| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08141676B2 |
Compound membrane and acoustic device using same
The present invention provides a compound membrane and an acoustic device including such a compound membrane. The compound membrane includes a central layer, a first glue layer attached to one side of the central layer, a second glue layer attached to another side of the central layer, an upper layer provided on the first glue layer, and a lower layer provided beneath the second glue layer. The anti-fatigue performance of the compound membrane is desirable. |
| US08141672B2 |
Canister layout structure in motorcycle
A canister layout structure in a motorcycle includes a swing arm vertically swingably supported to a rear portion of a body frame and supporting a wheel, a canister located below the swing arm for trapping an evaporative fuel evaporated in a fuel tank, and a center stand pivotably supported to a lower portion of the body frame for making the body frame stand on a road surface when parking. The center stand is retractable to keep a horizontal position substantially parallel to a road surface during running. The canister is located above the center stand in its retracted condition. |
| US08141670B2 |
Radiator attachment structure for saddle-ride type vehicle
A radiator attachment structure for a motorcycle in which a down tube is formed in a shape having a curved portion, and a radiator can be disposed in a less visible manner while being erected. An upper portion of each of down tubes is formed as a curved portion curved in a side view. A lower portion of each of the down tube is formed as a linear slope portion extending linearly downwardly from a corresponding one of the curved portions in the side view. A radiator is disposed while being overlapped with the linear slope portions of the down tubes in the side view. |
| US08141661B2 |
Enhanced oil-based foam drilling fluid compositions and method for making and using same
New oil-based foam drilling fluids for oil and/or gas wells include a base oil, a foaming agent and a polymer including at least one aromatic olefin monomer and at least one diene monomer. The polymer improves foam properties rendering a foam stable at temperatures at or above 350° F. |
| US08141658B2 |
Tilted drive sub
A tilted drive sub is disclosed with a center line of the internal diameter (ID) offset at an angle from the center line of the outer diameter (OD) starting at a point near to a top end of the tilted drive sub. This results in the ID being at an angle to the OD, with the OD of the tilted drive sub remaining straight. The offset ID has the same threads of a mud motor without a tilted drive sub. The tilted drive sub replaces the outer bearing housing of a normal performance mud motor. |
| US08141651B1 |
Thatch rake with flexible thatching assembly
A thatch rake comprising a handle, a body assembly comprising two side plates, a belt drive system comprising first and second rotating pulley wheels, a motor, a flexible thatching assembly comprising two thatching rods, and a guide arm situated in between the two side plates. Each thatching rod is situated between a side plate and the guide arm. A universal joint is located between each side plate and a thatching rod and between each thatching rod and the guide arm. Each thatching rod comprises a plurality of outwardly extending tines. The guide arm has two ends and is pivotally attached to the body assembly on one end and attached to a center wheel on the other end. |
| US08141650B2 |
Automatic depth correction based on blade pitch
A vehicle includes a blade, a lifting mechanism configured to raise and lower the blade, and a pitching mechanism configured to pitch the blade forward and backward. A control system of the vehicle is configured to automatically maintain at least one of a depth of the blade during pitching of the blade and a pitch of the blade during lifting of the blade. |
| US08141648B2 |
Multiple-positioning mechanical shifting system and method
A multiple-positioning mechanical shifting system including for used in hydrocarbon wells. The system includes a shifting tool capable of selectively positioning a mechanical sliding sleeve valve in multiple operational positions that varying the flow rate and/or volume of tubing string fluid flowing to the well annulus. The system also includes a multiple position mechanical choke valve. A method of operating the mechanical choke valve using the shifting tool is described. |
| US08141645B2 |
Offshore gas recovery
During an Extended Well Test or Early Floating Production at an offshore hydrocarbon production site, where oil and gas hydrocarbons are produced by a production vessel, applicant stores the natural gas as pressured gas in a storage tank and occasionally transfers the pressured gas to a shuttle vessel which carries the gas to a site where it is used, as by pumping it into a natural gas pipeline. The transfer of natural gas to the shuttle can be accomplished by pumping it through a conduit extending between the vessels to a second tank on the shuttle, or can be accomplished by moving a gas-filled tank on the production vessel to the shuttle. |
| US08141641B2 |
Backup safety flow control system for concentric drill string
A technique is presented for providing a double-barrier to formation fluids during drilling operations with a concentric drill string having an inner bore and an annulus. A primary flow control system is used to provide a first barrier to formation fluids in the inner bore and annulus of the drill string. A backup flow control system is used to provide a second barrier to formation fluids. The backup flow control system comprises a backup inner bore shutoff valve and a backup annulus shutoff valve. The backup inner bore shutoff valve is dropped from the surface through the inner bore of the drill string. The backup inner bore shutoff valve has spring-biased tabs that are configured to extend outward to contact an inner surface profile of the inner bore of the drill string. The backup annulus shutoff valve may be provided with the profile to receive the spring-biased tabs from the backup inner bore shutoff valve. When the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are disposed opposite the profile, the tabs of the backup inner bore shutoff valve are extended outward into the profile by a spring assembly, securing the backup inner bore shutoff valve within the drill string. |
| US08141640B2 |
System, method and apparatus for enhancing wellbore treatment fluid flexibility
A method includes performing a chemical process to create a chemical product and an amount of heat, and transferring the heat to a first fluid. The method further includes hydrating a polymer in the first fluid, and adding the chemical product from the chemical process to the first fluid to create a treatment fluid. The method further includes diluting the treatment fluid with respect to at least one constituent of the treatment fluid. The method includes treating a formation of interest in a wellbore with the treatment fluid. The method includes changing a formulation of the treatment fluid during the treating. The method also includes extending the treating beyond a design amount, or ending the treatment before the design amount and preserving some reagents of the chemical process. |
| US08141638B2 |
Fracturing method and apparatus utilizing gelled isolation fluid
A method and apparatus for fracturing a formation containing a wellbore comprising the steps of (a) injecting a gel into the wellbore; (b) permitting the gel to increase in viscosity and (c) fracturing the formation in the vicinity of the gel. |
| US08141636B2 |
Method and system integrating thermal oil recovery and bitumen mining for thermal efficiency
Thermal oil recovery operations, such as SAGD, result in waste heat that is typically released to the environment. Bitumen mining operations require heat input for heating fluids used in the mining process. A method and system of recovering heat from a thermal recovery operation for use in bitumen mining operation may include a heated donor fluid from a thermal recovery operation which heats an acceptor fluid for use in bitumen mining via proximal heat exchange using a power cycle or heat exchange module, such as an ammonia and water based Kalina® Cycle. |
| US08141630B2 |
Sucker rod string
An improvement in a sucker rod having an elongated metal body with opposed ends and threaded couplings positioned at each of the opposed ends comprises a thread form on the threaded couplings defining at least two concurrent helixes. Each of the at least two helixes has a different starting position on a circumference of the threaded coupling. |
| US08141628B2 |
Downhole deburring tool
A downhole deburring tool is equipped with retractable cutters which permit it to fit through restrictions in a wellbore—e.g., a subsurface safety valve—and subsequently expand to deburr or scrape a section of tubing having an internal diameter greater than that of the restriction. In one preferred embodiment, tapered surfaces on the tool act to effect retraction of the cutters during withdrawal of the tool from a wellbore. Deburring operations with the tool may increase the effectiveness of bridge plugs and/or ball sealer systems to permit chemical treatment of selected zones. Scraping operations with the tool to remove scale, corrosion and other material from the inner surface of a well tubular can increase the effective diameter of the tubing thereby allowing greater production. |
| US08141623B2 |
Automatic switching two pipe hydronic system
Disclosed is an automatic switching two pipe hydronic system for conditioning a space. In one embodiment the two pipe hydronic system enables automatic switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation or vice versa in a reduced span of time. The present invention saves fuel, energy and water, when there are lower load conditions that affect boilers, chillers, and cooling towers. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for simultaneously heating and cooling a first portion and a second portion of a space by utilizing a plurality of boilers, chillers, heat exchangers, condenser pumps and closed loop pumps by using a plurality of sensors indicating the temperatures inside and outside the space and a controlling module controlling the operation of the system. The present invention can be easily achieved by making minor configurational modifications to existing systems thereby increases system versatility. |
| US08141622B2 |
Console air conditioner for vehicle
A console air conditioner includes an evaporator, a heater, a face vent, a floor vent, and a vent door for controlling the opening degrees of the face vent and the floor vent and is installed in the console space between front seats of a vehicle. Both sides of the air mixing zone where a cool air passageway meets a warm air passageway in the console air conditioner are connected to a pillar duct extending toward the middle pillar of the vehicle. A temperature control door controls the opening degrees of a cool air passageway and a warm air passageway of the air conditioner case and is installed such that rotational trace of the temperature control door is overlapped with a pillar vent area that is defined between the pillar ducts. |
| US08141621B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing in situ cooling of computer data centers during service calls
An apparatus and method for cooling electronic components housed in a computer rack while performing maintenance operations is provided. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a heat exchange assembly disposed within an outlet door cover of the computer rack, having one or more perforations. One or more air moving device(s) are also disposed on the outlet door and activated by an activator when the door is opened such that the devices when activated force hot air into the heat exchanger. Cool air is then exhausted through a planar containment plate having a plurality of edges. The plate is secured to top of the outlet door along one of its edges. |
| US08141619B2 |
Fin inspection method of a heat exchanger
A fin inspection method comprising a step of having an imaging device capture an image of the core and inputting into an image processing device the image data for storage, a step of setting a first region in the image data in which an image of the entire core is captured and setting a second region in which an image of at least a portion of all of the tubes is captured so as to identify position information of the tubes, a step of setting a third region for fin detection between adjacent tubes based on the identified position information of the tubes, a step of performing binarization and noise removal in the third region to obtain an image of the fins and identifying from the image of the fins the edge position information of the fins along a long direction of the tubes, and a step of performing statistical processing of the pitch intervals based on the edge position information of the fins and judging fin defects. |
| US08141615B1 |
Aluminum engine cylinder liner and method
A method has been found for centrifugal casting engine cylinders. A mold is charged with molten aluminum alloy and particulate silicon monoxide having an average size of 0.01 mm to 0.04 mm. The mold is rotated at a velocity and period of time to distribute the particulate silicon monoxide on an inner cylinder surface. The mold is allowed to cool until the aluminum alloy solidifies. A casting is demolded characterized in a uniform inner cylinder surface of the particulate silicon monoxide in an amount of 25 volume % and thickness 1 to 5 millimeters. The engine cylinders are distinguished in resistance to wear. Cylinder liners show no appreciable wear for over 100,000 miles of use. |
| US08141609B2 |
Extendable welding machine
A welding machine having a frame that includes end supports spanned by a top beam with a truncated V-shaped cross-section. A vacuum track assembly disposed vertically beneath the top beam retains fabrics to be welded on a perforated surface using suction. A welding head travels along the top beam and applies heat and pressure to the surface to weld the fabrics together. The top beam and vacuum track assembly are extendable by including additional unit segments from which the beam and assembly are constructed. |
| US08141607B2 |
Optical component lens assembling apparatus
An object is to provide an optical component lens assembling apparatus which is capable of automating the assembly of an optical component having a minute lens and an optical fiber. This apparatus includes: a fiber block fixing device 20 that fixes in position a fiber block 13 on which an optical fiber 11 is provided; a lens grasping device 21 for grasping the outer peripheral side surface of a lens 12 supplied to a lens supply position; an adhesive applying device 22; a lens moving device 23 for placing the one end surface of the lens 12, to which the adhesive has been applied, at a predetermined position of the fiber block 13; and an optical axis alignment state detecting device 24 for detecting the optical axis alignment state of the optical fiber 11 and the lens 12. |
| US08141605B2 |
Device for preventing slipping of vehicle
A device for preventing slipping of a vehicle is disclosed, which improves a vehicle slipping prevention device in which a plurality of spikes connected with a connection member are inserted into a gap between double wheels disposed at a rear side of a large size vehicle at regular intervals for preventing slipping. In the present invention, a structure contacting with a tire surface along with a spike is newly improved, and a structure of an engaging member used for maintaining the tensional force of a plurality of spikes connected by means of a connection member is newly improved. It is possible to achieve a fast and simple engaging and disengaging work and to keep a substantial tensional force so that a vehicle slipping prevention device is not disengaged even during a long time drive of a vehicle. |
| US08141602B2 |
Rotation system for a felling head
A rotation system for a felling head mounted to a boom, the rotation system including: an adapter which is pivotally mounted to the boom; a housing fixed to the adapter; a gear system enclosed between the housing and the felling head and operable to allow the felling head to rotate with respect to the housing about an axis of rotation; and a plurality of actuators mounted to the housing and engaging the gear system, the plurality of actuators being operable to drive the rotation of the felling head, the plurality of actuators engaging the gearing system at positions below the axis of rotation so as to provide a vertical support therefor. |
| US08141589B2 |
Fluid flow labyrinth
A labyrinth channel for reducing pressure and/or flow rate in a liquid flowing in the channel, the labyrinth channel having a bottom surface and first and second opposing walls and comprising: a first array of spaced apart first baffle teeth that have non-parallel upstream and downstream faces and extend from the first wall towards the second wall to terminate in an end; and a second array of spaced apart second baffle teeth that have non-parallel upstream and downstream faces and extend from the second wall towards the first wall to terminate in an end; wherein baffle teeth in different arrays have a substantially same shape and upstream faces of closest baffle teeth in different arrays are different and/or downstream faces of closest baffle teeth in different arrays are different. |
| US08141587B2 |
Duckbill type check valve with curved and resiliently biased closing seal
A check valve is provided comprising a conduit for conveying a fluid, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit having a first region adjacent the outlet (13) comprising a flexible wall, two opposing sides of the flexible wall converging towards each other to form a closed geometry when the pressure of the fluid upstream of the inlet and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the outlet are substantially equal, the closed geometry comprising each of the opposing sides (23, 24) being arcuate in cross-section and lying against each other in a substantially sealing relationship (21, 22). Preferably, two connecting regions of the wall connecting the two opposing sides (15, 16) are biased towards each other by a biasing means. Preferably, the biasing means comprises one or more flexible ring members (25) encircling the flexible wall attached at points (25A and 25B). Preferably, the conduit takes the form of a duck beak valve (20). The figure shows an end view onto the check valve outlet. |
| US08141584B1 |
Water collection, storage, and distribution system
A water collection, storage, and distribution system includes one or more individual water storage tanks. Each water storage tank has its own microprocessor that controls the operation of the storage tank so that each storage tank can operate either as a stand-alone storage tank or can be integrated into a series or a daisy chain of storage tanks. Each individual storage tank monitors its water level, its temperature, and its flow rate. When a risk of freezing exists, based on time and temperature, the storage tank can dump water. When the water in the storage tank is approaching stagnation, based on flow rate and time, the storage tank can dump water. When a storage tank is part of a daisy chain of storage tanks, each individual tank monitors not only its own water level but also the water level of the next downstream storage tank and pumps water to the downstream storage tank as required. |
| US08141583B2 |
Valve controller
A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft. |
| US08141580B2 |
Pressure reducer
A pressure reducer for fluid lines, with a sealing piston (70, 110) as stop element, with an equalization piston (20a, 190) as a means for pressure equalization, with a single-part or multi-part connecting means (20b, 90, 200) by which the sealing piston (70, 110) and the equalization piston (20a, 190) are rigidly connected with one another, with a valve seat, in conjunction of which the sealing piston (70, 110) defines a flow-through opening, against which the sealing piston (17, 110) seals when the valve is closed and which the connecting means (20b, 90, 200) penetrates, and with guide means (20c, 210) which are directly or indirectly rigidly coupled with the connecting means and guide an arrangement composed of at least the equalization piston (20a, 190), connecting means (20b, 90, 200) and sealing piston (70, 110) in each operating position, wherein the guide means (20c, 210) are arranged in the region of the valve seat between the sealing piston (70, 110) and the equalization piston (20a, 190). |
| US08141577B2 |
Liquid filled pressure/vacuum valve for petroleum underground storage tanks
A liquid filled pressure/vacuum valve for underground storage tanks has a body having an inlet coupled to the UST and an outlet coupled to atmosphere. The valve has a suction zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the inlet. The valve has a pressure zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the outlet, with the suction zone in fluid communication with the pressure zone. The valve has a separator disposed in fluid communication with the outlet and the pressure zone, and a fluid that flows between the suction zone and pressure zone. The flow of fluid is determined by an increased force due to a pressure differential between the suction zone and pressure zone. |
| US08141576B2 |
Float valve device
Provided is a float valve device which allows a valve to be quickly opened when, in a state in which a float has been raised as a result of a rise in fuel liquid level to close the valve, the fuel liquid level is lowered again. The float valve device includes a housing, a float accommodated in the housing, a movable valve adapted to abut a valve seat to close an opening, and a retention frame to retain the movable valve so as to allow the movable valve to ascend/descend by a predetermined distance and to incline with respect to the float. Further, a circumferentially uneven protrusion is formed on a portion where the retention frame and the movable valve abut each other. When the float is lowered in a valve-closed state, the protrusion first abuts the movable valve to impart a lowering force thereto. |
| US08141571B2 |
Supplemental medical gas system
A supplemental medical gas system and method utilizes a wheeled handcart, a reel disposed thereon having a length of the hose disposed thereon and extendable therefrom. Couplings are provided and disposed on opposite end of the hose for establishing connection with a gas supply and a hospital conduit system. In addition, at least one berm disposable on the handcart and deployable therefrom is provided for overlaying the extended hose for enabling the vehicular travel thereacross. |
| US08141568B2 |
Breakaway knuckle for arm of a car wash
A breakaway knuckle for an arm of a car wash is disclosed. The knuckle allows the arm of a car wash to receive an impact from a vehicle without breaking and return the arm to its original position automatically. The knuckle preferably comprises a joint having a series of inclined grooves and corresponding balls. The knuckle is spring loaded to actuate the return of the arm to an in-use position after an impact, and the balls roll into the grooves to hold the arm in place. |
| US08141566B2 |
System, method and apparatus for maintaining separation of liquids in a controlled meniscus
A system and method of forming and using a proximity head. The proximity head includes a head surface including a first zone, a second zone and an inner return zone. The first zone including a first flat surface region and multiple first discrete holes connected to a corresponding first conduit and arranged in a first row. The second zone including a second flat region and multiple second discrete holes connected to a corresponding second conduit. The inner return zone being disposed between and adjacent to the first zone and the second zone and including multiple inner return discrete hole connected to a corresponding inner return conduit and arranged in an inner return row. The first row and the inner return row are parallel. A portion of an edge of each of the inner return discrete holes is recessed into the head surface. |
| US08141565B2 |
Lotion, soap or cream applicator or appliance
The appliance includes a two-piece elongated handle with first and second handle pieces rotatably hinged via a locking stop which locks the handle upon full extension. A head piece rotatably mounted on the second handle piece with a coupling rotatably linking the head to the handle. The head piece is biased to a set position with a spring or torsion loadable stem such that upon rotation, the head returns to the set position. The front face of the planar plate has spaced hook ended pins upon which is releaseably mounted a removable cream bearing pad. The bearing pad includes a sponge pad for the lotion, soap or cream and a thin interfacing cloth attached to the rear of the bearing pad. The interfacing cloth has a multiplicity of loops which cooperate with the hooked pins for removable attachment of the bearing pad on the head piece. |
| US08141564B2 |
Article for precise application of makeup
A lightweight, portable article for precise application of makeup is placed upon a user's eyelid skin, preferably the bottom eyelid skin, adjacent to the eyelashes. With this placement, a user can readily apply mascara and/or eyeliner without contacting the delicate eyelid skin. The article has a handle portion and an arcuate top portion. The arcuate top portion includes an applicator rim with rounded lateral edges and an arced central section, both of which are covered with the rubber guard. The rubber guard contiguously traverses the entire surface area of the applicator rim, resulting in a device yielding a high degree of safety. The article is formed of a smooth polymeric or metal material. It is compact, easily cleaned and enables application of mascara in a safe, hygienic manner. |
| US08141562B2 |
Cosmetic container system including tab-hinged cover
A container system for a cosmetic product and/or a cosmetic product applicator may include at least one base including a receptacle having an opening. The receptacle may be configured to contain a cosmetic product and/or an applicator for applying a cosmetic product. The system may also include a device including a cover configured to close the opening, and a tab hingedly associated with the cover. The tab may include a connecting portion configured to removably connect the tab to the base. |
| US08141560B2 |
Apparatus for fixing a wig and method for fixing a wig using the apparatus
An apparatus for fixing a wig to head of a user, including a flexible plane sheet including a first opening and a second opening, a plurality of monofilaments each including a swollen head and protrusively provided on a first side of the flexible plane sheet, a first adhesive layer provided so as to cover the monofilaments, a net member provided on a second side of the flexible plane sheet, and a second adhesive layer provided on the net member of a first half area, the flexible plane sheet being divided into the first half area and a second half area by a line bisecting the flexible plane sheet. |
| US08141557B2 |
Method of oscillatory thermotherapy of biological tissue
A method for thermotherapy of a biological tissue by determining the temperature at which to heat a target site to be treated to provide a temperature to the site to effect therapy, the temperature above body temperature but below a protein denaturation temperature, as determined by a patient's experience of a sensation of pain. Thermotherapy is effected in the absence of coagulative effects by providing oscillatory energy at the predetermined temperature. |
| US08141555B1 |
Backboard cover and associated methods
A backboard cover includes a sheet of flexible material having an upper portion for covering a backboard top surface. The sheet has a lower surface with a non-skid region for retaining the sheet's upper portion in position atop the backboard. The sheet has a plurality of apertures positioned and dimensioned for communicating with handholds in the backboard. The sheet has a portion that can extend over to the bottom surface of the backboard, for retaining the sheet on the backboard. The backboard cover further includes an absorbent pad affixed atop the sheet for absorbing and retaining bodily or other fluids that may be exuded during the patient's residence thereon. An affixing element such as, but not intended to be limited to, a hook-and-latch pad, is affixed adjacent a top edge of the sheet, for serving as a fixation site for at least a pillow thereto. |
| US08141552B2 |
Respiratory anaesthesia apparatus with device for measuring the xenon concentration
Apparatus for respiratory anaesthesia of a patient by administration of a gas containing gaseous xenon, with a main gas circuit which is open or closed and has an inhalation branch and an exhalation branch, means for supply of gaseous xenon to the inhalation branch of the main circuit, and means for determining the xenon concentration. The means for determining the xenon concentration comprise at least one hot-wire sensor having at least one electrically conducting wire in direct contact with the gaseous flow containing the xenon, calculating means that cooperate with the hot-wire sensor(s) in order to determine the xenon concentration (Xe %) in the flow, means for generating an electrical current in order to generate a current in at least one hot wire, and means for voltage measurement that can measure at least one voltage value at the terminal of at least one hot wire or at least one resistance arranged in series with at least one hot wire. The calculating means cooperate with the voltage measurement means in such a way as to determine the xenon concentration (Xe %). |
| US08141549B2 |
Appliance with a vacuum-based reverse airflow cooling system using one fan
An appliance includes a housing having an airflow channel communicating with outside of the appliance; a first chamber in the housing and having a first opening; a first door for selectively closing the first opening, the first door having a first airway communicating with the outside of the appliance; a second chamber in the housing and having a second opening; a second door for selectively closing the second opening, the second door having a second airway communicating with the outside of the appliance; and a fan in the airflow channel. The airflow channel includes a central segment disposed between the first and second chambers and communicating with the first and second airways. When activated, the fan causes ambient air to pass through the first and second airways before entering the central segment so that the first and second doors are cooled off by the ambient air. |
| US08141546B2 |
Bowstring drawing assembly for a bow
A bowstring drawing assembly for a bow has a mounting frame, an operating device and a connecting belt. The mounting frame has a bottom bar, two supporting shafts and two pulleys. The supporting shafts are connected to the bottom bar. The pulleys are connected to the supporting shafts to hold the bow. The operating device is mounted on the mounting frame and has a holding seat, a rotating rod, a worm wheel, a worm shaft and a crank shaft. The holding seat is mounted on the bottom bar. The rotating rod is rotatably connected to the holding seat. The worm wheel is mounted around the rotating rod. The worm shaft is rotatably connected to the holding seat and engages the worm wheel. The crank shaft is connected securely to the worm shaft. The connecting belt is connected to the rotating rod of the operating device to mount around the bow. |
| US08141542B2 |
Method for the cold start of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for starting an internal combustion engine associated with a starter for driving the engine when starting the latter and to means for adapting the amount of injected fuel. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: during a first start operation, counting the number of revolutions (PMH) of the engine when it is driven by the starter; during a second starting operation following the first operation, adapting the amount (Q) of injected fuel based on the number of revolutions (PHM) counted during the first starting operation. |
| US08141539B2 |
Controller and control method for internal combustion engine
An ECU controls an adjusting mechanism adjusting an output of an engine, such as a throttle valve, a swirl control valve, an ignition plug, an intake valve, and an ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System) changing the length of an intake manifold, in accordance with a ratio between a maximum value KL(MAX) of load factor and the load factor required of the engine by the driver and by the system mounted on the vehicle at current engine speed NE. |
| US08141537B2 |
Controlling device and method of estimating valve opening for internal combustion engine
A controlling device for an internal combustion engine includes an estimating portion to calculate an estimation value relative to an open degree of a valve based on a predetermined estimation formula. A signal of a sensor is changed, when the valve has a predetermined open degree defined between a full close and a full open. The estimating portion determines that an actual open degree of the valve is smaller than the predetermined open degree, in a case that the signal of the sensor is not changed when the estimation value becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined open degree. |
| US08141536B2 |
Air cleaner for stratified-scavenging two-stroke internal combustion engine
ObjectIt is intended to prevent intrusion of air-fuel mixture into an air cleaner by blow-back in an air-fuel mixture passage of a stratified-scavenging two-stroke engine.SolutionThe air cleaner (24) includes a guide member (30). A blow-back flow of air (20) flowing back to the air cleaner (24) through a first air opening (23A) due to blow-back of air is induced to a vicinity of a second air opening (23M) by the guide member (30). A blow-back flow of air-fuel mixture (21) occurring in an air-fuel mixture passage (2) prior to the blow-back phenomenon in an air passage (3) collides the air flow 20 moving toward the vicinity of the second air opening (23M), and retains the air-fuel mixture near the second air opening (23M). |
| US08141533B2 |
Control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a stop request to an engine, a throttle closing control unit that, when the stop request is detected, adjusts an opening amount of a throttle valve to an engine-stop throttle valve opening amount smaller than a current opening amount an engine stop detection unit that detects a stop of the engine, an engine-stop exhaust valve control unit that adjusts an opening/closing characteristic of an exhaust valve of a cylinder that will be placed initially in an intake stroke when the engine is restarted so that, when the opening amount of the throttle valve is adjusted to the engine-stop throttle valve opening amount and a stop of the engine is detected, the exhaust valve has an engine-stop exhaust valve opening/closing characteristic by which a closing timing of the exhaust valve is more delayed than a current closing timing of the exhaust valve. |
| US08141532B2 |
Spark plug
A peripheral wall extending portion is formed in such a manner that a front end side of a cylindrical hole of a metal shell projects forward in an axis O direction, and the peripheral wall extending portion comprising: a projecting portion formed into a projecting shape, and a connecting portion which connects between the projecting portions. A fuel injected from an injection orifice of an injector strikes against the projecting portion and is unlikely to directly reach to a spark discharge gap formed between a noble metal tip and a front end portion of a ground electrode. The fuel that strikes against the projecting portions without striking against the projecting portion is separated into a droplet-like incompletely vaporized fuel that adheres to the projecting portions and a vaporized fuel being reflected to a perimeter of the spark discharge gap. |
| US08141527B2 |
Camshaft adjuster having a variable ratio gear unit
A camshaft adjuster (1) having a variable ratio gear unit (2). Usually, a drive movement of an electrical actuating assembly (7) is transmitted into a variable ratio gear unit (2) of a camshaft adjuster (1) on the side which faces away from the camshaft (6). According to the invention, the abovementioned drive movement is transmitted in from the side of the variable ratio gear unit (2) which faces the camshaft (6). As a result, a further assembly, for example a vacuum pump, can be driven by the variable ratio gear unit (2) on the side of the variable ratio gear unit (2) which has become free and faces away from the camshaft (6). An actuating shaft (4) of the actuating assembly (7) is preferably mounted via a bearing (34) which is supported on a circumferential face of the camshaft (6). This results in a reduced axial overall size of the camshaft adjuster and extended possibilities for the arrangement of an actuating assembly and the connection of additional assemblies. |
| US08141526B2 |
Camshaft adjuster
Impurities of a lubricant in traditional camshaft adjusters can cause a problem, leading to impairment in the function and service life of the camshaft adjuster. In order to address this, flow channel areas are provided in the lubricant circuit, which include a dead chamber (37) where impurities can be deposited as a result of centrifugal force. Alternatively or additionally, a labyrinth is used to deposit impurities. |
| US08141524B2 |
Cooling system having variable orifice plates
A cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The cooling system may have an engine, a pump configured to receive coolant from the engine and generate a flow of coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to receive the coolant flow. The cooling system may also have a plurality of orifice plates located between the pump and the heat exchanger. At least one of the plurality of orifice plates may be adjustable to control the flow of the coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger. |
| US08141520B2 |
Livestock sterilizing method, livestock sterilizing apparatus, and livestock or livestock meat
By effectively inhibiting ozone escape from ozonized water, a livestock sterilizing method which does not have the possibility of having an adverse effect on man and livestock is provided. Sterilizing of livestock is performed by including an ozonized water producing step of producing ozonized water with a particle size R of a contained ozone bubble satisfying 0 |
| US08141519B2 |
Animal enclosure
An animal enclosure is provided which is particularly adapted for cat. The animal enclosure includes a housing having a base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the perimeter of the base, a hollow interior space surrounded by the sidewall, an access opening in the sidewall to permit an animal to enter and leave the hollow interior space. A frame is attached to an interior surface of said sidewall, and a corrugated bundle is removably retained by the frame. The animal enclosure is collapsible and is capable of being shipped and stored in a compact configuration but which is capable of being erected on site to create an animal enclosure. |
| US08141516B2 |
Pig-raising method utilizing combustion ash in blended feed and floor covering
A pig-raising method is provided that decreases the bad odors of pig excreta, improves pig-raising efficiency, and stimulates the growth of the pigs so as to improve the quality of their meat so as to enable pig farmers to obtain good-quality meat. With the pig-raising method of the present invention (1) a pig house is provided with a water-supply system that passes water through first ceramic particles, with said activated water then supplied to pigs for drinking, and (2) pigs are fed a blended feed that consists of ordinary feed and second ceramic particles whose main component is silica obtained from plant materials and which constitutes 0.1%-3.0% of the weight of said blended feed. Further, there is spread over the floors of the pig houses a floor covering that consists of a mixture of sawdust and the second ceramic particles, with said second ceramic particles constituting 1.0%-10% of the weight of said floor covering. |
| US08141511B1 |
Stable maritime vehicle platform
Systems and methods for a stable maritime platform are disclosed. The platform is pivotally supported by a superstructure of a floating vessel, the platform to receive a downward force from an object. A platform trunnion is connected to the platform to convert the downward force on the platform into rotational movement. A counterweight axle is connected to the platform trunnion to transform the rotational movement into angular displacement that moves a counterweight away from the superstructure of the floating vessel. Thus, the downward force of the object may be counteracted to balance the floating vessel. |
| US08141508B2 |
Barge arrangement and method for operation of a barge arrangement
The invention relates to a barge arrangement comprising a barge unit with a first end (11) and a second end (12) and a tug unit provided with a propulsion unit, which barge unit is adapted to receive the tug unit at one end. In order to achieve an efficient vessel combination for loading, transport and unloading of cargo the barge unit (102) is adapted to receive a first tug unit (2) at its second end (12) in order to be pushed by the first tug unit (2) with the first end (11) of the barge unit (1) in a forward direction (F) of motion. Further, the barge unit (101) is adapted to receive a second tug unit (3) at its second end (12) in order to be pulled by the second tug unit (3) with the second end (12) of the barge unit (1) in the forward direction (F) of motion. |
| US08141506B2 |
System and method for control of the backing feed for a tufting machine
A method of controlling the feeding of the backing material moving through a tufting machine in order to produce tufted articles such as carpets having a woven look or appearance. The backing material is indexed forwardly along its path of travel through the tufting machine by at least the stitch length for each stitch in a stitch cycle of the programmed pattern. At a desired point in the stitch cycle, the backing material can be indexed forwardly by a greater distance approximately equal to the program stitch length and a calculated jump distance to achieve a desired pattern effect. |
| US08141501B2 |
Method and facility for disposing wet sludge
A wet sludge disposal facility is capable of smoothly transferring wet sludge to a kiln inlet part of a dry process kiln by a low feeding pressure and without substantially increasing the moisture content in the wet sludge. The disposal facility is used in a cement clinker manufacturing facility having a preheater for preheating a cement raw material, and a dry process kiln connected to the preheater at the kiln inlet part of the dry process kiln. Wet sludge is transferred to the side of the kiln inlet part by feeding water between the wet sludge and the inner wall surface of the pipe by a water injection apparatus in at least one place between the pressure feed pump and the kiln inlet part. |
| US08141499B2 |
Wireless actuator
A wireless actuator includes a track rail, a slide member movable along the track rail, a driver which is mounted on the slide member and which allows the slide member to travel with respect to the track rail, a radio receiver portion which is mounted on the slide member and which receives a drive control signal for the driver, a control unit which generates the drive control signal and transmits the drive control signal to the radio receiver portion, and a non-contact power supply which includes a primary side member provided to the track rail and a secondary side member provided to the slide member and supplies electric power from a side of the track rail to the driver and the radio receiver portion which are mounted on the slide member. |
| US08141498B2 |
Rail car extension system
A rail car extension system including a first main rail section, a second main rail section and a plurality of bow structures. The first main rail section is mounted with respect to an upper surface of the first side wall. The first main rail section includes a first upper rail portion and a first lower rail portion that extends from the first upper rail portion. The second main rail section is mounted with respect to an upper surface of the second side wall. The second main rail section includes a second upper rail portion and a second lower rail portion that extends from the second upper rail portion. The plurality of bow structures are each attached to and extend between the first main rail section and the second main rail section. |
| US08141496B2 |
Device for detecting a risk of derailment and the release of debris or objects onto a vehicle rail guideway
A sliding body (25) which includes an electrical contact shoe (32) that moves on a guide rail (5) along the length thereof. The sliding body (25) is mounted to the front of a guiding assembly, in the direction of movement of a vehicle, and articulated with the assembly by a connecting rod (26) that is designed to rupture upon exceeding a pre-determined limit. The sliding body (25) includes a device (43), which is located on at least one of the sides of the body, for lifting and releasing objects or debris. The loss of electrical contact between the shoe and the rail enables a risk of derailment to be detected. The invention is suitable for rail-guided vehicle manufactures. |
| US08141495B2 |
Amusement park ride with vehicles pivoting about a common chassis to provide racing and other effects
A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent. |
| US08141492B1 |
Insulated secondary charges
A means of increasing the velocity of projectiles using multiple charges ignited at different times to facilitate a sustained pressure pulse in the barrel is provided. The propellant charges are separated with one or more rigid barriers and ignited in series; igniting the propellant nearest to the projectile first and the propellant that is farthest from the propellant last. By timing the ignition of the charges a higher average pressure is sustained in the gun tube without risking a breach blow. After the peak pressure of the first propellant charge is reached the second propellant is ignited. The energy of the second propellant causes the pressure in the gun tube to fall more gradually. Thus the average pressure that acts on the projectile is safely increased. The following includes several methods of accomplishing this. |
| US08141491B1 |
Expanding tube separation device
A separation device for separating parts along a seam includes a frangible structure and a pressure tube assembly within the frangible structure. The pressure tube assembly includes a pressure tube which contains an explosive detonation assembly/cord that can be initiated to expand the pressure tube, and break the frangible structure with a shock force. The pressure tube assembly also includes a explosive manifold that is recessed in the frangible structure, not protruding from an outer surface of the frangible structure. The explosive manifold receives the ends of the pressure tube, and includes a detonator for detonating the explosive detonation assembly/cord. The explosive manifold has circular-cross-section fittings for accepting a circular ends of the pressure tube. By not having any part of the pressure tube assembly protrude from the frangible structure, improved performance may be achieved. Having circular fittings also improves the seal between the pressure tube and the explosive manifold. |
| US08141485B2 |
Printing machine system
A printing system is provided with a first printing machine that includes at least one printing unit and a first folding funnel which is located at an exit of the printing unit. A second printing machine, with a second printing unit and a drier, together with a folding funnel at its exit, is also part of the printing system. The first and second folding funnels differ from each other in the number of formers that are placed next to each other in a machine plane, or vary in an effective width of one or more folders. A web, or a partial web, which is printed by the second printing unit, and which is guided through the drier, can be guided either to the second folding funnel structure, or can be guided to the first folding funnel structure, which differs from the second funnel structure in at least one of numbers and width. |
| US08141481B2 |
Compacting bin
A bin suitable for mounting within a rigid enclosure, such as a cupboard, includes; a first section, which may be mounted within an enclosure, connected via a hinge to a second section, onto which a cupboard door may be mounted. Contents placed between first section and second section, when in the open position, are then compacted as second section is rotated closed. The invention may include a magnetic closure mechanism that offers a strong retaining force compared to that required to open the bin, and does so in a way that does not affect the external appearance of door mounted upon second section. |
| US08141480B2 |
Automatic bale size calibration on round balers
A method and apparatus for automatically calibrating a bale size indicator by using inputs from existing bale wrapper material monitors to determine the linear amount of wrapping material necessary to encircle the bale one time. Balers with wrapping mechanisms may include a sensor for measuring the linear amount of wrapper dispensed as a means to alert the operator when the supply of wrapper material is low. Such balers may also have additional sensors for verifying that wrapping material completely encircles the bale prior to allowing the bale to be ejected from the baler. Using inputs from each of these sensors, a control system on the baler can determine the amount of wrapping material necessary to cover one revolution of the bale, also an indication of the bale circumference, and use the measurement to calibrate the display of bale diameter also generated from the control system. The automated capability eliminates the need for an operator to manually measure the diameter of a completed bale and enter that measurement into the indicator control system. |
| US08141479B2 |
Cooking device for arrangement on a horizontal work surface
A cooking device disposable on a horizontal surface. The cooking device includes a support mechanism that is movable by a drive, in a direction substantially vertical to the surface, between an operating position and an inactive position. The cooking device also has a heating unit disposed on the support mechanism and a food tray disposed on the support mechanism. The food tray and heating unit are held on the support mechanism such that the food tray and heating unit are movable relative to one another. In an inactive position of the support mechanism, the food tray has a height position that is lower than a height position of the surface. |
| US08141478B2 |
Grill device with a removable grill plate
A grill member of a grill device includes a housing, a grill plate, a heating unit, and a handle unit. The housing is formed with a latch hole. The grill plate is made of a heat-conductive material and is disposed removably on the housing. The heating unit is mounted on the housing and is operable so as to generate heat that is conducted to the grill plate. The handle unit is movably retained on the grill plate and is operable so as to engage releasably the latch hole in the housing, thereby locking releasably the grill plate on the housing. |
| US08141476B2 |
Durable piston and a ring unit for the durable piston
A durable piston is applied in a cylinder of an engine to output internal exploding power and has a piston head and a durable ring unit. The piston head is mounted in the cylinder of the engine, is driven for outputting kinetic energy and has a ring unit mount. The durable ring unit is mounted around the ring unit mount and has a distal ring and a proximal ring. The rings are mounted around the ring unit mount. An inner edge of the distal ring and the proximal ring are separated from the piston head of the piston so forming a first airway and a second airway. When the engine operates, high-pressure air fills the airways and presses the rings against the cylinder. Consequently, the airways maintain contact between the durable ring unit and the cylinder tight to prevent air leakage. |
| US08141475B2 |
Piston machine
A piston machine comprises a housing, in which at least one first piston is arranged which can be moved to and fro between two end positions in order to periodically increase and reduce the size of a working chamber adjoining a first end face of the at least one first piston, the at least one first piston having at least one guiding member, which is in engagement with a control curve which is formed on a curve member arranged in the housing, the curve member extending concentrically and circumferentially in the housing, all the way round an axis of revolution which is fixed relative to the housing, and being arranged radially to the outside of the piston in relation to the axis of revolution, a second piston being situated opposite the at least one first piston and performing opposing reciprocating movements relative to the first piston, the second piston having a second end face, which faces the first end face of the first piston, and the working chamber being situated between the end faces. The curve member is mounted in the housing in such a way that it can revolve about the axis of revolution, while the at least one first piston and the second piston cannot revolve about the axis of revolution, with the result that the at least one first piston and the second piston perform reciprocating movements in a plane of movement which is fixed relative to the axis of revolution when the curve member revolves about the axis of revolution. |
| US08141473B2 |
Apparatus for synthetic weapon stabilization and firing
In methods and apparatuses, a weapon includes a trigger module for sensing trigger input from a shooter and generating a trigger signal, and a firing module for controlling firing of a projectile responsive to a fire control signal. The weapon also includes an image sensor configured for mounting on the weapon and sensing a series of images over a time period of interest while the trigger signal is in a motion-estimation state. A controller is configured for determining when to fire the weapon by receiving the images from the image sensor and generating a motion estimation history over the time period of interest responsive to changes in the images. The controller is also configured for determining a centroid of the motion estimation history and asserting the fire control signal when the trigger signal is in a fire-enable state and a current image is within an offset threshold from the centroid. |
| US08141468B2 |
Adjustable bomb carrier
According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a structural body, one or more attachment couplers, and an adjustable store coupler. The structural body comprises a cylindrical portion and one or more end portions coupled to the cylindrical portion. The attachment couplers are configured to be coupled to a bomb rack of an aircraft. The adjustable store coupler has attachment points arranged in a substantially linear manner. The attachment points are configured to couple one or more store systems to the adjustable store coupler. |
| US08141467B1 |
Bullet sizing and lubricator apparatus and method
A bullet sizing and lubrication device for use with reloading presses for improved operation and durability having a sizing die, lube valve, and lube actuator member. The sizing die has a centering portion for centering bullets to be sized and lubricated and at least one lube opening. The lube valve and lube actuator member has a first position where fluid is blocked from entering the at least one lube opening and a second position where fluid is communicated through the at least one lube opening. The principle use is for sizing and lubricating cast bullets, however, other components will benefit from this invention. For example, any number of applications where devices need to be sized and lubricated, such as, shafts and pins will benefit from this application. |
| US08141466B2 |
Punch device for piercing hydro-formed member
A piercing device for hydro-formed members comprises a punch having a cutting surface and a guide bore, a support member having a guide post complementary in shape to the guide bore and drive passages, and a drive member having two arms forming U-shaped members. The arms of the drive member extend through the drive passages of the support member to transfer a force between a ram and the punch. |
| US08141464B2 |
Milling cutter of crank shaft miller, and cutter tip and cutter tip set for milling cutter of crank shaft miller
A vertical outer circumferential cutter tip, which has an approximate hourglass shape that is narrower at its middle than at its ends, and all of its eight corners are acute angles. Both sides of the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip are relieved at an angle α. When performing cutting processing upon the side surface of a counter weight with the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip, excessive friction is prevented. The shapes of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip are formed so as to be very gently convexed, and with a relief of an angle β. Abrasion of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the vertical outer circumferential cutter tip is prevented before the acute angled corner used for cutting is damaged. |
| US08141458B1 |
Hammer head with recessed traction striking surface
A hammer head includes a centrally located traction surface surrounded by a peripheral striking face. The portion of the hammer head forming the traction surface is comprised of a harder material than the surrounding portion of the hammer head, such that wear to the traction surface is inhibited. The centrally located region may be formed as a separate disk with a knurled outer surface that is press fit into a cavity formed in the hammer head main body. The traction surface is preferably recessed relative to the surrounding portion of the hammer head but may also extend flush therewith. |
| US08141456B2 |
Multipurpose pedal
A multipurpose pedal includes a spindle assembly and a pedal pivotally assembled with the spindle assembly. The spindle assembly includes a spindle adapting to assemble with a bicycle crank and a tube sleeved on the spindle. The pedal includes a first frame and a second frame mounted in the first frame. Multiple stubs are mounted between the first frame and the second frame. The multiple stubs are replaceable for providing multipurpose. |
| US08141451B2 |
Shift drive device
A shift drive device with a shift arm having one end secured to a shift spindle with a guide hole for receiving a pin, provide to project therefrom, inserted therethrough and engaged therewith. A turn-restriction hole receives a restriction pin provided on a transmission case. A space that is needed for turning the shift arm is reduced. A turn-restriction hole is provided in a shift arm so as to be disposed on a straight line connecting an axial line of a shift spindle with the center of a guide hole. |
| US08141446B2 |
Speed changing transmission mechanism of sheet laminating apparatus
A speed changing transmission mechanism of a sheet laminating apparatus includes a reverse module, a power output shaft, a first power output roller, a second power output roller, a first belt, a second belt, a power input module and a shift module. Utilizing the reverse module, the power input module and the shift module, the speed changing transmission mechanism is capable of hot laminating the sheet article and withdrawing the jammed sheet article. |
| US08141442B2 |
Pipe scanner
A pipe scanner for non-destructively scanning an extended length of the circumference of a pipe along an axial dimension. The pipe scanner includes a collar sized to fit around the outer circumference of the pipe. Wheels supported on the collar ride on the surface of the pipe while maintaining a space between the inner surface of the collar and the outer surface of the pipe. A track extends circumferentially around the collar for guiding a circumferential drive unit that rides on the track and carries a non-destructive sensor for monitoring the surface of the pipe as the circumferential drive unit moves around the track. An axial drive unit is connected to the collar, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive wheels in contact with the pipe for moving the collar along the extended length. |
| US08141431B2 |
Load sensor having load detection element and support element and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a load sensor including a load detection element and a support element is provided. The support element includes a base and a spring. The spring includes a support portion, a connection portion bonding to the base, and a connecting member coupling the support portion and the connection portion. The support element transmits a detection load to the load detection element via the base and the spring. The method includes: sandwiching the load detection element between the base and the support portion; bonding the connection portion on the base so that the connecting member is deformed beyond the elastic deformation region to reach the plastic deformation region; pressing the support portion so that a contact surface of the support portion is plastically deformed; and returning deformation of the connecting member to be in the elastic deformation region. |
| US08141429B2 |
High temperature capacitive static/dynamic pressure sensors and methods of making the same
Disclosed are capacitive pressure probes or sensors for high temperature applications. The capacitive pressure sensors of the present invention include, inter alia, a sapphire diaphragm which is disposed within an interior sensing chamber of the probe housing and has a first electrode formed on a central portion thereof. The central portion of the diaphragm and the first electrode are adapted and configured to deflect in response to pressure variations encountered within an interior sensing chamber and by the pressure sensor. A sapphire substrate which has a second electrode formed thereon is fused to the sapphire diaphragm about its periphery to form a sapphire stack and to define a reference chamber therebetween. Prior to fusing the sapphire diaphragm to the sapphire substrate, all contact surfaces are chemically treated and prepared using plasma activation, so as to create a bonding layer and to reduce the temperature required for the fusion. |
| US08141423B2 |
Electronic device including two electronic components connected with each other and output terminal and method of manufacturing same
An electronic device includes a first electronic component having a terminal member and a second electronic component connected with the first electronic component. The terminal member includes a trunk portion, an external terminal portion that extends in a straight direction from the trunk portion to be connected with a lead wire at its connection end and a U-shaped internal terminal portion that has one side extending from the trunk portion and the other side extending in a direction opposite to the straight direction and connected with the second electronic component at its connection end. |
| US08141421B2 |
Tank measurement system using multiple sensor elements
A tank or vessel volume measurement apparatus that includes multiple buoyancy elements. The buoyancy elements can be placed within a perforated tube to reduce any effects from turbulent flow within the tank. The multiple buoyancy load sensors are each made of different density or cross sections to cancel out any accumulation of contamination that may collect on the buoyancy elements placed within the fluid and to determine the density or specific gravity of the fluid within the tank. The buoyancy elements are attached to a load sensor or strain gauge that measures the weight or load from the buoyancy element. Temperature of other sensors can be placed on the buoyancy elements or within the tank to collect other readings or to adjust for temperature variations. The buoyancy elements can be fabricated in pieces and assembled on site or within the tank to accommodate taller tanks or height restrictions. |
| US08141416B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying wind turbine performance inefficiency
The present disclosure relates to an approach by which low-performing turbines may be identified from among a plurality of wind turbines, such as may be present at a wind power plant. In accordance with one embodiment, low-performing turbines are identified from among pairs of turbines and based upon a comparison of the observed and expected performance of the turbines within each pair. |
| US08141415B2 |
Tire testing device
A tire testing device which can improve reliability in measurement of loss in tire is provided. The tire testing device can include a tire motor connected with the rotational shaft of the tire, a tire shaft torque meter for detecting torque applied to the rotational shaft of the tire, a roller on to which the tire is pressed to be contact with, a roller motor connected with the rotational shaft of the roller, and a roller shaft torque meter for detecting the torque applied to the rotational shaft of the roller. The device measures loss of power in tire from the difference in power of the tire obtained by adding the torque measured by the tire shaft torque meter and the difference in power of the roller obtained by adding the torque measured by the roller shaft torque meter. |
| US08141414B2 |
Apparatus for determining the condition of a tire tread of a vehicle wheel
A method and apparatus for determining the condition of a tire tread of a vehicle wheel including a rim and a tire configured to perform the steps of: (1) emitting an electromagnetic radiation towards the tread of the tire, (2) receiving a reflected electromagnetic radiation from said tread of the tire in response to the emitted radiation, (3) processing the reflected radiation to obtain height data including respective heights of a plurality of points located on the tread of the tire, (4) repeating the steps (1) to (3) in successive time intervals within which the vehicle wheel has driven a predetermined distance, and storing the respective height data, particularly average values of the height data, each in dependence of the driven distance, and (5) deriving from the succession of the stored height data a residual mileage of the tire. |
| US08141412B2 |
Method of detecting dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler and a detecting apparatus therefor
A method of detecting the dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler, comprises: first, by detecting and/or calculating, obtaining volume flow of wet steam, corresponding volume flow of saturated liquid, and corresponding volume flow of saturated vapour; and then obtaining the dryness of wet steam of the once-through steam injection boiler, X, according to the following relationship equation: X = ; wherein are the volume flow of wet steam, the corresponding volume flow of saturated liquid, and the corresponding volume flow of saturated vapour respectively. A detecting apparatus for detecting dryness of wet steam of a once-through steam injection boiler, specifically comprises: a data detecting module 1, a data processing module 2, and a data displaying module 3, wherein the data processing module 2 connects the data detecting module 1 and the data displaying module 3. |
| US08141408B2 |
Holder for press dies
A press die holder holds an upper die with its receiving structure above the die body. This configuration allows the die to be removed from the holder in the configuration in which it will be loaded into the press. The operator does not have to flip the die over before loading the die into the press. The holder may be configured to hold a lower die with its receiving structure disposed below the die body. This also prevents the lower die from being flipped over when it is removed from the holder and loaded into the press. One configuration of the invention provides a holder having a pair of fingers that engage the pair of continuous grooves defined by the receiving structure of the die so that the die hangs from the fingers. |
| US08141405B2 |
Method for producing ultra thin wall metallic tube with cold working process
An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method for producing an ultra thin wall metallic tube by cold working method with significant wall thickness reduction. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a cold pilger mill according to the invention, cold rolling is performed while tube diameters are being expanded using rolls having tapered groove dies whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a drawing machine according to the invention, cold drawing is performed while the tube diameters are being expanded using a solid die whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side and a plug of a tapered mandrel bar whose diameters increase from an entry side of the die toward an exit side. In the metallic tube producing method, a maximum diameter of the plug or tapered mandrel bar may be larger than an outside diameter of the mother tube. |
| US08141402B2 |
Pretension loading method for power transmission chain and pretension loading apparatus
There is provided a pretension loading method for a power transmission chain, in which a chain with an endless loop shape having a plurality of laminated link plates bendably connected to each other by pin members is wound around a plurality of rollers and the chain is endlessly rotated while a load is loaded on the chain so as to load pretension on the chain, the method including the steps of: (a) maintaining the chain in a substantial tension state without a slack by controlling tension of at least one of the plurality of rollers while endlessly rotating the chain; (b) measuring a length of the chain in the tension state; (c) stretching the chain to a target length by controlling a displacement of the at least one of the rollers; (d) maintaining the chain in a substantial tension state without a slack by controlling tension of the at least one of the rollers; and (e) measuring the length of the chain in the tension state. At this time, the steps (c) to (e) are repeated until a difference between the target length and the length of the chain which is measured in the step (e) is less than a predetermined value. |
| US08141401B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing a layer of metal-working liquid
In a shaping process a metal strip is passed in a rolling direction through shaping rolls and a layer of treatment liquid is applied to a surface of the strip upstream of the shaping rolls. Measurement variables of the liquid on the surface are analyzed by laser-induced, time resolved fluorescent spectroscopic analysis or spectroscopic analysis in the infrared band. |
| US08141399B2 |
Electromechanical cylinder plug
An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder. |
| US08141397B2 |
Key regulating device
A driving section and a regulating member are easily mounted to a subject of assembly. In an interlock unit, a solenoid, a shaft, a link, a release link, and a torsion spring are integrated together by means of a unit box. By the interlock unit being mounted to a lock body, the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be mounted to the lock body. For this reason, it is not necessary that the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring are separately mounted to the lock body, and the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be easily mounted to the lock body. |
| US08141396B1 |
Lock box assembly
A lock box assembly includes a lock box which includes a first casing and a second casing pivotally coupled to the first casing. The first casing has a combination lock disposed thereon. A protective shell is coveringly and detachably assembled with the first casing. The protective shell includes a cover panel shielding the first casing. A plurality of side panels extend from the cover panel for enclosingly forming a receiving space adapted for accommodating the first casing. At least one buckle is formed on the plurality of side panels. The cover panel has an opening defined therein and corresponds to the combination lock of the first casing. A lid is pivotally hinged to an edge of the opening for selectively shielding the opening. The protective shell and the lid protectively prevents the first casing the combination lock from exposing to weathering. |
| US08141393B2 |
Glass fibers having improved durability
A glass fiber and a method of manufacturing a glass fiber for reinforcing a transparent composite matrix is disclosed. The glass fiber includes a first glass material having a first refractive index, a first modulus, and a first durability characteristic and a second glass material having a second refractive index, a second modulus, and second durability characteristic. The second durability characteristic is greater than the first durability characteristic. Durability characteristic is selected from the group comprising resistance to chemical attack, resistance to acid attack, resistance to fading from exposure to ultra-violet radiation, and resistance to mechanical abrasion. |
| US08141389B2 |
Crucible lift device and method for taking-out crucible
A crucible lift device for taking a crucible out of a mold is provided with a lid member which closely contacts a limb portion defining an opening of a crucible; a decompressing mechanism which decompresses an internal space of the crucible sealed with the lid member; and a vertically-moving mechanism for the lid member. The crucible lift device includes a stand, and the vertically-moving mechanism includes a crane device which is fixed to a beam provided on an upper end of the stand and vertically moves the lid member. The decompressing mechanism includes a suction duct which penetrates the lid member to open into the internal space of crucible, and a decompressor which is connected to the suction duct. The vertically-moving mechanism can integrally lift the crucible in which the internal space is decompressed together with the lid member. |
| US08141384B2 |
Methods of making LED extractor arrays
A molding operation produces an extractor array by providing a mold having a plurality of cavities therein, each cavity being adapted to form an extractor suitable for coupling to an LED die; filling the mold with a plurality of glass particles; heating the glass particles above glass transition temperatures thereof so that the particles are reshaped to conform to the cavity shapes; and forming a land layer that extends between the cavities. The land layer maintains the extractors in a fixed spatial relationship with each other for subsequent handling or processing, such as a simultaneous polishing operation or in attaching the extractor array to a corresponding LED array. |
| US08141383B2 |
Engine-machine and expander heat exchanger unit
A heat exchanger unit is disclosed, the heat exchanger unit including a first tube element unit, a second tube element unit, and an engine machine apparatus having an expansion step unit and a compression step unit. Each of the tube element units is adapted to condition a fluid flowing therethrough. Desirably, the fluid is compressed in the compression step unit and expanded in the expansion step unit in such a manner that technical operation is transferred from the expansion step unit to the compression step unit so that an inner recovery of energy is made possible. |
| US08141379B2 |
Hybrid solar air-conditioning system
The hybrid solar air-conditioning system includes an air intake having an air drying system that uses a liquid desiccant to dry ambient air, a desiccant regeneration system that uses a heat exchanger having oil heated by solar energy to remove water from the desiccant, an indirect evaporative air conditioner that uses an air-air heat exchanger to cool the dried air indirectly with evaporatively cooled air, a distilled water recovery system to recover water from the desiccant and from the evaporatively cooled air in the form of distilled water, and a microprocessor-based controller to control room temperature and relative humidity, and to regulate air intake and the flow of desiccant and oil in the system. The hybrid system enables the use of evaporative cooling in regions having high humidity. |
| US08141370B2 |
Methods and apparatus for radially compliant component mounting
Methods and apparatus for a mounting assembly for a liner of a gas turbine engine combustor are provided. The combustor includes a combustor liner and a radially outer annular flow sleeve. The mounting assembly includes an inner ring surrounding a radially outer surface of the liner and including a plurality of axially extending fingers. The mounting assembly also includes a radially outer ring coupled to the inner ring through a plurality of spacers that extend radially from a radially outer surface of the inner ring to the outer ring. |
| US08141363B2 |
Apparatus and method for cooling nozzles
A nozzle includes a nozzle body and a cavity defined at least in part by the nozzle body. A plenum extends through the nozzle body into the cavity. At least one passage through the plenum provides fluid communication between the plenum and the cavity. Orifices through the nozzle body and circumferentially spaced around the nozzle body provide fluid communication through the nozzle body. A method for cooling a face of a nozzle having a nozzle body that defines a cavity includes flowing a fuel through the cavity and inserting a plenum through the nozzle body into the cavity. The method further includes flowing a fluid through the plenum so that the fluid impinges on the face of the nozzle to remove heat. |
| US08141359B2 |
System and method for locomotive exhaust gas recirculation cooling and catalyst heating
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an intake, an exhaust, and a turbocharger including a turbine and a compressor, the compressor coupled to the intake and the turbine coupled to the exhaust, the engine further having an exhaust gas recirculation system coupled to the exhaust upstream of the turbine and coupled to the intake downstream of the compressor, the method including transferring heat via a heat exchanger from the exhaust gas recirculation system to downstream of the turbine. |
| US08141356B2 |
Ethanol separation using air from turbo compressor
Methods and systems for separating fuel and supplying the separated fuel to an engine are disclosed. In one example, alcohol is separated from a blend of alcohol and gasoline. The methods and systems may improve fuel separator operation by adjusting separator operation in response to engine operating conditions. |
| US08141354B2 |
Torque converter with stator shaft one-way clutch
A hydraulic torque converter including a stator, a stator shaft, a one-way clutch including blocking elements and being connected to the stator shaft, a stator hub connecting the stator to the one-way clutch, and axial bearings supporting the stator hub, an axial length of the blocking elements being larger than an axial length between the bearings. Embodiments with blocking elements in a pump hub with an inner race with a radius similar to the stator shaft and with adjacent blocking elements are also disclosed. |
| US08141344B2 |
Control apparatus and control method of an internal combustion engine
An individual exhaust passage is provided independently for each cylinder group in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder groups each having a plurality of cylinders. A first catalyst is provided in each of the individual exhaust passages. Downstream of those first catalysts, the individual exhaust passages merge to form a common exhaust passage in which a second catalyst is provided. When control of the internal combustion engine is switched from cylinder group-specific control to stoichiometric control, an air-fuel ratio control portion makes the air-fuel ratio of a cylinder group in which the air-fuel ratio was made rich by cylinder group-specific control lean for a predetermined period of time, and makes the air-fuel ratio of a cylinder group in which the air-fuel ratio was made lean by the cylinder group-specific control rich for a predetermined period of time. |
| US08141343B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control apparatus
An air-fuel ratio control apparatus is basically provided with an exhaust system, a pair of sensors and a controller. The exhaust system includes an exhaust channel having a main catalytic converter, a bypass channel having a bypass catalytic converter, and a valve mechanism disposed in the exhaust channel to switch a pathway for exhaust gas from the exhaust channel to the bypass channel. The sensors output signals indicative of air-fuel ratios of exhaust flowing in their respective channels. The controller has first and second air-fuel ratio control sections that control an engine air-fuel ratio based on outputs of the sensors, respectively. The controller has a control mode switching section that switches control from the first air-fuel ratio control section to the second air-fuel ratio control section after a prescribed interval of time has elapsed from when the valve mechanism is switched from a closed state to an open state. |
| US08141342B2 |
Control device and control method for internal combustion engine
In a region where the engine load is less than a first predetermined value, only a second exhaust valve that opens and closes a second exhaust passageway that bypasses a turbine of a supercharger is opened. In a region where the engine load is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value and less than a second predetermined value, both the second exhaust valve and a first exhaust valve that opens and closes a first exhaust passageway that leads to the turbine are opened. In a region where the engine load is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value, only the first exhaust valve is opened. A predetermined value for the time of lean combustion is set lower than a predetermined value for the time of stoichiometric combustion. |
| US08141340B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for determining the degradation of an SCR catalyst
According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for determining the degradation of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst of an engine exhaust aftertreatment system includes a system properties module configured to store at least one system dynamics property value of the exhaust system at a first time and receive the at least one system dynamics property value of the exhaust aftertreatment system at a second time subsequent to the first time. The apparatus also includes a system dynamics module configured to determine a storage capacity of the SCR catalyst based on a comparison between the at least one system dynamic property value at the first time and the at least one system dynamic property value at the second time. Additionally, the apparatus includes an SCR catalyst degradation factor module configured to determine an SCR catalyst degradation factor based at least partially on the storage capacity of the SCR catalyst. |
| US08141339B2 |
Injector assembly having multiple manifolds for propellant delivery
There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid. |
| US08141335B2 |
Intake air heating control device for gas turbine
Extremely cold (e.g., −20° C.) air A is heated by a heat exchanger 30, which is supplied with steam S via a control valve 32, and heated air A′ is taken into a gas turbine 10. The valve opening degree of the control valve 32 is feedback-controlled so that the deviation between the measured temperature t1 and the target temperature TO of the heated air A′ is eliminated. Further, when the number of revolutions, N, of the gas turbine 10 increases, or when an IGV opening degree OP increases, the valve opening degree of the control valve 32 is feedforward-controlled in accordance with the increase in the number N of revolutions or the increase in the IGV opening degree OP. By so doing, the temperature of air A′ can be maintained at a temperature enabling stable combustion without delay in control, and intake air can be heated without delay in control, even at the start of the gas turbine or during change in the opening degree of an inlet guide vane. |
| US08141333B2 |
Chain assembling-disassembling structure
A chain assembling-disassembling structure includes an assembling base, a first clamping component, a second clamping component, a penetrating shaft and a driving shaft. The assembling base has a fixing portion and the fixing portion has a concave edge for receiving a bushing of the chain section. And, the assembling base includes a first portion and a second portion vertically formed at two opposite ends thereof for respectively engaging with the first and second clamping components. Here, the first and second clamping components together clamp and restrict the chain. The second clamping component has a tubular shape for being inserted by the penetrating shaft, and then, the driving shaft can further be locked into the second clamping component. By turning the driving shaft, the penetrating shaft can be forced to push out a pin, which is used for jointing the inner and outer link plates of the chain. |
| US08141332B2 |
Chopper assembly for a harvesting implement
A chopping assembly for a harvesting implement having a blade assembly, a housing, and a guide. The blade assembly is disposed within the housing and the guide directs cornstalks toward an input port on the housing. The blade assembly not only cuts the cornstalk from its root but also chops the stalk into stover. A fluid dynamic force is created by the blade assembly to direct the stover with the aid of the housing to an output port. |
| US08141330B2 |
Systems and methods of automated tablet dispensing, prescription filling, and packaging
Systems and methods of automatically dispensing tablets are disclosed. The systems and methods of the invention provide a highly secure, highly accurate and rapid means of dispensing tablets. The system includes an automatic dispensing tablet dispensing system as shown in the Figures and provides a means of lowering errors while preventing unauthorized tampering by non-authorized personnel. Moreover, the invention relates to systems and methods for packaging vials, packaging items from totes, and packaging items from totes with vials. |
| US08141328B2 |
System and method for free-standing storage of agricultural commodities using a hermetic lightweight sleeve
A system and method for free-standing hermetic storage of bulk, boxed or bagged commodities including the use of a thin, lightweight ultra low permeability loadable sleeve, and optionally a UV-, wind- and rodent-resistant cover on top of the sleeve. For bagged or boxed commodities, loading may be done manually or with a forklift while the sleeve and/or cover is held open. For bulk commodities, the cover is used to prevent tearing of the sleeve during loading and as such, is placed over the sleeve prior to loading of the sleeve via a pneumatic grain conveyor or similar device. |
| US08141327B2 |
Method and apparatus for dispensing an amount of film relative to load girth
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of pre-stretched film based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt. A film dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring includes a pulley that connects to the belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched film to be dispensed for at least a portion of a revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum film use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched film that is between approximately 100% and approximately 130% of load girth. Once the amount of film to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a mechanical ratio of ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolution/ring rotation) can be set. Thus, for the at least a portion of a revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, a predetermined amount of film is dispensed and wrapped around the load. |
| US08141326B2 |
Water balloon tool
A water balloon fill and knot device has a housing, a hose connector disposed on the housing and also a connector base. A plurality of flanges or noses are disposed on the housing and flanges may include a flange sidewall and a flange bottom wall. A stem has a water channel formed through the stem terminating at a stem opening. The plurality of noses can be two noses placed at 120° from each other or three noses placed at 120° from each other. A ball pivot valve formed on the stem is ball shaped and forms a ball pivot face that pivots relative to a housing pivot lower face. A ball cap fits over the ball pivot valve, and the ball cap has a ball cap lower surface forming a ball cap face. The ball cap face is spherical in profile. |
| US08141325B2 |
Composite panel assembly
A composite panel assembly includes: a first composite panel having first and second contact surfaces, and including upper and lower protective layers, and a first core; and a second composite panel having third and fourth contact surfaces, and including upper and lower protective layers, and a second core. The first contact surface of the first composite panel is disposed above and abuts against the third contact surface of the second composite panel, and the second contact surface of the first composite panel is disposed below and abuts against the fourth contact surface of the second composite panel. |
| US08141324B2 |
Structural attachment media
A structural adhesive tape includes a closed cell silicone foam support and a structural adhesive composition on opposing sides of the closed cell silicone foam support. The structural adhesive composition may be a condensation reaction curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition. The structural adhesive tape is useful in structural glazing applications, such as curtain wall applications. |
| US08141316B2 |
Pre-fabricated curved profile architectural element and method for pre-fabricating the same
A pre-fabricated architectural element and method of fabricating that same. A first step involves providing a piece of drywall having a first edge and a second end, the second edge being opposed to the first edge. A second step involves cutting two parallel ninety degree “V” grooves in a face of the piece of drywall. A third step involves folding a portion of the piece of drywall as dictated by the “V” grooves and securing the folded portion, thereby forming a square corner at the fold. A fourth step involves bending the piece of drywall to a desired radius of curvature. |
| US08141314B2 |
Expansion joint for modular flooring system
An expansion joint for a modular flooring system in disclosed, which includes the slidable engagement of two subsections of the expansion joint. The expansion joint is sized such that it is equivalent in overall dimension to the intended adjacent modular floor tiles of which it will form a part within a matrix of such interlocked modular floor tiles. The expansion joint is provided with at least one slot on one module, corresponding to at least one locking pin on the other module. The slot receives and restrains the locking pin and permits the slidable engagement along the longitudinal axes thereof. |
| US08141313B2 |
Interlocking roofing panel system
A roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panel assemblies. Each roofing panel assembly includes a base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein the base is attached to the lower flanges of the plurality of I-joists, and a cap having a substantially planar surface, wherein the cap is attached to the upper flanges of the plurality of I-joists. The plurality of I-joists includes a first edge most I-joist and a second edge most I-joist. A first edge of the cap is attached to the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist such that a portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist is not covered by the cap. A second edge of the cap extends beyond an edge of the second edge most I-joist for a distance less than a width of the upper flange of the second edge most I-joist. Adjacent roofing panel assemblies are attached such that the second edge of the cap engages the portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist not covered by the cap. |
| US08141311B2 |
Panel equipped with metal fabric
A panel includes a metal fabric and fixers, such as two plates, assembled by glue. The metal fabric may be a screen having rod elements and a chain having wire elements. The glue may be constituted from an epoxy resin base and a modified amine hardening agent. The panel may be made by assembling two plates on a fabric by gluing. The panel may also be made by coating two plates with glue, positioning fabric on the rear plate, and positioning the front plate on the fabric and the rear plate. |
| US08141309B2 |
Energy absorptive impalement protective cover apparatus
An energy absorptive impalement protection system is utilized in preventing impalement and minimizing injuries due to impact with the end of a concrete reinforcing bar or other similar type of bar. The energy absorptive impalement protection system is comprised of a protective cover apparatus that has a simplified construction comprised of a base that is removably attached to an end of a reinforcing rod, a metal band on the base that surrounds the rod end and reinforces the base against side-to-side movement relative to the rod in response to an impact force, a metal impact plate on the base that absorbs and distributes the force of impact, and a resilient, compressible and stretchable cover on the base that together with the base encloses the band and cover in the apparatus and also absorbs some of the force of impact. |
| US08141307B2 |
Hybrid composite beams and beam systems
The present application includes disclosure of various embodiments of composite construction beams and beam systems. In at least one exemplary embodiment of a composite construction beam of the present disclosure, the beam comprises an elongated shell having a length, a first relative end, and an interior volume, wherein the elongated shell defines a first aperture. An exemplary construction beam further comprises a first conduit within the interior volume of the elongated shell, the first conduit extending along a longitudinal direction of the beam and curving upward from the first relative end, and a second conduit within the interior volume of the elongated shell, the second conduit extending along at least a portion of the length of the elongated shell, wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are in communication with one another. In at least one embodiment, a construction beam of the present disclosure comprises a first flange positioned upon the elongated shell relative to the first aperture. |
| US08141306B2 |
Solar battery module device and method of installing the same
A solar battery module device (14), wherein an bottom-side end part (22) is fixed onto a placing surface (23) by fitting the top-side end part (19) as one-side of a rectangular shape of a rectangular flat plate-like solar battery module (16) to the engagement part (20) of an upper frame (21) forming a frame (17) from the lower side of a roofer and by fitting a fixing cover (27) to a lower frame (24) in a state in which the bottom-side end part (22) as the opposite-side of the rectangular shape of the solar battery module (16) is placed on the placing surface (23) of the lower frame (24) forming the frame (17). According to the solar battery module device of the present invention, operations such as installation work and maintenance and inspections for the device can be easily and safely performed without damaging the solar battery module (16). |
| US08141305B2 |
Side seal members for a dock seal
Side seal member for a loading dock seal are disclosed. An example truck loading dock seal comprising a resiliently compressible side pad supported by a relatively rigid backer and encased within a pliable cover includes at least one flexible lip protruding from the cover to seal a gap that might exist between the backer and the wall to which the backer is mounted. In some cases, the lip is part of the cover and is located where a rear vertical edge of the side pad meets the wall. The flexibility of the lip enables the lip to sealingly conform to a wall having an irregular surface. For additional sealing, a back sheet of the pliable cover includes a touch-and-hold fastener and/or overlapping layers of material that can provide a compressible seal between the wall and the backer. |
| US08141301B2 |
Externally braced inflatable structures
An inflatable structure is augmented with transverse frames and bracing cables to make a truss-like structure. This feature is adaptable for adding strength to a plain inflatable structure and to an inflatable structure forming a structural arch. It can also be incorporated into an inflatable wing. |
| US08141298B2 |
Removable draft blocker having an end retaining element
A removable draft blocker, for blocking drafts by sealing a gap between a bottom surface of a door and an underlying floor surface, includes first and second elongated draft blocking bodies, a base member extending between a bottom of the first draft blocking body and a bottom of the second draft blocking body to join the first and second draft blocking bodies in a spaced apart parallel relationship, and a retaining member disposed between ends of the first and second draft blocking bodies. The draft blocker is adapted to be positioned at the bottom of a door, with the draft blocking bodies on opposite sides of the door, and with the retaining member engaged behind or against a side edge of the door, such that the draft blocker is prevented from moving out of position as the door is opened and closed. |
| US08141297B2 |
Dual action power drive unit for a vehicle door
A power drive unit system includes a vehicle door, a slide member, a motor, first and second cable guide members, first and second cables, an external spool, a door inner panel and one guide track. The internal spool unit includes an internal spool. The motor operatively communicates with the internal spool. The first cable guide member is associated with a first cable and the external spool. The first cable is attached to the internal spool and the external spool. The second cable guide member is associated with a second cable and the external spool. The second cable is attached to the internal cable spool the external spool, which in turn communicates with an output gear. The motor actuates the internal cable spool to pull the second cable, thereby causing rotation of the external spool and the drive shaft. The rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the door relative to the body; after which the door slides open. |
| US08141288B2 |
Rugged low light reflectivity electrical contact
The Low Reflectivity Contact has a low coefficient of light reflection, is rugged with respect to harsh ambient environmental conditions, provides a low resistance electrical connection, and is adapted for use in quick-connect applications. Light reflectivity of the contact is minimized by the use of a conductive mesh that is used to implement the electrical contact. The weave density and wire diameter of the conductive mesh maximizes the attenuation of reflected light in the visible spectrum, yet maintains high electrical conductivity and a lack of sensitivity to contamination via the choice of materials used to implement the Low Reflectivity Contact. |
| US08141282B2 |
Filing device with retractable tabs
A filing device having retractable tabs is disclosed. The tabs are movable between a retracted position and an extended position, such as to selectively position tabs that are extended along an edge of a folder or divider. |
| US08141280B2 |
Date cycling storage calendar
A calendar comprising a backing member and a plurality of detachable storage trays is disclosed. The calendar further comprises a plurality of backing securing mechanisms, each of which is associated with a calendar position on the backing member. Each of the detachable storage trays includes a plurality of storage compartments and a tray securing mechanism. Each storage compartment has an associated calendar identifier. The tray securing mechanisms are configured for quick-release attachment to and quick-release detachment from the backing securing mechanisms associated with the calendar positions. |
| US08141277B2 |
Shoe with sensors, controller and active-response elements and method for use thereof
Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include a plurality of sensors, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response element is a lateral adjuster having an upper bracket located in the laces area and a lower bracket affixed to the side of the sole, brackets supporting a plurality of electrostrictive polymer bands. |
| US08141274B2 |
Rowing shoe
A rowing shoe includes a shoe sole and a shoe upper portion. The shoe sole has a cleat mounting portion configured so that a cleat structure is mountable thereto for releasably attaching to a binding structure of a rowing boat. The shoe upper portion includes at least one fixing strap configured to secure the shoe upper portion to a wearer's foot. The fixing strap has a proximal end fixed to the shoe upper portion and a free end having at least one aperture configured so that a pull rope can extend therethrough. |
| US08141270B2 |
Gas flow rate determination method and apparatus and granular material dryer and method for control thereof
Methods and apparatus for determining flow rate of air or other gas through a conduit independently of conduit cross sectional area include providing apparatus for and measuring temperature of the air or other gas at a first position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and heating the air or other gas in the conduit of the location downstream from the first position by application of a known power level to the air or other gas in the conduit; providing apparatus for and measuring air or other gas temperature at a second position downstream of the heating position along the conduit; providing apparatus for and subtracting air or other gas temperature at the second position from air or other gas temperature at the first position to obtain a temperature difference and thereafter providing apparatus for and dividing power applied to heat the air or other gas by the product of the temperature difference and the specific heat of the air or other gas. |
| US08141269B2 |
Expandable/collapsible enclosure for a clothes refresher
An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures. |
| US08141268B2 |
Collapsible drying bag
The present document describes a bag for storing and drying garments or sports equipment. The bag comprises an external envelope substantially made of flexible resistant material. The bag further comprises a frame supporting the external envelope and comprising frame sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the frame occupies more space than in the retracted position. The bag further comprises a tubular structure for hanging the garments or sports equipment and through which air can be blown for drying the hung garments or sports equipment. The tubular structure is mounted on the frame and comprises tube sections capable of adopting a retracted position and an extended position in which the tubular structure occupies more space than in the retracted position. |
| US08141264B2 |
Length reference bar system and method
A length reference bar system and method that compensates for thermal expansion and allows for testing whether an instrument is working properly using only an inferometer. The length reference bar system has a bar portion with end caps for target positions on either end of the bar portion that extend inward toward each other such that, if a length of the bar portion changes due to a temperature change, a length of the end caps also changes but in an opposite direction to counteract the bar portion length change. As such, any target positions mounted on the end caps remain at a constant distance from each other regardless of the temperature thereby canceling out the effect of thermal expansion. The end caps also provide multiple target positioning capability so that any targets mounted thereon may be positioned in various configurations to provide a user with increased versatility for applications such as checking calibration. |
| US08141258B1 |
Neck razor
A safety neck razor to be used on the back of a person's neck includes a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being generally flat and having an opening adapted to releasably secure a razor blade therein. Right and left side contoured edges extend upwardly from the bottom surface and an undulating protuberance extends upwardly from the center of the top surface. The protuberance has a right and a left side with a first well formed between the right side of the protuberance and the right side contoured edge and a second well formed between the left side of the protuberance and the left side contoured edge. The protuberance fits between the fingers of a person's hand and is gripped by the person's fingers so that the fingers rest completely within a respective well. |
| US08141255B2 |
Multi-impact hand tool
A multi-impact hand tool comprises a sleeve, a tool head, a movable rod, a spring and an impact block. With only one impact operation, the multi-impact hand tool can provide a multi-impact effect, thus improving the working efficiency. In addition, the impact force can be directly transferred to the tool head for performing the chiseling operation, thus improving the working efficiency. |
| US08141254B2 |
Reciprocating type electric shaver
A reciprocating type electric shaver having a trimmer blade, which is substantially reverse L-shaped in cross section and installed in a shaver head of a shaver main body, wherein the trimmer blade comprises a stationary outer cutter that is bent in substantially a reverse L shape and a movable inner cutter that makes sliding contact with the inner surface of the stationary outer cutter; and in the horizontal bent part at the upper end of the outer cutter is formed with first slits that open toward the open end side and second slits that open toward the opposite bent corner side of the horizontal bent part; so that the outer cutter works together with the reciprocating inner cutter to cut the hair that enters the slits. |
| US08141253B2 |
Personal care assembly
A personal care apparatus includes a handle housing a rechargeable battery and a plurality of operating heads such as a vibrating safety razor head and a hair trimming device exchangeably mountable on the handle for assembling different hand-held appliances for performing respective body treatments. A base is included for storing the components of the apparatus when not in use and forms a battery charging device with a socket into which the handle plugs for recharging the battery. The operating heads include electrical devices, in particular electric motors, powered by the battery. |
| US08141248B2 |
Method of making a pump
A method of making a pump (10) including a polymeric pump housing (12) and a drive shaft (14) mounted for rotation in a bearing (16), the bearing (16) having on an exterior surface at least one engagement formation (44), —the method including the step of molding the pump housing (12) around the bearing (16) such that the housing (12) co-operates with the engagement formation (44) to restrict movement of the bearing (16) with respect to the housing (12). |
| US08141245B2 |
Method of forming a circuit board with improved via design
A circuit board or each circuit board of a multi-layer circuit board includes an electrically conductive sheet coated with an insulating top layer covering one surface of the conductive sheet, an insulating bottom layer covering another surface of the conductive sheet and an insulating edge layer covering an edge of the conductive sheet. An insulating interlayer can be sandwiched between a pair of adjacent circuit boards of a multi-layer circuit board assembly. A landless through-hole or via can extend through one or more of the circuit boards for connecting electrical conductors on opposing surfaces thereof. |
| US08141237B1 |
Flexible printed circuit connector assembling fixture
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector assembling fixture is provided for assembling an FPC connector. The assembling fixture includes a base that is set horizontally. A lower slidable carriage is slidably coupled to the base. Upper and lower molds are respectively and rotatably coupled to an upper slidable carriage and the lower slidable carriage. A terminal fitting mechanism and a cover mounting mechanism are respectively mounted to the upper and lower molds. Guide posts are mounted to the base. The upper mold is slidably coupled to the base with the guide posts. The lower mold forms an accommodation chamber. The cover mounting mechanism includes a push rod and first and second slide channels. The second slide channel is in communication with the accommodation chamber and the first slide channel. The push rod is received in and slidably coupled to the second slide channel. |
| US08141235B1 |
Method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording transducers
A method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording transducer is described. A metallic underlayer, an insulator on the metallic underlayer, and a metal mask on the insulator are provided. The metal mask has an aperture therein. A trench is formed in the insulator. The trench's bottom is narrower than its top and includes part of the metallic underlayer. The top has a width of not more than 0.28 micron. A nonmagnetic seed layer that substantially covers at least the trench bottom and sides and that has a thickness of at least five hundred Angstroms is provided. A perpendicular magnetic pole material is plated on at least part of the seed layer. A CMP is performed, removing part of the perpendicular magnetic pole material. A remaining portion of the perpendicular magnetic pole material forms a perpendicular magnetic recording pole. The nonmagnetic seed layer is a stop layer for the CMP. |
| US08141230B2 |
Press-hardened component and process for producing a press-hardened component
A press-hardened component and a method for producing press-hardened components, in particular a bodywork component, from a semi-finished product made from unhardened, hot-formable steel sheet. Various process steps are carried out in the process. A component blank is formed from the semi-finished product by a cold-forming process, in particular a drawing process. The component blank is trimmed at the margin side to a margin contour which approximately corresponds to the component to be produced. The trimmed component blank is heated and press-hardened in a hot-forming tool, and then the press-hardened component blank is covered with a corrosion-prevention layer in a coating step. |
| US08141229B2 |
Element attachable by riveting to a sheet metal part and also a component assembly and a method for the production of the component assembly
An element attachable to a sheet metal part by riveting, in particular an element in the form of a centering bolt, having a shaft part and a head part, wherein the head part has at its side confronting the sheet metal part an at least approximately ring-like ring recess which merges at the radially inner side into a cylinder section of the head part which in turn merges into the shaft part and into a tubular rivet section which surrounds the shaft part in the region of the head part, is disposed within a ring-like contact surface arranged radially outside of the ring recess and merges at the radially outer side via an at least approximately conical wall into the ring-like contact surface, is characterized in that at least one local recess and preferably a plurality of in particular uniformly distributed local recesses is or are provided in the conical wall of the ring recess and/or in an optionally present ring-like base surface of the ring recess. A component assembly comprising the element and a sheet metal part and also a method for the manufacture of such a component assembly are also described. |
| US08141225B2 |
Method of manufacturing a component by consolidating powder material
A method of manufacturing a blisk comprising a disc joined to an aerofoil, wherein a union piece of partially sintered powder and having an alignment feature is provided. The union piece is connected between the disc and the aerofoil, which is aligned relative to the disc by the alignment feature of the union piece. Heat and pressure is subsequently applied to consolidate the first workpiece, union piece and second workpiece. |
| US08141224B2 |
Patch panel labelling system
The present invention provides a patch panel labelling system for mounting to a telecommunications rack. The system comprises a connector module mounted to the rack and having a front face with a plurality of connectors. A labelling plate is mounted to the module for movement about a first pivot axis between a first position where the plate is substantially parallel to the front face of the module and a second position where the plate is pivoted away from the front face for providing access to the connectors. The plate can be further pivoted about a second pivot axis to selectively hide or reveal the labels provided thereon for identifying the connectors. The plate can be also be slid underneath the module for storage. |
| US08141222B2 |
Method of assembling a blowing insulation machine
Methods of assembling machines for distributing loosefill insulation from packages of compressed loosefill insulation are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a chute having an inlet end, the inlet end configured to receive the package of compressed loosefill insulation, providing a lower unit including a shroud, the lower unit being configured to be attached to the chute to form the machine, the lower unit having an outlet for the discharge of loosefill insulation, installing a plurality of shredders in the lower unit, the shredders being configured to shred and pick apart the loosefill insulation, installing a discharge mechanism in the lower unit, the discharge mechanism being configured to discharge loosefill insulation from the outlet of the lower unit, providing a bottom wall structure, the bottom wall structure having a first bottom wall spaced apart from a second bottom wall and connecting the bottom wall structure to the shroud. |
| US08141219B2 |
Tool for assisting in cutting the conductors of an electrical cable to a precise length
A tool for assisting in cutting the conductors of an electrical cable to a precise length includes a body, the body being pierced with a channel which is orthogonal to a reference face and which is equipped with a shoulder. The distance between the shoulder and the reference face is equal to the desired length of the end portions of the conductors of the electrical cable outside the outer insulating sheath thereof. |
| US08141215B2 |
Apparatus for arranging fiber bundles
A connection pipe 40A is fit in an introduction pipe 34A. A guide groove 342 extends on the side of the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction. A guide screw 41 is screwed on the peripheral face of the connection pipe 40A to penetrate through a peripheral wall of the connection pipe 40A. A distal end of the guide screw 41 enters the guide groove 342. The distal end of the guide screw 41 is movable in the Z-axis direction in the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A is movable relative to the introduction pipe 34A in the Z-axis direction within the range of the length of the guide groove 342. The connection pipe 40A and the guide pipes 31A are moved in the Z-axis direction with an air cylinder 43. Accordingly, when fiber bundles are arranged using a plurality of guide pipes, the guide pipe is prevented from being caught by a fiber bundle drawn out of another guide pipe. |
| US08141214B2 |
Patterning technique
A method of making a textile pattern includes forming a design module having a substantially square shape, forming a motif from the design module by repeating the design module to form a unitary array of design modules, where the design modules of the unitary array of design modules have various orientations with respect to one another in fixed positions within the unitary array, and repeating the motif along a length and a width of a continuous textile web so that the continuous textile web comprises a first occurrence of the motif and a second occurrence of the motif. |
| US08141209B2 |
Vibration dampening handle for a powered apparatus
A vibration dampening handle for a powered apparatus includes an elongate gripping member including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, and a wall defining an inner bore and having an inner surface. The inner bore extends along the longitudinal axis at least partially through the gripping member, and opens on at least the first end of the gripping member. A weighted mass is disposed at the second end of the gripping member. An elongate elastic beam member is one of attached to and integral with the gripping member. The beam member extends along a region of the longitudinal axis and a portion of the beam member is disposed within the inner bore and is spaced apart from the inner surface. The beam member further includes a first end that extends beyond the first end of the gripping member and includes a fastening member adapted to connect the handle to the powered apparatus. |
| US08141205B2 |
Hinge mechanism and portable electronic device using the same
A hinge mechanism comprises a follower, a cam and a first spring. The first spring is spiral, one end of the first spring is mounted to the follower, another end of the first spring is mounted to the cam. The cam rotates relative to the follower about a rotating axis, the first spring is compressed to accumulate elastic force, until the line connecting two ends of the first spring is parallel to the rotating axis where the first spring is mostly compressed to accumulate maximum of the elastic force and the hinge mechanism is in an intermediate state. Once the cam is rotated over the intermediate state, the first spring is expanded under previously accumulated elastic force, which drive the cam continuously rotated relative to the follower. |
| US08141198B2 |
Windscreen wiper arm
The invention relates to a windscreen wiper arm (10) comprising a wiper bar (40), to which a wiper blade (6) can be attached with or without a spoiler. Said bar is composed of a freely projecting, first arc-shaped wiper bar section (1) with a first curvature variation, to which the wiper blade (6) is attached and of at least one second arc-shaped wiper bar section (2) with a second arc-shaped curvature variation, which adjoins the first wiper bar section (1), to form a snap-off point (12). |
| US08141196B2 |
Clean device with decorating strip
A clean device with decorating strip includes a belt and at least one decorating strip received in the belt. The belt is composed of elastic nets and has a hollow oblong shaped structure. At least one decorating strip is inserted into the hollow structure of the belt and received in the belt. A lateral side of the belt including the at least one decorating strip are reiteratively overlapped to form a folded structure having multiple layers formed on two ends of the folded structure. A fastening means is tightened a middle section of the folded structure. |
| US08141192B2 |
Oral-care device and system
A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof. |
| US08141190B2 |
Walk-up workstation employing ionizing air nozzles and insulating panels
A walk-up, user accessible cleaning workstation having a sensor and ionization nozzle arranged on a frame. The frame mounts the sensor in a fixed position to the nozzle in operative proximity to a cleaning area. The frame partially encloses the nozzle's electrode. The sensor detects manual workpiece placement into the cleaning area to open the gas valve and activate the power supply. The panel deflects dust flying off the workpiece from reaching the user's face. The workstation improves safety in the cleaning and destaticizing of ophthalmic lenses. |
| US08141189B2 |
Formed front header for a dock leveler
A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed. |
| US08141187B2 |
Sleepy head's/neck pillow invention
The present invention is related to a supportive head and neck pillow with a supportive bone structure inside the pillow. The invention is used for head and neck support, and comfort while sleeping sitting up during transportation. It can also be used for head and neck support for people who have neck injuries, or to prevent neck injuries during transportation. The main components are made up of two things; a pillow with a bone structure support inside the pillow and a clip/strap system. |
| US08141185B2 |
Self-sustaining washroom for mobile use
A sanitary device for autonomous operation for a conveyance. The sanitary device has a sanitary module and a supply system. The sanitary module is set up replaceably in a cabin area of the conveyance. The supply system is set up in the sanitary module to supply it. The sanitary module is autonomously operable. |
| US08141184B2 |
Portable personal hygiene apparatus
A portable personal hygiene apparatus, includes a water-impermeable user support shaped to support a person in a reclined posture, including a support surface contoured to receive a person's body thereon and a raised side surface extending continuously from the support surface completely around upper and lateral side edges of the support surface such that water discharged onto a person seated on the support surface is contained by the user support and flows downwardly to a front lower edge of the support surface, and a support frame fixed to the user support and having at least one wheel permitting rolling movement of the apparatus. The raised side surface of the user support is narrow in width such that an overall width of the user support substantially corresponds to a width of the support surface. Also, a basin may be provided that is selectively positionable in a retracted position beneath the user support and an operative position extending forwardly of the lower front edge of the support surface such that any water flowing off of the support surface collects in the basin. |
| US08141183B2 |
Method for manufacturing a prefabricated modular shower curb and associated modular shower curb
A prefabricated modular curb suitable for attaching to a sidewall of a prefabricated shower module for constructing a tiled shower includes a mounting wall, an exterior wall, and a top wall extending from the upper edge of the exterior wall to the upper edge of the mounting wall in a plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting wall and to the exterior wall, or pitched downward from the exterior wall toward the mounting wall. In one embodiment, the modular curb further includes at least one reinforcing curb rib connected to the top wall, the mounting wall, and/or the exterior wall. In another embodiment the top wall terminates beyond the outer surface of the mounting wall in a ledge having a width substantially equal to the width of the sidewall of the shower module. |
| US08141181B2 |
Neck jet pillow for whirlpool tub or spa
A neck jet pillow for a spa or whirlpool tub removably mountable. The pillow has a soft membrane area occupying a central portion thereof, a first mounting member fixedly mountable onto a fluid jet, a second mounting member fixedly attached to the pillow and slidably and removably mountable onto the first mounting member, and a hole in the second mounting member coinciding with the membrane area whereby the jet can direct a fluid stream onto the backside of the membrane area. The first and second mounting members, when mounted together and onto the pillow and jet, define a water-tight cavity there between having a jet inlet and a discharge opening whereby spent fluid from the jet is discharged downward into the tub or spa. The mounting members may be sliding members. |
| US08141179B2 |
Water saver toilet with uniform water spot
A toilet has a source (42) that applies a vacuum to a trapway (14) at the beginning of a flushing to immediately flush the toilet bowl (12). As a result, water from the water tunnel 26 and the toilet bowl top channel 28 flow into the bowl after the flushing to create a large water spot (98) in the toilet bowl. A low water flush (e.g. 1½ liters to flush urine) can be obtained by not letting water flow out of a secondary volume (63) that lies outside a divider (140) in an isolator (40). |
| US08141176B2 |
Pants having body-shaping function
Provided is pants having a body-shaping function including; an elastic fabric included in the pants, and having a boundary that is partially fixed on the pants to elastically support hips of a wearer; and a hip-up band fixed on the elastic fabric to push the hips up so as to make contours of the hips more voluminous or compression bands on lower side portions of the elastic fabric in order to compress thighs of the wearer so as to make the thighs look thin, or a pair of pads having predetermined thicknesses and disposed on the elastic fabric to make the hips of the wearer look more attractive. Therefore, since the elastic fabric is integrally fixed in the pants for shaping the hips, the conventional girdle is not required. In addition, since the girdle in the pants only compresses the hips, it does not affect blood circulation around the belly, and is easily wearable. Also, the contours of the hips look more attractive due to the pads. |
| US08141174B2 |
EL power unit
A safety vest is sized to be worn by a human, wherein the vest has a front and back and left and right sides each having a shoulder portion. An EL strip is provided on each side of the vest extending from the bottom of the vest upwards toward the shoulder portion. A power source is supported by the vest and connected to the EL lamp strips to supply electrical energy to the strips so that they emit EL light, wherein the EL light emitted by the EL strip is a safety yellow color, and wherein other portions of the vest are a safety orange color. Further safety articles of clothing and devices are also described, including a power pack unit. |
| US08141172B2 |
Isolation gown with quick waist and neck closures
A medical gown (100) is configured for quick donning and removal. A neck closure includes an insertion strap (109) and a fastening strap (110). The insertion strap (109) can be preconfigured with at least a portion thereof inserted into a fastening head (111) of the fastening strap (110). A wearer (700) passes the head through a neck opening (105) and cinches the neck closure by pulling the insertion strap (109) through the fastening head (111). A coupling tab (108), where provided, can then be wrapped about the wearer's torso and adhesively affixed to the medical gown (100). The medical gown (100) can be made from a non-woven material that is configured to be easily tearable by the wearer (700). Accordingly, the wearer (700) can remove the medical gown (100) by tearing the non-woven material. |
| US08146168B2 |
Program control apparatus, method and program
An activation restriction confirmation processing unit concatenates the basic portion of the name of an activation-restricted program and constituent information indicating a destination, specifies the activation-restricted program that is to be an expansion program of a basic program, and determines whether this activation-restricted program is included in a group of expansion programs. If it is included, the activation-restricted program is loaded. If loading succeeds, then signature data included in this program is read out. The signature data is decrypted using a public key, and confirmation information obtained by decryption is checked against information that is the result of concatenating the identification information of the expansion program and the constituent information indicating the destination. If there is a match, then this activation-restricted program is installed. If there is a non-match, then processing is suspended. |
| US08146165B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a data masking portal
An approach is provided for de-personalizing data. A request is received from an application for retrieval of data. An end user associated with the request is authenticated. A determination is made whether to mask the data based on the request and the authentication. In response to the determination, a masking algorithm is selected to apply to the data and to output mask data. |
| US08146164B2 |
Method and apparatus for thwarting spyware
A trusted apparatus including an input filter, security mode indicator working with a proxy node thwart the possibility of spyware being able to observe user input when a security mode signal indicates security mode asserted. The trusted apparatus may further include any combination of the user input device, the proxy node, and a router. A personal computing device may include the trusted apparatus. The proxy node may include the router. The proxy node operates to create an authentic response based upon the authentic input from the input filter, and may be operated to create revenue, which is also a product of these processes. |
| US08146163B2 |
Method and system for securing personal computing devices from unauthorized data copying and removal
A method for securing personal computing devices from unauthorized data copying and removal includes detecting an attachment of a device to a client included within a computing network; determining whether the detected attached device is permitted to be attached to the client; prompting a user of the client to remove the attached device therefrom in the event the detected attached device is not permitted to be attached to the client; and loading a replacement device driver onto the client in the event the attached device has not been removed, wherein the replacement device driver prevents the client from copying data to the attached device. |
| US08146162B1 |
System and method for acceleration of malware detection using antivirus cache
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for acceleration of computer malware detection system using antivirus cache. The system provides an antivirus cache in a non-volatile system memory that may be updated with information from an antivirus database. Each update contains different types of data and executable code associated with different types of known malware. During update, the same types of data for each type of malware is collected and stored as data files in corresponding sections of the antivirus cache and executable code sections are converted into platform-specific dynamic libraries and also stored in the antivirus cache. During execution of the antivirus application, the system maps one or more data files of the antivirus cache into the memory without any further conversion, thereby accelerating launch of the antivirus application. |
| US08146161B2 |
Multi-network virus immunization with separate physical path
An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are described that determine a virus associated with a communications network, and distribute an anti-viral agent onto the communications network using a bypass network, the bypass network configured to provide transmission of the anti-viral agent with at least one of a higher transmission speed, a higher transmission reliability, a higher transmission security, and/or a physically-separate transmission path, relative to transmission of the virus on the communications network. |
| US08146158B2 |
Extensible activation exploit scanner
An extensible activation exploit scanner may have a modular structure, such that capabilities of the activation exploit scanner may be updated easily. The extensible activation exploit scanner may include an exploit data file, at least one detection module, at least one response module, and a base scanner. The exploit data file may have a number of entries, each of which may include information about a respective activation exploit or a respective class of activation exploit, as well as information about a detection module and a response module. The activation exploit scanner may read an entry of the exploit data file, may execute a detection module, corresponding to the entry, to detect a respective activation exploit or class of activation exploit, and may execute a response module, corresponding to the entry, to perform an action when the respective activation exploit or the class of activation exploit is detected. |
| US08146157B2 |
Method and apparatus for secure transport and storage of surveillance video
Security information such as fixed or dynamically received camera location information, laser signature information, timestamp information, and network information, may be used to secure the transport and storage of surveillance video. Where the surveillance video is to be transported on a communication network, the round trip time from a video data storage server to the surveillance camera and back to the video data storage server may be monitored and periodically added to the secured video data. By checking to see whether the round trip time has changed, it may be possible to determine whether the video has been tampered with. The secured video data may also be transported over two or more paths on the network to two or more video data storage servers so that redundant copies may be stored at different primary locations. By comparing copies of the data, alteration of one of the copies may be detected. |
| US08146155B1 |
Controlling access to content on an object addressable storage system
Embodiments of the invention relate to controlling access to a content unit stored on an object addressable storage (OAS) system. In one embodiment, the content unit may have an object identifier that is used to identify it on the OAS system. A first portion of a content unit may be assigned a first set of access permissions and a second portion of the content unit may be assigned a second set of access permissions that is different from the first set of access permissions. |
| US08146152B2 |
Image processing apparatus, processing flow control method, image forming system, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus capable of reducing the number of processing flows and also reduce time and effort required by a user in searching a desired processing flow. The image processing apparatus including an authentication unit adapted to execute user authentication, and an execution unit adapted to execute processing on image data with a plurality of processes as a sequential processing flow while cooperating a plurality of different functions with one another. Setting data personalized for a user authenticated by the authentication unit is obtained, and the plurality of processes is registered as a sequential processing flow. The processing flow is executed with a part of the processing flow replaced by processing personalized for the user set in the setting data, upon executing the registered processing flow. |
| US08146151B2 |
Safe file transmission and reputation lookup
Safe file transmission and reputation lookup. As a part of the safe file transmission and reputation lookup methodology, a data file that is to be made available to a data file receiver is accessed and it is determined whether the data file needs to be provided a protective file. The data file is wrapped in a protective file to create a non-executing package file. Access is provided to the non-executing package file where the associated data file is prevented from being executed until data file reputation information is received. |
| US08146149B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting a medical device and a patient treated with this device against harmful influences from a communication network
Apparatus for interacting with a medical device which is suitable for connection into a communication network which comprises at least one insecure area and a secure area on the device side, wherein the apparatus comprises a transmission device for transmitting communication packets to and from the medical device via the communication network, it comprises a monitoring device for monitoring the state of the connection of the device to the network, and it comprises a breaker device for breaking an existing connection between the secure area and the insecure area of the network if, during the monitoring process, a state of the network connection is detected which poses a risk to a patient treated with the device or to the correct functioning of the device. |
| US08146143B1 |
Fraud detection
In some embodiments, techniques for information security include receiving information related to an authentication credential, wherein the information is related to a failed authentication attempt; determining whether the authentication credential is related to a valid account; and performing a security measure related to the valid account, if it is determined that the authentication credential is related to the valid account.In some embodiments, techniques for information security include Determining that an authentication attempt has failed, applying a privacy-performing transformation such as a cryptographic hash or encryption to an authentication credential, and distributing the privacy-preserved credential.In some embodiments, techniques for information security include receiving and redistributing a privacy-preserved authentication credential. |
| US08146141B1 |
Method and system for secure authentication of a user by a host system
A method and system for securely logging onto a banking system authentication server so that a user credential never appears in the clear during interaction with the system in which during a log on process, an encryption applet and the public key of a public/private key pair of a banking application server, the private key for which is known by a hardware security module (HSM) of the banking application, are downloaded by a user's browser. The applet contains code for generating a DES key and performing DES and PKI encryption. A user's credential is DES encrypted, and the DES key is PKI encrypted with the public key of the application server by the applet before being transmitted to the application server. Within the HSM of the application server, the HSM decrypts and re-encrypts the credential under a new DES key known to the authentication server, the re-encrypted credential is forwarded to the authentication server, decrypted with the new DES key known to the authentication server, and verified by the authentication server. |
| US08146140B2 |
Mobile IP bulk registration revocation
Techniques for Mobile IP bulk registration revocation are described herein. According to one embodiment, a first mobile agent of a mobile IP network sends a registration revocation message to a second mobile agent of the mobile IP network. The registration revocation message includes information identifying multiple home IP addresses of multiple mobile nodes whose registrations are to be revoked. In response to the registration revocation, the second mobile agent terminates bindings of services associated with multiple mobile nodes identified by the multiple home IP addresses and sends an acknowledgement message to the first mobile agent. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08146139B2 |
System and method of user authentication using handwritten signatures for an MFP
The invention relates to the authentication of users for a multi-function peripheral (MFP) device using handwritten signatures. Systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a MFP that conditions access to MFP operations based on an authenticating process that compares a prospective user's signature to previously saved signatures. The signatures are communicated to the MFP using the MFP's native scanning function. |
| US08146136B1 |
Automated acceptance or rejection of consumer correction submissions
Systems and methods for generating a score for use in automated processing of correction submissions are presented. In one embodiment, a submission value from a correction submission obtained from a submitter is obtained. The submission value corresponds to a proposed correction of an attribute of an item, the item having a plurality of attributes that describe the item, and the submission value corresponds to one of the plurality of attributes of the item. The current attribute value of the item that corresponds to the submission value is obtained. A first set of characterization values is generated for the submission value according to a first set of criteria. A second set of characterization values for the current attribute value is generated according to a second set of criteria. Using the first and second sets of characterization values, a score is generated for the correction submission. The score is stored in a data store in association with the correction submission. |
| US08146134B2 |
Scalable firewall policy management platform
Securing large networks having heterogeneous computing resources including provision of multiple services both to clients within and outside of the network, multiple sites, security zones, and other characteristics is provided using access control functionality implemented at hosts within the network. The access control functionality includes respective access control policies for indicating to each host from which other computers it can accept connections. Content of the access control policies can be determined based on application data flow needs, and can draw information from databases including DNS and security zone information for hosts to which the access control policies will be applied. Access control policies can be formatted automatically for different host with different characteristics from the same base logical rule set. Other aspects include using more permissive and/or access control rules provided on network equipment to block known bad data, while providing host-based access control focused on application data flow. |
| US08146130B2 |
In-band data recognition and synchronization system
A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions. |
| US08146129B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing video content and supplemental information to a client over a switched digital video content-based network
Video content is transmitted from a head end, over a switched digital video content-based network, to a client. The head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to the client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client. The video content is contained in a given one of the subset of the program streams and the client is tuned to a channel corresponding to the given one of the subset of the streams. The supplemental information is transmitted from the head end, over the switched digital video content-based network, to the client, based upon the channel to which the client is tuned. The video content and the supplemental information can both be sent on an identical carrier frequency corresponding to the channel; they may employ an identical quadrature amplitude modulation scheme, and the video content can be broken into packets identified via a first packet identifier, with the supplemental information broken into packets identified via a second packet identifier. |
| US08146128B2 |
Download execution apparatus
There is provided a download execution apparatus that can prevent, at least, sudden interruption of the viewing or recording by a user when a program is downloaded. An AM includes a download source determination unit which compares current tuning information and a frequency required for downloading, and determines a download source, a tuning frequency obtainment unit which obtains tuner use situation and the frequency being tuned to by respective tuners that are in use, a download frequency obtainment unit which obtains a frequency required to download an application, a store unit which downloads and stores a program from a determined download source, a notification unit which notifies the downloading of the program to a user, and a tuning request unit which tunes a specified tuner to a frequency required for downloading a program. |
| US08146123B2 |
System to provide set top box configuration for content on demand
A content on demand system includes logic to compose set top box configuration information into an audio and/or video stream format, and to communicate the configuration information to a plurality of set top boxes. |
| US08146122B2 |
Receiving apparatus
A receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive television broadcasting to generate an output signal, a signal processing unit configured to generate image data of a broadcast program using the output signal, a display unit configured to display an image represented by the image data of the broadcast program on a display apparatus, a reservation information obtaining unit configured to obtain program reservation information for reserving reception of a scheduled broadcast program, and a control unit configured to, responsive to the receiving unit receiving a program preview of a scheduled broadcast program associated with the program reservation information, control the display unit to display the program reservation information on the display apparatus. |
| US08146119B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to generate a playlist that identifies multimedia content and to provide access to the playlist in response to a request for access, where the request for access is transmitted over the Internet, and where the multimedia content is stored remotely from the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08146117B2 |
Program guide system with real-time data sources
A program guide system is provided in which an interactive television program guide that is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, and the like. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide, so that the program guide may access the stored real-time data at a later time. Updated program listings information may be provided to the program guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the program listings data and real-time data associated with each live event. The keys may be compared at the program guide to determine which program listings correspond to which items of real-time data. A controllable ticker may be displayed on top of a television program on the user television equipment. The controllable ticker may be sponsored. Different types of real-time data may be assigned different expiration times. When data has expired it may be removed from the database. |
| US08146113B2 |
Disk unit for conveying disks of different diameters
A disk unit is disclosed wherein a disk inserted by a pivoting arm is loaded to the interior of the disk unit or a disk accommodated in the interior of the disk unit is unloaded to the exterior of the disk unit, the disk unit including a plurality of arms able to convey two types of disks different in diameter while supporting an outer periphery edge of each of the disks. |
| US08146112B2 |
Optical disk transport device for optical disk playing device
An optical disk transport device for an optical disk playing device includes a delivery roll and an optical disk guiding device located at the optical disk insertion inlet, a pair of detection bars provided with detection parts contacting the periphery of the optical disk inserted from the optical disk insertion inlet, and the detection bars being capable of freely rotating around respective rotary pivots. The device further includes a linkage plate for controlling the pair of detection bars to move together, an elastic part making the detection bars rotate according to the direction that makes the detection parts contact the periphery of the optical disk, and an optical disk baffle for stopping the transport of the small diameter optical disk as the center of the small diameter optical disk passes the center of the plummer. |
| US08146110B2 |
Service platform for in-context results
Various embodiments provide a service platform that integrates services, such as web services and/or local services, across a variety of applications. In at least some embodiments, services can be integrated with legacy applications that are “unaware” of such services, as well as applications that are aware of such services. |
| US08146103B2 |
Aggregation and evaluation of monitoring events from heterogeneous systems
A system and method for monitoring activity of heterogeneous systems within a business application landscape are disclosed. An object state change is detected in an object instance of one or more systems of the business application landscape. Each object state change is filtered according to one or more conditions related to the object instance. If the one or more conditions are met for an object state change, a filtered workflow event is generated, and the filtered workflow event is mapped to a common message proxy to generate a monitoring event message. Via the common message proxy, the monitoring event message is sent to a centralized monitoring process in an event resolution center of a portal server. |
| US08146094B2 |
Guaranteeing delivery of multi-packet GSM messages
A target task ensures complete delivery of a global shared memory (GSM) message from an originating task to the target task. The target task's HFI receives a first of multiple GSM packets generated from a single GSM message sent from the originating task. The HFI logic assigns a sequence number and corresponding tuple to track receipt of the complete GSM message. The sequence number is unique relative to other sequence numbers assigned to GSM messages that have not been completely received from the initiating task. The HFI updates a count value within the tuple, which comprises the sequence number and the count value for the first GSM packet and for each subsequent GSM packet received for the GSM message. The HFI determines when receipt of the GSM message is complete by comparing the count value with a count total retrieved from the packet header. |
| US08146093B2 |
Computer multiple operation system switching method
A computer multi-OS switching method, in which a data exchange region for storing OS running environment information is provided, wherein the method includes: A. saving running information of computer hardware devices in a random access memory (RAM) by the computer after receiving a command for switching OS; B. obtaining OS running environment information of OS to be switched to from the data exchange region and storing the obtained OS running environment information in the RAM by the computer; C. restoring running state of the computer hardware devices based on its running information stored in the RAM, obtaining a preset OS to be switched to, starting the OS and subsequently executing the OS running environment information in the RAM by the computer. The method reduces the time for switching between multi-OSs in a computer. |
| US08146090B2 |
Time-value curves to provide dynamic QoS for time sensitive file transfer
A method and apparatus has been shown and described which allows Quality of Service to be controlled at a temporal granularity. Time-value curves, generated for each task, ensure that mission resources are utilized in a manner which optimizes mission performance. It should be noted, however, that although the present invention has shown and described the use of time-value curves as applied to mission workflow tasks, the present invention is not limited to this application; rather, it can be readily appreciated by one of skill in the art that time-value curves may be used to optimize the delivery of any resource to any consumer by taking into account the dynamic environment of the consumer and resource. |
| US08146089B2 |
Sharing resources of a partitioned system
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for allocating at least one dedicated core and at least one shareable core to a first partition of a system, where the cores are owned by the first partition. During operation, the shareable core(s) may be made dynamically available for use in one or more other partitions of the system, while the first partition retains ownership of the shared core(s). Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08146085B2 |
Concurrent exception handling using an aggregated exception structure
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing concurrent exception handling. Exceptions that occur in concurrent workers are caught. The caught exceptions are then forwarded from the concurrent workers to a coordination worker. The caught exceptions are finally aggregated into an aggregation structure, such as an aggregate exception object. This aggregation structure is rethrown and the individual caught exceptions may then be handled at a proper time. |
| US08146084B1 |
Loading applications in non-designated isolation environments
This specification describes technologies relating to execution of applications and the management of an application's access to other applications. In general, a method can include loading a first application, designated to a first isolation environment, including first instructions using the first isolation environment provided by an application execution environment. A second application including second instructions is loaded using the first isolation environment despite the second application being designated to a second isolation environment provided by the application execution environment. The first application is prevented from modifying the second instructions of the second application. Data is processed using the first instructions of the first application and the second instructions of the second application, where the first instructions reference the second instructions. Information based on results of the processing is outputted. |
| US08146083B2 |
Method and apparatus to modify a task within a set of tasks
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for processing tasks. A set of one or more tasks is presented on a user interface, wherein the set of tasks are part of a process. A set of one or more policies are associated. Each respective policy is associated with one or more of the set of tasks in which at least one of the tasks in the set of tasks is associated with a policy restricting modification of the task. The set of tasks and set of policies are sent to a flow engine, wherein the flow engine enforces performance of the set of tasks according to the set of policies. |
| US08146081B2 |
Method of selecting one of execution schedules of guest OSes and virtual machine monitor employing the method
In a virtual machine system, a plurality of guest OSes are time-divisionally executed under virtual machine execution environments provided by a virtual machine monitor (VMM). The VMM specifies a group of guest OSes that intercommunicate with each other via a communication interface provided by the VMM. Then, the VMM sets a quantum in an execution schedule of each guest OS which are included in the plurality of guest OSes and included in the specified group of guest OSes shorter. |
| US08146075B2 |
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for an API call abstractor
A social networking application manager (“SNAM”) initializes a set of modules for an application with their most updated versions. SNAM then iterates through the following operations. SNAM obtains the specification attributes for an updated version of the application. SNAM then obtains specification attributes for each module. SNAM compares the specification attributes of the modules with the specification attributes of the application to identify incompatible specification attributes. SNAM identifies the least compatible module. And SNAM replaces the least compatible module with a version of the module that results from decrementing a version number for the module. This iteration continues until there are no more incompatible specification attributes. |
| US08146068B2 |
Managing heuristic properties
A computer implemented method, system and computer program product for managing heuristic properties for controlling an optimization transformation in a compiler or in other heuristically controlled software in a data processing system. A computer implemented method for controlling an optimization transformation in heuristically controlled software includes defining at least one heuristic property for controlling a behavior of an optimization transformation, and creating at least one heuristic property modifier for each desired change in the behavior of the optimization transformation. At least one of the at least one heuristic property is then modified using the at least one heuristic property modifier for achieving each desired change in the behavior of the optimization transformation. |
| US08146066B2 |
Systems and methods for caching compute kernels for an application running on a parallel-processing computer system
A runtime system implemented in accordance with the present invention provides an application platform for parallel-processing computer systems. Such a runtime system enables users to leverage the computational power of parallel-processing computer systems to accelerate/optimize numeric and array-intensive computations in their application programs. This enables greatly increased performance of high-performance computing (HPC) applications. |
| US08146065B2 |
Running time of short running applications by effectively interleaving compilation with computation in a just-in-time environment
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing just-in-time compilation. The process designates a set of compilation threads for exclusively performing compilation functions associated with an application. A set of computation threads is designated for executing the application. Processor cycles are dynamically allocated during runtime between the set of compilation threads and the set of computation threads to maintain a ratio of processor cycles consumed by the set of compilation threads to processor cycles consumed by the set of computation threads. |
| US08146064B2 |
Dynamically controlling a prefetching range of a software controlled cache
Dynamically controlling a prefetching range of a software controlled cache is provided. A compiler analyzes source code to identify at least one of a plurality of loops that contain irregular memory references. For each irregular memory reference in the source code, the compiler determines whether the irregular memory reference is a candidate for optimization. Responsive to identifying an irregular memory reference that may be optimized, the complier determines whether the irregular memory reference is valid for prefetching. If the irregular memory reference is valid for prefetching, a store statement for an address of the irregular memory reference is inserted into the at least one loop. A runtime library call is inserted into a prefetch runtime library to dynamically prefetch the irregular memory references. Data associated with the irregular memory references are dynamically prefetched into the software controlled cache when the runtime library call is invoked. |
| US08146058B2 |
Measuring quality of software modularization
Quality of modularization of source code is tested using different perspectives such as a structural modularity perspective, an architectural modularity perspective, a size perspective, and a similarity of purpose perspective. A history of changes in modularization may be kept such that the degree to which given source code is well-modularized can be determined over time. The changes made to the code by individual programmers may be kept, such that the degree to which their coding enhanced or harmed modularization may be tracked. |
| US08146051B2 |
Method and computer program product for providing a representation of software modeled by a model
A computer program product and a method for providing a graphical representation of a software, the method includes: receiving semantic concern defining information; populating at least one semantic concern, in response to the received semantic concern defining information; and associating between multiple elements in response to semantic relation information, if semantic concern relation information was previously received. |
| US08146049B2 |
Support apparatus and design support method
According to one embodiment, a design support apparatus determines one of a first impedance between a power plane and a ground plane in the printed circuit board at an ON time of a high-side transistor in the switching power supply, a second impedance between the power plane and the ground plane at an ON time of a low-side transistor in the switching power supply, and a third impedance in an intermediate range between the first impedance and the second impedance to be an impedance between the power plane and the ground plane, based on ON-time information indicative of a ratio of an ON period of the high-side transistor to a switching cycle of the switching power supply in an operation period of the device. The apparatus evaluates capacitor information included in design information of the printed circuit by comparing the determined impedance and a target impedance. |
| US08146047B2 |
Automation method and system for assessing timing based on gaussian slack
An automated design process using a computer system includes identifying a set of timing endpoints in a circuit defined by a machine-readable file. Values of slack in the estimated arrival times for the timing endpoints are assigned. Probability distribution functions, such as Gaussian distributions, are assigned for the respective values of slack, and are combined. The combination of probability distribution functions represents a measure of circuit performance. The measure is computed for alternative implementations of the circuit, and used to identify an alternative more likely to meet timing constraints. |
| US08146045B1 |
High-level circuit architecture optimizer
A method for optimizing a high-level circuit architecture for an integrated circuit is described. Descriptions of components of the circuit architecture and optimization goals for the components are received. At least one stopping criterion for the cost functions is received. Implementations for the components are iteratively generated to provide a system from a combination of the implementations. The implementations of the components are iteratively optimized until the at least one stopping criterion is satisfied. The optimizing includes obtaining estimation models for determining cost estimates for the implementations and iteratively optimizing the implementations responsive to the cost estimates. |
| US08146044B2 |
Method of designing a semiconductor device
Aiming at providing a method of designing a semiconductor device capable of producing a semiconductor device which expresses performances adapted to required performances, the present invention sets a plurality of suites of device parameters, containing parameters relevant to transistor characteristics (transistor parameters) and parameters relevant to interconnect characteristics (interconnect parameters) corresponded to the transistor characteristics, for a single CMOS generation, selecting, out of the plurality of suites, a suite matched to performances required for a semiconductor to be designed, and designing the semiconductor device. |
| US08146040B1 |
Method of evaluating an architecture for an integrated circuit device
A method of evaluating an architecture for an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The method comprises generating a library of primitives for a predetermined architecture; transforming an original dataflow program into an intermediate format; transforming the intermediate format to a dataflow program defined in terms of the predefined library of primitives; and generating an implementation profile comprising information related to an implementation of the original dataflow program in an integrated circuit having the predetermined architecture. A method of evaluating an architecture for an integrated circuit device is also disclosed. |
| US08146038B2 |
Method for conjecturing effective width and effective length of gate
A method for conjecturing the effective size, i.e. the effective width or effective length, of a gate is disclosed. First, a first design gate group including a first gate design width and a first gate design length is provided. Second, an intrinsic gate channel capacitance and an edge capacitance of the first design gate are respectively obtained by calculation. Then a size error, i.e. a width error or a length error is predicted by means of the intrinsic gate channel capacitance and of the edge capacitance to calculate a calculated inversion capacitance and a predicted size deviation. Later, the size error is repeatedly predicted to minimize the predicted size deviation and to optimize the size error to obtain an optimized size error. Afterwards, the effective size of the gate are conjectured by means of the optimized size error. |
| US08146035B1 |
Power estimation of a circuit design
Approaches for estimating power consumption of a circuit from a circuit design. According to one embodiment, a representation of the circuit design specifies a plurality of circuit elements for implementing the circuit design. The circuit elements are matched to structural templates. Each structural template is representative of one or more circuit elements and has associated information descriptive of one or more toggle rates. Respective estimated toggle rates are determined for the circuit elements of the circuit design based on the information descriptive of one or more toggle rates associated with the matched structural templates. An estimated power consumption level is determined as a function of the estimated toggle rates of the circuit elements, and data indicative of the estimated power consumption level is output. |
| US08146032B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing RLC modeling and extraction for three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D-IC) designs
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs an RLC extraction for a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D-IC) die. During operation, the system receives a 3D-IC die description. The system then transforms the 3D-IC die description into a set of 2D-IC die descriptions, wherein the transform maintains equivalency between the set of 2D-IC die descriptions and the 3D-IC die description. Next, for each 2D-IC die description in the set of 2D-IC die descriptions, the system performs an electrical property extraction using a 2D-IC extraction tool to obtain a 2D-IC RLC netlist file. The system then combines the set of 2D-IC RLC netlist files for the set of 2D-IC die descriptions to form an RLC netlist file for the 3D-IC die description. |
| US08146029B2 |
Synthesis of electronic circuits
The invention relates to a method of synthesizing an electronic circuit for performing a function. The method comprises programming the function using a programming language by defining one or more terms, each term comprising one or more functional constants. Game semantics are applied to interpret the programmed function. Each term is interpreted as one or more strategies defined on moves. Each of the constants of the programmed function is associated with a sub-circuit. Each move is associated with at least one input or output port of the associated sub-circuit, and a move occurrence defined by a strategy produces a change of state of an associated port. The associated sub-circuits are combined to provide a synthesized circuit for performing the function. |
| US08146024B2 |
Method and system for process optimization
A method and apparatus for process optimization is provided. Process optimization improves parametric and functional yield post mask manufacturing. |
| US08146021B1 |
User interface for path distortion and stroke width editing
A technique for modifying a stretch of path is disclosed. The technique includes receiving an indication of a drag gesture associated with a designated point on a path, identifying the first path corner or endpoint on either side of the designated point as limit points, defining a smooth stretch of the path as a portion of the path between the limit points, and modifying the smooth stretch of the path based on the drag gesture without modifying portions outside of the smooth stretch. |
| US08146019B2 |
Method and terminal for playing and displaying music
A method and a terminal for playing and displaying music are provided. The method includes selecting a desired track in a playback mode, playing the selected track, displaying information about the selected track and a playing progress bar and displaying a current play time for the selected track and a position corresponding to the current play time on the playing progress bar in order to update playing progress information. The method and terminal enable a user to adjust the playback and selection of tracks through a novel interface, thereby providing increased convenience for a user of a terminal equipped with a music player. |
| US08146013B2 |
Allowing authorized pop-ups on a website
Mechanisms to allow authorized popup windows on a website are provided. With the mechanisms, one or more identifiers of authorized popup window sources are associated with website content. When the website content is downloaded to a client device in response to a request, the one or more identifiers are also provided to the client device. A popup blocker application resident on the client device uses the one or more identifiers to generate a filter list of authorized popup window sources against which the source of popup windows may be compared when the popup window attempts to be loaded into the browser. If the source of the popup window that is attempting to be loaded is not present in the list of authorized sources of popup windows, then the loading and output of the popup window content is blocked. |
| US08146010B2 |
Combinable tabs for a tabbed document interface
A method and system for combining tabs of a tabbed document interface (“TDI”) is provided. A combinable TDI system allows tabs of a TDI to be combined to form a single tab of the TDI. To combine tabs, the combinable TDI system generates a combined tab name from the tab names of the tabs to be combined and combined tab content from the content of the tabs to be combined. If the width of the content is greater than what can be currently displayed in the window, the combinable TDI system may add a scroll bar to the TDI so that the user can scroll and make visible portions of the content that were previously not visible. The combinable TDI system then displays the combined tab and removes the tabs that have been combined. The combinable TDI system may also allow a user to split a combined tab into separate tabs. |
| US08146009B2 |
Real time map rendering with data clustering and expansion and overlay
Systems and methods are provided for the organization, management, and graphical display of multiple logically related entities. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide the real-time display of status and location information for a fleet of tracked vehicles. In some embodiments, the systems and methods permit the automatic clustering of assets based on a user's view of an underlying map. In some embodiments, the assets are vehicles that are a part of a managed fleet. In some embodiments, the assets are logically arranged into clusters of like assets. In some embodiments, the clusters provide graphical indications of status or class information of their underlying assets. |
| US08146006B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining user interface information from executable program code
A technique to facilitate the automatic obtaining or extraction of dialogs or screens such as a graphical user interface from executable program code and saving a snapshot of such dialogs or screens in a graphical format. The executable program code is scanned or searched for particular modules within such program code that are used to generate a user interface or dialogue. Each one of these identified GUI-accessible modules is then processed in order to generate, display, and capture their associated user interface(s) or dialogue(s). Any requisite user input or sample data that is required by these modules is automatically generated and provided to assist in the generation, display, and capture of the interfaces/dialogues. |
| US08145996B2 |
Systems and methods for pagination and co-pagination
Methods and systems are provided for controlling pagination in computer software applications. Abstract classes and methods are provided with programming interfaces to improve the ease with which developers can create applications that allow for co-pagination with arbitrary object types, and can create arbitrary object types that can co-paginate with arbitrary applications. |
| US08145994B2 |
Categorizing document elements based on display layout
Identifying panel types of elements for display on a computing device. Documents such as web pages have a layout for the elements with some elements positioned in the header, footer, and sidebar regions of the document. A browser or other application receives the elements for display (e.g., on a mobile computing device) and analyzes each of the elements to define header, footer, sidebar, and content regions. The panel types are assigned based on the region in which the element resides. Aspects of the disclosure enable manipulation of the elements by, for example, presenting the elements corresponding to content panels, centering the web page within a display area on the computing device, and preventing advertisements from being displayed. |
| US08145993B2 |
XML-based translation
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with providing an XML-based translation service are described. One method embodiment includes accessing a translation-aware XML document that may comply with a translation-enabling XML schema. The document may store a first XML element that stores translatable data and a second XML element that stores a translation of the translatable data. The schema may describe that the first XML element includes a first identifier that identifies the first element as storing translatable data. The schema may also describe that the second XML element includes a second identifier that identifies the second element as storing a translation for translatable data. The method may also include establishing a session language identifier and providing a virtual view of the translation-aware XML document, the virtual view being determined, at least in part, by the session language identifier. |
| US08145992B2 |
Validation assisted document conversion design
Systems and methods are described that facilitate validating electronic document conversion chain design in real time, as a designer edits a conversion chain that converts a document collection between formats. Waypoints are inserted into the document conversion chain by associating validation specifications with selected conversion components in the chain. AS the conversion chain is executed on a document collection, the validation specification is executed on all documents in the collection when a selected conversion component is executed. Validation results are returned to indicate to the designer which documents were successfully converted by the component and which were not. The designer can then modify the conversion chain, which is re-executed, and validation results are again presented to the designer for comparison to the pre-modification validation results. The designer can then approve or reject the modification(s) depending on whether document validation is improved thereby. |
| US08145989B2 |
System and method for providing continuous downloading service of large size contents through wireless network and computer readable medium for realizing the same
A method of providing a continuous downloading service of large size content through a wireless network consisting of a mobile terminal and a content server is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving a request; receiving a package list from the mobile terminal; comparing information of an individual file in the received package list and information of an individual file in the content server; and transmitting a required file list indicating at least one individual file having different information in the received package list and the stored package list to the mobile terminal, wherein the required file list comprises a content unified version. A download program installed in the mobile terminal receives the required file list and determines the continuous download. |
| US08145986B2 |
Multi-CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrix based LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes
Multi-CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrix based LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes. A CSI parameter set, that includes at least one dual-valued entry and may also include at least one single-valued entry, and/or at least one all-zero-valued entry, is employed to generate an LDPC matrix. One of the single-valued entries may be 0 (being used to generate a CSI matrix with cyclic shift value of 0, corresponding to an identity sub-matrix such that all entries along the diagonal have elements values of 1, and all other elements therein are 0). Once the LDPC matrix is generated, it is employed to decode an LDPC coded signal to make an estimate of an information bit encoded therein. Also, the LDPC matrix may itself be used as an LDPC generator matrix (or the LDPC generator matrix may alternatively be generated by processing the LDPC matrix) for use in encoding an information bit. |
| US08145983B1 |
Methods and apparatus for identification of likely errors in data blocks
Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a plurality of data blocks. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a correction flag for each of the data blocks can be received, along with information on at least one error event for each of the data blocks. Using this received information, a search trellis corresponding to the data blocks can be determined. Determining the search trellis can include determining a plurality of branches and computing a branch metric for each of the branches. A search on the search trellis can be performed to identify at most one error event for each data block, where the search is based on the branch metrics. |
| US08145980B2 |
Method and system for decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes
An approach is provided for transmitting messages using low density parity check (LDPC) codes. Input messages are encoded according to a structured parity check matrix that imposes restrictions on a sub-matrix of the parity check matrix to generate LDPC codes. The LDPC codes are transmitted over a radio communication system (e.g., satellite network), wherein a receiver communicating over the radio communication system is configured to iteratively decode the received LDPC codes according to a signal constellation associated with the LDPC codes. The receiver is configured to iteratively regenerating signal constellation bit metrics after one or more decoding iterations. |
| US08145979B2 |
DTV transmitting system and receiving system and method of processing television signal
A digital television transmitting system includes a pre-processor, a packet generator, an RS encoder, and a trellis encoder. The pre-processor pre-processes enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for first forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data. The packet generator generates first and second enhanced data packets including the pre-processed enhanced data and main data packets and multiplexes the enhanced and main data packets. The first enhanced data packet includes an adaptation field including the pre-processed enhanced data and second enhanced data packet includes a payload region including the pre-processed enhanced data. The RS encoder performs RS encoding on the multiplexed data packets for second forward error correction (FEC), and the trellis encoder performs trellis encoding on the RS-coded data packets. |
| US08145976B1 |
Error correcting
In one or more embodiments, a method, computer-readable media, and/or computational unit acts or is capable of receiving, from a single, integrated memory, current and previous iterations of Log Likelihood Ratio (“LLR”) parameters for a current iteration of a Low-Density Parity-Check code (“LDPC code”) error-correcting process. These may then perform an LDPC code error-correcting algorithm using the current and previous iterations of LLR parameters. Following this, these embodiment(s) may overwrite the previous iteration of LLR parameters with a now-current iteration of LLR parameters and treat the current iteration of LLR parameters as a now-previous iteration of LLR parameters. Both of these iterations of LLR parameters for the now-current iteration may then be received following overwrite of the previous iteration of LLR parameters with the now-current iteration of LLR parameters. With these now-current and now-previous iterations of LLR parameters these embodiment(s) may perform the LDPC code error-correcting algorithm. |
| US08145968B2 |
Method of determining binary signal of memory cell and apparatus thereof
A method and apparatus to determine a binary signal of a memory cell capable of decreasing an error rate of binary signal determination that occur due to neighboring cells and noise, the apparatus including: a data collection unit to collect target data stored in a target cell in a memory and binary neighboring data of data stored in at least one neighboring cell that neighbors the target cell; a data correction unit to correct the target data collected from the target cell by using the target data and the binary neighboring data collected by the data collection unit and a parameter; and a binary signal determination unit to determine a binary signal of a corrected signal output from the data correction unit. |
| US08145966B2 |
Remote testing system and method
A method and system of supporting and testing equipment distant from the support system are provided. The method includes the steps of forming a communications link between the equipment and the support system, using the support system to measure performance of the equipment and to provide a set of performance data, providing library data relating to the equipment, comparing the performance data with the library data and analysing the compared data whereby to provide a performance diagnosis of the equipment, all in a substantially continuous real time operation. |
| US08145965B2 |
Test apparatus for testing a device under test and device for receiving a signal
A test apparatus for testing a device under test includes a capture memory that stores thereon an output pattern received from the device under test, a header detecting section that reads the output pattern from the capture memory and detects a portion matching a predetermined header pattern in the output pattern, and a judging section that judges whether the output pattern is acceptable based on a result of comparison between a pattern, in the output pattern, which starts with the portion matching the predetermined header pattern and a corresponding expected value pattern. |
| US08145962B2 |
TAP interface select circuit with TMS/RCK or RCK lead
This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations. In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an interface select circuit, FIGS. 41-49, provides for selectively using either the 5 signal interface of FIG. 41 or the 3 signal interface of FIG. 8. |
| US08145960B2 |
Storage of data in data stores having some faulty storage locations
Data storage control circuitry for controlling storage and retrieval of data in a data store in which data is stored in data blocks. A group data store stores data by grouping together blocks that have at least one faulty bit into groups of at least two blocks. For each group of blocks at least one of the blocks has a non-faulty bit for each of the bit locations in the blocks. A selector data store stores indicators for each group indicating which bits of the blocks within a group are the non-faulty bits. When storing data to a data block within a group, the data is stored in each of the blocks within the group. When retrieving data from a data block within a group, the data is read from respective bits of the blocks within the group as indicated by the indicators. |
| US08145958B2 |
Integrated circuit and method for testing memory on the integrated circuit
An integrated circuit and method for testing memory on the integrated circuit are provided. The integrated circuit has processing logic for performing data processing operations on data, and a plurality of memory units for storing data for access by the processing logic. Further, memory test logic is provided to perform a sequence of tests in order to seek to detect memory defects in the memory units. The memory test logic comprises a plurality of test wrapper units, each test wrapper unit associated with one of the memory units and being operable to execute tests on the associated memory unit, and a test controller for controlling performance of the sequence of tests by communicating with each of the test wrapper units to provide test data defining each test to be executed by that test wrapper unit. Further, a first communication link is provided for connecting each of the test wrapper units directly to the test controller, and a second communication link is provided for connecting each test wrapper unit in an ordered sequence with the test controller. When controlling performance of the sequence of tests, the test controller provides first test data via the first communication link and second test data via the second communication link. It has been found that such an approach provides a particularly efficient and flexible technique for performing BIST functions within the integrated circuit. |
| US08145957B2 |
Using fractional sectors for mapping defects in disk drives
Herein described is at least a method and system for processing a read or write operation when one or more defects are mapped using one or more fractional sectors. The method comprises using one or more fractional sectors to map defects and to store data symbols. Furthermore, a first algorithm is used for translating a logical block address into a physical starting location such that one or more fractional sectors may be processed during a read or write operation. A second algorithm is used for temporally processing one or more portions of a track of a disk drive, wherein the one or more portions may comprise one or more defective fractional sectors, non-defective fractional sectors, frame remainders, and servo sectors. The system comprises a memory, a processor, and software resident in memory. The process executes the software that implements the first and second algorithms. |
| US08145956B2 |
Information processing apparatus, failure processing method, and recording medium in which failure processing program is recorded
An information processing apparatus includes partitioning mode information retaining section, hardware resource management information retaining section, failure notifying section, operation mode detecting section, shared hardware resource judging section, common failure report creating section for creating, if operation in the partitioning mode is detected and a hardware resource in which the failure occurrence has been detected is judged to be a shared resource, a common failure report on the basis of the detection of failure occurrence output by the notifying sections of physical partitions that share the shared hardware resource. That can avoid excessive report of a failure occurred even at a shared hardware resource, making it possible to grasp the accurate number of failure occurrence and to manufacture in a low cost. |
| US08145955B2 |
Monitoring apparatus, information processing system, monitoring method and computer readable medium
A monitoring apparatus includes: a reception section that receives information including first use mode information from an first information processing apparatus; a storage section that stores the first use mode information received by the reception section; and a transmission section, when the reception section receives fault information together with the first use mode information from the first information processing apparatus, that transmits information concerning countermeasures against a fault to the first information processing apparatus based on the first use mode information and pieces of second use mode information, stored in the storage section, of second information processing apparatuses which normally operate. |
| US08145952B2 |
Storage system and a control method for a storage system
A storage system includes a storage device for storing data, a pair of adapters connected with the storage device, each of the adapters transmitting and receiving the data to and from the storage device respectively. The storage system includes a controller, connected with the adapters, for collecting performance information indicating performance of each of the adapters, comparing the collected performance information of the adapters with each other, and detecting a suspected adapter that is suspected of having a performance failure on the basis of a result of the comparison. |
| US08145949B2 |
Automated regression failure management system
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for performing regression testing on a simulated hardware is provided, the method comprising: scanning a defect database for fixed signatures; retrieving all tests in a failing instance database that correspond to the fixed signatures from the defect database; running one or more of the retrieved tests; determining if any of the retrieved tests failed during running; and for any retrieved test that failed during running, refiling the failed retrieved tests in the failing instance database and placing one or more generalized signatures for the failed retrieved tests in the defect database. |
| US08145948B2 |
Governance in work flow software
The disclosure presents categorization of users into groups comprising expert users and novice users. A system and method analyzes the users' inputted data in helpdesk troubleshooting software to determine the deviation of novice users from expert users, or the deviation of novice users to a preconfigured behavior as determined by management policy. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08145946B2 |
Task execution apparatus, task execution method, and storage medium
A task execution apparatus includes an execution unit configured to execute a task on a plurality of devices, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a cause of failure in execution by the execution unit, a confirmation unit configured to confirm that each device of the plurality of devices on which the execution unit failed to execute the task does not support the task based on the cause, and a re-execution unit configured to re-execute the task on each of the plurality of devices on which the execution unit failed to execute the task, wherein the re-execution unit excludes each of the plurality of devices from a re-execution target of the task, in a case where the confirmation unit confirms that each of the plurality of devices does not support the task. |
| US08145941B2 |
Detection and correction of block-level data corruption in fault-tolerant data-storage systems
Various embodiments of the present invention provide fault-tolerant, redundancy-based data-storage systems that rely on disk-controller-implemented error detection and error correction, at the disk-block level, and RAID-controller-implemented data-redundancy methods, at the disk and disk-stripe level, in order to provide comprehensive, efficient, and system-wide error detection and error correction. Embodiments of the present invention use disk-level and stripe-level data redundancy to provide error detection and error correction for stored data objects, obviating the need for certain costly, intermediate levels of error detection and error correction commonly employed in currently available fault-tolerant, redundancy-based data-storage systems. |
| US08145936B2 |
Automated computing appliance disaster recovery
A system and method for automatic disaster recovery of a computing appliance including reconstruction of its previous operational state. A configuration bundle that includes configuration data, software revision level and a list of system updates is used to recover the device's operation state. The system and method can also be utilized to recover a not fully functional member of a clustered computing system from the configuration information stored on other members of the cluster. |
| US08145932B2 |
Systems, methods and media for reducing power consumption in multiple controller information handling systems
An information handling system (IHS) provides a method for conserving power. The method includes monitoring at least one performance characteristic of the IHS and determining if the at least one performance characteristic is below a low performance threshold. If the at least one performance characteristic is below the low performance threshold, a first controller is switched into a low power mode, wherein a first set of logical unit numbers (LUNs) are reassigned to a second controller. |
| US08145930B2 |
Storage system and management information acquisition method for power saving
The object of the invention is to control the power consumption in a storage subsystem. In a storage system, when a monitor in a host computer acquires information concerning a storage region to manage the storage region, a monitor in the host computer checks whether or not the power supply state in the storage region is ‘on’ based on a storage region information that stores first information indicating whether or not the power supply state in the storage region is ‘on’ and second information concerning the storage region, and acquires the second information from the storage region information table if the power supply state in the storage region is not ‘on’. |
| US08145926B2 |
Fan speed control of silicon based devices in low power mode to reduce platform power
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes running a cooling fan within a computer at low speed while the computer is in low temperature operations (e.g., idle). The operation of the cooling fan may reduce processor (CPU) temperature enough to decrease processor leakage power, offsetting the power consumption of the fan, and possibly resulting in a net system power reduction. The benefit at the platform level increases further when considering the low efficiency of voltage regulation (VR) in this lower power regime, and potentially reductions in other components (e.g., graphics processor). The optimal fan speed is the speed at which the overall system power is reduced the most (e.g., processor power savings is greater than fan power utilized). The optimal temperature may be determined dynamically during operation or may be determined in manufacturing and applied statically during operation. |
| US08145925B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device with power saving feature
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which comprises (i) an interface having an input for receiving an input clock and a set of data lines for receiving commands issued by a controller including an erase command; (ii) a module having circuit components in a feedback loop configuration and being driven by a reference clock; (iii) a clock control circuit capable of controllably switching between a first state in which the reference clock tracks the input clock and a second state in which the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock; and (iv) a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands and to cause the clock control circuit to switch from the first state to the second state in response to recognizing the erase command. The module consumes less power when the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock than when the reference clock tracks the input clock. |
| US08145920B2 |
Techniques for collaborative power management for heterogeneous networks
Techniques for collaborative power management for heterogeneous networks are described. An apparatus may include a first node having a managed power system and a power management module to manage power states for the managed power system. The power management module may be operative to communicate power state information with a second node over a communications connection, and manage the power states for the managed power system based on power state information for the second node. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08145917B2 |
Security bootstrapping for distributed architecture devices
Securing the boot phase of a computing system implemented as a distributed architecture device can be performed by a system or method that uses hash functions and public key infrastructure (PKI) to verify the authenticity of modular subsystems. The modular subsystems can verify each other's authenticity, and can prevent unauthorized components from being inserted into the system when the system is without power. |
| US08145908B1 |
Web content defacement protection system
A method and mechanism for protecting a website against defacement are provided. A content owner may associate content with a digital signature. The digital signature allows a recipient of the content to verify that the content originated from the content owner, and that the content has not been defaced. The digital signature may be comprised within the content, or stored external to the content, e.g., in a repository accessible to a Web cache server serving the content. To construct the digital signature, initially, the content owner creates a content validity value for a portion of content, the content validity value is encrypted to create the digital signature. The Web cache server may use the digital signature to determine whether the content has been defaced. |
| US08145907B2 |
Secure data transfer
The invention concerns secure data transfer from a first radio communication device of a first party to a second radio communication device. A random first symmetric key is generated at the first terminal device. User data of the first terminal device is encrypted with the first symmetric key. The first symmetric key is encrypted with a public key of a third party. The encrypted first symmetric key is sent from the first terminal device to the second terminal device via a transfer device. The encrypted first symmetric key is decrypted at the second terminal device by utilizing a secret key associated with the public key and comprised in a security device of the third party. The encrypted user data is sent from the first terminal device to the second terminal device via the transfer device. The encrypted user data is decrypted at the second terminal device with the first symmetric key. |
| US08145903B2 |
Method and system for a kernel lock validator
An embodiment relates generally to a method of preventing resource access conflicts in a software component. The method includes intercepting a lock operation in the software component and testing an associated lock type of the lock operation against a set of rules. The method also includes determining an action based on the associated lock type conflicting one of the rules of the set of rules. |
| US08145897B2 |
Direct anonymous attestation scheme with outsourcing capability
A Direct Anonymous Attestation (DAA) scheme using elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and bilinear maps. A trusted platform module (TPM) may maintain privacy of a portion of a private membership key from an issuer while joining a group. Moreover, the TPM can outsource most of the computation involved in generating a signature to a host computer. |
| US08145887B2 |
Enhanced load lookahead prefetch in single threaded mode for a simultaneous multithreaded microprocessor
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for enhancing the execution of independent loads in a processing unit. A processing unit detects if a long-latency miss associated with a load instruction has been encountered. Responsive to a long-latency miss, the processing unit enters a load lookahead mode. Responsive to entering the load lookahead mode, the processing unit dispatches each instruction from a first set of instructions from a first buffer with an associated vector. The processing unit determines if the first set of instructions from the first buffer have completed execution. Responsive to completed execution of the first set of instructions from the first buffer, the processing unit copies the set of vectors from a first vector array to a second vector array. Then the processing unit dispatches a second set of instructions from a second buffer with an associated vector from the second vector array. |
| US08145886B2 |
Changing processor functions by changing function information
An information processing equipment comprises: a processor configured to refer to a function information indicating an assigned function and to execute a firmware code corresponding to the function information; and a memory in which the firmware code and the function information are stored. The information processing equipment further comprises a function change module configured to rewrite the function information. |
| US08145885B2 |
Apparatus for randomizing instruction thread interleaving in a multi-thread processor
A processor interleaves instructions according to a priority rule which determines the frequency with which instructions from each respective thread are selected and added to an interleaved stream of instructions to be processed in the data processor. The frequency with which each thread is selected according to the rule may be based on the priorities assigned to the instruction threads. A randomization is inserted into the interleaving process so that the selection of an instruction thread during any particular clock cycle is not based solely by the priority rule, but is also based in part on a random or pseudo random element. This randomization is inserted into the instruction thread selection process so as to vary the order in which instructions are selected from the various instruction threads while preserving the overall frequency of thread selection (i.e. how often threads are selected) set by the priority rule. |
| US08145883B2 |
Preloading instructions from an instruction set other than a currently executing instruction set
A preload instruction in a first instruction set is executed at a processor. The preload instruction causes the processor to preload one or more instructions into an instruction cache. The pre-loaded instructions are pre-decoded according to a second instruction set that is different from the first instruction set. The preloaded instructions are pre-decoded according to the second instruction set in response to an instruction set preload indicator (ISPI). |
| US08145882B1 |
Apparatus and method for processing template based user defined instructions
A system implemented in hardware includes a main processing core decoding instructions for out of order execution. The instructions include template based user defined instructions. A user execution block executes the template based user defined instructions. An interface is positioned between the main processing core and the user execution block. A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to describe a processing core supporting execution of a proprietary instruction set and decoding of customized instructions that adhere to a specified pattern. The specified pattern includes a source, a destination and a latency period. A user execution block is connected to the processing core to execute the customized instructions. |
| US08145861B1 |
Managing data transfer between different types of tape media with encryption
A method for managing data transfer from at least one input tape to an output tape begins by opening the output tape. For each input tape, the input tape is opened and directory information about the opened input tape is gathered. Data is read from the opened input tape, the data is encrypted, the encrypted data is written to the output tape, and the input tape is closed. The directory information for each input tape is written to a directory file on the output tape and the output tape is closed. |
| US08145860B2 |
Methods for synchronizing storage system data
In accordance with one example, a method for comparing data units is disclosed comprising generating a first digest representing a first data unit stored in a first memory. A first encoded value is generated based, at least in part, on the first digest and a predetermined value. A second digest representing a second data unit stored in a second memory different from the first memory, is generated. A second encoded value is derived based, at least in part, on the second digest and the predetermined value. It is determined whether the first data unit and the second data unit are the same based, at least in part, on the first digest, the first predetermined value, the first encoded value, and the second digest, by first processor. If the second data unit is not the same as the first data unit, the first data unit is stored in the second memory. |
| US08145858B2 |
Interleave control device, interleave control method, and memory system
According to one embodiment, an interleave control device of a memory system includes a memory divided into sections, and a data bus used, in common, for data transfers for the sections, the device comprises a detector and a start module. The detector is configured to detect a transfer of data of a predetermined size during a transfer of data on the data bus to be written to a certain section of the memory or data read from the section. The start module is configured to start a transfer of interleave control data in place of the data to be written or the read data when the detector detects the transfer of the data of the predetermined size. |
| US08145857B2 |
Control of access to an external storage device
The control device has a fetching unit, a virtual drive creation unit, and an access control unit. The fetching unit fetches, from the external storage device, attribute information relating to data stored in the external storage device. The virtual drive creation unit creates, in the control device, a virtual drive for storing the fetched attribute information. The access control unit controls access to the virtual drive and the external storage device. When an instruction relating to the attribute information is input, the access control unit accesses the virtual drive to fetch the attribute information. When an instruction to read the data from the external storage device is input, the access control unit accesses the external storage device to reads the data. When an instruction to write new data to the external storage device is input, the access control unit accesses the external storage device to write the new data. |
| US08145853B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus, memory access control system and data reading method
In order to provide a semiconductor memory apparatus which can flexibly change the priority of reading requests when the reading request is issued and which do not exclusively use the memory bus, a semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a main memory which stores data at an address while maintaining a corresponding relationship between the data and the address; a read request input portion receiving a read request which maintains a corresponding relationship between address information that is referred to when reading the data and priority information that indicates priority for reading the data; a read data storing portion which stores the data and priority while maintaining a corresponding relationship thereof; a data reading portion reads the data corresponding to address information which is input by the read request input portion from the main memory; a read data registration portion storing both the priority information input by the read request input and the data read by the data reading portion to the read data storing portion while maintaining a corresponding relationship between the priority information and the data read; and a priority operation control portion which chooses and outputs the data with a highest priority among the priority information and the data that are stored in the read data storing portion while maintaining a corresponding relationship between the priority information and the data. |
| US08145851B2 |
Integrated device
An integrated device able to simplify interconnects up to memories, able to prevent a reduction of performance due to an increase of area and longer interconnects, and able to speed up memory access. An input/output port of a processing module, memory interfaces, and memory banks are connected by connection interconnects arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction above an arrangement region of a plurality of memory macros. As connection interconnects, command information interconnects and data interconnects are included. The command information interconnects are formed by private interconnects, while the data interconnects are formed by private interconnects for at least the second direction interconnects. |
| US08145850B2 |
Method and system for visualizing a storage area network
A method and system for visualizing a SAN is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for visualizing a SAN includes scanning SAN components in the SAN to determine respective types of the SAN components and connectivity information between the SAN components. The method also includes generating a hierarchically-laid-out SAN graph by determining respective positions of the SAN components in the SAN based on the types of the SAN components and the connectivity information. The method further applying a force-directed model to the hierarchically-laid-out SAN graph to generate a SAN topology layout, wherein attractive and repulsive forces between the SAN components are tuned based on the types of the SAN components and the connectivity information. In addition, the method includes displaying the SAN topology layout on the display area of a display device in a management station coupled to the SAN. |
| US08145848B2 |
Processor and method for writeback buffer reuse
A processor may include a writeback configured to perform a first writeback operation to store corresponding writeback data back to a lower-level memory upon eviction of the writeback data, and a writeback buffer configured to store the writeback data after the writeback data has been evicted from the writeback cache and before the writeback data has been sent to the lower-level memory. After the writeback data has been sent from the writeback buffer to the lower-level memory, and before the lower-level memory has acknowledged completion of the first writeback operation, the writeback cache may perform a second writeback operation to store different writeback data in the writeback buffer in response to eviction of the different writeback data, such that a total size of the writeback data for the concurrently outstanding writeback operations exceeds a total size of writeback data that the writeback buffer is capable of concurrently storing. |
| US08145847B2 |
Cache coherency protocol with ordering points
A system comprises a first node having an associated cache including data having an associated first cache state. The first cache state is capable of identifying the first node as being an ordering point for serializing requests from other nodes for the data. |
| US08145844B2 |
Memory controller with write data cache and read data cache
A memory controller includes a write data cache, a read data cache and coherency circuitry. The coherency circuitry manages coherency of data between the write data cache, the read data cache and data stored within a main memory when servicing read requests and write requests received by the memory controller. Write complete signals are issued back to a write requesting circuit as soon as a write request has had its write data stored within the write data cache. |
| US08145839B2 |
Raid—5 controller and accessing method with data stream distribution and aggregation operations based on the primitive data access block of storage devices
By taking advantage of parallel data processing and transmission techniques, the data access rate of a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) level 5 can be boosted significantly. A data distribution and aggregation unit is utilized to distribute a data stream into a plurality of data sub-streams based on the primitive data access block of storage devices as a processing unit of data writing, or to aggregate a plurality of data sub-streams to form a data stream based on the primitive data access block of storage devices as a processing unit of data reading. An exclusive OR operation unit capable of parallel data processing is introduced for performing data processing on the plurality of data sub-streams simultaneously. The data transmission of each data sub-stream is controlled individually by one of a plurality of transmission controllers. |
| US08145838B1 |
Processing and distributing write logs of nodes of a cluster storage system
A cluster storage system comprises a plurality of nodes that access a shared storage, each node having two or more failover partner nodes. A primary node produces write logs for received write requests and produces parity data for the write logs (storing the parity data to local non-volatile storage). By storing parity data rather than actual write logs, the non-volatile storage space within the cluster for storing write logs is reduced. Prior to failure of the primary node, the primary node also sub-divides the write logs into two or more sub-sets and distributes the sub-sets to the two or more partner nodes for storage at non-volatile storage devices. Thus, if the primary node fails, its write logs are already distributed among the partner nodes so each partner node may perform the allotted write logs on the storage, thus improving the response time to the primary node failure. |
| US08145836B2 |
SCSI protocol emulation for virtual storage device stored on NAS device
A virtualization technique, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes emulating the small computing system interface (SCSI) protocol to access a virtual SCSI storage device backed by a file stored on network attached storage (NAS). |
| US08145829B2 |
Flash memory device capable of preventing read disturbance
A storage has a first cache area temporarily storing one page data read from a flash memory, and a second cache area to which data of the first cache area is transferred. A controller stores data of the first cache area in the second cache area, and reads and outputs the data stored in the second cache area when data having the same address as data read from the first cache area is read. |
| US08145825B2 |
Global spare
A storage library is described including a first tape drive that is identified as a target tape drive to a host via a first address and a second tape drive that is masked from being identified by the host. The storage library further includes a controller that is linked with a switch system that shifts the first address to the second drive from the first drive such that after the shift, the second drive is identified as the target drive to the host and the first drive is masked from being identified by the host. |
| US08145821B2 |
Docking station for portable electronic devices
A docking station apparatus interfaces a portable electronic device with one or more electrical systems of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a docking assembly having an internal cavity and configured to hold the electronic device, and a mechanical interface in the cavity and configured to provide a wired or wireless connection to the electronic device. A power supply conversion circuit translates vehicle power levels to electronic device power levels, and one or more support circuits or connectors provide different connectivity functions for the electronic device. The support circuits or connectors can include input audio/video connectors in the docking assembly to provide analog audio/video signals to an analog distribution hub; an audio/video encoder and digital data connectors to provide digitally encoded audio/video signals in a wired or wireless mode to a digital distribution hub; multiplexing circuitry to accept analog audio, composite video, or component video for multiplexing between externally supplied audio/video and locally generated audio/video; and a command and control circuit to provide command and control data, and navigation data, to the electronic device in a wired or wireless mode. |
| US08145820B2 |
Multiprocessor system and computer program product
In a multiprocessor system including a plurality of processors, the processors execute, at a time of migration a task operating in own processor to another processor, a transmitting task for transmitting the migration target task to a destination processor, and when an interrupt request to be received and executed by an interrupt handler accompanying the migration target task is generated during transmission of the migration target task, the transmitting task receives the interrupt request instead of the interrupt handler and starts the interrupt handler. |
| US08145813B2 |
Electronic device utilizing connecting port for connecting connector to transmit/receive signals with customized format
An electronic device includes: a first output port, a processing circuit and a bridge circuit. The first output port is configured for connecting a connector with a connector type complying with a specific signal transmission standard. The processing circuit is utilized for processing an input data to generate an output data. The bridge circuit is coupled between the processing circuit and the first output port, and utilized for receiving the output data generated from the processing circuit, converting the output data into an output signal which has a physical layer compliant with the specific signal transmission standard and a protocol layer different from the specific signal transmission standard, and then outputting the output signal to the first output port. |
| US08145809B1 |
Busy detection logic for asynchronous communication port
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for synchronizing independent time domain information. The synchronization of the device resource access information allows a memory access device to reliably access memory in a time domain independent of a device issuing requests. The system may synchronize device resource information for requests made by a processor to access (e.g., read/write) locations of a memory device. The present invention synchronizes the device access information without restricting pulse width of a read/write signal or requiring a high speed clock. |
| US08145805B2 |
Method for re-sequencing commands and data between a master and target devices utilizing parallel processing
Re-sequencing commands and data between a master and slave device utilizing parallel processing is disclosed. When utilizing parallel processing while reading and writing data, there is a chance that the data will be read or written in an improper order, given the time delays associated with different slave devices and the processing time associated with various commands. Therefore, to retain the speed and improved performance of parallel processing while maintaining data coherency, the instructions and data are re-sequenced and processed in the proper order, and the returned data are re-sequenced and returned to the processor in the proper order. |
| US08145804B2 |
Systems and methods for transferring data to maintain preferred slot positions in a bi-endian processor
A bi-endian multiprocessor system having multiple processing elements, each of which includes a processor core, a local memory and a memory flow controller. The memory flow controller transfers data between the local memory and data sources external to the processing element. If the processing element and the data source implement data representations having the same endian-ness, each multi-word line of data is stored in the local memory in the same word order as in the data source. If the processing element and the data source implement data representations having different endian-ness, the words of each multi-word line of data are transposed when data is transferred between local memory and the data source. The processing element may incorporate circuitry to add doublewords, wherein the circuitry can alternately carry bits from a first word to a second word or vice versa, depending upon whether the words in lines of data are transposed. |
| US08145803B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating macro command
Disclosed is provided an apparatus and a method for operating a macro command and inputting a macro command, wherein the apparatus including a storing unit storing control signals received from a control device for selecting of a menu item of a host device, a creating unit creating the macro command combined with the control signals, and an executing unit reading the macro command and executing functions corresponding to the respective menu item of the host device according to a combination sequence of the control signals included in the read macro command. |
| US08145800B2 |
Identifying when a USB self-powered device is connected to a medical device by triggering an alert about a potential risk to patient
In some aspects, a method includes determining whether a universal serial bus (USB) peripheral device is connected to a USB monitoring device that is connected to a medical device and drawing power from the medical device. The medical device is configured for use in a medical procedure with a patient. The method also includes determining whether the USB peripheral device is drawing power from the medical device if the USB peripheral device is determined to be connected to the USB monitoring device. |
| US08145798B1 |
System and method for automatic provisioning of onsite networking services
An automatic provisioning system is activated within a DSL, cable modem or other residential or gateway or hub, and accesses a remote directory service to locate appropriate addressing and other information to initialize the equipment. The gateway interface may automatically update its configuration, heal bugs and perform other maintenance and other tasks. Multiple gateway interfaces or products or services may be configured at one premise, and version control maintained to ensure compatibility. |
| US08145796B2 |
Printing control commands using native printer code
An image processing system includes: a receiving section that receives print information including at least a first printing control command embedded in a print document and a second printing control command relating to a setting condition for the first printing control command; a control command extracting section that extracts the first printing control command and the second printing control command from the print information; and a print executing section that performs the first printing control command according to the setting condition of the second printing control command. |
| US08145793B1 |
System and method for distributed content transformation
A distributed transformation network provides delivery of content from a content publisher to a content recipient. Content from the content publisher is received at an entry node of the distributed transformation network and transmitted to a transformation node in the distributed transformation network. The content is transformed according to publisher, recipient or network administrator specifications and transmitting to delivery nodes which deliver the transformed content to the content recipient. The published content may be in an XML-based format and transformed into an XML-related format or any other structured language format as desired in the provided specification. |
| US08145790B2 |
Method and device for using dynamic updates in a network
A computer network system for interconnecting nodes using dynamic updates includes a first network device configured to receive an information packet including a destination address for a source node. The first network device includes a first translation table for use in translating the destination address into an address indicator to replace the destination address in the information packet. The computer network system includes a second network device configured to receive the information packet, and to include a second translation table for use in translating the address indicator into the destination address. At least one of the first and second network devices are adapted to dynamically update at least one of first and second translation tables using updated information transferred using the computer network system. |
| US08145789B1 |
Method providing a single console control point for a network device cluster
A cluster console user interface provides a single console control point for a network device cluster comprising a first switch device, a plurality of active routers, one or more standby routers, and a second switch device. Using the cluster console, a network administrator can perform various operations with respect to the cluster as a whole, without knowing identity information for particular network routers serving as active or standby, or for the switch devices. |
| US08145787B1 |
Adaptive bandwidth utilization over fabric links
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for adapting bandwidth utilization over fabric links. In one embodiment of the method, a transmitting device transmits data at a first non-zero rate to a memory for storage therein during a first period of time. The transmitting device then transmits data at a second non-zero rate to the memory for storage therein during a second period of time. The second period of time is subsequent to the first period of time, and the second non-zero rate is greater than or less than the first non-zero rate. This method may find application in switching network where the transmitting device is contained in a switching fabric, the memory is a FIFO buffer contained in a line card coupled to the switching fabric via a data link, and where the transmitter transmits data via the data link to the FIFO buffer for storage therein. |
| US08145786B2 |
Efficient buffer utilization in a computer network-based messaging system
Buffering messages by receiving a message from a messaging client, writing the message to a logically-contiguous write-available region of a message buffer starting at a logically next write-available location within the write-available region, updating a head index to indicate a head boundary between a logically last message in the message buffer and a logically next write-available location in the message buffer, defining a packet including the message within the message buffer, transmitting a packet that includes a logically first message in the message buffer, and updating a tail index to indicate a tail boundary between a new logically last write-available location in the message buffer and a new logically first message in the message buffer. |
| US08145784B2 |
Distributed network management system using policies
A distributed network management system that utilizes policy rules in rendering management decisions. The system includes a policy console that populates and manages network policies in a policy repository. Various network devices coupled to the policy repository download policy rules relevant to the devices for managing network elements associated with each network device. Each network device includes a policy decision module for rendering management decisions for its network elements based on the retrieved network policies. Each network device further includes a policy enforcement module for enforcing the management decisions and controlling the associated network elements based on the policies. |
| US08145778B2 |
Method and system for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers in a digital video network
A technique for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers involves identifying a transition identifier that indicates a point at which streaming of the digital video content transitions from a first stream server to a second stream server and then transitioning the streaming from the first stream server the second stream server at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier. For example, the first stream server stops streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier and the second stream server starts streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier. |
| US08145775B2 |
Method to receive UDP response messages across multiple incoming UDP ports
An apparatus includes a plurality of UDP ports capable of receiving UDP messages and a message generator to generate a request message to be transmitted to remote endpoints connected over a network via a connectionless diagram protocol. The request message includes a header section having data identifying a plurality of reply-to addresses corresponding to the UDP ports. |
| US08145774B2 |
Progressively accessing data blocks related to pages
Techniques relating to progressive data downloading are described. In one instance, a system includes an application configured to utilize data blocks to display content in a user-interface. The system also includes a progressive download component configured to retrieve specific data blocks from a data container responsive to requests from the application. |
| US08145773B1 |
Multiple cookie handling
A method, system, and computer readable media are provided for managing multiple HTTP cookies that are present in a wireless communication system. When a secure or non-secure HTTP cookie is formed, a time of creation for that HTTP cookie is also created as part of the cookie header. Therefore, when a wireless device makes a subsequent communication to a web based server, the gateway compares the creation time for multiple HTTP cookies that are present, and only forwards the most recently created HTTP cookie to the web based server. This avoids invalidating a session as a result of receiving multiple conflicting HTTP cookies from the same wireless device. |
| US08145765B2 |
Distributed on-demand computing system
A method and mechanism for a distributed on-demand computing system. The system automatically provisions distributed computing servers with customer application programs. The parameters of each customer application program are taken into account when a server is selected for hosting the program. The system monitors the status and performance of each distributed computing server. The system provisions additional servers when traffic levels exceed a predetermined level for a customer's application program and, as traffic demand decreases to a predetermined level, servers can be un-provisioned and returned back to a server pool for later provisioning. The system tries to fill up one server at a time with customer application programs before dispatching new requests to another server. The customer is charged a fee based on the usage of the distributed computing servers. |
| US08145761B2 |
Load skewing for power-aware server provisioning
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method facilitates energy-aware connection distribution among a plurality of servers in a cluster. A set of busy servers in the cluster can be provided that each handle a high number of connections. In addition, a set of tail servers in the cluster can be managed that each maintain a low number of connections. A load skewing component gives priority to at least a subset of the set of busy servers when dispatching new connection requests from a plurality of users. In addition, the load skewing component controls the number of tail servers to maintain a sufficient number for energy-aware operation. |
| US08145760B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic inference and adaptation of virtualized computing environments
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for automatic inference and adaptation of a virtualized computer environment. Certain embodiments of a system include a virtual topology and traffic inference framework tool adapted to monitor traffic for an application on a virtual network to produce a view of network demands for the application. The system also includes a monitoring tool adapted to monitor performance of an underlying physical network associated with the virtual network using traffic for the application. Further, the system includes an adaptation component adapted to automatically adapt the application to the virtual network based on the measured application traffic, the monitored network performance, and one or more adaptation control algorithms. |
| US08145759B2 |
Dynamically configurable resource pool
A dynamically configurable resource pool may provide a pool of computing resource for use in a computing system or application, such as a connection pool or a thread pool for server systems such as application and web server systems. In one embodiment, a server may include a resource pool configured to provide a plurality of computing resources. Other components in the server may be configured to request use of one of the computing resources from the connection pool. The resource pool may include a resource pool manager configured to service requests for the computing resources. The resource pool manager may manage configuration of the resource pool. The resource pool manager may also be configured to receive a configuration change request to change the configuration of the resource pool while the resource pool is available for use. |
| US08145755B2 |
Terminal, terminal management apparatus and method thereof for enabling management of terminals including based on association to each other
A ubiquitous communication system that can be used without changing a user ID etc. of a terminal of others or causing problems such as information leakage is provided. A terminal management apparatus for managing terminals on a ubiquitous communication system is provided with a terminal management portion for retaining information about terminals belonging to each of the users, a parent registration list in which a terminal that another user is allowed to use and the another user who is allowed to use the terminal are pre-registered, a child registration list in which a terminal borrowable from another user and the another user to which the terminal belongs are pre-registered, and an association setting portion for, when a first user makes an association setting request on a terminal belonging to a second user, referring to the lists and, if it is judged that the first user may be allowed to use the terminal belonging to the second user, registering the terminal belonging to the second user in the terminal management portion of the first user. |
| US08145750B2 |
Detecting hidden shared dependencies through covert channels
According to one method for detecting a hidden shared dependency through covert channels, a pattern of bursts is transmitted to a first application hosted by a first server. The pattern of bursts may be designed to stress a potential hidden dependency shared by the first application and a second application hosted by a second server. Each of the bursts may include one or more concurrent requests. Probe requests are transmitted to the second application. Responses corresponding to the probe requests are received from the second application. Response times are determined by computing a difference between times that the probe requests are transmitted and times that the corresponding responses are received. A determination is made whether the potential hidden dependency exists based on the response times. |
| US08145743B2 |
Administering devices in dependence upon user metric vectors
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering devices that include creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metric space including a plurality of metric ranges, determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metric space, identifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector if the user metric vector is outside a user metric space, and executing the action. |
| US08145742B1 |
Method of and apparatus for network administration
A method and apparatus is described for monitoring, notification, and reporting of the status of a business site's infrastructure. The monitoring captures pertinent health and status information of hosts using a satellite system located locally to the hosts. This information serves as a basis for reports that the business site may generate about the hosts. Thresholds may be set on monitored parameters of a host and feed into an acknowledgment based notification process based on a set of escalation parameters that triggers alerts to persons designated by the business site. Real-time and historical of the infrastructure data reports may be generated. An infrastructure's assets may also be tracked. |
| US08145741B2 |
Selecting a target design based on criteria
A system and method for selecting a preferred design for a multi-tiered architecture of components based on a set of established criteria is provided. The system and method receive a model describing different design constructions and a set of performance and availability requirements and produces a design or set of designs that best meet these requirements. The system and method include a model for representing the infrastructure design space for multi-tier systems and their properties appropriate for judging performance and availability properties of services as well as associated cost. The method and system further include a method for searching the design space in an efficient manner. |
| US08145740B1 |
Virtual computing environment
A computing system includes a physical server having a single instance of an operating system; and a plurality of virtual environments running on the physical server and directly supported by the single instance of the operating system. Each virtual environment responds to requests from users and appears to the users as a stand-alone server having its own instance of the operating system. Each virtual environment has a plurality of objects associated with it and supported by the operating system. Some of the objects are private and other objects are shared between multiple virtual environments. One virtual environment cannot access private objects of another virtual environment. |
| US08145739B2 |
Method of analyzing non-preemptive DRAM transactions in real-time unified memory architectures
Systems and methods are disclosed for non-preemptive DRAM transactions. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in non-preemptive DRAM transactions in real-time unified memory architectures. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for determining access to non-preemptive DRAM devices. This method comprises determining real time need for access to the device and prioritizing access using a rate monotonic scheduling. |
| US08145738B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing a network
A method and apparatus for managing a network is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device having a controller element to modify a communication parameter of the network device based on a policy of the communication system, wherein the policy is generated based at least in part on a client request to modify the communication system and a policy template retrieved according to a policy identification communicated over the Internet by an operations support system. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08145735B2 |
Configuring network settings using portable storage media
A portable computer-readable media device and method of use enable automatic configuration of a computing device, such as a conventional network device or a thin client device, for operation in a network. Configuration information, including network settings and security information, is incorporated in an XML file written to the portable media device while it is installed in a first device. This configuration is then automatically transferred to a second device by installing the portable media device in the second device. The second device then writes device information, incorporated in an XML file, to the portable media device, to be uploaded to the first device. |
| US08145732B2 |
Live network configuration within a link based computing system
A method is described in which, in response to notice of a configuration event yet to happen within a network that is part of a link-based computing system, a component within said link based computing system: a) identifies networking configuration information changes to be made by components within the link-based computing system; and, b) sends instances of program code to each one of the components. Each instance of program code is to be executed by a specific component that it was sent to. Each instance of program code is customized to implement the particular one or more networking configuration information changes to be made at the specific component it was sent to. |
| US08145731B2 |
System and method for determining how many servers of at least one server configuration to be included at a service provider's site for supporting an expected workload
A method comprises receiving, into a capacity planning system, workload information representing an expected workload of client accesses of streaming media files from a site. The method further comprises the capacity planning system determining, for at least one server configuration, how many servers of the at least one server configuration to be included at the site for supporting the expected workload in a desired manner. |
| US08145730B2 |
Method and system to transmit data
Methods and systems for transmitting data are disclosed. In one embodiment a user interface module causes a first information field to be presented as part of a graphical user interface, receives information entered in the first information field, and detects that a user has navigated away from the first information field. In response to detecting that the user has navigated away from the information field, a data transmitting module may commence transmitting over a network the information entered in the first information field. |
| US08145722B2 |
Media transfer system and associated methods
A media transfer system includes a media transfer messaging application stored on a central server to be downloaded by a plurality of client devices and stored thereon. The plurality of client devices are communication with a network. The plurality of client devices having the media transfer messaging application stored thereon are enabled to transmit media between one another via the network and are defined as a receiving client device when receiving media and a sending client device when sending media. The sending client device is authenticated prior to sending media to be defined as an authenticated sending client device, and media sent from the sending client device is received by the receiving client device as a message. The receiving client device is adapted to accept, reject or delay delivery of the message, and is adapted to send a message received from a sending client device to at least one receiving client device. The media transfer messaging application may include a network traffic load awareness system to determine optimal delivery times of the message. |
| US08145710B2 |
System and method for filtering spam messages utilizing URL filtering module
Systems and methods for filtering spam messages utilizing a URL filtering module are described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting, in an incoming message, data indicative of a URL and comparing the URL from the incoming message with URLs characterizing spam. The method further includes determining whether the incoming message is spam based on the comparison of the URL from the incoming message with the URLs characterizing spam. |
| US08145709B2 |
Communications system providing enhanced client-server communications and related methods
A communications system may include an application server and at least one communications device for processing requests from one another. The communications device may process requests using an HTTP client application, for example. Furthermore, the system may also include an HTTP server for interfacing the HTTP client application with the application server. The HTTP server and the HTTP client application may format requests to be communicated therebetween via the Internet in an HTTP format, and each may provide additional state information with the HTTP formatted requests recognizable by the other for authenticating the application server and the HTTP client application to one another. Furthermore, the HTTP client application may request a first universal resource locator (URL) from the HTTP server for accepting work requests from the application server, and a second URL different from the first URL for responding to work requests from the application server. |
| US08145701B2 |
Methods and systems for providing storage of a data file over a computer network
A distributed group activity network system and corresponding method over a computer network. It synchronizes and provides access by system users to shared data files of a group activity. The distributed group activity network system comprises one or more server computers and client computers that are connected to the server computer(s) by network connections. Each of the server computers comprises a network server and a memory system. The network server runs on the server computer and provides basic network services that are available at the server computer. The memory systems of the server computers store synchronization files and shared data files of the group activity. Each of the client computers comprises a memory system and a system module running on the client computer. The system modules of the client computers use the memory systems of the client computers and the available basic network services at the server computer(s) to synchronize and provide access to the shared data files by the system users by also using the memory systems of the client computers and the available basic network services at the server computer(s) to synchronize access to and access the synchronization files. |
| US08145699B2 |
Generalized proximity service
A system and method for identifying network endpoints that provide a service of interest orders endpoints according to their network proximity to a requesting client. The requesting client may then contact the closest available providing endpoint, thus increasing the efficiency of usage of network resources while decreasing latency and enhancing reliability. In an embodiment of the invention, when a connection to the nearest providing endpoint cannot be established, a mechanism for locating a next-closest alternative endpoint is provided. |
| US08145697B2 |
System and method for efficient basis conversion
This invention describes a method for evaluating a polynomial in an extension field Fqm, wherein the method comprises the steps of partitioning the polynomial into a plurality of parts, each part is comprised of smaller polynomials using a q-th power operation in a field of characteristic q; and computing for each part components of qth powers from components of smaller powers. A further embodiment of the invention provides for a method of converting a field element represented in terms of a first basis to its representation in a second basis, comprising the steps of partitioning a polynomial, being a polynomial in the second basis, into a plurality of parts, wherein each part is comprised of smaller polynomials using a qth power operation in a field of characteristic q; evaluating the polynomial at a root thereof by computing for each part components of qth powers from components of smaller powers; and evaluating the field element at the root of the polynomial. |
| US08145691B2 |
Techniques for random bit generation
Techniques are presented for randomly generating bits. A seed is inverted and a non repeating portion of the resulting digits from the inversion are retained. The inverted seed is then raised to a power to acquire another non repeating portion or additional digits. This process is repeated for a desired number of iterations. The resulting digits are then selectively combined to generate a stream of randomly generated bits with an infinite period. |
| US08145689B2 |
Folder storage device
A folder storage device includes a folder storage unit which stores folders with hierarchy structures, a first folder hierarchy information generation unit arranged to generate first folder hierarchy information which indicates a related path and a hierarchical location of each folder based on the folders stored in the folder storage unit, a second folder hierarchy information generation unit arranged to generate second hierarchy information which indicates the hierarchical location of each folder based on the first folder hierarchy information, a display unit which displays the second hierarchy information, and a folder update unit in which contents to be updated of the folders stored in the folder storage unit are specified and the updates of the folders stored in the folder storage unit are executed based on the first folder hierarchy information in response to a receipt of update instructions at a prescribed hierarchical location of the second folder hierarchy information. |
| US08145687B2 |
File detection device and method
Since no access history is generated for when a file update which makes use of a copy and paste function is performed, it is difficult to detect the file that served as the reference source during the update. Hence, the present invention is provided to manage a client access history for each file that is stored in a storage device, and detect a file, which has been accessed between a time when a corresponding user logs into the storage device and a time when an updated file is updated based on information of the access history, as the reference source for the updated file. |
| US08145684B2 |
System and computer program product for assembly of personalized enterprise information integrators over conjunctive queries
A plurality of sources are registered. A plurality of schemas are constructed, based on the plurality of sources. A desired output is obtained as a conjunctive query. A list of potential connections between at least selected ones of the sources is provided. A plurality of join plans are developed, based on the connections. |
| US08145683B2 |
Data structure and method for creating and storing a file
A data structure is for storing data including a number of files which each have a file header and a file body. The file header of a respective file contains general information with respect to the respective content of the respective file body of the respective file. Further, the file header of a respective first file additionally contains context information with respect to at least one further file, the file body of which exhibits a material reference to the content of the file body of the respective first file. The file structure and a method are proposed for creating and storing a file which allow an observer to determine in a particularly simple manner the volume and content of the information relevant for the file. |
| US08145681B2 |
System and methods for generating manufacturing data objects
Systems and methods consistent with the invention may include generating, using a processor of the computer system, a definition file of a first format for the data object, generating a database table, generating a mapping between the definition file and the database table, linking the definition file to a data source by including a path of the data source in the definition file, the data source including an attribute, executing, using the processor, a query to extract the attribute from the data source, importing the extracted attribute into the database table using the mapping between the definition file and the database table, and storing, in the memory device, the definition file, the database table, and the attribute for generation of the data object with the attribute. |
| US08145677B2 |
Automated generation of metadata for mining image and text data
A tangible computer readable medium encoded with instructions for automatically generating metadata, wherein said execution of said instructions by one or more processors causes said “one or more processors” to perform the steps comprising: a. creating at least one feature vector for each document in a dataset; b. extracting said one feature vector; c. recording said feature vector as a digital object; and d. augmenting metadata using said digital object to reduce the volume of said dataset, said augmenting capable of allowing a user to perform a search on said dataset. |
| US08145675B2 |
Systems, methods, and software for presenting legal case histories
Systems and methods for automatically processing a textual document by identifying occurrences of a piece of text having a predetermined format in the textual document; determining a depth-of-treatment value for each piece of formatted text in the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value indicating a depth of treatment in the textual document afforded to the particular piece of formatted text; associating an abstract with each piece of formatted text in the textual document; and generating a data record containing each identified piece of formatted text from the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value and the abstract associated with each piece of formatted text in the textual document. |
| US08145674B2 |
Structure based storage, query, update and transfer of tree-based documents
A method for storing data, comprises representing the data as a tree structure, calculating a structure ID for the tree structure, the structure ID being a representation of the tree structure and independent of node names and node values of the tree structure, and storing a mapping of the structure ID to the tree structure. |
| US08145673B2 |
Easily queriable software repositories
In one embodiment, tables are created in such a way that allows rich querying using standard database routines and other tools. This is accomplished by providing developers and repository users with a set of schema guidelines that describe how the software related items are to be categorized in the tables and how to use such tables for rich querying. For example, one such guideline provides for course-grained versioning of items (e.g., artifacts, metadata, etc.)—as opposed to the fine grained object principle of unit change found in most repository systems such as the entity-property-value scheme. The developers or providers then use these guidelines to optimally categorize, in a natural way, their metadata and other software related items for storing copies thereof in the repository. |
| US08145671B2 |
Critical parameter/requirements management process and environment
A critical parameter/requirements management process model for managing a development program for a product and an associated product structure-driven critical parameter/requirements management tool and environment is provided. In one embodiment, the process includes a product structure classification scheme, a parameter/requirements classification scheme, a parameter/requirements process and maturity model, and in-process and requirements conformance views. In one embodiment, the tool includes a user interface layer, a business layer, a data layer, and a database. The user interface layer may include a product structure feature group, an add/edit/link feature group, a manage maturity feature group, and a manage conformance feature group. The tool may be implemented as a web server accessible to user workstations operating as thin clients. The tool may be integrated with one or more other product development tools, such as a document-driven requirements management, configuration management, manufacturing/production control system, problem management, and phased product delivery process tools. |
| US08145669B2 |
Methods and apparatus for representing probabilistic data using a probabilistic histogram
Methods and apparatus for representing probabilistic data using a probabilistic histogram are disclosed. An example method comprises partitioning a plurality of ordered data items into a plurality of buckets, each of the data items capable of having a data value from a plurality of possible data values with a probability characterized by a respective individual probability distribution function (PDF), each bucket associated with a respective subset of the ordered data items bounded by a respective beginning data item and a respective ending data item, and determining a first representative PDF for a first bucket associated with a first subset of the ordered data items by partitioning the plurality of possible data values into a first plurality of representative data ranges and respective representative probabilities based on an error between the first representative PDF and a first plurality of individual PDFs characterizing the first subset of the ordered data items. |
| US08145658B2 |
System and method for processing database queries
The present invention provides a system and method for processing a database query between one or more clients and one or more databases. The database query, which is formatted using a first protocol, is received from one of the clients. One of the databases is selected to process the database query and the database query is translated from the first protocol to a second protocol. The translated database query is then sent to the selected database for processing. A response to the database query, which is formatted using the second protocol, is received from the selected database and the response is translated from the second protocol to the first protocol. The present invention determines which of the clients sent the database query and sends the translated response to the client that sent the database query. This method can be implemented as a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium. |
| US08145655B2 |
Generating information on database queries in source code into object code compiled from the source code
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for generating information on database queries in source code into object code compiled from the source code. Source code including query statements to perform operations with respect to a database is translated into executable object code. A statement descriptor for at least one query statement is generated into the object code, wherein the statement descriptor for the at least one query statement includes information on the query statement including the query statement in the source code. The statement descriptors in the object code are processed to output information on the query statements indicated in the statement descriptors. |
| US08145651B2 |
On-demand database service system and method for determining whether a developed application will operate properly with at least one other application
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for determining whether a developed application associated with an on-demand database service will operate properly with at least one other application. These mechanisms and methods for providing such determination can enable embodiments to ensure that new versions of developed applications will operate in the same application environment of a previous version. The ability of embodiments to make such determination may lead to an improved application migration development/runtime framework, etc. |
| US08145650B2 |
Network of single-word processors for searching predefined data in transmission packets and databases
The present invention related to monitoring internet traffic for illegal Intellectual Property transfers, viruses, criminal and other illegal activities. It also assists the Internet search engine providers in generating fast and accurate responses to Internet Recipient (IR) database queries. A massively parallel network of processing units residing within a single programmable ASIC device assures speeds in excess of 100 Gigabits/second. |
| US08145644B2 |
Systems and methods for providing access to medical information
Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to providing a medical application with access to medical information from validated medical information experts. The medical information experts can be validated by scoring attributes of a purported medical information expert, generating a rank based on the score, and comparing the score to a pre-set threshold. The medical information from validated medical information experts can be stored in a knowledge database. A request from a medical application can be received and used to search the knowledge database to generate a response to the request that includes part of the medical information. The response can be provided to the medical application in a format that can be customized by the medical application. |
| US08145643B2 |
Time based ordering of provided mobile content
A method, system, and apparatus are directed to providing information over a network. A search query may be received. If the search query includes at least one keyword matching a pattern associated with a specific search engine, a plurality of search results is retrieved from the specific search engine based on the keyword, and the plurality of search results is provided. A plurality of potential search or source engines may be determined based on a current time information. At least one of the potential search or source engines may be a personalized source engine. At least one plurality of results may be retrieved from at least one of the potential search or source engines. The result may be based on the search query. An aggregated result may be determined based on a time rule and/or the current time information. The aggregated result may comprise the plurality of results. |
| US08145642B2 |
Method and apparatus to support bitmap filtering in a parallel system
Techniques are described for combining pieces of information from two sources. The techniques may be used to improve the performance, for example, of hash join operations that are parallelized using slaves distributed across multiple nodes. According to one technique, bitmap filtering operations are performed by the probe-phase producer slaves, rather than the probe-phase consumer slaves. To avoid having to merge separately built bitmap filter chunks, the left-hand rows may be sent to every probe-phase consumer slave. Alternatively, the merge operation may be avoided by distributing the rows of one source based on how the other source has been statically partitioned. |
| US08145638B2 |
Multi-pass data organization and automatic naming
A method and a system to organize a data set into groups of data subsets in multiple passes using different parameters and to automatically name the groups is disclosed. For example, a data set is retrieved in accordance with a search query submitted by a user. The data set is organized into clusters based on a statistic(s) of the data set. The data set is then organized into groups of data subsets based on an attribute(s) indicated by the data set. Each of the groups are automatically named based on a property shared by data units of the group. The name(s) of a group may be mined from the data units of the group, retrieved from a structure that maps to attribute values indicated by the data units of the group, etc. |
| US08145635B1 |
Dimensional data explorer
A dimensional data explorer for an enterprise system is disclosed. Dimensional data exploration includes providing a list of dimensions by which aggregated data in a report can be disaggregated and reaggregated. Aggregated data comprises a set of measures that have been aggregated for each object of a set of objects. Dimensional data exploration further includes providing the aggregated data disaggregated and reaggregated using a dimension from the list of dimensions. |
| US08145632B2 |
Systems and methods of identifying chunks within multiple documents
A computer identifies multiple resource identifiers, each resource identifier corresponding to a document at a respective data source. For at least one of the resource identifiers, the computer retrieves the corresponding document from the respective document source, identifies within the retrieved document a chunk that satisfies one or more user-specified search keywords, and displays the identified chunk and a link to the identified chunk within the document to the user. |
| US08145631B2 |
Client management of download sequence of orchestrated content
Downloading resources according to a priority is disclosed. A feed document is retrieved. A feed document represents time-variant chunks of published content. The feed document is parsed to extract one or more references to a downloadable resource. A downloadable resource is a type of content identified by a reference within the feed document. A priority level is assigned to each reference. Priority levels may be assigned in a variety of ways, such as through a size of a resource identified by a reference or a file type of a resource. Priority levels may also be assigned to nestable resources and one or more resources contained therein. Resources for each extracted reference are then downloaded according to the assigned priority levels. A resource for a reference with a higher assigned priority level is downloaded before a resource for a reference with a lower assigned priority level. |
| US08145630B1 |
Session-based dynamic search snippets
A first set of search results responsive to a first query during a search session is identified. A snippet is identified for each search result related to the first query. The snippet can be selected based on the location the search tokens from the query in the search result. A second set of search results responsive to a second query during a search session is identified. Repetitive search results can be identified. A second snippet for the repetitive search result is identified. The second snippet can be selected based on the location of the second search tokens in the repetitive search result and the content of the first snippet. |
| US08145629B2 |
Method and system for business reporting
The invention introduces a system and method for bursting (or segmenting) reports in a business intelligence system having a report authoring application. The method comprises defining a query, defining a burst specification, storing the burst specification, integrating the burst specification with the query, sending the integrated query to a database to produce a data stream, producing from the data stream a business report having columns and items, bursting the business report based on the burst specification to produce one or more burst reports, and distributing the one or more burst reports according to the burst specification. |
| US08145625B2 |
Methods and systems for optimizing data accesses
A method for optimizing data types includes the step of generating a data structure providing access to at least one data element, the data structure associated with a first representation of the at least one data element. A user is provided with a plurality of data types for accessing the at least one data element. A request for access to the at least one data element is received, the request including at least one of the plurality of data types. The request is responded to with a second representation of the at least one data element, the second representation generated responsive to the at least one of the plurality of data types. |
| US08145624B1 |
Method and apparatus for associating metadata with data
Method and apparatus for associating at least one query expression to an original database table is described. In one example, a metadata table is added to a database, wherein at least one portion of the metadata table comprises the at least one query expression. Afterwards, the at least one query expression is associated to at least one value from at least one tuple belonging to a data table of the database. |
| US08145623B1 |
Query ranking based on query clustering and categorization
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for query ranking based on query clustering and categorization, are disclosed. In one aspect, search queries are selected and grouped into one or more clusters. A representative query is selected for each cluster. Each cluster is associated with a respective representative category. A rank is assigned to each cluster based on a cluster popularity score of the cluster and a category popularity score of the cluster's representative category. The selected representative queries are presented in order according to the ranks of their respective clusters. |
| US08145622B2 |
System for finding queries aiming at tail URLs
Systems and methodologies for improved query classification and processing are provided herein. As described herein, a query prediction model can be constructed from a set of training data (e.g., diagnostic data obtained from an automatic diagnostic system and/or other suitable data) using a machine learning-based technique. Subsequently upon receiving a query, a set of features corresponding to the query, such as the length and/or frequency of the query, unigram probabilities of respective words and/or groups of words in the query, presence of pre-designated words or phrases in the query, or the like, can be generated. The generated features can then be analyzed in combination with the query prediction model to classify the query by predicting whether the query is aimed at a head Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or a tail URL. Based on this prediction, an appropriate index or combination of indexes can be assigned to answer the query. |
| US08145619B2 |
Method and system for identifying companies with specific business objectives
A method for identifying companies with specific business objectives that includes using existing sources of company firmographic data to identify a broad set of companies and associated websites, crawling the websites associated with the identified companies and indexing web site content for each of the identified companies with the specific business objective to realize indexed web content. The method further includes joining the company firmographic data with the indexed web content using a business objective common identifier to generate a store of joined structured firmographic data and indexed web content and presenting a display image representation of the store of joined structured firmographic data and indexed web content for user review. The display image further receives user input to score each of said companies identified therein, and using a search interface, querying the store of scored, joined structured firmographic data and indexed web content. The method further includes augmenting the search interface, or search results from a query, with predictive, machine-leaning processes that allow rapid identification of companies possibly missed in the query. |
| US08145618B1 |
System and method for determining a composite score for categorized search results
A system and method for scoring documents is described. One or more documents are identified responsive to a search criteria. A text match score indicating a quality of match of the identified documents is determined. A category match score is determined over categories. A document-categories score is determined indicating a quality of match between an identified document and a plurality of categories. A search criteria-categories score is determined indicating a quality of match between the search criteria and the categories. An overall score is determined based on the text match score and the category match score. |
| US08145613B2 |
System, method and apparatus for tracking and rating renters
An application for a method of tracking and assessing rentals includes entering renter information regarding a renter and entering rental assessment data regarding at least one rental at a client computer and transferring the renter information and the rental assessment data from the client computer to a server computer system. In the server computer system, an overall assessment is created from the rental assessment data and the renter information, the rental assessment data and the overall assessment is stored in a database record associated with the renter. |
| US08145612B2 |
System and method for multi-stage tail number acquisition
A system and method for receiving data on an aircraft, the data including a tail number of the aircraft, storing the data in a database, receiving a request including further data, the further data being related to the aircraft, querying the data in the database using the further data and returning the tail number of the aircraft. |
| US08145609B2 |
Information processing device, information processing system, seriality verification device, and computer-readable medium
An information processing device includes a digital-information generating unit, an identifier assigning unit, an attribute setting unit and an electronic signing unit. The digital-information generating unit serially generates pieces of first digital information. The identifier assigning unit assigns different identifiers to the respective pieces of first digital information generated by the digital-information generating unit. The attribute setting unit sets an attribute of each first digital information so as to include the identifier assigned to each first digital information. The electronic signing unit electronically signs each first digital information to which the attribute setting unit sets the attribute including the corresponding identifier. |
| US08145608B2 |
Method and system for rapidly processing and transporting large XML files
A method for rapid processing and transport of large XML files is provided. The method enables splitting an XML file into a plurality of records by a client module. The method further enables parsing each record to obtain a wrapper object. Next, the wrapper object is transported by the client module to a server module. Then, mapping information is populated at the client module based on path information of the wrapper object at the server module. Further, the mapping information is provided from the client module to the server module and records are accessed at the server module using the mapping information. |
| US08145607B1 |
System and method for online backup and restore of MS exchange server
A system, method and computer program product for backup and restore of MS Exchange server. The method for MS Exchange Server backup and restore comprises launching a system filter and applying logs; mounting a data base from files located in a virtual folder; moving the file data from the archive into the real folder while the MS Exchange Server remains open and the database being restored is mounted. The data is moved into the real folder from the archive by blocks. The database files of the MS Exchange Server are divided into data sets (i.e., blocks). For each block a special bit in its bitmap is marked to indicate, whether this block has been moved to the real folder or still remains in the archive (i.e., backup). When the blocks are moved, the updated blocks do not need to be transferred from the archive into the real folder. After the data blocks are moved into the real folder, the restored database is dismounted and the virtual folder is dismounted. The system filter is turned off and the database is mounted without employing the system filter. |
| US08145605B2 |
NAS system and remote copy method
A system including: one or more file systems for storing data; a snapshot producing section for producing snapshots for the file systems based on a pre-scheduled snapshot acquisition time; a remote copy section for remote copying difference data for the snapshots based on pre-scheduled remote copy start times; and a scheduling section for re-scheduling the time of one or more of an Nth snapshot acquisition time, an Nth remote copy start time, and an (N+1)th remote copy start time, in such a manner that remote copying starting at the Nth remote copy start time finishes by the (N+1)th remote copy start time. |
| US08145599B2 |
System and method for managing an on-board entertainment system
A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle. |
| US08145598B2 |
Methods and systems for single instance storage of asset parts
Methods and systems are disclosed that relate to single instance storage of asset parts utilizing a back reference count associated with each asset part. Entries in a journal associated with the asset parts reflect the intention to increment or decrement an asset part's back reference count. The journal may be used to maintain an accurate and reliable reference count for asset parts replicated across multiple disk drives in a distributed storage system, where the replication is structured to reduce the risk of data loss in the event of a disk drive failure. The journal entries may comprise generation numbers used to maintain a back reference count associated with an asset part and to verify a back reference count associated with an asset part. |
| US08145596B2 |
Value assessment of a computer program to a company
System, computer implemented method and program for assessing value of a computer program installed in a computer of a company. Determinations are made as to (a) an order that the computer program is started in a startup sequence of the computer, (b) whether the computer is used for production purposes, (c) how frequently or at what interval the computer program or data generated by the computer program is backed up, (d) an order or time in which the computer program is scheduled for recovery in event of disaster, (e) a type of a library which contains the computer program, (f) an amount of usage of the computer program by the company, and (f) how recently the computer program or data generated by the computer program has been accessed. Respective weighting factors are applied to results of the three or more determinations and the weight factored results are combined. |
| US08145594B2 |
Localized gesture aggregation
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for a localized gesture aggregation. In a system where user movement is captured by a capture device to provide gesture input to the system, demographic information regarding users as well as data corresponding to how those users respectively make various gestures is gathered. When a new user begins to use the system, his demographic information is analyzed to determine a most likely way that he will attempt to make or find it easy to make a given gesture. That most likely way is then used to process the new user's gesture input. |
| US08145590B2 |
Expert system for patient medical information analysis
A plurality of chronic sensors are used to facilitate diagnosis and medical decision making for an individual patient. An expert system evaluates the sensor data, combines the sensor data with stored probability data and provides an output signal for notification or medical intervention. |
| US08145588B2 |
Determination of graph connectivity metrics using bit-vectors
Determination of a connectivity-metrics for graphs representative of networks of interest. A graph that represents a network of interest is accessed. The graph includes nodes representing points in the network of interest, and edges corresponding to the nodes. Bit-vectors are generated corresponding to the nodes and/or edges, wherein individual bits in the bit-vectors respectively provide a logical indication of connectedness. The connectivity-metric is then determined by applying a logical bit operation to the plurality of bit-vectors. Examples of connectivity metrics include a connected components, shortest paths, betweenness, clustering, and tree-based determinations. |
| US08145576B2 |
Method of facilitating screening of airline luggage
Method of making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler comprises making a special lock available to airline travelers, the special lock having a combination lock portion and a master key lock, the master key lock portion receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type. The special lock is designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage and has indicia conveying to luggage purchasers that the special lock is “approved”by a luggage screening authority and conveying to the luggage screening authority that the special lock can be opened using the master key. The method includes providing the luggage screening authority directly or indirectly with exclusive access to the master key. The manufacturers and/or provider of the master key and special lock retain copies of the master key. |
| US08145575B1 |
Peer to peer sharing of job applicant information
A method for peer-to-peer sharing of job applicant verification data over a network includes a computerized central exchange that interfaces with requesters, providers, and job applicants. The exchange manages the interactions of each requester, provider, and job applicant by providing access to a communication channel depending on the classification of requester, provider, and job applicant. The communication channel may be an online interface, a facsimile interface, or an electronically stored data interface. Data stored in the database is used in completing subsequent verification requests involving that job applicant and provider. Job applicants may review and place holds on verification data before the data are transmitted to the requester. The exchange tracks the status of the verification transaction from the time of its receipt to its final disposition and may send a notice to the requester, provider, or job applicant that informs the recipient as to the status of the request. |
| US08145574B1 |
Recalled product inventory notification, removal, and verification system
A recall management system allows generating, tracking, and verifying product recalls. The system provides notifications of a product recall to affected and unaffected businesses in the supply chain, as well as notification of the public and government agencies that may be affected. Verification of received notifications and the quantity of product removed from supply in response to the recall allows for closure of recall activity. Recalls may be extended over time as additional products needing to be recalled from the particular supplier of the recalled product are identified. Product returns over time are added to the total product recovered and scorecards updated in real-time as the return information is tabulated. Affected businesses and government agencies have visibility to both recall message receipt and product recovered as a part of total product recalled. |
| US08145569B2 |
Multiple party on-line transactions
A role associated with one or more parties involved with a purchase transaction is received. A routing rule associated with the purchase transaction is also received, the routing rule defining how the purchase transaction is routed among the one or more parties. The purchase transaction is processed based on the role of each party and the routing rule. |
| US08145567B2 |
Transaction ID system and process
A system and process for creating, maintaining, and using transaction identifiers, i.e. a transaction DNA, is provided. The DNA, along with other transactional information, is sent through a set of intermediary entities as found in a standard transaction processing system. The DNA is based on information that may include source ID, merchant ID, and order ID. The order ID is a unique number that can be generated by the merchant. The DNA is maintained throughout the lifecycle of the transaction, including authorization requests, settlement requests, and exception item processing. The DNA allows the bank to provide precise transactional matching to the original transaction for the merchant, making reconciliation always possible, fast, and automatic, and ensuring information is presented in a manner that the merchant chooses. |
| US08145561B1 |
Phone usage pattern as credit card fraud detection trigger
A credit card fraud reduction system is disclosed. The system comprises a computer system and an application. The application, when executed on the computer system, applies increased credit card fraud prevention procedures to use of an electronic credit card application in a mobile electronic device, based on a changed communication usage pattern of the mobile electronic device. |
| US08145555B2 |
System and method for the efficient clearing of spectrum encumbrances
The present invention is a system and method to sell or procure complementary goods. A complementary good according to the invention is a good whose value or utility is enhanced when paired with another good, such a pair of goods is a communications license to encumbered spectrum and a complementary clearing right to clear the spectrum of its encumbrance. The invention provides automated procedures to facilitate the fashioning and sale of clearing rights so as to enhance the value of the communications license. |
| US08145553B2 |
Flexible system and method for electronic trading
System, method, and program products offer flexibility to the rather rigid way of trading in an electronic trading system. Orders for a tradeable object may typically get matched according to set terms and/or conditions at an electronic exchange. A trader may log onto the electronic exchange to trade the tradeable object, and may choose to display and trade the tradeable object according to a different set of terms and/or conditions. As such, the market data sent to the trader from the exchange is converted to a format according to the trader's selection, so that it may be presented to the trader in this format. Transaction messages sent to the exchange from the trader are converted to the format readable by the matching process, so that it can process the messages. Other features and advantages are described herein. |
| US08145552B2 |
System and method for computer implemented collateral management
A computer-implemented method for managing collateral risk associated with financial instrument trading and a data processing system includes a processor and memory/database configured to store user-definable rulesets relating to a desired trade. A search module identifies and stores accounts that could accept potentially eligible security positions based upon user-selectable search criteria, and identifies potentially eligible security positions for consideration as collateral for the trade. A user configurable collateral analysis module determines eligibility of security positions as collateral for the trade by applying one or more user-definable rulesets in an algorithm that operates in a processor to determine collateral position eligibility of security positions for the trade by testing eligibility along one or more logical paths defined by user-definable rulesets. The processor outputs either a collateral eligibility or ineligibility indication via a user interface for various security positions based upon the collateral position eligibility analysis, including all reasons for ineligibility. |
| US08145550B2 |
Field 55 data relationships
A data mining device, method, and apparatus configured to associate customer exclusive data from a payment card or device after a financial transaction. A financial transaction processing system comprises a report distribution management system, a data relationship manager, and a customer exclusive data association database. The report distribution management system receives financial transaction data. The data relationship manager determines an issuer associated with the financial transaction data, queries a subscription database for subscription data associated with the issuer and a core database for the issuer processing parameters. The processing parameters are applied to the financial transaction data and the subscription data. A customer exclusive data association database is updated with the financial transaction data once the processing parameters are applied. |
| US08145548B2 |
Food vending machine system incorporating a high speed stored energy oven
A novel vending machine system integrating a food storage container and a high speed stored energy cooking oven capable of cooking foods in under one minute such as that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2006 as well as co-pending application “Wire Mesh Thermal Radiative Element and Use in a Radiative Oven” filed on Dec. 30, 2008 by De Luca. The invention disclosing a novel configuration for the oven incorporating storage, a system allowing for the proper cooking of items and food positioning, an activation system, and an invoicing system. |
| US08145547B2 |
Method of communications for an intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
Method for communication between a central server and a computerized juke-box which operates in a conference mode, including: sending a header before any transaction, which includes the identity of the destination together, the identity of the emitter, and the size of the packets; responding from the server in the form of a data packet, each packet sent by the server being encoded using the identification code of the juke-box software; and receiving a data packet by the juke-box, which decodes the packet, simultaneously performs a check on the data received by the CRC method and sends an acknowledgement of receipt to the server indicating the accuracy of the information received, to allow it to prepare and send another packet to the juke-box. |
| US08145546B2 |
System and method for tracking inventory
An inventory-tracking unit associated with a storage unit holding items to be dispensed includes a card reader to read an access card issued to a user and a recorder to record data from items removed from the storage unit. A processor communicates with a sensor in the storage unit and with the card reader and recorder. The sensor provides item data to the processor that is associated with items removed from the storage unit. The processor compares item data received from the sensor with the data recorded by the recorder to detect coincidence. The processor generates a transaction upon coincidence of item data received from the sensor with the recorded data. A communications interface transmits the transaction to a remote site. |
| US08145545B2 |
Method of enabling a user to draw a component part as input for searching component parts in a database
A method of receiving input image data for an image search engine includes providing a two-dimensional input image on a display screen, enabling a user to rotate the input image on the display screen about an axis that is non-perpendicular to a plane of the input image, and enabling the user to electronically draw modifications on the rotated input image. |
| US08145538B2 |
Quote-to-order validation system for housing components
A quote-to-order system builds an order for cabinets for a house directly from the quote provided to the builder. This reduces data entry time and errors. The system also validates the final order relative to the quote and relative to the builder's purchase order. The quote-to-order system takes the user step-by-step through the process of building an order based upon the quote. The quote includes the floorplans in the development, optional layouts and available styles of cabinets. The quote also associates each of these options with a set of SKUs representing the cabinet components and hardware that would be needed for those options. By building the order based upon the underlying quote to the builder, the order is guaranteed to have the correct SKUs and pricing. |
| US08145536B1 |
System for concurrent optimization of business economics and customer value
A computer-implemented system and method for an airline to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented service is operated that delivers to a customer an option to upgrade on up to n of m selected products, where n is less than m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can be upgraded to said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store. |
| US08145533B2 |
Builders on-line assistant
A method and apparatus are provided for servicing a customer of a builder by a third-party website provider. The method includes the steps of providing a first website by the third-party website provider for use by the customer in viewing and selecting product options for product offerings provided by the builder, receiving from the customer through the first website views and selections of an option of the options provided by the builder and collecting a fee or commission based upon the received selection made by the customer. |
| US08145528B2 |
Movie advertising placement optimization based on behavior and content analysis
An ad is placed in a movie, by analyzing inherent characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewed characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewer characteristics of a viewer of the movie, obtaining advertiser preferences for placement of the ad in the movie, determining costs of placing the ad in the movie based on the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics and the advertiser preferences, and placing the ad in the movie in accordance with the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics, the advertiser preferences and the determined costs. |
| US08145527B2 |
Governing the serving of advertisements based on a cost target
Helping advertisers to control marketing expenditures by governing the delivery of an advertisement over a time period. Such governing may be accomplished by (a) determining an expected cost associated with delivering the advertisement, ungoverned, over the time period; and (b) governing the delivery of the advertisement based on the expected cost and a target cost. The delivery of the advertisement may be also governed based on time remaining in the time period, budget deficits from past periods, budget surpluses from past periods, a start date and an end date associated with the advertisement, time since a start date associated with the advertisement, and/or time until an end date associated with the advertisement. The target cost may be based on a predefined budget. |
| US08145521B2 |
Geographic and keyword context in embedded applications
A computer-implemented method includes generating, using an embedded client application, a keyword context for a container document holding the embedded client application; generating, using the embedded client application, a geographic context associated with a device on which the container document is displayed; submitting the keyword context and the geographic context to a remote server; and displaying an interactive application using information obtained in response to the submission of the keyword context and geographic criteria. |
| US08145519B2 |
System for clinical trial subject compliance
The present invention is designed to develop research protocols for clinical trials. The invention also can track and enhance subject compliance with a research protocol. The invention further provides evaluability data related to subject performance in the clinical trial. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device is used to query and collect data from the subject. |
| US08145511B2 |
System and method for locating aircraft passengers
The present invention is directed to system and method for locating aircraft passengers. A data feed arrangement receives aircraft data points from at least one first data source and passenger information from a second data source. A data processing arrangement stores each aircraft data point in a flight record and generates a flight track for the aircraft using data stored in the flight record. The data processing arrangement also receives passenger information and matches passenger information with corresponding flight records. A data distribution arrangement organizes the flight track and passenger information into a displayable file, wherein the displayable file includes a mechanism to search for specific passenger information. |
| US08145510B2 |
Program for alternative funding of employee and retiree benefits
An insurance program for funding benefits by maintaining assets in the insurance program that includes an employer or employee owned trust account and at least one life insurance contract or non-cancelable accident and health insurance contract obtained directly or indirectly from a captive insurance company. The life insurance contract or non-cancelable accident and health insurance contract is purchased with assets from the trust account and the captive insurance company is at least partially owned by the employer. When paying or reimbursing benefits, the employer or the trust may pay the benefit and if the employer pays the benefit, the trust may reimburse the employer. |
| US08145509B2 |
Corporate owned life insurance product with death benefits
A corporate owned life insurance product with death benefits (COLI-DB) that has no cash value and is minimally funded. The policy holder selects an election to mark to market accounting for life insurance. Thus, the COLI-DB has no cash surrender value. The net present value of the COLI-DB can be more than zero (and quite high) so there is no impact to net income and there may even be net income in the first year. The COLI-DB system may optimize returns by using new accounting rules in contrast to the traditional approach of COLI-CV, and returning death benefits through a captive to increase returns. |
| US08145508B1 |
System and method for funding an organization
A system and method and method for generating substantial net positive cash flows to fund organizations by initiating life insurance policies through asset-backed security transactions with no out-of-pocket expense to either the organizations or to the insureds, requiring no use of policies' cash value or transfer of ownership or beneficiary of the life insurance policies, and providing guaranteed funding to the organizations regardless of when deaths occur while keeping the original insurable interest intact, thereby creating a marketable, tradable uncorrelated security. |
| US08145505B1 |
System and method for reducing the placebo effect in controlled clinical trials
A method and system for performing a clinical trial having a reduced placebo effect is disclosed. The method includes randomizing study participants into three or more treatment groups and performing a first phase of testing on the groups. In a typical embodiment, the first phase of testing includes administering an active treatment to a first group, and administering a placebo to a second group and to a third group. Responders and non-responders are determined for each group. A second phase of testing is then performed. The second phase of testing includes administering the placebo to non-responders in the first group, administering the active treatment to non-responders in the second group, and administering the placebo to non-responders in the third group. The data from the first phase of testing and from the second phase of testing is pooled and analyzed to determine response rates to active treatment and placebo. |
| US08145504B1 |
System and method for reducing the placebo effect in controlled clinical trials
A method and system for performing a clinical trial having a reduced placebo effect is disclosed. The method includes randomizing study participants into three or more treatment groups and performing a first phase of testing on the groups. In a typical embodiment, the first phase of testing includes administering an active treatment to a first group, and administering a placebo to a second group and to a third group. Responders and non-responders are determined for each group. A second phase of testing is then performed. The second phase of testing includes administering the placebo to non-responders in the first group, administering the active treatment to non-responders in the second group, and administering the placebo to non-responders in the third group. The data from the first phase of testing and from the second phase of testing is pooled and analyzed to determine response rates to active treatment and placebo. |
| US08145500B2 |
Data processing system for accurately calculating a policyholder's discount in a medical insurance plan and a method therefor
A data processing system for accurately calculating a discount in a medical insurance plan comprises a premiums module adapted to access data regarding the amount of premiums paid by a policyholder of the medical insurance plan for a predetermined period. A claims module is adapted to access data regarding the amount of claims paid by the medical insurance plan to the policyholder for the predetermined period, the claims module being further adapted to access data to determine if there have been any claims submitted by a policyholder which have not yet been paid, and if so to apply a set of rules to each submitted claim which has not been paid to determine if it is likely to be paid, and if the claim is likely to be paid then adding the amount of the claim to the amount of claims already paid for the predetermined period. Finally, a discount module adapted to receive data from the premiums module and the claims module and to use the data to calculate a discount amount. |
| US08145496B2 |
Time varying processing of repeated digital audio samples in accordance with a user defined effect
A programmed “Stutter Edit” creates, stores and triggers combinations of effects to be used on a repeated short sample (“slice”) of recorded audio. The combination of effects (“gesture”) act on the sample over a specified duration (“gesture length”), with the change in parameters for each effect over the gesture length being dictated by user-defined curves. Such a system affords wide manipulation of audio recorded on-the-fly, perfectly suited for live performance. These effects preferably include not only stuttering but also imposing an amplitude envelope on the slice being triggered, sample rate and bit rate manipulation, panning (interpolation between pre-defined spatial positions), high- and low-pass filters and compression. Destructive edits, such as reversing, pitch shifting, and fading may also alter the way the Stutter Edit is heard. More advanced techniques, include using filters, FX processors, and other plug-ins, can increase the detail and uniqueness of a particular Stutter Edit effect. |
| US08145494B2 |
Voice response system
A voice response system attempts to respond to spoken user input and to provide computer-generated responses. If the system decides it cannot provide valid responses, the current state of user session is determined and forwarded to a human operator for further action. The system maintains a recorded history of the session in the form of a dialog history log. The dialog history and information as to the reliability of past speech recognition efforts is employed in making the current state determination. The system includes formatting rules for controlling the display of information presented to the human operator. |
| US08145489B2 |
System and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based input
A system and method for selecting and presenting advertisements based on natural language processing of voice-based inputs is provided. A user utterance may be received at an input device, and a conversational, natural language processor may identify a request from the utterance. At least one advertisement may be selected and presented to the user based on the identified request. The advertisement may be presented as a natural language response, thereby creating a conversational feel to the presentation of advertisements. The request and the user's subsequent interaction with the advertisement may be tracked to build user statistical profiles, thus enhancing subsequent selection and presentation of advertisements. |
| US08145488B2 |
Parameter clustering and sharing for variable-parameter hidden markov models
A speech recognition system uses Gaussian mixture variable-parameter hidden Markov models (VPHMMs) to recognize speech. The VPHMMs include Gaussian parameters that vary as a function of at least one environmental conditioning parameter. The relationship of each Gaussian parameter to the environmental conditioning parameter(s) is modeled using a piecewise fitting approach, such as by using spline functions. In a training phase, the recognition system can use clustering to identify classes of spline functions, each class grouping together spline functions which are similar to each other based on some distance measure. The recognition system can then store sets of spline parameters that represent respective classes of spline functions. An instance of a spline function that belongs to a class can make reference to an associated shared set of spline parameters. The Gaussian parameters can be represented in an efficient form that accommodates the use of sharing in the above-summarized manner. |
| US08145485B2 |
Grammar weighting voice recognition information
A device receives a voice recognition statistic from a voice recognition application and applies a grammar improvement rule based on the voice recognition statistic. The device also automatically adjusts a weight of the voice recognition statistic based on the grammar improvement rule, and outputs the weight adjusted voice recognition statistic for use in the voice recognition application. |
| US08145479B2 |
Improving the quality of output audio signal,transferred as coded speech to subscriber's terminal over a network, by speech coder and decoder tandem pre-processing
A method of pre-processing an audio signal transmitted to a user terminal via a communication network and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method of pre-processing the audio signal may prevent deterioration of a sound quality of the audio signal transmitted to the user terminal by pre-processing the audio signal, and by enabling a codec module, encoding the audio signal, to determine the audio signal as a speech signal. The method of pre-processing may include encoding the audio signal using a speech codec and decoding the encoded audio signal using the speech codec. A codec module, transmitting the decoded audio signal to the user terminal via the communication network, may determine whether a speech interval or a speechless interval with respect to at least one frame is included in the audio signal and transmit at least one parameter with respect to the at least one frame as a result of the determination. |
| US08145476B2 |
Received voice playback apparatus
A disclosed received voice playback apparatus includes a characteristic acquiring unit configured to acquire first frequency characteristic values obtained by resolving digital vocal signals that are based on received vocal signals into predetermined frequency bands, wherein each first frequency characteristic value corresponds to one of the predetermined frequency bands; a setting unit configured to obtain second frequency characteristic values, wherein each second frequency characteristic value is set for one of the predetermined frequency bands; a computing unit configured to compute a gain for each of the predetermined frequency bands based on a difference between the first frequency characteristic value and the second frequency characteristic value; and a characteristic changing unit configured to change the first frequency characteristic values of the digital vocal signals by multiplying the digital vocal signals by each of the gains corresponding to one of the predetermined frequency bands of the digital vocal signals. |
| US08145475B2 |
Method for reduction of aliasing introduced by spectral envelope adjustment in real-valued filterbanks
The present invention proposes a new method for improving the performance of a real-valued filterbank based spectral envelope adjuster. By adaptively locking the gain values for adjacent channels dependent on the sign of the channels, as defined in the application, reduced aliasing is achieved. Furthermore, the grouping of the channels during gain-calculation, gives an improved energy estimate of the real valued subband signals in the filterbank. |
| US08145473B2 |
Deep model statistics method for machine translation
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for machine translation of a source document in an input language to a target document in an output language, comprising generating translation options corresponding to at least portions of each sentence in the input language; and selecting a translation option for the sentence based on statistics associated with the translation options. |
| US08145470B2 |
Accelerated access device emulator access scheme in a hypervisor environment with child and root partitions
A hypervisor environment configured for accelerated access to device emulators comprises a hypervisor that intercepts a device access instruction to a child partition processor and routes said device access instruction to a root partition. A processor instruction emulator emulates said device access instruction along with any number of next instructions of the processor in said child partition, thereby dispatching accesses to a device emulator on behalf of the processor in said child partition. By emulating these instructions in the root partition, accesses to the device emulator are greatly accelerated. |
| US08145467B1 |
Method and apparatus for profiling a hardware/software embedded system
Method and apparatus for profiling a hardware/software embedded system are described. In one example, a hardware co-simulation interface is generated between a programmable logic device (PLD) configured with the embedded system and a computer based on a plurality of events. The embedded system in the PLD is simulated. During the simulation of the embedded system, occurrence of at least one event is detected to produce profiling data. The profiling data is stored into shared first-in-first-out (FIFO) logic of the PLD and the computer. The profiling data is retrieved from the shared FIFO logic at the computer. |
| US08145465B2 |
Methods and systems to predict rotary drill bit walk and to design rotary drill bits and other downhole tools
Methods and systems may be provided to simulate forming a wide variety of directional wellbores including wellbores with variable tilt rates, relatively constant tilt rates, wellbores with uniform generally circular cross-sections and wellbores with non-circular cross-sections. The methods and systems may also be used to simulate forming a wellbore in subterranean formations having a combination of soft, medium and hard formation materials, multiple layers of formation materials, relatively hard stringers disposed throughout one or more layers of formation material, and/or concretions (very hard stones) disposed in one or more layers of formation material. Values of bit walk rate from such simulations may be used to design and/or select drilling equipment for use in forming a directional wellbore. |
| US08145462B2 |
Field synthesis system and method for optimizing drilling operations
A system and method for optimizing the performance of a drilling device utilizes well logs and drilling parameters from multiple offset wells located in proximity to the location of a desired wellbore. The well logs and drilling parameters data from the offset wells is synthesized to determine major drilling contexts including both geological trends, mechanical properties and the different well profiles. The performance of one or more drilling devices and or drilling parameters is then simulated within the selected drilling contexts of the offset wells. The simulation information is then used to select an optimized drilling device or parameter for drilling the selected wellbore. |
| US08145457B2 |
Method and apparatus for modeling deformation of a deformable body embossed with a stamp
Hot embossing may be more advantageous than other polymer microfabrication processes. An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for developing a computationally inexpensive viscoelastic model for the hot embossing of complex patterns. These developed models may help engineers refine their selection of processing parameters based upon successive simulations of the embossing process. The example embodiment models deformation of a deformable body embossed with a stamp as a function of convolving a point-load-time response and a contact pressure distribution. In order to generate the point-load-time response, a time-dependent response of a surface of the thermoplastic to system inputs applied to an elemental region of the surface of the thermoplastic may be employed. The example embodiment generates an estimate of the contact pressure distribution as a function of the point-load-time response and an average pressure applied to the stamp. |
| US08145455B2 |
Predicting resource usage of an application in a virtual environment
Described herein is a system for predicting resource usage of an application running in a virtual environment. The system comprises a first hardware platform implementing a native hardware system in which an application natively resides and executes, the native hardware system operating to execute a predetermined set of benchmarks that includes at least one of: a computation-intensive workload, a network-intensive workload, and a disk-intensive workload; a second hardware platform implementing a virtual environment therein, the virtual environment operating to execute the predetermined set of benchmarks; a third hardware platform operating to collect first resource usage traces from the first hardware platform and second resource usage traces from the second hardware platform; wherein the third hardware platform further operating to generate at least one prediction model that predicts a resource usage of the application executing in the virtual environment based on the collected first and second resource usage traces. |
| US08145452B1 |
Serial interface amplitude selection for a disk drive in an unknown interconnect environment
A disk drive including a method for determining an amplitude for signal transmission over an interconnect is disclosed. The drive includes a processor that is coupled to a signal measurement circuit and is under the control of a program in conjunction with the signal measurement circuit to transmit a first signal to the host over a transmission medium at a first transmission frequency according to a first speed negotiation process, receive a second signal from the host at the first transmission frequency, determine a first voltage amplitude of the second signal, transmit a third signal to the host at a second transmission frequency according to a second speed negotiation process, receive a fourth signal from the host at the second transmission frequency, determine a second voltage amplitude of the fourth signal, and determine an approximate voltage loss in response to the first and second voltage amplitudes. |
| US08145451B2 |
Digital filtering system, method, and recording medium thereof
A digital filtering system, method, and recording medium thereof are described. In the system, firstly a sensor obtains an analog physiological signal, a quantizing module transforms the physiological signal to a digitalized frequency domain signal, and then a specification parameter module obtains a feature model satisfying the frequency domain signal by matching, for a deciding process module to determine which decision parameter should be used. A filter-Clustering management module starts a relevant filter module according to the matching decision parameter to filter the frequency domain signal. On the contrary, when the frequency domain signal is an abnormal signal, the quantizing module outputs the abnormal signal to a back-end server system. The server system builds more than one updating parameter to update all the decision parameters and feature parameters. Therefore, the decision parameters and the feature parameters are updated on real time, and the physiological signal filtering result is quickly obtained. |
| US08145449B2 |
Computer product, apparatus, and method for system management
A system management apparatus includes a countermeasure-result evaluating unit that evaluates whether a countermeasure taken by a countermeasure taking unit has been solved, and that stores the result of evaluation in a countermeasure database to reflect the result to a criterion for selecting the countermeasure by a countermeasure determining unit next time. |
| US08145447B2 |
Browser on test equipment
A portable telecommunication test set, such as a telephone line butt set, with a web browser incorporated therein. A standard HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) or WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) browser may be incorporated within the portable test set, allowing a network technician to access the Internet as well as other remotely-located sources of information to retrieve data and other useful technical information while in the field for communication network or telephone line maintenance, troubleshooting or repair. The test set may contain memory to locally store certain technical information, e.g., telephone line-specific data or circuit information, that may be retrieved and “read” by the built-in browser module when prompted by the network technician. The web browser may display the content of the requested information on a display provided on the test set. |
| US08145444B1 |
Asset surveillance system and method comprising self-calibrating fault detection
A computer-implemented asset surveillance system and method for self calibrating at least one fault detector providing asset surveillance by calibrating at least the one fault detector with statistics associated with expected asset behavior, acquiring observed data values from an asset, screening the observed data values based upon at least one defined criterion for obtaining screened data values, updating the statistics associated with expected asset behavior as a function of the screened data values for defining updated statistics, and recalibrating the at least one fault detector with the updated statistics. |
| US08145437B2 |
System and method to obtain oligo-peptides with specific high affinity to query proteins
This application is based on the concept of the Proteomic Code, PC (discovered and described by Biro, 1981-2011, for review see ref 6) and making use of the biological observation, that co-locating amino acids [in interacting proteins] are coded by partially complementary codons. A method is provided to design and produce a special and distinct set of affinity oligopeptides (AffiSeq) using the PC principle. These designed and artificially produced affinity peptides will be used in any biotechnological or pharmacological applications which benefit of the specific and high affinity protein-protein interactions. |
| US08145432B2 |
System of binding structure for polymer molecule
A simulation system that increases a polymer molecule binding prediction speed on a parallel and distributed computer system is provided. The simulation system determines a decomposition width that decomposes a search region of polymer molecule by means of translational operation and rotational operation and the number of searches in the decomposed regions into which the search region is decomposed, determines the number of decomposed regions into which the search region is decomposed, determines the number of computing units to which the decomposed regions are to be allocated, allocates the decomposed regions to the respective computing units, determines search points within the decomposed regions, transmits data of the search points to a computing unit that computes the binding energy and the energy gradient vector, performs communication control that receives data associated with the binding energy and the energy gradient vector from the computing unit, and determines the local minimum value of the binding energy in the decomposed region and the minimum value in the search region, thereby making it possible to determine the convergence of the binding energy. |
| US08145429B2 |
System and method for sampling and analyzing downhole formation fluids
A device for sampling fluid from an earth formation is disclosed. The device includes: an inlet port disposable in fluid communication with the fluid in a borehole; an injector including an injection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, the injector configured to receive a portion of the fluid and direct the fluid toward an analysis unit for analyzing constituent materials in the fluid; and a high pressure valve configured to admit the portion of the fluid at a borehole pressure and release the portion of the fluid into the injector, the portion having a volume that is less than or equal to about one microliter. A system and method for analyzing constituents of fluid in a borehole in an earth formation is also disclosed. |
| US08145425B2 |
Navigation device and navigation method
The present invention is to provide a navigation device having a function of starting a route re-searching early by predicting a route change of a vehicle from a recommended route. A navigation device is formed such that when guiding a vehicle by virtue of a recommended approaching route and a recommended exit route both connected to a branching point, and once the vehicle traveling from the recommended approaching route and heading for the branching point is about to deviate from the recommended exit route, said navigation device starts a route re-searching for finding a new recommended route going through other route. The navigation device detects that a turning angle θx of the vehicle is about to be in a direction within an angle range not including an angle formed between the direction θa of the recommended approaching route and the direction θb of the recommended exit route, and starts a route re-searching to find a new recommended route going through other route existing within an angle range excluding an angle formed between the directions θa and θb. |
| US08145423B2 |
Navigaton device and route guiding method therefor
A navigation device and a route guiding method. The route guiding method includes: displaying a current map including a position indicator; displaying a related map that corresponds to the current map; and displaying the current map after a set period of time has elapsed. The set time period can be set by a user. Therefore, the travel simulation of the route from the current position to the a location desired by a user may be displayed, or the route may be zoomed in or out to be displayed, based on settings input by a user, and thus the user can travel safely. |
| US08145417B1 |
Enabling a first mobile device to navigate to a location associated with a second mobile device
A method is described that allows a first mobile device to persistently lock onto a second mobile device, thereby allowing the first mobile device to not only constantly monitor the dynamic location of the second mobile device but also to adaptively navigate in real-time to the dynamic location associated with the second mobile device. The dynamic location may include a current location of the second mobile device or a final destination for travel of the second mobile device. |
| US08145415B2 |
Automatic determination of aircraft holding locations and holding durations from aircraft surveillance data
A method using airport surveillance data to output a location of a delay and an amount of time a vehicle is subjected to the delay during a movement of the vehicle between two locations, the delays being observed in the surveillance data as a knot of several data points. A first method is used to identify proposed knots based on distances between individual data points within the data. A second method is used to identify proposed knots based on the speed of the vehicle. Another method can be used to separate proposed knots have been incorrectly joined together. This method performs the separation by arranging the data points into a two-dimensional grid to form clusters of grid cells having data points. The location of the individual cells is then analyzed to determine whether clusters should be separated. Each of the remaining clusters defines a hold where the vehicle is delayed. |
| US08145414B2 |
Method of estimation of traffic information, device of estimation of traffic information and car navigation device
There is provided a method and a device for accurately estimating traffic information of a link having no traffic information even if different types of roads are mixed. The device finds a parameter characterizing a damping curve of a quantity of change of relative speed based on stored traffic information for links on a city center side on a minimum-time cost route connecting the city center and suburbs, finds a quantity of change of relative speed of the link having no observed traffic information and estimates its traffic information based on the damping curve. The device also calculates a ratio of quantities of change of relative speed of two links whose road types change as a speed change similarity ratio and estimates traffic information of the link of a second road type from known traffic information of the link of a first road type by using that ratio. |
| US08145409B2 |
Approach for determining exhaust gas sensor degradation
A method for determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor positioned in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The method includes sensor response durations to rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich transitions, as well as the symmetry of sensor response durations and delays to such transitions. |
| US08145405B2 |
Internal-combustion engine with variable actuation of the intake valves and self-adaptive control of the air-fuel ratio with supervision of the control functions
An internal-combustion engine for motor vehicles, for example a petrol-fuelled engine or a gas-fuelled engine, is provided with an electronically controlled hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves. The system of variable actuation of the intake valves is governed by an electronic control unit that is programmed for performing at least once, at the start of the life of the engine, an activity of supervision of the functions of self-adaptive control of the air-fuel ratio. The supervision activity is based upon identification of a constant ratio between a delta in the value of the crank angle used by the electronic control unit and the error in the estimation of the air-fuel ratio by the electronic control unit when the system of actuation of the intake valves operates in late-opening mode. The activity of supervision envisages that the electronic control unit detects and stores the variation in the value of the crank angle (crank-angle delta) that must be applied to the value of the crank angle used by the electronic control unit in order to reach an estimated value of the mass of air taken in that basically coincides with the real value. |
| US08145393B2 |
System and method employing short range communications for interactively coordinating unloading operations between a harvester and a grain transport
A system, and method of use thereof, that employs short distance communications signals, thereby limiting and localizing the dissemination area for such signals, for interactively coordinating crop material transfer operations between a harvester and a grain transport, including the automated conduct of an unloading operation, including commencement of the actual unloading of the grain through continuation of such unloading to termination of such unloading, which system and method of the present invention employs operating systems in the harvester and grain transport that so operate to become electronically linked to one another to thereafter operate in unison with one another to effect and control the conduct of the crop material transfer operation between the harvester and grain transport, with each of such operating systems having associated therewith a short range communications system for the transmission and receipt at close range of electronic data signals, such operating systems, when appropriately electronically linked to one another, being operable in conjunction with one another to exchange information, to maintain a communications link therebetween, and to automatedly coordinate and effect various activities of the harvester and grain transport as a crop material transfer operation is effected and proceeds. |
| US08145390B2 |
Swath finder feature integrated with multipurpose display
A GPS-based vehicle guidance system method for providing an integrated display for the operator of a vehicle and provides determining the ideal swath path based on predetermined and user inputted parameters. The method is applied to both manual and automatic modes of operation, and includes the use of an integrated display that clearly indicates whether the system is operating in chase or pull mode of operation with continuous indicators. The method also includes providing guidance to the vehicle operator at the beginning of the process and during end of row turns, to enable the vehicle to align with the predetermined swath paths. |
| US08145387B2 |
Communications network of passenger protection system
A communications network for a passenger protection system of a vehicle has an electronic control unit and a plurality of sensors, which is bus-connected to the electronic control unit. Each of the sensors includes a current detection circuit for detecting a current of the sensor, and a control circuit including a memory. The control circuit sets a specific address for the sensor in the memory when the detected current attains a predetermined relation to a predetermined threshold current. The control circuit transmits a notification of completion of setting the specific address to the electronic control unit, and controls a mode of the sensor to a specific mode, which consumes current less than the predetermined threshold current. |
| US08145382B2 |
Entertainment system including a vehicle
The entertainment system of one of the preferred embodiments includes a recreational vehicle, an event sensor attached to the recreational vehicle, an event element able to be detected by the event sensor, a processor connected to the event sensor, and a game program operated by the processor. The entertainment system functions to enable interactive game-like capabilities for a movable vehicle. The entertainment system is preferably used for children recreational vehicles (miniature cars), but may alternatively be used by other vehicles. |
| US08145381B2 |
Transmitting data of a telematics terminal
Data of a telematics terminal is transmitted through an apparatus including a multimedia player, an audio interface, an embedded system, and a switch operatively connected between the audio interface and the embedded system. The multimedia player is configured to generate audio data, and the audio interface is configured to output audio data generated by the multimedia player. The switch is operatively connected between the audio interface and the embedded system, and is configured to selectively control the output of audio data or program data from the multimedia player. |
| US08145380B2 |
Motor vehicle control system
The invention relates to a control system for a motor vehicle, including a first electronic control system for controlling a first load current of a first load and a second electronic control system for controlling a second load current of a second load. The first electronic control system and the second electronic control system are arranged at a distance from one another and are connected to one another. At least the second electronic control system has a sleep mode and an operating mode, and only the first electronic control system can switch the second electronic control system from the sleep mode into the operating mode. |
| US08145376B2 |
System for producing an adaptive driving strategy based on emission optimization
The system includes a road scenario sensor, a vehicle control unit, and a computer processing unit. The road scenario sensor detects upcoming road scenarios for the system vehicle. The computer processing unit receives an input from the road scenario sensor and determines a upcoming driving event based upon the detected upcoming road scenarios. The computer processing unit compares the upcoming driving event with an ideal emissions model having acceptable emission thresholds to determine an adaptive driving strategy. The adaptive driving strategy configures the system vehicle to reduce emissions for the upcoming driving event. The adaptive driving strategy optionally includes an optimal acceleration rate and/or an optimal power management strategy. The optimal acceleration rate is based upon the required speed of the vehicle at the upcoming driving event and the distance from the vehicle to the upcoming driving event, and the ideal emissions model having acceptable emission thresholds. |
| US08145374B2 |
Methods and systems for dynamically controlling hill rollback of an electric vehicle
A method for dynamically controlling rollback in an electric vehicle having a motor for providing motive power to the electric vehicle and a shift lever for selecting either forward or reverse motion of the vehicle includes determining if the electric vehicle is moving in a direction opposite the direction of motion indicated by the shift lever. If the vehicle is moving in a direction opposite the direction indicated by the shift lever, the rollback acceleration of the vehicle is calculated. A power request for driving the electric motor is then determined such that the rollback of the vehicle is controlled. The determined power request is then applied to the electric motor thereby driving the electric motor and dynamically controlling the rollback. |
| US08145373B2 |
Method and apparatus for programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive settings
A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting. |
| US08145370B2 |
Steering system for a marine vessel
A steering system for a marine vessel includes one or more steering devices operable to turn a marine vessel; a steering input device arranged to generate a desired turn rate signal; a rate sensor arranged to generate a turn rate signal indicative of vessel turn rate; and a control system configured to receive the vessel and desired turn rate signals and to control the steering device(s) to turn the marine vessel so as to minimise any difference between the signals. |
| US08145364B2 |
Method and device for aiding the restoral of command of a moving vehicle by an operator of the vehicle
The fields of the invention are vehicle on-board security and vehicle piloting safety. The invention relates to a method and device for aiding the restoral of command of a vehicle by an operator of the vehicle. The command of the vehicle by the operator is ensured through vehicle piloting controls, when the operator has lost command of the vehicle in favor of a device for disabling piloting controls. The device disables the action of the piloting controls on the piloting means during the loss of command. According to the invention, the method includes emitting a restoral of command request; a vehicle motion phase is determined; a reference state of the piloting control is determined as a function of the motion phase; a current state of the piloting control is determined; the current state with the reference state is compared so as to identify a deviation Δ between the current state and the reference state. When no deviation Δ is identified, the command of the vehicle by the operator is restored. When a deviation is identified, alert messages are determined to be communicated to the operator to warn him of this deviation and a priority level with each alert message is associated. The previous steps from the second step onward are repeated. |
| US08145361B2 |
System and method for manipulating controlled energy using devices to manage customer bills
A control system and method to create an Internet Protocol (IP) enabled automatic gain control loop for encasing a desired cost value in a utility derived consumer controlled pricing envelope. A customer uses a web browser to view billing estimates for the current month as well as related months. The customer can set limits on the actual billing amount for the upcoming month and make adjustments to this amount if it seems unrealistic in the coming month. Control event actions are carried out to limit power usage within preferences set by the customer. |
| US08145359B2 |
Systems and methods of reducing peak water usage
An irrigation management system reduces high peak water use values by utilizing a microprocessor disposed in an irrigation controller to (a) receive peak water use information from a source other than a water supplier (b) receive water use information at a consumer site, and (c) automatically derive a new irrigation schedule that is at least partly based on the information received. The new irrigation schedule preferably includes at least one of a modification in a default irrigation frequency or start time, a reduction in a default irrigation application duration, the use of a rolling-average in the determination of the new irrigation application duration and other changes or modifications to the default irrigation schedule that will provide for the reduction in high peak water use values. Additionally, the microprocessor will display to the water user and/or third parties details on the new irrigation schedule and information received from the water supplier. |
| US08145356B2 |
Robot controller for halting a robot based on the speed of a robot hand portion
A robot includes a traveling rail supported by struts, and a robot body attached to a slider that slides on the traveling rail. A robot controller includes a speed calculation device for calculating moving speeds of the robot hand portion on the coordinate axes of a rectangular coordinate system set for the robot controller; a comparator device for comparing the moving speeds on the coordinate axes calculated by the speed calculation device with threshold values on the coordinate axes of the rectangular coordinate system, respectively; and a halting device for halting the robot in case at least any one of the moving speeds is higher than the corresponding threshold value. |
| US08145351B2 |
Storage dispenser for objects
The invention relates to a storage machine (1) for objects, comprising a compartment system (4) with a plurality of compartments (3) which are at least partially enclosed by a machine housing (2) or some other surround, and with at least one closure mechanism (7) which can be displaced relative to a central, predefined access orifice (6) in the machine housing (2) to release or prevent access to a specific individual compartment (3) or a specific group of adjacent compartments (3). The storage machine (1) also has at least one drive system for displacing the closure mechanism (7) in a controlled manner and the ability of the closure mechanism (7) to move is dependent on an access right which can be checked by a control system. This storage machine (1) has at least one safety system (28) for affording extensive, increased personal safety with respect to risks posed by automated sequences or with respect to its displacement drives which can be activated automatically. |
| US08145348B2 |
Tool selection method for machine tool, control device, and numerically controlled lathe
A tool selection method, for a machine tool, comprising the steps of identifying the maximum tip distance (D2) of a currently selected tool (141), a next designated tool (142) and an intermediate tool (143) disposed therebetween; moving a tool rest (10) in the +(plus)X-axis direction after a machining by the currently selected tool (141) is completed until the tip of the currently selected tool (141) is spaced from a workpiece (W) along the X-axis by a distance provided by adding a clearance distance (E) to a difference between the maximum tip distance (D2) and the tip distance (D3) of the currently selected tool (141); moving the tool rest (10) in the +(plus)Y-axis direction until the tip of the next designated tool (142) is aligned with the rotation center axis (12a) of the workpiece (W) in the X-axis direction; and moving the tool rest (10) in the −(minus)X-axis direction. |
| US08145345B2 |
Automated pattern generation processes
An automated system for generating large numbers of digitally-defined patterns suitable for printing on textiles wherein each pattern is individually different but shares one or more unifying design motifs with all other patterns. In the general case, each pattern is comprised of at least two components in the form of separately configurable pattern layers that are digitally superimposed to form a composite pattern that is unique but visually related to all other unique patterns that use pattern layers taken from the same pattern sources. |
| US08145343B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines
The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays. |
| US08145339B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate transfer method adopted therein
As an interrupt start button is depressed while control, under which product wafers Wp and dummy wafers Wd are transferred in an order defined in a normal transfer pattern, is repeatedly executed, a decision is made based upon wafer transfer history as to whether or not the most recent transfer pattern cycle has ended. If the cycle is determined to have ended, the operation immediately proceeds to the subsequent cycle to transfer interrupt wafers Wf and Wd in an order defined in the interrupt transfer pattern achieved by replacing Wp in the normal transfer pattern with Wf, whereas if the cycle is determined to be incomplete, the wafer transfer based upon the normal transfer pattern is carried on until the cycle ends and then the operation proceeds to the next cycle to transfer Wf and Wd in the order defined in the interrupt transfer pattern. |
| US08145333B2 |
Ontology-based system and method for industrial control
An industrial control system and method of controlling an industrial process are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the control system includes an order system configured to receive an order from an external source and process the order to generate an order instance in accordance with an order ontology, at least one database storing a plurality of selectable generalized production plans and information identifying capabilities of a plurality of control entities, and a product agent in at least indirect communication with the order system, the at least one database and the control entities. The product agent receives at least one portion of the order instance, selects at least one of the generalized production plans, and communicates with the control entities so as to determine a production plan instance suitable for governing at least one aspect of an industrial process in order to satisfy at least one portion of the received order corresponding to the at least one portion of the order instance. |
| US08145332B2 |
Vehicle for recording and reproducing digital data
An apparatus includes a vehicle and a media player/recorder physically connected with the vehicle. The media player/recorder includes a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing media data, a storage device to store the media data, a storage controller to retrieve the media data from the storage device, and an output circuit to output the media data. The storage device stores a list of identifiers of desired media selections. The wireless receiver receives a signal representing an identifier of an offered media selection. The storage device stores the offered media selection when the identifier of the offered media selection corresponds to the identifier of one of the desired media selections. |
| US08145331B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program for recording and reproducing digital data
A media player/recorder, and a method and computer program product for same comprises a wireless receiver to receive a signal representing encoded media data; a storage device to store the encoded media data; a processor comprising a storage controller to retrieve the encoded media data from the storage device, and a digital signal processor to decode the encoded media data retrieved by the storage controller; and an output circuit to output the decoded media data from the processor. |
| US08145330B2 |
Plant growing system using portable telephone
A plant growing environment control terminal (P) comprises an image data receiving section (1a) for receiving image data on the image of a plant from a plant growing facility (Q), an image display section (1b) for displaying the plant image according to the received image data, a growing environment data receiving section (1c) for receiving growing environment data, and a growing environment data transmitting section (1f) for transmitting the received growing environment data to the plant growing facility (Q). The end user can grow the plant in his (her) own way while checking the growth progress on the image even from a remote place. Therefore, a plant growing environment control terminal (P) effectively producing generally called healing effect is provided. |
| US08145328B2 |
Detection and quantification of stiction
An effective non-intrusive data-based monitoring method may reduce the cost of control loop performance maintenance by screening and short-listing those control loops or valves that need maintenance. The invention comprises a data-based, model-free, non-invasive method that can automatically detect and quantify stiction present in control valves. The method does not require the implementation of any additional valve travel test or, as commonly known, bump test of the control loop. The method may detect and quantify stiction using controlled variable (pv), controller output (op) and set point (sp) data. It does not require valve positioner (mv) data. |
| US08145323B2 |
Implantable medical electrical stimulation lead fixation method and apparatus
An implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one electrode; a lead body; and at least one modifiable portion wherein the at least one modifiable portion can exist in both a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, and wherein the inflated configuration exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the deflated configuration. Kits, systems, and methods of using the leads are also included. |
| US08145322B1 |
Flexible circuit electrode array device and a method for backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device
The invention involves a flexible circuit electrode array device comprising: a polymer layer; wherein the polymer layer includes one or more metal traces, an electrode array; one or more bond pads; and the electrode array is located on the opposite side of the polymer layer.The invention further involves a method for backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device, comprising: applying polymer film on a substrate; processing the front side; releasing the polymer film from substrate; flipping over the polymer film and fixing it onto the substrate; processing the backside; and final releasing of the polymer film from the substrate.The invention further involves a method for backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device, comprising: processing the front side without releasing the polymer; processing the backside by sacrificial substrate method, or by laser drilling method; and releasing the polymer film from the substrate. |
| US08145321B2 |
Implant and delivery tool therefor
An implant system including a transurethral prostatic implant positioned in a prostate and including a lumen with an inner perimeter that surrounds an outer perimeter of a urethra at the prostate. The implant system may include a delivery tool including a shaft having a distal portion and an implant-holding portion proximal to the distal portion, the distal portion being sized for entry into a urethra, and the implant-holding portion being thicker than the distal portion, and an implant positioned on the implant-holding portion. |
| US08145320B2 |
Telemetry control for implantable medical devices
An implantable medical device (IMD) and method are provided in which a telemetry module in the IMD includes a configurable polling interval at which the telemetry module is powered up from a low power inactive state to perform sniff operations for detecting whether communication signals are being received from an external device. The IMD includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter, a controller receiving data from the sensor, and the telemetry module coupled to the controller for facilitating communication between the IMD and an external device. The polling interval of the telemetry module is configured based upon the parameter(s) sensed by the sensor, such that the polling interval is configured to conserve power consumption of the IMD. The polling interval is either decreased or increased to respectively increase or decrease the frequency of the sniff operations based on the parameters sensed at the IMD. |
| US08145317B2 |
Methods for renal neuromodulation
Methods and apparatus are provided for treating hypertension, e.g., via a pulsed electric field, via a stimulation electric field, via localized drug delivery, via high frequency ultrasound, via thermal techniques, etc. Such neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such neuromodulation is performed in a bilateral fashion. Bilateral renal neuromodulation may provide enhanced therapeutic effect in some patients as compared to renal neuromodulation performed unilaterally, i.e., as compared to renal neuromodulation performed on neural tissue innervating a single kidney. |
| US08145315B2 |
Lead adaptor having low resistance conductors and/or encapsulated housing
An implantable lead adaptor is disclosed that includes an encapsulated thermoplastic housing defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion has a first receptacle configured to receive a first type of connector assembly associated with a first implantable cardiac lead, and a second receptacle configured to receive a second type of connector assembly associated with a second implantable cardiac lead. An elongated flexible lead portion extends from the distal end portion of the adaptor housing. A connector assembly is operatively associated with a distal end section of the flexible lead portion of the adaptor for connection to an implantable pulse-generating device, such as, for example, an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator. Low resistance conductor wires electrically connect the connector assembly associated with the distal end section of the lead portion with the first and second receptacles of the adaptor housing. |
| US08145313B2 |
Feed-through assembly
A feed-through assembly is presented. The feed-through assembly includes a first end and a second end with a body therebetween. The first end comprises a substantially L-shaped end and a block. The substantially L-shaped end includes a first contact surface. The block includes a second contact surface. |
| US08145311B2 |
Systems and methods for determining optimal electrode pairs for use in biventricular pacing using multi-pole ventricular leads
Techniques are provided for use by implantable medical devices for determining a preferred or optimal pair of electrodes for delivering biventricular pacing therapy. In one example, the implantable device is equipped with a right ventricular (RV) lead and a multi-pole left ventricular (LV) lead. Briefly, for each of a selected set of RV/LV electrode pairs, electrocardiac parameters are detected within a patient in which the device is implanted, including parameters representative of an intrinsic biventricular electrical separation between LV and RV and parameters representative of a mechanical contraction delay in the LV. An optimal RV/LV electrode pair is then determined for delivering biventricular pacing based on an analysis of the intrinsic biventricular electrical separation and the mechanical contraction delay. Pacing latency, pacing delay from LV to RV, and the maximum slope of an LV evoked response may be used as proxies or surrogates for mechanical contraction delay. |
| US08145309B2 |
Monitoring short term fluctuations in PR intervals following premature ventricular contractions
Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Short-term fluctuations in PR intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in PR intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in PR intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles. |
| US08145306B2 |
Method for optimizing CRT therapy
A method to optimize CRT therapy using ventricular lead motion analysis, either radiographically or with three dimensional electromagnetic mapping, to determine whether focal dyssynchrony is present at baseline, and whether biventricular pacing improves synchronicity and fractional shortening, and if no improvement is evidenced, changing the timing offset, pacing configuration and/or repositioning the ventricular leads to optimize effectiveness of CRT therapy. Various uses of this method include: diagnostic, with temporary leads to determine presence or absence of dyssynchrony and response to pacing; and therapeutic, to guide lead placement and programming during implant of CRT, and to optimize reprogramming of CRT during follow-up. |
| US08145300B2 |
Simplified biphasic defibrillator circuit with make-only switching
A biphasic pulse delivery circuit for a defibrillator includes two capacitors, a first one of which is charged and delivers the first phase of the biphasic pulse and a second one of which is charged and delivers the second phase of the biphasic pulse. At least a portion of the charge on the second capacitor is provided by the current flow through the patient during delivery of the first pulse phase. Switches are provided for initiating the first phase, initiating the second phase, and terminating the second phase. In an illustrated circuit a shunt circuit path is provided to at least partially charge the second capacitor from the first capacitor prior to delivery of the second phase of the biphasic pulse. The inventive circuit can be controlled entirely with switching devices that only need to be closed during pulse delivery. |
| US08145299B2 |
Neural stimulation for treatment of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
Systems and methods for treating metabolic syndrome and/or Type 2 diabetes, and/or one or more of their attendant conditions, by neural stimulation. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator is electrically coupled to a peripheral nerve, such as the splanchnic nerve. Neural stimulation configured to either block transmission or stimulate transmission of the peripheral nerve may be used to treat metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. |
| US08145295B2 |
Methods and systems for untethered autofluorescent imaging, target ablation, and movement of untethered device in a lumen
Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed. |
| US08145293B2 |
Adaptive medical image acquisition system and method
A medical imaging system adaptively acquires anatomical images. The system includes a synchronization processor for providing a heart rate related synchronization signal derived from a patient cardiac function blood flow related parameter. The synchronization signal enables adaptive variation in timing of acquisition within successive heart cycles of each individual image frame of multiple sequential image frames. An image acquisition device initiates acquisition of anatomical images of a portion of patient anatomy in response to the synchronization signal. A display processor presents images, acquired by the acquisition device and synchronized with the synchronization signal, to a user on a reproduction device. The image acquisition device adaptively selects image pixel resolution of individual image frames of the multiple sequential image frames in response to data identifying a heart cycle segment so that successively acquired image frames have different image pixel resolution within a single heart cycle. |
| US08145290B2 |
Method for identifying the location of at least one treatment channel that is one of a plurality of treatment channels, as well as a system for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body
The invention relates to a method for identifying the location at least one treatment channel from a group of a plurality of treatment channels as wells as a system for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body.According to the invention the identifying method being characterized by the steps of A selecting at least one of said plurality of treatment channels; B reconstructing the actual location of said selected treatment channel relative to said animal body; and C comparing said reconstructed location said pre-planned plurality of locations. Furthermore the system according to the invention is characterized in that identifying means are present for identifying the location of at least one treatment channel from said group of said plurality of inserted treatment channels and comparing said identified location with one or more of said pre-planned locations present in said treatment plan. |
| US08145278B2 |
System and method for ringtone shuffle
A system and method for shuffling ringtones. An identifier associated with a calling party is received. A selection of ringtones is received. The identifier is associated with the selection of ringtones. A communication is received from the calling party. Playback of one of the selection of ringtones is initiated on a communications device based on a user preference in response to determining the communication is associated with the identifier. |
| US08145273B2 |
Mobile terminal and call content management method thereof
A method for operating a mobile terminal, and which includes performing voice recognition on call content to produce recognized call content, converting the recognized call content into one or more units of character information, registering the one or more units of character information to one or more particular functions of the mobile terminal based on a type of the character information or a field of the character information, inputting a search parameter, searching one of a plurality of file types and identifying a file related to both the search parameter and the one or more registered units of character information, and displaying or automatically executing the identified file. |
| US08145266B2 |
Portable audio/video playback apparatus
A portable audio/video playback apparatus of the present invention comprises an apparatus main body 1 and a broadcast receiver unit 4 removably attached to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body 1 includes interfaces 32, 33 for connecting thereto the broadcast receiver unit; an audio processing circuit 22 connected to one interface 32 for processing and feeding an external audio signal to a speaker 24; and a video processing circuit 27 connected to the other interface 33 for processing and feeding an external video signal to a display 13. The broadcast receiver unit 4 includes interfaces 55, 56 connected to the foregoing interfaces 32, 33 and decoders 47, 48 for feeding an audio signal and a video signal included in a received television broadcast signal to the interfaces 55, 56. |
| US08145265B2 |
Method and system for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device
A method for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device includes the steps of selecting information to print and utilizing the receiving device to identify available printers based on the location of the receiving device for printing the selected information in hard copy form. The portable receiving device is connected to one of the available printers and the selected information is printed in hard copy form. A system for producing hard copies of electronic information employing a portable personal receiving device includes a portable receiving device having a program enabling selection of information to print. The portable device includes a program to identify available printers based on the location of the receiving device. A communications link connects the portable receiving device to an available printer. The receiving device may be a cell phone and global positioning satellite functionality and/or cell phone tower positions may be employed to determine the location of the receiving device. |
| US08145261B2 |
Ejectable component assemblies in electronic devices
Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies that can be substantially flush with the external surfaces of the housings of the devices, despite variations in their manufacture. The ejectable component assemblies may include connectors coupled to circuit boards of the devices, and trays that can be loaded with removable modules, inserted through openings in the housings of the devices, and into the connectors for functionally aligning the removable modules with the circuit boards. The ejectable component assemblies may also include ejectors coupled to the housings of the devices for ejecting the trays from the connectors and, thus, from the devices themselves. |
| US08145254B1 |
Dynamic adjustment of the pilot-channel, paging-channel, and sync-channel transmission-power levels based on forward-link and reverse-link RF conditions
Methods and systems are provided for dynamic adjustment of the pilot-channel, paging-channel, and sync-channel transmission-power levels based on forward-link and reverse-link RF conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, a base station provides service on a carrier in a wireless coverage area, and computes both an Ec/Ior value and a reverse noise rise (RNR) value for the carrier. Based at least in part on the Ec/Ior value and at least in part on the RNR value, the base station adjusts at least one of a pilot-channel power level, a paging-channel power level, and a sync-channel power level for the carrier. As an example, if (a) Ec/Ior is above a first threshold and (b) RNR is below a second threshold, the base station may increase all three of the power levels, so as to improve service quality and coverage, among other advantages. |
| US08145250B2 |
Method for managing pre-established session, PoC system and PoC user equipment for implementing the same
Disclosed is a method for enabling a terminating-side PoC client to open a PoC session by using a pre-established session, and to maintain the pre-established session when the terminating-side PoC client terminates the open PoC session, and a PoC system and a PoC user equipment (UE) for implementing the same. To this end, a REFER BYE message is used to terminate the PoC session while keeping the pre-established session maintained. The REFER BYE message must include information, such as pre-established session parameter information, a session ID, etc. In order to obtain the session parameter information, when the PoC session is opened by means of the pre-established session, a specified condition is determined in the terminating-side PoC client and a PoC server, and the pre-established session parameter information is stored in each PoC client and a PoC server acting as a participating PoC function according to a result of the determination. Also, the REFER BYE message is transmitted from the PoC client to the PoC server, and the PoC server receives the REFER BYE message, checks the contents of a header in the received message, and terminates the PoC session while keeping the pre-established session maintained when a specified condition is satisfied. |
| US08145248B2 |
Apparatus and method for uplink beamforming and Space-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) in Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication systems
An apparatus and method for beamforming of a terminal in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication system are provided. The method includes transmitting sounding signals beamformed through a plurality of beamforming weight vectors in sequence, receiving control information indicative of an uplink weight vector determined by a base station and a maximum channel quality value using the sounding signals and transmitting a transmit signal beamformed with the uplink weight vector via a plurality of antennas. |
| US08145247B2 |
Clock synchronization for a wireless communications system
Clock synchronization for a wireless communication system is described. The communication system utilizes a server with a radio coupled to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and a clock interface to receive a reference clock signal. The server includes a network interface configured to receive, from a base station, a time that the RF signal was received at the base station. The server further includes a processing device configured to determine when the RF signal was transmitted and a location of the base station, and configured to calculate clock offset value representative of a time to delay a local clock signal at the base station to synchronize the local clock signal at the base station with the reference clock signal. |
| US08145246B2 |
Low latency, high quality link for audio transmission
A system includes a transmitting device, an intermediate communications device, and a receiving device. The system establishes a first synchronous wireless link between a transmitting device and the intermediate device, and a second synchronous wireless link between the intermediate device and the receiving device. The transmitting device may include a wireless audio transmitter, a sampling unit configured to convert an incoming audio signal to a stream of digitized audio samples, an encoder unit configured to code the stream of digitized audio samples according to an audio codec based on a sample oriented audio compression algorithm to provide a stream of coded digitized audio samples, and a signal transmitting unit transmitting the stream of coded digitized audio samples over the first synchronous wireless link to the intermediate device. The intermediate device transmits the stream of coded digitized audio samples to the receiving device through the second synchronous wireless link. |
| US08145244B2 |
System and method for determining base unit position of a cordless handset
A method and system are presented for sensing a physical position of a cordless handset with respect to a base unit. A dataset of measured line currents may be initialized. A line extension may receive a number for use in determining the position of an associated cordless handset. Stored on-base-unit and off-base-unit line currents may be accessed. A determination may be if the cordless handset is positioned on the base unit, and in response to a determination that the handset is in contact with the base unit, a desired task may proceed. |
| US08145236B2 |
Approach to secure localization in wireless networks
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a secure localization infrastructure using transmitters that can transmit messages at multiple distinct power levels throughout a community of reference points. Transmitters send messages at different power levels in a manner that every location in the system corresponds to a unique set of messages. Received messages are reported back to the localization infrastructure, which then determines location by comparing the messages reported. |
| US08145226B2 |
Wireless communication method, wireless communication system and base station
A base station (200) has an information acquiring unit (224) for acquiring information indicating an upper limit of a value based on the current consumption of a wireless communication terminal and the number of first frequency bands requested by the wireless communication terminal, a band number determining unit (221) for determining the number of second frequency bands to be assigned to the wireless communication terminal based on the acquired information indicating the upper limit of current consumption and a band number setting unit (222) for setting the number of first frequency bands to the number of frequency bands to be assigned to the wireless communication terminal when the number of first frequency bands is equal to or less than the number of second frequency bands and setting the number of second frequency bands to the number of frequency bands to be assigned to the wireless communication terminal when the number of first frequency bands is greater than the number of second frequency bands. |
| US08145224B2 |
Method and system for transmitting and receiving common control information in a communication system
Disclosed is a method of transmitting common control information by a base station in a communication system including a first communication system and a second communication system different from each other. In the communication system, a frame for carrying the common control information includes an uplink sub-frame and a downlink sub-frame, each of which includes a resource allocation area for the first communication system and a resource allocation area for the second communication system. The method includes: configuring the common control information to be received by a mobile station belonging to the second communication system; and transmitting the common control information through the resource allocation area for the second communication system included in one of the uplink sub-frame and the downlink sub-frame. |
| US08145222B2 |
Method, mobile communication device, and system for selective downloading to a mobile communication device
A method, mobile communication device, and system for selective downloading to a mobile communication device are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method on a mobile communication device for downloading data from a content source to the mobile communication device, the mobile communication device being configured for connecting to at least cellular data networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs), the method comprising: receiving a request to download data; determining if the requested data comprises a media file; selecting a communication medium for downloading the requested data in accordance with whether the requested data comprises a media file; and downloading the requested data to the mobile communication device using the selected communication medium. |
| US08145219B2 |
Handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning
A method and system supporting handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning is disclosed. A mobile multimedia handset may engage in the exchange of a multimedia information stream via a first wireless network, and may sniff a portion of radio frequency spectrum for a second wireless network. Information about available services and network quality of service for the second network may be received by querying the second wireless network or from advertising by the second wireless network. Hand-off between the two networks may be based upon the results of the comparison and one or more user-defined criteria, and the handoff may be synchronized according to predefined events in the stream of multimedia information. |
| US08145217B2 |
Method and apparatus for handoff in a communication system supporting multiple service instances
Method and apparatus for effecting handoff in a system supporting both wireless and packet data service communications. In one embodiment, the serving network provides information to the target network sufficient to establish the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connections for handoff. In an alternate embodiment, the serving network and the target network do not share capabilities with respect to concurrent multiple service instances. When the serving network knows the status of the target network, the serving network takes responsibility for the handoff. |
| US08145214B2 |
Raster skipping in co-banded mobile communication devices based on previous scans for any band
The present invention discloses a solution for improving scan time in a co-banded mobile communication device. The solution can maintain a set of records within a data store of a co-banded mobile communication device. The set of records can include two or more communication rasters that represent an overlap between frequency bands used by different access technologies supported by the mobile communication device. A frequency band for a first access technology can be scanned for communication rasters allocated for that access technology. For each occupied communication raster, a related record of the set of maintained records can be updated to indicate that the communication raster is occupied. A frequency band for a second access technology can then be scanned within a previously determined time threshold of the first scan. The second scanning attempt can skip those communication rasters indicated as occupied by the set of records. |
| US08145213B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating PLMN list in mobile communication system
Provided are an apparatus and method for generating a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list in a mobile communication terminal. The method includes: generating an available PLMN list by searching PLMNs through a Radio Frequency (RF) channel, and determining if Location Area Code (LAC) information is contained in the available PLMN list; generating a PLMN list from PLMN information matched with Mobile Country Code (MCC) information and Mobile Network Code (MNC) information and existing in a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, when no LAC is contained in the available PLMN list; and deleting items duplicated in the generated PLMN list. |
| US08145212B2 |
Wireless device activation
Tools and techniques for activating a wireless device on a wireless network. In an aspect, such tools can allow an unactivated wireless device (that is, a wireless device that generally would be inoperable on a wireless network) to be given limited functionality in order to activate itself on the network. In some cases, such tools can be implemented within business processes to generate revenue streams for entities involved in the wireless activation process. |
| US08145210B2 |
Enhanced cross-network handoff for mobile IP service mobility
A system and method are described whereby an enhanced handoff scheme provides for monitoring of mobile device conditions and network conditions associated with a current access network attachment, as well as with a plurality of access networks on a preferred access network list, to proactively initiate a handoff operation, thereby preserving the QoS constraints necessary for seamless delivery of IP multimedia services. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of access networks is connected to an IMS core network, whereby a policy function receives quality of service constraints associated with the launched application from the mobile device and orders a list of preferred access networks accordingly. Preferably, the policy function selects an appropriate access gateway associated with a target access network based at least in part on the mobile device conditions reported by the mobile device and the access network conditions monitored by the policy function. |
| US08145207B2 |
Apparatus and method for avoiding interference between base station and relay station when using full duplex relay in a multi hop relay system
An apparatus and method for avoiding interference between a base station and a relay station when using full duplex relay in a multi-hop relay wireless communication system are provided. An operation of a mobile station includes measuring an strength of a receive signal from a base station and an strength of a receive signal from an relay station, calculating a receive signal strength ratio of base station to relay station by dividing the strength of the receive signal from the base station by the strength of the receive signal from the relay station, determining if interference occurs using the receive signal strength ratio, and transmitting a control message representing if interference occurs. |
| US08145205B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating speech quality
A method of estimating the quality of speech information associated with a voice call over a communication system comprising a core network and an access network where speech information is carried between the access network and the core network and within the core network in frames. The method comprises determining a rate of frame loss for frames transported between the access network and the core network and/or within the core network, and mapping the rate of frame loss to a quality estimation value using data collected by simulating frame loss on representative speech samples and determining quality estimation values for the damaged speech samples. |
| US08145203B2 |
Personal area network having media player and mobile device controlling the same
A system and method are provided for controlling content played by a number of media devices. In general, the system includes a mobile device and the number of media devices. The mobile device includes a wireless communication interface for communicating with the media devices, a media database, and a control system including a media client. When the mobile device enters a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) associated with a media device, the media client obtains information describing the content residing at the media device and stores the information in the media database at the mobile device. Thereafter, when the mobile device is within the WPAN associated with the media device, the media database is used to select content to be played at the media device. |
| US08145201B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reduced energy communication in an ad hoc network
The invention relates to communications devices for reduced energy communications in an ad hoc network. The communication device includes a first low-powered transceiver for initiating communications with other communications devices and a second transceiver for transmitting data messages to the other communications devices once communication is initiated. The communication device also includes a communications control processor for determining times at which the other communications devices will be available to receive communications based on scheduling data received from those communication devices. The communications control processor can also take into account requests for reserved bandwidth. |
| US08145197B2 |
Method and arrangement for providing user information to a telecommunication client
A method and arrangement for providing information to a client from a client access network regarding a requested set of users, at least some of which are connected to other access networks. In response to a client subscription request, the client access network establishes a network subscription with the other access networks. Information updates regarding users in the set are then continuously received and stored in a database of the client access network, whenever the users change their state. In response to a subsequent request for user information from the client, corresponding stored user information is retrieved from the database and sent in a notification to the client. |
| US08145195B2 |
Mobility related control signalling authentication in mobile communications system
In a non-limiting and exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for arranging authentication of mobility related signalling messages in a mobile communications system. An authentication code is generated on the basis of a previous authentication code stored in connection with a preceding authentication code generation event. The newly generated authentication code is stored for subsequent authentication code generation event. In response to change of the mobile device to an access network of the network entity, a control message comprising the authentication code is transmitted from a mobile device to a first network entity, for verifying the authentication code by the first network entity or by a second network entity of a previous access system. |
| US08145193B2 |
Session key management for public wireless LAN supporting multiple virtual operators
A method and apparatus for managing a session key for allowing a mobile terminal to access a wireless local area network (WLAN). The invention provides for establishing a first secure channel between an access point and a virtual operator, and suggesting a session key to the virtual operator from the access point. A second secure channel is established between the virtual operator and a user, and the session key is sent to the user via the second secure channel upon successful user authentication. The mobile terminal accesses the WLAN using the session key. |
| US08145189B2 |
Technique for securely communicating information
A system that communicates information is described. During operation, this system receives an encryption key through a first wireless communication technique, wherein the first wireless communication technique includes near field communication. Then, the system communicates a document through a second wireless communication technique, where the document is associated with a financial transaction being conducted with a commercial establishment. Next, the system receives encrypted information through the second wireless communication technique, where the encrypted information is, at least in part, encrypted using the encryption key, and where the second wireless communication technique includes a technique other than near field communication. |
| US08145188B2 |
Method for call charge transfer between mobile communication terminals
A mobile terminal and method for transferring call charges between mobile terminals are disclosed. To transfer call-related charges between mobile terminals, the mobile terminal and call charge transfer method place a call by a calling mobile terminal to a called mobile terminal to establish a call connection for conversation, transmit a call transfer request by the calling mobile terminal to impose call-related charges on the called mobile terminal, and perform, if the called mobile terminal accepts the call transfer request, a call transfer operation to impose the call-related charges on the called mobile terminal, and maintain, if the called mobile terminal rejects the call transfer request, the call to impose the call-related charges on the calling mobile terminal. As a result, during a call between mobile terminals, the called user can accept a call transfer request of the calling user to transfer call-related charges to the called party, thereby enabling flexible and efficient billing. |