| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08128201B2 |
Non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector
A fluid ejector having a first surface, a second surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the second surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting layer exposed on at least a first surface of the fluid ejector, and a overcoat layer exposed on a second surface, the overcoat layer being more wetting than the non-wetting layer. Fabrication of this apparatus can include depositing a non-wetting layer on the first and second surfaces, masking the first surface, optionally removing the non-wetting layer from the second surface, and depositing an overcoat layer on the second surface. |
| US08128199B2 |
Ink jet print head, method for manufacturing ink jet print head, and printing apparatus
An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method which use a print head having a plurality of ejection port rows to enable high-quality printing without causing uneven density in a conveying direction by varying the printing distribution ratio of the ejection port rows in the print head depending on gray level. |
| US08128198B2 |
Image forming apparatus including carriage with recording head
An image forming apparatus includes a first carriage, a second carriage, an endless belt member, and a driving source. The first carriage further includes a recording head. The second carriage further includes one or more electrical components. The endless belt member is extended between a driving pulley and a driven pulley. The first carriage and the second carriage are connected to the endless belt member at diagonally opposed positions. The driving source rotates the driving pulley, moving the belt member to move the first carriage and the second carriages in opposite directions. |
| US08128197B2 |
Liquid droplet ejection apparatus, method for manufacturing electro-optic device, electro-optic device, and electronic equipment
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus performs a drawing operation on a workpiece set on a set table by driving the ejection of a functional liquid droplet ejection head in a head unit while moving the head unit in a main scanning direction relative to the set table. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus includes an ejection defect test unit for inspecting an ejection defect of the functional liquid droplet ejection head. The ejection defect test unit includes a drawn unit on which a predetermined test pattern is drawn by test ejection from the functional liquid droplet ejection head and ejection-defect determination means for determining the ejection defect by capturing an image of the test pattern drawn on the ejection-defect test unit and recognizing the image. The drawn unit is disposed on a scan moving axis offset from the set table towards the main scanning direction. |
| US08128192B1 |
Cap design for an inkjet print head with hand-held imaging element arrangement with integrated cleaning mechanism
The hand-held printer includes a print module configured for multidirectional printing, a print head in communication with the print module. The print head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays and wherein the nozzles in each of the plurality of nozzle are disposed substantially equidistant from a reference point. The hand-held printer further includes a circular cap configured to rotatably cooperate with the print head, wherein the circular cap cooperates with the print head to define a seal when the circular cap is disposed in a closed position. |
| US08128190B2 |
Ink circulation type inkjet printer
An ink circulation type inkjet printer includes a maintenance controller configured to: (1) allow a maintenance mechanism to execute maintenance processing for a plurality of inkjet heads before a present printing job under three conditions that: (c1) an elapsed time from a last printing job to a present printing job is less than a first reference time; (c2) the present printing job requests for ejecting ink from unused nozzles of multiple nozzles of the plurality of inkjet heads in the last printing job; (c3) the elapsed time is more than a second reference time; (2) allow the ink circulation type inkjet printer to perform the present printing job without the maintenance processing for the plurality of inkjet heads when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined second reference time. |
| US08128189B2 |
Position detecting device, liquid ejecting apparatus and method of detecting smear of scale
A position detecting device for detecting a position of an object, includes a light emitting portion that emits light, a light receiving portion that receives the light from the light emitting portion, and a scale that is arranged between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and includes a position detecting pattern and a smear detecting pattern. The position detecting pattern has a first light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a first light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged in a detection range of the object. The smear detecting pattern for detecting smear of the scale has a second light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a second light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged. |
| US08128188B2 |
Monitoring ink flow
A system for monitoring ink flow is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a printhead configured to perform a priming event, a heating element, a sensor configured to measure the temperature of a printhead die at a plurality of times, and a processor configured to determine the success of a priming event by comparing an actual cooling rate to a threshold cooling rate. |
| US08128183B2 |
Rack system
A rack system for housing electronic and/or electrical equipment is provided comprising a rectangular base frame, a rectangular top frame, and four elongated vertical support members each extending along a longitudinal axis between and joined to two associated corners of the rectangular base frame and the rectangular top frame. The rectangular base frame, rectangular top frame, and the four elongated vertical support members may be constructed from members having the same substantially A-frame cross-section. Each support member may be constructed from an elongated sheet material extending along a longitudinal axis by bending the sheet material about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sheet material to form at least three elongated sections, where a first section and a second section are adjacent and substantially perpendicular to each other and a third section extends between approximately mid-point of the first section and approximately mid-point of the second section. |
| US08128181B2 |
Braking control apparatus
A braking control apparatus includes a brake operating member, a hydraulic circuit supplying a wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder, a pump generating a hydraulic pressure so that the wheel cylinder hydraulic pressure reaches a value in response to an operation of the brake operating member, a circulation conduit provided at a portion of the hydraulic circuit, the circulation conduit through which a partial amount of brake fluid discharged from the pump is circulated back to the pump, a pressure regulating valve adjusting a pressure difference between an upstream side of the pressure regulating valve connected to the wheel cylinder and a downstream side, and a controlling device calculating, on the basis of a circulation flow rate of the brake fluid passing through the pressure regulating valve, an applied current to the pressure regulating valve for obtaining a target of the pressure difference and controlling the applied current. |
| US08128180B2 |
Hydraulic brake system
The invention relates to a hydraulic braking system having a device for controlling brake slip, drive slip, and/or the driving stability of a vehicle. Among other things, such devices use pumps, valves, and reservoirs to control brake pressure in the wheel brakes in accordance with wheel slip occurring at the particular wheels. These components are in contact with each via a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit is built into a hydraulic block that has spaces for installing the components and channels for hydraulic contact. The invention makes possible a particularly compact and reduced-weight design of the hydraulic block and at the same time low manufacturing costs. For this purpose an advantageous layout and sealing of channels relative to each other and to the surrounding area is provided. |
| US08128179B2 |
Method for operating an actuating unit for motor vehicle brakes
According to a method for operating an actuating unit for motor vehicle brakes, an electromagnet that actuates a sealing seat of its control valve is controlled by a minimum current during a pressure-maintaining phase which is carried out independently of the vehicle operator's will, in order to avoid damaging of the coil of the electromagnet. To this end, a current controlling the electromagnet is slowly reduced until a previously fixed pressure decrease compared to the original value occurs. A previously fixed value is added to this current value, and the electromagnet is actuated by a current value corresponding to the result of the addition. |
| US08128177B2 |
Adaptive advance drive control for milling machine
An adaptive advance control system for a construction machine senses the reaction forces applied by the ground surface to a milling drum, and in response to the sensed changes in those reaction forces controls the motive power applied to an advance drive of the machine. Early and rapid detection of such changes in reaction forces allow the control system to aid in preventing lurch forward events of the construction machine. |
| US08128176B2 |
Device for determining the cutting horizon of a mining extraction system, and pan element therefor
The invention relates to a device for determining the cutting horizon of a mining winning system, having a movable conveyor which is composed of individual pan elements, and having at least one optical detection sensor which has a sensor head that is received in a sensor carrier and can be pressed with at least one pressure means against a coal/basement rock boundary layer. In order to improve the sensing and working reliability, over the length of the conveyor, a plurality of pan elements are configured as sensor pans which are provided with a protected recess which is open to the basement rock and in which the sensor carrier is arranged or can be arranged such that it can be disassembled together with the sensor head. |
| US08128174B2 |
Pocketed molded vehicle backrest
A framework and method of forming a framework is provided for a backrest of a vehicle seat. The framework includes a support member having a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The second wall section is spaced from the first wall portion at a plurality of locations to form a plurality of hollow pocketed sections. An expandable plastic material is disposed in and substantially fills the plurality of pocketed sections. The support member in cooperation with the expandable plastic material provides rigidity to the support member. |
| US08128171B2 |
Chair armrest assembly having adjustable height
An armrest assembly for a chair includes an armrest support, a mounting sleeve movably mounted on the armrest support, an armrest mounted on the mounting sleeve to move in concert with the mounting sleeve, and a lifting device mounted between the armrest support and the mounting sleeve and operable between a first position where the lifting device is locked to lock the mounting sleeve onto the armrest support and a second position where the lifting device is unlocked to unlock the mounting sleeve from the armrest support so that the mounting sleeve is movable relative to the armrest support freely. Thus, the mounting sleeve is movable relative to the armrest support so as to adjust the height of the armrest so that the height of the armrest is adjusted freely to support a user's arm comfortably. |
| US08128169B2 |
Seat reclining apparatus for vehicle
A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle includes a first arm arranged at a seat cushion, a second arm arranged at a seat back, an internal gear formed at the first arm, an external gear formed at the second arm and engaging with the internal gear, a first circumferential portion formed coaxially with the internal gear, a second circumferential portion formed coaxially with the external gear, first and second wedge members accommodated in an accommodating space formed between the first and second circumferential portions, a spring arranged between the first and second wedge members and biasing the first and second wedge members, a drive shaft rotating around a rotation axis of either one of the first and second arms, and a retention groove retaining a lubricant, formed on the circumferential contact surface of each of the first and second wedge members, and extending along a direction of the rotation axis. |
| US08128167B2 |
Seat cushion extension mechanism
A vehicle seat including a seat base. An extension member is operably connected to the seat base. A seat cover partially extends over the extension member and seat base and partially stored on a roller below the seat pan. A bladder is disposed between the seat base and the extension member. Inflation of the bladder forces the extension member forward relative to the seat base and unroll a portion of the seat cover. |
| US08128165B2 |
Energy-dissipation system
A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus. |
| US08128164B2 |
Human body supporting structure, particularly bicycle saddle and method of making same
A human body supporting structure, particularly a bicycle saddle, includes a load-bearing shell having a topside designed to face towards a user and an underside designed to face a bicycle frame. The shell includes at least one continuous sheet element having at least one differently deformable portion located at particularly stressed regions of the user's body. The sheet element is formed of a thermoplastic resin matrix with reinforcement fibers embedded therein. The differently deformable portions have a smaller thickness (Si) and a locally greater average density (pi) than the rest of the extension of the shell, said portions are formed in a thermoforming step wherein a local thickness reduction is carried out by compression and by heating said sheet element to a temperature near the melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix. A method of making such support structure is further provided. |
| US08128159B2 |
Lightweight hybrid material truck hoods
The present disclosure provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the disclosure, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat. |
| US08128156B2 |
Motor vehicle with forward-arched bulkhead
A motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a bulkhead for separating a vehicle interior space from an engine bay. The entire bulkhead in its upper area at a first bending point bends toward the front side of the vehicle (=forward), to then extend upwardly from there in a forward-arched area, where it forms a window support for a windshield. The bulkhead has an air inlet opening in a forwardly arched area that is connected with the vehicle interior space to supply air to the latter. |
| US08128149B1 |
System for securing a truck bed cover
A system for securing a truck bed cover includes a pair of vertical side rails clamped to the bed railing of a pickup truck. A first one of a pair of horizontal side rails is attached along the front side of the truck bed and the second one of the pair of horizontal side rails is attachable via a latching mechanism along the rear. The cover is attached along respective front and rear edges to each of the horizontal side rails, and is attachable along respective side edges to the vertical side rails, preferably, using a hook-and-loop fastener. Tensioning devices are employed to keep the cover taut and even on both sides. |
| US08128148B2 |
Vehicle with an instrument panel which is designed for a side impact
A vehicle contains a vehicle body with two A pillars and two B pillars which bound a vehicle interior, and an instrument panel which is arranged in the interior between the A pillars. The instrument panel has an instrument panel reinforcement. The instrument panel reinforcement has at least one first section and/or one second section, and the first and/or second section extends/extend in each case transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at least over part of the instrument panel, beginning in each case on the outside of the instrument panel, in order to stiffen the instrument panel against a high force acting on the outsides of the instrument panel, for example against a force which is produced by a side impact. The contour of the instrument panel, including the instrument panel reinforcement, lies at least partially at a height between the A pillars and the B pillars at least in the region of the respective outside of the instrument panel. The instrument panel reinforcement is arranged in that region of the contour of the instrument panel which projects the furthest into the vehicle interior from the direction of the B pillars. |
| US08128147B1 |
Vehicle seat
Vehicle seat including a link for raising and lowering the seat and a tilt pan disposed forwardly of seat cushion frame of the seat. Rotatably provided to the seat cushion frame is an actuator link having: one end portion pivoted to the tilt pan; and another end portion formed with sector gear portion and arcuate hole. A pin for supporting a gear case having a pinion meshed with the sector gear portion is fixed to the seat cushion frame. Such pin is used with both of the link and actuator link, in common. Namely, an upper end portion of the link and the afore-said another end portion of actuator link are collectively disposed at that pin so as to overlap each other, and the upper end portion of link is pivotally connected to the pin, whereas the pin passes through the arcuate hole of actuator link. |
| US08128144B2 |
Pick-up style utility vehicle with expandable cargo bed
A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from the front, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The upper portion of the screen shield is swingably supported by the upper portion of the cabin frame so that the screen shield can be shifted between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state. The screen shield has a foldable folding portion, is swung in the expanded state, and is supported by a vehicle body component while being in a folded state by the folding portion. |
| US08128143B2 |
Inner garnish assembly
A one-piece inner garnish assembly is provided for an associated vehicle window opening. The garnish assembly includes a weatherseal assembly and a garnish joined thereto prior to installation on the associated vehicle. In one embodiment, the weatherseal assembly includes first and second legs extending from a base portion. Each leg includes a low friction seal lip such as flock or TPV for sealingly engaging surface of the associate vehicle window. The garnish is a molded component that is joined to the weatherseal assembly, for example, in a preferred embodiment the garnish is joined to a leg of the weatherseal assembly. In another embodiment of the garnish assembly, a belt seal with integral garnish and molded transition members at opposite ends are provided. |
| US08128140B2 |
Collision detecting device
A collision detecting device includes a chamber member providing a space, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure inside the space, a determination means, a bumper absorber for absorbing an impact generated by collision and a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the chamber member. Hardness of the chamber member changes with temperature. Thus, the deformation degree of the chamber member is different depending on temperature. However, the determination means corrects the pressure detected by the pressure sensor based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and determines collision based on the corrected pressure. Therefore, a collision detecting device which can determine collision of an object with a vehicle accurately without being affected by the change of temperature can be obtained. |
| US08128138B2 |
Anti-chucking striker
A vehicle including an anti-chucking striker overmold for minimizing chucking of a vehicle door having a latch therein. The anti-chucking striker overmold may include a striker mount connected to a striker and including one or more wedges including a first portion contiguously engageable with a latch frameplate opening to minimize movement of the vehicle door relative to the striker in a first direction. The wedge may include a second portion formed line-to-line with a fishmouth opening of the latch to minimize movement of the vehicle door in a second direction. |
| US08128137B2 |
Vehicle door handle apparatus
To provide a supporting structure of a rotating section which offers not only facilitated mounting but also resistance to dropout. There are provided a handle base 1 for rotatably supporting one end side of a handle grip 2, and a lever 3 which has a shaft section 23 rotatably supported by a bearing section 11 of the handle base 1 and which is rotated upon pulling of the handle grip 2. The lever 3 includes a first shaft tip section 27 projecting from the shaft section 23 to a shaft tip side and having a part cut away so as to form a circular face, and a second shaft tip section 28 projecting from the first shaft tip section 27 to a shaft tip side and having a width smaller than that of the first shaft tip section 27. The handle base 1 includes a bearing hole 16 for rotatably supporting the first shaft tip section 27 and the second shaft tip section 28 of the lever 3, a first guide rail 17 for guiding the first shaft tip section 27 to the bearing hole 16, and a second guide rail 18 narrower than the first shaft tip section 27 for guiding the second shaft tip section 28 to the bearing hole 16. |
| US08128135B2 |
Lock device for a vehicle
A lock device for a vehicle includes a base plate provided with an entrance/retracting groove for receiving or retracting a striker and a latch pivotally supported on the base plate by a latch axis. The latch includes a lock groove engaging with or disengaging from the striker entering the entrance/retracting groove and rotatable between a lock release position allowing the striker entering into the entrance/retracting groove and a lock position for holding the striker in the entrance/retracting groove by the movement of the striker. A first biasing member is provided for biasing the latch in the rotational direction to the release position to bias the pawl in a rotational direction towards the release preventing position and a second biasing member is provided for biasing the rotation plate in a rotational direction towards the release position of the latch. |
| US08128127B2 |
Changing fluid flow direction
A piping elbow capable of facilitating a fluid flow direction change in a smaller space than conventional piping elbows, without causing the larger pressure losses found when using conventional elbows in the equivalent space. Piping elbows of the present invention comprise a substantially-cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a substantially-constant inside diameter; a tangential inlet attached to the body near the first end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body; and a tangential outlet attached to the body near the second end of the body and having an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the body. Fluid flows linearly through the tangential inlet and enters the body. Inside the body, linear motion of the fluid is converted into a rotational or spiral motion. The fluid in the body continues its spiral motion as it also moves axially through the body toward the tangential outlet. The fluid exits the body through the tangential outlet. Upon exiting through the tangential outlet, rotational or spiral motion of the fluid in the body is converted back into linear motion. The piping elbows can comprise two substantially-identical components attached to each other. The two substantially-identical components can be removably attached to each other and oriented at a selected degree relative to each other to effect a desired change in the direction of fluid flow. |
| US08128123B2 |
Inflator for an air-bag
An inflator for an airbag comprises a bottle (2) containing a pressurized oxidizable gas and a bottle (4) containing a pressurized oxidizing gas, the bottles being connected with a structure (12, 16) providing a chamber (14) that has an outlet, for example provided by a conduit (16), for connection with a vehicle airbag. The bottles have respective first discharge openings (18) and further discharge openings (18a) sealed by respective sealing foils. The inflator includes a first pyrotechnic squib (22) which when fired causes the sealing foils over the first openings (18) to rupture to allow the gases from bottles (2, 4) to pass into chamber (14) and then into the airbag, and also includes a further pyrotechnic squib (22a) which is fired some time after the squib (22) and causes the sealing foils over the further openings (18a) to boost the discharge of gases from the gas bottles. In this way, and by selecting the relative sizes of the first and further discharge openings (18,18a) the inflation rate of the air bag with respect to time can be fitted to a desired profile. |
| US08128122B2 |
Mounting structure of knee airbag device and electric power steering drive motor
A knee airbag device and a drive motor for an electric power steering device are mounted to a steering column so as to achieve improved mass balance about an instrument panel reinforcement member. A drive motor for an electric power steering device is mounted at a position at the vehicle front direction side with respect to an instrument panel reinforcement member, the opposite side to the side of a knee airbag device. Namely, the knee airbag device is mounted at the vehicle rear direction side with respect to the instrument panel reinforcement member, and the electric power steering device is mounted at the vehicle front direction side of the instrument panel reinforcement member. |
| US08128121B2 |
Steering column mounted knee airbag device
In a knee airbag device mounted on a steering column, an opening that provides a workspace when a wire harness connector that extends from the steering column is connected to a wiring connector provided at one end portion of an inflator is formed in a side wall of a lower cover (or column cover) opposite the connector of the inflator. By using the opening, the connector of the wire harness may be easily connected to the connector of the inflator, which is mounted transversely with respect to the axial direction of the steering column. The opening is closed by a lid. |
| US08128110B2 |
Suspension system providing two degrees of freedom
A combination of existing suspension designs is provided to suspend moving vehicles such as cars, trucks, planes, and snowmobiles and provide two degrees of freedom in the wheels or skis. The design combines a dive suspension with a roll suspension, including a locking linkage. The locking linkage locks out the roll suspension during dive, jounce, flight or two-wheel bump motion. Both the dive and roll suspensions are responsive during roll motion and one-wheel bump motion. |
| US08128109B2 |
Side movement propelled recreational device having extended rear support
A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user that includes a frame structure through which at least a front wheel is coupled to two direction biased rear wheels. The biased direction wheels include tilted caster and spring biased caster arrangements. The frame structure may have a rear support member or structure that extends between the two rear wheels. A user support platform of various configurations may be provided with the rear support member or structure. The scooter may have a three wheel configuration with the front wheel being larger than the rear two wheels. |
| US08128108B2 |
Skateboard bubble pipe
A novelty skateboard includes features common in skateboards and further includes an air passage and a cup for producing bubbles. The skateboard includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck is made from cross laminated layers of a wood material. The air passage is formed lengthwise through one or more of the layers in the center of the deck and reaches from one end of the deck to an opposite end of the deck, and may be formed by a hollow rectangular insert laminated into the deck. One of the trucks includes a bypass reaching from a base plate of the truck to the cup. The bypass may pass through a hollow kingpin of the truck, or through the hanger of the truck. |
| US08128106B2 |
Outboard motor carrier
An outboard motor carrier comprises a frame, a motor support structure to which an outboard motor may be attached, and upper and lower wheels. The lower wheels are rotatably attached to a lower region of the frame so as to support the carrier when it is tilted from an upright standing position. The upper wheels are rotatably attached to an upper region of the frame so as to facilitate loading the carrier onto a bed of a vehicle and to support the carrier when in a reclined position. The motor support structure is attached to a mid region of the frame and may comprise a transverse mounting board. The lower region of the frame may operate as a stand when the carrier is an upright standing position. The carrier is configured to hold an attached outboard motor in a semi-upright position when it is in its reclined position. |
| US08128104B2 |
Golf bag cart front wheel foldable device
A golf bag cart front wheel foldable device includes a fixed mount, a movable mount and a front wheel frame. The fixed mount has one end connected to the bottom tube of the cart frame and the other end provided with a fitted end. The fitted end is in pinned connection with a buckle at its one side. The movable mount is capable of being seized by the buckle and is joined fixedly to the fixed mount by a hinge. The movable mount has one end provided with a fitted end which is physically in harmony with the fixed mount. The front wheel frame has a top end connected fixedly to the movable mount, while its bottom end is joined to the front wheel. Through loosening of the buckle, the movable mount is not seized, which enables the movable mount and the front wheel frame to rotate with respect to the hinge, and the front wheel is then leveled for folding purposes, to achieve great handiness in maneuvering. |
| US08128103B1 |
Deployable side seat for a baby stroller
An optionally deployable side seat for a baby stroller, to seat a second child, is secured by hand-operated connectors to nearly any baby or child stroller, without tools. The side seat faces to the side of the stroller and has a deployed position in which two wheels mounted in tandem on the side seat frame contact the pavement. For stowing the side seat remains on the stroller, and two quick-release lockable joints, in the position of arms on the side seat, are released and raised upwardly, which folds the seat bottom up against the seat back and raises up a lower frame portion that supports the wheels. |
| US08128099B2 |
Gasket
A gasket may have at least one metallic layer with at least one combustion gas through-opening and at least one fastener through-opening. The fastener through-opening may be at least partially circumferentially bounded by a deformation limiter having a plurality of troughs and crests. All of the troughs and crests are substantially aligned with one another. |
| US08128098B2 |
Multi-layered gasket
A gasket is described having a middle layer, two metal layers and an uppermost and a lowermost layer. The middle layer may have an upper surface and a lower surface defining a first planar portion, a wave portion and a second planar portion. The metal layers sandwich the middle layer and are substantially planar. An uppermost active layer is located above the first intermediate layer. The uppermost active layer comprises a first planar portion, a first bead portion, and a second planar portion. The lowermost active layer is located below the second intermediate layer. The lowermost active layer also comprises a first planar portion, a first bead portion, and a second planar portion. |
| US08128088B2 |
Combined sheet buffer and inverter
Disclosed is a sheet buffering and inverting device having a sheet transport path and multiple sheet inverter paths extending upward and/or downward there from. Sheets being transported through the sheet transport path are selectively diverted into the sheet inverter paths, held, and subsequently fed back into the sheet transport path such that they are inverted. Optionally, an additional sheet transport path can branch off the sheet transport path upstream of the sheet inverter paths and can connect to the distal end of each of the sheet inverter paths to allow sheets to be buffered without being inverted. This device can be incorporated into a discrete module of a modular printing system to ensure sheets are properly merged and oriented after processing by multiple printing engines. Alternatively, it can be incorporated into a standalone printing system to ensure sheets are properly buffered and/or inverted prior to processing by a single printing engine. |
| US08128084B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, in which a trailing edge regulation portion is moved to a position according to a sheet contained in a cassette body to regulate a position of the sheet. A positioning lever is swingably provided to the trailing edge regulation portion to be engaged with a rack tooth row provided on the cassette body. The trailing edge regulation portion is held by the positioning lever at a regulation position according to the sheet. When a force in a sliding direction is applied to the trailing edge regulation portion, the trailing edge regulation portion is moved to be brought into pressure contact with the positioning lever, thereby regulating movement in an engagement releasing direction of the positioning lever engaged with the rack tooth row. |
| US08128083B2 |
Cash dispensing automated banking machine and method
An automated banking machine (10) includes a sheet picking mechanism (210). The sheet picking mechanism includes a rotatable picking member (212). With each rotation an end sheet (266) can be picked from a stack (264) of sheets. The picking member (212) has an outer surface section that includes a high friction portion (256) axially adjacent to a low friction portion (258). The low friction portion comprises an arcuate projecting portion that reduces risk of damage to a leading edge area of the end sheet due to opposed picking and stripping forces. |
| US08128081B2 |
Document feeding apparatus
A document feeding apparatus includes a document tray configured to receive a document placed thereon and to move up and down, a start key configured to issue a command to start a process accompanied by a document feeding of the feeding unit, and an operation key configured to be used to set a condition for the process. The document feeding apparatus is operable in a first mode or second mode, wherein the first mode the document tray is raised in response to an operation of the start key and in the second mode, the document tray is raised in response to an operation of the operation key. |
| US08128079B2 |
Web product folding and stacking machine, and web product folding and stacking method using the machine
A web product folding and stacking machine includes two folding line making rolls, two folding fingers, a first carrier unit, a stoppage unit and a holder. The folding line making rolls and the folding fingers are operated to fold up web products on a pad on the first carrier unit to form a stack of interfolded web products. When a stack of a predetermined number of interfolded web products is finished, the stoppage unit is extended out to have the finished stack of interfolded web products be carried with the holder and the stoppage unit to a predetermined location for delivery. Subject to the effect of the pad on the first carrier unit, web products are effectively folded up and stacked in a neat status. |
| US08128073B2 |
Method and apparatus to help promote contact of gas with vaporized material
Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule may having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer. |
| US08128069B2 |
System and method for humidifying homes and commercial sites
Various embodiments are described for humidifying an air stream in a duct are described. In one form the duct is part of a humidification system in a building such as a residence or commercial structure while in another form the duct is part of a standalone unit. The described embodiments use ultrasonic elements for generating a mist composed of droplets and fog and the fog is drawn or pushed by an air stream towards a duct. The duct utilizes a dispersal structure formed of one or a plurality of tubes with openings and distributed at least partly across the duct so that the air stream in the duct can entrain the fog and distribute this in manner whereby the fog can quickly dissipate and evaporate for humidification of the air stream. |
| US08128065B2 |
Lifting assist device
Disclosed herein is a device for lifting an article comprising a housing having an inner chamber, the housing having a leading edge region in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the leading edge region being arranged to engage an access region between an article and a support surface beneath the article, an elongate tubular member having a first open end region and a second closed end region, the first open end region being directly or indirectly in fluid tight relation with the leading edge region, the elongate tubular member having a first surface in fluid communication with the inner chamber and an opposite second surface, the housing being arranged to provide a retracted position in which the elongate tubular member is held relative to the leading edge region and responsive to an operative pressure within the inner chamber to unfurl beyond the leading edge region to cause the elongate tubular member to migrate along the access region with the second surface in contact with the article and the support surface and with minimal relative motion between the contacting surfaces of the elongate tubular member, the article and the support surface and toward a deployed position in which the tubular member extends a distance exceeding a lateral dimension of the article with opposed ends of the tubular member being available to be employed for lifting the article from the support surface. |
| US08128060B2 |
Non-sliding solenoid valve
A non-sliding solenoid valve has an armature supported by a spring for movement with no sliding contact with other valve surfaces. An inner perimeter of the spring is snapped into position adjacent to an inner perimeter reference surface on the armature. An outer perimeter of the spring engages a reference surface on a shell of the valve, and another reference surface spaced, from the spring reference surface, receives an outer perimeter of a seat for the valve. When the seat is positioned against its reference surface, this urges the inner and outer perimeters of the spring against respective reference surfaces and completes the assembly with assured accuracy. |
| US08128058B2 |
Flow control device
A flow control device in which a flapper is continuously biased to the closed position by a leaf spring that may have a plurality of fingers. The same valve includes a shutoff mechanism allowing the user to adjust forward flow through the valve or shut it off entirely. The leaf spring is made to include polyoxymethylene. |
| US08128056B2 |
Flow control valve
Provided is a flow control valve including: a valve body including a flow passage; a first poppet being fixed within the valve body, and including an inlet port through which a fluid flows in and an outflow hole through which the fluid flows out to the flow passage; a second poppet being fixed within the valve body, and including an outlet port through which the fluid flows out and an inflow hole through which the fluid flows in from the flow passage; a sleeve sliding along the first poppet to close the outflow hole and regulate an area thereof; and a spool being disposed between the first and second poppets to be slidable along the first and second poppets, being elastically supported by the second poppet, and sliding due to a pressure of the fluid flowing in the first poppet to close the inflow hole and regulate an area thereof. |
| US08128054B2 |
Support mechanism and portable electronic device using the same
A support mechanism for a portable electronic device comprises two legs and a support bracket. The legs are retractably received in the portable electronic device. When the legs are withdrawn from the portable electronic device, the contact shoulder provides linear contact of the portable electronic device on a surface. |
| US08128049B2 |
Resilient mounting system with tilt capabilities
A mounting system for providing resilient mounting of a display device at a defined tilt angle. A surface mounting bracket configured to be attached to a mounting surface includes an engagement member and an engagement lip which are in communication with at least one engagement feature disposed on a display device bracket configured to be attached to a display device such as a flat panel television. The engagement feature, engagement lip, and engagement member are configured such that communication among these features results in an assembly that is resilient to inadvertent physical contact with the display device. The display device bracket is tiltable with respect to the surface mounting bracket, providing a defined tilt angle of the display device. Provision of a plurality of engagement features disposed on the display device bracket offers alternative assembly configurations, each capable of having defined tilt angles. |
| US08128045B2 |
Beverage holder device
An improved beverage holding device that may be utilized by an individual on a recreational vehicle is provided. The improved beverage holding device may have a plurality of beverage holders whereby the beverage holders may be adaptable to hold a plurality of different sized beverage containers. Moreover, the improved beverage holder may be removably attached to the handlebars and/or external portion of a recreational vehicle to hold the beverages during use of the recreational vehicle. The device may utilize a plurality of mounting brackets that attach to a recreational vehicle and have an adjustable stem on the bracket to allow for movement of the entire assembly about the mounting bracket. |
| US08128044B2 |
System for mounting a photovoltaic module to a surface
A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object is provided. The system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object, according to the present invention, includes an apparatus and method useful for removably and adjustably mounting one or more photovoltaic modules on an object such as a pole or roof, and includes one or more triple track rails. Also included are one or more connector brackets that are demountably attachable to the one or more triple track rails and to the object. |
| US08128043B2 |
Hanging device for displaying merchandise
The hanging device includes a plug-in sleeve (1), which is held in a through-hole (502) in a supporting structure (5), and a supporting arm (2) which can be inserted into the plug-in sleeve. The plug-in sleeve (1) has a sleeve piece with a front inlet into a channel, a first arresting contour (1150) which borders the channel, and a flange (10) which extends from the sleeve piece. The supporting arm (2) is fitted with a plug-in section (21) and has a first mating contour (23) which interacts with the first arresting contour (1150). A front end (22) is situated opposite the plug-in section (21). The first arresting contour (1150) is situated at a distance from the inlet into the channel. The first mating contour (23) on the plug-in section (21) is situated on the upper face with an offset in relation to the plug-in end (20). |
| US08128042B1 |
Sucker assembly having a better attachment effect
A sucker assembly includes a sucker, a pull bar secured on the sucker, a pressing member mounted on the pull bar and pressing the sucker, an elastic member mounted on the pull bar and biased between the sucker and the pressing member, a control handle pivotally mounted on the pressing member, and a pivot shaft extending through the control handle, the pressing member and the pull bar. The pressing member has a periphery provided with a mounting seat which has a fixing recess to receive a hanging rod of a support rack and to abut a surface. Thus, the hanging rod of the support rack is locked onto the surface by the fixing recess of the mounting seat so that the support rack contacts with the surface exactly and closely. |
| US08128040B2 |
Method and device for inserting a food stuff into a pliable bag
A method and device of inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag is disclosed, with the method involving providing a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support that is generally “U” shaped when viewed from its operative position on a countertop, inserting at least a first end of the device a short depth into an opening of a pliable bag, such first end having an edge that is curved and opposing sides that are substantially straight. A bending mechanism bends so that at least the first end deforms from a first configuration to a second configuration for insertion of the first end through the bag opening and into an interior of the bag, wherein when the forces are reduced, the first end changes shape toward the first configuration for holding a portion of the bag and for providing an open volume within the bag for transferring a food stuff to the interior of the bag. |
| US08128033B2 |
System and process of vector propulsion with independent control of three translation and three rotation axis
The present invention relates to a propulsion system of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft or vehicle moving in any fluid or vacuum and more particularly to a vector control system of the vehicle propulsion thrust allowing an independent displacement with six degrees of freedom, three degrees of translation in relation to its centre of mass and three degrees of rotation in relation to its centre of mass. The aircraft displacement ability using the propulsion system of the present invention depends on two main thrusters or propellers and which can be tilted around pitch is (I) by means of tilting mechanisms and, used to perform a forward or backward movement, can be tilted around roll axis (X) by means of tilting mechanisms and, used to perform lateral movements to the right or to the left and to perform upward or downward movements (Z), the main thrusters being further used to perform rotations around the vehicle yaw axis (Z) and around the roll is (X). The locomotion function also uses one or two auxiliary thrusters or propellers and mainly used to control the rotation around the pitch axis, these thrusters or propellers and being fixed at or near the longitudinal is of the vehicle, with there thrust perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the roll and pitch axis of the vehicle. |
| US08128032B2 |
Aircraft wing including a plurality of dismountable members
The invention relates to an aircraft wing including two members removably connected end to end by a coupling including: a male coupling part with spaced opposed upper and lower faces, a first face being planar while the second face has a longitudinal relief (9) with a V-shaped section, the first and second faces being mutually included towards each other at their free ends; a female coupling part with spaced upper and lower faces facing each other, a first face being planar while the second face has a longitudinal relief with a V-shaped section complementary to that of the relief, and the first and second faces being mutually inclined away from each other at their free ends; and a fastener for retaining the two parts coupled with their respective interacting faces in a mutual bearing relation. |
| US08128027B2 |
Plug-n-play power system for an accessory in an aircraft
A power system for an aircraft. The power system comprises a power module unit and at least one mounting rail detachably coupled to the power module unit. The mounting rail provides structural support and electrical power to the power module unit. A power system in one embodiment may use mounting rails that double as power rails supplying power to the power module unit. Control is accomplished over a wireless link. The power rail control may be accomplished remotely via a standard or solid state relay. Normal rail power for the rail mounted power module may come from the utility bus. |
| US08128025B2 |
Providing skins for aircraft fuselages
An aircraft including a space frame fuselage structure. A plurality of panels are connected with the structure and configured to form a skin over the structure. The panels are movable relative to one another so as to prevent loading of the structure from inducing loading in the skin. |
| US08128024B2 |
Structure of a pneumatic installation in a tail zone of an aircraft
A structure of a pneumatic installation in a tail zone of an aircraft includes an auxiliary power unit (1) for supply of pneumatic and electrical power, whose pneumatic power outlet is linked to a duct (2) which conventionally incorporates bends (7) and compensation elements (6) for thermal expansion and for compensation of the vibrations produced by the APU (1) in its functioning. The power outlet of the APU (1) is arranged in its front part in which is connected the duct consisting of a straight pipe (2a) inclined downwards toward the lower part of the aircraft in which compensation elements (6) for thermal expansion and for compensation of vibrations are inserted in order to reduce the length of the duct (2) and eliminate the bends, so that the pressure losses are considerably reduced. |
| US08128022B2 |
Device to handle and lock a cover of an aircraft nacelle
The object of the invention is an aircraft nacelle that comprises, on the inside, an inside pipe (56) that empties out toward the front at an air intake (58), and, on the outside, an aerodynamic wall that extends from the air intake (58) up to the rear end of the nacelle, and a hood (62) that comprises said air intake (58) as well as a cylindrical wall (64) that forms at least one portion of the aerodynamic surface of the outside of the nacelle, whereby said hood (62) can move translationally relative to a stationary part of the nacelle toward the front along slides (72), each slide (72) comprising a guide element (74) that is connected to the hood (or to the stationary part of the nacelle), whereby said guide element (74) can slide into a pipe (78) that is connected to the stationary part of the nacelle (or to a hood) and has a section that is above the section of the guide element (74) so as to allow the hood (62) to rotate in order to immobilize it in the closed position. |
| US08128019B2 |
Hybrid power for ducted fan unmanned aerial systems
A propulsion system for a vertical take-off and landing ducted fan aerial vehicle is provided, the propulsion system comprising an internal combustion engine, an electric motor that comprises a motor generator, a motor drive and a battery. The motor drive and battery are integrated into the aerial vehicle and provide power to the ducted fan aerial vehicle. The electric motor may comprise a ring motor generator. In operation, this dual propulsion system serves as a weight-efficient option to allow for two sources of power on a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle. |
| US08128017B2 |
Released motion winding machine for thermoplastic fibres
A winding machine including a frame. The frame includes at least one spindle configured to support at least one cake, the spindle being movable in rotation about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the diameter of the cake, and at least one positioning and guidance device configured to position and guide at least one thread on the rotating spindle. The spindle is mounted so as to be movable linearly along the first axis of rotation. |
| US08128016B2 |
Torsion bar support structure of seat belt retractor
Provided is a torsion bar support structure of a seat belt retractor capable of smoothly rotating a rotary torsion bar and preventing deformation of the torsion bar due to moment applied to the torsion bar by coupling support members to both ends of the torsion bar. The torsion bar support structure of a seat belt retractor includes a housing constituting a main body of the seat belt retractor, a guide drum rotatably coupled to the housing, a torsion bar inserted into the guide drum, a base member fixed to one side of the housing, a locking member fixed to the other side of the housing, and a cylinder accommodating a piston therein to rotate a gear member fixed to the base member, the structure including: a bearing member coupled to the gear member, and a cap surrounding a cover fixing shaft projecting from the locking member, wherein the bearing member and the cap rotatably support the torsion bar when rotation moment is applied in a circumferential direction and an axial direction of the torsion bar.Since a torsion bar is rotatably supported by a bearing member and a cap, the torsion bar can be smoothly rotated by moment applied in an axial direction thereof. In addition, even though axial moment is applied, it is possible to prevent position variation and deformation of the torsion bar. Further, contact resistance between a connector and a projection can be reduced when the torsion bar is rotated, and thus the torsion bar can be smoothly rotated. |
| US08128012B2 |
Apparatus for reclamation of molding sand
An apparatus for the reclamation of molding sand by which the quality of the reclaimed molding sand is enhanced. The apparatus for reclamation of molding sand includes a part for feeding the molding sand 1, which part has a sand falling port at its bottom, a rotary drum 2 disposed below the part for feeding the molding sand 1 and being rotatable horizontally, a motor driving means 4 for rotating the rotary drum 2 by an electric motor 3, a roller 5 disposed in the rotary drum 2 and spaced apart therefrom, and a cylinder 6 connected to the roller 5 that presses the roller 5 toward the rotary drum 2. It further includes a flow detector for the sand A disposed at the sand falling port of the part for feeding the molding sand and for detecting the flow of the sand fed into the rotary drum; a current detector B for detecting the current of the motor driving means; a pressure controller C for controlling the pressure of the cylinder; and a controller D for controlling the force of the cylinder 6 that is pressing the roller 5 based on the flow of the sand detected by the flow detector for the sand A. |
| US08128005B2 |
Fuel injector
The invention relates to a fuel injector comprising an injector housing having a pressure chamber from which fuel subjected to a high pressure is injected into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine when the pressure in a control chamber expands into a pressure relief chamber by a control valve device. The aim of the invention is to create a fuel injector which has a long service life even though subjected to high pressures. To this end, the injector includes a low-pressure supply line which is connected to a low-pressure return line by a purge path extending through the pressure relief chamber. |
| US08128000B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for manufacturing a radio frequency identification device
A method, system and apparatus for manufacturing radio frequency identification (RFID) devices. An RFID device can be formed with a substrate, a conductor and a laminate or coating. The RFID device can be such that an antenna can be formed on the conductor and the laminate can be applied to insulate or protect the antenna. |
| US08127997B2 |
Method for mounting an electronic component on a substrate
This invention proposes a manufacturing process for a transponder in the form of a card or a label able to resist to flexions or twisting without interrupting the connections of the electronic components. The process of assembling at least one electronic component including sensibly flat conductive areas that are connected to conductive tracks placed on the surface of a generally flat substrate comprises the steps of placing the substrate on a work surface, the face including conductive tracks being oriented upwards, placing the electronic component into a cavity of the substrate situated in a zone including the conductive tracks, the conductive areas of the component coming into contact with the corresponding tracks of the substrate and applying a layer of insulating material which extends at once on the electronic component and at least on a substrate zone surrounding said component. This process implies that the contact between the conductive areas of the electronic component and the conductive tracks of the substrate realizes an electric connection ensured by the pressure of application of the insulating material layer on the electronic component. |
| US08127996B1 |
Customizable portable identification and memory device
A customizable, portable identification and memory device includes a housing having a front sleeve housing member with a sleeve that receives a slideable printable card member and an electronic memory device, such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, pivoted to the housing that is rotatable between a stored position of the memory device within a recess of the housing and one or more deployed positions of the memory device, for example, at 90 degrees and 180 degrees, in which a connector portion of the memory device is exposed for connection to a port of a computing device. The slideable printable card member can be imprinted with text and/or graphics, such as personal identification information and/or insurance information for a user and/or can be imprinted with allergies, medications, and emergency contact information for the user, and the memory device can store voluminous information, such as a personal health record (PHR) for a user. |
| US08127994B2 |
Contactless sensing device
An improved contactless sensing device comprises a cover plate, a case, a base, a light-guiding module, a printed circuit board, and two lateral plates. When the sensing device senses a credit card containing a specific tag, a plurality of second light-emitting elements on the two lateral plates emit light of specific colors. The light is displayed on a light-permeable sensing element of the cover plate through the light-guiding module and a second opening of the housing. |
| US08127993B2 |
Reflection type encoder, scale thereof and method for producing scale
A reflection type encoder, which receives a plurality of light-receiving signals from a single scale, includes a light source, a scale having a plurality of patterns formed thereon to which light is irradiated from the light source, and a light-receiving element for receiving light reflected from each of the plurality of patterns, wherein a plurality of patterns each having different thicknesses are formed on a single track of the scale by using a dielectric substance, light of a plurality of wavelengths each having different brightnesses in accordance with differences in the thickness of the dielectric substance is irradiated from the light source, and a light-receiving signal is obtained for the respective thicknesses of the dielectric substance. Therefore, the scale can be downsized by overlapping a plurality of patterns on the same track. |
| US08127992B2 |
Optical reading device with programmable LED control
An apparatus comprising: a sensor array having rows of pixels which are exposed to symbol indicia, wherein the sensor array generates a sync signal; an aiming pattern generator for producing an aiming pattern superimposed on the symbol indicia; a processor which utilizes the sync signal to control the aiming pattern generator to: turn on the aiming pattern during exposure of a first predetermined row of pixels; turn off the aiming pattern during exposure of a second predetermined row of pixels; turn on the aiming pattern during exposure of a third predetermined row of pixels; and, a housing for housing the sensor array, aiming pattern generator and processor for hand held operation. |
| US08127985B1 |
Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records. The machine operates to carry out financial transactions for authorized users responsive to data corresponding to financial accounts included on user cards. The banking machine includes a housing bounding an interior area, and an opening into the interior area. The machine includes a card reader, a display, and a cash dispenser. The machine further includes at least one module moveable between an operative position within the housing and a service position. A plurality of position sensors is operative to sense disposed portions of the module and at least one indicator is operative to provide a visual output indicative that the module is in the operative position. |
| US08127980B2 |
Carton with interlocking divider
A package comprises a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton. |
| US08127979B1 |
Electrolytic depositon and via filling in coreless substrate processing
Electronic assemblies including coreless substrates and their manufacture using electrolytic plating, are described. One method includes providing a core comprising a metal, and forming a dielectric material on the core. The method also includes forming vias in the dielectric material, the vias positioned to expose metal regions. The method also performing an electrolytic plating of metal into the vias and on the metal regions, wherein the core is electrically coupled to a power supply during the electrolytic plating of metal into the vias and delivers current to the metal regions. The method also includes removing the metal core after the electrolytic plating of metal into the vias. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08127978B2 |
Swelling packer and method of construction
A swelling element packer is made with internal rings that are either split or scrolled. After the swelling element is built on a temporary mandrel a longitudinal seam of a variety of designs is cut through the element. This allows the rapid deployment of the element on the tubular that will be a part of a string and will serve as the final mandrel. The assembly is then magnetic pulse welded or crimped so as to urge the open ends of the rings to move toward each other and become secured to each other and further opening the possibility of attaching parts on the ring itself to the underlying tubular by displacing or otherwise removing the swelling material that was between the ring and the final mandrel when the magnetic pulse process began. The rings can be embedded wholly within the element or can extend beyond the opposed ends or combinations of the two. |
| US08127973B2 |
Multi-channel perforated ticket separation mechanism
A multi-channel separation mechanism assembly for a lottery or other ticket dispensing machine includes a separate detachable feed mechanism associated with each separate feed channel, such that the feed mechanism for a single channel can be removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly. Each such detachable feed mechanism includes a compact transmission wherein drive is efficiently transferred from a vertically-oriented feed motor to horizontally-oriented feed rollers. Each feed channel is additionally equipped with a bidirectional mechanical flag which triggers an optical sensor to detect presence of a ticket strip in the channel while still allowing appropriate reverse motion of the ticket strip within the associated channel. |
| US08127972B2 |
Pouring nozzle, pushing device for a pouring nozzle and casting installation
A pouring nozzle for a device for nozzle insertion and/or removal has a shape that is adapted so as to better resist the stresses imposed by their use and notably the stresses linked to the maintenance of the nozzle in the device. The pouring nozzle is provided with two exposed bearing faces forming with the pouring channel an angle β of 20° to 80°. A pushing device applies thrust force to the nozzle. A casting installation embodies the nozzle and the pushing device. |
| US08127971B1 |
Frosting dispenser with removable and washable cartridge assembly and cartridge assembly filling disk and filling method
A dispenser system for flowable material includes several interchangeable cartridge assemblies for retaining flowable material, each cartridge assembly including a dispensing piston sealingly and slidably retained within a cylinder, the cylinder having a distal cylinder dispensing end to which a material passing attachment can be sealingly mounted and having a proximal cylinder mounting end, and the piston including a piston head for creating the slidable seal within the cylinder and a piston drive mechanism connected to the piston; a drive structure for engaging and mounting the cartridge assembly and for progressively driving the flowable material out of the cartridge assembly and onto a target surface, the drive structure including a cartridge assembly engagement structure and having a piston drive mechanism which drivably and releasibly engages the piston drive mechanism upon fitting the cylinder to the engagement structure. |
| US08127970B2 |
Condiment bottle
A bottle formed of a food-grade plastic material, such as clear polyethylene terephthalate, may include a frustoconical neck portion, a shoulder region, a base region, and a sidewall portion have opposed grip-enhancing surfaces, and elastically deformable pressure panels. A cap for the container may include a valve to control product leakage, and may be sized to allow inversion of the bottle. A generally trapezoidal tab of the cap may be moveable between a closed position covering a cap orifice and an open position outside the plane of the cap. |
| US08127969B2 |
Dual dispenser, supply unit, and method
A dual dispenser for dispensing both air freshener and soap. A method of facilitating replacement of a supply of air freshener every time a supply of soap is replaced, including the steps of providing a supply of air freshener, providing a supply of soap and joining the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener. A method of packaging a supply unit including providing a supply of soap and a supply of air freshener and connecting the supply of soap and the supply of air freshener in a manner such that when the supply of soap is removed from a dispenser, the supply of air freshener is removed from the dispenser as well. A supply unit for the dual dispenser including a receptacle, a supply of soap within the receptacle, and a supply of air freshener connected to or secured within the receptacle. |
| US08127966B2 |
Beverage dispensing system with a head capable of dispensing plural different beverages
A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening. |
| US08127964B2 |
Container apparatus
In certain embodiments, a container comprises a cylindrical fabric piece having first and second ends, a top cylindrical band attached to the fabric piece at or near the first end, and a bottom cylindrical band attached to the fabric piece at or near the second end. The container also includes a cylindrical body member having top and bottom circular ends. The bottom band is frictionally and concentrically positioned alongside the inner surface of the body member near the bottom end, the top band is frictionally and concentrically positioned alongside the inner surface of the body member near the top end, and the fabric piece extends along and covers the outer surface of the cylindrical body member. |
| US08127963B2 |
Liquid container system for a spray gun
A liquid container system for a spray gun. The container system includes an outer cup, a collapsible liner for holding a liquid to be sprayed, and a lid for closing the liner. A mounting ring may be used in the cup to make locking engagement with the lid. A lip at the open end of the liner is supported by the mounting ring. A removable lid with a liquid outlet is inserted into the mounting ring, clamping the liner lip to the mounting ring and providing for leak-free operation of the system. Alternatively, the lid may include a cylindrical portion for making sealing engagement with the open end of the liner and projection threads for locking the cup. An adapter connects the liquid outlet of the lid to the spray gun. A collar may facilitate locking engagement of the adapter with the lid. |
| US08127961B2 |
Double ribbed secure container
A container comprising a base (12) and lid (14) each formed of sheet plastic, wherein after food is loaded into a base cavity (20) and the lid is closed, the lid resists opening. To open the lid, a move-away tab (64) lying along the base rim portion (30) is moved by tearing along at least one line (70) so a lid rim part (50) is exposed and can be grasped to lift the lid. The base has an outer raised rib (32) that blocks access to the lid rim part until the tab, which lies between two gaps (62, 63) in the outer rib, is moved out of the way. The base also has an inner raised rib (34) that projects into a groove (46) in the lid to form a seal. |
| US08127958B2 |
Fitting for beverage container
The present invention provides a fitting for a beverage container capable of completely preventing foreign matter, dirty water and so on from entering by eliminating a gap between a ferrule and an attachment member, and enabling a reduction in maintenance operations. The fitting for a beverage container comprises a ferrule of a beverage container in which a valve seat portion and an attachment portion are provided integrally, a down tube supported by the attachment portion, a gas valve fitted onto an upper end portion of the down tube, and a beverage valve provided in the interior of the upper end portion of the down tube. The gas valve is constituted by a metallic core metal 31a and a valve member having increased flexibility, and a plan outer peripheral shape of the core metal comprises a constant diameter portion 311 having a constant diameter and a small diameter portion 312a having a smaller diameter than the constant diameter portion. The plan outer peripheral shape forms a graphic that is symmetrical to both a first straight line A passing through the center of the core metal and the constant diameter portion, and a second straight line B that intersects the first straight line in the center. The gas valve is capable of passing through a central hole in the valve seat portion when tilted but incapable of passing through the central hole in the valve seat portion when horizontal, and can be replaced through the central hole in the valve seat portion. |
| US08127955B2 |
Container structure for removal of vacuum pressure
A container has a longitudinal axis, and comprises an upper portion including an opening into the container, a sidewall portion extending from the upper portion to a lower portion, the lower portion including a base, and a pressure panel located in the lower portion substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis, the pressure panel being movable substantially along the longitudinal axis between an initial position and an inverted position to compensate for a change of pressure induced within the container. The pressure panel comprises an initiator portion and a control portion, the initiator portion adapted to move in response to the change of pressure prior to the control portion. |
| US08127954B2 |
Closure with hinged lid for bottles and the like with an automatic lid opening system
Closure with hinged lid for bottles and the like with an automatic lid opening system. The closure includes an elastic element made from elastomer material that exerts a spring-back force on the lid towards its open position, and an anchoring member between the main body of the closure and the lid. The elastic element has an extendible section defined between a first joining area to a main body and a second joining area to the lid. The main body includes a projection that defines a seating surface positioned externally with respect to a hinge joint of the lid. The extendible section extends freely opposite the seating surface and rests on the seating surface in the hinged position of the lid. |
| US08127952B2 |
Model train coupler with linear actuator
A model train coupler which can be opened using a remote signal. The coupler design includes an upper arm and a lower arm, both of which pivot around a common axis. The two arms are mounted in a coupler box which is attached to a piece of rolling stock. One of the arms includes a knuckle located outside the coupler box. The other arm includes a latch positioned to open and close against the knuckle. A linear actuator links the two arms together. When an electrical current is applied to the linear actuator, the latch is rotated away from the knuckle, thereby opening the coupler. |
| US08127950B2 |
Independently powered trolleys
A trolley control system for a gantry crane having a multiple trolley arrangement such as a first and second trolley. The control system including a trolley beam connected to the gantry crane with a first and second drive device connected to the trolley beam. The first drive device is powered by a first drive system while the second drive device can be powered by either the first drive system or the second drive system. A first trolley is connected to the first drive device while a second trolley is connected to the second drive device. |
| US08127949B2 |
Crane backstay spreader
A backstay spreader attachable between a pair of backstay sections on a crane includes first and second members each having a backstay section connector at a first end and a pivoting joint connector at a second end, the pivoting joint connectors being used to hold the first and second members together with a pivotal connection and each having an extending portion extending away from the pivotal connection, with an angle between the extending portions. The backstay spreader also includes an actuator mounted between the pivoting joint connectors. The actuator controls the angle between the extending portions of the two pivoting joint connectors, which defines an angle between the first and second members. When the actuator forces the two extending portions towards each other, the first and second members pivot around the pivotal connection to force the first and second backstay sections further apart from one another, and when the actuator allows the two extending portions to pivot away from each other, the first and second members pivot towards each other, allowing the backstay sections to come closer together. |
| US08127947B2 |
Garment secure transport bar
A garment secure transport bar for supporting garment hangers on a garment transport cart. A rotating outer bar with a parallel securing bar rotates about an inner support bar. The inner support bar is fixed between two mounting brackets that attach to the top of a garment transport cart. Hangers can be hung on the bar and the securing bar rotated to secure the hangers in place and prevent them from bouncing off the cart. In an alternate embodiment, the transport bar is adjustable in length, so as to be capable of supporting garments on a variety of different size transport carts. |
| US08127943B2 |
Cigarette display system
A cigarette display system 1000 can link a plurality of frame units 300 in a vertical direction, and each of the frame units 300 can hold a plurality of tray units 200 in an arrangement in which the tray units 200 are separated apart in the vertical direction. Each of the tray units 200 can hold a plurality of magazine units 100 arranged in a lateral direction, and each of the magazine units 100 can hold a plurality of cigarette packs T arranged in a direction from front to back. Because of this, it is possible to freely change a layout in which the cigarette packs T are arranged and displayed in the vertical and lateral directions so that cigarette cartons K or the like having a shape which cannot be accommodated in the magazine unit 100 can be displayed as well. As described above, the present invention provides the cigarette display system 1000 having a structure in which the layout of the cigarette packs T to be displayed or the like can be changed in various forms. |
| US08127936B2 |
High performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes
In the present invention high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes and methods for making and using these membranes have been developed. The cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes are prepared by: 1) first synthesizing polyimide polymers comprising pendent functional groups (e.g., —OH or —SH) ortho to the heterocyclic imide nitrogen and cross-linkable functional groups in the polymer backbone; 2) fabricating polyimide membranes from these polymers; 3) converting the polyimide membranes to polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole membranes by heating under inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or vacuum; and 4) finally converting the membranes to high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole membranes by a crosslinking treatment, preferably UV radiation. The membranes can be fabricated into any convenient geometry. The high performance cross-linked polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole polymer membranes of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations. |
| US08127933B2 |
Systems and methods for sorting recyclables at a material recovery facility
Systems and methods for providing a quantity of cullet having at least two colors of glass from an input stream of recyclable material and non-recyclable material. In an embodiment, the system includes a sortation station, a screening apparatus, an air classifier, and a crushing apparatus to provide as output substantially pure cullet having at least two colors. |
| US08127932B2 |
Screen module for vibratory screening apparatus
The invention provides a screen module for use on vibratory screening apparatus. The screen module includes: a panel frame having opposed side portions joined by opposed end portions, the end portions being configured for locating the panel frame between spaced panel support rails of the vibratory screening apparatus; at least one intermediate portion extending between the opposed side portions and/or opposed end portions and dividing the panel frame into panel portions; the side portions and said at least one intermediate portion having engagement formations provided on upper surfaces thereof that, together with engagement formations provided on each of the panel support rails of the vibratory screening apparatus, in use, form peripheral panel engagement formations about the panel portions; and at least one pair of screen panels, said screen panels overlying respective panel portions of the panel frame and including complementary engagement formations on an underside periphery thereof for engagement with the peripheral panel engagement formations, defined by the engagement formations of the panel frame and panel support rails. |
| US08127931B2 |
Apparatus for removing unburned carbon in fly ash
Unburned carbon is efficiently separated according to the properties of fly ash. An apparatus is provided which comprises: a slurry preparation tank (10) in which water (c) is added to fly ash (a) to produce a slurry (d); a scavenger addition device (20) for adding a scavenger (e) to the slurry (d); a vertical surface-modification device (30) in which the slurry after addition of the scavenger is stirred at a high speed to impart shear force thereto and thereby cause the scavenger (e) to adhere to the surface of unburned carbon (b) contained in the slurry; a regulating tank (60) in which a blowing agent (f) is added to the slurry (d′) which has undergone surface modification with the surface modification device; and a flotation machine (70) with which the unburned carbon (b) is floated together with bubbles (n) and separated from the slurry containing the blowing agent. |
| US08127923B2 |
Container for welding wire
A container for accommodating a welding wire coil has a metal frame which defines an accommodation space for the welding wire coil. The metal frame has a bottom portion on which the welding wire coil is to be placed, and a side structure intended to laterally support the welding wire coil. The bottom portion of the metal frame is formed from four metal bars arranged so as to form a grid, and the side structure of the metal frame is formed by eight metal tubes, each of which is connected to one of the ends of the metal bars. The container further has a cardboard wall structure covering the outside of the side structure of the metal frame and having an octagonal shape in cross-section, and a cardboard floor structure covering the outside of the bottom portion of the metal frame. Furthermore, supporting feet are provided which are bolted to the metal frame and which clamp the cardboard floor structure to the bottom portion of the metal frame. |
| US08127922B2 |
Catheter receptacle provided with an antimicrobial compound
A catheter assembly (110, 210) comprising a catheter (130, 230) and a receptacle (120, 220) is disclosed. The receptacle is arranged to accommodate at least part of said catheter and having at least one opening (123) for withdrawal of said catheter. Further, the receptacle is provided with an antimicrobial compound (301) at least in the vicinity of the opening and at least on the outer surface of the receptacle, said antimicrobial compound inhibiting microbes from being transferred to said catheter while being withdrawn through said at least one opening. |
| US08127920B2 |
Greeting card packaging and frame box structures
Greeting card package constructs and containers for the retail packaging and sale of sets of greeting cards with envelopes, including a frame box structure configured to hold a plurality or set of greeting cards and having openings in front and back panels to make at least two or more pages of a greeting card in the package visible, and substantially reducing total material requirements for the package. The package structure includes four sides and four back flanges to hold the greeting cards in place. One embodiment of the disclosure is capable of holding one set of identical greeting cards. Another embodiment is capable of holding two side-by-side sets of separate identical greeting cards. The package is wrapped in cellophane to preserve both the front and inside views of the greeting card. |
| US08127916B2 |
Conveyor apparatus for shock-sensitive products
A conveyor and associated method for shock-sensitive products and the like, includes a conveyor member having at least one individual compartment for receiving a product therein, as well as upward and downward conveyor sections. An upper conveyor deflector deflects the conveyor member from the upward to the downward section. The compartment includes a first support surface configured for supporting the product in the upwardly directed conveyor section, as well as a second support surface configured for supporting the product in a downwardly directed conveyor section. The compartment also includes a bottom surface that supports the product during movement of the conveyor member over the upper conveyor deflector. The bottom surface has a curved shape, so that when passing over the upper deflector, the product deposited in the compartment is guided smoothly and gently along the bottom surface from the first support surface to the second support surface, such that critically damaging shock forces to the product are avoided. |
| US08127914B2 |
Change replenishment management system and coin roll storage
The change replenishment management system includes a coin roll storage (1), a coin change dispenser (3), and a POS register (5). A control unit (16) of the storage (1) detects the presence and the denomination of a coin roll in a storage section of each drawer (11, 12, 13) in accordance with an output signal generated from a detection system (18), and transmits the result of detection to the coin change dispenser (3). When loose coins obtained by unpacking removed coin rolls, which are removed from the storage (1), are introduced into an inlet (30), a control unit (36 or 50) of the change dispenser (3) or register (5) compares the denomination and the number of the loose coins, which are detected by identification unit (31), with the denomination and the number of the removed coin roll determined on the basis of the detection result transmitted from the storage (1), and judging the correspondence therebetween. |
| US08127913B2 |
Transportation state evaluation method for a recording media processing device
Transportation state evaluation methods, transportation state evaluation programs, and recording media processing devices are provided. In one embodiment, a check processing device has an insertion direction evaluation means that determines if an orientation of a check is correct or not based on a detection signal from a magnetic head, a multifeed detector and multifeed evaluation means that detect multifeeding, an enable/disable control means that enables or disables the insertion direction evaluation and multifeed detection operations of the insertion direction evaluation means and multifeed evaluation means, and a control means that unconditionally enables multifeed detection when only the insertion direction evaluation is enabled. Multifeed detection is always enabled when insertion direction evaluation is enabled because the insertion direction evaluation means can return a detection error when multifeeding occurs. By disabling the insertion direction evaluation when multifeeding occurs, situations in which the insertion direction is determined incorrectly are eliminated. |
| US08127912B2 |
Feedback torque limiter
A feedback torque limiter device for an actuator having an input shaft, output shaft and gear reduction for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft comprises an output torque sensor, and input torque limiter and a feedback mechanism. The output torque sensor senses actuator output torque downstream from an actuator gear reduction. The input torque limiter grounds additional torque from the input shaft when engaged. The feedback mechanism engages the input torque limiter when the output torque sensed by the output torque sensor reaches a predetermined value. |
| US08127909B2 |
Normally closed hub assembly for bicycle
A hub assembly for a bicycle includes a shaft (12), a hub body (40), a driven ring (43), a drive seat (10), a rotation ring (20), a plurality of pawl members (22), a plurality of push balls (23), a mounting sleeve (32), a damping ring (30), and a plurality of tension adjusting mechanisms (37). Thus, each of the pawl members is driven by each of the push balls in a rolling manner so that each of the pawl members is moved smoothly and stably without incurring sliding friction, thereby facilitating operation of the drive seat. In addition, each of the tension adjusting mechanisms is used to adjust the damping force of the damping ring, so that the damping force of the damping ring is distributed evenly. |
| US08127908B2 |
Polycone clutch with roller ramp actuator
A torque transfer mechanism includes a friction clutch having first and second outer rings positioned on opposite sides of a center ring having conically shaped friction surfaces. The outer rings each include a plurality of conically shaped friction surfaces selectively engageable with the center ring friction surfaces. A clutch actuator includes a roller clutch having a first set of cam surfaces adapted to be fixed for rotation with a rotary input member, a slipper having a second set of cam surfaces, a plurality of rollers positioned between opposing pairs of the cam surfaces, a first wedge slide and a second wedge slide. Each wedge slide is radially outwardly moveable by radial expansion of the slipper and includes a tapered surface for driving one of the first and second outer rings into engagement with the center ring to transfer torque between the input and output members. |
| US08127906B2 |
Clutch drive device and vehicle equipped with the same
A clutch drive device includes an actuator for generating a drive force for driving a clutch, a first solid of revolution, a mechanism for transmitting the drive force of the actuator to the clutch, and an assist spring unit having one end pivotally supported and another end abutting on the solid of revolution. An abutment structure in which the first solid of revolution abuts on the assist spring unit is configured so that an urging force of the assist spring does not act in a direction of rotating the first solid of revolution at least at one position in a play area in which the clutch is not disengaged even if the first solid of revolution rotates. |
| US08127905B2 |
Series damper with hysteresis in one damper
A series damper, including: a first damper with a flange and a cover plate; and a second damper with first and second cover plates and a flange. The flange and the cover plate for the first damper are rotationally frictionally engaged and the flange for the second damper rotates free of frictional engagement with the first and second cover plates. The series damper includes a resilient element arranged to cause the frictional engagement of the flange and the cover plate for the first damper. In some aspects, the resilient element is frictionally engaged with the cover plate for the first damper and is arranged to frictionally engage a turbine hub for a torque converter. In some aspects, the resilient element is rotationally connected to the flange for the first damper. In some aspects, the flange for the first damper includes the second cover plate for the second damper. |
| US08127903B2 |
Integral light weight spring brake actuator and mount
An improved integral spring brake actuator and mount is provided in which a portion of the spring brake actuator is integrally formed with a connecting flange and a brake cam shaft support tube. The improved integral spring brake actuator and mount is significantly lighter than previous multi-part built-up spring brake actuators and mounting brackets, decreasing vehicle weight, eliminating the need for costly high-quality welding and lowering manufacturing costs. The integral spring brake actuator and mount may be formed from cast aluminum. |
| US08127902B2 |
Annular sealing assembly for insertion between two mechanical members in relative motion, in particular a linear reciprocating motion, as a rod and the relative guiding seat of a mono-tube shock-absorber
A sealing assembly including a sealing ring made of elastomeric material and having, integrally in one piece, at least one elastically deformable, annular sealing lip, at least part of which projects axially from and radially inwards of the sealing ring, from a respective root portion adjacent to a first axial end of the sealing ring, and towards a second axial end, opposite the first, of the sealing ring; and an annular reinforcing structure made of material which is elastically deformable but relatively much more rigid than the elastomeric material of the sealing ring and relative lip, and at least partly embedded in the sealing ring; wherein the reinforcing structure extends at least partly in an axial direction, at least partly alongside but on the opposite side to the sealing lip; the sealing lip being designed to define, when undeformed, a predetermined radial clearance between itself and a radially inner lateral wall of the sealing ring. |
| US08127900B2 |
Electromagnetic shock absorber for vehicle
An electromagnetic shock absorber including: (a) a wheel-side member; (b) a body-side member movable relative to the wheel-side member; and (c) a damping force generator with an electromagnetic motor including stationary and movable elements movable relative to each other. The damping force generator can generate, based on a force generated by the motor, a damping force acting against a relative movement of the wheel-side member and the body-side member. The motor has an axis extending in a both-members-relative-movement direction as a direction of the above-described relative movement. The stationary element is supported by the wheel-side member via an elastic body, to be movable relative to the wheel-side member in the both-members-relative-movement direction. The electromagnetic motor allows relative movement of the stationary element and the movable element upon movement of the stationary element relative to the wheel-side member. |
| US08127899B2 |
Torque pads for aircraft brake systems and aircraft brake system including same
An aircraft brake system (42) includes a torque tube (44), a plurality of spaced stators (48) mounted on the torque tube (44), a wheel (40) surrounding the torque tube (44) and a plurality of rotors (50) connected to the wheel (40) and projecting into the spaces between adjacent ones of the stators (48). A backing plate (52) mounted on the torque tube (44) has a first side (54) facing the rotors (50) and a second side (56) facing away from the rotors (50), and the second side (56) includes a plurality of keyways (58). A plurality of torque pads (10, 70, 100, 120) are connected to the torque tube (44), each having a body (12, 72, 102, 122) with a first surface (14, 74, 104, 124) contacting the second side (56) of the backing plate (52) and at least one key (22, 82, 112, 114, 130, 132) projecting from the first surface (14, 74, 104, 124) into one of the plurality of keyways (58). Also a torque pad (10, 70, 100, 120) and a method of connecting a backing plate to a torque tube. |
| US08127889B1 |
Noise reduction system for structures
A method and apparatus are present for reducing noise. The apparatus comprises a core and a face sheet. The core is configured to reduce a speed of shear waves traveling through the core. The face sheet is located over a first surface of the core and is configured to reduce a speed of bending waves traveling through the face sheet. A second surface of the core is configured for attachment to a surface of a structure. |
| US08127888B1 |
Engine sound distribution apparatus for a motor vehicle
A sound distribution apparatus provides a driver with an audible impression of the operating speed, load and performance of a vehicle engine. The sound distribution apparatus includes an assembly of one or more sound transmission ducts interconnected to conduct or transmit engine sounds from the air intake tract into the passenger compartment and to distribute the sound in a uniform fashion from behind the dashboard at the front to the passenger compartment. The sound distribution duct includes a plurality of sound diffusion apertures arranged on the outer wall, each configured to diffuse a portion of the transmitted sound into the passenger compartment. A sound permeable airflow blockage device seals the sound transmission duct interior in a gas-tight way preventing airflow. |
| US08127887B2 |
Vehicle including silencer
A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, can include an engine, an exhaust pipe, and a silencer. The silencer can include a main body and first and second pipes. An upstream end of the first pipe can be connected to the exhaust pipe, and be provided in the main body. The second pipe can be provided apart from the first pipe on the downstream side of the first pipe, coaxially with the first pipe, and extending through a downstream lid of an outer tube of the main body. The downstream portion of the first pipe can have an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the upstream side toward the downstream end. The upstream end of the second pipe can be provided in the main body and have a larger inner diameter than the inner diameter of the downstream end of the first pipe. |
| US08127885B2 |
Method and apparatus for a loudspeaker assembly
A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a loudspeaker driver in a loudspeaker driver aperture defined in a ground plane and installing a grille in relation to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases as the distance from the loudspeaker driver increases. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver. |
| US08127881B2 |
Arrangement of a headlamp shell, a sensor and a protective plate for the sensor in a vehicle
A sensor mounting arrangement for a vehicle has a headlamp shell (5) with a recess (14) and a hole (16) spaced from the recess (14). A protective plate (11) has a projection (15) that protrudes into the recess (14) of the headlamp shell (5). A blind rivet bolt (18) is riveted to the protective plate (11) at a location spaced from the projection (15) of the protective plate (11). The blind rivet bolt (18) has a bolt head (17) that passes through the hole (16) in the headlamp shell (5). A crash sensor (19) is connected firmly to the blind rivet bolt (18) and hence to the protective plate (11). The connection ensures that forces generated in the event of a crash will not cause the protective plate (5) to shear off the headlamp shell (5) before the sensor (19) has time to respond. |
| US08127879B2 |
Vehicle monocoque body assembly
A vehicle self-supporting monocoque body assembly comprising a base frame structure is provided. The body assembly also comprises a pair of wheel axles interfaces located at generally front and rear locations of the base frame structure for receiving a pair of wheel axles. The body assembly also has an energy storage element compartment positioned between front and rear wheel axles interfaces. The body assembly also includes an engine compartment for completely housing an engine system. The body assembly also comprises a vehicle outer frame interface. The body assembly also includes front and rear suspension arm interfaces for interfacing with two pairs of front and rear symmetrical suspension arms extending along a length of the base frame structure. The bottom surface of the base frame structure is positioned at or below a horizontal plane between the wheel axles. Preferably, the vehicle outer frame interface is shaped to receive a cabin frame structure. |
| US08127877B2 |
Air intake system for controlling sound emission
An air intake system for a vehicle is disclosed. The air intake system may include a first plenum housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a fluid directing member which receives air from the fluid inlet of the plenum housing and directs the air away from the fluid outlet of the plenum housing. |
| US08127874B2 |
Power supply device, input-output limit setting method in power supply device, vehicle, and vehicle power control method
When a time average of square values of charge-discharge current exceeds a predetermined reference value and when a state of charge of a battery is higher than a preset reference level, the procedure corrects a basic input limit set according to a battery temperature and the state of charge and sets the corrected basic input limit to an effective input limit. When the state of charge is lower than a preset reference level, the procedure of the invention corrects a basic output limit set according to the battery temperature and the state of charge and sets the corrected basic output limit to an effective output limit. This arrangement more adequately sets the effective input limit and the effective output limit, compared with a technique of simultaneously correcting the effective input limit and the effective output limit based on the temperature of the battery. |
| US08127873B1 |
Electric powered automobile/wheel turbine motor
An axle has wheels, a wheel turbine and an electric motor. The electric motor is provided on the axle between the wheel turbine and each rear wheel. Each reversible rear electric motor is adapted to engage and disengage with the wheel turbine. A battery is coupled to each electric motor powered by the wheel turbine. |
| US08127868B2 |
Apparatus and methods for drilling a wellbore using casing
Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described. |
| US08127865B2 |
Method of drilling from a shaft for underground recovery of hydrocarbons
The present invention discloses a selection process for installing underground workspace in or near a hydrocarbon deposit that is an appropriate workspace from which to drill, operate and service wells applicable to any of a number of methods of recovering hydrocarbons. The present invention includes a number of innovative methods for developing workspace for drilling from a shaft installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit, particularly when the hydrocarbon reservoir is at significant formation pressure or has fluids (water oil or gases) that can enter the workspace. These methods can also be used for developing workspace for drilling from a tunnel installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit. The present invention also discloses a procedure for evaluating the geology in and around the reservoir and using this information to select the most appropriate method of developing workspace for drilling from a shaft and/or tunnel. |
| US08127864B2 |
Hydro-percussive mechanisms for drilling systems
A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing assembly having a head end and a bit end. The housing assembly further includes an inlet joint having an inlet channel defined therein, a sealing portion positioned toward the bit end relative to the inlet joint, and an outlet portion positioned toward the bit end relative to the sealing portion. A hammer assembly including a piston has a piston channel defined therein that includes an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet channel and an outlet in fluid communication with the housing assembly. |
| US08127858B2 |
Open-hole anchor for whipstock system
An anchoring system including a housing; a chamber defined by the housing; and one or more telescopic assemblies disposed in contact with a wall of the housing and responsive to pressure within the chamber and a method for anchoring a tool in a wellbore. |
| US08127854B2 |
System and method for rigging up well workover equipment
A gas and oil recovery system including a vessel, platform or rig, with a rig floor, a riser including a pipe that extends from the vessel, platform or rig to a x-mas tree on top of a well head and via which a wire or coiled tubing is fed down into a well. The riser is movable through an opening in the rig floor, and a surface flow head connected to the riser and to a wire line or coiled tubing equipment. The surface flow head is arranged to be run through the opening in the rig floor. |
| US08127852B2 |
Interchangeable subsea wellhead devices and methods
A method for connecting a lower marine riser package to a lower blowout preventer stack. The method includes lowering a frame of the lower marine riser package toward a frame of the lower blowout preventer stack such that a first half of a feed-thru component contacts a second half of the feed-thru component; floating at least one of the first half of the feed-thru component or the second half of the feed-thru component while the frame of the lower marine package is further lowered toward the frame of the lower blowout preventer stack; and engaging the first half of the feed-thru component to the second half of the feed-thru component after further lowering the lower marine riser package toward the lower blowout preventer stack. |
| US08127848B2 |
Selectively angled perforating
A method of perforating a wellbore by forming a perforation that is aligned with a reservoir characteristic, such as direction of maximum stress, lines of constant formation properties, and the formation dip. The wellbore can be perforated using a perforating system employing a shaped charge, a mechanical device, or a high pressure fluid. The perforating system can be aligned by asymmetric weights, a motor, or manipulation from the wellbore surface. |
| US08127845B2 |
Methods and systems for completing multi-zone openhole formations
Methods and systems for completing multi-zone formations. The method can include placing a gravel pack assembly within a borehole. The gravel pack assembly can include a first sand control extension. A first sand control screen can be disposed adjacent the first sand control extension. The first sand control extension can have a flowpath that is selectively opened and closed. A first isolation packer can be disposed adjacent the first sand control screen. A second isolation packer can be disposed adjacent the first isolation packer. A second sand control extension can be disposed adjacent the second isolation packer. The second sand control extension can include at least a second flowpath that is selectively opened and closed. A second sand control screen can be disposed adjacent the second sand control extension. A lower seal can be disposed adjacent the second sand control screen. |
| US08127839B2 |
Formation pretreatment with biogenic methane production enhancement systems
Systems for enhanced in-situ or perhaps even ex-situ biogenic methane production from hydrocarbon-bearing formations (1) including coal seam, oil shale, coal, coal derivates and the like are presented in embodiments such as but not limited to: increasing and perhaps even selection of microbial populations (2), amending CBM water and other microbe-containing media, diminishing sulfate reduction competition, enhancing organic matter concentrations and generation of biogenic methane (10), universally treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and introducing amendments (3) to hydrocarbon-bearing formations. |
| US08127828B2 |
Air-oil heat exchanger
A heat exchange system for use in fluid operated equipment to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid in airstreams on a stream side of a wall. An actuator is mounted to be substantially located on a side of the wall opposite the stream side thereof having a positionable motion effector. A heat exchanger core having a plurality of passageway structures therein to enable providing the working fluid to, and removal therefrom. The heat exchanger core is mounted on the motion effector so as to be extendable and retractable thereby through the opening for selected distances into that region to be occupied by the airstreams. |
| US08127821B2 |
Roman shade window curtain having rolling spool for multi-step retracting/unfolding control
Present invention teaches to make a Roman shade window curtain where a sliding locking mechanism is provided at the bottom beam of the rolling spool at the back side of the Roman shade, where the engaging positions between the rolling spool bottom beam and the pair of auxiliary rods can be set according to user preference, by sliding the locking tubes towards the middle to move the engaging point up and down, and by sliding the licking tubes to the left and right extremities for engaging the bottom to the desired fold line on the Roman shade. |
| US08127820B1 |
System for producing optical recording medium
Techniques for producing optical medium that can be read at substantially high speeds with greater stability and accuracy are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, a molding station includes an optimized stampler which does not have an exact inverse image of a replica. To account for an inherent distortion in a substrate after being stamped, a stampler is pre-distorted so that the pit geometry in the stamped substrate becomes nearly perfect after the inherent distortion. In one embodiment, the injection of a molten material, the mold position and compression are respectively controlled to account for possible non-uniform density distribution of the material. To provide an effective bonding process, a bonding station is employed with what is referred to as index bonding technique and/or pulse bonding technique. The index bonding is provided to ensure that non-flatness of substrates is compensated when two substrates are bonded together so as to minimize possible dynamic imbalance of a disc. The pulse bonding is provided to eliminate bubbles from a type of glue used to bond two substrates, wherein a high voltage used to generate a pulse of electromagnetic field is programmable in accordance with the substrates and the characteristics of the glue. |
| US08127815B2 |
Tire with component containing polybenzobisoxazole short fiber and epoxidized polyisoprene
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000. |
| US08127812B2 |
Pneumatic tire having cap tread including crosslinked rubber particles
A pneumatic tire capable of improving the wet performance and the low fuel cost performance at a good balance without deteriorating other properties of the tire such as abrasion resistance has a cap tread disposed to the radial outside of a tire and a base tread disposed to the radial inside of a tire in a tread portion, in which the cap tread rubber comprises a rubber compound containing a dienic rubber, and at least 15 parts by weight of modified styrene butadiene rubber and/or modified butadiene rubber modified at a polymer molecule terminal group with at least one functional group in 100 parts by weight of the rubber ingredient and containing 1 to 60 parts by weight of crosslinked rubber particles with an average grain size of 5 to 2,000 nm and a glass transition temperature of −100 to −65° C., and modified with sulfur and a compound having a C═C double bond and having a hydroxyl group based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber ingredient. |
| US08127806B2 |
Ventilation device, particularly for fluid-storing reservoirs such as tanks
A ventilation device for fluid-storing reservoirs includes a connecting part (1) attachable to the opening of the reservoir to form an air- and/or fluid-conducting connection between the inside of the reservoir and the surroundings. This connection is effectively sealed by a labyrinth-like seal of a system of seal passages (53, 59, 69, 73) from the penetration of media such as water and/or cleaning chemicals but is not sealed off from an exchange of air for ventilation. A filter element (61) is placed inside the connection. A portion of the seal passages (59, 69, 73) is formed on a ventilation chamber (41) releasably attachable to the connecting part (1) and having a seat (79) for the filter element provided as a filter leaf (61). The filter leaf (61) forms a partition between two successive seal passages (59 and 69) adjacently extending approximately parallel to one another. |
| US08127805B2 |
Beverage dispensing system
A beverage dispensing system has a container with an upper lip, a bottom and a cylindrical sidewall. A read/write radio frequency identification tag is on a container. A beverage dispenser has a plurality of dispensing valves associated with a plurality of different beverages. Each valve has an actuator. A reader is operatively coupled with respect to the tag for communicating with the tag and for communicating with the actuator. An electronic system is operatively coupled to the tag and the actuators and the reader. |
| US08127802B2 |
Pi-preform with variable width clevis
A woven preform for a reinforced composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into shape. The preform has a three-dimensional weave architecture with fill fibers woven to provide layer-to-layer interlocking of layers of warp fiber as well as interlocking of fibers within each layer. At least two legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs may be parallel or angled to each other, or may have a variable width clevis in between. The outer ends of the base and/or the legs preferably have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped pattern. |
| US08127801B2 |
Advance instrumentation methods for pipes and conduits transporting cryogenic materials
A cryogenic material transfer system incorporates a pipe-in-pipe configuration with a nanoporous or microporous insulating layer filling the annulus between the inner and outer pipe. The insulating layer is of sufficient flexibility to absorb and expansion or contraction of the inner pipe due to the flow of cryogenic material therethrough. For longer transfer systems a bulkhead is provided between adjacent pipe joints. Intermediately of the pipe joints an additional bulkhead may be employed to provide additional sealing or water stops and for providing provide additional load transfer. A fiber optic sensor system is installed in the annuals between the inner and outer pipe. |
| US08127796B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation valve for a motor vehicle
The exhaust gas recirculation valve comprises a tubular valve housing includes a gas inlet, a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet located proximate thereto. Located inside the tubular valve housing is a rotatably supported valve body that is designed as a hollow body having a semi-cylindrical lateral surface having a lateral penetration opening. The gas inlet as seen from the top includes a blocking wall on the side thereof facing the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet, the blocking wall being located inside the valve housing perpendicular thereto and having a height equal to at least the length of the valve body and sitting flush against the gas passage in the closed position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve. |
| US08127793B2 |
Rotary valve apparatus
A rotary valve apparatus includes a casing having a fluid passageway, a rotor rotatably mounted in the casing and configured to control, by rotation thereof, a flow state of fluid flowing in the fluid passageway, a drive mechanism for rotating the rotor, and a lock mechanism configured to allow transmission of a rotational force from the drive mechanism to the rotor and to inhibit rotation of the rotor under non-rotation driving state of the driving mechanism. |
| US08127789B2 |
Fluid retaining apparatus with ball valve
An apparatus that can be inserted into the bottom end of liquid delivery tube for retaining fluid in the tube to aid in drinking, utilizing a ball valve that for the most part only allows unidirectional flow of fluid through the valve and into the tube to prevent the level of fluid in the tube from significantly dropping and also creates a fluid free space at the end of the tube to prevent spillage. |
| US08127788B2 |
Parts assembly having sacrificial deformation portion
A parts assembly includes a housing including a first part assembly hole on which a first apparatus component is assembled, the first apparatus component being fixed to the housing by a caulking for forming a caulking portion by a deformation of a bearing surface of the housing on which the first apparatus component is seated. The housing includes a second part assembly hole provided in the vicinity of the caulking portion and on which a second apparatus component is assembled. The housing includes a sacrificial deformation portion deformed by a force applied to the housing when the bearing surface is deformed by the caulking, the sacrificial deformation portion attenuating a force propagated to a portion including the second part assembly hole where the second apparatus component is assembled. |
| US08127784B2 |
Filter draining device
Disclosed herein is a device for draining a screw-on fluid filter which comprises a hollow body member movably engaged with a puncturing member. The hollow body member is dimensioned and arranged to at least partially engage a threaded attachment portion of the screw-on fluid filter. The puncturing member comprises a shaft having a puncture end movable within a conduit formed within the hollow body member wherein the puncturing member may be engaged with an inner side of a fluid filter to produce a puncture hole from inside out of the fluid filter, to produce a puncture hole from which fluid in the fluid filter may drain. A method of using the device is also disclosed. |
| US08127783B2 |
Pressure-insensitive mass flow controller
A method of preventing a mass flow controller from participating in crosstalk in an array of mass flow controllers is described. The method includes sensing and providing a signal indicative of a fluid pressure inside of a mass flow controller with a pressure sensor contained within the mass flow controller, determining a response of a control valve to a rapid pressure perturbation at the inlet of the mass flow controller using the signal indicative of the fluid pressure to avoid overcompensation for the rapid pressure perturbation, and adjusting a control valve contained within the mass flow controller downstream of the pressure sensor, based on the determined response, so that the mass flow controller avoids overcompensating for the rapid pressure perturbation. The pressure sensor is positioned such that the pressure sensor is sensitive to rapid pressure perturbations at the inlet of the mass flow controller. |
| US08127780B2 |
Telescopic sunshade
A telescopic sunshade includes an outer tube having upper and lower positioning holes. An inner tube is slideably received in the outer tube and includes an upper end beyond the outer tube. Ribs are pivotably mounted to a hub fixed to the inner tube. Stretchers are pivotably mounted between the ribs and the outer tube. The sunshade is in a folded state when the inner tube is in an upper position. The sunshade is in an unfolded position when the inner tube is in a lower position. The protruded length of the inner tube in the upper position is larger than that in the lower position. A sleeve is slideably mounted around the outer tube and engaged with the inner tube to move therewith. A positioning button is engaged in the upper or lower positioning hole to retain the sunshade in the folded or unfolded state. |
| US08127778B1 |
Dental floss device
A method and a dental floss device for floss the teeth of a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dental floss device includes a single use dental floss packaged inside a dental tubule. |
| US08127776B2 |
Cosmetic device for application and removal of false eyelashes
The present invention describes a. a cosmetic device for applying or removing false eyelashes. A handle is used for opening and closing two stems forming two 3D conforming surface pieces having mating surfaces with pads on each mating surface. Each pad is coupled to a mating surface end band region and the pads are used for attaching flattened false eye-lashes onto conforming eye-lids whereby solution placed on the pads as adhesive or remover either adheres the false eye-lash to the eyelid or chemically strips the false eye-lash adhesive onto or away from the eye-lid respectively. |
| US08127774B2 |
Eyelash extensions and method for applying eyelash extensions
Eyelash extensions and a method for applying the same are described. The eyelash extensions comprise a first filament having both a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end. Each of the proximal end and distal end are tapered and of a size such that the proximal end can be attached with a single eyelash. In some aspects, the filament can be branched to form a branched eyelash extension. The eyelash extensions come in multiple sizes, shapes, and colors to provide the user with increased aesthetics and comfort. |
| US08127772B2 |
Nebulizer method
An artificial cigarette, inhaler or other nebulizer device may include a housing, an air passage into the housing, a fog generator chamber within the housing connected to the air passage, a liquid source connected to the fog generating chamber, and a fog generator within the fog generating chamber for receiving liquid from the liquid source and creating an aerosol. The fog generator may be an ultrasonic nebulizer and/or a pneumatic nebulizer. |
| US08127769B2 |
Integrated oral appliance for sleep-disordered breathing
An integrated oral appliance treats breathing obstruction and restriction in the upper airway during sleep with a cantilevered tongue restraint coupled through spring-force to a rigid bracket that is attached to a tray shaped to engage dentition. |
| US08127766B2 |
Tracheostomy tube with a swiveled connector
A tracheostomy tube has an inserting portion and a connecting portion. The inserting portion has an air way tube, an inflatable cuff and an inflating tube. The connecting portion is connected to the air way tube and has a resilient connector and a connecting sleeve. The resilient connector has a connecting ring connected to the air way tube. The connecting sleeve is mounted around the resilient connector and has a tubular body, a pressing flange formed on the tubular body and at least one slit defined longitudinally in the tubular body and extends through the pressing flange. Movement and vibrations of a patient circuit connected to the tracheostomy tube are not translated into a patient trachea thereby greatly improving patient comfort, safety and quality of life. |
| US08127765B2 |
Patient interface assembly and system using same
A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device, a headgear, and pivoting coupling member joining the interface device to a headgear assembly. In one embodiment, a spring biases the patient interface device against the patient's face when in use. In a further embodiment, the patient interface device is a nasal cushion that includes a formable support mounted to the nasal cushion for providing support and adjustment of the nasal cushion to improve fit and comfort. The headgear assembly in one embodiment is a semi-rigid, minimal contact harness assembly and includes an adjustment assembly that allows for a simultaneous adjustment of multiple straps. In a further embodiment, a pair of rigid connecting members couple the patient interface device to the headgear. |
| US08127752B2 |
Crossbow grip guard
A crossbow having a crossbow grip guard that has a member that extends outwardly in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow barrel or stock, and wherein the member extends for a length in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow barrel or stock. |
| US08127751B2 |
Nitrous oxide/methanol injection system
A nitrous oxide system for an internal combustion engine includes a bottle containing pressurized nitrous oxide coupled to a nitrous oxide flow line, which is in fluid communication with an injection nozzle operatively coupled to the engine intake. A control valve is fluidly coupled to the nitrous oxide flow line between the nitrous oxide bottle and the injection nozzle, and is operable to control the flow of nitrous oxide through the nitrous oxide flow line to the engine intake. A methanol injection line is in fluid communication with a source of supplemental methanol, and a methanol valve is fluidly coupled to the methanol injection line and operably coupled to the nitrous oxide flow line, such that a flow of pressurized nitrous oxide through the nitrous oxide flow line opens the methanol valve to allow a flow of supplemental methanol to the engine intake. |
| US08127748B2 |
Fuel pumping system
A fuel pumping system comprises a high pressure pump having a drive input, a drive gear driven for rotation, in use, by the drive input, an idler gear driven by the drive gear, and an output gear driven by the idler gear, wherein the output gear is arranged to drive a rotor of an electrical generator and the idler gear is arranged to drive a rotor of a low pressure pump. |
| US08127740B2 |
Blowby gas treatment system for multiple cylinder engine
In a blowby gas treatment system for a multiple cylinder engine, in which: a first cylinder and a second cylinder are provided to the engine; a first fuel supply device that always operates during operation of the engine is connected to the first cylinder; and a second fuel supply device that is capable of stopping an operation thereof during the operation of the engine is connected to the second cylinder, first and second branch pipes of an intake manifold are connected to the first and second cylinders, and a blowby gas outlet of a breather chamber and a blowby gas inlet opening into the first branch pipe communicate with each other via a breather pipe, the breather chamber collecting a blowby gas of the engine. Accordingly, when any of the cylinders is stopped, it is possible to easily prevent a blowby gas from flowing toward the stopped cylinder. |
| US08127738B2 |
Multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine
A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine has an upper piston part with a piston crown, and a lower piston part, each of the piston parts having an inner and an outer support element that delimit an outer circumferential cooling channel and an inner cooling chamber. The cooling chamber bottom has an opening. A holding element is disposed in the inner cooling chamber and extends from the underside of the piston crown vertically toward the opening. The holding element carries a closure element that closes the opening and has at least one cooling oil opening. |
| US08127733B2 |
Air intake system for internal combustion engine
An air intake system for internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold having an inlet flange and a throttle body attached to inlet flange. The throttle body includes a matching throttle body flange which physically mates with the intake flange. A friction promoting surface having a positive coefficient of sliding friction is incorporated in at least one of the inlet flange and the throttle body flange so that sliding motion of the throttle body relative to the intake manifold will be resisted. |
| US08127732B2 |
Laser ignition system and method for internal combustion engine
A laser beam ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The laser beam ignition system comprises a laser configured to generate a laser beam, and a beam steering unit comprising a lens and a prism both configured to cooperatively transmit the laser beam to focus on an oxygenated fuel mixture supplied into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A beam steering unit and a method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine are also presented. |
| US08127731B2 |
Tappet clearance adjusting cover coupled with secondary air valve
This invention is to provide a tappet clearance adjusting cover coupled with a secondary air valve. The tappet clearance adjusting cover is disposed on a cylinder head of an engine. The secondary air valve includes a recessed element and a cap which jointly form a receiving space receiving therein a one-way valve. The recessed element is provided with an inlet pipe interposed between the cap and the tappet clearance adjusting cover. By disposing the secondary air valve on the tappet clearance adjusting cover and arranging the inlet pipe between the cap and the tappet clearance adjusting cover, with the one-way valve received in the receiving space of the secondary air valve, heat dissipation can be improved while the one-way valve is protected against premature deterioration and carbon deposition caused by a high-temperature exhaust gas from the cylinder head. Thus, reliability as well as a service life of the one-way valve is effectively increased. |
| US08127729B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A driven-side rotator is rotatable synchronously with a camshaft and is supported between a gear member and a sprocket member of the driving-side rotator in an axial direction. A stopper portion of the driven-side rotator is adapted to contact the driving-side rotator in a rotational direction to limit a change in a relative phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft. The stopper portion radially outwardly projects from a small diameter portion provided at one end part of the driven-side rotator. A large diameter portion is provided at the other end part of the driven-side rotator and has a radial size that is measured from a rotational axis to a radially outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion and is equal to or larger than that of the stopper portion. |
| US08127728B2 |
Vane-type cam phaser having dual rotor bias springs
A vane-type camshaft phaser for varying the timing of combustion valves including a first torsional bias spring disposed on a cover plate spring guide and grounded to the cover plate and to a slot in a spring retainer to urge the rotor toward an intermediate locking position from any position retarded of the locking position. A second torsional bias spring also anchored to the cover plate and spring retainer urges the rotor in the advance direction over the full range of phaser authority to compensate for added camshaft torque loads imposed by non-valve actuating functions such as driving a mechanical fuel pump. |
| US08127726B2 |
Variable valve lift apparatus
A variable valve lift apparatus includes a camshaft with a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe, a cam follower with a first follower contacting the first cam lobe and a second follower contacting the second cam lobe, a connection rotatably connecting the first follower to the second follower, a main body supporting the first follower and the second follower, a connector selectively connecting the first follower and the second follower to the main body, a lost motion elastic member provided on the main body for supplying restoring force to the first follower and the second follower, and a valve configured to be opened and closed by the cam follower. |
| US08127724B2 |
Cylinder block for a two-cycle combustion engine
A cylinder block includes a scavenging passage, which extends between a combustion chamber and a crankcase chamber to communicate them together and has a scavenging port defined in the cylinder block so as to open at an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder block. An intake passage or exhaust passage, the scavenging passage including the scavenging port and a throughhole defined therebetween are formed by the use of a molding piece movable in a direction towards the fuel intake passage or exhaust passage and the throughhole is closed by a lid. |
| US08127720B2 |
Chew toys comprising biologically degradable material
A chew toy includes a first body comprises a biodegradeable material, the first body includes an interior space and a passage to the interior space and a second body that is disposed at least partially in the interior space and extends through the passage to an exterior of the first body. The second body includes a food item. A method of making a chew toy includes inserting a food item into a mold and molding a biodegradable material as a body around the food item. The body includes an interior space and a passage to the interior space. |
| US08127714B2 |
Method and arrangement for animal management
A method for animal management is provided in a milking system including a a milking box, a milking apparatus for milking animals, an enclosed waiting area from which the animals are capable of entering the milking box, and a gate arrangement, in which each of the animals is allowed to enter and pass the waiting area if the animal, after having been identified, fulfills a criterion. The method includes measuring a time an animal waits in the waiting area before being milked; determining a ranking for the animal based on the time, the ranking being a measure of a hierarchic order of the animal among the animals milked in the milking system; and performing an action with regard to the milking system depending on the determined ranking. |
| US08127711B2 |
Mounting systems for an adhesive application system and methods for applying adhesive
An apparatus for use with an adhesive dispenser configured to apply an adhesive to an edge of a moving substrate. The mounting system includes a support post and a main body. The main body is configured to support the adhesive dispenser and is coupled to the support post, with the main body being configured to deflect the adhesive dispenser in a first direction and in a second direction transverse to the first direction upon contact of the substrate with the adhesive dispenser. |
| US08127709B2 |
Image forming apparatus and foam application device
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; and a foam application unit configured to apply foam generated by foaming a liquid and/or a gel onto the recording medium. The foam application unit includes an application part configured to apply the foam onto the recording medium, a supply opening configured to supply the foam to the application part, and a spreading part configured to spread the foam on the application part. The spreading part is disposed at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the application part; and the supply opening is disposed near the most upstream portion of the spreading part with respect to the movement direction of the application part. |
| US08127708B2 |
Multi-page bookmark
A multi-page bookmark is disclosed. The multi-page bookmark includes straps adapted to form loops removably received around the front cover and the rear cover of a book, respectively. The loops are positioned adjacent the binding of the book. A connecting member is disposed between the loops adjacent an upper end of the book. The connecting member spans the book binding and is adapted to have at least one elongate book marking ribbon attached thereto which extend from the connecting member, wrap the upper end of the binding of the book, and may be received between selected pages of the book. |
| US08127705B2 |
Water entry system
A water entry system increases the drag of an underwater vehicle by disrupting the cavity that forms during high-speed transit of the vehicle through the water. A series of inlet ports are positioned in regions of the vehicle where pressure stagnation occurs during transit. Flow passages connect these inlets to outlet ports at regions of lower pressure. Pressure differences cause jets to flow in the respective passages. The jets produce a high flow rate normal to the original cavity boundary. The jets serve to increase drag in at least two manners. In one case, a flow jet normal to the cavity interface broadens the cavity to increase drag and slow the vehicle. In a second case, a jet can cause waves on the cavity interface to break down the stable cavity. As a result, the vehicle surface is wetted, producing skin friction drag and slowing vehicle. |
| US08127702B2 |
Modified buoy system
There is a grasping device for a mast buoy comprising a body, at least one loop coupled to the body, and at least one locking element for locking the body to a shaft of a mast buoy. The grasping device can also optionally be coupled to a light such as a remote controlled light which can be turned on remotely using a switch and wireless communication. The grasping device can also include a telescoping body, adjustable loops, an annunciator, and a locating system as well. There can also be an optional solar panel coupled to the grasping device which can be used to charge a battery to provide power to a light. |
| US08127693B2 |
Tablecloth covering and method of covering and skirting a table
A fitted tablecloth covering that may be affixed to a table without the use of tools or affixing devices is provided. Such a tablecloth covering may conveniently and quickly be affixed to a table and provide an appealing visual presentation that does not require the use of installation tools and that does not damage the table. |
| US08127692B2 |
Rack for supporting liquid crystal display devices
A structure for racking substrates includes first to fourth main legs isolated from one another at intervals wider than widths of both long sides and both short sides of a substrate, first to fourth protrusions respectively protruded from the first to fourth main legs in a direction of the long sides or the short sides of the substrate, a first side support bar coupled to the first and second protrusions and supporting an edge of one long side or one short side of the substrate, a second side support bar coupled to the third and fourth protrusions and supporting an edge of the other long side or the other short side of the substrate, at least one auxiliary leg disposed between the first and second main legs, or the second and third main legs, or the third and fourth main legs, or the fourth and first main legs, and at least two central support bars coupled to the auxiliary leg, extended parallel to the long sides or the short sides of the substrate, and supporting a central portion of the substrate. |
| US08127691B2 |
SMC pallet
A pallet made of sheet molding compound (SMC) preferably includes a lower deck having unidirectional fibers therein and an upper deck having randomly oriented fibers therein. The upper and lower decks are assembled by heat staking the decks together with thermoplastic blocks. |
| US08127683B2 |
Weapon and weapon system employing the same
A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having an outer casing. The warhead includes a frangible container within the outer casing of the warhead and a destructive element within the frangible container. The destructive element is formed with a non-explosive material. The weapon may also include a guidance section configured to direct the weapon to a target. |
| US08127676B2 |
Print control strip and method of preparing the same
A method of preparing a print control strip including at least two process control elements and being adapted to at least a width of at least one used area of at least one original image, includes determining borders of the at least one used area. A state is assigned to every process control element in dependence on if the process control element is located substantially inside the borders. A print control strip is created by using only process control elements that have been assigned a state as being inside the borders. |
| US08127673B2 |
Device for turning over sheet material
The invention relates to a device for turning over sheet material, in a printing machine, such as verso-printing in an electrophotographic printing machine. The device includes driven web-shaped segments extending essentially parallel to each other over at least one section, such that the web-shaped segments clamp the individual sheets between the segments and turns over each sheet as it is transported along a transport path. |
| US08127669B2 |
Strap exchanger for a strapping system
A strapping system includes a strap exchanger that is capable of delivering one or more straps to a component of the strapping system. The strap exchanger feeds a strap to a downstream component of the strapping system. A track assembly receives the strap and uses that strap to bundle product. The strap exchanger is capable of repeatedly delivering straps to the strapping system to reduce, limit, or substantially eliminate downtime associated with manually loading straps into the strapping system. |
| US08127668B2 |
Apparatus for destemming and vegetative shredding
A vegetative shredder and destemming apparatus that includes a shredding drum having a interior volume into which a harvested plant crop may be placed for processing. The drum includes a substantially cylindrical side with a plurality of openings and at least one brush roller disposed proximate the cylindrical side. A motor rotates the shredding drum and the brush rollers simultaneously. The apparatus employs centrifugal force to urge portions of the plant material into engagement with the drum's cylindrical side and the openings therethrough so as to allow bring the brush rollers to mechanically shred and destem the plant material. |
| US08127667B2 |
Apparatus for pasteurizing milk for feeding to calves
The present invention is directed to a system and method for pasteurizing milk and colostrum for feeding to calves. The system includes a vat for storing milk or colostrum, a circulation pump and piping system, a heat exchanger for adjusting and/or maintaining milk temperature, and an ultraviolet light pasteurizing unit (“UV reactor”) that treats the milk without damaging important immunoglobulins. |
| US08127666B2 |
Toaster with mechanism for raising carriage above an ejection position
An electric toaster with a toasting carriage which is automatically raised from a toasting position to a first ejection position has a manually-operated mechanism for raising the carriage above the first ejection position to assist in removing smaller items from the toasting carnage. The carriage is slidably supported on an upright rail together with, and moveable independently of an actuating member, to which a handle is fixed, and a support member urged by a spring to an uppermost position. The actuating member abuts the carriage to move the carriage, the actuating member, and the support member simultaneously, both when the handle is moved downwards towards the toasting position and when the carriage, the actuating member and the support member are released by a hold-down mechanism to return the carriage to the first ejection position. A displacement-amplifying mechanism mounted on the support member abuts the carriage and the actuating member such that upward movement of the actuating member provides a greater movement of the carriage upward from the first ejection position. |
| US08127665B2 |
Apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage
Apparatus comprising a containing element for heating an extracting fluid, a transferring arrangement for causing the passage of the fluid through a dose of coffee and a collecting arrangement for collecting a beverage produced with the extracting fluid during the passage: there being provided a separating arrangement arranged for separating a fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently liquid phase of the fluid from a further fraction of the beverage obtained with a prevalently steam phase of the fluid, the separating arrangement leading into distinct zones of the collecting arrangement. |
| US08127663B2 |
Apparatus for brewing and method for making the same
Apparatus for brewing a brew substance with a liquid comprises: a container for storing the liquid, the container including at least one aperture for dispensing liquid therefrom; a sealed packet of filter paper containing the brew substance; and a layer of heat sensitive film encapsulating the sealed packet, the encapsulated packet disposed within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture, the container configured to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof. In addition, a method of making a brewing apparatus comprises the steps of: configuring a container to store liquid for brewing and to dispense the liquid through at least one aperture therein; encapsulating a sealed packet of filter paper containing a brew substance with a layer of heat sensitive film; disposing the encapsulated packet within the container at a position covering the at least one aperture; and configuring the container to sit on top of a drinking container to permit liquid to drain into the drinking container from the at least one aperture thereof. |
| US08127661B2 |
Hydraulic system
The present invention relates to a hydraulic system that includes a compression chamber capable of being subjected to the pressure of a hydraulic fluid; a piston movable inside the compression chamber along an axis; and at least one sealing gasket disposed between the piston and a wall of the compression chamber, the gasket occupying an axial position that varies circumferentially around the axis in such a manner as to compensate for non-axially symmetrical stresses induced by the pressure of the fluid. |
| US08127660B2 |
Combination of a chamber and a piston, a pump, a motor, a shock absorber and transducer incorporating the combination
A combination of a piston and a chamber, wherein the chamber defines an elongate chamber having a longitudinal axis, the chamber having, at a first longitudinal position thereof, a first cross-sectional area thereof and, at a second longitudinal position thereof, a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being 95% or less of the first cross-sectional area, the change in cross-section of the chamber being at least substantially continuous between the first and second longitudinal positions, the piston being adapted to adapt itself to the cross-section of the chamber when moving from the first to the second longitudinal position of the chamber. The piston may comprise an umbrella-like support structure or a fibre enforced deformable container comprising a foam or a fluid. The combination may be used in a pump, a linear actuator, a motor, or a shock absorber. |
| US08127648B2 |
Table saw guard system
A power table saw having a table top surface with an opening through which a blade can extend, the blade being mounted on an arbor and being at least vertically adjustable relative to the top surface, the table saw comprising a blade assembly having a first pivot connection and being pivotally mounted to the table saw enabling the blade to be vertically adjusted through a predetermined arc relative to the table top and a riving knife mounted on the blade assembly and being vertically moveable in a substantially straight direction as the blade is vertically adjusted through the predetermined arc. |
| US08127641B2 |
Device to adjust the orientation of a mirror of a motorcar
A device to adjust the orientation of a mirror of a motorcar includes a body to accommodate a first and a second electric motor and a first and a second gear driven by first and second motor respectively. Gear rods are formed as circular arc sections and the body accommodates means to resiliently press the first and second gear rod against the first and second gears, respectively, eliminating relative movement between the gearing of the gear rods and the gears in operation conditions. Each of the gears include a safety clutch, allowing the gears to slip in overload conditions. |
| US08127639B2 |
Sleeve bearing for collapsible steering column
A telescopically collapsible vehicular steering column assembly includes inner and outer shaft tubes which are joined in a sliding fit by a bushing. The bushing includes a pair of spaced journal bearings formed of steel-backed PTFE held in a plastic carrier body. The bushing is located in a receiving chamber in the outer shaft tube. A clearance compensator reacts against the receiving chamber to exert a radial compressive force through the carrier body and the journal bearings to improve the sliding fit with the inner shaft tube and remove lash. The clearance compensator can take any form, such as a hollow annular rib, a skirt with a flexible free end, or an array of nubs carried in thinned sections of the carrier body. The clearance compensator in all of these variations operates within a clearance space and has dimensional attributes which can be changed during the design and manufacturing phases of the bushing to optimize a characteristic of the steering column assembly. The optimized characteristic may be the sliding friction between the inner and outer shaft tubes, or the stiffness of the assembled column which affects its vibrational frequency, or other value. |
| US08127638B2 |
Shift lever apparatus
A shift lever apparatus includes a shift lever including a pivot portion and a stick portion formed so as to extend in a vertical direction from the pivot portion, a base member including a shift lever supporting portion and a shift direction and a positioning member for applying a biasing force to the shift lever, and the positioning member having a first elastic member for pressing the shift lever, a second elastic member whose spring constant is smaller than that of the first elastic member and a second elastic member compressed amount regulating member for regulating the second elastic member to be compressed by a predetermined compressed amount so that a length of the second elastic member is a predetermined length. |
| US08127636B2 |
Variable transmission for a motor vehicle
A variable speed transmission including a housing, a frusto-conical gear having a hollow extending longitudinally through the gear and a plurality of spaced teeth on an inner and/or outer surface thereof. The plurality of spaced apart teeth include alternately teeth having a first addendum and teeth having a second or larger addendum. The transmission also includes a power shaft and a plurality of sliding face gears adapted to engage an input gear from an engine and a drive gear for engaging the frusto-conical gear. |
| US08127632B2 |
Shift device of a power take-off transmission
A shift device for a power take-off transmission. An input shaft is connectable to an output shaft with three gear pairs. The output shaft has a recess, in which a PTO stub shaft can be reversibly introduced. A mechanism, actuated by a PTO stub shaft actuates a gearshift sleeve, provided on the output shaft and rotationally fixed to the output shaft, is provided on the output shaft. In one shift position of the gearshift sleeve is rotationally fixed to a gear wheel of a first gear pair. In another shift position of the gearshift sleeve no fixed connection exists between the gearshift sleeve and gear wheel of the first gear pair. By means of a further gearshift sleeve a rotationally fixed connection can be established with a gear wheel of the second or the third gear pair. |
| US08127629B2 |
Apparatus for and method of attaching a strain sensing element to a substrate
A circular shaft having a platform formed on it by machining a circular flat into the surface of the shaft. A channel extends around the periphery of the circular flat with a depth in the range of 10 to 15% of the diameter of the shaft and in the range of 30 to 50% of the width/diameter of the platform. The width of the platform is 4 to 7% of the diameter of the shaft. A sensor is mounted on the platform, whereby the formation of the platform and surrounding channel reduces the strain arising in the device which is transferred to the sensor. |
| US08127628B2 |
Gas meter reading system
A gas meter reading system is provided that allows automated meter reading capability to be incorporated with sealed mechanical type gas meters. The reading system is mounted to the window of the meter adjacent to the measurement dial. The reading system senses the rotation of the dial and provides data, such as a pulse, that may be recorded by an external source. A method of detecting for leaks with a gas meter having a reading system is also provided. |
| US08127626B2 |
Sediment sampler for in-situ measurement of soluble contaminant flux rates
A method and apparatus for in-situ measurement of soluble contaminant flux rates from sediments in which an inverted desorption chamber containing a sorbent system is filled with water and placed over an area of sediment, whereby the interior of the chamber is isolated from the exterior of the chamber above the sediment. Soluble contaminants released from the sediment are sorbed onto the surface of a sorbent material disposed within a plurality of semipermeable membrane bags disposed within the chamber. Each semipermeable membrane bag is removed from the chamber in a pre-defined sequence over a period of time and the sorbent material in each bag is analyzed to determine an amount of the soluble contaminant sorbed by the sorbent material. From the results of the analyses, the mass of the soluble contaminant removed from the sediment over time can be calculated. |
| US08127621B2 |
Locking mechanism with acoustic barrier for mounting a sensor on a pipe
This invention relates to a device for mounting in a fixed mounted frame (7) on a subsea pipe comprising a locking device comprising a sensor housing (6), a spring (2) surrounding the sensor housing (6), at least one wedge (1) placed in one of the ends of the spring (2), and a edge (5a) placed in the other end of the spring (2), where the sensor housing (6) is arranged to be guided into the mounting frame (7), and that a force (13) is applied in the longitudinal axis of the sensor housing (6) so that the spring (2) is compressed and the wedge(s) (1) are spanned radial out towards the mounting frame (7) to center and support the sensor housing (6) in the mounting frame (6), the sensor housing (6) is designed to fit into the mounting frame (7). |
| US08127615B2 |
Method for embossing a separating membrane of a pressure transfer means
A method for embossing a separating membrane of a pressure transfer means including a membrane carrier having a membrane bed. With the method, an optimal forming of the separating membrane matched to the form of the membrane bed is achievable. The method includes steps of: welding a planar, separating membrane blank onto the membrane carrier; filling with a lubricant a pressure receiving chamber enclosed by the welded, separating membrane blank and the membrane carrier; producing the separating membrane from the separating membrane blank by embossing the separating membrane blank by pressing it against the membrane bed while lubricant is present in the pressure receiving chamber. |
| US08127612B2 |
System and method for ultrasonic examination of threaded surfaces
A system and method for ultrasonic examination of a threaded test object, and more particularly, the mounting threads of a compressed gas tube while the tube is affixed to a tube trailer is provided. The disclosed ultrasonic test instrument includes a probe having one or more transducers for transmission and reception of ultrasound pulses, a contoured wear plate, and a shoe of highly attentuative material having a thread-like exterior surface adapted to mate with the threaded surface of the test object. The shoe further includes a narrow window in the thread-like exterior surface such that the shoe absorbs most of the ultrasonic pulses transmitted from the piezoelectric crystal except for the ultrasonic transmissions passing through the narrow window to the test object. |
| US08127610B2 |
Compensating for temperature effects in a health monitoring system
A method is present for monitoring a structure. A plurality of modes is identified for a first response for the structure at a first temperature. Each mode in the plurality of modes is adjusted from the first temperature to the second temperature to form a plurality of temperature adjusted modes. A temperature adjusted response is formed from the plurality of temperature adjusted modes in which the temperature adjusted response is adjusted to a second temperature from the first temperature. The temperature adjusted response is compared to a second response to evaluate the changes in the structure between the two sets of measurements. |
| US08127604B2 |
Liquid level sensor for galley inserts
The liquid level sensing device includes rotating electrically conductive probes and uses a self-cleaning rotary electrical connection system with a contact stylus on a rotating conductive barrel, for sensing a liquid level in a dispensing container of an aircraft galley insert. The probes, pivot arms of the probes, rotating drum and stylus may have an exterior surface formed of an electrically conductive, corrosion resistant material. |
| US08127599B2 |
Method for measuring the chassis of a motor vehicle, device for measuring a chassis and motor vehicle test line
A method for the chassis measurement of a motor vehicle by a chassis measuring device, measuring in a contactless manner, having two measuring devices situated opposite to each other, includes the steps of positioning a first vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the first vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; the positioning of a second vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the second vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; and ascertaining the wheel position values of all the measured wheel rims by the chassis measuring device. |
| US08127597B2 |
Oil condition sensing methods and systems
An engine oil system comprises an oil condition sensing device and a control module. The oil condition sensing device includes an electrically actuated member and is in fluid communication with an engine oil reservoir. The control module selectively causes current to be supplied to the oil condition sensing device to actuate the member, measures the current, determines a parameter of the current, and selectively identifies at least two of an oil level, an oil change event, and an oil viscosity level based on the parameter. |
| US08127594B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor including: a gas sensing element including first and second ceramic layers. The first ceramic layer has a first through hole and a first through hole conductor covering an inner surface thereof. The first ceramic layer includes a first conductor which includes: a first peripheral conductive portion electrically connected to the first through hole conductor; a first lead portion that is narrower than the first peripheral conductive portion; and a first contact conductive portion that is wider than the first lead portion. The first peripheral conductive portion, the first lead portion and the first contact conductive portion are integrally formed and arranged in this order in a longitudinal direction. The second ceramic layer includes a second conductor electrically connected to at least the first contact conductive portion. |
| US08127592B2 |
Particulate matter detection sensor
A particulate matter sensor includes a particulate matter detection filter having a volumetric soot storage capacity smaller than the volumetric soot storage capacity of a diesel particulate filter, and a differential pressure measuring part measuring a differential pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the particulate matter detection filter. |
| US08127587B2 |
Emergency flow stoppage tool
The tool reduces or stops the flow of liquid or gas through a conduit and includes a crimping section, comprised of a first and second crimping member pivotally engaged with each other, and a handle section, comprised of a first and second handle member pivotally connected to each other. Each crimping member has a blunt section extending partially along an edge thereof. The first and second handle members are connected to the first and second crimping members. The conduit is crimped by applying a force to the handle members causing the handle members and the crimping members to pivot in a direction opposite each other so that the blunt sections of crimping members crimp a conduit placed therebetween thereby reducing or stopping the flow of the liquid or gas flowing through the conduit. The tool may also hold objects and be locked via separate locking mechanisms. |
| US08127586B1 |
Movement device for a die
Mechanical converter in a movement device generally for transferring parts with respect to a die converts slave motion in a first direction into basic motions of a drive motion in a second direction different from the first direction, and a pitch motion in a third direction different from the first and second directions, which may be such that it is not converted through a plate or rotating cam. Additional motion(s) of an elevation motion in a fourth direction different from the second and third directions but including a vector component along or opposite to the first direction and/or further motion(s) radial to one or more of the first, second, third or fourth directions may be provided from the mechanical converter, another mechanical converter and/or from another source. Also, assisting motion(s), which can assist the die in performing an operation on a work piece, i.e., part, can be provided, for example, by drawing a motion from the pitch, drive and/or elevation motion(s). |
| US08127582B2 |
High velocity forming of medical device casings
Methods and devices provide for high velocity forming of medical device casings. The high velocity forming may be produced by creating a pressure wave within a liquid contained by an enclosure. A die and a workpiece adjacent to the die are in the path of the pressure wave within the enclosure and the pressure wave forces the workpiece to conform to the contours of the die. Objects may be adhered to the die to provide for customized contours. Trimming features may be included within the enclosure to trim excess material from a formed workpiece as an integral part of the forming process. Various other features may also be provided within the enclosure including a diffuser to disperse the pressure wave. The workpiece may be of various forms including flat sheet stock. |
| US08127580B2 |
Method for levelling a flat product in strip or sheet form in a levelling machine with intermeshed rolls and levelling installation therefore
A method and a device is provided for controlling the overlapping of leveling rollers in a planishing machine comprising two leveling trains each bearing a series of rollers with parallel axes. The method and device are particularly applicable to sheets and strip products of great thickness and high hardness requiring little roller overlap. The method is characterized in that it consists in measuring at least the overall value of the torques transmitted to the planishing rollers by the motors, in determining the actual value of the torques used for planishing the product, in comparing the determined value with the reference value of the torque provided by the presetting model and in acting on the members regulating the roller overlap to maintain the value of the thus determined torque at the reference value. |
| US08127572B2 |
Method of eliminating blisters in a glass making process
A method of controlling blister formation in a glass melt flowing through a system comprising one or more refractory metal vessels by developing a blister index and determining the critical blister index value. The critical value of the blister index may be used to control the principal variables responsible for blister formation, including the water content of the melt, the concentration of reduced multivalent oxide compounds in the melt, and the hydrogen partial pressure of an atmosphere in contact with the outside surface of the refractory metal vessel. Also disclosed is a minimum partial pressure of hydrogen necessary to produce an essentially blister-free glass article in a glass essentially free of arsenic and antimony. |
| US08127567B2 |
Shaft coupling and arrangement for fluid machine and refrigeration cycle apparatus
An oil supply passage (68) is formed inside a rotating shaft (56) of a compression mechanism (21). An oil supply passage (38) is formed inside a rotating shaft (36) of an expansion mechanism (22). A boss portion (81) is provided at a lower end of the rotating shaft (56). A shaft portion (82) that is engaged in the boss portion (81) is provided at an upper end of the rotating shaft (36). The circumference of a coupling part (80), which includes the boss portion (81) and the shaft portion (82) is covered by an upper bearing (42) of the expansion mechanism (22). The upper bearing (42) supports both the rotating shaft (36) and the rotating shaft (56). |
| US08127565B1 |
Refrigerating device
A refrigerating device for helping to keep food cool during an event such as a dinner party or picnic comprising a base having a compressor and cooling coil, a removable serving bowl which can be inserted into the base, and a first half-dome cover component and second half-dome cover component for covering the removable serving bowl when it is in the base. The cover components can be opened and closed to allow access to the food inside the serving bowl. |
| US08127563B2 |
Linear-compressor control system, a method of controlling a linear compressor and a linear compressor
A linear compressor control system includes an electronic circuit controlling an electric motor that drive a piston of the compressor, such that the motor is operated intermittently with an on-time (tL) and an off-time (tD) to keep the compression capacity of the compressor substantially constant. The compressor is associated with a closed cooling circuit having an evaporator and a condenser. The off-time (tD) is shorter than the time necessary for the evaporation pressure (PE) in the evaporator and the condensation pressure (Pc) in the condenser to equalize each other after the compressor has been turned off. |
| US08127562B2 |
Cover assembly for air conditioner opening
An apparatus is provided including first and second base members having upper and lower flanges, and a cover. The second based member is configured to be adjustably attached to the first base member to define an opening. The cover is configured to be attached to the first base member and/or the second base member to cover the opening. The upper and lower flanges of the first base member are configured to receive a first edge of a hole of an air conditioner plenum and the upper and lower flanges of the second base member are configured to receive a second edge of the hole of the air conditioner plenum. |
| US08127553B2 |
Zero-cross-flow impingement via an array of differing length, extended ports
A jet impingement array design and method are disclosed for efficiently cooling the liner of a gas turbine combustion chamber, while eliminating almost all effects of coolant gas crossflow. The design includes an array of extended jet ports for which the distance between the ends of the jet ports and the surface to be cooled progressively decreases from upstream to downstream. Spent air from upstream jets is directed away from downstream jets, thereby reducing the detrimental effects of crossflow, and optimizing heat transfer. |
| US08127550B2 |
Anti-flashback features in gas turbine engine combustors
A gas turbine combustor (10) comprises a base plate (12) from which protrude a plurality of lips (36) that surround respective apertures (16) into which are positioned downstream ends (19) of main swirler assemblies (18). The apertures (16) are arranged about a centrally positioned pilot cone (22) that comprises an inner cone (23) and an outer cone (25), defining a space (31) there between. A number of laterally directed apertures (60) are disposed along the outer cone (25) so as to direct a flow of fluid toward a near portion (38) of each lip (36), thereby perturbing pockets of high fuel-to-air mixtures between the outer cone (25) and the near region (38). The provision of such laterally directed apertures (60) reduces or eliminates flashback between the outer cone (25) and the near region (38) through such action. |
| US08127549B2 |
Burner and gas turbine combustor
A burner is provided that has high flame stability and reduces NOx emissions.In the burner, air holes of an air hole member have a central axis inclined relative to a burner central axis. The leading end portion of a first fuel nozzle is configured to be able to suppress turbulence of air-flow flowing on the outer circumference side of the first fuel nozzle. The tip of the first fuel nozzle is located on a fuel jetting-out directional downstream side of the inlet of the fuel hole. The tip of the second fuel nozzle is located on a fuel jetting-out directional downstream side of the air hole inlet. |
| US08127548B2 |
Hybrid electrical/mechanical turbine engine fuel supply system
A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, an electric fuel metering pump, and a mechanically-driven fuel pump. The priority flow line is used to supply fuel to one or more gas turbine engine fuel manifolds. The electric fuel metering pump has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and is adapted to be selectively energized and, upon being energized, to draw fuel into its fuel inlet and discharge the fuel from its fuel outlet for supply to the priority flow line. The mechanically-driven fuel pump has a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet that is in fluid communication with the electric fuel metering pump fuel inlet and the plurality of secondary fuel loads. As such, fuel may be supplied to the secondary fuel loads independent of the electric fuel metering pump, which advantageously reduces the electrical power consumption of the electric fuel metering pump. |
| US08127547B2 |
Gas turbine engine with air and fuel cooling system
A gas turbine engine is provided with a first heat exchanger associated with a cooling air flow to deliver cooling air to a turbine section. A second heat exchanger is associated with a fuel supply line for delivering fuel into a combustion section. An intermediate fluid cools air at the first heat exchanger and heats fuel at the second heat exchanger. |
| US08127544B2 |
Two-stroke HCCI compound free-piston/gas-turbine engine
This invention provides a compact, fuel-efficient internal combustion engine that can be used to provide rotating shaft output power to a wide variety of mobile and stationary applications. It is based on a two-stroke free-piston gas generator that implements the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion principle for essentially constant-volume combustion, and it employs a variable piston stroke to maintain a high level of efficiency across a wide range of loads and speeds. A rotary device, which may be of either an aerodynamic or positive displacement type, converts the energetic gas stream to power at a rotating shaft. |
| US08127542B1 |
Portable hydroelectric generating system
Ancient Hydroelectric Company comprises a portable hydroelectricity producing system. Consumers are provided with a cost-effective and reliable system for providing substantially clean electricity generation without obstructing the water source or negatively affecting the environment. The high efficiency portable hydro-electric producing system is for use with a moving water source. The system uses antifreeze with water to provide a more thermally efficient working fluid as used to improve the system's pressure and volume capacity in use. |
| US08127533B2 |
System and method for power production using a hybrid helical detonation device
The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact. |
| US08127532B2 |
Pivoting fan nozzle nacelle
A variable area nozzle system for a gas turbine engine includes a fan duct inner wall, a fan duct outer wall disposed in radially spaced relation to the fan duct inner wall, and a fan nozzle. The fan nozzle defines at least a portion of the fan duct outer wall and includes a nozzle aft edge. The fan duct inner wall and the nozzle aft edge collectively define a fan duct nozzle throat area. The fan nozzle is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that may be oriented transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The fan nozzle may be pivoted from a stowed position to a deployed position in order to vary the fan duct nozzle throat area. |
| US08127530B2 |
Thrust reverser for a turbofan gas turbine engine
The thrust reverser comprises sections, such as arms and skins, which may be connected along joints to provide a thrust reverser body. A plurality of fittings may be integrally formed on a surface of each arm. |
| US08127521B2 |
Equine mask and sun visor
An equine mask and sun visor combination that protects the face and eyes of the horse against several environmental insults simultaneously, including insects, water-born particulates and direct sunlight. A second layer of UV-opaque material is added to a first UV-retarding screen layer to form a sun visor disposed to protect the horse's eyes from direct sunlight and precipitation without blocking the horse's vision. The two distinct mask layers are joined in a manner that forms a single equine mask assembly which neither irritates nor discomforts the horse during long-term continuous wear. |
| US08127520B2 |
Device for the filling of bags
The invention relates to a device for the filling of bags in automatic machines for the formation, filling and closing in a continuous process of bags from a tubular mesh, of those comprising a tubular body outside which the storage of tubular mesh is assembled, the device comprising means for the conveyance of individual pieces of large fruit and vegetable products, such as melons, watermelons or the like, from a loading position to a delivery position, and means for the holding and transfer, one by one, of the individual pieces conveyed to the delivery position, which comprise a head for the holding and subsequent release of the pieces and a mechanism for transmitting to the head a movement the path of which comprises a vertical downward section, of a sufficient length to convey the held piece through the inside of the tubular body of the machine towards the mouth of a bag open at the upper part, and such that the piece is accompanied in its entire downward path. |
| US08127519B2 |
Method of inserting and storing waste for disposal
Support member for use in a waste disposal device includes a frame and a length of tubing having a closed or closeable front end and a rear end. The rear end of the tubing is fixed or otherwise attached to the frame. The tubing has a wider cross-sectional area at a portion proximate the front end than at a portion fixed to the frame. The frame and the tubing may be designed for a single use. |
| US08127515B1 |
Green roof assembly for inhibiting wind erosion and method of installation
An assembly for inhibiting wind erosion including an anchorage structure, an erosion mat and a retaining member. The anchorage structure includes a downwardly facing base surface, an upwardly facing anchorage surface, and a rigid elongate member. The anchorage structure is supportable on its base surface with the elongate member in an upright position. The anchorage structure is disposed within a plant growing medium with the elongate member extending upwardly through the erosion mat. A retaining member is secured to the elongate member and engages the upwardly facing surface of the erosion mat to inhibit the removal of the erosion mat. The assembly can be used in a green roof system by placing a drainage layer on the roof and a filter fabric between the plant growing medium and the drainage layer. The anchorage structure is positioned above the filter fabric. |
| US08127512B2 |
Roofing system
A roofing system formed of a plurality of support members secured to a load bearing roof deck. A plurality of roofing panels are positioned on the support members and are oriented to form overlapping joints between the panels. Sealant is positioned within the overlapping joints of the panels. A compression bar is positioned over the overlapping joints and is secured to the overlapping joints and support member by a fastener arrangement. |
| US08127508B2 |
Device for separating regions of a space
A device (1) for separating regions of a space, with at least one ceiling rail (3) for pressing on the ceiling (4) of the space, with at least one wall rail for making contact with the wall (7) of the space and with at least one floor rail (8) for resting on the floor (9) of the space. In order to prevent passage of dust through the separated region of the space, there is least one diagonal brace (36) for detachable mounting on the wall rail (5) and the floor rail (8) outside of the corner region (37) between the wall rail (5) and the floor rail (8) and for applying pressure to the middle region (38) of the wall rail (5) and that the diagonal brace (36) has a length which is greater than half the length of the wall rail (5). |
| US08127506B2 |
Structural reinforcements
The present invention is predicated upon the provision of systems and methods for reinforcement of a structural member. More particularly, the present invention is predicated upon unique carrier configurations and application of reinforcing material thereto. In one configuration, the application of reinforcing material is achieved without the use of fasteners, adhesives, or both, for placement, locating and restrictive movement of the reinforcing material onto the carrier. |
| US08127500B2 |
Entry system with water infiltration barrier
Entry systems that minimize water infiltration due to a wind driven rain. In one embodiment, the entry system includes a corner pad that includes an upper portion that seals against the weather strip when the door is closed and a lower portion that is spaced apart from the weather strip to form a gap between the lower portion and the weather strip. The lower portion seals against the door when the door is closed. |
| US08127499B2 |
Relief lip for flocked tape belt seal
A belt seal structure for engaging a glass window of an automobile. Included is an inner belt seal and an outer belt seal, both the inner and outer belt seals engageably attached to at least one flange of an automobile door frame. Also included is a plurality of sealing lips connected to and extending away from the inner and outer belt seals, where a surface portion of the sealing lips contact the glass window. The contacting surface portion is covered with the low friction material. Further included is a relief lip of at least one of the sealing lips. The relief lip is located proximate a substantially curved contacting surface portion of the sealing lip, where the low friction material extends to cover a surface of the relief lip. |
| US08127497B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing a sliding door mechanism
A drive assembly for a sliding door is disclosed, the drive assembly having a power drive unit for providing a rotational force to rotate a cable drum of the drive assembly, the power drive unit being mounted within the sliding door; a cable having one end secured a guide track of the drive assembly and another end secured to the guide track; a roller assembly configured to slidably engage the guide track; an arm fixedly secured to the sliding door and pivotally mounted to the roller assembly at a pivot point; a pulley rotationally mounted to the roller assembly, the axis of rotation of the pulley being aligned with the pivot point and the cable engages the pulley in opposite directions as the cable drum rotates and the roller assembly slides along the guide track as the cable drum rotates, wherein movement of the roller assembly causes movement of the sliding door. |
| US08127495B2 |
Window lift system and method for fitting a window pane
A window lift system, especially for the side window of a motor vehicle, includes (i) a pulling device and (ii) a catch for a window pane, which can be moved up and down using the pulling device. The catch has a first fastening point for an upward pulling end of the pulling device and a second fastening point for a downward pulling end of the pulling device, which point is horizontally off-set from the first fastening point in the window pane plane when the window pane is fitted. The window lift system also includes (iii) an arrangement positioning and fixating the catch in terms of at least three degrees of freedom so that the catch can be maintained in a position that is defined in terms of the degrees of freedom even when the window pane is not yet fitted. |
| US08127494B2 |
Self adjusting track chain adjustment trolley
A self adjusting chain adjustment trolley comprising a stabilizer bar trolley assembly affixed to a chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging a track, the stabilizer bar trolley assembly having a chain second end attachment point for engaging a chain second end; a sliding door attachment point affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for engaging a sliding door; and a track engagement assembly affixed to the chain tensioner assembly for translationally engaging the track. The chain tensioner assembly comprises a movable chain first end attachment point for engaging a chain first end and a force applicator attached thereto, such that the force applicator applies a predetermined amount of force to the movable chain first end attachment point to create a predetermined tension on the chain. |
| US08127491B1 |
On-demand control of subsurface watering
A watering device for deployment within soil for watering vegetation by releasing water into the soil in which the vegetation is growing. The device includes a container that is shaped for being deployed at least partially within soil. The container has an inlet for receiving a flow of water into the container and a plurality of apertures through which water can flow from the container. A flow-control assembly is coupled to the inlet of the container for regulating the flow of water into the container in accordance with a demand for water from the soil. The assembly includes a float disposed for rising and falling in accordance with the level at which water accumulates within the container; and a valve coupled to the float for regulating the flow of water into the container through the inlet in accordance with the level of the float. When the container is deployed at such a depth in soil that water can flow through the apertures of the container into the soil, and the soil becomes so saturated with water that the water flowing into the container accumulates within the container, the level of the float rises as the water accumulates and thereupon causes the float to rise until the valve shuts off the flow of water into the container through the inlet. |
| US08127490B2 |
Block used for landscape and related applications
A block (30) useful in creating, for example, a landscape edging, a patio framing for a patio is L-shaped and includes a first member (32) and a second member (34). The block (30) is adapted to be arranged in an interlocking or interfitting fashion with other similarly configured blocks (30). |
| US08127489B2 |
Marcotting device and method
A marcotting device includes a housing for housing a predetermined portion of branch therein. Such housing includes two sides hingedly attached to each other, an open first end formed when such sides are joined in a closed position, a pair of bottom members, each perpendicularly attached to one side closely adjacent a second end of such housing, each of such bottom members including a cut out portion such that when such sides are closed such bottom members align to form a housing bottom and such cut out portions form a first aperture therein. A cover member is engageable with such housing closely adjacent such first open end. An access mechanism connected to such housing enables water dissemination into such housing. A securing mechanism secures such housing on or around the branch, or a combination thereof. |
| US08127487B2 |
Bird decoy with recess for removable stake
A first aspect of the invention is a bird decoy, including a body; a weighted keel; a sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes a slot that fits over the keel; and a stake, wherein the stake is inserted in the sleeve. A second aspect of the invention is a bird decoy, including a body; a weighted keel; a stake, wherein the stake is inserted in the keel; wherein the keel includes a recess with a web and the stake includes a slot, wherein the web is inserted in the slot of the stake. A third aspect of the invention is a bird decoy, including a body; and a stake, wherein the stake is inserted in the body; wherein the body includes a recess with a web and the stake includes a slot, wherein the web is inserted in the slot of the stake. |
| US08127485B2 |
Gun with mounted sighting device
A sighting device is mountable to a gun. The device includes a light source (preferably a laser), a power source connectable to the light source and a mount attachable to the gun so that the laser is juxtaposed either the top surface of the gun or a side surface of the gun. In one embodiment, the sighting device includes a bottom rail mountable in a slot on the gun, wherein the slot is preferably positioned on the top surface of the gun. The sighting device may also include a mechanical sight that functions as the rear mechanical sight on the gun and/or a secondary light source. |
| US08127480B1 |
Magazine well extension for a firearm
A magazine well extension for a firearm having a magazine well and a trigger guard consists of a tapered monolithic hollow extension body closely matched to the magazine well opening. The bottom opening is larger than the top opening to more loosely receive the magazine for easier insertion. The extension is attached to the magazine well opening by upward facing rails on opposite sides at the top of the extension body which are matingly received by complimentary slots in the bottom of the magazine well. A second attachment point located at the rear of the extension includes a yoke which retains a laterally slidable captive pin that engages an outwardly extending tang on the trigger guard of the firearm. A forwardly extending lip at the front of the magazine well engages a groove on the inside wall of the extension to vertically support the extension at the front. |
| US08127479B2 |
Tie for identification ring
A tie comprising a strap (1) having two end portions (1A, 1B) respectively provided with a female portion and a male portion of a fastening system is characterized in that the female portion of the fastening system is an opening (2) in the strap that is bordered by a cleavable region (2A-2C) of the strap. Said tie can be used to create an animal identification band whose diameter can be increased without removing the band from the animal. |
| US08127477B2 |
Illuminating display systems
An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar. |
| US08127471B2 |
Plow including independently moveable wings
A snow plow is provided with an articulated wing blade. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle by securing each of a chassis coupler to the vehicle chassis. A plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion is configured to coupled to a central plow blade and a lift bar assembly. The central plow blade includes a wing blade pivotally attached at each end of the central plow blade. Each wing blade is configured to selectively move independently of the central plow blade from a first position to a second position about a vertical axis parallel with each of the first and second ends of the central plow blade. The lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame and couples to the hitch frame nose assembly wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle. |
| US08127469B2 |
Footwear sole with a removable heel insert
The invention relates to an article of footwear having a hollow heel cavity that is adapted to receive a heel insert. A user can interchange heel inserts of varying thicknesses based on their activity, and is not required to change their footwear when undertaking a new activity. For example, hiking on a dirt trail may require a heel insert with less cushioning and more support, while running on pavement may require a heel insert with more cushioning and less support. The user can simply carry with him multiple heel inserts and replace the heel insert as needed to achieve a desired level of support, cushioning and comfort. |
| US08127467B2 |
Sole, and footwear provided with the same
A sole and footwear provided with such soles are capable of properly controlling the movement of a foot pressure center, using a simple configuration. This sole includes: a sole body (41) which forms each bottom part of the footwear; and a foot pressure protrusion portion (43) which is provided in this sole body (41), and guides a foot pressure center corresponding to the center of a pressure applied to the bottom of each foot that moves when a person walks or runs, along a predetermined foot pressure center route from the heel toward the vicinity of the root of the fourth toe. |
| US08127465B2 |
Vented shoe assembly
A self-ventilating shoe assembly including an upper having an outer layer, a porous middle layer, and an inner layer; and a sole including an outsole; is provided with one or more passageways or chambers connecting between the outsole and the porous middle layer of the upper. One or more external vent openings are in fluid communication with the one or more passageways or chambers. Cooling ambient air is moved by convection and by a pumping action from the external vent openings through the passageways or chambers up through the porous middle layer of the upper, and optionally, the insole, providing cooling and reducing moisture in the cavity containing the wearer's foot. |
| US08127461B1 |
Measuring and marking device
A measuring and marking device used as an attachment to, or as an integral part of, a standard tape measure. The device comprises a specially configured stop member, indicator member, and scribe member, which operate together to provide for a precise take, read, transfer, recordation, and replication of a measurement. |
| US08127458B1 |
Mounting apparatus for articulated arm laser scanner
An articulated arm can include a plurality of articulated arm members, a probe, a receiving portion at a distal end comprising a threaded portion, and a base at a proximal end. A base plate can kinematically mount on the receiving portion and have a hole positioned such that the probe passes through the hole. The base plate can also couple to a laser and an optical sensor located on opposite sides of the hole. A nut can threadably mount to the threaded portion of the receiving portion. Further, a wave spring can mount on the receiving portion between the nut and the base plate. Thus, movement of the nut along the receiving portion can cause the wave spring to urge the base plate against the articulated arm to secure the kinematic mount. The wave spring can then mechanically isolate the base plate from the articulated arm. |
| US08127457B2 |
Tool, method and marking system
The present invention pertains generally to marking and/or measuring surfaces adjacent to the curved and/or off angle object's surface, positioned perpendicularly to the working surface or positioned on the same surface plane as the object's surface. Particularly, the present invention should and/or will be useful for the hardwood/laminate/parquet/engineering flooring installers and/or any kind of residential and/or commercial construction workers and/or for amateur performers. As the level of difficulty during the wood flooring installation around curved and/or off angle surfaces arises, and there are limited number of workers who can perform such trade, the TOOL, METHOD AND MARKING SYSTEM, will enable anyone who is familiar with the trade to perform the complicated assignment in a shorter period of time and without waste of material; moreover, it will allow performers to acquire the craftsmanship results. |
| US08127453B2 |
Hair removing device
A hair removal apparatus with a housing and an actuator head movable in the housing. The actuator head accommodates an actuator system that removes the hairs and is adapted to be driven by an electric drive mechanism arranged in the hair removal apparatus. The actuator system is movable into at least one active position for hair treatment. According to the invention, the actuator head is freely rotatable in the housing about an axis of rotation for adjustment of an active position. Using a single hair removal apparatus it is thus possible to employ various hair treatment systems such as long-hair cutter, short-hair cutter, or epilator, requiring only the actuator head to be turned about its bearing axis until the cutting unit provided for the respective hair treatment operation is turned into the actuator plane. Since several hair treatment operations can be performed with just one apparatus, manufacturing costs can be reduced. |
| US08127452B2 |
Utility knife
A utility knife includes a handle, a blade carrier, and a blade depth adjustment assembly. The blade carrier is mechanically coupled to the handle and configured to support a blade. The blade depth adjustment assembly is mechanically coupled to the handle and configured to permit a user of the utility knife to reposition components of the blade depth adjustment assembly to select one of a plurality of blade depth positions which causes the blade carrier to be repositioned along the handle depending upon which of the blade depth positions is selected. |
| US08127449B2 |
Press-hardened component and method for the production of a press-hardened component
A method for the production of press-hardened components, in particular a vehicle body component, from a semifinished product (2) made of unhardened, hot-workable steel sheet. A component blank (10) is formed from the semifinished product (2), pre-coated with a first coating (33), by a cold-forming method, in particular a drawing method. The component blank (10) is trimmed at the margins to a marginal contour (12′) approximately corresponding to the component (1) to be produced. The trimmed component blank (17) is heated and press-hardened in a hot-forming tool (23); then the press-hardened component blank (18) is covered with a second, anticorrosion coating (34) in a coating step. |
| US08127446B2 |
Method of manufacturing a steering wheel
A method of manufacturing a steering wheel, comprising: forming a rim portion separately with a decorative outer coating via a first forming process; forming a hub separately from the rim portion via a second forming process, the hub having at least a pair of spoke portions; and securing the rim portion to the pair of spoke portions, wherein the decorative outer coating is applied to the rim portion prior to the rim portion being secured to the pair of spoke portions. |
| US08127445B2 |
Method for integrating heat transfer members, and an LED device
Disclosed is a method for integrating at least two heat transfer members to provide an integrated composite member, the method comprising: a) disposing the at least two heat transfer members in a mold cavity, such that said heat transfer members each have at least one exposed surface forming a surface of a resin injection cavity; and b) injecting a thermally conductive resin into the resin injection cavity to contact the exposed surfaces of the at least two heat transfer members, to form the integrated composite member; wherein the thermally conductive resin has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.7 W/mK or higher. |
| US08127436B2 |
Device for installing aerial electrical power lines
A device for installing aerial electrical power conductors on utility poles. The device includes a frame having a plurality of anchors. The anchors are arranged to provide a place for securing a plurality of pull ropes during installation of the conductors. The device includes a post sized to be received in a hitch on a vehicle. In one embodiment, the device is sized to fit into an aerial platform, such as that used on utility bucket trucks. The device may be lifted to the point of connection on the utility pole. |
| US08127435B2 |
Electronic component mounting apparatus
The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources. The component feeding device is provided on only one side of the carrying device, and the suction nozzles provided on each of the mounting heads pick up electronic components from the component feeding device and mount the electronic components on a printed board by moving the mounting heads provided on both the beams between the printed board on the carrying device and the component feeding device by driving the drive sources respectively. |
| US08127434B2 |
Apparatus assembly and disassembly of a tire curing mold
Apparatus and method for assembly and disassembly in axial and radial directions mold segments forming a toroidally shaped mold. The apparatus includes mold gripping apparatus operatively engaging and disengaging the mold; and mold transport apparatus for operatively moving the mold gripping apparatus and engaged mold between a mold assembly and disassembly station and a tire curing station. The mold gripping apparatus engages and unlocks an upper mold sidewall segment and mold loading apparatus engages and unlocks a lower mold sidewall segment. Tread segment closing apparatus is provided for operatively opening and closing the tread segments of the mold in a radial direction. |
| US08127428B2 |
Proceeding for the manufacturing of a stator for an electric motor and of an electric motor
A process for manufacturing an outer stator for an electric motor whereby the stator comprises stator poles surrounded by coils. A laminar body of ferromagnetic material is prepared, with elongated form and provided with laminar protrusions. A coil of conductive material is then inserted around each of the laminar protrusions. The terminal zones of the laminar protrusions are then cut or separated and deformed in order to assume an outwardly curved form. Then, the laminar body is closed such that the laminar protrusions are in an internal position and adapted to serve as stator poles. |
| US08127422B2 |
Method for attaching radiopaque markers to a stent
A mandrel for supporting a stent and rollers for pressing a radiopaque marker into a stent are disclosed. The mandrel can have a forward portion for carrying the stent and a rear portion for urging the stent forward portion into a gap between the rollers. The mandrel may be pushed or pulled into the gap, which is sized to allow the rollers to press the marker into engagement with the stent. Prior to moving the mandrel into the gap, the marker may be placed on a surface of the stent or partially inside a recess in the stent. Several markers can be efficiently and uniformly pressed onto the stent by moving the mandrel into the gap in one continuous movement in an axial or lateral direction. Markers can also be pressed onto the stent by placing the stent in the gap and rotating the stent about its central axis. |
| US08127415B2 |
Device for machining components, in particular of a vehicle body
A device for machining components, in particular of a vehicle body has a transport and positioning unit for the component and several machining stations, which are arranged around said unit and to which the component held by a component holder of the transport and positioning unit can be fed in a position ready for machining. To transport the component from one machining station to the other machining stations while taking up the smallest possible surface area, the transport and positioning unit includes a rotor and a pivoting arm that is mounted eccentrically on said rotor, driven in opposition to the latter and supports the component holder. The drives of the rotor and the pivoting arm are synchronized in such a way that the component holder is displaced along a closed curved path comprising spaces between the neighboring apexes of said path. |
| US08127414B2 |
Casket having exchangeable inner shell and associated methods
A casket according to the present invention may include an outer shell comprising a base, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from the base, a pair of opposing endwalls extending upwardly from the base and connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls, a lid connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls and adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position, and a plurality of rollers carried by the base. At least one of the opposing sidewalls or opposing endwalls is adapted to be moved between an opened position and a closed position. The casket may also include an inner shell comprising a tray, a lid member adapted to overlie the tray member, and a fastener member carried by the lid member and including a pair of opposing end portions adapted to engage a portion of the tray member and adapted to engage one another to fasten the lid member to the tray member. |
| US08127413B2 |
System and method for preventing race condition vulnerability
A method for identifying vulnerable system call pairs is disclosed. The method is based on a model for identifying Time-Of-Check-To-Time-Of-Use (TOCTTOU) problem (called STEM), which enumerates the potential file system call pairs (called exploitable TOCTTOU pairs) that form the check/use steps. The system function calls are classified into a plurality of predefined classes and pairs of the function calls are formed according to predefined criteria, where the function calls within a pair are associated with the same file invariant. |
| US08127410B2 |
Spring steel slip sheet for a compactor and for extending into a compression zone defined by a feed roll and a retard roll for shrinking a fabric
A spring steel slip sheet for a compactor and for extending into a compression zone defined by a feed roll and a retard roll for shrinking a fabric. The slip sheet is for the compactor, extends into the compression zone defined by the feed roll and the retard roll for shrinking the fabric, and is made of spring steel. The slip sheet is sheet-like and includes a mounting portion and a compressing portion. The compressing portion extends from the mounting portion at an interface line. The mounting portion usually is flat and the compressing portion usually is arcuate. The compressing portion curves similarly as the feed roll of the compactor does, and presses the fabric against the feed roll of the compactor as the fabric enters the compression zone of the compactor. |
| US08127409B2 |
Safety belt release mechanism
The safety belt release mechanism includes sensor and belt release components. The sensor is installed at a low point within the vehicle. The sensor contains water-soluble material that retains a spring in compression so long as the water-soluble material is dry. If the vehicle is immersed in water, the water-soluble material dissolves, releasing the spring. In one embodiment, the spring drives a pin into a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2) cartridge, releasing the gas therein. The gas passes through a tube to the belt release component installed upon a belt latch mechanism, driving a pin from an engaged position in the latch to release the latch. In another embodiment, the spring acts directly to drive the latch pin from the engaged position to release the latch. While one such assembly is disclosed herein, it is most preferred that one such assembly be installed along each safety belt assembly of the vehicle. |
| US08127401B2 |
Method and removable clip for holding a vehicle door open
A clip is attached to the hinge of a vehicle door to hold the door open during electro-coating and painting. The hinge is assembled with the clip to the vehicle prior to painting. The hinge is taken apart after painting to separate the door from the vehicle. An end of the clip may include at least one ramp surface and a pair of walls that define a receiver in which a stop attached to the door is received. The stop is captured in the receiver of the clip to hold the door open. |
| US08127400B2 |
Portable terminal apparatus
A portable terminal apparatus includes a first body having a base, to which a first hinge arm is provided, the first hinge arm including a first axis hole having a protrusion extending axially; and a second body having a base, to which a second hinge arm including a second axis hole is provided. The apparatus also includes a hinge axis that includes an axially provided groove to be engaged with the protrusion, and that is fitted to the first axis hole and the second axis hole, so as to connect the first body and the second body, allowing opening and closing movements of the first body and the second body. The protrusion is formed such that an end of the protrusion facing the second hinge arm is positioned inside the first axis hole inwardly from an end of the first axis hole. |
| US08127398B2 |
Convertible surface cleaning apparatus
An upright surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet, and includes a suction motor and at least one cleaning stage. An upright section is mounted to the surface cleaning head and comprises at least one cleaning stage having an inlet. An above floor cleaning wand is connectable to the fluid flow path and has an inlet end. A valve is operable between a first position in which the surface cleaning head is in fluid flow communication with the at least one cleaning stage and a second position in which the above floor cleaning wand is in fluid flow communication with the at least one cleaning stage. In some embodiments, the valve is positioned adjacent the inlet of the at least one cleaning stage. |
| US08127397B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a lower housing part, on which wheels are mounted for moving the vacuum cleaner along a floor surface, and which forms a dirt collection container with a suction inlet to which a suction hose is connectable, and an upper housing part which is mountable on the lower housing part and accommodates an electrically drivable suction unit, and an electric supply cable for connecting the suction unit to an electrical voltage source. In order to develop the vacuum cleaner so that it is easier to handle, and the supply cable and the suction hose can be held in a simple way for storage on the vacuum cleaner and removed from the vacuum cleaner for use, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, that the vacuum cleaner have a cable receptacle for storing the supply cable and a hose mount for storing the suction hose, the cable receptacle surrounding the upper housing part on the outside in the circumferential direction, and the hose mount being arranged below the cable receptacle. |
| US08127396B2 |
Robotic floor cleaning with sterile, disposable cartridges
An automated (robotic) floor cleaner (100) is adapted to allow sterile cleaning of sensitive environments, such as hospital room. In particular, the floor-cleaner chassis (124) is redesigned to be mounted on a deck (102) containing cleaning devices that contact the floor. The cleaning devices mounted on the deck (102) include vacuum head (132), brushes (120), cleaning fluid sprays (128), and conceivably sanitizing devices such as UV germicidal light, are provided pre-sterilized. As such, the adapted floor-cleaner chassis (124) allows the deck (102) to be mounted to the bottom of the chassis (124), the floor-cleaner (100) is then used to clean a floor, after which, the deck (102) is removed from the chassis (124) and disposed. The robotic-floor cleaner (100) and sterilization system cleans floor between or even during cases. Further, the robotic floor cleaner (100) reduces the “turnover time” required between cases, as it operates simultaneously while the staff prepares the room for the next case. |
| US08127395B2 |
Apparatus for isolated bevel edge clean and method for using the same
An apparatus, system and method for cleaning a substrate edge include a bristle brush unit that cleans bevel polymers deposited on substrate edges using frictional contact in the presence of cleaning chemistry. The bristle brush unit is made up of a plurality of outwardly extending vanes and is mounted on a rotating shaft. An abrasive material is distributed throughout and within the outwardly extending vanes of the bristle brush unit to provide the frictional contact. The bristle brush unit cleans the edge of the substrate by allowing frictional contact of the plurality of abrasive particles with the edge of the substrate in the presence of fluids, such as cleaning chemistry, to cut, rip and tear the bevel polymer from the edge of the substrate. |
| US08127393B1 |
Interchangeable retracting hair brush
An interchangeable retractable hair brush includes a retracting brush element and a brush case. The retracting brush element includes a brush base and a brush body. A spring loaded detent pin is retained in the brush base. A notch is preferably formed in the brush base for brush bodies with a round cross section. The brush body includes a plurality of brush projections. An inner perimeter of the brush case is sized to slidably receive the brush base. First and second location openings are formed through a wall of the brush case to receive the spring detent pin for retaining the brush body in retracted and extended positions. A lengthwise projection extends from the inner perimeter of the brush case. The lengthwise projection is sized to be received by the notch. The retracting brush element and the brush case preferably come in different styles, shapes and colors. |
| US08127392B2 |
Convertible broom
A convertible broom having a broom head able to be selectively latched in either of two pivoted angular positions with respect to a broom handle. A latch mechanism includes a sleeve grip slidable on the handle to move a locking feature into and out of engagement with either of two locator features or pairs of locator features on a head bracket pivotally mounted to one end of the handle. On locator feature (or pair of features) is aligned with the locking feature with the broom head in a straight configuration, the other locator feature aligned with the locking feature with the broom head in a push broom configuration. |
| US08127389B1 |
Portable curb ramp
A portable ramp system made according to this invention includes a pair of interconnected ramps for use with high-centering wheeled lawn equipment such as commercial walk-behind mowers. The ramps allow the equipment to move between a first lower elevation and a second higher elevation without its front wheels becoming airborne as the equipment traverses the ramps in a forward direction. The ramps are connected to one another by a flexible tether that allows the distance between the ramps to be easily adjusted and provides a means for stowing the ramps over the handles of the equipment The ramps may be stowed in a holder secured to the equipment deck. Magnets may be included in a bottom portion of the ramp to provide an optional means for stowing the ramps on the equipment. |
| US08127385B1 |
Infant head rest and angular support pillow
A method for securing an infant at a gently angled upright position employs an infant bedding system having a generally wedge shaped angular pillow; an angled pillow cover adapted to extend the angular pillow at an angle similar to that of the angular pillow, an incline from 20 to 40 degrees; a headring pillow; hook and loop fasteners for removably attaching the headring pillow to the angled pillow cover; a cloth wrap adapted to wrap around an infant; hook and loop fasteners for removably attaching the cloth wrap to the angled pillow cover; and hook and loop fasteners for securing said cloth wrap around the waist of an infant. The infant is placed on the infant bedding system with the infant's head resting on the headring pillow and the infant's body overlying the cloth wrap, the cloth wrap is folded up between the infant's legs to the infant's waist, and the cloth wrap is secured around the waist of the infant. |
| US08127379B2 |
Reclosable locking tape
A reclosable locking tape for releasably attaching a fabric add-on to a foundation includes: (a) a substantially planar tape base to which is affixed at least one male locking portion that is generally mushroom-shaped and includes a stem affixed to a cap; and (b) at least one female locking portion affixed to the tape base, the female locking portion including two same-sized hook members on opposite sides of a male portion-sized space in the female portion. Also included are a reclosable rib and groove tape assembly that includes: (a) a fabric add-on including at least one longitudinally extending rib or groove on a substantially planar and flexible portion backing; and (b) a separate foundation attachment portion including at least one rib or groove on a substantially planar portion backing, the rib or groove of the foundation attachment portion corresponding to the rib or groove of the add-on attachment portion, and a related method. |
| US08127377B2 |
Bathtub transfer bench
A bathtub transfer bench includes a clamp member having a first arm for engaging an inner wall of a bathtub and a second arm for engaging an outer wall of the bathtub. A support member includes a substantially horizontal bench member and a pair of downwardly extending legs for supporting the bench member adjacent to the outer wall of the bathtub. A coupling mechanism releasably couples the support member to the clamp member. |
| US08127376B2 |
Water closet comprising variable soil exhaust system
A water closet has a variable siphon soil exhaust system with a flexible water bladder connected to a water inlet, a tension spring within the water bladder to contract the water bladder, a variable siphon tube connected to the water bladder to allow soil to be exhausted from the bowl while lifted and lowered by an expanding and contracting motion of the water bladder, and a small tube for connecting the water bladder to the variable siphon tube. A cover has a first port connected to the water supply passage, a second port connected to the bowl, and a third port connected to a bottom tube laid under the floor. The variable siphon tube has one end connected to the bowl through a bellows tube and an opposite freely movable open end communicating with the interior of the cover. |
| US08127374B2 |
Side positioned vision enhancement device mount
A device mount for mounting a vision enhancement device to an article worn on a user's head includes a first adjustment member operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device in a cranial-caudal direction with respect to the user. A second adjustment member which extends from the first adjustment member is operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device along a medial-lateral adjustment axis with respect to the user. A third adjustment member includes an extension arm extending from the second adjustment member that rotates with respect to the medial-lateral adjustment axis of the second adjustment member. A helmet apparatus includes a device mount and power supply that are offset from an anterior-posterior axis of the helmet in a counterbalancing arrangement. |
| US08127373B1 |
Protective helmet having a microprocessor controlled response to impact
A method and system for reducing the concussive effects of impact. The system includes a helmet for protecting the head of a user. The helmet has a surface, an array of strain gauges attached on the surface for detecting an impact, an array of cells attached within the helmet and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cells. Each cell is selectively inflatable to redirect impact forces to the shell of the helmet, and selectively deflatable to cushion a users head during impact. The process of inflation and deflation is enabled and optimized through the use of a microprocessor connected in operative communication with the array of strain gauges and with the valves. Accordingly, when the system detects impact, the microprocessor selectively signals at least some of the valves to rapidly change pressure in the cells near the impact. |
| US08127372B2 |
Polyisoprene aqueous emulsion and a method to fabricate gloves and related products
This invention relates to the method for fabrication of polyisoprene aqueous emulsion, gloves and related products thereof, wherein the aqueous emulsion is polyisoprene or polynitrile aqueous emulsion obtained through free-radical emulsion polymerization initiated by initiating agent under normal pressure with isoprene as the monomer, or isoprene monomer, acrylonitrile monomer, and (methyl)acrylic acid as the monomer mixture, and emulsifying agent and dispersing agent as the emulsification system. After the isoprene or the mixture of isoprene monomer, acrylonitrile monomer, and (methyl)acrylic acid is mixed with the initiating agent, the oil phase obtained together with reducing agent is added dropwise in different time quantums. The polymerization conversion rate of polyisoprene aqueous emulsion or polynitrile aqueous emulsion according to this invention is increased from the original 78% to over 97.5%. Fabricated polyisoprene or polynitrile gloves and thin latex products thereof have high strength and good extensibility, provide good hand touch, and do not cause allergies of the human body. They can be used for various purposes. |
| US08127371B2 |
Tie stay clips and methods of making and using the same
Tie stay clips are disclosed. Methods of making and using tie stay clips are also disclosed. |
| US08132265B2 |
Techniques for multilingual password challenge response, password reset, and/or password recovery
Techniques for multilingual password challenge response, password reset, and/or password recovery are presented. When a password reset or password recovery request is received, a series of challenge questions are serially asked such that each question has to be answered correctly before the next question in the series is even presented. Furthermore, at least two questions are asked in different languages from one another. |
| US08132263B2 |
Method and system for selectively controlling access to protected media on a media storage device
A method of preventing unauthorized reproduction of media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises installing a compliance mechanism on the computer system. The compliance mechanism is communicatively coupled with the computer system when installed thereon. The compliance mechanism is for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to the media. The method further includes obtaining control of a data input pathway operable on the computer system. The method further includes accessing data that is disposed on the media storage device that is associated with the usage restriction. The method further includes preventing the computer system from accessing the media digitally via the data pathway while enabling presentation of the protected media. |
| US08132262B2 |
External memory management apparatus and external memory management method
An objective is to prevent a downloaded application from accessing data in an external memory unrelated to the application, and to achieve safer management of access to the external memory. An external memory function module 15 is a function module that controls access of an application downloaded in a cell phone 1, to an external memory 2. This external memory function module 15 has a bind ID acquirer 156 for acquiring a bind ID to specify the application downloaded, a discrimination ID acquirer 157 for acquiring a directory discrimination ID to specify an application permitted to access a directory, and an access controller 158 for checking the bind ID against the directory discrimination ID and for, when they coincide with each other, performing such control as to permit access of the application to the directory. |
| US08132259B2 |
System and method for security planning with soft security constraints
A method for security planning with soft security constraints, include: receiving security-related requirements of a workflow to be developed using system inputs and processing components; and generating at least one proposed workflow according to the security-related requirements, wherein the at least one proposed workflow satisfies soft constraints. |
| US08132257B2 |
Anti-virus method based on security chip
An anti-virus method based on a security chip according to the present invention is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a hash value obtained by a hashing operation for a computer key file and a system control program are stored in a memory of the security chip, and a backup file of the computer key file is stored in a backup storage area. When power up, the integrity of the system control program is verified by using the hash value of the system control program stored in the memory of the security chip. If the system control program is integral, a control is executed by the system control program, and the system control program verifies the integrity of the computer key file using the hash value of the computer key file stored in the memory of the security chip. If all the computer key files are integral, the operating system is started; on the contrary, if any of the computer key file is not integral, it will be restored using the backup file of the computer key file stored in the backup storage area. |
| US08132256B2 |
Home networking using LTE radio
A system and methodology that facilitates management of a single identity and billing relationship for multiple UE (user equipment) associated with a subscriber is provided. Specifically, each of the multiple UEs can employ LTE (Long Term Evolution) radio technology to authenticate and register with a femto access point. Further, the transport level billing associated with the multiple UE can be facilitated by the femto access point by employing a femto id (identity) and/or credentials. Moreover, the femto access point can be employed by the multiple UEs as a network hub and can be employed by the UEs to perform authentication to connect to a core network. In addition, the femto access point can determine an authorized IP cloud associated with a registered UE and allow the registered UE to access only the authorized IP cloud. |
| US08132255B2 |
Generating a challenge response image including a recognizable image
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for generating a challenge response image including a recognizable image. A challenge image is generated including random elements and a recognizable image. The challenge image is transmitted to a recipient. Recipient input associated with the transmitted challenge image is received. A determination is made as to whether the received recipient input matches a descriptor associated with the recognizable image in the challenge image. Indication is made that the recipient correctly identified the recognizable image. |
| US08132254B2 |
Protecting system control registers in a data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus and method for protecting system control registers is provided. Processing logic is providing for executing software routines and a plurality of system control registers are used to store access control information for a plurality of system resources available to the processing logic when executing at least some of those software routines. Additionally, at least one write control register is provided, with each field of that register being associated with one or more of the system control registers. Disable control logic is used to generate a disable signal, and when that disable signal is clear access control information can be written into the system control registers, and write restriction data can be written into each of the fields of the at least one write control register. Then, when the disable control logic sets the disable signal, the at least one write control register becomes read only, and for each field that has write restriction data therein those associated system control registers indicated by the write restriction data also become read only. This mechanism provides a very flexible approach for programming which system control registers are to be treated as read only registers. |
| US08132253B2 |
Memory security override protection for manufacturability of information handling systems
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing memory security override protection for improved manufacturability of information handling systems. A security authentication system is added to a software driven security override signal for unlocking programmable memory circuitry, such as flash memory, according to security protection techniques associated with the Intel AMT (Active Management Technology) architecture. This security authentication system disclosed requires authentication of software security override requests before they are allowed. More particularly, the systems and methods disclosed add specific BIOS (Basic Input Output System) code to check the security override status and the software security override request signals on boots of the computer system to make sure these requests are not coming from rogue elements within the computer system. If the authentication is validated, then the programmable memory circuitry is unlocked on the next boot of the system to allow for reprogramming. |
| US08132249B2 |
Method for establishing a multi-link access between a local network and a remote network, and corresponding appliance
The invention enables the different access links between a local network and a remote network to be used in a common and transparent manner. The invention is based on the use of various IP tunnels using the different access links between an appliance on the local network of the user and an appliance on the remote network. Said tunnels are embodied as a single link providing access to the remote network. |
| US08132248B2 |
Managing configurations of a firewall
A method and system for managing multiple firewall configurations are disclosed. The method uses a pointer on a packet object representing a packet to reference a configuration object representing a configuration of the firewall which is assigned to the packet. By using a pointer to link each packet entering a computer system to the most recent configuration, the method can maintain multiple configurations and enable the firewall processing modules to process each packet according to its assigned configuration even if new configurations are released during the transition of the packet through the system. A reference count is also used as a variable by the configuration object to track the number of packets assigned to the configuration. A corresponding system is also provided. |
| US08132247B2 |
Systems and methods for authorizing a client in an SSL VPN session failover environment
The SSL VPN session failover solution of the appliance and/or client agent described herein provides an environment for handling IP address assignment and end point re-authorization upon failover. The appliances may be deployed to provide a session failover environment in which a second appliance is a backup to a first appliance when a failover condition is detected, such as failure in operation of the first appliance. The backup appliance takes over responsibility for SSL VPN sessions provided by the first appliance. In the failover environment, the first appliance propagates SSL VPN session information including user IP address assignment and end point authorization information to the backup appliance. The backup appliance maintains this information. Upon detection of failover of the first appliance, the backup appliance activates the transferred SSL VPN session and maintains the user assigned IP addresses. The backup appliance may also re-authorize the client for the transferred SSL VPN session. |
| US08132245B2 |
Local area network certification system and method
The disclosure herein relates to an improved local area network certification system, apparatus, and method. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a certification-based system, apparatus, and method where a certification authority issues and manages a first certification and grants LAN Information Technology Executives and Network Administrators the capacity to request and store on a local gateway User-Specific, Permission-Coded Certificates to control the transfer of data within the LAN and with external sources. |
| US08132240B2 |
Electric field unit and method for executing a protected function of an electric field unit
In order to develop a method for carrying out a protected function of an electrical field device in such a manner that a high degree of security against unauthorized accesses to the electrical field device can be ensured irrespective of the nature of the communication link between a user and the electrical field device, an identification device for the electrical field device and a security device are used to check whether a stated protected function of the electrical field device can be carried out, or should be refused. The invention also relates to an appropriately configured electrical field device. |
| US08132237B2 |
System of electronic document repository which guarantees authenticity of the electronic document and issues certificates and method of registering, reading, issuing, transferring, a certificate issuing performed in the system
Provided are an electronic document repository system which guarantees authenticity of electronic document and issues certificates and methods of registering, reading, issuing, and transferring electronic documents in the system, and a method of issuing certificates in the system. The electronic document repository system includes an authentication module, a registration module, a reading module, an issuing module, and a certification module. |
| US08132234B2 |
Unauthorized terminal inferring system, unauthorized terminal inferring device, and communications terminal device
There is provided an unauthorized terminal inferring device (100) device that is connected to a plurality of communications terminal devices (IDi) by a multi-hop network. The device (100) includes a communications terminal information control portion (120) that controls identification information and key information for the communications terminal devices (IDi), a transmission portion (160) that transmits challenge information to the devices (IDi), a receiving portion (170) that receives from the devices (IDi) response information that corresponds to the challenge information, a response information verification portion (130) that verifies whether or not an authenticator that is contained in the response information is correct, and an unauthorized terminal device inferring processing portion (140) that, in a case where the verification result indicates that the response information is not legitimate, requests that each of the devices (IDi) retransmit received and generated information, then infers which communications terminal device performed the unauthorized behavior. |
| US08132229B2 |
Governing the transfer of physiological and emotional user data
Apparatus and articles of manufacture are provided for governing the transfer of data characterizing a user's behavior, physiological parameters and/or psychological parameters. One embodiment provides a computer readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for handling a request, from a requesting application, for emotion data characterizing an emotional state of a user. A firewall ruleset defining rules governing the transfer of the emotion data to requesting applications is accessed to determine whether to provide the emotion data the requesting application. The request is denied if the firewall ruleset rules are not satisfied. |
| US08132228B2 |
Electronic document conversion device and electronic document conversion method
Based on the security policy set in the original document and the security policy supported by the format of conversion destination, it is judged whether or not the security policy set in the original document is inheritable to the electronic document after format conversion. If it is judged that the security policy is inheritable, the security policy set in the original document is inherited to the electronic document after format conversion. If it is judged that the security policy is not inheritable, a process for inheriting the security policy set in the original document to the electronic document after format conversion is not performed. |
| US08132226B1 |
System, method and computer program product for an authentication management infrastructure
A system, method and computer program product that utilizes measurements for the authentication of users to enterprise resources. The system includes an authentication server that stores the engine and collections of data required by the system to authenticate users. The collections of data include templates, policies, groups, device IDS, user IDS, computer IDS and application IDS. In the present invention, it is the policies that determine the way or method in which a user is to be authenticated by the system. The pre-defined polices include an OR policy, an AND policy, a CONTINGENT policy, a RANDOM policy and a THRESHOLD policy, a multi-user policy, a multi-location policy, a multi-template policy, a user dependent policy, a location restriction policy, and a computer/device specific policy. |
| US08132221B2 |
Methods, computer program products, and systems for packaging livecast electronic content for distribution
Packaging live broadcast electronic content for delivery on a content delivery network is provided. A first live program broadcast on a first channel is scheduled for delivery on a livecast channel, and a second live program broadcast on a second channel is scheduled for delivery on the livecast channel. The first live program is associated with a first content identifier and the first channel in an electronic program guide, and the second live program is associated with a second content identifier and the second channel in the electronic program guide. Upon receiving a program selection of at least one of the first live program or the second live program from the electronic program guide, the program selection is delivered over the livecast channel. |
| US08132220B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating toggling between internet and TV broadcasts
A TV-Internet Integration Box allows display of first data broadcast over a TV subscriber channel simultaneously together with second data broadcast over a digital data communications network has respective first and second inputs for receiving at a user premises the first data and the second data according to a user-profile associated with the second data. A combiner unit combines the first data and second data to form a combined video signal; and a video output coupled to the combiner unit conveys the combined video signal to a TV set in a user premises for displaying a first image corresponding to the first data and having superimposed thereon a second image corresponding to the second data. A user at the user premises may interact with the second image for redirecting to the digital data communications network and displaying a program broadcast thereby in at least a portion of the TV set. |
| US08132219B2 |
Intelligent peer-to-peer system and method for collaborative suggestions and propagation of media
In a network-based system for recommending media content items based on user preferences, clients contact a server on a periodic basis, independent of the user. In addition to client-server interaction, clients also interact with one another in peer-to-peer fashion. Peers query one another and evaluate their similarity to each other in an interactive comparison of user preferences. When two clients are sufficiently similar, the interaction culminates in the originating client downloading content listings from the targeted peer to generate suggestions for their user. If the two clients are dissimilar, the query may be terminated, or the targeted peer may route the query to a second targeted peer. In addition to the lists of preferences, the originating client may download actual content items from the targeted peers. |
| US08132208B2 |
Presenting a television services program guide information as a video mosaic
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for presenting program guide information using a mosaic of video sources broadcast in a television services system. An application program executed on a television services set-top box generates a matrix of still images representing multiple video sources presently being broadcast in the television services system. The matrix of still images is presented as a video mosaic representing current program guide information in the television services system. |
| US08132205B2 |
Electronic program guides, systems and methods providing date access to program information
An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) for television programming may allow access to program information based on a specified date. In embodiments, the EPG may be output for display with timeslots containing program information corresponding to television programs being broadcast currently and to television programs scheduled for future broadcast, and a header indicating a plurality of dates for accessing corresponding program information. User input received while the EPG is being output for display with the header indicating a plurality of dates that identifies one of the plurality of dates may cause program information in the EPG corresponding to the identified date to be accessed and the EPG to be output for display with the program information corresponding to the identified date and with a header indicating times of the timeslots. In embodiments, the header indicating times of the timeslots may replace the header indicating a plurality of dates. |
| US08132203B2 |
In-program content targeting
In-program content targeting is described. A default data stream containing default content associated with multiple segments of a particular program is generated and transmitted. An alternate data stream containing alternate content for one or more of the multiple segments is also generated and transmitted. A client device receiving the default content via the default data stream detects the availability of alternate content via the data stream. Based on profile data associated with the client device (or a user of the client device) and profile data associated with the alternate content, the client device may access the alternate data stream for one or more segments of the particular program. |
| US08132194B2 |
Disk storage medium processing apparatus
A disk storage medium processing apparatus includes at least an apparatus body having a disk loading/unloading slot, a traverse unit which is disposed in the apparatus body to conduct at least one of recording, deletion, and reproduction of information onto or from a disk, and a disk conveying device which conveys the disk into the apparatus body when a part of the disk is inserted through the disk loading/unloading slot and which ejects a part of the disk through the disk loading/unloading slot from a state that the disk is housed in the apparatus body. A control device controls the disk conveying device. The control device includes a single control member for controlling conveyance of the disk by the disk conveying means, for centering of the disk relative to the traverse unit, and for clamping or unclamping the disk relative to a turn table of the traverse unit. |
| US08132190B2 |
Predictive method for managing logging or replaying non-deterministic operations within the execution of an application process
This invention relates to a management method, more particularly by logging and replay, for software operations performed during the execution of an application process executed on a computer. The method applies in particular to internal operations sending a result datum to the managed process, and comprises the following steps: —carrying out a deterministic software processing, termed prediction function (FH), based on the state of a managed process or of the application (AOP, ASB), to provide a predict result (RP) for said operation; —comparative test to establish whether the value of the predict result (RP) corresponds or does not correspond to the value of the actual result (DR, RRJ); —performance of a complementary management depending on the result of the preceding test. |
| US08132187B2 |
Driver installer usable in plural environments
An executable file can be constructed that contains different driver installer code for use in different environments. A first executable file contains first program code that performs driver installation operations in a first environment, and that also checks to determine which environment the first program code is running in. If the first program code is running in the first environment, then the driver installation operations proceed using the first program code. If the first program code is running in a second environment, then second program code, which performs the driver installation operations in a second environment, is extracted from a resource in the first executable file. The second program code is copied into a second executable file. The second executable file is then invoked to perform the driver installation operations in the second environment. |
| US08132186B1 |
Automatic detection of hardware and device drivers during restore operations
Systems, methods, and computer-readable memory media for performing various computer configuration tasks are disclosed. One such configuration task is dissimilar system restore (DSR). Another such task is software deployment. In various embodiments, these configuration tasks operate on a target computer system using a utility operating system to perform detection of certain target system devices, determination of critical device classes on the source computer system, and updating of target computer configuration settings. Other tasks may be performed upon a computer system such as a backup server. These tasks include locating device drivers for the target operating systems and the installing utility operating system, as well as creating device driver packages that are usable to install device drivers for a plurality of devices. |
| US08132185B2 |
Device, system, and method of classifying a workload of a software service
Some embodiments include, for example, devices, systems, and methods of classifying a workload of a software service. A method of classifying a workload of a software service may include, for example, sampling a plurality of values of at least one parameter of the software service by performing out-of-band monitoring of the at least one parameter; and classifying the workload of the software service by selecting a workload classification from a plurality of predefined workload classifications based on the plurality of values. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08132184B2 |
Complex event processing (CEP) adapters for CEP systems for receiving objects from a source and outputing objects to a sink
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed for implementing adapters for event processing systems. A particular system includes an input adapter configured to store event objects received from a source at an input queue. The system also includes a query engine configured to remove event objects from the input queue, to perform a query with respect to the removed event objects to generate result objects, and to insert result objects into an output queue. The system also includes an output adapter configured to remove result objects from the output queue and to transmit the result objects to a sink. |
| US08132182B2 |
Parallel processing of triggering rules in SIP event notification filters
A system for processing triggering rules in SIP event notification filters, including an XPath processor configured to collect a set of XPath expressions from at least one trigger of at least one SIP event notification filter of at least one subscribers in a set of subscribers who are subscribed to state information of a resource, and create a merged finite state automaton having a plurality of nodes and transitions that collectively represent the combination of the XPath expressions, and a streaming parser configured to parse previously-published state information of the resource and newly-published state information of the resource, and stream parsing events of the parsed information to the XPath processor, where the XPath processor is configured to employ the automaton to perform a streaming evaluation of the XPath expressions in parallel to determine which nodes of the parsed information satisfies any of the XPath expressions represented by the automaton. |
| US08132180B2 |
Systems, methods and computer programs for determining dependencies between logical components in a data processing system or network
Described are methods, apparatus and computer programs for determining run-time dependencies between logical components of a data processing environment. Components of the data processing environment are monitored by monitoring agents accessing run-time activity data via APIs of the managed system. A dependency generator identifies correlations between the run-time activity of the monitored components. For synchronous monitored systems, the dependency generator calculates an activity period for monitored components and determines which component's activity periods contain the activity periods of other components. Containment is used as an indicator of a likely dependency relationship, and a weighting is computed for each dependency relationship based on the consistency of containment. |
| US08132179B1 |
Web service interface for mobile agents
Enabling a web service interface for a mobile agent, comprises receiving a tool including data, the data comprising an agent interface file, a URL identifying a name and an initial execution environment of the agent, a name of the web service, and a name of the web service WSDL file, and receiving a request to generate by the tool a web service interface based on the data. |
| US08132178B2 |
System and method for delayed priority boost
A system and method is provided for delaying a priority boost of an execution thread. When a thread prepares to enter a critical section of code, such as when the thread utilizes a shared system resource, a user mode accessible data area is updated indicating that the thread is in a critical section and, if the kernel receives a preemption event, the priority boost that the thread should receive. If the kernel receives a preemption event before the thread finishes the critical section, the kernel applies the priority boost on behalf of the thread. Often, the thread will finish the critical section without having to have its priority actually boosted. If the thread does receive an actual priority boost then, after the critical section is finished, the kernel resets the thread's priority to a normal level. |
| US08132175B2 |
Mobile telecommunication handset capable of implementing multitasking and method for implementing multitasking in a mobile telecommunication handset
A mobile telecommunication handset capable of implementing multitasking and a method for implementing multitasking in a mobile telecommunication are provided that makes it possible to implement multitasking even if sufficient memory and resources are not available. The mobile telecommunication handset includes a keypad having multitasking-specific function keys, a memory storing a task to run in a multitasking mode and task information related to the multitasking mode, a control unit controlling functions to implement a current task based on the task information, and a display unit displaying on-screen information related to multitasking in a multi tasking mode. |
| US08132173B2 |
Method and system for coordinating hypervisor scheduling
A method for executing an application on a plurality of nodes, that includes synchronizing a first clock of a first node of the plurality of nodes and a second clock of a second node of the plurality of nodes, configuring a first hypervisor on the first node to execute a first application domain and a first privileged domain, configuring a second hypervisor on the second node to execute a second application domain and a second privileged domain, and executing the application in the first application domain and the second application domain, wherein the first application domain and the second application domain execute semi-synchronously and the first privileged domain and the second privileged domain execute semi-synchronously. |
| US08132162B2 |
Runtime machine analysis of applications to select methods suitable for method level caching
A runtime machine manages a selected disk space allocated to the runtime machine by the operating system and manages a separate method cache within the selected virtual disk space. The runtime 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. The runtime machine marks a method as cache capable by analyzing the types of objects within the argument object graph and result object graph of a method. If the runtime machine detects only primitive type objects, then the runtime machine marks the method so that the result of the method will be stored in the method cache. |
| US08132160B2 |
Managing breakpoints in a multi-threaded environment
A storage medium that, in an embodiment, determines whether to stop execution of a program at a breakpoint based on a previous value of a variable. In another embodiment, an attribute is applied to all breakpoints in a breakpoint group. The attribute includes data that is used to decide whether to halt the program upon encountering the breakpoints or allow the program to continue to execute. In another embodiment, breakpoints are excluded or included on the basis of the thread in which the breakpoint is encountered by the program. |
| US08132159B1 |
Post-execution software debugger with event display
A method finds an error in a computer program. A sequence of machine instructions performed by a processor is recorded as trace data. Further, at least one event is selected from a plurality of events. In addition, an operating system instruction address is determined for the at least one event. Further, at least a portion of the trace data is searched for the operating system instruction address. The execution time for an operating system instruction stored in the operating system instruction address is determined. The execution time is searched through in the database to find task related data. The task related data is displayed. |
| US08132157B2 |
Method of automatic regression testing
A method of automatic regression testing includes loading binary code representing a first version of a program, extracting a second version of the program embedded within the binary code of the first version of the program, executing a standalone model of the second version of the program based on the extracted second version, wherein executing includes executing a set of instructions to identify at least one error, determining if the standalone model causes the at least one error, and storing results based on the determining. |
| US08132155B2 |
Automatic generation of telemetry flight software accompanying specifications, and decode files
A computer readable media, includes instructions capable of being interpreted for execution by a computer processor. The instructions provide information sufficient for: reading a master telemetry definition data file; producing a source code for implementing a data stream telemetry method, and generating documentation files for the source code. The source code includes a get component, a format component, and a blocks component. The get component includes source code for accessing flight software variable values according to the master telemetry definition data file. The format component includes source code for scaling the flight software variable values according to the master telemetry definition data file. The format component includes source code for formatting the values as telemetry stream parameters according to the master telemetry definition data file. The blocks component includes source code for placing telemetry parameters into a data stream according to the master telemetry definition data file. |
| US08132149B2 |
System and method for applying development patterns for component based applications
A computing device and method for coordinating the development of a client application including application components comprising one or more of at least one of a data component, a message component or a screen component, having corresponding component definitions, or a workflow component comprising a series of instructions. A first development pattern module configured for interaction with a development environment is provided by a computer user interface, the first development pattern module configured for selecting a first pattern from a plurality of patterns based on an application component type central to the client application, the first development pattern module for guiding a user interface with a plurality of predefined steps to coordinate a development of the application components through user input events via the user interface in accordance with the first pattern. |
| US08132145B2 |
Printed circuit board design support method and apparatus
A method used for supporting designing of a printed circuit board including a plurality of conductive layers having conductive areas to which a constant potential is applied, includes specifying conductive areas having a predetermined wiring from the conductive areas for each of the plurality of conductive layers, extracting areas that overlap each other in a planar view from the specified conductive areas, specifying an interlayer connection member that electrically connects at least two of the plurality of conductive layers in the extracted area, and clearly specifying an area within a predetermined distance from a center of the specified interlayer connection member and in the extracted area. |
| US08132143B2 |
Analytical synthesis method for designing DDCC and FDCCII-grounded R and C filter structure with stable transfer function
A voltage-mode nth-order differential difference current conveyor (DDCC) and fully differential current conveyor (FDCCII)-resistor and capacitor filter structures are proposed using a new effective analytical synthesis method (ASM), a succession of innovative algebra operations until a set of simple equations are produced, which are then realized using n integrators and a constraint sub-circuitry, A new ASM can effectively carry out (i) use of all the grounded capacitors and grounded resistors, and (ii) employment of the minimum number of active and passive components and then enjoys the low sensitivities, lower parasitics, power consumption, noise, and smaller chip area leading to simultaneously achieving two important features: (i) higher output performance and (ii) lower cost, without tradeoff. Moreover, the component value variations of all the relative sensitivities have the same incremental percentage or decrement. |
| US08132141B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a centerline connectivity representation
Some embodiments provide a system for generating a centerline connectivity representation for a set of routing shapes. During operation, the system can represent the set of routing shapes using a set of centerlines with endcap extensions. Note that an intersection between two centerlines represents an electrical connection between the two routing shapes associated with the two centerlines. Next, the system can detect two routing shapes which overlap, but whose centerlines do not intersect. The system can then create a virtual shape whose centerline intersects with the centerlines of the two routing shapes. In some embodiments, the system can modify a dimension of at least one of the two routing shapes. Next, the system can create a new routing shape which overlaps with the two routing shapes, and create virtual shapes which connect the centerline of the new shape with the centerlines of the two routing shapes. |
| US08132137B1 |
Prediction of dynamic current waveform and spectrum in a semiconductor device
A method for accurately determining the shape of currents in a current spectrum for a circuit design is provided. The method includes determining timing characteristics and power consumption characteristics for the circuit design. In one embodiment, the timing characteristics are provided through a electronic design automation tool. The timing characteristics yield a current pulse time width. In another embodiment, the power consumption characteristics are provided by an EDA tool. The power consumption characteristics yield a current pulse amplitude. The shape of the current pulse is obtained by incrementally processing a power analyzer tool over relatively small time increments over one or more clock cycles while capturing the switching nodes of a simulation of the circuit design for each time increment. In one embodiment, the time increments are one nanosecond or less. From the timing characteristics and the power consumption characteristics a time domain current waveform is constructed, which can be converted to the frequency domain. |
| US08132133B2 |
Automated isolation of logic and macro blocks in chip design testing
A method and system for testing a synthesized design of a semiconductor chip. The method includes inputting a macro test Input/Output (I/O) name of the semiconductor chip, along with associated attributes and a netlist, where the netlist is a synthesized design of the semiconductor chip. The method includes tracking the macro test I/O to a chip test I/O. The method further includes detecting mismatches between attributes associated with the macro test I/O and the chip test I/O. Subsequently, reporting any mismatches between the attributes associated with the macro test I/O and the chip test I/O. |
| US08132132B2 |
Methods and apparatus for implementing parameterizable processors and peripherals
Methods and apparatus are provided for implementing parameterizable processor cores and peripherals on a programmable chip. An input interface such as a wizard allows selection and parameterization of processor cores, peripherals, as well as other modules. The logic description for implementing the modules on a programmable chip can be dynamically generated, allowing extensive parameterization of various modules. Dynamic generation also allows the delivery of device driver logic onto a programmable chip. The logic description can include information for configuring a dynamically generated bus module to allow connectivity between the modules as well as connectivity with other on-chip and off-chip components. The logic description, possibly comprising HDL files, can then be automatically synthesized and provided to tools for downloading the logic description onto a programmable chip. |
| US08132131B2 |
Design structure including failing address register and compare logic for multi-pass repair of memory arrays
Disclosed is design structure including an integrated circuit having a system for moving a failing address into a new FAR by utilizing the functional compare circuitry during BIST of redundant memory elements. Disclosed is an any-for-any scheme that eliminates the tri-state address bus. The design structure allows for easy, discrete scaling with the addition of more FARs, while also allowing larger addresses with no additional control circuit overhead. |
| US08132128B2 |
Method and system for performing lithography verification for a double-patterning process
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs lithography verification for a double-patterning process on a mask layout without performing a full contour simulation of the mask layout. During operation, the system starts by receiving a first mask which is used in a first lithography step of the double-patterning process, and a second mask which is used in a second lithography step of the double-patterning process. Note that the first mask and the second mask are obtained by partitioning the mask layout. Next, the system receives an evaluation point on the mask layout. The system then determines whether the evaluation point is exclusively located on a polygon of the first mask, exclusively located on a polygon of the second mask, or located elsewhere. The system next computes a printing indicator at the evaluation point for the mask layout based on whether the evaluation point is exclusively located on a polygon of the first mask or exclusively located on a polygon of the second mask. |
| US08132125B2 |
Freeform encounter selection tool
A freeform selection tool for a computer system with a graphical user interface allows a user to draw a freeform selection path so as to select one or more graphical objects. The user is provided with the freedom to input selection ink, in any orientation, and using any desired selection path size provided by the select tool. The selecting tool may change the visual appearance of any graphical object once selected. The selecting tool provides the ability to select ink or graphical object with a particular property to be used for the selection. The selecting tool can recognize various selection gestures coordinated with a semantic relationship of the ink so that the number of selection ink strokes can be minimized. The selecting tool may change for different selection modes depending on the type of graphical object encountered and change of the context for a particular selection. |
| US08132121B2 |
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. |
| US08132114B2 |
Graphical user interface typing and mapping system
A graphical user interface (GUI) type model helps application designers create error free graphical user interface applications (GAPs). The GUI type model provides a reference set of GUI element types. The application designer assigns a selected GUI element type to each GUI element in a GAP design. The GUI element types help ensure consistent and proper treatment of the GUI element types at every stage in the development of the application, from initial planning and design, to compilation and execution. |
| US08132113B2 |
REST application exploration
A REST application may be explored through discovery of resources and exercising of methods. A user interface displays a graphical representation of the REST application based on a model constructed in memory. User input selects a resource. Methods associated with the selected resource are displayed. A user may select a method and provide input. A request is automatically sent to the server based on the selected method. A representation of the response to the request is displayed on the user interface, allowing the user to further explore the application. |
| US08132108B2 |
Customizable database-driven menu structure for a portable computing device
A portable media playing device incorporating a menu structure. The device includes a display mechanism, a navigation database, including a navigation record with a navigation description, and an action database, including an action record with an action description. The action database is customizable. A display driver displays the navigation description. When the navigation description is selected, the display driver displays the action description. When the action description is selected, a digital synchronization system generates an extra action request (EAR) record that includes an action identifier and action data for storage in an EAR database. When the device is synchronized with a computer, a synchronization manager accesses the EAR database and updates the action database with any new action records. |
| US08132105B1 |
Control codes for programmable remote supplied in XML format
An Internet service makes available control codes for use on a programmable universal remote. The remote controls CE equipment through IR or RF commands. A server supplies the control codes as XML data that gets processed at the receiver's set top box or PC, or the remote itself, for being properly installed on the remote. |
| US08132103B1 |
Audio and/or video scene detection and retrieval
Movie video trailers for a particular movie quote may be created and provided to a user. The Internet may be searched to identify documents that likely include references to a movie. A reference to the movie within an identified document may be detected and determined to be a movie quote. The movie quote and related information may be extracted from the identified document. A location of the movie quote within the movie may be determined. A movie video trailer that includes the movie quote may be created based on the location of the movie quote. A request for a movie video trailer that includes a movie quote or a partial movie quote, specified by the user, may be received from the user. A movie video trailer that includes the movie quote or the partial movie quote may be identified and provided to the user. |
| US08132102B2 |
Messaging interface systems and methods
Disclosed are systems and methods for delivering a plurality of sender messages and recipient messages on an interface. The interface can receive a first sender message, the first sender message being displayed in a first format on the interface so that the first sender message is graphically associated with a sender graphic. The interface can receive a second sender message being displayed in a second format on the recipient interface. A format can be any feature, characteristic, attribute and/or appearance of any kind of a sender's message or recipient's message. Also disclosed is a selection tool to allow the visualization of a conversation history for a particular individual by performing a selection command over the communication of that individual wherein when the selection tool provides a selection of the first sender message, the first sender message assumes the second format or a third format. |
| US08132097B2 |
Computer-implemented system for creating a publication and method thereof
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented system can be configured to facilitate creation of a publication from a master template, one or more embedded templates, and one or more content components. The computer-implemented system can include: (a) an administrative toolkit having: (1) a master template creation module configured to create and allow editing of the master template at a development site accessible to a template creator; (2) an embedded template creation module configured to create and allow editing of the one or more embedded templates at the development site by the template creator; (3) a content management module configured to establish rules regarding editing of the master template and placing the one or more content components in the master template; (4) an embedded template management module configured to establish rules regarding the editing of the one or more embedded templates, the placing the one or more embedded templates in the master template, and the placing the one or more content components in the one or more embedded templates; and (5) a template inventory management module configured to copy the master template from the development site to a production site accessible to an end-user. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application. |
| US08132094B1 |
Electronic input device and method for processing an electronically-executable instruction in an annotation of a document
An electronic input device such as an electronic pen is provided to annotate a document. The device may include a recording component that electronically records an annotation of the document, a recognition component that analyzes the annotation and determines whether the annotation includes an electronically-executable instruction, and a processing component that automatically causes an execution of the electronically-executable instruction when the annotation is determined to include an electronically-executable instruction. In another embodiment, a method for processing an annotation of a physical printed version of a document may include obtaining an electronic version of an annotation from a physical printed version of a document, determining if the annotation includes an electronically-executable instruction, and automatically causing an execution of the electronically-executable instruction if the annotation includes an electronically-executable instruction. |
| US08132092B2 |
Automated management of internet and/or web site content
An apparatus, program product, and method manage content from a content-controlled database (e.g., web pages or other files maintained in a web site) using a content management record linked to each content-controlled content item in the database. Each content management record is utilized in conjunction with a multi-stage content management process, where at least one stage is a review stage during which approval of an associated content item for a content management record is obtained. As a result of receiving appropriate approval, such an associated content item may be promoted and made available to users of the content-controlled database, with the content management record updated to reflect such a status of the associated content item. Multiple language and/or country versions of a content item may be linked together, such that changes made to one language/country version of a content item may automatically prompt a review of other versions to ensure that the changes are propagated to the other versions when necessary. |
| US08132091B2 |
Link exchange system and method
The link exchange system and method 100 automatically creates links between web sites. Specifically, the method of creating links includes providing an account Owner the opportunity to create and manage whitelists 111 and blacklists 116 which are used as filters to automatically accept or decline a proposed link according to criteria set forth in the respective lists. If the link request is accepted, the link is created on the account Owner's link page(s). |
| US08132089B1 |
Error checking at the re-sequencing stage
Computer communications that are to be recorded are visible to a network interface on a recording computer. The network interface receives the packets to be recorded. The network layer of the recording computer implements a subset of the normal IP module in the network layer. The IP module in the network layer assumes that most IP datagrams are correctly addressed, internally consistent and of the expected protocol type. The recording computer allocates the received datagrams to a recording session based upon at least a first value of a field that is at a fixed position within the datagram. The datagrams for a session are ordered into an ordered recording stream based upon a timestamp within the datagram. The datagrams are also checked for criteria that indicate an error condition. The allocated and ordered datagrams are recorded or associated with other datagrams that have been allocated to the same session. |
| US08132088B2 |
Data formatting in data storage
A method of processing data comprising arranging data into a data group comprising a plurality of sub groups each said subgroup comprising a plurality of columns; for each column, determining at least one checksum data of said column; and for each column, storing the checksum data of that column within at least one said subgroup of the group, other than the subgroup to which said column belongs. |
| US08132087B2 |
Forward error correction mapping and de-mapping techniques
Briefly, techniques to provide varying levels of enhanced forward error correction without modifying a line rate of a frame. |
| US08132078B2 |
Decoding method for algebraic geometric codes and associated device
A method of decoding a one-point algebraic geometric code defined on an algebraic curve of type C(a,b) represented by an equation F(X,Y) =0 of degree b in X and of degree a in Y over Fq, includes calculating extended error syndromes (σj(i)) associated with a received word (r) and determining the values of errors in each component r(x,yp,(x)) of the received word r, on the basis of the extended error syndromes calculated. |
| US08132075B2 |
Memory mapping for parallel turbo decoding
A routing multiplexer system provides p outputs based on a selected permutation of p inputs. Each of a plurality of modules has two inputs, two outputs and a control input and is arranged to supply signals at the two inputs to the two outputs in a direct or transposed order based on a value of a bit at the control input. A first p/2 group of the modules are coupled to the n inputs and a second p/2 group of the modules provide the n outputs. A plurality of control bit tables each contains a plurality of bits in an arrangement based on a respective permutation. The memory is responsive to a selected permutation to supply bits to the respective modules based on respective bit values of a respective control bit table, thereby establishing a selected and programmable permutation of the inputs to the outputs. |
| US08132074B2 |
Reliability, availability, and serviceability solutions for memory technology
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for reliability, availability, and serviceability solutions for memory technology. In some embodiments, a host determines the configuration of the memory subsystem during initialization. The host selects a write cyclic redundancy code (CRC) mechanism and a read CRC mechanism based, at least in part, on the configuration of the memory subsystem. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08132066B2 |
Apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on an information storage medium using padding information, and the information storage medium
An apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on a disc are provided using padding information, and a corresponding information storage medium. The recording method includes recording a recording unit block in which invalid data is padded in part of the block and recording padding information indicating that the invalid data is included. According to the method, a disc drive becomes able to distinguish valid data from invalid data in an error correction block such that reliability of reproduction increases and stability of the system is improved. |
| US08132065B2 |
Hybrid sphere decoding method and system
A hybrid sphere decoding method is disclosed. Received data is processed to obtain preliminary parameters. Mbf layers are determined to use breadth-first search and Mdf layers to use depth-first search. A search process is implemented based on the preliminary parameters, in which Mbf layers are searched using breadth-first search and Mdf layers are searched using depth-first search. |
| US08132064B2 |
Selectively accessing test access ports in a multiple test access port environment
A TAP linking module (21, 51) permits plural TAPs (TAPs 1-4) to be controlled and accessed from a test bus (13) via a single TAP interface (20). |
| US08132059B2 |
Mote servicing
One aspect can include determining that at least one mote device is operating outside normal operational parameters and should be serviced, and determining at least partially using the at least one mote device that is operationally located within a mote network is not meeting a goal of the at least one mote device with respect to the mote network and should be serviced. Another aspect can include determining that at least one mote device should undergo routine servicing and configuring the at least one mote device to indicate the at least one mote device should undergo the routine servicing. |
| US08132057B2 |
Automated transition to a recovery kernel via firmware-assisted-dump flows providing automated operating system diagnosis and repair
A method (and structure) of operating an operating system (OS) on a computer. When a failure of the OS is detected, the computer automatically performs a diagnosis of the OS failure. The computer also attempts to automatically repair/recover the failed OS, based on the diagnosis, without requiring a reboot. |
| US08132050B2 |
Providing removable storage management services using removable storage error information
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for providing removable storage management services using removable storage error information. Read/write error information is obtained for at least one removable storage by interfacing with the removable storage manager. The obtained read/write error information for the at least one removable storage is processed to determine read/write error rates for the at least one removable storage. A determination is made as to whether the determined read/write error rates for the at least one removable storage exceed at least one read/write error threshold. At least one message is sent to the removable storage manager to replace the at least one removable storage having read/write error rates that exceed the at least one read/write error threshold. |
| US08132049B2 |
Failure diagnosis method, failure diagnosis apparatus, conveyance device, image forming apparatus, program, and storage medium
A failure diagnosis method diagnoses a failure occurring in a diagnosis target apparatus including a drive mechanism having a drive member that receives power supply to operate and a power transmission member that transmits drive force of the drive member to another member. The method includes automatically acquiring by a sensor an operation state signal indicating an operation state during the drive mechanism operating for a predetermined period; and analyzing the automatically acquired operation state signal based on a failure probability model, which is obtained by modeling a cause of failure occurring in the diagnosis target apparatus with using probabilities, to execute failure diagnosis with respect to each of constituent members of the drive mechanism. |
| US08132044B1 |
Concurrent and incremental repair of a failed component in an object based storage system for high availability
Systems and methods for repairing a failed component within a data storage subsystem without interruption of service. A client device is coupled to a data storage cluster comprising a plurality of data storage locations addressable as rows and columns in an array. Each column of the array comprising a separate computer interconnected to other columns via a network. After both detecting a failure of a first column in the array and detecting a predetermined time threshold has elapsed, a predetermined reconstruction column coordinates reconstructing data storage locations within the reconstruction column. For a second row in the array, a predetermined coordinating column coordinates the execution of a received memory access requests from the client corresponding to the second row. In this manner, a column coming back online after a failure is able to repair without halting the servicing of read and write requests. |
| US08132043B2 |
Multistage system recovery framework
A method and system for multi-staged recovery of a distributed computer system. The method includes receiving a failure event notification from at least one node of the distributed computer system and executing a plurality of recovery stages upon receiving the failure event notification by using a recovery manager, wherein each of the plurality of recovery stages performs a defined recovery task. The progress of recovery is tracked by using at least one state machine executed by the recovery manager, wherein the state machine reflects progress of each of the recovery stages. The progress of recovery is monitored to a completion by using the state machine and the recovery manager. |
| US08132042B2 |
Method and device for exchanging data on the basis of the OPC communications protocol between redundant process automation components
The invention relates to a method and a device for exchanging data on the basis of the OPC communications protocol, wherein at least one OPC-ready server is connected parallel to a master OPC server. An OPC client is connected to the master OPC server over a first communications link and to at least one OPC-ready server via at least one second communications link. The OPC client exchanges data over the first communications link and the master OPC server, and over at least the second communications link and at least one OPC-ready server with automatic devices, and evaluates the data transmitted by the master OPC server and at least one OCT-ready server. In the event of failure, the master OPC server is at least partially switched over from the OPC client to at least one OPC-ready server such that the program continues to run smoothly in the same place. |
| US08132032B2 |
Electronic device for reducing power consumption during sleep mode of computer motherboard and motherboard thereof
A power-saving electronic device for use with a computer motherboard in a “suspend to memory” state is disclosed. The power-saving electronic device enables compulsory interruption of power supply to a south bridge chip and a super input output (SIO) chip of the computer motherboard in the “suspend to memory” state, such as an S3 state of Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), so as to save power. After a user presses a power switch, the power-saving electronic device enables the south bridge chip and SIO chip to be powered on by a standby power supplied thereto and enables the computer motherboard to remain capable of awakening and resuming from the S3 state. |
| US08132031B2 |
Power adjustment based on completion times in a parallel computing system
A method, apparatus, and program product optimize power consumption in a parallel computing system that includes a plurality of computing nodes by selectively throttling performance of selected nodes to effectively slow down the completion of quicker executing parts of a workload of the computing system when those parts are dependent upon or otherwise associated with the completion of other, slower executing parts of the same workload. Parts of the workload are executed on the computing nodes, including concurrently executing a first part on a first computing node and a second part on a second computing node. The first node is selectively throttled during execution of the first part to decrease power consumption of the first node and conform a completion time of for the first node in completing the first part of the workload with a completion time for the second node in completing the second part. |
| US08132029B2 |
Method for managing the power transmitted from a central network component to a decentralized network component via a line
Disclosed is a method for managing the power transmitted from a central network component to a decentralized network component via a line, said method determining the ultimately available power in a simple manner. In said method, a respective decentralized network component that is assigned to a predefined power class and can adjust different functionalities, each network component, successively simulates decentralized network components belonging to different power classes, verification is made as to whether the central network component responsible for transmitting power supports a decentralized network component of the simulated type, and the respective decentralized network component decides which functionalities implemented therein are activated after the respective decentralized network component has determined the power classes supported by the central network component. |
| US08132027B2 |
Transformerless power over ethernet system
In one embodiment, a powered device (PD) (402) has a PHY module (410) and a media access controller (419) (MAC), the PD (402) adapted to connect to power sourcing equipment (PSE) via a cable, (408) where the PD (402) is adapted to communicate with and receive power from the PSE via the cable, in accordance with the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard. The PD (402) extracts (413) from the cable (408) a DC signal used to power the PD without using a transformer. Capacitors (420) located in the signal paths between the MAC (419) and the cable (408) support electrical isolation of the MAC (419). |
| US08132024B2 |
Digital work protection system, recording apparatus, reproduction apparatus, and recording medium
A recording and reproduction apparatus for preventing illegitimate use of contents. A recording medium stores an inherent number in an unrewritable area. The recording apparatus writes media key data and an encrypted content onto the recording medium. The media key data includes encrypted media keys generated by (i) for each of unrevoked reproduction apparatuses, encrypting a media key using a device key of the unrevoked reproduction apparatus respectively, and (ii) for each of revoked reproduction apparatuses, encrypting detection information using a device key of the revoked reproduction apparatus. The reproduction apparatus decrypts the encrypted media key using a device key to generate a decryption media key, judges whether the decryption media key is the detection information, and prohibits the encrypted content recorded on the recording medium from being decrypted when judged in the affirmative. |
| US08132022B2 |
Apparatus and method for employing configurable hash algorithms
A method for performing hash operations including: receiving a hash instruction that is part of an application program, where the hash instruction prescribes one of the hash operations and one of a plurality of hash algorithms; translating the hash instruction into a first plurality of micro instructions and a second plurality of micro instructions; and via a hash unit disposed within execution logic, executing the one of the hash operations. The executing includes first executing the first plurality of micro instructions within the hash unit to produce output data; second executing the second plurality of micro instructions within an x86 integer unit in parallel with the first executing to test a bit in a flags register, to update text pointer registers, and to process interrupts during execution of the hash operation; and storing a corresponding intermediate hash value to memory prior to allowing a pending interrupt to proceed. |
| US08132020B2 |
System and method for user authentication with exposed and hidden keys
The present invention relates to a system and method for digitally authenticating users both online and offline. In one embodiment, a hardware token assigned by a trusted token provider to the user is employed to ensure the identity of the user. In the online authentication, the token is adapted for generating an exposed key EK and a hidden key HK based on a noise code NC and a time code TC of the token, a space code SC of a service server, and an owner code OC of the user. A login session is initialized by entering a user identifier at the service server and the generated EK from a computing device. The service server computes an expose key CEK and a hidden key CHK based one an authentication license generated by the token provider. The service server authenticates the user if the CEK is same as the EK, and sends a response message encrypted the CHK to the computing device. Then, the user provides the HK to the computing device to decrypt the encrypted response message so as to access his/her account. In the offline authentication, the token is adapted for generating a license exposed key LEK used to render the encrypted digital content on an offline compliant device. The compliant device authenticates the user if a license exposed key computed by the compliant device based on a content license of which the user bought is same as LEK, so as to render the protected digital content after authentication. |
| US08132019B2 |
Arrangements for interfacing with a user access manager
Arrangements which permit the employment of dedicated user-access management architecture with more than text-based access. Particularly contemplated herein are arrangements for accepting user identifiers that are then communicated to an intermediate user-delineating architecture (i.e., architecture configured for permitting access to encrypted data or sections of a computer on a user-specific basis) in a manner to permit the user-delineating architecture to perform its own task of unlocking data or sections of a computer. |
| US08132016B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for the authentication of multiple users in a common session
A first information handling system (“IHS”) receives identification information of a first user of a second IHS. The first IHS initiates a network session in response to authenticating the identification information of the first user. Within the network session, the first IHS receives identification information of a second user of the second IHS. The first IHS authenticates the identification information of the second user. |
| US08132007B2 |
PANA authentication method and system
A Protocol for carrying Authentication for Network Access (PANA) authentication system is provided. The system includes: a PANA client (PaC) which establishes, with a PANA authentication agent (PAA), a first PANA session and a second PANA session independent of the first PANA session, and transmits, to the PAA, a PANA update request packet requesting a binding of the first PANA session and the second PANA session; and a PAA which determines whether the first PANA session and the second PANA session are associated with an identical PaC in response to the PANA update request packet received from the PaC. |
| US08132002B2 |
Fast system call method
A method of a fast system call is provided. First, a logical operation to compute a kernel service routine is used. Then the logical operation result is compared with ciphertext from a key register. At least one input for the logical operation is from the relevant information of the required kernel service routine. For example, the start address of the kernel service routine or the content of the start address of the kernel service routine, or combinations thereof. If the logical operation result equals to the ciphertext of the key register, a switch from a user mode to a kernel mode to read the kernel service routine is allowed. Otherwise, the central processing system executes a corresponding exceptional handler routine. Then the operating system terminates the mode switch request and reports an error to the operating system. |
| US08131998B2 |
Transparent authentication of continuous data streams
A system, apparatus and method for transparently authenticating continuous data streams. A continuous data stream is divided into data blocks. Block authentication code(s) are determined using the data in the data blocks, a hash function and a key. The block authentication code(s) are embedded into the data block(s) by adjusting the timing between the packets in the data block(s). Timing delays may be used to separate the blocks. The continuous data stream may be received and authenticated by comparing an extracted block authentication code with a new calculated content-based block authentication code. |
| US08131997B2 |
Method of mutually authenticating between software mobility device and local host and a method of forming input/output (I/O) channel
A method of mutually authenticating between a local host and a software mobility device including an operating system virtualization layer, and a method of forming an input/output (I/O ) channel. The method of authenticating a local host in the software mobility device includes requesting a certificate from the local host in which an integrity value of the local host is stored, and receiving the certificate from the local host; receiving an integrity value measured in the local host and comparing the measured integrity value with the integrity value included in the certificate to verify the local host; and when the local host is verified, encrypting a security profile of the software mobility device and transmitting the encrypted security profile to the local host so as to provide secure communication between the local host and the software mobility device. |
| US08131996B2 |
Distributed management of a certificate revocation list
In a method for managing a Certificate Revocation List (CRL), a first device (31, 61) receives the CRL (33, 67) which comprises at least one revoked certificate identifier (SNi). An integrity field (MACi) associated to an entry of the CRL (371, . . . , 37p) is calculated using a secret data (KCRL), wherein an entry comprises at least one revoked certificate identifier of the CRL. The entry and its associated calculated integrity field are transmitted to a second device (32, 62), distinct from the first device and are stored into the second device. The method further comprises checking a validity of a certificate. |
| US08131994B2 |
Dual cryptographic keying
A dual cryptographic keying system. In particular implementations, a method includes responsive to an initial session key negotiation, storing security association information for a tunnel in a security association memory; responsive to a session key renegotiation, storing security association information for the tunnel in a cache; decrypting received packets associated with the tunnel conditionally using the security association information in the cache or the security association information in the security association memory; and upon an expiration condition, overwriting the security association information, for the tunnel, in the security association memory with the security association information, for the tunnel, copied from the cache. |
| US08131988B2 |
Secure boot device
An electronic device includes a power supply unit, a control unit, a first boot circuit, and a data encryption unit. The control unit outputs a boot signal for causing the power supply unit to start supplying power. The first boot circuit interconnects the power supply unit and the control unit for transmitting the boot signal. The data encryption unit is for interconnecting the power supply unit and the control unit so as to form a second boot circuit through which the boot signal is transmitted and for cutting off the first boot circuit. |
| US08131987B2 |
Virtual appliance pre-boot authentication
A system for pre-boot authentication of a virtual appliance includes one or more subsystems to receive a command to power-on an information handling system (IHS). After receiving the command to power-on the IHS, the system initializes a power-on self test (POST), passes control of the IHS to a hypervisor, loads a concurrent service environment (CSE), requests user credentials, receives user credentials, authenticates user credentials using the CSE and authorizes a specific operating system image from a plurality of images to run on the IHS via the virtual appliance after the user credentials are authenticated. |
| US08131985B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having processor reset function and reset control method thereof
A semiconductor memory device for use in a multiprocessor system includes a shared memory area and a reset signal generator. The shared memory area is accessible by the processors of the multiprocessor system through different ports, and is assigned to a portion of a memory cell array. The reset signal generator is configured to provide a reset enable signal to a processor, predetermined as a slave processor among the multiple processors, for a predetermined time after an initial booting of the multiprocessor system. The reset signal generator also provides a reset disable signal to the slave processor after the predetermined time lapses. |
| US08131979B2 |
Check-hazard instructions for processing vectors
The described embodiments provide a system that determines data dependencies between two vector memory operations or two memory operations that use vectors of memory addresses. During operation, the system receives a first input vector and a second input vector. The first input vector includes a number of elements containing memory addresses for a first memory operation, while the second input vector includes a number of elements containing memory addresses for a second memory operation, wherein the first memory operation occurs before the second memory operation in program order. The system then determines elements in the first and second input vectors where the memory addresses indicate that a dependency exists between the memory operations. The system next generates a result vector, wherein the result vector indicates the elements where dependencies exist between the memory operations. |
| US08131978B2 |
Restoring plural instructions for same cycle execution from partial instructions and combined supplementing portions generated for compact storage
An original first instruction word (I1) to an original third instruction word (I3) include a bit field (L11) and a bit field (L12) to a bit field (L31) and a bit field (L32). An information word (IW) includes a set of some of bit fields belonging to a plurality of instruction words executed in the same cycle, which are the bit field (L12) of the original first instruction word (I1) to the bit field (L32) of the original third instruction word (I3). An instruction decoder (103) of a processor (100) decomposes the information word (IW) and restores the arrangements of the original first instruction word (I1) to the original third instruction word (I3) by combining the bit field (L11) to the bit field (L31) to the bit field (L12) to the bit field (L32). This can reduce the amount of memory consumption without degrading the instruction execution performance. |
| US08131977B2 |
Microprocessor inhibiting instruction storage in cache and not decoding based on pre-analysis information to reduce power consumption
A microprocessor includes: a processor core that performs pipeline processing; an instruction analyzing section that analyzes an instruction to be processed by the processor core and outputs analysis information indicating whether the instruction matches with a specific instruction; and a memory that temporary stores the instruction with the analysis information, wherein the processor core includes: an instruction fetch unit that fetches the instruction stored in the memory; an instruction decode unit that decodes the instruction fetched by the instruction fetch unit; an instruction execute unit that executes the instruction decoded by the instruction decode unit; and a specific instruction execute controller that reads out the analysis information stored in the memory and controls operation of at least one of the instruction fetch unit and the instruction decode unit when the analysis instruction indicates that the instruction matches with the specific instruction. |
| US08131972B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving memory coalescing in a virtualized hardware environment
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing memory in a shared environment. Upon receiving a file open event associated with a file, a tag value is generated based on the attributes of the file. Upon receiving a file read or write event associated with the file, a memory object is created to hold data associated with the file. The tag value is associated with the memory object. The tag value and the associated memory object are provided to a virtual hosting platform layer as hints to the underlying page coalescing mechanisms. |
| US08131971B2 |
Methods and systems for push-to-storage
Methods and systems for storing a plurality of content fragments in a plurality of storage-and-computing elements according to a plurality of storage element types that are associated with the storage-and-computing elements. |
| US08131967B2 |
Asynchronous data interface
An interface system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a buffer that receives data from a source in a first clock domain and stores the data to be read by a destination in a second clock domain, wherein the buffer functions in both the first clock domain and the second clock domain; a write pointer that points to data written by the source; and a read pointer that points to data read by the destination. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the write pointer and the read pointer are utilized to enable the data to be transmitted from the first clock domain to the second clock domain asynchronously. |
| US08131963B2 |
Remote copy system
Even when a host does not give a write time to write data, consistency can be kept among data stored in secondary storage systems. The present system has plural primary storage systems each having a source volume and plural secondary storage systems each having a target volume. Once data is received from a host, each of the plural storage systems creates write-data management information having sequential numbers and reference information and sends, to one of the primary storage systems, the data, sequential number and reference information. Each of the secondary storage systems records reference information corresponding to the largest sequential number among serial sequential numbers and stores, in a target volume in an order of sequential numbers, data corresponding to reference information having a value smaller than the reference information based on the smallest value reference information among reference information recorded in each of the plural secondary storage systems. |
| US08131961B2 |
Reliable storage of data in a distributed storage system
The present invention relates to the reliable storage of data within a distributed storage system. A method and system for storing a data unit within a distributed storage system is disclosed, wherein the distributed storage system comprises a plurality of storage elements of unspecified system reliability, a public network interconnecting the plurality of storage elements and a reliability index control unit measuring a plurality of storage element reliability indexes associated with the plurality of storage elements. The data unit is stored following the steps of receiving a request to store the data unit according to a data unit reliability index and storing replicated copies of the data unit in at least one storage element, such that the data unit reliability index is achieved. |
| US08131959B2 |
Method and arrangement for securing user-definable data of a franking machine
In a method for data backup of a franking machine in which, in a data backup step, a connection is established between the franking machine and a remote data center via a communication network, data stored in the franking machine are transmitted to the data center as backup data in a transmission step, and the backup data are stored in the data center in a storage step. The backup data include user-definable configuration data of the franking machine that are definable by the user of the franking machine for configuration of the franking machine. |
| US08131954B2 |
Memory device and data reading method
A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array formed by a plurality of multi level cells, a determining circuit and a data reading circuit. The memory array includes a plurality of page units, each including a main data and an auxiliary data corresponding to the main data, wherein the auxiliary data includes a plurality of flag bits. The determining circuit generates a determination bit according to the flag bits. The data reading circuit obtains information corresponding to the main data according to the determination bit. |
| US08131953B2 |
Tracking store ordering hazards in an out-of-order store queue
A method and system for processing data. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a first store and receiving a second store subsequent to the first store. The method also includes generating a pointer that points to the last store that needs to retire before the second store retires, where the pointer is associated with the second store, and the last store that needs to retire is the first store. |
| US08131952B2 |
Apparatus and method for efficient memory use in portable terminal
Provided are an apparatus and a method for saving a memory in a portable terminal, the method includes receiving a request for basic data and an address indicating a storage position of the basic data; determining whether the requested basic data has been stored in a paging buffer; if it is determined that the requested basic data has not been stored in the paging buffer, transforming the address of the requested basic data into an address of a corresponding compressed block using a block address table; searching the compressed basic data for the compressed block corresponding to the address of the compressed block; decompressing the searched compressed block; storing data of the decompressed block in the paging buffer; and returning the requested basic data stored in the paging buffer. |
| US08131951B2 |
Utilization of a store buffer for error recovery on a store allocation cache miss
A processor and cache is coupled to a system memory via a system interconnect. A first buffer circuit coupled to the cache receives one or more data words and stores the one or more data words in each of one or more entries. The one or more data words of a first entry are written to the cache in response to error free receipt. A second buffer circuit coupled to the cache has one or more entries for storing store requests. Each entry has an associated control bit that determines whether an entry formed from a first store request is a valid entry to be written to the system memory from the second buffer circuit. Based upon error free receipt of the one or more data words, the associated control bit is set to a value that invalidates the entry in the second buffer circuit based upon the error determination. |
| US08131950B2 |
Low latency request dispatcher
A first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue optimized to reduce latency in dequeuing data items from the FIFO. In one implementation, a FIFO queue additionally includes buffers connected to the output of the FIFO queue and bypass logic. The buffers act as the final stages of the FIFO queue. The bypass logic causes input data items to bypass the FIFO and to go straight to the buffers when the buffers are able to receive data items and the FIFO queue is empty. In a second implementation, arbitration logic is coupled to the queue. The arbitration logic controls a multiplexer to output a predetermined number of data items from a number of final stages of the queue. In this second implementation, the arbitration logic gives higher priority to data items in later stages of the queue. |
| US08131947B2 |
Cache snoop limiting within a multiple master data processing system
In a data processing system, access to a cache in response to access requests from first processing circuitry and snoop requests resulting from a transaction performed by second processing circuitry are arbitrated. Accesses to the cache are monitored to determine if the first processing circuitry is prevented from accessing the cache for more than a threshold amount of time. A signal is generated to indicate when the first processing circuitry has been prevented from accessing the cache for more than the threshold amount of time. |
| US08131943B2 |
Structure for dynamic initial cache line coherency state assignment in multi-processor systems
A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and testing a system for providing lines of data from shared resources to caching agents are provided. The system provides for receiving a request from a caching agent for a line of data stored in a shared resource, assigning one of a plurality of coherency states as an initial coherency state for the line of data, each of the plurality of coherency states being assignable as the initial coherency state for the line of data, and providing the line of data to the caching agent in the initial coherency state assigned to the line of data. |
| US08131937B2 |
Apparatus and method for improved data persistence within a multi-node system
Improved access to retained data useful to a system is accomplished by managing data flow through cache associated with the processor(s) of a multi-node system. A data management facility operable with the processors and memory array directs the flow of data from the processors to the memory array by determining the path along which data evicted from a level of cache close to one of the processors is to return to a main memory and directing evicted data to be stored, if possible, in a horizontally associated cache. |
| US08131929B2 |
Memory device and method for content virtualization
A memory device and method for content virtualization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of directories are created in the memory of the memory device, wherein each of the plurality of directories points to a same storage location of the digital content. In another embodiment, a first header for the digital content is stored in each of the different directories, wherein the first header comprises information about where to find the digital content in the memory. In yet another embodiment, the memory device comprises circuitry that receives an identification of a host device in communication with the memory device and reorganizes a directory structure of the memory in accordance with the identification of the host device, wherein the reorganization results in the digital content appearing to be located in a directory expected by the host device. |
| US08131928B2 |
Restoring striped volumes of data
According to one embodiment, a backup is searched for data to be restored from a striped volume. The backup comprises multiple disks divided into stripes. The stripes that contain data to be restored from the striped volume are identified as desired stripes, and a current disk is searched for the desired stripes. The content of a first subset of desired stripes is read from the current disk. A second subset of desired stripes that are not on the current disk are recorded on an unread list. The remaining content is read from the remaining disks according to the unread list. |
| US08131927B2 |
Fast accessible compressed thin provisioning volume
A computerized data storage system includes at least one storage device including a nonvolatile writable medium; a cache memory operatively coupled to the storage port and including a data storing area and a data management controller and a storage port. The storage port is operable to connect to a host computer, receive and send I/O information required by the host computer. The storage port is also operable to receive a request to read data, and, in response to the request to read data, the storage port is operable to send the data stored in the data storing area of the cache memory. The storage port is further operable to receive a request to write data, and, in response to the request to write data, the storage port is operable to send the write data to the data storing area of the cache memory. The storage system further includes a thin provisioning controller operable to provide a virtual volume having a virtual volume page, a capacity pool having a capacity pool page and manage a mapping between the virtual volume page and the capacity pool page. The storage system further includes a data compression controller operable to perform a compression operation, and a data decompression controller operable to perform a decompression operation. |
| US08131923B2 |
Optimizing execution of I/O requests for a disk drive in a computing system
An I/O Optimizer receives an I/O request specifying a plurality of disk blocks of the disk drive for access. A plurality of I/O sub-requests is determined from the I/O request, each I/O sub-request specifying a set of one or more adjacent disk blocks of the plurality of disk blocks along the same cylinder. A plurality of execution sequences for performing the plurality of I/O sub-requests is determined. For each of the plurality of execution sequences, a total estimated execution time for performing the I/O sub-requests according to the execution sequence is calculated. One of the plurality of execution sequences for performing the I/O sub-requests is selected based, at least in part, on the total estimated execution times for the plurality of execution sequences. A disk drive controller is instructed to perform the I/O sub-requests according to the selected execution sequence. |
| US08131921B2 |
Command suspension in response, at least in part, to detected acceleration and/or orientation change
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include circuitry to, in response at least in part to detected change in at least one of acceleration and orientation of storage, request suspension of at least one command currently stored in at least one pending command queue that is intended for execution, at least in part, by the storage. The at least one command having been previously issued by the circuitry but being currently unexecuted, at least in part, by the storage. The circuitry also being to store, in response at least in part to the detected change, at least one copy of the at least one command for later re-issuance by the circuitry, and to request replacement of at least one command in the at least one queue with at least one other command to park at least one head of the storage. |
| US08131916B2 |
Data storage device
A data storage device comprising: at least two flash devices for storing data; a circuit board, wherein each of the flash devices are integrated on the circuit board; a controller integrated on the circuit board for reading and writing to each flash devices, wherein the controller interfaces each flash devices; at least one NOR Flash device in communication with the controller through a host bus; at least one host bus memory device in communication with the controller and at least one NOR Flash device through the host bus; at least one interface in communication with the controller and adapted to physically and electrically couple to a system, receive and store data therefrom and retrieve and transmit data to the system. |
| US08131913B2 |
Selective broadcasting of data in series connected devices
A method and system for the selective broadcasting of commands to a subset of a plurality of devices connected in series to a memory controller, where each of the plurality of devices has a unique identification number (ID). The memory controller designates the subset of devices to execute the command, excluding the non-selected devices from executing the command. The memory controller encodes the ID numbers of the designated devices into a single coded address, and sends the command along with the coded address in a packet to the series connected devices. Each device receives the packet in a serial bitstream and decodes the coded address using its ID number in order to determine whether it is selected or not. If the device is selected, the command is executed. Otherwise, the packet is forwarded without executing the command. |
| US08131909B1 |
System and method of signal processing engines with programmable logic fabric
A high performance field programmable gate array is described with one or more signal processing engines coupled to a programmable logic fabric. Each signal processing engine includes a signal processing unit for performing specifying tasks and a bus-based configurable connection box for routing a bus-based input to a bus-based output. The signal processing unit has a floating point unit (FPU)/multiply accumulate (MAC) for computation and register files for storing information. The programmable logic fabric is coupled to the one or more signal processing engines for routing of information between the signal processing engines. |
| US08131903B2 |
Multi-channel memory connection system and method
A multi-channel memory connection system comprises a circuit board comprising a plurality of memory connectors, at least one of the plurality of memory connectors configured to receive either a memory module or a memory riser, the at least one memory connector having at least two memory channels connected thereto through the circuit board. |
| US08131895B2 |
Interrupt management for multiple event queues
Method of managing interaction between a host subsystem and a peripheral device. Roughly described, the peripheral device writes an event into an individual event queue, and in conjunction therewith, also writes a wakeup event into an intermediary event queue. The wakeup event identifies the individual event queue. The host subsystem, in response to retrieval of the wakeup event from the intermediary event queue, activates an individual event handler to consume events from the individual event queue. |
| US08131893B2 |
Memory device that mediates mutual communication among a pluraliity of CPUs
In a memory device, data can be transmitted from a first CPU to a second CPU via an individual register or a shared SRAM, for example. The data transmitted from the first CPU to the second CPU via the individual register also passes through a FIFO. When first data is transmitted via the shared SRAM and then second data is transmitted via the individual register, for example, and if the first data transmission is adjusted by a SRAM controller and put into a waiting state at the FIFO, the second data transmitted via the individual register also passes through the FIFO, preventing the second data transmission from being completed earlier than the first data transmission. The data transmissions can therefore be completed appropriately. This in turn increases reliability of the memory device. |
| US08131888B2 |
Activation of mobile computing device on a cellular network
An automated network registration and activation system and method of the present invention automatically configures a communication network device for communicating on a network and automatically handles the communication network registration and activation. In one embodiment a processor automatically configures a device for communicating on a communication network with automated registration and activation on the communication network. In one exemplary implementation, network configuration information includes a network unit device identifier (e.g., a MAN) and the present invention automatically registers and activates a device with a communication network when requested to activate by a user tapping on an activation application or being taken to the activation application. |
| US08131882B2 |
Method for input output expansion in an embedded system utilizing controlled transitions of first and second signals
A method for expanding input/output in an embedded system is described in which no additional strobes or enable lines are necessary from the host controller. By controlling the transitions of the signal levels in a specific way when controlling two existing data or select lines, an expansion input and/or output device can generate a strobe and/or enable signal internally. This internal strobe and/or enable signal is then used to store output data or enable input data. The host controller typically utilizes software or firmware to control the data transitions, but no additional wires are needed, and no changes are needed to existing peripheral devices. Thus, an existing system can be expanded when there are no additional control lines available and no unused states in existing signals. |
| US08131881B2 |
Completion coalescing by TCP receiver
A method and system for completion coalescing by a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) receiver (e.g., in a TCP/IP offload engine (TOE)). The method comprises: processing inbound TCP segments; and performing completion processing of received TCP ACKS and/or RDMA Read Requests independently of the processing of the inbound TCP segments. |
| US08131878B2 |
Selective disruption of data transmission to sub-networks within a processing unit network
A network of processing units having at least one switch that allows disruption of the network between a first and a second processing units is provided. Disruption of the network by means of the switch effectively disconnects the first processing unit from the network and couples the first processing unit to a controller of the network. The controller is adapted to exchange data with the disconnected processing unit and thereby allows selective and direct data exchange with a selected processing unit. In particular, in the framework of heterogeneous and hierarchical networks of processing units, the switch techniques provide direct access to processing units and sub-networks and allow for an efficient and fast performance of diagnostic and maintenance procedures of sub-networks and their corresponding processing units, such as performing a flashing procedure. |
| US08131877B2 |
Method for flexible modifications to a packet
A method allowing for flexible modification of a data packet in a data network is presented. A data packet is parsed based on one or more attributes and sent to a buffer memory and a user modifiable lookup table. Using extracted packet data, information required to modify the data packet as desired is located in the lookup table and forwarded to a packet modification engine. Within the packet modification engine, a novel rewrite constructor module generates unique packet rewrite information based on the information forwarded from the lookup table and one or more additional inputs. This unique packet rewrite information is forwarded to a packet rewrite engine, wherein the packet rewrite engine modifies the data packet accordingly. |
| US08131871B2 |
Method and system for the automatic reroute of data over a local area network
A method and system for rerouting data over a local area network is provided. The method comprises defining at least one port group associated with a bridging device, each port group including interfaces linked to the bridging device. A plurality of statuses for each port group is defined, the status being dependent on the individual statuses of the interfaces linked to the bridging device. At least one target port associated with each port group, each target port relating to a path for data. The method further comprises defining an action for each status of a port group and monitoring the status of the interfaces forming part of each port group. In response to determining the status of a port group, triggering the predefined action associated with the port group status at one of the port group's target ports. |
| US08131869B2 |
Audio-on-demand communication system
An audio-on-demand communication system provides real-time playback of audio data transferred via telephone lines or other communication links. One or more audio servers include memory banks which store compressed audio data. At the request of a user at a subscriber PC, an audio server transmits the compressed audio data over the communication link to the subscriber PC. The subscriber PC receives and decompresses the transmitted audio data in less than real-time using only the processing power of the CPU within the subscriber PC. According to one aspect of the present invention, high quality audio data compressed according to lossless compression techniques is transmitted together with normal quality audio data. According to another aspect of the present invention, metadata, or extra data, such as text, captions, still images, etc., is transmitted with audio data and is simultaneously displayed with corresponding audio data. The audio-on-demand system also provides a table of contents indicating significant divisions in the audio clip to be played and allows the user immediate access to audio data at the listed divisions. According to a further aspect of the present invention, servers and subscriber PCs are dynamically allocated based upon geographic location to provide the highest possible quality in the communication link. |
| US08131867B1 |
Dynamic layer congestion control for multicast transport
A multicasting system provides congestion control for multicasting using a dynamic layer scheme, where the aggregate sending rates of layers decline over time. Multicast packets are transmitted to layers that are joined by at least one host. A host maintains a reception rate by joining additional layers as the sending rates decline, a host reduces the reception rate by not joining additional layers as fast as the sending rates decline, thus allowing rate reduction even if the sender does not receive leave messages sent from a host. |
| US08131866B2 |
Annotations for production parts in a media production system
A system providing a user interface to annotate different items in a media production system such as in a digital non-linear post production system. Parts of the production, such as clips, frames and layers, that have an associated annotation are provided with a visual annotation marker. The annotation marker can use shape, color or animation to convey source, urgency, status or other information. Annotations can be text, freehand drawing, audio, or other. Annotations can be automatically generated. Annotations can be compiled into records, searched and transferred. A state of an application program can be stored and transferred to a remote system. The remote system attempts to recreate the original state of the application program. If the remote system is unable to do so, an image of the state of the application program is obtained, instead. Assignment of control to various functions of an application program is achieved by associating a function (i.e., modifying a parameter) with a user control at a remote location. |
| US08131864B2 |
Methods and systems for communicating with storage systems using slim IP stacks
Methods, and associated devices, media, and systems, for establishing a communication link between a host system and a storage device are provided. One method includes an operation for providing on the host a communication stack including a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) module and a host physical layer module. The storage device includes a storage command extractor, and the method includes another operation for establishing a communication channel between an application in the host and the storage device, where the communication channel uses the communication stack and the storage command extractor. In the method, the TCP/IP module converts TCP/IP commands received from the application in the host to storage commands for the storage device. |
| US08131863B2 |
Address translator, message processing method and equipment
An address translator includes an SIP message detecting function. Upon detection of an SIP message, the address translator sends the SIP message to an SIP address translator. The SIP address translator extracts addresses for translation, and makes a query to the address translator. The SIP address translator translates an IP address included in the SIP message, using translation information of the address translator. Thus, an SIP communication is accomplished between terminals belonging to different regions in association of the address translator and the SIP address translator. |
| US08131858B2 |
Method and devices for enabling a multi-mode device to establish a session through multiple networks
A method, device, and computer-readable storage element enables a multi-mode device to establish a session through multiple networks in a communication system. The method includes registering, at the same time, each of a plurality of sub-clients of a single multi-mode device with a single application server, wherein each sub-client is separately registered through a different network, using an individual logical identity. The method further includes detecting an invitation including session parameters to establish a session using the single application server, and selecting at least one of the sub-clients to process the invitation based on the session parameters to establish the session through the networks corresponding to the selected sub-client. |
| US08131849B2 |
Probe election in failover configuration
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allocating probing responsibilities between a primary sensor and a secondary sensor. In one aspect, a method includes determining a first probe type, the first probe type being the probe type of the highest priority information probe for which a reply from the host device was received at the primary sensor, determining a second probe type, the second probe type being the probe type of the highest priority information probe for which a reply from the host device was received at the secondary sensor, determining whether the second probe type is prioritized higher than the first probe type, and allocating probing responsibilities between the primary sensor and the second sensor based on the prioritization of the first probe type and the second probe type. |
| US08131845B1 |
System and method to monitor performance of different domains associated with a computer or network
A system to monitor performance may include at least one probe to collect data related to performance of an associated domain. The system may also include at least one base station to receive data from associated ones of the at least one probe. |
| US08131842B1 |
System and method for collecting and displaying information about many computer systems
A system, method and computer program product collects and provides for display operational status data in several levels of detail about multiple client computer systems. |
| US08131835B2 |
Method of load balancing edge-enabled applications in a content delivery network (CDN)
A method and system of load balancing application server resources operating in a distributed set of servers is described. In a representative embodiment, the set of servers comprise a region of a content delivery network. Each server in the set typically includes a server manager process, and an application server on which edge-enabled applications or application components are executed. As service requests are directed to servers in the region, the application servers manage the requests in a load-balanced manner, and without any requirement that a particular application server spawned on-demand. |
| US08131822B2 |
Access of elements for a secure web page through a non-secure channel
Particular embodiments generally relate to allowing access of non-secure elements through a non-secure channel when a top-level page was accessed through a secure connection. In one embodiment, a webpage is accessed over a secure channel. The webpage includes secure and non-secure elements. When a non-secure element for the webpage is determined, a client may message with the server to open a non-secure channel for accessing the non-secure element. For example, the client may request port information in the request. The server then can respond with port information for a non-secure channel. The client then accesses data for the non-secure element through the non-secure channel using the port information. |
| US08131819B2 |
System and method for effectively implementing an electronic image manager device
A system and method for effectively implementing an electronic image manager device includes one or more input/output interfaces for bi-directionally communicating with various information sources to transfer content information that includes image data. The electronic image manager device also includes a memory device for archiving the content information, and an application program that manipulates the content information by performing various procedures such as downloading and uploading the content information, organizing and managing the content information, editing the content information, and displaying the content information. |
| US08131816B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating graphical and media displays at a client
The invention generally relates to generating a display having graphical and/or media components at a client. In one aspect, a method for generating a graphical display at a client includes transmitting output from an application program executing on a server to the client, identifying a non-textual element within the application output, retrieving a compressed data format associated with the non-textual element, and transmitting to the client the compressed data format in place of the non-textual element. In another aspect, a method for generating a media presentation at a client includes transmitting output from an application program executing on a server to the client, identifying a media stream within the application output, intercepting an original compressed data set representing at least a portion of the media stream before processing by the application program, and transmitting the original compressed data set to the client. |
| US08131812B2 |
System and method for providing information on a received communication for an electronic communication device
The disclosure relates to a system, method and device for providing information relating to a received communication for a device. The method comprises generating and providing a message on a display of the device indicating receipt of an inbound communication, after determining that the device is to receive the inbound communication while the device is composing an outbound communication and after determining the inbound communication is related to the outbound communication by an analysis of information of the inbound communication against information of the outbound communication. The message provides options for processing the inbound communication depending on whether the outbound communication is initiated as either a reply to the inbound communication or a forwarding of the inbound communication. |
| US08131810B2 |
Reachability realization server, management system, management method and realization program
A server realizes reachability from a first user to a second user. The server (100, 200) includes a real-address-information receiving section (110) that receives real-address information, which is capable of contacting therethrough to the second user, from a second terminal (10) used by the second user; and a post-conversion-address-information generation section that generates post-conversion-address information, which the first user cannot specify, based on the real-address information received by the real-address-information receiving section. |
| US08131809B2 |
Online archiving of message objects
This disclosure is directed to automatically moving message objects, such as email message objects, from online source mailbox databases to online archive mailbox databases. As described herein, each email message in a source mailbox database is directly or indirectly associated with a retention policy tag. The retention policy tag associated with a message object in a source mailbox database specifies a retention period. The message object remains in source mailbox database until the retention period expires for the message object. When the retention period for the message object expires, the message object is automatically moved to an archive mailbox database. |
| US08131806B2 |
Automatic email consolidation for multiple participants
The invention is a data processing means wherein human perceptible elements of electronic information are gathered, prepared, formatted, or otherwise processed in forming a unified collection of such information storable as a distinct entity. In particular, the invention is a process for composing and displaying a consolidated message document. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer program that configures a general-purpose computer to implement the inventive process. Responsive to a user's selection of a message, the inventive process identifies all related messages that the user has received, inserts the related messages into a consolidated message document, and displays the consolidated message document on the user's output device. The inventive process further comprises the steps of removing duplicate message content, sorting the related messages within the consolidated message document according to user-specified preferences, storing the consolidated message document, and marking the related messages for deletion. |
| US08131802B2 |
Systems and methods for seamless host migration
Systems and methods of the present invention for maintaining network data distribution are provided. Network data may be distributed in such as manner as to allow a network session to weather interrupted communications between host and clients without significant loss of data. Embodiments of the present invention provide for one or more clients to serve as backup host(s) for the network session. When the other clients transmit data to the host, they may also transmit the data to one or more backup hosts if there are any indications of interrupted communication. |
| US08131801B2 |
Automated social networking based upon meeting introductions
A meeting record, including identified participant information associated with each of the group of meeting participants, and a topic for a meeting is generated via a social network computing device. A meeting notification, including a link to the meeting record, is sent to each of the group of meeting participants. |
| US08131799B2 |
User-transparent system for uniquely identifying network-distributed devices without explicitly provided device or user identifying information
A technique for uniquely identifying devices without explicitly provided device or user identifying information in a networked client-server environment, e.g., the Mobile Internet. In one aspect, a system retrieves a profile of a client device, retrieves all device profiles existing in a profile database, and sequentially eliminates profiles not matching until a single profile is left or all profiles have been used. |
| US08131796B2 |
Recoverable return code tracking and notification for autonomic systems
A system, method and article of manufacturing return code management in autonomic systems and more particularly to managing execution of operations in data processing systems on the basis of return code tracking. One embodiment provides a method for managing execution of an operation in a data processing system. The method comprises tracking return codes received from previous executions of the operation in the data processing system, determining an execution behavior of the operation from the tracked return codes, and managing a subsequent execution of the operation on the basis of the determined execution behavior. |
| US08131795B2 |
High speed adder design for a multiply-add based floating point unit
A method is provided for improving a high-speed adder for Floating-Point Units (FPU) in a given computer system. The improved adder utilizes a compound incrementer, a compound adder, a carry network, an adder control/selector, and series of multiplexers (muxes). The carry network performs the end-around-carry function simultaneously to and independent of other required functions optimizing the functioning of the adder. Also, the use of a minimum number of muxes is also utilized to reduce mux delays. |
| US08131790B2 |
Decimation filter
A decimation filter has: a plurality of calculating devices each having a multiplier and an accumulator; a plurality of coefficient memories (a ring memory and shift registers) which store filter coefficients, and which correspond to the calculating devices, respectively; and a selector which sequentially selectively outputs the outputs of the plurality of calculating devices in synchronization with a clock signal. When a decimation ratio is n, filter coefficients which are sequentially shifted by an n number of filter coefficients are read out from the plurality of coefficient memories, and multiplied with a signal in the multipliers of the calculating devices, and results of the multiplications are accumulated in the accumulators to be output. |
| US08131787B2 |
Information, transformation and reverse transformation processing
A transformation processing system input data including a data record area for storing target date and a transformation processing identification information record area for storing transformation processing identification information about transformation processing executed upon the target data. The transformation processing system includes: a reverse transformation information recording unit which records a target data pointer indicating the data record area in transformed data, a transformation processing identification information pointer indicating the transformation processing identification information record area, and reverse transformation processing identification information about reverse transformation processing; a target data transformation unit which transforms the target data and records it in the data record area; and a transformation processing identification information recording unit which adds the transformation processing identification information about the transformation processing executed by the target data transformation unit to the transformation processing identification information record area in the input data. |
| US08131784B1 |
Multiple node quota filter
An apparatus and a method that allow a quota to be implemented over a data storage system having data associated with the user stored in multiple volumes or directories across multiple storage servers. The quota limits a user or a group of users to a defined amount (e.g., quota) of storage resources of the storage system. The method may include monitoring input-output (IO) data access requests on each of the multiple storage servers, for example, using a pluggable quota filter on each of the storage servers, determining a total usage of storage resources for a particular user over the multiple storage servers, and limiting the user to the quota over the multiple storage servers. |
| US08131783B2 |
Storage system, volume management method, and management computer
A storage system for optimizing volume capacity among file management computers of sharing a storage apparatus is provided. A capacity management computer acquires statistical information such as access history information from the file management computers and the storage apparatus. The capacity management computer executes a capacity optimizing process for the storage apparatus in association with a specified date. The capacity management computer calculates optimized capacity for the respective file systems based on the statistical information by redistributing available capacity of volumes according to a predetermined standard such as a capacity consuming speed. Further, the capacity management computer instructs the file management computers and the storage apparatus to optimize a size of the file systems and the capacity of the volumes, respectively. |
| US08131782B1 |
Shadow directory structure in a distributed segmented file system
Embodiments described herein describe a file server used in an association with devices to implement a distributed-file system. The file server includes processor that is operative to store a first shadow tree entry providing a pointer to a file system object, where the first shadow tree entry provides an alternative to a first remote ancestor directory to access the file system object in the distributed file system. |
| US08131775B2 |
Methods and systems for managing data
Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or indexes of content of files. In one exemplary method, notifications to update a metadata database or an index database are combined into a combined notification. According to other aspects, an order among logical locations on a storage device is determined in order to specify a sequence for scanning for files to be indexed. According to another aspect, a method includes determining whether to index a file based on a path name of the file relative to a plurality of predetermined path names. |
| US08131773B2 |
Search information managing for moving image contents
A search information analyzing unit (101) separates search information (15) into structured search information (152) representing a structure of moving image contents, semantic search information (153) representing characteristics in semantic context of the moving image contents, and signal search information (154) representing physical characteristics of signals of the moving image contents, and outputs the results. A structural search information disassembling unit (102) extracts and outputs, from the applied structural search information, information corresponding to at least one of the semantic search information and signal search information as structural information (50). A unit search information forming unit (103, 104) adds, to at least one of the applied semantic search information and signal search information, to form a small unit of search information (153A, 154A). Such a small unit of search information can be used as search information for the moving image contents, and hence, the amount of search information can be reduced. |
| US08131772B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the performance of object-oriented queues
A method for managing object-oriented queues by reusing queue entry objects instead of creating and destroying each queue entry object inserted into and removed from the queue. Inserting a queue entry object into the queue involves changing the status of the queue entry object from available to in-use, adding the queue entry object to a queue list, returning a reusable queue entry object to the queue user, receiving an insertion notification that the queue entry object data is valid, and marking the insertion of the queue entry object into the queue as complete. Removing a queue entry object from the queue involves un-marking the queue entry object in the queue as complete, removing the queue entry object from the queue list, returning the valid queue entry object to the queue user, receiving a removal notification that valid data has been extracted from the queue entry object, and changing the status of the reusable queue entry object removed from the queue list from in-use to available. |
| US08131771B2 |
Method and computer program product for dynamic weighting of an ontological data model
A method, computer program product, and a data processing system that facilitates navigation through a directed graph for selection of sub-processes of a modified business process derived from a business process is provided. A bounding box is used for evaluating and selecting sequences of nodes representative of business sub-processes or services. The bounding box has a predefined depth for limiting the scope of the evaluation. The bounding box is shifted during the evaluation as sequences of nodes are selected. Additionally, state data is maintained such that a sense response model may be employed to detect and account for changes to the environment in previously evaluated services. By maintaining state data, a transition to a previously evaluated sub-process may be implemented to account for significant changes in the environment. |
| US08131770B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for importance sampling of partitioned domains
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for importance sampling of partitioned domains. In operation, a domain is partitioned into a plurality of sets. Additionally, a probability is assigned to each of the plurality of sets. Furthermore, samples are generated from the plurality of sets, the samples being generated according to the probability of a corresponding set. |
| US08131767B2 |
Intelligent augmentation of media content
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods (and corresponding systems and computer program products) that augment visual elements in documents with rich media content and provide the rich media content based on user interaction with the augmented visual elements in the documents. The disclosed embodiments analyze a document for qualified visual elements. The disclosed embodiments determine keywords associated with the visual element, generate an association of the visual element and the keywords, and embed the association in a corresponding augmented document. When a user reviews the augmented document in a client system and moves a pointer over the augmented visual element, a piece of rich media content related to the keywords are transmitted to the client system to be displayed as an overlay in close proximity to the visual element where the mouse-over occurred. |
| US08131765B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for caching writes by multiple clients to a virtualized common disk image
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for storage write caching. A storage address translation table is used to overlay a user image and a common image. A storage driver stack module receives a storage access call and generates a storage access request with a requested file path and a requested storage address. A storage mapper module receives the storage access request, accesses the storage address translation table, and looks up a matching entry in the storage address translation table where the requested file path matches a saved file path and the requested storage address matches a saved common storage address, and maps a saved user storage address from the matching entry if a match exists. |
| US08131757B2 |
Taxonomy based indexing and searching
A method, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to locate and display data in a taxonomy. A canonical taxonomy is defined (that is not exposed to a user that is searching for parts) by defining canonical categories and canonical attributes in a hierarchical structure. Mapping taxonomies are defined that define mapping categories that map to both canonical categories and canonical categories plus canonical attributes. Part data is processed based on the mapping taxonomies during which the data is mapped to a canonical category. A search request is specified in a particular mapping taxonomy format and results are returned (and displayed) that include data from multiple different taxonomies. |
| US08131755B2 |
System and method for retrieving and organizing information from disparate computer network information sources
A computer implemented method for accessing information from a set of searchable information sources includes analyzing a search query to determine subject matter of the query. A subset of information sources is selected from the set of information sources based upon the subject matter of the query. Analyzing utilizes at least two different criteria for deriving the subject matter of the query. One criteria includes comparing the search query against a set of entity lists. Another criteria includes comparing the search query against a knowledge-base. |
| US08131748B2 |
Search query formulation
In a computing system, an input that a user makes under guidance of a graphical user interface may be received. The input specifies several query portions to be used in searching a data repository in the system. Each of the query portions comprises a value entered by the user that is associated with any of several attributes of objects in the repository. The input does not specify a logical operator between any of the query portions. A search query is generated for searching the repository by: (i) determining whether any of the query portions have a common attribute, and associating any such query portions with each other into a new query portion using a logical OR operator; and (ii) thereafter associating any of the query portions that were not associated in step (i), and any new query portion formed in step (i), with each other using a logical AND operator. |
| US08131738B2 |
Search engine service utilizing hash algorithms
A secure search method of securing searches by a user through a hash provider using a search engine. The user registers with the hash provider. The hash provider sends a unique number, encrypted result database, and hashed index to the search engine. The user enters in at least one search term to be searched. The user hashes the search term and sends the search term to the search engine with the unique number. The search engine searches and selects the hashed index and encrypted result database based on the unique number. The encrypted result data set taken from the encrypted result database is sent to user. The user decrypts the result set. |
| US08131731B2 |
Relevancy sorting of user's browser history
Various embodiments provide a Web browser that employs a relevancy algorithm to make an educated guess as to the likelihood of a user's intended destination when the user begins to enter text into a browser's address bar. In one or more embodiments, the relevancy algorithm employs various parameters and assigns weights to the parameters to arrive at a collection of suggestions to provide to the user. By using various rules, associated weightings, and the relevancy algorithm, relevant suggestions can be provided to a user to facilitate their navigation activities. |
| US08131729B2 |
System and method for best-fit lookup of multi-field key
A system and associated method for looking up a best-fit record identified by a multi-field key. The multi-field key comprises multiple fields that are hierarchically organized in an order of significance in identifying a record. The system generates a set of key values that is used for a best-fit lookup of a search key value. Each value in the set of key values is specified in contiguous fields from the most significant field to a distinctive respective field. In looking up a record for the search key value, the most specific key value in the set is first compared with the search key value, and one-level less specific in the least significant field is next compared with the search key value, until the best-fit record for the search key value is found. |
| US08131727B2 |
Preserving relationships of mapped views in an object model
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for preserving relationships of mapped views in an object model. A database model, including database tables and views is examined and a foreign key constraint list is derived for the view. A set of objects for an object model is generated from the database model. Based on the derived foreign key list, relationships are generated between objects mapped to the view and objects mapped to the target table of the view's derived foreign key. |
| US08131726B2 |
Generic architecture for indexing document groups in an inverted text index
A method for indexing a plurality of documents, that includes a plurality of duplicate documents, first identifies one or more duplicate groups of documents from among the plurality of documents. Then, one index of content for the duplicate group is created instead of indexing the content from every document within the duplicate group. However, in contrast to the content index, an index of metadata for each of the documents in the duplicate group is created. Thus the content of each duplicate group is indexed only once, while a search engine using such indexing techniques retains the capability to answer queries as if the duplicated content was indexed for each document of the group. |
| US08131725B2 |
Systems and methods for using metadata to enhance data identification 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. |
| US08131724B2 |
System for similar document detection
A document is compared to the documents in a document collection using a hash algorithm and collection statistics to detect if the document is similar to any of the documents in the document collection. |
| US08131721B2 |
Information retrieval method, information retrieval apparatus, and computer product
An information retrieval apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires a numerical value defining a boundary of a numerical range; a detecting unit that detects a number of places in and a head numeral of the numerical value; an extracting unit that extracts from a bit string group, a bit string indicating whether a numerical value in a numerical value group having the number of places and the head numeral is present in files subject to retrieval; a specifying unit that specifies a file corresponding to a bit in the extracted bit string, the bit indicating the presence of a numerical value of the numerical value group; a determining unit that determines whether a numerical value in the specified file meets the boundary condition; and a designating unit that, based on a determination by the determining unit designates the specified file to have a numerical value within the numerical range. |
| US08131718B2 |
Intelligent data retrieval system
An electronic assistant for managing and locating data of interest for a user that, autonomously and without explicit user request, schedules and executes multiple information retrieval tasks in accordance with the user's priorities, deadlines and preferences, said handheld device including a computer-implemented assistant coupled to said information locator, wherein the assistant automatically recommends an event or plans a travel trip based on said user styles, techniques, preferences, or interests, and location and time of the handheld. |
| US08131716B2 |
Tuning of relevancy ranking for federated search
Determining a relevancy ranking score is disclosed. An indication is received that a relevancy ranking score algorithm is to be tuned to a selected preference. The relevancy ranking score algorithm is updated based at least in part on the selected preference, wherein the relevancy ranking score of a search result resulting from a search query is based at least in part on one or more constraints of the search query. |
| US08131714B2 |
Linguistic assistance systems and methods
System and Methods determine a linguistic preference between two or more phrases. Each of the phrases is submitted to at least one search engine as a search string. Search results are retrieved from each of the at least one search engine for each submitted search string and total hit values of each search result are compared. One of the two or more phrases associated with the greatest total hit value are displayed to a user as the preferred phrase. |
| US08131709B2 |
Mechanism for providing efficient access to redundant number representations
Disclosed are an apparatus, method, and program product which each provide an enhanced database engine. Access to precise values is provided while permitting unfettered access to those who are not interested in precise values. This is accomplished via an enhanced database index and indexing method. The entries of the database index are normalized to exclude precision. Individuals interested in precision can then specify precision as part of their query through use of a PRECISE keyword. Results are then filtered to account for the specified precision. |
| US08131708B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring and tracking videos on the internet
Method and system for discovering and identifying a video object. The method includes crawling at least one predetermined website, discovering at least one video link at the predetermined website, processing information associated with a first database for storing one or more video links, and determining whether the discovered video link was already discovered before based on at least information associated with the first database. Additionally, the method includes, if the discovered video link is determined not to have been discovered before, updating the first database based on at least information associated with the discovered video link, downloading at least one video object based on at least information associated with the discovered video link, and processing information associated with the downloaded video object. |
| US08131706B2 |
Dynamic binding of portlets
The present invention relates to a method and respective system for binding a portlet into a web portal infrastructure comprising at least one portal and a plurality of portlets. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: storing a portlet profile data structure, wherein the portlet profile data structure is associated with a portlet and is deployed at a portal server, and wherein the portlet profile data structure declares a portlet class and at least one portlet characteristic; storing a portlet binding policy data structure, which is associated with the portlet class and is deployed at a portal server, wherein the portlet binding policy data structure declares relations or conditions specifying the at least one portlet characteristic; during processing of an incoming request for a portlet, automatically selecting the portlet class, all stored portlet profile data structures, and the portlet binding policy data structure associated with the requested portlet; performing a cross-checking of the relations or conditions of the selected binding policy data structure against the portlet characteristics of the selected portlet profile data structures; automatically selecting a favorite portlet out of the selected portlets, which best matches best the cross-checking; and invoking the favorite portlet for rendering in response to the incoming request. |
| US08131699B2 |
Menu distribution system, menu server, read/write device, method, and computer readable recording medium
Disclosed is a menu distribution system that provides a menu, which is viewable in a conventional manner and is customized for each customer. A customer allows a read/write device to read a customer ID information storage medium storing customer ID information. The read/write device transmits the customer ID information to a menu server. The menu server has a customer information storage unit that stores, for each customer, attribute information such as food preferences. The menu server selects a menu item most suitable for the customer identified by the transmitted customer ID information, by comparing customer attribute information and menu items stored in a menu item information storage unit. Menu image data is generated based on the selected menu item and is transmitted to the read/write device. The read/write device writes the received menu image data to a memory of a paper like display. |
| US08131695B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method displaying data on documents to be operated
In an image processing apparatus connected to an external apparatus through a network, a user interface is displayed in a display device on documents. A user's instruction is received in the user interface to operate a document stored in the external apparatus and/or in the image processing apparatus. An operation history of documents stored in the external apparatus is obtained. Then; data on the documents displayed in the user interface is controlled based on the obtained operation history. |
| US08131693B2 |
Methods and systems for transferring data over electronic networks
Methods and systems for managing the transfer of large data files across electronic data networks optimally in accordance with the desired results of the users. The present invention takes into consideration the user-defined transfer requirements, the data characteristics, and the characteristics of the entirety of the network, including both the access links and the backbone and processing and storage resources in the backbone. The present invention the enables users to more optimally transfer data within the limitations of the existing network capabilities, negating requirements to update local or remote network facilities. |
| US08131692B2 |
Method allowing validation in a production database of new entered data prior to their release
A method of insuring the integrity of a plurality of updates brought in real-time to a production database concurrently used by one or more software applications is described. The production database includes a plurality of products participating to the definition of objects. The method first includes requesting the issuance of a unique filing number associated to a draft state version of the plurality of updates while keeping them invisible to the end-users of the production database. Then, a set of product items identified as a whole by the unique filing number are created or copied from the production database and gathered under the form of a meta-product on which the plurality of updates is applied. After updating, the meta-product is successively set into a customizable flow of one or more validation states in order to perform a cross-validation of the plurality of updates. After validation, the meta-product is set into a production state where the uniquely identified meta-product becomes immediately visible and useable by the end-users. |
| US08131688B2 |
Storage system data compression enhancement
Data segments are logically organized in clusters in a data repository of a data storage system. Each clusters contains compressed data segments and data common to the compression of the segments, such as a dictionary. In association with a write request, it is determined in which of the clusters would the data segment most efficiently be compressed, and the data segment is stored in that data cluster. |
| US08131686B2 |
Data migration factory
A method, apparatus and system for data migration is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes staging data associated with a legacy system, mapping the data, integrating a tool to facilitate migration of the data, viewing and correcting records associated with the data, and moving the records from the legacy system to a target system. The staging data associated with the legacy system may include discovering and identifying issues associated with data migration, defining a combination of locations, servers, and data migration objects, managing the data migration objects, extracting data from a source, initially and incrementally loading the data into a staging area, and enabling history tracking for incremental data processing. |
| US08131683B2 |
Methods and systems for group data management and classification
Methods and systems are provided for retaining and managing global records of an organization. In one implementation, a method is provided for retaining global records of an organization. The method may include storing, in a memory device, at least one arrangement of data items classified according to a hierarchical classification structure providing a normalization scheme for classifying the data items, the data items comprising global data of an organization and a retention schedule corresponding to the global data. Additionally, the method may include retaining the data items according to the retention schedule, wherein the retention schedule comprises a plurality of retention rules including a global retention rule defining a first duration for retaining the data items consistent with a set of predetermined requirements, and at least one exception rule for retaining at least one data item for a second duration. |
| US08131677B2 |
System and method for effecting information governance
A method to manage data located on networked devices is provided. The method includes replicating objects residing on the devices and collecting information about at least one of the objects or the devices. The method further includes receiving input on desired information governance policies and outcomes and analyzing the replicated objects, collected information and received input to determine an information governance action. |
| US08131673B2 |
Background file sharing in a segmented peer-to-peer file sharing network
A peer-to-peer file sharing client with background file sharing is provided in a segmented peer-to-peer file sharing network. Each file sharing participant may designate an amount of bandwidth and/or storage space for background file sharing. Peer-to-peer file sharing clients then share file data and content in the background automatically. The client may participate in additional swarms, in the background, to generally increase the number of peers in file sharing networks, thus increasing the speed of downloading desired files for other users. |
| US08131672B2 |
System and method for synchronizing data records between multiple databases
A system and method for synchronizing data records between multiple databases is provided. Each database includes data records that are modified to include at least one pair of synchronization parameters. In a two-database system including a first database and a second database, each data record is modified to include synchronization parameters for both the first and second databases. When an update is made to a data record at one of the databases, an update message is transmitted to the other database including both synchronization parameters from the database where the update is made, along with the updated data record. An efficient master-slave configuration between the databases then enables either database to resolve conflicts without further communications. The system and method scale to systems having more than two databases by modifying the data records in at least one of the databases to include a pair of synchronization parameters for each of the other databases to which it is being synchronized, and by providing a multi-level master-slave configuration. The system and method permits the ability to add and delete records and to securely communicate between all synchronized databases. |
| US08131670B2 |
Techniques to cross-synchronize data
Techniques to cross-synchronize data are described. An apparatus may comprise a cross-synchronization component to synchronize multiple data items for different application programs between multiple client devices synchronized using multiple synchronization circuits. The cross-synchronization component may determine whether changes to the multiple data items made at a first client device are propagated to a second client device using consistency information maintained by a consistency group item for a consistency group including the data items. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08131667B1 |
System and method for generating synthetic clients
A system and method for generating synthetic clients is provided. A synthetic client program, executing on one or more clients of a storage system environment, is invoked by a user. The synthetic client program simulates a plurality of physical clients (synthetic clients), each of which performs one or more operations directed to a storage system. A user may monitor the storage system under load for testing and/or diagnostic purposes. |
| US08131665B1 |
System and method for improved information retrieval
An improved information retrieval system. In response to detecting that the user has interacted with a display element in a first web page within a web browser window, retrieving information from a second web page before the user requests that the second web page be displayed within the web browser window. Other enhanced information retrieval techniques. |
| US08131660B2 |
Reconfigurable hardware accelerator for boolean satisfiability solver
A hardware accelerator is provided for Boolean constraint propagation (BCP) using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for use in solving the Boolean satisfiability problem (SAT). An inference engine may perform implications. Block RAM (BRAM) may be used to store SAT instance information. Computation may be co-located with the BRAM memory, taking advantage of the high on-chip bandwidth and low latency of an FPGA. SAT instances may be partitioned into multiple groups that can be processed by multiple inference engines in parallel. New SAT instances can be inserted into FPGA without invoking the time-consuming FPGA re-synthesizing process. |
| US08131653B2 |
Method and apparatus for warranty cost calculation
Method and apparatus for calculating warranty cost includes determining values for a plurality of parameters that characterize a corresponding plurality of physical conditions of a product that is returned under warranty, determining values for a plurality of variables that characterize a customer profile for the product and evaluating an expression that calculates warranty cost based on said determined parameter and variable values. The plurality of physical conditions of the product includes the conditions of no-trouble-found (NTF), repaired, junked, and subject to further failure mode analysis (FMA). The plurality of parameters further comprises probabilities and costs that correspond to each of the physical conditions. Evaluating the above expression includes evaluating a first expression that calculates repair, product conformance and Dead-On-Arrival cost and evaluating a second expression that calculates Change Notice cost. Subsequently, the two costs are summed to arrive at the total warranty cost. |
| US08131652B2 |
Residential delivery indicator
This invention provides methods, apparatus, and systems for classifying addresses. An address is evaluated based upon a postal code or standardized postal code, such as a U.S. Postal Service ZIP+4 code, serving the address. If the address cannot be classified based on the standardized postal code, the address is classified based on additional information, such as a U.S. Postal Service delivery point code. A mailer may then determine whether the address is a business or residential (or non-business) address. Furthermore, a mailer may predict when surcharges may apply and compare the rates of various carriers. |
| US08131651B1 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for online, multi-carrier, multi-service parcel shipping management featuring shipping rate and delivery schedule comparison for multiple carriers
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users, upon each user's request, as to each particular parcel to be shipped by each user, an online interactive graphic comparison of a plurality of shipping rates calculated for each of a plurality of services offered by each of a plurality of carriers to ship a particular parcel, each shipping rate corresponding to a particular service offered by a particular carrier for delivering the particular parcel to a particular delivery destination at a particular parcel delivery time on a particular parcel delivery date, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network. The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for regenerating an online interactive graphic comparison of a plurality of shipping rates calculated for each of a plurality of services offered by each of a plurality of carriers, at any particular remote user client computer device of a plurality of remote user client computer devices, based on modified input by a user at a particular remote user client computer device, wherein the present invention communicates with each remote user client computer device over a global communications network. |
| US08131640B2 |
Method for receiving electronically transferred funds using an automated teller machine
A method for performing a money transfer receive transaction involving a desired amount of money to be transferred from a sender to a recipient includes receiving transaction identifying information provided by the recipient; comparing the transaction identifying information with transaction data stored on a host computer system; providing a confirmation code, to be issued to the recipient, if the transaction identifying information matches the transaction data stored on the host computer system; storing the confirmation code on the host computer system; receiving at the host computer system input corresponding to the confirmation code from a dispensing terminal in communication with the host computer system; comparing the input to the stored confirmation code; and allowing funds, corresponding to at least a portion of the desired amount of money, to be dispensed by the dispensing terminal if the input matches the stored confirmation code. |
| US08131638B2 |
System and method for assessing operational risk employing market-based information processing
A method of assessing operational risk includes defining a participant set. The participant set includes a plurality of members. The method also includes identifying a set of initial risk sources, assigning risk certificates for each of the initial risk sources to each of the plurality of members of the set of participants, and trading the risk certificates among the plurality of members of the set of participants to establish market prices that correspond to a level of risk associated with each of the initial risk sources. |
| US08131635B2 |
Method and system to manage a credit portfolio and to trigger credit actions
A method to trigger credit actions may include determining a quantity of triggers flagged for a selected creditor. The method may also include establishing an action plan in response to the quantity of flagged triggers being greater than the predetermined number. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a system to trigger credit actions may include a processor and at least one trigger. The system may also include a credit action program operable on the processor to generate a sires of inquiries and to determine a quantity of the at least one trigger being flagged based on the responses to the series of inquiries for a selected creditor. |
| US08131634B1 |
System and method for determining the market risk margin requirements associated with a credit default swap
A system and computer-implemented method for determining a margin requirement associated with a plurality of financial instruments within a portfolio is disclosed. The system and method implement steps and procedures for determining a time-series of returns for the plurality of financial instruments within the portfolio, calculating residuals and volatilities for the plurality of financial instruments within the portfolio as a function of the determined the time-series of returns, applying a student-t copula to a standardized version of the calculated residuals to determine a correlation matrix and degrees-of-freedom in order to simulate standardized residuals for each of the plurality of financial instruments within the portfolio, generating simulated returns as a function of the simulated standardized residuals and the returns, generating a spread distribution for the portfolio, wherein the portfolio is repriced as a function of the simulated returns, and calculating a margin risk based on a risk percentile associated with the spread distribution. |
| US08131629B1 |
Method and system for displaying and trading spreads
A trading application can receive price and quantity information for tradeable objects. The trading application can compute implied price and quantity information for spreads of the tradeable objects. Direct and indirect price and quantity information for the spreads can be displayed in a manner that shows the relationship with each other and with the price and quantity information for the tradeable objects. |
| US08131627B2 |
Open clearing system
An open clearing system allows local brokerage businesses to operate as autonomous exchanges with full inter connectivity to commercial bank(s). The system integrates cash management, order matching, clearing and settlement. The inter connectivity is based on the key concept of creating an engine as a “hub” independent from local Nodes. All Nodes are “piped” to the hub utilizing a common interface. This will allow orders to be matched between any two Nodes. In this manner an order placed in Node A will clear for matching at Node B for the same financial instrument. The system provides cash settlement at Nodes with different local time zone. For physical settlement Commerce Interface (to bonded warehouses) provides on line physical delivery at three linked designated bonded warehouses. |
| US08131622B2 |
System and method for administering a lifetime income share plan
The present invention provides a system and method for administering an investment option known as a lifetime income share. Lifetime income shares mitigate survival risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of a plurality of lifetime income shares guarantees an individual a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. The guaranteed stream of monthly income commences at a specified age. Furthermore, the guaranteed stream is utilized to supplement an existing income level or provide income in the event that the individual outlives his or her accumulated liquid assets. |
| US08131620B1 |
Financial instrument selection and weighting system and method
A financial instrument formed by selecting and weighting securities according to selection and weighting criteria. A primary index may be constructed from a universe of securities meeting at least one selection criterion, and may optionally be weighted according to a selection criterion. Derivative indices may be constructed from the primary index. The derivative indices may be further screened and/or weighted according to the same or different selection criteria. Derivative indices may also be created from other derivative indices, again based on selection and/or weighting criteria. The primary index and any derivative indices may be ranked according to one or more selection criteria, either before or after derivative indices are constructed. |
| US08131619B1 |
Service fee-based payment processing
A computing device that includes a processor and a memory receives inputs including indications of a transaction amount and a type of transaction. It is determined whether the transaction amount exceeds a predetermined threshold. Further, it is determined whether the type of transaction is one of a cash transaction and a payment card transaction. If the type of transaction is a cash transaction and the transaction amount exceeds the predetermined threshold, a predetermined service fee is added to the transaction amount, and a predetermined discount is subtracted from the transaction amount. |
| US08131618B2 |
Enhanced system and method for managing financial market information
A system and method are provided for managing financial market information. According to certain embodiments, the system includes a computer having a memory, processor, and display. The processor is capable of generating a graphical depiction of the financial market information on the display. The graphical depiction includes a multidimensional representation of a broad range of market information for at least two financial instruments. The graphical depiction resides in a single window on the display. The financial instruments may include multiple different classes of financial instruments, such as treasuries and futures. Different instruments may be selected and information, including basis information, relevant to the selected instruments may be displayed in a second window. |
| US08131615B2 |
Incremental factorization-based smoothing of sparse multi-dimensional risk tables
A system for classifying a transaction as fraudulent includes a training component and a scoring component. The training component acts on historical data and also includes a multi-dimensional risk table component comprising one or more multidimensional risk tables each of which approximates an initial risk value for a substantially empty cell in a risk table based upon risk values in cells related to the substantially empty cell. The scoring component produces a score, based in part, on the risk tables associated with groupings of variables having values determined by the training component. The scoring component includes a statistical model that produces an output and wherein the transaction is classified as fraudulent when the output is above a selected threshold value. |
| US08131613B2 |
Pension liability allocation
A method of setting pension plan investment policy, overlay derivative strategy and other pension policies, initiated by the calculation of a ratio for any existing, putative or alternative asset portfolio of a pension fund with specific reference to the pension plan's liabilities. The method's calculated ratio X/Y, referred to as the “pension fund liability allocation” or “pension liability allocation” for any portfolio under consideration indicates that X % of pension liabilities are hedged by an equal dollar amount of pension assets and Y % of pension liabilities are unhedged by the remaining pension plan assets. The ratio X/Y may also be used to assess and compare risk between pension plans of different entities. The pension liability allocation is a concise metric indicating the pension fund's degree of asset/liability mismatch risk. |
| US08131605B2 |
Machine having automatic component registration
A component registration system for a machine is disclosed. The component registration system has a component located on the machine, a data system remote from the machine, and a controller in communication with the component and the data system. The controller is configured to automatically collect information from the component upon installation of the component onto the machine and automatically send the information to the data system to initiate a registration process. |