption of a plurality of data processing units. A scheduler (280) schedules a first process step for a first data processing unit (200) consuming a high power within a first deadline and a second process step for a second data processing unit (240) also consuming a high power within a second deadline. The scheduler further schedules the first process step and the second process step such that the two process steps do not occur concurrently thereby reducing the peak power draw from a power supply while preserving deadlines. This is particularly beneficial in battery-operated equipment, such as portable electronic multimedia devices, since peak power drain has been found to be an important factor in determining the battery capacity. |
| US08132026B2 |
Power storage device and mobile electronic device having the same
To provide a power storage device for regularly supplying power to a mobile electronic device, in which charging of a battery by a power feeder can be simplified and even when power stored in the battery is not enough, power can be regularly supplied to the mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device includes an antenna circuit which receives power supply via radio signals, a battery which stores power, and a power supply control circuit which includes a switch circuit for intermittently supplying power to a load. Power supply to the load is intermittently controlled by controlling the switch circuit, which is provided in the power supply control circuit for controlling the supply of power stored in the battery, using a signal from a low-frequency-signal generating circuit. |
| US08132013B2 |
Long-term authenticity proof of electronic documents
Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for providing long-term authenticity proof of an electronic document having a digital signature, wherein the electronic document is digitally signed with a digital signature and the electronic document and its digital signature are archived in a data archive. Such methods, systems and computer program products may store the electronic document in a first data archive and store a hash value of the electronic document in a second data archive different from the first data archive. Long-term authenticity and integrity may be achieved by periodically re-signing, particularly time stamping the hash value in the second data archive. |
| US08132011B2 |
System and method for authenticating at least a portion of an e-mail message
A system and method allows some or all of an e-mail message, such as the sender or its contents, to be authenticated, for example, to identify a message as potential spam. |
| US08132006B2 |
Cryptographic authentication and/or establishment of shared cryptographic keys, including, but not limited to, password authenticated key exchange (PAKE)
A server (120) uses a password (π) to construct a multiplicative group (ZN*) with a (hidden) smooth order subgroup ( |
| US08132005B2 |
Establishment of a trusted relationship between unknown communication parties
The present invention provides an establishment of a trusted relationship between two mutually unknown communication parties in a communication system without the use of a trusted third party. The invention is based on non-interactive proofs-of-work being purpose-bound for establishing the trusted relationship and cryptographically signing information to be transferred between the communication parties using such proofs-of-work for the solving of a problem instance along with verifying the proofs-of-work and generating a session object for a trusted relationship, when the verifying yields an affirmative result. |
| US08132003B2 |
Secure platform voucher service for software components within an execution environment
Embodiments of apparatus, articles, methods, and systems for secure platform voucher service for software components within an execution environment are generally described herein. An embodiment includes the ability for a Virtual Machine Monitor, Operating System Monitor, or other underlying platform capability to restrict memory regions for access only by specifically authenticated, authorized and verified software components, even when part of an otherwise compromised operating system environment. A provisioning remote entity or gateway only needs to know a platform's public key or certificate hierarchy in order to receive verification proof for any component in the platform. The verification proof or voucher helps to assure to the remote entity that no man-in-the-middle, rootkit, spyware or other malware running in the platform or on the network will have access to the provisioned material. The underlying platform to lock and unlock secrets on behalf of the authenticated/authorized/verified software component provided in protected memory regions only accessible to the authenticated/authorized/verified software component. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08131993B2 |
System and method for a commercial multimedia rental and distribution system
A system and method for securing intellectual property rights in distributed intellectual property. Rights are granted and policed in electronically distributed intellectual property. Use limitations are established by agreement by the content provider and the client. The use limitations are reflected in time-based, usage-based and player based component codes that are used to determine if the client is entitled to use the intellectual property. Intellectual property is protected from unauthorized use by encrypting the intellectual property with a key created from some or all of the component codes. As the component codes are known to both the client and the content provider, no key exchange is required. |
| US08131981B2 |
SIMD processor performing fractional multiply operation with saturation history data processing to generate condition code flags
A data processing system, apparatus and method for performing fractional multiply operations is disclosed. The system includes a memory that stores instructions for SIMD operations and a processing core. The processing core includes registers that store operands for the fractional multiply operations. A coprocessor included in the processing core performs the fractional multiply operations on the operands and stores the result in a destination register that is also included in the processing core. |
| US08131980B2 |
Structure for dynamic livelock resolution with variable delay memory access queue
A design structure for resolving the occurrence of livelock at the interface between the processor core and memory subsystem controller. Livelock is resolved by introducing a livelock detection mechanism (which includes livelock detection utility or logic) within the processor to detect a livelock condition and dynamically change the duration of the delay stage(s) in order to alter the “harmonic” fixed-cycle loop behavior. The livelock detection logic (LDL) counts the number of flushes a particular instruction takes or the number of times an instruction re-issues without completing. The LDL then compares that number to a preset threshold number. Based on the result of the comparison, the LDL triggers the implementation of one of two different livelock resolution processes. These processes include dynamically configuring the delay queue within the processor into one of two different configurations and changing the sequence and timing of handling memory access instructions, based on the specific configuration of the delay queue. |
| US08131976B2 |
Tracking effective addresses in an out-of-order processor
Mechanisms, in a data processing system, are provided for tracking effective addresses through a processor pipeline of the data processing system. The mechanisms comprise logic for fetching an instruction from an instruction cache and associating, by an effective address table logic in the data processing system, an entry in an effective address table (EAT) data structure with the fetched instruction. The mechanisms further comprise logic for associating an effective address tag (eatag) with the fetched instruction, the eatag comprising a base eatag that points to the entry in the EAT and an eatag offset. Moreover, the mechanisms comprise logic for processing the instruction through the processor pipeline by processing the eatag. |
| US08131974B2 |
Access speculation predictor implemented via idle command processing resources
An access speculation predictor is provided that may be implemented using idle command processing resources, such as registers of idle finite state machines (FSMs) in a memory controller. The access speculation predictor may predict whether to perform speculative retrieval of data for a data request from a main memory of the data processing system based on history information stored for a memory region targeted by the data request. In particular, a first address may be extracted from the data request and compared to memory regions associated with second addresses stored in address registers of a plurality of FSMs of the memory controller. A FSM whose memory region includes the first address may be selected. History information for the memory region may be obtained from the selected FSM. The history information may be used to control whether to speculatively retrieve the data for the data request from a main memory. |
| US08131973B2 |
Priority determination when dumping files
A computer dumps information stored in a storage space used by a program, into a file when the program ends abnormally, by determining a priority representative of an order in which the information is dumped into the file, for storage areas which are predetermined areas into which the storage space is divided; compressing the information stored in each storage area in decreasing the order of priority and outputting the compressed information to the file in an order in which the information is compressed. |
| US08131970B2 |
Compiler based cache allocation
Techniques a generally described for creating a compiler determined map for the allocation of memory space within a cache. An example computing system is disclosed having a multicore processor with a plurality of processor cores. At least one cache may be accessible to at least two of the plurality of processor cores. A compiler determined map may separately allocate a memory space to threads of execution processed by the processor cores. |
| US08131969B2 |
Updating system configuration information
A data storage system and associated method comprising system configuration information; a first processor adapted for identifying a portion of the system configuration information in response to a configuration change request to the memory space, and for signaling an update request incident with the configuration change request to a second processor; and a second processor adapted for updating the portion in response to the update request and independently of the first processor. |
| US08131966B2 |
System and method for storage structure reorganization
A method and system to reorganize a storage structure by generating correlation data that represents relationships between storage blocks of a storage structure, generating a block allocation scheme for the storage structure, determining a block reorganization operation, performing the block reorganization operation, and updating a virtual map. In certain embodiments, the system may include multiple host computers, a data storage subsystem, and multiple storage structures. The storage structures may include a hard disk, an array of hard disks, an IBM TotalStorage™ system, and a hierarchical storage system with RAID. |
| US08131965B2 |
File-copying apparatus of portable storage media
The present invention provides a portable file-copying apparatus which includes a first connecting unit, a second connecting unit, and a control unit. The first connecting unit can receive a first portable storage media which includes an original file. The second connecting unit can receive a second portable storage media. Furthermore, the control unit is connected to the first connecting unit, the second connecting unit, and a memory. The control unit is applied for storing the original file in the memory, and copying the file to the second portable storage media in accordance with a control signal. |
| US08131964B2 |
Systems and methods for combining data streams in a storage operation
Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexing pipelined data for backup operations. Various data streams are combined such as by multiplexing by a multiplexing module. The multiplexing module combines the data from the various data streams received by receiver module(s) into a single stream of chunks. The multiplexing module may combine data from multiple archive files into a single chunk. Additional modules perform other operations on the chunks of data to be transported such as encryption, compression, etc. The data chunks are transmitted via a transport channel to a receive pipeline that includes a second receiver module and other modules. The data chunks are then stored in a backup medium. The chunks are later retrieved and separated such as by demultiplexing for restoring to a client or for further storage as auxiliary copies of the separated data streams or archive files. |
| US08131962B2 |
Storage system and method of producing recovery volume
A storage system for writing data sent from a computer to storage regions is described. The storage system includes storage regions configured to store data, and a controller coupled with the storage regions. The controller is configured to control writing of the data from the computer. The controller is further configured to set a first storage region for writing data sent from the computer to a second storage region. The controller then acquires a snapshot of the first storage region at a predetermined time, writes a snapshot journal for the snapshot to the second storage region, and manages a snapshot management table. The controller also acquires a recovery point journal when a recovery volume designated by the computer is made, and writes the recovery point journal to the second storage region. |
| US08131960B2 |
Automated backup and reversion system
An automated backup and reversion system comprising at least two storage systems with one source storage system being physically connected to at least one host system during normal processing at any given time. During the backup process, involved storage devices are physically disconnected from the host system. The at least one destination storage system receiving the information backup may thereafter be connected to the host system to allow for subsequent host processing. The initial source storage system may then remain disconnected from the host system and assume the role of a destination storage system. Each storage system is located at the same logical location while being processed so that the host system is unaware that any storage system change has occurred. A plurality of storage systems may be configured with only one being processed at any given time, and the remainder may comprise successive backups after any negative event. |
| US08131958B2 |
Storage system, storage device, and data updating method using a journal volume
A storage device including a data volume for storing data sent from a host computer and a journal volume to which update data in the data volume is written in a chronologically identifiable manner, comprises an update unit updating update data from a data restoration unnecessary period, from among the data restoration necessary period and the data restoration unnecessary period that set from an external device, in the journal volume. |
| US08131957B2 |
Splitting writes between a storage controller and replication engine
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for splitting writes between a storage controller and replication engine. A splitter executing in a storage controller manages access to primary volumes. An initialization command is received to communicate with a replication engine. A replication command is received for one primary volume and the primary volume is indicated as subject to replication. A write request is received to write data to a target primary volume of the primary volumes that is indicated as subject to the replication. The data in the write request is written to the target primary volume. The data in the write request is sent to the replication engine. The replication engine executes a copy services function associated with the target primary volume to write the data to a replication engine volume. |
| US08131946B2 |
Converting victim writeback to a fill
In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to write ECC granular stores into the data cache, while non-ECC granular stores may be merged with cache data in a memory request buffer. In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to detect that a victim block writeback hits one or more stores in a memory request buffer (or vice versa) and may convert the victim block writeback to a fill. In one embodiment, a processor may speculatively issue stores that are subsequent to a load from a load/store queue, but prevent the update for the stores in response to a snoop hit on the load. |
| US08131945B2 |
Disowning cache entries on aging out of the entry
Caching where portions of data are stored in slower main memory and are transferred to faster memory between one or more processors and the main memory. The cache is such that an individual cache system must communicate to other associated cache systems, or check with such cache systems, to determine if they contain a copy of a given cached location prior to or upon modification or appropriation of data at a given cached location. The cache further includes provisions for determining when the data stored in a particular memory location may be replaced. |
| US08131944B2 |
Using criticality information to route cache coherency communications
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a cache coherency message in an interconnect router from a caching agent, mapping the message to a criticality level according to a predetermined mapping, and appending the criticality level to each flow control unit of the message, which can be transmitted from the interconnect router based at least in part on the criticality level. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08131942B2 |
Control data modification within a cache memory
A data processing system is provided with at least one processor 4, 6, a main memory 18 and a cache memory 14. Cache data within the cache memory 14 has validity data V and control data associated therewith. The control data controls access to the cached data. Program instructions executed by the processors 4, 6 control a cache controller 26 to modify the control data associated with the cached data while it remains stored within the cache memory 14 and remains valid. The control data may, for example, specify a security flags indicating whether access is restricted to secure processes or processors. |
| US08131939B2 |
Distributed shared I/O cache subsystem
A method and system for a decentralized distributed storage data system. A plurality of central processors each having a cache may be directly coupled to a shared set of data storage units. A high speed network may be used to communicate at a physical level between the central processors. A coherency protocol may be used to communicate at a logical level between the central processors. |
| US08131938B2 |
Adaptive mechanisms and methods for supplying volatile data copies in multiprocessor systems
In a computer system with a memory hierarchy, when a high-level cache supplies a data copy to a low-level cache, the shared copy can be either volatile or non-volatile. When the data copy is later replaced from the low-level cache, if the data copy is non-volatile, it needs to be written back to the high-level cache; otherwise it can be simply flushed from the low-level cache. The high-level cache can employ a volatile-prediction mechanism that adaptively determines whether a volatile copy or a non-volatile copy should be supplied when the high-level cache needs to send data to the low-level cache. An exemplary volatile-prediction mechanism suggests use of a non-volatile copy if the cache line has been accessed consecutively by the low-level cache. Further, the low-level cache can employ a volatile-promotion mechanism that adaptively changes a data copy from volatile to non-volatile according to some promotion policy, or changes a data copy from non-volatile to volatile according to some demotion policy. |
| US08131935B2 |
Virtual barrier synchronization cache
A data processing system includes an interconnect fabric, a system memory coupled to the interconnect fabric and including a virtual barrier synchronization region allocated to storage of virtual barrier synchronization registers (VBSRs), and a plurality of processing units coupled to the interconnect fabric and operable to access the virtual barrier synchronization region of the system memory. Each of the plurality of processing units includes a processor core and a cache memory including a cache array that caches VBSR lines from the virtual barrier synchronization region of the system memory and a cache controller. The cache controller, responsive to a store request from the processor core to update a particular VBSR line, performs a non-blocking update of the cache array in each other of the plurality of processing units contemporaneously holding a copy of the particular VBSR line by transmitting a VBSR update command on the interconnect fabric. |
| US08131934B2 |
Extract cache attribute facility and instruction therefore
A facility and cache machine instruction of a computer architecture for specifying a target cache cache-level and a target cache attribute of interest for obtaining a cache attribute of one or more target caches. The requested cache attribute of the target cache(s) is saved in a register. |
| US08131932B2 |
Method and system for fast retrieval of random universally unique identifiers through caching and parallel regeneration
In general, the invention relates to a system that includes a UUID cache and a UUID caching mechanism. The UUID caching mechanism is configured to, using a first thread, monitor the number of UUIDs stored in the UUID cache, determine that the number of UUIDs stored in the UUID cache is less than a first threshold, request a first set of UUIDs from a UUID generator, receive the first set of UUIDs from the UUID generator, and store the first set of UUIDs received from the UUID generator in the UUID cache. The UUID caching mechanism is further configured to provide a second set of UUIDs to a first application using a second thread, where at least one of the UUIDs in the second set of UUIDs is from the first set of UUIDs, and where the first thread and the second thread execute concurrently. |
| US08131925B2 |
Runtime machine supported method level caching
A computer system includes a disk space comprising at least one type of memory and an operating system for controlling allocations and access to the disk space. A runtime machine runs applications through at least one of the operating system or directly on at least one processor of the computer system. In addition, the runtime machine manages a selected runtime disk space allocated to the runtime machine by the operating system and manages a separate method cache within the selected virtual disk space. The virtual machine controls caching within the method cache of a separate result of at least one method of the application marked as cache capable. For a next instance of the method detected by the runtime machine, the runtime machine accesses the cached separate result of the method in lieu of executing the method again. |
| US08131924B1 |
De-duplication of data stored on tape media
Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms for improving storage consumption on a sequential access medium, such as a physical tape, by preferably storing one instance of a data block of a backup data set on the tape media. When another instance of a data block is received having the same pattern as the stored data block, rather than storing the data block itself, a reference to the data block is stored on the sequential access medium. When data are restored, data blocks are cached at a block store on a storage device(s) having a faster seek time than the tape. When a reference to a previously stored data block is read from the tape, rather than re-winding the tape to search for the data block on the tape (which might take a long time to locate), the referenced data block can be found on the storage device having a faster seek time than the tape media. |
| US08131922B2 |
Storage system
The storage system includes a disk controller for receiving write commands from a computer, and a plurality of disk devices in which data is written in accordance with the control of the disk controller. The size of the first block which constitutes the data unit handled in the execution of the input/output processing of the data in accordance with the write command by the disk controller is different from the size of the second block which constitutes the data unit handled in the execution of the input/output processing of data by the plurality of disk devices. The disk controller issues an instruction for the writing of data to the disk devices using a third block unit of a size corresponding to a common multiple of the size of the first block and the size of the second block. |
| US08131920B2 |
Method and system for dynamically allocating read and write sequence randomizer
A data formatting system and method to improve data efficiency and integrity in a hard disk are disclosed. One embodiment provides a disk drive system having a plurality of lookup tables which store a plurality of randomizer seeds which may be dynamically encoded into the preamble field of a customer data block if the customer data is deemed marginal. Encoding the randomizer seed into the preamble field prevents adjacent data track mis-writes and mis-reads. |
| US08131919B1 |
Techniques for controlling storage device use by performing a storage device location assessment operation based on a current storage device identifier
An electronic system includes a framework, data storage circuitry and a controller. The framework includes multiple device slots. The data storage circuitry is arranged to access storage devices installed in the framework. The controller is arranged to receive a current storage device identifier in response to installation of a storage device into a particular device slot of the framework, and perform an electronic storage device location assessment operation based on the current storage device identifier. The controller is further arranged to provide a control signal in response to performing the electronic storage device location assessment operation. The control signal selectively (i) permits the data storage circuitry to overwrite the storage device while the storage device resides in the particular device slot, and (ii) prevents the data storage circuitry from overwriting of the storage device while the storage device resides in the particular device slot. |
| US08131915B1 |
Modifying or overwriting data stored in flash memory
Flash memory stored data modification is described. In embodiments, a flash memory system includes flash memory and a memory controller that manages data write and erase operations to the flash memory. The flash memory includes a first flash memory region of single-write flash memory cells that are each configured for a data write operation and a corresponding erase operation before a subsequent data write operation. The flash memory also includes a second flash memory region of multiple-write flash memory cells that are each configured for multiple data write operations before an erase operation. |
| US08131914B2 |
Electronic device having a memory element and method of operation therefor
An electronic device comprises a processing unit operably coupled to a buffer random access memory, in turn operably coupled to a non-volatile memory configured to emulate an electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The processing unit is arranged to transfer data between the buffer RAM and the non-volatile memory at a first clock frequency. A second RAM is operably coupled between the processing unit and the non-volatile memory and the processing unit sets a Tag bit in the second RAM to identify an address in the buffer RAM that is being written to or read from by the processing unit. |
| US08131912B2 |
Memory system
A memory system including a nonvolatile memory, a first controller connected to a host equipment, the first controller controlling the entire memory system, a second controller connected to the first controller and also connected to the nonvolatile memory, the second controller controlling an access process to said nonvolatile memory, the second controller receives a command via the first controller and carries out the access process to the nonvolatile memory according to the command, the command being input from the host equipment. |
| US08131910B2 |
System and article of manufacture for device selection
Provided are a system and article of manufacture for device selection. A command is generated in a host, wherein the command is for a library manager not directly connected to the host. A device is selected from a subsystem in a storage library based on a preference order, wherein the storage library is coupled to the host and the library manager. The command is sent from the host to the selected device for communicating with the library manager. |
| US08131908B2 |
Wireless universal serial bus system and driving method thereof
Disclosed is a wireless universal serial bus system that includes a device; a first host communicating with the device according to a wireless universal serial bus protocol; and a second host communicating with the device according to a wireless universal serial bus protocol, wherein when the first host receives a beacon from the second host, the first host provides new host information read out from the beacon to the device. |
| US08131906B2 |
Voltage indicator signal generation system and method
The present invention provides for a system comprising a peripheral component interface (PCI) host bridge. The PCI host bridge is configured to be coupled to a PCI bus, and to receive a system reset signal, to generate a PCI bus reset signal based on the received system reset signal, to detect a PCI operational mode of the PCI bus, and to generate a voltage indicator signal based on the detected PCI operational mode. A voltage regulator is coupled to the PCI host bridge and configured to receive the voltage indicator signal and to regulate a signaling voltage for the PCI bus based on the voltage indicator signal. |
| US08131904B2 |
Processing module, interface, and information handling system
A processing module, interface, and information handling system are disclosed. According to an aspect, a processing module can include a plurality of components coupled to a circuit card operable to be coupled to a host processing system. The processing module can also include a processing module interface configured to be coupled to a host interface of the host processing system. According to an aspect, the processing module interface can include a plurality of contacts operable to couple a plurality of signals configured to be coupled between the host processing and the circuit card to enable or disable use of resources of the circuit card during a reduced operating state of the host processor. |
| US08131901B2 |
Interrupt control for virtual processing apparatus
A data processing system supporting one or more virtual processing apparatuses is provided with external interrupt interface hardware 26 and virtual interface hardware 28. Hypervisor software responds to an interrupt received by the external interrupt interface hardware 26 to write data characterising that interrupt into list registers 18 of the virtual interface hardware 28. A guest operating system for the virtual machine of the virtual data processing apparatus being emulated may then read data from the virtual interface hardware 28 characterising the interrupt to be processed by that virtual machine. The virtual machine and the guest operating system interact with the virtual interface hardware 28 as if it were external interface hardware. The hypervisor software is responsible for maintaining the data within the virtual interface hardware 28 to properly reflect queued interrupts as received by the external interface 26. |
| US08131900B2 |
Bus signal control circuit for detecting bus signal abnormalities using separate bus diagnosis line
A memory control unit controls writing and reading of data to the slave device according to an instruction from the master device. A bus diagnosis line is directly connected from the bus signal control circuit to a bus signal receiving terminal of the slave device without passing through the address bus and the control signal line. A bus signal abnormality processing unit compares an output bus signal output from the bus signal control circuit to the address bus and the control signal line with a feedback bus signal fed back through the bus diagnosis line to determine the presence/absence of a difference. The memory control unit elongates a bus cycle period of a bus cycle of operation being executed when it is determined in the bus signal abnormality processing unit that the difference is present. |
| US08131897B2 |
Semiconductor memory device inputting and outputting a plurality of data length formats and method thereof
A semiconductor memory device and method thereof are provided. The example semiconductor memory device may include a first processor configured to exchange data with a first data length format, a second processor configured to exchange data with a second data length format and a shared memory configured to store data, the shared memory being shared by the first and second processors, the shared memory further configured to receive a read command from at least one of the first and second processors and to output data in response to the read command based on which of the first and second data length formats is used by the processor issuing the read command. |
| US08131896B2 |
Signal converter, signal processor and signal conversion transmission system
An input tool has: an I/O unit having a digimatic interface; a first signal conversion unit that converts a measurement signal in a signal format according to an HID keyboard protocol capable of being processed by an HID driver; a second signal conversion unit that converts the measurement signal into a signal format according to a virtual serial port protocol capable of being processed by a VCP driver; a conversion controller that makes one of the first signal conversion unit and the second signal conversion unit to convert a signal format of the measurement signal; and a USB communicator having a USB interface that is connectable with a PC, the USB communicator outputting the measurement signal. |
| US08131892B2 |
Storage apparatus and a data management method employing the storage apparatus
A storage apparatus is provided that is capable of reducing data maintenance management costs with a performance that is both highly reliable and fast. The present invention is storage apparatus where an intermediary device is arranged between a controller and a plurality of disk devices of different performances arranged in a hierarchical manner. The controller unit carries out I/O accesses to and from the disk devices via the intermediary devices based on access requests sent from host apparatus. The intermediary device includes a power saving control function for the disk device and carries out operation control such as spin off and spin up of disk devices in accordance with conditions set in advance. |
| US08131889B2 |
Command queue for peripheral component
In an embodiment, a peripheral component configured to control an external interface of an integrated circuit. For example, the peripheral component may be a memory interface unit such as a flash memory interface unit. The internal interface to the peripheral component may be shared between data transfers to/from the external interface and control communications to the peripheral component. The peripheral component may include a command queue configured to store a set of commands to perform a transfer on the interface. A control circuit may be coupled to the command queue and may read the commands and communicate with an interface controller to cause a transfer on the interface responsive to the commands. In an embodiment, a macro memory may store command sequences to be performed in response to a macro command in the command queue. In an embodiment, an operand queue may store operand data for use by the commands. |
| US08131887B2 |
Automatically customizing one or more interactive portable display devices with a calculator unit by exchanging parameter data
An electronic processing apparatus comprises one or more remote interactive display devices and a calculator unit, wherein the display device comprises at least a screen, a connector selectively connectable to the calculator unit, a user interface device and a microprocessor, whereas the calculator unit comprises at least one or more connectors, able to be selectively connected to the connector, a processor and a non-volatile memory. There is also a single connection element able to connect the connector and a selected one of the connectors of the calculator unit, both for data exchange and also for the transfer of energy for electric feed. The display device, through the connection element is able at least to transmit, through the connector, information relating to the own functioning parameters thereof to the calculator unit, which are compared with predetermined information recorded in the non-volatile memory so as to identify and select the functioning parameters of the display device and to obtain an automatic configuration of the display device. |
| US08131885B2 |
Method and system of controlling computer system external effects for a computer game, the external effects such as incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, vibration devices, LED/laser diodes, and/or fans
A method and system of controlling computer system external effects. At least some of the illustrative embodiments may be a computer system comprising a processor (wherein a computer system user interacting with software executed on the processor triggers a software event), and an external effects controller coupled to the processor (wherein the external effects controller controls at least one device being a purely aesthetic device or a non-aesthetic device operated in a manner for aesthetic reasons). The computer system user selectively associates the at least one device to the software event such that, if associated, upon occurrence of the software event an operational state of the at least one device is changed by the external effects controller. |
| US08131884B1 |
Reusing system configuration information and metadata for related operations
Reusing system configuration information and metadata for related operations is disclosed. It is determined that a group of content management system commands may be treated as a related set for purposes of updating content management system configuration information and/or metadata. The content management system configuration information and/or metadata are updated once for purposes of processing the group. |
| US08131879B1 |
Use of ethernet frames for exchanging control and status information within an HPNA controller
A method for providing control information between a host and a home phone line network via an Ethernet controller includes: determining if the control information is to be transmitted to the home phone line network or is received from the home phone line network; generating a first home phone line network data frame from a frame control frame (FCF) and a corresponding first Ethernet data frame received from the Ethernet controller, if the control information is to be transmitted to the home phone line network; and generating a second Ethernet data frame and a corresponding frame status frame (FSF) from a second home phone line network data frame received from the home phone line network, if the control information is received from the hoMe phone line network. Control information is thus provided between the host and the HPNA network via an Ethernet controller without requiring additional hardware or special interfaces. |
| US08131875B1 |
Device profile assignment based on device capabilities
Systems and methods, including computer software implementations, involve identifying a first set of device capabilities associated with an electronic device. The first set of device capabilities include one or more device capabilities. A description of the first set of device capabilities is provided to a remote source, and a first device profile identifier is received from the remote source. The first device profile identifier is associated with the first set of device capabilities. The first device profile identifier is stored on the electronic device, and the received first device profile identifier is included in a communication to the remote source. |
| US08131874B2 |
Meta data customizing method
A user apparatus makes a meta data obtaining request to a delivering apparatus, the request including designation of an element to customize, which element exists in a predetermined location of a description of the structured language of the meta data to obtain, as well as format designation designating a variable to be located in the element and a format thereof. The delivering apparatus every time dynamically replaces the contents of the corresponding element of the description of the structured language of the meta data to output, with a value corresponding to the variable and the format designated by the format designation, based on the designation of the element and the format designation, according to different requests from respective user apparatuses. |
| US08131873B2 |
Technique for selecting a path computation element
A technique efficiently selects a Path Computation Element (PCE) to compute a path between nodes of a computer network. The PCE selection technique is illustratively based on dynamic advertisements of the PCE's available path computation resources, using (i) a low-pass filter algorithm to compute such resources, and (ii) threshold determinations to control distribution of those advertisements. To that end, the novel technique enables one or more PCEs to dynamically send (advertise) their available path computation resources to a Path Computation Client (PCC) by way of the controlled advertisements. In addition, the technique enables the PCC to efficiently select a PCE (or set of PCEs) to service a path computation request based upon those available resources. |
| US08131865B2 |
Media service delivery system providing conditional access to media content from various client devices
A system for protecting the digital rights of content owners allows digital media to be delivered to only those media rendering client devices that have been approved for the media content. Before delivering requested media, the media service provider may determines whether the media rendering client device that requested the media is the type of device that is authorized to receive the request media. If it is, the media service provider may transmit the media to a middleman server over a network (such as the Internet). A middleman server may then serves the media to the client device over a local network. By allowing the media content to be distributed to approved devices only, the media service provider can prevent a user from using the media in a way that is not authorized by the content owner. |
| US08131862B2 |
Integration of SS7 with an application server
A computer-implemented method, system and computer-readable storage medium are presented for establishing a communication link between an SS7 device and an application server. An SS7 message is first decoded by a SS7 SIGTRAN gateway into a SIGTRAN message. The SIGTRAN message is sent to a proxy server, wherein the SIGTRAN message is converted into XML for transmission to a converged application in the application server. |
| US08131861B2 |
Method for cross-domain tracking of web site traffic
Web traffic reporting methods that rely upon third-party cookies suffer in accuracy when those tracking cookies are frequently refused by web users or deleted once they have been accepted. The invention described herein circumvents this problem by employing first-party cookies instead. This is accomplished by a client-side script that maintains the first-party cookie (as placed by the web site in question) and sends a site-maintained visitor ID to a tracking service for analysis. The effect is to improve the accuracy of traffic statistics that rely on that cookie. |
| US08131860B1 |
Serialization and deserialization
Serialization is disclosed. It is detected if a component included in a graph of components associated with a user session on a first system has not changed since a prior serialization to a second system. A token is sent to the second system during a current serialization, instead of the component, indicating the component has not changed since the prior serialization. De-serialization is disclosed. a token is received at a first system from a second system, in a stream of serialized data from the second system, that indicates that a component on the second system has not changed since a prior serialization. A cached version of the component is retrieved. The cached copy is used to reconstruct on the second system a state of a user session with which the component is associated on the second system. |
| US08131857B2 |
Fibre channel intelligent target management system
In one embodiment, a network device receives a port login directed to a target from a first host. The network device determines whether at least one other host is currently logged in to the target. The network device may then send a port login to the target corresponding to whether at least one other host is currently logged in to the target. |
| US08131855B2 |
Management computer, resource management method, resource management computer program, recording medium, and information processing system
A resource management method executed by an information processing system having a plurality of physical servers 104 and a plurality of virtual servers 120 to be operated on the physical server, and a management server 101 connected to the physical server via a network 207 to specify the virtual server associated to a resource pool 130 and the physical server for operating the virtual server, collect performance information of the specified physical server, and calculate the performance information of the resource pool on the basis of the collected performance information. |
| US08131853B2 |
External processor for a distributed network access system
An external processor for a network access system having a programmable access device includes a service controller that provides at least one service for network traffic, a message processor that processes network messages for service processing by the service controller, and a programmable access device controller that programs the programmable access device in response to service controller processing. It is advantageous for the external processor to include primary and secondary service controllers for a particular service so that, if the primary service controller fails, the secondary service controller can provide the particular service for message received from the programmable access device. In preferred embodiments, the service controller further includes a reporting processor that provides an interface through which reporting messages received from the programmable access device can be communicated to the service controller and a signaling controller that transmits signals to configure network hardware to establish requested network connections. The external processor preferably further supports a service policy interface through which the service controller can request policy decisions from a possibly remote policy server. |
| US08131848B1 |
Image analysis and communication device control technology
Techniques are described for controlling communication devices using image analysis. For instance, when a communication is received by a communication device, the communication device outputs an alert to notify users of the received communication and accesses one or more images of an area proximate to the communication device. The one or more images cover an area proximate to the communication device at a time during which the communication device is outputting the alert. The communication device analyzes the one or more images to determine whether a user is present in the one or more images and in a position to perceive the received communication. The communication device handles at least one aspect of the received communication based on the determination of whether a user is in a position to perceive the received communication. |
| US08131847B2 |
Mechanism to detect restricted access via internet hotspot
The disclosed wireless device automatically detects the redirection of its internet access via a wireless hotspot network. The exemplary device algorithm provides the flexibility to detect either or both of DNS redirection and HTTP redirection, as well as to automatically accommodate such internet redirection. The proposed algorithm allows a wireless device user to be alerted and account for internet redirection when such internet redirection is automatically detected upon entering service via a hotspot. Alternatively, the wireless device may attempt to automatically meet the hotspot requirements and complete the internet access through the hotspot. |
| US08131846B1 |
Global, location-aware computer security
Global, location-aware security information is generated, and used to provide location-aware computer security to portable computing devices. A global, location-aware security system receives local, location-aware security information from a large number of portable devices. The local information from each device comprises their locations at the times of detection of threat indicators. The global system transforms the received local information into global information, and maps detected threat indicators to specific locations. Each device monitors activity occurring thereon, detects threat indicators and current locations, and builds local information, which is periodically transmitted to the global system. When a device is activated or moved to a new location, it determines its current location, and requests global information concerning that location from the global system. The global system transmits global information, which the portable device uses to apply a location-based risk level policy to provide location-aware computer security. |
| US08131844B2 |
Customer intelligence in a cloud operating environment
Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices for providing customer intelligence data to a developer of an application that runs on a cloud operating environment associated with an online services provider. The online services provider collects customer information about customers, each of whom is identified by a customer ID. A developer uploads an application, having a corresponding application ID, and manages the application using resources associated with the cloud operating environment. An analysis module creates a three-way mapping between the application ID, customer IDs corresponding to customers that use the application, and customer intelligence data associated with the customer IDs. Using this mapping, the system presents the developer with customer intelligence information based on the customer intelligence data. |
| US08131843B2 |
Adaptive computing using probabilistic measurements
Determining a configuration of a computer system for performing an operation, by determining an expected performance of a computer system based on at least one possible usage scenario given a current configuration of the computer system according to a current set of system parameters, determining an expected performance of the computer system based on at least one possible usage scenario given at least one candidate configuration of the computer system according to at least one candidate set of system parameters, and configuring the computer system according to whichever of the sets of system parameters that has a more favorable expected performance as determined in accordance with predefined criteria. |
| US08131838B2 |
Modular monitor service for smart item monitoring
Monitor services deployable on device networks may be implemented using a modular approach, in which a core monitor service is mapped to one or more devices included in, or associated with, the device networks. Additional monitoring-related functionality may be provided to such devices using plug-ins, add-on services or service components, or other service modules, which interact with the core monitor service. The core monitor service(s) and any monitor service modules may be mapped, to specific ones of the devices, based on, for example, requirements of other services and/or relevant device metadata (e.g., capabilities) of the devices. In additional or alternative implementations, various protocols may be used to register new devices and deployed monitor service(s) with the distributed monitoring service(s) in a fast, secure, energy-efficient, and reliable manner, even as devices join or leave the device network(s). |
| US08131836B2 |
Managing TCP anycast requests
Managing TCP anycast requests at content delivery network nodes is disclosed. In some embodiments, managing traffic includes receiving a request at a first node of a content delivery network, determining at the first node that the request should be serviced by a second node of the content delivery network, and redirecting the request to the second node, wherein the first node and the second node of the content delivery network comprise endpoints for serving content and wherein the content delivery network is at least in part an anycast network. |
| US08131834B1 |
Determining the geographic location of a network device
Provided are techniques and apparatuses for determining the geographic location of a node on a network. In a representative embodiment, a data packet is received over the network from a second node, the data packet including a network identifier for the second node and a Time-To-Live (TTL) field that has a value, with the value of the TTL field for the data packet indicating a maximum additional number of hops that could have been made by the data packet. A probe packet addressed to the network identifier for the second node is then sent, the probe packet also including a TTL field. The initial value for the TTL field of the probe packet is set based on the value for the TTL field of the data packet. |
| US08131833B2 |
Managing communication between nodes in a virtual network
A method for managing communication between nodes in a virtual network is provided. A first computing system utilizes first information to forward first data to the second computing system in a physical network. If the first information is incorrect, the second computing system forwards an unlearning request to the first computing system, and the first computing system updates or deletes the first information. If the first information is not available, the first computing system forwards the first data to a group of computing systems in the physical network by way of a multicast service. Upon receiving the first data, the second computing system or a third computing system in the physical network forwards a learning request to the first computing system, and the first computing system utilizes the learning request to generate the first information. |
| US08131832B1 |
Message engine searching and classification
The subject innovation provides for systems and methods that facilitate locating components of a unified plant model at runtime (e.g., specifying a search criteria), via a message engine that searches for modules/applications dynamically at run time. When a control module in a program needs to find another control module, a search can be performed by specifying a criteria and performing a search in the controller, via the message engine. |
| US08131831B1 |
Centralized policy management framework for telecommunication networks
A centralized policy management framework, including a centralized policy repository, is provided that can support both services and network management within a wireless network, and supports both Internet Protocol (IP)-based and non IP-based service traffic. Service level agreement (SLA) management and policy exchange is enabled for converged services across network domains. In one non-limiting embodiment, a 3GPP standards-based architecture is integrated into the overall policy management framework. |
| US08131830B2 |
System and method for providing support services using administrative rights on a client computer
A method is provided for enabling a support program to provide services using imported administrative rights on a client computer for a user without administrative rights. The method includes the operation of creating a global administrative account on a domain server for a computer network. In addition, the support program can be activated on the client computer. A further operation is creating a process with administrative rights from the support program using the global administrator account on the domain server. The support services enabled with administrative rights can then to be provided for the client computer using the process created with administrative rights. |
| US08131828B2 |
Selectively joining clients to meeting servers
In an embodiment, a hosted-on-premises meeting exchange server operates seamlessly with web meeting servers. For example, one computer-implemented method comprises receiving a request from a client computer to join a web meeting; determining whether the client computer is coupled to a local network which includes an on-premises-meeting exchange server; in response to determining that the client computer is coupled to the local network, joining the client computer to the web meeting at the on-premises-meeting exchange server when the on-premises-meeting exchange server has sufficient capacity, and otherwise joining the client computer to the web meeting at an off-premises-meeting exchange server; and in response to determining that the client computer is not coupled to the local network, joining the client computer to the web meeting at the off-premises-meeting exchange server. |
| US08131827B2 |
PLC with web-accessible program development software
An industrial control system that is for controlling an industrial process and that can be accessed via the Internet is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a plurality of I/O devices exchanging signals with the industrial process, and a web access module including a web server coupled to a PLC. The web server is capable of being coupled to at least one remote device via the Internet, and the PLC is coupled to the I/O devices. The web access module further includes programming software that can be utilized to generate a controller program for at least one of the PLC and one of the I/O devices. The web server is capable of providing the programming software onto the Internet for transmission to the remote device, so that the remote device is able to generate the controller program. |
| US08131826B2 |
Image display system with visual server
An image display system with one or more client computers in selective communication with a visual server having image processing capabilities. The client computer generates image modifying data corresponding to a generated image, and transmits the data to the visual server. The visual server receives the image-modifying data, generates a modified image based upon the image-modifying data, and transmits the modified image as compressed data to the client. The client decompresses the modified image data and displays the modified image. In the system, the visual server and client can provide a sequential display of modified frames on client to support animation with complex 3-dimensional graphics. |
| US08131824B2 |
Method for the transmission of multimedia data utilizing a signaling signal in a telecommunications network
The invention aims at providing a method, a subscriber terminal, a computer program product and a communication system, wherein a sender has the possibility of influencing the signaling signal in a terminal of a recipient and configuring individually and with greater freedom a signaling signal by choosing one or more data formats that can be sent in an MM standard, particularly when transmitting an MM. According to the invention, this is achieved in that an element causing immediate display of said element is identified as a signaling signal (S) when the data and/or a predetermined partial amount of data have arrived. |
| US08131821B2 |
System for publishing, organizing, accessing and distributing information in a computer network
A method for searching documents including defining a plurality of dimensions with each having dimension values that define users, maintaining documents with each having sections, and determining a user coordinate having a specific set of dimension values. The method further includes assigning dimension values and an associated user coordinate to each section of each document, storing the sections of the documents in a retrievable form, and identifying dimension values associated with the user coordinate in accordance with a filtering methodology. The method further includes displaying the dimension values as menu items in which a user is permitted to access the menu items for the dimension values associated with the user coordinate, and identifying sections of documents that meet the respective dimension values associated with the user coordinate in accordance with the filtering methodology, so that a user is permitted to access sections of the documents that meet the dimension values. |
| US08131817B2 |
Method and system for generating a graphical display for a remote terminal session
In one aspect the invention relates to a method for generating a graphical display for a remote terminal session. The method includes monitoring output produced by an application program executing on a server, identifying a bitmap representation within the output produced by the application program and determining a check value for the bitmap representation. The method also includes retrieving a compressed data format of the bitmap representation based at least in part on the check value and transmitting to the remote terminal session the compressed data format in place of the bitmap representation. |
| US08131815B1 |
Client-side modification of electronic documents in a client-server environment
Client-side modification of electronic documents by server-generated instructions in a client-server environment enables dynamic modification of formatting information in an electronic document to accommodate new data received from the server. A server generates machine instructions to send to a client along with new data for an electronic document. The generated instructions modify the electronic document at the client to accommodate the new data. The generated instructions may include at least one tag indicating a relative order in which the new data is to be imported into the electronic document and the instructions are to be performed. |
| US08131813B2 |
Second person review of E-mail
An email review tool gives users a simple, quick, and safe method of initiating review of an email document. The email review tool may provide a window to a user which allows the user to select another person to review the email or skip the review process and send the email directly to the recipients. Transmission of the email is thus deferred until the email has been reviewed. |
| US08131808B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting characteristics of electronic mail message
The present invention enables accurate detection of risks from an electronic mail message. In a mail inspection unit, an information extraction section extracts text and a mail address from electronic mail accumulated in a journal DB, and a text normalization section normalizes the text. A sort-information saving section generates text sort information according to the score obtained from a sorting engine, and stores it in a mail-management-information storage section. A personal-information saving section extracts personal information from a personal-information storage section according to the mail address, and stores it in the mail-management-information storage section. Finally, a risk-level determination section compares the information stored in the mail-management-information storage section with the information stored in a category-information storage section to determine the risk level of the electronic mail. |
| US08131805B2 |
Multilevel anti-spam system and method with load balancing
There is disclosed a system and method for managing spam within an email message stream. In an embodiment, a method comprises defining a plurality of anti-spam filter levels where each anti-spam filter level includes at least one anti-spam module configurable for filtering spam messages. An anti-spam request including a user preferred anti-spam filter level is generated and communicated to the preferred anti-spam filter level. The anti-spam request is implemented on at least one anti-spam module in the preferred anti-spam filter level based on at least one predetermined criterion. If the anti-spam request cannot be implemented at the preferred anti-spam filter level, the anti-spam request is implemented on at least one anti-spam module at another anti-spam filter level. |
| US08131803B2 |
System and method for integrating an address book with an instant messaging application in a mobile station
A system for integrating an address book application with an instant messaging application in a mobile station is provided. An instant messaging database may be used to store instant messaging data, the instant messaging data including instant messaging contacts and instant messaging (IM) presence information to indicate whether the instant messaging contacts may currently be accessed by the instant messaging application. An address book database may be used for storing address book data. An aggregated data viewer may be used to relate instant messaging data from the instant messaging database with address book data from the address book database. |
| US08131800B2 |
Attribute visualization of attendees to an electronic meeting
A server publishes a poll to one or more attendee clients to an electronic conference. The poll permits each attendee to select one of several choices as the vote of the respective attendee. Initially an attendee may have a default choice assigned to him, for example, undecided. The server may show a hypertext page that includes an image or persona icon of the attendee located within a panel that has the current vote that an attendee has chosen or, by default, been assigned. |
| US08131798B2 |
Image processing system, information processing apparatus, control methods thereof, and program
This invention provides an image processing system and information processing apparatus, which can improve user's operability upon execution of a workflow without causing any productivity or reliability drop, and control methods thereof. To accomplish this, an information processing apparatus included in this image processing system receives digital data of a document read by an image processing apparatus, specifies feature information of the received digital data, and executes matching between the specified feature information and a plurality of templates. The information processing apparatus acquires a processing status of a workflow which is being currently executed from a workflow server. When a process indicated by attribute information of a template whose matching has succeeded matches a process indicated by the acquired processing status, the information processing apparatus registers the digital data in a document server as a document. |
| US08131797B2 |
System and method for providing and distributing game on network
A system and a method for providing and distributing a game widely on a network are disclosed. The method includes: creating and storing game platform data which load a game to be distributed; providing a copy function that allows source address information of a game platform, corresponding to the game to be distributed, to be copied; downloading the game platform data in response to a request for the game platform from a client using the source address information of the game platform; and downloading the game to be distributed and additional information in response to an activation of the downloaded game platform data, wherein the game platform provides the copy function that allows the source address information of the game platform to be copied in response to a request from the client. |
| US08131789B2 |
True random number generator
True random number generation circuitry utilizes a pair of oscillators driving a pair of linear feedback shift registers, with their output being combined to generate random numbers. At least one of the oscillators is programmable with a variable frequency. One embodiment controls the variable frequency of oscillators with output from one or more sets of oscillators and linear feedback shift registers. In other embodiments, linear feedback shift register output is captured and used to control the frequency of oscillators. |
| US08131788B1 |
Determining sum of absolute differences in parallel
Determining a sum of absolute differences using a circuit is described. Pairs of inputs, including a respective current value and a respective previous value, are obtained. The previous value is subtracted from the current value for each of the pairs of inputs to provide differences and associated carries. Inverted carries are applied to the differences to pass a first portion of the differences associated with positive absolute differences and to invert and then pass a second portion of the differences associated with negative absolute differences. The inverted carries are summed. The first portion and the second portion are provided to an adder tree to generate an interim sum of absolute differences. The sum of inverted carries obtained over a number of clock cycles is added to the interim sum of absolute differences obtained over the number of clock cycles to generate a sum of absolute difference result. |
| US08131785B1 |
Free space management for hierarchical data document
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including encoded computer programs, for using free space set aside in hierarchical data documents, such as multimedia documents containing video and audio data. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining new data to be added to a document having a hierarchical structure, where the document includes stored data and free spaces at different nodes; determining whether a first node in the structure includes a first free space of a size sufficient for the new data; using the first free space in the first node to add the new data to the document when the size is sufficient; and when the size is insufficient: identifying a second node including a second free space in the structure, moving some of the second free space to the first free space, and using the increased first free space in the first node to add the new data to the document. |
| US08131781B2 |
Anti-item for deletion of content in a distributed datastore
The invention provides an efficient apparatus and method for deleting items within a distributed datastore. Deletion of items is accomplished using anti-items having the same structure as a conventional data item, but for a single tag, flag, or bit which indicates that it is an anti-item, wherein the single tag, flag, or bit but does not affect the location at which a data item or anti-item is ultimately stored within the datastore, thereby ensuring that, upon insertion, the anti-item reaches the same location or locations within the datastore as the original data item. |
| US08131779B2 |
System and method for interactive multi-dimensional visual representation of information content and properties
A system and method of information retrieval and triage for Information analysis provides an for interactive multi-dimensional and linked visual representation of information content and properties. A query Interface plans and obtains result sets. A dimension interface specifies dimensions with which to categorize the result sets. Links among results of a result set or results of different sets are automatically generated for linked selection viewing. Entitles may be extracted and viewed and entity relations determined to establish further links and dimensions. Properties encoded in representations of the results in the multi-dimensional views maximizes display density. Multiple queries may be performed and compared. An integrated browser component responsive to the links is provided for viewing documents. Documents and other information from the result set may be used in an analysis component providing a space for visual thinking, to arrange the information in the space while maintaining links automatically. |
| US08131777B2 |
Method for client-side personalization
A method or data processing system readable medium can be used for communications between a user and a network site. In one embodiment, the user may request personalization information including personalization rule(s) from the network site. The user can generate personalization logic based on the personalization information. In this manner, the user has better control over his or her personal information. The server computer at the network site may benefit because it does not have to generate the personalization logic for the user. Accordingly, the server computer at the network site may be able to accommodate more users or can respond to them faster. |
| US08131776B2 |
Automated migration of translation maps for use in exchanging documents between entities
A method for migrating a legacy translation map to an evolved translation map includes determining an input file structure from input file structure information in the legacy translation map, determining an output file structure from output file structure information in the legacy translation map, and creating an XML binding object representation of source code for the input and output file structure. The method may further include creating an evolved language object representation of translation instructions in the legacy translation map, adding temporary segments to the XML binding object representation for the input file structure, and generating evolved language object representation of instructions to write input data into the temporary segments. The evolved language object representation of translation instructions is then merged into the XML binding object representation. The evolved translation map is then generated as an XML file based on the XML binding object representation resulting from the merging. |
| US08131768B2 |
Symbolic program analysis using term rewriting and generalization
Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing data-flow using program expressions or terms by extracting a control flow graph node from a work list; merging symbolic term values at join nodes; performing simplification of term values using rewriting logic; determining successors of the graph node to which data must be propagated; and updating symbolic data for elements of the successors. |
| US08131766B2 |
Comprehensive framework to integrate business logic into a repository
Business logic is integrated within a repository through the use of “resource configurations.” A resource configuration is a unit of business logic that is supplied by a user to the repository and associated with a particular directory and/or a resource. Each resource configuration contains one or more configuration items that each defines and/or expresses one or more business rules for managing a resource associated with the resource configuration. |
| US08131763B2 |
Age verification and content filtering systems and methods
A system and method is provided for age verification and content filtering (AV/CF) on a wireless telecommunications system capable of providing enhanced products such as Internet, WAP, messaging, games, video, music, applications, etc. A profile controls content that is accessible by a user depending upon the user's age or restrictions placed on accessible content in accordance with content categories. Rating information is obtained from content providers and mapped to content categories or content is rated dynamically. User's requests for access may be recorded whether access is provided or denied and used to provide reports including reports to account holders responsible for the user's account. In some instances, attempts to access banned information may be reported to law enforcement officials. |
| US08131760B2 |
Using object identifiers with content distribution
Object identifiers are used in a variety of content distribution arrangements, including—but not limited to—peer to peer networks. The object identifiers may be of different forms, including digital watermarks, fingerprint identifiers, etc. Through use of such identifiers, sometimes in conjunction with related databases, a number of functions and services can be readily implemented. These include governing content uploading/downloading in order to inhibit piracy, and to enable subscription models. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08131759B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying and resolving conflicting data records
A method and apparatus for identifying and resolving conflicting data records are disclosed. The individual data fields of a master record are compared with the corresponding data fields of each source record in a particular data set. For each, one of various matching algorithms is used to assign a field matching score indicating the extent to which the data in the two data fields matches. The particular algorithm used to determine the extent of a match and to assign the corresponding score is dependent on the type of the data field. Once all of the data fields for a particular source record have been analyzed, the sum of the field matching scores is tallied to determine an overall record matching score for that particular source record. |
| US08131756B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for developing tools to process natural language text
The disclosed invention includes an apparatus, system and method for developing tools to explore, organize, structure, extract, and mine natural language text. The system contains three sub-systems: a run-time engine, a development environment, and a feedback system. The invention also includes a system and method for improving the quality of information extraction applications consisting of an ensemble of per-user, adaptive, on-line machine-learning classifiers that adapt to document content and judgments of users by continuously incorporating feedback from information extraction results and corrections that users apply to these results. At least one of the machine-learning classifier also provides explanations or justifications for classification decisions in the form of rules; other machine-learning classifiers may provide feedback in the form of supporting instances or patterns. |
| US08131754B1 |
Systems and methods for determining an article association measure
Systems and methods for determining an article association measure are described. In one described method, a computer program receives a first article identifier associated with a first attribute and a second article identifier associated with a second attribute and determines a similarity measure of the first article identifier to the second article identifier based at least in part on the first attribute and on the second attribute. The similarity measure may provide a means for associating various article identifiers so that they may be, for example, retrieved and/or ranked in subsequent search queries. |
| US08131752B2 |
Breaking documents
A system receives a document including a plurality of items. The system then breaks the document into a plurality of subdocuments corresponding to the plurality of items and indexes the plurality of subdocuments. |
| US08131751B1 |
Algorithms for selecting subsequences
The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for selecting subsequences (shingles or tuples) generated from sequences of tokens. |
| US08131749B2 |
Dynamic data hierarchies
A flexible database schema allows changes to the types of digital media objects, metadata types, and/or metadata relationships without corrupting the database, breaking applications functionality, or requiring the database reconstruction. A database schema stores all objects in a single table. The objects table contains common fields and generic metadata fields. The generic metadata fields reference metadata objects associated with a digital media object. Each type of digital media object can map its generic metadata fields to a different metadata hierarchy. A data access API provides a set of digital media object and metadata mappings to enable applications to insert and retrieve information from the database. The data access API can be updated as needed to account for changes in the metadata hierarchies of one or more types of digital media objects. The database schema can be used to store metadata for digital media objects or other types of data objects. |
| US08131745B1 |
Associating user identities with different unique identifiers
A user correlation system uses aggregated data and matching/comparison in order to assign an association score that determines likelihood that unique identifiers are associated with the same user. |
| US08131742B2 |
Method and system for processing fraud notifications
Methods and systems for processing fraud notifications allow an organization to classify, monitor, and shut down fraudulent websites. A system may receive reports of suspicious network sites via electronic mail, and parse such reports in order to obtain one or more attributes (e.g., an address) corresponding to the suspicious network sites. In addition, information related to these suspicious network sites may be stored in a database, and algorithms may be used in order to classify, monitor, and respond to a particular suspicious network site. Before responding to a suspicious network site, such a website may first be classified as legitimate, fraudulent or ignore. If the suspicious network site is classified as legitimate or ignore, further action might not be needed. If, however, the suspicious network site is classified as fraudulent, the fraudulent website may be monitored and further action may be taken. |
| US08131740B2 |
User-specific search indexing within a virtual environment
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for searching for virtual objects of an immersive virtual environment based on user interactions within the virtual environment. Generally, embodiments provide an attribute index storing data describing attributes of virtual objects, and an interaction index storing data describing user interactions with virtual objects. Search queries may be evaluated using both the attribute index and interactions index. Thus, virtual objects may be searched in terms of object attributes as well as user interactions with the virtual objects. |
| US08131734B2 |
Image based annotation and metadata generation system with experience based learning
Methods and systems enhance a user's experience when working with documents and images. Such methods and systems, provide pictures, graphics, images, etc. related to words, phrases, sentences, etc. when a pointing device is hovered over the word or phrase to help the user to understand and remember the words, phrases, sentences, etc. being read, and/or increase the enjoyment of the user. |
| US08131733B2 |
System and method for targeted Ad delivery
Systems and associated methods for targeted ad delivery are described. In one aspect, a user profile includes at least one user content category identifier and a user interest score. The user interest score is increased by an amount if the content category identifier of a requested webpage matches the at least one user content category identifier. In a further aspect, the user interest score is indicative of a level of interest of the user in a content category identified by the at least one user content category identifier. In another aspect, the user interest score can be reduced according to a long-term decay rate that slowly reduces the user interest score. In another aspect, the user interest score can also be reduced according to a short-term decay rate that rapidly reduces the user interest score. |
| US08131730B2 |
Processor for fast phrase searching
Phrases in a corpus of documents including stopwords are found using a data processor arranged to execute phrase queries. Memory stores an index structure which maps entries in the index structure to documents in the corpus. Entries in the index structure represent words and other entries represent stopwords found in the corpus coalesced with prefixes of respective adjacent words adjacent to the stopwords. The prefixes comprise one or more leading characters of the respective adjacent words. A query processor forms a modified query by substituting a stopword with a search token representing the stopword coalesced with a prefix of the next word in the query. The processor executes the modified query. Also, index structures including coalesced stopwords are created and maintained. |
| US08131728B2 |
Processing large sized relationship-specifying markup language documents
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to processing markup language documents and provide a method, system and computer program product for processing large relationship-specifying markup language documents. In an embodiment of the invention, a method can be provided for processing large relationship-specifying markup language documents. The method can include generating an index of nodes each node corresponding to a clause in the markup language document, processing the index in lieu of the markup language document, identifying clauses referenced within the index to be written to a database and extracting the identified clauses from the markup language document and writing the extracted clauses to the database. |
| US08131723B2 |
Recovering a file system to any point-in-time in the past with guaranteed structure, content consistency and integrity
A data management system (DMS) includes a continuous real-time object store that captures all real-time activities, with associated object metadata information. The DMS is capable of reintroducing any point-in-time view of data ranging from a granular object to an entire file system. A set of algorithms (for creation of a file or directory, modification of a file or directory, deletion of a file or directory, and relocation/renaming of a file or directory) are used to generate and maintain a file system history in the DMS and to ensure that a latest version of a directory always refers to a latest version of its children until the directory changed. Any point-in-time recovery is implemented using the file system history in one of various ways to provide strong individual file integrity, exact point-in-time crash consistency, and/or recovery of last version of all files in the file system. |
| US08131720B2 |
Using an ID domain to improve searching
Methods which use an ID domain to improve searching are described. An embodiment describes an index phase in which an image of a document is converted into the ID domain. This is achieved by dividing the text in the image into elements and mapping each element to an identifier. Similar elements are mapped to the same identifier. Each element in the text is then replaced by the appropriate identifier to create a version of the document in the ID domain. This version may be indexed and searched. Another embodiment describes a query phase in which a query is converted into the ID domain and then used to search an index of identifiers which has been created from collections of documents which have been converted into the ID domain. The conversion of the query may use mappings which were created during the index phase or alternatively may use pre-existing mappings. |
| US08131719B2 |
Systems and methods for utilizing organization-specific classification codes
Systems and methods for classifying a document are provided. In exemplary embodiments, an organization specific classification code (OSCC) is used to classify the document or data. The OSCC is a classification code based on an information type and an organization. In some embodiments, one or more policies may be associated with the OSCC. |
| US08131712B1 |
Regional indexes
A corpus of documents is identified, such as a large corpus of web documents. A quality score is applied to each, and at least some of the documents in the corpus of documents are identified based on their respective quality scores. At least one query characteristic, for instance, the language of a query, associated with a plurality of search queries is identified. A subset of documents in the corpus of documents is identified that satisfy the at least one query characteristic. An index is built that includes the identified at least some documents and the identified subset of documents. |
| US08131711B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for partial redistribution, partial duplication of rows of parallel join operation on skewed data
A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate management of data skew during a parallel join operation are provided. Portions of tables involved in the join operation are distributed among a plurality of processing modules, and each of the processing modules is provided with a list of skewed values of a join column of a larger table involved in the join operation. Each of the processing modules scans the rows of the tables distributed to the processing modules and compares values of the join columns of both tables with the list of skewed values. Rows of the larger table having non-skewed values in the join column are redistributed, and rows of the larger table having skewed values in the join column are maintained locally at the processing modules. Rows of the smaller table that have non-skewed values in the join column are redistributed, and rows of the smaller table that have skewed values in the join column are duplicated among the processing modules. |
| US08131707B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing search result using language chain
Provided is a multiple information retrieval apparatus and method using a language chain to provide directly executable multiple information when a search result regarding a query word is provided. The retrieval apparatus includes: an I/O display window inputting query words; a search button which approves the input query words over the Internet; a search engine database containing information about the query words; a search query word information source having information which sets the query words as a title; a language chain which connects the grouped words with at least one connector; a parsing key for selecting the grouped words, and an image or video display window which can display images or videos using a web-browser. Accordingly, the retrieval apparatus provides multiple domains regarding query words, indices of electronic publishing materials and home page lists. |
| US08131705B2 |
Relevancy scoring using query structure and data structure for federated search
Determining a relevancy ranking score is disclosed. A query is received that includes one or more constraints. One of the one or more constraints includes an operator. A search result based on the query is received. The relevancy ranking score for the received search result is determined based at least in part on the operator associated with the one or more constraints of the query. |
| US08131703B2 |
Analytics based generation of ordered lists, search engine feed data, and sitemaps
Systems and methods are described that provide for generating ordered search results based on dynamic web analytics data that allows a resulting list of records that is responsive to a query to be ranked in a fashion that improves user satisfaction and conversion success rate. The system interrogates a target website to build a database of products and services. The individual pages/products in the database of products and services are ranked based on analytics data. Responses to searches of the target website are ordered as list of records that reflects the analytics data, which improves the ordering of the list of records based on criteria such as web page popularity, product popularity, or conversion success rate. Further embodiments provide for the generation of appropriately ordered search engine feed data based on the ranked database of products and services for the target website as well as the generation of search engine sitemaps with an appropriate priority attribute based on the analytics data. |
| US08131701B2 |
Method and system for probabilistically quantifying and visualizing relevance between two or more citationally or contextually related data objects
In one embodiment the present invention provides a novel method for probabilistically quantifying a degree of relevance between two or more citationally or contextually related data objects, such as patent documents, non-patent documents, web pages, personal and corporate contacts information, product information, consumer to behavior, technical or scientific information, address information, and the like. In another embodiment the present invention provides a novel method for visualizing and displaying relevance between two or more citationally or contextually related data objects. In another embodiment the present invention provides a novel search input/output interface that utilizes an iterative self-organizing mapping (“SOM”) technique to automatically generate a visual map of relevant patents and/or other related documents desired to be explored, searched or analyzed. In another embodiment the present invention provides a novel search input/output interface that displays and/or communicates search input criteria and corresponding search results in a way that facilitates intuitive understanding and visualization of the logical relationships between two or more related concepts being searched. |
| US08131700B2 |
Transitioning clone data maps and synchronizing with a data query
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed for transitioning clones and clone data access maps in response to node or media failure without blocking queries. In a system, a data request interface is configured to receive a query to access data at a storage device. Data management logic is configured to access clone state information of a plurality of clones including clones in a static state and clones in a transitory state. The data management logic is further configured to process the query to access the data according to the dynamic clone data access map, with functional correctness maintained. |
| US08131697B2 |
Method and apparatus for approximate matching where programmable logic is used to process data being written to a mass storage medium and process data being read from a mass storage medium
A method and device are disclosed for an associative and approximate, analog or digital scanning of databases that allows for the asynchronous accessing of data from a mass storage medium. The invention includes providing dedicated analog and digital circuitry and decision logic at the mass storage medium level for determining a key identifying the data of interest, continuously comparing the key to a signal generated from a reading of the data from the mass storage medium with an approximate or exact matching circuit to determine a pattern match, determining a correlation value between the key and the data as it is read in a continuous fashion, and determining a match based upon a preselected threshold value for the correlation value. The pattern matching technique eliminates any need to compare data based on its intrinsic structure or value, and instead is based on an analog or digital pattern. The key and data may be either analog or digital. This device and method may be provided as part of a stand-alone computer system, embodied in a network attached storage device, or can otherwise be provided as part of a computer LAN or WAN. |
| US08131694B2 |
Process-oriented classification
The present invention relates in general to a data object model for describing objects within systems. To allow unambiguous classification, the data model comprises a property definition including at least one property name, at least one property value and at least one process value for storing at least one process identifier identifying processes assigned to the property. |
| US08131685B1 |
Duplicate account identification and scoring
A system matches accounts based on attributes of the accounts, and scores the matched account pairs based on a probability of the matched accounts being duplicate accounts. The system can utilize the matched and scored account pairs to determine duplicate accounts, and terminate at least one of the accounts in a duplicate account pair. |
| US08131682B2 |
System and method for replacing contents addressable storage
Data is migrated from a first CAS (contents addressed storage) system to a second CAS system. When the migration process is started, the second CAS system retrieves a list of the objects stored on the first CAS system. The second CAS system, based on the list, retrieves each object from the first CAS system, calculates an object ID for each object, and stores each object and the calculated object ID into the storage devices in the second CAS system. Methods for reducing downtime during the migration process are also disclosed. |
| US08131681B1 |
Backup disk-tape integration method and system
Aspects of the present invention provide a disk-to-disk-to-tape backup method and system responsive to a combined backup request to backup a dataset to a backup disk according to a disk backup schedule and then to backup the dataset from the backup disk to a backup tape according to a tape backup schedule. The combined backup method completes a backup of the dataset to the backup disk and then to a backup tape device in accordance with a resolved schedule that considers potential conflicts between the schedules. To restore, aspects of the invention receive a request to restore a backup of the dataset from a backup-tape and the resolved schedule derived from the tape backup schedule and the disk backup schedule. The restoration verifies that a backup tape holds the target dataset by matching a combined backup identifier from the request against a corresponding combined backup identifier held in storage. |
| US08131680B2 |
Systems and methods for using metadata to enhance data management operations
Systems and methods for managing electronic data are disclosed. Various data management operations can be performed based on a metabase formed from metadata. Such metadata can be identified from an index of data interactions generated by a journaling module, and obtained from their associated data objects stored in one or more storage devices. In various embodiments, such processing of the index and storing of the metadata can facilitate, for example, enhanced data management operations, enhanced data identification operations, enhanced storage operations, data classification for organizing and storing the metadata, cataloging of metadata for the stored metadata, and/or user interfaces for managing data. In various embodiments, the metabase can be configured in different ways. For example, the metabase can be stored separately from the data objects so as to allow obtaining of information about the data objects without accessing the data objects or a data structure used by a file system. |
| US08131679B2 |
Exclusive control method for database and program
A technology capable of preventing a problem which occurs when log writing of a preceding transaction fails while reducing waiting time of a subsequent transaction is provided. A database control method for releasing locking of data held by a transaction upon reception of a transaction completion instruction from an operation terminal or the like by a database is provided. The database includes an exclusive control module, a log output module, and a log buffer. The log output module stores a transaction completion log in the log buffer upon reception of the transaction completion instruction from the operation terminal. The exclusive control module releases locking held by the transaction upon reception of storage of the transaction completion log in the log buffer. |
| US08131678B1 |
Broadcast messaging system, apparatus and method for maintaining call list currency
In a broadcast messaging system, a synchronization and update apparatus updates the content of a call list stored in a first database in a first format and a first configuration without upload instructions by a user of a user processor and without accessing said first database by the user of the second processor. The first database is in operative communication with a broadcast server. The broadcast server is programmed to broadcast a message through a communications network to a plurality of message receivers on the call list. The user processor is in operative communication with broadcast server, the user processor is programmed to update the call list in said first database from updated call list content in a second database at the user processor. The call list in said second database may be in a second configuration and either in the first format or a second format. The updating is executable automatically and repeatedly after only entry of at least one configuration instruction for at least one call list column. After said configuration instruction, changes made to the content of the call list in the second database are made in the call list in the first database at the broadcast server. |
| US08131666B2 |
Context-based user authentication, workflow processing, and data management in a centralized application in communication with a plurality of third-party applications
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for providing context-based user authentication, workflow processing and data management in a centralized application in communication with a plurality of third-party applications. Changed data from a first third-party application is received by a centralized application. The changed data is processed by the centralized application. The processing comprises determining an urgency type, a second third-party application to which at least a portion of the data is applicable, mapping the data to a second third-party application data structure, and generating a request including the data structure and based on the urgency type and the second third-party application. The request is sent to the second third-party application. Data in a database associated with the centralized application is updated based on the changed data. |
| US08131664B2 |
Row-level security in a relational database management system
An access control system provides multilevel and mandatory access control for a database management system. The access control systems provide access control at the row level in a relational database table. The database table contains a security label column within which is recorded a security label that is defined within a hierarchical security scheme. A user's security label is encoded with security information concerning the user. When a user requests access to a row, a security mechanism compares the user's security information with the security information in the row. If the user's security dominates the row's security, the user is given access to the row. |
| US08131658B2 |
Brain-based device having a cerebellar model for predictive motor control
A mobile brain-based device (BBD) includes a mobile platform with sensors and effectors, which is guided by a simulated nervous system that is an analogue of the cerebellar areas of the brain used for predictive motor control to determine interaction with a real-world environment. The simulated nervous system has neural areas including precerebellum nuclei (PN), Purkinje cells (PC), deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) and an inferior olive (IO) for predicting turn and velocity control of the BBD during movement in a real-world environment. The BBD undergoes training and testing, and the simulated nervous system learns and performs control functions, based on a delayed eligibility trace learning rule. |
| US08131656B2 |
Adaptive optimization methods
Methods and systems for optimizing a solution set. A solution set is generated, and solutions in the solution set are evaluated. Desirable solutions from the solution set are selected. A structural model is created using the desirable solutions, and a surrogate fitness model is created based on the structural model and the desirable solutions. A new solution set may be generated and/or evaluated, based on analyzing at least one of the structural model and the surrogate fitness model, and determining a method for generating a new solution set and/or evaluating the new solution set based at least in part on the analyzing. |
| US08131655B1 |
Spam filtering using feature relevance assignment in neural networks
In some embodiments, a spam filtering method includes computing a pattern relevance for each of a set of message feature patterns, and using a neural network filter to classify incoming messages as spam or ham according to the pattern relevancies. Each message feature pattern is characterized by the simultaneous presence within a message of a specific set of message features (e.g., the presence of certain keywords within the message body, various message header heuristics, various message layout features, etc.). Each message feature may be spam- or ham-identifying, and may receive a tunable feature relevance weight from an external source (e.g. data file and/or human operator). The external feature relevance weights modulate the set of neuronal weights calculated through a training process of the neural network. |
| US08131650B2 |
System and method for distributing information
A system for marketing real estate includes a property data device and a personal data device. The property data device is to be located in the vicinity of a real estate property, and the personal data device is to be provided to a user. The property data device is operable to transmit the property information data, and the personal data device operable to receive and store the property information data transmitted by the property data device. |
| US08131649B2 |
Static-or-dynamic and limited-or-unlimited content rights
Dynamic assignment of rights to content, such as in a closed distribution system. Noting state information generated by an item of current content, and modifying state or rights of new content in response. Pre-loading or dynamically sending new content to the owner of the current content, with rights being enabled only at a later time, in the playback device, with predetermined conditions. In response to current state information, dynamically sending a license for new content from a server. Conditional or dynamic licenses to new content, including a set of rights associated with a class of possible sets of state information. Assignment of limited rights to a content, with support in a secure player to enforce them; for purposes of rental, bonus content, trials and other business models. |
| US08131646B2 |
Reprogrammable security for controlling piracy and enabling interactive content using revocation status
Technologies are disclosed to transfer responsibility and control over security from player makers to content authors by enabling integration of security logic and content. An exemplary optical disc carries an encrypted digital video title combined with data processing operations that implement the title's security policies and decryption processes. Player devices include a processing environment (e.g., a real-time virtual machine), which plays content by interpreting its processing operations. Players also provide procedure calls to enable content code to load data from media, perform network communications, determine playback environment configurations, access secure nonvolatile storage, submit data to CODECs for output, and/or perform cryptographic operations. Content can insert forensic watermarks in decoded output for tracing pirate copies. If pirates compromise a player or title, future content can be mastered with security features that, for example, block the attack, revoke pirated media, or use native code to correct player vulnerabilities. |
| US08131645B2 |
System and method for processing media gifts
Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available. |
| US08131643B2 |
Integrated technology money transfer system
Money transfer system authorizing an escrow agent computer electronically by touch-tone telephone, computer modem, P.O.S.(point of sale) terminal, live operators, to send cash transfers from a sender's account such as their credit, debit, bank, or ATM card, or a bank account, to a recipient who accesses the money at any remote ATM type location or P.O.S.(point of sale) terminal by using cards such as a specialized magnetic cards, credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machine(ATM) card, at anytime and anywhere. Senders can authorize the transfer by touch-tone and PIN(personal identification number) secure codes. The system can operate without pre-existing relationships, and monitor transactions and take surcharges based on transfer amounts, and use a cards tethered to ATM machines and be used with double magnetic sided cards. |
| US08131637B1 |
Predictive model for use in providing an equity release financial product
A predictive model for use in providing an equity release (reverse mortgage) financial product is disclosed. In at least some embodiments, a plurality of representative loans are created, wherein each loan can be characterized by a borrower type and a mortality table. A plurality of joint interest rate and house price scenarios are also created. Each of the representative loans can be run through each of the joint interest rate and house price scenarios to measure profitability metrics. The model can also be used to determine loan-to-value (LTV) ratios based on considerations including borrower age, loan volume sensitivity, a determined profit-maximizing LTV ratio, and geographic market considerations. |
| US08131630B2 |
Trading order routing
An apparatus for routing trading orders comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores first trading information associated with a first buy order placed with a first market center. The first buy order is associated with a product and the first trading information comprises a disclosed quantity of the product and a reserved quantity of the product. The memory also stores second trading information associated with a second buy order placed with a second market center. The second buy order is associated with the product and the second trading information comprises a disclosed quantity of the product and a reserved quantity of the product. The processor is coupled to the memory and receives a sell order associated with a quantity of the product. The processor further cancels at least a portion of the second buy order placed with the second market center for placement with the first market center. The canceled portion of the second buy order is determined based at least in part upon the second trading information. The processor further routes at least one additional sell order to the first market center having a quantity that is based upon at least one of the first trading information and the canceled portion of the second buy order. |
| US08131623B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a combination financial product
The present invention relates to systems and methods for administering combination annuity products and to combination annuity products themselves. Certain embodiments of the invention can be used in connection with variable universal life insurance and variable life insurance contracts. |
| US08131621B1 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing risk management information and tools to traders in fund shares
A system, method and computer product for providing risk information and cost estimation tools to traders in exchange-traded fund shares. The disclosed processes develop, calculate, and publish supplemental information using confidential fund data to support trading in exchange-traded funds with portfolios that are not totally transparent and that use portfolio composition files that are not identical to the fund portfolios. The supplementary trading information preserves fund portfolio confidentiality while permitting market makers and other traders in these non-transparent exchange-traded funds to estimate the costs and risks associated with fund creation and redemption transactions of various sizes. |
| US08131614B2 |
Using commercial share of wallet to compile marketing company lists
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Marketing companies that sell lists compile those lists by searching one or more databases for names and/or businesses that match certain criteria. Those marketing companies can use the CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to show predicted spend and/or revenues for each company on a list. This makes the list more valuable to list buyers. |
| US08131612B1 |
Program generator for hedging the guaranteed benefits of a set of variable annuity contracts
A computer-based method for generating a program for hedging guaranteed benefits of a set of variable annuity (VA) contracts, including automatically generating interpreted and compiled contract value projection code; generating vectorized integrated scenario sets including arbitrage-free interest rate, hedging instrument, and VA fund values based on financial market data and regression and cointegration analysis of the VA funds and user-selected hedging instruments; multi-threaded vectorized calculating of present value PVGij of projected VA benefit guarantee cash flows for each VA contract i for each vectorized integrated scenario set j; calculating of differences of PVGij to determine sensitivities to financial parameters (“Greeks”) for each contract; calculating of present value PVAij of projected asset cash flows for each asset i for each vectorized integrated scenario set j; calculating of differences of PVAij to determine sensitivities to financial parameters (“Greeks”) for each asset; and, presenting of summary and detail asset and liability Greeks. |
| US08131611B2 |
Statistics based method for neutralizing financial impact of click fraud
A method, system and computer-readable medium for reducing a financial impact of click fraud are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, the steps of: testing a sample of click events for fraudulent clicks of the PPC link, wherein the testing of the sample of click events for fraudulent clicks is directed to detecting fraudulent non-human clicks of the PPC link; and in response to a percentage of clicks failing the testing being greater than a pre-determined tolerance level, reducing a charge for clicks of the PPC link. |
| US08131608B2 |
Localizing reports using metadata and multilanguage translations
A method of developing a report capable of providing information from a local database in a predefined structure to a remote application is discussed. The method includes defining an abstract data report structure. The abstract data report structure is configured to provide a report to the remote application having a plurality of data elements. The method further includes localizing at least one of the plurality of data elements by assigning it a remotely customizable field value; and exposing the abstract data report structure to the remote application. |
| US08131604B2 |
Internal routing
Methods and apparatus provide for routing goods from a source location to a final destination through an intermediate location. An intermediate warehouse task or transfer order is generated with reference to the movement of the goods to the intermediate location rather than movement to the final destination. A routing table can provide information for generating the intermediate warehouse task. A routing path that indicates the intermediate location can correspond to a location determined by a layout-oriented routing path or a process-oriented routing path. |
| US08131601B2 |
Method of providing customized information of commodity for on-line shopping mall users
Disclosed is a method of providing customized product information. The method includes maintaining a basic index database for recording basic index data associated with a plurality of users for each product model, extracting the basic index data of the user corresponding to a predetermined classification standard from the basic index database, generating point information associated with each product model by calculating the extracted basic index data, and displaying each product model on a predetermined webpage according to the generated point information. |
| US08131599B2 |
Methods and systems for accessing information related to an order of a commodity
Methods of allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include entering the information into a central database, updating a content of a web-based application with the information within the central database, and allowing the customer to access the information via the web-based application. The information may include sales information, shipping information, tracing information, packout information, inventory information, and/or inspection information corresponding to the order of the commodity. Systems for allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include a server configured to store the information in a central database, one or more terminals having one or more applications configured to enter the information into the central database, and a web-based application configured to allow the customer to access the information within the central database. The information may include sales information, shipping information, tracing information, packout information, inventory information, and/or inspection information corresponding to the order of the commodity. |
| US08131592B2 |
Method and system for providing targeted content with verification information
The present disclosure is a method and system for providing targeted content with verification information. A method for providing targeted content with verification information may include receiving data associated with verification information, the receiving of data associated with verification information including time information and location information. The method may include retrieving content related to verification information, the content being based upon time information and location information; and generating verification information, the verification information including content related to the verification information and based upon the time information and location information. |
| US08131591B2 |
Updating contents of asynchronously refreshable webpages
Embodiments of the invention provide ways to update and permit third-party advertising content of a webpage developed using Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (“AJAX”) techniques. An illustrative method includes registering a set of possible triggering events that can invoke an advertisement-update process, registering advertisement containers (portions of the webpage that can present the advertisements), receiving an indication that a triggering event has occurred, identifying (in some cases) advertisement containers whose advertisement content is to be updated, accessing third-party advertisement data that is stored outside of the domain of the webpage to receive the fresh advertising content, and presenting the fresh advertising content in the one or more advertisement containers. |
| US08131590B1 |
System and methods for purchase reward investment communities
Purchase rewards account holders accumulate rewards currency. A network-based investment management system allows account holders to purchase shares in investments using reward currency. When all the shares for a particular investment have been purchased, the underlying investment is acquired. Account holders owning shares in an investment may sell shares to other account holders through the system. Account holders are thereby able to invest their rewards dollars in investments typically requiring cash or cash equivalents and to grow their rewards currency. |
| US08131589B2 |
Method and system for crediting users based on propagating a transactional applet
A method of tiered promotion and distribution of a product comprises hosting a transactional applet accessible via the Internet; accessing the host to execute the applet for a first fan; enabling the first fan to process a voucher for the product; and enabling the first fan to propagate the applet to a terminal of a second fan wherein the propagated applet (i) renders content associated with the first fan and the product, (ii) accepts an input from the second fan to process a subsequent transaction relative to the product; (iii) credits the first fan with a credit, and (iv) generates a transactional record for delivery to the first fan. The generated record may include a notation of account credit, evidence of an entry ticket, or other information. The applet may be propagated to third or subsequent fans to provide further credits for the first, second, or subsequent fans. |
| US08131588B2 |
Systems and methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task
Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transaction from a merchant, and transmitting an offer for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer and a security deposit. The task is associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant. The method also includes providing the offer to the customer, receiving the security deposit, applying the benefit to the transaction before performance of the task, and returning at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to a transaction involving the purchase of a lawn mower in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer such as test driving a new car. It is also arranged for the customer to provide a security deposit. When the customer performs the task by test driving the car, arrangements are then made to return at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer. |
| US08131585B2 |
Method and system for providing network based target advertising
A telecommunication system implements a method for providing a targeted on-line advertisement to a user accessing a content provider node of the system. The system further comprises an ad selection node and an user identification node. A user signal indicative of an information request is routed through the system to determine a geographic location of the user and/or a demographic profile of the geographic location. An advertiser corresponding to the geographic location and/or demographic profile is thereafter communicated to the user. |
| US08131582B2 |
Application of discrete choice theory to forecasting aircraft retirements and fleet composition
An apparatus and method for forecasting aircraft fleet composition, aircraft retirements and fleet spares requirements, includes obtaining aircraft fleet data, obtaining data on independent variables, determining a cycle indicator, determining the operation type of the aircraft, estimating the model using certain estimation steps using the aircraft fleet data, examining and updating the model based on changes in the independent variables, and forecasting on a year-to-year basis by age and operation cohort. |
| US08131581B1 |
Forecasting demand for products
Various embodiments of the present invention are provided to adjust a product demand forecast. In one embodiment, a value is determined of an aggregation of a plurality of product level demand forecasts for a respective plurality of products in a product group at a desired value of a critical ratio. The critical ratio expresses a probability that a forecast will exceed a demand for a given product. A ratio is determined of the aggregation of the product level demand forecasts to a global demand forecast for the product group in the computer system. The ratio is verified as to whether it is congruous with a historical ratio of past aggregate product level demand forecasts to actual product demand. |
| US08131580B2 |
Method and system for load balancing a sales forecast system by selecting a synchronous or asynchronous process based on a type of an event affecting the sales forecast
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for selecting a synchronous or asynchronous process to determine a forecast. These mechanisms and methods for such synchronous/asynchronous process selection can enable embodiments to determine forecasts for multiple users (e.g. with hierarchical relationships, etc.) over an arbitrary time interval. The ability of embodiments to provide forecasts that involve such a large amount of data in an effective way can enable forecasting that was otherwise infeasible due to resource limitations. |
| US08131578B2 |
Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a shift activity template; receiving an association between the shift activity template and at least one worker; and scheduling a plurality of schedulable objects. The scheduling is performed in accordance with a workload forecast and schedule constraints. Each of the schedulable objects is based on the shift activity template. The shift activity template describes a worker activity performed during a shift. The template has range of start times and a variable length for the activity. The activity is associated with a queue. |
| US08131574B2 |
Air travel system and method for planning roundtrip flights using one way combinable fares
A method and system for making roundtrip air flight reservations includes an end-user receiving a response having departure dates with a lowest cost outbound fare for each date and return dates with a lowest cost inbound fare for each date, outbound flight and inbound flight segments each priced with One Way Combinable fares, the One Way Combinable fares can be priced independently of all other One Way Combinable fares (i.e. restriction on covered segment, fare amount can be doubled to price the Round Trip) and can be combined together with any other One Way Combinable fare (i.e. no combinability restriction) in order to form a guaranteed pricing solution regarding IATA regulation both in domestic and international contexts for complex segments (i.e. based on non-direct flights). |
| US08131573B1 |
Method to facilitate the transport of shipments via hub based facilities
A method to facilitate the transport of shipments via hub based facilities according to a scheduled and uniquely identifiable transport accommodation by (a) acknowledging a customer request to transport at least one shipment between two uniquely identifiable and geographically disparate origination and destination locations; (b) determining a routing sequence and at least one scheduled and uniquely identifiable transport accommodation satisfying the customer's request; (c) booking transport space for the shipment aboard the determined transport accommodation; (d) printing or otherwise displaying a shipment tag which denotes shipment routing information and bar coded information recognized by two distinguishably purposed and automated tracking systems; (e) attaching or otherwise affixing the shipment tag generated in step (d) to a shipment to be transported according to the routing sequence and transport accommodation determined in step (b); (f) stowing the shipment of step (e) aboard a first transport accommodation consistent with shipment routing information generated in step (d); (g) monitoring and recording the transport of the shipment stowed in step (f) as it is transported between uniquely identifiable and geographically disparate origination and destination locations; and (h) advising a customer of the shipments arrival in a final destination location. |
| US08131571B2 |
Method and system for evaluating insurance liabilities using stochastic modeling and sampling techniques
In computer-implemented methods and systems for estimating financial modeling outcomes, financial data segmented into a number (x) of classes and scenario data for a set of model scenarios are processed to obtain an estimated model outcome distribution. The class segments are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive of the financial data. Multiple model tests are performed with samples of the financial data until a cumulative model outcome distribution is within a pre-determined acceptable tolerance limit from a distribution of fully assessed model outcomes obtainable by performing a single test of the scenarios using all of the financial data. The number (x) of classes, the sample size (z), and a number (y) of times that the tests are performed ensure that the cumulative model outcome distribution is within the pre-determined acceptable tolerance limit from the distribution of fully assessed model outcomes. |
| US08131568B2 |
Method and system for operating an insurance program to insure a performance bonus of a person
A method, information processing system, and computer readable storage medium operate an insurance program to insure a performance bonus of an insured person against an insured event. A set of percentage bonus information is received. The set of performance bonus information indicates a percentage of an annual salary that is received by the insured person as a performance bonus in a predetermined prior period. In addition, a set of health program status information is received and associated with the insured person. At least the set of percentage bonus information and the set of health program status information are used to determine a portion or more of an annual salary of the insured person payable as an insured performance bonus in the event of the insured event. |
| US08131567B2 |
Value network
Systems and methods including a computer network are provided. The computer network includes a plurality of affiliate computing systems, each affiliate computing system including a processing unit and storage, the processing unit executing one or more programs for supporting care of a patient. The computer network includes a centralized care network including a central health care computing system, the central health care computing system being coupled to each affiliate computing system by way of a network and including a processing unit and storage, the processing unit executing one or more programs for managing patient records stored in the storage. |
| US08131566B2 |
System for facility management of medical data and patient interface
A system according to the present invention includes a processor, a device interface, a data relay transceiver, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, using the device interface, data for a plurality of patients from a medical device. The received data includes a location for at least one of the plurality of patients. The memory further stores instructions to cause the processor to transmit a message including the received data, using the data relay transceiver, to one or more of: a provided medical data server; and a provided intermediary device. The intermediary device includes a software program configured to retransmit the message to the medical data server. |
| US08131561B2 |
Inventory tracking for anatomic pathology consultations
An on-line approach to coordinating intradepartmental anatomic pathology consultations, including coordinating access to physical case materials and/or electronic case materials, is provided. In accordance with one method in a clinical computing environment, a command to initiate a share event for an anatomic pathology case is received. One or more share recipients are determined manually and/or automatically for the share event. In addition, whether any physical case materials and/or electronic case materials are associated with the anatomic pathology case is determined. If any physical case materials and/or electronic case materials are associated with the anatomic pathology case, share recipient access to the materials is coordinated. After each share recipient reviews the case, the share recipient may enter comments. |
| US08131559B2 |
Accepting documents for publication or determining an indication of the quality of documents
The invention concerns accepting documents for publication. In particular, but not limited to, the invention concerns the publication of research related papers, such as publishing academic manuscripts on the Internet. The invention also concerns determining an indication of the quality of a document. Using the invention documents are accepted or rejected for publication, and/or an indication of the quality of a document is determined based on market forces associated with the selling of shares in the document. The participants all trade in the virtual market place with the aim of increasing the number of tokens that they own which reflects their reputation as an assessor of documents. This affects the value of shares in documents by increasing the value of documents of a higher quality. Aspects of the invention includes methods, a computer system and software applications used to perform the methods. |
| US08131556B2 |
Communications using different modalities
Communications between users of different modalities are enabled by a single integrated platform that allows both the input of voice (from a telephone, for example) to be realized as text (such as an interactive text message) and allows the input of text (from the interactive text messaging application, for example) to be realized as voice (on the telephone). Real-time communication may be enabled between any permutation of any number of text devices (desktop, PDA, mobile telephone) and voice devices (mobile telephone, regular telephone, etc.). A call to a text device user may be initiated by a voice device user or vice versa. |
| US08131552B1 |
System and method for automated multimedia content indexing and retrieval
The invention provides a system and method for automatically indexing and retrieving multimedia content. The method may include separating a multimedia data stream into audio, visual and text components, segmenting the audio, visual and text components based on semantic differences, identifying at least one target speaker using the audio and visual components, identifying a topic of the multimedia event using the segmented text and topic category models, generating a summary of the multimedia event based on the audio, visual and text components, the identified topic and the identified target speaker, and generating a multimedia description of the multimedia event based on the identified target speaker, the identified topic, and the generated summary. |
| US08131543B1 |
Speech detection
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving an audio signal, determining an energy-independent component of a portion of the audio signal associated with a spectral shape of the portion, and determining an energy-dependent component of the portion associated with a gain level of the portion. The method also comprises comparing the energy-independent and energy-dependent components to a speech model, comparing the energy-independent and energy-dependent components to a noise model, and outputting an indication whether the portion of the audio signal more closely corresponds to the speech model or to the noise model based on the comparisons. |
| US08131539B2 |
Search-based word segmentation method and device for language without word boundary tag
The present invention discloses a search-based segmentation method and device for a language without a word boundary tag. The inventive method includes the steps of: a. providing at least one search engine with a segment of a text including at least one segment; b. searching for the segment through the at least one search engine, and returning search results; and c. selecting a word segmentation approach for the segment in accordance with at least part of the returned search results. The invention solves the problems of word segmentation for a language without a word boundary tag, and thus combat the limitations of the prior art in terms of flexibility, dependence upon coverage of dictionaries, available training data corpuses, processing of a new word, etc. |
| US08131538B2 |
Phoneme decoding system and method
The invention disclosed herein relates generally to a phoneme communication system. More specifically, the invention relates to a phoneme communication system utilizing entertaining phoneme symbols that have a one-to-one correspondence with a phoneme. The invention also relates to phonetic patch for correcting already existing orthographic codifications of English phonemes and other phonemes. |
| US08131537B2 |
Apparatus and method for morphological analysis
To improve the processing speed of a morphological analysis system, an analysis processing part retrieves words constituting a natural language sentence from a word dictionary, retrieves concatenation rules from a grammar dictionary, creates an automaton based on the words and the concatenation rules, and obtains a morphological analysis. The grammar dictionary stores rules integrating concatenation rules representing non-null transitions and concatenation rules representing null transitions in which transition sources of the first concatenation rule are their transition destinations. To create the automaton, an optimal solution searching part of the analysis processing part generates, responsive to an input word entered into the automaton, states necessary for transition according to the concatenation rules corresponding to the input word without generating any state that can be transited by pursuing a null transition succeeding the generated states. |
| US08131536B2 |
Extraction-empowered machine translation
The invention relates to systems and methods for automatically translating documents from a first language to a second language. To carry out the translation of a document, elements of information are extracted from the document and are translated using one or more specialized translation processes. The remainder of the document is separately translated by a statistical translation process. The translated elements of information and the translated remainder are then merged into a final translated document. |
| US08131521B1 |
Block specific harmonic balance analysis system
This invention is directed to a circuit simulation using multi-rate harmonic balancing. Specifically, this invention enables effective reduction of analysis dimensions, e.g. frequency or time. The methodology converts N-dimensional problems to local (N-x)-dimensional problems. The method enables simultaneous solving of all local problems, each of these problems having a dimension less than or equal to N, thus approximating the original system to be solved. In practical situations, N could be the number of independent frequencies in an N-tone harmonic balance analysis. |
| US08131517B2 |
Interconnected objects slope modification tool
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to update a slope of a run in a system in a computer drawing application. A system run (i.e., an interconnected series of objects) is selected in a computer drawing application. The objects in the interconnected series are part of the same system and the series has a starting point and an ending point. A property for a slope of the system run is specified. The slope of the system run is updated across all of the interconnected series of objects based on the specified property. |
| US08131516B2 |
Custom equations for the unfolding of sheet metal
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to utilize custom equations for the unfolding of sheet metal in a solid modeling application. A drawing model is obtained and defines a sheet metal object in the solid modeling application. User input is accepted that defines a custom equation for a first variable that is directly used to calculate a developed length for a bend in the sheet metal object. The custom equation is converted into a standard equation that produces the developed length and is accepted by a modeling kernel of the solid modeling application. The modeling kernel dynamically displays an unfolded version of the sheet metal object based on the standard equation and the calculated developed length without exposing the standard equation to the user. |
| US08131515B2 |
Data center synthesis
A data center is designed by determining a compute description that describes computer resources to be used in the system from design requirements and models of the computer resources. A facility description that describes facilities to be used in the data center is determined from the compute description and models of the facilities. An integrated system describing the design of the data center is determined from the facility and compute descriptions. |
| US08131513B2 |
Method and system of computer assisted vehicle seat design
Method of computer-assisted assessment of seat design. The method being applicable to any type of seating, including but not limited to vehicle seating commonly employed in automobiles, watercraft, aircraft, etc. The method may include overlaying a shaped data object relative to an architectural drawing to facilitate assessing component comportment with desired structural boundaries. |
| US08131512B2 |
Optimized stochastic resonance signal detection method
Apparatus and method for detecting micro-calcifications in mammograms using novel algorithms and stochastic resonance noise is provided, where a suitable dose of noise is added to the abnormal mammograms such that the performance of a suboptimal lesion detector is improved without altering the detector's parameters. A stochastic resonance noise-based detection approach is presented to improve suboptimal detectors which suffer from model mismatch due to the Gaussian assumption. Furthermore, a stochastic resonance noise-based detection enhancement framework is presented to deal with more general model mismatch cases. |
| US08131511B2 |
Apparatus for registering and analyzing the spectral signature of a dynamic event
Apparatus for registering the spectral signature of a dynamic source event include an imaging-sensor array configured to register electromagnetic energy over a predetermined range of electromagnetic wavelengths and an optical system configured for imaging onto the imaging-sensor array a dispersion pattern of electromagnetic energy emitted from a source event external to the optical system. The optical system includes (i) a focusing element and (ii) a selected set of optical dispersion apparatus. Among the optical dispersion apparatus are at least a first optically dispersive element that disperses a first selected set of wavelengths within the sensitivity range of the imaging-sensor array and at least a second optically dispersive element that disperses a second selected set of wavelengths within the sensitivity range of the imaging-sensor array such that wavelengths emitted from a source event that are within the first and second selected sets of wavelengths impinge simultaneously upon the imaging-sensor array along, respectively, a first extrapolated axis and a second extrapolated axis that is non-parallel to the first extrapolated axis. |
| US08131510B2 |
Rig control system architecture and method
The present application discloses a method and framework for drilling rig supervisory control automation that includes replication and aggregation of drilling rig supervisory control panels, a mechanism to manipulate the supervisory control panel parameters using one or more smart algorithms and a method and technique to access the supervisory control panels from a remote location. The system and method further includes recording, editing, and playing back a drilling rig's supervisory control parameter sequence during any typical drilling rig operation. Such a sequence includes recording all of the actions involved in a specific operation of the drilling rig operator. This sequence is saved, and can be edited to optimize the sequence, and further played back on the rig from which it was recorded, or on any other rig in the network. |
| US08131507B2 |
Sensor apparatus
A sensor apparatus of the present invention is provided with a failure diagnosis circuit for setting as a failure diagnosis object section at least any one of a drive circuit section, a detection device, a detection circuit section and a processing circuit section, determining whether the failure diagnosis object section is normal or abnormal, and outputting a failure detection signal from a second output terminal in the case of determining abnormality. It is configured such that a signal of a value outside a range of a normal output voltage is outputted from the first output terminal in the case of the failure diagnosis circuit determining abnormality of the failure diagnosis object section, thereby to improve reliability under abnormal condition. |
| US08131504B2 |
Method for achieving arbitrary precision
A system includes a serial connection mode for obtaining a first approximation to a zero error result by means of a negative rough precision for manufacturing a plurality of first semi-finished products, and a measurement apparatus for measuring a precision value of each first semi-finished product, and a Full-9 Principle for sifting the first semi-finished products. A parallel connection mode is used for obtaining a second approximation to the zero error result by means of a positive rough precision by division to manufacture a plurality of second semi-finished products, and the measurement apparatus is used to measure a precision value of each second semi-finished product, and an error sift formula is utilized to sift the second semi-finished products. |
| US08131502B2 |
Sensing system and method for obtaining location of pointer thereof
In a sensing system and a method for obtaining a location of a pointer, the sensing system includes a sensing area, a reflective mirror, a first image sensor and a second image sensor. The reflective mirror is configured for generating a mirror image of the sensing area. The sensing system utilizes the above two image sensors to sense the pointer disposed in the sensing area and a mirror image of the pointer for obtaining two coordinate values. And then the sensing system endues each of the two coordinate values with a weighting factor for calculating the location of the pointer. |
| US08131501B2 |
Analyzing method for a sensor system determining the position of a shifting fork in a change gear transmission
An analyzing method for a sensor system determining the position of a shifting fork in a shift transmission is suggested wherein a shifting fork can be moved from a neutral position into at least one gear position. The position of the shifting fork is determined by a sensor system comprising at least one magnet and at least one magnetic field sensor that can be moved relative to the magnet. The method includes storing a base diagram for a base output signal in relation to position s and correcting the measured output signal so that the base diagram can be used for determining with high accuracy the position of the shifting fork. |
| US08131498B1 |
Systems and methods for an improved weight distribution sensory device with integrated controls
An improved weight distribution sensory device with integrated controls is provided. Such a weight distribution sensory device, often referred to as a balance platform, may include a chassis for supporting a user, pressure sensors and control sensors coupled to the chassis, and a processor. The pressure sensors generate pressure data regarding the compression force from the weight of the user on the chassis. The control sensors are located on a forward dorsal portion of the chassis, and may generate control data when manipulated by the user. The control sensors include at least one proximity sensor which senses object proximity (such as the user's foot) in a narrow band above the sensor along the y-axis. The processor may then receive the pressure data and the control data, and may generate a total weight of the user and a weight distribution of the user, and action data for the user by cross referencing the weight distribution with the control data. |
| US08131497B2 |
System and method for calculating the thermal mass of a building
The invention comprises a system for calculating a value for the effective thermal mass of a building. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system. One or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than the control system and compare the temperature measurements from the first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements obtained by said HVAC control system and said outside temperature measurements. The processors then calculate one or more rates of change in temperature at said first location. |
| US08131495B2 |
Particulate matter sensor calibration
A system includes a filter, a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The filter can be coupled to an engine exhaust and can operate in an accumulating mode during which particulate matter (PM) from the engine is trapped and also operate in a regenerating mode during which PM in the filter is emitted. The sensor is coupled to a discharge port of the filter and has an output to provide a sensor signal based on a concentration of PM in the filtered exhaust. The processor is coupled to receive the sensor signal and operable to determine at least one of a base level for the sensor signal during the accumulating mode and a regenerate level for the sensor signal during the regenerating mode, and operable to determine a calibration value for the sensor using at least one of the base level and the regenerate level. The memory stores the calibration value. |
| US08131490B2 |
Methods and systems for determining a received signal frequency
A system and method for determining a received signal frequency by sampling the received signal at a rate less than twice a predefined nyquist rate. The system includes a distorting component configured to distort the received signal in a frequency dependent manner, at least one analog to digital converter configured to sample the received signal and the distorted signal at a rate less than twice a predefined nyquist rate, and a processing component configured to determine a frequency of the received signal based on the sampled received signal and the sampled distorted signal. The method includes distorting the received signal, sampling the received signal and the distorted signal at a rate less than twice a predefined nyquist rate, and determining a frequency of the received signal. In an embodiment, distorting includes at least one of distorting an amplitude or a group delay of the received signal. |
| US08131488B2 |
Battery management system and charger
A battery management system includes a battery attached with an identification ID; and a plurality of chargers for reading the identification ID attached to the battery, the chargers associating the read identification ID with information indicative of an end of charging the battery and sending the information, the chargers charging the battery. The battery management system also includes a management server connected to each of the chargers for receiving the information indicative of the end of charging the battery associated with the identification ID and sent from each of the chargers. The management server cumulatively sums, as the number of chargings, the number of receptions of the information indicative of the end of charging the battery for each identification ID, and the management server associates the identification ID with the cumulatively summed number of chargings and allows the number of chargings to be recorded. |
| US08131485B2 |
Method for fault location in electric power lines
A method for locating faults in three-terminal and multi-terminal power lines, applicable in electric power systems for overhead and underground cable transmission and distribution lines. The inventive method is characterized in that it measures current for fault and pre-fault conditions and in one terminal station of the system line phase voltage for fault and pre-fault conditions is measured, a hypothetical fault location is assumed, the distances to the hypothetical fault locations are calculated and fault resistance is calculated, the actual fault point is selected by first comparing the numerical values concerning the distances to the hypothetical fault locations and rejecting those results whose numerical values are negative or bigger than one in relative units, and then by analysing the values of the calculated fault resistances for the fault locations and rejecting those results of the calculations for which the value of fault resistance is negative, and if there is still more than one calculation result remains not rejected then performing selection of the valid result by analysing the values of the calculated respective equivalent source impedances. |
| US08131480B2 |
Construction of diverse synthetic peptide and polypeptide libraries
The present invention concerns the design and construction of diverse peptide and polypeptide libraries. In particular, the invention concerns methods of analytical database design for creating datasets using multiple relevant parameters as filters, and methods for generating sequence diversity by directed multisyntheses oligonucleotide synthesis. The present methods enable the reduction of large complex annotated databases to simpler datasets of related sequences, based upon relevant single or multiple key parameters that can be individually directly defined. The methods further enable the creation of diverse libraries based on this approach, using multisynthetic collections of discrete and degenerate oligonucleotides to capture the diverse collection of sequences, or portions thereof. |
| US08131479B2 |
Method of proteome analysis for phosphorylated protein
A method for detecting plural types of phosphorylated proteins in a sample, wherein a database consisting of data regarding plural types of proteins in the sample is used; and a method for purifying phosphorylated proteins using an immobilized metal carrier or a titania carrier, wherein a solution containing acetonitrile in a range of 40% (v/v) or greater but 60% (v/v) or less is used. |
| US08131477B2 |
Method and device for image-based biological data quantification
A device and method for determining a concentration of a biological target including capturing an image of a ticket that contains the biological target; extracting a region of interest from the captured image; detecting a target from the extracted region of interest; computing intensity of the target in the region of interest; and determining the concentration of the biological target according to the computed intensity. |
| US08131475B2 |
Methods for identifying, diagnosing, and predicting survival of lymphomas
Gene expression data provides a basis for more accurate identification and diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders. In addition, gene expression data can be used to develop more accurate predictors of survival. The present invention discloses methods for identifying, diagnosing, and predicting survival in a lymphoma or lymphoproliferative disorder on the basis of gene expression patterns. The invention discloses a novel microarray, the Lymph Dx microarray, for obtaining gene expression data from a lymphoma sample. The invention also discloses a variety of methods for utilizing lymphoma gene expression data to determine the identity of a particular lymphoma and to predict survival in a subject diagnosed with a particular lymphoma. This information will be useful in developing the therapeutic approach to be used with a particular subject. |
| US08131474B2 |
Method and system for investigating glucose metabolism
The invention relates to a method for investigating the glucose metabolism of a human being for disease-relevant and/or disease-related particularities. The glucose concentration g(t1) to g(tn) of a body fluid is measured at time points t1 to tn that are distributed over a period of at least six hours. The data points are then determined in phase space coordinates from the glucose concentration measuring values g(t1) to g(tn). The data points are then processed to highlight disease-relevant and/or disease-related particularities of the glucose metabolism of the investigated human being. The processing of the data points can be implemented by plotting them in a phase space representation or by determining from the data points a disturbance parameter that is correlated to the severity of a disturbance of glucose metabolism. |
| US08131465B2 |
Motion detection for tracking
An apparatus and method for tracking a target wherein a new position fix is taken when the measured movement of the target is more than a predetermined threshold amount or when the position fix has not been updated in a predetermined interval. The apparatus and method manage energy use and network resources when performing position determination fixes. |
| US08131464B2 |
Transmitter identifier database for enhanced GPS performance
A mobile station database of cellular identifications and associated position information is stored in mobile station memory. The mobile station uses the position information in the database to assist in determining a current position for the mobile based on an identifier, such as cell ID, base station BSIC, PSC, or carrier frequency. A satellite vehicle signal is searched in an uncertainty region that is a function of position information associated with the current identifier. The uncertainty region can be limited by assumed platform dynamics via predefined velocity and acceleration information. Time maintenance for the mobile station can also be achieved through known approximate position from the position database and measurement of a single satellite vehicle propagation delay. The mobile station can compare a position determination obtained through satellite vehicle signals with position database information to determine the validity of that position. Out-of-network position information is also stored in the position database and is optionally shared with a network. |
| US08131462B2 |
Vehicle guidance and sensor bias determination
Systems and methods for guiding a vehicle and vehicle sensor bias determination methods are disclosed. A method for guiding a vehicle includes a primary antenna of a primary survey-grade GNSS-receiver and a secondary antenna of a secondary GNSS-receiver mounted to the vehicle, which are at least temporarily receiving GNSS-signals of a global positioning system. A plurality of physical sensors mounted to the vehicle generate physical data indicative of respective measured physical parameters of at least part of the vehicle. The method includes de-biasing the physical data and applying a recursive statistical estimator, such as a Kalman filter, to the de-biased physical data and an output of the primary and secondary GNSS-receivers to determine a position and velocity of the vehicle. |
| US08131458B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for instant messaging utilizing a vehicular assembly
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for instant messaging utilizing a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Additionally, an instant message is communicated with a remote entity via the vehicular assembly, utilizing the mobile device. |
| US08131448B2 |
Engine control apparatus and method
To provide a control apparatus of an engine that improves vehicle drivability by controlling a variable valve mechanism. The control apparatus of an engine prohibits the changing of the valve duration of an intake valve during a stop of an engine. |
| US08131444B2 |
Method for recognizing a turn maneuver and driver assistance system for motor vehicles
A method for a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle includes the following steps: on the basis of a digital map of a navigation system, verifying whether there is a turn option, and, if there is a turn option, analyzing the dynamic data, measured by a locating system, of a preceding vehicle and calculating a turn probability for the preceding vehicle on the basis of these data. |
| US08131443B2 |
Acceleration control system
An acceleration control system controls acceleration of a vehicle to match the driver's feeling. In this control, the vehicle is controlled so that acceleration remains constant at the initial stage and then a differentiated value of a square power of a vehicle speed remains constant. This control is based on the finding of a normal acceleration operation attained by a driver. A linear relation exists between the acceleration in the initial stage of acceleration and the differentiated value of the square power of the speed. Switching of control from the constant acceleration to the constant differentiated value of the square power of the speed is made at a change-over speed determined by the linear relation. |
| US08131442B2 |
Method for operating a cruise control system for a vehicle
A method for operating a cruise control system for a vehicle. The method can identify certain low speed environments, like parking lots, where usage of the cruise control system is usually inappropriate and can disable the system accordingly. According to one embodiment, a full speed range adaptive (FSRA) cruise control system compares a steering wheel position to a steering wheel threshold to determine if the vehicle is operating in an inappropriate low speed environment and, if so, disables the cruise control system accordingly. |
| US08131436B2 |
Speed change control system of automatic transmission
When it is judged that a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined very low value, that is, for example, 5 km/h, the hydraulic pressure applied to an engaging-side frictional element is sharply increased, sharply reduced and then held higher than a given value capable of effecting a piston stroke of a corresponding piston unit until a time when the piston stroke is completed. Upon completion of the piston stroke, the hydraulic pressure is increased to a maximum value in a time that is smaller or shorter than that set when the detected vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined very low value. |
| US08131432B2 |
Method and system for managing the turning of a vehicle
A method and system for managing the turning of a vehicle comprises establishing a boundary of a work area. A location-determining receiver determines an observed position and velocity of the vehicle in the work area. An estimator estimates a first duration from an observed time when the vehicle will intercept the boundary based on determined position and velocity of the vehicle. An alert generator generates an alert during a second duration from the observed time. The second duration is less than or approximately equal to the first duration. An operator interface allows an operator to enter a command to control a path of the vehicle prior to or at the boundary. |
| US08131431B2 |
Method for controlling cooling of an auxiliary brake
In a method for controlling cooling of an auxiliary brake on a vehicle, the auxiliary brake is cooled by a cooling member. The method comprises the steps of: determining if the vehicle is travelling down a slope or is to be driven down a slope, and activating the cooling member automatically for cooling the auxiliary brake provided that at least one predefined downhill slope condition is determined. |
| US08131429B2 |
Driver observation and security system and method therefor
A driver observation and security system has a plurality of sensors located on a vehicle. The sensors will indicate unauthorized entry into the vehicle. A plurality of interior camera modules is mounted in an interior of a vehicle. The interior camera modules provide real time images of the interior of the vehicle when at least one of the plurality of sensors indicates unauthorized entry into the vehicle. A control mechanism is coupled to the plurality of interior camera modules to control operation of each of the plurality of interior camera modules. A recording device is coupled to the control mechanism for storing the real time video images. A transmitter is coupled to the control mechanism for transmitting the real time video images for viewing at a remote location. |
| US08131426B2 |
Vehicle steering system
A control section (10) of a vehicle steering system has a steer-by-wire mode, a power steering mode, and a transition mode. In the steer-by-wire mode, a steering actuator (19) is controlled for steering and a reaction force actuator (11) is controlled for reaction force. In the power steering mode, steering assistance control is performed with either of the steering actuator (19) and the reaction force actuator (11) caused to function as an assistance unit. In the transition mode, in a transition period from either of the steer-by-wire mode and the power steering mode to the other, the reaction force actuator (11) is controlled for reaction force. |
| US08131425B2 |
Optical steering angle sensor for determining the absolute value of the steering angle
An optical steering angle sensor for determining the absolute value of the steering angle even when a steering wheel has been revolved several times is provided, having a stator, a rotor with a barcode and evaluation electronics. In one form, the invention provides for the rotor to have a track groove which is arranged in the form of a worm in order to determine the number of revolutions, which track groove has an associated driver finger on the stator, which engages in the track groove and is arranged in a bearing such that it can pivot, and has a holder for a magnet which can pivot with the driver finger and which driver finger has an associated stationary Hall sensor, which is provided in an evaluation circuit. |
| US08131422B2 |
Slip control for a materials handling vehicle
A vehicle is provided comprising: a main body; a plurality of wheels coupled to the main body; a traction motor associated with the main body and coupled to at least one of the wheels for driving the one wheel; control apparatus coupled to the traction motor and generating a motor drive signal to the traction motor; and a first sensor for generating a speed signal indicative of a speed of the driven wheel. The control apparatus may calculate acceleration of the one wheel using changes in the speed signal over time and calculate an acceleration of the vehicle using torque applied by the traction motor and a mass of the vehicle. |
| US08131418B2 |
Angular velocity calculating device, offset determination method for the same, and vehicle stopping detecting device
Minimum and maximum values of an angular velocity signal output from a gyro while a vehicle is stationary are detected. A range of the angular velocity signal is set that is used to determine when the vehicle is stationary. When the angular velocity signal output from the gyro exceeds the range, the vehicle starts to move, offset values calculated within a set time from a movement start detection time are discarded, and an average angular velocity signal having been calculated and stored the set time before, is output as the offset value. Thus, even when the vehicle does not have a vehicle speed sensor, the stopping and starting of the movement of the vehicle can be accurately detected using the output signal from the gyro and the accurate offset value can be output. |
| US08131416B2 |
Glow plug control dual mode fault diagnostics
A glow plug control system for a vehicle comprises a mode control module and a fault diagnostic module. The mode control module enables one of a first mode and a second mode of operation based on a period of time that a glow plug is ON during a drive cycle. The fault diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault based on a first message, a second message, and a third message when the first mode is enabled and selectively diagnoses the fault independent of the second and third messages when the second mode is enabled. |
| US08131413B2 |
Electric motor and conversion system for manually powered vehicles
An electric motor and conversion system includes a direct current power source, a rotor with two sides and two series of permanent magnets alternating in polarity, two stators on opposing sides of the rotor where each stator has a series of winding coils, magnet position identifiers, and a control system comprising a sensor that cooperates with the magnet position identifiers and a microcontroller to individually controls winding drivers. Preferably, the number of magnets on the rotor does not equal the number of winding coils on the stators. Also preferably, the magnet position identifiers are a series of apertures on the rotor through which signals pass. The conversion system can also include connectors for connecting to an axle, a removable throttle, and electric cables for electrically connecting the components. |
| US08131412B2 |
Method for arrangement for calibrating a system for controlling thrust and steering in a watercraft
In a method for calibrating a system for controlling thrust and steering of a drive arrangement in a watercraft, the system includes an operating device adapted for indicating a requested direction of travel of the watercraft, the operating device being connected to a control unit for providing corresponding thrust and steering commands to the drive arrangement. The method includes receiving an activation command in the control unit, for beginning the calibration, detecting any movements of the operating device, storing values corresponding to the movements in the control unit together with corresponding thrust and steering values, and repeating the detecting step and the storing step until a termination command is received in the control unit, thereby using the stored values in subsequent operation of the operating device for indicating the direction of travel of the watercraft. An arrangement for calibrating a system for controlling thrust and steering of a drive arrangement in a watercraft is also provided. |
| US08131409B2 |
Gyroless transfer orbit sun acquisition using only wing current measurement feedback
A system and method for gyroless transfer orbit sun acquisition using only wing current measurement feedback is disclosed. With this system and method, a spacecraft is able to maneuver itself to orient its solar panel to its maximum solar exposure spinning attitude. The disclosed system and method involve controlling a spacecraft maneuver using only the solar wing current feedback as the sole closed-loop feedback sensor for attitude control. A spin controller is used for controlling the spacecraft spin axis orientation and spin rate. The spin controller commands the spacecraft spin axis orientation to align with an inertial fixed-direction and to rotate at a specified spin rate by using a momentum vector. In addition, a method for estimating spacecraft body angular rate and spacecraft attitude is disclosed. This method uses a combination of solar array current and spacecraft momentum as the cost function with solar wing current feedback as the only closed-loop feedback sensor. |
| US08131405B2 |
Method and apparatuses for controlling high wing loaded parafoils
An adaptive guidance system (AGS) regulates the altitude and heading of a parasail to arrive at a target at a prescribed altitude. Since the altitude profile depends both on unknown wing loading, and wind magnitude and direction, the AGS estimates the glide slope and wind on the fly and provides a command to a stability augmentation system (SAS) that results in the desired glide slope and heading by performing a sequence of maneuvers and sensing the response. According to one embodiment, the SAS operates in the linear region and includes a PID controller that uses the difference between the actual heading and heading command to create an actuator output. The actuator output is limited by a position/rate limiter that imposes the physical limitations of the response time of the actuator/servos and position limits to prevent entering the nonlinear region. Alternatively, an adaptive SAS operates in both the linear and nonlinear region and includes a neural network (NN) that receives an error signal (difference between a reference model and actual heading) which is used to adapt the weights of the NN. |
| US08131404B2 |
Temperature regulating apparatus, exposure system, and device manufacturing method
A temperature regulating apparatus which regulates temperature includes a heater, a temperature detector configured to detect temperature, a calculator configured to calculate a manipulated value based on an error between a target temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature detector, and a power controller configured to supply power, having one of a voltage and current controlled in accordance with the manipulated value, to the heater. The calculator includes a first calculator having at least a proportional element of the proportional element, an integral element, and a derivative element, and a second calculator configured to calculate a square root. The first calculator and the second calculator are coupled in series with each other. |
| US08131401B2 |
Real-time stability indexing for intelligent energy monitoring and management of electrical power network system
A system and method for intelligent monitoring and management of an electrical system is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a power analytics server and a client terminal. The data acquisition component acquires real-time data output from the electrical system. The power analytics server is comprised of a real-time electrical system security index engine that calculates real-time system security index values from stability indices data generated from a virtual system model of the electrical system. The client terminal displays the system security index values to assess the security and stability of the electrical system. |
| US08131397B2 |
Identifying items for restocking of a dispensing device systems and methods
Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. |
| US08131396B2 |
Numerical control apparatus and numerical control system
A first NC apparatus includes a virtual-axis setting unit that sets a predetermined axis coupled to a second NC apparatus as an axis controlled by itself. The second NC apparatus includes an axis-control-right switch processing unit that switches a control right of an axis set by an external-switching-axis setting unit between the first and the second NC apparatuses. When the control right is switched to the first NC apparatus, the first NC apparatus synchronously controls a predetermined axis coupled to the first NC apparatus with a predetermined axis coupled to the second NC apparatus and set by the first virtual-axis setting unit. |
| US08131395B2 |
90 degree ply placement system and method
A method of placing a 90 degree ply on a separate 0 degree material includes providing 90 degree ply from a 90 degree ply material source; moving the 90 degree ply in a 90 degree ply carrier to a position over the 0 degree material; removing the 90 degree ply carrier from the 0 degree material and simultaneously pushing the 90 degree ply off of the 90 degree ply carrier and onto the 0 degree material; and severing the 90 degree ply from the 90 degree ply material source so that the 90 degree ply remains on the 0 degree material. |
| US08131391B2 |
Wireless digital audio music system
A wireless digital audio system includes a portable audio source with a digital audio transmitter operatively coupled thereto and an audio receiver operatively coupled to a headphone set. The audio receiver is configured for digital wireless communication with the audio transmitter. The digital audio receiver utilizes fuzzy logic to optimize digital signal processing. Each of the digital audio transmitter and receiver is configured for code division multiple access (CDMA) communication. The wireless digital audio system allows private audio enjoyment without interference from other users of independent wireless digital transmitters and receivers sharing the same space. |
| US08131389B1 |
Digital audio server
A digital audio server may be used to automatically download music from a collection of audio media, such as CDs or DVDs. The server also may automatically identify the media using track offset information. |
| US08131388B2 |
Electronic controller for power converter and motor drive circuit
The electronic controller fetches an external signal and performs an input process such as A-D conversion. Upon receipt of processing results for executing operations according to a predetermined program, an output process is performed for sending a signal to the outside board on operation results, a timer outputs at least two of an input process start signal for starting the input process, an output process start signal for starting the output process, and an operation start signal for starting the operation. |
| US08131384B2 |
Design and control of engineering systems utilizing component-level dynamic mathematical model with multiple-input multiple-output estimator
A control system comprises an actuator, a control law and a processor. The actuator positions a control surface and the control law controls the actuator. The processor comprises an open loop module, a corrector, a comparator, and an estimator, and generates an output vector to direct the control law. The open loop module generates the output vector as a function of a state vector and an input vector. The corrector generates a corrector vector as a function of the output vector. The comparator generates an error vector by comparing the corrector vector to the input vector. The estimator generates the state vector as a function of the error vector, such that the error vector is minimized. |
| US08131382B2 |
Sample processing apparatus and data processing apparatus
A sample processing apparatus, comprising: a sample processing unit for processing a sample, wherein the sample processing unit comprises an operating device for processing a sample, a drive circuit for driving the operating device, and a first communication part which is configured so as to be capable of external communication; and a data processing unit for processing data output from the sample processing unit, wherein the data processing unit comprises a processor for generating control data for controlling the operating device, and a second communication part which is configured so as to be capable of communicating with the first communication part for transmitting the control data generated by the processor to the first communication part, wherein the drive circuit is configured so as to drive the operating device based on the control data received by the first communication part, is disclosed. A data processing apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08131377B2 |
Telemetry listening window management for an implantable medical device
An improved arbitration scheme for allowing concurrent stimulation and telemetry listening in a microstimulator is disclosed. A listening window for telemetry is permitted to proceed, and access to the microstimulator's coil granted, during at least a portion of the inter-pulse period that follows the issuance of a stimulation pulse. This is permissible because access to the coil is not needed during the entirety of the inter-pulse period. For example, the listening window can issue during that portion of the inter-pulse period when the decoupling capacitor is discharged, but cannot issue during that portion of the inter-pulse period when the compliance voltage is being generated for the next stimulation pulse. However, because compliance voltage generation occupies only a small portion of the inter-pulse period, the technique is not substantially limited. By allowing the listening window to issue during the majority of the inter-pulse period, the listening window produces smaller gaps between the pulses, and stimulation therapy is thus brought closer to its ideal. |
| US08131375B2 |
Trans-retinal flexible circuit electrode array
Applicant has proposed a combination of the subretinal and epiretinal methods by placing the electronics external to the eye, entering the eye through the pars plana and the piercing the retina (retinotomy) from inside the eye to stimulate subreintally.The present invention is an improved electrode array for subretinal stimulation. A hard polymer such as polyimide is biocompatible and strong for supporting an electrode array and supporting traces in a thin flex circuit array. In the present invention applicant takes advantage of the sharp nature of thin polyimide making a point on the end of the electrode array. This allows the flexible circuit electrode array to be both electrode array and surgical tool to cut the retinal and slide the array under the retina in a single action. |
| US08131373B2 |
Baroreflex stimulation synchronized to circadian rhythm
An embodiment of a baroreflex stimulator comprises a pulse generator to provide a baroreflex stimulation signal through an electrode, and a modulator to modulate the baroreflex stimulation signal based on a circadian rhythm template. According to an embodiment of a method for operating an implantable medical device, comprising a baroreflex stimulation therapy is applied at a stimulation intensity using a baroreflex stimulator in the implantable medical device, and the baroreflex stimulation therapy is modulated based on a circadian rhythm template stored within the implantable medical device. Modulating the baroreflex stimulation therapy includes using the circadian rhythm template to change the stimulation intensity to mimic natural blood pressure fluctuations during the day. |
| US08131369B2 |
Feedthrough apparatus with noble metal-coated leads
Methods and apparatuses are provided for an electrical device that employs a feedthrough including a hermetic seal that seals an interior region of the electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical contact disposed within the interior region of the electrical device, and a wire terminal that includes an encircled portion that is encircled by the feedthrough, and a first end that electrically connects with said electrical contact. When the electrical device is constructed, the first end of the wire terminal is coated with a conductive metal that is more resistant to oxidation than the wire terminal. The first end of the wire terminal is secured to the electrical contact using a mechanical device such as a crimping connector or a spring connector. |
| US08131367B2 |
System and method for monitoring power source longevity of an implantable medical device
Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source. |
| US08131366B2 |
Biventricular heart stimulator and method of controlling a biventricular heart stimulator
In a biventricular heart stimulator and a method for controlling such a biventricular heart stimulator, successive stimulation pulses are delivered to the ventricles of a heart such that stimulation pulses in a single heartbeat cycle are respectively first delivered to the first ventricle and then to the second ventricle. Capture or loss of capture in response to stimulation pulses delivered to one ventricle is detected. As a result of a detected loss of capture, preventative measures are taken for preventing loss of capture in the other ventricle. |
| US08131365B2 |
Event-based battery monitor for implantable devices
A remaining charge capacity of a battery having an initial charge capacity is monitored. The battery powers a remote implantable medical device (IMD) that includes an active state, during which the remote IMD performs at least one function, and an inactive state, during which the remote IMD performs no functions. An active state charge consumption is computed based on stored parameters associated with an operational charge consumption for each function, and an inactive state charge consumption is computed based on a leakage current associated with the inactive state and a time the remote IMD is in the inactive state. The active state charge consumption and inactive state charge consumption are subtracted from the initial charge capacity to determine the remaining charge capacity. |
| US08131362B2 |
Combined neural stimulation and cardiac resynchronization therapy
Methods and devices for delivering cardiac therapy to a patient are provided. Various implantable device embodiments comprise a plurality of leads and a controller. The leads include at least one lead to be positioned within a lead path to deliver ventricular pacing pulses and to deliver neural stimulation at a site proximate to the heart to inhibit sympathetic nerve activity. The controller controls delivery of the ventricular pacing pulses in accordance with a programmed pacing mode and controls delivery of the neural stimulation. The controller is programmed to deliver remodeling control therapy (RCT) by delivering ventricular pacing to pre-excite a ventricular myocardium region to mechanically unload that region during systole, and further is programmed to deliver anti-remodeling therapy (ART) by delivering neural stimulation to inhibit sympathetic nerve activity in conjunction with RCT. Other embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08131360B2 |
Method and apparatus for anti-tachycardia pacing and defibrillation
An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) includes an Anti-Tachycardia Pacing Before Charge (ATP-BC) mode according to which one or more high-voltage capacitors for storing defibrillation energy are charged in preparation of delivering a defibrillation shock only if a ventricular tachycardia (VT) sustains after an ATP delivery. Fast ATP delivery and effect verification methods are applied to avoid significant delay in delivering the defibrillation shock when found necessary to terminate the VT. A switch is provided such that a user decides whether to activate the ATP-BC mode or to deliver the defibrillation shock without delivering the ATP. |
| US08131359B2 |
System and method to deliver therapy in presence of another therapy
Various aspects relate to a method. In various embodiments, a therapy of a first therapy type is delivered, and it is identified whether a therapy of a second therapy type is present to affect the therapy of the first therapy type. Delivery of the therapy is controlled based on the presence of the therapy of the second therapy type. Some embodiments deliver the therapy of the first type using one set of parameters in the presence of a therapy of a second type, and deliver the therapy of the first type using another set of parameters when the therapy of the second type is not present. In various embodiments, one of the therapy types includes a cardiac rhythm management therapy, and the other includes a neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08131353B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for navigating the subarachnoid space
Disclosed is a method of navigating a spinal subarchnoid space in a living being, that includes percutaneously introducing a device into the spinal subarachnoid space at an entry location. The device has a first passageway that is sized to slidably receive, and work with, at least a guidewire. The device can be a catheter or a sheath. The method can also include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space at least more than 10 centimeters from the entry location. Alternatively, the method can include advancing the device within the spinal subarachnoid space to facilitate intracranial access with a second device introduced through the first passageway. Also disclosed is a device suited for attachment to a patient's skin, such as a sheath, that includes an elongated member, a skin-attachment apparatus having a flexible skin-attachment flap, and a valve apparatus. |
| US08131345B2 |
Combining first and second image data of an object
A system and method are provided for displaying images of first and second image data in which geometry data is transferred from an ultrasound imaging detector to an image combination device in addition to first image data to reduce the need for calibration and registration. |
| US08131344B2 |
Method and system for registering a medical situation associated with a first coordinate system, in a second coordinate system using an MPS system
System for registering a first coordinate system with a second coordinate system, the system including a first medical positioning system for detecting a first position and orientation of the body of a patient, a second medical positioning system for detecting a second position and orientation of the body, and a registering module coupled with a medical intervention device and with the second medical positioning system, the first medical positioning system being associated with and coupled with an imager, the imager acquiring an image of the body, the registering module registering the first coordinate system with the second coordinate system, according to the first position and orientation and the second position and orientation. |
| US08131343B2 |
Implant location positioning system
The invention relates to an implant layer positioning system comprising a device that can be fixed to a bone section and is used to plan the positioning of implants in order to enable corrective operations to be performed on the bone with optimum bone contact. Said device reproduces the geometry of at least one section of the implant and can be freely oriented by the operator towards accessible parts of the bone. The inventive system also comprises a control unit which virtually evaluates the relevant implant parts, on the basis of the navigation data of the tracked device and the data input of the planned corrective operation, in the form of three-dimensional geometry bodies in fluoroscopy sketches or other referenced image or geometry data. Once the planned proceedings have been inputted, the control unit of the navigation system can virtually merge the corresponding position of all implant parts with the referenced image or geometry data of the patient in a three-dimensional manner by means of corresponding computational algorithms, and once the device has been oriented, the control unit can store the position of said device with all related dependent positions of the implant parts planned at the same time, and all of the planning information can be made available for use with navigated tools. |
| US08131342B2 |
Method and system for field mapping using integral methodology
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for improved distortion measurement and compensation. Certain embodiments include selecting a set of sources on a surface of a volume, determining mutual inductances from the set of sources on the surface, and calculating distortion from the volume using the mutual inductances from the set of sources on the surface. In an embodiment, distortion is calculated using an integral method and/or a finite element analysis. The volume may be modeled as a simplified construct, such as a ring model, a coil array with straight line segments model, a polygon model, and/or dipole array model. The model may be adjusted based on the distortion calculated from the volume. Magnetic fields may also be used to calculate distortion. In an embodiment, an object may be tracked using a distortion mapping. |
| US08131341B2 |
Method and device for positioning a patient support in a magnetic resonance apparatus
In a method and a magnetic resonance system for positioning a patient support device of the magnetic resonance system, wherein the magnetic resonance system also has a coil device and the patient support device that has a mounting for accommodation of the coil device at a predetermined position, a detector unit is provided for detection of information describing the coil device and a control device controls a drive unit of the support device to move the support device to a determined position in the magnetic resonance apparatus using only information detected by the detector unit. |
| US08131339B2 |
System and method for field ablation prediction
A system for determining field of ablation is disclosed. The system includes a power source configured to generate electromagnetic energy and an energy applicator coupled to the power source. The energy applicator is configured to be inserted into tissue and to provide electromagnetic energy to a target volume. The system also includes an imaging apparatus configured to generate a uniform magnetic field and at least one variable magnetic field around the tissue. The imaging apparatus obtains an image of a field of ablation within the target volume in response to a trace RF pulse supplied by the power source through the energy applicator to the target volume simultaneously with an excitation RF pulse generated by the imaging apparatus and the at least one variable magnetic field. |
| US08131337B2 |
Method for monitoring early treatment response
Disclosed is a method for monitoring early treatment response of a cancer treatment comprising measuring by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), for example, proton MRS, the amount of Choline present in the endomembranes of the cancerous tissue before and after treatment; the treatment comprises administration of a cytotoxic therapy, whereby a decrease in the amount of Choline after treatment is indicative of a positive response. The decrease in the amount of Choline represents the decrease in the internal cell membrane as a result of down regulation of the organelles and their secretory granules and their transport vesicles. Disclosed also is a method for determining effectiveness of a cytotoxic treatment of cancer. In addition, a method for monitoring protein translation related to the cytotoxic treatment of cancer is disclosed. |
| US08131334B2 |
Intra-body communication (IBC) device and a method of implementing the IBC device
The present invention relates to an intra-body communication (IBC) device and a method of implementing the IBC device. The IBC device is fabricated as a system-on-a-chip (SOC) and comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, an IBC module and a biomedical chip. The first electrode is connected to a patient's skin. The second electrode is connected to the patient's skin. The IBC module is connected to the first electrode and comprises a wireless communication device. The biomedical chip is connected to the second electrode and communicates with the IBC module through the patient's skin to receive external commands and transmit sensed biomedical parameters to a faraway location. |
| US08131333B2 |
Ophthalmic sensor
This invention is generally related to a biocompatible sensor for detecting/measuring sugar, especially glucose, in an ocular fluid in a non-invasive or minimally invasive manner and a method for using the biocompatible sensor. A biocompatible sensor of the invention comprises, consists essentially, or consists of an ophthalmic device comprising a molecular sensing moiety which interacts or, reacts with sugar to provide an optical signal which is indicative of sugar level in an ocular fluid. |
| US08131329B2 |
Distributed mode speaker for mobile devices
A mobile communication device includes first and second housing sections movably connected so as to move relative to one another between open and closed positions. The first and second housing sections each include protected surfaces that overlap when the first and second housing sections are in the open position. A distributed mode speaker is disposed on one of the protected surfaces to protect the distributed mode speaker from damage. |
| US08131326B2 |
GPS position tracking method with variable updating rate for power conservation
A system and method in which the position update rate is adaptively modified, based on previous position measurements. By adjusting the update rate based on velocity predictions from two or more position fixes, a lower update rate may be used without exceeding the maximum error. Lowering the update rate reduces power consumption in the UE, providing longer battery operation. The updating method may comprise periodically repeating the velocity prediction and periodically adjusting the update rate responsive thereto. The update rate may be adjusted using additional information such as an acceleration prediction, a minimum update rate, or a preferred error. In some embodiments a model for user movement may be used to provide more accurate predictions, for example, stationary, walking, jogging, city driving, and freeway driving. The updating method may comprise receiving user input regarding the maximum position error. |
| US08131325B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for battery resource management via traffic steering
Battery resources in a wireless device are managed in the present specification by traffic steering. A wireless device is configured to request content from an intermediation server, which is configured to analyze the requested content and send an indication to the wireless device as to which bearer path is to be selected based on which bearer path is battery-life optimized. |
| US08131324B2 |
Wireless device battery conservation method and system
Generally, the present invention provides a method for detecting poor RF conditions, and entering different sleep mode levels or phases in accordance with the RF conditions to save battery power. Mobile device battery life can be conserved when the mobile device detects poor RF conditions and enters a deep sleep mode of operation. In this deep sleep mode of operation the mobile device periodically samples the RF conditions and gradually increases the period between samples when the RF conditions do not improve. Because mobility can change the RF condition for wireless devices even in areas of good RF coverage, the mobile device operating in the deep sleep mode can detect this mobility and thus enhance the probability of entering an idle state, or alternatively, entering a longer power save mode. When the RF condition improves, the mobile device exits from the deep sleep mode and returns to the idle state. |
| US08131321B2 |
Vibration motor as a transducer of audio
A portable electronic device, such as a pager or a mobile station, has a housing and a vibration motor coupled to the housing for imparting vibration to it. Within the device, an electronic audio signal is preferably split into high and low frequency components by parallel filters. Pulses of the low frequency component are rectified, voltages of those rectified pulses are quantified and at least some are converted to pulse widths, and the train of pulse widths is amplified to drive the vibration motor, resonating the housing at in correspondence with the pulse amplitudes of at least some pulses of the original electronic audio signal. Various adaptive schemes are presented to control the number of modulated pulses that drive the vibration motor to enhance the user experience. The vibration motor may act as an audible sub-woofer and/or may provide a bass effect vibration within or beyond the audible range in correspondence to certain spaced pulses of the original audio signal. |
| US08131319B2 |
Active display readability enhancement for mobile devices depending on movement
A method and apparatus for enhancing the readability of information being displayed on display on a mobile device is disclosed. An amount of movement being exerted onto the mobile device is first measured. If the measured amount of movement is greater than a first predetermined threshold value and lower than a second predetermined threshold value, a picture stabilization algorithm is applied to the information to be displayed on the display. If the measured amount of movement is greater than said second predetermined threshold value, then the information is displayed with a larger font size than normal. |
| US08131313B2 |
Method and terminal devices
A method and terminal device are provided which effect the steps of receiving a message indicating that a user of another terminal device has pressed a talk button, the message including a geographical location of the other terminal device, or any information derived therefrom; and indicating the geographical location of the other terminal device to a user of the terminal device. A further method and terminal device are provided which effect the steps of: in response to a user of a terminal device pressing a talk button, writing information describing the geographical location of the terminal device, or any information derived therefrom, into a message; and sending the message to another terminal device or to a communications network. |
| US08131312B2 |
Method and system for construction of radio environment model
A system and method for constructing a signal propagation model in a wireless communication system such as a cellular system based on at least one received wireless signal correlated to a geographic location. |
| US08131307B2 |
Method for requesting transportation services
A method for safely and efficiently requesting transportation services through the use of mobile communications devices capable of geographic location is described. Individual and package transportation may be provided. New customers may be efficiently serviced, and the requester and transportation provider locations may be viewed in real time on the mobile devices. |
| US08131301B1 |
Geographic relocation processing of wireless communication equipment
What is disclosed is a method of operating a processing system to relocate wireless communication equipment. The method includes receiving customer data and performance data for wireless communication equipment located at a plurality of potential donor sites, and receiving geographic information for a target relocation site. The method also includes processing the customer data, the performance data, and the geographic information to determine a relocation score for each of the wireless communication equipment located at the plurality of potential donor sites, and selecting wireless communication equipment of at least one of the plurality of potential donor sites for relocation to the target relocation site based upon the relocation score. |
| US08131300B2 |
Routing protocol within hybrid-cellular networks
In order to establish routing to/from a base station within a hybrid-cellular network, each network element is assigned a “class” based on a received signal strength of the base station. Each network element is allowed to choose a network element of lower class for relaying information to the base station. |
| US08131294B2 |
Method and apparatus for cell update while in an enhanced cell—FACH state
A method and apparatus for cell update while in a Cell_FACH state are disclosed. After selecting a target cell, system information is read from the target cell including high speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) common system information. A radio network temporary identity (RNTI) received in a source cell is cleared and a variable HS_DSCH_RECEPTION is set to TRUE. An HS-DSCH medium access control (MAC-hs) entity is configured based on the HS-DSCH common system information. High speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) transmission is then received in the target cell. A CELL UPDATE message is sent to notify of a cell change. The HSDPA transmission may be received using a common H-RNTI broadcast in the system information, a reserved H-RNTI as requested in a CELL UPDATE message, or a temporary identity which is a subset of a U-RNTI. The MAC-hs entity may be reset. |
| US08131289B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and mobile communication control method
A mobile communication terminal holds a frequency cancellation list that is information related to cells that cannot be connected, and controls execution/non-execution (frequency cancellation) of the cell search according to the content of the cancellation list. In a case where a frequency is not assigned in a unified manner (when a frequency is assigned to different communication providers in some cells), a frequency cancellation time is set shorter than a case where the frequency is assigned in a unified manner. For example, a frequency f3 is rejected in a cell represented by “another” surrounded by a broken line when the mobile communication terminal moves from an area A to an area B. When the mobile communication terminal further moves to an area C, the frequency cancellation process initiated in the area B terminates. This is because a short frequency cancellation time is set. Therefore, the frequency cancellation time expires while the mobile communication terminal is moving from the area B to the area C. The frequency cancellation terminates, so as to be connectable in the area C of the frequency f3. |
| US08131288B2 |
Seamless transitioning of air-to-ground traffic
An apparatus and a method may be provided by which a user aboard an aircraft may use a processing device to communicate with another device, which is not located aboard the aircraft, via an air-to-ground network connection. A communication satellite may provide connectivity for the air-to-ground network connection. As the aircraft approaches an end of a satellite coverage area, the air-to-ground network connection may seamlessly transition to a second communication satellite or a second communication medium. Some communication satellites may communicate via a first frequency range and other communication satellites may communicate via a second frequency range. In one mode of operation, the air-to-ground network connection may be via a communication satellite communicating via a first frequency range. A transition to a communication medium communicating via a second frequency range may occur automatically only during the one mode of operation. |
| US08131287B2 |
Apparatus and method for diagnosing fault and managing data in satellite ground system
Provided are an apparatus and a method for diagnosing fault and processing data of a satellite ground system. The apparatus and a method can prevent data loss of a satellite, and efficiently operate the satellite ground system using data buffer and penalty method when a temporary fault occurs. Data buffer stores data in fault situation and penalty method imposes high penalty in critical fault and low penalty in minor fault. System is managed according to penalty degree. The apparatus, includes: a satellite data processing and controlling means; a signal transforming means; a fault detecting and controlling means; a state displaying means for displaying a state of the satellite and the system; a penalty managing means for being notified whether the device has fault or not; a data storing means for storing and transmitting the data; and a system recovery supporting means. |
| US08131286B2 |
Technique for providing broadcast services in a cellular network
A technique for providing broadcast services to a subscriber station includes determining (904) when a first broadcast frame that is to be transmitted on a broadcast channel includes broadcast information that is to be received by the subscriber station. Next, cellular information that is included within a first cellular frame and that is to be received by the subscriber station is scheduled (906), based on the determining, to avoid conflict between receipt of the cellular information and the broadcast information at the subscriber station. Finally, based on the scheduling, the first cellular frame is transmitted (908) on a cellular channel. |
| US08131285B2 |
Transmission/reception channel matching apparatus for mobile communication terminal and mobile phone test equipment
Disclosed herein is a transmission/reception channel matching apparatus for a mobile communication terminal and a mobile phone test equipment. The transmission/reception channel matching apparatus includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a Dual In-line Package (DIP) switch, and a fastening casing. The PCB includes mobile communication terminal-side terminals to be electrically connected to option pins provided in the serial communication connector of the mobile communication terminal, and transmission and reception terminals corresponding to the transmission and reception channels of the mobile phone test equipment for transmitting a transmission signal to the mobile communication terminal and receiving a reception signal from the mobile communication terminal. The DIP switch is provided with a plurality of switches, is combined with the PCB, and selectively connects the mobile communication terminal-side terminals to the transmission and reception terminals depending on ON/OFF information. The fastening casing accommodates the PCB so that part of the DIP switch is exposed to the outside. |
| US08131275B2 |
Broadcasting terminal and method of controlling vibration of a mobile terminal
A method of controlling vibration of a mobile terminal includes receiving broadcast data including vibration control information for controlling the vibration of the mobile terminal and vibrating the mobile terminal responsive to the vibration control information. A mobile terminal includes a vibration device for generating vibration, a broadcast receiver for receiving broadcast data comprising vibration control information and a controller for controlling the vibration device to generate the vibration, responsive to the vibration control information. |
| US08131274B2 |
Method and system for the prevention of unwanted wireless telecommunications
The invention of present speaks to a method and system for the prevention of unwanted wireless telecommunications which is implemented as part of a computer program product in (preferentially) the telecommunications operator's network, which meets and/or exceeds much of current, proposed and even academically anticipated legislative (and by necessity, technical) criteria, and indeed, thereby complies with the broader body of prima facie consumer requirements associated with wireless telecommunications spam filtering. Indeed, the invention provides for a remarkably flexible and customizable advance in the art through the utilization of a progressive filtering algorithm. This algorithm offers both the subscriber and the service provider with the capability to block and/or extract potentially harmful or unsolicited SMS, MMS and other such messages on the basis of an extensive range of parameters and rules. |
| US08131273B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving a MBMS service in mobile communication system
A method for transmitting and receiving a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service in a mobile communication system. The mobile communication system transmits the same service in different streams by having first bearer information and a second bearer information for the same service. The mobile terminal effectively receives the MBMS service by receiving second bearer information based on the first bearer information received through a downlink control channel. |
| US08131268B2 |
Managing wireless transmissions upon unintentional disconnection of service
Disclosed are a method, system and computer program product for managing unintentional disconnection of a communication device. A system detects a first device to a transmission has been unintentionally disconnected from an ongoing communication with a second communication device. The connected second device is signaled regarding the disconnection. Recording of a disconnection voicemail message for the disconnected first communication device is enabled before disconnecting the second communication device. The second device may set an expiration time on the disconnection voicemail message. Upon resumption of service, the disconnected first device is informed of a new voicemail message left by the second device during the disconnection. A disconnection-specific voicemail greeting may be recorded by a user of the disconnected first device's system for use when a disconnection occurs. The disconnection-specific voicemail greeting is played to the connected second device when disconnection occurs. |
| US08131265B2 |
System and method for implementing multimedia ring back tone service
A Multimedia Customized Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service platform, a terminal and a system for implementing an MRBT service are provided in the present invention. A method for implementing an MRBT service is further disclosed, which includes: performing, by a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) platform, a first media capability negotiation with a calling party before a called party answers a call after the calling party initiates the call to the called party; playing, by the MRBT platform, an MRBT for the calling party according to the result of the first media capability negotiation. The scheme of the present invention may implement an MRBT service in a 3G communication network. |
| US08131259B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for handling secure-voice-communication sessions
An exemplary computing system may receive a first request from a first voice-communication device to establish a secure-voice-communication session with a second voice-communication device. The computing system may also receive a second request from the second voice-communication device to establish the secure-voice-communication session with the first voice-communication device. The computing system may establish the secure-voice-communication session between the first and second voice-communication devices. Corresponding methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08131254B2 |
Method of converting a cell phone into an internet camera phone and system employing said camera phone
A cell phone is converted into a limited use camera. The camera is formed by removing the circuit board of a used, discarded cell phone; reprogramming the firmware memory of the cell phone to conform it to the intended camera use; and repackaging the cell phone in a functionally appropriate housing. The reprogrammed camera phone has the capability of transmitting a picture, via the Internet, to a website where the pictures can be viewed and downloaded for printing. |
| US08131252B2 |
Method and medium for analyzing environment of device and device using the same
Provided are a method and medium for analyzing an environment of a device and a device using the same. A device may include a vibration unit to cause the device to vibrate, a sensing unit to sense vibration of the device, wherein the sensed vibration forms a vibration pattern and a judgment unit to judge an environment of the device according to a vibration pattern of the device sensed by the sensing unit. |
| US08131251B2 |
Integrated RF front end with stacked transistor switch
A monolithic integrated circuit (IC), and method of manufacturing same, that includes all RF front end or transceiver elements for a portable communication device, including a power amplifier (PA), a matching, coupling and filtering network, and an antenna switch to couple the conditioned PA signal to an antenna. An output signal sensor senses at least a voltage amplitude of the signal switched by the antenna switch, and signals a PA control circuit to limit PA output power in response to excessive values of sensed output. Stacks of multiple FETs in series to operate as a switching device may be used for implementation of the RF front end, and the method and apparatus of such stacks are claimed as subcombinations. An iClass PA architecture is described that dissipatively terminates unwanted harmonics of the PA output signal. A preferred embodiment of the RF transceiver IC includes two distinct PA circuits, two distinct receive signal amplifier circuits, and a four-way antenna switch to selectably couple a single antenna connection to any one of the four circuits. |
| US08131248B2 |
Mixer with local oscillator feed-forward and method of mixing signals with local oscillator feed-forward
A feed-forward device is provided for a mixer including a diplexer having a radio frequency port, an intermediate frequency port, and a common port; and a mixing circuit receiving an in-phase local oscillator signal and an out-of-phase local oscillator signal and having an output coupled to the common port of the diplexer. The feed-forward device includes: a first signal sampler having an input adapted to sample the in-phase local oscillator signal and to output a sampled in-phase local oscillator signal; a second signal sampler having an input adapted to sample the out-of-phase local oscillator signal and to output a sampled out-of-phase local oscillator signal; and an arrangement for coupling the sampled in-phase local oscillator signal and the sampled out-of-phase local oscillator signal to the common port of the diplexer. |
| US08131247B2 |
Method and system for an intermediate frequency (IF) channel select filter with an integrated alternate adjacent channel interference (AACI) filter
An alternate adjacent channel interference (AACI) filter is integrated into an intermediate frequency (IF) channel select filter to filter received RF signals. The IF channel select filter is an IF staged structure comprising successive IF stages. Each of the successive IF stages is a 2-biquad integrator. The AACI filter is integrated into the first IF stage of the IF channel select filter by re-using circuit components such as an operational amplifier, an input resistor, and a shunt capacitor of the first IF stage. The shunt capacitor is coupled between a middle point of the input resistor and ground. The AACI filter is realized via different equivalent implementations of the re-used circuit components of the first IF stage. A value of the shunt capacitor of the AACI filter becomes a fixed-value when a value the input resistor is inversely proportional to the bandwidth of the AACI filter. |
| US08131246B2 |
High-frequency circuit having filtering function and reception device
A high-frequency circuit includes a dielectric substrate, a stripline formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate, a ground conductor provided on a back surface of the dielectric substrate, in which a pattern cut-out portion through which a part of the back surface of the dielectric substrate is exposed is formed, and a stub having a first end connected to an edge portion of the ground conductor defining the pattern cut-out portion and a second end arranged at a distance from the edge portion. |
| US08131245B2 |
Mixer for downconversion of RF signals
A mixer for downconversion of RF signals includes at least one RF transistor (305); at least one switching pair (303) connected to the drain current (301) of the at least one RF transistor (305); and a common mode sensing component (300) configured to detect deviations in the common mode output of the switching pair (303) from a specified output; wherein the deviations modify the current of the at least one switching pair (303). |
| US08131244B2 |
Method and system for dynamically adjusting intermediate frequency (IF) and filtering for microwave circuits
Certain aspects of a method and system for dynamically adjusting intermediate frequency (IF) and filtering in microwave circuits may include generating one or more intermediate frequency (IF) signals from one or more baseband signals and/or one or more radio frequency (RF) signals. The generated one or more IF signals may be filtered to avoid detected interference and/or detected noise from out-of-band radio sources. The frequency of the generated one or more IF signals may vary depending on the detected interference and/or detected noise. The filtering of the generated one or more IF signals may be adjusted based on the variation in the frequency of the generated one or more IF signals. The one or more RF signals may be down-converted to generate the one or more IF signals. The generated IF signals may be further down-converted and dynamically filtered to generate the desired baseband signals. |
| US08131242B2 |
System and method for implementing a swap function for an IQ generator
A system and method for implementing an IQ generator includes a master latch that generates an I signal in response to a clock input signal, and a slave latch that generates a Q signal in response to an inverted clock input signal. A master selector is configured to provide a communication path from the master latch to the slave latch, and a slave selector is configured to provide a feedback path from the slave latch to the master latch. The foregoing I and Q signals are output directly from the respective master and slave latches without any intervening electronic circuitry. |
| US08131233B2 |
Time alignment methods and apparatus for polar modulation transmitters
A polar modulation transmitter includes an amplitude modulation (AM) path with an amplitude modulation to amplitude modulation (AM/AM′) correction circuit and a phase modulation (PM) path with a delay element and an amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM′/PM) correction circuit. The AM/AM′ correction circuit receives and predistorts a digital amplitude component signal depending on amplitudes of samples in the digital amplitude component signal, thereby generating a predistorted digital amplitude component signal. The delay element receives and delays a digital phase component signal, to generate a delayed digital phase component signal having a delay corresponding to the latency introduced by the AM/AM′ correction circuit. The AM′/PM correction circuit predistorts the delayed digital phase component signal depending on amplitudes of samples in the predistorted amplitude component signal, thereby generating a predistorted digital phase component signal. |
| US08131232B2 |
Method and apparatus for antenna tuning
A method for tuning a transmitter in order to improve impedance matching to an antenna or to intermediate radio frequency stages uses an error detector that senses a deviation of the amplitude or phase angle of a load current of a power amplifier driver or of a power amplifier. A controller calculates a correction and dynamically adjusts tunable transmitter parameters, which may include values of components in matching networks or bias voltages in the power amplifier or the power amplifier driver, so as to reduce the deviation and thereby improve the impedance matching. The load current of the power amplifier may alternatively be sensed by measuring the duty cycle of its switching mode power supply. A transmitter having a power amplifier and one or more tunable circuit elements incorporates an error detector that senses the amplitude or phase of a load current and a controller that adjusts one or more tunable parameters to reduce impedance mismatch. An integrated circuit device suitable for use in a transmitter includes a power amplifier driver circuit and a detector circuit capable of sensing a load current, and a controller circuit that can adjust tunable parameters either within or external to the integrated circuit. By eliminating directional couplers and integrating the detectors and power amplifier drivers, the size, complexity, and cost of wireless transceivers can be reduced, while efficiency and power consumption are improved through the dynamic adjustment of operating points and impedance matching. |
| US08131229B1 |
Polar modulation with IQ zeroing
Apparatus and methods for adjustment of spectral signal characteristics in polar modulators are described. A composite signal detection circuit is configured to detect when a signal trajectory of a composite signal provided to the polar modulator passes near the origin of a complex plane associated with the composite signal, and then adjusts the composite signal to pass through the origin. A spectral adjustment circuit is described to adjust AM and FM or PM components of the composite signal to reduce the deviation of an FM component of the composite signal. |
| US08131223B2 |
System for testing an embedded wireless transceiver
A test equipment for testing a wireless communication device includes a wireless transceiver, memory, and a controller. The wireless transceiver transmits a first and second series of packets. The wireless transceiver receives a power level indicator that is based on at least one of the first series of packets. The memory stores the power level indicator. The controller performs a signal strength test. More specifically, the controller controls the transceiver to transmit the first series of packets at a first power level. The controller stores the power level indicator in memory when the power level indicator is received by the transceiver. The controller controls the transceiver to transmit the second series of packets at a second power level. |
| US08131221B2 |
Method and system for processing multipath signals to suppress interface utilizing a programmable interface suppression module
Multipath signals are processed to suppress interference utilizing a programmable interface suppression module. One or more circuits that are operable to retrieve at least a portion of stored data from a memory, wherein the stored data corresponds to signals received via a particular receiving antenna and assigned to a particular finger in a rake receiver. A plurality of weighting factor values may be computed based on one or more signals received via the particular receiving antenna. Estimated signals may be generated based on the portion of stored data and the plurality of weighting factors. Residual signals may be generated based on the portion of stored data and the estimated signals. The portion of stored data may be replaced in the memory with corresponding data generated utilizing the residual signals. A plurality of interference suppressed signals may be generated based on the plurality of residual signals. |
| US08131218B2 |
Methods and apparatus for wirelessly communicating signals that include embedded synchronization/pilot sequences
An embodiment for wirelessly communicating a signal includes a transmitter combining a plurality of phase shifted input data signals with a plurality of synchronization/pilot sequences to produce a plurality of combined signals, performing frequency domain-to-time domain transformations of the combined signals to produce a plurality of candidate signals, determining peak-to-average ratios for at least some of the plurality of candidate signals, identifying a selected signal from the plurality of candidate signals based on the peak-to-average ratios, and transmitting the selected signal over a wireless communication channel. An embodiment further includes a receiver receiving a channel-affected version of the transmitted, selected signal, determining an estimate of a selective mapping index, which identifies the synchronization/pilot sequence from the plurality of synchronization/pilot sequences, applying corrections to the received signal based on estimated channel perturbations to produce an equalized combined signal, and producing an output data symbol from the equalized combined signal. |
| US08131214B2 |
Method for selecting content for transfer or synchronization between devices
A method, a tap initiator, and tap target in a close proximity communication are disclosed. A tap interface 106 may initiate a tap with a tap target 104. The tap interface 108 may receive a tap from a tap initiator 102. A tap gauge 110 may measure a tap duration between the tap initiator 102 and the tap target 104. A processor 304 may determine if the tap duration is within a first duration range and a second duration range and executes a first action for the first duration range and a second action for the second duration range. |
| US08131208B2 |
Method of using a telephone device to view content stored therein on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the telephone device
A method is provided of using a telephone device to view full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the telephone device. The telephone device includes a display screen, a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the telephone device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and a wireless transmitter. The full content is stored in the telephone device. Only a portion of the full content is displayed on the display screen of the telephone device. The full content is communicated from the telephone device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button. The local control device receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon. |
| US08131204B2 |
Image forming apparatus, program for image forming apparatus, and driver program for image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a single-sided image forming unit that forms an image on a first side of a sheet and discharges the sheet in a predetermined discharge state, a first double-sided image forming unit that forms an image of an even page on a first side of the sheet, reverses the sheet on which the even page is formed, conveys the reversed sheet to an image forming unit, forms an image of an odd page on a second side of the sheet, and discharges the sheet in a predetermined discharge state, and a second double-sided image forming unit that forms an image of an even page on the second side of the sheet and an image of an odd page on the first side of the sheet and discharges the sheet in a predetermined discharge state. |
| US08131202B2 |
Image forming apparatus having spur unit for regulating conveyance of sheet
An image forming apparatus has an image transferring portion for transferring an image onto a sheet, an image fixing portion for fixing the transferred image to the sheet, a sheet conveyor portion arranged between the image transferring portion and the image fixing portion for conveying the sheet in a sheet conveying direction, a support portion having an elliptical-shaped shaft hole extending in a direction crossing the sheet conveying direction, and an arm rotatably mounted on the support portion. A first spur is disposed at a position opposed to the sheet conveyor portion and is rotatably supported by the support portion and movable along the shaft hole. A second spur is disposed at a position opposed to the sheet conveyor portion downstream in a sheet conveying direction of the first spur and closer to the sheet conveyor portion than the first spur. The second spur is rotatably supported by the arm and has a movable range larger than a movable range of the first spur. |
| US08131201B2 |
Image forming apparatus with paper cassette having space for receiving roller supporting member
An image forming apparatus has a paper feeding cassette that selectively stores at least first and second kinds of paper sheets having different sizes with respect to a paper feeding direction. Heights of the paper sheets storable in the paper feeding cassette are set in such a manner that the height of the second paper sheets is lower than the height of the first paper sheets. The apparatus also has a paper feeding tray and a structural member that has a mechanism for feeding third paper sheets loaded on the paper feeding tray. The structural member is disposed in a space of the cassette defined by a difference in the heights. |
| US08131197B2 |
Fixing device and electro photographic apparatus using the same
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing device including: a heating roller that generates a heat and is formed to have a mold releasing property; a pressure belt that is brought into contact with the heating roller and is driven according to a rotation of the heating roller; an arm that presses the pressure belt toward the heating roller; and a belt regulating member that contacts an end face of the pressure belt to regulate a shift thereof and is configured to be swingable with respect to the arm. |
| US08131196B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a transferring member
The image forming apparatus has a configuration in which a secondary transfer roller guides a leading end of a recording material which enters a secondary transfer nip to be led to the secondary transfer nip and the leading end of the recording material is prevented from coming into contact with a toner image on an intermediate transferring member before the recording material enters the secondary transfer nip. Further, in the image forming apparatus, a surface of a transfer roller is smoothened so that the leading end of the recording material is guided to the secondary transfer nip without being caught. As a result, the present invention is intended to prevent the leading end of the recording material which enters the secondary transfer nip from distorting the toner image on the intermediate transferring member. |
| US08131193B2 |
Imaging forming apparatus and method of controlling same
An image forming apparatus has a function for adjusting the position at which a toner image is formed on a printing material, based upon amount of light reflected from a toner image that has been formed on an image carrier. The light-emitting unit emits light that irradiates the image carrier, and the detecting unit detects an amount of substrate-light reflected from the substrate of the image carrier. The determining unit determines whether the difference between the amount of substrate-light detected at a first point in time and the amount of substrate-light detected at a second point in time later than the first point in time is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The light-power control unit increases the amount of light in the light-emitting unit if the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold value. |
| US08131190B2 |
Magnetic roller, development device, and image forming method
A development device configured to develop a latent image with developer including toner and carrier includes a development roller configured to carry the developer. The development roller includes a stationary magnet-fixing member, a plurality of magnets fixed to an interior of the stationary magnet-fixing member to form a plurality of magnetic poles, and a cylindrical rotatable sleeve roller configured to revolve coaxially around the exterior of the magnet-fixing member. Magnetic force distribution of a portion of the plurality of magnetic poles is varied in an axial direction of the development roller at positions corresponding to an image forming area in the axial direction of the development roller, enabling the development device to transport and agitate the developer. |
| US08131187B2 |
Development device, image forming apparatus including the same, and method of removing developer therefrom
A development device includes a developer carrier facing an image carrier, a first developer transport path and a second developer transport path disposed vertically, a closably openable developer discharge port provided in the second developer transport path, a detector to detect whether the developer carrier carries the developer, a driving unit to drive the first and the second transporters, and a controller. The first developer transport path and the second developer transport path include a first transporter and a second transporter, respectively, to transport the developer in a longitudinal direction. The controller starts rotating the developer carrier and the first transporter and the second transporter in normal directions and opens the developer discharge port simultaneously. When a predetermined time period has elapsed after determining that no developer is carried on the developer carrier, the controller starts rotating the first transporter and the second transporter in reverse. |
| US08131182B2 |
Imaging cartridge and image forming apparatus
An imaging cartridge has a process unit and a toner box unit formed by integrating a new toner box and a waste toner box. The toner box unit is attachable to and detachable from the process unit. Shutters which open and close a connecting section between the new toner box and a developing device included in the process unit can be opened by manual operation when the toner box unit is attached to the process unit. Shutters and which open and close a connecting section between a cleaning device included in the process unit and the waste toner box are opened when the imaging cartridge is in the process of being moved to a prescribed position in an apparatus body. |