| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08336969B2 |
Brake apparatus
In the normal condition, a braking force is generated by directly supplying to a disk brake a fluid pressure generated in a master cylinder in response to an operation of a brake pedal. In addition, a braking force can be generated by supplying a fluid pressure to the disk brake by actuating a hydraulic pump motor by a controller. When a knock-back occurs due to, for example, rapid turning of a vehicle, a piston is allowed to be displaced backward so that uneven wear of a brake pad and a disk rotor can be prevented. After that, when a cause for the knock-back is eliminated, the piston is caused to move forward and a pad clearance is adjusted by actuating the pump motor by the controller so that deterioration of the responsiveness can be prevented. |
| US08336967B2 |
Method of tapering bristles for toothbrushes, and toothbrush having bristles manufactured by said method
The present invention provides a method of tapering bristles for toothbrushes and a toothbrush having bristles manufactured using the method. One method disclosed in the present invention includes setting bristles made of polyester in a head insert, and fastening the bristles to the head insert by thermally welding portions of the bristles, protruding from a back surface of the head insert, to the head insert. The method further includes coupling the head insert to a toothbrush body and tapering ends of the bristles by immersing the bristles in a chemical. The bristles can be securely set in the toothbrush body without an anchor. Furthermore, polyester bristles, which could not be set in toothbrushes having variously shaped setting rows due to excessively high stiffness, can be set in these types of toothbrush by the toothbrush manufacturing method of the present invention. |
| US08336965B2 |
Composite seat pan structure for a lightweight aircraft seat assembly
An aircraft passenger seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat includes one or more lightweight composite support legs, a lightweight composite seat pan, and a lightweight composite seat back structure. The support legs are coupled to the seat pan, which is in turn coupled to the seat back structure. The support legs utilize composite frame elements that are formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The seat pan includes composite fore and aft cross beams that are also formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The aft cross beam includes a rear flange that serves as a flexible “hinge” for the seat back structure. The seat can leverage producible and relatively inexpensive composite manufacturing techniques such that the seat can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat. |
| US08336963B1 |
Removable armrest
A removable armrest (RAR) (10) that is placed between a pair of sofa cushions (84). The RAR (10) is comprised of a resilient section (12) and a downward-extending tab (32). The tab (32) is divided by a tab welt (48) into an upper section (50) and a lower section (52). The upper section (50) is inserted into and maintained within a slot (54) that extends into the resilient section (12). The lower section (52) of the tab (32) is pushed downward into the space between two cushions (84) on a sofa (82), thereby positioning and frictionally holding the RAR (10) to provide a comfortable support for a person's arm. |
| US08336962B2 |
Eccentric joint fitting for a vehicle seat
A wobble joint fitting for a vehicle seat has a first joint arm, which carries an internal gear and forms a first bearing surface, which are central to a main axis, and a second joint arm to which an eccentric gear is allocated, which comprises an externally toothed pinion and a second bearing surface. The pinion and the second bearing surface are central to an eccentric axis. An eccentric driving part is disposed in the area between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface. Clamping parts, in a clamping state, displace the eccentric axis relative to the main axis. The eccentric driving part defines the eccentric. The rotary drive of the eccentric driving part causes a rotation of the pinion relative to the internal gear even without the clamping parts being present, wherein only play compensation is not obtained without the presence of the clamping parts. |
| US08336960B2 |
Rocking chair
A rocking chair includes a fixed base having a base portion located on the ground. The base portion includes front and rear sides spaced in a rocking direction. A connecting frame extends upright from the base portion and has a receiving space receiving a rocking mechanism. The rocking mechanism includes a bottom plate, a strut, and front and rear rocking members. The strut extends upright from the bottom plate and is fixed to a seat. Upper ends of the front and rear rocking members are pivotably connected to the connecting frame. Lower ends of the front and rear rocking members are pivotably connected to front and rear ends of the bottom plate. The rocking mechanism is rockable in the receiving space in the rocking direction relative to the fixed base. A positioning mechanism controls the rocking mechanism to be in a rockable state or a positioned state. |
| US08336959B2 |
Vehicle mounted printer station
A vehicle mounted printer station is made up of a printer secured to a support surface tray that includes an adaptor capable of attaching the tray and printer to the top of a vehicle seat. The support surface is preferably a rectangular shaped plate with front, back and side edges along with top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to the adaptor, the adaptor includes at least one attachment rod for securing the support surface to the vehicle seat. The attachment rods are sized to be received into receptacles provided in the top of a vehicle seat designed for the vehicle headrest. |
| US08336954B2 |
Feeder apparatus for a slide panel
There is provided a feeder apparatus for a slide panel so as to reduce the thickness of a panel of a car body the slide panel is attached to. The feeder apparatus 1 includes a wire harness 14 routed between a roof portion 2 and a sunroof 3, and a protector 15. The protector 15 includes a first protector 18 that is attached to rails 5a provided in the roof portion 2 and formed in the long-length shape parallel to the sliding direction of the sunroof 3 and accommodates one end portion 17a of the wire harness 14, and a second protector 2 that includes a protector body 26 slidably provided in the first protector 18 along the sliding direction of the sunroof 3 and a hook portion 27 the other end portion 17b of the wire harness 14 is attached to being attached to the sunroof 3. |
| US08336944B2 |
Designing and manufacturing vehicle floor trays
A vehicle floor tray thermoformed from a sheet of thermoplastic polymeric material includes a floor substantially conforming to a floor of a vehicle foot well, a first panel integrally formed with the floor of the tray and upwardly extending from a transversely disposed lateral side of the floor of the tray, and a second panel integrally formed with the floor of the tray and the first panel and upwardly extending from a longitudinally disposed lateral side of the floor of the tray. A third panel is integrally formed with the floor of the tray and to one of the first and second panels. For each panel, at least ninety percent of at least one-third of the first outer surface of the tray wall which is adjacent to the respective top margin of the wall is no more than one-eighth of an inch from the upper surface of the foot well. |
| US08336938B2 |
Cap mounting structure
A cap mounting structure has an engagement hole formed in a peripheral edge part of an opening in an interior member; a protruding part is formed on a cap; an engagement part engaging with the engagement hole is formed by expanding an intermediate portion in the protrusion direction of the protruding part; the length in the expansion direction of the engagement part is set so as to be longer than the length of the engagement hole; the engagement part is inserted through the engagement hole while at least one of the engagement hole and the engagement part is elastically deformed, and the engagement part is engaged with the engagement hole by the elastic restoration of the elastically deformed part(s), whereby the cap is made in a temporarily held state in which the cap is held by the interior member; and from the temporarily held state, the cap is oscillated so as to be opened and closed. |
| US08336936B2 |
Manual trench tool
Apparatus for providing a six-inch deep trench in a lawn surface, for the primary purpose of installing irrigation pipe for sprinkler systems.A trenching tool which includes a lower portion having two heavy steel blades and a hinge mechanism. The steel impact blades are sharpened at the bottom to accommodate a V configuration to enhance the downward penetrating action by the operator as he drives the blades into the ground until the desired 6″ is reached. The operator then forces the handles together which separates or widens the bottom portion of the channel.The channel/trench is elongated for any distance the operator desires by repeatedly thrusting the tool into the lawn right next to the elongated section of the original opened trench. |
| US08336932B2 |
Closure system for a door opening
A closure system for a door opening includes a striker having a support plate and a striker wire, and a lock having a bolt actuated by a detent pawl and adapted to retain the striker wire in the door opening. The lock and the striker each have at least one attachment feature that is complementary and separate from the bolt and the striker wire. The striker is thus secured to the lock during the installation of the closure system on the vehicle. |
| US08336928B2 |
Cab-lock apparatus for vehicle
An operation rod includes a first rod and a second rod. A one-end portion of the first rod is connected to a lock closer to be rotationally movable. The second rod is supported so as to be slidingly movable relative to a hand lever. A connecting portion connects an opposite-end portion of the first rod and a one-end portion of the second rod to each other. The connecting portion includes: a long hole which is formed in the opposite-end portion of the first rod; and a pin which is formed on the one-end portion of the second rod and which engages with the long hole to be slidingly movable therein. While the hand lever is moving rotationally, the connecting portion allows the opposite-end portion of the first rod to move rotationally and slidingly relative to the one-end portion of the second rod. |
| US08336920B2 |
Flexible assembly for sprinklers
An assembly for connecting a sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system includes a flexible conduit having one end attached to the branch line. The opposite end is attached to the sprinkler. An adapter is positioned between the conduit and the sprinkler. A sleeve is positioned surrounding the conduit. The sleeve may have a hexagonal outer surface and rotates freely about the conduit to prevent torque from being applied to the conduit. |
| US08336915B2 |
Method of producing a booklet, data page produced by this method and booklet produced by the method
The booklet comprises a number of sheets between a cover, and each sheet has a front side and a rear side. At least one data page is provided that is joined to the cover in a fixed manner. The data page comprises a flexible layer and this flexible layer projects with an area out of a data carrier. On this area, the data page is joined to the cover and to the remaining sheets. The flexible layer is flatly joined to at least one other layer, for example, by welding or bonding and is thus inseparably bound without a mechanical joining part. |
| US08336912B2 |
Systems for and methods of facilitating a lateral maneuver by a vehicle
A system for and method of facilitating or enabling a lateral maneuver by a vehicle, including and utilizing a plurality of selectively engaged low friction components, such as rollers, bearings, balls, or high durometer high abrasion resistant low loss modulus rubber treads, and an actuator, such as at least one inflatable bladder, pivotal support strut, or active material element, drivenly coupled to the components. |
| US08336910B1 |
Active bolster with integrated tear seam
An active bolster is provided on an generally-planar interior trim panel. An invisible tear seam in the panel follows a closed path that is spaced away from a peripheral edge of the panel. An inflatable bladder has a rim bonded to the panel along an inward edge of the tear seam. A bowl-shaped reaction frame has a cavity receiving the inflatable bladder and has a rim bonded to the panel along an outward edge of the tear seam, so that the inflatable bladder is contained between the reaction frame and the interior trim panel. Inflation of the inflatable bladder causes the interior trim panel to tear at the tear seam causing the portion of the interior trim panel within the closed path to separate and expand away from the reaction frame into the passenger compartment. |
| US08336908B1 |
Insert molded TPO chute for automotive air bag system
An automotive air bag system for a vehicle includes an instrument panel substrate comprised a first moldable thermoplastic characterized by a first melting temperature. The instrument panel substrate has a substantially smooth outer surface for facing a passenger compartment of the vehicle. A chute is comprised a second moldable thermoplastic characterized by a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature. The chute includes an in-mold tear seam and a hinge for an air bag deployment door and a passageway for guiding an inflating air bag to the deployment door. The chute is attached to an inner surface of the instrument panel substrate by insert molding in which injection of the first moldable thermoplastic causes a partial melting of the second moldable thermoplastic. |
| US08336907B2 |
Interior panel component with integrated airbag cover
The object of the present invention is an internal panel component for motor vehicles comprising an integrated air bag cover (1) and a method and device for the manufacture thereof. The internal panel component is characterized in that the area of the air bag cover 91) the decorative layer (2) is adapted as a multifunctional layer that enclosed the air bag cover (1) on both sides. The manufacture of the internal panel component according to the invention is done in an at least two-stage molding tool comprising a slide (16) integrated into the molding tool core (5) in the area of the air bag cover (1), said slide being shifted for expanding the cavity (14) provided in the area of the air bag cover (1) for the formation of a decorative layer (2), said cavity being expandable up to the back side of the support (3) of the air bag cover (1). |
| US08336905B1 |
Trailer for transporting a livestock implement
The trailer apparatus of the present invention includes a frame suitable for holding and supporting a livestock implement from a position above the livestock implement and a pair of actuated wheel assemblies which can extend from a retracted position to an extended position to support the livestock implement for transport. Each wheel assembly includes an arm which has a proximate end and a distal end. Each arm of each wheel assembly is pivotably mounted to one of the side members at the proximate of the arm. Each arm of each wheel assembly has a wheel rotatably mounted to the distal end of the arm. An actuator connects between each side member of the frame and the arm of each wheel assembly. The actuators are configured and controlled to extend and retract the wheel assemblies. |
| US08336904B2 |
Modular wheelchair with in-line chassis
A modular wheelchair comprises a number of different modules that include a chassis module with frame members substantially centered along a center plane through the chassis, so that the chassis is able to lay flat when the modules are dissembled. The chassis is connected to a drive module by a single plug/receiver mechanical coupling that may include opposite end geometries. When the plug is in a seated position within the receiver, first end geometries of the two components mate mechanically to resist radial movement, while the second end geometries mate mechanically to resist both radial movement and rotation about an axis of the coupling. Additionally, axial movement in one direction is resisted, with the coupling oriented to apply gravitational force to resist axial movement in the opposite direction. The same arrangement may be used for a seat module. |
| US08336903B2 |
Multi-function binding system
A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board, such as a snowboard or wakeboard, comprising a base assembly rotatably secured to the deck of a sliding board, with a binding system operable with the base assembly to releasably secure a user to the sliding board. The base assembly comprises various components, namely an adjustment mechanism and a release mechanism, supported within a bonnet that is rotatable about a support disc designed to be secured to the sliding board via the mounting configuration of the sliding board. The binding system provides a unique and advantageous release function otherwise not available in prior related binding systems. |
| US08336899B2 |
Fork, particularly for sport motorcycles
An improved fork (1) for sport motorcycles, comprising a support group (2) suitable to be connected with the frame of the motorcycle, a pair of shock absorber arms (3, 4), which vary the position of the frame of the motorcycle in respect of the front wheel of the motorcycle itself as a result of the application of a load, each of which connected with the support group (2) and including an outer sheath (5) and a stem of force (6) slidingly and telescopically coupled one with each other, guide and support means (7), interposed between the outer sheath (5) and the stem of force (6) of the shock absorber arms (3, 4), which minimize friction between the stem of force (6) and the outer sheath (5). |
| US08336896B2 |
Vehicle with elastomeric bearing suspension system and elastomeric bearing therefor
A vehicle suspension system for large vehicles includes at least one elastomeric bearing. The bearing includes at least one substantially cylindrical elastomeric portion, at least one substantially frustospherical elastomeric portion, and at least one non-extensible shim disposed between and bonded to the substantially cylindrical elastomeric portion and the substantially frustospherical elastomeric portion. |
| US08336893B2 |
Strawberry picking cart
One example embodiment includes a system for stacking boxes in a strawberry picking cart. The system includes spring-loaded hooks, where the spring-loaded hook is configured to support a stack of full strawberry boxes, and a platform, where the platform is configured to support a bottom strawberry box. The system also includes a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is configured to lift the platform such that the bottom strawberry box is positioned below the stack of full strawberry boxes. The lifting mechanism is also configured to remove the spring-loaded hook from the stack of full strawberry boxes. The lifting mechanism is further configured to raise the bottom strawberry box until the spring-loaded hook supports the bottom strawberry box. |
| US08336890B2 |
Annular-gap seal for a valve
An annular-gap seal for a valve, blocks the fluid flow from a high-pressure side to a low-pressure side. The valve has a cylinder, through which the fluid flows and in which a piston is axially displaced. In the blocked position, an annular gap between the piston and the cylinder can be sealed by the annular gap seal, which lies in a groove that runs around the cylinder. To increase the sealing action of the gap seal, two sealing rings lie adjacent to one another mirror-symmetrically in the groove. In the blocked position, fluid from the high-pressure side causes a sealing lip of a first sealing ring that faces the low-pressure side to be pressed in a fluid-tight manner against the piston and a sealing face of the first sealing ring to be pressed in a fluid-tight manner against the wall of the groove. |
| US08336888B2 |
Gasket with engine liner accomodation
A gasket has a first active layer with a bead. A first spacer layer is located below the first active layer. An intermediate layer is provided with a wave portion. The intermediate layer is located below the first spacer layer. A bottom spacer layer is located beneath the intermediate layer. The bottom spacer may have a bead. |
| US08336882B2 |
Casino poker game
A poker game involving cards dealt to individual players and community cards used by all players, in which bets can be placed on whether a wild card is dealt into the hand of an individual player or as a community card. |
| US08336875B2 |
Bill discriminating and counting apparatus
A bill discriminating and counting apparatus in which a plurality of bills with different sizes are filled between side hopper members and fed into a transport path by a feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical state. The plurality of rollers are arranged so that, when a distance between the side hopper members is adjusted according to the longitudinal dimension of a bill with the maximum dimension in the longitudinal direction and a bill with the minimum dimension in the longitudinal direction is disposed at a position where the bill is brought into contact with one of the side hopper members, at least a part of the rollers installed on the opposite side of the side hopper member where the bill is brought into contact therewith is brought into contact with the bill. Also, the feeding mechanism comprises a guide member guiding the bill to the inlet of the transport path. The guide member comprises a guide surfaces formed so that the opening area thereof is gradually increased toward the both ends thereof, and the guide surfaces are formed so that the opening area thereof is converged to zero from the insert port toward the inlet of the transport path. |
| US08336874B2 |
Solenoid device, automatic document feeder, and image forming apparatus
A solenoid device including a plunger, a solenoid configured to cause a displacement of the plunger, and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the solenoid. The driving control unit supplies current pulses to the solenoid and changes a pulse interval of the current pulses. |
| US08336873B2 |
Media feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
A media feeding apparatus that includes a media storage device, a blowing device, a media feeding member, and a media holding member, the media storage device storing media, the blowing device blowing toward side surface of the media, the media feeding device feeding the media sequentially, and the media holding member holding the media at a substantially same position as the media feeding device with respect to the media feeding direction. |
| US08336870B2 |
Bundle-state detection apparatus and separation and extraction apparatus
According to one embodiment, a separation and extraction apparatus includes an extraction unit, separation unit, air supply mechanism, detector, and controller. The extraction unit extracts and conveys one or more paper sheets from a stack of paper sheets. The separation unit separates one paper sheet from the other paper sheet(s) of the one or more paper sheets. The air supply mechanism supplies air toward a side surface of the stack. The detector detects a bundle state of the stack, which is related to a contact state between the paper sheets. The controller sets an extraction condition depending on the bundle state, which includes drive conditions for the extraction unit, separation unit, and air supply mechanism. |
| US08336868B2 |
No-mar workpiece support
A workpiece support that presents a generally planar workpiece contacting surface having high friction, gripping pad(s) that will not mar a workpiece surface, and thus provides a versatile accessory for home hobbyists and artisans alike that protects the supported surface of the workpiece. By providing a non-marring workpiece support, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8 and 13, to support a workpiece with respect to a work bench surface, the workpiece can be kept from slipping while routing, sanding, carving and the like. It can elevate workpieces for edge work and finishing, or simply suspend and protect projects from marring during drying or between work sessions. |
| US08336866B2 |
Stage for substrate
A stage is provided on which is mounted a substrate that has a concavo-convex portion such as a circuit formed on the underside thereof. A channel 3 through which a coolant such as water flows is formed in a stage 1. An annular flange portion 4 is formed on the top surface of the stage 1. The inner side of the flange portion 4 forms a concave portion 5. The top surface of the flange portion 4 is provided with a smooth finish in order to mount a peripheral section of the underside of a substrate W thereon. Holes through which are passed three positioning pins 6 and lift pins 7 are provided in the flange portion 4 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. |
| US08336865B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for welding grounding rods
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and products are disclosed for welding ground wires to a grounding rod. A jig retains the ground wires to the grounding rod. The jig has a first horseshoe oriented to a second horseshoe to form a crucifix. Each horseshoe has a pair of legs supporting the jig from earth and providing electrical ground to the earth. A central passage bisects each horseshoe through which the grounding rod inserts. Mechanisms are included for clamping a ground wire to at least one of the legs, such that the ground wire is retained for welding to the grounding rod. |
| US08336864B2 |
Longitudinal canted coil spring contacts to facilitate assembly
A canted coil spring includes a first section having a plurality of first canted coils generally canted at an acute first angle relative to a first direction of a centerline extending through the first canted coils, and at least a second section coupled to the first section and having a plurality of second canted coils generally canted at an acute second angle relative to a second direction of the centerline extending through the second canted coils. The second direction is opposite to the first direction when the centerline is in a linear configuration. A method of manufacturing the canted coil includes fabricating a first wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of first coils, and fabricating at least a second wire section in a canted helical configuration thereby forming the plurality of second coils. The first wire section is coupled to the second wire section. |
| US08336858B2 |
Protective tube, auxilliary tool, set comprising an auxiliary tool, a piece of protective tube, and a closing element, and arrangement comprising a protective tube supply and an auxiliary tool
A protective tube which is slit in the longitudinal direction is provided with a closing element that maintains the longitudinal edges along the slit on a plane relative to one another. The closing element is a separate profiled piece, of which the cross-section has such a shape that a central web of said profiled piece is inserted between the longitudinal edges of the tube. The top face of the tube is covered by the profiled piece along the longitudinal edges, and the internal faces of the tube are supported by the profiled piece. An auxiliary tool is provided for closing such a protective tube and inserting the closing element in the tube. |
| US08336857B2 |
Method and apparatus for pulling hose
A hose puller that includes puller wheels that are motorized and configured to grip, among other things, a high pressure water hose. The hose puller further includes an idler wheel that is positioned to oppose the puller wheels. The idler wheel is spring loaded to help ensure that the hose maintains frictional relation with the puller wheels. Alternatively, the hose puller may have puller wheels shaped to grip a high pressure water hose. The hose puller also includes a camera that is configured to show images that enable the operator to control the hose puller from a remote location. |
| US08336856B2 |
Threadless quick connect tubular coupling release tool
The presently disclosed embodiment can be characterized as a threadless quick connect coupling release tool having a main body portion fixedly attached to a handle portion, and a head portion having two engagement projection fingers, the head portion being removably attached to the main body portion. An inlet port is coupled to the head portion. |
| US08336854B2 |
Valve for liquid containers
The present invention relates to a valve for liquid containers, which comprises a conduit for liquid passage having an inlet and an outlet, a closing member disposed in the conduit, which is movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator for driving the closing member. The conduit is made of a first chemically resistant thermoplastic material and the closing member is made of a second thermoplastic or thermosetting material. Particularly, all the surface of the closing member that faces the inlet in the closed position, is coated with a third thermoplastic material which is heat-sealed to said second material and has high chemical resistance. |
| US08336852B1 |
Cartridge valve and manifold assembly
A cartridge valve and valve manifold assembly having a valve manifold with at least one valve receptacle for threadlessly receiving and seating a cartridge valve. A threadless valve nose engages the cartridge valve with the manifold to provide an increased diameter central orifice for improved fluid flow. |
| US08336847B2 |
Injection co-molding and assembling method and apparatus for articles made of plastic material having parts connectable by hinging during a demolding step
Method and apparatus for injection co-molding and assembling of articles made of plastic material, the articles having a first part provided with a hinge pin, and a second part provided with an annular element designed to be connected to each other by hinging. The apparatus includes a mold having separate mold cavities for two parts of the article to be produced; a first molding member, defining the mold cavity of the pin, and a second molding member, defining the mold cavity of the annular element, are axially movable and operatively connected to cam control elements forming part of the same injection mold. The cam control elements are shaped and arranged to cause, after the opening of the mold, the automatic assembling of the plastic article, via a selective sequence of axial movements of the two molding members, during the demolding step of the molded article. |
| US08336844B2 |
Mounting system for supporting a ceiling fan assembly
A ceiling fan mounting system (10) is disclosed which includes an upper pre-mounted assembly (12) and a lower hanging assembly (13). The upper pre-mounted assembly includes a mounting plate (14) with a peripheral flange (16) having threaded mounting holes (17) therein. The upper assembly also includes a hanger (21) coupled to the mounting plate and having a stepped ball holding flange (23) with a beveled interior facing surface (24). The lower hanging assembly includes a downrod (29) coupled to a ball joint (31) and a canopy (32). The ball joint is configured to be received within the hanger ball holding flange and has a series of deformable ridges (33). The canopy includes a central opening defined by a central, stepped flange (35) adapted to receive and nest flushly against the exterior of the hanger ball holding flange. The canopy stepped flange fits flushly against the exterior of the hanger ball holding flange so as to encircle the C-shaped holding flange. |
| US08336842B2 |
Attachment apparatus for studio equipment and the like
Mounting brackets for mounting microphones, lights, video, audio and photographic tools and accessories utilized in the audio/video industry to a variety of support structures or fixtures. This invention provides quick and effective attachment of numerous audio/video devices and other paraphernalia onto a wide variety of fixtures. Convenient clamping and mounting mechanisms are disclosed, as well as a kit of such mechanisms. |
| US08336837B2 |
Universal clamp assembly
A shaped clamp member having a symmetrical four section bent flat plate configured to fit the round surface of the rod and configured to fit the surface of the square spindle, a shaped abutment member having a symmetrical three section reversible bent flat plate configured to fit round surface of the rod and reversing the second clamp member is configured to fit the surface of the square spindle, and, thus, functions to enable a universal pole clamp able to fit one or more sizes and configurations of deck railing or deck spindle or utilized to support one or more sizes and configurations of poles or round rods. |
| US08336836B2 |
Systems and methods for attaching barrier sheet material to extensible pole assemblies
A foot assembly is adapted to be detachably attached to a pole comprising a shaft portion and a ball portion. The foot assembly comprises a foot member defining a first body cavity and a clip member adapted to be detachably attached to the shaft portion of the pole assembly. With the clip member attached to the shaft portion of the pole assembly adjacent to the ball portion, the first body cavity of the foot member receives the ball portion, at least a portion of the shaft portion, and at least a portion of the clip member to detachably attach the foot member to the pole. |
| US08336831B2 |
Switch or rail box with sealing system for railway rails and methods for sealing the box
A switch or rail box for railway rails that include a system for sealing a portion of a location where the rail enters or exits the box. The sealing system includes a pair of seal plates that can be connected to an inner surface and an outer surface of the switch box, wherein the sealing plates each include a groove that conforms to and accepts a portion of a rail and in some embodiments, a rail jacket. The channel formed between the adjacent seal plates is filled with an insulating material that extends around a lower portion of the rail, thereby aiding in stray current control. Methods for sealing the switch box utilizing the sealing system are disclosed. |
| US08336830B2 |
Retractable aircraft wing tip
Apparatus and methods provide for the use of retractable aircraft wing tips to increase the wingspan of an aircraft to decrease drag and increase fuel efficiency. According to various embodiments, a flexible lifting envelope is attached to an outboard end of an aircraft wing. Upon receiving pressurized air, the flexible lifting envelope extends outward to a lift-producing configuration that extends the span of the aircraft wing to which it is attached. When deflated, the flexible lifting envelope retracts into a stowed configuration to decrease the wingspan of the aircraft to allow for parking at airport gates or to alleviate flight loads. Various implementations provide for a telescoping wing tip and for a rolled wing tip. |
| US08336823B2 |
Aircraft fuselage
An aircraft fuselage including a front part including a cockpit, a central part, and a rear part. The central part of the fuselage includes a first zone located at the front part and that increases in width to a maximum width towards the rear of the aircraft, a second zone that decreases in width, and a third zone that has an essentially constant width and is located behind the second zone, width begin measured along the pitch axis. |
| US08336821B2 |
Systems and methods for cargo compartment air conditioning using recirculated air
The present invention comprises systems and methods for providing conditioned air to a selected portion of an aircraft cabin. In one embodiment, a system includes a cargo compartment air recirculation system fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment and having an air moving device to extract air from the compartment and to transport the air to an air heating device and an air cooling device fluidly coupled to the cargo compartment. Air may be supplied from an air source. Extracted air maybe discharged overboard. A temperature control system is operably coupled to the air heating device and the air cooling device, the control system being configured to maintain a predetermined air temperature within the compartment in response to a sensed compartment temperature. |
| US08336820B2 |
Aircraft cabin floor structures, systems and methods
Structures, systems and methods provide a load-bearing aircraft flooring within an aircraft's fuselage. Load-supporting aircraft flooring systems preferably are provided with a longitudinally separated series of transverse bridges having an upper doubler flange which defines latitudinally separated upper openings, and a latitudinally separated series of beams which include an upper flange and a pair of separated depending web flanges received within respective upper openings of transverse bridges. The upper flanges and web flanges of the beams may thus be connected to the transverse bridges so as to support aircraft flooring panels connected to the beams. Seat tracks for attaching aircraft seats and/or other interior aircraft structures/monuments are preferably fixed to the upper flanges of the beams coincident with its longitudinal axis. |
| US08336814B2 |
Aircraft
An aircraft, comprising an internal combustion engine by whose drive power a propeller can be driven, wherein the internal combustion engine cooperates with an electric machine which in a first operating mode is operable as electric motor and in a second operating mode as electric generator. |
| US08336812B2 |
Engine attachment for an assembly system mounted between an attachment strut and an aircraft engine
An engine attachment for an assembly system configured to be mounted between a rigid structure of an attachment strut of an aircraft engine and an engine. The attachment includes a main body, a rudder bar on an articulated mounting on the main body by a hinge pin, and two thrust absorption rods each with one end connected to the rudder bar. The main body includes a first main brace and a second main brace superimposed on the first brace. The hinge pin is formed by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is made in one piece with the first brace and the second portion is made in one piece with the second brace. Furthermore, the braces define a stop limit surface configured to limit rotation of the rudder bar. |
| US08336811B2 |
Aircraft with its fuselage suspended under the wing
An aircraft includes a reference system including a longitudinal X axis, a vertical Z axis perpendicular to the X axis, and a lateral Y axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the X and Z axes, a fuselage, a wing affixed to an upper central part of the fuselage, a set of rear airfoils situated behind the wing, and propulsion engines mounted on the wing, where the wing, the set of rear airfoils and the propulsion engines are parts of an aero-propulsive unit forming a structure independent of the fuselage, and where the aero-propulsive unit is connected to the fuselage by a six degrees of freedom connection system using arms with lengths modified to control a position of the aero-propulsive unit relative to the fuselage along the X, Y and Z axes and in rotation about the X, Y and Z axes, during flight. |
| US08336810B2 |
System, method and apparatus for widespread commercialization of hydrogen as a carbon-free alternative fuel source
A system for efficiently transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using specially designed airships. Technologies such as geothermal, wind, solar, wave tidal or hydropower can be used to generate electricity in-situ or very near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water through various methods known in the art. Hydrogen can be delivered from the place where it is produced to the place where it is needed using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. A unique docking system can use a remotely piloted unmanned aircraft flown from the mother craft to carry a guide line into a receiving attachment point. |
| US08336809B2 |
System for controlling flight direction
An aircraft that is enabled to turn in a desired direction, and a method for controlling the flight direction of an aircraft, by employing differential drag on the respective wings. A control means that receives a control signal indicating a left turn increases the incidence angle on the left wing and reduces it on the right wing. For a right turn the opposite action is performed. The aircraft comprises airfoils that have increased drag as the incidence angle increases but have a generally constant lift. |
| US08336801B2 |
Anti-rotation system for strap dispenser outer flange
An anti-rotation system that prevents undesired rotation of an outer flange of a strap dispenser includes an anti-rotation element mounted to a shaft of the dispenser and the outer flange mounted to the anti-rotation element. The anti-rotation element and the outer flange have complementary mating surfaces such that when the shaft, on which the coil rotates, ceases rotation, the anti-rotation element, engaged with the outer flange, ceases rotation of the outer flange; thus, inertia of the coil cannot force the outer flange to rotate undesireably. A locking element abuts the outer flange to secure the flange to the anti-rotation element and a pin extends out from the shaft and inserts into a helical track in the locking element so that the pin rides in the helical track. The anti-rotation element also includes a through-bore for a fastener to secure the anti-rotation element to the shaft. |
| US08336797B2 |
Powder and granular material crushing and sizing apparatus
Provided is a powder and granular material crushing and sizing apparatus in which stators are easy to disassemble and assemble, i.e. in which disc-like rotors and stators can be cleaned and replaced easily. A drive shaft, on which a plurality of disc-like rotors are disposed, is supported in a cantilever manner on a bearing housing. A plurality of stators are disposed on a holder to make up a stator assembly. The stator assembly is detachably disposed in the bearing housing. An opening is formed in a side wall of the casing. The disc-like rotors and the stator assembly are housed via the opening, and the casing is detachably disposed on the bearing housing. ion. |
| US08336795B2 |
Silage pile defacer
A silage pile defacer includes a frame having a rear end and a front end. A transverse beam carrying a plurality of downwardly projecting tines is coupled to the front end of the frame. A quick connect coupler is mounted to the rear end of the frame for mounting the defacer to a quick hitch coupler on the lift arm mechanism of a tractor. The tines are oriented at an angle relative to the frame, allowing the tines to be generally vertically oriented relative to the ground when the defacer is elevated above a silage pile. The tines of the defacer are configured to contact the silage pile and to skive off a face layer of the silage pile when the defacer is lowered to the ground by the tractor lift arm mechanism. |
| US08336794B2 |
Paper shredder with staple and clip remover
A paper shredder comprising a housing, cutters positioned in the housing, and a feeder base adapted to support a stack of paper. The feeder base includes a feed slot and an aperture providing communication between a top surface of the feeder base and a waste area. An edge defines at least a portion of the aperture and is oriented at an angle oblique to the feeder slot. The edge can be positioned at an angle of 3 degrees to 70 degrees, and preferably at about 10 degrees relative to the feeder slot. Preferably, the edge includes a first section at an angle of between 3 degrees and 20 degrees relative to the feeder slot, and a second section at an angle of between 20 degrees and 45 degrees relative to the feeder slot. The shredder can further comprise a deflection member for deflecting clips falling into the aperture. |
| US08336786B2 |
Wireless communication device and metal article
A wireless communication device includes a wireless IC device, a dielectric substrate, and a metal plate. A radiation conductor coupled to the wireless IC device is provided on the front surface of the dielectric substrate, and a ground conductor connected to the radiation conductor through an interlayer connection conductor is provided on a back surface. The dielectric substrate is fixed to the metal plate via an insulating adhesive, and is crimped by a conductive member. The front and back surfaces of the metal plate are electrically connected to each other by the conductive member, and when a high-frequency signal is supplied from the wireless IC device, a high-frequency signal current on the front surface side of the metal plate is conducted to the back surface side of the metal plate through a surface boundary portion between the conductive member and the metal plate, and radiated as a high-frequency signal. |
| US08336783B2 |
Polymeric thread with miniature pattern and fluorescent taggant for anti-counterfeit applications and method of making same
A polymeric thread includes a transparent polymeric substrate; a first patterned layer with a miniature pattern disposed at a side of the polymeric substrate; and a first florescent layer containing a florescent taggant disposed at a side of the patterned layer that is facing away from the polymeric substrate. An authentication tag utilizing the polymeric thread and a method for making the polymeric thread are also provided. |
| US08336772B2 |
Data storage and access systems
Data storage and access systems enable downloading and paying for data such as audio and video data, text, software, games and other types of data. A portable data carrier has an interface for sending and receiving data, data memory for storing received content data, and payment validation memory for providing payment validation data to an external device. The carrier may also store a record of access made to the stored content, and content use rules for controlling access to the stored content. Embodiments store further access control data and supplementary data such as hot links to web sites and/or advertising data. A complementary data access terminal, data supply computer system, and data access device are also described. The combination of payment data and stored content data and use rule data helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access to data such as compressed music and video data, especially over the Internet. |
| US08336770B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless authorization
A system, method, apparatus, means and computer program products for conducting wireless authorization include transmitting, from a transaction terminal to a payment card device, payment transaction data associated with a purchase transaction, associating an approval code stored in the payment card device with the payment transaction data, transmitting the approval code and the payment transaction data to a payment network to initiate a settlement of the purchase transaction, and transmitting the approval code to the transaction terminal to complete the purchase transaction. |
| US08336769B2 |
Banking system operated responsive to data read from data bearing records
A banking system includes automated banking machines that operate responsive to data read from data bearing records. Transactions may also be carried out through communication with local and remote service providers. An automated banking machine is operative to conduct transactions including cash dispensing for users, responsive to data read from user cards and communication with a transaction host. The machine is also operative to provide output signals which drive external displays. A machine processor is operative to cause the machine to receive visual and/or audio content from content sources and to store data corresponding to the content. The content is then output through the external displays. |
| US08336768B2 |
Money transfer systems and methods
The present invention provides systems and methods of facilitating money transfers. The method includes receiving, at a money transfer system, access to a customer's account, establishing, at the money transfer system, a money transfer record including a recipient and an amount, and receiving, at the money transfer system, an identifier for the money transfer record. The method further includes receiving presentation of the identifier at an input device of the money transfer system and authorizing a money transfer associated with the money transfer record. |
| US08336766B1 |
Banking system controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records
An automated banking machine is part of a banking system that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. A card account's status is listed in a data store as either blocked or unblocked for use in approving transactions on the account. A requested transaction on an account cannot be carried out by the machine unless the account has an unblocked status. Read card data is sent from the machine to a remote card security computer which can determine the card account status from the data store. If the account is unblocked, then the machine can continue with the requested transaction and seek transaction approval from a transaction host computer associated with the machine. |
| US08336765B1 |
Automated banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records
An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out banking transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of AC power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out certain exception instructions when disconnected from its power source and/or network connection. |
| US08336762B1 |
Payment transaction processing
At least one datum is received from a point of sale terminal indicating an event that has occurred with respect to the terminal. A usage statistic is calculated for a specified period of time based on at least (1) a predetermined value relating to the event, and (2) at least one of (a) a number of transactions processed by the terminal in the specified period and (b) an amount of time that the terminal was in a sleep mode. |
| US08336754B2 |
Locking articulation mechanism for surgical stapler
A surgical stapler is provided and comprises a handle assembly, an elongated body, an articulable tool assembly, and an articulation mechanism. The articulation mechanism has: a main shaft member connected to an articulation linkage; a retainer having an opening for receiving a shaft portion of the main shaft member; a cam lock having cam locking surfaces and a locking tab; a locking cover defining recesses for receiving the locking tab; an articulation handle having cam surfaces configured to engage the cam locking surfaces of the cam lock. |
| US08336753B2 |
Staple drive assembly
A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing. |
| US08336749B2 |
Single switched dual firing condition combustion nailer
A combustion tool is provided, including a combustion power source with a reciprocating valve sleeve moving between a rest position in which a combustion chamber is open, and a closed position in which the combustion chamber is sealed, a control system operatively connected to the power source, and a trigger switch connected to the control system and providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured such that operator manipulation of the trigger switch is the only operator initiated movement required for initiating repetitive spark generation. |
| US08336748B2 |
Fastener driver with driver assembly blocking member
A device for driving a plurality of fasteners includes a driver assembly having a drive block, a flywheel and a driver mount. The driver mount is configured to move between a first position where the flywheel is removed from the drive block and a second position where the flywheel engages the drive block. The device also includes a work contact element configured to move between an extended position and a depressed position. A blocking arm is connected to the work contact element and configured to move with the work contact element. The blocking arm is positioned in a path of movement of the driver mount when the work contact element is in the extended position. The blocking arm is removed from the path of movement of the driver mount when the work contact element is in the depressed position. |
| US08336745B2 |
Dispensing closure having a flow conduit with key-hole shape
A dispensing closure has a key-hole shaped flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper and lower deck, inner and outer skirt, and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The flow conduit includes including two or more vertically oriented walls and a bottom wall. The vertically oriented walls define a fluid trapping area and a partition wall depending downwardly from said upper deck. The bottom wall configured and arranged to be positioned along a horizontal axis. The flow conduit includes one entrance orifice having one entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is stepped or offset from the exit axis whereby the flow conduit provides a non-linear flow path of product from an interior of the closure to an exterior of the closure. |
| US08336736B2 |
Flow control and manifold assembly
A device for controlled delivery of pressurized fluids from a multiplicity of pressurize fluid sources having a multiplicity of pressurized fluid lines engaged therewith to a bar gun. The device comprises a flow control assembly with a multiplicity of flow channel assemblies. Each flow channel assembly has a high pressure tube receiving port adapted to receive a fluid pressure line from a high pressure fluid source. Each flow control assembly has an on/off valve and flow control structure downstream thereof. The flow control structure may be self-adjusting or mechanical control. The flow control assembly includes a housing for engaging the fluid flow channel assemblies thereon. A manifold assembly is adapted to engage the flow control assembly. The manifold assembly includes a multiplicity of connector fittings, each having an upstream and a downstream end. The upstream end is adapted to slideably receive the outlet ports of the fluid flow channel assemblies and the downstream end is designed to engage a fluid line. A multiplicity of fluid lines engage a sheath tube assembly which usually includes a sheath tube which, at a removed end, is adapted to engage a bar gun. The flow control assembly and manifold assembly include a release member for releasably engaging the tube. |
| US08336735B2 |
Dropper for use at night or in other low-light conditions
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to droppers that can be used at nighttime or in low-light conditions. |
| US08336731B2 |
Method and apparatus for rotationally restraining a mixing container
A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support. The off-set between each of the anti-rotation elements is an angle other than 180°. |
| US08336730B2 |
Protective seal applied to a beverage can and a process of applying a protective seal to beverage cans after canning the beverage
A protective seal for application onto a beverage can, which is capable by virtue of its geometric configuration of providing efficient sealing against possible contamination that may come into contact with the upper outer portion of the can, and providing high resistance to penetration of substances and/or contaminants onto the can surface by virtue of the cooperation of compressive forces exerted by the surfaces of the protective seal onto the can. |
| US08336729B2 |
Thermal barrier liner for containers
A thermal barrier liner is preferably spray coated onto the internal surface of a container. The liner is provided in embodiments including a closed cell substrate, a base layer having gas or liquid filled microcapsules, a base layer having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. For the closed cell substrate embodiment, when the liner is under pressure within the container prior to the container being opened, the liner maintains a minimum thickness. When the container is opened and as pressure is released within the container, the liner expands to achieve equilibrium. The liner can be supplemented with a foaming agent to create cellular structures. Voids created by the microcapsules enhance the thermal barrier characteristics of the liner. The phase change material changes phase from a solid to a liquid state upon absorbing heat. |
| US08336728B2 |
Ventable resealing can end closure
A can end for a container has a metallic main portion and a polymeric separable cap. The metallic main portion is positioned about a longitudinal axis and has a curl defining a radially outer perimeter of the can end. A center panel is joined to the curl. A dispensing aperture is in the center panel, and a plurality of projections extend radially inwardly into the dispensing aperture. The polymeric separable cap is in the dispensing aperture and has a plurality of angled channels. The channels have an entry portion opposite a terminal end and a vent region therebetween. |
| US08336725B2 |
Sealing device for a container
A one-piece re-sealable sealing device (210) for use with a container (212), operable between a closed position and an open position in which, when the sealing device (210) is in the closed position it forms a folded shape comprising an upper part (240), a middle part (230) and a base part (220), hinged together. The sealing device (210) further comprises a lever (245,226,224) both for levering the sealing device (210) from the closed position to the open position, and for pivoting the sealing device (210) from the open position to the closed position to re-seal the container. |
| US08336720B2 |
Illusion storage rack
A storage rack is provided that exhibits an optical illusion that some of the items stored in the rack have disappeared in all or in part. |
| US08336719B2 |
Rack frame
A rack frame includes a bottom frame defining a first opening on an outer side, a strengthening board fixed on the bottom frame, and a strengthening leg fixed on the strengthening board. The strengthening board includes a baseboard and an upright board extending from a edge of the baseboard. The upright board defines a third opening. The upright board is fixed on the outer side of the bottom frame. The strengthening leg includes a diagonal supporting portion fixed on the baseboard, and a received portion horizontally extending from a top edge of the diagonal supporting portion. The received portion is received in the third and first openings. The diagonal supporting portion defines a fourth opening for fixing the strengthening leg on the strengthening board manually. |
| US08336718B2 |
Centrifugal separation-use device
The present invention provides a centrifugal separation-use device capable of maintaining a centrifugal separation-use container in a clean state easily at low cost even when centrifugal separation treatment is carried out using a centrifugal separator in an unclean field. A centrifugal separation-use device 1 for collecting a target component by subjecting a solution containing multiple components to centrifugal separation treatment comprises an inner container 10 having a cylindrical section 12 for accommodating the solution and a plug 14 for hermetically sealing the cylindrical section and configured so as to accommodate the solution in a hermetically sealed state, and an outer container 20 having a support section 22 for removably accommodating the cylindrical section and a delivery section 24 for exposing part of the inner container so that the inner container can be removed, and configured so as to accommodate the inner container in a hermetically sealed state. |
| US08336715B2 |
Banknote processing device
The banknote processing device 100 includes a first upper stacking unit 102a that is provided at an upper position of the banknote processing device and stacks rejected notes; a second upper stacking unit 102b that is provided adjacent to the first upper stacking unit and stacks banknotes other than the rejected notes; first to fourth lower stacking units 106a-106d that are arranged in parallel at lower positions of the banknote processing device and stack banknotes of at least one specific denomination; and a controller 111 that controls the transport unit to transport the banknote to the first upper stacking unit when a recognition result is a rejected note, and to transport the banknote to one of the second upper stacking unit and the first to fourth lower stacking units when the recognition result is not a rejected note. |
| US08336713B2 |
Packaging container, blank and method of forming a packaging container
A packaging container (10; 100) for transporting and displaying a plurality of individually packaged products (25; 25′) is formed from a blank and comprises at least a base (14; 14′) and side walls (20, 22; 20′, 22′). Tabs (60; 102, 104) are provided along opposing side walls and project into the interior volume for contact with products (25; 25′) to hold them in an upright or display position. Each tab (60; 102, 104) comprises a portion of the side wall which is bent inwardly out of the plane of the side wall about a fold line (62; 62′) leaving an aperture in the side wall. Prior to bending, each tab is surrounded about its free edge(s) by a cut-out (63, FIG. 4) such that the surface area of the tab is less than the surface area of the aperture. |
| US08336711B2 |
Case for rolled object
A rolled object whose core juts from the respective end portions is housed. End face wall components which support the core so as to horizontally suspend the rolled object and side wall components which connect the end face wall components with each other and cause the end face components to be provided on the respective sides of the rolled object in horizontal directions are provided. Each of the side wall components has a vertically-provided planar wall portion and a jutting portion which is formed horizontally across the wall portion at a vertical central portion of the wall portion and juts to be able to surface-contact a circumferential surface of the rolled object. |
| US08336710B2 |
Safety drill bit suspension structure
A safety drill bit suspension structure is provided for safe suspension and exhibition of a drill bit and includes a suspension board and a carrier seat pivoted thereto. The carrier seat includes a semi-tubular base and a cover connected thereto at a bottom so that the cover can be turned over to cover and close the base to collectively form a tubular structure of carrier seat. The base forms therein a positioning ring for positioning of an inserted tool. The cover forms in a central portion thereof a resiliently deflectable retention tab, whereby when a drill bit is inserted into the carrier seat, a positioning cavity formed in a surface of the drill bit may receive the positioning cavity to resilient engage therewith for retaining. To remove the drill bit, a connection element that fixes the cover is cut off to allow the drill bit to be removed. |
| US08336708B2 |
System and container for organizing and carrying tools and tool sets
Systems and containers for organizing and carrying tools and tool sets are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed to systems and containers for efficiently organizing tools for specific work tasks, such as gunsmith tools, etc. In one embodiment, a container for carrying and organizing tools includes a housing having a base portion and a lid portion. The lid portion can be pivotally attached to the base portion. The container can also include a plurality of recesses disposed in an internal portion of the container in a recess pattern. The recesses can be configured to releasably retain the tools in the housing. The container also includes an insertable tool position guide having a plurality of images in an image pattern, wherein the image pattern can correspond to the recess pattern. In addition to tool positional information, the tool position guide can also communicate tool identification information. |
| US08336706B2 |
Cap assembly having storage chamber for secondary material with movable working member
A cap assembly having a storage chamber for a secondary ingredient, which is adapted to a mouth of a container, comprising: a body having a mouth; a chamber part having a storage space for secondary ingredient in the body and a hole formed at the lower end thereof; said chamber part is sealed by a movable working member and is opened when the movable working member is removed from the hole upon removing the cap so that the secondary ingredient may be mixed with the first ingredient in the container, said the movable working member being adapted to maintain the opened hole, after moving to open the hole, thereby effectively mixing of the different ingredients. |
| US08336702B2 |
Reversible tensioning device, as for a conveyor
A tensioner for applying force to a device to be tensioned is configurable for applying force in different directions and comprises: a mounting plate having a guide; a slidable member slidable relative to the guide of the mounting plate for receiving a support for a device to be tensioned; a spring for being coupled to the mounting plate and to the slidable member, wherein the spring urges the slidable member in one direction when coupled to the mounting plate and to the slidable member in a first configuration and urges the slidable member in an opposite direction when coupled to the mounting plate and to the slidable member in a second configuration. The tensioner configurations enable the tensioner either to pull or to push the support for the device to be tensioned. |
| US08336701B2 |
Skid for supporting an object, and transfer station, drive unit, drive system and conveyor installation for such skids
A skid for supporting at least one object which is conveyable in a conveying direction inside a conveyor installation comprises at least two support runners disposed parallel to one another. Running means different from the support runners are fastened to the skid. In addition, a transfer station for transferring an above-mentioned skid from conveying means to a guide structure is specified. Also specified are a self-propelling drive unit with a chassis and a coupling device by means of which a skid can be coupled detachably to the chassis, a drive system for driving a skid and a conveyor installation, in which a drive unit is provided inside a conveying area. |
| US08336700B2 |
Transport system for moving a plurality of containers through a plurality of work stations
An apparatus for transporting a plurality of containers through a plurality of work stations including at least two conveyor assemblies, each conveyor assembly being adapted to sequentially convey at least one group of containers therealong in a row from one work station to another. The apparatus further includes a plurality of holder assemblies for holding the containers, some of the holder assemblies being associated with one of the conveyor assemblies and some of the holder assemblies being associated with the other conveyor assembly. The holder assemblies are located on the respective conveyor assemblies such that the plurality of containers are positioned adjacent to each other as they move through the plurality of work stations. A computer control system is programmable to control the coordinated operation of the conveyor assemblies so as to move such conveyor assemblies at different cycles of movement as the containers move through the work stations. |
| US08336699B2 |
Chip sorting devices, components therefor and methods of ejecting chips
Chip sorting devices and methods of ejecting chips from chip wells are disclosed. In some embodiments, chip sorting devices may include at least one chip ejection unit including at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of at least one channel of a chip conveying unit and a second position within the at least one channel. In additional embodiments, a chip sorting device may include a separating wheel comprising a plurality of chip wells, each chip well configured to hold a plurality of chips. In yet additional embodiments, methods of ejecting a chip from a chip well may include urging a selected chip out of the chip well with the at least one finger member and at least one wall segment of a trailing segmented wall of the chip well. |
| US08336698B2 |
Money item acceptor
A method and system for accepting money items. The method for accepting money items comprises generating a money item signal that corresponds to a money item under test, determining a level of risk of a fraud attempt, and determining a fraud attempt based on the level of risk. The method further comprises generating a transformed money item signal as a function of the level of risk and the money item signal in response to determining the fraud attempt. The method further comprises comparing the transformed money signal to window limit values to generate a result and accepting or rejecting the money item based on the result. |
| US08336697B2 |
Device health monitoring for gaming machines
A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered. |
| US08336696B2 |
Friction clutch for transmitting torque
A friction clutch for transmitting torque from a rotor, which can be driven about an axis S, to an element which is to be driven, including a friction disk clutch having an electromagnet arrangement which includes a coil and a magnetically conductive portion including a web section lying radially on the outside with respect to the axis S and a web section lying radially on the inside and oriented axially, and permanent magnets via which an axially movable friction section of the friction disk clutch is magnetically connected to the rotor. When the electromagnetic arrangement is in an electrically switched on state, a bearing of the friction section against the rotor is eliminated by attenuating the magnetic attraction effect of the permanent magnets. |
| US08336694B2 |
Bicycle hub assembly with quickly switching function
A hub assembly includes a shaft, a hub mounted on the shaft and having a plurality of locking grooves, a driven ring mounted in the hub and having a plurality of oneway ratchet teeth, a drive seat rotatably mounted on the shaft, a drive ring mounted on the drive seat and received in the driven ring, a plurality of pawl members mounted on the drive ring and meshing with the oneway ratchet teeth, a sprocket secured on the drive seat, and a control ring slidably mounted on the drive seat and having a plurality of locking blocks releasably locked in the locking grooves. Thus, a user only needs to move the control ring to switch the operation modes of the bicycle between a normal riding and an acrobatic performance so that the user can change the two operation modes easily and quickly. |
| US08336693B2 |
Bicycle hub
A bicycle hub comprises: a housing, a driving base in the housing, and an engaging unit for the driving base to drive the housing in a single direction. The engaging unit consists of several claws and elastic elements surrounding thereon. Each of the elastic elements is an arc hook and urges against the corresponding claw. The claws thus enable the driving base to drive the housing. |
| US08336687B2 |
Vibration control apparatus, wind turbine generator and vibration control method
It is intended to provide a vibration control apparatus that can be installed in a small pace and can be produced at low cost, as well as a wind turbine generator equipped with the vibration control apparatus and a vibration control method. The vibration control apparatus 7 includes a first vibration system 10 of inverted-pendulum type, second vibration systems 20 of inverted-pendulum type which are provided on both sides of the first vibration system 10, a restraining unit 30 which restrains a first weight 11 of the first vibration system 10 and a second weight 21 of the second vibration system 20 and a damper which damps vibration of the first weight 11 and the second weight 21. The vibration control apparatus 7 is installed on an upper floor 8a of a plurality of floors 8. |
| US08336682B2 |
Ventilated brake disk and method
A vehicle brake disk is disclosed that can include an outer friction member having a first thickness in cross-section, and an inner friction member having a second thickness in cross-section that is thicker than the first thickness in cross-section of the outer friction member. A plurality of vanes can connect the outer friction member to the inner friction member, and a connection cylinder portion can connect the outer friction member to a hub member for connection to a wheel of the vehicle. The vanes can be configured to have different lengths. The vanes can alternate in length about the periphery of the brake disk, with a uniform location of the end portions at an outer periphery of the brake disk and alternating locations of other end portions at an inner periphery of the brake disk. |
| US08336678B2 |
Touch based elevator call panel
The present invention presents a call panel of an elevator or of an elevator system including one or more display elements, a front plate covering the call panel, in connection with which front plate a touch sensor is fitted, and also a control unit to which the display elements and also the touch sensor are connected. The detection area of the touch sensor covers both an active area, and a passive area, where the active area additionally utilizes display elements, while the passive area lacks display capability and remains outside at least some of the aforementioned active area, in which one or more touch-sensitive pushbuttons are disposed in the passive area. The control unit is arranged to react to a touch of the touch-sensitive pushbuttons specified for the aforementioned detection area. |
| US08336671B2 |
Soundproofing cover and method of manufacturing same
A soundproofing cover that has a sufficiently high soundproofing performance and that allows another member to be reliably attached to the soundproofing cover with a screw-fastening structure is provided. The soundproofing cover includes a cover body, a sound absorbing layer made of a urethane foam and formed integrally with the back surface of the cover body, and a nut member having a threaded hole that opens at both sides of the nut member in an axial direction. The nut member is embedded in the cover body in a manner such that an opening of the threaded hole in the nut member at a first end in the axial direction opens at a front surface of the cover body and an opening of the threaded hole at a second end in the axial direction is blocked by a blocking portion that is formed integrally with the cover body. |
| US08336669B2 |
Steering apparatus
Low cost construction of a steering apparatus is provided that is capable of protecting an operator's knees 28 during an automobile collision. A tilted plate 30 is arranged below and behind a bottom end section of a housing 21 which is a component of an electric power assist mechanism 20 connected to a front end section of a steering column 9. In case that the automobile is in a collision, automobile equipment 29 that moves forward under pressure from the driver's knees hits against a bottom surface of the tilted plate. This allows the impact energy to be absorbed by the elasticity or deformation of the tilted plate 30 during impact, and after impact as well, the automobile equipment 29 to move in a direction along the bottom surface of the tilted plate. |
| US08336665B1 |
Concealment apparatus for ignition interlock devices
A concealment apparatus for ignition interlock devices includes a container that has a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall separating the top and the bottom. The at least one sidewall includes a screen opening for viewing at least a screen of an ignition interlock device. The container can resemble a beverage container, such as a mug, a tumbler, a can, a sports bottle, or a thermos. An ignition interlock concealment system includes a concealment apparatus and an ignition interlock device contained therein. |
| US08336660B2 |
Snowmobile
A snowmobile includes a vehicle body, a track belt, an engine, a left-and-right pair of skis, a suspension mechanism, and a steering mechanism. The track belt is located on a lower portion of the vehicle body. The engine drives the track belt. The suspension mechanism is a mechanism arranged to support the pair of skis so as to move in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body, and to support the pair of skis in an associated manner so that one of the skis moves downwards relative to the vehicle body when the other ski moves upwards relative to the vehicle body. The steering mechanism is a mechanism arranged to steer the pair of skis. |
| US08336658B2 |
Augmented vehicle seat mount
A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle. |
| US08336657B2 |
Support structure for inverter system controller module
A hybrid-electric vehicle has an engine compartment defined by a transverse rail extending generally parallel to a lateral axis of the vehicle, first and second side rails extending forwardly from the transverse rail, and a hood extending over the engine compartment. A hybrid-electric transmission is located in the engine compartment and an inverter system controller module (ISCM) is supported on an equipment shelf extending between the hybrid electric transmission and the hood. The equipment shelf includes an inclined portion attached to the transverse rail and extending upwardly and forwardly at an oblique angle; a generally horizontal tray projecting forwardly from the inclined portion above the hybrid electric transmission; and a lateral brace extending from a forward end of the tray laterally to the first side rail. The junction between the inclined portion and the tray forms a deformation trigger that absorbs crash loads. |
| US08336656B2 |
ECU arrangement structure for a vehicle
An engine controller structure for a vehicle, can include a duct cover having a box-like portion on a vehicle body front side thereof. The box-like portion can include an opening formed therein, and can be configured to have an intake duct of an engine connected thereto. The duct cover can be configured to be positioned sidewardly of an engine. An engine control unit can be disposed on the inside of the duct cover. The opening, configured to be connected to the intake duct, can be configured such that the intake duct is connected to an air cleaner box attached to a vehicle body rear side of the engine. The intake duct can shaped so as to be extended to a vehicle body front side from the air cleaner box. |
| US08336650B2 |
Vehicle crane with a bogie and a superstructure
The vehicle crane comprises a truck carrier and a superstructure in which the driving of the superstructure function is carried out by means of hydraulic pumps in the truck carrier, and the hydraulic pumps are driven by a distributor gear unit which is arranged in the truck carrier and to which the output shaft of the vehicle drive is connected. |
| US08336649B2 |
Drill bit for earth boring
Embodiments of the present invention include a drill bit configured for boring holes or wells into the earth. Embodiments include a drill bit comprised of a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes one or more holes therethrough configured to receive a cutter that is secured therein. The cutters are secured in the hole with a removable securing device that typically prevents the cutters from being removed when the drill bit is in use but allow the cutters to be removed from the holes when the drill bit is not in use. |
| US08336646B2 |
Hybrid bit with variable exposure
An earth boring drill bit comprising a bit body having a bit profile including nose, shoulder, and gage sections; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the body and defining a fixed cutter profile; and a roller cone rotatably secured to the body, the roller cone having a plurality of roller cone cutting elements defining a roller cutter profile, wherein the fixed cutter profile extends beyond the roller cutter profile in at least one of the sections and the roller cutter profile extends beyond the fixed cutter profile in at least one of the sections. The roller cutter profile may extend beyond the fixed cutter profile in the shoulder and gage sections, possibly with the fixed cutter profile extending beyond the roller cutter profile in the nose section and/or a cone section. |
| US08336644B2 |
Rod coupling having a pin
The invention relates to a rod coupling for rod segments for use in horizontal earth boring, wherein the ends of the rod segments can be interconnected and are fixed by means of a cross pin. |
| US08336641B2 |
Electric tool
The present invention relates to a power tool comprises an adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism comprising a station element defining at least a first engaged member, and an adjusting member rotated about a axis and driving the first engaged member to move elastically along the axis, wherein a frequency increase mechanism is disposed between the adjusting member and the station element, the frequency increase mechanism coupled to the first engage member, the frequency of the elastic moving of the first engage member increases when the adjusting member rotates about the axis. Because the adjusting mechanism can increase the sound frequency, so it can make precision and dense sound and remind of the operator when the adjusting member rotated. |
| US08336628B2 |
Pressure equalizing a ball valve through an upper seal bypass
A pressure equalizing system allows flow past an upper seal on a movable member downhole that in turn allows pressure to be delivered from uphole into what had previously been an isolated low pressure zone. The pressure differential across the member is equalized before attempting to move the member into another position. The member is a ball in a ball valve for subterranean use. |
| US08336627B2 |
Retrievable inflow control device
A retrievable flow control device comprising a housing configured to sealably couple with a completion component. The housing may comprise a first port and a second port establishing a fluid pathway. The fluid pathway may regulate a fluid flow as the fluid flow passes through the fluid pathway. The housing may further comprise a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple with a corresponding feature of the wellbore completion. The downhole flow control device may be configured to be retrievable independently of the completion component. The flow control device may comprise a check valve in the fluid pathway in order to substantially constrain the fluid flow to a single direction. In some cases, the flow control device may be configured to couple with a side pocket. In other cases, a concentric flow control device may be configured to couple with a screen base pipe, tubing, or stinger. |
| US08336625B2 |
Fracturing/gravel packing tool with variable direction and exposure exit ports
A fracturing/gravel packing tool with variable direction and exposure exit ports. A system for delivering an erosive flow into a subterranean well includes a port displacing in the well while the erosive flow passes through the port. Various displacement devices may be used in the system to displace the port. |
| US08336621B2 |
Energy efficient, low emissions shale oil recovery process
A process for the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced. |
| US08336614B2 |
Movable rotary well drilling rig
A movable well drilling rig for drilling either on-shore or off-shore new in-line arranged oil, gas, mineral and water wells or for servicing in-line non-productive wells with well heads emerging from ground by at least three meters where the rig has a drilling mast supporting a vertically upward and downward movable drilling rotary head, where the drilling mast is operatively associated at least a pipe and drilling bit and stabilizer container, pipe and drilling bit and stabilizer element gripping and loader devices as well as driving motors, and a control operator, cab and auxiliary servicing devices, wherein all the above components are operatively supported either on a ground movable substructure or on a floating platform. |
| US08336604B2 |
Manufacturing method for a multi-channel copper tube, and manufacturing apparatus for the tube
This manufacturing apparatus for a multi-channel tube having a plurality of parallel channels includes: a crucible; and a die set for forming the multi-channel tube from molten copper supplied from the crucible, the die set including: a hollow portion having an inner surface shaped like the profile of the multi-channel tube; punches which are inserted into the hollow portion from an inlet end of the hollow portion to define a space between the inner surface of the hollow portion and each of the punches; and a feed passage which is disposed between the crucible and the space, and configured to feed the molten copper from the crucible to the space, the molten copper being supplied from the crucible to the space within the die set through the feed passage to solidify as it passes through the hollow portion. |
| US08336599B2 |
System and method for enhancing chaplet fusion
System and method for fusing a chaplet to a casting. The method includes placing the chaplet on an upper surface of a mold; distributing a heater around the chaplet such that the heater is not exposed to the casting; placing a core on the chaplet such that the mold and the core define a component of a machine; heating the chaplet with the heater to a predetermined temperature; and pouring the casting in the mold, around the core and the chaplet, when the chaplet is at the predetermined temperature. |
| US08336593B2 |
Pneumatic tire
There is provided a pneumatic tire capable of improving high-speed durability and noise characteristics.The pneumatic tire has a belt-reinforcing structure 10 radially outwardly of belt plies 8 and 9, the belt-reinforcing structure 10 having organic fiber cords n spirally wound in the circumferential direction T of the tire. The belt-reinforcing structure 10 has an end reinforcement layer 10B disposed radially outwardly of each end region BE of the belt plies 8 and 9. The end reinforcement layer 10B has a two-layer structure in which its organic fiber cord nb formed of a hybrid cord is spirally wound from the axially inner side of the tire toward the axially outer side of the tire, is turned in an opposite direction at an edge 10e of the belt-reinforcing structure and is spirally wound from the axially outer side of the tire toward the axially inner side of the tire, and in which the opposite edges of the organic fiber cord nb are away inwardly in the axial direction of the tire from the edge 10e of the belt-reinforcing structure. |
| US08336591B2 |
Pneumatic tire with rubber component containing carboxymethylcellulose
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: at least one diene based elastomer; and a reinforcing amount of at least two fillers comprising carboxymethylcellulose and at least one of silica and carbon black. |
| US08336590B2 |
Heavy duty pneumatic tire
It aims to provide a heavy duty pneumatic tire with block patterns and capable of improving deflected wear resisting performances without sacrificing wet grip performances or on-snow performances and that can particularly be favorably used for all seasons. The present invention comprises block patterns employing at least three types of blocks 4 comprised of central blocks 4C delimited by the central longitudinal groove 2M, the intermediate longitudinal grooves 2M, and the central lateral grooves 3C, intermediate blocks 4M delimited by the intermediate longitudinal grooves 2M, the outer longitudinal grooves 2S and the intermediate lateral grooves 3M, and outer blocks 4S that are delimited by outer longitudinal grooves 2S, outer lateral grooves 3S that extend from this outer longitudinal grooves 2S to the tread ends E, and wherein longitudinal length ratios (L4/W4) of blocks 4, groove width ratios of longitudinal grooves and lateral grooves (w2/w3), maximum widths of blocks, minimum widths of blocks and ratios thereof (W4max/W4min), and circumferential edge components and tire axial edge components and ratios thereof (EC/EL) at respective stages of wear are defined to be within specified ranges. |
| US08336587B2 |
Connectors for fluid containers
This document provides connectors such as a connector for enabling fluid transfer between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, which connector comprises a first component that is arranged to be connected to a first fluid container and a second component that is arranged to be connected to a second fluid container. The first component can be non-rotatably connected to the second component before a second fluid container is connected to the second component and/or before a first fluid container is connected to the first component. The connector can comprise a locking and rotation-enabling element that is arranged to be activated once a second fluid container has been connected to the second component, and/or once a first fluid container has been connected to the first component, which locking and rotation-enabling element enables the first component and the second component to rotate freely with respect to one another. |
| US08336586B2 |
Loading sleeve and method for loading chemical reactor tubes
A loading sleeve and method for loading pellets into chemical reactor tubes where the length of the loading sleeve is greater than the clearance above the upper tube sheet. The loading sleeve includes a rigid upper sleeve portion and a rigid lower sleeve portion extending downwardly from the upper sleeve portion and means for holding the upper and lower sleeve portions together in both an aligned position, in which their longitudinal axes are aligned, and in an unaligned position, in which the longitudinal axes are at a substantial angle relative to each other. The method includes bending the loading sleeve at a hinge means, inserting the lower portion of the loading sleeve into the chemical reactor tube, then straightening the loading sleeve and inserting the upper sleeve portion into the chemical reactor tube. |
| US08336584B2 |
Kitchen storage bag filling apparatus
A kitchen storage bag filling device including a resilient sheet of water-resistant material having an interior portion and an exterior portion, separated by a pre-scored arc. A user grips and squeezes the interior portion of the sheet to bend the sheet along the pre-scored arc, thereby creating a free-standing funnel-like structure. The interior portion is inserted into a plastic bag and the plastic bag is held open to increase the ease of filling the bag with liquid or solid material. |
| US08336579B2 |
Emergency disconnection system
An emergency disconnection system for a fluid loading arm includes two valves, a collar which when closed secures the valves together and which when opened allows the valves to disconnect from each other, and an actuator which includes a single rod which is movable axially over a length of travel. A first jack moves the rod over a first portion of its travel to close the two valves and a second jack moves the rod over a remaining portion of its travel to open the collar. The first and second jacks are independently controllable and positioned substantially coaxially relative to each other. |
| US08336577B2 |
Pressurized gas containing system
A pressurized gas containing system has a cowling and mounting ring which supports a valve and regulator on a cylinder containing gas under pressure. |
| US08336575B2 |
Fluid pressure control device
A fluid pressure regulating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having a first bore diameter, a second bore diameter, a fluid inlet for receiving fluid at an unregulated pressure, and a fluid outlet for discharging fluid at a regulated pressure. A shuttle assembly is located in the chamber, the shuttle assembly including a valve that is in fluid communication with both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a first sealing member located at an upper portion of the shuttle assembly and a second sealing member located at a lower portion of the shuttle assembly. An unregulated pressure zone communicates with the fluid inlet, a regulated pressure zone communicates with the fluid outlet and a fluid pressure control zone communicates with a portion of the shuttle assembly, the fluid pressure control zone controlling the regulated pressure at the fluid outlet. |
| US08336572B2 |
Double seat valve with seat cleaning
The invention relates to a double seat valve which is capable of cleaning the seat. The double seat valve includes a closing element (4), when in its closed position rests with a stop surface (4e), arranged on a boundary surface thereof radially adjacent on an inner side to a seal (7), on a second seating surface (2b) and directly adjacent to a first seating surface (2a, 2g) with a central recess (4d) provided in a front face of the closing element (4) facing a leakage cavity (5). The closing element (4) further includes a deflector surface (4b) opening in a front face (4c), wherein the deflector surface (4b) and the slop surface (4e) form a circumferential edge (U2) directly adjacent to a first end section (2g) of the first seating surface (2a) in the closed position of the closing element (4). |
| US08336570B2 |
High-pressure fluid conduit
A high-pressure fluid conduit that conducts high-pressure fluid from a high-pressure fluid source to a high-pressure fluid container. This high-pressure fluid conduit has a safety feature that is activated when the high-pressure fluid conduit fails due to exposure to a predetermined force. The safety feature is activated by the fracture of an annular ring that is positioned at either end of the high-pressure fluid conduit and is calibrated to fracture when exposed to the predetermined force. Fracture of the annular ring closes valves at each end of the high-pressure fluid conduit, thereby stopping the flow of high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source as well as the escape of high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid container. |
| US08336567B2 |
Operation system for umbrellas
An operation system for umbrellas includes a multiple-section shaft with a top cap connected to a top thereof and the top cap has a first extension which includes a flexible part formed thereto. A protrusion extends from a distal end of the flexible part. A runner is movably mounted to the shaft and the first extension. The runner has a second extension which has a positioning hole so as to receive the protrusion to stop the runner from moving downward. A hollow sleeve is movably mounted to the second extension and drives the runner to move along the shaft. The sleeve has a compressing member to compress the protrusion inward to disengage the protrusion from the positioning hole when folding the umbrella. |
| US08336559B2 |
Hair extension system
A hair extension system provides a skin weft of flexible material having hair like fibers uniformly displaced thereon. Micro rings are fixed to the skin weft and provide an anchoring feature for strands of human hair from a scalp to be secured thereto. The micro rings are deformable and include a flexible protectant so as to minimize damage to the strands of hair. The hair system may be reused by re-opening the micro rings and reinstalling the hair extension system to another location. |
| US08336557B2 |
Smokeless compressed tobacco product for oral consumption
A consumable compressed tobacco product adapted to dissolve in an oral cavity. The compressed tobacco product is formed from a composition that includes at least one tobacco component, at least one flavorant, at least one filler-binder, at least one lubricant, at least one desiccant and at least one glidant. The compressed tobacco products are adapted to dissolve and provide tobacco satisfaction. A method of making a dissolvable compressed tobacco product is also provided. |
| US08336556B2 |
Surgical clip applier and method of assembly
A method of assembling any one of a relatively small, medium and large clip applier for delivering relatively small, medium and large clips includes providing a housing for a handle assembly, selecting a channel assembly, connecting the channel assembly to the housing, providing a pusher bar in the selected channel assembly that extends to the handle assembly, and connecting a motion multiplier system to the pusher bar. The channel assembly is selected from a first channel assembly containing small surgical clips, a second channel assembly containing medium surgical clips, and a third channel assembly containing large surgical clips. Each channel assembly has an associated stroke length. The motion multiplier system varies the stroke of the pusher bar in accordance with the associated stroke length such that, upon firing, the pusher bar is translated the associated stroke length to load one of the clips into jaws of the clip applier. |
| US08336552B2 |
Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
The present invention comprises systems, methods and devices for the delivery of compositions for occluding or of elements for opening conduits. The implantable occlusive material may be delivered pre-formed or in situ cured and, may be a resorbable or degradable material that supports tissue ingrowth or wound healing or a similar response that replaces the cured occlusive material leaving little or no original occlusive material in place. The delivery system is positioned to allow for placement of the occlusive material into the body conduit. Use of delivery systems, methods and devices for re-opening an occluded body conduit are also included. |
| US08336541B2 |
Endotracheal intubation device
An endotracheal intubation device 10 is disclosed. The endotracheal intubation device 10 includes a stylet 100, an elongate rod 300 mounted within the stylet 100 and adapted to deform/curve the stylet 100 as well as an endotracheal tube 400 mounted thereto by contacting an inner wall of the endotracheal tube 400 via a slot 130 through which the rod 300 bows outwardly, and a handle 200 mounted to the stylet 100 and adapted to actuate the elongate rod 300 to deform/curve the stylet 100. The endotracheal intubation device 10 can be used on a patient by a medical professional to access the patient's trachea by inserting the endotracheal tube 400 into the patient. Upon insertion, the handle 200 is actuated to deform the stylet 100. |
| US08336538B2 |
Solar heat collector module
A solar cell collector unit that materially contributes to a more efficient use and conservation of green energy includes a first metal sheet having alternating corrugated crest and valley portions on an upper surface and alternating open channels on an under surface and having a first dimension with a first peripheral edge about its entire perimeter. A second substantially flat metal sheet having a second dimension with a second peripheral edge about its entire perimeter and less than the first dimension. The first and second metal sheets overlie one another with flattened copper tubing disposed within the open channels and sandwiched there between, while crimping and folding the first peripheral edge over the second peripheral edge to form nested protuberances about its perimeter to provide stiffness and rigidity there about and forming a low cost single solar cell unit. Then deformation along the valley portions and a portion of the second metal sheet forms plural pin-less rivets thereon to provide additional stiffness and rigidity. |
| US08336529B2 |
Vapor-liquid separating structure
A vapor-liquid separating structure for an engine includes an inlet section, a discharging section, a collecting section and a vapor-liquid separating section. The inlet section is configured and arranged to take in blow-by gas from inside a valve mechanism chamber. The discharging section is configured and arranged to discharge the blow-by gas taken in through the inlet section. The collecting section is configured and arranged to collect a majority of oil entered into the vapor-liquid separating structure through the inlet section. The vapor-liquid separating section is configured and arranged to execute a vapor-liquid separation treatment with respect to the blow-by gas while guiding the blow-by gas taken in through the inlet section to the discharging section without the blow-by gas passing through the collecting section. |
| US08336526B1 |
Vapor purge system integrity diagnosis for a hybrid vehicle
A method for testing a vapor purge system (VPS), and the vehicle having the VPS, including a controller for measuring a VPS pressure, closing a first valve coupling a VPS carbon canister and the environment, decreasing VPS pressure if it is greater than a threshold, and monitoring VPS pressure for a time period when the engine is at rest and the vehicle is operating. The pressure is decreased by opening a second valve coupling the fuel tank and the engine while the engine is running, and closing the second valve when the pressure is below the threshold. Another method for testing a VPS includes closing a first valve, closing a second valve, measuring the VPS pressure to provide a reference pressure with an associated profile, and monitoring VPS pressure compared to the profile for a time period. |
| US08336520B2 |
Vehicle launch anticipation
Turbo lag is a known impediment of a turbocharged, small displacement engine providing the feel of a large displacement engine. A method of spinning up the exhaust turbine during an interval between the time that the operator moves his/her foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal to initiate a launch. A non-exhaustive list of actions that can be taken to increase exhaust enthalpy provided to the turbine include: opening the throttle, retarding the spark, and closing the wastegate. Additionally, a brake can be applied at one of the vehicle wheels to keep the engine from launching forward during this interval. |
| US08336515B2 |
Oil cooler oil pump assembly for an internal combustion engine
An oil cooler oil pump assembly for an internal combustion engine has an oil cooler and an oil pump configured to draw in oil from the oil pan and convey it to the oil cooler. The oil cooler is arranged on the exterior side of the oil pan. The oil pump is integrated into the oil pan, wherein oil pump and oil cooler are immediately or closely coupled to one another by a connecting pipe. |
| US08336509B2 |
Flap control apparatus of vehicle and control method thereof
A flap control apparatus of a vehicle and a control method thereof are disclosed. The flap control apparatus can control flaps, disposed at the front side of the vehicle to adjust inflow of air into a radiator, and can perform a fail-safe operation by releasing a corresponding flap from a locked state so that the corresponding flap can be opened by drive wind pressure upon occurrence of a malfunction making the flaps substantially non-operative, thereby preventing the engine from overheating. |
| US08336503B2 |
Harness
A harness for wearing by a first person. The harness having a handle for grasping by a second person. |
| US08336498B2 |
System and method for super-intensive shrimp production
A shrimp aquaculture structure including a set of at least two raceways each having a length, width, and at least one depth to give an average depth, and including two ends, two side walls having a top, a sloped bottom joining each side wall at two side wall junctions. Some of five raceways may be stacked at least partially on top of another of the five raceways. According to another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a process of shrimp aquaculture by using the set of five raceways and sequentially transferring shrimp form one raceway to another once the shrimp reach a given average size. |
| US08336496B2 |
System and method for heating a poultry watering device
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a watering system configured to provide water to livestock. The system includes a water basin defining a trough configured to retain water, a reservoir mounted to the water basin, wherein the reservoir is configured to receive and retain water above the water basin. A water path is defined from the reservoir to the trough, wherein water within the reservoir is configured to pass into the water basin through gravity. A first heating element configured to heat water within the reservoir. A second heating element is configured to heat water within the trough, wherein the second heating element is separate and distinct from the first heating element. |
| US08336495B1 |
Flexible heat treatment and storage bag
Flexible, collapsible, liquid-tight containers are described. The containers are formed of heat-conductive sheet material and having a pouring or dispensing spout with closure for same. The sheet material is preferably a laminate having at least three layers, including a central, heat-conductive layer, an outer layer of a polymer resistant to physical damage and an inner layer of a thermoplastic polymer which can be fused to another inner layer to seal the edges of the bag. Dispensing fixtures such as a nipple assembly and an esophageal feeder are described, and can be used in feeding calves and other young animals. Processes of heat treating liquids in the containers, including the pasteurizing of dairy products, are described. |
| US08336490B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
A vertical plasma processing apparatus for performing a plasma process on a plurality of target objects together at a time includes an activation mechanism configured to turn a process gas into plasma. The activation mechanism includes a vertically elongated plasma generation box attached to a process container at a position corresponding to a process field to form a plasma generation area airtightly communicating with the process field, an ICP electrode provided to the plasma generation box, and an RF power supply connected to the electrode. |
| US08336487B2 |
Film forming apparatus
The invention includes inserting an object to be processed into a processing vessel, which can be maintained vacuum, and making the processing vessel vacuum; performing a sequence of forming a ZrO2 film on a substrate by alternately supplying zirconium source and an oxidizer into the processing vessel for a plurality of times and a sequence of forming SiO2 film on the substrate by alternately supplying silicon source and an oxidizer into the processing vessel for one or more times, wherein the number of times of performing each of the sequences is adjusted such that Si concentration of the films is from about 1 atm % to about 4 atm %; and forming a zirconia-based film having a predetermined thickness by performing the film forming sequences for one or more cycles, wherein one cycle indicates that each of the ZrO2 film forming sequences and the SiO2 film forming sequences are repeated for the adjusted number of times of performances. |
| US08336484B2 |
Gluing mechanism
A gluing mechanism comprising a platform, a plurality of turn tables set on the platform for workpieces, a motor for driving the turn tables and a gluing device firmly set up on the platform. The gluing device comprises a forward assembly, an elevator, a panning assembly and a plurality of glue applicators. The forward assembly is set on the platform and moves along a shorter side of the platform. The elevator is set on the forward assembly and moves relative to the platform vertically. The panning assembly is set on the elevator and moves along a longer side of the platform. The glue applicators are installed on the panning assembly. The motor drives the turn tables simultaneously. The gluing mechanism of the present invention has benefits of simple structure, a high working efficiency and proceeds a precise rotary gluing process to workpieces. Therefore, an excellent gluing quality can be realized. |
| US08336482B2 |
Fiber sizing applicator
Disclosed are fiber coating sizing applicator apparatus having a member to remove unused sizing and foreign objects from the fiber coating element of the applicator on a continuous or intermittent basis. Also disclosed are sizing applicators having as part of the drive, a servo motor for reduced variation in sizing application. Unused sizing is filtered to remove foreign objects and returned the applicator right away, or stored in a temperature controlled area until ready to feed back to a sizing applicator. Also disclosed are methods of using the sizing applicator apparatus to produce sized fibers. The apparatus and methods of the invention produce a substantial reduction in the fiber break rate, sizing usage and applicator maintenance. |
| US08336476B2 |
Ship and associated methods of formation with vessels having connectable hulls
A method for transporting. Multiple vessels are provided, each having a hull defining an air cavity over a water surface. Different ones of the vessels are loaded with material destined for different end locations. The vessels are connected to one another with rigid couplings to effect tandem movement of the multiple vessels over water as one ship while permitting each vessel to undergo changes in pitch. The vessels are transported to a first destination. One or more of the vessels is disconnected from the ship. |
| US08336469B2 |
Fertilizer transfer chamber for metering device
A transfer chamber assembly for an apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. |
| US08336468B2 |
Transport lock for furrow opener assemblies
A furrow opener apparatus attachable to an implement has a trailing arm with a packer wheel at the rear end, and a furrow opener attached forward of the packer wheel. An actuator moves the trailing arm between a lowered operating position and a raised transport position. A latch mechanism engages the implement frame and the trailing arm when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm to the transport position, preventing the trailing arm from moving downward. A release mechanism moves the latch mechanism to an unlatched position when the actuator is operated to move the trailing arm from the raised transport position to the lowered operating position, allowing the trailing arm to move down from the transport position. |
| US08336467B2 |
Liquid distribution apparatus for distributing liquid into a seed furrow
An extension for use with a planter, drill, or other farming implement having a seed tube that deposits seed in a furrow. The extension defines protrusions for attaching one or more liquid distribution apparatuses arranged to distribute liquid in a furrow well above the seeds, on the seeds, or both. |
| US08336462B2 |
Autonomous operation of a non-lethal projectile
A method for incapacitating an object using a non-lethal projectile equipped with a motion sensing device. The non-lethal projectile is fired at and preferably attaches to the object. Motion of the object is monitored by the motion sensing device. Upon sensing motion of the object, the non-lethal projectile provides a first or another incapacitating stimulus to the object if the motion is sensed as meeting at least one criterion. The criterion may be based on a previously determined algorithm or the threshold is previously determined. |
| US08336460B2 |
Support member for supporting shell into weapon barrel, and method
A support member and method for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon. The support member (6) comprises a support element (8) with an rim flange (7), end (16), and edge casing (12), and means for fastening the support element (8) to at least one fin (5) belonging to the tail end (4) of the shell (1). The means for fastening the support element (8) to the tail end (4) of the shell (1) comprise a retainer part (9) arranged to the edge casing (12) and arranged to circle the inner surface (10) of the edge casing essentially level with the plane of the rim flange (7). |
| US08336457B2 |
Reactive composite material structures with electrostatic discharge protection and applications thereof
Applicants have discovered that electrostatic discharge (ESD) may, in some circumstances, result in current densities sufficient to ignite unprotected reactive composite materials. They have further discovered that a reactive composite material (RCM) can be protected from ESD ignition without adversely affecting the desirable properties of the RCM by the application of conducting and/or insulating materials at appropriate locations on the RCM. Thus ESD-protected RCM structures can be designed for such sensitive applications as ignition of propellants, generation of light bursts, and structural materials for equipment that may require controlled self-destruction. |
| US08336456B2 |
Printing in a medium
A method for transferring a pattern from an elastic stamp to a substrate in the presence of a third medium is described. A proximity contact is achieved between the stamp and the substrate. A layer of the third medium between the stamp and the substrate is controlled to a predetermined thickness. Stamps for carrying out this method are also described. |
| US08336453B2 |
Press having a loading device and a device for opening and removing good pieces
The invention relates to a press having a loading device, wherein the press is configured particularly for pressing the pressing product forming residual or recyclable materials, such as used paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, foils and the like, and has a press housing including a pressing chamber, having a loading opening for feeding the pressing product and a pressing shield displaceable in the pressing chamber, wherein the loading device includes at least one rotatably driveable rotor roller equipped with conveying prongs. By means of a rotation of the roller pressing product can be conveyed from the outside of the press housing through the loading opening into the pressing chamber. The press has the rotor roller is disposed directly in front of or in the loading opening of the press. The loading device has a feeding space connected upstream of the rotor roller. The pressing product to be pressed can be placed or thrown into the space and wherein the pressing product can be removed from the same by the rotor roller directly into the pressing chamber. |
| US08336452B2 |
Machine for injecting fluids into meat or fish products
A machine for injecting fluids into meat or fish products includes an injection head with parallel hollow needles that can be retracted by a contrast elastic device, provided to be lifted and lowered in relation to a conveyor for conveying products, each needle having an inlet opening leading into its cannula that can be located in a pressurized fluid injection chamber having a fluid inlet, the chamber being formed by a block with longitudinal ducts interconnected by ducts and a plurality of transverse ducts for the passage of the needles intersecting the longitudinal ducts, each duct including sleeves provided with seals, the block being detachable from a housing for the head and fixed by oscillating plates, one for guiding the needles and the other carrying a plurality of cylinders supplying the contrast elastic device. |
| US08336449B2 |
Motorised toaster with inspection feature
A motorized toaster with heating elements has a user input that communicates with an electronic device that controls an electric motor. A reciprocating toast carriage is under the influence of the motor. A user activated control is adapted to cause an inspection subroutine, the subroutine being the motorized elevation of the carriage and without further user input and a returning of the carriage to the lower position during a toast cycle. |
| US08336447B2 |
Extraction module with linear closure for the pressurised preparation of a drink from a capsule
The invention relates to an extraction module with linear closure for the pressurized preparation of a drink from a capsule, containing a substance for extraction, comprising means for extraction with a first extraction sub-assembly and a second mobile extraction sub-assembly closing against the first sub-assembly such as to form an extraction chamber in the closed position and to provide sufficient space between the two sub-assemblies for introduction of a capsule between the sub-assemblies in the open position and comprising a means for fixing and positioning the capsule between the two sub-assemblies. Said means for fixing and positioning may be displaced in a coaxial manner with relation to the linear displacement of the mobile extraction sub-assembly and is capable of being displaced linearly by the second mobile sub-assembly in to a displaced position such as to permit a closing of the two sub-assemblies around the capsule. |
| US08336446B2 |
Piston having twisted skirt panels
A piston assembly is disclosed herein. The piston assembly is integrally formed and unitary and is centered on a central longitudinal axis. The piston assembly includes a head with ring belt having a plurality of ring grooves. The piston assembly also includes first and second skirts, each having a top edge and a bottom edge being radially narrower than the top edge. The skirts also include first and second side edges. The piston assembly also includes first and second pin bosses spaced radially inward from the ring belt to define a short-pin support arrangement. The pin bosses include respective first and second pin bores axially aligned on a pin bore axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The piston assembly also includes a plurality of panels, each extending between one of the pin bosses and one of the skirts. Each of the panels include a top portion spaced closest to the head and bottom portion spaced furthest the head and a middle portion disposed substantially equally spaced from the top and bottom portions. Each of the panels twists along its length such that a ratio defined by a first distance between the top portion and a first plane perpendicular to the pin bore axis over a second distance between the bottom portion and the first plane increases along at least part of the length. |
| US08336439B2 |
Layering non-metallic layers between metallic layers to improve armor protection
According to one embodiment, an armor system comprises a plurality of metallic layers. The armor system further comprises a plurality of non-metallic layers located in between two or more metallic layers of the plurality of metallic layers, such that each non-metallic layer is located at a respective depth in the plurality of metallic layers. |
| US08336436B2 |
Ambidextrous cam style charging handle
A charging handle for a firearm which can be used by either a right-handed or a left handed operator. The charging handle uses a rod member which engages the action of the firearm and is secured to the action via a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is release when the handle is pulled by either the left hand or the right hand of the operator by pressing a first pressure surface when the left hand is used, and by pressing a second pressure surface when the right hand is used by the operator. This pressure forces the locking mechanism to disengage from the action mechanism. |
| US08336435B2 |
Anvil for a rotary cutting unit and a rotary cutting unit having an anvil
A rotatable anvil for a rotary cutting unit, including an axle, at least one anvil portion adapted to co-operate with a knife member of a rotary cutter, a pair of load transmitting portions adapted to abut a pair of abutment members of the rotary cutter, the pair of load transmitting portions being arranged on each side of the anvil portion, and deflection means provided underneath at least one of the anvil portion and the load transmitting portions. The invention also relates to a rotary cutting unit including a rotary cutting drum and a rotatable anvil. |
| US08336432B1 |
Safety system for machine tools
A safety system for a rotary saw or other dangerous machine tools features a flesh-sensing circuit (14, 19), located on a safety guard (16) surrounding a dangerous machine part, which generates an electronic signal to trigger emergency stopping of the machine before the operator can contact the dangerous machine part. The stopping means preferably employs DC injection, winding current direction reversal and/or electromagnetic motor braking, in the event of detection of operator contact with the safety guarding device. The system is adapted to be used both with newly-manufactured machine tools and by retrofitting onto previously-manufactured machine tools, by in-the-field modifications. |
| US08336429B2 |
Systems and methods for maintaining sheave grooves
A test kit for unevenly worn sheave grooves, a tool for regrooving sheave grooves that are found to be unevenly worn, and a method for testing for and maintaining the sheave grooves utilizing the test kit and tool. The test kit includes magnetic standards which adhere to a sheave beneath the portion of the sheave touched by the ropes, facilitating testing without having to unrope the sheave. Unevenly worn sheave grooves are visually ascertained by holding a straightedge adjacent to the magnetic standards. The regrooving tool includes a shank that can be received by a stand set up next to the sheave, a body attached to the shank, and an interchangeable cutting insert received by the body that is inserted in the sheave groove. When the sheave is rotated, the sheave groove is ground by the cutting insert, with each groove being ground sequentially until all grooves are again uniform. |
| US08336424B2 |
Rotary control knob assembly
A control knob assembly includes a housing and a knob mounted for rotary motion on the housing about a pivot axis. A cursor is mounted on the knob and spaced from the pivot axis. The cursor moves in a circular path as the knob is rotated. The assembly further includes a plurality of sensors spaced in a linear arrangement along a linear axis. Each of the sensors generates a signal upon detection of the presence of the cursor when the cursor is adjacent the sensor as the cursor moves along its circular path. The signal is representative of an angular position of the knob relative to the housing. |
| US08336422B2 |
Damping system for shift cable
A damping system for a shift cable is disclosed, in which vibrations and noises that are generated by a transmission and transmitted into the interior of a vehicle through a shift cable are considerably reduced across a damper, that is positioned in a bottleneck section of a socket housing and contacts with bottleneck section, such that it is possible to effectively exclude vibrations and noises transmitted into the interior of a vehicle. Further, the present invention is advantageous in terms of the cost and weight, because a rubber damper is used instead of a mass damper, and it is possible to reduce vibrations and noises without increasing force for operating a shift lever and maximally prevent the function of reducing vibrations and noises from being deteriorated by frictional wear. |
| US08336421B2 |
Spherical three degrees of freedom platform
A platform actuator includes a substrate, a first, a second, and a third spherical input slider-crank mechanism, wherein each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider crank mechanism is coupled by a first end to said substrate, and a platform is coupled to a second end of each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-cranks. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-crank mechanisms are configured to convert in-plane motion to out-of-plane motion. |
| US08336420B2 |
Three-axis robotic joint using four-bar linkages to drive differential side gears
A robotic joint configured as a 3-axis joint. The joint includes an input roll assembly and a pitch-output roll assembly. The pitch-output roll assembly includes: a housing; a differential mechanism including left and right input gears, an output gear, a cross element interconnecting the gears, and a clevis supporting the gears and the cross element; a left four-bar linkage coupled to the left input gear; a right four-bar linkage coupled to the right input gear; and first and second linear actuators connected to the left and right four-bar linkages. The first and second linear actuators selectively drive the left and right input gears to rotate the output gear about an output roll axis and to rotate the cross element about a pitch axis passing through the cross element and input gears. A linear actuator in the input roll assembly rotates the pitch-output roll housing about an input roll axis. |
| US08336414B2 |
Roller screw and method of designing unloaded roller return path thereof
Provided is a roller screw having an unloaded roller return path of new shape capable of moving rollers smoothly. The roller circulation path of the roller screw has the unloaded roller return path and a loaded roller rolling path. The unloaded roller return path 10 is twisted so that while each roller 4 moves in the unloaded roller return path 10 its central axis is inclined. In a cross sectional shape of the twisted part of the unloaded roller return path 10, each of paired side surface corresponding parts 25c and 25d facing respective side surfaces of the roller 4 is convex toward the inside of the unloaded roller return path 10. |
| US08336413B2 |
Rack and pinion steering apparatus having rack bearing wear compensation with damping
A power steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and is moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack relative to the housing and is moveable relative to the housing to re-position the rack relative to the pinion. An adjustment mechanism continuously biases the bearing in response to loosening of the meshing engagement to re-position the rack. A dampener resists the movement of the bearing to slow the re-positioning of the bearing. Preferably, the dampener includes a plastic fluid having a very high viscosity. The plastic fluid is disposed between adjacent moving parts to resist the relative movement between the bearing and the housing. |
| US08336411B2 |
Dual clutch multi-speed transmission
A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second shaft or transmission input members, first and second counter shaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member. |
| US08336409B2 |
Magnetic piston apparatus and method
A magnetic piston includes a housing having a tapered bore extending along an axis thereof and a piston having a tapered outside wall mating with the tapered bore of the housing for providing radial and longitudinal movement within the tapered bore about a rotational axis of the piston. A shaft is connected to the piston for movement along its longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the axes of the tapered bore and piston are generally aligned along the longitudinal axis. A first set of magnets is embedded within the outside wall of the piston and a second set of magnets is embedded within a surface of a wall forming the bore of the housing. The polarity for each of the magnets within the sets provides attracting and repelling forces causing rotation of the piston relative to the housing and a linear movement of the shaft along the longitudinal axis. |
| US08336407B2 |
Utility meter adapter
An adapter assembly that works with a standard utility meter to wirelessly transmit data about consumption. The adapter assembly generates information about consumption by cooperating with a pointer of an index of a utility meter. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes an upper portion and a clip that interface together. The upper portion and the clip are configured to maintain alignment with the pointer and not create stress on the index. |
| US08336406B2 |
Protection elements for pipeline investigation devices
A conduit interrogation tool is provided that includes a pair of spaced apart contact elements that deform as the tool moves in the conduit. A deformation control member positioned proximate the contact element reduces or limits deformation of the contact element to a desired extent. |
| US08336400B2 |
Rear hub power meter for a bicycle
A power sensing arrangement for the rear hub of a bicycle. The power sensing arrangement includes a torque sensing assembly including torque sensing elements configured to measure a user applied torque. The torque sensing elements are in communication with an electronics assembly configured to process the measured data and transmit it to a receiver. The torque sensing elements are interconnected with the free hub assembly of the rear hub, and are operable to detect torque applied to the free hub from the rear cassette. |
| US08336399B2 |
Sensor system
A sensor system includes a first sensing device that includes a sensor, and first and second surrounding portions that surround the sensor at least partially, a second sensing device that comprises a sensor, and first and second surrounding portions that surround the sensor at least partially, wherein at least one of a combination of shapes of the first and second surrounding portions of the respective first and second sensing devices and a combination of physical properties of the first and second surrounding portions of the respective first and second sensing devices is configured such that a detection characteristic of the first sensing device is different from a detection characteristic of the second sensing device. |
| US08336398B2 |
Pipe connection having a flow counting function
A pipe connection includes a main body, an inner sleeve, a water inlet connector, a water outlet connector, a circuit board, a control panel, at least one battery, a magnetically activated detector, an impeller, and a magnetic member. In operation, when the water flows through the impeller, the impeller is rotated, and the magnetic member is moved to pass by the detector intermittently so that the detector can transmit a detected signal to the circuit board which can calculate the rotation speed of the magnetic member so as to obtain the water flow rate. Thus, the pipe connection can calculate and indicate the water flow rate in the pipe so that when the flow rate of the output water from the pipe reaches a preset value, the user can shut the water flow to regulate and save the water flow. |
| US08336396B2 |
Measuring transducer of vibration-type, as well as an in-line measuring device having such a measuring transducer
A measuring transducer has a transducer housing, has a transducer housing, having a housing end is formed by means of, a flow divider having exactly four flow openings and an outlet-side, housing end is formed by means of, a flow divider having exactly four flow openings, and four straight, measuring tubes connected to the flow dividers. Each measuring tube opens into one of the flow openings and with an outlet-side, measuring tube end into one of the flow openings of the outlet-side, flow divider. Also included is an electromechanical exciter mechanism embodied, so that the measuring tubes are excitable pairwise to execute opposite phase bending oscillations in, in each case, a shared imaginary plane of oscillation (XZ1, XZ2). |
| US08336392B2 |
Integrated micromachining air flow path clog sensor
Nowadays many electronic devices, such as LCD projector, computer servers, and air fresher etc. require reliable air cooling system to reduce the risk of electronics damage caused by overheating. The present invention disclosed an apparatus integrated with air flow sensor as an alarm apparatus for air flow clog detection. The major prior approach for air flow circulation failure detection is based on an indirect measurement method of temperature monitoring on surrounding environments, which method is suffering from the slow response and poor identification of real-time situation. The present invention will demonstrate the advantages by directly monitoring air flow over by indirectly monitoring the surrounding temperature as for the purpose of preventing air flow path clog. |
| US08336390B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the tensile bond strength of a dental material
An apparatus and method for determining the tensile strength of dental materials utilizing a mold. The dental material is placed in the mold and is adhered to a surface. The mold containing the dental material is then engaged with a pulling device which subjects the mold to a measured force to disengage the dental material from the surface. This provides a measure of the tensile strength of the dental material. |
| US08336387B2 |
Microfabricated implantable wireless pressure sensor for use in biomedical applications and pressure measurement and sensor implantation methods
A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure. |
| US08336386B2 |
Air pump pressure gauge
An air pump pressure gauge includes a casing, an inner tube coaxially affixed to the casing and defining with the casing an accommodation chamber, a movable member movable back and forth in the accommodation chamber, an end cap end cap set between the inner tube and the casing to seal one end of the accommodation space, a spring member stopped between the end cap and the movable member, at least one seal member mounted on the movable member to define a first airtight structure between the outer surface of the inner tube and the at least one seal member and a second airtight structure between the inside wall of the casing and the at least one seal member, an air hole in communication between the axial hole of the inner tube and the accommodation space, a longitudinal sliding slot located on the movable member, a rack extending along one side of the longitudinal sliding slot, a rotating axle inserted through the longitudinal sliding slot and having its inner end pivoted to the inner tube and its outer end extending out of the casing and a middle part thereof mounted with a gear being meshed with the rack, a pointer fixedly connected to the outer end of the rotating axle outside the casing, a graduation scale mounted on the casing below the pointer, and a transparent cover covering the graduation scale and the pointer. |
| US08336374B2 |
Method of determining opening of an internal combustion engine intake valve
A method of determining opening of an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, the method including the steps of: determining the time pattern of an intake pressure in an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, the time pattern of the rotation speed of a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine, or the time pattern of a voltage at the terminals of a battery of the internal combustion engine; determining an intake-frequency component of the intake pressure, the rotation speed, or the voltage; and determining opening of the intake valve as a function of the intake-frequency component of the intake pressure, and also as a function of the intake-frequency component of the rotation speed or voltage. |
| US08336372B2 |
Method to determine the concentration of toner particles for a liquid developer system
In a method to determine concentration of toner particles in a carrier fluid in a liquid developer system for a printer or carrier, a suspension of the carrier fluid in the toner particles is charged with an ultrasonic wave. A propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in the suspension is determined. A concentration of the toner particles in the suspension is determined from the propagation time. A system is also provided employing the above steps. |
| US08336366B2 |
Trans-configurable modular chromatographic assembly
A trans-configurable modular chromatograph assembly is provided with a core unit, at least one column module, and at least one detector module. The core unit includes a controller module having a first computer processing unit, an analogue to digital signal converter, and a thermally insulated enclosure. The enclosure includes a first heater member positioned to heat the thermally insulated first enclosure housing, a first analytes stream inlet, and a first analyte stream conduit. A temperature controller is programmed to maintain the thermally insulated first enclosure at a uniform temperature throughout an analysis. The at least one column module includes a computer processor, means for releasably securing the core unit to a column module, a capillary column, a capillary column heater member, and means for sensing and controlling the temperature of the capillary column. The capillary column has an analyte outlet member in fluid communication with at least one detector module. The at least one detector module has a computer processing unit, and an analogue to digital signal converter, means for releasably securing said core unit to the detector module. The detector module includes detector member within a thermally insulated enclosure. |
| US08336361B2 |
Embossing method and apparatus for producing diffraction-active structures
In an apparatus and a method for producing diffraction- and interference-active structures by micro-pattern stamping a metal object, a micro-stamping arrangement is provided including a micro-stamping station with a micro-pattern stamp for generating a diffraction-active structure on the metal object, an application station for applying a protective layer to the diffraction-active structure and a macro-stamping station for applying a macroscopic image relief over the diffraction active structure while it is protected by the protective layer. |
| US08336359B2 |
Method for selectively forming (plastic working) at least one region of a sheet metal layer made from a sheet of spring steel, and a device for carrying out this method
A method for selectively forming at least one region of a gasket sheet metal layer made of a spring steel, wherein, for the purposes of facilitating the forming process, the region of the sheet metal layer that is to be formed is heated up inductively for reducing the hardness thereof and the electromagnetic alternating field serving for the inductive heating process is concentrated onto the region that is to be formed, wherein the application time of the electromagnetic alternating field on each part of said region of the sheet metal layer that is to be formed amounts to at most approximately 2 seconds. |
| US08336355B2 |
Roll-forming system and method thereof
The present invention relates to a roll-forming system and a method thereof that enables both ends of a panel to be formed attractively by roll-forming the panel after cutting grooves are formed at both ends of the panel by using a blanking press. |
| US08336352B2 |
Transient detector and fault classifier for a power distribution system
Detection of fault occurrences within a power distribution system. A transient detector and fault classification system (10) implements an algorithm that detects transients which may result from the occurrence of a fault in the power distribution system. The system includes a detection module (18) which processes a set samples obtained from electrical waveforms propagated of through the power distribution system and appear to be statistically anomalous compared to other sample data. This is done using an adaptive detection algorithm that is applied when large changes occur in a waveform over a relatively short period of time. The identified samples are then provided to a signal classifier module (20) which processes sets of samples to classify a transient they represent as a likely fault occurrence or some other type of anomaly which is likely not a fault occurrence. If a transient is classified as representing a likely fault occurrence, a polling module (30) polls users of the distribution system to determine if a fault has occurred within the distribution system, and, if so, where. |
| US08336351B2 |
Apparatus and methods that apply a press force including a separately applied core crimp force
A crimping apparatus and methods are provided that apply a press force and a part of the press force is separately applied as a core crimp force for crimping a terminal to a wire conductor. A die assembly includes a die defining a cavity that includes an independently moveable core plate and a ram assembly includes a ram in force connection with a load pin and a core plate. When the ram applies the press force, the core crimp force will be separately applied from the ram through the load pin and core plate to produce a core crimp portion that connects the wire conductor to the terminal. The applied core crimp force is subsequently transferred from the core crimp portion to the core plate to the load pin and into the ram. |
| US08336347B2 |
Lock assembly
A coded lock assembly is introduced in order to improve upon existing coded locks used to control access to protected areas. The lock assembly contains several micro-switches within the anterior portion that can be pushed by a push button on the posterior portion of the lock assembly. In order to unlock the lock assembly, the user must turn an exterior drive handle to the proper position and press the push button. A predetermined sequence of handle turns and push button presses is required to unlock the lock. |
| US08336341B2 |
Tub for a washing machine with a bearing housing
A tub (100) for a washing machine, and a washing machine comprising the same are disclosed. The tub (100) is formed through injection molding with a bearing housing (200) inserted therein, and a washing machine comprises the same. Here, the bearing housing (200) comprises a bearing support (201) to receive bearings, and a flange (210) extended radially from the bearing support (201) and having radial ribs (230). |
| US08336340B2 |
Drum-type washing machine
A drum type washing machine is provided. The drum type washing machine may include a cabinet, a tub fixed to an inner side of the cabinet, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub, and a driving motor positioned at a rear side of the drum for generating a driving force that rotates the drum. The washing machine may also include a supporting plate to rotatably support a rotational shaft extending between the motor and the drum, and a plurality of supporters connected between the supporting plate and the cabinet. Such an arrangement may increase washing capacity by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing an external size of the cabinet. |
| US08336336B2 |
Danner pipe
The present invention relates to a mandrel for producing glass tubes or rods, particularly for the Vello process, the A-drawing process and preferably for the Danner process. The mandrel comprises a body (1) of a ceramic composite material, and an external metal material jacket (2) surrounding at least a portion of said body, wherein the ceramic composite material has a substantially similar thermal expansion coefficient as the metal material of said jacket. Alternatively the mandrel comprises a self-supporting metal material jacket (22). |
| US08336335B2 |
Oven and oxy-combustible method for melting vitrifiable materials
The invention relates to a method for melting vitrifiable materials in a low-capacity oven, wherein at least part of the melting energy is supplied by two oxy-burners projecting into the melting chamber through the upstream wall and arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane in which a longitudinal axis of the melting chamber is situated, in such a way as to create two flames, the respective injection axes thereof crossing at a distance from the upstream wall, between ⅓ and ¾ of the length L of the melting chamber. |
| US08336333B2 |
Diffractive optical element and optical system using the same
A diffractive optical element includes stacked first and second diffraction gratings made of different materials. The materials of the first and second diffraction gratings are glass. The first and second diffraction gratings have grating surfaces contacted to each other. The materials satisfy a predetermined condition when Tg2 and At2 are a transformation point temperature and a yield point temperature of the material of the first diffraction grating, and Tg3 and At3 are a transformation point temperature and a yield point temperature of the material of the second diffraction grating. |
| US08336332B2 |
Process for the production of glass molded article, optical element produced by the process, and method of treating glass
Provided are a process for the production of a precision press-molded article having a high transmittance a method of treating a glass to color or decolor the glass, the process comprising heat-treating a press-molded article containing at least one selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce a glass molded article, and the method comprising heat-treating a colored glass containing at least one oxide of WO3 and Nb2O5 in an oxidizing atmosphere to decolor the glass, or heat-treating a glass containing at least one oxide selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to color the glass. |
| US08336331B2 |
Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator. More functions can be added to a refrigerator door by coupling a home bar and a dispenser. Also, since the dispenser is disposed so that it is shielded from the outside, contamination of the dispenser can be prevented. |
| US08336327B2 |
Method and device for producing ice having a harvest-facilitating shape
An icemaker assembly includes an ice tray having at least one ice forming compartment. The ice forming compartment includes (i) a first planar lateral side surface, (ii) a second planar lateral side surface, and (iii) an arcuate bottom surface between the first lateral side surface and the second lateral side surface. The first planar surface and the second planar surface are positioned relative to each other so that (i) the first planar lateral side surface is spaced apart from the second planar lateral side surface at a downstream end of the ice forming compartment by a distance D1 relative to the ejection path of movement, (ii) the first planar lateral side surface is spaced apart from the second planar lateral side surface at an upstream end of the ice forming compartment by a distance D2 relative to the ejection path of movement, and (iii) D2 is greater than D1. |
| US08336324B2 |
Turbo chiller and control method therefor
A turbo chiller equipped with a high-efficiency two-stage turbo compressor is provided. In a turbo chiller including a control unit for controlling the degrees of opening of first inlet guide vanes of a first impeller and second inlet guide vanes of a second impeller, the control unit has a slave mode in which the second inlet guide vanes are operated so as to be dependent on the first inlet guide vanes in a slave-mode priority region, and an independent mode in which the degree of opening of the second inlet guide vanes is increased independently of the first inlet guide vanes in an independent-mode priority region. |
| US08336320B2 |
Refrigerator and drawer for refrigerator
Provided are a refrigerator and a drawer for a refrigerator. The drawer for the refrigerator includes a receiving member received in the refrigerator to provide a receiving space for receiving foods, an induction member disposed inside the receiving member to induce a formation of moisture on a surface thereof, an indicating member disposed inside the receiving member, the indicating member comprising an indicating part for indicating a humidity state to the outside, and a transmission part providing a space through which the moisture flows, together with the indicating member. |
| US08336309B2 |
Turbocharger with dual wastegate
A turbocharger wastegate valve assembly comprises a first bypass port communicating with a first portion of an exhaust inlet and a first valve member adapted for engaging and sealing a first valve seat surrounding the first bypass port. The valve assembly further comprises a second bypass port communicating with a second portion of an exhaust inlet and a second valve member adapted for engaging and sealing a second valve seat surrounding the second port. A shaft supports each valve member for rotation about a shaft axis to lift both the first and second valve members from sealing engagement with the first and second valve seats respectively. The first valve seat is inclined relative to the second valve seat and the shaft has freedom of movement in the axial direction. |
| US08336307B2 |
High torque output drive system
A high torque output drive system includes a fluid tank that stores a fluid, an array of weighted members disposed in series such that leading and trailing subarrays thereof are respectively placed along left and right running routes in the fluid tank, upper and lower direction reversing guide units respectively defining upper and lower guide routes each of which interconnects the left and right running routes, a fluid pump operable to move the fluid such that levels of the fluid in left and right columnar regions of the fluid tank are variable to result in generation of a buoyant force for lessening the weight of the trailing subarray so as to induce synchronized downward and upward movements of the leading and trailing subarrays, and a force-output shaft coupled to the weighted members by a gear train unit and revolvable to provide a high torque for a desired end use. |
| US08336304B2 |
Hydraulic hybrid turbo-transmission
Improvements in a transmission are provided for transferring power from a power source to a work unit. The pump transfers energy received from the power source into a fluid or gas. The first turbine is fixed to output shaft, and a plurality of additional turbines are fixed on either one-way overrunning clutches or multi-disc clutches and these clutches are fixed to the output shaft and after each turbine is a multi-valves that discharges the fluid or gas. After all of the multi-stage turbines a first planetary gear set connects the transmission to the vehicle or work unit. The second planetary gear set is located between the last turbine and the first planetary gear set. During braking the planetary gear set reverses turning direction of the turbines and convert the turbines into pumps where they will pump low pressure fluid to a high pressure accumulator. |
| US08336302B2 |
Exhaust device for a diesel engine
A flammable-gas led-out pipe (5) has a terminal end portion (5a) disposed in an exhaust-gas route (7) and a metal cylinder (10) is arranged at the terminal end portion (5a) of the flammable-gas led-out pipe (5). An oxidation catalyst (8) is disposed within the metal cylinder (10). On an upstream side of the oxidation catalyst (8), an air-supply passage (12) is opened to provide an outlet (12a) and the flammable gas (4) merges with supplied air (13). The flammable gas (4) is burnt with the oxidation catalyst (8) to produce catalyst-combustion heat, which is radiated from an outer peripheral surface of the metal cylinder (10) into the exhaust gas (9) in the exhaust-gas route (7) and the exhaust gas (9) heated by this heat-radiation is mixed with the flammable gas (4) that has passed through the oxidation catalyst (8). |
| US08336296B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine
An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables reduction of NOx stored in an NOx catalyst with improved efficiency in an exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine. According to the present invention, when NOx stored in the NOx catalyst is to be reduced, if the temperature of the NOx catalyst is lower than a specific temperature, the air-fuel ratio of the ambient atmosphere around the NOx catalyst is decreased only by decreasing the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine, and if the temperature of the NOx catalyst is not lower than the specific temperature, the air-fuel ratio of the ambient atmosphere around the NOx catalyst is decreased either only by adding reducing agent through reducing agent addition means, or by decreasing the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and adding reducing agent through the reducing agent addition means. |
| US08336295B2 |
Apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxide in exhaust pipe
An apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxide in an exhaust pipe, may include a nitrogen oxide sensor that is mounted in the exhaust pipe and that measures amount of the nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas, a nozzle that is disposed on the exhaust pipe to be spaced apart from the nitrogen oxide sensor to a downstream side of the nitrogen oxide sensor by a first predetermined length and that injects urea corresponding to the amount of the nitrogen oxide, a mixer that mixes the urea with the exhaust gas and that is disposed at a downstream side of the nozzle on the exhaust pipe to be spaced apart by a second predetermined length from the nozzle, and a de-nitrification catalyst reaction device that is disposed at a downstream side of the mixer on the exhaust pipe, purifies the nitrogen oxide, and includes an inlet portion having a predetermined length. |
| US08336292B2 |
Exhaust component having permanently associated life indicator
An exhaust component for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust component may have a housing at least partially defining an inlet and an outlet, and a treatment device supported by the housing in communication with exhaust passing from the inlet to the outlet. The exhaust component may also have a life indicator permanently associated with at least one of the housing and the treatment device. |
| US08336291B2 |
Exhaust throttle valve diagnosing device and method
When switching an exhaust throttle valve from full opening to a closed position to warm up an engine, an intake throttle valve is fixed to full opening, an EGR valve is fixed to full closing, and a variable turbo-vane is fixed to a predetermined opening degree to accelerate a gas flow rate from an intake passage to an exhaust passage, a fully opened flow rate is detected and stored by gas flow rate detector, with the exhaust throttle valve being full opening. Then, an instruction is issued to the exhaust throttle valve to switch from the full opening to a closed position, after which a rotation number of the engine is detected, a threshold value is determined based thereon, a closed position flow rate is detected, a flow rate difference relative to the stored fully opened flow rate is determined, and failure of the exhaust throttle valve is judged based on whether the flow rate difference is less than the determined threshold value. |
| US08336288B2 |
Gas-turbine engine in particular aircraft engine
On a gas-turbine engine, in particular an aircraft engine, with a fan, a fan casing and a fan duct as well as with high-pressure and low-pressure turbines arranged behind each other in flow direction in the casing of the engine, the auxiliaries connected are to be operated with only a small increase in engine power. For this purpose in the flow direction of the airflow (20) exiting from the high-pressure turbine (15) a bleeding mechanism is provided for bleeding radially into the fan duct (4) at least part of the airflow (20) leaving the high-pressure turbine (15) on the upstream side of the low-pressure turbine (16). |
| US08336287B1 |
Solid propellant rocket motor having self-extinguishing propellant grain and systems therefrom
A solid rocket motor includes a combustion chamber bounded by an outer casing, a propellant grain within the combustion chamber, and an igniter within the outer casing for igniting the propellant grain. A nozzle is coupled to the combustion chamber for releasing hot gasses evolved from burning the propellant grain to provide thrust for propelling the solid rocket motor. The propellant grain is a self-extinguishing propellant grain that includes at least one fuel, at least one oxidizing agent, at least one binder, and at least one surfactant that imparts the self-extinguishing property. The propellant grain provides a burning rate as a function of pressure that includes a negative pressure dependence portion, wherein the burning rate in the negative pressure dependence portion decreases with increasing pressure until a cutoff pressure is reached which results in extinguishment of the propellant grain. |
| US08336279B2 |
Tile alignment and leveling device
A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate. The components are combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. |
| US08336278B2 |
Structural paver decking assembly and method for same
A method for forming a structural paver deck assembly includes fastening structural decking panels across a bare frame structure. One or more of the decking panels includes an upper panel surface having a non-planar contoured decking panel surface. A paver decking surface is seated over the plurality of structural decking panels to form a paver decking surface. Seating includes positioning a plurality of paver pieces on the structural decking panels including interfittingly engaging the paver pieces to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Seating further includes aligning the plurality of paver pieces in at least one specified direction, wherein the paver pieces includes paver contour surfaces along a lower surface having a corresponding shape to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Interfitting engagement of the paver contour surfaces with the non-planar contoured panel surface orients the one or more paver pieces in the at least one specified direction. |
| US08336274B2 |
Irregular building units having mating sides
An irregularly-shaped building unit includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite of the front surface, and an outer contour surface that extends generally perpendicularly from the front surface to the rear surface. The outer contour surface is irregularly shaped. A plurality of mating sides are disposed on the outer contour surface, where at least two mating sides intersect with a major axis, and at least two mating sides intersect with a minor axis. The major axis and the minor axis are generally perpendicular to each other. Each mating side is a centered rotation about the respective axis that the mating side intersects with. |
| US08336271B2 |
Fan filter mounting frame
The fan filter mounting frame is useful in installation of equipment in a cell of suspension grid systems when the equipment is passed through and is placed in a corner of the cell. The equipment is supported partially directly by the grid and partially indirectly by the grid through an adapting frame insert. The frame insert is connected between the equipment and the suspension grid system and may have two legs that meet at an apex, a first leg extending along a first grid rail and a second leg extending along an adjacent second grid rail. Each of the two legs also extends between its respective rail and the equipment, supporting the equipment on the respective suspension grid rails. Thus, the grid system may be in its design position or condition prior to and during placement and replacement of the equipment without disruption. |
| US08336268B2 |
Floor drainage system for a building and assembly therefor
There is provided a floor drainage assembly for inhibiting water from passing from an upper floor of a building to lower floors of the building. The floor drainage assembly includes a stairwell drain and a stairwell trough connected to the drain. The stairwell trough extends along the stairwell threshold. Water from the upper floor entering the stairwell threshold is at least partially captured by the stairwell trough and directed to the stairwell drain. The assembly inhibits the water from damaging lower floors thereby. An angled threshold plate that is isosceles trapezoid shaped in cross-section may extend across the stairwell drain. The floor drainage assembly may also include a hoistway drain and a hoistway trough extending along the hoistway threshold. Water from the upper floor entering the hoistway threshold is at least partially captured by the hoistway trough and directed to the hoistway drain. |
| US08336262B1 |
Impact load deflector sleeve and removable collar assembly for cable and post protection
A method for protecting cables and posts from damage by providing at least one first sleeve cut to a desired length, positioning each first sleeve over the cable, inserting a screw through an aperture on a last first sleeve positioned on the cable until the screw contacts the cable, providing a second sleeve having an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the first sleeve, positioning the second sleeve over the first sleeves, tensioning the cable, securing an end of the cable, sliding the second sleeve over the end, positioning a removable collar assembly between the first and second sleeves, maintaining the first and second sleeves from overlapping the removable collar and each other, maintaining the first and second sleeves from connection with each other, removing the holding screws from the last first sleeve, and rotating the sleeves and the removable collar assembly independently from each other. |
| US08336260B1 |
High security blast door lock and seal
Methods and apparatus are provided for securely blocking and sealing an access corridor to a secure facility. The exemplary system includes a penetration resistant door disposed in a passage intersecting the access corridor, and dividing it into first and second sides. An actuating mechanism translates the door within the passage between an open position in which the corridor is unblocked, and a closed position in which the corridor is blocked by the door. A locking system is configured to push the door toward one side of the access corridor when the door is in the closed position, compressing a seal disposed between the door and the passage wall, and sealing the first side of the access corridor from the second side. |
| US08336259B2 |
Vehicle door opening/closing apparatus
A vehicle door opening/closing apparatus includes a drum unit disposed on the side of one face of an inner panel constituting a vehicle door and including a take-up drum capable of taking up a length of cable disposed between the vehicle and the vehicle door, a drive unit disposed on the side of the other face of the inner panel and configured to drive the take-up drum, a power transmission mechanism configured for transmitting a rotational drive force of the drive unit to the take-up drum, with allowing engagement and disengagement between take-up drum and the drive unit, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the drive unit to the drum unit, with the inner panel being clamped there between. |
| US08336257B2 |
Telescoping floor seal for vertically displaceable partition
A telescoping floor seal assembly comprising an attachment portion adapted to be mounted to a bottom edge of a vertically displaceable partition, and a displaceable sealing portion slideably mounted within the attachment portion for relative displacement therewith between a fully collapsed position and a fully extended position and described. The displaceable sealing portion has at least one longitudinal sealing edge member at a base thereof for contacting a floor when the vertical partition is displaced to a closed position. The attachment portion is substantially vertically displaceable with the vertically displaceable partition while the sealing edge member of the displaceable sealing portion remains in sealing contact with the floor within a predetermined displacement range of vertical movement of the vertical partition. The telescoping floor seal assembly thereby accommodates live load deflections of the vertically displaceable partition without compromising the seal formed between the floor and the telescoping floor seal. |
| US08336254B2 |
Moulded body for improving cultivation conditions for plants
A molded body for improving the cultivating conditions of plants includes at least one tapering projection. The molded body is disposed such that the projection extends into a plant substrate from the bottom. The projection is a highly porous material for providing an exchange of water by capillary forces and/or air, between the interior and the area surrounding the projection. The molded body comprises a depression provided opposite the projection and serving as a water reservoir that is spaced apart from the plant substrate. |
| US08336253B2 |
Irrigation apparatus
The present invention relates to irrigation systems for irrigating a growing medium. The irrigation systems of the invention comprise a helical tubular hydrophilic membrane or a corrugated tubular hydrophilic membrane. The invention also relates to methods of irrigating a growing medium, and helical tubular hydrophilic membranes for use in an irrigation system. |
| US08336250B2 |
Portable large animal trap and method
An animal trap (especially for wild hogs) is circular in shape and is easily moved by a single individual and takes only minutes to unload and set up. The trap further includes triple offset walls to help keep all trapped animals in. In use, the trap is firmly secured to the ground by a chain and allows nothing to get out except turkeys which can fly out the escape hole in the top. It is easy, fast and fun to set the trap. A user only needs to tie the rope on the door and set the pins to engage the ground and suspend the door in the open position using the rope. A user then pours corn in and waits until the hogs come into the trap. When the wild hogs or other large animals in the trap root up the pins in the ground, the door locks shut. |
| US08336246B1 |
Rail attachment mechanism
A rail mounting mechanism for coupling an auxiliary device to a weapon has a cam and a jaw and rotation of the cam causes the jaw to come into contact with a surface of a mounting rail to squeeze the rail in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of rotation of the cam. |
| US08336241B2 |
Device for displaying a graphic holder
The present invention provides a device for mounting a graphic holder on a display arm. The device has a body portion substantially formed of a resilient elastic material. The body portion comprises a band for securing around a display arm. As the band is resilient and elastic it can be used to mount the device on a variety of different shaped display arms. The device further comprises a neck portion attached to the body portion at a first end and having attaching means for holding the graphics holder substantially at a second end. The present invention also provides a system for displaying a graphic on a display arm comprising a device and a graphic holder. |
| US08336238B1 |
Reverse-depth signage
A display surface is attached to a support. The display surface has a recessed element between two protruding elements and a graphic image in which depth is reversed. The display surface can be in a card, which opens like a cover or a pop-up card or an according like card, a room divider, a cardboard display or a display for a building or billboard. Spacing of the display can be controlled. |
| US08336236B2 |
Bleacher advertising display system
A bleacher advertising display system including a bleacher having a seating surface and a plurality of support beams that define an external vertical surface along one or more of the left side, rear side and right side of the bleacher. An advertising panel having advertising indicia thereon is engaged with a carrier and secured by way of a frame member to the support beams in such a way that the advertising panel is displayed along the external vertical surface. The frame member is adjustable to maintain the tension in the advertising panel so that the indicia are clearly displayed. |
| US08336235B2 |
Device and method for fixing commemorative and similar inscriptions
A device (1) and a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions, such as, for example, words, photographs, patterns, symbols and the like, and/or cinerary urns, to be applied to headstones, front coverings of crypts and the like, include a surround (2) and an inner frame (3) which may be fixed to a headstone or a wall (4), the inner frame (3) cooperates with the surround (2) by connection device (5, 6, 15, 16). An indicator block (7) provided with commemorative inscriptions (8) is inserted and locked inside the surround (2), and the connection elements include hidden anchoring parts (5, 6) completely enclosed inside the surround (2). |
| US08336228B2 |
Article of footwear with thong portion including grooves
An article of footwear with a thong portion is disclosed. The thong portion is configured to fit between two adjacent toes to help fasten a pair of straps to a foot. The thong portion includes a plurality of grooves that enhance the grip between the thong portion and a portion of the foot between the two adjacent toes. The plurality of grooves can also enhance the flexibility of the thong portion to help the thong portion conform to the contours of the foot. |
| US08336227B2 |
Laundry dryer having fragrance storage and supply assembly
A drum rotatably disposed within a cabinet, a door coupled to a front of the cabinet, a front supporter to support a side of the drum, and a fragrance storage and supply assembly disposed on the front supporter and comprising a receiving part that is rotatably installed within the cabinet. A cabinet defining an outer appearance of the laundry dryer, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet, a door to open and close a laundry passage formed by an opening in the cabinet that is configured for passage of laundry into and out of the drum, a fragrance storage and supply assembly comprising a receiving assembly to receive liquid fragrance, a storage chamber, remote from the receiving part, to store the liquid fragrance, a mount fixed to the cabinet, a hinge, rotatably joining the mount and the receiving part, wherein the receiving part rotates about the hinge from a space within an interior of the laundry dryer to a space exterior to the laundry dryer. The laundry dryer further comprises a storage chamber to store liquid fragrance. Additionally, the storage chamber is provided with a level detector for detecting an amount of fragrance solution remaining in the storage chamber. |
| US08336225B1 |
Counterbore hole chamfer depth measuring apparatus and method
A measuring apparatus for measuring a counterbore hole chamfer depth of a workpiece, includes a positioning member having a guiding hole aligned with the counterbore hole of the workpiece, a support member having a receiving hole aligned with the guiding hole, and a measuring device supported by the support member. The measuring device includes a gauge, a retractable pole connected to the gauge and extending into the receiving hole, and a measuring head portion connected to the retractable pole and movably received in the guiding hole. The measuring head portion has a cone-shaped end for abutting on an inner wall of the counterbore hole chamfer, thereby making the measuring head portion move back in the guiding hole and the retractable pole retract. The gauge is configured for calculating and displaying the depth of the counterbore hole chamfer based on the distance the retractable pole retracts. |
| US08336220B2 |
Coordinate measurement machine with improved joint
In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm. |
| US08336212B2 |
Razor blade unit
A razor blade unit having a frame and blades movably mounted in the frame, each blade being elastically biased toward a rest position where the upper face of each blade bears against upper stop portions of the frame, the upper face of each blade being parallel to the corresponding upper stop portions. |
| US08336211B2 |
Shaving apparatus
Shaving apparatus having at least one cutting unit with an external cutting member and a rotatable internal cutting member each the external and internal cutting members having cooperating cutting edges forming bearing surfaces of a first bearing, and a second bearing with bearing surfaces. To minimize the friction between the cutting edges, a support device having visco-elastic properties is provided between the two bearings. During operation, the distance between the bearing surfaces of the first bearing adjusts to the distance between the bearing surfaces of the second bearing. During cutting of hairs, the support device behaves as a stiff element whereas during periods in which no hairs are cut, the support device behaves relatively soft so that the cutting gaps between the cutting edges are closed. |
| US08336208B1 |
Process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel
A process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel utilizing a multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The CNC machine allows unique draft angles and unique design elements to be cast from a single metal ingot. The process utilizes a plurality of steps to achieve the desired aesthetic qualities in the wheel including design elements such as colored portions, rivets, logos and the like. |
| US08336206B1 |
Process of forming a high temperature turbine rotor blade
A turbine rotor blade made from the spar and shell construction in which the shell formed from a plurality of shell segments each being a thin wall shell segment made from a high temperature resistant material that is formed by a wire EDM process, and where the shell segments are each secured to the spar separately using a retainer that is poured into retainer occupying spaces formed in the shell segments and the spar, and then hardened to form a rigid retainer to secure each shell segment to the spar individually. The spar includes a number of radial extending projections each with a row of cavities that form the retainer occupying spaces in order to spread the loads around. The retainer can be a bicast material, a transient liquid phase bonding material, or a sintered metal. An old shell can be easily removed and replaced with a new shell by removing parts of the retainer and re-pouring a new retainer with a new shell in place. |
| US08336203B2 |
Printed circuit board and layout method thereof
A printed circuit board layout method includes the following steps. A printed circuit board with a signal layer, and a pair of differential transmission lines positioned on the signal layer is provided. A first distance is determined, when the distance between the pair of differential transmission lines is greater or less than the first distance, an eye width and an eye height of an eye diagram obtained at output terminals of the pair of differential transmission lines increases. A second distance less than the first distance is set between the pair of differential transmission lines which makes the eye width and the eye height meet requirement of the differential transmission lines for the eye diagram. |
| US08336202B2 |
Method of manufacturing a wiring board
In a method of manufacturing a wiring board, a basic circuit pattern is formed on an insulating plate, and a metal layer is formed on the basic circuit pattern by cold spraying to thereby form a built-up circuit pattern on the basic circuit pattern. |
| US08336199B2 |
Tool for installation and removal of semiconductor device
A tool according to one embodiment includes an actuating mechanism including a cam plate; at least one gripper member operatively coupled to the cam plate; and a carriage for supporting the at least one gripper member, wherein the at least one gripper member is actuatable by the cam plate, wherein rotation of the cam plate causes the at least one gripper member to move between a first position and a second position, wherein when the at least one gripper member is in the first position, the tool is able to accept a processor for holding thereof, and wherein when the at least one gripper member is in the second position, the tool securely holds the processor therein. Additional systems and methods are also presented. |
| US08336198B2 |
Automatic feeding and crimping device of applicator in terminal making machine for flexible printed circuits, flat cables and cable terminals
An automatic feeding and crimping device of an applicator in a terminal making machine for flexible printed circuits, flat cables and cable terminals allows easy adjustment of a feed number of terminals and serves to automatically feed the terminals for the applicator to crimp the terminals with a flexible printed circuit, a flat cable or other cable terminals, thereby providing industrial benefits related to fast and precise terminal processing and flexible feed pitches. |
| US08336197B2 |
Coaxial cable connector attaching tool having connecting seating indicator
A tool is for attaching a coaxial cable connector to a coaxial cable by longitudinal compression of the coaxial cable connector. The tool includes a tool body defining therein a connector compression chamber and a plunger receiving chamber longitudinally adjacent thereto. A plunger having a plunger head is within the plunger receiving chamber and a plunger shaft extends outwardly therefrom, the plunger having a bore to receive an end of an inner conductor of the coaxial cable. A handle carried by the tool body is movable from a retracted position to a compressed position for driving the plunger head to longitudinally compress the coaxial cable connector within the connector compression chamber to attach the coaxial cable connector to the coaxial cable. A seating indicator is carried by the bore for contacting the inner conductor of the coaxial cable to indicate seating of the coaxial cable into the coaxial cable connector. |
| US08336196B2 |
Connector assembling jig
A connector assembling jig is used for a housing (20) that includes a main body (22) with terminal accommodating portions (21) and locking pieces (23) for locking terminal fittings (10) in the terminal accommodating portions (21) and in which each locking piece (23) projects from the main body (22) in an insufficient inserted state of the corresponding terminal fitting (10), and can detect insufficient insertion of the terminal fitting (10) when the terminal fitting (10) is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion (21). The connector assembling jig has a holder (30) including an accommodating recess (34) for the housing (20) and a detection arm (32) which is set to an insufficient insertion detecting posture when any locking piece (23) projects, and the accommodating recess (34) is formed with a positioning groove (68) for receiving a positioning rib (24) of the housing (20). |
| US08336193B2 |
Process for making magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus
Provided is a process for making a magnetic recording medium having a magnetically partitioned magnetic recording patterns, which comprises the following three steps (1), (2) and (3), conducted in this order: (1) a step of forming a magnetic layer on a non-magnetic substrate; (2) a step of removing surface layer portions of regions for magnetically partitioning the magnetic layer; and (3) a step of exposing the thus-exposed regions of the magnetic layer, from which the surface layer portions have been removed, to a reactive plasma or a reactive ion, to modify the magnetic characteristics of the regions of magnetic layer, whereby a magnetic recording pattern is formed which are magnetically partitioned by the regions of magnetic layer having the modified characteristics. Thus, a magnetic recording medium having an enhanced recording density and minimizing letter bleeding at writing can be made with a high efficiency. |
| US08336192B2 |
Method of collective fabrication of calibration-free temperature and/or strain sensors by matching of resonators on the basis of resonant frequency and static capacitance criteria
A method of collective fabrication of remotely interrogatable sensors, wherein the method may include fabricating fabricating a first series of first resonators exhibiting a first resonant frequency at ambient temperature and a first static capacitance and fabricating a second series of second resonators exhibiting a second resonant frequency at ambient temperature and a second static capacitance. The method may also include performing a series of electrical measurements of the set of the first series of first resonators and of the set of the second series of second resonators, so as to determine first pairs and second pairs of resonant frequency and of capacitance of each of the first and second resonators and performing a series of matching of a first resonator and of a second resonator. |
| US08336190B2 |
Method of calibrating a test instrument
A method for calibrating a test instrument and a set of leads having proximal ends coupled with the test instrument is described. The method includes shorting the distal ends of the set of leads during calibration and zeroing the test instrument during the shorting. The shorting includes coupling an electrical conductor with at least two of the distal ends. |
| US08336189B2 |
Method for electrically securing an electrical power supply of a system with variable optical properties
A method of making an electrical power supply of an electrically controllable system having variable optical properties, when fitted near water, electrically safe, the electrically controllable system comprising a carrier substrate that bears an electroactive element placed between first and second electrodes supplied with a periodic voltage U(t) having a given maximum RMS value U0 at a given low supply frequency, the method including limiting the touch potential at an input or output terminal of the electrically controllable system to a maximum value of 50 V or less, the touch potential being defined as the potential experienced by the human body in case of contact with the input or output terminal. |
| US08336185B2 |
Rotary wing aircraft rod end and method of making a helicopter vehicle rod end with a precocked orientation
The invention provides a rotary wing aircraft helicopter vehicle rod end and method of making a rod end. The rotary wing aircraft rod end includes a nonelastomeric inner member having an outer bonding surface segment and an axial bore with a center bore axis, a nonelastomeric outer member having an inner bonding surface segment and an axial bore center bore axis, and molded in place alternating elastomeric shims and nonelastomeric shims connecting the nonelastomeric inner member to the nonelastomeric outer member. The rod end includes a first inner elastomeric shim bonded to the nonelastomeric inner member outer bonding surface segment and to a first inner nonelastomeric shim and a second outer elastomeric shim bonded to the nonelastomeric outer member inner bonding surface segment and to a second outer nonelastomeric shim. The nonelastomeric inner member has a molded misalignment rotary wing aircraft rod end orientation with the outer nonelastomeric outer member. |
| US08336178B2 |
Roof panel seaming apparatus
A roof panel seamer which is self-propelled and bidirectional for forming a standing seam joining two adjacent metal roof panels. Two seamers are disclosed, one for forming a 90° seam and the other for forming a 180° seam. Friction wheels, rather than gears, are used to transfer power from the main support body to the auxiliary support body of the seamer. The seamer includes five roll forming stations, the leading three of which are effective for each direction of travel. One of the roll forming stations for each direction of travel in the 90° seamer imparts a curve to the leg being bent. |
| US08336175B2 |
Riveting press
Provided is a riveting press, which includes a base, a body frame fixed on the base, a riveting and pressing cylinder mounted on the body frame, and a pressing mechanism disposed between the base and the body frame. The pressing mechanism includes a first supporting unit having at least one first receiving hole, a second supporting unit having at least one second receiving hole, an elastic member accommodated into the first receiving hole, and a riveting and pressing punch passing through the second receiving hole. The first supporting unit is connected to the riveting and pressing cylinder. The second supporting unit is removable mounted on the first supporting unit. One end of the riveting and pressing punch is blocked on the first supporting unit and is contact with one end of the elastic member, and the other end of the riveting and pressing punch points to the base. |
| US08336170B2 |
Cottonseed delinters and methods
Systems and methods for removing linters from ginned cottonseeds are provided. The systems and methods involve rotating the cottonseeds in a rotatable drum having a plurality of longitudinal brushes. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the drum and the plurality of longitudinal brushes urge the cottonseeds against an interior surface of the drum that is lined with a flexible abrasive member. In this way, work is performed that removes the linters from the cottonseeds. The linters are removed using reduced pressure and the processed seeds are removed. Other systems and methods are disclosed. |
| US08336165B2 |
Upright vacuum cleaner
An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body having a dust collection container disposed therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to move the base unit on the surface. A tilting joint is disposed between the base unit and the upper body. The tilting joint is operable to provide tilting of the upper body relative to the base unit about a horizontal axis from a vertical parked position to an inclined tilted operating position. A swivel joint is disposed between the base unit and the upper body. The swivel joint is operable to provide a change in a direction of travel of the base unit by twisting the upper body. A rotation-locking device is configured to lock the upper body against rotation when the vacuum cleaner is in the parked position. |
| US08336160B2 |
Dual rotating dewater bucket and mop thereof
The present invention discloses a dual rotating dewater bucket and a mop. The dewater bucket includes a freely-rotating dewater basket and a spindle member for receiving a cotton strip disc of the mop. With a passive dual rotating mechanism together with an active rotating mop, a cotton strip disc is placed in the spindle member and rotated, so that the cotton strips of the mop are stirred and spun towards the wavy bucket wall to remove dirt effectively, and then a dewater basket disposed in the same bucket body is used for spinning water absorbed by the cotton strips by a centrifugal force, similar to a washing machine or a dewatering machine to achieve both functions of cleaning and dewatering the mop without the need of a stepping action and provide a convenient and user-friendly operation and a safe application. |
| US08336159B2 |
Non-stepping wringer bucket
A non-stepping wringer bucket includes a bucket body, having a top surface substantially in a form of an opening, and a bottom surface having a protruding base; a support shaft fixed on the protruding base, the upper part of the support shaft protruding from the top of the protruding base, forming a combining-section having a ringed trough; an orientate element made from flexible material, tapering on the top, and with a central hole corresponding to the ringed trough the ringed trough receives the orientate element thereon; a dewatering basket and a rotating element installed at the bottom of a rotating base, the rotating base sheathed onto the support shaft and installed at the bottom of the dewatering basket. |
| US08336157B2 |
Scrubbing pad
A scrubbing pad includes a lesser abrasive scrubbing layer attached to a steel wool pad, resulting in a single unit that may be used for scrubbing a variety of surfaces. The two separate pads, having the same size, may be sandwiched together and may be connected together with, for example, a plurality of ties on each side of the sandwiched pads. |
| US08336152B2 |
Insert for a microbial scrubbing device
The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the insert includes a base from which extends an outer wall that defines a chamber. A plurality of complaint fingers extend from the base into the chamber. A plurality of wipers extend radially inward from the outer wall into the chamber to enable the cleansing of both the exterior surface and an interior surface of the medical device. |
| US08336150B2 |
Treatment tool
Provided is a treatment tool including: an elongated member which is formed of a flexible material and includes first and second terminals; a first body portion which is fixed to the first terminal so as to function in a target; a handle portion which is provided in the second terminal and is provided with a rotating holding portion holding the elongated member so as to be rotatable about the axis of the elongated member; and a second body portion which is attached to the handle portion so as to function in a target and is rotated relative to the elongated member when rotating the handle member relative to the elongated member. The treatment tool is capable of performing a cleaning treatment or the like while curtailing extraneous matter from being scattered in the vicinity thereof and reducing contamination thereof. |
| US08336144B2 |
Continuous batch tunnel washer and method
A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. In the pre-wash zone, liquid is counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The fabric articles are transferred to a main wash zone, and a washing chemical is added to the main wash zone. At about the same time, counter flow is reduced or stopped. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. After a period of time (for example, between about 20 and 120 seconds) counter flow is resumed or increased. In the wash zone, this is considered an intermediate rinse. After the wash zone(s), the increased counter flow after chemical treatment amounts to a pre-rinse. This pre-rinse ensures that the fabric articles are substantially free of soil or the majority of any soil and substantially free of chemicals when they are transferred to an extractor for final removal of excess water. A final rinse (second rinse) is conducted during extraction of excess water. |
| US08336143B2 |
Air mattress
An architecture is presented that provides an inflatable device usable as a portable adjustable air mattress. The inflatable device comprises a plurality of inflatable tubes aligned by an outer cover forming a substantially rectangular shaped air mattress that will continue to function and provide support even in the event of an air leak. |
| US08336142B1 |
Body and head support
A support device is disclosed for positioning an individual in an inclined orientation. |
| US08336141B2 |
Rescuing and carrying device
A rescuing and carrying device comprising a supporting portion, handhold belts, safety belts and shoulder belts, each made of flexible materials. The handhold belts, safety belts and shoulder belts are fixed on the supporting portion respectively. The device comprises lightweight, flexible and foldable materials. With the shoulder belts, the device can be lifted or carried on the shoulders of carriers, allowing for hands-free operation by the carrier. |
| US08336139B2 |
Multifunctional turn-over nursing bed
A multifunctional microcomputer controlled turn-over nursing bed comprises a bed board that may fold into a L-shape or a U-shape, middle longitudinal plates and left and right side plates wherein the left side plate or the right side plate each comprises a side pillow plate, an adjustable hand rest plate and a hip leaning plate, a movable frame, and a system of interchangeable toilet cover and toilet seat connected by the movable frame which allows excrement collection from a patient lying on the bed even when the bed is folded. The side pillow plate, the hand rest plate and the hip leaning plate may fold synchronously by a link shaft. The bed further comprises a head plate and a foot plate wherein each comprising a centre fixed plate and two active plates, which can be narrowed when two active plates are inserted into a centre fixed plate. |
| US08336138B2 |
Radial arm system for patient care equipment
A patient care equipment support system includes an arm having a first arm portion and a second arm portion that telescopically extends and retracts relative to the first arm portion along a substantially horizontal axis. The first arm portion includes a first end of the arm that is supported for pivoting movement about a substantially vertical first axis. The second arm portion includes a second end of the arm. A column is situated beneath the second end of the arm. The column includes a first column portion and a second column portion that telescopically extends and retracts relative to the first column portion along a substantially vertical second axis. |
| US08336136B1 |
Panel assembly for a partial drop-side crib
A panel assembly for installation onto a standard crib having a first and second rail and a first moveable panel and a second fixed panel within the first and second side rail. The panel assembly can also be directly incorporated within a standard crib without the need to install the panel assembly. |
| US08336135B2 |
Joining device for rails of a baby bed
A joining device is provided for rails of a baby bed, in which the joining connects two adjacent rail tubes of the rail, where an end of each of the rail tubes is pivotally connected to the joining device. The joining device is formed as a saddle part in a shape having two upstanding side walls and an arched portion connected between top edges of the two side walls. The joining device further has a smooth contact face formed on each of the two sides of the arched portion and a smoothly trimmed face connected to the smooth contact face, so that the tube walls of the rail tubes are contacted with the smooth contact faces when the rail tubes are pivotally rotated close to the two sides of the arched portion. |
| US08336130B1 |
Toilet device with lifting capability
A toilet device that can be raised or lowered comprising a generally flat base atop a floor; a toilet bowl disposed above the base via a hydraulic lift cylinder, wherein the hydraulic lift cylinder can move the toilet bowl between an up position where the toilet bowl is raised upwardly away from the floor and a down position wherein the toilet bowl is lowered toward the floor; one or more telescopic support rods for supporting the toilet bowl above the base; a waste pipe fluidly connecting the toilet bowl to a waste line of the plumbing system; and a control device operatively connected to the hydraulic lift cylinder for causing the hydraulic lift cylinder to move the toilet bowl to the up position or the down position. |
| US08336128B2 |
Water-conserving toilet using timer-controlled valve
A water-conserving blowout toilet (10) includes a valve (14), such as a globe valve, connected to a timing mechanism (16) for determining a volume of water flowing to a toilet bowl (32) independent of water flow, a bowl (32) having a lower portion (36) defining a volume of space such that a minimal amount of the water is sufficient to cover and seal a waste outlet (34), and a distribution manifold (22) for distributing the water into the bowl (32) for maximum effect. In another embodiment, the toilet (10) uses approximately 1.0 gallon of water per flush, with approximately 0.5 gallons being used to flush waste from the bowl (32), and approximately 0.5 gallons being used to cover and seal the waste outlet (34). In one embodiment, upper and lower portions (133,136) of the bowl (132) are constructed separately and then joined together. |
| US08336127B1 |
Method of stabilizing a closet ring and tool therefor
A method of stabilizing a closet ring to a floor by first attaching to the bottom of the floor, with fasteners driven from above the floor, a stabilizing device having a support panel with a length and a width greater than a width of a toilet to be attached to the closet ring. A sewer pipe or extension therefrom is inserted through an opening in the stabilizing device and bonded to the stabilizing device. A closet ring is then fastened to the floor followed by conventional application of a wax ring and a toilet. An elongated anchor tool having wide gap in one edge with teeth-like projections may be used to hold the stabilizing device in place from below for a user to drive fasteners from above into and through the floor and into the stabilizing device. |
| US08336126B2 |
Universally installable hands free toilet seat lifter/lowerer
An apparatus mounted to a toilet is configured to lift and lower a seat assembly of the toilet. The apparatus includes a motion sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to motion, a motor driving unit, a motor, a first gear, a second gear interfaced with the first gear, an output shaft connected to a clutch coupled to a lever exiting the apparatus, a wire rope wrapped around hubs of the second gear and the output shaft, and a micro-controller. The motor driving unit is configured to drive a shaft of the motor in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction based on receipt of a direction signal. The microcontroller is configured to send the direction signal to the motor driving unit based on the detection signal. |
| US08336122B1 |
Method of manufacturing a cranial shock absorption system
A method of manufacturing a cranial shock absorption system. The method is comprised of forming a first layer of elastomer, positioning a thin layer of material on top surface of elastomer such that the top surface is exposed around the entire exterior of the layer of material, allowing the first layer to partially set, positioning a tubular stem or valve on the first layer adjacent to the layer of material, forming a second layer of elastomer, allowing the first layer and second layer of elastomer to fully set around the thin layer of material, removing the thin layer of material from between the first and second layers of elastomer and then introducing a fluid into the chamber through the tubular stem. |
| US08341760B2 |
Scanning probe microscope
An atomic force microscope (AFM) (1) is one type of SPM, and detects a resonance frequency shift as an amount of interaction between a probe and a sample. The AFM (1) performs distance modulation control while performing feedback control of a probe-sample distance so as to keep the amount of interaction constant. The distance modulation control varies the probe-sample distance at a distance modulation frequency higher than a response speed of the feedback control. The AFM (1) further acquires the interaction amounts detected during the variation of the probe-sample distance by the distance modulation control while performing relative scanning between the probe and the sample, and detects a distribution of the interaction amounts in a three-dimensional space having a dimension within a scanning range and a thickness within a variation range of the probe-sample distance. The present invention thereby provides a scanning probe microscope (SPM) capable of preferably measuring the distribution of the interactions between the probe and the sample in the three-dimensional space while performing stable probe position control. |
| US08341747B2 |
Method to provide a secure virtual machine launcher
A method of operating a virtual machine includes determining a virtual machine signature, receiving an execution request from an application, and determining an application signature based on the request. The method further includes validating the application signature to the virtual machine signature and executing the application based on the validation. |
| US08341746B2 |
Identifying malware
A method and apparatus for determining the identity of suspected malware on a client device. Information pertaining to the malware is sent from the client device to a server. The server determines a first required information set, and sends a request to the client device for the required information set. The client device compares the required information set with information stored at the client device, and returns the results of the comparison to the server. The server uses the results of the comparison to attempt to determine an identity of the malware. If the results of the comparison indicate that the suspected malware is one of a plurality of types of malware, a new required information set is determined, which is sent back to the client device, and the process repeated. Otherwise the identity of the suspected malware is determined, or it is determined that the suspected malware is unknown to the server. |
| US08341745B1 |
Inferring file and website reputations by belief propagation leveraging machine reputation
The probability of a computer file being malware is inferred by iteratively propagating domain knowledge among computer files, related clients, and/or related source domains. A graph is generated to include machine nodes representing clients, file nodes representing files residing on the clients, and optionally domain nodes representing source domains hosting the files. The graph also includes edges connecting the machine nodes with the related file nodes, and optionally edges connecting the domain nodes with the related file nodes. Priors and edge potentials are set for the nodes and the edges based on related domain knowledge. The domain knowledge is iteratively propagated and aggregated among the connected nodes through exchanging messages among the connected nodes. The iteration process ends when a stopping criterion is met. The classification and associated marginal probability for each file node are calculated based on the priors, the received messages, and the edge potentials associated with the edges through which the messages were received. |
| US08341739B2 |
Managing network security
Technology for network security is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of managing network security includes receiving sampled packets. The sampled packets represent packets being sampled from network packet traffic in at least one location in a network. The sampled packets are converted into an appropriate format for analysis to form converted packets. Moreover, the converted packets are sent to a first group including at least one security device for analysis. If an event message is generated by the at least one security device as a result of analysis of the converted packets, the event message is received from the at least one security device. Network security is evaluated based on the event message and security policies and is adjusted based on that evaluation. The method may be implemented with a network manager. |
| US08341728B2 |
Authentication device and authentication control method of a semiconductor chip
An authentication device and method of a semiconductor chip which sends and receives authentication information, performs a login process for permitting an input to the semiconductor chip and an output from the semiconductor chip, controls acquisition of the authentication information and controls installation or uninstallation of a loadable program, assignment of a session to the loadable program unit, and use of the loadable program unit based on the session. |
| US08341724B1 |
Blocking unidentified encrypted communication sessions
Techniques are described for blocking unidentified encrypted communication sessions. In one embodiment, a device includes an interface to receive a packet, an application identification module to attempt to identify an application associated with the packet, an encryption detection module to determine whether the packet is encrypted when the application identification module is unable to identify an application associated with the packet, and an attack detection module to determine whether the packet is associated with a network attack, to forward the packet when the packet is not associated with a network attack, and to take a response when the packet is associated with a network attack, wherein the encryption detection module sends a message to the attack detection module that indicates whether the packet is encrypted, wherein when the message indicates that packet is encrypted, the attack detection module determines that the packet is associated with a network attack. |
| US08341722B2 |
Load balancing and failover of gateway devices
Methods and systems for load balancing and failover among gateway devices are disclosed. One method provides for assigning communication transaction handling to a gateway. The method includes receiving a request for a license from a computing device at a control gateway within a group of gateway devices including a plurality of gateway devices configured to support communication of cryptographically split data. The method also includes assigning communications from the computing device to one of the plurality of gateway devices based on a load balancing algorithm, and routing the communication request to the assigned gateway device. |
| US08341721B2 |
Web-based traceback system and method using reverse caching proxy
Provided are a web-based traceback system and method using reverse caching proxy, which can effectively protect a web server against various attacks launched by illegitimate user by acquiring network information and location information of users who attempt to access the web server through an anonymous server, without a requirement of installing any agent program in the users' clients. The web-based traceback system may include a reverse caching proxy server receiving a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) packet transmitted to a web server by a client, analyzing the header of the HTTP packet and determining whether the client has attempted to access the web server through an anonymous server based on the results of the analysis; and a web tracking server generating a response page for the HTTP packet upon receiving the results of the determination performed by the reverse caching proxy server, inserting a tracking code in the response page, and providing the response page to the client through the reverse caching proxy server, wherein the tracking code is automatically executed in a web browser of the client and thus provides network information of the client to the web tracking server. |
| US08341720B2 |
Information protection applied by an intermediary device
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed for applying information protection. A particular method includes receiving a data file at a gateway coupled to a network. The data file is to be sent to a destination device that is external to the network. The method also includes selectively applying information protection to the data file at the gateway prior to sending the data file to the destination device. The information protection is selectively applied based on information associated with the destination device, information associated with the data file, and information associated with a user of the destination device. |
| US08341717B1 |
Dynamic network policies based on device classification
A dynamic network policies system based on device classification is provided. The system comprises a computer system, a configuration database, and a dynamic network policies application based on device classification that receives a message from a virtual local area network access component containing a device identity certificate. The application parses the device identity certificate to discover a device classification, references the configuration database to determine a network policy associated with the device classification, and associates the network policy with a virtual local area network definition. The application also sends a reply containing the virtual local area network definition to the virtual local area network access component in response to the request, wherein access to network services is made available by association with a virtual local area network, and wherein association with a virtual local network is specific to the device classification and the network policy. |
| US08341712B2 |
Method and system for authenticating a user of a mobile device
A method and system for authenticating a user of a mobile device is provided. A first message is received from a mobile device, the message including a mobile device identifier identifying said mobile device. An association between the mobile device identifier in the first message and a registered user is confirmed. A second message is generated and transmitted to the mobile device. The second message includes a user identifier identifying the registered user. A request for a service is received, the request including the user identifier. |
| US08341711B1 |
Automated login session extender for use in security analysis systems
A web application security scanner (WASS) includes a login manager configured to perform an automated login to a web site. The automated login may be performed when the login manager detects that a login session has ended. The login manager is configured to determine credentials for the web site to allow the WASS to access the web site. The WASS may then use the credentials to continue scanning the web site. Thus, previously unscannable web pages may be accessed in the web site because of the automated login process. |
| US08341707B2 |
Near real-time multi-party task authorization access control
A method and apparatus are used in determining authorization to perform tasks in a computer environment, and specifically requiring multiple parties to authorize a task before access is granted. The present system provides for substantially real time communication to a second party authorizer when a task owner is attempting to perform a task. |
| US08341706B2 |
Method of processing authorization messages destined for a plurality of mobile receivers and method of transmitting such messages
A method of transmitting authorization messages to a plurality of mobile receivers comprises the steps of defining at least one set of authorization messages, a first part of which, forming a first message category, is intended for a first group of mobile receivers, a second part of which, forming a second message category, is intended for a second group of mobile receivers; creating a first authorization message packet containing at least the first part of the set of authorization messages; creating a second authorization message packet containing at least the second part of the set of authorization messages; transmitting the first authorization message packet over a first service, without previously sending information indicating to which mobile receivers the message packets are directed; and transmitting the second authorization message packet over a second service without previously sending information indicating to which mobile receivers the message packets are directed. |
| US08341691B2 |
Policy based selection of remediation
A method, of automatically determining one or more remediations for a device that includes a processor, may include: receiving values of a plurality of parameters which collectively characterize an operational state of the device, there being at least one policy associated with at least a given one of the plurality of parameters, policy defining as a condition thereof one or more potential values of, or based upon, the given parameter, satisfaction of the condition potentially being indicative of unauthorized activity or manipulation of the device; automatically determining, from the received parameter values, whether the conditions for any policies are satisfied, respectively; and automatically selecting one or more remediations for the device according to the satisfied policies, respectively. |
| US08341690B2 |
Automatic reconfiguration device
The present invention provides a method and device that can easily configure an entertainment system automatically or semi-automatically. The reconfiguration of the entertainment system can be achieved by cycling through the possible configurations of the entertainment system (i.e. different combinations of operational states of the components that make up the entertainment system) by changing various operational states of certain components until an operable configuration is found. The invention may be implemented in any component of the entertainment system including a set-top-box, satellite receiver or a remote control. |
| US08341686B2 |
Backup and restore of network configuration data using a remote controller device
Presented here is a method of operating video services receivers in a network that includes a controller device and at least one member device. Also presented is a controller device that facilitates the method. The method obtains network configuration data at a first video services receiver, where the network configuration data is utilized by the first video services receiver to support data communication with the controller device and the at least one member device. The method continues by establishing a data communication link between the first video services receiver and the controller device, and uploading the network configuration data from the first video services receiver to the controller device via the data communication link. The controller device can thereafter be used to download the network configuration data to a second video services receiver. |
| US08341685B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for providing internet protocol television communication services
A method of providing communications services to customer premise equipment (CPE) coupled to a television. The method includes operating a network element as a communications terminal server, the network element being part of a communications network. The network element receives from the CPE a request to initiate communications with a diagnostic system coupled to the communications network. The network element accesses a communications application executing on a communications server coupled to the communications network and pushes a communications interface to the CPE. The network element receives message information from the CPE and routes the message information to the communications server to initiate delivery of a message to the diagnostic system. |
| US08341683B2 |
Convergence-enabled DVD and web system
Methods for integrating an authored DVD system and a WWW web browser are described. Universal Resource Locator (URL) information corresponding to sites accessible by the browser is stored in fields within the DVD data. When a user actuates a DVD element that has a corresponding URL, the web browser displays information from that site. When the user actuates an HTML menu or other browser-implemented feature, the DVD system accesses a portion of the DVD data specified in the menu. This arrangement provides for two-way communication, i.e., HTML in the browser is able to control DVD content and vice-versa. Having the WWW information embedded in the DVD brings a number of benefits, the foremost of which is the ability to write a “one size fits all” template web page that can interrogate the DVD for URL information and present WWW content corresponding to the URL synchronized with the DVD information. |
| US08341680B2 |
Video apparatus
When a user issues a bookmark setup instruction, bookmark information, which includes identification information for a reproduction point whereat video and audio data for currently reproduced content are recorded, identification information for the pertinent content and position information indicating the current reproduction point are generated and stored in a storage unit. And when a user issues a bookmark display instruction, the bookmark information is read from the storage unit and a list of bookmarks is displayed. When one of the bookmarks on the list is selected and its reproduction is instructed, a command is transmitted to a reproduction apparatus, indicated in bookmark information that corresponds to the selected bookmark, to reproduce content, indicated in the bookmark information, beginning at a reproduction point designated in the bookmark information. |
| US08341674B2 |
System for presenting media programming guides
A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08341672B2 |
Systems, methods and computer readable media for instant multi-channel video content browsing in digital video distribution systems
Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display. |
| US08341671B2 |
System and method for synchroning broadcast content with supplementary information
Disclosed herein is a system and method for providing a supplementary information associated with a broadcast content. The system provides a supplementary information associated with a specific broadcast program in the broadcast content by means of a supplementary information server, wherein the supplementary information server comprises a broadcasting receiving unit for receiving the broadcast content; a synchronization information unit for storing a synchronization information of the supplementary information associated with the specific broadcast program; a video comparison unit for comparing screens of the broadcast content with a previously stored scene change screen of the specific broadcast program and setting a start time of the specific broadcast program; a supplementary information extracting unit for calculating an elapsed time from the start time of the specific broadcast program to a specific screen and extracting the supplementary information corresponding to the elapsed time. The supplementary information associated with the specific broadcast program in the broadcast content is provided through the steps of receiving a synchronization information of the supplementary information associated with the specific broadcast program; setting a start time of the specific broadcast program by comparing screens of the broadcast content with a previously stored scene change screen of the specific broadcast program; calculating an elapsed time corresponding to a specific screen based on the start time; extracting the supplementary information corresponding to the elapsed time. |
| US08341670B2 |
Method and system for providing application service
A method and a system for providing application service are disclosed. The method of providing application service in a digital data broadcasting system coupled to at least one broadcasting terminal through a network includes generating a preview contents by using first data combined with an application for data broadcasting service, wherein the preview contents has second data provided when a user requests the application service, and transmitting the generated preview contents to the broadcasting terminal. Here, the broadcasting terminal outputs the preview contents before data broadcasting standby time. Accordingly, useful information may be provided to the user before the application is executed. |
| US08341669B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling an electronic device
The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a controller apparatus for controlling an electronic device by sensing and processing a user's interactions with an object and, particularly, for controlling and interacting with a media guidance application implemented on an interactive user equipment device. The controller apparatus may include a platform, a liquid container, and a stirring rod. The platform may include sensors of various kinds for detecting a user's interactions with any one of the components of the user interface system. The controller apparatus may also include sensors for sensing environmental conditions and use the sensed conditions to interact with the media guidance application or any other applications or electronic devices. |
| US08341667B2 |
Advertising driven switched digital video
Advertising driven switched digital video may be provided. A plurality of content streams may be transmitted. In response to determining that an available transmission bandwidth has increased, at least one new content stream may be provided according to a bandwidth-based priority list. In response to determining that the available transmission bandwidth has decreased, at least one content stream may be removed according to the bandwidth-based priority list. |
| US08341660B2 |
Program promotion feedback
A user request to watch a program is received in response to a promotion for the program. One or both of recording the program and playback of the program is performed. Information regarding one or both of the recording and the playback is output, this information including an identifier of the promotion. Additionally, a report can be generated from this information output by multiple devices, the report describing the recording of the program and the playback of the program on the multiple device in response to the promotion. |
| US08341658B2 |
Turntable for a storage disk drive apparatus, a motor using the turntable, a storage disk drive apparatus using the same
A turntable for a storage disk drive apparatus includes a plate member made of a ferromagnetic material and a central resin member arranged at the center of the plate member and provided with an outer peripheral portion positioned above the plate member. The central resin member includes claws extending downwards from the outer peripheral portion and claw position holes overlapping with the claws in the direction parallel to the center axis of the central resin member. The claw position holes include inner surfaces spaced apart from an edge of the plate member. The inner surfaces are defined by the resin. The central resin member includes a resin layer extending in the direction perpendicular to the center axis. The resin layer exists between the portion of the edge of the plate member around the claw position holes and the claw position holes. |
| US08341653B2 |
Optical disc storage system
Embodiments provide methods and systems for handling optical discs in a media library appliance and for replacing optical drives in the field. In one embodiment, the media library appliance comprises optical disc handling robotics developed for slim form factor slot load drives in a vertical orientation located on both sides of the robotics within a 19 inch rackable appliance. On the system level, the optical disc storage system provides modularity and scalability. The drives reside in field replaceable units (“FRUs”) that are oriented vertically on a horizontal backplane. The disc handling robotics access discs on each side stored in horizontal stacks within large disc cartridges. A small disc shuttle cartridge attaches to a large disc cartridge to provide a means to import and export a smaller number of discs from the disc cartridge. |
| US08341652B2 |
Method for programmatic editing of configuration files
A file format corresponding to each configuration file is identified. Each configuration file is parsed into a single tree structure with the corresponding file format. The single tree structure is modified with an Application Program Interface (API). The configuration file is bidirectionally updated to reflect the modified single tree structure while preserving the file format of each configuration file. The file format includes instructions on how each entry in each configuration file is to be mapped into the single tree structure. |
| US08341647B2 |
System and method for querying historical bean data
A computer implemented method, apparatus and program product receives user input requesting historical data associated with an entity bean, and generates event information according to the user input. The event information is stored and used to determine the historical bean data. Where so desired, the determination may involve automatically performing statistical analysis relating to the bean. |
| US08341645B1 |
Workflow and exception system
An exception management system comprising a centralized exception engine for processing exception messages from a plurality of source systems across a firm (or enterprise) and for generating workflow items where needed from the exception messages. The centralized exception engine may comprise an exception backbone that receives the exception messages from the source systems and processes the exception messages based on business rules. The exception messages may adhere to an exception message definition format. Users may access the exception information via a user interface. The exception engine may send alerts to certain users in certain circumstances based on the business rules. A flow manager of the exception backbone may process the exception messages by: (i) enriching the exception messages with additional information; (ii) prioritizing the exception messages; (iii) routing the exception messages to one or more users; and/or (iv) persisting exception information extracted from the exception messages in a persistent store. A workflow engine may communicate workflow messages to the source systems or directly with the exception backbone when workflow is required for one of the exception messages. |
| US08341644B2 |
Resource allocation during workload partition relocation
A a system for relocating a workload partition (WPAR) from a departure logical partition (LPAR) to an arrival LPAR determines an amount of a resource allocated to the relocating WPAR on the departure LPAR and allocates to the relocating WPAR on the arrival LPAR an amount of the resource substantially equal to the amount of the resource allocated to the relocating WPAR on the departure LPAR. |
| US08341643B2 |
Protecting shared resources using shared memory and sockets
Shared memory and sockets are used to protect shared resources where multiple operating systems execute concurrently on the same hardware. Rather than using spinlocks for serializing access, when a thread is unable to acquire a shared resource because that resource is already held by another thread, the thread creates a socket with which it will wait to be notified that the shared resource has been released. The sockets may be network sockets or in-memory sockets that are accessible across the multiple operating systems; if sockets are not available, communication technology that provides analogous services between operating systems may be used instead. Optionally, fault tolerance is provided to address socket failures, in which case one or more threads may fall back (at least temporarily) to using spinlocks. A locking service may execute on each operating system to provide a programming interface through which threads can invoke lock operations. |
| US08341639B2 |
Executing multiple threads in a processor
Provided are a method, system, and program for executing multiple threads in a processor. Credits are set for a plurality of threads executed by the processor. The processor alternates among executing the threads having available credit. The processor decrements the credit for one of the threads in response to executing the thread and initiates an operation to reassign credits to the threads in response to depleting all the thread credits. |
| US08341638B2 |
Delegated virtualization across physical partitions of a multi-core processor (MCP)
This disclosure describes an apparatus, computer architecture, method, operating system, compiler, and application program products for MPEs as well as virtualization across physical boundaries that define physical partitions in a symmetric MCP. Among other things, the disclosure is applied to a generic microprocessor architecture with a set (e.g., one or more) of controlling/main processing elements (e.g., MPEs) and a set of groups of sub-processing elements (e.g., SPEs). The arrangement also enables MPEs to delegate functionality to one or more groups of SPEs such that those group(s) of SPEs may act as pseudo MPEs. Such delegation may occur across the physical boundaries. Regardless, the pseudo MPEs may utilize pseudo virtualized control threads to control the behavior of other groups of SPEs also across physical boundaries. |
| US08341637B2 |
Utilization management
Utilization management is provided. A utilization monitor is initiated to monitor a set of processes. Utilization data for an identified process of the set of processes is recorded to form recorded utilization data. It is determined whether the recorded utilization data exceeds a utilization threshold. In responsive to determining that the recorded utilization data exceeds a utilization threshold, an action is performed to manage utilization. |
| US08341635B2 |
Hardware wake-and-go mechanism with look-ahead polling
A hardware wake-and-go mechanism is provided for a data processing system. The wake-and-go mechanism looks ahead in a thread for programming idioms that indicates that the thread is waiting for an event. The wake-and-go mechanism performs a look-ahead polling operation for each of the programming idioms. If each of the look-ahead polling operations fails, then the wake-and-go mechanism updates a wake-and-go array with a target address associated with the event for each recognized programming idiom. |
| US08341633B2 |
Identifying executable process contents of flow executor(s) in flow generation system
The function restriction information of a designated flow executor is acquired. The acquired function restriction information is analyzed. An operation screen that identifiably displays process contents executable by the flow executor in association with setting target functions to be set in the flow is displayed on the basis of the analyzed function restriction information. Process contents of a setting target function to be set in the flow are selected on the basis of an operation in the operation screen. The flow of the flow executor is generated by combining the functions of the selected process contents. |
| US08341632B2 |
Composite task framework
A primary task manager, which is a local task manager, can perform a distributed task on a local server. If the performing of the task with the local task manager succeeds, the distributed task can then be propagated to at least one secondary task manager, which is a remote task manager. The remote task manager is capable of performing the distributed task. If the performing of the task with the local task manager fails, an undo task that is associated with the distributed task can be performed. |
| US08341629B2 |
Method and system for provisioning a virtual computer and scheduling resources of the provisioned virtual computer
A method for virtual computing that includes receiving a virtual computer specification, wherein the virtual computer specification defines a plurality of hardware and software configuration requirements for a virtual computer and a duration requirement for use of the virtual computer, requisitioning a plurality of computing resources based on the plurality of hardware and software configuration requirements, provisioning the plurality of computing resources from a pool of computing resources to obtain a provisioned virtual computer, and scheduling the plurality of computing resources of the provisioned virtual computer for use based on the duration requirement. |
| US08341628B2 |
Controlling depth and latency of exit of a virtual processor's idle state in a power management environment
A mechanism is provided in a logically partitioned data processing system for controlling depth and latency of exit of a virtual processor's idle state. A virtualization layer generates a cede latency setting information (CLSI) data. Responsive to booting a logical partition, the virtualization layer communicates the CLSI data to an operating system (OS) of the logical partition. The OS determines, based on the CLSI data, a particular idle state of a virtual processor under a control of the OS. Responsive to the OS calling the virtualization layer, the OS communicates the particular idle state of the virtual processor to the virtualization layer for assigning the particular idle state and wake-up characteristics to the virtual processor. |
| US08341627B2 |
Method and system for providing user space address protection from writable memory area in a virtual environment
A method in one example implementation includes identifying an address space in a memory element of a system configured to operate in a virtual environment. The address space includes at least one system address, and the address space is provided to a virtual machine monitor. The method also includes generating a page table entry for the system address in a shadow page table stored in the virtual machine monitor in response to a guest operating system initiating a process. The page table entry is marked as a page not being present in order to trigger a page fault for a system address access from the guest operating system. In more specific embodiments, the method may include evaluating a page fault to determine access to the address space, where access to a writeable area of the memory element is denied. |
| US08341621B2 |
Automatic detection and installation of client peripheral devices by a server
A server-client system is configured to automatically detect and install peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, etc. that are attached to a client. The server is configured to detect the peripheral device and install a driver that is compatible with the peripheral device. The I/O queue created for the peripheral device is redirected to the port to which the peripheral device is connected. |
| US08341619B2 |
Simplifying installation of software modules on heterogeneous remote systems
An installer system provided according to an aspect of the present invention facilitates easy installation of software modules in a heterogeneous computing system in which many operating systems are installed in the remote systems. In an embodiment, the installer system performs different installation actions on different remote systems, depending on the specific operating system installed on the corresponding remote system and the specific software module being installed. Each installation action may be translated into one or more commands according to the syntax/semantics requirement of the respective operating system on the remote system. |
| US08341618B2 |
Information processor, software updating system, software updating method, and its program for updating modules on a user computer
Software is updated easily and efficiently and in the same time, thereby reducing the load imposed on the user side, the software vendor side and the center computer side. When the user computer sends user ID to the center computer, the center computer have the user computer obtain URL of the module-storing region that corresponds to the user ID and stores the modules that the user should obtain. The user computer accesses to the module storing portion using the URL, obtains a list of modules, compares the list to the modules that are currently installed in itself and judges whether it is necessary to obtain modules. When judged that modules are needed to be obtained, the user computer accesses to the module-storing region again and obtains the module. |
| US08341615B2 |
Single instruction multiple data (SIMD) code generation for parallel loops using versioning and scheduling
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to loop parallelization for a target architecture implementing a shared memory model and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for SIMD code generation for parallel loops using versioning and scheduling. In an embodiment of the invention, within a code compilation data processing system a parallel SIMD loop code generation method can include identifying a loop in a representation of source code as a parallel loop candidate, either through a user directive or through auto-parallelization. The method also can include selecting a trip count condition responsive to a scheduling policy set for the code compilation data processing system and also on a minimal simdizable threshold, determining a trip count and an alignment constraint for the selected loop, and generating a version of a parallel loop in the source code according to the alignment constraint and a comparison of the trip count to the trip count condition. |
| US08341612B2 |
Method and apparatus for run-time statistics dependent program execution using source-coding
Disclosed are a method and system for optimized, dynamic data-dependent program execution. The disclosed system comprises a statistics computer which computes statistics of the incoming data at the current time instant, where the said statistics include the probability distribution of the incoming data, the probability distribution over program modules induced by the incoming data, the probability distribution induced over program outputs by the incoming data, and the time-complexity of each program module for the incoming data, wherein the said statistics are computed on as a function of current and past data, and previously computed statistics; a plurality of alternative execution path orders designed prior to run-time by the use of an appropriate source code; a source code selector which selects one of the execution path orders as a function of the statistics computed by the statistics computer; a complexity measurement which measures the time-complexity of the currently selected execution path-order. |
| US08341611B2 |
Application interface on multiple processors
A method and an apparatus that execute a parallel computing program in a programming language for a parallel computing architecture are described. The parallel computing program is stored in memory in a system with parallel processors. The system includes a host processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) coupled to the host processor and a memory coupled to at least one of the host processor and the GPU. The parallel computing program is stored in the memory to allocate threads between the host processor and the GPU. The programming language includes an API to allow an application to make calls using the API to allocate execution of the threads between the host processor and the GPU. The programming language includes host function data tokens for host functions performed in the host processor and kernel function data tokens for compute kernel functions performed in one or more compute processors, e.g. GPUs or CPUs, separate from the host processor. Standard data tokens in the programming language schedule a plurality of threads for execution on a plurality of processors, such as CPUs or GPUs in parallel. Extended data tokens in the programming language implement executables for the plurality of threads according to the schedules from the standard data tokens. |
| US08341610B2 |
Method and apparatus for authoring and optimizing flowcharts
A method and system for generating problem resolution flowcharts, whereby users do not author flowcharts directly but instead author a dependency matrix of questions and answers related by state or underlying problem cause. After creation of a matrix of questions and answers, a corresponding flowchart is then calculated based on the information in the dependency matrix, and also based on the likelihood of the various problems and their causes. The probabilities of problems and their causes may be estimated or may be calculated from historical data accumulated by use of the flow chart, or some combination of the two. These probabilities are incorporated into the answer cells of the dependency matrix. The resulting flowchart is tested and evaluated, and the results of testing and evaluation are used to make modifications in the matrix of questions and answers. The flowchart is then made available for execution by a problem determination engine, usable by staff at a help center or directly as self-help to a customer over a network. Experience from use of the problem determination engine is accumulated for use in further refinements of the dependency matrix and its probabilities. |
| US08341606B2 |
Method of invoking inlined method and java virtual machine using the method
Provided is a method of invoking an inlined method and a Java virtual machine using the method. The method includes, when a first method is invoked, generating a frame comprising information that is needed for execution of the first method, and, when a second method that satisfies a predetermined condition is invoked, executing the second method using the frame. |
| US08341604B2 |
Embedded trace macrocell for enhanced digital signal processor debugging operations
Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. The method and system improve software instruction debugging operations by capturing real-time information relating to software execution flow and include and instructions and circuitry for operating a core processor process within a core processor. A non-intrusive debugging process operates within a debugging mechanism of a digital signal processor. Non-intrusively monitoring in real time predetermined aspects of software execution occurs with the core processing process and occurs in real-time on the processor. An embedded trace macrocell records selectable aspects of the non-intrusively monitored software execution and generates at least one breakpoint in response to events arising within the selectable aspects of the non-intrusively monitored software execution. The present disclosure controls aspects of the non-intrusive debugging process in response to at least one breakpoint. |
| US08341601B2 |
Flexible SLA modelling and validation
A method for modeling, validating, and monitoring a service level agreement (SLA) associated with a business process is disclosed herein. Such a method may include providing a library of reusable SLA component types. Functionality may be provided to enable a user to create SLA components from the reusable SLA component types. Functionality may also be provided to enable the user to assemble the SLA components into an SLA model having a hierarchy. In the SLA model, events may be passed between the SLA components to trigger behavior by the SLA components. SLA components at the lowest levels of the hierarchy may be configured to receive events from the business process. The method may further validate the SLA model against the business process to ensure the business process can generate the events required by the SLA components. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed herein. |
| US08341600B2 |
Tagging and logical grouping of items in source code change lists
A tool facilitating organizing code review via tagging changes in the code such that developer reasoning and reviewer comments are captured during the development process; thus documenting the development process. The tool providing intuitive presentation of changes and change sets based on the purpose of the change. The tool enabling retrieval of the information documenting developer and reviewer rationale during development and after development is complete. |
| US08341599B1 |
Environments sharing remote mounted middleware
A system is provided for environments sharing remote mounted middleware. The system includes a plurality of hosts, a remote storage, an application, a shared middleware, a dedicated middleware, and a plurality of environments. The shared middleware is stored on the remote storage and remote mounted on each of the plurality of hosts. The dedicated middleware, which is associated with the shared middleware, is stored on the remote storage and remote mounted on each of the plurality of hosts. Each of the plurality of environments is on one of the plurality of hosts. Each of the plurality of environments includes the remote mounted shared middleware and the remote mounted dedicated middleware. Each of the plurality of environments executes one of the plurality of applications. |
| US08341598B2 |
Declartive commands using workflows
Declaratively implementing a command. A method includes declaring an input gesture in a declarative programming language. Declaring an input gesture includes declaring one or more user performed actions. A command name is declared in a declarative programming language. A workflow is declared in a declarative programming language. Declaring a workflow includes declaring schedulable activities that are to be performed without specific specifications of the low level algorithms that are used to accomplish the activities. In an alternative example, workflows may be declared by declaring a wrapper to wrap imperative programming commands. The declared input gestures are bound with the declared workflow through the declared command name. |
| US08341597B2 |
Editing source code
The present invention relates to the field of computer programming. More specifically the invention relates to a method and a data processing system for editing the source code of a computer program. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy source code editing technique, by which programming errors and type errors can reliably be avoided in cases where changes to the program are supposed not to change the semantics of the program. This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for editing source code, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a modification to the source code, said modification being made by a user, determining whether the modification would change the semantics of the source code, and handling the modification depending on the result of the determining step. |
| US08341592B2 |
System and method for conducting dependency analysis of business components
A system and method is provided for the ontological representation of the meta-models of businesses and their processes, activities, and components in one or more semantic web markup languages to enable reasoning and analyzing of instances of enterprise business models to infer relationships of business entities which are previously unknown or not clear from the original business model instance. |
| US08341590B1 |
System for relating workflow status to code component status in a software project
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a configuration management (CM) system, method, and product adapted to carry out workflow management tasks, which integrates status of software projects and issues, such that software projects may be more easily and reliably tracked and management of software projects may be streamlined. In some embodiments of the invention, a CM system is adapted to maintain records of software projects and/or issues managed by the CM system, the records comprising an indicator of a workflow progress stage for the project/issue. The CM system may be further adapted to update concurrently and automatically, according to an input from a user, both (1) a workflow progress stage value for the project/issue and (2) a record for software code associated with a project/issue, the record for the software code indicating a version and the project/issue in which the version is included. |
| US08341588B2 |
Semiconductor layer forming method and structure
A method of forming and electrical structure. The method includes determining that a first semiconductor device requires an engineering change order (ECO). An additional structure layer required to implement the ECO is determined. A first insertion point location for inserting the additional structure layer within the first semiconductor device is selected. The first insertion point location is associated with a second insertion point location within a design for a second semiconductor device. The second semiconductor device is generated in accordance with the first ECO. The second semiconductor device comprises second structures. The second structures comprise same structures as first structures in the first semiconductor device. The second structures are formed in locations within the second semiconductor device that are associated with locations in the first semiconductor device comprising the first structures. The second semiconductor device comprises the additional structure layer located within the second insertion point location. |
| US08341587B2 |
Method of managing process factors that influence electrical properties of printed circuit boards
In a method of managing process factors that influence electrical properties of printed circuit boards (PCBs), n process factors are arranged in an order according to different influence to one kind of electrical property of the PCBs. The different influence is determined by first experiments designed using the Taguchi method. M process factors that have important influence to the electrical property are obtained from the n process factors according to the order to design second experiments. A computing formula for the electrical property is fitted using the m process factors according to simulated results of the second experiments, and a variation range of each of the m process factors is computed according to the computing formula. |
| US08341585B2 |
Skewed placement grid for very large scale integrated circuits
A skewed placement grid for an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC includes a placement grid which includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one of a corresponding plurality of circuits. A center point of each of the cells is located at a unique coordinate along a first axis and a second axis with respect to each of the other ones of the plurality of cells. The IC further includes a first plurality of signal interconnections, wherein each of the plurality of signal interconnections is coupled to a corresponding one of the first plurality of circuits. |
| US08341581B2 |
ASICs having programmable bypass of design faults
A relatively small amount of programmable or reprogrammable logic (pro-Logic) is included in a mostly-ASIC device so that such re/programmable logic can be used as a substitute for, or for bypassing a fault-infected ASIC block (if any) either permanently or at times when the fault-infected ASIC block is about to perform a fault-infected operation (bug-infected operation): The substitution or bypass does not have to be a permanent one that is in effect at all times for the entirety of the fault-infected ASIC block. Instead affected outputs of the faulty ASIC block can be disabled from working just at the time they would otherwise initiate or propagate an error. Such fault-infected operations of the temporarily deactivated ASIC block(s) may be substituted for by appropriately programmed pro-Logic at the appropriate times. |
| US08341579B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for analyzing operation of semiconductor integrated circuits
An operation analyzing apparatus (100) for semiconductor integrated circuits according to this exemplary embodiment includes a simulation analyzing unit (140), and the simulation analyzing unit (140) includes: a semiconductor characteristics extracting unit (110) that extracts the inductances L, resistances R, and capacitances C of a board, a package, and a semiconductor integrated circuit, from the semiconductor integrated circuit mounted on the board via the package; an individual network generating unit (111) that generates individual networks of the extracted inductance L, resistance R, and capacitance C with respect to each of said semiconductor substrate, said package, and said semiconductor integrated circuit; an integrated network generating unit (112) that generates an integrated network by integrating all of the generated individual networks; and an operation simulation running unit (113) that performs an operation simulation of the semiconductor integrated circuit by inserting a test noise pattern to an arbitrary position in the generated integrated network. |
| US08341578B2 |
Clock gater with test features and low setup time
A clock gater circuit comprises a plurality of transistors having source-drain connections forming a stack between a first node and a supply node. A given logical state on the first node causes a corresponding logical state on an output clock of the clock gater circuit. In one embodiment, a first transistor of the plurality of transistors has a gate coupled to receive an enable input signal. A second transistor is connected in parallel with the first transistor, and has a gate controlled responsive to a test input signal to ensure that the output clock is generated even if the enable input signal is not in an enabled state. In another embodiment, the plurality of transistors comprises a first transistor having a gate controlled responsive to a clock input of the clock gater circuit and a second transistor having a gate controlled responsive to an output of a delay circuit. The delay circuit comprises at least one inverter, wherein an input of the delay circuit is the clock input, and wherein a first inverter of the delay circuit is coupled to receive a test input signal and is configured to force a first logical state on an output of the first inverter responsive to an assertion of the test input signal. |
| US08341573B2 |
Modeling approach for timing closure in hierarchical designs leveraging the separation of horizontal and vertical aspects of the design flow
A method of designing an integrated circuit and a model of an integrated circuit block, an electronic design automation tool, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method of designing an integrated circuit includes: (1) generating a timing budget for the integrated circuit employing designer input of the integrated circuit, (2) establishing design constraints for a block of the integrated circuit employing the timing budget, (3) creating an input and output timing budget for the block employing the design constraints, (4) combining implementation information for the integrated circuit based on designer knowledge with the input and output timing budget to generate an updated input and output timing budget and (5) generating a model of the block based on the updated input and output timing budget. |
| US08341572B1 |
Methods and apparatus for waveform based variational static timing analysis
A system and method are disclosed for waveform based variational static timing analysis. A circuit is divided into its linear circuit parts and non-linear circuit parts and modeled together, by a combination of linear modeling techniques, into linear equations that may be represented by matrices. The linear equations in matrix form may be readily solved by a computer such that an input waveform to an input pin of the circuit can be sequentially “pushed” through the various interconnects and logic networks of the circuit to an output pin. Output voltage waveforms are obtained at each stage of the waveform pushing and may be used to perform static timing analysis. |
| US08341570B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing a hardware simulation and verification solution
One embodiment of the present invention provides systems and techniques to execute a hardware simulation and verification solution on a multiprocessor system. The hardware simulation and verification solution can be partitioned into different modules which can include a simulation kernel to simulate changes in signal values, a value change dump module to store the changes in the signal values on a computer-readable storage medium, a functional coverage module to check functionality, a toggle coverage module to check signal toggling, an assertion engine to check complex behaviors, and a testbench module to generate test scenarios. Embodiments of the present invention can execute different modules on different processors, thereby improving performance. |
| US08341569B2 |
Statistical iterative timing analysis of circuits having latches and/or feedback loops
Statistical timing analysis methods for circuits having latches and feedback loops are described wherein the circuit yield, and/or the critical cycle mean (the largest cycle mean among all loops in the circuit), may be iteratively calculated with high speed and accuracy, thereby allowing their ready usage in the analysis and validation of proposed circuit designs. |
| US08341565B2 |
Task-based multi-process design synthesis with reproducible transforms
A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology is reproducible, and relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. Each child process also undoes the transform performed for each object such that the same initial state of the integrated circuit design is used to perform each transform. In addition, the parent process tracks the results of performing the transform by each child process, and applies successful transforms in a controlled sequence. |
| US08341558B2 |
Gesture recognition on computing device correlating input to a template
A computer-implemented user interface method is disclosed. The method includes displaying information on a touchscreen of a computing device, receiving from a user of the device an input drawn on the touchscreen, correlating the input to a template, where the correlating includes employing a closed-form solution to find a rotation that reduces angular distance between the input and the template, and providing output based on a result of the correlating. |
| US08341557B2 |
Portable touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for providing workout support
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display while the portable electronic device is in a user-interface locked mode of a workout monitoring application with the touch screen display turned off. The method includes: monitoring a workout by a user with the workout monitoring application; detecting an interaction by the user with a first physical button on the portable electronic device; and determining whether the detected interaction by the user with the first physical button corresponds to a first predefined action. The method further includes, in response to determining that the interaction by the user with the first physical button corresponds to the first predefined action; turning on the touch screen display; providing an audio status report of the workout by the user; displaying a workout pause icon; and displaying an unlock image. |
| US08341555B2 |
Image managing apparatus, image managing method and image managing program
An image managing apparatus includes a storage part, an input part, a grouping-processing part, a representative image extraction part, a folding-button preparing part, a folding-screen preparing part and an output part. An image is stored in the storage part. A user's instruction is input by the input part. The grouping-processing part is configured to classify images displayed on a screen into a group for display based on the instruction. The representative image extraction part is configured to extract an image in the group as a representative image of the group. The folding-button preparing part is configured to generate a folding button for displaying the representative image of the group on the screen. The folding-screen preparing part is configured to generate an image-listing screen (“folding screen)”) on which the representative image of the group and an ungrouped image are displayed when the folding-button displayed on the screen is operated. |
| US08341554B1 |
Launch and edit user interface improvements
A system and method is described for editing, in its native application, a source file of an object or image in a first application, wherein the source file includes computer-readable code or script associated with the source file and editable in either the first or native applications. The first application graphically displays an edit option selectable by the user to launch the source file's native application. The native application opens the source file and code or script associated with the object or image in the first application. Within the workspace of the native application edit session, an end function or button is displayed to the user. Upon selection of the end function in the native application, the native application automatically saves the edited source file and associated code or script, sends the edited data to the first or calling application which then automatically reintegrates the edited source file and any edited script or code into the object or image associated therewith. The user then returns automatically to the first application as the active application. |
| US08341553B2 |
Selection interface systems and methods
A user selection interface system comprises one or more rotatable selectors linked to selectable characteristics, and a display linked to the selectors, for display of an image that corresponds to the selected characteristics. The interface is typically linked to a database comprising stored image and other information which corresponds to the selectable characteristics, whereby an image that corresponds to an item which meets a selected characteristic is retrieved and displayed. Information other than the image which corresponds to the selectable characteristics may also be retrieved and displayed. In some embodiments, the stored images comprise a single image, which matches all the selected characteristics. In alternate embodiments, the displayed image comprises a composite image that is based upon stored images which correspond to different selected characteristics. In some embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a graphic user interface. In alternate embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a mechanical interface. Some preferred embodiments of the user selection interface provide links for merchandising functions, such as for ordering, purchasing, inventories, and/or shipping. |
| US08341552B2 |
Translating events in a user interface
Systems and methods for translating events in a high definition video playback system are disclosed. A disc viewer is configured to read at least one user interactive program on a high definition optical disc defining an original menu of a user interface. The user interface defines a plurality of event handlers for user interaction with the user interface. An express menu renderer is configured to generate a menu populated with a plurality of selectable elements that are responsive to interaction with a mouse and/or pointing device. The selectable elements correspond to user interactive features of the user interface and have a corresponding visual identifier. |
| US08341549B2 |
Method for sorting and displaying symbols in a mobile communication terminal
A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set. |
| US08341548B2 |
Image display system
A method of configuring an image for data storage on a storage device in an overlapping-tiled format and a method of displaying a desired image selected for viewing on a display are disclosed. The method of configuring an image for data storage includes formatting an image to include a plurality of image tiles, each image tile in the plurality of image tiles having at least a portion that is substantially identical to at least a portion of an adjacent image tile in the plurality of image tiles. The method further includes converting data of the image from data in a first color space into data in a second color space so as to reduce a size of the data of the image, and storing the image data in the second color space. |
| US08341543B2 |
Method and apparatus of scrolling a document displayed in a browser window
Methods and systems for performing a scroll operation are disclosed. A method may include displaying a first page of a portable document format (pdf) document on a browser window, associating respective thumbnails with each of the pages in the pdf document, and displaying two or more of the respective thumbnails overlaid on the first page. The method may also include receiving an indication to scroll the pdf document in a first direction, scrolling the pages of the pdf document at a first rate in the first direction, and scrolling the respective thumbnails of each of the pages at a second rate, different than the first rate, in the first direction. The varying scroll rate of the document and its corresponding thumbnails provides the user with different viewing options to view the document when performing a scrolling operation. |
| US08341538B1 |
Systems and methods for reducing redundancies in quality-assurance reviews of graphical user interfaces
A computer-implemented method for reducing redundancies in quality-assurance reviews of graphical user interfaces may include identifying a plurality of screenshots of a graphical user interface. The computer-implemented method may also include creating, for each screenshot within the plurality of screenshots, a fingerprint of the screenshot and a fingerprint of a set of text contained within the screenshot. The computer-implemented method may further include performing a consolidation operation that identifies, by comparing each screenshot fingerprint and comparing each text fingerprint, redundant screenshots and/or redundant sets of text. The computer-implemented method may additionally include displaying non-redundant screenshots and/or non-redundant sets of text. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08341536B2 |
Dynamic interface component control support
A system, computer program and method for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) in a computer program. The invention allows developers to control the properties of interface components according to the state of a program during execution. According to the invention, a GUI development environment may be configured to provide a GUI builder for creating the GUI, display an interface component with at least one interface component property to be instantiated in the GUI, display a property interface to input at least one value for the interface component property in response to an event detectable by the computer program during GUI program execution, and automatically generate GUI program code effectuating the value for the interface component property in response to the event detectable by the computer program during GUI program execution. |
| US08341532B2 |
Automated set-up of a collaborative workspace
An approach to setting up a collabortive workspace involves receiving a user's instructions to convert an object to a collaborative workspace. In response to this instruction, the approach creates the collaborative workspace in a substantially automated manner. The approach may thereby facilitate the provisioning of a collaborative workspace, eliminating or at least reducing the manual effort involved in setting up a collaborative workspace. |
| US08341530B1 |
Customer service center database management
Systems and methods provide customer service center database management. A management component may identify an application accessible at a location based on a user profile and hardware component requirements for the application. The component may promote upgrading hardware components if the location's hardware components do not meet the requirements. The component may identify a user profile for a location and a communication route for the user profile. The management component may promote a change in a communication route to the location for the user profile if the route to the location does not correspond to the route for the user profile. The component may identify a first location's user profile that is similar to a second location's user profile. The component promotes modification of the first user profile to match the second user profile and of a route for the second user profile to a route for the first user profile. |
| US08341529B1 |
Dynamically modifying displayed information
Techniques are described for facilitating access of computing system users to restricted or other functionality, such as internal functionality of a business or other organization. The functionality access may be facilitated by an access provider system that executes on a client computing system of an authorized user, such as a program operating in conjunction with another presentation program that presents publicly available information by modifying interactions available to the user when using the presentation program or otherwise providing additional information to the user. In some situations, the additional information is provided by temporarily modifying the information being presented by the presentation program, such as by modifying a temporary copy of the information in volatile memory that is used to generate a visual representation being presented to the user by the presentation program, and then later removing the modifications after the user has completed use of the additional information. |
| US08341527B2 |
File format method and apparatus for use in digital distribution system
A method of distributing media content and associated media information as a media package in a file format embodied as a data structure. A method of presenting media content such as Audio or Video including segmenting the media content into sections and storing data and information about the sections as part of media information with the media content in a media package. The presentation program uses information about the users preferences/profile and location and compares it to section information in order to present certain sections and skip others during the presentation. During presentation, informative messages are inserted between sections if sponsor supported presentation is chosen. Any part of the media content or media information can be embedded in the file or can be linked to from the file and can also be determined using a script or program. |
| US08341526B2 |
Method of reproducing interactive graphic streams from information storage medium
A method of reproducing one interactive graphics stream among one or more interactive graphics streams from an information storage medium, via a reproduction apparatus providing a visual display of interactive graphics, including obtaining attribute information in a player status register in the reproducing apparatus, and reading and reproducing one of the interactive graphics streams corresponding to the obtained attribute information among one or more interactive graphics streams from the information storage medium, the one interactive graphics stream being used to control reproduction of audio-visual data and being reproduced with the audio-visual data. With the method, text information written in a variety of languages and data shared by those languages are multiplexed and stored in one menu stream such that data is not redundantly stored and less storage space is wasted. |
| US08341523B2 |
Method and system for providing multiple levels of help information for a computer program
A method and system for providing help information for a computer program. The help system provides help information based on a schema that specifies the structure of a valid computer program. The schema provides definitions of program element types that are specific instances of a program element type derived from more general program element types. The help system identifies a “derivation” of program element types relating to the selected program element. The help system then displays the derivation to the user. The user can then select to display documentation associated with the displayed program element types. |
| US08341522B2 |
Enhanced contextual user assistance
In an approach, an exemplary method includes receiving a query related to an electronic device through a first user interface associated with the electronic device, sensing a context of the electronic device, and providing an assistance correlating to the query and the sensed context through a second user interface associated with the electronic device. In another approach, an exemplary system includes an electronic device having a context sensor, a first and a second user interface, and instructions. The instructions cause the electronic device to receive a query related to the electronic device through a first user interface associated with the electronic device, receive a context of the electronic device from the context sensor, and provide an assistance corresponding to the query and the context of the electronic device through a second user interface associated with the electronic device. |
| US08341514B2 |
Using static data in a markup language
Described herein are techniques for specifying and utilizing static data in the environment of a tag-based or meta-markup document description language such as XML. |
| US08341500B2 |
Detecting corrupted data for a system having non-volatile memory
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for detecting corrupted data for a system having non-volatile memory, such as NAND Flash memory. In some embodiments, a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) package is provided, which can include a NVM controller and one or more NVM dies. Each NVM die can include one or more blocks, where each block can further include an array of memory cells. One or more of these memory cells can be configured as “multi-level cells” (“MLCs”). In some embodiments, in order to avoid transmitting data obtained from an improperly programmed page of a MLC, a NVM controller can be configured to detect if data obtained from the page is in fact data stored in a different page. |
| US08341497B2 |
Semiconductor storage
A semiconductor storage includes a receiver configured to receive a write request from a host device; a storage unit configured to hold redundancy data generation/non-generation information; a writing unit configured to write data in a semiconductor memory array and write redundancy data generation/non-generation information of the written data in the storage unit; a first data extracting unit configured to extract data whose redundancy data is not generated from among the data held by the semiconductor memory array; a first redundancy data generating unit configured to generate redundancy data; a first redundancy data writing unit configured to write the generated redundancy data in the semiconductor memory array; and a first redundancy data generation/non-generation information updating unit configured to update the redundancy data generation/non-generation information of the data whose redundancy data held by the storage unit is generated. |
| US08341490B2 |
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching. A reduced-size memory module is employed within a communication device to assist in storage of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) employed in accordance with turbo decoding. This architecture is also applicable to other types of error correction code (ECC) besides turbo code as well. The memory size is selected to match the number of coded bits (e.g., including information bits and redundancy/parity bits) that is included within a transmission. The received signals may be various transmissions made in accordance with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmissions. When the LLRs calculated from a first HARQ transmission is insufficient to decode, those LLRs are selectively stored in the memory module. When LLRs corresponding to a second HARQ transmission is received, LLRs corresponding to both the first HARQ transmission and the second HARQ transmission are passed from the memory module for joint use in decoding. |
| US08341488B2 |
Accumulating LDPC (low density parity check) decoder
Accumulating LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoder. The accumulating decoding architecture described herein is applicable to LDPC codes operating on a parity check matrix, H, consisting of CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks) or permuted identity sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks). In such a structure, the entire LDPC matrix is broken into square sub-matrices such that each sub-matrix consists of either a CSI sub-matrix or a permuted identity sub-matrix, or a null matrix. The iterative decoding process operates by updating of APP (a posteriori probability) or gamma (γ) values and check edge message (λ) values, and this by updating one or more individual rows within a number of sub-matrix rows (or all sub-matrix or sub-block rows) are processed in parallel. The amount of parallelism is specified by the designer and is typically an integer divisor of the sub-matrix (or sub-block) size. |
| US08341483B2 |
Data retransmission method and radio communication system using the same
A data retransmission method for a radio communication system, in which a plurality of data streams are transmitted from a plurality of transmission systems, the method includes when there is a transmission error in transmission data in any of the plurality of data streams, adaptively selecting beamforming or spatial coding for retransmission of the transmission data; and retransmitting the transmission data with transmission errors by using either of selected beamforming or spatial coding, wherein a criterion for adaptively selecting the beamforming or spatial coding is that by comparing a retransmission period with a prescribed fading speed, the beamforming is selected when the retransmission period is smaller than the prescribed fading speed, while the spatial coding is selected when the retransmission period is smaller than the prescribed fading speed. |
| US08341482B2 |
User equipment using hybrid automatic repeat request
A user equipment comprises a transmitter and an adaptive modulation and coding controller. The transmitter is configured to transmit data over an air interface in a single transmission time interval with a first specified modulation and coding scheme, where the single transmission time interval has a plurality of transport block sets. In response to receiving a repeat request for retransmission of at least one particular transport block set, the transmitter retransmits the at least one of the particular transport block sets. The adaptive modulation and coding controller is configured to change the specified modulation and coding scheme to a second specified modulation and coding scheme, enabling a combining of a particular transport block set transmitted at the first specified modulation and coding scheme with a retransmitted version of the particular transport block set transmitted at the second specified modulation and coding scheme. |
| US08341481B2 |
Method for performing hybrid automatic repeat request operation in a wireless mobile communication system
A method for performing a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) operation in a wireless mobile communication system that uses Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) or Time Division Duplex (TDD) frames each having a plurality of subframes for communication are provided, in which an HARQ timing including a transmission time of a data burst and a transmission time of an HARQ feedback, for DL HARQ is determined according to data burst assignment information transmitted in a #l DownLink (DL) subframe of a #i frame, and an HARQ operation is performed according to the determined HARQ timing. At least one frame index and at least one subframe index that represent the HARQ timing are determined by using l and i. |
| US08341480B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing implicit negative acknowledgement
An approach is provided for utilizing implicit negative acknowledgement. A determination is made that a user equipment is out of synchronization (e.g., with respect to the uplink). A control signal specifying timing alignment information is generated for transmission to the user equipment. An implicit negative acknowledgement corresponding to retransmission of data is declared if an acknowledgement is not received within a predetermined time interval. |
| US08341478B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective acknowledgement
The present invention pertains to the field of data communications and is directed to providing ways and means for flexible receipt reporting. A transceiving unit (1) is operated (61) to receive at least one sequence of data blocks (9) where the data blocks each have a respective sequence number (31). The receipt of the data blocks is monitored (63) to establish whether the data blocks have been successfully received or not. A receipt report is selectively generated (65) based at least in part on the performed monitoring. The receipt report includes at least one data part in accordance with a predetermined data format, which includes at least a first data portion (41) with information (BSN_NACK) identifying a sequence number of one data block in the sequence that has not been successfully received and a second data portion (43) with information (BSN_MAP) on whether or not successful receipt has been achieved for a number of data blocks in the sequence having sequence numbers following directly after the identified sequence number. The receipt report is provided in a generated data block (11) that is transmitted from the transceiving unit (1). The invention is applicable to all forms of data communications, including wireless data communications. |
| US08341475B2 |
Microprocessor comprising signature means for detecting an attack by error injection
A method for monitoring the execution of a sequence of instruction codes in an integrated circuit comprising a central processing unit provided for executing such instruction codes. Current cumulative signatures are produced using deterministic address, control or data logic signals involved in the execution of the sequence and taken off at various points of the integrated circuit. A final cumulative signature is compared with an expected signature and an error signal is produced if the two signatures are not identical. Particularly useful to secure integrated circuits for smart cards. |
| US08341466B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating acknowledgement frame
Provided are a method and an apparatus for generating an acknowledgement (ACK) frame. The method includes: receiving a data frame; first determining whether sub-frames included in the received data frame are coded in an unequal error protection (UEP) mode; and based on the determination of the first determining, generating the ACK frame including a first ACK field indicating reception of each of the sub-frames or second ACK field indicating reception of each first type bit and second type bit in the sub-frames. |
| US08341464B2 |
Diagnostic dashboard for web pages
A diagnostic dashboard for web applications is provided. The dashboard is presented in a portion of a web page in response to activation of a control in form of a frame along with partially displayed web page contents. Designers and administrators are provided informative data to assist them in discovering root causes for page malfunctioning or slowness, and are enabled to access call stack and exception information in error messages. |
| US08341461B2 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus which adopts a distributed control system and increases the error detection accuracy of each control unit. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a master control unit that controls the overall image forming apparatus, a plurality of sub-master control units that control a plurality of functions for performing image formation, and a plurality of slave control units that control loads for implementing a plurality of functions. The master control unit determines a diagnosis path for performing a diagnosis process for an error using the signal lines and a connection bridge connected to the respective control units. The master control unit performs the diagnosis process for an error in accordance with the determined diagnosis path. |
| US08341456B2 |
Method and apparatus of recording data on write-once recording medium
An apparatus of recording data on a recording medium includes an optical recording device and a microcomputer. The recording medium has a lead-in area, a lead-out area, and a data zone, where the data zone has a user data area and a spare area. When the microcomputer receives a command for physically overwriting first data in a first area within the user data area and determines that the first area is included in a pre-recorded area, it controls the recording device to record the first data in a first replacement area instead and to record a first entry in a TDMA, where the first entry specifies the locations of the first area and the first replacement area. In addition, when the microprocessor receives a command for recording second data in a second area within the user data area and finds the second area defective, it controls the optical recording device to record the second data in a second replacement area instead and to record a second entry in the TDMA, where the second entry specifies the locations of the second area and the second replacement area. |
| US08341455B2 |
Management method and system for managing replication by taking into account cluster storage accessibility to a host computer
A management system, which manages a host computer and a storage system, holds cluster information, specifies an active-state host computer and an inactive-state host computer based on a backup instruction specifying a virtual host identifier, determines the need for executing a replication for disaster recovery use, and when necessary, executes this replication for disaster recovery use in combination with a replication for backup use. |
| US08341454B1 |
Rendering a video stream based on digital clock generated based on timing information
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with clock generation are provided. In one embodiment, a precise timing protocol message is parsed to extract timing information. Timing waveform parameters are calculated based on the timing information and a digital clock is generated based on the waveform parameters. A video stream can then be decoded and rendered, where the rendering depends on the digital clock. |
| US08341450B2 |
Continuous timing calibrated memory interface
A system that adjusts the timing of write operations at a memory controller is described. This system operates by observing timing drift for read data at the memory controller, and then adjusting the timing of write operations at the memory controller based on the observed timing drift for the read data. |
| US08341448B2 |
Methods and systems for power supply management
System and methods for controlling power delivery to system components are disclosed. A controller is communicatively coupled to a point-of-load converter through a first communication path and a shared memory is communicatively coupled to the point-of-load converter through a second communication path. A third communication path communicatively couples the controller and the shared memory. Control data is communicated from the controller to the point-of-load converter through the first communication path and measurement data is written from the point-of-load converter to the shared memory through the second communication path. The controller is operable to read the measurement data from the shared memory through the third communication path. |
| US08341444B2 |
Minimization of power consumption in server environment
A method for minimizing power consumption in a computer server is provided. Collected data for an event is compared with an entry in a power consumption table. A power reduction mechanism is triggered if the collected data and the entry are within a specified range. The power consumption table is updated with the collected data if the collected data and the entry are not within the specified range. |
| US08341442B2 |
Energy load management method and system
A modification method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering a plurality of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value. The computing system enables a load adjustment modification process associated with the plurality of power consumption devices. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process. |
| US08341439B2 |
Power management apparatus and method thereof and power control system
A power management apparatus includes: a service request monitor block for receiving service requests by service groups to provide load information of service platforms belonging to the respective service groups; a platform information collection block for collecting a configuration information of the service platforms and collecting load information of the service platforms in a predetermined cycle; a platform power state alteration block for altering power states of the service platforms by request; and a management interface block for providing a setup interface for a load-based and a time-based power control and providing platform profile information generated based on the load information. |
| US08341437B2 |
Managing power consumption and performance in a data storage system
A method for managing power consumption in a data storage system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first input/output (I/O) request identifying an I/O operation to be performed by a storage device; delaying scheduling of the first I/O request to manage amount of power consumed by servicing the first I/O request; and forwarding the first I/O request to a storage controller associated with the storage device. The storage controller schedules the first I/O request using a scheduling mechanism, and the storage device services the first I/O request according to the scheduling mechanism. |
| US08341436B2 |
Method and system for power-state transition controllers
Power-state transitioning arrangements are implemented using a variety of methods. Using one such method, a power-state transitioning circuit arrangement is implemented having a processing circuit that does not include an arithmetic logic unit. A power-state transition script including instructions from an instruction set is stored in a memory circuit. The processing circuit implements the power-state transition script to facilitate a change in a power-state of another processor circuit. |
| US08341433B2 |
Method and system for managing the power consumption of an information handling system
A method for managing the power consumption of an information handling system including a processor and an associated cooling system. The method may include providing power to the cooling system based on a performance/power balance setting, accepting a user input to adjust the performance/power balance setting, and adjusting the power provided to the cooling system based on the adjusted performance/power balance setting. The performance/power balance setting may define a balance between performance of the processor and power consumption of the associated cooling system. |
| US08341425B2 |
Storage device and its control method
Provided is a storage device which partitions data from a host into multiple partitioned data and distributes, encrypts and stores them together with a parity to and in multiple memory mediums. This storage device executes processing of restoring the partitioned data or the parity stored in a memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key based on decrypted data of the partitioned data or the parity stored in each memory medium other than the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key among the multiple memory mediums, storing the restored partitioned data or the parity in a backup memory medium while encrypting the restored partitioned data or the parity with a new encryption key, and thereafter interchanging the backup memory medium and the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key so that the backup memory medium will be a memory medium configuring the parity group and the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key will be the backup memory medium. |
| US08341423B2 |
Machine, machine management apparatus, system, and method, and recording medium
A machine management method includes installing software in a machine including a security device that holds a secret key unextractable from the security device and a public key extractable from the security device, encrypts input data with the public key, and decrypts the input data with the secret key; storing machine identification information of the machine in association with software identification information of the software installed in the machine in an external management apparatus; creating a device-encryption key to encrypt data stored on a first storage device of the machine; storing a device-encryption-key BLOB obtained by encrypting the device-encryption key with the public key on a second storage device of the machine; and storing the device-encryption key in association with the machine identification information in the external management apparatus. |
| US08341420B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for entering sensitive and padding data using user-defined criteria
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying sensitive data from a user-entered input sequence based on user-defined criteria. According to one method, user-defined criteria for identifying sensitive data within user-entered input sequences that include sensitive data and padding data are received. A request for sensitive data from a requesting agent is presented. A user-entered input sequence that includes sensitive data and padding data is received in response to the request for sensitive data. Sensitive data is identified within the user-entered input sequence using the user-defined criteria. The identified sensitive data is provided to the requesting agent in response to the request for sensitive data. |
| US08341416B2 |
Assertion message signatures
The invention relates to a method for providing an assertion message (200) from a proving party (20) to a relying party (40), the method comprising the steps of: —creating an assertion (A) comprising one or more statements, —creating an assertion proof (p A), —creating a temporary private key and a corresponding temporary public key (K) from the assertion (A) and the assertion proof (p A), —creating a key proof (PK) for the temporary public key (K), —creating an assertion message signature (S) by means of the temporary private key, —creating the assertion message (200) comprising the temporary public key (K), the assertion proof (PA), the key proof (PK), the assertion (A), a message body (220) and the assertion message signature (S) to the relying party (40). |
| US08341415B1 |
Phrase matching
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating or using augmentation queries. In one aspect, a set of phrase terms of a phrase are received in first ordinal positions, and a set of first hashes for each of the phrase terms. Concatenated hashes from the set of first hashes are generated. Hashes of content terms for received content are compared to the concatenated hashes to determine if a phrase is detected in the content. |
| US08341411B2 |
Enabling use of a certificate stored in a smart card
If a smart card is to be used for a particular purpose, and there is no certificate initialized on the smart card for this purpose, a computerized device enables a user to select one of the certificates already installed in the smart card for the particular purpose. The selected certificate may be imported into the computerized device. |
| US08341410B2 |
Efficient certified email protocol
An exemplary optimistic protocol for a two-party transaction includes a setup sub-protocol that includes an authorized Diffie-Hellman key agreement, an exchange sub-protocol that includes sending a certificate from a sending party to a receiving party and sending a receipt from the receiving party to the sending party and a dispute sub-protocol that includes a dispute resolution mechanism for resolving disputes between the sending party and the receiving party due to sending of an invalid certificate, due to sending an invalid receipt, or due to abortion of the exchange sub-protocol. Other exemplary methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08341408B2 |
System and method for providing variable security level in a wireless communication system
A system and method for providing variable security levels in a wireless communication network. The present invention optimizes the often conflicting demands of highly secure wireless communications and high speed wireless communications. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, various security sensors are scanned to determine the likely presence of an intruder within a predetermined trust zone. If an intruder is likely present, the security level is changed to the highest setting, and consequently a lower data rate, while the intruder is identified. If the identified intruder is in fact a trusted node, the security level is returned to a lower setting. If the identified intruder is not a trusted node, the security level is maintained at an elevated state while the intruder is within the trust zone. |
| US08341405B2 |
Access management in an off-premise environment
A system that can assist users to manage a personal active directory for all of their information maintained within a cloud-based environment is provided. The identity of a client that accesses data is monitored and recorded in a log. In turn, this information can be made available to the owner of the information in order to develop a desired access control list (ACL). Additionally, the system can employ a heuristic component that can automatically establish the ACL on the owner's behalf. As well, the system can track how information is being accessed (or attempted to be accessed) by other people therefore, giving the owner of the information the opportunity to restrict or allow access based upon any number of recorded factors (e.g., identity, context). |
| US08341401B1 |
Interoperable cryptographic peer and server identities
Techniques for interoperable cryptographic peer and server identities can include receiving a message, in a connection establishment transaction, from an endpoint, the message including an endpoint discriminator, selecting a certificate based on the endpoint discriminator, determining a cryptographic scheme based on the selected certificate, and establishing the requested connection with the endpoint using the determined cryptographic scheme. The techniques can also include accessing one or more hashes, each hash being a hash of at least a portion of a certificate, processing the endpoint discriminator for an identity object, and comparing the identity object with the one or more hashes to identify a matching hash. The selected certificate can correspond to the matching hash. These techniques can allow an endpoint to interoperate with other endpoints that use different or similar cryptographic schemes. |
| US08341390B2 |
Computer system and method for backing up BIOS settings
In a computer system including a server having a BIOS and a management module, the server includes therein a memory area and a server controller, and the management module includes therein a backup memory area and a management-module controller. When the BIOS changes the BIOS setting, the BIOS stores the BIOS setting into both of the memory area and the backup memory area by way of the server controller and the management-module controller. Here, the management module operates independently of the server. Accordingly, when a BIOS-setting read request is issued from the outside, the management-module controller makes the response to the request source by reading the data stored into the backup memory area. |
| US08341381B2 |
Twisted and wrapped array organized into clusters of processing elements
An array of processing elements (PEs) is logically twisted in a first direction, wrapped to form a cylindrical array, and grouped in a second direction to determine PEs that are to be located in clusters and implemented to form physical clusters of PEs. Inter-cluster communication paths are mutually exclusive. Due to the mutual exclusivity of the data paths, communications between the processing elements of each cluster may be combined in a single inter-cluster path, thus eliminating half the wiring required for the path. The length of the longest communication path is not directly determined by the overall dimension of the array, as in conventional torus arrays. Rather, the longest communications path is limited by the inter-cluster spacing. Transpose elements of an N×N torus may be combined in clusters and communicate with one another through intra-cluster communications paths. Transpose operation latency is eliminated in this approach. Each PE may have a single transmit port and a single receive port. Thus, the individual PEs are decoupled from the array topology. |
| US08341378B2 |
Data storage device and data access method
The invention provides a data access method for a flash memory. First, a write command, a write address, and target data are received from a host. A target block corresponding to the write address is then determined. Whether a storage space with the write address in the target block stores data is then determined. When the storage space does not store data, the target data is written to the storage space of the target block. When the storage space stores data, whether a file allocation table (FAT) block mapped to the target block exists in the flash memory is then determined. When the FAT block exists, the target data is written to the FAT block. When the FAT block does not exist, whether a child block mapped to the target block exists in the flash memory is determined. When the child block exists, the target data is written to the child block. |
| US08341374B2 |
Solid state drive and related method of scheduling operations
A solid state drive (SSD) comprises an input/output interface and a memory controller. The input/output interface stores a plurality of input/output commands. The memory controller comprises first and second input/output contexts and an input/output scheduler. The first and second input/output contexts process input/output commands from the input/output interface in an alternating sequence. The input/output scheduler schedules operations of the first and second input/output contexts. In particular, the input/output scheduler suspends execution of a first input/output command by the first input/output context upon determining that an execution time of the first input/output command exceeds an interval before a deadline time. After suspending execution of the first input/output command, the input/output scheduler transmits a second input/output command to the second input/output context. |
| US08341372B2 |
Emulated electrically erasable (EEE) memory and method of operation
A system has an emulation memory having a plurality of sectors for storing information. A controller calculates a number of addresses used divided by a number of valid records in a predetermined address range of the emulation memory. An amount of remaining addresses in a currently used space of the emulation memory which have not been used to store information is calculated. A determination is made whether the calculation is greater than a first predetermined number and whether the amount of remaining addresses is greater than a second predetermined number. If both the fraction is greater than the first predetermined number and the amount of remaining addresses is greater than the second predetermined number, any subsequent update requests are responded to using the currently used space of the emulation memory. Otherwise a compression of the emulation memory is required by copying valid data to an available sector. |
| US08341369B2 |
Providing protected access to critical memory regions
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing hardware of a virtualized processor based system detecting a specified type of memory access to an identified region of memory and in response to the detecting generating an interrupt for a virtual machine monitor (VMM) of the virtualized processor based system. |
| US08341368B2 |
Automatic reallocation of structured external storage structures
A mechanism for automatic reallocation of shared external storage structures is provided. The shared external storage divides the dynamically allocable storage into fixed sized blocks referred to as allocation units. To create an object of a specific type, the shared external storage uses some number of allocation units. If the object will fit in one allocation unit, then it is placed in one allocation unit. If the object is larger than one allocation unit, then the appropriate number of allocation units is obtained and chained together to contain all of the information of the required object. When an object so allocated is no longer needed, the shared external storage breaks the object down to a set of one or more fixed sized allocation units. The shared external storage then returns the allocation units to the pool of available objects. |
| US08341367B2 |
Space reservation in a deduplication system
A calculated factoring ratio is determined as a weighted ratio of current nominal data to physical data based on at least one storage capacity threshold and a used storage space currently physically consumed by one of backup and replication data. A maximal nominal estimated space in the computing storage environment is calculated. A remaining space, defined as the maximal nominal estimated space minus a current nominal space in the computing storage environment, is calculated. If the remaining space is one of equal and less than a user-configured reservation space for backup operations, data replication operations are accepted and stored in the computing storage environment. |
| US08341365B2 |
Data backup system and method for virtual infrastructure
Systems for backing up the data of an IT system by utilizing server or storage virtualization technology to create and move logical IT infrastructures dynamically. A virtualized IT system provides a server resource pool and a storage resource pool composed from multiple physical devices either within a datacenter or a globally located plurality of datacenters. The virtual server and the storage volume provisioned from those pools will be paired to form the virtual infrastructure. In other words, the virtual infrastructure becomes a logical IT environment build with the required computing and storage resources needed in order to execute specific applications. The virtual infrastructure can also be migrated within/among datacenter sites. |
| US08341364B2 |
Maintaining asynchronous mirroring
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for maintaining asynchronous mirroring. A detection module detects insufficient storage space to store a snapshot of a logical volume in at least one of a primary storage system and a secondary storage system. The primary storage system comprises the logical volume. A write from a host to the logical volume is acknowledged, maintaining asynchronous mode mirroring between the primary storage system and the host. The mirror module mirrors the write to the logical volume at the secondary storage system using a backup synchronous mode in response to detecting the insufficient storage space. Under the backup synchronous mode, the primary storage system acknowledges the write to the host while concurrently mirroring the write to the secondary storage system. The secondary storage system acknowledges the mirrored write to the primary storage system. |
| US08341360B2 |
Method and apparatus for memory write performance optimization in architectures with out-of-order read/request-for-ownership response
A block of data may be transferred to memory through a plurality of write operations, where each write operation is preceded by a protocol request and a protocol response. A plurality of protocol requests issued in a first order may elicit a corresponding plurality of protocol responses in a second order, and the write operations may be performed in yet a third order. Chipsets implementing the data write methods are also described and claimed. |
| US08341359B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing media and path management in a computer network
A method of dynamically sharing a media volume in a network includes associating a first media management module with a first media volume of a first storage device, associating a second media management module with the first media volume, the second media management module mounting the media volume and creating an access path to the media volume, and delegating management of the created access path to the second media management module. |
| US08341357B2 |
Pre-fetching for a sibling cache
One embodiment provides a system that pre-fetches into a sibling cache. During operation, a first thread executes in a first processor core associated with a first cache, while a second thread associated with the first thread simultaneously executes in a second processor core associated with a second cache. During execution, the second thread encounters an instruction that triggers a request to a lower-level cache which is shared by the first cache and the second cache. The system responds to this request by directing a load fill which returns from the lower-level cache in response to the request to the first cache, thereby reducing cache misses for the first thread. |
| US08341354B2 |
Cache coloring method and apparatus based on function strength information
A method of performing cache coloring includes the steps of generating a dynamic function flow representing a temporal sequence in which a plurality of functions are called at a time of executing a program comprised of the plurality of functions by executing the program by a computer, generating function strength information in response to the dynamic function flow by use of the computer, the function strength information including information about runtime relationships between any given one of the plurality of functions and all the other ones of the plurality of functions in terms of a way the plurality of functions are called and further including information about degree of certainty of cache miss occurrence, and allocating the plurality of functions to memory space by use of the computer in response to the function strength information such as to reduce instruction cache conflict. |
| US08341351B2 |
Data reception system with determination whether total amount of data stored in first storage area exceeds threshold
A data reception system includes a data acquisition unit acquiring data from a predetermined transmission path, an access control unit storing the data acquired by the data acquisition unit in a predetermined storage area, and a plurality of storage areas. The plurality of storage areas includes a first storage area and a second storage area having a greater storable capacity and a lower storing speed compared to the first storage area. The access control unit further includes a transfer unit. The access control unit determines whether the total amount of data stored in the first storage area is in the excess of a predetermined threshold or not and causes a transfer unit to transfer the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the second storage area to store the data in the second storage area when the total amount is in the excess of the threshold. |
| US08341349B2 |
System and method for loose coupling between raid volumes and drive groups
The present disclosure describes a system and method for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID).A method for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID) may comprise: (a) associating one or more volume pieces of a first logical volume with a first set of drives in a drive group; and (b) associating one or more volume pieces of a second logical volume with a second set of drives in the drive group, wherein the first set of drives in the drive group includes at least one drive which is not a member of the second set of drives in the drive group.A system for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID) may comprise: (a) means for associating one or more volume pieces of a first logical volume with a first set of drives in a drive group; and (b) means for associating one or more volume pieces of a second logical volume with a second set of drives in the drive group, wherein the first set of drives in the drive group includes at least one drive which is not a member of the second set of drives in the drive group. |
| US08341348B2 |
Computer system and load equalization control method for the same where cache memory is allocated to controllers
A computer system having a plurality of controllers for data input/output control is provided, wherein even if a control authority of a processor is transferred to another processor and the computer system migrates control information necessary for a controller to execute data input/output processing, from a shared memory to a local memory for the relevant controller, the computer system prevents the occurrence of unbalanced allocation of a control function necessary for data input/output control between the plurality of controllers; and a load equalization method for such a computer system is also provided. |
| US08341347B2 |
Storage controller
A storage controller of the present invention enables a larger number of storage devices to be mounted while keeping the installation size small. A plurality of sub-storage units are disposed inside a high density-type storage unit. The respective sub-storage units comprise a plurality of hard disk drives, controller, memory, power supply device, and display part. The respective sub-storage units operate independently of one another. A controller creates a management table based on management data acquired from the respective sub-storage units. The user is notified when there is an error in the table contents. A display part lights up in accordance with an indication from a storage unit specification part, notifying the user of the location of the sub-storage unit. |
| US08341345B2 |
System and method for providing content based anticipative storage management
A hierarchical storage management (HSM) system and method. A system is provided comprising: a data usage monitor for extracting data object information from data objects in a hierarchical storage complex that is managed by a content management system; a data relationship repository for storing data object information, wherein the data object information includes relationship data for data objects in the hierarchical storage complex; and a system that analyzes the relationship data and makes data management action recommendations for the hierarchical storage complex. |
| US08341338B2 |
Data storage device and related method of operation
A data storage device comprises a plurality of memory devices, a buffer memory, and a controller. The plurality of memory devices are connected to a plurality of channels and a plurality of ways. The buffer memory temporarily stores data to be written in the memory devices. The controller stores the data in the buffer memory based on channel and way information of the memory devices. |
| US08341337B1 |
Data storage device booting from system data loaded by host
A data storage device (DSD) is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory (NVM) operable to store system data for accessing the NVM, and a semiconductor memory. Whether to receive the system data from a host is determined prior to attempting to read the system data from the NVM. When the system data is received from the host, the received system data is stored in the semiconductor memory. A command is received from the host to boot the DSD, and the system data is read from the semiconductor memory to boot the DSD. |
| US08341330B2 |
Method and system for enhanced read performance in serial peripheral interface
A method for reading data in an integrated circuit includes receiving a read command, which is associated with an enhanced data read, and receiving a first address from a plurality of input/output pins. The method includes receiving a first performance enhancement indicator and determining whether an enhanced read operation is to be performed based on at least information associated with the first performance enhancement indicator. The method includes waiting n clock cycles, where n is an integer, then outputting data from a memory array in the integrated circuit using the plurality of input/output pins concurrently. The method also includes performing an enhanced read operation, if it is determined that the enhanced read operation is to be performed. In an embodiment of the method, performing an enhanced read operation includes receiving a second address and a second performance enhance indicator without receiving a read command. |
| US08341327B2 |
Computer system and method for sharing PCI devices thereof
In order to provide an inexpensive way to share an I/O device loaded in an I/O drawer among a plurality of blades, in a server system including a plurality of servers, a PCI device, and a manager for initializing a PCI switch, the PCI device has a plurality of virtual functions (VFs). The PCI switch, which has VF allocation information which indicates association between the servers and the VFs, is configured to: receive a transaction from one of the servers or from the PCI device; when the received transaction is a transaction sent from the one of the servers, remove a server identifier with which a sender server is identified and transfer the received transaction to the PCI device; and when the received transaction is a transaction sent from the PCI device, attach a server identifier that is determined based on the VF allocation information. |
| US08341326B2 |
Software layer for communication between RS-232 to I2C translation IC and a host
A host controller having a first communication interface, or protocol, writes to and reads from one or more slave devices each having a second communication interface, or protocol, which is different from the first, through a translation device, or integrated circuit, that is responsive to command streams from the host controller. The present invention provides a high-level communications protocol by which command information and data are passed to a translation device, and the translation device interprets these commands and engages in the desired data transfer operation between the host controller and the slave devices. In a further aspect of the present invention, the high-level communications protocol also includes commands interpreted by the translation device to achieve data transfers between the host controller and the translation device, including accessing internal registers and I/O ports of the translation device. |
| US08341325B2 |
System and method for providing PCIE over displayport
An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing an extensible information handling system (IHS) bus implemented on predetermined channels of a digital video interface. IHS video signal information is multiplexed with IHS bus information by a host multiplexer for transmission across a digital video connector. The multiplexed IHS video signal and IHS bus information is received by a display multiplexer, where it is demultiplexed. Demultiplexed IHS video signal information is received by a video interface receiver, where it is used to generate an image on a digital display. Demultiplexed IHS bus information is received by a host bus interface transmitter/receiver, where it is used to support peripheral devices attached to the digital display. |
| US08341324B2 |
Serial peripheral interface and method for data transmission
A serial peripheral interface of an integrated circuit including multiple pins is provided. The pins are coupled to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit receives an instruction through only one of the plurality of pins. The integrated circuit receives an address through the plurality of pins. The integrated circuit sends a read out data through the plurality of pins. |
| US08341320B2 |
System and method of transmitting data between devices connected via a bus defining a time slot during transmission for responsive output information from bus devices
A device and method are provided in which the data to be transmitted is transmitted in units together with information concerning the transmission and/or the use of the data. At least some of the units include at least one region which defines a time slot within which freely selectable devices can output onto the bus data representing freely selectable information at freely selectable points in time. |
| US08341318B2 |
Techniques for facilitating communication between an accessory and a mobile computing device using application specific protocols
Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol. |
| US08341317B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a network
A method of managing a network. The method includes receiving an activation key transmitted from a device connected to the network, automatically transmitting a configuration to the device, automatically maintaining the configuration of the device, and receiving log information from the device. |
| US08341316B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a translation lookaside buffer
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a translation lookaside buffer in connection with the execution of an atomic instruction. The method comprises identifying load instructions within a plurality of instructions to be executed, and placing the identified load instructions in a queue prior to execution. An atomic instruction identified in the queue is prevented from executing until the atomic instruction is the oldest instruction in the queue. The apparatus comprises a queue and a translation lookaside buffer. The queue is adapted to: identify an atomic instruction within a plurality of instructions to be executed; prevent execution of the atomic instruction until it is the oldest instruction in the queue; and send a virtual address corresponding to the atomic instruction and an atomic load signal in response to determining that the atomic instruction is the oldest instruction in the queue. The translation lookaside buffer is adapted for maintaining at least one virtual to physical address translation, and is adapted to force a miss in the translation lookaside buffer in response to receiving the atomic load signal. |
| US08341311B1 |
System and method for reduced latency data transfers from flash memory to host by utilizing concurrent transfers into RAM buffer memory and FIFO host interface
A flash memory system having the capability of streaming data directly from flash memory to the interface of a host computer in order to substantially reduce latency of to-host transfers, while also maintaining the capabilities for caching and overlapped flash I/O provided by RAM DMA transfers. When data is read from the flash memory, the data is transferred into the RAM buffer and at the option of the memory controller, directly (via an intermediate FIFO) to the host interface. This results in a desirable reduction in the latency of data transfer because as soon as the first byte of data is read from the flash memory by the DMA engine, the data will be transferred directly to the host interface. Because the data is also being transferred to the buffer RAM, preferred embodiments of the present invention still provide the advantages of using an intermediate transfer buffer. |
| US08341309B2 |
Network system
A universal plug and play (UPnP)-based network system and a method of controlling the same. A UPnP device can operate according to a description of each control point (CP) when performing a command, by including the description, which is inherent information of each CP, in a command message transmitted from each CP to the UPnP device and allowing the UPnP device to analyze the command message to obtain the description of the CP. The UPnP-based network system includes a plurality of CPs, each of which stores a CP description, which is inherent characteristic information of each CP, and generates and transmits a command message including the CP description, and a UPnP device which is connected to the plurality of CPs over a network, analyzes the command message received from each CP to perform an operation according to the command message, and analyzes the CP description included in the command message to recognize each CP which transmits the command message. |
| US08341305B2 |
System and method for distributing user interface device configurations
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect a plurality of User Interface (UI) device configurations, receive a request from a computing device to download one or more of the plurality of UI device configurations, and transmit to the computing device the one or more UI device configurations requested to configure one or more UI devices of the computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08341304B2 |
Flexible intelligent electronic device
An intelligent electronic device for a Substation Automation or Distribution Automation system as well as to a method and computer program product for providing it. The device has a structuring of its own functionality according to a communication standard and includes mechanically separable, replaceable hardware modules interconnected via an inter-module bus. The modules implement functionality related to function related elements of the standard and include a communication module and I/O modules. The device includes elements of the communication standard comprising one device related element and replaceable function related elements of all the functions provided by the modules. The communication module includes the device related element and function elements associated with the function of the communication module as well as functions provided by all the I/O modules. |
| US08341301B2 |
Device and method for testing a direct memory access controller
A device and a method for testing a DMA controller. The device includes: (i) a DMA controller that includes a first data transfer path and a second data transfer path, wherein the first data transfer path and the second data transfer path are mutually independent; (ii) a test unit, connected to the first and second data transfer paths, that is adapted to control a transfer of data between the first data transfer path and the second data transfer path during a test mode, while masking from a first memory unit coupled to the DMA controller, at least one control signal associated with the transfer of data. |
| US08341300B1 |
Systems for sustained read and write performance with non-volatile memory
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory system includes non-volatile-memory-devices (NVMDs) coupled to memory channels to share busses and a memory controller coupled to the memory channels in communication between the plurality of NVMDs. Each NVMD independently executes a read, write, or erase operation at a time. The memory controller includes channel schedulers to schedule control and data transfers associated with the read, write, and erase operations on the memory channels; and high priority and low priority queues coupled to the channel schedulers. The channel schedulers prioritize operations waiting in the high priority queues over operations waiting in the low priority queues. The channel schedulers further prioritize read operations waiting in either the high priority queue or the low priority queue over write and erase operations waiting in each respective queue. |
| US08341297B2 |
Latencies and weightings in a domain name service (DNS) system
A method for determining metrics of a content delivery and global traffic management network provides service metric probes that determine the service availability and metric measurements of types of services provided by a content delivery machine. Latency probes are also provided for determining the latency of various servers within a network. The latency probe calculates, for example, the latency from its location to a client's location using the round trip time for sending a packet to the client to obtain the latency value for that client. DNS servers use the latency test results, along with traffic weightings, to determine a server to return for a given DNS name. |
| US08341295B1 |
Server failover using IPV6 mobility features
Techniques are provided for using the mobility support features of IPv6 to allow client and server nodes to communicate without the continuing intervention of a load-balancing node that selected the server node. A load-balancing node intercepts a TCP SYN packet addressed to a virtual IP address. The load-balancing node selects a server node from among multiple server nodes, and sends the packet toward the server node. The server node sends an IPv6 packet toward the client node. The packet contains a Binding Update option that specifies the virtual IP address as a Home Address. This information causes the client node to replace destination addresses in outgoing IP packets so that packets that the client node would have sent toward the virtual IP address are sent toward the selected server node's IP address instead. Consequently, the IP packets are routed toward the selected server node instead of the load-balancing node. |
| US08341291B2 |
Network communications of application running on device utilizing virtual network connection and routing protocol based on application connection criteria
A method of providing network communications using virtualization includes steps of creating a virtual machine instance that runs on a device and that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided, detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on the device, determining application-specific information associated with the application, using the application-specific information associated with the application, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols for communicating data from the application over a network using the virtual network connection, and, using the selected routing protocol, communicating data from the application over the network to a device using the virtual network connection of the virtual machine instance. |
| US08341290B2 |
Method and system for selecting a computing device for maintaining a client session in response to a request packet
A server farm for processing client requests comprising a first server having a first processor and a first network interface controller communicatively coupled to the first processor, and a second server comprising a second processor and communicatively coupled to the first server, wherein the first network interface controller is configured to maintain a state table associated with at least the first server and the second server and respond to receipt of a request packet from a client by, initiating by the first processor execution of a software application associated with the request packet when the state table corresponds to a first state, and selectively forwarding the request packet to the second server when the state table corresponds to a second state. |
| US08341288B2 |
Mechanism for sharing resources among different senders and receivers
A technique enables resources to be shared among data flows that may have different senders (sources) and/or different receivers (destinations) in a data network. Identifiers are associated with data flows and used to indicate whether resources may be shared between data flows. The identifiers are carried in signaling messages used to reserve resources for data flows. An existing data flow that is associated with an identifier that matches an identifier associated with a new data flow is allowed to share resources its resources with the new data flow. |
| US08341284B2 |
Method and system for selecting a delivery method for media on demand
Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems are disclosed. A computer implemented method includes accessing a digital image including a plurality of faces including a first face and a second face. a computer-implemented method includes determining, from a receiving device, a connection speed between the receiving device and a host. The computer implemented method selects a method of delivery for specified media content based on the connection speed. The method of delivery is streaming when the connection speed satisfies a speed threshold. The method of delivery is downloading when the connection speed does not satisfy the speed threshold. The computer implemented method requests delivery of the specified media content from the host using the method of delivery. |
| US08341278B2 |
Secure content delivery system
A secure streaming content delivery system provides a plurality of content servers connected to a network that host customer content that can be cached and/or stored, e.g., images, video, text, and/or software. The content servers respond to requests for customer content from users. The invention load balances user requests for cached customer content to the appropriate content server. A user makes a request to a customer's server/authorization server for delivery of the customer's content. The authorization server checks if the user is authorized to view the requested content. If the user is authorized, then the authorization server generates a hash value using the authorization server's secret key, the current time, a time-to-live value, and any other information that the customer has configured, and embeds it into the URL which is passed to the user. A content server receives a URL request from the user for customer content cached on the content server. The request is verified by the content server creating its own hash value using the customer server's secret key, the current time, a time-to-live value, and any other related information configured for the customer. If the hash value from the URL matches the content server's generated hash value, then the user's request is valid and within the expiration time period and the content server delivers the requested content to the user. |
| US08341277B2 |
System and method for connecting closed, secure production network
A system and method for providing connectivity to a closed, secure production network, and computer program products for executing the same and, more particularly, to a system and method for creating a virtual network to provide communication with remote tools. The system includes a server configured to create a virtual network for tools in a production facility and provide authentication and tool routing information to a client in order to gain access to the tools in the virtual network. The virtual network isolates each tool of the tools from each other. |
| US08341276B1 |
Negotiating internet protocol addresses in a network
Methods are provided for negotiating a static IPv6 address with a mobile device such that the mobile device can use the address to establish a communications session. Initially, a static IPv6 address that the mobile device is proposing to use is received. It is determined that the static IPv6 address is stored in a database in association with the mobile device. As the static IPv6 address is stored, the mobile device is allowed to establish a communications session using the proposed IPv6 address. |
| US08341275B1 |
Access and control system for network-enabled devices
Systems and methods for remote access of network-enabled devices that provide seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity between multiple users and multiple devices, that allow collaborative operations by multiple users of remote devices, that allow point to multipoint control of multiple devices and which allow rapid, secure transmission of data between remote users and devices. In general terms, the system includes at least one connection server, and at least two computers operatively coupled to the connection server via a public or global network. In an example where at least one client computer is operatively connected to at least one network-enabled device through a connection server via the public or global network, the connection server is configured to route control instructions from the client to the network-enabled device, and route data from the network-enabled device to the client. |
| US08341272B2 |
Method for improving a TCP data transmission in case the physical transmission medium is disconnected
A method for the improvement of a TCP data transmission process in the case of an interruption of the physical transmission medium, wherein after the establishment of a TCP connection between a client (10) and a server (12) a data packet is transmitted from the server (12) to the client (10), wherein the receipt of the data packet from the server (12) is confirmed by the client (10) by the transmission of a confirmation message assigned to the received data packet, ACK message, wherein in the case of the transmission of the ACK message at the client (10) a timer (14) is started with a default time T1, and the same ACK message is repeatedly transmitted to the server (12), in case no further data packet has been received from the server (12) at the client (10) after expiration of the time T1. |
| US08341266B2 |
Method and system for load balancing over a set of communication channels
An approach for load balancing is disclosed. A user load is determined based upon data queued for transmission at each of the terminals. In addition, an inroute load corresponding to loading of inroutes serving the terminals is determined. A user-to-inroute distribution that minimizes variation of the inroute load is generated. The user-to-inroute distribution maps the user load to the inroutes. The user load is reassigned to the inroutes based on the determined user-to-inroute distribution. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services. |
| US08341265B2 |
Hybrid server overload control scheme for maximizing server throughput
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for controlling server resources. An occupancy value of a buffer and a first utilization value of a first processor are measured. The buffer is configured to store one or more requests for service from at least a first client. The first processor is configured to receive and process the one or more requests from the buffer. A buffer size value is determined based on a processor throughput calculation, and a first service request limit for the first client is determined based on the occupancy value, the first utilization value, and the buffer size value. |
| US08341260B2 |
Method and system for identification of decisive action state of server components via telemetric condition tracking
A method for performing server monitoring via condition tracking and state identification of server components. In one embodiment, the method includes continuously monitoring a server, the server having a plurality of components, determining whether a component of the plurality of components has entered a maintenance state, and triggering a maintenance action for the component if it has entered the maintenance state. |
| US08341253B2 |
Method for performing SUPL based location service
A method for performing an SUPL-based triggered location service, comprising: sending a pause message for a triggered session to a server, starting the triggered session for a triggered location service with the server; and sending a end message to the server if a condition added to the triggered session is satisfied during pause of the triggered session. |
| US08341251B2 |
Enabling storage area network component migration
Enabling storage area network (SAN) component migration are provided. An end-to-end systems management console, referred to as the hardware migration assistant, is provided to simplify the migration steps for a SAN administrator to replace key SAN components. The hardware migration assistant provides a single interface suitable for stepping the SAN administrator through the reconfiguring task faster and with fewer sources of error than the known distributed manual process. The hardware migration assistant of the illustrative embodiments provides an interface through which a user may specify a type of SAN component that is being replaced and identifies the particular SAN components that are being replaced. The hardware migration assistant provides a knowledge base for guiding the user through the replacement operation and the reconfiguring of the SAN components, including the new SAN components, based on the previous configuration of the replaced components. |
| US08341245B1 |
Content-facilitated speculative preparation and rendering
Methods and systems for reducing web page load time include obtaining speculative information associated with a uniform resource locator (URL). The method and system also include determining whether to prefetch content of the URL based on the speculative information. The method and system further include providing an instruction to prefetch the URL content when a determination to prefetch results. |
| US08341244B2 |
Data distribution communication apparatus and data distribution system
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus and a data distribution system which are fast in the response speed of data distribution and require less space and less electric power. The present invention provides a communication apparatus which is provided with a broadband transmission module for reproduction by which a constant amount of data is transmitted from an initial data transmission server in a broad band immediately after a client instructs to distribute the data and then, subsequent data is transmitted from a subsequent data transmission server in a normal band, a load balancing module (a module for dispersing a distribution request from a client among plural servers accumulating the same file) and a file dispersion access module (a module for sorting a distribution request from a client into a server storing the file corresponding to the distribution request), and which includes a server arraying module for directly arraying plural servers without using a disk array to integrate resources of the servers into one. Further, the present invention provides a VOD distribution system including the communication apparatus and the plural servers. |
| US08341242B2 |
System and method for managing entitlements to data over a network
A system and method for determining entitlement to content residing on a server. A subscriber computing device operated by a subscriber generates a request for access to a requested content residing on a content access provider server. The subscriber has an account with a multi-channel video program distributor (MVPD) and the account comprises subscription information indicative of the services provided by the MVPD to the subscriber. The content request is received by the content access provider and forwarded to an entitlements server. The entitlement determines whether the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content based on the subscription information and sends an access granted message to the content access provider server when the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content. |
| US08341239B2 |
Method and system for providing runtime vulnerability defense for cross domain interactions
A runtime vulnerability defense method, system, and computer readable article of manufacture tangibly embodying computer readable instructions for executing the method for cross domain interactions for a Web application. The method includes: creating a first and second iFrame object by the Web application which belong to a lower domain; creating an object O by the first iFrame object; sharing the created object O by the second iFrame object; promoting the domain of the second iFrame object to an upper domain; creating in the shared object O a source accessing function for submitting to a third party server a request to access the content of the third party server; and creating in the shared object O a sanitization function for sanitizing the response received from the server. |
| US08341237B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for automatically triggering operations on a queue pair
Systems, methods and computer program products for automatically triggering operations on a queue pair (QP). Methods include receiving a command at a remote direct memory access (RDMA) capable adapter. A trigger event element associated with the command is determined. The trigger event element is posted on a triggered QP. A triggeror element on a triggeror QP is posted, where the triggeror QP includes a reference to the triggered QP. A notification that the triggeror element has completed is received. The trigger event element is automatically initiated in response to receiving the notification. |
| US08341233B2 |
Persisting a group in an instant messaging application
Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online. |
| US08341232B2 |
Relationship identification based on email traffic
A method comprises identifying one or more relationships between a target individual and one or more persons based at least in part on a plurality of emails. The plurality of emails comprise one or more outbound emails, which may comprise emails sent to the target individual from the one or more persons. The plurality of emails further comprise one or more inbound emails, which may comprise emails sent from the target individual to the one or more persons. The method further comprises, for each of the one or more relationships, calculating an amount of outbound emails and an amount of inbound emails. The method further comprises assigning a classification to each of the one or more relationships based at least in part on the amount of outbound emails and the amount of inbound emails. The method further comprises sorting the one or more relationships based at least in part on the classification assigned to each of the one or more relationships. The method may further comprise storing information regarding the sorted relationships. |
| US08341218B2 |
Technique for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment
A technique for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment comprising the steps of encoding a request at a client side; communicating the request to a server at a server side via a communication interface; comparing the request to a plurality of operations supported at the server side; determining whether a function match exists at the server side; and returning a response comprising the function match to the client side in response to the request via the communication interface wherein the response is mapped to a data model of a client. |
| US08341214B2 |
System and method for communicating with a network of printers using a mobile device
A mobile client coupled to a network and a method for the mobile client to interact with nodes, including printer devices, which are coupled to the network, are provided. One or more respective nodes includes a software application executable by a host processor associated with the respective node on a software platform executed by the host processor. The application can interact with one of the printer devices to cause the printer device to perform a function. The mobile client includes an software platform executable by its processor for discovering the applications. The discovering of an application includes ascertaining that the application is available for execution and having the ability to activate the application. |
| US08341213B2 |
Method for improving boot time of a client having a virtualized operating environment
Techniques for improving boot time of a client having a virtualized operating environment are described herein. According to one embodiment, a controller identifies a virtual machine (VM) associated with a client in response to a message received by the controller from a client over a network indicating that the client is starting up. The controller automatically launches the associated VM at a remote node. The associated VM is being started up at the remote node while the client is being started up at the client concurrently, such that a starting time for the client and the associated VM as a whole is reduced. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08341209B2 |
System and method for processing information via networked computers including request handlers, process handlers, and task handlers
Systems and methods for processing information via networked computers leverage request handlers, process handlers, and task handlers to provide efficient distributed processing of processing jobs, the processing jobs comprising a process flow, each process flow including (1) a plurality of processing tasks to be performed by task handlers and (2) state information associated with the processing tasks. |
| US08341208B2 |
Methods and systems for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine
A method for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine includes receiving, by a remote agent executing on a remote machine, an identification of a shell extension associated with a resource provided by a local machine. The remote agent installs a proxy handler associated with the identified shell extension. The proxy handler receives a request for access to the shell extension and redirects the request to a shell extension invoker executing on the local machine. |
| US08341207B2 |
Apparatus and method for matching users for online sessions
An apparatus, method, and machine-readable medium are described for establishing peer-to-peer (“P2P”) communication channels. In particular, in one embodiment, a matchmaker service performs a series of operations to service match requests received from a group of mobile devices. In one embodiment, the matchmaker service groups the match requests into matchable sets based on the application for which the requests are received and one or more variables associated with the application. Match requests within each match set can then be matched based on variables such as the NAT type, connection type and language associated with each of the mobile devices. Other variables such as geographical location, experience level, and age of the match requests may also be used to render match decisions. |
| US08341205B2 |
Fast singular value decomposition for expediting computer analysis system and application thereof
The present invention uses a computer analysis system of a fast singular value decomposition to overcome the bottleneck of a traditional singular value decomposition that takes much computing time for decomposing a huge number of objects, and the invention can also process a matrix in any form without being limited to symmetric matrixes only. The decomposition and subgroup concept of the fast singular value decomposition works together with the decomposition of a variance matrix and the adjustment of an average vector of a column vector are used for optimizing the singular value decomposition to improve the overall computing speed of the computer analysis system. |
| US08341200B2 |
Protecting a web application against attacks through shared files
A method of downloading a file from a Web application to a client computer equipped with a Web browser including: the Web browser sending an original request to download the file to a first front server, the original request being addressed to a URL comprising a hostname portion that is independent of the file, the first front server sending a redirection response to the original request, the response specifying a URL comprising a hostname portion that is dependent on the file, the Web browser sending a follow-up request to download the file to a second front server, the follow-up request being addressed to the URL specified in the redirection response, and the second front server downloading the requested file in response to the follow-up request. |
| US08341199B2 |
Storage system, a method of file data back up and a method of copying of file data
A storage system manages the total capacity of a shared storage medium to store block-basis data and file-basis data. When block data and its address are input through a fiber channel port, an input/output unit converts its data format to a data format that is internally applied by the storage system. When file data and its address are input, a file system converts its data format to a block data format internally applied by the storage system. The file system derives a file logical volume address from the received file address and translates file data to block data. A managing unit derives the address of a block logical volume from the block address delivered from the input/output unit. The managing unit translates block logical volume address or the file logical volume address to a physical address, and writes data to or reads data from the shared storage medium. |
| US08341197B2 |
Encoder, decoder, their methods, programs thereof, and recording media having programs recorded thereon
In encoding for putting one or more files and/or one or more files in a folder into a single archive file, original hierarchy information and standard hierarchy information generated by converting characters in a special character coding in each file name to characters in a standard character coding are recorded in the archive file. If the character coding used in the original hierarchy information in the archive file cannot be used in the system environment used in decoding, a file name in the standard character coding is generated from the standard hierarchy information and is converted to a character coding that can be used in the system environment. |
| US08341196B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating a contextual model based on offline user context data
An approach is provided for providing a contextual model based upon user context data. A context modeling platform collects context data on offline activities of a user. The context modeling platform maps the collected user context data as context data points into a multidimensional contextual model. The context modeling platform causes, at least in part, actions that result in reception of at least one multidimensional contextual model of another user. The context modeling platform compares the multidimensional contextual model of the user with the multidimensional contextual model of the another user. |
| US08341191B2 |
Methods and structures for utilizing reusable custom-defined nestable compound data types to permit product variations within an existing taxonomy
Methods and structures for utilizing reusable custom-defined nestable compound data types to permit product variations within an existing taxonomy are described. Multi-attribute Tuples representing individual product variations provide an efficient way to represent an irregular subset of all attribute permutations. Tuples, using the system, methods and structures of one or more embodiments of the invention, provide an elegant solution to efficiently represent the many variations. |
| US08341186B2 |
Smart energy network configuration using link key database
Various embodiments include a method and system for configuring a smart energy network using a link key database. An energy services interface, on the smart energy network, extracts a unique identifier associated with a smart energy device from a communication with the smart energy device. The energy services interface may then use the unique identifier to receive information associated with the smart energy device from the link key database. |
| US08341185B2 |
Method and apparatus for context-indexed network resources
Techniques to provide context-indexed network resources include determining a network resource that is associated with first data in response to receiving first data that describes a context feature. A context token is determined, which indicates a probability, in the first data, of a topic from a context vocabulary. The context vocabulary includes concepts describing temporal, spatial, environmental or activity circumstances of consumers. Second data is stored, which indicates the network resource in association with the context token. In some embodiments, determining a network resource associated with the first data includes sending a topic based on the feature context token to a network resource search engine; and, the network resource is determined based on data returned from the network resource search engine. |
| US08341184B2 |
Communications network system and service provider
In order to help system users organize the user data and communications, a service provider system organizes the user data according to a specific system data architecture using W4 technology to facilitate organization of user communications, content, and data. The system provides a data structure that organizes data using the human metaphor and provides a user interface to access and manipulate the data using a human metaphor. As a result, users may intuitively interact with, manipulate, and create data without having to learn specific rules and steps based on of file-size, format, and directory structures, among others. In addition, the service provider system provides a single, intuitive to manipulate interface to manage all user communications. |
| US08341182B2 |
Systems and methods of media management, such as management of media to and from a media storage library
A system and method for determining media to be exported out of a media library is described. In some examples, the system determines a media component to be exported, determines the media component is in the media library for a specific process, and exports the media component after the process is completed. |
| US08341180B1 |
Risk analysis for data-intensive stochastic models
A risk analysis system and method are provided. The system includes an analyzer for analyzing database instances by executing a query on each database instance and selecting a cutoff value. The analyzer also discards the sets of uncertainty data that yield query-result values below the cutoff value and retains the database instances that yield query-result values above the cutoff value as elite sets. The system also includes a cloner to replicate the elite sets, and a sampler to modify the elite sets so that each elite set is mutually statistically independent while still yielding query-result values above the cutoff value. |
| US08341174B2 |
Method and arrangement for providing context information
A method and apparatus for obtaining context information from a context server maintaining a context for an object of interest in a telecommunication network. The context server receives raw context data from sensors associated with the object of interest. A request is received from a requesting party for refined context information with reference to the object of interest. Individual context data is collected for at least one individual entity of the requesting party. A customized rule is created on the basis of the received individual context data. The rule defines conditions in an adapted request for refined context information regarding the object of interest, which is sent, including the customized rule, to the context server of the object of interest. Context data refined according to the customized rule is then received from the context server. |
| US08341172B2 |
Method and system for providing aggregate data access
A method and apparatus for defining and processing aggregate data is disclosed. Using database abstraction techniques, a set of logical fields may be used to compose queries of a set of underlying physical data sources. In one embodiment, a logical field may represent an aggregate data value calculated from the elements appearing in a column of a relational table in an underlying physical data source. The elements may be divided into to subsets to calculate multiple aggregate values. An abstract derived entity is a data object present in a database abstraction model that may be accessed as though it were a relational table contained in an underlying physical data source. In one embodiment, columns of the table defined by the abstract derived entity may be populated with aggregate data values joined to other data as specified by a composition rule included in the definition of the abstract derived entity. |
| US08341170B2 |
Apparatus and method for visualizing technology change
A technology transition visualization apparatus includes: bibliographic database integrating heterogeneous resources; technology information database storing information in technology lifecycle; interface module receiving technology from user; feature set creation module calculating feature values by searching bibliographic database and creating feature set for each technology; answer feature set creation module calculating common feature value of feature sets of technologies belonging to the same stage in technology lifecycle and creating answer feature set of each stage; stage determination module acquiring feature-related information, creating representative feature set and year-specific feature set of technology, determining representative stage or year-specific stage by comparing the representative feature set or year-specific feature set with the answer feature set, and estimating development speed of the technology; visualization module visualizing the technology lifecycle; and year-specific stage acquisition module acquiring current stage, year-specific stage and estimated next stage of the technology and visualizing the stages. |
| US08341167B1 |
Context based interactive search
A method for searching within a product context. The method includes receiving a first search phrase for a search within the product context, and evaluating the first search phrase based on the product context. Evaluating the first search phrase includes obtaining a plurality of keywords from the first search phrase, and identifying a facet using the plurality of keywords. The facet is contextually related to a keyword of the plurality of keywords, and the facet and the plurality of keywords are used to obtain a plurality of search terms. The evaluating the search phrase further includes applying a backward filter to revise the plurality of search terms into a second search phrase. The method further includes displaying the second search phrase. |
| US08341164B1 |
Apparatus and methods for organizing data items having time of life intervals
A data structure for storing items of information having a time of life includes a time of life interval for each item of information. The items of information are organized in a data structure having nodes and edges connecting the nodes. This data structure is preferably a directed acyclic graph structure. The data structure includes parent nodes and child nodes. The time interval specified for any child node must always be contained within the time interval specified for that child node's parent node, such that the data structure includes no child nodes with a time of life interval that falls outside of the time of life interval of its parent node. |
| US08341163B2 |
Techniques for filter sharing
Techniques for filter sharing are described. An apparatus may comprise a shared filter manager component for an application program. The shared filter manager component may be operative to manage shared filtering operations for the application program. The shared filter manager component may comprise a shared filter interface module operative to receive a selection for a shared filter component to filter multiple source data objects, and assign the shared filter component to the multiple source data objects. The shared filter manager component may further comprise a shared filter control module communicatively coupled to the shared filter interface module. The shared filter control module may be operative to filter data from the multiple source data objects using the shared filter component. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08341161B2 |
Index database creating apparatus and index database retrieving apparatus
An index database creating apparatus includes a feature extracting unit for extracting features from a content; an index creating unit for creating feature indices of the extracted features; an index selector for selecting one or more of the feature indices based on frequency-based importance levels thereof; and a feature index database for storing therein the selected feature indices along with locations thereof in the content. The index selector obtains the frequency-based importance levels based on frequency distributions of the feature indices in the content and in other contents to be stored in the feature index database. |
| US08341156B1 |
System and method for identifying erroneous business listings
A system and method is provided that detect a business listing having erroneous geospatial data. In one aspect, it is determined whether a first location and a second location are at least partially situated within a cell, the cell representing a geographic region having a predetermined area. If the first location and the second location are at least partially situated within the cell, it is determined whether a geospatial coordinate of the first location is within a predetermined radius of the second location. If it is determined that the geospatial coordinate of the first location is within a predetermined radius of the second location, the first location is flagged for inspection. |
| US08341154B2 |
Extending types hosted in database to other platforms
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to extending types hosted in a database to other platforms. In aspects, a database may store objects according to a one type system while an application accessing the database may store objects according to another type system. To allow the application to understand the types, a mapping mechanism may be employed that maps from the types of type system of the database to types of a type system of the application. The mapping mechanism may utilize metadata associated with the data in mapping between types. In conjunction with mapping a source type to a target type, a target object may be instantiated and populated with properties of a source object of the source type. |
| US08341150B1 |
Filtering search results using annotations
A search engine system accepts queries that include query terms and labels applicable to certain documents. A domain filter is constructed that is used to filter search results to certain domains, where the domains are determined based on the labels included in the query. The filtered search results are processed to ensure that certain portions of the results are from domains included in the filter. The results are further processed to include the query labels with certain ones of the results. |
| US08341143B1 |
Multi-category searching
Methods and apparatus for rendering search results are described. In one aspect of the invention, a search request is received from a computerized client. A search is performed based on the search request in at least two different categories of information to obtain search results in the searched categories. Selected search results are returned to the client to facilitate rendering the search results at the client. Search results from different search categories are returned in a manner configured to be presented in different panes of a graphical user interface rendered on the client. In another aspect, what searches to perform can be determined based at least in part upon search results display settings associated with the client, such that searches are performed only in categories of information that are associated with a pane that is in an open state on the client. |
| US08341142B2 |
Methods and apparatus for searching the Internet
Some embodiments relate to performing a search for content via the Internet, wherein user input specifying a search query is supplied to a mobile communications device, such as, for example, a smartphone. The mobile communications device separately issues the search query to a plurality of search engines and can receive the results from each search engine and display the results to the user. Thus, the user does not have to separately issue the query to each of the plurality of search engines. |
| US08341141B2 |
Method and system for automated document registration
A method and system for automated document registration. The method and system provide an automatic document registration system that creates a secure transformed electronic document with an unalterable time and date stamp. Multiple third-parties are provided an ability to view a given original document in secure transformed electronic document format and each original individual document is provided with a unique set of approved third-party viewer/receivers/auditors via a virtual matrixed file system. |
| US08341140B2 |
Configuration management system and configuration management method for storage system
A configuration management system for a storage system including a host computer, a storage device providing a storage area for data processed by the host computer, and a communication network connecting the host computer and the storage device communicatively is disclosed. The configuration management system comprises a system condition table storing a system condition, a storage configuration table storing storage configuration information, a performance table storing a performance condition indicating a storage performance. searching the system condition table is searched using the required system condition and the performance table is searched using the required performance condition. If the storage system satisfying the required conditions fails to be extracted, content of the required system condition is changed and searching of the system condition table and the performance table is carried out. |
| US08341137B2 |
Search engine for video and graphics
A method of selecting graphic or video files having corresponding locators used to locate such graphic or video files using a computer. Identifiers are created by searching an area within a web page near a graphic or video file for searchable identification terms and searching an area within a web page near links to a graphic or video for searchable identification terms. The identifiers are stored in a database. User requests for graphic or video file content are received and the database of identifiers is searched to find graphic and video files corresponding criteria of the user. Graphic or video file content is then provided to the user. |
| US08341133B2 |
Compressed transactional locks in object headers
A software transactional memory system is provided that generates and stores compressed transactional locks in a portion of object headers. The software transactional memory system allocates preferred write log memory with a predefined size of memory that corresponds to a number of bits in the compressed transactional locks. The compressed transactional locks identify write log entries in corresponding write logs in the preferred write log memory. If the preferred write log memory becomes full, additional write log memory is allocated for write log entries and subsequent transactional locks are stored uncompressed in an auxiliary memory. A pointer that may be used to locate the uncompressed transactional lock is stored in the header. If an object header with a compressed transactional lock is needed for another use, the compressed transactional lock is uncompressed and stored in the auxiliary memory. A pointer that may be used to locate the uncompressed transactional lock is stored in the header. |
| US08341129B2 |
Methods of coding and decoding a structured document, and the corresponding devices
A structured document is coded as a bit stream. The structured document can be described in Extensible Markup Language (XML). The structured document can be decoded to access a subpart of the document. Hierarchized events included in the structured document are coded as corresponding events using at least one encoding table, which is updated during the coding. Hierarchized events involved in an update of the at least one encoding table are determined. Marking information is associated with the coded events corresponding to the hierarchized events determined to be involved in the update of the at least one encoding table. |
| US08341124B2 |
Sales support system, sales support method and sales support program
A sales support system, a sales support method and a sales support program are disclosed. The sales support system which includes a content database, a viewing history database, an authentication unit, an application updating unit, a storage medium storing content specifying unit, a recording position information extraction unit, a corresponding content existence determination unit, a recording position data transmission unit and a recorded content relevant data transmission unit. |
| US08341122B2 |
Restore of full system backup and incremental backups using multiple simultaneous device streams
A technique for restoring file systems by applying full and incremental backups together while streaming them from multiple devices provides a faster system restore from a full backup where incremental backups must also be applied. A first storage device streams the full backup while at least one second storage device streams at least one incremental backup. As files are detected in the incremental backup, they are written instead of the corresponding file in the full backup. Incremental backups can be pre-merged to reduce their number to one less than a number of storage devices available to stream the backups, so that the full backup can be streamed along with the pre-merged incremental backup(s) to restore the file system. |
| US08341120B2 |
Apparatus and methods for transferring database objects into and out of database systems
Techniques for transferring objects between database systems. A transfer is controlled by a master table in the RDBMS that is performing the transfer operation. The master table specifies the kind of transfer operation to be performed, a set of objects to be transferred, operations to be performed on the objects as they are being transferred, and filters for selecting a subset of the objects. During execution of the transfer, the transfer mechanism maintains and updates state in the master table and thereby makes it possible for the entity that is doing the transfer to determine the current status of the transfer and to restart the transfer after it has been stopped. The entity that is performing the transfer may also detach from the transfer without stopping the transfer and later again attach to the transfer. |
| US08341118B2 |
Method and system for dynamically replicating data within a distributed storage system
A server computer at a first storage sub-system of a distributed storage system receives from a client a first client request for an object. If the object is not present in the first storage sub-system, the server computer identifies a second storage sub-system of the distributed storage system as having a replica of the requested object, the requested object including content and metadata. The server computer submits an object replication request for the requested object to the second storage sub-system and independently receives the content and metadata of the requested object from the second storage sub-system. The server computer generates a new replica of the object at the first storage sub-system using the received metadata and content and returns the metadata of the new replica of the object to the client. |
| US08341116B2 |
Systems and methods for updating an LDAP
A system updates a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database based on changes made to a second database. The system determines differences between Internet Protocol (IP) communication service records stored in the second database and IP communication service records stored in the LDAP database and creates a transaction file based on the differences. The system updates the LDAP database using the transaction file. |
| US08341114B2 |
System for updating information stored on a remote device
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for storing data is provided. The system includes a processor that receives an application request to update a file on a server storage device, and generates, based on the request, a command to update the file on a server storage device. The system also includes a communications module that provides, to the server storage device, the command to update the file on the server storage device. The request is formatted for a file storage protocol of a client storage device, and the command is formatted for a file storage protocol of the server storage device. The command to update the file on the server storage device is not specific to the application generating the application request. Methods and computer-readable mediums are also provided. |
| US08341112B2 |
Annotation by search
Annotation by search is described. In one aspect, a data store is searched for images that are semantically related to a baseline annotation of a given image and visually similar to the given image. The given image is then annotated with common concepts of annotations associated with at least a subset of the semantically and visually related images. |
| US08341111B2 |
Graph pattern recognition interface
In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated as including receive pattern data that includes transaction data relating to transactions between persons. Next, the system and method may include building at least one secondary network based upon the pattern data. Additionally, the system and method may include displaying the at least one secondary network. |