| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08201743B2 |
Bar code reader with improved lens for imaging with balanced astigmatism
An exemplary imaging based barcode reader has an imaging system that includes a photosensitive array, a focusing lens fixed with respect to the light detecting array which creates an image of a target object on the light detecting array; and an aperture stop fixed in relation to the focusing lens having an opening that allows light from the target object to impinge upon the lens for focusing onto the light detecting array. The focusing lens has a surface facing the aperture stop that is toroidal and in one exemplary embodiment approximates a cylinder that balances or optimizes. Astigmatism of the lens in the imaging plane located in the close proximity to the photosensitive array. |
| US08201739B2 |
Biometric sensor with delay layer
A biometric scanner is described and claimed. The scanner has a platen, an ultrasonic plane wave generator, an ultrasonic detector, and a delay layer residing between the generator and the detector. |
| US08201734B1 |
Conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity into entity independent negotiable funds
Non-negotiable credits can be identified that are from previous interactions with an entity. The previous interactions can earn the non-negotiable credits. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits can be converted to a quantity of negotiable funds. The converting can be performed by a different legal entity than the entity. Access to the quantity of negotiable funds can be permitted for purchases with at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits in absence of the converting of the non-negotiable credits into negotiable funds. The identifying, the converting, and the permitting can be performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device. |
| US08201733B2 |
Wireless transaction medium having combined magnetic stripe and radio frequency communications
A wireless financial transaction instrument, such as a card, has a magnetic stripe, a display, and an on-board power supply, such as a battery, and is usable with a dual capture point of sale terminal. Information is received by such a terminal from the card wirelessly, and also from the magnetic stripe, and the data received contactlessly is preferably used to verify that read from the stripe. The display can display the account number on command, or to display a current balance, or amount of credit remaining, or any combination of these items of information. |
| US08201731B1 |
Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
An automated banking machine operates using data included on user cards. The machine accepts checks and dispenses cash to users. The automated banking machine operates to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks and to determine the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. |
| US08201730B1 |
Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read card data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser and the machine carries out transaction functions for consumers including dispensing cash. The machine may be configured such that when an alternative bootable media is detected, the computer is operative to prompt a user to input a bios boot password. |
| US08201724B2 |
Inorganic nanowires
An inorganic nanowire having an organic scaffold substantially removed from the inorganic nanowire, the inorganic nanowire consisting essentially of fused inorganic nanoparticles substantially free of the organic scaffold, and methods of making same. For example, a virus-based scaffold for the synthesis of single crystal ZnS, CdS and free-standing L10 CoPt and FePt nanowires can be used, with the means of modifying substrate specificity through standard biological methods. Peptides can be selected through an evolutionary screening process that exhibit control of composition, size, and phase during nanoparticle nucleation have been expressed on the highly ordered filamentous capsid of the M13 bacteriophage. The incorporation of specific, nucleating peptides into the generic scaffold of the M13 coat structure can provide a viable template for the directed synthesis of a variety of materials including semiconducting and magnetic materials. Removal of the viral template via annealing can promote oriented aggregation-based crystal growth, forming individual crystalline nanowires. The unique ability to interchange substrate specific peptides into the linear self-assembled filamentous construct of the M13 virus introduces a material tenability not seen in previous synthetic routes. Therefore, this system provides a genetic tool kit for growing and organizing nanowires from various materials including semiconducting and magnetic materials. |
| US08201722B2 |
Resonator for joining metal members together utilizing ultrasonic vibration
A resonator for joining metal members utilizing ultrasonic vibration includes an ultrasonic horn having a length of at least half wavelength of a resonance frequency of ultrasonic vibration transmitted from a vibrator, and a joining tool provided on the ultrasonic horn so as to project in a direction normal to a vibration transmission direction of the ultrasonic horn at a position of a point of a maximum vibration amplitude of the ultrasonic horn. The joining tool is formed into a linear bar made of a material excellent in acoustic property and is provided on a distal end thereof with a tool head projecting laterally. |
| US08201719B2 |
Carrier for bicycle
A bicycle carrier includes a main body, at least one supporting frame, at least one side frame and at least one restrainer. The main body includes a supporting plane and a plurality of slide bases. The slide bases are located on at least one side of the main body. The supporting frame connects the main body and the bicycle. The side frame includes at least one slide rod that slides and couples to the slide bases and at least one fence connected to the slide rod to define a container space. The restrainer restrains the side frame from moving relative to the main body. |
| US08201717B2 |
Apparatus and method for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material
An apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material is provided that includes an un-heated hopper having an inlet for receiving particles of a thermoplastic material and an outlet for discharging the particles and a heated manifold including at least one cavity formed therein and having an inlet and an outlet the inlet communicating with the outlet of the hopper for receipt of the particles from the hopper. The hopper is disposed external of the heated manifold. The heated manifold is effective for melting the particles into molten thermoplastic material therein. The apparatus further includes a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. An outlet of the pump is in fluid communication with an inlet of a dispenser and an outlet of the dispenser is effective for dispensing the molten thermoplastic material therethrough. |
| US08201715B2 |
Dispenser related technology
A refrigerator, in which a dispensing unit moves between a received position and a dispensing position and a driving unit is configured to move the dispensing unit from the received position to the dispensing position and is configured to move the dispensing unit from the dispensing position to the received position. The refrigerator also includes a state return unit that is configured to detect a force applied to a cover unit when the dispensing unit is oriented in the dispensing position and that is configured to, in response to detecting the force applied to the cover unit, cause the driving unit to move the dispensing unit from the dispensing position to the received position. |
| US08201714B2 |
Aerosol sprayer
A pressurized aerosol sprayer and method of making a pressurized aerosol sprayer are disclosed. In one embodiment the aerosol sprayer includes an aerosol sprayer actuator attached to an aerosol container, wherein the sprayer actuator includes an actuator housing, a trigger piece having a trigger and operatively associated with the actuator housing to activate the release of fluid from the container, a nozzle in fluid communication with the container, and a trigger loop encircling the trigger. |
| US08201713B2 |
Pressure compensation member
A pressure compensation member suitable to be placed in a fluid dispensing channel, a valve unit comprising this pressure drop compensation member and a container comprising this pressure compensation member or this valve unit are disclosed. The pressure compensation member is adapted to maintain a substantially constant flow of fluid through the fluid dispensing channel. |
| US08201711B2 |
Mixing device for individual hydration unit
An individual hydration unit includes a bag having a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber is connected with a first hose and the second chamber is connected with a second hose. A regulator is connected to the first and second hoses and connected to a third hose. The regulator includes a cylindrical body which has a first passage, a second passage and a third passage. An operation rod is rotatably inserted in the body and includes two first paths, two second paths, a third path and two fourth paths. The first, second, third and fourth paths are in communication with each other. By rotating the operation rod, the first, second and third passages are controlled to be opened and/or closed so as to mix the liquids in the two chambers as desired. A connection assembly is attached to the body for convenience of carried. |
| US08201708B2 |
Method and apparatus for the continuous controlled discharge of solids
A silo has more than one discharge passage, and each passage has the ability to increase or decrease its respective flow rates. The silo and each portion of the silo that feeds into each individual discharge passage can measure a feature of the solid being dispensed, such as its moisture content or its temperature. A computer controller is then used to take this feedback and adjust the rate of flow from each discharge passage so that the flows from each passage are kept the same despite the variation in moisture, temperature or any other characteristic of the flowing solid. A method to utilize this device is also taught. |
| US08201707B2 |
Manual fluid dispenser with discharge measurement
A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person's hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes an electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism, preferably by electromagnetic induction, electrochemistry or piezoelectricity. The electrical energy from the generator may be utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly. The relative amounts of electrical energy generated may be used to estimate the amount of fluid dispensed and the extent to which a fluid reservoir is full. |
| US08201706B2 |
Can cover and method
A can cover and method are provided for preventing debris from entering an opening in a lid of a pop-top can. The pop-top can includes an upper rim extending about the lid and a pivotable pop-top operatively connected to the lid. The can cover includes a generally flat sheet and a disc removably connected to the sheet. The disc includes a first side, a second side and an opening therethrough. Indicia is provided on the first side of the disc. The disc is receivable on the pop-top can such that the second side engages the rim of the pop-top can and the pop-top extends through the opening in the disc. |
| US08201704B2 |
Medical waste disposal system
A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions. |
| US08201699B2 |
Interconnecting bottles utilized to create structures
The present invention consists of a water or soda bottle or vessel which is designed to allow for the bottle to interconnect with other bottles of similar design and standard dimensions to form useful second use products. A recess in the lower surface of the bottle receives the neck of another storage bottle. There are recesses perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bottle capable of receiving the mating side recess of another storage bottle. There are two such recesses on each storage bottle, one on each side of the bottle, parallel to each other. This allows for a bottle positioned on its side perpendicular to a vertically positioned bottle to be used to connect two vertically perpendicular storage bottles. |
| US08201693B2 |
Apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden liquid
An apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden drilling mud (14), the method comprising the steps of introducing solids laden drilling mud to a first side of a screen (13), the drilling mud passing through the screen (13) and screened drilling mud located the other side of the screen (13) characterized in that an oscillating tray (18) is located in the drilling mud and spaced from the screen, the oscillating tray imparting motion to the drilling mud to facilitate screening of said solids laden drilling mud in the screen (13). |
| US08201688B2 |
Pouch with side gussets for use in carrying fluid for personal hygiene device
The flexible fluid-carrying pouch for use with a personal hygiene device includes a front panel portion, a rear panel portion and two side edge gussets connecting the front and rear panel portions. The pouch is sealed along a bottom edge. The pouch includes a top edge which has a central portion which is sealed against a spout element, which permits exit of the fluid from the pouch, and further has two sealed side wing portions which extend upwardly alongside the spout element, providing a jogged arrangement for the top edge of the pouch. |
| US08201683B2 |
Cigarette package
A cigarette package according to the present invention has a thin outer case (10) and an inner tray (14) inserted into the outer case (10) in a manner allowing the inner tray to be pulled out, the inner tray (14) having a head (16) functioning as a grip to pull the inner tray (14) out from the outer case (10) and a plurality of grooves (22) holding filter-tipped cigarettes (F) along the direction that the inner tray (14) is pulled out. |
| US08201682B2 |
Conveyor belt cleaning apparatus and method
Spring tensioner devices are provided for biasing scraper blades toward a conveyor belt. The spring tensioner devices generally are constructed to be easily reconfigurable between a push-up and pull-up configuration while minimizing their space requirements. |
| US08201678B2 |
Automatic transmission with normally engaged disc clutches
An automatic variable transmission with normally engaged disc clutches includes a main transmission pump connected to the transmission and at least one clutch located within the transmission. The clutch is in an engaged position when the main transmission pump is not operating. The clutch assembly includes a piston moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and at least one spring is operably connected to the piston. The piston is operable to move the at least one spring between the engaged position and a disengaged position. A plurality of clutch plates may transfer torque when the at least one spring is in the engaged position. |
| US08201677B2 |
Clutch hydraulic system for vehicle and hydraulic system
A clutch hydraulic system for a vehicle wherein it is possible to independently operate two systems, to increase the degree of freedom in designing, and to achieve a reduction in cost. A seesaw member for transmitting motive power is provided between a second release cylinder and a first master cylinder, the first master cylinder and a second hydraulic oil pipe communicate with each other through a large diameter hole and a small diameter hole provided as communicating passages through which oil flows. A reservoir tank is provided for reserving the oil for controlling the amounts of the oil in the hydraulic oil passage on the side of the first master cylinder and the amount of the oil in the hydraulic oil passage on the side of the second release cylinder is connected to a second master cylinder. |
| US08201667B2 |
Braking system with single actuation for a stroller
Braking system for a stroller utilizes an actuator to move two brakes close to an axis to unlock the rear wheels of the stroller and away from the axis to lock the rear wheels. Each brake comprises a long arm. The brakes are disposed at the opposite sides of the axis. When the actuator is driven to rotate about the axis, the brakes move around the axis to have axial movement close to or away from the axis. |
| US08201666B2 |
System and method for aircraft braking system usage monitoring
The system and method for monitoring wear of one or more aircraft parts, such as an aircraft brake, an aircraft tire, a standby system, and landing gear. One or more sensors are provided for sensing a parameter of usage, and an estimate of usage of the part can be determined based upon the signal indicating the sensed value of the parameter of usage of the aircraft part. A plurality of sensors can be provided for sensing usage of a plurality of parts of the aircraft, and the estimate of usage of the part can be stored for access of the estimate by ground personnel. As applied to monitoring wear of an aircraft brake, a linear brake wear indicator attached to the brake moves a discrete distance when the brake is actuated, and a linear position encoder measures the distance traveled by the linear brake wear indicator as an indication of brake usage. A wheel speed monitor may also be provided for measuring the aircraft wheel speed, for distinguishing between static brake applications and moving brake applications, based upon the wheel speed signal. |
| US08201665B2 |
Magnetic door coupling device for an elevator system
An exemplary magnetic coupling device (30) useful for coupling elevator doors includes a core (40) having an exterior surface. An active portion (48) of the surface is configured to direct a magnetic flux associated with the core in a desired direction for facilitating elevator door coupling. An interruption (80) in the exterior surface near the active portion (48) is configured to establish a relatively high magnetic saturation in the core in a vicinity of the interruption (80). |
| US08201663B2 |
Lubrication scavenge system
A lubrication scavenge system is disclosed herein. The lubrication scavenge system includes a sump housing substantially encircling a structure disposed for rotation about an axis. The sump housing has an inwardly-facing surface extending at least partially about the axis in a spiral path. The spiral path increases in radial distance from the axis in the direction of rotation of the structure, in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The spiral path extends 360°. |
| US08201659B2 |
Recoilless speaker system
The present invention provides a recoilless speaker system capable of reducing adversely affecting vibration and generating an accurate and strong sound, and contributing to the realization of lighter weight, miniaturization and lower cost related to manufacturing, and also capable of being installed in a suspended state and generating sound even under zero gravity as long as air exists.The present invention includes a symmetrical and tubular resonance wall and a pair of or two or more pairs of vibration units symmetrically arranged on both left and right sides of the resonance wall, where the vibration units that form a pair are configured to vibrate synchronously with each other, the resonance wall is made from a flexible material so as to resonate to the vibration, a sound absorbing member is arranged in a tubular form along the inner wall of the resonance wall, and vibration suppressing materials are held at the sound absorbing member and/or the vibration unit. |
| US08201648B2 |
Earth-boring particle-matrix rotary drill bit and method of making the same
An earth-boring rotary drill bit includes a bit body configured to carry one or more cutters for engaging a subterranean earth formation, the bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material having a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material, the matrix material comprising a shape memory alloy. The matrix material comprises a metal alloy configured to undergo a reversible phase transformation between an austenitic phase and a martensitic phase. The matrix material may include an Ni-based alloy, Cu-based alloy, Co-based alloy, Fe-based alloy or Ti-based alloy. The drill bit may be made by a method that includes: providing a plurality of hard particles in a mold to define a particle precursor of the bit body; infiltrating the particle precursor of the bit body with a molten matrix material comprising a shape memory alloy forming a particle-matrix mixture; and cooling the molten particle-matrix mixture to solidify the matrix material and forming a bit body having a particle-matrix composite material comprising a shape memory alloy. |
| US08201647B2 |
Earth drilling reamer with replaceable blades
An earth drilling reamer has an elongated body having an outer surface and a plurality of blade mounting supports extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the body. Each blade mounting support has a primary blade engagement positioned parallel to the outer surface and a leading blade angled from the outer surface to the primary blade engagement. A removable primary blade is detachably secured to the primary blade engagement. |
| US08201646B2 |
Method and apparatus for a true geometry, durable rotating drill bit
A rotating cone drill bit includes a plurality of mud nozzles extending from the bit body, which are thermally fitted by controlling the temperature differential of 300° F.-900° F. depending on the corresponding materials of the elements to be fitted, the amount of fit desired, and the diameters of the elements to be fitted and which provide substantially obstruction-free mud paths toward the wellbore bottom. The bit has a plurality of reduced diameter cutter assemblies, each having a journal projecting from a corresponding leg. The journal has at least two cylindrical bearing surfaces and an annular groove formed therebetween and a spindle. An annular retention segment is rotatably mounted in the groove. The retention segment has an outer radial surface engaging a portion of one of the bearing surfaces of the cone, and an energy beam welding area fusing substantially the entire engaging surfaces of the retention segment and the cone. |
| US08201645B2 |
Downhole tool string component that is protected from drilling stresses
In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole tool string component has a first and second threaded end on a mandrel, the first threaded end attached to a first sleeve and the second threaded end attached to a second sleeve. An intermediate sleeve assembly is disposed circumferentially around the mandrel and intermediate the first and second threaded ends, and the intermediate sleeve assembly is primarily isolated from stress of the first or second sleeve. |
| US08201638B1 |
Agricultural implement
An agricultural implement in the form of a dicing plow booster device is provided that is operative to connect to a further hitch device of a front end of a plow. The implement has a dicing drum in rotating connection with a dicing drum frame, and has a drive roller in rotating connection with the drive roller frame. The dicing drum comprises a plurality of blades. A first hydraulic motor causes the dicing drum to rotate in a first direction. A second hydraulic motor causes the drive roller to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. When the agricultural implement is mounted to the plow, the dicing drum and drive roller are positioned rearwardly of the plow. The drive roller rotating in the second direction is operative to urge the agricultural implement to move in a direction towards the plow. |
| US08201636B2 |
Expandable packer
Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material. |
| US08201634B2 |
Subsea cementing plug system with plug launching tool
A subsea cementing system that includes a first wiper plug having a central bore releasably connected to a launching mandrel, and a second wiper plug having a central bore releasably connected to the first wiper plug. The system includes a first dart that is adapted to seal the central bore of the second wiper plug. A first increase in pressure releases the second wiper plug from the first wiper plug and a second increase in pressure breaks a burst disc of the first dart allowing cement to flow past the second wiper plug. A second wiper dart is adapted to seal the central bore of the first wiper plug. A third increase in pressure releases the first wiper plug from the launching mandrel. A fourth increase in pressure releases a sealing member from the second dart, which is adapted to seal the central bore of the second wiper plug. |
| US08201631B2 |
Multi-functional isolation tool and method of use
A tool assembly and method for completing a well are provided. The tool is deployed on tubing string and includes a fluid treatment assembly with cup seals above and below the treatment ports. An equalization valve beneath the fracturing assembly can be opened or closed to control fluid passage between the coiled tubing and treatment zone to the wellbore below. |
| US08201620B2 |
Evaporator unit
An evaporator unit includes an evaporator configured to evaporate a refrigerant, and a capillary tube configured to decompress the refrigerant. The capillary tube has two longitudinal ends bonded to the evaporator. At least one position of a middle portion between the two longitudinal ends of the capillary tube is fixed to the evaporator by press-contacting the evaporator. Therefore, it can prevent a crack from being caused at the bonding portions of the two longitudinal ends of the capillary tube. |
| US08201619B2 |
Corrosion resistant material for reduced fouling, a heat transfer component having reduced fouling and a method for reducing fouling in a refinery
A method and device for reducing sulfidation corrosion and depositional fouling in heat transfer components within a refining or petrochemical facility is disclosed. The heat transfer components are formed from a corrosion and fouling resistant steel composition containing a Cr-enriched layer and having a surface roughness of less than 40 micro inches (1.1 μm). |
| US08201617B2 |
Heat sink and latch mechanism thereof
A latch mechanism includes a press portion, two connection portions, and two latch portions. The two connection portions are connected to opposite ends of the press portion correspondingly. Each connection portion includes two connectors. First ends of the two connectors are connected together to form a coupling end to connected to a corresponding end of the press portion. Each latch portion is selectively connected to the second end of one of the two connectors of a corresponding connection portion. |
| US08201611B1 |
Method of centrifugal casting using dry coated sand cores
A method for centrifugal casting using a sand core having a refractory coating applied in a dry state, without the use of a liquid carrier, said coating sufficient to withstand the adverse forces of the centrifugal casting environment and yield a finished cast surface with a consistent, smooth surface. The coating may be applied by pressing the coating into a mixture of refractory material and impacting media fluidized in a vibratory bed such that the core floats in the mixture, and then rotating the core to coat the surfaces that will be in contact with the molten metal in the casting process. |
| US08201610B2 |
Methods for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts
Methods, systems and compositions for manufacturing downhole tools and downhole tool parts for drilling subterranean material are disclosed. A model having an external peripheral shape of a downhole tool or tool part is fabricated. Mold material is applied to an external periphery of the model. The mold material is permitted to harden to form a mold about the model. The model is eliminated and a composite matrix material is cast within the mold to form a finished downhole tool or tool part. |
| US08201607B2 |
Sanitary absorptive article producing device and method
A sanitary absorptive article producing device and method, particularly suitable for producing interlabial pads, which are small-sized sanitary absorptive articles having a mini-sheet piece. The method comprises a main-section assembly step for disposing an absorptive body between a face-side sheet continuous-member and a back-side sheet continuous-member, joining the face-side sheet continuous-member to the back-side sheet continuous-member to form a main-section continuous-body having a portion continuous therewith which becomes the main section of the sanitary absorptive article, and a mini-sheet assembly step for joining the mini-sheet piece to the back-side sheet continuous-member of the main-section continuous-body to form a sanitary absorptive continuous-body. The sanitary absorptive article continuous-bodies have their unnecessary potions removed by a round-cutting step to become individual sanitary absorptive articles. |
| US08201600B2 |
Dimensionally stable wood and method for making dimensionally stable wood
A wood plank which is dimensionally stable and moisture resistant includes a sealant layer on at least four of its sides. A geometric variation (e.g., tongue and groove) may be located on at least one side of the dimensionally stable wood. The sealant layer may be applied to the tongue and groove as well. A method for manufacturing the dimensionally stable wood is also described. |
| US08201598B2 |
Cutting tool for use with a stump cutting apparatus
A cutting tool for use with a stump cutting apparatus of the type utilizing a cutting wheel or drum rotating about a rotational axis wherein the cutting tool is removably attached to the cutting wheel or drum. The cutting tool includes a tool holder removably secured to the cutting wheel typically through a plurality of fasteners extending through a plurality of apertures located in the base portion of the tool holder. The tool holder includes a tool portion having a boss and a neck extending from the base portion of the tool holder to the boss. The boss being a generally annular member having an aperture extending between first and second ends wherein a cutting tool is secured within the aperture. The cutting tool generally includes a head portion, a shank and a cutting tip. |
| US08201597B2 |
Wood lagging machine
An apparatus for producing wood lagging blankets includes a board singulator, a board spacer, a wire strand feeder, and a fastener applicator. The board singulator includes an infeed and infeed queue, and a selectively actuable stop. The board spacer includes a spacing conveyor and may be selectively actuable according to instructions from a programmable controller, wherein the fastener applicator mounted aligned vertically over said at least one strand of wire to fasten by fasteners at least one strand of wire down onto the boards on said spacing conveyor to thereby form a lagging blanket of spaced apart boards spaced with substantially constant gapping between the boards, wherein said lagging blanket is tethered together as a stable matrix of laterally aligned, constantly spaced boards, and wherein the lagging blanket is sized to wrap completely around a desired circumference. |
| US08201596B2 |
Method of filling a fuel tank
A method of initially filling a new and previously unused fuel tank with a fuel including Volatile Organic Compounds includes providing a dispensing unit with an elongated flexible dispensing tube, inserting the dispensing tube through a fuel inlet of the fuel tank until the dispensing tube is disposed adjacent a bottom surface of the fuel tank, and introducing the fuel onto the bottom surface of the fuel tank in a smooth flow without spraying the fuel. Introduction of the fuel onto the bottom surface of the fuel tank in a smooth flow disposes any fuel vapors formed therein adjacent the bottom surface of the fuel tank to limit displacement of the fuel vapor into the atmosphere outside the fuel tank as the air in the fuel tank is exhausted in response to filling the fuel tank. |
| US08201595B2 |
Pour spout assembly with winged stop structure
A spout assembly transfers fluid from a container, and comprises a basic conduit construction, and a sleeve construction. The conduit construction comprises a laterally opposed extended conduit wings. The sleeve construction has a slotted end and a winged end. The slotted end comprises laterally opposed, bifurcated slots for receiving the conduit wings. Each bifurcated slot has an abbreviated and elongated slot length. The sleeve construction receives the conduit construction such that the sleeve construction is axially and rotatably displaceable relative to the conduit construction intermediate a closed position enabled via the conduit wings and abbreviated slot lengths and an open position enabled via the conduit wing and elongated slot lengths. The winged end comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, extended wings, the longitudinal termini of which provide spout assembly stop structure at a fuel inlet aperture. |
| US08201594B2 |
System and method for filling containers
A system (10) and method for substantially automatically aseptically or non-aseptically filling a container with a fluid. The transfer of fluid occurs via a movable nozzle mechanism (20) substantially automatically inserted into a side opening (32) in a connector (12) attached to the container. More specifically, the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is exposed, the nozzle mechanism (20) is moved into the side opening (32), the fluid is transferred into the container via the nozzle mechanism (20) and the connector (12), the nozzle mechanism (20) is removed from the side opening (32) in the connector (12), and the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is closed. The aseptic transfer of fluid includes a substantially automatic sterilization procedure accomplished by both spray and contact components (54,56). |
| US08201593B2 |
Control unit for a filling head
An apparatus comprising a body of a filling head provided with actuators controlled by a control logic unit, the control logic unit being mounted on the body, the body being provided with seats for the actuators and with further seats for receiving solenoid valves arranged for operating the opening and/or the closing of said actuators. The body comprises passages for electric connecting elements between the control logic unit and the actuators and/or the solenoid valves, the electric connecting elements comprising contact elements connected to the control logic unit. |
| US08201590B2 |
Method and apparatus for filling a container
A method and apparatus for filling with powder (4) a container (8) having an open end, including positioning an outlet of a hopper (2) containing powder above the open end of the container (8), mechanically agitating the hopper so as to cause powder (4) to be transferred from the hopper to the container and mechanically agitating the container, wherein the steps of mechanically agitating are conducted by at least a predetermined amount sufficient to ensure that the container is filled with powder at a predetermined density. |
| US08201589B2 |
Auto-release vacuum device
A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway. |
| US08201586B2 |
Sealing pump-up device
To prevent a burr, produced from the joint portion by welding between a liquid agent container and an injection unit, from interfering with a boring member inserted into a jig communication passage when the boring member is inserted into the jig communication passage to prevent the obstruction of the piercing action through a sealing member by the edge of the boring member. In the sealing pump-up device 10, a tubular inner annular member 104 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral side of a joined portion 37 in an injection unit 20 so as to surround, from an outer peripheral side, a boring member 62 held in a jig insertion hole 44, and a burr housing unit 106 consisting of an almost cylindrical space is formed between the outer annular member 28 of a liquid container 18 and the tubular inner annular member 104, whereby it is possible to guide the tip end side of a burr 110, extending from the joint portion between the outer annular member 28 and a joined portion 37 toward the inner peripheral side, from moving toward the boring member 62 side of the burr 110 by means of the tubular inner annular member 104. |
| US08201583B2 |
Support for the building industry and method for the production of a pipe of a support for the building industry
The invention relates to a support for the building industry, comprising a pipe (10), which has an axial profile in at least one end section, which is accessible from the outside when in use. The outside and/or inside diameters and/or the wall thickness in at least one end region of the pipe are enlarged compared to the remainder of the pipe (10). During production of a pipe or support in the building industry, the outside and/or inside diameters and/or the wall thickness is increased in that at least one end section, which is assessable from the outside when in use, compared to the remainder of the pipe and the pipe has an axial profile. |
| US08201581B2 |
Waste water outlet
The present invention provides a waste for an item of sanitary ware generating grey water, the waste comprising: (i) an inlet for admitting grey water; (ii) first and second outlets configured to discharge grey water, the first outlet being arranged to connect to a drainage system, and the second outlet being arranged to connect to a recycling system; (iii) a valve configured to selectively direct water to the first outlet or the second outlet, the valve being located between the inlet and the first and the second outlets, wherein the valve is operable between the first and the second positions, the valve connecting the inlet to the first outlet in the first position and the valve connecting the inlet to the second outlet in the second position; and (iv) a plug dimensioned to fit the inlet and configured to operate the valve by manipulation of the plug. |
| US08201580B2 |
High flow capacity positioner
A valve positioner for controlling a valve closure element is provided. The positioner includes a positioner housing with a plurality of fluid flow passageways in fluid communication with a fluid supply source and the valve closure element. The positioner housing is configured to receive a detachable spool manifold assembly. The spool manifold assembly is positioned adjacent the plurality of fluid flow passageways. The spool manifold assembly includes a reciprocally moveable spool configured to selectively port fluid flow from the plurality of fluid flow passageways. The spool manifold assembly includes a diaphragm connected to the spool via a flexible shaft. The diaphragm is in fluid communication with a transducer for receiving a fluid causing the diaphragm to expand or contract and thereby displacing the spool. The flexible shaft is radially elastic in order to minimize axial backlash between the diaphragm and the spool. The flexible shaft configuration minimizes the spool stroke. |
| US08201578B2 |
Oil pan
An oil pan includes a bottom portion, a side wall portion standing upward form an edge portion of the bottom portion, a cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjusting wall structure standing upward from substantially the central portion of the bottom portion and formed, to an inner peripheral portion thereof, with a lubricating oil amount adjusting passage which communicates with an external portion, the lubricating oil amount adjusting wall having a lubricating oil drain port formed to a lower portion thereof, a cylindrical lubricating oil adjusting plug assembled detachably to the lubricating oil amount adjusting passage so that the lubricating oil adjusting plug closes the lubricating oil drain port, the lubricating oil amount adjusting plug being formed with a communication port communicating with the lubricating oil amount adjusting passage, and a drain plug fitted detachably to the communication port. |
| US08201576B2 |
Reinforced elastomeric hinge check valve
A check valve assembly installable in a valve body comprising an elastomeric hinge that includes an elastomeric member and a hinge member around which the elastomeric member can bend. The elastomeric member is coupled to the hinge member. At least one rigid valve plate is coupled to the elastomeric member. At least one layer of reinforcement material is coupled to the elastomeric member and extends at least between the hinge member and the at least one rigid valve plate. The reinforcement material is sufficiently flexible to bend over the range of movement of the elastomeric member, substantially unstretchable, and capable of resisting abrasion forces encountered while the check valve is in operation. |
| US08201575B2 |
Air pressure regulator with flow sensor
A combination air regulator and sensor assembly includes a head including a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A regulator dome including a second chamber is linked with the first chamber through a bore. The second chamber includes at least one outlet. A valve assembly is housed within the bore and moveable between closed and open positions sealing and allowing flow in the bore. A first diaphragm is positioned in the second chamber and linked with the valve assembly. The valve assembly moves in response to a pressure applied to the first diaphragm. A spring contacts the first diaphragm and applies a biasing force to the first diaphragm. A sensor dome including a third chamber is linked with the outlet of the second chamber. The sensor chamber includes a discharge outlet. A second diaphragm is positioned in the sensor chamber. The second diaphragm includes a rubber disk having a conductive contact ring attached on one side of the rubber disk and a non-conductive cup washer attached on the same side of the disk. The cup washer includes a hole formed there through allowing passage of air between opposing sides of the second diaphragm. A sensor spring contacts the second diaphragm and applies a biasing force to the second diaphragm. Electrical contacts are attached to the sensor chamber. The electrical contacts selectively engage the contact ring and are responsive to a differential pressure of the second diaphragm to define an electrical switch. |
| US08201571B1 |
Blind assembly
A blind assembly includes a fastening assembly having substantially parallel frame receivers, an assembly frame carried by and disposed in substantially a common plane as the frame receivers of the fastening assembly and a blind panel carried by the assembly frame. |
| US08201567B2 |
Liquid treating apparatus
A liquid treating apparatus comprising a holding device (30) for holding wafers (W) in a substantially vertical attitude and a treating vessel (10) for accommodating the wafers held by the holding device. A treating liquid is supplied into the treating vessel by means of a treating liquid supply system. A rotational drive device (20) is provided for rotating the holding device (30) around a rotational axis passing approximately through the center of the wafers (W) in a state of non-contact with the treating vessel (10). |
| US08201566B2 |
Cosmetic brush with many bristles for applying a cosmetic product
The cosmetic brush, which is in particular a mascara brush, includes a bristle portion with a base body and a plurality of bristles that stick out from the base body in a radial direction and serve for the application of a cosmetic product. The bristles have a high bristle density of at least 6 bristles per square millimeter and consist of a plastic material that has a Shore hardness D of more than 40. |
| US08201565B2 |
Nail groomer
The invention is a hand held nail and foot groomer for people, which includes a spherical nail groomer body having at least one compartment for batteries and tips; a semi-spherical tip cover assembly having an opening, being in substantial contact to the nail groomer body and being movably connected to the nail groomer body; a combination battery, motor and tip compartment; a tip assembly for attachment of various shapes and sizes of nail files and brushes. The preferred embodiment of this invention is one in which the nail body optionally includes a flat bottom section which includes one or more detachable ringed or recessed sections, said ring sections or recessed sections capable of holding rounded and optionally recessed files and/or pumice stones and/emery files and/or foot scarpers useful in grooming feet. |
| US08201561B2 |
Ear tip
An improved ear tip for earphones and hearing protection is provided where comfort and occlusion of the ear are of most importance. The ear tip comprises an elastomer polymer resin material molded to form the material to the shape of the ear canal. A chamber is defined having a proximal and distal end, the distal end engages the acoustic exit of the transducer, sound source or sound attenuator and the proximal end of the bore is adapted to be disposed adjacent an eardrum. The inner body attaches to a nozzle, or audio playback orifice to naturally transition the acoustics from the transducer or sound attenuator to the eardrum via the ear canal. The ear tip can have a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals of the body with decreasing circumference as the flanges transition to the proximal end. Each flange tapers in a radius or curvilinear geometry as it progresses to the end of the object. |
| US08201558B2 |
Method for operating an anesthesia or ventilation apparatus having a trigger function and device therefor
A method for operating an anesthesia/ventilation apparatus (11) avoids cardiogenic triggering of a triggered ventilation stroke. An apparatus (11) for carrying out the method of the invention is also disclosed. |
| US08201553B2 |
Solar hot water system and method of operating a solar hot water system
A solar hot water system is provided, comprising an ambient temperature sensor, a controller, a valve, a water storage tank, having an inlet and an outlet, and at least a first solar panel, having an inlet in fluid communication with the water storage tank outlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the water storage tank inlet. When the temperature sensor indicates to the controller that the ambient temperature is above a predetermined level, the controller controls the valve to direct flow from the water storage tank outlet to the solar panel inlet and from the solar panel outlet to the water storage tank inlet. When the temperature sensor indicates to the controller that the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level, the controller controls the valve to direct flow from the solar panel inlet to the valve and so to atmosphere. |
| US08201552B2 |
Oven with food product rack
An oven includes a chamber for receiving a food product rack. A heating system provides heat to the chamber for a cooking operation. A rotatable output member extends downward from a top portion of the chamber. A pivot support extends upward from a bottom portion of the chamber. A food product rack is removably located in the chamber and is releasably connected to the rotatable output member for rotation therewith. The food product rack includes a frame assembly including multiple sides. Multiple tray supports are located along the height of the frame assembly. A bottom support extends laterally between opposite sides of the frame assembly and passes through a vertical rotation axis of the frame assembly. The bottom support is connected at one end to a bottom portion of one side of the frame assembly and is connected at an opposite end to the bottom portion of an opposite side of the frame assembly. The bottom support releasably engages with the frame assembly and is configured to be disconnected from the frame assembly without use of tools by manually reorienting the bottom support from a locked orientation to a release orientation. The bottom support includes an underside that is engaged with the pivot support. |
| US08201550B2 |
Portable charcoal barbecue grill
A grill base is pivotally attached at a first end to a folding stand with three pivoting U-shaped supports and a center pivot. Two of the supports rest on the ground on casters or wheels. The third support slides and locks within L-shaped slots below the second end of the grill base held horizontally for cooking. An inserted charcoal tray is used to cook. The supports pivot together and stand vertically on the castors. The grill base pivots down parallel to the supports so that all are vertical for storage and transport. |
| US08201549B2 |
Grilling apparatus with heating device for promoting combustion efficiency of gas bottles
A heating device for a gas bottle includes a conduction heat shaft having a first end adjacent to a heat source and a second end, a conduction heat plate including a plate body and a pivoting portion formed on the plate body and pivotally connected to the second end of the conduction heat shaft, and a connector provided with the conduction heat plate and coupling with the second end of the conduction heat shaft to attach the gas bottle with the plate body of the conduction heat plate. |
| US08201544B2 |
Turbocharger with integrated centrifugal breather
A breather system for a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, includes a centrifuge driven by the engine turbocharger. The turbocharger has a turbine and a compressor, the compressor driven by the turbine. The centrifuge is driven by the turbine on a common shaft with the compressor and includes a centrifuge inlet, a gas outlet and an oil outlet. Crankcase gas is delivered to the centrifuge and oil is removed by the centrifuge and collected within the turbocharger housing and substantially oil free gas is passed through the centrifuge, through an axially passage in the shaft and into an inlet of the compressor. |
| US08201543B2 |
Piezoelectric direct acting fuel injector with hydraulic link
A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within said injector cavity. The hydraulic link assembly includes a hydraulic link barrel having an inner bore, a hydraulic link outer plunger positioned to slidably move in the inner bore, and a hydraulic link operatively connected to a needle valve to move the needle valve in the second direction toward the open position in response to movement of the piezoelectric actuator in the first direction. A hydraulic link inner plunger is attached to the needle valve and extends into a center bore of the hydraulic link outer plunger. Leakage control features and hydraulic link refill valves are also provided. |
| US08201534B2 |
Intake system for V-type multicylinder internal combustion engine
An intake system for a V-type multiple cylinder internal combustion engine includes a plurality of parallel first intake pipes 15L connected to the plurality of cylinders of a first cylinder row, a plurality of parallel second intake pipes 15R connected to the plurality of cylinders of a second cylinder row. The first intake pipes 15L and the second intake pipes 15R extend into an air distribution case 10 so as to extend across each other. A first inlet pipe 13R is provided at a part of a first side wall 11R of the air distribution case 10 corresponding to a substantially middle point of the row of the first intake pipes 15L, and a second inlet pipe 13L is provided at a part of a second side wall 11L of the air distribution case 10 corresponding to a substantially middle point of the row of the second intake pipes 15R. Air flows through the first inlet pipe 13R into the first intake pipes 15L and air flows through the second inlet pipe 13L into the second intake pipes 15R. Dispersion of the amounts of air sucked into the cylinders can be suppressed and the generation of rambling noise can be suppressed. |
| US08201533B2 |
Lash adjuster and valve apparatus
A lash adjuster includes a plunger inserted into a body and defining a pressure chamber in the body, and a spacer. The plunger is moved axially when a working fluid flows into or out of the pressure chamber so that a volume of the pressure chamber is increased or reduced. The plunger has a bottom wall defining the pressure chamber, a peripheral wall rising from an outer periphery of the bottom wall and an outer peripheral surface having an annular groove located at a height position confined in a thickness range of the bottom wall. When fitted in the groove, the spacer has a plate width equal to a separating distance between a groove bottom and an inner peripheral face of the body to fill a gap between the body and the plunger. The spacer has a flow path through which the working fluid introduced into the pressure chamber leaks. |
| US08201531B2 |
Desmodromic variable valve actuation
A mechanical desmodromic fully variable valve actuation system capable for racing revs. Valve lift and valve duration continuously variable from a maximum to zero. Independently variable valve duration and valve lift. |
| US08201529B2 |
Valve timing adjusting apparatus
A valve timing adjusting apparatus includes a housing, a vane rotor, and a fluid path arrangement. The fluid path arrangement is provided inside the housing. The fluid path arrangement opens to air outside the housing. The fluid path arrangement is communicated with a specific fluid chamber that is one of an advance fluid chamber and a retard fluid chamber defined within the housing. A rotational phase of the vane rotor relative to the housing is changed in one of advance and retard directions when hydraulic oil is introduced into the specific fluid chamber. The valve timing adjusting apparatus controls the fluid path arrangement to be opened and closed. |
| US08201525B2 |
Cooling device for engine
A cooling device for an engine including a radiator circulation flow channel, a heater circulation flow channel, a bypass circulation flow channel, a valve, and a pump. The channels merge in the thermostat and form a common flow channel between the thermostat and the engine. The pump is provided in the common flow channel. At a start of a warm-up period and during the warm-up operation, circulation is substantially stopped by the thermostat, cooling water circulation is actuated in the bypass circulation flow channel, and an opening degree of the electronically controlled valve is gradually increased from a minimum as the cooling water temperature rises. The electronically controlled valve is not completely closed even when closed, and is open to a certain degree from an initial stage of the warm-up period, thereby causing part of the cooling water to flow in the bypass circulation flow channel. |
| US08201522B2 |
Domestic animal telephone
A phone for pets and pet owners is taught which allows the owner to call the house and “talk” to the pet. The owner can then see a video image of the pet in front of the pet phone to verify presence and happiness. The device can also present the owner's scent to the pet and deliver treats on remote command. In some embodiments, the pet can initiate the phone call. |
| US08201520B2 |
Animal feeding apparatus
Gravity flow animal feed dispensing apparatus includes feed supply tubes depending from a bottom wall of a feed storage hopper supported by a frame elevated above ground level. Feed dispensing tubes or a plate are connected to the feed supply tubes and flow control baffles and/or a flow control valve limit the dispensation of feed. A wildfowl embodiment of the apparatus includes an access control cage disposed about the feed dispensing member. The orientation of the feed supply tubes and dispensing tubes may be varied to provide access to feed by animals of various sizes and to provide for placement of the apparatus adjacent a confinement wall or fence. |
| US08201514B2 |
Powered boat hull
A hydrofoil craft, particularly a method of economically modifying a conventional hull with cambered foils to obtain and calculate increased lift from dense spray and to achieve enhanced craft performance is disclosed. The present invention improves speed, fuel efficiency and rough water stability, reduced pitch and vertical accelerations. A catamaran or V-bottom hull is modified with chine mounted airfoils, flexible dihedral cambered foils positioned beneath the water line and on either side of the bow so as to create turbulence in the forward end of a tunnel(s). Tunnels are created on the V-bottom hull by the chine mounted airfoils. Fixed forward tunnel cambered foil(s) and/or fixed or adjustable center tunnel cambered foils at the stern end of the tunnel to generate lift from pressure caused by dense spray in the tunnel(s) may also be provided. Adjustable cambered stern foils are mounted on the transom end of the tunnels. |
| US08201507B2 |
Planter bracket assembly for supporting appurtenances in substantial alignment with the seed tube
A bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly includes a shaft mount and a shank mount. |
| US08201506B1 |
Portable anti-theft device
A portable anti-theft device for attachment to a piece of portable outdoor furniture comprises a base attachable to the outdoor furniture and a hollow security shell attachable to the base. The base comprises a segmented tubular body comprising at least two semitubular segments and having an inner peripheral surface; longitudinally opposed stops extending outwardly from the base, and a closure for attaching, the base to the portable outdoor furniture. The hollow security shell comprises a first shell segment and a second shell segment (the first and second shell segments defining an enclosed internal space with a pair of vertically-opposed apertures), and a hinge joining said first and second half shells, the security shell being configured to enclose the closure. |
| US08201500B2 |
Powder charged rock cracker cartridge
A powder charged rock cracker cartridge (1) comprises a substantially cylindrical outer sleeve (2) with an end wall in a first end (3); a plug (4) which, enclosing said outer sleeve, is inserted into and is secured in an opposite second end of the outer sleeve; a main chamber (5) in the outer sleeve (2) between said end wall and said plug, which main chamber is filled with a blasting powder charge (6); a substantially cylindrical inner sleeve (7), which is coaxial with the outer sleeve (2), is connected to said plug, and extends into the charge of blasting powder in the main chamber; and a central through hole (8) in said plug which communicates with the inner sleeve, which is closed in its inner end, which is inserted into the blasting powder charge. The hole in the plug and the inner sleeve in combination form a priming chamber (9) having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of a detonator (10), which can be trigged electrically and comprises an igniting powder charge. The inner sleeve has an inner wall (13) consisting of a plastic material. The thickness of the plastic wall and plastic material are selected such that the plastic wall in less than 25 ms (milliseconds) is penetrated by the pressure and the flame of fire which are formed when the detonator is ignited, thereby igniting the blasting powder charge. |
| US08201498B2 |
Blanket/plate mounting apparatus having one drive unit for automatically tightening the blanket/plate
A blanket/plate mounting apparatus includes a leading edge holding unit, trailing edge holding unit, and first drive unit. The leading edge holding unit is movably supported by a cylinder and holds the leading edge of a blanket/plate. The trailing edge holding unit is movably supported by the cylinder and holds the trailing edge of the blanket/plate. The first drive unit moves the leading edge holding unit and the trailing edge holding unit that respectively hold the leading edge and trailing edge of the blanket/plate mounted on the circumferential surface of the cylinder, thus tightening the blanket/plate. |
| US08201490B2 |
Ballistically tolerant linear hydraulic actuator
A hydraulic actuator has an armored section having concentric cylinders and an unarmored section having a cylinder with a frangible piston and a frangible upper gland nut. The hydraulic actuator may have leakage vents adapted to prevent leakage between hydraulic systems used to power the cylinders. The hydraulic actuator also may have a gland seal for sealing an end of the cylinder of the unarmored section and a sensing port adapted for allowing detection of fluid leaking due to damage of the gland seal. |
| US08201487B2 |
Blank firing adapter for firearm
Various techniques are provided for firing blanks from firearms. In one example, a blank firing adapter includes a mount assembly operatively configured to be attached to a muzzle of a firearm. The blank firing adapter also includes a main body having an interior chamber. The blank firing adapter also includes an escape port positioned longitudinally forward of the interior chamber and not in communication therewith. The blank firing adapter also includes a barrier interposed between the escape port and the interior chamber. The blank firing adapter also includes a projectile receiving area positioned longitudinally forward of the escape port and configured to slow down a projectile from the muzzle therethrough. |
| US08201486B1 |
Two-stage light gas gun
A stage light gas gun system and method capable of having a variable power output to match a specific use or application. The light gas gun uses a high pressure hydraulic oil system to provide a propulsive force behind two-stage piston system that is used to compress a light gas. The light gas gun may include a punch formed on the second piston for piercing a rupture disk at a pre-determined point in order to provide predictable performance. |
| US08201481B2 |
Tacking tool
There is a tool configured to tack a coupling device to a surface including a handle configured to permit a user to grasp the tool. The tool also includes a shaft member coupled to the handle and including a spring-loaded mechanism, configured to provide a force to tack a coupling device to a surface and to release the coupling device to the surface. In addition, the tool includes a head member coupled to the shaft member and configured to receive and hold a coupling device head in preparation for tacking. The head member includes a head body, a magnet disposed within the head body, and a socket member extending from the head body and including a curved socket bottom adjacent the magnet and a rim having a beveled cross-section; wherein the head member includes a gap between the magnet and the coupling device. |
| US08201479B2 |
Drive conversion mechanism enabling constantly meshed gears in a drive input gear train
A drive conversion mechanism includes a rotatably mounted output shaft, a pair of output gears mounted on the output shaft so as to rotate independent of one another and relative to the output shaft and being displaced from each other axially along the output shaft, and a pair of one-way clutches arranged about the output shaft. Each clutch is connected to one of the output gears and extends about the output shaft in respective orientations that are the reverse of each other such that the one-way clutches can only drivingly engage the output shaft at alternate times, and thus not at the same time, so as to cause the output shaft to rotate in a same single direction as the output gears are driven in opposite directions relative to each other by an input train of constantly meshed input drive and idler gears. |
| US08201476B2 |
Bicycle operating device
A bicycle operating device is provided with a first operating unit, a second operating unit and a connecting member. The first operating unit includes a clamp portion for attaching the bicycle operating device to a bicycle and a first operating member. The second operating unit includes a housing and a second operating member. The connecting member includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, with the first attachment portion being detachably attached to an outwardly facing surface of the clamp portion of the first operating unit by an adjustable connection for changing a relative position of the connecting member with respect to the clamp portion. The second attachment portion is detachably attached to the second operating unit. |
| US08201472B2 |
Robot arm
A robot arm includes a base, a first arm, and a second arm. The base includes a first spindle and a first motor to rotate the first spindle in a first axis. The first arm is rotatably connected to the base around the first axis. The second arm is rotatably connected to the first arm around a second axis parallel to the first axis. The second arm includes a second spindle, a second motor to rotate the second spindle, third spindle, a third motor to rotate the third spindle, a threaded rod extending along a third axis parallel to the first axis and rotated by the second spindle, a nut threaded on the threaded rod, a fourth motor fixed relative to the nut, and a fourth spindle connected to and rotated by the fourth motor. The nut moves along the threaded rod to slide the fourth spindle. |
| US08201469B2 |
Output shaft reduction-type dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission having two input shafts respectively connected to clutches, and an intermediate shaft, preventing the intermediate shaft from rotating idle when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds and avoiding excess stirring of lubricating oil in the transmission and increase in noise. In the dual clutch transmission, a direct connection clutch C3 is provided between one input shaft S2 and an output shaft S4, and an intermediate shaft connection clutch C4 for interrupting the transmission of power is provided between the intermediate shaft S3 and the output shaft S4. When the power is directly transmitted from the input shaft S2 to the output shaft S4 via the direct connection clutch C3, the intermediate shaft connection clutch C4 is disconnected to stop the rotation of the intermediate shaft S3 and to prevent the lubricating oil from being excessively stirred by the idle rotation of the intermediate shaft S3. Further, the intermediate shaft connection clutch C4 is disconnected, and a transmission step is constituted by utilizing the gear trains among the two input shafts and the intermediate shaft S3, making it possible to omit one gear train and, therefore, to shorten the length of the transmission. |
| US08201467B2 |
Dual drive electromechanical actuator with center output
Electromechanical actuators (EMAs) include an output disposed at a location that is axially central between two EM devices. The EMAs include either one or two motors and an output mechanism. The motors are adapted to be energized and are operable, upon being energized, to either generate torques about a first axis or drive forces along a first axis. The output mechanism is responsive to the torques or forces to translate along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. |
| US08201463B1 |
Lift truck clamp test system
A fixture for measuring clamping forces applied by lift truck clamps has a frame and two or more load measuring assemblies which are adjustably mounted for optimal positioning between the clamps. Actual force measurements are compared to acceptable values and composite feedback is provided using at least two measurements and two comparisons. The system is particularly useful for measuring force balance for clamps having pivotable platens. |
| US08201462B2 |
Recirculation type oscillator flow meter
The present invention discloses a recirculation type hydrodynamic oscillator flow meter for measuring the flow of fluids such as gas, air, water and oil, flowing through a conduit. This flow meter gives very accurate measurements over a long period of time since piezoelectric sensors are employed. The principle of working of this hydrodynamic oscillator flow meter is the generation of a self induced jet where the frequency of oscillations of the fluid jet is proportional to the flow rate. |
| US08201461B2 |
Apparatus for measuring volumetric or mass fluid flow
Apparatus and method are provided for accurately measuring the volumetric or mass fluid flow, especially when fluid flows in a non-continuous manner using a float. A preferred embodiment comprises a tube for accumulating liquid that is periodically drained and a float confirmed within the tube that floats on the accumulating liquid. The float has magnetic properties that can be sensed so as to measure the position of the float in the tube. A controller controls a valve provided in the bottom of the tube and opens the valve so as to allow drainage of the accumulated liquid according to the positioning of the float within the tube. The valve is opened when the position of the float is in a predetermined position within the tube so that the mass or volume of the drained liquid is known. |
| US08201460B2 |
Magnet assembly of a measuring transducer of vibration type having a magnet cup and retaining assembly
A magnet assembly includes: a magnetic field delivering, especially rod-shaped, permanent magnet; a retaining assembly fixedly connected with the permanent magnet and having a retaining head facing the permanent magnet and serving for holding the permanent magnet, and a retaining bolt affixed to the retaining head; and a magnet cup having a cup floor and a cup wall extending from the cup floor. The retaining head of the retaining assembly is at least partially accommodated in a passageway provided in the cup floor, so that an outer contact surface of the retaining head and an inner contact surface of the passageway contact one another to form a force-based interlocking between magnet cup and retaining assembly. The magnet assembly is, especially, provided for application as an oscillation transducer and/or for use in a measuring transducer of vibration type. |
| US08201459B2 |
Correcting for two-phase flow in a digital flowmeter
A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable conduit, and a driver connected to the conduit that is operable to impart motion to the conduit. A sensor is connected to the conduit and is operable to sense the motion of the conduit and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to detect a single-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a first process during the single-phase flow condition to generate a validated mass-flow measurement. The controller is also operable to detect a two-phase flow condition and process the sensor signal using a second process during the two-phase flow condition to generate the validated mass-flow measurement. |
| US08201456B2 |
Measuring cell and a method of use therefor
The present invention is a measuring cell comprising a base body. Layered upon the base body is a measurement membrane having a first measuring element, a measurement device, and an intermediate membrane. The intermediate membrane is arranged between the measurement membrane and the base body, and a second measuring element is arranged thereon. When a pressure force is applied to the cell, the measurement membrane is directed outward and undergoes deformation with respect to the intermediate membrane as well as the base body. The deformation causes the measuring capacitance formed by the measuring electrodes to change according to the pressure applied. |
| US08201447B2 |
Process for measuring a fill level or limit state, circuit for a device that measures a fill level or limit state, and device that measures a fill level or limit state
Measuring a fill level or limit state is performed using an electromagnetic vibrating system, in which a transmission signal(s) is generated. A vibrating body (20) is excited into a state of vibration by the transmission signal (s); and by means of the reception signal (e) that is then produced by the vibrating body (2) the transmission signal (s) is modified for at least one subsequent excitation of the vibrating body (2), while a natural frequency (fe) of the vibrating body—or a magnitude (te) dependent on the natural frequency (fe)—is determined from the reception signal (e), and the transmission signal (s) is thereby modified. |
| US08201446B2 |
Ultrasonic fluid measurement method
A method of measuring the level of a fluid in a tank of an aircraft, the method comprising: moving an ultrasonic transducer to a predetermined measurement position; measuring the level of the fluid by: transmitting ultrasound from the transducer into the fluid via an external surface of a wall of the tank, receiving an ultrasonic echo at the transducer, and deducing the fluid level based on the time of arrival of the ultrasonic echo; and removing the transducer from the measurement position.A fluid tank comprising a bottom wall having an internal surface which is inclined to the horizontal; and an ultrasound guide surface which is located in the interior of the tank and oriented to direct ultrasound substantially vertically. |
| US08201440B2 |
Large diameter hardness tester
An apparatus for testing the hardness of a metal work piece having a bore, the apparatus having a horizontal support beam with an axis. A hardness tester is connected to a medial portion of the horizontal support beam. A pair of vertical guide beams are positioned on opposite sides of the hardness tester and are adapted to capture a work piece therebetween. Each vertical guide beam is connected on an upper end to the horizontal support beam at a transverse angle to the axis. At least one of the vertical guide beams being is capable of movement along the axis. A horizontal support rod is releasably connected to and extends between the lower ends of the vertical guide beams and is adapted to extend through the bore of the work piece to enable to the work piece to be lifted by the apparatus. |
| US08201439B2 |
Material wettability characterization and chemical additive evaluation
Methods and related systems are described for determining a property of a solid material relating to wettability, and for evaluating chemical additives. A solid particle is positioned at an interface between a lighter fluid phase, such as oil, and a denser fluid phase, such as water. An external force is applied, preferably with a centrifuge, so as to urge the solid particle into the denser fluid phase. An observation is made as to whether the particles has passed through the denser fluid phase, and based on the observation the contact angle is calculated. The calculation is also based on the densities of each fluid phase, of the solid material, the amount of the external force applied, size of the solid material, and interfacial tension between the two phases. The calculation also preferably accounts for two curvatures representing the interface between the first phase and the second phase as deformed by the solid material. |
| US08201438B1 |
Detection of gas leakage
A method of detecting leaks and measuring volumes as well as an apparatus, the Power-free Pump Module (PPM), that is a self-contained leak test and volume measurement apparatus that requires no external sources of electrical power during leak testing or volume measurement, where the invention is a portable, pneumatically-controlled instrument capable of generating a vacuum, calibrating volumes, and performing quantitative leak tests on a closed test system or device, all without the use of alternating current (AC) power. Capabilities include the ability is to provide a modest vacuum (less than 10 Torr), perform a pressure rise leak test, measure the gas's absolute pressure, and perform volume measurements. All operations are performed through a simple rotary control valve which controls pneumatically-operated manifold valves. |
| US08201437B2 |
Alcohol detection system and method for vehicle
An alcohol detection system for a vehicle has an alcohol sensor, for which alcohol measurement preparation processing such as heating the alcohol sensor to a predetermined temperature is performed, so that the alcohol sensor operates under the stable operation state. The alcohol measurement preparation processing is started, before a driver actually gets in the vehicle. For example, the preparation processing is started, when a predetermined manipulation of a driver on the vehicle before entering the vehicle is detected. The manipulation may be unlocking or opening of a vehicle door. |
| US08201429B1 |
Blanking line using slitter as feeder
A blanking line including an uncoiler, a first feeder, a slitter, and a shear. A coil of metal is carried by the uncoiler. The first feeder removes the material from the coil and typically includes a leveler for leveling the metal. The metal is fed from the leveler into a looping pit that is located between the leveler and slitter. The slitter feeds and slits the material a predetermined distance and is driven with servo motors. The looping pit acts as an accumulator allowing the metal to hang so the slitter can move metal intermittently into a shear while the leveler runs at a constant rate. The shear cuts the material to a predetermined length corresponding with the distance that the material is fed by the slitter. A measuring wheel may be included to measure the distance that the material is moved by the slitter. |
| US08201428B2 |
Multipart punch for hydro piercing
A novel multipart punch and system allows apertures to be formed in hydroformed members with the slug which would otherwise result being divided into two or more smaller slugs. These smaller slugs can be folded back into the hydroformed member and held captive therein or removed if desired. The multipart punch and system provides a flush surface in the hydroforming mold when the punch is in its initial position to allow easy loading and unloading of the mold and to allow additional blank to be fed into the mold during the hydroforming operation, if desired. Also, the hydraulic ram used with the multipart punch need develop less force than an equivalent prior art stepped punch. |
| US08201427B1 |
Lock housing
A lock housing for a security drawer is disclosed. The lock drawer system includes a cabinet drawer having a front wall including a front surface and a rear surface and a combination lock on the drawer with a combination lock dial. The drawer includes a lock housing defining an enclosure within which the dial can fit and extend through. The lock housing also includes a combination lock dial window. The system integrates a keyed locking bolt extending through the housing and to the drawer and is removable therefrom. |
| US08201426B2 |
System, method and apparatus for securing valuables
An application for a safe or strong box attaches to a larger, heavy object and provides improved security to its contents from unwanted removal. The safe or strong box has a revolving door that, when a proper code/combination/biometric is provided, rotatably opens to expose the contents. In one embodiment, the safe/strong box interfaces to, for example, a bedding system using a barbed plate that readily inserts between a box spring and a mattress, but due to the barbs, is difficult to remove without lifting the mattress from the box spring making it at least difficult to remove by, for example, children in the home. In some embodiments, sound dampening devices are provided to provide a quiet retraction of the revolving door, so as to not alert an intruder when the occupant is retrieving a weapon such as a pistol. |
| US08201425B2 |
Hub lock for media disc storage container
A lock member includes a body having a lower surface below which a male lock pin projects in an orientation that allows it to be received in a female lock member. The lower surface is continuous, entirely surrounds, and is spaced from the lock pin. The spacing provides room to receive the upper portion of the disc retaining hub. The ring-shaped planar portion may rest directly against or closely adjacent the upper surface of a media disc. In one configuration, the ring-shaped planar portion spaces the lock pin from an EAS tag chamber. The configuration of the lock member increases the likelihood that the media disc will be damaged during a physical attack on the lock member. |
| US08201424B2 |
Synthetic redundancy via prognostics
An manufacturing method that uses synthetic redundancy to optimize equipment reliability, performance, weight, and cost. The manufacturing method identifies critical components, that would ordinarily require a redundant component to meet reliability and safety requirements, and replaces them with a single, non-redundant component. Safety and reliability is maintained by using prognostic health management to replace the non-redundant critical component prior to its failure. Verification techniques are used to ensure reliability requirements are being met. |
| US08201421B2 |
Optical component and method for its production
To obtain an optical component having excellent secondary optical nonlinear properties by irradiating a surface and/or inside of glass having at least one member selected from Ni, Fe, V, Cu, Cr and Mn as a heat source material for absorbing and converting a laser beam to heat, incorporated to a glass matrix comprising at least one glass-forming oxide-selected from SiO2, GeO2, B2O3, P2O5, TeO2, Ga2O3, V2O5, MoO3 and WO3 and at least one member selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earth elements and transition elements, with a laser beam with a wavelength to be absorbed by the heat source material, to convert the irradiated portion to a single crystal or a group of crystal grains comprising components contained in the glass matrix and not containing the heat source material, thereby to form a pattern. |
| US08201417B1 |
Jewelry mount with safety catch
An interchangeable jewelry mounting system that allows for the attachment and detachment of gems from a jewelry setting. This system is provided with a gem mount that has a gem permanently secured to the mount. This mount contains an internal safety catch that, when engaged secures the gem mount to the jewelry setting. The jewelry setting is provided with latches that engage pins on the gem mount to ensure that the internal safety catch does not disengage prematurely. |
| US08201406B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine control apparatus that prevents an abrupt change in the air amount at the time of supercharger switching. The control apparatus enters a small turbo operating state in which a small turbocharger is mainly operative, during relatively low-rotation-speed and low-load side, and enters a large turbo operating state in which a large turbocharger is mainly operative, in a relatively high-rotation-speed and high-load. In the small turbo operating state, the control apparatus can exercise charging efficiency enhancement control by using a scavenging effect. Before switching from the small turbo operating state to the large turbo operating state, the control apparatus predicts whether the large turbocharger will build up its boost pressure quickly or slowly. When slow boost pressure is predicted, the control apparatus exercises charging efficiency enhancement control to provide a low degree of charging efficiency enhancement. |
| US08201398B2 |
Diesel engine exhaust treatment system with drive shaft accommodating housing and method
A diesel exhaust treatment system comprises a housing provided with a drive shaft passageway. The driveshaft of a land vehicle passes through the drive shaft passageway when the drive shaft and diesel exhaust treatment apparatus are incorporated into a vehicle. The housing can be coupled to frame rails of the vehicle with at least a portion of the housing being positioned between vertical planes containing the outer surface of the frame rails. In one specific embodiment at least a portion of the housing is positioned between the frame rails. The housing can comprise a plurality of housing sections, such as upper and lower housing sections which each define a portion of the drive shaft passageway. In addition, the upper housing section can be shorter than the lower housing section. |
| US08201397B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine
An SCR catalyst is provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine and a urea solution addition valve is provided upstream of the SCR catalyst in the exhaust pipe. An ECU controls urea solution addition quantity of the urea solution addition valve based on ammonia adsorption quantity to the SCR catalyst. The ECU calculates the ammonia adsorption quantity in the SCR catalyst based on time-series data of an ammonia balance between ammonia supply to the SCR catalyst accompanying the urea solution addition of the urea solution addition valve and ammonia consumption in the SCR catalyst. The ECU calculates NOx quantity introduced into the SCR catalyst or a parameter correlated with the NOx quantity and performs initialization of the ammonia adsorption quantity at timing decided based on a result of the calculation. |
| US08201394B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for NOx signal correction in feedback controls of an SCR system
For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in an engine exhaust includes a NOx reduction target module configured to determine a NOx reduction requirement. The apparatus also includes a tailpipe NOx module configured to determine a sensed amount of NOx exiting the engine system and a signal correction algorithm module configured to determine a corrected amount of NOx exiting the engine system based at least partially on the sensed amount of NOx exiting the engine system. The apparatus also includes a feedback ammonia target module configured to determine a feedback ammonia addition requirement. The feedback ammonia addition requirement includes an amount of ammonia added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the NOx reduction requirement in response to the corrected amount of NOx exiting the engine system. The apparatus also includes a reductant target module that is configured to determine a reductant injection requirement. |
| US08201393B2 |
Exhaust-gas aftertreatment device
The invention relates to an exhaust-gas aftertreatment device, comprising a control unit (4) for controlling a diaphragm pump (2) that draws a urea/water solution out of a circuit and pumps it, via a pressure filter (3), to a metering unit comprising an atomizing nozzle for atomizing the urea/water solution into an exhaust-gas stream.In advantageous developments, the metering unit comprises a metering valve, including an atomizing nozzle, a pressure and temperature sensor, a heating means and a return baffle. |
| US08201387B2 |
Method for the automatic enveloping of small items such as documents and device used to implement same
The invention relates to an automatic device which is used to envelope small items and which can be used to perform very-high-speed enveloping. The inventive device comprises a frame (11) having the following components mounted thereto, namely: a storage bin (12) containing a pile of stacked envelopes (15) which are disposed such that they can be removed one by one from the base of the bin, and a control drum (13) which is associated with a rotary cam (14). The aforementioned control drum (13) is arranged such as to move the envelopes (15) individually and successively from the storage bin (12) towards an area where a document is inserted therein and such as to open the envelope when the rotary cam (14) has unfolded the flap of same. The documents (30) to be inserted into the envelopes (15) are conveyed by way of cogs (32) which are solidly connected to a continuously-moving transport chain (31). |
| US08201384B2 |
Girder-like structural element composed of individual parts connected to one another
A beam-like structural component (2) made up of individual parts connected to each other, comprising at least one flange (9) and at least one web (1), which structural component is easy to produce and exhibits high load-bearing capacity and torsional rigidity, is characterized in that the web (1) is formed by web members (6) extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the web (1), with web members (6) forming a linear longitudinal area (4, 5) extending across the length of the web (1) and with, in each case, two adjacent web members (6) extending toward different narrow edges (7, 8) of the flange (9) starting from the longitudinal area (4, 5) of the web (1) so that one web member (6) rests against the flange (9) with one side of the web (1) and the adjacent web member (6) rests against the flange (9) with the opposite side of the web (1) and the web members (6) exhibit the shape of an “S” (FIG. 1E). |
| US08201381B2 |
Concrete deck insert
A concrete deck insert has an upper portion and a lower portion that are connected by a threaded coupling. The upper and lower portion are drawn together to clamp onto a portion of a perimeter of a hole. |
| US08201375B2 |
Multifunctional energy management building cladding
This invention relates to a building cladding for inclined surfaces such as for a sloped roof. More specifically, this invention relates to a building cladding that is passively responsive to sun elevation angles, is multi-functional, and is substantially uniformly ornamental when viewed from common viewing positions. The cladding is predominantly comprised of pairs of substantially horizontal and vertical surfaces extended horizontally and repeated vertically or along the incline of the building substrate. Substantially horizontal surfaces may be adapted for absorbing solar energy, reflecting solar energy, generating electricity from solar energy, converting solar energy into another form of energy, and or ornamentally matching substantially vertical surfaces. |
| US08201374B2 |
Wind load anchors and high-wind anchoring systems for cavity walls
High-wind load wall anchors and high-wind load wall anchoring systems for cavity walls are described which utilize double-walled anchor constructs with interengaging wire formative veneer ties. The high wind load anchors are mounted upon an interior cavity wall and the veneer ties are embedded within joints of an exterior cavity wall. The anchors have an aperture, for threading the veneer ties therethrough and restricting undesired movement, coupled with a double-walled wing structure to resist anchor deformation by high-wind forces. For resistance against seismic forces, the high-wind load wall anchoring system has a reinforcement wire which snaps into contoured veneer ties. |
| US08201372B2 |
Insulated siding system
An insulated siding panel comprises a foam insulation layer, an attachment member, and optionally a veneer layer. The foam insulation layer comprises a front face, a rear face, a tongue along a first end edge, a groove along a second end edge, and a slot defined in the rear face. The attachment member comprises an attachment rail and a member extending transversely from the attachment rail. The member of the attachment member is inserted into the slot of the foam insulation layer. When present, the veneer layer is attached to the front face of the foam insulation layer. When joined with other insulated siding panels, the interlocking occurs along the foam insulation layers to form an unbroken layer of insulation. |
| US08201371B2 |
Composite beam chord between reinforcement plates
A composite beam chord is between first and second reinforcement plates. The beam chord includes a first ply of reinforcing fibers with a fiber orientation of +α degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the beam chord and a second ply of reinforcing fibers with a fiber orientation of −α degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. The angle α is between 2 and 12 degrees for suppression or delay of ply splitting. |
| US08201369B2 |
System and method for passing conduits through structural members with minimal adverse effect
A conduit adapter system enables routing of conduit through one or more structural members of width W with minimal weakening of the structural member or members, and includes a first section of conventional round conduit on one side of the structural member or members, and a second piece of round conduit on an opposite side of the structural member or members, and a bridge conduit section of sufficient length to pass through the structural member or members, the bridge conduit section having a symmetrical cross-section with a first dimension significantly less than a second dimension, and an area at least as large as the area of the round conduit sections. The bridge conduit section passes through an opening through the structural member or members of substantially the shape of the cross-section of the bridge conduit section such that the first, smaller dimension of the opening is in the direction of width W of the structural member, and is joined by adapter sections to the round conduit on each side of the structural member or members. |
| US08201368B2 |
Blind frame for a window or a door
A blind frame for a window or door, the blind frame including a channel defined by the blind frame, the channel extending at least partially around the periphery of the blind frame and defining a space between the frame and an adjacent wall, the space being adapted and configured to receive an amount of concrete so as to affix the frame to the wall. The blind frame may include an accessory compartment including a housing defining an external surface adapted and configured to support an amount of concrete and embed said housing in said wall opening. |
| US08201350B2 |
Machine bucket
A machine bucket may include a wrapper. The wrapper may form a portion of a receptacle for holding material. The wrapper may include a curved upper portion defining an arc. The curved upper portion may have a central angle value (θU) of between approximately 129.5° and 130.5°. The wrapper may also include a curved lower portion defining an arc. The curved lower portion may have a central angle value (θL) of between approximately 29.5° and 30.5°. |
| US08201349B2 |
Piste grooming vehicle with cable torque compensation
The invention relates to a piste grooming vehicle with a point of application for cable forces that is associated with a cable winch, the point being at a distance from a yaw axis of the piste grooming machine, at least one control device being provided and being operatively connected to at least one control for automatically compensating at least one cable torque that can be applied by a cable traction force of the cable winch in relation to the yaw axis. |
| US08201347B2 |
Shoe construction with attachable components
A shoe construction enables a user to attach or interchange shoe components for improving function and or appearance of the shoe construction. The shoe construction includes a base, a cover, a top attachable component, and two fasteners. The base includes a series of fastener-receiving apertures. First fastening structure surrounds the fastener-receiving apertures. The cover includes a second fastening structure matable with the first fastening structure. The top attachable component includes component ends, each of which has an end aperture and a third fastening structure, which third fastening structure surrounds the end apertures. The fasteners fasten the component ends to the base member via the end apertures and fastener-receiving apertures. The cover covers the first fastening structure, the component ends, and the fasteners. The first, second, and third fastening structures function to prevent rotation of the component ends about axes extending through the fasteners. |
| US08201346B2 |
Medical shoe system
A system, method, and apparatus for treating a foot using a medical shoe and interchangeable insoles. A plurality of interchangeable insoles is provided, including a surgical insole and a wound care insole. The surgical insole provides rigidity for a patient's foot. The surgical insole comprises a first upper layer and a rigid second lower layer. The wound care insole offloads weight from a wound region on the foot. The wound care insole comprises a first upper layer of stretchy, thin film, a second, middle, layer that is moldable, and a third, lower layer that is spongy and provides support. |
| US08201342B2 |
Baby scales
Baby scales include a housing, a weighing tray associated with the housing and configured to hold a baby, a display and a measuring device configured to support the weighing tray and to determine a weight of the baby. The measuring device includes an electric length measuring device configured to measure a length of the baby. The display is disposed on the housing and configured to show the determined weight of the baby. |
| US08201339B1 |
Compound bow peep sight system
An exterior surface has a vertical mid-plane and a horizontal aperture there through. An annular recess is provided at the vertical mid-plane. The exterior surface has planar end faces parallel with each other. The horizontal aperture has opposed frusto-conical surfaces with a central axis. The frusto-conical surfaces have interior edges at the vertical mid-plane and exterior edges at the planar end faces. The exterior edges are larger than the interior edges. Coupling grooves extend to opposite sides of the recess. The coupling grooves have a generally semi-circular configuration. The grooves are parallel with each other at an angle with respect to the central axis. The grooves have midpoints spanning the central axis. The coupling grooves are adapted to receive separated strands of draw string. |
| US08201337B2 |
Reciprocating cutting tool with orbital action
A reciprocating cutting tool configured for orbital cutting, includes a housing, a power source disposed in the housing, a main linkage connected to the power source and to a blade for driving the blade in a vertically reciprocating motion, a foot plate connected to the housing and including a portion in operational relationship to the blade, a swivel bracket connected to the foot plate and disposed to exert an orbital force to a rear edge of the blade. A plunger is secured within the housing and connected to the linkage for reciprocating, pivotal and rotational movement, and has an end configured for receiving a blade. A selector mechanism for selecting at least between pivotal and rotational movement of the plunger, wherein the pivotal movement relates to orbital blade motion, and the rotational movement relates to scrolling blade motion. |
| US08201336B2 |
Retractable utility knife
A retractable knife includes an elongate handle and a blade holder slidingly mounted within the handle for sliding movements between a retracted position and an extended position. The blade holder is configured for receiving. A manually operable blade lock is formed on the holder and including a release member rotatably mounted on the blade holder. The release member having a first portion projecting beyond the handle and positioned to be actuated by a finger of a user while holding the handle. A second portion is movable with the first portion between a locking position in which the second portion is received with a notch of a blade and a releasing position in which the second position is removed from the blade notch to a position outside the notch of the blade. A spring normally rotates the release member to move the second portion to the locking position. Actuation of the release member by the finger of the user to overcome the spring moves the second portion to the releasing position and releases the blade. |
| US08201330B1 |
Physiological recording device or electrode
The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device, or other types of sensors to detect a biopotential, and more particularly, a physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to the configurations of structures on the physiological recording electrode's lower surface. The structures having a length, width, and height, which are capable, at least in part, of transmitting an electric potential from the skin which can be measured. The structures may or may not limit the depth of application, and/or anchor the electrode or other device during normal application, and/or allow for uniform application of the electrode or other device over unprepared skin. |
| US08201329B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
The manufacturing apparatus of a semiconductor device includes a jig having a plurality of holders arranged in a row, a controller for controlling the pitch of the plurality of holders arranged in a row, a support means provided with a plurality of semiconductor integrated circuits, and a support means provided with a substrate having a plurality of elements. By mounting the semiconductor integrated circuits on the respective elements by using the jig having the plurality of holders arranged in a row, semiconductor devices are manufactured. |
| US08201325B2 |
Method for producing an integrated device
A method for producing an integrated device. A source substrate is provided, the source substrate carrying one or more components to be attached to a receiver surface having a uneven topography. The source substrate includes a deformable layer on a surface on which the one or more components are carried. The source substrate is aligned such that said one or more components carried thereon are associated with contact areas of the receiver surface. The source substrate and the receiver surface are moved towards each other such that the one or more components are brought into contact with the contact areas wherein the deformable layer is at least partially deformed. The source substrate is removed such that the one or more of the components remain located on the contact areas of the receiver surface. |
| US08201321B2 |
Method of forming magnetic layer pattern, and method of manufacturing perpendicular magnetic recording head
Provided is a method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording head which can enhance accuracy and simplify the manufacturing process. The method includes: forming a photoresist pattern having an opening part; forming a non-magnetic layer so as to narrow the opening part by a dry film forming method such as ALD method; stacking a seed layer and a plating layer so as to bury the opening part provided with the non-magnetic layer; and forming a main magnetic pole layer by polishing the non-magnetic layer, the seed layer, and the plating layer by CMP method until the photoresist pattern is exposed. The final opening width is unsusceptible to variations, thus reducing the number of the steps of forming the main magnetic layer. |
| US08201320B2 |
Method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a wrap around shield that is magnetically coupled with a leading magnetic shield
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a leading magnetic shield and a trailing magnetic shield that are arranged to prevent the lost of magnetic write field to the trailing magnetic shield. The write head includes a non-magnetic step layer that provides additional spacing between the trailing magnetic shield and the write pole at a region removed from the air bearing surface. |
| US08201318B2 |
Method of manufacturing inductor
A method of manufacturing an inductor includes a lamination step, a division step, a firing step, and a plating step. In the lamination step, a laminate including an insulator, a coil body, and external electrodes is formed. That is, in the lamination step, insulating layers having wide filling conductors, insulating layers having narrow filling conductors, and conductor patterns having external electrode patterns are laminated. As a result, the conductor patterns form the coil body, and the wide filling conductors, the narrow filling conductors, and the external electrode patterns form the external electrodes. The narrow filling conductors have a width that is less than the widths of the wide filling conductors and the external electrode patterns, and recesses and projections are provided in the external electrodes. |
| US08201317B2 |
Generator rotor with improved hollow shaft
A method of replacing a generator rotor shaft into a generator includes the steps of moving the rotor shaft such that a central portion supports a main winding section of the generator, and such that smaller diameter portions are supported by bearings, and utilizing a wire that extends through slots in the rotor shaft to connect a rectifier assembly to an exciter rotor. |
| US08201315B2 |
Method for controlling tensile stress of a shank, such as a screw or dowel pin, and device for carrying out said method
In a method for controlling tensile stress of a clamping rod, such as a screw or pin, by the axial extension of the rod and the positioning of at least one retaining member, before the rod is released, such that the latter is blocked at the two ends of the useful clamping length with a residual clamping tensile force, measurements are made which represent the elongation of the rod in the stretched state under a measured extension force and of the rod after release in relation to the rod before extension, by comparing values supplied by at least one sensor during extension and after release with a reference value supplied by this sensor before extension, and, on the basis of these data, a residual clamping force in the useful clamping length of the released rod after extension is calculated. |
| US08201311B1 |
Process of making a BAW resonator bi-layer top electrode
A piezoelectric layer is coupled to a bottom electrode in a method of fabricating a piezoelectric resonator. A bottom metal layer of a top electrode is deposited on the piezoelectric layer. The bottom metal layer is patterned and etched. A top metal layer of the top electrode is deposited on the etched bottom metal layer. The top metal layer is patterned and etched. An interconnect metal layer is deposited on the etched top metal layer and the piezoelectric layer such that the interconnect metal layer isolates the bottom metal layer from subsequent etch steps. |
| US08201309B1 |
Attachment hardware
Various connectors are shown and disclosed for attaching rope, cable or synthetic lines to fixed surfaces. Lashing line is used between the connector on the line and the connector attached to the fixed surface. Alternative embodiments are shown that use a cleat or a cam for securing the lashing line for adjusting the overall line length. The lines and connectors can be used for rigging in sailing vessels and for any other application requiring strong lines, connectors and light weight. |
| US08201307B2 |
Door handle retainer system
A door handle assembly providing an entry function includes a sleeve, a spindle and a handle that fits over the sleeve. Gap and play between the handle and the sleeve is eliminated by tightening of a threaded fastener against an inner surface of the handle. A tool is selectively received through an opening in the spindle for tightening the threaded fastener. The opening in the spindle is alignable with an aperture in the handle when in an unlocked condition. The tool is then permitted to extend through the aperture and the opening in the spindle to engage the threaded fastener. A second end of the threaded fastener abuts the inner surface of the handle, securing the handle to the sleeve. Another door handle assembly according to this invention provides a privacy function and includes a threaded fastener that contacts an inner surface of a door handle assembly. |
| US08201305B2 |
Hinge for a mirror unit of a motor vehicle
A hinge construction, suitable for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle, includes a first hinge part configured for mounting on the motor vehicle and a second hinge part, pivotably connected with the first hinge part via a base shaft. The second hinge part is configured to support a mirror support. In an embodiment, the base shaft is translatably connected with one of the hinge parts, the other hinge part is arranged pivotably about the base shaft, and the hinge parts cooperate via a track guide, which causes the hinge parts upon pivoting to rotate relative to each other, and a straight guide, which cases the hinge parts upon pivoting to translate relative to each other. |
| US08201299B2 |
Tool for cleaning surfaces
A tool for cleaning surfaces, comprising a body with a substantially cylindrical shape, on a face of which there are distributed along at least a path clumps of bristles inserted into corresponding holes made on said face, the axis of each of said holes is inclined in relation to a perpendicular to the surface of said face, on a plane substantially tangential to said at least a path, or on a plane substantially radial to said path, or on both said planes. |
| US08201298B2 |
Toothbrush with low profile head
A toothbrush includes a handle, and a head at an end of the handle having a thickness, a first surface, and an opposed second surface. Tooth cleaning elements extend outwardly from the first surface and have a length. A tissue cleanser is positioned on the second surface and has a plurality of tissue engaging elements and a height. A head height includes the thickness of the head, the length of the tooth cleaning elements, and the height of the tissue cleanser, and is less than 17.7 mm. |
| US08201291B2 |
Redundant support feature for bassinet assembly and play yard combination
Various embodiments include a play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The play yard includes upper and lower horizontal frame members vertically spaced apart from each other, vertical frame members disposed between the upper and lower horizontal frame members, first and second redundant support members, and first and second mating redundant support members. The first redundant support member and the second redundant support member are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent a first vertical frame member a second vertical frame member, respectively. The first and second mating redundant support members are disposed adjacent an outer perimeter of the floor of the bassinet assembly. The first mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the first redundant support member, and the second mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the second redundant support member to provide additional vertical support for the floor of the bassinet assembly. |
| US08201289B2 |
Combined control for a basin overflow and a basin drain
A control is provided adjacent an overflow of a bathtub or sink. It both remotely controls operation of a basin bottom drain, and provides an option of shutting off flow through the overflow. Rotation of a handle of the control controls the bottom drain, and axial movement of the handle controls flow through the overflow. For example, a clicker-type pop-out valve can control overflow flow. Slot and projection structures restrict use of the overflow shutoff when the drain is not closed, and/or in some circumstances even when the drain is closed. |
| US08201287B2 |
Moisture barrier
A moisture barrier is formed between a water bearing floor surface and external material, such as flooring or water bearing wall surfaces, wherein the water bearing floor surface includes an embedded water barrier membrane incorporated into one or more of the edges of the water bearing floor surface. The water bearing floor surface may include a shower floor pan, sink, or similar water collecting surface. The external material may include water bearing wall surfaces, such as FRP, or flooring material, such as ceramic tile or epoxy flooring materials. The combination of the water barrier membrane and external materials creates a water proof seal without caulk or other sealant which does not deteriorate with time and usage. Also, the invention may include a non-porous adjacent material including a notch for accepting the water barrier membrane and wherein the water barrier membrane is glued or otherwise affixed to the water bearing floor surface. |
| US08201286B1 |
Shower curtain holding assembly
A shower curtain holding assembly is provided for preventing a shower curtain from billowing into contact with a person taking a shower. The shower curtain holding assembly includes a pole member having a first end and a second end. A first hook member is coupled to the first end of the pole member. Similarly, a second hook member is coupled to the second end of the pole member. The first hook member and the second hook member are designed for coupling to a support structure such that the pole member is supported adjacent to a shower curtain to restrict movement of the shower curtain inwardly towards a person showering. In an embodiment, one end of the pole member is pivotally coupled to a wall adjacent to the shower curtain for semi-permanent installation. |
| US08201285B1 |
Inflatable pool covering system and associated method
The pool covering system provides an effective way of protecting a swimming pool from dirt and debris. The system includes an inflatable, dome shaped body and attached outer most layer configured to rest atop an existing swimming pool, repelling dirt, debris, water and snow, thus preventing this debris from collecting within the pool or on top of a liner. A bladder inflating mechanism is provided for selectively introducing air into the body such that the body maintains a dome shape and urges the fluid and debris away from the top surface of the pool. Passageways are provided inside the bladder for evenly distributing air therein and overcoming a weight of water and debris resting on the outer most layer. |
| US08201284B2 |
Portable toilet
A collapsible portable toilet having an expanded and a compressed state. The toilet has a seat and a base. The seat is connected to a top of a collapsible assembly and the base is connected to the bottom of the collapsible assembly. The toilet has a cover that is cylindrical and surrounds the collapsible assembly. The cover contains a coil that is resilient to the expended position. The cover has a plurality of fasteners for holding the toilet in a compressed state. In the expanded state a plurality of segments extend toward the ground or supporting surface. The stop arm is insertable into the collapsible assembly to secure the toilet in an expanded state. The toilet utilizes a disposable inner bag for use in the interior of the toilet. The toilet is fittable within a carrying bag when in a compressed state. |
| US08201277B2 |
Posture aid for contact sports
In one embodiment, a posture aid apparatus includes a protective helmet having a shell including a face opening and a crown, a strap bracket coupled to the shell intermediate the face opening and the crown, and at least one strap coupled to the strap bracket. The at least one strap has a first connector adapted to be coupled to a first shoulder pad of a pair of shoulder pads and a second connector adapted to be coupled to a second shoulder pad of the pair of shoulder pads, such that proper posture for contact is promoted. |
| US08201276B2 |
Protection device, system and/or method
A protection device, system and/or method including a protection body portion adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on the lower edge of a wearer's headgear. In some implementations, the protection body portion may be triangular and the connecting of the device to headgear may include a removable connective component is located at the apex of a second edge and a third edge of the protection body portion at the farthest point from the headgear. |
| US08201275B2 |
Goggle attachment system with a tail for a helmet
A protective goggle assembly includes a protective goggle having two side straps, each side strap comprises a free end and a first surface attachment region adjacent to the free end on at least one surface of each side strap; and a strap assembly that encircles the user's head, on each side of the strap assembly a second surface attachment region is provided that is configured to engage the first surface attachment region of the side straps. Free ends of the base band of the strap assembly are connected to an elastic ring to form a complete encircling band. The base band has a tail for securing the base band in position on a helmet. The complete encircling band is configured to fit around a soldier's helmet and the elastic ring being configured to fit over and around a night vision goggle mount at a front of the helmet. |
| US08201273B2 |
Protective hood
A protective hood is provided for protecting a wearer's head from environmental elements. The protective hood includes a hood body having a cap section positioned to fit over a top of the wearer's head, side sections positioned to hang adjacent sides of the wearer's head, and a back section positioned to hang adjacent a back of the wearer's head. The hood body defines an interior space for receiving the wearer's head. An outlet is provided for exhausting gas from the interior space of the hood body. The outlet includes a channel defined by first and second portions of the hood body. The channel is in fluid communication with the interior space and includes an open end portion in fluid communication with the environment for exhausting gas from the channel into the environment. |
| US08201270B2 |
Leg protector and protective skirt including a leg protector
A protective skirt for use in martial arts provides leg protectors for providing protection to the thighs of the user in the event of a full-forced attack to the thighs. The leg protectors are removable elements allowing the skirt to be used with out the leg protectors. Alternatively, the leg protectors can be integrated with the skirt. |
| US08201269B2 |
TPU/foam jaw pad
A protective jaw pad for equipment having a shell includes a first resilient shock absorbing member having a sheet portion with a plurality of hollow protrusions, tapering side walls of the protrusions being compressible for absorbing shocks applied to the shell. The pad includes a second resilient shock absorbing member that is either a monolithic block of foam or is made up of a second sheet portion with a plurality of hollow protrusions that are interleaved with the first protrusion. A cover covers either the first or the second shock absorbing member and a plurality of fasteners removably connect the jaw pad to the shell. |
| US08205268B2 |
Cantilever with pivoting actuation
Improved actuation device useful in direct-write nanolithography and imaging including use of a pivot point for downward deflection of a cantilever with long travel path. A device comprising at least one holder, at least one cantilever, an extension of the said cantilever wherein the extension is integrated with an actuator, wherein the cantilever is adapted for actuated movement. The actuator can be electrostatic, thermal, or piezoelectric. The cantilever can comprise a tip, and material can be transferred from the tip to a surface. |
| US08205263B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying an executable file obfuscated by an unknown obfuscator program
A method for analyzing an unverified executable file within an antivirus engine in order to identify the executable file as being obfuscated by an unknown obfuscator program is described. An unverified executable file comprising obfuscated library strings is received. A list of pre-verified library strings is accessed. A determination is made as to whether the unverified executable file comprises one or more of the pre-verified library strings. The unverified executable file is identified as being obfuscated by an unknown obfuscator program if the file does not comprise one or more of the pre-verified library strings. |
| US08205255B2 |
Anti-content spoofing (ACS)
A system to prevent content spoofing by detecting phishing attacks is provided. The system checks each webpage visited by a user and determines if the page is legitimate. To determine if a page is legitimate, the system employs fingerprints to check how similar the browsed page is with respect to an original page. If the similarity between browsed page and the original page is found to be more than a preset threshold, then the browsed page is considered to be a spoofed page. Access to the spoofed page is then either denied and/or an alarm is triggered. |
| US08205251B2 |
Policy-based content filtering
Methods and systems for processing application-level content of network service protocols are described. According to one embodiment, a network connection is redirected by a networking subsystem implemented within a kernel of an operating system of a firewall device to a proxy module within the firewall device that is configured to support a network service protocol associated with the network connection. The proxy module retrieves one or more content processing configuration schemes associated with a matching firewall policy for the network service protocol and the network connection. The content processing configuration schemes each include multiple content processing configuration settings for each of one or more network service protocols. Application-level content of a packet stream associated with the network connection is then processed by the proxy module reassembling the application-level content from multiple packets of the packet stream and scanning the application-level content based on the retrieved content processing configuration schemes. |
| US08205247B2 |
Method of authenticating a client, identity and service providers, authentication and authentication assertion request signals and corresponding computer programs
A method is provided of authenticating a client to access a service provided by a service provider, whereby the service provider queries an identity provider to verify identity of the client and authorize access the service. The method includes: verifying using the identity provider to verify that an identity level corresponding to an earlier authentication of the client is stored with the identity provider, and granting service access authorization to the client, which is performed either (i) directly following the verification step when the identity level required is less than the stored identity level, or (ii) after the following steps when the identity level required is greater than the stored identity level or when no client authentication is available, namely requesting authentication of the client having the required identity level and replacing the stored identity level with the required identity level if the client is authenticated by the identity provider. |
| US08205246B2 |
User sensitive filtering of network application layer resources
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving authorization data at a local node of a network. The authorization data indicates a particular network address of a different node in the network and an authenticated user ID of a user of the different node. Resource profile data is retrieved based on the user ID. The resource profile data indicates all application layer resources on the network that the user is allowed to access. The particular network address is associated at the local node with the resource profile data for the user. A request from the particular network address for a requested application layer resource on the network is blocked based on the resource profile data associated with the particular network address. |
| US08205243B2 |
Control of enhanced application features via a conditional access system
A service provider provides conditional access to data that is decrypted by authorized set-top boxes (DHCTs). The encrypted programs include encrypted enhanced programs by adding a field to entitlement management messages and corresponding entitlement control messages. |
| US08205242B2 |
System and method for data mining and security policy management
A system and method to generate and maintain controlled growth DAG are described. The controlled growth DAG conveys information about objects captured by a capture system. |
| US08205238B2 |
Platform posture and policy information exchange method and apparatus
Transport agnostic, secure communication protocol for transmitting host platform posture information to the Network Access Control Server or PDP (Policy Decision Point) and for receiving policy information to be enforced on the trusted host platform and respective applications for data processing and communication are described herein. |
| US08205232B2 |
Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV. |
| US08205230B2 |
System and method for displaying and searching multimedia events scheduling information
A system for displaying information may include memory, one or more processors, and one or more modules stored in memory. The one or more modules are configured for execution by the one or more processors and may include instructions for: presenting a subset of a collection of data on a first grid having a first axis corresponding to units of time and a second axis, the collection of data comprising data representing time-bounded events; presenting a second grid having, first and second axes corresponding to the first and second axes of the first grid, the second grid corresponding to a larger portion of the collection of data than the subset presented on the first grid; and presenting a user moveable window for selecting a portion of the second grid, and selecting the subset presented on the first grid in accordance with a current position of the window. |
| US08205229B2 |
Broadcasting receiving apparatus and control method thereof
There is provided a broadcasting receiving apparatus. The broadcasting receiving apparatus includes: a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal of a broadcasting channel; a UI generator which generates a data broadcasting UI; and a controller which controls the UI generator to generate a channel data broadcasting UI including a data broadcasting item corresponding to broadcasting contents of a tuned broadcasting channel if data broadcasting is received through the receiver. |
| US08205228B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamically managing user's favorite channels
An apparatus and method for dynamically managing a user's favorite channels are provided. The apparatus includes a user input unit receiving a channel change input from the user, a channel list storage unit storing an entire channel list comprising channels receivable using a tuner and channel preference information regarding the user's preference degrees for channels, a control unit calculating a preference degree for a channel selected in response to the channel change input received by the user input unit and analyzing a pattern of channel change inputs, and an output unit providing content of the selected channel according to calculation and analysis results of the control unit. |
| US08205227B1 |
Management and delivery of audiovisual content items that correspond to scheduled programs
A method is provided to designate visual content that is accessible from a computer readable storage device and that correspond to programs distributed according to a predetermined schedule comprising: comparing attribute information of a respective program metadata record with respective attribute information of multiple respective content metadata records to measure similarity between corresponding attributes; determining respective program-content attribute match scores for each of the compared content metadata records as a function of the measure of similarity between the program attributes of the respective compared program metadata record and corresponding visual content attributes of respective content metadata records and of relative weighting of respective attribute comparisons; and selecting a respective visual content based upon the determined program-content attribute match score. |
| US08205223B2 |
Method and video device for accessing information
A method and video device are disclosed for accessing information. In an embodiment of the present invention, part of data included in a title, being played, read from a storage medium or extracted from a broadcast signal is extracted and sent to a server over a network, and information corresponding to the part of the data (i.e., information related to the data and complete data of the data) is received from the server and played. Rather than the part of the data, information related to a position of the data, (e.g. a time point at which the playing of the data starts within the title or a radial position or a physical address at which the data is located in the storage medium) may be sent. The data may be data that forms audio, a frame-shaped video clip or a frame-shaped picture included in the title. |
| US08205221B2 |
Slot-in type disk apparatus having link arm with folded piece
A slot-in type disk apparatus in which a base body and a lid constitute a chassis sheath, a disk-insertion opening is formed in a front surface of the chassis sheath, a traverse base is disposed on a front surface side of the base body, a rear base is disposed on a rear surface side of the base body, a printed board is provided between the rear base and the base body, and a link arm is disposed between the rear base and the printed board, wherein an opening is formed in a portion of the rear base, a folded piece which is folded toward the opening is formed on a portion of the link arm, a space is formed on the side of the printed board by the folded piece, and a part to be mounted on the printed board is disposed such as to correspond to the space. |
| US08205220B2 |
Optical disc drive with shielding member to prevent entry of dust
An optical disc drive to prevent entry of dust through a front side of a tray and includes a housing including a first opening, a shielding member disposed to shield the first opening at a distance from a front side of the housing, and including a second opening, and a tray inserted in the first and the second openings to shield the second opening and loaded into and unloaded from the housing. Thus, since sponge or padding is not dedicatedly used, cost can be saved. In addition, since the manufacturing process is simplified, productivity can be improved. |
| US08205218B1 |
Data storage system having common software environment
Described are techniques for facilitating communication between code modules. A first code module is provided that makes at least one call using an application programming interface. The application programming interface facilitates communication between the first code module and a target code module and provides support for performing the at least one call from a first execution mode associated with the first code module and a second execution mode associated with the target code module. The application programming interface provides support for user space to user space communication, user space to kernel space communication, kernel space to kernel space communication, and kernel to user space communication. The first execution mode of the first code module and said second execution mode of the target code module are determined. A communication path is established between the code modules in accordance with the first and second execution modes. |
| US08205216B2 |
Data sharing between applications where only one application knows the business purpose of the data
A method and system for sharing data between a calling application and a callee application. A callee application receives a request for processing data owned and stored by the calling application in a data table. The callee application receives a document to which containers that include data elements from the data table are attached in a predefined order. The callee application identifies element types corresponding to the containers based on a mapping interface table. The callee application unloads data elements from the containers into a data store via the predefined order and associates the data elements with the corresponding element types. The callee application processes the data according to the request. The processing includes applying a business rule to a data element based on the business rule being associated with an element type of the data element. Only the callee application has knowledge of the applied business rule. |
| US08205214B2 |
Browser elements for communicating with other browser elements and with external applications
A method includes executing a web script by a browser element to access a web service executing on a web server and providing access to a web application, subscribing to the web service by the browser element so that data will be sent from the web service without requiring the browser element to initiate a request for the data, receiving the data from the web service by a communicator module executing on the client computing device, and sending the data to the browser element by the communicator module. A system includes a browser having at least one browser element configured to subscribe to data from an external web service. |
| US08205209B2 |
Selecting a number of processing resources to run an application effectively while saving power
Selecting a number of processors to run an application in order to save power is performed. A number of code segments are selected from an application. Each of the code segments are executed using two or more of a plurality of processing resource combinations. Each of the code segments are scored with a performance value. The performance value indicates a performance of each code segment using each of the two or more processing resource combinations. A selection is made of one of the two or more processing resource combinations based on an associated performance value and a number of processing resources used to execute the code segment. The application is then executed using the selected processing resource combination. |
| US08205207B2 |
Method of automated resource management in a partition migration capable environment
A method, system and program are disclosed for automatically adjusting the allocation of a plurality of information processing system (IPS) resources among a plurality of logical partitions (LPARs). An LPAR is created on a first central processor complex (CPC) and a first LPAR identifier is generated. A configuration change manager is implemented on the LPAR to communicate changes in the LPAR's identifier to an automated resource manager (ARM). IPS resources are automatically allocated to the LPAR. If the LPAR is migrated a second CPC, a second LPAR identifier is similarly generated, resulting in an LPAR configuration change event. The ARM is notified that the migrated LPAR's identifier has changed and receives the changed LPAR identifier. Comparison operations are performed to determine whether the second LPAR identifier matches the first CPC. If not, resources allocated to the migrated LPAR are released for automated allocation to other LPARs comprising the first CPC. |
| US08205203B2 |
Scheduling for real-time garbage collection
Techniques are disclosed for schedule management. By way of example, a method for managing performance of tasks in threads associated with at least one processor comprises the following steps. One or more units of a first task type are executed. A count of the one or more units of the first task type executed is maintained. The count represents one or more credits accumulated by the processor for executing the one or more units of a first task type. One or more units of a second task type are executed. During execution of the one or more units of a second task type, a request to execute at least one further unit of the first task type is received. The amount of credits in the count is checked. When it is determined that there is sufficient credit in the count, the request to execute the at least one further unit of the first task type is forgone, and execution of the one or more units of the second task type continues. When it is determined that there is insufficient credit in the count, the at least one further unit of the first task type is executed. The first task type may be an overhead task type such as a garbage collection task type, and the second task type may be an application task type. |
| US08205200B2 |
Compiler-based scheduling optimization hints for user-level threads
Method, apparatus and system embodiments to schedule user-level OS-independent “shreds” without intervention of an operating system. For at least one embodiment, the shred is scheduled for execution by a scheduler routine rather than the operating system. The scheduler routine may receive compiler-generated hints from a compiler. The compiler hints may be generated by the compiler without user-provided pragmas, and may be passed to the scheduler routine via an API-like interface. The interface may include a scheduling hint data structure that is maintained by the compiler. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08205199B2 |
Method and system for associating new queues with deployed programs in distributed processing systems
A queue is configured for accumulating a request to process a program component in an application server even when a naming service is used so as to enable priority control, flow control, or load distribution for component processing. A scheduler is provided between client terminals and a container server. The physical position information of the queue is associated with the logical name of the component, for registration in the naming service. The naming service is referenced for name resolution of the logical name of the component on which the processing request has been made from a client terminal, and stores the processing request on the component in the queue corresponding to the obtained physical position information of the queue. By using the queue, the scheduler can perform priority control, flow control, load distribution control, or the like for processing of the component. |
| US08205194B2 |
Updating offline virtual machines or VM images
Methods and systems for updating a virtual machine image. The virtual machine image may be stored as a collection of one or more virtual hard disk files. The virtual machine image is rendered to file-system data. Rendering the virtual machine image to file-system data may comprise mounting the virtual machine image's virtual hard disk drives. An analysis engine is invoked to scan the exposed file-system data to determine the update status of software constructs of the virtual machine image and data indicative of the scanning may be stored. The virtual machine image may be updated while inactive or may be deployed and activated in a protected environment for updating. |
| US08205193B2 |
Runtime updating of virtual machine class files
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method of updating a virtual machine class file, including the steps of identifying a class file for execution by a virtual machine, accessing the class file in a class file repository, and downloading the class file to a file system associated with the virtual machine. |
| US08205191B1 |
System and method for change-based testing
A method and system for assessing effect of a change in a computer software including a plurality of requirements and a plurality of test cases. The method and system include: changing a requirement from the plurality of requirements; correlating the computer software with the changed requirement to identify a portion of the computer software that is affected by the changed requirement; and correlating one or more of the test cases with the portion of the computer software that is affected to identify one or more of the test cases that is affected by the changed requirement.Additionally, the computer software may be changed and the effect of that change on the requirements and the test cases may then be determined. |
| US08205189B2 |
Method and system for definition control in a data repository application
A method and system for definition control in a data repository application. Each structure for the repository application is defined. Each structure and a corresponding definition for the structure are stored in a library. An object is created for each structure stored in the library that points to the definition. The structures are interconnected as the application is built. The repository application is built for a specific use includes each of the interconnected structures and provides automatic tracking of each use of each definition and automatic cascading of definition changes to each use. |
| US08205186B1 |
Incremental modification of instrumentation logic
A method and system for incremental updating of instrumentation logic in integrated circuit designs. During debugging of a circuit design, instrumented signals are modified without rerunning synthesis and place and route. According to an embodiment, instrumentation logic is incrementally changed by the following operations: Building a list of available signals, modifying one or more instrumented signals, connecting or disconnecting the modified signals, and rerouting the modified signals. |
| US08205184B2 |
Method and apparatus for laying out power wiring of semiconductor device
A method for laying out a power wiring of a semiconductor device including an analog circuit and a digital circuit includes: modeling the power wiring as an analysis model including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of element resistors provided between the plurality of nodes neighboring each other; obtaining voltage values of the plurality of nodes by a circuit simulation; searching a maximum current node from nodes of the digital circuit when a substrate noise violation exists in a voltage value of a node of the analog circuit, the maximum current node having a maximum amount of current flowing into the node of the analog circuit; searching a path of a current flowing into the maximum current node in the digital circuit; selecting a bottleneck element resistor from among the plurality of element resistors included in the path; and changing a resistance value of the bottleneck element resistor. |
| US08205173B2 |
Physical failure analysis guiding methods
A method includes providing a plurality of failure dies, and performing a chip probing on the plurality of failure dies to generate a data log comprising electrical characteristics of the plurality of failure dies. An automatic net tracing is performed to trace failure candidate nodes in the failure dies. A failure layer analysis is performed on results obtained from the automatic net tracing. Physical failure analysis (PFA) samples are selected from the plurality of failure dies using results obtained in the step of performing the failure layer analysis. |
| US08205171B2 |
System and method for providing graphical user interface displaying multiple views
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for displaying hierarchy information. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (“GUI”) is provided that displays hierarchy information, the displayed information comprising multiple nodes and hierarchical relationships between the nodes. Different sets of information may be associated with one or more of the displayed nodes. Techniques are provided to enable a user to individually change the set of information displayed in one or more of the displayed nodes. In this manner, a user is able to change the set and/or category of information displayed for one or more selected nodes. More specifically, different sets and/or categories of information contained in the nodes are displayed based on the view selected by the user. In an embodiment, a user is able to choose which nodes need to change the view levels. There are other features in the graphical interface as well. |
| US08205167B2 |
Analyzing user viewership of advertisements appearing in a screen display in a user terminal
A method and system for providing an advertisement window in a certain area of a web browser executed in a user terminal, wherein the user terminal being communicated with at least one advertiser server and an advertisement control server over the Internet. The method includes the steps of requesting a user identification code; receiving the user identification code from the advertisement control server, and storing the code on the local storage of the user terminal; requesting advertisement control data to the advertisement control server using the stored user identification; receiving the advertisement control data from the advertisement control server, and displaying control information of the advertisement window; accessing and obtaining the advertisement data located on the received address; and placing, in a certain area of the web browser. |
| US08205165B2 |
Apparatus to create, save and format text documents using gaze control and method associated based on the optimized positioning of cursor
The method and the apparatus object of present invention refers to a system and A method that create, save and format text documents using a device with gaze control and a system of quick positioning of the cursor. The present invention provides a faster interaction and requires a minimum effort with respect to the state of the art interfaces. |
| US08205164B2 |
Image display system for controlling automatic leveling of heavy equipment
An image display system for controlling automatic leveling of heavy equipment is provided. The image display system includes the leveling means for adjusting horizontal levels of a lower frame provided with a traveling means and an upper frame having a cab and installed on an upper part of the lower frame, a sensor unit for sensing posture information of the heavy equipment, a leveler electronic control unit for generating an image signal from the posture information, and an image display unit for displaying the image signal on a display screen. The posture information includes inclination angles of the upper frame and the lower frame sensed on the basis of a horizontal surface against a direction of gravity, an azimuth angle of the heavy equipment sensed against a forward direction of the upper frame, and a swing angle of the upper frame sensed on the basis of a front direction of the lower frame. According to the image display system, the leveling state of the heavy equipment is easily recognized, and the control performance of the heavy equipment is improved. |
| US08205163B2 |
Integrated out-of-office assistant reminder tool
In one embodiment, a method includes scanning, by an automated tool, a set of application programs and/or systems associated with a user, the set including one or more action items calendared in a relevant time period that includes one or more days when the user intends to be out of the office. The one or more action items are then presented to the user via a user interface. Responsive to input received, each of one or more delegates correspondingly assigned to the one or more action items is automatically notified of the assignment. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08205157B2 |
Methods and graphical user interfaces for conducting searches on a portable multifunction device
In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display includes: an application interface of an application that includes an application interface region with an edge; and a search input area for entering a search query for the application. In response to detecting a movement of an object on or near the touch screen display, the application interface region is translated on the touch screen display in a first direction. In response to the edge of the application interface region being crossed while translating the application interface region in the first direction while the object is still detected on or near the touch screen display, the edge of the application interface region is displayed, and the search input area is displayed in an area beyond the application interface region. |
| US08205155B2 |
Text management software
Text management software system which stores and retrieves text as paragraph size Text Fragments. Each fragment is stored in a separate record in a text store. As text is created and is to be saved to a text store, the system is adapted to break the text into paragraph size text fragments. As or before text is stored the system runs statistical comparisons between text fragments and builds a matrix of similarity between the text fragments stored in the separate records and presents these to the author for substitution. |
| US08205154B2 |
User definable transition tool
Techniques (methods and devices) that permit a user to define multimedia transitions in terms of user-supplied assets are described. The user supplies the assets necessary to generate the transition such as, for example, an asset movie, an asset matte movie and a background matte movie. (The specific assets required may vary depending upon the transition to be generated.) These assets are then automatically combined (e.g., through compositing) to render a completed multimedia object in which the defined transition is used to visually transition a first image or frame to a second image or frame. The same techniques used in some generic transformation of images or movies are also disclosed. |
| US08205153B2 |
Information extraction combining spatial and textual layout cues
Techniques for extracting information from a formatted document are provided. The techniques include combining one or more visual layout rules, one or more mark-up rules and one or more text-based rules in connection with a formatted document, and specifying one or more rules from the one or more visual layout rules, one or more mark-up rules and one or more text based rules to extract information from the formatted document. |
| US08205150B2 |
Document changes
In various embodiments, a user may be prompted to “view changes” associated with a document after electing to close the document without having saved. |
| US08205149B2 |
Enhanced find and replace for electronic documents
An enhanced find and replace feature for a spreadsheet program module is disclosed. The enhanced find and replace feature allows users to search for terms and attributes across multiple sheets of a workbook. The find and replace feature also allows searches to be performed based on the formatting attributes of a cell as well as the textual or numerical contents of a cell. The enhanced find and replace feature also allows users to perform bulk formatting of cells (even cells without text) in a spreadsheet. In another aspect, the enhanced find and replace feature lists all the results of the find operation in a results list so that the user may choose which result(s) to view and edit. In another aspect, the find and replace feature is modeless so that a user can search for terms or attributes, view a results list, exit the find and replace feature, perform editing functions in the document and then return to the find and replace feature. With modelessness, when the user clicks into a worksheet and clicks back into the find and replace dialog, the search resumes on the current selection in the worksheet. |
| US08205147B2 |
Structured de-interleaving scheme for product code decoders
A structured interleaving/de-interleaving scheme enables efficient implementation of encoding/decoding based on two-dimensional product codes (2D PC). An encoder has an integrated architecture that performs structured interleaving and PC coding in an integrated manner in which locations in the interleaved data stream are related to row and column indices for the 2D PC coding based on closed-form expressions. In one embodiment, a corresponding decoder implements two-stage low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoding based on the same relationships between locations in the interleaved data stream and row and column indices for the LDPC decoding. |
| US08205140B2 |
Method and apparatus for the use of network coding in a wireless communication network
According to a method and apparatus taught herein, a network node includes a receiver circuit that determines soft values for received packets corresponding to the information bit groups associated with network coding operations, where the soft values are determined for each information bit group based on joint probabilities of the information bits within the information bit group. For example, first soft values are determined for the information bit groups in a first (received) constituent packet and second soft values are likewise determined for the information bit groups in a network-coded (received) packet that depends on the first constituent packet and a second constituent packet. Third soft values are generated for the information bit groups of the second constituent packet based on jointly evaluating the first and second soft values. |
| US08205139B1 |
Method for lock-free clustered erasure coding and recovery of data across a plurality of data stores in a network
The present invention provides a distributed clustering method to allow multiple active instances of consistency management processes that apply the same encoding scheme to be cooperative and function collectively. The techniques described herein facilitate an efficient method to apply an erasure encoding and decoding scheme across dispersed data stores that receive constant updates. The technique can be applied on many forms of distributed persistent data stores to provide failure resiliency and to maintain data consistency and correctness. |
| US08205134B2 |
Error detection method and apparatus
To identify errored bits in a binary data set, an ordered plurality of modulo-2 summations of respective selections of the data-set bits are compared with a target syndrome. The selections of data-set bits are defined by the connection of sum nodes to variable nodes in a logical network of nodes and edges where each variable node is associated with a respective data-set bit and each sum node corresponds to a respective modulo-2 summation. Any sum node for which the corresponding summation of selected data-set bits is found to be inconsistent with the target syndrome is identified as errored. Predetermined patterns of errored sum nodes are then looked for to identify one or more associated errored data-set bits. The identified errored data-set bits can then be flipped to correct them. |
| US08205131B2 |
Method for producing parity check matrix for low complexity and high speed decoding, and apparatus and method for coding low density parity check code using the same
Provided are a method for producing a parity check matrix for low complexity and high speed decoding, and an apparatus and method for coding a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code using the same. The method includes: calculating a cyclic shift value of a subblock to a matrix; and when the calculated cyclic shift values of the subblock are arrayed in the matrix, producing a parity check matrix by arraying the cyclic shift values of the subblock except ‘0 matrix’ without duplication to any one column. |
| US08205127B2 |
Method and arrangement for HARQ in wireless multi-carrier systems
The present invention relates to automatic repeat request (ARQ) in wireless communication systems wherein a coded message block is spread over a plurality of sub-carriers or components. According to the invention an equalizing HARQ method is introduced. The equalizing HARQ identifies (215) and retransmits (230) the most distorted parts of a received coded message block. In addition, the retransmitted parts can optionally be relocated (225) to components of higher quality, which ensures good retransmission quality for those badly distorted parts in the prior transmission. After a soft-bit combination in a receiving node, the final received codeword experience an equalized quality variation with low multi-state performance loss. |
| US08205122B1 |
Systems and methods for monitoring and acting on logged system messages
A computer operations center that has a number of computing systems, where each computing system issues system messages regarding such computing system. Each issued system message from each computing system is stored in a message logging database. The system messages stored in the message logging database are monitored for predetermined patterns, and upon detecting a particular pattern in the system messages, a predetermined action corresponding to the detected pattern is taken. The detected pattern anticipates an occurrence of an unwanted system event, and the corresponding action is intended to prevent or at least minimize the unwanted system event. |
| US08205121B2 |
Reducing overpolling of data in a data processing system
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for reducing overpolled data in a data processing system is provided. A controller identifies a set of redundant measurements in a cycle. The controller then identifies a number of measurements repeated in the set of redundant measurements. The controller the computes a percentage of redundant polls based on the number of measurements repeated in the set of redundant measurements. The controller then computes a new polling period by reducing an original polling period by the percentage of redundant polls. |
| US08205120B2 |
Intelligent test framework
A system and method for testing an application or component is disclosed. A debugging agent connects to the application or component to monitor one or more test processes on the application or component according to a template-based configuration. A test framework defines the template-based configuration for the debugging agent, creates test input data for the application or component for use by the one or more test processes, and starts the execution of the one or more test processes. The test framework is further adapted to record test output data from the one or more test processes. |
| US08205119B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing external device's diagnostic functions in host computer
Provided are a method and apparatus for performing diagnostic functions of an external device such as a printer, connected to a host computer. The apparatus and method receive information about diagnostic functions supported by the external device from the external device; receive one or more of the diagnostic functions which are selected by a user; request the external device to perform the selected diagnostic functions; and receive the results of the requested diagnostic functions from the external device. |
| US08205117B2 |
Migratory hardware diagnostic testing
A method and system of migratory hardware diagnostic testing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a diagnostic test of a hardware component of a first partition of a server using a first test module embedded in the first partition in response to a receipt of a test command, and storing context data associated with the diagnostic test of the hardware component in a memory associated with the hardware component, where the context data indicates a current state of the diagnostic test of the hardware component. Further, the method includes analyzing the context data upon a receipt of an instruction for a migration of the hardware component to a second partition of the server, and continuing the diagnostic test of the hardware component using a second test module embedded in the second partition based on the context data if the migration is performed. |
| US08205115B2 |
System and method for testing a computer
A system and method for testing a computer divide test programs in a test file into hardware test programs and software test programs. A test server selects one or more test programs from the divided test file according to test parameters of the computer. The test server generates a test command for testing test items of the computer. The computer executes the test command. The test server analyzes test results and stores analyzed results into a predefined storage path. |
| US08205112B2 |
Data migration management apparatus and information processing system
The present invention provides a data migration management apparatus that can easily create a re-execution task for re-executing an error-terminated data migration task, and also can increase the possibility of the re-execution task being successful. In a case where a data migration from a migration-source volume to a migration-destination volume fails, the management apparatus uses the information of the failed task to create a re-execution task. The management apparatus changes the configuration of a volume pair as necessary. The management apparatus manages the failed task in association with the re-execution task. |
| US08205107B2 |
System and method for using an on-DIMM remote sense for creating performance and power optimization
A system includes a dual in-line memory module and a system board. The dual in-line memory module includes a plurality of dynamic random access memory devices, and a system management interface. The system management interface is configured to measure a first voltage provided to the dynamic random access memory devices, and configured to digitize the first voltage. The system board includes a test module and a voltage regulator. The test module is configured to receive the digitized first voltage via a connector pin between the dual in-line memory module and the system board, and configured to compare the first voltage to a first threshold voltage. The voltage regulator is configured to adjust a remote sense target voltage for the system management interface when the first voltage is less than the first threshold voltage. |
| US08205106B2 |
Energy load management method and system
A modification method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering a plurality of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value. The computing system enables a load adjustment modification process associated with the plurality of power consumption devices. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process. |
| US08205104B2 |
South bridge configured to detect a high level voltage from a super I/O chip when the computer is shut down
A power supply control circuit for a motherboard of a computer is provided. The power supply control circuit includes a south bridge chip and a voltage output control circuit connected to the south bridge chip. The south bridge chip includes a control pin and a detecting pin. The voltage output control circuit has a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The voltage output control circuit includes a transistor connected to the voltage input terminal and also connected to the voltage output terminal via a switch component. The voltage output terminal is connected to the detecting pin of the south bridge chip via a super I/O chip. The transistor is capable of controlling the switch component to transmit a high level voltage to the super I/O chip when the computer is shut down. A method is also provided. |
| US08205103B2 |
Power-source control system and method to supply and control power to an information processing apparatus
A power-source control system and method which calculates required power representing electric power to be supplied to an information processing apparatus, supplies electric power corresponding to the required power calculated, controls the power-source apparatus, generates frequency information representing an operating frequency to be determined by the frequency controller in accordance with a load of a CPU, and changes the operating frequency of the CPU by assigning the operating frequency represented by the frequency information to the CPU when the electric power to be used in the information processing apparatus is adjusted using the required power calculated. |
| US08205100B2 |
Method and system for power management using tracing data
A method for power managing hardware. The method includes determining hardware to power manage, sending a tracing request from a power management control to a tracing framework to obtain usage data of the hardware, and identifying a first probe to obtain first tracing data corresponding to the usage data in a first hardware control software component, where the first hardware control software is configured to interact with the hardware. The method further includes enabling the first probe, obtaining the first tracing data from the first probe, where the first tracing data is obtained when the first probe is encountered during execution of the first hardware control software, and modifying operation of the hardware using the first tracing data. |
| US08205098B2 |
Secure and usable protection of a roamable credentials store
A tool which facilitates a balancing of security with usability enabling secure user access to multiple secure sites and locations from several computing devices utilizing a roamable credential store (RCS) which is highly resistant to offline attack. The RCS facilitates a protected Unified Credential Vault (UCV) via a multi-stage encryption process such that user credentials are protected by making offline dictionary attacks prohibitively expensive to an attacker without causing usability to deteriorate commensurately. |
| US08205097B2 |
Microprocessor in a security-sensitive system
A Microprocessor (1) in a security-sensitive computing system for processing an operand according to an instruction is for improving its security provided with a modulo-based check hardware (2) to perform operations in parallel to the microprocessor (1) and for comparing both results regarding congruence. |
| US08205095B2 |
Method and system for remotely debugging a failed computer machine
A method for conducting a remote debugging session comprises setting a secure connection link with a failed client machine, receiving status information from the client machine through the connection link in response to a debug instruction sent to the client machine, displaying the status information in a readable form, requesting a user to enter a cryptographic key in response to a request for saving the status information, and generating a secured file containing the status information encrypted with the cryptographic key. |
| US08205091B2 |
System and method for securing wireless data
Systems and methods for operation upon a data processing device for handling secure data stored on the device. The device is configurable to communicate over a data channel with an external security information source. User identification information is received from the external security information source which identifies a user of the device. The device, based upon the received user identification information, determines whether the secure data stored on the device is to be accessed by a user of the device. |
| US08205090B2 |
Secure recovery in a serverless distributed file system
Systems and methods for secure file writes after a catastrophic event are allowed over an unauthenticated channel in a serverless distributed file system if an authenticator accompanies the secure file writes. The authenticator can be a power-of-attorney certificate with time limitations, a vector of message authenticated code, or a single message authenticator with secured with a secret shared among members of the serverless distributed file system. The serverless distributed file system includes at least 3f+1 participating computer members, with f representing a number of faults tolerable by the system. The group requires at least one authenticator for file creation and file uploads. Any changes to files stored among the members can be made over an unauthenticated channel if the file changes are secured by the authenticator and the group is able to verify the authenticator. |
| US08205089B2 |
System for controlling the distribution and use of rendered digital works through watermarking
A trusted rendering system for use in a system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works. A trusted rendering system facilitates the protection of rendered digital works which have been rendered on a system which controls the distribution and use of digital works through the use of dynamically generated watermark information that is embedded in the rendered output. The watermark data typically provides information relating to the owner of the digital work, the rights associated with the rendered copy of the digital work and when and where the digital work was rendered. This information will typically aid in deterring or preventing unauthorized copying of the rendered work to be made. The system for controlling distribution and use of digital works provides for attaching persistent usage rights to a digital work. Digital works are transferred between repositories which are used to request and grant access to digital works. Such repositories are also coupled to credit servers which provide for payment of any fees incurred as a result of accessing a digital work. |
| US08205088B2 |
Method for the authenticated transmission of a personalized data set or program to a hardware security module in particular of a franking machine
In a method and arrangement for authenticated transmission of a personalized data set or program to a hardware security module in a device such as a franking machine, a system manufacturer buys security modules, from a security module manufacturer and incorporate the security modules at a production site in the device and loads a data set and/or an application program into the security module, making the device operable. Authentication occurs using a first security module-specific fixed code, a second security module-specific fixed code that is calculated from the first code according to a given algorithm, and a third security module-specific fixed code that is calculated from the second code and the data in the data set and/or in the program. |
| US08205083B2 |
System and method for providing program information, and recording medium used therefor
A system for providing program information has a user terminal, a recording medium capable of reading information therefrom and writing information thereto through a command issued by the user terminal, and a server connected to the user terminal via a network, and provides program information from the server to the recording medium. The recording medium has a first control unit that performs a first mutual authentication operation with a first storage unit capable of writing program information thereto and the user terminal, and that executes a command to write program information to the first storage unit only if the first mutual authentication operation is successful. The user terminal performs a second mutual authentication operation with the server, obtains program information transmitted from the server if the second mutual authentication operation is successful, and issues a command to write the program information to the first storage unit of the recording medium. |
| US08205082B2 |
Domain upgrade method in digital rights management
Disclosed is domain upgrade method in Digital Rights Management (DRM) capable of reducing network resources by simplifying signal procedures at the time of transferring changed domain keys. A device joining after domain upgrade is provided with only a domain key of a domain generation after the domain upgrade, but is not provided with a domain key of the previous domain generation. Accordingly, even if the joining device is mal-operated or is hacked, contents before upgrade are prevented from being illegally used or leaking out. |
| US08205081B2 |
Systems and methods for verifying the authenticity of a remote device
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to, among other things, systems, computer readable media, methods and any other means for verifying the authenticity of a client device. In some embodiments, a token is issued by one or more remote media servers that allows the client device to download video, media or other data from one or more remote media servers. |
| US08205074B2 |
Data communication method and data communication system
In a data communication method and a data communication system, a session control message designating a destination server with identification information unique to application is transferred to the destination via a session management server. When an application program or encrypted communication software on a client issues a connection request designating a destination with identification information unique to application, the client or the session management server automatically converts the identification information into a desired resource identifier identifiable a domain to thereby determine a domain as the destination of the received connection request message. |
| US08205068B2 |
Branch target buffer allocation
A data processing system and method are provided for allocating an entry in a branch target buffer (BTB). The method comprises: receiving a branch instruction to be executed in a data processor; determining that the BTB does not include an entry corresponding to the branch instruction; identifying an entry in the BTB for allocation, the identified entry in the BTB comprising a target identifier and a first prediction value for a previously received branch instruction; determining whether to allocate the branch instruction to the identified entry in the BTB based on a comparison of the first prediction value to a second prediction value, wherein the second prediction value is generated from a branch history table (BHT); and allocating the branch instruction to the identified entry if the second prediction value indicates a more strongly taken prediction than the first prediction value. |
| US08205066B2 |
Dynamically configured coprocessor for different extended instruction set personality specific to application program with shared memory storing instructions invisibly dispatched from host processor
A co-processor is provided that comprises one or more application engines that can be dynamically configured to a desired personality. For instance, the application engines may be dynamically configured to any of a plurality of different vector processing instruction sets, such as a single-precision vector processing instruction set and a double-precision vector processing instruction set. The co-processor further comprises a common infrastructure that is common across all of the different personalities, such as an instruction decode infrastructure, memory management infrastructure, system interface infrastructure, and/or scalar processing unit (that has a base set of instructions). Thus, the personality of the co-processor can be dynamically modified (by reconfiguring one or more application engines of the co-processor), while the common infrastructure of the co-processor remains consistent across the various personalities. |
| US08205065B2 |
System and method for data deduplication
A system for deduplicating data comprises a card operable to receive at least one data block and a processor on the card that generates a hash for each data block. The system further comprises a first module that determines a processing status for the hash and a second module that discards duplicate hashes and their data blocks and writes unique hashes and their data blocks to a computer readable medium. In one embodiment, the processor also compresses each data block using a compression algorithm. |
| US08205063B2 |
Dynamic mapping of logical ranges to write blocks
A method and system writes data to a memory device including dynamic assignment of logical block addresses (LBAs) to physical write blocks. The method includes receiving a request to write data for a logical block address within an LBA range to the memory device. The method assigns the LBA range to a particular write block exclusively or non-exclusively, depending on the existence of previously assigned write blocks and the availability of unwritten blocks. A data structure may be utilized to record the recent usage of blocks for assigning non-exclusive write blocks. An intermediate storage area may be included that implements the dynamic assignment of LBA ranges to physical write blocks. Data in the intermediate storage area may be consolidated and written to the main storage area. Lower fragmentation and write amplification ratios may result by using this method and system. |
| US08205062B2 |
Tiered data management method and system for high performance data monitoring
A method for managing memory in a system for an application, comprising: assigning a first block (i.e., a big block) of the memory to the application when the application is initiated, the first block having a first size, the first block being assigned to the application until the application is terminated; dividing the first block into second blocks (i.e., intermediate blocks), each second block having a same second size, a second block of the second blocks for containing data for one or more components of a single data structure to be accessed by one thread of the application at a time; and, dividing the second block into third blocks (i.e., small blocks), each third block having a same third size, a third block of the third blocks for containing data for a single component of the single data structure. |
| US08205057B2 |
Method and system for integrated pipeline write hazard handling using memory attributes
In a system and method for write hazard handling a memory management unit policy is pre-computed for a write request using an address that is at least one clock cycle before data. The pre-computed memory management unit policy is registered and used for controlling a pipeline stall to ensure that a non-bufferable write is pipeline-protected, so that no non-bufferable location is bypassed from within the pipeline, and so that a subsequent non-bufferable read will get data from a final destination. A read request is bypassed only after a corresponding write request is updated in a write pending buffer. The write request is decoded with the write request aligned to data. The write request is registered in the write pending buffer. Arbitration logic is allowed to force the pipeline stall for a region that will have a write conflict. Read requests are stalled to protect against write hazards. |
| US08205053B2 |
Method and system for accessing memory using an auxiliary memory
A method and system for accessing memory using an auxiliary memory is presented. According to the invention store and following load instructions accessing same memory locations are identified and a temporal difference is determined. The store instructions comprise an indication for the time interval lapsing until a data element, which is stored by the store instructions, is loaded by a load operation for the first time. Based on this indication the store instruction is given access directly to the main memory or is routed to main memory through an auxiliary memory. |
| US08205052B2 |
Preventing operations from unauthorized users on paired storage volumes
A computer system including a copy source volume and a copy target volume which may be selectably PAIRED or SPLIT. User management information stores: an entry indicating that a first user is permitted to effect a PAIR operation and a PATH operation; and, an entry indicating that a second user is permitted to effect a PATH operation. Operation management information indicates permitted PATH and PAIR operations in relation to each user and a volume's PAIR or SPLIT status, and stores: an entry indicating that the first user is permitted to effect the PAIR operation in which the PAIR status is PAIR, or is SPLIT WITH BACKUP DISABLED; and, an entry indicating that the second user is permitted to effect the PATH operations in which the PAIR status is SPLIT WITH BACKUP ENABLED. PAIR management information stores the PAIR status and the BACKUP ENABLED or DISABLED status. |
| US08205049B1 |
Transmitting file system access requests to multiple file systems
Aspects of the invention relate to creating a snapshot of a file system on an OAS system. A snapshot of a file system is an image of a file system at a particular point in time. A snapshot of a file system may be used to restore the file system to its state at the time of creation of the snapshot in, for example, situations where the file system has become corrupted. |
| US08205048B2 |
Storage device with enclosure power control
The present invention makes is possible to appropriately set the power saving control of the storage device from the management device of the storage device. In addition, the storage device executes control of the power saving for the magnetic disk device after ensuring consistency between an instruction from the administrator and the operating state of the magnetic disk device in the storage device. |
| US08205047B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing simultaneous switching outputs
The disclosure provides a method for reducing an amount of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) of a device. The method of reducing the amount of simultaneous switching outputs can include driving outputs of the device to a first set of values, scrambling a second set of values to reduce an amount of simultaneous switching outputs resulting from the switching of the first to the second set of values, and driving the outputs of the device to the scrambled second set of values. Further, the method can include descrambling the scrambled second set of values back to the second set of values. |
| US08205046B2 |
System and method for snooping cache information using a directory crossbar
A system and method for maintaining coherency in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system are disclosed. Briefly described, in architecture, one exemplary embodiment comprises a first crossbar coupled to a plurality of local processors; a second crossbar coupled to at least one remote processor; and at least one crossbar directory that tracks access of information by a remote processor in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system, the remote processor in communication with at least one of the local processors via the crossbars, such that a most current location of the information can be determined by the crossbar directory. |
| US08205045B2 |
Satisfying memory ordering requirements between partial writes and non-snoop accesses
A method and apparatus for preserving memory ordering in a cache coherent link based interconnect in light of partial and non-coherent memory accesses is herein described. In one embodiment, when a conflict associated with a partial memory access, such as a partial write, is detected, a write-back phase is inserted at the conflict phase to write-back the partial data to a home agent. Examples messages to initiate a write-back phase at a conflict phase include: an Acknowledge Conflict Write-back message to acknowledge a conflict and provide a write-back marker at the beginning of the conflict phase, a write-back marker message before the conflict phase, a write-back marker message within the conflict phase, a write-back marker message after the conflict phase, and a postable message after the conflict phase. |
| US08205039B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a memory cell array provided to perform programming in page units; and a control circuit provided to control the programming. The control circuit includes: means that performs a first detection for memory cells in a part provided as a unit smaller than a page, concurrently with programming to memory cells to be written in a page; and means that subjects the memory cells in the page to a second detection that takes into consideration a failure relief due to a redundant region, when the number of memory cells of unwritten state in the part as detected by the first detection becomes equal to or less than a first constant, and that ends the program operation when the number of memory cells of unwritten state in the page becomes equal to or less than a second constant. |
| US08205038B2 |
Flash memory accessing apparatus and accessing method thereof
A flash memory accessing apparatus is disclosed. The flash memory accessing apparatus includes a memory controller, a first open NAND flash interface (ONFI) and an expanding flash memory module. The first ONFI is used for connecting a main flash memory module. The memory controller obtains a detecting result by, detecting whether the main flash memory module and the expanding flash memory module are single side or double side. The memory controller further configures an accessing method of the main flash memory module and the expanding flash memory module according to the detecting result. |
| US08205034B2 |
Flash memory drive having data interface
A storage device realizing an improvement in rewrite endurance of a nonvolatile memory and an improvement in data transfer rate of write and read operations is provided including a nonvolatile memory; a volatile memory for storing file management information of the nonvolatile memory; a controller for controlling the nonvolatile memory and the volatile memory; and a power supply maintaining unit for supplying power to the nonvolatile memory, the volatile memory, or the controller upon power shutdown. The controller reads the file management information in the nonvolatile memory upon power-on and writes the same in the volatile memory, and read and write operations are performed based on the file management information in the volatile memory, and the file management information in the volatile memory is written in the nonvolatile memory upon power shutdown. |
| US08205033B2 |
Memory device, memory management method, and program
A memory device includes a non-volatile memory which allows data to be written, read, and erased electrically and in which writing and reading are done in units of a page and erasing is done in units of a block including a plurality of pages, and a control section that manages access to the non-volatile memory. The control section performs management of access to the non-volatile memory by performing logical address-physical address translation (logical-physical translation) in translation units (TUs) each being an integer fraction of a size of the block and an integer multiple of a page size. |
| US08205031B2 |
Memory management system and method thereof
The invention discloses a memory management system and a memory management method are disclosed. The memory management system includes a first memory, at least one secondary memory, and a memory management device. The first memory includes a normal access memory bank and at least one switching access memory bank. The secondary memory includes at least one secondary access memory bank corresponding to the switching access memory bank. The memory management device reads/writes the normal access memory bank or the secondary access memory bank. |
| US08205030B2 |
Composite type recording apparatus, data writing method and data writing program
There is provided a composite type recording apparatus restricting write operations depending on the type of a connected host apparatus, including a recording medium having a first data region, a non-volatile storage medium having a second data region and an identification information table for integrating and managing the first and second data region, an information selection section for selecting positional information having predetermined identification information from the identification information table according to the type of the host apparatus, a conversion section for converting positional information selected by the information selection section into positional information matching the first data region or positional information matching the second data region, a first write section for writing data supplied from the host apparatus in the first data region according to conversion process of the conversion section and a second write section for writing data supplied from the host apparatus in the second data region. |
| US08205029B2 |
Providing a peripheral component interconnect (PCI)-compatible transaction level protocol for a system on a chip (SoC)
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having an adapter to communicate according to a personal computer (PC) protocol and a second protocol. A first interface coupled to the adapter is to perform address translation and ordering of transactions received from upstream of the adapter. The first interface is coupled in turn via one or more physical units to heterogeneous resources, each of which includes an intellectual property (IP) core and a shim, where the shim is to implement a header of the PC protocol for the IP core to enable its incorporation into the apparatus without modification. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08205025B2 |
Efficient buffered reading with a plug-in for input buffer size determination
A method of buffered reading of data is provided. A read request for data is received by a buffered reader, and in response to the read request, a main memory input buffer is partially filled with the data by the buffered reader to a predetermined amount that is less than a fill capacity of the input buffer. Corresponding computer system and program products are also provided. |
| US08205024B2 |
Protecting ownership transfer with non-uniform protection windows
In a data processing system, a plurality of agents communicate operations therebetween. Each operation includes a request and a combined response representing a system-wide response to the request. Latencies of requests and combined responses between the plurality of agents are observed. Each of the plurality of agents is configured with a respective duration of a protection window extension by reference to the observed latencies. Each protection window extension is a period following receipt of a combined response during winch an associated one of the plurality of agents protects transfer of coherency ownership of a data granule between agents. The plurality of agents employing protection window extensions in accordance with the configuration, and at least two of the agents have protection window extensions of differing durations. |
| US08205023B1 |
Concurrent pairing of resources and requestors
A device includes a group of resources, where each resource is to determine a priority rank position, among the group of resources, based on which other resources of the group of resources are available. The device also includes a group of requestors of the resources, where each requestor is to determine a priority rank position, among the group of requestors, based on which other requestors are active and based on each active requestor's priority. The device also includes a processing component to receive the priority rank position from each resource and the priority rank position from each requestor; assign pairs of the resources and the requestors based on the priority rank position of each resource and the priority rank position of each requestor; and assign work to resources of the group of resources based on the pairs. |
| US08205022B2 |
Generating of a device description for a measuring device
A method for generating a device description for a measuring apparatus in a target field bus protocol is described. The method comprises the reception of a first device description of the apparatus. The first device description of the apparatus comprises at least one variable. The at least one variable is related to a storage cell of the apparatus. The target field bus protocol is selected from a plurality of field bus protocols, and at least one block is formed from the at least one variable. The at least one block has a maximum block size that corresponds to the smallest maximum block size of at least two field bus protocols of the plurality of field bus protocols. The maximum block size can be transmitted via a field bus with a single request when the respective field bus protocol is used. Subsequently, the at least one block is provided as device description for the apparatus in the target field bus protocol. |
| US08205016B2 |
Controller receiving a configuration command while receiving an auxiliary supply voltage
In at least some embodiments, a system comprises a plurality of electrical devices and management logic coupled to the electrical devices. While the electrical devices are each in a pre-boot environment, the management logic obtains information from the electrical devices and uses the information to determine electrical compatibility of, and/or configure, the electrical devices. |
| US08205014B2 |
Information apparatus and method of generating tuning plan for resource configuration of storage system
A tuning plan for a configuration of a resource of a storage system 5 is generated by acquiring configuration information of the resource of the storage system 5, and acquiring performance data of a reference value exceeding resource that is the resource having a utilization rate exceeding a preset reference value, and performance data of an analysis target resource that is a resource having a certain relationship with a reference value exceeding resource, and obtaining correlation degree between the reference value exceeding resource and the analysis target resources based on the performance data of the reference value exceeding resource and the performance data of the analysis target resources, and selecting a correlated analysis target resource that is the analysis target resource determined to have correlation with the reference value exceeding resource from the obtained correlation degree, and by calculating an average resource utilization rate of a resource group in a predetermined range on the basis of the selected correlated analysis target resource such that the average resource utilization rate becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08204999B2 |
Query string processing
A system is disclosed that is used to provide access management for resources on a network. The system makes use of query data from a URL (or another identification or request) to identify the appropriate access rule. Examples of an access rule include an authentication rule, an authorization rule, or an audit rule. The system can be configured to require the query data to match order dependent variables or order independent variables. In one option, the system can include two levels of rules and the query data can be used to identify first level rules, second level rules or both. |
| US08204998B1 |
Allocation of connection persistence to mobile browsers
A method, system, and medium are provided for determining whether a persistent or non-persistent connection should be given to a device that requested a web page. In one embodiment, upon receiving a request for the web page, the characteristics of the web page are evaluated to determine whether a persistent connection will be efficiently used when accessing with the web page. In another embodiment, the requesting user's behavior may be evaluated to determine whether, based on past behavior, the user will effectively use a persistent connection to the requested web site. A persistent connection is granted to requesting browsers most likely to make efficient use of the persistent connection based on the characteristics of the requested web site and/or the requesting user's browsing habits. |
| US08204991B2 |
Domain isolation through virtual network machines
A method and device for communicating information resources between subscriber end stations and nodes belonging to different network domains is described. The device instantiates different virtual network machines for different network domains using separate independently administrable network databases. Each of the administrable chores of the separate independently administrable network databases includes the assignment of access control and the configuration of the policies for those network databases. The policies include traffic filtering policies to indicate what kind of information payloads can be carried, traffic and route filtering policies to indicate what paths through the network will be used for each payload carried. Each of the network domains includes one of the different virtual network machines and each of the different network domains is virtually isolated from other network domains. |
| US08204987B2 |
Providing reports of received multimedia programs
User input defining criteria for including a multimedia presentation event in an event report is received. The criteria include a maximum retention period, a threshold presentation duration, and a report condition. When a user receives a multimedia program for a time at least as great as the threshold presentation duration, data indicating receipt of the multimedia program is stored. The receipt data is used to determine whether the receipt of the multimedia program meets the report condition. Access to the event report is provided to a user in response to a user input. The event report indicates receipt of the multimedia program if the receipt data meets the report condition. The receipt data is purged when an age of the receipt data equals or exceeds a maximum retention period. |
| US08204983B2 |
Allocation of on-line monitoring resources
Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for adjusting a level of monitoring of the activity of users in an online community are described. Aspects include a triggering mechanism being activated by a community member in response to inappropriate activity by another community member. Receiving a time based history of community members activity around a time of the triggering mechanism being activated. Recreating the community activity from the time based history. Evaluating activities of the community members to determine if there was inappropriate activity and if there is inappropriate activity by an offending community member applying online resources to track the activities of the offending community member. |
| US08204981B1 |
Method for telecommunications service planning
A method of managing telecommunications services is disclosed which involves storing product data defining a plurality of telecommunications products, each product definition representing a service which may be provided to users of the applications and telecommunications network and comprising one or more service parameters defining characteristics of the service. The networked resource of application servers connected through telecommunications networks is rolled out and enhanced based on the product definition, the market forecast demand for the products and trends derived from actual, historical take-up of the products. Services are provisioned in accordance with the product definitions in the product data. The performance of the network in relation to the provisioned services is measured, and the product data and the product definitions are modified in dependence on the measured performance. |
| US08204975B2 |
Server apparatus, client apparatus and system for securely transmitting stored content
The network system comprises an original device description indicating a control point so as to register an address used for MAC address authentication. The server side acquires information from the device(s) connected to the network, and only the device(s) having the above mentioned description are listed and displayed. By responding to the access from the non-registered device in a predetermined manner, the device is prompted to be registered. |
| US08204970B2 |
Remote update system for elevator control program
Obtained is a remote update system for an elevator control program, which is capable of sequentially realizing update of control programs of a plurality of elevators with reduced communication time and costs without stopping the plurality of elevators at the same time. A server 10 delivers to a representative elevator 30(1) update data including differential information between the control program of a version before update and the control program of the latest version to be updated to through a communication line 20, and the representative elevator 30(1) and other elevators 30(2) to 30(N) sequentially transfer the update data according to a predetermined transfer order, and update their own control programs based on the update data including the differential data. |
| US08204968B2 |
Registration notification for mobile device management
System(s) and method(s) are provided for notification of registration of a mobile device with femto coverage for firmware content management. An attachment component that administers location of mobile devices or a femto access point (AP) conveys a notification to a network platform that manages firmware content updates when a mobile device for which firmware update is available hands off from wireless macro coverage onto femto coverage through the femto AP. The notification is triggered in response to firmware update notification received by the attachment component, or an update flag received by the femto AP. Upon reception of the notification, to exploit wireline bandwidth, the network platform delivers firmware content(s) update through backhaul link to the femto AP to which the mobile device is registered. Femto APs not provisioned to serve a mobile device can be incentivized to authorize the mobile device for coverage and thus facilitate firmware updates. |
| US08204965B2 |
Requesting offline profile data for online use in a privacy-sensitive manner
A method, performed using one or more servers under the control of an ISP, comprises: (a) receiving an electronic transmission from a requesting server of an IP address and a time and date; (b) automatically determining to which subscriber of the ISP the received IP address was allocated at the received time and date; and (c) automatically transmitting an electronic communication that causes delivery to the requesting server of offline data originating from an offline data provider. The delivered offline data concern the subscriber determined to have been allocated the received IP address at the received time and date. The communication does not convey to the offline data provider the subscriber's history of online activity, and the delivery does not convey to the requesting server a personal identity of the subscriber. |
| US08204961B2 |
Systems and methods for integrating XML syndication feeds into online advertisement
A system for providing XML syndication content to an Internet advertisement panel rendered in a web browser is disclosed. The system includes a web content server, an Internet advertisement server, and a XML syndication content feed site server. Both the web content server and the Internet advertisement servers are in communications with the web browser. The web content server is configured to respond to requests from the web browser for a web page and to deliver the web page to the web browser. The Internet advertisement server is configured to choose and deliver an Internet advertisement panel, having embedded XML syndication content, to the web browser. The XML syndication content feed site server is in communications with the Internet advertisement server and is configured to send XML syndication content updates to the Internet advertisement server. |
| US08204956B2 |
Computer-implemented voice application indexing web site
A computer-implemented voice application indexing method and system for supplying voice applications that provide telephony services to users. The method and system include receiving voice application data over the network regarding the voice applications. The voice application data contains location data to indicate where the voice applications are located on the network. The voice application data are stored in a database in accordance with a predetermined voice application taxonomy. A request is received for a voice application based upon a user requesting a telephony service. The request includes search criteria for selecting a voice application from the database. The location data of at least one voice application (whose stored voice application information substantially satisfies the search criteria) is retrieved from the database. The voice application located at the retrieved location data is used to perform the user-requested telephony service. |
| US08204951B2 |
Deterministic communication between graphical programs executing on different computer systems using variable nodes
A system and method for enabling deterministic or time-triggered data exchange between a first graphical program and a second graphical program. A first variable is assigned to a first time slot in a network cycle. A first graphical program may be configured to write data to the first variable. A second graphical program may be configured to read data from the first variable. The first graphical program may be executed on a first computer system, where executing the first graphical program comprises writing data to the first variable. Writing data to the first variable may cause the data to be delivered over a network to a second computer system when the first time slot occurs. The second graphical program may be executed on the second computer system, where executing the second graphical program comprises reading from the first variable the data sent from the first computer system. |
| US08204949B1 |
Email enabled project management applications
A web application for managing multiple matters may have an email interface that may be used to update status items as well as upload and categorize documents. The web application may authenticate the source of the information, and may apply the various input received via email to an appropriate matter. The email interface may generate email queries for users, and the queries may include various identifiers that may be used to apply a response to the appropriate matter. The email interface may allow a user to create new matters or activities within matters. An email's subject line, contents, attachments, or other information may be analyzed. |
| US08204936B2 |
Data communication
A computer voting system arranged to receive votes from one or more mobile communications devices through a wireless personal area network in order to select content stored on the system, each mobile device comprising a mobile device name that can be edited by a user to include a user-entered vote, the system comprising: inputs arranged to receive one or more mobile device names; a processor arranged to analyse the or each device name to determine the presence of user-entered votes; storage apparatus arranged to store content; and an output arrangement arranged to output content; wherein the processor is further arranged to determine the content to be output by the output arrangement based on the or each user-entered vote. |
| US08204935B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing egalitarian control in a multimedia collaboration session
A multimedia collaboration system that facilitates more efficient, free-flowing collaboration sessions. The role of the presenter can be exchanged among participants in a collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system is configured so that control of a collaboration session can be exchanged freely between participants in the collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system enables participants in the collaboration session to determine the pace and course of the session. |
| US08204931B2 |
Session management within a multi-tiered enterprise network
A system and method are described in which session objects are organized and managed within a structured hierarchy of session object storage units, referred to herein as “session domains.” The session domains store session objects sharing one or more related characteristics. In one embodiment, a separate hierarchy of session domains is implemented within each layer of an enterprise application server. For example, in a Java 2 Enterprise Edition (“J2EE”) environment, a separate set of hierarchically-arranged session domains are generated for the EJB container, the Web container and the portal container. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the lifecycles of each of the session objects are managed based on the relationships between each of the session objects. The relationships may either be explicit or implicit. In the latter case, one embodiment of the invention detects the relationship, automatically declares the relationship, and uses the relationship to manage the lifecycle of the related sessions. |
| US08204925B2 |
Controlling or analyzing a process by solving a system of linear equations in real-time
System and method for controlling/analyzing a process by solving a system of linear equations in real-time. Linear equations that model the process are stored. In an off-line stage a partitioning strategy is determined based on the linear equations, including determining groups of values for recursively partitioning a set of values measured and/or computed from the process. In an on-line stage: current process data are received from the process, including measurements from the process, and composing a set of values; the linear equations are recursively solved for a first group of the set, where the first group partitions the set into respective subsets of values, and where the recursively solving produces solved values for respective first groups of the set/subset of values; the linear equations are solved for remaining unsolved values in the set, thereby producing solved values for the set, which are stored and are useable to control/analyze the process. |
| US08204919B2 |
File generation apparatus, method, program, and recording medium
A file generating apparatus for improving the usability of recording media and providing efficient read and write processes. A header control portion generates a header arranged at the beginning of a file. A footer control portion generates a footer arranged at the end of the file. A filler control portion generates a filler so that the data amount of a body, the header, or the footer of the file corresponds to an integral multiple of an ECC block on an optical disk by adding the filler to the body, the header, or the footer. A KLV encoder KLV-encodes a filler for the body according to the KLV structure. The present invention can be applied to a disk apparatus that records video data or audio data on optical disks. |
| US08204918B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system and file managing method thereof
An image forming apparatus, an image forming system and a file managing method thereof include displaying a file list, selecting a deletion target file from the displayed file list, and storing the selected deletion target file in a temporary storing unit. |
| US08204917B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product thereof for storing a data and data storage system comprising the same
An intermediary apparatus, an intermediary method, and a computer program product thereof for storing data in a storage apparatus, and a data storage system comprising the same are provided. The storage apparatus has a storage zone with a signature field, and the signature field stores a first signature value. The data has index information and a data signature value. After searching out the storage zone according to the index information, the intermediary apparatus extracts the first signature value from the storage zone, and then determines if the data has been stored in the storage zone according to the first signature value and the data signature value. If not, the intermediary apparatus writes the data into the storage zone; otherwise, ignores the data. |
| US08204916B2 |
Hierarchical presentation of search results
Methods, and computer-readable media for presenting search results in a folder hierarchy are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include providing a navigation portion in which data sources to be searched are selected, and an input portion into which search criteria may be submitted. Items within the selected data sources that match the search criteria are identified and presented as a folder hierarchy. The folder hierarchy may only include items that satisfy the search criteria, but otherwise is consistent with the native folder hierarchy in which the items normally reside. In one embodiment, the initial presentation of the search results includes only top-level folders that contain, at some level, items that satisfy the search criteria. The items can be located by drilling down from the top-level folders. |
| US08204908B2 |
Team support in change recording and versioning systems
Implementations of the present disclosure provide computer-implemented methods including generating a changelist corresponding to at least one computer code object that is digitally stored in a repository database, assigning a team to the changelist, the team comprising a plurality of members, initiating access to the computer code object using a computer that is in communication with the repository database, enabling access to the computer code object when a user of the computer is a member of the team, and prohibiting access to the computer code object when the user of the computer is not a member of the team. |
| US08204905B2 |
Use of data patterns for rapid search of complex rules in a rules-based search engine
In various embodiments, systems and methods are provided that can facilitate searching for entities, such as rules, that apply to search criteria. The disclosed systems and methods can reduce some of the performance bottlenecks associated with, for example, rules-based search systems by using metadata. The metadata may be generated to reduce the size of information about a set of entities that is required to be searched. In some embodiments, the metadata may represent one or more tuple elements, such as keys and values of keys in key-value pairs. |
| US08204904B2 |
Network graph evolution rule generation
A network's evolution is characterized by graph evolution rules. A graph, formed by merging multiple graphs representing the multiple snapshots of the network, that represents an evolutionary network is mined to identify evolutional patterns of the network. A pattern is selected from the identified patterns. Graph evolution rules are generated using identified evolutional patterns. The generated graph evolution rules represent the evolutional patterns of the network, the rules indicating that any occurrence of a child pattern of the selected pattern implies a corresponding occurrence of the selected pattern. |
| US08204903B2 |
Expressing and executing semantic queries within a relational database
Semantic queries are expressed and executed within a relational database. This can be done by defining semantic rules applied to execute the semantic queries using table valued functions and common table expressions, and then simply calling the defined table valued functions to execute the queries. |
| US08204898B2 |
Multi-site common directory and method for using the multi-site common directory
A common directory and method are described herein that maintains and accesses multiple subscriber profiles by using a directory service logic, a search/index database (which contains subscriber search keys for all of the subscribers in a communication network) and a local profile database (which contains the subscriber profiles for only the local subscribers in the communication network). |
| US08204894B2 |
Controlling a server apparatus which stores image data received via a network in memory
An object of this invention is to provide a method of controlling a server apparatus for disclosing image data with a representation effect to a third party without any operation of a user, a program for causing a computer apparatus to execute the method, a storage medium which stores the program, and a computer apparatus. The server apparatus which stores image data received from the user via a network in a memory sets a representation effect used to disclose image data. The server apparatus creates page information for displaying the image data with the representation effect, and notifies a third party of the URL of the page information. The third party can browse the image data with the representation effect on the basis of the URL. |
| US08204892B2 |
Performance boost for sort operations
A method, computer-readable medium, and machine are provided for boosting the performance of sort operations. A database server performs an operation on a set of data. The operation uses disk space such as a temporary tablespace. The disk space belongs to a disk group in which data is stored according to a level of redundancy. A determination is made as to whether the operation is a sort operation. If the operation is not a sort operation, then at least part of a result of the operation is stored on the disk space according to the level of redundancy specified for the disk group. If the operation is a sort operation, then only a single copy of the at least part of the result is stored without storing a redundant copy of the at least part of the result. Optionally, backup information sufficient to re-perform the sort operation may also be stored. |
| US08204891B2 |
Method and subsystem for searching media content within a content-search-service system
Various embodiments of the present invention include concept-service components of content-search-service systems which employ ontologies and vocabularies prepared for particular categories of content at particular times in order to score transcripts prepared from content items to enable a search-service component of a content-search-service system to assign estimates of the relatedness of portions of a content item to search criteria in order to render search results to clients of the content-search-service system. The concept-service component processes a search request to generate lists of related terms, and then employs the lists of related terms to process transcripts in order to score transcripts based on information contained in the ontologies. |
| US08204887B2 |
System and method for subsequence matching
An embodiment of providing a computer-executed method of subsequence matching is provided. The method comprises receiving a search string. A plurality of subsequences for the search string are stored in a tree structure. The tree structure comprise a plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of nodes comprises a presence bit map, a sequence bit map, and a list of address pointers. The method further includes traversing the tree structure using the search string, the presence bit map, the sequence bit map, and the list of address pointers. Additionally, the method includes identifying, in linear time, the plurality of subsequences based on the search string, the presence bit map, the sequence bit map, and the list of address pointers. |
| US08204882B2 |
Method for accessing a storage unit during the search for substrings, and a corresponding storage unit
A number of data sets are recorded, including substrings. Sub-search strings are generated from a predetermined search string in the same manner as the substrings are generated from the complete strings. This procedure results in the provision of a searching method, which can be conducted with a small storage location requirement and with short computing times. |
| US08204881B2 |
Information search, retrieval and distillation into knowledge objects
Embodiments of the invention provide for various methods and apparatuses for searching bodies of knowledge, such as previously indexed source documents reachable over a network, search results from previous searches, and results from performing meta-searches. Search criteria is received from a client, and the bodies of knowledge are searched based on the search criteria, and search results provided responsive to said searching. Search results may be configured to have associated distillation triggers, where selecting a trigger causes its associated search result to be distilled in real-time. Distilled search results can be indexed into portions of the source document for focused entry, and can also be grouped and analytically presented on mid-menus to allow the user to review distilled data in summary form. Results may also have associated status symbols indicating by symbol a particular topic area to which a result is related, and by opacity or other indicator the apparent relevance of a result to the particular topic area. Search and viewing preferences may be determined according to psychometrics, user selection of a default user category, through a question/answer session, or based on monitoring user activity which incrementally defines a profile. |
| US08204876B2 |
Dynamic materialized view ranging
Systems, methods, media, and other embodiments associated with dynamically ranging over a set of materialized views to determine whether to associate a materialized view with a query at execution time are described. One example system may include a materialized view creation time logic that is configured to identify a materialized view, to create a containment expression, and to relate the containment expression to the materialized view. The example system may also include an execution time logic that is configured to receive a query having a bind variable. The execution time logic may dynamically range over materialized views to determine whether to use a materialized view(s) to process the query having the bind variable. |
| US08204875B2 |
Support for user defined aggregations in a data stream management system
A computer is programmed to accept a command to create a new aggregation defined by a user during execution of continuous queries on streams of data. The computer is further programmed to thereafter accept and process new continuous queries using the new aggregation, in a manner similar to built-in aggregations. The user typically writes a set of instructions to perform the new aggregation, and identifies in the command, a location of the set of instructions. In response to such a command, the computer creates metadata identifying the new aggregation. The metadata is used to instantiate one aggregation for each group of data in a current window, grouped by an attribute identified in a new query. |
| US08204873B2 |
System and method for query expression optimization
A method provided for optimizing a query expression on a database engine of a database server. The query expression is sent to the database engine. The query expression contains a plurality of query language elements. The database engine initiates query processing of the query expression. An evaluation counter within the database engine increments an evaluation counter value corresponding to a query language element result. A flag is set within the database engine when the evaluation counter value reaches a threshold value. The database engine can then evaluate the efficiency of the query language elements in the query expression by comparing the evaluation counter value for each query language element against a set of optimization criteria. |
| US08204872B2 |
Method and system for instantly expanding a keyterm and computer readable and writable recording medium for storing program for instantly expanding keyterm
A method for instantly expanding a keyterm is provided. According to the query term, a data search process is performed by several search engines. Several document snippets related to the query term are obtained from the search engines. A related term table containing several keyterms corresponding to each snippet is built up by analyzing each of the document snippet. According to a position relationship between the each keyterm and the query term in each snippet, a correlation calculation is performed for giving each keyterm a correlation value. A semantic merging process is performed to merge the correlation values of the keyterms with the same semantic meaning to be a correlation indicator. Some of the keyterms are determined to form a keyterm set of the query term. |
| US08204871B1 |
Extended file mapping cache for fast input-output
A file server has an extent cache of pointers to leaf-level indirect blocks containing file mapping metadata. The extent cache improves file access read and write performance by returning a mapping for the data blocks to be read or written without having to iterate through intermediate level indirect blocks of the file. In addition, the extent cache contains pointers to the leaf-level indirect blocks in the file system cache. Therefore, in most cases, the time spent looking up pointers in the extent cache is offset by a reduction in the time that would otherwise be spent in locating the leaf-level indirect blocks in the file system cache. In a preferred implementation, the extent cache has a first least recently used (LRU) list and cache entry allocation for production files, and a second LRU list and cache entry allocation for snapshot copies of the production files. |
| US08204863B2 |
Multi-phase file system restore with selective on-demand data availability
A selective restore technique for restoring file systems within computer systems provides on-demand access during the restore process, while preventing users from slowing the restore process by generating random accesses to files that have not yet been restored, early in the restore process. The restored files are grouped into multiple groups of files, which correspond to multiple phases of the restore process. On-demand requests may be locked out for some or all users during the first one or more phases of the restore, while they are permitted for the subsequent phases, ensuring that critical files needed by all users will be available before the backup process is interrupted by on-demand accesses. The groups are generally organized by elapsed time since last access or modification, and may be organized at restore time or during periodic back-up operations so that the files may be similarly organized in the backup media. |
| US08204860B1 |
Methods and systems for snapshot reconstitution
A method, computer readable medium, and a system for reconstituting a virtual snapshot of files in a file virtualization system includes forming at a file virtualization device a virtual snapshot that includes a plurality of physical snapshots associated with one or more file storage devices participating in the virtual snapshot, receiving a request for performing an operation on one or more physical snapshots in the plurality of physical snapshots, providing the one or more physical snapshots in response to the request for performing the operation when the one or more physical snapshots exists in the virtual snapshot, and reconstituting the virtual snapshot by including the one or more physical snapshots to form a reconstituted virtual snapshot in response to the request for performing the operation when the one or more physical snapshots do not exist in the virtual snapshot. |
| US08204857B2 |
Table analyzer for solution transition events
Certain implementations provide systems, computer program products, computing devices, and methods to analyze how a preexisting database will be affected during a solution transition event (e.g., upgrading a database to a new version). Analysis can be conducted before the solution transition event has occurred. Analysis can yield a report detailing how upgrading will affect the data and data structures contained within a preexisting database system. The database system being analyzed can be part of a broader system upon which the solution transition event is performed. Analyzing how the solution transition event will affect a database system can be performed in preparation for performing the solution transition event on the broader system. |
| US08204855B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing a server and an on-demand database service
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for synchronizing a server and an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for synchronizing a server and an on-demand database service can enable embodiments to synchronize a larger amount of data. The ability of embodiments to provide such feature can enable more effective synchronization of a user-level sharing entity database with a multi-user on-demand database service. |
| US08204853B2 |
Maintaining client data integrity in a distributed environment using asynchronous data submission
Data processing architecture where submitters can write data and/or metadata changes to a destination through an asynchronous interface. The architecture includes a ticketing system that issues a ticket (a unique identifier) to the submitter in response to receiving a changelist from the submitter. When the changes are successfully completed at the destination, the cached destination data can be re-downloaded to the submitter, and the changes cached in the submitter, discarded. Absent this capability, a user has to manually manage the cached changes and cached data. The architecture can be distributed in that multiple submitters can submit changelists. The destination provides data integrity by managing submissions to assist in ensuring data integrity across multiple submissions. Automatic changelist cleanup is provided on the submitter so that changelists do not impact performance, memory, and storage. |
| US08204849B2 |
Web product interface system and method
A method for interfacing products with a web browser comprises retrieving a product profile, the product profile associated with one product. An agent type is determined based, at least in part, on the product profile. Data is retrieved from the product based on the agent type and processed such that the data is accessible by the web browser. |
| US08204847B2 |
Idea page system and method
Ideas, groups of ideas, projects, documents, and related materials may be depicted, organized, modified, and shared according to Idea Page systems, methods, and user interfaces. Published workflow templates may additionally be copied into a user context, modified, and depicted in a multi-level visual space, including first-level ideas organized and visually arranged in a first-level idea page, and second-level ideas organized and visually arranged in a second-level idea page. |
| US08204846B1 |
Tropical cyclone prediction system and method
A method of providing information related to a weather phenomenon includes obtaining a plurality of model tracks corresponding to a weather phenomenon from at least one forecast center. A probabilistic description of one or more characteristics of the weather phenomenon is determined based on a statistical analysis of the model tracks corresponding to the weather phenomenon. An electronic representation of the probabilistic description is provided. |
| US08204844B2 |
Systems and methods to increase efficiency in semantic networks to disambiguate natural language meaning
A computer implemented data processor system shifts a semantic network topology to increase efficiency in disambiguating a contextual meaning of natural language symbols. |
| US08204841B2 |
Transforming a list of values based on a configurable rule
A method and system for transforming a starting list into a selection list by employing a configurable rule. Parameters of an item being processed by an application are received. A starting list of elements is generated. Each starting list element specifies a corresponding function performed by the application. A rule set of a set of rule sets stored in a rule set table is identified. The rule set table associates the rule set with values that specify corresponding functions performed by the software application. The rule set is identified by a determination that the associated values comprise a maximal subset of the starting list elements. A rule stored in a rule database table is identified based on the rule set and the parameters. The rule is applied to generate a selection list comprising a proper subset of the starting list. The selection list is displayed on a display device. |
| US08204834B2 |
Estate disposition modeling
A system and computer-implemented method for modeling estate disposition are disclosed. One embodiment receives balance sheet inputs, estate planning document inputs and timing/event inputs. Conveyance and tax logic are applied to the inputs. Flowcharts illustrating the disposition of the estate based on the inputs are generated. Tax and liquidity analysis based on the inputs are also generated. |
| US08204833B2 |
Method for fingerprinting and identifying internet users
Various aspects of the present system provide methods and systems for identifying an individual who operates a remote computer. One aspect provides a technique to generate fingerprint of computer and its user based on the information collected through the actions a user conducts on internet. Another aspect of the system provides a technique to compute the fingerprints and find relations between users and computers. Another aspect of the system provides a trust ranking to a user based on the consistency of information collected from the user's various actions. |
| US08204827B1 |
System and method for personalized commands
Various embodiments of a system and method for personalized commands are described. The system and method for personalized commands may include a payment service including a command management component. Such payment service may be responsive to one or more base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate a user interface for specifying personalized commands that correspond to the base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate mapping information from the information received via the user interface. The command management component may be configured to receive one or more messages that may include commands for the payment service, including personalized commands. From the personalized commands, the command management component may be configured to determine a corresponding base commands (e.g., based on the mapping information). Once the base command is determined, the payment service may perform the base command. |
| US08204825B2 |
System, method and computer program product for processing payments
A payment processor for providing a payment service includes a transaction processor to process a transaction request. An application programming interface links a merchant to the transaction processor based on an identifier. A merchant center, located between a gateway and a point of sale device of the merchant, queries a database for information associated with a buyer and the merchant based on information received from the point of sale device, to generate the transaction request based from merchant transaction data received from the point of sale device and the information associated with the buyer and the merchant received from the database, and to communicate the transaction request to the transaction processor. The transaction processor also communicates information associated with the transaction request with the merchant based on the identifier. |
| US08204822B2 |
Method and interface for presenting last traded quantity information
Trading software may receive trading information from an exchange. The trading software may use the trading information to compute an estimate of last traded total sweep quantity. The trading software may also display the last traded total sweep quantity on a trading screen. |
| US08204818B1 |
Hybrid online auction
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products. First auction bids of a first type and second auction bids of a second type for placement of content items are received. Each of the first and second auction bids received including a corresponding bid price. The first auction bids are assigned to bid positions according to the corresponding bid prices. The second auction bids are assigned to bid positions according to a profit measure associated with each of the second bids and the bid positions. The assigned positions of the first and second bids define results of an auction for the placement of the content items. |
| US08204807B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and method re escrow data and documentation
The apparatus and method implements, manages, and tracks on-line digital transactions via an escrow, including opening, servicing, real-time or near-real time status of the broker, title company, lender, vendor, buyer and seller, and closing of an escrow via a medium such as the internet. Multiple access methods are employed. The present invention provides computerization and internet type process implementation for escrow processes including, but not limited to, digital transaction coordination, digital status coordinators, seamless escrow transactions, on-line digital signatures, video signature authentication, digital certificate authentication, signature authentication, satellite and other wireless transmission of escrow transactions, voice digital instruction, the merging of voice with digital data transactions, set-top/WebTV digital escrow transmission, global digital escrow networking, and the like. The system includes appropriate data, application, and servers along with supporting LAN or WAN-based application to perform escrow services. |
| US08204806B2 |
System and method of processing account information over a computer network
The present invention provides a system and method of automatically establishing and electronically funding electronic accounts over a computer network. The present invention provides a series of straight-through processes operable within a client/server environment. The present invention enables the submission of on-line new account information, real-time processing of such account information, and the establishment of validated new electronic accounts for use by potential customers regardless of the availability of host processing systems. |
| US08204800B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying purchasing information on a mobile device
An approach is provided for displaying purchasing information on a mobile device. Purchasing information that is transmitted for display using a purchasing application on the mobile device is redirected for display on a browser application or a messaging application when the purchasing application is not resident on the mobile device. |
| US08204798B1 |
Method and system for integrating image-printing and communication service in a subscriber service plan
A method and system for integrating imaging printing and communication service in a subscriber service plan. A service provider, such as a wireless carrier, will establish for a subscriber an integrated service plan that entitles the subscriber to engage in a designated quantity of communications on a recurring time period basis, such as monthly, and to also have a designated quantity of images printed on the recurring time period basis, for a designated fee. The integrated service plan will then be used as a basis to authorize communication service to the subscriber and further as a basis to authorize image prints requested by the subscriber. |
| US08204797B2 |
Customizable electronic commerce comparison system and method
In a consumer information system, a method of comparing products and services including providing product specific information, providing merchant specific information on the specified product, providing merchant specific business information, providing product specific information collected by third parties, providing merchant specific information collected by third parties, applying weighting factors to the information provided, producing an aggregate value for each merchant based on the weighting factors as applied to the information provided, and producing a ranking of the merchants offering the specified product based on the aggregate value for each merchant. The system provides for consumers to select a set of standardized weighting factors or to modify the standardized weighting factors or to create their own weighting factors. The system provides detailed information to consumers on the breakdown of factors influencing the rating. |
| US08204794B1 |
Processing orders for wireless service
Disclosed are various embodiments for processing orders for wireless service. An order for a wireless device and a wireless service plan is obtained in at least one computing device from a client. The wireless service plan is provided by one of a plurality of wireless carriers. A unique identifier of the wireless device is obtained from a fulfillment system after the wireless device has been pulled from an inventory for fulfillment. A request for activation of the wireless device and the wireless service plan is sent to a system of the one of the wireless carriers. The unique identifier is provided in the request to the system of the one of the wireless carriers. |
| US08204793B2 |
Portable communication device and method of use
A portable communication device and method of use is provided. In one embodiment, the method of using a handheld mobile telephone includes capturing a plurality of images via an image input device; storing the plurality of images in a memory, receiving a first speech input, identifying command information in said first speech input; retrieving information from memory based, at least in part, on the command information. The method may further include generating a request related to an article of commerce that includes, at least in part, the information retrieved from memory, determining a destination for transmitting the request, and wirelessly transmitting said request through a mobile telephone network to the destination. |
| US08204790B1 |
System and method for matching buyers and sellers
Utilizing a “demand-side” framework for bringing together prospective buyers and sellers. Buyers can broadcast their needs in the form of a request for proposal (“RFP”) to prospective sellers using the system. Social networking tools can be incorporated into the system to make searches more efficient or targeted. Customized interfaces can be used to launch applications, form work teams, manage RFPs, negotiate deals, and network both generally and with respect to specific projects. |
| US08204786B2 |
Physiological and environmental monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors, as well as systems and methods for using this information for a plurality of useful purposes, are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed. This information is then used to support a variety of useful methods, such as clinical trials, marketing studies, biofeedback, entertainment, and others. |
| US08204784B2 |
System and method for predicting card member spending using collaborative filtering
The disclosed method and system allows a credit or charge card issuer to provide its card members with a list of restaurants that might be of interest based on the financial transactions of similar card members. In one instance, this method filters financial transaction data from a plurality of card members that involves a plurality of restaurants to generate a set of candidate restaurant recommendations for a selected card member. This set of candidate restaurant recommendations is processed to yield a list of restaurant recommendations for the selected customer that is prioritized on the basis of the selected card member accepting the recommendation. The list of restaurant recommendations is then reported to the selected card member to enhance card use and marketing. |
| US08204783B2 |
Media properties selection method and system based on expected profit from profile-based ad delivery
An automatic system facilitates selection of media properties on which to display an advertisement, responsive to a profile collected on a first media property, where a behavioral-targeting company calculates expected profit for an ad correlated with the profile and arranges for the visitor to be tagged with a tag readable by the selected media property. The profit can be calculated by deducting, from the revenues that are expected to be generated from an ad delivered based on the collected profile, at least the price of ad space at a media property where the BT company might like to deliver ads to the profiled visitor. When the calculated profit is positive (i.e., not a loss), the BT company arranges for the visitor to be tagged with a tag readable by the selected media property through which the BT company expects to profit. |
| US08204782B1 |
System and method for directing and instructing customers to deal with specific merchants using incentives
A buyer-seller matching system that uses incentives to verify commissions from matching the buyer with a seller. An item locator system that comprises a repository of information about items for purchase may be provided over a network for users to access information about items for purchase. Along with each item, the system presents an incentive that may be realized if that item is purchased from a designated third party seller. The user then executes the purchase with the seller, who pays the system the agreed upon fee and also issues a certification of purchase to the buyer. The user may then take the certification of purchase back to the central repository to redeem the incentive. The item locator system then checks to verify that it has received a fee or commission from the seller for bringing the seller a buyer of the item. The fee or commission may be based on the price of the item, such as if the item is a new house for sale and the seller is a new house builder. |
| US08204779B1 |
Revenue asset high performance capability assessment
A high performance capability assessment model helps a revenue industry agency meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the revenue industry can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high performance capability assessment model helps the revenue industry agency to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal. |
| US08204776B2 |
Polling in a geo-spatial environment
A method, apparatus and system of polling in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a community network of user profiles, each user profile associated with a specific geographic location, determining a geographic region associated with a neighborhood, determining a first group of user profiles, the specific geographic location of each user profile associated with the geographic region, generating a first play view to include a three-dimensional map view embodied by the community network and the first group of the user profiles represented at locations in the three-dimensional map view associated with the specific geographic location of each user profile, generating a poll associated with the first group of user profiles and receiving poll results associated with the poll via a communication mode. The method may also include automatically tabulating the poll results and publishing, via the communication mode, the poll results. |
| US08204774B2 |
Estimating the spend capacity of consumer households
The spend capacity of a consumer typically increases as the number of consumers in the household increases, since the consumer can draw on the spending power of other consumers in the household. The size of wallet of the household is thus a better indicator of the consumer's spend capacity than an individual size of wallet. All consumers in a given household can be aggregated based on, for example, their address of record. Duplicate tradelines within each household are removed from consideration in a size of wallet estimate. A spend capacity is then estimated for each tradeline using calculations derived from a consumer behavior model. The spend capacities for all tradelines in the household are combined to determine a household size of wallet. Each consumer in the household is then tagged with the household size of wallet, rather than their individual size of wallet. |
| US08204771B1 |
Computerized method and system for updating a task list from an action item documentation view
Methods and systems for updating a task list from an action item documentation view are provided. In one embodiment, a method of the present invention may include receiving an indication that a task view indicator has been selected from the action item documentation view and displaying the task list with a focus on one or more tasks that correspond with the task view indicator selected. The task list displayed may include all tasks due for a particular patient, whether or not information regarding the task may be input in the action item documentation view. |
| US08204769B1 |
Methods for administering claims in a pension insurance program
A pension insurance plan method involves administering claims made against a pension debt coverage policy provided in the plan. The policy protects an outstanding balance of a defined contribution plan loan secured by participant's plan assets, eliminating adverse tax consequences to the plan beneficiary in the event of the death or disability of the participant and ensuring that the full plan account balance passes intact to beneficiary in such event. |
| US08204768B1 |
System and method for projecting flexible spending account allocations
A system and method for projecting a flexible spending account (FSA) allocation for a consumer may be dependent on historical healthcare-related claim information, including health insurance claim information and FSA reimbursement claim information. The method may be implemented as a web-based service or as a stand-alone software application. An FSA allocation application may identify, in historical claim information, recurring expenses predicted to be incurred in a given future time period, and may estimate an initial allocation for the time period based on these recurring expenses. The FSA allocation application may produce a recommended allocation by adjusting the initial allocation dependent on expected changes in the consumer's health insurance plan, the consumer's dependents, the health of one or more family members, tax regulations, or costs of medical services. An FSA allocation application may be configured to exchange information with a comprehensive healthcare management application, which may maintain the historical claim information. |
| US08204765B2 |
System and method for standardized and automated appeals process
A system and method for automating and standardizing an appeals process, facilitating both business-to-business (i.e., insurance companies to providers) and business-to-consumer (i.e., insurance companies to patients) relationships, and educating users on the healthcare industry and patient rights. The system and method provides automated and standardized electronic communication for any business with a regulated or contractual appeals or grievance process. In one application, the system and method provide electronic communication between patients, providers, and insurance plans; convenient access to an “anytime” appeals process; and an efficient follow-up and appeals status tracking. There are standardized forms for the appeal, and the provider appeal format is compatible with current billing forms. The system includes an on-line web site with the ability to manage “behind the scenes” the overall appeals process, including data collection, data management, correspondence generation, process status tracking, and individualized client accounts. |
| US08204763B2 |
Methods for delivering a drug to a patient while preventing the exposure of a foetus or other contraindicated individual to the drug
Novel methods for delivering a drug to a patient while preventing the exposure of a foetus or other contraindicated individual to the drug. Embodiments are provided in which the involved prescribers, pharmacies and patients are registered in one or more computer databases. Embodiments are also provided in which registered patients receive counseling information concerning the risks attendant to foetal exposure to the drug. Male patients and female patients who are not pregnant may, in certain circumstances, receive the drug. |
| US08204762B2 |
Health care patient benefits eligibility research system and methods
The software of the present invention provides a means for creating a file of unpaid claims for a service provider. The software is used to create one or more queries to compare information in the file of claims against records in a benefit provider's database to determine the eligibility status of the claim. A file is created containing each claim for which a matching record in the benefit provider's database is found, and the information from that matching record. A report can be generated from the file of matching claims and benefit provider records, so the claims can be submitted for payment by the service provider. |
| US08204760B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating communications, workflow, and task assignments in medical practices and clinics
A method of facilitating patient examinations in a medical office includes the following steps performed via a handheld device: identifying an examination location of a patient; identifying one or more medical procedures to be performed, wherein the one or more medical procedures are selected from the group consisting of: laboratory analysis of biological samples obtained from the patient, diagnostic tests on the patient, patient vaccinations and/or injections, and preparing a medical prescription; displaying a patient examination summary, wherein the displayed summary includes patient identification information, patient location information, patient health status information, and a list of identified medical procedures; and communicating wirelessly the patient examination summary to a nurse station computer within the medical office. |
| US08204753B2 |
Stabilization and glitch minimization for CCITT recommendation G.726 speech CODEC during packet loss scenarios by regressor control and internal state updates of the decoding process
This invention decoded encoded speech using alternative parameters upon detection of a lost packet. Upon detection of a first good packet following packet loss, this invention uses second alternative parameters intermediate between the default parameters and the alternative parameters for a predetermined interval. Thereafter the invention reverts to the default parameters. This minimizes glitches in the decoded speech upon packet loss. This invention is suitable for use in decoding speech data encoded in the CCITT Recommendation G.726 ADPCM based speech coding standard. |
| US08204752B1 |
Portable translation apparatus
The portable translation apparatus provides a plurality of cases, each with a unique device code. Any case can be in communication with any other case at any time, including multiple cases at once. Directional controls allow a user to push the first directional control, then a language choice followed by a push of a second directional control, followed by a second language choice. This procedure can be repeated for simultaneous communication with many cases at once. Pushing both directional controls simultaneously uses the internal cell phone technology to communicate with the remote data base, which updates the case with any needed updates and also allows cell phone communication with the case. Transceivers in both the case and the earpiece provide for earpiece use, and the case microphone can be used along with or instead of the earpiece. The computer port provides for direct computer communication. |
| US08204748B2 |
System and method for providing a textual representation of an audio message to a mobile device
A textual representation of a voice message is provided to a communication device, such as a mobile phone, for example, when the mobile phone is operating in a silent mode. The voice message is input by a caller and the voice message converted to phonemes. A text representation of the voice message is transmitted to the mobile phone. The representation includes characters based on the phonemes with well known words being represented in an easily understood shorthand format. |
| US08204742B2 |
System for processing an audio signal to enhance speech intelligibility
An adaptive audio system can be implemented in a communication device. The adaptive audio system can enhance voice in an audio signal received by the communication device to increase intelligibility of the voice. The audio system can adapt the audio enhancement based at least in part on levels of environmental content, such as noise, that are received by the communication device. For higher levels of environmental content, for example, the audio system might apply the audio enhancement more aggressively. Additionally, the adaptive audio system can detect substantially periodic content in the environmental content. The adaptive audio system can further adapt the audio enhancement responsive to the environmental content. |
| US08204741B2 |
Maxima search method for sensed signals
An apparatus and method for selecting a set of channels from a plurality channels in a signal processor, the method comprising sampling each one of a plurality of channels and obtaining a binary representation of each one of the samples, arranging each one of the binary representations of samples into a series of bit planes from a most significant bit plane containing the most significant bit of each binary representation, to a least significant bit plane containing the least significant bit of each binary representation, determining those bit planes having binary representations that conform to a predetermined value criteria, and selecting a set of channels by summing bits from each one of those determined bit planes that conform to the predetermined value criteria. |
| US08204739B2 |
System and methods for maintaining speech-to-speech translation in the field
A method and apparatus are provided for updating the vocabulary of a speech translation system for translating a first language into a second language including written and spoken words. The method includes adding a new word in the first language to a first recognition lexicon of the first language and associating a description with the new word, wherein the description contains pronunciation and word class information. The new word and description are then updated in a first machine translation module associated with the first language. The first machine translation module contains a first tagging module, a first translation model and a first language module, and is configured to translate the new word to a corresponding translated word in the second language. Optionally, the invention may be used for bidirectional or multi-directional translation. |
| US08204738B2 |
Removing bias from features containing overlapping embedded grammars in a natural language understanding system
A method of removing bias from an action classifier within a natural language understanding system can include identifying a sentence having a target embedded grammar that overlaps with at least one other embedded grammar and selecting a group of overlapping embedded grammars including the target embedded grammar and at least one additional embedded grammar. A sentence expansion can be created that includes the sentence including the target embedded grammar and a copy of the sentence for each additional embedded grammar of the group. Each copy of the sentence can include a different additional embedded grammar from the group in place of the target embedded grammar. The sentence expansion can be included within action classifier training data. |
| US08204737B2 |
Message recognition using shared language model
A system is disclosed for generating text responsive to both voice and handwriting input, including a microphone, stylus, and a tablet having an flat-panel display integrated into its surface. The system performs speech and handwriting recognition using a shared language model, which in one embodiment is trainable responsive to user correction of errors in either speech or handwriting recognition. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08204731B2 |
Signal analyzing method for electronic device having on-chip network and off-chip network
The present invention provides a signal analyzing method for an electronic device having an on-chip network and an off-chip network. Compared with the conventional signal analyzing method for an electronic device having an on-chip network and an off-chip network, the signal analyzing method of the present invention is able to provide a complete electrical connection and accurate electrical characteristics for an electronic device having an on-chip network and an off-chip network. |
| US08204726B2 |
Multi-scale method for multi-phase flow in porous media
A multi-scale method to efficiently determine the fine-scale saturation arising from multi-phase flow in a subsurface reservoir is disclosed. The method includes providing a simulation model that includes a fine-scale grid defining a plurality of fine-scale cells, and a coarse-scale grid defining a plurality of coarse-scale cells that are aggregates of the fine-scale cells. The coarse-scale cells are partitioned into saturation regions responsive to velocity and/or saturation changes from the saturation front. A fine-scale saturation is determined for each region and the saturation regions are assembled to obtain a fine-scale saturation distribution. A visual display can be output responsive to the fine-scale saturation distribution. |
| US08204725B1 |
Real-time breaking waves for shallow water simulations
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently simulating breaking waves in real-time. A two-dimensional shallow water height field simulation generates height and velocity information used to generate a wave line for each wave within the height field that satisfies criteria for overturning. For each overturning wave, a wave sheet is created from particles generated relative to points on the respective wave line. Each wave sheet may move separately from an underlying wave that gave rise to the wave sheet, allowing the wave sheet to fall and break, creating a realistic appearance. As a falling wave sheet collides with the underlying wave or water surface, free particles may be generated to simulation spray visible on a real breaking wave. |
| US08204723B2 |
Enterprise multi-program process development and integration process
Tools and methods allow an enterprise to define a set of processes and create scenarios which link and integrate combinations of processes. In addition, both processes and scenarios can be categorized, enabling re-use of existing definitions and easing subsequent scenario building. Processes and scenarios both allow variations which are stipulated to have a certain applicability in terms of organizations within the enterprise and time-frame. The variations can be evolved and improved over time via versions. Subsequently designed process scenarios can be tested and released for use in an organization and used to drive work planning, initiation and status reporting. |
| US08204718B2 |
Method for reconstructing sparse streaming signals using greedy search
A method reconstructs a streaming signal xn from streaming measurements by maintaining a working set of measurements, a working snapshot of the measurement system, an internal working signal estimate, and an external working signal estimate. Using a current working set of measurements, the internal working signal estimates, the working snapshot of the measurement system, and a model of a signal sparsity are refined. The external working signal estimate is refreshed. A subset of coefficients of the external working signal estimate is committed to an output. A next streaming measurement and a corresponding next measurement vector are received. The working set of measurements, the working snapshot of the measurement system, and the internal working signal estimate are updated to incorporate the next measurement and the corresponding measurement vector. Then, an oldest measurement and a corresponding oldest measurement vector, and an effect of the committed subset of coefficients are removed. |
| US08204712B2 |
Ternary sensor inputs
One of a first signal, a second signal, and a third signal is received respectively from each of three inputs. A pattern formed by the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal is compared to a set of predetermined patterns. Based on the comparing, it is determined whether an error exists. If an error condition exists, a specific one of the inputs is identified as a cause of the error. |
| US08204706B2 |
Dynamic synchronization system and methods
A method and system for continuously predicting an input line power waveform frequency of alternating current having maximum and minimum values, and a reference value located therebetween by specifying an outer window defining a sense point of the waveform between lower and upper limits of the outer window, the sense point being located away from the reference value and having a corresponding predicted sense point time; providing an inner window having an inner time interval less than an outer time interval corresponding to time between the lower and upper limits; positioning the inner window at the predicted sense point time; identifying an actual sense point time of a measured inner sense point value and excluding one or more identified actual outer sense point values being both outside of the inner time interval and within the outer time interval; and calculating the frequency of a future cycle of the waveform. |
| US08204703B2 |
Measurement and apparatus for electrical measurement of electrical drive parameters for a MEMS based display
Methods and devices to measure threshold voltages of electro-mechanical systems devices are disclosed. The threshold voltages are determined based on which of multiple test voltages cause the devices to change states. State changes of the device are detected by monitoring integrated current or charge used to drive the test voltages. |
| US08204702B2 |
Method for estimating battery life in a hybrid powertrain
A method for estimating an operating life for an electrical energy storage system electrically connected to transmit power to a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring temperature state-of-charge and electric current of the electrical energy storage system, calculating a battery life metric for a time interval based upon the temperature, the state-of-charge, and the electric current discharge, determining a total battery life metric therefrom and determining the remaining operating life of the electrical energy storage system. |
| US08204700B2 |
Failure prediction apparatus and failure prediction method
An optical pickup which has a failure prediction apparatus for predicting a failure of a laser diode has an input inputting a value of a current that flows through the laser diode and is measured at predetermined time intervals, a storage storing the current values inputted by said input, a detector detecting a current value that is a current value at any one of the measurement times of day stored in said storage and that has a change greater than or equal to a predetermined value relative to the current value at the preceding measurement time of day, and a generator generating a prediction curve that indicates a relationship between said elapsed time and the current value applicable at and after the measurement time of day of the current value detected by said detector. |
| US08204698B2 |
Method for determining structural parameters of composite building panels
A method of determining face paper properties of wallboard including providing a core strength value of the wallboard, determining a required nail pull value based the wallboard specifications and calculating a face paper stiffness value based on the provided core strength value and the determined nail pull value. The method includes displaying the calculated face paper stiffness value on a display device. |
| US08204697B2 |
System and method for health assessment of downhole tools
A system for assessing the health of a mechanism includes a processor for receiving observation data from at least one sensor, the processor including: a detector receptive to the observation data and capable of identifying whether the mechanism is operating in a normal or degraded mode; a diagnoser to identify a type of fault from at least one symptom pattern; and a prognoser capable of calculating a remaining useful life (RUL) of the mechanism, wherein the prognoser includes a population prognoser for calculating the RUL based on a duration of use of the mechanism, a cause prognoser for calculating the RUL based on causal data, and an effect prognoser for calculating the RUL based on effect data generated from the fault. A method and computer program product for assessing the health of a downhole tool is also disclosed. |
| US08204695B2 |
Techniques for identifying, confirming, mapping, and categorizing polymers
Systems and methods for identifying, confirming, mapping, and categorizing sample polymers, such as nucleic acid sequences, are provided. An estimation of the fraction of first and second polymers in a sample of polymers can be calculated by inputting a first hybridization value indicative of hybridization affinity of the sample of polymers to polymers probes that are complementary to the first polymer and inputting a second hybridization value indicative of hybridization affinity of the sample of polymers to polymers probes that are complementary to the second polymer. The estimation of the fraction of the first and second polymers in the sample of polymers can then be calculated by dividing the first hybridization value by a sum of the first and second hybridization values. Estimations of the fractions of alleles in a sample can be clustered to form a fraction pattern usable for identifying, confirming, mapping, and genotyping sample nucleic acids. |
| US08204689B2 |
Mobile soil mapping system for collecting soil reflectance measurements
A mobile soil mapping system includes an implement for traversing a field to be mapped, and a reflectance module carried by the implement for collecting spectroscopic measurements of soil in the field. The reflectance module has a light source, an optical receiver for transmitting light to a spectrometer, and a shutter system that alters the optical path between the light source and the optical receiver. The shutter system allows the system to automatically collect a dark reference measurement and a known reference material measurement at timed intervals to compensate for drift of the spectrometer and the light source. A self-cleaning window on the reflectance module has a lower surface maintained in firm contact with the soil during operation. External reference blocks are used to calibrate the system to ensure standardized, repeatable data. Additional sensors are carried by the implement to collect other soil data, such as electrical conductivity and temperature. |
| US08204688B2 |
Display method and system for a vehicle navigation system
Traffic information, including traffic flow information and traffic incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be presented to a user on a user display in the vehicle. The traffic information may be presented to the user in several circumstances, either as cued by the user, or automatically presented by the traffic management system. The user display may also automatically display traffic flow and traffic incident information for the direction that the user is traveling or along a route calculated by the navigation device. Further, a window displaying information about an upcoming traffic incident such as distance to the incident and incident details may automatically appear in the user display. Alternately, the user may select a roadway, freeway, or area for which traffic information is desired. |
| US08204683B2 |
Methods, devices, and computer program products for geo-tagged photographic image augmented files
A method of providing augmented Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation can include detecting movement of a GPS enabled mobile device along a navigational route and displaying a photographic image on a display of the GPS enabled mobile device responsive to detecting movement of the GPS enabled mobile device along the navigational route provided by the GPS enabled mobile device. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed. |
| US08204682B2 |
Arrival monitoring with direct and actual travel path reporting
A system for monitoring progress of at least two parties who have agreed to meet at a predetermined destination substantially at the same time. The system tracks location of each party and estimates remaining time or distance or both of each party to the destination. Querying of each party as to location may be adjusted as to frequency of polling for example based on changing progress towards the destination. Location or remaining time or distance to the destination may be communicated to each of the parties. The system may establish a new predetermined destination based on updated progress of the parties. |
| US08204681B2 |
Navigation apparatus, route guide method and program
A navigation device provides route guidance only by voice guidance even if route guidance by a display screen is impossible. A navigation device displays on a display device a navigation screen including a map about a current position. The display device can enter a no-display state. In the navigation device, regardless of the state of the navigation screen, a route guidance method is performed. More particularly, in the display state, a guidance route is determined by a normal mode and route guidance is performed by both voice and display. In the no-display state, a guidance route including fewer movement methods is determined and route guidance is made only by voice guidance. Thus, in the no-display state where the navigation screen is not displayed, a guidance route is determined so as to enable route guidance only by voice. |
| US08204678B2 |
Vehicle drive assist system
A control unit sets a front-end collision risk of a subject vehicle against a front vehicle in accordance with a time headway of the subject vehicle and a margin time to front-end collision of the subject vehicle, and a rear-end collision risk of the subject vehicle by a rear vehicle in accordance with a time headway of the rear vehicle and a margin time to rear-end collision of the subject vehicle, the margin time to rear-end collision having a larger weight than that of the margin time to front-end collision in the front-end collision risk against the front vehicle. Brake control and alarm control are performed in accordance with the front-end collision risk against the front vehicle and the rear-end collision risk by the rear vehicle. |
| US08204675B2 |
Portable navigation device point of interest selection based on store open probability
A probability that a selected point of interest is accessible to customers for commercial transactions is determined. In response to receiving a mailing address of a selected candidate point of interest and a calculated estimated time of arrival, it is determined whether the mailing address of the selected candidate point of interest is stored in a data storage device. In response to determining that the mailing address of the selected candidate point of interest is stored in the data storage device, a percentage probability that the selected candidate point of interest is accessible to customers for commercial transactions at the calculated estimated time of arrival is assigned based on utility usage data and a confidence level associated with the utility usage data stored in the data storage device. The percentage probability that the selected candidate point of interest is accessible to customers for commercial transactions is sent via the network. |
| US08204672B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting operational issues based on single input single output system dynamics
Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting an anomaly in fuel demand data and fuel supply data generated by a fuel metering system for an engine, The method comprises collecting the fuel demand data and the fuel supply data during operation of the fuel metering system, generating expected fuel supply data based on the collected fuel demand data and a nominal response model describing the expected behavior of the fuel metering system, and detecting the anomaly if a difference between the expected fuel supply data and the collected fuel supply data exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08204667B2 |
Method for compensating for normal forces in antilock control
A method for controlling an antilock brake system on a vehicle, the method comprising calculating a prediction of tire normal forces and modifying a brake torque applied to a brake based on the predicted tire normal forces. The prediction of tire normal forces may be calculated using predicted longitudinal forces or estimates of longitudinal forces that are obtained by predicting a master-cylinder pressure. |
| US08204665B2 |
Vehicle controller, control method, and computer program
A deceleration start point where a driver performs a deceleration operation of a vehicle before entering a curve when the vehicle is to travel on a curve is identified from a vehicle operation history in the past, and an acceleration start point where the driver performs an acceleration operation of the vehicle when exiting a curve is identified from the vehicle operation history in the past. While these items are comprehended as driving tendencies of the driver, deceleration control and acceleration limit control to a target limiting vehicle speed are performed when the vehicle reaches the deceleration start point. Thereafter, when the vehicle reaches the acceleration start point, acceleration permission control to release the acceleration limit is performed. |
| US08204663B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus controlling a driving force or a braking force to be applied to a vehicle and conducting a vehicle control based on wheel speeds includes a detecting means detecting the wheel speed of each wheel provided at the vehicle, a storing means storing a predetermined valid wheel speed for each wheel, a determining means determining whether a difference between the detected wheel speed and a maximum wheel speed of the wheel speeds lies in a predetermined range, and an updating means updating the valid wheel speed based on the detected wheel speed of the wheel, when the detected wheel speed is lower than the predetermined valid wheel speed which is currently stored, in case that a result determined by the determining means is positive. |
| US08204662B2 |
Method and system to control electronic throttle sensitivity
An electronic throttle control system for a motorized vehicle includes a sensor providing a signal corresponding to a relative position of an accelerator pedal between an undepressed position and a fully depressed position at a first predetermined time interval. A memory device is provided for storing a plurality of provided signals. A controller is provided for averaging a predetermined number of provided signals and sending the averaged signal to the motor at a second predetermined time interval for modulating operating speed of the motor. Upon the memory device storing the predetermined number of provided signals, provided signals are discarded from the memory device on a first in, first out basis. |
| US08204660B2 |
Apparatus for controlling automatic travel of vehicle
An apparatus controls automatic travel of a vehicle equipped with a motive power generator. In the apparatus, information indicating a road surface on which a vehicle is present currently is acquired. It is determined whether or not a command for shifting the vehicle from its stopped state to its traveling state is issued. When the command is issued, automatic shift of the vehicle is made from its stopped state to its traveling state by controlling drive of the motive power generator based on the acquired information. It is further determined whether or not, of a component of gravity applied to the vehicle, there is a force component applied in a direction opposite to a travel direction of the vehicle. When there is the force component, the operation applied to the motive power generator is continued even if the brake pedal is pressed by the driver. |
| US08204659B2 |
Engine start control system for hybrid vehicle
An engine start control system for starting the engine of a hybrid vehicle operated in an EV drive mode. The system responds quickly to an acceleration request while limiting unpleasant deceleration sensations. The hybrid vehicle has a first clutch disposed between the engine and motor/generator. An electric drive mode exists in which the first clutch is disengaged and the driving torque is provided only by the motor/generator, and a hybrid drive mode exists in which the first clutch is engaged and the driving torque is provided by both the engine and motor/generator. The system uses an engine start shift pattern that is high-geared as compared with a normal shift pattern. Shift control of the transmission is performed using the engine start shift pattern when an engine start request arises. The engine is started by controlling the engagement of the first clutch after performing the shift control. |
| US08204657B2 |
Automatic axle disconnect
A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent. |
| US08204655B2 |
Construction machine
A construction machine includes: a work arm rotatably mounted at a construction machine main body; a work tool mounted at the work arm; an attitude decision device that decides an attitude of the work arm or the work tool relative to the construction machine main body; a follow-up enabling device that allows the work arm or the work tool to follow a displacement of a contacting object that comes into contact with the work tool and applies an external force to the work tool, by adjusting the attitude of the work arm or the work tool decided by the attitude decision device; and a switching device that selects whether or not to allow the work arm or the work tool to follow the displacement of the contacting object via the follow-up enabling device. |
| US08204654B2 |
System and method for generation of an inner boundary of a work area
A boundary definer or data processor establishes an outer boundary of a work area and defines an offset between an inner boundary and the outer boundary. A reference path module or data processor defines a primary reference path with a target angular heading within the work area. The reference path module or data processor generates secondary reference paths spaced apart from and generally parallel to the primary reference path. An incident angle estimator estimates an incident angle of incidence of the vehicle with the outer boundary. The former or data processor establishes an inner boundary point spaced apart from the outer boundary by the offset and coextensive with a corresponding one of the reference paths. Further, the former or data processor interconnects the established inner boundary points to form the inner boundary. |
| US08204647B2 |
Electric power steering system
In an electric power steering system, an electric motor generates output power for power-assisting steering operation of a steering wheel, a torque sensor generates a plurality of electric output signals corresponding to a torque applied to the steering wheel, and a control unit controls the steering operation of the electric motor in accordance with at least one of the electric output signals of the torque sensor. The control unit detects a difference between rotation speeds of left and right steered wheels, checks whether any one of the plurality of output generating parts is in failure, and specify a failing-device based on the rotation speed difference and the plurality of output signals. |
| US08204646B2 |
Onboard controller system
A system and method for safely slowing or controlling a vehicle's speed or engine speed by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal to slow or control the vehicle. The operator is allowed control of the vehicle (e.g. genuine engine control signal) if the speed is below a threshold speed and the operator is denied control of the vehicle (e.g. spoofed engine control signal) if the speed is above the threshold speed; similarly, a maximum idle engine speed and time to idle before shut-down is enforced by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal, responsive to a set threshold for each. The threshold is set over the air (OTA). |
| US08204644B2 |
Vehicle communication apparatus
A vehicle communication apparatus has a main battery, and the main battery is switched to a supplemental battery when voltage of the main battery falls to a second threshold. Further, prior to voltage fall of the main battery to the second threshold, vehicle information at least including position of a vehicle is prepared for transmission from a report unit. By adapting the above voltage monitoring scheme, the removal of the main battery is appropriately detected, and the position information of the vehicle is appropriately reported wirelessly to an information center by the report unit, and working time of the report unit that is operated by the supplemental battery is extended without increasing the capacity of the supplemental battery. |
| US08204643B2 |
Estimation device, estimation method and estimation program for position of mobile unit
Enabled is to estimate a self-position even when no landmark is seen or when an article confusing the landmark is brought in. An omnidirectional camera recognizes a vertical land-mark near a wall to determine a candidate for the self-position. On the basis of the candidate determined, a break in a map between a floor and a wall is projected on the camera image thereby to perform the matching. |
| US08204642B2 |
Driving assistance apparatus
A driving assistance apparatus that performs accurate driving assistance in accordance with actual road environment is provided. An electronic control unit (ECU) acquires shape information and vehicular swept path information about a subject vehicle and a nearby vehicle, representing vehicles and movement thereof as rectangular solids. A three-dimensional space is formed as a vehicular swept path for the rectangular solid and a road map generated based on the formed three-dimensional space. A notification is provided if the subject vehicle runs outside a space. Control support is provided to return the subject vehicle to an area indicated as safe. |
| US08204635B2 |
Systems and methods of redundancy for aircraft inertial signal data
An aircraft inertial system comprises at least two inertial reference units (IRU) that provide a first set of inertial signal data for an aircraft and at least two attitude heading reference systems (AHRS) that provide a second set of the inertial signal data for the aircraft. At least one primary flight display receives the first and the second sets of the inertial signal data, and a standby flight display receives at least the second set of the inertial signal data from at least one of the AHRS. When a single fault condition occurs, the primary flight display continues to operate with fail-operational redundancy from at least three independent sources of the inertial signal data comprising one or more IRU and AHRS combinations. The standby flight display will operate using a different source of the inertial signal data than the source of the inertial signal data for the primary flight display. |
| US08204634B2 |
Driving dynamics control system for vehicles
The present device relates to a driving dynamics control system for vehicles, including at least one signal distribution to which vehicle data, environment data and data regarding the driver's request are sent in the form of input data, and including several controllable or regulatable subsystems which modify the dynamics of the vehicle such as a driver-independently adjustable steering system, a driver-independently adjustable chassis, a driver-independently adjustable brake, and a driver-independently adjustable driving track. The system is characterized in that the data of the signal distribution is sent to a central determining unit (driving condition detection, driver request detection), in that the central determining unit determines from the data of the signal distribution a central control target, and these items of data regarding the central control target are sent to a central regulating variable distribution or a central driving condition controller, respectively, which, in an interactive communication with the subsystems, actuates these subsystems in such a way that the control target is realized by the subsystems on the vehicle. |
| US08204633B2 |
Water heater demand side management system
A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and/or lower temperature and controls upper and/or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and/or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater. |
| US08204631B2 |
Method and device for increasing the operational flexibility of a current-generating system, in particular a gas turbine or steam turbine
Discussed is a method and device for increasing the operational flexibility of a current-generating system with a turboset, comprising a turbine coupled to an electrical generator, a power set point value being predefined, and a future target time at which the turboset is supposed to be at the power set point value, so that a power curve is determined via the power set point value and the target time, the turboset being operated starting from a actual power value at an actual time along the power curve such that the predefined power set point value is reached at the predefined target time. Also discussed is a gas turbine and to a steam turbine in accordance with the above description. |
| US08204627B2 |
Air conditioner and method of controlling the same
The present invention relates to an air conditioner, including a discharge driving unit for discharging an air-conditioned air, a sensor module for rotating and scanning predetermined areas and outputting data for radiation heats of heat sources, and a control unit for calculating observed change-amount signals based on the data and stored old data, acquiring human body information by converting each of the observed change-amount signals into energy levels, and controlling the discharge driving unit. |
| US08204626B2 |
Control device for mobile body
A control device for a mobile body makes it possible to smoothly correct the deviation of an actual posture of a base body of a mobile body, which travels with the base body thereof moving up and down, from a desired posture of the base body while restraining an overshoot or an undershoot from occurring. To determine a required manipulated variable according to a feedback control law in order to converge a state amount deviation related to the posture of the base body of the mobile body to zero, the feedback gain of the feedback control law is determined by using the time series in a period from current time to predetermined time in the future in the time series of a desired inertial force of the mobile body or the base body. The required manipulated variable is determined by the calculation of the feedback control law on the basis of the determined feedback gain and an observed value of the state amount deviation. |
| US08204621B2 |
Tablet discharging method
There is provided a tablet discharging method capable of discharging a vial to an outlet corresponding to a size of the vial even if the size of the vial is changed. The tablet discharging method is related to removing a vial from a stocker accommodating a large number of vials according to a prescription data, dispensing tablets into the vial to fill the vial and discharging the vial filled with the tablets. The tablet discharging method includes the following steps of: determining a vial of an appropriate size according to a prescription data; checking for a stock of the determined vial; fixing a size by changing the determined vial to a vial of a size larger than that of the determined vial when the vial of the determined size is out-of-stock; and discharging the vial filled with the tablets to an outlet holding the vial of the fixed size. |
| US08204620B2 |
Method for combined disposal and dispensing of medical items
A system and method related to dispensing and disposing medical items is provided. The dispensing portion is generally configured to dispense medical items stored within compartments based on dispensing instructions. The disposal portion is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container. |
| US08204619B2 |
Building construction software and system
A method of building construction includes designing a building with software for execution on a computer such that an envelope of the building principally comprises expanded polystyrene foam panels, and the software is used to automatically generate a plan with reference numbers that identify substantially all the component pieces of the building. The software and computer are coupled to a computer aided design (CAD) program for generating computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling commands for expanded polystyrene foam panels, and a cut-list for steel reinforcing studs to fit into matching slots milled into the expanded polystyrene foam panels. At least the expanded polystyrene foam panels and matching steel reinforcing studs are marked with identifying numbers corresponding to the reference numbers. The expanded polystyrene foam panels are milled with a CNC machine and panel cutter according to CNC milling commands from the CAD program. |
| US08204618B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating an automated high temperature thermal cutting system
A method for setting up a cutting table for an automated high temperature thermal cutting system can include providing a computer-readable product to, for example, a digital signal processor (e.g., CNC). The computer-readable product can include data for at least one part to be cut from a workpiece (e.g., a part program). A user can be prompted to select values from a menu of mandatory operating parameters (e.g., using a graphical user interface) for a shape of the part to be cut from the workpiece. Mandatory operating parameters can include at least one of an operating current, a gas flow, a thickness of the workpiece, or a material of the workpiece. |
| US08204615B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing device for reproducing content data is provided. The information processing device includes a reproducing unit for reproducing content data; a sound image localization processing unit for sound image localization processing the content data to be reproduced by the reproducing unit so that a sound image by the content data localizes at an arbitrary localization position; and a control unit for moving the localization position of the sound image in response to change in reproduction state of the content data by the reproducing unit. |
| US08204612B2 |
Tip-based computer controlled system for a hand-held dental delivery device
A tip-based computer controlled system for a dental delivery device is disclosed. The system automatically controls an operating characteristic such as power control or fluid flow based on tip identification and history. The operating characteristic may also be controlled in response to particular conditions throughout the dental procedure, such as (but not limited to) temperature, dental hygiene material, fluid type, etc. The system may provide an alert or shut off if unsafe conditions occur and/or error circumstances are detected. An operator interface is provided to configure the system and augment/override an executing control algorithm during a procedure. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed. |
| US08204609B2 |
Industrial operator interfaces interacting with higher-level business workflow
Systems and methods are provided that enable high-level and abstract business engines to affect and influence plant-floor or industrial operations via dynamic and flexible operator interfaces. In a similar manner, actions directed from the operator interfaces can be communicated to higher level decision components of an enterprise to facilitate automated control and dynamics of the enterprise. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes one or more controllers to process transaction events in an industrial automation environment. One or more operator interface components are provided that automatically adapt interface control functionality based on the transaction events. |
| US08204608B2 |
Monitoring and control apparatus
A plant monitoring and control apparatus having a function to simulate an object to be monitored and controlled for verifying healthiness of a control processing unit is provided with an input separating operation unit and an output separating operation unit which separate DI data and DO data handled by the control processing unit by transforming the DI data and the DO data into a label format differing from a label format of PDI data and PDO data which are related to input and output between the object to be monitored and controlled and the plant monitoring and control apparatus. In test mode, a switching unit switches an input device of the control processing unit and an output device thereof to a simulator unit provided within the plant monitoring and control apparatus. |
| US08204606B2 |
Implantable lead for septal placement of pacing electrodes
A pacing lead having a lead body configured into a pre-formed J-shape. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to an intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from a bottom of the pre-formed J-shape. The lead is adapted to be placed within a heart in a J-shaped configuration with the electrode positioned proximate a ventricular septum or a right ventricular outflow tract such that at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body is located within a pulmonary artery. In one embodiment, the distal end of the lead is configured to be passively fixated within the pulmonary artery. Another aspect includes a lead body wherein a section of the intermediate portion of the lead body is less stiff than adjacent sections of the lead body. The lead includes a pacing electrode coupled to the intermediate portion of the lead body and located distally from the less stiff section. The lead is adapted to be placed within a heart in a J-shaped configuration with the less stiff section near a bottom of the J-shape such that the electrode is positioned proximate a ventricular septum or a right ventricular outflow tract and at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body is fixated within a pulmonary artery. |
| US08204598B2 |
Methods and apparatus for treating bronchial restriction using electrical modulation
Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue. |
| US08204593B2 |
Identification and treatment of junctional rhythms
An implantable medical device and associated method provide atrial pacing and measure intervals between atrial pacing pulses and subsequently sensed ventricular events. A decreasing trend in the intervals indicative of a pre-junctional rhythm is detected. The atrial pacing pulse is delivered at a shortened atrial pacing pulse interval in response to detecting the decreasing trend to reduce the likelihood of a junctional rhythm. |
| US08204589B2 |
Automated caregiving device with prompting based on caregiver process
A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the therapy, wherein the sensor is other than an electrode in an electrical contact with the body; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored; a processor configured to determine which of the different prompts should be selected for delivery based on the progress detected by the sensor. |
| US08204585B2 |
Bio-impedance sensor and sensing method
Implantable medical devices and techniques are implemented that use bio-impedance to measure aspects of patient physiology. A signal separation method is performed at least in part in an implantable device. The method involves detecting a plurality of impedance signals using a plurality of implantable electrodes coupled to the implantable device. The method further involves separating one or more signals from the plurality of impedance signals using a signal separation technique, such as an algorithm-based separation technique. |
| US08204584B2 |
Device for detecting electrical potentials of the forehead region of a patient
A device for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead area of a patient has a transverse member adapted to rest against the forehead of the patient, a vertical member extending crosswise to the transverse member and a mask on the vertical member. Electrodes are provided on the transverse members at least at its ends and at the center at which the vertical bar crosses the transverse member. |
| US08204580B2 |
Use of patterns in processing on mobile monitoring device and computer system
A system include circuitry to receive information from a mobile device including ECG data representative of a beating heart, circuitry to analyze the ECG data using at least one pattern to detect a notable finding in the ECG data and circuitry to determine at least one pattern to send to the mobile device, based on the analysis of the ECG data. The system sends the at least one determined pattern to the mobile device. |
| US08204576B2 |
Medical guiding system
A medical guiding system of the invention includes: a detection portion for detecting a position and an orientation of a medical instrument and positions of feature points of a subject; a storage portion for storing reference image data having positional information on an organ of a human body; and a guide image creation portion for creating a guide image indicating the position of the medical instrument with respect to the subject from the reference image data. The guide image creation portion calculates the position of the medical instrument with respect to the subject, based on the position and the orientation of the medical instrument and the positions of feature points of the subject which are detected by the detection portion, and creates a guide image by correcting the calculated position of the medical instrument, using the positions of the feature points. |
| US08204573B2 |
System and method for displaying an image stream
A system and method may allow displaying a plurality of image streams, where the image streams may be divided, for example into a number of selected subset couplet images which follow predetermined criteria. According to some embodiments, each couplet may be displayed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. A workstation may accept the images acquired by, for example a capsule and may display the images on a monitor as a moving image. |
| US08204569B2 |
Implantable medical electrical stimulation lead fixation method and apparatus
The invention includes an implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one electrode; a lead body; and at least one modifiable portion that is coaxial with the lead body, wherein the at least one modifiable portion can exist in both a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second configuration exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the first configuration, and wherein the first configuration is exhibited when an external force is applied to the outer surface of the modifiable portion. Kits, systems and methods of implanting are also included in the invention. |
| US08204564B2 |
High temperature interfacial superconductivity
High-temperature superconductivity confined to nanometer-scale interfaces has been a long standing goal because of potential applications in electronic devices. The spontaneous formation of a superconducting interface in bilayers consisting of an insulator (La2CuO4) and a metal (La1−xSrxCuO4), neither of which is superconducting per se, is described. Depending upon the layering sequence of the bilayers, Tc may be either ˜15 K or ˜30 K. This highly robust phenomenon is confined to within 2-3 nm around the interface. After exposing the bilayer to ozone, Tc exceeds 50 K and this enhanced superconductivity is also shown to originate from a 1 to 2 unit cell thick interfacial layer. The results demonstrate that engineering artificial heterostructures provides a novel, unconventional way to fabricate stable, quasi two-dimensional high Tc phases and to significantly enhance superconducting properties in other superconductors. The superconducting interface may be implemented, for example, in SIS tunnel junctions or a SuFET. |
| US08204563B2 |
Superconducting magnet system for generating high homogeneity and high magnetic field
A superconducting magnet system for generating high homogeneity and high magnetic field consists of a main coil, an outer coil, a quench protection circuit, a quench heater and a power supply. The main coil is composed of many concentric solenoid coils which are arranged from inside to outside. The outer coil out of the main coil includes a first back roll coil, a second back roll coil, a first superconducting coil for compensating sixth harmonic component, a second superconducting coil for compensating sixth harmonic component, a shielding ring and a shielding coil from inside to outside. Every loop circuit of the quench protection circuit is composed of a corresponding protection resistor, a diode and coil which is connected in series each other, and each coil has a corresponding quench protection heater. The classification linear diameter difference of the superconducting coils which contact each other in main coil is less than 0.05 mm. The homogeneity of the magnetic field in the 50 mm diameter working space is 0.15 ppm, because the high order harmonic component of the field is compensated by back roll method. |
| US08204562B2 |
Superconducting synchronous machine
Disclosed herein is a superconducting field coil of a homopolar type superconducting synchronous machine. The superconducting synchronous machine includes a superconducting field coil which comprises a single or double pancake coil formed by winding a superconducting wire, a core-type rotor which is made of a magnetic material, and an armature winding excited to three phases on a surface of a core of a stator. The field coil of the homopolar type superconducting synchronous machine is not rotated when the machine is in operation. Thus, there is no part for coupling the rotating field coil to a stationary cryo-cooler for cooling a refrigerant, so that the structure is simple, reliability is high, and various cooling methods are available. |
| US08204561B2 |
One piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner for mobile electronic devices
A one-piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner formed on the interior of the exterior hard shell for mobile electronic devices. This hard protective exterior shell allows the device maximum protection from impacts with sharp objects while the interior elastomeric portion that provides shock protection for the device from impacts. The exterior hard shell part is formed to fit the device closely with a small offset from the devices surface. The exterior hard shell raps around the edges of the device. To allow the shell to be able to be mounted on the device the comers of the hard shell are cut open. This allows each sidewall to flex away when a device is inserted and snap back once it is in place. The elastomeric material fills in the gaps created at the comers of the exterior hard shell to allow flex for mounting. |
| US08204560B2 |
Clamshell phone with edge access
A handheld communication device (10) is provided. The handheld communication device (10) includes a first housing (102) having a circuit board portion (230) and a display portion (240) extending from a first end of the circuit board portion along a (230) predominant plane (239) of the first housing (102), a second housing (104) including a battery (342) and a keypad (124) where the battery (342) and keypad (124) are coextensive along a length and width of a predominant plane (227) of the second housing (104), a hinge assembly (106) that couples a midpoint of the circuit board portion (230) to an end (226) of the second housing (104) where the hinge assembly (106) defines a pivot axis that is mutually parallel to the predominant planes of the both the first and second housings (102, 104) and a user connector (130) located on a second end (128) of the circuit board portion (230) opposite the display portion (240) where an axis of insertion of the user connector is parallel to the predominant plane of the first housing (102) and wherein a total thickness of the display portion (240) and second housing (104) is substantially equal to a thickness of the circuit board portion (230). |
| US08204554B2 |
System and method for conserving battery power in a mobile station
In one embodiment, a mobile station including a chassis having a display, a power reducer, a proximity sensor, and a microprocessor. The power reducer controls power consumption of the display. The proximity sensor is coupled to the chassis and causes the power consumption to be reduced when the display is within a predetermined range of an external object. The microprocessor is coupled to the proximity sensor and to the display and automatically activates the proximity sensor based on the mobile station receiving an incoming wireless telephone call. |
| US08204551B2 |
Attachable battery pack for intelligent cell phone
An attachable battery pack having a battery body with a pivoted clamp for detachably fastening to one end of an intelligent cell phone (iPhone or Google phone) as a spare battery. The battery body is configured to overlay the display screen of the intelligent cell phone to provide protection for the display screen and includes a charging circuit and connector for charging the built-in battery of the intelligent cell phone. |
| US08204549B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal including a terminal body having an earpiece mounting portion, and an earpiece detachably mounted at the earpiece mounting portion. The earpiece includes an earpiece body configured to communicate with the terminal body, and a speaker portion configured to output sound transmitted from the earpiece body, the speaker portion having a controllable length so as to reduce a thickness of the earpiece when the earpiece is detachably mounted at the earpiece mounting portion. |
| US08204544B2 |
Agile remote radio head
A system for providing wireless communication is provided. The system comprises a radio transceiver comprising a plurality of configurable receivers and transmitters and a programmable processor, wherein the programmable processor is operable to configure at least some of the plurality of receivers and transmitters to operate using an operational mode associated with at least one of a designated coverage area and capacity. |
| US08204539B2 |
Analog processing device for a data transmission device
In order to put the voice transmission function of a data transmission device into practice, the present invention provides an analog processing device for a data transmission device, which includes an analog signal processing unit for performing analog signal processes on an input signal received by the data transmission device and an output signal transmitted by the data transmission device, an audio interface unit coupled to the analog signal processing unit, for transmitting the input signal and the output signal, an output unit coupled to the audio interface unit, for transmitting the output signal from the audio interface unit to an external device, and an input unit coupled to the audio interface unit, for transmitting the input signal from the external device to the audio interface unit. |
| US08204536B2 |
Automatic provisioning based on communication network connectivity and characteristics
A communication device and/or applications capable of facilitating communication through different networks are automatically provisioned based on recognition of network environment including network connectivity and characteristics. A user's multiple identities for different networks with varying capabilities and features are accommodated by detecting and prioritizing available network(s), then provisioning the device to enable the user to communicate through one or more of those networks. Communication types and media may vary depending on network type such as cellular, VOIP, and so on. The device may be configured to scan for new networks automatically periodically or based on location change, time change, etc. |
| US08204535B1 |
Uniform reverse-link power control for an active set of a mobile station
Exemplary methods and systems are described that may be employed in a radio access network in order to aggregate the power-control messages from the sectors in a mobile station's active set, and provide an aggregate reverse-link power-control indication, in all active sectors. To do so, an exemplary base station may periodically determine an appropriate reverse-link power adjustment for a mobile station. However, rather than immediately send power-adjustment indications to the mobile station, each base station serving an active sector is preferably configured to send the power-adjustment indication to mobile switching center. The mobile switching center then determines an aggregate power-control indication for the mobile station. The aggregate power-control indication may then be transmitted to the mobile station in each of the mobile station's active sectors. |
| US08204534B2 |
Transmit power control system, transmit power control method, and terminal device
A system of controlling transmit power of a base station where a terminal device having a receive diversity function is wirelessly connected includes a power information generation part to generate transmit power control information that corresponds to variation in reception characteristics of the terminal device when a receive diversity state is switched; and a transmit power control part to control transmit power of a downstream signal based on the transmit power control information. |
| US08204528B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating access to a home, or other public network
An apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating home, or other public network access by a wireless device. The access is made in order to access public-network services by the wireless device when connecting to the public network by way of another network. Access availability by way of 802.1x-capable wireless local area networks, if any, is determined. A listing is made of networks through which connections are able to be made. And, if operator policy permits, a public-network access attempter attempts to make communication connections by way of non-802.1x-capable wireless local area networks, if any. Identification is made of network access availability, and such identified network access is displayed to provide a user of the wireless device with an opportunity to select in what manner to connect to the public network. |
| US08204527B2 |
Subscriber station transceiver allocation of groups of subcarriers between a plurality of transceiver antennas
Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a subscriber station transceiver allocating and transmitting groups of subcarriers between a plurality of transceiver antennas are disclosed. One method includes the subscriber station transceiver receiving at least one downlink signal through each of the plurality of subscriber station antennas. The subscriber station transceiver characterizes a received signal of the at least one downlink signal over multiple subcarriers. The subscriber station transceiver allocates groups of subcarriers for uplink transmission through each of the plurality of subscriber antennas, wherein the allocation is based on the characterized received signal of the at least one downlink signal over multiple subcarriers. |
| US08204526B2 |
Unified addressing
An outgoing message composed on a mobile wireless communication device may be recognized as including a Short Messaging Service (SMS) destination address in an addressing field. The outgoing message may then be processed to create a SMS message payload. The SMS message payload may then be passed to a SMS client application executed on the wireless communication device with an indication of the SMS destination address so that the SMS client application may form an SMS message based on the SMS message payload and the indication of the SMS destination address. |
| US08204520B2 |
System and method for routing short message service special number messages to local special number answering points
A system and method that overrides the initial destination number of an SMS message based on the destination number in the message itself. The communications device, a serving MSC or STP checks the destination address and overwrites the default SMSC address with a local special number service center address when it detects a special number destination address recognized anywhere in the world (e.g., 9-1-1, 1-1-2, 1-1-0, etc.). The message is then delivered to a local special number service center. The special number service center then delivers the message to an answering point, which then communicates with the caller. |
| US08204517B1 |
Method and system of paging a mobile station
An access network may identify paging areas based on a reference location (e.g., a mobile station's last known location), where each paging area includes at least one coverage area. The access network may then determine paging-channel occupancies for coverage areas in at least identified paging area. In turn, the access network may adjust a given identified paging area based on the determined paging-channel occupancies, resulting in an adjusted paging area. For example, the access network may add coverage areas to the given identified paging area and/or remove coverage areas from the given identified paging area based on the paging-channel occupancies for those coverage areas. Thereafter, the access network may page a mobile station associated with the reference location in the adjusted paging area. |
| US08204516B2 |
Methods for scheduling collided paging occasions of multiple wireless networks and communication apparatuses utilizing the same
A communication apparatus is provided. A first subscriber identity card camps on a first cell. A second subscriber identity card camps on a second cell. A processor obtains information regarding first paging occasions distributed within a predetermined time interval for the first subscriber identity card, obtains information regarding second paging occasions distributed within the predetermined time interval for the second subscriber identity card, detects a forthcoming time slot of the predetermined time interval in which one of the first paging occasions collides with one of the second paging occasions, determines listening to one of the first cell and the second cell in the detected time slot, and notifies of the determination to the radio transceiver module so as to direct the radio transceiver module to listen to the determined cell to receive a corresponding paging message from the determined cell in the detected time slot. |
| US08204513B2 |
Location-based social software for mobile devices
A method of establishing connection between users of mobile devices includes receiving at a computer a location of a first user from a first mobile device, receiving from a second mobile device a location of a second user having an acquaintance relationship to the first user, and sending a message to the first mobile device based on the proximity of the first user to the second user. |
| US08204511B2 |
Mid-call synchronization for U-TDOA and AOA location in UMTS
In a wireless location system, a method for determining frame and slot timing information for use in receiving an uplink signal from a user equipment (UE) device assigned to an uplink Dedicated Physical Control Channel (DPCCH) includes receiving signals in the uplink DPCCH at a location measurement unit (LMU) of the WLS. The method also includes detecting a predefined bit pattern known to be present in a plurality of predefined slots of the uplink DPCCH. Next, the frame and slot timing information are determined for the uplink DPCCH based on the detected bit pattern. Finally, the frame and slot timing information is used for collecting uplink signals from the UE for use in location processing. |
| US08204509B2 |
Method of and device for air time management in multi-access channel networks
An air time management method and apparatus for multi-access channel networks is provided, suitable for use when terminal stations operate with adaptive modulation. A specific modulation (default modulation) is defined for each terminal station (in a planning phase. During operation, when bandwidth is to be allotted to an uplink or downlink communication, a base station checks whether the concerned terminal station is operating with a modulation more robust (e.g. less efficient) than the default modulation. In so, the base station allocates a time slot to the communication that has a duration sufficient for transmitting less than all of a particular set of data with the default modulation. If not, the base station allocates a time slot to the communication that has a duration sufficient for transmitting all of a particular set of data with the current modulation. |
| US08204508B2 |
Uplink scheduling and resource allocation with fast indication
Systems and methods for signalling transitions between talk-spurt state and silence state for wireless terminals having semi-persistently allocated uplink resources are employed. A layer 1/2 indication of the state transitions may be transmitted using a resource that is specifically allocated for that purpose. Alternatively, ACK/NACK signalling may be employed. Layer 1 indications may be employed for both state transition types. Alternatively, in-band MAC layer signalling may be used to signal state transition from talk-spurt state to silence, or the network may deduce this state transition on its own. A different uplink wireless transition resource is allocated for the talk-spurt state vs. the silence state. |
| US08204507B2 |
Supplemental node transmission assistance in a wireless communications network
Supplemental node transmission assistance in a wireless network provides for transmissions between a wireless network and wireless user equipment in a first direction using a serving node of the wireless network while providing for transmissions between the wireless network and wireless user equipment in a second direction using a supplemental node of the wireless network. The supplemental node is selected based on providing better channel conditions between the network and the user equipment in the second direction than the serving node. The supplemental node thus provides transmission assistance for the serving node in order to provide the best available downlink and uplink communications between the user equipment and the network. |
| US08204506B2 |
Method and apparatuses for allocating service area identifiers in a wireless system
The present invention relates to a method for allocating service area identifiers (SAI) for a femto cell (200A) upon the femto cell (200A) being created. According to the method, information is received about detected cells obtained by scanning performed by a femto radio base station (210A) that is serving the femto cell (200A) in addition to information identifying the femto base station (210A) or the femto cell (200A); a request for SAIs, is transmitted to a SAI selection entity (250, 400) based on the received information, and SAIs selected by a selection entity (250) are received together with an associated user type. The identifiers are further allocated for the created femto cell (200A). The present invention also relates to an apparatus (100, 300) and to the selection entity (250, 400). |
| US08204505B2 |
Managing network-initiated quality of service setup in mobile device and network
Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that manage employment of network (NW)-initiated resource allocation and user equipment (UE)-initiated resource allocation for a UE. To employ NW-initiated resource allocation, a core network can transmit an indicator to the UE indicating that Policy and Charging Control (PCC) is supported by a network associated with the UE. The UE receives the indicator and other information, such as indicator regarding whether the current access network supports NW-initiated resource allocation and whether the current application prefers NW-initiated resource allocation, determines that NW-initiated resource allocation is to be employed, and the core network initiates resource allocation for the UE. If any indicator is not received by the UE, or the UE receives an indicator that indicates PCC is not supported or not preferred, the UE determines that UE-initiated resource allocation is to be employed, and transmits a request for resource allocation to the core network. |
| US08204504B2 |
Wireless communications system and method
The invention is directed to a mobile communications system having improved spectral efficiency. The invention is further directed to methods and apparatus to achieve this improved spectral efficiency. In the mobile communications system communication with a plurality of mobile terminals is provided by a base station. Within the system terminals are adapted to communicate with one or more adjacent similar terminals to establish groups of terminals, called micro-cells. Each terminal within a micro-cell receives signals from the base station and then performs a first processing step on these signals. These processed signals are shared with all the other terminals within the micro-cell. Each terminal then performs a second processing step on the information it has received from all the other terminals within the micro-cell which enables it to derive a signal intended for reception by that terminal. The technique is applicable to both the uplink (user to base station) and the down link (base station to user) and also to peer to peer (user to user) communication. |
| US08204500B2 |
Optimal voicemail deposit for roaming cellular telephony
Apparatus and method for management of optimal voicemail deposit to the voicemail of a currently roaming mobile telephony user during late call forwarding, is located at the user's home network and includes a disconnection unit for disconnecting an international link upon detection of late call forwarding; a triggering unit that ensures that a trigger signal is available for triggering the passing of control of the call to allow direct forwarding of the caller to the voicemail; and a direct forwarding unit that receives the control and carries out the forwarding. Generally the roaming user only generates a single trigger, and this causes difficulties if multiple services need triggering for the same call, such as a prepaid unit and the optimal voicemail deposit. The disclosure teaches methods which when used in combination provide a system that can operate at the home network irrespective of the configuration of the roaming network. |
| US08204499B2 |
Determining mobile station operating country to enable system selection or other location based device features without network assistance
A mobile station automatically determines a country in which mobile station is or will operate from readily available information, without direct assistance from the local wireless communication network. A multimode mobile station, for example, capable of both 3GPP and CDMA operation, is programmed to detect both MCC type system identifiers (from 3GPP protocol) and SID type system identifiers (from CDMA protocol) and map both types of identifiers to country identifications. However, at some locations, the SID may not uniquely map to a country. In this later case, an exemplary mobile station may identify the country by determining a local time (LTM) offset and mapping a combination of the SID obtained at the current location and the LTM offset to an identification of the country. The mobile station may use the country determination to help select a preferred network or to enable a location based device feature. |
| US08204498B1 |
Automated content download tool
A system, method, and computer-readable media are provided for automatically evaluating the download of content retrieved from a content catalog to one or more mobile communications devices. The specific mobile communications devices and content that will be downloaded to the mobile communications devices may be identified by way of a web interface. This download information may be sent to an automatic test script, executed on a computing device that instructs various components throughout the download process. A remote device may receive instructions and download information from the automatic test script to initiate the download process, such that the content, retrieved from a wireless communications network, may be downloaded to the identified mobile communications device. After the download process has completed, a report that includes an indication of download results may then be generated and stored in a memory of the computing device. |
| US08204497B2 |
Method for testing a mobile radio device
A reproducible method for testing mobile radio devices in different tolerant test modes by generating an instruction sequence that can be programmed or that can be obtained from measurement data, for controlling a protocol test that simulates a mobile radio network and that sends signals to the mobile radio device and tolerates allowable deviations of the received response signals of the mobile radio device according to mobile telephony standards in the tolerant mode while keeping a protocol of the unacceptable deviations as errors, and that terminates the test upon ever deviation in the strict mode and outputs the protocol on an output device once the test is finished. |
| US08204494B2 |
Controlling the use of a wireless mobile communication device
A controlling party can set limitations on a controlled party's access to applications operating on the controlled party's wireless mobile communication device. The controlling party can effectuate these limitations via various different mechanisms. In one instance, the controlling party uses another wireless communication device to effectuate the limitations. In another instance, the limitations are effectuated by the controlling party's operation of a data processing apparatus connected by a wired data communication bus to the controlled party's wireless mobile communication device. In a still further instance, the controlling party effectuates the limitations by accessing a website supported by a web server. |
| US08204491B2 |
Method and device for restricted access contact information datum
A method in a mobile communication device and a network for transmitting, receiving, and processing a user-accessible contact information data entry in a contact information storage medium (214). User-accessible contact information data, such as a telephone book entry, is transmitted by a sender's device to the mobile communication device (202) with particular restrictions on the entry that trigger a processor (212) to carry out instructions (226, 224, 222) to restrict annunciation, transmission, and/or modification of the telephone book entry and also to trigger instructions (218) to delete all or part of the telephone book entry upon fulfillment of an expiration criterion specified by the sender's device. |
| US08204488B2 |
Web content distribution to personal cellular telecommunications devices
The present invention is directed toward distribution of web content to personal cellular telecommunications devices. The present invention proposes compiling syndicated items compilation files containing the entire contents of one or more syndicated information files and/or status notification compilation files containing a list of one or more syndication feeds and status information regarding same. Both types of compilation files can be Point-To-MultiPoint (P2MP) pushed to all available personal cellular telecommunications devices in one or more cells selected by a cellular operator using standardized P2MP push technology. Alternatively, status notification compilation files can be P2P pulled by or P2P pushed to particular personal cellular telecommunications devices. The present invention also proposes offering accessing full stories in formats other than conventional web page formats. Such non web page formats include inter alia SMS, MMS, email, and the like. |
| US08204485B2 |
System and method for enabling a mobile content player to interface with multiple content servers
A system and method is provided for a wireless device for adding a content server as a content source for the wireless device in a push content delivery system having a plurality of content servers configurable for delivering push content to the wireless device. The process operable on the wireless device comprises receiving an invitation from the content server at the wireless device; determining if a mobile content player is to be installed on the wireless device; determining if the invitation is accepted; sending wireless device data to the content server from the wireless device if the invitation is accepted, where the wireless device data is for configuring the content server to push content to the wireless device; and retrieving and installing the mobile content player on the wireless device if the mobile content server is to be installed. |
| US08204482B2 |
Efficient network resource management in a wireless network
Wireless data services such as wireless email are becoming common, and in particular, “always-on” systems, where new email is automatically forwarded by the service provider to the wireless device. The problem is that there is no effective mechanism for implementing “always-on” systems when the user is moving around a network, or from one network to another. The invention addresses this problem by generating a session key at the service provider's system for a given data session, and returning this session key to the mobile device. Each time the mobile device communicates with the service provider, it enters this session key into a field that will simply pass through the communication network to the service provider. This allows the service provider to manage the data session, preparing proper accounting records and directing the deletion of stale data sessions on network resources. |
| US08204481B2 |
Method and system for managing autonomous search in various modes in a long-term evolution environment
A method for wireless communication in a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-equivalent environment which allows a mobile device to manage autonomous search functions (ASF) is disclosed. In an LTE-equivalent environment, a mobile device may function in several modes, including idle and connected. In either mode, the mobile device may need to use an autonomous search function (ASF) to find or exchange information with base stations. The mobile device first determines the mode the current operation pertains to. When modifying the availability of an ASF, the mobile device distinguishes between the modes that will execute the ASF. When calling an ASF, the mobile device determines the availability of that function based on the device's current mode. In idle mode, the mobile device uses the idle mode ASF. Conversely, in connected mode the mobile device uses the connected mode ASF. The two functions are distinctly managed and operated by the mobile device. |
| US08204479B2 |
Line number porting for mobile devices
Methods, systems, apparatus including computer program products having instructions for porting numbers are provided. In one example system and method, a vPBX system can receive a request from a user to port an existing phone number to the vPBX system. The vPBX server can identify a porting authentication template, based on the requirements of an existing service provider. The vPBX server generate a fax document on the retrieved template. The vPBX server can populate the generated fax document with user information. The vPBX server can receive a user's hand signature from a touch-screen interface of a mobile device. The vPBX server can authenticate the fax document with the received signature, and transmit the authenticated fax document to the existing service provider. The vPBX server can provide the user with a temporary line number with forwarding functions until porting is completed. |
| US08204476B2 |
Portable telephone and electronic device
A portable telephone and electronic device are provided. The portable telephone includes a casing having a first surface: a finger guide section that is provided in the first surface and guides a finger of a user to allow the finger to be placed so that a side portion of the finger faces the first surface; an illuminating section provided in the first surface so as to be adjacent to the finger guide section, the illuminating section being capable of radiating light of a predetermined wavelength that transmits through the placed finger; an imaging section provided in the casing so as to be spaced at a predetermined distance from the first surface with respect to a perpendicular direction, the imaging section being capable of imaging the light that has transmitted through the finger; and a control section that performs authentication of the user on the basis of an image obtained by the imaging. |
| US08204474B2 |
Telephone company system
A mobile telephone station is installed in each of a real society and a virtual society arranged on the Internet. A telephone number of a real mobile telephone is associated with a telephone number of a virtual mobile telephone owned by a virtual person corresponding to the owner of the real mobile telephone or the same telephone number is assigned to the telephones so as to link their exchange functions. Thus, it is possible to make a telephone call to both the real society and virtual society without performing a special operation, such as changing telephones in each case, and to use a virtual settlement card issued by a virtual settlement company, and thus this enables performing rich and smooth economic activities in the virtual society. |
| US08204463B2 |
Method for antenna verification
A method of enabling a communications receiver to verify an antenna weight previously signalled by the communications receiver to a base station, the method including the steps of; equalizing (14) a channel estimate of a dedicated pilot channel by the complex conjugate of a channel estimate of a common pilot channel to form an estimate of the transmission weight used by the base station; and for each transmission slot, combining (20) a component of the transmission weight estimates for current and previous slots to form an optimised transmission weight estimate. |
| US08204462B2 |
Digital radio receiver
A digital radio receiver for receiving information on a piece of music that is identification information for specifying content of digital acoustic information, the identification information being broadcast together with the digital acoustic information, is provided. The digital radio receiver includes an internal memory configured to store the information on the piece of music; an operation unit configured to set a timing at which a flag is attached to the information on the piece of music recorded in the internal memory; and a controller configured to perform a process for storing the information on the piece of music in the internal memory. |
| US08204461B2 |
Digital radio receiver and method of reproducing acoustic information
A digital radio receiver for receiving information on a piece of music that is identification information for specifying content of digital acoustic information, the identification information being broadcast together with the digital acoustic information is provided. The digital radio receiver includes an internal memory configured to store the information on the piece of music; an operation unit configured to set a timing at which the information on the piece of music is stored in the internal memory; a display unit configured to display the information on the piece of music; and a controller configured to perform a process for storing the information on the piece of music in the internal memory in response to the operation of the operation unit. |
| US08204460B2 |
Method and system for precise transmit power adjustment in wireless communication systems
A method for precise transmit power adjustment in a wide personal area network (WPAN) is provided that includes coarse adjusting a power level of the radio signal by adjusting a gain setting of an amplifier that is used to power the radio signal, and fine adjusting the power level of the radio signal by adjusting a voltage level of an information signal that is provided to the amplifier so that the power level of the radio signal approaches a maximum allowable power level. |
| US08204456B2 |
Systems and methods for spurious emission cancellation
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include digitally pre-distorting a digital baseband signal with an opposite phase of a C-IM3 distortion term such that the pre-distortion and C-IM3 distortion cancel each other out in a transmitter. The method may also include digitally conditioning the pre-distorted digital signal in order to provide a flat amplitude response of a composite filter comprising a baseband filter and a digital half-band filter of the transmitter, and to provide a linear phase response for the composite filter. |
| US08204453B2 |
Method, apparatus and communication unit
A method, an apparatus and a communication unit for generating preceding feedback information in a multiple frequency radio transmission system are disclosed. A rank for preceding matrices, wherein the rank is constant over the multiple frequencies, is selected and a plurality of preceding matrices having the selected rank are selected. A different preceding matrix is selected for each frequency subset of the multiple frequencies. |
| US08204448B2 |
Channel condition based signal quality feedback bandwidth allocation
A first amount of bandwidth is allocated to a first wireless device to send signal quality information to a base station. Based on a first indicator of wireless link conditions associated with the first wireless device, and a second indicator of wireless link conditions associated with a second wireless device, a second amount of bandwidth is allocated to the first wireless device to send signal quality information to the base station. |
| US08204447B2 |
Application processor apparatus and method for monitoring a wireless communication network
An application processor of a distributed architecture for monitoring mobile communication in a wireless communication network is claimed. Systems and methods enable receiving reporting data related to events that occur in a wireless network from the perspective of the wireless device. The data management system is capable of generating a data reporting profile and communicating with a wireless device. The application processor is capable of monitoring and reporting a plurality of conditions within the wireless device and sending and receiving communications from the data management system. The baseband processor is capable of monitoring and reporting plurality of conditions on the wireless network and sending and receiving communications with the application processor. Both the application processor and the baseband processor monitor and report the conditions of the device and the network by applying a series of logical rules found within the data reporting profile. |
| US08204446B2 |
Adaptive antenna tuning systems and methods
Embodiments include antenna tuning systems and methods of tuning an antenna of a wireless device with an antenna, a circuit with at least one tunable component, and a processing system. The processing system determines tuning selection inputs during a communication session. Based on the tuning selection inputs, the processing system determines one or more component values for one or more tunable components. In an embodiment, the component value(s) are determined from a set of pre-defined component values. The tunable component(s) are controlled to have the determined component value(s). The circuit may be an impedance matching circuit that includes at least one tunable reactive component. Alternatively, the circuit may be an antenna tuning circuit that includes at least one variable component. In an embodiment, both an impedance matching circuit and an antenna tuning circuit may be implemented, with each type of circuit having one or more tunable components. |
| US08204445B2 |
Detecting signals
A receiver device comprising: a frequency hopping radio receiver for operation according to a frequency hopping radio protocol and arranged to detect the presence of interference characteristic of a predetermined other radio protocol; and a user-alerting unit responsive to the receiver; the receiver device being configurable to actuate the user-alerting unit for alerting a user in response to the detection of interference characteristic of the other radio protocol. |
| US08204441B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, body-insertable apparatus, and transmitting and receiving system
A transmitting apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an external specifying signal for specifying a center frequency of data to be transmitted; a control unit that outputs a specifying signal corresponding to the center frequency; and a frequency switching circuit. The frequency switching circuit includes a center frequency adjuster that adjusts a center frequency of a carrier wave that carries the data to be transmitted; a frequency modulator that modulates a frequency of the carrier wave according to the center frequency and the data to be transmitted; and a frequency switching unit that switches the center frequency of the carrier wave on the basis of the specifying signal. |
| US08204440B2 |
Wireless transmitting/receiving device
A wireless transmitting/receiving device includes a wireless emitter, a connector, a digital signal processor, an audio signal connector and an analog signal processor. The wireless transmitting/receiving device is used to be electrically connected to an electronic device and transmit data by sending and receiving wireless signals. The connector is used to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The digital signal processor is electrically connected to the wireless emitter, and the digital signal processor may be connected to the connector. The audio signal connector is used to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The analog signal processor is electrically connected to the wireless emitter, and the analog signal processor may be connected to the audio signal connector. |
| US08204439B2 |
Wireless reader tags (WRTs) with sensor components in asset monitoring and tracking systems
A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast. |
| US08204436B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling bluetooth in portable terminal
Provided are an apparatus and a method for controlling a Bluetooth in a portable terminal. The method includes receiving a Bluetooth connection request signal; determining whether a current state is a communicable state in which a Bluetooth control message can be received; if it is determined that the current state is the communicable state, determining whether a correct Bluetooth control message has been received and stored; and if it is determined that the correct Bluetooth control message has not been received and stored, establishing a connection of a Bluetooth communication. |
| US08204432B2 |
System and method for receiving broadcast content on a mobile platform during international travel
A vehicle information system for passenger vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The vehicle information system includes a multi-regional antenna subsystem and a multi-regional receiver system for receiving viewing content provided by diverse content sources during travel, including international travel. The multi-regional antenna and receiver system provide selected viewing content for distribution throughout the vehicle information system and presentation via one or more passenger interfaces. As the vehicle approaches the coverage region of a selected content source, the vehicle information system automatically reconfigures the multi-regional antenna and receiver system to receive viewing content from the content source without requiring manual adjustment to, or replacement of, the multi-regional antenna subsystem and/or receiver system. Passengers traveling aboard the vehicle thereby can continuously enjoy the viewing content during travel with limited interruption in service and without unwanted travel delays. |
| US08204423B2 |
Cleaning device with accumulation prevention, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus including same
Described embodiments include apparatuses and processes for cleaning a surface of a rotatable image carrier including a cleaning unit configured to prevent material from accumulating on a cleaning blade. |
| US08204422B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge having a charging unit
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process cartridges provided for black and for another color. The process cartridges each including a set of a latent image carrier, a charging unit that charges a surface of the latent image carrier, and a lubricant applying unit that applies lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier. The process cartridges for black and for the another color each has a cartridge frame with which the process cartridge is attachable to and removable from an apparatus body. The cartridge frames of the process cartridges for black and for the another color being of the same type. The process cartridge for black differs from the process cartridge for the another color in the configuration of the charging unit. The amounts of lubricant applied by the lubricant applying units to the respective latent image carriers differ with respect to the configuration of the charging unit. |
| US08204416B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring color-to-color registration
In one embodiment, a method of measuring color-to-color registration includes: a) marking test pattern images on an image receiving member using a reference color separation station and a first color separation station over a process direction span in relation to selected target media and a cyclic characteristic of a multicolor marking platform, b) detecting each test pattern image, c) determining a registration measurement associated with the first color separation in relation to the reference color separation for each test pattern image, and d) determining a repeatable registration error pattern associated with the first color separation and the selected target media in relation to the cyclic characteristic based at least in part on the registration measurements determined in c). In one embodiment, the multicolor marking platform includes a marking engine, a controller, an image receiving member, a sensor, color registration measurement logic, and repeatable registration error determining logic. |
| US08204415B2 |
Developing unit, processing unit, and image forming apparatus
A developing unit includes a brush member that includes a base member and a plurality of raisings that are erected on a surface of the base. The brush member traps toner within the raisings and causes a flicker movement in the raisings of the brush so that the toner trapped within the raisings is shaken and flown due to the flicker movement to the surface of a toner carrying member. |
| US08204414B2 |
Fastening structure, blade structure, develop unit, and image formation apparatus
A fastening structure which fixes a doctor blade to a holder is provided, which includes a cylindrical portion provided on one surface of the holder with which a doctor blade is overlapped, a through hole having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion and penetrating through the doctor blade. In the fastening structure, while the cylindrical portion is inserted through the through hole with a gap between an outer circumference of the cylindrical portion and an inner circumference of the through hole, an end portion of the cylindrical portion is pressed to be expanded in an outer circumferential direction and then bent towards the doctor blade, to thereby fix the doctor blade to the holder by supporting it between the end portion and the one surface of the holder. |
| US08204412B2 |
Image forming apparatus generating electrostatic forces in first and second directions with a predetermined duty ratio
A duty ratio Du (%), denoted by (T2/(T1+T2))×100, is in the range of 60≦Du≦80; a magnetic carrier has a resistivity ρ which decreases in accordance with an increasing electric field strength, and a relative dielectric constant ∈ which increases in accordance with an increasing electric field strength; a product of a time constant ∈0∈ρ(s) of electric charge decay in an electric field strength E2D decided by a second peak voltage V2 and a dark potential VD, and an electric field strength E2D satisfies a relation of 20≦∈0∈ρ E2D (s·V/cm); and a time constant ∈0∈ρ(s) and a relative dielectric constant ∈ in an electric field strength E1L, which is decided by a first peak voltage V1 and a bright potential VL, satisfy the following relations: ∈0∈ρ(s)≦6.0×10−4, and 30≦∈. |
| US08204411B2 |
Electrographic image developing apparatus and method for developing including compensation for slippage
An electrostatic printing method in which the toning shell and the magnetic core each rotate in a co-current direction with the imaging member such that the portion of the toning shell adjacent to the image development area moves in a process direction, and the magnetic core rotates in the same direction as the toning shell such that a the average developer bulk velocity (ADBV) of the developer on the toning shell is in the same direction and proportional to the photoconductor velocity. |
| US08204407B2 |
High strength, light weight corona wires using carbon nanotube yarns, a method of charging a photoreceptor and a charging device using nanotube yarns
Exemplary embodiments provide methods, materials and devices for a corona charging. Specifically, carbon nanotube yarns can be used as corona wires (or coronode) in a corotron-type or scorotron-type charging device. The carbon nanotube yarns can provide small diameters, and desired electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The carbon nanotube yarns can have a diameter of about 100 microns or less for a low operating voltage of the charging device. |
| US08204405B2 |
Image-forming device that separates developing units from photosensitive members
A plurality of developing units is disposed beneath photosensitive drums for supplying toner to the photosensitive drums. A mounting member detachably mounts the developing units and is configured to be pulled out from the main casing. A supporting member has an upstream end portion in a pulling direction that the mounting member is pulled outward from the main casing and is pivotably supported on the main casing about the upstream end portion. The mounting member is slidably supported on the supporting member in the pulling direction. The supporting member is configured to pivot with the mounting member between a first position where the developing units are capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drums and a second position where the developing units separate from the photosensitive drums. The mounting member is configured to be pulled out from the main casing if the support member is in the second position. |
| US08204402B2 |
Shutter mechanism
A shutter mechanism is provided in a supply port through which powder is supplied to a second device from a first device. The shutter mechanism includes a shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device and a guide groove that is provided in a recess manner so as not to be exposed from the supply port as viewed from the second device and guides the opening and closing operation of the shutter. A space is formed between the guide groove and an end portion of the supply port making contact with the shutter when the shutter closes the supply port. |
| US08204401B2 |
Image forming apparatus with exterior access
An image forming apparatus, including: an exterior portion having a first panel and a second panel that are opened/closed when an internal mechanism for image formation is taken outside; and an opening/closing interlocking device that makes the second panel open/close in connection with an opening/closing operation of the first panel. |
| US08204400B2 |
Charging device capable of efficiently charging image carrier
A charging device includes a charging roller, a drive transmission device, and a charging roller cleaner. The charging roller opposes an image carrier driven to rotate and rotates to charge the image carrier. The charging roller cleaner contacts the charging roller to clean the charging roller. The drive transmission device transmits torque from the image carrier to the charging roller, and includes an image carrier gear and a driven gear. The image carrier gear and the driven gear form a gear train to drive the charging roller in response to rotation of the image carrier. The charging roller cleaner is disposed facing a rear surface of the charging roller to prevent displacement of the charging roller due to a force generated by a pressure angle formed between the image carrier gear and the driven gear when the charging roller rotates in response to rotation of the image carrier. |
| US08204394B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus, image adjustment is performed by detecting a toner image constituting an image adjustment pattern 22 transferred to an intermediate transfer member. On the intermediate transfer member 2, a leading pattern 21 longer than a circumference of a secondary transfer roller 13 is formed at a leading position in a travelling direction of the intermediate-transfer-member ahead of the image adjustment pattern 22 by using a toner that is highest in brightness among toners used for the image adjustment pattern 22 or a toner that is higher in brightness than any toner used for the image adjustment pattern 22. Staining of the rear face of the recording medium due to toner adhering to the secondary transfer roller is prevented without increasing the apparatus scale. |
| US08204392B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device includes a controller that is configured to, during a warming-up operation performed before an image forming operation, control a cleaner perfoiiiiing cleaning to remove development agent from a conveying belt and a remaining amount detector performing detection of an amount of development agent remaining in the development unit in a contact state where a development unit contacts an image holding body. When it is presumed that there is a small amount of development agent on the image holding body, the controller controls the remaining amount detector to perform the detection during the cleaning. When it is presumed that there is a large amount of development agent on the image holding body, the controller controls the remaining amount detector to perform the detection after execution of the cleaning in a separate state where the development unit is apart from the image holding body. |
| US08204390B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for detecting the fullness of waste-toner container
An image forming apparatus includes a waste-toner container, a light sensor having a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, a light-blocking member for covering the light sensor to detect the attachment of the waste-toner container, and a control unit. When the waste-toner container is determined to be full based on the output voltage of the light sensor, a printing operation is stopped or is not started until it is determined that the waste-toner container is removed and then attached, and that the waste-toner container is not full. A method for detecting the fullness of a waste-toner container includes the steps of detecting the fullness of the waste-toner container, prohibiting printing, detecting whether or not the waste-toner container is attached, and permitting printing. |
| US08204384B2 |
Phase-modulating communication device
A system, method, and communication device are disclosed. The system can include an optical interrogator and a phase-modulating communication device. The communication device can include a retro-optimized lens, a phase modulator, and a processor. The retro-optimized lens can be a non-imaging optical arrangement configured to minimize deviation between an incoming signal and a reflected signal used for return link communications. The processor can be configured to calibrate a modulation path length of the communication device based on a wavelength of the communication signal and can control an operation of the phase-modulator to send phase-coded messages to the interrogator. Optionally, the processor can perform a real-time phase calibration of the communication device using feedback from the interrogator. |
| US08204382B2 |
Radio frequency-based optical transport network systems and methods
The present disclosure provides radio frequency (RF)-based OTN systems and methods. This includes a framework to carry services over RF-based links without using SONET/SDH or asynchronous radio. In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure utilizes an OTN framework over RF. Additionally, the present disclosure can also apply to other non-OTN frameworks such as an extended Ethernet frame with forward error correction (FEC) over RF-based links. The present disclosure combines existing OTN FEC with a radio FEC or with an over-the-air FEC to reduce the OTN FEC. Additionally, the present disclosure utilizes unused overhead to communicate RF data rates between radios. |
| US08204379B2 |
Noise reduction in optical communications networks
An optical network node for an n-channel dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical communications network, includes an add path for adding an n-channel wavelength multiplex onto the network. The add path has an n-channel signal combiner for combining the n signal channels. An optical amplifier amplifies an output of the signal combiner. A multichannel wavelength selective filter with variable-per-channel attenuation filters out noise from the amplifier on a channel which carries no content to be added to the network, and controls amplitude of signals in channels to be added to the network. An add coupler couples the add path to the network. |
| US08204372B2 |
Micro camera module with discrete manual focal positions
A novel micro camera module that is manually adjustable between a close-up mode and an infinite mode includes a lens assembly adjustably mounted within a sleeve that is adjustably mounted into a housing. In a particular embodiment the sleeve includes a channel (cam groove) that is engaged by a plurality of pins fixed to the housing. Further, a biasing member is disposed between the sleeve and the housing such that an upward force will enable the pins to firmly engage the lower portion of the channel. In a more particular embodiment, the channel defines two detents that secure the sleeve into predetermined positions with respect to the housing. In an even more particular embodiment, the channel is sloped such that upon rotation of the sleeve, the distance between the lens assembly and an image capture device is changed. In another particular embodiment, the camera module includes an electrical mode detecting switch that is indicative of the position of the camera module. |
| US08204371B2 |
Back focus adjustment apparatus
A back focus adjustment apparatus of a camera includes a casing, an adjusting module and an image capturing device. The adjusting module includes a fixed support, a movable support and a drive module. The drive module includes an adjustment wheel and two drive wheels. The lens module is mounted on a bottom surface of the casing. The fixed support is fixed in the casing and opposite to the bottom surface thereof. The image capturing device is mounted on the movable support. The drive module is defined on the fixed support. The drive module is connected to the movable support through worm gears defined on drive wheels. The drive wheels and the adjustment wheel are gearingly engaged. The image capturing device moves back and forth according to the adjustment of the adjusting wheel of the adjusting module. |
| US08204354B2 |
System and method for controlling a digital video recorder in response to a telephone state transition
A system and method for controlling a digital video recorder on a cable network. Signaling associated with the answering or initiation of a digital telephone call by a digital telephone subscriber is used to issue commands to a digital video recorder (DVR). A signal is generated by an MTA when the telephone is enters an “off-hook” state and sent to the DVR to initiate recording of a program being viewed by the called party. When the phone goes “on-hook”, the called party resumes watching the program from exactly where it was interrupted. The MTA may be connected directly to the VTD/DVR and the telephone state is determined by the DVR from information provided by the MTA. Alternatively, a soft switch monitors signaling from the MTA indicative of the state of the called telephone. A telephone state message comprising the telephone state information is then sent over an out-of-band channel/path to a DVR client within the VTD. The DVR client uses the telephone state information to control a DVR. |
| US08204351B2 |
Optical module
Provided is an optical module including: an optical assembly incorporating a light emitting or receiving device for converting one of an electrical signal and an optical signal into another of the electrical signal and the optical signal; a circuit board electrically connected to the optical assembly; an optical fiber optically connected to the optical assembly; a tray for winding the optical fiber therein and pulling out the optical fiber therefrom; and a case receiving the optical assembly, the circuit board, the optical fiber, and the tray. In the optical module, the tray is fixed with respect to the case so as to be reciprocatingly movable only within a restricted range, and the tray is moved from a position to another position within the restricted range so as to be moved away from an electrical connection section between the optical assembly and the circuit board. |
| US08204350B2 |
Optical fiber structure with filtering thin film
An optical fiber with filtering thin film includes a first ferrule having a first through hole and a first contact surface. A first fiber is disposed into the first through hole, extending to the first contact surface. A first interface coupling material is between the first ferrule and the first fiber. A second ferrule has a second through hole and a second contact surface. A second fiber is disposed into the second through hole, extending to the second contact surface. A second interface coupling material is between the second ferrule and the second fiber. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are parallel and have an included tilt angle from a perpendicular transverse plane of first fiber. An optical filtering film is disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The first fiber and the second fiber are aligned. |
| US08204349B2 |
Optical fiber with multiple ring-shaped core regions
Optical apparatus, comprising an optical fiber having a wavelength of operation, the optical fiber comprising an inner core, the inner core supporting a fundamental mode and at least first and second higher order modes (HOMs) at the wavelength of operation; a first ring-shaped core region spaced from and disposed about the inner core; a second ring-shaped core region spaced from and disposed about the ring-shaped core region; and wherein the optical fiber is configured and arranged such that the first HOM optically interacts with the first ring-shaped core region and the second HOM optically interacts with the second ring-shaped core region. |
| US08204348B2 |
Composite, optical fiber, power and signal tactical cable
A composite cable includes at least two optical fiber components and at least one additional component. An irradiated crosslinked jacket surrounds the optical fiber component and the at least one additional component. A shield encloses at least the two optical fiber components within the jacket, where the shield protects the optical fibers from irradiation of the crosslinked jacket. |
| US08204346B2 |
Optical router with nearly ideal performance
An optimized planar optical router consisting of two stages performing stationary imaging between an input waveguide and a set of output waveguides has advantages of reduced size, larger number of channels and minimal loss variation in each passband. Each stage is a waveguide grating router, the two stages are characterized by nearly equal free-spectral ranges, and a waveguide lens is connected between the two stages. In one embodiment, the lens is connected between the central zones of the two stages, and the diffraction orders of the two stages vary monotonically from each passband to the next. In another embodiment, the loss caused by secondary images is substantially reduced by using a composite lens providing efficient transmission of both principal and secondary images. |
| US08204344B2 |
Optical modulator
Herein disclosed is an optical modulator, having: a substrate (1); and a center and ground electrodes (4a to 4c), in which the substrate has ridge portions (8a to 8c), the center and ground electrodes are respectively formed above the ridge portions, the ridge portions below the center and ground electrodes respectively have top parts (10a, 10b) having a respective first and second end points (18, 19) separated with a distance of “WR”, the substrate has a bottom surface (21b) between the ridge portions having center and midway points (23, 24) positioned with a respective distance of WR/2 and WR/N (3≦N≦25) from the first end point, the ridge portion below the center electrode has a normal line (13), and the center point and the midway point define a straight line (25) crossed with the normal line at an angle larger or equal to 90.1°. |
| US08204340B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dot marker matching
A method for a computer system includes receiving a first camera image of a 3D object having sensor markers, captured from a first location, at a first instance, receiving a second camera image of the 3D object from a second location, at a different instance, determining points from the first camera image representing sensor markers of the 3D object, determining points from the second camera image representing sensor markers of the 3D object, determining approximate correspondence between points from the first camera image and points from the second camera image, determining approximate 3D locations some sensor markers of the 3D object, and rendering an image including the 3D object in response to the approximate 3D locations. |
| US08204333B2 |
Converting video and image signal bit depths
A technique includes converting a first value for a pixel that is associated with a lower bit depth into a second value for the pixel, which is associated with a higher bit depth based at least in part on a neighborhood of the pixel. |
| US08204332B2 |
Method and device for tone scale curve generation
A method and device for generating an adaptive image tone scale curve and an image processing system including the device are provided. The method may include determining an abscissa and an ordinate of a reference control point and a reference slope of a curve passing the reference control point according to an image of different tissue sites and/or different orientations depending upon one or more practical requirements; calculating an average value of pixels in an area of interest in the image and using the average value as a current image feature value; constructing an S-shaped reference tone scale curve equation by using the coordinates of the reference control point and the reference slope; and substituting coordinates of a new control point and a slope of a curve passing the new control point into the S-shaped reference tone scale curve equation to calculate parameters therein, so as to obtain the adaptive image tone scale curve. |
| US08204329B2 |
System and method for image quality enhancement by reducing the effects of air pollution and haze
A low cost image quality enhancement method to be utilized in an ordinary consumer camera and for post processing of an existing image database is described herein. The quality enhancement is transferred into an adaptive intensity stretching process in the YUV domain. A different enhancement process is designed for a luminance (Y) channel and chrominance (UV) channel. The parameters in the enhancement process are estimated based on the contents of the image. After the stretching-based enhancement, an adaptive unsharp masking process is applied to the luminance data. The quality is significantly improved for the images shot under unfavorable conditions. |
| US08204326B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method and data processing program, encoding apparatus, encoding method and encoding program, and decoding apparatus, decoding method and decoding program
A data processing apparatus includes a motion vector storage unit, an index value generating unit, a storage control unit, and a motion vector reading unit. The motion vector storage unit stores a motion vector in a unit block area. The index value generating unit generates the index value corresponding to a position of the unit block at upper left and upper right corners of an object block for which a prediction motion vector is to be acquired, on the basis of a size of the object block. The storage control unit copies a motion vector of an adjacent block by each of the unit block area and stores the copied motion vector. The motion vector reading unit obtains the index value indicating the unit block area on the basis of the index value. The prediction motion vector is obtained on the basis of the motion vector. |
| US08204325B2 |
Systems and methods for texture synthesis for video coding with side information
A method for texture synthesis for video coding with side information may be implemented by a decoder device. The method may include receiving seed texture at high fidelity. The method may also include receiving remaining portions of synthesized regions at low fidelity. The method may also include receiving marking of regions to synthesize. The method may further include synthesizing the marked regions based on the high-fidelity seed texture and the low-fidelity portions of the synthesized regions. |
| US08204322B2 |
Image processing method, encoder, and decoder
A method of coding (decoding) an image comprised of a pixel block divided into a plurality of sub-blocks, which method autonomously determines an order of optimal coding (decoding) adapted to a correlation between adjacent sub-blocks without providing additional information. This method pays attention to context information accompanying the image information and instructing a correlation direction between pictures and so on, sequentially predicts a reference sub-block serving the best coding (decoding) efficiency among adjacent reference sub-blocks to be referred to for the coding (decoding) based on the correlation direction, and determining the order of coding (decoding) according to this prediction. |
| US08204314B2 |
Method and system for fingerprinting digital video object based on multiresolution, multirate spatial and temporal signatures
A method and system for generating a spatial signature for a frame of a video object. The method includes obtaining a frame associated with a video object, and dividing the frame into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks corresponds to a plurality of locations respectively, each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of pixels, and the plurality of pixels corresponds to a plurality of pixel values respectively. Additionally, the method includes determining a plurality of average pixel values for the plurality of blocks respectively. Each of the plurality of blocks corresponds to one of the plurality of average pixel values. Moreover, the method includes processing information associated with the plurality of average pixel values and determining a plurality of comparison values for the plurality of blocks respectively based on at least information associated with the plurality of average pixel values. |
| US08204313B2 |
Rapid, spatial-data viewing and manipulating including data partition and indexing
A high-density, distance-measuring laser system and an associated computer that processes the data collected by the laser system. The computer determines a data partition structure and stores that structure as a header file for the scan before data is collected. As the scan progresses, the computer collects data points until a predetermined threshold is met, at which point a block of data consisting of the data points up to the threshold is written to disk. The computer indexes each data block using all three coordinates of its constituent data points using, preferably, a flexible index, such as an R-tree. When a data block is completely filled, it is written to disk preferably with its index and, as a result, each data block is ready for access and manipulation virtually immediately after having been collected. Also, each data block can be independently manipulated and read from disk. |
| US08204312B2 |
Moving image editing apparatus
Apparatus and method for extracting from a moving image a scene in which an intended person appears by simple operations are provided. A moving image editing apparatus identifies a person as an extraction target based on an instruction of a user, tracks a face of the extraction target to thereby select a scene in which the extraction target appears in a moving image, and extracts a partial moving image containing the selected scene from the moving image. |
| US08204309B2 |
Method of processing pre-printed cards
After pre-printed cards are manufactured at least a corner of each card is imaged. It is then determined whether the position and orientation of markings in the image with respect to the corner are within tolerance. If not, the card is rejected. If the markings are, or include, indicia, these indicia may be identified to allow identification of the card. This allows a determination of whether the card is in an intended order, or it allows selection of the batch into which the card is placed. It also means that cards in a given set of cards arranged in a first order can be randomized by first buffering cards in buffers and then outputting the cards to an output conveyor. |
| US08204308B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program
An image processing apparatus generates a 3-value image from a 2-value image, wherein the first and second values from the 2-value image indicate foreground and background regions of an input image, and the third value indicates an unknown region of predetermined width at the boundary therebetween. A ratio image is generated from the input image and the 3-value image, having a fourth value indicating the ratio of the first value. The 3-value image is updated by defining a predetermined range near a pixel in the 3-value image corresponding to a pixel in the ratio image whose fourth value is greater than a minimum value and less than a maximum value, and then sets all pixels within the defined range to the third value. If the updated 3-value image is determined to be identical or nearly identical to the pre-update 3-value image, then the updated 3-value image is output. |
| US08204303B2 |
Spatially based transformation of spot colors
Colorant recipes for spot colors, or colors associated with vector graphic objects, are transformed to compensate for spatial variation in a rendering device. Inverted Jacobians of color production performance can be used to transform color deviations into colorant recipe changes. The colorant recipe changes are applied to original colorant recipes to provide the transformed colorant recipes. Jacobians can be determined by exercising a system model according to perturbations of the colorant recipes. Alternatively, test patches or strips based on perturbed original colorant recipes can be rendered and measured and the Jacobians can be based on such measurements. Alternatively, spatially dependent tone reproduction curves can be used to transform the colorant recipes associated with the vector graphic objects. Image processing systems can include a spatial variation information determiner, a spatial compensation information determiner and a colorant recipe transformer. |
| US08204300B2 |
Image forming method and optical coherence tomograph apparatus using optical coherence tomography
An image forming method uses an optical coherence tomography as to an optical axis direction of plural pieces of image information of an object. First image information of an object is obtained at a first focus with respect to an optical axis direction to then object. A focusing position is changed by dynamic focusing from the first focus to a second focus along the optical axis. The second image information of the object is obtained at the second focus. A third image information, tomography image information of the object and including a tomography image of the first focus or the second focus, is obtained by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. A tomography image or a three-dimensional image of the object is formed in positional relation, in the optical axis direction, between the first image information and the second image information using the third image information. |
| US08204299B2 |
3D content aggregation built into devices
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates capturing a portion 2-dimensional (2D) data for implementation within a 3-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. A device that can capture one or more 2D images, wherein the 2D image is representative of a corporeal object from a perspective dictated by an orientation of the device. The device can comprise a content aggregator that can construct a 3D image from two or more 2D images collected by the device, in which the construction is based at least in part upon aligning each corresponding perspective associated with each 2D image. |
| US08204297B1 |
Methods and systems for classifying defects detected on a reticle
Methods and systems for classifying defects detected on a reticle are provided. One method includes determining an impact that a defect detected on a reticle will have on the performance of a device being fabricated on a wafer based on how at least a portion of the reticle prints or will print on the wafer. The defect is located in the portion of the reticle. The method also includes assigning a classification to the defect based on the impact. |