| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08262234B2 |
Image display device using variable-focus lens at conjugate image plane
An image display device for optically displaying an image is disclosed. This device includes: a light source; an imaging-light generator converting light emitted from the light source, into imaging light representative of the image to be displayed, to thereby generate the imaging light; a relay optical system focusing the imaging light emitted from the imaging-light generator, on an image plane which is located at an optically conjugate position to the imaging-light generator, the relay optical system defining a pupil through which the imaging light passes, within the relay optical system; a variable-focus lens disposed at a position generally coincident with the pupil, the variable-focus lens having a varying focal length; and a wavefront-curvature adjuster configured to vary the focal length by operating the variable-focus lens, to thereby adjust a wavefront curvature of the imaging light emitted from the relay optical system. |
| US08262233B2 |
Light control device and illumination device for a projector including same
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a light control device includes a light blocking module to block a luminous flux passing through the light control device in a direction parallel to a system optical axis. The light blocking module includes a first and a second light blocking member. The first light blocking member includes a cutout portion at an end near a system optical axis, the first light blocking member configured so as to change a size of an area blocking the luminous flux in accordance with an opening and closing operation of the light blocking module. The second light blocking member is disposed in proximity to the first light blocking member and configured so as to increasingly block the luminous flux from passing through the cutout portion of the first light blocking member in accordance with the closing operation of the light blocking module. |
| US08262231B2 |
Light control device, lighting device, and projector for controlling transmission amount of light emitted from an emission area by use of curved light shielding members
A light control device which controls the transmission amount of light emitted from a predetermined emission area includes a rotation member having a rotation axis extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the center axis of the light, and a light shielding member supported by the rotation member and shielding at least a part of the light by rotation of the rotation member. The light shielding member has a light shielding surface which shields received light. The light shielding surface is so processed as to reduce the amount of light reflected by the light shielding surface, and reaching the emission area. |
| US08262229B2 |
Multi-projector display system calibration
A first Gray code technique and a second raster calibration technique can be combined to create a precise mapping between pixel locations of the camera and pixel locations of the projector(s). In one aspect the technique of using the raster calibration images is eliminated by interpolating the projector coordinate information decoded from the Gray code images. In another aspect camera images are processed to reduce errors caused by noise so that text can be displayed without any noticeable misalignment between projectors. In a third aspect, a scale factor is calculated based on the relative height/width of projector regions in the captured calibration images. Calibration images are recalculated using the scale factor to provide greater correspondence between the mapping of a low resolution camera to the high-resolution projectors. |
| US08262227B2 |
Laser display device employing blue laser diode
Provided is a laser display device. The laser display device may include at least one light source configured to emit at least one laser beam, at least one scanning unit configured to perform a scanning with the at least one laser beam, and an image forming unit configured to generate excitation light and scattering light by receiving the at least one laser beam from the scanning unit to form an image. |
| US08262223B2 |
Devices and methods for defined orientation of an eye
The present solution is directed to the orientation of an eye for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes, wherein the line of sight need not coincide with the optical axis of the examination apparatus or treatment apparatus. The invention includes a fixating light source for generating a positionable fixating mark, a device for coupling this fixating mark into a beam path of an ophthalmological apparatus whose imaging optics project the fixating mark on the eye to be examined and/or treated, and a control unit by which the image of the fixating mark can be displayed at different distances and angular positions with respect to the optical axis of the ophthalmological apparatus so that the eye to be examined and/or treated is oriented to this fixating mark by foveal focusing and occupies a defined position with respect to the optical axis of the ophthalmological apparatus. |
| US08262222B2 |
Method and system for correcting aberrations of the eye for an ophthalmic instrument
A method for correcting aberrations of the eye applied to an ophthalmic instrument operating with an analysis light beam, including: measurement of aberrations of the eye capable of interfering with the analysis beam, correction of the phase of the wave front of the analysis beam as a function of the measured values of the aberrations, measurement of eye movements carried out independently of the measurement of aberrations, and modification of the correction of the phase of the wave front of the analysis beam as a function of the measurement of eye movements. |
| US08262221B2 |
Ophthalmological diagnostic system
The present invention is an ophthalmological diagnostic system adapted for use in urgent care facilities, physicians' offices, hospitals, mobile treatment facilities, and in remote areas. The ophthalmological diagnostic system includes a component for securely holding a digital camera in optical communication with an ophthalmoscope and in various embodiments may include hardware and software for analysis and storage of images or video captured using the ophthalmological diagnostic system. The ophthalmological diagnostic system facilitates viewing of images and video by a single diagnostician or multiple diagnosticians. |
| US08262220B2 |
Method of making high precision optics having a wavefront profile
A method of generating a high precision optical surface profile includes obtaining a high precision optical surface profile which contains information of the optical path difference map of the profile. A substrate material has a known index of refraction, Ns, while a cover material has an index Nc that is more closely matched to the index Ns of the substrate material than the index of air Nair to Ns. An exaggerated surface profile is cut that is proportionally expanded from the high precision profile by a factor: (Ns−Nair) divided by (Ns−Nc). The cut surface profile is covered with the cover material. |
| US08262219B2 |
Eyewear earstem devices and methods
An earstem for eyeglasses is provided that can incorporate an interchangeable elastomeric traction member disposed in a recessed seat which extends along a length of the earstem to provide a contact area between the earstem and the head. The traction member can be disposed along the bottom portion of the earstem and/or around the periphery of the earstem. The traction device can be detachably coupled to the earstem so that the traction device can be exchanged to accommodate different needs or situations. |
| US08262214B2 |
Ink jet printer
An ink jet recording apparatus includes a guide rail extending in a first direction; an ink head that slidably engages with the guide rail and discharges an ultraviolet light curable ink toward a recording medium; an ultraviolet light irradiation device attached to the ink head to move together with the ink head and that irradiates ultraviolet light to the ink discharged on the recording medium; a second head that slidably engages with the guide rail; a carriage that moves along the guide rail; a first connection mechanism that detachably connects the carriage with the ink head; a second connection mechanism that detachably connects the carriage with the second head; and an irradiation prohibition mechanism that prohibits the irradiation by the ultraviolet light irradiation device based on a predetermined condition relating to a connection state between the carriage and the ink head caused by the first connection mechanism. |
| US08262209B2 |
Circulating type ink supply system
A circulating type ink supply system includes an upstream ink tank, an upstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the upstream ink tank, a nozzle branch portion connected to the other end of the upstream ink flow channel and being in communication with a nozzle configured to discharge ink, a downstream ink flow channel connected at one end thereof to the nozzle branch portion and a downstream ink tank connected to the other end of the downstream ink flow channel, wherein an energy per unit volume determined by a sum value of a static pressure and a potential energy of the ink in the upstream ink tank when the circulation of the ink is stopped does not exceed the energy per unit volume of the ink at an atmospheric pressure at a level of the nozzle. |
| US08262208B2 |
Liquid container, method of filling liquid into liquid container, and remanufacturing method of liquid container
According to one aspect of the invention, a remanufacturing method of a liquid container forms an inlet in a certain area, for example, a buffer chamber, other than a specific section including liquid reservoirs and flow paths adjoining to and directly communicating with a bubble trap flow path in the liquid container. In the state of closing a liquid feeder and opening an air open structure, the remanufacturing method injects a liquid through the inlet to fill a space in the upstream of the inlet with the liquid. In the state of opening the liquid feeder and closing the air open structure, the remanufacturing method injects the liquid through the inlet to fill a space in the downstream of the inlet with the liquid. The remanufacturing process seals the inlet after completion of the injection of the liquid. This arrangement enables the liquid to be refilled into the liquid container without damaging the functions of the liquid container. |
| US08262205B2 |
Liquid discharge device
A liquid discharge device is provided with a discharge head, a sub tank, and a liquid replenishment device comprising a space for housing a main tank and a joint member to be connected to the main tank. The joint member is capable of being connected to and disconnected from the sub tank. The liquid within the main tank is supplied to the sub tank when the joint member is in a connected state with the sub tank. The joint member comprises a liquid path and a valve biased in a direction where the liquid path is closed. The joint member is configured to receive a force from the sub tank and open the liquid path in the case where the joint member is being connected to the sub tank. The joint member is configured to open the liquid path in the case where an inner space of the main tank has a negative pressure greater than a first value. |
| US08262204B2 |
Print head die slot ribs
Methods and an apparatus are disclosed, wherein a print head die includes a slot and ribs across the slot. The ribs are recessed from one or both sides of the die. |
| US08262203B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head comprising: a pressure generating chamber substrate having pressure generating chambers; and a piezoelectric element including first conductive layer, piezoelectric layer, and a second conductive layer provided above the pressure generating chamber substrate, wherein the piezoelectric element includes overlapped areas where the pressure generating chamber and the piezoelectric element overlap one another in plan view, the first conductive layer has a longitudinal direction in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and are provided for each of the overlapped areas, the second conductive layer is provided continuously so as to overlap with a plurality of the pressure generating chambers and includes end areas on the side of the ends of the overlapped areas in the first direction, and the end areas are each reduced in width in the second direction as it goes toward the end in the first direction. |
| US08262201B2 |
Micro writing and reading
In one embodiment, a printing device includes: a print engine configured to apply marking material to print media; a laser writer configured to expose the print media to a laser beam of sufficient energy to change the reflectivity of exposed portions of the print media; a media path along which the print engine may apply marking material to print media in a macro printing zone and along which the print media may be exposed to a beam of light emitted by the laser writer in a micro printing zone; and an electronic controller operatively connected to the print engine for selectively applying marking material to the print media and to the laser writer for selectively exposing the print media to a laser beam. |
| US08262200B2 |
Non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector
A method of forming a non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector includes applying an oxygen plasma to a substrate to form an outer portion of the substrate having a density that is greater than a density of an interior portion of the substrate and depositing a non-wetting coating on an exterior surface of the outer portion. The outer portion is less than 80 Å thick. |
| US08262196B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide user-customizable flush patterns in an ink-based printing system
Methods and apparatus for user customization of flush patterns in an ink-based printing system. Features and aspects hereof provide for user input to define a flush pattern and to define a location at which the flush pattern is to be placed on sheetside images. By integrating the flush pattern as defined by the user into the sheetside images, the flush pattern may convey useful information or may at least be aesthetically acceptable as compared to prior flush pattern definitions. The user may select among a plurality of standard, pre-defined patterns and locations or may define a fully customized pattern to be placed at a fully customized location. Text or other potentially useful patterns may be defined by the user. Analysis of the sheetside images may permit the user to define placement of the pattern so as to avoid occluding information imprinted on the sheetside images. |
| US08262194B2 |
Inkjet printer with cleaning device
An inkjet printer (10) comprising: an inkjet printing head (32); a service station (101) provided for the maintenance of the printing head (32) and having a protective cap (102), in turn adapted to be coupled in contact with a front surface (32b, 32c) of the printing head (32) to protect it; and a cleaning device (110), associated with the service station, wherein the cleaning device (110) comprises a receptacle (104) adapted to be moved between a first operative position (P5), in which the receptacle (104) is arranged between the protective cap (102) and the front surface of the printing head (32) to receive a determined amount of ink ejected, in the form of drops, by the printing head (32) during programmed cleaning cycles, and a second operative position (P6), in which the receptacle (104) is laterally displaced with respect to the protective cap (102), to allow the contact coupling between the printing head (32) and the protective cap (102). Thanks to this configuration of the cleaning device (110), the inkjet printing head (32) can both couple with the protective cap (102) and carry out the programmed cleaning cycles, while it is arranged in a single determined position (P4) to the side of the relative printing stroke. |
| US08262191B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus and a printing method in which an ejection failure state sensing process is sufficiently carried out while a decrease in printing throughput to be suppressed are provided. The print head includes at least two ejection ports through which different amounts of ink in the same color are ejected; both ejection amounts are equal to or smaller than 5 pl. The printing apparatus carries out a first ejection failure state sensing process for sensing a first ejection ports which have the smallest opening area in the ejection ports formed in the print head. The printing apparatus also carries out a second ejection failure state sensing process for sensing an ejection state in which ink is ejected through all the ejection ports in the print head. When any ejection port is determined to be in an inappropriate ejection state, the printing apparatus carries out compensation printing. |
| US08262188B2 |
Printing device and printing method
A printing device includes a first nozzle column in which nozzles discharging liquid to a medium are arranged in a line in a predetermined direction, a second nozzle column in which nozzles discharging liquid to the medium are arranged in the predetermined direction, in which the first and second nozzle columns are arranged in a line in an intersecting direction with respect to the predetermined direction, a control portion which causes the first nozzle column and the second nozzle column to discharge the liquid to the medium while moving the first and second nozzle columns and the medium relatively to each other in a moving direction, in which the control portion forms a certain correction pattern composed of a first pattern formed by the first nozzle column and positioned on one side in the intersecting direction with respect to the moving direction and a second pattern formed by the second nozzle column and positioned on the other side in the intersecting direction with respect to the moving direction in parallel with the first pattern, and the correction pattern forms another correction pattern in which the distance between the second side end of the first pattern and the first side end of the second pattern in the intersecting direction with respect to the moving direction is different from that in the certain correction pattern. |
| US08262184B2 |
Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method
A mask of Y for a first pass is a mask in which a checker pattern having a high frequency characteristic is made to be the arrangement of the print permitting pixels, and a mask of C for the first pass is a mask in which a random image having a lower frequency characteristic is made to be the arrangement of the print permitting pixels. Further, each of the masks of Y and C for a second pass has an arrangement that mutually complements the arrangement of the print permitting pixels of the mask for the first pass. By using such masks, unevenness of the permeation speed caused by beading on a printing medium can be reduced. Further, high tolerance for interference to the mask of the prior pass and for influence of external disturbances can be achieved. |
| US08262182B2 |
Fluid ejecting apparatus and fluid ejecting method
A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a head that performs a fluid ejecting method by ejecting a fluid on a medium in response to a driving signal. A moving mechanism relatively moves the head and the medium in a predetermined direction. A driving signal generating unit generates the driving signal, which produces a plurality of driving waveforms during a cycle in accordance with a relative moving velocity of the head and the medium in a predetermined direction. The plurality of driving waveforms are repeatedly produced every cycle. A control unit ejects the fluid from the head while the head and the medium are relatively moved in the predetermined direction. The fluid ejecting apparatus causes the driving signal, of which a final driving waveform among the plurality of driving waveforms produced during the cycle is corrected based on the relative moving velocity, to be generated from the driving signal generating unit. |
| US08262181B2 |
Fluid ejection device and fluid ejecting recording device including an inverse filter circuit
A fluid ejection device includes, a modulator, a digital power amplifier, a low pass filter, and an inverse filter circuit, including, a delay device, a subtracter that subtracts an output signal of the delay device from a drive waveform signal, an amplifier adapted to amplify an output signal of the subtracter, an adder that adds an output signal of the amplifier and another input signal, a first switch adapted to perform switching so as to set either one of the drive waveform signal and an output signal of the adder to be an input signal of the delay device, a second switch adapted to perform switching so as to set either one of the drive waveform signal and the output signal of the delay device to be the another input signal of the adder, and a switch connection control section that controls the first switch and the second switch. |
| US08262178B2 |
Apparatus for changing ink cartridges
An apparatus for changing ink cartridges of a printing apparatus having a transport apparatus for flat goods, a pressing apparatus and a printing module. The transport apparatus is disposed in a stationary manner in the printing apparatus opposite a pressing apparatus which presses an item of mail onto a transport belt. The transport belt, in a transport region, acts with a predetermined adhesive friction on a part of a surface of the item of mail which is not printed but is close to a region to be printed. A change position for ink cartridges is located before the transport region on a front side of the printing apparatus or above the transport region of an appropriately constructed transport apparatus. |
| US08262174B2 |
Multi-latch release mechanism
A drawer that includes a container and a slide assembly is described. The container includes a receptacle and a lid. The slide assembly includes a slider to move laterally along a longest axis of the slider, and an actuator, coupled to the slider, having a detent contact area. When the slider is moved in a first direction along the axis, the actuator is placed into a first orientation, relative to a latch, in which the detent contact area of the actuator engages the detent of a latch. When the actuator is coupled with the detent of the latch and the slider is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction, the actuator is placed into a second orientation, relative to the latch, in which the actuator actuates the latch, thereby decoupling a fastener from the latch and placing a lid in an open position. |
| US08262172B2 |
Derailment control system
Derailment control system for railway vehicles that, in addition to detecting and issuing a warning of said derailment, provides control over the brake of the derailed vehicle or vehicles and provides additional emergency braking and/or a warning to the driver's cab, said system having a main unit (1) to which are joined: an inertia sensor or detector (8) designed to detect derailments, an indicator (9) or device responsible for indicating that the derailment control system has been triggered and for keeping the system activated, a stopcock (10) that deactivates the derailment control, and a bottom connection point (11) for testing that makes it possible to simulate a triggering of the system via a threaded eyebolt, facilitating verification of proper operation both during bench testing and when the system is installed on the vehicle (7), and a device (39) situated at the exhaust outlet through which the automatic brake pipe (ABP)(5) is vented when said derailment is detected. |
| US08262170B2 |
Motor vehicle wheel structure
A motor-vehicle wheel structure comprises a wheel rim and a wheel disk having a circumferential border bent and welded within the wheel rim, and a central portion bearing a circumferential series of holes for engagement of bolts for fixing the wheel to the wheel support. The central portion is radiused to the circumferential border of the disk by means of an intermediate annular portion having in cross section an arched configuration projecting outwards. The intermediate annular portion has a plurality of embossed portions projecting outwards, configured in such a way as to define a plurality of spokes set at the same angular distance apart from one another. |
| US08262169B2 |
Rack bar haulage system with an improved rackbar to line pan connection
A rack bar haulage system forms part of a drive system for moving the mining machine along a conveyor including a plurality of conveyor pans. The pans are arranged end to end, and the rack bar haulage system includes a plurality of rack bars, each rack bar end including a pillar portion extending downwardly. One rack bar is adapted to be mounted adjacent an end of a line pan, and another rack bar is adapted to be mounted adjacent the adjacent end of the adjacent line pan. The haulage system also includes a chain-link, the chain-link surrounding and engaging the two adjacent pillar portions on the ends of the one rack bar and the adjacent other rack bar. The chain-link is adapted to extend over the adjacent ends of the line pans. The haulage system also includes a clog for receiving the rack bar, the clog including an extension that engages the chain-link and traps the chain link between the extension and the rack bar. |
| US08262166B2 |
Arm support, and sitting support with such arm support
An arm support, comprising an arm supporting element, connected via a connecting device with a lift device, wherein the arm supporting element has a longitudinal direction between a front end and a rear end and is connected via a tilting axis (E) with the connecting device, which tilting axis (E), in top plan view, is situated between the front end and the rear end, wherein the lift device comprises compensation means for bearing the weight of the arm support and a load borne thereon, in particular an arm of a user. |
| US08262164B2 |
Seat apparatus and seat adjustment mechanism for the same
A seat adjustment mechanism, which adjusts an angle formed between first and second seat members rotatably connected to each other, includes a first link member adapted to be connected to the first seat member and including a first end rotatably supported by the first seat member, a second link member adapted to be rotatably connected to the second seat member and including a first end rotatably supported by the second seat member and a second end rotatably connected to the first link member, a drive device, and an extending and retracting device driven by the drive device and extending and retracting linearly, wherein one of the drive device and the extending and retracting device is rotatably connected to a second end of the first link member and the other of the drive device and the extending and retracting device is rotatably connected to the second seat member. |
| US08262163B2 |
Upholstered recliner chair with an adjustable backrest padding
An upholstered recliner chair includes a base, a seat unit disposed on the base, a backrest frame pivotably mounted on the base and hingedly mounted to the seat unit to be displaceable between upright and tilted positions, a sidewise fixed lever extending radially from the backrest frame to be movable with the backrest frame, a backrest padding disposed to be slidable relative to the backrest frame in a lengthwise direction, and a pulling unit coupled to the backrest padding, the backrest frame, the sidewise fixed lever, and the seat unit such that the backrest padding is moved with the sidewise fixed lever during displacement of the backrest frame between the upright and tilted position to thereby vary a distance between the backrest padding and the seat unit. |
| US08262160B2 |
Adjustable padded chair
A padded seat is described that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a compartment disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, a closeable opening to fill the compartment with a fluid, a plurality of through holes which pass through the top surface, compartment, and bottom surface, and a non-slip element disposed on the top surface. |
| US08262157B2 |
Hinge collapsible portable slat seat
A collapsible and foldable composite chair with back slats and seat slats held together by a fabric material. A fold line hinge into the fabric material which normally wears out over time is reinforced to prevent such early wear outs with a cell foam material, preferably a closed cell polyolefin strip. As a result the slats do not wear though the slat pockets in the material and the fold line hinge endures. |
| US08262152B2 |
Pillar structure for automobile
A pillar structure that reduces bending deformation of the pillar toward the vehicle interior, during a vehicle side collision, by suppressing cross-sectional collapse of the pillar.In a pillar which is erected on a side face of a body of an automobile and in which an outer panel and an inner panel form a closed cross-section, at sites where a collision load is likely to act strongly and locally during a side collision such as a site opposing an end of an impact beam that is provided inside a front door and that extends in the front-rear direction, and a site where a hinge joint is formed, grooves having a substantially square C-shaped cross section are formed in a front face portion, of an outer panel having a hat-shaped cross section, that faces toward the front of the vehicle, and/or a rear face portion thereof that faces toward the rear of the vehicle. The grooves are formed over the entire width in the vehicle width direction of the front face portion and rear face portion in a substantially horizontal direction. According to this configuration, during a side collision, the collision load is received by ridge portions of the grooves, whereby collapse deformation of the pillar is reduced. |
| US08262150B2 |
Drive system for pivotal and/or slidable doors or for entry and exit facilities with improved position acquisition
A drive system for an entry/exit facility with at least one pivotably and/or slidably mounted door, ramp, tread or the like of a passenger transport vehicle, the system including at least one actuator or drive motor and a mechanical system driven by it and/or a gear unit for effecting the pivoting or sliding movement of the door, ramp, tread or the like, with an absolute value encoder for acquiring a momentary position during the pivoting or sliding movement, where an evaluation unit is configured to compare the momentary position with at least one reference position stored in a non-volatile memory of the evaluation unit in order to generate an output signal dependent thereon, and the absolute value encoder is flange-connected to a pin that fixes the pivoting movement of the door, ramp, tread or the like, and the gear unit includes a first reduction gear unit, a second reduction gear unit, and a controllable coupling is provided between the reduction gear units. |
| US08262149B1 |
Fan and canopy assembly for riding vehicle
A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator. |
| US08262145B2 |
Motion assisted sifting fork
A rake having a handle, and a rake head. The rake head includes a frame having a neck dimensioned to receive one end of the handle; a plurality of tines, the plurality of tines comprising: a movable inner tine section, the movable inner tine section having a first movable inner tine section, a second movable inner tine section and at least one fixed inner tine between the first movable inner tine section and the second inner tine section; and a fixed outer tine section on each side of the inner section; a support member extending across the plurality of tines, the support member comprising a plurality of supports positioned between the tines; and at screening material, which separates a wanted material from an unwanted material. |
| US08262144B2 |
Tweezers
A hand tool includes a main body, a pair of arms connected to the main body, first tips connected to the arms and configured to grasp an object, and second tips connected to the arms and configured to grasp an object. The first tips are connected to the second tips. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a hand tool including a main body, a pair of arms connected to the main body, and a scoop portion at one end of the main body. |
| US08262142B2 |
Securable fastening device
A clampable fastening device for mounting fittings or other objects in an opening having opposite edges, such as a rectangular opening in a wall, including a head part which is arranged on the outer side of the thin wall and which covers the outer rim of the opening, and from which there proceeds in the mounted position a foot part which penetrates through the opening, holding elements which are displaceable relative to one another in a channel formed in the foot part project from the foot part in direction of its outer surface. The free end of the holding elements having an inclined surface or obliquely arranged points. Wherein the foot part and the holding element are separate parts. Wherein the holding elements are displaceable along the channel by a screw preferably having a conically shaped region. |
| US08262140B2 |
Threaded joint with improved resilient seal ring
A threaded joint includes a first seal ring having a tapered shape in a cross section on an axial plane, this ring having an L-shaped metal reinforcement ring embedded in it. The threaded joint can also include a second seal ring positioned more internal to the first seal ring and located in a housing between the end of a threaded section and the nose of the box. The second seal ring has a first base, a second base axially opposite to the first base, and protruding annular ribs either on the external surface or on an internal surface. |
| US08262138B2 |
Transmission element for workpiece connections to be axially compressed and configuration for producing a nondetachable connection
A transmission element, which has a permanent nondetachable connection, is producible employing an axial pressing technique using simple means. The transmission element for workpiece connections to be axially compressed includes a flange section and a transmission section. The transmission section exhibits a substantially cylindrical internal peripheral surface, and the wall thickness of the transmission section tapers from the end proximal to the flange section to the end distal to the flange section. The transmission element is manufactured from a heat-resistant plastic. |
| US08262136B2 |
Holding means for a hydraulic coupling
A holding device to protect a movable connector part of a hydraulic system on work equipment, which mates with a fixed connector part of a hydraulic system on a work vehicle. The holding device is fixedly mounted on the work equipment and has recesses which receive and protect the hydraulic connections of the movable connector part when they are not engaged with the fixed connector part. The holding device may have a contact surface which mates with the hydraulic connectors of the movable part. The recess or recesses can receive a multipart hydraulic connector or a plurality of individual connectors. The holding device may include an electrical connector dummy for attachment to an electrical connector on the work equipment. A cover fits over the holding device when it is not engaged by a movable connector part; and it also mates with the fixed connector part when it is not engaged by the movable connector part. |
| US08262135B2 |
Duplex pipe fitting, exclusive tool for the duplex pipe fitting, refrigeration system employing the duplex pipe fitting, and separation type air conditioner
A duplex pipe fitting includes a fitting main body 1 and a pair of coupling members 2 which are threaded to both ends of the fitting main body 1. The coupling members 2 are threaded to the fitting main body 1, so that two pipes P are connected to each other with the fitting main body 1. Each coupling member 2 includes a holding portion 24 including a holding surface consisting of a pair of or a plurality of pairs of planes facing each other so that it can be held with a general fastening tool. When a rotational torque for tightening the coupling member 2 to the fitting main body 1 reaches a value indicating the completion of fastening, at least a part of the holding portion including the holding surface is separated and the pipe connecting is complete. |
| US08262134B2 |
Value document
This invention relates to a value document, in particular a bank note, having a value document substrate and at least two different feature substances for checking the value document. According to the invention, a first feature substance is incorporated into the volume of the substrate of the value document. A second feature substance is formed by a luminescent substance which is applied to the value document substrate in the form of a coding. |
| US08262133B2 |
Belt retractor utilizing active material actuation
A seat belt retractor utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tension in a seat belt. |
| US08262130B2 |
Air bag with improved tear stitch
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. Tear stitching (200) interconnects portions (220 and 230) of the protection device (14) and is rupturable to permit the interconnected portions to move relative to each other. The tear stitching (200) includes a break point (210) and first and second segments (212) that extend away from the break point. The tear stitching (200) is arranged on the protection device (14) such that tension forces acting to rupture the tear stitching act primarily on the break point (210) so that the tear stitching ruptures first at the break point and then along the first and second segments (212) of the tear stitching. |
| US08262129B2 |
Occupant protection device
An occupant protection device includes a plurality of gas generators that actuate respective mechanisms, and a control portion that actuates the gas generators. If a condition for actuating at least one of the gas generators is fulfilled and a condition for actuating the other gas generators are unfulfilled, the other gas generators are controlled by the control portion at a timing that is uninfluential on an actuation state of one of the mechanism actuated by the one of the gas generators and that is different from a preset timing for actuating the other mechanisms actuated by the other gas generators. |
| US08262126B2 |
Air bag apparatus for a vehicle
A casing 53 is coupled to an air bag door 40, and an air bag reaction force is loaded on the air bag door 40 via the casing 53. Since the general portion 42 of the air bag door 40 is fixed to the tear line outer portion 23 of the glove door outer member 20 at the cabin-side surface 42a and is fixed to the glove door inner member 30 at the opposite cabin-side surface 42b, the reaction force of the air bag loaded on the air bag door 40 can be borne by not only the fixing strength between the general portion 42 of the air bag door 40 and the tear line outer portion 23 of the glove door outer member 20 but also the glove door inner member 30 until the air bag 51 expands to break the tear portion 21. As a result, the fixing portion between the general portion 42 of the air bag door 40 and the tear line outer portion 23 of the glove door outer member 20 is prevented from being broken. |
| US08262125B2 |
Tandem wheel arrangement
A machine (100) includes a frame (102) portion and a tandem wheel arrangement, which includes a main linkage (312) and a stabilizing linkage (322) that are pivotally connected to the frame (102) portion. A first mount (304) and a second mount (304) are pivotally connected to the main linkage (312) and to the stabilizing linkage (322), such that the main linkage (312), the stabilizing linkage (322), the first mount (304), and the second mount (304) define a four-bar-linkage arrangement (202) that operates to transfer unbalanced torque loads from the first mount (304) and the second mount (304) to the frame (102) portion. |
| US08262123B2 |
Snow riding implement
A ski in accordance with the invention increases in width from a tip or shovel portion to a mid-portion. The mid-portion includes at least a slight sidecut. The ski then decreases in width from the mid-portion to a tail portion. The ski also includes an undersurface with a substantial portion being rockered. A substantial portion of the mid-portion of the ski is not rockered. |
| US08262118B2 |
Vehicle power unit and body unit system
A truck tractor and removable body unit system selectively configurable as a tractor and freight box or an articulated truck-trailer combination includes a truck tractor having a frame supporting a drive axle and a steer axle with a fifth wheel mounted on the frame, and a body unit having a body mounted on a frame, the frame supported by a wheeled axle and having a king pin for releasably engaging the fifth wheel on the truck tractor. The body unit includes a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the truck tractor frame to constrain lateral movement between the truck tractor and the body unit while allowing relative vertical pivoting movement between the truck tractor and body unit about the king pin and fifth wheel. An adjustable spring mounted to one of the truck tractor and body unit to act between the truck tractor frame and the body unit frame to adjust a loading between the truck tractor frame and body unit. |
| US08262117B2 |
Wheelchair comprising a foot support
A wheelchair comprises a pair of spaced apart side frame tubes and a pair of foot support frames. Each of the foot support frames has a first end configured to connect to the side frame tubes and a second end configured to receive a cross member. The cross member interconnects the second ends of the foot support frames and supports a foot support assembly. |
| US08262097B2 |
Quick-release mechanism for hand tool
A quick-release mechanism for a hand tool includes a center rod, a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and an engaging member. The first sleeve is sleeved on the center rod. The second sleeve is sleeved on the center rod and the first sleeve for moving with the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a recess, a first pushing portion, and a second pushing portion. The engaging member has a protruding portion and an engaging end. The first pushing portion or the second pushing portion abuts against the protruding portion to push the engaging end such that the engaging end engages with a tool bit. When pulling or pushing the first sleeve, the second sleeve moves such that the protruding portion is received in the recess. Simultaneously the engaging end disengages with tool bit. |
| US08262093B2 |
Oil seal and power transmission apparatus
An oil seal for sealing a hollow rotary shaft in a power transmission apparatus, wherein the rotary shaft is formed with an internal flow passage through which oil flows and constituted such that the oil flies out as the rotary shaft rotates, including: a fixed portion that is fixedly attached to a case of the power transmission apparatus; a seal portion that seals the rotary shaft at a position that is axially offset position from the fixed portion and allows the rotary shaft to rotate; and a radiator portion that is formed from a metallic material between the fixed portion and the seal portion, receives the oil that flies out as the rotary shaft rotates, and dissipates heat generated by the seal portion by exchanging heat with the oil. |
| US08262090B2 |
Method, apparatus and article for random sequence generation and playing card distribution
A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according to the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards. |
| US08262080B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a back end detecting sensor which detects a back end side in a conveying direction of the topmost sheet stacked on the sheet tray, a front end detecting sensor which detects a front end side in the conveying direction of the topmost sheet, and a CPU. The CPU disables start of a sheet feeding operation of a feeding unit in a case where the back end detecting sensor and the front end detecting sensor do not detect the sheet when the sheet tray is lifted toward the feeding unit and then stopped in a predetermined position. Accordingly, a state that a feeding failure is possibly caused is detected before feeding the sheets so as to eliminate the wasteful feeding operation. |
| US08262079B2 |
Image recording apparatus with sheet conveyance path
An image recording apparatus including a recording portion for recording image on a top face of a sheet; a supplying roller which is to be in contact with a bottom face of the sheet held in a tray so as to supply the sheet toward a curved conveyance path, a drive roller which is to be in contact with the top face of the sheet so as to convey the sheet supplied from the supplying roller, and a controlling portion which is configured, upon receipt of a command requesting start of conveyance of the sheet, to cause the supplying roller to be rotated without causing the drive roller to be rotated, and is configured, upon judgment that a leading end portion of the sheet has reached a flat surface extending away from the drive roller toward the recording portion, to cause the drive roller to be rotated. |
| US08262075B2 |
Image forming system
An image forming system includes a first supplying unit, a second supplying unit, an image forming unit, a stacking unit, first and second binding units, an obtaining unit, and a controller. The image forming unit forms images on recording materials supplied from the first or second supplying unit. The stacking unit is for stacking, as a bundle, the recording materials having the images formed thereon. The first binding unit binds, by a first binding operation, first edge portions of the bundle. The second binding unit binds, by a second binding operation, second edge portions of the bundle. The obtaining unit obtains an instruction regarding binding positions of the first and second binding operations with respect to the bundle. The controller performs control to supply the recording materials from the first or second supplying unit, on the basis of the binding positions of the first and second binding operations. |
| US08262072B2 |
Work piece carrier for exactly positioning a work piece on a chuck and clamping apparatus with a chuck and a work piece carrier
A work piece carrier is provided with two reference systems for accurately positioning it with regard to a chuck member. The work piece carrier comprises a central aperture with the two opposite ends of the aperture surrounded by one of the reference systems. The two reference systems are independent from each other and allow the work piece carrier to be attached to the chuck member in two different positions. Assigned to each reference system is a protrusion surrounding the central aperture and extending substantially in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the work piece carrier. The particular protrusion is provided with a shoulder serving as a clamping surface, adapted to be engaged by clamping elements provided in the chuck member. Preferably, also the centering elements for defining the position of the work piece carrier with regard to the chuck member are located on the particular protrusion. |
| US08262071B2 |
Positioning assembly for lens trimmer blades
A positioning assembly using a pair of rollers elastically connected to a holding base for clamping two cutters received in the holding base. The cutters in the holding base can be adjusted to make different blades contact and align precisely. |
| US08262070B2 |
Clamping device with a linking member
A clamping device with a linking member, the linking member is pivotally connected with a first and a second slide member, the slide members can be extended outwards and contracted inwards; wherein when deviation angles of two guide slits of the linking member are sharp angles, the first and the second slide members are at their initiate positions, and when deviation angles of two guide slits are obtuse angles, the first and the second slide members are at their extending positions. |
| US08262069B2 |
Use of magnets to provide resilience
The clamp-unit is arranged in class-1 double-lever configuration. The levers carry a pair of jaws at one end, and magnets at the other end. The magnets are arranged in repulsive pairs, whereby the magnets urge the jaws together. |
| US08262062B2 |
Rotary valve
In a rotary valve comprising a tubular housing (3) having, at the side part, a port (6) for communicating the inside and the outside thereof, and a tubular valve body (10) which is contained within the housing rotatably and has, at the side part, an orifice hole (11) capable of opposing to the port (6), the rotary valve of which the flow channel area formed by communicating the port (6) and the orifice hole (11) is changed by rotating the tubular valve body, at least one rotation stopping position with which the angle between the rotation stopping position at which the flow channel area is minimized and the rotation stopping position at which the flow channel area is maximized is equally divided, and the pressure loss differences between the adjacent rotation stopping positions are the same on condition that the passing flowing rate remains constant is provided. |
| US08262059B2 |
Handwheel torque limitor
A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device. |
| US08262057B2 |
Flow controlled actuator apparatus for use with self-closing stop valves
An apparatus for operating a device such as a self-closing internal valve is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing assembly having an internal chamber, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber, and an actuator stem extending from the housing assembly. The actuator stem is moveable in response to the addition or removal of a fluid into or out of the internal chamber. To control the flow rate of a fluid into and out of the internal chamber, the apparatus includes a fluid control valve in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the housing assembly, wherein the fluid control valve is adapted to restrict the rate of fluid flow into the internal chamber of the housing assembly. |
| US08262054B2 |
Furnace mount
A furnace mounting system to elevate the furnace above the floor. In one form the furnace mounting system includes a furnace mounting block including a vibration dampening feature to prevent the transmission of noise and vibration from the furnace to the mounting block. The furnace mounting block includes a locating feature and is adhered to the bottom surface of the furnace. |
| US08262053B1 |
Supporting apparatus for portable electronic device
A supporting apparatus includes a U-shaped first bracket, a U-shaped second bracket pivotably attached to the first bracket through a connection mechanism, and a positioning mechanism. The connection mechanism includes a first gear mounted to the second bracket, and a second gear pivotably mounted to the first bracket and mating with the first gear. The positioning mechanism includes a positioning member slidably attached to the first bracket, a resilient member arranged between the positioning member and the first bracket, and a positioning gear pivotably attached to the first bracket and linked with the second gear. The positioning member includes a positioning pole. When the second bracket is rotated to a desired position relative to the first bracket, the resilient member biases the positioning member, such that the positioning pole engages in the positioning gear to position the second bracket. |
| US08262050B2 |
Method and apparatus for mounting and dismounting an aircraft engine
Apparatus and method for removing an aircraft engine. A method includes mounting a frame assembly in supported connection with a support member of an associated aircraft. The frame assembly includes a frame member, a movable assembly mounted in movable relationship to the frame member, and a plurality of engine winches mounted in supported connection with the movable member. Each engine winch has an associated engine cable operably connected thereto. The movable assembly is movable between forward and rearward positions. The method further includes supporting the weight of at least a portion of an aircraft engine with the engine cables and moving the movable member relative to the frame member to displace the portion of the aircraft engine. |
| US08262049B2 |
Portable stand
A portable stand includes a shelf having a back plate with a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the back plate includes at least two attachment locations and at least one securing locations, a bottom flange forming an angle with the back plate, extending toward the front surface at a first angle from the plate, and a mounting element. The portable stand includes a shelf extension including two elongated flanges formed at an angle equal to the first angle configured to selectively couple to the shelf, and an arm pivotably attachable to the shelf extension. |
| US08262048B2 |
Display supports and electronic devices including such display supports
A display support includes a display cover including a display cover surface and a guide groove; a display pivotally mounted by at least one support portion on the display cover, to pivot between a first position and a second position, at which second position the display forms an acute angle with the display cover surface; an input portion covered by the support portion, when the display is in the first position; and the guide groove configured to convey the at least one support portion from a first location to a second location as the display pivots on to the second position, such that at least one support portion uncovers the input portion when the at least one support portion is at the second location. An electronic device, such as a multifunction device includes a housing and a display support. |
| US08262046B1 |
Collapsible workpiece support apparatus
The collapsible work piece support apparatus provides vertical workpiece support of cabinets drywall and other objects needing support prior to and during installation and removal. The apparatus provides adjustable height in supporting the workpiece by way of the telescoping legs. Horizontal support of the workpiece is provided by virtue of the stabilizing blocks that are hingedly stored within cutouts in the horizontal members. Importantly, the apparatus is collapsible and thereby easily transported and stored. The basic design and structure of the apparatus contributes to ease of use. The overall design and structural integrity, as well as basic structure, easily provide for a single worker to support needed workpieces. |
| US08262044B2 |
Device suitable for securing an object to a wall
A device is suitable for securing an object to a wall. The device comprises a wall element to be fixed to a wall and a support element to be connected to the object. On a first side, the support element is provided with a first hook-shaped element, which, in use, can be attached to a receiving element provided in the wall element. On a second side remote from said first side, the support element is provided with a second hook-shaped element, which, in use, is in spring-loaded engagement with a second receiving element provided in the wall element. The device comprises a locking element for locking the second hook-shaped element in a locking position in a position in which it is disconnected from the wall element. |
| US08262042B2 |
Retaining split ring with clamp
An embodiment of the invention provides for an assembly for securing equipment to a tank. The assembly comprises a base, a split ring, and a clamp. The base comprises a tank engagement portion, a base aperture, a lip positioned along a perimeter of the base aperture, and a first mating surface. The split ring is arranged to be at least partially positionable within the base. The split ring comprises a split ring aperture and a second mating surface in contact with the first mating surface when the split ring is partially positioned within the base. The clamp is positionable to hold the first mating surface in contact with the second mating surface. The clamp comprises a clamp aperture, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface. When the clamp is positioned to hold the mating surfaces in contact, the first contact surface contacts the base, and the second contact surface contacts the split ring. |
| US08262039B2 |
Tableware and table cover fastening systems and methods
Paper or plastic cups, plates, and paper utensils are held in place on a table attaching a table cloth to a table, and then attaching by tableware holders to the table cloth. The table cloth and the tableware holders have mating fasteners that prevent the tableware holders from moving relative to the table cloth. Each tableware holder is sized and dimensioned to receive different types of tableware and each holder has stabilizers that prevent the tableware from blowing off of the table. |
| US08262028B2 |
Spacecraft and method for operating the spacecraft
A spacecraft (P) has a propulsion system making it possible to exert a force of variable magnitude and orientation on the spacecraft, a control system designed to control the propulsion system in terms of magnitude and orientation so as to make the spacecraft approach a target around a planet, with the aid of a force having at least one component (fx, fy, fz), in the rotating reference frame tied to the target, which depends substantially linearly on the corresponding coordinate (x, y, z) of the craft in this reference frame. |
| US08262026B2 |
Releasable fastening of a component in an aircraft
A device for the releasable fastening of a component in an aircraft includes a component carrier with a base plane, wherein the component carrier comprises an installation state in which the base plane of the component carrier comprises an angle relative to the horizontal base plane of the aircraft, and wherein the component carrier is equipped to accommodate a component in a releasably affixed manner. |
| US08262025B2 |
Aircraft structure
An aircraft wing includes a rear spar, a first skin, a second skin overhanging and converging to an opening of width (A), a support structure including a bracket engaging the spar and skins and a rib engaging the bracket via a rib attachment portion with a dimension (C) less than dimension (A). |
| US08262021B2 |
Aircraft moveable structure obstruction detection sensor panel
Technologies are described herein for detecting obstructions, utilizing an obstruction detection system. According to one aspect of the disclosure, the system includes a moveable assembly that includes a moveable structure moveable between a stowed and operational configuration and has a leading surface facing a direction of movement when the moveable structure is moving between the stowed and operational configurations. A protective panel is attached to the moveable structure and has an outer surface separated from the leading surface by an over-travel distance. A proximity sensor detects a displacement of the protective panel towards the leading surface. A control module is responsive to at least one proximity sensor, such that when the proximity sensor detects the displacement of the protective panel towards the leading surface of the moveable structure so as to shorten the over-travel distance, the control module stops the movement of the moveable assembly. |
| US08262016B2 |
Annular airborne vehicle
An airborne vehicle having a wing-body which defines a wing-body axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the wing-body axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends. A propulsion system is provided comprising one or more pairs of propulsion devices, each pair comprising a first propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a first side of a plane including the wing-body axis, and a second propulsion device mounted to the wing-body and positioned on a second side of the plane including the wing-body axis. A direction of thrust of the first propulsion device can be adjusted independently of the direction of thrust of the second propulsion device and/or a magnitude of thrust of the first propulsion device can be adjusted independently of the magnitude of thrust of the second propulsion device. In certain embodiments the wing-body appears swept forward when viewed from a first viewing angle, and swept backward when viewed from a second viewing position at right angles to the first viewing angle. |
| US08262015B2 |
Launching system and launching apparatus
A flying object capable of being launched in air is detachably mounted on a wing body of a launching apparatus. The launching apparatus is towed by an aircraft through a cable so as to be run and taken off. After raising the launching apparatus to a launching height of the flying object by the aircraft, the flying object is released from the wing body in air and then the flying object is ignited and launched in air in a launching system. The system for launching in air can be developed without newly developing a platform as a mother ship so that a research cost can be remarkably reduced. In the case that a small artificial satellite is installed in a flying object, it is possible to develop an artificial satellite smoothly and quickly applicable to security matters and disaster observation. |
| US08262011B2 |
Center/surface rewinder and winder
A winder for winding a web to produce a rolled product is provided. The winder includes a web transport apparatus that is used for conveying the web. Also included in one exemplary embodiment is a plurality of independent winding modules. The winding modules are independently positioned to independently engage the web as the web is conveyed by the web transport apparatus. The winding modules may be configured to wind the web to form a rolled product by center winding, surface winding, and combinations of center and surface winding. The winding modules are structurally and operationally independent of one another where if one module is disabled, another may still operate to produce the rolled product without shutting down the winder. |
| US08262008B2 |
Pretensioner, seat belt retractor having the same, and seat belt apparatus provided therewith
A seat belt pretension with improved piston sealing performance. A piston has an expanding section formed at one end thereof contacting a force transmission component. When gas pressure resulting from reactive gas generated by a gas generator causes the piston to exert a pressing force on the force transmission component in the event of an emergency, the expanding section expands toward the inner circumferential surface of a pipe due to the gas pressure. As a result, the outer circumferential surface of the expanding section in the piston comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the pipe in a more efficient manner, resulting in enhanced sealing between the piston and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe. This prevents reactive gas from losing gas pressure, thereby allowing the gas pressure to more efficiently act on the piston. |
| US08262002B2 |
Pressure swirl atomizing nozzle for spraying a curable composition and associated method and use
The pressure swirl atomizing nozzle for spraying a curable composition comprises an orifice piece (16), which defines a funnel-shaped cavity and an exit orifice (17), and an injector piece (18) which closing off the funnel-shaped cavity so that the funnel-shaped cavity forms a swirl chamber (19) between a front side of the injector piece (18) and the exit orifice (17). The injector piece (18) comprises at least two swirl ports (20) which end in the swirl chamber (19) for injecting the curable composition therein and for thereby imparting swirl to the curable composition. Compared to the sum of the smallest cross-sectional areas of the swirl ports (20), the side wall (24) of the swirl chamber (19) has a relatively small surface area which is however still large enough to distribute the curable composition so as to achieve a uniform spray pattern. By the reduced size of the swirl chamber (19), the curable composition can be atomized more efficiently. In this way, changes of the relatively low flow rate of the curable composition through the nozzle have less effect on the droplet size and on the stability of the spray pattern. |
| US08261998B2 |
Customizable transaction card
A financial transaction device is disclosed. The device includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface comprises a writable field enabling a writing instrument and/or a printing device to write on the first writable field. The writable field allows transaction device purchasers to include a custom note, picture, design, logo, pattern and/or any other indicia on the device. The writable field creates an added element of thoughtfulness to make the gift exchange more special. |
| US08261993B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium
The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media. |
| US08261987B2 |
Card processing device and a card processing system
To provide a card processing device that can accurately determine whether or not a normal card is inserted at a card insertion slot. A card processing device is equipped with a width-detecting mechanism that detects the width of a card inserted at a card insertion slot and outputs a width detection signal, a thickness-detecting mechanism that detects the thickness of the card inserted at the card insertion slot and outputs a thickness detection signal, an AND circuit to which the width-detecting mechanism and the thickness-detecting mechanism are connected and which outputs a card detection signal when the width detection signal and the thickness detection signal are input, and a computation circuit that outputs control signals to implement predetermined controls based on the card detection signal input from the AND circuit. |
| US08261986B2 |
System and method for decoding an optically readable markable sheet and markable sheet therefor
An optically readable markable sheet has selection mark spaces and has voiding mark spaces associated with the selection mark spaces. An apparatus and a method for reading the optically readable sheet may comprise a processor decoding a sheet identifier and the mark spaces from an image of the sheet and determining the mark spaces that are marked. Marking a voiding mark space voids a selection marked in the selection mark space with which the voiding mark space is associated. Sheet images and a record of marked mark spaces are stored in a memory, preferably a non-volatile memory. Sheet images may be provided by an optical imager that images the sheet and/or by an optical mark reader that reads the sheet. |
| US08261977B2 |
Methods and systems for using an interface and protocol extensions to perform a financial transaction
A method for communicating financial transaction data between a plurality of computer devices using an interface module and an enhanced protocol is provided. The transaction is initiated by a cardholder at an input terminal using a transaction card for completing a purchase from a merchant. The method includes receiving at the interface module initial identification (ID) data from a merchant computer wherein the interface module is a computer module separate from the merchant computer, generating a first verification enrollment request (VEReq) message based on the initial ID data that includes at least one of a merchant identifier and an account number, transmitting the first VEReq message, receiving a verification enrollment response (VERes) message affirmatively verifying enrollment of the merchant in an express check out program, and generating at the interface module a payer authentication request (PAReq) message using the enhanced protocol that defines a first set of data field extensions. |
| US08261969B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring a survey controller
Method and apparatus for configuring a controller for surveying equipment. In one embodiment, an identification tag associated with a surveying tool may be detected by a controller. An indicator related to the identification tag may be presented to a user of the controller. According to another embodiment, operation of the controller may be configured based, at least in part, on the identification tag. |
| US08261968B2 |
Paper sheet handling system, method of use thereof, and method of use of bar-code ticket handling machine
A method of use of a paper-sheet handling system including the steps of: preparing a paper-sheet handling system configured to handle a bundle of paper-sheets including banknotes and bar-code tickets, the paper-sheet handling system including, a banknote handling machine configured to take in the paper-sheets from the exterior, one sheet at a time, discriminate the banknotes from the paper-sheets taken therein, and reject the paper-sheets when the paper-sheets other than the banknotes are taken therein, a bar-code ticket handling machine configured to take in paper-sheets from the exterior, one sheet at a time, read the bar-code information of each bar-code ticket included in the paper-sheets taken therein while obtaining an image of the bar-code ticket, and reject the paper-sheets when the paper-sheets other than the bar-code tickets are taken therein, and a host controller being communicatively connected both with the banknote handling machine and with the bar-code ticket handling machine. |
| US08261967B1 |
Techniques for interactively coupling electronic content with printed media
A technique for interactively coupling electronic content to printed or written content, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes use of a computing device and a pre-printed control panel. The control panel includes graphic representations overlaid on unique coded patterns. Each unique coded pattern is associated with a particular function or datum. The control panel is used to input an identifier of a written or printed content to the computing device. In response thereto, the computing device interactively delivers the electronic content related to the particular written or printed content. |
| US08261963B2 |
Flexible multi-panel sterilization assembly
A multi-panel sterilization assembly that includes a barrier panel formed of a permeable material, a fold protection panel, and at least one panel attachment means. The barrier panel has a first end and a second end opposite the first end such that the barrier panel has a length that is the distance from the first end to the second end and a midpoint along the length generally delineating the barrier panel into a content receiving region and a content covering region. Panel attachment means are located between the first end and the midpoint of the barrier panel at a pre-determined position to identify the content receiving region. The fold protection panel is in juxtaposed communication with the barrier panel, and has a proximal end generally adjacent the barrier panel, a distal end generally opposite the proximal end, and a length that is the distance between these ends, such that, after the barrier panel has been folded at or near the barrier panel's midpoint so its second end is brought near its first end and its edges brought together and secured by the panel attachment means to form a package, the fold protection panel folds at or near the pre-determined fold line to cover at least a portion of the edges of the folded barrier panel. |
| US08261962B2 |
Method for brazing a metallic honeycomb body for exhaust gas treatment and apparatus for carrying out the method
A method for brazing a metallic honeycomb body (1) for exhaust gas treatment, includes at least: a) pretreatment of a honeycomb body (1) at a temperature above 400° C.; b) cooling the honeycomb body (1); c) brazing the honeycomb body (1) at a temperature in a range of from 1050° C. to 1100° C. under atmospheric pressure; and d) cooling the honeycomb body (1). A suitable apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided. |
| US08261961B2 |
Metal matrix carbon nanotube composite material and method of making same
A solid state method for the preparation of composite materials incorporating metal and nano materials is provided, wherein nano materials are deposited on a substrate and incorporated into the substrate structure by friction stir welding. Also provided are composite materials that include nano materials, which are prepared by friction stir welding. |
| US08261960B2 |
Single retainer mounted riser
A fastening device and method for mounting equipment to a framing member. The invention includes a single breakaway fastener that is pretentioned using a biasing member to fracture on a predetermined force applied to the fastened joint to avoid damage to the secured equipment. In one example the device and method includes the fastener having a reduced diameter portion that is positioned between an annular plate and the framing member. |
| US08261958B1 |
Stapler cartridge with staples frangibly affixed thereto
A surgical apparatus may include a cartridge, and surgical staples affixed to and frangibly separable from that cartridge. A method for surgical stapling utilizing that apparatus may include providing at least one wedge; and moving at least one wedge into the cartridge, where that moving deforms and then shears from the cartridge at least one staple. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for use with a surgical stapler may include fabricating a cartridge configured to be received by the surgical stapler; fabricating staples; and fixing the staples to the cartridge. |
| US08261954B2 |
Mount with anti-rotation feature
A mount for motorcycles and other vehicles is provided that resists relative rotational movement at the connection between the mount and the vehicle, and at the connection between the mount and a plate that supports a portable device such as a GPS, toll transponder, radar collector and the like, while permitting disengagement at such connections in response to the application of a force to the mount. |
| US08261951B2 |
Metering and dispensing closure
A metering and dispensing closure for a container wherein two rotatable disks rotate in conjunction with a stationary cap member to afford accurate measuring of a powder material and dispensing of it. The disks and the container cap afford a consistent measuring of the powder material, as well as provide a variety of drive members which can be utilized with the dispensing closure. |
| US08261950B2 |
Pumping dispenser
A device for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The device includes a container holding the flowable material therein and a pumping assembly attached to the container. The pumping assembly includes a pump and a placard portion configured for displaying viewable information thereon associated with the flowable material. |
| US08261945B2 |
Soap dispensing apparatus
A soap dispenser has a base and a cover attached to the base by two sets of hinges. A container of soap is housed between the cover and the base and is attached to a liquid or foam dispensing pump. The pump is housed within a mounting device which surrounds the pump and has several diameters and at least one shoulder. In at least one embodiment, the mounting device has a flexible arm that biases the cover to a non-actuated position. The portion of the mounting device farthest from the pump's dispensing orifice and located closest to the soap container is flat in at least one embodiment on two opposite surfaces, which assists in orienting the pump correctly. As the portion is not circular, it must be oriented correctly. In at least one embodiment, as the cover is depressed, the pump actuates to dispense foam or soap. |
| US08261938B2 |
Finger covers and devices for dispensing finger covers
A finger covering system includes a finger cover dispensing device and a plurality of first and second finger covers. The finger cover dispensing device includes a dispenser body having a face and at least first and second openings disposed in the face, with the first and second openings each being sized to receive at least one finger inserted therethrough, and first and second cavities disposed in the dispenser body extending inward from the first and second openings. The plurality of first and second finger covers are disposed in the first and second cavities, with each of the plurality of first finger covers having an open first end facing the first opening of the dispenser body and a closed second end, and each of the plurality of second finger covers having an open first end facing the second opening of the dispenser body and a closed second end. The plurality of first and second finger covers are disposed in a stacked relationship within the corresponding first and second cavities. |
| US08261936B2 |
Device for dispensing vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
An apparatus for dispensing open-ended objects such as pharmaceutical vials includes: a housing having an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a guide and a floor; a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member; and a drive unit. The endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto. As the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing. |
| US08261935B2 |
Hinged lid with retaining feature
A hinged lid for a container receptacle is provided. The lid structure includes a top attached to a mount structure by a “living” hinge. The mount structure is designed for mounting the lid to an open free end of the receptacle. The lid is provided with a retaining mechanism adapted for maintaining the mount structure in a folded position with respect to the top of the lid thereby enabling the lid to be placed on a receptacle using an automatic lidding machine. The retaining feature includes a projection and a recess, wherein the projection is adapted for begin received within the recess. In one embodiment, the projection extends from the mount structure and is adapted to be received within a recess defined in the lid's top. In another embodiment, the projection extends from the lid's top and is adapted to be received within a recess defined in the mount structure. |
| US08261934B2 |
Box with retractable lid for cosmetic or toiletry products
A box for cosmetic or toiletry products including a body having a bottom and a free edge and containing a cup containing a solid, paste or powder product, and a lid mounted to pivot on the body. The lid is connected to the body by at least one double hinge including an upper link articulated to the body and to the underside of the lid, and a lower link situated between the upper link and the bottom, more inclined than the first link relative to the bottom in the closed configuration of the lid, and articulated to the body and under the lid. In the closed configuration, the cover is retracted into the body and flush with the free edge, having at a distance from the double hinge an actuation area bearing at least indirectly against a bistable pushbutton elastically compressible toward the bottom of the body. |
| US08261933B2 |
Container
A container for packaging food for transporting and selling to consumers is provided. The container includes a base having a pair of inwardly recessed pockets for capturing a pair of extending latching portions on a lid. The pair of extending latching portions has concave grooves allowing the extending latching portions to flex inwards from an initial position for insertion into the pair inwardly recessed pockets. When the pair of extending latching portions are inserted into the pair inwardly recessed pockets, the pair of extending latching portions expand back to their initial position and protrusions within the pair of inwardly recessed pockets retain the pair of extending latching portions creating a tight fit and preventing the lid of the container from being easily disengaged from the base of the container. |
| US08261932B2 |
Handle for container, handle-equipped container, and method for manufacturing handle and container
The present invention provides a handle for a container, a handle-equipped container, and a method for manufacturing same. It is accordingly possible to provide a container that has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially quadrangular and allows for exceptional storability, has favorable blow-molding properties, presents none of a variety of anomalies in the container and the handle, and has adequate strength to withstand drop impact.The present invention is characterized in comprising a polyester container, which has a finish part, a shoulder part, a body part, and a base part in the stated order from a top part; which has a concavity provided to a portion of the body part; and which has a handle-attaching convexity provided to the concavity; and a polyester handle attached to the handle-attaching convexity of the container. A space is provided between the handle and a wall surface that surrounds the handle-attaching convexity in the concavity. A transverse cross-sectional shape of the body part has a substantially quadrangular shape. The concavity is in a corner part of an upper half part of the body part, and the handle-attaching convexity is positioned in a concavity along a diagonal line L of the upper half part. |
| US08261927B1 |
Conical hole plug
A conical hole plug for sealing various types of holes and openings. The conical hole plug generally includes a first elongated portion having a first varying diameter that uniformly increases from a terminating outer end to a terminating inner end, a second cavity extending within the first elongated portion, the second cavity having a second varying diameter that uniformly decreases from a terminating outer end to a terminating inner end, a second elongated portion having a third varying diameter that uniformly increases from a terminating outer end to a terminating inner end, the second elongated portion linearly extends from the first elongated portion, a first cavity extending within the second elongated portion, the first cavity having a fourth varying diameter that uniformly decreases from a terminating outer end to a terminating inner end. |
| US08261924B2 |
Folding containers
A collapsible air freight container (10) comprises a standard base (12), a side panel (16) slideably hinged to the base and a back panel (18) which is hinged to the base which interlocks with the side panel. There is a side extension (20) which is generally trapezoidal to roughly conform to the shape of a side wall of a plane's cargo hold. A lid is slideably mounted on top of the container so that it can be slid relative to the back panel. The lid is arranged so that when fully retracted to the back of the container relative to the back panel, it may pivot to overlay the back panel. The container may be collapsed by retracting and pivoting the lid to overlie the back panel (18), folding the side extension (20), folding and sliding the side panel (16) into the base (12) and lowering the folded side extension (20) and then the back panel (18) and lid (40) into the base. |
| US08261917B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing articles of different dimensions
An apparatus and a method stand up and process articles of different dimensions, in particular flat mail items. A conveying device transports articles to an up-ending apparatus. The up-ending apparatus transports the articles further and, in the process, up-ends the articles such that the up-ended articles stand on an edge. Up-ended articles are transported to a separating apparatus. The separating apparatus separates flat articles such that a stream of upright, spaced-apart articles leaves the separating apparatus. Up-ended and separated articles are transported to a format-separating device. The format-separating device divides the articles as a function of the dimensions thereof into article classes such that all of the articles of a set of articles belong to the same format class. All of the articles of a set of articles are transported as a stream of upright and spaced-apart articles to an appropriate processing device. The processing device processes the articles. |
| US08261915B2 |
Screening machine and associated screen panel
A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a machine frame and a perforate screen panel mounted for movement relative to the machine frame during a screening operation. The screen panels are pre-tensioned mesh screen material mounted in a peripheral rim for separating various granular and particulate materials. The screen panel is slid into the side of the machine frame in a direction orthogonal to the direction particulate matter moves when the screening machine is operating. The screen panel peripheral rim has a shaped or other cross section adapted to hold a large seal member that provides a positive sealing surface for contact with the machine frame to prevent particulate matter from escaping off of the screen panel during use. |
| US08261910B2 |
Package housing for an elongate object
Package housing for an elongate object (8), including a base element (2) having a housing wall (6) defining a receptacle (4) for the object (8), wherein the receptacle (4) has a longitudinal axis (L) which runs substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the object (8) in the packed state. The base element (2) comprises a head part (10) and a holding part (12) arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) next to the head part (10), which holding part is connected to the head part (10) by a weakening zone (30) and including at least one holding portion (34), which is intended to hold the object (8) in the holding part (12). According to the invention, the weakening zone (30) is a predetermined breaking point (32). The holding portion (34) includes at least one spacer (42a, 42b), which is configured such that the object (8), in the packed state, is held in a contact-free manner with respect to that part of the housing wall (6) of the holding part (12) which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L). |
| US08261908B2 |
Container for precursors used in deposition processes
Precursor source containers to hold precursor materials used in thin film deposition processes, such as ALD and MOCVD methods are described. In particular, the container holds both a liquid precursor or a dissolved precursor solution and a rinse solvent in separate chambers, and reduces the overall space requirement. In one embodiment, a cylinder within a cylinder arrangement provides two separate chambers, one for the precursor solution and the other for the rinse solvent. |
| US08261903B2 |
Media presenter
A media presenter configurable for use in either a front access or a rear access dispenser is described. The media presenter comprises a chassis including a central track defining a central handle end and a central pick end. A nose is coupled to the chassis at the central pick end, and includes (i) a presenting end distal from the chassis and (ii) a nose track arranged to couple to the central track. A removable track is coupled to the chassis and extends from a handle end of the chassis to the central handle end. The nose track, the central track, and the removable track combine to provide a presenting track extending from the handle end to the presenting end. The presenter can present media items to a customer in a rear access dispenser, or can be reconfigured by exchanging the positions of the nose and removable track to present media items in a front access dispenser. |
| US08261898B2 |
Construction machine, as well as clutch for switching the power flow
Construction machine, with working drum mounted at a machine frame, combustion engine for driving the working drum, drive train between the combustion engine and the working drum, and clutch in the drive train, where the clutch is arranged between a drive shaft and output shaft of the drive train, clutch elements on drive side capable of being engaged with clutch elements on output side, where clutch elements on the drive side or on output side are provided with several clutch part elements that are permanently engaged with one another via at least one mechanical coupling, it is provided that a braking device acting between the drive shaft and the output shaft is arranged at the clutch, said braking device being additionally engaged during engagement of the clutch in order to eliminate or reduce any rotary vibrations caused by play of mechanical coupling between clutch part elements. |
| US08261894B2 |
Rotary damper
The present invention provides a rotary damper in which both yields and braking characteristics can be enhanced. The rotary damper of the invention includes a valve mechanism which comprises an operating chamber 7 through which fluid can pass, a valve body 8 which forwardly moves from a natural state position when the valve body 8 receives fluid pressure and which can forwardly moves in the operating chamber 7, and a first spring 9 capable of giving a resistance to the forward movement of the valve body 8. The valve mechanism can reduce a flow rate of fluid which passes through the operating chamber 7 by a flow path 14 formed between the valve body 8 and a peripheral wall 7a of the operating chamber 7. A reducing amount of fluid can be increased as a moving distance of the valve body 8 which forwardly moves in the operating chamber 7 is increased. |
| US08261892B2 |
Customizable strut assemblies and articles that employ the same
Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material. |
| US08261889B2 |
Opposed-piston disc brake
An opposed-piston disc brake includes cylinder connection oil passages respectively connected to a cylinder of an inner caliper portion and a cylinder of an outer caliper portion, passage communication bores respectively formed at bridge portions to extend in an axial direction of a disc in a substantially straight manner. The cylinder connection oil passages are formed using a core at the time when a caliper body is cast. The cylinder connection oil passages extend in a radially outer direction of the disc. Ends of the cylinder connection oil passages in a longitudinal direction thereof are directly connected to the passage communication bores. In a state where the caliper body is mounted on a vehicle, a top portion of an inner wall surface of one of the passage communication bores is positioned higher than the ends of the cylinder connection oil passages. |
| US08261887B2 |
Safe braking apparatus
A safe braking apparatus using in a two-wheel vehicle includes a left brake unit that drives the real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously, a right brake unit that drives the real brake unit and the front brake unit simultaneously, a front brake unit that actuates a front-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicles, and a real brake unit that actuates a real-wheel brake of said two-wheel vehicles. Wherein, the front brake unit always works less than the real brake unit in movement. |
| US08261883B2 |
Vehicle power transmission device
A vehicle power transmission device mounted on a vehicle for transmitting power from a power generating source to an axle through a gear train accommodated in a case, including: a lubricating pump that is driven by the power generating source and is capable of supplying a lubricating medium to an element to be lubricated; a lubricating medium storage portion that stores the lubricating medium; a lowermost gear that is located at a lowest position in the case; a topmost gear that is located at a highest position in the case; a lubrication flow path that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear and carried by the gear train to a predetermined element to be lubricated; and a guide portion that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear and carried by the gear train to an inlet of the lubrication flow path. |
| US08261882B2 |
Ladder leveler and method
A leveler for a ladder having side rails and a rung comprises a metal housing fixed to one of the side rails. The housing has an opening. The leveler comprises a metal leg with slides in the housing and is adjustable in the housing. The leg has a top end and a bottom end. The leg has two rows of holes which are set side by side and extend through the leg. The leveler comprises a holder for holding a leg to the housing. The holder extending through the opening and one of the holes to hold a leg in place. The leveler comprises a cap disposed on the top end which acts as a stop for the leg when the cap contacts the housing. A method for setting a ladder in place. |
| US08261881B2 |
Multifunctional belay device for a rope
A belay device for a rope, comprising a plate having at least one slot for a loop of the rope to pass through, a retaining element integral to the plate, and a carabiner connected to the retaining element by means of a securing part rendering it captive with respect to the plate. The carabiner is fitted with bidirectional sliding in the securing part to come up against the stop formed by the plate when blocking the rope or to move away from the latter when releasing is performed. |
| US08261878B2 |
Fall restraint system
A fall restraint system includes a central support positioned over an apex of a container structure such as a domed roof storage tank. Cable receiving members are connected to the central support. Outer support members are secured to a side of the container structure. A structural support cable is connected to each of the outer support members. Each structural support cable is also connected to the central support. A tie-off structure including a cable and a harness is connected to the central support so that the harness may move around the central support. The system also may include support brackets that secure the outer support members to the side of the container structure. Each such support bracket may include a receptacle to receive one of the outer support members. The system is removably attached to the container structure, without any welding. |
| US08261875B2 |
Seismic transducers and baseplates having external dampeners and methods of use
Methods and systems are provided for inducing seismic vibrations into subterranean formations. Seismic transducers may comprise a frame, a reaction mass, a driver, and a baseplate. The driver actuates the reaction mass, imparting a vibratory energy to the baseplate. This vibratory energy is then imparted directly to the ground surface to propagate seismic waves into the formation. These seismic waves are then reflected by subsurface geological features. The reflected seismic waves may then be detected and interpreted by seismic detectors to reveal seismic information representative of the surveyed region. An external dampener may be secured to the baseplate, which provide, among other benefits, a damping effect to the baseplate. Advantages include, reduced undesirable baseplate harmonic distortion or “ringing,” reduced baseplate decoupling, and reduced seismic noise due to flexure reduction and more uniform baseplate-to-ground conformance. These advantages ultimately translate to improved seismic surveys, having higher formation resolution and reaching greater depths. |
| US08261874B2 |
Attenuating out of band energy emitted from seismic sources
A method for attenuating out of band energy emitted from a seismic source used in a marine seismic survey. The method includes disposing the seismic source in a body of water and releasing a gas into a volume of water surrounding the seismic source. The released gas may be configured such that it displaces the volume of water surrounding the seismic source at a rate less than 2.9×106 cubic-meters per cubic-second. |
| US08261873B2 |
Electromagnetic linear drive source for logging-while-drilling/wireline acoustic applications
An apparatus and method for providing a downhole acoustic source is disclosed. The acoustic source includes a piston configured to oscillate in an axial direction of the acoustic source and produce an acoustic signal in a medium in contact with an exterior surface of the piston, and an elastomer disposed on an interior side of the piston, an acoustic impedance of the elastomer selected to match an acoustic impedance of the piston. A permanent magnet is configured to provide a permanent magnetic field oriented in the axial direction, and a coil disposed on an interior side of the piston produces an alternating magnetic field in the region of the permanent magnetic field. The elastomer may be, for example, a silicon rubber, a silicone jelly, and a silicone oil. A plurality of acoustic sources may be arranged to produce an acoustic dipole configuration or an acoustic quadrupole configuration. |
| US08261871B2 |
Hydraulic transmission assembly
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic transmission assembly for a ground vehicle comprises a pump unit and a hydraulic motor assembly connected to the pump unit. The pump unit includes a driven shaft configured to operably connect to a motor of the ground vehicle. The hydraulic motor assembly includes a motor housing configured to rotatably mount to a wheel assembly of the ground vehicle. The housing has a central opening. A stationary output shaft has a first end section received in the central opening and a second end section configured to rigidly attach to a frame of the ground vehicle. The output shaft includes at least one internal fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one fluid passage of the pump unit. Pressurization of the hydraulic motor assembly via the pump unit rotates the motor housing relative to the stationary output shaft which, in turn, rotates the wheel assembly in one of a first direction and second direction. |
| US08261870B2 |
Method for removing or installing endless power transmitting element on a motorcycle assembly
A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels. The method includes: removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure; disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly; moving the differential assembly away from carrier structure; mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly. |
| US08261869B2 |
Agricultural vehicle suspension
An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator. |
| US08261865B2 |
Regenerative suspension with accumulator systems and methods
In exemplary embodiments, a regenerative suspension system replaces or complements a standard shock absorber on a vehicle. A pump attaches via a hose to a central accumulator cylinder that is mounted on a vehicle. Pressurized fluid, air, or other material charges the accumulator. The Pressurized fluid, air, or other material is controllably released via a valve in order to perform work. |
| US08261863B2 |
Operating process for a fuel cell system
A process for operating a fuel cell system (2) arranged in a vehicle (1), in which process a foreseeable travel time duration and/or a foreseeable travel time end point are communicated to a control device (4) of the fuel cell system (2) at the beginning of a travel of the vehicle (1) or during the travel. The control device (4) operates the fuel cell system (2) such that a switch-off procedure for switching off the fuel cell system (2) is started so far ahead of the foreseeable end of the travel in time that the switch-off procedure will have been completed extensively simultaneously with the foreseeable end of the travel and the fuel cell system (2) is switched off. |
| US08261862B2 |
Drive apparatus for vehicle
A drive apparatus for a vehicle, which supplies more electric power to a motor which supplements the drive power of an engine and collects energy from an exhaust to be able to improve fuel consumption and reduce the total amount of the exhaust, is realized by comprising an engine coupled to a drive wheel to generate drive power for the vehicle, a generator motor coupled to an output shaft of the engine and the drive wheel, a battery, a power control unit, and a power generation unit which generates electric power using an exhaust of the engine, and selects a charge mode when the vehicle is braked and when an engine output is equal to or greater than an output needed to drive the vehicle, wherein the electric power generated by the generator is stored in the battery, and energy is collected from the exhaust using the power generation unit. |
| US08261859B2 |
Motor powered bicycle trailer with integral hitch force metering
A self-propelled trailer may be attached to a bicycle. The speed of the trailer is adjusted based on a signal from a force gauge which indicates whether the bicycle is pulling the trailer or the trailer is pushing the bicycle. In the former situation, the force gauge indicates a tensile load, and in the latter situation, the force gauge indicates a compressive load. Based on the feedback from the force gauge, the speed of the motor attached to the self-propelled trailer is adjusted so that the trailer and bicycle are moving at the same speed or the bicycle is pulling the trailer. |
| US08261852B2 |
Portable power tool
A power tool is provided with a prime mover which causes the tool to rotate and a housing which houses the prime mover. In a back-end face that is positioned on an opposite side on the housing from a tool side, a back-end groove, into which a user can position his/her web between his/her thumb and forefinger, is formed. A pair of side-face grooves, into which the user can place the thumb and forefinger, are formed in both side faces of the housing. A depth changing portion is formed in at least one of the side-face grooves, such that the depth is reduced toward the back-end face of the housing. According to this structure, even when the housing is gripped directly from the back-end face, the user can easily draw up or raise the power tool. |
| US08261850B2 |
Hand-held rotary hammer power tool
The invention relates to a striking mechanism of a handheld electric power tool, in particular a percussion drill and/or percussion hammer, having a hammer cylinder, a piston mounted with a guide section inside the hammer cylinder in a longitudinally displaceable manner, and a piston outer guide on which a guide area of the piston is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner. A piston end located outside the hammer cylinder comprises an overlap for overlapping an end area of the hammer cylinder, and the guide area at least partially belongs to the overlap or is affixed there. |
| US08261840B2 |
Alignment of BOP stack to facilitate use of a rotating control device
An alignment system can include at least one alignment device positioned between two flanges, the alignment device having a greater thickness on one side of the alignment device than on an opposite side of the alignment device. A method of producing a relative angular offset between a first flange and a second flange can include positioning at least one alignment device between the first and second flanges, and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing the angular offset. A method of aligning an axis of a blowout preventer stack with a rig floor can include positioning at least one alignment device between a first flange, and a second flange of the blowout preventer stack; and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing an angular offset of the second flange relative to the first flange. |
| US08261839B2 |
Variable flow resistance system for use in a subterranean well
A variable flow resistance system can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows in a well, the chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The fluid composition enters via the inlet in a direction which changes based on a ratio of desired to undesired fluid in the fluid composition. A well system can include a variable flow resistance system through which a fluid composition flows between a tubular string and a formation, the flow resistance system including a flow chamber through which the fluid composition flows, with only one chamber inlet. The fluid composition flows more directly from the inlet to an outlet as a ratio of desired to undesired fluid in the fluid composition increases. Another flow resistance system can include at least one structure which influences portions of the fluid composition which flow circuitously between the inlet and the outlet to maintain such circuitous flow. |
| US08261838B2 |
Artificial lift system
An artificial lift system provides an artificial lift design specifically for the pumping of liquids from natural gas wells, but not limited to this application. In doing so, production rates and reserves recovered can be significantly increased. The artificial lift system uses small diameter continuous tubing to run the pump in the hole and deliver small volumes of high pressure dry gas as a power fluid to the pump. This power fluid forces liquid that has been drawn into the pump from the bottom of the wellbore to surface. By removing the liquids from the wellbore the natural gas can flow unrestricted to surface. The design and equipment allow for a cost effective artificial lift alternative. |
| US08261837B2 |
Adjustable hanger for inner production riser
A string of conduit extending from a subsea wellhead assembly to a surface wellhead assembly on a platform has a plurality of grooved profiles on an upper portion of the conduit. Each profile is spaced axially from another of the grooved profiles. After a lower end of the conduit is secured to the subsea wellhead assembly, the operator pulls on the conduit to apply a selected tension to the conduit. The operator attaches a support ring to the profile that was closest to and above a load shoulder in the surface wellhead assembly when the desired tension was reached. After landing the support ring on the load shoulder, the operator may cut off any excess portion of the upper portion of the conduit located above the support ring. A seal ring is set between the upper portion of the conduit and the surface wellhead housing. |
| US08261832B2 |
Heating subsurface formations with fluids
A method of treating a hydrocarbon formation includes providing heat to the hydrocarbon formation from a plurality of heaters. The heat transfers from the heaters so that at least a section the formation reaches a selected temperature. The section includes hydrocarbons having an API gravity below 10°. A solution including water is provided to the section. A temperature of the solution is at least 250° C. A pressure of the formation is maintained such that the water remains a liquid at 250° C. At least a some of the hydrocarbons in the section having an API gravity below 10° are contacted to produce hydrocarbon fluids. The hydrocarbon fluids in the section are mobilized. The hydrocarbon fluids include hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least 10°. |
| US08261831B2 |
Apparatus and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands
Apparatus and methods recover hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands. The method includes the steps of forming a hole in a body of oil or tar sand, positioning an apertured sleeve within the hole to minimize fill-in of the sand, positioning a gas inlet conduit into the apertured sleeve, and introducing a heated, pressurized processing gas into the sleeve through the gas inlet conduit, such that the heated, pressurized processing gas penetrates into the sand through the apertures, thereby converting bitumen within the sand into hydrocarbonaceous products. The processing gas and hydrocarbonaceous products are withdrawn as effluent gas through the hole under relative negative pressure. A mesh screen may be supported between the apertured sleeve and the body of oil or tar sand. |
| US08261828B2 |
Optimized machining process for cutting tubulars downhole
The tubular cutting tool for severing downhole tubulars, the tool having a drive system, a pivoting system, a cutting head, a cutting member, and a lubricant delivery system. Cutting may be accomplished by rotatingly actuating the cutting head with an associated motor and extending the cutting member away from the cutting head. The lubricant delivery system lubricates the respective contacting surfaces of the cutting member and the tubular and is actuated when the cutting member extends from the cutting head. |
| US08261824B2 |
Methods for forming a permeable and stable mass in a subterranean formation
Certain emulsions and masses produced using those emulsions exhibited improved permeability and stability. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a composition that comprises a plurality of inorganic particulates, an aqueous component, and an organic component comprising at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one surface active agent in an amount of up to about 10% by volume of the organic component; permitting the composition to form an emulsion that comprises an internal aqueous phase in an amount of at least about 50% by volume of the emulsion and a continuous organic phase; introducing the composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and permitting the composition to form a porous polymer mass in at least a portion of the subterranean formation. |
| US08261821B2 |
Downhole multi-parallel hydrocyclone separator
A hydrocyclone separator assembly includes a longitudinal housing configured for disposal in a wellbore, wherein the longitudinal housing comprises a discharge head disposed at one end of the longitudinal housing, wherein the discharge head includes at least one overflow port and at least one underflow port; a plurality of hydrocyclones disposed arranged in a same orientation in the longitudinal housing, wherein the plurality of hydrocyclone each comprise an overflow exit and an underflow exit, wherein at least two of the overflow exits of the plurality of hydrocyclones are connected to a common tubing that is connected to the at least one overflow port on the discharge head, wherein at least two of the underflow exits of the plurality of hydrocyclones are connected to separate tubings that are connected to the at least one underflow port on the discharge head. |
| US08261818B2 |
Self-inserting seal assembly
A self-inserting seal assembly that sets a seal at a well component to allow for pressure testing of the well component. The seal assembly can be landed on a well component with an ROV. A seal is located on the lower portion of a lower body in the assembly. A set of outer dogs lock with a grooved mating profile formed on the well component to lock the outer housing to provide a reaction point for setting the seal, which may require several thousand pounds of force. A set of inner dogs lock with a grooved mating profile formed on the inner diameter of the outer housing. This locks the lower body to the outer housing to ensure the seal remains set in place. After the well component is pressure tested, the seal assembly can be unlocked and retrieved from the well via an ROV. |
| US08261816B2 |
Heat exchanger with flat tubes
A heat exchanger with a plurality of stacked flat tubes and a collecting tank having a wall extending around the entire periphery of, and connected to, the end of the stacked flat tubes. A first medium may be distributed through the collecting tank and flat tubes. Internal inserts are in the flat tubes, with the inserts being bonded between the broad sides of the tubes and, in the region of connection of the tubes to the collecting tank, being configured to compensate for length changes in the stacking direction caused by temperature changes, as by recesses in connectors such as wave flanks or by corrugated wave flanks. The flat tubes with inserts such as described may be separately provided for use in manufacture of heat exchangers. |
| US08261815B2 |
Heat exchanger, in particular charge air cooler or exhaust gas cooler for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing it
The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular a charge air cooler or exhaust gas cooler for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a first box (2), a second box (3) which is arranged spaced apart from this first box (2), and a plurality of pipes (12) by means of which the first box (2) and the second box (3) are fluidically connected. Furthermore, the heat exchanger has a chamber (6) through which a coolant can flow and which is arranged between the two boxes (2, 3) and through which a plurality or all of these pipes (12), by means of which the two boxes (2, 3) are fluidically connected, run. The base (10, 11) is provided with one or more through-openings (16) for receiving the pipes (12), and at least one base (10, 11) has a border (7) which points away from the pipes toward the outside and is provided with a first step (20) and a second step (21), wherein the border (7) is arranged essentially in the edge region of the base (10, 11), and the second step (22) is arranged in the region of the first step (20), radially offset from the first step (20). |
| US08261813B2 |
Electronic device cooling apparatus and electronic device including the same
As an electronic device cooling apparatus which allows refrigerant liquid to circulate and flow in a cooling system by using a pump so as to cool a heat generating portion of an electronic device, a heat generating portion cooling unit which is connected to the pump, which receives heat from the heat generating portion of the electronic device, and which releases the heat to the refrigerant liquid through a fin portion so as to cool the heat generating portion includes independently therein a first flow channel through which the refrigerant liquid discharged from a discharging port of the pump is drawn in to be guided to the outside of the heat generating portion cooling unit through the fin portion, and a second flow channel through which the refrigerant liquid cooled at the outside is drawn in to be guided towards a sucking port of the pump. |
| US08261809B2 |
Method to move an upper mold in relation to a lower mold in a permanent mold casting machine and the permanent mold casting machine used for the method
A method for moving an upper mold against a lower mold in a mold casting machine having a mold clamping mechanism attached to a lifting and lowering frame. The mechanism has an upper mold lifting and lowering device that assembles and separates the upper and lower molds by lifting and lowering the upper mold relative to the lower mold and the frame. A space for a setting a core and for taking out products is formed between the upper and lower molds by lifting the device relative to the frame, and by lifting the frame relative to the lower mold. Then the frame is lowered until the upper mold comes close to the lower mold. Thereafter the upper mold is lowered by the device to form an assembled mold, molten metal is introduced into the mold and after the metal has solidified the upper mold is lifted by the device, all while the frame is kept fixed relative to the lower mold. |
| US08261806B2 |
Control barrier for people
A barrier for the control of people has a stand (10,11) supporting a housing (12) for a flexible band (14) extensible from the housing through a slot (15) in the side wall thereof. The spool and band are removable through the open upper end of the housing (12) and a tensioning cassette (16) for the spool is engaged with the housing and is drivingly coupled to the spool (13). A spring tensioner (29) acts between an outer wall (26) of the cassette and a drive shaft (30) for the spool. Tension may be applied to the spring (29) by freeing the cassette (16) from the housing (10) while leaving the drive shaft (30) connected to the spool (13) and then rotating the cassette, relative to the housing. |
| US08261800B2 |
Process and apparatus for manufacturing a pneumatic tyre
A process and apparatus for turning up the carcass plies in a tire, the tire including a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply provided with at least one reinforcing element coated with at least one layer of elastomeric material, and at least one annular reinforcing structure. The apparatus is equipped with a support drum conveniently shaped for supporting at least one ply and with at least one turning up device provided with an annular continuous presser element. The latter is axially translatable along an axis of the support drum and radially expandable or contractible relative to the axis of the support drum between a contracted position and an expanded position to turn up the carcass ply around an annular reinforcing structure. The device is further provided with means of adjusting the contracted position of the annular element depending on the size of the tire to be manufactured. |
| US08261799B2 |
Linerless label printer
Various modifications to a printer to allow the printer to print on linerless adhesive media are described. In one embodiment, a release block is attached to the printer superior to a rubber drive roller. The release block limits the linerless adhesive media from contacting and/or remaining on the rubber drive roller when the linerless adhesive media is fed past print head. The release block may be a guide label, a piece of tape, or fixture. A guide label is adhesively attached and comprises a substrate, an adhesive layer, and release layers so that the linerless adhesive media does not stick to the guide label. Tape may be adhesively attached with a release layer attached to the tape. The fixture may be mechanically attached, magnetically attached, or adhesively attached to the printer. The release block may be removed at any time to allow for standard operation of the printer. |
| US08261798B2 |
Polyurethaneurea system
A polyurethaneurea system that includes in some embodiments Parts A and B reaction components for a polyurethaneurea, wherein an exemplary embodiment provides a Part A that comprises between 55 and 75 wt. % of an oligomeric polyol, between 3 and 7 wt. % of an aromatic diamine chain extender, and between 0.1 and 1.5% of a reactivity catalyst; Part B includes between 1 and 15 wt. % of a short aromatic diisocyanate and between 5 and 35 wt. % of an aromatic diisocyanate prepolymer that is the reaction product of a short aromatic diisocyanate and a diol. The polyurethaneurea system may further comprise an elastomer-surface activator comprising a second short aromatic diisocyanate and a second aromatic diisocyanate prepolymer, wherein at least one of the second diisocyanates may be the same as at least one of the diisocyanates of Part B. |
| US08261795B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire for heavy load
There are provided a pneumatic radial tire of heavy load vehicles, in which durability of a belt is improved.A pneumatic radial tire for heavy load vehicles comprises a pair of bead portions in each of which a bead core is embedded, a radial carcass ply 1 extending from one bead portion to the other bead portion and turned around the bead core from an inner side to an outer side of the bead core in a width direction of the tire and at least six belt layers 2 disposed on an outer side of this radial carcass ply 1 in a radial direction of the tire, wherein the following relations are satisfied: W56>W34>W12, where W12 is a maximum width of first and second belts 2a f the belt layers 2, W34 is a maximum width of third and forth belts 2b of the belt layers 2 and W56 is a maximum width of fifth and sixth belts 2c of the belt layers 2; and 1>D12/D34>0.6, where D12 is a cord diameter of the first and second belts and D34 is a cord diameter of the third and forth belts. In addition, a steel cord of each belt layer has a double twist structure in which a plurality of steel filaments are twisted to form a cable and two to ten cables are further twisted. |
| US08261791B2 |
Pneumatic tire
Provided is a low profile pneumatic tire for an SUV, which is capable of having its enhanced rut performance with its dry and wet performances being reconciled with each other. The pneumatic tire according to the present invention has a nominal width of not less than 255, an outside diameter of not less than 720 mm, and an aspect ratio of not more than 55%. The pneumatic tire has a designated direction of sides thereof for mounting the tire on a vehicle. In its tread portion, the pneumatic tire includes five main grooves extending in the tire's circumferential direction, and six land portions defined by the five main grooves. Each of the shoulder land portions located outermost in the tire's width direction is divided into a narrow rib portion with a width of not less than 10 mm but not more than 15 mm on a side closer to its neighboring main groove and a block portion on a side closer to a corresponding one of the shoulders by a narrow groove which extends in the tire's circumferential direction, and which has a depth less than 50% of that of its neighboring main grooves. The remaining four land portions interposed between the shoulder land portions each have a depth of not less than 20 mm but not more than 26 mm. |
| US08261790B2 |
Directional tread for a tire
A tread for a pneumatic tire includes central tread elements and shoulder tread elements having leading and trailing tread edges. A pair of circumferentially continuous grooves, one on each half ol the tread, and a plurality of lateral grooves extending from each tread edge toward the center of the tread are provided. The lateral grooves adjacent the central tread elements are curved in shape extending along a line, the line extends toward the center of the tread to form an apex from the center extending outwardly across the tread pattern changing in an opposite direction at an intersection of the circumferential groove along a second line adjacent the shoulder tread element. Shoulder tread elements are arranged in two rows, one row adjacent each lateral edge, the leading edges of the shoulder tread elements being inclined relative to the direction of rotation of the tire. |
| US08261789B2 |
Tire tread having three different sipe types
A pneumatic tire (10) has an inner shoulder (11), an outer shoulder (12) and a tread (13) therebetween. The tread includes a plurality of circumferential grooves 30, 32, 34, 36 38) dividing the tread into a plurality of ribs including inner and outer shoulder ribs (14, 14′), inner and outer intermediate ribs (18, 18′) between the shoulder ribs and a central rib (16) between the intermediate ribs. First sipes (20) are provided in the shoulder ribs and the central rib. Each first sipe has an interlocking shape. Second sipes (22) are provided in the intermediate ribs. Each second sipe has a shape different from that of the first sipes. Third sipes (24) are provided in the intermediate ribs. Each third sipe has a shape different from that of the first and second sipes. |
| US08261788B2 |
Mortise and tenon joinery of log members
A method of joining a plurality of elongate log members using mortise and tenon joinery includes the step of forming mortise sockets in the log members at a controllable depth relative to a longitudinal central axis of the log members. Log members having tenons formed thereon for connection between two mortise bearing log members can thus be standardized and interchangeable with one another even when an outer surface of the log members is irregular in profile. A device for forming mortise sockets and tenons on log members in a reproducible manner includes a pair of work holders which define a longitudinal axis of the log member. A mortise cutter and a tenon cutter are supported for movement relative to the work holders for controllably forming the mortise sockets and tenons in a log member relative to the longitudinal central axis of the log member. |
| US08261784B2 |
Method and system for preventing a fuel dispensing system from dispensing inappropriate fuel to a vehicle
A method and system for dispensing fuel to a vehicle includes a sensor generating a fuel identifier signal associated with the vehicle and a fuel dispenser having a fuel type a fuel type selector generating a fuel type selector signal. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor and the fuel dispenser. The control module compares the fuel identifier with fuel type. When the fuel type corresponds to the fuel identifier, the control module enables a dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser. When the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, the control module prevents the dispensing of fuel. |
| US08261783B2 |
Filling machine provided with a cleaning device
The invention relates to a container filling machine including at least one filling spout, and a cleaning device including a stationary collecting member with a passage opening, a sealing member that can be displaced between a retracted position and a service position in which said sealing member is capable of tightly sealing the passage opening of the collecting member for carrying out cleaning operations, and displacement means capable of displacing the sealing member from the retracted position to the service position thereof through at least one downward vertical translation displacement parallely to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, such that the sealing member is substantially centered along the longitudinal axis of the filling spout. |
| US08261779B2 |
Base cloth for air bag, raw yarn for air bag, and method for producing the raw yarn
An air bag fabric includes a warp and a weft, each including polyamide multifilaments with a total fineness of 200 to 700 dtex and a single fiber fineness of 1 to 2 dtex and having a cover factor (CF) of 1,800 to 2,300, wherein a ratio ECw/Mtw between edgecomb resistance, EDw, and single fiber fineness, Mtw, in the warp direction, and a ratio ECf/Mtf between edgecomb resistance, ECf, and single fiber fineness, Mtf, in the weft direction are both in a range of 250 to 1,000 N/dtex. |
| US08261777B2 |
Duck beak valve
A duck beak valve and/or pumps/pump systems that use such a valve are disclosed. The valve may include a flexible tube having an inlet portion and an outlet portion and a spigot having a spigot inlet portion and a spigot outlet portion. The inlet portion of the flexible tube is sealed relative to the spigot. Inner surfaces of the flexible tube outlet portion downstream of the spigot outlet portion close together when the valve is closed. At least one reinforcement engages the flexible tube and is adapted to pivot at an inlet end so that an outlet end of the reinforcement moves toward and away from a centerline of the flexible tube. The reinforcement reinforces the flexible tube against an externally applied backpressure when the outlet end of the reinforcement is disposed toward the centerline and the valve is closed. |
| US08261772B2 |
Manifold with label plates
A fluid distribution system including an elongated manifold defining fluid ports, lengthwise ridges, and radial ridges. Label plates couple to the manifold and have a planar body with a front side for indicating information related to the respective port. A finger extends from each label plate and has two inwardly turned prongs for coupling to a first lengthwise ridge. The prongs form a space for capturing a radial ridge. A collar also extends from the planar body for coupling to the port. The planar body also has three stiffening bars on a back side thereof. Each stiffening bar includes a feature for coupling to a second lengthwise ridge on the manifold body. |
| US08261769B1 |
Fluid level controller
A controller and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the controller includes a pilot cartridge housing supporting an invertible pilot cartridge assembly (“cartridge”). The cartridge preferably includes a cartridge body supporting a number of pneumatic seals adjacent the housing, wherein at least two of the seals are diaphragms. The cartridge preferably provides a first pilot activation feature and an opposing second pilot activation feature. The operating mode of the cartridge is determined by a selected orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; and preferably the method of operating the controller includes the steps of: selecting an orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; setting a span control mechanism to a neutral position relative to the housing; adjusting a float communicating with the cartridge to a neutral position; and adjusting said span control mechanism to determine a response type of said cartridge. |
| US08261766B1 |
Positioning structure for assembly of a water faucet plaquette
A positioning structure for assembly of the water faucet plaquette has a plaquette having front face, a depressed back and a through-hole. The depressed back of the plaquette has a bent positioning claw. A wall permanent seat has a plaquette assembly surface, an abutting surface and a fixed portion. The fixed portion is positioned fixedly onto the wall. The plaquette assembly surface of the wall permanent seat is fitted with limit surfaces, which are aligned transversely with the positioning claw. A soft liner ring is fitted with at least two slots that are fitted onto the positioning claws. The limit surface has a pair of tabs and a vertical lug engaged with the position claw. |
| US08261764B2 |
Powerless air charging apparatus, system, and method
The air charger system provided is configured to provide an air supply to a pressurized water storage system without the use of external power. The system includes a venturi vented to the ambient atmosphere, such that the venturi siphons air from the ambient atmosphere when the venturi reaches a choked flow condition, and the system stores the siphoned air in a charging tank to supply a water storage tank. In various embodiments, the air charger system conserves energy because the use of external power is eliminated. Instead of using a traditional air compressor, the air charger systems converts the potential energy of water in a storage tank to kinetic energy in order to pressurize air in a charging tank. In addition, the air charger system also achieves greater energy conservation with the elimination of an air compressor, such that the system requires less repair and maintenance than a traditional system. |
| US08261763B2 |
Tank valve unit
The tank valve unit includes a support body, and a fuel cutoff valve installed on the support body. The support body includes a mounting plate having a support engaged portion. The fuel cutoff valve has a casing in which a valve chamber is defined by a tubular casing body and a bottom cover installed in the bottom part of the casing body; and a float mechanism housed inside the valve chamber. The bottom cover has a first engaging portion adapted to attach to the casing body by engaging the casing body, and a second engaging portion adapted to secure to the mounting plate by engaging the support engaged portion. |
| US08261762B2 |
Processing gas supplying system and processing gas supplying method
A gas supplying system includes a processing gas supply pipe for supplying a processing gas from a gas cylinder 210 into a processing apparatus and a nonreactive gas supply source 230 for supplying a nonreactive gas into the gas supply pipe. While the system is in operation, the gas supply pipe is charged with the nonreactive gas and a control unit is in a standby state. If a processing gas use start signal is received from the processing apparatus, the system exhausts the nonreactive gas from the gas supply pipe to create a vacuum therein; charges the gas supply pipe with the processing gas; and starts a supply of the processing gas from the processing gas supply source. If a processing gas use finish signal is received from the processing apparatus, the system stops the supply of the processing gas from the processing gas supply source; exhausts the processing gas from the gas supply pipe to create a vacuum therein; and charges the gas supply pipe with the nonreactive gas. Accordingly, the gas pipe from the processing gas supply source to the processing apparatus can be kept charged with the nonreactive gas when the processing gas is not used in the processing apparatus. Therefore, a deposit generation inside the gas pipe can be prevented during that period. |
| US08261754B2 |
Nail file having a flexible filing strip
A filing strip having a support portion, an abrasive portion, and at least two edge portions is provided. The support portion provides a groove that extends at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the support portion, and has a degree of flexibility sufficient to flexes under pressure applied with the insertion of an end of a human nail into the groove. The abrasive portion is positioned within the groove so as to file the end of the human nail inserted into the groove. The edge portions are positioned at least partially along an upper periphery and a lower periphery of the groove, respectively, to define a depth of the groove to limit the insertion of the human nail into the groove and to ensure only the end of the nail and not surrounding flesh to the human nail is filed by the abrasive portion. |
| US08261748B1 |
Oral device for treating sleep apnea
A device for treating sleep apnea, the device comprising a tongue attachment member and a maxilla attachment subassembly. The tongue attachment member is fabricated having a sheath interlock member extending upward from a dorsal side of a sheath. The sheath is shaped to conform to a surface of an individual's tongue. A tongue receiving cavity is formed within the sheath, the cavity comprising an opening provided at a proximal end for receiving the individual's tongue. The sheath is referenced having a dorsal side and a ventral side. A sheath interlock member extends outward from the dorsal side. The maxilla tray is shaped to conform to and removably engage with an individual's upper dental arch. A tray interlock member extends from an interlock side of the maxilla tray and is positioned to interlock with the sheath interlock member, whereby the system extends an individual's tongue forward to treat sleep apnea. |
| US08261741B2 |
Method and apparatus for backspill prevention
A backspill prevention apparatus prevents water from a humidifier portion of a positive airway pressure (PAP) device from reaching a blower motor of a PAP device. The backspill prevention apparatus can include a variety of different devices, and is placed somewhere along an air passageway between a blower motor and a humidifier portion of a PAP device. |
| US08261735B2 |
Flameless portable heating kit
As indicated above, the present invention provides a flameless, portable heating kit. In a typical embodiment, the heat pack contains a liquid activated heating material (e.g., in pack form) and utilizes a recycled heat design. This design includes an opening between a heat chamber and a content chamber where the contents (materials to be heated such as food, or a packet containing food such as a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE)) are placed. The heat materials such as steam, air or liquid are transported through a controlled opening that transfers heat to the heat chamber. The present invention also provides a heat control method that uses a filter or filters that filter by-product materials such as moisture and channels the by-products outside, while keeping the heating liquid material inside of the heat space chamber. Optimal control of the heating (chemical) materials' temperature offers a safe heating experience. |
| US08261732B2 |
Cooking grill
The invention is a cooking grill comprising a housing defining a cooking chamber and having a door therein hinged at a bottom thereof, a heating element disposed in the cooking chamber, a cooking surface slidably disposed to slide in and out of the housing through the door. |
| US08261724B2 |
Intake apparatus for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas guide member is provided to an airflow control valve varying an opening area of an intake passage. The exhaust gas guide member forms an exhaust gas passage which introduces the exhaust gas flowing from the exhaust gas introducing portion into the intake pipe toward an opposite end of the airflow control valve relative to the valve shaft. Thereby, the exhaust gas flows together with an intake air flow of high velocity generated by the airflow control valve so that a tumble flow can be generated in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. |
| US08261717B2 |
Service pack power management
A power management system, in certain aspects, may utilize direct load sensing feedback from the prime mover (e.g., engine), thereby reducing the possibility of overloading the prime mover. The use of direct load sense feedback from the prime mover can then be used with additional feedback, such as prime mover RPM feedback and individual output load sensing feedback, to directly control the output loads and set the primary power sources rpm set-point to better manage the power available and reduce the possibility of overloading the primary power source. |
| US08261710B2 |
Sealed lash adjuster and seal structure between first and second parts
A sealed lash adjuster (100A) has a plunger (2), and a body (1A) accommodating the plunger. In addition, the sealed lash adjuster (100A) has a first seal member (5) on a sliding portion of the plunger (2), and has a second seal member (30) on a sliding portion of the body (1A) that faces the sliding portion. Specifically, the lash adjuster (100A) has the first seal member (5) on the sliding portion of the plunger (2) and the second seal member (30) on the opposing sliding portion of the body (1A), such that a space K formed between the first seal member (5) and the second seal member (30) expands when the plunger (2) is pressed inward, and the space K contacts when the plunger (2) protrudes outward. |
| US08261709B2 |
Internal-combustion engine of the type with at least one cylinder working in degraded mode
The present invention relates to an internal-combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (10, 12, 14, 16) including intake means with an intake valve (22), exhaust means with an exhaust valve (32) and control means (40, 42) for controlling opening/closing of the valves, said control means comprising drive means (44) and means (56) intended for motion and load transmission between said control means and the valve to be controlled.According to the invention, motion and load transmission means (56) comprise a rocker arm (58) with at least two rockers (72, 74) disengageable from a pad (62) controlling the motion of said valve. |
| US08261708B2 |
Control valve mounting system
A system for mounting a control valve on an engine includes an engine head operatively disposed on a cylinder block of the engine. The engine head has one or more open receptacles. A retainer is operatively configured to hold the control valve in the open receptacle. The retainer is further configured to be removeably engaged with the open receptacle. The retainer is co-axial with the open receptacle. |
| US08261707B2 |
Valve timing controller for internal combustion engine
The valve timing controller for the internal combustion engine determines, based on a control parameter during phase angle feedback control, whether or not the valve timing variable mechanism is pressed against a limiting position defined by a stopper, sets a second target phase angle on a reference rotational phase angle value side of the camshaft by a first predetermined value from a detected real phase angle value of the camshaft when the stopper pressing determination means determines that the valve timing variable mechanism is pressed against the limiting position defined by the stopper, and switches a target phase angle during the phase angle feedback control from the first target phase angle to the second target phase angle. |
| US08261706B2 |
Timing adjustment device for an internal combustion engine
A timing adjustment device with axially joined components, clamped by a camshaft central screw on a hub element which maintains the required peripheral position of these components relative to one another within a narrow tolerance range. On a disk element of the timing adjustment device an insert section is formed, which can be inserted into a recess formed in the hub element and, in the region of the insert section, at least one anchoring structure is formed, through which the insert section is anchored on a counter-structure, which is provided by the hub element. |
| US08261704B2 |
Variable valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A variable valve timing control apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine that has a crankshaft, a camshaft, a hydraulic variable valve timing unit, a lock pin, and a hydraulic control valve. The hydraulic control valve is configured to control oil pressure that actuates the variable valve timing unit and the lock pin. The control apparatus switches a control, based on an operational state, between (a) a variable cam timing (VCT) phase control for controlling the VCT phase to a target phase and (b) a lock pin projection control for allowing the lock pin to project. The control apparatus executes, when an abnormality occurs, a foreign object release control for changing a control amount of the hydraulic control valve based on a predetermined pattern, wherein the control apparatus changes the predetermined pattern depending on the abnormality in the execution of the foreign object release control. |
| US08261703B2 |
Variable stroke engine
In a variable stroke engine comprising a plurality of links (60, 61) connecting a piston (11) with a crankshaft (30), a control member (65) disposed on an engine main body so as to be moveable in two directions over a prescribed range relative to the engine main body, a control link (63) connecting one of the plurality of links with the control member and an actuator (AC) for displacing the control member, the actuator comprises a ratchet mechanism that utilizes a force transmitted from the piston to the control member as an actuating force for the control member. By providing a spring member (73, SP, 121) that applies a biasing force to the control member, an appropriate actuating force can be applied to the control member in either direction. |
| US08261699B2 |
Non-choking harness for pet
A non-choking harness for a pet which evenly distributes stress throughout the chest area and away from the neck area of the pet when the leash is pulled to prevent choking. A center portion of the body part substantially covers the chest area of the pet. The two neck ends are configured to wrap around a neck of the pet and the two torso ends are configured to wrap around a torso of the pet. The adjustable strap removably connects a first torso end to a second torso end, and adjusts the size of the torso opening to provide a comfortable fit. The connection part is configured to removably connect to the two neck ends, removably connect to the adjustable strap; and to adjust the size of the neck opening. The non-choking harness completely opens up for easy access in fitting the pet. |
| US08261697B2 |
Cage net
A cage net (3) includes a plurality of screen sheets (31) each having an upper section (311) and a tapered lower section (312). The upper sections (311) are interconnected side by side to form a surrounding wall (300), and the lower sections (312) are interconnected side by side to form a bottom wall (301). The lower sections (312) are folded inwardly from the respective upper sections (311) and have tapered ends extending to a substantially central part of the bottom wall (301). The case net (3) can be fabricated conveniently at low cost. |
| US08261693B2 |
Arc ion plating apparatus
An arc ion plating apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber, a rotary table for moving a substrate within the vacuum chamber vertically relative to its height direction, an arc evaporation source for bombardment for cleaning the surface of the substrate with metal ions, and an arc evaporation source for deposition group for depositing metal ions on the surface of the substrate. The arc evaporation source for deposition group is composed of a plurality of evaporation sources arranged so as to be opposite to the substrate set on the rotary table, and the arc evaporation source for bombardment is arranged so as to be opposite to the substrate, and formed so that its length in the height direction of the vacuum chamber is equal to the length between the upper and lower ends of the arc evaporation source for deposition group. According to such a structure, over temperature rise or abnormal discharge is hardly caused in the substrate at the time of bombardment, and process controllability is consequently enhanced. |
| US08261690B2 |
In-situ flux measurement devices, methods, and systems
In-situ flux measurement methods, devices, and systems are provided. According to some embodiments, an in-situ molecular flux device generally comprises a electrically conductive container configured to hold a precursor material, a heat source proximate the electrically conductive container to heat the precursor material to release ions such that an ion current is produced; and a current-measuring device in electrical communication with the electrically conductive container to measure the ion current associated with the heated precursor material. Other embodiments are also claimed and described. |
| US08261689B2 |
Stain preventing cover for coating machine
The stain preventing cover is formed from a composite sheet 24 having a three layer structure as a raw material which is produced by laminating a first sheet material 21 having a low dielectric constant and having insulation performance, a second sheet material 22 having a dielectric constant higher than that of the first sheet material 21 or having semiconductivity and a third sheet material 23 having a dielectric constant lower than that of the second sheet material 22 and having insulation performance, in which an end of the second sheet material 22 is positioned together with an end of the first and third sheet materials 21 and 23 adjacent to a electrostatic high voltage part 10 of a coating machine and another end thereof is positioned distant from an earth part 11 of the coating machine to be electrically insulated. The influence of the disturbance of the electric potential distribution on the surface of a coating machine main body 5 is alleviated by the first and second sheet materials 21 and 22 to cause the electric potential distribution on the surface of the third sheet material 23 to be homogeneous to thereby preventing the attaching of atomized coating particles to the surface. |
| US08261683B2 |
Interchangeable seat system
An interchangeable seat system for a water vehicle includes a front seat member, a common base member, at least two rear seat members, and at least two hand grips. One of the at least two rear seat members and one of the at least two hand grips are configured such that a combination of the front seat member, the common base member, the one of the at least two rear seat member and the one of the at least two hand grips provides a two-person seat configuration for the water vehicle, and another one of the at least two rear seat members and another one of the at least two hand grips are configured such that a combination of the front seat member, the common base member, the another one of the at least two rear seat member and the another one of the at least two hand grips provides a three-person seat configuration for the water vehicle. |
| US08261679B2 |
Sewing machine provided with needle bar rocking mechanism
A sewing machine includes a needle bar to which a needle is attached, a needle bar rocking mechanism which rocks the needle bar, a needle plate having a needle hole through which the needle is passed, an imaging device which images a lower part of the needle bar, a setting section which sets a range of rocking motion of the needle bar based on an image obtained by the imaging device, and a control device which controls the needle bar rocking mechanism based on the range of rocking motion set by the setting section. |
| US08261674B2 |
Apparatus for handling modules at sea
A skidding pallet (200) for use on the skid rails (110, 115) of a vessel is disclosed, the pallet comprising a supporting means such as a frame (230), a mounting means for the mounting of an object thereon, and at least one actuation means, such as a cylinder (240), attached to one of the supporting means or mounting means. In use, the supporting means interfaces with the skid rails and the actuation means are actuatable to cause the mounting means to rotate in relation to said supporting means and the skid rails. |
| US08261672B2 |
Vehicle front-end module for mounting to the front end of a rail-borne vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle
The invention relates to a vehicle front-end module having a vehicle front-end structure (100) for mounting to the front end of a rail-borne vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, wherein the vehicle front-end structure (100) is wholly composed of structural elements made from fiber composite or fiber composite sandwich material. The structural elements forming the vehicle front-end structure (100) comprise first structural elements (10, 10′, 11, 12, 12′, 14, 15, 16) which are configured and directly connected to one another so as to form a substantially deformation-resistant, self-supporting front-end structure designed to accommodate a vehicle driver's cab (101). The structural elements forming the vehicle front-end structure (100) further comprise second structural elements (20, 20′, 21, 21′, 22, 22′, 23, 24, 24′) connected to the first structural elements (10, 10′, 11, 12, 12′, 14, 15, 16) and designed such that at least a portion of the impact energy occurring due to the transmitting of impact force (collision energy) and introduced into the structure (100) upon a collision of the rail-borne vehicle is dissipated by at least partly irreversible deformation or at least partial destruction of the second structural elements (20, 20′, 21, 21′, 22, 22′, 23, 24, 24′). |
| US08261670B2 |
Suspended robot system
A plurality of cables is unified into a parallel in a vertical direction state to constitute a flat cable, and the flat cable is pressed against an internal surface of a perimeter of the Cableveyor. Further, both ends of the flat cable are fixed such that the flat cable touches neither upper or lower inner surface of the Cableveyor by slanting up both ends of the accommodated portion of the flat cable. |
| US08261663B2 |
Detonator system with high precision delay
An electrical delay detonator for use in blasting initiation systems energized by a non-electric impulse signal transmitted through a non-electrical conduit, such as a shock tube, with one end inserted inside a detonator housing having redundant sensors for detecting the presence of a non-electric impulse signal and a computerized control circuit for actuating the firing circuit. An elevated voltage is generated, stored in a capacitor assembly, and discharged when fired to an electrically operable igniter. The igniter, when activated, detonates an explosive mass. A battery is also contained within the detonator housing for powering the control circuit and one sensor, in low consumption mode, for several days. Upon detecting the presence of a signal the rest of the circuits are powered up. Periodic time windows generated by the control assembly provide corresponding enabled time periods for the sensors to become operational. |
| US08261662B1 |
Active pen nanolithography
Improved actuated probes suitable for scanning probe lithography or microscopy, and especially direct-write nanolithography and method of fabrication thereof. In one embodiment, thermomechanically actuated cantilevers with oxide-sharpened microcast tips are inexpensively fabricated by a process that comprises low-temperature wafer bonding, such as (gold) thermocompressive bonding, eutectic or adhesive bonding. Also provided is a flexcircuit that electrically interconnects the actuated probes to external circuitry and mechanically couples them to the instrument actuator. An improved scanning probe lithography instrument, hardware and software, can be built around the actuated cantilevers and the flexcircuit. Finally, provided is an improved microfluidic circuit to deliver chemical compounds to the tips of (actuated) probes and a fabrication method for tall, high-aspect-ratio tips. |
| US08261661B2 |
Printing press having at least one power controlled actuator for adjusting a print-on position
A printing unit is comprised of at least two cylinders which cooperate with each other in a printing group. At least one of these at least two cylinders is movably mounted so that it can be positioned against the other of the at least two cylinders by the use of at least one actuator, which is preferably configured as a power-controlled actuator. A control device is provided and in which several different preset values, which represent different levels of contact force between the two cylinders, are stored. Such data storage is in accordance with a criterion which concerns machine data and/or consumed material data and/or operational data. This data is usable to position the cylinder by operation of the actuator. |
| US08261660B2 |
Vacuum coupled tool apparatus for dry transfer printing semiconductor elements
Provided are an optimized tool apparatus and methods for dry transfer printing of semiconductor elements with high yield and good placement accuracy. The tool apparatus comprises a vacuum coupled fast peel apparatus that provides high pickup yield of the semiconductor elements. In an aspect, this vacuum coupled apparatus provides high pickup rates during pickup of the semiconductor elements from a donor/source wafer. Provided is a tool apparatus for dry transfer printing with a reinforced composite stamp having a thin glass-backing. The tool apparatus also comprises a pressure regulated micro-chamber which provides precise control of a composite stamp lamination and de-lamination. In an aspect, the micro-chamber has an internal cavity volume that is variably controlled, thereby providing precise control of the force on the stamp, and corresponding separation velocity, and improved semiconductor element pick-up and/or placement. |
| US08261657B2 |
Press and grill
There is provided a toaster grill having a lower housing that supports a lower cooking surface and an upper housing that supports an upper cooking surface. The upper housing pivots with respect to a “U” shaped frame that is hinged with respect to the lower cooking surface. A locking hinge allows the pivoting motion of the frame to be automatically arrested in an intermediate orientation between the fully closed and fully open grill orientations. The locking hinge automatically resets when the upper housing is rotated from the fully open grill orientation to the fully closed orientation. |
| US08261644B2 |
Window covering sizing method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises a saw for cutting the window blind. An assembly is provided for moving the window covering on the support surface relative to the saw such that the window covering is positioned to be cut by the saw. A sensor is used to automatically determine a center of the window covering by detecting a predetermined portion of the window covering such as a mark on the window covering or an edge of the window covering. |
| US08261643B2 |
Pallet dismantler
A method for dismantling pallets includes hanging a pallet on the upstream end of a cantilevered support having a substantially horizontal top surface with the bottom surfaces of the upper deck boards of the pallet resting on the top surface of the cantilevered support and with the stringer boards and lower deck boards extending downwardly from the top surface, advancing the hanging pallet in a downstream direction along the cantilevered support toward a band saw blade which lies directly on the top surface of the cantilevered support and defines a cutting plane aligned with the top surface of the cantilevered support, thereby automatically aligning the band saw blade with the pallet joints between the upper deck boards and the stringer boards; and advancing the pallet past the band saw blade to separate the upper deck boards from the stringer boards at the pallet joints. |
| US08261642B2 |
Power wrench with reaction bar controlling means
A power wrench includes a housing divided into two parts which are rotatable relative to each other: a first part including a handle and a transverse section lodging a rotation motor, and a second part including a reduction gearing, an output shaft and a rigidly attached and laterally extending reaction bar. A swivel connection is provided between the housing parts and includes an angle sensor arranged to generate signals in response to relative angular movements between the housing parts, and a power control unit communicates with the angle sensor and is arranged to at least substantially reduce the motor power as a pre-set maximum angular movement between the housing parts is exceeded as the motor is started. |
| US08261640B2 |
Reversible open end wrench having retaining property
A reversible open end wrench includes a handle, a head and a retainer. The head includes a first jaw, a second jaw and an extension section. The jaws and the extension section define a driving area therebetween. The first jaw has a first engaging surface and a distal end. The second jaw has a second engaging surface. The horizontal distance between the two engaging surfaces is s. The retainer is disposed on the distal end and has a retaining end extending toward the driving area. The retaining end is movable between a first position and a second position. As the retaining end locates at the first position, the horizontal distance between the retaining end and the second engaging surface is smaller than s. As the retaining end locates at the second position, the horizontal distance between the retaining end and the second engaging surface is no smaller than s. |
| US08261637B2 |
Redirection structure of ratchet wrench
An improved redirection structure of a ratchet wrench is disclosed. A driving head accommodates a connector body that has a knob. The accommodating room of the connector body accommodates a brake block with a notch. The urging element of the knob urges against the brake block in the notch. |
| US08261633B2 |
Adjustable diameter pivot shaft for a hand tool
A folding tool such as a knife has an implement such as a blade pivotally attached to the handle with a pivot shaft, allowing the implement to be rotated from a closed to an open position. The invention allows the diameter of the pivot shaft to be varied, thereby allowing the diameter of the shaft to be effectively increased in the area where the implement rotates about the shaft so that the shaft extends to and makes contact with the interior surface of the bore through the implement, without restricting the ability of the blade to freely rotate about the shaft, minimizing or eliminating any tendency of the implement to wiggle relative to the handle. |
| US08261630B2 |
Apparatus for electronically controllable transmission
Provided is an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, and more particularly, an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, the apparatus capable of shifting gears by moving a shift lever and sensing the magnetic flux density of a magnet, which moves in accordance with the rotation of the shift lever, by using a three-dimensional (3D) hall sensor. The apparatus includes: a shift lever including one end which is connected to a magnet and shifting gears by moving the shift lever; a shift lever body which is connected to the shift lever and is allowing the shift lever to move around shift axis or select axis; and a sensor unit including a 3D sensor which is mounted fixedly in the place intersecting the shift axis and select axis within the shift lever body and can sense the movement of the magnet around an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis as the magnet moves, wherein the 3D sensor is mounted at a tilted angle for providing at least two of three output signals with linearity. |
| US08261629B2 |
Interchangable lever assemblies
A lever assembly. The assembly may include a lever, a shaft coupled to the lever for supporting pivotal movement of the lever, a magnet coupled to the lever, the magnet being configured to rotate upon pivotal movement of the lever, and magnetic field sensor positioned adjacent the magnet for providing an output representative to position of the lever. |
| US08261626B2 |
Ball screw
A ball screw comprises a shaft, a nut, two return elements, plural rolling elements and a sleeve. When being rotated, the shaft will drive the nut to move and circulate the rolling elements within a circulation path defined by a loaded path and the return passages of the return elements. The nut is provided with a circular groove in an outer circumferential surface thereof, and the sleeve is disposed in the circular groove. The sleeve is provided with plural push grooves in an inner circumferential surface thereof, and there is an angular difference between a rolling passage in the nut and the respective push grooves, and the push grooves cooperate with the rolling elements which pass through the rolling passage. By such arrangements, the push grooves of the sleeve will be pushed by the rolling elements to convert the linear motion into rotary motion, thus making the sleeve rotate. |
| US08261623B2 |
Communication system for pipeline inspection
An inline tool tracking system for tracking an inline tool traveling along a pipe includes a detection and communication device operable to detect an inline tool as it passes generally near the device. The detection and communication device is operable to generate a detection output, which includes data indicative of the detection of the tool and a geographical location of the device. A control is operable to wirelessly receive the detection output and to process the detection output. The control generates a control output responsive to the processing, and the control output is indicative of the detection of the tool and the geographical location of the detection and communication device. A display device receives an input indicative of the control output and displays the information indicative of the detection of the tool and the geographical location of the detection and communication device to a user of the display device. |
| US08261622B2 |
System for sampling sludge
A device and method for sampling a fluid, especially a fluid of varying densities, are provided. The device includes a retention tube configured to receive a sample of the fluid, and can include a support jacket to support the retention tube. A control member is positioned within the retention tube with a plug attached to the distal end. The plug is movable away from the opening to facilitate laminar flow of the fluid into the retention tube. The plug can sealably engage the retention tube by affixing a portion of the control member. The device can be jolted to cause the control member to stretch, which disengages the plug temporarily, thereby releasing a lab sample portion from the retention tube. The rest of the sample of fluid can be released by completely releasing the plug from sealing contact. |
| US08261613B2 |
Fuel sender with reed switch and latching magnets
The present invention relates to a fuel sensor adapted for sensing the level of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank and in particular to a fuel sensor adapted to sensing the level of fuel which would be accurate, compact and dragged. The fuel sensor of the invention is further adapted to be readily fitted in the vehicle fuel tank for measuring the fuel level efficiently and reliably. Importantly the fuel sensor is further adapted for operative connection to indicative instrument to facilitate ready and accurate reading of the fuel level in the tank. |
| US08261610B2 |
Aerodynamic measurement probe of an airstream along a wall
The invention relates to an aerodynamic measurement probe of an airstream along a wall. The invention makes it possible notably to determine the attack of an airstream relative to an axial reference tangential to the wall. The invention is particularly useful in the aeronautical field. According to the invention, the probe comprises several emitters that can each emit a sound wave and a receiver sensitive to the different sound waves. Thus, there is forewarning of the receiver error that is common to all the measurements of travel time of a sound wave between one of the emitters and the receiver. |
| US08261604B2 |
Abnormality determination device and method for internal combustion engine
An ECU executes a program including: a control to advance or retard the fuel injection timing by a prescribed value; determining whether the torque output variation of an engine exceeds a threshold torque output variation; and determining the fuel injection timing to be abnormal if the torque output variation of the engine is equal to or below the threshold torque output variation. |
| US08261601B2 |
Top of the line corrosion apparatus
The described invention relates to a method for determining corrosion in wet gas pipelines comprising: a) using a portion of the liquid phase from a wet gas pipeline; b) placing said portion in a high pressure, high temperature autoclave to prepare a saturated vapor phase; c) transferring the saturated vapor to a corrosion test unit, said unit having a specimen holder section having external, temperature adjustable means, and specimens being arranged in one or more positions within the specimen holder; d) chilling said specimen holder section so as to cause condensation onto said corrosion testing specimens; and, e) calculating a value selected from the group consisting of corrosions rate, pitting of the specimen, weight loss of the specimen, and any combination thereof. The invention process can be practiced in a separate laboratory apparatus designed to accomplish the above method, or in a similar online apparatus set up in a semi-batch mode or continuous mode. |
| US08261600B2 |
Method for analyzing a scratch test
A method for analyzing a scratch from a scratch test includes (a) locating the beginning of the scratch relative to a reference position, (b) making the scratch on a bulk with an indenter while recording the applied force and at least one measurement parameter, as a function of the displacement of the indenter relative to the reference position, (c) acquiring and recording images of the scratch relative to the reference position, (d) synchronizing the recorded images, the applied force and the measurement parameter, as a function of the displacement of the indenter, (e) displaying curves of the applied force and of the measurement parameter as a function of the displacement of the indenter, and (f) displaying in a synchronized way an image of the scratch reconstructed from the recorded images. |
| US08261599B2 |
Method and system for determining an imbalance of a wind turbine rotor
The present disclosure provides a method and system of determining aerodynamic imbalances of a wind turbine rotor and optionally correcting such imbalances, as well as a method and system for determining mass imbalances of a wind turbine rotor and optionally correcting such imbalances. The aerodynamic imbalances may be detected and corrected using optical analysis of images of the wind turbine rotor. The mass imbalances may be detected and corrected using vibration analysis of the wind turbine rotor, typically using accelerometers or possibly other vibration sensors. |
| US08261591B2 |
Apparatus for hot-forming, press-quenching, and cutting semifinished hardenable-steel workpiece
A semifinished hardenable-steel workpiece is introduced into a gap between a punch tool and a complementary die tool while the workpiece is heated above the AC3 point. Then one of the tools is vertically shifted toward the other tool so as to deform the workpiece to a predetermined shape. Subsequently the workpiece is gripped between the punch and the die tools while cooling at least one of the tools to press-quench the workpiece. Finally, but before the press-quenching is completed, an edge is cut off the still hot workpiece by relatively shifting an upper die and a lower die vertically past each other. |
| US08261583B2 |
High security, dual-mode padlock construction
By employing a deadbolt construction for virtually eliminating the ability of the shackle to be removed from the housing by the application of excessive force, an effective, easily produced, padlock is achieved which also incorporates two separate and independent locking systems formed in a single padlock. In the present invention, a single housing and a single shackle assembly are employed and are constructed for enabling the shackle to be released from locked engagement with the housing either a rotatable dial combination construction or a key activated tumbler construction. Furthermore, the rotatable combination defining dials, which controls the release of the shackle using the preset combination, are coaxially aligned, peripherally surrounding the key controlled tumbler/cylinder. As a result, a compact construction is realized, as well as an efficient and effective release construction which is shared by both the combination controlled section as well as the key controlled section. |
| US08261580B2 |
Apparatus to reinforce a drum washing machine
A drum washing machine allows a plurality of electric wires to be easily secured in a cabinet, in addition to reinforcing strength of a top plate. The drum washing machine includes a cabinet having an opening at an upper portion thereof, a top plate to cover the opening, and a reinforcement placed at a predetermined position of the opening to support and reinforce the top plate. A wire holder is provided at a predetermined portion of the reinforcement to hold the electric wires arranged in the cabinet. The drum washing machine is provided with the reinforcement, which reinforces the strength of the top plate, and allows the electric wires to be easily arranged and held in the cabinet. |
| US08261579B2 |
Optical glass, precision press-molding preform and optical element
Provided is an optically uniform and high-quality optical glass that is free from the occurrence of striae when a precision press-molding preform is produced therefrom, and that is a fluorine-containing glass having a refractive index nd(1) wherein the refractive index nd(1) and a refractive index nd(2) are substantially equivalent to each other, said refractive index nd(2) being a refractive index of the fluorine-containing glass after the fluorine-containing glass is re-melted in a nitrogen atmosphere at 900° C. for 1 hour, cooled to its glass transition temperature and then cooled to 25° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 30° C./hour. |
| US08261577B2 |
Method for making hollow microspheres
There is provided a method for making hollow microspheres including heating a feed under conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the feed into hollow microspheres, where the heating is conducted under a vacuum. There is also provided hollow microspheres made using this method. |
| US08261572B2 |
Food heat-exchange device and refrigerator having the same
Disclosed are a food heat-exchange device capable of rapidly freezing food stored in a refrigerator or thawing frozen food in the refrigerator, and a refrigerator having the same. The refrigerator includes a body in which a storage compartment is defined, and the food heat-exchange device is mounted in the storage compartment, to enable thawing or rapid-freezing of food. The food heat-exchange device includes a heat-exchange plate, which is provided at a surface thereof with a contact portion to come into contact with food and at the other surface thereof with a pin to facilitate heat-exchange. |
| US08261571B2 |
Multifunctional ventilating fan
A multifunctional ventilating fan comprises a machine body, a panel provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The machine body includes a first area, a second area, and a third area separated by several partition plates. The first area is provided with a first heat exchanger and a ventilating blower. A exhaust port of the ventilating blower is communicated with the outdoor. The second area is provided with a second heat exchanger and a circulating blower. The third area is provided with a compressor. The air inlet of the panel is communicated with the first area to form a first air path. The air inlet of the panel, the first area, the second area and the air outlet of the panel are communicated in turn to form a second air path. A first valve is provided in the second air path for isolating the first area so that a third air path is formed by the air inlet of the panel, the second area and the air outlet of the panel communicated in turn. The present invention can effect ventilating, dehumidifying, heating, cooling and the like functions. |
| US08261570B2 |
Ice supplying apparatus and refrigerator having the same
An ice supplying apparatus 100, being provided in a refrigerator 1, comprises: an ice maker unit 22, which is configured to supply ice pieces produced therein to an outside of a freezer room door; an ice storage unit 110, which is configured to store the ice pieces produced by the ice maker unit; an ice discharger unit 112, which is provided within the ice storage unit to discharge the ice pieces below; and a shrinking portion 111, which is provided in the ice storage unit and defines an interior space thereof as small as it goes down, through building up a lower surface 113, among interior surfaces defining that interior space 301 of the ice storage unit 110, for supporting the ice pieces stored therein from a lower potion thereof, by a surface inclining to a horizontal direction, wherein the ice discharger unit 112 is disposed in a lower portion of the shrinking portion 111. |
| US08261567B2 |
Heat exchanger coil with wing tube profile for a refrigerated merchandiser
A heat exchanger coil for a heat exchanger assembly that has a housing defining at least one airflow path and that is adapted to receive an airflow for heating or cooling refrigerant in the heat exchanger coil. The heat exchanger coil includes a substantially cylindrical tube for receiving the refrigerant, and at least one plate coupled to the tube and oriented so that the direction of the airflow adapted to enter the housing is non-orthogonal relative to the orientation of the plate. |
| US08261566B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus with adaptively controlled operation
Method for chilling foodstuffs contained in a chilling compartment at controllable temperature, and adapted to perform according to an operating procedure that includes continuously pulling down a temperature inside the foodstuff to be chilled, until a pre-set value (Tf) is eventually reached, provided that the temperature inside the chilling compartment is lower than a pre-set value, and the temperature at the core of the foodstuff is lower than a pre-set value. In addition, before the process is allowed to move on to a final temperature pull-down step, further conditions are defined to ensure that the temperature pull-down pattern and rate inside the foodstuff are complying with the requirements set forth by applicable standards. |
| US08261565B2 |
Cooling system for high density heat load
A cooling system for transferring heat from a heat load to an environment has a volatile working fluid. The cooling system includes first and second cooling cycles that are thermally connected to the first cooling cycle. The first cooling cycle is not a vapor compression cycle and includes a pump, an air-to-fluid heat exchanger, and a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. The second cooling cycle can include a chilled water system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment. Alternatively, the second cooling cycle can include a vapor compression system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment. |
| US08261564B2 |
Refrigerant recovery apparatus with variable vacuum time and method
A recovery apparatus, system and method, including a compressor to evacuate a gas or liquid from a system during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process, and a vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid during the second phase. A memory stores one or more correlation relations to determine a predetermined second variable recovery time for the second phase to evacuate the system to a second predetermined level related to a first recovery time to evacuate the vessel or system to a first predetermined level during the first phase, and a processor to determine the second variable recovery time, based on the one or more correlation relations and the first recovery time, and selectively control the compressor and the vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid from the vessel or system to the first and second predetermined levels. |
| US08261561B2 |
Free-cooling capacity control for air conditioning systems
An air conditioning system having a free-cooling mode. The system includes a refrigeration circuit have a compressor, a pump, an expansion device having a variable opening, and a controller. The controller selectively operates the system in the free-cooling mode by circulating the refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit via the pump. The system includes a free-cooling capacity control sequence resident on the controller. The free-cooling capacity control sequence adjusts the cooling capacity of the system at least by adjusting the variable opening based on the temperature difference between a working fluid temperature and a set point temperature. |
| US08261559B2 |
Cryopump
A cryopump includes a radiation shield provided with a main inlet at one end thereof and a sub-inlet in a side thereof; and a cryopanel assembly cooled to a temperature lower than that of the radiation shield. The cryopanel assembly includes an upper structure having at least one cryopanel and a lower structure having at least one cryopanel. The upper and lower structures are arranged inside the radiation shield along a direction away from the main inlet. A frost accommodating space connected to the sub-inlet may be arranged between the upper and lower structures such that an amount of captured gas on an upper end cryopanel of the lower structure is greater than an amount of captured gas on a lower end cryopanel of the upper structure. |
| US08261556B2 |
Device for guiding an element in an orifice in a wall of a turbomachine combustion chamber
A device for guiding an element in an orifice in a wall of a turbomachine combustion chamber is disclosed. The device includes a coaxial ring and bushing mounted one inside the other. The bushing includes two coaxial annular parts that are fastened to each other by welding and that define a groove for guiding a rim of the ring. Welding zones between the parts of the bushing are situated away from the path of the rim of the ring when moved along a privileged transverse direction of ring movement relative to the bushing when the combustion chamber is in operation. |
| US08261552B2 |
Advanced adiabatic compressed air energy storage system
An adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) system includes a low pressure compressor structure (14) to provide compressed air; a first heat exchanger (26) to extract heat from the compressed air exiting the low pressure compressor structure; a thermal storage device (60) to store the extracted heat during off-peak load periods; a motor-driven high pressure compressor (30) to receive compressed air cooled by the first heat exchanger, an aftercooler (34) to extract heat from the further compressed air; an air storage (36) to receive and store the further compressed air cooled by the second heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger (64) to transfer heat stored in the first thermal storage device to compressed air released from the air storage during peak periods; and a turbine structure (40) to expand the heated compressed air released from the air storage to produce power. |
| US08261551B2 |
Energy producing device
An energy producing device is provided that includes a heat exchanger section to provide a heat exchange material, and a thermal riser to receive the heat exchange material from the heat exchange section and to heat the heat exchange material based on a down-hole resource. The thermal riser may include: an outer spiral pipe to circulate the heat exchange material in a downward manner, and an inner return pipe provided inside the outer spiral pipe to receive the heat exchange material from the outer pipe after passing through the spiral pipe. |
| US08261548B2 |
Supercharged internal combustion engine and method for monitoring whether the crankcase vent has been connected
A supercharged internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle includes a venting device for the crankcase of the internal combustion engine and a compressor for supercharging the internal combustion engine. A discharge opening for discharging the crankcase gas is provided upstream of the compressor and a sensor for determining the charge pressure of the compressor is provided downstream of the compressor. The discharge opening is connected to the crankcase by a first connection for the airflow, in particular a hose connection. In order to cost-effectively monitor the venting of the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, an opening, to which the charge pressure of the compressor is applied, is provided downstream of the compressor. The first connection for the airflow includes a closing device for closing the opening to which the charge pressure is applied, wherein the closing device closes the opening if the first connection is connected to the discharge opening. |
| US08261547B2 |
Pneumatic actuator
A pneumatic actuator (100) is provided according to the invention. The actuator (100) comprises an actuator body (102) and a piston rod (108) extending from the actuator body (102). The piston rod (108) moves over an actuation span. The actuation span comprises a first stroke span that is traversed by the piston rod (108) at a first actuation speed and a second stroke span that is traversed at a second actuation speed that is substantially slower than the first actuation speed. |
| US08261545B2 |
Electric power actuator and control method for such an actuator
An electric power actuator and a method of controlling such an actuator are disclosed. The actuator (1) can include means (17, 26) for limiting the pressure difference in both chambers (9, 10) of a hydraulic jack (8) of the actuator (1) to a limit pressure which is lower than an opening pressure of a pressure relief valve (11) of the actuator (1). |
| US08261543B2 |
Working vehicle with HST
A working vehicle with an HST in which over-rotation of a hydraulic pump in the HST or the pump input shaft thereof is prevented when a main clutch is disconnected during a run. When a main clutch connection/disconnection detection means detects the disconnection state of the main clutch during a run, a control means judges whether a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detection means is at least a set speed or not, and if the vehicle speed is at least the set speed, the movable swash plate of the hydraulic pump in an HST is controlled to sustain it at the current inclination angle. |
| US08261540B2 |
Particulate matter sensor and exhaust gas purification apparatus
A particulate matter sensor includes a first detection filter provided in an exhaust gas flow passage and capable of collecting particle matter. A second detection filter is provided on a downstream side of the first detection filter in the exhaust gas flow passage and capable of collecting the particle matter. A first differential pressure detection unit is configured to detect a first differential pressure between pressures of an upstream side and the downstream side of the first detection filter. A second differential pressure detection unit is configured to detect a second differential pressure between pressures of an upstream side and a downstream side of the second detection filter. A particle matter amount detection unit is configured to detect an amount of particle matter based on a detection result of the first differential pressure detection unit and a detection result of the second differential pressure detection unit. |
| US08261539B2 |
Diesel engine exhaust after-treatment operator interface algorithm
A motor vehicle operator interface and control algorithm convey diesel particulate filter regeneration status to the operator. The algorithm also allows new control over heretofore automatic regeneration, through limiting the inhibit function. The DPF after-treatment operator interface provides multiple status indications to the operator. In a preferred embodiment this is effected using a switched indicator lamp. |
| US08261532B2 |
Fuel supply control method applied to exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engine and exhaust gas control apparatus to which the method is applied
In an exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine (1) of the invention, including an exhaust gas control catalyst (8) which purifies exhaust gas released from the internal combustion engine (1), and a fuel supply valve (10) which supplies fuel to a portion upstream of the exhaust gas control catalyst (8), the fuel supply valve (10) is operated such that a cycle formed by combining a fuel supply period in which fuel is supplied from the fuel supply valve (10) and a fuel supply stopped period in which fuel is not supplied is repeatedly performed in order to control the temperature of the exhaust gas control catalyst (8) to the target temperature. The arrangement of the fuel supply period and the fuel supply stopped period is controlled such that the temperature of the exhaust gas control catalyst (8) at each of a starting point (P1) and an ending poring (P3) of each cycle is equal to the target temperature. |
| US08261527B1 |
Gas turbine engine with geared turbofan and oil thermal management system with unique heat exchanger structure
An oil supply system for a gas turbine engine has a lubricant pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line is split into at least a hot line and into a cool line, with the hot line directed primarily to locations associated with an engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant, and the cool line directed through one or more heat exchangers at which lubricant is cooled. The cool line then is routed to a fan drive gear system of an associated gas turbine engine. A method and apparatus are disclosed. The heat exchangers include at least an air/oil cooler wherein air is pulled across the air/oil cooler to cool oil. The air/oil cooler is provided with an ejector tapping compressed air from a compressor section to increase airflow across the air/oil cooler. |
| US08261523B2 |
Clip control system for walk reel mower
A reel cutting unit of a reel mower is provided with a belt and pulley drive system for rotating the reel of the cutting unit at variable speeds when the ground speed of the reel cutting unit is substantially constant to provide different clips. The drive system has three pulleys of different diameter in engagement with the belt in drive, driven and idler positions. The pulleys can be interchangeably used in any of the positions by moving the pulleys around into the different positions in six different possible arrangements. The pulleys are selectively placed in one arrangement at a time to select the clip provided by that arrangement. A chain and sprocket drive system with different diameter sprockets may be used in place of the belt and pulley drive system. The belt and pulley drive system may comprise toothed pulleys and toothed timing belt. |
| US08261522B2 |
Reel gang mower having reel cutting units with adjustable pull point locations
A reel gang mower has a row of front reel cutting units and a row of rear reel cutting units that cut an unbroken swath of grass in each pass. Each cutting unit is connected for propulsion to the mower frame by a four-bar linkage having front and rear pivot links that converge towards a focal point that establishes a virtual pull point through which propulsive force acts on the cutting unit. The rear pivot links can attach to the mower frame at a selected one of different attachment points to thereby longitudinally shift the pull point fore-and-aft relative to the center of gravity of the cutting unit, thus changing the fore-and-aft weight distribution. The rear cutting units in the gang can be configured to have a tail heavy weight distribution relative to the front cutting units to help eliminate marking in the overlap areas between the cutting units. |
| US08261519B2 |
Stabilizing system for a saddle
The invention also a stabilizing system to stabilize a rider in the saddle comprising a saddle stabilizer block which can be used alone or in combination with a complementary boot stabilizer block to restrict movement of the rider in the saddle. |
| US08261517B2 |
Fuel cap
A fuel tank cap including a body, a seal carrier movably positioned within the body, a first seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging a filler tube opening of a fuel tank, and a second seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging the body. |
| US08261513B2 |
Apparatus and method for severing and loading bag fasteners
A clip-separating machine is provided with a guide frame, a clipper, and a displacement structure. The guide frame is configured to support a strip of clips. The clipper has a pair of opposed cutting edges. One of the edges is supported for movement toward and away from another of the edges. The displacement structure is configured to move the one cutting edge toward the other cutting edge so as to cause co-action of the cutting edges to sever a terminal clip from a strip of clips. A method is also provided. |
| US08261512B2 |
Round baler
A baler with a bale pressing chamber for agricultural stalk materials is connected with a wrapping device comprising a wrapping table for the enveloping of a bale with foil via at least one support frame carried by a chassis, between the baler and the wrapping device at least one actively driven bale transfer device for the transfer of the finished bale from the bale pressing chamber to the wrapping table of the wrapping device is present, and as a function of the inclination of the baler and/or the wrapping device to the perpendicular the operational sequence of the transfer of the bale from the bale pressing chamber to the wrapping device is controlled. |
| US08261507B2 |
Flooring profile
The invention relates to a flooring panel having opposed pairs of substantially parallel side edges, a tongue connector member, and a groove connector member. In one aspect, the tongue connector member extends along one side edge and the groove connector member extends along the opposed side edge. The tongue connector member and the groove connector member are configured to cooperatively couple with each other such that portions of the coupled flooring panels are positioned in abutting relationship. |
| US08261503B2 |
Fastener element and system for curing concrete
Provided is a fastener element for securing a curing blanket over the open upper end of a concrete form. The fastener element comprises a wire body including a central portion extending laterally for at least the distance of the width of the concrete form and a pair of attachment portions at opposite ends of the central portion. The attachment portions secure the fastener element to the outer walls of the concrete form. |
| US08261502B2 |
Tower foundation system
The present invention relates to a tower foundation system (30) comprising a foundation (32) for a bottom section (36) of a tower, which bottom section (36) is to be connected to the upper part of the foundation (32), wherein the bottom section (36) is cast into the foundation (32) with an ultra high performance grout (42). |
| US08261497B2 |
Embedment tile with replaceable top plate
An embedment tile with a replaceable upper plate and a lower plate joined by fasteners in a manner that permits replacement of the upper plate when desired. The embedment tile upper plate comprises a plate having a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern. |
| US08261496B2 |
Attachment of photovoltaic devices to substrates using slotted extrusion members
The invention describes extruded member systems to which a photovoltaic device is secured to an architectural surface. |
| US08261495B1 |
Connector system for connecting panels of framing members
A system for connecting panels of framing members utilizes five types of monolithic, elongate connectors. A first connector has a cross-section defined by an L-shaped portion and a straight portion extending from a bottom tip of the foot of the L-shaped portion at an angle. A second connector has a cross-section defined by an L-shaped portion and a straight portion extending from a top tip of the leg of the L-shaped portion at the same angle as the first connector. A third connector has a cross-section defined by a U-shaped portion and two straight sections extending away from the U-shaped portion. A fourth connector has a cross-section defined by two equal-length straight portions meeting at a right angle, and a fifth connector has a cross-section defined by a single straight portion. |
| US08261494B2 |
Floor and electrical generator module
The present invention relates to a flooring module for forming a floor, and which also incorporates a photovoltaic cell for generating electricity. The floor and electrical generator module has a body comprising: a floor surface for forming a floor; and at least one photovoltaic cell; the module further comprising a support means supporting the body and allowing movement of the body between first and second positions; wherein the module is configured such that the body can function either as a floor in the first position when the floor surface is uppermost or as an electrical generator in the second position when the photovoltaic cell is uppermost. |
| US08261487B2 |
Method and apparatus for growing plants
A plant growing assembly configured to grow a plurality of plants in multiple directions above a ground surface. The assembly includes a growing container and a support structure for elevating the container above the ground surface. The container presents a generally hollow body to retain a plant-growing medium and the plurality of plants. The body extends along an axis to present opposite axial end margins and a radial peripheral wall. The wall defines a plurality of discrete plant-receiving ports extending therethrough, and disposed generally radially about the wall. A method of growing plants above ground in substantially opposite directions from one another is also disclosed. |
| US08261485B2 |
Add-on greenhouse for rooms
The invention concerns a propagator with a skeletal structure consisting of floor (5), roof (3), side (1) and door elements (1′) which can each be separately and variably joined together and each have a light- and airtight covering (7) and guides (9) for stabilization and also connecting elements (11, 17). The covering (7) consists of several layers and has a highly reflective inner layer.The stabilizing elements are made of round steel tubes. The connectors are flaps (11) which are connected to one another with hook-and-loop fastenings (13). A further connector element is a three-arm connector (17) for connecting side elements (1, 1′) to one another.The invention also involves a flange for connecting an interior compartment to an exterior framework, with a threaded connector (23) which can be guided precisely through an opening (21) in the border between the interior and the outside, and a threaded ring (25) which works together with the thread on the connector (23) to form the flange. |
| US08261480B2 |
Rigid composite structure with a superhard interior surface
A rigid composite structure has a bore formed in a metallic material and a super hard interior segment or segments disposed within the bore. Each segment may be lined adjacent to one another and held under compression within the bore. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline diamond, cubic boron nitrate or other superhard composite materials which exhibit low thermal expansion rates and are generally chemically inert. The resultant rigid composite structure may possess higher tolerances to high pressures and high temperatures. |
| US08261479B2 |
Bolt action rifle with safety latching mechanism
A bolt action rifle with safety latching mechanism has an upper receiver including a movable bolt assembly, a lower receiver having a trigger assembly and releasably attached to the upper receiver, the bolt assembly movable between a cocked position and an uncocked position, and the upper receiver and the lower receiver including a latching mechanism operable to prevent the lower receiver from being detached from the upper receiver while the bolt assembly is in the cocked position. |
| US08261476B2 |
Collapsible tradeshow display with curved panel
A collapsible tradeshow display includes curved end panels that provide for easier attachment and eliminate the possibility of dramatic disengagement of the panel from the display. Each end panel has a generally planar body comprised of a resilient material having a tendency to return to a generally flat configuration when in a curved configuration. A pair of side margins extend along opposing vertical sides of the body, each having a bridge portion attached thereto. A connecting means can connect the bridge portions to retain the panel in the curved configuration. |
| US08261472B2 |
Retrofitted excavator tooth attachment
An excavator implement attachment system can include a tooth having a pocket formed therein, an insert received in a recess formed in an adaptor nose and a threaded fastener which releasably secures the tooth on the nose, the fastener having a helical thread formed thereon which is eccentric relative to a fastener body. A tooth can include a pocket with at least one side wall which has an insert-receiving recess and generally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces formed therein, with one interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about a longitudinal axis in one direction, and another interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. An excavator tooth can include a pocket bounded by opposing side walls, with at least one of the side walls having an insert-receiving recess internally formed thereon, whereby the recess receives an insert installed in an adaptor nose. |
| US08261469B2 |
Articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices including differently oriented impact-attenuation elements
Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be arranged at a different orientation with respect to the longitudinal direction as compared to the first orientation. Impact-attenuation systems having the characteristics described above, as well as methods of making and using products containing such systems, also are described. |
| US08261460B2 |
Line holders for masonry work and the like
A relatively thin, stiff, flat guide line holder or “trig” for accurately supporting and positioning intermediate portions of tautly stretched guide lines such as are used by bricklayers and stone masons in laying courses of bricks, blocks and stones during the erection of masonry walls has a centrally located body portion, and an integrally formed, forwardly projecting guide line support portion. During use, the body portion is positioned atop a flat surface of a wall being erected to support the line holder at a desired height to be met by masonry elements added to the wall, with the support portion projecting forwardly beyond a front surface plane of the wall being erected. Passage formations defined by the support portion open downwardly through a bottom surface of the support portion at two spaced locations along the front surface plane when the line holder is properly positioned. Slot formations defined by the support portion provide a track, or tracks, along which a loop of the guide line can be moved into the passage formations so lengthy portions of the guide line located on opposite sides of the loop can extend along the front surface plane in opposite directions away from the line holder when the guide line is drawn taut at the desired height. |
| US08261458B2 |
Geomagnetic sensor device and digital compass with the same
A geomagnetic sensor device comprises a first geomagnetic sensor comprising a first Wheatstone bridge circuit and a second Wheatstone bridge circuit which are arranged in the same horizontal coordinate system, and a second geomagnetic sensor comprising a third Wheatstone bridge circuit and a fourth Wheatstone bridge circuit which are arranged in the same vertical coordinate system. Each of the Wheatstone bridge circuits comprises at least four magnetoresistive elements connecting and having power input terminals and signal output terminals. The present invention can obtains a stable and high output signal and achieves high measurement accuracy for the geomagnetic azimuth angle. The present invention also discloses a digital compass. |
| US08261457B1 |
Laser jaw setting system for CNC lathes
A CNC lathe jaw alignment system in which the position of the work holding edge of a chuck jaw is accurately located with respect to a work holding tool block mounted on a CNC lathe turret. A laser alignment tool is provided which includes a housing containing a light emitting laser module powered by a battery and an on/off switch. This laser module is used to project a laser beam onto the mounting face of a CNC lathe chuck to form a red target dot at the diameter of the workpiece. The laser alignment tool allows the lathe operator to visually see the workpiece diameter on the chuck as a red target dot generated by the laser module. This red target dot allows the operator to substantially expedite the process of accurately attaching jaws to a CNC lathe chuck in preparation for machining processes. |
| US08261456B2 |
Hand saw
A hand saw that includes a saw blade and a handle assembly having a clamp member movable between a clamped position and a released position. In the clamped position the clamp member exerts a clamping force on a top edge of the saw blade within a slot of the handle assembly to couple the saw blade to the handle assembly and to retain a tang of the saw blade within the slot. In the released position the tang is removable from the slot. A first interior wall and a second interior wall of the handle assembly that define the slot are flat such that the tang of the saw blade can be removed from the slot without moving the saw blade in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the saw blade when the clamp member is in the released position. |
| US08261447B2 |
Method for manufacturing a drive wheel bearing device
A method for manufacturing a drive wheel bearing device is provided. During the manufacturing, a swaged portion is formed in a manner as a non-hardened region, and in a manner that variations based on a reference surface in the axial direction of the flat surface are restricted within +/−0.2 mm. The reference surface is provided with an end face on an outboard side of a flange for an attachment of a wheel or an end face on an inboard side of the flange for attachment to a vehicle body. Part of the swaged portion making contact with an outer joint member of to drive wheel bearing device is formed into a flat surface. Serrations and a pilot part are formed on an inner periphery of a first inner member of the drive wheel bearing device. An inner peripheral surface of the pilot part is formed as a turned surface, and the turned surface has been turned after forming the swaged portion. A serrated shaft is formed on the outer joint member for transmitting torque to and from the first inner member through the serrations and an outer periphery surface opposing to the pilot part. A surface hardened layer is formed on the outer joint member by heat treatment in a region that includes at least the serrated shaft. |
| US08261440B2 |
Method for inserting a terminal of an electrical wire
A terminal insertion apparatus having a connector housing holding unit, a terminal insertion unit, and a control unit. The connector housing holding unit holds a connector housing movably in horizontal and vertical directions. The terminal insertion unit inserts a terminal attached to an electric wire into a terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing. After the terminal insertion unit has inserted an end of the terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber, the control unit controls a movable supporting unit of the connector housing holding unit so as to move a holding jig by amounts of movement in horizontal and vertical directions so that the terminal is not caught on an inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber, and then the terminal is completely inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber. |
| US08261434B2 |
Device for releasably fastening a wire foil in an installation for producing paper
A device for releasably fastening a wire foil to a supporting strip in an installation for producing paper. The installation has a wire and wire foils that extend transversely with respect to the movement direction of the wire. The foils are situated at a spacing from one another in the movement direction of the wire and come into contact with the wire. Supporting strips for the wire foils are assigned to the wire foils and likewise extend transversely with respect to the movement direction of the wire. The wire foils or the supporting strips which are assigned to them are configured in their longitudinal direction with an undercut groove, and the supporting strips or the wire foils are configured with a spring which corresponds to the cross section of the undercut groove. It is possible for the wire foils to be pushed with play onto the supporting strips transversely with respect to the movement direction of the wire, with the result that, in their operating position, they are fastened releasably to the supporting strips. A clamping strip which extends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting strip and the wire foil is provided between the supporting strip and the wire foil, the displacement of the clamping strip in its longitudinal direction bringing about a transverse movement of the wire foil with respect to the supporting strip, as a result of which the wire foil is connected rigidly in its operating position to the supporting strip. |
| US08261432B2 |
Disk spacer drop-proofing tool for disk removal process
An apparatus for removal of a disk in a disk stack. The apparatus includes a shaft. The shaft has an end portion insertable into a disk remover tool. The shaft has a positioning portion at an end of the shaft opposite the insertable end portion. The positioning portion includes a surface de-tensionizer. The surface de-tensionizer provides disengagement of surface tension between the disk and a disk spacer during a disk removal process performed thereon. |
| US08261430B2 |
Method for manufacturing anti-electromagnetic interference shields
A method for manufacturing anti-EMI shields on computer chassis, the method includes the following steps. The anti-EMI plate is glued to the computer chassis. The anti-EMI plate is pressed onto the plate by a pressing machine, and then the plate is quick dried with the anti-EMI plate by a drying machine. The plate is cut into desired dimension with the anti-EMI plate by a cutting machine, and the plate is stamped into desired shape with the anti-EMI plate by a stamping machine. |
| US08261429B2 |
Arcuate coil winding and assembly for axial gap electro-dynamo machines (EDM)
An axial gap EDM deploys as a stator coils a series of two parallel serpentine windings that each circumscribe an arc segment of a circle. Each arc segment that forms the stator winding assembly is powered as a separate phase. The two winding are readily formed by shaping one or more wire segment. Preferably the parallel winding are arranged to overlap with a half period rotational offset such that the radial directed serpentine segments of that are disposed above and below the stator disk are interlaced when viewed in projection through the disk. In one embodiment, each series of serpentine winding are separated by a gap so that they can be inserted on the stator disk from the edge. A separate rotor disk is adjacent each side of this stator disk. In another embodiment, each series of serpentine winding are separated by a gap, so they can be inserted to surround a single rotor disk which has two series of magnets disposed on opposite sides. |
| US08261428B2 |
Method for assembling a 3-dimensional microelectrode structure
The present invention discloses a method for assembling a 3D microelectrode structure. Firstly, 2D microelectrode arrays are stacked to form a 3D microelectrode array via an auxiliary tool. Then, the 3D microelectrode array is assembled to a carrier chip to form a 3D microelectrode structure. The present invention uses an identical auxiliary tool to assemble various types of 2D microelectrode arrays having different shapes of probes to the same carrier chip. Therefore, the method of the present invention increases the design flexibility of probes. The present invention also discloses a 3D microelectrode structure, which is fabricated according to the method of the present invention and used to perform 3D measurement of biological tissues. |
| US08261427B2 |
Methods for manufacturing crystal devices
Crystal devices are disclosed, of which an exemplary device includes a crystal frame comprising a crystal vibrating piece having an electrode pattern and an outer frame supporting the crystal vibrating piece. The device also includes a crystal package base including at least one connection electrode formed on a first main surface and at least one external electrode formed on a second main surface, wherein the second main surface is opposite the first main surface. The crystal frame and crystal base are layered together with a lid wafer to form a 3-layer sandwich. The layers of the sandwich are bonded together by siloxane bonding, which results in the connection electrodes contacting the electrode pattern on the crystal vibrating piece. |
| US08261422B2 |
Functional element for the attachment to a sheet metal part, component assembly manufactured from these and also a method for the attachment of the functional element to a sheet metal part
A functional element (10), for fixing to a piece of sheet metal (40), such as for example, a nut element or a bolt element with a body section or head section, comprising an annular flange (14) which transforms into a cylindrical rivet section, is characterized in that the transformation from annular flange into the rivet section is formed by an at least essentially conical surface, forming a contact surface for a corresponding conical region of a piece of sheet metal, which, on fixing the functional element to a piece of sheet metal, is clamped between the side of the annular flange facing the rivet section and an annular bead (50) formed from the rivet section. An assembled component and a method for the fixing of a functional element are also disclosed. |
| US08261414B2 |
Holder for culinary utensil
A holder comprising on the one hand a base designed for fixing on a culinary item, and comprises a use positioning member and a rotary shaft, and on the other hand a handle pivoting on the rotary shaft and a lock mounted in such a way that it can move between a locked position in which it engages with the use positioning member in such a way as to immobilize the handle and a release position in which it allows it to be rotated. The use positioning member is on the rotary shaft. |
| US08261412B1 |
Hinge assembly and foldable electronic device using the same
A hinge is operable to a fixed open position where it is prevented from being closed and to a position where it is released from the fixed open position and is capable of being operated to a closed position. |
| US08261411B2 |
Hinge
A hinge comprises a shaft, a bracket, a first interference member, a second interference member, and a sleeve member set around and in tight contact with the shaft. A first end of the sleeve member is fixed to the bracket, and a second end of the sleeve member is fixed to the second interference member. The shaft rotates in the sleeve member to rub against the inner surface of the sleeve member to supply friction. |
| US08261410B2 |
Blow molded hinge members and a mold for forming the hinge members
A hinge member for a blow-molded article includes at least two hinge arms with axial holes defined therein and a hinge pin extended therethrough. The hinges arms include upper and lower ones provided on the two parts of the article respectively. At least two openings are defined in the wall of each hinge arm and parallel to a horizontal plane at which the axis of the axial hole is located. At least one opening is positioned at each side of the horizontal plane. The length and width of the openings are arranged such that each opening corresponds to a particular section of the axial hole. The axial hole can be formed by providing corresponding bulges in the mold without removing a core pin, thereby simplifying molding process and increasing yield rate. The present disclosure also provides a blow-molded article having the hinge member and a mold for forming the article. |
| US08261408B2 |
Squeegee assembly for a floor cleaning machine
A squeegee assembly for removing liquids from a floor. The squeegee assembly includes a frame that has a first and second suction ports separated from each other in a lateral direction, and a squeegee blade coupled to the frame and positioned adjacent the suction ports. The squeegee blade has a first portion adjacent the first suction port, and a second portion adjacent the second suction port. The first portion extends in lateral directions away from the first suction port at an angle to channel fluid encountered by the first portion toward the first suction port. The second portion extends in lateral directions away from the second suction port at an angle to channel fluid encountered by the second portion toward the second suction port such that the squeegee blade acts as a separate funnel for each of the first suction port and the second suction port. |
| US08261406B2 |
Vacuum with multiple exhaust points
A vacuum is provided with multiple exhaust points which provide for quieter, lower velocity discharge of the air from the vacuum source. The multiple exhaust points are supplied from a radially extending chamber that is defined between upper and lower panels. The radially extending chamber has both vertical and radial sections that operate to slow the velocity of the exhaust air to reduce the noise generated by the vacuum. |
| US08261404B2 |
Vertebra for wiper with at least two wire elements
The present invention provides a wiping blade (30) for removing water from a surface having one or more vertebrae (32, 34, 36, 38) comprising at least one rail (32, 34) and at least one spring (36, 38), wherein said rail (32, 34) is curved and provides an elastic force quasi perpendicular to the windscreen, and said wire spring (36, 38) is fitted to said rail over its entire length or a part thereof and provides an elastic force in the direction of the length of the vertebra. |
| US08261400B2 |
Brush system for a labeling machine
A brush system (1) for a labeling machine (40) is disclosed. The brush system (1) comprises a carrier (30) with a plurality of receptacles (32) and at least two brush elements (10) removably attached to the carrier (30). Each brush element (10) comprises a brush body (11) with a functional side (13) on a first side of the brush body (11), the functional side (13) having bristles (14), and with a carrier side (12) on a second side of the brush body (11). The carrier side (12) of each brush element (10) exhibits at least one clamping means (15), which together with a receptacle (32) of the carrier (30) provides for a removable attachment. Each clamping means (15) exhibits at least two elastic catch hooks (16), which lock into one of the receptacles (32). |
| US08261395B2 |
Electric pan scrubber device
Disclosed is a handheld, motorized cleaning device, comprising a removable rotary cleaning element, a fluid soap reservoir, an electric motor with drive means and a handle having an interior storage for battery power. The handle separates into segments to align a series of batteries, while its working end comprises a refillable reservoir of cleaning solution that is adapted to operate with a plurality of independent cleaning elements, without discharging and refilling between elements. An aperture along the base of the reservoir communicates cleaning solution through the cleaning element to develop lather while the cleaning element is rotated by the electric motor and drive means. The aperture opening is controlled by a rotational slide gate means at the base of the reservoir. In use, the cleaning element is placed in contact with a surface to physically remove built-up dirt and debris, while the soap further breaks down tougher grime and grease. |
| US08261391B2 |
Wash cycle for oxidizing agents
A wash cycle for a clothes washer, the clothes washer having a wash zone defined within a rotating drum having an outer wall, for receiving a load of fabric. The steps include dispensing a volume of a first wash liquor to the wash zone, rotating the drum to move the fabric load toward the outer wall and recirculating the first wash liquor through the fabric load and wash zone, all during a first period of time. The fabric load is then flexed during a second period of time. The cycle continues with the steps of dispensing a volume of a second, different wash liquor to the wash zone, rotating the drum to move the fabric load toward the outer wall and recirculating the second liquor through the fabric load and wash zone during a third period of time. One of the two wash liquors is an oxidizing agent wash liquor. Then the remainder of the wash cycle is completed. |
| US08261389B2 |
Cloth treating apparatus and controlling method thereof
A control method of the same are disclosed. A control method of a laundry treating machine comprising an accommodating space receiving laundry therein, the control method includes selecting one of at least two sanitary courses to sanitize objects, and supplying steam to the objects, with controlling a temperature of the accommodating space and a steam supplying time to maintain a temperature of the object to be at a predetermined sanitary standard temperature or higher for a predetermined sanitary standard time according to the selected course. According to the control method of the present invention, steam may be supplied appropriately according to the load amount of the laundry treating machine such that damage of laundry fabric may be prevented, sanitizing, or sterilizing the laundry. |
| US08261386B2 |
Back support
A back support that provides lumbar support, mid-back support, lateral back support, and arm supports to compensate for a lack of strength in one's core muscles, such as after pregnancy or abdominal surgery. The arm supports are shaped to provide a surface to resist downward force of one's arms while allowing the arms to stay close to the body, as when holding or feeding a baby. The back support encourages proper spinal alignment by providing appropriate areas of support, including a protrusion on the top of the back support that serves as a physical cue to a user when their body is fully upright and centered. |
| US08261385B2 |
Table engageable support for head cushion supporting anesthetized patient
A support for the head of a patient lying in a generally prone position. The support features a tray adapted for support on an underlying operating table surface. A plurality of pins projecting from an engagement with the tray are positioned to engage and suspend either a cushion directly or a cushion engaged in a casing. The pins may be adjusted to raise or lower the engaged cushion or casing. A mirror is also provided to provide a reflective view a patient's eyes through slots in the cushion and casing engaged over a patient's face. A video camera may also concurrently be employed to capture electronic images of the patient's eyes and mouth through an aperture in the mirror. |
| US08261384B2 |
Back support device
A therapeutic back support device is disclosed which has adjustable curvature and portable thermal application. The back support device allows the user to change the curvature of the device to conform to the individual user's spine. The back support device includes include a support rib covered on one or more sides by padding. Built into the rib, padding, or both is a pocket or recess configured to accept a thermal cell. The thermal cell provides a heating or cooling cell to be placed within the pocket to thereby present heat or cold therapy to the user. On the back of the to device are one or more straps which may be length adjustable to maintain any degree of arch in the back support device. |
| US08261379B2 |
Modified deck plate for use with corrugated support surface
A floor drain support plate for mounting and securing a floor drain to a floor structure includes body having a peripheral edge, an interior cavity and a center passageway spaced radially apart from the peripheral edge and adapted to receive a pipe. The body of the support plate defining at least one slot adapted to be aligned with the floor drain for receiving a member for attaching the floor drain to the body of the support plate. A flange is attached to the body of the support plate and extends away from the interior cavity, the flange defining at least one flange slot adapted to receive a fastener, and two opposed elongated members or wing sections extending from said flange. |
| US08261378B2 |
Covered pool
A water pool with a cover that may be raised and lowered is presented herein. In one embodiment, the cover of the pool is a patio. In a further embodiment, the cover is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism that is a hydraulic cylinder. A cover of a pool of the invention may be lowered to any point from the highest point to the lowest, providing a pool of variable depth at the discretion of the user. |
| US08261373B2 |
Decorative neckless
A necklace that does not fully encircle the neck of the user but, instead, has its two free ends with an affixing device at each free end to attach to the straps of the wearers garment or undergarment, such as a bra. In the preferred embodiment, the straps have a plurality of affixing devices vertically spaced along the strap so as to enable the user to position the necklace at differing heights on the wearer to suit the particular neckline of the attire worn by the user. In addition, the affixation and removal of the necklace takes place at the front of the wearer and thus is more convenient and easier to carry out than the use of a clasp that is intended to be manipulated behind the neck of the wearer. |
| US08261371B2 |
Pendulum necktie
A necktie having a wide end portion formed of a material presenting a first pattern and a narrow end portion formed of a material presenting a second, different, contrasting pattern. The necktie is tied around the neck of a user in a fashion such that the narrow end portion emerges from the knot in front of the wide end portion and hangs down freely from the knot in pendulum fashion in front of the wide end portion so as to present a contrasting pattern to the wide end pattern. Alternatively, the necktie may be tied around the neck of a user in a fashion such that the wide end portion emerges from the knot in front of the narrow end portion and hangs down freely from the knot in pendulum fashion behind the wide end portion so that the wide end portion covers the narrow end portion in conventional fashion and the pattern presented by the tie is that of the wide end portion. |
| US08261370B2 |
Collar support member with fastening means
The device and method according to an aspect of the present invention provides a garment collar support member for shaping a garment collar, wherein the garment collar support member comprises a first collar shaping region adapted to support a first collar associated with the garment collar, the first collar shaping region comprising a first non planar surface; a second collar shaping region adapted to support a second collar associated with the garment collar, the second collar shaping region comprising a second non planar surface; and a coupling system associated with coupling the first and second collar shaping region together for providing a housing region between the first and second non-planar surface, wherein the housing region stores at least one fastening item. |
| US08261369B2 |
Protective element for sports pads and the like
An impact resistant insert for a protective pad and having a stiffener layer of impact resistant, thermoformable material retaining a preset curve at ambient temperature such as to substantially return to the preset curve upon deformation, the stiffener layer becoming temporarily more flexible under heat such that the preset curve can be modified to a different preset curve with the stiffener layer subsequently maintaining the different preset curve at ambient temperature. Also, an impact resistant insert for a protective pad and having a front layer of flexible material, a stiffener layer of multi-cell material having front and rear surfaces with the front surface being connected to the front layer, the stiffener layer being substantially resistant to impact forces, retaining a preset curve and substantially returning to the preset curve upon deformation, and a rear layer of flexible material connected to the rear surface of the stiffener layer. |
| US08266717B2 |
Monitoring device for a computing device of a computer system, the computer system, and method for monitoring the computing device of the computer system
A monitoring device for a computing device of a computer system includes a remote control module, and a wireless receiving unit disposed on a computing device. The computing device includes an input/output control unit connected electrically to a central processing unit. The remote control module includes a microprocessor, and a connecting interface, a plurality of key units, and a wireless transmitting unit connected electrically to the microprocessor. Each of the key units is depressible to generate a control signal which is transmitted to the microprocessor. The microprocessor transmits the control signal to the input/output control unit through the connecting interface or the wireless transmitting and receiving units according to whether the connecting interface is connected to or disconnected from the input/output control unit so as to communicate with the computing device, thereby protecting the computer system and permitting power management. |
| US08266716B2 |
Digital rights management of streaming captured content based on criteria regulating a sequence of elements
A captured content rights controller detects a first portion of streaming captured content and a second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content is detected. The captured content rights controller determines whether rendering the second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content is subject to at least one digital rights management protection rule for streaming captured content as specified by at least one owner of at least one restricted element within the streaming captured content captured independent of distribution of the content by the owner of the at least one restricted element within the streaming captured content. The captured content rights controller applies the at least one digital rights management protection rule to restrict rendering of the second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content. |
| US08266715B2 |
Method for executing digital right management and tracking using characteristic of virus and system for executing the method
A method of performing Digital Rights Management (DRM) and tracking using a virus characteristic and a system for executing the method are provided. The method of performing DRM and tracking with respect to a digital content, includes the steps of: providing a DRM code to the digital content in a DRM system, wherein the DRM code includes a virus characteristic; and performing the DRM and tracking with respect to the digital content, based on DRM information, wherein the DRM information is generated based on the DRM code. |
| US08266714B2 |
Access control in a multi-principal browser
A principal operating system based-browser controls access to resources. The resources are represented semantically in a resource object model. A browser kernel of the browser mediates resources access calls from principals. In some implementations the principals are web entities and the resources are peripheral devices. The resource object model separates device semantics from physical device access. Resource access control policies are maintained by the browser kernel and separated from device access mechanisms. |
| US08266709B2 |
Adjustable resolution media format
A play limit is set for a media file. The play limit can be, for example a date, or a number of times that the file has been played. When the file exceeds the play limit, the quality of the file playing is degraded. |
| US08266708B2 |
Privacy protection system
Novel system and methodology for protecting privacy of a computer device's user. A privacy protection device interacts with the computer device to enable the user to operate in multiple private modes. The system involves a data storage coupled to the privacy protection device, via a secure link, such as a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) tunnel that provides an encryption protocol. The data storage is divided into multiple storage sections corresponding to the multiple private modes. Each section is configured for storing encrypted data supporting a particular private mode. The privacy protection device enables the user to set a selected private mode and runs software applications that use the data from the storage section corresponding to the selected mode. |
| US08266707B2 |
Tamper resistant method, apparatus and system for secure portability of digital rights management-protected content
An apparatus and system provide a tamper-resistant scheme for portability of DRM-protected digital content. According to embodiments of the invention, a portable crypto unit may be utilized in conjunction with a VT integrity services (VIS) scheme as well as a Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) and a TPM to provide a secure scheme to protect digital content. Additionally, in one embodiment, the digital content may be partitioned into blocks comprising multiple segments to further enhance the security of the scheme. |
| US08266704B1 |
Method and apparatus for securing sensitive data from misappropriation by malicious software
A method and apparatus for securing sensitive data from misappropriation by malicious software is provided. In one embodiment, the method for securing sensitive data from misappropriation by malicious software includes examining a history to identify potentially compromised sensitive data upon an occurrence of the malicious software and notifying a user regarding the potentially compromised sensitive data. |
| US08266697B2 |
Enabling network intrusion detection by representing network activity in graphical form utilizing distributed data sensors to detect and transmit activity data
A method, system, and computer program product for detecting and mapping activity occurring at and between devices on a computer network for utilization within an intrusion detection mechanism. An enhanced graph matching intrusion detection system (eGMIDS) utility executing on a control server provides data collection functions and data fusion techniques. The eGMIDS comprises multiple sensors and associated unique adaptors that are located at different remote devices of the network and utilized to detect specific types of activity occurring at the respective devices relevant to eGMIDS processing. The sensors convert the data into eGMIDS format and encapsulate the data in a special transmission packet that is transmitted to the control server. The eGMIDS utility converts the activity data within these packets into eGMIDS-usable format and then processes the converted data via a data fusion technique to generate a graphical representation of the network (devices) and the activity occurring at/amongst the various devices. |
| US08266692B2 |
Malware automated removal system and method
The present invention automates the operation of multiple malware removal software products using a computerized system that systematically operates the multiple selected software products. These products are operated them in a customized “Safe Mode” using a shell that is different than the computer's other shell environments. Unlike the ordinary Safe Modes shells, the Custom Safe Mode prevents malware from functioning that ties itself to the normal shell, such as the Windows Explorer shell. In addition, the Custom Safe Mode allows the automation of tasks beyond that which is available under the standard command line shell. |
| US08266688B2 |
Systems and methods for enhancing security by selectively opening a listening port when an incoming connection is expected
The present solution reduces the attack surface of a server by selectively opening a server port for listening when a client has been authenticated/authorized via another machine or process, and directed to connect to the server in question. When not selectively listening on a port, the server does not listen or open ports for connections or otherwise minimizes the number of open ports. By selectively listening for connections, the server reduces the opportunity for hackers to attack the server process, and improves the security of the server. The ability to selectively listen on a port at specific times may be combined with additional meta information—like ticketing and prior authentication information to help further secure the server. The meta information may identify and ensure that only the correct remote endpoint is allowed to connect via the port. Instead of first listening for connections and then authenticate and authorize the received connection as with typical servers, the present solution first authenticates/authorizes a connection via another machine or process, then listens for an expected and authorized connection. |
| US08266687B2 |
Discovery of the use of anonymizing proxies by analysis of HTTP cookies
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems, methods, and devices that determine whether a website request is from a proxy website or an anonymizer. Embodiments intercept a website request from an end point; identify at least one cookie present in said website request; analyze a predetermined characteristic of said website request, where the predetermined characteristic associated with the cookie; and apply a rule corresponding to said predetermined characteristic to make the determination as to whether the request is from a proxy website or anonymizer. |
| US08266683B2 |
Automated security privilege setting for remote system users
A method of secure communication involves determining that a remote system is trusted prior to authorizing secure communication therewith. A removable security device is coupled with a first system. When the first system communicates with a remote system securely, the remote system is evaluated to ensure that it is a trusted remote system prior to secure communication therewith being allowed. |
| US08266673B2 |
Policy-based privacy protection in converged communication networks
System(s) and method(s) that employ deep packet inspection (DPI) of data flow relating to a requested service associated with a communication device to facilitate customizing the service or results provided by the service are presented. A service request can be received by a gateway identification of the service is attempted. If the service is identified, a privacy rule(s), which is contained in a user privacy profile of a user associated with the communication device, is analyzed to determine whether the privacy rule(s) applies to the service. If the privacy rule(s) is applicable, a DPI engine performs DPI on the data flow, in accordance with the privacy rule(s), to obtain information that can be used to customize the service or results provided by the service. The user can specify the level of DPI to be applied. A default rule can specify that no DPI is performed on the data flow. |
| US08266668B2 |
Broadcast receiver, data structure, and method for providing diagnostic information
A host is configured to communicate with a video data recording device. The host includes a host controller configured to receive a video data recording device diagnostic information request originated external to the host. The host controller further configured to collect the video data recording device diagnostic information from the video data recording device in response to the external request. |
| US08266664B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users
Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request for a voicemail message from the television user, determining a voicemail mailbox associated with the television user, and sending at least one of a list of one or more voicemail messages or a voicemail message to a display device associated with the television user. |
| US08266657B2 |
Method for effectively implementing a multi-room television system
A method for effectively implementing a multi-room television system includes a digital base station that processes and combines various program sources to produce a processed stream. A communications processor then responsively transmits the processed stream as a local composite output stream to various wired and wireless display devices for flexible viewing at variable remote locations. The transmission path performance is used to determine the video encoding process, and special attention is taken to assure that all users have low-latency interactive capabilities. |
| US08266651B2 |
Information providing system, information terminal device, information server device and information providing method
An information providing system allows to intentionally modify the arrangement of clips to be reproduced from that of the first transmission. The program clips and the CM clips obtained by receiving those broadcast are stored in recorded result storage section 11 and rearrangement examining section 15 carries out a processing operation of comparing the attributes of each of the clips and the applicable profile data generated by applicable profile generating section 14. Then, the sequence of reproducing the contents clips is modified on the basis of the result of the processing operation and download operating section 16 downloads the contents clips to be added on an on-demand basis. Then, the final arrangement section 17 rearranges the sequence of reproducing the contents clips including those to be added to set up the final arrangement. |
| US08266646B2 |
Cooperative system for measuring electronic media
A cooperative electronic media measurement system is disclosed that measures the electronic media usage of one or more individuals by a media research entity. The media research entity defines at least one specialized task useful to the media research entity. The at least one specialized task is performed by a media handler provided by another entity and concerns a handling of electronic media by the media handler. The individual is tracked with at least one software agent of the media research entity. At least one software agent obtains a product of the specialized task performed by the media handler via at least one defined interface that provides interoperability between the media handler and the at least one software agent. Cooperative media handlers automatically obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects including identification tags, if present, and other information, for collection by the research data collection agents. |
| US08266645B2 |
Audio based methods and apparatus for detecting a channel change event
Methods and apparatus for detecting a channel change event are disclosed. capturing a television audio signal having first, second, and third portions, the first portion occurring earlier in time than the second portion and the second portion occurring earlier in time than the third portion, identifying at least one of a first muted audio condition or a first transient audio condition in the second portion of the television audio signal, and identifying a channel change event in response to: 1) identifying the at least one of the first muted audio condition or the first transient audio condition, 2) failing to identify a second muted audio condition or a second transient audio condition in the first and third portions of the television audio signal, and 3) determining that a time domain length of the second portion of the television audio signal is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold. |
| US08266644B2 |
Digital television channel trending
Channel trending, including determining a number of viewers watching a multimedia program, is achieved in a digital television network. Cached multimedia frames that correspond to portions of the multimedia program are maintained, for example, on a device located on an edge (i.e., in a network edge device) of the digital television network. In response to a request from a client device (e.g., a set-top box) to receive the multimedia program, cached multimedia frames are fed from the edge device to the client device. Upon a seamless transfer or handoff resulting in a simulcast replicator or multicast replicator providing further portions of the multimedia program, a signal (e.g., a simple network management protocol TRAP statement) is sent to a viewership statistic server for incrementing a counter. |
| US08266640B2 |
Disk guiding device
The present invention is related to a disk guiding device disposed on a disk process device, the disk guiding device comprises a base, a transmitting portion and a slaver. The base is disposed on a main body of the disk process device; the transmitting portion comprises a gear and a positioning module, wherein the gear is pivotally connected to the base and has a long gear and a plurality of short gears, the positioning module is disposed on the base for sustaining and taking the crown of the long gear for confining the rotation angle of the gear. The slaver is disposed and capable of sliding on a plane portion of the base, wherein a plurality of holes are disposed on the salver in sequence from an end-side of the salver toward the perpendicular direction of the end-side, and used for correspondingly engaging with the gear. |
| US08266636B2 |
Virtualize, checkpoint, and restart system V IPC objects during checkpointing and restarting of a software partition
Migrating a workload partition (WPAR) is provided. Responsive to receiving a request to checkpoint the WPAR, a list of virtual identifiers used by the WPAR to refer to IPC objects is generated and stored. Each virtual identifier corresponds to an IPC object and to a real identifier used by a kernel that corresponds to the IPC object. IPC object data and control information is collected and stored. Each process in the WPAR stores per process data. Responsive to receiving a request to restart the WPAR, the virtual identifier that the WPAR wants to be used is registered. A new IPC object is created by a kernel. The kernel maps a real identifier used by the kernel for the new IPC object to the registered virtual identifier. The restart process retrieves IPC data and control information and overlays it on the new IPC object. The per process data is restored. |
| US08266630B2 |
High-performance XML processing in a common event infrastructure
Delegation of processing functions to specialized appliances in an enterprise is provided. An appliance typically comprises a combination of hardware and resident firmware that addresses needs in a computing environment, such as by providing common message transformation, integration, security, filtering and other functions. Delegation is carried out by specifying at least one XML function for front-process offloading from a server to a corresponding appliance configured to receive messages pushed towards the server, communicating management directives to the appliance for configuring the appliance to perform the specified XML function(s) according to specific requirements dynamically specified by the server and communicating instructions to the appliance so that the appliance augments received event messages with intermediate processing information based upon the front-process offloading, as received event messages pass through the appliance. |
| US08266629B2 |
Virtual machine system, hypervisor in virtual machine system, and scheduling method in virtual machine system
Attempts are made to reduce the system overhead generated at the time of context save/restore processing to perform process switching in a virtual machine system. In a CPU occupancy mode that a physical CPU is exclusively allocated to virtual machines, a logical CPU process running on the physical CPU is static, so that it is not necessary to save/restore the context every time the processes are switched. When a switching source process is a logical CPU process in a CPU occupancy mode, a context save is temporarily suspended. When switching to the same logical CPU process is made again continuously, save/restore is skipped. When the logical CPU process of a VMM control VM runs in that period, the logical CPU process whose save is delayed is recorded and saved late. |
| US08266626B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and computer programs for identifying or managing vulnerabilities within a data processing network
A system, method, and service associated with a computing grid or a virtual organization include a request for proposal (RFP) generator, where the RFP describes a data processing task. The RFP is provided to multiple resource providers via the computing grid where each of the resource providers is potentially suitable for performing the data processing task on behalf of the resource consumer. An RFP response processor receives and evaluates RFP responses generated by one or more of the resource providers. An exception processor accessible to the RFP response processor evaluates any exception in the RFP to determine if the exception disqualifies the RFP response. The exceptions may include, for example, job time limit exceptions, resource requirement exceptions, hardware/software platform requirement exceptions and others. Exception rules may be defined to guide the evaluation of the exception. |
| US08266624B2 |
Task dispatch utility coordinating the execution of tasks on different computers
Computer resource management techniques involving receiving notification of an available resource, generating a set of tasks that could be performed by the resource, and dispatching one of the tasks on the resource. Related systems and software are also discussed. Some techniques can be used for automatic software building and testing. |
| US08266623B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for decomposing a sampling task into a plurality of jobs
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for decomposing a sampling task into a plurality of jobs. In operation, a sampling task is identified. Additionally, the sampling task is decomposed into a plurality of jobs. Further, each of the plurality of jobs are processed in parallel. Still yet, each of the plurality of jobs are allowed to terminate independently of the other plurality of jobs. |
| US08266622B2 |
Dynamic critical path update facility
A method is presented for dynamically selecting and updating a critical execution path. The method may include receiving a network of jobs for execution. One or more critical jobs may be included in the network of jobs. A job causing a delay in the execution of the network of jobs may be detected, where the job precedes the critical job. A critical path in the network of jobs may then be determined as a function of the job causing a delay. Determination of the critical path may be further based on a slack time associated with jobs in the network that have planned execution times preceding a planned execution time for the critical job. |
| US08266621B2 |
Information processing method, information processing apparatus, and server
In an information processing system, when a request for execution of a new task is accepted, one or more of the required processing time and bus bandwidth for the new task are identified. A total required processing time, which is a sum of processing times required for the new task and a task reserved on a scheduler for indicating a procedure pertaining to a plurality of tasks, is compared with a processing time available in an apparatus executing those tasks. Similarly, a total required bus bandwidth, which is a sum of bus bandwidths required for processing the reserved task and the new task, is compared with a bus bandwidth available in the apparatus. Based on the result of the comparisons, it is determined whether the new task is executable. |
| US08266620B2 |
Symmetric multiprocessor operating system for execution on non-independent lightweight thread contexts
A multiprocessing system is disclosed. The system includes a multithreading microprocessor, including a plurality of thread contexts (TCs), each comprising a first control indicator for controlling whether the TC is exempt from servicing interrupt requests to an exception domain for the plurality of TCs, and a virtual processing element (VPE), comprising the exception domain, configured to receive the interrupt requests, wherein the interrupt requests are non-specific to the plurality of TCs, wherein the VPE is configured to select a non-exempt one of the plurality of TCs to service each of the interrupt requests, the VPE further comprising a second control indicator for controlling whether the VPE is enabled to select one of the plurality of TCs to service the interrupt requests. The system also includes a multiprocessor operating system (OS), configured to initially set the second control indicator to enable the VPE to service the interrupts, and further configured to schedule execution of threads on the plurality of TCs, wherein each of the threads is configured to individually disable itself from servicing the interrupts by setting the first control indicator, rather than by clearing the second control indicator. |
| US08266618B2 |
Graphics hardware resource usage in a fully virtualized computing environment
Methods, systems and computer program products for graphics hardware resource usage in a fully virtualized computing environment. Exemplary embodiments include a method in a virtual data center having a first host and a second host, a graphics hardware resource usage the method including receiving a request for graphics hardware features that are unavailable on the first host, generating a first request to a provisioning broker to migrate a virtual machine residing on the first host to the second host having the graphics hardware features, migrating the virtual machine and a client connection to the second host, generating a second request to the provisioning broker to find a suitable host to which the virtual machine can migrate and migrating the virtual machine to the suitable host. |
| US08266617B2 |
Software distribution method and system
A software distribution method and a corresponding system are provided, where the configuration of a target computer is monitored to detect any hardware upgrade. In response thereto, the target computer generates a list of actions for removing software products not meeting a new configuration any longer and a list of actions for installing software products now meeting the new configuration. These lists are transmitted to a central site, and they trigger the building of a corresponding delta package. The delta package is then distributed to the target computer so as to ensure that the software products installed on the target computer are always consistent with its hardware configuration. |
| US08266611B2 |
Hard disk drive with disk embedded DOS boot image and firmware download method
A system, related hard disk drive (HDD) and method are disclosed in which a firmware download to the HDD is accomplished by receiving it from the host and storing it to a first region of a disk in the HDD. The value of a download flag is set once the firmware download is complete. After the system performs an OFF/ON power cycle, it checks the value of the download flag and changes a Logical Block Address mapping a second region of a non-user data region of the disk storing a DOS boot program. The firmware download is transferred from the first region to a third region of the disk or a non-volatile memory device following execution of a boot procedure by the host using the DOS boot program. |
| US08266610B2 |
Extension of swing modulo scheduling to evenly distribute uniform strongly connected components
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for scheduling instructions for execution. Identify a series of instructions in a loop, wherein the series of instructions has a cyclic data dependency. Determine whether the series of instructions is a uniform series of instructions. Schedule execution of the uniform series of instructions within the loop to optimize execution of the loop in response to the identified series of instructions being the uniform series of instructions. |
| US08266608B2 |
Post-compile instrumentation of object code for generating execution trace data
The invention is directed to instrumenting object code of an application and/or an operating system on a target machine so that execution trace data can be generated, collected, and subsequently analyzed for various purposes, such as debugging and performance. Automatic instrumentation may be performed on an application's object code before, during or after linking. A target machine's operating system's object code can be manually or automatically instrumented. By identifying address space switches and thread switches in the operating system's object code, instrumented code can be inserted at locations that enable the execution trace data to be generated. The instrumentation of the operating system and application can enable visibility of total system behavior by enabling generation of trace information sufficient to reconstruct address space switches and context switches. |
| US08266600B2 |
Model checking of multi threaded software
A technique for model checking of multi-threaded software is herein disclosed which advantageously can be used to verify correctness properties expressed using temporal logic, e.g., linear time temporal logic and branching time temporal logic. The model checking problem of a concurrent system is decomposed into a plurality of model checking problems on individual threads of the multi-threaded software. |
| US08266599B2 |
Output from changed object on application
Human rules and heuristics may be applied in a logic determination to promote relevance of an output for testing due to a changed object on an application. The output comprises an indication of one or more objects from a plurality of available objects that are to be tested due to the changed object on the application. |
| US08266596B2 |
Source code analyzing system and source code analyzing method
Every time an assignment statement is executed during performing a simulation according to a second variable memory system, it is determined whether a value interpreted to have the same meaning is assigned to the assignment statement in the simulation according to a first variable memory system and in the simulation according to the second variable memory system. When the value interpreted to have the same meaning is not assigned, the value assigned according to the second variable memory system is overwritten by an expected value, and a report indicating that the assignment statement is a part dependent on a variable memory system is output. |
| US08266593B2 |
System and method for analyzing performance of a software testing system
A method of analyzing performance of a software testing system associated with a software system having multiple modules includes performing a computer-based complexity analysis of the software system, performing a computer-based impact analysis of information related to an impact of a defect on a module of the software system, and generating a computer-based distribution of effort across an impacted module of the software system based on the complexity analysis and the impact analysis to enhance the software testing system performance. The information may include reported defects from a working environment associated with the software system. The method may also include utilizing output data associated with the complexity analysis as input data to the impact analysis. |
| US08266591B2 |
Method and system for identifying suspect links between objects
Techniques are provided for identifying suspect links between objects from multiple domains. A plurality of links that associates a collection of requirement objects with a set of configuration management objects is stored. The collection of requirement objects is defined in a requirement management system for a software product, and the set of configuration management objects is defined in a configuration management system that is operable to manage the development of the software product. A determination is made that a particular requirement object was changed. In response to determining that the particular requirement object was changed, one or more links of the plurality of links are automatically determined. The one or more links respectively associate one or more configuration management objects, of the set of configuration management objects, with the particular requirement object. The one or more links are then identified as suspect. |
| US08266588B2 |
Creating projects in a rational application developer workspace
Automatically creating a current project in an application developer workspace is provided. In response to reading a project file for the current project, it is automatically determined whether the current project has one or more dependent projects based on data contained within the project file. In response to determining that the current project does have one or more dependent projects, a build file is automatically generated for each of the one or more dependent projects. The build file calls importing targets within each of the one or more dependent projects. Then, the current project and the one or more dependent projects are automatically imported into the application developer workspace to form a created current project. The created current project is created without launching an application developer application. In addition, the created current project is stored in a source code control repository. |
| US08266587B2 |
Method using SLP packing with statements having both isomorphic and non-isomorphic expressions
Disclosure for using SLP in processing a plurality of statements, wherein the statements are associated with an array having a number of array positions, and each statement includes one or more expressions. Expressions are gathered for each of the statements into a structure comprising a single merge stream furnished with a location for each expression. The location for a given expression is associated with one of the array positions. A plurality of expressions are selectively identified and SLP packing operations are applied to the identified expressions to merge into one or more isomorphic sub-streams. Expressions of the isomorphic sub-streams and other expressions of the single merge stream are combined into a number of input vectors that are substantially equal in length to one another. A location vector is generated that contains the respective locations for all of the expressions in the single merge stream. |
| US08266585B2 |
Assisting a software developer in creating source code for a computer program
In a software development system, a method for assisting a user in creating source code for a computer program in a high-level programming language. The method comprises: at a current user inputting location within a piece of source code under development, detecting a need for assisting the user with input for the creation of the piece of source code under development; determining fitting source code elements suitable for input at said current inputting location; and providing, e.g. displaying to the user said list of fitting source code elements, wherein, in order to determine the fitting source code elements, for each fitting source code element a respective fitting probability of the source code element in the current inputting location is determined, and wherein the user is provided with the list of fitting source code elements by associating to each fitting source code element in the list an indication of the respective fitting probability. |
| US08266579B2 |
System and method for developing and deploying a model-driven editor
A system and method for developing software using dynamic dual-mode model and data entry is presented. During development, a model developer uses a model window and an editor window to create a model-driven editor. The model window displays model data, and the editor window displays instances of the model data, which results in the model-driven editor. When the developer is ready to deploy the model-driven editor, the model developer simply inhibits the model window. Therefore, the models are not compiled during deployment and, in turn, the model developer does not need to test compiled code. Since the model-driven editor relies upon self-contained models, the models may be updated, added, or removed locally or remotely on an individual basis. In one embodiment, the end user is able to re-enable the model window in order to view model data. |
| US08266578B2 |
Virtual validation of software systems
A method for building and verifying and validating a software system that is used for regulated industry software related activities, such as FDA trials, field trials, biomedical data gathering, and similar efforts includes building the application into a virtual appliance using, for example, Vmware. The application and the supporting software are encapsulated in a single virtual file to create a virtual appliance that is independent of hardware and dependent only on virtual appliance support. |
| US08266577B2 |
RFID enhanced operating system (EOS) framework
A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader includes a hardware platform having a transceiver, an input/output interface, a controller, and a memory. The transceiver receives communication signals from at least one RFID tag. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the input/output interface and controls the operation of the RFID reader. The memory is communicatively coupled to the controller and contains a software development framework for developing a software application. The framework includes a plurality of predefined encapsulated functional components that interact with at least one of the transceiver and the input/output interface, to allow the software application to operate in a manner that is independent of a specific embodiment of the RFID reader hardware platform. |
| US08266574B2 |
Method of optimizing parameters of electronic components on printed circuit boards
In a method of optimizing parameters of electronic components on printed circuit boards (PCBs), a first experiment table for m variables of one type of parameter of P electronic components on a PCB is designed using n values of each variable and the RSM. P EHs of each first experiment are obtained by simulating, and P EH empirical formulas are computed according to the P EHs. A second experiment table for the m variables is designed using n′ values of each variable and the full factorial design, and P EHs of each second experiment are computed using the P EH empirical formulas. Experiments, all the P EHs of which are greater than 1, are filtered from the second experiment tables, and an average EH of each filtered experiment is computed to pick an experiment the average EH of which is the greatest. The values of the m variables in the picked experiment are considered as optimized. |
| US08266572B2 |
Method for acquiring overshoot voltage and analyzing degradation of a gate insulation using the same
A method of acquiring an overshoot voltage applied to a transistor includes determining a first extraction value, the first extraction value including a product of acceleration factors determined in a test of the transistor, determining an applied time, the applied time corresponding to a length of time a voltage deviates from a predetermined level of an input voltage in a circuit employing the transistor, determining a second extraction value by dividing the first extraction value by the applied time, and determining the overshoot voltage by multiplying the second extraction value by the input voltage. |
| US08266569B2 |
Identification of critical enables using MEA and WAA metrics
A plurality of sequential nodes in a design file for an electronic device are identified and one or more combinatorial power metric values are computed for the plurality of sequential nodes based upon an effective switching capacitance, a switching activity measure, and a power effort measure for at least a first device downstream from the each sequential node at a specified depth. The combinatorial power metric values for the plurality of sequential node are stored and compared to a target power metric value to determine if power consumption at the electronic device meets a predetermined power performance goal. |
| US08266566B2 |
Stability-dependent spare cell insertion
Spare cells are placed in an IC design using stability values associated with logic cones of the design. A desired spare cell utilization rate is assigned to a cone based on its stability value, and an actual spare cell utilization rate for the cone bounding box is calculated. If the actual utilization rate is less than the desired utilization rate, additional spare cells are inserted as needed to attain the desired utilization rate. The stability value is provided by a logic or circuit designer, or derived from historical information regarding the logic cone in a previous design iteration. Spare cells are placed for each logic cone in the design until a global spare cell utilization target is exceeded. The spare cell placement method can be an integrated part of a placement directed synthesis which is followed by early mode padding and design routing. |
| US08266563B2 |
Multi-mode redundancy removal
A multi-mode redundancy removal method is provided. In this method, after accessing the design, a full-scale redundancy removal using fault simulation can be started. When a predetermined period for performing the full-scale redundancy removal has reached a first cut-off, then the method can determine a location for temporary outputs of the design, create the temporary outputs, and perform a localized redundancy removal up to the temporary outputs. An optimized design based on the full-scale redundancy removal and the localized redundancy removal can be output. |
| US08266561B2 |
Systems and techniques for developing high-speed standard cell libraries
A method for providing a high-speed cell library is provided. The method can include, for example, selecting a set of commonly-occurring logic functions. The method can then include obtaining a netlist of area distributions for each of the set of functions. The netlist can be used to synthesize a set of cell libraries wherein an N-diffusion to P-diffusion area allowance is varied among the set of cell libraries. Thereafter, the method may also include comparing a time delay associated with each of the set of cell libraries with a time delay of a library benchmark delay. Based on the comparing, a delay number may be associated with each of the cell libraries. Finally, the cell libraries may be ranked based on the respective delay numbers associated with each of the cell libraries. |
| US08266560B2 |
Methods and systems for computer aided design of 3D integrated circuits
Methods and systems for generating and verifying circuit layouts from computer-aided design tools for vertically integrated, three-dimensional integrated circuits are disclosed. In one instance, a 3-D technology file of these teachings is obtained by providing an identifier for two or more circuit levels, providing for each one of the two or more circuit levels an identifier for a 2-D technology file corresponding to each of the one or more circuit levels and providing a file structure including the two or more circuit levels and each identifier, corresponding to each one of the one or more circuit levels, for the 2-D technology file corresponding to each one of the two or more circuit levels. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08266553B1 |
System and method for detecting mask data handling errors
An integrated circuit device layout and a method for detecting mask data handling errors are disclosed in which integrated circuit device layout includes a device region in which operable circuitry is disposed. Integrated circuit device layout also includes a verification region in which verification elements are disposed. The verification elements include cells that are duplicates of at least some of the different types of cells in device region and can include structures that are duplicates of at least some of the types of structures in the device region. The patterns in verification region are used in the final verification process to identify mask data handling errors in a mask job deck. Because the patterns in verification region are easy to locate and identify, the time required to perform the final verification process is reduced and the chance of error in the final verification process is reduced. |
| US08266545B2 |
Device for bifurcated display of replay menus separating digital media files by file formats
A replay device includes a management means which manages all of the files stored upon a medium by separating them into first files and second files. And this replay device also includes an output means which creates and outputs a first menu screen upon which a list of the first files is shown, and a second menu screen upon which a list of the second files is shown, on the basis of the file management by the management means. Moreover, this replay device also includes a selection means which receives a selection of one of the first files to be replayed from the first menu screen, or receives a selection of one of the second files to be replayed from the second menu screen. And the replay device also includes a replay means which replays the first file or the second file which has been selected by the selection means. |
| US08266543B2 |
Device driver and a method of customizing layout of a user interface
A device driver or method that operate a periphery device. A display mode storage unit stores setting items, which are operable by a user using a user interface interfacing the device driver, into functionally mutually-related groups, as plates, the plates indicating display modes of the user interface for each group of the setting items. An alignment sequence setting unit sets an alignment sequence for the plates by allowing the user to set the alignment sequence. An arrangement unit arranges the plates in a plate display area on the user interface depending on the alignment sequence set by the alignment sequence setting. Each of the plates has a width that equals either a whole length or a half length of a width of the plate display area, and the arrangement unit arranges the plates in the plate display area depending on the alignment sequence set by the alignment sequence setting unit. |
| US08266541B2 |
Message window display control apparatus, method, and program product
A disclosed technology is for controlling the operation of displaying message windows. Plural message windows are not displayed at the same time in response to plural requests being made to start displaying the same message window. |
| US08266539B2 |
Enabling hypertext elements to work with software applications
Variables incorporated into a hypertext markup language document enable location of hypertext elements. Once the variable is located, the information contained within the identified hypertext element may be used in other applications. The information may be received, as a recognized input, by the application. |
| US08266538B2 |
Remote access to layer and user interface elements
A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system. |
| US08266532B2 |
Device and method for tagging connecting components
A method tags connecting components. The method comprises capturing an image of a plurality of grid sections. The image of each of the grid sections includes at least one connector disposed therein. The at least one connector has a first end in a first one of the grid sections and a second end in a second one of the grid sections. The method comprises displaying a first virtual identifier in the image of the first grid section for the first end of the connector. The method comprises displaying a second virtual identifier in the image of the second grid section for the second end of the connector. |
| US08266529B2 |
Information processing device and display information editing method of information processing device
An information processing device of an aspect of the invention has display means having a display region; operation means, having a contact region, for outputting a position signal indicating the position of a contact operation in the contact region; range decision means for deciding a target range of the display region based on the position signals for two points from the operation means; processing menu display means for causing the display means to display a processing menu at a position corresponding to the target range of the display region; processing decision means for deciding the processing of the processing menu corresponding to the position of the contact operation in the contact region; and processing execution means for executing the processing on the target range of the display region. |
| US08266506B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiset membership testing using combinatorial bloom filters
A method and apparatus providing improved set membership determination and group membership identification of candidate data elements using a single Bloom filter programmed to provide a plurality of non-zero f-bit binary vectors, where each of the f-bit binary vectors is associated with a respective group. The Bloom filter is programmed using one or more (but not all) of a plurality of hash filter sets. |
| US08266504B2 |
Dynamic monitoring of ability to reassemble streaming data across multiple channels based on history
Mechanisms are provided for processing streaming data at high sustained data rates. These mechanisms receive a plurality of data elements over a plurality of non-sequential communication channels and write the plurality of data elements directly to the file system of the data processing system in an unassembled manner. The mechanisms determining whether to perform a data scrubbing operation or not based on history information indicative of whether data elements in the plurality of data elements are being received in a substantially sequential manner. The mechanisms perform a data scrubbing operation, in response to a determination to perform data scrubbing, to identify any missing data elements in the plurality of data elements written to the file system and assemble the plurality of data elements into a plurality of data streams in response to results of the data scrubbing indicating that there are no missing data elements. |
| US08266503B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for using multi-level cell storage in a single-level cell mode
A controller is used for an electronic memory device which has multi-level cell (MLC) memory elements. Each MLC memory element is capable of storing at least two bits. The controller includes a physical interface to couple the controller to the electronic memory device. The controller also includes a processing unit coupled to the physical interface. The processing unit operates the electronic memory device in a single-level cell (SLC) mode using a restricted number of programming states for a single data bit. The restricted number of programming states includes a first state which is an erase state. The restricted number of programming states also includes a second state, other than the erase state, which is closest to a natural threshold voltage of the MLC memory elements. |
| US08266498B2 |
Implementation of multiple error detection schemes for a cache
A cache includes a plurality of cache lines, where each cache line includes a detection type field, corresponding cache data field, a detection field, and a corresponding tag field. The detection type field indicates an error detection scheme from a plurality of error detection schemes currently in use for the corresponding cache data field. One example of an error detection scheme is a multiple bit error detection scheme (e.g. an error detection coding (EDC) or an error correction coding (ECC)). Another type is a single bit error detection scheme (e.g. parity error detection). The detection bits field stores parity bits if parity error detection is used. The detection bits field stores checking bits if EDC coding is used. |
| US08266497B1 |
Manufacturing testing for LDPC codes
A technique for tested is disclosed herein. A low-density parity-check (LDPC) code is received. For the received LDPC code, an error rate function is generated that is a function of a number of iterations. A number of test iterations and a passing error rate are determined using the error rate function. One or more storage media are tested using the LDPC code, the number of test iterations, and the passing error rate. |
| US08266496B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for managing data using a data pipeline
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing data in a solid-state storage device. A solid-state storage and solid-state controller are included. The solid-state storage controller includes a write data pipeline and a read data pipeline The write data pipeline includes a packetizer and an ECC generator. The packetizer receives a data segment and creates one or more data packets sized for the solid-state storage. The ECC generator generates one or more error-correcting codes (“ECC”) for the data packets received from the packetizer. The read data pipeline includes an ECC correction module, a depacketizer, and an alignment module. The ECC correction module reads a data packet from solid-state storage, determines if a data error exists using corresponding ECC and corrects errors. The depacketizer checks and removes one or more packet headers. The alignment module removes unwanted data, and re-formats the data as data segments of an object. |
| US08266494B2 |
Bus with error correction circuitry
A data bus including a plurality of logic blocks coupled in series, each logic block including at least one buffer for buffering at least one data bit transmitted via the data bus and at least one of the logic blocks further including circuitry coupled in parallel with the at least one buffer and arranged to determine a first bit of error correction code associated with the at least one data bit. |
| US08266492B2 |
FEC transmission processing apparatus and method and program recording medium
There is provided with an FEC transmission processing apparatus including: a media packet acquiring unit configured to successively acquire media packets from a media packet generator; a media packet transmission unit configured to transmit the media packets acquired to a media packet reception processing apparatus; an FEC packet generation unit configured to generate a plurality of FEC packets for the media packet reception processing apparatus to recover a lost media packet by carrying out FEC calculation processing using media packets acquired within a predetermined FEC period from acquisition of a first acquired media packet after media packets subjected to the FEC calculation processing immediately before; and an FEC packet transmission unit configured to transmit the FEC packets to the media packet reception processing apparatus within the predetermined FEC period after a lapse of the predetermined FEC period from the acquisition of the first acquired media packet. |
| US08266491B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a hybrid automatic repeat request operation in a wireless mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for controlling a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) operation in a transmitter of a wireless mobile communication system using each frame constituted by a plurality of subframes are provided. In the method for controlling an HARQ operation, indication information indicating a subframe position where transmission of a data burst starts and the number of subframes required for transmission of the data burst is transmitted to a receiver through an i-th frame. When the number of subframes does not exceed a threshold, it is determined that the data burst at the subframe position indicated by indication information of an (i+1)-th frame is retransmitted to the receiver. When the number of subframes exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the data burst at the subframe position indicated by indication information of an (i+n)-th frame, where n is a positive integer exceeding 1, is retransmitted to the receiver. |
| US08266490B2 |
Apparatus and method for reverse link transmission in an access terminal
A method for providing improved reverse link transmission timing in an access terminal is provided. The method includes processing automatic repeat request (ARQ) bits from a MAC bit processing unit for a previous sub-frame. The ARQ bits comprise a hybrid ARQ (H-ARQ) bit, a last ARQ (L-ARQ) bit, and a packet ARQ (P-ARQ) bit. The method also includes calculating the maximum allowed reverse rate and grant size for a MAC flow. The method further includes distributing grants to each application in the MAC flow. The method also includes storing a stored read pointer in an application transmit queue, for each application in the MAC flow. The method also includes preparing data for transmission, in response to storing the stored read pointer for each application in the MAC flow, based on the ARQ bits. The method also includes transmitting the data. |
| US08266486B2 |
Preventing erroneous operation in a system which may enable unsupported features
This invention is a method of operating a system having multiple finite state machines and a controller controlling an operational state of each finite state machine. Upon selection by the controller of a changed operational state, each finite state machine determines if it supports the changed operational state. If the finite state machine supports the changed operational state, it enters the changed operational state. If the finite state machine does not support the changed operational state, it enters an offline state. The controller may also determine whether a changed operational state is supported by each finite state machine. |
| US08266484B1 |
Circuits, architectures, apparatuses, systems, methods, algorithms, software and firmware for using reserved cells to indicate defect positions
A system including a plurality of data storage cells, where each of the plurality of data storage cells is configured to store a plurality of data bits, and a plurality of reserved cells configured to store status information of one or more of the plurality of data storage cells. Each of the plurality of reserved cells includes a multi-bit cell configured to store the status information at a lower density than each of the data storage cells. |
| US08266481B2 |
System and method of wear-leveling in flash storage
A flash storage device tracks performs wear-leveling by tracking data errors that occur when dynamic data is read from a storage block of the flash storage device and moving the dynamic data to an available storage block of the flash storage device. Additionally, the flash storage device identifies a storage block containing static data and moves the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data. |
| US08266480B2 |
Physical coding sublayer for a multi-pair gigabit transceiver
A physical coding sublayer (PCS) transmitter circuit generates a plurality of encoded symbols according to a transmission standard. A symbol skewer skews the plurality of encoded symbols within a symbol clock time. A physical coding sublayer (PCS) receiver core circuit decodes a plurality of symbols based on encoding parameters. The symbols are transmitted using the encoding parameters according to a transmission standard. The received symbols are skewed within a symbol clock time by respective skew intervals. A PCS receiver encoder generator generates the encoding parameters. |
| US08266473B2 |
Disaster recovery architecture
A method and system for disaster recovery in a packet-based network. The network includes a production site and a recovery site coupled together by the packet-based network. Mirroring software on the production site keeps a recovery site up to date to the last transaction occurring on the production site. A recovery control server polls the production site in order to detect a disaster condition or other failure. Upon detection of a problem at the production site, the recovery control server reconfigures the network so those attempts to access the production site are routed to the recovery site. |
| US08266472B2 |
Method and system to provide high availability of shared data
A data storage system and method are described. The system may comprise a data repository to store data, and first and second storage controllers. The first and second storage controllers may be connected via at least one network device to the data repository. One or more clients may be connected to the first storage controller and to the second storage controller to access the data in the data repository via the first and second storage controllers. The second storage controller may be configured to at least partially inhibit network connectivity of the first storage controller if the first storage controller at least partially fails. The system may include a Storage Area Network providing the data repository, each of the first and second storage controllers being connected to the Storage Area Network via switch. Each switch comprises at least one fiber channel gateway and at least two Target Channel Adaptors. |
| US08266469B2 |
Clock controlling apparatus of computer system and applications thereof
A clock controlling apparatus of a computer system used to tuning a clock frequency of a specific electronic device disposed on a motherboard and the application thereof are disclosed, wherein the clock controlling apparatus comprises an input control unit used to output a frequency increasing signal or a frequency decreasing signal, a control circuit connected to a clock generator disposed on the motherboard in order to tune the clock frequency of the electronic device according to the frequency increasing signal or the frequency decreasing signal, and a displaying unit connected to the control circuit in order to show the clock frequency. |
| US08266468B2 |
Integrated circuit with interpolation to avoid harmonic interference
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a clock circuit, a processing module, and processing circuitry. The clock circuit is coupled to produce a digital clock signal. The processing module is coupled to determine whether a harmonic component of the digital clock signal having a nominal digital clock rate is within the frequency passband and to provide an indication to the clock circuit to adjust its rate from the nominal digital clock rate to an adjusted digital clock rate when the harmonic component of the digital clock signal is within the frequency passband. The processing circuitry is coupled to process, at the adjusted digital clock rate, the data to produce processed data having a rate corresponding to the nominal digital clock rate and to interpolate, at an interpolation rate, the processed data to produce interpolated processed data having a rate corresponding to the interpolation rate. |
| US08266467B2 |
Data transfer device and data transfer method
To provide inter-LSI data synchronized transfer with a transfer throughput satisfying a required performance without causing an operation timing difference of the entire system even when a wiring delay between LSIs varies on an evaluation board and an actual device. A master (LSI1) outputs transfer data and a transfer synchronization clock signal to a slave (LSI2). For the edge of a clock signal used for data output at the master (LSI1), the slave (LSI2) latches input data by using a reverse edge. Moreover, upon data transfer from the slave (LSI2) to the master (LSI1), the master (LSI1) selects a latch timing of input data from a plurality of timings so that the transfer time to an internal circuit of the master (LSI1) side is identical regardless of which latch timing is selected. |
| US08266466B2 |
Globally synchronized timestamp value counter
The present invention relates to a synchronized timestamp mechanism in a packet processing system. This synchronized timestamp mechanism provides a globally synchronized counter value so counters located on separate packet processing cards can be synchronized. The synchronizing of these packet processing cards provides tracking of how long it takes for packets to be processed, provides the ability to generate packet headers that include sequence numbers for robust header compression, and allows the use of encryption protocols without a time reference signal. The synchronization is provided by sending the cards with counter value information and this information can be used to update the card's internal counter value information so that the card is synchronized with other cards. |
| US08266465B2 |
System for conserving battery life in a battery operated device
A battery operated device includes a receiver for receiving a transmission that includes a postamble. A sensor, in a tire, measures a parameter of the tire and outputs data indicative of the parameter. A microprocessor is coupled to the receiver and the sensor. The microprocessor is configured to periodically partially awaken to determine whether the transmission is likely a forward link packet (FLP) by examining the postamble, and to transmit the data in a reverse link packet (RLP) in response to confirming that the transmission is a FLP. |
| US08266464B2 |
Power controller, a method of operating the power controller and a semiconductor memory system employing the same
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power controller, a method of operating a power controller and a semiconductor memory system. In one embodiment, the power controller is for use with a memory and includes an access module configured to provide an active state of the memory to allow memory access. The power controller also includes a retain-till-access module configured to cycle a portion of the memory between the active state and a low leakage data retention state of the memory. The power controller further includes an expanded retain-till-access module configured to extend the active state of the memory for a specified period of time before returning the memory to the low leakage data retention state. |
| US08266463B2 |
Negotiating power between power sourcing equipment and powerable devices
The present invention provides a power negotiation protocol that enables PDs and PSEs to negotiate the amount of inline power that a PD consumes and the corresponding PSE provides. This power negotiation allows the PDs provide fine-grained power consumption level to PSEs, and the PSEs are able to manage inline power efficiently using the negotiation protocol of the present invention. The PDs can ask the PSEs for more power when needed rather than having to constantly reserve the maximum amount of power they can consume at all times. Similarly, the PDs can release reservation of excess power when their respective power requirements decrease. The PSEs can limit the amount of power that can be consumed by the PD, thereby providing the ability for an administrator to control how much power a given PD can consume. |
| US08266461B2 |
Computer system with a fan and a temperature monitoring unit
A computer system includes a processor and a fan operative to provide cooling airflow for reducing a temperature of the processor, the fan having a temperature threshold corresponding to operation of the fan at a speed greater than low speed. The computer system also includes a temperature-monitoring unit selectively operative in one of a reduced-acoustic mode and a normal-acoustic mode such that in the normal-acoustic mode, the temperature-monitoring unit attempts to control the temperature of the computer system by adjusting the speed of the fan and in the reduced-acoustic mode, the temperature-monitoring unit attempts to control the temperature of the computer system by throttling the processor. |
| US08266455B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling power of fixing unit
An apparatus and method for controlling power of a fixing unit is provided. The apparatus includes a power supply unit supplying DC power to the fixing unit, and a power controller controlling the power supply unit to gradually increase a DC power supply time until a pre-set time is reached. Accordingly, a flicker characteristic can be reduced by gradually increasing a supply time of DC power to the fixing unit. |
| US08266452B2 |
System and method for communicating confidential messages
A method of recording messages includes recording audio data in a first file structured in accordance with a file format that defines a first portion and a second portion. The audio data is recorded in the first portion of the first file. The method also includes encrypting the audio data stored in the first portion of the first file and generating a second file structured according to the file format. The second file includes decoy audio data in the first portion of the second file and the encrypted audio data in the second portion of the second file. The decoy audio data indicates a confidential status of the second file or serves as a red herring to distract from the encrypted audio data in the second portion of the second file. |
| US08266446B2 |
Software protection against fault attacks
A method for protecting information in a device includes providing a device with a non-secure hardware domain, a processor having a software-controlled mode of operation, and a secure hardware domain having a secure memory that is inaccessible by the processor when the processor is operating in the software-controlled mode of operation. Data from the non-secure hardware domain is established in the secure hardware domain. Computing operations are executed on the data in the secure hardware domain to produce a result. The secure hardware domain is purged, while retaining the result therein. The result is thereafter returned from the secure hardware domain into the non-secure hardware domain. |
| US08266443B2 |
Systems and methods for secure and authentic electronic collaboration
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for secure and authentic electronic collaboration between a plurality of users using a combination of biometric security, a separate and secure network infrastructure, management processes, encrypted electronic storage, and collaborative templates. In an exemplary embodiment, an online collaboration system includes a server including a network interface connected to the Internet, a data store including electronic data storage, and a processor, wherein each of the network interface, the data store and the processor are communicatively coupled, and wherein the network interface, the data store and the processor are collectively configured to: biometrically authenticate a plurality of users; and enable online collaboration between the plurality of users. |
| US08266442B2 |
Remote entry system
A system (100) is disclosed for providing secure access to a controlled item (111), the system comprising a database (105) of biometric signatures, a transmitter subsystem (116) comprising a biometric sensor (121) for receiving a biometric signal (102), means for matching the biometric signal against members of the database of biometric signatures (105) to thereby output an accessibility attribute, and means (107) for emitting a secure access signal (106) conveying information dependent upon said accessibility attribute, wherein the secure access signal (108) comprises one of at least a rolling code, an encrypted Bluetooth™ protocol, and a WiFi™ protocol, and a receiver sub-system (117) comprising means (109) for receiving the transmitted secure access signal (108) and means for providing conditional access to the controlled item (111) dependent upon said information. |
| US08266430B1 |
Selective shredding in a deduplication system
Making a target file impratical to be retrieved comprises decrypting a directory manager file using a first directory manager file key. The directory manager file includes an encryption key for a segment that is used when reconstructing a target file. The directory manager file is modified by deleting a reference to the target file. The reference includes a file encryption key. Retrieving the target file is made impractical by the deletion of the reference to the target file in the directory manager file. The modified directory manager file is encrypted using a second directory manager file key. |
| US08266427B2 |
Secure mobile IPv6 registration
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving by an agent a request from a network node for generation of a secure IPv6 address for use by the network node, the request including a selected subset of parameters selected by the network node and required for generation of the secure IPv6 address according to a prescribed secure address generation procedure, the selected subset including at least a public key owned by the network node; dynamically generating by the agent at least a second of the parameters required for generation of the secure IPv6 address; generating by the agent the secure IPv6 address based on the selected subset and the second of the parameters required for generation of the secure IPv6 address; and outputting, to the network node, an acknowledgment to the request and that includes the secure IPv6 address, and the parameters required for generation of the secure IPv6 address. |
| US08266424B2 |
Method and system for in-field recovery of security when a certificate authority has been compromised
A certificate credential is generated based on a user device's private key securely stored, or accessible, by a certificate authority. When the certificate authority has been compromised, the credential, which typically includes information encrypted with the device's private key and the corresponding unencrypted information, is sent to the device. The device receives the information in encrypted and unencrypted form and decrypts the encrypted information. If the result of the decryption matches the unencrypted information, the device trusts the signer of the credential. |
| US08266422B2 |
Network security processing method and system for selecting one of software and hardware cryptographic modules by means of multimedia session information
In a network security processing method and system for selecting one of software and hardware cryptographic modules by means of multimedia session information, the method includes the following steps: subjecting a plurality of packets of a multimedia session to signaling processing so as to obtain multimedia session information contained in the multimedia session, subjecting the multimedia session to a key authentication negotiation and according to the multimedia session information, making a determination to activate one of the software cryptographic module and the hardware cryptographic module. If the hardware cryptographic module is activated, the hardware cryptographic module performs network security processing of the packets of the multimedia session. If the software cryptographic module is activated, the software cryptographic module performs the network security processing of the packets of the multimedia session. |
| US08266420B2 |
System and method for providing secure configuration file provisioning
A system and method for providing secure configuration file exchange is disclosed. The system may include a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device having a receiver and a processor, and the VoIP device may be configured to: receive, at the receiver, an encrypted first configuration file from a server using a default Uniform Resource Locator (URL) stored in the VoIP device; decrypt, at the processor, the first configuration file using a default key stored in the VoIP device; apply, at the processor, a first set of profile parameters stored in the first configuration file, and the step of applying may include updating the default URL and the default key in the VoIP device with a new URL and a new key stored in the first configuration file; receive, at the receiver, an encrypted second configuration file from the server using the new URL; decrypt, at the processor, the second configuration file using the new key; and apply, at the processor, a second set of profile parameters stored in the second configuration file in order to provide network service from the server to a customer premise equipment (CPE) communicatively coupled to the VoIP device. |
| US08266415B2 |
Electronic device board level security
A system may include a printed circuit board, a first component located on the printed circuit board, the first component having a first unique identifier and a processor located on the printed circuit board, the processor including a one time programming section. The processor may acquire the first unique identifier from the first component and store the first unique identifier in the one time programming section during the first time initialization. Upon subsequent initializations, the processor may acquire the first unique identifier from the first component and compare the first unique identifier to the stored first unique identifier. The processor may allow the subsequent initializations to proceed if the first unique identifier matches the stored first unique. The processor may disallow the subsequent initializations from proceeding if the first unique identifier does not match the stored first unique identifier. |
| US08266414B2 |
Method for executing an instruction loop and a device having instruction loop execution capabilities
A method for managing a hardware instruction loop, the method includes: (i) detecting, by a branch prediction unit, an instruction loop; wherein a size of the instruction loop exceeds a size of a storage space allocated in a fetch unit for storing fetched instructions; (ii) requesting from the fetch unit to fetch instructions of the instruction loop that follow the first instructions of the instruction loop; and (iii) selecting, during iterations of the instruction loop, whether to provide to a dispatch unit one of the first instructions of the instruction loop or another instruction that is fetched by the fetch unit; wherein the first instructions of the instruction loop are stored at the dispatch unit. |
| US08266410B2 |
Meta-architecture defined programmable instruction fetch functions supporting assembled variable length instruction processors
In an implementation, a processing system includes an instruction fetch (IF) memory storing IF instructions; an arithmetic/logic (AL) instruction memory (IMemory) storing instructions; and a programmable instruction fetch mechanism to generate IMemory instruction addresses, from IF instructions fetched from the IF memory, to select instructions to be fetched from the IMemory for execution, wherein at least one IF instruction includes a loop count field indicating a number of iterations of a loop to be performed, a loop start address of the loop, and a loop end address of the loop. |
| US08266408B2 |
System and method for storing data in a virtualized high speed memory system
A system and method for providing high-speed memory operations is disclosed. The technique uses virtualization of memory space to map a virtual address space to a larger physical address space wherein no memory bank conflicts will occur. The larger physical address space is used to prevent memory bank conflicts from occurring by moving the virtualized memory addresses of data being written to memory to a different location in physical memory that will eliminate a memory bank conflict. |
| US08266407B2 |
Writing to asymmetric memory
A memory controller writes to a virtual address associated with data residing within an asymmetric memory component of main memory that is within a computer system and that has a symmetric memory component, while preserving proximate other data residing within the asymmetric memory component. The symmetric memory component within the main memory of the computer system is configured to enable random access write operations in which an address within a block of the symmetric memory component is written without affecting the availability of other addresses within the block of the symmetric memory component during the writing of that address. The asymmetric memory component is configured to enable block write operations in which writing to an address within a region of the asymmetric memory component affects the availability of other addresses within the region of the asymmetric memory component during the block write operations involving the address. |
| US08266405B2 |
Memory interface configurable for asynchronous and synchronous operation and for accessing storage from any clock domain
An improved memory interface circuit is provided for accessing a storage array in one of two available modes, including a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode. The improved memory interface circuit also includes logic, which enables the storage array to reside within substantially any clock domain. |
| US08266404B2 |
Generating and using checkpoints in a virtual computer system
To generate a checkpoint for a virtual machine (VM), first, while the VM is still running, a copy-on-write (COW) disk file is created pointing to a parent disk file that the VM is using. Next, the VM is stopped, the VM's memory is marked COW, the device state of the VM is saved to memory, the VM is switched to use the COW disk file, and the VM begins running again for substantially the remainder of the checkpoint generation. Next, the device state that was stored in memory and the unmodified VM memory pages are saved to a checkpoint file. Also, a copy may be made of the parent disk file for retention as part of the checkpoint, or the original parent disk file may be retained as part of the checkpoint. If a copy of the parent disk file was made, then the COW disk file may be committed to the original parent disk file. |
| US08266403B2 |
Storage system, unauthorized access detection method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing unauthorized access detection program
An access instruction portion that sends an access instruction to the storage apparatus in response to being accessed from the terminal; and an access management portion that sends a confirmation notification to the access instruction portion in response to receiving the access instruction, wherein the access instruction portion comprises: an access instruction distinction step of determining whether or not the sender of the access instruction related to that confirmation notification is the access instruction portion; and an unauthorized access instruction detection portion that determines, on the basis of determination result made by the access instruction distinction portion, the access instruction received by the access management portion from a sender other than the access instruction portion as an unauthorized access instruction. |
| US08266401B2 |
Storage controller and data management method
Upon receiving a primary/secondary switching command from a secondary host system, a secondary storage control device interrogates a primary storage control device as to whether or not yet to be transferred data that has not been remote copied from the primary storage control device to the secondary storage control device is present. In the event that yet to be transferred data is present, the secondary storage control device receives yet to be transferred data from the primary storage control device and updates a secondary volume. The primary storage control device then manages positions of updates to the primary volume due to host accesses to the primary volume occurring at the time of the secondary storage control device receiving the primary/secondary switching command onwards using a differential bitmap table. |
| US08266400B2 |
Computer system remote copying system and computer system
When a virtual tape of the main storage system is updated, journal data is created. The journal data is transmitted to the disaster recovery storage system asynchronously with the timing at which the write data is received. The journal data includes a marker to notify of the start of updating and a marker to notify of the completion of updating. The disaster recovery storage system prohibits the use of the copy destination data during the period from start of updating until completion of updating, and permits referencing the copy destination data during other periods. |
| US08266395B2 |
Detecting attempts to change memory
A system and method for detecting changes of memory state. In accordance with one embodiment, memory locations to be observed are determined, and pages of these locations are marked as read-only. Then, guest instructions execute during a trial period. During the trial period, guest instructions attempting to write to the identified memory locations cause page faults which result in identifying the instructions. At the end of the trial period, the pages are returned to a writable status, and attempts to modify the memory locations by the guest code are detected based on the instruction identifier. The system and method can be used for efficient frame list topology monitoring, such as in a virtual USB controller of a virtual machine. |
| US08266390B2 |
System and method for providing one-time programmable memory with fault tolerance
Systems and methods that provide a one-time programmable (OTP) memory with fault tolerance are provided. In one example, the OTM memory may include a data portion and a multistage programming (MSP) portion. The data of the data portion may be protected by error coding. The MSP portion may include at least one MSP bit and at least one respective redundant MSP bit. |
| US08266386B2 |
Structure for maintaining memory data integrity in a processor integrated circuit using cache coherency protocols
A design structure for a processor system may be embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing or testing a processor integrated circuit. The design structure may embody a processor integrated circuit including multiple processors with respective processor cache memories. The design structure may specify enhanced cache coherency protocols to achieve cache memory integrity in a multi-processor environment. The design structure may describe a processor bus controller manages cache coherency bus interfaces to master devices and slave devices. The design structure may also describe a master I/O device controller and a slave I/O device controller that couple directly to the processor bus controller while system memory couples to the processor bus controller via a memory controller. In one embodiment, the design structure may specify that the processor bus controller blocks partial responses that it receives from all devices except the slave I/O device from being included in a combined response that the processor bus controller sends over the cache coherency buses. |
| US08266382B1 |
Cache interface protocol including arbitration and hints
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for arbitrating requests received from one of the multiple clients of an L1 cache and for providing hints to the client to assist in arbitration. The L1 cache services multiple clients with diverse latency and bandwidth requirements and may be reconfigured to provide memory spaces for clients executing multiple parallel threads, where the memory spaces each have a different scope. |
| US08266377B2 |
Computer system and control method for the computer system
A computer system including a first storage system connected to a first host computer, a second storage system connected to a second host computer and a third storage system connected to the first and second storage systems. The second storage system sets transfer setting before an occurrence of a failure, the transfer setting being provided with a dedicated storage area to be used for transferring data to the third storage system by asynchronous copy in response to a failure at the first host computer. Before the start of data transfer between the second storage system and third storage system to be executed after an occurrence of the failure, the second storage system checks the dedicated storage area, data transfer line and transfer setting information, and if an abnormal state is detected, this abnormal state is reported to the host computer as information attached to the transfer setting. |
| US08266376B2 |
Clustered storage network
A data storage network is provided. The network includes a client connected to the data storage network; a plurality nodes on the data storage network, wherein each data node has two or more RAID controllers, wherein a first RAID controller of a first node is configured to receive a data storage request from the client and to generate RAID parity data on a data set received from the client, and to store all of the generated RAID parity data on a single node of the plurality of nodes. |
| US08266371B2 |
Non-volatile storage device, host device, non-volatile storage system, data recording method, and program
A memory controller, a non-volatile storage device, a host device, and a non-volatile storage system capable of performing real-time recording even in the case where normal data and file management information/auxiliary information are written in alternating manner are provided. The host device (2) issues a memory management command before the start, after the end, or both before and after the start and end of real-time recording. When the non-volatile storage device (1) receives the memory management command, an internal memory controller (11) clears memory control information and performs garbage collection as necessary. |
| US08266369B2 |
Flash memory interface
Flash-type memory access and control is facilitated (e.g., as random-access memory). According to an example embodiment, an interface communicates with and controls a flash memory circuit over a peripheral interface bus. The interface uses a FIFO buffer coupled to receive data from and store data for the flash memory circuit and to provide access to the stored data. An interface controller communicates with the flash memory circuit via the peripheral interface bus to initialize the flash memory circuit and to access data thereto, in response to requests from a processor. In some applications, the flash memory circuit is initialized by sending commands to it. The interface may be placed into a read-only mode in which data in the flash memory is accessed as part of main (computer) processor memory, using the FIFO to buffer data from the flash. |
| US08266365B2 |
Ruggedized memory device
A non-volatile storage device with built-in ruggedized features is disclosed. The device processes a write command to a logical block address by writing the data from the command to a non-volatile memory within the non-volatile storage device and conditionally associating the data received from the command with its corresponding logical block address. Two or more received write commands define a set of commands associated with an atomic transaction. When an end of set command is received, the device unconditionally associates the received data with each write command with its corresponding logical block address. If a power loss interrupts the reception of a set of commands, the non-volatile storage device may recover the last consistent data state before the atomic transaction was started. A write command transaction identifier allows the device to associate the command with a thread of commands that define an atomic transaction in a multithreaded system. |
| US08266361B1 |
Access methods and circuits for devices having multiple buffers
An integrated circuit device may include a mask register that stores mask values writable from a processor interface; and mask logic that selectively masks status indications from each of a plurality of buffers according to stored mask values; wherein the buffers alter the status indications in response to accesses from at least one different interface other than the processor interface. |
| US08266357B2 |
System and method for provisioning a remote resource for an electronic device
The disclosure recites a system and method for updating a resource to an electronic device. The system comprises: a resource providing information for the device; a server to maintain the resource; a communication link providing the device with access to the resource; a data transmission module for extracting and transmitting access information about the resource to the device; and a data processing module for processing the received information at the device. In the device, a GUI provides information on a topic retrieved from local storage on the device and additional information about the resource is incorporated into the GUI for that topic. |
| US08266349B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting parameters used in a portable patient monitor
A patient monitoring system includes a patient monitor and a plurality of docking stations. Each docking station is associated with a set of patient monitor configurations. Interfacing the patient monitor with a particular docking station allows a user to select one or more of the set of patient monitor configurations associated with the particular docking station for use in the patient monitor. |
| US08266348B2 |
System and method of communicating with portable devices
At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a communications adapter for coupling between a power adapter and a laptop computer. The communications adapter includes a first connector adapted to couple to the power adapter to receive DC power, and a second connector adapted to couple to a laptop computer. The communications adapter further includes a communications circuit constructed and arranged to receive signals from the laptop computer through the second connector and to provide signals to the laptop computer in response. |
| US08266342B1 |
Storage system
A storage system of an embodiment of this invention comprises a first transfer engine, a second transfer engine, a first storage device, a second storage device, a processor, and a transfer sequencer which is a device different from the processor. The processor creates transfer sequence information for indicating a sequence of transfers of user data. The transfer sequencer receives the transfer sequence information made by the processor and controls the first and the second transfer engines in accordance with the transfer sequence information. The first and the second transfer engines transfer user data between storage devices in accordance with instructions from the transfer sequencer. |
| US08266337B2 |
Dynamic logical data channel assignment using channel bitmap
A method, system and program are provided for dynamically allocating DMA channel identifiers by virtualizing DMA transfer requests into available DMA channel identifiers using a channel bitmap listing of available DMA channels to select and set an allocated DMA channel identifier. Once an input value associated with the DMA transfer request is mapped to the selected DMA channel identifier, the DMA transfer is performed using the selected DMA channel identifier, which is then deallocated in the channel bitmap upon completion of the DMA transfer. When there is a request to wait for completion of the data transfer, the same input value is used with the mapping to wait on the appropriate logical channel. With this method, all available logical channels can be utilized with reduced instances of false-sharing. |
| US08266332B2 |
Image capturing transfer apparatus that sends a flash on/off parameter instruction for a flash unit connected to the image capturing apparatus
An information processing apparatus that can communicate with an external apparatus includes an instruction unit configured to receive an instruction to change a parameter in the external apparatus, and a sending unit configured to send a control signal for causing the external apparatus to change the parameter in the external apparatus, to the external apparatus according to the instruction received by the instruction unit, in which the sending unit sends, when the instruction received by the instruction unit includes an instruction to change a plurality of types of parameters in the external apparatus, the control signal a plural number of times according to the types of the parameters to be changed, to cause the external apparatus to change the parameters in a predetermined order. |
| US08266329B2 |
Apparatus and method for accessing command line interface information from a device
A method and apparatus for accessing information from a network device, said device being managed through a command line interface, said method comprising storing information regarding operation of the device in a hierarchical structure in a memory within the device, searching for a command line management feature or configuration by passing a search command to the device and then passing a command relating to the feature name or configuration to the device, whereby the device then searches through the hierarchical data structure for the feature name or configuration in which the search command is provided in the first layer of the hierarchical structure in the memory and the feature name or configuration is provided in the second layer of the hierarchical structure in the memory within the device. |
| US08266327B2 |
Identity brokering in a network element
A network infrastructure element such as a router or switch performs brokering network user identity and credential information. An application or administrative user can declare a policy for user identity information extraction, authentication and authorization. Based on the policy, the network element extracts user identity information or credentials from a transport-layer message header, application-layer message header, and message body. Based on the policy, the network element performs one or more authentication or authorization operations with the user identity information or credentials. As a result, a network element can broker identity information among incompatible applications and perform identity operations for the applications. |
| US08266325B2 |
Compression on thin provisioned volumes using extent based mapping
A set of logical extents, each having compressed logical tracks of data, is mapped to a head physical extent and, if the head physical extent is determined to have been filled, to at least one overflow extent having spatial proximity to the head physical extent. Pursuant to at least one subsequent write operation and destage operation, the at least one subsequent write operation and destage operation determined to be associated with the head physical extent, the write operation is mapped to one of the head physical extent, the at least one overflow extent, and an additional extent having spatial proximity to the at least one overflow extent. |
| US08266319B2 |
Load balancing
A network management system, device and method for managing a computer network. The device is connected to the Internet through a plurality of routes, wherein the plurality of routes are assigned with respective IP addresses. The device includes a controller receiving a DNS resolution query from a remote computer for a domain name within the computer network, selecting one of the plurality of routes connecting the device to the Internet, and responding to the DNS resolution query with an IP address associated with the selected route. The IP address is used for resolution of the domain name. |
| US08266315B2 |
Streaming content from a production node and a consumer node
Systems and methods are disclosed for streaming content over a network that enables communication between a first consumer node, a second consumer node, and a production node. In one embodiment, a method includes initiating, from the first consumer node, a first connection to the second consumer node, and receiving one or more data packages corresponding to part of the content. The method also includes initiating, from the first consumer node, a second connection over the network to a production node, and receiving one or more data packages corresponding to at least a part of the content. The method also includes making incoming content received from the second consumer node ready for processing and play-back at the first consumer node, so that part of the content is streamed to a stream target at the first consumer node, while another part of the content is being received from the production node. |
| US08266310B2 |
Enabling peer-to-peer content retrieval in HTTP
Described are embodiments directed to enabling the retrieval of content from a peer-to-peer network. In embodiments, a client requesting content from a server can indicate in an HTTP request that it is capable of retrieving content from a peer-to-peer network. When the server receives the HTTP request it will recognize the indication that the client is capable of retrieving content from a peer-to-peer network and may send content information instead of sending the requested content. The content information allows the client to retrieve the content from the peer-to-peer network. |
| US08266306B2 |
Systems and methods for delegating access to online accounts
Computer-implemented methods for delegating access to online accounts and for facilitating delegates' access to these online accounts are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for delegating access to an online account comprises receiving a request to delegate access to a first online account to a first delegate, identifying the first online account, identifying a contact record for the first delegate, and delegating access to the first online account to the first delegate by associating the contact record for the first delegate with the first online account. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08266303B2 |
Managing network connections
Connections for sources to connect to a network are managed by storing connection profiles identifying network attributes for the connections. Each connection profile includes a status of available or subscribed. Requests for connections are received. If a stored connection profile is available that matches the request, the connection for the matching connection profile is assigned to the source. |
| US08266301B2 |
Deployment of asynchronous agentless agent functionality in clustered environments
A mechanism for the deployment of asynchronous agentless agent functionality in clustered environments. An agentless agent execution node in an agentless agent execution node cluster receives a context message comprising an asynchronous operation request and an execution context from a messaging service. The agent node determines if an entry for the execution context exists in an execution context state table of the agent node. If no entry exists, the agent node creates an execution context entry in the execution context state table of the agent node. The agent node retrieves an asynchronous code module associated with the asynchronous operation from a central repository. The asynchronous code module is then executed on a managed resource to detect asynchronous code events occurring on the managed resource. When asynchronous code events are detected at the managed resource, the agent node sends a message comprising the asynchronous code events to a management server. |
| US08266300B2 |
System and method for plug and play between host and client
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for plug and play between a host and client. The system includes a client device configured to be communicatively connected to a host device, the client device including at least a portion of memory configured to store computer code for allowing the host device to identify and control the client device. Additionally, the client device is configured such that the host device is not required to have pre-installed the computer code for allowing the host device to identify and control the client device, prior to being communicatively connected to the client device, and the client device is further configured such that when the client device is communicatively connected to the host device, the client device is configured to transfer the computer code for allowing the host device to identify and control the client device to the host device for installation. |
| US08266299B2 |
Method for establishing a local media connection in a communication system
The present invention relates to a method for deciding, in an IP-based communication system, whether a local media/media release is allowed between a first and at least a second terminal. The method is characterized in that the decision is based on information established by an application server in an multimedia core network. The present invention further also relates to a session border controller unit, a session border controller, an application server and a computer program product for performing said method. |
| US08266290B2 |
Scalable queues on a scalable structured storage system
A cloud computing platform contains a structured storage subsystem the provides scalable queues. The cloud computing platform monitors message throughput for the scalable queues and automatically increases or decreases subqueues that provide the operational functionality for each scalable queue. A visibility start time and cloud computing platform time are maintained for each message to provide an approximate first-in-first-out order for messages within each subqueue. A message in a subqueue may be available for processing when the current cloud computing time is greater than the visibility start of the message. |
| US08266289B2 |
Concurrent data processing in a distributed system
Systems, methods, and computer media for scheduling vertices in a distributed data processing network and allocating computing resources on a processing node in a distributed data processing network are provided. Vertices, subparts of a data job including both data and computer code that runs on the data, are assigned by a job manager to a distributed cluster of process nodes for processing. The process nodes run the vertices and transmit computing resource usage information, including memory and processing core usage, back to the job manager. The job manager uses this information to estimate computing resource usage information for other vertices in the data job that are either still running or waiting to be run. Using the estimated computing resource usage information, each process node can run multiple vertices concurrently. |
| US08266288B2 |
Dynamic expiration of domain name service entries
Disclosed is a computer implemented method and computer program product for transmitting a resource record to a requesting computer. An authoritative domain name server receives a DNS query from a requesting computer at a name server. The authoritative domain name server looks up the resource record based on the DNS query, wherein the resource record is associated with an epochal time and a time to live. The authoritative domain name server transmits the resource record response based on the epochal time. |
| US08266287B2 |
Managing computer resources in a distributed computing system
Methods, apparatus, and products for managing computer resources in a distributed computing system are disclosed that include registering, in a configuration management database by a discovery module in response to a modification of a resource in a resource container, the resource in association with a configuration management database identifier, the resource characterized by a resource type and a resource identification, the resource container including a manageability endpoint characterized by a manageability endpoint reference; and managing the resource by a management module in dependence upon a resource management policy and the manageability endpoint reference, the resource management policy including management actions for the resource. |
| US08266286B2 |
Dynamic key management server discovery
Various systems and method are disclosed for automatically disseminating key server contact information in a network. For example, one method (e.g., performed by a discovery server) involves generating a discovery message that includes at least one list of one or more key servers and then sending that discovery message to one or more members of a key management protocol group. Each list of key servers can include contact information for one or more key servers and indicate the priority of each key server relative to other key servers within the list. |
| US08266282B2 |
System and method for enforcing advertising policies using digital rights management
A system and method for policy-based advertising. According to an embodiment, an advertisement server receives a request for advertising content from a user computer over a network, the advertising content associated with an advertising policy specifying one or more usage conditions to be met by a user of the user computer in connection with the advertising content in order for the user to qualify for a promotional consideration, provides to the user computer over the network, in response to the request for the advertising content, the advertising content and one or more constraints to be enforced by a content player on the user computer in accordance with the advertising policy, receives from the user computer metering data reflecting usage of the advertising content on the user computer, and determines whether the one or more advertising policy usage conditions have been met based on the received metering data. |
| US08266280B2 |
System and method for a storage area network virtualization optimization
A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The programming instructions are operable to determine one or more optimal mappings between a server layer and a storage layer through a network layer based on performance metrics of one or more ports of at least one of the server layer, the storage layer and the network layer. |
| US08266277B2 |
Method and system for resource management in a computing environment
A method and system for monitoring resources in a network of resources in a computing environment, is provided. One implementation involves discovering resources in the network; constructing a topology model including event information for each discovered resource; providing queries for polling the models for event information, such that the resources need not be polled; executing one or more queries against one or more models; evaluating the query results to ascertain whether or not an event has affected what is considered to be normal for the result of each query; and presenting the evaluation results to enable monitoring of the resources. |
| US08266275B2 |
Managing network data transfers in a virtual computer system
A method for protecting a virtual computer system which may be susceptible to adverse effects from a Denial of Service attack is described. The virtual computer system includes a plurality of VMs. In the method, data that is transferred between the virtual computer system and the computer network is monitored for an indication of a possible Denial of Service attack. If an indication of a possible Denial of Service attack is detected, one or more of the VMs is suspended, to reduce the risk of adverse effects on one or more other VMs. |
| US08266273B2 |
Realtime process history server
The disclosure relates to a realtime process history server for use in a process control system comprising a process information management system (PIMS) and one or more distributed processing systems (distributed control systems DCS, 14.1 to 14.n). The realtime process history server features a combined PIMS/DCS server and a report server and is set up such that, by means of the report server, both clients and operator workstations of the DCS systems (14.1 to 14.n) have concurrent access under realtime conditions to the PIMS/DCS server and process history data which is stored therein. |
| US08266268B1 |
Method and system for deploying a network monitoring service within a communication network
The present invention provides a method and a system for deploying a network monitoring service within a communication network. In accordance with the present invention, the method identifies the location types within the network and the associated costs of service installation for each location type. The method analyzes the traffic types present at each location type and determines the location type with the lowest cost for the selected traffic type. In another aspect of the invention, various methods to determine network devices to deploy a network monitoring service for the lowest cost are described. |
| US08266265B2 |
Data transmission over a network with channel bonding
A system that transmits data over multiple networks receives data packets at a client node and forms a plurality of data aggregates from the data packets. The system then sends a request for a duplicate transmission to a coordinator node on a first network. In response to the request, the system receives a first transmission slot on the first network and a second transmission slot on a second network for transmission of the data aggregates. The system then splits the data aggregates among the first transmission slot and the second transmission slot and transmits the data aggregates on the first transmission slot and the second transmission slot. |
| US08266264B2 |
Launching service applications using a virtual network management system
A network service administration system including a plurality of service objects, a plurality of address objects; and a service configuration application for a multifunction appliance running on a client computer coupled to the appliance via a network. The service configuration application includes an interface allowing subscribers to configure at least a subset of application content services provided by the appliance and including a rule set implementing rules in ones of said application content services in said subset based on changes to configurations of any other of said application content services. Each of said service objects may comprise an individual network service definition. |
| US08266263B2 |
Distributed preboot execution environment (PXE) server booting
A computer program product and system are disclosed for distributed Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) server booting. The computer program product may include an image request module configured to send a PXE boot image request to a master boot server; an assignment receiving module configured to receive a temporary PXE server RAM image and a subset of target machines from the master boot server, the temporary PXE server RAM image configured to assign a recipient target machine as a temporary PXE server, the temporary PXE server configured to agent boot the subset of target machines; a subset boot module configured to send each target machine in the subset of target machines an agent boot image; a subset confirmation module configured to receive a boot confirmation from each target machine, the boot confirmation configured to indicate that the target machine booted successfully; a master confirmation module configured to send a subset boot confirmation to the master boot server, the subset boot confirmation configured to indicate that the subset of target machines booted successfully; and an image receiving module configured to receive an agent boot image. |
| US08266261B2 |
Server system, collective server apparatus, and MAC address management method
Provided is a server system, a collective server apparatus, and a MAC address management method that enables to change a MAC address and a flexible assignment of a MAC address. A server system according to the present invention includes a plurality of network control units that control communication performed with another device via a network, an address storage unit that stores a MAC address to be assigned to the network control unit, an assignment change processing unit that changes an assignment of the MAC address stored in the address storage unit and writes in the address storage unit, and an assignment execution unit that specifies the assignment stored in the address storage unit to each of the network control units. |
| US08266259B2 |
Managing user customizations of pre-provisioned contexts
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for seamlessly updating connection parameters that allow a communications device of a host machine to connect to a Wireless Wide Area Network. Users are allowed to edit certain parameters, and these changes are stored in persistent storage along with a unique identifier for the set that was edited. At connection time, the user's edits override the defaults pre-provisioned by the network operator and stored on the device. The operator can also remotely edit the parameters, after which the user's changes are overwritten with the new defaults. Thus, the invention is capable of seamlessly handling updates to the connection parameters by both the user and the network operator. |
| US08266246B1 |
Distributed playback session customization file management
A method, device and/or system for syndicating customization files, which define playback experience for content rendered on media players. The customization files are referenced by links distributed to the media players. Each customization file references a plurality of content objects that are stitched together to create the playback experience. A delivery network is used to distribute the customization files to the media players. Updates to the customization files can be done after distribution of their corresponding links. Usage information for the customization files are reported from the media players. |
| US08266245B1 |
Systems and methods for incremental loading of collaboratively generated presentations
Systems and methods for incrementally communicating a document to a client computer are disclosed herein. Time consistent views of the document are maintained throughout the incremental downloading through use of a cryptographically secured permissions token identifying a version of the document the user is permitted to access. |
| US08266244B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing bookmark information for content stored in a networked media server
A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item. |
| US08266243B1 |
Feedback mechanisms providing contextual information
Feedback received from users regarding potential problems with an application, service, or other source of electronic content can be configured to include additional information that help triangulate the source of the problem. Content provided by third parties can be combined with content from a primary provider, but the primary provider often will be unable to determine the precise instance of third party content that a user received that might have posed a problem for the user, as may relate to malware or another such issue. By configuring feedback submissions from users to automatically include identifying information, and by logging session data for various users, a content provider can analyze and filter the data to determine likely sources of the problem, and deactivate or otherwise address those sources. Further, the content provider can analyze the information to locate any users likely to have been exposed to the same third party content. |
| US08266241B1 |
Image sharing
A method, apparatus, and system for performing image sharing. A first computer is coupled to an external device capable of acquiring data. A second computer is coupled to the first computer. A direct access to data acquired by the external device is provided to the second computer. |
| US08266237B2 |
Systems and methods for providing distributed, decentralized data storage and retrieval
Systems and methods for distributed, decentralized storage and retrieval of data in an extensible SOAP environment are disclosed. Such systems and methods decentralize not only the bandwidth required for data storage and retrieval, but also the computational requirements. Accordingly, such systems and methods alleviate the need for one node to do all the storage and retrieval processing, and no single node is required to send or receive all the data. |
| US08266231B1 |
Systems and methods for monitoring messaging systems
Systems and methods for monitoring and/or auditing of events in an electronic messaging environment, such as Microsoft® Exchange, are described. One or more monitoring components are installed on messaging system servers to collect, in real-time, information on messaging system events. Certain embodiments are configured to audit and/or provide alerts regarding non-owner activity, such as when a user or administrator has gained access to another user's mailbox. Alerts can advantageously facilitate prompt corrective action by delivering detailed information about the access activity, such as which email message or folder was accessed, when the access occurred, from what location (e.g., IP address) when the access was initiated, and the type of access, as well as permission changes made to the mailbox or folders. The monitoring systems can also be configured to audit changes to client permissions for folders and delegate assignment and/or changes to configuration objects of the messaging system. |
| US08266227B2 |
Method, system and program product for assigning a responder to a requester in a collaborative environment
A method, system and program product for assigning a resource to a client in a collaborative environment. The method includes defining, using a tool, a threshold value for collaborative attributes for each resource responding to one or more clients and calculating on a periodic basis, using the tool, an updated value for the collaborative attributes for each resource. The method further includes comparing, upon receipt of a collaboration request, the updated value with the threshold value defined for collaborative attributes for a first resource and, if the updated value is less than the threshold value for the first resource, connecting the client to the first resource for establishing a collaborative session. If not, repeating comparing the updated value with the threshold value for the collaborative attributes defined for a next resource and connecting the client to the next resource whose updated value is less than the threshold value. |
| US08266225B2 |
Program-sensitive link in content
Context-sensitive content may be created that may be recognized by a particular program but ignored by other programs. For example, in an e-mail message or other type of message, content could be created that advises the user to download a particular client for an enhanced content-viewing experience, along with a link pointing to a site where the client may be downloaded. This content and link could be surrounded by tags that would not be recognized by most clients, but that would be recognized by the client that provides the enhanced experience. Thus, most clients would render the advice and link, but the client that provides the enhanced experience could be configured to omit the link when it recognizes the surrounding tags, since a recipient who is viewing the e-mail with that client already has access to the enhanced experience. |
| US08266224B2 |
Application gateway device
In an embodiment, a data processing system comprises application workflow optimizing logic and which when executed is operable to receive first workflow data that defines a sequence of processing operations to perform on an application-layer message; rewrite the first workflow data by separation of dependent update operations to result in creating rewritten workflow data; and store the rewritten workflow data in a data repository. Application gateway logic may be operable to receive one or more packets; construct a received message from one or more payloads of the packets; classify the received message to identify a particular workflow associated with the message; apply the particular workflow, using the rewritten workflow data, to the received message to result in identifying a destination application server and creating an outgoing message; send the outgoing message to the destination application server. |
| US08266218B2 |
Automated electronic message filing system
At least one filing folder is suggested for filing a particular electronic message. The suggested filing folder is graphically distinguished from the remainder of the folders in the filing system, such that selection of a folder for filing an electronic message is facilitated. A suggested folder name is attached to an electronic message before it is sent. When the electronic message is received and to be filed, the suggested folder is the one bearing the name of the suggested folder name attached to the electronic message. |
| US08266211B2 |
Methods and systems for validating real time network communications
Methods and systems for managing network communications are described. An example resource management system includes a communications manager configured to access information regarding communication protocols used by corresponding broker systems and to provide message translations based on an origin and/or destination of the message to be transmitted. A message processor is coupled to the communications manager and is configured to serialize incoming and/or outgoing broker messages and to facilitate queuing of incoming and outgoing message traffic with broker systems. A communications configurer is configured to track one or more communication attributes of broker systems and changes thereto to ensure communications between the resource management systems are broker systems are conducted in accordance with the communication attributes of the broker systems. A communications rules provider is configured to determine which broker system is to be communicated with in order to fulfill a resource request. |
| US08266210B2 |
Shared feed reader and method of shared feed reading
A shared feed reader for multiple users and a method for sharing feed reading are provided which provide group collaboration features. The shared feed reader includes a server including a processor hosting the shared feed reader for remote access by multiple users, and a user interface for each of the multiple users including an aggregator of web feeds subscribed to by the user. The shared feed reader includes: a mechanism for defining a group of users, wherein web feeds subscribed to by users in the group are exposed to the other users in the group; and a mechanism for sharing a read status of a web feed post across the group, wherein the read status indicates which users have read the post. The shared feed reader may also include a mechanism for receiving a meta-feed of meta-posts, wherein meta-feeds and meta-posts relate to activities of users in the group on shared feeds and posts. |
| US08266209B2 |
Templating and provisioning of collaborative facilities for a data-agnostic collaboration service
Various embodiments herein include one or more of systems, methods, software, and/or data structures to create collaboration enabled client applications. In some embodiments, web services are provided on one or more servers that may be called by processes within client applications to facilitate collaboration within a workspace. These web services, in some such embodiments, may be properly called by an authorized user. Virtual meeting places referred to as rooms may be created dynamically and may each include one or more collaborative services. To facilitate the dynamic creation of new rooms, room templates may be provided which allow new rooms to be easily and automatically created. The room templates may store state information for the pre-existing rooms from which they are based. |
| US08266205B2 |
Multiple channel optimization for transaction messages
A first embodiment of the present invention relates to systems and methods for determining a priority for a set of alert triggers and performing additional processing based on the determined priority. In some embodiments, additional processing may include generating and sending of alert messages. In other embodiments, additional processing may further include determining that the generating and sending of alert messages are to be delayed until a later time. In yet other embodiments, additional processing may include determining that no alert message is to be generated and sent. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to systems and methods for dynamically selecting a delivery channel and generating an alert message for the selected delivery channel. In some embodiments, the alert message may be formatted based on the selected delivery channel. According to one embodiment, the alert message may be generated based on a compact protocol format. When the alert message is received by a mobile device, the mobile device may use the alert message to generate a second alert message. |
| US08266203B2 |
Method for obtaining device information of user terminals and communication service function entity
A method for obtaining device information of user terminals and a communication service function thereof are disclosed to enable a user to obtain terminal device information. The method for obtaining device information of user terminals in a communication system includes that a communication service function sends device information of a target user to a requesting terminal according to the target user ID carried in a device information obtaining request or a device information publish service setting. The communication service function includes: a receiving unit, adapted to receive a device information obtaining request or a device information publish service setting; a sending unit, adapted to send the stored device information of the target user to the requesting terminal according to the target user ID carried in the device information obtaining request or device information publish service setting. |
| US08266197B1 |
Method for factor analysis of GC/MS data
The method of the present invention provides a fast, robust, and automated multivariate statistical analysis of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) data sets. The method can involve systematic elimination of undesired, saturated peak masses to yield data that follow a linear, additive model. The cleaned data can then be subjected to a combination of PCA and orthogonal factor rotation followed by refinement with MCR-ALS to yield highly interpretable results. |
| US08266194B2 |
Linear feedback shift registers with XOR logic gates including a bit generator to control movement along stages
A system comprising a feedback shift-register having L serially connected stages, and a non-linear feedback sub-system to receive input from stage n and 2n+1, and including a first AND gate having a first and second input operationally connected to the output of stage n and 2n+1, respectively, the sub-system having an output based on a value of an output of the first AND gate, a bit generator operative to generate bits, and an XOR gate having a first and second input, an output of the bit generator being operationally connected to the first input of the XOR gate, the output of the sub-system being operationally connected to the second input of the XOR gate, the output of the XOR gate being operationally connected to the input of the first stage of the shift-register. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08266191B1 |
System and method for flexible space reservations in a file system supporting persistent consistency point image
The present invention provides a system and method for flexible space reservations in a file system. An administrator of a storage system selects a fractional reserve percentage, which defines the size of the overwrite reserve that is to be maintained to ensure file writeability. |
| US08266189B2 |
Adapting between coupled and decoupled provider interfaces
Adapters are provided to convert a decoupled provider interface to a coupled provider interface and/or to convert a coupled provider interface to a decoupled provider interface. A decoupled provider may indirectly expose a data model by providing one or more of a sequence of unchanging views of data via snapshots and snapshot update events. A coupled provider may directly expose a dynamic data model or view and model update events. A decoupled consumer of data may consume data that is provided in snapshots and snapshot update events while a coupled consumer may consume data in the form of a dynamic data model and model update events. |
| US08266188B2 |
Method and system for extracting structural information from a data file
A system and method for generating metadata from a data file are provided. The method includes the steps of parsing a data file having data nodes arranged in a hierarchal structure by sequentially processing the data nodes to generate parsing events and calling back at least one parsing event to a scanner, the scanner processing the at least one parsing event by calling at least one corresponding function. The method also includes the step of generating metadata from the processed at least one parsing event preserving the hierarchal structure of the data nodes. |
| US08266187B2 |
Integration of static and dynamic data for database entities and the unified presentation thereof
A method is disclosed for presenting static and dynamic data corresponding to an entity within an application on a mobile device. An entity object is created as part of a data model within the application such that the entity object has a plurality of fields with the plurality of fields having static data corresponding to the entity. Based on the static data corresponding to the entity, dynamic data corresponding to the entity is received into the entity object from at least one of a plurality of applications executable within the mobile device. The static and dynamic data from the entity object corresponding to the entity is displayed simultaneously within a user interface of the application in a single presentation view. |
| US08266185B2 |
System and methods thereof for generation of searchable structures respective of multimedia data content
A system for generating concept structures respective of a plurality of multimedia data elements (MMDEs). The system comprises an attention processor (AP) for generating a plurality of items from a received MMDE of the plurality of MMDEs and determining which of the generated items that are of interest for signature generation; a signature generator (SG) for generating at least a signature responsive to at least an item of interest of the received MMDE of the plurality of MMDEs; a clustering processor (CP) for clustering a plurality of signatures received from the signature generator responsive of the plurality of MMDEs, and for creating a signature reduced cluster (SRC) of the cluster; and a concept generator (CG) for associating metadata with the SRC and matches the SRC with previously generated SRC such that SRCs that match form a concept structure comprised of a plurality of SRCs and their associated metadata. |
| US08266181B2 |
Key-break and record-loop processing in parallel data transformation
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for providing additional functionality to a data processing program. This is achieved by various means, including preprocessing records in a data volume, designating certain records with a key-break, and creating an aggregation structure that user programs may use to store previously-processed records from the data volume. |
| US08266180B2 |
Validation of database schema upgrades using a data differencing tool
An upgrade controller that compares the contents of a reference database with an upgraded database is described. In one embodiment, the upgrade controller connects to the reference and upgraded database and retrieves the list of tables. For each of the tables, the upgrade controller compares the content of the reference and the upgraded table. The upgrade controller compares the table contents by comparing the contents on a record-by-record basis. In addition, the upgrade controller can use a whitelist of tables and columns to reduce the number of false positive(s) that could be generated during the comparison. |
| US08266168B2 |
Database systems and methods for linking records and entity representations with sufficiently high confidence
Disclosed are a system for, and method of, determining whether records correspond to the same individual. The system and method provide such a determination with a known minimum level of confidence. That is, the system and method provide an indication that records correspond to the same individual along with an associated confidence level. The system and method may be used to link records in a database that correspond to the same individuals, creating entity representations in the database. |
| US08266167B2 |
System and method for scenerio based content delivery
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing scenario based content responsive to a given client. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a content request from a given client. Characteristics associated with a client from whom the content request is received are then identified. One or more scenarios corresponding to the one or more characteristics associated with the client are subsequently identified and the client is provided with the content associated with the one or more identified scenarios. |
| US08266163B2 |
Utilizing reference/ID linking in XML wrapper code generation
Utilizing reference/identification (ID) linking in extensible markup language (XML) wrapper code generation in a data processing system. A code generator receives a type document and reference/ID constraints document and accesses the reference/ID constraints document to translate between XML structures and object structures. |
| US08266161B2 |
Virtual data room for displaying clinical trial status reports based on real-time clinical trial data, with information control administration module that specifies which reports are available for display
A system is provided for use in distributing information associated with an investigational product, such as a pharmaceutical drug. The information includes electronic documents associated with the investigational product, and a plurality of different electronic reports based on real-time patient clinical study data of the investigational product. The system includes a database that stores the electronic documents, a virtual data room that is in electronic communication with the database and which includes a memory that stores the electronic reports, an information presentation module, and an information control administration module. The information presentation module causes a display of the information to a user of the virtual data room via a display screen. The electronic reports are generated using the real-time patient clinical study data when requested to be displayed. The information control administration module specifies which electronic reports will be made available to the user. Only the specified electronic reports are selectable for display on the display screen by the user of the virtual data room. In this manner, only the specified electronic reports may be generated for display to a user of the virtual data room. |
| US08266159B2 |
System and method for providing access to log data files
A system and method for providing a user with efficient access to a log data file. The system takes a computer generated log data file and applies a user defined filter criteria to the log data file. The indexed and filtered log data file is then displayed to the user in an application player where the user can interact with the log data file. |
| US08266158B2 |
Systems and methods for calculating a just-in-time reputation score
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for generating a just-in-time reputation score. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a user generated content item from a user, calculating an initial reputation score and retrieving a plurality of rules. The method then analyzes the user generated content item based on the rules and determines a just-in-time reputation score based on the analysis. Finally, the method displays the just-in-time reputation score and the content item to the user. |
| US08266154B2 |
Identifying top content contributors in online social networks
One particular embodiment accesses a plurality of user profiles corresponding to a plurality of users and a plurality of content objects; ranks the users in descending order based on a number of content objects each of the users has contributed to the social network; represents in log space ranks of the users versus in log space numbers of content objects contributed by the users; determines a threshold rank based on an increasing rate of the ranks of the users, a decreasing rate of the numbers of content objects, and a predetermined value in the log space; and identifies from among the users, those users ranked at and above the threshold rank as high-volume content contributors for the social network. The users belong to a social network; and each of the users has contributed at least one of the content objects to the social network. |
| US08266153B2 |
Determining and displaying application server object relevance
In embodiments, the number of references to an object which is deployed into an application server framework may be determined by examining metadata extracted from configuration data sources within a multi-tier application framework. In embodiments, an object relevance value based on the extracted number of references to an object may be associated with the object. In embodiments, the number of references extracted from a data source may be weighted using a weight factor that is associated with the data source. In embodiments, the number of references to a source object may be extracted by traversing a source inheritance hierarchy and parsing the objects within the hierarchy. In embodiments, an object relevance display of a set of objects may be generated based in part on object relevance values of the set of objects. In embodiments, an object relevance display may be a molecular display, a flash tag cloud, and/or a source tree hierarchy. |
| US08266152B2 |
Hashed indexing
Indexing data items into an index. A method includes identifying a parameter pattern for a data item stored in a data store record of a data store. The data store record has a data store location identifier. The method further includes identifying a hash of the parameter pattern. The data store location identifier is correlated to at least a portion of the hash in the index. The index includes index entries where each index entry includes at least a portion of a hash and one or more references to data store records by reference to data store location identifiers. |
| US08266149B2 |
Clustering with similarity-adjusted entropy
Data-mining software initializes a loop by (a) assigning the messages in an online discussion on a website to a single logical cluster that is one of a group of logical clusters and (b) determining a measure of similarity-adjusted entropy for the group of logical clusters. Then the data-mining software randomly reassigns one of the messages to another logical cluster that is randomly selected from the group of logical clusters and again determines a measure of the similarity-adjusted entropy for the group of logical clusters. If the subsequent measure of similarity-adjusted entropy is greater than or equal to the earlier measure of similarity-adjusted entropy, the data-mining software undoes the reassignment. If the subsequent measure of similarity-adjusted entropy is less than the earlier measure of similarity-adjusted entropy, the data-mining software replaces the earlier measure with the subsequent measure. The data-mining software repeats the operations of the loop until convergence is reached. |
| US08266148B2 |
Method and system for business intelligence analytics on unstructured data
Various embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for Business Intelligence (BI) metrics on unstructured data. Unstructured data is collected from numerous data sources that include unstructured data as ingested data. The ingested data is indexed and represents hyperlink and extracted data and metadata for each document. Thereafter, the ingested data is automatically classified into one or more relevance classes. Further, numerous analytics are performed on the classified data to generate business intelligence metrics that may be presented on an access device operated by a user. |
| US08266145B2 |
Contextual data mapping, searching and retrieval
An example method is illustrated as including receiving a first content set, the first content set organized according to a rules set, using the rules set to parse the first content set to generate a first pattern set having a plurality of members, assigning a weighted value to each member of the first and a second pattern set based on a frequency of occurrence of each member in the first and second pattern sets, wherein each member of the first and second pattern sets includes digital content, and determining a relevancy score linking each of the members of the first and second pattern set in a one to one mapping of the members of the first pattern set to each of the members of the second pattern set, wherein the relevancy score is based upon the weighted value assigned to each member of the first and second pattern sets. |
| US08266143B2 |
Document scoring based on query analysis
A system may determine an extent to which a document is selected when the document is included in a set of search results, generate a score for the document based, at least in part, on the extent to which the document is selected when the document is included in a set of search results; and rank the document with regard to at least one other document based, at least in part, on the score. |
| US08266141B2 |
Efficient use of computational resources for interleaving
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for improving the efficiency of the interleaving process. Once it is determined that a search query is to be used in an interleaving experiment, a primary ranking system and a secondary ranking system are analyzed to determine whether their respective search results for that search query would be identical. If the search results would be identical, the search query is routed only to the primary ranking system and not the secondary ranking system. If, however, it is determined that the search results would not be identical, both the primary ranking system and the secondary ranking system receive the search query for processing. |
| US08266139B2 |
System and interface for co-located collaborative web search
Systems and methods are provided to perform collaborative retrieval, communication, and navigation of electronic content in a co-located environment. In an illustrative implementation, a collaborative content environment comprises a collaborative content interface engine, and an instruction set comprising at least one instruction providing instructions to the collaborative content interface engine to process data representative of inputs from two or more cooperating interface devices to allow for the retrieval, communication, search, and navigation of electronic content. In the illustrative implementation, the collaborative content interface engine can present retrieved, communicated, searched, and/or navigated data according to a selected display paradigm. The display paradigm can include one or more display portions of a display pane comprising data responsive to the inputs received from the two or more cooperating interface devices. |
| US08266138B1 |
On-demand database service system, method and computer program product for generating a custom report
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for generating a custom report using an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for generating an on-demand database service custom report can enable embodiments to generate reports that reflect a relationship between at least two different objects. The ability of embodiments to provide such additional insight into database contents may lead to more efficient and effective reporting. |
| US08266137B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating index as well as search method and search apparatus
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating index as well as a search method and a search apparatus. Index entry comprises at least a search item identifier corresponding to a search item, one or a plurality of index items generated from one or plural pieces of search information, and an accumulator for the search information. The accumulator is generated by accumulating the search information, or accumulating ciphertext of information containing the search information, or accumulating data mapped from information containing the search information. At the time of searching, the index items and the accumulator are provided to a searcher. The searcher extracts search information from the index items and checks whether the extracted search information is complete by using the accumulator. In one embodiment, the accumulator is incorporated in an encrypted inverted index. |
| US08266135B2 |
Indexing for regular expressions in text-centric applications
A method, system, and article are provided for evaluating regular expressions over large data collections. A general purpose index is built to handle complex regular expressions at the character level. Characters, character classes, and associated metadata are identified and stored in an index of a collection of documents. Given a regular expression, a query is generated based on the contents of the index. This query is executed over the index to identify a set of documents in the collection of documents over which the regular expression can be evaluated. Based upon the query execution, the identified set of documents is returned for evaluation by the regular expression responsive to execution of the query over the index. |
| US08266130B2 |
Search tool providing optional use of human search guides
A method and system providing optional use of human search guides to allow a user to select between a human guide assisted search and an automated search. The user is provided with an option of submitting a query requesting assistance of one or more human guides, initiating a search without requesting assistance from human guide(s) using automated results, or a combination of both. |
| US08266128B2 |
Interaction modalities for multimedia delivery and presentation
A method and apparatus for displaying received data, analyze the quality of the displayed data formulating a media-parameter suggestion for the encoder to alter the characteristics of data to be sent to the receiver, and sending from the receiver, the formulated suggestion. |
| US08266123B2 |
Providing portal navigation for alerts
Navigating from an alert related to a state of a data object to a source of the alert includes displaying alerts in a portal environment. The portal environment has an analytical portal application associated with an analytical data store and a transaction portal application associated with a transaction data store. One of the alerts includes a transaction alert that is associated with a data object in the transaction data and another of the alerts includes an analytical alert that is associated with a data object. An indication of a transaction alert or an analytical alert is received from a user. When the indication is an indication of an analytical alert, navigation occurs to the analytical portal application. When the indication is an indication of the transaction alert, navigation occurs to the transaction portal application. |
| US08266122B1 |
System and method for versioning data in a distributed data store
A system and method for versioning of atomic units of data (such as XML fragments) in a distributed data store are disclosed. The distributed data store may maintain a linear version history for each fragment, such that each has no more than one successor and one predecessor, with no implicit branching. An application programming interface may provide an explicit branching request (indicating an intent to merge modified data in a child branch into its parent branch), along with read, create, create-merge, and/or integrate requests. A reconciliation policy may be specified on a per-application basis, and may include automatic reconciliation using a callback function or interactive reconciliation, with inputs returned to the application. Writes to a minority side of a network partition may be refused unless an explicit branch is requested. Transactions may not be supported in client applications or may be supported through explicit branching. Transactions may be used internally. |
| US08266119B2 |
Contents management system, image processing device in contents management system, and link information generating method of image processing device
A disclosed contents management system includes a management server for managing contents and an information processing device for performing a process on the contents, which are connected to a network. The management server includes a supplying unit for supplying the contents to the information processing device in response to a request from the information processing device. The information processing device includes an acquiring unit for acquiring reproduction starting point information of the contents, a generating unit for generating, based on the reproduction starting point information acquired by the acquiring unit, link information for accessing the contents, and a storing unit for temporarily storing, in a region of a memory, the link information generated by the generating unit in association with information indicating content of the contents, when a pasting unit pastes the link information onto document data being edited. The contents are accessed based on the link information pasted onto the document data. |
| US08266116B2 |
Method and apparatus for dual-hashing tables
Methods and apparatus for dual hash tables are disclosed. An example method includes logically dividing a hash table data structure into a first hash table and a second hash table, where the first hash table and the second hash table are substantially logically equivalent. The example method further includes receiving a key and a corresponding data value, applying a first hash function to the key to produce a first index to a first bucket in the first hash table, and applying a second hash function to the key to produce a second index to a second bucket in the second hash table. In the example method the key and the data value are inserted in one of the first hash table and the second hash table based on the first index and the second index. |
| US08266115B1 |
Identifying duplicate electronic content based on metadata
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for de-duplicating electronic content based on comparing metadata. In one aspect, a method includes comparing first metadata associated with a first item of electronic content to second metadata associated with a second item of electronic content, and generating a score based on the comparison. The method also includes establishing that the first and second items of electronic content comprise potentially duplicate content when the score is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and providing information identifying either the first or second items of electronic content for display when establishing that the first and second items of electronic content comprise potentially duplicate content. |
| US08266113B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for computer file integrity and baseline maintenance
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for file integrity and baseline maintenance on a computer system or systems are shown. A file integrity check is made of files on a system by hashing the files and comparing the hash to a stored hash of the files. If the comparison is false, the system requests a copy of the file from a server, which may be unknown or untrusted. The system then compares the received file to the stored hash. If the comparison is true, the copy of the file will be installed on the system. If false, the system repeats the request. |
| US08266106B2 |
Systems and methods for performing storage operations using network attached storage
Systems and methods for performing hierarchical storage operations on electronic data in a computer network are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention may store electronic data from a network device to a network attached storage (NAS) device pursuant to certain storage criteria. The data stored on the NAS may be migrated to a secondary storage and a stub file having a pointer pointing to the secondary storage may be put at the location the data was previously stored on the NAS. The stub file may redirect the network device to the secondary storage if a read request for the data is received from the network device. |
| US08266104B2 |
Method and system for cascading a middleware to a data orchestration engine
Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon for implementing methods are directed to facilitating data exchange, such as accessing and operating on data objects, between field applications, such as mobile clients, and dedicated servers by leveraging the features of middleware. An embodiment includes a first server providing a first set of services and data to a mobile client. A first communicating middleware is connected between the first server and the mobile client according to a first communication functionality. A second server provides a second set of services and data according to a second communication functionality that is different from the first communication functionality. A second middleware communicates with the second server according to the second communication functionality, and communicates with the first middleware according to the first communication functionality. The second middleware is connected to the second server and the first middleware. |
| US08266103B1 |
Synchronizing resource type and property structures
Extracting and synchronizing an Enterprise Portal application resource types and properties of business objects located in repository is disclosed. The repository is queried without human intervention to determine business object type information and for each business object type its associated properties. A representation of the business object types and associated properties in a format that facilitates synchronization with the enterprise portal application is generated. |
| US08266100B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method therefor
This invention provides an information processing apparatus which shortens the memory access time and reduces the cost while ensuring data reliability. To accomplish this, the information processing apparatus shifts each write start timing so that data to be written in at least one memory is not influenced by noise during write when writing the same information in a plurality of memories. When reading data from a plurality of memories, the information processing apparatus compares the data with each other to estimate normal data. |
| US08266098B2 |
Ranking expert responses and finding experts based on rank
In a computerized social network, expert and user chat sessions are stored and rated probabilistically. Later user requests for information are met with an expert ranking, based on a balance of similarities between expert profile and questions; similarity between expert profile and prior chat sessions, and dynamically updated chat session ratings. New sessions can be rated automatically with reference to keywords distilled from past sessions responsive to user ratings—and based on session length. |
| US08266092B2 |
Methods and systems for target value path identification
Target value search methods and systems are presented for solving a target value path problem to identify a path or paths in a graph in which a connection graph is created and upper and lower bound values are determined for each node in the connection graph, and a first best search is performed to identify a path or paths from a starting node to a goal node having a path value closest to the target value. |
| US08266091B1 |
Systems and methods for emulating the behavior of a user in a computer-human interaction environment
A computer-implemented method for emulating the behavior of a user in a computer-human interaction environment is described. An image of a window and data relating to positions of clicks executed within the image are received. A probabilistic model is created to estimate a probability of a click being executed in a region of a window. Clicks, in accordance with the probabilistic model, are executed within windows associated with a plurality of applications. A clicks distribution model is created based on the position of the clicks executed within the windows of the plurality of applications. Clicks, in accordance with the clicks distribution model, are executed within a window associated with an application being tested. |