| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08348067B2 |
Fingernail color display device
A fingernail color display system. Holding rods having a fingernail color display element are inserted into a display device. The display device has a side section and a top section. The side section provides support for the top section. The top section has holes arranged in rows. Rod support sections are attached to the underside of the top section so that there are rows of the rod support sections. The holding rods are inserted through the holes and are supported by the rod support sections to display the holding rods so that a rearmost row is higher than a frontmost row. In a preferred embodiment the display device is injection molded. Also preferably the top section is tilted with respect to horizontal and the rod support sections are of equal length. Also preferably the rod support sections include an alignment feature for aligning the holding rods so that the color display element is flush with the front edge of the display device. |
| US08348066B2 |
Floating disk for separating blood components
A floating separating element for use in centrifugal separation of components of a physiological fluid comprises a positioning part and a separating part, where the positioning part is designed to automatically assume a position in a supernatant and a separating part is positioned at a desired location with respect to the interface between the supernatant and heavier components. In preferred embodiments the physiological fluids are blood or bone marrow aspirate, and the heavier components comprise red blood cells. The positioning part comprises the majority of the mass of the separating element and is thin so that differences in the position of the separating element with respect to the interface are small compared to differences in the densities of the separated compoments, particularly the component comprising red blood cells. A method allows red blood cells to move the separating element during decanting to ensure complete decant of the supernatant. |
| US08348065B2 |
Separation apparatus for separating mud from water
A separation apparatus for separating mud from water has an input tank device, a pipe device and a first separating assembly. The input tank device has an input tank. The pipe device has a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pipe is connected securely to the input tank. The first separating assembly has a main structure having a hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone is connected to the second end of the first pipe. Accordingly, the hydrocyclone can efficiently and quickly separate mud from liquid of the raw water in the input tank. |
| US08348064B2 |
Multi-cyclone sediment filter
A multi-cyclone sediment filter having a sediment bowl with a hemispherical bottom and a sump for collecting sediment, a cylindrical cyclone housing disposed above and sealingly connected to the sediment bowl, a removable and replaceable cyclone cartridge inserted into the cyclone housing, a diffuser plate sealingly connected to the cyclone cartridge and cyclone housing, a fluid inlet for introducing fluid into the cyclone housing, and a fluid outlet for discharging fluid from the cyclone housing. The cyclone cartridge inserted in the cyclone housing includes a plurality of vertically disposed inverted cone-shaped fluid cyclones, each having a small opening at a lower end and larger opening at an upper end. The cartridge has a plurality of fluid flow paths that direct fluid to the cyclones where a vortex is induced in the moving fluid. As sediment is removed from the fluid in each cyclone, it is separated out and delivered down into the sediment bowl sump, while fluid is directed upwardly and out to the fluid outlet. |
| US08348056B2 |
Pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly
A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (1810) for disposing of sharps and one or more of fluid pharmaceutical waste and solid pharmaceutical waste includes a receiver assembly (1851) having a sharps receiver (1815), a waste receiver (1812), and a receiver retainer (1816). The sharps receiver (1815) receives sharps. The sharps receiver (1815) includes a sharps receiver body (1823) that defines a sharps region (1827C). The waste receiver (1812) receives one of fluid pharmaceutical waste and solid pharmaceutical waste. The waste receiver (1812) includes a waste receiver body (1819) that defines a waste region (1827A) that is independent of the sharps region (1827C). The receiver retainer (1816) receives the sharps receiver (1815) and the waste receiver (1812). The sharps receiver body (1823) and the waste receiver body (1819) are positioned substantially adjacent to one another within the receiver retainer (1816). The sharps receiver (1815) and the waste receiver (1812) are integrally formed as a unitary structure. Additionally, the sharps receiver (1815) and the waste receiver (1812) can be inserted into and/or removed from the receiver retainer (1816) together as an integrated unit. |
| US08348055B2 |
Musical instrument carrying case and stand
A musical instrument carrying case and stand is disclosed. The carrying case and stand includes a case having a top side, a bottom side, a back side, and a front side having a vertical slit and a horizontal slit that collectively define a first flap and a front panel and a support element that is pivotally attached to the back side of the case to pivot between a first position in which the element is substantially parallel to the back of the case and a second position in which the element supports the case when the musical instrument is removed from the case. Additional embodiments may include first and second members attached to the back of the case where an end of the support element is pivotally attached between the first and second members, so that the element supports the case when the musical instrument is removed from the case. |
| US08348054B2 |
Multi-purpose, small-garment bag structure
A combined, flexible and floppy laundry, travel, storage/display bag structure for socks and like small clothing articles, including (a) a machine-launderable/dryable, open-mesh, fabric bag having front and back sides, and spaced top, bottom and lateral edges, (b) located intermediate the bag's top and bottom edges, an elongate openable/closeable closure structure joined to and extending laterally across the bag's front side and between its lateral edges, and furnishing user-selective access to the inside of the bag, and (c) plural, releasable, clothing-article-holding structures mounted inside the bag on its back side, made manually accessible, via the closure structure, for operative gripping and releasing, within the bag, of user-selected clothing articles. |
| US08348051B2 |
Nestable beverage containers and methods thereof
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to nested beverage containers and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to improved beverage containers having interlocking features with adjacent containers, allowing for ease of transportation and lower cost of packaging. In one embodiment, a nestable beverage container comprises a top portion comprising an opening into a voluminous body, a sealing means, and a connection means positioned beneath the sealing means, a bottom portion comprising a receiving means shaped to conform to the connection means of an adjacently nested container, and the voluminous body being defined by the top portion, the bottom portion and a side wall, wherein the opening into the voluminous body is the only means for accessing contents of the nestable beverage container. |
| US08348049B2 |
Conveyor system
A conveyor system for transporting cylindrical objects is disclosed including an endless conveyor arranged in a transport path, a drive for feeding the endless conveyor, guide rails for restricting lateral movement of cylindrical objects transported on the endless conveyor, an elevation transport section adapted to transport the cylindrical objects from a first height to a second height and including the endless conveyor having a base surface extending along the transport path, the endless conveyor including vertical protrusions extending outwardly from the base surface of the endless conveyor and including a front wall with an inclined portion sloping towards the base surface, such that a cylindrical object transported on the elevation transport section can rest on the inclined portion under a contact force directed towards the base surface by gravity. |
| US08348047B2 |
Parts manipulation method and apparatus
Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface. |
| US08348044B2 |
Conveyor apparatus
A conveyor apparatus is provided that includes a frame and a cross conveyor. The cross conveyor has a moveable belt sized and configured to receive and move material. The cross conveyor is supported by the frame. The frame has a base and a plurality of rotatable members attached to the base. The rotatable members are configured to rotate to move the frame. The frame is sized and configured to be positionable adjacent to a mobile bridge conveyor having a tripper conveyor device such that a portion of the cross conveyor is positionable under an upper end portion of the tripper conveyor device to receive material from the tripper conveyor device and move the material to a storage area or stacking area for stacking the material. The tripper is preferably constrained to the frame of the mobile bridge conveyor. |
| US08348043B2 |
Apparatus having a bill validator and a method of servicing the apparatus
An apparatus having a bill validator. The apparatus having a storage area within a housing. The bill validator operable to input bills into the storage area. The bill validator being removable secured within the housing. The removable bill validator permitting the bill validator to be removed from the housing for servicing without comprising security of the storage area. |
| US08348041B2 |
Dog-tooth-face interface
A dog-tooth-face interface for a vehicle includes a first clutch element that has a plurality of recesses distributed on a side of the first clutch element and around an axis through the first clutch element and a second clutch element that has a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the recesses and distributed on a side of the second clutch element adjacent the recesses. At least one of the first clutch element and the second clutch element is configured so as to rotate about the axis, and at least one of the first clutch element and second clutch element is configured so as to move along the axis to engage or disengage the first and second clutch elements. Moreover, the first clutch element has a substantially continuous wall surrounding the recesses, and the recesses have at least one corner relief portion configured to avoid contact with corners of the teeth. |
| US08348039B2 |
Clamping roller freewheel
A clamping roller freewheel, which has an inner ring, an outer ring and clamping rollers arranged between the inner ring and outer ring. The clamping rollers interact, in each case, with one clamping ramp formed on the outer circumference of the inner ring. The clamping rollers are surrounded by an elastically expandable protective ring which is concentric with respect to the freewheel axis. Retaining lugs prevent the protective ring from being driven in rotation by the outer ring in idle running operation. In this way, the outer ring is prevented from grinding against the clamping rollers, and the clamping rollers are prevented from being driven in rotation, with the resulting wear to the clamping ramps, in idle running operation. |
| US08348038B2 |
Disk friction clutch apparatus using self-energizing effect
A disk friction clutch apparatus using a self-energizing effect is disclosed. The clutch apparatus includes a drive friction disk connected to a drive shaft, a driven friction disk connected to a driven shaft, a push member configured to press the driven friction disk against the drive friction disk at an engagement position of a clutch, and an operation unit configured to shift the push member from the release position of the clutch to the engagement position. The operation unit is operated to increase a force of the push member to press the driven friction disk when the push member located at the engagement position of the clutch receives a force of rotating the drive shaft. Since the clutch apparatus employs a self-energizing effect, it is possible to fasten the clutch with a small force. |
| US08348033B2 |
Impact-absorbing member
The impact absorbers having different lengths are formed by providing notches in one of opposed surfaces on front end side in a collision direction of a square pipe having a square in cross section. The three impact absorbers are disposed in a width direction while two impact absorbers are disposed in a height direction such that directions of the notches differ from each other, and the impact absorbers are disposed in integrally welded to form the impact-absorbing member. |
| US08348032B2 |
Component for the absorption of energy on an impact
The present invention relates to a component for the absorption of energy on an impact having a frame as well as having a section located in the frame and connected to the frame, with the section consisting of a multilayer fiber composite or comprising a multilayer fiber composite. |
| US08348031B2 |
Impact attenuating and spring elements and products containing such elements
Impact attenuating/spring systems may include first and second body portions and at least one spring member at least partially included between the body portions. The spring member(s) may substantially enclose and/or be pivotally engaged with the body portion(s). The components of the impact attenuating and spring element may be arranged such that when a force is applied to the body portion(s), the spring member(s) will exert a counter force to urge the impact attenuating and spring element back toward its original orientation. The spring members may include one or more polymeric element that stretches under a tensile force. The impact attenuating and spring elements may be included in a piece of footwear or other device in a manner such that a user or a retailer (or others) can select an appropriate spring member (or portion thereof), e.g., depending on characteristics of the user or the intended use. |
| US08348023B2 |
Disk brake
An object of the present invention is to provide a disk brake having excellent responsiveness. A rotation preventing mechanism 34A prevents a rotation of a carrier 41 (one output member) in a direction causing a piston 12 to return. An internal gear 46 (the other output member) rotates by a predetermined degree to act on the rotation preventing mechanism 34A. When the motor 38 causes a sun gear (input member) to rotate such that the piston 12 moves in a return direction, a rotation of the internal gear 46 according to the rotation of the sun gear 44 releases rotation prevention of the rotation preventing mechanism 34A to the carrier 41. It is possible to release the parking brake without use of a worm gear which is used in the conventional arts for holding a thrust force (self-holding). As a result, it is possible to quickly release the parking brake, and therefore a driver can start to run without delay after parking brake release, whereby the responsiveness is improved. |
| US08348022B2 |
Elevator call display panel with universal body part to accommodate call button and display variations
An arrangement for the call apparatus and display apparatus of an elevator has a body part which includes at least call buttons and other actuators, such as apertures for the display elements. The body part is essentially universal such that the number, size, shape and placement location of the apertures of the body part are arranged to be suited for the use of as many display variations and/or call button variations as possible, and in that an essentially thin light-attenuating film-like layer is disposed in front of the body part, which layer is fitted to allow light produced by the display elements through, but covers the apertures and other features in the body part. |
| US08348019B2 |
Elevator element for driving or reversing an elevator suspension means in an elevator system
In an elevator element for driving or reversing an elevator suspension device in an elevator system, that interacts with an elevator suspension device, the arithmetic mean of the roughness value of the contact surface measured in the circumferential direction of the elevator element, and the mean roughness value of the contact surface measured in the axial direction of the elevator element, are different. The arithmetic mean roughness value of the contact surface measured in the circumferential direction of the elevator element is less than 1 micrometer. |
| US08348017B2 |
Reduced gulp fluid reservoir
An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage. |
| US08348014B2 |
Fall-arrest ladder system
A safety-featured ladder, including taut rope wrapped over top of the top rung and under bottom of the bottom rung and fixedly connected to the ladder when downward force is applied to the rope in front of the ladder. In a first embodiment, a sleeve including a pulley subsystem is attached to a body harness worn by a climber and can move or slide along the rope only when climbing up ladder. In a second embodiment, a sleeve including a different pulley subsystem including a centrifugal brake is attached to a body harness worn by a climber and can move or slide along the rope when climbing up or climbing down. However, if the climber loses footing and starts to fall the sleeve grabs the rope, and/or the rope grabs the sleeve, which prevents the climber from falling more than a few inches and from injury. Hooks at top of the ladder can hook around transverse cables atop poles. |
| US08348010B2 |
Invertible ear tips for an ear piece
An ear piece for providing audio (e.g., from an electronic device) to the user is provided. The ear piece may include a compliant element operative to be inserted in the user's ear such that the compliant element deforms to retain the ear piece in the user's ear. The compliant element may include a connector portion coupling the compliant element to the ear piece housing, and an outer portion folded over the ear piece housing. To improve the user's comfort, the parting lines and other manufacturing defects may be hidden from view and from touch (e.g., the parting lines are on the inner surface of the outer portion). |
| US08348007B2 |
Device for elastically mounting an engine transmission unit on a motor vehicle body
A device for elastically mounting an engine transmission unit on a motor vehicle body, comprising a motor support, a flange rigidly mountable to the motor vehicle body, defining a longitudinal direction to be aligned with the driving direction, wherein the motor support essentially extends out of the flange in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is facing the engine transmission unit for forming a mounting area for the engine transmission unit, and an elastomeric body via which the motor support is elastically supported by the flange and which has a vertical support spring to absorb an essentially static load from the weight of the engine transmission unit, the load acting vertically to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, wherein the vertical support spring comprises two spring arms inclined towards each other and spreading away from each other in transverse direction. |
| US08348006B2 |
Structure for mounting ancillaries on vehicle
A structure for mounting ancillaries on a vehicle wherein one end of a first bracket in a plate form extends downwardly and is fixed to a body frame and the other end of the first bracket supports a reservoir. In addition, the first bracket supports the regulator in the proximity of the reservoir. The reservoir attached to the forward end of the first bracket functions as a deadweight which, because of the inertia of the deadweight, suppresses the vibrations of the forward end of the first bracket due to vehicle traveling and engine rotation. Thus, this structure suppresses and attenuates the vibration of the regulator attached to the first bracket. |
| US08348005B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a multi-stage gear transmission, and an actuator. The engine has a crankshaft, a crankcase, and a cylinder. The motor is provided on the crankshaft. Through the multi-stage gear transmission, an output of the crankshaft is changed to be used for traveling of the vehicle. The actuator is configured to automatically shift the multi-stage gear transmission and is provided in the crankcase in proximity to the motor. A radius from a center line of the cylinder to a part of the actuator farthest from the center line is shorter than a radius from the center line to a part of the motor farthest from the center line. The actuator has a width less than a width of the motor in a direction perpendicular to the crankshaft. |
| US08348004B2 |
Method for generating a triggering signal for a pedestrian protection device
A method for generating a triggering signal for a pedestrian protection device in which sensor data are ascertained and analyzed. After a collision with an object has been recognized, features are generated from the sensor data, which are analyzed for ascertaining an object mass and/or an object hardness, the triggering signal for the pedestrian protection device being generated if the ascertained object mass and/or the ascertained object hardness is/are within a triggering range which represents a collision with a pedestrian. |
| US08348002B2 |
Slewing ring drive
A drive and steering unit for driving and steering a load support comprises a steering assembly, a slewing ring engaged with the steering assembly and being rotatable about an axis in response to actuation of the steering assembly, a drive assembly mounted to the slewing ring, and a drive power system coupled to the drive assembly and movable with the slewing ring. |
| US08347998B2 |
Working machine with one or more electric machines for driving, braking, and/or generating power and a method for operating such a working machine
A working machine including an internal combustion engine for supplying torque to the driving wheels of the working machine, and a transmission line arranged between the internal combustion engine and the driving wheels for transmitting torque from the internal combustion engine to the driving wheels. The working machine further including at least one hydraulic pump in a hydraulic system for moving an implement arranged on the working machine and/or steering the working machine. The transmission line includes at least one electric machine for driving or braking the driving wheels, and/or for generating electric power for the at least one hydraulic pump. |
| US08347995B2 |
Automobile provided with a power supply battery which is removable by a vertical movement, and device for installing and removing such a battery
A motor vehicle including a structure including a bottom and which bears a motor powered by a removable power supply battery, the structure further including an element for receiving the battery and an attachment mechanism for attaching the battery onto the receiving element. The receiving element and the attachment mechanism are adapted to enable installation of the battery in the receiving element from the underside of the structure by an upward movement towards the structure, and removal of the battery under the structure by a downward movement in a direction opposite to the structure. |
| US08347992B2 |
Electrically-variable accessory drive for engine start
A hybrid powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine mechanically coupled through a planetary gear set to an accessory drive and a torque machine. Operator inputs and engine operating parameters are monitored to select an operational state including one of an autostop accessory control state, autostart operation state, engine torque assist state, and energy power generation state. |
| US08347991B2 |
Track assembly for an all-terrain vehicle
The present invention provides track assemblies and a method that allow bringing the contact patch towards the inside (the outside) of the suspension arm, by providing a asymmetric track assembly, either by lowering at least one inside (outside) support wheel relative to the remaining support wheels, or by using a belt that comprises, transversally, at least one first profile on the outer (inner) side thereof lower than a second profile on an inner side thereof. |
| US08347988B2 |
Down-hole hammer drill
A down-hole hammer comprising a drill bit (10) and a drive collar (11) with an interconnection therebetween for causing rotation of the drill bit upon rotation of the drive collar. The drill bit (10) comprises a drill bit head (13) and a shank (19), the drill bit head (13) defining a cutting face (15) and having a circumferential shoulder section (17) adjacent the cutting face (15). The shank (19) extends from the shoulder section (17) in the direction away from the cutting face (15). The interconnection between the drill bit (10) and the drive collar (11) comprises a spline assembly including at least one spline (43) on the shoulder section (17) for mating engagement with at least one counterpart spline (63) on the drive collar (11) to provide a drive coupling therebetween while also allowing the drill bit (10) to slide axially within the drive collar (11) to perform a percussive action. |
| US08347983B2 |
Drilling with a high pressure rotating control device
A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressured Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the facture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs. |
| US08347981B2 |
Power tool
It is an object of the invention to provide a power tool with a rational placement of a dynamic vibration reducer within a tool body. A representative hammer drill embodied as a power tool according to this invention has a dynamic vibration reducer 151 which is placed within an internal space 110 located to a motion converting section 113 side of a driving motor 111 within a body 103. An inner edge of the internal space is defined by an outer edge of the motion converting section 113, and an outer edge of the internal space is defined by an outer periphery of the driving motor 111. |
| US08347978B2 |
Method for controlling a power driver
A driving tool having a driver, a power source, a sensor and a controller. The power source selectively provides an input to the driver to cause the driver to translate along an axis. The sensor senses a condition in the power source that is indicative of a level of kinetic energy of an element in the power source and generates a sensor signal in response thereto. The controller is coupled to the power source and the sensor and is responsive to the sensor signal for deactivating the power source to inhibit the power source from providing the input to the driver when the level of kinetic energy of the element in the power source is below a predetermined threshold. A method for operating a driving tool is also provided. |
| US08347976B2 |
Hitch device for a working vehicle
A hitch device for a working vehicle for coupling a working device to the working vehicle has a lifting shaft unit supported in the frame structure of the working vehicle, and a coupling structure that is operatively connected therewith. The lifting shaft unit includes a lifting shaft, at least one lifting arm that is fixedly connected with the lifting shaft, and at least one reciprocating cylinder, which is hingedly connected with the lifting arm. The coupling structure includes first, upper coupling elements, which are located on the frame structure, second, lower coupling elements, which are hingedly connected to the frame structure, and connecting elements that are hingedly located on lifting arms of the lifting shaft. At least one of the connecting elements is rigid. In this manner, it is ensured that the load on the coupling elements that form the hitch device is balanced, even when a load is introduced asymmetrically. |
| US08347970B2 |
Wellhead tubular connector
Systems and methods are provided that may include employing a lockscrew to provide radial and axial force in connecting tubular members in a mineral extraction system. The lockscrew may be angled relative to the tubular members, at an angle that is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. Further, the lockscrew may have an end portion which mates with a slot in a locking segment, and the lockscrew and locking segment may be moved from an unlocked to a locked position. In a locked position, the lockscrew exerts force axially downward and radially inward to push the locking segment against a tubular member, locking the member in place. The interconnection between the lockscrew and the locking segment may enable easier installation and may utilize parts which may be easier to manufacture. Furthermore, the angle of the lockscrew may provide improved support for tubular members. |
| US08347965B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating pressure pulses in a wellbore
An apparatus for wellbore fluid treatment having a body with a lower end, an upper end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a long bore open at the upper end, an outlet port spaced from the upper end, and a die in the long bore between the upper end and the outlet port. The outlet port permits the communication of fluids between the long bore and the exterior surface. The die is substantially immovable within the long bore and has an inner open diameter in which a plug is landable to create a seal in the long bore before passing through the inner open diameter. |
| US08347958B2 |
Systems and methods for distributed interferometric acoustic monitoring
Acoustic monitoring is carried out using a fiber optic cable. Coherent Rayleigh noise generated by the transmission of a coherent beam of radiation through the fiber optic cable is detected, a phase of the coherent Rayleigh noise is measured and the measured phase is processed to identify an acoustic occurrence along the fiber optic cable. In certain aspects, an optical fiber serves as a distributed interferometer that may be used to monitor a conduit, wellbore or reservoir. The distributed interferometric monitoring provides for accurate detection of acoustic occurrences along the fiber optic cable and these acoustic occurrences may include fluid flow in a pipeline or wellbore, processes taking place in a wellbore or pipeline, fracturing, gravel packing, or production logging. |
| US08347957B2 |
System and method for servicing a wellbore
A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising establishing a pumping profile having a performance plan, determining a remaining life estimate for a first wellbore servicing device, wherein the first wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan, and selecting a second wellbore servicing device in response to the remaining life value for the first wellbore servicing device, wherein the second wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan. A wellbore servicing system, comprising a first device suitable for impacting conformance to a performance plan, a first sensor configured to monitor an operational characteristic of the first device, and a controller in communication with the first sensor, the controller being configured to calculate at least one of a remaining life estimate of the first device and a probability of survival estimate of the first device. |
| US08347956B2 |
Wellbore method and apparatus for completion, production and injection
Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection. |
| US08347954B2 |
Plunger lift system with seal and ball detent arrangement
An intermittent lift plunger includes at least one seal mandrel, a bottom sub and an upper valve assembly. The valve assembly is closed by a well bottom stop which inserts into the lift plunger and opened by a lubricator stop at the top of the well. The seal mandrel includes a sleeve seal formed from an elastomeric rubber or plastic, which inflates to engage the well bore surface when the valve is closed and a pressure differential exists. |
| US08347953B1 |
Inline monitoring package for electrical submersible pump
A submersible pumping system includes a motor, a pump driven by the motor, a seal section disposed between the pump and the motor and an inline monitoring package connected between the seal section and the motor. The inline monitoring package is electrically connected to the motor through a wye point connection. The inline monitoring package preferably includes a sensor array that includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure conditions internal and external to the submersible pumping system. The inline monitoring package further includes a shaft configured to transmit the output from the motor to the pump. The inline monitoring package further includes a fluid exchange system that accommodates the thermal expansion of lubricants in the motor. |
| US08347950B2 |
Modular room heat exchange system with light unit
A modular heat exchange system for use in a central heat exchange installation in buildings, including at least one heat exchange element equipped for exchanging heat between environmental air and a fluid which is conducted through the heat exchange element. The heat exchange element has a predetermined first shape with opposite lateral sides. At least one non-heat-exchange add-on element, equipped for adding a given additional functionality to the system, has a predetermined second shape with a complementary lateral side to one of the opposite lateral sides of the heat exchange element. |
| US08347949B2 |
Elimination of shrinkage cavity in cast ingots
An exemplary embodiment provides a method of eliminating a shrinkage cavity in a metal ingot cast by direct chill casting. The method involves casting an upright ingot having an upper surface at an intended height. Upon completion of the casting, the lower tip of the spout is maintained below the molten metal near the center of the upper surface. The metal flow through the spout is terminated and a partial shrinkage cavity is allowed to form as metal of the ingot shrinks and contracts. Before the partial cavity exposes the lower tip of the spout, the cavity is preferably over-filled with molten metal, while avoiding spillage of molten metal, and then the flow of metal through the spout is terminated. These steps are repeated until no further contraction of the metal causes any part of the upper surface to contract below the intended ingot height. |
| US08347948B2 |
Apparatus for preparing alloy sheet
Apparatus for preparing alloy sheet, comprising a container for melted alloy liquid positioned in an inductive heating coil; a liquid flow stabilization outfit comprising a barrel container with open bottom and a base board arranged below the open bottom, and the barrel container's upper part being positioned below the mouth of the container for melted alloy liquid; a quenching wheel positioned below the melted alloy liquid flown from the liquid flow stabilization outfit's base board, which carries the melted alloy liquid and spins it into strips, to make the strips become alloy sheets after collision; a transferring outfit positioned below the wheel for further cooling and transferring of the alloy sheets, wherein the quenching wheel is equipped with a means for differentiating cooling rate for various alloy sheets. The magnetic material made of these alloy sheets is good in orientation, easy for post-sinter processing, and suitable for mass production. |
| US08347947B2 |
Process and refractory metal core for creating varying thickness microcircuits for turbine engine components
The present disclosure is directed to a refractory metal core for use in forming varying thickness microcircuits in turbine engine components, a process for forming the refractory metal core, and a process for forming the turbine engine components. The refractory metal core is used in the casting of a turbine engine component. The core is formed by a sheet of refractory metal material having a curved trailing edge portion integrally formed with a leading edge portion. |
| US08347944B2 |
Nano-engineered ultra-conductive nanocomposite copper wire
Nano-composite structures are formed by pre-loading carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into at least one of a plurality of channels running the length of a cartridge, placing the pre-loaded cartridge in a piston chamber of a die-casting machine, creating a vacuum therein, and filing the piston chamber with molten metal to soak the pre-loaded cartridge and fill empty cartridge channels. Pressure is applied via the piston to eject the carbon nanotubes and molten metal from the cartridge channels and inject the nano-composite mixture into a rod-shaped die cavity. The internal diameter of the cavity is equal to or less than the final diameter of the nozzle. The nano-composite mixture is cooled to form a solid nano-composite rod having the first predetermined diameter, wherein the carbon nanotubes are aligned in a non-random manner. Furthermore, drawing down the nano-composite rod to smaller diameter wire further disperses the nanotubes along the length of the wire. |
| US08347941B2 |
Vacuum processing chamber manufactured by aluminum casting
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a vacuum processing chamber comprising a volume which is defined by a wall and which can be evacuated, said wall being made of aluminum by casting, said wall comprising an outer face and an inner face, said inner face faces the volume, and a method for improving the inner face of the wall of a vacuum processing chamber, wherein the inner face of said wall is smoothened by grinding and is subsequently pearl-blasted or shot-blasted. Vacuum processing chambers obtained by said methods are provided too. |
| US08347939B2 |
Corrosion resistant intruder screen
A corrosion resistant intruder screen has a frame including elongate frame members (3) with a mesh (4) clamped to frame members (3). The frame members (3) each have a first holding channel (50) formed therein and a clamping portion (6) spaced from the first holding channel (50). Clamping members (7) co-act with fastening means (8) to clamp the mesh (4) between the clamping members (7) and the clamping portions (6) with leveraged clamping action. The screen includes covers (54) which are configured to be clipped to the frame members (3) and which each have a second holding channel (60) formed therein. The screen further includes a sealing assembly comprising first sealing members (51) and second sealing members (61). The first sealing members (51) are supported by the first holding channel (50) in the frame members (3) and positioned against one side of the mesh (4) and the second sealing members (61) are supported by the second holding channel (60) in the covers (54) and positioned on another side of the mesh (4). |
| US08347937B2 |
Window blind apparatuses, systems and/or methods
A window blind apparatus having a first magnetically active track, a second magnetically active track, a first rod, a second rod, a first magnet located at the first end of the first rod, and a second magnet located at the second end of the first rod, a third magnet located at the first end of the second rod, a fourth magnet located at the second end of the second rod, and a window covering material adapted to be disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be used to wholly or partially cover the window over which it is mounted. |
| US08347936B2 |
Hybrid mount assembly for a window treatment
A window covering for a window having a window casement, or other opening in a wall, such as a doorway or a case-less window opening, with an inside portion adjacent to the window and an outside portion adjacent to the inside portion, the outside portion having a left side portion and a right side portion is disclosed. The window covering comprising includes a support assembly configured and arranged to attach to an inside portion of a window casement and a window treatment suspended from the support assembly and overlapping at least a portion of a left side portion and a right side portion of an outside portion of the window casement whereby the window treatment covers the window. |
| US08347935B2 |
Rigid retractable patio or window awning and operating mechanisms therefor
A rigid retractable patio or window awning includes a number of rigid panels disposed in a tiered relationship with each other. Each lower panel is slidably connected with its respective upper panel via a set of slides. The top panel remains stationary. An awning operating mechanism includes arms connected via swivel joints with the bottom panel. Each arm also is connected via a threaded nut with a drive screw. The awning is extended by rotating the drive screw, which causes the nuts to travel along the drive screw causing the arms to push the bottom panel outwardly and the bottom panel to pull along any intermediate panels. The awning is retracted by rotating the drive screw in the opposite direction. |
| US08347934B1 |
Lamintated clamp for a tire changer
A clamp for securing a wheel with a rim on a rim-holding tire changer. The clamp includes a base portion, a gripping plate secured to the base portion, and a support plate secured to the base portion such that the gripping plate is disposed between the base portion and the support plate. The gripping plate is configured with a first portion for engaging the rim of a wheel and the support plate is configured with a first portion to engage the rim of the wheel. |
| US08347933B2 |
Application-film transfer tool
An application-film transfer tool includes a supply bobbin around which an unused transfer tape is wound; a transfer head around which the transfer tape is extended, the transfer head pressure-sensitively transferring an application film of the transfer tape onto a transfer subject by pressing against the transfer subject; a take-up bobbin taking up the used transfer tape; a clutch mechanism transmitting the rotation of the supply bobbin to the take-up bobbin and controlling the rotational speed of the take-up bobbin; and a reverse-rotation prevention mechanism preventing reverse rotation of the supply bobbin, wherein part of the supply bobbin constitutes part of the reverse-rotation prevention mechanism. |
| US08347929B2 |
Multi-piece rim and its attaching/removing method
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-piece rim which does not need much labor for supporting, and does not increase the number of components to be managed and the number of needed tasks.The present invention constructs a lock ring (40) to be fitted in the groove (11a) of a gutter band (11), which ring is divided in a plurality of portions (41, 42) being coupled at each end (41a, 42a) thereof by a flexible coupling member (43). Alternatively, a lock ring (140) is formed into a substantially C-shape being manufactured by cutting a part of a circular ring, and comprises a first portion (141) wherein a length of a chord at the cut portion is substantially equal to the diametral of a hub, and a second portion (142) having a shape corresponding to the cut portion of a circular ring in the first portion. |
| US08347927B2 |
Water collection apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for passively collecting water in an environment where dew forms are disclosed. The apparatus has a radial body which includes a hydrophobic surface that is supported at a slope of about 10 to 80 degrees from the direction of gravity. The apparatus may also include ridges which increase the surface area of the body thus increasing dew collection and provide shade which reduces the temperature increase of the body when the apparatus is exposed to sunlight. The method includes supporting a hydrophobic radial surface at a slope of about 10 to 80 degrees from the direction of gravity and waiting for dew or condensation to form on the hydrophobic surface and run down the hydrophobic surface to either a reservoir or a beneficiary of the passively collected water, such as the roots of a plant. |
| US08347924B2 |
Fuel pump nozzle
The invention relates to a main valve for a fuel pump nozzle, the main valve comprising a shut-off body for closing a fuel line and a displacement space that is configured to avoid undesirable pressure surges during closing of the main valve. The invention further relates to a fuel pump nozzle comprising a main valve according to the invention. |
| US08347923B2 |
Device with penetrable and resealable portion and related method
Device and method for needle penetrating and filling a chamber with a predetermined substance, and hermetically resealing a resulting needle hole in the device by applying radiation thereto. The needle penetrable and resealable portion defines a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and may include a thermoplastic that substantially prevents the formation of particles released into the chamber from the needle penetrable and resealable portion during penetration by and withdrawal of the needle. Such thermoplastic may include a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the thermoplastic to substantially absorb laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period. |
| US08347922B2 |
Apparatus and method for the vapor recovery of propane vapors during fueling
A method and apparatus for the recovery of vapors associated with propane fueling. The fuel vapor recovery system can be implemented with typical retail propane fueling facilities. The recovery method may include capturing vapors vented during the filling of a portable propane tank into a recovery tank, and transferring some of these recovered vapors into a second tank to be filled. |
| US08347919B2 |
Inflating valve for an inflatable object
An inflating valve has a body and a valve disk. The body is hollow and has a passage defined through the body and a holding tab. The passage has an inner surface and a bottom opening defined in the bottom of the body. The holding tab is radially connected to the inner surface of the passage and has a holding hole defined through the holding tab. The valve disk is attached securely to the bottom of the body to close the bottom opening of the passage and has a holding rod formed on and protruding from the valve disk and engaging the holding hole in the holding tab. Accordingly, the valve disk can be automatically opened by the pressured air and automatically closed by the recoil force provided by the holding tab. |
| US08347918B2 |
Solenoid valve apparatus
A solenoid valve apparatus includes a solenoid valve and a switching device that switches between a first state in which the working fluid in the pump chamber is discharged when the solenoid valve functions as a regulator valve and a second state in which discharge of the working fluid from the pump chamber is prohibited when the solenoid valve functions as the electromagnetic pump. |
| US08347916B2 |
Self-sealing chemical injection line coupling
A chemical injection line connector includes first and second couplings configured to automatically seal shut when the members are disengaged. A method for blocking contamination or pressure transfer of chemical injection lines includes securing first and second couplings to corresponding ends of a chemical injection line and automatically sealing the couplings shut when the couplings are disengaged. |
| US08347912B2 |
Waste water pumping device
In the device, according to the invention, the retention tank (7) constitutes a distributing chamber which is connected to the external retention tank (10) being a segment of a gravity-flow channel (11) with its cross-section greater than the cross-section of gravity waste water transfer required in the calculations, located on the line of waste water inflow to the retention tank (7), whereas the capacity of the retention tank (7) is at least two times smaller than the capacity of the external retention tank (10) constituting a segment of the gravity-flow channel (11) with its cross-section greater than the required cross-section of the gravity-flow channel (11) for gravity waste water transfer required in the calculations. |
| US08347909B2 |
Float valve system for a respiratory humidification system
A float valve system for controlling an amount of liquid in a chamber is disclosed that includes a first valve seat and a second valve seat. Liquid enters the chamber in a first direction to the first valve seat and is transferred in a second direction to the second valve seat. First and second actuating members are provided to selectively open and close the first valve seat and the second valve seat, respectively. A first float is coupled to the first actuating member so as to close the first valve seat upon fluid in the chamber reaching a first predetermined level and a second float is coupled to the second actuating member so as to close the second valve seat upon fluid in the chamber reaching a second predetermined level that is different from the first predetermined level. |
| US08347907B2 |
Electrical connection device for a gas control valve
An electrical connection device for a gas control valve. In one embodiment the device has a first electrical insulation member with an aperture extending between top and bottom surfaces and a second electrical insulation member having a top face and a bottom face and situated in the aperture of the first electrical insulation member so that the top face resides in the aperture and the bottom face resides outside the aperture. A joint member connects the first and second electrical insulation members. The device also includes first and second electrical terminals that are electrically insulated from one another and wherein each extends from the second electrical insulation member through the joint member to a location outside the first electrical insulation member. The first electrical terminal has a first inner terminal situated on the first face of the second electrical insulation member, a first outer terminal that projects out radially from the first insulation member, and a first intermediate segment that extends between the first inner terminal and the first outer terminal. The second electrical terminal has a second inner terminal situated on the second face of the second electrical insulation member, a second outer terminal that projects out radially from the first insulation member, and a second intermediate segment that extends between the second inner terminal and the second outer terminal. |
| US08347905B1 |
Energy saving faucet
A faucet of the single handle mixing valve type. The faucet includes a housing having a domed housing cap enclosing a valve cartridge having an actuating stem movable along a vertical flow-control axis for varying water flow rate, and movable along a horizontal temperature-control axis for varying the temperature. A handle is connected to the actuating stem. A recess extends vertically along the outer surface of the domed housing cap. A releasable stop member is adapted to engage the recess when the handle is moved along the vertical flow-control axis in its cold water only position, and adapted: to release engagement upon application of a horizontal force. A ramp is located along the lower periphery of the domed housing cap outside of the cold water only position and is adapted to prevent the handle from being lowered into a full off position except when in the cold water only position. |
| US08347901B2 |
Substrate cleaning method, substrate cleaning system and program storage medium
The present invention provides a substrate cleaning method capable of removing particles from the entire surface of a substrate to be processed at a high removing efficiency. In the substrate cleaning method according to the present invention, a substrate to be processed W is immersed in a cleaning liquid in a cleaning tank 12. Then, ultrasonic waves are generated in the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning tank 12, so that the substrate to be processed W is subjected to an ultrasonic cleaning process. While the substrate to be processed is being cleaned, a dissolved gas concentration of a gas dissolved in the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning tank is changed. |
| US08347896B2 |
Artificial eyelash structure and its fabrication and method of use
An artificial eyelash structure includes a mounting member having a bonding portion for adhering to an eyelid and a bendable portion for enabling the bonding portion to be curved into a smoothly arched shape when bending the bonding portion upwards or downwards, and multiple eyelashes connected with the mounting member. The artificial eyelash structure is prepared by: forming a mounting member from a thin film, and then processing the thin film of the mounting member into a bonding portion and a bendable portion such that the bendable portion enables the bonding portion to be bent upwards or downwards, and then connecting eyelashes with the mounting member. A method of using an artificial eyelash structure includes the step of preparing an artificial eyelash structure having a mounting member and eyelashes connected with the mounting member, the step of bending the mounting member along the connection between the mounting member and the eyelashes to form a bonding portion; and the step of curving the bonding portion into a smoothly arched shape and then using a glue or double-sided adhesive to adhere the bonding portion to an eyelid. |
| US08347893B2 |
Assembly for thickening hair
An assembly for thickening hair has a first adhesive tape, apt to be reversibly adhered on hair, having an adhesive face onto which there are arranged connecting elements of hair extensions of a first plurality of the hair extensions at their respective distal end, and a second adhesive tape, apt to be reversibly adhered on hair, having an adhesive face onto which there are arranged connecting elements of hair extensions of a second plurality of the hair extensions at their respective distal end, the tapes having positioning elements such that the connecting elements of the extensions of said first and second plurality of the hair extensions overlap when the positioning elements are in turn overlapped. |
| US08347892B2 |
Disposable hookah bowl
The present invention is directed to a disposable hookah bowl and hookah bowl product that are moisture-sealed. The hookah bowl includes a tobacco compartment, an ignitable product shelf, a heat inlet seal, and a particulate outlet seal. The hookah bowl product includes the hookah bowl and a combustible product, such as massell. |
| US08347891B2 |
Methods and apparatus for performing a non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen
Methods and apparatus are provided for non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen. Apparatus may be positioned within a body lumen of a patient and may deliver energy at a first lengthwise and angular position to create a less-than-full circumferential treatment zone at the first position. The apparatus also may deliver energy at one or more additional lengthwise and angular positions within the body lumen to create less-than-full circumferential treatment zone(s) at the one or more additional positions that are offset lengthwise and angularly from the first treatment zone. Superimposition of the first treatment zone and the one or more additional treatment zones defines a non-continuous circumferential treatment zone without formation of a continuous circumferential lesion. Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for achieving such non-continuous circumferential treatment are provided. |
| US08347890B2 |
Automated tissue retention system
An automated tissue retention system generally comprises an oral appliance retractably coupled to a covering which is secured to an anterior portion of the tongue. Once placed within a subject's mouth, the appliance may be maintained in a closed configuration while the subject's mouth remains closed. However, as the subject sleeps and the tongue becomes hypotonic, the subject's mouth typically opens during a sleep disordered event. The appliance may be actuated by the separation between the mandible and maxilla to have greater tension and thus retract or pull anteriorly the covering adhered to the tongue. As the covering pulls the tongue anteriorly or maintains a position of the tongue, the base of the tongue may be inhibited or prevented from collapsing posteriorly against the phryngeal tissue walls and thereby allow the subject to breathe normally. |
| US08347889B2 |
Airway positioning device
A positioning device to facilitate the maintenance of a patent airway by correctly positioning a patient's head under anesthesia during an operation or procedure comprising at least one adjustable support including a plurality of segments or sections selectively positionable relative to adjacent segments or sections and selectively lockable relative to each other having a patient engaging member coupled to the proximal end portion thereof to engage a portion of the patient's head to maintain the position of the patient's head during an operation or procedure. |
| US08347874B2 |
Grease drip pan and gas tank blocker for a barbecue grill
The inventions disclosed herein relate to frame assemblies for gas barbecue grills which incorporate structures for preventing a consumer from storing replacement fuel tanks on the grill, in order to minimize fire and tipping hazards. Because it is known that many consumers never install or even remove prior art tank blockers, the tank blocker of the present invention is adapted to serve as a function of the grill (in addition to the function of blocking a tank) or to support a component of the grill. The preferred embodiment of the tank blocker described herein is adapted to support a component of the grease management system, namely the grease drip pan. Consequently, it is believed that consumers will be forced to install or will be prevented from removing the tank blocker, lest the grease management system become inoperable (or function improperly), causing grease to spill onto the cart. |
| US08347873B2 |
Heat reducing slot on a carbide plate and method of use thereof
A heat reducing slot that is part of a saw blade that includes tips that will house carbide or other tips that are to be attached through a torch or induction. Heat reducing slots repeat for each tip on the perimeter of a blade that will be treated with high heat. For each tip, there is a general area defined near the seat and groove of the tip. In this general area a slot is inserted that has the effect of reducing the amount of heat needed to be applied to the blade for the attachment of carbide or other tips. |
| US08347872B2 |
Battery powered concrete saw system
A battery operated concrete saw system (10) includes an electric saw (12) and a battery pack cart (14) as well as an electrical cord (62) for facilitating cutting in small places with a battery pack cart at a remote location. |
| US08347867B2 |
System and method for protecting engine fuel pumps
A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel starvation detection module and a fuel pump protection module. The fuel starvation detection module detects when a fuel pump is delivering less than a predetermined amount of fuel based on a fuel level in a fuel tank, a fuel pressure in the fuel pump, and an air/fuel (A/F) ratio of the engine. The fuel pump protection module decreases an amount of fuel supplied to the engine during a period after detecting that the fuel pump is delivering less than the predetermined amount of fuel. |
| US08347863B2 |
Method for controlling a fuel delivery device on an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine has a fuel delivering device with a high-pressure pump which conveys fuel into a fuel reservoir, and a volume flow control valve that is assigned to the high-pressure pump. A control difference (FUP_DIF) is determined from a difference between a predefined fuel pressure (FUP_SP) and a detected fuel pressure (FUP_AV). The control difference (FUP_DIF) is fed to a controller that encompasses at least one integral portion (I_CTRL). A corrective value (COR) for an error value of a fuel flow rate is determined in accordance with the integral portion (I_CTRL) of the controller if a sum of the integral portion (I_CTRL) exceeds a given threshold value during a predefined mode of operation of the internal combustion engine. In addition, an actuating signal (PWM) for the volume flow control valve is generated according to a controller value (FUEL_MASS_FB_CTRL) and the corrective value (COR). |
| US08347861B2 |
Method to control a gas engine and a gas engine system thereof
In a gas engine system, air fed through a turbocharger is mixed with fuel gas flowing through a fuel gas supply line and supply into a combustion chamber is controlled. In case that the fuel gas has a low calorie or the engine output power is high, a portion of the fuel gas is diverged from the fuel gas supply line, and the flow rate thereof is set to a constant rate less than that of the diverged side fuel gas. The diverging fuel gas is fed into the combustion chamber through a divergence control valve while the remainder of the fuel gas is fed into the fuel flow control valve. In case that the fuel gas has a high calorie or the engine output power is low, the divergence control valve is closed so as to feed the fuel gas only into the gas supply main pipe. |
| US08347859B2 |
Automatic throttle calibration in a marine vessel
A method of calibrating throttle controls in an electronic shift and throttle system includes opening the throttle and then moving the throttle back towards a hard stop in increments. The voltage level of an electrical signal sent by a throttle position sensor is measured and recorded at each increment. An idle position is established as being where the lowest voltage level was measured when the throttle is at least 0.75° away from the hard stop. |
| US08347858B2 |
Load condition detection apparatus for general-purpose engine
In an apparatus for detecting condition of load connected to a general-purpose internal combustion engine, a first threshold value is compared with a sum obtained by adding a predetermined value to a detected throttle opening and changes the threshold value to the sum if the first threshold value is less than the sum and the engine is determined to be under first load condition if the throttle opening exceeds the threshold value. Next a second threshold value is compared with a difference obtained by subtracting change amounts of the engine speed and throttle opening and the engine is determined to be under second load condition if the difference exceeds the second threshold value, thereby enabling to accurately detect a condition of a load connected to the engine. Then the desired engine speed is changed in response to results of the determinations. |
| US08347852B2 |
Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions. |
| US08347847B2 |
Internal combustion two stroke oscillating engine
The invention relates to heat engines and more specifically to positive displacement internal combustion engines, and is particularly concerned with oscillating engines i.e. engines, in which piston executes oscillating motion. The invention provides the optimal, “canonical” form for the two stroke oscillating engine of unique strenght and compactness. |
| US08347846B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A vehicle control system 10 includes a water pump 23 with an electromagnetic clutch, an oil relief device 25, an OCV 26, a water temperature sensor 31, and an ECU 11. The ECU 11 causes the electromagnetic clutch of the water pump 23 to be disengaged on the basis of the detection result detected by the water temperature sensor 31, and stops the coolant circulation. The ECU 11 instructs the OCV 26 to adjust the lubricant pressure to low by an oil relief device 25. The ECU 11 determines whether or not the adjustment of the lubricant pressure to low by the oil relief device 25 is stopped on the basis of the detection result detected by the water temperature sensor 31 when the engagement of the electromagnetic clutch of the water pump 23 continues for a given period. |
| US08347844B2 |
Oil pan for internal combustion engine transmission unit
The invention relates to an oil pan (6) for an internal combustion engine transmission unit (1) comprising an oil pan housing (7) and a carrier flange, by way of which the oil pan housing is to be connected to the transmission housing (5) of the transmission. The carrier flange (4) is affixed to the transmission housing (5), and is connected to the oil pan housing (7) via a detachable connecting unit, wherein the connecting unit can be released or locked for the assembly and disassembly of the oil pan housing between the oil pan housing (7) and the carrier flange (9) regardless of the disassembly of the carrier flange from the transmission housing. |
| US08347841B1 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes a rotary valve such that said rotary valve serves as an output shaft for said engine. |
| US08347836B2 |
Method for controlling a variable event valvetrain
A method to start an internal combustion engine having a variable event valvetrain is provided. The method includes increasing the speed of said internal combustion engine during a start from a stopped position after a request to start said internal combustion engine. The method may further include increasing an intake valve lift amount, of at least a cylinder during said start while said internal combustion engine speed is increasing. The method may further include only enabling fuel flow to said cylinder when said intake valve lift amount reaches a predetermined level. |
| US08347835B2 |
Engine assembly including secondary oil pump and pump mounting structure
A cam bearing cap may include a first bearing cap region, a pump mounting region, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The first bearing cap region may extend over and secure a first camshaft to an engine assembly. The pump mounting region may extend from the first bearing cap region and may have a secondary oil pump mounted thereto. The oil inlet may extend through the pump mounting region and may provide communication between the secondary oil pump and an oil supply. The oil outlet may extend through the pump mounting region and may provide communication between the secondary oil pump and a hydraulically actuated engine component. |
| US08347829B2 |
Electrolytic reactor and related methods for supplementing the air intake of an internal combustion engine
An electrolytic reactor and related methods are provided for supplementing the air-intake of an internal combustion engine with hydrogen. In one embodiment, the reactor has a core defined by a plurality of whole metal plates separated by peripheral gaskets; an inlet for providing an electrolyte to the core; a gas and effluent outlet, and a pump to force an electrolyte through the core. |
| US08347824B2 |
Combination retractable leash assembly and wearable locket for companion pet
A retractable leash assembly that may be selectively carried by a user while attached to the collar or other wearable item on a companion pet and carried by the pet while not in use. The leash assembly may be connected to more than one location along the collar or other wearable item for securing the leash assembly to the companion pet. The leash assembly comprises a braking mechanism for stopping the movement of the leash in a preferred embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable leash assembly provides a full-length leash and weighs less than about 85 g. |
| US08347823B1 |
Pet triggered programmable toy
One embodiment of a pet toy having a control module, active triggering module, and passive triggering module. Our device is an interface between a pet and pet toy or other useful device. A pet can trigger at will a moving highly collimated light dot for exercise, entertainment, mental stimulation, education, and even surrogate companionship in the absence of a human caretaker. Pets that fail to learn triggering behavior will benefit from pre-set play periods as programmed or selected by their caretaker and/or passive activation such as infrared detection or another proximity sensing switch. |
| US08347821B2 |
Self-regulated liquid dispenser and system for maintaining a liquid level in a container of dispensed liquid
A self regulated feeder for a footbath for animals may include a hollow container for a source of fluid, an outlet passageway to connect the hollow container with the footbath, an air return passageway to connect the hollow container to ambient air to return air to the hollow container, and a differential valve to restrict the returning air to the hollow container. The fluid may include air, and the fluid may include a liquid having a disinfect agent. The self regulated feeder may include a flush passageway to flush the footbath, and the air return passageway may be connected to a liquid trap container to prevent fluid from the footbath from reaching the hollow container. |
| US08347814B2 |
Method and apparatus for coating a curved surface
An apparatus includes a workpiece support, a source that is spaced from the workpiece support and can emit a plume of coating material toward the workpiece support, and plume adjusting structure that, between the source and workpiece support, can influence a plume of material flowing from the source. A different aspect involves a method that includes emitting from a source a plume of coating material that flows toward a workpiece support, and adjusting, between the source and the workpiece support, a plume of material flowing from the source. |
| US08347813B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus and method thereof
A thin film deposition apparatus including a substrate mounting error detector, a chamber and a substrate support positioned in the chamber. The substrate support is configured to support a substrate. The substrate mounting error detector includes: a light source configured to provide a light beam to the substrate, such that the substrate reflects the light beam; a collimator configured to selectively pass at least a portion of the light beam reflected by the substrate; and an optical sensor configured to detect the at least a portion of the reflected light beam passed by the collimator. The detector is positioned and oriented to detect substrate position on a lowered support prior to raising the support into contact with an upper cover of a clamshell reactor arrangement. This configuration allows a thin film deposition process only if the substrate is correctly mounted on the substrate support. Thus, abnormal deposition due to a substrate mounting error is prevented in advance. |
| US08347809B2 |
Slot nozzle assembly, slot coating gun, shim plate, and method of extruding a foamable melted material in a wide band
A slot nozzle assembly for extruding a foamable melted material in a wide band including a plurality of foamable melted material passages, lateral distribution flow routes communicating with the plurality of foamable melted material passages, a restriction member disposed inside the lateral distribution flow routes, a slot for discharging foamable melted material, and a converging portion which communicates with the lateral distribution flow routes and the slot, and whose cross-section area gradually becomes smaller toward the slot. |
| US08347808B2 |
Apparatus and method for applying solid edible particulates to an edible substrate
The invention relates to an apparatus for applying solid edible particulates to an exposed surface of an edible substrate. The apparatus includes a particulate supply, a metered dosing system, a conduit through which the measured particulates are to the edible substrate, an applicator nozzle to direct the measured particulates from the conduit onto the exposed surface of the substrate, and a vacuum system that supplies a directed stream of air to transfer the particulates from the dosing system through the conduit and the nozzle. The particulates are ejected at a velocity sufficient to cut through air currents between the nozzle and substrate, but insufficient to fully penetrate the exposed surface of the substrate, to deposit and adhere a substantial amount of the particulates in a desired pattern onto the exposed surface of the substrate. |
| US08347807B2 |
Dashboard indicator module
A dashboard indicator module including a rotating actuator including a hollow output shaft controlling movement of an indicator with a light conducting path, connected to a light source, diffusing a light at an angle, and a reduction gear set. The external diameter of the conducting path is between 2.6 and 5.5 millimeters. |
| US08347804B2 |
Mooring system
System for mooring a substantially cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), comprising a substantially cylindrical mooring element having un upper side for engaging the lower side of the FPSO, further comprising mooring lines for connection to the seabed, and operating means for realising an engagement between the mooring element and the FPSO, wherein the mooring element has such a specific weight that, when disconnected from the FPSO, it floats at a certain depth below the sea level. |
| US08347795B2 |
Table
A table may be sized and configured to nest with one or more adjacent tables to reduce a height of the table in a nested configuration. The table may include a table top constructed from molded plastic and the table top may include a receiving portion sized and configured to receive an engaging portion of a frame of an adjacent table in the nested configuration. The table may also include a metal frame connected to the table top and the frame may include an engaging portion sized and configured to be disposed in a receiving portion of an adjacent table in the nested configuration. If desired, an outer surface of the engaging portion may be visible and exposed in the recess in the lip. |
| US08347791B1 |
Computer keyboard and mouse tray assembly
A computer accessory tray assembly adapted for mounting to a chair. The tray assembly includes individual left and right mouse trays mounted by horizontal arms to respective arms of the chair. A keyboard tray is engageable with the left and right mouse trays to prevent lateral movement of the keyboard tray, but allows the keyboard tray to be lifted up from engagement with both mouse trays and moved out of the entry/exit position of the chair so that the user can have access to the chair. When removed from engagement from both mouse trays, the keyboard tray can be stowed by hanging it from either of the mouse trays. The mouse trays are adjustable vertically, forwards and backwards, and can be titled to provide ergonomic access to a mouse resting on either mouse tray. |
| US08347788B1 |
Lead free reduced ricochet limited penetration projectile
A frangible projectile with a specific gravity similar to a lead projectile. The projectile comprises 34-94%, by weight, binder. The binder comprises poly ether block amide resin. The projectile further comprises 6-66%, by weight, ballast. The ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, tantalum, ferro-tungsten, copper, bismuth, iron, steel, brass, aluminum bronze, beryllium copper, tin, aluminum, titanium, zinc, nickel silver alloy, cupronickel and nickel. The projectile can be prepared with a particularly preferred specific gravity of 5-14 and more preferably 11-11.5. |
| US08347787B1 |
Variable data lithography apparatus employing a thermal printhead subsystem
A printhead subsystem is disclosed for selectively removing portions of a layer of dampening fluid disposed over an arbitrarily reimageable surface in a variable data lithographic system. The subsystem comprises a thermal printhead element disposed proximate the arbitrarily reimageable surface, and driving circuitry communicatively connected to the thermal printhead for selectively temporarily heating the thermal printhead to an elevated temperature. Portions of the dampening fluid layer proximate the thermal printhead are vaporized and driven off the arbitrarily reimageable surface by the thermal printhead when the thermal printhead is at the elevated temperature, to thereby form voids in the dampening fluid layer. |
| US08347785B2 |
Web offset press as well as method for operating the web offset press
A web offset press includes several printing units through which a web passes essentially in a horizontal direction. The printed web then passes to at least one first folding unit. Each of the printing units has at least one plate cylinder and one transfer cylinder which interacts with the web being printed. An effective plate width of the plate cylinder corresponds to the print image of at least eight upright or prone printed pages in a BIN 4A format. The printed web is slit longitudinally into a plurality of web strands: A first number of these web strands are supplied to the first folding apparatus. At the same time, a second number of web strands, produced by the slitting of the same web, are supplied to a second folding apparatus for further processing. |
| US08347782B2 |
Fruit and vegetable slicer
A fruit or vegetable slicer, particularly suitable for slicing between the edible portion of a watermelon and its rind. The slicer comprises a cutting blade made a thin flexible or bendable food compatible material and having at least one cutting edge; a positioning strip; and a connector mechanism for operably connecting distal ends of the cutting blade and positioning strip to each other and adapted to allow the positioning strip and cutting blade to swivel relative to the connector mechanism. |
| US08347780B2 |
Beverage air management dispensing system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating air from a fluid, such as syrup, as the fluid enters a first chamber of a system; passing the fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber via a first device; passing the air from the first chamber to the second chamber via a second device so as to reintroduce the air back into the fluid and form a new fluid mixture having more uniform air bubbles; and discharging the new fluid out of the system. |
| US08347776B2 |
Vehicle attached gun mount
A gun mount for mounting a weapon to a vehicle includes a weapon mount plate defining a planar surface. First and second side plates are oriented at an angle to the weapon mount plate planar surface. Front and rear plates are perpendicular to the weapon mount plate and the first and second side plates supporting the weapon mount plate and fixed to the first and second side plates. A male tab extends from both the first and second side plates. A female slot is created in individual ones of both the front and rear plates. The female slot is aligned to slidably receive the male tab with a male tab freely extending portion extending beyond the female slot. A tab weld joint created at the freely extending portion of the male tab fixes the first and second side plates to the front and rear plates. |
| US08347774B2 |
Magazine with cartridge gear
A drum style magazine for a firearm is disclosed. The magazine has a tower and a magazine body. The magazine body contains a cartridge gear for holding and carrying cartridges of ammunition. The cartridge gear has two rows of teeth, separated by a channel. Cartridges can be held between the teeth of the rows. The gear has a unique shape that makes it relatively easy to manufacture. |
| US08347771B2 |
Process for localization of a long-member profile that is inserted between fibrous support preforms that are assembled for forming a composite-material part
An assembly of fibrous support preforms that makes it possible to obtain a composite-material part that includes a space (30) that originates from the assembly in which a long-member profile (32) of organic or inorganic fibers is housed and whose purpose is to fill the space (30), is characterized in that the long-member profile includes at least one metal fiber that extends over the entire length of the profile (32) so as to ensure the function of a marker that can be detected by detection element (38) that emit waves that can be modified by the marker (36). |
| US08347770B2 |
Hole punch
A hole punch includes a base and a handle assembly to actuate a punch pin. The base may include a housing enclosing a punch head, and the housing may include an opening where the handle assembly is adapted to be recessed within the opening. The handle assembly may include a first linkage and a second linkage, each pivotally coupled to the base, and a third linkage pivotally coupled to both the first and second linkages, where the third linkage is arranged to move substantially parallel to the base. The first linkage may be substantially parallel to the second linkage when the punch pin is in a rest position, and the second linkage may be configured to nest within the first linkage when the punch pin is in a deployed position. |
| US08347768B2 |
Screwdriver for an inner profile screw
A screw driver for a screw having a drive socket having an axially extending shaft with a bifurcated tip, the tip having a cross-sectional profile for insertion into a cross-sectional profile of the screw socket. The shaft has a tapered section adjacent the bifurcated tip. A bushing is mounted on an outer surface of the shaft for axial movement therealong. The bushing has inwardly extending protrusions for engaging the tapered section on the shaft upon movement in the axial direction along the shaft in a direction. away from the tip. This allows the selective capture or release of the screw by the shaft tip by axial movement of the bushing away from and towards the shaft distal tip. |
| US08347765B2 |
Axial connecting structure of pliers
An axial connecting structure of pliers contains two symmetrical bodies axially connected together by using a first screw bolt and a nut; each body including a first extension with a grip and a second extension axially connected with a clamping paw, wherein the second extension includes a hollow fitting member, the fitting member includes a central hole, a limiting shaft, a positioning orifice to receive a spring and a ball, and a circular disc; the clamping paw includes an annular tab having a central post, the post includes an axial aperture, the tab also includes a receiving chamber to fit the fitting member and an inner fringe, the receiving chamber includes a guiding groove based on a radian of a predetermined degree of first central angle, the inner fringe includes plural recesses arranged thereon based on a radian of a second central angle. |
| US08347764B2 |
Ratchetable open-ended wrench
A ratchetable open-ended wrench includes a handle for a hand to grasp, a wrench head located on one end of the handle, and a fastener room located in the wrench head for accommodating a workpiece to be rotated. The wrench head further includes a first jaw having a first driving wall, a second jaw having a second driving wall facing the first driving wall, an inner wall extending from the second driving wall into the second jaw, a concavity, an auxiliary jaw retracting opening, an auxiliary jaw capable of longitudinally sliding into the auxiliary jaw retracting opening in an elastic way, and an auxiliary jaw limiting member coupled to a limiting slot. The auxiliary jaw further includes an exterior end having a pillow in contact with the driving wall and a pushing surface for working together with the first jaw to grip the workpiece under operation, an interior end, and a limiting slot. |
| US08347755B2 |
Transmission with adjustment member for varying tension force
A transmission apparatus includes a drive member, a driven member, and an at least partially flexible transmission coupled to the drive member and the driven member. The flexible transmission is configured to cause movement of the driven member in response to movement of the drive member. The flexible transmission includes a first tension element having a first portion coupled to the drive member, a second portion coupled to the driven member, and an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion. The transmission apparatus also includes an adjustment member that engages the intermediate portion of the first tension element. The adjustment member is configured to be adjusted to vary a tension force applied to the first tension element. |
| US08347752B2 |
Actuating device with shift carriage lock
An actuating device for transmitting shift commands to an automatic gearbox of a motor vehicle. The actuating device comprises a selector lever which is movable in a selector lane between an automatic shift lane and a sequential shift lane, a shift carriage for transmitting the shift commands to a gearbox transmission element, a separating device for separating the force transmission between the selector lever and the shift carriage, and a locking device for blocking the selector lever in at least one selector lever position. The locking device is set up to block the shift carriage. The shift carriage can be blocked not only in the shift-lock positions but also in the position of the shift carriage which corresponds to the selector lane position of the selector lever. |
| US08347750B2 |
Transmission and variable radially expanding spring clutch assembly
A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves. A first gear assembly has a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear. A second gear assembly has a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear. The first gear assembly and the second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along the shaft member to a position where at least one of the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with the shaft member when a value of torque at the shaft member is below a torque threshold value. |
| US08347748B2 |
Gear changing device for automotive applications
A gear changing device (1) has a gear lever (3) to operate a vehicle gear box, and several sensors to detect the movement of the gear lever with respect to the surroundings as a result of a force exerted by a user on the gear lever. The gear-changing device also has two electrical motors (5, 7), which are connected to the gear lever (3) via transmissions (9, 11). The transmission (9, 11) are formed by self-braking worm-worm wheel transmissions. The gear lever (3) can only be shifted if the electrical motors are actuated. The electrical motors shift the gear lever or permit the movement of the gear lever, depending on the sensor signals. The movement speed of the gear lever in this is such that it appears to the user that he has to overcome resistance to be able to shift the gear lever, so that the gear lever exercises a haptic effect. |
| US08347741B2 |
Specimen handling apparatus
A specimen handling apparatus is provided and includes a body in which a bore is defined and a needle having a tip portion and a bit, which is removably insertible into the bore with the tip portion at least partially exposed, the bore and the bit each being formed such that, when the bit is inserted into the bore, the needle is forced into one of first or second rotational positions relative to a long axis thereof. |
| US08347739B2 |
Torque sensing system having torque sensor, method for determining an amount of torque, and steering system
A torque sensing system, a torque sensor, a method for determining an amount of torque, and a steering system are provided. The method includes generating a first output signal utilizing a first plurality of piezo-electric transducers disposed between a first plurality of tooth portions of a first hub portion and a second plurality of tooth portions of a second hub portion when the first hub portion is rotated in a first direction relative to the second hub portion. The transducers are electrically coupled in series with one another. The method further includes filtering the first output signal to obtain a first filtered signal and amplifying the first filtered signal to obtain a first amplified signal. The method further includes determining a first torque value indicative of a first amount of torque applied to an input shaft based on the first amplified signal. |
| US08347738B2 |
Sensors and control for an interventional catheter
This invention provides small position sensors for applications where localized sensing in a small volume of space is needed but where measurement of large relative displacement is also necessary. The invention enables a surgeon to accurately position the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive therapy. The current invention further improves the quality of tactile feedback to a physician during catheter-based surgeries with an axial force sensor at the tip of the catheter that allows for the transmission of force information to the physician. One embodiment of this invention is a position sensor for active interventional catheters, where the sensor may be laser-machined shape memory alloy (SMA), and the catheter actuators may be heated SMA or wire-pulleys. Providing position feedback from a catheter during minimally invasive therapy allows for closed-loop control of the catheter tip position under computer-aided guidance and enable force feedback to the physician. |
| US08347737B2 |
Pressure sensor for use in fuel cell systems
A pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of a fluid in fluid flow path of a fuel cell system is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a housing provided with a communication path formed between the fluid flow path and an interior of the housing, the communication path having a hydrophobic feature to militate against a formation and an accumulation of an undesired material within the pressure sensor. |
| US08347733B2 |
Conditioner, apparatus and method
The present invention pertains to a flow conditioner for displacing and mixing fluid flow to minimize the effects of thermal gradients on the accuracy of a transit time ultrasonic flowmeter and defines an envelope in a cross sectional direction in a pipe having a first ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in a downstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0° and 90° relative to the pipe's inner surface. The conditioner has a second ramp adapted to be disposed in the pipe and in juxtaposition with the first ramp, the second ramp extending from the outside of the envelope inward toward the center of the pipe in an upstream direction with respect to the fluid flow and forming an angle between 0° and 90° relative to the pipe's inner surface. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe having ultrasonic transducer sites. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe. A method for affecting fluid flow in a pipe. |
| US08347732B2 |
Adjustable ultrasonic gas flow measurement device
An adjustable ultrasonic gas flow measurement device includes a gas pipe, a transmitter, a receiver and a micro-processing module. The gas pipe is filled with a gas under test. The transmitter and the receiver are respectively installed in two ends of the gas pipe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals inside the gas pipe. The micro-processing module is electrically connected to the transmitter and the receiver for generating and sending a first ultrasonic signal to the transmitter for transmitting, and comparing the phase shift of a second ultrasonic signal and a third ultrasonic signal to output a phase comparison result, wherein the transmitted first ultrasonic signal passing through the gas pipe was received by the receiver as the second ultrasonic signal, and the third ultrasonic signal is generated by shifting the first ultrasonic signal with a predetermined phase difference. |
| US08347731B2 |
Flow rate meter incorporating reusable device
A flow rate meter comprises a disposable fluid transport portion and a reusable interface connector removably attached to the transport portion. The transport portion includes a flow conduit having an input and an output, while the interface connector provides feedback to a desired location. First and second portions of control circuitry are, respectively, associated with the transport portion and the interface connector. The first circuitry portion includes a plurality of electrodes and derives flow rate. The device measures a range of flow rates and is adapted, for example, for use in micro-fluidic systems including fluids administration to a patient's body. |
| US08347730B2 |
Substantially flexible implant holder for a tubular implant structure
A substantially flexible implant holder for holding a substantially tubular implant structure during fatigue testing of the implant structure, the implant holder having a substantially elongate cavity for occupation by the tubular implant structure and a cavity-surrounding part which extends from at least a first longitudinal end of the cavity to at least a second longitudinal end of the cavity, the cavity-surrounding part having a stiffness which gradually changes from a relatively high stiffness adjacent each of the longitudinal ends of the cavity to a relatively low stiffness adjacent a middle portion which is situated between the two longitudinal ends of the cavity. |
| US08347724B2 |
Low profile ultrasound inspection scanner
An inspection scanner [1000] is described that has a low profile construction designed to fit into tight spaces and inspect structures [10] such as weld joints [13]. Wheel frame assemblies [1100, 1200] carry a probe holder assembly [1110] with an ultrasonic (US) array [1400] that emits US beams through the structure [10] and receives reflected sound waves. The probe holder assembly [1110] extends and US beam is angled away to inspect in tight locations. The wheel frame assemblies [1100, 1200] roll on wheels [1140, 1240] that drive an encoder [1250]. Encoder [1250] provides the specific locations for the received sound waves with respect to the weld. The locations and received sound waves are used to reconstruct a signal showing imperfections inside of structure [10]. The wheels [1140, 1240] may be magnetic to hold it to the structure [10] being inspected. A brake system [1600] may be employed to hold the inspection scanner [1000] at a given location. |
| US08347723B2 |
Sonic resonator system for testing the adhesive bond strength of composite materials
Disclosed herein is a sonic resonator system for use in testing the adhesive bond strength of composite materials. Also disclosed herein are a method of calibrating the sonic resonator system to work with a particular composite bond joint, and a method of non-destructive testing the “pass-fail” of the bonded composite bond strength, based on a required bond strength. |
| US08347721B2 |
Acceleration sensor
A micromechanical acceleration sensor includes a substrate with a substrate surface arranged in one plane, a first counter-electrode arranged on the substrate surface, a second counter-electrode arranged on the substrate surface, and a rocking mass arranged above the first counter-electrode and the second counter-electrode. The rocking mass is in this case connected to the substrate via a torsion spring which permits tilting of the rocking mass about an axis of rotation. Further provided are a first compensation counter-electrode arranged on the substrate surface and a second compensation counter-electrode arranged on the substrate surface. In addition, a first compensation electrode is arranged above the first compensation counter-electrode and a second compensation electrode is arranged above the second compensation counter-electrode. |
| US08347716B2 |
Microelectromechanical gyroscope with enhanced rejection of acceleration noises
An integrated microelectromechanical structure is provided with a driving mass, anchored to a substrate via elastic anchorage elements and designed to be actuated in a plane with a driving movement; and a first sensing mass and a second sensing mass, suspended within, and coupled to, the driving mass via respective elastic supporting elements so as to be fixed with respect thereto in said driving movement and to perform a respective detection movement in response to an angular velocity. In particular, the first and the second sensing masses are connected together via elastic coupling elements, configured to couple their modes of vibration. |
| US08347715B2 |
Variable capacitance electronic device and microelectromechanical device incorporating such electronic device
An electronic device includes a capacitive component with variable capacitance coupled to a control stage that controls the capacitance based on a reference signal, with a reference frequency, and an excitation signal, that is a multiple of the reference frequency. The capacitive component includes a variable capacitive network having a plurality of switched capacitors, each being switchable between a first configuration, where it is connected between connection terminals of the capacitive component, and a second configuration, where it is connected at most to one of the connection terminals. The control stage includes a logic module, coupled to the variable capacitive network for switching periodically each capacitor between the first configuration and the second configuration. A sign circuit, coupled to the capacitive component supplies a control signal having edges concordant with the excitation signal in one half-period of each cycle of the reference signal and discordant edges in the other half-period. |
| US08347713B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring dynamic rigidity of a main shaft of a machine tool
An apparatus for measuring dynamic rigidity of a main shaft of a machine tool with high accuracy. The apparatus includes an unbalanced master that is attached to the main shaft and of which position of a center of gravity is offset with respect to a center of rotation of the main shaft; a tachometer that measures a rotational speed of the main shaft; and a run-out amount measuring device that is positioned so as to face the unbalanced master at a predetermined position in an axial direction and is any given position in a circumferential direction, and that measures an amount of run-out of the unbalanced master. The dynamic rigidity of the main shaft is calculated based on a relation between the rotational speed measured by the tachometer and the amount of run-out measured by the run-out amount measuring device. |
| US08347711B2 |
Atom-interferometric, stepped gravity gradient measuring system
A full-tensor, gravity gradient measuring system is disclosed that is based on atom interferometry. Each axis in the three-axis measuring system is served by a different gravity gradiometer, where each gradiometer comprises three pairs of atom interferometric (AI) accelerometers. The accelerometers in each pair are mounted on opposite sides of the gradiometer's rotation axis from each other. The three AI accelerometer pairs are step-rotated, instead of being continuously rotated, thereby providing enhanced signal-to-noise performance. The three gradiometers in the overall measuring system are mounted orthogonally with respect to one another on a local-level platform, in order to achieve a full-tensor measuring system. The measuring system can be step-rotated as an overall unit around an axis perpendicular to a local level reference. The multiple levels of stepped rotation, as enabled by the atom interferometry being utilized, yields improved results with lower costs than what is achievable with some prior-art techniques. |
| US08347709B2 |
Measurement apparatus for mass flow detection of harvested crops
The invention relates to a measurement apparatus for detecting the mass flow of harvested crops which are conveyed by means of a conveyor. The measurement apparatus comprises a first measuring device for weighing the conveyor together with the conveyed harvested crops, a second measuring device for determining the volume of the harvested crops conveyed by the conveyor, and a computer device for determining the mass density of the harvested crops. |
| US08347706B2 |
Flow-rate measurement apparatus
A plate-shaped board is arranged so that fluid passages are respectively formed at a sensor-element mounting surface side of the plate-shaped board and at a backside surface side thereof being opposed to the sensor-element mounting surface side, a curved passage portion is provided which is located upstream of the plate-shaped board and changes its direction so as to form a curved line, and the curved passage portion has an outer-side wall surface including a sloping portion that slopes so that, of two edge portions of the outer-side wall surface in a direction perpendicular to board surfaces of the plate-shaped board, the edge portion located on a sidewall surface, facing the sensor-element mounting surface, of the curved passage portion is positioned closer to an inner wall surface of the curved passage portion than the edge portion located on a sidewall surface opposed to the first sidewall surface, along the sidewall surfaces. |
| US08347705B2 |
Magnetically mounted light for use in inspecting steel belted tires
The invention includes a light assembly which is configured to magnetically mount on a steel belted tire and a method of inspecting the inside of the tire using the light assembly. |
| US08347700B2 |
Device for operating an internal combustion engine
An association unit is designed to determine cylinder-individual lambda signals on the basis of a lambda probe signal and to determine lambda deviation signals for the respective cylinders based on the lambda signals in relation to an averaged lambda signal. Furthermore, an observer has a sensor model of the lambda probe that is arranged in a feedback branch. The lambda deviation signals are fed to the input side and observer output quantities in relation to the respective cylinder are representative of the injection characteristics deviations from predetermined injection characteristics. A parameter detection unit impresses a predetermined interference pattern from cylinder-individual mixture deviations. It further changes at least one sensor model parameter as a detection parameter in response to the respectively predetermined interference pattern for as long as the observer output quantities represent the portion of the interference pattern associated with the cylinders thereof in a predetermined manner. |
| US08347699B2 |
Procedure for determining at least one misfiring cylinder of a combustion engine, control unit and motor vehicle drive train
At a procedure for determining at least one misfiring cylinder (1, 2, 3, 4) of a combustion engine (12) with an even number n of at least four cylinders (1, 2, 3, 4), whereby at least each cylinder (1, 2, 3, 4) is assigned to its own angle segment of a work cycle of the combustion engine (12) and whereby uneven running values (luts) are determined for each cylinder (1, 2, 3, 4), the uneven running values (luts) are evaluated with regard to the fulfillment of a condition (1., 2., 3., 4.), which is set depending on the length of the angle segment or a part or a multiple of it and which corresponds with a default misfiring pattern of the combustion engine (12). |
| US08347696B2 |
Microchannel forming method and nanotipped dispensing device having a microchannel
A method of forming a microchannel as well as a thin film structure including same is made by forming a first thin film on a side of a substrate, forming a fugitive second thin film on the first thin film such that the second thin film defines a precursor of the elongated microchannel and a plurality of extensions connected to and extending transversely relative to the precursor along a length thereof A third thin film is formed on the first thin film and the fugitive second thin film such that the second thin film resides between the first thin film and the third thin film. A respective access site is formed in a region of the third thin film residing on a respective extension and penetrating to the fugitive second thin film. The fugitive second thin film forming the precursor is selectively removed from between the first thin film and the third thin film using an etching medium introduced through the access sites, thereby forming the microchannel between the first thin film and the third thin film. The method preferably further includes forming a sealing layer on the third thin film in a manner to close off open access sites remaining after selective removal of the second thin film. |
| US08347690B2 |
Leakage detector for compressors
A compressor leakage detector includes a water tank, an elevator platform, a control panel, and a pressure testing unit. The elevator platform is disposed in the water tank to rise and drop vertically. The operating panel of the control panel has a human-machine interface, indicators, and pressure gauges. The pressure testing unit in the control panel uses an intake pipe to connect to several branch pipes that in turn connect to the compressors in the water tank. Each of the branch pipes connects in series to at least one intake EM valve and at least one exhaust EM valve. A pressure sensor is interposed between the intake EM valve and the corresponding compressor. |
| US08347688B2 |
Method and apparatus for sample analysis
Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed. |
| US08347685B1 |
Method and device for validating or calibrating a chemical detector at a point of use
A method for validating or calibrating a chemical detector at a point of use. The method includes presenting a device to the chemical detector, the device comprising a frangible container defining a predetermined volume and a chemical material sealed within the frangible container in a predetermined amount, and breaking the frangible container to release the chemical material for detection by the chemical detector. A device and method of making the device for validating or calibrating a chemical at a point of use are also provided. |
| US08347680B2 |
Lock and key combination with a large number of codes
A lock and key combination is disclosed, offering a large number of codes. The combination includes a lock (200) of the kind comprising a housing having a cylindrical bore, a cylindrical key plug (202) and a number of locking pins (205a-205g) in a row along a key plug axis for locking the key plug against rotation in the cylindrical bore, and a key (100) of the kind comprising a longitudinally extending, substantially flat key blade (102), with at least two longitudinally extending formations. The key blade comprises an upper edge portion having a first code pattern (103) and a lower, massive portion having a second code pattern (104). At least one of the locking pins in said row is a short pin (205a, 205b, 205c) comprising a first, relatively short key sensing part (207, 208) cooperating with the first code pattern (103), and at least another one of the locking pins in said row is a long pin (205f, 205g, 205h) comprising a second, relatively long key sensing part (210, 207, 208) cooperating with the second code pattern (104). |
| US08347679B2 |
Unlocking device for concealing keyhole of lock
An unlocking device includes a casing mounted to a side of a lock having a keyhole. A movable body is rotatably received in the casing about an axis. The movable body has a closed end having a through-hole. A key receiving seat is received in the movable body and has a passage. The keyhole is normally blocked by the closed end of the movable body. The movable body can be rotated to align the through-hole with the keyhole and the passage. A manually rotatable linking rod extends through the passage and has an engaging portion for coupling a key received in the passage. The key can be moved into the keyhole by moving the linking rod along the axis and can be rotated for a locking or unlocking operation. |
| US08347678B2 |
Rekeyable lock cylinder assembly
A rekeyable lock cylinder assembly includes at least one lock cylinder and a mortise lock adapter. Each lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a longitudinal axis. A locking bar is disposed in the cylinder body for movement transverse to, and rotationally about, the longitudinal axis. A plug assembly having a tool receiving aperture is disposed in the cylinder body and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of pins and a corresponding plurality of racks are disposed in the plug assembly. A first member is moveable in response to application of a force by a tool received through the aperture to simultaneously disengage all of the plurality of racks from the plurality of pins. The mortise lock adapter includes a housing configured for receiving the cylinder body of the lock cylinder. A mortise lock actuator is coupled to the plug assembly of the lock cylinder. |
| US08347677B2 |
Releasable lock for a motor vehicle lock mechanism
A releasable latch, for a motor vehicle lock mechanism, includes a fixed stator having at least two semicylindrical portions, a rotor rotatably mounted in the fixed stator and includes a plurality of tumblers configured to be moved radially under an action of a key that is designed to be inserted axially into the rotor, and an intermediate tubular socket configured to rotate about an axis thereof in the fixed stator and to move axially relative to the fixed stator. The rotor is directly coupled with a control lever that acts as a cam when the key is suitable, and uncoupled from the control lever in a released position. The rotor is fixed axially in the intermediate socket, and the rotor and the intermediate socket are prevented from rotating relative to one another by the plurality of tumblers when the key is not suitable. |
| US08347672B2 |
Lock cylinder particularly for functions which can be carried out in a vehicle
In order to enable a turning of a key of a lock cylinder onto a driven member (shaft 36) in the lock cylinder only when a proper key is inserted, yet to prohibit the turning in case of an overload, an overload lock is arranged therebetween. The driven member (shaft 36) should specifically actuate functions in the vehicle only if the correct key is used. A threshold rotation torque determines the change between the normal and the overload state. In order to improve the lock cylinder, it is furnished that a disengaging lever (40) is mounted in the cylinder housing (30) in a pivotable manner (42) and can be displaced between two pivot positions in a radial plane defined by the longitudinal axis (13) of the lock cylinder. A locking cam (41) belonging to the overload lock is arranged on the free end of the disengaging lever (40). When the disengaging lever pivots, a carrier (50) pivots in unison, the carrier having a coupling part which engages in a counter coupling part of the cylinder core (10) during normal function. The disengaging lever (40) and the carrier (50) form a common pivot unit. In case of overload, wherein a rotation of the cylinder core force, the carrier (50) is decoupled from the cylinder core (10). |
| US08347669B2 |
Securing mechanism cooperating with a device that is to be secured
A securing mechanism cooperating with a device that is to be secured, having a closing part, which can be slipped onto a free end region of the device. Locking elements are rotatably mounted in the closing part and engage into an annular groove of the device by an engaging element to lock it, except in one defined position of rotation. An adjusting member engages in an end region of the locking elements accessible from outside. A spring presses the locking element against a contact area of the closing part in the direction of the axis of rotation thereof forming a brake. A catching structure provided with a plurality of catching points is disposed on an annular surface of the locking elements. A catching element engages into the catching points when the respective locking element is rotated, at least when the closing part is tilted. |
| US08347664B2 |
Adjustable molded archery lock
An adjustable archery bow lock for an archery bow with bow strings, or a limb with a cam or a pulley, includes a locking first frame with first and second rod receiving apertures there through. A lock mechanism is on the first frame with a moveable and securable locking index pin. A parallel second frame has first and second rods that are adapted to capture and immobilize the bow strings, or the cam or pulley with the limb. The rods pass through the receiving apertures. One of the rods has a series of aligned indentations, teeth or serrations. The rods are secured to the first frame with the locking index pin secured into one of the indentations or between the teeth or serrations to prevent drawing or firing of the bow. |
| US08347663B2 |
Cable wrap security device
A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable. |
| US08347660B2 |
Padlock
A padlock is provided that may include a lock body and a hoop which is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the lock body. The lock body may include an inner housing, an outer housing and a latching mechanism for latching the hoop in the closed position. The inner housing may include a first insertion part and a second insertion part which may receive the latching mechanism to form a pre-installable module. The pre-installable module may be inserted between first and second shells of the outer housing in shape matched manner to place the padlock in a fully assembled condition. |
| US08347659B2 |
Lock mechanism using one-way valve to lock piston
A lock mechanism for locking at least one door of a container in a closed position includes a housing, at least one lock member at least partially enclosed within the housing, the at least one lock member comprising a first lock member configured to engage a first portion of a container to lock at least one container door in a closed position, and a latching mechanism coupled to the at least one lock member. The latching mechanism includes a fluid chamber configured to hold a fluid, a piston slidably housed within the fluid chamber, and a valve coupled to the fluid chamber and configured to be in one of two states, the two states including an open state where fluid can flow through the valve in two directions to allow the piston to be moved in two directions, and a closed state where fluid is inhibited from flowing through the valve in at least one direction to prevent the piston from moving in at least one direction. The lock mechanism further includes a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing, the lock circuit including memory, and a lock controller coupled to the memory and the latching mechanism and configured to receive commands related to the operation of the lock mechanism, wherein the lock controller is configured to cause the latching mechanism to be in one of the two states in response to the received commands. |
| US08347658B2 |
Method and system for passive electroseismic surveying
A method of passive surveying comprises generating one or more detected signals by passively detecting a signal generated within a subsurface earth formation due to a seismoelectric response or an electroseismic response in at least one porous subsurface earth formation containing at least one fluid, and processing the one or more detected signals to determine at least one property of the subsurface earth formation. |
| US08347652B2 |
Method and device for homogenizing glass melt
The invention relates to a device for homogenizing a glass melt in a melt receptacle, wherein at least one stirring device is disposed in a melt receptacle, which comprises a stirrer shaft and a plurality of stirrer blades, and wherein a gap (16) is formed between a wall region of the melt receptacle and the stirrer blades. According to the invention, the respective stirring device causes an axial feed action in an inner stirring region between the stirrer shaft and the stirrer blades in order to feed the melt in the stirring region along the stirrer shaft. A melt flow brought about by the axial feed action seals the gap against direct passage of the melt. According to the invention, a very high gap width can be achieved, thus preventing the abrasion of materials in the region of the marginal gap. This also reduces the complexity required for adjusting the device. According to the invention, a high level of homogenization can be achieved regardless of the entry point of the inhomogeneities. |
| US08347648B2 |
Air cycle refrigerating/cooling system and turbine unit used therefor
An air cycle refrigerating/cooling system includes a first heat exchanger for cooling air, a turbine unit that has a compressor for compressing the air and an expansion turbine for adiabatically expanding the air, and a second heat exchanger for cooling the air. A compressor rotor of the compressor and a turbine rotor of the expansion turbine are attached to a common main shaft in the turbine unit in such a manner that the turbine unit drives the compressor rotor with a power generated by the turbine rotor, and the main shaft is rotatably supported by a rolling contact bearing. A part or the entirety of a thrust force applied to the main shaft is supported by an electromagnet, and a pressure equalizing device for equalizing a gas pressure at opposite ends of the rolling contact bearing is provided. |
| US08347646B1 |
Frosted beverage chilling and dispensing device and system
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a device for chilling and dispensing a beverage from a bottle is provided. The device comprises mounting rail configured to attach to a bar top structure and having a top rail plate and a rail freezing and chilling mechanism under the top rail plate. The device also includes a dome configured to attach to the top rail plate and having a dome plate, interior storage tank and a dome freezing and chilling mechanism between the dome plate and the interior storage tank. The rail freezing and chilling mechanism and the dome freezing and chilling mechanism are configured to build a layer of frost on top of the top rail plate and along the dome plate from humidity of ambient air. The dome is configured to seat the bottle in an inverted position and chill and dispense the beverage from the interior storage tank. |
| US08347645B1 |
Hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system for engine-off operation including PEM regenerative hydrogen production
A hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system for powering a vehicle during engine-off time. The system includes a power storage and fuel cell conversion unit integrated with a high efficiency reverse cycle heat pump to provide cab comfort and auxiliary power to a vehicle when the engine is off. Hydrogen gas is generated from vehicle wasted energy during coasting, braking and at times of engine peak performance and is safely stored in metal hydride storage containers at low pressure. During engine-off time, a fuel cell draws from the stored hydrogen and works in conjunction with the heat pump to heat and cool and provide electrical power to the vehicle. The system is a green energy solution to anti-idling regulations as it produces no harmful EPA emissions as it provides air conditioning and power to the vehicle during engine-off time. |
| US08347643B2 |
Indoor air quality improvement by re-evaporation control
Various control methods are disclosed for removing moisture from the external surfaces of an evaporator in a refrigerant system to avoid moisture entering a conditioned space. In one embodiment, the evaporator fan is driven in a reverse direction, and the air is guided to the outdoor environment. In other embodiments, a supplemental exhaust fan is utilized in conjunction with the evaporator fan. Also, a reheat circuit, hot gas bypass circuit, or specific features of a heat pump unit may be utilized to more efficiently perform the moisture removal. |
| US08347639B2 |
Method and apparatus for tempering treatment of meat, tempered meat treated by the method, and refrigerated meat storage
A tempering treatment method whereby the temperature of meat, which involves a carcass prepared by slaughtering cattle or poultry and sterilizing and washing, is lowered as close to the ice storage temperature as possible to prevent a temperature rise caused by the actions of enzymes contained within the meat before transporting the meat to a refrigerated storage, which comprises surface-freezing the meat by blowing a cold air stream at about −20 to about −40° C. to the meat before conducting the tempering treatment, thus allowing the generation of freezing latent heat in the subcutaneous part owing to the surface-freezing (freezing the subcutaneous tissue), and then rapidly lowering the core temperature inside the meat due to the latent heat released at the melting of the freezing latent heat to thereby conduct the tempering treatment at a temperature of 0 to +15° C. |
| US08347634B1 |
Combined cycle power plant
A combined cycle power plant with a gas turbine engine integrated with a dirty fuel combustor in the turbine exhaust and the hot gas stream from the dirty combustor is mixed together and then passed through a heat recovery steam generator to produce steam, the steam being passed through a steam turbine to drive a second electric generator. Some of the turbine exhaust is passed directly into the HRSG while the remaining turbine exhaust is passed into the combustor and burned with the dirty fuel. |
| US08347631B2 |
Fuel nozzle liquid cartridge including a fuel insert
In an embodiment, a system includes an end cover and a liquid cartridge. The liquid cartridge is configured to mount in a fuel nozzle of a turbine engine, wherein the liquid cartridge comprises a one piece flange configured to couple to the end cover, wherein the flange comprises a water inlet, an air inlet, and a fuel inlet. |
| US08347627B2 |
Carbon-dioxide-capture-type steam power generation system
A carbon-dioxide-capture-type steam power generation system 1 according to the present invention comprises a boiler 6 producing an exhaust gas 5 by combusting a fuel 2 and having a flue 8; an absorbing unit 40 being configured to absorb the carbon-dioxide contained in the exhaust gas 5 into an absorbing solution; and a regenerating unit 44 being configured to release the carbon dioxide gas from the absorbing solution absorbing the carbon dioxide and discharge the released carbon dioxide gas. Further, in this system, a reboiler 49 is provided for receiving a heating-medium as heat source, producing a steam 43 and supplying the produced steam 43 to the regenerating unit 44. Additionally, in the flue 8 of the boiler 6, a boiler-side heat exchanger 61 is provided for heating the heating-medium by the exhaust gas 5 passing therethrough. |
| US08347625B2 |
Method and device for operating a wastegate actuator for a wastegate
In a method for operating an actuator for a wastegate actuating device of an exhaust gas turbocharger, a wastegate situated in an exhaust branch of an internal combustion engine is electrically adjustable with the aid of the actuator, and an exhaust gas quantity flowing through the exhaust gas turbocharger is adjustable as a function of an opening position of the wastegate. The actuator is controlled using an applied electrical power in a closed position of the wastegate to provide a varying closing pressure of the wastegate as a function of a characteristic curve of an exhaust gas counterpressure applied via the wastegate. |
| US08347624B2 |
Oxidant injection during cold engine start
Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine with a turbocharger in a vehicle. One example method comprises, under selected operating conditions, generating an oxidant rich component from engine intake air, storing the oxidant rich component of the intake air, and, under subsequent cold start conditions, injecting an amount of the stored oxidant rich component to the engine. |
| US08347622B2 |
Master cylinder
A master cylinder includes a bottomed cylindrical cylinder body, a piston formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by a forging method and slidably disposed in the cylinder body, and a spring assembly including a spring urging the piston toward an opening side of the cylinder body. A length of a spring of the spring assembly is determined by a retainer which can abut against an inner bottom portion of the piston. An annular groove is formed on the outermost side of the inner bottom portion of the piston by the forging method. |
| US08347620B2 |
Bypass/flushing valve for closed hydraulic circuit
A bypass/flushing valve for a hydrostatic system includes a valve body including a central bore, a shuttle valve located in the central bore, and a valve spindle disposed within the central bore. The valve body includes four ports each in communication with the central bore. The shuttle valve blocks flow through the central bore between a first port and a second port. When pressure at the second port is higher than at the first port, the shuttle valve moves to allow flow passage between the first port and the third port. When pressure at the first port is higher than at the second port, the shuttle valve moves to allow flow passages between the second port and a third port. The spindle is movable between a first position to block communication between the second port and the fourth port and a second position to allow for communication between the second port and the fourth port. |
| US08347618B2 |
Dual pump hydraulic system
A dual pump hydraulic system is provided for a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. The system includes a first circuit with a first high pressure pump supplying hydraulic fluid to the first subsystem at a higher pressure. The system also includes a second circuit with a second lower pressure pump supplying hydraulic fluid to the second subsystem at a second pressure. A first valve controls communication between the first pump and the second circuit. A second valve is operable to communicate the second pump with the first circuit when pressure in the first circuit is less than a second threshold pressure or when commanded by a control unit. A check valve prevents fluid flow from the first circuit back into to the second valve. |
| US08347610B2 |
Exhaust emission control device
An exhaust emission control device has a particulate filter 5 and a selective reduction catalyst 6 arranged side by side. An S-shaped communication passage 9 is arranged for introduction of exhaust gas 3 from a rear end of the filter 5 to a front end of the adjacent catalyst 6 in a forward fold-back manner and with a urea water addition injector 11 arranged midway of the passage 9. In order to satisfactorily disperse the urea water with enhanced mixing with the exhaust gas 3 even if the flow rate is increased, slits 12 are formed in circumferentially spaced positions on a rear end of a mixing pipe 9B constituting an upstream portion of the communication passage 9 so as to introduce the exhaust gas 3. A downstream end 9a of a gas gathering chamber 9A is connected to the rear end of the mixing pipe 9B such that the slits 12 are encased and the rear end of the mixing pipe 9B is closed. |
| US08347608B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine
A degree of dispersion of a reducing agent added to an exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust gas purification apparatus is controlled. Before addition fuel is added, a valve opening Vd of a flow area changing valve is changed to generate pulsation of the exhaust gas, so that addition valve vicinity exhaust gas pressure Pg varies periodically. Addition timing TMad is controlled to synchronize with extremum arrival timing TMe. High or low dispersion type addition control adds fuel at timing (CP) when the addition valve vicinity exhaust gas pressure Pg becomes a maximum value Pgmax, at timing (TP) when at a minimum value Pgmin, or at both timings (CP, TP). |
| US08347607B2 |
Integrated exhaust and electrically heated particulate filter regeneration systems
A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes multiple zones. An electrical heater includes heater segments that are associated with respective ones of the zones. The electrical heater is arranged upstream from and proximate with the PM filter. A post-fuel injection system injects fuel into at least one of a cylinder of an engine and an exhaust system. A control module is configured to operate in a first mode that includes activating the electrical heater to heat exhaust of the engine. The control module is also configured to operate in a second mode that includes activating the post-injection system to heat the exhaust. The control module selectively operates in at least one of the first mode and the second mode. |
| US08347606B2 |
Exhaust gas after treatment system and method for operating an exhaust gas after treatment system for internal combustion engine
A system for controlling performance of an internal combustion engine. The system may include an internal combustion engine having an exhaust system for processing gases exhausted from the internal combustion engine. The exhaust system may be comprised of at least one mixing device, at least one emission control device, and a delivery apparatus for delivering an agent affecting operation of the emission control device into the exhaust system. The at least one mixing device may be located downstream of the internal combustion engine and upstream of the at least one emission control device, and the delivery apparatus may be located upstream of the emission control device. The system may include a controller to adjust at least one engine parameter in relation to an operating condition of the mixing device. |
| US08347605B2 |
Automotive diesel exhaust HC dosing valve for use with diesel particulate filter systems
A dosing valve assembly is disclosed for administering a reducing agent into an exhaust stream from an internal combustion engine upstream of a catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter. The dosing valve assembly includes a control valve coupled to a source of reducing agent, a delivery valve constructed and arranged for coupling to the exhaust stream to enable a quantity of reducing agent to be administered into the exhaust stream, and an elongated conduit connecting the control valve and delivery valve for fluidly communicating reducing agent from the control valve to the fuel delivery valve. The disclosed arrangement enables the control valve to be displaced from the delivery valve and thus away from the high temperature environment proximal to the exhaust stream. |
| US08347604B2 |
Device for determining deterioration of catalyst and method for determining deterioration of catalyst
The degree of deterioration of a catalyst is obtained accurately in cases where a plurality of catalysts is disposed at an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. Under the assumption that the degree of deterioration of a catalyst which is disposed at a location upstream of an NOx selective reduction catalyst and has an oxidizing ability is at a predetermined value, the ratio of NO2 in the NOx which inflows into the NOx selective reduction catalyst is estimated; the NOx removal rate of the NOx selective reduction catalyst is calculated a plurality of times at least until a local maximum value is obtained; and the degree of deterioration of the catalyst having an oxidizing ability is determined by comparison between the ratio of NO2 observed when the NOx removal rate of the NOx selective reduction catalyst reaches the local maximum value and a reference value of the ratio. |
| US08347596B2 |
Methods of forming yarn and apparatus for twisting or cabling yarn
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include a yam twisting or cabling apparatus, methods of twisting or cabling yarn, and the like. |
| US08347594B1 |
Pivoting mount for a knife drive
A draper platform (100) has a knife drive (250) for driving a knife assembly (140) that is supported on and between two adjacent support arms (246) that pivot with respect to each other and with respect to the frame (102, 104, 106) of the draper platform (100) to which the two adjacent support arms (246A, 246B) are pivotally connected. two resilient mounts couple opposing sides fo he sub-frame to the two adjacent support arms. |
| US08347592B2 |
Device for manufacturing sandbags
An apparatus for constructing sandbags has a movable, floatable platform, and a length of casing disposed in a roll and supported on the platform. The casing has two longitudinal edges and can be unrolled from the roll. There is a hopper for receiving and dispensing a quantity of sand on top of the casing as the casing is unrolled from the roll. The hopper is supported by a crane mounted on the platform, and positioned above the length of casing. There is a device for bringing the longitudinal edges of the casing together after the sand has been deposited, and a stitching machine for stitching the edges of the casing together to form a tube of casing filled with sand. The stitching machine is mounted on the crane above the device for bringing the edges of the casing together. There is a conveyor for conveying the tube away from the stitching machine and off of the platform. |
| US08347591B2 |
Methods of erecting carrier packages
A carrier package is constructed to tightly secure articles within the package. During loading, pushing the containers into the package causes the side panels of the package to deform so that the height of the package decreases and the width of the package increases. |
| US08347590B2 |
Device for cutting packing bag, device for producing packing bag and method for producing packing bag
A cutter includes a male blade, a female blade, an advancement and retraction controller and a suction device. The male blade includes: a linear cutting portion linearly shaped with a predetermined thickness in a center part; a rounded cutting portion where a radius having a substantially arc shape in planar view is continuously formed from the linear cutting portion; and an end provided adjacent to the rounded cutting portion. The female blade has a fitting portion that is a hole conforming to the profile of the male blade in planar view and to which the male blade is fitted. On a lateral side of the female blade, an elongated hole for inserting a base film from one lateral side to the other lateral side is formed as an insertion portion. |
| US08347588B2 |
Compressible mattress frame
A mattress frame that occupies a small volume and can be used by a recipient without having to assemble the frame. The frame has four connected sides and is made of foam. The frame is rectangular in shape and has two longer sides and two shorter sides. The two shorter sides are folded in a U shape so that a bow-tie-shaped frame results. The bow-tie-shaped frame is rolled and packaged in a container. The frame can be rolled to form a spiral or an M-shape. A recipient of the rolled frame removes the frame from its packaging and the frame expands to its intended shape. |
| US08347586B2 |
Window and door assembly structures
Interfaces between nosings on respective frames and frame combinations to be joined. Each nosing has an elongate receptacle extending along the nosing length. A remote wall of the receptacle is displaced from the remainder of the nosing. The remote wall on the nosings to be joined can be generally aligned with and proximate the receptacle opening on the other nosing. With the remote walls and respective receptacles aligned, the frames are moved toward each other with the remote walls on the respective nosings entering the receptacles, with the remote walls in generally facing relationship with each other. Spacings and tolerances of the remote walls, and corresponding receptacles, can optionally provide frictionally-restrained engagements of the remote walls in the receptacles, whereby the frames can be re-oriented with limited assembly support to such assembly without disengagement of the nosings from each other by the action of gravity. |
| US08347582B1 |
Variable pitch connectors
An innovative retrofit connector with unique bends that add strength, and angled nailing that allow the connector to positively tie together intersecting wood structural members. The intersecting members can be horizontal, vertical, and of different slopes. The connector is simple to manufacture, doesn't split the wood, angles the nails or screws into the heart of the wood, and is strong. The connector helps protect an existing home against wind and seismic events. |
| US08347581B2 |
Adjustable masonry anchor assembly for use with insulating concrete form systems
An anchor assembly for use in joining together a masonry wall structure and a supporting back wall structure wherein the back wall structure is preferably formed using insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks each having a pair of opposed ICF panels associated therewith, the anchor assembly including an anchor member and a tie member. The anchor member includes an anchor portion adapted to penetrate one of the ICF panels and having at least one opening associated therewith so as to lie between the opposed ICF panels when attached thereto for allowing poured concrete to flow therethrough, and an attachment portion having a tab member positioned and located to overlay an ICF panel flange member when the anchor member is inserted within the ICF panel, the tab member being attachable to the ICF panel flange member. The attachment portion further includes an elongated slot for receiving the tie member, the tie member being adjustably movable along the length of the slot so as to be positionable between the courses of brick or other masonry material associated with the masonry wall structure as the masonry wall structure is being erected. |
| US08347580B2 |
Structural member and modular beam system
An improved structural member includes a pair of top flanges each extending along the member's length in a separated and opposed co-planar fashion, and a pair of similarly separated and opposed co-planar bottom flanges also extending throughout the member's length. At least two web members connect the lowermost surfaces of the top flanges to the uppermost surfaces of the bottom flanges, and at least one leg member connects these web members together and holds them in a spaced-apart relationship. The invention also includes cooperatively configured components for connecting the inventive structural members together in end-to-end and perpendicular relationships, and also strengthening members which may be added to or removed from the structural members, as needed. Additionally, components for attaching the structural members to other mechanisms and to conventional accessories are provided, so that a modular beam and scaffold system is formed. |
| US08347579B2 |
Semi-butterfly connecting clamp and building steel framework joint structure
A semi-butterfly connecting clamp and a building steel framework joint structure are mainly used for connection of a building steel framework. The connecting clamp includes a bearing plate, two L-shaped self-locking blocks, and two clamp wings provided at two ends of the bearing plate, respectively. Each of the clamp wings is integrally formed by a pre-tightening plate and a self-locking fastening plate. A groove is provided at an end of the self-locking fastening plate near the bearing plate. A wedge-shaped piece, having an inclined upper surface and a locking bolt hole, is placed on the self-locking fastening plate at a position near the groove. The retaining distance of the connecting clamp can be conveniently adjusted according to the size of the retained vertical column, and it can weaken the destruction action of the applied outside force on the building steel framework when the outside force acts on the connecting clamp. |
| US08347577B2 |
Recessed reveal wall panel system
An eco-friendly wall panel system may comprise a plurality of panels, horizontal joints and panel clips which are all fabricated from the same sheet of material. For example, the panels may initially be fabricated from the phenolic sheets. After the maximum quantity of panels has been fabricated from any one sheet, the remaining portion of the phenolic sheet may be used to fabricate the horizontal runners and the panel clips which may be smaller than the panels. As such, as much of the phenolic sheet is being used to fabricate the system. Hence, the process and the product are both eco-friendly. |
| US08347574B2 |
Joint elements for slabs
A system for transferring loads across a joint between cast-in-place slabs, more particularly at crossover point of a joint between cast-in-place slabs, includes at least one dowel plate and joint elements and includes elements or abutments for limiting the relative movements of the dowel plate towards the joint elements along three orthogonal directions. |
| US08347570B1 |
Crown molding fastener
A crown molding fastener has a connector portion connected to a mount portion. The mount portion has a tail connected to a foot. The foot is connected such as by adhering and/or anchoring to a rear side of crown molding. The connector portion has a base connected to at least one of a wall and a ceiling. The connector portion connects to a clamp. The clamp receives the tail there through and upon pulling the tail a desired amount, a tension is applied between the foot and the clamp such as by providing a resilient tail and/or a spring member between the base and the clamp. |
| US08347566B2 |
Device for connecting mullions to transoms and reinforcing plate therefor
A connecting device for connecting a mullion to a transom, each having a T-shaped metal profile fastened to the end face thereof in order to accommodate panes of glass, wherein the mullion is connected to the transom by means of a main connecting device and reinforcing means are provided to increase the stability of the mullion/transom connection, is characterized in that the reinforcing means is a reinforcing plate having the following features: a base-plate portion with fastening holes for fastening to the end face of the mullion, said mullion having a recess corresponding to the size and thickness of the base-plate portion, wherein the recess is open laterally, and two tongues bent in parallel to the plane of the base-plate portion, extending at a distance to one another and provided with fastening holes, said tongues engaging over the projecting T-shaped metal profile of the transom. |
| US08347560B2 |
Modular assembly
A modular assembly capable of converting from a shipping container configuration into a building unit, and from a building unit into a shipping container configuration. From the shipping container configuration, a plurality of frame panels and unit panels moveably connected to a frame of the modular assembly are selectively positioned to form the floors, walls, and ceilings of the building unit configuration thereby forming a living and/or commercial structure complete with electrical, water and sewage connections. The assembly may include an automated erection system, which may include a system of electric motors, gears, pulleys, cables, automated mechanical arms and electronic controls, located within the container structure of the modular assembly, and which interact with a plurality of frame panels and unit panels to deploy and retract the plurality of frame panels and unit panels for constructing the shipping container configuration and building unit configuration. |
| US08347557B2 |
Gutter hanger
A gutter hanger having a mounting portion to be secured to a building frame and a support portion to engage a gutter in an operative position on the building frame. The mounting portion has first and second legs joined together to define an upwardly opening “U” shape to receive a depending flashing portion with the mounting portion secured to a building frame. |
| US08347551B2 |
Method of applying pesticides
Method of protecting a germinating seed treated with a pesticide comprising placing one or more pesticide-containing particles next to a pesticide-treated seed, wherein the amount of pesticide is such that the pesticide-treated seed and the pesticide-containing particles together contain an Effective Dose of the pesticide and the pesticide dose contained in the pesticide-treated seed is less than or equal to the Maximal Non-Phytotoxic Dose of the pesticide. |
| US08347550B2 |
Greenhouse, screen device and screen
The present invention comprises greenhouse comprising a frame provided with columns and with parallel, equally spaced girders supported by said columns, as well as a roof supported by said columns and with at least one wall, said greenhouse comprising a screen device along the roof, which screen device comprises a number of screens, a screen (1) being connected, via first connecting means, to a girder on a first longitudinal side and being connected, via second connecting means, to a front bar (2) extending parallel to the girders on a second longitudinal side opposite said first longitudinal side, which front bar is movable in a direction transversely to its longitudinal direction between an open position and a closed position, said second connecting means comprising a lace element (3) connected to the screen near a longitudinal edge of the screen and a lace chamber (4) associated with the front bar, which lace chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the front bar, in which lace element is retained, which lace chamber has a passage extending parallel to the front bar for inserting the lace element into the lace chamber from an end face of the front bar, through which passage the screen extends in use, which lace element is strip-shaped. |
| US08347545B2 |
Decoy support system and method
A support supports a decoy device in an elevated position above the support with a post. The support comprises a platform member with a front edge and an opposite rear edge with longitudinal sides extending therebetween. The platform member has top and bottom surfaces defining parallel planes between the front and rear edges and the longitudinal sides. The front edge has a width dimension less than the width dimension of the rear edge. The front edge is generally pointed in cross-section. The platform member is formed from a material with sufficient buoyancy to allow the support to substantially float in the water with the decoy device mounted thereto. The platform member top surface has a mount adapted to receive the post of the decoy device. The platform member has a tether connector. The method of using the support is also disclosed. |
| US08347536B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a panel that is mountable to a vertical wall, and a leaf assembly comprised of a stack of like shaped leaves that are bundled together and connected to the panel, and a plurality of magnets that enable the leaves to be magnetically held in one or the other side of the panel but be manipulated by a user with one hand, in a flipping manner, thereby freeing the user's other hand to perform tasks related to use of the display device. The panel includes a slot through which rearward end portions of the leaves are passed and bundled by compression plates, thus leaving the connection arrangement hidden from view and aesthetically pleasing. In an arrangement, a frame is provided about the panel to guide and support, at least in part, the lower edges of the leaf assembly. |
| US08347533B2 |
Machine applied labels to armored cable
Flexible indicia bearing labels are placed on armored electrical cable at spaced apart intervals while the cable is moving continuously from an armoring station to a takeup reel or accumulator. A label dispenser places labels in a U shaped recess of a body which is moveable toward engagement with the cable. Opposed rollers fold one edge of the label over into engagement with the surface of the cable and the other edge of the label over onto itself in overlapping relationship. The cable is passed through a heat tunnel to shrink the labels into tight engagement with the cable. A controller monitors movement of the cable and controls actuators for applying and folding labels onto the cable at spaced apart intervals. |
| US08347528B1 |
Surface rake apparatus
The surface rake apparatus provides for use either in forward or rearward motion, by virtue of the first member's forward wings and the second member's rearward wings. Debris such as snow, leaves, and limbs, for example, can thereby be easily channeled toward a desired destination. Snow, for example, can be pushed or pulled off of a roof or other surface. An important feature of the rearward wings of the second member is the upward slant of each. Another important feature is the inclusion of wheels on the first member. The wheels ensure against scraping by elevating the lower edges of the first and second members slightly above the surface to be rid of debris. The telescopic handle provides benefit of length adjustment so that the apparatus may be most conveniently used in reaching distant surfaces and also in reduced length for those areas more proximal to the user. |
| US08347525B2 |
System and method for producing dry formulations
The invention relates to a spray drying system and a method for its operation that provides a composition of dry. or essentially solvent free, particles from a solution of an agent. The system comprises a generally vertical tube reactor arranged for counter-current removal of solvent from a process flow fed with aerosol droplets of solution descending from the top said reactor with an ascending gas flow. The reactor includes a perforated process tube for transportation of the process flow from the outlet of an aerosol generating device to a dry particle collecting device. A membrane sleeve essentially surrounds the peripheral area of said process tube and separates the descending process stream from the ascending gas stream. Vaporized solvent is transported from the process stream to the ascending gas stream. A reactor housing is sealingly covering said process tube and membrane sleeve and is provided with means for introducing and/or removing the process fluids. |
| US08347523B2 |
Clothing dryer
A clothing dryer including a rotating drum, a shelf installed inside the rotating drum, and a support member, which is rotatably installed at a rear end of the shelf such that the shelf is supported by a rear surface of the rotating drum. The rear end of the shelf is installed on a rear surface of the rotating drum through the support member, so that the shelf is more stably installed inside the rotating drum. |
| US08347515B2 |
External-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus
The present invention proposes an external-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus including a housing, a display element, an angle detection system and a coupling portion. The housing is movable through the coupling portion to fasten the external-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus to a desired location of different hand tools to accurately measure turning angles of a screw driven by the hand tool through the angle detection system and display the result on the display element. |
| US08347513B2 |
Hand-held saw with rigid frame
A hand-held saw with a rigid saw frame is disclosed. The rigid frame of the hand-held saw allows a saw blade to remain highly tensioned during the cutting process. The rigid saw frame has a “C-shape,” is unbent, and contains openings that make up a truss-like structure, which distributes an external force that is focused on one portion of the saw frame across other portions of the saw frame. |
| US08347511B2 |
Cutter assembly for concave tapered food product
A concave tapered food product includes a cross section and a second end having a shape defined by a generally concave arc and a generally convex arc. The concave tapered food product has a first side and a second side shaped by a longitudinal cut along the foodstuff. A cutter assembly for cutting a foodstuff to form the concave tapered food product includes a housing member. The cutter assembly also includes a curvilinear blade including a cutting edge for cutting the foodstuff, the cutting edge defining an arc along a first portion of the curvilinear blade and a foot positioned at an end of the curvilinear blade for supporting the curvilinear blade. The foot is configured for being received and secured in the housing member. The housing member is configured for at least partially enclosing the curvilinear blade. |
| US08347510B2 |
Handle assembly for power tool
A handle assembly for a power tool is disclosed, in which the power tool has a housing, a motor provided in the housing, an output shaft adapted to be caused by the motor to execute reciprocating motion, and a blade assembly (5) extending from the housing along a first axis (A-A). The handle assembly (2) comprises a front handle (6), a rear handle (7) integral with the front handle (6) and a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to the housing of the tool, wherein the rear handle (7) is displaced from the plane (A-A) of the blade assembly (5) in use. As a result of this, the knuckles of the hand of the user that is gripping rear handle (7) are raised away from the surface of the object being cut. This provides the advantage that the user's knuckles avoid any grazing or cutting resulting from contact with the object, or with the ground when carrying out low cutting. |
| US08347509B2 |
Utility tool having interchangeable tool cartridges
A tool system is presented. The tool system includes a tool body sized and dimensioned to fit comfortably in a human hand, and includes a plurality of interchangeable tool cartridges. Some of the tool cartridges include a tool bit cover capable of remaining in a closed, locked position sheathing a tool bit. Once installed, the tool bit cover can be unlocked via actuation of a trigger disposed on the body of the tool or on the cartridge. Preferably, the tool bit cover unsheathes the underlying tool bit due to pressure or force of a work surface. |
| US08347508B2 |
Electric shaver
An electric shaver includes a rod-shaped body part, a head part, and a link mechanism. The head part projects from one end portion, in a longitudinal direction, of the body part and is swingably attached to the body part with a support base between the body part and the head part. The head part includes a shaving portion and a drive mechanism. The shaving portion is formed to be elongated in a direction orthogonal to a projecting direction of the head part and has paired blades configured to operate relative to each other. The drive mechanism is configured to drive at least one of the paired blades. The link mechanism includes two link arms each connected to the support base and the head part respectively at connecting axes parallel to a longitudinal direction of the shaving portion. The link mechanism is configured to support the head part on the support base swingably. The two link arms are disposed asymmetrically with respect to a straight line passing on a center of gravity of the head part and extending parallel with the projecting direction of the head part, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shaving portion. |
| US08347506B2 |
Method for producing engineered wood flooring and product
A method for manufacturing an engineered wood flooring product including providing a flat plywood platform having an original thickness, sanding top and bottom surfaces of the platform to achieve a final thickness less than the original thickness, wherein the amount of material removed from the bottom surface is greater than the top surface to induce center lift in the platform, applying adhesive to the platform, applying a veneer face to the platform, and subjecting the lay-up to a lineal pressing system to ensure bonding. |
| US08347504B2 |
Remanufactured fuel injector tip and fuel injector tip remanufacturing process
A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material. The injector tip body further includes a third tip portion attaching the first tip portion to the second tip portion, the third tip portion including a friction weld formed during remanufacturing of the fuel injector tip. |
| US08347501B2 |
Method for manufacturing WTG blade having a spar
Within the field of wind turbine generators (WTG), to provide a consistent way of manufacturing a WT blade there is disclosed a blade mould and a blade spar fixture to support the spar in the mould so as to provide a fixed predetermined relative position, and preferably also orientation, between at least a root end, such as a bushing in the root end of the blade spar, and a root end of the mould. Overall consistency is also obtained in that hereby a blade with anticipated aerodynamic and strength characteristics is provided, among others in that at least adjacent to the root of the spar there is substantially the same distance for a cured adhesive between an innermost surface of each of blade shells and an outermost surface of the spar. |
| US08347499B2 |
Method for producing a turbine casing
A method for producing a turbine casing for a rotating machine is provided. The casing is manufactured by a casting process, and is cast in two casing halves which are separated by a parting plane which passes axially through the turbine casing. Each casing half is first cast in one piece in each case, and each casing half is separated into at least two casing sections which are joined together for forming a casing half in each case. |
| US08347495B2 |
Method of extending the individual electromagnetic shielding of electrical strands in a twisted-strand cable to an electrical connector
End segments of cables are stripped of their individual shielding coverings so as to form unit shielding pigtails extending from a terminal portion of the strand from which shielding has not been removed and around which a conductive packing strip has been wound so as to reach a predetermined diameter. The pigtails are folded back and distributed uniformly around the circumference of the terminal portion of the strand in the successive turns of the packing strips. The packing strip is clamped by an annular reinforcing spring blade, and then the assembly is surrounded within two half-shells that are coupled to each other and connected to the connector. |
| US08347488B2 |
Magnetic write head manufactured by damascene process producing a tapered write pole with a non-magnetic step and non-magnetic bump
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a non-magnetic step layer, non-magnetic bump at the front of the non-magnetic step layer and a write pole with a tapered trailing edge. The tapered portion of the trailing edge of the write pole is formed by a two step process that allows the write pole taper to be formed with greater accuracy and repeatability than would be possible using a single step taper process. An alternative method is also described on how to make a non-magnetic bump structure with adjustable bump throat height prior to Damascene side shield gap formation in a Damascene wrap around shield head. |
| US08347485B2 |
Centrifugally-cast shorted structure for induction motor rotors
A procedure for centrifugally casting a shorted structure around induction motor rotors is described. The method is commonly applied to a plurality of rotors disposed and arranged for rotational balance and supported on a suitable support, or optionally, on a plurality of supports arranged in layered fashion about a common rotational axis. The method comprises forming a wax representation of the shorted structure around a lamination stack; mounting a plurality of such lamination stacks in a mounting fixture and-attaching a suitable gating and runner system; forming an investment by coating the structure with refractory followed by melting out the wax; casting molten metal into the investment while it is rotating and aligning the mold to allow the centrifugal force generated to promote mold filling; and, continuing to rotate the investment until solidification is substantially complete. |
| US08347484B2 |
Method for manufacturing stator for a rotary actuator
A rotary actuator includes an outer enclosure having an inner diameter surrounding a hollow interior. A stack of stator laminations, each having a stator diameter greater than the inner diameter of the outer enclosure when in an unflexed state, are also included in the rotary actuator. Each of the stator laminations is configured to flex into a shape so as to be positionable within the outer enclosure and substantially conform to the inner diameter. The stator lamination thus forms a line-to-line fit with at least a portion of the outer enclosure to form an interface having a desirable reluctance. |
| US08347483B2 |
Method for manufacturing an ultrasound imaging transducer assembly
An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member. |
| US08347481B1 |
Welding blanket
This invention provides an improved protective mat that includes a magnet at each end for temporally securing the mat to a pipe so that the mat remains in position during a welding process. The mat is flexible so as to conform to the curvature of the pipe and may be placed in any position preferable on the surface of the pipe. The positioned and secured mat prevents spatter from coming into contact with the external surface of the pipe lying under the positioned protective mat. The mat is preferably heat and fire resistant up to temperatures of about 1500° F. and may be a silicone-coated fiberglass mat. When the mat is not in use, the mat may be folded and the magnets may be used to secure the ends of the mat to one another. |
| US08347480B2 |
Comestible product sheeter with rear access
A comestible product sheeter is configured to provide enhanced access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly. The one or more frame members of the roller assembly are configured to support the rollers at different vertical locations. Enhanced access is provided to both the rear and front rollers of the roller assembly by supporting one of the rollers in a cantilever configuration. The roller assembly may also be provided with a pivotally mounted cutting roller support arm to further improve access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly. |
| US08347476B2 |
Clamping device for detaching the universal coupling of a remote controlled car shock absorber
A clamping device, for detaching a universal coupling of a remote controlled car shock absorber, comprises a horizontal roller, a holder, and a mobile element; wherein the horizontal roller is pivotally connected to the holder for rotation purpose; the mobile element is connected with the holder such that the mobile element can clamp and hold the axis of the shock absorber, and engage the universal coupling of the shock absorber into the engagement socket of the horizontal roller; by way of the rotation of the horizontal roller, the invention can allow the user to easily detach or assemble the universal coupling and adjust the coupling depth of the universal coupling via screwing without impairing the axis of the shock absorber during detaching, assembling or adjusting the universal coupling. |
| US08347473B2 |
Stud installation tool and method of use
A stud installation tool comprising a slide shaft including a pair of arms angled towards each other, a slide bar with a triangular head at an end engaged within the pair of arms to enable the slide bar to move along the slide shaft without disengaging, a receiving brace attached to the slide shaft at an opposing end from the slide bar, where said receiving brace includes a threaded hole, a bolt threaded through the slide bar and extending down and through the threaded hole, a bolt head fastened to the bolt and positioned above the slide bar, and a stud holder connected to the slide bar at an end opposite from the triangular head wherein the stud holder includes an opening to accept a stud after the stud is slid through a hole in an axle plate and positioned between the receiving brace and the stud holder. |
| US08347472B2 |
Tool for automatically mounting a seat covering-tensioning clip
A clip automatic-mounting tool comprises a clip holder (10) for holding and retaining a clip (C) to a first axial portion of a tensioning wire (W) embedded in a cushioned padding (P) for a seat, a drive cylinder (13) for moving the clip holder (10), a guide plate (11) including a portion having a first width substantially equal to that of the clip holder (10), and a tip end portion having a second width wider than the first width, the clip holder (10) being adapted to be moved along the guide plate (11) by the drive cylinder (13), and an insertion arm (12) extending along a side edge of the tip end portion of the guide plate (11) and forward protruding in an oblique upward direction from the tip end portion of the guide plate (11), the insertion arm (12) having a cutout groove (12b) formed in a tip end portion (12a) thereof for engagingly receiving a second axial portion of the wire (W), which is spaced from the first axial portion of the wire (W), when the insertion arm (12) is inserted into the cushioned padding (P). |
| US08347470B2 |
Portable robot
Portable robot for carrying out the drilling process in the assembly of aeronautical components which are secured on a support known as a stand. The robot comprises a displaceable platform in order to permit it to be located close to the stand, and an arm, which supports a frame comprising a beam intended to support a drilling head that can be displaced in the three axes. |
| US08347461B2 |
Slide cover mounting structure
Used in an electronic device comprising a cover panel and a base member, a slide cover mounting structure includes two hinges bilaterally mounted on the top wall of the base member, two sliding rail holders respectively connected to the pivot shafts of the hinges, two sliding rails bilaterally mounted on the bottom surface of the cover panel and respectively slidably coupled to a sliding groove on each of the sliding rail holder, two gears pivotally connected between fixed rails on the sliding rail holders, and two gear racks respectively mounted on the cover panel and meshed with the gears. Thus, the cover panel is prohibited from biasing during sliding movement, and turnable about the pivot shafts of the hinges from a horizontal position to a tilted position relative to the base member. |
| US08347460B2 |
Checker-equipped door hinge device for vehicle
A door hinge device for vehicle includes a checking-force generating mechanism provided between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The checking-force generating mechanism has a holding member attached to the outer cylinder, an elastic member biasing the holding member toward the inner cylinder, a detent roller being held in a holding groove of the holding member, and detent grooves that are provided in an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and are capable of holding the door at a plurality of positions where the door should be stopped by an engagement with the detent roller. The detent roller applies a compression load to the elastic member even in a state where the detent roller is engaged with any of the detent grooves. An assembly groove is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and allows the detent roller to be inserted into the holding groove in a state where the holding member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder. Accordingly, it is possible to exert an enough checking-force at a predetermined position where the door should be stopped and to allow the detent roller to be easily inserted into the holding groove at the time of the assembling. |
| US08347459B2 |
Hinge
A hinge (1) has a carcass-side hinge portion (4) which can be pre-mounted on a furniture carcass (2) and a hinge portion (6) which can he pre-mounted on a door wing (3), the hinge portions (4, 6) being joined together in an articulated manner and at least one of the hinge portions (4, 6) having height adjustment means (10) and/or a lateral adjustment means (5). The hinge portion (6) mounted on the door has a hinge cup (8) in which the height adjustment means (10) are arranged, and at least one locking element (17) for immobilising the door wing (3) in relation to the furniture carcass (2) at the set vertical position of the door wing (3). |
| US08347453B2 |
Vacuum cleaner bag docking assembly
A vacuum cleaner including a nozzle, an air conduit including a projecting tube, a suction source positioned to provide a flow of dirty air, a bag docking assembly, and a filter bag coupled to the bag carrier. The bag docking assembly includes a main body mounted to the air conduit. A bag carrier is configured to engage the main body and configured to move between a first position and a second position. A lever is coupled to the main body and the bag carrier and the lever is configured to move the bag carrier between the first position and the second position. The bag docking assembly is configured such that when the bag carrier is in the first position, the filter bag is not engaged with the projecting tube and when the bag carrier is in the second position, the filter bag is engaged with the projecting tube. |
| US08347452B2 |
Vehicle vacuum module
A vehicle vacuum cleaning system may have a portable vacuum module that employs a vacuum module case, a vacuum fan within the interior of the vacuum module case and a vacuum fan drive shaft coupled to the vacuum fan. The vacuum module attaches and detaches to an HVAC module within the vehicle. The HVAC module may utilize an HVAC case, an electric motor within the HVAC case, an HVAC fan drive shaft coupled to the electric motor and an HVAC fan coupled to the HVAC fan drive shaft. The vacuum fan drive shaft is adapted to receive rotational energy from the HVAC fan drive shaft, either directly or through an auxiliary shaft. The vacuum module may employ gears to increase the speed and drawing force of the vacuum fan. A debris receptacle is detachable to the vacuum module. The HVAC fan drive shaft ultimately drives the vacuum fan. |
| US08347450B2 |
Wiper blade
A wiper blade includes a lever member, a rubber blade, and a movable cover member. The lever member includes a main lever and a yoke lever. The yoke lever includes a plurality of grip portions, by which the rubber blade is gripped. The rubber blade includes a following end projecting outward from the one of the grip portions that is located at a longitudinally outer side of the lever member. The movable cover member includes a holding portion and a basal portion. The holding portion holds the following end. The basal portion is pivotally coupled to the yoke lever so that the movable cover member pivots relative to the yoke lever when the following end bends and deforms in a direction orthogonal to the wiping surface. |
| US08347447B2 |
Mop body having recessed side surfaces
Disclosed is a mop body that includes side surfaces that are substantially recessed from a lowermost contact point. The greatly recessed side surfaces completely remove a large portion of the cleaning surface from contact with the surface to be cleaned. Upon rotation of the mop body, the side surfaces can be placed into contact with the surface to be cleaned in order to pickup dirt, hair, lint, or other debris captured by the portion of the mop body contacting the surface to be cleaned. Further, in some embodiments the lowermost contact provides essentially a single point of contact with the surface to be cleaned to enable the mop body to easily remove debris from corners. The disclosed mop construction greatly enhances the total amount of surface area that can be effectively used for cleaning. |
| US08347445B2 |
Remote controlled robot for cleaning inner-walls of duct and remote control system using same
The present invention relates to a remote controlled robot for cleaning inner walls of a duct, more specifically, to a remote controlled robot comprising: a cart movable in the duct by remote control; at least one first link pivotally connected to the cart, which is relatively rotatable to the cart; a first driving unit to drive the first link to relatively rotate to the cart; at least one second link pivotally connected to the first link, which is relatively rotatable to the first link; a second driving unit to drive the second link to relatively rotate to the first link; and a cleaning means installed at the second link for separating dusts from the inner walls of the duct, thereby enabling to clean the upper inner-walls and the bottom inner-wall of the duct simultaneously, and to continuously proceed with the cleaning in case of the height change of the duct to reduce cleaning time thereof. |
| US08347441B2 |
Load bearing construction and method for installation
The invention relates to a load bearing construction such as a bridge in which there is provided a deck structure which is supported by and spans at least two support portions. The invention provides for the advancement of the deck structure along said support portions and in advance of said structure excavation can occur to create the space into which the deck structure is to be advanced. |
| US08347438B2 |
Footwear uppers and other textile components including reinforced and abutting edge joint seams
Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)). |
| US08347431B1 |
Apparatus and method for a pillow holder
Apparatus and method for holding a pillow on an upwardly extending end of a mattress having a single sheet of material having a upper end and a lower end along with a first side and a second side having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower end is folded back upon itself to form an enclosure so that the upper surfaces of the folded section are adjacent to each other having a pillow disposed in the enclosure. The upper end is wrapped around the upwardly extended end of the mattress, using straps to hold the upper end in place. |
| US08347427B2 |
Water use monitoring apparatus
A water use and/or a water energy use monitoring apparatus that is affixed to the hot and cold main water supply piping for continuously (or on demand) monitoring and displaying the water use within a residential or commercial building. A first wire or wireless communication is incorporated to electronically communicate with a remote display for viewing by the owner of a commercial building or occupier/resident of a home. A second optional wire or wireless communication can be incorporated that can be monitored by civil, commercial, governmental or municipal operators or agencies, using a remote display and/or recorder or by a secure wire or wireless communication network (e.g. cell phone communication technology). A third wireless communication can be incorporated to electronically communicate water parameter data utilizing typical cell tower technology and/or mesh network technology. |
| US08347423B2 |
Universally installable hands free toilet seat lifter/lowerer
An apparatus for lifting and lowering a toilet seat assembly includes a motion sensor, a motor assembly, a first gear located on a shaft of the motor, a second gear interfaced with the first gear, a drive shaft interfaced with the second gear. A lever is coupled to the drive shaft for lifting the toilet seat. The apparatus may include a bearing housing that includes a movable lead screw with a detent. A first end of a first spiral spring is connected to a slot of the drive shaft within the bearing housing. The first spiral spring is wrapped around the drive shaft. A second end of the first spiral spring is located in a path of the detent. The hubs of the second gear and the drive shaft may be connected together using a crank shaft. A microcontroller may control the motor assembly and be programmable using the sensor. |
| US08347413B2 |
Apparel with reduced drag coefficient
An athletic garment including a panel designed to reduce frictional and pressure drag around an appendage of an athlete competing in a high-speed event, such as running and cycling. The panel is positioned to encircle the appendage, and is provided with regions having different surface texture roughnesses. The leading edge of the panel includes texture designed to enhance the laminar boundary layer, while the adjacent portion of the panel includes texture intended to trip the boundary layer to turbulent flow. The drag-reducing panel may be the cuff of a sock, a sleeve, wristband, a headband, or the like. |
| US08347412B2 |
Athletic pants
A pair of athletic pants comprises a hip portion, and two leg portions extending from the hip portion. Each leg portion includes a knee portion configured to be worn over the knee of a human, the knee portion comprised of a first material. A slit is formed in each knee portion and a second material provided in each slit, wherein the second material has greater elasticity than the first material in at least two different directions. In at least one embodiment, each slit in the knee portion is in the shape of a lens. In at least one other embodiment, each slit in the knee portion is in the shape of a symmetric lens. In at least one embodiment, the athletic pants are baseball pants. |
| US08353061B2 |
Near-field scanning optical microscopy with nanoscale resolution from microscale probes
To date, the probes of scanning near-field optical microscopes were aimed at creating electromagnetic field characteristics that are maximally localized near a nano-sized point (miniature apertures and tips, fluorescent nano-particles and molecules, dielectric and metal corners). Alternatively, the probe field, which is distributed within a larger area, can ensure the super-resolution as well. For this purpose, the field spectrum should be enriched with high spatial frequencies corresponding to small sample dimensions. As examples of such near-field probes, we propose and theoretically study the models of optical fibers with end-faces containing sharp linear edges and randomly distributed nanoparticles. These probes are more robust than the conventional probes and their fabrication is not concerned with nanoscale precision. The probes enable waveguiding of light to and from the sample with marginal losses distributing and utilizing the incident light more completely. Numerical modeling shows that, even with substantial measurement noise, the suggested probes can resolve objects that are significantly smaller than the probe size and, in certain cases, can perform better than miniature nanoprobes. |
| US08353059B2 |
Optical scanning probe
The present invention relates to a scanning probe (2) for capturing data from a plurality of points on the surface of an object by irradiating the object with a light stripe and detecting light reflected from the object surface, the scanning probe comprising (a) stripe generating means (14) for generating and emitting a light stripe (55); (b) a camera (16) comprising an imaging sensor having an array of pixels to detect the light stripe reflected from the object surface; (c) means for adjusting the intensity of the light stripe (55) during acquisition of the frame, in dependence upon the intensities detected by the camera (16). It also relates to a means to modify the stripe length, a scanner with separate compartment for the processing means, and an attachable dust cover for a scanner. |
| US08353058B1 |
Methods and systems for detecting rootkits
A computer-implemented method for detecting rootkits is disclosed. The computer-implemented method may include sending periodic security communications from a privileged-processor-mode region of a computing device. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying at least one of the periodic security communications. The computer-implemented method may further include determining, based on the periodic security communications, whether the privileged-processor-mode region of the computing device has been compromised. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08353056B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting program plagiarism through memory access log analysis
An apparatus and method for detecting program plagiarism through memory access log analysis is provided. A data extractor extracts an access log of an original program and an access log of a target program to be compared with the original program from a memory accessed by the programs. A common string detector enumerates values, which are obtained from the access logs extracted from the original program and the target program, into strings and detects a common string that commonly exists in the strings. A discontinuity calculator calculates a discontinuity value that indicates a distance between the strings by using an array of the detected common strings. A plagiarism determining unit determines that the target program is plagiarized if the calculated discontinuity value is less than a predetermined reference value. |
| US08353055B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing rights object
A method for upgrading a Rights Object (RO) includes: acquiring, by a Digital Rights Management (DRM) Agent, RO related information of the RO that requires updating from a Secure Removable Media (SRM) Agent; providing, by the DRM Agent, the RO related information to a Rights Issuer (RI), and obtaining a new RO from the RI; and interacting, by the DRM Agent, with the SRM Agent to upgrade the RO that requires updating on the SRM by means of the new RO. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the DRM Agent acquires RO related information which is stored on the SRM and does not have Move rights, and interacts with the RI to move the RO out from the SRM, so as to move the RO without the Move rights out from the SRM. |
| US08353050B2 |
Mobile device management
A device management method, is disclosed in which available features on a slave mobile device are managed (monitored or controlled) by a slave manager module commanded by a master device through secure messages exchanged between the two devices using respective electronic messaging capabilities on the two devices. Selection of the features of the slave mobile device to be controlled or monitored is facilitated on the master device through a master manager module resident thereon. The features that are controlled or monitored may comprise any user-accessible feature incorporated or installed on the slave mobile device and user access to the feature may be prevented according to at least one criterion, such as: date of use, time of day of use, number of times of use, originator and recipient. User access to the feature may be prevented access to the user-accessible feature when usage limitations for the feature have been reached. |
| US08353049B2 |
Separating keys and policy for consuming content
In accordance with one or more aspects of the separating keys and policy for consuming content, content has a corresponding leaf license, and the leaf license has one or more associated root policy addenda. Each root policy addenda includes policy identifying when it is permissible to decrypt and consume the content, but excludes a content key to decrypt the content. The content can be decrypted and consumed only if the policy identifies that it is permissible to decrypt and consume the content. |
| US08353048B1 |
Application digital rights management (DRM) and portability using a mobile device for authentication
A method, system, and medium are provided for operating a computing device and a mobile device to access computer software with a secure access and to access a packet network, and for operating a computer software on a mobile device with different computing devices. A mobile device is used to authenticate a user's access to computer software. The computer software may reside on the mobile device, the user's computing device, or another computing device. A unique identifier is stored in the mobile device associated with the computer software to enable the authentication. |
| US08353047B2 |
Methods and systems for digital image data tracking
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for notification handling in a processing server and an imaging device. |
| US08353037B2 |
Mitigating malicious file propagation with progressive identifiers
A method and system for mitigating a propagation of a file that includes malicious code. Segments of the file are determined by a series of sizes determined by a function ƒ. Signatures identifying segments of the file are determined by applying a hash function to each segment. A complete match between the file and a malicious file is determined by determining a first match between signature(s) identifying a first set of segment(s) of the file and signature(s) identifying corresponding segment(s) of the malicious file and by determining a second match between a signature identifying a final segment of the file and a signature identifying a last segment of the malicious file. Responsive to determining the complete match, the file is identified as the malicious file and a transfer of the final segment of the file is interdicted. |
| US08353036B2 |
Method and system for protecting cross-domain interaction of a web application on an unmodified browser
A system and method for protecting cross-domain interaction of a web application on an unmodified browser. The system includes: a security framework, which is created by a browser. The security framework further includes: a component creator for creating components from a plurality of sources; and supervision module for supervising and controlling scripts/codes executed during the creation of components and invocation and interaction operations performed by various components after the creation of components. |
| US08353035B1 |
Systems and methods for creating text signatures for identifying spam messages
A computer-implemented method for creating text signatures for identifying spam messages may include: 1) identifying a spam message, 2) tokenizing the text of the spam message, 3) identifying at least one incorrectly punctuated token within the tokenized text of the spam message, 4) identifying, within the tokenized text of the spam message, at least one token that is adjacent to the incorrectly punctuated token, and then 5) creating a candidate signature for identifying future instances and/or variations of the spam message that includes both the incorrectly punctuated token and the token that is adjacent to the incorrectly punctuated token. Corresponding systems and configured computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08353033B1 |
Collecting malware samples via unauthorized download protection
A hook is set for one or more downloading functions. Subsequently, code is executed within an application process. Responsive to the executed code calling one of the hooked functions to download code, a return address of the called function is examined. If the return address is within a memory area not marked executable, the code is permitted to be downloaded and the downloaded code is submitted to a security server for analysis. |
| US08353026B2 |
Credential security system
A credential caching system includes receiving a set of authentication credentials, storing the set of authentication credentials in a credential cache memory, wherein the credential cache memory is coupled with a management controller, and supplying the set of authentication credentials for automatic authentication during a reset or reboot. In the event of a security breach, the credential caching system clears the set of authentication credentials from the credential cache memory so that the set of authentication credentials may no longer be used for a reset or reboot. |
| US08353024B2 |
Method of transmitting information effectively in server/client network and server and client apparatuses using the same
A method for transmitting information effectively in a server/client network system is provided, the network system including a client placed behind a firewall and a server that provides the client with a predetermined service. The method includes the client generating a hole packet which is for making a hole in the firewall to allow a packet to pass through the firewall from the server, the hole being maintained for a certain period of time, and transmitting the hole packet to the firewall; and transmitting a packet from the server to the client through the hole made by the hole packet. |
| US08353020B2 |
Transparently extensible firewall cluster
A generic master-slave mechanism enables a single processor of a cluster of firewall processors to define the behavior of the other processors in the cluster for a specific logical connection. The cluster of firewall processors utilizes virtual adapters representing physical adapters on other processors in the firewall cluster. This virtualization allows each cluster member to act as though it is a standalone machine that owns all local IP addresses of the entire cluster. When traffic is received by a firewall processor, the firewall processor determines if there is a master associated with the logical connection for the traffic. If so, the traffic is routed to the master. If no master is associated, in an example configuration, the receiving firewall processor becomes the master. A message traffic logical connection has a single master. A master remains the master of a logical connection until the connection is terminated. |
| US08353018B2 |
Automatic local listing owner authentication system
A method and apparatus for verifying that a user is the owner of a public listing is provided. The user selects an option to claim ownership of the public listing offered by an online service provider. The online service provider uses information regarding the user and the public listing to generate a verification code. The online service provider delivers the verification code to the owner of the public listing via the contact information provided by the public listing. If the user owns the public listing, the user receives the verification code via contact information associated with the public listing. The user verifies ownership by inputting a code to the online service provider. If the inputted code matches the verification code, then the online service provider identifies the user as the owner of the listing. Once verified, the user modifies the listing. |
| US08353016B1 |
Secure portable store for security skins and authentication information
A security component may be associated with a network-enabled application. The security component may access a secure store, which may include customization information, which may include one or more graphical user interface customizations defined by a user, and one or more instances of card information. The card information may specify how to authenticate a user's credentials to access a relying party (e.g., web site). The security component may initiate the display of an embedded region of a window drawn by the network-enabled application. At least a part of the appearance of the embedded region of the window may be defined according to the customization information and not by the relying party. The embedded region may provide a user interface for determining user authentication credentials. The customization information and the one or more instances of card information may not be accessible to the relying party. |
| US08353014B2 |
Dynamic dual permissions-based data capturing and logging
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to application data logging and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for capturing and logging application data. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for capturing and logging application data can include consulting both administrative permissions for capturing and logging application data, and also user permissions for capturing and logging application data. Subsequently, application data can be captured and logged only if permitted by the administrative permissions and the user permissions. In this regard, it can be determined from either or both of the permissions whether capturing and logging of application data is permitted generally, and also a type or portion of the application data that is permitted to be captured and logged. |
| US08353007B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying a network
Exemplary systems and methods for identifying a wireless network are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a method includes at least a digital device receiving network information associated with a network, generating an access identifier based on the network information, generating a credential request including the access identifier, providing the credential request to a credential server, receiving a credential request response from the credential server, the credential request response comprising network credentials to access the network, and providing the network credentials to a network device to access the network. |
| US08353000B2 |
System and charging control method of network convergence policy and charging control architecture
A system and charging control method of network convergence policy and charging control architecture are disclosed, based on the QoS parameter, charging policy and user subscribing information granted by the service layer, the PCRF confirms PCC rule, and provides the PCC rule to the policy distribution function PDF. As the interface between the PCRF and PCC policy performing entity, the PDF performs the protocol conversion and information distribution. Based on the PCC rule, the PCC policy performing entity performs QoS policy of the service data flow and the detecting and charging of the service flow. |
| US08352999B1 |
Method for managing data in a shared computing environment
A method of storing secret data in a shared computing environment includes defining secret data, such as a password and administration policies according to a schema of a directory server such as a LDAP server. The secret data and administration polices are centrally stored on the LDAP server. The secret data can be encrypted. Administration polices include authorization and authentication policies, and a security zone can be defined for a collection of entities with a common security characteristic, such as a common password. A security zone defines a group of users and the secret data that can be accessed by the group of users. Multiple security zones can be defined. The secret data can be accessed directly from the server of the directory service without accessing another server or data store assuming the administration policies are satisfied. |
| US08352996B2 |
Adaptive video switching for variable network conditions
A method for video playback switching in response to changing network conditions. The method includes accessing a server to retrieve respective index files for a low bit rate version and a high bit rate version of the video file, and instantiating a low bit rate media player and a high bit rate media. Playback of the video file is begun by the high bit rate media player streaming the high bit rate version from the server. Upon an indication of impeded network conditions, a transition point is selected, wherein the transition point indicates where downloading of the high bit rate version stops and where downloading of the low bit rate version begins. The low bit rate media player is then positioned to begin playback at the transition point. Playback of the video file is then switched to the low bit rate player upon encountering the transition point. |
| US08352994B2 |
Method and system for long term monitoring of video assets
A method and system for test monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation. The test operation may involve determining if a video freeze event and/or an audio freeze event has occurred with respect to the baseband video signal. In one example, detection of both an audio and a video freeze event may determine a freeze event for an MHD. After a freeze event is detected, the MHD may be restarted. The freeze event may be logged as a result of the test operation. A predetermined network address may be sent a notification of the freeze alert. |
| US08352988B2 |
System and method for time shifting the delivery of video information
A method and apparatus providing time-shifted television within a video-on-demand system. |
| US08352987B2 |
Method for scheduled-recording of program and image display apparatus using the same
A method for a scheduled-recording of a program and an image display apparatus using the same are provided. The method for a scheduled-recording of a program includes displaying a search menu for searching other programs related to a program being displayed, and scheduling the recording of at least one program from among programs searched according to search options selected from the search menu. Therefore, a scheduled-recording may be readily set without searching for each program separately from an electronic program guide screen, and thus, greater convenience is provided to the user. |
| US08352986B2 |
Image display system, image display method and display unit
A picture display system having two display devices and a base device for supplying picture signals to one of the display devices and capable of having bidirectional communication with the other display device is disclosed. The picture display system (1) is made up by a mobile display device (100), a base device (200) and a large format display device (300). The base device (200) sends picture signals to the display device (100) and to the large format display device (300). On a display image surface of the mobile display device (100), there is provided a touch panel for detecting the contact position contacted by a user for displaying a remote-control panel RP accepting an operating input from the user on the display image surface. An operating signal conforming to a display item of the remote-control panel RP, displayed at a contact position, detected by the touch panel, is generated and transmitted by wireless communication to the base device (200). This base device (200) selects the picture signals, supplied from the external inputting devices (400), as a supply source of picture signals, responsive to an operating signal, to transmit the so selected picture signals to the large format display device (300). |
| US08352985B2 |
Method of storing and displaying broadcast contents and apparatus therefor
Provided are method of storing broadcast contents, a method of displaying stored broadcast contents and an apparatus therefor. In method of storing the broadcast contents by analyzing the received broadcast contents, grouping the contents that are similar to each other, and arranging the contents sequentially in time, the method includes classifying a broadcasting signal received from an external broadcast contents provider into an unit segment of a first item, determining at least one keyword representing the first item that is classified into the unit segment, storing the first item as a sub-ordinate item of a first sub contents group according to the determined keywords, and arranging the first sub contents group including the stored first item sequentially in time, so that the progress of specific broadcast contents can be easily identified by each time slot. |
| US08352983B1 |
Programming contextual interactive user interface for television
A user interface for interactive television services is represented as a visual overlay that provides a viewer with knowledge of a library of available content relating to a currently tuned to television channel and navigation options for selecting desired portions of the available content from the library, the available content being designated according to business rules specified by a provider of the interactive television services. The visual overlay may be displayed over full-screen or embedded television programming, which may be broadcast television programming or on-demand television programming. |
| US08352978B2 |
Systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs
The present invention allows control of the presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs, and enables a single broadcasting of each advertisement associated with a network to be made to numerous television systems in parallel. The presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs is controlled in the present invention by determining at television viewer equipment whether the television networks, channels, or programs with which the advertisements are associated are unavailable to the television viewer or are undesirable to the television viewer. Once this determination has been made, the television viewer equipment then presents the advertisements, or selects and presents suitable alternative advertisements. A single broadcasting of each network advertisement to all television systems is enabled in the present invention by broadcasting each advertisement with a network identifier to all television systems. At the television systems, the network identifier and channel map or program guide information located in television viewer equipment are then used by an interactive program guide or other application running in the television viewer equipment to determine whether a local affiliate for that network is available and not designated as undesirable by the television viewer. If the local affiliate is available and not designated as undesirable, the advertisement is then presented to the television viewer, otherwise a suitable alternative advertisement is then identified and presented to the television viewer. |
| US08352976B2 |
Disc chucking apparatus, motor and disc driving device equipped with motor
The present invention relates to a disc chucking apparatus having claws that horizontally move and provide elasticity to improve performance in centering and chucking a disc. The disc chucking apparatus includes: a centering base to which an inner circumferential surface of a disc is fixed; a plurality of chuck chips arranged at regular intervals along an outer circumferential surface of the centering base; and a plurality of elastic support parts disposed to be opposite to the chuck chips on the centering base, rotating horizontally when the disc is mounted, and pressing the inner circumferential surface of the disc in an outer diameter direction thereof. |
| US08352973B2 |
Disk and discharge slider apparatus
According to the slot-in type disk apparatus, the discharge slider 106 is constituted by a main discharge slider 106 and a sub-discharge slider 106, first load means 106C and second load means 106X, 106Y are given to the main discharge slider 106 and the sub-discharge slider 106, when a load in a direction in which the disk is pushed in is applied to the discharge lever 100 when the disk is discharged, a load caused by the second load means 106X, 106Y is applied to the main discharge slider 106 and the sub-discharge slider 106, and load caused by the first load means 106C is after the load caused by the second load means 106X, 106Y is released. |
| US08352971B2 |
Contained command invocation framework
An object-oriented middleware framework for use in a network having a plurality of hosts including a first host having an associated first memory and first processor; and a second host having an associated second memory and second processor. The object-oriented middleware framework includes an Originator Command Container instantiating a Command by executing computer programming code stored in the first memory using the first processor. The framework also includes an Invocator Command Container, remote from the Originator Command Container and its associated first host where the instantiated Command is invoked, locally by executing computer programming code stored in the second memory using the second processor. |
| US08352968B2 |
API and business language schema design framework for message exchanges
A server system facilitates an exchange of messages with a remote client application. The server system includes a plurality of application servers hosting a plurality of applications. A plurality of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) provides programmatic access to the plurality of applications, each of the APIs being configured to receive request messages compiled by the remote client application. First and second request messages, respectively addressed to first and second APIs of the plurality of APIs by a remote client application, each comprise at least one common data component. Further, the first request message includes a first payload specific to the first API, and the second request message includes a payload specific to the second API. |
| US08352965B2 |
Transmission method and circuit device capable of automatic transmission interface selection
A circuit device capable of automatic transmission interface selection and associated method are provided. The circuit device includes a first interface port, a second interface port, a first interface driver module, a second interface driver module, and a buffer module. A first interface driver module receives a first interrupt packet, converts the first interrupt packet into a first command packet, and stores the first command packet into the buffer module. A second interface driver module receives a second interrupt packet, converts the second interrupt packet into a second command packet, and stores the second command package into the buffer module. The format of the first interrupt packet is different from that of the second interrupt packet, while the first and the second command packets comply with a common format. |
| US08352963B2 |
Method and system for data preparation and communication between software applications
A computer-implemented method can include executing a first application in stateful manner, wherein the first application executes continuously while receiving a sequence of a plurality of inputs from a user; and, in response to each of at least some of the plurality of inputs at the first application, executing a second application in a stateless manner by an execution controller, wherein the stateless execution can include the execution controller instructing the second application to execute an ordered stack of action scripts, the second application initiating and executing the ordered stack of action scripts, and the second application terminating upon completion of the executing of the ordered stack of action scripts. |
| US08352962B2 |
Managing application interactions using distributed modality components
A method for managing multimodal interactions can include the step of registering a multitude of modality components with a modality component server, wherein each modality component handles an interface modality for an application. The modality component can be connected to a device. A user interaction can be conveyed from the device to the modality component for processing. Results from the user interaction can be placed on a shared memory are of the modality component server. |
| US08352960B2 |
Limiting receipt of unsolicited events by a logical partition in a data storage system
A logical partition (LPAR) is managed in a data processing system by performing an initial program load (IPL), commencing execution of an application on the LPAR and selecting from a plurality of unsolicited events of which the application is to receive notice. A command is transmitted to a storage controller indicating the identity of the selected unsolicited events, wherein the storage controller will store the information in a data structure. Upon the later occurrence of an unsolicited event, the storage controller will transmit to the LPAR only notices of the selected unsolicited events. |
| US08352957B2 |
Apparatus and method for passing metadata in streams modules
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for passing metadata in STREAMS modules. The apparatus and method are configured to perform acts including, allocating a STREAMS message in a kernel space, storing data in the data block in the STREAMS message, allocating a buffer space for metadata associated with the data, storing the metadata of the data in the metadata block in the STREAMS message, passing the metadata among STREAMS modules as a part of the STREAMS message, and performing an operation based upon the metadata. |
| US08352955B2 |
Process placement in a processor array
There is provided a method for placing a plurality of processes onto respective processor elements in a processor array, the method comprising (i) assigning each of the plurality of processes to a respective processor element to generate a first placement; (ii) evaluating a cost function for the first placement to determine an initial value for the cost function, the result of the evaluation of the cost function indicating the suitability of a placement, wherein the cost function comprises a bandwidth utilization of a bus interconnecting the processor elements in the processor array; (iii) reassigning one or more of the processes to respective different ones of the processor elements to generate a second placement; (iv) evaluating the cost function for the second placement to determine a modified value for the cost function; and (v) accepting or rejecting the reassignments of the one or more processes based on a comparison between the modified value and the initial value. |
| US08352954B2 |
Data storage resource allocation by employing dynamic methods and blacklisting resource request pools
A resource allocation system begins with an ordered plan for matching requests to resources that is sorted by priority. The resource allocation system optimizes the plan by determining those requests in the plan that will fail if performed. The resource allocation system removes or defers the determined requests. In addition, when a request that is performed fails, the resource allocation system may remove requests that require similar resources from the plan. Moreover, when resources are released by a request, the resource allocation system may place the resources in a temporary holding area until the resource allocation returns to the top of the ordered plan so that lower priority requests that are lower in the plan do not take resources that are needed by waiting higher priority requests higher in the plan. |
| US08352951B2 |
Method and apparatus for utility-based dynamic resource allocation in a distributed computing system
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for allocation of finite computational resources amongst multiple entities, wherein the method is structured to optimize the business value of an enterprise providing computational services. One embodiment of the inventive method involves establishing, for each entity, a service level utility indicative of how much business value is obtained for a given level of computational system performance. The service-level utility for each entity is transformed into a corresponding resource-level utility indicative of how much business value may be obtained for a given set or amount of resources allocated to the entity. The resource-level utilities for each entity are aggregated, and new resource allocations are determined and executed based upon the resource-level utility information. The invention is thereby capable of making rapid allocation decisions, according to time-varying need or value of the resources by each of the entities. |
| US08352950B2 |
Algorithm to share physical processors to maximize processor cache usage and topologies
A method and apparatus for use in a computing environment to run a variety of applications in logical partitions. The apparatus includes one or more logical processors (LPs), one or more logical partitions (LPARs) configured to each access a share of processing resources of the LPs in accordance with predefined instructions, and an LPAR manager configured to determine an operational mode of each of the LPARs and any available amount of an excess of the share of the processing resources of the LPs and to dispatch the processing resources of at least a subset of the LPs to the LPARs in accordance with the respective predetermined shares and with respect to the determined operational mode of the respective LPARs and the amount, if any, of the excess share. |
| US08352948B2 |
Method to automatically ReDirect SRB routines to a zIIP eligible enclave
A Method to redirect SRB routines from otherwise non-zIIP eligible processes on an IBM z/OS series mainframe to a zIIP eligible enclave is disclosed. This redirection is achieved by intercepting otherwise blocked operations and allowing them to complete processing without errors imposed by the zIIP processor configuration. After appropriately intercepting and redirecting these blocked operations more processing may be performed on the more financially cost effective zIIP processor by users of mainframe computing environments. |
| US08352947B2 |
Method to automatically redirect SRB routines to a zIIP eligible enclave
A Method to redirect SRB routines from otherwise non-zIIP eligible processes on an IBM z/OS series mainframe to a zIIP eligible enclave is disclosed. This redirection is achieved by intercepting otherwise blocked operations and allowing them to complete processing without errors imposed by the zIIP processor configuration. After appropriately intercepting and redirecting these blocked operations more processing may be performed on the more financially cost effective zIIP processor by users of mainframe computing environments. |
| US08352946B2 |
Managing migration ready queue associated with each processor based on the migration ready status of the tasks
The present disclosure is directed to a method for managing tasks in a computer system having a plurality of CPUs. Each task in the computer system may be configured to indicate a migration ready indicator of the task. The migration ready indicator for a task may be given when the set of live data for that task reduces or its working set of memory changes. The method may comprise associating a migration readiness queue with each of the plurality of CPUs, the migration readiness queue having a front-end and a back-end; analyzing a task currently executing on a particular CPU, wherein the particular CPU is one of the plurality of CPUs; placing the task in the migration readiness queue of the particular CPU based on status of the task and/or the migration ready indicator of the task; and selecting at least one queued task from the front-end of the migration readiness queue of the particular CPU for migration when the particular CPU receives a task migration command. |
| US08352943B2 |
Method for preventing industrial automation system from avalanche
The invention relates to a method for preventing industrial automation system from avalanche, in which the industrial automation system comprising a storage unit for storing time stream data to be processed and a CPU for processing the time stream data in the storage unit, the method comprises the following items: 1) establishing a data processing task priority level; 2) scheduling the data processing task of the CPU; 3) using method of the storage unit. Under a given CPU processing ability, the time stream data to be processed is set with different priority levels, the CPU firstly processes the to-be-processed data processing task with the highest priority level and then processes those with the next priority level. And the storage unit is also set with the corresponding sub-storage units with different priority levels in accordance with the priority levels of the to-be-processed data processing task. The to-be-processed data processing task with higher priority level can be stored or cover those with lower priority level. Therefore, it can effectively ensure that the automation system deals with unexpected number of tasks without causing the crash of the system under a given CPU processing ability. |
| US08352941B1 |
Scalable and secure high-level storage access for cloud computing platforms
An untrusted component exposing a high level storage object interface within an untrusted client virtual machine accepts application level storage object operations. Responsive to a storage object operation, the untrusted component passes a message through the underlying hypervisor to an associated trusted component. The trusted component processes the message by authenticating the client virtual machine and locating an internal mapping between the client virtual machine and an associated customer-specific set of backend storage resources to which the requested storage object operation is to be applied. The trusted component uses a trust relationship with the backend storage system to securely communicate the storage object operation to the backend storage system, and passes the operation results through the hypervisor back to the untrusted component in the source client virtual machine from which the storage object request originated. |
| US08352939B1 |
System, method and computer program product for performing a security or maintenance operation in association with virtual disk data
A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing a security or maintenance operation in association with virtual disk data accessed independent of a virtual machine. In use, data stored on a virtual disk is accessed at least in part independent of a virtual machine. Further, a security or maintenance operation is performed in association with the accessed data. |
| US08352936B2 |
Creating virtual appliances
Techniques for creating a virtual appliance in a virtualization environment are provided. The techniques include implementing a framework, wherein the framework comprises a knowledge representation scheme for describing library knowledge to specify one or more libraries that are used for interaction between two or more appliance components, and using the framework to instrument the one or more libraries via use of the library knowledge, record each of one or more communication parameter values in an original environment, and package one or more disk images, wherein the one or more disk images contain the one or more instrumented libraries, the one or more communication parameter values, and translation logic, to create a virtual appliance. |
| US08352932B2 |
Synchronizing controller firmware download
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for synchronizing controller firmware download. A master device controller receives a code download and sends the code download to a subordinate device controller. The master device controller requests a subordinate code status from the subordinate device controller indicating a status of the code download at the subordinate device controller and stores the received code download and a master code status for the download. The master device controller receives the subordinate code status from the subordinate device controller and compares the subordinate code status with the master code status to determine whether both are valid and at same code level. The master device controller updates the master code image with the code download and coordinating the update of the code download to the subordinate code image in response to determining that the master and subordinate code status are both valid and at the same code level. |
| US08352929B2 |
Method for preventing software reverse engineering, unauthorized modification, and runtime data interception
A method for preventing the unauthorized modification of a software or unauthorized modification of runtime data. According to this method, a converter, which is capable of converting the software into a generalized machine code is provided. The converter is designed such that it cannot be reverse engineered, by using a conversion process that causes data loss. An interpreter, which the knowledge of its process method is kept restricted, is also provided. The interpreter interprets the general machine code into a specific machine code, while reconstructing the lost data during the interpretation process. |
| US08352928B2 |
Program conversion apparatus, program conversion method, and computer product
A linker generates a simulator-use executable format program from a pre-conversion object program and a simulator-use object program. A simulator executes the simulator-use object program and acquires branch trace information. A binary program converting tool, based on the branch trace information and a branch penalty table, generates a post-conversion object program having a rewritten branching prediction bit of the pre-conversion object program. Another linker generates an actual-machine-use executable format program from the post-conversion object program and an actual-machine-use object program. |
| US08352925B2 |
Mechanism for enabling a set of code intended for a first platform to be executed on a second platform
A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform. |
| US08352923B2 |
Method and system for isolating software components
Disclosed is a software testing system operative to test a software application, for example during runtime. There may be provided an apparatus for at least partially isolating, from within the software application, at least one highly coupled software component which performs a given function. Isolation may be performed by introducing, prior to execution, code elements for runtime access of application points associated with the at least one highly coupled software component. There may also be provided apparatus for removing or replacing a behavior of at least said at least partially isolated highly coupled software component during runtime. |
| US08352922B2 |
Date and time simulation for time-sensitive applications
A process for providing a simulated date and/or time to a time-sensitive application is disclosed herein. Such a process may include detecting the invocation of a time handler method configured to retrieve system time. Upon detecting the invocation, the contents of a call stack may be captured and analyzed to determine which requester method initiated the invocation. The process may then determine whether the requester method should receive a real or simulated system time. A real system time may be returned to the requester method in the event it should receive the real system time. A simulated system time may be returned to the requester method in the event it should receive the simulated system time. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein. |
| US08352919B2 |
Operation support in versioning systems
Implementations of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes accessing computer code from a repository at a computer, registering a plurality of operations on the computer code at the computer, generating a changelist based on the operations, the changelist comprising a plurality of computer code objects affected by the operations, initiating a reversion operation to revert one or more of the computer code objects to a previous state, partitioning the computer code objects to provide independent first and second partitions, the first partition including an object set based on the computer code objects, and executing the reversion operation based on only the first partition including the object set. |
| US08352913B2 |
Generating and resolving component names in an integrated development environment
A component name manager operates within an integrated development environment to assist developers in creating dynamic websites and Internet applications. The component name manager identifies an input field displayed on a graphical user interface of an object-oriented software development environment. The input field uses a fully-qualified name of a software component for accessing to access instructions and data associated with the software component and located at an application server. In response to receiving an input associated with the input field, the component name manager displays a list of qualified names of software components available for use in the object-oriented software development environment. Each of the qualified names identifies a path for accessing a corresponding software component. The component name manager can resolve fully qualified names by accessing one or more of an application file, an administrator interface, project level mappings, and global level preference mappings. |
| US08352910B1 |
System and method for providing audio in a media file
A system and method adds audio to a media file. The audio may be received via one or more files in an uncompressed format, a compressed format or both types of files may be received. The system and method can mix multiple sources, and converts the audio received into a compressed version in a manner that facilitates streaming. |
| US08352909B2 |
Business process diagram (BPD) component analysis
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with business process diagram (BPD) component analysis are described. One example method includes accessing a BPD having a BPD component for which a mapping to a business process execution language (BPEL) component is to be automatically produced by a computer. The example method may also include detecting a join gateway in the BPD. The example method may also include manipulating the mapping to identify that resolution of the join gateway is to be determined by gateway resolution upon determining that the join gateway is not going to receive a loop back edge. |
| US08352908B2 |
Multi-modal conversion tool for form-type applications
GUI form code comprising a set of GUI elements can be imported. A user interface description can be generated from the GUI form code that has an element corresponding to each GUI element. For each user interface element converted from a corresponding to one of the GUI elements, a user interface element type can be determined as can temporal associations between the user interface elements. A Conversation User Interface (CUI) code corresponding to the GUI form code can be created from the user interface description. When creating the CUI code for each of the user interface elements, different and rules to convert the user interface element into CUI code can be used depending on a user interface element type of the user interface element being converted. When creating the CUI code, the user interface elements can be temporally ordered based on the pre-determined spatio-temporal associations between the graphical user interface (GUI) elements. |
| US08352906B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for implementing external domain independent modeling framework in a system design
Disclosed are a method, system, and computer program product for implementing external domain independent modeling framework in a system design. In some embodiments, the method or system comprises importing an external model in an external format into the framework while substantially preserving some or all of the interpretation of the external model, determining a internal common representation for the external model within the framework, and displaying or storing the internal common representation in a tangible computer readable medium. In some embodiments, the method or system further comprises validating the accuracy of the internal common representation, determining an analysis or transformation capability for the framework, or outputting a first output model in a second external format. In various embodiments, the method or system requires no external tool compliance. |
| US08352905B2 |
Application builder for industrial automation
A control system development platform is provided. The platform includes a shell component adapted to support development of a control systems application. An abstract model is associated with the shell component to facilitate development of the control systems applications. |
| US08352901B2 |
Technique for generation of load-slew indices for circuit characterization
A method and system for generation of low-slew indices for circuit characterization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for automatically generating a subset of sampling points from a set of load and slew points for circuit characterization includes iteratively obtaining sampling points such that error between an actual value and an interpolated intermediate value is below or equal to a threshold error value. The subset of sampling points is then formed from the iteratively obtained sampling points. |
| US08352900B1 |
Analytic experimental estimator for impact of voltage-overshoot of voltage waveform on dielectric failure/breakdown
A method tests integrated circuit devices to measure a voltage overshoot condition. The method determines an overshoot time proportion. The overshoot time proportion is the amount of time the voltage overshoot condition occurs relative to the amount of time the normal operating condition occurs during a full useful operating lifetime of the integrated circuit devices. The method also determines an overshoot failure proportion. The overshoot failure proportion comprises the amount of dielectric failures that occur during the voltage overshoot condition relative to the amount of dielectric failures that occur during the normal operating condition. The method calculates an allowed overshoot voltage based on the overshoot time proportion and the overshoot failure proportion. The method additionally calculates an average overshoot voltage of a voltage waveform and compares the average overshoot voltage to the allowed overshoot voltage to identify if the average overshoot voltage exceeds the allowed overshoot voltage. |
| US08352899B1 |
Method to modify an integrated circuit (IC) design
A method to modify a first IC design into a second IC design, the first and second IC designs specifying a common interconnection layer with a plurality of interconnections, is disclosed. The method includes identifying an interconnection from plurality of interconnections within the common interconnection layer. The interconnection is unused for routing signals in the first IC design. The metal layer that is coupled with the identified interconnection is removed from the first IC design to generate a modified design. The identified interconnection of the first IC design is placed into one of an invisible state or a temporarily removed state in the modified design. The metal layer in the modified design is routed for a specific logic gate design. The modified design is then stored as the second IC design. |
| US08352896B2 |
System and method for distribution analysis of stacked-die integrated circuits
Systems and methods for distribution analysis of a stacked-die integrated circuit (IC) are described. The stacked-die integrated circuit includes a primary die, and clock load information for the primary die of the IC is determined. Additionally, a clock load model may be created using the clock load information for the primary die. Clock load information for a second die that is coupled to the primary die may also be determined. The clock load information for the second die may be incorporated into the clock load model to create an enhanced clock load model of the stacked-die IC, which may then be analyzed as if a single-die IC. |
| US08352895B2 |
Model library implementation and methodology for worst case performance modeling for SRAM cells
Worst case performance of an SRAM cell may be simulated more accurately with less intensive computations. An embodiment includes determining, by a processor, a process corner G of an SRAM cell, having pull-down, pass-gate, and pull-up devices, process corner G being defined as the worst performance of the cell when only global variations of parameters of the SRAM cell are included, setting each of the pull-down, pass-gate, and pull-up devices at process corner G, performing, on the processor, a number of Monte Carlo simulations of the SRAM cell devices around process corner G with only local variations of the parameters, generating a normal probability distribution for Iread based on the local Monte Carlo simulations around process corner G, extrapolating the worst case Iread from the normal probability distribution of Iread to define a process corner SRM representing a slowest SRAM bit on a chip, and validating an SRAM cell based on the SRM corner. Embodiments further include creating a library of SRM corner values for multiple SRAM cells, and validating an SRAM cell by selecting an SRM corner from the library. Embodiments further include linearly scaling the SRM corner value with global sigma input variations from 0 sigma to 6 sigma and/or with local sigma input variations from 0 sigma to 6 sigma, selecting a scaled SRM corner value at the sigma corresponding to design and memory size requirements for the SRAM cell, simulating the scaled SRM corner by a processor, and employing the simulated scaled SRM corner to validate performance of an SRAM cell. |
| US08352894B2 |
Verification techniques for liveness checking of logic designs
A technique for verification of a logic design using a liveness-to-safety conversion includes assigning liveness gates for liveness properties of a netlist and assigning a single loop gate to provide a loop signal for the liveness gates. Assertion of the single loop gate is prevented when none of the liveness gates are asserted. A first state of the netlist is sampled and the sampled first state provides an initial state for a first behavioral loop for at least one of the liveness gates following the assertion of the single loop gate. The sampled first state of the first behavioral loop is compared with a later state of the first behavioral loop to determine if the sampled first state is repeated. A liveness violation is returned when the sampled first state is repeated and an associated one of the liveness gates remains asserted for a duration of the first behavioral loop. |
| US08352893B1 |
Circuit topology recognition and circuit partitioning
Aspects of the invention relate to circuit topology recognition and circuit partitioning. In various embodiments of the invention, diode-connected transistors can be identified in a circuit netlist based on the unique structure. From the diode-connected transistors, current mirrors can be found. The current mirrors may be employed for locating differential pairs used in the input stage of operational amplifiers and for locating supply voltage and ground nodes in the netlist. The subcircuits that are strongly connected due to feedback loops of operational amplifiers in the circuit can then be identified and grouped together for circuit analysis and simulation. |
| US08352885B2 |
Three-dimensional mask model for photolithography simulation
A three-dimensional mask model of the invention provides a more realistic approximation of the three-dimensional effects of a photolithography mask with sub-wavelength features than a thin-mask model. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional mask model includes a set of filtering kernels in the spatial domain that are configured to be convolved with thin-mask transmission functions to produce a near-field image. In another embodiment, the three-dimensional mask model includes a set of correction factors in the frequency domain that are configured to be multiplied by the Fourier transform of thin-mask transmission functions to produce a near-field image. |
| US08352878B2 |
Scrollable context menu for multiple element selection
Selections from a long list of elements on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) are presented. When a context window is presented for the selections, different cues are provided in the context window to provide feedback regarding the selections that are not in the current view, and to also facilitate rapid navigation to those selections on the GUI. Interaction with the GUI widgets within the context window, and interaction with the context window itself, facilitates the navigation toward the other selections that are not in the current view. Interaction with the GUI widgets also facilitates the preview of the selections that are not in the current view, thus making it easier to determine what has been selected without having to navigate to the view that contains those selections. |
| US08352876B2 |
Interactive electronic book operating systems and methods
Interactive electronic book operating systems and methods for displaying and allowing customization of content of scientific, engineering and other technical and professional digital books. The display screen can include icons for forward and backward page turning, generating of dynamic indexing and tables of contents, bookmarking, color themes, floating pages, highlighting, adding sticky notes, hiding selected content on the pages, quizzing the reader, lecturing the reader, tutoring the reader, showing the reader additional designs and practical relevance, and allowing the instructor to generate uniform seed numbers for problems and designs and/or allowing the instructor to generate random seed values for problems and designs. |
| US08352870B2 |
Conflict resolution
Embodiments of a collaborative authoring environment enable a user to resolve editing conflicts arising when synchronizing a user copy of a data file with a master copy of the data file. Content updates may be synchronized separately from metadata updates. Metadata updates may be synchronized automatically, whereas content updates may be synchronized only when any identified editing conflicts are resolved. When an editing conflict is identified, the user interface of the authoring application may be configured to toggle between displaying and hiding the identified editing conflicts. |
| US08352868B2 |
Computing with local and remote resources including user mode control
A method for selectively controlling allocation of one or more computing resources for a process. The method includes providing a user option to execute a process using local or remote computing resources and then executing the process using a selected option. A more specific method includes predetermining two or more allocation options; displaying a plurality of the predetermined allocation options, wherein each option indicates a different allocation of resources between at least one resource on a local computing system and at least one resource on a remote computing system, wherein the resources; determining, by using the local computing system, a function to be performed; accepting a signal from a user-input device to select one of the plurality of options in association with performing the function; allocating the resources in accordance with the selected option; and then using the selected resource allocation to accomplish a task. |
| US08352860B2 |
Image processing device and method for notifying a user of an included compressed image
The present invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method, which prevent printing mishaps from occurring in printed matter when a user performs a printing process without knowing a compressed image is included on a page layout. When a compressed image is detected, a warning is generated to request selection of the next process. For this reason, when interruption of printing is designated, the printing process may be interrupted. The use of a warning color or application of an outline may be designated, and a drawing setting may also be performed according to the designation. An output of a warning page is designated, and a setting may also be performed such that a print output is obtained by either extracting the compressed image or by deleting the compressed image. |
| US08352858B2 |
High-speed web server
A high-speed web server that generates an HTML file upon receipt of an HTTP request is described. The server includes an application executor device and an HTTP server device that receives the HTTP request and sends an HTTP response to the HTTP request. A method for sending an HTTP response in a server that generates an HTML file upon receipt of an HTTP request is also provided. The method includes: executing a script; calculating the number of appearances of the string; storing the string in a storage; executing a script when the script is a command for processing a string; replacing the string with reference information; and sending the string file along with the HTML file when it includes reference information for reference to the string file. |
| US08352855B2 |
Selection of text in an unstructured document
Some embodiments provide a method for defining a selection of text in an unstructured document that includes a number of glyphs. The method identifies associated sets of glyphs and a reading order that specifies a flow of reading through the glyphs. The method displays the document. The method receives a start point and end point for a selection of text within the displayed document. The method defines a selection of text from the start point to the end point by using the identified sets of glyphs and intended flow of reading. |
| US08352854B2 |
Dynamic page generator
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method for providing at least one customized advertisement in a dynamically generated customized page is provided. The method includes receiving a user request for a customized page. In response to the user request, the method further includes receiving a template program specific to the user. The template program is based on user configuration information. The user configuration information includes user demographic information. The template program is received from one of at least two locations. The location is determined from the frequency of the user request for the customized page. After receiving an advertisement selected in accordance to the user demographic information, the template program is executed using the selected advertisement to generate the customized page. The customized page is provided to the user. |
| US08352847B2 |
Matrix vector multiplication for error-correction encoding and the like
In one embodiment, a matrix-vector multiplication (MVM) component generates a product vector based on (i) an input matrix and (ii) an input vector. The MVM component has a permuter, memory, and an XOR gate array. The permuter permutates, for each input sub-vector of the input vector, the input sub-vector based on a set of permutation coefficients to generate a set of permuted input sub-vectors. The memory stores a set of intermediate product sub-vectors corresponding to the product vector. The XOR gate array performs, for each input sub-vector, exclusive disjunction on (i) the set of permuted input sub-vectors and (ii) the set of intermediate product sub-vectors to update the set of intermediate product subvectors, such that all of the intermediate product sub-vectors in the set are updated based on a current input sub-vector before updating any of the intermediate product sub-vectors in the set based on a subsequent input sub-vector. |
| US08352846B2 |
Method an apparatus for low density parity check codes encoding and decoding
Provided is a method for generating a single rate or multi-rate highly structured low density parity check, encoding a data stream with the generated LDPC matrix for transmission in a wireless communication system, and for efficient LDPC decoding at a receiver. |
| US08352843B2 |
Method and apparatus for coding a communication signal
An apparatus for coding a communication signal is provided. The apparatus includes an encoder configured to encode the communication signal, to increase the length of the communication signal, and a repetition coder configured to repetitively code part of the encoded communication signal, to utilize at least some of the increased length of the communication signal. The apparatus further includes an interleaver configured to interleave the repetitively coded communication signal. A method is also provided for coding a communication signal. |
| US08352841B2 |
Systems and methods for out of order Y-sample memory management
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for out of order memory management. For example, a method for out of order data processing is disclosed. The method includes providing an out of order codeword memory circuit that includes a number of codeword memory locations in a codeword memory area and the same number of index values in an index area. Each of the index values corresponds to a respective one of the codeword memory locations. The methods further include receiving a data set; storing the data set to one of the codeword memory locations; receiving an indication that the data set stored in the one of the codeword memory locations has completed processing; and grouping an index value corresponding to the one of the codeword memory locations with one or more other index values corresponding to unused codeword memory locations. |
| US08352840B2 |
Event cleanup processing for improving the performance of sequence-based decoders
The invention relates to improving the performance of sequence-based soft-output decoders using event cleanup processing, wherein combinations of potential error events are evaluated using an error detection code (EDC) to select events that produce a modified set of decisions that has no EDC detectable errors. The event cleanup method and associated event cleanup decoder enable to significantly improve the error rate performance of sequence-based decoders and/or significantly improve decoding efficiency compared to other known error cleanup methods. |
| US08352839B2 |
Encoding data into constrained memory
Encoding data into constrained memory using a method for writing data that includes receiving write data to be encoded into a write word, receiving constraints on symbol values associated with the write word, encoding the write data into the write word, and writing the write word to a memory. The encoding includes: representing the write data and the constraints as a first linear system in a first field of a first size; embedding the first linear system into a second linear system in a second field of a second size, the second size larger than the first size; solving the second linear system in the second field resulting in a solution; and collapsing the solution into the first field resulting in the write word, the write word satisfying the constraints on symbol values associated with the write word. |
| US08352836B2 |
Error addition apparatus
An error addition apparatus receives a data signal D having a frame format having a specific signal inserted into its front, adds errors to the data signal D, and outputs a resulting signal. The apparatus has an error addition regulation unit for receiving a frame synchronization signal F, indicative of a timing at which the front of the frame of the data signal has been inputted, and regulating the errors such that the errors are added to positions other than a region of the specific signal. Accordingly, errors are not added to a specific signal. |
| US08352835B2 |
Data verification using checksum sidefile
Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for data verification in a storage system are provided. A read of data is asynchronously submitted to nonvolatile storage media. A read of a first checksum signature is submitted to a solid state, sidefile memory location of a storage controller in the storage subsystem. The first checksum signature is representative of the data previously written to the nonvolatile storage media. A second checksum signature is calculated from the read of the data. The first and second checksum signatures are compared. If a match is not determined, a critical event is reported. |
| US08352834B2 |
High throughput interleaver / deinterleaver
Systems and methods for performing high-speed multi-channel forward error correction using external DDR SDRAM is provided. According to one exemplary aspect, an interleaver/deinterleaver performs both read and write accesses to the DDR SDRAM that are burst-oriented by hiding active and precharge cycles in order to achieve high data rate operations. The interleaver/deinterleaver accesses data in the DDR SDRAM as read blocks and write blocks. Each block includes two data sequences. Each data sequence further includes a predetermined number of data words to be interleaved/deinterleaved. The PRECHARGE and ACTIVE command for one data sequence is issued when a preceding data sequence is being processed. Data in one read/write data sequence has the same row address within the same bank of the DDR SDRAM. |
| US08352833B2 |
System and method for data read of a synchronous serial interface NAND
A method and system is disclosed for operating a NAND memory device. The NAND memory device is operated by transmitting serial peripheral interface signals from a host to a NAND memory device, whereby the signals are communicated to a NAND memory in the NAND memory device without modifying the signals into a standard NAND memory format. Similarly, a method and system is disclosed for receiving signals from the NAND memory device without modifying the signals from a standard NAND format into a serial format. The system also incorporates error detection and correction techniques to detect and correct errors in data stored in the NAND memory device. |
| US08352832B2 |
Unequal delay codes for burst-erasure channels
An error correction code includes a separate error code portion for each of two or more separate burst erasure durations (or burst error durations). For each burst erasure duration, the code can be employed to recover from the burst erasure with a different delay time. Each error code portion has a particular parameter for burst duration (B) and delay (T), meaning that the code can be used to recover from a burst erasure of duration B with delay T. Each error code portion is based on separating the source symbols into sub-symbols and diagonally interleaving the sub-symbols based on the (B,T) parameters for the error code portion. Accordingly, different burst erasures are recovered from with different delays. |
| US08352823B2 |
Methods and systems for handling ARQ resets
Systems and methods for handling automatic repeat request (ARQ) resets are described. A first device may receive a message initiating an ARQ reset procedure transmitted by a second device. The first device may determine if both the first and second devices have initiated an ARQ reset procedure. The first device may take action to limit a loss of blocks of data exchanged between the first and second devices, if both the first and second devices have initiated an ARQ reset procedure. |
| US08352822B2 |
Method and arrangement relating to communications network
The invention relates to a method in a radio base station and user equipment, and comprises varying the transmitted timings of the HARQ feedback signaling such that only users with orthogonal pre-coding vectors (W) are scheduled simultaneously, to reduce multi-user interference and to ensure that said signaling is received by a transmitter before the start of the next retransmission. |
| US08352815B2 |
Circuit and method operable in functional and diagnostic modes
The application discloses a circuit comprising at least one flip flop, said flip flop comprising: a master latch and a slave latch; a data signal input and a scan signal input arranged in parallel to each other and each input comprising a tristateable device; and a scan enable signal input, a functional clock signal input and a scan clock signal input; wherein: in response to a first predetermined value of said scan enable signal indicating a functional mode of operation, said scan input tristateable device is operable to isolate said scan input from said master latch, and said master latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said data input and to output data to said slave latch and said slave latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said master latch and to output data at said data output; and in response to a second predetermined value of said scan enable signal indicating a scan mode of operation said data input tristateable device is operable to isolate said data input from said master latch, and said master latch is operable in response to said scan clock to receive data from said scan input and said slave latch is operable in response to said functional clock to receive data from said master latch and to output data at said scan output. |
| US08352809B2 |
Checking method and electronic circuit for the secure serial transmission of data
A checking method in which serial data protected by check data are transmitted via a serial data bus from a transmitter to a receiver, the receiver then conditions the data and compares them with the transmitted check data in order to recognize transmission errors, wherein the transmitter bases the production of the check data and the receiver bases the conditioning of the data on the same check data formation method, wherein the check data formation/conditioning is performed using error recognition hardware, wherein the region of the receiver contains not only the error recognition hardware but also error recognition software which are used to additionally check the received data, and wherein also an error in the transmitted data and/or check data is caused by a transmitter-end error stimulation. A transmission and reception circuit for carrying out the above method and also the use thereof is also disclosed. |
| US08352806B2 |
System to improve memory failure management and associated methods
A system to improve memory failure management may include memory, and an error control decoder to determine failures in the memory. The system may also include an agent that may monitor failures in the memory. The system may further include a table where the error control decoder may record the failures, and where the agent can read and write to. |
| US08352805B2 |
Memory error detection
Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation. |
| US08352804B2 |
Systems and methods for secure interrupt handling
The invention relates to systems for secure interrupt handling, a method for verifying a priority of a winning service request node and a method and an apparatus for verifying integrity of service requests.In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for verifying a priority of a winning service request node (SRN) established in an arbitration between a plurality of service request nodes (SRNs) performed by an interrupt controller, the method comprising: storing the priority of the winning SRN in the interrupt controller; encoding the priority of the winning SRN, wherein the encoding allows for error detection; transmitting the encoded priority from the winning SRN to the interrupt controller; and verifying the priority of the winning SRN by comparing the encoded priority transmitted by the winning SRN with the priority of the winning SRN established in the arbitration and stored in the interrupt controller. |
| US08352803B2 |
Framework for managing failures in outbound messages
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), a request from a requesting node for an establishment of a first service data flow (SDF); generating a first rule set for implementing the first SDF in response to the request; transmitting a first rule of the rule set to a first node for installation of the first rule; waiting for a period of time for a response from the first node; determining from the response whether installation of the first rule at the first node failed or succeeded; and if installation of the first rule succeeded, transmitting a second rule of the first rule set to a second node for installation of the second rule. |
| US08352802B2 |
Method and system for remote diagnostics
A diagnostic system for computers, including a connector interface for connecting the diagnostic system to a PC, a storage medium for storing executable instructions that boot the PC when the diagnostic system is connected to the connector interface, for storing diagnostic testing program code that scans and tests the PC, and for storing a phone number for a remote online help-desk facility, a modem for communicating wirelessly with the online help-desk facility when the PC is not fully operational, and for enabling the remote online help-desk facility to remotely run the diagnostic testing program code on the PC and view the results, an audio subsystem for enabling voice communication between a user and a representative at the remote online help-desk facility, and a processor for controlling the storage medium, the modem and the audio subsystem. A method is also described and claimed. |
| US08352801B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to debug a network application by utilizing a cloned network and an interactive debugging technique
A method includes instantiating a cloned network that includes a second set of virtual service nodes. The second set of virtual service nodes includes at least one cloned virtual service node that is a clone of a corresponding virtual service node in a first set of virtual service nodes. The at least one cloned virtual service node has access to a history of events that occurred at the corresponding virtual service node in the first set of virtual service nodes. The method includes initiating an interactive debugging session that includes step by step processing of the events of the history of events. |
| US08352797B2 |
Software fault isolation using byte-granularity memory protection
Software fault isolation methods using byte-granularity memory protection are described. In an embodiment, untrusted drivers or other extensions to a software system are run in a separate domain from the host portion of the software system, but share the same address space as the host portion. Calls between domains are mediated using an interposition library and access control data is maintained for substantially each byte of relevant virtual address space. Instrumentation added to the untrusted extension at compile-time, before load-time, or at runtime and added by the interposition library enforces the isolation between domains, for example by adding access right checks before any writes or indirect calls and by redirecting function calls to call wrappers in the interposition library. The instrumentation also updates the access control data to grant and revoke access rights on a fine granularity according to the semantics of the operation being invoked. |
| US08352795B2 |
High integrity processor monitor
A method of ensuring high integrity of a processor is provided. The method includes executing sets of sequential instructions, each execution being based on a unique initial value, generating a computed final value responsive to each execution of a set of sequential instructions, and sending computed values to a monitoring portion of a high integrity processor monitor system responsive to the generating for each execution of the set of sequential instructions. The execution of the sets of sequential instructions tests pertinent addressing modes, operand sizes, and instruction side-effects for each instruction tested in a monitored central processing unit. |
| US08352790B2 |
Abnormality detection method, device and program
Model data is generated from performance information sorted by day of the week, time period, and process status by a performance information analysis section and a process status analysis section. An abnormality determination section detects abnormality using appropriate model data. What the graph of an expected status is like, how much the graph of the current status that has been determined abnormal differs from the graph of the expected status, and how much the current status is like the expected status are displayed allowing a system manager to observe detailed information about abnormality determination. |
| US08352788B2 |
Predictive monitoring with wavelet analysis
A computer implemented method, computer program product and system for monitoring a plurality of hardware or software system resources for identifying hidden trends in the behavior of the system resources, includes: collecting metrics of at least one system resource indicative of the behavior of at least one system resource; for each of the at least one system resource, determining a spectrum representative of a time-based signal of the collected metrics; performing a wavelet transform on each of the at least one spectrum; and analyzing the result of the wavelet transform to identify possible linear trends in the behavior of the at least one system resource. |
| US08352786B2 |
Compressed replay buffer
A compressed replay buffer in a first electronic unit of an electronic system holds commands in a table. As commands are transmitted from the first electronic unit to a second electronic unit, the command, along with associated data, command type, and the like are stored in a row in the table. No rows in the table contain “dead cycles” to indicate that no command was sent on a particular cycle on a bus over which the commands were transmitted. The second electronic unit may request that the first electronic unit replay some number of commands. In response, the first electronic unit uses commands in the compressed replay buffer, along with required timings stored on the first electronic unit, to replay the number of commands requested. |
| US08352785B1 |
Methods for generating a unified virtual snapshot and systems thereof
A method, computer readable medium, and system for generating a unified virtual snapshot in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes invoking with a file virtualization system a capture of a plurality of physical snapshots. Each of the physical snapshots comprises content at a given point in time in one of the plurality of data storage systems. A unified virtual snapshot is generated with the file virtualization system based on the captured plurality of the physical snapshots. |
| US08352778B2 |
Failure recovery method
The reliability is improved at a low cost even in a virtualized server environment. The number of spare servers is reduced for improving the reliability and for saving a licensing fee for software on the spare servers. A server system comprises a plurality of physical servers on which a plurality of virtual servers run, a single standby server, a module for detecting an active virtual server, and a module for switching the correspondence of boot disks of virtualization modules for controlling virtual servers to the physical servers. When a physical server fails, the boot disk of the associated virtualization module is connected to a spare server to automatically activate on the spare server those virtual servers which have been active upon occurrence of the failure. |
| US08352773B2 |
Time aligning circuit and time aligning method for aligning data transmission timing of a plurality of lanes
A time aligning circuit includes a plurality of buffers, a plurality of delay selectors, a plurality of adjustment symbol generators, and a controller. Each buffer receives an ordered set on a corresponding lane. Each delay selector delays an output of the ordered set of the corresponding buffer. Each adjustment symbol generator outputs an adjustment symbol or the output received from the corresponding delay selector according to an adjustment control signal. When an initial symbol of a designated delay selector is detected but initial symbols of other delay selectors are not received yet, the controller generates the delay control signal to the designated delay selector and generates the adjustment control signal to control a designated adjustment symbol generator corresponding to the designated delay selector in order to output one adjustment symbol until initial signals of all delay selectors are detected. |
| US08352769B1 |
System and method for querying for energy data in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a query over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain, the query including a request for data relating to energy use. The query can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In other embodiments, a discovery protocol (DP) and a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) is used for transporting events regarding the entities that connect or disconnect from the network. The entities send discovery events over a DP/LLDP protocol, identifying them as part of the domain. In yet other embodiments, the method includes querying a selected one of the entities to determine, if the selected entity moved to a certain energy level, an energy consumption value at the certain energy level. |
| US08352760B2 |
Power supply circuit and motherboard including the same
A power supply circuit includes a power controller and a switch. The power controller is connected to a Southbridge chip of a motherboard. The Southbridge chip outputs status signals of the motherboard. The power controller provides a +5V_SYS voltage or a +5V_SB voltage to a universal serial bus (USB) connector according to the status signals. The switch is connected to the USB connector, a USB controller, and the Southbridge chip. The switch connects or disconnects from the USB connector and the USB controller according to the status signals. |
| US08352757B2 |
Oversubscribing branch circuits while lowering power distribution costs
A mechanism is provided for oversubscribing branch circuits. An active energy management mechanism determines a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, the power consumption information is for a primary and a redundant portion of the powered element. The active energy management mechanism determines a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a loss of either a primary or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element. The active energy management mechanism sends the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element. |
| US08352755B2 |
Digital image system transmitting digital image data
A digital image system which transmits digital image data, and more particularly, to a digital image system in a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) format or a digital visual interface (DVI) format. |
| US08352754B2 |
Power management of PoE devices based on powered queue and unpowered queue of time order connection priority while maintaining reserve power
In a communications system, such as a Power-Over-Ethernet system, where power supply equipment (PSE) supplies power to powered requiring devices (PRDs), a system and method of dynamic power management is implemented. The system and method monitors the power consumed at each port by the PRDs. Based on this monitoring, the PSE dynamically determines the minimum power which can be allocated to each PRD, and so dynamically maximizes the available reserve power. The PSE maintains a queue or queues wherein PRDs are listed in order of a power allocation priority. When additional power is available, the PSE preferentially allocates power to a PRD or PRDs which have higher priority. The system and method of the present invention minimizes the power allocated to each individual network device, as a result of which the total number of network devices that can be supported with the available power may be maximized. |
| US08352753B2 |
Microcontroller and method for starting an application program on a microcontroller by which unauthorized access to data contained in or processed by the microcontroller is prevented
A microcontroller comprises a microprocessor (1), a test interface (4) and an internal non-erasable memory (2). First control means (6) are provided which are able to activate and deactivate the test interface (4), and second control means (7) are provided which are able to activate and deactivate the internal non-erasable memory (2). The microprocessor (1) of the microcontroller comprises control outputs (101) which are connected with the first and second control means (6, 7). With appropriate timing of activation and deactivation of the test interface (4) and the internal non-erasable memory (2), the microcontroller offers the possibility of preventing an unauthorized access to contents of the internal non-erasable memory (2) without limiting the usability of the test interface (4) for the development of application programs. The microcontroller further offers the possibility to entirely block access to data which are stored in the microcontroller or have been processed within the microcontroller via the test interface (4). |
| US08352746B2 |
Authorized anonymous authentication
A method, program and system for processing data is disclosed. The method, program and system comprising the steps of: (a) receiving (e.g., during an enrollment process) a first biometric data and a first personal key, (b) processing the first biometric data and the first personal key through an irreversible cryptographic algorithm, sometimes after: (i) generating one or more variants from the first biometric data, (ii) processing the first personal key through a reversible cryptographic algorithm, and (iii) adding salt to the first biometric data or first personal key, (c) receiving (e.g., during an authentication process) a second biometric data and a second personal key, (d) processing the second biometric data and the second personal key through the irreversible cryptographic algorithm, (e) comparing the second processed data to the first processed data, and (f) generating a signal pertaining to the comparison of the second processed data to the first processed data, such as: (i) a confirmation reflecting authentication when the second processed data matches the first processed data (sometimes allowing access to a facility or system) or (ii) a denial reflecting no confirmation when the second processed data does not match the first processed data. |
| US08352745B2 |
System and method for controlling user access to an electronic device
A method and system for authenticating a user to access a computer system. The method comprises communicating security information to the computer system, and providing the computer system with an implicit input. The method further comprises determining whether the security information and implicit input match corresponding information associated with the user. The method further comprises granting the user access to the computer system in the event of a satisfactory match. When authenticating the user, the method and system consider the possibility of the user being legitimate but subject to duress or force by a computer hacker. |
| US08352742B2 |
Receiving encrypted emails via a web-based email system
The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing an Email User to create a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Email Account and thereafter to digitally sign, send, verify and receive PKI encrypted emails over a computer network, such as the Internet. The systems and methods preferably include a Web-based Email System and a Certificate Authority that coordinate their actions to make the process of creating, maintaining and using the PKI Account as easy as possible for the Email User. In a preferred embodiment, a Keystore System may also be used to enhance the management and use of digital keypairs. |
| US08352741B2 |
Discovery of secure network enclaves
A hierarchical key generation and distribution mechanism for a computer system in which devices are organized into secure enclaves. The mechanism enables network access to be tailored to approximate minimum needed privileges for each device. At the lowest level of the hierarchy, keys are used to form security associations between devices. Keys at each level of the hierarchy are generated from keys at a higher level of the hierarchy and key derivation information. Key derivation information is readily ascertainable, either from identifiers for devices or from within messages, supporting hardware offload of cryptographic functions. Because keys may be generated based on the enclaves in which the hosts participating in a security association are located, the system includes a mechanism by which devices can discover the enclave in which they are located. |
| US08352740B2 |
Secure execution environment on external device
A device, such as a smartcard, may be externally-connected to a host platform and may be used to enhance or extend security services provided by the host platform's Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The device and the platform exchange keys in order to facilitate reliable identification of the platform by the device and vice versa, and to support cryptographic tunneling. A proxy component on the host device tunnels information between the platform and the device, and also provides the device with access to the TPM's services such as sealing and attestation. The device can provide secure services to the platform, and may condition provision of these services on conditions such as confirming the platform's identity through the exchanged keys, or platform state measurements reported by the TPM. |
| US08352737B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for authentication of fragments using hash trees
An apparatus for authentication of fragments using hash trees may include a processor. The processor may be configured to provide one or more data fragments and a hash tree representing the one or more fragments, send at least one first fragment accompanied by any nodes of the hash tree necessary to authenticate the one or more first sent fragments, and send one or more subsequent fragments accompanied by only some, but not all, of the nodes of the hash tree necessary to authenticate the one or more subsequent fragments with the other nodes that are not sent but are necessary for authentication having been previously sent in conjunction with a prior fragment. |
| US08352732B2 |
Transmission method for conditional access content
This invention relates to a transmission method for conditional access content, in which said content is broadcast in the form of data packets (DP). These data packets contain at least one marker having a known value and a useful part (PL). This method includes the following steps: extraction of said marker (Mc) from the data packet (DP) and replacement of this marker with an encryption key identification information (PAR); encryption of said useful part (PL) by an encryption key (K1) that can be identified by said encryption key identification information (PAR); formation of an encrypted data packet containing at least said encryption key identification information (PAR) and the encrypted useful part (PLK1); transmission of said encrypted data packet to at least one receiver. |
| US08352731B2 |
Secure decentralized storage system
A secure decentralized storage system provides scalable security by addressing the performance bottleneck of the security manager and the complexity issue of security administration in large-scale storage systems. The storage system includes: an application client for accessing a file system using a plurality of storage devices and transmitting a command to a storage device; a storage device for storing data and access control entries associated to the data, analyzing the command from the client and performing corresponding operations of the command; a metadata server for storing and managing metadata, such as location and length information of data and system configuration; and a security manager for storing and managing global access control entries and policies of the system and performing the access policy and privilege control according to the global access control entries and policies, such as changing the priority and inheritance rule of access control entries, adding and deleting the access control entries. |
| US08352730B2 |
Biometric personal data key (PDK) authentication
Systems and methods are provided for an integrated device that persistently (or permanently) stores biometric data for a user in a tamper-resistant format. Subsequently, scan data collected from a user (e.g., a finger-print) can be compared against the biometric data. Once the user has been verified by the integrated device, a code can be wirelessly transmitted for authentication. The authentication module sends the code to a trusted key authority. The trusted key authority checks a list of enrolled integrated devices for a match. If there is a match, the authentication module sends a message to an application to allow access by the user. The trusted key authority also stores a profile associated with the code. The profile can contain user information such as name, age, account numbers, preferences, etc. and can also describe the status of the integrated device. |
| US08352726B2 |
Data storage and/or retrieval
A system and method comprises receiving a write request from a client to store data at first and second non-sequential locations of a storage medium. The data of the write request is recognized as not being a predefined data pattern, and a first encryption method is applied to the data of the write request before it is stored at the first and second non-sequential locations of the storage medium. Further, a second different encryption method is applied to content of an area between the first and second non-sequential locations, where the content of the area is recognized as being the predefined pattern. |
| US08352718B1 |
Method, system, and computer-readable medium for expediting initialization of computing systems
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for expediting initialization of a computing system are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium is provided having computer executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to cache a portion of a firmware to a cache prior to initialization of a main memory. In particular, the computer-executable instructions cause the central processing unit of the computer to cache a range of memory addresses corresponding to the location of the portion of the firmware stored in a computer storage media to the cache prior to the initialization of the main memory. The firmware may be a BIOS and/or EFI firmware. The computer-executable instructions then cause the computer to execute the portion of the firmware from the cache until the main memory is initialized. The portion of the firmware cached to the cache and executed form the cache until the main memory is initialized may be a boot block portion of the firmware that performs a Power-On Self Test. |
| US08352709B1 |
Direct memory access techniques that include caching segmentation data
A memory access technique, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes caching segmentation data. The technique utilizes a separate memory for storing a plurality of context specifiers and an MMU. The MMU includes an on-chip cache and a segmentation unit. The MMU receives a location of a particular context specifier and a corresponding context index for each of one or more of the plurality of context specifiers stored in the separate memory. The segmentation unit retrieves the particular context specifier and caches it locally. The segmentation unit also binds the cache location of the particular context specifier to the corresponding context index. After caching one or more context specifiers and generating a corresponding binding, the segmentation unit may receive a memory access request that includes a given context index. A given context specifier that is cached locally is accessed by the segmentation unit using the context index to get a base address. The base address from the given context specifier is utilized by the segmentation unit to generate a virtual address for the memory access request. |
| US08352707B2 |
Implementing enhanced host to physical storage mapping using numerical compositions for persistent media
A method and a storage system are provided for implementing host logical address to physical memory address mapping for persistent storage media including flash memory. Numerical compositions at multiple levels of granularity are used to store the logical address to physical memory address mappings. A plurality of groupings, each grouping including a fixed number of blocks is encoded using recursive composition, eliminating the need to store separate lengths. |
| US08352705B2 |
Large-page optimization in virtual memory paging systems
A computer system that is programmed with virtual memory accesses to physical memory employs multi-bit counters associated with its page table entries. When a page walker visits a page table entry, the multi-bit counter associated with that page table entry is incremented by one. The computer operating system uses the counts in the multi-bit counters of different page table entries to determine where large pages can be deployed effectively. In a virtualized computer system having a nested paging system, multi-bit counters associated with both its primary page table entries and its nested page table entries are used. These multi-bit counters are incremented during nested page walks. Subsequently, the guest operating systems and the virtual machine monitors use the counts in the appropriate multi-bit counters to determine where large pages can be deployed effectively. |
| US08352700B2 |
Memory management program and apparatus
A memory management apparatus includes: a memory space including a memory area serving as a heap area and a non-heap-area memory area; and memory management unit which add a header for an object to a memory area other than heap-area to treat the non-heap-area memory area as a mock object in order to treat a plurality of heap areas divided by the non-heap-area memory area as a single continuous heap area. |
| US08352697B2 |
Method of managing files for optimal performance
A method of storing a file in a memory. An explicit command is issued to a file system to store the file in accordance with a desired performance characteristic of the file such as enhanced write performance, enhanced read performance or enhanced latency performance. The file system stores the file in the memory in accordance with the desired performance characteristic. Preferably the desired performance characteristic is achieved by storing the file in a physically contiguous portion of the memory or in a logically contiguous portion of the memory. After the explicit command has been issued for each of a plurality of files, the files may be stored concurrently. |
| US08352696B2 |
Integrated circuit with bi-modal data strobe
A memory device that has two operating modes. In the first mode the data strobe is source synchronous and is driven by the memory device when data is being transmitted. In the second mode the data strobe is not driven by the memory device. In this mode the data strobe signal is used as a free running clock to sample write data. The capture of read data by the controller is timed by a controller with a calibrated internal timing reference from the system clock. |
| US08352695B2 |
Selectable access rates in a memory and memory communication system
A memory system includes a selection element for selecting a selectable access rate from a plurality of access rates and a memory element for providing or for accepting data at the selectable access rate. |
| US08352694B2 |
Method of controlling memory access
Provided is a method of controlling memory access. In a system including a first layer element executed in a privileged mode having a first priority of permission to access the entire region of a memory and second and third layer elements executed in an unprivileged mode having a second priority of permission to access a partial region of the memory, the method of controlling memory access determines whether the memory is accessible for each page that is an address space unit, based on which mode a layer element currently accessing the memory is executed in between the privileged mode and the unprivileged mode; and determines whether the memory is accessible based on which one of the first, second and third layer elements corresponds to a domain currently being attempted to be accessed from among a plurality of domains of the memory. Accordingly, a memory domain allocated to a guest operating system kernel is effectively protected from an application executed in the unprivileged mode in which the guest operating system kernel is executed. |
| US08352692B1 |
Utilizing peer-to-peer services with single instance storage techniques
A system and method for storing data in a peer-to-peer network. A computer system includes interconnected hosts configured to store data segments. A first host stores a first subset of the data segments received from other hosts. The first host maintains a portion of a distributed hash table corresponding to the first subset of data segments and de-duplicates the first subset of the data segments against the remaining data segments. The distributed hash table comprises entries corresponding to the data segments, each entry including a data segment fingerprint that unambiguously identifies the corresponding data segment. The first host selects and joins a group of hosts that maintains the distributed hash table. The first host conveys data to the selected group indicating its availability to own additional entries in the distributed hash table. |
| US08352691B2 |
Facilitation of simultaneous storage initialization and data destage
Various embodiments for storage initialization and data destage in a computing storage environment are provided. At least a portion of data on a storage device is initialized using a background process, while one of simultaneously and subsequently destaging the at least the portion of the data to the storage device using a foreground process is performed. A persistent metadata bitmap, adapted to indicate whether the at least the portion of the data has been initialized, is staged to cache, the cache operable in the computing storage environment. The background process maintains a volatile bitmap indicating a status of the initialization of the at least the portion of the data in direct correspondence to the metadata bitmap. As the background process initializes the at least the portion of the data, an applicable bit on the persistent metadata bitmap is cleared and a corresponding bit is set on the volatile bitmap. |
| US08352687B2 |
Performance optimization and dynamic resource reservation for guaranteed coherency updates in a multi-level cache hierarchy
A cache includes a cache pipeline, a request receiver configured to receive off chip coherency requests from an off chip cache and a plurality of state machines coupled to the request receiver. The cache also includes an arbiter coupled between the plurality of state machines and the cache pipe line and is configured to give priority to off chip coherency requests as well as a counter configured to count the number of coherency requests sent from the cache pipeline to a lower level cache. The cache pipeline is halted from sending coherency requests when the counter exceeds a predetermined limit. |
| US08352686B2 |
Method and system for data prefetching for loops based on linear induction expressions
An efficient and effective compiler data prefetching technique is disclosed in which memory accesses may be prefetched are represented in linear induction expressions. Furthermore, indirect memory accesses indexed by other memory accesses of linear induction expressions in scalar loops may be prefetched. |
| US08352682B2 |
Methods and apparatus for issuing memory barrier commands in a weakly ordered storage system
Efficient techniques are described for enforcing order of memory accesses. A memory access request is received from a device which is not configured to generate memory barrier commands. A surrogate barrier is generated in response to the memory access request. A memory access request may be a read request. In the case of a memory write request, the surrogate barrier is generated before the write request is processed. The surrogate barrier may also be generated in response to a memory read request conditional on a preceding write request to the same address as the read request. Coherency is enforced within a hierarchical memory system as if a memory barrier command was received from the device which does not produce memory barrier commands. |
| US08352681B2 |
Storage system and a control method for accelerating the speed of copy processing
Proposed are a highly reliable storage system and its control method capable of accelerating the processing speed of the copy processing seen from the host device.With the storage system and its control method which stores a command issued from a host device in a command queue and executes the command stored in the command queue in the order that the command was stored in command queue, a copy queue is set for temporarily retaining a copy command among the commands issued from the host device in the memory, the copy command among the commands is moved from the host device stored in the command queue to the copy queue and an execution completion reply of copy processing according to the command is sent to the host device as a sender of the command, and the copy command that was moved to the copy queue is executed in the background in the order that the copy command was stored in the copy queue. |
| US08352678B2 |
Storage controller
Provided is a storage controller that will not impair the operation of a storage control system even when a new storage area is added to a pool corresponding to an AOU volume. This storage controller includes a logical volume accessible by a host system; a pool associated with the logical volume and including one or more physical storage areas configuring a storage area of the logical volume; and a memory for storing attribute information showing an attribute of a physical storage area included in the pool; wherein the controller is configured to add a new physical storage area to the pool based on the attribute information. |
| US08352676B2 |
Apparatus and method to store a plurality of data having a common pattern and guarantee codes associated therewith in a single page
Data capacity efficiency is improved by de-duplicating data assigned with a code that is different for each data.A storage apparatus comprising a flash memory control device equipped with one or more flash memory modules, wherein the flash memory module comprises at least one flash memory chip for providing a storage area, and a controller for controlling writing/reading of data including user data and a guarantee code accompanying the user data to and from the storage area provided by the flash memory chip, wherein the controller respectively divides a plurality of the data having the common user data into the user data and the guarantee code, stores one of the user data in an area of a predetermined unit of the storage area, and links and stores each of the guarantee codes accompanying the plurality of user data in an area of a predetermined unit of the storage area. |
| US08352672B2 |
Memory system with nonvolatile memory
A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory having a plurality of data blocks each of which is a unit of data erase and has a plurality of pages, each of the pages being a unit of data write, and a controller which checks whether or not the nonvolatile memory has been affected by power interruption at power-on time and, if the nonvolatile memory has been affected by power interruption, writes data to that first page in a first data block which has not been affected by power interruption. |
| US08352671B2 |
Partial allocate paging mechanism using a controller and a buffer
A memory system is provided. The system includes a controller that regulates read and write access to one or more FLASH memory devices that are employed for random access memory applications. A buffer component operates in conjunction with the controller to regulate read and write access to the one or more FLASH devices. Wear leveling components along with read and write processing components are provided to facilitate efficient operations of the FLASH memory devices. |
| US08352667B2 |
I/O connection system and I/O connection method
Upstream network interfaces (2-1-2-N) and downstream network interfaces (5-1-5-M) have an upstream PCI-PCI bridge function and a downstream PCI-PCI bridge function, respectively. These network interfaces (2-1-2-N, 5-1-5-M) and a network (3) are incorporated in a system as a single multi-root PCI express switch. The network (3) tunnels TLPs (Transaction Layer Packets) between the upstream network interfaces (2-1-2-N) and the downstream network interfaces (5-1-5-M) or between the downstream network interfaces (5-1-5-M). This enables to distribute and connect a plurality of computers and a plurality of I/Os on a large scale without changing software, root complexes, and I/Os. |
| US08352665B2 |
Computer system and bus assignment method
To make it possible to take over an IO configuration that is assigned to logical partitions in reallocation of the logical partitions, and to make an IO access work normally. A computer system has a server having an IO bridge, a switch that has a first IO bridge for connecting with the IO bridge of the server through a bus and plural second IO bridges for connecting to plural IO devices through a bus, and bus number assignment management means for fixedly assigning mutually different PCI bus numbers to the plural second IO bridges. |
| US08352656B2 |
Handling atomic operations for a non-coherent device
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a non-coherent atomic request from a device coupled to an agent via a non-coherent link, accessing a mapping table of the agent to convert the non-coherent atomic request into a coherent atomic request, and transmitting the coherent atomic request via a coherent link to a second agent coupled to the agent to cause the second agent to be a completer of the non-coherent atomic request. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08352653B2 |
Storage virtualization subsystem and system with host-side redundancy via SAS connectivity
This invention discloses a storage visualization subsystem and system with host-side redundancy via SAS connectivity. The I/O interconnect interface between the storage visualization controller and the host is a serial-attached SCSI (SAS) interface. At least one SAS expander is inserted on the I/O interconnect path of the host side to provide the function of device expansion. Or, a built-in virtual SAS expander is disposed inside the storage virtualization controller to provide multiple virtual IDs for each SAS port. When one controller in the storage virtualization controller pair malfunctions or fails, the invention provides solutions in accord with different embodiments so that the surviving controller can inherit the ID of the failed one. Thus, the host can keep functioning normally as it is not aware of any change in the device status. |
| US08352650B2 |
Electronic apparatus and cooling method thereof
An electronic apparatus includes a first unit having a first power switch for turning on/off a data processing part, a hard disk drive device, a power supply part and the electronic apparatus, a second unit that is separated from the first unit, is supplied with the power from the power supply part in the first unit, and has a drive device of a detachable recording media and a second power switch having the same function as that of the first power switch, and a cable for communicating data between the first unit and the second unit and supplying power from the power supply part of the first unit to the second unit. |
| US08352648B1 |
Credit-based flow control
An embodiment of a method for credit-based flow control is disclosed. For this embodiment of the method, a first transaction layer packet from a sending device is loaded into a receiver buffer of a receiving device. A second transaction layer packet is loaded into the receiver buffer, where the second transaction layer packet is of a different packet type than the first transaction layer packet. The first transaction layer packet is unloaded from the receiver buffer without return of a credit for the unloading of the first transaction layer packet from the receiver buffer. The first transaction layer packet is loaded into a side buffer, and the credit for the first transaction layer packet is sent to the sending device responsive to unloading or anticipated unloading of the first transaction layer packet from the side buffer. |
| US08352647B2 |
Method and system for controlling information accessibility based on user location
An information processing apparatus includes a user position information obtaining unit and an input availability control unit. The user position information obtaining unit obtains user position information corresponding to a position of a user. The input/output availability control unit control an availability of information between an input/output unit and a storage unit disposed at a position away from the user based on the obtained user position information, input/output unit being configured to receive information from the storage unit or being configured to output information to the storage unit. |
| US08352643B2 |
Haptically enhanced interactivity with interactive content
Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. |
| US08352642B2 |
Method and apparatus of controlling an operational status of an electronic device
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of controlling an operational status of an electronic device which receives data through a HDMI port. The present invention determines whether to wake up the electronic device from the power saving mode according to counting numbers generated based on the transitions of signals within a time period. |
| US08352640B2 |
Methods of operating electronic devices having USB interfaces capable of supporting multiple USB interface standards
An electronic device includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface therein. This USB interface is configured to support at least first and second different USB interface standards. These different interface standards are selected by the electronic device in response to comparing a voltage level of a signal provided to said USB interface relative to a reference voltage generated within the electronic device. The signal provided to the USB may be a power supply signal, the first USB standard may be a USB 2.0 interface standard and the second USB standard may be an inter-chip USB interface standard. |
| US08352632B2 |
Systems and methods for discovering network topology
A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port. |
| US08352629B2 |
Media stream capture, modification, and forwarding
A transmission delay system, an improvement to a transmission delay system, and a method of delaying a transmission for removing undesired content from an input media stream; for excising, recording, storing, and logging, the undesired content; and for automatically providing message alerts through a network to at least one message alert recipient that an excision event has occurred. |
| US08352628B2 |
Method for transferring data from a source target to a destination target, and corresponding network interface
A method is for transferring data from a source target to a destination target in a network. The method includes sending at least one request packet for the destination target, with the request packet containing information relating to a first address where data are located and a second address where data are to be stored. Moreover, at least one transaction request is sent to the source target, with the read request being elaborated from information contained in the request packet. The source target transfers the data located at the first address to the second address. |
| US08352626B1 |
Program selection from within a plurality of active videos
A video streamer aggregates multiple videos into a single video stream for delivery to a client to be displayed. The multiple videos are active to allow motion of the multiple videos to be shown. The multiple videos are part of an electronic program guide. Additional information related to one or more of the videos may be obtained and displayed by the client. One of the videos may be selected to be enlarged and/or have audio from that video played. |
| US08352623B2 |
System for energy efficient computer management environment via tightly integrated target status and directed work sessions
A method and system for providing an energy efficient computer management environment via tightly integrated target status and directed work sessions. The illustrative embodiments query, by a lightweight communication means, an availability status of a target computer device using a status thread. The status of the target computer device is recorded in a memory of a central computer according to response from the server thread. Responsive to an absence of a response by the target computer, the illustrative embodiments query, by a heavyweight communication means, the status of the target computer device using the status thread. |
| US08352622B2 |
Printer, printer system, and firmware rewriting method
Firmware stored in a printer such as an inkjet printer can be rewritten by executing a firmware rewriting process which is not dependent upon the internal processing status of the printer. A printer 1 for executing a printing process based on print data sent from a host computer has a rewriting unit 38 for executing a firmware rewriting process, a print unit 37 for executing processes other than the firmware rewriting process, a rewrite command interpreting unit 32 for detecting a rewrite command that precedes the transmission of rewrite data required for the firmware rewriting process, and a control unit 36 for executing the firmware rewriting process with a priority over all other processes when a rewrite command is detected. |
| US08352620B2 |
Displaying a network topology map with a reduced number of objects
Displaying a network topology map may include creating a database representing objects in a network; requesting a topology map of a certain type to represent at least a portion of the network; determining from the database a set of objects corresponding to the type of the requested map; determining parameters associated with the map type; and, while the cardinality of the set is above a threshold: presenting at least one of the parameters on a display, enabling a user to specify a value or group of values for the parameter, and reducing the cardinality of the set by removing objects not matching the value or group of values specified for the parameter. |
| US08352619B2 |
Method and system for data processing
A computer-implemented method for protecting data being transferred during a session with an application is presented. In response to receiving a session request that includes an application identifier for an application, a data processing node establishes a session with the application and assigns a session identifier for that session. A session response, which includes the session identifier, to the session request is sent. In response to receiving a first request that includes the session identifier, a first pipe in the session is established. This first pipe enables data related to the first request to be isolated according to an assigned first pipe identifier for the first pipe. A first response to the first request is sent, wherein the first response comprises the session identifier and the first pipe identifier. |
| US08352613B2 |
Content management
A system and method for management and processing of resource requests is provided. A content delivery network service provider determines a class associated with a set of client computing devices and monitors resources requests for the determined class. The content delivery network service provider then identifies at least one cache component for providing additional content, such as advertisement content or other additional content provided in anticipation of future resource requests, to client computing devices as a function of the determined class. In other embodiments, instead of cache components, the content delivery network service provider identifies a second set of client computing devices as a function of the determined class for providing the additional content information. |
| US08352610B2 |
Matching interest and availability of services in distributed federated service domains
Systems, methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed for tracking, propagation and matching of messages pertaining to the interest in and availability of services across autonomous service domains. In one embodiment of the invention, a system of distributed, federated service domains in a service-oriented environment is provided wherein each service domain comprises: a plurality of locally provided services; a plurality of service requesters; and a service registry comprising descriptions of: one or more locally provided services; and one or more requested services, each of the requested services being one of: a fulfilled reference to a foreign service; and an unfulfilled reference to a foreign service. |
| US08352609B2 |
Dynamically modifying program execution capacity
Techniques are described for managing program execution capacity, such as for a group of computing nodes that are provided for executing one or more programs for a user. In some situations, dynamic program execution capacity modifications for a computing node group that is in use may be performed periodically or otherwise in a recurrent manner, such as to aggregate multiple modifications that are requested or otherwise determined to be made during a period of time, and with the aggregation of multiple determined modifications being able to be performed in various manners. Modifications may be requested or otherwise determined in various manners, including based on dynamic instructions specified by the user, and on satisfaction of triggers that are previously defined by the user. In some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with a fee-based program execution service that executes multiple programs on behalf of multiple users of the service. |
| US08352605B2 |
Systems and methods for providing dynamic ad hoc proxy-cache hierarchies
Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices. |
| US08352603B2 |
Limiting resources consumed by rejected subscriber end stations
A method performed in a network element coupled between a subscriber end station and an AAA server for avoiding AAA processing by at least temporarily suppressing AAA access-request messages for a rejected subscriber end station. The network element receives subscriber session-request messages from the subscriber end station. Subscriber session-request messages include information for verifying an identity that the network element transmits to the AAA server as AAA access-request messages. The network element receives AAA access-response messages corresponding to the AAA access-request messages. Responsive to an AAA access-response message, the network element determines that additional AAA access-request messages should be, at least temporarily, suppressed with regards to the subscriber end station. Responsive to determining, the network element suppresses any additional AAA access-request messages from being transmitted to the AAA server. The suppression of AAA access-request messages conserves execution resources in the network element and the AAA server. |
| US08352599B1 |
Method and computer program for managing client task information with multiple users
A method and computer program for managing client task information across a network with multiple users. The method and computer program is designed to be flexible by providing a standard set of tools for account managers while allowing customization of those tools. The method and computer program includes creating one or more classes associated to a client, creating one or more programs associated to a client's promotion, setting lists of tasks to be completed for a promotion, alerting users when a task is not completed by a given time, creating and storing template documents for a promotion, creating directories of file storage units, uploading electronic documents to the file storage units; inputting contact information into a class or program; providing levels of access to the client task information based on the user. |
| US08352595B2 |
Operation management system, management apparatus, management method and management program
A management apparatus has a control unit for realizing a management function through a comprehensive process of characteristic information of a storage apparatus, a connecting apparatus and a computer. The management apparatus also has an interface for receiving characteristic information from the storage apparatus, connecting apparatus and computer, depending on the standard protocol among the management apparatus, storage apparatus, connecting apparatus and computer. Moreover, an integrated management apparatus is also provided for integrated management based on the result of realization of a plurality of management functions. This integrated management apparatus includes an interface for receiving the result of realization of the management function from the management apparatus, depending on the standard protocol between the management apparatus and integrated management apparatus. |
| US08352593B2 |
System and method for providing autonomic management of a networked system for using an action-centric approach
According to the present invention, there is provided a SAN management system to provide autonomic management of a storage system using an action-centric approach. The SAN management system includes a policy specification logic block to maintain a policy specification associated with the managed system. In addition, the SAN management system includes a reasoning logic block to provide for the determining of action rules using a combination of logic and information obtained from the policy specification. Also, the SAN management system includes a learning logic block to couple the policy specification logic block with the reasoning logic block to improve an understanding of a managed system. The learning is continuous and provides for autonomic evolvement of the system in which reliance on manual input from a user is lessened. |
| US08352587B2 |
Parameterized recursive network architecture with topological addressing
A digital data communications network that supports efficient, scalable routing of data and use of network resources by combining a recursive division of the network into hierarchical sub-networks with repeating parameterized general purpose link communication protocols and an addressing methodology that reflects the physical structure of the underlying network hardware. The sub-division of the network enhances security by reducing the amount of the network visible to an attack and by insulating the network hardware itself from attack. The fixed bandwidth range at each sub-network level allows quality of service to be assured and controlled. The routing of data is aided by a topological addressing scheme that allows data packets to be forwarded towards their destination based on only local knowledge of the network structure, with automatic support for mobility and multicasting. The repeating structures in the network greatly simplify network management and reduce the effort to engineer new network capabilities. |
| US08352583B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing bookmark information for content stored in a networked media server
A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item. |
| US08352579B2 |
Gateway server system comprising a gateway server for making SOAP/XML-based web services accessible to RPC clients
Certain example embodiments concern a gateway server system including a gateway server for making at least one SOAP and/or XML-based web service accessible to at least one RPC client using at least one mapping file. The at least one mapping file includes definitions for translating at least one first RPC request message from the at least one RPC client to at least one web service call. The gateway server includes a configuration interface to receive and store the at least one mapping file. The gateway server is configured to create at least one first sub-program for processing the at least one first RPC request message in accordance with the at least one mapping file. The configuration interface is further configured to receive at least one updated mapping file and overwrite the corresponding at least one stored original mapping file, without affecting the processing of the at least one first subprogram. |
| US08352578B2 |
Data-transmitting method for wireless sensor network
A data-transmitting method for wireless sensor network includes: constructing a wireless sensor network having a plurality of nodes for information sensing and a sink for quest raising and data collecting; clustering the nodes to form a plurality of groups, with one of the nodes in each group being identified as a kernel; identifying one of all the nodes as a summit dissemination node and the kernels in all the groups as first level dissemination nodes; and transmitting data between the quest-raising sink and one of the first level dissemination nodes or summit dissemination node to collect information sensed by a source that is one of the nodes. |
| US08352577B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating information on an embedded system
A target system is dynamically configured to boot from a network connection upon power-up. A portable data loader connected to the target system may receive communications from the target system that a connection has been established. In response, a copy of a target-specific software data loader (SWDL) application may be transmitted from the portable data loader to the target system. The copy of the SWDL application may be stored in volatile memory on the target system and may be executed to support at least one maintenance operation. A user may invoke a maintenance operation by entering a command into the portable data loader. By isolating the data loader application from the operational software stored on the target system, the disclosed methods and apparatus may allow for reduced development and software certification costs for implementing maintenance operations on an embedded system. |
| US08352572B2 |
Method and system for providing media content to a user
A Call Session Control Function (CSCF) unit may receive from a user a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, which may be transmitted via a communication terminal, identifying particular media content on a particular content server, and in response the CSCF unit may transmit a second message to a particular application server (SIP-AS) if the CSCF unit determines that the SIP message is associated with the application server. The application server may generate and transmit to the communication terminal accessing information that may be used by the user to retrieve, via the communication terminal, the media content from the content server. Submitting content requests in this manner may enable routing content requests through an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), thereby making use of filtering features of the IMS for user authentication and access control, and obviating need for separate proprietary access control mechanisms for the content server. |
| US08352568B2 |
System, apparatus, method and computer program product for configuring disparate workstations
A system, apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for configuring disparate workstations. In particular, an administrative utility is provided that may allow users to upload to a configuration server individual configuration files for applications executing on workstations associated with physiological devices. Once uploaded, a user may group the configuration files into configuration groups based, for example, on similarities in configurations utilized. Once a configuration group has been created, the user may assign one or more workstations to each configuration group. Upon startup of a workstation, an application executing on the workstation may automatically transmit a request to the configuration server to load the configurations for that workstation. In response, the configuration server may determine to which configuration group the workstation has been assigned, and then download the configuration files of that configuration group to the workstation. The downloaded configuration files may then control the behavior of the application. |
| US08352567B2 |
VCR webification
An apparatus, method and service model are disclosed which simplify conventional methods for schedule recordings of television programs and enable users to control recording equipment from any location via the Internet. Entities connected to computer networks such as the Internet and web-browser software can schedule recordings of television programs and/or operate the recording equipment. In an example scenario, a user who maintains recording equipment at home may utilize the present invention from his or her workplace or vacation place, accesses a service provider website using her/his user name and password, views the a schedule of television programs provided by a broadcaster or other distributor of programming and selects the television programs to be recorded. The application service provider in turn transmits the selected television program information to a computer connected to a later described remote control unit to execute and operate the recording of selected programs. In this manner, the present invention enables anyone with internet access to remotely operate recording equipment to record television programs. |
| US08352565B2 |
Method for viewing non-image attachments on a portable electronic device
A method for viewing an attachment of an email message on a portable electronic device in which the attachment has a renderable format. The method includes: requesting to view the attachment in an attachment viewer of the device, building a graph structure within an attachment server representing a map of the attachment, the graph structure including at least one renderable identifier corresponding to a page of the attachment, requesting rendering of the attachment, the rendering request sent from the attachment viewer to the attachment server and including the at least one renderable identifier, initializing a rendering library and storing rendering commands corresponding to command types of the graph structure in the rendering library, drawing the rendering commands in an off-screen bitmap which is saved as a JPEG file, sending the JPEG file to the portable electronic device and displaying the JPEG file in the attachment viewer. |
| US08352558B2 |
Transport high availability via acknowledge management
Architecture that facilitates transport high availability for messaging services by providing the ability of a receiving entity (e.g., receiving message transfer agent (MTA)) to detect if a sending entity (e.g., sending MTA or client) is a legacy sending entity. When the receiving entity detects that the sending entity is a legacy system, by advertising transport high availability capability to the sending entity, if the sending entity does not opt-in to this capability, the receiving entity keeps the sending entity client “on hold”, that is, waiting for an acknowledgement (ACK) until the receiving entity delivers the message to the next hops (immediate destinations). This approach maintains at least two copies of the message until the message is successfully delivered (to the next hop(s)). Hence, if the legacy sending entity or the receiving entity fails, the message is still delivered successfully. |
| US08352557B2 |
Message filtering system
A message filtering system is provided including a message management unit and a message monitoring unit in communication with the message management unit. The message management unit is configured to send and receive message over a network and to route messages to the message monitoring unit based on a message source, and the message monitoring unit is configured to parse the message and locate identifiers in the message and to re-route the message based on the identifier located in the message. |
| US08352554B2 |
System and method for sharing data
A method and computer program product for defining an activity. One or more members of the activity are defined. At least one piece of content is associated with the activity, thus defining at least one associated piece of content that is accessible by at least a portion of the members of the activity. Associating at least one piece of content with the activity includes determining if the at least one piece of content is from a private source. |
| US08352553B2 |
Electronic mail connector
Technologies are described herein for providing a bi-direction e-mail transport between a management (“CRM”) server computer and an e-mail server computer. An e-mail connector communicates with a CRM server computer to determine whether any e-mail messages are pending send at the CRM server computer. If any e-mail messages are pending send, the e-mail connector retrieves the e-mail messages from the CRM server computer. The e-mail connector then communicates with an e-mail server computer to send the retrieved e-mail messages to their intended recipients. The e-mail connector may also retrieve e-mail messages from the e-mail server computer and determine whether the e-mail messages are CRM related. If the e-mail messages are CRM related, the e-mail connector is operative to transmit the CRM-related e-mails to the CRM server. |
| US08352552B2 |
Selective sending of portions of electronic content
A user of a handheld communication device selects in a foreground process portions of an electronic document. In a background process a new document is prepared that comprises the selected portions. The user selects the address for forwarding the new document, and the new document gets sent in a background process. |
| US08352551B2 |
Methods and systems for providing an electronic account to a customer
An electronic account is provided to a customer to enable the customer to access electronic services, such as e-mail and electronic transactions. The electronic account links an electronic address of the customer to a physical address of the customer. Using the electronic account, electronic services can be provided to the customer at either the electronic or physical address, or both. The services can be both secure and non-secure and can be provided by any service provider, such as an online merchant, a government agency, or a bank. |
| US08352544B2 |
Composition of local media playback with remotely generated user interface
A media server in a home entertainment network coordinates with a media player connected with the network to provide a media presentation with a combined user interface (UI) on an attached display device. Media content is sourced locally on a networked media player. The media player extracts metadata related to the media content and transmits the metadata to the media server. The media server creates the UI to include components related to the media content rendered by the media player. The media server then transmits the UI to the media player for combination with the rendered media content for a composite output to a presentation device. The media server may further develop and transmit compositing instructions and additional media content to the media player for inclusion in the composite output. |
| US08352542B2 |
Method and system for providing an interactive application over a network
Described is a method of providing an interactive application over a network. Executable instructions to display foreground content and background content can be transmitted over a network to a client device. The client device can transmit data identifying a positional location of a user-selected element of the foreground content in the foreground display to a server. The server can determine a next state of the interactive application based on the current state of the interactive application and the positional location of the user-selected element. The server can transmit a next set of executable instructions causing the client device to manipulate one or more of the individual elements in the foreground display according to the next state of the interactive application. |
| US08352538B2 |
Transaction monitoring system
A system for exchanging transaction messages between different computer systems includes a data processor for monitoring transaction messages. The data processor has a transaction processor for assigning identifiers to both inbound transaction messages from source executable applications and outbound transaction messages for communication to destination executable applications, to individually identify transaction messages. The data processor has a repository of map information associating inbound and outbound transaction messages using the assigned identifiers and a user interface for providing data representing at least one display image and including data identifying an inbound or outbound transaction message and a corresponding outbound or inbound transaction message, in response to a user command. |
| US08352536B2 |
Interface between a production management system and an automation system
An interface makes it possible not only to link an automation system component in uniform fashion to a production management system but also to relieve the production management system. For this purpose a generic data server has a long-term data store integrated with the server, an integrated data analysis unit, and an integrated configuration means which is also usable for configuring the data analysis unit with respect to the analysis to be performed. The server relieves the production management system by performing preprocessing of data, and it simultaneously serves as a uniform interface between the production management system and the automation system component. |
| US08352533B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit in in a carry computation network having a logic blocks which are dynamically reconfigurable
There is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit including: a plurality of first logic blocks which are reconfigurable, the plurality of first logic blocks inputting data of a first bit width and performing computation; a first network connecting the plurality of first logic blocks in a dynamically reconfigurable manner; a plurality of second logic blocks inputting data of a second bit width different from the first bit width and performing computation; a second network connected to outputs of the plurality of second logic blocks; and a third network connecting a carry bit output of a computing unit included in the first logic block to an input of a computing unit included in the second logic block in a dynamically reconfigurable manner. |
| US08352532B1 |
Circuit structure for multiplying numbers using look-up tables and adders
A circuit structure efficiently multiplies a first and second number. The circuit structure includes multipliers for the pairs of three-bit digits of the first number and three-bit digits of the second number. The multipliers produce six-bit partial products from the pair of three-bit digits of the first and second numbers. Each multiplier includes look-up tables receiving the pair of three-bit digits of the first and second numbers. A summing-tree circuit includes adders arranged in a series of levels, the adders in an initial one of the levels producing partial sums from the six-bit partial products from the multipliers, and for each first and successive second ones of the levels in the series, the adders in the second level producing another plurality of partial sums from the partial sums from the first level. A last one of the levels includes the adder that produces a product of the first and second numbers. |
| US08352530B2 |
Residue calculation with built-in correction in a floating point unit positioned at different levels using correction values provided by multiplexer
A residue generator for calculation and correction of a residue value. The residue generator includes a residue-generation tree connected with an operand register at an input of the residue generator including a plurality of register-bits receiving and carrying bits of numerical data. The residue-generation tree includes a multiplexer connected with respective register-bits which carry unused bits, and selectively providing logical zeros or a correction value when provided, at the respective register-bits carrying the unused bits, a plurality of decoders, each decoder receiving the bits of numerical data from the respective registers-bits including the logical zeros or the correction value when provided and decoding the numerical data, and a plurality of residue condensers, receiving the decoded numerical data from the decoders including the logical zeros or the correction value when provided, and calculating the residue value and correcting while calculating the residue value using the correction value when provided by the multiplexer. |
| US08352527B1 |
Statistical method for filter convergence without accumulating residual error
Disclosed is a filter circuit, comprising a signal to be filtered, a difference circuit coupled to the signal to be filtered, a filter having an input coupled to the difference circuit, an integrator (or accumulator) having a first input coupled to an output of the filter circuit, and having a second input, and an accumulator coupled to an output of the integrator. A method of filtering is described also. |
| US08352521B2 |
File system managing method and recording medium
In a recording medium including stacked recording layers, management data requiring reliability is recorded in the recording layer far from the surface of the recording medium and data bodies are recorded in the recording layer close to the surface of the recording medium. Thus a data file can be read even if defects such as fingerprints and scratches occur on the surface of the recording medium. |
| US08352516B2 |
Multi-application object mapping tool
Methods and apparatuses enable a generic mapping tool accessible to multiple applications. One or more of the applications may invoke the mapping tool to map objects to each other with a defined relationship. The mapping occurs dynamically during the run-time of the application. The flexibility of the mapping tool enables the use of standard mapping mechanisms. |
| US08352515B2 |
Apparatus and method of data organisation
A method of organising data items in an n-dimensional space comprises, for each of a plurality of iterations, the step of generating a relative displacement of position for each data item within the n-dimensional space in accordance with a similarity value between each data item and respective other data items, the distance between each data item and respective other data items in the n-dimensional space, and the difference in position within the n-dimensional space between each data item and at least one reference point. |
| US08352499B2 |
Serving advertisements using user request information and user information
Ads are scored using, at least, user information and information associated with a user request, such as a search query or a document request. The scores may be used in determining whether to serve ads, how to serve ads, to order ads, to filter ads, etc. Items of user information, request-associated information, and/or ad information can be weighted based on previous uses of such information in the serving of ads and the performance of those served ads. |
| US08352498B2 |
Managing to-do lists in a schedule editor in a project management system
A project management system manages project schedule data using separate current and historical task schedule data structures. In general, current schedule data is stored separately from historical schedule data, so that the current schedule data may be retrieved separately from the historical task schedule data. The project management system may also maintain unscheduled tasks as “to-do lists.” Tasks may be added to a member's schedule without specifying any planned dates and the tasks are added to the database. The tasks have an associated revision number of 0 to indicate that the tasks were added, but not yet scheduled. The tasks are displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules. The tasks may then be displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules in a manner that allows a user to readily determine that the tasks are “to-do list” tasks. |
| US08352497B1 |
Page object caching for variably sized access control lists in data storage systems
Technologies are described herein for caching variably sized access control lists (ACLs) in a data storage system utilizing page object caching. A request to access a file is received. An inode number of the requested file is identified. A hash key based on the inode number and a predefined hash value is determined. A determination is made as to whether the hash key is contained in a hash list. In response to determining that the hash key is contained in the hash list, access to a page object in the memory is provided. The page object contains an access control list (ACL) associated with the requested file. The ACL is retrieved from the page object. |
| US08352489B1 |
Conditioning multi-class input data for a computer-implemented data classification system
Conditioned data is generated from multi-dimensional data populations. The multi-dimensional data populations include time-based media data, such as video data, or data associated with time-based media. The conditioned data is scaled such that dimensions of greater distinguishability are emphasized. To generate the conditioned data, a data conditioner receives populations of multi-dimensional data that have the same dimensions in the data. Data of a dimension is scaled based on a distinguishability factor calculated for the dimension. The distinguishability factor is calculated based on distributions in the dimension for the data populations. The data conditioning approach is scalable to any number of data populations and any number of data dimensions. |
| US08352484B1 |
Systems and methods for hashing executable files
A method for hashing executable files may include identifying an executable file comprising non-variable executable content that contributes to the functionality of the executable file and does not vary among instances of the executable file. The method may also include identifying, within the executable file, non-executable content that does not contribute to the functionality of the executable file. The method may further include creating a normalized executable file by normalizing at least a portion of the non-executable content of the executable file without normalizing the non-variable executable content of the executable file. The method may include calculating a hash value that represents the normalized executable file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed herein. |
| US08352483B1 |
Scalable tree-based search of content descriptors
Multiple paths of an index tree may be traversed to discover a set of content descriptors that are match candidates for a set of query descriptors. A size of the set of candidate content descriptors may be optimized, for example, to reduce false positive matching errors, query latencies and/or index tree traversal times, at least in part by determining a number of child nodes to traverse based at least in part on current traverse level and/or traverse neighborhood thresholds. Index trees for large content descriptor sets may be built in resource constrained environments with approximation and/or refining build techniques. |
| US08352482B2 |
System and method for replicating disk images in a cloud computing based virtual machine file system
A replicated decentralized storage system comprises a plurality of servers that locally store disk images for locally running virtual machines as well as disk images, for failover purposes, for remotely running virtual machines. To ensure that disk images stored for failover purposes are properly replicated upon an update of the disk image on the server running the virtual machine, a hash of a unique value known only to the server running the virtual machine is used to verify the origin of update operations that have been transmitted by the server to the other servers storing replications of the disk image for failover purposes. If verified, the update operations are added to such failover disk images. |
| US08352479B2 |
Systems,methods and computer products for content-derived metadata
Systems, methods and computer products for content-derived (generated) metadata. Exemplary embodiments include a metadata generation method, including receiving a media file, searching the media file for metadata associated with the media file, adding the metadata to a metadata file associated with the media file, searching the media file for media components and adding metadata entries that are associated with the media components to the metadata file. |
| US08352478B2 |
Master data framework
Systems and techniques for providing a master data framework. The framework receives user input and automatically generates, in accordance with the input, a persistent definition of a business object type. The input can be simple declarations and need not be provided in any particular programming language. Definitions generated by the framework adhere to a same data model, regardless of the business object type they are defining. The framework allows the user to create a definition of a business object type by associating two or more definitions of other business object types. The framework provides services that can be applied, without further customization, to any definition of business object types generated by the framework. These services, for example, can be used by a calling application to instantiate business objects or to change a state of a business object instance. |
| US08352477B2 |
User specific focus parameters
Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for accessing a document management application through a network, wherein one or more key terms and focus terms (selected from user-specific focus parameters) for selected search parameters are transmitted to the document management application for limiting a search to be performed by a search function of the document management application. |
| US08352476B2 |
Frequent itemset counting using clustered prefixes and index support
Techniques are provided for (2) extending SQL to support direct invocation of frequent itemset operations, (3) improving the performance of frequent itemset operations by clustering itemset combinations to more efficiently use previously produced results, and (4) making on-the-fly selection of the occurrence counting technique to use during each phase of a multiple phase frequent itemset operation. When directly invoked in an SQL statement, a frequent itemset operation may receive input from results of operations specified in the SQL statement, and provide its results directly to other operations specified in the SQL statement. By clustering itemset combinations, resources may be used more efficiently by retaining intermediate information as long as it is useful, and then discarding it to free up volatile memory. Dynamically selecting an occurrence counting technique allows a single frequent itemset operation to change the occurrence counting technique that it is using midstream, based on cost considerations and/or environmental conditions. |
| US08352475B2 |
Suggested content with attribute parameterization
A flexible and extensible architecture allows for secure searching across an enterprise. Such an architecture can provide a simple Internet-like search experience to users searching secure content inside (and outside) the enterprise. The architecture allows for the crawling and searching of a variety of sources across an enterprise, regardless of whether any of these sources conform to a conventional user role model. The architecture further allows for security attributes to be submitted at query time, for example, in order to provide real-time secure access to enterprise resources. The user query also can be transformed to provide for dynamic querying that provides for a more current result list than can be obtained for static queries. |
| US08352472B2 |
Systems and methods for using metadata to enhance data identification operations
Systems and methods for managing electronic data are disclosed. Various data management operations can be performed based on a metabase formed from metadata. Such metadata can be identified from an index of data interactions generated by a journaling module, and obtained from their associated data objects stored in one or more storage devices. In various embodiments, such processing of the index and storing of the metadata can facilitate, for example, enhanced data management operations, enhanced data identification operations, enhanced storage operations, data classification for organizing and storing the metadata, cataloging of metadata for the stored metadata, and/or user interfaces for managing data. In various embodiments, the metabase can be configured in different ways. For example, the metabase can be stored separately from the data objects so as to allow obtaining of information about the data objects without accessing the data objects or a data structure used by a file system. |
| US08352467B1 |
Search result ranking based on trust
A search engine system provides search results that are ranked according to a measure of the trust associated with entities that have provided labels for the documents in the search results. A search engine receives a query and selects documents relevant to the query. The search engine also determines labels associated with selected documents, and the trust ranks of the entities that provided the labels. The trust ranks are used to determine trust factors for the respective documents. The trust factors are used to adjust information retrieval scores of the documents. The search results are then ranked based on the adjusted information retrieval scores. |
| US08352466B2 |
System and method of geo-based prediction in search result selection
A system and method is disclosed for determining a prediction measurement, or measure, using geo-spatial information which can be used to determine whether or not to include type of information in search results. The prediction measurement comprises a measure of the likelihood that an item of the type of information for which the prediction measure is determined will be selected, or clicked on, by a user, if the item of the type of information is included in the search result. Without limitation, one such information type is news. |
| US08352465B1 |
Grouping of image search results
This specification relates to presenting image search results. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving an image query, the image query being a query for image search results; receiving ranked image search results responsive to the image query, the image search results each including an identification of a corresponding image resource; generating a similarity matrix for images identified by the image search results; generating a hierarchical grouping of the images using the similarity matrix; identifying a canonical image for each group in the hierarchical grouping using a ranking measure; and presenting a visual representation of the image search results based on the hierarchical grouping and the identified canonical images. |
| US08352463B2 |
Integrated full text search system and method
The present invention relates to an integrated full-text search architecture that integrates full text search with database server applications in a tight manner so that it becomes part of the server in all aspects including storage, metadata, query processing, back/up restore and resource management. This provides improved performance with respect to queries as well as improved manageability. Furthermore, the subject architecture is open and schema directed unlike other conventional full-text search architectures. Accordingly, the full-text search architecture enables expert users (e.g., search providers) to define their own index structures as well as ranking algorithms. |
| US08352462B2 |
Method and system for determining relevant sources, querying and merging results from multiple content sources
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for processing a query may include receiving a query from a user device; categorizing the query to identify one or more content sources; formatting the query according to one or more content source specifics for the one or more content sources; transmitting the formatted query for the one or more content sources to the one or more content sources; merging results in response to the formatted query from the one or more content sources based at least in part on one or more factors; and formatting the results for delivering to the user device. |
| US08352461B2 |
Table elimination optimizations
Methods for transforming a query to remove redundant tables and eliminate superfluous join operations is provided. The methods provided transform queries to remove redundant tables and anti-joins, semi-joins, and outer-joins. Whether a table is redundant is determined based on a set of criteria which, if fulfilled, indicates that the removal of the table and the anti-join, semi-join, or outer-join operation does not impact query results. The removal of a redundant table from a query also results in the elimination of the anti-join, semi-join, or outer-join operation that references the removed table. |
| US08352457B2 |
Dynamically generating an XQuery
Dynamically generating an XQuery for an XML database storing a plurality of non-XML documents, each non-XML document having a corresponding shadow XML document in the XML database. The method may include providing a plurality of static units of XQuery code, the static units being predefined in accordance with the non-XML documents. The method may further include combining the one or more static units with dynamic input from a user to generate the XQuery. |
| US08352456B2 |
Producer/consumer optimization
Systems and methods facilitate efficient data processing in a computer environment. Data producers and consumers are considered in aggregate rather than in isolation. In one instance, interaction between data producers and consumers is improved by integrating producers and consumers. Optimization can subsequently be performed over the combination to produce synergistic results. |
| US08352455B2 |
Processing a content item with regard to an event and a location
The invention described herein can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computer program; a product embodied on a computer readable storage medium, e.g., RAM, ROM, and other hardware storage devices; and/or a processor, such as a processor configured to execute instructions stored on and/or provided by a memory coupled to the processor. In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention. Unless stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or a memory described as being configured to perform a task may be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or a specific component that is manufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term ‘processor’ refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions. |
| US08352454B2 |
System and method for performing data searches using multiple data search providers
A system and method are provided for performing data searches in response to a user request. The system has an application server that is configured to receive user requests, to send search requests based on the user requests, and to communicate with a plurality of search provider systems. The search provider systems each have searchable data and are configured to receive the search requests from the application server and generate search results in response to the search request. A rules manager resides on the application server and is configured to identify a set of search provider systems to send the search request to based on the user request. The method includes the steps of: receiving a user request; determining a set of search providers based on the user request; sending a search request to the set of search providers; receiving search results from at least one of the search providers; merging the search results received from the set of search providers; and sending the merged search results to the user. |
| US08352451B2 |
Methods and apparatus to classify text communications
Methods and apparatus to classify text communications are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first conditional probability of a first feature occurring in a text given that the text belongs to a classification mode, wherein the first feature is included in the text, determining a second conditional probability of a second feature occurring in a text given that the text belongs to the classification mode, wherein the second feature is included in the text, determining a probability of the classification mode occurring, multiplying the first conditional probability, the second conditional probability and the probability of the classification mode to determine a product, and storing the product in a tangible memory as a score that the message belongs to the first classification mode. |
| US08352449B1 |
Reader device content indexing
A reader device and method for operating a reader device include content indexing features designed to make the use of a reader device more satisfying. A plurality of indexes is stored on a reader device. One of the indexes stored in the reader device is also stored at a remote site. Several indexes stored at the remote site may be substantially similar to one or more of the indexes stored on a reader device. The indexes stored at the remote site may be used to update one or more indexes stored on a reader device. In one implementation, the reader device is an electronic book (“eBook”) reader device. |
| US08352446B2 |
Method for objectclass versioning
Techniques for objectclass versioning in directory server schema are provided. The techniques include migrating from one version of a directory server to another version of the directory server, maintaining one or more versions of an objectclass while migrating from one version of a directory server to another version of the directory server, and selecting one of the one or more versions of an objectclass for normal functioning of an application. |
| US08352434B2 |
Performing scheduled backups of a backup node associated with a plurality of agent nodes
Provided are a system and article of manufacture for performing scheduled backups of a backup node associated with a plurality of agent nodes. Backup data sets on at least one machine in a network are associated with a backup node and a plurality of agent nodes in the network are associated with the backup node. The agent nodes are associated with machines in the network capable of backing up the backup data sets associated with the backup node. A schedule indicating a scheduled backup to backup scheduled data sets associated with the backup node is processed. At least one of the agent nodes is contacted to request the at least one agent node to perform the scheduled backup and backup the scheduled data sets, wherein the at least one contacted agent node performs the scheduled backup to backup the scheduled backup sets. |
| US08352433B2 |
Modular backup and retrieval system used in conjunction with a storage area network
A modular computer storage system and method is provided for managing and directing data archiving functions, which is scalable and comprehends various storage media as well as diverse operating systems on a plurality of client devices. A client component is associated with one or more client devices for generating archival request. A file processor directs one or more storage devices, through one or more media components, which control the actual physical level backup on various storage devices. Each media component creates a library indexing system for locating stored data. A management component coordinates the archival functions between the various client components and the file processor, including setting scheduling policies, aging policies, index pruning policies, drive cleaning policies, configuration information, and keeping track of running and waiting jobs. |
| US08352428B2 |
Network file update mechanism with integrity assurance
An approach is provided that receives a file request and maintains a set of file versions of the requested file on a network-accessible storage media. The file versions are retrieved from the network accessible storage media along with expected hash values corresponding to each of the file versions. The retrieved file versions are stored in a second nonvolatile storage media, such as a local nonvolatile storage. File versions are selected from newest to oldest. When a file version is selected, a hash value is computed for the file and this hash value is compared to the expected hash value that corresponds to the selected file version. The first (newest) file version with a hash value that matches the expected hash value is selected and returned to the requestor. |
| US08352424B2 |
System and method for managing replicas of objects in a distributed storage system
A system and method for generating replication requests for objects in a distributed storage system is provided. Replication requests for objects in a distributed storage system are generated based at least in part on replication policies for the objects and a current state of the distributed storage system, wherein a respective replication request for a respective object instructs a respective instance of the distributed storage system to replicate the respective object so as to at least partially satisfy a replication policy for the respective object, wherein a respective replication policy includes criteria specifying at least storage device types on which replicas of object are to be stored. At least a subset of the replication requests is then distributed to the respective instances of the distributed storage system for execution. |
| US08352422B2 |
Data restore systems and methods in a replication environment
Stubbing systems and methods are provided for intelligent data management in a replication environment, such as by reducing the space occupied by replication data on a destination system. In certain examples, stub files or like objects replace migrated, de-duplicated or otherwise copied data that has been moved from the destination system to secondary storage. Access is further provided to the replication data in a manner that is transparent to the user and/or without substantially impacting the base replication process. In order to distinguish stub files representing migrated replication data from replicated stub files, priority tags or like identifiers can be used. Thus, when accessing a stub file on the destination system, such as to modify replication data or perform a restore process, the tagged stub files can be used to recall archived data prior to performing the requested operation so that an accurate copy of the source data is generated. |
| US08352421B2 |
Recording distributed transactions using probabalistic data structures
A coordinator manages a two-phase commit distributed transaction. The coordinator uses a probabilistic data structure to record whether the two-phase commit distributed transaction was successfully completed. A participant of the two-phase commit distributed transaction is directed to commit to the transaction or to roll back the transaction based on contents of the probabilistic data structure. |
| US08352416B2 |
Diagnostic report search supporting apparatus and diagnostic report searching apparatus
According to embodiments, a diagnostic report search supporting apparatus and a diagnostic report searching apparatus each have a report registering part, a structuring processing part, a related-term analyzing part, a counting part, and a keyword extracting part. The structuring processing part extracts terms from a sentence written in a diagnostic report, and classifies the terms into predetermined kinds. The related-term analyzing part generates combinations each composed of two or more terms based on the plurality of terms having been extracted. The counting part counts the existence number of same combinations in the plurality of combinations, and extracts combinations whose existence numbers are a predetermined number or more. The keyword extracting part extracts a combination including a desired keyword, and extracts a term other than the desired keyword as a related keyword. |
| US08352412B2 |
System for monitoring global online opinions via semantic extraction
A system for transforming domain specific unstructured data into structured data including an intake platform controlled by feed back from a control platform. The intake platform includes an intake acquisition module for acquiring data building baseline data related to a domain and problem of interest, an intake pre-processing module, an intake language module, an intake application descriptors module, and an intake adjudication module. The control platform includes a control data acquisition module, a control data consistency collator, a control auditor, a control event definition and policy repository, an error resolver, and an output that outputs results of the workflow into structured data enabled to be used in data analytics. |
| US08352411B2 |
Activity schemes for support of knowledge-intensive tasks
An activity scheme designer may associate an activity scheme with a task of a process model that includes a plurality of tasks, the activity scheme including a directed graph of nodes in which the nodes represent knowledge actions to be performed at least partially by human users, and in which edges of the directed graph connecting the nodes are probabilistically weighted. A workflow engine may instantiate the process model for execution, including associating an instance of the task with a user of the human users, the task instance including instance-specific data associated with completing the execution. An activity scheme transformer may transform the activity scheme for the user, based on the instance-specific data, a context of the user including applications and information resources available to the user, and a personal profile of the user. |
| US08352402B2 |
Multiple entry point network for stream support in a rule engine
Some embodiments of a multiple entry point network for stream support in an exemplary rule engine have been presented. In one embodiment, a stream of events is asserted into a working memory of a rule engine, which supports event processing. The rule engine, running on a server, processes the stream of events against a set of rules retrieved from a rule repository of the rule engine. To process the events, the rule engine may construct a network having multiple root nodes, each being an entry point into the network, through which the events may enter the network and propagate through the network. |
| US08352401B2 |
Incorporating representational authenticity into virtual world interactions
A system that incorporates representational authenticity into virtual world interactions can include user representational authenticity data and a virtual world computing system. The user representational authenticity data can be used to describe the physical characteristics of a human user. The physical characteristics can be quantified utilizing standardized measurement techniques. The virtual world computing system can be configured to adjudicate the conduction of interactions performed by a virtual representation of the human user within the virtual world environment utilizing the user representational authenticity data. |
| US08352400B2 |
Adaptive pattern recognition based controller apparatus and method and human-factored interface therefore
A system and method of predicting items likely to appeal to a user, based on data received from a remote site. One or more local systems are provided, along with a remote system, said local systems communicating with said remote system over a network connection. Each local system maintains a set of characterized items. A local processor predicts an appeal of an item to a user based on the comparison with the set of characterized items with, e.g., user preferences. The user may interact through graphical user interface. At least one user-preference predictive algorithm may be employed to present items predicted to appeal to the user. |
| US08352398B2 |
Time-based conflict resolution
A conflict resolution mechanism collects statistical data regarding how much time certain common actions or waits take. For example, the mechanism may collect statistics on disk I/O for each disk device. Statistics may include the average access time, for example. Such statistics may be collected over a sliding window of time. With the statistical data that the mechanism collects, the mechanism can make a more intelligent judgment regarding whether a process is in a “hanging” condition. For example, if the average I/O to a disk is 10 seconds for the past hour, and if a process is doing disk I/O to that disk for 5 seconds, then the mechanism will not yet determine that the process is hanging. In order to determine whether the process is hanging, the mechanism looks at the average time and the longest time for the particular actions that the process is performing. |
| US08352397B2 |
Dependency graph in data-driven model
The inference of a dependency graph that represents a graph of solves that leads from input model parameter(s) to output model parameters using analytics. In one embodiment, the dependency graph is part of visually driven analytics in which the output model parameter(s) are used to formulate data-drive scenes. As the identity of the input and/or output model parameter(s) change, or as the analytics themselves change, the dependency graph may also change. This might trigger a resolve of the analytics. In one embodiment, the intermediate parameters involved in the dependency graph may be viewed and evaluated by the user. |
| US08352395B1 |
Training an attentional cascade
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for training an attentional cascade. An attentional cascade is an ordered sequence of detector functions, where the detector functions are functions that examine a target image and return a positive result if the target image resembles an object of interest and a negative result if the target image does not resemble the object of interest. A positive result from one detector function leads to consideration of the target image by the next detector function, and a negative result from any detector function leads to rejection of the target image. The techniques include training each detector function in the attentional cascade in sequence starting with the first detector function. Training a detector function includes selecting a counter-example set. Selecting a counter-example set includes selecting only images that are at least a minimum difference from an example set. |
| US08352387B2 |
Legacy system support
A system for adapting a legacy system to a new environment includes a method of learning the behavior of a legacy system and a method for replacing a legacy system.Learning the behavior of a legacy system includes gathering information with respect to inputs, outputs, and internal function of the legacy system; defining from the gathered information a set of behavioral rules describing the legacy system; and testing the rules by applying known inputs to the legacy system and verifying that the legacy system responds as predicted by the rules.Replacing a legacy system includes monitoring legacy system responses to legacy system inputs; defining a set of rules describing behavior of the legacy system based on the responses to the inputs; comparing actual legacy system responses to responses predicted by the set of rules; and using the set of rules to create a replacement system that mimics the legacy system. |
| US08352382B1 |
Heuristic methods for customer order fulfillment planning
Techniques for heuristic customer order fulfillment planning. A method may include iteratively partitioning ordered items into shipment groups according to a set partition algorithm. Of a working set including the unassigned items, the algorithm may determine the subset that optimizes fulfillment cost per member of the subset, and may assign this subset to a shipment group. To determine the subset, the algorithm may iterate over the set of combinations of fulfillment decision variables. For each combination, a list of members of the working set that may be shipped according to the combination is generated. The subset of this list that optimizes, per member of the subset, the costs of shipping according to the combination is then identified. |
| US08352380B2 |
Method and system for generating a list signature
The invention relates to a method for generating a list signature for a message to be signed, said method comprising steps which are carried out by an electronic material support of a member of a list. During said step, the electronic material support only generates an electronic signature according to a sequence number supplied to the electronic material support by a certifying authority, according to evidence of belonging to the list of members, to data relating to the electronic material support, and optionally to a key of an authority qualified to lift the anonymity of the generated signature. |
| US08352374B2 |
Article of manufacture for controlling the use of content by providing for the delegation of rendering rights
Methods and systems for controlling the distribution of digital content are provided. A license holder acquires protected content and an original digital license to the protected content from a content provider system. The license holder in turn delegates all or part of the grants in that original license to other qualified devices or clients. The content remains in its original, protected or encrypted form while it is delivered from the license holder to the client along with a digital sublicense that the client receives from the original license holder, whereupon the content can then be rendered. The original digital license defines or governs the conditions under which such delegation occurs, and includes terms under which such delegation is permitted to continue in order to enforce the intent of the content provider. |
| US08352371B2 |
Limiting access to shared media content
The method shown in FIG. 4 continues with the iterative play cycles of the game, such as alternating moves between each player in the game. Player A operates a user interface on the game device 110A to select one of the content media items owned by Player A 236 to play during a move in the game (step 465). The user interface displays the selected content media item on the game device 110A which Player A operates (step 470) and sends a request to the game device 110B which Player B operates to reveal the selected content media item (step 475). The game device 110B which Player B operates receives the request (step 480) and reveals the selected content media item stored in the shared content media, such as in the shared content media items 238 shown in FIG. 2 (step 485). |
| US08352366B1 |
Method and system for flexible payment processing
A computer-implemented method is provided for enhancing payment flexibility. The method includes receiving payment notification including a payment amount and a payment date for an identified customer and determining eligibility for flexible payment status implementing the computer processor, the determination based on the customer identity, the payment date, and a payment due date. The method further includes calculating a flex accrual using the computer processor if the customer is eligible for flexible payment status, the flex accrual based on the payment amount, the payment date, and the payment due date and communicating the flex accrual to the customer. The method additionally includes allowing the identified customer to utilize the flex accrual by making a late payment without penalty, wherein a number of days late and dollars paid are determined based on the flex accrual. |
| US08352365B1 |
System and method for electronic bill presentment using a third party
A method and system for electronic bill presentment and payment using a third party intermediary is described. A third party provides an electronic post office that uses a virtual address directory to provide a level of abstraction in an EBPP data stream using the ACH network so that EBPP participants do not require the information that is typically required to process such transactions. By using the virtual address directory, neither the biller, nor the bank, nor the intermediary have all the consumer data used in the transaction. Accordingly, privacy is enhanced and any risk that privacy will be compromised is reduced. |
| US08352363B2 |
Mainframe-based far-distance bicentric transaction information processing method and system
A mainframe-based far-distance bicentric transaction information processing system, providing a processing operation solution. The method includes: receiving upload transaction information containing transaction type data; searching transaction information requiring an amount of shared resource less than a preset threshold when being processed, according to the transaction type data; and transmitting the transaction information requiring the amount of shared resource less than the preset threshold when being processed, to a backup processing center to be processed, when CPU utilization rates exceeds a preset safety threshold. The system includes a main processing center and a backup processing center. The transaction information processing method and system implement the mainframe parallel sysplex far-distance bicentric transaction processing including the main processing center and the backup processing center, which expands the physical distance between the two centers, improves the processing capability and reliability of the transaction system, and sufficiently utilizes the resources of the backup processing center. |
| US08352361B2 |
Methods of delivering payments to multiple parties
The disclosed subject matter includes a method of distributing a payment of funds made payable to two or more payees. In some embodiments, the method includes the following: receiving a payment of funds made payable to two or more payees; inviting each of the two or more payees to electronically select a preferred method of funds delivery; authenticating each of the two or more payees' identity; electronically receiving the preferred method of funds delivery selected by each of the two or more payees; and delivering funds from the payment of funds to one or more of the two or more payees according to the preferred methods of funds delivery received. |
| US08352358B2 |
Bankruptcy evaluation service and system
A method for assigning a value to a debt is disclosed. The method includes entering, into a digital computer, bankruptcy data associated with a bankruptcy proceeding after a debtor has filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy data may include priority claim data associated with priority claims, non-precedence claim data associated with non-precedence claims, and bankruptcy plan data. After the bankruptcy data are obtained, the digital computer determines a present value associated with at least one non-precedence claim in the non-precedence claims. |
| US08352356B2 |
System and method for quick quote configuration
A method and system are described for providing a trader with the ability to quickly configure the quoting side of a trading tool, without experiencing the normal delays associated with conventional methods of quoting. In spread trading, an automated spread trading tool may automatically work an order to buy or sell a tradeable object. A user may configure the trading tool to work an order in a certain tradeable object first. The system allows the user to essentially on-the-fly configure the trading tool to work a second order in another tradeable object, and in response to the change, the system can take specific actions such as deleting the order in the first tradeable object and automatically entering the second order in the other tradeable object. This allows the trader to trade quickly and efficiently. |
| US08352355B2 |
Configuration pricing strategies for multi-commodity request-for-quotes
Win probability estimation model that statistically computes the probability of winning a bid at a given price, and profit optimization models that compute the optimal price for a bid balancing the probability of winning a bid at a price with the profitability of the bid at the given price. In one stage, an expected profit margin of a product may be formulated as a function of its profit margin and win probability to compute its optimal profit margin. In another stage, an expected profit for one or more product accessories may be formulated as a function of the profit margin and their conditional win probability given the server win to compute their optimal profit margins. The conditional win probabilities for the product accessories may be modeled as a function of the utilities of the various purchase options that contain the product and that accessory. |
| US08352353B1 |
Method and system for maintaining trading accounts
Orders relating to a sale or purchase of securities are staged into an execution management system that includes a processor programmed to perform securities trading activities. Data describing the orders is stored in a database, which includes a neutral account. After the orders are staged into the execution management system, one or more of the orders, or portions thereof, are associated with one or more brokers for execution. |
| US08352352B2 |
Web based communication of information with reconfigurable format
A system of using an interactive device such as an e-mail pager to obtain information from a publicly available source, such as the Internet. The e-mail pager may send information in its native format to a service that acts as an intermediary. That service takes the information and uses it to assemble a request to the actual information source, such as a Web page being accessed. If a web page is being accessed, the request is in HTML, and may include personal logon information. The response from the web page is also in HTML, and this information is received by the service, and salient information is taken from the HTML file. The information is reformatted, e.g. according to a template, into the e-mail pager″s native format, and sent to the pager. Another embodiment describes opening multiple pages, and assembling their content into a single web page. |
| US08352341B1 |
Method and system for managing workforce mobility within a business entity
The present disclosure is directed toward incorporating corporate culture, change management, and employee morale concerns into a business facilities management process to ensure continuity of operations and revenues when managing a change event. A preferred methodology focuses on flexible and careful consideration of human factors throughout the change process, with frequent status re-assessment and plan re-alignment. A preferred system may allow the user to incorporate existing preferred software tools to manage logistics associated with an office move, and together with an information-based kit, address human factors and provide a form factor solution to facilitate teamwork and buoy employee morale. In a preferred configuration, the relocation kit may simplify the change process and enable managers of change and mobile employees to experience a sense of control, order, calm, and fun. |
| US08352338B2 |
Architectural design for time recording application software
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing time recording. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Project Processing process component that supports the management of projects, a Time and Labor Management process component that supports the management of employees timekeeping and work planning, an Accounting process component that records relevant business transactions, a payroll processing process component that supports the execution and monitoring of payroll processes, and a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component that receives a confirmation from an employee of goods received or services rendered. |
| US08352335B2 |
Spare part procurement method
A method of facilitating broker mediated matching of a potential buyer of a spare part with a potential seller of the spare part, the potential seller having an inventory of spare parts for use in a manufacturing process run by the potential seller, the method comprising the following steps undertaken by the broker: (a) receiving a request for the spare part from a potential buyer, (b) enquiring with a potential seller as to the presence of the spare part in its inventory, (c) if the spare part is present, assessing whether or not the spare part is excess to the foreseeable needs of the potential seller in running the manufacturing process efficiently by the application of software that presents a series of questions for answering by the potential seller, the answers to which will reveal whether or not the spare part is excess to said needs, and (d) if the spare part is excess to said needs, providing means by which the potential seller and potential buyer will communicate with each other, whereby they may finalise details for securing the sale and transfer of the spare part. |
| US08352334B2 |
System and method for ordering supplies for a multifunction device using a mobile wireless handset
What is disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for effectuating the ordering of supplies via a wireless handset device. In one embodiment, the handset is pre-loaded with a plurality of folders each representing a multifunction device. A user navigates the hierarchy of folders and selects a folder. The user then selects at least one graphical widget contained therein representing a particular supply commodity available for order from a supplier. In response to a user selection thereof, a part number identified by the selected graphical widget and a supplier profile are retrieved from memory. The profile contains the ordering method and contact information. An order message is prepared according to the ordering method prescribed by the profile and is sent to the supplier to place an order for that supply commodity. The process repeats until no more supplies are to be ordered. Additional features, enhancements, and embodiments have been provided. |
| US08352333B2 |
System and method for generating an alternative product recommendation
A method and system for automatically generating a self-updating naturally-reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the system and method includes evaluating an existing narrative product summary, comparing an existing attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model, respectively, to a current attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model to determine if one of the comparisons shows a change. The system and method further determines a new attribute associated with the selected product, selects an alternative product, retrieves a new assertion model with assertions that describe the selected product and identify an alternative product in a natural manner. The system and method then generates a naturally-reading narrative product summary by combining the new attribute with the new retrieved assertion model, and by combining the selected alternative product with another retrieved assertion model to recommend the selected alternative product in the narrative. |
| US08352326B2 |
Method, hardware product, and computer program product for implementing commerce between virtual worlds
A virtual business transaction is implemented between a first virtual world and a second virtual world by providing a searchable catalog that includes one or more items each comprising a virtual good, a virtual service, a real good, or a real service. An object representation is stored for each of the items. Each of the stored object representations is associated with metadata comprising any of digital rights metadata, ownership metadata, identity metadata, payment method metadata, or currency detail metadata. A set of transformation algorithms are established that are customized through a rule set. A request is received specifying a copying, modifying, or reselling of an item selected from the items in the searchable catalog. The copying, modifying, or reselling of the item from a first virtual world to a second virtual world is implemented using the set of transformation algorithms. An exchange of virtual currency is implemented between the first virtual world and the second virtual world using the set of transformation algorithms. |
| US08352325B2 |
Auction of multiple heterogeneous items among multiple buyers and sellers using software agents linked via a communication network
A method, system and computer program product for conducting an online auction of a plurality of heterogeneous items between a plurality of selling and potential purchasing parties. The method includes the steps of accepting an offer in respect of an item, accepting one or more subsequent offers that is/are preferable to a previously accepted offer, and rejecting the previously accepted offer. While the offer/s is/are binding on a party making the offer, acceptance of the offer/s is/are not binding on a party accepting the offer. Classes of “seller strategies”, for offering items to potential purchasing parties, and “buyer strategies”, to decide which offers to accept, are also disclosed. As a result of the interaction of the buyer and seller strategies, the auction mechanism converges to an allocation of items to buyers at particular prices and assists in discovering a free and fair competitive equilibrium price. The auction is performed using terminals connected via a communications network and software-based agents hosted on the terminals, wherein the software-based agents act on behalf of the participating parties. |
| US08352324B2 |
Method and system for managing invitations to bid
A system and method for managing the drafting, submission, and evaluation of invitations to bid for the delivery of one or more products and/or services. An archival database of performance descriptions and prices is utilized to generate a list of desired performances; the list being automatically distributed to a plurality of selected potential bidders. Upon receipt of the submitted bids, the system evaluates the bids based on price, past pricings, and bidder performance history. A bid is selected as the winning bid, and a contract listing the desired performances is generated and forwarded to the successful bidder. During contract performance, bidder performance is monitored, with the results being added to a historical database for subsequent use in the bid evaluation and selection process. The contents of the successful bid, including any new performance descriptions drafted during the generation of the bid, are added to the archival database for use in future bid invitation generation applications. |
| US08352323B2 |
Conducting an online payment transaction using an NFC enabled mobile communication device
A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization. |
| US08352320B2 |
Advertising management system and method with dynamic pricing
Method and system for enabling advertisers to deliver advertisements to consumers in which a plurality of tiers of available advertisements are defined, each tier containing a number of advertisements, a price for allocation of an advertisement in each tier is set wherein a lowest tier has the lowest price and the price increases to a maximum at a highest tier, and advertisements are allocated to advertisers based on availability starting from a lowest tier with unallocated advertisements and progressing to higher tiers. |
| US08352317B2 |
System for facilitating production of variable offer communications
An apparatus and method use client information to automatically select products appropriate for the client. According to one aspect of the invention, client information, information about the products, ancillary data, and decision criteria pertaining to selection from among the products are stored in a storage device Decision-making logic circuitry use the stored data to select the products. An output device prepares a client communication identifying the selected products and incorporates a portion of the client information and a portion of the product information into the client communication. |
| US08352313B2 |
Audio/video automated payment facility
A central monitoring station is linked to a plurality of remote terminals, such as payment terminals at a plurality of parking facilities. The central monitoring station and each remote terminal includes a two-way communication system in the form of a video camera and display, and audio speaker and microphone. The station and remote terminals are preferably linked through an Ethernet or Internet connection, although a hard-wired connection is also contemplated. The two-way communication system can be used by a customer at the remote terminal to achieve direct human interaction with an attendant at the remote central station to address problems occurring at the terminal. The communication system can also allow the attendant to manipulate the processor of each remote terminal to collect data, troubleshoot or override the function of the terminal. |
| US08352312B2 |
System and method for controlling actions taken on voting devices
The present invention is directed to a system and method that allows a central election office to maintain control over actions taken on voting devices located at various polling locations. In an exemplary embodiment, a poll worker or other user contacts the central election office with a request to perform an action on a voting device. An election management system located at the central election office executes a hashing algorithm to generate a first hash code associated with the action. The central election office communicates the first hash code to the polling location, and the poll worker or other user inputs the first hash code into the voting device. The voting device executes the same hashing algorithm to generate a second hash code associated with the action, and compares the second hash code to the first hash code to verify the validity of the first hash code. If the validity of the first hash code is verified, the voting device permits the poll worker or other user to perform the action on the voting device. |
| US08352309B2 |
Defining a serviceability assessment measure
A plurality of questions are displayed. Responses to the plurality of questions are received, wherein a response to a question included in the plurality of questions includes an indication of a likelihood of occurrence of an answer to the question. A value for a quality measure is determined, based on the responses to the plurality of questions. |
| US08352305B2 |
Automated broadcast advertising transaction system and method
A system and method for synchronizing broadcast advertising inventory data between a broadcast vendor system and a media buyer's media resource planning system features a database that stores advertising inventory data received from the broadcast vendor system and the media buyer's resource planning system. A matching application in communication with the database performs a comparison between a previous package of advertising inventory data and a revised package of advertising inventory data. An analysis application in communication with the matching application and the database enables a user to review results of the comparison and directs uploading of the revised package of advertising data from the database to the media buyer's resource planning system. |