最新美国发明专利第2012-05-08期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08172472B2	Stick-shaped material extruding container To perform forward and backward movements of a stick-shaped material without trouble and prevent detachment of the stick-shaped material by an impact, a piston (7) in a movable body (6) arranged within a container (100) is closely attached within a filling member (1), the stick-shaped material (M) is loaded in the filling member (1) so as to be closely attached thereto, and the piston (7) is closely attached to the stick-shaped material (M), whereby the stick-shaped material (M) is pushed by a forward movement of the piston (7) to appear from an opening (1a) of the container, a sucking action generated due to decompression is applied between the piston (7) and the stick-shaped material (M) by a backward movement of the piston (7) to retract the stick-shaped material (M), and the decompression prevents falling off of the stick-shaped material (M) from the container (100).
US08172471B2	Ribbon cartridge for printing A ribbon cartridge for a printer. The ribbon cartridge including a simple mechanism that prevents an ink ribbon from being twisted or excessively drawn out in mounting thereof. Provided is a ribbon cartridge for printing, which includes: an ink ribbon; a cartridge main body which stores the ink ribbon so as to expose a part of the ink ribbon; a ribbon guide which is engaged with the exposed part of the ink ribbon so as to guide the exposed part; and a guide tape which forms a loop so as to support the ribbon guide while having one end in its longitudinal direction fixed to a first position on the ribbon guide and having the other end fixed to a second position on the ribbon guide and which is disposed so that a surface of the guide tape can face a surface of the exposed part of the ink ribbon.
US08172470B2	Methods and apparatus for measuring insertion loss in a fiber optic cable connection A method and apparatus for measuring the insertion loss of a fiber optic connection is provided. The invention generally comprises a light source providing light to a test connector which contains a juncture of two fiber optic cables. The test connector has one or more opaque portions surrounding the fiber optic juncture. A pyrometer or other heat detection means is then used to measure any temperature increase as a result of light scattered into the opaque portions of the test connector.
US08172466B2	Optoelectronic interconnection module An optoelectronic interconnection module capable of performing optical signal transmission and electrical signal transmission, including a flexible optoelectronic interconnection board including an optical interconnection path, electrical wires and electrical connection terminals used for electrically connecting the electrical wires to an exterior at an end portion thereof, an optical semiconductor device mounted on a portion near one-end of the flexible optoelectronic interconnection board, and a bend portion provided in a lengthwise direction of the flexible optoelectronic interconnection board in parallel to a mounting region of the optical semiconductor device.
US08172464B2	Tapered roller bearing A tapered roller bearing achieves improvement in manufacturability and a longer life. The tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of tapered rollers disposed between raceways of the inner ring and the outer ring. A cage holds each tapered roller. A shoulder section that receives a large end face of the tapered roller is provided on a large-diameter side of the inner ring so as to project towards an outer-diameter side. A raceway that reaches from the shoulder section to the small diameter end is formed. An engaging section that engages with the shoulder section on the inner ring is provided on a large-diameter side of the cage so as to project towards an inner diameter direction. The engaging section is disposed such as to fit within a width of a corresponding pocket when viewed from an axial direction.
US08172457B2	Method and sensor for determining the hydrocarbon dew point in a gas The invention relates to a method and a sensor for determining the hydrocarbon dew point in a gas, in particular in a gaseous fuel. According to the invention a roughened condensation surface is provided on a planar measurement surface of a transparent body. Light is shone onto the roughened condensation surface through the transparent body and the intensity of the light reflected back into the transparent body is measured. The hydrocarbon dew point temperature can be inferred from changes in the intensity of the light which is reflected back when heating or cooling the condensation surface.
US08172456B2	Motorized bone cement mixing and delivery system that allows a user to detach the delivery device from the mixer for delivery A bone cement mixing and delivery system including a mixer and a delivery device. The mixer includes a paddle for mixing the components and a piston that pushes the mixed cement into the attached delivery device. The delivery device includes a tube into which the bone cement is forced from the mixer, and a plunger that forces the cement out of the tube during the medical procedure. The tube includes an entry port through which cement is introduced into the tube from the mixer. A one-way valve attached to the tube allows the cement to flow from the mixer through the entry port. After the cement is loaded in the tube, the delivery device is removed from the mixer. The valve blocks flow out of the entry port when the plunger is depressed.
US08172454B2	Cooling stick for a blender and method of using same A cooling stick for a blender includes a cylindrical member designed to fit tightly through a circular aperture extending through the blender lid. The member has a lower portion and an upper portion with a surrounding rim of a diameter larger than the circular aperture. The lower portion has a lower end sized and shaped to avoid contact with the blender blade assembly. The cylindrical member has an interior chamber, an opening extending from an exterior of the member to the chamber and means for sealing the opening. A cooling fluid is located within the interior chamber. The fluid is cooled or frozen when the cooling stick is located in a cooling environment. When the chilled cooling stick is mounted to the lid of the blender, the cooling stick will cool contents of the blender when the blender is operated. The cooling stick also cools the blender contents after operation.
US08172451B2	Programmable electronic hand mixer An electronic hand mixer for processing food materials is provided. The electronic hand mixer includes one or more beaters, a housing, and a drive motor mounted in the housing. The drive motor is adapted to apply rotational force to the beaters. The electronic hand mixer also includes a power control device for controlling electrical power supplied to the drive motor, a keypad for receiving instructions entered by users, a microprocessor for processing and carrying out the instructions and sending signals to the power control device, and a memory for storing the instructions. The instructions include at least one user-defined mixing course for conducting a mixing operation. The user-defined mixing course includes one or more mixing operations, and each of the mixing operations includes a user-defined running speed of the drive motor associated with a user-defined running period of time of the drive motor.
US08172445B2	Backlight module A backlight module can be used in a dual display module and capable of blurring the shadow image produced by the sub display window in the main display window, while the main display window is displaying images, is disclosed. The disclosed backlight module comprises: a light emitting unit, a first frame located on one side of the light emitting unit and a first display window is enclosed by the first frame, a second frame located on the other side of the light emitting unit opposing to the first frame and a second display window is enclosed by the second frame, and a light diffusing plate, wherein the display area of the second display window is larger than the display area of the first display window. Besides, the light diffusing plate has a smooth surface and a rough surface respectively, while the rough surface is facing the light emitting unit.
US08172441B2	Light emitting module of vehicle headlamp A light emitting module used in a vehicle headlamp is provided with a light source having a light emitting plane directing toward a front side of a lighting unit, a projection lens disposed ahead of the light source, and a reflecting plane extending in an oblique and forward direction from a side of the light source. The projection lens is disposed by setting a focal point in a vicinity of a lower side of the light emitting plane. The reflecting plane has a structure so that a light emitted from the light source is reflected toward a lower region from a cut line.
US08172438B2	Low-profile collapsible lighting system A portable lighting system includes a power pack, a fuel tank and a collapsible mast mounted to a trailer. A lighting fixture with one or more lighting elements is mounted to a distal end of the mast. The mast may be placed in a lowered position for transportation or placed in a raised position for illumination of a desired area.
US08172432B2	Condensing device for LED A condensing device for LED includes a base arranged with LED on a surface thereof and a projecting lens aligned to a center of the base. Lights from the LED will be concentrated by the projecting lens without scattering.
US08172431B2	Luminaire and reflector The invention relates to a reflector (1) which comprises an ellipsoidal light reflective wall (21) and a light output (3) lying in a light output plane (32). The light reflective wall is defined as a portion of the internal surface of an ellipsoid. The focal axis (25) of the ellipsoid has a determined angle CC with respect to an axis (V) perpendicular to the light output plane (32). The light reflective wall (21) is the portion of the ellipsoid, which is taken between the most remote point (24) of the ellipsoid from the light output plane and the light output plane (32). The invention further relates to a luminaire which comprises such a reflector and a light source.
US08172428B2	Optical system with non-circular aperture An optical system, light fixture and method are provided that include a light source, a non-circular aperture, a filter apparatus, and a lens. The light source produces a first beam of light, a portion of which is passed by the non-circular aperture. The filter apparatus is positioned proximate to the non-circular aperture and is operable to selectively position a desired portion of a variable density filter in the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture. The lens collects the portion of the first beam of light passed by the non-circular aperture to produce a second beam of light.
US08172424B2	Heat sinking and flexible circuit board, for solid state light fixture utilizing an optical cavity Disclosed exemplary solid state light fixtures use optical cavities to combine or integrate light from LEDs or the like. In such a fixture, the cavity is formed by a light transmissive structure having a volume, and a diffuse reflector that covers a contoured portion of the structure. A circuit board has flexible tabs mounting the light emitters. A heat sink member supports the circuit board and is contoured relative to the shape of the light transmissive structure so that the tabs bend and the emitters press against a sufficiently rigid periphery of the light transmissive structure. TIM may be compressed between the heat sink member and the opposite surface of each tab. Various contours/angles of the periphery of the light transmissive structure and the mating portion of the heat sink member may be used.
US08172423B2	Illumination apparatus An illumination apparatus includes a light source unit having solid light-emitting elements and a sensor unit having a wave transmission portion for transmitting energy waves of specified frequency and a wave reception portion for receiving the energy waves reflected from an object. The sensor unit outputs a detection signal by detecting the object within a detection range based on the difference in frequency between the transmitted and received energy waves. The illumination apparatus further includes a control unit responsive to the detection signal from the sensor unit for performing a control operation to turn on the light source unit, and a power source unit for supplying electric power to the light source unit. The power source unit is arranged outside the detection range of the sensor unit. The sensor unit is provided on the opposite side to the direction of light irradiated from the light source unit.
US08172422B2	Lamp device There is provided a lamp device including a housing having a plurality of radiation fins for heat radiation on a top surface portion thereof, a Light Emitting Diode heat (LED) substrate having a plurality of LEDs for emitting illumination light, and a cover formed of a transparent or semi-transparent light-transmitting material and installed to be engaged with the housing under the LED substrate, for protecting the LED substrate.
US08172420B2	Modular lighting system A luminaire, light fixture base, and self-ballasting fluorescent lighting stick are disclosed. The luminaire includes a fixture base and self-ballasted fluorescent lighting sticks. The fixture base is configured to secure the lighting sticks, and to provide electrical power to the lighting sticks at an electrical end of the fixture base. Each of the lighting sticks is separately replaceable in the fixture base. The electrical end of the fixture base includes electrical connectors that mate with corresponding electrical connectors of the lighting sticks. The light fixture base is configured to secure and pass electrical power to a self-ballasted fluorescent lighting stick. The light fixture base includes an electrical end section, a securing end section, and a middle section. The self-ballasted fluorescent lighting stick is configured to secure and pass electrical power to a fluorescent bulb. The fluorescent lighting stick includes a ballast circuit, electrical wiring, an electrical connector, and a frame.
US08172413B2	Keypad assembly A keypad assembly having a light guide sheet having a first surface with a layer of graphics printed thereon, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an edge surface; and a flexible sheet having a central portion engaged with the light guide sheet second surface and having a peripheral portion positioned in light blocking relationship with the light guide sheet edge surface.
US08172411B2	Multi-curvature convex mirror having an enhanced field of vision A multi-curvature convex mirror is comprised of a first reflective surface having a first curvature and defined by a portion of the surface area of a greater sphere and a second reflective surface having a second curvature greater than the first curvature and defined by a portion of the surface area of a lesser sphere that intersects the surface area of the greater sphere. The primary and secondary reflective surfaces are comprised of a series of locations, each defined by an x, y, and z coordinate, determined in accordance with the relationship z = x a + y b where 600≦a≦1,300 and 100≦\|b−a\|≦200.
US08172405B2	Lamp and optical projector A lamp includes a lampwick, a reflector, and a shade. The reflector has an opening and a bottom portion opposite to the opening. The lampwick is disposed at the bottom portion and passes through the bottom portion and at least one part of the lampwick is disposed in the reflector. The shade disposed outside the reflector covers a part of the reflector. The shade connected to the bottom portion has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are disposed at two opposite sides of the reflector respectively. An air flow flows into the space between the reflector and the shade through the inlet. At least one part of the air flow flows through the outlet along a flowing direction. An included angle defined between the flowing direction and a transmitting direction of an illumination light beam formed by the reflector is an acute angle.
US08172404B2	Projection with lenslet arrangement on speckle reduction element In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.
US08172398B2	Unit for obtaining and displaying fundus image Unit for obtaining and displaying fundus image is comprised of a memory that stores a plurality of fundus images wherein a positional relation between an optical axis of an eye ball being examined and an optical axis of an objective is different, an image playback portion for producing a three-dimensional pseudo image by repeatedly displaying a plurality of fundus images on a display in order for a display time set on each fundus image, a CUP contour position designating means for designating a CUP contour position on the three-dimensional pseudo image, means for specifying the CUP contour position designated on the three dimensional pseudo image based upon a specific fundus image, and means for computing CUP contour based upon the specified CUP contour CD position and means for displaying the computed CUP contour.
US08172394B2	Flexible eyewear frame with rigid lens retainer A rigid lens retaining apparatus has first and second portions. The first portion is engaged with a substantially flexible eyewear frame and the second portion is engaged with a lens. Therefore, the rigid lens retainer provides a secure and releasable attachment of lenses to the substantially flexible eyewear frame.
US08172393B2	Method and apparatus for viewing polarized displays A pair of sunglasses is provided with a polarized region in the upper portion of the eyeglass lens and a non-polarized region in the bottom portion of the eyeglass lens so as to permit reading of polarized instruments through the non-polarized region. The two regions may be separated horizontally at the halfway point or below the halfway point such that, by tilting one's head upwardly and looking through the non-polarized region, one can readily read the instruments which would appear black through the polarized region due to the cross-polarization. In one embodiment the polarization level is gradually decreased from the top to the bottom of the lens in a polarization gradient in which there is no polarization at the bottom portion of the lens.
US08172392B2	Open/close judgment of opening of device A printer is disclosed which determines whether or not an opening of the printer is open or closed. The printer includes an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the opening of the printer housing. The printer includes a controller configured to determine whether the opening is open or closed based on a light receiving state of a light receiving portion. The light receiving portion receives light from a light sending portion. A first movable body with a plurality of openings is moveable between the light sending and receiving portions. A movement transmission mechanism moves the first moveable body according to movement of a second moveable body.
US08172391B2	Image forming apparatus The image forming apparatus includes: a holding and conveyance device which has a round cylindrical shape and is rotatable about a rotational axis, the holding and conveyance device conveying a recording medium in a prescribed conveyance direction by rotating about the rotational axis while holding the recording medium on an outer circumferential surface of the holding and conveyance device, the holding and conveyance device having a recess section arranged in a direction parallel to the rotational axis at a prescribed position on the outer circumferential surface of the holding and conveyance device; an end portion holding member which is arranged in the recess section and has an end portion holding surface by which at least one of a leading end portion and a trailing end portion of the recording medium held on the outer circumferential surface is held to an inner side relative to an image forming surface of the recording medium held on the outer circumferential surface; and an image forming device which forms an image on the recording medium held on the holding and conveyance device, wherein: a radius of curvature of the end portion holding surface is smaller than a radius of the outer circumferential surface; and a tangential direction of the end portion holding surface at an end of the end portion holding surface on a side of the outer circumferential surface is substantially a same with a tangential direction of the outer circumferential surface at an end on a side of the end portion holding surface.
US08172389B2	Filter, liquid jetting apparatus, and liquid transporting apparatus A filter includes a filter plate provided with a through holes formation portion in which a plurality of through holes is formed, a ring-shaped piezoelectric layer arrangement portion on an upper surface of which a piezoelectric layer is formed, and a circular-shaped fixed portion fixed to a tube, an electrode formed almost on an entire area on an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a protective layer covering the piezoelectric layer and the electrode. When a driving electric potential is applied to the electrode, an electric field is generated in the piezoelectric layer, and the piezoelectric layer is contracted to deform the filter plate. With the deformation of the filter plate, the filter vibrates, and it is possible to release impurities and air bubbles in a liquid trapped in the filter. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a long life of the filter.
US08172388B2	Liquid container A liquid container mountable in a liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. The liquid container includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section through which the liquid stored in the liquid storage section is supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus, an air communication section that allows the liquid storage section and an outside of the liquid container to communicate with each other, a bubble separation section that separates bubbles from the liquid, a vertical communication path that has an entrance communicating with the liquid storage section and an exit provided at a higher level in a vertical direction than the entrance and communicating with the bubble separation section, and a detection section that communicates with the liquid supply section and the bubble separation section and is adapted to detect a depletion of the liquid stored in the liquid container.
US08172384B2	Recording apparatus An apparatus includes a carriage on which a head is removably mounted, a cover on the carriage configured to be movable to a first position where the head is fixed to the carriage and to a second position where the head can be removed from the carriage, and a lever configured to press the head mounted on the carriage by rotating with the cover pushed by a part of the cover when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein a rotational axis of the lever and a rotational axis of the cover are coaxial with each other.
US08172382B2	Container arrangement including ink tank and adapter configured to be mounted to ink tank A container arrangement includes a packaging arrangement including an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and a packaging bag enclosing the ink tank therein. A pressure of an interior of the packaging bag is less than a pressure of an exterior of the packaging bag. The container arrangement also includes an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank, and a container enclosing each of the packaging arrangement and the adapter. The adapter is positioned outside the packaging bag.
US08172381B2	Multi-color ink tank with features spaced by distances ensuring interface with printhead and carrier support structure A multi-color ink tank includes certain features that properly interface with features on a printhead and carrier support structure to operatively seat the ink tank in the carrier support structure in a sealed flow communicative relationship with the printhead. These interface features are spaced apart relative to one another at distances (or dimensions) that ensure the desired seating and sealing of the ink tank in the carrier support structure and thereby the reliable supply of ink for operation of the inkjet printing system.
US08172378B2	Carbon black pigmented inkjet ink having multiple humectants The present invention relates to a carbon black inkjet ink having improved printhead idle time and start up in order to substantially maintain, un-interrupted printing with better nozzle jetting. The inkjet ink includes a non-ionic silicone surfactant, a polymeric dispersant, and two or more humectants.
US08172377B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes: a transporter for transporting a sheet; an image forming section for forming an image on the sheet being transported by the transporter with an ink; a liquid absorbent member; a cleaning liquid feeding section for feeding a cleaning liquid to the transporter via the liquid absorbent member to clean the transporter adhered with ink residues; and a cleaning liquid feeding controlling section for controlling the cleaning liquid feeding section to perform the cleaning liquid feeding operation, based on a condition of the image forming apparatus relating to evaporation of the cleaning liquid. This arrangement enables to properly clean a transport belt in an inkjet image forming apparatus, while preventing waste of the cleaning liquid and securing stable driving of the transport belt.
US08172373B2	Fluid ejection device A fluid ejection device including, a drive element capable of storing a charge depending on a voltage applied to the drive element, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a power recovery module that recovers power from the drive element by connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor to the drive element in series, wherein the power recovery module switches the first capacitor out of the in-series connection to further recover power from the drive element.
US08172369B2	Inkjet printhead substrate with distributed heater elements A substrate heating system for an inkjet printhead. The substrate heating system includes heating resistors distributed in association with the ink jet nozzle structures, and located thermally adjacent thereto. The plural switching transistors that control the current through the substrate heating resistors are also distributed with the ink jetting nozzle structures, together with the substrate heating resistors. Polysilicon is used in constructing the substrate heating resistors. Cells of the substrate heaters can be arranged physically in a linear manner, along the nozzle structures. The substrate heater cells can be controlled so that the temperature of various zones of nozzle structures can be controlled.
US08172366B2	Liquid jetting head Disclosed is a liquid jetting head which can contribute to downsizing. A head unit 20 has two case channels and a driving substrate 28 arranged between inflow openings 35 of the case channels provided on a base surface of the head unit, which is on the opposite side of a nozzle-formed surface of the head unit, in an erect posture with respect to the base surface of the driving substrate 28.
US08172364B2	Flow through dispenser including improved guide structure A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening, and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. A surface is positioned downstream relative to the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel and leads to atmosphere. A portion of the surface, when compared to another portion of the surface, includes structure that reduces viscous drag on the portion of the liquid that has been diverted by the diverter member such that drops formed from consecutive portions of the liquid that have been diverted by the diverter member travel with consistent drop characteristics.
US08172362B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus includes an idle ejection receiving part for receiving idle-ejected waste liquid from a liquid jet head and a waste liquid tank provided below the idle ejection receiving part for collecting the waste liquid dropping from the idle ejection receiving part. The image recording apparatus further includes a rotating member having a peripheral surface for rotating and receiving the waste liquid, and a wiping member that contacts or faces the peripheral surface for wiping the waste liquid on the peripheral surface of the rotating member. The wiping member is configured to move in a peripheral direction of the rotating member.
US08172360B2	Printhead servicing system and method A system for servicing a printhead having a plurality of orifices formed in a face thereof includes a cap configured to mate with the face of the printhead; a porous material provided in the cap, wherein the porous material has a first side arranged to face the face of the printhead and a second side opposite the first side; and a vacuum communicated with the cap, wherein the vacuum is configured to draw fluid from the orifices of the printhead through the porous material provided in the cap. The second side of the porous material has a recess formed therein such that the vacuum is communicated with the recess.
US08172358B2	Droplet ejection head control device and control method, and program storage medium A droplet ejection head control device includes a pressure alteration section, a detector and a controller. The droplet ejection head is provided with plural nozzles and is supplied with a liquid. The pressure alteration section alters a pressure inside the droplet ejection head. The detector detects a position of a boundary of liquid which is exuded onto a nozzle face from at least one nozzle of the droplet ejection head in accordance with the pressurization at the inside of the droplet ejection head. After the pressurization of the interior of the droplet ejection head commences, the controller controls the pressure alteration section on the basis of detection results from the detector such that the pressurization is stopped just (immediately) before respective boundaries of the liquid exuded onto the nozzle face from neighboring nozzles come into contact.
US08172351B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a print medium in a predetermined transport direction, and a printing control unit that performs preliminary printing by ejecting ink droplets through a plurality of nozzles, which are the same as nozzles used for printing a reference mark, onto an area on a downstream side of a specific position in the transport direction in an area of the print medium before printing the reference mark on the specific position of the print medium by ejecting ink droplets through a print head provided with the nozzles for ejecting the ink droplets.
US08172340B2	Method to reduce carbon brake wear through residual brake force The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
US08172339B2	Compressed air supply system for a utility vehicle A compressed air supply system for a utility vehicle includes a compressor that can be driven by a drive by a pneumatic clutch, and a valve that can be actuated by an electrical signal for the selective supply of compressed air to a control input of the clutch. The electrical signal is provided by an electronic control system to which signals indicating an operating state of a compressed air preparation system and various vehicle states can be supplied.
US08172338B2	Method for shutdown of vehicle brakes At vehicle startup and vehicle shutdown, the driver modulates the brake pressure directly by depressing the brake pedal and the driver feels pedal resistance. During normal conditions of vehicle operation after vehicle startup, pressure boosted actuation of the vehicle brakes is provided by the modulation of boosted pressure from an accumulator via a boost valve operable in response to brake pedal depression, while an isolation valve isolates the pedal from direct influence by the brake pressure and the driver feels pedal resistance provided by a pedal simulator. Upon shutdown of boosted actuation, the boost valve reduces the brake pressure gradually over a calibrated period of time until the brake pressure substantially equals the pedal resistance then felt by the driver. Then the isolation valve reestablishes driver's feel of the brake pressure without an abrupt change in pedal resistance upon the reversion from boosted actuation to hydraulic unboosted actuation.
US08172335B2	Electrical current flow between tunnels for use in heating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. A first substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. A second substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. Two or more heat source wellbores extend from the first tunnel to the second tunnel. The heat source wellbores are configured to allow electrical current to flow between the heat source wellbores.
US08172327B2	Integrated seat fold-down lever/belt exit A vehicle seat assembly includes a vehicle seat fold down lever and a vehicle seat fold down lever housing. The housing can connect with the lever such that the lever is movable with respect to the housing. The housing can include an elongate slot through which an associated seat belt exits the housing. A vehicle seat is also described.
US08172326B2	Pivot joint assembly for a vehicle seat A pivot joint assembly includes a bar generally defining an outer cylindrical surface. The bar has first and second beads extending outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The first and second beads are spaced apart from one another along the length of the bar. At least one of the first and second beads is an integrally formed portion extended outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The assembly further includes a mounting member having opposed first and second sides. The mounting member has a hole formed therein. The bar is disposed in the hole such that the mounting member is disposed between the first and second beads such that bar rotates relative to the mounting member.
US08172325B2	Motor vehicle seat assembly According to one embodiment of a seat assembly for a motor vehicle a seat back pivots about a hip axis, a seat bottom pivots about a knee axis, and at least one seat bottom leg is pivots about an ankle axis, so that the seat back folds down against the seat bottom and the seat bottom kneels on the floor to at least partially define a seating load floor. According to another embodiment, a seat bottom and a seat back are articulatable in a forward direction to fold the seat bottom and back down toward a floor of the vehicle to at least partially define a seating load floor.
US08172322B2	Child seat A child seat comprises a seat part, a backrest operable to rotate relative to the seat part, a backrest adjusting mechanism and a safety lock movably mounted on the backrest. The backrest adjusting mechanism comprises a positioning element mounted stationary relative to the seat part, and a latch element mounted on the backrest and movable to engage with the positioning element. The positioning element comprises a channel that delimits a range of adjustable angular positions of the backrest relative to the seat part. In addition, the safety lock has a lock position adapted to restrict displacement of the latch element relative to the channel, and an unlock position enabling the latch element to move out of the channel when the backrest is moved out of the range of adjustable angular positions toward a position lying substantially parallel with the seat part.
US08172317B2	Stackable chair In a stackable chair system, a plurality of chairs are provided, each chair having a back, a seat, and first and second armrests all integral with one another in an injection-molded thermal plastic construction. Each first armrest has an integral molded round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the first armrest. Each second armrest has an integral molded plate-holder or an integral molded second round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the second armrest. Each seat is contoured downwardly forming a seat depression. Each chair is dimensioned so that the chairs can be stacked on top of one another in nested fashion.
US08172312B2	Excavator cab with an improved field of view An excavator cab is configured to have an improved field of view for three passengers. Seating is provided for an operator, a trainer, and an trainee. Persons seated in those three seats have substantially similar lines of sight. The excavator cab is arranged such that the operator seat and the trainer seat face a front observation window. The trainee seat is mounted behind the operator seat and is retractable. The points of egress and aisle are wide enough to accommodate a stretcher or a litter in case of an emergency.
US08172308B2	Trailer roof having improved support structure A trailer includes a pair of vertical, spaced apart opposing sidewalls and a roof sheet extending between and mounted atop the sidewalls. The sidewalls and roof sheet cooperate to define a cargo space. The roof sheet has an interior surface facing the cargo space and an opposing exterior surface. A plurality of bows are mounted to the exterior surface of the roof sheet and extend between the sidewalls. The plurality of bows support the roof sheet. Each bow includes at least three contact portions attached to the exterior surface of the roof sheet. A rib portion interconnects the contact portions and defines a channel between the rib portion and the exterior surface of the roof sheet.
US08172304B2	Folding roof arrangement with elastically deformable tensioning elements pivotally attached to a support structure of a vehicle A folding roof arrangement has a folding top covering (12) and a folding top structure (14). The folding top structure (14) has at least one roof frame (20) with a front area and at least one elastically deformable tensioning element (31-34). The folding top structure (14) can be folded or collapsed with or without the folding top covering (12), so that the tensioning element (31-34) is elastically deformed when folded.
US08172302B2	Folding roof arrangement with a top covering of multi-piece construction and with elastically deformable tensioning elements A folding roof arrangement has a folding top covering (12) and a folding top structure (14). The folding top structure (14) has at least one roof frame (20) with a front area and at least one elastically deformable tensioning element (31-34) The folding top structure (14) can be folded or collapsed with or without the folding top covering (12), so that the tensioning element (31-34) is elastically deformed when folded.
US08172299B2	Compartment door with force and effort control The present invention discloses a compartment door assembly that provides for a compartment door that has controlled movement between a closed position and an open position. The assembly includes a compartment door for covering a compartment, the compartment door movable between the closed position and the open position. A cam having a cam arm, an elongated member and a tension member can also be included.
US08172295B2	Height adjusting device for the cargo floor of a motor vehicle A height adjusting device is provided for the cargo floor of a motor vehicle with at least one guide, on which the cargo floor is pivotably guided about a first pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be guided from a lower cargo floor position into an upper cargo floor position. The cargo floor features a rear cargo floor section and a front cargo floor section that are pivotably connected to one another about a second pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be lifted in the region of the second pivoting axis such that the rear and the front cargo floor sections are pivoted relative to one another, and the guide is realized in such a way that the cargo floor is displaced from the lower into the upper cargo floor position along the guide by lifting the cargo floor in the region of the second pivoting axis.
US08172293B2	Vehicle electronic device support systems Embodiments of a vehicle electronic device support system comprise a vehicle console and an electronic device holder disposed anterior to the vehicle console, wherein the vehicle console comprises a vehicle console bin comprising an auxiliary port, and the electronic device holder is configured to secure an electronic device. The electronic device holder comprises an opening at the bottom of the electronic device holder which extends into the vehicle console bin, which is configured to pass a cord of an electronic device through the opening of the electronic device holder into the vehicle console bin for connection with the auxiliary port.
US08172292B1	Arm tool for packing trays in boxes An end of arm tool for packing article bearing trays in boxes includes a pair of spaced apart clamping end members and a pair of cylinder assemblies each including a powered cylinder for causing the end members to move from an extended position to a semi-retracted position for picking up trays and then moving to a fully retracted position to cause the tray to bend for placing the tray in a box.
US08172291B2	Substrate transport apparatus and substrate transport method A substrate transport apparatus includes: a pair of arm units having a substrate-carrying surface on which a substrate is placed; a support member freely rotatably supporting the arm unit; and an inclination device inclining the arm unit with each of the substrate-carrying surface facing one another.
US08172290B2	Gripper A gripper has a pair of supports 22A, 22B positioned on opposite sides of a bottle made of resin, and abutments 24A, 24B disposed respectively on the supports 22A, 22B for holding the bottle 4 made of resin, each of the abutments 24A, 24B have two thin plates 26A, 28A, 26B, 28B which are vertically spaced from each other. The abutments 24A, 24B hold the bottle 4 by gripping a neck 4a of the bottle 4 on its opposite sides. While holding the bottle 4, the supports 22A, 22B are held out of contact with an outer surface of the bottle 4, allowing the electron beam to travel around the neck 4a to sterilize the entire surface of the bottle 4.
US08172287B1	Replacement tine for a stall cleaning tool A device for repairing a stall cleaning tool that has a broken tine is a tine having a first clamping member integral therewith located at an end of the tine. The first clamping member has a clamping surface with at least one channel therein for receiving at least one structural member of the stall cleaning tool. A second clamping member has a clamping surface with at least one channel therein for receiving at least one structural member of the stall cleaning tool. The first and second clamping members are secured to one another with the clamping surfaces of the clamping members adjacent to one another and the channels in the clamping surfaces aligned with one another.
US08172284B2	Door handle The door handle contains a positioning element, an engaging ring, and a handle member. The positioning element is flat and substantially rectangular with four rounded corners. Four notches are formed besides the four corners, respectively. The inner circumference of the engaging ring is divided equally into four arc sections, each having a J-shaped track. Along the outer circumference of the engaging ring, a curved slot where an elastic plate is embedded and a neighboring axial groove are provided. After the positioning element is fixed to a lock on a door, the engaging ring and a first cover of the handle member are sleeved over the positioning element. By twisting the first cover which in turn rotates the engaging ring, the four corners follow the J-shaped tracks and are thus locked and the elastic plate is embedded into one of the notches.
US08172283B2	Door latch device in a motor vehicle A door latch device in a motor vehicle comprises an engagement portion which can engage with a striker of a vehicle body; an operating lever operated with a handle on a door of the vehicle to open the door; a locking lever which moves between an unlocking position where the engagement portion can be disengaged from the striker and a locked position where the engagement portion cannot be disengaged from the striker; a first subsidiary lever moving with the locking lever; a second subsidiary lever connected to the operating lever and moving with the first subsidiary lever; a spring exerting a force to the first subsidiary lever and the second subsidiary lever; and a blocking member moving between a blocking position and an unblocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, a locking knob is actuated for unlocking to allow the locking lever and the first subsidiary lever to move from the locked position to the unlocking position against a force of the spring.
US08172278B2	Threaded component and device for connecting piping A threaded component for connecting piping employed on motor vehicles includes a thread formed thereon and at least one unthreaded, contacting surface. A first coating having a first coefficient of friction is disposed on at least a portion of the thread, and a second coating having a second coefficient of friction is disposed on at least a portion of the unthreaded, contacting surface(s) of the threaded component. The first coefficient of friction is greater than the second coefficient of friction. In an embodiment an anti-corrosion coating is provided between the coatings and the component.
US08172277B2	Pipe coupling device The present invention is embodied in a pipe coupling device for joining two pipe segments including a cylindrically shaped gasket for receiving the pipe segments and a cylindrically shaped clamp having a first and second semi-cylindrical segment attached by a hinge that extends along a length of one side each segment parallel to the axis of the cylinder. The clamp includes an inner wall having at least one groove forming a channel aligned in each of the semi-cylindrical segments and extending about the circumference of the inner wall of the clamp. A second side of the semi-cylindrical segments includes flanges that extend radially away from the segments. The flanges include complementary apertures and bolts that are received through the apertures for sealing the flanges together. The semi-cylindrical segments are movable about the hinge between an open position and a closed position, wherein the pipe segments are received in opposing ends of the gasket and the clamp is open to receive the pipe segments a gasket combination and then closed about the gasket pipes and secured about the gasket for a sealing engagement by the bolts.
US08172276B1	Fittings connectable to end portions of pipes and related methods A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe generally includes a housing configured for receiving at least part of the end portion of the pipe into the housing, and an insert member disposed at least partly within the housing. The insert member is configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe when at least part of the end portion of the pipe is received into the housing. A retention member is movable relative to the housing for selectively connecting the fitting to the end portion of the pipe. The retention member is movable to press at least part of the end portion of the pipe against at least part of the insert member to help secure the fitting to the end portion of the pipe when the end portion of the pipe is received into the housing.
US08172275B2	Composite polymeric transition pipe fitting for joining polymeric and metallic pipes A pipe fitting includes a main polymeric body and a secondary polymeric body, of a different polymeric material, molded into and fixedly connected to the main body, so that the main body extends around the polymeric body. The secondary polymeric body extends around and is contiguous with a passageway of the pipe fitting, and at least partially defines a first opening of the passageway that is for being mated to a polymeric pipe. The main body extends around and is contiguous with the passageway, and at least partially defines a second opening of the passageway that is for being mated to a metallic pipe.
US08172274B2	Sealing joint for connecting adjoining duct pieces in an engine exhaust system An engine exhaust system comprises duct pieces (201, 202) and a sealing joint (30) for interconnecting their adjoining ends. The sealing joint (30) comprises a one-piece tubular body (31) including a first axial end portion (331), a second axial end portion (332), and a bridge portion (34) extending therebetween. The first end portion (331) is at least partially positioned within a female recess (231) of the first duct piece (201) and the second end portion (332) is at least partially positioned within a female recess (232) of the second duct piece (202). Depending upon the thermal expansion-contraction conditions in the exhaust system, the bridge portion (34) can extend across a gap (24) and/or it can be positioned partially within female recesses (231) and (232).
US08172273B2	Sealing arrangement for a coupling for refrigerant lines A sealing arrangement for a coupling for refrigerant lines comprises a first coupling piece, which is connected sealingly to a first line end piece, and a second coupling piece which is connected sealingly to a second line end piece. In the sealing arrangement, a sealing ring is held on the sealing face of one of the two coupling pieces by a holding device which is configured as a plastic cap having a through hole. The plastic cap has at least one predetermined breaking location (26) which is configured as a groove which reduces the material thickness of the plastic cap in such a way that the material integrity at the predetermined breaking location (26) is maintained during assembly and breaks apart during disassembly.
US08172270B2	Luggage tag system, device and method A system of the present invention couples via a lanyard to a piece of luggage. The system includes a holder having three pockets. A first mask having a first shape and first color card inserts in the first pocket, a second mask and second color card inserts in the second pocket, and an identification card inserts into a third pocket. The system further includes extra color cards and extra masks to provide a traveler with many combinations of colors, patterns, shapes and sequences to identify their luggage.
US08172269B2	File including a curved retaining portion enabling an edge of a binding body to curve A file includes a binding body which is superimposed with a plurality of binding sheets, a curved retaining portion which is curved in a direction in which the binding body extends when the cover is opened, a curved subsidiary portion arranged to fix a back portion thereof in a desired configuration. The binding body is provided adjacent to the curved retaining portion and has an arch-shape in a direction away from the inner side of a spine portion and the curved retaining portion is connected with a width less than a width of the spine portion to the inner side of the curved subsidiary portion at the outer side of the curved retaining portion to enable the end edge adjacently provided on the binding body to curve.
US08172268B2	Fuel tank for work vehicle A work vehicle has a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a fuel tank disposed upwardly of the first wheel. The fuel tank includes a first portion which is located higher than the highest point of the first wheel in a side view and which also is overlapped at least partially with the first wheel in a top view; a second portion disposed forwardly of the highest point of the first wheel and extending downwardly from the first portion so as to extend lower than the highest point of the first wheel, the second portion being in fluid communication with the first portion; and a third portion disposed rearwardly of the highest point of the first wheel and extending downwardly from the first portion so as to extend lower than the highest point of the first wheel, the third portion being in fluid communication with the first portion.
US08172264B2	Automotive knee bolster installation and method of construction A knee bolster installation for an automotive vehicle includes a bridge plate extending across a space receiving a steering column in front of the driver's knee or a glove box in front of a passenger's knees and having a knee impact absorber structure attached behind each end of the bridge plate. Each knee impact absorber structure has diverging front and back walls having a curved top wall and a curved generally horizontal intermediate web extending between the front and back walls, and a curved bottom wall connecting the lower end of front and back walls together. A generally vertical stabilizer web connects the top wall and intermediate web together to restrain bulging when crushed to avoid horizontal collapse thereof during deformation. Offset openings in each of the top wall, intermediate web, and bottom wall form wider curved strips at the inside adjacent the steering column space so that the front of the outside ends of the knee installation absorber structures are inclined away from the steering column space when deformed by knee impact. The knee installation absorber structures are either extruded and the openings thereafter cut into the top wall, intermediate web and bottom wall, or formed from a flat strip of material into which openings are cut prior to forming the strip.
US08172262B2	Initiator housing assembly An initiator housing assembly includes a preformed initiator receiving portion defining a first cavity and a body portion affixed to the receiving portion and defining a second cavity. An opening leading into the first cavity is positioned within the second cavity. An initiator assembly, as gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the initiator housing assembly are also provided.
US08172260B2	Bi-lobular air bag An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a vertically extending central recess (200) and first and second lobes (202 and 204) positioned on opposite sides of the central recess. The central recess (200) and the first and second lobes (202 and 204) are defined at least partially by an elongated center panel (210) of the protection device (14). The center panel (210) includes first and second longitudinal edges (250 and 252) that are spaced apart from each other and that extend along the length of opposite edge portions of the center panel. The center panel (210) also includes first and second end portions (260 and 280) that are spaced apart and that are positioned opposite each other along the length of the center panel. The center panel (210) is arranged in a loop, and a portion (270) of the first longitudinal edge (252) along the first end portion (260) is interconnected with a portion (290) of the second longitudinal edge (250) along the second end portion (280) of the panel to form a vertically extending seam (220) that helps define the central recess.
US08172256B2	Cart The present invention includes a cart which includes: a chassis connected to a plurality of wheels; a basket mounted on the chassis and adapted to store one or more items therein; and a bridge element which is formed as an integral part of the cart and is adapted to fit onto an edge of a vehicular trunk, wherein the bridge element of the cart is at an area of the cart located between the basket and the wheels.
US08172247B2	Bicycle aero handlebar assembly A bicycle handlebar assembly that includes a number of grip sites, forearm supports, and a number of structures that have airfoil shaped cross-sections and that provide a highly adjustable handlebar assembly with improved aerodynamic performance across the range of adjustment of the handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly includes a pair of shim stacks that each includes a number of shims that are selectively mountable to the handlebar assembly to adjust a relative vertical height of left hand and right hand aerobars and arm pads. The aerobars and arm pads are secured to the handlebar by way of corresponding clamping assemblies such that the aerobars and arm pads are movably secured to the handlebar assembly to provide the highly adjustable aero handlebar assembly.
US08172246B2	Adjustable bicycle fender assembly A fender mounting system that is particularly applicable to bicycles and that includes one or more adjustable strap assemblies that connect the fender to the bicycle. The strap assemblies include a first portion that is individually securable to the fender and a second portion that is individually securable to the underlying bicycle. A clamp assembly cooperates with the respective portions of the strap assembly so that the portions of the strap assembly bypass one another when the clamp assembly is loose to allow positioning of the fender relative to the wheel while the fender assembly is attached, albeit loosely, to the bicycle. Tightening of the clamp assembly fixes the position of the fender relative to an adjacent wheel.
US08172243B2	Jogging stroller A stroller is provided that features a frame element and at least one wheel supporting the frame, a first arm member configured to be gripped by a human hand mechanically coupled to the frame element such that the first arm member moves in a reciprocating manner with respect to the frame element, and a second arm member configured to be gripped by a human hand mechanically coupled to the frame element such that the second arm member moves in a reciprocating manner with respect to the frame element. A coupling member is provided that mechanically couples the first arm member to the second arm member such that the reciprocating movement of the first arm member is substantially maintained in opposition to the reciprocating movement of the second arm member whereby the natural periodic movement of human arms during walking or jogging is facilitated.
US08172240B2	Transport apparatus for transporting a vibration compactor The invention relates to a transport apparatus for a vibration compactor that comprises an axle with a wheel being arranged on each of its ends. The transport apparatus of the invention is advantageous, because it does not require any reconfiguration work, special tools or other special measures for transporting the vibration compactor.
US08172235B2	Chuck mechanism of striking tool Connection of a bit with two balls is enabled while high operability of attachment and detachment of the bit is maintained. A pressing ring 23 is held at the advance position together with an operation sleeve 22 by a guide washer 24 forced by a coil spring 25. When the rear end of the bit is inserted into a tool holder 8, the balls 27, 27 that are rolled rearward by the contact of the rear end of the bit are pushed in between the pressing ring 23 and the guide washer 24 in order, and the balls 27, 27 can be retracted from the tool holder 8 in the state where the pressing ring 23 is held at the advance position by the tilt of the guide washer 24.
US08172231B2	Pop-up target turner A target system providing various target arrangements is provided. The varying target arrangements provide different visual presentations to the shooter to increase the shooting experience. Various target arrangements include auto-resetting targets that do not require user input to reset. Further, one target arrangement is an active target that continuously changes its visual presentation to the user.
US08172226B2	Sheet conveyance device and image forming apparatus A sheet conveyance device has a sheet conveyance path formed by a guide member having a curved surface which is curved in a sheet conveyance direction, and a flexible sheet scanner is provided along the curved surface of the guide member, the flexible sheet scanner has an optical sensor layer in which photoelectric conversion devices formed by combinations of organic transistors and organic photodiodes are continuously arranged in a matrix shape.
US08172225B2	Feeding device and image recording apparatus with the feeding device A feeding device has a conveying roller that rotates in a forward direction and a reverse direction, to selectively convey a sheet in a conveying direction and a reverse conveying direction. A particular guide member is positioned on an upstream side, guides the conveyed sheet toward the conveying roller, and has a stopper that contacts an end portion of the sheet, thereby stopping movement of the sheet in the reverse conveying direction. A control unit causes the conveying roller to rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position, then to rotate the conveying roller in the reverse direction, wherein the end portion of the sheet contacts the stopper while the conveying roller rotates in the reverse direction, and then to again rotate the conveying roller in the forward direction, such that the sheet is conveyed toward the conveying roller.
US08172219B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus having sheet feeding device A sheet feeding device is provided to separate a sheet from a plurality of stacked sheets and feed the sheet. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet stacking portion on which the sheets are stacked, a suction conveyance belt which separates the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, one by one and feeds the sheet, and a separation rotating roller which is rotatable upon abutting on a rear portion, in a feeding direction, of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion. The separation rotating roller rotates in a direction which returns the sheet in synchronization with sheet feeding operation performed by the suction conveyance belt.
US08172213B2	Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying motor for conveying a sheet along a conveying path, a skew detecting unit configured to detect a quantity of skew of the conveyed sheet, a hole punching section arranged downstream from the skew detecting unit, an attitude control unit configured to carry out skew correction by changing tilt angle of the hole punching section in accordance with the quantity of skew, a detecting unit configured to detect the forward edge and the rear edge of the sheet conveyed into the hole punching section, and a control unit configured to control the conveying motor to control the conveying speed of the sheet. During a period from when the detecting unit detects the forward edge of the sheet until the detecting unit detects the rear edge, the sheet is decelerated from a first conveying speed to a second conveying speed. After the detecting unit detects the rear edge of the sheet, the conveying of the sheet is stopped and punching processing to the sheet is executed when the conveying is stopped.
US08172211B2	Work rests for supporting a workpiece in a machining unit and machining units containing such work rests Workpiece rests are disclosed, for holding workpieces in machining systems which machine the workpieces using a cutting beam, e.g., a laser beam. A workpiece rest includes a frame, a plurality of rest elements which are arranged adjacent to one another in the frame so as to support the workpiece, and a supporting element attached to at least one of the rest elements.
US08172210B2	Holding unit for panel transmitting device A holding unit for a panel transmitting device provided with a robot of an articulated joint type to hold a panel of various types and transmit between processes includes a supporting means and a plurality of moving means. An end of the supporting means is movably supported and fixed to the robot and the other end of which extends along a width direction of the panel. Each of the moving means is provided with a moving bar an end of which is provided at a side of the supporting means and is able to rotate and slide in a thickness direction and a width direction of the panel so that the other end thereof may hold the panel. With the unit, precise position adjustment can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
US08172209B2	Fluid filled type vibration damping device A vibration damping device including: a rubber elastic body connecting first and second mounting members; a partition member supported on the second mounting member; a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber connected by a first orifice passage; an oscillating plate defining the pressure-receiving chamber; and an electromagnetic actuator for actuating the oscillating plate. The oscillating plate is constituted by a cylinder shaped hole and a piston shaped plate accommodated within the cylinder shaped hole with a gap provided therebetween. An output member of the electromagnetic actuator is linked to the piston shaped plate. A plate spring extending in an axis-perpendicular direction is disposed to an opposite side from the electromagnetic actuator with the piston shaped plate therebetween, with the oscillating plate linked to and supported in an axial direction with respect to the partition member by the plate spring.
US08172208B2	Variable spring rate shock mount having a replaceable core A shock mount device for a container includes a variable spring rate assembly coupled to a shock retainer. The variable spring rate assembly is removable from the shock retainer without removing equipment from the container. The variable spring rate assembly includes a replaceable core that may be exchanged with a replaceable core having either a larger or smaller durometer depending on a weight-to-load ration of equipment in the container. Removing and replacing the replaceable core may include removing and replacing the entire variable spring rate assembly.
US08172206B2	System for forming mini microbubbles A system for forming mini microbubbles has a motor, a shaft attached to the motor, a displacer attached to the shaft for mixing a media with a liquid, a discharge plate positioned adjacent the displacer, a housing adjustably attached to the discharge plate, and a media chamber fluidly connected with the discharge plate. The motor rotates the shaft. The discharge plate has a discharge hole formed therein. The media chamber is fluidly connected to the discharge hole of the discharge plate. The discharge plate is positioned between the motor and the displacer. The displacer is positioned within the housing. The media chamber can be positioned between the motor and the discharge plate.
US08172203B2	Auxiliary member for ratchet buckle An auxiliary member for a ratchet buckle includes a U-shaped frame, a shank; two plastic bushes, a levering set, a holder, and a bolt set, wherein central sections of two sides of the frame connect with the shank axially, one end of the shank couples with the levering set, and open ends of the two sides of the frame connect with a body of the buckle by using the bolt set, such that the belt can be pulled while in use and rolled while in no use easily, and used to fix merchandises securely during transporting process.
US08172201B2	Exhaust throttling valve using a general purpose actuator An exhaust throttling valve (12) is provided for a vehicle. The valve includes a body structure (16, 41) having a bore (47) there-through. A shaft (28) is supported by the body structure for rotational movement. A valve member (34) is associated with the shaft such rotational movement of the shaft rotates the valve member. The valve member is disposed in the bore and is constructed and arranged to rotate between a first position substantially closing the bore and a second position at least partly opening the bore. A hard stop (56) is associated with the shaft so as to rotate therewith. First and second adjustment structures (52, 54) are constructed and arranged so that upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, the hard stop engages the first adjustment structure and upon rotation of the shaft in a direction opposite the one direction, the hard stop engages the second adjustment structure, thus limiting travel of the valve member.
US08172200B2	Flow control valve for fluidized material A flow control valve for fluidized material comprises a valve housing having a valve chamber with a valve seat and a valve plug having a flow passage, the valve plug being arranged inside the valve chamber in front of the valve seat (30) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation for controlling a flow through the flow control valve. It further comprises spring means biasing the valve plug against the valve seat perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, for achieving a sealing contact between the valve seat and the valve plug. According to an important aspect of the invention, the spring means comprises at least one cantilever spring (40) arranged in a clearance space opposite to the valve seat (30) so as to bias the valve plug against the valve seat.
US08172190B2	Pump mounting bracket having stationary and flexible hooks inwardly extending towards one another A mounting bracket may include a base plate, at least one stationary clip disposed on the base plate, a push releasing plate disposed in spaced apart relation to the at least one stationary clip, and at least one movable clip operatively coupled to and movable with the push releasing plate. The stationary clip or clips and movable clip or clips are disposed and configured to mate with cavities in respective ends of a pump when the push releasing plate is in a non-pivoted position.
US08172188B2	Fully adjustable bracket for removable and stationary saddlebag support system One embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable bracket assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The bracket assembly comprises an integral planar attachment portion, at least one integral mounting portion separate from the planar attachment portion, at least one integral locking portion separate from the attachment portion and at least one integral keeper. The integral planar attachment portion includes a reception portion, wherein at least one of the planar attachment portion and reception portion include at least one slot. The at least one integral attachment mounting portion includes an engaging portion and a mating portion that engages the reception portion, wherein at least the engaging portion is substantially parallel to the planar attachment portion when engaged. The engaging portion includes a receiving portion having diameter “drc” and a radius portion in fluid communication with the receiving portion, the radius portion having diameter “drd”, wherein drc>drd. The at least one integral locking portion engages the attachment portion, and mates with at least the radius portion. The keeper has a diameter “dk”, wherein drd−dk=α. As α approaches a manufacture tolerance, drd approaches and is substantially equal to dk.
US08172186B2	Display support seat A display support seat is mounted on a display, such that the display is able to be located on a plane after being supported. In the present invention, a main seat and a cover are mounted to form an accommodation space, and the display is mounted on the main seat. Also, the accommodation space is provided for a main board module to be disposed therein, so as to form a computer host. In such a manner, assembly space demands for a computer and a display is effectively reduced. Moreover, a user may select that the present invention merely serves as a support seat, or merely serves as a computer host, or serve as a support seat and a computer host at the same time depending on practical use demands.
US08172178B2	Device for generating aerodynamic disturbances so as to protect the outer surface of an aircraft against elevated temperatures An aircraft with an outer surface from which flows an aerodynamic stream of cold air and includes at least one hot gas outlet, characterized in that it includes at least one device (16) for generating aerodynamic disturbances so as to mix hot gas and cold air, whereby the at least one device is connected to an outer surface (10) for protection against the heat and/or close to a hot gas outlet (12).
US08172175B2	Pivoting door thrust reverser for a turbofan gas turbine engine A pivot arrangement for a thrust reverser door of a gas turbine engine, the pivot fitting having a base and a shaft projecting from a main side of the base. The shaft receives a preferably curved pivot arm of the door to provide a low profile arrangement which improves performance when the doors are stowed.
US08172172B2	Wing tip docking system for aircraft A system and method for docking various types of aircraft is disclosed. An aerodynamic lifting structure docking mechanism for docking two or more aircraft is provided comprising an aerodynamic lifting structure. The aerodynamic lifting structure includes a first and second airflow adjustment mechanism. The aerodynamic lifting structure further includes a first hard docking mechanism, and a second hard docking mechanism, and still further includes a soft docking mechanism. The first and second airflow adjustment mechanisms are configured to substantially remove any aerodynamic lifting structure vortices around each of the aerodynamic lifting structure tip areas. The soft docking mechanism is configured to soft dock a first aerodynamic lifting structure with a second aerodynamic lifting structure. The first hard docking mechanism is configured to hard dock with the second hard docking mechanism, thereby temporarily attaching the first aerodynamic lifting structure with the second aerodynamic lifting structure.
US08172171B1	Doff system and method An adjustable doff core device for installation in the hollow center of a center-pull doff has a tubular core with a fixed internal diameter configured for engagement on a processor configured to dispense material from the outside of a doff. An adjustable outer press bar portion is adjustably mounted on the outside of the tubular core by an adjustment mechanism and is movable between an inner, contracted position and outwardly expanded positions spaced outwardly from the tubular core to define an adjustable outer diameter of the device. The press bar portion is configured for substantially non-slip engagement with an inner diameter of a hollow center-pull doff. A locking device releasably locks the press bar portion in a selected adjusted position.
US08172170B2	Modular creel A portable creel for organizing yarn packages and directing yarn to a tufting machine. A portable creel provides flexibility for carpet manufactures in that operators can pre-load portable creels with yarn packages for future runs and move them into position when needed. In one aspect, the portable creel comprises an outer frame and a movable inner frame. The inner frame is configured to hold a plurality of yarn packages and the outer frame comprises a plurality of tubes configured to direct the yarn from the yarn packages to a header. The header, in turn, directs the yarn from the portable creel to specific portions of a tufting machine.
US08172169B2	Media-agitation type pulverizer Disclosed is a media-agitation type pulverizer, which is enabled to acquire products of high quality by excellent pulverizing/dispersing actions. The media-agitation type pulverizer comprises a grinding container having a material entrance and a spherical grinding chamber, an agitating member disposed rotatably in the grinding chamber and near the inner wall of the grinding container, grinding media contained in the grinding chamber, and a centrifugal-type media-separating member rotatably disposed in the grinding chamber and in opposed relation to the agitating member.
US08172168B2	Roller grinding mill A roller grinding mill is provided that includes a grinding plate, grinding rollers, and at least two drives acting upon the grinding plate, and to a method for operating such a roller grinding mill. At least one grinding roller and substantially simultaneously at least one matching drive can be disengaged during operation. Thus only small radial forces are created that effect the radial bearing of the grinding plate.
US08172166B2	Roll mill with automatic control of roll-to-roll distance and inter-roll pressure A roll mill for a milling-dispersing treatment has a fixed roll fixed to a frame, and a transfer roll displaceable into and out of contact with the fixed roll in a direction perpendicular to the fixed roll by a servomotor and a ball screw. A laser sensor disposed between the fixed roll and the transfer roll measures the distance between the rolls, and a load sensor measures a pressing force between the rolls. An electronic automatic control device maintains a constant distance and a constant pressing force between the fixed roll and the transfer roll by feedback of detection signals sent from the respective sensors, wherein the servomotor is driven by the electronic automatic control device to adjust the position of the transfer roll.
US08172163B2	System and method for producing nanomaterials This system and method for producing nanomaterials allows for the production of relatively high concentrations of nanoparticles with a minimum of expense, time and energy. Ultrasonic waves, produced at a power of approximately 50 W with a frequency of 26.23 kHz, are projected on a material sample while, simultaneously, a fluid stream jet is projected on the material sample. The ultrasonic waves, in the presence of the fluid jet, create cavities that explode at the surface of the solid material, leading to creation of cracks in the material surface. With the increase in the number of cracks in the material, the solid material erodes. The eroded material, which is on the nanometer scale, is collected on a suitable substrate, such as silicon. This method allows for the preparation of nanoparticles from any solid material, in particular very hard materials, such as diamond, silicon carbide and the like.
US08172161B2	Valve body, fluid injector and process for manufacturing a valve body A fluid injector has a housing, an actuator and a valve body. The valve body has a cartridge (21) with a recess, that forms an injection nozzle on one end, and with a needle (22), that is arranged in the recess and closes the injection nozzle, if it rests with its seat area (224) on a needle seat (215) of the cartridge (21). The area (216) of the cartridge (21) adjacent to the needle seat (215) has a cylindrically-shaped outer contour and the needle (22) has a cylindrically-shaped area (223) adjacent to the seat area (224). The area (216) adjacent to the needle seat (215) and the cylindrically-shaped area (223) have the same diameter.
US08172160B2	Method and device for dispersing a liquid for use in fogging The invention concerns a device comprising a rotary body (1) made of a fibrous or porous material, means for rotating (3, 4) said body (1) and means for inputting liquid (10, 11) contacting said body (1), so as to subject said liquid to the dispersing action of forces at the liquid/solid interface, and to rotate the body (1) so as to subject the comminuted liquid to a centrifugal force.
US08172159B2	Surface to move a fluid via fringe electric fields Macroscopic volumes of fluid can be moved across a surface, including windshields, without mechanical assistance. Insulated electrodes, which for windshields and windows are preferably transparent, are embedded in the surface of the windshield. Varying voltages are supplied to the electrodes to generate intense surface fringe electric fields moving in a given direction across the surface. The intense surface fringe electric fields exert strong electrical forces on the polar molecules of the fluid. These forces move the fluid in specific directions dependent on the geometry of the electrode array and the manner in which voltage is applied to each electrode within an array of electrodes.
US08172158B1	Flangeway former and rail boot system A flangeway former and rail boot system where the flangeway former has an anchor for anchoring the former in surrounding material, and a groove for receiving a protrusion on the rail boot for positioning the former on the boot. The system can also include a spacer and retaining clips.
US08172156B2	Thin film based microfluidic devices Disclosed herein are devices comprising at least one flexible seal, at least one flexible complex seal having at least one closed cavity containing a fluid, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise at least one immobile and inflexible substrate and at least one mobile and inflexible substrate capable of movement due to the flexible seal, the flexible complex seal, or both. The flexible complex seals comprise at least one closed cavity comprising a fluid, such as a gas or a liquid. As disclosed, the presence or absence of heat will cause the mobile and inflexible substrate to move. The movement will increase or decrease the fluid amount or fluid flow rate in the primary fluid layer. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing the insulating properties of insulating assemblies.
US08172151B2	Secure use of externally stored data A smart card reader is adapted to extract and store authentication data from a response APDU received from a smart card before generating a filtered response APDU, wherein the filtered response APDU does not include the authentication data. Beneficially, when the smart card reader transmits the filtered response APDU toward a destination, the biometric template data is less susceptible to interception, thereby providing a more secure solution.
US08172147B2	Method and system for the estimating the energy consumption of commercially available electrical devices Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for estimating electrical power usage of commercially available devices utilizing a portable computing device equipped with a digital camera. In some embodiments, initial input to the system is accomplished by taking a digital photograph of an electrical device surface in order to capture text or other marks such as barcodes from which power usage of the device can be determined. In some embodiments OCR (optical character recognition) is used to retrieve text from the digital photograph. If successfully extracted from the captured text, power parameters such as voltage, amperes and watts are provided to the system user on the display of the mobile device. At this point an estimate of electrical device usage during a particular time period, such as a week, can be input into the system. The system will then calculate power usage over the specified time period for the electrical device and show the result on the system display.
US08172138B2	Device and method for smart card assisted digital content purchase and storage The present invention discloses a device and a method useful for the provision of secure payment and certification of digital content access, while the devise comprises: at least one IC chip containing an operating system and memory provisions, an interface of a plurality of N plated electrical input contacts (PEICs); interconnected to said IC chip; N is an integer number equal or higher than 1; and, at least one operating system able to process information and recall it, stored on said IC chip; at least one encoding mathematical formula stored on said IC chip that generates a response to input provided by entering a prescribed sequence of electrical inputs to said PEICs by means of said card reader; at least one human interface that prompts the end user to enter data and enables the entry of said data, e.g., by means of an interconnected keypad.
US08172137B1	Authentication with no physical identification document Authentication of an individual can be performed even when the individual does not have physical identification documents. A person provides a password, a contact number and at least one piece of human generated information to a company. When the person wants to establish identity, he/she first calls an agent of the company. The agent asks the caller questions that include the human generated information. If the agent is satisfied that the caller is the authorized person, the agent sends a code to the caller using the contact number. The caller can use the password and the code to later authenticate himself/herself.
US08172136B2	Method of authorizing automated banking machine use responsive to user data read from data bearing records An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards, to cause machine user authorization and financial transfers. Account data read from a user card is associated in a data store with instructions for displaying a customer interface uniquely associated with the particular bank where the user holds the account. The customer interface includes user-selectable financial transaction options. The arrangement enables the customer interface of the user's home bank, with which the user is familiar, to also be automatically displayed when the user operates automated banking machines of other banks.
US08172131B2	Method for handling cassettes for bank notes A method is provided for handling cassettes for bank notes, for automatic tellers and/or deposit devices. The method for handling cassettes for bank notes, for automatic tellers and/or deposit devices, includes the step of determining the filling level of the cassette or cassettes, comparing the determined filling level of each cassette with at least one threshold value lower than a maximum capacity of the particular cassette, and wherein, if the comparison yields an excess, the step of producing a signal indicating the exceeding of the threshold value, causing replacement of the cassette for which the signal indicating the exceeding of the threshold value was produced.
US08172129B1	Method for tracking breast milk in a neonatal care facility A system and method for tracking breast milk in a neonatal facility using optically-scannable identifiers. The optically-scannable identifiers are affixed to containers and measuring devices containing breast milk. The identifiers are used in the association of the containers and measuring devices with an infant.
US08172128B2	Counter device Improved counter device (1) having a hollow casing (2) on the inside of which a mechanical type of numerator assembly (3) is housed with an activation device for the numerator assembly (3), and wherein said activation device has a rod (4) that is axially moveable in a straight line having a protrusion that is perpendicular to the rod (4) coupled in a elongated hole (7) located in a moving element (6) jointed in a fixed point that can move at an angle; said moveable element (6) being coupled at one end to a toothed wheel (8) connected to the hub of the numerator assembly (3) itself, in a such way that when the rod (4) moves, when receives a impulsion, to record a numeric count brought about by the slide of the protrusion along the mentioned elongated hole (7) in turn bringing about the angular sliding of the moveable element (6) that activates the toothed wheel of the assembly (3).
US08172126B2	Joining of parts via magnetic heating of metal-aluminum powders A method of joining at least two parts includes steps of dispersing a joining material comprising a multi-phase nanocrystalline magnetic metal-aluminum powder at an interface between the at least two parts to be joined and applying an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The AMF has a magnetic field strength and frequency suitable for inducing magnetic hysteresis losses in the metal-aluminum powder and is applied for a period that raises temperature of the metal-aluminum powder to an exothermic transformation temperature. At the exothermic transformation temperature, the metal-aluminum powder melts and resolidifies as a metal aluminide solid having a non-magnetic configuration.
US08172125B2	Vehicle door frame and method of producing the same A vehicle door frame includes first and second door frame members which are positioned end-to-end to be butt-welded to each other, wherein each of the first and second door frame members includes a design part, an enclosed section provided on a vehicle interior side, a connecting part which connects an inner surface of the design part with the enclosed section; and first and second dam protrusions which project from the inner surface of the design part and are positioned on opposite sides of the connecting part, respectively. Molten metal is present in the first and second spaces after the molten metal has melted and passed through the inner surface of the design part from the outer surface thereof upon butted ends of the first and second door frame members being butt-welded to each other from the outer surface of the design part.
US08172121B2	Stapler powered auxiliary device There is disclosed an auxiliary device for injecting material between the jaws of a surgical stapler. The auxiliary device includes a nozzle assembly having a discharge port and a compression assembly having at least one compression roller for forcing material out of the discharge port. The disclosed compression rollers may be formed of an incompressible or compressible material. The auxiliary device also includes a drive mechanism for moving the compression assembly within a nozzle body of the nozzle assembly. There is also disclosed a rupturable capsule for retaining material to be dispensed.
US08172119B2	Parallel motion stapler Embodiments described herein relate to a stapler that is constructed in a manner such that the handle of the stapler remains at least substantially parallel to the base as the handle is moved downward by a user to actuate a stapling operation. One illustrative embodiment is directed to a stapler movable between a rest position and a staple ejection position that comprises a base, a stapler body, a handle, and a linkage assembly coupled to each of the base and the handle. The stapler body comprises a strike plate, a magazine, and at least one engagement surface coupled to the strike plate. The handle is operable to actuate the strike plate. The linkage assembly comprises at least one linkage member having at least one actuation surface configured to exert a force on the at least one engagement surface as the at least one actuation surface moves along the at least one engagement surface. The linkage assembly couples the base to the handle in such a manner that the handle remains at least substantially parallel to the base as the handle is moved from the rest position to the staple ejection position.
US08172110B2	Container for infusion liquids Containers for infusion liquids and methods for making the same are described herein. Aspects of an exemplary container include an extended hollow body, a standing bottom, collapsible side walls and a tapered shoulder region which transforms into a neck. Fold lines (BL) are provided and configured such that they cause portions of the container having the fold lines to be flattened when liquid is removed from the container without venting.
US08172109B2	Nozzle and/or adaptor unit on cartridge A cartridge (120) secured to either a nozzle (110) and/or adaptor unit wherein the nozzle or adaptor unit comprises a substantially annular portion (135) adapted to fit snugly around an end of the cartridge (120) wherein the substantially annular portion (135) acts as a seal against any leakage from the cartridge (120).
US08172108B2	Gas tank and manufacturing method of gas tank A gas tank is provided which can ensure high gas barrier properties even with respect to a gas having a small molecular size, for example, a hydrogen gas. In a high-pressure gas tank comprising a resin liner inside an FRP layer, an oxide layer is formed on the inner surface of the resin liner. When a reinforcing fiber is wound around the outer surface of the resin liner by a filament winding process, air is beforehand enclosed inside the resin liner. Next, when the reinforcing fiber is thermally cured to form the FRP layer, the inner surface of the resin liner is thermally oxidized to form the oxide layer.
US08172106B2	Laminated pulp disposable paint tray Recycled paper pulp is processed to form a rigid paint tray base. The paint tray base is then laminated with a film, which may be fully or partially recyclable and/or biodegradable. The film prevents saturation of the pulp from the paint's moisture, which would damage the integrity of the pulp. Once the painting is completed, the film may be separated from the pulp base. The pulp base may then be discarded with wastepaper or used for compost. The film may be recycled or disposed of with other non-biodegradable waste.
US08172105B2	Container for storing and dispensing small solid materials A container for storing and dispensing pills is provided. The container has a housing with an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of compartments therein. The compartments have an open end adjacent the upper end of the housing and a lower end adjacent the lower end of the housing. The lower end of each compartment has an opening with a hinged door covering the opening. A cam having a cam surface is attached to the door so the cam rotates as the door opens and closes. A cam follower pin abuts the cam surface and the cam follower pin is constrained to move along a predefined path. The doors can be opened manually one at a time or all together by pushing downward on a centrally located handle at the top of the container. When opening all the door simultaneously the handle can be retained in the door open position by sliding two flanges beneath the handle into a slot and rotating the handle left or right. The housing is mounted to a rotatable lazy-Susan base.
US08172101B2	Flip top cap with contamination protection A cap is provided for a laboratory vessel. The cap includes a lid that can be rotated relative to the laboratory vessel from a closed position to an open position. The lid includes at least one tab dimensioned and disposed for receiving manual digital pressure for opening and/or closing the lid. The tab is in an offset position to prevent a thumb or forefinger from passing over and in contact with the opening to the vessel. Additionally, the lid includes a shield inwardly from the tab for further preventing contact between a finger and the open top of the vessel.
US08172100B2	Nacelle travelling crane The present invention relates to an overhead travelling crane (2) for a nacelle (1) of a wind turbine, said travelling crane comprising at least a first suspension beam (3); a second suspension beam (4), said suspension beams being arranged with a space between them; a cross beam (5), said cross beam being movably connected to said first and second suspension beams so that the cross beam can be moved along the suspension beams; and at least one lifting device (6), said lifting device being movably connected to the cross beam. Said first and second suspension beams are parts of concentric circles, said -concentric circles sharing the same center and having different radii. The cross beam may be inclined.
US08172099B1	Fixture for forming decorative loops for fondant and gum paste bows A fixture (12) for forming decorative loops of fondant and gum paste has a support base (14) and two support members (16, 18). The support members (12) are pivotally mounted to opposite, longitudinally disposed ends of the support base (12) for moving from extending horizontally in storage positions to extending vertically in production positions, spaced apart in opposed relation. Apertures (26, 28) extend transversely through the support members (16, 18) and are aligned in registration for receiving forming rods (34, 36) and holding the Forming rods (36, 38) in stationary positions, spaced apart along lengths of the support members (16, 18). In a storage configuration, the support members (16, 18) are folded into horizontally disposed storage positions atop an upper surface of the support base (12), and the forming rods (36, 38) are secured in rod retaining clips (42, 44) mounted to the upper side of the support base (14).
US08172097B2	LED display module An LED display module having features for improvement over prior art devices by providing novel features for improved LED visibility, improved weather and climatological sealing, improved electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression, improved heat dissipation, and improved airflow.
US08172096B2	Shelf for a shelving unit A sheet metal shelf has a front edge, a back edge and a load carrying flat portion, the front edge comprising a support for supporting display elements of a display system. The sheet material at the front edge is formed as a first enclosed channel integrally formed with the load carrying flat portion, so the channel provides the support at the front edge of the shelf. The support has apertures for attaching the display elements.
US08172093B1	Method and apparatus for marketing greeting cards in display fixtures A greeting card display includes an upper tier and a lower tier positioned below the upper tier. The upper and lower tiers include multiple rows of pockets for displaying greeting cards. The pockets of the upper tier typically present greeting cards in a full-facing manner to display the full face of each greeting card. The pockets of the lower tier typically present greeting cards in a partial-facing manner. The upper tier can include a card highlighter positioned along one of the rows of pockets and having pockets to present and highlight cards placed therein. Shadowboxes capable of displaying a greeting card in a full-facing manner can be positioned above the upper tier on the display and are designed to attract the attention of the consumer. A display panel, designed to evoke emotions associated with greeting cards in the shadowboxes, can be positioned between one or more of the shadowboxes.
US08172091B2	Connection device for hydraulic circuit The present invention relates to a connecting element for hydraulic circuits. The device comprises a body provided with one channel having an inlet section and an outlet section, the channel being connectable with a fluid supply line, said body being further provided with an aperture which opens, to the outside, into a seat located in the channel. The devices also comprises a filter element insertable in a removable manner into the seat, through the aperture, in order to intercept the fluid in the channel. Advantageously the filter element is defined by at least two portions, coupled with angled or radiused joints to define an internal volume, one portion having a different geometry from the other.
US08172087B2	Separation apparatus Disclosed is a separation apparatus comprising a conveyor; and a material separator positioned above a conveyor, the conveyor being arranged to convey a mixture of materials to the material separator; the material separator comprising a suction duct comprising a sidewall which defines a passageway linking an inlet positioned adjacent the conveyor to an outlet positioned away from the conveyor; and an airflow generator arranged to blow air through a slit in the sidewall into the passageway at a position between the inlet and the outlet; wherein, in use, the airflow generator blows air through the slit in a direction which is towards the outlet for creating a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet thereby generating an airflow which causes relatively low density materials to be lifted from the conveyor and sucked into the passageway.
US08172079B2	Container with secondary substance, preferably a liquid for attachment to and mixing with container of a primary liquid An apparatus for adding a secondary substance to a primary liquid within a sealed container, for example, a shot of liquor to be added to a can of soda. A secondary container contains the secondary substance preferably a liquid and has a frangible seal. A mechanism sealingly and mechanically attaches the secondary container to the hull of a primary container having primary liquid. A frangible seal is provided to the secondary container. A penetrator is disposed at least partially within the housing of the secondary container and is at least partially surrounded by the attachment mechanism. —The penetrator causes rupture of the seal and mechanically penetrates through the hull of the primary container. The substance from the secondary container mixes with the liquid of the primary container. The secondary container may attach to the top, side, or bottom of a conventional primary container, a soda can.
US08172078B1	Solid and liquid separating device A solid and liquid separating device includes an inner container and an outer container. The outer container is sized to receive the inner container. The inner container retains solids. The inner container includes an open bottom that is covered by liquid permeable membrane. The liquid permeable membrane is preferably stretchable. The outer container is filled with a liquid. The inner container floats on a top of the liquid in the outer container. A utensil (such as a spoon) is inserted into the solids and pressed into a portion of the liquid permeable membrane. The liquid permeable membrane stretches and allows liquid to enter the inner container. The liquid combines with the solids in the inner container. When the utensil is withdrawn from the liquid permeable membrane, the liquid no longer enters the inner container. The inner container now floats on the liquid in the outer container.
US08172075B2	Apparatus for producing and/or processing panels Device for producing and/or processing panels includes a panel transport device utilizing two double-belt conveyors for transporting panels along a transport path. A processing device is used for processing the panels during their transporting by the panel transport device. Each of the two double-belt conveyors includes an upper endless belt and a lower endless belt having transport strand sides essentially parallel to the transport path and deflection devices arranged to at the ends of the transport strand sides. A plurality of guide rollers are arranged between the deflection devices of at least one of the endless belts to support the transport strand side of the at least one endless belt. At least one roller cassette is arranged to support several of the plurality of guide rollers.
US08172071B2	Tilting and rotating station for use in an automated order-picking system A system (10) and method for packing an article (20) onto a shipping carrier (26), the article (20) having an arbitrary orientation relative to the conveyor (28) and being transported within an order-picking system on a conveyor (28; 28a, 28b) downstream towards a packing station (22), which includes a packing robot (12) for automatically loading the shipping carrier (26), wherein the article (20) is to be put down with one of its faces (38) onto the shipping carrier (26). The one of the faces can be predetermined arbitrarily, comprising: a rotating station (30), preferably provided in the conveyor (28), and thus dividing the conveyor (28), having a rotation area (42), which is substantially arranged in a plane of the conveyor (28) for receiving an article (20) from the conveyor (28), and which is rotatable from a receiving position about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor (28) into a plurality of delivery positions; and a tilting station (32) comprising a tilt area (46), wherein the tilt area (46) in a receiving position is substantially orientated parallel with respect to the plane of the conveyor (28), and in a tilting position is substantially orientated perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor (28).
US08172068B2	Coin slope A sloping surface slopes downward. Longwise ribs are provided to be adjacent to each other on the sloping surface. The longwise ribs extend from an upper area of the sloping surface to a lower area of the sloping surface. A diagonal rib diagonally crosses a direction orthogonal to a direction of a gravitational force on the sloping surface. The diagonal rib is not taller than the longwise rib.
US08172067B1	Cancel transaction and return of same funds The present invention supports processing a transaction by a cash handling device. With one aspect, a cash recycling device includes a plate that covers a stacking cassette in order to prevent a deposited note from entering the stacking cassette before the transaction is completed by the user. The plate retracts to allow the deposited note to enter the stacking cassette when the transaction is completed. If the transaction is canceled, all notes on top of the plate are returned to the user. With another aspect, a cash recycling device extracts a deposited note from a stacking cassette if the user cancels the transaction. If a double pick occurs, the extracted note is diverted to a divert cassette. The first extracted note of the double pick is returned to the user. The remaining extracted notes are returned to the stacking cassette. The process may be repeated for all deposited notes.
US08172055B2	One-way clutch A one-way clutch is proposed which includes an outer race having a radially inner surface in which a plurality of pockets are formed. Rollers are each received in one of the pockets. Wedge-shaped spaces are defined between respective cam surfaces of the pockets and a shaft inserted through the outer race. When the shaft rotates in one direction, the rollers are wedged into the narrow ends of the respective wedge-shaped spaces, thereby locking the clutch. When the shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the rollers move toward the wide ends of the wedge-shaped spaces, thereby unlocking the clutch. The casing includes a main body and a cylindrical member fitted in the main body and made of an elastic synthetic resin. The outer race is fitted in the cylindrical member.
US08172047B2	Compact combination brake cylinder comprising a pneumatic locking mechanism A brake cylinder for pneumatic vehicle brakes, especially for utility vehicles includes a spring brake section for carrying out parking brake actions by way of a brake spring, and a service brake section for carrying out pneumatic service brake actions. The spring brake section and the service brake section are combined in one housing as a structural unit. The housing is subdivided by a piston into two compartments, one compartment of the two being used as the pressure compartment for actuating the service brake section, and the brake spring of the spring section being arranged in the other compartment on the opposite end of the piston. The brake spring acts upon an additional spring piston in the compartment, which can be locked relative to the piston by a pneumatic locking mechanism and can be released therefrom by releasing the locking mechanism. The spring piston is connected to a piston rod directly or via additional elements to actuate the vehicle brake. Once the locking mechanism is released, the brake spring is effective between the two pistons and displaces them relative to each other during a parking brake action. The locking mechanism is configured as a pneumatic coupling.
US08172044B2	Elevator system An elevator system including a car call registration device by which an elevator user registers a car call before riding on a car and a group supervisory controller with a building specification data storage section in which building specification data including specially-assigned floors is stored. Further, a specially-assigned floor judgment section judges whether a departure floor is a specially-assigned floor when a car call is registered, and a traffic condition judgment section judges the traffic condition of elevators within a building. A car assignment is performed based on the traffic condition judgment section judging by the specially-assigned floor judgment section that the departure floor is a specially-assigned floor, and a car assignment is performed based on a building specification stored in the building specification data storage section when the specially-assigned floor judgment section judges the departure floor is not a specially-assigned floor.
US08172043B2	Elevator cross-dispatching system with inter group relative system response (IRSR) dispatching During elevator modernization, a cross-dispatching system receives hall calls and assigns each hall call to either a group of existing elevator car controllers or a group of new elevator car controllers. The cross-dispatching system creates an inter group relative system response (iRSR) value for the hall call for both the existing group of elevators and the new group of elevators, based upon information from each group such as car location, in-service status, load, and direction. If the group assigned the hall call does not answer the call within a redispatch time period, the cross-dispatching system again calculates the iRSR for each group and reassigns the hall call.
US08172042B2	Elevator power system A power system (10) operates a plurality of hoist motors (18a, 18b, 18c), each of which controls movement of one of a plurality of elevators (12a, 12b, 12c). The power system (10) includes a power bus (11) and a converter (22) connected across the power bus (11) for converting alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (20) to direct current (DC) power and delivering the DC power to the power bus (11). The power system (10) also includes a plurality of inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) connected across the power bus (11). Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is connected to a hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) and is operable to drive the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) is motoring by converting the DC power from the power bus (11) into AC power. Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is further operable to convert AC power produced by the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the motor is generating to DC power and to deliver the DC power to the power bus (11). A controller (31) manages power on the power bus (11) by controlling operation of the converter (22) and the inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) to drive a motoring hoist motor with power delivered to the power bus (11) by the converter (22) and generating hoist motors.
US08172038B2	Silencer for a motor device A silencer for a two-stroke engine includes a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein a flow channel is provided between an outlet of a combustion chamber and the first chamber. A high charge degree of the combustion chamber has a pressure ratio in the region of the outlet which reduces or prevents an escape of fresh gas from the combustion chamber. The flow channel between the outlet and the first chamber is flow-favorably shaped in such a manner that the exhaust gas that flows out of the outlet because of its mass inertia predominantly flows into the first chamber and following charging of the first chamber flows back again and as a result a back pressure is formed in the direction of the combustion chamber.
US08172037B2	Coating for acoustic treatment that integrates the function of hot-air treatment of frost The invention relates to a coating for acoustic treatment at the surface of an aircraft, in particular at the leading edge such as the air intake of an aircraft nacelle, said coating including an acoustically resistive layer (28), at least one cellular structure (30) and a reflective layer (32), characterized in that it comprises ducts (34) provided between said cellular structure (30) and the acoustically resistive structure (28), the ducts being each defined by a wall (36) separate from the walls of the cellular structure (30) and one end of the ducts being connected to a hot air supply.
US08172034B2	System and method for generating and directing very loud sounds An improved system and method for controlling and directing sound waves is provided. A fuel-oxidant mixture is supplied to at least one detonator having at least one spark initiator. The fuel-oxidant mixture flows through the at least one detonator and into the closed end of at least one detonation tube also having an open end. The timing at least one spark initiator is controlled to initiate at least one spark within the at least one detonator while the fuel-oxidant mixture is flowing through the at least one detonator thereby initiating a detonation wave at the closed end of the at least one detonation tube. The detonation wave propagates the length of the at least one detonation tube and exits the open end of the at least one detonation tube as a sound wave. When multiple detonation tubes are detonated with controlled timing, the resulting sound waves are directed to a desired location. Sound waves can be directed from groups of detonation tubes and from a sparse array of detonation tubes.
US08172033B2	Materials handling vehicle with a module capable of changing a steerable wheel to control handle position ratio A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a frame comprising an operator's compartment; wheels supported on the frame, at least one of the wheels being a steerable wheel; a steer-by-wire system associated with the steerable wheel to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about a first axis; and a control apparatus. The steer-by-wire system comprises a control handle capable of being moved by an operator to generate a steer control signal, a selection switch capable of generating one of a first select signal and a second select signal, and a steer motor coupled to the steerable wheel to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about the first axis. The control apparatus may be coupled to the control handle to receive the steer control signal, coupled to the selection switch to receive the one select signal, and coupled to the steer motor to generate a first drive signal to the steer motor to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about the first axis. The control apparatus may convert the steer control signal to a corresponding desired angular position for the steerable wheel using one of first and second steerable-wheel-to-control-handle-position ratios, wherein the one ratio is selected based on the one select signal.
US08172030B2	Multiple function control system for work machine A control system for a work machine. The control system allows an operator to selectively maintain control of a ground drive, a work tool, or both the ground drive and the work tool. The system provides a foot pedal movable between multiple positions. The foot pedal allows an operator to selectively hold the position of one or both of the ground drive control and work tool control. When the foot pedal is in a first position, the work tool control and ground drive control are not affected. When the foot pedal is in a second position, the position of the work tool control is maintained, while the ground drive control is not affected. When the foot pedal is in a third position, the position of the work tool control is maintained and the position of the ground drive control is maintained. A work tool control lock is used to prevent the work tool control from engaging when the foot pedal is in the second position or the third position.
US08172025B2	Safety device for a motor vehicle A safety device for a motor vehicle includes a deformation element which is arranged between a bumper beam and a side rail and moves into the side rail in the event of an impact. The deformation element is configured in the form of an evertable tubular member having a side-rail-proximal rear end provided with an abutment ring. Operatively connected to the deformation element is an actuator which is provided to release a displacement of the deformation element into the side rail in a predefined speed range by liberating the abutment ring in relation to the side rail in a release position, and to block the displacement of the deformation element into the side rail, when the speed range is exceeded or a vehicle speed is below the speed range, by locking the abutment ring in relation to the side rail in an engagement position.
US08172016B2	Obstacle traversing wheelchair A wheelchair suspension is provided. The wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivot arm, a front caster, a drive assembly, and a rear caster. The pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. Movement of the drive assembly in a first direction causes the pivot arm to substantially remain in a first position. Movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position.
US08172015B2	Wheelchair suspension A wheelchair includes a pivoting drive assembly having a drive wheel, a motor drive connected to the drive wheel, and a first pivoting linkage fixedly attached to the motor drive. The pivoting drive assembly is pivotally coupled to a frame at a first frame pivot axis such that the drive wheel, motor drive, and first pivoting linkage pivot about the first frame pivot axis as a unit. The wheelchair further includes a second pivoting linkage and a front caster assembly. The second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the frame at a second frame pivot axis. The first pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a first front caster pivot axis and the second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a second front caster pivot axis.
US08172014B2	Wheeled vehicle A vehicle steering means with a first front ground-engaging steerable wheel located in the front center of the vehicle; second and third front ground-engaging wheels located either side of the first front ground-engaging wheel with means for adjusting the steer angle and the height depending on the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel. When the first front ground-engaging wheel has a straight-ahead steer angle, the second and third wheels are also straight-ahead and all three front ground-engaging wheels are in contact with the ground; and when the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel is turned, the steer angle of the front ground-engaging wheel on the outside of said curve is turned at least partly towards the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel, the steer angle of the front ground-engaging wheel on the inside of said curve is not substantially turned towards the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel.
US08172012B2	Cutting tool insert and drill bit so equipped A polycrystalline diamond abrasive cutting element consists generally of a layer of high grade polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The polycrystalline diamond layer has a working surface and an outer peripheral surface and is characterized by having an annular region or a portion thereof adjacent the peripheral surface that is lean in catalysing material. A region adjacent the working surface is also lean in catalysing material such that in use, as a wear scar develops, both the leading edge and the trailing edge thereof are located in a region lean in catalysing material.
US08172011B2	Cutting element A method of manufacturing a tool component, which is typically a cutting element or a gauge stone in a rotary drill bit, including a layer of ultra-hard abrasive material bonded to a substrate, the layer of ultra-hard abrasive material comprising a pair of opposed end surfaces, an upper surface defined between the end surfaces, and at least one curved and tapered cutting edge defined at the intersection of the respective end surfaces and the upper surface. The respective cutting edges of the tool component and the respective end surfaces leading to the cutting edges are generally wedge-shaped, the upper surface of the layer following generally the same or a similar profile, at least in the region of the cutting edges.
US08172006B2	Pulsed electric rock drilling apparatus with non-rotating bit The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action. The electrocrushing drilling process may have, but does not require, rotation of the bit. The electrocrushing drilling process is capable of excavating the hole out beyond the edges of the bit with or without the need of mechanical teeth.
US08172002B2	Methods of controlling hydraulic motors A hydraulic control system includes a first motor, a second motor, a pump operatively associated with the first motor, a first coupling valve operatively associated with the second motor, first parallel valves operatively associated with the second motor, and a first switching valve operatively associated with the first coupling valve and the first parallel valves. The first switching valve is configured to switch the first coupling valve between a first coupling state and a second coupling state opposite the first coupling state and to switch the first parallel valves between a first parallel state and a second parallel state opposite the first parallel state. While the first parallel valves are in the first parallel state a portion of the output of the first motor drives the second motor while the first parallel valves are in the second parallel state, the output of the pump drives the second motor.
US08171998B1	System for controlling hydrocarbon bearing zones using a selectively openable and closable downhole tool One or more embodiments of a selectively openable and closable downhole tool. The wherein, the downhole tool can include an outer tubular member having an annulus port formed therethrough. The downhole tool can also include an inner tubular member. The inner tubular member can include an inner port. The inner port and annulus port can be selectively aligned to form a flow path therethrough by moving the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member. The downhole tool can also include a logic drum configured to selectively move the inner tubular member. The downhole tool can also include a piston assembly configured to move the logic drum.
US08171994B2	Multi-position valve for fracturing and sand control and associated completion methods A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular. Alternatively, the tubular can be in open hole and simply have openings for passage of fracture fluid and external isolators to allow fracturing in any desired order.
US08171992B2	Method of fracturing a subterranean formation at optimized and pre-determined conditions Prior to a hydraulic fracturing treatment, ΔSGPS for a desired propped fracture length, DPST, may be estimated wherein ΔSGPS=SGprop−SGfluid (SGprop being the specific gravity of the proppant and SGfluid being the specific gravity of the transport fluid) in accordance with Equation (I): ΔSGPS=(A)×(1/qi)×(DPST)B×(1/CTRANS)×(1/d2prop)×(μfluid) (I) wherein: A is the multiplier and B is the exponent from the Power Law equation of velocity of the transport slurry vs. distance for the fracture geometry; qi is the injection rate per foot of injection height, bpm/ft; CTRANS is the transport coefficient; dprop is the median proppant diameter, in mm.; and μfluid is the apparent viscosity of the transport fluid, in cP.
US08171991B2	Drillstring swivel torque monitor Apparatus for rotationally locking the swivel of a drillstring during downhole backoff, directional drilling, and similar operations, and for continuous monitoring of the torque level in the drillstring. A first member has a collar which attaches to one side of the swivel, the collar having a main plate attached thereto and extending outwardly from the swivel. A second member is suspended from the plate, and has a set of jaws which can be closed to grip the swivel and thereby rotationally lock the swivel. A means for measuring forces between the first and second members is disposed between the first and second members, and in combination with appropriate processing and controls permits monitoring of torque on the drillstring while the drillstring is raised and lowered as desired.
US08171990B2	In-situ formation strength testing with coring A method and apparatus for estimating one or more formation properties using in-situ measurements conducted at or near a coring location include a coring tool adapted to cut a core sample in a formation, a member having a distal end that engages a borehole wall substantially adjacent the core sample, and a drive device that engages the member to the borehole wall with a force sufficient to estimate formation strength.
US08171988B2	Stroker tool A stroker tool for providing an axial force in an axial direction of a downhole tool. The stroker tool has a pump, a driving unit for driving the pump, and an axial force generator. The generator has an elongated piston housing having a first and a second end, and a piston provided on a shaft, and the shaft penetrates the housing for transmitting the axial force to another tool. The piston is provided in the piston housing so that the shaft penetrates the piston and each end of the piston housing and divides the housing into a first and a second chamber, and the first and the second chamber are each fluidly connected to the pump via at least one duct so that the pump can pump fluid into one chamber by sucking fluid from the other chamber for moving the piston within the housing, and thereby moving the shaft back and forth.
US08171986B2	Foam metal heat exchanger system An apparatus includes a foam metal panel heat exchanger core positioned in a duct, an inlet flow passage for directing a first fluid to the heat exchanger core, and an exit flow passage for directing the first fluid from the heat exchanger core, wherein the inlet flow passage is tapered relative to an inlet face of the heat exchanger core and the exit flow passage is tapered relative to an outlet face of the heat exchanger core. The first fluid has a substantially uniform flow distribution through the core. The inlet and exit flow passages can be adjacent to each other. The core can be formed of a compressed foam.
US08171983B2	Casting die for continuous casting of blooms, slabs, and billets A mold for the continuous casting of blooms, slabs or billets is provided with a mold tube (2) and a supporting shell (4) surrounding said mold tube. The mold tube (2) is supported by support profiles (15) on the supporting shell (4) extending in its longitudinal direction and distributed over the periphery and is positively connected thereto via connecting profiles (20) extending in the longitudinal direction. The connecting profiles (20) are respectively configured as profile strips (21, 22) outwardly projecting from the outer periphery of the mold tube (2) and inwardly projecting from the inner periphery of the supporting shell (4), which engage in one another such that in the peripheral direction of the mold a clearance is present. As a result, the stresses, permanent deformation and fatigue cracks produced by the thermal expansion in the mold tube are substantially avoided.
US08171980B2	Process for producing thermoelectric semiconductor alloy, thermoelectric conversion module, thermoelectric power generating device, rare earth alloy, producing process thereof, thermoelectric conversion material, and thermoelectric conversion system using filled skutterudite based alloy A process for producing a rare earth alloy comprises heating a raw material alloy to be a molten alloy, and quench-solidifying the molten alloy, wherein the raw material alloy is compounded so as to have a composition represented by the formula: REx(Co1-yMy)4Sb12 (wherein RE is at least either one member of La and Ce, M is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Sn, Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb, 0
US08171976B2	Transferring device In a transferring device (A) structured such that a paste (Tb) is transferred to a paper strip (P) by being slid in a predetermined transferring direction in a state in which the paper strip (P) is pinched between a transferring device main body (1) and a transferred object receiving cradle (2), the transferring device is provided with a guide surface (12a) guiding the paper strip (P) in the same direction as a transferring direction by being brought into contact with an edge portion (Pa), and a deflection upper roller (11) energizing the paper strip (P) toward the guide surface (12a) at a time of the sliding movement by being arranged so as to be deflected at a predetermined angle toward the guide surface (12a) from the transferring direction.
US08171973B2	Nozzle and related apparatus and method for dispensing molten thermoplastic material A nozzle for dispensing molten thermoplastic material includes non-circular outlets spaced apart from one another in a predetermined pattern. The nozzle may be used to dispense patterns of adhesive that form closed geometric shapes, such as for use in making hermetic seals.
US08171968B2	Tire for construction vehicle A construction vehicle tire, in which a temperature rise at the tread portion is suppressed by enhancing the heat radiation property at the tire center portion (C). Lug grooves (22) are arranged in the tread shoulder regions (S) on both sides in the tire width direction. The tire center portion (C) is formed with narrow grooves (24) extending substantially in the tire width direction (V) and having both ends terminating within the tread. A deep equatorial groove (26) extends in the tire circumferential direction on the tire equatorial plane (CL), and has a maximum depth within the range of from 70% to 110% of the depth of the lug grooves (22), so as to efficiently cool the bottom region (26B) of the deep equatorial groove (26) at high temperature.
US08171967B2	Tire retread apparatus A device for extending the life of a tire and providing a new tread layer, principally for off road truck tires, has a mechanically attached surface tread of rubber blocks cooperatively connected with a cable system and specialized tensioning. The apparatus is generally suited to tires of very large size, typically used on dump trucks in open pit mining applications.
US08171965B2	Fuel leak prevention system A fuel leak prevention system and method for providing same includes a check valve for insertion into the discharge end of a spout assembly of a fuel dispensing nozzle, the check valve being located downstream of the nozzle's fuel control valve so as to prevent any leaking or dripping of fuel from the spout when the nozzle is deactivated. The check valve includes a pivoting flap that is preferably spring-loaded and predisposed to remain closed to seal the spout when there is no fuel flowing through the nozzle, but which is allowed to rotate within the spout to open the nozzle and allow the flow of fuel when the nozzle is activated. The system and method disclosed has application to any liquids that are to be dispensed, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, gas oil, gas, liquid petroleum gas, av-gas, chemicals, and water.
US08171960B2	Plug with gripping means The present invention regards a plug (2) for scaling off a pipeline (1), comprising a main body (3), scaling means (6) and gripping means (5) arranged circumferentially around the main body (3) and actuation means (4) for operating the sealing and gripping means (5,6) where the gripping means (5) comprise at least one slip (10) with an outer surface (11) for contact against the pipe wall and an inner gliding surface (12) arranged in abutment against a first angled guiding surface (21), forming an angle ? with a center axis of the plug (2), so that the gripping means (5) when actuated is moved relative to the guiding surface (21) to move the slips (10) in a radial direction where the guiding surface (21) in addition is moved in a radial direction relative to the center axis of the plug (2).
US08171959B2	Dampener apparatus and method A dampener device extending along a vertical axis for use with an industrial process having a first conduit through which process fluid flows along with a second conduit wherein the second conduit extends away from the first conduit generally along the vertical axis. The dampener also includes a third conduit having that is connected to the first conduit, wherein the third conduit extends away from the first conduit generally along the vertical axis in opposing relationship to the second conduit. The dampener device design further includes a dampener valve positioned the first conduit and a fourth conduit extending in opposing relation to the first conduit between the second and third conduits.
US08171955B2	Emergency relief vent for fuel storage tanks A relief vent assembly for a fuel storage tank includes a vent body defining a chamber to provide a substantially axially smooth and unencumbered path of flow for pressurized fluid to vent out from the tank. Such a path of flow allows the pressurized fluid to remain laminar throughout approximately the entire path through the chamber, maintaining a high flow rate. The vent assembly includes a crossbar that supports the rod of a lid that covers a distal margin of the vent body. The crossbar is disposed substantially at the distal margin of the vent body to prevent any premature turbulent flow of the pressurized fluid, which would slow the flow rate. A widening tapered bore of the chamber increases the flow area and serves to offset the area occupied by the crossbar.
US08171952B2	Multi-function control valve for fuel vapor system A fuel vapor vent valve assembly is provided that may include a float valve and an isolation valve arranged in series with each other. Bypass openings in the valve assembly create multiple flow paths as the float valve and the isolation valve respond to changes in fuel tank pressure and fuel level. The control valve assembly may include a housing defining a chamber with a main opening configured to open the chamber to the tank, a vapor vent passage and a first bypass vent opening. A float in the chamber closes the vapor vent passage when fuel in the chamber is at or above a predetermined level. The first bypass vent opening vents the tank to the chamber even when the fuel covers the main opening. A feature on the float provides a metered opening of the vapor vent passage between closed and fully open based on float position.
US08171951B2	Valve with an AND-function A valve (1) with a AND gate function has a valve member (2) cooperating with moving passage members (23a and 23b) in a valve housing (3) in order to control connections between one outlet (A) and two inlets (E1 and E2). If the pressure difference present at the input side goes above a threshold value, the valve member (2) can thrust back one of the passage members (23a and 23b) against the stressing force of the stressing means (34a and 34b) in order to separate the outlet (A) simultaneously from both inlets (E1 and E2). Accordingly a safety and/or a logic function may be implemented.
US08171949B1	Fluid flow management A fluid flow method and apparatus are described. The apparatus includes a trough coupled between tanks to provide an air flow down between the tanks.
US08171947B2	Automobile cover apparatus A car cover apparatus which has a frame, a plurality of ribs moveably attached to the frame, and a cover attached to the plurality of ribs. Movement of the ribs allow the car cover to be opened and closed. When the ribs are pulled apart, the cover is expanded to cover an automobile. When the ribs are compressed, the user can access the automobile parked within the car cover. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the car cover can be motor-driven and operated by remote control.
US08171941B2	Cigarette customization apparatus and associated method An apparatus for customizing an as-formed cigarette is provided, wherein the as-formed cigarette has a cylindrical rod configuration defining a longitudinal axis, and includes a filter rod portion and a contiguous tobacco rod portion. Such an apparatus comprises a feeder unit configured to feed an as-formed cigarette, from a plurality of as-formed cigarettes, to a register position. An imprinting unit is configured to interact with the as-formed cigarette in the register position so as to imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character thereon. An associated method is also provided.
US08171939B2	Cigarette injector A cigarette injector for loading tobacco leaves into a hollow cigarette paper tube includes a housing having a tobacco cavity for the tobacco leaves disposing, an electric motor having an output shaft and a cigarette filling arrangement. The cigarette filling arrangement includes an elongated injection tube having a supplying end communicating with the tobacco cavity and a dispensing end for the cigarette paper tube encircling therewith, and an elongated tobacco feeder, which has a helicoid shape, having a driving end being driven to rotate via the output shaft of the electric motor and a feeding end extended within the injection tube through the tobacco cavity, wherein the tobacco feeder is driven to rotate for loading the tobacco leaves within the tobacco cavity into the cigarette paper tube through the injection tube.
US08171936B2	Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by a lumen-traversing region of the resilient structure which has helical outer surface, together with a portion of the resilient structure which is biased to form a bent secondary shape, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically inserted within the fallopian tube, where it is released. Optionally, permanent sterilization s effected by passing a current through there resilient structure to the tubal walls.
US08171926B2	Fire igniter of carbonaceous fuel A fire igniter of carbonaceous fuel, especially the fire igniter providing an initial operation to ignite cold and raw carbonaceous fuel, includes a barrel unit, a space of which is deformable and is collected easily. The barrel unit includes primarily a front plate, a rear plate and a side wing that are connected by hinges, so as to be deformed and collapsed for reducing a volume to be collected.
US08171924B2	Variable open-closed crankcase breather system for blow-by gas A method of selectively directing a flow of blow-by gas (F) in a vehicle having an engine (14) and a turbocharger compressor (32) includes the steps of providing fluid communication for the flow of blow-by gas from the engine to a valve (12), actuating the valve with a valve actuator (38) to at least one of a closed system position and an open system position, and selectively directing the flow of blow-by gas from the valve to at least one of the turbocharger compressor and an atmosphere (28).
US08171923B2	Cylinder head lubricating structure for engine In a cylinder head lubricating structure for an engine, in which a breather passage which guides, toward a cylinder head, gas including oil mist generated in a crank chamber by oil splashing means housed in the crank chamber so as to splash-oil in accordance with rotation of a crankshaft is formed in a crankcase, a cylinder block and the cylinder head to supply, toward the cylinder head, lubricating oil through the breather passage, a breather chamber with which an end portion, on the crank chamber side, of the breather passage communicates is formed in the crankcase, and a one-way valve preventing backflow of the oil toward the crank chamber is attached to the crankcase to be located between the crank chamber and the breather chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of oil to the cylinder head side even when the head difference between the crank chamber and the cylinder head is large.
US08171919B2	Exhaust gas recirculation valve An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprises a drive, at least one rotatable drive element and at least one translationally drivable driven element. The drive element comprises a thread element that is configured to convert rotational motion of the drive element into translation of the driven element. A rotational axis of the drive element is inclined with respect to a translational axis of the driven element.
US08171915B2	Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
US08171914B2	Method for reducing pollutant emissions and consumption of an engine To reduce pollutant emissions and consumption of passenger cars diesel engines multiple injection strategies are applied. Assuming constant cylinder and bowl geometry and constant rail pressure the variation of the number of injections, injection quantity of each injection and separation between two consecutive injections are the major parameters to be optimised. Furthermore, a single injection is applied with a shaped injection rate by a rise in injection pressure, equal to that observed in cam controlled injection systems. The needle lift can be modified for piezo driven common rail injection systems.Both methods are compared in terms of pollutant emission, fuel consumption and robustness. Experiments were carried out on single cylinder research engines. Multiple injection strategies with large hydraulic dwell times were compared with a short dwell setting simulating a “rate shaped” single injection. Rate shaping was implemented performing multiple injections with hydraulic dwell times close to or equal zero.
US08171913B2	Intake system for internal combustion engine An intake system for an engine includes a duct defining an intake passage therein, and a cantilevered valve including a valve main body opening/closing the intake passage, a shaft supporting the body, and a valve extension portion. The duct includes a reduced passage portion between the duct and the body when the body is in a fully closed position, a recess accommodating the body and the extension portion when the body is fully opened, and a pressure introduction passage formed between the duct and the body when the body is fully closed, and communicating with a space between the body and the extension portion when the body is fully closed. The extension portion includes a sealing part. The duct and the sealing part define a clearance therebetween when the body is fully closed. The clearance has a smaller sectional area than the reduced passage portion.
US08171911B2	Internal combustion two stroke rotary engine system The invention provides the proper form for the rotary positive displacement internal combustion engine. The construction of the engines according to the invention is based on a specific form of four bar mechanism and features unique simplicity (only three moving parts, no valves or camshafts, no gears to transfer piston movement to rotary movement), compactness and strength that make the engines according to the invention similar in these and some other aspects (e.g. power density) to gas turbines.
US08171907B2	Push button starting system for outdoor power equipment A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
US08171906B2	Valve lifter guide and method of using same A valve lifter guide mountable in the engine block of an internal combustion engine, the valve lifter guide comprising at least one elongated socket defining a longitudinal axis, the at least one socket dimensioned to receive a valve lifter therein, and at least one tab projecting away from the valve lifter guide along an axis which is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one socket. The at least one tab includes a projection thereon which is dimensioned to be received in an opening provided in the engine block. The tab further defines a surface, oriented in a plane generally perpendicular to the orientation of the projection, which is capturable between the engine block and cylinder head.
US08171905B2	Oil circuit of continuously variable valve timing device An oil circuit for a continuously variable valve timing apparatus, may include a main line that is formed in a cylinder block to receive oil from a hydraulic pump, a first oil line that connects an intake oil control valve that is mounted on a cylinder head that is assembled to the cylinder block with the main line, a second oil line that connects an exhaust oil control valve that is mounted in a cylinder head cover with the first oil line, a third oil line that connects a cam journal that is formed in the cylinder head with the first oil line, and a fourth oil line that connects a timing chain tensioner that is mounted in the cylinder block with the third oil line.
US08171904B2	Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes a housing body, a vane rotor, a first plate, and a second plate. The housing body is formed integrally with a shoe at an inside periphery of the housing body, wherein the shoe projects inwardly in a radial direction of the housing body, and wherein the housing body is formed with a sealing recess at an axial end of the housing body. The vane rotor is rotatably mounted in the housing body, wherein the vane rotor includes a vane, wherein the vane and the shoe define advance and retard chambers adapted to supply and drainage of fluid. The first plate is fixedly inserted in the sealing recess of the housing body, the first plate sealing the axial end of the housing body. The second plate seals another axial end of the housing body.
US08171902B2	Camshaft adjuster and deep-drawing method for producing a seal cover for a camshaft adjuster A camshaft adjuster (1) for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle with a radially outer stator (4) that can be driven by the crankshaft, a radially inner rotor (5) connected locked in rotation with the camshaft (2), working chambers (6) that are arranged between the rotor (5) and the stator (4) and that can be pressurized with a pressure such that the relative rotational position of the rotor (5) to the stator (4) is adjustable, at least one seal cover (7) bordering the working chambers (6) on the sides and contacting the rotor (5) and the stator (4) in a sealing way, with an annular disk-shaped base body (13) and an annular projection (9) encompassing the camshaft (2) and adjacent to the radial inside of the base body (13). The base body (13) contacts, with a seal surface (D), the rotor (5) and transitions via a radius (10) into the annular projection (9). A bead (11) is provided on the annular disk-shaped base body (13) on the side facing away from the rotor (5) in the region bordering the annular projection (9).
US08171895B2	Coolant flow control system and method A coolant flow control system includes a fluid cooling device, a coolant bypass circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a control signal indicative of a desired flow of coolant through the coolant bypass circuit as a function of the projected rate of change in the cooling device temperature gradient.
US08171893B2	Oxygen-producing oxycombustion boiler The boiler of the invention has a circulating fluidized bed, uses solid fuels and the oxygen obtained by high temperature oxygen production membranes, and is characterized in that the membranes are placed in the bed. These membranes are, for example, of the OTM (Oxygen Transport Membranes) type. Since the membranes operate at over 700° C., their positioning in the outer bed is ideally selected because the temperature of the solids circulating in the outer bed is between 750 and 900° C. This is particularly remarkable because the operating temperature windows of the circulating fluidized bed coincide with the optimal temperature window of use of the membranes.
US08171890B2	Joint stabilized straight plane movement stretching method Generally, a joint stabilized planar motion stretching system for an animal. Specifically, a method of stretching an animal which includes joint stabilization and straight plane motion of the stretched anatomy about the stabilized joint.
US08171887B2	Containment systems and components for animal husbandry Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.
US08171883B2	Milking arrangement The invention refers to a milking arrangement including a milking box (2) adapted to received an animal to be milked and a milking device having a milk conduit and a set of teatcups (7) to be applied manually by an operator to the teats of an animal. Each teatcup has an upper opening for introducing the respective teat. The milking device draws milk from the animal via the teatcups and the milk conduit through the use of a low pressure. A support device (20) carries the teatcups in at least an idle position, in which the teatcups are located not to interfere with the animal and the operator, and an intermediate position, in which the teatcups are located more closely to the teats. Control equipment controls the support from the idle position to the intermediate position.
US08171882B2	Milking arrangement and method An arrangement for housing and milking a large number of animals includes a resting and feeding area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31) for milking the animals, and a passage way (15) interconnecting the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13), and along which animals are capable of being had to walk in order to move back and fourth between the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13). According to the invention, the resting and feeding area (11) includes enclosed sections (17), wherein each of the sections (17) houses a respective subgroup of the animals and has an entry/exit gate (19), through which the animals of the subgroup are capable of being forced to pass in order to move back and fourth between the section (17) and the passage way (15).
US08171881B2	Milking facility and method for milking therein A space-saving milking facility includes an entrance passage way (17a) provided for receiving milking animals on a voluntary basis, a waiting area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31), a post-milking area (15), and an exit passage way (17b), through which milking animals may leave the milking facility. The automatic milking stations (31) are arranged side by side along a row, the waiting area (11) and the post-milking area (15) are elongated and parallel with the row of automatic milking stations (31), the entrance passage way (17a) is joined to the waiting area (11) at a short side thereof, and the exit passage way (17b) is joined to the post-milking area (15) at a short side thereof. The milking facility is particularly aimed for herds of milking animals at grazing.
US08171880B2	Microwave plasma processing apparatus and method of supplying microwaves using the apparatus A microwave plasma processing apparatus performs plasma processing on a substrate by exciting a gas by electric field energy of microwaves emitted from a radial line slot antenna (RLSA). The microwave plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container in which plasma processing is performed; a microwave source outputting microwaves; a rectangular waveguide transmitting the microwaves outputted from the microwave source; a coaxial converter converting a mode of the microwaves transmitted to the rectangular waveguide; a coaxial waveguide including an inner conductor slidably and electrically connected to the coaxial converter by a first contact member; the first contact member fixed to the coaxial converter and slidably contacting the inner conductor; and a first spring member absorbing displacement, which is caused by thermal expansion, of the RLSA and a member disposed above the RLSA.
US08171877B2	Backside mounted electrode carriers and assemblies incorporating the same A carrier assembly is provided comprising a backside mounted electrode carrier and electrode mounting hardware. The backside mounted electrode carrier comprises an electrode accommodating aperture, which in turn comprises a sidewall structure that is configured to limit lateral movement of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode accommodating aperture further comprises one or more sidewall projections that support the weight of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode mounting hardware is configured to engage an electrode positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture from the backside of the carrier and urge the electrode against the sidewall projections so as to limit axial movement of the electrode in the electrode accommodating aperture. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
US08171874B2	Wake towers and methods of use and manufacture thereof A wake tower for a powerboat for use in wakeboarding or other water sports is described. The wake tower can include base members attached to the powerboat and a U-shaped bar extending generally upwardly from the base members. The side bars can be tapered inward and can also be angled toward the bow of the powerboat. Support members can be positioned along the side bars to provide increased structural support to increase the maximum load of the wake tower and to increase the rigidity of the wake tower resulting in less shaking during use. A tow cross bar having a tow rope connector can be suspended generally between the side bars of the wake tower. The wake tower can be transitioned between an upright position and a lowered position. Shocks can be used to compensate for some of the weight of the wake tower.
US08171871B2	Anchor handling device An anchor handling device for an anchor handling vessel, the anchor handling device being adopted to bring an anchor from a substantially horizontal position resting at an aft deck of the vessel, to a substantially vertical position hanging astern of the vessel, wherein the device comprises two arms (7, 7′) which at first ends are pivotally arranged about a substantially horizontal axis being substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the vessel, and which axis substantially coincides with a rotational of a stern roller (4) arranged at the aft end of a cargo deck (2) of the vessel, and where the arms (7, 7′) at their second ends support an anchor handling roller (8) having an axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation for the arms (7, 7′), is described.
US08171869B2	Automated water safety apparatus An automated water safety apparatus is disclosed including, a spray device, a sensor, a container, a processor capable of sending and receiving signals, and a liquid substance that becomes a buoyant solid when released from the spray device, wherein the water safety device is coupled to a water vessel. Additionally, a method is disclosed for creating buoyant solids in water in response to a water vessel beginning to sink, including determining whether the water vessel is sinking, sending a signal to the processor to indicate that the vessel is sinking, the processor instructing the container to release the liquid substance, and propelling the liquid substance into the water to form buoyant solids.
US08171868B2	Sewing method for seat cover A method is provided for sewing a seat cover to provide a side panel and an inset panel with a C-shaped separable seam and inner and outer chutes for air bag deployment. The method comprises sewing the side panel and the inner chute together with permanent vertical extending and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment, and sewing the inset panel and the outer chute together with permanent vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will not break during air bag deployment. And thereafter sewing the side panel and the inset panel together with separable vertical extending seams and upper and lower horizontal extending seams that will break upon the air bag deployment to allow inflation of the air bag while the inner chute remains attached to the front panel and the outer chute remains attached to the side panel to guide the inflating air bag.
US08171863B2	Flip-top table mechanism An improved mechanism for operating a flip-top table is presented that provides improved table rigidity, an intuitively operable release mechanism, a single release action to release the mechanism from both a “use” and “folded” position, and spatially separated latches for the “use” and “folded” positions. Additionally the mechanism meets or exceeds government and industry standards while having a refined appearance.
US08171860B1	Cooling systems for hydrogen hybrid locomotives and hydrogen hybrid locomotives using the same A cooling system for a hydrogen hybrid locomotive including a set of electric traction motors and a hydrogen fuel cell system for providing electric power for driving the traction motors. The cooling system includes a radiator for extracting heat from cooling fluid circulated through the hydrogen fuel cell system and a circulation system. The circulation system has a pump for moving the cooling fluid through the circulation system, a first circulation path including a radiator output valve for controlling a selected amount of the cooling fluid provided by the pump to a cooling fluid inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system through the radiator, and a second circulation path including a bypass valve for bypassing a selected amount of the cooling fluid provided by the pump around the radiator and to the cooling fluid inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system. A fan system provides air flow across the radiator. A control system selectively sets a position of the radiator output valve and a position of the bypass valve such that the cooling fluid provided by the first and second circulation paths maintains a selected approximate temperature at the cooling inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell system and selectively controls a speed of the fan to control cooling of the hydrogen fuel cell system.
US08171859B2	Magnetic levitation vehicle with at least one magnetic system A magnetic levitation vehicle has at least one magnetic arrangement (27). The magnetic arrangement (27) contains a plurality of magnetic poles (27a . . . 27n) which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel and comprise windings (33) associated therewith. The magnetic levitation vehicle is also provided with a circuit for supplying the windings (33) with a direct current, said circuit containing switches for selectively switching the magnetic arrangement between a guiding function and/or a braking function.
US08171856B1	Rail transport system having a modular reconfigurable rail assembly A rail transport system includes a rail assembly having at least two rail modules; at least one angled tongue element disposed at an end of the at least two rail modules; at least one angled groove element disposed at an end of the other one of the at least two rail modules, the at least one angled groove element for receiving the at least one angled tongue element when the at least two rail modules are assembled together; and at least one transport device for running along the rail assembly and transporting articles from one location to another. The rail transport system may further include first and second chain-wrench assemblies for securing the at least two rail modules to one another.
US08171853B2	Projectile for delivering an incapacitating agent A projectile for delivering an incapacitating agent through a barrier includes a canister containing the agent and having a closure. The canister is retained in a holder to which is fixed a sleeve formed of a plurality of axial fingers configured to spread radially outward upon impact with the barrier. A ballistic body, configured to penetrate the barrier and having a dispersion port, is connected to the holder forward of the canister so as to be axially movable from a forward position to a rearward position upon impact with the barrier, the ballistic body including a closure-breaching member located so as to breach the closure as the ballistic body moves rearward, thereby placing the canister in fluid communication with the dispersion port. The fingers spread radially against the surface of the barrier opposite the dispersion port so as to lodge the projectile in the barrier.
US08171848B2	Manufacturing method of printing plate using free-seal, free-quantity liquid photopolymer sachet and apparatus using the same This invention is related to a manufacturing method of a printing plate by using a free-seal, free-quantity liquid photopolymer sachet and an apparatus thereof. Using this technology, the liquid photopolymer sachet is no longer to be limited by quantity with 3 dimensions—width, length and thickness. It is now very free, easy and convenient to use liquid photopolymer resin in a bag to make a printing plate at any width and length with any thickness you want.
US08171845B2	Temperature controlled food tray system The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.
US08171841B2	Detachable connecting rod and compressor having the same A detachable connecting rod includes a first member (410)a large end portion (411) having a trough hole (H1), and a first connection rod portion (412) extending from the large end portion (411), the first connection rod portion (412) having a pair of spaced apart arms defining a coupling groove (413) extending in the same direction as an axial direction of the through hole (H1); a second member (420) including a small end portion having a through hole (H2), and second connection rod portion (422) extending from the small end portion, the second connection rod (422) portion being inserted into the coupling groove (413) and a coupling unit for coupling the first connection rod portion (412) to the second connection rod portion inserted (412) into the coupling groove (413) of the first member (410). The detachable connecting rod is useable in a compressor.
US08171835B2	Apparatus for chamfering fold formation tape ends [Object] An apparatus for chamfering fold formation tape ends is provided which not only facilitates setting of a workpiece tape but also simultaneously carries out cutting of the tape so as to form acute-angled ends and chamfering of the side faces of the tape ends to perform end processing at two positions at a time.[Means for Solving the Problems] The apparatus for chamfering fold formation tape ends includes: a positioning stopper 48 for restricting the position of one end of a workpiece tape on a platform 2; a vertically-movable engagement rod 10 for applying an arresting force onto the workpiece tape from above while one end of the workpiece tape being received by the positioning stopper 48; a pair of form cutters 21 arranged opposite to each other with an engagement needle 11 provided at the leading end of the engagement rod 10 positioned intermediate therebetween and aligned in an axial direction of the workpiece tape, for obliquely cutting into the workpiece tape from above so as to form acute-angled ends and chamfering the workpiece tape; a driving means 30 for advancing and retracting the pair of cutters 21 in conjunction with a vertical movement of the engagement rod 10; and a control lever 41 for operating the driving means 30.
US08171827B2	Power screwdriver The invention relates to a power screwdriver (10) comprising a motor (12) and a control circuit (22) which switches the motor (12) off by means of a switch-off signal (s_Stop) when it reaches a preset desired torque value (Md_Soll), and a supporting arm (18) which absorbs energy during screwing. The invention is characterized by a voltage limiting circuit (46) that limits the motor voltage (u_Mot) occurring on the motor (12) when the energy stored in the supporting arm (18) of the motor (12), which is driven as the generator and rotates counter to the direction of drive, is dissipated, to a predetermined limiting voltage (u_Lim). The limiting voltage (u_Lim) is fixed in such a manner that the motor (12) is capable of rotating without counter-torque counter to the direction of drive when operated in the generator mode and that yet no inadmissible overvoltages occur.
US08171826B2	High strength fastener system A fastener system is constructed wherein the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in a transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. The transitional surface has a concave form that conforms to the core diameter. The projections of the driver in the system are formed in a blunt shape.
US08171825B1	Magnetic coil tattooing machine The present improved magnetic coil tattooing machine incorporates an armature assembly comprising an actuator appendage. The actuator appendage facilitates the actuation of an interrupter switch assembly that is remotely located in relation to the armature assembly. As a result of the described improvements it is now possible to adjust the activation timing of the interrupter switch assembly. An additional and unexpected advantage is a smooth homogenous operation of the interrupter switch assembly rendering the known tuning procedure of prior art obsolete.
US08171823B2	Power seat driving apparatus for vehicle A power seat driving apparatus for a vehicle includes a moving unit and a decelerating mechanism, wherein the decelerating mechanism includes a driving gear to which a driving force is inputted, a driven gear engaged with the driving gear so as to be rotatably driven by the driving gear while decelerating a rotational speed of the driving force transmitted thereto, and a housing, at least one of the driving gear and the driven gear includes a shaft portion and a gear portion including a tooth portion, which engages with a tooth portion of the other one of the driving gear and the driven gear, an annular recessed portion is formed at a stepped portion between the gear portion and the shaft portion, the annular recessed portion, and the housing includes a bearing bore having a bearing surface and an annular protruding portion, which is fitted into the annular recessed portion.
US08171817B2	Control shift assembly for manual transmission A control shaft assembly for a manual transmission may include a control shaft that is reciprocated in a rectilinear direction and is rotated by a shift lever, a control finger unit that is mounted on one side of the control shaft and moves together with the control shaft and prevents dual engagement of gears while shifting, a guide body that is spaced apart from the control finger unit to be mounted on the control shaft and that guides shift positions of the control shaft, and a shift position detecting unit that is disposed between the other side of the control shaft and a transmission case and that detects shift positions while shifting up and down.
US08171816B2	Gear arrangement for vehicle including gear lever with multiple lever rods The invention relates to a gear lever (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising a first lever rod (110) and a second lever rod (120) arranged in association with this. Both the lever rods have a first and a second end, and the second lever rod (120) is movable, so that it can be moved in its longitudinal-direction in relation to the first lever rod (110) by an action by the driver of the vehicle. The second lever rod is spring-loaded (150) in relation to the first lever rod, so that it can be returned to an initial position, and the gear lever (100) comprises, in addition, a sensor arrangement with a sensor component (160). The sensor arrangement is attached to the second lever rod (120) via at least one arm (170) in such a way that it can pivot, so that the sensor arrangement can move with the second lever rod when this moves in relation to the first lever rod, both when the second lever rod is moved in its longitudinal direction and when the gear lever is moved between the different gear positions.
US08171810B1	Multi-threat detection system A method and system for efficiently screening for threatening items are presented. The system includes a test unit configured to subject the object to a combination of two or more different types of tests, sensors configured to receive test outcome from the object and generate corresponding output signals, and a computation unit receiving and processing the output signals to generate parameter values. The computation unit combines the parameter values from the different types of tests to determine a set of risk factors that indicate a likelihood that the threatening item is present in the object, wherein the parameter values include visualization data obtained from different measurement angles.
US08171809B2	System and method for wind turbine inspection A system and method for inspecting a wind turbine for indications is disclosed. The method includes providing an inspection system on a tower of the wind turbine, the inspection system including a climbing device and an inspection device, the climbing device including a traction apparatus configured to engage the tower and a drive mechanism configured to drive the climbing device. The method further includes rotating a rotor blade of the wind turbine such that the rotor blade is approximately parallel to and proximate the tower, operating the inspection system to traverse the tower, and operating the inspection system to inspect the rotor blade for indications.
US08171807B2	Iso-kinetic probe for the analysis of the pollution of gases generated by an aircraft engine An iso-kinetic probe for the analysis of the pollution of the gases generated by an aircraft engine is disclosed. The probe includes an air tapping tube having an upstream end inserted into a conduit wherein a gas stream flows and a gas stream inlet velocity adjustment device provided at an orifice of the tapping tube. The tube has a downstream end mounted in a fixed manner on a base. The base has an outer diameter mounted in an inner diameter d of a passage bushing. The inner diameter d of the passage bushing being sufficiently great so that the upstream end of the tube is suitable to fit through the inner diameter of the passage bushing. The probe also includes a measurement chamber having an end connected to the base.
US08171805B2	Non-contact torque determination system and method for a non-mechanically coupled rotating system Methods and apparatus are provided for determining torque in an environmentally isolated system. A drive system is coupled to the environmentally isolated system via a non-contact, magnetic coupling that has a known angular stiffness and at least two coupling sections. A relative deflection of each coupling section is optically measured, and the torque is determined based on the relative deflection and the known angular stiffness.
US08171803B2	Air sampling apparatus and method A sampling system includes a collection module including a gas handler, and a flow controller in communication with the gas handler of the collection module. The flow controller controls the gas handler to move a selected volume of gas through the collection module.
US08171801B2	Micro-thermistor gas pressure sensor An apparatus and method precisely measure gas pressure over a large dynamic range and with good immunity to temperature fluctuations, encompassing applications such as gas sensing, bolometer imaging and industrial process monitoring. The micro-thermistor gas pressure sensor assembly includes a suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device exposed to the gas pressure of a given atmospheric environment, an electrical readout circuit connected to the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device, wherein the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device acts as a variable electrical resistance in the readout electrical circuit, a binary-wave voltage source connected to the suspended platform micro-thermistor sensor device, and an ohmmeter.
US08171799B2	Pressure sensor with a diaphragm and depth gauge comprising the same The invention concerns a pressure sensor (5), particularly for a depth gauge (1), capable of having a high level of precision, owing to sufficient elastic deflection amplitude of the diaphragm (or membrane), while avoiding any risk of plastic deformation. The diaphragm (12) is formed by a flat metal disc. The peripheral region (13) thereof is neither welded nor inset, but it is pre-stressed against a stop strip (25) with a closed, preferably circular contour, and can pivot on the stop strip (25) when the diaphragm bends under the effect of fluid pressure in the pressure chamber (10). The pre-stressing may be achieved via a sealing gasket (21) located opposite the stop strip (25). Between said strip and a central aperture (15), a concave stop surface (20) limits the deflection of the diaphragm (12) and prevents any plastic deformation in the event of excessive pressure. Manufacture of the diaphragm is simple, with a high level of reproducibility, assembly is easy and the seal quality is high.
US08171793B2	Systems and methods for detecting out-of-plane linear acceleration with a closed loop linear drive accelerometer Systems and methods sense out-of-plane linear accelerations. In an exemplary embodiment, the out-of plane linear accelerometer is accelerated in an out-of-plane direction, wherein the acceleration generates a rotational torque to an unbalanced proof mass. A rebalancing force is applied to at least one plurality of interleaved rotor comb tines and stator comb tines, wherein the rebalancing force opposes the rotational torque, wherein the rotor comb tines are disposed at an end of the unbalanced proof mass, and wherein the stator comb tines are disposed on a stator adjacent to the end of the unbalanced proof mass. An amount of acceleration is then determined based upon the applied rebalancing force.
US08171790B2	Apparatus for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a vehicle wheel An apparatus for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a vehicle wheel, comprising a horizontally oriented measuring shaft (1) which is supported rotary about its shaft axis (2) in a rotary mounting (3) on a stationary machine frame (4) and which is adapted that a vehicle wheel (5) is fixed onto it for the measurement operation, wherein the measuring shaft (1) is movably guided in a vertical direction on the stationary machine frame (4) between a first vertical position in which the measuring operation is conducted and a second vertical position in which the shaft axis is brought into alignment with a wheel axis (6) of the uprightly positioned vehicle wheel (5).
US08171789B2	Dynamic balancing apparatus and method using simple harmonic angular motion Provided is a dynamic balancing apparatus using a simple harmonic angular motion, including a rotational shaft on which a rotational body having an unbalanced mass is installed; a simple angular motion generator for periodically vibrating the rotational shaft; a support for supporting both sides of the rotational shaft; an angular vibration measuring sensor for measuring the simple harmonic angular motion of the rotational shaft; and force or vibration transducers for measuring applied force acting on or vibration transferred to the support by means of the simple harmonic motion of the unbalance mass.
US08171787B2	Liquid-level detecting apparatus A liquid-level detecting apparatus is provided. The liquid-level detecting apparatus includes a resistance plate with an insulating substrate; conductive segments on the insulating substrate at substantially equal intervals; a resistor mounted on the conductive segments and through which the conductive segments are connected to each other; an conductive sliding arm including a contact part for selectively coming into sliding contact with a portion of the conductive segments; a conducting pattern which is formed between one or more pairs of two adjacent conductive segments to short-circuit the two adjacent conductive segments; and a measuring device which is connected to one of the conductive segments and measures a value based on a portion of the resistor connected between a first segment of the conductive segments contacted by the contact part and the one of the conductive segments connected to the measuring device, thereby detecting a level of the liquid surface.
US08171780B2	Method and device for estimating an emission of at least one exhaust gas component An exhaust-gas sensor signal (vls_down) of an exhaust-gas sensor that is disposed in an exhaust gas train downstream of at least one first catalytic converter volume (V1) and upstream of at least one second catalytic converter volume (V2) is acquired. An estimated value of an intermediate emission for a position of the exhaust-gas sensor is determined in dependence upon the exhaust-gas sensor signal (vls_down). An estimated value of an emission downstream of the at least one second catalytic converter volume (V2) is determined in dependence upon the estimated value of the intermediate emission and in dependence upon at least one predefined correction characteristic (fac_cor_ufc) or at least one predefined correction characteristics map for correcting the estimated value of the intermediate emission with regard to an influence of the at least one second catalytic converter volume (V2) upon the emission of the at least one exhaust gas component.
US08171777B2	Systems, storage mediums, and methods for identifying particles in flow Methods, storage mediums, and systems for correlating pulses generated from multiple interrogation regions in a flow cytometer to particular particles flowing through the flow cytometer are provided. Embodiments of the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations for calibrating a flow cytometer using a calibration particle having a unique signature to determine a time-of-flight for particles flowing through the flow cytometer. Based on the calculated time-of-flight and relative positions of interrogation regions corresponding to collectors of the flow cytometer, the methods, storage mediums, and systems may further include configurations for associating other signal pulses to particles of one or more different particle sets.
US08171773B2	Sniffing leak detector To achieve a large measurement range from small up to larger leakage rates, a switchover from normal operation to gross operation occurs. In gross operation, the sucked-in gas flow is separated by different throttles, wherein the throttle that leads to the test gas sensor has a low flow rate. This manner of operation prevents a too large quantity of test gas from reaching the sensor surface and contaminating the sensor. In another alternative, in gross operation the test gas flows only across a part of the sensor surface. The other part is flushed.
US08171772B2	Gas analyzer An improved gas analyzer for analyzing the concentrations and amounts of one or more different gases in drilling mud returning from a borehole is disclosed. An oil well drilling rig re-circulates the drilling mud by continuously pumping it through a gas separation means. The gas separation means generally includes a fluid stop, a bubble jar and a dririte chamber in order to separate the gases from the drilling mud. A gas sample from these separated gases can be mixed with a carrier gas and are conveyed to gas analyzing means where the concentration of the different hydrocarbon components of the gases in the mud can be continuously measured.
US08171771B2	Calibration for a nondestructive material testing system Calibration for a nondestructive ultrasonic material testing system is provided, the system having a multiplicity of ultrasound transducers which are linearly movable as a whole but are arranged fixed with respect to one another, for example mounted fixed in a single sensor holder. In order to achieve optimal alignment of the sensors with a specimen, the mechanical tolerance-induced offset between the beam direction of the ultrasound transducers and the ideal beam directions is found, for example with the aid of a mean straight line. It is then minimized by using the available degrees of freedom of the sensor holder, for example possible tilting of the sensor holder.
US08171770B2	Calibration tool for air data measurement devices A calibration tool for an air data sensor of a vehicle comprises a target surface which is disposable on the vehicle. The calibration tool may further comprise a light pointer which is mountable on the air data sensor and which is operative to project a beam of light toward the target surface. The air data sensor may be configured as a flow direction sensor which may include at least one of an alpha vane for measuring angle of attack or a beta vane for measuring sideslip. The flow direction sensor may be mountable in spaced relation to the vehicle via a standoff. The flow direction sensor may include a hollow pivot arm having a laser pointer mounted therewithin for projecting a beam of laser light onto the target surface.
US08171766B1	Pass through inline seam rollformer A pass through inline seam rollformer having a head assembly and a cradle moveably mounted with a frame. The head assembly laterally moves upon the cradle whereby a seam may be formed upon a sheet material via tooling mounted upon the head assembly. The cradle moves relative to said frame whereby the head assembly may be retracted from a pass line of the sheet material and the sheet material may move through the apparatus without interference from the head assembly. For the preferred embodiment, the tooling utilizes one or more rollers having circumferential grooves or profiles which allow a male or a female lock seam to be formed as the head assembly moves over a leading or trailing edge of the sheet material without the need to transfer the sheet material 90 degrees or remove the sheet material from a production line.
US08171759B2	Laundry treating apparatus A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes an outer case defining an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, a washing tub arranged in the outer case, to receive laundry, a top lid mounted to a top of the outer case such that the top lid is openable and closeable, and an air flow assembly mounted to the top lid, to stepwise adjust a size of a passage communicating an interior of the outer case and an exterior of the outer case. The laundry treating apparatus can prevent moisture from staying in the interior of the laundry treating apparatus for a prolonged period of time, thereby preventing a failure of the laundry treating apparatus, generation of an offensive odor and propagation of bacteria in the interior of the laundry treating apparatus.
US08171756B2	Steam generator of drum washing machine A steam generator is disclosed, which can prevent deformation of a housing in an injection molding process, so as to improve efficiency on connection of the housing, the steam generator comprising the housing which defines the exterior of the steam generator, and holds washing water therein; and at least one deformation-preventing rib provided in the housing so as to prevent the housing from being deformed in an injection molding process.
US08171746B2	Humidity control device A humidity control device (1) comprises: a processor (10) for dehumidifying air; a regenerator (30) for regenerating a hygroscopic liquid L used by the processor (10); a first hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (50) and a second hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (51) for circulating the hygroscopic liquid L between the processor (10) and the regenerator (30); and a heat pump (20) having an evaporator for cooling the hygroscopic liquid L to be used by the processor (10) and a condenser (22) for heating the hygroscopic liquid L flowing through the first hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (50). The regenerator (30) has: a first regeneration processing unit (31) and a second regeneration processing unit (34); a first tank (37) and a second tank (38) for containing the hygroscopic liquid L; and a heat source (44) for heating the hygroscopic liquid L to be supplied to the second regeneration processing unit (34). The hygroscopic liquid L in the first tank (37) is supplied to the first hygroscopic-liquid pipe path (50) to be supplied through the condenser (22) to the first regeneration processing unit (31) again. Consequently, high energy utilization efficiency can be maintained.
US08171738B2	Gas turbine internal manifold mounting arrangement A mounting system supporting and positioning an internal fuel manifold of a gas turbine engine includes at least a heat shield surrounding a fuel inlet of the fuel manifold, the heat shield bearing at least a portion of a load to support the fuel manifold.
US08171733B2	Systems and methods involving combined cycle plants A system comprises a first heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) operative to receive steam from a source of steam and output water to the source of steam, a second HRSG operative to receive steam from the source of steam and output water to the source of steam, a first water flow control valve operative to regulate a flow of the water output from the first HRSG to the source of steam, and a second water flow control valve operative to regulate a flow of the water output from the second HRSG to the source of steam.
US08171732B2	Turbocharger for a vehicle with a coanda device A device is provided. The device includes an inlet manifold configured to direct an exhaust gas flow within the device, an air inlet configured to introduce an airflow within the device and at least one surface of the device having a Coanda profile configured to entrain incoming air through the exhaust gas flow to generate a high velocity airflow.
US08171730B2	External combustion engine An external combustion engine provided with a pipe-shaped main container with a heating portion and a cooling portion, an output part converting displacement of the liquid part of said working fluid generated due to the change in volume of said working fluid accompanying generation and condensation of said steam to mechanical energy for output, a venturi provided at a communicating part of the main container and an auxiliary container, a communicating member forming a communicating passage bypassing the venturi and communicating the main container and the auxiliary container, and a shutting means for closing the communicating passage at the time of normal operation and opening the communicating passage at the time of startup, wherein at the time of startup, the pressure loss at the communicating passage becomes smaller than a saturated steam pressure at the temperature of the heating portion.
US08171729B2	Mechanical output work generating apparatus incorporating buoyancy inducing components A mechanical output generating assembly including housing having a fluid filled interior and defining a passageway through which travels a buoyant article. A reload mechanism is secured to the housing for successively introducing a plurality of buoyant article into a bottom feed location associated with the housing. The buoyant articles exert a lift generating force to drive a power take off component incorporated into the housing. A re-supply mechanism is provided for transferring buoyant articles from an upper exit location of the housing to the reload mechanism for subsequent re-introduction into the housing.
US08171720B2	System and methods to detect non-urea reductant filled in a urea tank A method for indicating a non-urea reductant fault in a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system having an aftertreatment device utilizing a catalyst to convert NOx includes monitoring a NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system subsequent to a powertrain start-up event through a test span, monitoring a measure of NOx content entering the aftertreatment system subsequent to a powertrain start-up event through the test span, and determining a measure of NOx conversion accomplished in the aftertreatment device based upon the NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system and the measure of NOx content entering the aftertreatment system. The method includes, through the test span, comparing the measure of NOx conversion determined at a start of the test span to the measure of NOx conversion at a later time within the test span. A non-urea reductant fault is indicated based upon the comparing identifying a reduction in NOx conversion accomplished in the aftertreatment device between the start of the test span and the later time within the test span.
US08171719B2	Igniter assembly for a gas turbine An igniter assembly (10) of a gas turbine (12) is presented, including an igniter (14) disposed within an igniter housing (16). The igniter is extendable from the igniter housing through an opening (18) in a combustion liner (19) to an extended position, and is retractable from the extended position back through the opening to a retracted position (22). The igniter assembly further includes a compressible assembly (24) disposed between a base (26) of the igniter housing and the combustion liner to form a sealed interface (15) with a perimeter (28) of the opening (18). The compressible assembly is configured to restrict an air flow from passing between the igniter housing base and the perimeter of the opening. The compressible assembly is variable in length to accommodate a respective variation in a separation between the igniter housing base (26) and the opening (18).
US08171715B2	Shackle apparatus A shackle apparatus including a generally U-shaped shackle body having an arcuate end, a pair of parallel arms, and a retaining member spanning a gap defined between the shackle arms. The retaining member cooperates with the shackle body to define a closed loop which can be permanently attached to a sling or lifting cable. The retaining member prevents the shackle apparatus from being removed and installed on another sling or lifting cable without substantially destroying the shackle apparatus of the present invention.
US08171714B2	Chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links The invention relates to a chain suitable to moor or anchor boats, to lash cargo in road, rail, water and air transportation or for conveying, hoisting, suspending or lifting applications, said chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links. More in particular the invention relates to a chain suitable for the above stated uses comprising a plurality of interconnected links, at least part of the links comprising polyolefin fibers and in particular ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing the strength of such a chain.
US08171713B2	Wrapped yarns for use in ropes having predetermined surface characteristics A rope comprising a plurality of yarns, where at least one of the plurality of yarns is a blended yarn comprising a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. Abrasion resistance properties of the blended yarn are greater than abrasion resistance properties of the first fibers. A coefficient of friction of the first fibers is less than a coefficient of friction of the second fibers. The second fibers substantially define abrasion resistance and coefficient of friction characteristics of the at least one blended yarn. When the rope contacts a structural member, the first set of fibers of the at least one blended yarn substantially bear tension loads on the at least one blended yarn and at least a portion of the second fibers of the at least one blended yarn substantially lie between the set of first fibers and the structural member.
US08171712B2	Multi-layer yarn structure and method for making the same A multi-layer yarn structure and a method for making the same are provided. The multi-layer yarn structure includes a core layer, a layer of noncircular fibers, and an outer layer. The core layer has a plurality of hydrophobic fibers. The noncircular fibers surround the core layer to form a middle layer. The outer layer surrounds the middle layer and has a plurality of hydrophilic fibers. The method spins different fibers into multi-layer yarn for making textile with a soft, smooth, and thick feel. By utilizing inherent characteristics of the multi-layer yarn structure, the textile may regulate moisture released from the human body and keep the body dry and comfort.
US08171708B2	Stripper plate A stripper plate for use with a corn head row unit includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is substantially flat such that the lateral surface of the front portion is parallel to the ground surface. The rear portion is integrally formed with the first portion and is beveled downward toward the ground surface. The interface between the front portion and the rear portion may be a gradually beveled area wherein the downward slope of the stripper plate increases along its length from the front thereof to the rear thereof.
US08171707B2	Corn stalk rollers Corn stalk rollers, comprising a plurality of roller assemblies pivotally mounted to and spanning the corn head of a corn harvest combine; an apparatus to bias the plurality of roller assemblies into contact with the ground while the corn harvest combine is harvesting corn; and chevron-patterned protrusions on each of the plurality of roller assemblies for providing ground traction and for aiding in crushing harvested corn stalks to ground level corn-field-wide.
US08171701B2	Method and system for handling containers Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers. After the conveying, a moveable element in a bottom end of each container is activated substantially permanently to remove the vacuum in the container.
US08171698B2	Apparatus for fastening a finishing strip An apparatus is described for fastening a finishing strip (2) with a support (1) forming a wall leg (4), which support comprises at least one upwardly protruding holding web (8) engaging in a downwardly open groove (9) of the finishing strip (2) for clamping accommodation of the finishing strip. In order to enable securing the finishing strip (2) in the mounting position it is proposed that the support (1) comprises at least one resilient securing tongue (10) with a leg extending approximately parallel to the holding web (8), which securing tongue overlaps a securing stop (12) of the finishing strip (2) which extends transversally to the holding web (8).
US08171690B2	Countersunk fastener assemblies, panel mounting systems, and methods Washer assemblies for mounting panels to a support without damaging the panels include a countersunk washer and a sleeve. In one implementation, the washer assemblies are configured to at least partially prevent the formation of hoop stresses within a panel, and uniformly transmit forces created by a fastener to a panel. The washer assemblies can be configured to enhance the function, look, feel, or aesthetic of a panel system. In addition, systems of at least one implementation of the present invention include a plurality of panels mounted to one or more supports using one or more washer assemblies and methods of mounting such systems.
US08171686B1	Starter course for exterior insulation panels The present invention provides for a starter course for an exterior insulation panel application. The starter course has an outer surface, an inner surface, a lower edge, an upper edge and side edges. The outer surface is generally planar. The inner surface is provided with raised structures to provide drainage channels there between, the raised structures being provided over at least the upper half of the inner surface of the starter course. The raised structures extend across the starter course from one side edge to the other and from the upper edge to at least half way to the lower edge. The portion of the inner surface from the lower edge upwardly to about half way to the upper edge is free of the raised structures.
US08171684B2	Glass wall A glass wall configured to be used as a wall or partition wall includes at least two insulating glazing units. Each glazing unit includes at least two sheets of glass spaced apart by an air gap and assembled by at least one substantially flat insert that is secured by one of its faces to the edge faces of the sheets of glass. The glazing units are secured together by a securing mechanism that collaborates with the inserts placed facing each of the glazing units.
US08171682B2	Frameless window and process for its manufacture Frameless window which comprises a transparent pane, the lower edge of which is fixed in the slot of one or more holders by at least one layer of adhesive and is joined to the walls of the slot of the holders by at least two layers of a first adhesive applied close to the lateral ends of the slot, wherein at least one layer of a second adhesive is applied in the slot between the layers of the first adhesive. A process for manufacturing the window is also disclosed.
US08171679B2	Integrated electrical conduit for solar PV system An unitized curtain wall unit houses energy conversion devices (such as photovoltaic modules), and includes integrated wiring conduits for routing signal and power cables within a building façade or exterior shell structures.
US08171678B2	Slab lift bracket The present invention provides a slab lift bracket that includes an collar portion with a center, an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The slab lift bracket also includes a plurality of protruding members that are distributed around and fixed to the collar portion. The protruding members extend outwardly and downwardly of the collar portion at spaced apart locations, and have a hook shaped free end.
US08171677B2	Insert for a weep hole opening in a masonry wall An insert (1) for a weep hole opening in a masonry wall is disclosed. The insert (1) includes a hollow body (2) defining an air flow conduit (3) and including a first open end (4) and a second open end (5). A stainless steel mesh screen (6) extends across the conduit (3) near the first open end (4) and is adapted to prevent fire brands and sparks from passing through the body (2). A locating member, in the form of a grate (7), is hingedly connected to the body (2) adjacent the first open end (4). The screen (6) is located in a recess (8) in the rear of the grate (7) and friction between the screen (6) and the grate (7) retains the screen (6) in the recess (8). The grate (7) is formed from a material that substantially retains its spatial integrity when exposed to the heat flux profile generated by a typical forest fire, such that the grate (7) continues thereafter to locate the screen (6). The grate (7) also has a plurality of ventilation apertures (9) to allow air to pass through the air flow conduit (3). A mortar guard (10) releasably snap-lockingly engages the grate (7) to cover the ventilation apertures (9) to prevent mortar clogging the apertures (9) during rendering.
US08171676B2	Construction of nuclear power plant building and construction method thereof A nuclear power plant building includes a building body portion and a roof covering over the building body portion. The building body portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plane cross section by four outer walls. The roof is of a shell construction. In addition, corner walls each to bridge between the adjacent outer walls or to bridge between the roof and the outer wall are provided at angle portions of the body portion of the building.
US08171673B2	Motorized door opener for a vehicle A motorized door opener for a vehicle (such as a military or security vehicle), featuring a sensor system that determines door position to prevent door damage while the opener is in operation. The opener features an offset gear system that effectively changes the door's rotation point. Mechanical advantage is gained by using a lengthened lever arm with the gear system, providing increased leverage and allowing the motor to provide enough force to open and close a heavily armored door. The opener can use existing door hinges, and can be provided so as not to protrude into the door space, in order to facilitate passenger and equipment entry/exit through the doors. A safety release mechanism is included in some embodiments, allowing the door to be manually opened or closed.
US08171672B2	Output shaft, teeter lever and pinion gear arrangement for pneumatic differential engine A removable teeter lever and gear assembly arrangement (100) for use with a pneumatic cylinder/differential engine for operating vehicle doors. The arrangement comprises a teeter lever (16), which is associated with the vehicle doors, a gear assembly (17) having a toothed portion and an output shaft (20) extending therethrough, and at least one securing member for removably securing and/or retaining the teeter lever (16) and the gear (17) on the output shaft (20). The securing member comprises at least one retention key (18a, 19a) which allows the arrangement to be easily disassembled for maintenance and/or replacement thereof.
US08171669B1	Air rooting shell An air rooting shell comprises a first shell half mateable with a second shell half to form a shell for enclosing around a branch. The shell comprises a reservoir for containing planting medium and an upper lipped opening that receives the branch and collects and funnels water to the reservoir. A bottom opening is provided through which the lower portion of the branch may exit. Side openings on the shell may be used to enclose a branch in a horizontal orientation, while the upper lipped opening remains vertically oriented to receive water.
US08171666B2	Scope mounting clamps for firearms A sighting assembly for a firearm includes a scope and a mounting clamp. The mounting clamp includes a ring cap and a ring base that cooperate to surround and hold the scope. The ring cap and ring base securely grip the scope without damaging the scope. Clamping forces are generally tangent to the scope to minimize or limit the formation of dents, grooves, or other types of marring and/or damage to optics or the body of the scope.
US08171665B2	Portable firearms having identification marks Portable firearms having identification marks and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example firearm includes a first identification number visibly located on the firearm; and a second, hidden or disguised identification number associated with the first identification number to facilitate identifying the firearm if the first identification number is destroyed, changed, or damaged.
US08171664B2	Configurable computer display stand bearing signage with a user-selected one of multiple orientations to physically conform to point of sale physical constraints A display stand for a laptop computer has an L-shaped spine supporting the computer. A T-shaped upper advertising substrate holder can be slid into the vertical leg of the spine in one of multiple orientations, i.e., with the cross-bar of the T horizontal to the ground or vertical to the ground on either the left side or right side of the computer, as point of sale (POS) physical constraints demand. In all orientations of the upper holder, an upper advertising substrate is supported by the upper holder in a vertical orientation. A T-shaped lower advertising substrate holder can be slid into the horizontal leg of the spine to support a lower advertising substrate in a horizontal orientation.
US08171660B2	Decal protector and protection method A decal plate assembly for a motocross motorcycle includes an underlying base plate such as a number plate that is mounted to the vehicle. A decal having printed indicia thereon is attached to the base plate via adhesive or being integrally molded into the base plate. Additionally, the transparent cover plate at least partially covers a portion of the decal and the underlying base plate to prevent wear of the decal. This is particular applicable to high wear regions such as in the boot area of the motocross motorcycle where decals are typically subject to high wear.
US08171655B2	Sole construction and related method of manufacture A footwear construction including an upper, a midsole including a midsole flange, and an outsole shell including an outsole flange. The flanges can project outwardly, away from the upper in the forefoot portion. The flanges can be joined with a direct attach bond and a lock stitch. The flanges can each terminate short of the heel portion. The lock stitch can terminate short of the heel portion, and can be visible above and below the joined flanges. The midsole can include a fully exposed and viewable portion in the heel portion of the footwear. The midsole can include a heel cup integrally formed with the midsole flange. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching a midsole to an upper and an outsole including an outsole flange. The midsole can form with a midsole flange, and the midsole flange and outsole flange can be stitched together with a lock stitch.
US08171654B2	Modular open-toe footwear retaining system One embodiment of the present invention relates to an article of open-toe footwear including a sole member and a modular retaining system that allows a user to affect the appearance and function of the article of footwear. The modular retaining system includes a strap member and a plurality of coupling members. The strap member extends from an upper surface of the sole member over a corresponding user's foot between various recesses located on the surface of the sole member. The end regions of the strap member are releasably coupled with the sole member at the recesses via a releasable engagement with coupler members oppositely oriented within the recesses from a lower surface of the sole member. The releasable engagement between the strap member and the coupling members may utilize a threaded coupling configuration in which a male portion of the coupler member is threadably coupled within a corresponding female portion of the end region.
US08171653B1	Gaiter attachment outsole An outsole with a configuration of protrusions that allows attachment of a gaiter. The protrusions may be similar to conventional lugs and perform ordinary lug functions or they may be highly specialized protrusions dedicated to attachment of a gaiter. Attachment is accomplished by jamming an expanded end of a gaiter cord amongst specialized surfaces on protrusions. Typically a gaiter cord first passes between protrusions typically on either the outboard side of footwear, or at the heel. Thereafter, the gaiter cord passes through a narrow slot and then enters a space wide enough for the expanded end. Tensioning of the gaiter cord further jams the expanded end of the cord in the outsole; thereby attaching the gaiter to the outsole.
US08171649B2	Laser device A laser device, including a cradle with a laser unit exiting from this, the cradle being connected to a base element, relative to which the cradle can be adjusted in terms of inclination by at least one actuating drive. In order to achieve a secure mounting of the cradle for the laser unit with simple structural means, while at the same time eliminating any play between the mutually tilting parts, it is proposed that the cradle be connected to the base element, first, by a solid joint, and secondly by two adjusting drives, wherein the adjusting drives are arranged with respect to the solid joint so that the lines of connection between lengthwise axis of the solid joint and the adjusting drives subtend a right angle.
US08171643B1	Method for making a decorative security panel for doors and windows A method for making a decorative polymer panel assembly for insertion into an opening of a door or window. The method can include forming a polymer grille by cutting a design into a polymer with a low-moisture content of no more than five wt %. The polymer grille can have a frame portion and a design portion. A seal can be contiguously disposed about a perimeter of the frame portion. A grille assembly can be formed by disposing a translucent panel on each side of the seal, forming an air space with the polymer grille disposed within the air space. The grille assembly can be pressed and heated to form a heat formed seal between the seal, the polymer grille, and each translucent panel. The grille assembly can then be cooled to an ambient temperature, forming the decorative polymer panel assembly.
US08171638B2	Process for providing improved electrical properties on a roll for use in electrophotography A method and system for producing rolls for electrophotography are provided. The rolls can be rotated and shifted laterally during an oxidative baking process to produce finished rolls having improved electrical and printing characteristics. The oxidation of the rolls may be controlled to provide a corresponding increase in surface electrical resistance to within plus or minus 25 microns of a selected roll thickness.
US08171637B2	Superfinishing large planetary gear systems Disclosed herein is a new improved large planetary gear system used on the input stage of wind turbine power generators. This improved planetary gear system reduces or eliminates lubricant debris traditionally generated from the gear teeth, thereby eliminating an initiating source for bearing failure. To achieve these results, some and preferably all of the gear teeth within the planetary gear system are superfinished using chemically accelerated vibratory finishing to a surface roughness of approximately 0.25 micron or less. Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a gearbox with reduced metal debris, improved bearing life, reduced wear, reduced vibro-frictional noise, improved contact fatigue, improved fretting resistance, improved lubrication, to simplify the run-in process, and to enhance the durability and efficiency of the gearbox.
US08171628B2	Photosensitive conductive film, method for forming conductive film, method for forming conductive pattern, and conductive film substrate A photosensitive conductive film 10 according to the invention includes a support film 1, a conductive layer 2 containing conductive fiber formed on the support film 1, and a photosensitive resin layer 3 formed on the conductive layer 2.
US08171626B1	Method for forming embedded circuit A method for forming an embedded circuit is disclosed. First, a substrate including a dielectric layer is provided. Second, the dielectric layer is entirely covered by a dummy layer. Then, the dummy layer is patterned and a trench is formed in the dielectric layer at the same time. Later, a seed layer is formed to entirely cover the dummy layer and the trench. Next, the dummy layer is removed and the seed layer covering the dummy layer is removed, too. Afterwards, a metal layer is filled in the trench to form an embedded circuit embedded in the dielectric layer.
US08171625B1	Method of providing low footprint optical interconnect Compact ASIC, chip-on-board, flip-chip, interposer, and related packaging techniques are incorporated to minimize the footprint of optoelectronic interconnect devices, including the Optical Data Pipe. In addition, ruggedized packaging techniques are incorporated to increase the durability and application space for optoelectronic interconnect devices, including an Optical Data Pipe.
US08171622B2	Flexible printed circuit and method for manufacturing the same Disclosed is a flexible printed circuit, comprising a substrate, and a silver foil and a reinforcement plate attached on said substrate in order, wherein there is an ink layer between said silver foil and said reinforcement plate. According to the invention, by printing the ink onto the silver foil and then attaching the reinforcement plate, especially printing the ink in the form of a dot, strip or mesh, the total thickness of the flexible printed circuit will not increase while the surface roughness of the silver foil increases, resulting in increase of adhesion of the reinforcement plate. This strengthens the attachment between the reinforcement plate and the silver foil, meeting the requirement of peeling-resistant strength between the reinforcement plate and the silver foil.
US08171620B2	Component supplying apparatus and surface mounting machine A component supplying apparatus and a reel can be easily and integrally managed when not supplying components, and the component supplying apparatus can be made to be compact when the component supplying apparatus and the reel are not integrally managed. The component supplying apparatus (50) has an apparatus main body section (53), provided with a feeding apparatus (52) for pulling out a tape (TP), which holds components at fixed intervals, from a reel (80) toward a prescribed component supplying position, and a main body frame (500) on which the feeding apparatus (52) is mounted. The component supplying apparatus (50) is removably mounted on a surface mounting machine (10). The component supplying apparatus (50) is provided with an engaging section (100) as reel holder, which is mounted on the apparatus main body section (53) and is displaced between a holding position where the reel (80) is held and a storing position where the reel (80) is not held.
US08171619B2	Device for manufacturing a pre-assembly for a tire Device for manufacturing a cut-to-length pre-assembly for a tire, wherein in the pre-assembly first and second side walls are situated on either side of an inner liner. The device comprises a supply conveyor for conveying the cut pre-assembly to the building drum. The device is provided with a first side wall measuring device for measuring the length of the first side wall of the cut pre-assembly and for giving a first side wall measuring signal indicative of the measured length of the first side wall, with a second side wall measuring device for measuring the length of the second side wall of the cut pre-assembly and for giving a second side wall measuring signal indicative of the measured length of the second side wall, and with an inner liner measuring device for measuring the length of the inner liner of the cut pre-assembly and for giving an inner liner measuring signal indicative of the measured length of the inner liner.
US08171618B1	Tunable pole trim processes for fabricating trapezoidal perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) write poles A method of forming a write pole for a magnetic recording device is provided. The method comprises providing a layer of magnetic material covered with a secondary hard mask layer and a patterned primary hard mask, milling at a first milling angle to transfer a pattern from the patterned primary hard mask to the secondary hard mask, and milling at a second milling angle to transfer the pattern from the secondary hard mask to the layer of magnetic material to form the write pole. The second milling angle is greater than the first milling angle. The method further comprises milling at a third milling angle to adjust a side wall angle of the write pole to about a desired side wall angle, and milling at a fourth milling angle to reduce a track width of the write pole to a desired track width.
US08171615B2	Machine for fitting fasteners of the rivet type, particularly for aircraft fuselage or subassembly components In this machine the displacement assembly allows the working head to be moved in five or six axes, namely three translational movements along the three Cartesian axes X, Y and Z, and two or three pivoting options; the working head includes several tools for performing the various operations involved in fitting a fastener, particularly a drilling tool, a countersinking tool; these tools can each be moved in turn between a rest position and working position situated on the working axis; in this working position, each tool can move translationally along the working axis; the working head also includes a bearing piece mounted on it intended to come to bear against the components that are to be assembled and including a buffer region with which the drilling and countersinking tools come into contact as they move, this contact determining the fully deployed position of these tools.
US08171613B2	Electrically insulated wedge thread connection An electrically-insulative threaded connection includes a pin member having a pin thread and a box member having a box thread. An insulating composite layer is disposed between the pin thread and the box thread. The insulating composite layer includes an insulating fiber and insulating resin. The pin thread and the box thread are wedge threads. A method of making an electrically-insulative threaded connection includes forming a pin wedge thread on a pin member and winding a filament over the pin wedge thread. The filament is wetted with a resin, thereby forming a composite layer. The composite layer is cured and machined to mate with a box wedge thread.
US08171606B2	Method of manufacturing a hinge assembly utilizing a metal injection molding process and a die A THIXOMOLDING™ process and a die are utilized to fabricate a hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hinge assembly includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.
US08171604B2	Structure of steel cable fastener A structure of steel cable fastener is provided for eliminating a returning force caused by twisting stress induced in a steel cable when the steel cable is stretched and fixed by the fastener, which induces a stress due to fixing of a fixing end of the steel cable. Such a returning force makes the operation and adjustment of mounting a locking cap to the steel cable difficult and also induces damage and wear of a fixing end of the steel cable due to twisting stress induced in the steel cable. The structure of the steel cable fastener includes a bearing retainer that carries a bearing device and arranged inside the locking cap to secure an end of the steel cable and a resilient element arranged between the bearing retainer and the locking cap for relief of twisting stress induced in the steel cable through the rotation of the bearing device.
US08171596B2	Roller applicator An application roller for applying liquid or semi-liquid substances on surfaces comprises a frame having a shaft including a handle thereon for grasping by a user and a cross axle oriented at a right angle to the shaft. A cylinder having first and second ends rotatably mounted on the cross axle defines an outer surface having a first portion of an attachment system thereon. A cover wrap dimensioned to circumferentially encompass the cylinder has a liquid absorbent outer surface and an inner surface including a second portion of the attachment system. The first and second portions of the attachment system cooperate to permit selective removal and reattachment of the cover wrap on the cylinder.
US08171595B1	Roller for coating a curved surface Disclosed herein is a roller for coating a curved surface. The roller includes a handle and a concave sleeve rotatably mounted thereto. The concave sleeve includes an outer surface that is curved inwardly. The concave sleeve can include an outer layer, such as a fibrous layer or nap, which defines the outer surface. The concave sleeve includes a core for supporting the outer layer and having means for mounting the concave sleeve to a handle, such as an axial passage defined by the core. The core can be formed of one or more components.
US08171593B2	Golf towel A cleaning apparatus for golf equipment and the like, the apparatus having combined abrading, polishing and moisture delivery capabilities which may all be caused to act upon a target object simultaneously while shielding the user from wet and soiled surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is comprised of two adjoining panels of toweling at least one of which is of the terry variety having a plurality of finger-like loops. A portion of one cloth is integrated with a porous mesh scrubbing material on one side and a non-water-permeable backing on the other. The integration of mesh and cloth produce a grid-like duel-textured surface that provides simultaneous abrading and polishing functionality. To further enhance cleaning ability, means for delivering water to the mesh/cloth layer is disposed between the cloth/mesh layer and backing material. The backing material shields the user's hands and golf glove from the soiled and damp cleaning surface of the apparatus; the first panel of polishing cloth serves as a barrier between the golf bag and the soiled and damp cleaning surface of the second panel.
US08171590B2	Anti-expansion joint bridge constructed through detailed survey for bridge Disclosed herein is an anti-expansion joint bridge which eliminates an expansion joint structure from an upper structure thereof, and includes a plurality of slidable steel plates to cover a space between girders or floor slabs expanding and contracting on piers and asphalt concrete pavement on the steel plates, so that expansion and contraction of the girders occurring on the piers is prevented from affecting the pavement, thereby ensuring smooth travel of vehicles thereon. The anti-expansion joint bridge includes a pair of expandable/contractible girders separated from each other while constituting an upper structure of the bridge, a plurality of sliding plates overlapping each other on the girders while covering a gap between the girders, and an ascon part covering the pair of girders together with the sliding plates.
US08171589B2	Individually formed footwear and a related method Individually formed footwear such as shoes and insoles for correcting the feet position and alleviate related problems. The shoe or insole includes at least one layer made of thermoplastic material, which material is advantageously chosen from a group of ABS, PVC, A-PET and PETG. A method for providing such footwear to a client at a retail store is likewise presented.
US08171588B2	Pneumatic valve assembly for a patient support A patient bed including a deck, supported by a base, and a patient support supported by the deck. The patient support includes a pneumatic device and at least one pressure sensor located within the patient support.
US08171585B2	Lightweight fluid An inexpensive, lightweight, compressible, shock absorbing, and resilient fluid for use in padding applications is presented. A fluid pad can comprise closed-cell foam beads and a surrounding fluid housed in a thin plastic bladder. The closed-cell foam beads can be exactly flooded by the fluid. Alternatively, the fluid can lubricate the closed-cell foam beads. The surrounding fluid may also comprise solid phase microballoons. The addition of the closed-cell foam beads can result in the overall fluid in the bladder being lighter in weight. The fluid pad with the closed-cell foam beads can be compressible and resilient. The fluid pad with the closed-cell foam beads can be shock absorbing with respect to impact loads or vibrations. The addition of the closed-cell foam beads can lower the cost of the fluid pad insert.
US08171583B1	Hospital bed with an integral bed pan A mattress apparatus that combines the functionality of a hospital bed with that of a bedpan is herein disclosed. A bedpan assembly is provided to temporarily replace a slidable mattress section in the middle of the mattress area. In use, a person confined to a bed can use the bedpan without exiting the bed, thereby avoiding undue physical stress. The bedpan is inserted under a buttock area for normal use using an integrated track system, and slid out being coincidentally replaced by the slidable mattress section, to return the bed to its original condition. The bedpan can be removed, emptied, and cleaned by the care-giver without disturbing the patient.
US08171580B2	Patient transfer system for use in stereotactic radiation therapy A patient transfer system including a patient support panel, a first base member mounted on a first support structure, e.g., a gurney, and a second base member mounted on a second support structure, e.g., a patient treatment table. The patient support panel has a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. Each base member has at least one clamp arranged to engage a rail of the patient support panel to hold it in place thereon. The clamps are releasable to enable the patient support panel to be slid off of one base member and onto the other base member. If the support structures are spaced apart at least one bridging member is provided to bridge the gap therebetween and allow the patient support member to be slid thereacross.
US08171577B1	Bathtub seat system A bathtub seat system a bathtub that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall includes a pair of lateral walls attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has an upper edge defining an opening extending into the bathtub. A block is removably positioned in the bathtub and has a bottom side, a top side and a peripheral surface extending between the top and bottom sides. The peripheral surface includes a front side, a back side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. A width of the block from the first lateral side to the second lateral side increases from the bottom side to the top side. The block extends between and frictionally engages the lateral walls. The block provides a seating space for a person using the bathtub.
US08171570B2	Exoskeleton Exoskeleton for physical activity, specially snow skiing, for preventing knee, leg and hip injuries by preventing the excessive torsion of the knee and other movements that could be dangerous for the person wearing it. The exoskeleton diverts the potential dangerous forces to the strong parts of the body and resists the generated forces when it reaches dangerous anatomical positions. The exoskeleton includes at least one first support member configured to couple above the knee; at least one second support member configured to couple below the knee; both of them linked together by a linkage assembly that limits that the coupling to the body of the support members reach dangerous positions; and at least one angle limitation mechanism that limits the relative rotation between the first support member and the second support member.
US08176564B2	Special PC mode entered upon detection of undesired state A system and method for monitoring a computer, particularly a pay-per-use computer, uses an isolated computing environment or supervisor. The isolated computing environment boots prior to any boot device associated with an operating system, runs concurrently with the operating system and monitors and measures the computer in operation. Once the isolated computing environment determines the computer is not in compliance with the required policies, the isolated computing environment may either impose an impediment to use such as slowing clock speed or completely disable the operating system. The user may have to return the computer to a service provider to restore it from the offending condition and reset the computer to an operational state.
US08176563B2	Data security system and method with editor The method, program and system secures sensitive data/objects found in a data source document with an editor. The simple editor identifies and displays, in situ, the sensitive words/objects per each security level. Level tags are inserted and adjunctive words/objects are marked/displayed per the level's protocol. The precursor document is processed to extract sensitive and adjunctive words/objects. The stripped data is either separately stored or partial versions of the secured document are stored per protocol. A comprehensive editor secures content data and meta data contained in a data document object model (DOM). The editor maps the source document root, branch and leaf components as binary files populated with content data and meta data. Security introns, earlier identified based upon the level's informational attributes, are excluded. Security exons are copied from the source content and meta data binary files into a security safe document (template). Filtration, extraction, dispersal and storage follow.
US08176560B2	Evaluation of tamper resistant software system implementations According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for evaluating a software system includes defining a rating of the tamper resistance of a software system and breaking down the rating into a plurality of metrics relevant to the tamper resistance of the software system. A score may then be calculated for each metric and the scores may be combined into a composite score for the rating.
US08176559B2	Obfuscated malware detection Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for obfuscated malware. In one aspect, a method includes executing from a binary executable a call instruction and a plurality of instruction subsequent to a target of the call instruction, determining if the value identified by the stack pointer of the call stack is equal to a default value stored in the call stack prior to emulation, determining if there is a non-obfuscation signal resulting from the execution of the call instructions and the plurality of instructions, and if the value identified by the stack pointer is the default value and there is no obfuscation signal, identifying the call instruction as a possibly obfuscated call instruction; Additionally, the method includes determining that if the number of call instructions identified as possibly obfuscated call instructions exceeds a threshold number, identifying the binary executable as an obfuscated executable.
US08176555B1	Systems and methods for detecting malicious processes by analyzing process names and process characteristics A computer-implemented method for detecting a malicious process using file-name heuristics may comprise: 1) identifying a process, 2) identifying a process name for the process, 3) identifying a list of process names for non-malicious processes, and 4) determining, by comparing the process name for the process with the list of process names for non-malicious processes, whether to allow the process to execute. A method for maintaining a database containing information about non-malicious processes is also disclosed. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08176552B2	Computer system, computer program product and method for assessing a profile of a computer system A method for maintaining a computer system on the basis of an access profile and a change profile is disclosed. The computer system includes at least one workstation computer and a maintenance computer. The invention further relates to a method for providing an access profile and a method for assessing a software correction.
US08176551B1	Detection of observer programs and countermeasures against observer programs A system for detecting an observing program on a computer system is disclosed as including accessing instructions that access observer data. The observer data includes data descriptive of the observer program. The observer program is programmed to observe a user's activities on the computer system and also operates to create data from its observations. The system also includes reading instructions that read memory of the computer system to obtain memory data. Further, the system includes comparing instructions that compare the observer data with memory data read in from memory to determine whether the observer program is present on the computer system. The system may also include generating instructions that generate results from the reading and comparing. The results generated indicate whether the observer program is present on the computer system. In addition, the system includes outputting instructions that obtain the results and provide the results for a user.
US08176550B2	Authentication-capable apparatus and security system The place where a user performs personal authentication includes a room into which entry is authenticated, and an apparatus for use of which authentication input (login and logout) is performed. In such situation, it will take at least a moving time for a user to perform authentication input at a certain location and thereafter to perform authentication input at another apparatus of a different location. Therefore, the present invention provides an authentication-capable apparatus whereby the authentication input by the aforementioned user (the same user) at a different place is inhibited within the aforementioned moving time, thereby preventing “spoofing” by an unauthorized user.
US08176549B2	Unit using OS and image forming apparatus using the same A chip mountable on a customer replaceable unit monitory (CRUM) unit used in an image forming job includes a central processing unit (CPU) to perform cryptographic data communication with a main body of an image forming apparatus, using an operating system (OS) of the CPU. The security of a unit on which the chip is mounted can thereby be reinforced and random changes of data of the unit can be prevented.
US08176548B2	Protection system for display apparatus and method thereof A protection system for a display apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The protection system includes an electronic key and a protection module. The protection system performs security identification with a plurality of passwords and updates the passwords every time after the security identification is completed to improve the security of the display apparatus. The display apparatus is allowed to be turned on when one of the passwords is correct, and the passwords are separately updated after the security identification is completed. The protection system is highly secure and provides greater convenience to users.
US08176547B2	System and method for controlling user access to an electronic device A system requires a user to enter a geometric pattern on an interface device to gain access to the system. After the correct geometric pattern is entered, a timer times a duration before an authenticating password is subsequently entered by the user. If the duration exceeds a predetermined length of time, access to a set of one or more files is at least temporarily prevented. If the user enters the authenticating password before the duration exceeds the predetermined length of time, access to the set of one or more files is granted.
US08176541B1	Leveraging a persistent connection to access a secured service Leveraging a persistent connection to provide a client access to a secured service may include establishing a persistent connection with a client in response to a first request from the client, and brokering a connection between the client and a secured service based on a second request from the client by leveraging the persistent connection with the client. The brokering may occur before the client attempts to connect to the secured service directly and the connection may be established between the client and the secured service without provision by the client of authentication information duplicative or additional to authentication information provided by the client to establish the persistent connection.
US08176539B2	Methods for protecting against cookie-poisoning attacks in networked-communication applications The present invention discloses methods, media, and gateways for protecting against cookie-poisoning attacks in networked-communication applications. Methods include the steps of: creating a protected gateway cookie, generated by a gateway, for a server cookie, generated by a server, wherein the server cookie is received by the gateway in an HTTP response message; and validating, by the gateway, that a client cookie from a client request has a corresponding gateway cookie with expected field values. Preferably, the field values include at least one field value selected from the group consisting of: a name, a hash value computed over the server cookie, a hash-function index, a timestamp, a nonce, a hash value computed over newly-generated values, a path, a domain, an expiration, and an HTTP-only value. Preferably, the gateway cookie is signed with a secret key. Most preferably, the secret key is generated by a secret seed.
US08176538B2	Information processing system, recording medium storing control program, and computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave An information processing system, which includes: an information distribution server; a client apparatus; and a plurality of service providing servers that provide service to a user of the client apparatus, and the information distribution server including: a user authentication information memory that stores user authentication information; a receiving section that receives authentication information from the plurality of service providing servers; and an authentication proxy information distributing section that distributes authentication proxy information prepared based on the user authentication information and the authentication information, and the client apparatus including: a user authentication section that carries out authentication of the user, and an authentication proxy section that, if the authentication is carried out by the user authentication section, executes a proxy authentication when the user accesses at least one of the plurality of service providing servers on the basis of the distributed authentication proxy information.
US08176537B2	Image formation apparatus, function extension method, and a computer readable storage medium having function extension program stored therein An image formation apparatus: previously stores first information allowing functions that a plurality of users are authorized to use, respectively, to be determined; receives second information input to determine a user, the second information allowing that user to be determined; determines from the previously stored first information a normal function that the determined user is authorized to use; is set to make the determined normal function available; receives third information input from a first storage medium having the third information stored therein, to determine an extended function, the third information allowing the extended function to be determined; and is set to make the determined extended function available in addition to the normal function set available.
US08176533B1	Complementary client and user authentication scheme An authentication mechanism is provided to authenticate both client and user of a portable computing device when the user causes a client to request a protected resource on the portable computing device. Upon receiving a request a protected resource by the client, the authentication mechanism determines which authentication method is specified for authentication of the client, and authenticates the client accordingly. Upon a determination that the client is authentic, the authentication mechanism invokes a user interface that is separate and distinct from the client to solicit input from the user. Based on the input solicited from the user, the authentication mechanism determines whether the user is an authentic user of the portable computing device. If it is determined that the user is an authentic user, the authentication mechanism determines based on an indication from the user whether the client should be authorized to access the protected resource requested.
US08176527B1	Correlation engine with support for time-based rules A rules engine with support for time-based rules is disclosed. A method performed by the rules engine, comprises receiving security events generated by a number of network devices. The security events are aggregated. One or more time-based rules are provided to a RETE engine. The aggregated security events are provided to the RETE engine at specific times associated with the time-based rules. The security events are cross-correlated with the one or more time-based rules; and one or more first stage meta-events are reported.
US08176526B1	Configurable redundant security device failover Techniques are described for managing failover in redundant network devices. In particular, each device in a set of redundant network devices includes redundant processing modules. Each module provides a separate operating environment for a set of network services. Each network device includes a control unit that receives configuration information that specifies individual weight values for each of the modules and a threshold value for the network device. The control unit detects failures of the modules and transfers primary responsibility for performing the network service to a second network device when the threshold value is exceeded by a weighted sum of the weight values for the failed modules.
US08176524B2	System and method for wireless communication of video data having partial data compression A system and method for wireless communication of video data are disclosed. One embodiment of the system transmits partially compressed video data from a transmitter to a receiver over a wireless channel. The transmitter is configured to send a plurality of groups of data bits over a wireless channel. The data bits, in an uncompressed form, together form one or more displayable elements representing at least a portion of a video image. The plurality of groups have different degrees of significance to the quality of the video image. The plurality of groups include a first group of uncompressed data bits, and a second group of compressed data bits, wherein the first group has a higher degree of significance to the quality of the video image than the second group. The receiver is configured to receive the plurality of groups of data bits over the wireless channel. The system allows transmission of a large amount of video data over a wireless channel having a limited capacity or a varying condition.
US08176517B2	Automatic display of new program information during current program viewing A method and apparatus for automatic display of next or future television program information when tuned to a television channel. Acquired or received program information for a television program to be shown next or later on the currently tuned television channel is automatically displayed on the currently tuned channel. In this manner, a viewer is provided with information regarding a next or future television program on the television channel currently being watched without active intervention by the viewer. According to an aspect of the invention, if a new or next television program guide or program information (update) is received before the end of a current television program, the television apparatus automatically updates the display of program information according to the information included in the newly received program guide.
US08176514B2	Expanded playlist for TV video player An Internet TV video guide shows thumbnails of video assets available from one or more providers, and one or more of the assets may represent a playlist with two or more associated video clips. When a viewer selects a playlist asset, the thumbnail is expanded to show the individual clips so that a viewer can select a desired clip for play on the TV.
US08176512B2	Method for enhancing digital video recorder television advertising viewership A method for enhancing digital video recorder television advertising viewership provides a method wherein the first or last number of seconds of a commercial break are carefully authored to provide a “teaser” to entice the viewer to watch multiple commercials during the commercial break instead of skipping the commercial break using the fast forward or jump functions of the DVR. A bookending function displays an advertisement before and/or after a program that has been recorded on the DVR's storage device is played to the viewer. The viewer selects a recorded program from the DVR's storage device to playback. Before the program is played back, an advertisement is retrieved from the storage device and is displayed before the program is run. Another advertisement is retrieved and then played after the program is over.
US08176511B2	Method for providing user information and broadcast receiving apparatus using the same A broadcast receiving apparatus and a method for providing user information are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus transmits user information stored in a storage medium to a broadcast station. Therefore, a user may participate in data broadcasting more conveniently.
US08176509B2	Post processing video to identify interests based on clustered user interactions Methods and systems for post-processing video to identify interests based on clustered user interactions are provided. A client application program running on a set-top box is provided to enable a user to interactively select a point of interest within video content being played via the set-top box. The selected points of interest of multiple users is aggregated, and clusters of the points of interest are determined. Objects associated with the clusters are determined by analyzing video segments containing the clustered points of interest. Messages related to the objects are created and sent to the relevant users that indicated selection of points of interest which correlate to the objects.
US08176508B2	Method and apparatus to provide verification of data using a fingerprint The present invention verifies the transmission of a data stream, such as an advertisement, to a receiver in a data network, such as a television set in a cable television network. In particular, the present invention develops and stores a data stream fingerprint prior to transmission of the data stream. During transmission of the data stream, a verifier compiles the fingerprint from the transmitted data stream and compares it to the pre-developed and stored fingerprint. If the fingerprint signal characteristics are within predetermined parameters, the transmission is considered successful.
US08176507B2	Advertisement-section detecting apparatus and advertisement-section detecting program An advertisement-section detecting apparatus includes: a captioned-section acquisition unit (12) configured to acquire a captioned section including a caption generated by caption data, on the basis of a temporal position of the caption data; a non-captioned-section acquisition unit (13) configured to acquire a pattern of a non-captioned section that do not include the caption, on the basis of the captioned section; a memory (14) configured to store a broadcasting-program template which is a template corresponding to a broadcasting-program format including a main-section format and a peripheral-section format, and which is used for identifying a pattern of a non-captioned section format including the peripheral-section format; an identifying unit (15) configured to compare the pattern of the non-captioned section and the pattern of the non-captioned section format, and thus to identify the non-captioned section corresponding to the non-captioned section format; and a detector (16) configured to detect a section corresponding to the peripheral-section format as the peripheral section, from the non-captioned section corresponding to the non-captioned section format.
US08176506B2	Predictive content presentation A system may automatically send a request for a list of programs over a network, obtain, in response to the request, a user profile that includes a list of programs that a viewer has accessed, send information identifying at least one of the programs over the network, and output the at least one of the programs to a preview window of a display.
US08176504B2	Clamping device for disk Disclosed herein is a disk clamping device capable of preventing the slipping or eccentricity of an optical disk when it rotates at high speeds. The disk clamping device includes a turntable having a hub which is integrally provided in a central portion thereof and inserted into a central hole of an optical disk. A guide unit is accommodated in the turntable in such a way as to move linearly, and at least portion of the guide unit protrudes outwards from the hub and is supported 0by the optical disk. The guide unit is moved linearly by mounting force of the optical disk. A spring is provided in the turntable to elastically bias the guide unit in a direction opposite to a direction of insertion of the optical disk. A chucking plate presses the upper surface of the optical disk, thus securing the optical disk to the turntable.
US08176503B2	Device driver selection Methods, systems, and devices are provided for device driver selection. One embodiment of a management station includes a processor, memory in communication with the processor, and program instructions stored in memory and executable on the processor. The program instructions are executable to initiate execution of a particular device function that will use a driver, select a set of drivers based upon defined device information, and call a routine in a particular driver from the selected set of drivers which executes to determine whether the particular driver is most appropriate to perform the particular device function for a particular device.
US08176500B2	Closing a video stream object Techniques are provided for facilitating processing of interlaced video images for progressive video displays. A method receives from a renderer a query for a graphics device driver to a graphics processing capability that can be performed by an associated graphics device in de-interlacing video data, communicating the query to the graphics device driver, receiving from the graphics device driver a response to the query that identifies the graphics processing capabilities to the renderer, and communicating the response to the renderer. The method includes receiving from the renderer a further query for the graphics device driver to at least one input requirement associated with the identified graphics processing capability, communicating the further query to the graphics device driver, receiving from the graphics device driver a further response to the further query that identifies the input requirement(s) associated with the graphics processing capability, and communicating the further response to the renderer.
US08176498B2	Power setting adjustments by mission operating system in response to requests from platform manager A computer system includes software running on a hardware platform. The hardware platform provides a platform manager having an user interface that is independent of that for a mission operating system running on said platform. The platform manager issues platform requests for power-setting adjustments. The software includes a mission operating system with a power controller incorporated in or running on the mission operating system. The power controller adjusts power settings for hardware devices at least in part as a function of the platform requests.
US08176493B1	Detecting and responding to skew between coscheduled contexts Management of contexts that execute on a computer system is described. More specifically, context scheduling in a virtual machine environment is described. A set of coscheduled contexts is monitored. If a skew metric associated with a first context of the coscheduled contexts fails to satisfy a condition, then a subset of the coscheduled contexts is descheduled although the first context remains scheduled.
US08176490B1	System and method of interfacing a workload manager and scheduler with an identity manager A system, method and computer-readable media for managing a compute environment are disclosed. The method includes importing identity information from an identity manager into a module performs workload management and scheduling for a compute environment and, unless a conflict exists, modifying the behavior of the workload management and scheduling module to incorporate the imported identity information such that access to and use of the compute environment occurs according to the imported identity information. The compute environment may be a cluster or a grid wherein multiple compute environments communicate with multiple identity managers.
US08176489B2	Use of rollback RCU with read-side modifications to RCU-protected data structures A method, apparatus and program storage device for performing a return/rollback process for RCU-protected data structures is provided that includes checking a user-level state of a preempted thread having a RCU read-side critical section, and executing the critical section of the thread after preemption when the user-level state of the thread indicates execution, otherwise returning to a point of preemption, resuming execution of the thread and disabling checking the user-level state when the user-level state of the thread indicates return.
US08176488B1	Methods and systems for determining potentially unsafe instructions in a virtual machine context and activating a software debugger to process the potentially unsafe instructions Methods and systems for safe execution of guest code in virtual machine context are presented. A method for running a virtual machine in a computing system includes (a) launching a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that uses a software debugger; (b) launching a virtual machine (VM) that can natively run safe instructions; (c) determining, at runtime, if the instruction is safe or potentially unsafe; (d) executing safe instructions in a native mode; and (e) activating control logic to process potentially unsafe instructions in the software debugger. The software debugger can bypass at least one of the potentially unsafe instructions. The potentially unsafe instructions include instructions that cannot be safely executed in the context of the VM, and instructions that can cause unpredictable results in the context of the VM.
US08176486B2	Maintaining a pool of free virtual machines on a server computer Various embodiments of a system and method for managing virtual machines on a server computer are described. According to one embodiment of the method, a pool of free virtual machines may be maintained on the server computer, e.g., where the number of virtual machines in the pool is specified by an administrator. In response to receiving a request to assign a virtual machine to a first user, the server computer may assign a first virtual machine from the pool to the first user and add a new virtual machine to the pool to replace the first virtual machine. In some embodiments the server computer may be one of a plurality of server computers in a server computer system. An administrator may be able to configure different pool sizes for different server computers in the system through a central user interface.
US08176484B2	One click deployment Techniques are provided for deploying applications hosted by an application service provider. An application in a first environment is automatically deployed to a second environment in response to receiving a request over a network from the party for whom the second environment is being hosted. The first environment may be an environment where applications are developed by the party over the network. Deployment of the application may entail provisioning of an environment for the application.
US08176483B2	Software maintenance management A data collection and/or monitoring service residing at a client system collects and sends client system information to a backend system. The client system information is used to update a maintained repository of client system information that is associated with software installed at the client system. The maintained repository is used to determine one or more software update recommendations which are sent to the client system. In response to a trigger event, one or more software updates associated with the update recommendations are automatically downloaded and deployed at the client system. The download and deployment of software updates can be scheduled at the client system.
US08176478B2	Process for running programs on processors and corresponding processor system Programs having a given instruction-set architecture are executed on a multiprocessor system comprising a plurality of processors, for example of a VLIW type, each of said processors being able to execute, at each processing cycle, a respective maximum number of instructions. The instructions are compiled as instruction words of given length executable on a first processor. At least some of the instruction words of given length are converted into modified-instruction words executable on a second processor. The operation of modifying comprises in turn at least one operation chosen in the group consisting of: splitting the instruction words into modified-instruction words; and entering no-operation instructions in the modified-instruction words.
US08176473B2	Transformations for software obfuscation and individualization Methods and systems for software obfuscation are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the obfuscation includes integrating the checker code with product code to form integrated code. The product code includes a first portion that provides desired functionalities to a software product, while the checker code includes a second portion that protects the product code from unlicensed use. A generated pseudorandom value is used to select one or more instruction sequences of the integrated code. Following the selection, the instruction sequences may be replaced with equivalent instruction sequences to form a new integrated code. Alternatively, the original integrated code is transformed into new integrated code when the selected instruction sequences are optimized. Additionally, the new integrated code may be compared to the original integrated code by generating output states from each integrated code. The new integrated code is functionally equivalent to the original integrated code if the respective output states match.
US08176472B2	System and method for developing software based on business operating system A software development system according to the present invention comprises a business component storage layer for storing at least one business standard component of a program; a business component setting layer for setting attribute information of each business standard object, including object type, operating method, execution condition, execution sequence and database (DB) connection information; an application program execution layer for operating and controlling the object in the business component storage layer by the attribute information of the objects set by the user, and performing comparison, execution or calculation according to logic defined in script language; and an environment abstraction layer for controlling information technology (IT) infrastructure including an operating system of a computer, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a database management system (DBMS), network and display apparatus.
US08176470B2	Collaborative derivation of an interface and partial implementation of programming code A method, system and computer program product provide an implementation of software. A control flow of a software component is constructed based on a specification model. In various embodiments, the specification model comprises at least one input and at least one requirement referencing the at least one input. At least a partial implementation of the software component is generated based on the control flow and the at least one input and the at least one requirement of the specification model. In some embodiments, the specification model further comprises at least one output, and the at least a partial implementation of the software component is also based on the at least one output.
US08176463B2	Modeling and simulating device mismatch for designing integrated circuits A user specifies layout styles for devices in a circuit schematic, where the layout styles capture features of device arrangements and device correlations. The resulting layout can be simulated by using a computer so that one or more performance metrics can be evaluated for the circuit. In some cases, test chips may be used to determine device correlations for arrangements corresponding to different layout styles.
US08176461B1	Design-specific performance specification based on a yield for programmable integrated circuits A method for generating a design-specific timing specification includes inputting a first timing specification of a target device corresponding to a first timing yield. The first timing specification contains timing delays of elements located in at least first and second regions of the target device. A circuit design is placed and routed. With a programmed processor, the timing delay of the first timing specification is increased for one or more elements implementing the circuit design in the first region to produce a second timing specification, and a second timing yield of target device is determined from the second timing specification. In response to the second timing yield being larger than a target timing yield, the programmed processor decreases the timing delay of the second timing specification for one or more elements in the second region to compensate for a difference between the second timing yield and the target timing yield to produce a design-specific timing specification.
US08176460B2	Method of optimizing ESD protection for an IC, an ESD protection optimizer and an ESD protection optimization system An ESD protection optimizer, a method of optimizing ESD protection for an IC and an ESD protection optimization system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ESD protection optimizer includes: (1) a circuit analyzer configured to identify ESD cells and circuitry of the IC by comparing component information of the IC with predefined ESD protection elements and predefined circuit topologies and (2) an ESD resistance determiner configured to calculate a resistance value to couple in series with the circuitry, the resistance value based on protection cell physical attributes associated with the identified ESD cells and circuitry physical attributes associated with the identified circuitry.
US08176459B2	System and method for selecting gates in a logic block For each of a plurality of interconnected gates forming one or more non-critical timing paths through a logic block, a gate size may be selected based on (i) a gate delay, (ii) a change in gate delay and gate power associated with downsizing the gate to a next available gate size, and (iii) signal arrival times at one or more inputs and outputs of the gate to minimize power consumed by the logic block while maintaining a specified cycle time.
US08176455B2	Semiconductor device design support apparatus and substrate netlist generation method A semiconductor device design support apparatus for generating a substrate netlist so as to be able to perform substrate noise analysis with high accuracy in a short time. The semiconductor device design support apparatus comprises a unit that divides a semiconductor device layout into a plurality of segments and generates a macro-model of the segments by using a current waveform of an instance included in the divided segments; a unit that replaces a pattern (termed as “substrate interface”) that is designed to be an interface with a substrate with respect to the segments, by a prescribed substrate interface diagram; and a unit that generates a substrate netlist, based on the substrate interface diagram of the plurality of segments.
US08176454B2	Non-invasive timing characterization of integrated circuits using sensitizable signal paths and sparse equations Techniques for non-invasive, post-silicon characterization of signal propagation delay/timing of devices in an integrated circuit (IC) are generally disclosed. A system of equations may be developed based on a plurality of sensitizable signal paths (SSPs) of the IC for characterizing signal propagation delay or timing of devices within the SSPs. Input Vectors (IVs) may be selected and consecutively applied at one or more input sequential element devices of the IC associated with the SSPs with to produce corresponding output values at one or more output sequential element devices of the IC associated with the SSPs. Various pre-processing and post-processing techniques may be practiced to further improve accuracy of solution of the equations to enable efficient determination of solutions. Example techniques may include variable splitting, device clustering, IV and equation selection, and boosting, among others. Other aspects may also be disclosed and claimed.
US08176449B1	Inference of hardware components from logic patterns The present invention provides a simplified process for inference using a generic logic pattern corresponding to one or more generic functions provided by the hardware component. A circuit design is mapped into a plurality of interconnected hardware components, and a subset of the hardware components that matches a logic pattern are identified. Components of the subset are replaced with an inferred hardware component associated with the logic pattern. After matching the pattern, additional components connected to the inferred hardware component are iteratively analyzed to determine whether those additional connected components can be implemented using additional logic of the inferred hardware component.
US08176448B2	Method for N-variant integrated circuit (IC) design, and IC having N-variant circuits implemented therein Techniques are generally described for designing an integrated circuit (IC). In various embodiments, the techniques include designing, at a functional specification level, N-variants of a particular circuit. The various embodiments may then implement the designed N-variants as hardware in the IC. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed.
US08176446B2	Method for compensating for variations in structures of an integrated circuit A method of for compensating for variations in structures of an integrated circuit. The method includes (a) selecting a mask design shape and selecting a region of the mask design shape; (b) applying a model-based optical proximity correction to all of the mask design shape; and after (b), (c) applying a rules-based optical proximity correction to the selected region of the mask design shape.
US08176444B2	Analyzing multiple induced systematic and statistical layout dependent effects on circuit performance A method for implementing systematic, variation-aware integrated circuit extraction includes inputting a set of processing conditions to a plurality of variation models, each model corresponding to a separate systematic, parametric variation associated with semiconductor manufacturing of an integrated circuit layout; generating, for each variation model, a netlist update attributable to the associated variation, wherein the netlist update is an update with respect to an original netlist extracted from the integrated circuit layout; and storing the netlist updates generated for each of the processing conditions.
US08176442B2	Living cursor control mechanics Disclosed herein are systems and methods for controlling a cursor. A user may control a cursor displayed by a computing environment such as a game console, a computer, or the like by performing one or more gestures. An activity of a cursor on an audiovisual display may be controlled based on one or more gestures of the user, a profile of the user, other inputs, or combinations thereof. Further, an appearance of a cursor on an audiovisual display may also be controlled based on one or more gestures of the user, a profile of the user, other inputs, or combinations thereof. User gestures may be detected by, for example, a capture device. For example, the capture device may capture a depth image of a scene including a user.
US08176441B2	Information display device An information display device includes a monitor, an operator, a display processor for displaying, on the monitor, identification information of item groups and items in the lower hierarchy of an item group, an item group selector for selecting one item group in response to an item group selecting operation on the operator, a display controller for making the display processor display, on the monitor, items in the lower hierarchy of the one item group selected by the item group selector, a first item selector for selecting an item from items currently displayed on the monitor in response to a first item selecting operation on the operator, and a second item selector for making the display processor sequentially display, on the monitor, items in the lower hierarchy of the item groups in response to a second item selecting operation on the operator, and for selecting an item from the displayed items.
US08176439B2	Navigating content One embodiment of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which information obtained from a uniform resource locator is converted into at least one texture. The texture is mapped onto a surface of a three-dimensional object located in the virtual three-dimensional space thereby forming a three-dimensional navigation mechanism.
US08176438B2	Multi-modal interaction for a screen magnifier A multi-model magnification system is described that can be used with multiple forms of input, including natural input such as touch-based devices. Users can zoom in/out and pan with their preferred mode of interaction, including mouse, keyboard, pen, and touch interactions. The system provides dedicated features for some modes, such as pinch/scroll gestures for touch input, that allow users to easily zoom in/out and pan the magnified area (e.g., on a touch laptop). The system provides an interactive panning mode in which the user the user can interact with the desktop or applications (e.g., clicking on icons) and pan using special gestures. When the system is in the panning mode, the system consumes received gestures or other input, otherwise the system passes received input to a magnified application.
US08176434B2	Virtual desktop view scrolling Example embodiments of the present disclosure are related to scrolling the view of a virtual desktop on a client. The client can be in communication with a server that has a display driver. The server can be configured to transmit signals indicative of images to the client and the client can be configured draw the images in a virtual desktop. The client can be configured to render a view of the virtual desktop that includes a portion of the virtual desktop; track user input; and pan the view in response to the user input.
US08176433B2	Application window area change surveillance A method and system for monitoring a computer program window define an area of a computer program window and compute a hash value for the defined area. The computed hash value is stored and the hash value is recomputed for the defined area after a predetermined time period. The recomputed hash value is compared with the stored. If the stored hash value and the recomputed hash value are different, the method and system overwrite the stored hash value with the recomputed hash value, and generate a notification. Recomputing, comparing, overwriting and generating are performed periodically to monitor the changes in the defined area.
US08176430B1	Identifying URL target hostnames Techniques are provided for displaying a uniform resource locator (URL) to assist a user in determining whether a URL destination is what the user expects. A link is presented for selection to a user, and a URL corresponding to the link is accessed. A portion of the URL that corresponds to a hostname component of the URL may be identified, and the URL may be displayed. The hostname component of the URL is visually distinguished from other components of the URL. In addition to or as an alternative to displaying the URL and visually distinguishing the hostname component, a warning message relating to the hostname portion of the URL may be displayed. The techniques may be implemented as a software plug-in or in any type of software application that is capable of recognizing URLs.
US08176427B2	Method for configuring a device using simple pictograms A method for a user to easily securely configure a device is provided. The method includes displaying a user interface including a plurality of symbols available for user selection, accepting user inputs including an indication of any symbols selected by the user, converting the symbols selected by the user into numeric data, and assigning the numeric data to configuration parameters for the device.
US08176426B2	Image reproduction apparatus and image reproduction program product An image reproduction apparatus that sequentially reproduces and displays a plurality of images, includes: a display effect setting unit that sets a display effect for each image based upon image data of the image stored in a storage means; and a display unit that reproduces and displays the image with the display effect set by the display effect setting unit when sequentially reproducing and displaying the plurality of images.
US08176422B2	Method for aligning demonstrated user actions with existing documentation There is provided an apparatus for aligning document actions specified in a documented procedure with demonstrated user actions. The apparatus includes an alignment device for computing an alignment between the document actions and the demonstrated user actions based on at least one similarity metric.
US08176419B2	Self learning contextual spell corrector A group of keywords are received, wherein each keyword includes one or more words. A word list is formed from the group of keywords, where the word list includes a list of each word in the group of keywords. A misspelled keyword is corrected using analysis of the words in the word list. The corrected keyword is output.
US08176416B1	System and method for delivering a device-independent web page A method and system for presenting a document to a plurality of media device types optimized for the display medium. A document is generated in a markup language, and a plurality of style sheets are provided for formatting the document for a requesting device, with each style sheet accommodating a distinct display environment. The markup elements that reference two separate cascading style sheets (CSS) are configured differently such that they isolate the CSS reference for either high-resolution graphical display devices or small screen, low-resolution graphical display devices. A third style sheet is used as an intermediary to pass a CSS reference to small screen browsers while at the same time, shielding the CSS reference from certain high resolution browsers incapable of parsing the syntax of the reference. When a request for the document is received, the display environment of the requesting device is determined and a plurality of document presentation attributes are automatically transformed for the determined display environment. The formatted document is then delivered to the requesting device.
US08176413B2	Method and apparatus for processing a parseable document A data processing method comprises receiving an electronically parseable document, scanning the document according to at least one predefined rule to determine if the document is suspicious, and, if the document is determined not to be suspicious, parsing the document with a first parser, and, if the document is determined to be suspicious, parsing the document with a second parser.
US08176412B2	Generating formatted documents Techniques for generating one or more formatted documents are provided. The techniques include receiving content from one or more data sources, enabling specification of one or more formatting elements to be used in one or more generated formatted documents, enabling specification of a structure to be used in the one or more generated formatted documents, enabling specification of a style of the one or more formatting elements to be used in the one or more generated formatted documents, and generating one or more formatted documents based on the specifications.
US08176409B2	System and method for electronic publication of scientific data and analysis Electronic publication systems are disclosed that enable the analysis and publication of layout files, which contain an analysis strategy and embedded raw data. The published layout files can be accessed by reader applications that are able to read the layout files and modify the analysis strategy within the layout file using the embedded raw data. In many embodiments, the reader applications are unable to access the embedded raw data. In several embodiments, the reader applications prevent the saving or printing of layout files.
US08176408B2	Modularized web provisioning A system and method for modularized Web provisioning. Functionalities available for Web provisioning are modularized into individual feature files. A site template may reference one or more of such features. A site provisioned using the site template activates the referenced features by default. Features may be added to or removed from the site. A feature may include atomic Web provisioning elements, custom code, metadata specifying properties of the features, and/or activation dependency information specifying precedent features that need to be activated before the feature can be activated. Feature provisioning can be processed through a command-line tool, an object model, and/or a graphic user interface.
US08176406B2	Hard error detection An error detection system is provided. The system includes a data array that includes one or more data entries. A copy datastore selectively stores a copy of a first single data entry of the data array. An index generator selectively increments an index that references the data array. A first comparator compares the copy with a second single data entry from the data array based on the index. An error generator generates an error signal based on a result from the first comparator.
US08176404B2	Systems and methods for stepped data retry in a storage system Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing retries. As an example, a data processing retry circuit is discussed that includes a stepped erasure window register, and an erasure flag set circuit. The stepped erasure window register includes: an erasure flag location, an erasure flag length, and a step size. The erasure flag set circuit is operable to assert a first erasure flag beginning at the erasure flag location and having the erasure flag length at a first time. In addition, the erasure flag set circuit is operable to assert a second erasure flag beginning at the erasure flag location plus the step size, and having the erasure flag length at a second time.
US08176401B1	Decoding methods and apparatus for fractional multidimensional trellis coded modulation systems Systems and methods for encoding user information and decoding signal vectors using fractional encoding/decoding and set partitioning. A fractional encoder can select a coset for transmitting or storing user information based on one or more deterministic bits and on encoded user information. The deterministic bits limit the encoder to using only a subset of the available signal vectors in a modulation scheme. A fractional decoder can receive a signal vector, and can find at least two nearest neighbors in each dimension. The fractional decoder can form a set of potential signal vectors using only the at least two nearest neighbors. The decoder may determine which of these potential signal vectors are valid within the fractional signaling scheme, and can decode the received signal vector based on the valid potential signal vectors.
US08176398B2	DSL trellis encoding A method is used that substantially simultaneously trellis encodes data to be modulated onto multiple tones. The embodiments of the present invention comprise the steps of: (a) using a first input operand comprising state bits for a first trellis stage; (b) using a second input operand comprising a plurality of input data bits; and (c) generating an output comprising output data bits and output state bits from a first or later trellis stage.
US08176393B2	Encoding device for error correction, encoding method for error correction and encoding program for error correction The present invention aims at providing an encoding device for error correction, encoding method for error correction and encoding program for error correction wherein countermeasures against eavesdropping are taken into account. To achieve this, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided an encoding device for error correction, the device comprises a generation means for generating randomly a vector u=(xk+1, . . . , xm) composed of m-k digit(s); a creation means for creating an x′=[xu]=(x1, . . . , xm) by concatenating the vector u=(xk+1, . . . , xm) composed of m-k digit(s) randomly created by the creation means to data x=(x1, . . . , xk) to send; and an output means for outputting a vector of length n by carrying out [n, m] encoding of the x′ created by the creation means.
US08176392B2	Method of decoding content data blocks, corresponding computer program product and decoding device When decoding a set of symbols to be decoded, several data blocks representative of the set of symbols to be decoded are received by a decoding node of a communications network. The data blocks are encoded using an error correction code enabling a decoding by erasure. The decoding node performs the following steps: first selecting at least one of the data blocks, first determining first erasures, and checking whether the number of the first erasures is below a given threshold. In a case the check is positive, the decoding node performs first decoding by erasure of the set of symbols to be decoded. In a case the check is negative, the decoding node performs second selecting of at least one of the data blocks, second determining second erasures, and second decoding by erasure of the set of symbols to be decoded from the second erasures.
US08176390B2	Single XOR operation WEAVER reconstruction of a failed drive of a RAID Several methods and apparatus to single XOR operation weaver reconstruction of a failed drive of a raid are disclosed. A failed drive of the drive group implemented in a WEAVER code with an (n,t,t) layout is determined. A set of scatter/gather lists is produced from a number of the other drives of the drive group. A scatter/gather list is created by modifying a pointer data of the set of scatter/gather lists. An additional scatter/gather list is generated from the set of scatter/gather lists. A single XOR operation is performed on the data segment, the parity segment, the additional data segment and the additional parity segment to form a resulting scatter/gather list including a resulting data segment and a resulting parity segment. The resulting data segment and the resulting parity segment are written as sequenced in the resulting scatter/gather list to a replacement drive.
US08176389B2	Decoder device and method for decoding data stored in storage medium A decoder device includes: a decoder that decodes data stored in a storage medium by performing error correction on the data, the error correction being capable of correcting code error and code erasure included in the data; a memory that stores a history of an address in the storage medium of a code included in the data, the code being detected to have the code error by the decoding unit; and a controller that controls the decoder to change a detail of the error correction based on the history stored in the memory.
US08176388B1	System and method for soft error scrubbing A data processing system includes a memory configured to store data in a plurality of addressable storage spaces thereof, wherein the memory includes a first data port and a second data port, a first functional block configured to access the memory via the first data port to perform a logic operation, and a second functional block configured to access the memory via the second data port to perform soft error scrubbing in the data stored in the memory.
US08176386B1	Systems and methods for processing streaming data A disk drive system-on-chip (SOC) includes a read-channel module and a processor. The read-channel module reads data, includes a first error-correcting module for correcting errors in the data, corrects errors in a first portion of the data using the first error-correcting module, and is unable to correct errors in a second portion of the data using the first error-correcting module. The processor includes a processor core and processor memory, receives the second portion of the data in the processor memory, and corrects errors in the second portion of the data using a second error-correcting module that is different than the first error-correcting module.
US08176385B2	Apparatus and method for performing cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on partial protocol data units (PDUs) The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for performing cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on partial protocol data units (PDUs). The disclosed apparatus is designed to off-load the CRC calculation for transmit or receive from a host computer. According to the disclosed method, when generating CRC for partial PDUs, for each such PDUs a decision is made to determine whether a CRC action is required, i.e., if CRC should be calculated, checked or placed in the outgoing byte stream. When partial CRC calculation is performed the intermediate value is saved into memory and later is used for calculating the CRC for a consecutive partial PDU. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the need to re-calculate the CRC in a case of a re-transmit request is eliminated.
US08176381B2	Multidimensional turbo product codes and generalized low-density parity-check codes with component reed-solomon codes for optical transmission A transmitter, a receiver, and corresponding methods are provided. The transmitter includes encoders configured to encode source bit streams from L information sources into bytes of codewords. Each encoder includes different (n, k) multidimensional turbo-product codes of code rate R=k/n, where k is a number of information bytes, and n is code word length. The encoders operate in at least two phases. A first phase involves operating ky column-encoders in parallel on kx bytes per column to generate the code words for a current dimension. A second phase involves operating nx row-encoders in parallel on ky memory locations per rows to generate the code words for the current dimension. The first and second phases are repeated for remaining layers of the current dimension and layers of other dimensions.
US08176375B2	DTV transmitter and method of coding data in DTV transmitter A DTV transmitter includes a pre-processor which pre-processes enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data, a data formatter which generates enhanced data packets having the pre-processed enhanced data and known data, and a multiplexer which multiplexes the enhanced data packets with main data packets. The DTV transmitter further includes an RS encoder which adds systematic parity data to each main data packet and adds RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet, and a data interleaver which interleaves the RS-coded main and enhanced data packets and outputs a group of interleaved data packets having a head, a body, and a tail. The body includes a plurality of consecutive enhanced data packets, to which a known data sequence is periodically inserted.
US08176370B2	Method and system for direct access memory testing of an integrated circuit Aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for testing an integrated circuit and may comprise an address selector, data selector and staging register coupled to a signal generator. The address selector may comprise a direct access memory test (DAMT) mode address control input and one or more output address pins coupled to an embedded memory device under test (DUT). The data selector may be coupled to at least one data pin and control pin of the signal generator and may comprise a DAMT mode data control input and at least one data output coupled to embedded memory DUT. A staging register comprising a first output clock rate which is one-quarter (¼) its input clock rate and matches a DUT burst write frequency may be coupled to an input of the data selector. A DAMT mode control may configure the memory DUT for DAMT operation.
US08176363B2	Efficient method and apparatus for keeping track of in flight data in a dual node storage controller A storage unit adapted for use in a processing system includes a controller including at least two compute nodes, each of the compute nodes including a read/write cache and a persistent cache; and machine executable instructions stored within machine readable media, the instructions including instructions for tracking in-flight data in the persistent cache and composing a list of the in-flight data segments after a failure of the controller. A processing system and a method are also provided.
US08176362B2	Online multiprocessor system reliability defect testing A multiprocessor system comprising a plurality of processors is disclosed. The plurality of processors includes a first processor including first monitor on-chip and a second processor including a including a second monitor on-chip. The first monitor on-chip is configured to measure load on the second processor and the second monitor on-chip is configured to measure load on the first processor. The first monitor on-chip is configured to cause the second monitor on-chip to perform a self-test on the second processor if the load on the second processor is below a second processor load threshold value and the second monitor on-chip is configured to cause the first monitor on-chip to perform a self-test on the first processor if the load on the first processor is below first processor load threshold value.
US08176359B2	Disk array system and control method thereof A disk array system, upon detecting a failure in any data disk from among a plurality of data disks providing one or more RAID groups, conducting a correction copy to any spare disk, using one or more other data disks belonging to the same RAID group as the data disk causing the failure. When the data disk causing the failure has been replaced with a new data disk, the disk array system alters the management so that the data disk can be managed as a spare disk, and the spare disk can be managed as a data disk.
US08176358B2	Data transfer and recovery process A backup image generator can create a primary image and periodic delta images of all or part of a primary server. The images can be sent to a network attached storage device and a remote storage server. In the event of a failure of the primary server, the failure can be diagnosed to develop a recovery strategy. Based on the diagnosis, at least one delta image may be applied to a copy of the primary image to generate an updated primary image at either the network attached storage or the remote storage server. The updated primary image may be converted to a virtual server in a physical to virtual conversion at either the network attached storage device or remote storage server and users may be redirected to the virtual server. The updated primary image may also be restored to the primary server in a virtual to physical conversion. As a result, the primary data storage may be timely backed-up, recovered and restored with the possibility of providing server and business continuity in the event of a failure.
US08176351B2	Sampling mechanism for data acquisition counters One or more counter units of a data acquisition device used to perform sampling operations. Each of the counter units is configurable to operate in a selected one of a plurality of modes. During operation, at least one of the counter units may receive a measurement signal (or input signal) acquired by the data acquisition device and also a sample clock signal. The counter unit may sample the measurement signal based on the selected operational mode and timing of the sample clock, and at a rate that is independent of the frequency of the measurement signal. Furthermore, the counter unit may sample the measurement signal based on a selected one of a plurality of timing modes associated with the sample clock signal. The counter units may take samples of the measurement signal to perform at least one of the following types of measurements: period, frequency, pulse-width, semi-period, time separation, or event counting.
US08176346B2	Information processing apparatus with power saving mode and method for controlling information processing apparatus An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store data, a supply unit configured to supply electric power to the storage unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether to cause the information processing apparatus to operate in a power saving mode, a measuring unit configured to measure an elapsed time after a power source of the information processing apparatus is turned on and until the determination unit determines to cause the information processing apparatus to operate in a power saving mode, and a control unit configured to control the supply unit to decrease electric power supplied from the supply unit to the storage unit at a timing determined based on the elapsed time and a predetermined reference time, in case that the determination unit determines to cause the information processing apparatus to operate in a power saving mode.
US08176345B2	Power saving operation for a media drive According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a media drive having a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode in which less power is consumed than in the normal operation mode, a control module configured to control the media drive, and a determination module configured to shift, when it is determined that the control module does not execute data access to the media drive for a predetermined period, the media drive from the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode.
US08176344B2	Information processing apparatus and control method thereof An information processing apparatus used to reduce power supply to nonvolatile memory when in power saving mode. To accomplish this, the information processing apparatus stores data in the nonvolatile memory that can be used in power saving mode to a volatile memory to which power will still be supplied while in power saving mode. Further, the information processing apparatus enables the operating system to recognize the storage area in which the data is stored as a replacement for the nonvolatile memory.
US08176342B2	Real-time inference of power efficiency metrics for a computer system Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that measures a power efficiency of a computer system. During operation, the system collects telemetry data from a set of sensors within the computer system. Next, the system determines a power consumption of the computer system from the telemetry data and determines a number of input/output operations per second (IOPS) for the computer system from the telemetry data. Finally, the system computes an IOPS per watt metric from the power consumption and the number of IOPS.
US08176340B2	Method and system for initializing an interface between two circuits of a communication device while a processor of the first circuit is inactive and waking up the processor thereafter A method and system for managing communications between sub-systems of a communication device. The sub-systems include a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) and a Baseband Integrated Circuit (BBIC). The BBIC includes a processing engine, a state machine module and an interface module. The method includes initializing a Digital Radio Frequency Third Generation (DigRF3G) interface between the RFIC and the BBIC. The processing engine is kept functionally inactive during the initialization process of the DigRF3G interface. Further, the method includes exchanging one or more packets between the RFIC and the BBIC.
US08176338B1	Hash-based data block processing with intermittently-connected systems Methods are provided for detecting the processing status of data blocks in systems having intermittent connections. A hash value is used at times in place of a block's data content, thereby reducing processing of the block. Hash values may be maintained locally. Blocks collected locally may be stored locally at least until a connection to a server becomes available again. Systems and configured storage media are also provided.
US08176336B1	Software trusted computing base A software trusted platform module (sTPM) operates in a hypervisor, receives trust assurances from specialized hardware, and extends this trust such that the hypervisor performs trust attestation. The hypervisor receives a startup sequence validation from a TPM, or Trusted Platform Module. The TPM performs bus monitoring during a boot sequence of the computer system, records the startup sequence from the bus, and performs a hash on the sequence. The TPM performs an authentication exchange with the hypervisor such that the hypervisor authenticates the attestation of the computer system from the TPM, and the hypervisor, now delegated with trust assurances from the TPM, provides assurances to users via an authentication chain. The ATCB then performs the attestation of the computer system according to the attestation protocol much faster than the TPM. In this manner, the hypervisor operates as a software delegate of the TPM for providing user assurances of trust.
US08176334B2	Document security system that permits external users to gain access to secured files An improved system and approaches for exchanging secured files (e.g., documents) between internal users of an organization and external users are disclosed. A file security system of the organization operates to protect the files of the organization and thus prevents or limits external users from accessing internal documents. Although the external users are unaffiliated with the organization (i.e., not employees or contractors), the external users often have working relationships with internal users. These working relationships (also referred to herein as partner relationships) often present the need for file (document) exchange. According to one aspect, external users having working relationships with internal users are able to be given limited user privileges within the file security system, such that restricted file (document) exchange is permitted between such internal and external users.
US08176332B2	Computer security using visual authentication A physical token to the user in the form of a unique card having a grid of images thereon. Each column and row of images has a unique text string of text. In addition, each user knows a special image, not necessarily present on the token card, on which one particular point or zone functions as an extra authentication feature. Users may be queried for a username, then shown a random one of the images on their card, and asked for the row text string plus column text string identifying the image. Users are also prompted to select their particular point or zone within their known special image, which is displayed, among a jumble of other images, by the computer system requesting authorization, such display serving to authenticate the computer system to the user. The system may be combined with password protection and methods to identify a user's machine.
US08176330B2	Method, apparatus and article for off-line certification in mobile applications A tamper-resistant certification device receives a certified digital time stamp from a trusted third party, resets a time function and produces a time stamp receipt in an on-line mode; The tamper-resistant certification device receives a digital file from a mobile computing device, and produces a certified digitally signed digital file including a copy of the digital file, time stamp receipt and temporal offset in an off-line mode to evidence the content of the digital file within a defined tolerance of a day and/or time. A processor may be portioned into tamper and non-tamper resistant portions.
US08176329B2	Scanned image disclosure apparatus, method and storage medium; electronic mail transmission apparatus, method and storage medium; and internet facsimile transmission apparatus A scanned image disclosure apparatus has a disclosure unit that encrypts and discloses to a disclosure destination a scanned image by using a public key or a private key relating to a public key certificate that has been verified to be valid, a re-verification unit that judges whether or not re-verification of the validity of the public key certificate is necessary during execution for the disclosure unit and performs re-verification if it is judged to be necessary, a termination unit that terminates the execution for the disclosure unit if the public key certificate was judged to be invalid by the re-verification unit.
US08176328B2	Authentication of access points in wireless local area networks A method for authenticating an operator of an AP includes: registering the operator's identity with a CA, by providing the operator's identification information and public key; creating a certificate including the foregoing; signing the certificate with the CA's private key; provisioning the AP with the signed certificate; provisioning a client with the CA's public key; sending a request from the client to the AP; generating a signature with the operator's private key; returning a reply to the client, including the AP provisioned certificate signed with the generated signature; using the client provisioned CA's public key to obtain the operator's public key from the certificate received in the reply; and, using the operator's public key obtained from the certificate received in the reply to verify the signature generated with the operator's private key and used by the AP to sign the certificate received in the reply.
US08176323B2	Radio frequency identification (RFID) based authentication methodology using standard and private frequency RFID tags Disclosed is a self-contained hardware-based authentication system that incorporates different authentication protocols for access to soft and/or hard assets with different security levels. The system embodiments include the use of a RFID device that comprises dual RFID tags operating under different frequencies. Specifically, one RFID tag operates on a public frequency and, when activated, transmits an identifier encrypted using a public key. The other RFID tag operates on a private frequency and, when activated, transmits a private key that can be used to decrypt the encrypted identifier. Upon receipt by a processor (e.g., a local processor or security server) of a request for access to a specific asset, a security level for the specific asset is determined. Then, depending upon the particular security level (e.g., low, medium or high) different authentication protocols are instituted using the RFID device. Also disclosed are embodiments of an associated authentication methodology.
US08176321B1	Safe installation of browser extensions Methods and apparatus for installing browser extensions using sandboxed processes are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a browser extension installation package in a main browser process, placing the browser extension installation package in a temporary directory and launching a sandboxed sub-process of the browser application, where the sandboxed sub-process has access to the temporary directory. The example method includes, in the sandboxed sub-process: unpacking a compressed, archived file of the installation package into the plurality of constituent files of the browser extension and transcoding or recoding at least one of the plurality of constituent files, where the transcoded and recoded files replace their corresponding original constituent files. The example method includes, after the transcoding and/or recoding, passing the constituent files back to a main browser process and installing the browser extension to the browser application using the transcoded and recoded constituent files.
US08176313B2	Executable software security system A computer system which is configured to load executable programs. This configuration first accepts an operator defined key; withdraws an encrypted executable program from memory; and, using the operator defined key, decrypts the encrypted executable program into a functional executable program. It is this functional executable program which is used by the processing unit. During shutdown, each executable program is checked to see if it was derived from an encrypted executable program; those that aren't, are verified as being legitimate by the operator prior to their storage into the memory.
US08176312B2	System and method for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computerized device Enhanced reset logic is included in a user's computerized device so that the device owner (e.g., the user's employer) can assure prompt reset (e.g., to insure device use of newly downloaded software versions or other control or security data) while still allowing user convenience (e.g., some limited continued normal use of the device before reset is forced upon the user thus permitting the user to avoid possibly aggravating losses of data and/or ongoing usage).
US08176311B1	Initializing platform-specific features of a platform during early stages of booting the kernel Techniques are described for providing a kernel with the ability to execute functions from a kernel module during processor initialization and initializing a platform using platform-specific modules. An initialization function of the platform-specific module is executed before a platform-independent phase of the kernel of the operating system is executed. In one example, a device includes a computer-readable medium that stores instructions for a platform-specific module comprising an initialization function, and instructions for an operating system comprising a kernel, wherein the kernel comprises a boot sequence comprising a platform-dependent phase and a platform-independent phase, and a processor to execute instructions stored in the computer-readable medium. The processor executes the initialization function of the platform-specific module to initialize the device during the platform-dependent phase of the kernel boot sequence, and wherein the processor executes the platform-independent phase of the kernel boot sequence after executing the initialization function of the platform-specific module.
US08176310B2	Debugger application configured to communicate with a debugger module via a GPIO Methods, systems, apparatuses and program products are disclosed for communications such as may be used for debugging computers and similar electronic products at a level suitable for low level firmware. This may find application, for example, in environments after cache initialization around the time of memory bring up or motherboard device enumeration but including durability into and beyond software loading.GPIO (General Purpose input/output) connections may be used for communication that may, for some purposes, be regarded as half-duplex but without necessarily being anisochronous.
US08176309B2	Boot system has BIOS that reads rescue operating system from memory device via input/output chip based on detecting a temperature of a hard disk Boot systems and methods are provided. The boot system includes an IO (Input/Output) chip, a memory device, and a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The memory device is coupled to the IO chip, and includes at least a rescue OS (Operating System). The BIOS reads the rescue OS from the memory device via the IO chip, and boots an electronic device based on the rescue OS.
US08176305B2	Information processing apparatus, activation method, and program The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an activation method, and a program which allow activation to be performed more quickly so as to enter a state according to a user's operation. A host CPU (11) causes a state to transition to an initial state, which is an initial state of a working state and in which execution of application processing is inhibited, before entering a suspend state. An embedded controller (33) acquires from an input unit (11) a signal indicating an activating factor that serves as an activation trigger. When activating from the suspend state, the host CPU (11) executes return processing to the initial state, and upon returning to the initial state by activation, causes a state to transition to an application execution state in which the application processing according to the activating factor is executed. The present invention can be applied to a digital still camera.
US08176302B2	Data processing arrangement comprising a reset facility A data processing arrangement (MPS) comprises a plurality of data processors (SPR, PM1, . . . , PM4) that can be reset individually. A reset module (RSM) handles various reset request signals (HRG, SRG, SRP1, . . . , SRP4) in accordance with a prioritization and timing scheme so as to obtain respective reset signals (GRS, PRS1, . . . , PRS4) for respective data processors (SPR, PM1, . . . , PM4). The reset module (RSM) preferably comprises a reset request register, which stores respective reset requests that the respective reset request signals convey, and a request execute register, which stores respective granted reset requests that the reset signals convey.
US08176300B2	Method and apparatus for content based searching The scheduling of multiple request to be processed by a number of deterministic finite automata-based graph thread engine (DTE) workstations is processed by a novel scheduler. The scheduler may select an entry from an instruction in a content search apparatus. Using attribute information from the selected entry, the scheduler may thereafter analyze a dynamic scheduling table to obtain placement information. The scheduler may determine an assignment of the entry, using the placement information, that may limit cache thrashing and head of line blocking occurrences. Each DTE workstation may including normalization capabilities. Additionally, the content searching apparatus may employ an address memory scheme that may prevent memory bottle neck issues.
US08176299B2	Generating stop indicators based on conditional data dependency in vector processors Described is a method for performing parallel operations in a computer system when one or more conditional dependencies may be present, where a given conditional dependency includes a dependency associated with at least two data elements based on a pair of conditions. During operation, a processor receives instructions for generating one or more stop indicators based on actual dependencies, where a given stop indicator indicates the position of a given actual dependency that can lead to different results when the data elements are processed in parallel than when the data elements are processed sequentially, and where the given actual dependency occurs when the pair of conditions matches one or more criteria. Then, the processor executes the instructions for generating the one or more stop indicators.
US08176298B2	Multi-core multi-threaded processing systems with instruction reordering in an in-order pipeline An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
US08176296B2	Programmable microcontroller architecture Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a microcontroller device having a microprocessor, programmable memory components, and programmable analog and digital blocks. The programmable analog and digital blocks are configurable based on programming information stored in the memory components. Programmable interconnect logic, also programmable from the memory components, is used to couple the programmable analog and digital blocks as needed. The advanced microcontroller design also includes programmable input/output blocks for coupling selected signals to external pins. The memory components also include user programs that the embedded microprocessor executes. These programs may include instructions for programming the digital and analog blocks “on-the-fly,” e.g., dynamically. In one implementation, there are a plurality of programmable digital blocks and a plurality of programmable analog blocks.
US08176295B2	Logical-to-physical address translation for a removable data storage device A method for making memory more reliable involves accessing data stored in a removable storage device by translating a logical memory address provided by a host digital device to a physical memory address in the device. A logical memory address is received from the host digital device. The logical memory address corresponds to a location of data stored on the removable storage device. A physical memory address corresponding to the local address is determined by accessing a lookup table corresponding to the logical zone.
US08176293B2	Method and system for moving active virtual partitions between computers Embodiments of the present invention are directed to enhancing VPAR monitors to allow an active VPAR to be moved from one machine to another, as well as to enhancing virtual-machine monitors to move active VPARs from one machine to another. Because traditional VPAR monitors lack access to many computational resources and to executing-operating-system state, VPAR movement is carried out primarily by specialized routines executing within active VPARs, unlike the movement of guest operating systems between machines carried out by virtual-machine-monitor routines.
US08176292B2	Controlling configurable variable data reduction Example apparatus, methods, and computers control configurable, variable data reduction. One example method includes identifying data reduction controlling attributes in an object to be data reduced by a configurable variable data reducer. The attributes provide information upon which decisions concerning whether and/or how to data reduce the object can be based. The example method also includes controlling a configurable variable data reducer to selectively data reduce the object based, at least in part, on the data reduction controlling attributes. The control exercised can determine whether, where, when, and/or how data reduction will proceed.
US08176291B1	Buffer management architecture Systems and apparatus for managing buffers in a buffer memory are described. In at least one aspect, a system includes a buffer memory including a plurality of buffers; an allocation memory including a plurality of allocation data elements associated with the plurality of buffers; an allocation clear register coupled with the allocation memory; a reclaim memory including a plurality of reclaim data elements each associated with an allocation data element and corresponding buffer; a reclaim clear register coupled with the reclaim memory; an allocation register configured to receive one or more allocation data elements from the allocation memory; and a buffer manager.
US08176284B2	FLASH-based memory system with variable length page stripes including data protection information Methods and apparatuses for enhanced protection of data stored in a FLASH memory system involve a controller capable of protecting data using different size page stripes. The controller is configured to store data in FLASH memory devices in the form of page stripes, each page stripe comprising a plurality of pages of information, each page of information being stored in a different FLASH memory chip. The controller stores the data in a manner such that the pages making up each page stripe includes a plurality of data pages and at least one data protection page. In one implementation, the page stripes stored by the controller include a first page stripe having N data pages and one data protection page, and a second page stripe having M data pages and one data protection page, where N is an integer greater than three and M is an integer less than N.
US08176282B2	Multi-domain management of a cache in a processor system A system and method are provided for managing cache memory in a computer system. A cache controller portions a cache memory into a plurality of partitions, where each partition includes a plurality of physical cache addresses. Then, the method accepts a memory access message from the processor. The memory access message includes an address in physical memory and a domain identification (ID). A determination is made if the address in physical memory is cacheable. If cacheable, the domain ID is cross-referenced to a cache partition identified by partition bits. An index is derived from the physical memory address, and a partition index is created by combining the partition bits with the index. A processor is granted access (read or write) to an address in cache defined by partition index.
US08176280B2	Use of test protection instruction in computing environments that support pageable guests Management of storage used by pageable guests of a computing environment is facilitated. A query instruction is provided that details information regarding the storage location indicated in the query. It specifies whether the storage location, if protected, is protected by host-level protection or guest-level protection.
US08176277B2	Replication of deduplicated storage system A method of replicating a deduplicated storage system is disclosed. The method comprises storing a stream of data on an originator deduplicating system by storing deduplicated segments and information on how to reconstruct the stream of data. The method further comprises replicating the originator deduplicating system by receiving a copy of the deduplicated segments, information regarding containers for the deduplicated segments, and information on how to reconstruct the stream of data transferred from the originator deduplicating system to the replica system.
US08176275B2	Method and apparatus for de-duplication after mirror operation De-duplication operations are applied to mirror volumes. Data stored to a first volume is mirrored to a second volume. The second volume is a virtual volume having a plurality of logical addresses, such that segments of physical storage capacity are allocated for a specified logical address as needed when data is stored to the specified logical address. A de-duplication operation is carried out on the second volume following a split from the first volume. A particular segment of the second volume is identified as having data that is the same as another segment in the second volume or in the same consistency group. A link is created from the particular segment to the other segment and the particular segment is released from the second volume so that physical storage capacity required for the second volume is reduced.
US08176272B2	Incremental backup using snapshot delta views A backup method that uses snapshot delta views to create backups of a data collection is provided. The method comprises taking a first snapshot of the data collection, in response to determining that a previous snapshot used to create a backup does not exist; creating a backup of the data collection using the first snapshot, in response to determining that the previous snapshot does not exist; recording that the first snapshot was used as a source for the creation of a backup; and taking a second snapshot of the data collection, in response to determining that the previous snapshot that was used as a source for a backup does exist.
US08176269B2	Managing metadata for data blocks used in a deduplication system Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for managing metadata for data blocks used in a deduplication system. File metadata is maintained for files having data blocks in a computer readable device. Data block metadata is maintained for each data block in the computer readable device. The data block metadata for one data block includes a data block reference and content identifier identifying content of the data block. The file metadata for each file includes the data block reference to each data block in the file. A determination is made of an unreferenced data block in the computer readable device that has become unreferenced. Indication is made that the data block metadata for the determined unreferenced data block as unreferenced metadata. The data block reference of the unreferenced metadata is maintained in the computer readable device in response to determining that a includes the data block indicated in the unreferenced metadata.
US08176268B2	Systems and methods for performing storage operations in a computer network Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data.
US08176267B2	Data accessing method for flash memory storage device having data perturbation module, and storage system and controller using the same A data accessing method, and a storage system and a controller using the same are provided. The data accessing method is suitable for a flash memory storage system having a data perturbation module. The data accessing method includes receiving a read command from a host and obtaining a logical block to be read and a page to be read from the read command. The data accessing method also includes determining whether a physical block in a data area corresponding to the logical block to be read is a new block and transmitting a predetermined data to the host when the physical block corresponding to the logical block to be read is a new block. Thereby, the host is prevented from reading garbled code from the flash memory storage system having the data perturbation module.
US08176264B2	Software transactional memory for dynamically sizable shared data structures We propose a new form of software transactional memory (STM) designed to support dynamic-sized data structures, and we describe a novel non-blocking implementation. The non-blocking property we consider is obstruction-freedom. Obstruction-freedom is weaker than lock-freedom; as a result, it admits substantially simpler and more efficient implementations. An interesting feature of our obstruction-free STM implementation is its ability to use of modular contention managers to ensure progress in practice.
US08176263B2	Memory management apparatus and method for same A memory management apparatus uses a link list memory to manage a use area and a vacant area of a data memory. The use of the use area of the data memory by each of plural ports is restricted, and the use area of the data memory is configured to be always provided for each of the plural ports. In this manner, monopolized use of the data memory by a specific port is prevented and each of the plural ports is securely provided with the use area of the data memory under control of the memory management apparatus.
US08176261B2	Information processing apparatus and data transfer method One aspect of the embodiments utilizes an information processing apparatus having a plurality of system boards connected via a bus, each system board including a CPU having a cache memory, a main memory that forms a shared memory, and a system controller that manages the CPU and the main memory as well as controls a data transfer of at least one of the cache memory and the main memory by a memory access request, wherein each system controller including a snoop controller that selects a transfer source CPU from transfer source candidate CPUs each having cache memory including a data requested by the memory access request when the data is available in a plurality of cache memories.
US08176256B2	Cache regions A cache region can be created in a cache in response to receiving a cache region creation request from an application. A storage request from the application can identify the cache region and one or more objects to be stored in the cache region. Those objects can be stored in the cache region in response to receiving the storage request.
US08176254B2	Specifying an access hint for prefetching limited use data in a cache hierarchy A system and method for specifying an access hint for prefetching limited use data. A processing unit receives a data cache block touch (DCBT) instruction having an access hint indicating to the processing unit that a program executing on the data processing system may soon access a cache block addressed within the DCBT instruction. The access hint is contained in a code point stored in a subfield of the DCBT instruction. In response to detecting that the code point is set to a specific value, the data addressed in the DCBT instruction is prefetched into an entry in the lower level cache. The entry may then be updated as a least recently used entry of a plurality of entries in the lower level cache. In response to a new cache block being fetched to the cache, the prefetched cache block is cast out of the cache.
US08176253B2	Leveraging transactional memory hardware to accelerate virtualization and emulation Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using transactional memory hardware to accelerate virtualization or emulation. A central processing unit is provided with the transactional memory hardware. Code backpatching can be facilitated by providing transactional memory hardware that supports a facility to maintain private memory state and an atomic commit feature. Changes made to certain code are stored in the private state facility. Backpatching changes are enacted by attempting to commit all the changes to memory at once using the atomic commit feature. An efficient call return stack can be provided by using transactional memory hardware. A call return cache stored in the private state facility captures a host address to return to after execution of a guest function completes. A direct-lookup hardware-based hash table is used for the call return cache.
US08176249B2	Methods for embedding session secrets, within application instances Method for embedding a session secret, within an application instance, comprising the steps of generating an ephemeral session secret by a master application. Embedding, by master application, secret bytes, within application bytes of a slave application. Calculating said ephemeral session secret, by slave application, from said embedded secret bytes, when slave application is executed.
US08176246B1	Distributing lookup operations in a striped storage system The present invention provides a mechanism for storing and accessing attributes of a data container (e.g., characteristics such as a name of a data container used to perform a lookup operation against the data container) in cache memory within storage systems in a cluster of storage systems. Further, a mechanism is provided so that an attribute of a data container is inserted into a cache memory of preferably one storage system (in the cluster) that caches metadata of the data container (e.g., information describing the data container). As a result, a lookup operation for a data container is directed to and served by the storage system that caches the metadata and the attribute of the data container. The lookup request is not relayed to a storage system that maintains a central directory of attributes of all data containers in the cluster.
US08176243B2	Tape recording apparatus and method A tape recording apparatus is configured for sequentially recording files when receiving a command to write the files from an external host. The tape recording apparatus includes a buffer for temporarily storing the files, a tape on which the files are recorded, a writing device for writing the files stored in the buffer on the tape, and a writing control device for performing control of sequentially writing the files stored in the buffer on the tape one by one. The writing control device memorizes designated delimiter positions when delimiter position designation commands are received from the external host, the delimiter position designation commands designating the delimiter positions of the files to be sequentially written.
US08176241B2	System and method for optimizing DRAM refreshes in a multi-channel memory controller In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for optimizing DRAM refreshes in a multi-channel memory controller are provided. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving, at a router in a light modulation system, a signal from one of a plurality of channels operable to read or write to a plurality of DRAM banks, the signal indicating that the channel does not need to access the plurality of DRAM banks during predetermined time period. The method also includes indicating the receipt of the signal to a refresh channel including a plurality of counters, wherein each counter is operable to track refreshes of a respective one of the plurality of DRAM banks. The method further includes receiving, from the refresh channel, an indication of one of the plurality of DRAM banks to refresh in response to the receipt of the signal, and refreshing the indicated DRAM bank.
US08176240B2	Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a memory bus interface by selectively disabling and enabling sense amplifiers A technique includes amplifying data signals from a memory bus interface. The amplified data signals are sampled, and the amplifier is selectively disabled in response to the absence of a predetermined operation occurring over the memory bus. In some embodiments of the invention, the amplification may be selectively enabled in response to the beginning of the predetermined operation over the memory bus.
US08176233B1	Using non-volatile memory resources to enable a virtual buffer pool for a database application A buffer pool for a database application is maintained in a volatile main memory component. A control portion that corresponds to a block of application data residing on a non-volatile, asymmetric memory component and that includes a reference to a location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component is added to the buffer pool maintained in the volatile main memory component. The control portion from the buffer pool maintained in the volatile main memory component that corresponds to the block of application data is accessed and the location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component is identified. Based on identifying the location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component, the database application is enabled to access the block of application data directly from the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component.
US08176231B2	Methods for handling data updating of flash memory and related memory cards A method for handling data updating of a flash memory is disclosed, in which the flash memory comprises a mother block with a plurality of pages to be updated, and each page comprises a plurality of sectors. In such method, a first data for updating a target page in the mother block is obtained, and then whether the first data comprises data for updating an ending sector in the target page is determined. The first data is written into a replacing page in a first FAT block when the first data does not comprise data for updating the ending sector in the target page. The first data is written into a corresponding page in a second FAT block when the first data comprises the data for updating the ending sector, in which the corresponding page in the second FAT block and the target page in the mother block have the same page indexes.
US08176228B2	Quick port-switching method and associated apparatus A quick port-switching method and associated apparatus are provided. A quick port-switching display control circuit includes a display controller, a first TMDS port, a second TMDS port and an analog video port. The display controller has a first GPIO pin and a second GPIO pin. The first TMDS port, second TMDS port and analog video port are coupled to the display controller for receiving a first TMDS input, a second TMDS input and an analog video signal, respectively. The first TMDS input and second TMDS input include a first hot-plugging signal and a second hot-plugging signal to be received by the first GPIO pin and second GPIO pin, respectively. The display controller determines whether the first TMDS input is valid by detecting whether the first hot-plugging signal is asserted, and determines whether the second TMDS input is valid by detecting whether the second hot-plugging signal is asserted.
US08176225B2	Microcontroller peripheral event distribution bus A method and apparatus for distributing events. In one embodiment, the method includes a bus concurrently transmitting a first event-signal and a first event-identification (event-ID); wherein the first event-signal, when active, indicates that a first event has occurred, is occurring, or should occur. The first event-ID corresponds to the first event-signal.
US08176222B2	Early termination of an I/O operation in an I/O processing system A computer program product, apparatus, and method for handling early termination of an I/O operation at a channel subsystem in an I/O processing system are provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving a request to terminate an I/O operation, and transmitting an abort command to a control unit in communication with the channel subsystem in response to receiving the request to terminate the I/O operation. The method also includes transmitting a purge path command to purge a path associated with the I/O operation, where the purge path command includes an error code identifying the request to terminate the I/O operation.
US08176221B2	DMA controller A DMA controller achieving real-time control of a DMA transfer relating to periodically operated peripheral devices at a low cost and with low power consumption. A typical embodiment of the invention is a DMA controller having: a counter for counting time; a counter comparator comparing a value of the counter and a counter value indicating an expected time of a DMA transfer; a peripheral device read unit reading a register of the peripheral device to acquire a state of a peripheral device by; and a state comparator comparing a value of the register read by the peripheral device read unit and a start condition of the DMA transfer, in which, with being triggered by establishment of a comparison result by the counter comparator, in accordance with a specified order, a processing of updating the counter value indicating the expected time of a DMA transfer to a value indicating a next expected time, a read of the register of the peripheral device by the peripheral device read unit, a comparison by the state comparator, and a DMA transfer on the condition that the comparison result by the state comparator is established are executed.
US08176220B2	Processor-bus-connected flash storage nodes with caching to support concurrent DMA accesses from multiple processors A system includes multiple nodes coupled using a network of processor buses. The multiple nodes include a first processor node, including one or more processing cores and main memory, and a flash memory node coupled to the first processor node via a first processor bus of the network of processor buses. The flash memory node includes a flash memory including flash pages, a first memory including a cache partition for storing cached flash pages for the flash pages in the flash memory and a control partition for storing cache control data and contexts of requests to access the flash pages, and a logic module including a direct memory access (DMA) register and configured to receive a first request from the first processor node via the first processor bus to access the flash pages.
US08176218B2	Apparatus and methods for real-time routing of received commands in a split-path architecture storage controller Apparatus and methods for real-time routing of received frames in a split-path architecture storage controller. In one exemplary embodiment, a split-path storage controller comprises a soft-path I/O processor for processing of any received frames and comprises a fast-path I/O processor for efficient processing of common read and write command. A content parsing circuit of the storage controller parses each frame substantially concurrent with reception of the frame and selects an I/O processor for processing of an initial frame and subsequent related frames. Received frames are then routed concurrently as they are received for processing by the selected I/O processor of the multiple I/O processors of the split-path storage controller.
US08176214B2	Transmission of alternative content over standard device connectors Transmission of alternative content over standard device connectors. An embodiment of a method includes connecting a first device to a second device utilizing a standard connector, the connector including multiple pins, and detecting whether the second device is operating in a standard mode or an alternative mode. If the second device is operating in the alternative mode, then switching one or more pins of the standard connector for the alternative mode and transmitting or receiving signals for the alternative mode via the plurality of pins of the standard connector.
US08176210B2	Unified host application and associated methodology of integrating local service of a multi-function printer A method of invoking a set of services corresponding to a plug-in application installed on an image handling device. The method including launching a host application of the image handling device, accessing a configuration file of the image handling device, the configuration file including an identification of at least one plug-in and a corresponding set of services, launching the identified at least one plug-in, the plug-in providing the corresponding set of service in an integral fashion to the host application and presenting a unified graphical interface including host application services and the corresponding set of service of the plug-in.
US08176207B2	System debug of input/output virtualization device An adapter card for testing the functionality of a particular interface configuration may include an interface core. The interface core may comprise an electric circuit including electronic components and control logic for interfacing with an information handling system device. The adapter card may include a front end data channel coupled with the interface core for transmitting data between the electronic components and the information handling system device. The adapter card may include firmware for setting an indicator and causing the control logic to report a memory requirement to the information handling system device larger than a programmed memory space expected by the control logic.
US08176201B1	Controlling the signaling of label-switched paths using a label distribution protocol employing messages which facilitate the use of external prefixes Label distribution protocol (LDP) signaled label-switched paths (LSPs) are supported without requiring information about remote autonomous systems (ASs) to be injected into the local interior gateway protocol (IGP). This may be done by (i) decoupling a forwarding equivalency class (FEC) element from the routing information, and (ii) specifying a next hop on which the FEC relies. An LDP messaging structure (e.g., an LDP type-length-value (TLV)) that includes a label, FEC information (e.g., a host address or prefix of an egress LSR of the LSP) and a next hop (e.g., a host address or prefix of a border node, such as an AS border router (ASBR)) may be provided. This messaging structure may be included in one or more of (a) label mapping messages, (b) label withdraw messages, and (c) label release messages. If an LDP message including the expanded LDP messaging structure is received at a node, the node may determine whether or not to propagate the LSP using the next hop information, rather than the FEC information. If, on the other hand, the LDP message includes a normal LDP messaging structure, the node may determine whether or not to propagate the LSP as usual.
US08176199B2	Content delivery system, communicating apparatus, communicating method, and program A content delivery system includes a client and a server, the client requesting deliveries of content from the server which transforms the content into layered-encoded data for transmission to the client over a network. The client includes: an inputting device inputting a time limit within which the content is to be delivered; a requesting device requesting a delivery of the content from the server within the time limit; and a receiving device receiving layered-encoded data constituting the content of which the delivery has been requested by the requesting device and which is transmitted from the server. The server includes: an acquiring device acquiring the time limit; a determining device determining the layered-encoded data constituting the content which can be transmitted to the client within the time limit, the determination being based on the time limit, on a bandwidth applicable to the client, and on size information about the layered-encoded data constituting the content which can be transmitted; and a transmitting device transmitting to the client the layered-encoded data determined by the determining device.
US08176198B2	Configurable download timing and reward system in a data network A system and method are provided for determining whether a transaction between a subscriber and a merchant website requires downloading and/or streaming digital objects. In response to a determination that the transaction does require downloading and/or streaming of digital objects, a subscriber is provided with various options for delaying such downloading and/or streaming in return for incentives of varying value.
US08176197B2	Server device in contents transmitting system and contents transmitting method When the content data recorded in the server device 100 is reproduced in the client device 200 through communication, the contents transmitting system shorten the time to reproduction of content data in reply to a reproduction request from the client device 200. In order to shorten the time up to the reproduction, in the server device 100, a start portion of the content data for an arbitrary time is prepared, which is encoded at a different rate from the encode rate of the content data as for the transmission bandwidth at the previous reproduction of the content data, and it is transmitted to the client device 200 and reproduced at the reproduction starting time. At the time of transmitting the content data, the server device 100 transmits the initial portion of the content data while encoding it for an arbitrary time at real time at a different encode rate as mentioned above, and client device 200 reproduces it.
US08176196B2	Stream data processing method and apparatus A user specifies a group by a user-defined query. An input order is assured among data of a same group. By outputting data belonging to a same group from the same node, an order inputted for a necessary portion is assured. By outputting data belonging to different groups from another node, processing in plural nodes is achieved to avoid reduction in performance.
US08176194B2	Streaming data playback apparatus A handsfree apparatus performs an operation for requesting a connection of a Bluetooth connection link to a cellular phone after guaranteeing a continuous playback of music streaming data by an audio player in a time slot that does not have packet transfer of the music streaming data, if the connection request of the Bluetooth connection link to the cellular phone is generated during a time of A2DP connection that defines packet transfer of the music streaming data with the audio player. The connection request of the Bluetooth connection link to the cellular phone is thus handled appropriately without interrupting a continuous playback of the music streaming data.
US08176193B2	Dynamic media asset delivery Dynamic media asset delivery is described. In embodiments, a request for a media asset can be received from a client device. A transmission rate of a communication network is determined to deliver the media asset to the client device. The client device can be monitored to determine whether the media asset is initiated for playback at the client device. The media asset is then communicated to the client device in a highest quality display format as can be delivered according to the transmission rate of the communication network and whether the media asset is initiated for playback at the client device.
US08176192B2	Networked transmission system and method for stream data Disclosed is a networked transmission system and method for stream data. The system comprises a network, a streaming server and an ordered series of a first up to n-th cooperative-sharing groups. There is a cooperative relationship among all users' terminals in a cooperative-sharing group. The streaming server provides a plurality of programs with stream data, each program being divided into one or more audio/video clips by a time-slot unit. The streaming server transmits the one or more audio/video clips to the leader node of the first cooperative-sharing groups. The leader node of each cooperative-sharing group transmits the currently received audio/video clip to the users' terminals within the same cooperative-sharing group, and passes the received audio/video clip to the leader node of the next cooperative-sharing group after one time slot.
US08176191B2	Automated identification of high/low value content based on social feedback Embodiments of the present invention provide an automated scheme for identifying high/low value content. Playback data from users in a social network may be periodically submitted by users of the social network. The playback data indicates segments of content, such as audio or video that the user has skipped over or tagged as low value. The playback data may also indicate segments of content that the user has repeated or tagged as high value. The playback data is then analyzed in aggregate and various clips are identified. In addition, the playback data may be compiled and organized among the users for future use. The playback data may be used to indicate segments of high/low interest to peers in the social network or to arbitrary users.
US08176184B2	Method and system providing a messaging service The invention is directed to a instant messaging method and communication system comprising one or more network elements, wherein a connection from one to another network element can be established using a protocol which allows the sending of one or more messages from the one to the another network element as part of one or more protocol words. The protocol includes a protocol portion allowing a network element to specify whether or not the message is to be stored in case it cannot be promptly delivered to the another network element. The protocol portion preferably is part of the protocol header. The protocol may be a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and the message can be contained in an Invite request sent from the sending equipment to the receiving equipment.
US08176183B2	System and a method for accelerating communication of TCP/IP based content A technique for downloading multiple objects from at least one server in an accelerated manner. Typically, in a TCP/IP environment, a client is limited in the number of sockets that can be opened for a single server. A spoofer (410) is utilized to intercept traffic between the server and the client and modify the traffic so that from the client's perspective, it appears as though objects from a single server are actually being sourced from multiple servers. Thus, the client is able to open additional sockets to receive objects from the server thereby allowing for a parallel download of the objects. This greatly reduces the amount of time necessary to download the objects.
US08176179B2	Method and system for data-structure management Embodiments of the present invention are directed to computationally efficient methods and systems for managing connection-associated and exchange-associated resources within network proxies. In one embodiment of the present invention, a circular connection-switch queue is employed for allocating, de-allocating, and maintaining connection-based or exchange-based data resources within a proxy. The connection-switch queue includes a free pointer that identifies a next connection-switch queue entry for allocation, and an idle pointer that is incremented continuously or at fixed intervals as timers associated with connection-switch entries expire. In an alternate embodiment, the connection-switch queue includes a free pointer, an idle pointer, and a clear pointer.
US08176177B2	Methods and systems for reducing burst usage of a networked computer system Methods and systems for reducing burst usage of a networked computer system are described herein. In an embodiment, resource requesters can request, within a time window, resources over a computer network before the resources are available. The resources can then be allocated in batch mode when the resources are available. Thus, resource requests do not have to be processed in real-time, and resource requests can be received before the resources are available.
US08176176B1	Scheduling data pushes to a mobile device based on usage and applications thereof Embodiments relate to pushing data to mobile devices more efficiently. In a first embodiment, a computer-implemented method receives pushed data on a mobile device. The method includes: (a) recording, at a memory of the mobile device, information describing activity occurring on the mobile device during a first time period; (b) sending, from the mobile device to a server, data indicating the first time period and activity data indicating whether the mobile device was active during the first time period; and (c) during a second time period occurring after the recording (a) and sending (b), receiving application data pushed to the mobile device at a first rate determined based at least in part on the activity data sent to the server in (b), wherein the second time period is determined by the server based at least in part on the data indicating the first time period.
US08176175B2	Network response time measurements in an asymmetric routing environment In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving flow records from a plurality of network devices on asymmetric paths; (ii) reconstructing a network transaction from the received flow records; and (iii) deriving response times using the reconstructed network transaction.
US08176172B2	Unified web hosting and content distribution system and method for assuring predetermined performance levels A service model, integrated system, and method for enabling a service provider to deliver an integrated web hosting and content distribution service offering, which affords assured operational performance service levels, regardless of whether the customer's web site is served by the service provider's hosting center, the service provider's content distribution network (CDN), by a third party web host, or by a third party CDN. A monitoring system of the primary service provider receives detailed capacity and health statistics from any CDN under the operational control of the primary service provider, receives aggregate capacity and health statistics from other CDNs not under the operational control of the primary service provider. A redirection system then decides to which web host, content distribution network, or combination thereof, user requests for content are directed in order that operational performance service levels are maintained.
US08176165B2	WTA based over the air management (OTAM) method and apparatus A method is provided for managing the MS over the air (OTA) and at the same time maintaining backward compatibility with existing protocols and standards. The proposed method uses Wireless Telephony application (WTA).
US08176162B2	Email server system and method An email system comprises a plurality of email servers connected by a data communications network. The email system avoids single points of failure by employing multiple email servers which self configure, without requiring dedicated servers, through self addressing and discovery and announcement protocols. An email server can act as a primary email server by executing an administration tool allowing an administrator to modify the configuration data set which the email servers utilize, and the primary email server will then announce the resulting change in the version level of the configuration data set to other email servers. Each email server will then determine and request any needed updates to its respective configuration data set from the primary email server or another email server. The resulting email system is: robust, avoiding single points of failure; scalable, as additional email processing capacity can be achieved by adding additional email servers; and is simple to administer as changes to the configuration data set can be made at any email server with a copy of the appropriate administration tool and such changes automatically propagate through the email system.
US08176157B2	Exceptions grouping Methods of experience-based exception grouping are described. A number of exceptions are read. The exceptions are intelligently associated with one of a number of exception groups. Each exception group corresponds to a common user experience.
US08176155B2	Remote network management system Disclosed is a remote network management system for coupling a series of remote domain servers, file/print servers, headless servers, network appliances, serial IT equipment, switches, routers, firewalls, security interfaces, application servers, load balancers, and environmental controls to one or more user workstations allowing for selective access of the remote devices. The remote devices are all connected to a remote management unit which interfaces each user workstation to the remote devices. The power supply of each remote device is similarly connected to the remote management unit through a controllable power supply. An option menu containing a list of all of the remote devices allows a user to select and operate any of the remote devices from the workstation. The option menu is also utilized to selectively control the power to the remote devices, servers, and computers.
US08176152B2	System and method for optimizing synchronization A system and method is provided for optimizing a SyncML slow sync between a proprietary client and server. When a slow sync is detected, the client and server can depart from the normal SyncML protocol and process summary data without having to compare all items on a field-by-field basis.
US08176147B2	Method and messaging system for managing media contents in uniform storage A method for managing media contents in a uniform storage includes: storing media contents and media content metadata corresponding to the media contents at a messaging system network side, performing management operations on the media contents by a user client based on the media content metadata. A messaging system for managing media contents in a uniform storage includes a user client and a network uniform storage entity, wherein the user client is configured to send a request for managing media contents to the network uniform storage entity; the network uniform storage entity is configured to store the media contents and media content metadata, and perform operations corresponding to the management request from the user client based on the media content metadata. Therefore, the user client may perform various management operations on the media contents stored at the messaging system network side. Accordingly, the user experience is improved.
US08176145B1	System and method for providing insurance data processing services via a user interface A system architecture for providing remote access to insurance applications from a remote location is provided, including: a presentation layer located at the remote location that provides tools for navigating within one of the insurance applications and executing business transactions, wherein the presentation layer is based on web browser technology; an application layer that enforces predetermined rules of business on commands and transactions input from the remote location; a data access layer that manages physical storage of data relating to the insurance applications in databases and provides the application layer with access to application data; and a distributed technical layer separating a presentation logic of the presentation layer from an application logic of the application layer, wherein the distributed technical layer is configured to coordinate an execution of the insurance applications on one or more different platforms.
US08176140B2	Home network device control service and/or internet service method and apparatus thereof for controlling internet services and home network devices based on a script Provided are a home network device service and/or Internet service method and apparatus in a home network with a web-based open architecture, the method comprising: receiving script based software for controlling the service from a server using a controller in a home network; reproducing a user interface screen for controlling the service by parsing the script based software using the controller; and controlling the home network device control service and/or the Internet service using the controller according to the selected service when a service is selected based on the UI screen. Accordingly, a home network which can be expanded easily can be obtained.
US08176135B2	Method and system for enhanced messaging Techniques for acquiring, sending, receiving or using status information from a remote location over a network are disclosed. The status information is transmitted over the network between or among electronic devices. The status information can be provided by one or more sensors associated with the electronic device that is transmitting the status information. The status information can be transmitted with messages so as to enhance the messages. The electronic devices include at least computing devices, such as personal computers, personal digital assistants, pagers, and mobile telephones.
US08176130B2	Processing rules for digital messages Systems and methods for handling email messages are described. Some embodiments are directed to determining whether an email message meets a predefined condition, and executing an action in an instant messaging (IM) system in response to determining that the email message meets the predefined condition. Other embodiments are directed to providing a programming interface, and storing inputs provided by a user at the programming interface. For those embodiments, the programming interface is adapted to receive user input in the form of a markup language. The inputs include a condition and an action. Yet other embodiments are directed to determining whether a digital message meets a predefined condition, and executing a filtering algorithm on the digital message in response to determining that the digital message does not meet the predefined condition. The digital message may be, for example, an email message or an IM message.
US08176127B2	System and method for processing securities trading instructions and communicating order status via a messaging interface A system allowing traders, etc. to use instant messaging (IM) (or other non-FIX based) communications to input trading instructions directly into a broker's Order Management System (OMS) for managing/executing trades. Accordingly, trading instructions may be provided electronically directly from a buy-side trader, and directly to a sell-side broker's/brokerage's OMS, without the need for the sell-side broker to manually re-key the order into the sell-side firm's OMS. Further, trading instructions are provided in electronic format directly to the broker's OMS without the need for the buy-side trader to have an expensive FIX based OMS or associated FIX connection, which is also expensive, thereby allowing relatively smaller investment houses/buy-side organizations to enjoy the benefits of electronic delivery of trading instructions directly to brokers' OMS.
US08176119B2	System and method for dynamically changing the content of an internet web page A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in/opt-out buttons. The evolving interactive dialog box may also include dynamically selectable features, such as font type, font size, font color, box shape, box dimension(s), background colors, foreground colors, etc.
US08176117B2	Accelerator for object-oriented communications and method A processing system includes a plurality of processing resources capable of executing a plurality of objects. The objects include a client object and one or more server objects. The client object is capable of requesting a service provided by at least one of the one or more server objects. The processing system also includes at least one hardware engine capable of receiving a request for the service from the processing resource executing the client object, formatting one or more messages associated with the requested service, and communicating the one or more messages to the processing resource executing at least one of the one or more server objects that provides the requested service.
US08176114B2	Distributed cross-application server deployment A method for a distributed deployment includes selecting a first feature module of an application to be deployed where the application includes multiple feature modules. A second feature module of an application to be deployed is selected. A first server and a second server to which to deploy the first selected feature module and the second selected feature module, respectively, are selected. A first archive file and a second archive file for the first selected feature module and the second selected feature module, respectively, are generated using deployment information, a deployment template for the application, and at least one feature module file. The first archive file contains a feature module not contained in the second archive file.
US08176112B2	Systems, methods, and products for multimedia applications gateways Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a multimedia applications gateway. A home network management application is downloaded to the multimedia applications gateway operating in a home network. An anomaly that occurs in the home network is observed. An alert is sent to an external network controller, and the alert describes the anomaly in the home network. An instruction is received from the external network controller to remedy the anomaly.
US08176111B1	Low latency floating-point divider An improved method and apparatus for performing floating-point division is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, fractional operands are pre-scaled and an estimate of a reciprocal of the pre-scaled fractional divisor is obtained from a lookup table using a portion of the bits of the pre-scaled fractional divisor. This value is used to scale the fractional operands and a multiply-add operation is used based on principles of series expansion to compute a final result with an acceptable degree of accuracy.
US08176110B2	Modular multiplier Modular multiplication of two elements X(t) and Y(t), over GF(2), where m is a field degree, may utilize field degree to determine, at least in part, the number of iterations. An extra shift operation may be employed when the number of iterations is reduced. Modular multiplication of two elements X(t) and Y(t), over GF(2), may include a shared reduction circuit utilized during multiplication and reduction. In addition, a modular multiplication of binary polynomials X(t) and Y(t), over GF(2), may utilize the Karatsuba algorithm, e.g., by recursively splitting up a multiplication into smaller operands determined according to the Karatsuba algorithm.
US08176106B2	On-chip estimation of key-extraction parameters for physical tokens The present invention relates to a method and a device (11) using a physical token (14), which provides measurable parameters, to derive at least one data set. A plurality of values of one or more of the parameters are measured. From these measured values, a measure of variance is calculated. Quantization intervals into which a measured value is to be quantized are then determined. A possible value of a data set, which subsequently can be derived from a measured value provided by the physical token, is associated with each quantization interval. Further, information which subsequently enables determination of these quantization intervals is stored. Hence, an enrolling phase has been completed. When the preparing phase has been completed, a deriving phase may commence. When a data set is to be derived, for example to be used as a cryptographic key, a value of any one of the parameters provided by the PUF is measured. This measured value is quantized into a determined quantization interval, and a data set may be derived from the quantization interval into which the measured value is quantized.
US08176097B2	Maintaining data coherency within related multi-perspective user interfaces via session-less queries A contextual data server can provide a contextual data response for a contextual data request. A contextual data response can include at least client-requested data for the contextual data request and contextual differences data. The context-enhanced multi-perspective user interface can present the client-requested data received from the contextual data server in at least two related data viewing areas. Synchronization of the client-requested data presented in the at least two related viewing areas can be maintained using a presentation context, which is a part of the context-enhanced multi-perspective user interface that is not visually rendered.
US08176088B2	Incremental cardinality estimation for a set of data values A system, an article, and a computer program product for estimating a cardinality value for a set of data values. In one embodiment, the system includes means for initializing a data structure for representing an array of counts; means for obtaining a data value from said set of data values; means for transforming said data value into a transformed string; means for modifying said data structure with said transformed string; means for obtaining a summary statistic value from said modified data structure, wherein the summary statistic value is based on the array of counts; and means for generating said estimated cardinality value using said summary statistic value.
US08176087B2	Data processing Data is stored and data objects are indexed by an index having a tree configuration and the tree is traversed to identify the location of a data object. Data objects are analyzed to assess the extent to which a second data object is related to a first data object, and locations of related data objects within the tree are clustered so as to minimize tree traversal when accessing data objects considered to be related.
US08176085B2	Modular forest automata Modular forest automata (MFA) provide a unified description of partially-ordered regular tree patterns. MFAs provide simple methods for determinization, sub-typing, intersection, and complementation of these patterns. MFAs support high-performance pattern analysis and matching. Modular forest transducers, in conjunction with modular forest automata, enable compilers to place semantic actions on any state transition while supporting efficient transformation of labeled, directed graphs.
US08176079B1	Restricting access to network resources through recursive URL classification In one example, a server-based system may provide a recursive classification of the contents of a URL by: 1) receiving a request for a URL-classification list associated with a base URL, 2) constructing the URL-classification list, and 3) providing, in response to the request, the URL-classification list. The resulting URL-classification list may comprise: 1) content categories occurring in the base URL and 2) content categories occurring in any URLs embedded in the base URL. In another example, a client-based system may restrict access to network resources, based on the contents of a base URL, by: 1) identifying a request from a user to access a base URL, 2) requesting a URL-classification list associated with the base URL, 3) receiving the URL-classification list, and 4) determining, based on the URL-classification list, that access to the base URL is authorized. Corresponding computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08176078B1	Method and apparatus for distributing network security advisory information In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for distributing network security advisory information. In one embodiment, each user creates a profile describing his or her preferences with regard to the receipt of security advisory information (e.g., types of security advisory information he or she wishes to receive, the channels over which he or she wishes to receive the security advisory information). Incoming security advisory information is then distributed in accordance with the user profiles.
US08176075B2	Device, data processing method, and program An image processing apparatus includes a browser which obtains an external resource or internal resource of the apparatus and displays the resource on the display unit, and a storage unit for storing an internal resource that can be displayed on the display unit. The image processing apparatus performs control not to display information by which storage location of the internal resource in the storing unit is identifiable in the case where the resource obtained by the browser unit is an internal resource.
US08176067B1	Fixed phrase detection for search A set of search requests may be analyzed to detect fixed phrases suitable for inclusion in a search index. Sets of candidate phrases may be identified among the search requests. Fixed phrases may be detected among the candidate phrases using statistical techniques, for example, by identifying phrases having a relatively high pointwise mutual information (PMI) with respect to component keywords. Fixed phrase detection may include keyword and/or phrase clustering. Clusters may correspond to topics defined using a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) procedure. Fixed phrase detection may include identifying phrases having relatively high PMI within particular clusters.
US08176065B2	System and method for automatic selection of digital photo album cover A photograph in an album of photographs is selected as the cover for the album based on metadata, e.g., most frequently viewed, last viewed, EXIF data, etc.
US08176060B2	Online tool for registering media A system and methodology that facilitates online registration of portable electronic media containing sensitive information is provided. The system tracks, collects and logs information associated with the media shipments and generates detailed reports. Furthermore, the system analyzes the information collected and reported to measure accountability and to calculate risk. The system provides consolidated, comprehensive information about media containing sensitive data shipped outside an organization. Additionally, the system facilitates risk management while tracking and reporting compliance around most any media activity.
US08176058B2	Method and systems for managing playlists The present invention relates to a computerized method and systems for managing feeds so that a user's playlists may be automatically updated in accordance with a user's desired media preferences.
US08176056B1	Determining quality of linked documents A ranking component ranks documents, such as web pages or web sites, to obtain a ranking score that defines a quality judgment of the document. The ranking score of a particular document is based on the ranking score of the documents which link to it and based on affiliation among the documents.

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