| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08133223B2 |
Automatically retracting needle-tip electrocautery device
Medical devices that useful during electrocauterization procedures. The present invention encompasses a needle-tipped electrocautery device in which the needle tip is housed within the body of the device when the device is not in use. When an extension mechanism on the electrocautery stylus is activated, the tip is exposed and may be used for surgical procedures. The mechanism may be either mechanically driven or electronically driven. The present invention thereby dramatically reduces the risk of injury or infection by inadvertent pricks from an electrocautery tool. |
| US08133213B2 |
Catheter guidance through a calcified aortic valve
A method of treating a patient with a calcified aortic valve includes introducing a guide wire into a blood vessel. The guide wire is advanced through the aorta and the aortic valve. A balloon dilatation catheter is introduced into the blood vessel over the guide wire. The balloon dilatation catheter includes an elongate body, a distal portion, a guide wire lumen, an inflation lumen, and a dilatation balloon. The balloon dilatation catheter further includes at least one deflection wire lumen, and at least one deflection wire residing in the at least one deflection wire lumen and having a distal end attached to the distal portion. The balloon dilatation catheter is advanced over the guide wire through the aorta. The deflection wire is pushed towards the distal portion so that the deflection wire bows outward. The balloon dilatation catheter is advanced through the aortic valve, and the dilatation balloon is inflated. |
| US08133210B2 |
Aqueous ophthalmic spray and method for delivery of artificial tears to the ocular surface
A delivery device and method for the delivery of a substance to the eye or other bodily site of a user. The device delivers the substance to the eye in the form of a non-aerosol spray or mist. The delivery device is particularly suitable for the delivery of artificial tear compositions to the ocular surface. |
| US08133209B2 |
Valve connector for medical lines
Valve connector for infusion medical lines including an external tubular body (1) with an inlet end (4) and an outlet end (10), an internal hollow spike (2) and an intermediate sealing member (3) including an elastic head (35) with pre-slit (38) and an elastic hollow element (36) formed with sealing members (47, 48) in contact with the hollow spike (2) and with an elastic thrust means tending to maintain the elastic head (35) in a closure condition. An annular member (55) surrounds the elastic hollow element (36) and it axially slides into the tubular body (1) due to the movement of the elastic head (35) between the closure condition and the opening condition of the connector. |
| US08133208B2 |
Injection control method and device
An injection control device having a metered/controlled injection rate proportional to the rate of withdrawal/injection, suitable for cosmetic as well as other applications is described. For example, after the cannula is advanced into an object, the cannula is withdrawn to create a tract or tunnel within the targeted area. As the cannula is withdrawn, filler material in the injection control device is uniformly deposited into the tract or tunnel via the automatic metering system. The automatic metering system incorporates a syringe activating mechanism coupled to a system which is capable of proportioning the deposition rate to the retraction/injection rate of the cannula. Accordingly, more consistent and uniform distribution of the material injected can be achieved with less cannula passes as well as requiring less dependence on the skills of the practitioner of this device. |
| US08133207B2 |
Passive activated safety blood collection set
A shieldable needle device including a needle cannula, a hub, a pair of wings extending laterally from opposing sides of the hub, a tip guard axially movable along the needle cannula from a proximal position substantially adjacent the hub to a distal position, and a drive member is disclosed. The drive member includes a first end connected to the hub and a second end connected to the tip guard and is extendable between a folded biased position and an extended position for moving the tip guard from the proximal position to the distal position. The pair of wings, when in a dorsal position, retain the drive member in the folded biased position maintaining the tip guard in a proximal position. Upon release of the wings, the drive member unfolds, extending the tip guard from the proximal position toward the distal position. |
| US08133202B2 |
Disposable needle and hub assembly
A needle assembly including a cover, an inner shield, a needle and a hub assembly is provided. After use, the cover is placed over the distal (patient) end of the needle and the inner shield can be used to cover the proximal (non-patient) end of the needle. The inner shield comprises flexible extensions above its open end to secure the inner shield over the proximal end of a needle in the needle assembly. A needle hub is also provided that eliminates adhesive bumps at the base of the needle and further distributes needle angular bending along an irregular surface, which facilitates proper insertion technique and effective needle length. The hub further includes stanchions or castellations on its edge such that when the patient uses proper injection techniques, the edges of the hub leave a distinctive impression in the skin of a user for a short period of time. |
| US08133201B1 |
Template for injection placement
A template for identifying a specific location for insertion of a hypodermic injection device to inject insulin at specific areas of an abdomen. It comprises a flexible sheet having at least top and bottom edges and first and second lateral edges. The exterior face has a hole and at least one legend. The at least one legend comprises a calendar reference and first and second marking holes. The exterior face further comprises at least one offset hole at a predetermined distance from the hole. The calendar reference defines dates or days of a week. The calendar reference is positioned in between the first and second marking holes. The first and second marking holes serve as identifying means for identifying a specific location for insertion of a hypodermic injection device to inject insulin at specific areas of an abdomen in between the first and second marking holes. |
| US08133200B2 |
Reversible cap for pen needle outer cover
A pen needle assembly includes a cap for covering the non-injection end of a needle of a pen needle. The needle is received by a hub, which is disposed in an outer cover. The cap is adapted to be connected to the outer cover in a first or second position. The cap is removable in the first position and the cap is locked to the outer cover in the second position. |
| US08133199B2 |
Electroactive polymer activation system for a medical device
An activation circuit for selectively providing an electrical current to one or more electroactive polymers (EAPs) in a medical device is disclosed. The activation circuit may include a sensor for sensing a measure related to a parameter of an elongated member and/or a balloon of the medical device. The electrical current may be provided to the one or more EAPs according to the sensed parameter of the elongated member and/or the balloon of the medical device. In some cases, the activation circuit may include a comparator for comparing the sensed measure to a threshold to determine when the electrical current is applied to the EAPs. The parameter may be a pressure, a fluid flow, a temperature, and/or other suitable parameter. |
| US08133196B2 |
Insufflation gas warmer and humidifier
An insufflation gas warmer and humidifier apparatus and methods are provided. Insufflation gas is received from a bulky insufflation tubing. Insufflation gas received travels through, in one aspect, a channel or winding flow path, in a passage. The configuration of the passage ensures that the insufflation gas, which travels through the passage, receives sufficient heat and moisture. A humidifying reservoir humidifies the insufflation gas as the insufflation gas is passed to the passage. In one aspect, an oxygenator introduces slight amounts of oxygen into the insufflation gas. A warmer connected to the passage warms the gas in the passage. The warmer, in one aspect, contains a reactive agent that when exposed to air produces heat that is transferred to the passage to warm the insufflation gas within the passage. |
| US08133195B2 |
Device for handling blood in extracorporeal blood circulation
In a device for handling blood in extracorporeal blood circulation that has at least one oxygenator, one heat exchanger, and one blood filter, the inlets and outlets in the oxygenator/heat exchanger unit are embodied such that a blood flow cross section of A≧80 mm2, preferably A≧120 mm2, is assured. The device can also be operated in an isolated form as a single structural part, which takes on the functions of an oxygenator and a heat exchanger with a blood filter. If a pump is provided in the device, then the pump drive can be removed as needed. |
| US08133190B2 |
Weldable wire guide with distal coupling tip
A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide includes a main body and a coupling tip, the coupling tip having first and second sections. The first section is connected to the main body, while the second section defines an axial passageway having a distal opening and a proximal opening. The axial passageway is sized to receive the previously introduced wire guide therein. Both a distal portion of the main body and the first section are constructed of nitinol, the distal portion and the first section being welded together using the native nitinol material of the distal portion and first section. |
| US08133172B2 |
Brain retractor apparatus for measuring and predicting electrophysiological parameters
Described is a surgical system for monitoring a patient's condition during surgery. One aspect is a non-contact EEG sensor. The non-contact EEG sensor can be used to predict the onset of physiological disorders. Another aspect includes the use of a plurality of pressure sensors to determine the pressure applied by retractors on the patient, including the brain and other organs. |
| US08133170B2 |
Endoscope
An insertion instrument which is connected to a manipulating head grip is composed of an elongated flexible tube section, an articular section and a rigid tip end section in series from a proximal end which is connected to the manipulating head grip. The articular section can be flexed in an arbitrary direction by way of a flexion control means which is provided on the manipulating head grip. A flexible tube straightening means is provided internally of the flexible tube section to straighten the same into a rectilinear form. The flexible tube straightening means is activated into a straightening action in interlinked relation with a flexing operation of the flexion control means. |
| US08133159B2 |
Free track elliptical exercise apparatus
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Adjustable tracks are provided to vary the orientation of the pedal path for different intensity exercise. Further, the exercise apparatus is less complex than previous user defined motion elliptical apparatus. |
| US08133156B2 |
System and method for controlling machine component temperatures
The temperature of a machine component is controlled by transferring heat generated by a torque converter under restricted conditions to the component. The machine includes a circulating fluid system configured to transfer heat from the torque converter to the remotely positioned machine component. A controller is configured to sense the temperature of the component, and to restrict motion of the torque converter turbine when the sensed temperature is below a desired temperature. Heat generated by the torque converter under the restricted condition is transferred through the circulating fluid system to the remote component, such as the machine power source, to control the temperature thereof. |
| US08133154B2 |
Control system and method for accelerator pedal based shift point stabilization for an automatic transmission
A control system for determining a desired gear ratio of an automatic transmission includes a pedal rate module that determines a pedal rate of an accelerator pedal, and a shift module that determines the desired gear ratio of the transmission based on a position of the accelerator pedal and the pedal rate. The shift module determines the desired gear ratio based on a comparison of the pedal rate and a predetermined rate. The predetermined rate is based on a first period since the transmission shifted into a current gear. The shift module also determines the desired gear ratio based on one of a second period the pedal rate remains less than a positive rate and a third period the pedal rate remains greater than a negative rate. A related control method is also provided. |
| US08133140B2 |
Control apparatus for continuously-variable transmission of vehicle
A control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a control section having a target secondary pressure setting section configured to set a target secondary pressure within a strength limit of the belt, and an operation switching section configured to switch a shift operation from a normal speed to a high speed higher than the normal speed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control section is configured to control the secondary pressure regulating valve by a feedback control based on the target secondary pressure and the actual secondary pressure sensed by the hydraulic pressure sensor. The target secondary pressure setting section is configured to modify the target secondary pressure by adding a predetermined quantity when a correction initiation condition is satisfied, the condition initiation including a first condition that the shift operation is performed at a high speed by switching of the operation switching section. |
| US08133131B1 |
Interchangeable shaft and club head connection system
Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head. |
| US08133130B2 |
Interchangeable shaft system
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head and a fastener. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The fastener retains the shaft sleeve in the hosel. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features are provided that provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head. |
| US08133129B2 |
Golf club and golf club head with interchangeable body component
An iron type golf club head includes a club head having a first body component defining a striking face, and a second body component releasably secured to the first body component with a fastener. The second body component defines at least a perimeter portion of a rear face of the club head body and may define substantially an entire rear face of the club head body. |
| US08133126B2 |
Golf club having alignment markings
The present invention relates to a golf club having alignment markings that assist a golfer in finding a proper and consistent posture before addressing the ball. In one embodiment, a golf club according to the present invention includes a shaft, a club head having a striking face, a hosel coupling the club head to the shaft, and one or more alignment markings at a position substantially elevated from the club head and substantially behind the shaft. Embodiments of the golf club may further comprise an appendage extending outwardly from the golf club and carrying alignment markings thereon in a direction substantially parallel to the striking face. Such alignment markings provide a golfer with a proper setup when the shaft is seen by the golfer as interposed between, and parallel to, the alignment markings. A golf club according to the present invention may be configured in a variety of shapes, for example, as a putter, an iron, a driver or a wood. |
| US08133123B2 |
Method for laying a passable surface, for instance a playing ground, and surface thus formed
The invention relates to a method for laying a playable surface such as a playing field, comprising the steps of forming a hard substrate, arranging on the hard substrate a layer of resilient and/or damping material, and arranging a top layer on the resilient and/or damping layer, wherein during or after arranging of the hard substrate and/or the resilient and/or damping layer air chambers are formed therein. The behavior of the playing field becomes more natural due to these air chambers, and excessive resilience and energy restitution are avoided. The air chambers can be formed for instance by creating recesses in the relevant layer from the top, or by removing material from the layer at different locations after arranging thereof, for instance by melting or biological decomposition of inclusions. The invention also relates to a playing field obtain by application of this method. |
| US08133121B2 |
System and process for stacking electronic game tables
A system and process for aggregating and displaying information about a plurality of gaming tables to a user comprising a stacking component and a console area. The console area displays one or more active tables, while the stacking component displays changing information about each table the user has open. The stacking component may include one or more sub-components or dialogs, including a table list dialog, a player information dialog, a hand information dialog and/or an action area dialog. |
| US08133118B2 |
Combined musical instrument and gaming device
One or more gaming machines are associated with a musical instrument. The musical instrument has a housing and one or more elements for generating sound. The musical instrument may comprise a piano having keys located at one end and housing a plurality of strings. Each gaming machine is configured to display gaming information via a display. In one embodiment, each gaming machine has a housing which is housed at least partially within the housing of the musical instrument. The gaming machines may comprise terminals or stations associated with a roulette wheel for presenting a roulette game. |
| US08133117B2 |
Game apparatus, game message displaying method and storage medium storing game program
A game apparatus includes a CPU, and in the game apparatus, letters are displayed as visual support for a sound generated by a message generating object. When a game message is displayed, a distance between the message generating object and a player object is calculated. Then, a form of the letters to be displayed on a billboard is changed depending upon the calculated distance. The form to be changed is, for example, transparency and a size of the letters. Thus, a game image in which the form of the letters is changed depending upon the distance between the player object and the message generating object is displayed. |
| US08133113B2 |
Class II/Class III hybrid gaming machine, system and methods
The present invention provides a gaming machine that can play both Class II and Class III games. Some implementations provide a gaming machine that has certain features (e.g., a true random number generator or “RNG”) enabled for Class III play and disabled for Class II play. Some aspects of the invention provide methods for determining when a Class III game is available. Other aspects of the invention allow a player to “line up” for a desired Class III game while playing another game, such as a Class II game or another Class III game, on the same gaming machine until the desired Class III game is available. Some such implementations grant higher priority to certain players according to their gaming history, e.g., as indicated by player tracking/player loyalty data. Alternative aspects of the invention allocate available Class III games in other ways, e.g., by playing a Class II game for a chance to play a Class III game, by lottery, or otherwise. Player tracking information may be shared and/or combined for Class II and Class III game play and may be used to determine gaming history. |
| US08133109B2 |
Game system and controlling method thereof
A game system of the present invention has a plurality of gaming machines capable of communicating with each other via a communication line. The plurality of gaming machines each have an input device operable to input an insurance BET. The plurality of gaming machines carry out the following processing. The plurality of gaming machines set a predetermined value to be shared among the plurality of gaming machines. The gaming machines count the insurance BET thus input and sum up the insurance BET number accumulated in the plurality of gaming machines. Then, the plural types of symbols displayed on the display are automatically re-arranged. The gaming machines count the number of times for a game on a one-game basis and at the same time, sums up the number of times for the game accumulated in the plurality of gaming machines. As a result of repeating a game, if it is judged that the total number of times for the game in the plurality of gaming machines has reached the predetermined value set in advance, a prize including the resulting total insurance BET is awarded to at least one gaming machine from among the plurality of gaming machines. |
| US08133106B2 |
Wagering game system with networked gaming devices
A method of operating a plurality of wagering game tournaments on a plurality of gaming machines includes receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game on a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes providing an option, at the gaming machine, to enter the plurality of wagering game tournaments. The method also includes entering at least one of the plurality of wagering game tournaments and playing in any entered tournament when the tournament begins. |
| US08133105B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating play of a gaming device
A method in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of receiving a wager, determining an intermediate outcome of a game of chance, determining a first option for play, determining a first final outcome based on the intermediate outcome and the first option for play, determining a second option for play, and determining a second final outcome based on the intermediate outcome and the second option for play. |
| US08133101B2 |
Concave adjustment mechanism
A combine harvester where opposing concaves on either side of a rotor of a processing system substantially simultaneously travel symmetrical paths. The concaves of the processing system may be pivotally supported on a rockshaft where the axis of the rockshaft moves in a generally vertical manner so that the concaves then move generally radially toward or away from the rotor. |
| US08133097B2 |
Polishing apparatus
A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) device for processing a wafer is provided which includes a plate for supporting the wafer to be processed in a face-up orientation, a polishing head opposing the plate, wherein the polishing head includes a rotatable polishing pad operable to contact the wafer while the polishing pad is rotating, and a slurry coating system providing a slurry to the polishing pad for polishing the wafer. |
| US08133095B2 |
Method of shaping an ophthalmic lens
A method of shaping an ophthalmic lens includes machining the edge face of the lens by at least one rotary tool having an axis of rotation movable relative to the lens axis, both in rotation and radial and axial translation. These movements are controlled so that the edge face of the lens presents a profiled shape with an engagement ridge suitable for engaging in a bezel of eyeglasses and first and second margins. Given first and second longitudinal curves of the first and second margins, respectively, the edge face of the lens is machined in such a manner that, at each axial section of the lens, the traces in the axial section of the first and second longitudinal curves present first and second distances from the axis of the lens, with the difference (rs) therebetween being a function of the position of the plane of the axial section under consideration. |
| US08133089B2 |
Modular toy aircraft with capacitor power sources
Toy aircraft, modular toy aircraft, capacitor-based modular power systems, and toy aircraft kits are disclosed. Toy aircraft may include a self-contained power system and an airframe. The self-contained power system may include at least one propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power unit. The power unit may include a capacitor that is electrically connected to the at least one propulsion unit. The capacitor may be configured to provide power to the at least one propulsion unit to propel the toy aircraft. The airframe may include a wing, a first mount configured to removably retain the at least one propulsion unit, and a second mount configured to removably retain the power unit. |
| US08133088B2 |
Filament for infrared lamp and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a filament for an infrared lamp used as a heater and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of fabricating the filament includes cutting a thin graphite plate into a thin graphite plate strip of a predetermined size, integrally adhering two sheets of the thin graphite plate strips using heat, primarily heating and plasticizing the integrally adhered graphite plate strips within an inert gas, coating a silicon-series coating solution on the primarily heated and plasticized graphite plate strips and naturally drying the graphite plate strips, and heating and plasticizing the naturally dried graphite plate strips using an identical process to the primary plasticity process and then naturally cooling the heated and plasticized graphite plate strips. |
| US08133086B2 |
Boat propelling apparatus and boat
A boat propelling apparatus is compact and capable of making an adjustment on its engine output characteristic. The boat propelling apparatus includes an engine, a surge tank and an intake manifold. The intake manifold includes therein an internal space for air to flow from the surge tank, and air intake passages branching from the internal space. The intake manifold includes recesses and a boss arranged to fit an extension member to define extension passages inside the internal space. |
| US08133083B2 |
Water jet propulsion boat
A water jet propulsion boat is constructed such that a fuel pressure detection device is free from a detection error or breakdown and a restart ability of an engine is protected against malfunction. A fuel tank is provided in a boat body of the water jet propulsion boat through vibration absorbing members. A fuel pump unit including a fuel pump is provided in the fuel tank. A fuel pressure sensor is provided in the fuel pump unit. An electric control device stops the fuel pump if the value detected by the fuel pressure sensor is out of the normal value range. Additionally, an electric control device stops operation of the fuel pump if the fall sensor detects the overturning of the boat body and if the detected value of the fuel pressure sensor is out of the normal value range. A regulator and a filter are provided to the fuel pump unit. |
| US08133073B2 |
Headset and headset cable
A headset is provided which comprises a cable (100) having a plug (110) coupled to the first end of a cable (100), a connector (140) coupled to the second end of a cable, a housing (130) arranged between the first and second end of the cable and a cable section (120) between the plug (110) and the housing (130). The plug (110) comprises at least one pin and six terminals (110a-100f). The cable section (120) comprises four wires (121, 123, 125, 126) and two screens (122, 124). The housing (130) comprises a connecting unit (134) having a switching unit (136) which is connected to the four wires (121, 123, 125, 126) and the two screens (122, 124) and the soldering areas (135) to which wires of the headset can be coupled. The switching unit (136) is adapted to switch between at least two wiring settings connecting the four wires as well as the two screens (122, 124) to the soldering areas (135). |
| US08133067B2 |
Electrical connector with locking engagement between an actuator and an insulative housing
An electrical connector for connecting a flexible printed circuit board comprises an insulator, a plurality of terminals and an actuator mounting onto the insulator. The insulator comprises a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall and a pair of side wall joining with the top wall and the bottom wall thereby defining a cavity therebetween. The terminals arranged exposed into the cavity. The actuator can rotate between an opened position where the flexible printed circuit board can be inserted into the cavity and a closed position where the flexible printed circuit board can be abutted against the terminals. A post protrudes from the bottom wall. The actuator defines a locking beam for locking with the post and a through hole for receiving the post when the actuator is located at the closed position. |
| US08133066B2 |
Connector apparatus and receiving connector of the connector apparatus
A connector apparatus includes a receiving connector connected to a power source and including first and second power jack terminals, a control jack terminal, a control switch including first and second contact points, and an insulative spring positioned below the control switch, and an inserting connector connected to an electronic device and including first and second power plug terminals connected in correspondence with the first and second power jack terminals for receiving power from the power source, and a control plug terminal that extends towards the control switch and applies pressure to the insulative spring for causing the first and second contact points to connect and enabling the power from the power source to be supplied to the electronic device. A part of the insulative spring is configured to melt when an electric arc is generated by disconnecting the connection between the first and second contact points. |
| US08133064B2 |
Electrical power outlet
A power outlet includes a base and sliding covers. The base has conductive terminals for electrically connecting to terminals of a power line. The conductive terminals are partially exposed from the base and a pair of first guiding portions arranged in parallel to each other is disposed on each side of the base exposing the conductive terminals. Each of the sliding covers has second guiding portions capable of sliding with and engaging with the corresponding first guiding portions so as to allow the sliding covers to slide relative to the base, thereby shielding the exposed portions of the conductive terminals and preventing accidental touching of the exposed portions of the conductive terminals by a user and thus avoiding the risk of electric shock. |
| US08133061B1 |
Removable and replaceable dual-sided connector pin interposer
A dual-sided connector pin interposer includes a substrate comprising a first side opposite a second side. The interposer includes a first plurality of flexible pins protruding from the first side of the substrate. The first plurality of flexible pins is positioned for installation in a first plurality of pad connectors of the pinless socket. The interposer includes a second plurality of flexible pins protruding from the second side of the substrate. The second plurality of flexible pins is positioned for installation in a second plurality of pad connectors of the pinless integrated circuit component. The first plurality of flexible pins are electrically connected to the second plurality of flexible pins through the substrate to provide electrical contact points between the pinless socket and the pinless integrated circuit component when the interposer is installed. |
| US08133059B1 |
Angle-adjustable night lamp assembly for aroma diffusing night lamp system
An angle-adjustable night lamp assembly includes an electrical plug unit, which includes housing having a stepped rear coupling portion and an electrically insulative locating block tightly fitted into a front opening of the electrically insulative plug housing to hold first and second metal conducting blades and a grounding prong, a lamp socket unit for holding a low-voltage lamp bulb and transferring electric current from the electrical plug unit to the low-voltage lamp bulb for causing the low-voltage lamp bulb to emit light, and a collar configured subject to the configuration of the stepped rear coupling portion of the electrically insulative plug housing and coupled to the stepped rear coupling portion and affixed to the lamp socket unit to secure the lamp socket unit to the electrical plug unit and to allow adjustment of the angle of the lamp socket unit relative to the electrical plug unit. |
| US08133057B2 |
Method and system for providing training media to a mobile device
A method for providing training media to a mobile device involves obtaining a training media file selected from multiple training media files, based on user metadata, and communicating the training media file to the mobile device, where the user metadata is associated with a user of the mobile device, and where the training media file includes training information associated with a job function of the user. |
| US08133054B2 |
Method for producing an orthodontic appliance having a vibrating element
The present invention concerns an orthodontic appliance for accelerating the tooth aligning effect and shortening the treatment period, and has an object to provide an appliance which can bring about higher aligning effect than usual ways by giving vibration to tooth to be aligned to activate bone remodeling of the targeted tooth and the alveolar bone and enhance the shift of the tooth. This appliance includes a vibrating element and a dental mouthpiece having the vibrating element built therein. The provision of the vibrating element in the dental mouthpiece facilitates the application of vibration and handling, and continues the treatment safely even at home. The inner shape of the dental mouthpiece serves aligning treatment as well as acceleration of the effect. |
| US08133053B2 |
Electric motor for use in a dental, dental-medical or dental-technical handpiece and stator therefor
In an electric motor for use in a dental, dental-medical or dental-technical handpiece, having a rotatably mounted rotor and a stator surrounding the rotor, the stator is surrounded by a sheathing having an inner sleeve, on the outside of which there are arranged functionally relevant components of the stator, for example stator winding(s), return plates, and/or contact pins, and an outer sleeve embedding the inner sleeve with the functionally relevant components. |
| US08133052B1 |
Dental mirror with mirror-cleaning suction
A dental suction mirror with a plurality of suction ports on the periphery of the reflective surface spaced apart substantially about a forward half of the mirror with the ports directed across the reflective surface. The mirror also includes a plurality of lower suction holes directed out of the cavity downward from a bottom of the mirror. The reflective surface of the mirror is replaceable. |
| US08133051B2 |
Orthodontic bracket and process for producing the same
An orthodontic bracket is comprised of a translucent ceramic containing at least 99.5 wt % of alumina, and having an absorption/scattering coefficient of at most 2.8 mm−1 for visible light at a wavelength of 550 nm and a bending strength of, at least 700 MPa. This bracket is obtained, for example, by sintering a molded body of highly-pure alumina fine powder at a temperature of from 1,200° C. to 1,300° C. to obtain a sintered body composed of crystals having a relative density of from 96% to 99.5% and an average crystal grain size of at most 1 μm, and thereafter subjecting the sintered body to an HIP treatment at a temperature of from 1,200° C. to 1,350° C. and under a pressure of at least 50 MPa. Such an orthodontic bracket has high strength and high translucency, can be processed into a complicated shape, similar to that of a metal bracket, and maintains excellent translucency. |
| US08133050B2 |
Dental appliance having a duplicated tooth area and/or a predicted tooth area and a method for correcting the position of the teeth of a patient
A dental appliance and a method for correcting the arch shape and/or size of a patient by utilizing existing tooth shapes and sizes are provided. A method for correcting the position of the arch and/or teeth of a person is also provided either by a computer program or manually. Also provided is a method for correcting the position of teeth in the mouth, erupting teeth and/or teeth expected to erupt by utilizing existing tooth shapes and sizes and/or group standards. The dental appliance may be formed manually from altered models of the patient or may be formed from models made by stereolithography from a computer image. Further, the dental appliance may be made directly from laser-scanned models by stereolithography. Further, the dental appliances may have teeth sockets which may accept either a single tooth or multiple teeth. The teeth sockets may be formed to match the corresponding tooth of the patient identically or may be formed to correct the position of the tooth into the proper location. The teeth sockets may be sized based on predictions of the size and/or shape of the teeth which have not erupted. In addition, a series of appliances may be used to correct and/or guide the teeth of a patient into the proper location over a prolonged period of time. The dental appliance may correct, for example, rotations, spacing, crowding, overjet and/or overbite. |
| US08133045B2 |
Self-aligning pump rotor and methods
A rotary fluid device having a housing that defines a pumping chamber, a shaft disposed in the housing, and a rotor disposed in the pumping chamber and engaged with the shaft. The rotor includes a body which defines a bore that includes an oblique tapered surface. A pivot line is disposed along the tapered surface. The pivot line is a circumferential line at which the rotor pivots. A method for manufacturing a rotor includes turning an outer peripheral surface of the rotor. A bore is formed in the rotor. The bore includes an oblique tapered surface that has a pivot line disposed along the tapered surface, wherein the pivot line is a circumferential line at which the rotor pivots. |
| US08133044B2 |
Positive displacement capture device and method of balancing positive displacement capture devices
A positive displacement capture apparatus contains a plurality of positive displacement capture devices which each contain a rotor portion positioned inside a casing portion to act as a least area rotor which captures a volume and moves the volume along the length of the separator. The rotor portion contains a plurality of lobes which interact with grooves in the casing portion, such that the interaction of the lobes and grooves create barriers which capture the volume. The creation of the volume creates a flow barrier between a downstream end of the separator and an upstream end of the separator. The flow separator is coupled to a combustion portion to provide a flow of material to the combustion portion. The plurality of positive displacement capture devices are positioned, oriented and rotational timed such that eccentric loads created by the rotation of the rotor portions cancel each other out during operation. |
| US08133039B2 |
Mount for a compression control unit
A compression control unit for a compression device includes a mount on the back of a housing for mounting the compression control unit on a bed unit. The mount includes a securing portion spaced from a back of the housing and lying in a plane generally opposing the back of the housing. The securing portion partially defines a channel for receiving a part of the bed unit to secure the compression control unit to the bed unit. Spaced apart wing portions extend generally upward and laterally outward relative to the securing portion. The wing portions are configured so that fluid tubing secured to an outlet of the compression control unit can be wrapped around the wing portions when the compression control unit is mounted on the bed unit. |
| US08133037B2 |
External gear hydraulic pump with acoustical insulation
The invention concerns an external gear hydraulic pump including a pump body housing rotating pinions that mutually engage. Located on opposite sides of the body are a cover and a support, forming an outlet manifold for high pressure fluid. Acoustic insulation elements damp the vibrations produced by the pinions. The acoustic insulation elements acoustically decouple the pump body from the support. |
| US08133032B2 |
Rotor blades
A rotor blade has a tip with an outer face including at least two channels which each extend to an outlet in the vicinity of the trailing edge. Accordingly, gas leakage around the tip must cross at least three walls, at least in the vicinity of the uncovered turning region near the trailing edge of the blade. Leakage gas entering the channels will tend to create a vortex and pass along the channel to the outlet. |
| US08133030B2 |
Airfoil shape
An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a table. The table selected from the TABLE. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. |
| US08133025B2 |
Turbine blade system
A turbine blade system relating to a tip device appended to the blade tip of a turbine. The tip device controls the flow of air to ultimately reduce noise signatures while increasing aerodynamic efficiency. Passive or actively controlled configurations also permit the user to adjust the pitch angle of the tip device for maximum efficiency rather than making less effective adjustments to the entire turbine blade. |
| US08133024B1 |
Turbine blade with root corner cooling
The turbine rotor blade with an aft flowing serpentine flow cooling circuit that discharges into a trailing edge cooling circuit and then into a row of exit cooling slots to cool the trailing edge, in which a vortex cooling chamber is formed in the blade platform and root section just below the trailing edge of the airfoil, the vortex chamber receiving cooling an bled off from the root turn of the serpentine flow circuit to produce a vortex flow of the cooling air and provide cooling for this section of the blade root. The vortex cooling air is then discharged through a row of exit cooling holes that open onto the side edge of the platform on the pressure side to cool the blade mate-face and to purge an aft rim cavity. |
| US08133017B2 |
Compressor diffuser
A diffuser for a turbine engine, including an annular casing to seal compressor discharge air and struts attached to the casing to delimit an annular array of intra-strut regions, is provided and includes a ring portion, including a ring shaped annular body with a forward face disposed on a forward side thereof, the ring portion being supportable by one or more of the struts, and a splitter portion, including a ring shaped annular body with an aft face disposed on an aft side thereof to mate with the forward face of the ring portion body, the splitter portion further including a lead edge, on a forward side of the splitter portion body, which is extendable into a flow path of the compressor discharge air to split the flow path into secondary flow paths defined radially outside of and inside of the splitter portion body. |
| US08133014B1 |
Triple acting radial seal
A triple acting radial seal used as an interstage seal assembly in a gas turbine engine, where the seal assembly includes an interstage seal support extending from a stationary inner shroud of a vane ring, the interstage seal support includes a larger annular radial inward facing groove in which an outer annular floating seal assembly is secured for radial displacement, and the outer annular floating seal assembly includes a smaller annular radial inward facing groove in which an inner annular floating seal assembly is secured also for radial displacement. A compliant seal is secured to the inner annular floating seal assembly. The outer annular floating seal assembly encapsulates the inner annular floating seal assembly which is made from a very low alpha material in order to reduce thermal stress. |
| US08133013B2 |
Stage of a turbine or compressor, particularly for a turbomachine
A stage of a turbine or compressor for a turbomachine including at least a vane disk surrounded with a sectorized ring supported by a casing and including a circumferential flange radially clamped on a rail of the casing by substantially C-shaped cross-section locks which are axially engaged on the casing rail and the flange of the ring is disclosed. The inner and outer walls of each lock includes radial bearing surfaces on the flange of the ring and the casing rail, respectively. The bearing surfaces only extend on a part of the width of the lock. |
| US08133007B2 |
Multiple-stage centrifugal pump including a controlled leakage hydraulic balancing drum
A multiple-stage centrifugal pump comprises a balancing drum coupled to the pump shaft, being axially locked, and turning in a pump body cavity with a minimum clearance; a rotary ring element mounted on the balancing drum and rotating therewith, but being able of axially moving with respect to the rotary shaft, and a fixed ring element mounted on the bottom of the body, a face of the rotary ring element having an annular surface and forming with the fixed ring element a radial breakage path therethrough the fluid flows, the outer diameter of the drum and rotary ring element forming an annular surface providing an axial pushing force, the outer diameter of the rotary ring element, forming a narrowed portion, being less than the diameter of the balancing drum, a pressure difference operating on these surfaces providing a contactless leakage between the rotary ring and fixed ring elements, the axial position of the rotary ring element depending on a combined action of two pushing forces, thereby providing a very stable operation of the pump, the rotary ring element participating in applying the balancing force of the pump rotor thereby limiting the leakage flow loss. |
| US08133005B2 |
Blower
A blower includes a housing and a plurality of impellers. The impellers are disposed in the housing, and a mutual air-gathering passage is formed between the impellers and the housing. Compared to the prior art, the mutual air-gathering passage of the blower of the present invention can collect the airflow and stabilize the airflow. Thus, the air pressure at the air outlet is increased, and the overall airflow performance is improved. |
| US08133004B2 |
Jet engine with active-magnetic bearing
A jet engine includes a shaft rotatably supported in a bearing arrangement, a compressor and a turbine arranged on the shaft, and an electromechanical unit arranged centrally about the shaft axis to provide a motor function for starting the jet engine and/or a generator function for a power supply, and a function of an active magnetic bearing arrangement. The electromechanical unit is embodied as a transverse flux machine. The electromechanical unit preferably includes a rotor carrying permanent magnets and a stator with an undulating profiled stator surface. |
| US08132999B2 |
Semi trailer dolly
A dolly is disclosed for a semi-trailer that has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. The dolly provides transverse support between the axles. The dolly includes a lift mechanism that provides a uniform lifting force, transversely to a trailer between the axles where a structural failure of the trailer is likely to occur. The dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled portion that includes a lift. The removable saddle can be removed from the dolly and positioned under the trailer. A tow truck boom winch can then be used to lift the saddle and enable the wheeled portion to be positioned under the trailer. Adjustable lift stands on the wheeled portion enable the lift stands to be mechanically secured under the saddle to support the trailer. |
| US08132997B2 |
Lift apparatus mountable on a vehicle
An apparatus mountable on a vehicle and having a mounting section and a lift section. The lift section is moveably coupled to the mounting section. A drive chain having a plurality of articulating links and defining opposite first and second ends is operably coupled with a drive gear. At least one of the drive gear and the first and second ends of the drive chain is coupled to the mounting section and at least another one of these items is coupled to the lift section. The rotation of the drive gear movingly drives the chain and thereby moves the lift section relative to the mounting section. In some embodiments, the ends of the drive chain are coupled to one of the mounting section and the lift section and the drive gear is mounted on the other one of the mounting section and the lift section. |
| US08132996B2 |
Gate valve and substrate-treating apparatus including the same
A substrate-treating apparatus includes: a plurality of modules disposed along a first direction, each of the plurality of modules having an inner space for containing a substrate; a transfer unit transferring the substrate among the plurality of modules, the transfer unit including at least one track disposed along the first direction and at least one movable transfer chamber moving along the at least one track; and a gate valve fixed to each of the plurality of modules and combined with the at least one movable transfer chamber. The at least one movable transfer chamber is isolated from an exterior atmosphere while moving. |
| US08132988B2 |
Retaining wall block
A method of making a wall block and a mold box therefore. The wall block design maximizes the use of the mold box. The method produces wall blocks having a large surface area front face compared to the front face size of prior art blocks. The blocks have about one third more front surface area. This results in faster construction of walls and a faster construction sequence. The method of making the blocks makes efficient use of mold space and material, resulting in higher production yields and/or higher total daily production square footage. |
| US08132987B2 |
Method for remediating contaminated land
A method for remediating land contaminated by a combustible material, in particular, land contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), which includes the steps of locating a subterranean volume of combustible material such as a DNAPL in land to be remediated, and igniting the combustible material to combust the material and thereby remediate the land. By monitoring combustion of the material, combustion may be optimised by, for example, supplying an oxidant or a combustion suppressant. |
| US08132984B2 |
Multiple preset concrete trowel steering system
A self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has a power steering system that facilitates operator selection of a desired steering performance response of the trowel. The power steering system includes a controller that communicates operator steering instructions from one or more joysticks and the powered actuators associated with the driven shafts. A selector allows the operator to select one or more preset steering modes, each of which has a different set of steering response characteristics for a given range of joystick motion. |
| US08132983B2 |
Riding concrete trowel with stabilizers
In a riding concrete finishing trowel, a stabilizer is operatively disposed between the frame and either the gearbox or a structure that is coupled to the gearbox so as reduce the effects of rotor assembly vibration on the trowel. In one embodiment, the stabilizer takes the form of a gas spring located between the frame and the pitch control post. The stabilizer may be located relatively close to the top of the pitch control post so as to take advantage of the mechanical advantage offered by the spacing between that location and the gearbox. |
| US08132979B2 |
Assembly for constructing responsive structural elements
The invention is an assembly for use in construction. In one embodiment, the invention is an assembly for connecting structural elements including an engaging member, a coupling member, and an elongate member. In another embodiment, the invention is a manifold assembly for use in construction including a manifold, an engaging member, and an elongate member. In yet another embodiment, the invention is structural assembly having dynamic constructive elements, manifolds, and a controller, wherein the controller regulates the environment within cavities of the dynamic constructive elements and conduits of the manifolds. |
| US08132978B2 |
Tool positioning system
A tool positioning apparatus permitting tool adjustment in two planes, the apparatus generally including an articulating joint apparatus and a resistance thread mechanism for rotatably positioning a tool about a central axis. In one embodiment the joint includes two halves rotatable about a central axis. The two halves are positionable through use of a push-button release that disengages a gear member and permits movement of the two halves relative to each other. In one embodiment, a gear has teeth disposed on one surface, two opposing substantially straight sides, and two opposing substantially curved sides, with a triangular protrusion mounted on each of the gear's two straight portions. The thread resistance mechanism utilizes an elastomeric threading in a narrowing taper. |
| US08132977B2 |
Refill container for consumer products
The present invention generally is a refill container for holding at least two products. The refill container of the present invention is configured to comprise at least two receptacles abutting each other, wherein either all the receptacles contain a similar product or one of the receptacles holds a related product or a tool. Each of the receptacles has a top end, a bottom end and at least one sidewall. The refill container is configured to be mounted in a refillable case wherein the refillable case comprises of a base and a cover. Also disclosed is refillable product container in which are replaced the refill containers once the initial product is finished. |
| US08132974B2 |
Image generating apparatus
An image generating apparatus includes a print portion printing a paper, a platen roller arranged so as to be opposed to the print portion, a heat radiating member mounted on the print portion, radiating heat generated in the print portion, integrally provided with a plate-like support shaft as an axis of rotation and rotatable in a direction for coming into pressure contact with or separating from the platen roller, a regulating member regulating movement of the print portion in a printing direction of the paper, a chassis having a hole-shaped bearing receiving the plate-like support shaft, and a side plate mounted on the chassis. |
| US08132972B2 |
Optical connector for contactless communication, optical adapter for contactless communication, and method of manufacturing electronic appliance using the same
An optical connector for contactless communication is provided. The optical connector includes an optical output part through which an optical signal is output; a first housing which is attached to a board of an electronic appliance and supports the optical output part so that the optical output part protrudes from the first housing to perform contactless communication; and a second housing which is removably attached to the first housing to surround the optical output part. |
| US08132959B2 |
Medical cement monomer ampoule cartridge for storing the ampoule, opening the ampoule and selectively discharging the monomer from the ampoule into a mixer
A monomer handling unit for storing a ampoule of monomer and releasing the monomer from the ampoule when desired is provided. The monomer handling unit can be used to attach to an enclosed mixer and release a monomer component of the bone cement into the mixer to be mixed with a powder component of the bone cement. The monomer handling unit can also be used to release the liquid monomer into another mixer, such as one that is not enclosed. |
| US08132956B2 |
Lamp structure improvement in the two-lamps typed decoration lamp string
The present invention is to provide a lamp structure improvement in the two-lamps typed decoration lamp string. Each lamp body of the said lamp string is composed of a single soft head, a single soft core and a LED single body of the ordinary half-shaped type separately package-covered with a single lighting crystalline grain then leaned against each other to form a lamp of ordinary shape-and-sized single-piece LED such that the mutually assembled and formed single-piece-shaped LED can have two lighting crystalline grains and form a two-lamps typed lamp body. It thus can effectively lower the manufacturing cost of lamp body in the two-lamps typed decoration lamp string. |
| US08132955B2 |
Lamp body used in the LED light string
A lamp body used in a LED light string comprises: a light-emitting chip which is installed on the frame, a package colloid which is provided to cover the top of the frame, wherein a lamp holder which covers the two leads and a part of the wires is provided beneath the package colloid and forms an integral unit with the package colloid, two leads and wires, so that it is capable of eliminating the potential problem as water inleakage at the joint of the package colloid and the lamp holder, and the waterproof ability is greatly improved. Meanwhile, the process of assembling the package colloid to the lamp holder by hand can be cancelled, so that mass production by machine can be realized efficiently. |
| US08132954B2 |
Planar lighting device
The planar lighting device includes a light guide plate having the light exit plane, two pairs of light entrance planes formed at the four sides of the light exit plane, and rear planes formed opposite to the light exit plane and inclined such that the light guide plate grows thicker toward the center thereof, a pair of main light sources and a pair of auxiliary light sources disposed opposite their respective light entrance planes to emit light to the respective light entrance planes, and illuminance distribution control unit to adjust the amount of light emitted by the main and auxiliary light sources to form a designated local illuminance distribution for any position desired in the light exit plane. The planar lighting device performs area control and line control to adjust illuminance at a light exit plane for any area desired and along any line desired, respectively. |
| US08132953B2 |
Light emitting diode substrate module and method of manufacturing the same, and backlight unit and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a light emitting diode substrate module and a method of manufacturing the same, and a backlight unit and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting diode substrate module according to an aspect of the invention includes: a metal plate; an insulating film having a predetermined thickness and provided on an entire outer surface of the metal plate; a reflective film having a predetermined thickness and provided on an entire outer surface of the insulating film; and at least one light emitting diode package electrically connected to a driving circuit provided on the reflective film by pattern printing.Unnecessary material costs can be avoided by forming a predetermined driving circuit by pattern printing, and optical characteristics can be improved by stably maintaining reflection characteristics. |
| US08132950B2 |
Light source device for endoscope
A light source device includes a xenon lamp, a rotary shutter, a main CPU for controlling drive of these components, and a sub CPU. The main CPU operates when receiving a reset cancel signal from a reset circuit. Between the sub CPU and the reset circuit, an AND circuit is provided. When the reset cancel signal from the reset circuit and a lighting completion signal indicating completion of lighting the xenon lamp are both input, the AND circuit outputs the reset cancel signal to the sub CPU. After the output of the lighting completion signal, the sub CPU operates to drive the rotary shutter. When high-frequency noise which occurs at the time of discharging the xenon lamp stops, the rotary shutter is activated and thereby generating pulses of illumination light. |
| US08132943B2 |
Adjustable recessed lighting fixture
An adjustable recessed lighting fixture includes a housing which is adapted to be recessedly mounted in a wall. A base is fixedly mounted in the housing. The base has a substantially semi-spherical cavity defined therein. A casing is pivotally and receivably disposed in the cavity such that the casing is movable relative to the cavity along a semi-spherical shape of the cavity. At least one socket is disposed in the casing. The socket has a light emitting unit installed therein which is adapted for providing illumination. By manually and rotatably adjusting the casing relative to the base, a projecting direction of the light emitting unit is changed. |
| US08132939B2 |
LED module with application-specific color setting
An LED module with a blue LED chip, over which is arranged a conversion layer, which has a luminous material mixture mixing a further proportion of greater wavelength into the blue light, so that a reddish or greenish or yellowish white light is emitted from the LED module, the emitted light of the LED module having a peak or secondary peak in the red or green or yellow range. |
| US08132933B2 |
Power blackout bulb
A blackout light bulb has a housing with an Edson screw at one end for screwing into a light fixture socket and a plurality of spaced apart LEDs mounted to its opposite end. A flexible stalk is connected to the housing between the Edison screw and the LEDs and can be bent into a selected shape for positioning a free end of the stalk as desired. A circuit board in the housing has an electronic circuit connected to the Edison screw, to the LEDs and to a photo cell at the free end of the stalk. A rechargeable battery in the housing is connected to the circuit board so that it is charged under certain normal conditions and so that it lights up the LEDs under other blackout conditions. |
| US08132930B2 |
Display device for a tuning apparatus
A plurality of LEDs are arranged continuously in a row and a transparent LED cover is disposed over the front surface of the LEDs. The LED cover extends in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement of LEDs and is curved in an arc shape that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of arrangement of LEDs. The cover does not contain light diffusion material, but has a corrugated surface around the arc shape. The corrugated surface extends in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement of LEDs. |
| US08132915B2 |
Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope
A binocular indirect opthalmoscope has a light source for producing an illumination beam and an illumination mirror (7) for directing the illumination beam to an eye to be viewed. The opthalmoscope also has, viewing optics including left-hand and right-hand eyepieces (12,13) and an optical splitter (9,10) for directing light along left-hand and right-hand viewing paths to the two eyepieces. An aperture holder (20) is pivotally mounted in a frame (3,5,6) of the opthalmoscope and adjusts the size of the illumination beam, under the control of a manually rotatable control knob (24). The movement of the aperture holder is transmitted, by means of mechanical linkage, to a moveable carriage (15) on which is mounted both the optical splitter and the illumination mirror, so that when the user moves the control knob to adjust the size of the illumination beam the optical splitter and the illumination mirror are also adjusted in position with respect to the opthalmoscope frame. |
| US08132913B2 |
Adaptive optics apparatus and imaging apparatus including the same
An adaptive optics apparatus includes a first conversion unit configured to convert a polarization direction of one of two polarization components of light to a polarization direction of the other of the polarization components, the light being emitted by a light source; a light modulation unit configured to modulate the two polarization components of light converted by the first conversion unit in the polarization directions that have been converted; a second conversion unit configured to convert directions of polarization components of the light modulated by the light modulation unit to directions that intersect with each other; and an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object with the light that is converted by the light modulation unit. |
| US08132912B1 |
Iris imaging system using circular deformable mirror mounted by its circumference
A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. Eye reflections from the subjects' eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises. A circular deformable minor driven by one or more annular forces can be used to focus the camera. A circular mirror substrate is mounted by its circumference onto a minor mount and driven by an annular drive element that contacts the minor substrate along a ring. If the annular drive element has a certain diameter relative to the circumference of the mirror substrate, the mirror substrate will be deformed in the shape of a sphere. |
| US08132909B2 |
Method of preparing an ophthalmic lens to be flush with a surround of an eyeglass frame
A method of preparing an ophthalmic lens for mounting in a surround of an eyeglass frame, the surround presenting a generally profiled shape with an inside face provided with a first engagement ridge or groove and lying between a rear margin for being turned towards the face of the wearer of the eyeglass frame and an opposite front margin, the method including: acquiring the three-dimensional shape of an acquired longitudinal profile running along the inside face; and shaping the ophthalmic lens so as to form on its edge face a second engagement ridge or groove extending along a deduced longitudinal profile of three-dimensional shape calculated as a function of the shape of the acquired longitudinal profile. The method further includes acquiring a geometrical characteristic that relates to the position of the engagement ridge or groove relative to the front and/or rear margin of the frame, the shape of the deduced longitudinal profile then also being calculated as a function of the geometrical characteristic. |
| US08132908B2 |
Articulated spectacle frames with wire assembled components
An articulated spectacle frame with wire assembled components, the components being able to slide and fold back past each other, when the spectacles are not being worn, characterized by using two lens rims (10, 20) for supporting lenses (1, 2) and being hinged together at their inner ends (13, 22a), and equipped with a joining slot (18, 28) on their outside, for orthogonal housing of components coaxial to each other and forming each of two temples (A), all these components being linked together by a wire (70) passing into each of the components tensioning and connecting them in succession, when the two lens rims are located on the same plane in order to use them, whilst the wire slackens allowing disconnection of the temple components and the loosening of these from the components supporting the lenses, when the rims are rotated against each other. |
| US08132906B2 |
Printer
A printer which enables both of position adjustment and attachment/detachment of a printing head. The printer includes: a platen roller, an opposing printing head; a first head support member capable of rotating relative to a casing; a first shaft as a rotary axis of the first head support member; a second shaft attached to the first head support member and including a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion each having a different central axis to the rotary axis; and a second head support member, to which the printing head is attached, and which is formed with a first set of grooves into which the first shaft is inserted and a second set of grooves into which the second shaft is inserted; the second head support member moves in accordance with rotation of the second shaft, when attached to the first head support member, due to engagement between the first set of grooves and the first shaft and engagement between the second set of grooves and the small diameter portion of the second shaft, and can be removed from the first head support member by moving the second shaft parallel to the axial direction. |
| US08132905B2 |
Recording device having a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium
The invention relates to a recording device that includes a casing and a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium, and the conveying unit is positioned in the casing. The recording device also includes a recording unit that performs recording on the recording medium that is being conveyed by the conveying unit, and the recording unit opposing the conveying unit in the casing. The recording device may also include a cassette that is removably mountable to the casing and that is positioned in an area adjacent to the conveying unit when the cassette is mounted to the casing. The recording device may also include a movement mechanism that moves a portion of the conveying unit to the area adjacent to the conveying unit when a portion of the cassette is removed from the casing. |
| US08132904B2 |
Filter/wicking structure for micro-fluid ejection head
A micro-fluid ejection head structure and a method for assembling a micro-fluid ejection head structure. The micro-fluid ejection head structure includes a molded, non-fibrous wicking and filtration structure. The wicking and filtration structure is fixedly attached to a filtered fluid reservoir of the micro-fluid ejection head structure for flow of filtered fluid to a micro-fluid ejection head attached to the head structure. |
| US08132903B2 |
Ink jet system and method for removing air bubbles inside of an ink jet nozzle
An ink jet system according to the present invention is provided with an air bubble removing unit including: an ink jet body having a plurality of ink supply path; a nozzle plate connected to an end of the ink jet body and having a plurality of spaced nozzle holes therein; and a cap configured to cover the nozzle holes formed in the nozzle plate wherein a first ink channel space is formed continuous to the nozzle holes and the plurality of ink supply path, and a second ink channel space is formed between a recess of the cap and a surface of the nozzle plate, so that the second ink channel space and the first ink channel space are continuous through the nozzle holes. |
| US08132901B2 |
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer includes: an ink recycling path that recycles ink; an ink head 1 that performs printing by discharging the recycled ink; an ink supplying port that supplies ink from the ink recycling path to the inside of the ink head while controlling the pressure; and an ink discharging port that discharges ink from the inside of the ink head to the ink recycling path while controlling the pressure. When moving from a standby state where the recycling of ink in the ink recycling path remains stopped to a printing preparing state, an amount of ink smaller than an ink recycling amount during the printing is recycled for a predetermined time. Thereby, leakage of the ink and the inhalation of air bubbles from the nozzle are prevented by suppressing the change in pressure of the nozzle, and ink having high viscosity, which is the cause of these defects, is also removed when the recycling of ink starts. |
| US08132900B2 |
Inkjet recording head cartridge
An inkjet recording head cartridge includes a container body configured to accommodate a plural colors of ink. The container body has a first side surface and also has a projecting part. The inkjet recording head cartridge includes a recording head unit configured to have ink supply port arrays. The recording head unit also has discharge port arrays which discharge the plural colors of ink. The container body has a first partitioning wall and second partitioning walls. The first partitioning wall is configured to partition the inside of the container body to intersect with the ink supply port arrays, to form a first ink accommodating unit which has the first side surface, and to form a space which does not have the first side surface. The second partitioning walls are in contact with the first partitioning wall and divide the space into a plurality of ink accommodating units. |
| US08132898B2 |
Recording head and recording apparatus
A recording head includes ejection ports that eject ink, a first liquid chamber for supplying ink to the ejection ports, a second liquid chamber for supplying ink to the first liquid chamber, a gas reservoir disposed in the upper part of the first liquid chamber and collecting gas, a first outlet through which fluid is discharged out of the gas reservoir, and a pump chamber into which fluid is moved through the first outlet out of the first liquid chamber by producing a pressure difference from the first liquid chamber. |
| US08132886B2 |
Adjusting the calibration of a recording apparatus with recording head movement changes
The present invention relates to a method for changing a calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); providing a carriage (18) adapted for moving along a path; providing a recording head (16) on the carriage; operating the recording head to form a pattern of image features on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; positioning the recording media with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, wherein the second orientation is different from the first orientation; detecting distortion in the pattern of image features while the recording media is positioned with the second orientation on the media support; and adjusting movement of the carriage in accordance with the detected distortion. |
| US08132885B2 |
System and method for evaluating and correcting image quality in an image generating device
A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system in a manner that accounts for the interaction of the calibration tools used to evaluate and correct image quality in the image generating system. The system includes a test pattern generator configured to generate an image with an image generating system, an image capture device configured to generate a digital signal corresponding to the generated test pattern, an image evaluator configured to process the digital signal to detect and correct anomalies detected in the generated test pattern, a plurality of calibration tools, each calibration tool being comprised of at least one test pattern, at least one set of detection criteria, and at least one set of anomaly correction parameters, and a controller configured to select the calibration tools for operation of the test pattern generator and the image evaluator in accordance with a predetermined sequence that attenuates changes arising from application of correction parameters of one calibration tool upon a later selected calibration tool. |
| US08132881B2 |
Printing apparatus, and method and program for controlling printing apparatus
A printing apparatus that measures a consumption of a colorant during printing, includes a shade level measuring unit that measures a print shade level on a print sheet, a range segment counting unit that counts the number of print sheets falling within each of a plurality of print shade range segments based on the measurement results of the shade level measuring unit, and an output unit that outputs the count results of the range segment counting unit on a per print shade range segment basis. |
| US08132879B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus and printhead driving method
An object of this invention is to decrease the amount of ink mist while keeping the image quality high in inkjet printing. To achieve this object, printing is performed by time-divisionally driving, for each block, a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink. In preliminary discharge, the nozzles are so driven as to set the driving time interval between neighboring nozzles to the first time interval. In printing, the nozzles are so driven as to set the driving time interval between neighboring nozzles to the second time interval longer than the first time interval. |
| US08132877B2 |
User adaptable ink status conveyance system
An ink status conveyance system comprises a maximum monitored ink level sensor operable with respect to an ink source for holding a supply of ink and delivering the ink to a printhead. The ink level sensor is configured to detect when an available amount of ink in the ink source corresponds to an ample ink level. A notification controller is configured to track the available amount of ink in the ink source between an ample ink level and an ink out level. A user interface is configured to enable a user to designate a low ink notification set point for the ink source at any ink level between the ample ink level and the ink out level. The notification controller is configured to compare the user designated low ink notification set point to the available ink volume value to generate a low ink notification when the available ink volume value corresponds to the user designated low ink notification set point. |
| US08132876B2 |
Refrigerator and door opening apparatus thereof
A refrigerator with: a main body having at least one storeroom, at least one door hinged to the main body to open and close the storeroom, and a door opening apparatus gradually decreasing a magnetic binding force between the door and the main body as a rotation angle of the door is increased. |
| US08132874B2 |
Server chassis rack rail with self-aligning, magnetic guide assembly for positioning servers in storage rack
A storage rack for supporting a server chassis in a storage cabinet. The storage rack includes vertical supports and outer rails attached to the vertical supports. The storage rack includes first and second middle rails supported by the first and second outer rails such that the middle rails may slide upon the outer rails. First and second inner rails slidably engage with the first and second outer rails and are typically attached the sides of the chassis. The storage rack further includes first and second magnetic guide assemblies that are each attached to an exposed end of one of the first and second inner rails. Each of the magnetic guide assemblies includes first and second magnetic alignment elements extending outward an alignment distance from the exposed end of the corresponding one of the inner rails such that magnetic forces assist both in initial alignment and in engagement. |
| US08132873B2 |
Rail assembly
A rail assembly includes an outer rail, a middle rail, an inner rail, and a retrieving unit. The middle rail has a receiving space defined in an underside thereof, such that a length and a moving range of the middle rail are increased. A guiding member is disposed in the inner rail and temporarily engages with a clip to connect the inner rail and a moving part. At least one spring is disposed between a fixing part and the moving part. Two receiving slots are respectively disposed between the fixing part and the moving part with the outer rail, such that the inner rail spans across the receiving slots to reach the closed end of the outer rail space for increasing an overall spread length of the rail assembly. |
| US08132870B2 |
Shelf assembly
The disclosed invention relates to a bidirectional shelf assembly which may be used in a single door or double door cabinet. The cabinet may comprise the decontamination chamber of a decontamination unit. The cabinet may comprise a sterilizer and/or washer. |
| US08132868B2 |
Hydraulic regenerative braking system for a vehicle
A hydraulic regenerative braking system and method for a vehicle include a variable displacement hydraulic machine operable as a pump or a motor (22). The hydraulic machine facilitates connections between some of its piston cylinders (50, 52) and a low pressure source (32), and some other of its piston cylinders (50, 52) and a high pressure source (28). The cylinders are alternately connected to the high and low pressure sources such that a pressure transition occurs during each piston stroke. By controlling where in a piston stroke the transitions occur, the power of the hydraulic machine can be modulated. The hydraulic machine is configured to effect the pressure transitions in only a portion of the cylinders at one time. This can be accomplished by asymmetrically configuring cam lobes (86, 88, 90) and fluid ports (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84). Staggering the pressure transitions helps to inhibit flow disturbances in the machine when it is operating at less than full displacement. |
| US08132864B2 |
Child safety seat with emergency harness release
The present disclosure discloses a child safety seat comprising: (a) a supporting base structure adapted to be secured to a vehicle seat; (b) a child seating surface wherein the seating surface comprises a seat bottom and a seat back, and wherein the seat back has disposed therein at least one pair of laterally spaced shoulder belt restraints; (c) a child harness wherein the harness comprises a pair of shoulder belts running from the restraints in the seat back to a seat bottom locking tongue, each shoulder belt having a restraint engaging means affixed to an extreme end of the belt for insertion into the laterally spaced pair of restraints in the seat back, and a buckle affixed to the front center portion of the seat bottom for receiving the seat bottom locking tongue; and (d) an emergency means of disengaging at least one of shoulder belts from at least one of the restraints in the back of the seat, the disengaging means being actuated from the rear face or side of the seat. |
| US08132862B2 |
Seat back frame for vehicle
A seat back frame for a vehicle for supporting a seat back, includes a first back frame, at which a shoulder belt anchor for supporting one end portion of a seat belt is provided, a second back frame arranged substantially in parallel with the first back frame, and a cross member connecting the first back frame and the second back frame, wherein a protruding portion or a recessed portion is formed at the cross member so as to extend in a longitudinal direction thereof, a first recessed surface portion or a first protruding surface portion is formed at the first back frame and a second recessed surface portion or a second protruding surface portion is formed at the second back frame so that the first back frame and the second back frame are fittedly connected to the protruding portion or the recessed portion of the cross member. |
| US08132860B2 |
Armrest for a chair
An armrest for a chair is provided which has an improved anti-rotation and mechanical connection between an armrest body and a frame tube of the chair. The end of the frame tube is mechanically deformed or is shaped so as to have a non-circular profile with a central opening defined by inwardly projecting arcuate surfaces of the frame tube. The armrest includes a cooperating, non-circular socket which fits onto the frame tube wherein a suitable fastener is threaded downwardly into direct, self-threading engagement with an upper opening formed in the end of the frame tube. |
| US08132854B2 |
Motor vehicle having a windshield wiper cover
A motor vehicle with a windshield wiper cover for covering a region located in front of a windshield in the direction of travel. The windshield wiper cover contains at least two elements which can be connected to each other via a double interlocking connection, and can each be fixed to the motor vehicle body. One of the two elements is configured as a service flap and, by being opened, permits access to a component arranged there below without the other element of the windshield wiper cover also having to be removed for this purpose. |
| US08132853B2 |
Cab and construction machine
A cab includes left and right rear pole members having internal spaces and prescribed shapes in cross-section. The right rear pole member includes a first hole portion that extends along the longitudinal direction of the right rear pole member and penetrates the right rear pole member in the left-and-right direction of the right rear pole member, and a first plate-shaped member inserted into and secured in the first hole portion. |
| US08132852B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body structure includes: a floor tunnel bulging from a center of a floor of a vehicle chamber; a pair of seats flanking the floor tunnel from left and right sides of the floor tunnel; a load receiving member placed on an upper part of the floor tunnel; a left floor cross member extending from a left side of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction; and a right floor cross member extending from a right side of the floor tunnel in the vehicle width direction. The load receiving member contacts the seat when the seat receives an impact load from a side of the vehicle body. In addition, the load receiving member transmits the impact load to the floor of the vehicle body. Left and right side rim parts of the load receiving member are connected respectively to the left and right floor cross members. |
| US08132851B2 |
Reinforcing element for a lower area of a front bumper, and correspondingly equipped bumper for a motor vehicle
The invention discussed above provides a reinforcing element for a lower impact region of a front bumper of a motor vehicle for the protection of pedestrians during the impact of a lower leg section against the lower impact region of the front bumper. The reinforcing element is thus connected behind, in direction of travel, the lower front bumper region to the latter. The reinforcing element has a base plate with reinforcing ribs attached thereto. It extends essentially in horizontal direction, approximately over the width of the front bumper. It is thus proposed for the first time that the reinforcing element is designed as a separate plate which can be integrated in the lower bumper region. The above invention also discusses a front bumper equipped therewith for a motor vehicle. |
| US08132848B1 |
Vehicle mounted brush for footwear
A cleaning system is attached to a door pocket of a vehicle and allows, via a spinning brush head, to clean the outer surfaces of a person's footwear prior to stepping into the vehicle. The system uses a brush that has a handle and a rotating brush head powered by a motor within the handle. The handle is attached, via a clip or similar system, to the door pocket. The motor is powered either via a battery within the handle or via the vehicle's battery and is controlled either via a switch on the handle or via the door depression switch that detects whether the door of the vehicle is open or closed, or both. |
| US08132840B2 |
Center driven tonneau system
A motor vehicle with a center drive tonneau cover assembly for covering a convertible top in a stored configuration is provided. The assembly has a tonneau cover with a linkage system that pivotally couples the cover to the vehicle. The linkage system can have a center link that is located generally along a longitudinal center portion of the vehicle body. The linkage system is operable to move the tonneau cover between a closed position and the open position in which the center link occupies free space between the tonneau cover and the convertible top in the stored configuration within the storage compartment. In addition, with the center link provides free space between a side portion of the tonneau cover and an adjacent portion of a side body panel of the vehicle body. |
| US08132838B2 |
Soldier support system in a vehicle
A soldier restraint system and method secure a soldier in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the soldier restraint system is secured in a military vehicle. The soldier restraint system includes a seat assembly comprising a seat and straps. The soldier restraint system also includes a restraint harness belt. The restraint harness belt is secured to the seat assembly. In addition, the soldier restraint system includes mounting assemblies. The straps attach the seat to the mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies are securable in the vehicle. Attachment of at least one of the straps to the seat is releasable by a release assembly. |
| US08132835B2 |
Workpiece gripping device
A workpiece gripping device includes a primary catching mechanism having a suction pad adapted to hold a workpiece by suction power and a rod-like part having the suction pad mounted on one end thereof, gripping pawls sandwiching and gripping the workpiece, a drive unit for supplying a drive power, and a transmission mechanism transmitting the drive power of the drive unit to the gripping pawls. The transmission mechanism moves the gripping pawls along an axis of the rod-like part between a gripping position where the gripping pawls are projected beyond the suction pad and a retreated position where the gripping pawls are retreated from the suction pad toward the base plate. The gripping pawls are moved to the gripping position along the axis of the rod-like part while shortening the distance between the gripping pawls. |
| US08132834B2 |
Animal waste disposal tool
A tool for retrieving animal waste is effective in complete removal as it deploys at its end a row of tines that are inserted beneath the solid waste so that is can be lifted from the ground as the first step for proper disposal. The waste is then removed from the tines by a plate that pushes it off into a waste receptacle. |
| US08132831B1 |
Connector for use with inflatable tubing
A system for moving fluid from one location to another. The system comprising a fluid delivery system, a first piece of flexible tubing that receives fluid from the fluid delivery system and a second piece of flexible tubing. The system further includes a connector having an aperture that receives the second piece of flexible tubing. The connector is then positioned inside the first piece of flexible tubing so that the connector is urged against the inner walls of the first piece of flexible tubing so that fluid can be communicated from the first piece of flexible tubing to the second piece of flexible tubing. |
| US08132824B2 |
Bicycle chainstay protector
A bicycle having a wheel (e.g., a rear wheel) and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector resiliently engages the stay and comprises a body member including a resilient material adapted to resiliently engage the stay, and a guard member positioned on (e.g., protruding beyond) an outer surface of the body member (e.g., on a top portion and/or bottom portion of the body member). Preferably, the stay includes a molded image on a central portion that is not covered by the guard member. In one embodiment, the guard member comprises a material that has a different hardness than the resilient material of the body member. For example, the guard member can comprise a material that is harder than the resilient material of the body member. |
| US08132823B2 |
Reconfigurable tilt wheelchair
A modular wheelchair assembly is adapted to be reconfigured between a fixed angle of tilt, a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's knees and a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's center of gravity. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying a limited number of selectively removable components of the support assembly or the pivot assembly of the wheelchair. |
| US08132819B2 |
Rolling container assembly with mount structure
A rolling container assembly includes a base container, wheels to provide rolling support, at least one removable container, and a container engaging region with an automatic lock interacting between the removable container and the container engaging region. The automatic lock is releasable so that the removable container can be released to enable the at least one removable container to be carried by its carrying handle and transported separately from the base container. The assembly has a lower drawer and an upper drawer, and a slide structure having a first portion mounted to the upper drawer and a second portion mounted to the lower drawer to facilitate movement of the drawers. The lower drawer and upper drawer are independently movable between their respective open and closed positions. The apparatus includes a central frame structure carrying a lock member that enables the upper drawer to be locked in the closed position. |
| US08132817B2 |
Air suspension control apparatus
An air suspension control apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a charge tank maintained at a first air pressure such that selective filling of the charge tank with compressed air is permitted. The arrangement is such that, in a first disposition of the tank air valve, the charge tank is maintained at a second air pressure which is less than the first air pressure. When the tank air valve is in a second disposition thereof, the charge tank is maintained at the first air pressure. In a third mode of operation of the air suspension control apparatus, the tank air valve is in the first disposition thereof and a ride height air valve is in the first setting thereof. The arrangement is such that the first pressure within the charge tank rapidly inflates the air spring from the third pressure to the second pressure so that driving of the vehicle is permitted. |
| US08132816B2 |
Electrically Actuated Robotic Tool Changer
A robotic tool changer comprises first and second units, operative to be separately attached to a robot and a robotic tool, and further operative to be selectively coupled together and decoupled. The first and second units are coupled and decoupled by an electric motor. Power from the electric motor may be applied to couple and decouple the first and second units in a variety of ways. |
| US08132814B1 |
Sudoku solving apparatus
An apparatus to solve Sudoku puzzles, wherein each one of the 81 single-squares has nine sub-area squares, each having one of the 1 through 9 digits, with all digits set to ‘at-display’ at start, and by selectively setting to ‘no-display’ 8 digits at each one of the initially given number's single-square location of a given puzzle so as to set up the puzzle, followed by logically setting other digits to ‘no-display’ at other single-squares needing solutions, the process of ‘no-display’ setting can be continued until all the single-squares have for each one only one digit ‘at-display’ as per Sudoku rules. |
| US08132812B2 |
Sheet discharging device and image forming apparatus
A sheet discharging device that includes: a discharge roller that discharges a transported sheet to outside the sheet discharging device, the discharge roller being integrally formed with a flexible rotating shaft; first and second bearing members that rotatably hold one end side and another end side of the rotating shaft, respectively; a nipping member that nips the transported sheet in cooperation with the discharge roller, the nipping member being opposed to a peripheral surface of the discharge roller; and an abutment member abutting against one of the rotating shaft and the nipping member between the first bearing member and the second bearing member to curve the rotating shaft. |
| US08132807B2 |
Validator drive roller release mechanism
The drive arrangement of a currency validator includes a drive roller release mechanism that provides release of the rollers from a drive shaft. This release allows a banknote to be forcibly withdrawn without damaging a drive train or the drive roller. The drive roller is supported on and rotatable about a drive shaft. The drive shaft includes an intermediary drive ring secured on the shaft and in engagement with the drive roller. A spring bias urges the drive roller to engage and rotate with rotation of the shaft and the intermediary drive ring secured on the shaft. When necessary the drive roller can rotate relative to the shaft by overcoming the spring bias. |
| US08132801B2 |
Positioning and clamping apparatus
A positioning and clamping apparatus clamps a panel material by moving a clamp arm to a clamping position while the panel material positioned by a locating pin is supported by a workpiece supporting face of a workpiece support. An extruding member having a plurality of extruding rods protruding from the workpiece supporting face is slidably provided in the workpiece support, and the panel material is detached from the locating pin since the extruding member causes a tip face of the extruding rods to be moved to a carry-out position by the hollow piston. The extruding member is caused to protrude by a spring force up to a standby position located between the carrying-out position and the workpiece supporting position, thereby being pushed down up to the workpiece supporting position by the panel material. |
| US08132797B2 |
Floating-type clamping device
A floating-type clamping device includes a pneumatic cylinder unit, a pressing plate, a floating plate, two grips, an air supply pipe unit, and a safety control unit. The pneumatic cylinder unit includes at least one cylinder. The floating plate includes a plate body, a plurality of nozzles, and an air passage disposed inside the plate body and communicated with the nozzles. The plate body cooperates with the pressing plate to clamp a plate material when the pressing plate moves downward. The air supply pipe unit is connected and supplies compressed air to the pneumatic cylinder unit and the floating plate. The safety control unit is connected to the air supply pipe unit and is operable to block or permit the flow of the compressed air into at least one of the cylinder and the air passage. |
| US08132796B2 |
Fluid filled type vibration damping device
A fluid filled type vibration damping device wherein an elastic rubber film is disposed to partially define a primary fluid chamber disposed on one side thereof, and a pressure operating chamber is disposed on an opposite side from the primary fluid chamber with the elastic rubber film interposed therebetween. The elastic rubber film has a dome shape and an attraction face of the pressure operating chamber has an inverted dome shape, and has a negative pressure suction groove including an outer circumferential groove extending in a circumferential direction at an outer peripheral portion of the attraction face and opening to the pressure operating chamber, and a negative pressure suction bore for introducing a negative pressure to the pressure operating chamber is connected to the negative pressure suction groove. |
| US08132795B2 |
Bathroom sauna device
A bathroom sauna device having a heating device for heating air in a bathroom, a humidifying device for humidifying the air in the bathroom, and an airflow path for sending the air, which is adjusted in temperature and humidity by the heating device and humidifying device, to the bathroom. The temperature and humidity of the air in the bathroom are controlled by the heating device and humidifying device to a temperature and humidity immediately before which a human body starts sweating. |
| US08132793B2 |
Method and apparatus for liquid precursor atomization
An apparatus for atomizing a precursor liquid for vapor generation and thin film deposition on a substrate. The precursor liquid is atomized by a carrier gas to form a droplet aerosol composed of small precursor liquid droplets suspended in the carrier gas. The droplet aerosol is then heated to form vapor, producing a gas/vapor mixture that can be introduced into a deposition chamber to form thin films on a substrate. The liquid is introduced into the atomizing apparatus in such a manner as to avoid excessive heating that can occur or lead to the formation of undesirable by-products due to material degradation as result of thermal decomposition. The apparatus is particularly suited for vaporizing high molecular weight substances with a low vapor pressure that requires a high vaporization temperature for the liquid to vaporize. The apparatus can also be used to vaporize solid precursors dissolved in a solvent for vaporization. |
| US08132792B2 |
Temporary guard rail support
A guard rail support and assembly is disclosed for use in providing a safe work area for workmen working at dangerous heights, particularly in the construction industry. The guard rail support assembly comprises a plurality of guard rail supports arranged in a spaced fashion and wooden guard rails extending between and attached on either end to each support. Each guard rail support comprises an attachment base having quick fastening means for quick attachment and release of the support to a ground surface of the site under construction, a plurality of rail supports having quick fastening means for quick attachment and release of the wooden guard rails and a fall-protection or tarp tie-off ring. Advantageously, a portable and lightweight guard rail assembly may be constructed with the guard rail supports in an expedient and efficient manner to provide safe, unobstructive protection against falls. |
| US08132790B2 |
Impact load deflector sleeve and removable collar assembly for cable and post protection
A guard system for protecting cables or posts from damage by falling rocks and other dynamic forces is provided. The guard assembly comprises a first sleeve rotatably positionable about one of the cables or the posts and a second sleeve rotatably positionable about the cable or the post. A removable collar assembly is positioned between the first sleeve and the second sleeve for maintaining the spacing between the first sleeve and the second sleeve with the removable collar assembly comprising a first removable collar and a second removable collar. The first removable collar has a first slot for receiving the cable or post and the second removable collar has a second slot for receiving the cable or post with the first slot extending from a perimeter of the first removable collar to a point past a center point of the first removable collar and the second slot extending from a perimeter of the second removable collar to a point past a center point of the second removable collar. The first sleeve is free from any overlap and connection with the removable collar assembly and the second sleeve is free from any overlap and connection with the removable collar assembly. The first sleeve, the second sleeve, and the removable collar assembly are independently rotatable from each other. |
| US08132788B2 |
Partition lifter
A wall partition lifter has a vertically extending support beam, a sleeve that is freely slidable therearound and has a ledge extending transversely outwardly from one side. An engagement protuberance extends transversely outwardly from a second side. The engagement protuberance engages and vertically supports the wall partition and may comprise a series of hooks adapted to engage complementary slots in the wall partition, and/or a foot plate for supporting a bottom surface of the wall partition. The support beam has a base with a lip that extends beyond one side thereof. An extension actuator such as a jack may be positioned on the lip and engage the underside of the ledge such that when the jack is extended, the sleeve extends vertically, elevating the wall partition. A plurality of bores in the support beam provide a locking mechanism together with a cotter pin to prevent the sleeve from descending beyond a desired elevation, even when the jack is retracted and/or removed. |
| US08132787B1 |
Conical jack stands
Conical jack stands that are used to hold up a motor vehicle (or other object) after it has been raised (e.g., by jacks). Rather than having legs like conventional jack stands, they have the shape of a hollow cone, with a circular bottom edge. The circular bottom edge gives them a larger bottom surface area than the bottom ends of the legs of conventional jack stands, so that they will be less likely to sink into the ground or asphalt. There is a hole with internal screw threads in the top of each cone, into which a large bolt-like contacting member is screwed. The contacting members can be rotated to adjust the height of the jack stands. Their hollow conical shape makes it easy to stack the jack stands for storage. Four jack stands are stored in a square box, with one contacting member in each corner of the box. |
| US08132784B2 |
Fixing system and joint, for fixing an actuator to a valve
An actuator (1) is fixed on a valve (2) through a fixing joint (3) which comprises a tubular sleeve (32) on which a tightening nut (30) is screwed; the nut (30) and the sleeve (32) are provided with a conical thread connection (34, 300); by screwing the nut (30), a plurality of longitudinal prolongations (40), arranged in a crown around the axis of the sleeve (32), tightens on a fixing head (20) of the valve (2), firmly fixing the actuator (1) to the valve (2); the joint at issue provides an alternative to a flange connection, equally solid and resistant to unscrewing due to vibrations; by resting against a mechanical stop surface (24) the nut (30), being unscrewed, can act as an extractor that easily removes the joint (3) from the head (20). |
| US08132781B2 |
Interlock system for valve coupling
A fluid coupling includes a body defining a passageway, a valve member that is selectively movable between a closed position and an open position, and an interface at which the body is connectable to a complementary coupling. An interlock system is configured to permit movement of the valve member from the closed position to the open position when the complementary coupling is connected to the body at the interface, and to prevent movement of the valve member from the closed position to the open position when the complementary coupling is not connected to the body at the interface. |
| US08132780B2 |
Subsea coupling
A subsea female coupler has a body defining a socket for the reception of a probe of a male coupler. The socket includes an annular shoulder and, outwardly of the shoulder, a part-conical seat which tapers towards the interior of the socket. An annular seal is disposed to provide radial sealing between the socket and the probe and is positioned in the annular shoulder. A metal retainer in the form of a securing ring, which has a bevelled rim for abutment with the seat, provides sealing between the region of the seal and the exterior of the body of the coupler. The retainer has a screw-threaded periphery for engagement with a complementary thread on the interior of the socket. An inner ring liner fits within the retainer and has a flange for abutting the seal. |
| US08132779B2 |
Solenoid valve for brake system and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed herein are a solenoid valve for a brake system and a manufacturing method thereof, to achieve easy manufacture and low manufacturing costs via a more simplified configuration than the related art. The solenoid valve includes a valve core, a sleeve into one side of which the valve core is inserted, an armature movably received in the sleeve, a seat having an orifice that is opened or closed by the armature, a return spring to press the armature toward the orifice, a filter member press-fitted in a modulator block having an inlet path and outlet path, a filter being coupled to the filter member, and a seat housing having one side press-fitted into the filter member and the other side press-fitted into the sleeve, the seat being press-fitted in the seat housing. The seat housing takes the form of a tubular member having an approximately constant thickness and is provided with a stepped portion to determine a position of the seat. |
| US08132774B1 |
Concrete forming screed aids
A residential and commercial construction aid comprises a specialized set of clamps and brackets and a system directed thereto for the rapid and accurate set up of perimeter screed forms during concrete forming processes. The specialized components of the present invention include: brackets comprising a tubular shaft affixed to “L”- or “J”-shaped brackets for attachment to the forms; screed rod clamps oriented in a variety of embodiments to anticipate varying installation requirements; and a “T”-handled screw. A unique installation method utilizing the components mentioned above with concrete forms and stakes is also provided. |
| US08132768B2 |
Shelving end brackets with interchangeable pieces for supporting hang rods of different sizes
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for supporting hang rods and shelves from support surfaces, such as the wall of a closet or cabinet. In an exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes a pair of end brackets and a plurality of different pairs of interchangeable pieces configured to be selectively coupled to the pair of end brackets. Each pair of interchangeable pieces when selectively coupled to the end brackets, respectively, is operable for supporting a different hang rod from the support surface when the end brackets are coupled to the support surface. |
| US08132766B2 |
Structrure having a mounting means
In order to provide a structure for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface for example of glass, glazed tiles or metal, the structure has a mounting means comprising: suction means (1) for sealingly contacting a surface, pulling means (2) being attached to the suction means (1) for drawing a part of the suction means (1) away from the surface, so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means (1) and the surface. There is a substantially helical or wedge shaped surface on the pulling means (2) engaged with a corresponding substantially helical or wedge shaped surface of a rotatable member (13), whereby rotation of the rotatable member (13) draws the pulling means (2) and respective part of the suction means (1) away from the surface. An intermediate member (5) is provided for engaging a sealing part of the suction means (1), the intermediate member (5) supporting the rotatable member (13). The structure comprises a structural member (10) mounted in or on the intermediate member (5), so that the structural member (10) is not gripped by the intermediate member (5) or rotatable member (13). At least part of the rotatable member extends beyond a part of the intermediate member which is adjacent to the rotatable member. There is a friction reducing member (11) between the rotatable member and the intermediate member. A clip means, possibly also acting as a friction reducing member (11), can be provided for holding the structural member 18 temporarily in position on the intermediate member 5 during assembly. |
| US08132765B2 |
Collapsible lockable support frame assembly and locking mechanism used therein
A collapsible lockable support frame assembly includes a support frame pivoted to the support arm of a stand and having two parallel sliding rails, a slide holder carrying a positioning member at the back side and coupled to and movable along the sliding rails of the support frame for holding a display device and a locking mechanism having a casing affixed to the support frame and an upper stop member and a lower stop member pivotally swingingly connected to the casing. When the support frame is turned from a vertical position to a horizontal position, the upper stop member and the lower stop member are forced by the gravity thereof to turn out of the casing so that the upper stop member stops the positioning member from outward displacement to lock the slide holder, facilitating packing and delivery and the lower stop member limits the inward displacement distance of the slide holder to prohibit the display device from hitting the support arm of the stand. |
| US08132756B2 |
Device with plane jets for reducing the noise generated by an aircraft engine
An aircraft engine having a longitudinal axis, including a wall surrounding a gas stream that is ejected at a downstream end of the wall along the longitudinal axis, wherein a plurality of conduits distributed at the periphery of the downstream end of the wall are each capable of ejecting, via an outlet orifice, a fluid jet in the form of a sheet, in such a way that the jets thus ejected each form a fluid perturbation around the ejected gas stream. |
| US08132754B2 |
Yarn path guide, traversing device of fiber bundle and system for producing fiber bundle package
A traversing device for stabilizing the yarn path of a thin and uniform flat fiber bundle without causing any trouble, e.g. entanglement of single fibers, and ensuring a good winding appearance of the winding package of fiber bundle, and a yarn path guide for stabilizing the yarn path without causing any trouble, e.g. entanglement of single fibers. |
| US08132748B2 |
Method of making hydrophilic fluoropolymer material
A fluoropolymer material exhibiting an increased hydrophilicity prepared by processing the material in a cryogenic grinding mill. |
| US08132746B2 |
Low-temperature method of producing nano-scaled graphene platelets and their nanocomposites
A method of exfoliating a layered material to produce separated nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm. The method comprises: (a) providing a graphite intercalation compound comprising a layered graphite containing expandable species residing in an interlayer space of the layered graphite; (b) exposing the graphite intercalation compound to an exfoliation temperature lower than 650° C. for a duration of time sufficient to at least partially exfoliate the layered graphite without incurring a significant level of oxidation; and (c) subjecting the at least partially exfoliated graphite to a mechanical shearing treatment to produce separated platelets. The method can further include a step of dispersing the platelets in a polymer or monomer solution or suspension as a precursor step to nanocomposite fabrication. |
| US08132741B2 |
Spraying apparatus and method for using same
Systems and methods for applying substances to target areas are disclosed. The system includes a hood supported by a frame and moveable relative thereto between open and closed positions, and one or more spray heads coupled to the underside of the hood and configured to spray the target area when the hood is in the closed position, the spray heads and the hood configured such that the hood provides a wind barrier for the spray from the spray heads. The system further includes a liquid tank for holding the substance to be applied to the target area, an agitation system for desired mixing of the tank contents, and fluid pathways for delivery of the contents of the tank to the spray heads for application to the target area. |
| US08132740B2 |
Gas dynamic spray gun
A portable gas dynamic cold spray gun eliminates many of the inherent limitations of the prior art by minimizing a scatter of operating parameters and improving its efficiency. According to one feature of the present invention, the powder flow rate is continuously measured so that the powder flow rate and/or the flow rate of the pressurized gas can be adjusted accordingly in order to control the deposition efficiency of the spray gun. |
| US08132739B2 |
Hydro-thermo irrigation mat
A hydro-thermo irrigation mat (10) is comprised of a base sheet (11), a water-permeable root-shielding top sheet (12), and a capillary mat (15) of absorbent material therebetween. One or more flat pliable drip tapes (18) are loosely disposed in spaced-apart relationship between the top sheet (12) and the capillary mat (15). Hot water convection tubes (25) are disposed co-axially with the drip tapes (18) but between the base sheet (11) and the capillary mat (15). The drip tapes (18) are connected to a water supply line (22) and the hot water convection tubes (25) are secured to a hot water supply line (28). Water within the mat is heated and distributes heat from the hot water convection tubes (25) substantially throughout the mat. |
| US08132738B2 |
Device for heating, generating electric power, and cooling enclosed spaces
A device for heating, generating electric power and cooling enclosed spaces, which is connected to at least one closed-circuit pipe which acts by thermal radiation and comprises at least one turbine or microturbine of the axial or tangential type or of the type that merges into the closed-circuit pipe, placed in partial vacuum by means of a first fan. An alternator for generating electric power and elements for feeding the power to the grid or to user devices, and an absorber for generating cool air or refrigerated water, are connected to the turbine or microturbine. |
| US08132729B2 |
Sensing device
A sensing device is disclosed. The sensing device includes a coded data sensor, a barcode sensor and a processor. The coded data sensor senses coded data portions disposed on respective positions on a surface of a product item. Each code data portion encodes an identity of the product item and the position of the respective code data portion. The barcode sensor senses a barcode on the surface of the product item. The processor generates data indicative of the position of each sensed coded data portion and the identity of the product item. |
| US08132727B2 |
Card reader
A carrying roller for a card reader including: a rubber outer peripheral member, which is roughly cylindrical, and forms the outer peripheral side of the carrying roller; and a retention member, which has an outer peripheral surface that abuts the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral member and retains the outer peripheral member on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral member. The inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral member has a plurality of protuberances that protrude inward in the radial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the retaining member has a plurality of grooves recessed in the radial direction and engaging with the projections. The height of the projections in the radial direction is no more than 1/3.5 of the radial thickness of the outer peripheral member in sections without projections. |
| US08132725B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting suspicious activity using video analysis
A system detects a transaction outcome by obtaining video data associated with a transaction area and analyzing the video data to obtain at least one video transaction parameter concerning transactions associated with the transaction area. The transaction area can be a video count of items indicated in the video data as detected by an automated item detection algorithm applied to the video data. The system obtains at least one expected transaction parameter concerning an expected transaction that occurs in the transaction area, such as a scan count of items scanned at a point of sale terminal. The system automatically compares the video transaction parameter(s) to the expected transaction parameter(s) to identify a transaction outcome that may indicate fraudulent activity such as sweethearting in a retail environment. |
| US08132720B2 |
Financial management system
A financial management system includes a client terminal having a financial management application and a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to display transaction data, enable user modification of the transaction data, and transmit modified transaction data to the financial management application. The financial management system additionally includes a commercial web server capable of conducting online financial transactions. The financial management application receives transaction data regarding an online financial transaction upon completion of the financial transaction. |
| US08132718B2 |
Method of operating banking system responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data included on user cards. The machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager, and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to the user of the machine. Sheets determined to have the at least one property of a genuine sheet are processed and stored in the machine for reuse. |
| US08132714B2 |
Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc. |
| US08132712B2 |
Metered-dose inhaler
A metered dose inhaler dose counter, the counter includes: an actuator; a rotary gear wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth; a driver for driving the rotary gear in a step-wise fashion in response to displacement of the actuator; a pawl that prevents reverse rotation of the rotary gear; and a display coupled to the rotary gear. |
| US08132707B2 |
Flow soldering apparatus and flow soldering method using a water content sensor
The present invention provides a flow soldering apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of soldering defects, even if VOC-free flux or low-VOC flux is applied to an electronic circuit substrate. In other words, the flow soldering apparatus according to the present invention includes: a water content sensor for measuring a residual water content of a surface of a substrate; and a monitoring device for judging whether soldering quality is satisfactory or not by using a residual water content value of the surface of the substrate acquired from the residual water content measured by the water content sensor, on the basis of a correlation between a residual water content value of a surface of a sample substrate and a residual water content value of through holes of the sample substrate, as acquired previously by using a plurality of substrate samples. |
| US08132703B2 |
Surgical instrument with indicator
A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion. The handle assembly includes a firing trigger and a firing indicator. The firing trigger is movable between a first non-actuated position and a second actuated position. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. Engagement structure of the firing trigger moves the firing indicator from a first position to a second position when the firing trigger is moved from its first non-actuated position toward its second actuated position. |
| US08132701B2 |
Rail and clamp mounting system
A mounting system for attaching accessories to surfaces. The mounting system comprises a rail and clamp that includes housing for a bolt having a shaft extending outwardly of the housing from a first surface thereof. A hook extends outwardly of a second surface of the housing to engage the rail. A blade also extends outwardly of the second surface to be received in a channel of the rail. The hook and blade exert pressure on the rail during rotation of a knob along the shaft of the bolt to tighten the blade against the rail for releasable connection of the clamp to the rail, the clamp being adapted for attachment of accessories. |
| US08132688B2 |
Method and apparatus for soaking and draining wood chips or chunks
An apparatus for soaking wood chips or chunks in a liquid and draining the liquid from the wood chips or chunks includes at least a container and a lid. The container includes a sidewall and a bottom surface. The bottom surface and at least a portion of the sidewall are contiguous for containing a liquid therein and for holding the wood chips or chunks within the liquid. The lid has at least one aperture and may be removably coupled to the container. The method places the wood chips or chunks into the apparatus, places all or part of the apparatus into a soaking medium or otherwise fills the apparatus with a soaking medium, soaks the wood chips or chunks, drains the soaking medium from the apparatus, and then positions the wood chips or chunks in a useful position for cooking either with further manipulation or by placement of the entire apparatus in the cooking area. |
| US08132687B2 |
Double-walled container and method of manufacture
A double-walled container and method of manufacturing are disclosed. A first container having a smaller diameter than a second container is inserted into the second container. A portion of the first container is expanded and/or a portion of the second container may be narrowed so that first and second container is interlocked and form a double-walled container. The first and/or second containers may have ribs. An air gap between the first and second containers provides thermal insulation to contents of the double-walled container. |
| US08132685B2 |
Two-part closure for a container
A closure for a container (14) comprises a first portion (12) for mounting to the container and a second portion (10) adapted for mounting to the first portion. When the second portion is removed from the first portion it opens the container. When the first portion is mounted to the container and a deformable seal (66) is positioned therebetween, and when the second portion is then mounted to the first position, the seal is deformed and is simultaneously able to seal between the first portion and the container, and between the first portion and the second portion. |
| US08132683B2 |
Protective bottle sling
A sling-type protective cover for a container. An exemplary protective sling for a baby bottle may include a plurality of straps extending longitudinally from a base. The bottom end of a baby bottle may be received in the base, and each of the straps may include an opening for engaging the neck of the bottle. The protective sling may be constructed from an elastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. |
| US08132675B2 |
Filter having baseplate with internal gasket location
The present disclosure pertains to a fluid filter having a gasket locator such as a cylindrical wall on the underside of the baseplate which positions and supports an internal gasket. |
| US08132670B1 |
Protective cover for portable electronic devices
A protective cover for portable electronic device includes a front lid and a rear lid coupled together. The front lid has an inner side contained a holding means to hold the body of an electronic device. The front lid has an outer side with a first fastening element located thereon. The rear lid has an inner surface holding at least one support leg and an outer surface with a second fastening element located thereon. When in use the front lid can be flipped outwards for 360 degrees and coupled through the first and second fastening elements. The support leg can be expanded to facilitate user's viewing of the screen. |
| US08132669B1 |
Binocular case
A carrying case for a device having a “look into” end and a “see out of” end, wherein the carrying case comprises a main panel having an inner side surface to which a device is coupleable and also having at least a first edge; a back panel, having at least a first edge, and coupled to the main panel, such that the back panel is rotatable (i) away from the main panel to an open position and (ii) towards the main panel to a closed position; at least one side panel having at least a first edge alignable with the at least first edge of the main panel, and at least a second edge alignable with the at least first edge of the back panel, wherein at least one pair of alignable edges are releasably secured such that the edges are connected in the closed position and disconnected in the open position, and wherein in the open position a line of sight is created between an object, the “see out of” end of the device and the “look into” end of the device. |
| US08132666B2 |
Adjustable conveyor guide
This invention relates to conveyor guides comprising conveyor guide rail units, such as those used on automated handling lines where containers of different sizes are processed. One or more guide rails are employed to the sides of the conveyor guide to ensure that articles follow a desired path. This invention provides an adjustable conveyor guide rail unit that comprises a guide member operable to be set in a plurality of discrete positions, thereby allowing the width of a channel through which an article may be conveyed to be varied. The guide rails are adjustable to accommodate containers of differing sizes. |
| US08132665B2 |
Position control apparatus and methods
Particular embodiments of the inventive technology may be described as a position control apparatus that comprises a fluidic drive system configured to drive, with a single fluidic displacement, each of a plurality of positioners in a first relative direction; and a bias system that includes a plurality of biasers that bias the positioners in a direction that is opposite the first relative direction. In particular embodiments, and as but a few of the many possible design features, positioner actuators may be fluidicly linked in parallel and with the fluid compressor, the positioner actuators may each include a piston; and a plurality of positioners may each be responsive to at least one of the pistons. |
| US08132664B2 |
Product holding puck with noise reducing bumpers
A product holding puck having a base including an outer wall and a radially spaced apart inner wall defining a cavity between the outer and inner walls, the outer and inner walls extending axially about a central vertical axis. The outer wall of the puck defining first and second recessed regions and first and second openings respectively aligned with the first and second recessed regions and extending through the outer wall. The puck further including first and second bumpers each including a body and a support member, the support member extending axially through a respective ones of the first and second openings of the outer wall and the body disposed in a respective ones of the first and second recessed regions of the outer wall, the body of each of the first and second bumpers including an outer face extending radially outwardly of an outer surface of the outer wall. |
| US08132659B2 |
Tractor mounted unloading conveyor
A conveyor is mounted on a tractor and extends from a hopper at the front of the tractor to an outlet behind the tractor. An agricultural harvester unloading system is operated to deposit grain from the harvester into the hopper of the conveyor. The conveyor is operated to transfer the grain into a cart pulled by the tractor. |
| US08132654B2 |
Hydraulic damper with compensation chamber
The invention relates to a hydraulic damper, in particular for the suspension system of a motor vehicle, comprising a tube filled with working fluid; a piston assembly slidably positioned inside the tube; a fluid compensation chamber located outside of the tube, and a base valve assembly at the end of the tube for controlling the flow of working fluid between the tube and the compensation chamber. A compression valve module added between the piston assembly and the base valve assembly allows the damping to increase during extremely fast compression strokes without modification of the other damper components, affecting neither tuning options nor performance in a normal operating range of piston velocities. |
| US08132638B2 |
Rear drive module wheel disconnect
A wheel disconnect system is provided including a rear drive module and a constant velocity joint housing. The rear drive module includes a housing, at least one actuator, and at least one dog clutch. The dog clutch includes a first portion configured to move when the actuator is moved and a second portion configured for engagement with the first portion. The constant velocity joint housing is formed integrally with the second portion of the dog clutch. A wheel may be disconnected from the rear drive module unless engagement of the first and second portions of the dog clutch allows torque to be transferred to the wheel. In one embodiment, a hydraulically activated piston may be used to activate the first portion of the dog clutch. In another embodiment, a ball ramp may be used to activate the first portion of the dog clutch. A vehicle driveline including a wheel disconnect system is also provided. |
| US08132637B1 |
Off-road capable electric wheelchair attachment
An attachment for an electric wheelchair that enables the electric wheelchair to be used in areas that would not otherwise be possible, e.g., beaches, mud, and tall grass. The attachment is powered off of the wheelchair's motor and allows the user to explore terrain that would not be possible in conventional wheelchair designs. |
| US08132635B2 |
Motor lock prevention control for hybrid electric vehicle
There is provided a motor lock prevention control device for a hybrid vehicle that has a motor-generator and a clutch capable of changing a transmission torque capacity between the motor-generator and driving wheels. The motor lock prevention control device is configured to, when the motor-generator is in a motor locked state to cause heat generation under drive load operating condition, perform motor prevention control to induce rotation of the motor-generator by adjusting at least one of the transmission torque capacity of the clutch and torque of the motor-generator in such a manner that the torque of the motor-generator exceeds the transmission torque capacity of the clutch. |
| US08132634B1 |
Electronic steering assembly for dual motor vehicle
An electronic steering assembly is disclosed for a dual motor vehicle having a first and a second motor for driving a first and a second drive wheel. The electronic steering assembly comprises a handlebar rotatably mounted relative to a base. A sensor senses the rotational position of the handlebar relative to the base. A control is interposed between the sensor and the first and second motors for powering the first and second motors in accordance with the rotational position of the handlebars for steering the dual motor vehicle through the rotational movement of the handlebar. |
| US08132633B2 |
Self positioning cutter and pocket
A self positioning cutter element and cutter pocket for use in a downhole tool having one or more cutting elements. The self positioning cutter element includes a substrate and a wear resistant layer coupled to the substrate. The cutter element includes a cutting surface, a coupling surface, and a longitudinal side surface forming the circumferential perimeter of the cutter element and extending from the cutting surface to the coupling surface. The cutter element has one or more indexes formed on at least a portion of the coupling surface. In some embodiments, the index also is formed on at least a portion of the longitudinal side surface. Hence, the coupling surface is not substantially planar. Additionally, at least a portion of the longitudinal side surface does not form a substantially uniform perimeter. The cutter pocket also is indexed to correspond and couple with the indexing of the cutter element. |
| US08132632B2 |
Method for recovering valuable drilling mud materials using a binary fluid
This invention relates to a system and process for recovering and recycling valuable target recycle materials such lost circulation material and weighting agents from drilling fluid used in hydrocarbon drilling operations. The system and process includes use of a binary fluid that is separate from the drilling fluid and has a designed density that allows separation of the valuable target recycle materials from drill cuttings. The solids are separated from the drilling fluid in a primary separation step and then mixed with the binary fluid in a density separation or enhanced mass separation device. The binary fluid density allows the separation device to distinguish the target recycle material from drilling solids and recycles the target material to the drilling operations for re-use in drilling fluid. The binary fluid is recovered and refreshed to maintain a generally continuous process of targeted recycling. |
| US08132626B2 |
Methods and apparatus for connecting tubulars using a top drive
A connection apparatus for coupling a top drive to a tubular gripping member comprises a body having a first joint coupled to the top drive and a second joint coupled to the tubular gripping member, wherein the body is adapted to allow fluid communication between the top drive and the tubular gripping member and to allow relative movement between the top drive and the tubular gripping member. |
| US08132623B2 |
Methods of using lost circulation compositions
A method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising: placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into a lost circulation zone within the wellbore. A method of blocking the flow of fluid through a lost circulation zone in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first composition comprising a packing agent into the lost circulation zone, placing a second composition comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into the lost circulation zone, and allowing the compositions to set into place. |
| US08132617B2 |
Gripper block
A gripper block for conveying continuous rod in a well bore comprises a carrier body formed of a first metal and arranged to be mounted on one of the pair of continuous drive chains of a continuous rod conveying apparatus. A gripping element supported on the carrier body is arranged to engage the continuous rod and is readily separable from the carrier body. The gripping element is formed of a second metal which is softer than the first metal of the carrier body and softer than the continuous rod. |
| US08132615B2 |
Heat sink and heat dissipation device having the same
A heat sink includes a heat dissipation fins assembly, a heat spreader, and a heat pipe. The heat dissipation fins assembly includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins. A guide plate extruding from a bottom of each of the heat dissipation fins. The guide plate being connected to an adjacent heat dissipation fins. The heat dissipation fins are connected in series by the guide plate thereby defining a number of air channels. Each heat dissipation fin includes a through hole defined therein and aligned with each other. The heat spreader is disposed under the heat dissipation fins assembly and a through groove is formed in the heat spreader. A heat pipe passes through the through hole and the through groove. The heat sink has improved heat dissipation efficiency. |
| US08132614B2 |
Arrangement for the cooling of liquid-cooled electrical equipment
An arrangement for cooling of liquid-cooled electric devices, the arrangement being fitted to convey heat produced in the electric devices (3) away from the electric device by means of a liquid flowing through a cooling element of the electric device. The arrangement includes an instrument cubicle (1) with one or more electric devices (3) placed in it, a cooling apparatus (6ca), an inlet piping (10) and an outlet piping (11) connecting the electric device and the cooling apparatus for conveying a cooling liquid into the cooling element and out of the cooling element of the electric device (3). Below the instrument cubicle (1) is a footing element (2) housing an inlet main pipe (20) and outlet main pipe (21) connected to the cooling apparatus (6ca), the inlet piping (10) and outlet piping (11) being detachably connected to the main pipes. The arrangement enables indication of leakage situations occurring in the pipings. |
| US08132613B2 |
Core-setting apparatus used for a molding apparatus and a method for setting a core
A core-setting apparatus and a method for setting the core in a lower mold used in a molding apparatus, wherein the core-setting apparatus has a simple structure and can maintain the core in the mold in a highly accurate position. The core-setting apparatus to set a core in the lower mold while the upper and the lower mold and a match plate are separated from each other after molding the upper and lower mold in a cope and drag flask includes a handling tool having a holding device and a rotatable rod, wherein the handling tool is rotatably supported by the rod, a carrier for transferring the handling tool, wherein the carrier supports the rotatable rod and is moved to or from a location above the lower mold, and an actuator for lowering and lifting the cope flask together with the carrier and the handling tool which are located above the drag flask, the actuator being mounted on the main body of the molding apparatus. |
| US08132605B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread including block having sipes
A pneumatic tire has an upper surface sipe formed on an upper surface of the block, a first wall surface sipe formed in a first wall surface of the block and extending in a direction intersecting the upper surface sipe, and a second wall surface sipe formed in a second wall surface which is adjacent to the first wall surface, and extending in a direction intersecting the upper surface sipe and the first wall surface sipe. |
| US08132603B2 |
Windshield cover and protector
The present invention relates to a protective cover for a windshield comprising: a top handle, where said top handle extends from both sides of the cover; a bottom handle, where said bottom handle extends from both sides of the cover; straps, where the straps extend from the top handle and the bottom handle; Velcro tips at the tip of each strap; and a magnetic strip, said strip extends across the top edge of the cover. In one embodiment, the straps are elastic and capable of extending lengthwise. The cover may include reinforcement strips extending across the length of the cover and the cover may be made of a Tyvek material. The magnetic strip seals the top edge of the cover to prevent the intrusion of rain or snow. |
| US08132598B2 |
Active sterilization zone for container filling
An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit. |
| US08132591B2 |
Duct positioning for switching valve for tractors
The present invention provides a tractor, comprising: a vehicle body that is supported by a plurality of wheels; a switching valve that is disposed rearwardly of a vicinity of a rear end of a driver's station floor as viewed from above; a duct connecting member that is positioned at the front end of the driver's station floor and provided with a plurality of duct connecting ports; and a plurality of metal ducts that connect the switching valve and the duct connecting member below the driver's station floor, wherein the metal ducts are positioned on a laterally outer side of a portion, that is located below the driver's station floor, of a pedal arm for an operation pedal, the pedal arm being disposed at a front portion of the driver's station floor. |
| US08132584B2 |
Universal gazebo cover
A gazebo cover adaptable for gazebos having different sized canopies include a fabric panel having a central opening and a perimeter defining at least three adjacent perimeter portions. The fabric panel includes a plurality of centrally-converging gussets extending between the perimeter and the central opening. A closure, for example, a slide zipper, is provided for selectively opening the gussets to form a relatively large canopy sized to fit a predetermined large size canopy frame, and for selectively closing the gussets to form a relatively small canopy sized to fit a predetermined small size canopy frame. A peak cap is positioned over and attached to the central opening of the fabric panel for closing the central opening. |
| US08132581B2 |
Method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic
This invention discloses a method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic waves. The system includes an ultrasonic transmitting device for transmitting the ultrasonic of a predetermined power and transmitting frequency to the sedimentation device, a carrying device positioned inside or outside of the water treatment system for moving the ultrasonic transmitting device over the sedimentation device. The carrying device may include an operation track, a moving car body erected over the operation track, a driving device, and a car body position detection and control device. The effects of the invention are greatly better than that of manual washing with high pressure water. The consumption of water, treatment reagents and manpower can be decreased, thereby decreasing effectively the cost of water production. |
| US08132574B2 |
Hair treatment applicator for providing hair strand effects
The present invention relates to a hair treatment applicator (1), which comprises a plate (10) and a containment portion (20) movably joined by a connection (30) so that said applicator (1) may alternate between a closed state and an open state. At least one member (40), which is continuous and liquid impervious, projects from the substantially flat internal surface (101) of the plate (10). The hair treatment applicator according to the invention allows for precise, non-messy and even application of a hair treatment composition to the hair, in particular to a hair strand and preferably to a bundle of hair strands. |
| US08132573B1 |
Curling iron with retractable heat shield
A curling iron operable to protect a portion of the user's skin that is adjacent the heating element from incidental contact with the heating element. The curling iron further includes a handle that is integrally mounted to the heating element. A shield is slidably mounted to the handle and is configured to be deployed to substantially extend the length of the heating element. The shield is further configured to be rotatable about the circumference of the heating element so as to maintain a position such that the shield is intermediate the heating element and the user's skin. |
| US08132572B2 |
Permanent wave treatment method and apparatus thereof
A permanent wave treatment apparatus comprises: a housing 3; a blower 1 which is installed within the housing to suck air and blow air; a steam separator 2 which is provided on the blower to remove water content from air sucked by suction force of the blower; an outlet hole formed in the housing through which air is spouted from the blower; hoods F mounted on the housing such that they are capable of being opened/closed freely; a plurality of rods R on which the hair of an object person is to be wound and in which air vent holes are formed; tubes 4 connected to the rods so as to keep the interior of the rods in a negative pressure by the suction force of the blower; and extraction member 5 which holds a plurality of the tubes such that they are capable of being extracted freely. |
| US08132571B1 |
Spiral hair curling iron
A hair curling iron that forms spiral curls having an integral vacuum system and an internal heating tube is designed to eliminate the need for manual rotation of the entire curling iron when forming spiral hair curls. The curling iron provides a slot into which the hair is pulled by an integral vacuum fan mounted within the handle and controlled by an on/off pushbutton. When activated, the vacuum fan pulls the hair into the curling iron and around an interior heating tube. After several seconds, the pushbutton is released and a spiral curl is pulled out of the curling iron. A separate illuminating switch provides control of the heating portion of the curling iron. The danger of accidental burns is greatly reduced due to the interior location of the hot surfaces. |
| US08132569B2 |
Brush with detachable handle for hairdressing salon
A hair brush having a brush handle equipped with an assembly end piece (1) at its end and by at least one detachable brush head (2) able to be attached to the assembly end piece (1). The brush head (2) is constituted by a hair-bearing rod (7) inserted into the inner part of an essentially rigid perforated tubular sleeve (8) and the assembly end piece (1) is equipped with at least one annular groove (4) that is at least 5 mm deep, and preferably about 15 mm deep and a diameter matching that of the tubular sleeve (8) whereof it is intended to receive one of the ends (12) or male end. |
| US08132564B2 |
Pressure bottle for paintball marker
An apparatus [10] for use in paintball includes a modified pressure bottle [14, 114] with a valve assembly [34, 134] “integrally” mounted within the neck [16, 116] thereof, and independent of the connection structure [46/48, 116a] for connecting the bottle [14, 114] to a paintball marker [12, 112]. The structure prevents sudden and inadvertent venting to atmosphere of the pressurized gas held within the internal volume [29, 129] of the bottle [14, 114], thereby eliminating a dangerous situation that existed with prior conventional paintball devices. |
| US08132562B1 |
ILP rail-gun armature and rails
A rail gun armature assembly utilizing unique carbon-carbon composite materials and armature design to enable repeated use of very high velocity projectile firings with minimal damage to rail guns, and a rail gun rail assembly utilizing unique carbon-carbon composite materials to enable repeated use of very high velocity projectile firings with greatly reduced damage to the gun rails. |
| US08132561B2 |
Electronic pressure reducer or regulator unit for feeding gas, particularly methane or hydrogen, to an internal combustion engine, and gas feeding system including this unit
Provided in a gas-feed system, in particular a system for supplying methane or hydrogen to an internal-combustion engine, is an electronic pressure-reducer or pressure-regulator unit, integrated in which are both a pressure-reducing valve for reducing the pressure of the gas coming from the fuel tank to a value suitable for supplying a distribution manifold or rail and a modulating solenoid valve that functions as modulator of the degree of pressure reduction performed by the pressure-reducing valve. Likewise made in the body of said unit are passages that provide the communications of said valves with one another and of each of said valves with the inlet and the outlet for the gas in said unit. Furthermore, the unit incorporates an electronic control module for controlling the modulating solenoid valve. |
| US08132558B2 |
Common rail fuel pump with combined discharge and overpressure relief valves
A high pressure piston fuel pump having a discharge check valve between the pumping chamber and a pressurized fuel reservoir and a pressure relief valve between the fuel reservoir and a passageway in the housing, wherein the discharge check valve and the pressure relief valve are contained within a single fitting assembly affixed at the pump housing. A first end flow passage is in fluid communication with the pumping chamber and provides an inlet to the discharge check valve and an outlet from the pressure relief valve. A second end flow passage is in fluid communication with the fuel reservoir and provides an outlet for the discharge check valve and an inlet for the pressure relief valve. Advantages include the ability to pre-test the outlet check and pressure relief prior to assembly into the pump housing, and improved flexibility of the outlet fitting location. |
| US08132552B2 |
Intake duct
The object of the present invention is to provide an intake duct having waterproof function without increasing parts count.An intake duct 10 for air intake from the outside to an internal combustion engine E includes a duct wall 11 made of a resin in a tubular form. The duct wall 11 includes a waterproof and humidity-transparent component 20 having a water-repellent layer 21 made of high-density fiber and a waterproof and humidity-transparent layer 22 made of fine porous film laminated to each other. |
| US08132549B2 |
Reciprocating piston internal combustion engine and method for determining the wear of a transmission element arranged between a crankshaft and a camshaft
A method for determining a wear value of a transmission element between a crankshaft and a camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, in particular a timing chain or toothed belt, is provided. The camshaft is driven by the transmission element via a drive part, for example a camshaft gearwheel. In each case, at least one measurement value for the phase position of the drive part relative to the crankshaft is determined at time intervals during which the crankshaft drives the camshaft, and the wear value is determined from the difference between the measurement values. |
| US08132547B2 |
Thermal energy management system for a vehicle heat engine provided with a time-delay switching means
The inventive management system comprises a high-temperature circuit (12) provided with a high-temperature cooling radiator (20), a low-temperature circuit (14) provided with a low-temperature cooling radiator (30, 30a, 30b), wherein the same heat carrier fluid runs through said circuits. Said system also comprises a radiator (36) assignable to first switching means (52) and to second switching means (54) for switching the system from a connected configuration, in which the assignable radiator (36) is connected to the low-temperature circuit (14), to a disconnected configuration, in which the assignable radiator is connected to the high-temperature circuit (12), and vice-versa. The switching means are sequentially actuated after a time-delay during switching from the disconnected configuration to the connected configuration and/or from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration in order to minimize thermal shocks in the assignable cooling radiator (36). |
| US08132545B2 |
Apparatus for generating steam
An apparatus for generating high temperature steam according to the present invention comprises a high pressure container including a hollow body having a certain volume and sealed shape and a vapor outlet formed at an upper or lower portion of the body for discharging vapor generated therein; a heat supply unit for supplying high temperature heat to the high pressure container; a water supply pump positioned at an outside of the high pressure container and supplying the high pressure container with water from an outside; a spray nozzle for spraying the water supplied from the water supply pump to the high pressure container; and a vapor discharge line connected to the outlet of the high pressure container to guide the vapor generated in the body. |
| US08132544B2 |
Cat harness
A cat harness includes a unitary piece of material with a shape that has a central spine portion with a length and a width, where the width is at least about 60% of the length, a waistband extending generally perpendicular to an imaginary longitudinal line passing along the length of the central spine portion and a collar extending from the central spine portion at an acute angle to an extent of the imaginary longitudinal line passing along the length of the central spine portion. The cat harness also includes an attachment loop coupled to the central spine portion. |
| US08132543B2 |
Animal hock protector
A device for protecting the skin of an animal from damage, abrasion and/or moisture is provided. A first version includes an elastic portion band attached to a protective sheet. The elastic band in combination with the protective sheet encircles an animal limb above a hock. The elastic band is optionally detachably attachable to the protective sheet by means of a hook and loop fastener, a zipper assembly, a button and buttonhole combination, or other detachable attachment means. A moisture absorbent material may be attached to and disposed between the protective sheet and the animal limb. The absorbent material may be a wicking material, such as a moisture wicking fleece. The protective sheet may be asymmetric as positioned about a sagittal plane central to the hock. The protective sheet may be partially curved to form a cup shape for at least partially enclosing the hock. |
| US08132538B1 |
System and method for gestation of sows in large pen gestation facilities
A sow management system makes use of separate Trickle Feeding and loafing areas separated by a one way gate or gates to establish a general continuous flow of sows through an interrogator apparatus where an RFID tag for each sow is read to determine if such sow should be returned to the general Trickle Feeding area or at least two other possible areas through automatic gating controlled by computer means sensitive to RFID tagging of the sows. |
| US08132537B2 |
Multi-compartment pet training system
A multi-compartment pet training system includes a front compartment joined to a rear compartment to define a passage therebetween such that the pet may move freely between the front compartment and the rear compartment. The front compartment includes a front door for ingress and egress of the pet between a surrounding area and the front compartment. The front compartment provides an area in which the pet may eat, drink and sleep. The rear compartment is configured to allow the pet to carry out urinary and/or fecal elimination while its owner is away. As such, the pet may be trained to utilize the rear compartment for carrying out waste elimination activities while utilizing the front compartment for all other activities. |
| US08132536B2 |
Portable and collapsible housing for poultry or other animals
A portable and collapsible housing for poultry or other animals that includes a shelter having a half-lap shape, a base cage having a complimentary half-lap shape, a means for joining the shelter onto the base cage to form the housing is disclosed. A space in the shelter and a space in the base cage communicate with each other through an opening in the shelter. The housing further includes a door frame, at least one door, at least one cantilevered rod, and a ramp. The shelter is transformable into a box shaped container for shipping or storage. |
| US08132535B2 |
Method and apparatus for reduction of ammonia, carbon dioxide and pathogens in chicken houses
A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure deposited thereon, and a closed bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor, which includes a liquid and vapor barrier covering the ground surface. Blowers in an attic plenum can discharge warm air through hanging pleated conduit tubes into the floor plenum to provide heat through the ventilated floor. A plurality of indirect evaporative coolers and associated air blowers in the facility walls force outside air, cooled or uncooled, into the growth facility, and create higher pressure in the growth facility than the pressure in the floor plenum. Vacuum blowers associated with the floor plenum cause the flow of air and air-borne contaminates through the floor and exhaust same from the plenum to outside the facility which dries manure on the floor and reduces ammonia formation and pathogen growth. A movable power-driven pusher wall pushes the marketing age fowl onto a conveyor for harvesting. |
| US08132531B1 |
Animal water dispenser
An animal water dispenser according to the present invention includes a base having a base bottom, base walls extending from said base bottom and a base interior defined by said base bottom and base walls. A water valve cover is provided in said base interior. An inlet nipple is carried by said base. A fill valve is provided in said water valve cover. The fill valve has a water conduit communicating with the inlet nipple, a valve communicating with the water conduit, a float slidably carried by the water conduit and a float rod connecting the float to the valve for opening and closing the valve responsive to displacement of the float on the water conduit. A dispensing spout is provided in fluid communication with the valve of the fill valve, and a drain pipe is provided in fluid communication with the base interior. |
| US08132526B2 |
Coating apparatus, coating method and coating-film forming appratus
A coating apparatus comprises a tray, a nozzle for supplying a coating liquid, and a squeegee which serves as an applicator for spreading a coating liquid. The tray has a recessed portion into which a substrate is placed, and a spinner chuck is provided in the recessed portion. In the spinner chuck, a chuck for attracting the substrate is attached to the upper end of a spinner shaft which can be lifted and lowered, and the upper surface of the chuck and the bottom surface of the recessed portion are arranged to be in the same plane in a state where the spinner shaft is lowered to the lowest position. The nozzle is positioned above a non-recessed portion of the tray and supplies a coating liquid only onto a non-recessed portion of the upper surface of the tray to form a coating liquid pool, and the applicator is relatively movable in a horizontal direction in a state of maintaining a certain distance with respect to the upper surface of the substrate accommodated into the recessed portion and spreads the coating liquid of the coating liquid pool from the non-recessed portion of the upper surface of the tray over the entire upper surface of the substrate. |
| US08132516B2 |
Office system for motor vehicle passenger compartment
A work surface/storage system can be attached to a motor vehicle which has a passenger compartment with a driver seat, a passenger seat, a passenger restraint belt, and a dash panel in front of the passenger seat. A main body section of the system includes at least one flat surface for providing a writing support for a person in the driver seat, at least one storage bin, and a bottom surface for positioning on the passenger seat. A belt receptacle is located at a rearward end of the main body for capturing the passenger restraint belt so that tension in the passenger restraint belt loads the rearward end against the passenger seat. A front wing section extends forward and upward from the main body section to a distal end. The distal end includes an attachment tab. A bay is provided in the dash panel including a holder for capturing the attachment tab. |
| US08132508B2 |
Method of controlling ink film thickness on a printing plate
A method of generating a digital AM halftone image output includes the steps of: (a) receiving a grey scale image from an image source; (b) generating an image component from the grey scale image; and (c) producing the digital AM halftone image output. The digital AM image output includes a plurality of halftone dots, each of which comprises at least one ink-receptive portion and at least one non-receptive portion. Patterns of halftone dots prepared in this manner may be sent as a digital output to an platesetter for producing a printing plate. |
| US08132504B2 |
Security printing with gel inks
A method and system of embossing ink including applying the ink to a print substrate, applying an embossing substrate to the ink wherein the embossing substrate imprints a predetermined pattern into the ink, and curing, via a radiation source, the ink such that an imprint of the predetermined pattern is embossed in the ink. |
| US08132503B2 |
Method and apparatus for planarizing gap-filling material
A method an apparatus for fabricating an interconnection structure. A substrate is provided with a dielectric layer thereon. The dielectric layer comprises at least one opening therein. A gap-filling material is applied on the substrate filling the at least one opening. The gap-filling material is planarized using a template to create a substantially planarized surface. |
| US08132498B2 |
Appliance for making coffee, tea and the like
An appliance for making coffee, tea and the like comprises an automatic adjustment unit (22) for adjusting the desired quantity ratio between the quantity of water in a water reservoir (2) and the quantity of substance in a filter holder (4). The adjustment unit (22) can adjust the loadable length of a resilient element (50a) in response to the level of the water in the reservoir 2. The resilient element (50a) is pivotally attached to a lever (5) of the filtering system (3). The rotation of the lever (5) is indicated on a strength indicating scale (10, 11, 12). |
| US08132491B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and disabling optical weapon sight
The present invention is an apparatus for detecting and disabling a human eye or optical device used in the fire control of a weapon. This apparatus comprises a prism having a plurality of peripheral reflective surface. This prism has a longitudinal axis and rotating about said longitudinal axis. An infrared (IR) laser directs an infrared laser beam toward the prism side that the laser beam is reflected toward the human eye or optical device, such that the IR laser beam is retroreflected to the prism. There is also an infrared IR detector which detects the IR retroreflected laser beam reflected from the prism. A visible light wavelength laser which produces a visible light wavelength laser beam which is reflected from the prism to the human eye or optical device to disable the human eye or optical device to prevent use of the weapon. |
| US08132486B1 |
Power screw gun with hammer head
A pneumatic power screw gun with a reinforced hammer head, has a reinforced base end above the handle with a cradle mounted thereon, the cradle being adapted to receive and secure a hammer head in place as desired. |
| US08132485B2 |
Device to transform rectilinear alternating motion into intermittent rotary motion
A device for transforming alternating rectilinear motion into intermittent rotary motion, in particular for the command of indexed rotary tables. The device includes at least one fixed base element (11) with cam guide elements (14), a moving slide element (12) associated with the fixed element, equipped with mechanical locator elements (15) following the cam guide elements (14) and susceptible to alternating movements on and with respect to the fixed base element commanded by an actuator, and an index plate (13) rotatably associated with the fixed element, interacting mechanically with the moving slide element (12) and susceptible to angular rotation pitch in answer to the alternating movements of the moving slide element. The index plate is connected to an indexed rotary table to be commanded. |
| US08132482B2 |
Manual transmission shifter having continuously adjustable throw
An automobile manual transmission shifter is provided that includes a shifter central shaft means for dampening at least part of the vibration transmitted from the manual automobile transmission, an adjustable connector attaching an upper and lower portions of the shaft to vary the throw of the shifter, and an adjustable swivel shifter handle means for maintaining a continuous perpendicular gripping position while allowing rotatational adjustment of the swivel shifter handle means about the shifter central shaft means. Some embodiments may not include the vibration dampening means. |
| US08132480B2 |
Pump gear and pump assembly for a generator
A pump gear includes a pump gear body having involute teeth that each have an involute surface that extends between a tooth tip and a tooth base. The involute surface includes at least reference points A-D, with reference point A near the base, reference point D near the tip, reference point B between reference points A and D, and reference point C between reference points B and D. The reference points A-D have associated respective roll angles, εA-D, between a corresponding first line that is perpendicular to the involute surface at the given reference point A-D, and a second line that is tangent at a reference point that lies on a terminal end of the involute surface at the tooth base to a reference base circle having a center origin at the center axis. |
| US08132474B2 |
Hall effect helicopter mast torque meter
A Hall effect helicopter mast torque meter includes a stand pipe, a first magnet, a second magnet, and a sensor. The stand pipe is connected to the top of the mast such that the stand pipe rotates at the same velocity as the mast. The first magnet is operably associated with the stand pipe which is operably associated with the top of the mast. The second magnet is operably associated with the bottom of the mast. The sensor detects the magnetic field of the first magnet and the second magnet. |
| US08132465B1 |
Sensor element placement for package stress compensation
Circuits, methods, and systems that calibrate or account for packaging and related stress components in a pressure sensor. Further examples provide an improved sensor element or device. One example provides one or more sensing elements on the diaphragm and near the diaphragm-bulk boundary. Sensors near the diaphragm-bulk are used to estimate package-induced stress. This estimation can then be used in calibrating package stress from pressure measurements. |
| US08132463B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting voids in a pipe
An apparatus for detecting and measuring gas voids in a pipe with a fluid includes a first ultrasonic transducer externally disposed on the pipe. The apparatus includes a second ultrasonic transducer externally disposed on the pipe. The apparatus includes a multiplexer, transmitter, receiver, controller and processor in communication with the first transducer and the second transducer which in combination identify a void in the pipe from ultrasonic measurements of properties of the fluid in the pipe. A method for detecting and measuring gas voids in a pipe with a fluid includes the steps of measuring properties of the fluid internal to the pipe with transmissions of ultrasonic energy from transducers externally disposed on the pipe. There is the step of identifying a void in the pipe from the properties of the fluid internal to the pipe using signals processed by processor. |
| US08132462B2 |
Ultrasonographic device
The receive sensitivity of an ultrasound array transducer structured with a diaphragm electro-acoustic transducer (101) being a basic unit is affected by change in a charge amount with elapsed time due to leakage or the like, which causes drift of the primary beam sensitivity, degradation in the acoustic SN ratio due to a rise in the acoustic noise level, and degradation in the directivity of an ultrasound beam. To addressing this problem, a charge controller (charge monitor 211) is provided to control charge in an electro-acoustic transducer (101). A charge monitoring section (102) monitors the change in the charge amount. When change in the charge amount is small, transmit sensitivity or receive sensitivity is calibrated by a controller (104) by, for example, multiplying a receive signal by a calibration coefficient corresponding to the change amount. Further, when the change in the charge amount is large, for example, charges can be re-emitted from a charge emitter (103). |
| US08132458B2 |
Acceleration sensor resistant to excessive force breakage
An acceleration sensor having a high impact resistance to prevent breakage under excessive acceleration, but can stably exert a sensing performance. The acceleration sensor is formed of an SOI substrate of a three-layered structure including a silicon layer (active layer silicon), a silicon oxide layer, and a silicon layer (substrate silicon). The acceleration sensor includes frame parts, a plurality of beam parts, the beam parts projecting inward from the frame part, and a weight part supported by the beam parts. A strain sensing part is provided on each of the beam parts. A width W of each of the beam parts, a length I of each of the beam parts, and an inner frame length L of the frame part satisfy the following relationships of Expressions (1) and (2). 2 |
| US08132456B2 |
Fuel level indicator for riding lawn equipment
A fuel level indicator for riding lawn equipment with a fuel tank pivotably mounted under the operator seat. A fuel level indicator arm is pivotably mounted under the fuel tank and has a first end contacting the fuel tank and a second end extending through an opening in front of the operator seat. A scale on the opening indicates the fuel level corresponding to the location of the second end of the fuel level indicator arm. A pair of tension springs are attached to the fuel tank and partially support the fuel tank. |
| US08132455B2 |
Robust micromachined thermal mass flow sensor with double side passivated polyimide membrane
A micromachined thermal mass flow sensor comprises a high mechanical strength polyimide film as a supporting layer of suspending membrane. The polyimide film provides superior thermal insulating properties to reduce the power consumption of device. Due to the tendency of humidity absorption, the polyimide suspending membrane is double side passivated on both top and bottom surfaces to sustain its long term stability from rush and humid working environment. A thin layer of silicon dioxide deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is overlaid between the silicon nitride and polyimide film to enhance the adhesion property of passivation layers to polyimide surface. With such embodiments, a sturdy and robust micromachined thermal mass flow sensor with high measurement accuracy could be formed. |
| US08132446B2 |
Property measurement apparatus and property measurement method
Disclosed herein is a property measurement apparatus including: a first plate installed in a state of being rotatable and/or vibratable; and a second plate placed to face the first plate and provided with an impedance measurement section, wherein a stress caused by a distortion generated by rotating or vibrating the first plate to serve as a distortion given to a sample provided in a gap between the first and second plates is measured, and at the same time, the impedance measurement section measures the impedance of the sample. |
| US08132442B2 |
Compressible ceramic seal
A stack of substantially parallel ceramic plates (22) separated and interconnected by ceramic spacers (26, 27) forming a seal structure (20) with a length (L), a width (W), and a thickness (T). The spacers are narrower in width than the plates, and may be laterally offset from spacers in adjacent rows to form a space (28) in a row that aligns with a spacer in another adjacent row. An adjacent plate bends into the space when the seal structure is compressed in thickness. The spacers may have gaps (60, 62) forming a stepped or labyrinthine cooling flow path (66) within the seal structure. The spacers of each row may vary in lateral separation, thus providing a range of compressibility that varies along the width of the seal structure. |
| US08132434B2 |
Closure means for holding closed a door
A closure for holding closed a door which is able to hinge in a frame, having a securing device which can be positioned on a first edge of the closed door and also a tightening unit which can be positioned on a second edge of the closed door and a cable or strap which, when the door is closed, runs through a gap between the door and frame and is fastened at one end to the securing device and fastened at the other end in the tightening unit, the tightening unit having inter alia a base plate with an opening for feeding through the cable or strap and also a tightening mechanism for tensioning and holding under tension the cable or strap guided through the opening and a cap with a lock which can be positioned on the base plate so as to produce a seal around the tightening mechanism. The securing device has a support extending on both sides of the cable or strap over a distance which is greater than the gap between the closed door and the frame, which distance is preferably greater than 5 mm. |
| US08132433B2 |
Protective device for concealing a zipper pull
The present invention is directed to a protective device for a fastener located on an article. The protective device includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior space sufficient to surround at least a portion of a fastener. The body also includes an aperture which may be moved to an open position by squeezing or moving a portion of the body, and moved to a closed position by releasing a portion of the body. The device protects the interior walls of a washing or drying machine during washing or drying of the article. |
| US08132425B2 |
Electrical component box of container refrigeration system
A pair of reinforcing ribs (50, 50) are formed on the bottom plate (33) of a box body (31) of an electrical component box (30). The reinforcing ribs (50, 50) have their respective pivot guides (50a, 50a) provided at their front ends to engage with associated pins (38b, 38b) on the safety cover (38). The safety cover (38) is pivotally supported to the pivot guides (50a, 50a) of the reinforcing ribs (50, 50) to allow it to open and close the opening of the box body (31). |
| US08132424B2 |
Ice machines with extruded heat exchanger
A heat exchanger for an ice machine has the form of a cylinder. In some embodiments, the cylinder is made from an extrusion of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The heat exchanger includes inner and outer cylindrical walls and one or more refrigeration passages positioned between the inner and outer walls. The inner and outer walls are separated from each other by connecting structures defining the refrigeration passages. The heat exchanger can be extruded as a rectangular panel and subsequently formed into a cylindrical form. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be extruded as a cylinder, or as an arcuate cylindrical segment in which several of such segments are subsequently joined together (as by welding) into a cylinder. Ice machines that feature ice formation on both the inner and outer walls of the cylinder are also disclosed. |
| US08132423B2 |
Refrigerator with selective airflow passages between the icemaker and the ice making evaporator
Disclosed is a refrigerator having an ice making apparatus installed at a cooling chamber door that opens/closes a cooling chamber. The refrigerator includes a body having a cooling chamber therein, a cooling chamber door to open/close the cooling chamber, and an ice making apparatus installed in the cooling chamber door to make ice. An ice making evaporator is provided in the ice making apparatus to independently supply the ice making apparatus with cooling air and an ice making evaporator chamber, in which an ice making evaporator is installed, is provided adjacent to the cooling chamber door while being partitioned from the cooling chamber. |
| US08132419B2 |
Refrigeration system and refrigeration system analyzer
In a refrigeration system (10) that includes a refrigerant circuit (20) configured by connecting a plurality of circuit component parts including a compressor (30), a pressure reduction device (36, 39) and a plurality of heat exchangers (34, 37) and operates in a refrigeration cycle by circulating refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit (20), a refrigerant state detection section (51) is provided for detecting the refrigerant temperatures and entropies at the entrance and exit of each of the compressor (30), the pressure reduction device (36, 39) and the heat exchangers (34, 37), and a variation calculation section (52) is provided that uses the refrigerant temperatures and entropies detected by the refrigerant state detection section (51) to separately calculate the magnitude of energy variation of refrigerant produced in each of the circuit component parts. |
| US08132418B2 |
Cooling with refrigerant feedback
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for cooling an environment using a low temperature heat source. A cooling apparatus is provided. A refrigerant is vaporized from a refrigeration solution using the low temperature heat source. The vaporized refrigerant with part of the refrigeration solution is channeled to a separator. The vaporized refrigerant is separated from the channeled refrigeration solution. The refrigerant is further vaporized from the separated refrigeration solution leaving behind a dilute refrigeration solution. The refrigerant is condensed. A part of the condensed refrigerant is fed to the first vaporizer leaving behind a residual part of the condensed refrigerant. The residual part of the condensed refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the environment thereby cooling the environment. The evaporated refrigerant is absorbed by the dilute refrigeration solution to produce a concentrated refrigeration solution. The concentrated refrigeration solution is fed to the first vaporizer via a heat exchanger. |
| US08132416B2 |
Combustion methods and fuels for the production of energy
Apparatus and processes are provided for combusting hydrocarbon-containing waste fuel with an oxidizer, preferably liquid oxygen, and producing a substantially clean exhaust gas and a separate high purity steam product (e.g., superheated steam) that can be used to generate electrical power. The apparatus includes a plurality of combustion chambers in series with means to control the combustion temperature while facilitating complete combustion. The apparatus and method are useful for transforming waste materials, particularly solid and liquid wastes, such as the rubber from scrap tires into non-hazardous materials and energy. |
| US08132412B2 |
Rankline-Brayton engine powered solar thermal aircraft
A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A Rankine-Brayton hybrid cycle heat engine is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller or other mechanism for enabling sustained free flight. The Rankine-Brayton engine has a thermal battery, preferably containing a lithium-hydride and lithium mixture, operably connected to it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery to a working fluid. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat. |
| US08132409B2 |
Solar collection and conversion system and methods and apparatus for control thereof
Systems and methods for collecting solar energy and converting it to heat, mechanical work, or electricity on a small scale and utilizing one or more system components originally adapted for use in a non-solar-power-generation application are described. Solar energy is used to heat a fluid that is part of a solar energy collector. This fluid transfers heat to the working fluid of thermodynamic engine, which converts some of the heat into mechanical work or electricity. One or more system parameters are monitored and controlled to enable improved efficiency under variable environmental conditions. |
| US08132408B2 |
Annular intercooler having curved fins
An air-to-fluid intercooler is disclosed. The air-to-fluid intercooler may include a core assembly including an outer circumference and an inner circumference, at least one annular tube body configured to direct flow of a cooling fluid within the core assembly, and at least one curved fin coupled to an exterior surface of the at least one annular tube body and configured to direct a flow of charge air through the core assembly. |
| US08132404B2 |
Ammonia vapor storage and purge system and method
A method is provided for managing vapor generation in a reductant storage and delivery system. In one example, urea vapors generated from liquid in a storage device are temporarily stored and later purged to the exhaust system of the engine. |
| US08132400B2 |
Controlled air-fuel ratio modulation during catalyst warm up based on universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor input
An emissions control system for a vehicle configured to travel on a road is provided. In one example, a forced modulation of a UEGO is provided when output of a HEGO sensor is unavailable. The system may improve catalyst efficiency |
| US08132398B2 |
Apparatus and method of operating a gas turbine engine at start-up
A method of operating a gas turbine engine having a turbine and a compressor connected via a shaft, a main fuel supply line for supplying fuel to a combustor that is positioned to release expanding hot gases to the turbine, the engine further including a starter/generator connected to the shaft via a gearbox assembly, the method is characterised the step of during engine start up fuel is circulated in a re-circulating fuel circuit positioned on the main fuel supply line and which has a first fuel/oil heat exchanger, for cooling the oil, and a fuel accumulator. |
| US08132397B2 |
Attachment for connection of harvesting combine and baler
A conveyor provides a link between a combine harvester and a baler which is towed behind the combine harvester. The conveyor has a front inlet end positioned to receive trash flowing from the trash outlet of the combine harvester. The conveyor also has a rear outlet end positioned to deliver the trash to the inlet of the baler so that the trash can be baled without ever touching the ground. |
| US08132395B2 |
Variable tension gusseting system
A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by forming one or two vertical creases along opposing sides of the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. The vertical crease is formed using a pivoting tucker mechanism positioned outside the packaging film tube and between two forming plates positioned inside the packaging film tube. A novel method is also disclosed for adjusting the orientation of labeling on the packaging film, which results in the production of innovative packages. |
| US08132390B2 |
Covering material for roofs
Method for manufacturing a composite flat covering material, comprising supplying a web of stretch aluminum mesh which after stretching has been tempered, passing the web of stretch aluminum mesh in immersed condition through a bath of first bituminous material, passing the stretch aluminum mesh out of the bath, skimming first bituminous material along at least an upper side of the web of stretch aluminum mesh and applying a layer of second bituminous material onto the skimmed side. |
| US08132387B2 |
Insulation containing inorganic fiber and spherical additives
The present invention provides thermal insulation products including a thermal insulation batt, board and loose fill, and methods of manufacture thereof, and a method of insulating an attic with loose fill, and an attic having the loose fill. The insulation products include randomly distributed inorganic fibers which are supplemented with microspheres, preferably hollow microspheres. |
| US08132386B2 |
Use of a window glass comprising a profiled bead for installing it in an opening
A window glass, particularly for installation by adhesive bonding in an opening of a vehicle bodywork, comprises a sheet of glass with a profiled bead that is fixed at least to the main surface of the sheet of glass facing toward the interior in the installed state and that rests against at least part of the opening. The use of such a window glass makes it possible, once the window glass has been installed in the bodywork opening, to obtain a visible space less than 5 mm between the opening and the edge face of the window glass. |
| US08132384B2 |
Panel and fastening system for such panel
The invention relates to a fastening system (1) for rectangular, tabular panels (2, 3, 10), especially floor panels. Comprising retaining profiles disposed on the small faces of said panels (2, 3, 10). Opposite retaining profiles match said retaining profiles in such a manner that similar panels (2, 3, 10) can be interlinked. The panels are provided with opposite first retaining profiles that are configured in such a manner that on a panel (2, 3, 10) being in first line a new panel (2) can be locked in second line by attaching the new panel (2) to the installed panel (3) at a temporary angle relative to the installed panel (3) and then swiveling it down into the plane of the installed panel (3). The panel further comprises opposite second retaining elements that comprise corresponding hook elements (6, 7). A hook connection (8) can be established by means of one of the hook elements (6, 7) of the new panel (2) and a hook element (6, 7) of a panel (3) that is already installed in second line by swiveling down the new panel (2). Every hook connection (8) is associated with an additional locking element (13, 22, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 40, 46) that prevents, in the hooked state of two panels (2, 3, 10), the hook connection (8) from being released in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the installed panels (2, 3 10). |
| US08132376B2 |
Two-piece track system
The present invention is directed toward a track assembly comprising two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall. The system may further comprise a strap or series of engaging surfaces on the inner and outer tracks that generally restrain the inner track relative to the outer track. |
| US08132375B2 |
Skylight cover with prismatic dome and cylinder portions
A skylight cover has an upper dome portion formed with plural prism elements and a lower cylindrical portion extending from the open periphery of the dome portion down to terminate in an open lower end through which light can pass. A cylindrical prism ring is positioned against a surface of the cylindrical portion and bears prisms configured to refract light. |
| US08132373B2 |
Modular building panel hanging system
A system for hanging items from a modular building panel is disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a modular building panel with a hole in the panel, a hanging member, with a load distribution plate, and an attachment shaft, and an attachment means at the end of the attachment shaft. Several embodiments of the present invention are described. |
| US08132368B2 |
Window lift apparatus, door module, motor vehicle door and method for installation of a window lift apparatus
A window lift arrangement with a lifter for a window pane, a door panel, positioning instruments for positioning the lifter relative to the door panel in an installation position for installation of the window pane, wherein the positioning instruments can assume a first and a second position, wherein the positioning instruments in the first position define the installation position and wherein the positioning instruments in the second position enable movement of the lifter for opening and closing the installed window pane. |
| US08132365B2 |
Modular green roof systems accommodating irrigation heads
A panel for a modular green roof system includes a bottom and four sides extending upwardly therefrom to provide an enclosure for growing medium, with a first side having a height above the bottom, the panel configured to accommodate an irrigation head. The bottom of the irrigation head is positioned below the height of the first side and connects with a water supply line running horizontally along the first side. A mold defining a first opening can be formed in the first side, the first opening configured to receive the irrigation head, the mold extending toward a side opposing the first side. A notch formed in a first side flange extending from the first side may alternatively help secure the irrigation head. The top of the irrigation head can be elevated above the height of the first side to irrigate the panel and nearby panels with pressurized water. |
| US08132363B2 |
Structures and methods for attaching a display article to a germinateable seed and a germinated plant carrying the structure and/or the display article
Articles-of-manufacturing which comprise (a) a germinateable seed having a germinating end and an apparent germination polarity; or alternatively a germinateable seed having a hole formed therein; and (b) a cage or, respectively alternatively, a member securing the germinateable seed; the cage having a structure such that when securing the germinateable seed, the cage not inhibiting or slowing a germination process of the germinateable seed; the member is secured to the hole. Seedlings which comprise the cage or member engaged therewith. Articles-of-manufacturing which comprise the seed or seedling, the cage or member and a display article attached to the cage or member. Methods of making same and of displaying the display article in context of the seedling. |
| US08132358B1 |
Mulch mat kit
A mulch mat kit designed to retain mulch and to prevent grass around a plant while directly watering the plant root system, the kit including a water permeable base, a wall member attached in an upright position around the base, at least one optional tube removably insertable into the base, and an optional bracket to secure the wall member in an upright position. An aperture centered in the base removably receives a plant stalk therethrough and a slit in the base from the outer perimeter surface to the aperture allows the base to be slipped into place around the plant. The mulch mat kit may be utilized in combination with a sprinkler system in which each tube receives a sprinkler head. |
| US08132355B1 |
Offset accessory mount and mounting system
An adjustable accessory mounting clamp for mounting an accessory to an accessory rail, including an accessory band, a primary locking arm, a secondary locking arm, and a threaded adjustment rod that is anchored, at a first end, to the primary locking arm, extends through an aperture in the secondary locking arm, and is threadedly coupled to a cam lever pin of a cam lever, wherein the cam lever includes at least one camming surface, such that when the cam lever is in a closed position, the camming surface contacts an outer surface portion of the secondary locking arm to provide tension to the threaded adjustment rod, such that a distance between the primary locking claw and the secondary locking claw is adjusted to accommodate varying width accessory mounting rails. |
| US08132352B2 |
Handgun system
Multiple improvements dramatically increase the reliability and accuracy of a handgun. By combining a plurality of improvements, the accuracy and reliability of a M1911-A1 is dramatically increased. The improvements include a modified sighting system that enables the user to accurately adjust for varying target ranges without losing sight of the targets or altering contact with the weapon. Lubrication notches are incised into the slide/frame interaction regions to prevent fouling. An ambidextrous safety is added that is retained by an interaction with the sear chip shaft. The hammer is modified to provide a region in which foreign matter can migrate to prevent fouling and improve reliability. And the interaction between the sear chip and the hammer is modified to provide a decreased trigger pull that maintains a positive and safe contact between the sear and the hammer at the sear ledge. |
| US08132350B1 |
Hammer spring assembly for a firearm
A hammer spring assembly comprises a spring and a member operatively coupling the spring and a hammer of a firearm when the hammer spring assembly is connected to a firearm. The hammer is biased by the spring to rotate forward toward a cartridge or firing pin. The spring exerts a bias force on the member in the forward direction, which urges the member against a curved rearward surface of the hammer at a hammer contact point. As the hammer rotates rearward, the hammer contact point moves along the rearward hammer surface so as to cause a desired variation of an effective lever arm about the hammer pivot point of the bias force exerted on the hammer. Methods comprise connecting the hammer spring assembly to a firearm, or providing the hammer spring assembly and instructing a user to connect it to a firearm. |
| US08132349B1 |
Trigger assembly
A trigger is provided and may be pivotally connected to a frame at or near the top of the trigger. A sear transfer bar may be further provided and is pivotally connected to the frame. The pivot in the trigger is higher within the frame as compared to the pivot of the sear transfer bar. Two balls can be between the trigger and the sear transfer bar. The top of the sear transfer bar has a sear contact. Pulling the trigger in a first direction causes the trigger to rotate in a first direction. The sear transfer bar rotates under force of the trigger. The sear transfer bar and the trigger may rotate in opposite directions. The sear will drop when the sear contact of the transfer bar ceases engagement with the sear, causing the firearm to fire. |
| US08132347B2 |
Interchangeable label holder
When displaying products on a display hook, labels associated with the products are oftentimes presented via a label holder affixed to the display hook. Because various display hook structures exist, an interchangeable label holder can be utilized to adjoin to the various structures. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a label holder is adapted for being affixed to both a cylindrical-shaped crossbar and a display plate crossbar of a display hook. The rear face of the interchangeable label holder includes first brackets and second brackets adapted for receiving either the cylindrical-shaped crossbar or the display plate crossbar. The rear face of the interchangeable label holder also includes a first securing element and a second securing element functional for receiving lateral edges of the display plate crossbar to restrict lateral movement of the label holder. The front face includes an edge extending substantially perpendicular from the face with a plurality of label securing elements extending inwardly to retain a label in the label holder. |
| US08132345B2 |
Hydraulic function control with auto-control mode override
A work machine (10) comprises an operator input device (28), an electro-hydraulic system (64), and a controller unit (46) that communicates with the operator input device (28) and the electro-hydraulic system (64). The controller unit (46) is programmed to operate the electro-hydraulic system (64) in an auto-control mode, and adapted to override the auto-control mode in response to predetermined behavior of the operator input device (28). An associated method is disclosed. |
| US08132344B2 |
Selectable boot support and articulation system
The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell. |
| US08132343B2 |
Sports boot with blocking device
A boot that includes a shell base and a collar, an articulation provided between the collar and the shell base, such that the collar can pivot with respect to the shell base about an articulation axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and further including a device for blocking the rearward rotation of the collar with respect to the shell base, the devices for blocking the rearward rotation including the following: a rocker mounted so as to rotate with respect to either the collar or the shell base, around a first pivot, the pivot being oriented along a first axis and the rocker having an elongated shape between an upper end and a lower end, and the first pivot being positioned in the vicinity of one of the two ends; a support base, positioned in the vicinity of the other of the ends, including a first support surface, which is capable of coming in contact with either the shell base or the collar; and a lever mounted so as to rotate with respect to the rocker around a second pivot, the second pivot being oriented along a second axis, parallel to the first axis, and the second pivot being positioned between the first pivot and the support base, the lever including an actuating palette and a cam surface. |
| US08132342B1 |
Sandal assembly
A sandal assembly includes a base that has top side, a bottom side, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A foot strapping system to releasably secure a foot to the base includes a first tether that has a free first end and a free second end. Each of the first and second ends is removably extended into the top side of the base. The top side of the base includes a plurality of wells extending therein. Each of the wells receives one of the first and second ends. A first well of the plurality of wells is positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge and a second well of the plurality of wells is positioned adjacent to the second lateral edge. |
| US08132341B1 |
Detachable heel system
An apparatus for converting a shoe into a high heeled type of shoe or a medium high heeled type of shoe or a low heeled type of shoe or a type of shoe that does not include an additional heel to extend the thickness of the sole includes a heel that is detachably-attachable with respect to the pair of shoes. A bayonet mount is used to secure a detachable heel to each of the pair of shoes. A mechanical latch that includes a release member prevents accidental release and loosening of the heel. Additional pair of heels that include the bayonet mount are used when a different height, color, or appearance is desired. If desired, the shoes can be used without heels. |
| US08132340B2 |
Footwear incorporating crossed tensile strand elements
An article of footwear may include various strands that extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to a sole structure. The strands lie substantially parallel to a surface of a material layer in a region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure, and the strands cross each other in the region between the lace-receiving elements and the sole structure. |
| US08132336B2 |
Device and method for drying synthetic resin pellet
Resin molding work is efficiently carried out in accordance with a consumption amount of resin pellets of a resin molding machine by sequentially supplying small amounts of dried resin pellets in short period of time. When changeover of a molded product is carried out, attached remaining resin pellets can be removed by simple work in a short period of time, thereby carrying out efficient changeover work. An interval of taking out dried resin pellets that are heated and dried in a decompressed state is shortened by sequentially moving a plurality of pellet containers that contain small amounts of resin pellets. |
| US08132334B2 |
Rotating construction laser with a dual grade mechanism
A rotating construction laser includes a laser core module with a laser unit for emitting a laser beam and rotation means for rotating the laser beam around an axis of rotation defining a laser beam plane. The rotating construction laser is provided with an outer pivoting mechanism attached to the laser core module, the outer pivoting mechanism being operable to tilt the laser core module around an X-axis as a first axis of rotation and around a Y-axis as a second axis of rotation. The rotating construction laser further includes a dual grade mechanism with a first level sensor operable to indicate a rotation of the laser core module around the X-axis and a second level sensor operable to indicate a rotation of the laser core module around the Y-axis. Both level sensors can be operated mutually independent. |
| US08132332B2 |
Cutting device
A cutting device with two toothed blades arranged to be moveable with respect to each other includes a magnetic arranged to press both blades together. |
| US08132324B2 |
Split fan wheel and split shroud assemblies and methods of manufacturing and assembling the same
Devices and systems for transporting a material suspended in a fluid, e.g., pulverized coal, that can be assembled about a rotary element are disclosed. The devices and systems comprise a first portion or half of a fan wheel assembly, a second portion or half of a fan wheel assembly, and a plurality of splice plates for connecting the first portion of the fan wheel assembly to the second portion of the fan wheel assembly about the rotary element. Methods of manufacturing and assembling the sectionalized devices and systems are also provided. |
| US08132323B2 |
Coaxial cable installation tool
A tool for installing an end of a cable into a connector generally includes a front jaw assembly adapted to retain the cable connector and a back jaw assembly movably coupled to the front jaw assembly. The cable connector includes a connector body and a compression sleeve and the back jaw assembly is adapted to insert an end of the cable into the cable connector upon movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly and subsequently press the compression sleeve into the connector body upon further movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly. |
| US08132322B2 |
Automatic inserting method, system and device for PCB board
The present invention relates to the electronic manufacturing field and provides an automatic inserting method, an inserting system and an inserting device for a PCB board The method includes: obtaining the insertion paths for insertion of components in the PCB, calling the optimization program to adjust the insertion parameters, generating the optimized insertion paths based on the insertion parameters adjusted, and carrying out the insertion based on the optimized insertion paths. In an embodiment of the present invention, the optimization programs are used to adjust the insertion parameters in the original insertion programs, generate the optimized insertion paths based on the parameters adjusted, and carry out the insertion as per the optimized insertion paths, which not only improves the insertion efficiency, but also avoids a waste of manpower and the improvement of insertion efficiency is inconspicuous in relation to man-made modification of insertion programs. |
| US08132313B2 |
Method for fabricating a LCD panel
An inspecting circuit layout according to the present invention is provided. The inspecting circuit layout is adapted for inspecting panel units group by group, each of the panel units having a plurality of first and second signal lines. The inspecting circuit layout includes a multiplexer (MUX) and an inspecting pad. The MUX is electrically connected with at least one of the first or second signal lines of the panel units, and the inspecting pad is electrically connected to the MUX. The MUX is adapted for selectively connecting the inspecting pad with the first or second signal lines of a group of panel units. |
| US08132312B2 |
Method of manufacturing a vacuum cup mount
A method for manufacturing a vacuum cup mount including the steps of providing a housing having a mount base and a generally upstanding wall extending from the mount base, providing a retainer having an aperture that extends from an upper side of the retainer to a lower side of the retainer and a plurality of recesses formed on the lower side of the retainer in communication with the aperture, placing the retainer on the mount base so that the lower side of the retainer faces the mount base, and bending at least a portion of the generally upstanding wall so that the bent portion of the generally upstanding wall engages the upper surface of the retainer to secure the retainer with respect to the mount base. |
| US08132311B1 |
Luggage with graffiti patterns and method of manufacturing same
A method for fabricating a unit of luggage includes photographing one or more graffiti scenes, photographically processing the resulting images to yield a composite design image, transferring the composite design image to a sheet of fabric material in a repeating design, cutting the fabric to form pieces of the luggage unit and joining the cut pieces form the luggage unit. |
| US08132310B2 |
Work carrier and work clamping method using the same
A work carrier includes a movable clamp unit (15) having resiliently connected first and second sliders (26, 27) mounted on a guide rail (24), a lock lever (37) mounted on the second slider and normally urged in a direction to move a toothed portion (41) into meshing engagement with a rack (25), an operating lever (46) pivotally mounted on the second slider, and a cam mechanism (43, 38, 44, 45) operable in response to pivotal movement of the operating lever in one direction such that the second slider is locked in position against movement relative to the guide rail via meshing engagement between the toothed portion and the rack and, subsequently, the first slider and clamp member carried thereon are forcibly displaced away from the second slider while the second slider remains locked on the guide rail. |
| US08132304B2 |
Method of manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator
A method for producing a piezoelectric actuator has the following steps: providing a plurality of piezoelectric material layers (2) which can be assembled into a stack; applying electrode layers (3) each having a recess (4, 4′) to the plurality of piezoelectric material layers, such that an alternating sequence of piezoelectric material layers and electrode layers is formed in the stack, wherein electrode layers with a recess (4) in a first recess zone and electrode layers with a recess (4′) in a second recess zone which differs from the first recess zone are alternatingly formed in the stack; and providing a stress-relieving material (5) in the first and second recesses, the stress-relieving material exhibiting electrically insulating properties after the stack is sintered, and preventing the individual material layers from adhering to one another. |
| US08132303B2 |
Zipper slider
A zipper slider includes a top plate and a bottom plate. A connecting portion is provided between the top plate and the bottom plate. Two guiding slots are formed between the top plate and the bottom plate. One side of the top plate and the bottom plate extends to form first side plates facing each other. The other side of the top plate and the bottom plate extends to form second side plates facing each other. Each first side plate includes a first straight section and a first curved section. Each second side plate includes a second straight section and a second curved section. The first straight section of the first side plate is longer than the second straight section of the second side plate. Via the above arrangement, the insertion pin can be inserted smoothly and a secure locking function is achieved. |
| US08132300B2 |
Gasket for fastening the automotive safety belt
A gasket for fastening the automotive safety belt is disclosed. A plastic material is applied to form a one-piece body comprising a fixing part, a flexible part and a plug part. The plug part of the gasket is inlet into the hole of the suspension sheet of the safety belt for fastening the safety belt so as to avoid the safety belt rolling automatically to bind the human body so close that the chest are oppressed uncomfortably. In addition, the gasket mounted on the outer surface of the buckle of safety belt is made of plastic materials. Even the gasket is touched with human body in use, to adjust and to fasten the safety belt will not result in the human body being hurt from impact. It is much safer for utility. |
| US08132297B2 |
Apparatus on a flat card or roller card having a cylinder and at least one doffer
In an apparatus on a carding machine having a cylinder and at least one doffer, in which the cylinder and the doffer each have an all-steel clothing having saw teeth, the clothing on the cylinder and the clothing on the doffer each have a point density per square inch (ppsi). For achieving increased production rate with the same quality or improved quality with the same production rate, the clothing on the doffer has a point density of at least 400 ppsi, and the ratio between the point density of the clothing of the cylinder and the point density of the clothing of the doffer influences the proportion of the fiber mass that is transferred from the cylinder to the doffer per revolution of the cylinder in the sense of a higher production rate or higher quality of the card. |
| US08132295B1 |
Interchangeable customizable pull mechanisms
A pull mechanism that is attachable to a barrier structure having a sliding mounting panel and at least one base. The sliding mounting panel having a first sliding-retaining member and the at least one base have a second sliding-retaining member. The sliding mounting panel is in sliding-retaining relationship with the base such that there is longitudinal movement therebetween. A fastener may be used to both fasten the pull mechanism to the barrier structure and to limit the sliding relationship, between the sliding mounting panel and the at least one base. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the sliding mounting panel has a top surface to which decorative elements may be attached. |
| US08132289B2 |
Locking device for telescoping pole and appliance provided with such a locking device
A locking device for a telescoping pole for use with a retractable handle system, the pole having at least one moveable section slideably mounted in a guide member having at least one opening. The locking device includes a body fixed to the movable section, a locking member carried by the body and movable between locking an unlocking positions, a rotatable lever carried by the body and pivotable between a release position, in which relative movement is permitted between the movable section and the guide member, and a blocking position, in which the lever comes to bear on the guide member and exerts a force assuring a transverse immobilization of the moveable section in the guide member. The lever is coupled to the locking member to be displaced toward the blocking position when the locking member is engaged in the opening under the force produced by a restoring element. |
| US08132282B2 |
Mechanical sweeper
The present invention generally pertains to a self-propelled mechanical sweeper. The mechanical sweeper comprises a pickup broom for lifting debris toward a first belt conveyor. The sweeper further comprises a second deployable conveyor assembly mounted on a turntable and adapted for conveying the debris from the first conveyor to an auxiliary vehicle such as a dump truck. |
| US08132280B2 |
Loading dock leveler with lip extension mechanism
A dock leveler with a deck and an extendable lip that hangs pendant when the deck is in a stored position. A lip extension mechanism engages when the deck is raised to a raised or cocked position. As the deck is lowered to an intermediate transition position, the extension mechanism extends the lip to a fully extended position. At the transition position, the lip extension mechanism automatically disengages and a lip locking mechanism automatically and simultaneously locks and holds the lip in its fully extended position. When the deck is further lowered so that the lip comes to rest on a truck trailer, the locking mechanism automatically released or unlocked. The lip returns to its pendant position when the deck is raised from the truck bed. After the truck pulls away from the dock, the deck is lowered to its stored position. |
| US08132279B1 |
Dishwasher that holds water for use during peak electricity demand and associated method of control
A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate inlet from a storage tank, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or storage tank inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only water from the storage tank to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period. |
| US08132275B2 |
Tub enclosure with hinges between walls
The present invention is a tub and shower enclosure formed from three pieces. A wet wall, back wall, and dry wall are each formed separately. Living hinges connects the wet wall to one end of the back wall and the dry wall to the opposing end of the back wall. The hinges allow the wet wall and dry wall to be folded into positions that are generally parallel to the back wall for shipping. |
| US08136163B2 |
Method, apparatus and program storage device for providing automated tracking of security vulnerabilities
A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing automated tracking of security vulnerabilities is disclosed. Security problems are reported, aged and tracked. A time to fix the vulnerability identified by the vulnerability assessment of the system is based on the determined vulnerability score. The vulnerability factor is based upon consideration of a plurality of identified parameters. |
| US08136162B2 |
Intelligent network interface controller
A network interface device includes a security database and a security services engine. The security database is configured to store patterns corresponding to predetermined malware. The security services engine is configured to compare data to be transmitted through a network to the patterns stored in the security database, and the security database is configured to receive updated patterns from the network. |
| US08136158B1 |
User-level segmentation mechanism that facilitates safely executing untrusted native code
A system that uses segmentation to safely execute native code. This system includes a processing element that executes the native code and a memory which stores code and data for the processing element. The processing element includes a segmentation mechanism which limits the native code executing on the processing element to accessing a specified segment of memory. The processing element also includes an instruction-processing unit, which is configured to execute a user-level instruction that causes the segmentation mechanism to limit memory accesses by the native code to the specified segment of the memory. |
| US08136156B2 |
Module with a controller for a chip card
In a module with a controller for a chip card, the controller having first and second I/O pads for data input and output, and the module having one I/O pad. Both of the first and second I/O pads of the controller are connected to only the one I/O pad of the module. In this manner, data output via one of the first and second I/O pads of the controller may be read and monitored by the controller via the other of the first and second I/O pads of the controller. |
| US08136154B2 |
Hidden markov model (“HMM”)-based user authentication using keystroke dynamics
Hidden Markov Models (“HMMs”) are used to analyze keystroke dynamics measurements collected as a user types a predetermined string on a keyboard. A user enrolls by typing the predetermined string several times; the enrollment samples are used to train a HMM to identify the user. A candidate who claims to be the user provides a typing sample, and the HMM produces a probability to estimate the likelihood that the candidate is the user he claims to be. A computationally-efficient method for preparing HMMs to analyze certain types of processes is also described. |
| US08136151B2 |
Systems and methods for remotely maintaining virtual private networks
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically configuring, managing, and maintaining a network device or VPN using a public network such as the Internet. Initial configuration of a network device or VPN occurs upon a user entering minimal information via a simple HTML page. After receipt of this minimal information, the present invention automatically configures the network device or VPN without user intervention. Thereafter, a user may modify the network device or VPN configuration via an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand graphical user interface. Parameters are presented such that a user simply checks and unchecks boxes, or clicks on radio buttons, to configure network device parameters. Upon completion of the selection, the user clicks on save, and the configuration is automatically modified. In addition, upon a significant change to any network device, the changed network device automatically initiates reconfiguration of the network device or VPN with zero input from a user. |
| US08136150B2 |
User role mapping in web applications
Roles and policies are used to provide display and access to data in a flexible manner. Users and/or web applications can be mapped to user roles that dictate which displays or other application resources are available to the user or application. Roles are assigned to web applications individually, allowing for user roles to be used without requiring an independent mapping of users to roles. In some cases, application roles can be centrally managed, so that presentation systems also avoid the need for an independent mapping of user or application roles. |
| US08136148B1 |
Reusable authentication experience tool
A reusable authentication component may be integrated into a web page to communicate with an authentication server and authenticate a user to the web page. The reusable authentication component may implement a complex authentication process, including multiple user interfaces to receive multiple assurances of user identity and user confirmation of previously stored mutual authentication data. The authentication process may be performed by the authentication component without refreshing or redirecting the parent web page until completion of a successful user authentication, after which the parent web page may receive authentication data and refresh to provide user specific and/or secure user data on the web page. |
| US08136147B2 |
Privilege management
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing privileges on a data processing system. The process initiates a privilege monitor. All other entities in the data processing system are prevented from assigning privileges. The privilege monitor is the only entity authorized to assign privileges. The process monitors for requests for privileges. In response to detecting a request from a user for a privilege, the process selectively assigns the privilege to the user through the privilege monitor. |
| US08136141B2 |
Method and system for allocating bandwidth based on transmission power of devices transmitting over communication channels in a network
A method performed by a central network device, such as a network edge device, or a CMTS, determines whether some of a plurality of user devices coupled to a communication device are transmitting at substantially their respective maximum power output level over a given channel. If the central device determines that some of the devices are operating at near their maximum output level (“power pegged,) the central device searches for another channel that can carry the traffic of the power pegged devices at reduced data rate. If another channel can accommodate transmission of signals of the power pegged device, the central device instructs the power pegged devices to tune to the new channel at a reduced data rate compared to the data rate of the current channel. |
| US08136140B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating metadata utilized to filter content from a video stream using text data
Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for generating metadata utilized by a DVR to filter content from a video stream. A video stream is reviewed to identify portions the video stream to skip during presentation of the video stream. Text data associated with the video stream is parsed to identify a string in the text data that identifies boundaries of the portions of the video stream that are to be skipped during presentation by the DVR. The string is provided to the DVR, and the DVR utilizes the string to skip the portion of the video stream during presentation of the video stream by the DVR. |
| US08136138B2 |
Display replication and control of a portable device via a wireless interface in an automobile
A system for displaying video data in a vehicle. The system intelligently replicates one or more portable device displays on one or more vehicle displays. Each vehicle display may be shared or dedicated to a specific portable device. The image from each portable device is intelligently replicated and provided to the vehicle integrated video system via a wireless communication link for display. The wireless communication link can provide the image to the vehicle integrated video system in real time to support both static images and dynamic images. |
| US08136137B2 |
Program searching in digital multimedia terminal
A digital multimedia terminal comprises a receiving unit to receive a broadcasting signal. The digital multimedia terminal also comprises an input unit adapted to receive input associated with a user preferred program characteristic. The digital multimedia terminal also comprises a controller, operatively coupled to the receiving unit and the input unit, adapted to extract program information from received broadcasting signals and to search extracted program information based on the user preferred program characteristic. The digital multimedia terminal may further comprise a display unit, operatively coupled to the controller, adapted to display program description information associated with the extracted program information that corresponds to a broadcast program having the user preferred program characteristic. |
| US08136135B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for blocking content
Methods, systems, and products block objectionable content and substitute alternative content. Multiple fields of a preferred tag are retrieved from memory. Multiple fields of an alternative tag, associated with alternative content, are retrieved from the memory. A number of matching fields, between the multiple fields of the preferred tag and the multiple fields of the corresponding alternative tag, are determined. The number of matching fields is compared to a threshold value. When the number of matching fields exceeds the threshold value, then the alternative content is substituted for the objectionable content. |
| US08136132B2 |
Optical disk drive with rotary load/eject mechanism and related computer device
An optical disk drive includes a bracket, and a mecha module installed on the bracket. The mecha module includes a mounting plate fixed on the bracket, an optical pick-up head installed on the mounting plate in a slidable manner for reading or writing data in an optical disk, and a spindle motor installed on the mounting plate for rotating the optical disk. The optical disk drive further includes a rotary mechanism connected to the bracket and a base for driving the bracket to rotate into or out of an opening on a housing relative to the base. |
| US08136129B2 |
Disc changer
The invention provides a disc changer including a plurality of trays which can be moved respectively in a horizontal direction, a tray driving gear unit capable of shuttling the trays between a standby position and a disc exchange position, a gear driving mechanism for driving the tray driving gear unit, a tray triggering unit capable of locking/unlocking the trays in the standby position, pushing all trays to engage with the tray driving gear unit after unlocking the trays, and driving the trays toward the disc exchange position, wherein all trays in the standby position can be unlocked and pushed to engage with the tray driving gear unit, and ejected outward from a mechanical chassis by a predetermined tray stroke, thereafter the trays are driven back to the standby position one by one, and when the last tray reaches the standby position all trays are locked. |
| US08136127B1 |
System and method for linearly managing client-server communication
Representative embodiments are disclosed of a system and method for linearly exposing client-server interaction comprising interpreting a function command representing a first group of sequential action requests to an integrated multimedia communication server (iMCS), sequentially transmitting the first group of sequential action requests from an interactive multimedia runtime (iMR) client to the iMCS, wherein a next sequential action request of the first group is transmitted to the iMCS prior to receiving a response message from the iMCS associated with a previous sequential action request of the first group, queuing response messages received from the iMCS, and handling the queued response messages. |
| US08136122B2 |
Systems and/or methods for providing feature-rich proprietary and standards-based triggers via a trigger subsystem
The example embodiments disclosed herein relate to application integration techniques and, more particularly, to application integration techniques built around the publish-and-subscribe model (or one of its variants). In certain example embodiments, triggers are provided for establishing subscriptions to publishable document types and for specifying the services that will process documents received by the subscription. A standards-based messaging protocol (e.g., JMS messaging) may be fully embedded as a peer to a proprietary messaging protocol provided to an integration server's trigger subsystem so that all or substantially all of the feature-rich capabilities available via the proprietary protocol may also become available via the standards-based messaging protocol. The triggers may be JMS triggers in certain example embodiments. |
| US08136121B2 |
Graphical message format builder
A graphical message format builder facilitates a user in building message formats by using format elements from a format editor palette which are inserted into a message format definition in a graphical editing pane. Each format element is served as a building block of a message format which in turn is used to construct the message. A format hierarchy view allows a visualization of the data mapping to the message format to be seen. |
| US08136117B2 |
Information processor and information processing system
An information processing apparatus is disclosed in which software resources are divided into first through N-th groups each of which has an operating system, a program operating on the operating system, and data, includes an execution section configured to simultaneously execute the groups with the groups isolated from one another, an OS activating section configured to operate on the operating system of the first group and activate the operating system of at least one of the second through N-th groups according to activation information, an activation information changing section configured to make communication with an administrative server over a network and change the activation information in response to an instruction from the administrative server, and a lock section configured to disable the operating system and the program of each of the second through N-th groups to change the activation information. |
| US08136116B2 |
Device allocation utilizing job information, storage system with a spin control function, and computer thereof
This invention provides a storage system coupled to a computer that executes data processing jobs by running a program, comprising: an interface; a storage controller; and disk drives. The storage controller is configured to: control spinning of disk in the disk drives; receive job information which contains an execution order of the job and a load attribute of the job from the computer before the job is executed; select a logical volume to which none of the storage areas are allocated when requested by the computer to provide a logical volume for storing a file that is used temporarily by the job to be executed; select which storage area to allocate to the selected logical volume based on at least one of the job execution order and the job load attribute; allocate the selected storage area to the selected logical volume; and notify the computer of the selected logical volume. |
| US08136111B2 |
Managing execution of mixed workloads in a simultaneous multi-threaded (SMT) enabled system
A SMT enabled processor system, having multiple processors each activated to interleave execution of multiple hardware threads on each processor, for ST workload, includes a kernel. The kernel of the SMT enabled processor system facilitates construction of an exclusive set of processors to simulate an ST mode for handling the tasks of the ST workload, wherein the ST workload runs more efficiently on single threaded processors. The kernel schedules the ST workload on the exclusive set of processors by selecting one hardware thread per processor within said exclusive set of processors to handle a separate one of the tasks of the ST workload, while requiring the remaining hardware threads per processor within the exclusive set to idle. The ST workload is executed on the SMT enabled processor system as if the exclusive set of processors run in ST mode, but without actually removing the remaining idle hardware threads per processor within the exclusive set of processors. |
| US08136110B2 |
Continue monitoring print job based on job ID and information present in the print queue even though no print job is present in the print queue
A method in an information-processing apparatus for monitoring a job based on a print request from a client computer includes obtaining job information which exists in a print queue, continue monitoring the print queue based on the obtained information even if a client job corresponding to a print process in a client computer disappears from the print queue, and stopping monitoring a print queue when a server job corresponding to a print process in a server computer disappears from the print queue. |
| US08136107B2 |
Software pipelining using one or more vector registers
A method for managing multiple values assigned to a variable during various stages of a software pipelined process executed in a computing environment. The method comprises allocating two or more slots in a vector register to two or more values associated with said variable during two or more stages of a pipeline process; and rotating values in each slot responsive to an instruction. |
| US08136100B1 |
Software installation and icon management support
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for software installation and icon management support. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a cross-platform package of information stored in a platform independent format, the cross-platform package information including a cross-platform icon and one or more descriptors for the cross-platform icon; translating the cross-platform icon to a predefined icon format for a specific operating system (OS) on a computer; and providing the translated icon in the predefined icon format for display by the OS on the computer. |
| US08136096B1 |
Backward post-execution software debugger
A method finds an error in a computer program. A plurality of execution breakpoints are set in the computer program. A portion of the execution of the computer program is simulated as recorded in the trace data in the reverse order until one a plurality of conditions is met, wherein one of the plurality of conditions is an attempt to execute a machine instruction associated with one of the plurality of execution breakpoints. |
| US08136095B2 |
Relations in fuzzing data
A test tool is provided for testing a software component. The tool receives data structured and formatted for processing by the software component. The structured data might conform to a schema defining valid inputs that the software component is able to parse/process. The test tool selects a discrete part of the structured data and fuzzes the selected discrete part. The test tool determines whether there are any parts of the structured data whose validity can be affected by fuzzing of the discrete part of the structured data. The fuzzed discrete part of the structured data is analyzed and a related part of the structured data is updated to be consistent with the fuzzed discrete part. The fuzzing tool passes the structured data with the fuzzed part and the updated part to the software component being tested. The software component is tested by having it process the data. |
| US08136089B2 |
Predictive prefetching to improve parallelization of document generation subtasks
In a system in which documents are generated dynamically in response to user requests, historical data is collected regarding data retrieval subtasks, such as service requests, that are performed to generate such documents. This data is used to predict the specific subtasks that will be performed to respond to specific document requests, such that these subtasks may be initiated preemptively at or near the outset of the associated document generation task. A subtask that would ordinarily be postponed pending the outcome of a prior subtask can thereby be performed in parallel with the prior subtask, reducing document generation times. In one embodiment, the historical data is included within, or is used to generate, a mapping table that maps document generation tasks (which may correspond to specific URLs) to the data retrieval subtasks that are frequently performed within such tasks. |
| US08136088B2 |
Task based polymorphic graphical program function nodes
A task based polymorphic graphical program node system and method. A node is displayed in a graphical program. First user input is received invoking display of a plurality of function type options for the node, and the function type options for the node displayed. Second user input is received specifying a function type from the function type options. Based on the second user input, program instructions executable to provide functionality in accordance with the specified function type are determined and associated with the node, after which the node is executable in the graphical program to provide the functionality in accordance with the specified function type. Associating the program instructions with the node may include configuring the (possibly generic) node with the program instructions, replacing default program instructions of the node implementing default node functionality with the program instructions, and/or replacing the node with another node that includes the program instructions. |
| US08136087B2 |
In-line processing of standardized text values
A method of in-line processing of standardized text values. A standardization utility defines multiple standardization rules in response to user input from a graphical user interface (GUI). The standardization rules correspond to text and integer data in a database. The standardization utility generates a JAVA class template for each data model object that requires standardization. The standardization utility generates public methods for each data attribute that corresponds to a standardization rule and converts the public methods into JAVA code. The standardization utility compiles the JAVA code into multiple helper classes and stores the helper classes within a JAVA Archive (JAR) file in the library path of applications that input text into the database. The standardization utility assigns a tracking number to each new helper class. The standardization utility loads the helper classes into JAVA Virtual Machines (JVMs) that are accessible to applications capable of inputting data into the database. |
| US08136083B2 |
ASICs having more features than generally usable at one time and methods of use
More ASIC functionality is crammed into a chip (or chip set) than can probably or definitely be operative at one time when the chip is packaged and inserted into a broader circuit. The excessive ASIC functionality is chosen to cope with different market development probabilities in a host of different market spaces and a subset of the excessive ASIC functionality is programmably activated in each market space after manufacture. In one embodiment, a mega-ASIC with excessive ASIC functionality crammed into it, has a universal core as well as plurality of programmably selectable ASIC function blocks. The ASIC function blocks are programmably activatable and de-activatable so that a mass produced can quickly respond to shifting market demands. |
| US08136079B2 |
Effective gate length circuit modeling based on concurrent length and mobility analysis
Disclosed is a computer implemented method and computer program product to determine metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gate functional limitations. A simulator obtains a plurality of slices of a MOS gate, the slices each comprising at least one parameter, the parameter comprising a slice gate width and a slice gate length. The simulator determines a current for each slice based on a slice gate length of the slice to form a length-based current for each slice. The simulator determines a length-based current for the MOS gate by summing the length-based current for each slice. The simulator calculates a stress profile for each slice. The simulator determines a slice carrier mobility for each slice based on the stress profile of each slice. The simulator determines a carrier mobility-based current for each slice, based on each slice carrier mobility. The simulator determines a carrier mobility for the MOS gate based on the carrier mobility-based current for each slice. The simulator determines an effective length for the MOS gate based on the length-based current. |
| US08136073B1 |
Circuit design fitting
Circuit design fitting for an integrated circuit is described. A mapped design for the circuit design is obtained. A first placement of the mapped design in association with an integrated circuit is performed. Circuit blocks are marked associated with the integrated circuit with control set identifiers. A circuit object is associated with a control set identifier. A site for placement of the first circuit object is located. The site is associated with a circuit resource block, which is associated with circuit resource blocks of the integrated circuit. Nearest neighbor circuit resource blocks with respect to the circuit resource block are acquired. The nearest neighbor circuit resource blocks of the circuit resource block are categorized in response to statuses. The circuit object is placed in a nearest neighbor of the nearest neighbor circuit resource blocks of the circuit resource block for a second placement. |
| US08136072B2 |
Standard cell placement
A method of generating a layout of an integrated circuit is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing functional data representing circuit elements and connections between the circuit elements, providing a cell library defining a plurality of standard cells, each standard cell representing a potential component for forming the integrated circuit, providing compatibility information indicative of the compatibility of the boundaries of the standard cells, and generating a placement of standard cells in dependence on the functional data and the compatibility information to produce the layout such that no abutting cells have incompatible boundaries. |
| US08136071B2 |
Three dimensional integrated circuits and methods of fabrication
The invention relates to multi-planar logic components in a three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) apparatus configuration. A multi-planar integrated circuit connected by through silicon vias is configured to connect microprocessor, FPGA and memory components. The integrated circuit components may be on tiles of layers of the 3D IC. |
| US08136068B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing compact manufacturing models in electronic design automation
Disclosed are a method, a system, and a computer program product for implementing compact manufacturing model during various stages of electronic circuit designs. In some embodiments, the method or the system receives or identifies physics based data. In some embodiments, the method or the system receives or identifies the physics based data for the corresponding manufacturing process by using the golden manufacturing process model. In some embodiments, the method or the system uses the physics based data to fine tune, modify, or adjust the golden manufacturing process model. In some embodiments, the method or the system invokes the just-right module. In some embodiments, the method or the system implements the compact manufacturing model and the correct-by-design module and provides guidelines for the various stages of the electronic circuit design. |
| US08136067B2 |
Method of design for manufacturing
Disclosed is a system and method for enhancing integrated circuit designs and predicting the manufacturability. Design for manufacturability, or DFM, is an integration of DFM advisories; a DFM data kit presented in a DFM unified format; and DFM utilities utilizing the DFM data kit and the DFM advisories for enhancing integrated circuit (IC) designing. |
| US08136064B2 |
Bijectively mapping character string to integer values in integrated circuit design data
A data processor which includes: a circuit data providing section which provides circuit data including a character string; a replacement section which bijectively maps the character string of the provided circuit data to integer values; and a data developer which executes data processing including hierarchical development with respect to the circuit data of the integer values obtained by the replacement section. |
| US08136063B2 |
Unfolding algorithm in multirate system folding
Methods and apparatuses to optimize a circuit representation using unfolding as a preprocessing of the multirate folding. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of a data flow graph representation of a circuit is optimized using circuit operation level before using optimizing with data flow algorithm and mapping the design onto hardware. In an aspect, the present invention discloses circuit operation level optimization for data flow graph representations with optimizing zero inputs caused by the upsamplers, or with optimizing unused outputs caused by the downsamplers. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, multirate data graph is converted to a single rate data graph before data flow optimizing. In an aspect, converting a multirate data graph to a single rate data graph comprises unfolding the multirate data graph with minimum unfolding factors that are inversely proportional to the clock values. |
| US08136060B1 |
Method and mechanism for identifying and tracking shape connectivity
A method and mechanism is disclosed for identifying and tracking nets in an electrical design. A hierarchical design does not have to be flattened to perform the operation of identifying and tracking nets. To identify sets of connected shapes, instead of having to unfold the entire design hierarchy, only the specific instances of shapes falling within the geometric bounds of shapes identified as being part of a net needs to be unfolded to perform the search. When composing the list of nets for a hierarchical design, the unfolded shapes at other hierarchical levels of the design can be derived based upon virtual terminal structures that implicitly references nets and objects at other levels. |
| US08136059B2 |
Indeterminate state logic insertion
Illustrative embodiments provide a computer-implemented method for resolving indeterminate states by inserting logic into a design. The computer-implemented method receives an original design input from a requester to form a received input and determines whether the received input contains an indeterminate output. Responsive to a determination that the received input contains an indeterminate output, the computer-implemented method generates a temporary design from the received input, wherein the temporary design contains “unique” output and all inputs, updates the temporary design, and synthesizes the original design and each temporary design individually to form a synthesized original design and a set of synthesized temporary designs. The computer-implemented method merges the synthesized original design with the set of synthesized temporary design to form a final design; and returns the final design to the requester. |
| US08136058B2 |
Method and system for representing geometrical layout design data in electronic design systems
A method and system of representing geometrical layout design data having a plurality of polygons in electronic design systems is provided. The method includes extracting topological characteristics data corresponding to one or more polygons to form one or more virtual topological polygon. Each virtual polygon is represented by Scan order (SO), with SO corresponding to order in which the vertices of polygon are encountered by a sweep line moving in predefined direction with a predefined angular orientation. The method further includes determining dimensional data corresponding to each polygon to form one or more sized polygons using one or more virtual topological polygon. Thereafter, the spatial data corresponding to each sized polygon is extracted to instantiate each sized polygon. |
| US08136055B2 |
Systems for real-time contamination, environmental, or physical monitoring of a photomask
Systems for real-time contamination, environmental, or physical monitoring of a photomask. The system includes an electronics package physically mounted to the photomask and a processing device in communication with the electronics package. The electronics package includes a sensor configured to monitor the attribute and generate sensor data. The processing device is configured to analyze the sensor data communicated from the electronics package to the processing device. |
| US08136052B2 |
Touch screen device and operating method thereof
A touch screen device and an operating method thereof are provided. The touch screen device is operated by touching a touch screen and moving a touch while the touch is maintained on the screen. A detector detects a touch point and a moving trajectory, and a controller selects a user command based on the detected touch point and moving trajectory. Then, when the user releases the touch, the controller executes the user command. User commands are classified and stored in a storage device and then executed by the controller based on operation modes associated with the device. A variety of user commands may be executed even though not all the menus are not displayed on the screen at once. Further, a user may cancel an erroneously entered user command quickly and easily. |
| US08136045B2 |
Multiple menus for use with a graphical user interface
An approach for using multiple menus with a graphical user interface is disclosed. A multiple menu comprises a menu panel with two or more selection regions, each of which is associated with a base menu. A user requests the menu panel without selecting a menu object displayed on a display unit, such as by right-clicking. The menu panel is displayed along with one base menu, and other base menus are displayed by the user moving the cursor to another selection region. The user selects a menu item from a base menu to cause the application to execute the function associated with the menu item. The selection regions of the menu panel do not include information describing the content of the associated base menus. By arranging the base menus around the menu panel, cursor movement is minimized to improve user efficiency in using the application. |
| US08136042B2 |
Local port browser interface
The present invention relates to KVM switches that contain both remote and local ports and provide a user of the local port with a similar WEB based interface experience as that experienced by the remote user. |
| US08136040B2 |
Audio variance for multiple windows
Systems and methods for varying the audio of multiple windows on a personal computer are provided. The windows may overlap in various configurations. These configurations may cause the audio associated with media playing in each media window that is overlapped to be varied in a number of different ways. The audios may be scaled in response to a set of user preferences. |
| US08136037B2 |
Assistant for manually proofreading text documents
A text document is parsed and re-ordered according to user-defined rules. The reordered text document is then presented to the user, thus requiring the user to read each section of the text document in a stand-alone manner. |
| US08136030B2 |
Method and system for managing music files
A computer system, including a display and a user-interface, for manipulating a plurality of music albums and songs with a method for organizing a plurality of music albums and songs, the method comprising displaying on the display a music album axis illustrating a plurality of juxtaposed user-selectable music albums, selecting a music album from the displayed music album axis, retrieving songs associated with the selected music album and displaying the retrieved songs along a song axis, the song axis being adapted to intersect the music album axis. A user graphical interface providing same and a system thereof are also provided. |
| US08136024B2 |
Optional memory error checking
A memory error checking system includes a controller that is operable to transmit memory signals and error check signals. A first memory device coupler is coupled to the controller and operable to couple to a first memory device. The first memory device coupler is operable to transmit the memory signals from the controller to the first memory device. A first error check device coupler is coupled to the contoller and operable to couple to a first error check device that is separate from the first memory device. The first error check device coupler is operable to transmit the error check signals from the controller to the first error check device to be used to error check the memory signals transmitted to the first memory device. |
| US08136020B2 |
Forward error correction CODEC
A present invention discloses a method for performing forward error correction (FEC) in long-haul submarine transmission systems. Data is encoded at a transmitter by serially concatenated, binary Bose-Ray-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) error correcting codes. The invention encodes a stream of data employing a plurality of serially concatenated, binary Bose-Ray-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) error correcting codes, arranging data into a frame of parallel data blocks (the outer frame) with redundancy bits appended by a BCH(3896, 3824) code; the outer frame is then interleaved to produce a frame of serial data blocks (the intermediate frame); and the final frame (the inner frame) is produced by appending the redundancy bits of the BCH(2040, 1952) code to the intermediate frame. The data, once encoded, is transmitted across a datapath and decoded at the receiver. |
| US08136019B2 |
Transparent envelope for XML messages
Transforming portions of a message to a destination via a communication protocol. A message is received. It is detected whether the received message includes an encoded envelope. The encoded envelope includes a stack defining parameters including information for handling the received message in an original format. If the received message includes the encoded envelope, the defined parameters are transformed to coded parameters in a common format. The coded parameters express the same information for handling the received message in the communication protocol. The encoded envelope is encapsulated in the received message, and the received message in the common format is delivered to the destination. If the received message does not include an encoded envelope, coded parameters are generated in the common format for the received message by encoding addressing information from the received message. The received message having the coded parameters in the common format is delivered to the destination. |
| US08136012B2 |
Method and system for updating topology changes of a computer network
A method for detecting topology changes of a computer network, includes the following steps of acquisition of the raw data from the configuration tables of the network elements during successive primary pollings, the following steps being carried out between two successive primary pollings: calculation and storage of a checksum value for each network element having raw data which are considered to be sensitive, at least one secondary polling, allowing the sensitive data to be retrieved again from each corresponding element, comparison of the previously-stored checksum value, at each secondary polling and for each element termed sensitive, with a new checksum value calculated with the new sensitive data, for each sensitive element, when the two checksum values differ, updating in a topology database only the topology data relative to the corresponding element. |
| US08136010B2 |
Apparatus for pipelined cyclic redundancy check circuit with multiple intermediate outputs
A CRC redundancy calculation circuit and a design structure including the circuit embodied in a machine readable medium are presented. The CRC redundancy calculation circuit is pipelined to run at high frequencies and configured to operate on an arbitrary multiple of the base granularity of the data packet. Additionally, the CRC redundancy calculation circuit provides the same multiple of outputs that provide intermediary output remainder values. Thus, for example, a circuit which processes 24 bytes of packet data per cycle and which the packets have a 4 byte granularity, the CRC redundancy calculation circuit provides 6 output remainder values, one for each 4 byte slice of data. |
| US08136009B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for error detection and arrangement for monitoring of a digital circuit
A circuit arrangement is formed as follows. A combinational circuit has n binary inputs E1, . . . , En for inputting n (n≧2) information bits x1, . . . , xn and m binary outputs for outputting m (m≧1) check bits c1, . . . , cm. The combinational circuit is configured for realizing a Boolean function ci=fi(xi1, . . . , xini) for i=1, . . . , m at the i-th output for determining a check bit ci, wherein the set {xi1, . . . , xini} at the ni information bits that determine the check bit ci is a subset of all n information bits {x1, . . . , xn}. The combinational circuit is furthermore configured for realizing a first Boolean function f1(x11, . . . , x1n1) of the form c1=f1(x11, . . . , x1n1)=f11(x11, x12) XOR f12(x13, x14) XOR . . . XOR f1k1(x1(n1−1), x1n1) at a first output for outputting a first check bit c1, wherein n1 is an even number where n1≧2 and 2 k1=n1 and the Boolean functions f11(x11, x12), . . . , f1k1(x1(n1−1), x1n1) are in each case nonlinear Boolean functions of two variables which can be realized by logic gates having two inputs and one output, wherein the logic gates each have a controlling value c11, . . . , c1k1. |
| US08136006B2 |
Turbo decoding apparatus and method
A turbo decoding method and apparatus for performing iterative decoding on a received signal is provided. A decoder receives a signal and an (N−1)th decoding result, performs Nth decoding thereon, and outputs first extrinsic information. A transformer reduces a bit width of the first extrinsic information output from the decoder and outputs second extrinsic information. A memory stores the second extrinsic information output from the transformer. A de-transformer de-transforms the second extrinsic information stored in the memory, to third extrinsic information having a same bit width as that of the first extrinsic information, and inputs the third extrinsic information to the decoder. |
| US08135998B2 |
Information processor and information processing method
There is provided an information processor capable of preventing an unintended operation from being caused by configuration information set in the information processor being updated even if the information processor such as a multi-function peripheral receives configuration information from outside during execution of a job, as well as capable of (1) making it possible to know that update has not been performed, (2) making it possible to externally confirm that update has not been performed and (3) updating the configuration information as soon as possible after the job ends; and an information processing method. If configuration information is inputted from an external device via an EthernetÒ 1008 or the like, the information processor included in a multi-function peripheral 1001 or the like determines whether the information processor is executing a job. If it is determined that the information processor is not executing a job, then the received configuration information is recorded and the configuration information is updated. If it is determined that the information processor is executing a job, then the receiving operation is terminated. |
| US08135995B2 |
Diagnostic data repository
Techniques for systematically gathering, organizing, and storing diagnostic data related to multiple monitored systems (e.g., multiple instances of a product or multiple products). A centralized repository is provided that is organized in a hierarchical manner to facilitate proper organization of the diagnostic data related to multiple monitored systems. In one embodiment, a root directory comprising one or more subdirectories is provided for storing diagnostic data collected for each monitored system. Multiple root directories may be provided under a common base directory for storing diagnostic data corresponding to multiple monitored systems. This enables correlation of diagnostic data across multiple monitored systems. |
| US08135985B2 |
High availability support for virtual machines
A computer implemented method, a tangible computer storage medium, and a data processing system provide high availability support for virtual machines in a logical partitioned platform. A monitoring system detect a failure in the virtual machine. Partition management firmware then restarts the virtual machine in a consistency failover image node utilizing a consistency failover image. If a subsequent failure of the virtual machine is detected within a predetermined time, partition management firmware restarts the virtual machine in a boot failover image node utilizing a boot failover image. |
| US08135980B2 |
Storage availability using cryptographic splitting
A secure storage appliance is disclosed, along with methods of storing and reading data in a secure storage network. In one aspect, a method includes assigning a volume to a primary secure storage appliance located in a secure data storage network, the secure data storage network including a plurality of secure data paths between the primary secure storage appliance and a client device and a plurality of secure data paths between the secure storage appliance and a plurality of storage systems, the volume corresponding to physical storage at each of the plurality of storage systems. The method also includes detecting a connectivity problem on at least one of the secure data paths. The method further includes assessing whether to reassign the volume to a different secure storage appliance based upon the connectivity problem. |
| US08135971B2 |
Data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus includes a CPU including a register, a cache memory, a main memory configured to exchange data with the cache memory, a control part configured to control the exchanging of data between the main memory and the cache memory, and a power supply part configured to supply power to the register, the cache memory, and the main memory. The register, the cache memory, and the main memory are each configured to store data and maintain the stored data therein without being supplied with the power from the power supply part. The control part is configured to stop the CPU from accessing the register, the cache memory, and the main memory where an abnormality occurs in the power supply part. |
| US08135970B2 |
Microprocessor that performs adaptive power throttling
A microprocessor that performs adaptive power throttling includes a calculation unit that calculates an average power consumed by the microprocessor over a most recent predetermined sample time and determines whether the average power is less than a predetermined maximum power value. A power management unit controls the microprocessor to conditionally operate at a predetermined frequency if the average power is less than the predetermined maximum power value. The predetermined frequency is a frequency at which the microprocessor may consume more than the predetermined maximum power value. The predetermined maximum power value and sample time are specified to achieve power and/or thermal design goals of a system in which the microprocessor operates. The predetermined maximum power and/or sample time values are programmable by system software. To maintain a running average power value, a counter is incremented, both in sleeping and running states, by different increments depending upon the current performance point. |
| US08135968B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus including power management integrated circuit
Provided is a semiconductor apparatus including a power management integrated circuit. The semiconductor apparatus includes an application processor and a voltage management integrated circuit. The application processor outputs clock information on an operation clock signal, and includes a core circuit. The voltage management integrated circuit receives the clock information from the application processor, and generates and outputs a core voltage having a voltage level corresponding to the clock information in response to the clock information. The operation clock signal is a clock signal, which has a variable frequency and is input to the core circuit of the application processor. |
| US08135966B2 |
Method and device for power management
A device and method for power management. The method includes receiving an indication about a load of a circuit, determining at least one long-term activation parameter in view of a circuit load pattern during at least one long period; determining at least one short-term activation parameter in response to an expected short period load change of the circuit; and providing least one clock signal and at least one supply voltage in response to the long-term activation parameter and in response to the short-term supply parameter. |
| US08135962B2 |
System and method providing region-granular, hardware-controlled memory encryption
A memory, system, and method for providing security for data stored within a memory and arranged within a plurality of memory regions. The method includes receiving an address within a selected memory region and using the address to access an encryption indicator. The encryption indicator indicates whether data stored in the selected memory page are encrypted. The method also includes receiving a block of data from the selected memory region and the encryption indicator and decrypting the block of data dependent upon the encryption indicator. |
| US08135960B2 |
Multiprocessor electronic circuit including a plurality of processors and electronic data processing system
A multiprocessor electronic circuit and an electronic data processing system comprising such circuit are disclosed for reducing the power consumption and the chip area consumption of a multiprocessor system having cryptographic functionality. In one embodiment, the multiprocessor electronic circuit comprises a plurality of processors, a single cryptographic processing unit that comprises a plurality of input/output buffer pairs and two cryptographic engines, a cipher engine and a hash engine, and associated control logic. |
| US08135955B2 |
Device and method for detecting a manipulation of an information signal
The present invention relates to a device for detecting a manipulation of an information signal, having an extractor for extracting an information signal component characteristic for the information signal from the information signal, an encrypter for encrypting the information signal component to obtain an encrypted signal, and a comparator for comparing the encrypted signal to a reference signal, wherein the reference signal is an encrypted representation of a non-manipulated reference signal component of a reference information signal to detect the manipulation. |
| US08135950B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing digital certificates
Method and apparatus for managing digital certificates are described herein. In one embodiment, an encryption certificate is extracted from an email received from an owner of the encryption certificate, where the encryption certificate being issued from a trusted party other than the owner. Then the encryption certificate is associated with an entry of a directory based on an identity (ID) of the owner, where the directory provides directory services to one or more email servers. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08135948B2 |
Method and system for transparently encrypting sensitive information
A method for transparently encrypting sensitive information, comprising detecting at least one literal in a database command that includes sensitive information. The literal is extracted from the database command. The literal is encrypted thereby forming an encrypted string. The literal is replaced by the encrypted string in the database command. |
| US08135947B1 |
Interconnect device to enable compliance with rights management restrictions
The present invention provides an interconnect device that connects a source device to a destination device, and allows the source device's non-compliant rights management (RM) interface to deliver media content with little or no restriction to the destination device's compliant RM interface. |
| US08135945B2 |
Flexible boot methods for multi-processor devices
A method for booting a processing device, the processing device comprising a first and a second processing unit, the method comprising: detecting by the first processing unit, whether at least one boot configuration parameter is accessible from a non-volatile storage medium of the processing device, the at least one configuration parameter being indicative of a boot interface; if said at least one configuration parameter is available, forwarding at least a part of the detected at least one configuration parameter by the first processing unit to the second processing unit; otherwise detecting by at least one of the first and second processing units whether a boot interface is available to the processing device; booting at least the second processing unit from the indicated or detected boot interface. |
| US08135940B2 |
Method of rotating data in a plurality of processing elements
A method of rotating data in a plurality of processing elements comprises a plurality of shifting operations and a plurality of storing operations, with the shifting and storing operations coordinated to enable a three shears operation to be performed on the data. The plurality of storing operations is responsive to the processing element's positions. |
| US08135936B2 |
Adaptive address mapping with dynamic runtime memory mapping selection
A system monitors and dynamically changes memory mapping in a runtime of a computing system. The computing system has various memory resources, and multiple possible mappings that indicate how data is to be stored in and subsequently accessed from the memory resources. The performance of each memory mapping may be different under different runtime or load conditions of the computing device. A memory controller can monitor runtime performance of the current memory mapping and dynamically change memory mappings at runtime based on monitored or observed performance of the memory mappings. The performance monitoring can be modified for any of a number of different granularities possible within the system, from the byte level to memory channel. |
| US08135933B2 |
Adaptive memory system for enhancing the performance of an external computing device
An adaptive memory system is provided for improving the performance of an external computing device. The adaptive memory system includes a single controller, a first memory type (e.g., Static Random Access Memory or SRAM), a second memory type (e.g., Dynamic Random Access Memory or DRAM), a third memory type (e.g., Flash), an internal bus system, and an external bus interface. The single controller is configured to: (i) communicate with all three memory types using the internal bus system; (ii) communicate with the external computing device using the external bus interface; and (iii) allocate cache-data storage assignment to a storage space within the first memory type, and after the storage space within the first memory type is determined to be full, allocate cache-data storage assignment to a storage space within the second memory type. |
| US08135932B2 |
Initializing of a memory area
A method for initializing a memory area, the method includes: receiving a request to access a first memory sub of a first memory area that comprises multiple memory sub areas; and initializing the first memory sub area if a first memory area initialization indicator differs from a first memory sub area initialization request indicator; wherein the first memory area initialization request indicator is a multiple bit variable indicative of a time of a last request to initialize the first memory area and the first memory sub area initialization indicator is a multiple bit variation indicative of a time of a request to initialize the first memory area that resulted in a last initialization of the first memory sub area. |
| US08135925B2 |
Methods of operating a memory system
Methods of operating a memory system are useful in facilitating access to data. Where repetitive data patterns are detected among portions of received data, and an indication is provided, a portion of the data may be stored and/or subsequently retrieved without having to store and/or retrieve, respectively, all portions of the data. |
| US08135924B2 |
Data storage device driver
A method, system, and computer usable program product for an improved data storage device driver are provided in the illustrative embodiments. For managing an elevator queue, several requests are stored in the elevator queue. A determination is made whether the elevator queue is sorted. A number of requests in the elevator queue is determined if the elevator queue is unsorted. The unsorted elevator queue is monitored. Reaching a threshold condition in the unsorted elevator queue is detected. Sorting of the unsorted elevator queue is initiated. The requests may be I/O requests for a data storage device. The elevator queue may be sorted according to an ascending or descending order of data block addresses in the requests. The monitoring may monitor a remaining number of unsorted requests in the elevator queue as requests are removed from the elevator queue. The threshold condition may be associated with a threshold value. |
| US08135921B2 |
Automated paging device management in a shared memory partition data processing system
Automated paging device management is provided for a shared memory partition data processing system. The automated approach includes managing a paging storage pool defined within one or more storage devices for holding logical memory pages external to physical memory managed by a hypervisor of the processing system. The managing includes: responsive to creation of a logical partition within the processing system, automatically defining a logical volume in the paging storage pool for use as a paging device for the new logical partition, the automatically defining occurring absent use of a filesystem, with the resultant paging device being other than a file in a filesystem; and automatically specifying the logical volume as a paging space device for the new logical partition and binding the paging space device to the new logical partition, wherein the logical volume is sized to accommodate a defined maximum memory size of the new logical partition. |
| US08135920B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling the access operation by a plurality of data processing devices to a memory
In an apparatus for controlling the access operation by a plurality of data processing devices to a memory, each data processing device (10, 11, 12) is assigned a respective address region which indicates the part of the addresses of the memory (13) which the respective data processing device can access. A control device (21) blocks an access operation by a data processing device to the memory (13) if the access operation address is not located in the address region which is assigned to the respective data processing device (10, 11, 12). |
| US08135919B2 |
Operation control of a shared memory partitioned into multiple storage areas
A method of controlling a shared memory and a user terminal controlling the operation of the shared memory are disclosed. The portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention has a memory unit with a storage area partitioned to blocks in a quantity of n and a plurality of processors reading or writing data by accessing a partitioned block. At least one of the partitioned blocks is assigned as a common storage area, accessible by a processor having an access privilege, and the processor having the access privilege performs an operation of maintaining the data stored in the common storage area. With the present invention, the common storage area can be accessed by a plurality of processors, and thus the data transmission time between the processors can be minimized. |
| US08135918B1 |
Data de-duplication for iSCSI
Redundant data is identified and eliminated in a network that implements the iSCSI protocol either in-band at the source, in-band at the target, or out-of-band at the target. For in-band de-duplication, a data block included with a write command is assigned a unique identifier that is compared to a database of unique identifiers corresponding to previously written data. If the unique identifier is identical to an existing unique identifier, this indicates that the data block is redundant and has previously been stored elsewhere, in which case it is not stored again. Instead, the storage address specified in the write command may be added to a routing table showing the equivalence of unique identifiers, actual storage addresses, and duplicate storage addresses. When a read request specifying a duplicate storage address is received, the duplicate storage address can be translated to a corresponding unique identifier which points to the actual storage address. |
| US08135916B1 |
Method and apparatus for hardware-configurable multi-policy coherence protocol
A processor includes a first level of cache memory and a first set of instructions configured to implement a first cache coherency protocol. The processor also includes a second set of instructions configured to implement a second cache coherency protocol and a cache coherency protocol selector having at least two choice-states. The processor further includes a cache coherency implementer configured to implement the first cache coherency protocol or the second cache coherency with respect to the first level of cache memory based on a selected choice-state of the cache coherency protocol selector. |
| US08135915B2 |
Method and apparatus for hardware assistance for prefetching a pointer to a data structure identified by a prefetch indicator
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing hardware assistance to prefetch data during execution of code by a process or in the data processing system. In response to loading an instruction in the code into a cache, a determination is made by a processor unit as to whether a prefetch indicator is associated with the instruction. In response to the prefetch indicator being associated with the instruction, a pointer to a data structure identified by the prefetch indicator is selectively prefetched into the cache in the processor. |
| US08135914B2 |
Managing cache data and metadata
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for managing cache metadata providing a mapping between addresses on a storage medium (e.g., disk storage) and corresponding addresses on a cache device at data items are stored. In some embodiments, cache metadata may be stored in a hierarchical data structure comprising a plurality of hierarchy levels. When a reboot of the computer is initiated, only a subset of the plurality of hierarchy levels may be loaded to memory, thereby expediting the process of restoring the cache metadata and thus startup operations. Startup may be further expedited by using cache metadata to perform operations associated with reboot. Thereafter, as requests to read data items on the storage medium are processed using cache metadata to identify addresses at which the data items are stored in cache, the identified addresses may be stored in memory. When the computer is later shut down, instead of having to transfer the entirety of the cache metadata from memory to storage, only the subset of the plurality of hierarchy levels and/or the identified addresses previously loaded to memory may be transferred (e.g., to the cache device), thereby expediting the shutdown of the computer. |
| US08135912B2 |
System and method of increasing cache size
A system and method for increasing cache size is provided. Generally, the system contains a storage device having storage blocks therein and a memory. A processor is also provided, which is configured by the memory to perform the steps of: categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a first category of storage blocks if the storage blocks that are available to the system for storing data when needed; categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a second category of storage blocks if the storage blocks contain application data therein; and categorizing storage blocks within the storage device as within a third category of storage blocks if the storage blocks are storing cached data and are available for storing application data if no first category of storage blocks are available to the system. |
| US08135910B2 |
Bandwidth of a cache directory by slicing the cache directory into two smaller cache directories and replicating snooping logic for each sliced cache directory
A cache, system and method for improving the snoop bandwidth of a cache directory. A cache directory may be sliced into two smaller cache directories each with its own snooping logic. By having two cache directories that can be accessed simultaneously, the bandwidth can be essentially doubled. Furthermore, a “frequency matcher” may shift the cycle speed to a lower speed upon receiving snoop addresses from the interconnect thereby slowing down the rate at which requests are transmitted to the dispatch pipelines. Each dispatch pipeline is coupled to a sliced cache directory and is configured to search the cache directory to determine if data at the received addresses is stored in the cache memory. As a result of slowing down the rate at which requests are transmitted to the dispatch pipelines and accessing the two sliced cache directories simultaneously, the bandwidth or throughput of the cache directory may be improved. |
| US08135909B2 |
System for starting a preload of a second program while a first program is executing
A program is divided into unified units, and necessary instructions are downloaded for each of the unified units in advance from a main memory to a cache memory before a processor executes the instructions, to thereby reduce occurrence of a miss hit. If a miss hit occurs, an application program is switched to another one to conceal the miss hit penalty, to thereby enhance the serviceability of programs and thus achieve real time processing while swapping instructions. |
| US08135903B1 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory compressing data to improve performance
A non-volatile semiconductor memory is disclosed comprising a plurality of paired pages, wherein each pair comprises a first page and a second page. A write command is received from a host comprising write data and a write address. The write address is mapped to a physical address of a selected one of the paired memory pages. The write data is compressed to generate compressed data, and when the compressed data fits in one of the pages of the selected pair, the compressed data is stored in the first page and in the second page of the selected pair in an S-mode. |
| US08135902B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive, information processing apparatus and management method of storage area in nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller which controls a process of writing and reading data with respect to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The controller includes a compaction control module which acquires free groups set in an unused state by rearranging valid data scattered in n groups in groups of a number not larger than n−1 when the number of free groups remaining in a plurality of groups formed as a storage area management unit of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory becomes not larger than a predetermined number, and a compression control module which acquires free groups by compressing stored data in m groups in which access to stored valid data has not been made for a period longer than a predetermined period and rearranging the compressed data in groups of a number not larger than m−1. |
| US08135901B2 |
Solid state memory (SSM), computer system including an SSM, and method of operating an SSM
In one aspect, a determination is made as whether partition metadata of a solid state memory has changed, and if so, the partition metadata is analyzed to locate invalid data stored in the solid state memory. This analysis may include determining that a file system type of a partition has changed, and invalidating data in response to the changed file system type. Alternately, or in addition, the analysis may include determining that a partition has changed, and invalidating data in response to the changed partition. |
| US08135900B2 |
Integrated memory management and memory management method
An integrated memory management device according to an example of the invention comprises an acquiring unit acquiring a read destination logical address from a processor, an address conversion unit converting the read destination logical address into a read destination physical address of a non-volatile main memory, an access unit reading, from the non-volatile main memory, data that corresponds to the read destination physical address and has a size that is equal to a block size or an integer multiple of the page size of the non-volatile main memory, and transmission unit transferring the read data to a cache memory of the processor having a cache size that depends on the block size or the integer multiple of the page size of the non-volatile main memory. |
| US08135893B2 |
System, apparatus and method for granting access to a shared communications bus
Systems, apparatuses and methods for timing access to a shared communications bus by a plurality of devices. Each of a plurality of nodes is successively provided an opportunity to gain access to a shared bus according to a time slot allocation referenced from a time reference. The successive time slot allocation occurs until one of the nodes has a message to send via the shared bus. The node that has the message to send transmits a frame onto the bus. A new time reference is established at each of the nodes based on an indication provided by the transmitted frame, whereby each of the nodes can then be afforded a new opportunity to gain access to the shared bus according to the time slot allocation referenced from the new time reference. |
| US08135891B2 |
Method and system for transferring button status information between a media player and an accessory
A method, system, and connector interface for transferring status information between a media player and an accessory. The method includes determining, by the accessory, when a button event occurs; and transmitting, by the accessory, at least one button status command to the media player, where the one or more button status commands comprise a context-specific button status command and at least one command associated with a particular media type. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to facilitate the transfer of status information. |
| US08135889B2 |
Direct connection single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays
Methods, systems, and devices providing single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays. Direct communication links to multiple computers are provided to automatically transmit peripheral computer device position and peripheral computer device commands to one of the multiple computers using, for example, a single computer mouse and/or a single computer keyboard device, based on a configuration map which maps mouse position to display position of the multiple computers and displays as the current mouse position is automatically tracked. |
| US08135888B2 |
Translation module to facilitate control of TV using home network controller
A module interconnects a home network controller and a TV and translates signals from the controller into a non-infrared (IR) protocol understandable by the TV. The module is also useful to send software updates to the TV, and/or to query the TV for diagnostic information. |
| US08135887B2 |
Relay, entertainment apparatus, communication system, communication method, and program
A relay unit (70) is used to connect one or a plurality of manipulation terminals or external storage units to an entertainment apparatus. The entertainment apparatus (10) has a first mode and a second mode as operation modes. The relay unit includes a first relay processing unit (200-1) for the first mode, a second relay processing unit (200-2) for the second mode, and a control signal generator (201) configured to generate a control signal based on a selection signal externally entered. The relay unit (70) carries out relay processing for the first mode when the entertainment apparatus (10) is operating in the first mode, and carries out relay processing for the second mode when the entertainment apparatus (10) is operating in the second mode. |
| US08135886B2 |
Instruction set for programmable queuing
A traffic manager includes an execution unit that is responsive to instructions related to queuing of data in memory. The instructions may be provided by a network processor that is programmed to generate such instructions, depending on the data. Examples of such instructions include (1) writing of data units (of fixed size or variable size) without linking to a queue, (2) re-sequencing of the data units relative to one another without moving the data units in memory, and (3) linking the previously-written data units to a queue. The network processor and traffic manager may be implemented in a single chip. |
| US08135883B2 |
USB hub apparatus supporting multiple high speed devices and a single super speed device
Hub apparatus that supports multiple high speed devices and a super speed device. The hub apparatus may include at least one upstream port for coupling to a host device and at least one downstream port for coupling to at least one downstream device. The hub apparatus may further include an embedded device as well as an internal hub coupled to the upstream port, the embedded device, and the at least one downstream port. The internal hub may be configured to provide a connection between the host device and the embedded device at a first speed (e.g., USB high speed). However, when supported by the host device, the embedded device may communicate with the host device at a higher speed than the first speed (e.g., USB super speed), e.g., without using the internal hub. |
| US08135882B2 |
Apparatus and managing method using a preset policy based on an invalidated I/O path by using configuration information acquired from storage system
In order to appropriately manage configuration information acquired from a storage system for the purpose of performance management, etc., an information processing apparatus managing the configuration information, i.e., information indicative of a configuration of resources making up the storage system in a database, detects a change in setting of an I/O path to extract resources making up an invalidated I/O path, which is the I/O path subject to the change, as monitoring object resources, acquires performance information that is information indicative of operation statuses of the monitoring object resources from the storage system, judges whether the performance information of the monitoring object resource matches a preset policy, determines a timing to make invalidated configuration information, which is the configuration information related to the invalidated I/O path, deletable from the storage device based on the result of the judgement, and deletes the invalidated configuration information from the database when the determined timing comes. |
| US08135879B2 |
Four-slot asynchronous communication mechanism with increased throughput
System and method for a four-slot asynchronous communication mechanism with increased throughput. The system may include a host system and a client device. The host may comprise a data structure with four (two pairs of) slots and first information indicating a status of read operations from the data structure by the host. The client may read the first information from the host. The client may read second information from a local memory. The second information may indicate a status of write operations to the data structure by the client. The client may determine a slot of the data structure to be written. The slot may be determined based on the first information and the second information and may be the slot which has not been written to more recently of the pair of slots which has not been read from most recently. The client may increment a value of a counter. The value of the counter may be useable to indicate which slot has been written to most recently. The client may write data to the determined slot in the data structure on the host. The data may include the value of the counter. The client may update the second information in the local memory to indicate that the determined slot has been written to most recently. |
| US08135878B1 |
Method and apparatus for improving throughput on a common bus
A bus scheduling device having a group of direct memory access (“DMA”) engines, a group of target modules (“TM”), a read pending memory, and a bus arbiter is disclosed. A common bus, which is coupled with the DMA engines, TMs, and the read pending memory, is employed in the device for data transmission. DMA engines are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from TMs via the common bus. The read pending memory is capable of storing information indicating the read status of the DMA engines. The arbiter or bus arbiter arbitrates bus access in response to a bus allocation scheme and the information stored in the read pending memory. |
| US08135876B2 |
Identifying when a USB self-powered device is connected to a medical device by triggering an alert about a potential risk to patient
This patent application relates generally to identifying a self-powered device connected to a medical device. |
| US08135873B2 |
Information processing device for performing information exchange between a PCI express bus and a non-PCI express bus interface
An information processing device includes: an address converter including a base address register in which address conversion information is stored and a conversion circuit that converts a PCI Express standard bus address of an inputted packet to a non-PCI Express standard bus address; and a packet generator. When first configuration information of a first device that has a device-unique unique address, is connected to a non-PCI Express standard bus and is unaware of the unique address is stored, the packet generator generates an address setting-use configuration write request packet, and when second configuration information including change information for changing the base address register to a base address register of a second device where at least one of an address width and an internal memory address is a device-unique unique value, the packet generator generates a change setting-use configuration write request packet and outputs the generated packet to the address converter. |
| US08135871B2 |
Computer system and control method of the same
A computer system includes an information processing apparatus configured to incorporate a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) command into a CBW (Command Block Wrapper), and transmits the CBW based on USB (Universal Serial Bus) protocol; and a peripheral apparatus configured to receive the CBW transmitted from the information processing apparatus, and transmit a value of a predetermined register indicating a state of a GPIO (general purpose input/output) interface to the information processing apparatus, when the SCSI command is a predetermined SCSI command. The information processing apparatus may issue the SCSI command based on an application program. The peripheral apparatus carries out a process corresponding to the SCSI command when the SCSI command is not the predetermined SCSI command. |
| US08135869B2 |
Task scheduling to devices with same connection address
Methods of scheduling tasks in computer systems architectures are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include comparing a connection address of a first node with a connection address of a second node, determining that the connection address of the first node matches the connection address of the second node, and scheduling tasks to the first and second nodes based, at least in part, on the determination. Apparatus to implement task scheduling, and systems including the apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US08135866B2 |
System and method for detecting and processing stale messages
A system and method for handling stale messages is presented. A first message is transmitted to a peer entity. The first message includes a first timestamp. A second message is received from the peer entity. The second message is related to the first message and includes a second timestamp. A third message is received from the peer entity. The third message includes a third timestamp. A staleness of the third message is determined using the first timestamp, second timestamp, and third timestamp. When the third message is stale, the third message is at least one of ignored and discarded. When the third message is not stale, the third message may be processed. |
| US08135865B2 |
Synchronization and transfer of digital media items
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for synchronizing and transferring digital media items. One or more media items are received, from a network operating environment, at a first device. A first media database on the first device, including metadata associated with the media items, is synchronized with a second media database on a second device. The one or more media items are moved from the first device to the second device. The one or more media items are copied from the second device to the first device. |
| US08135864B2 |
Mechanism for sharing web based imaging information from a unix terminal computing environment
The method of the present invention is capable of providing distributed imaging capability to a user of a computing device within a UNIX printing environment. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output are provided by the present invention. Document design and image data are associated with the originating user. Generic access instructions cause associated document data to be retrieved or stored in accordance with the present invention. Multiple documents and output devices may be employed to accomplish the requesting user's needs. Further, interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring may be utilized. |
| US08135857B1 |
Centralized configuration of a multi-chassis router
A multi-chassis router allows an administrator to distribute configuration data from a single user interface. Additionally, the multi-chassis router presents a software image consistent with that of a standalone router and uses configuration data syntax that is consistent with that of a standalone router. The multi-chassis router automatically distributes and validates relevant configuration data at each chassis within the multi-chassis router. In effect, an administrator does not need to account for the multiple chassis configuration, and an administrator familiar with the configuration data syntax for a standalone router can use that knowledge to configure the multi-chassis router. |
| US08135852B2 |
Data streaming system and method
A data streaming system and method typically use a server arranged to stream one of a plurality of encoded data streams to a client. Each of the plurality of data streams may be an independent representation of a common data source encoded at a different resolution to the other of the plurality of data streams. The server can include a transmitter and a first buffer. The transmitter can be arranged to transmit data packets of the encoded data stream to the client via the first buffer. The transmitter can be arranged to monitor the content of the first buffer and switch to transmit another of the plurality of data streams in the event that predetermined criteria are detected from the first buffer. |
| US08135846B2 |
Communication between call controllers by amending call processing messages
Call Control entities in a network communicate between themselves by amending call processing messages to include encrypted network information. As such, a call may be established whose path through the network is dependent on the paths of other calls. Information of a scope larger than a Call Controller normally possesses can, as a result of this communication, be made available to Call Controllers for constraining call establishment. This information could relate to other calls and connections associated with those other calls. The information may also relate to gateways in and to adjacent networks and the Call Controllers in the adjacent networks that are related to the current Call Controller. |
| US08135842B1 |
Internet jack
The claimed invention herein provides a simple, economical, and safe way to connect a new class of Internet-ready devices and appliances to the Internet without the use of a personal computer (PC). The claimed invention herein provides an Internet dial-tone, so to speak, to applications ranging from toys and entertainment consoles to electronic books and health equipment just as a traditional telephone jack provides a plain old telephone system (POTS) dial-tone for phones, modems, and fax machines. The invention herein features a modem, network stack, and application protocols alleviating the need for sophisticated logic within attached devices. With one-touch, appliances can quickly and easily connect to the Internet. |
| US08135840B2 |
Systems and methods for directing content requests to servers
A method of delivering content to a client includes receiving a request for the content from the client at a first server, determining the size of the content, and determining an optimal server to provide the content. The method further includes redirecting the client to the optimal server when the size of the content is above a threshold. |
| US08135839B1 |
System and method for locking exclusive access to a divided resource
A method of locking exclusive access to a divided computer resource that may be access by more than one different is disclosed. A computer resource that is divided into more than one piece may require exclusive access to all the individual portions before the computer resource may be used. If more than one client system attempts to access such a divided computer resource, a deadlock situation may occur. To prevent such a deadlock situation, each client that attempts to access the divided resource will issue a globally unique identifier to the divided resource. If more than one client system attempts to access portions of the same computer resource then the globally unique identifier will be used to arbitrate disputes and thus prevent deadlock. |
| US08135837B2 |
UPnP QoS network system and method for reserving path and resource
A universal plug and play quality of service (UPnP QoS) network system and a method of reserving a path and resource thereof are provided. In order to set a path from a source device to a target device and to clearly control reservation of network resources for setting the path, the UPnP QoS network system includes: one or more UPnP QoS execution devices collecting and providing network status information and performing QoS for a service requested by reserving network resources based on path information and resource reservation information; and one or more UPnP QoS management devices acquiring and providing the path information and the resource reservation information to the UPnP QoS execution device by considering a QoS rank for the requested service and the network status information provided by the UPnP QoS execution device. Accordingly, since the path calculated by the UPnP QoS management device is the same as the path through which the UPnP QoS execution device reserves the network resources, it is possible to reserve suitable network resources and to provide stable QoS. |
| US08135831B2 |
System, method and apparatus for use in monitoring or controlling internet access
An apparatus method and system are described for categorizing Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) when accessing the Internet 20 from a client 12. A request message 500 is generated to request categorization of a specified URL, and a category is provided in a reply message 600. The specified URL and the category are added to a category cache. In a second or subsequent instance of a URL request referring to the specified URL, the category is determined from the category cache. This reduces communication traffic in a network such as the Internet 20. |
| US08135826B2 |
Information processing system
The present invention provides a technique capable of generating and providing information in which various elements are associated with one another in accordance with situations. An information processing system has a server and a plurality of terminals. Each of the terminals obtains element associated information obtained by associating elements belonging to items included in a plurality of element items and transmits the element associated information to the server. The server receives the element associated information from each of the terminals. In the case where one or more terminals included in the plurality of terminals satisfies a specific condition, the server generates network information obtained by associating elements belonging to the items between the items on the basis of one or more pieces of element associated information received from the one or more terminals. |
| US08135825B2 |
Method for loading and managing an application on mobile equipment
A method for loading and managing a software application in a mobile equipment intended to receive digital data of mobile television services broadcasted via a unidirectional mobile network comprising system software stored in a memory and at least one security module. The application is associated with broadcasted mobile television services of the DVB-H type. The method, comprises a previous step of transmitting, at connection of the mobile equipment to a bidirectional mobile network, identification data of the mobile equipment and of the security module to the managing center, and a further step of reading by the system software of the mobile equipment a descriptor stored in the security module designating a server of the managing center suitable for providing the mobile equipment with the application or an update of said application by downloading into said mobile equipment via the bidirectional mobile network. The invention further includes a security module for mobile equipment containing at least one descriptor designating a server of a managing center suitable for providing the mobile equipment with an application or an update of said application by downloading into said mobile equipment. |
| US08135824B2 |
Method and system to detect a network deficiency
A system to detect a network deficiency, in one example embodiment, comprises a receiving module to receive utilization metrics of at least one network resource, wherein the utilization metrics are collected and made available at a network level, an aggregator to aggregate the utilization metrics of at least one network resource with the utilization metrics of a plurality of the network resources, a processing module to determine a level of aggregated utilization metrics of the network resources, and a detecting module to detect a precursor indicative of a network traffic deterioration based on the level of the aggregated utilization metrics. |
| US08135822B2 |
Reporting events from multiple WS-enabled devices
Techniques for reporting events that occur on a plurality of Web Services (WS)-enabled devices are provided. A service agent executes on a node that is separate from the plurality of WS-enabled devices. The service agent receives an event notification message from a particular device of the plurality of WS-enabled devices. The event notification message indicates an event that occurred on the particular device. In response to receiving the event notification message, the service agent examines a mapping table that maps event types to one or more devices that are to be notified when the corresponding event occurs. The service agent then sends a message about the event to each of the one or more devices. |
| US08135816B2 |
Coordinating rendezvous of multiple virtual users across multiple distributed devices
The present invention provides the ability to synchronize or rendezvous multiple virtual users across multiple distributed devices in a load testing tool with reduced network message exchange between devices. |
| US08135814B2 |
Network capacity management system
The present invention discusses a computerized method for managing a communication network through processing data used in a Capacity Management System (CMS) associated with the communication network. A configurable grammar, such as an XML grammar with regular expressions, is used to implement various aspects of network management. Data management includes pre-processing data (transferring data, decompressing data, parsing data), loading data into a relational database, and data analysis. Results of data analysis can be used to determine a network condition, and thereby to enable network management. |
| US08135813B2 |
Method, system and program product for remotely deploying and automatically customizing workstation images
A method, system and program product for remotely deploying and automatically customizing workstation images. A client's first partition receives a workstation image deployed from a server in communication with the client via a network. The image includes a customization script. The server remotely boots the client, which is pre-configured to be booted by the server via the network. The server writes a customization parameter to the client's shared partition. The shared partition has a file system type that is accessible by the server via the remote boot and by the deployed image. One or more subsequent reboots of the client include the deployed image obtaining the customization parameter from the shared partition, identifying the customization script by using the customization parameter, and executing the customization script to automatically customize the client. |
| US08135811B2 |
Client device configuration with configuration services providers
Configuring a client device, including receiving, from a manufacturer, a configuration bundle for a client device, receiving, from a vendor, vendor provided configuration parameters for the client device, receiving, from a user, user provided configuration parameters for the client device, and associating the vendor provided configuration parameters and the user provided configuration parameters with the configuration bundle for the client device; thereby producing an associated configuration bundle for the client device. |
| US08135810B2 |
IPMI server management system and method
An intelligent platform management interface (IPMI) server management system includes a managing side and a plurality of managed sides. The managed sides includes at least on active IPMI managed sides, wherein each of the active IPMI managed side actively provides its service information to the managing side so as to establish a first list, and then the managing side searches out the managed sides which are not on the first list one by one so as to establish a second list. Therefore, the IPMI server management system may effectively sort out the managed sides which are available for application. |
| US08135808B2 |
Automated provisioning system
An automated provisioning system for provisioning a service or device in a communications network, which system comprises a listener (2) adapted to receive a request from a user and a driver adapted to control operation of the service or device. The driver supports a describe operation, which enumerates which operations are available for the user and co-operates with a control processor (22), which mediates between the driver and a data store holding information on which operations are available for the user. When a request to provision an available operation is received, the control processor (22) mediates between the data store and driver to determine what information is required to provision the service or device and to permit the driver to provision the service or device. The system dispenses with the table driven approach of known systems. |
| US08135803B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for offline advertisement servicing and cycling
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for servicing advertisements for offline display on mobile devices are provided. In a first aspect, a channel is received at a mobile device server from one or more providers, including a first web page, an advertiser web page, and an advertisement image file. The received channel is transmitted to the mobile device. In an offline mode, when displayed, the first web page includes an image contained by the advertisement image file. A user viewing the first web page on the mobile device can select the displayed image of the advertisement image file to traverse a link to cause the advertiser page to be displayed on the mobile device. In another aspect, a plurality of advertisement image files are received and stored at a mobile device. The display of the advertisement images on a first web page is cycled each time the first web page is displayed on the mobile device. |
| US08135801B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for management of information content for enhanced accessibility over wireless communication networks
Information content is managed in a network-based communication system by providing a first web site accessible to a user of the system. The first web site is configured to permit the user to designate at least one data source. A second web site is generated that is accessible independently of the first web site via one or more mobile devices over a wireless network of the communication system, with the second web site being configured to receive data automatically from the data source designated by the user at the first web site. The first and second web sites may comprise respective content management and mobile web sites, or other types of web-based interfaces. Other aspects of the invention relate to permitting a first user to designate a plurality of other users that will share access to content with the first user via the second web site, in accordance with accessibility rules established by the first user via the first web site. |
| US08135799B2 |
Electronic media download and distribution using real-time message matching and concatenation
Methods for distributing content, which may include requesting a download of particular content; wherein the particular content is combined with additional content not specifically requested; storing the particular content and the additional content in a user's content play device; receiving a user request to play the particular content; determining whether the additional content has expired; if it is not determined that the additional content has expired, in response to user request to play the particular content, playing the particular content on the content play device and the additional content; and if it is determined that the additional content has expired, in response to user request to play the particular content, playing the particular content on the content play device without playing the additional content. Also described are systems for providing content and devices for playing content and various other embodiments. |
| US08135798B2 |
Over-the-air device services and management
An over-the-air device services and management system includes a web applications server for providing a software download service, an account management server for providing an account maintenance service, and a synchronization server for providing a data management service. The suite of services offered by these servers may be wirelessly accessed from a client device. |
| US08135796B1 |
Mechanism and apparatus for accessing and addressing services in a distributed computing environment
In a distributed computing environment, a service advertisement may include information for a client to access a particular service. A service may publish the service advertisement in a space which stores documents such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML) documents. The advertisement may include a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and an XML schema for the service that specifies XML messages which are usable to invoke functions of the service. A client may access the space and read the advertisement to construct a gate for access to the service. The client may send a first XML message to the service at the URI, wherein the first XML message is specified in the XML schema, to invoke one or more functions of the service. The service may send a second message specified in the XML schema (e.g., a message including the results of the invoked function(s)) to the client. |
| US08135794B2 |
Availability and scalability in a messaging system in a manner transparent to the application
Methods, systems, and computer program products that provide for a runtime messaging infrastructure, which abstracts send and receive operations for exchanging messages with partner endpoint. The messaging infrastructure improves availability and scalability of a message application by improving on the availability and scalability of the underlying message transports. In particular, availability and scalability are improved by linking the message application at runtime with any number of the message transports, without the message application specifying a transport at development time. The message infrastructure receives instructions from the message application specifying end-to-end delivery assurances. The infrastructure uses transports in order to fulfill the specified delivery assurance, and creates a link between the message application and transports for use in exchanging messages. Session state storage can be maintained in a pluggable store, which could be, for example, a durable database store or an application memory store. |
| US08135786B2 |
Message-based technique for sharing distribution list contents within electronic messaging systems
Prior to transmission, distribution list data associated with a user-defined distribution list can be embedded within an electronic message. The recipients of the electronic message should be members of an electronic communications system. The distribution list data can include a copy of the user-defined distribution list or a reference to a storage location containing the user-defined distribution list where access control policies can be applied. The electronic message can be conveyed to the recipients. In response to the user-selection of a user-defined distribution list during presentation of the electronic message, the recipient can be presented with distribution list options within a user interface. The distribution list options can represent actions to be performed upon the contents of the user-selected user-defined distribution list. Prior to execution of a user-selected distribution list option, the contents of the user-selected user-defined distribution list can be accessed using the embedded distribution list data. |
| US08135784B2 |
Communication system and e-mail check method
A communication device which accesses a mail server includes an acquisition unit and a judgment unit. The acquisition unit periodically accesses the mail server and acquires a total number of mails at each access. The judgment unit compares a total number of mails currently acquired with a total number of mails acquired last time and judges whether or not a new incoming mail is present and whether or not a different communication device receives a mail from the mail server, based on a result of said comparison. |
| US08135783B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying occurrences of a given network address
A method and apparatus for identifying occurrences of a given network address is provided. A request is transmitted comprising data associated with the given network address to at least one remote communication device, the request for triggering a lookup of at least a portion of the data in a directory associated with the at least one remote communication device. At least one message is received indicative that the data associated with the given network address is present in the directory. |
| US08135780B2 |
Email safety determination
A computer implemented method for assisting email users recognizes deviations in characteristics of emails sent from a particular source identifier or “source ID” to a user. After one or more emails having a pattern of characteristics are received, an action on subsequent emails is performed, such as warning users when the subsequent emails received from the source ID match or don't match the pattern. Characteristics from a particular source ID are determined based on whether the addressee reads the email from the source ID. Various levels of warning based on the characteristics identified and the deviation of any email from the characteristics of previous emails. |
| US08135779B2 |
Method, system, apparatus, and software product for filtering out spam more efficiently
A method, network element, system, and software product are presented for differentiating spam from email so that the spam can be deleted, or placed in a separate location, or identified as spam. Email is received at a server, and the email is initially filtered to differentiate at least part of the spam from the other email. Then the filter is improved, for example by using an updated database to identify spam. Subsequently, the email is intermediately filtered to differentiate further spam at least once before a user device attempts to access the email. Some of the further spam was overlooked by the initial filtering, but not overlooked by the intermediate filtering. |
| US08135778B1 |
Method and apparatus for certifying mass emailings
A method and system for creating bulk filters are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving probe email messages indicative of spam, grouping similar probe email messages, and creating a bulk filter for each group having at least a predefined number of probe email messages without human interaction. The method further includes distributing the resulting bulk filters to clients for detection of bulk email messages at the clients. |
| US08135777B2 |
System and method for providing content to a mobile device
A method of providing content to a mobile device includes accessing data provided by an information management application running on a mobile device using a processing circuit, accessing location data for the mobile device using the processing circuit, and triggering a display of a generic notification using the processing circuit based at least in part on the data provided by the information management application and the location data at a predetermined time. |
| US08135776B2 |
System and method for scalable architecture for web-based collaborative annotation of page-based documents
A system for managing the communication of multi-page documents. The system may use a software module document splitter adapted to receive a multi-page document being uploaded as a single file and to split the multi-page document into a plurality of independent files, with each independent file representing a single page of the document. The software module document splitter may also associate meta data with each single page that enables the single pages to be downloaded, one at a time, by an electronic device being used by a user, from a file storage device remote from the electronic device. This provides the appearance to the user that the electronic device is in possession of single, multi-page file. |
| US08135773B2 |
System and method for downloading files
A passenger entertainment system for use on aircraft and other types of vehicles and methods for manufacturing and using same. The entertainment system comprises a mobile entertainment apparatus that can communicate with a database system having at least one file library. When communicating with the database system, the entertainment apparatus can select and download one or more files from the file libraries. Once the selected files have been downloaded, the entertainment apparatus can present the files regardless of whether communication with the database system is maintained. If the entertainment apparatus is installed in a vehicle, for example, a passenger in the vehicle can download the files during travel to a portable personal entertainment system, which can retain the files even if disconnected from the entertainment apparatus. The passenger thereby can view the files at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle, by removing the personal entertainment system from the vehicle. |
| US08135771B2 |
Digital signal processor clustering in integrated media-services gateways
A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) cloud architecture for clustering DSP resources across multiple integrated media-services gateways. The control plane components use peer-to-peer overlay connections for DSP resource management. The data plane components use a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) for media stream packet processing. |
| US08135770B2 |
Processing recurring events within personal information management clients
A computer-implemented method of processing recurring events within personal information management (PIM) clients can include executing a plug-in component within a PIM client. The method can include receiving, within the PIM client, an event update including a recurring event identifier that is natively understood by the PIM client and supplemental recurrence data not natively understood by the PIM client. The method further can include, responsive to the plug-in component detecting the supplemental recurrence data and a user input executing the event update, the plug-in component can locate a recurring event corresponding to the recurring event identifier. The method can include the plug-in component updating the recurring event according, at least in part, to the supplemental recurrence data, and storing the recurring event within the PIM client. |
| US08135769B2 |
Synchronization improvements
Synchronization architectures, methods, systems, and computer readable media are described. In one embodiment, a synchronization session is initiated between a first data processing system and a second data processing system. The synchronization session includes at least a first portion and a second portion. The first data processing system performs the first portion of the synchronization session. The first data processing system receives a sync anchor checkpoint. The sync anchor checkpoint indicates to the second data processing system that the first portion of the synchronization session is complete before the second portion is complete. In one embodiment, the first data processing system determines that the synchronization session is in a failure state. The first data processing system transmits the sync anchor checkpoint to the second data processing system. The second portion of the synchronization session is performed. |
| US08135768B2 |
Adder with reduced capacitance
An electronic circuit for performing logic operations is provided. The electronic circuit comprises a logic gate having at least two binary inputs adapted to receive corresponding input binary digits; an output for outputting an output signal; signal transmission means between said input and said output; a logic circuit coupled to said transmission means and having an input capacitance, and capacitance decoupling means between said logic circuit and said transmission means for decoupling the input capacitance of said logic circuit from said transmission means. |
| US08135767B2 |
Standard cell for arithmetic logic unit and chip card controller
A cell for an arithmetic logic unit includes a first input; a second input; a carry-in input; a first control input and a second control input; and a circuit connected to the first input, the second input, the carry-in input, the first control input, and the second control input. The circuit has a first output and a second output, the second output having a first value as a function of the first input and the second input when the first control input and the second control input are supplied values equal to a value at the carry-in input, and having a second value as a function of the first input and second input when the values at the first control input and the second control input are independent of the value at the carry-in input. |
| US08135763B1 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining a file system index
An improved policy enforcement architecture includes several components that improve the performance of policy enforcement in a hierarchical storage environment. A File System Query instruction permits a richer set of queries to be expressed by a policy engine, thereby permitting more complex policies to be implemented with ease. The File System result is generated at the file server, and only files of interest are forwarded to the policy engine. The file system query advantageously may be applied against a pre-generated index having one more characterizing attributes to further reduce the processing required to retrieve policy data. An Index Build instruction, added to a programming interface, allows a policy engine generate the characterizing indices in advance of use. Index maintenance techniques maintain consistency between the index and the file system to ensure that the policy can be enforced using accurate file information. |
| US08135762B2 |
System and method for determining true computer file type identity
A system and method for providing a cost-effective, metadata independent mechanism for the determination of file types. When a user makes a request to store data, the storage device communicates with a storage management software function. The storage management software invokes a file determination system in order to determine the true file type of the file. The file determination system inspects the file header or raw data information and utilizes a structure or an algorithm that specifies, for various file types, the necessary data and patterns required in the file to be of this type, and determines the true file type. Thus storage management software can compare the true file type of a file being inspected to rules established by an administrator and subsequently inform the storage device to either accept or not accept the users request to store data. |
| US08135758B2 |
Customizable, dynamic and on-demand database-informer for relational databases
Techniques for displaying information associated with a database are disclosed. A database-informer displays information (or additional information) about various database objects displayed for a user. The database-informer may be presented to user as a tool-tip. However, the database-informer can be customized and dynamically constructed based on various variables that are dynamically determined at runtime. As such, the information can be dynamically determined based on variables stored in different tables and provided on-demand when the database-informer is invoked by the user. As a result, database users can be provided with customized and up-to-date information without having to view different tables. |
| US08135755B2 |
Templates in a schema editor
A schema editor allows for definition, distribution, and use of schema templates. The schema editor allows schema to be edited and then saved in such a way that the saved file can be reimported into the schema editor. |
| US08135753B2 |
Dynamic information hierarchies
A dynamic information hierarchy may be provided. Logging data comprising a captured user event and a component ID associated with a hierarchical node may be stored in a raw data table. The stored data may be aggregated across the nodes of the hierarchy, stored in an aggregation table, and provided to a user in a report. |
| US08135752B2 |
Deleting leaves in tree table structures
Techniques and articles of manufacture are provided comprising computer readable programs that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to delete a leaf from a patricia tree having leaf keys and pattern search control blocks containing a prefix and either an end-of-trail leaf or a pointer to another of the pattern search control blocks, by placing each of the prefixes in a tree prefix table; searching for a key in the tree; searching for the key in the prefix table if the tree searching does not find the key in the tree; confirming that the key is deleted if the key is not found in the prefix table; deleting the key from one of the pattern search control blocks; and collapsing the patricia tree by eliminating the left most pattern search control block from the patricia tree if the patricia tree searching finds the key. |
| US08135744B2 |
Method and apparatus providing omnibus view of online and offline content of various file types and sources
An online service provider (OSP) operates online data centers to store members' data objects relating to various online member services of the OSP. An aggregated catalog lists members' data objects residing in the online data centers and also those residing in member computers' local storage. An aggregator monitors contents of the online storage facilities to detect new storage of prescribed types of data objects owned by the members, and also communicates with member computers to identify prescribed types of data objects newly stored in the respective local storage. The aggregator updates the aggregated catalog to list the newly stored data objects. Responsive to a request by a member, a finder searches the aggregated catalog and utilizes results of the search to provide, for display at the requesting member's computer, a consolidated listing of online data objects and locally stored data objects owned by the requesting member. |
| US08135743B2 |
Redirecting document references to a repository
A method for automating the redirection of references that can include downloading an original document using an original uniform resource identifier (URI), storing the original document in a repository, parsing the original document to determine the existence of one or more dependent documents referred to in the original document and executing an automated redirection subprocess. The method can include parsing each dependent document to determine one or more dependent documents, and responsive to determining the existence of one or more dependent documents, conducting the automated redirection subprocess for each dependent document and further dependent document and repeating the parsing of dependent documents and conducting the automated redirection subprocess steps until all further dependent documents have been redirected. |
| US08135741B2 |
Modifying service provider context information to facilitate locating interceptor context information
A method and system for tracking context information of a service provider and interceptors of service provider requests is provided. An interceptor modifies a portion of service provider context information to reference interceptor context information associated with a client. When the client requests a service of the service provider, the client provides the modified service provider context information along with the request. The interceptor uses the reference of the modified portion of the service provider context information to retrieve its context information. The interceptor then restores the modified portion of the service provider context information to the original unmodified portion, which the interceptor retained as part of its context information. The interceptor then forwards the request along with the original service provider context information to the service provider. |
| US08135738B2 |
Efficient predicate evaluation via in-list
A predicate over a single column of a table is converted into at least one IN-list, wherein the IN-list is generated for a set of tuples of the column, and the generation is done over a data structure representing a set of distinct values of the column where the predicate applies and having a smaller cardinality than the table. The generated IN-list is evaluated over the set of tuples and the results of the evaluation are outputted as an evaluation of the predicate. |
| US08135732B2 |
System and method for providing network-based services to users with high availability
A suite of network-based services, such as the services corresponding to Microsoft® SharePoint™, are provided to users with high availability. To maintain the availability of the services, the configuration parameters of a first server are updated on an ongoing basis, and the updated configuration parameters are used to configure a second, backup server. In the event of switchover or failover, the backup server is prepared to provide the serving functionality of the first server. |
| US08135731B2 |
Administration of search results
Administration of search results including displaying by a browser a set of search results from a web search, each search result containing a link to a web page; selecting a search result for exclusion from display, thereby identifying a selected search result, including selecting for exclusion from display search results containing related links, wherein related links include links related to the link in the selected search result; and displaying the search results without the selected search result and without the search results containing related links. |
| US08135730B2 |
Ontology-based searching in database systems
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product retrieve data from a database. A search request is received from a user for a set of data in at least one database. An ontology query over is performed over at least one ontology associated with at least one database resulting in an ontological dataset associated with the search request in response to receiving the search request from the user. The ontological dataset includes at least one of a set of synonyms, a set of hypernyms, and a set of hyponyms, associated with the search request. A data query is performed over data in the at least one database using the ontological dataset in response to performing the ontology query. The set of data is returned to the user based on the data query that has been performed. |
| US08135728B2 |
Web document keyword and phrase extraction
Extraction analysis techniques biased, in part, by query frequency information from a query log file and/or search engine cache are employed along with machine learning processes to determine candidate keywords and/or phrases of web documents. Web oriented features associated with the candidate keywords and/or phrases are also utilized to analyze the web documents. A keyword and/or phrase extraction mechanism can be utilized to score keywords and/or phrases in a web document and estimate a likelihood that the keywords and/or phrases are relevant, for example, in an advertising system and the like. |
| US08135724B2 |
Digital media recasting
In one embodiment, a method of tagging content can include: accessing a frame of a digital media production; identifying an object for tagging within the frame; defining a metadata tag for the object; and storing the metadata tag in association with the identified object and the frame in the digital media production. In one embodiment, a method of substituting content can include: receiving tagged digital media in a controller; identifying an object for substitution by searching through objects and metadata tags in the tagged digital media; retrieving a substitute object using the controller; and re-rendering the tagged digital media to produce a customized digital media using the substitute object in place of the identified object. |
| US08135723B2 |
Leveraging low-latency memory access
Computational units of any task may run in different silos. In an embodiment, a search query may be evaluated efficiently on a non-uniform memory architecture (NUMA) machine, by assigning separate chunks of the index to separate memories. In a NUMA machine, each socket has an attached memory. The latency time is low or high, depending on whether a processor accesses data in its attached memory or a different memory. Copies of an index manager program, which compares a query to an index, run separately on different processors in a NUMA machine. Each instance of the index manager compares the query to the index chunk in the memory attached to the processor on which that instance is running. Thus, each instance of the index manager may compare a query to a particular portion of the index using low-latency accesses, thereby increasing the efficiency of the search. |
| US08135722B2 |
Creation of segmentation definitions
A system and method for defining a segment for filtering website visitation data is disclosed. The method allows for creation and editing of a segment using various rules. The rules are defined using events and containers, which act as criteria by which the data is filtered. The system displays the segments and allows the user to apply them to stored data. |
| US08135721B2 |
Discovering query intent from search queries and concept networks
A system is described for discovering query intent based on search queries and concept networks. The system may construct frequency vectors from log data corresponding to a submitted query and at least one related query submitted to one or more search engines. The system may also construct a query intent vector based on the frequency vectors. The query intent vector may include frequency scores that represent the intent of the query. |
| US08135720B2 |
Homology searching method
An apparatus for controlling devices for searching homology of queries in a base sequence in parallel, includes: a memory for storing a base sequence and an appearing frequency of each of first strings each having a fixed length appearing in the base sequence; and a processor for executing a process including: obtaining queries for searching homology in the base sequence; retrieving each of second strings each having a longer fixed length then that of first strings and partially appearing in each of the queries; determining an approximate appearing frequency of each of the second string on the basis of the appearing frequency of the first strings; evaluating for each of the query sequences a load of task for searching homology; and allocating each task for searching homology for each of the queries among the devices on the basis of the result of evaluation of the load of the each task. |
| US08135718B1 |
Collaborative filtering
Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, for collaborative filtering are provided. A method is provided. The method includes clustering a plurality of entities with respect to one or more latent variables in a probability distribution model of a relationship between a set of entities and a set of items, the probability distribution model comprising a probability distribution of the set of items with respect to the latent variables. The method also includes, as new items are added to the set of items, updating the probability distribution of the set of the items with respect to the latent variables, and generating an updated relationship score for an entity with respect to the set of items based on the entity's fractional membership in the clustering with respect to the latent variables and based on the updated probability distribution of the set of the items with respect to the latent variables. |
| US08135717B2 |
Processor for fast contextual matching
Words having selected characteristics in a corpus of documents are found using a data processor arranged to execute queries. Memory stores an index structure in which entries in the index structure map words and marks for words having the selected characteristics to locations within documents in the corpus. Entries in the index structure represent words and other entries represent marks with the location information of a marked word. The entries for the marks can be tokens coalesced with prefixes of respective marked words or adjacent. A query processor forms a modified query by adding a mark for a word to the query. The processor executes the modified query. |
| US08135710B2 |
Computer readable electronic records automated classification system
Classifying an electronic document in a computer-based system is disclosed. For each classification instance in a plurality of classification instances, a confidence data indicating a degree of confidence that the electronic document is associated with that classification instance is determined. A classification, based on a first classification instance in the plurality of classification instances, is assigned without human intervention to the electronic document if the confidence data associated with the first classification instance exceeds a first threshold. |
| US08135704B2 |
System and method for listing data acquisition
A method and system of data acquisition by a listing service provider is disclosed. A network address is received from a client computer that is operated by a lister. The network address can be indicative of a location of listing data on a computer network. The listing data comprises at least one information item provided by the lister. The network address received from the lister is accessed by opening a computer network connection to retrieve the listing data. The lister makes available the listing data for retrieval so that the listing data can be posted in a search bank hosted by the listing service provider. The listing data is retrieved from the network address using the computer network connection by copying the listing data onto a listing data database. |
| US08135701B2 |
Selectivity estimation for conjunctive predicates in the presence of partial knowledge about multivariate data distributions
A method for consistent selectivity estimation based on the principle of maximum entropy (ME) is provided. The method efficiently exploits all available information and avoids the bias problem. In the absence of detailed knowledge, the ME approach reduces to standard uniformity and independence assumptions. The disclosed method, based on the principle of ME, is used to improve the optimizer's cardinality estimates by orders of magnitude, resulting in better plan quality and significantly reduced query execution times. |
| US08135696B2 |
Time-conditioned search engine interface with visual feedback
A human-computer interface for a search engine or similar application includes specification means for a time condition applicable to a search query, and visual feedback means expressive of relative availability of sought or potentially sought database items at one or more specific times within a time period under consideration. The invention provides a new and unique way to support interactive searching of a database that includes information relating to time availability of represented items, in order to identify items that match one or more search term(s) and are available at a specific time or during a specific time period. |
| US08135694B2 |
Augmenting the contents of an electronic document with data retrieved from a search
The augmentation of contents of an electronic document with data from a search is described. The augmentation of data includes reading a search criterion from an electronic document, where a portion of the electronic document is comprised of the search criterion, retrieving data that matches the search criterion, and augmenting the contents with the retrieved data. |
| US08135692B2 |
Information retrieval apparatus and computer program
An information retrieval apparatus for retrieving a web page using a retrieval keyword includes a word extract portion for extracting an objective word from the web page on a display based on the specifying a display position of the web page on the display, wherein the word extract portion further extracts a peripheral word placed around the objective word, and a retrieval portion that performs web page retrieval using the objective and peripheral words. |
| US08135690B2 |
Concurrency object classification
A method of automatically classifying a concurrency object includes intercepting a call that is configured to create the concurrency object. Concurrency type information for the concurrency object is identified based on the call. The type information indicates whether the concurrency object is a lock object or a synchronization object. The concurrency type information is associated with the concurrency object. |
| US08135686B2 |
Computer program, computer, and messaging system for returning a data item to a requestor
The invention relates to an apparatus and a system for returning a data item to a requestor. (The requestor may for example be a systems application.) A request is received to access a data item having data contents of uncertain state (i.e. because the data item is pending completion of a transaction.) The apparatus or system obtains the data item contents and an indication of the state (e.g. delete_on_commit) of the data item contents. This information is then returned to the requestor. |
| US08135683B2 |
Method and apparatus for data redundancy elimination at the block level
A redundancy elimination mechanism is provided, which applies aspects of duplicate block elimination and delta encoding at the block level. The redundancy elimination mechanism divides file objects into content-defined blocks or “chunks.” Identical chunks are suppressed. The redundancy elimination mechanism also performs resemblance detection on remaining chunks to identify chunks with sufficient redundancy to benefit from delta encoding of individual chunks. Any remaining chunks that do not benefit from delta encoding are compressed. Resemblance detection is optimized by merging groups of fingerprints into super fingerprints. This merging can be constructed to ensure that if two objects have a single super fingerprint in common, they are extremely likely to be substantially similar. |
| US08135681B2 |
Automated calibration of negative field weighting without the need for human interaction
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. Such parameters may be set as negative to account for fields that do not match. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions. |
| US08135670B2 |
Embedded change logging for data synchronization
Embodiments of the present invention provide for embedded change logging for data synchronization. In an embodiment of the invention, an embedded change logging data processing system can include a change embedded database (EDB) disposed in a pervasive device. The EDB can store entries for notified changes in data for multiple different end-user applications in the pervasive device. The system also can include a change log service (CLS) disposed in the pervasive device and coupled to the EDB. The CLS can include program code enabled to register with multiple different end-user applications in the pervasive device to receive notifications of changes, and to write entries to the EDB responsive to the notifications. Finally, the system can include a synchronization client disposed in the pervasive device separately from the CLS. The synchronization client can include program code enabled to directly access the EDB to perform data synchronization with a remote host. |
| US08135669B2 |
Information access with usage-driven metadata feedback
In a method for displaying and capturing metadata of documents within result presentations in information access or search systems, a metadata server is used for storing a metadata associated with any searchable document and the end users are given the opportunity to view and edit metadata associated with documents returned from the metadata server which is capable of automatically creating metadata objects associated with any combination of document query and document position in a result set for a given queryA search engine capable of implementing the method comprises a metadata server as part of or connected with its core search engine. |
| US08135667B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate in-database analytics with supervised data discretization
A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate in-database supervised discretisation mechanisms which improve data classification are provided. The disclosed mechanisms provide an efficient, automatic, and repeatable way to perform data discretisation without human intervention. Efficient processing of large and complex unknown data is provided that advantageously does not require the data being analyzed to be processed outside the database. The disclosed mechanisms may use an External Stored Procedure to avoid multiple joins of large tables and minimize the number of full table scans and, consequently, provide better performance than contemporary mechanisms. The disclosed system produces intermediate results in tables which may be conveyed to a visualization subsystem thereby providing users a better understanding of the data distribution in each category. Further, the disclosed system and method introduce a novel similarity-based solution to merge intervals when chi-square testing is not reliable and thereby improves the quality of the interval merge process. |
| US08135665B2 |
Systems and methods for executing a database query to perform multi-level deployment
Systems and methods for generating an optimized deployment scheme include generating a request identifying a type of resource requested by hierarchically arranged organizational entities including a first organizational entity located at a first level and a second organizational entity at a second level, executing a database query to retrieve business data corresponding to the first and second organizational entities, determining, based on the business data, a first quantity and a second quantity, the first quantity identifying a quantity of the resource available for deployment to the first organizational entity, and the second quantity identifying a quantity of the resource available for deployment to the second organizational entity, modifying the first quantity based on the second quantity, and generating, by using a processor of the computer system, an optimized deployment scheme based on the first quantity, the modified first quantity, and the second quantity. |
| US08135664B2 |
Change management using collective data
A method for providing information associated with configuration changes to a computer system is provided. The method includes receiving a description of a starting configuration and a description of a configuration change. The method further includes linking the description of the starting configuration and the description of the configuration change and reading a record linked to the description of a configuration change, wherein the record includes advice about the configuration change and a total result value indicating a rate of success of the configuration change when the advice is followed. The method further includes receiving a first result value from the user indicating a result of the configuration change in light of the advice and calculating a new total result value that indicates a rate of success of the configuration change based on the total result value and the first result value. |
| US08135658B1 |
Systems and methods for providing real-time over-ride capability
Decision software implements a decision process that handles and decides a request from a requestor in a generally automated manner. The decision software denies the request according to a predefined standard. Information relating to the request and the denial decision is stored as a quote, and it is determined that further consideration of the denial decision by a human reviewer of the organization is desired. The human reviewer is contacted and retrieves the stored quote by way of an actuated interface that presents the quote as a focused screen including information from the quote and a determination entry device. The human interviewer determines based at least in part on the focused screen whether to over-ride the denial decision and enters such determination into the determination entry device. The entered determination is stored with the stored quote and the request proceeds in accordance with the stored determination. |
| US08135657B2 |
Systems and methods for processing data flows
A flow processing facility, which uses a set of artificial neurons for pattern recognition, such as a self-organizing map, in order to provide security and protection to a computer or computer system supports unified threat management based at least in part on patterns relevant to a variety of types of threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. Flow processing for switching, security, and other network applications, including a facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of conditions are directed at internal network security, virtualization, and web connection security. A flow processing facility for inspecting payloads of network traffic packets detects security threats and intrusions across accessible layers of the IP-stack by applying content matching and behavioral anomaly detection techniques based on regular expression matching and self-organizing maps. Exposing threats and intrusions within packet payload at or near real-time rates enhances network security from both external and internal sources while ensuring security policy is rigorously applied to data and system resources. Intrusion Detection and Protection (IDP) is provided by a flow processing facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of types of network and data integrity threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. |
| US08135655B2 |
Dynamic intelligent objects
An contextual artificial intelligence system is disclosed. Intelligent business objects enable dynamic data object interaction and encapsulation of user context. Data is rationalized and data objects evolve by way of an artificial intelligence assisted process of self-discovery. Significant data is identified based upon factors such as cost, revenue and outcome and contextually significant result sets are automatically generated for users. |
| US08135650B2 |
Method and apparatus for a cryptographically assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate buyer-driven conditional purchase offers
The present invention is a method and apparatus for effectuating bilateral buyer-driven commerce. The present invention allows prospective buyers of goods and services to communicate a binding purchase offer globally to potential sellers, for sellers conveniently to search for relevant buyer purchase offers, and for sellers potentially to bind a buyer to a contract based on the buyer's purchase offer. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller which receives binding purchase offers from prospective buyers. The controller makes purchase offers available globally to potential sellers. Potential sellers then have the option to accept a purchase offer and thus bind the corresponding buyer to a contract. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional communications systems such as voice telephony. |
| US08135647B2 |
Consumer authentication system and method
A method for authenticating a consumer. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a consumer conducting a transaction with a portable consumer device. A challenge message is sent to the consumer, where the challenge message is dynamic or semi-dynamic. A challenge response message is received from the consumer, and an authorization response message is sent to the consumer. The authorization response message indicates whether or not the transaction is authorized. |
| US08135646B2 |
Content transmission apparatus
A content transmission apparatus is disclosed which promotes distribution of contents over a network and thereby affords better convenience to those who wish to sell and buy the contents. The apparatus is implemented typically as a video camera provided beforehand with an access account from a server apparatus. The content transmission apparatus is equipped with abilities to encode contents in a streaming format for upload and to connect communicably with the server receiving what is uploaded. These features allow the user of the content transmission apparatus easily to upload the content generated thereby to the server without going through complicated steps to sign up with an ISP; to prepare a personal computer, a modem and other hardware; or to make elaborate settings and establish connection with the server. Therefore, uploading of contents is promoted. The server apparatus presents uploaded contents illustratively at its website to solicit potential buyers extensively for the presented contents. |
| US08135632B2 |
Device administration system that administers device use status for each administrative unit, administration information change program, charge information processing program and charge information processing method
The present invention is to provide a device administration system that prevents discrepancies in the use status information stored in the administration system when administrative units, such as users and/or departments, are excluded as subjects of administration, as well as an administration information change program to change the administration information in such administration system, a charge information processing program and a charge information processing method. This object is attained by providing a device administration system comprising: a device; an administration device that administers usage status information of the device for each administrative unit that is a user and/or a organization; and an administration information change device that changes the administrative unit; wherein in a case where the administration information change device excludes one of the administrative unit, the administration information change device makes changes so that the usage status information related to the administrative unit excluded by the administration information change device is not deleted from the administration device and is treated as a usage status information related to a different administrative unit. |
| US08135629B2 |
List-based selection system and methods for using the same
A system and methods for enabling a user to create a list of items on a portable computing device, to communicate with external devices to locate each of the items available on the list within a geographically limited area, to provide users with visual or aural cues as to the location of items on the list, to progress through the list of items as each item is selected or rejected, and providing discounts toward, information about, or alternatives to the available items on the list. |
| US08135624B1 |
User profile and geolocation for efficient transactions
Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant. |
| US08135621B2 |
System and method for supporting anonymous transactions
A method for supporting anonymous transactions includes storing a first profile comprising first information associated with a first client. The first information includes identifying data and non-identifying data associated with the first client. The method also includes storing a second profile including second information associated with the first client. The second information includes at least a portion of the non-identifying data from the first profile. The method further includes receiving a request from the first client to engage in an anonymous transaction. The anonymous transaction is associated with a product. In addition, the method includes communicating an order for the product to one of the clients and facilitating completion of the order using the first profile. The second client can gain at least partial access to the second profile but not to the first profile associated with the first client. |
| US08135618B1 |
System and method for dynamic content delivery
A system, method and computer program product are provided for dynamic content delivery. Initially, at a first point in time, content is received with metadata, utilizing a network. In use, at a second point in time (after the first point in time), at least one aspect of the delivery of the content, may be controlled and/or modified utilizing the metadata. To this end, at least one aspect of the delivery of the content (which may, as an option, even include the content itself) may be updated and/or made current. |
| US08135617B1 |
Enhanced hyperlink feature for web pages
The invention in some embodiments features a contextual content delivery system (CCDS) for enhancing conventional web content with pop-up bubbles that display information when a cursor hovers over a word, link, or icon. The CCDS is configured to identify words or links in a document, determine their context, select the appropriate bubble from a plural of bubble types for each of the words or links, select content for each bubble based, in part, on the context in which the words and hyperlinks are used. The context can be determined from various sources including the resource in which the word or link appears and the target resource to which the link points. Thereafter, the CCDS enhances the words or links so that bubbles are automatically invoked in response to the appropriate trigger. |
| US08135614B2 |
Multiple RF read zone system
A multizone RF read/write system for conducting transactions with vehicles traveling at high speeds. A first RF read zone is created, preferably by use of a first gantry that extends over at least one lane and contains at least one RF source that creates a large powerful RF read zone for reading or reading and writing to a transponder on a passing vehicle. Additional RF read zones arranged in tandem with the first RF read zone are created by at least one additional RF source that is located on an additional gantry extending over at least one lane, or located on the first gantry. Accordingly, multiple RF read zones are created to conduct transactions with passing vehicles. In one aspect, the multiple RF read zones can be used to ensure that tolling transactions with a single vehicle are more likely to be completed and have a higher degree of accuracy. In another aspect, the multiple RF read zones each employ a different RF technology so that multiple types of RF toll tags can be read and written. |
| US08135613B2 |
Ringback advertising
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which an indication of a telephone call being placed from a calling number is received, and a determination is made of an audio advertisement to play based on the calling number. The audio advertisement is played based on the determination. |
| US08135612B1 |
Automated help ticket assignment system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for automating the assignment of digital help-desk requests. An embodiment of the invention includes a request analyzer module which analyzes the content of the digital help-desk request, a task load monitor module which analyzes the help-desk resource availability and suitability, and a help-ticket assignment module with generates a help ticket based on the digital help-desk request and assigns the help ticket to a resource based upon the analysis of the request and the analysis of resource availability and suitability. The system may also estimate a time to respond to the request based upon an analysis of the assigned resources capabilities and status. |
| US08135606B2 |
Gathering data concerning publication usage and exposure to products and/or presence in commercial establishment
Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to presence of individuals within commercial establishments, relating to usage of publications by those individuals, and relating to exposure to products by those individuals. Participants in one or more studies carry a portable monitor having a commercial establishment presence detection monitor, a publication usage monitor, and/or a product exposure monitor. |
| US08135594B2 |
Limiting proxy subscription propagation in a publish/subscribe message broker network
In a method of controlling a network of interconnected publish/subscribe message brokers for routing publications from a plurality of publishers to interested subscribers, each message broker is arranged to receive publications from publishers both directly and via other brokers and to receive subscriptions and unsubscriptions from subscribers and other brokers for publications meeting predefined criteria identified in the subscriptions or unsubscriptions. Each broker creates and manages a list correlating subscribers with the predefined criteria. It then matches received publications with the subscription list and forwards publications which match listed subscriptions which are in an active state to interested subscribers and interested other brokers in the list. Also, in response to received subscriptions and unsubscriptions, each broker generates and forwards proxy subscriptions and proxy unsubscriptions to other brokers. Each broker establishes a retention period for subscriptions. Then, in response to receipt of an unsubscription from a subscriber or a proxy unsubscription from another broker, it retains the corresponding subscription in a retained state for the retention period. During the retention period, matching publications will not be forwarded to the subscriber or other broker and no proxy unsubscriptions will be forwarded to other brokers. A new subscription for the same matching publications as the retained subscription during the retention period causes a reversion of the retained subscription to its active state. Propagation of proxy subscriptions and unsubscriptions is thus reduced in dependence on the duration of the retention period. |
| US08135588B2 |
Transform coder and transform coding method
A transform coder leading to reduction of degradation of perceptual sound quality even if an adequate number of bits is not assigned. Candidates of a correction scale factor stored in a correction scale factor codebook are outputted one by one, and an error signal is generated by subjecting the candidate and scale factors outputted from scale factor computing sections to a predetermined operation. A judging section determines a weight vector given to a weighted error computing section depending on the sign of the error signal. The weighted error computing section computes the square of the error signal, multiplies the square of the error signal by the weight vector given from the judging section and computes a weighted squared error E. A search section determines the candidates of the correction scale factor which minimizes the weighted squared error E by a closed loop processing. |
| US08135587B2 |
Estimating the noise components of a signal during periods of speech activity
Enhanced estimation of the noise component of a signal is accomplished by using a plurality of filters. Each filter provides an estimate of a minimum sample in a sample set that includes a plurality of signal samples. A comparator, coupled to the plurality of filters, successively compares the estimates among the plurality of filters, and selects the signal estimate having the lowest magnitude. The selected signal estimate represents an enhanced estimate of the noise component of the signal. |
| US08135585B2 |
Method and an apparatus for processing a signal
An apparatus and method for processing an encoded signal are discussed. The method includes: if a coding type of an audio signal is a mixed signal coding type, extracting spectral data and a linear predictive coefficient from the audio signal; generating a residual signal for the linear prediction by performing an inverse frequency conversion on the spectral data; reconstructing the audio signal by performing a linear prediction coding on the linear predictive coefficient and the residual signal; and reconstructing a high frequency region signal using an extension base signal corresponding to a partial region of the reconstructed audio signal and band extension information. |
| US08135582B2 |
Keyboard system and method for global disambiguation from classes with dictionary database from first and last letters
A reduced keyboard system for text input comprising: a first keyboard having a first plurality of keys, the keys being adapted to be keystroked for input of a word; a virtual keyboard having a plurality of virtual keys, the plurality of virtual keys corresponding respectively to the first plurality of keys and wherein the virtual keyboard is adapted to generate a linear pattern from the keystroked keys of the first keyboard; and a dictionary database associated with the virtual keyboard, the dictionary database having a plurality of classes wherein each of the classes contains at least one candidate word having first and last letters corresponding to predetermined keys of the virtual keyboard, wherein the linear pattern and dictionary database are adapted to enable recognition and disambiguation of the inputted word. |
| US08135578B2 |
Creation and use of application-generic class-based statistical language models for automatic speech recognition
A method of creating an application-generic class-based SLM includes, for each of a plurality of speech applications, parsing a corpus of utterance transcriptions to produce a first output set, in which expressions identified in the corpus are replaced with corresponding grammar tags from a grammar that is specific to the application. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of speech applications, replacing each of the grammar tags in the first output set with a class identifier of an application-generic class, to produce a second output set. The method further includes processing the resulting second output sets with a statistical language model (SLM) trainer to generate an application-generic class-based SLM. |
| US08135577B2 |
Braille support
Methods and apparatuses to provide improved Braille support are described herein. A connection to a Braille device is received, and a Braille caption panel that includes a Braille code is displayed to simulate an output to the Braille device. The Braille caption panel can include a text translated to the Braille code. The Braille caption panel can include a control element. An accessibility service can be automatically launched to provide the output to the Braille device. |
| US08135573B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product for creating data for learning word translation
An input unit receives an input sentence in a source language. A translation generating unit generates a translation in a target language with respect to a word included in the input sentence and likelihood of the translation in the target language. A correspondence-information creating unit creates correspondence information, in which the word is associated with the translation. A determining unit determines whether the likelihood generated with respect to the translation in the target language included in the correspondence information is larger than a predetermined threshold value. A learning-data creating unit creates learning data in which a word included in the input sentence is associated with the correspondence information including the translation in the target language having the likelihood larger than the threshold value. |
| US08135571B2 |
Validating manufacturing test rules pertaining to an electronic component
The invention is directed to validating a specified manufacturing test rule, which pertains to an electronic component. The method includes generating a file of test data sets, wherein each test data set in the file is valid for the rule. Each test data set includes a stimulus comprising one or more single input vectors, and further includes a set of results that are expected. The method further comprises constructing a testbench to prepare testcases for simulation, wherein each testcase corresponds to the stimulus and the expected output results of one of the test data sets, and each testcase is disposed to be simulated separately, or independently, from every other testcase. The method further comprises selectively preparing each of the testcases for simulation, in order to provide simulated results for the stimulus corresponding to each testcase. The expected results and the simulated results are compared for each testcase. |
| US08135569B2 |
System and method for three-dimensional complete tooth modeling
A system and method for modeling of complete tooth, including root and crown, of a patient to facilitate orthodontic treatment are provided, wherein generic tooth modeling is combined with tooth crown modeling for a patient to yield complete tooth modeling. A generic tooth 3D model for a particular tooth is morphed with a 3D model of a patient's crown for the corresponding tooth to yield a complete 3D model for that tooth. Modeling techniques can be conducted with computer-based systems, such as systems configured for storing patient data and generic tooth data, morphing such data and/or facilitating additional orthodontic treatment applications, through the use of one or more algorithms. Adjustment of the complete tooth model for the tooth can be provided through additional patient information, such as X-ray imaging, to address variations in root shape between a generic root and an actual root shape for a patient. |